We Are What We Are

Many times we find ourselves asking the question "Why are we stuck with some of the people we have in our lives?" We have them by affinity, association, or consanguinity. Certainly, life would be a lot better if they are not part of it..... Of the 6,800,000 or so people in this world, again I ask, "why, oh why, must we be stuck with them!".

Unfortunately, we don't really have a choice in some cases. So grin and bear, we must ... We have to share this world with them even if we feel that the world would be a better place without such creeps....... Some are not really creeps but just the same, they get into our nerves.

I have quite a few such associations.... and it's irritating to have these kind of people in your life particularly when they are so close to home. It can start harmlessly...... some casual conversation could actually lead to more sharing of thoughts which could be misinterpreted into 'closeness' that could lead to unsolicited advising.... which I loathe especially from people whose opinion I don't value and most especially because they are not well-meaning people. They love to know every tiny little detail of your life, nitpick, and over-analyze even the most inconsequential. They have an interpretation for anything. People with nothing better to do, do this all the time....

In a seminar on midlife crisis I attended last year, the resource person said that we will lose friends and some other people in our lives simply because we would outgrow them. I think that if I have not outgrown them, I am simply tired of their ways....and they cannot probably come to terms with that fact that they have been outgrown. They remain in the quagmire that they have always stayed in without any hope of ever getting out. They are envious, gossipy, resentful,and always on the look out for anything that can destroy people.... Some of them are supposed to be our elderly........ One such person would tell me that ED is like an elderly for being reserved and would show irritation over MS because being a kid, he was all over the place. The same person would proudly tell me that a grandchild was reassigned in the field and would be getting a raise. She added, however, that this grandchild is not used to working hard (the exact term in the vernacular is "di sanay mahirapan")...... I think the person just meant to say that since they are wealthy, the kid does not have to strive and work hard. If these are the kind of values they are teaching their youngsters, I am proud of my introverted and hyperactive kids who know the value of work and sacrificing to get what they want and certainly know that money is not everything.

Another variation to these type of people are those who want to talk about themselves painting for them a picture bigger than who they really are and catapulting themselves to a place that they think is rightfully theirs.... They like to feed on their own low self-esteem that constantly need affirmation.... They talk about their enormous wealth, travels, and latest acquisitions in front of a captive audience. There's nothing wrong with that except when that is the only thing that they can talk about. Let me tell you it's tacky and uncalled for...... Wealth is something that is best not flaunted. Flaunting wealth is evident among the so called "new money". My son has the right term for them.... boasts........ They boast to anyone, willing or unwilling, thinking that everyone is impressed by the object of their conceit.

My family is not used to this kind of cheap talks where a boast would monopolize a conversation in a captive (or is captured more apt) audience. We cannot be found in a table of suckers and victims forced to listen. Or in the unfortunate event that we find ourselves caught, we will find a way to get out of the situation as quietly as possible. Because we cannot be part of your captive (captured) audience whenever you want to boast, doesn't mean we are rude. We will stay as long as we can but not forever. Quite frankly, we don't mind nor care about the color of your fleet of vehicles or how much you reward your kids with an insane amount of money. Don't feel slighted when we leave the floor when we couldn't stand your insensitivity and rudeness for holding people captive as you brag. Don't make an issue out of it and talk about us like we wouldn't know because you pass on your concocted story to people like you who will keep on passing it to make sure it reaches us.

We are what we are.........because we are real....You're not forced to accept us for what we are, warts and all, .......... but live and for once, try letting others live in peace......

It's sad that wisdom does not necessarily come with age.... or wealth. Even with the experiences afforded by getting older, not all become wiser. Even if resources are available to improve one's mental and emotional being, some do not simply have it in them to learn the ways of the wise.

If you feel you are being alluded to by this post, you are probably right. Yes, it's you and you know who you are.... If I happen to hit a sensitive chord in you, apologies but I am not taking anything back..... If you happen to feel insulted and decide to get out of our lives..... good riddance...... It's probably for the best. Try to breathe because you are gasping for being so full of ourselves..... For once, stop living in your Nirvana and be real....
Apologies for the the anger in this post..... It's just that I have to ventilate...

