Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Down from the Hill

I've been feeling unwell since Friday evening. The evening drizzle may have caught me unguarded from her chilly fingers. It was a very ill-opportune time to get sick since last Saturday was the planning seminar for this year's ASLA. I got through the day but I had to sit some parts out whenever I felt heaviness in my head. It was also the wrong time to get sick since I'm preparing for my trip to Cotabato on Wednesday. I'm going there to help facilitate a leadership seminar for high school muslim students. Obviously, I can't go if I'm sick. Thus, I've resigned myself to bed for the past few days here at home.

I'm not the type of person who would let himself be pinned to the bed. Thus, against my mother's will I started reading this book I borrowed entitled Down from the Hill. It was a book about Ateneo de Manila in the first ten years under the Marial law, from 1972-1982.

The book paints a vivid picture of the events that transpired within and outside Ateneo during those turbulent years. I've yet to finish the book. There's 50 more pages to go. But I've met many familiar names along the way - Fr. Ben, Fr. Joey Cruz, Edjop, the Abads, and Dr. Mann Dy to name a few. One of the unforgettable bits of the activist stories is the one wherein Atenean activists stormed the 2nd floor of Xavier Hall to launch a protest against then University president Fr. Araneta, S.J. The activists found the glass doors locked so they forced their way in. After much pushing and forcing, the glass doors shattered. Instead of running inwards, the activists ran away. hehehehe

Reading about the glorious, politicized past of the Ateneo makes me wonder where did all the fire go? Deep inside I wish that I live in the '70s so I could have brushed shoulders with the likes of Jopson, Aquino, and Montemayor. Now, they are but distant memories to the new breed of Ateneans.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Owning!

I finally finished my PolSci paper on Foucault and debt servicing at around 11:00AM yesterday. After which I had to rush my way to school because I thought the deadline was 11:30AM. Although I crammed a lot of my ideas in 5 pages (I found out it was the minimum, not the maximum), I'm fairly satisfied with what I was able to submit.

PolSci 100 officially ended when we had our group orals with sir at 5:30PM. I like it went. Like is an understatement since it really went well. According to sir, the secret to getting an A in oral examinations is not to explain the thesis statement but to own it.

Monster kill! OWNING!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

He Who Kept Me Busy All Summer Long

In its function, the power to punish is not essentially different from that of curing or educating.
Michel Foucault

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

The Big Things

Last night we had a pre-planning session for ASLA. We came upon the question of what type of leadership does our society needs. One of the common answers is that we need a type of leadership that is based on the small things that we do everyday. Everyday leadership, that was the catch-phrase. The discussion reminded me of this book that came out about two years ago - 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country by Alexander L. Lacson. I have yet to read the book but I have read a list of the twelve things pertained by the title.

  1. Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.
  2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.
  3. Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy Local. Buy Filipino.
  4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country.
  5. Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.
  6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.
  7. Support your church.
  8. During elections, do your solemn duty.
  9. Pay your employees well.
  10. Pay your taxes.
  11. Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
  12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.

These things really are small, simple things that we can do. Actually, these things are nothing new. These are the things that we really should be doing. These things are expected from us.

As we continued with the discussion, I remembered something Sir Leland mentioned in class. He told us that it's about time that we go beyond doing little things. I agree with him. We have been so obsessed with "valuing" the little things that we do. While we claim that we are contributing to a better society through these little things, I think that this obsession is a retreat to our comfort zones. We elevate these simple things to such a high status in order to legitimize the idleness of people. Cynicism aside, it may also signify our failure to fulfill even the most minimal duties of being a Filipino.

So what do I propose? I think that it is about time that we do big actions, not just little actions. A good example would be Dr. Martin Bautista. He ran for senator amidst the improbability of winning. That's a big action and I'm sure it shook a lot of people out of their velvet seats. I'm not saying that we should all run for senator or that we go rallying in the streets everyday. Rather, I think that it is time that we begin to dream big and act big. We should start being vigilant. Those in power steal and deceive because they know that the people are too pre-occupied in their little couped up worlds. It's about time that we stop alienating ourselves from people who are bold enough to do big things. If we want to see changes in society, we better be ready to pay the precious price.

Monday, May 21, 2007

The Ultimate Tribute

I wonder, on which denomination will I be immortalized in?




This afternoon, my parents were flipping channels between GMA7 and ABS-CBN. Sunday afternoons are marked with celebrity talk shows. Shows from both channels featured the faces of celebrities turned politicians. "There's no business like show-business" - no longer true. Try politics.



Note to self: It's hard to read Foucault. Omnes et singulatim.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Why I Want to be Comelec Commissioner
Shameless, just shameless
Inquirer (Opinion) - 05/19/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Three hours into Election Day, Benjamin Abalos faced reporters and gave his assessment of the mid-term polls. “There’s an overall confusion due to the excitement,” he said. “Many wanted to vote ahead. Maybe before 12 noon or by 1 p.m., the tension will ease off.”

Let’s think about that for a minute. The chairman of the Commission on Elections, the principal government official responsible for the clean and orderly conduct of fair elections, says the first hours of the midterm vote were marked by “overall confusion.” Then he adds that he expects maybe two more hours of disorderliness -- and what, after all, does confusion mean in this context but the lack of order in the conduct of the elections? If we do Abalos’ math, that means that he fully expected five of the eight hours allotted for voting every three years, or well over 60 percent, to be confusing. By his own standards, therefore, the May 14 elections must be reckoned as confused, disorderly.

(Abalos himself had a hard time finding his voting precinct; he may have thought this would make him a more sympathetic public figure, but in reality he came off as impossibly clueless, his controversial agency’s poster boy of mediocrity.)

The “overall confusion” statement also offered the public more proof -- as though more proof were needed -- that Abalos, though nominally and by constitutional requirement non-partisan, is actually a high official of the Arroyo administration. In the last couple of years, this administration’s high officials have developed a trademark (and officious) response to any and all forms of criticism: It blames the victim. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez is the administration’s record-setter in this sense, blaming the much-loved Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell, to give only the most egregious example, for her own murder.

Consider Abalos’ words again: “Many wanted to vote ahead”-- as though sheer excess of civic zeal were something new (when in fact in every election Filipino voters troop to the polls as soon as the precincts open); as though it was the voters’ fault why they couldn’t find their precinct assignments or why the Commission on Elections (Comelec) failed -- utterly, shamelessly -- to purge the voters’ roll as it had promised. The assumption behind Abalos’ remarkable forecast -- that by noon or so “the tension will ease off” -- has a similar blame-the-victim character. It is the voters, the citizens who are fighting for their right to vote, who are in Abalos’ dark, counter-democratic mind the cause, the very source, of tension.

Sadly for our democratic project, the Abalos Comelec’s shamelessness did not stop there, in mid-morning of Election Day. In fact, it did not even begin there.

When Inquirer reporter Nikko Dizon broke the story about suspicious persons caught copying down the serial numbers and other identification marks of election forms in the printing press, Abalos belittled the breach, calling it a mere incident with no possible impact on the elections.

