June 2014

0

Kaning Tutong at kape....

Posted on Monday 30 June 2014



*Kaning  tutong  at  kape…
(Burnt rice and coffee)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kaning tutong, pilit kinakayod
Sasabawan ng mainit na kape
Nang  maski paano’y lumambot-
Biyayang maituturing ng  iba
Upang maipanlaman sa sikmura
At mapawi ang gutom sa umaga.

(Burnt  rice at the bottom of the pot
All it needs is coffee to soften it a bit
For  the poor,  a  blessing  from  heaven
Enough  to  fill  a  grumbling,  aching  tummy
That  for  days,  trembled  with  pain, agony
Blissful  breakfast,  to  last the whole day.)

(*Filipino language)

0

"Honest" Corruption and the "Dirty" Money



“Honest” Corruption
And the “Dirty” Money
By Apolinario Villlaobos

A congressman blatantly and seemingly with authority declared that receiving money from Napoles is not bad, because it is “her own”, from her bank account, not from any government account. Simply said, only Napoles is guilty, not those whose palms she greased with money. If this is how our lawmakers think, our country is really going to the dogs!

No wonder why, years before election, there is a quandary in “raising funds” by politicians. After transferring these funds to several bank accounts, they become “legally” theirs. That is how the lawmaker was trying to say, exposing himself to the people, because it is part of the plunder process in the Phlippines. It looks like, he knows the process by heart. I wonder if he is also a high school graduate.

Corruption in the Philippines has sadly become part of its political culture. A popular adage is that if one would want to get rich instantly, he should join politics.  The People Power did little, if ever, to improve the lot of the people, because only faces changed when Cory Aquino assumed the presidency. The same corrupt attitude is still there, saturating the air of Senate, Congress, even the Palace. The good thing that the People Power did was inspire other countries, especially, Poland. It showed again, that the Philippines is only good in initiating… there is no consistency in what we do.

Several elections were held, and always, vote-buying was involved. The latest election showed the most scandalous vote buying ever, but although apprehensions were made and cases filed in the COMELEC, nothing came out of them. It is this indifferent attitude of concerned agencies that embolden corrupt officials, and further cultivate the political culture. Compared to a tree, it has grown robustly and become deeply rooted to the ground.

People in the government see peso opportunity in everything that they do. This embarrassing attitude has put the image of the Filipinos in a bad light, even on the issue of donations. A glaring situation is how billions of dollars of donations are being handled. Foreign donors were shocked to learn that after many months, only fifty relocation houses were built for the victims of typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban. Even the rehabilitation czar himself, Ping Lacson, complains about the indifference of two agencies that are supposed to be actively involved. This is just the tip of iceberg, as they say, because nothing has been mentioned yet, about sold donated goods, which concerned agencies, expectedly deny.

0

Filipino Patriotism



Filipino Patriotism                                                    
By Apolinario Villalobos

Patriotism is nationalism – love of country. The extreme manifestation is fighting to death for the sake of one’s country. Filipinos are proud to use such adjective for themselves. Such show of patriotism was done first at the shores of Mactan Island in the province of Cebu where the Spanish Magellan was slain by Lapu-lapu, a local chieftain. The manifestation went on with the fight against Spain whose “conquest” of the country was made possible with the use of the cross. Later, the Filipinos showed this zeal against the Americans and Japanese.

Today, the patriotic fervor of the radical Filipinos consistently shows their disgust for the Americans whom they accuse of discreetly controlling the Philippine government. Unfortunately, this unrestrained outpouring of emotion results to vandalism. These are seen on defaced walls, bridges and fences spray-painted with communistic slogans, anti-American and anti-Filipino administration messages, not to mention the caricatures of hated local officials and whoever American president is sitting at the White House.

The radical groups keep on holding rallies at the US embassy and set aside the crucial issue against the intrusion by China of the West Philippine Sea. They do not hold rallies against the dumping of electronic waste in the country by other countries, the factories that dump waste into Pasig River and Manila Bay, the issue on Manila being developed by foreign drug lords as a distribution hub in Asia,  and the constantly rising tuition fees and prices of basic commodities, to name a few. These groups that carry red banners and streamers painted with hammer and sickle disrupt traffic on their way to Malacanan and US embassy…all because, they thought, they are patriotic, and to which I must honestly, though, partly conform.

