Ang namulat ay hindi na muling pipikit

 Ang namulat ay hindi na muling pipikit

Pilipinas, oh inang bayan
Patawad at kami ay nabigo.
Gayun pa man, kami ay hindi susuko.
Magmamasid at patuloy na makikialam.
Patuloy na lalaban para sa kinabukasan.

Susuporta sa tamang adhikain

Tutuligsa sa maling gawain.

Magmamasid at makikialam!

Sambayanan ang nagdikta sa iyong kinabukasan.

Mali man o tama, dapat na ito ay igalang.

Hayaang kasaysayan ang magbigay kapaliwanagan,

At naway pinili nitong lipi ang tamang daan.

Gayun pa man, kami’y di titigil,

Magmamasid! Makikialam!

Pagkat walang katapusan itong laban

Para sa bukas na ikaw ay puno ng kaluwalhatian,

Sa bukas na hindi lulong sa pangakong napapako,

Kundi sa pagbabagong umaagos saan mang dako.

Laging kami magmamasid, makikialam!

Sana nga’y ang namulat ay hindi na muling pipikit.

Na ang alab sa puso’y patuloy na sisidhi

At ang diwa ng yaring isip ay patuloy na gigising,

Hindi maiidlip, di matutulog, di mahihimbing.

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The three wise monkeys

(A persuasive speech)

Good morning everyone!

The proverbial principle of “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” is wonderfully expressed in the image of the three wise monkeys which is a very profound pictorial maxim. I’m here today to talk about it and how right now, most of us are becoming the irony of the three wise monkeys.

Mizaru – the monkey who covers his eyes and sees no evil.

Today, we are at a very crucial period in the history of our country. We are in an oblivion marred by the lack of peace, the lack of rule of law, and utter disrespect to our constitution. Yes, most of us have just turned blind against the injustices that pervade our society today.

To see no evil is good but to act blind and ignore what is happening in our country right now is an utter disregard for the moral and ethical standards that our nation was built upon. What is happening right now is unbecoming of a society. We are in a state of regress instead of progress.

But why are we acting blindly as if everything is okay? Why are we being quiet? Are we really being responsible citizens when we do not support dissent? When we ignore the obvious disregard for the rule of law? When we think that killing is a justified means of eliminating the menace of our society?

Most of us have become ironically like the wise monkey who sees no evil. We see no evil because we are acting blind. We have embraced the idea that these crooked ways are fine because they are what we need to instill order in our society.

Niccolo Machiavelli in his book The Prince said that the end justifies the means. But is it really okay to stick with these unscrupulous methods in order to achieve a safer and sounder society? Is it fine that we are living a Machiavellian society?  

The answer is no! Let us stop this foolishness and act. We need to open our eyes and recognize that these things are wrong. Again, we need to act.

At this point, allow me to move on to the second monkey.

Kikazaru - The monkey who covers his ears and hears no evil.

Today, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of you will turn out to be monkeys - monkeys who hear no evil. We have come to a point where most of us have become deaf of the truth. We are not just acting blind but we have also turned deaf about the reality - about the truth.

We are at a point that fake news is more appealing to most than the real news that is based on facts.  Let us not become the monkey who hears no evil. Let us be open to the truth even if it is something bad. Let us try to listen to the credible source of facts instead of basing our truth on posts on social media.

Let us not be afraid to hear something evil especially if it is the truth. For it is in knowing the real state of things that we are able to better our actions and do what is right.

The last monkey among the three wise monkeys is Iwazaru. The monkey who covers his mouth and speaks no evil.

Today, the moment you voice your opinion on something that is against the current administration or about a pressing issue, you are oftentimes placed in hot waters. People would label you as someone who is anti-government as if what you are saying is pure evil.

But remember that the most dangerous threat to a democracy, to the truth, is when dissent is being labeled as evil. When public opinion is propelled by propaganda, by strategies to sow confusion and disparity, a democracy is on the brink of extinction.

I tell you. Let us not stop speaking of the evil. Let us continue to be vigilant, to speak the truth regardless if it is bad. Let us remember that dissent is an essential ingredient in a democracy. When nobody questions a decision, when nobody is there to say that something is wrong, even the evilest lie can become the most pious truth of all.

Today, I ask all of you. Let us not become the three wise monkeys. Instead, let us be wiser than them. As the youth of today, we play a pivotal role in nation-building. We are more than capable to make a change. We need to stop these absurdities that we are seeing and hearing and we need to have a voice. Remember that even small ripples, when collectively acting, could become the wave that can topple even the strongest wall.