When an office of the Comelec burned down, under rather strange circumstances, the Abalos Comelec immediately called the damage inconsequential, of no moment to the midterm elections. Yet reports persist, to this day, that much of the data in the purged voters’ list was consumed in the fire.

When ABS-CBN Broadcasting’s Ricky Carandang reported that official election returns -- irresistibly blank, completely authentic and absolutely for sale to the highest bidder -- had turned up in certain parts of Mindanao, the Abalos Comelec issued a blanket denial.

When extra copies of official election returns and other election documents surfaced, after the counting of votes had started, Abalos ordered a probe, but also denied any possibility that the extra copies may be misused in the actual canvass.

Yesterday, the commission sitting as National Board of Canvassers found that as much as 100,000 votes had been shaved off the total tally of opposition candidates Alan Cayetano and Chiz Escudero, from only one province. And on Election Day itself, 10 persons were reported killed in poll violence.

Yet Abalos has the gall to declare himself and a Comelec damaged by the “Garci” scandal completely vindicated. Shameless, utterly shameless.



From the same newspaper:
What is surprising and is frankly a joke are the election results in Maguindanao province, which show a clean sweep for all TEAM Unity candidates for the Senate. Not only is this statistically most unlikely, it is also surely the
result of massive corruption of the vote in Muslim Mindanao. Foreign observers said on Wednesday in Manila that the elections in Mindanao were worse than in Afghanistan, something the Philippines should be deeply ashamed of. Large-scale intimidation of voters through the presence of armed operatives of various candidates standing in voting precincts were widely reported, along with the open exchange of money for votes and truckloads of flying voters being taken around to vote multiple times!

Along with those violations of the election code, the observers from the Asian Network for Free Elections also reported a near total lack of secrecy in voting precincts, meaning that most voters were not allowed to keep their choices secret which obviously forced
many to vote a certain way out of fear of reprisals.
via [Inquirer.net]



Here's someone worth emulating. J.M. Lyngdoh was Chief Election Commissioner of India from June 14, 2001 to February 7, 2004. It was a time of great political turmoil in India. He successfully stirred the elections and was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2003.

In your face Abalos!

Friday, May 18, 2007

Elections FAQ
What is a Philippine election?
It all begins when the country's brightest, most highly qualified inhabitants, the young dynamic professionals, citizens who have the potential to make good leaders, get together and examine the country's problems, the state of politics and the long-term national prospects.

What happens next?
They decide to emigrate.

And after that?
Another group of bright people get together.

And what do they do?
They also emigrate.

And then?
And so on and so forth.

What does any of this have to do with a Philippine election? When talented, smart and highly qualified potential leaders leave the country all the time, who are you left with?
Retired basketball players. Toilet comedians. Bad actors and actresses. Spoiled vicious rich kids. Ageing and debauched hermaphrodites? You're now ready to hold a Philippine election.

How important are elected officials to the Philippines?
Nobody's been able to figure out an answer to that one.

What's at stake in a Philippine election?
Prizes and surprises! Millions in cash! Dream houses! The vacations of your choice! Fun for the entire family! That's from the politician's point of view.

How many positions are waiting to be filled in the coming elections?
About 17,000 public offices and a still undetermined number of graves

So it's like a lotto?
Sort of, except that when you lose you could lose your life.

Who are qualified to run?
Anyone at all! Generally, any person of any citizenship who's alive, of a certain age, good character and able to summon a mob huge enough to intimidate the Supreme Court.

What kind of candidates have the most chances of winning?
Artists who have the confidence of the people.

You mean a con artist?, don't you?
You said it, we didn't

Who are qualified to vote?
Those willing to be bussed around and go a hard day's work visiting a lot of precincts during election day.

Talk about parties in the Philippines.
Everybody loves going to parties in the Philippines

No, no, no. I mean political parties.
Oh!. Well, in the past there used to be only two parties, the Liberalsand the Nacionalistas. Now there are several dozen, but they still all fall under two main parties: the Sosyalites and the Opportunistas

What's the difference between the two parties?
Sosyalites love parties. Opportunistas will join any.

Explain what this year's elections are all about.
Did you hear the one about the murderer, the thief, the incompetent and the idiot? .

No, is that a joke?
No, no. no. That's the elections.

You're a cynical bastard, aren't you?
You got it wrong. We're not running for office.

Why are there so many international observers who come to a Philippine election?
They're fascinated by all the strange phenomena which accompany them.

What are you talking about?
Miracles occur during elections here. Vicious criminals suddenly become saintly leaders. Voters fly. The dead cast their ballots. Morons become national leaders.

Why is the Church so closely involved in elections?
They're also interested in studying the miracles. Also, priests are needed to administer the last sacraments to all the people who're killed.

Philippine elections sound like they're really violent and bloody.
Not really. Not more than several dozen die on the average. Why that's only a teensy fraction of the population! And everything blows over after election day, so the country can bet back to its usual kidnapping, wholesale graft, hostage taking and coup attempts.

How clean are Philippine elections?
Let's put it this way: if Philippine elections were your house you wouldn't want to live in it.

What are guns, goons and gold?
Three traditional important elements of a successful election. There some new ones film credits, tv ads and rigged surveys.

How can you tell an election outcome is suspicious?
Power failures in very specific rooms where the vote counting is taking place. Numbers that start losing zeroes as the days go by.

Can't the candidates, out of the goodness of their hearts, put a stop to crooked elections?
You really are from another planet, aren't you?

These past few months, the exercise of suffrage has been the politics in vogue. But let us not forget that elections is not the be-it-all of democracy. Our duty to protect, perpetuate, develop, purge, empower our democracy continues outside the election precincts. As the dust of the mid-term elections continue to rise and envelop our nation, let us not forget that there is more to democracy than this. Democracy is empowerment but it does not empower itself. Power lies with the people who participate in it.

Can I Become Another Rizal?

History165 has been bombarding me with images of Jose Rizal. The textbook mentions him. We are required to read a biography. We watched a documentary and a full-length movie. Many details of his life are slowly being ingrained into my subconscious.

As I watch snippets of his life, I cannot avoid comparing his with mine and I do find some similarities. For example, he had very fond memories of being taught by his mother. My earliest memory is my mother teaching me how to read from a story book and how to write my 2's properly. Rizal, not wanting to depart from his mother, was crying when it was time to leave home for schooling in Biñan. My first memories of school is quite similar. My father brought me to nursery school. I didn't want to go but he would force me. When I was outside the classroom, I cried so hard, I didn't want to go in. My father and my teacher kept pulling me inside the classroom but I resisted by holding on to the frame of the door. I remembered that I cried and shouted so hard.

