Showing posts with label Filipinos. Show all posts

As Filipinos, We All Belong to the Same Race

…why hate one another, then?

By Apolinario Villalobos

The inhabitants of the archipelago that Ruy Lopez de Villalobos (not related to the author), named “Las Islas de Filipinas” in honor of his king, Philip II, all belong to one race. There is no reason therefore for an inhabitant to assert his being different just because he is a Muslim and lives in Mindanao. Along this line, there is no reason also, for another inhabitant to assert his being different as a Christian who lives either in Visayas or Luzon. The “Filipino” that we know today, regardless of his region, is the result of cultural impregnations by the different races that came to the archipelago, either to trade or colonize. Most importantly and very clearly, too, our ancestors were not born Christians and Muslims. They were converted by missionaries who were converts, themselves!!! How can we be proud then, of such imposed faith and culture???

Before Mohammed became a prophet, his people were practicing a different religion. He even went through persecutions before he finally succeeded in converting his people and such effort that took a route is the one being followed by those who undertake the “haj”. On the other hand, the Romans were pagans and it was only through the diligence of St. Paul that Christianity took a foothold in that city, but still, only after a series of persecution of Christian missionaries. And, that is how the Roman Catholic religion was developed, spread to as far as Spain, and finally, brought by the Spanish friars to the islands of Visayas and Luzon, as well as, a small portion in Mindanao, particularly, Zamboanga.

The natives of Luzon and Visayas were formerly animists - worshippers of nature.  But, long before the Spaniards came, Islam as a religion was already widely practiced in the archipelago. When the Spaniards set foot on the shores of Manila and Visayas, they already found Mohammedan inhabitants, some of whom they successfully converted into Christianity. Those from Mindanao, who pestered them with piratical raids, they called “Moros”, with barbaric connotation, as it was derived from the “Moors” who were driven out of Spain by Christian Crusaders. This shows then, that the “Moro” which was originally used by the Spaniards with reference to the Muslim pirates from Mindanao does not even have the slightest “native” hint in it. The Spaniards used the reference to show their disgust at the barbaric ways of those from Mindanao, all of whom they thought were pirates, robbers, and uncivilized. In other words, such reference was not concocted by the Mindanao Muslims. So, how can pride emanate from such Spanish-given name with horrible connotation?

Our ancestors were never referred to as “Filipinos” during the Hispanic regime. During the time, the “Filipinos” referred to, were actually the indolent Spanish settlers who lived comfortably in Manila out of the revenue derived from the galleon trade. When the trade faltered, the Spanish king was even forced to send financial replenishment for their sustenance, resulting to the clamor to abandon Manila. These colonists occupied the minuscule stronghold and walled city of Intramuros – the Manila of the old.

The affluent natives were called “Indios”. Those who lived far from the moot-ringed walled city were the Chinese who were forcibly clustered in Parian by the Spaniards with an objective to control their movement. The Parian eventually became the present-day Chinatown, reputed as the oldest in the world. The non-converted Mohammedan natives dwelt along the length of the Pasig River, and as far as Tondo. The friars even called the natives ugly “chonggos” (monkeys)! So how can we be proud of our so-called Hispanic past, when our ancestors were also treated as serfs who provided forced labor in building galleons and churches?

The only time the natives were called “Filipinos” was when the Americans took over the reins of the colony. But, still in the eyes of the new colonists, the natives were still a helpless lot who need succor and further conversion as if Catholicism was not enough, that is why they brought in their own Protestant missionaries and teachers who forced the natives to sing “The Star Spangled Banner”.

That is how we were pitifully victimized as a race and treated as ignoramus, when in fact, before the two groups of colonizers came, the natives were already enjoying a brisk trade with the neighboring southeast Asian states and kingdoms, even Japan and China. Mindanao had its own “royal houses”, too. Our ancestors were already weaving fabrics, manufacturing cannons, and mining for gold. The primary reason why the Spaniards came was to take over the wealth of the natives and bring them back to Spain. And, history books are clear on that. The natives of the archipelago were never helpless. The conversion into Christianity was just secondary and even still with questionable sincerity.

