Enslaved on Independence Day

I was too engrossed playing Grand Theft Auto (yeah, that old school game) last Wednesday night that I didn’t notice the time. I slept at around 1230MN. It wasn’t too late actually, aside from the fact that I have an early morning class the next day at PNU. The next morning, as expected, I woke up late (6AM). I jumped out of bed and took a quick bath (my class is at 7AM, by the way) At 6:30, I’m already eating at the nearby tapsihan. Since I didn’t have the time to eat, I moved out of the eatery at 6:40. I was fortunate enough to ride on an FX that brought me to PNU (and with long strides reached BPS 209B) at exactly 7:00 AM.

From that time to 10:00, I held my class; gave out lectures and activities; and went to La Salle for my afternoon class. I was too tired that I took a nap in the faculty lounge. When I regained my strength, I took lunch, and minutes later went to class.

The class went as what we normally do—from 1:00 to 4:10. Afterwards, at 4:20, I started my writing lab tutorial. This carried on until 6PM. Exhausted, I went home and took a rest.

***

Well, some might have a more stressful Thursday, but it isn’t the point. That Thursday was June 12, the Philippine Independence Day, and I can’t forgive myself for failing to greet my students. How could I have forgotten it?

While there is no one to be blamed but me (since I was too preoccupied), I may also say that it was because of what happened—or what did not happen. That Thursday was an ordinary Thursday. There was nothing “extravagant” and “traditional” to at least remind me, “Hey, you’re supposed to celebrate, today’s when you’re country got its freedom from 400 years of Spanish Colonial rule.”

GMA chose to “celebrate” Independence day with a flurry of booths in Luneta, which aim to provide services to Filipinos (i.e. job opportunities). However, I can’t help but ask, “Why on that day? Can’t the ‘service to the Filipino’ be done on another day? Or even EVERYday?”

The move of GMA was supported by the premise that the government is trying to save funds. While this is very timely, I think this statement from Malacañang is rather hypocritical. There are many other aspects from which the government can save. Say, downgrade the vehicles that politicos use—these people usually ride luxurious SUVs, with V8 engines which means that a full tank would more likely cost P4,000; plus the security convoy, et ceterea et cetera. But of course, they won’t do that.

This government’s decision to “celebrate” Independence Day differently is absurd and irrational. It only shows how narrow these people think. It only proves how these people care for their popularity, rather than the identity of the nation. Disregarding national festivities such as the independence day by moving it out of its original date just for the sake of “holiday economics” and worse, ignoring it are proofs that this country is still enslaved.

Choices and Consequences

I'm not a brat... or maybe I am.

But how do you define a "brat'?

I never experienced asking my mother and father to buy me something (i.e. toys and kid stuff); we were informed about our lean budget since we were kids. If "brat" is defined as someone who gets what s/he wants by "threatening" people around him (especially parents) or having tantrums, then I guess I'm not.

I get what I want (most of the time). But I work for it real hard. I sold "polvoron" and "yema" during my elementary days so that I can buy myself snacks. I sold "lumpia" and "turon"under the blistering heat of the sun to buy myself a guitar. I persuaded classmates and friends and to sell their stuff at a very low price or give them to me in exchange of some odd things (i.e. running errands for them or finishing their assignments or projects)

I accomplish my plans, or at least I try. I face people (or write to them) and tell them frankly how I loathe their practices (especially in the workplace), which is exactly what I did a few months ago.

I got pissed off with the "culture" and character of people in my former "school".

I resigned.

I chose to leave the "fortunes" served in the not-so-genuine silver platter. I chose to leave some of the friends and colleagues that for years served as members of the secret society of the abused. I chose to go back to the polluted and over populated Metro Manila.

I chose to live alone.

But I'm not a hypocrite, and during the first 2 weeks of my stay in my humble abode, I realized that somehow, living on your own is not that "cool".

There were nights when I felt so solitary. No one to talk to and nothing much to do (which made me realize how badly I need a laptop--which is the message behind my Friendster shoutout: "...accepts donations...") I should be happy, now I have more time for myself; now I have more time to read. But I'm a person who tries to adhere to the Chinese concept of the Yin and Yang. I need to engage to other recreational activites more than reading. In short, I need to chat (literally and virtually).

