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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Why I choose to be happy and why you should

There are times that I feel half-empty deep inside. There are times when I’d ask myself, what am I doing with my life. I think it is a universal thing for us to question our existence, to have doubts about ourselves, and to be filled with whys and why not.

You don’t have to be succumbed by failures to break down and say I can’t do it any longer. Even when you are at the top, you sometimes wonder if it was worth all the struggles and how are you supposed to continue. The truth is that we are born to doubt because that is the very reason why we have evolved as a species. To question our very existence is enough to tell us that we exist. And perhaps the most profound struggle of our existence is the search for happiness.

Happiness is one of the very things that all of us crave for. Sane or not, we all have the desire to feel satisfaction, to feel contentment, to be filled with joy and happiness. We all want to be happy or to think that we are happy. So why is it that some people are all but hatred, anger, and sadness? Why is it that somehow it is difficult for others to smile? Will the world become a better place if there is no suffering and it’s all just merrymaking and fun?

I’m sorry to say but I’m not here to answer those questions. The reasons I have crafted this short snippet of thoughts is because I want to tell you why I choose to be happy and why you should. Let me start with my story.

I grew in an impoverished family (And today, I’m still poor). My parents work hard just to meet the daily ends of life. We’ve been to times where we ate only once in a day. We’ve been to times where there was nothing but water to quench our thirst and relieve our hunger. We’ve been to times where we’d place buckets to catch the dripping rainwater coming from the holes in the dilapidated nipa roof of our small house. I could go all day to tell you about our poverty-stricken life but then that is again not the purpose of this piece.

It is with this impoverished background that I started to develop my old view on happiness. I’ve started to compare my life with others. I’ve set benchmarks to my happiness. I thought that in order for me to be happy I must have the luxuries of life. I thought I must be successful to be happy. I thought that I should be like this and like that to be happy. My definition of happiness has been attached to things to material stuff.

Ten years forward, I now think that for me to see happiness that way is one of the greatest blunders of my life. I realized that it was a mistake for me to equate happiness to being successful sans failures. That happiness is all about being rich with material things. That it is about merrymaking and fun.
I realized that happiness is about contentment. More importantly, it ain’t about having benchmarks but not having one. You don’t need to have a scale to be happy. What you need is the ability to appreciate what you have – to see the greatness in the things around you.

Whether we like or not, there is always someone who is in a better position than us. We could be at the apex of our career at some point but in a snap, it can go downward spiral. Uncertainty is the only thing certain in life. So to say that you can only be happy because of this or that is totally absurd. You can be happy if you choose to. You can be happy if you feel contentment. You can be happy if you remove resentment in your heart.

Don’t compare, don’t put benchmarks. Instead, learn to put value in the things around you. And more importantly, treasure the relationships you have. People may come and go in your life but the thought of having someone journeyed with you is worth a thousand smiles. And remember that the only thing stopping you from being happy is yourself.

Two things that truly define happiness: contentment and appreciation. If you learn to appreciate and if you settle the scores within yourself and stop comparing or putting benchmarks to your life, I see no reason for you not to be happy.

So here are the three reasons why I choose to be happy. (1) I choose to be happy because I can. (2) I choose to be happy because I have to. (3) I choose to be happy because if I’m not the world won’t stop and wait for me to draw a smile.

So why should you choose to be happy? Here are three reasons. (1) You should choose to be happy because you can. (2) You should choose to be happy because you have to. (3) You should choose to be happy because if you don’t the world won’t stop and wait for you to draw a smile.

Let us all fill our souls with contentment and appreciation and surely we will be happy. And again remember that happiness is not about having benchmarks but not having one.

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Snappy, the dog who saved my life

Once in a while, we are tested by life itself. If we triumph and succeed, we become better. But if we let the bitterness of the moment drag us down, we will be blinded by hatred… by feelings far worse than death.

“Jim, let me go with you. I wanna join your practice game.”

“Sure… we need a watery boy”

“Well, if you want someone as good as Kobe Bryant as your water boy, then I’m in.”

“Hahaha… You wish”

When people say ball is life, they usually are not that serious about it. But for our family, ball really is life. My father is a retired professional player who once represented the country in the Olympics. My mother is a courtside reporter during her younger days. Now, my father is a coach and my mother is a sports columnist. Their sons, Jim and I, are part of our respective school’s varsity team. Yes, we really love the game, but sometimes what you love can break your heart.

“Kevin, you hurry! Your brother was injured. He has been rushed to the hospital.”

These were the words of my father when he called to inform me about the demise that got my brother Jim. It has been three years since that awful afternoon. When I get to see the crutches that have become part of my brother’s daily living, I cannot stop but curse life for being too bad for him. I myself have stopped playing basketball despite my parents’ disapproval. I hate the game more than ever. I don’t want to let my brother see me inside the court because I don’t want to add more to his sufferings.

