Malacanang, as early as now, eyes several other people as successors to PGMA – Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Senator Richard Gordon, Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte. These people are being considered aside from VP Noli de Castro who has been enjoying wide popularity in recent SWS surveys.
And, as early as now, I think it doesn’t take a genius to see that their additional choices don’t have a slight chance in hell at winning the presidency even with Malacanang’s so-called “political machinery”. In a country as disillusioned as ours, popularity is still a major factor for winning. And while popularity isn’t everything (as proven by the many “celebrities” who lost in their quest for electoral positions in the previous elections), it is still undeniably a major consideration or shall I say, a significant determinant of a candidate’s winnability. (more…)
It was a long wait. Was it two years? And now Joc-Joc Bolante, the alleged “mastermind” of that “fertilizer scam” issue is finally here. And just like our “very optimistic” expectation before that Romulo Neri will spill the beans on the NBN-ZTE broadband scandal, I must say that we are none the wiser to assume that we can ever get something out of Joc-Joc’s mouth or head. If it took him two years to evade questioning, what guarantee do we have that the man came back here after much “reflection” of the grave offense he has done to this country and its people? So the guy did not tell the truth, what were you expecting, really?
Personally, I think we simply gave the man a chance to fabricate and weave a “good” story that would be fool-proof or looking at it from a different angle, we may have just given the guy a chance to “toughen” himself up and train himself to lie straight-faced. Two years is a long time, and mind you, for some people, guilt feelings wear-off over time. And for all we know, that is exactly what happened to Joc-Joc. We should have been more vigilant, more persistent and more “concerned” to not have let two years pass us by without grilling the guy while the guilt feelings might still be there and where “Freudian slips” may have given us the truth we’ve always wanted to know. There’s an adage appropriate for that — ah, yes. “Strike while the iron is hot.” So now, however you strike the guy, there’s no way you can mold him to what you want because he’s now “too tough” for any possible “strike”. Our senators can grill him all they want, stress him out, scrape-off his ulcers, turn him backwards and inside out and hang him by a pole for all he cares, but the guy — to my mind — will never “talk” or “sing” for that matter. (more…)
Calambeños (that is, people of Calamba, Laguna) take their politics, errr RH stand seriously. Not only are they vocal about it, they are also willing to spend for it and will do what it takes for their thoughts to be known to all, specially to those who need to know. Want proof? Here it is.
I am from Calamba as well. And although I do not share their views regarding the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, I have great respect for people who take a stand for what they believe in. It is no wonder then that I find myself blogging about a poster that opposes my stand on the much-debated RH Bill. This is a tarpaulin hanging on the gate of a residential house along a narrow main road. I have erased the location of the poster (as supposedly evident in the poster) for security purposes.
I’ve no idea whether it is indeed a common opinion shared by the entire community there or the mere house owner’s opinion. But then again, it doesn’t matter. What strikes me however, is the show of concern. Forget that it’s a NO or a YES. The mere fact that they took time to have it printed, posted and well– paid for, meant that they CARE.
I find it interesting..and a bit overwhelming. Some people do CARE. Some people do give a damn about what’s happening in the country, about the issues that affect us all. And knowing that we are affected, they take a stand and they let everyone know, thereby making other people AWARE of it and consequently cause others to THINK and eventually, TAKE A STAND — their own stand. Isn’t that something? I think it is.
Right now, we are in dire need of people who CARE. It is now considered a rare commodity. And so I take pride in belonging to a community of people who don’t just sit “on the fence”. Indifference is a crime. To take sides on issues of this relevance is everyone’s responsibility. Are you for or against the RH Bill? Let the world know. Let your voice be heard. Now is not the time to be apathetic. Take a stand. And don’t ever think one opinion is not counted. You can never tell how much of a difference it can make.
This is gonna be a short post as I’m pressed for time. I’m in the middle of reviewing for exams tomorrow — written and practical (as part of my training in my new job) so I can’t linger in front of this desktop as much as I’d like to.
Anyway, here’s what’s up:
1. I have a new job. So, yes, I’m going to be useful to the society from now on.
2. I will have less time to blog (at least in the first few weeks of the critical training period). You know how it is when you have a new job, right?
3. I cannot post photos of my company nor mention its name here on my blog as it violates an agreement I signed with them (unfortunately) so I apologize if I can’t share photos.