Fortunately, just yesterday, Kay and I had an opportunity to talk (It's been a while, since she buried herself into solitary confinement for 100 years... because of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and his spiritual Filipino alter ego, Venancio Lazaro Mendiola) She told me that I'm being melancholic because of the fact that the other school (from which I will be a part time faculty) hasn't started classes yet.

Maybe she's right and I should just enjoy the dumb moments inside my shack. She even pressed me to finish reading The Last Temptation of Christ (I'm in chapter 23 in all fairness) so that she can borrow it. I told her it's not something you read quickly because the context is highly meditative like Hesse's Siddharta, but she snides that I've been reading it for a year now and I should let go of it. (Well, hopefully I'll be able to finish it in no time ;-) )

Realizations 101: Maybe it's just part of the adjustment. Hopefullt, in the next few days, I'll be meeting and chatting with old friends and new friends.

Life is what we make it, consequences are results of our choices. <-- taray

Day 1 (May 22, 2008)

Manila wasn't so kind in welcoming me back.

Yesterday (May 21, 2008) was my 1st night in my humble shack--in between the newly built high-rise condominium and Benilde's Angelo King Hotel. Rain poured gently, but my head ached badly. I wasn't able to have my dinner since I can't pully myself out of my airbed--luckily i had the strength earlier to inflate it.

My room wasn't so bad, it's concrete walls are painted white (or at least it is); the floor is covered with dirty white linoleum (I believe it wasn't that dirty when it was installed); a painting in black canvass hangs on the wall; and the temperature isn't too bad.

But I guess the problem--which I did not foresee--is ventilation. The window is big enough but since my room is in the ground level, air is blocked, aside from the fact that I have to cover it with a thick curtain for privacy purposes.

To sum it up, I'd like to believe that my body is just adjusting to the new environment that I'm into.

Oh well, If I had the guts to leave all the "fortunes" I had before, then I must have the balls to face the challenges that lie before me. Aluta Continua! (borrowed from Pandot)

An Evening of Music, Praise, and Worship

Last night was my first time to step into the portals of Araneta Coliseum--the Big Dome from which every basketball player wishes to play, and every musician wishes to perform. They say that an artist who can fill the araneta with audience is 'someone'. But last night, it was not just filled, it was jam packed...with Christian Youth--and somehow even Non-Christians--and THEY are not 'someone', Jesus is.

It was the concert of Hillsong United--that Pop Church Music that you usually hear at SM when you pass by House of Praise. I don't know the people, but I know the songs, the melodies, the praises that each note gives unto Jesus.

Aside from the first-time-Araneta experience, it was also the first time for our Praise and Worship team to engage in such an activity. Even better is that we were accompanied by the next generation Praise and Worship MInisters (which somehow reminded me that I'm not getting any younger).

It was a night of overwhelming joy from songs of praise; a night of exciting adventure in the Cubao jungle; a night of bonding moments with fellow worshippers of Jesus Christ. =)

The Language of Beauty Queens

I haven’t realized the fiasco that Bb. Pilipinas has created until I heard a number of text polls conducted in FM radio stations. I was totally unaware of what happened—and I decided not to take part of it, since the roster of candidates really disappointed me. Before I knew it, I was already caught in the web of insults and criticisms about Janina San Miguel—crowned Bb. Pilipinas World.

It started when Ann (a fellow English major) sent the Youtube link to the interview portion of the most prestigious—and now laughed about—beauty pageant in the country. At first, the faculty room exploded into fits of laughter upon watching it—in fairness, it was truly funny, even Janina laughed at the unlikely manner that she exhibited (because she was only 17…). But as days go on, some thoughts slowly crept my mind. Is it really something to laugh about? Or is it something that I, as an English teacher, should worry and act upon? (Aside from showbiz questions, such as: “Are we surrounded by beautiful-only personalities?”) Why do Filipinos laugh at the mistakes of fellow Filipinos?