When I see my brother pretend that everything is okay, I feel so much disgust. I don’t know but I guess, more than him, it was me who blames the game for what he is right now.

“Kevin, your coach called that you can still catch up for the next season. He said that you are very much welcome to return to the team.”

“Mom, let’s not talk about this again. You know my decision…”

“Well… Just reconsider. By the way, check your room. I have a surprise there for you.”

I was excited when I heard this. I thought mom finally gave me the latest gaming console I was asking. Actually, when I stopped playing basketball, I became addicted to computer games. These games are better as there is no chance that I’ll get injured.

“Wow… a dog!” I exclaimed as I really have been asking my parents for a dog also, but they have been reluctant to give me one.

When I went to see my new pet, my excitement turned into disgust.

“What is this… why are they giving me a crippled dog? Is my brother not enough of a reminder to me of how miserable life can be?” I shouted in disgust.

At first, I did not mind about the crippled dog. The thing looks to me was a failure, a thing that is hopeless. I don’t want to offend my parents, so I just let the dog stay in my custody. The crippled dog would come close to me, trying to get my affection, but my heart and mind have been fixed. It is a useless dog. There even came timed when I would forget to feed the crippled dog for days. But then everything changed one afternoon.

I was at my desk writing a report for school when a golf ball on top of my desk fell and rolled on the floor. The crippled dog ran fast and bit the ball and bumped on my foot. I took the ball and threw it far and the crippled dog brought it back again. This was the start of my affection to the crippled dog. At that moment, I realized that the dog deserves not of condemnation or of pity. A crippled dog does not make it any lesser as a pet. The crippled dog changed me. I realized that if I dwell on the imperfections and forget about everything, it’s not the world that’s failing me, but me failing the world. We live in an imperfect world, and it is with these imperfections that we are able to appreciate more of its beauty.

Now, I and Snappy are close as ever. He is not just my dog, but also my savior. I have now returned to playing basketball and got way closer to my brother. I realized that the world does not end with every failure, with every lost opportunity. In fact, there is always a reason to be excited for tomorrow.

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On moving on, the principle of reciprocity and the jeepney culture

In the Philippines today, the moment you stand opposing or questioning the king who sits in the Palace or the acts of any of his henchmen, you will be branded yellow, bayaran, and a liberal who knows nothing but utter complaints.
To probe people’s way of thinking is fine, to hold them responsible for their opinion is perfectly understandable, but to resort to shaming, to threat and to question, especially when delivered in a language as foul smelling as the waters of Pasig river, of whether one’s remark is pious or not simply because you see your thoughts as supreme to his is obviously not freedom of expression.

Don’t misunderstand freedom of expression as a blanket authority for someone to lambast a person wrongfully. Don’t misunderstand the right to be heard as a something that gives you the absolute power to speak what’s in your mind. Freedom of expression is way beyond that. It is one of the guiding virtues of this world, and it comes both a right and a responsibility. I hope the followers of the mighty king who is seen as perfect and incorruptible by some of his cult fanatics understand this loud and clear.

Right now, I am losing the last strand of hope about Filipinos and how most of us embrace the internet and social media like a 2-year-old child trying to hold a spoon for the first time. We are better than this. Let’s not make social media home to callous behaviors. Let’s not just embrace everything on the web as the truth. Let us ask and verify information. Let’s not share information coming from fake sites. It really hurts when people use expletives and bash other people for voicing their opinion. Let us respect one another. Again, everybody is free to express their mind as long as it is done with propriety.

On Moving On

I have written my opinion about the Marcos burial at the LNMB and why I believe it is unjustified. As I go rethink about it and with all the recent events unfolding, all I can deduce is that this is not a case of moving on. When people say that we should move on in this manner, I cannot help but cringe. The pictures that flash in my mind about the Marcos regime based on the personal accounts of martial law victims are utterly horrific. I cannot help but ask why people are so willing to forgive this man who until the last of his breath has stood that he has done nothing wrong to this country and its people. What’s worse is that his family seems to be unapologetic about what transpired during some of the darkest years of the history of our country as if it never happened. How can we move on when the perpetrators are still proud of an era of poverty, corruption, and injustice? Worst, some perilous powers are now painting it to appear as the “golden years” of this country. No, we should not be in favor of this kind of moving on. This is detrimental to the core of our independence and our quest for justice.

I am not against moving on, but I believe we should do it the right way. We must move but in a way where there is acceptance and recognition of mistakes. We should move on through learning and making sure that what has gone wrong will never happen again. Moreover, we should all stand that moving on is about giving the much-deserved justice to the victims and their families. Moving on is not about forgetting. It is not about giving credence to someone whose crimes to humanity has created wounds that may take forever to heal. The moving on that we must seek should be genuine and not filled with lies.

