Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Internet and Generation Formation
Ever since I shared my undergraduate thesis to Mark (Ruiz), I started to work on re-writing it and re-reading my source literature. I promised Mark that I'll blog about the sociology of generations, albeit a simpler version, but this post is not about that one (I'll find time to write it someday).
I would just want to share something I found in the internet. It's a part of a speech by June Edmunds in 2007 on his contemporary re-appropriation of Karl Mannheim's sociology of generations. Below is a short excerpt where he discusses the relationship of new media and the formation of an active generation.
Bryan [Turner] and I suggested that 9/11 could bring about the formation of a second global generation similar to the 1960s – a generation which both shares its information and ideas across borders and acts with global impact. Two factors seem especially important in the construction of global generations. First, the growth of electronic forms of global communication technology. Whereas print media and the radio shaped international and transnational generations, electronic technology has led to the globalization of trauma because new media mean that events can be experienced simultaneously across the globe, transcending time and space in unprecedented way. Second, the increase in mobility, tourism, education, global labour markets and so on.
However, I’ve started to rethink this issue and to question whether these new electronic communications technologies have the ability to generate a global generational consciousness. What they do is that they provide a very instantaneous vision of things; but these media images are transitory- we move on from them very quickly on to the next ‘trauma’ . And it is this very immediacy and transitory nature of mediated experience of trauma which is what inhibits the creation of a genuinely active global generation. So I’m starting to change my mind about the earlier argument we made. There is a very instant nature of global communication which means that these events do not have a long-lasting event and do not create a global political generation anything equivalent to the 1960s generation.
[via Media Research]
I remember in one of the TindigNation meetings, Noli Benavent (creator of the STOP CON-ASS NOW! cause in Facebook) was having an intense discussion with other members of TindigNation about the merits of cyberactivism. Some of the leaders (members of a more senior, actualized generation) are pointing to the fact that cyberactivism can only go so far and that it needs to lead towards street activism.
Well, we can look at it in several angles - division of labor, developmental stages of activism, diversification of means of dissent, and the argument that the internet can never replace actual street protest. Nonetheless, Edmund's point on the relationship of this new media and the formation of a "generation for itself" merits much consideration.
@ 
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Small is Beautiful
Man is small, and, therefore, small is beautiful.
When will everything be enough?
In anticipation of the movie "Up", see other real-life "nail houses" here.
I'm off to Roxas City in Capiz tomorrow. It will be my second time there. Please pray for our safety.
My flight is in the morning but I still can't sleep. Maybe I'll go find some e-books of/on Niklas Luhmann. Sir Leland got me interested. But he's German so his works will definitely be top-tier esoteric.
I'm looking forward to graduate school.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Another Peasant Leader Murdered
Peasant leader shot dead in DumagueteMARK JOSEPH UBALDE, [via GMANews.TV]
06/10/2009 | 07:42 PM
MANILA, Philippines - A militant leader was shot dead on Wednesday in Central Philippines after attending a rally against the constituent assembly being pushed by the House of Representatives.
Fermin Lorico, chairman of the KAUGMAON-Kilusan ng Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), was shot thrice at the back of the head near his office at San Jose Extension street in Dumaguete City at around 4:00 p.m.
The group immediately accused the military for the killing.
“No one else would do this than the 79th Infantry Batallion of the military," KAUGMAON spokesperson Juliet Ragay told GMANews.TV in a phone interview.
Ragay said Lorico had been a vocal supporter of farmers’ rights in the province and had accused the military of committing abuses against peasants.
“[Lorico] was a good man. He even served in the church," Ragay said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has repeatedly denied involvement in the killings of peasant leaders, dismissing it as part of leftist propaganda aimed at tarnishing the military’s image.
“These accusations of human rights violations, disappearances… nothing has been proved. It’s all propaganda," said Brig. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, AFP-Civil Relations Services chief.
In a separate interview, PO3 Dante Maribao of the Dumaguete police said that investigators are now conducting an autopsy on the victim. He refused to give other details in the shooting.
Grabe na! Maniniwala pa ba ako na walang kinalaman ang mga sunud-sunod na pagkamatay ng mga pinuno ng iba't ibang pangkat ng mga pesante? Grabe nang karahasan ito!
Above is the only picture I was able to take during the anti-conasswang rally yesterday afternoon in Ayala Ave. It was nice to see familiar faces in the rally. It was my first time to be in a rally with the Liberal Party and to be actually in the crowd (for the most part of the February 2008 rally during the height of the NBN-ZTE issue, I was at the backstage because I hosted a segment of the rally). I hope I can find better pictures later.