4. Political rants and sentiments resume tomorrow (Saturday).
5. I miss blogging, plurking, blipping, twittering and tinkering with my blog’s template so you will have to bear with this one for the meantime. The other theme I really like does not support widgets.
So there. I hope all is well with you guys. Take care, happy blogging, blog-hopping, surfing or whatever it is that eats up most of your time right now. As for me, it’s back to reviewing… au revoir
In the tradition of personal blogging, I am compelled, much to my regret, to re-publish an article about the much-loved and almost always “required” initiation for personal bloggers — the posting of that blogger’s astrological sign traits. There are very few personal blogs out there who have not written anything close to something like this.
Here’s mine. I could swear I laughed at the first sentence and continued laughing until I read the entire thing, and I’m still giggling until now. They say the truth hurts. Well, I say, “the truth is amusing..very amusing”. (more…)
* Note: I am cross-posting this “verse” from my “private” blog which most people might find very disturbing, rebellious and explicit. I call it the “blog of and about the darker side of me“. Obviously, as much as I’d like to, I can’t even post the blog’s URL and I’ve blocked it from search engines as well.
This one post is actually the “tamest” article I’ve written there. This is not the original article. This is actually the “watered-down” version of it and I would want to share it here. I wish I could share more. (more…)
The uber-controversial and much-debated Reproductive Health Bill of 2008 is now being strongly opposed by of course, no less than the entire Catholic church and other “concerned” and self-righteous citizens who will go to great lengths just to make sure the bill is not enacted into a law. And make no mistake about it, the power of the Church to influence should neither be underestimated nor taken lightly. They are a force to be reckoned with. It is highly possible that they (Church and other so-called “pro-life” groups) will win this battle. I hope not.
However, if you expect me to discuss (in this particular post) why I choose to be a proponent of this bill, I am sorry to disappoint you. There is no need for explanation or thorough analysis here. The issue, although not simple, is rather easy to understand and consequently, easy to decide on which side to take. I mean, come on people, when are we ever gonna grow up as a country and accept the fact that we can no longer feed our people, provide jobs that match education and experience, eradicate poverty and zero-out crime rate which is a direct effect of these issues? Wake up people. Face the facts. Do what needs to be done. The proposed Philippine Reproductive Health Bill is not even immoral per se. It does not even violate the Philippine constitution (as compared to the BJE MOA). (more…)
And now, to cap my 3-in-a-row song posts for the day, I give you, U2’s “Stuck In A Moment”.
This is where I am right now. And this is what I sing to myself.
“Stuck In A Moment” is part of their 2000 album “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” which also includes my other U2 favorites “Elevation” and “Beautiful Day” — with “Elevation” having a truly smashing and amazing video. “Elevation” is also included in the “Tomb Raider: Lara Croft” movie which stars the luckiest woman alive for me — Angelina Jolie. It is this movie that made me a fan of hers.
You gotta love U2 and Bono. And boy, do I love Bono.
If you come to think of it – U2, The Cranberries, The Corrs — Irish bands are just awesome. In a league of its own.
What can I say, everything is great about this song. Great video. Great lyrics. Great vocals. Well, you can expect nothing less from U2.
Yeah, I know — another song. I’ve been sick for a long time and I need a break from all the seriousness around me, so please, indulge me on this.
Another one of my favorites — “Waiting In Vain”. This is a sad song that was originally done by Bob Marley. The one I’m putting up for your listening pleasure is an Annie Lennox cover, wonderfully and soulfully done. This has been covered locally by M.Y.M.P (Make Your Momma Proud) as well but I prefer and cry over Annie Lennox’s version. Annie Lennox’s version was used as the soundtrack for the 2001 movie “Serendipity” starring Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. As the title suggests, this is a love story about “a talent for making fortunate discoveries while searching for other things” or making fortunate discoveries by accident” or “the randomness of fate”. It is the act of finding something valuable or delightful when you are not looking for it. A stroke of luck. Destiny.
That is my favorite love story of all time. I swear. First time I heard Annie Lennox’s version (which came out in her album “Medusa”), I knew I needed to have that song.
This song is obviously about waiting in vain, waiting to be loved, never given that love, and waiting some more, and knocking some more. Some love, huh?
Believe me when I say that some people would rather wait in vain than not wait at all.
The movie, on the contrary has a more audience-pleasing outcome as opposed to the premise of this song.
rjmarmol