On the Principle of Reciprocity       

While it’s better to give than to receive, it surely is best if we can mirror the kindness that we get from other people. The maxim “do unto others what you want others to do unto you” in its many forms is considered to be one of the oldest ethical teachings of the world. But it is actually a superficial principle – something that can be interpreted along the spectra of positive to negative. From “an eye for an eye” in Hammurabi’s Code to Buddha’s “let a man overcome anger by kindness, evil by good" and to Confucius' words “do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you”, the application of the ethics of reciprocity is a matter of personal preference and opinion.

Why am I talking about this? The reason is that in our country this seems to be exhaustively used and abused. Our notion of “utang na loob” requiring to be repaid with acts of kindness, that regardless of whether right or wrong must be carried through, perfectly fits this brand of behavior. Recently, I also noticed that we also have the belief that if we want to avoid the possible menace that may be brought by the black sheep of our society; we might as well do something to eradicate them regardless of whether the method we use is morally upright or not.

There is also the existence of counter-attacks. When the king and his henchmen is questioned about some of their unfounded and twisted beliefs and words, instead of elucidating and educating people by embracing such criticism with an open mind, the king would rather counter-attack and let his henchmen conduct character assassination of those whom he thinks is a hindrance to the utopia of his liking. When people only want to point that there is dirt in the eye, the king’s side would immediately seek for the individual’s eye, either destroyed or completely taken, rather than work to clean his own.

All these are childish acts that are way out of the norms. As a nation which promotes democracy and due process of law, these are completely crooked and against the principles of liberty, justice, and equality. But what can we do? In a country where propaganda is news and people are driven by memes and swayed by troll accounts, we have gone far worse than just a simple slide to the downside of the strip.

By Keith Kristoffer Bacongco from Davao, Philippines - beep beep jeep!, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9628465

On the jeepney culture

Public transport in the Philippines is one of the finest. We actually have very accommodating drivers who would let 30 people squeeze in a PUJ whose passenger capacity is 24. We have responsible commuters who while literate are not able to distinguish a no loading and unloading sign and would stand right beside it to wait for the same jeepney and become the 31^st passenger. We also have a great drive for music as a craft with our street children who would run and cling to jeepneys amidst the risk of an accident just to offer you a taste of the yuletide season. Mind you, these street children are even reassuring with their explicit claim that they are not snatchers or thieves; they are really there to offer Christmas songs to the beautiful ladies and handsome bachelors.

There is also FIFO or the first in first out belief. As if getting close to the driver’s seat would let someone acquire a highly contagious disease, passengers are more than willing to fill the stern part of the jeepney first. Well, maybe the reason is that we are just too careful not to touch those bacteria-laden coins and bills as passengers pass their fare towards the driver.

If you really want to know the truth about people, let them ride a jeepney, and you’ll uncover their personality with a breeze. There are the social elites who think they are riding their private vehicles with their precious bags occupying the seats reserved for the asses of the masses. There are the group road-trippers who believe jeepneys are extensions to coffee shops and boutiques where they can discuss their woes in life while others are expected to not hear it. There are the lovers on a tight budget who think a public display of affection is a cultural norm now in our country. There are the sleeping beauties (sometimes beasts), the I can still fit in there, the clingers, the power rangers, and many more. Another thing worth pointing is that while I think being sexy and dressing sexy is not a disability, I believe drivers have it the other way around.

It is amazing how the mundane public utility jeepney has become the home to a unique culture. From the drivers to the commuters, Filipinos surely have embraced PUJ as part of their daily lives – as part of something that has gone to be a norm with all its good and bad sides.

Sadly, as long as the jeepney culture exists, we Filipinos will be nothing but individuals filled with self-entitlement and ego. We will stay like this until the end of the world, which is the time when Trump accidentally hits the launch button. :D   

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Tamang Timpla ng Buhay: Pait at Tagumpay

Ang prinsipyo ng dualidad ay makikita sa lahat ng aspeto ng pisikal, metapisikal at pilosopikal na bahagi ng mga bagay at buhay sa mundo kabilang na ang tao. Nariyan ang konsepto ng mabuti at masama, umaga at gabi, langit at impyerno, liwanag at kadiliman, mainit at malamig, at marami pang iba. Likas na nahubog ang kamalayan ng tao sa pagkakaroon ng dalawang magkabila at magkasalungat na katangian o sukat. Dualismo ang tawag dito at mas nauna pa itong mahinuha ng tao kaysa sa pagkakaroon ng wika at kakayahang makipagusap.

