Starting the year right...

Category: By DuNi
How do I start the New Year right?  There are those who devote themselves into making the endless resolutions.  I already had mine, and my new year’s resolution is not to make one from now on.  What’s the point of making a resolution when there might be no possibility of fulfilling it?  I can set my goals at the start, but sometimes things or events happen that I falter midway into reaching those goals, and then it goes away swiftly as days go by.  It’s not that I am personally discouraging each and every one of you to do the same but sometimes these tired old formulas are just like what our math lessons are: most of them are hypothetical and at times cannot be applied into reality.  Just like there are infinite solutions, there are also infinite realities.

My mind, or perhaps myself has been somehow stagnant at the onset of the last quarter of last year.  I cannot give any reason because I don’t have any.  There are a lot of factors to consider, but it’s not about lacking in interests anymore.  There has been a new fad, Facebook, but it is not one of the reasons why the mind hasn’t been creative lately that my Multiply has been in a dormant stage.

Last year was sort of a fulfillment, and I was lucky because I never expected those things to happen: the first birthday of the “princess”, some minor reunion from college friends, Boracay and other meaningful trips.  Thanks also to No Pigeon Hole and his contest for recognizing a little of my talent, and even though I never won the distinctive award, I was happy enough to be rubbing elbows with some of the best bloggers this past year.

Things were looking good from last year.  And so how do I start the year right?  A week after the New Year had begun and I still do not have any answer to that question, until I found myself in front of the altar of Nuestra Señora del Santissimo Rosario de Manaoag, and listening to what the priest had said that stuck in my mind for a while: being the son of God is a privilege that cannot be compared to being a son of a politician, an actor, or even a hero.  In this modern day and age, we have been blinded by the opportunities and privileges of being a son of somebody influential in our society, and yet we forget the most important fact in our lives, and not just mine. 

I admit I have forgotten Him a little bit in the past and this was His way of reminding how lucky I am, aside from all the things that I have right now.  And as Dan Burgess’ song was being sung by the choir during communion rites, everything fell into place for me.  I forgot to thank Him despite of the things He has done for me, whether I am aware or not.
So how do I start the New Year right? 

With a lot of hope that everything will be much more fantastic than before…
With resolve that I have to put my mind into the goals that I want…
With a promise of seeking Him more than the usual for guidance…
With consideration to thank every one who made my life more meaningful as I expect it to be…

And lastly, with confidence that I am privileged enough to outclass even Mikey Arroyo because the priest said I am God’s son created in His image and likeness…

I don’t know about Mikey…

6 Comments

a letter to my Pastor

By DuNi
Rating:★★★★★
Category:Other

Dear Pastor,

One day I was walking down the busy footpath, and my eye fell upon one of those unfortunate, homeless vagabonds that are found in every city these days.

Wearing what can only be described as rags, carrying every worldly possession in two plastic bags, my heart was touched by this person's condition.

Some people turned to stare. Others quickly looked away as if the sight would somehow contaminate them.

I remember one Sunday talk not long ago about your admonition to 'care for the sick, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked'. I was moved by some powerful inner surge to reach out to this unfortunate person.

Yes, where as some people saw only rags, I saw a hidden beauty. A small voice inside my head called out: 'Reach out... Reach out and touch this person!"








So I did...

That's why I won't be in church this Sunday...
6 Comments

Que Horror! Dónde es su palabra de honor?

Category: By DuNi
As of this moment, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had already submitted her CoC intending to run as the representative of the 2nd District of Pampanga. And although most of the loyal followers of the cheating president have always stood by their denials about the issue, it has been a well-known fact from most of the adjacent towns in Lubao as far as 2007, contrary to reports that she is still undecided.

From President to a Representative of the Lower House, nobody else could ever get this so low like Gloria, as fast as her plummeting approval ratings had gone ever since she assumed the Office of the President wrought with controversies: the first in 2001 with a calibrated conspiracy together with the presently unpopular and tainted AFP leadership, and again in 2004 with synchronized cheating depriving the country of a clean, honest, and fraud-free elections.

As former Fidel Ramos has commented, it is demeaning to the highest office in the entire Republic. And if history would have it, only Gloria has the capabilities to pull it off.

High and mighty pride dictates that Gloria would want to vindicate herself from her controversial stint as President. All the allegations of corruption, the doubtful election triumph of 2004, and the negative ratings received all throughout those nine years of hardly successful economic policies and political condemnations has instigated her to run for Congress, only to disprove the tag of being the worst leader this country has ever had. With the help of some of her kabalens who has vowed to support her political vindication by running for Congress in her home district, she will surely beat her less-popular, less-funded opponents and hope to regain a little bit of respect that she has lost since 2001. Her province-mates, particularly the old fashioned patrons, who where much maligned for all those criticisms hurled against their beloved daughter from their beloved province, will cast a vengeful vote for their champion, Gloria, in the hopes of erasing the negative image their province has accumulated throughout history. And who could be better to get rid of the stigma of nationwide disapproval than the very person who created them.

