How to solve a problem like Jejomar Binay

I am really bother of Jejomar Binay for being obsessed to take the highest post in the land. The recent columns of Randy David and Sara Soliven de Guzman in the major dailies give us a pretty good picture of what a Binay presidency would be like -- it will be a disaster. The problem, however, is that the average Filipino does not read or understand their analytical writings.

I excerpted from an article had been written by Nathaniel von Einsiedel his first-hand personal experiences during his companionship with Binay. He narrated some points that give us what kind of personality and brand of leadership Binay has. Take a look the following as I summarized and analysed his article.

1. He will befriend you if you can help him achieve his personal objectives, and will not hesitate to dump you when you're no longer useful to him. He is a master of charming people whom he can use to further his personal ambitions. But once they're of no use to him, or don't like to work with him anymore, he will readily get rid of them and fabricate a story on the reasons why.

2. He is a congenital liar. He has perfected the practice of looking you straight in the eye and lie without blinking an eyelash. His political ads project a lie. By claiming that he will do to the country what he did in Makati, he creates an expectation that is intended to mislead people. Common public perception of Makati is that of a first world city -- high rise offices and condos, glitzy malls, beautiful parks and myriad jobs. But that is Ayala's Makati, covering only 6 of the city's total of 33 barangays. He makes people believe that he can transform the whole country into Ayala Makati's likeness. He knows that is not true. He had no hand in Ayala Makati's development, and he knows he cannot replicate this anywhere.

3. He wants to perpetuate people's dependency on him, especially the poor. He doesn't believe in genuine development that uplifts the living and working conditions of the poor. This is reflected in Makati's dole-out approach to urban management, for example, its education and health programs. His political ads project the message that this dole-out system can be replicated throughout the country. He knows that the only reason he can do that in Makati is because the city has the biggest revenue among LGUs, all due to the thousands of the biggest firms located in the Ayala part of the city.

4. He wants complete control over all programs and projects. The programs and projects of Makati city's departments have to be approved by him directly. Thus, in Makati's annual budget, most if not all programs and projects are listed under the Office of the Mayor, and only he can authorize budget releases. Binay also established a system that consolidates the incomes of all of Makati's barangays and directly controls the approval of and budget releases for all barangay projects. But look at the majority of the barangays -- from Kasilawan, Tejeros, Sta. Cruz, Singkamas, Bangkal, Guadalupe Viejo, Pitogo, Pinagkaisahan, Guadalupe Nuevo, all the EMBO barangays, and even his own San Antonio. There is so much poverty in these areas that no amount of dole outs throughout his as well as his wife and son's terms of office have been able to diminish much less eradicate poverty. The incidence of poverty in the premier and richest city in the country is appalling.

5. His pro-poor actions are all for show. He actually loathes the poor. On a number of occasions when we were discussing in private the housing projects for the poor, he used the term "salaula" (Tagalog for "uncouth" or "uncivilized") to describe them. He has perfected the act of conveying his "concern" for the poor by, for example, setting aside time and a percentage of the city's budget for the poor's "KBL" -- kasal (weddings), burol (wakes), and libing (burial). When we were planning the MACDA housing project, he's approach to the issue of relocating the informal settlers was to pay them off without caring where they were to be resettled as long as they vacated the site.

When we proposed a massive workforce development program to include the poor in the productive milieu and benefit from the jobs available in the city, Binay turned it down, criticising it as "small-time." But he did not offer any alternative. It was obvious that he did not want the poor to improve their economic well-being and status. He wants them to be perpetually beholden to and dependent on him, and therefore, under his complete control.

7. His management style is 101% patronage politics. There is absolutely nothing developmental in his system of management. He may have introduced some innovations, but these have been mainly for his and his family's benefit rather than for the good of the people. He criticizes the Aquino administration as being inept, lazy, and slow. But what has he done, as Chairman of the Housing & Urban Development Coordinating Council for the past 5 years, to reduce the housing backlog? What has he done in the barangays of Makati to address poverty? Are the living and working conditions in the poorer barangays any better than before he first became mayor?

In 2004, its incidence of poverty was higher than the national average. Binay was not alarmed by this and, in fact, seemed to be pleased with it. Perhaps because it meant he could easily manipulate the poor. Today, after almost three decades under the Binays, Makati's overall quality of life, especially in the 27 poorer barangays, isn't much better.

Is this the kind of person who will be our next president? I certainly don't think so.

Ang Mahiwagang Balikbayan Box...Bow!

Wika ni Ely, “Puno ng tuwa’t galak ang aking balikbayan box - pandikit, damit, at laruan, poster ay wala nang paglagyan…” Ngunit kapag dumating sa tahanan mo ang balikbayan box na binulatlat ng mga taga-customs, tiyak na ang tuwa’t galak mo ay mapapalitan ng inis at yamot.

Nitong mga nakaraang linggo ay iniutos ni Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina na halughugin ang mga padalang balikbayan boxes na dumadaong sa pantalan ng bansa. Dahilan diumano sa nakakalusot na high value items na hindi napapatawan ng karampatang tax. Ok, aminado tayo na may pailan-ilan ngang nagpapalusot ng high value items tulad ng appliances, at ilang branded na damit at gamit pangkatawan ngunit ang tanong worth nga ba talaga itong kalkalin? Parang ganito lamang 'yan e, nangha-hunting sya ng surot sa cabinet pero hindi pinapansin ang naglipanang mga daga at ipis sa loob ng kwarto. Ipinapakita lamang ng mamang ito kung gaano siya kakitid mag-isip. Iyong tig 50 kg. na mga balikbayan box pinagdidiskitahan ngunit ang mga dambuhala at tone-toneladang basura galing Canada, ang conte-container vans na kontrabando galing china tulad ng counterfeited brand goods, sibuyas, carrots, repolyo, etc. ay lantarang nakakapasok sa pantalan. Paki-explain nito Mr. Commissioner, o talagang kulang pa ang nakokomisyon dyan kaya pati gamit ng mga nag-aabroad ay pakikialaman.

Nitong araw nagpahayag siya bilang depensa sa kanyang direktiba... "I have my duty to protect this country…Kung dumami ang droga dito, dumami ang mga baril, sisihin mo ako, 'di ba? 'Yun ang aking gagawin, I have to implement the law." Aba teka Mr. Commissioner, bakit napunta sa droga at baril ang usapan dito? High value items for taxation ang orihinal na pakay dito di ba. FYI, Mr. Commissioner, sa bansang pinanggalingan ng balikbayan box ay may screening na 'yan. At paano maglalagay ng droga at baril sa balikbayan box na may pangalan at address na pagdadalhan na kalimita'y kapamilya pa ng nagpadala? Sa isa pang panayam kay Comm. Lina, parang kengkoy lang na nagpahayag na baka raw kargahan ng 'WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION' ang mga balikbayan box, May ATOMIC BOMB? May NUCLEAR WARHEADS sa ipinapadalang balikbayan box? Alam kaya ng taong ito ang lumalabas sa bunganga nya?