As an ending thought, I would like to leave you this. The worst enemy of the truth is when everyone embraces a lie and accepts it. I pray that there will be no more monkeys among us. No more wise monkeys. Instead, let us be wiser. It’s high time that we make loud of our voice and fight for the truth.

Thank you.

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5 sexy attributes the next President of the Philippines must possess

As much as I want to dodge writing anything about politics in this blog, I have written articles with political context on numerous times in the past. I am now more accepting of the fact that no matter how much we do not give a fudge about it, we will and we must take our part in the quest of ensuring the equitability of government in managing the country’s vast resources. We are after all the bosses. We have the prime duty of delegating the best of the best in overseeing the internal and external affairs of our nation.

A few more sleeps and we will be welcoming another significant event in the history of the Philippines. The 2016 presidential elections is one of the most colorful and defining moments in Philippine history. This is one of the elections in which we can pick from a variety of options, each one promising a better avenue for this country. Now the question lies as to who should be the next president? Can these pitched promises really become realities of the future? What lies ahead of this nation depends on our choice. This post will bring you my personal take on what we must seek for the next president. By the way, nothing is sexy about it, I just have to catch your attention for you to start reading the post. Sorry for that one bro! If that is what you are looking for, you can’t find it here. Hahaha!

1. The next president must be INCORRUPTIBLE.

Corruption is rampant in the Philippines. Whether you admit it or not, you are as well guilty of corruption. You steal from other people their time, money and the truth and that is corruption. You accept bribes during elections and that is corruption. You don’t follow the laws of this land and you dodge from the responsibilities of being a citizen; that is corruption. Corruption is everywhere and to say that one can completely eradicate it is a lie. You can’t because whether we admit it or not, oftentimes our greed supersedes our values.

To say that the next president must be incorruptible then is to talk of the impossible. Nevertheless, we must think and believe in the impossible for us to start moving. What the next president must bear is the ability to be a staunch critic of himself. He must not fear criticism and he must not be swayed easily by public opinion. He must be firm in his stand and must not just seek popularity but embrace the value of inclusive and collective growth. He needs not to please the media or the pope or whoever it is. He needs to think of the Philippines and the welfare of its 101 million citizens.

Our nation needs incorruptible leadership, a leadership that is defined by integrity and justice. The next president must not have fear of being judged and must be ruthless if needed just so that we can start moving and achieve the impossible. Leadership is not all about being good. Why do we have wars then if it’s just about diplomacy and all sorts of good shenanigans? For goodness to thrive, one must sometimes embrace the darker shades of life.

2. The next president must HATE POVERTY.

I always find it dangerous when a politician says phrases such as “Ako ay para sa mahihirap”, “Gusto ko ang mahihirap”, and “Gobiyerno na para sa mahihirap”. If you take a look at the logical aspects of these phrases, it somehow supports the notion that they are more accepting of poverty. Yes, poverty is a reality in this country. No one can strikeout that fact. But to say that you are there for the poor is not enough. The next president must offer a solution to the problem and not just embrace it as a mere fact.

In the Philippines, income inequality is very obvious. The limited few earn millions while millions earn not even enough for the basic necessities. The larger minority are being abused and ripped of the benefits they deserve. Our country for example is agricultural and we all know that everyone needs food, but you get to wonder why almost all farmer families thrive below the poverty line. The truth is that our government lacks the mechanism to mitigate this income inequality and solve the poverty incidence in this country. I do not want to speculate but I think one reason is that our politicians need the poor because they are easily lured by the bribes they provide. Our government loves the idea of a dole out system. This is just a big no-no. (A big shout out to 4Ps! ..i..)

3. The next president must be DECISIVE.

If there is one thing I like about one particular candidate is his use of the word decisive. Well, it’s the only thing I find good about him. (evil grin) Decisiveness is important in any leadership. Two particular facets of being decisive are outlined by the words quick and effective. A decisive leadership needs to act quickly on all issues. You can’t reason out that “I just know about this” without saying that “but I have done all exhaustive efforts to ensure that is it addressed promptly”. The next president must show actions. He must also expect criticisms regarding his actions because it is normal. How he takes these criticisms defines whether he is an effective leader or not.