It is ironic that in order to reclaim honor, Gloria has thrown out her word of honor. But even with accumulated years of public service, it does not guarantee admiration and respect from the people. Ask the Marcoses for that and they can give you a definite answer.

Palabra De Honor? Words do not have any honor, that is, according to politicians like Gloria, and neither can they be bought or traded even with experience and accumulated millions…


8 Comments

A Day (or Two) in the Life of a Newly-Registered Voter

Category: By DuNi

Maaga akong gumising at nag-gayak.  Kung tutuusin, hindi naman masyadong importante ang araw para paghandaan.  Ang naka-ugalian na alas sais na pagtayo upang buksan ang water heater, ang jetmatic, at patayin ang ilaw sa bodega ay mas napaaga pa.  Pinilit kong gumising ng alas singko, isang oras pa bago sa itinakdang normal na oras ng pag-alarm ng cell phone dahil binigyan ako ng payo ng isang kaibigan.

“pre, dapat mas maaga ka pa sa alas syete kung magpapa-rehistro ka.”

At dahil masunurin naman ako sa mga mababait kong kaibigan, maaga akong umalis ng bahay.  Ginising ko lang ang anak ko upang sabihan na kailangan niyang maghandang mag-isa dahil may importante akong lalakarin.  Hindi ko na kailangan pang ipaliwananag na ang gagawin ko ay mahalaga para sa kapakanan ng inang bayan.  Marahil ay hindi pa niya lubusang naiintindihan kung bakit alas sais pa lang eh palabas na ako ng bahay.

Nakasakay agad ako ng traysikel, at pagdating sa kanto ay hindi rin nahirapan mag abang ng jeep.  Mabilis din ang byahe dahil siguro wala pang masyadong pasahero, yung iba nga pupungas pungas pa.  Meron pa ngang naka-idlip sa unahan ng jeep, dun sa may tabi ng drayber.  At pagdating ko sa munisipyo, mali ang sinabi ng kaibigan ko.  Dapat pala mas maaga pa sa alas sais ang punta ko.  Punyeta!  Ang haba na ng pila, tapos dalawa pa!  Pero imbes na panghinaan ng loob, pinilit aliwin ang sarili upang hindi ma-distract at magdalawang-isip na magparehistro. 

Nagtanong ako sa mga nakapila, ayos naman at medyo malinaw ang sistema ng pagrehistro dito sa amin.  May dalawang pila silang ipinairal.  Yung isang pila ay bibigyan ng number para sa query/validation at pagbibigay ng kaukulang form.  Pagka-validate ng pangalan mo at nabigyan ka na ng kaukulang form, pipila ka naman dun sa ikalawang pila at kukuha ng numero para sa tinatawag nilang biometrics, submission ng form, picture taking, fingerprint scanning, autograph signing este signature sample pala, at ang pag designate ng voting precint.  May sistema naman pala ang Comelec kahit papano.

Maaga akong dumating sa munisipyo pero sa maniwala kayo at sa hinde, pang singkuwenta ako sa pila.  Kung dun siguro ako natulog sa harap malamang una ako.  At yung numero ko eh para lang sa query yun.  Pero mabuti na rin yun, kasi nung nagbukas na ang opisina ng Comelec, 300 lang ang nakalaan na form para sa araw na yun dahil 300 ang tantya nilang mapo-prosesong dokumento sa buong araw. 

Pero minsan kahit anong ganda ng sistema ito ay pumapalpak din.  Sinabihan kami na makakakuha lang daw kami ng form ngayong araw at kinabukasan na lang daw kami kailangang bumalik upang ma proseso ang biometrics (BIOMATRIX ang nakasulat sa sign lols, pinagsamang BIOMAN at NEO ANDERSON).  Katwiran ng mga namamalakad eh dahil sa dami ng backlog sa biometrics, yung mga hindi na process ng mga nakaraang araw ay nakapila sa ngayong araw, hindi kakayanin ma process lahat kaya wala kaming magagawa kundi umuwi pagkakuha ng form at makipagsapalaran na lang ulit kinabukasan.  Umugong tuloy ang mga usap-usapang dahil meron inihatid na isang trak na mga botante upang iparehistro noong mga nakaraang araw kaya may backlog sa processing ng mga forms.  Ang masama pa dun hindi raw pinapila ang mga nasa trak at idineretso na raw ito sa loob.  Pagkakuha ng form mga bandang alas onse, umuwi na lang ako at doon sa bahay nag fill up ng form.