Isa sa mga sinaunang kamalayan sa bansang Tsina ay ang Yin Yang. Ito ay isang pilosopiya na nagsasabing ang buhay ng tao ay binubuo ng dalawang aspeto, positibong elemento at negatibong elemento. Para daw maging maligaya at makabuluhan ang buhay ay dapat balanse at hindi lalamang ang isa sa dalawang elementong ito. Hindi naman daw masama ang magnasa ng purong ligaya, subalit nararapat na tanggapin natin na kailangan na minsan makatikim tayo ng pait para matuto at mas tumatag. Ayon nga sa isang makaluman turo, ang sakit na ating nararamdaman ay nagpapaalala sa atin na tayo ay buhay pa at nandito sa isang diperpektong realidad na kung tawagin ay kasalukuyan.

Sa buhay ng tao, marami ang masasabi nating pait. Kasama na rito ang mga problema, mga sakuna, mga kabiguan at higit sa lahat mga pangarap na nanatiling pangarap lamang. Tunay na masaklap ang realidad subalit hindi ito nangangahulugan na walang puwang ang ligaya sa ating buhay. Ang tagumpay ng tao, maging ito ay tagumpay sa pag-iisip, tagumpay sa pag-ibig, tagumpay ng mithiin o tagumpay na pisikal ay nariyan para balansehin ang timbangan ng buhay. Ngunit dapat alalahanin na dapat hinay-hinay lang sa pagtamasa ng saya na dala ng tagumpay. Minsan ay mapaglaro ang tadhana at kaya nitong gawing makulimlim ang umaga kahit na tirik na tirik ang araw.

Sa huli ay mahalagang isapuso natin na ang buhay na ito ay biyayang handog sa bawat isa sa atin. Linangin natin ang ating mga sarili at gawin makabuluhan ang paglalakbay sa mundo. Walang masama kung masubsob kaman sa kangkungan nang maraming beses at tunay na kasiya-siya kung naaabot mo ang alapaap ng tagumpay. Kapag nagsama na ang dalawa, mababalanse nga naman at magiging mas  kapanapanabik ang biyahe mo sa mundo. Kaya relaks lang dapat. May tamang timpla ang buhay. Ito ay may halong pait at kasamang tagumpay.  

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A Mother's Legacy

People say that age is just a number and that it is utterly irrelevant. While I see this as an indisputable truth, I cannot stop myself from thinking of something special to give to my Elaine. In three days time, she is turning 50. She's an independent woman who seems to have no need for people to look for her. She is special and I cannot fathom how I would have survived in this world without the things she has sacrificed for me.

I reached through my pocket before releasing an audible sigh. Will she love the gift I will be giving her? I was contemplating as I looked at the worn-out boots that I am wearing.

“How many years have you been working as a garbage collector?”

“It’s my twentieth year in this job. I am just happy that I will not die a garbage collector John.”

“Good for you! You are doing something noble man. I salute you for doing this.”

I drank the remaining beer and pondered on the remarks of my new partner. John is a young man and I really envy his dedication. Was I like him when I was young, I may have given my daughter and my mother a comfortable life. After the short stay in the pub, I decided to head home.

Along the alleys of this city, I get to feel the presence of Elaine. She is not a famous celebrity. She is not a renowned person. Few knew her. Few knew her story. It was this few people whom I can vouch will stand proud of the real Elaine de Grass.

It was one fateful night of December 1980. Elaine was on her way to the dorm when a group of four college students forced her to hop into their car. Unable to fight, Elaine submitted herself and was brought to the big blue house on the corner of 32^nd and 33^rd Avenue. She wanted to shout for help but her fear capsized her desire to flee. She was drugged up and was raped. The next morning she was found out lying naked near the central plaza. But rather than being cared as someone in distress and a victim, she was labeled a slut. Her parents died fighting for the justice that Elaine deserves. Sad to say, the money and connection of her captors overwhelmed the truth that lies behind that blue house.

Fifteen years forward, Elaine is a single mother. She struggled to work on three jobs to give her son a good life. In the morning, she would deliver harvests from farms in the southern plains to fresh shops in the city. After all these, she would proceed to her next stop. She’ll need to remain standing for 8 hours as a cashier in one of the stores she delivers vegetables. When the store closes, she will hurriedly go to reach the 5 pm log-in time to the restaurant where she works part time.

The young son she had was never appreciative of Elaine’s effort. He despised her mother for raising him alone. He has been rebellious for he felt that it was Elaine’s fault why he never saw or knew who his father was. He stopped schooling at the age of 14 and went to join a gang. It was typical for him and Elaine to just see each other in prison or police station. Elaine bails him out and he walks away. This is the life he has lived for 10 years until he finally settled with the woman who has changed him. This woman was really amazing but then fate is just a bitter thing. The day she gave birth to a girl, the woman died. Nevertheless, everything that has become of the rebellious boy is owed to this woman. It was this event that made the boy realized how much she has failed his own mother. He reopened his heart to the mother he has never considered to be one.