On the other hand, had there been a reversal of events, in which the Arab missionaries concentrated their evangelization effort in Luzon and Visayas, those who are living in these islands would be clinging to the Islamic faith. And, had the Spaniards decided to drop anchor in Sulu or Zamboanga, to put up permanent colonial outposts, those who are living in the whole of Mindanao including Sulu, Tawi-tawi, and Sabah groups of islands would have been embracing Roman Catholicism.

The Filipinos as a race are victims of historic events that dwelt on the scramble for overseas colonization by former western powers such as Spain, Portugal, Holland, and England. We are now suffering from identity crisis due to imposed faiths and cultures. Worse, this dilemma threatens the unity of the whole archipelago. And still worst, the effort to unite is greatly hampered by an inutile and deteriorating government due to incorrigible corruption. Fortunately, Duterte surfaced by virtue of a popular election, as a crime-busting President.

The mistake of the early political leaders was their failure to change the name of the archipelago into something more nationalistic and encompassing when “Commonwealth” status was granted by the United States. The early leaders’ minds were focused on the imposed erudite Hispanic and American cultures. They forgot that somewhere down south, there were other inhabitants, albeit, with different faiths and dialects - the Muslims and Lumads.

The so-called “Filipino” historic leaders whose questionable reputations are beginning to be exposed today had a short-ranged view. They did not consider the geographical situation of the country when they came up with a governing system, such that control may pose a problem in time due to its fragmented situation, which is happening right now. They adopted the unicameral system of other countries, but in framing the Constitution, they followed the “structure and formal appearance” of America’s own. Curiously, they did not copy the Federal system of the Americans who introduced “democracy”. Is it because they did not want to share the authority with those living in the far south? Does this show that greed for power has prevailed as early as that time to benefit a handful pretentious “Filipinos” who framed the hybrid Basic Law of the country, but which proved to be a flop today, despite two revisions?

As a native of this archipelago, I ask: why do we have to begrudge one another today, just because we differ in faith and dialect?  Is it the fault of those living in Luzon and Visayas that Mindanao is being neglected by the dysfunctional government? The “enemies” are the faulty government system and corrupt officials. The solution to the problem is not the separation from the organic homogenous system to become a separate state or annexation to another country. There are options that can put an end to the problem on unity, among which could be the federal system, relocation of the seat of the central government somewhere at the midpoint of the archipelago, or review of the current Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to make it more service-oriented. But the eventual solution could be the 24-degree turnaround in our attitude as inhabitants of this archipelago, specifically in the way officials are chosen that is shamelessly hinged on vote-buying!   

It is a disgrace, indeed, that we, as a people who came from the same stock should hate one another based on what were imposed on us to become what we are now – Christians and Muslims. We should, instead, fight for our real identity, to enable us to maintain our unity.

Charlie Kris Limbong…16 years old, nagtitinda para may panggastos sa pag-aaral

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Si Kris ang binanggit ko noong anak ni Bai Weng na nai-blog ko, at polio victim sa murang gulang pero nagsikap upang mamuhay ng normal hanggang makapag-asawa. Siya ang binanggit kong nagtitinda ng “walis tambo” tuwing Sabado at Linggo upang may panggastos sa pag-aaral. Dahil sa kahirapan sa buhay, patigil-tigil ang kanyang pag-aaral. Sa kabila ng lahat ay sinikap niyang matapos ang elementarya at ngayon sa gulang na 16, siya ay nasa First Year High School na ng Virginia Fajardo. National High School. Third Honor ang nakuha niya nang magtapos ng elementarya.

Noon ko pa gustong makilala si Kris kaya papunta-punta ako sa puwesto ng kanyang nanay na si Bai Weng upang matiyempuhan sana bago siya maglibot sa palengke at commercial area ng Tacurong upang magbenta ng “walis tambo”. Nagulat pa ako nang malaman ko na nakakarating pala siya sa Isulan para lang magtinda ng walis. Sa pagkakuwento ng kanyang nanay, hindi na umaasa sa kanila si Kris dahil pati toothpaste at sabon niya ay siya na rin ang bumibili mula sa kanyang kinikita.

