August 2015

The Evolution of the Deeply-rooted Elitist

Political and Economic Dominion that Controls the Philippines

By Apolinario Villalobos

When the Americans took over the reins of authority over the Philippines from the Spaniards, they saw the convenience in using the existing peasant-tenant relationship. This approach was used by Jacob Schurman who was appointed by the then, President McKinley, to head the Schurman Commission which subtly used the Filipino elite in laying down the groundwork for an effective control of the population in 1899.

In Negros, however, the job of the Americans was made easier by the local elite and landlords who did not wait to be prodded. They took the initiative of organizing a provisional government with the obvious objective of protecting their vast holdings and interests. Among them were Juan Araneta, Jose Luzuriaga, Leandro Locsin, Demetrio Larena, ang Agustin Montilla. They took the effort of contacting the Americans who were busy in their subjugation operations in Luzon and Visayas regions. Finally, on February 1899, representatives of the elite Negrenses succeeded in touching base with the military government under Gen. E. Otis, who eventually, created the Visayan Military district with Gen. James F. Smith at the helm, as the island’s Governor.

As pockets of the Aguinaldo-led resistance movement under the Malolos Revolutionary government were still present in Negros, open hostilities eventually ensued between them and the American-supported Negros elite and landlords, with the latter eventually prevailing.

The same pattern of partnership or collaboration between the elite/landowners and the Americans was also employed in Luzon with Baliuag (Bulacan) as the starting point. The successful takeover of towns by Americans, finally led to the capture of Aguinaldo in 1901, in Isabela. Unfortunately, the effort of the Americans using the mentioned strategy did not succeed in Mindanao. Meanwhile, the organizational plan for the subjugated towns was prepared by a Committee headed by the American-appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Cayetano Arellano.

For the central government’s Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, the American-controlled Philippine Commission, appointed prominent personalities, still from the elite stratum of the population. Very prominent was the Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano, a law professor of the University of Santo Tomas, practicing lawyer and with strong inclination and conviction about the belief in the “sovereignty of the United States over the Philippines.” Other renowned members of the elite society who took political center stage were: Manuel L. Quezon, Manuel  Roxas, Gregorio Araneta, Benito Legarda, Osmeῆa, Jose Laurel, Jose Abad Santos, Elpidio Quirino, Benigno Aquino Sr., Claro M. Recto, Camilo Osias, Emilio Tirona, Juan Sumulong, Pedro Gil, and Ruperto Montinola, among many others.

The Americans were wise in using the elite for their orchestrated control of the Luzon and Visayas regions, and parts of Mindanao. The said group had the fear of losing their privileges and security of their interests, in view of the growing clamor of the masses for the redistribution of land since the later part of the Spanish regime, and they saw an opportunity in cooperating with the Americans in exchange for such objective. They also had an historical distrust of the masses, whom they viewed with disgust, being uneducated and whom they alleged to be dwelling on dubious moral values. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera and Cayetano Arellano were specially, vocal about these views.

The hideous strategy of the Americans with the strong cooperation of the elite not only widened the gap between the peasants and the landlords in the Visayas and Luzon regions. The landlords became richer as they broadened the extent of their haciendas while the peasants became more impoverished as they suffered the same fate under the Spanish landlords that included the friars.

Meanwhile, the control of the three branches of the central government by the elite families, resulted to the “blooming” of political dynasties. The already securely- entrenched political families were joined later on by their financially- struggling allies who became rich when they also, entered the political arena.

Today, the economic and political dominion that controls the country is distributed among the historic political families and landlords, native and mestizo business tycoons who have tract records in supporting the political dynasties that move heaven and earth to perpetuate their hold on political reins of the country, and the new breed of rags-to-riches political “geniuses”. It is an inhuman conspiracy that not even hell can equal!

Nobody is Free from Corruption

..but there is a difference in the degree of guilt

By Apolinario Villalobos

To corrupt the mind is to pollute it, an act which is a deviation from what is universally accepted as good. In other words, such act is not only about stealing money from the government coffer or people’s money. It is also about influence-peddling, showing of pornographic films to minors, etc. In this view, practically, everybody is guilty of corruption. However, the degree of guilt differs as regards the situation, environment and objective. That is the reason why Mr. Webster came up with such comparatives as, “bad, worse, and worst”.

An ordinary government clerk who stole a petty cash worth Php200.00 cannot be fairly compared with his boss who accepted “grease money” worth Php1million. Simply put, ordinary Filipinos who are guilty of stealing groceries because of hunger, cannot be fairly compared with rich politicians who are habitually accepting commissions from projects at 30-60 percent, instead of the tolerable and traditional 5 to 10 percent. What they are pocketing are people’s money, yet. Although, the acts of theft are the same, the degree of guilt and objectives are different. In this regard, ordinary Filipinos who themselves, are also guilty of corruption should not be viewed with culpability or hypocrites when they are accusing their fraudulent congressmen and senators, or anybody in the high hierarchy of the government of such act.

It is wrong for others to insist that since nobody is “clean”, no one has the right to accuse a corrupt politician. If that kind of reasoning is followed, then mankind might as well, do away with the “justice system” in any form. Instead, every man should be allowed to apply justice as he sees fit, and the norm, “innocent unless proven guilty” should be done away with, too. Justice should be done on the spot, soon as the culprit is caught without the benefit of a trial.

Today, the world is bereft with greed, and corruption in the government is one of the clear manifestations. Those who sit on the fence and view the happenings around them, one of which is the hurling of accusations to suspected government officials, should not get “hurt” and insist on the familiar and already mentioned line, “innocent unless proven guilty”. They should open their mind and be analytical to understand the situation, instead of bringing out narrow contentions that tend to be one-sided.

Those who are courageous enough to even mentally admit that they are corrupt, should be thankful if their commission is in a lesser degree compared to others, especially, those in the government. But it should not stop them from telling the latter to change their ways or vacate their position…and in bringing out what are in their mind about the matter so that others may know.

Corruption shall never End

For as long as Political Appointment Prevails

By Apolinario Villalobos

Political appointments are made for the obvious reason of ensuring support for the appointing official, from the agencies to which the appointees are assigned…nothing else. Such hideous practice is what the Filipinos inherited from the Americans. This historical bit is hinged on the question why the federalism system of government was not included in what the Americans allowed the Filipinos to copy from them. Despite the almost photo-copied Constitution of the Americans, the “centralized” system prevailed – obviously, for tight control via appointment of trusted early political leaders, foremost of whom was the late Manuel A. Roxas, who became the First President of the Republic under the shadow of MacArthur. Roxas was the original pro-American Filipino who praised his mentors to high heavens in his speeches, although other politicians viewed him as a “collaborator” during the WWII.

On March 11, 1947, Philippine Congress with an obvious blessing of the then, President Roxas, amended the Constitution with the following provision, as approved by the people in a plebiscite: “…the disposition, exploitation, development, and utilization of all agricultural, timber, and mineral lands of the public domain, waters, mineral, coal, petroleum, and other natural resources of the Philippines, and the operation of public utilities, shall, if open to any person, be open to citizens of the United States and to all forms of business enterprises owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by citizens of the United States….”- parity rights of the Americans well-defined in the Philippine Constitution, thanks to Roxas!

Roxas considered American exploitation of the country’s natural resources as “blessings”, out of which he dreamed of “wealth, contentment, peace, and prosperity….” He followed this up with a speech in Plaza Miranda in March 17, 1947, in which he intoned: “We have today our one big chance to convert our native land into an ideal of democracy. Our one chance is to grow and industrialize to reach the firs rank of the nations of the world. We have this chance because of the heroism we displayed in the war (WWII); we have this chance because we have demonstrated by deed our love for freedom. We have earned the gratitude of mankind. We can and will show tomorrow that we deserve that gratitude by plunging courageously ahead in the great tasks we face.” That “tomorrow” in his speech is today where we are now.

Just before he died, Roxas emphasized his pro-American color with a speech at Kelly Theater in the United States in April 15, 1948, in which he said, “…But if war should come, if God in His Supreme Wisdom shall will it that the scourge of war again visit the bewildered peoples of the earth. I am certain of one thing…and it is this, that in case of a new war waged by the aggressor against the forces of freedom and liberty, the American and Filipino soldiers will again fight side by side in the same trenches or in the air in defense of justice, of freedom, and the other principles which we both love and cherish.” In the evening of the day he delivered the speech, he died – alone, as he gasped his last.

Political appointments from then on, proliferated in the government, understandably, to ensure support from the already “awakening” consciousness of Filipinos who were involved in the different affairs of the country. Unfortunately, the tradition was maintained, so that in time, it became part of the country’s “democratic” transformation. Despite the creation of the agencies later, that were concerned with civil service eligibilities, and lately, the development of career path of civil servants, the obviously selfish-tainted practice prevailed. The poor Career Service Officers are left with the “assistant” positions in agencies!

Last days of the President are heydays of appointees as there is a double-timed effort for what many suspect as money making ventures in their agencies where such are possible. Appointees prepare themselves as if they are baggage of the President that he will carry out with him as he steps out of the door of Malacaῆan Palace…they practically become baggage heavy with goodies! Meanwhile, the agencies they abandon are again left to start from scratch. What is worse is the loss of “continuity” in projects and programs as new appointees of the new administration tend to entertain different schemes and views, resulting to abandoned projects because they do not jive with their agenda. This practice results to repainting or dismantling of structures, or abandoning of half-finished ones, to give way to new ones - “new projects” to be financed by new and “bigger” budgets.