Decisive leadership requires a leader who is fierce and is unafraid of being judged. You can’t take immediate actions without risking ties from some individuals. You can’t take immediate actions if you are afraid of repercussions. You can’t take immediate actions if you are more worried of their consequences rather than the current situation. But beyond being prompt is the second element of decisiveness which is being effective. Don’t say that you are decisive just because you are quick to act. Decisive leadership must be quick but more importantly it must be effective.

4. The next president must have an UNDYING LOVE for this nation.

Nationalism is such a profound word and under the Philippine context it traces its roots from the heroes who have built the democracy and independence in this land. I don’t want any Justin Bieber in the presidency. A president must not love himself but must love this nation; to make it more of a leftist slogan, “Nation above self.”  It is easy to say that “I love my nation”, but the sad truth is that most of us don’t know the exact meaning of this phrase. The next president must be in love with the Philippines.

We cannot afford a president who is more than willing to renounce his or her citizenship for the greener pasture. We cannot afford a president who is willing to sell us to other nations. We need a president who sees our country as his humble COC base. He builds it to become better. He strategically plans its formation and its growth and upgrades. He is willing to attack the bad elements to protect it and he does not allow people to loot its resources so he safeguards them 24/7.

5. The next president must have all of the things listed from 1 to 4 as a whole package.

For me, the Presidency in the Philippines is a challenge of lifting the minority. Solving poverty is the biggest task to whoever sits at the Malacañang Palace. Many have tried, but each one of them failed. I don’t buy statistics (with all due respect to those who find this as their craft). Reducing the poverty incident is not a number game. If the next president is really keen to solve this issue, he must act and these actions should trickle down to the lowest in the hierarchy of governance. The challenge is not just on the president but on the entire government system. If the current state of government is indeed the best and the most ideal for this country, then I guess it should have been able to solve the problems that have been plaguing this nation for so many years now. We just have to find the right steward to guide the herd.

We need a leader who can bring transformational change. Who do I think it is? I bet you know now my choice. I’ll leave it up to you to decide who is yours. In the end, let us all be active and proactive in doing our part in the journey of this nation towards progress.

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Exploring Olango: The Project SAGO Experience

Olango is an island situated to the east of Mactan and Metropolitan Cebu. The place is home to the Olango Wildlife and Marine Sanctuary. While the island is within proximity to Metropolitan Cebu, the number of local tourists who get to visit the island is tremendously low. Olango is a nature’s frontier and as a Cebuano, I cannot afford not to visit this place. Finally #TeamLaagan decided to enjoy an overnight escapade in the island. And there comes Project SAGO which stands for Summer Adventure: Go Olango. With less than a day of preparation and decision making, we activated our traveller modes and went without even having an itinerary. What I love with unplanned getaways is that they are usually filled with surprises.

Getting to the Island (Goodbye Island Hopping)

At first, we wanted to avail the service of a private Bangka so we can do the usual island hopping which most tourists would do when they are to check Olango and its neighbouring islands. The previous plan was overruled by the idea of an overnight stay. Certainly, it will be less expensive and we can enjoy more of what Olango has to offer. From Mandaue, we rode on a PUJ to the ferry terminal near Movenpick Hotel (Php 9.00). We went on a Saturday but much to my surprise, the ferry terminal is not congested. Indeed, the island receives just a handful of visitors. We paid for the terminal fee (Php 5.00) and the fare for the ferry ride (Php 15.00). Our group has waited for about 15 minutes before we were able to hop into the motorized Bangka that would take us to Olango Island. The trip was more or less half an hour and was surely enjoyable. I personally love the waves and the picturesque view of Mactan Island as we move farther from it.

The Epic Fail Part (Tricycle, Cemetery and Shalala)


Upon arriving in the port of Olango, we did our usual group picture. It was past 2 pm and we still don’t know where to go. We rode on a tricycle which was a little pricey considering that they get a few passengers. Each of us paid 9 pesos for a roughly 1.5 km ride.  We went in proximity to the cemetery since one of us has relatives living there. We were hoping that we could stay for the night and save the cost of finding a place for accommodation. Sad to say, it appeared like we were not welcomed. Well, those were not my relatives but I was not pleased by how inhospitable they were to us. We were ignored. We decided to just proceed to find a good beach. We wanted to plunge into the water. Damn, the Philippines is too hot! A local directed us to a beach named Shalala. Going there, we paid 20 pesos per passenger. There were 10 of us and we have had to squeeze ourselves on a tricycle only to find out later that we will be asked for 30 pesos each. (Yes, we are tihik and we usually aim to minimize our expenses!) After tirelessly bargaining, I managed to convince the driver to have it at 20 pesos per passenger. Phew! To add up to our dismay, we ended up disappointed with Shalala. The place has no view and the swimming area is surrounded by mangroves. There was really no view at all. (I have nothing against Shalala. It was a good place but not just the place that one would love to stay.)