Rizal has always been seen as a weak and sickly boy. When I was younger, I was also thin, frail, and short. Unlike many of my classmates I didn't engage in sports but I was fond of playing street games. Like Rizal, I compensate for my lack of physical activity with excellence inside the classroom. During elementary, I would always strive to earn medals by the end of the school year and like Rizal, I would be sad if I lost some medals to my classmates. But of course, just like Rizal, when I graduate, I gained the most medals in school.

Highschool saw the tarnishing of my lustrous academic life. But there was still hope for me since what I lacked in the fields of math and science, I compensated with rhetoric, just like Rizal.

Rizal has always been known as a womanizer. My highschool classmates have much to say about this. But all I am to say is that I have an eye for females. That is all.

Later on, I enter the same university as that of Rizal. Here I come to experience two things I like most about him - love for Jesuits and love for country. There has always been a "joke" that if Rizal were not a propagandista, he would have been a Jesuit. I may become a Jesuit some day. It was said that traces of his love for the patria can be traced in Ateneo, mine is enriched in the Ateneo.

In his day and age, Rizal was deemed foolish by many for caring too much about his country. In similar manner, when I begin to talk of politics, of national interests, peers would shoo me. They'd rather talk of other, realistic, and less complicated matters. They would resign to the fact that discussing such things is an exercise of either two things - futility or intellectual hubris. I say that it is not futile to talk of nationhood, of economic stability, and of politics. These are part of reality. How come we are so engrossed in the nuclear crisis of the mutants in New York or the state of affairs of a group of people who are stuck in an island? How come we give so much important to these fictitious images when there is much misadventure on the headlines to keep our heads spinning? Is this escapism? Is this resignation?

Rizal was not a saint nor was he perfect. He had many internal conflicts and misgivings. Our sources of insanity may vary from each other but I do hope that, like he did, I would rise above the things that bother me the most and really learn to fight for the things that I believe is right.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Thoughts on Fr. Ed Panlilio

I was eating lunch with "blockmates" Andre and Cheenee. Like many people, we were talking about politics and elections. While on the topic of elections, the conversation centered on Fr. Eddie Panlilio, who is currently leading the race for the highest office in Pampanga. Andre and Cheenee were happy since they wanted him to win. I thinkthat he poses a very good alternative to his opponents who are beleived to be beneficiaries of illegal gambling and quarrying. Nonetheless, like many things, I find that this can be subjected to scrutiny.

Our discsussion cum debate centered on my question - Did people vote for Among Ed because he is a priest?

Firstly, let me clarify that I have nothing against priests. In fact, people who know me knows that I have long been discerning whether or not I would enter the priestly vocation. Thus, the question stems from critical (not cynical) thinking rather than anu bias against the religious. I think that my question is reflected on our pre-conceived notions about priests - good, honest, trust-worthy, and unselfish, to name a few. For some, priests have achieved a supra-human level, that in some sense, they are above others - less fallible, has strong constitution. As a Catholic nation, we are guilty of this prejudice. But as a former parish priest in our parish told me, priests are not perfect, they are ordinary humans called for a specific mission.

I think that automatically labeling any priest as good, trust-worthy, etc. is dangerous. I believe that Among Ed have these qualities and I am thankful for that. But I think we should be more careful of attaching labels to people. For example, a PhD does not guarantee intelligence. It can be an indicator but not an assurance. Likewise, a cassock does not assure righteousness.

Arguing on the political level, I think that this event is a manifestation of how "personalistic" Philippine politics is. We tend to look at who the person is to approximate what he can do. More often than not, we fall for charismatic personalities. Of course, this is in contrast to politics that is "meritocratic" or based on empirical ability. But don't get me wrong, there is no clear distinction, I think, between the two. We often base meritocratic judgment on personal categories. I am also not passing any judgment on whether a personalitic based politics is good or not. But there is one thing that I am sure of - this highlights how difficult it is for people to judge people. We settle for categories to tell us the moral fiber of a person.

I recently learned that Dr. Totanes had political aspirations. He plans to be the mayor of his hometown Gubat, Sorsogon. His sharing on his belief on the capacity of the LGU gave me a shake in the head. Yesterday, I was again talking to Cheenee and Andre. I told them that I wanted to become a policy-maker. They told me that I should start from the bottom. Because of arrogance and stubborness, I told them that I should waste time on the local level. On the contrary, I should immediately enter the legislative branch while my faculties are still in their prime. But Dr. Totanes' speech on the LGU awakened me to the reality that "politics is local". Senators and congressmen can draft all the bills they want and Gloria can do anything that she pleases but without a stable local government, our country will cease to be.

I have long had faith in the LGUs. Months ago, I was already talking to my mother whether I should enter politics or not. She thought it was a joke. I didn't. I told her I wanted to start from the bottom so that I will know what the people wants and what they need and what I can do. I think that all the talk about the senatorial elections got to my head. As reflected on my cramming for the list of candidates I will vote for the local level, I failed to re-affirm the importance of the local government. Thus, when Sir Leland asked me where in government do I want to be, LGU or senate, I answered senate. But now I know that I may have been wrong. The battles waged in the city level are as important, if not more important, than those waged nationally.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Election Day
First Time Voter Turned Pollwatcher

I woke up at 5:00AM since our call time at the public school was at 6:00AM. Poll stations opens at 7:00AM thus we had to be early. Thus, wearing my official PPCRV shirt and with my 2x2x2 rubik's cube, PPCRV ID, and manual in my bag, I began my 5-minute walk to the elementary school. When I arrived, there were already a lot of people carrying brown envelopes. Later, I found out that those were pollwatchers who are already looking for their precincts.

I was assigned to precinct 725B. It was a precinct which had 196 voters. 88 were male while 108 were female. The chairman of the precinct was Mrs. Tajanlangit, a grade 5 teacher of the school. With her were Kuya Ronnie (Poll Clerk), and Ate Ruth (3rd member). These three people, the BEI, were very accomodating and friendly. They helped me go through the whole day with relative ease. They were easy to approach and were not intimidating. Together with me, were a bunch of pollwatchers from various candidates. I wasn't in the mood to chit-chat so I wasn't able to catch their names.

Elections went on from 7:00AM to 3:00PM. I designated myself as the "proctor" of the voters. I made sure that thery weren't doing any dirty tricks such as taking a picture of their ballots, going out of the precinct with their ballot, or using a carbon paper to copy their votes to be later used to redeem money from a vote-buyer. The day went on without a single offense from the voters. I was a bit saddened since I expected brazen cheating from the people especially since a majority of those who voted in my precinct were pollwatchers for the various candidates. But of course, upon later realizations, I found comfort in the fact that my precinct had a clean and honest elections.

Around mid-morning, when the precinct I was guarding had no voters, I went out to find the precinct where I had to vote. I was very excited to cast my first ballot. When I arrived at my precinct, I was immediately given my ballot and was able to vote immediately. It took me only about 3minutes to finish my ballot since I came prepared. This was in stark contrast with many voters who sepnt 10-20 minutes in the table flipping through the list of candidates. These were the same people I would stare at with suspicious eyes. It was fun voting. It was fun to be prepared. I followed my list and picked Villar as my 11th candidate. I can't finish my magical 12 so I placed a line on the 12th slot. I just can't choose.