Related Post:
How to Deal with Criticism and Critical People

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How Much Do You Make?

I got this from an email forwarded by a dear friend who like me belongs to the academe. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece. It made me misty-eyed but it surely made my day!

This is dedicated to all the teachers and mentors who sometimes forget what their true worth is. Indeed, money isn't everything. I am glad that I am always wanting in finances because I know that my true worth is not dictated by my wealth; not affected by inflation; does not expand exponentially by compounding interest rates; nor is it eroded by time........

The Teacher

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest... what do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make?"

(She paused for a second, then began...)

Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like a Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write... keyboarding isn't everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in
English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make e my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand and sing ………… every morning, because we live in this great country called …………

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given,
work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't
everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant...

You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

“What do you make Mr. CEO?"

His jaw dropped, he went silent.


Now let me add my own take on this.....

..... that to really learn, one need to learn discipline, control, and restraint.... that instilling discipline means that a teacher cares to want a student become the best that he can be....

I make a student take each failure as a step leading to the right direction..... that it is alright to fail as long as you learn from your mistake and move on.... that a teacher extends a hand's after each and every failure.....

.... that the best lesson in life is learned in living it taking both blows and breezes with magnanimity.........

......that success is not determined by luck nor circumstances, it is a choice..........

To my former teachers and mentors, thank you for taking the time in charting our paths..........

Everyone is welcome to share your own piece of wisdom.

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Help for Typhoon Ondoy's Victims

Some are missing, some remain unaccounted for, dozens perished, some were hurt, many are in evacuation centers while others are still trapped in their homes. They need our help.......

I am posting this appeal for assistance for Typhoon Ondoy's victims from Barrio Siete. Please visit their site if you would like to donate to this cause.

My fellow bloggers, readers and lurkers; it breaks our heart seeing all these images and watching the videos coming from Manila – the wrath and devastation not only to properties but also to the lives of our fellow Filipinos. Tropical typhoon Ondoy is not only creating havoc but also bringing epic floods in the Metropolitan Manila area.

In the spirit of Barrio Siete, I invite you all to join our Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims. Very simply:

1.) Make a donation to our Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims. If you can’t, then help us by making this viral and create an entry entitled: “Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims“. A link to this original entry will be appreciated where your readers can make a donation. Please leave us a note in the comment section if you are joining so we can list your entry, in case the pingback doesn’t work.

2.) Invite other bloggers to join our “Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims”

3.) We will list the names of the donors in a worksheet, their organization and/or their websites, unless they prefer to be anonymous.

4.) The listing will be updated regularly and will be posted here in Barrio Siete Dot com.

5.) We are only accepting monetary donations in currencies accepted by Paypal.

6.) All donations will be remitted only to the Philippine National Red Cross in Manila. (We have not made any contact with them yet.)

7.) If you prefer: You can make donations directly to the Philippine National Red Cross. Here is the link: Ways to donate

In Barrio Siete, this is where you can make your donation. We will in turn, turn this over to the Philippine National Red Cross.

God please help us cope up with this latest tragedy! God bless our nation.

Thanks for the tag Mahalia.


Related Posts:
China donates $10,000 to Typhoon Ondoy victims
Floods submerge Metro Manila areas
Typhoon Ondoy displaces 153 families
Typhoon Ondoy flood the streets of Metro Manila

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Two Women and a Different Kind of Love for One Country

Through times, women have become important figures in the economic landscape of nations. When in the past women were relegated to domestic chores and rearing children, we now occupy important positions in the professional arena, academe, government, and community work. Consequently, shift in gender roles can likewise be seen in the domestic fronts as men begin to share the burden of running the household to a lesser or greater degree.