Kinabukasan, same drama pa rin.  Gumising ng alas singko, umalis ng alas sais, at dumating sa munisipyo na may mahaba nang pila.  Isa pa uling tumatanginting na punyeta dahil nung makuha ko ang number, pang 115 na ako!  Tinanghali na pala ako nung lagay na yun.  Ang kagandahan lang sa sistemang ipinairal nila, mahirap makasingit kasi limitado lang ang numero, hanggang 300 lang gaya ng nasabi ko kanina, at magkaiba ang numero ng kahapon ang ngayong araw.  Mahirap sumingit ang nagbabalak sumingit kasi kahit magpanggap kang may numero, yung form mo may numero rin tapos may pirma pa kaya dalawa ang numero mo para alam yung mga sumingit at may lehitimong numero sa pila.

Ang nagpapatagal lang sa pag proseso ay dahil 2 lang ang computer na gamit ng Comelec laban sa libo-libong nagpaparehistro.  Kung nung 1997 wala pang isang oras rehistrado na ako sa barangay hall, ngayon lahat ay sa comelec office lang magpapa rehistro.  Isipin mo na lang na lahat ng nakatira sa isang third class municipality eh ganyan na kahaba ang pila, papano na yung nasa siyudad? 

Natapos ang pag proseso ng dokumento ko mga banding alas dos.  Tiniis ang pagod, pasensya, at inip para lang sa karapatang bumoto.  Hindi na masama, lalo na sa mga katulad kong naghahangad ng pagbabago at pag-alis ng mga bulok na sistemang ipinaiiral ng mga kasalukuyang namumuno sa atin.  May mga nakilala rin bagong kaibigan, kasi kelangan kang makipagkilala para i-save yung pwesto mo sa pila kung sakali na magutom ka o mag CR ka.  Nakakalibang din naman yung mga kwentuhan at pagpapa cute sa mga nag-gagandahang dilag na malapit sa aming pila.

Nakakapagod man, panatag na ang loob ko na makakaboto na ako at magagamit ko ang kapangyarihan ng aking pagpili upang makamit ang inaasam kong pagbabago.  Hindi ko sinisisi ang sarili ko dahil late na ako nagparehistro.  Pwede ko naman sabihin na ito lang ang ibinigay sa akin na pagkakataon.  Sa totoo lang kaya kong magpa rehistro sa at least 4 na lugar dito sa Pilipinas.  Hinintay ko lang ang pinakahuling option ko.  At kahit mahaba ang pila, handa akong magtiis, kahit na isang beses lang tuwing 3 taon nagmamakaawa ang mga pulitiko sa mga ordinaryong taong katulad ko.  Kahit na pagkatapos ng eleksyon ay alipin tayo ng mga buwitreng namumuno sa atin sa loob ng 3 taon hanggang sa dumating ang susunod na eleksyon ay gagamitin ko ang kapangyarihang ipinagkaloob sa akin ng batas para sa kinabukasan ng bayan.  Naalala ko tuloy yung isang babae na sa sobrang inis sa nakitang pila ay umalis na lang bigla at nagsambit ng mga katagang… “Wala nang pag-asa ang Pilipinas!”  Ang masasabi ko lang sa kanya ay ganito: “Ineng, mali ka dyan… hanggang maraming nakapila dito, may pagasa pa ang bansa.  Ang sarili mo siguro wala nang pagasa pero kaming nagtitiis upang makaboto at mapalitan ang umiiral na sistemang bulok para sa kapakanan ng susunod na henerasyon, hindi mawawalan ng pagasa.” 

Where there is hope, there is pagasa.  Where there is pagasa, there is a typhoon!

Napa-praning na naman ako nyan… excited lang ako kasi makakaboto na ako sa darating na eleksyon!
14 Comments

ang dambuhalang Dam...

Category: By DuNi



Sa mga hindi nakaka-alam, ang San Roque Dam ang pinakamalaking dam sa buong Pilipinas at Timog-Silangang Asya, ikalawa sa buong Asya at pang ikalabing-dalawa sa buong mundo, ito ay ayon sa mga factual na impormasyon.

Inaprubahan ang pagpapagawa ng dam noong panahon ng termino ni Pangulong Fidel V. Ramos at itinuring itong isa sa pinakamahal na proyekto noon.  Ang magiging pakinabang daw nito bukod sa patuloy na supply ng kuryente ay ang pagre-regulate ng tubig sa irrigation system papunta sa mga malawak na sakahan sa Pangasinan at ang pagpigil ng tubig baha na rumaragasa sa ilog ng Agno tuwing panahon ng malalakas na bagyo at ulan.