I can clearly recall how my tears were like never ending as Elaine tells me the truth behind my existence. Elaine, the ever naïve and selfless mother was mumbling as she narrates to me what happened that day. This encounter was exactly 10 years ago but I can still remember how the atmosphere of that day has struck a lightning into the very soul of mine. I was a failure as a son. I failed to treasure the very person who saw my existence as a gift more than a curse. It was that time when I realized that I owe Elaine more than what she has received from me.

Up to now, I still feel the intense sense of guilt and remorse when I see Elaine. I tried my best to make it up with her. Nevertheless, Deep in me lies this haunting of conscience that constantly reminds of how I deprived Elaine the chance to become a mother to a young boy. Being a parent, I know that I could never go beyond what Elaine has done to me. I just don’t know how I can show Elaine the gratitude that is in me. And now, she is turning 50. Alas! 50 years of existence in a world which tried her beyond what she could have taken. 50 years filled with sufferings she did not deserve. I know I have to find something that would make her smile, something that would make her happy. I cannot buy the years back but I can surely do things right now to make this woman know that she is special. 

I came to look at the odds and possibilities. I need to do it now. I have saved enough money for Elaine to start her bakeshop. Every since my younger years, I saw her as a very good baker. She has the flare to make bread delicious beyond taste and smell. I will throw her the best birthday surprise, a bakery of her own. Everything is set. I will be serving my last duty tomorrow as a garbage collector. The resignation which I handed a month ago will take effect and I will be able to get the separation pay which I could add up to finance the bakery.

The streets are filled with spirit of Christmas. The colorful displays of the stores and music somehow consoled my soul. I came to pass a jewelry store and saw something peculiar. There is this necklace which is somehow similar to what Elaine has when she was young. The necklace which I once stole and pawned during my younger years somehow reappeared in front of me. Was this coincidence or a work of fate, I do not know. I have decided to purchase this tomorrow and give it to her. She will surely look gorgeous with this necklace.

My last day at work came and everything went as planned. It was a day of joy and sadness. I am happy to start a new life and I am sad to bid farewell to people who have valued and treated me as a man of dignity. I went to the shop and bought the necklace. On the doorstep of our apartment, I felt something eerie and that feeling exemplified when I found out that nobody is inside. I found a note from my daughter telling that Elaine is hospitalized and that she is accompanying her. I hurriedly grab a cab and went to the hospital. The documents of the bakery and the necklace I wanted to give Elaine are still with me. I am still holding my gifts. I went inside the morgue to see her lifeless body. I was in a state of confusion. I took Elaine to my arms and cried. I once again failed Elaine. I just don’t know. I think it was always meant like this. Maybe, I am really a curse to her and I should have never existed in the first place. It was a long period of grieving and I was just lucky that my daughter was there. She was the one who supported me. If not, I could have not known what to do next.

Two months after Elaine was buried, I am still feeling the pain. I am entering Elaine’s room for the first time after her passing. I was surprised as to how organized it is. Elaine died of cancer. She did not tell any of us but she was aware that she was to die that month. It was devastating. Elaine has remained to her character until the end, an independent woman who tries to do things on her own. I pulled one of the drawers and saw a letter addressed to me. Tears were rolling in my cheeks when I reached under her bed and open a box containing the pair of boots she bought me as Christmas gift. I took the necklace from my pocket and smiled. “Elaine, you will always be the best.” I said to myself. I carefully place the boots back and push the gift box back to where it was.

I just learned that the necklace I was about to give to her is actually the real necklace she once owned. She was actually able to recover it from the pawnshop before and kept it hidden for years. Two days before she died, she sold the necklace to the jewelry store to buy me and my daughter gifts. They are all under her bed… The truth behind Elaine, they all are found under her bed. I just did not mind checking them for I already know enough about this woman… Elaine was the mother I missed to have. Elaine was the mother every child would wish for. Elaine is just extraordinary.

I left the room and went to open the bakery. Now that I have more reasons to be happy, I feel rejuvenated. Everything is set inside so I flipped the sign which reads “Welcome to Elaine’s Bakeshop!”

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LSS (Laag Sa South): #TeamLaagan Southern Cebu Adventure

The island of Cebu is home to numerous cities and municipalities, each of which has its own unique character. From historical sites to breathtaking sceneries, colonial architectures to modern structures, beaches to mountain resorts; Cebu is a true heaven for tourists and adventurers. Much about the Cebu that you know comes with the fun. But more than being a metropolis of fun and entertainment, Cebu is a place to explore history, nature and oneself. For our latest adventure, #TeamLaagan decided to take another uncharted trip to the southern strip of Cebu. Laag Sa South (LSS) was another memorable and enjoyable journey for the gang.

Carcar and its Museum

The City of Carcar is known for its delicious ampao (rice crispies). Carcar which is considered as one of the four heritage cities in the country is home to various architectures originating from the American colonial era. One of these structures is what houses now the Carcar City Museum. The building was once used as a public bath during the American occupation and was later used as an infirmary and a prison during the Japanese occupation and the reigns of WW2.