A lot of women have been rising to prominence and occupying positions of influence. All over the world, we have produced so many of these women. Margaret Thatcher ruled England with the toughness of a man. Indira Gandhi is the first and, to date, only female Prime Minister of India who led independence movements in her country. The gentle and frail Mother Teresa miraculously performed her duties against all odds. Who can forget the beautiful Princess Diana as her compassionate spirit shone brightly despite her many 'faults'. Nancy Reagan is one tough cookie and seen as the inspiration to President Reagan whom many dismissed as just another 'actor' but somehow made these doubters eat their words with an eventful presidency. Barbara Bush, quiet and unassuming, might be the saving grace for the 'George Bush'. Now, Michelle Obama is much more than Barrack's better half. I dare say even Angelina Jolie has been making her presence felt with her humanitarian missions and who would miss her multi-cultural family she put together by adopting babies all over the world.

In this country, Imelda Marcos is largely seen as the force who made and broke Ferdie. President Cory Aquino became the first female president through a peaceful revolution of the masses. After President Aquino, people became more accepting of a woman president as President Gloria Arroyo assumed the same role after another peaceful uprising. She supposedly won another term.

Sinner or saint, women power has become a force to reckon with.

Recent events continue to focus on two important women figures. President Arroyo is under public scrutiny in her last months in office as she delivered her last SONA recently. Will she be able to deliver her promise of progressive Philippines in her remaining months? A seasoned economists who introduced various economic reforms after inheriting a nation in turmoil from an excessive regime. Her efforts resulted in modest economic growth for the country and order in a number of institutions. She continues to boast about putting back the fundamentals in the right track resulting in macro-economic gains. True enough, there was a slight growth. While nations are reeling from the financial crisis, we are coping and managed to even improved our credit rating. Unemployment and inflation are in check. All these should very well be in place.... as Gloria is an economist.

President Aquino succumbed to colon cancer early this month. Seen as an icon of democracy, her magic continues even in death. Her presidency did not result in economic upliftment for the country. Not much was expected of the reluctant housewife ushered to the presidency by God's grace. Her presidency was threatened by seven coup attempts which she miraculously survived. Inspite of the difficulties poised to an unprepared president, the ideals of democracy was revived. In death, democracy is the legacy she leaves to us. Her silent demeanor betrays the heroism she has shone in her term as a president.

I had the good fortune of personally meeting and interacting with these two women on some important occasions. I have pictures with both of them to prove this. Being in the government, we would have them in some affairs in the office. One worked for our Department. But I am not talking about these interpersonal encounters.

One of these two women was a principal sponsor in our wedding. The other was a principal sponsor in the wedding of hubby's cousin and obliged for a photo with ED who was one of the flower girls.

They also figured prominently in my political awakenings. I was part of the crowd who helped install both to power. The first time, it was almost like a miracle that a housewife would topple a despotic Marcos regime. The second time was instigated by the Cory magic no less and we responded. Gloria, was installed to power, as the constitutional successor to the presidency when Erap was kicked out of the office.

Once again, these two women are in the public light. The outpouring of sympathy for Cory Aquino by the public is a testament to the greatness of this lady. In my lifetime, I have not seen a president so well-loved as Cory. Perhaps, I will never see another one.........

What about Gloria? The same public continues to despise her and her ways. Her apologists had to work doubly hard in painting a good picture for their boss. Her vaunted work ethics might have brought efficiency to the presidency but her ways continue to take off the decency in the same position. At about the same time that Filipinos were mourning the death of a beloved president, she just had to dine along with your entourage at some posh restaurant in New York.... How can one be so callous at a time like this? How can you all even partake of a meal that could feed the hungry in a poor country like where you serve. They say that someone picked up the tab for that dinner and that taxpapeyers' money was not used.. Really now.... I learned in my economics class that there is no such thing as a 'free lunch', Madam President. I guess you know that too well.....

As they say, history will be the judge in putting these two important women in their
rightful places..... So who will be put on a pedestal and who will be doomed to a special place way down there? Your guess is as good as mine...Cory already made her history .... hers was a life put at the service of God, country, and people. And Gloria's ? A life lived ostentatiously ......

Who would you remember as a 'good' president? The workaholic Gloria or the Gentle Cory... Two women with the same aspirations and hope for this country but are much different in their ways of attaining these goals..... One is selfless........the other selfish .... or self-filled......