Such is the malevolent cycle, and being a cycle, has no end, unless political appointment is stopped.

MABUHAY ang IGLESIA POWER!

…tanda kaya ito na maaaring magkaisa

ang mga simbahan sa Pilipinas?

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Na-“ay mali!” si DOJ Secretary, de Lima nang nagpa-istaring dahil sa personal na paghawak sa kaso ng Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). Akala niya, dahil ang kinilingan niya ay ang sinasabing “original” faction, in the bag na ang suporta para sa kanya at Mar Roxas sa darating na eleksiyon. Hindi niya akalain ang resulta na pagdagsa ng mga supporter ng kasalukuyang nakaupo sa pamunuan ng INC. Ang tawag sa nangyari sa kanya ay “supalpal to the max”…sagad todong kahihiyan!

Bakit ba naman hindi maituturing na kahihiyan, eh malinaw naman talagang “selective justice” ang pinakita niya sa pag-aksiyon agad sa kaso, ganoong napakarami pang nakapila na mas mahalaga, lalo na ang SAF 44 Massacre at Maguindanao Massacre, pati ang dapat na isusunod pang kaso na may kinalaman sa pork barrel.

Sa ginagawa ng INC, pinapakita nito na pagdating sa pagkilos laban sa katiwalian, hindi rin sila napapag-iwananan. Noon kasi, ang EDSA People Power na ikinahihiya na ng maraming sumapi, ay pinangunahan ng mga kasapi sa simbahang Katoliko.

Maganda sana kung magsanib ang dalawang simbahan – Katoliko at INC upang labanan ang katiwalian sa gobyerno…lalong maganda kung sumama na rin ang grupo ng mga Muslim, at charismatic groups. Ang ganitong pagkilos ay pagpapakita ng tunay na kaisahan ng mga Pilipino sa kabila ng pagkakaiba sa pananampalataya. Iisa lang naman ang nilalabanan nila kaya walang dahilan upang hindi sila magkaisa sa puntong ito.

Kung mangyayari ang inaasam na ito…maaari sigurong tawagin itong FILIPINO POWER na talaga!

Kaya Pala “Nagsisipag” Noon si MMDA Chairman Tolentino

At DOJ Secretary de Lima…may ambisyon sila

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Malinaw na ang dahilan kung bakit noon ay kapansin-pansin ang pagsisipag nina Tolentino at de Lima – ang ambisyon nilang pumasok sa pulitika. Akala ko noon, normal lang na palagi silang iniinterbyu ng media, yaon pala ay talagang sinadya nila for media mileage.

Si de Lima ay “eager beaver” o sobrang maliksi kaya plano pa lang ang mga gagawin kahit maselan o dapat ay confidential dahil hindi dapat malaman ng “kalaban”, nagpapatawag na siya ng presscon kung saan ay nagbibitaw pa ng banta na pananagutin niya ang mga tiwali. Dahil sa ginagawa niya, ang mga dapat hulihin ay nakakatakas. Ang plano niya noong pagbisita sa Bilibid Prison upang mag-inspection dahil pumutok ang bentahan ng droga ay ibinrodkast kaya pagdating niya sa “loob”, halos wala nang nadatnang ebidensiya maliban sa mga ginawang mga kubol na aircon. Wala mang resulta, natanim naman sa isip ng mga tao na aktibo siya, masipag. Dinagdagan pa ng ibang broadcasts na lalong nagpahaba ng mileage. Yun pala, may ambisyong maging senadora!

Nadulas pa sa pagsabi noon si de Lima na ipapasa niya sa papalit sa kanya ang susunod na batch ng mga may kaso na may kinalaman kay Napoles, dahil siguro sa planong pag-resign dahil sa kandidatura niya. Subalit maraming pumalag, lalo na ang mga naunang sina Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada at Juan Ponce Enrile, kaya napilitan din siyang ihain na ang kaso. Ganoon pa man, marami pa ring kaso ang hindi nabigyan ng malinaw na direksiyon tulad ng SAF 44 Massacre o Mamasapano Case, at Maguindanao Massacre na kinasasangkutan ng mag-aamang Ampatuan. Takot kaya siyang sagasaan ang mga supporter ng mga Ampatuan na namamayagpag pa sa Mindanao? Mga boto din nga naman silang mabibilang kung sakali. Ngayon naman ay sumawsaw sa kaso ng Iglesia ni Cristo ganoong ang daming mahahalagang kasong nakapila!

Si Tolentino naman noon, halos araw-araw noon ay may interbyu, nagpapakita pa na nagmamando ng trapiko….lahat na ng mga gawain tungkol sa pag-ayos ng trapik ay ginawa na, kahit umuulan. Dahil sa mga nakita ng mga tao, inakalang bukod-tangi ang kanyang kasipagan, kaya may mga nagsabi pang mas magaling siya kaysa pinalitan niya. Subalit bandang huli ay hindi na nakita at nagkagulatan na lang ng malamang kasama pala siya ni Pnoy, Roxas at de Lima sa Cebu, samantalanag nagmumurahan ang mga morista at MMDA traffic constables sa Manila. Nang bumandera ang retrato ng isang Obispo na nagtatrapik, malakas ang loob ni Tolentinong mag-imbinta ng media dahil magtatrapik din daw siya! Matindi siya…maaga pa lang ay nagpapakita na ng pagka-trapo. Kung sabagay, bago siya naging Traffic Czar ay galing naman talaga siya sa larangan ng pulitika sa Tagaytay.

Walang masama sa pagkaroon ng ambisyon upang umangat sa larangan ng pulitika, subalit huwag naman sa paraang garapal…dahil nalalagay sa alanganin ang kapakanan ng sambayanan!

Hindi Lang Dapat sa Passport Ibatay

Ang Isyu sa Nasyonalismo

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Walang kapalit ang damdamin at puso sa pagpapatunay ng saloobin ng isang tao pagdating sa isyu ng nasyonalismo. Sa panahon ngayong talamak ang kagutuman sa buong mundo, lahat ng naghihirap na tao ay nakatutok sa ano mang bansa na makakatulong sa kanila, kahit  pa umabot sa puntong isuko nila ang nakagisnang pagkamamayan o citizenship kapalit ng sa bansang kasasadlakan, na kalimitan ay Amerika. Isang malaking sakripisyo para sa isang tao ang magpalit ng citizenship dahil ang nakasalalay ay pangangailangan ng pamilyang naghihirap. Nakakadanas pa siya ng kantiyaw na “mukhang pera” at “mababaw ang kaligayahan”. Subalit lahat ay tinitiis niya sa ngalan ng kanyang mga mahal sa buhay.

Nailabas ko ang ganitong pananaw dahil sa komento ng isang nakabasa ng isinulat ko, na nagsabing kahit nasa ibang bansa daw siya at ang hawak ay hindi na passport ng Pilipinas, nasa puso, damdamin, at isip pa rin daw niya ang pagiging Pilipino. At, ano man daw ang mangyari o nangyayari sa Pilipinas ay handa siyang tumugon. Kahit pa raw sabihing korap ang gobyerno, naniniwala siya na may mangyayaring pagbabago, dahil tao lang naman ang papalitan. Ganoon katindi ang kanyang pagka-Pilipino! Naramdaman ko ang kalagayan niya kaya hindi siya nagkukulang sa pagpahiwatig ng kanyang pagka-Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-ugnayan niya sa facebook at pagko-comment tungkol sa mga usaping may kinalaman sa mga nangyayari sa Pilipinas. Talo pa niya ang mga nasa Pilipinas na hanggang tanaw lang ang ginagawa, hindi nagpapahiwatig ng kanilang nararamdaman at iniisip – ugaling “parang wala lang”.

Nais ko lamang ipabatid na ang mga sinusulat ko ay tungkol sa korapsyon ng mga taong nagpapatakbo ng gobyerno. Ang kinakalaban ko ay ang sistemang ginawa nila at ang mga batas na pinanukala nila na sinadyang lagyan ng mga butas upang maikutan nila sa paggawa ng mga kaaliwaswasan upang sila ay makapagpayaman. Pinapalabas ko sa mga isinusulat ko na biktima ang Pilipinas kasama na ang mga mahihirap at ordinaryong Pilipino. Hindi nangangahulugang anti-Pilipino ako dahil galit ako sa mga Pilipinong korap. Nagpapasalamat ako at may mga taong nasa ibang bansa na nagpahiwatig din ng kaparehong damdamin, kahit pa ibang passport ang hawak nila ngayon.

Para sa akin, ang passport ay libreta lamang na maaari namang palitan sa anumang pagkakataon, at ito ay gawa lang ng tao….subalit ang pagmamahal sa bayan na nakaukit sa puso, damdamin, at isip ay hindi mawawala hanggang  kamatayan, dahil gawa ito ng Diyos!