Sa totoo lamang, ano ba ang purpose ng box na ito? Bakit nagbabalot ang mga ofw ng mga items na kung tutuusin ay available rin naman sa bansa. Simple lamang dahilan, ito'y upang bigyan ng munting kasiyahan ng mga nag-aabroad ang mga naiwang pamilya sa bansa. Ito ay isang simbolismo. Katulad ito ng isang regalo ibinibigay tuwing kaarawan at pasko. Ang maramdaman ang saya sa pagbubukas nito ay malaking bagay sa pakiramdam ng nagpadala. Ngunit kung ito ay nauna nang binuksan ng mga ulupong, nawawala na ang excitement bagkus ay inis at galit na ang rerehistro sa mukha ng tumatanggap.

Isa pang tanong, bakit kailangang pisikal na buksan? Nariyan naman ang x-ray machine para maaninag ang laman sa loob. Kilala na natin ang hilatsa ng bituka ng mga taga customs. Hindi maiialis ang agam agam ng ating mga kababayan na maaring pagsamatalahan ang mga laman ng mga box. Kung iyon ngang hindi binubuksan ay nagkakawalaan ng gamit, ito pa kayang ilalantad sa mata ng mga buwitre ang mga items sa loob. Kung sakaling may masira, o mawala sa mga laman ng balikbayan box sa pagbubukas nito, sagot ba ng customs ang mga ito? Ano ang assurance ng mga kababayan natin na hindi masasalaula ang mga bagahe?

Bonus info. Sa pagkakahirang ni PNoy kay Commissioner Lina, marami na ang duda sa kanyang pagkatao. Bago pa man siya nahirang, may 7 customs brokerage company na pag-aari ni Lina ang sangkot na sa maanomalya at irregular na mga transaksyon. Ang kanyang mga kompanya ay iligal na nakakapagpalusot ng mga kontrabando sa pantalan. Tunghayan ang video at alamin ang kung anong uri ng pagkatao mayroon ang mamang ito.

Ang 'Iglesia ni Cristo' ni Manalo

Mga pananaw sa doktrina at paniniwala ng sektang pangrelihiyon na Iglesia ni Cristo na itinatag ni Felix Manalo noong 1914. Sila diumano ay natatangi at nagkakaisa. Marahil nga'y totoo. Sa pangkalahatang paglalarawan, ang konsepto ay pumapatak sa iisang bagay, 'iglesia muna bago ang lahat'.

Mga piniling maliligtas

Itinatanim ng mga ministro sa kokote ang katagang 'Sumunod lang kayo, kaligtasan ay garantisado'. Bilang kaanib ng INC, hinahabi sa kanilang mga utak ang kaisipang sila ang natatanging pinili sa buong sangkatauhan na maliligtas sa araw ng paghuhukom. Anila, tanging mga miyembro lamang nila ang maliligtas na parang meron silang 'magic spaceship' na sasakyan sa sandaling maggunaw ang mundo na doon sila'y sasakay. Nakakaawa ang tingin nila sa lahat ng tao na hindi miyembro dahil ipinagpapalagay nila na kamatayan at impyerno ang hantungan ng mga ito. Sila'y taas noo sa kaisipang 'ligtas kami, paano na kayo?' Nakakatawang isipin ang doktrinang ito, ibig lamang sabihin, halos lahing Pinoy lamang ang mapupunta sa langit dahil halos lahat ay mga Pinoy lamang ang mga kasapi ng grupong ito? Ang mga righteous people sa iba't ibang bahagi ng daigdig, mga santo at santa ay sa impyerno na rin pala babagsak dahil hindi sila member ng INC?

Magbigay ng abuloy para sa 'Ama'

Katulad ng sa gobyerno na obligadong magbayad ng withholding tax, ang bawat miyembro ng INC ay obligadong magbigay ng sampung porsyento ang buwanang kita para sa abuloy. Imagine, kung 2.5 milyong miyembro, kung tig 1 piso na lang sa isang buwan, maliwanag na 2.5 milyong piso na agad yun. How much more if 10% ng sahod bukod pa ang sa pagdiriwang ng mga okasyon na mas malalaki ang iniaabuloy. Sa pagtataya, aabot ng mahigit kumulang 50 bilyong piso ang kinikita ng INC buhat sa abuloy kada taon bukod pa ang mga 'gift' ng mga pulitiko, at tax-free 'yan. Ang masakit nito, sa laki ng perang pumapasok sa INC, ni walang malinaw na mekanismo kung paano ito ibinabalik sa miyembro maging ito man ay serbisyo o welfare. Ang mga kasapi ba ay nakakatanggap ng obligado at regular na serbisyo tulad ng pagpapaaral, pabahay, pangkabuhayan? Palagay ko hindi, dahil ito ay iniaatang pa rin nila sa gobyerno, dahil anila, hindi nila saklaw ito. Samakatuwid, kabig lng ng kabig, walang pabuhos. Kung ating ihahalintulad sa pangongolekta ng buwis ng gobyerno, ang mamamayan ay may karapatan at inaasahang serbisyong balik, obligado iyang ibalik ng gobyerno at iulat. Ngunit sa INC, hindi na kailangang tanungin at bulatlatin kung saan ginagamit ang pondo dahil ipinapalagay ng bawat kasapi na ito ay para sa 'Ama'. May patutunguhan ang inilaang pera, as in  your money goes up in the sky. Parang 'ako ay may lobo lumipad sa langit' lang.

INC muna bago ang bayan

Ang pamunuan ng Iglesia ni Cristo ay maihahalintulad sa isang nasyon na may sistemang monarkiya kung saan ang mga pinuno ay may absolute power. Kailangang sundin at lunukin ng mga miyembro anuman ang sambitin ng mga namumuno. Ito ay matatawag na Kaharian ni Manalo. Kautusan ng hari, hindi dapat mabali. Isinasara ang tenga at mata sa paligid ng mga kasapi. Ang mga lalabag ay papatawan ng pagkickout sa iglesia na nangangahulugan lamang na impyerno ang patutunguhan sa araw ng paghuhukom, ayon na rin iyan sa turo nila, 'ang lahat ng nasa labas ng iglesia ay hindi maliligtas'. Kaya naman ganoon na lamang ang takot at pagtalima sa mga salitang binibitiwan ng kanilang pinunong ministro.