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Tainting the Greens

I would admit to being one of those who joined in the fray and made snide remarks about the Pangandamans on the Valley Golf brawl. I even made a post, Justice for the Dela Paz family, in this blog backlinking to Bambee's account on the incident in her blog.

Well, some quarters are now airing the other side. In an email I got, another side of the story is being unearthed saying that it was the Dela Pazes who started the brawl. Some bloggers are also raising issue on how some bloggers can be so irresponsible in pointing to the Pangandamans as the culprit without looking at the other side of the story...... ouch.

I may have erred in making a rash judgment on who really was at fault pending the actual ruling on this case by the appropriate court if ever this is litigated ..... Blame it on my disdain for politicians and their ilks. However, I still see it wrong that a person of Mayor Pangandaman's stature would beat and allow his bodyguards to beat a 14-year old boy repeatedly even if he was indeed provoked........... that piece of information got my goat and I am still incensed by it. I maintain that people in authority should maintain their dignity and exercise utmost forbearance in the face of adversity. As an aside, Uncle Ben correctly laid it out for Peter a.k.a Spiderman when he reminded our cute superhero that ....."With great powers comes great responsibility". Through this account, I would also know that one of the bodyguards, the Yayo, brandished a gun, and another one readied an armalite to finish them off presumably. There is always a way for a proper venue for redress if indeed Mr. Delfin Dela Paz instigated the brawl. But that's another matter to think about in a machismo society like ours where justice is swiftly rendered through a slugfest and outcomes can easily be changed once the public takes notice...... culprits can become the underdogs or vice versa....

Again, I may be overreacting....... I must admit to my lack of objectivity where children and injustice are concerned. So I leave it to one and all to make their own judgment..... I rest my case.

In the interest of fairness, I am also posting the email on the result of the investigation of the fact-finding committee.

This is an account of the golf brawl that substantially supports the capsule account of Conrad Benitez. Bottom line: the De La Paz clan started the brawl. By all eyewitness accounts, the De La Paz family is composed of war freaks ready for battle anytime, anyhow, anywhere with anyone.

Israel might want to draft this family for its wars of aggression in the Middle East. Most important, the De La Paz clan is great at propaganda and psywar. Imagine raising the hackles of thousands of people all over the world with images of a young Christian boy on his knees pleading pitifully to be spared the wrath of a towering Muslim Saracen. Brings to mind the historical image Christians would rather delete from their memory: Sultan Salahuddin, Muslim conqueror of Jerusalem in the 12th century.

Apparently, Bambee De La Paz is a golfer, brawler, and script-writer rolled into one. Words from her father's mouth were switched into Nasser Jr.'s mouth and resonated well among people fed up with politicians. Hussein, who got whacked and scratched in the head and face, morphed from brawl victim to bully. This De La Paz family has got real talent. They proved themselves to be more trapo than the trapos.

Moral lesson: Muslim politicians playing golf within Metro Manila's Triumphal Christian Crusader atmosphere must always bring a laptop with them in the fairway. This is a vital golf equipment in case of fairway or clubhouse disputes. Ask Bambee to tell you about it.

This is not the Valley Golf's official report but claims to be first hand sourced from the club's Head of the Fact Finding Committee. Offhand, it sounds like very pro Pangandaman. However, good friends have told me that in Valley Golf, the caddies avoid servicing Delfin de la Paz because they find him abusive and arrogant.

I just spent some time with the head of the fact-finding committee. He has submitted all pertinent facts to the board and leaves it to them to make the necessary decision based on all the facts. I will outline the facts to you as it was outlined to me. Rest assured that the facts were obtained from all parties involved and all witnesses at each incident site. The statements were obtained both by the valley fact-finding group and by the NBI as well. Testimonies were recorded, verified, and re-verified. Fortunately for the parties involved, there were always witnesses to give supporting statements on the events as they occurred.

I will compose the outline shortly as it will be lengthy but just to whet your appetite or get you thinking, you will be quite surprised with the findings. Let's put it this way, the people we thought of as villains weren't quite what they were depicted to be. and the supposed protagonists may have yet been quite as factual in their testimony as it turns out to be. Even our 14-year old isn't as innocent and "prayerful" when all the details come out. just give me a few minutes....