I admit that I really laughed upon watching the video. Ironically, that was also the time when I was pondering on an article I read from the Inquirer. It was about “myths on languages.” One of the myths, according to the article, is that we tend to conclude that a person has a low I.Q. if s/he cannot language. I was asking myself, “Is this applicable to Janina?”

However, in fairness to Janina, I commend her when she said that her weakness in English is exactly her reason for taking up communication arts in college (correct me if I’m wrong). If she’s serious about what she said; if it’s not for publicity purposes, I believe she will succeed.

But as an English teacher, I still cannot help but be bothered. This is not the first time that I’ve heard a candidate answer in such a “distorted” English, and worse, in such irrelevant manner. The Bb. Pilipinas “incident” highlighted the country’s need to elevate the education system.

They…their…there…surely is a problem; and laughing and insulting are not solutions.

Case Closed?

No matter what cover up they do, the obnoxious odor under the carpets of the corrupt Palace will surely stink.

Even a citizen not fully aware of the situation happening regarding the ZTE scandal can clearly sense something “fishy”—not from the Pasig river which is at the backyard of Malacañang—inside the bulwark of trapos.

One would usually hear an Administration crony protect their beloved queen and her not-so-gentle-man by arguing that the deal has been canceled and that this issue is already closed.

But is it the issue of having a case closed? Would this be the situation had Joey De Venecia kept his mouth shut? Would this be the case had Jun Lozada stayed in Hongkong, and hid the truth inside a Chinese fortune cookie?

The administration’s defense that the deal has been canceled, and for that, it should be forgotten, is a pathetic tactic done by a snatcher who believes that his mistakes will be covered up by saying “Hey, I didn’t get anything from you.” (Because he was caught even before getting something)

The Bible defines adultery not merely as the act of having “voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than the lawful spouse.” The Bible says that even THINKING about it is adulterous.

How I wish that George Orwell’s idea of a Thought Crime would be applicable to politicians who have the nerve to THINK of stealing the taxpayer’s hard-earned money for their personal gain.


The issue being inquired in the senate is not a closed case; it has just begun.

The English-Math Opposition Myth

It has been a myth that when you’re good in numbers, you’re poor in words—and vice versa. It’s considered as a “myth” since no research can prove this. I have even read an article that this is a totally wrong notion about the capacity of the brain to compute and communicate, since they belong to the same hemisphere of the brain (this info is yet to be proven).

I was in college studying different theories of learning when I encountered such arguments about the English-Math Opposition Theory (the term is just another invention of my scanty vocabulary; you know what it means don’t you?) But much as I want to believe the authorities in the field of education, I continue to gain experiences that prove the myth.

First, I got a 76 in College Algebra (thank God I only had 2 Math subjects back in college). Then, I almost flunked the Math area in the Board Exams (thanks to my ever reliable scientific calculator paired with a multiple choice question, I was able to guess answers).

But what made me conclude that the myth is real, is when I got to be employed. Now, it’s the other side of the coin. It’s the Math people performing poorly in communication.

I’m talking about the Accounting Department.

This bunch of CPAs (Certified Pathetic Accountants) has been performing poorly in their duties and secretly amending their errors at our backs. You wouldn’t notice them doing their magic unless you scrutinize your payslip (which, by the way, is delivered quarterly; beat that)

First, they would fail to deduct what needs to be deducted. You would even come to a point of thinking, “Did I have an increase?” Then, voila! The next payday, you get a salary not enough to buy you a BigMac (it’s an exaggeration of course). But the point of the matter is the fact that they would deduct without even telling you, (“Hey, we’re so sorry. We were too stupid last pay day, we weren’t able to deduct something; we’ll deduct it now”)

What’s more annoying is that they are too inhumane to deduct the whole thing—leaving you with centavos in your ATM card. They wouldn’t consider deducting it piece by piece. Their objective is to clean the mess as fast as they could.

We understand that “to err is human.” But to err (most of the time) is inhuman. We understand that there are deductions from our gross pay. But is it too difficult to at least INFORM the people about their plans and actions?