Desiderata

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Maguindanao massacre

MANILA, Philippines - Forty-three persons – including a politician about to file her and her brother’s certificates of candidacy (COCs), as well as journalists covering the event – were confirmed killed when heavily armed men waylaid the group on its way to the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Maguindanao.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Office chief Lt. Col. Romero Brawner confirmed that as of yesterday afternoon, ground troops had recovered 21 bodies – 13 women and eight men – from the massacre site in Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan town.

Supporters of Buluan Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu and Mangudadatu Vice Mayor Eden Mangudadatu and their companions were on their way to the Comelec office to file COCs at around 10:30 a.m. when they were blocked at a checkpoint manned by some 100 Maguindanao police personnel and armed civilian volunteers allegedly led by Datu Unsay town mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Ampatuan was not available for comment.

Reports from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division reported that a certain Police Senior Inspector Dicay of Shariff Aguak accompanied Ampatuan. Three vehicles owned by the Mangudadatu’s were found burned.

Toto Mangudadatu, who was not with the convoy, is reportedly eyeing the gubernatorial seat in the May 2010 elections and had asked his wife to file his COC.

Aside from Bai Eden, the other victims were identified as Genalyn Tiamzon-Mangudadatu, the vice mayor’s wife who was raped before being killed; lawyers Connie Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo and her father, Bai Farinah Mangudadatu; Faridah Sabdulah; Manguba Bai Mangudadatu, Toto’s aunt; Farida Mangudadatu, Toto’s youngest sister.

The journalists were identified as Ian Toblan, Leah Dalmacio, Gina dela Cruz, Joy Duhay, Andy Teodoro, Mac-Mac Areola, Bart Maravilla of Bombo Radyo Koronadal, Henry Araneta of dzRH Cotabato, Bong Reblando of Manila Bulletin and Neneng Montano of local radio dxCP.

Also reported killed were Rasul Daud, driver of Mangudadatu, Wahida Ali Kaliman, Farida Sabdula, Zorayda Vernan, Victor Nuñez, Zaida Abdul, Pinky Balayman, Ella Balayman, Rahima Piopo, Abdullah Hajji, Patrick Pamansan, Meriam Calicol, a certain Unto and a certain Chito, and eight others who were not included in the list.

Toto said his wife and her companions left Buluan town at about 9 a.m. on board several vehicles and were flagged down by armed men at Barangay Kauran in Ampatuan, Maguindanao some 30 minutes later.

“Six members of the group that was to bring my certificate of candidacy to Shariff Aguak were beheaded by the gunmen that flagged them down at a portion of a highway near Shariff Aguak. The police and the military have to do something,” Mangudadatu told Catholic station dxND in Kidapawan City.

“I opted not to provide armed security escorts to the group to avoid possible tension during the filing of my COC,” he added.

The Mangudadatu clan is known to have a long-running feud with the family of Maguindanao’s incumbent Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., who police said is known to have his own private army.

Brutal death

Reporters have been trying to get information on the incident from the spokesman of the 6th ID, Col. Jonathan Ponce.

He, however, has not responded even if his staffers have confirmed that he is just inside the Army camp.

Sources from the Army’s 601st Brigade said unidentified armed men indeed flagged down several vehicles at a portion of the Cotabato-Isulan Highway in Kauran area, which is at the boundary adjoining Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

The provincial police director of Maguindanao could not be reached for comment.

The tension worsened when text messages started circulating that the gunmen executed and killed four of the reporters who were with the group.

Local officials in towns at the border of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat said they still have to confirm from barangay leaders the veracity of the text messages that four journalist that accompanied the wife of Mangudadatu had been decapitated.

A source who requested anonymity said the victims were shot at random, and some were decapitated with chainsaws.

The same source added that the killers used a backhoe to dig mass graves where the victims were buried.

Brig. Gen. Medardo Geslani, chief of the army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said they are now validating the reports.

Palace up in arms

Malacañang expressed shock and outrage over the executions and vowed that justice would be served.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said the Palace is still trying to determine the facts behind the incident.

“We are in shock and total outrage,” Claudio said. “Justice will be served and the perpetrators will be punished, whoever they are.”

Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jesus Dureza recommended to President Arroyo to immediately declare a state of emergency in Maguindanao.

“This is a gruesome massacre of civilians unequalled in recent history. Even women and working mediamen were not spared. I grieve for my friends in the media and all those killed while doing their job,” Dureza said in a statement.