4th Estate Public Elementary School

Almost all of the election centers are public schools. The precinct I was guarding was a typical public school room - small, hot, and had no working electic fan. The environment of the school during the elections was like a tiangge. There were a lot of people loittering around, shouting to one another. These were definitely the hired pollwatchers who numbered in the hundreds. In my precinct alone, there were at least 7 pollwatchers, excluding me.

But what was most significant about the school is the CR. The CR is very similar to the CR in MaSci - no urinals, just walls, without water. I was drinking lots of water so I had to go often. One time, I was entering the male CR. When I enetered and looked to my right, I saw a woman dropping her shorts and trying to squat. When we looked eye to eye, she didn't even flinch and continued to squat. I can't bear the sight. I immediately went out of the male CR and tried to erase the memory of it by playing with my Rubik's cube.


The Non-partisan 4th Member

Come counting time, I was asked by the chairman to tally the votes in the tally board. It was a job reserved for the poll clerk but he was already tired. So, I took his job. She told the pollwatchers that it was alright to choose me since I was non-partisan (unlike them). Tallying the votes in the board was really fun. The Chairman wanted to do a fast job which made my task more interesting. I was quite the fast one. I especially enjoyed shouting "Kahon!" to signify that the tally of votes for the candidate has already filled a group of 5 and thus have filled a box or "kahon" in the tally board. Just like in the Ateneo Comelec, I brought my infallibility and efficienct when it came to counting and tallying to this entrusted job of mine.

Besides tallying, I had other functions given to me by my good chairman. Whenever there are voters whose name cannot be found in the CVL or the book of voters, I was tasked to take them to the Comelec officer assigned to school. One time, I brought a certain Mr. Bunyon to the guidance office, the makeshift Comelec headquarters. He complained his case. Unfortunately, the Comelec officers told him that they can't do anything and that he should go and inquire at the City Hall. When we stepped outside, he started ranting how it was a ploy by the administration. He claimed that the yalready knew whose side he is on thus, he was barred from voting. It is interesting to note that the same case of absence in the CVL also happened at an earlier time to a certain other Mr. Bunyon. Apparently, they were related. Before he left, he introduced himself as a retired PNP and commended me for doing such a splendid volunteer work.

He was correct. I do think that I did a splendid job. I was the first and last non-BEI member to leave the precinct. Unlike the hired pollwatchers, I'm not payed 2,000 pesos to stare at nothingness. Unlike them, my function is not as simple as copying the final results. These hired pollwatchers often complained about the tardiness of the arrival of their food. My meals were also tardy but I choose not to grumble since I had more important things to do. It was apparent that although many pollwatchers are funded by the same candidate, they dispise one another, even their superiors. In contrast, I made a lot of new friends through the PPCRV. I was able to work with a lot of people whom I do not know before but whom I share the same passion for service. I am proud of those people especially those who chose to remain there as of press time to see to it that the whole elections process is guided through Faith and Fire (the PPCRV motto).


Lessons

Elections mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For Mrs. Tajanlangit, 3000 pesos is not enough to compensate for her efforts. Imagine losing your voice at shouting the names of candidates who do nothing but plunder the wealth of the country. Thus, for her, it was more of service to the country. For the pollwatchers, coming from their own mouths, elections means a quick buck. For teachers who kept on pestering Mrs. Tajanlangit all day long asking questions that even I could answer regarding the elction process, it was nothing but a heavy chore, thus preparing for it was not worth it. For the PPCRV volunteers who stayed vigilant the whole day (sadly there were many who were not as vigilant), elections means a time to serve God through the people.

Elections, a form of social contract, has meaning because of the plurality that is inherent in its public nature. I do hope that those who will win will think of the people who worked hard to protect the exercise of the contract. Although, I am saddened by the dismal results of the election race with Legarda and Lacson leading the path and with Ang Kapatiran being left with single digit votes per pricinct, I still believe in the system because there are still people who protect it through Faith and through Fire.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

My Senatorial List

Only one more night before elections. It's time to make my stand. After months of thinking and discerning, here are the candidates that I will vote for.


  1. Adrian Sison - Ang Kapatiran

  2. Martin Bautista - Ang Kapatiran

  3. Zosimo Paredes - Ang Kapatiran

  4. Soniya Roco - because she advocates education

  5. Chiz Escudero - maprinsipyo

  6. Kiko Pangilinan - Liberal party, diyan ako sasali in the future

  7. Noynoy Aquino - same as Kiko

  8. Alan Peter Cayetano - anti-administration, maprinsipyo

  9. Koko Pimentel - matalino, very able

So far, that's what I have. I'm not sure whether I will use my remaining three slots. I'm still mulling over these candidates as of press time:


  • Ralph Recto - pro: very able in finance matters, favors CARP; con: he's from TU, big campaign spender, negative on environment laws, and he authored EVAT bill

  • Joker Arroyo - pro: he is the People's Dragon and he is one of the prosecutors in the Erap case, very unforgettable; con: old (80 years old), member of TU, and big spender in campaign ads

  • Manny Villar - pro: anti-Erap, passed several laws on environment; con: in favor of debt servicing, why didn't he run as an independent

Party List - A Teacher (education is my favorite advocacy)

I don't have much time to elaborate on my choice of candidates But there are many resources in the internet for people who are yet undecided. I particularly recommend iVote.ph.


If you are lazy and you will vote tomorrow, you just have to take my word for it.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Less Confusion
MANILA, Philippines –The Genuine Opposition’s Alan Peter Cayetano can heave a sigh of relief with the Commission on Elections finally disqualifying Joselito Pepito Cayetano from the senatorial race.
via [Inquirer.net]

I was pretty sure that letting Joselito Pepito Cayetano run was the ploy of the administration to confuse the voters and more so, rob Alan Peter Cayetano of votes. Now, I'm wondering why did the Comelec suddenly disqualifies Jojo Cayetano. And here's another puzzler - why did Theodore Aquino, Nonoy Aquino's uncle, tried to run for senator against his niece?


In another resolution issued Thursday night, the Comelec en banc disqualified independent senatorial candidate Theodore Aquino and ruled that all “Aquino” votes would be credited to GO candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
via [Inquirer.net]


I was amazed that the Comelec has an online precinct locater. But I am disappointed at how "fast" the query is executed. After 20 minutes, it's still trying to locate my precinct. Comelec, that's pathetic public service.



This morning, I bumped into Sir Leland. The department was already asking me for my preference of track/specialization. I have yet to set my mind on what track I want to pursue. I went on to ask Sir Leland, as expected, he asked me what I wanted. Of course, I didn't know exactly what I want. He then proceeded asking me, "'Di ba gusto mo mag-politics? LGU o congressman?". I answered that I want to be a policy-maker. Thus, a congressman or a senator. He told me to meet him at his office on Tuesday before lunch.


