Life in Philippines, as an ordinary middle-class citizen, actually sucks.. I am just too tired of leaving my house two hours before work everyday just so I could get to office on time, I mean my goodness, I just live in Metro Manila, and to be honest, I don’t need 2 hours just to get to work on time, but I had to, because I had to bare not only with the freaking traffic, but with also the buses (you know they have to stop at every corner and practically line up with the other freaking buses even if there really are not much passengers that are interested to get inside these hell-like vehicles), if I do take the MRT, I just might switch my face with another person, that train is practically going to explode, not of bomb but of too much passengers, that no matter how much I try to contain my small trash inside my bag and not to throw it anywhere, some 10 hoodlum will eventually throw theirs without care, I am also very very tired that whenever I turn the TV on for news, I just get dismayed, not only of the news, but also of the commercials and other stupid shows( can you believe that commercial, claiming that we are not number 1 in corruption, I think it was for a particular newspaper, then I guess we’re number 2 in corruption, and we should be glad with that?!?), I can’t believe I still watch TV.. That no matter how much hard work I do, just I could finish more work and move into the next work (to be productive, you know..) but then I’d be deemed weird by other officemates (to say the least), if not be pulled down because of other’s lack of work ethics (or efficiency?), talk about crab mentality..

At the end of the day it is not just about the monetary (yet it is very important and thus it affects all of us), but it is about the inefficiency and incompetency that I deal with everyday, imagine walking in an unwalkable, crooked sidewalk.. those little things that I’m too tired to deal with already, and why do I have to? I could opt to go somewhere else and not be like this..

i bet you must be interested in much debated open skies policy at Clark, i have a copy of Avellino Zapanta rants about it in my blog. You might want to read it.

But for pilots, the CEB GOOKongwei and Uncle Tan’s PAL really pay peanuts. That’s why we choose to fly for others especially for the rich Arabs where the pay is so much more handsome than Rico Yan, with per diem per month alone worth more than what PAL and CEB offered (consider last bargain).

kev

1. As with a lot of the people here, I believe that we have find ways to control the continuous population growth. Religion and Human Rights is one big opposition to this. I would guess that human rights activist would say that even the poorest should have the right to have as many babies as they want. But they would not think about the children’s right to eat well, live well, education…etc. Then they will blame the government for not taking care of the poor. Bad… They need to be learn simple cause and effects.

2. We can only hope to slow down the increase of population, but what will we do to the billions who are already living? Livelihood programs, things like that? Just find something useful for them to do, if they lack skills, give them at least basic education, enough for them to be factory workers or whatever.

Problem is, most people wants to take shortcuts. Even if they are not skilled, they would not want to take mundane jobs because they will be paid less, they would rather be drug pushers, holduppers, swindlers, because it takes less effort but gives more proffit.

3. We have a beautiful country, most of us know that already. Improving tourism will bring more tourists of course, meaning more money, more jobs for the provinces, so less people will look for jobs here in the metro and will end up being squatters.

4. For the politicians. Is it possible to let the constituents know of the proposed projects, inluding the budget and procurement of materials BEFORE they are actually implemented? I’m guessing it is possible, but this would lessen the income/kickback of some people so it is not implemented.

The discussion caught my attention and it makes me happy that there are people out there who are deeply angry about our country’s current situation.

In truth the only way we can change things is if we, the educated middle class, start participating in elections and making a stand. We allow the actors and actresses to run for office, we allow the drug lords to be elected and we allow the family of former dictators back into our country.

Unless some of us find our way in government to change things, our country will never recover from this disease of corruption.

The adults took the condoms and gave it to children to use a water balloons.

The adults consented to the procedure but on the scheduled date of pick-up could not be found anywhere.

I asked him what was the reason for the resistance. He said the people resisted bec they believed it would reduce the pleasure during sex. They did not mention the Catholic teaching. In the end, it was about carnal pleasure.

Intrestingly, this experience jaded the old man and convinced his to take the opportunity to leave the Phil. When I met him, he was a taxi driver in the US.

Sex without contraception = multiple children = increasing responsibility. Seems to be pretty straightforward soI wonder why most poor people don’t seem to make the connection.

While the old man’s sad tale is from way back 70s, the current population growth rate shows the country is still very much prolific and I would think the old man’s finding is still very much true today.

Reasoning as above indicate these people are unwilling to delay gratification and are unwilling to exercise discipline.

Discipline & sacrifice are among the very important and fundamental traits for success in any endeavour. Our country will not progress until the majority of the population practices this.