On Being a True Filipino

By Apolinario Villalobos

It takes a lot of nationalistic fervor before one can honestly claim that he or she is truly a Filipino. It is not enough that one is born of Filipino parents on Philippine soil, or in other countries, with either of the parents, a Filipino. It is not enough that one can sing the “Lupang Hinirang” with utmost sincerity or recite the “Panatang Makabayan” by heart.

Nationalism is best seen in times of tragedy, calamity, catastrophe – misfortunes that call for sharing and compassion. Being a Filipino is not the exploitation of the victims who are already neck-deep in distress. It is not the betrayal of trust given by the electorate to the glib-tongued politicos. The more, that it is not the filching of the people’s money by unscrupulous government officials and their cohorts.

A Filipino is one who toils in foreign lands, so that he or she can send money back home to his family who may then be empowered to make purchases, which at the end, benefits the government. He or she is the Green Card holder in the United States who does not cringe in shame due to the bad image of the country. He or she takes time to explain that the Philippine Republic is just a victim of unabated corrupt practices committed by “hardened” members of dynastic political families. He or she never say that the American system is better than what the Philippines is having now, as there are clear indications that Filipinos with good intentions are joining hands to remedy the situation.

There is still a desire in the heart of a Filipino who lives in other countries to go back to the Philippines where he or she had a first lungful breathe of air. A true Filipino misses the fiestas, colorful and jolly Christmas – noche buena, nightly caroling of children, dawn or evening Mass, and noisy New Year. The heart of a true Filipino aches for weekend jaunts and unannounced visits from friends. The true Filipino abroad misses the “bagoong”, “ginamos”, “pinakbet”, “laing”, “lechon”, etc.

A true Filipino who works abroad, never forgets to fill a “balikbayan box” with goodies bought from flea markets and garage sales, such as “Gucci” (kuno), shoes, watches, used laptops, toothpaste, Ivory soap, coffee, bars of chocolate, etc. – symbol of their love for those left in the Philippines. And, a true Filipino does not hesitate to come out in a video to denounce the nincompoop government officials who do not know what they are doing, such as those who occupy the agencies involved in raising funds every time an election is forthcoming.

A true Filipino bravely accepts faults and limitations, as he or she knows that such honesty can give him impetus to exert more effort for the better. Most especially, he or she does not pretend to be intelligent!

And who are not the Filipinos but still insist they are? These are the inept in the government, the heartless and uncompassionate hypocrites. These are the glib-tongued who betrayed the trust and confidence of the poor. These are the “political butterflies”, with the habit of changing their color depending on the party that they think is strong and can help them filch money from the government later on!

Mga Diretsahang Usapin tungkol sa

Panlabas na Kaanyuan at Imahe ng Tao

Ni Apolinario Villlalobos

Sa diretsahang salita, ang isang ugali ng ibang Pilipino ay ang pagtingin sa panlabas na kaanyuan ng kapwa. Ibig sabihin, maganda lamang ang pakisama nila sa mga kaibigang mamahalin ang kasuutan, may kotse, maganda ang bahay, at lalo na kung may mataas na katungkulan sa trabaho kaya napapakinabangan nila.

Akala ko noon ay gawa-gawang mga kuwento lamang ang naririnig ko tungkol sa mga taong retirado na dating may mataas na tungkulin sa mga kumpanya, na kung pumasyal sa dating opisina ay halos wala nang pumapansin. Karaniwan sa mga retirado ay gustong maaliwalas ang pakiramdam kaya naka-walking shorts lamang at t-shirt kung mamasyal, ibang-iba sa long-sleeved na barong tagalog o long-sleeved polo shirt with matching necktie noong nagtatrabaho pa sila. Ang pinaka-“disenteng” damit na presko para sa kanila nang mag-retire na ay maong at polo shirt lamang. Dahil sa pagbabago sa kanilang pananamit, nagbago na rin ang pagtingin sa kanila ng ibang mga dating kasama sa opisina, makita man sila sa labas o di kaya ay sa hindi nila inaasahang pagdaan sa dating opisina.

Ang isa kong nakausap namang kare-retire lang ay bumili pa ng kotse ganoong halos ay igagarahe lang pala. Ang sabi niya, mabuti daw yong may nakikita sa garahe niya para hindi isipin ng mga kapitbahay na naghihirap na siya, dahil wala na siyang trabaho. At upang ma-maintain din daw niya ang image niya bilang executive sa dating pinapasukan kung siya ay maalalang maimbitahan kung may okasyon. Bandang huli ay nagsisi lang siya nang madagdagan ang maintenance drugs niya para sa cholesterol at diabetes, kaya lumaki ang kanyang gastos lalo na at hindi naman umabot sa sampung libo ang kanyang pensiyon.

May isa namang nagkuwento na dating nagtrabaho sa sa isang airline. Proud daw sa kanya ang mga kamag-anak  at mga kaibigan niya. Subalit nang mag-resign siya, ang iba sa kanila ay umiba rin ang pagtingin sa kanya. Yong isa niyang kaibigan ay nahuli daw niya mismo sa bibig kahit pabirong sinabi nito na wala na raw siyang pakinabang. Noon kasi ay naikukuha pa niya ang pamilya ng kaibigan niya ng discounted tickets sa mga travel agents kung mag-abroad sila, at nakakagawa din daw siya ng paraan kung may problema sila sa booking upang hindi ma-bump off.

Kung lumabas ako ng bahay, mas gusto kong naka –walking shorts at nakasuot ng t-shirt dahil pawisin ako. Nang minsang may nag-text sa akin upang mag-imbita sa isang kilalang restaurant, sinabi kong hindi pwede dahil sa suot ko. Sabi niya okey lang dahil wala naman daw dress code sa nasabing restaurant, kaya pumunta na ako. Nasa restaurant na ako nang malaman kong may iba pala siyang bisita. Sa simula pa lamang, naramdaman ko na ang malabnaw na pagpansin nila sa akin dahil siguro sa suot ko, kaya animo ay tanga akong nanahimik lamang habang nag-uusap sila. Tiyempo namang  binati ako ng manager ng nasabing restaurant na natandaan pala ako nang maging resource speaker sa isang tourism seminar kung saan ay isa siyang participant. Nagulat ang lahat lalo na ang nag-imbita sa akin. Dahil narinig ko naman ang pag-uusap ng grupo na gamit ay “Barok English”, sinadya kong kausapin ang manager sa tamang English. Noon pa lang sila parang naalimpungatan, lalo na nang inimbita ako ng manager sa office niya. Iniwan ko silang nakanganga!

Ang mga leksiyon dito ay:  huwag husgahan ang kapwa batay sa panlabas niyang kasuutan at huwag ding patalo sa pangambang maliitin tayo ng ating kapwa dahil sa ating kasuutan na naaayon sa ating nararamdaman o kasalukuyang kalagayan. Ang payo ko naman sa mga mayayabang at walang utang na loob na mga “kaibigan” ay palaging isipin ang “Ginintuang Kasabihan” o Golden Rule, upang hindi bumalandra sa kanila ang ginagawa nilang hindi maganda sa kanilang kapwa…at lalong huwag gawin ang pakikipagkaibigan upang makinabang lamang!

Sobrang Trapik at Problema sa Bigas, pareho lang ang mga ugat

 – korapsyon at pagkagahaman

ni Apolinario Villalobos

Dahil sa hindi pagkontrol sa pagpasok ng mga imported na mga sasakyan, bago man o luma sa kabila ng hindi naman paglapad ng mga kalsada, talagang magkakaroon ng siksikan, na ang girian ng mga motorista ay umaabot pa minsan sa barilan. Nagkaroon nga ng mga “fly-over” subalit kulang pa rin. Upang mabawasan sana ang mga gumagamit ng mga sasakyan, nagkaroon ng mass transit systems na LRT at MRT, subalit dahil sa hindi magandang pamamalakad, palpak din. Hindi maayos ang lahat dahil may mga gustong kumita.

Hindi masosolusyunan ng pagdami ng mga MMDA traffic enforcers ang problema sa trapiko dahil kalsada ang isyu na pinatindi ng hindi makontrol na pagdami ng mga sasakyan. Ang plano namang pagkaroon ng “subway” ay isang kahibangan dahil ang Maynila ay binabaha, kaya ang tingin dito ay pagkakaperahan lang. Nakakatawa din ang planong subway, kahit pa sinasabi ng mga taga-gobyerno na gagawin ang lahat upang maiwasang ito ay bahain…paanong mangyari yan, eh kung ang flyover ngang nasa itaas na ay binabaha, yon pa kayang sa ilalim ng lupa?  Ang plano namang mga extension ng LRT papunta sa probinsiya ay naaantala ng mga dahilang hindi maunawaan. Malamang ay agawan ng isang bagay na alam na ng taongbayan. Nagsulputan pa ang mga “on call” na taxi na ang nagpapatakbo ay application sa cellphone, kaya lalong nadagdagan ang kanilang bilang na gumagamit ng kalsada.