Nang muli akong mamasyal sa puwesto ni Bai Weng ay hindi ko alam na siya pala ang kumakain ng kaning tutong at ang ulam ay kaunting burong isda. Akala ko ay kostumer na estudyante. Narinig ko pa siyang sumabay sa awit na naririnig mula sa isang radio at napahanga ako sa ganda ng kanyang boses. Nang maghanda na siyang umalis at inabutan ni Bai Weng ng isang plastic bag na may mga tsitserya ay nagtanong ako kung saan niya ititinda. Nang sumagot na sa eskwela ay biglang pumasok sa isip ko na baka siya ang sinasabi ni Bai Weng na anak niyang “negosyante”….siya nga!

Sa tuwa ko ay kinunan ko agad silang mag-ina ng retrato at hiningan ng pahintulot upang mai-blog…pumayag naman. Ayaw daw niyang galawin ang naipon niyang pera dahil gagamitin niya sa mga gastusin sa paaralan. Ang kikitain niya mula sa mga ititindang tsitserya ang gagamitin  niya para sa mga agaran o immediate niyang pangangailangan. At, kailangan pa daw niyang bumili ng isa pang pares ng pantalong uniporme. Dahil uuwi pa siya sa Griῆo ay hindi ko na  masyadong inabala, subalit, nagkasundo kaming magkikita uli sa puwesto ng kanyang nanay.

Kung ang ibang kabataang Pilipino ay tulad ni Kris, sana ay walang gaanong problema ang ating bansa. Mapalad din ang mga magulang ni Kris sa pagkaroon ng mga anak na responsable dahil lahat silang magkakapatid ay walang bisyo.

Sabotage as Part of the Demolition Scheme

Against the Duterte Administration

By Apolinario Villalobos

I have consistently emphasized that despite the seemingly indestructible image of Duterte due to his machismo, his detractors are bent on doing possible ways to shake his administration. The best way to do this is make use of the untouchable civil service eligibles left in practically all agencies loyal to them. Newly-appointed chiefs of agencies cannot even bring along their trusted staff due to delicadeza, thereby, helplessly leaving them at the mercy of the holdover corrupts in the office.

Who would be expected to feed detractors with inside information about the weaknesses of the new appointees but the insiders? Who would be expected to discreetly muddle the decision of the new appointees but the insiders?  If this is not sabotage committed by the corrupt holdovers and who are protected by the Civil Service eligibility, I do not know what else to call it.

Sabotage is a universal destructive act of “mercenaries” in an organization, entity, and nation. These saboteurs are sometimes called “spies” to give them an exciting color. These devils of sort can throw into trash bins or burn documents, make equipment bog down, block the flow of information, feed wrong information to the media, etc., with the end view of destroying the credibility of the agency and the appointed chief.

The case of the Bureau of Customs is one classic example. Since time immemorial, the agency always alleges the lack of facilities, especially, x-ray machines for their inability to detect contraband items. How can such an agency whose main responsibility is to “check” items lack this basic equipment? Accordingly, the agency has x-ray machines but they have been purposely made to malfunction!

Sabotage will definitely pull Duterte down unless something drastic is done to the evils in the agencies – the incorrigible Civil Service eligibles!

Ang Department of Social Welfare

…kaylan kaya magpapakatotoo?

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kaylan lang ay bumulaga sa buong Pilipinas ang balita tungkol sa nadiskubreng 20 sakong relief packs na ibinaon sa isang lugar ng Dagami, Leyte na inilaan dapat sa mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda. Ang mga relief packs at sako ay may tatak ng DSW at ang masama, mag-iimbistiga daw ang ahensiya pero ang resulta ay ilalabas sa susunod na buwan!...ibig sabihin ay Enero 2016! Ganoon na ba kabagal kung kumilos ang gobyerno? Nang nakawin naman ang mga relief sa isang bodega sa Cebu noong nakaraang taon at nakunan pa ng video, inimbistigahan din daw, pero inabot na ng mahigit isang taon ay wala pa ring narinig tungkol dito. Malinaw na kaya malakas ang loob ng mga kawatan sa gobyerno ay parang may nagkukunsinti sa katiwaliang ito dahil wala man lang napaparusahan…na dapat ay saklaw ng batas tungkol sa “command responsibility”.

