Due to popular demand, we are republishing this poignant letter written anonymously a patriotic Filipino soul.
By Anonymous
I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behavior? And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country. Can it get any worse than this?
Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these "honorable" crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and appalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!
I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like "Honorable", "Senator", "Justice", "General" and worse, "President". Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do! These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation – Robin Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? "Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich."
It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for all the world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures who can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience. Heaven forbid!
I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.
And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own "pag bad ka, lagot ka!" slogan. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?
And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship. "Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.
They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it.
But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.
Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!
I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion – right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.
I call on educators and teachers – we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future – and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.
I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders. YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your heritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.
Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. We are tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. I voted for Atty. Martin Bautista and his team and I sure hope they will run again. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.
For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Manny Pacquiao Marquez Preparing Third Rematch?
Juan Manuel Marquez is not satisfied with the decision of the judges. Marquez claimed he won the fight against Manny Pacquiao during their second rematch in Las Vegas on March 15 2008 which saw him on the floor on the third round. Marquez could have been sent to retirement homes on the third round, but thanks to the faithful boxing bell.
To end the discontent and disillusionment, I propose that there should be a third rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Marquez. This is good for Marquez, actually. The third bout would finally seal his retirement papers with pension plans back in his home in Mexico.
What Marquez had failed to grasp is that being knocked out three times on the first round alone when he battled Pacquiao four years ago and being floored again once on the third round and almost on the tenth round last March 15 was not a spur of the moment. Marquez had tasted the fierceness of Manny Pacquiao's fists. Why is he still grumbling? Marquez has not even sent Pacquiao to the ropes.
But to satisfy a Marquez's longing for vengeance, Pacquiao may give in to a third boxing encounter. Reports say that should there be another rematch, the price tag would be pegged at $6 million U.S. dollars. That is enough to make Freddy Roach, Bob Arum, and the rest of Pacquiao Team smilling all the way to the Bank of America.
Is Marquez still dreaming?
To end the discontent and disillusionment, I propose that there should be a third rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Marquez. This is good for Marquez, actually. The third bout would finally seal his retirement papers with pension plans back in his home in Mexico.
What Marquez had failed to grasp is that being knocked out three times on the first round alone when he battled Pacquiao four years ago and being floored again once on the third round and almost on the tenth round last March 15 was not a spur of the moment. Marquez had tasted the fierceness of Manny Pacquiao's fists. Why is he still grumbling? Marquez has not even sent Pacquiao to the ropes.
But to satisfy a Marquez's longing for vengeance, Pacquiao may give in to a third boxing encounter. Reports say that should there be another rematch, the price tag would be pegged at $6 million U.S. dollars. That is enough to make Freddy Roach, Bob Arum, and the rest of Pacquiao Team smilling all the way to the Bank of America.
Is Marquez still dreaming?
Erap Estrada for President in 2010
In a news report by Reuters, dethroned Philippine President Joseph "Erap" Estrada hinted that he would run again as President "if the public wants him to." Really? Erap does not need widespread calls from ignorant masses who voted him to influence his decision to make a political come-back after he was ousted from Malacanang. Estrada was accused of corruption worth in billions of pesos, convicted after a lengthy trial, but a month later the diminutive Gloria Arroyo pardoned him for no apparent reason.
Erap Estrada, in the same interview with Reuters, disclosed that he would be making movies starting May 2008 "to make people laugh." Movies made Estrada as President of a forsaken Republic who always made serious blunders in electing leaders, let alone President.
Why would he want to make movies in a dying Philippin film industry? Obviously Estrada wants to employ the same tactic that catapulted him to public office back in the 90s. He is not making movies for money. He is not producing movies for fame. He is not making movies to wow women. For what? At 70 years old, why Estrada still wants to release a Filipino film?
Cursed is the Philippines if it would send Erap Estrada back to public office.
The last election saw humiliating debacle of the likes of former senator Tito Sotto and actors Cesar Montano and Richard Gomez. If the nation is wise enough, it should do the same thing in 2010 that it did to the aforemetioned showbiz icons.
Erap Estrada, in the same interview with Reuters, disclosed that he would be making movies starting May 2008 "to make people laugh." Movies made Estrada as President of a forsaken Republic who always made serious blunders in electing leaders, let alone President.
Why would he want to make movies in a dying Philippin film industry? Obviously Estrada wants to employ the same tactic that catapulted him to public office back in the 90s. He is not making movies for money. He is not producing movies for fame. He is not making movies to wow women. For what? At 70 years old, why Estrada still wants to release a Filipino film?