For a change, why can’t these groups call the attention of local governments on the stinking public toilets and waterways clogged with garbage in their respective domains?…the beggars who literally convert sidewalks into makeshift homes and who should be given assistance by their respective social welfare offices?...the street urchins who are supposed to be rounded up and sheltered in juvenile homes?...the Badjaos who should be trained on livelihood endeavors rather than be tolerated begging in the streets?...and many more issues that could better occupy their time than harangue the Americans?

As a Filipino, I am also affected by the so-called “mismanagement” of our country resulting to the rampant corrupt practices, so deeply rooted that solutions seem to be no longer in sight. As an individual, though, I must admit that I am just an obscure voice in the wilderness of discontent. I want to be part of a movement for a patriotic advocacy, but how can I be encouraged to do it when all I see are groups that see violent acts as the only way of being heard? Never have I seen an attempt for restraint on their part. It seems that the more violent and provocative actions they have, the better for them to attract the attention of the media…hence, the better for their cause. 

Filipino patriotism should be tinged with values for which we are known. We are a non-violent and resilient race and our values should be manifested in all we do…including protest actions.

0

Insufficiency in Life of Exploited Filipinos...whose fault?



Insufficiency In Life of Exploited Filipinos
…whose fault?
By Apolinario Villalobos


 Insufficiency in life of exploited Filipinos  is not a choice but a misfortune that resulted due to the greed of compatriots “up there”. It is not fair to declare that the Badjaos, for instance, should blame themselves for their ignorance. These people tried to live decently, but the government failed to reach out to them, just because they live in almost inaccessible islands of Tawi-tawi and Sulu. The government did not put up schools in their villages so that they can have the same opportunity afforded to the rest of Filipinos living in towns and cities.

Those living in depressed areas which the hypocrites perceive as nests of hoodlums are blind to the realities that these people left their provinces because of political unrests. They went to cities with a fervent hope that they can find a new life or nurture a new one. But the indolent government people who are receiving fat wages and allowances refuse to even give them a second look as they rummage through garbage dumps for morsels of food. They are herded like animals towards the direction where government activities are held to show the world that they are solid in their support of whoever sits in Malacaῆan Palace. They endure this humiliation in exchange for a packed lunch. During campaigns for forthcoming elections, they are accused of selling their votes…but can a grumbling stomach make a choice? What about those vultures in the lawmaking halls that feed on the people’s money?

Every time the prime city of Manila expects international dignitaries, these unfortunates who find nocturnal solace in the warmth of sidewalks are “collected” and brought to the Department of Social Welfare compounds where they are “processed” – names taken, addresses noted, etc. At the end they are again let out soonest as the dignitaries have flown out of Manila.

The promised comfort of the country’s inclusion in the WTO and the frenzy of privatization remained hollow. For the real needy, the effect is not felt. Only the few got richer. The country has just become a milking cow of economically stronger nations. The country’s leaders are blaming each other for the difficulties that the country is experiencing…nobody is willing to accept even a grain of fault.

The cycle of exploitation and suffering in the Philippines is never ending. The passing of the blame is equally endless. The best way that the exploited Filipino can do is not to perceive insufficiency as a stumbling block that hinders one’s dream. Rather, it should be treated as a force that pulls one to continue moving forward, no matter what the real hindrances are. But for how long can the exploited Filipino endure it?

0

Ang "Squid Tactic"...bebenta kaya?



Ang “Squid Tactic”
…bebenta kaya?
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang “squid” tactic ay isang sistema na ang layunin ay malambungan ang mga kasiraan at kahinaan ng isang gobyerno. Panglambong din ito sa mga isyu na nagbibigay ng problema sa nakaupong administrasyon. Maaaring gawin  ito sa pamamagitan ng mga kasiya-siyang proyekto upang malibang ang  mga tao o di kaya ay magpakalat ng nakakabahalang mga isyu tungkol sa seguridad upang mabaling dito ang atensiyon ng mga tao.

Noong panahon ni Marcos, upang ma-divert ang attention sa mga naiipong tanong tungkol sa mga gastos ay nagkaroon ng iba’t ibang international events sa bansa, tulad ng Miss Universe pageants at international film festivals. Nang lumala ang pagkadiskuntento ng mga tao na idinaan sa sunud-sunod na mga protesta, maraming mga isyung naglabasan tungkol sa seguridad ng bansa, lalo na ang mga tungkol sa komunismo, na ang pinakamatindi ay ang pagpasabog sa Plaza Miranda na naging dahilan  sa pag-impose ng Martial Law.