Ang bawat kasapi ay virtually, tinatanggalan ng pangunahing karapatan bilang mamamayan. Ang constitutional rights of suffrage ay isinasaisangtabi ng bawat miyembro. Tuwing eleksyon, tanyag sila sa bloc voting, kung ano ang idikta ng ministro, iyon ang dapat ang iboto. Kurakot man o hindi ang kandidato, it doesn't matter, basta may makukuhang proteksyon sa interest ng iglesia. Kaya naman nililigawan ng mga kandidato ang kanilang mga pinuno tuwing eleksyon.

Hindi nakikialam ang INC sa mga gawain at usaping pulitikal. Tahimik sila sa usapin ng kurapsyon, kahirapan, diborsyo, rh, etc. maging sa mga proyektong panglipunan. Anila, walang bagay na nililikha ng tao ang makakapagsalba sa kaparusahan kaya wala silang pakialam sa aspeto ng lipunang pulitikal basta focus lang sa interest ng iglesia at gawain nito. Hindi rin nila sinasaling ang mga elitista at kapitalista kahit gaano kaganid pa yan, kaya bawal sa mga kasapi ang lumahok sa mga welga at pambabatikos dahil takot din sila na buweltahan at maaring ikasama ng iglesia. Kumbaga, kanya-kanyang raket lang 'yan brod, mind your own business.

Pakikipagkapwa tao at pagkamakatao

Again, wala silang pakialam kung naghihirap ang nasyon, dumaranas ng sakuna. Basta focus lamang sila sa kagalingan ng iglesia. Naniniwala sila sa dalawang bagay kaya nangyayari ito, una makakasalanan na ang tao kaya pinaparusahan ng 'Ama', pangalawa, ito'y pagsubok sa buhay na kailangang malampasan. Noong nakaraang matitinding sakuna, sila ang mas vocal sa mga katagang tulad nito 'malapit na talagang magwakas ang mundo, magalak dahil malapit na tayong maligtas'. Sa pagkamakatao, ang pagkakawang gawa ay hindi ang pangunahing misyon kundi ang pag-akay sa iglesia. Nasa isipan nila na mas makatao ang kanilang ginawa kapag naakay nila ang isang tao na umanib sa INC.  Mas matimbang ang magrecruit kasya magkawang-gawa.

Itong kasalukuyang kontrobersiyang kinakaharap ng kanilang grupo, inuutusan ni Eduardo Manalo ang mga kasapi na panatilihin ang focus sa iglesia at maghinay hinay daw gumamit ng internet at social media dahil marahil sa baka nga naman mauntog at mamulat sa katotohanan. Ang ina at kapatid ni Eduardo Manalo na sina Tenny at Angel Manalo na na-dismember ng grupo ay sa impyerno na ang bagsak kung pagbabasehan ang kanila mismong doktrina kasama na ang mga  tumiwalag na mga ministro na nagsisiwalat ng korapsyon sa iglesia. Isa lamang ang basa ko sa kaguluhang ito, ang inggitan ng magkakapatid na Manalo sa pamumuno sa multi-billion family business na laway lamang ang puhunan na ibinibenta sa mga ignoranteng kasapi.

Si Maria Ozawa at ang Pagkahumaling ng Pinoy sa Ukay

Mula pa noon ang mga Pinoy ay patuloy na tinatangkilik ang mga surplus na galing sa mga mayayamang bansa tulad ng Japan, Korea, US. Buhat sa kasangkapan, gamit, mga damit na kung tawagin ay ‘ukay-ukay’. Bukod sa mura, karamihan ay branded at signatured stuffs pa, konteng laba at kiskis lang, makagagamit at makakapagsuot na ng imported goods. Dahilan na rin ng mahinang ekonomiya at mababang kapangyarihan ng inaaning piso kontra sa banyagang palitan kaya naman tinatangkilik at nahuhumaling sa salvage at tira-tirahan ng mga banyagang bansa. Ngunit sa larangan ng pagkatao at moralidad ang pag-uusapan, tanggap pa rin ba ng Pinoy ang tinaguriang ‘surplus’ ng banyagang bansa?

Sa pagdating sa bansa ni Maria Ozawa, isang adult video star o pornstar sa Japan ay mainit syang tinanggap ng mga Pinoy. Madali nyang napenetrate ang Philippine showbiz. Kung pakikinggan ang mga interviews ni Ms. Ozawa, sa bibig na rin niya nagmula, hirap syang makapasok sa mainstream showbiz sa Japan dahil sa kanyang work background ngunit sa Pinas, isang kumpas lang whalla! Instantly welcome to Philippine showbiz na. Sa loob lang ng ilang araw na pananatili nya sa bansa, kabi-kabila na ang offer sa kanya. Pinapasikat ng husto, nariyan ang pagiging modelo sa sikat na magazine, produkto at maging ang napapabalitang paggawa ng mainstream movie kasama ang isang actor icon ng Philippine cinema na si Robin Padilla, take note Robin Padilla ‘yan makakasama ang isang actress na galing sa ‘dirty showbiz’ ng Japan at ipapalabas sa mainstream cinemas sa buong bansa. Ano ba ang espesyal sa babaeng ito laban sa ating local na mga aspiring actress? Wala lng, 'imported' lang sya galing Japan kaya madaling nakapasok sa showbiz dito. Heto kase ang thinking ng Pinoy, mas mataas ang level kapag imported kahit 'basura' pa 'yan. Opps, huwag daw manghusga ng tao. Ok, kung pribado syang namumuhay, ok hands-off tayo ngunit ang kanyang presensya sa bansa ay may kinalaman sa kaisipang panlipunan. Kailangang ihayag kapag may kinalaman sa maaring maging impact nito sa lipunan sa pangkalahatan. Bilang isang bansang binansagan na ‘catholic nation’ na kaimpokrituhang ipinagsisigawan ang moralidad, ironically, hindi ko mawari kung bakit ganun na lamang kainit ang pagtanggap sa isang ‘surplus’ ng Japan. Mas tanggap ito ng mga Pinoy kaysa sa usaping same-sex marriage at divorce, mas tanggap kaysa usaping reproductive health, mas tanggap kaysa mga ginagawang istorya ni Dan Brown. 

Abusado sa Kalayaan

Araw ng Kalayaan. Marami ang nagtatanong tunay ba tayong malaya? Sa kabila ng kahirapan, banta sa seguridad ng bansa at krimen na nangyayari masasabi ba nating tayo ay tunay na malaya?