Ang pagkasinungaling ng DSW ay lumilitaw na naman dahil sa kabila ng sinasabi ng kalihim nito mismo na si Dinky Soliman na “inililigtas” lang daw nila ang mga batang kalye tuwing may darating na bisita ay malinaw na ganoon na nga….pagsisinungaling lang. Balik na naman sa mga kalye ang mga “batang hamog” sa iba’t ibang kalsada ng Maynila at namemehuwisyo ng mga motorista. At, ngayon dahil pasko, ay nakikipag-patintero pa sa mga sasakyan at humahabol sa mg bus at jeep na kanilang pinagkakarolingan. Nasaan ang katotohanan sa sinasabi ni Soliman na inililigtas ng ahensiya ang mga ito mula sa delikadong kalagayan ng mga kalsada?

Napaga-alaman pa na mismong mga “Street Facilitators”, mga seasonal contract workers ng DSW, na siyang naghahakot ng mga batang kalye tuwing may bisitang darating, hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nabibigyan ng allowance sa serbisyo nila noong APEC. Ano ang ginagawa ni Soliman sa pondo ng DSW para sa mga ganitong proyekto?

Marami ang bumabatikos  tungkol sa napakalaking pondo ng DSW at kung anu-anong idinadahilang proyekto na kuwestiyonable naman ang relevance o katuturan. Pinagdududahan ng mga bumabatikos na baka ang malaking pondo ay gagamitin lang para sa kampanya ng mga manok ng administrasyon. Ayaw ko sanang maniwala….subalit ilang buwan na lang eleksiyon na at nagsimula na nga ang paglabasan ng mga ads ng mga kandidato na nangangailangan ng milyon-milyong pondo.

The Survival Instinct of the Filipinos

By Apolinario Villalobos

Survival is a human instinct, but varies according to environment and culture. Some can survive with utmost honesty, some with deception, and still others do with violence. The Filipinos use ingenuity and resourcefulness in order to survive, sometimes even with much tolerance of a wrongdoing – a manifestation of a non-violent character. This tolerance does not mean, however, that the Filipinos are of a cowardly race. By survival, this writer, mean endurance and persistence.

Filipinos have shown that despite the onslaught of disasters, they have recovered, with grace, yet. And, recovery is made with resourcefulness. Though typhoons and floods may have flattened villages and towns, the affected literally pick up pieces of their lives– actually, useful debris that could be pieced together even for a scant roof over their head.

Tin cans become pots for rice to be cooked and water to be boiled for doled out coffee or instant noodles.

In big cities such as Manila, what some perceive as vagabonds are actually Filipinos who survive on the jingling coins in their pockets and junks that can be salvaged from dumps, and sold in recycling centers for their daily subsistence. Those who sell candies and cigarettes in traffic-clogged streets do their best to set aside substantial amount for a pedaled trike (traysikad) that would become a regular source of a bigger income. Some patiently gather vegetable trimmings discarded by vegetable wholesalers, to be cleaned and sold by pile on sidewalks.

The non-violent character of the Filipinos made them tolerate even the blatant ineptness of the government, and instead of raising hands that grip guns, they make do with rallies where effigy- burning, shouts, speeches and songs become their “most violent” expressions. Not even the much ballyhooed “People Power Revolution” that caused the toppling of the Marcos dictatorship saw violent actions from the waves of protesters. Compatriots in military and police uniforms reciprocated by accepting flowers and foods offered to them.

While in the Middle East and Africa there are incidents of suicide bombings, nothing of same sort has ever happened in the country. Long before the spate of kidnapping for ransom in Mindanao rocked the island, particularly Jolo and Basilan, some countries in South America have already been suffering from it. Despite the threats announced by headlines in broadsheets and tabloids about the sure collapse of tourism industry because of the varied turmoil, the Filipinos nonchalantly continue to hope for the better by doing something to arrest the downtrend.

The Philippines is a case of “unity in diversity”. Filipinos who have diversified cultures and religions have managed to maintain a closely-knit society. When the vast Philippine Arena of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Bulacan was inaugurated, the whole country celebrated. During the seasons of Ramadan and Eidl Fitre, Christians are one with Muslim brethren, the former being respectful to the solemnity involved. During Christmas, many Muslim homes also display lanterns and Christmas trees. When the MNLF-Nur Misuari faction devastated Zamboanga City, Christians and Muslims joined hands in condemning his act. In Mindanao, when ragtag bands of rebels would attack a village, Muslims and Christians flee to the same direction for safety.