The museum is an eloquent structure principally in white. It is a two storey building with the remnant of the old pool still seen at the back of the museum. Inside, you will see artifacts, old documents and pictures which showcase the rich cultural history of the city. After a short stroll and picture taking, we decided to move forward to our next destination, the Saint Michael the Archangel Church in Argao. But before this, we dropped by to the public market to buy the famous ampao and chicharong baboy.

Saint Michael the Archangel Church and Argao Nature Park

After the short stop in Carcar, we headed to our next destination, the Saint Michael the Archangel Church of Argao. Just a few kilometers from Carcar, Argao is combination of coastal plains and mountainous terrains. We took a 25 pesos PUJ ride from Carcar to Argao and were dropped on the street connecting the Church to the national highway. The Saint Michael the Archangel Church has stand for almost two centuries now. Folklore says that during an attempted bombing of the church, the canons were not able to shot since something has blocked them. It is said that it was Saint Michael himself who protected the church from destruction.

     

After the visit to the iconic Saint Michael the Archangel Church, we decided to check Argao Nature Park. The park has been in existence for a couple of years now but it still gets a relatively small number of visitors. The park houses a huge replica of Mary holding a huge rosary. There is a manmade lake, a hanging bridge, caged animals, a recreational center, Blind massage and other stuff. We visited Argao Nature Park because we wanted to try the hanging bridge and zipline. Sad to say, these two facilities were under maintenance when we went there. We simply enjoyed our stroll at the park. It was relaxing and the place is really good.

     

Dalaguete’s Obong and Luyang Spring

     

After the short stop in Argao, we went straight to Dalaguete to take a dip at the famous Obong Spring. The spring which is found near the shore has varying salinity throughout the day. When it is high tide, the water tastes more salty and it is easier to float. When the tide is low, the spring’s water is really cool and is less salty making it a more tedious to swim. The spring is found in Barangay Obong. There is a huge signage along the national road on the entrance towards this natural pool. Entrance fee is 5 pesos and tables and cottages are available for as low as 100 pesos. There is also a grilling station for those who are sinugba lovers. As the place is quite known already, it can sometime get crowded. The best time to visit is early in the morning or late in the evening when most visitors would have left already.

     

There is also a smaller spring which is not so know called Luyang. It is still in barangay Obong. You can ask the locals for direction as you have to walk towards it as there is no road for vehicles to pass. The spring actually has the same outlet as Obong. You can even traverse from Obong towards Luyang which I believe would be fun.

     

Tingko Beach of Alcoy

     

After the soothing dip in Obong spring, our group decided to visit another affordable destination. That is Tingko Beach in Alcoy. We actually rode on the tricycle with our wet clothes. The trip from Obong to Tingko is around 20 minutes. Tingko boasts a stretch of white sand. If you want to experience a mini boracay that is close to Cebu, you can always try Tingko. There are also more expensive beaches along the stretch where water sports and other activities are being offered. They also also have accommodations. If you are actually planning to go Oslob for whale watching but finds the room rates there too expensive, then you can stay here as a good alternative.

     

At home in Dalaguete

After Tingko, we decided to stay in the house of a friend in Dalaguete. We did not inform them that we will be staying there so it was actually a gamble. Thankfully, we were welcomed and allowed to stay. We spent the night in Dalaguete and traversed to Luyang spring in the morning to take a short dip. After that we went to the last part of our journey which is to visit the famed Osmeña Peak.

     

Osmeña Peak

      

Osmeña Peak is the highest elevation of Cebu. It is found in Mantalungon, Dalaguete. The barangay is actually dubbed as the vegetable basket of Cebu. On your way to the peak, you’ll be seeing farms planted with vegetables of all assortments. The view is relaxing to the eyes and if you have spare time, you can always buy fresh harvest and cook it for a sumptuous “utan bisaya”. Arriving to the foot of the peak, you will be asked to register. There is no entrance fee. If you want also to make your journey easier, you can have a guide to help you. We actually tapped the help of a guide and asked him to lead us to what he referred as a much treacherous path towards the peak.

 

Truly, it drained my energy and it was really a relief when we were able to reached the top. Kapoy! Super Kapoy! Going to the top is really fun (specially if you choose the difficult path) and the beauty of being on top of the world este of Cebu is a moment of success that you will surely savor. The beauty up there is just spectacular.

#TeamLaagan Southern Cebu Adventure was Awesome!

LSS was another fun adventure for #TeamLaagan. On top of that, we were able to explore much of Southern Cebu without spending that much. After LSS, we are back to square one. We are now on our planning board and are thinking of where to go next. You have any suggestion? Let me hear them in the comments. 