In the interest of making sure that no facts might be left undisclosed, I will take it upon myself to start from the very beginning. Firstly let us start by saying that on or at about 12:40 p.m., the party of the Pangandaman's registered at the starter's area. They registered for 2 flights comprised of 4 individuals per flight. Unfortunately, they still had 2 members of their group that had not yet arrived, so they initially tee'd off as 2 successive threesomes. The starter and marshall were informed that the 2 individuals that had not yet arrived would just catch up with them in the fairway. On or at about 1:05 p.m. the Dela Paz group registered initially as a twosome but since this isn't normally allowed, they registered as a 3-some even if the elder Mr. Dela Paz was not really going to play.

When the Dela Paz 3-some was playing on hole number 3, they were passed by 2 golf carts containing Mayor Pangandaman and his companion (in one cart) and the caddies being brought by one of the starter personnell. The Pangandaman's did not ask permission to drive through because they did not want to disturb the Dela Paz's who were in the middle of the fairway. Upon reaching the green of the 3rd hole, Mr. Dela Paz asked the caddie why the people in the cart just went through. Mayor Pangandaman who was already positioned at the 4th hole, personally informed Mr. Dela Paz that they were part of 2 foursomes. At this point, Mr. Dela Paz said "ah okay, courtesy lang naman". This was verified by the caddies. Mr. Pangandaman said that he did not disturb them anymore because the player was about to hit. At this point, Mayor Pangandaman thought everything was okay so he proceeded to the 4th hole (Par 3) where his other flightmates were. In the records it says that Mr. Pangandaman was not yet even done pitching into the green when a ball landed near his 8-year old child so they immediately made sure the child was secured in the cart. ( For those unaware of the common practice at Valley Golf, on every par 3, the group behind you is signaled to hit into the green once everyone from your group is already on the green) Until you have been cleared to hit by the group ahead, you should not hit into the green. It is common sense and basic precautionary procedure.

In this particular case, we have no corroborative testimony. One set of caddies say they were given clearance, while the other say that no clearance was given as of yet when the ball/s had landed.

The Pangandaman's claim that the same situation happened in the 5th hole (Par5). Even the caddied confirmed this. At this time, Bambee Dela Paz had called the Marshall to tell him that the flight behind them was complaining about why their pace was slow and that the cause of the delay was the 5-some in front of them. Shortly thereafter, a marshall on his motorcycle appeared and approached the Pangandaman's and asked if they were playing as a fivesome to which the Mayor said no. "We are 2 foursomes". Nonetheless, the Pangandaman's had already agreed among themselves that they would rather the Dela Paz's play through. The Mayor was even quoted saying to his Father. " magagaling yung mga bata at malakas pumalo, baka mabagalan sa atin" They informed the marshall that they would just let the Dela Paz group play through and the marshall informed the Mr. Dela Paz of this. (Just as an aside, the investigative group actually asked the group behind Dela paz if indeed they had complained about the slow down and the group said that the y said no such thing to the Dela paz flight. They were not even in contact at anytime before they arrived at the tee house to see the fight and eventually help stop it.) When the Delapaz group reached the green of hole 5, the caddies of the 2 kids gave them their drivers so that they would waste no time playing through. The Mayor, who at that time was sitting along with their companions, stood up to personally tell Mr. Dela Paz to play through. Caddies, and the tee house server claim that the Mayor told Dela Paz na "Mauna na ho kayo" and walked to approach Dela Paz, The response of Dela Paz was "Huwag mo akong pagtaasan ng boses" Dela Paz began to question the Mayor why they were playing as a fivesome. The Mayor said that this was not the case but Dela Paz was insisting and even said (again corroborated by the caddies) "Linoloko mo ba ako?" "Member ka ba dito, Kilala mo ba ako?" (as you can see, this question did not come from Pangandaman. In fact, in the recorded testimony, this is exactly what Pangandaman claimed delapaz had said to him and yet in Delapaz' recorded statement, he never said that the mayor asked him " kilala mo ba ako" Completely different from when the media was already involved.