This unique survival character of the Filipinos is once again put to test in the face of the political and economic unrest that beset the country today. Not a single day is without a tabloid or a broadsheet shouting headlines about corruptions in the government and the weakness of the leadership. The Filipinos turn to the social media to express their ill-feelings. There are pockets of rallies but they are held with utmost restraint. Issues on the volatile economy and impending “chaos” that might result to starvation due to skyrocketing of prices and expected long power interruptions do not deter the steadfast Filipinos who astutely maintain their patience and poise.

The unique survival instinct of the Filipinos may be attributed to their fear of God. Their religiosity is so deeply-rooted in their character that even in the face of any adversity, they are unfazed. 

Nobel Prize for Pnoy?

…joke?

By Apolinario Villalobos

Awwww…come on!!!! Whoever made the recommendation is making a joke. With all the glitches that the government is accumulating, practically every day, who would ever think that the person who heads it espouses peace?

So this government thought that the “Mindanao peace process” is a great accomplishment. Unfortunately, many observers think otherwise. Even the lawmakers, themselves, think so. One lawmaker even threatened that it will never earn their favor. The objective is noble, but in the haste of those involved, there were many oversights committed, one of which is the case of the Sulu sultanate’s claim over Sabah, and consultation was not thoroughly done, as manifested by the petty attack of Zamboanga by Misuari faction of MNLF. The presence of Malaysia in the panel is self-serving, because of the Sabah case. Are there no other countries willing to help mediate, other than Malaysia?

Reportedly, it was Deles, a peace process adviser who made the recommendation for the president as a candidate for such a noble prize. It is not a surprise then, but woefully, it has earned more embarrassment, than admiration and support from the Filipinos. With so many protests against the government, only those who work under him can be proud of him. Some groups claim to be proud as Filipinos, but are ashamed of the government. Are the messages not loud enough for him to hear?

The president earned the animosity of the farmers who were used by the notorious bandits in the government in order to filch money from the national coffer. He earned the hatred of the disaster victims for the slow-footedness of the government for their rehabilitation. He earned the antagonism of the Filipinos in the far-flung villages for the government’s disregard of their plight. He earned the hostility of the youth for the government’s indifference to their real needs that center on affordable education.

The country is not economically and socially peaceful. The noise of hungry mobs fill the air due to the government’s inutility in the face of the rising prices of prime commodities and fuel. The country is slowly eaten up by the surge of invasive foreign entrepreneurs who practically run the economy of the country. The country is slowly sinking down the quagmire of corruption with seemingly no succor in sight. In other words, the government is not at peace with its own people and the country as a whole.

The government should stop its hypocritical nonsensical pronouncement of peace. It falls short in its effort to promote it….or, does it know what it is supposed to do?

Ang Mga Fund-Raising

Sa Ating Bansa

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kung ating pansinin, ang mga pulitikong nasa poder  ay may mga kamag-anak din na kung hindi cabinet secretary ay iba pang puwestong makapangyarihan. Ang ganitong sitwasyon ay hantarang bahagi ng tinatawag na web of political dynasty and corruption – parang bahay ng gagamba na maganda ang pagkakakahabi - matibay. Halimbawa na lang ang mga mayor o gobernador sa ibang probinsiya na may kamag-anak, first degree man o may konting kalayuan, sa mga nakaupo sa mga ahensiya ng gobyerno. Hindi kalaunan, sa pagtatapos ng term ng mga kamag-anak sa kanilang pwesto sa probinsiya, papalit ang mga kamag-anak na dating mga nasa ahensiya – na nakilala na rin, salamat sa pangulo na nagtalaga sa kanila.

Upang mapanatili ang paghawak- tuko sa mga pwesto ng mga ito, yong kailangang idaan sa botohan sa eleksyon, kailangan ng pondo. Kailangang magkaroon ng “fund raising”. Isa sa mga palaging binabanggit ng mga diyaryo kung bakit pinag-iinitan ng taga-administrasyon sina Jinggoy Estrada at Bong Revilla ay dahil sa ambisyon nilang maging president at bise-presidente sa darating nga eleksiyon. At kaya daw sila nasangkot sa pork barrel scam ay dahil nag-fund raising sila upang makalikom ng malaking halaga na magagamit sa pangangampanaya. At dahil hinaharangan sila sa plano nilang ito, ganoon na lang kung idiin sila sa kaso.