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Curses of Yolanda: Politics, Good Governance and the Aquino Administration

Yolanda (Haiyan) gave the Philippine Government one of the biggest tests of its capability and its efficiency. By focusing on underlying issues that have caused delays in the rehabilitation efforts, a synthesized overview of how in a way the government is extending and prolonging the burden Yolanda has brought to the Philippines. This paper presents a pragmatic discussion on the different factors responsible for the underperformance of the Philippine Government in its post-Yolanda Rehabilitation Plan. An evaluation on how politics and good governance contributes to the inadequacy is provided by delving deeper into the underlying issues and factors influencing the current state of governance of the Aquino Administration.

Two years have passed since one of the strongest typhoons in the recorded history of the world, Yolanda, devastated the Philippines. Yolanda (Typhoon Haiyan) was like a nightmare that left a huge wound to the flawlessly advertised nation that is claimed to be progressive and efficiently managed. After two commemorating anniversaries, the curse of Yolanda is still haunting the Philippines. As if a testament of its magnanimity, the devastation it has brought to the country is still evident in the Visayas region where it claimed more than six thousand lives. This paper brings a pragmatic discussion on what went wrong after Yolanda and why we are still bounded to nowhere when it comes to the rehabilitation efforts. In particular, it anchors on how the issues of politics and good governance are causing the inefficiency and inadequacy of the Philippine Government in mitigating and perhaps eradicating the adversities brought by this wrath of nature two years ago.

Yolanda which hit the Philippines on November 8, 2014, was classified as a Super Typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 195 miles per hour. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on its last published bulletin on Yolanda revealed that the typhoon has affected 16.1 million individuals in nine provinces of the Philippines, the typhoon has displaced 4.1 million people, claimed the lives of 6,300 individuals and left unknown the fate of 1,061 who were declared missing (1). Furthermore, NDRRMC (1) claims that the total worth of damages is 89.5 billion pesos with the social sector claiming 61% of the said amount.

It is unarguably correct to say that Yolanda was a devastating disaster for the Filipino people. More importantly, it did pose a great challenge to the Aquino administration on how efficient its mechanism is when faced with such a huge crisis. It also put NDRRMC and all related agencies to the test of how they can perform their mandate. While it is of no doubt that the government has done exhaustive effort for the relief operations, there are so many loopholes and shortcomings that have not been addressed even up to now. The government is not left alone in doing recovery works for the Yolanda victims, international organizations like the United Nations and many countries have extended a helping hand in mitigating the impacts of the typhoon. With so many resources, with enough funding approved and with the enormous amount of donations and pledges; local and foreign observers are left wondering why up to now the government is just halfway through as it claimed to be when it comes to the rehabilitation efforts.

Politics and Yolanda

Right after Yolanda took its wrath on the islands of Samar and Leyte, news about the toll of death has reached all corners of the world and perhaps including Malacañang. The storm left the city of Tacloban needing the most immediate help after storm surges, which the weather bureau PAGASA admittedly said the public was not properly informed and educated through its typhoon advisories, rendered the most of the city destroyed and left dead bodies decay among the rubbles and rubbish. International media which visited Tacloban noticed how few or limited help is coming to the City. The city mayor of Tacloban, Mr. Romualdez, claimed that he asked for more help from the DILG Secretary. Nonetheless, as if it was not a matter of immediate concern, Sec. Mar Roxas made him go through technicalities and legalities which could have been bypassed as a state of calamity was declared already throughout the country. On an uploaded video, the secretary is even allegedly heard saying “You are a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino.” (2) True or not, it is evident that politics is a major concern here. Whether it was Mayor Romualdez’s camp who is playing politics with the release of the video or Sec. Roxas’ camp trying to involve politics in a very urgent and critical situation, the underlying notion is the same. Politics is one of the reasons why post Yolanda efforts are sluggish.

According to an article published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (3), Aquino got roughly 33% of the total votes in Tacloban and was bested by the former president Erap Estrada with 41% in the 2010 elections. On the other hand, Roxas who was a vice-presidential candidate got 25.86% far-flung from the 51% that Binay got. Could this be the reason why observers claim that the Aquino administration is not that fond of setting foot in Tacloban and perform an inspection on the current status of rehabilitation and as well as why they have overlooked the invitation to attend the anniversary of the tragedy? The same article hopes that politics is left out of the context when it comes to doing the rehabilitation. It even ended with a statement from Praveen Agrawal, Country Director in the Philippines of the World Food Programme, “When calamity hits, it does not look at political parties, religion, ethnicity,” he points out. “I would hope that a crisis like Yolanda should (have people) rise beyond that.” Moreover, in a paper by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), one of the reasons pointed out by the Yolanda victims as to why they have not accessed or received help from the government is their political affiliation (4). This proves that even at the Barangay level and with simple citizens involved, politicking is a major hurdle that is blocking the rehabilitation programs that are currently being implemented.