It's really difficult figuring out what I want to do after college. I'm still mulling over the politics option. I'm still unsure whether I'm fit to be a politician or not. A thought always enters my mind - if celebrities can do it, why can't I?



UPDATE

Comelec online precinct finder works.


Friday, May 11, 2007

Election Race Stats
Here are the Top 12 Senators according to the surveys:
  1. Loren Legarda - 59%

  2. Manny Villar - 46%

  3. Chiz Escudero - 44%

  4. Kiko Pangilinan - 42%

  5. Ping Lacson - 39%

  6. Noynoy Aguino - 37%

  7. Ralph Recto - 36%

  8. Alan Peter Cayetano - 35%

  9. Migs Zubiri - 33%

  10. Gringo Honasan - 33%

  11. Ed Angara - 32%

  12. Joker Arroyo - 31%

via[Inquirer.net]

Thus, we have 6-4-2, in favor of Genuine Opposition. How did the other candidates fared? Here's a graph of the top 25 senators.

via [Inquirer.net]

It's also interesting to note that 5 out of the 12 top spenders in political ads are out of the list - Pichay, Defensor, Sotto, Oreta, and Singson. Does this prove that money doesn't ensure election victory?


It is also interesting to look at the dynamics of the changes in ranking according to the surveys for the past few months.

via [Philippine Commentary]

It is very interesting how Pangilinan, Legarda, and Villar are able to dominate the surveys early on. Pangilinan has definitely solidified his popularity with his marriage to Sharon Cuneta. Legarda still exudes that Female Power aura and maybe some backing from the Lopez. While Villar got his P138,281,000's worth.


Obviously, Ang Kapatiran candidates are no where near the top 12. They're not even with the top 25. Each of the three candidates have a percentage share of only 1-2%. This is very disheartening for me. I hope that these surveys do not reflect what will happen come election day. I definitely do not want Gringo Honasan and Migs Zubiri to win. I'd rather have Trillanes over Honasan. But as history has it, more or less, the top 8 senatoriables in the surveys will surely win. I am still hoping for a miracle that a Ang Kapatiran candidate would snatch (figuratively, no Garci-ing here) a victory by May 14.



I highly appreciate Ateneo Guidon's Blue Ballot '07 Special. It's nice to see what other Ateneans think of regarding the elections. The latest article is on what Ateneans think of the candidates' ads.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Protecting Democracy

I just arrived from a meeting with Partido Ignacio and the Student Judicial Council. I, together with Imman, represented COMELEC. It was a dialogue regarding the abstention issue from last year's Sanggunian General Elections. The dialogue was moderated by Sir RSA.


The issue is whether or not the SJC's ruling on the unconstitutionality of the electoral code holds water or not. Delving into the specifics of the issue is not my main point. Rather, I would like to emphasize how the "political" atmosphere in Ateneo, in some ways, reflect what is happening outside. For example, last Sanggunian elections was deemed the dirtiest, not because of cheating but because of mudslinging. Such a phenomenon is not entirely different from the Philippine context. Thus, seeing Philippine microcosm in Ateneo, I begin to see the merit of re-opening the abstention issue. I think re-opening the discussion and involving the student body into the discussion would precisely protect the democracy that Ateneo COMELEC is striving for. My only worry is that it would be reduced to a legalistic issue fought in the technical terrain. Both the electoral code and the constitution are made to protect this democracy. But of course, as Sir RSA put it, we shouldn't be arbitrary. Thus I think that the meeting adjourned with much hope of a resolution in the future.


I treasure this experience in COMELEC. I do hope that other students would begin to value democracy. But as experience be my yardstick, many see democratic processes such as Sanggunian elections as petty and useless. We who work hard to ensure that the sanctity of the ballots are preserved, we who ensure that democracy is rings true in the Ateneo are disappointed at such a mentality. It's no surprise that our state continues to be preyed upon.

Problematizing Political Dynasties

During today's PolSci class, we had a debate on whether political dynasties should be allowed or not. With the likes of Allan Peter Cayetano and Koko Pimentel running for senator, this is one of the issues being raised regarding this elections. I have heard the common arguments for both sides of the debate and I am currently in a dilemma on which side I am going for. In the PolSci debate, I sided with the anti-dynasties side just for the heck of it. More than half of the class are pro-dynasties.


Article II Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states:
The state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.

Unfortunately, like everything in the constitution, it is not self-executing. Therefore, it calls for enabling laws from the Congress. Unfortunately, up to now, there is still no anti-political dynasty bill. It is easy to find the root of this absence. Many congressmen are part of political dynasties. Approving such a bill would prove detrimental to their political career. Therefore, if it is near impossible to author and pass such a bill, should the constitutional provision be removed?


The pro-dynasty side's main argument is that there are those in office, though related to another politician, who actually do their job. There is also this argument on consistency of projects. The anti-dynasty side's main argument, on the other hand, is that political dynasties are almost always after their personal gain. This would be very similar to the rent-seeking behavior of many dominant familial oligarchs of the Philippines (Cojuanco, Lopez, etc.). Thus, a dynasty legitimizes and perpetuates their power not only in the economic sphere but also in the political sphere.


I have nothing new to offer in the debate. But I do believe that our lawmakers should make a stand. If it our constitution states that there should be no political dynasties, then create a law that can be enforced to enable this provision. Good public servants, however good they may be, should respect and obey the Constitution, which should embody the general will. If political dynasties should be allowed, then remove it from the Constitution. The constant evasion of taking a stand shows where their self-interests lie.



I am glad that Sir Raneses promoted student participation in the elections. For many times over, I have been disappointed by Ateneans who have failed their country by not registering. I sympathize with Dr. Totanes' outrage with such apathetic and narrow-minded ("Wala rin namang magagawa ang boto ko, magkakadayaan lang") Ateneans. I am also glad that Sir Raneses promoted the PPCRV. Unlike Ateneo's Bantay Bilang, many parishes' PPCRV have less than 100 volunteers. I am not antagonizing Ateneo and the Sanggunian for promoting Bantay Bilang. In fact I thank and applaud them. But I think promotion and mileage should also have been given to other movements so that students who are not residing in Quezon City can also participate.


It's four days to go before elections. PCCRV still needs a lot of volunteers. Many prophesized Ang Kapatiran's defeat. If my classes are any indication, I estimate around 40% of today's youth (eligible to vote) are not registered. Erap's case will never be settled, and so would the GMA-Garci issue. Political killings will not stop.


Isigaw mo sa hangin
tumindig at magsilbing
liwanag sa dilim

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

The Most Traumatizing Experience of My Life

After PolSci class, I went straight back to dorm so that I can read about the Cavite Mutiny for History165. At around 11:20AM, my stomach started grumbling. Thus, I decided to eat at the nearby carinderia, Etsrepek ("It's Terrific"). There were only two of us in the carinderia. The other guy was just sitting and staring somewhere. He must have finished his meal and was letting the digestive juices do their thing. I finished eating lunch and stood up to pay the bill. The unknown guy stood up and went out of the carinderia. As he was passing by, his badminton racket brushed against my butt. But I didn't mind it. Ate was busy drying his hands so I had to wait a bit before I was able to pay for my meal.