Malaya po tayo. napakalaya. Malaya nating gawin ang mga bagay bagay. Sa kabila ng napakaraming batas sa Pilipinas, ay malaya pa rin nating gawin ang mga bagay na gusto nating gawin, mabuti man o masama. Dahil ang mga batas ay mistulang suhestyon lamang at hindi regulasyon. Extreme freedom ang maitatawag dito. Abuso sa kalayaang tinatamasa, kaya naman ang resulta, pautakan, hayagang hindi pagsunod sa batas, krimen, at ang resulta, ang pagkalugmok ng bansa. Ang mga nasa pulitika, sinasabi sa constitution na bawal ang dynasty, pero ano ang nangyayari? Buong kapuluan ay may kamag-anak incorporated sa gobyerno. Pagsalangsang sa Constitution ang BBL ngunit itong pangulo pa ng Republika ang nagsusulong at atat ipasa ang naturang batas. Ang mga tao walang takot manakit at pumatay ng kapwa tao. Kahit yung simpleng bawal magbaba/magsakay ng mga PUV, bawal magtapon ng basura kahit upos ng sigarilyo, sinusunod ba ito ng isang Pinoy? Hindi! Dahil  tayo ay nasa 'society of impunity'. Malaya nating sinusunod ang saltik ng ating pag-iisip at sinasabing "Pakialam n'yo, e ito ang gusto ko", o “wala kang pakialam, buhay ko’to” na hindi na iniisip ang kahihinatnan sa susunod na mangyayari at magiging epekto sa lipunan sa pangkalahatan. Ang mga tambay ay malayang tumambay maghapon na walang kumakastigo at obligahing magtrabaho. Malayang mamumo sa bansa kahit sinong Herodes, matalino man o walang alam, nakapag-aral man o hindi, maging ang mga kriminal man o santito. Kaya naman heto na ang resulta ng ating kalayaan, bansang walang tiyak na patunguhan dahil bawat isa ay may kanya kanyang sariling diskarte. We are not sailing on the same direction. Kaya, wala tayong maipagmalaki sa mundo na ating major accomplishment. Masyado tayong abusado sa kalayaan.

The Reason why Pacquiao lost the fight against Mayweather

From this last boxing match of Pacquiao and Mayweather, did we really watch a sports game? Or a scripted entertainment just like in WWE matches?

Pacquiao and Mayweather, with producer Bob Arum

As what many local analysts said, if the fight would take until 12-rounds, then by any means, Mayweather would won (as long as Mayweather is not knocked down during rounds).  Think about this, Pacquiao has more fans or more sympathizers (obvious from the crowd at the event) or even ‘darling of the audience’ worldwide than Mayweather. If Pacquiao was happened to win, it is unlikely to call for a rematch from the audience because fanatics have already satisfied for the defeat of ‘boastful’ Mayweather. And as what was happened, Pacquiao lost the fight, the audience left hanged and immediately wanted to have a continuation, or a rematch and this is what producers really want for.

This is business, a showbiz entertainment in particular. Producers have to make a scenario that is saleable to the audience in the longer period of time. As long as the mania of the audience is there, they will make a series of trending shows. Producers has ready-made plan for the battle series for the two boxing superstars. But, the problem of the producers facing now is, Mayweather didn’t do a good acting gesture during the fight. The expectations of audience of ‘total rumble’ had not seen in the battle. Some boxing fanatics were dismayed on the show.

But let us see, a year or two after…

Coming soon Pacquiao vs. Mayweather 2! This time Pacquiao will win and the true battle rumble will be on the third one whereas called 'decision game'.

Syndicates behind Velosos woes

Rouge syndicates take advantage of the vulnerability of people with lack of knowledge or ignorance. They are tricky; full of disguise; they are roaming around in our society looking for preys to be used as instrument to push their interest. As a typical Philippine people which is easily been brainwash by these predators, it creates more complicated problems to our society. One problem becomes two, or three, and so on as long as the stupidity is wired in their system.

Members of Veloso family fell preys not once, but twice. The young Veloso (Mary Jane) has been trapped by international drug syndicate while the elder Veloso (Celia) has fallen to political activist syndicate. They are being used to flourish their business and political interest respectively. Syndicates poisoned their mind, promised a better companion, better life, and better result once they are on their hand. They were hypnotized and even mocked the institution who really care to save them. Follow the predators' whispers in their ear but in the end, Velosos would find out they were stuck on trouble. The government problem now is how to get out these two people from the web of woes.

Wrong Move to Save Filipina Convict From Execution.

“It’s about the supremacy of the law”, the strong assertion of Indonesian President Joko Widodo about the death penalty imposed by their government against drug traffickers.

International appeals and review of execution of 10 drug-related convicts including a Filipina Mary Jane Veloso in Indonesia are now in blare moment. Some international celebrities including boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao requested a clemency from the Indonesian president. But, this is a mere mistake move. The more you make noise, the more get Indonesian government tightens their decision to execute the convicts.  The worst appeal was came from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon himself (what the heck? so many executed convicts in middle east countries but no single word came from his mouth). He just made a reversed effect of reconsideration tendency. Something like, the more it highlight to international media, the better, because this is a big opportunity for Indonesian government to deter drug traffickers and druglords to enter to their land. It is a campaign. It's not a murder case which can be settled from aggrieved party. As a result, they have been more determined to continue the execution as they gained more looking spectators around the world. Think about it, what could be the implication if the government granted the clemency request? It just make a wrong message.

And now, Indonesian government wanted to show to the world how tough their campaign against dangerous drugs, so execution may conclusively take into effect on the given date. 

I Don't Want To Live on This Planet Anymore

“I don’t want to live on this planet anymore”, a popular meme surrounding to social media. It’s pun rebellious expression pertaining to the ironic instances of way of life in this world and nothing to do but to shoutout. But for the 100 candidates including two Filipinas for the one-way ticket to Mars planet, they take it literally.

The Project Mars One aims to set man on Mars has being conceptualize. Few years from now, the first batch of human will send off to Mars that will take 7 months of journey. Their mission is to establish life on this mere lifeless red planet.

Ridiculously, human is trying hard to find and even establish life on Mars but continuously destroying life on Earth. Scientists and explorers are spending billions of money to discover a single drop of water or a tiny sprout of grass or microscopic walking ant on the surface of the Mars planet. But here on our mother Earth however, tons by tons, hectares by hectares of trees and forests are being destroyed in every minute. Poisonous gas, CFCs, nuclear wastes and all farts of industrialization are drastically narrowing our space to live on this earth. Not far distant future, the Earth extinction will come. It will become dead rock hanging onto the solar system. It’s more likely to believe human race will perish not by Armageddon written on Scriptures but by self-destruction. And now, the virgin planet is about to exploit for possible survivors’ refuge. This will be the biggest exodus of human. And what Earth utter to Mars? “Run Mars run, the destructive Earthlings are coming!”