Olango Paradise Island Resort, The place to be!
After all the disappointments, I suggested to the group that we’ll just head straight to the San Vicente Marine Sanctuary. Again, we paid 20 pesos each for a tricycle ride and we really have to squeeze ourselves the second time around on a single tricycle. Since it’s already late, the activities that can be done in the sanctuary are limited to swimming and sightseeing. Fortunately, we saw that there is an adjacent resort. That is Olango Paradise Island Resort. We checked the resort and we were amazed. The place is what we have been looking for. It has its own exclusive access to view the Bird Sanctuary and it was just beside the Marine Sanctuary.

         
The staff and crew of OlangoParadise Island Resort were very accommodating. We settled for three tents along the beach for our overnight stay (Php 350.00 each). The resort offers lots of activities. There is boating, water sports, bird watching and so much more. There is also a good bar and bistro which offers mouthwatering dishes and fresh buko juice. They have cosy air-conditioned rooms and cottages where you can relax and unwind. The pool was still under construction when we visited. They property is huge so strolling around it is really enjoyable. During our stay, the resort owners were there. I was really impressed how hospitable and accommodating they were. We did have a little chit chat and I am positive that the place will surely become more awesome in the future. Hopefully, the momentum and the spirit of putting a place that is pro costumer and pro nature will never fade away. We did lots of stuff in the resort. (Nothing illegal... hahaha) I enjoyed most the bird sanctuary trail. (Tips: The resort charges a corkage fee of 500.)

Bird Sanctuary and the Marine Sanctuary

The marine sanctuary is a place to visit. There is a minimal entrance fee and fees for various activities like fish feeding, snorkeling and swimming. There is not much to do in the Bird Sanctuary but make sure you have your camera and a sharp eye. The place is so awesome that even if you don’t get to see birds that often anymore, it is still worth a visit. By the way, a thrift shop where you can buy souvenirs and stuff is found close to the Marine Sanctuary.

Project SAGO Wrap-up

The experience was awesome. #TeamLaagan shared lots of laughs and unforgettable memories in Olango. If you want a place to stay, Olango Paradise Island Resort is the place to be. Olango should receive more support from local tourists and people should know that beyond island hoping, there are lots of things that you can do in Olango. Project SAGO was another awesome feat for #TeamLaagan. Kudos!

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Assimilation of Filipino English in the Philippines

You may have learned about Carabao English, American English and British English but surely Filipino English is something new to the ears of many. In fact, one can sometimes doubt if such entity actually exists. This paper brings a concise discussion on the origins of Filipino English and how applicable or realistic it is in the current society of the Philippines.

The Origin of Filipino English

As with American English being a bastardization of British English, the Filipino English is somehow a bastardization of American English. The development of a new variety of English in the Philippines is said to have primarily occurred due to the colonial history and linguistic background of the country. (Kirkpatrick 2007) Walking back through time, the Philippines was once a colony of the United States and for a couple of decades, the primary medium of communication in the Philippines is not one of the native tongues but English. As to how the bastardization occurred and how blatant it may have been, there’s no concrete answer. 

The very first massive introduction of English to the Philippines occurred in 1901 when 540 US teachers used the language as a medium for instruction in schools. The English-medium education has then started a swift change in the linguistic development of the Philippines. Moreover, the American English that it brought has been indigenized, expounding the vocabulary by adapting terminologies from local dialects and modifying pronunciation and grammar. (McArthur 2002) Perhaps, we can say that this triggered the creation of what is now known as Filipino English. 

Only in Filipino English

The website 8list.ph listed some terminologies that are unique to the Filipino English speakers that you can check here. These are just few of the unique slangs of Filipino English. It is noteworthy to know that these are cognitively embedded to Filipino speakers with out them knowing it. These are product of cultural diversity, societal transformation and other things that have been influential to the use of English in the Philippines.

How extensive is Filipino English?