Mula sa panukalang Build-Operate-Transfer scheme na kadalasang proposal sa mga infrastructure projects dito sa Pilipinas upang mabawasan ang gastos ng pamahalaan, inumpisahan ang paggawa ng dam noong 1998, at natapos noong 2003.

Bumaba kaya ng singil sa kuryente ng Napocor dahil merong karagdagang imprastraktura na magpapabuti ng kalagayan ng sector ng elektrisidad ng bansa?

Hindi, dahil hanggang ngayon ang Pilipinas pa rin ang isa sa may pinakamataas na singil sa serbisyo ng kuryente, mas mataas pa nga tayo sa ibang mauunlad na bansa kung tutusin.

Umunlad ba ang mga pamamaraan ng mga magsasaka ukol sa pagkakaroon ng maganda at masaganang ani sa kanilang mga bukid?

Hindi, dahil hanggang ngayon ang pangunahin pa rin nating solusyon sa kakulangan ng supply ng pagkain ay ang pag-import ng mga gulay at bigas sa mga karagtig bansa habang ang mga lupang sakahan ay ibinibenta at iginagawad sa mga ganid na kapitalista na ginagawa itong Mall o kaya sa mga pulitikong kunyari nag SIPAG at nagTIYAGA at ginagawa naman itong SUBSTANDARD LOW COST SUBDIVISION.

Napigilan ba ang pagbaha sa Pangasinan? 

Kayo na siguro ang makakahusga nitong mga nakaraang mga araw kung ano talaga ang naging epekto ng isang makabagong proyekto sa ngalan ng pekeng kaunlaran.  Sino ba talaga ang umunlad?  Ang mamamayan o ang mga nakaupo sa kanilang de-aircon na opisina na walang alam o marahil walang pakialam sa tamang pagpapatakbo ng isang sensitibo at higanteng makinaryang makakapagdulot ng malaking kita at pera o trahedya?

Para sa mga nasa likod ng pamunuan ng San Roque Dam sa Pangasinan, ito lang ang tanging masasabi ko sa inyo:

DAM YOU!
12 Comments

CHE - A Revolutionary Life

Category: By DuNi

Forty-two years ago today, Ernesto “Che” Guevara was shot in the village of La Higuera in the mountains of Bolivia after he was caught by the Bolivian government and the CIA.  To those people who have no idea of Che and yet continuously wear that famous portrait of his face in their fashionable shirt, allow me to share some insights on the man they called “the True Revolutionary”.

This is not another boring-to-death lesson like what we had imagine our history class was during our schooldays.  Instead, this is an independent review of sorts of the biographical film, which has received critical acclaim since it was presented in 2008 Cannes Film Festival.


The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh, was produced by Laura Bickford and its lead star Benicio Del Toro, who portrayed the revolutionary leader himself.  The biopic depicts Che’s revolutionary involvement in the successful Cuban Revolution until his tragic assassination in Bolivia.  This was supposed to be a single 5-hour film highlighting his exploits within both Latin American revolutions, plus some partial interviews and his speech at the United Nations.  Instead, it was split into two parts.

PART 1 – The Argentine

The first part of the movie depicted Che’s involvement in the Cuban Revolution.  From the famous dinner/meeting with Fidel Castro in Mexico, to that journey in that overloaded (almost like in terms of ratio but not as tragic as MV Doña Paz) boat Granma, to the mountains of Sierra Maestra were Fidel, Raul, and the Cubans discovered his ruthlessness as well as his intelligence.  It showed how an outsider like him were able to instill discipline and single-mindedness to a person who is in the forefront of a revolution, his health struggles, the racial barrier (he was often called Argentine instead of comrade), as well as the compassionate traits this doctor had that the Cuban common people had learned to loved throughout the years.  Part 1 also highlighted some of the revolution's key points, including the Battle of Santa Clara which turned the tide in favor of Castro and Che.  It also depicted one of his dark sides, where he executed one revolutionary for committing a very heinous crime to the Cuban people that has always supported them throughout war against US-backed Cuban president Fulgencio Batista.  The film ends as Che leads the revolutionaries to Havana to meet Fidel Castro and the thousands of Cuban supporters that ended Batista’s dictatorship.

One unforgettable highlight of the film is near the end where one of his comrades shouted something like they can go home now since they already won the revolution.  Che answered back with words like "we only won the war, the revolution starts now".  Watch out also his speech at the U.N. where the words “Patria o muerte!(Homeland or death)” were exclaimed.