Positively thinking, let’s support the project. The Mars, a whole new world. This is a best starting place for dreamers like John Lennon who once imagining there’s no country and no religion too. The two among the borders in the humanity brought the ultimate disaster to the humankind. These are the hardest wall dividers among us earthlings.

Shaky Prophecy for a Graduate

For those who are tired of usual graduation speeches for having the same pattern of contents like graduates’ prophecy, thanking parents and teachers, taking another chapters of life, and other blah blahs,  take a look to the videos circulating online and it will give you a twist.

Certain graduate named Kristel Mallari was stopped her speech because of altered content of her salutatorian’s speech. In one point, she did her democratic freedom to speak and I don’t insist to that but on that particular occasion, she did something wrong here. That was a graduation ceremony, her hatred speech is not suitable on that sacred event. In the first place, why do we having a ceremony? Because we want a solemn proclamation or celebration of the event such as wedding, baptismal, flag raising, oathtaking, and graduation rites, all must have done with solemnness. However, if you are asshole enough, you can ruin this event because of your self-resentment which perhaps you can be settled before or after the event. Another thing, what would be the impression left on to her fellow graduates, - that they came from biased school? or a trash school which tolerates injustice and favoritism? She didn’t respect the jive, the feeling of excitement of her fellow graduates on that special occasion. I tell you, graduation ceremony is optional, the students can complete the course of study without it. The reason why it should celebrate because of its 'sentimental' thing just like in wedding ceremony. It is made not for school, not for teachers, but for students. Because of what she did, graduates of this batch will remember forever this fucked-up celebration. If she has complains, why she didn’t go the proper authority, to the DepEd-Division, not in-front of students, as soon as her complain was ignored by the school.

Many are saying she will be the society’s catalyst of change. Catalyst of change? Duh, or she may be one of millions of Filipinos, talk only, and do nothing, do nothing for due process. She has a certain career awaits for her, a spokesman or representative of Bayan Muna, Kabataan, Anak Bayan, Akbayan, those are certified ‘reklamador ng bayan na wala sa hulog’ that she certainly belong. Ahh, our streets are already very noisy, we don't want additional nuisance. 

Susmarya Purisima II

This is the second part of my writing about Gen. Purisima of PNP. This brat is continually cuddle by PNoy is one of his big mistakes. While still we can’t move on his graft and corruption case, here is another screwed move this man did again. In connection to Mamasapano bloodbath occurred on January 25, he was pointed as the main architect of such operation, and of course by the order of his bff PNoy. As early as the suspension of Purisima, PNoy couldn’t able to touch him, in fact, he lawyering him because PNoy is paying gratitude and has bond within a few decades since the time of his mother.

"That was just an advice, not an order", the alibi of suspended Gen. Purisima during the Senate hearing about Mamasapano encounter as hand-cleansing in this fiasco and escape himself from liability and administrative charges. As he said, it is "moral duty and obligation," of him to give PNP-SAF of such ‘advice’. Oh, c'mon Mr. Purisima, where is the moral duty to look like a fool of OIC Gen. Espina and his men, of SILG Roxas who been unaware to this major operation. Selfishly thinking, if the operation was successful, then they are the one who reaping the credit? It’s just like, 'Ako ang nagsaing, iba ang kakain' thinking? Where is the moral duty here, suspended from the post but directly intervened in the operation which can compromise his staff Gen. Napeñas together with SAF troopers?  Speaking of credit, if successful, he can be used as 'papogi' to pile up graft and corruption case filed before him. In his interviews, appearing in his mouth this motive. He said, "If the operation was successful and few casualties, it definitely Sec. Roxas and Gen. Espina would harvesting the credit ". But, as what saying says, "mistake cannot be corrected by another mistake".

Words are solemn in military/police that anything upper rank says is consider authority words for his subordinates. Purisima said, "ako na ang bahala kay catapang (afp chief)", so napeñas relied on this and was at ease that the operation would relay to Gen. Catapang of AFP. But purisima did not do therefore AFP was unaware of the plan. This is one of the biggest flub-dubs of that operation.

Now Purisima resigned as PNP Director General, and as of today this position remains empty spot. Pres. Aquino not be able to appoint a new PNP chief because he can’t afford to axe Purisima in service. PNP OIC Gen. Espina temporary holding place of Purisima. Worse of it, many work is pending because OIC has limited capacity to do so it affects the some range of workflow of the PNP. FYI, it’s not possible of two four-star general in the police or military, so Purisima should relinquish his four-star general rank either by termination of service, or resignation, or retirement. The retirement of Purisima is in month of July so maybe it's waiting time before President Aquino appoint a new police chief because he do not want 'stain' and 'embarrass' his 'bff' Purisima. That this will make bad record in the transcript of his entire career in PNP that he will exit being sacked because of corruption and stupidity.

Gen. Catapang, A True 'Yellow Army'

"We will fight when called to fight". These are the only words we want to hear coming out of the mouths of our fighting men and women. But that’s not the way Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr sees it, however. In an interview with “social news network”Rappler.com, Catapang was quoted as saying the following words:

“It’s easy to call for war but I hope they’re the first ones willing to be called to active duty. I hope they’re the first ones to volunteer to be on the front lines. I don’t think they even know what kind of war they’re talking about.”

Never before have such chickenshit words come out of the mouth of a soldier.

Soldiers are not paid to philosophize about war and peace. They are paid and conditioned to kill the enemy when given orders to do battle. The armed forces serve at the command of civilian authorities. That’s the deal, as I recall. Let that debate be had amongst civilian circles where it all begins. In the mean time, the armed services’ job is to maintain a sufficient level of preparedness to fight if and when the order comes.

In most normal societies, it is usually the military that is pumped up for war and the civilian government serving as the control valve for all that testosterone. Not in the Philippines. Here, it is the other way around. Filipinos are fuming over the impunity of an arrogant Islamic terrorist group that had successfully hoodwinked an entire national government into negotiating with them as equals. War is a real solution now that 44 police officers lie dead after being savagely massacred by these terrorists thanks to the command paralysis that kept the Army’s hands tied seeing that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were involved. As what Sen. Cayetano said, "Inutusan mong makipagsuntukan, pero itinali mo ang mga kamay nila".

Yet, now, we are hearing the supreme military commander of the Philippines’ armed forces telling us…

Sure, let’s go to war. You go first.

To begin with, who is necessarily calling for war to begin with? The key civilian debate here is whether to continue with the fantasy of “peace” in Mindanao that is President BS Aquino’s pet project, the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). It is an idiotic logical leap concluding that war will break out if the BBL is junked. Indeed, whether or not war breaks out is really up to the enemy party here, those who illegally wield arms and who stand accused of butchering 44 Philippine police officers.

War is but an option for Filipinos. But it is an entire way of life for the enemy: Mindanao’s Islamic terrorists. So back to the fundamental question:

Who is being the war freak here?