Our politicians have contributed much to our current sorry state but productivity is not produced by politicians. This statistic is produced by the populace. And each Filipino will have to accept their responsibility and contribution to this.

A separation of Church and State is essential if anything in this country is to properly work. It seems a daunting task what when vote-begging season is now here, and we see politicians willing to proffer the comforts of their mother’s crotches to any religious mob who will deliver them votes (regardless of how horrifically-coiffed the religious leader is…or how ridiculous his suit is tailoured). That said, it must be noted that Kemal Mustafa successfully managed to extract the ecclesiastical from State…and this he did in a more ultra-conservative climate decades ago and with a more rabidly religious population. So there is historical precedent for it.

Removed of the rather corny histrionics of flag-waving and melodramatic teary-sentiment of leaving the land of one’s birth, I do not see anything wrong in Filipinos going wherever from which to earn more money. At its very core, it is merely a choice for finer fiscal pastures…a fatter paycheck. It comes back to the country anyway. Presently, up to 40% of residential purchases is attributed to Filipinos overseas. This is to say that they are putting their money in hard assets. The money stays. And positively affects all aspects of the economy.

But it is quite another if all that one sees are the negatives and then encourages many to pack their bags and go. That is tragic. When practically everybody’s gone, then there will be no Philippines to speak of. Not the kind of Philippines that each one of us deserves.

I salute those who despite their frustration and anger still do what they can to help others, our country. In my small way, too, I try. Whenever I have the opportunity, you can bet I seize every one of them. Back in Mindanao where I used to work, I would tell the communities that as we work together and accomplish our targets one by one, every such success is the success of the whole barangay, every success of the barangay is the success of the municipality, the success of the municipality is the success of the province, the province’s is the region’s and the region’s is the country’s. Why? Because we are all Filipinos, regardless of faith and/or ethnicity (e.g. Samal, Tausug, Ybanag, Waray). We are all connected. Too, the Philippines is not just Manila or Luzon. And despite all the discouraging news about the nation, about the conflicts in Mindanao and some of their/our brother and sister Muslims, they actually contribute to the wealth and beautiful heritage of this nation. Soon as they realised that, they were emboldened to actually, really do something more for their own development. Also, as we were discussing their vision, I also told them, as an example, that mine was to see my son one day, romping along their shores, freely enjoying every second of the experience with their children–without any apprehension on my part. I did not realise that it made such an impact on them. To this day, almost three years since I left the project, they consult me or just share their trials and tribulations with me. And they have taken to heart what I taught them. To strive to be able to stand on their own feet, to be self-sustaining, self-sufficient, with or without external assistance (shades of mojito_drinker?); and to teach their children the values we have learned as I continue to do so with my own son. Admittedly, as others have expressed, we still need one “leader” who can, who will lead, truly, so that efforts that we have bravely exerted will not be lost or remain too small to have a national impact in the more immediate term. I wish, I pray…. I suppose, voting the better people (you’re right MM, in that there doesn’t seem to be anyone who invites confidence) is the next best way to start.

By the way addy, it’s alright. Realising it (not being proud to be a Filipino), admitting to the fact and feeling ashamed of it is a good start. Now, please work on it. Have the heart and the resolve to see what’s good around you. You feel ashamed because you feel you are part of it. Now, only if you would feel enough, enough to work with others or do as others do in doing the best they can, within their sphere of influence to try and turn things around. I tell you it’s fulfilling and you will feel renewed as you find like-minded individuals (as in the proactive and optimistic and hopeful and proud Filipino types).

I don’t know if it means anything to any of you, but for the longest time, my husband and I resisted the idea of going abroad. Then, about 2 years ago, I relented somewhat, more out of desperation really. We worked on our papers and completed all the requirements. We didn’t have enough money to shoulder the required expenses though but then again, if there’s a will, there’s a way, right? But somehow, we are still here, struggling, laughing and living in good old Pilipinas. We didn’t submit anything. We didn’t apply. We teach our only son to be a proud Filipino and I tell you he is. But he also is aware of our ills even if he does not understand all of it. He knows that the best way he can do to help now is to be a good son, a diligent student, a conscientious member of the community (not littering, being respectful of neighbours, being a good influence on his fellow children, etc.). In time, he would come to understand more and be able to discern what role he could most effectively take on to be a good kababayan and citizen. Matagal pa yata yun but hey, I’m an optimist.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=56107

a good and entertaining (albeit unintenional) read especially for non-filipino marketmanila readers who really want to understand the Philippines’ political kaleidoscope.