PART 2 – The Guerilla

After the success of the Cuban Revolution and the Cuban were slowly reaping the benefits of the government that Fidel Castro has dreamed of for the Cuban citizens, Che disappears from Cuba and re-emerges in the mountains of Bolivia to start his dream of a Latin American revolution.  Hiding within the mountains with assumed names together with some Cuban comrades and some Bolivian recruits, he tried to enlist the people of Bolivia to the revolution but was unsuccessful enough for the Bolivians were not very much cooperative to the revolution unlike the Cuban people.  Due to the lack of arms, funds, medicines, and support from the poor Bolivian that he wants to emancipate, he was captured at the Yuro ravine when his troops encountered the Bolivian army.  He was later brought to the nearby village of La Higuera, and was shortly executed and his body mockingly displayed.

Part 2 tells of the sacrifices, idealism, Che’s unparalleled guerilla warfare experience, as well as the failures which brought him to his untimely death.  

Throughout the whole film, it is believed that Steven Soderbergh and the producers, including Del Toro, would help us come to understand how and why Che remains a symbol idealism and heroism, that lives in the hearts of the people around the world, and as well as a murderer in the eyes of those spiteful and with limited understanding to all idealists and sees them as a threat to worldwide capitalism.


Overall, the movie promises a very good account from historical facts that happened during those tumultuous times, including superb production of re-enactment of historical events.  Personally, I love the country side shots that were reminiscent of the Cuban revolution more than 50 years ago.  The natural lighting that was most used on the film depicted the environment was good, including the simplest and the complicated scenarios expected in the any jungle warfare.  The Spanish setting of the towns, buildings, roads, and even the train was superb and had complimented the film's depiction of Che and his comrades.  Del Toro's acting and make-up was excellent that sometimes it is even hard to differentiate the actor from the real Che Guevara.


To every idealist, this movie is a must-see and a must collect, along with another Che Guevara biopic, The Motorcycle Diaries which starred Gael Garcia Bernal.   To every fashion victim who wears the Che shirt proudly, this movie will help you learn information on who is that famous guy on your shirt.  This film maybe boring in terms of Hollywood Blockbuster Standards, but most history books are somewhat dictated by whoever dictates their country’s economy.  Expect the critics to criticize the movie as bad as they can, since the movie followed the historical facts and not those overblown blood and action-hungry scripts moviegoers would love to see.

As Che had said during his final moments that he is only a man and the revolution shall not die with him, I agree that this film will relieve the revolution as the world should have seen it sans the prejudicial violence and racial slurs, and the idealism that Che has imparted will forever inspire those who want a better world to live.

Viva El Comandante! Viva Revolucion!

11 Comments

Ahedres

Category: By DuNi

Si Rizal ay mahilig maglaro ng chess.  Filipino ang unang Asian Grandmaster sa Chess.  At usapang chess ang napipinto nating talakayin ngayon.

Maraming naghihikayat kay Noynoy na tumakbo bilang presidente sa 2010, kabilang dito ang mga alagad ni Gloria na gusto lamang guluhin ang Partido Liberal.  Chess move.  Si Lito Atienza nag-iingay na siya raw ang dapat sa LP.  Chess move.  Nagdesisyon si Mar Roxas na suportahan na lang si Noynoy para maging stand bearer ng Liberal party.  Chess move.  Hinihintay ngayon ang desisyon ni Noynoy ukol sa pagtakbo sa 2010.  Awaiting chess move.  Kung sakali man tumakbo si Noynoy, labanan ng magpinsan ang lalabas, si Noynoy sa LP at si Gilbert Teodoro sa Lakas-Kampi.  Stalemate.  Kahit papano, nag backfire ang istratehiya ng mga demonyo sa Malakanyang.  Stalemate!

Sa ibang dako naman, si Japeth Aguilar ay nagdesisyon na mag backout sa PBA.  Chess move.  Masama ang loob ng Burger King upang balakin nitong i-propose ang lifetime ban kay Japeth.  Chess move.  Balak mag miting ang Board of Governors upang talakayin ang posibleng commitment ulit ng PBA sa FIBA.  Chess move.  Ang desisyon ni Japeth na maglaro sa National Team ay tinututulan ng isang kapitalistang gahaman na katulad ni ginoong Lito Alvarez.  Chess move.  Ngunit hindi natitinag ang kagustuhan ni Japeth na maglaro para sa Bayan.  Check mate! Panalo ang bayang Pilipinas…

Ngayon, sino ang makakapagsabi na “politics and sports don’t mix”?
6 Comments

Older Posts | Newer Posts