Gloria at Cha-cha... Ibasura!
Who was able to attend the TINDIGNATION concert rally in Gate 2.5 ADMU? How was it? I hope it was successful. Sorry I wasn't able to go. Bawi na lang next time.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
RIP Ka Rene Penas
At 5:39AM today, I received a devastating text message from Ate Jane of KAISAHAN:
Ka Rene Penas, farmer leader and paralegal from Sumilao, was ambushed at around 11pm last night, 5June. He was on his way home when he was shot. We are condemning this brutal death of a leader who lived a life fighting for agrarian reform and social justice: for their land in Sumilao, for other land cases, and for CARPER. Pls pray for his loved ones and for justice to be served.
Grabe! Sumosobra na sila! P*t*ng*na naman! Paano na ang asawa't mga anak ni Ka Rene? Kung akala nila manghihina ang loob ng mga magsasakang humahanap ng katarungan dahil sa pagkamatay ng isa sa kanilang mga pinuno, nagkakamali sila! Lalo lang nilang ginalit ang mga magsasakang matagal nang nagtitiis sa hirap!
Ka Rene, kung nasaan ka man, nawa ay maging masaya ka. Itutuloy po namin ang laban na inyong sinimulan noong ikaw ay nabubuhay pa.
Nawa ang kapayapaan ng Panginoon ay sumaiyo.
According to Ate Jane, the body of Ka Rene is still in the very spot where he was shot down last night in Sumilao, Bukidnon. The SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operative) has yet to remove his body.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Thanks for the Laughs
Conan O'Brien is back on air as the new host of The Tonight Show.
Watching Coco Christopher O'Brien (as declared by Tom Hanks in the June 2 episode) at night makes the stress go away for a bit.
Thank you.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Con-Asswang
Roxas: ‘Con-asswang;’ form of witchcraft[via Inquirer.net]
MANILA, Philippines—In an impassioned privilege speech in Filipino, Sen. Manuel Roxas II denounced the passage of House Resolution No. 1109 and described the viva voce voting as a form of witchcraft.
HR 1109 calls for the convening of a constituent assembly (Con-ass) with the House and the Senate voting jointly on amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
The opposition claims the passage of HR 1109 in the House of Representatives could pave the way for Charter change and serve as a “prelude to an Arroyo dictatorship.”
“I call it kaaswangan. I challenge the President to either stand by [HR 1109] or reject it. Where does she stand in this most important, most crucial issue?” said Roxas, a presidential aspirant.
In Filipino folklore, an “aswang” is a vampire-like creature that is said to prey on small children and even the dead. By the senator’s own admission, the myth of aswang was popular in his hometown in Capiz province.
Roxas brought leis of garlic, which he said was the best defense against aswang, to the session hall.
He said he had decided to wear a garlic necklace “to ward off the aswang called constituent assembly or Con-asswang.”
He added that the President should order her allies in the House to stop this “stupidity.”
From Brian Ong:
Read the list of congressmen here who signed House Resolution No. 1109.
based on this document. http://www.scribd.com/doc/14523445/House-Resolution-No-1109
Those who voted "Aye" may not have signed this HR 1109. Feel free to copy and paste this list to your blog post or Facebook notes and state
""I am ashamed of my Congressman (enter name if applicable) for supporting HR1109."