I was already walking my way back to dorm. The unknown guy was right in front of me. Around 20 steps from the gate of my dorm, the strangest thing happened.


Unknown guy: Pwede ba kitang makilala?
Me: Bakit?
Unknown guy: Na-kyutan kasi ako sa legs mo e. Ano name mo?
Me: (to myself: Shucks, he's gay!) Jamie
Unknown guy: *tells his name* (I forgot). Taga-Xanland ako. I'm currently taking my PhD.
Me: Ah ok. (opens the gate with my key)
Unknown guy: Pwede ko ba makuha cell number mo?
Me: (WTF?!) Wala akong cellphone e.
Unknown guy: E paano kita ma-cocontact?
Me: (WTF WTF WTF WTF!!!) Nasa tabi-tabi lang ako. (WTF!!!!)
*I closed the door and ran upstairs. I was totally freaked out.*

Now, I'm so afraid to go out in Abada or even in Katipunan. He was a stout man (gay). I have nothing against gays. But I would highly appreciate it if they don't do things that are uncalled for like asking a guys name and telling him he has cute legs during noontime. Can't he even wait for the cover of darkness? Or are my pheromones that irresistable? Oh, what a curse!

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Playing Foucault

Sir Raneses has a weird way of giving oral examination. He asked us to be in the shoes (pretend) of a political thinker that he assigned to each of us. It was sort of a role-playing. We were then tasked to look at the question of nation-building using the perspective of that thinker. I was tasked to play the part of Michel Foucault.


The role assigned to me came as a surprise because I have little idea of who he is. Everything I know about him is contained in his work - Governmentality. My group mates played the roles of Machiavelli, Marx, a feminist, and Arendt. Personally, I would have wanted to be Marx. But I know sir knows that I know a lot about Marx and that it wouldn't be fun if I'd play that part. Thus, I was stuck playing the part of a stranger.


Nonetheless, amidst the unfamiliarity, I think I faired well.



I'm now dropping all of my previous judgments regarding Martin Bautista. After much reflection and some help with this blog post, I become enlightened. I was being narrow minded when I focused on his choice of place to practice his profession. I failed to see the sacrifice entailed in going back to a 3rd World wreck from a First World heaven, and bringing your whole family with you. I also stumbled upon his personal blog which also shed light to my dimmed senses.


Speaking of blogs, I saw the blog of Juan Magdaraog, a victim of Pompe disease. He has a post on Cesar Montano's answer during the Isang Tanong forum. It is as true as it is direct.

Why I Should Read the Newspaper More Often
MANILA, Philippines -- By a vote of two to one, the Special First Division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ruled that Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo is not a Filipino citizen and, therefore, must step down as mayor. This is in connection with a “quo warranto” case filed in 2004 (which questioned Robredo’s right to serve as mayor, on grounds that he is not a Filipino). Another case, filed last month by his election opponent, asks for his disqualification as a candidate, also on the same ground. The case has landed in the same division, so the decision on it is almost a foregone conclusion.
[via Inquirer.net]

The issue's been up for a while and I only heard about it today after reading an email. I really think this ruling is very stupid and ungrounded. The Comelec officials behind this are definitely getting a check with a lot of zeros in it.



I watched the news last night. I can't help but accuse Commissioner Abalos as a no-good-doer. There's something in his words, looks, and mannerisms that exude an air of filth. It's as if I can see nylon strings rising from his hands and mouth. The puppet master is seated high up in her palace.



The first raindrops of May hits the corrugated roofs of Ateneo. Tradition speaks of good tidings when one bathes under the first shower of May. May these blessings fill us all. We desperately need it.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Ang Kapatiran Celebrity Lookalikes

Mahilig lang talaga ako sa mga ganito.



Ang Kapatiran


Adrian Sison - Jim Paredes


Zosimo Paredes - Gabe Mercado


Martin Bautista - Lucky Manzano

One Week to Go

May 14 is election day. On that day, I will be participating not only as a voter but also as a poll watcher for PPCRV (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting).


PPCRV is the reason why I didn't join the Ateneo Bantay Bilang. For one, I am registered in Paranaque and it will be a great hassle to go to Quezon City for Bantay Bilang. I like PPCRV because we're assigned to the election center where I will be voting and it's the public school inside our subdivision. I think I can contribute more for PPCRV since my familiarity with the place and the faces would help a long in my task as poll watcher. Since those who will be voting in that election center are more else from within the vicinity, flying voters from who-knows-where would be easier to identify.


I am praying for a clean and honest elections. This week, the Church is offering a novena for the elections. But deep inside me, I hope that someone would attempt to cheat while I'm at guard. I want to catch that cheater. I want to confront him and his accomplices. That would add some excitement to the volunteer work. I'm also excited to have a staring match with the hired poll watchers from the candidates (they are paid 500 pesos a day). But I do hope that the BEI - Board of Election Inspectors (usually public school teachers) would be men and women of integrity. I would find it extremely difficult to jump the gun if one of them is an accomplice to election fraud and cheating.



I just finished watching the second installment of GM7's Isang Tanong Senatoriables Forum. Here's a list of the topics asked and what the senatoriables said (Disclaimer: these are not direct quotations, even those in quotation marks).


On Political Turncoatism (changing of political party allegiance)
Loren Legarda - ok as long as it fits the politician's principles
Mike Defensor - same as Legarda's
Richard Gomez - he was looking for a party who would bite his drug-sports pseudo-ideology and found none
*Gomez on shifting to parliamentary - he didn't answer the question, all he said was if there should be charter change, do it when GMA's term is over

On Corruption
Ping Lacson - Senate should do its job of lawmaking and overseeing. He was proud of his Anti-red tape bill and was clamoring for the Anti-bank secrecy bill.
Z Paredes - Put God back in politics. (possible or not? I have to ask Sir RR)
Victor Wood - The elections from barangay level officials to presidential should be done at the same time.
*Wood on charter change - "Parliamentary ba 'yan? Wala akong alam diyan" (somehow, he inserted this statement - "Sorry a pero ABS-CBN at GMA7 lang naman ang kumikita dito", referring to campaign spending)
*Wood on declaring illegal logging as a heinous crime - "Depende kung gaano kabigat yung kasalanan"

On the Impending Abolition of the Senate due to Charter Change
Cesar Montano - "ok ang charter change basta nakabubuti sa mamamayan"
*Montano on campaign spending - better spend it on GK and hospitals (but Team Unity, where he is a part of, has the biggest spenders for campaigning)
Oliver Lozano - "What we need is not charter change but character change"
Prospero Pichay - Yes, to give a chance to "mahirap na magaling" to run for public office (take note: Pichay is the biggest spender with 151,729,000 pesos-worth of campaign propaganda)

On the Other Functions of the Senate Besides Lawmaking and Investigating/Overseeing
Francis Pangilinan - show alternative governance
*Kiko on solving problems of the judiciary - increasing judiciary wages equals more convictions equals better Philippines
Melchor Chavez - huwag na magnakaw
Tessie Aquino-Oreta - she only explained how senators make laws
*Oreta on what she would have been if not a senator - housewife for she is an LOI, Lady of Leisure (no, it's not a typo)

On the Estrada Plunder Case (its persistence and finding a solution)
Pimentel & Orpilla - (I wasn't able to catch what they said)

Just as I said on the earlier post, these senatoriables DO NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. If they do choose to say something tangent to what maybe an answer, they fail to concretely say the HOWs and miserably stick to vague WHATs.