Politicking is indeed a major issue in the Philippines. The post-Yolanda relief efforts will never work out if public servants will continue such menace. As what the Congressional Research Service of the United States said in its paper “Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): U.S. and International Response to Philippines” said, the recovery of the Philippines after Yolanda relies on whether how much  limitations will decentralized governance (including its underlying consequences) and corruption have on the stimulus efforts (5).

Good Governance

A few days after Yolanda did a rampage in the Philippines, the blame game among officials resonated to a tremendous media frenzy. Local Government Units blamed the National Government for its lack of support. On the other hand, the National Government points out that the bureaucratic laws of the land say that the LGU is given the greater burden on disaster management response. With the exchange of blames comes the sad reality of how good governance is rarely observed in the country. As how local executive lamented, “That’s the beauty of the kind of government we have. It’s a beautiful system, but people don’t know it.” (4)

Indeed people don’t know it. How can you expect them to know it if even the public servants they have entrusted their welfare to don’t really understand what their position requires them and to what extent their power can go (3)? Well, if one talks of this “beautiful system”, that person can actually say that a decentralized form of governance is good for an archipelagic country like the Philippines. The problem is that most local authorities don’t have the training and capacity needed to perform their duty. There is also the lack of studies on how local authorities can contribute to building durable solutions. As such, for a typhoon of superb magnitude as Yolanda the function of the LGU should be supplemented by the National Government.

According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), 51 percent of the programs under the Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan has been completed or is currently being implemented (6). The figure alone is enough proof that the various agencies involved in the rehabilitation are underperforming. Yes, placing the blame on the magnanimity of Yolanda is valid one but it is never an excuse. If President Aquino wants to save the face of his administration on how ill-managed it did in performing the Yolanda recovery, he must be firm in his ideals of the “Tuwid na Daan”. Lest he must be reminded, his allegedly made infamous remark of “buhay pa naman kayo” (7) was a big blow to his claimed management and leadership skills which should include empathy. 

           

Conclusion

The Philippine government under the Aquino administration has done tremendously in terms of the post-Yolanda Rehabilitation Plan. There are laudable efforts but then there is a big gray area where the administration must show and apply political will and good governance in order to be effective. Two years have passed and the Philippines is still far beyond halfway in the efforts to fix what the storm has destroyed. So much is to be done. The Aquino administration did great on some aspects of handling the effects of the typhoon yet it was never enough. With the upcoming 2016 presidential elections, the challenge to the next president is clear. Erase the wounds and scars Yolanda has left in the Philippines and in the heart of the victims. Build permanent dwellings and distribute them as soon as possible. Victims have suffered much already. They have been waiting for too long and may the next president not fail them. Yes, Yolanda is a tremendous disaster that resonated to a very heavy burden that no one would wish to bear. Whether he admits it or not, President Aquino as the steward of his administration did not do enough. The next leader should become more proactive, practice political will and ensure good governance. After all, that’s what presidents of the Republic of the Philippines promised as they took an oath and bind themselves with the Constitution of the country.

References

1. National Disaster Rist Reduction and Management Council. Updates re the Effects of Typhoon "YOLANDA" (HAIYAN). NDRRMC. [Online] April 17, 2014. [Cited: November 22, 2015.] http://www.ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/article/1329/Update_on_Effects_Typhoon_YOLANDA_(Haiyan)_17APR2014.pdf.

2. WATCH: Mar telling Tacloban mayor 'You are a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino'. Philstar. [Online] The Philippine Star, December 10, 2013. [Cited: November 22, 2015.] http://www.philstar.com/news-videos/2013/12/10/1266468/watch-mar-telling-tacloban-mayor-you-are-romualdez-and-president.

3. Mangahas, Malou. Politics and disaster, a bad mix. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. [Online] January 14, 2015. [Cited: November 22, 2015.] http://pcij.org/stories/politics-disaster-a-bad-mix/.

4. Sherwood, Angela, et al. Resolving Post Disaster Displacement: Insight from the Philippines After Typhoon Haiyan. Geneva : International Organization for Migration, 2015.

5. Lum, Thomas and Margesson, Rhoda. Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): U.S. and International Response to Philippines Disaster. Washington D.C. : Congressional Research Service, 2014.

6. Schnabel, Chris. Super Typhoon Yolanda recovery halfway done – NEDA. Rappler. [Online] November 5, 2015. [Cited: November 22, 2015.] http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/208-infrastructure/111835-super-typhoon-yolanda-rehabilitation-update-neda.

7. Cheng, Willard. PNoy didn't rebuff Tacloban businessman: Palace. ABS-CBN News. [Online] August 8, 2015. [Cited: November 22, 2015.] http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/08/06/15/pnoy-didnt-rebuff-tacloban-businessman-palace.

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