NAME DISTRICT/ AREA
ABANTE, BIENVENIDO M. "BENNY" 6TH District Pandacan
ABLAN, ROQUE R. JR \Ilocos Norte, 1st District
AGBAYANI, VICTOR AGUEDO E. Pangasinan, 2nd District
AGYAO, MANUEL, S Kalinga Province
ALBANO (III), RODOLFO T. Isabela, 1st District
ALFELOR, FELIX R. JR. 4th District, Camarines Sur
ALMARIO, THELMA Z. Davao Oriental, 2nd District
ALVAREZ, ANTONIO C. Palawan 1st District
ALVAREZ, GENARO RAFAEL M. JR. Negros Occidental, 6th District
AMANTE, EDELMIRO A. Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District
AMATONG, ROMMEL C. Compostela Valley, 2nd District
ANGPING, MARIA ZENAIDA B. Manila, 3rd District
ANTONINO, RODOLFO W. Nueva Ecija, 4th District
APOSTOL, TRINIDAD G. Leyte, 2nd District
AQUINO, JOSE S. (II) 1st District Agusan del Norte
ARAGO, MARIA EVITA R. 3rd district, Laguna
ARBISON, A MUNIR M. Sulu 2nd District
ARENAS, MA. RACHEL J. Pangasinan, 3rd District
ARROYO, DIOSDADO M. Camarines Sur, 1st District
ARROYO, IGNACIO T. 5th district Negros Occidental
ARROYO, JUAN MIGUEL M. 2nd District of Pampanga
BAGATSING, AMADO S. Manila 5th district
BALINDONG, PANGALIAN M. Lanao del Sur, 2nd District
BARZAGA, ELPIDIO F. JR. Cavite, 2nd District
BAUTISTA, FRANKLIN P. Davao Del Sur, 2nd District
BELMONTE, VICENTE F. JR. Lanao del Norte, 1st District
BICHARA, AL FRANCIS C. Albay, 2nd District
BIRON, FERJENEL G. Iloilo, 4th District
BONDOC, ANNA YORK P. Pampanga 4th District
BONOAN-DAVID, MA. THERESA B. Manila, 4th District
BRAVO, NARCISO R. JR. Masbate, 1st District
BRIONES, NICANOR M. AGAP Party list
BUHAIN, EILEEN ERMITA Batangas, 1st District
BULUT, ELIAS C. JR. Apayao Lone District
CAGAS (IV), MARC DOUGLAS C. Davao Del Sur, 1st District
CAJAYON, MARY MITZI L. Caloocan, 2nd District
CAJES, ROBERTO C. Bohol, 2nd District
CARI, CARMEN L. Leyte, 5th District
CASTRO, FREDENIL H. Capiz, 2nd District
CELESTE, ARTHUR F. Pangasinan, 1st District
CERILLES, ANTONIO H. Zamboanga Del Sur, 2nd District
CHATTO, EDGARDO M. Bohol, 1st District
CHONG, GLENN A. Biliran, Lone District
CHUNG-LAO, SOLOMON R. Ifugai, Lone District
CLARETE, MARINA C. Misamis Occidental, 1st District
CODILLA, EUFROCINO M. SR. Leyte, 4th District
COJUANCO, MARK O. Pangasinan, 5th District
COQUILA, TEODULO M. Eastern Samar, Lone District
CRISOLOGO, VINCENT P. Quezon City, 1st District
CUA, JUNIE E. Quirino, Lone District
CUENCO, ANTONIO V. Cebu City, 2nd District
DANGWA, SAMUEL M. Benguet, Lone District
DATUMANONG, SIMEON A. Maguindanao, Lone District
Dayanghirang, Nelson L. Davao Oriental, 1st District
DAZA, NANETTE C. Quezon City, 4th District
DAZA, PAUL R. Northern Samar, 1st District
DE GUZMAN, DEL R. Marikina City, 2nd District
DEFENSOR, ARTHUR D. SR. Iloilo, 3rd District
DEFENSOR, MATIAS V. JR. Quezon City, 3rd District
DEL MAR, RAUL V. Cebu City, 1st District
DIASNES, CARLO OLIVER D. (MD) Batanes, Lone District
DIMAPORO, ABDULLAH D. Lanao Del Norte, 2nd District
DOMOGAN, MAURICIO G. Baguio, Lone District
DUAVIT, MICHAEL JOHN R. Rizal, 1st District
DUENAS, HENRY M. JR. Taguig, 2nd District (2nd Councilor District)
DUMARPA, FAYSAH MRP. Lanao del Sur, 1st District
DUMPIT, THOMAS L. JR. La Union, 2nd District
DURANO (IV), RAMON H. 5th District, Cebu
ECLEO, GLENDA B. Dinagat Islands, Lone District
EMANO, YEVGENY VICENTE B. Misamis Oriental, 2nd District
ENVERGA, WILFRIDO MARK M. Quezon, 1st District
ESTRELLA, CONRADO M. (III) Pangasinan, 6th District
ESTRELLA, ROBERT RAYMUND M. ABONO Party List
FERRER, JEFFREY P. Negros Occidental, 4th District
GARAY, FLORENCIO C. Surigao Del Sur, 2nd District
GARCIA, ALBERT S. Bataan, 2nd District.