Cursed is the Philippines if it would send Erap Estrada back to public office.
The last election saw humiliating debacle of the likes of former senator Tito Sotto and actors Cesar Montano and Richard Gomez. If the nation is wise enough, it should do the same thing in 2010 that it did to the aforemetioned showbiz icons.
Binibining (Bb) Pilipinas Shame and Insults
Binibining Pilipinas video posted in YouTube has so far received 13,000 plus comments, most of which are plain sarcastic and rude.
The comments come from Filipinos themselves.
The Bb Pilipinas video is now one of the most-commented videos in YouTube History. YouTube has over a billion videos, and is the most-visited website in the world today. YouTube (owned by Google Inc) has dethroned Yahoo and Google in the ranking.
Here's the difference: If you made a mistake in a beauty pageant in the 1960s, the boy next door will not know it. But if you committed a stage blunder today, the whole world will immediately know it.
The Internet can never be underestimated.
Next week, the rude comments could go up to 20,000 and it seems that there is no end of the shame and insult slapped on our country, not on the girl herself. Unless YouTube removes the video, the image of the Philippines will always be ridiculed worldwide.
Whatever people (Filipinos and foreign nationals) say about "My family is the best persons", it is the whole country, from Aparri to Jolo, that is being humiliated.
The comments come from Filipinos themselves.
The Bb Pilipinas video is now one of the most-commented videos in YouTube History. YouTube has over a billion videos, and is the most-visited website in the world today. YouTube (owned by Google Inc) has dethroned Yahoo and Google in the ranking.
Here's the difference: If you made a mistake in a beauty pageant in the 1960s, the boy next door will not know it. But if you committed a stage blunder today, the whole world will immediately know it.
The Internet can never be underestimated.
Next week, the rude comments could go up to 20,000 and it seems that there is no end of the shame and insult slapped on our country, not on the girl herself. Unless YouTube removes the video, the image of the Philippines will always be ridiculed worldwide.
Whatever people (Filipinos and foreign nationals) say about "My family is the best persons", it is the whole country, from Aparri to Jolo, that is being humiliated.
Mexico Will Build Statue for Manny Pacquiao
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, the greatest boxer of all time and the only boxer in Asia who harvested four championship belts, might be honored with a statue in Mexico. If Rizal has a statue in Germany, Manny Pacquiao would also get one in Mexico.
The latest exploit of Manny Pacquiao only showed that he is too strong to be defeated by any Mexican legends. Manny Pacquiao had assassinated boxing legends Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, sending these two great boxers to history books and retirement homes with pension plans.
Juan Manuel Marquez, who tried to erase the Mexican shame brought about by Pacquiao, was again humiliated when he sat on the floor on the third round of their brutal, bloody rematch four years after Marquez was also knocked out three times in first round. Marquez was grateful that he was saved by the bell on the third round.
Marquez had broken the heart of Mexicans. He cannot bring back the lost glory of Mexican greatness that first slipped from the hands of Morales and Barrera.
To commemorate the victory of Manny Paquiao, these three boxing legends, Morales, Barrera, and Marquez, must build a stainless steel statue for Pacquiao in the heart of Mexico. The three can contribute funds for the construction of Pacquiao's statue.
Why should Mexico build a statue for Pacquiao? Because Pacquiao is kind enough of signing the retirement papers of three Mexican boxing legends who will now live happily ever after with their pension plans and insurance packages.
The latest exploit of Manny Pacquiao only showed that he is too strong to be defeated by any Mexican legends. Manny Pacquiao had assassinated boxing legends Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, sending these two great boxers to history books and retirement homes with pension plans.
Juan Manuel Marquez, who tried to erase the Mexican shame brought about by Pacquiao, was again humiliated when he sat on the floor on the third round of their brutal, bloody rematch four years after Marquez was also knocked out three times in first round. Marquez was grateful that he was saved by the bell on the third round.
Marquez had broken the heart of Mexicans. He cannot bring back the lost glory of Mexican greatness that first slipped from the hands of Morales and Barrera.
To commemorate the victory of Manny Paquiao, these three boxing legends, Morales, Barrera, and Marquez, must build a stainless steel statue for Pacquiao in the heart of Mexico. The three can contribute funds for the construction of Pacquiao's statue.
Why should Mexico build a statue for Pacquiao? Because Pacquiao is kind enough of signing the retirement papers of three Mexican boxing legends who will now live happily ever after with their pension plans and insurance packages.
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