Objective Program Throughout 2013

In case you haven't noticed yet, we are living in a post American world in the midst of the most modern lifestyle.

The Philippines is receiving a plethora of accolades from different news agencies and economic fora internationally. Nonetheless, a sea of issues are needed to be addressed and projects are to be implemented, solutions are to be done if we really want to take this praises into the lowest level. By that we mean, acceptance of those in the impoverished community who are4 still thinking of how to lift themselves up from misery caused by extreme poverty. Yes there is a thick poverty line in this country.

Surviving the doomsday prophecies is not enough. Yes, it's 2013 and a lot of works are to be done.

Last year, HSBC forecasted that given sufficient resources, the Philippines can rise to number 16 in the world's rank of economies 40 years after. If that is true, we have to make actions now to realize the prediction. I did my Math and there is a probability that most of us will still be alive by that time. We must enjoy that period when the Philippines is among the most equipped and economically stable nation competitive enough to survive another doomsday in a century.

In just a few weeks, we will be having the mid-term election. That is the time when we have to elect another 12 senators and the local government officials. Though we are not to replace a president and a vice president, it is still a crucial event for the political mobility of the Philippines. And just the same, we noticed that several citizens are not deeply and madly concern with what will be the outcome of this. Voting wisely has become a cliche never understood in the mass level.

What are we to look for in a candidate? We have to set the requirements early this time so we can outweigh who has the most of capacities to seat in senate and congress and who can better government our local regions and districts.

Sustainable development, job generating economy, increase in labor friendly environment, and vision to move forward in a quasi federal government are just few of the things you have to look for in a senator.

Definitely, and I have to say it again, definitely this is the most conducive time to change the constitution. Our constitution is no different from an expired chocolate cake. We cannot eat it anymore. The Philippines has to level the playing field by allowing the foreign investors own the possessed businesses here. It should be more rural friendly. It has to improve the rural areas just to decentralize the enormously contested Metro Manila. Empower the provinces and let it create an environment where businesses can thrive.

I am not for BPO industry. It already costs us a lot of risk. Health risk. That includes the balloon of AIDS cases. Too many drunkards at night which resulted to crime. Crime increased because of the BPO sector. Most of the victims of robbers at midnight are call center agents.

I am for agriculture. The Philippines was made a colony of Spain because of agricultural products. It is the best we can offer the world. United States can offer you the latest military technology and latest gadgets to make your life easier but without the foods coming from our agriculture industry no person can live another day to purchase an iPad.

The Philippines must strive to be the green capital of the world.

I am for tourism. We have to preserved our wildlife and natural sights so we can be a viable tourist destination. That will bring us to the issue of mining. I am not totally against mining because without it, I cannot write in a desktop or text my sister abroad thru my cell phone. Most of the things we have at home and offices are products of mining including your TV remote control. So mining is good only to the extent of legality. I am for responsble-mitigated mining in this country. We have had enough so we need to reforestrate and in due time when the land is ready we can have mining again.

I am for the proliferation of the arts. See what the candidates want to offer us. If they are not in line with this, we hope that their platforms are better. There are a lot of projects to be done. In the mean time, let's contemplate on these.

No Lucky 13 For Lakers

There was a time when we thought having Steve Nash and Pau Gasol in one team will make a huge milestone on NBA history. Now, we are beginning to doubt it. The consecutive losses of Los Angeles Lakers are heartbreaking times for L.A.'s ill-fated supporters.

This NBA Season Steve Nash joined Pau, Kobe and Dwight in the team together with Mike D'Antoni [former N.Y. Knickx head] as coach. It was supposed to be a dream combination, but it turned out otherwise. This early, Los Angeles Lakers is hanging in a cliff with doubts of reaching the finals.

We have to reserve the questions "why" to the experts. I am no basketball player. I am an avid follower of Lakers since high school [perhaps because of the feeling that Laguna means lake and we are provincial counterpart of L.A. here], that is why it puzzles me a lot when 2013 became quite unfortunate for this august team. I mean, c'mon, they cannot just let it happen!

