Photo by Stitch

"Who among the presidentiables will be bad for the economy?"

This is an interesting query I got through a random "googler" today.

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Now, I don't know if it's some random thought or an actual question posed by God knows who but it sounds interesting enough that I wanted to write about it.

Unfortunately, this "googler" wasn't clear about this question. What does he/she mean by "bad"? And is she referring to pre-elections or post-elections economy? If he/she is referring to pre-elections economic effect, technically, whoever spends more would be good for the economy because it would generate jobs and faster movement of resources through rapid and frantic "purchases" of products and services.

Alternatively, if the "googler"  meant "bad" for the economy post-elections, then I would assume he/she would be referring to a sitting/winning president because losing presidentiables can only make so insignificant a dent in the economy (if ever).

As much as I wanted to discuss this further, I realized that considering I'm not an expert on economics and "market forces", I ultimately decided to turn this into a poll instead.

So, go ahead. Vote! :) And yes, for the purpose of this poll, let us stick to a post-elections scenario. Theoretically, we are looking for that president-to-be who will likely make "unsound" economic decisions and send us back to the Stone Age.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Surprised that since its Youtube upload yesterday, January 7, 2010, this "Sulong" infomercial/commercial/TVC/campaign ad barely had 500 views. Pretty much shows how "unpopular" he is compared to cousin Noynoy Aquino.

Looks like the coming election is becoming more and more a "battle of the bands" than a "battle of brands". Don't be surprised. The electorate is mainly "young" with over 70% of voters aged below 39. This my friend, is how you connect to the young and hip crowd.

This one's from Rico Blanco's "Posible" song and apparently, Gibo failed to ask permission from Blanco that this original composition of his will be used for Gibo's infomercial. While Gibo's camp insists that there was no violation of intellectual property rights the issue just  refuses to die.

As another public service of this blog, I'm publishing the words (narration/lyrics) here and of course, the video.

"Sulong"

Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro's latest infomercial

Gibo:

"Mura at masaganang pagkain para tuluyang mapawi ang gutom..

College graduate sa bawat pamilya...

Libreng gamot para sa mahihirap...

Sulong Gibo
Wag uurong

Pakinggan sa yong puso

Ang sigaw na dati'y bulong...

Narrator: Ang mabilis na pag-ahon, posible lang kay Gilbert Teodoro

Posible!

Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement.

Popularity: 9% [?]

All I can say is that if you've never "used" Calculus in your daily life, you are not making full use of the knowledge you have been introduced to. Beyond the figures or the nauseating equations, the study of Mathematics is a study of "possibilities", of "origins" and of "derivations".

It is, as aptly put by many of those who understand its significance, essential to critical thinking. Mathematics urges us to "think" and build on ideas through a sequence of procedures so as to arrive at a certain "solution". It creates order out of chaos -- in a sea of random ideas and figures. It is no different to real-life situations. That's the very reason why in Math, we are introduced to "Word Problems".

I do not understand why there are people who until now seem to think that what we learn in Calculus doesn't apply to real life when in fact, it is "real life" situations that prompted the critical thinkers and mathematicians of old to formulate the theories and equations we currently live by.

I wouldn't go as far as to conclude that those who elude Math are dumb -- I think it's too harsh a statement, but I can say that it is a terribly wrong assumption, most likely caused by inadequate critical thinking -- a direct effect of Math-aversion.

Quoting from the Anti Pinoy blog:

Here’s Chiz asking us to allow the retrogression of our youth – to lessen their ability to “formulate, critically analyze, and solve a variety of problems”. Seriously, do you really want this? Do you really want more dumb Filipinos? Then by all means, vote for Chiz Escudero.HusengBatute, The Anti Pinoy :), Oct 2009

Chiz Escudero is entitled to his own opinion, in the same way each and every one of us are. But it's one opinion I prefer that he keeps to himself. To go as far as appeal to "Mr. Speaker" that higher Mathematics be prescribed as an "elective" in high school is nothing but a poor attempt at pleasing his "crowd" of young voters. Someone missed the whole point of solving equations.

Our children deserve the best education that the times can provide. Sure, it may be back-breaking, nerve-racking or totally mind-boggling, but let's face it, they don't have a choice. In the fast lane of the internet age, you either "evolve or become extinct".

Tough love, it is, but love all the same. And when the time comes that they'd need to do some "critical thinking", I'm sure they'd thank us for it.

So, "Mr. Speaker", by all means, bombard us with more Math. Let my children live in a future where politicians "think more than they blab".

Related articles:

• Undermining Math Education in our State (cliffmass.blogspot.com)

Popularity: 1% [?]

There is no greater honor for a blogger like me than be dedicated an entire post as response to one article I've written, specially if it's from no less than one of those bloggers I have great respect for. It doesn't even matter if that blogger disagrees with me or not.

True to his blog's tagline, @cocoy is indeed "conservative in what he says, liberal in what he accepts". If you are a reader who disagrees with most of what I write, please do yourself a favor by reading his response -- he will give you a crash course in  "Disagreeing with Grace 101" and "The Art of Subtle Yet Effective Persuasion". Very nice article, @cocoy. I enjoyed reading it.

And now, to return the favor... :)

I actually wanted to leave a comment there but it turned out longer than his post so in the interest of unwritten net propriety I had to do it here. I apologize in advance for this lengthy post. I do not have the time to edit and make it shorter.

The question, I think is not whether Noynoy is too good to be true but rather more on whether he can deliver results as he promises. It is not whether his character is "without reproach" but more on whether his character is strong enough to weather the storms (political and natural) that is sure to continually hit us. It is not whether he is experienced or not. The question is whether experience will "make him" or "break him".

@Cocoy writes:

Perhaps, more than the assertion that Noynoy Aquino is inexperienced, this is something he must overcome. RJ has a point. And she isn't alone. It isn't merely, Noynoy Aquino but more than twenty years of failure by our leaders to lift our people out of poverty. It is like a woman breaking your heart, over and over again. How then do you trust?

Popularity: 1% [?]

The Problem With Noynoy becoming Philippine president in 2010

The drawbacks of a Noynoy Aquino presidential win in 2010 are being downplayed right now. Amidst the festive mood of a "people's campaign", let's pause for a moment and think things through.

And so it is that the weary people have finally stopped drifting on this piece of log called "Philippine politics". And so it is that the apathetic are suddenly waking up, coming out and "organizing" this and that. And so it is that the elites are seemingly coming together this time. And so it is that the vote-rich "masa" are finally catching up on that so-called "yellow fever". And so it is that "volunteerism" and "hope" has become this year's catch-phrases. Continue reading →

Popularity: 2% [?]

First, a few quotes on asking questions:

People who ask confidently get more than those who are hesitant and uncertain. When you've figured out what you want to ask for, do it with certainty, boldness and confidence. -- Jack Canfield

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. -- Albert Einstein

Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new. -- Og Mandino

He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever. -- Chinese Proverb

A major stimulant to creative thinking is focused questions. There is something about a well-worded question that often penetrates to the heart of the matter and triggers new ideas and insights. -- Brian Tracy Continue reading →

Popularity: 1% [?]