Ang isyu naman sa kakapusan ng bigas ay tila hindi maintindihan ng mga mambabatas kung paano ugatin ganoong ang dahilan ay ang mga panukalang inaprubahan nila kaya nagsulputan ang iba’t ibang real estate developments na “kumain” ng mga palayan, gulayan, niyugan, at maisan sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa, na tinayuan ng mga condo buildings, malls o shopping centers, at mga subdivision. Kumita nga ang mga taong dating nagsasaka sa pagbenta ng mga taniman nila, subalit ang epekto naman ay malawak dahil buong bansa ang naghirap. Nasaan ang mga batas na magmimintina sana sa pagiging agrikultural ng Pilipinas upang maging self-sufficient sa bigas man lang?

Kailangan pa ngayong umangkat ng bigas at ibang gulay sa mga kapit-bansa sa Asya. At ang nakakahiya, sa Pilipinas nagpakadalubhasa ang mga rice technologists ng mga bansang ito! Sa madaling salita, dahil sa kagustuhan ng gobyerno na gumaya sa ibang bansang mauunlad, pinilit nitong pagmukhain ding maunlad ang Pilipinas kaya hindi kinontrol ang pagbenta ng mga lupa sa sinasabing “investors”. Dumami nga ang mga infrastructures, marami naman ang nakanganga dahil sa gutom! At ang kumita ay mga foreign investors na pinapadala sa kanilang mga bansa ang kanilang mga kita!

Taun-taon ay dumadami ang mga Pilipino, subalit hindi man lamang naisip ng gobyerno na gumawa ng mga planong pangmatagalan lalo na sa mga isyu ng maayos na pamumuhay, pagkain at tirahan. Kapag nagkaputukan na ng problema, kanya-kanya na ng hugas ng kamay ang mga inutil na pasuweldo ng taong-bayan at nagtuturuan kung sino ang maysala…ganoong lahat sila ay iisa lang naman ang kulay!

“Hindi Nakamamatay ang Trapik”

…at, “buhay ka pa naman”

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang mga nakapaloob sa quotation marks sa titulo ay hindi dialogue sa pelikula, sila ay mga sinambit nina DOTC secretary Abaya, at Presidente Aquino. Nasambit ni Abaya ang nasabing linya nang tanungin siya tungkol sa ginagawa ng DOTC sa isyu ng trapik, at ang linya naman ni Pnoy ay nasabi niya nang pumunta siya sa Tacloban at may nagsumbong sa kanyang isang may-ari ng tindahan na ni-loot daw ng mga tao pagkatapos humagupit ang bagyong Yolanda. Sa mga linyang nabanggit, ano pa ang isasagot ng sinabihan, lalo pa at hindi inaasahang ganoon ang mga sagot na galing sa mga taong inaakala nilang bukod sa matalino, may pinag-aralan, at may mga kapangyarihan sa gobyerno pa?

Pwede naman sanang sabihin ni Abaya na: “pasensiya na po kayo, pero ginagawan na po namin ng paraan kung paanong mabawasan man lang ang problema sa trapik…”.

Pwede rin namang sabihin ni Pnoy na: “hayaan ninyo at ginagawan na ng paraan ng kapulisan ang tungkol sa nangyaring looting…at nakikiramay po ako sa dinanas ninyo dahil sa bagyong Yolanda…”.

Common sense lang naman ang kailangan ng isang tao lalo na kung may katungkulan upang maisip kung paano siyang magsalita nang hindi nakakasakit ng kalooban ng kapwa. Ang ginawa ng dalawang opisyal ng gobyerno, lalo pa at presidente ang isa ay nakikitaan ng kawalan ng simpatiya o pagmalasakit sa mga Pilipino na ga-bundok na ang kahirapang dinadanas dahil sa korapsyon. Sa halip na gumawa ng paraan upang mapahupa ang nagngingitngit na damdamin ng mga Pilipino, ay may kayabangan pa sila kung magsalita na kulang na lang ay sabihin nilang: “pakialam ko sa inyo!...”!

Sa sinabi ni Abaya na hindi nakakamatay ang trapik, ang tanong naman ay wala bang namatay sa alta presyon o atake sa puso dahil sa init at inis? Hindi ba nalalagay sa bingit ng kamatayan ang isang pasyenteng isinakay sa ambulansiyang dadalhin sana sa ospital subalit naipit sa trapik? Hindi ba nakamamatay ang makulong sa kotseng nagliyab dahil sa pag-overheat ng makina, dahil naipit sa trapik? Wala bang namamatay sa sunog na hindi napuntahan agad ng mga trak bumberong naipit sa trapik? Noon sinabi rin ni Abaya na ang hindi makatiis sa mga delay ng MRT ay sumakay na lang ng bus. Ganoon lang? Ganoon na ba kayabang magsalita ang mga taga-administrasyon?

Sa Ingles, may kasabihang, “there are many ways to skin a cat”…ibig sabihin, may mga ginagawa tayo na pwedeng ipakita sa iba’t ibang paraan o mga sasabihing masasambit sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang salita – mga paraan at salitang hindi dapat nakakasakit ng damdamin ng ating kapwa…bakit kailangang magyabang pa?!

Sa Ingles pa rin, may kasabihang, “rubbing in the salt to the wound”…ibig sabihin, nasasaktan na nga ang ating kapwa, dinadagdagan pa natin ito ng lalong nakakasakit na salita, o kung sa literal na ibig sabihin, ang sugat ay  mahapdi na nga, nilalagyan pa ng asin!

Ang mga sinabi nina Pnoy at Abaya ay lalong nagpalabo sa kanilang imahe na nalalambungan ng galit ng mga Pilipino. Bakit takot silang umamin ng failure o pagkabigo kung katanggap-tanggap naman ang mga dahilan, huwag lang ituro nang ituro ang maliit na aleng may sakit at halos ay hindi na makakain at makalingon dahil sa brace niya sa leeg?

Umamin!!!!!!

Ang Pagmamahal ng Ina sa Anak

(para kay Miguel Kurt Padua)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Mula sa sinapupunan niya nang ito ay sumibol

karugtong na ng kanyang buhay

ang anak na walang kamalay-malay

at sa marahang pagpintig ng puso nito

ramdam ng ina’y ligayang hindi matanto.

Nagmamahal nang walang pasubali, yan ang ina

na lahat ay gagawin para sa anak

nang ito’y lumigaya’t ‘di mapahamak

gumapang man at magtiis, o maghirap

matupad lang para sa anak, ang pangarap.

Ina lang ang kayang magtiis sa mabigat na pasakit

kakayanin ang lahat para sa anak

na sa mundo’y iniluwal na may galak

biyaya ng Diyos, sa kanya’y ipinagkaloob

kaya, pagmamahal niya’y taos, marubdob!

Dapat Pederalismo na lang…

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Dahil malaki pala ang inilalaang badyet para sa Bangsamoro kung sakaling ito ay matuloy, ngayon pa lang ay marami na ang sumisilip at nakikiramdam – ang mga taga ibang rehiyon ng bansa. Ang norte ay mayroong Cordillera Autonomonous Region. Sa Mindanao ay mayroong ARMM na mapapalitan ng Bangsamoro, kung makakapasa ito sa mga mambabatas. Paano na ang mga Ilocano, Bicolano, Tagalog, at Bisaya?

Si mayor Durterte ay nagpahayag ng kanyang damdaming umaayon sa Pederalismo. Sa isang banda, tila Pederalismo nga yata ang sagot sa problema ng Pilipinas bago tuluyang magkawatak-watak ito dahil sa mga isyung pulitikal, ekonomiya at relihiyon. Napatunayan rin lang na hindi epektibo ang centralized na uri ng gobyernong repulika, bakit hindi gumawa ng seryosong pag-aaral upang mapalitan ang uri ng gobyerno at mapalitan ang Saligang Batas?

Sa bandang Central Mindanao ay may nakikitang nakasulat na “motto” ng isang bangko na “pera ng Mindanao para sa Mindanao”. Paano na kung gumaya ang ibang probinsiya at sabihin halimbawa ng mga Cebuano na “pera ng mga Cebuano para sa Cebu”, o di kaya mga taga Legaspi na “pera ng mga Bikolano, para sa Bicol”? Kung mamuo ang ganitong klaseng “kanya-kanyang” damdamin, siguradong malaki ang magiging problema ng gobyerno.

Tulad ng mga bayan sa kabundukan ng Cordillera, bakit hindi na lang din pag-isahin ang mga probinsiya ng mga Bicolano sa isang rehiyon, ganoon din ang mga Tagalog? Ang mga Bisaya ay bakit hindi rin ganoon ang gawin? At, ang Mindanao, maliban sa Bangsamoro ay bakit hindi gawan ng isa pang rehiyon? Mahirap gumalaw sa Pilipinas dahil nahahati ang bansa sa mga isla, na ang iba ay malaki at ang iba ay maliliit at liblib kaya hindi abot ng tulong mula sa gobyerno. At ang pinakamasaklap ay nasa Luzon ang Malakanyang!

Maraming pwedeng pagbatayang saligang batas ng mga bansang may ganitong sistemang Pederalismo na nagtagumpay. Sa ganitong paraan ay baka mawawala na nang tuluyan ang agam-agam na hihiwalay ang mga probinsiyang Muslim sa Pilipinas kung matutuloy ang Bangsamoro, kahit na kung tutuusin ay mga Pilipino din sila, iba lang ang relihiyon. Kawawa naman ang nagpapanukala ng Bangsamoro kung patuloy silang pag-iisipan ng hindi mabuti. Maganda ang samahan ng mga Muslim at Kristiyano sa Mindanao at sayang naman kung masira dahil sa mga korap sa gobyerno na ang palaging iniisip ay pansariling kapakanan.