One way of scrutinizing it is in the area of teamwork. Lakers, with its old and new set of players are not yet tuned up of making melodies together at the hard court. I have to pinpoint the reality that D'Antoni is not a great orchestrator proven by their one-after-the-other defeat. Their every move is is only proportionate if not contingent to the strength coming from their key star players. That is why when issues with Dwight Howard arose and injuries of Steve Nash and Gasol took format, they cannot even concentrate further.

Tonight, L.A. Lakers will face another crucial game for the team. The battle between Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers will define if defeat is the tenor of their 2013 or will they be able to salvage [ at least for now] their hanging-in-the-cliff team.

We have strong belief for L.A. but we can only trust this much. They awe the fans some labor. I hope they have done their homework, watching the previous plays of Utah Jazz or at least strategize a great offense and powerful defense.

Moving on, I have some reservation of faith for Boston Celtics. They weren't able to penetrate the finals in last year's play offs because they lost against Miami Heat [to which I have a strong bias]. By the way, Miami Heat beated the Lakers last January 17, 2013 which ignited a plethora of emotional tweets in the twitter world. Tonight, Celtics will be facing Atlanta Hawks by which several experts predicted that Kevin Garnet will show us all the products of his 2012 training. How much Rondo prepared for 2013, we never know? Only after they won against all the teams in their line up can we say so.

I guess it is too early to say if Lakers will meet Celtics by June this year. The Lakers still on 50-50 condition. It would be better if all supporters keep on track with what's going on and continue analyzing the new combination of Nash and Gasol in court.

Likewise, it is worthwhile to follow the career path of Jeremy Lin who's now with the Houston Rockets. Lin, who became a household NBA gem since last year, is a darling to most children crowd. His iconic rise in 2012 encourage Asian NBA wannabes to work harder and be more optimistic with reaching their goals---that is to play in the world's most famous basketball league. Lin is inspiring even non Asian children outside the United States.

There is a great post-American dream in every basketball lover in the world. That is to play in the NBA court. The re-election and now second term of Barack Obama shed some light to the realization of this dream. I guess, America is now ready to watch Asians, Africans and Latin-Americans playing in their Federal Basketball channel.

image taken from Google.com [the 2013 Lakers line up of players]

Season Break

To see the world in a different perspective, we must.

I am about to leave home and start anew in Cavite August of last year. For unavoidable circumstances, it never pushed through. I have packed my bags ready for the new challenges ahead. I was hoping 2012 would bring me to a greener pasture, in that case, in Cavite. However, that life proved to be ain't for me.

It also seems that there has been a pattern from 2011 of me going to Manila for some visits every January. If we remember, in 2011, I was in Pasig when Ate Jovie gave birth to Matthew. I spent almost a week in Manila where I also a had the chance to meet and catch up with JS. Then the same thing in 2012 when I went to Ateneo for a an event and to meet Dr. Joel Navarro. I also went to JS' dorm the next day after sleeping over in Daryl's apartment.

This time, while most of American TV series are also in their season breaks, I went to Manila to catch some fresher air [that's idiomatic knowing that there seem to be no fresh air in Manila]. I had to visit Rene. This happened to be the first time I can see his place in Las Pinas where he is studying. He is finishing his college degree in PMMS and living in a dorm nearby.

It was fun living with him for three days, knowing his classmates and the kind of lifestyle he is enjoying. Internet access has never been this long. I have all the chance to surf unlike in Laguna where I have to pay for one hour everyday.

Another highlight of the week is when I went to SM Bacoor with a friend to watch the most awaited Les Miserables. By Sunday, I went to Mall of Asia to chance upon Princess and I casts as they held their Game 3 of the Royal Basketball Game dedicated to the fans who supported the show for almost a year.

Often, we need to take a break from the usual. Drop the regular and see how others see life. It makes us more realized and concrete. It clicks new impression in our minds and we learn new techniques. That's the least it can do. Yet there are a lot of benefits. Boxes are there to enslave our minds. If we get out of it, that's when we start to learn.

There was a story about a frog in a pond. when the frog went out he learned that there is a lake larger than a pond. Not contented, he yearned for more and went out of the lake. He found an ocean. If he never left that pond, he wouldn't have learn that such vast body of water exists.