“There must be a total stop to this senseless violence and carnage. I strongly recommend that a state of emergency be imposed in the area and everyone disarmed. Anything less will not work,” he said.

Claudio said he had a brief meeting with ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan at the Palace to discuss Sulu politics.

Ampatuan was accompanied by outgoing Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison and other local officials. They sought a meeting to be assured of fair arbitration from the leaders of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, as Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan is also fielding his own local slate against Arbison’s group.

He said there was no discussion about Maguindanao politics.

NUJP condemns abduction of mediamen

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemned the abduction and death of their colleagues.

“We demand that government, from Malacañang to the (ARMM) and Maguindanao, and its security forces, move swiftly to resolve this crisis and ensure that no harm befalls the hostages; and, if true that violence has been inflicted on some of the hostages, to ensure swift justice on the perpetrators, no matter who they are,” the NUJP said in a statement.

“Taking hostage someone about to file a certificate of candidacy is, by itself, a brazen challenge to efforts to strengthen our admittedly fragile democracy. And, if true that a local government official and a police officer are involved, then it says a lot about how far government has gone to eradicate the warlord politics that continues to reign over many of our provinces, very often the poorest and most underdeveloped,” the NUJP added.

“But to take hostage journalists who were merely going about their job of informing the public worsens the already heinous crime and elevates it into an assault on the Constitution itself and the freedom of the press and of expression it enshrines, and the people’s right to know which these freedoms serve,” NUJP said.

Pimentel: Send the Marines

At the Senate, minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. recommended sending the Marines to Maguindanao to control the peace and order situation.

Pimentel condemned the killings, which came on the heels of the filing of COCs for local and national posts.

He also said that the military should take control of the area to avoid further bloodbath.

“It’s going to lead to a bloodbath unless the government steps in. Arrest and jail whoever is responsible even if he might be a warlord. Send the Marines if need be,” Pimentel said. –With John Unson, Edith Regalado, John Paul Jubelag, Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Christina Mendez, Paolo Romero - By James Mananghaya (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

Kariton Klassroom ni Ef - The Best 3 Wheeler in the World

This is literally speaking a LEAN MEAN and GREEN MACHINE... It's Green, it has only 3 wheels, no engine, no batteries, no gasoline - but it's HUMAN BRAIN and SPIRIT POWERED.

It can run by the motivation and passion of REAL HEROES.

What you see here is one of the Kariton Klassrooms of Club 8586, Dynamic Teen Company, Inc. Where Efren Penaflorida is connected with.

Efren is CNN's Hero of the year...

To some extent, I would like to thank the villains of Efrens Hometown... like the Mayor and the other Corrupt Politicians. If it wasnt for them, no Heroes like Efren will emerge due to necessity.

The need for heroes has arised in a formerly First Class City in 1963 to a third class city in 2009. It was unimaginable to see urban poor during the 60's in this once prosperous city... But as we speak, you will still see children conducting SOLID WASTE livelihood - by collecting garbages, used plastic bottles and cartons and re-selling them to the junk or scrap dealers; they are commonly driving around with pedicabs (3 wheelers with a cargo space) going around the city or nearby towns and go home back to the city dump or slums.

If there were no villains corrupting the wealth of this City... we will not be needing heroes at all.

If you see them grabbing some publicity mileage with Efren and his club - don't be surprised... after all - they are part of the drama.

With regards to the Klassroom Kariton,

Like the old adage, if Muhammad doesnt go to the mountain, the mountain will go to Muhammad.

The Club of Efren sees this selfless effort as following the Gospel of Christ in modern times.

The poorest of the poor is ever in need, the apparent lack of school classrooms prompted the club to bring education to these needy children who would likely be ending up in a gang, child labor or prison if not dead. If Man is the product of the environment, Efren, his Mentor and the club has definitely defied the laws of Gravity.

Now - I can throw or burn my old Philosophy Books! This is indeed another one of Gods' Miracle.

Making Ordinary People or Circumstances become Extraordinary feats of Heroism...

I would like to emphasize a point here... Pinoys should be inspired with real heroes... not Gladiators or specters...

Follow the money and you will see what I mean.

Efren Penaflorida

Putting back the Filipino into the right perspective.

Club 8586 - has started its' campaign and selfless crusade to educate the children of the poorest of the poor in the slums of Cavite City. A Marginal sector that very few have dared trek.