The Philippines needs a Strongman as President

…could it be Duterte?

By Apolinario Villalobos

With threats from within and outside, the Philippines needs a strongman. By strongman, it means that such a guy should be respectable and with a tested conviction.

From within, the country reels from the overpowering and pestering corruption since the first day of its self-governance. From outside, the country is perceived as lame because of its equally weak leadership. That is the sad state of the country today. No amount of made up report about its “progress” printed in bold black figures has been able to lend an impressive image of the country, as the objective of such report is obviously to encourage the government to borrow more money from lending countries that are salivating at the prospect of its continued indebtedness.

Illegal drug business is having a grand time in the country and crime is steadily on the rise. Illegal mining financed by foreigners in cahoots with corrupt local officials is left unchecked. Poverty and unemployment are practically gnawing up the economic foundation of the country. The educational system is so unreliable, that instead of alleviating the lot of the youth, it has contributed to their shock and confusion due to exploitive schemes of educational institutions resulting from redundant course offerings.

Juveniles are left out on the streets, harassing unsuspecting citizens, and while enjoying sniffs of rugby from bottles and small plastic pouches. On the other hand, the agencies that are supposed to be overflowing with programs for this segment of the population just look the other way. They remove these urchins from the streets only when foreign visitors are coming.

I mentioned in my earlier blogs, Duterte who practically, gave Davao City a 24-degree turnaround with his conviction in implementing the law. Agdao which was known before his time as “Nicaragdao” due to heinous crimes even at daytime, now sports a new genteel image. For a big and veritable tourist destination in Mindanao, curfew is being strictly observed with much respect, together with the non-smoking in public places. Literally, Davao is the only city in the country that celebrates Christmas silently, albeit, with much solemnity, due to the strictly imposed firecracker ban until the eve of New Year.

Some quarters are wary that, although, Duterte has proved his worth as Mayor of Davao City, its scope is just a minuscule compared to that of the Philippines as a nation on matters of “control”, especially, on the personages that comprise the administration. It should be noted that corruption is not limited to heads of offices but subordinates, as well. Add to this the two halls of lawmakers – Congress and Senate, whose support is very necessary. Will the two houses which are immensely enjoying their “benefits” cooperate with a “straight” President in the person of Duterte, just in case? Will the well-entrenched corrupt personalities exchange their monetary benefits for “idealism”?

As dictated by dirty Philippine political tradition, in case Duterte wins, lawmakers will surely change their color again so that they can meld with him. If this happens, will Duterte maintain his steadfastness as a no-nonsense leader, thereby, prove himself as really, a strongman? Personally, I know, he will.

Duterte is the person who qualifies as a leader at the right moment which is 2016, a decisive and tumultuous year for the country. He may not have an experience as a governor, a congressman, a senator, or even as vice-president, but any person on the street knows that most of those who filled those positions are corrupt and even naïve. Of what use then, is having an experience in those positions, before one can become president? 

The Government should Review the Performance

and Relevance of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

By Apolinario Villalobos

There is an observed saturation of related courses in the colleges and universities which is the cause of unabated soaring of unemployment of yearly graduates in the country. Experts wonder what are causing the phenomenon which is a precursor of distress among the present generation. They look around, but failed to see the educational breeding grounds – the colleges and universities with their redundant courses.

When tourism boomed, for instance, there was an immediate scramble of colleges and universities in coming up with courses such as BS Tourism, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Airline Secretarial, and many others. All of them four-year courses, when all that the industry needs are people who can communicate well in different languages, especially, English, Japanese and Chinese. Hotels and restaurants need only waiters, bar tenders, cooks, front room personnel. Airline companies need only secretaries who are computer-literate, adept in filing and knowledge in office courtesy. Tour operators and agencies need only tour guides who are proficient in languages, as well as, office staff who can prepare tour packages, answer phoned-in queries, cut tickets, and make bookings. So why the tedious and expensive four years, then, when all the required skill can be had in two-years and several hours of on-the-job training?

The saturation of useless courses offering of colleges and universities is a clear sign that these institutions are not sensitive to what are happening in the country, especially, on the issue of unemployment. They just refuse to acknowledge the fact that their graduates languish in pitiful state of unemployment, after spending hard-earned money and time for four years. I wonder if the “intelligent” guys who run these diploma mills ever make simple analysis about the situation that even a simple cigarette vendor on the street understand. Yet, these institutions proudly display on tarpaulins outside their campuses, photos and names of their graduates who passed board and bar examinations….but beyond that, what?

Surveys are made about unemployment, but again, they never touch the source of unemployed graduates who have been idle for so many years and the shocked newly-graduates to find out why. The government mentioned something about “mismatching” of courses with the requirements of employers…and, the “concern” if ever it can be called such, ends there. Is the government so helpless, such that it cannot even issue mandates to colleges and universities to put a stop to their money-making ventures in the form of useless and redundant courses?

As a last recourse, why not just do away with CHED so that the money saved can be used in enhancing the programs of the Department of Education (DepEd) and TESDA?

All that the DepEd needs is a division or two to handle higher education or collegiate concerns which are all but, as mentioned, useless and redundant courses, while TESDA programs can be expanded to include specializations that may include trainings for flight attendants, cruise crew, flight ticketing personnel, airport check-in staff, reservations agents, tour package specialists, multi-lingual tour guides, in addition to what it already offers such as hotel servicing, development of building construction skills, and computer-related short courses. On the other hand, the colleges and universities should be mandated to streamline their course offerings that should jive with the demands of the current job requirements.

If “productivity” is what the government wants for the college and university graduates, then, a thorough review should be done if CHED is really doing its job or not. Unfortunately, it seems that such call is impossible under the present administration, as the latter is all praise to the agency for its “reports” that beautifully punctuate the SONAs of Pnoy.

Sa Isyu pa rin Bangsamoro Basic Law

…hantad na ang kuwestiyon sa papel ng Malaysia

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Noon pa man ay nagtaka na ako kung bakit kinuha ng gobyerno ang Malaysia bilang “third party” o mediator sa usaping BBL, ganoong napakaliwanag ng mga sumusunod na dahilan kung bakit hindi dapat:

Nang banggitin ko sa mga isinulat ko noon ang banta ng Malaysia sa BBL, tahimik ang Senado at nagkaroon na ng seremonya sa pag-apruba ng BBL “in principle”. Tahimik ang lahat, subalit  dahil malapit na ang eleksiyon, nabanggit na ito ni senador Marcos, lalo na ang tungkol sa Malaysia…. at marami na rin ang nakikisawsaw!

The 2016 Philippine Presidential Election

…could be the worst

By Apolinario Villalobos

In the eyes of the ordinary Filipino, the 2016 Philippine Presidential election will be “bloody” and full of frauds, aside from very expensive due to the expected massive vote-buying that will happen. The following are the reasons why:

Because of the above situations, both the Roxas and Binay camps will exert deadly effort, though separately, to discredit Poe. The Roxas camp will do it very subtly, while Binay’s will be severe, touching even on trivial matters, such as Poe’s adoption, which it is doing now. But, the bitter fight shall be between Roxas and Binay.

The campaign season will make the electorate temporarily rich because of the expected flood of cash, although, some bills shall be bogus or fake, as usual. Electoral campaigns shall be characterized by cash dole-outs even in broad daylight, without fear or timidity. Most alarming, though, is that the people behind the “hello Garci” scandal are still lurking in the COMELEC!

The Commission on Election is expected to play “helpless” on election-related problems due to their claim for inadequate facilities and staff, as their way of washing their hands every time problems crop up during election. Expect, too, finger-pointing on the foreseen failure of vote-counting due to breakdowns of the already inadequate computers.

Worst, there may be attempts to declare a failure of election and a military take-over. The forthcoming election is expected to be chaotic because honor and integrity of the families concerned, except that of Poe’s, are at stake!

Why I Write About People

By Apolinario Villalobos

Long before I got hooked to blogging, I was already an ardent people-watcher. Most often, I am surprised by the flow of my thought that would touch on people as I begin to write. They become important element of my blogs about corruption as victims of exploitation. The same is true when I write about destinations in which they become one of the reasons why a certain place should not be missed by travelers. People who do benevolent acts should be cited and exposed to the world so that others will emulate their acts. On the other hand, people who exploit others must also be exposed so that others will be warned, and the guilty must be stopped from doing more harm.

It is not easy to write about people and their act, as appropriate words must be used so that the situations are clearly “painted” in the mind of the reader. I don’t use “bribe” in the form of material help or promises so that I can get their photos. In the first place, I do not take photos of people to whom I extend random charity. That is my case as a “small time street friend” who uses personal fund and donation from trusted friends. For honest and big foundations, however, that use donations from NGOs and individual philanthropists, they need “action photos” to support their projects, to show that the huge donations in their care, indeed, were received by deserving people and communities.