Maybe I needed these. More than anything, I have to remember every details of what happened. I have to learn more about life. And so we be the best we can be.

To Touch History As It Happens

You have all of it. Time passes and you slip it away from you. You have the grasp any moment but cannot really own it. Cannot retrieve it. Nor do you have a chance to borrow it when it's gone. All it takes is this moment. Once the tea cup hits the floor, it's broken. While it doesn't yet, you have all chance of saving it. Whole and entire with its concrete design. Once time is gone, it is already history. While it's not yet coming, it is a dream to await. At present you create history. And you'll be judged by it.

When I get older, my grand kids would ask me where I was, what I was doing when it all unfolded. I cannot bear in my conscience that I won't be able to answer them for I was not part of it. But as I mature, I am beginning to accept the reality that you can't ever be part of ALL historical events while taking shape. It's a good thing, actually the best thing, that we now have all forms of media at our expense. We can witness history whenever, wherever. From the moment you wake up, you can rely on what are trending topics bragging the twitterverse. There too are google trendings worldwide and youtube trends. Your iPhone or other tablets can feed you news from different news agencies locally or foreign. So while we cannot financially afford the tickets for a Lakers vs Heat game or a Manny Pacquiao fight... television will always be reliable. I conclude that history is not on our hands. We are simply created to enjoy it. Who can control a tsunami? Who can let the rain fall in Navotas while the sun shine in Calaca? History, just let it be.

Hello everybody! We just survived 2012. Despite all the doomsday prophecies we endured, the last day of the world parties, the touchy and teary moments we lament and savor. Here we are kicking and alive. Capable of augmenting history. Capable of taking part of all social media affair like whose your bet in American Idol 2013. And yes there is still American Idol with its news set of judges and drama. The doomsday phenomenon? It will always be there. It won't stop until it comes. But we can't let that ruin our event calendars. We can't just sit and wait till heaven opens up. We need to enjoy this. We need to be politically active. We need to improve humanity at the cost of our TV entertainment. Yes sometimes you can't be an avid televiewer. Part of history is spontaneity. Your schedule, it won't always work in a regular regimental basis. It needs extemporaneous flavoring.

So gear up and plan to hike a mount, to sky dive this year. This might be your most adventorous year. I admit 2012 was a lazy year. This time, I want something different. More than just sitting in a cinema house. Yes, it's true. The most number of films watched by me ever recorded was last year. I had Snow White and the Huntsman, Spiderman, The Reunion, Skyfall, The Expandables 2, Breaking Dawn 2 [the last installment, that's what they say], Samurai X and One More Try.

This time I have to save money not anymore for movies but for concerts. I believe that live performances is still the best experience since I am a musician. A lot of foreign acts are scheduled for this year not to mention the OPM debuts and Rock Fest to be sponsored by famous rhum companies. Classical Music will always be part of this plan. You know I am truly excited for 2013. As I commit myself again to blog all my thoughts, I have to make sure that experiences will be better and won't be boring. I cannot promise that. But that is for history to decide.

In toto, I wanna watch and touch history as it happens.

I wanna be there. One moment at a time.

Guns and Garbages

Four days after the world entrance to 2013, stigmas of the last year dawn event still haunts us. Failure to disarm licensed and non-licensed gun owners is still a huge issue that posted cacophony of opinions in facebook and twitter. This is not an isolated case in the Philippines. In the United States, gun control is also a didactic issue. After the tragedy brought about by the Adam Lanza terror, there still is a debate whether amendments in gun procurement is necessary or unconstitutional.

The DOH held a press conference noontime of January 01 claiming that the campaign against firecracker usage is a success. But the numbers of cracker related incidence cannot lie. It speaks otherwise. It is a pseudo success considering that it dropped in all fairness to the Gangnam campaign. But only in a minimum risk.

