Needy Millions

I think we really need to think about the direction the Philippines is headed. We can ride the current political wave in our country. We should take advantage of the opportunity that is now before us. We do not know if we will be fortunate to have this chance again in this lifetime. I thought of three essential and related changes that will help us in such pursuit. First, I recommend the immediate passage of the Freedom of Information Bill. Second, we need to adopt a jury system for the administration of justice. Third, that we shift to a parliamentary form of government. These timely measures would have an overall synergistic effect into providing a much more transparent and efficient means of truly serving the Filipino nation and people, service which is more than ever badly needed. Billions of pesos needed by the needy millions!

Critical Analysis for August 26, 2013

Good day, dear readers. Thank you granting me your indulgence. I have come before you today to give a critical analysis of the great day to come. I am referring to August 26, 2013. On that day, millions of Filipinos will be going to landmarks all over the Philippine Islands to peacefully gather. They are determined to voice their sentiments and resentments about the PDAF, more commonly known as pork barrel. It accounts for a substantial portion of the national budget. During 2012, it was P24.2 B of the total P1.8 T budget. It is commonly believed to be a source of corruption among politicians, from the national to the local levels. I feel with them, and so I speak before you today to share my thoughts and reflection relevant to the matter at hand. Filipinos have always been praised with having the virtue of patience. But I challenge us to have other more timely virtues such as truth and courage. We must assure the truth is spoken and known of, or we run the risk of dictators and grand schemers run each and every aspect of our lives. I mean all aspects, such as life, death, belief, biases, culture, entertainment, sports, and psyche. The whole gamut of our ideas and opinions. We must rethink the evidences presented before us to ascertain the truth. If they are not enough, then we must aspire and actively look for supporting evidences which would tell us a more solid and congruent story. Then we tell the world how we feel because it matters. Everything and everyone counts. Everyone is worthy to pursue life with liberty to pursue happiness. This is our time. Now. Personally, I have no problem with it other than putting much trust on a few people who have time and time again have proven themselves not deserving of such trust. To put it plainly, they are not accountable. There is no full transparency as to the way public funds are spent by our public officials. These supposedly public servants serve no other but their own interests and their private groups. Their illegal and unethical activities do not stand well with me, especially most of our people are honest, well-meaning, and simple wage earners who do the brunt of the actual work that have been keeping our country afloat economically in spite of the gross negligence of the way public funds have been spent through the years. Edit: I think the top estimate at the Luneta Park was 400 K people who attended. Still, I could say it was highly successful. :)

Cagayan Trip

I went to Papa's hometown at Cullit, Lallo, Cagayan. I stayed there for about 2 weeks (June 22-July 5, 2013). It was certainly a very fruitful trip. My father usually goes there to attend to his trees and some legal matters. He has jackfruits, bananas, and soursops, to name a few. As for the legal stuff, this time, we attended a case hearing at the Regional Trial Court of Aparri, Cagayan. It involves the recovery of possession of a property illegally occupied by some person. Let us leave it at that as the case is still ongoing. He brought mahogany seedlings he bought from Manila Seedling which were placed in 2 large bayongs, large bags made from buri palm leaves. He has a complete set of tools for basic tree planting and landscaping. Towards the end of our stay there, we have successfully transplanted the seedlings in the ancestral land, where my grandparents, Felix and Angela, built there own house and where my father, Reynaldo, and his 2 older sisters, Maria and Jasmina, grew up. I really enjoyed my stay there this time around, without the internet connection to trouble me. What I mean is I play competitive strategy turn-based games on my iPad. Of course, I had to forfeit all of my matches due to the trip. I think it it very much worth it because I instantly had much more time to reflect on things which really matter in life. For one, I listened I think to the Falun Dafa lecture recordings by master Li Hongzi I downloaded, about 3 times during the trip. I did this during breaks or while I was lying on the bed. I mean it is a complete suggestion on how one could live his life virtuously, with emphasis on Truth, Benevolence, and Forbearance. The main thesis is on giving up one's various attachments, especially those to material things. Of course still played games from time to time. Now on to the more physical stuff. I discovered I like doing sweaty things like picking up sticks and stones, picking calamansi fruits from a tree.