GARCIA, PABLO JOHN F. Cebu, 3rd District
GARCIA, PABLO P. Cebu, 2nd District
GARCIA, VINCENT J. Davao City, 2nd District
GARIN, JANETTE L. Iloilo, 1st District
GATCHALIAN, REXLON T. Valenzuela City, 1st District
GATLABAYAN, ANGELITO C. Antipolo City, 2nd District
GO, ARNULFO F. Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District
GONZALES, AURELIO D. JR. Pampanga 3rd District
GONZALES, RAUL T. JR. Ilo ilo City
GULLAS, EDUARDO R. Cebu, 1st District
GUNIGUNDO, MAGTANGGOL T. Valenzuela City 2nd District
HOFER, DULCE ANN K. Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District
JAAFAR, NUR G. Tawi-Tawi, Lone District
JALA, ADAM RELSON L. Bohol, 3rd District
JALOSJOS, CESAR G. Zamboanga del Norte, 3rd District
JALOSJOS-CARREON, CECILIA G. Zamboanga del Norte, 1st District
JIKIRI, YUSOP H. Sulu, 1st District
KHO, ANTONIO T. Masbate, 2nd District
LABADLABAD, ROSENDO S. Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District
LACSON, JOSE CARLOS V. Negros Occidental, 3rd District
LAGDAMEO, ANTONIO F. JR. Davao del Norte, 2nd District
LAPUS, JECI A. Tarlac, 3rd District
LAZATIN, CARMELO F. Pampanga, 1st District
LIM, RENO G. Albay, 3rd District
LOPEZ, JAIME C. Manila, 2nd District
MADRONA, ELEANORA JESUS F. Romblon, Lone District
MAGSAYSAY, MARIA MILAGROS H. Zambales, 1st District
MALAPITAN, OSCAR G. Caloocan, 1st District
MAMBA, MANUEL N. Cagayan, 3rd District
MANGUDADATU, DATU PAKUNG S. Sultan Kudarat,
MARANON, ALFREDO D. III Negros Occidental, 2nd District
MATUGAS, FRANCISCO T. Surigao del Norte, 1st District
MENDOZA, MARK LEANDRO L. Batangas, 4th District
MERCADO, ROGER G. Southern Leyte, Lone District
MIRAFLORES, FLORENCIO T. Aklan, Lone District
NAVA, JOAQUIN CARLOS RAHMAN A. (MD) Guimaras, Lone District
NICOLAS, REYLINA G. Bulacan, 4th District
NOGRALES, PROSPERO C. Davao City, 1st District
OLAñO, ARREL R. Davao Del Norte, 1st District
ONG, EMIL L. Northern Samar, 2nd District
ORTEGA, VICTOR FRANCISCO C. La Union, 1st District
PABLO, ERNESTO C. APEC Party List
PANCHO, PEDRO M. Bulacan, 2nd District
PANCRUDO, CANDIDO P. JR. Bukidnon, 1st District
PICHAY, PHILIP A. Surigao Del Sur, 1st District
PIñOL, BERNARDO F. JR. North Cotabato, 2nd District
PUNO, ROBERTO V. Antipolo City, 1st District
RAMIRO, HERMINIA M. Misamis Occidental, 2nd District
REMULLA, JESUS CRISPIN C. Cavite, 3rd District
REYES, CARMELITA O. Marinduque, Lone District
REYES, VICTORIA H. Batangas, 3rd District
ROBES, ARTURO G. San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District
Rodriguez-Zaldarriaga, Adelina Rizal, 2nd District
ROMAN, HERMINIA B. Bataan, 1st District
ROMARATE, GUILLERMO A. JR. Surigao del Norte, 2nd District
ROMUALDEZ, FERDINAND MARTIN G. Leyte, 1st District
ROMUALDO, PEDRO Camiguin, Lone District
ROMULO, ROMAN T. Pasig City, Lone District
ROXAS, JOSE ANTONIO F. Pasay City
SALIMBANGON, BENHUR L. Cebu, 4th District
SALVACION JR., ANDRES D. Leyte, 3rd District
SAN LUIS, EDGAR S. Laguna, 4th District
SANDOVAL, ALVIN S. Malabon-Navotas, Lone District
SANTIAGO, JOSEPH A. Catanduanes, Lone District
SANTIAGO, NARCISO D. (III) ARC Party List
SEACHON-LANETE, RIZALINA L. 3rd district of Masbate
SEARES-LUNA, CECILIA M. Abra, Lone District
SILVERIO, LORNA C. Bulacan, 3rd District
SINGSON, ERIC D. Ilocos Sur, 2nd District
SINGSON, RONALD V. Ilocos Sur, 1st District
SOLIS, JOSE G. Sorsogon, 2nd District
SOON-RUIZ, NERISSA CORAZON Cebu, 6th District
SUAREZ, DANILO E. Quezon, 3rd District
SUSANO, MARY ANN L. Quezon City, 2nd District
SY-ALVARADO, MA. VICTORIA R. Bulacan, 1st District
SYJUCO, JUDY J. 2nd Dsitrict, Iloilo
TALINO-MENDOZA, EMMYLOU J. North Cotabato, 1st District
TAN, SHAREE ANN T. Samar, 2nd District
TEODORO, MARCELINO R. Marikina City, 1st District
TEODORO, MONICA LOUISSE PRIETO Tarlac, 1st District
TEVES, PRYDE HENRY A. Negros Oriental, 3rd District
TUPAS, NEIL C. JR. Iloilo, 5th District
UNGAB, ISIDRO T. Davao City, 3rd District
UY, EDWIN C. Isabela, 2nd District