Other disasters should also be the foci of new year campaign. For example, the fire brigade must heighten the alert for fire incidences next year. Though the number of cracker victims dropped this year we were not at all free from the fire that devastated Metro Manila areas. Just before the new year, 12 fire incidences happened simultaneously in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. This is an alarming phenomenon. It only shows that community awareness programs are not that strong in our country. People and local government units must be more responsible during this delicate moment of the year. Still, something is terribly wrong!

I went to mass the next morning after the welcoming of the year. I am not surprised that garbage is all around. Trashes and leftovers of the occasion were still on the grounds of street. And though I am not surprised, I am ashamed of the kind of culture we have here. Again, the responsibility lies on the local government shoulder. Designating street sweepers by 3 in the morning is just a suggestion. By morning of January 01 the entire municipal and metropolitan vicinity must be clean and remnants of New Year Street Parties must be a thing of the past already. The same is true with theme parks and national landmarks where most families spent the midnight glory breaking into 2013. The park management should remind the goers to be responsible of their own trashes. Cleanliness and deodorization must be a priority of this country and I am not kidding when I say this.

Lastly, the incidence that really brought heartache in all of us is about the indiscriminate firing of irresponsible gun owners that brought a seven year old named Stef Nicole Ella into her grave. The more we are silent about it as a community, the more courageous these monsters become. Each community must be watchful. The Philippine National Police must conduct New year disaster preparedness seminars that will educate residents of each Barangays to be more vigilant of gun owners within the neighborhood. The ricochet of gun bullets can cause injuries if not fatalities to our little ones. And I am deeply grudged by the fact that indeed most victims of gunfire incidences are children. This scenario is now being used by RH opponents who situates what happens when you enjoy at the expense of a child's innocent life as an analogue to what happens when you enjoy sex experience with your partner without the intention of bringing a child to life. This a think is a hysterical issue all the way. We must concentrate only on the gun issue and not on the ethos of the newly signed RH Law.

It is true, that more families now prefer to enjoy watching staged events, concerts, amusement parks and food tripping than buying firecrackers in Bocaue. The lifestyle brought by this hard times gives more spaces to family relationship and get togetherness than holiday expenses. But this should not give us reasons to be laidback and wait for another incidence to happen. You might not know that the next fire could be on your neighborhood or another ricochet of bullet from an indiscriminate firer be on your pasta plate much worse if on your rooftop.

My confessor give me one piece of advise before the year 2012 ended. "Instead of listening to doomsdayers and igniting fireworks, contemplate about the previous year." ---t'is the only way we can avoid the same tragedies we have had.

Isn't it nice to welcome a new year without any negative news to be bothered about?

{photo courtesy of webring.org}

So Here I Go Again

#justanother wierdthing aboutme

I feel bored when there's someone with me while traveling. I am never bored traveling alone.

To My Point Now

It's been a year. A lot of unfinished drafts are yet to be published here so I can complete the 2011 project.

I have a lot to say about 2012. But this is not about recap. Neither is it about circumspection. This is a welcome piece for 2013.

How much we love new year. We adore it more knowing that Santi celebrates his birthday exactly the first day of the year. And Hanika Lyn celebrating the next day after. Sometimes we wonder if the foods she serves during her party are leftovers from last night. Haha! Just kidding.

So here I go again. Greeting you all a happy new year. Thanks for reading this and for following what's going on with me. Though I may not be one of the most followed persons in the cyberworld [grateful indeed, a blessing].

What promises I have to keep? None. It will just tighten the pressure of writing everything that comes to mind. I learned that most of the time, you have to write seldom with substance than often without content.

Yes there are lots to say. Plenty of thoughts to share. I hope that this 2013 I can publish more than that which benefits the reader. What I do know is that I'll be more prudent in sharing things about the way I see and experience the world. Yet, becoming more adventurous for the sake of excitement and aesthetic contentment.

Practically, being more present in this kind of world where we are living in. To teach rather than entertain. To invite collective opinions rather than divide individualistic views and being judgmental.

As I say, these are not promises. These are luminous mantras to guide us by.

Hi 2013!!!!

Bear with us all and be good to us. I know you have much much in store for us. We are looking forward to a brighter you as we face optimism ahead.

So to all... wait for all the posts I will prepare for the world to read.

I say, A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL OF US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!