When Delapaz was posing the above question, the mayor was heard to say. "Sandali lang, hindi naman tayo nagaaway dito. Akala ko ba naayos na natin yung issue kanina sa hole 3? At about this point Delapaz closed his umbrella and then poked the mayor on his stomach using the pointed end ( some caddies say Dela Paz swung the umbrella and some say that he poked the Mayor) The investigative board asked Dela Paz what he did, he said that he poked the Mayor in self defense. When asked who was attacking him, Dela Paz said that he was being surrounded by 4 men. The caddies and other witnesses on hand said that when the umbrella incident happened, it was only Dela Paz and the mayor that were talking. The other parties were in the tee house about 15-20 yards away. The Mayor says he was poked and so he backed off and just as he was about to be poked again, his brother, Hussein ran and attacked Delapaz and hit Delapaz knocking him to the ground.( At this point the commotion took place. One of the things observed is 14-year old Bino hit the Mayor with his driver. Apparently, the mayor parried with his forearm and hand so this is where he sustaned the injury. In the process also, Hussein was being pulled off the older dela paz by his 2 children but again Bino was seen to hit Hussein in the face and head while Bambee had scratched the other side of Husseins face. At this time also, witnesses say, that 3 or 4 other members of the flight excluding the Secretary, the 8-year old boy, and the girlfriend of Hussein were involved in attacking or subduing the older dela paz but this lasted very shortly and when the combatants had been separated the existing people in the tee house as well as the new flight that was playing behind the dela paz's.

At this point the Secretary told the delapaz group to leave so as to avoid any more trouble. As the elder delapaz was leaving he was heard calling someone on his cellphone saying " may away kami, pumunta kayo dito"

No one knew who delapaz was speaking to as he walked away towards the main clubhouse. A few minutes later, the secretary and his group decided to end the day instead of continuing to play. When they got to the clubhouse, Hussein wanted to wash up because he was bleeding in the neck area. As he got near the reception area, he saw delapaz and was heard to have said "O, nandito pa pala kayo" to which Dela Paz said "Hindi pa tapos ito gaganti pa kami". At this point, Bino got in between his Dad and Hussein while saying " Tatandaan ka namin" (None of the witnesses in the clubhouse, and there were many, ever saw Bino kneel and say that he was only 14 years old at maawa na sila) On the contrary, Bino was acting like anything but a helpless child. He sounded tough, angry, and antagonistic enough that the fight broke out again. At this point, the bodyguards of the Mayor ran into the clubhouse via the poolside entrance. When questioned about this, the mayor said that one was his driver and the other was his "Yayo". As far as the board was concerned, the "Yayo" was also a bodyguard. Said Yayo came into the clubhouse with a clutchbag containing a gun and brought out the gun without pointing it at anyone. The Mayor immediately instructed him that there was no need for guns and the gun was put back. During the investigation, the Mayor said that the handgun was his and that his "yayo" was likely going to give it to him but he declined. Upon instructing his "yayo", the man just stayed in one corner. At this time the wife of Dela Paz and his other son arrived. The son was wielding a baseball bat and the wife had a knife which she pulled out of a scabbard. These two were subdued by security but they were verbally threatening the Pangandaman's during this time. There was also a reported incident where the driver of the mayor ran out and came back with a suitcase containing a supposed armalite as claimed by valley security. The driver never pulled it out or pointed it at anyone but it was readily accesible.

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Justice for the Dela Paz Family

I just feel the need to post this to help spread the word on the violence perpetuated by the Pangandamans. This post, The World has Gone Crazy, narrated by the daughter and sister of the victims say it all. Now, these bullies want to make it appear they are the underdogs. What do they take us for! The idiots that they are! They beat up a helpless father and son and tell us they didn't start it. Cmon!

Let pray for the Dela Paz Family and for Justice to Prevail!

Related Posts:

Dela Pazes Reject Pangandaman's Apology
Mayor Pangandaman Jr. Mauled Father and Son
Nasser Pangandaman Jr.: The warlord of Masiu
Pangandaman Resign!