The moronism of people like General Catapang and a whole bunch of Senators doing all the talking and philosophizing about war here can be traced to one thing: the absence of no less than the President in this “debate”.

President BS Aquino has remained tight-lipped about the truth and just as tight lipped about a roadmap out of this mess. Both are things one would normally expect a president to be a singular authority on.

Not in the Philippines.

In the Philippines and only in the Philippines, soldiers pontificate about war and peace, state negotiators defend enemy ideology, and Presidents schmooze with terrorist chieftains. Filipinos have come to see these insults to modern human civilization as normal parts of their way of life.

How do we extricate the Filipino from the perversion of civilization that the Philippines has become?

For starters, people like General Catapang should shut the hell up.

This is how real warriors assure non-combatants:

"'Pag nagka-bakbakan, stidi lang kayo dyan. Kami ang bahala."

Who put those stars on this guy anyway? He should be sent back to basic training.

-GetRealPhilippines

Bongbong Haunted by Fraudulent Educational Background

If you are supervising a company and you find that one of your employee is not indicated the right information in his bio data, what do you do?

In the past week, a news website published an investigative article which examined the educational background of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also known as Bongbong Marcos. Based on what is stated in the Senate record, his name has the 'Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Philosophy and Economics' taken at Oxford University. There is also a Masters: Business Administration, taken at the Wharton School of Business. But as fact-finding of such news website, he finished in Oxford was 'Diploma in Political Science, and in the Wharton School was ' unfinished ' status of his master's degree.  Is possible?  You can put on your CV though unfinished? In my understanding, with regards to the terminology in academic attainment level, the 'diploma course’ is only short term courses that can be 1-2 years of study similarly called the 'vocational course'. The 'bachelor course' on the other hand is the baccalaureate degree course usually 4-5 year study. Therefore, there is fraudulent presenting himself to the public. If you go by the Constitution, and Senate ethics and decorum, we can say he would have something violated on it and should pay attention to the authorities. The core issue here is trust. The Constitution is amply clear: Public office is a public trust. Public officers must, all times, be accountable to the people.  The process of making our officials accountable begins with transparency and correct information. The law requires full disclosure, including family and relations, education, assets and businesses. Public officials lying about their educational attainment is a minor matter, others say. Sure, it is not corruption; it is not stealing our taxes. But can we still believe them? Trust, the bond between the public official and the people, starts to break once it is stained by lies. An American politician once said, "Someone who lies about the little things will lie about the big things too." Our tolerance for deception and lying is higher than other countries. If this happened in Japan or Germany, where ethical demands on public office are strict and uncompromising, a politician caught lying would have quit.

The point here is not whether the academic level has finished or not since it is not a requirement to run and serve in the government (because even ignorant and morons would be elected with just a public charisma). The point here is the honesty of the person in charge. No problem if low educational attainment he has, just be true and accurate. This is apparently bad example for our countrymen especially for the youth.  If it is ignored, definitely more increases in the number of graduates who have credentials are having acquire in ‘Recto University’.

Remember that it’s not just a company but the whole country.

EDSA Joyride

Who had experienced a EDSA joyride? Seems ridiculous question right? Who would have the ‘joy’ of everyday experience when passing EDSA now?  But I know many people since 1986 until now enjoying the EDSA Joyride.

I used to playback my old-school track records and came up with this powerful song written by Dong Abay in 1993. “Nakita kita kahapon may hila-hilang kariton, huminto sa may Robinson, tumanga buong maghapon. Sikat ka noon sa tv kase kasama ka sa rally pero ngayo’y nag-iisang naglalakad sa may Edsa.” What’s going on after People Power in 1986? Noted that the dictator was ousted but were there changes to people’s mind set? Did the Filipino learn the lesson from the past? Was the quality of lives of Filipinos got better? Some says, Edsa Revolution is a failed revolution. Edsa Revolution would better be called Edsa Gathering. Just like a concert, after the event, finish. Take a look at the man depicted in the song. Seems neglected by the people they put up in the political highlight. Still living as street-dweller. The Men and their entourage at the stage of people’s monuments in 1986 are now enjoying the EDSA joyride.

After nearly three decades, three EDSA People Power had been occurred. Undeniably, people are tired of idea of people power, not because of how history passing through but the hope it promised and then resulted to nothing, because after every People Power, the lives of many Filipinos did not improve. The expectation that after EDSA has a bright future, resolved the problem, history tell it did not occur. A problem in such calling a leader to step down from office is looking at it as a quick fix to a complex problem which is practically ask us a different kind of solution. The effective solution is the smart choice of leader during the election. That's the real people power.

Bangsamoro Basic Law ambiguity

Widely regarded that armed struggle of moros started because of Jabidah massacre in 1968 during Marcos regime. The question is, who have never experienced the cruelty of the regime? Not only Moros experienced that right? Jabidah massacre with the number of victims ranging from 14 to 68 is regarded but it’s just tiny fraction as the dictator was accountable for murdered more than 3,500 people throughout the archipelago. These moros also say that they are treated unfairly by the government in terms of welfare and development of their area. Another question is, are they see some other Filipinos in the country who live much worse than they have. We are all living in a poor country and we are all suffering from scourge of poverty, moros!

Groups of these armed moros which mayhem the government were sprouted like a mushrooms claiming that they represent muslim sector.  Mindanao is no longer the single entity that it was in the days of intense secessionist rebellions in the 1970s. The very reason the rebels themselves have failed to unify, splintering into groups over the decades, has had to do with their ethnic differences. Giving the power of autonomy to the MILF, which is largely Maguindanaon, does not quite make the Tausugs of Sulu happy. And what of the Maranaos, the Iranuns, the Samas and Badjaus, and the other marginalized non-Muslim tribes?

For the sake of ‘peace’, the government sat on the negotiating table with the MILF (currently dominant moro group) to negotiate and came out with so called, Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). If we read the provision under this law, it merely against the Philippine Constitution and unfair to the other sectors living in the country. BANGSAMORO is most likely HAMAS in Israel. This jihadist groups follow the same manner on how to get what they want,  so do not be deceived, this BBL will only strengthen that MILF forces. One day, it swallows the whole nation as a whole. Hamas demand: own head, own rules, own soldier, own police, own territories (Gaza). The same with MILF demand, BBL agreement: own rules, own soldier, own police, own territory (Mindanao), own head. Think about it, if BBL is implemented, it's just like we are in Israel . Israel granted Hamas took over Gaza as they cry for peace. Government of Israel thought peace is achievable if they would give to HAMAS, but it was mistake, it made the country more complicated and miserable. What happened was it just strengthen the Hamas to the point that could no longer control by Israeli government. We are next to Israel or Belguim if we allow MILF to have power in Mindanao. Because MILF is not crying for peace, what they cry is for power not only to dominate region but also all over our nation later. The dangerous of it is, they are using religion to get their muslim symphatizers . They are like HAMAS leaders use Islam to rule over the region and later our whole nation, it is not only deceiving ideology and beliefs, it is also a political reign.