Materials for my people-blogs come randomly, from unexpected places, time, and situation. I am guided by the values in developing materials about them. These values are actually within all of us waiting for the right and timely motivation or “tickle” to be activated. But the people with negative attitude seem to be already bent on doing what is the opposite of the righteous. I do not find it hard to determine which is which because of the universal standard, that see-saw between the good and the bad. My best gauge is the “Golden Rule”.

What’s nice about people-blogging is that most viewers can relate to them. Conclusions can be derived and be made as basis in realizing a bad act, thereby, changing their bad habits for the better, or getting confirmation that they are doing just the right thing.

The Binay Camp has ran out of gimmicks against Poe

….so it resorted to the adoption issue

By Apolinario Villalobos

Desperate is how the Binay camp can be described in its effort to disintegrate the persona of Grace Poe as the formidable opponent of Jejomar Binay in his quest for the presidential post. With nothing else to throw to her face, they used the adoption issue…and the technicalities, yet! The spokesperson of the Binay camp sounded dolefully as its spokesperson, read a litany of technical errors on the adoption process, especially, on the date that Grace Poe was adopted by a yet-to-be-married Susan Roces and Fernando Poe, hence, a question on their “capability” to adopt as “unmarried persons” which shows their lack of “parental personality”.

Whoever thought of such strategy clearly is out of his mind, as it just drives voters to the side of Poe because of the Filipino culture that makes them love the underdog and the oppress. Not even the issue on “inexperience” can be used against Poe, as not all presidents of the Philippines or any country for that matter did not become vice-presidents first. The primary issues on the forthcoming 2016 election are “cleanliness” and “integrity”.

In the Philippines, the experience of the president who held several elected positions in the past, especially, vice-presidency, clearly show that it did not help in improving the situation of the country. On the contrary, because of the experience which is heavily tainted with learned corruption, the situation of the country just got worse. How much more if a guy has decades of such kind of “experience”?

Are the Philippine Government Agencies

Really Doing their Job?

By Apolinario Villalobos

After reading the title, viewers will surely comment: “must such question be asked?”

The overused alibis of the government agencies once confronted about their failures are:

-          Lack of personnel

-          Lack of budget

-          Lack of facilities

-          Lack of cooperation from other agencies and the people

-          And, that they can only do so much…which is the worst!

The people in the government are supposed to be employed on the basis of their capabilities and intellect. Even used as gauge is the Civil Service Examination which issues eligibilities to the passers, and still, there are rungs to further classify the employees. Unfortunately, with the setting in of corruption since the postwar Republic, the gauge became useless because of the rampant political appointments to sensitive posts. The really capable are left with rank-and-file jobs, with the highest post currently as Assistant Secretary. This reality resulted to discouragement among the employees who became desperate because of lack of “padrino”.

The career path of the poor government employees has been waylaid by the corrupt sitting government officials who appoint people with questionable credibility to head government agencies. The government agencies headed by appointees, obviously, are used for the selfish motives of the appointing officials, the ultimate of which is to amass influence that can used as a campaign tool during election! That is the reason why would-be appointees long for agencies that are intended for community outreach. I need not name them because their malfunctions are obviously displayed or exposed during calamities and in ongoing investigations on anomalies, and which tabloids, broadsheets, as well as broadcasters scream.

Ever wonder why the perennial problem on flooding seems to be without solution? It is because those who are supposed to be monitoring even the simple drainage system and their manholes are not made by local government administrators. They are supposed to be the “managers” of local governments, yet, they just rely on the reports of their subordinates to make them believe that everything in their city or municipality are alright. It is doubtful if these “administrators” ever make regular rounds of checks on manholes some of which are exposed to the elements, waiting to be filled with garbage, gravel, rockets, etc. They may not even have a slightest idea how an estero with overflowing garbage actually looks like. But tell them that an inspection will be covered by a TV crew, and in seconds they will be on their toes!

The rugby boys are still prowling the streets, even havoc terror among motorists by throwing rocks at the cars from flyovers, yet the government has many programs for them, even facilities. When confronted, agencies merely say that they are undermanned. But wait until a foreign visitor drops by the city, these agencies, in minutes can clean the streets of these urchins, even innocent travelers from the provinces who rest on sidewalks, bringing them to their compounds for an overnight stay, or even expensive resort just like what happened when the pope visited the country.

The above are just the most discernable situations that point to the incompetence of the government agencies. Many more can fill pages…

So, for the question whether the agencies are really working efficiently in consonance with each other or on their own to ensure a smooth operation of the government system or not…my answer is not!

The Serious Netizens

…who are they?

By Apolinario Villalobos

Civilization has given us the high technology, thanks to the geniuses who toiled many 24/7 days of their life in order to develop bundles of convenience and comfort. And, the cyberspace is the centerfold of such effort. Today, not only texts and designs can be printed but some approved medicines, as well. Actual operations on patients in operating rooms thousands of miles away can be made via visual instructions. Interplanetary explorations are today made with ease, unlike before when taking an accurate photo of the moon’s cratered surface was a complex thing to do.

The emergence of high-technology has also developed a new generation of humanity – the “netizens”. These are the patient people who made the quick spread of knowledge possible. When before, one has to run to the library to check on something or pore over pages of encyclopedia at home, today, all that one need to do is tap the keys of his laptop, desk computer or smart phone, anywhere, anytime.

One can “travel” to other places by just browsing through the posts of travel bloggers, or check the posts of foodie bloggers to have an idea on what those in African continent and Mediterranean islands eat most of the time, or be updated on how to improve his health by going over the pages of posts on health and medicine.

The serious netizens are those who share what they know because they want to help humanity. They are also those who are hungry for the information that are archived in the webs of the cyberspace. They do not abuse the technology by bashing others through the facebook or post blogs that can foment misunderstanding, as well as, incite trouble.

The serious netizens are the unselfish ones who cause the viral spread of information about people, animal and places in distress. They offer help in any form – counsel, money or prayers to helpless strangers whose face they saw only on posted blogs. They are the new citizens of the world whose effort in helping others knows no boundary, and whose heart’s warmth penetrates even the deepest corners of any jungle all over the world.

You, who are viewing this, belong to this new generation! Congratulations!

Remembering Roam Farol

…the “life of the party”

By Apolinario Villalobos

I remember Roam as a vibrant guy who was never out of witty and funny puns. A gloomy room suddenly would become alive with laughter and guffaws, a few minutes after his arrival. But there were times, too, when he was serious, and during these lulls we talked about politics in the government and the company. As I was still new in the company when he developed a trust in me, practically, I had zero knowledge of what was going on. I was lucky then, to hear many confided impressions and information from him while we were having short coffee breaks in the canteen. We called each other “pagari” (brother), and also, use it to greet each other in our emails.

When I transferred to another department, we parted ways as I was relocated to the company’s flagship office of Marketing and Sales International along Roxas Boulevard, while he stayed at Vernida Building in Makati, where the administrative offices were located. Months later, I learned that he “left” PAL. I thought it was a normal thing to do for a PAL employee who wanted to pursue a better career abroad.

About a year after he left the company, though, I received an email from a certain Roamfar@yahoo.com which I did not open as I was not familiar with the username, and for fear that it has got a virus. As the emails kept on coming, I finally decided to open one and I was surprised to learn that it came from him. I did not know then that he preferred to be called “Roam”. I excitedly asked him so many questions which he frankly answered, most of which made me furious. His replies contained painful reasons why he left PAL.

It took more than one year before I had the courage to prod him to write his memoirs and publish them in a book. He flatly replied that he cannot do it because he was not a writer, although, I could sense bitterness between the lines of his messages. I reminded him that he was the editor of PALiner. I assured him that if I was able to come up with my own book, the more that he can come up with one and a much better one, yet. Still he kept on saying no. Finally, I offered my help by editing his manuscripts or develop some based on information from him. The deciding coaxing words from me were, “you have to write a book to perpetuate your name, as you know anyway, that your days are numbered”…strong and brutal words that could have opened his mind, as he finally consented to the idea.

He emailed me his manuscripts which I promptly edited. Information that he sent by batches were given substance to become short essays. Finally, his book, “Vignettes On Board Asia’s First Airline” came off the press. From there, I pushed him to come up with a second series, to which he again consented. I gave him some ideas which he told me were interesting enough to excite him. A plan was made which we would further discuss when he will come home. I pictured him to be carrying a small oxygen tank because that was how he described himself every time he went out of his home in the United States – like an astronaut. Contrary to what I was envisioning, when we finally met, I found out that his small oxygen tank was carried inside a shoulder bag, making his need for it, not so obvious.

The coming home of Roam was an important element in the organization of the “Kitakits Group” whose other reason was the first planned visit to Ed Guatelara. It was a successful get-together which was culminated by a short visit to the group’s long-missed colleague. During the visit, I observed the depression etched on Roam’s face. I could not blame him, for how can one be not disheartened at the sight of a once big fellow, now thin and so emaciated, and who cannot even move on his own? Ed Guatelara was one of Roam’s confidante and a best friend in PAL. Every time Roam went up to the Vernida building’s fifth floor, from his office on the fourth floor, he would go straight to the room of Ed Guatelara for a mug of coffee and long talk.