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Globalization in our Midst

After Diana, here comes Carla Bruni Sarkozy, the new first lady of France. I vividly remember that widely circulated email on Dina and her Egyptian boyfriend chased to death by paparazzis in a French tunnel. With its tragic end, how the world seem so small is not lost to the readers.

A recent article for Philippine Star celebrity news reads......."France first lady sings in English and dreams in Italian, and the president's roots reach to Hungary and Greece. Nicolas Sarcozy and Carla Bruni-Sarcozy could be a metaphor for harmonious, borderless Europe. The real Europe is a cacophonous and conflicted place, though, as the Sarcozys will soon discover. Today, they become the continent's public face..........." President Sarcozy used to be a divorcee who was dating then controversial Carla Bruni while about to assume his office. He married Carla right in time for his inauguration.

Have you wondered why the today's youths are very much alike wherever you go..... New York, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Manila......... convenience-seeking, multitasking, techie, sleep-deprived kids with all sorts of gadgets attached to every conceivable openings in their bodies on their way to school or work. I quote my college daughter's friend's article published in PDI Youngblood, "I found myself in a world that revolved around blogging, iPods, angst, David Cook, Facebook, CGI-laden movies, celebrity and political scandals, and major television stations slugging it out for ratings............. I ended up spending more time with my laptop than with people". It painted quite a picture.

I am caught between the generation of baby boomers and the gen x, right smacked in the middle.....must explain my many conflicting views in life. I had lived and shared stories with true blues baby boomers who experienced a world war and the ensuing depression. I am living and working with gen x and y kids exposed to the rapid and often dizzying pace of technological advancements. I am too modern for my senior citizen relatives yet too naive for my techie kids and co-workers. I used to be the new girl at the office. I must be one of institutions already..... not a very flattering distinction if you ask me. I try to cope up. My generation happens to be more open to changes as we attempt not only to bridge but close the gap. We are the generation that speak our minds. In so doing, we change as the world changes. Our wealth of experience have well-prepared us for the shape of things to come.

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Of Sunken Ships and Treasures Sought

The unexpected destruction and great loss of lives caused by typhoon Frank came at a most unopportune time. Our president is attending an international commitment in the US. National interests vs. international commitment.....what will you choose?

The scenario has been replayed many times before our eyes but still lessons have not been learned too well. Relatives going to Sulpicio Lines offices are grieving over their dead relatives and loved ones. The extent of destruction is beginning to be unearthed. With communication lines cut and infrastructure badly damaged, the fate of residents of provinces like Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, and several others are still to be determined. Let's pray that relief gets to these provinces and contact is established soon.

The wrath of nature is something that mankind is not equipped to face. We have been flirting with nature and probably provoking its demons with our mindless lifestyle. We cut trees like an amok on a killing rampage. We mine our mountains till we scar the earth. We live recklessly in wasteful abundance. We use products solely for convenience without regard to the consequences. We have all contributed to the rape of our planet. We are reaping what is due us.

A country with a record for disasters should know better. We cannot do anything about the typhoon changing course. But we can exercise sound judgement in our decisions. The ship captain could have chosen not to proceed with the voyage. The coast guards could have prevailed over the captain. The passengers could have chosen not to travel. Lots of things to ponder. As has been said, it is always better to err on the side of caution.

But what is done cannot be undone. The rains stopped. The wind is still. The wailing has stopped. The sea is calm. All that is left is the sight of a sunken ship and lot of memories of the man. woman, and children still trapped inside the overturned ship. Accounts of survivors are too much to bear. The stillness betrays the grief waiting to be unleashed. Sorrow is all around.

In the meantime, P/GMA has to keep international commitments to get more investments and trade opportunities for the country. In search of the elusive treasure, a leader chose to go on with her trip and let the victims of the latest calamity hang in their own watery graveyard. After all, she can rule by remote control. For as long as she hobnobs with the outgoing and incoming Uncle Sam, she can bring home the bacon.

PS: The victims of typhoon Frank need our prayers and relif goods to assuage the grief of the loved ones they left and rebuild their lives in the face of the widespread destruction.

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