UY, REYNALDO S. Samar, 1st District
UY, ROLANDO A. Cagayan De Oro City, Lone District
VALDEZ, EDGAR L. APEC Party List
VALENCIA, RODOLFO G. Oriental Mindoro, 1st District
VARGAS, FLORENCIO L. Cagayan, 2nd District
VILLAFUERTE, LUIS R. Camarines Sur, 2nd District
VILLAROSA, MA. AMELITA C. Occidental Mindoro, Lone District
VIOLAGO, JOSEPH GILBERT F. Nueva Ecija, 2nd District
YAP, JOSE V. Tarlac, 2nd District
YU, VICTOR J. Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District
ZAMORA, MANUEL E. 1st District, Compostela Valley
ZIALCITA, EDUARDO C. Parañaque, 1st District
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
The Questionable SWS Survey and the Eighth Regime
Today, Inquirer.net posted a news item entitled "SWS survey puts Villar on top".
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) Embattled Senator Manny Villar has emerged as the leading presidential contender in the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Station.
Villar, who has been accused of using his position to benefit from the C-5 road extension project, posted a high 22 percent approval rating from 7,000 respondents polled nationwide by the SWS between April 16 and May 6, 2009.
Vice President Noli de Castro followed Villar with 18 percent ; Senator Francis Escudero and deposed President Joseph Estrada with 14; Senator Loren Legarda with 10 percent; Senator Manuel Roxas with 9 percent; Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson with 6 percent, Makati Jejomar Binay with 2 percent; Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando with 1 percent.
This survey is questionnable on five basic grounds:
- This survey result has no corresponding press release in the official SWS website. SWS always posts their survey results in their website, so why not this time?
- The survey question in this new survey ("Sa mga sumusunod na pangalan sa listahang ito, sino po ang malamang ninyong iboboto bilang PRESIDENTE ng Pilipinas, kung ang eleksyon ay gaganapin ngayon?") is vastly different from the question in the last SWS survey ("Sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang Konstitusyon, ang termino ni Pang. Arroyo ay hanggang sa taong 2010 lamang at magkakaroon ng halalan para sa pagka-pangulo sa Mayo 10, 2010. Sinu-sino sa palagay ninyo ang mga magagaling na lider na dapat pumalit kay Pang. Arroyo bilang Presidente? Maaari po kayong magbanggit ng hanggang tatlong sagot."). Why would SWS suddenly change the survey question if it seeks to show upward or downward movements in the polls?
- Pulse Asia has just released its recent survey results on the presidentiables. Noticeably, the sampling dates of the Pulse Asia survey (May 4 - 17) coincides with that of this supposed SWS survey (April 16 - May 6). Past surveys of the two polling stations do not coincide with each other. Why change it now?
- There is also a noticeable change in the movement of Sen. Mar Roxas in the two polls. In the Pulse Asia survey, he moved up by 5 points (most improved performance in the polls) while in this supposed SWS survey Mar moved down by 6 points!
- Look at the tabulated results of this supposed SWS survey. It shows the results of the past surveys. Noticeably, the figures are different from those in the official SWS surveys posted in their website
So where does this survey come from?
The congressmen in Batasan are currently rail-roading charter change. They have been at if for many months now. But it seems like this push for H.R. 1109 ("A Resolution calling upon the members of congress to convene for the purpose of considering proposals to amend or revise the constitution upon a vote of 3/4 of all the members of congress") will push through because they are only seeking to pass it through a simple majority vote of the quorum. The dogs in in Congress will not rest tonight until they pass this resolution - as Ricky Carandang said, "the chacha express has arrived".