Filipinos have different ancestral origin. Original Muslims in Mindanao were traders from Borneo in 14th century settled in some region in Mindanao and now on they claiming it's their ancestral domain. Is this mean, even ancient Chinese traders who settled here in Philippines can also claim an ancestral domain? Speaking of Tsinoys, as of today, there are many chinese or tsinoys live peacefully throughout the country which have roots way back then. Don’t be misinformed, muslims habitants are not original in Mindanao. before muslims, several tribes were there, BLA’AN, T’BOLI, TAGAKAULO, BAGOBO at SUBANEN. So these moro armed groups should stop their illusion that Mindanao or region in Mindanao is muslims’ ancestral domain as what these bandits claiming for. Another thing, who wants war? Philippines archepelago with 7107 islands have being recognize by international entities as a single nation with unitary system of government. Government that is made of consolidated thoughts of Filipino people for the people living in 7107 islands. The Malacañang, the Senate, the Congress, are open to everyone who wants to serve. Muslim sector is free to choose representatives, or leaders which can push through their special interests, if ever ain't seen by other legislators. We came from different ethnic group, tribes, sectors, but an unconvinced sector chose to hold guns, mayhem the government to form autonomous government. Is this people indeed doesn't want war? Another thing, do MILF represent Filipino muslims? This is a big NO! They just represents themselves for their self-interest.

If the MILF was ever sincere in pursuing the peace process, it should not be offering a handshake in one hand and holding a gun with the other. Enough with the circus, If they want peace, they are free to embrace the country's existing laws. Surrender their firearms and have a decent peaceful life. Be a civilized productive citizen. Philippine Gov "t law does not discriminate anyone.

To the MILF, how can you represent yourself as the voice of the Muslims even when you can not silence the breakaway groups that also speak the same language you do: violence? How can you be the  representative of the Muslims in the peace process when you cannot even extract and differentiate yourself from those of the enemies of peace?

We must thank the 44 SAF commandos who sacrificed their lives not just for neutralizing one of the two notorious terrorists but we must thank them more for awakening our legislators in the loopholes of the BBL and what kind of people are our government dealing with.

#junkBBL

Maguindanao Massacre II

Isang nakapanlulumong pangyayari na naman ang naganap sa katimugang bahagi ng bansa. Mahigit 50 miyembro ng PNP-SAF ang walang awang minasaker ng mahigit 300 bandidong miyembro ng BIFF at MILF.  Ang pakay lamang naman ng mga pulis ay mag-serve ng warrant-of-arrest sa dalawang notoryos na international terrorists na positibong nagkukubli sa lugar ng Maguindanao. Ayon sa survivor ng masaker, bitbit na nila ang subject, ngunit nang sila ay palabas na ng lugar, patraydor na tinambangan at pinaulanan na sila ng bala at pasabog ng mga MILF/BIFF. Nakakapag-isip tuloy na ang mga grupong ito ay nagkakanlong at nagpoprotekta ng mga terorista. Ayon mismo sa bibig ni DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, ito ay ‘misencounter’, na ibig sabihin ay aksidenteng nagkaputukan lamang ang dalawang panig. Ngunit sa mga imaheng iniwan, hindi ito matatawag na misencounter lamang kun’di masaker, o carnage, o bloodbath. Sa mga lumabas na larawan, makikita pa ang kawalang habas at pag’baboy’ sa mga labi ng mga pulis ng kanilang mga nakasagupa. Ninakaw din ang mga gamit ng bitbit ng mga pulis. Nangyari diumano ang ‘misencounter’ dahil walang coordination sa panig ng MILF ayon kay Muhaghir Iqbal na tagapagsalita ng grupo. Ang nangyaring pagpapaulan ng bala ng mga MILF at BIFF ay ‘self-defense’ lamang ayon pa rin kay Iqbal. Sa kabila ng pinagkasunduan ceasefire habang pinagugulong ang pagbabalangkas ng Bangsamoro Basic Law, heto at gumamit na naman ng dahas ang mga bandido na laging uhaw sa pagdanak ng dugo.  Sa panig ng militar (AFP), hindi sila gumawa ng hakbang upang ayudahan ang mga pulis dahil iginagalang nila ang ceasefire agreement. Pero sa panig ng MILF, walang ceasefire-ceasefire kapag nakakita ng kalaban. Hayst, anong klaseng mga kausap ito? Ayon kay Sen. Peter Cayetano na binawi na ang suporta sa BBL, ‘no coordination’ lang ang sasabihin nila pagkatapos imasaker ang mga pulis. Paano tayo magtitiwala sa mga ganitong klaseng tao? Paano tayo magtitiwala sa pamunuan ng grupong ito na hindi kayang pangasiwaan ang lugar? Na mismong mga tauhan nila ay hindi nila kayang makontrol. Na wala silang ginagawang hakbang upang masakote ang mga teroristang naglulungga sa kanilang lugar.

Ang Malacañang ay nagpaunang sabi, hindi raw dapat makaapekto sa isinasagawang agreement at pagbuo ng BBL ang nangyari. Iyon daw ay isolated case at misencounter lamang. Ibig sabihin, no plan for retaliation, no plan to make justice. Kumbaga, mismong ang gobyerno pa ang nagpapababa ng bigat ng nangyari. Ayaw kase nilang madiskaril ang plano ng pangulong BS Aquino na isulong ang agreement dahil sa minimithing Nobel Peace Prize na gustong iwanang legacy ng kanyang panunungkulan at pagtakpan ang kahinaan ng kanyang administrasyon na matatapos na ang termino sa isang taon ay ni wala pang nagagawang malakihang pagbabago. Kahit na ito’y pagdura sa libingan ng mga sundalo at pulis na idinilig ang dugo sa pakikipaglaban sa mga terorista at bandidong ito noon pa mang nakalipas na mga dekada.  Kahit na labag sa saligang batas at yurakan ang soberanya ng bansa ay ayos lamang. Kaya naman, nakakatawang nakakaasar nang nagpahayag sina Sec. Mar Roxas at PNP Director General Leonardo Espina na hindi sila ‘informed’ sa gagawing operation. WTF, General? Hindi kayo aware na may huhulihing INTERNATIONAL terrorists sa panahon at lugar na iyon! Anong klaseng pamumuno ‘yan? Ngayon nga ay ibinabagsak ang sisi sa mga downline officers ang malagim na naganap. O gusto lamang talagang sang-ayunan ang pahayag ng pamunuan ng mga bandido na ‘no coordination’ nga. Ibig palabasin na, both parties agrees for ‘no coordination’ lapses, para makakuha na simpatiya at bumaba ang pagngingitngit  ng taumbayan sa nangyari.