Makikita sa mahabang listahan ni Napoles ng mga “kliyente” niya na ang mga apilyedo ay mga pangalan ng mga kilalang pulitiko sa iba’t ibang probinsiya at bayan. Mga taong nagpapagawa kunwari ng mga project para sa mga tao subali’t siniguro na may malaki silang kikitain na hindi hamak. Ang hindi alam ng mga tao, halos barya lamang ang ginastos sa mga proyekto kung ihambing sa mga kinita ng mga opisyal na ito. Nariyan ang fly-over na tawiran ng mga tao sa isang maliit na bayan ng Mindanao, na hindi naman sana kailangan, mga naglipanang basketball court at multi-purpose halls na pinakamadaling gamitan ng padded na budget, mga livelihood seminar “daw”, at kung anu-ano pa. Masaya ang mga tao, akala nila mahal sila ng kanilang mga opisyal, yon pala kinakasangkapan lamang sila upang makapag- fund raising!

Sa ganitong isyu, hindi na makatotohanan ang patakaran ng COMELEC tungkol sa limitasyon sa gastos ng bawa’t kandidato tuwing eleksiyon. Pati na rin kasi ang halagang pambili ng boto ay kasama na rin sa budget ng mga kandidato. Saan naman sila kukuha ng panggastos? Eh, di kay tatay o nanay na nasa kongreso o senado, di kaya ay kay pinsan na may mahalagang pwesto sa gobyerno tutal siya rin naman ang papalit bilang mayor o gobernador pagdating ng panahon, o di kaya kay utol na isang pirma lang sa isang kontrata ay milyones na ang kita, uuwi rin sa probinsiya upang maging mayor o gobernador! Ang Napoles issue ay isa lamang patak ng tubig sa basong halos ay umaapaw na. Marami pang ibang  pinagmumulan, na hanggang ngayon ay pinagtatakpan.

Nakapagtataka pa ba kung bakit hindi matutuldukan ang political dynasty at corruption sa ating bansa? Pati nga simbahang Katoliko at mga Obispo ay naambunan!

The Futile Efforts of the Philippine Government

By Apolinario Villalobos

Lately, the Commission of Audit, (COA) admitted the difficulty in checking the flow of donations for the victims of the typhoon Yolanda, after finding out their unsystematic handling, from the day they are received until the day of distribution. As expected, there is no admission even  for a single fault among the agencies involved. And to think that this is just one among the many discrepancies in the administration of the Philippine government that are waiting to be assessed.

Since the time that the Philippines was weaned from the protection of foreign governments, leaders who have diverse calling in life tried to effectively steer the country towards progress, to no avail. It is a general perception that lawyers are good government leaders, this is proven wrong several times, hence, the Filipinos tried an ordinary housewife, whose administration, unfortunately just bred more corrupt officials.  Then  came,  a general,  an actor,  an expert in public administration and management, yet, corruption just got worse. Now, a supposedly brilliant guy is holding the reins, but it is a public knowledge that he does not listen to suggestions. On TV, this kind of character has been emphasized by no less than a senator.

My wild and desperate idea is to give a cleric the chance to run the government – regardless of religious affiliation. Since a charismatic leader did not deliver as expected, perhaps, a religious one this time may be able to use the threat of hell in cleansing the government of corruption. Being a religious gives him the clout to shout a warning to corrupt officials to change their ways if they do not want to suffer in hell.

Seriously, for as long as there are corrupt people who walk the corridors of government agencies, no hope is in sight for the country. These people will always find ways and means to jumble smooth systems of operations within the agencies that will further jumble the overall process of the government. These pests will continue to beleaguer the government due to  the resounding NOTHING as an answer to the following questions:  What results can we expect from investigations of corruption cases conducted by corrupt officials?  What can we expect from a government that has already identified loopholes in inter-agency operations but refuses to plug such holes, because party colleagues are in the way? What can we expect from government agencies that hold press conferences to broadcast their actions even before concerned parties are properly informed, and blame each other if confusion ensued?