Expected to follow shortly, maybe even tonight or tomorrow, are the specific amendments to the charter, including something that will eventually pave the way for Arroyo’s continuation in power in one form or another.
And so despite all the denials, the House has finally done it.
What happens next?
This nation has been a formal state six times in its history. First as a colony of Spain, second as the short lived Malolos republic, third as the Commonwealth under the United States, fourth as a Japanese colony during World War II, fifth as the postwar republic that lasted until 1972, sixth was the Marcos Bagong Lipunan, and seventh was the new 1986 regime.
Today could very well go down in history as the day that the Eighth Regime was born.
God help us all.
[via RickyCarandang.com]
What is this sham?! Congress should have used their time today to vote on the CARPER bill yet here they are trying to consolidate their powers and their wallets (c/o GMA's moneyman Rolando Andaya).
Do your jobs! Stop f*cking with the people!
Monday, June 01, 2009
Latest Pulse Asia Survey and Passing the CARPER
Noli, Chiz, Erap, Manny, Mar tied in latest survey[via abs-cbnNEWS.com] | 06/01/2009 10:31 AM
Senator Manuel 'Mar' Roxas II gained ground in the latest opinion poll of Pulse Asia, allowing him to join a pack of five leading candidates for president in the 2010 elections.
Based on the May 4-17 survey of Pulse Asia, the race remains tight with Vice-President Noli de Castro, Senator Francis Escudero, former President Joseph Estrada, Senator Manuel Villar, and Roxas in a statistical tie.
De Castro was chosen by 18% of respondents; Escudero was chosen by 17%; Estrada by 15%; Villar by 14%; and, Roxas by 13%.
The survey has a margin of error of plus/minus 3%.
"If the May 2010 elections were held today, [these] five individuals would garner the same percentages of votes cast," according to Pulse Asia Inc. Chief Research Fellow Ana Maria Tabunda.
Roxas was the biggest gainer from the February 2009 survey, gaining 5 points.
Senator Loren Legarda was sixth with 7% in a statistical tie with Senator Panfilo Lacson (4%) and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay (4%).
They were followed by Senator Richard Gordon (1%), business tycoon Manny Pangilinan (1%), Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno (1%), and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (1%).
The survey is based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above.
Respondents were asked to choose their preference for president from a list of 16 names.
More on the Pulse Asia survey:
Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today attributed his 5-point gain in the latest Pulse Asia Ulan ng Bayan survey to his pro-poor advocacies and programs.
Roxas, who scored 13% in the May 4 to 17 survey conducted among 1,2000 respondents, a 5% gain from his 8% score in February polls. Respondents were asked the question: "Sino ang inyong iboboto bilang presidente kung ang eleksyon ng 2010 ay gaganapin ngayon?"
"Nararamdaman na ng taumbayan ang aking pakikipaglaban para sa mahihirap," he said, adding: "Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong naniniwalang mababago ko hindi lang ang kanilang mga buhay kundi ang pamamalakad ng ating bansa."
The senator has come out with an infomercial reaching out to the marginalized sector of society where he is seen as riding a 'padyak' (or a 'trike' or 'traysikad') with a six-year old girl selling sampaguita leis in and being driven by a teenager forced to work as a 'padyak' driver to augment his family's income.
The senator likewise regained his title as Visayan chief, getting 22% among the other potential presidential candidates in the 2010 presidential elections.
"Malaki ang utang na loob na tinatanaw ko sa taumbayan, lalo na sa aking mga kababayan mula sa Visaya na patuloy na sumusuporta sa akin," he said.
[via senate.gov.ph]
Side-note on the Bacolod trip: I actually met the guy whose life-story inspired the padyak commercial of Sen. Mar Roxas. He's a nice guy who just graduated from college. Astig siya at mabait. He puts his family first and his story is truly an inspiring tale of a young man's self-less sacrifice for his family.
Saludo ako sa'yo bro!
Thank you Senate for heeding the call to pass CARPER!
Senator Manuel " Mar" Roxas said that he voted in favor of the measure "nothwithstanding a possible conflict of interest" since the Roxas-Araneta was also a landed family.
"I voted in favor of this measure on the premise that such a vote does not benefit my family's interests but the greater number of our people, farmers and farm workers," said Roxas.
The 12 senators who supported the measure were Senators Enrile, Honasan, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Joker Arroyo, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Pia Cayetano, Roxas, Richard Gordon, Rodolfo Biazon, Francis Pangilinan, Francis Escudero and Manuel Lapid.
[via Inquirer.net]
Lalaban tayo!