Ngayon kaliwa’t kanan ang mga isyung nagpapalubog sa kasalukuyang administrasyon. Ang pinakamatindi dito ay ang pagkurakot sa kaban ng bayan. Sinundan ng mga pagsirit ng mga presyo ng mga bilihin. Lalong nagpataranta sa gobyerno ang panawagan ng taong bayan na bumitiw sa tungkulin ang maski mga pinagdududahang mga opisyal tulad ni Abad, Alcala at marami pang iba, na hanggang ngayon ay kapit-tuko sa kani-kanilang pwesto dahil “they serve at the pleasure of the president” daw.

Biglang lumutang ang isyu sa seguridad. Lulusubin daw ng mga terorista ang Davao City, at iba pang malalaking karatig na lunsod tulad ng Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City, Koronadal City, at Zamboanga City. Ang nagbabalak daw nito ay isang grupong pinamumunuan ng isang lider ng Abu Sayyaf na bihasa sa paggawa ng bomba. Ang dahilan daw ay tutol sila sa namuong peace agreemenent sa pagitan ng gobyerno at MILF na nagbigay hudyat sa balak na pagkakaroon ng “sariling pamahalaan” ng pinagkaisang mga piling bayan at lunsod sa Mindanao. Baka daw umabot sa Maynila ang terroristic activities.

Mismong ang presidente pa ang tumawag daw sa mayor ng Davao City. Bakit siya at hindi ang intelligence unit ng Armed Forces at bakit binrodkast agad sa mga media? Bakit noong bago lusubin ng MNLF faction ni Misuari ang Zamboanga, hindi niya tinawagan ang mayor ng Zamboanga? Ano ang gustong palabasin ng administrasyon ngayon?

Dati nang gumagala ang mga terorista sa Mindanao at sa Maynila, media din ang nagsabi nyan. At, ang mga pangingidnap nila ay walang patid, subalit walang magawa ang gobyerno, kaya hindi na ito issue. Nakikita daw ang mga terorista, may sightings – bakit hindi nila hulihin? Bakit kailangang magpalabas pa ng press release? Upang malaman ba ng taong bayan na kumikilos ang Armed Forces at kapulisan, eh, obligasyon naman nila talaga ito?

May nahuli na isang financier daw ng Abu Sayyaf – fine, dapat lang naman dahil trabaho nila.  Nagawa nila ito dahil, tahimik lamang ang ahensiyang nagsagawa. Nalaman nga lang nang mahuli na. Ngayon, sa issue ng terorismo daw na banta sa Davao, bakit kailangang “mag-ingay” to the point na parang nagpa-panic, dahil presidente na mismo ang tumawag sa mayor ng Davao?

Ang mga bagay na may kinalaman sa seguridad ng isang bansa ay hindi inaanunsiyo para hindi mag-panic ang taong bayan. At lalong, upang hindi malaman ng mga kalaban ang mga hakbang na gagawin ng gobyerno.  Bakit hindi ituloy ng mga intelligence units ng gobyerno ang tahimik nilang mga pagkilos upang makahuli uli sa paraang, malaman man ng bayan sa bandang huli ay nagawa na nila?  Isang malaking pagka-iresponsable sa panig ng gobyerno ang manguna na pagpakalat ng pangamba sa sambayanan…. maliban lamang kung may dahilan.

May gusto yata silang lambungan o takpan o i-cover, etc….magtagumpay naman kaya ang layunin nila upang ma-divert ang attention ng taong bayan mula sa isyu ng korapsyon at mga nakakagutom na pagsirit ng mga presyo ng mga bilihin na nagsisilbing mga blackeye ng gobyerno?

Ang nakakatawa, pinakalat pa sa mga radio stations ang balitang “hindi pa raw nakakakapasok sa Davao City ang mga terrorists at malayo pa sila sa Maynila”, binanggit pa ang pangalan ng lider ng mga terorista!  Nasusubaybayan  pala ng mga “matatalinong” taong gobyernong ito ang kilos ng mga terorista, kaya alam kong saan sila, eh, bakit hindi nila hulihin, para matapos na ang laban? … ungas lang ang maniniwala diyan! Ang nakakabahala ay baka maglabas ng mga fall guys… na naman! Remember…malapit na ang State of the Nation Address (SONA). Dapat may magandang masabi, di ba? Abangan….na lang.

Kung ganito ng ganito ang mangyayari, talagang lalabas na inutil ang gobyerno dahil mismong Armed Forces ay ampaw ang kakayahan sa paglutas ng mga kahalintulad na mga problema, na sinabayan pa ng isyung paglustay ng pera ng taong bayan para sa “pagpaganda” ng tirahan ng namumuno ng Philippine National Police. Ano pa ang aasahan ng taong bayan?