During the visit to Ed Guatelara, as Roam and I had a chance to be together, he told me that he would like to meet with me for a longer talk about the second book which might include a short, sarcastic and funny script. I was looking forward to a text, facebook message, or email from him about our meeting. Unfortunately, what I viewed was the gloomy news about his demise sent out by Mai Jovida, the tireless “mother” and “ate” of PALers.

I will never forget Roam with the way he carried his slick daily office attire, quick gait, and easy smile, aside from the free cups of coffee every time we met in the canteen! See you “there”…pagari!

Ronnel Basco: the Patient IT Guy

of Netopia – SM City/ Bacoor

by Apolinario Villalobos

What will you do if you are at the end of your wits after four rejections from internet cafés that could not open the files in your USB? Without an umbrella on the rainy day of August 12, I had to run from one sidewalk to the next in an effort to prevent the raging rain from soaking me to the bones until I finally reached the SMCity/Bacoor mall where I tried to dry myself up. It was while I was pondering on whether to look for another internet café after the rain when I thought of trying my luck in the Netopia internet café on the third floor of the mall.

Without telling the attendant about the problem as he might reject my requirement, too, I outright asked his help to open the USB that I brought. He was Ronnel Basco whose cool countenance impressed me as he successfully opened the device after several attempts. I noticed something that he did as he inserted the USB to the port, as if patiently coaxing the computer to open it and read the contents which it finally did after several minutes. Actually, the USB was my friend’s, who just gave me the title of the file.

Mr. Basco went through the routine of assisting me look for the file that I wanted printed and transferred to another USB. Four painstaking attempts did the trick! The big relief, practically vanished my frustration, coupled by discomfort from my rain-drenched shirt. What was more striking in Mr. Basco’s attitude was his patience in attending to the calls of other customers, during which he would leave me for a while with apologies. The café was full at the time, and I was really fortunate to have been given the attention and assistance that I direly needed.

What I observed further, was the precision in the systematic actions and professional attitude of Mr. Basco and his co-employees toward all customers, be they browsers or just walk-ins who inquire for other services. Impressively, everything that they did was without a hint of haste. I also heard suggestions that they did not hesitate in giving to the customers, and who appreciated them. 

The persevering and patient attitude of Mr. Basco was an immense contrast to the lack of sympathy and concern from the attendants of the four other internet cafes that I visited earlier, who gave me outright rejection after failing to open the USB with just a single attempt. Without even looking at me in the eye, they just said “sorry”... just like that, short of showing me the door.

The likes of Mr. Ronnel Basco, are what service-oriented business entities need. He manifested that good attitude of employees can never be overshadowed by expensive advertisements in selling a product or service. As I walked out of the Netopia café that afternoon, I decided to become their unsolicited “walking billboard”…because of Mr. Basco.

Magno Padua: Matatag na Ama ng Tahanan

At Mapagkakatiwalaang Kaibigan

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang pagkatatak ng pangalang nabanggit sa titulo ay hindi na maaaring mawala sa diwa ko. Simula nang ako ay tumira sa isang bahagi ng dating Barangay Real 1, at ngayon ay Real 2 na, siya ay naging kaagapay ko bilang presidente ng aming homeowners’ association, na ang mga miyembro ay iilang pamilya lamang noong dekada otsenta. Iilang bahay pa lamang ang may kuryente at ang paligid namin ay bukid, kaya balot ng pusikit na kadiliman kung gabi.

Isa si Magno sa mga tumatanggap ng kontrata noon sa pag-ayos ng mga low-cost housing shell na ipinasa ng developer sa aming mga homeowner. Kasama ang mga kapatid na sina Budjo, Emo, at Tura, naglalatag sila ng tiles, mga kawad para sa electrical connections, at nagpipintura.

Hindi kalaunan ay inimbita niya akong mamasyal sa kanilang bahay sa “bukid” na nasa likod ng subdivision, na upang marating ay kailangang dumaan sa mga pilapil. Dahil mahilig ako sa kalikasan, napadalas ang pasyal ko sa kanila, lalo na naging malapit na rin ako sa kanyang nanay, si Inang Bidang at yumaong kapatid na si Mely. Lalo akong nawili dahil tuwing nasa kanila ako, pinagluluto nila ako ng upo na sinahugan lamang ng bawang. Sa kanila ko rin natikman ang manggang inatsara sa bawang, hugas-bigas, at asin. Ang ibang gulay na inihahanda nila para sa akin o pinapadala sa bahay ay galing naman sa taniman ng namayapa niyang kapatid na si Tomas.

Sinadya kong dalasan ang pagpasyal sa bukid upang ipakita sa mga kapitabahay ko na kailangang makisama sa mga taong nakapaligid sa amin upang hindi kami pangilagan o pag-isipan na mapangmataas.  Sa kagustuhan kong magkaroon ng magandang samahan sa pagitan namin at nina Magno, pinangunahan ko ang pagpakita ng tiwala sa pamilya at mga kapitbahay niya, na tinumbasan din nila ng kahalintulad na tiwala. Dahil dito, madalas kong sinadyang umuwi ng dis-oras ng gabi mula sa bukid upang ipakita na ligtas ang paligid namin.

Si Magno ang ang naging tulay namin sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa iba pang mga nakatira sa aming paligid na karamihan ay may kaalaman sa pag-ayos ng bahay. Dahil sa nabuong magandang samahan, sa pangunguna ni Magno, nakipag-bayanihan ang mga kapatid, kamag-anak, at kumpare niya nang gawin ang unang basketball court, multi-purpose hall, at tulay na gawa sa dalawang malaking poste ng kuryente.

Sa pakikipag-usap ko sa mga nauna sa amin at nakatira sa isang katabing subdivision, nalaman kong itinuturing pala nilang “kuya” si Magno. May nagkuwento pa na pinapasakay raw siya ni Magno sa kalabaw tuwing mamasyal siya sa bukid, na ginagawa niya tuwing hapon pagkagaling sa eskwela.  Pahingahan din daw nilang magbabarkada ang bahay nina Magno kung sila ay manghuli ng ibon, gagamba at dalag sa mababaw na ilog. Marami pa akong kuwentong narinig tungkol sa magandang pakisama sa kanila ni Magno at ng kanyang pamilya.

Hindi nakatapos sa kanyang pag-aaral si Magno dahil sa kakapusan ng pantustos, at lalong dahil kailangang pagtulungan nilang magkakapatid na linangin ang malawak na lupang kanilang sinasaka noon bilang mga “tenant” nang mamayapa na ang kanilang ama. Pagkatapos ng taniman ng palay, upang kumita ng dagdag na pantulong sa kanyang pamilya dahil siya ang panganay, namasada rin siya ng dyip.

Makulay ang buhay ni Magno, subalit naging tapat siya sa mga kinasama niya lalo na sa kanyang asawang si “Baby”. Wala siyang inilihim, kaya nitong huling mga araw ay nagkakakontakan sa isa’t isa ang kanyang mga anak. Nakita ko ang katatagan ni Magno bilang ama ng tahanan, nang panahong naghirap sila dahil sa madalang niyang trabaho at si “Baby” naman ay may diabetes at sakit sa puso. Maliban sa pag-eekstra sa pagpasada ng dyip, tumanggap din siya ng kontrata sa pagmaneho ng kotse, na nagpahina ng kanyang pulmon, subalit hindi niya pinaalam sa kanyang pamilya. Nalaman ko lang nang pinilit ko siyang magtapat nang minsang mag-usap kami dahil napansin ko ang pagkahulog ng kanyang katawan at pamumutla.

Nang pumanaw si “Baby”, lalo pang nagpakita ng katatagan si Magno sa kanyang mga anak. Pinilit niyang ipagpatuloy ang pagtanggap ng mga kontrata sa pagmaneho kahit nararamdaman niya ang patuloy na panghihina ng kanyang katawan. Ang mga anak naman niya, maliban sa bunso, ay tumigil sa pag-aaral upang magtrabaho.

Ngayon, nakakaraos ang pamilya niya kahit papaano dahil sa isang anak na nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa. Hindi na siya pinayagan ng kanyang mga anak na magmaneho, at upang malibang ay tinuruan siyang mag-facebook ng mga ito gamit ang cellphone na bigay ng isa niyang anak. Napabuti rin ang pagpi-facebook niya dahil nakontak siya ng iba niyang kamag-anak na nasa ibang bansa at probinsiya.

Tiwala at respeto sa isa’t isa ang pundasyon ng pagiging magkaibigan namin ni Magno na bilang pinakamatanda sa kanilang angkan sa barangay ay itinuturing nilang “ama”. Dahil sa nasabing pagkilala, nilalapitan siya upang mamagitan sa mga hindi nagkakaunawaang mga kamag-anak pati mga kaibigan. At ang nakakabilib ay ang ugali niyang hindi mapang-abuso sa mga kaibigan na hindi man lang nakarinig sa kanya ng kapirasong himutok kung siya ay may problema….tanda ng katatagan ng kanyang kalooban!

A Nation is Like a Restaurant

By Apolinario Villalobos

A nation is like a business enterprise such as a restaurant. The nation’s president is equivalent to the restaurant’s manager. As the lawmakers formulate laws and policies that shall make the nation stable, so do cooks come up with dishes that should attract clientele that shall establish the likeability of the restaurant. The waiters, assistant manager, dishwashers and the rest of the staff of the restaurant, correspond to the plain citizens, government officials and employees of the nation.