Senatoriables are always playing safe. For example, Aquino-Oreta was asked which is better as a president - Estrada or Arroyo? She answered that she can't make a judgment because Estrade didn't finish his term. On the other hand, she said that Arroyo is a hardworker. I think blunt and principled candidates such as Escudero and to some extent, Cayetano are better than double-talkers such as Aquino-Oreta.


The look of the panelists when stupid candidates answer the questions = PRICELESS


I knew it! Mayweather kicked De la Hoya's ass.. in the last round.



Yesterday, I went on a Lakbay Aral. I was with JohnP, Tin, and David. We went to the National Museum, San Agustin Church and Museum, and the Casa Manila. It was a tiring but very fun day. It was also educational especially with David around. His "expertise" in pottery added a new dimension to the trip, considering that he and Tin just tagged along with me and JohnP. We also saw some of our History classmates doing their own trip. It was a good bonding experience for the four of us.


I will be uploading the picture within the week and maybe even post my reaction paper of the trip.

Friday, May 04, 2007

Problematizing the Nation Notion

There have been many occasions that a professor of mine would quote a startling result of a survey for Ateneo students. It showed that nationalism is the idea least learned by an average Atenean. My professors are "outraged" by this result not only because it reflects the youth's apathy (in stark contrast to their fervent EDSA shouting back when they were young) but because it shows how Ateneo failed to fulfill it's vision-mission.


As a Filipino University, the Ateneo de Manila seeks to identify and enrich Philippine culture and make its own. Through the education of the whole person and the formation of needed professionals and through various corporate activities, the University aims to contribute to the development goals of the nation.

More eyebrows are raised when a reality sinks in - that Ateneo's most prized alumni is said to be the primordial Filipino, the impetus of nationalism. This is no other than Jose Rizal.


I think that the subjects I take this semester offer a glimpse at why this paradox is at its heyday. I am currently taking up History 165 - Rizal and the Emergence of the Filipino Nation. It focuses on pre-Hispanic "Philippines" to the aftermath of Rizal's death. Although I am still midway into the course, I can see its overarching theme - once upon a time, our forefathers loathe each other but the Spanish occupation and its discontents forged an invisible tie that bound them all and it was Rizal who awakened the true Filipino in all of them.. I am also taking Political Science 100 - Politics and Governance. Obviously, the two is a perfect combination and would definitely rouse that sense of nationalism and love for country that nowadays, only Manny Pacquiao can provide. But this is not the case here. History paints a picture of a divided Philippines where some cooperated with Spaniards while some offered resistance. Political science on the other hand, questions this notion of a nation - Is there really a Filipino nation?


Our class is currently problematizing nationhood. Simplistically and approximately, a nation is defined by a common culture manifested in its territory, language, and symbols. For the modernist, the collusion into a nation is inevitable for history is evolutionary. For the marxist, there is a nation so that the capitalist can easily extract surplus values. For the voluntarist, a nation is fabricated by the ruling elites who crafts a selective history. For the ethnist, there is a nation if there is a dominant ethnic group that binds the mass of people and subverts weaker minority groups.


Let's look at the Philippines.


  • National hero - Rizal

  • National anthem - Lupang Hinirang

  • National costume - barong tagalog / baro't saya

  • National animal - carabao

  • National dance - carinosa

  • National fruit - manggo

  • National tree - narra

  • National flower - sampaguita

  • National dish - lechon

  • National leaf - anahaw

  • National bird - Philippine eagle

  • National sport - sipa

  • National house - nipa hut

  • National fish - bangus

  • National language - Filipino

Certainly, we have symbols. But who said that these symbolize our nationhood. Did we choose these symbols or did someone choose them for us? Why Jose Rizal and not Andres Bonifacio? Why sipa when only children (and a few athletes) play it? Why anahaw if we don't have one in our backyard? Why nipa hut if I live in a house of stone? Why Filipino if you are not from the Tagalog region?


The question is apparent. How can we be a nation if ethnic cultures from various regions are different? How can there be a Philippines if Mindanao wants to gain independence? How can there be a nation if Cebuano friends of mine question the prevalent culture of Tagalogs (e.g. po and opo)?


Nationhood is therefore just a construct that is crafted either for selfish motives or for convenience. Is Philippine nationhood imposed? Yes. Is imposition bad? Yes. Does everybody want this Philippines? No. Can true nationhood be achieved? I think so, but it would be difficult.


Dialogue.



If there's one thing that Ateneo teaches its students it would have to be critical thinking (not magis). English11 taught it. Philo101 applies it to understanding the being. SA21 applies it to challenge notions of society. History subjects critically question history itself. But critical thinking, although aids us to find the truth (if one believes in absoluteness), can also cloud judgment. Wouldn't continuous teaching of critical thinking numb the students and actually not apply it at all? Wouldn't problematizing endlessly dig a ditch that we can no longer escape but can only problematize more and more until there is no more certainty in life?

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Summer Slammed

Two months ago, around March, I wished that it was already summer. Well, a lot of people wanted summer. Many of them have no summer class although I have two. Nonetheless I looked forward to April and May because I thought that with only two subjects I could accomplish some of the things that I want to do, such as:


  1. Finish my WordPress blog

  2. Finish at least one of the books that are included in DS101's book report and one of the books that I bought on my own

  3. Learn to solve the Rubik's cube under one minute

  4. Chillax and sleep eight hours every night

  5. Spend quality, unconstrained time with friends

  6. Learn something new (i.e. VBA)

  7. Watch DVDs of movies and TV series that I have yet to watch

  8. Write a short story

  9. Read the newspaper everyday

Sad to say, I have yet to accomplish any of these summer goals. Even though I wake up at around 6:30AM and sleep at around 1:00AM (thus spending 18.5 hours awake), I seem to have difficulty in finding time to do the things I want to do. In addition to this phenomenon of time slipping through my fingers like sand, I seem to feel more irritable that usual. Some say it's just the hot, burning weather. I reflected a bit and I think it's not due to an external factor but something internal. My fuse is shorter nowadays because I feel frustrated at not having my own time to do my thing.


Always make time for the things that matter.