As of today, there is a limited literature which tackles Filipino English. Most of the current works are much focused on bilingualism in the Philippines and extrapolating on the nature of the English speakers of the country is relatively not something that is studied properly. As to how extensive Filipino English is, we might be able to extract substantial guess from other researches. 

The results of the survey of Social Weather Stations in 2006 showed that more than a quarter of the Philippine’s population claims to have the ability to understand, speak and write English well. (Bautista, et. al. 2009) With a higher rate of literacy, one can speculate that there is a great tendency for people who are not well accustomed to the English language to used barbarized terminologies or slangs to compensate for their inadequacy. 

As English is used as a primary medium for business, education and governance in the Philippines, Filipino English is presumably on larger schema that what we might be thinking of. Whether it is extensively used or not, it surely is there and it is something that is global in scope. 

A Bid for Better English

While nothing is wrong with Filipino English, this paper strongly believes that we must start building the standards of this (new) form of English to ensure that it will stay as efficient and well-aligned with other “customized English languages” across the globe. Being young as it is, Filipino English is evolving and becoming something that is global as the Philippines becomes a power hub for English speaking workforce. It is something that has given this nation an edge among its neighbors. As we know that languages are infinitely evolving, we must always be ready to make Filipino English a superb and eloquent one.

References

• Tom McArthur, The Oxford Guide to World English. Oxford University Press, 2002
• Andy Kirkpatrick, World Englishes. Cambridge University Press, 2007
• Walter Ang, 8 Instances of Filipino English vs. American English. 8list, 2013 (retrieved from http://8list.ph/american-english-vs-pinoy-english on June 22, 2014)
• Ma. Lourdes S. Bautista and Kingsley Bolton, Philippine English: Linguistic and Literary Perspectives. Hong Kong University Press, 2009

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The Fading of the Ideals of EDSA Revolution

Twenty-five years ago, a huge crowd of people gathered and walked collectively for our nation. Dubbed as the greatest and most gratifying act of the Filipinos, this assembly of individuals from different races of life united for the ultimate goal of ending the supremacy of a dictator was admired by nations around the world.

It was a proof that a common Juan Dela Cruz is not afraid to fight for his freedom. He is not afraid to die. He can even offer his own blood for his ideals. But on that day, he preferred to do it in a less tragic and a more peaceful way. He’s greatest weapon was his faith. He believed that violence is not a solution to oppression. If we want freedom, then let us do it in a manner aligned with our moral values. The people power was a peaceful and bloodless fight for liberty.

The true essence of that revolt was not found on how powerful an individual on that day was but on how majestic is the collective thrust of unity and patriotism of the people. We are a Democratic nation and in eternity it should remain that way. That, I believe, was the primary reason why the EDSA Revolution occurred.

The state of our nation right now is the product of our past. And it is sad that what our countrymen fought in EDSA is starting to fade away. Yes, we are free as a nation, but we are getting oppressed in new ways. The corruption, political dynasties, and the insufficient service of our government among other concerns are slowly obliterating the ideals of our democracy.

Being a democratic country is neither about being able to do what you want, whenever you want it, nor about being able to express your opinion, whenever you wish to speak. It’s like a big podium supported by the pillars of economic stability, peace, prosperity, and good governance. And with one of pillars missing, democracy is not in its ideal state.

I would like to stress out that when people went to EDSA on February 25, 1986, they are not just shouting to end the dictatorship. They went there hoping to correct our rotten system of government. They did not just ask for freedom. The wanted the complete package of a democratic nation.

It is in this that I am asking our so-called public servants to do what they have promised last elections and all of the elections from the past and of the future. We are a free nation. We have the democracy. Give it to us in accordance to its real ideals. Free us from corruption, give us the prosperity we are entitled of, and show us that you are all working for the growth of our nation and not for the growth of your pockets.

The truth is the state of the Philippines right now was not what the people in EDSA have fought for. We are misaligned from the true principles of that revolution. The power of the people has spoken to our government, but only few have listened. I hope that on the coming years under the present administration and of the future leaders of our nation, the problems of our state right now will be mitigated. Let us also do our part as Filipinos. A salute to everyone who participated in EDSA Revolution!

Disclaimer

All parts of this text have been properly assessed and scrutinized for the sole purpose of establishing 100% accuracy. Since the author is not human, achieving more than perfection is always possible. If this situation occur, I have no liabilities over the damage brought by my Awesomeness.

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