Just like a restaurant that is poorly managed, thereby, fail to attract customers, so will a nation  fail to attract visitors due to poorly- managed total governmental system. Just like a restaurant whose menu contains the concocted dishes that should taste real good, the nation should also have infrastructures and programs for the convenience and satisfaction of visitors. If the customers of a restaurant are not satisfied with the advertised menus, they feel fooled, just like a nation that will earn the ire of unsatisfied visitors who experienced the chaotic traffic, blackouts, disrespect and opportunism of taxi drivers, and wavering security on the streets.

A restaurant needs only to satisfy its customers who will spread with their unsolicited word-of-mouth advertisement their good impressions, just like a nation whose satisfied visitors do not need prodding in telling their friends back home about their nice and memorable experience.

Just like a restaurant, a nation can also face bankruptcy…

China is Wise

By Apolinario Villalobos

Politics aside, I could say that China has utilized wisdom to the maximum in her effort to dominate the world. The country is the most populated nation on earth, hence, plenty of hands available for all kinds of job, making labor very much cheap. Historically, too, the nation has plenty of wise men, one of whom is Confucius, aside from scientists who invented many contraptions, even wooden nose sold to one of the members of the Magellan expedition to the Philippines in the 1500s.

With cheap labor, her enterprising citizens opened sweat shops for the manufacture of cheap goods, even going to the extent of counterfeiting brands that are originally made in distant Italy. Cellphones, especially, Nokia that is originally a Scandinavian product was not spared, as counterfeit models have been mass-produced, and ironically, with some models even made with better features, one of which is the ability to alter the voice of the caller! The international policy against forgery and fraud is proved no match to China. Product owners finally decided to open factories in China to give credence to the “made in China” mark. And, as the saying goes, the rest is history. So, today China prospers!...the first step for the rest of her endeavor.

China practically, has flooded the world with her produce – from toothpicks and cotton buds to the deadly weapons and jets. What materials that she does not have, she gets from other countries such as the mineral-laden sands and ores from the Philippines, a struggling country because of its corrupt political system. Tons of these sands are mined along the beaches of the coastal areas of the Philippines while residues laden with chemical from inland mines flow to the rivers and streams, decimating the fish population in the process.

In order to expand her boundaries, China went back to her history and cited names of islands on which her fishermen of long ago rested, and which are unfortunately being claimed by other Asians, too. She tested the temper of these claimants by first constructing a seemingly harmless beacon facility on one of the islands. When only whimpers from them have been heard, the facility was improved to become a fully- equipped island- barracks.

She eyed the other islands and still went on with tests for reactions if she does something, such as building of airstrip on one. There was a howl, but just that – a helpless howl from one of the claimant nations. Being helpless, coming from a fledgling member of an equally helpless organization of small countries, she went ahead with her massive reclamation…a success!

There are howls here and there, and complaints lodged somewhere, but China is furiously serious in claiming what she says is hers. Not even big nations can move, for how can they, with their huge debts that practically shackle them to her influence? China has finally, whipped the world with her economic clout!

Indeed, China is wise…starting with the lowly toothpick and cotton buds that the world needs she is now lording over the nations whose farms made way to condos and malls – agricultural nations who face starvation if they defy her!

Now, she is contemplating on building massive floating islands that shall become her moveable territorial boundaries in the Philippine Sea or rather, South China Sea, the better for her to show tangible proof that indeed, that body of water is hers!

Can the United Nations whose committees are manned by representatives from third world countries indebted to China, be wiser? Can the United States, the nation with self-determined destiny as guardian of other nations be wiser?  Will the defying acts of China that practically humiliate the United Nations, signal the latter’s “demise”?

On the Philippines’ Desire in

Hosting International Events

By Apolinario Villalobos

The arrogance of the Philippine government is such that it does not think twice before offering the country as host to an international event despite inadequacies that made up reports about its progress and speeches cannot hide.

The latest issue on the attempted hosting is the failed bid of the country for the FIBA tournament which China got hands down. Not even a Manny Pacquiao or a Lou Diamond Philip was able to help sway the decision of the panel in favor of the Philippines, the wooing strategy of which was pitifully hinged on the Filipinos’ traits, hospitality, tourist attractions. China simply showed the hi-tech airport, venues and absence of traffic. So without much ado, China got it!

The Philippine government must accept the fact that the country has many inadequacies though they cannot stop us from being proud as Filipinos for having beautiful beaches and other tourist attractions. But progress is not just about having beautiful countryside, caves, mountains, etc. We should stop pretending that we are on the same level with China, Japan, and even our neighboring Southeast Asian countries. I am just being honest. We should acknowledge our inadequacies and work on how they can be transformed into plus factors. Unfortunately, the government is so corrupt that even if the people are willing to do their share, their effort becomes futile.

Of what use is hosting international events, if majority of the population is wallowing in almost all kinds of misery? How can we be proud of the crowded premier airports of Manila? How can we be proud of the slums that the tourists see along the way to their hotels from the airport? How can we be proud of the perpetual traffic along all thoroughfares of Manila and even major cities of the country? How can we be proud of the shameful and antiquated mass transit systems? How can we be proud of the opportunistic taxi drivers at the airport terminals of Manila? How can we be proud of the waterways that overflow with garbage resulting to floods even during a short rainfall? How can the Filipinos be proud of their government’s habit to borrow money and spend some of it in hosting international events, instead of their basic needs?

The government should stop this kind of arrogance as it just emphasizes the sickening corruption that eats up its system! It must wake up from daydreaming and bravely face the hurting reality! Hosting international “lively” events cannot hide its failures if that is its objective.

The Dismal Failure of the “Resettlement” Program

for Informal Settlers in Manila

By Apolinario Villalobos

While the effort of the government to “save” Manila’s informal settlers from the danger of their abodes on the banks of esteros, underneath the bridge and unhealthy, as well as, filthy slums, is commendable, the sincerity is questionable. Where is sincerity in the promise about comfort in these resettlement areas that have no water facilities, lighted roads, public transportation, and electricity? To give a raw impression of these projects, footages of “comfortable” life in these areas are shown on TV, though it is purported that they consist just a very minimal percentage of completed units. The resettled families have no choice, but be resourceful to make the “shell” that the government call “house”, comfortable, rather than wait for the agency people to tell them that that at least, they need not worry about any demolition.

The resettled people worked in Manila business centers such as Divisoria, Sta. Cruz, Quiapo, Intramuros, Port Area, Malate, and Ermita, as well as airport terminals in Pasay City, and Makati. Some were paid the minimum wage. The rest were on daily contracted rates which were way below the minimum such as those working in stores and mall shops, in restaurants as waiters, cooks and waitresses. Some were junk collectors that rummage city dumps. Some were porters in piers and airport terminals, and still some were janitors, street sweepers, and part-time housekeepers. Their children went to schools which were walking distance away from their makeshift homes. Before the resettlement, the working members of the family already had barely enough daily fare, so that some walked to their job sites, making do with just biscuits for lunch. And then, they were forcefully resettled in the middle of school year, cutting short the studies of their children. Resettlement areas are in far off Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and even Batangas. After the resettlement, most working members of the family quit their job for lack of daily fare to work.

Where is sanity in this supposedly “humane” program of the government? At times, even the rain could not stop the demolition of the makeshift homes, leaving the hapless families shivering, soaked to the bone, wet and hungry, crying their heart out while witnessing the tearing apart of their home that they painstakingly built out of salvaged tins and boards.

Cleared areas give way to malls and condos put up by foreign investors. Some are left as is – vacant, and just fenced in with barbed wire. The esteros or waterways that get cleared of shanties become clogged again by the waste from the upper portion of the Pasig river… floating on the stinking and murky water that flows out to Manila Bay, And the reason?... inconsistent cleaning and monitoring by authorities!  Yet, the government blames only the squatters for the perennial overflowing of these esteros! How about the factories and “legal” homes along the rivers which are also responsible for the waste and garbage that clog these waterways?

Meanwhile, the families in the pathetic resettlement areas try to survive on sweet potato leaves, kangkong, malunggay and wild indigenous vegetables, to go with their daily gruel of NFA rice. Some teen-aged daughters whose studies were cut short, try to help their family by trekking to nearby towns to work in market stalls and small eateries at Php100 a day. Mothers who used to gather vegetable trimmings in Divisoria to be sold on sidewalks or as part-time laundress near their former shanties in the city are left with nothing to do. Their husbands on the other hand cannot afford the more than three hundred pesos fare to their former jobs as porters at the port area and busy city wet markets.

As a last resort, desperate families sell the rights to their “home” and go back to where they came from to start another stage of survival. The government and the agency concerned seem blind to this vicious cycle as a result of their program that lack long-ranged planning. They thought that the solution to the urban squatting problem ends in the resettlement of the families. They forgot that the roof over the head is not just the basic need of man in order to survive. They forgot that such man has to work and earn in order to eat and do other endeavors to better his life, such as go to school.

What the government obviously wants are the numbers that they can print on reports about “rehabilitated” indigent Filipinos! Something for the world to see, that, indeed, poverty in the Philippines has been reduced!