Dahil sa pangyayari, ayon kay Sen. Bongbong Marcos, na namumuno sa pagdinig ng BBL, “A peace settlement cannot be legislated under the threat of such extreme violence.”  Ha, sa tagal nang panahon ngayon lang napansin na may ‘extreme violence’ nga sa katimugan, ngayong may minasaker na 50 pulis. Kunsabagay, ganito naman talaga sa Pinas, walang krimen kung hindi napa-publish. Pero sa totoo lamang noon pa man laganap na ang ‘extreme violence sa Mindanao. Ang walang kakayahang dis-armahan ang mga grupo ng bandito at terorista sa Mindanao ay laging nariyan ang ‘extreme violence’.  Na noon pa man ay may mga travel advisories na ang mga bansa na iwasang pumunta sa katimugang bahagi ng bansa dahil mapanganib ang lugar.

Jackpot ang mga bandidong MILF sa BBL. Kung saan, magkakaroon sila ng malaking kapangyarihan sa lugar, mas malayang magagawa ang gustong gawin. Hindi na ba nadala ang gobyerno kay Nur Misuari na noo’y binigyan ng autonomiyang pamunuan ang bahagi ng Mindanao pero, ano ang nangyari?, wala! Lalo lamang nalugmok ang kanyang nasasakupan dahil ang resources ng lugar ay ginamit lamang sa pansariling interes. Sa paghahangad ng ‘peace’ kuno sa Mindanao, sangkaterbang diplomasya ang pinapairal ng gobyerno. Ngunit paano nga ba makipag-usap sa mga bandidong kulang sa pihit ang turnilyo ng utak? ‘Ika nga sa commercial, ‘hindi dapat bini-beybi ang mikrobyo...pinapatay!’
Bakit kailangang makipagkasundo at bigyan ng sariling kapangyarihan sa lugar ang mga bandidong ito. Sa totoo lang they are decentralized, they control nothing, kahit ang sarili nilang mga miyembro hindi nila kayang kontrolin. Ang pruweba? Sa pasimula pa lamang, kung paano nanganganak sa iba't ibang grupo yan, from MNLF to MILF to BIFF, ibig sabihin bawat unit o bawat lugar ay may kanya kanyang diskarte ang mga pinuno ng pangkat. May kanya kanyang gustong mangyari, interes at maghari kaya naman nanganganak ng iba't ibang paksyon ang mga bandidong ito. Makipag-ayos man ang gobyerno sa MILF, nariyan pa rin ang MNLF at BIFF na sila naman ang manggugulo dyan sa Mindanao.

Kaya naman makiisa. Junk BBL agreement!

Pope is Hope

In my experience attending corporate training programs — specially those involving team dynamics and motivation approaches — I have always been impressed with the way the really good trainors are able to create a euphoric pumped-up vibe in the participants over the course of the session. The courses that are conducted away from the office over several days are particularly effective as they also create a community spirit amongst the participants in the program. Not surprisingly we come out of such training programs carrying with us that ‘high’ that supposedly will fuel a change in behaviour for the better.

Those trainors certainly are worth the big bucks they’re paid. And it’s good money — considering they are not accountable for what happens to their training subjects after they leave the nest. It is really up to the boss — or whoever forked out company money to have their employees trained in an expensive course — to ensure that the expected outcomes of the investment are met by actual results.
Scale this up to a national level and you get an idea of the expectations now resting on Filipinos in the aftermath of the visit of Pope Francis. Tax money as well as the enormous costs to do with disruptions to business all over the country thanks to the security measures and holidays effected during the papal visit have been incurred. Even more to the point, Filipinos and their top opinion-shapers, have waxed heavenly poetry over how the pope has “inspired”, “unified”, “uplifted”, and “blessed” Filipinos during his brief stay.

The bottom line, if we are to believe all this, is that Pope Francis’s presence in the Philippines over the last few days brought about “a renewed sense of hope” among Filipinos.

Hope in what exactly? Well, that depends on the answer to this question:

Will the costs incurred by the papal visit be capitalised? Or will they merely be written off?
Excuse for now the accounting-speak but this is worth bearing in mind. When you capitalise a cost, you do so recognising that a lasting asset was created. When you write off a cost, you recognise that there will be no significant legacy left by the outcome of said expense over the foreseeable future.
What exactly is the tangible asset that Pope Francis will be leaving behind in the Philippines? To be sure, he did not build a factory that will employ a hundred thousand Filipinos over the next 20 years. So far, too, there is no evidence that he has implemented any significant reforms in the Philippines’ Roman Catholic leadership that would change the primitive way Catholicism is imparted on the majority Catholic population. And neither did the pope commit to some kind of economic treaty that could contribute to the country’s development.

Of course, none of those are things that could be reasonably expected of a visiting pope. Pope Francis, after all, came as a spiritual leader, not a diplomatic Santa Claus. What the Pope will have supposedly achieved is to contribute to the spiritual enrichment of Filipinos. In short, Filipinos, in theory, will have come out of the experience spiritually wealthier. The legacy left by the pope is expected to be an intangible spiritual wealth.

So are Filipinos wealthier in spirit following this momentous papal visit?
That is the 100 million-peso question. Much the same way defenders of the extravagant “royal wedding” of Filipino starlets Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera like to point out that such spectacles serve an important purpose in society — to deliver a similar spiritual experience to their legions of fans in the form of momentary distractions from their wretchedness, the pope’s legacy is a similarly euphoric state. And we all know how long those things last.
The challenge therefore is for Filipinos to make the Pope Effect last. To be sure, millions of Filipinos saw the pope and shared the experience of being in his holy presence as a community. The question in this light, however, is a bit more confronting:

Did Filipinos actually hear what he said?

There are many rock stars who write great meaningful lyrics. The trouble with their fans is that they hear the music but not the words. Pope Francis certainly earned the distinction as the modern-era’s rock star pope. His Philippine visit affirmed that title. The thing with rock’n roll is that it is best experienced with sex and drugs. But, as my colleague pointed out, “The worst time to tell a person he’s an alcoholic is while he’s drunk.” The key lesson, therefore, is that the wealth in the pope’s visit lies in the messages he brings supposedly as God’s earthly vassal. Hopefully, Filipinos listened.

So perhaps we will wait out the next 100 days following this momentous occasion and review in hindsight what the papal visit really meant to Filipinos.
-Getrealphilippines.