PolSci and History is keeping my hands full these days. In addition to this, I have org stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love ANI and I know time spent there is as precious as diamonds. What I am referring to is another obligation that I think I should not have accepted in the first place since it doesn't jive with my values system. Nonetheless, I took the burden, therefore I have to do it regardless of my sentiments. The problem is, I'm not one who performs at his peak when his heart is not into it. In addition to this, I'm slighting other commitments that are closer to my heart.


This contentious mix of seeking academic grandezza and fulfilling extra-curricular obligations is making me restless. Add to the cocktail a dash of interpersonal dilemmas and what I have is the recipe for the perfect summer slam.



On Ideals

True, we will always have ideals. It's just like in economics. Economists will always use models that do not reflect reality. They know it. It's just like in physics. Kinematic equations will not include friction and air resistance. They know it. Nonetheless, they use it as an approximation. But I think the case should be different with love. We should not treat our partners and partners-to-be as approximations of our ideals. We should not regard them as 2nd best. Rather, ideals serve as a point of departure. Our willingness to move away from these categories and ideals is precisely the point of love. Love is unselfishness. If we stick with the ideal, we are becoming selfish.


On Love as TUGUDUG

Love is more than a fleeting feeling. Love transcends emotions. Love exemplified is Christ nailed on the cross. I'm sure there's no TUGUDUG there. But in love, there is a commitment to making the beloved (us) happy (by granting us salvation).


On Going for Older Women

Age doesn't matter in preference nor does it bequeath wisdom.



Something interesting: Endpoliticaldynasty.com.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

My Ideal Woman

Men always say that the formula for the ideal woman is beauty and brains. It's true. Men do like women who are beautiful and attractive. Does that mean that "ugly" women are doomed to be singles for life? I don't think so. We must take into consideration that the concept of beauty is different for every individual. Sure, almost all guys find Jennifer Love Hewitt pretty but that's a special case. Really beautiful women are beautiful by all means. What I was referring to was something that I learned in Psychology101- matching hypothesis. It claims that people are, generally, attracted to the people who are equally as physically attractive as they are. Thus, we see couples who look alike. Of course it's not true that they look alike kasi sobrang close nila at nagkapalit na sila ng mukha. Rather, it is more acceptable to think that we find ourselves attractive therefore we go for partners who look like us.


Men also do like women who have the brains. But I'm not referring to an I.Q. that is around 200. Rather, I speak of brains in the sort of the non-dumb-blonde type of brains. Personally, my ideal woman would be someone who is more than willing to engage me in an intellectual debate. She's someone who will not "ssshhh" me when I begin to ramble ideas close to my heart (and head), like politics, nation-building, development, Marxsim, vocations, etc. I would like a partner who would see my academic efforts not as working for a high QPI to brag around, nor do I want her to see it as my passport to a big fat paycheck. I would also like someone who doesn't see my quest for high grades not as intellectual hubris but as a testament for a thirst of knowledge and of truth. I see grades not as ends nor as means to success. Rather, they are just yardsticks of my faculties.


I want to be an expert at everything I do because I know that if I plow through the knowledge of the world, I will find the solution to the problems of the world. I study hard to find an answer. And my ideal woman would share that passion for the Truth and solving the world's problems. I want a partner, who like me, has a bloated Messianic complex. She is someone unafraid to pursue what she thinks is right. I want someone who sees me not as an intellectual prick who should be shunned nor an ideological Messiah that should be left alone because she thinks that mere mortals like her are unworthy in my presence. Brains mean engaging me, questioning me, problematizing me.


At the end of the day, I know I will never find my ideal girl. Why? Because if I love my ideal girl, it won't be love at all. It will just be a manifestation of my selfishness and self-obsession. Love is all about moving away from categories, moving away from the self towards the other. Love is all about going beyond oneself.



This reflection on the ideal woman lead me to another reflection. A professor of mine once said that he is saddened by the fact that students no longer go to school to learn but to get an insurance policy. I'm not like them. I'm here to learn.



Now I understand why brilliant writers write essays and books. It's not that they love writing. It's just that people don't want to talk and listen to them.

Things I Learned on Labor Day
  1. My ANI department profile is 2 months late.

  2. One White Tea Apple Flavor tastes better that C2 Green Tea Apple Flavor. One has a smoother and cleaner taste.

  3. "Nation-building" is the end of plurality. The end of plurality is the end of true politics.

  4. I had 61 Yahoo groups but dropped the count to 35.

  5. 2 Penoy + C2 Apple + Burger Machine Jumbo Burger = Filling dinner.

  6. Ari Gold is really out of his mind.

  7. Sylar vs. Peter Petrelli (future face-off) is.

  8. Japanese Brokeback c/o Hiro and Ando is.

  9. It's almost impossible to fulfill my dream of straightening things out in the National COMELEC. I won't kiss the ass of the then-president.

  10. QPI itself doesn't matter to me. Proof of expertise, pride, honor - that's what the numbers stand for.

  11. The future is unchangeable. Even Hiro can't change it.

  12. I can and will finish Mario Forever before summer ends.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

ANI Student Shines in International Art Contest
Dysiree Airee V. Abang of Batasan Hills National High School in Quezon City, took home the bronze prize in the 14th World Children's Picture Contest in Japan. Her winning art piece bested some 45,978 entries from 68 countries worldwide. [Source: DepEd]

Woohoo!!! Congrats Ai! Student ko 'yan! Mana sa akin! Hehehehe! According to the contest website, there were a lot of winners. But so what? A win is a win! W00t w00t!!

First Time Voter's Ballot

A week ago, my mom told me to prepare a list of senators that we should be voting. For some time now, I have been mulling over which of the 36 senatoriables will I be putting on my ballot. I am having trust issues with these senatoriables. I can't pin-down candidates whom I'm willing to give my first ballot to.


Anyhow, last week, I've been to a senatorial debate for first time voters in Ateneo's Henry Lee Irwin Theater. It had Allan Peter Cayetano, Zosimo Paredes, Adrian Sison, Martin Bautista, and Sonia Roco. Snubbing the event were Angara and Legarda.


If there was something valuable that I learned, it is that senatorial debates suck because the candidates DO NOT answer the questions that were asked. They just go on blabbing about two things - their "principles" or how they hated corruption and GMA. How the heck can I first time voter like me decide if they go on like that? There was this senatorial debate in GMA 7 - Isang Tanong. It was aired last night at aroung 10:30pm. It had an interesting format and it has a 2nd part next Sunday. Anyhow, the same things goes for the candidates that were there. They go on babbling about the same things. It's a good thing that Malou Mangahas was there to ask the hard questions to some of the candidates (Zubiri with his 40M campaign spending and this independent candidate with questionable credentials).


Here are some of the things I learned in the two senatorial debates that I've seen:


  • I'm a bit hesitant to vote for Martin Bautista. He stayed in the USA for 17 years and thus he claims that he has nothing to lose with this elections. Brain drain my fri