Whenever I asked some religious cleric or lay person why the church havent made any enthusiastic or passionate attempt to reach out to these bottom of the stack sector... they answered - it's impossible, they keep saying that - these people will not listen - they need to be fed first before you get their attention, and their attention and retention span is not that long - so the target remains only to those who are already productive people of society.

This club where Efren belongs to is not craving for publicity - nor do they enjoy being in the limelight, they are merely more object centered... their object, to imitate Christ in the modern times... bringing education to the leat priviledge of the society like prisoners and children of the streets, I believe they are also catering to Widows.... at any rate, helping the needy by empowering them thru education.

Efren is one of the first beneficiaries of the club, he would have ended like any other young kid who grew up in that environment as either in prison, rehab or the grave. Bear in mind, Cavity City is known to have these Drug infested areas where Drugs like Ampethamine Crack is being used as livelihood - It is quite ironical, but just like any other movie... the villain is closely related to the heroe.

Who are the villain of the story?... Politicians that basically drained the economy of this city to what it is now. From being the richest city in Asia in 1963 - to now a 3rd class city category of a poor city in the Philippines. A trendline of progress going to a sharp descent.

At any rate - this is the drama of life... after all, how can heroes emerge if there are no villains in the first place?

Personally, I would rather have no villains at all and keep a rich city in prosperity... with this utopic vision, we will not be needing heroes anymore - since everyone will be able to see in oneself - they are all heroes.

Heroes are not born, they are merely an effect.

Pacquiao is no other than a modern day gladiator - definitely - no heroe in my category. Pacquiao doesn't change lives - he actually siphoned everyones time, money and productivity - reflect on this. A real heroe inspires, and makes one productive and most of all... a better human being, mind, body and spirit.

I have known Efren since he was still a young kid from the club 8586... as a matter of fact, I was a member of this club myself, not by choice... but of fate.

Let's all take inspiration from the stories of Efren and the Club and hopefully, get to see the poorest sector of society under a new light.

Peace be to all - Bangon! Gising na - Pilipinas!

Gusto kong maging senador

GUSTO KONG MAGING SENADOR NG PILIPINAS


ANG SARAP MAGING SENADOR!
Miriam Defensor Santiago was featured in Correspondents last week.

Maganda rin naman ang naidudulot ng pagiging prangka ni Senador Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Ayon kay Santiago , marami ang tumatakbong Senador dahil sa laki ng budget na ibinibigay sa kanila kada buwan(kasama na siya)

Lumalabas na ang P35,000 suweldo nila kada buwan ay pakitang-tao lang sa milyun-milyong budget ng bawat senador..... Kada buwan ay may Fixed Monthly Budget ang bawat Senador ng humigit-kumulang P2 Milyon.

Sa opisina pa lang nila ay humigit-kumulang P500,000 ang budget nila sa Maintenance and Operating Expenses (Rental, Utilities, Supplies at Domestic Travels) at P500,000 para sa Staff at Personal expenses. Kaya para makatipid ang ibang Senador, kaunti lang ang staff na kinukuha nila. Nagtataka pa kayo kung bakit mayroong mga Ghost Employee?

Bukod diyan, may P760,000 allowance pa sila kada buwan para naman sa Foreign Travel.. At ang masakit pa nito, hindi na kailngan i-liquidate ang mga resibo ng mga gastusin 'yan kundi Certification lang ang Requirement.

Heto pa, lahat sila ay Chairman ng mg Komite sa Senado. Ang Committee Chairman ay tumatanggap din ng budget na sinlaki ng tinatanggap ng mga Senador na humigit-kumulang P1 Milyon din! Hindi sila mawawalan ng Komite dahil 24 lang ang ating mga Senador at 37 naman ang Committee sa Senado. There's food for everybody 'ika nga! Lumalabas na doble ang kanilang benepesiyo at kita kapag sila ay nabiyayaan ng Committee Chairmanship.

Sa P200 milyon na Budget para sa Pork Barrel ng mga Senador bawat taon, awtomatikong may 10% na S.O.P. o kita ng Senador na P20 milyon. Ito ang porsiyento na ibinibigay ng mga kontratista sa mga Senador na nagbibigay sa kanila ng mga Infrastructure at Livelihood Project.

Bago matapos ang termino ng isang Senador, kumita na siya ng P100 milyon sa Pork Barrel pa lang. Yung ibang Senador mas gahaman, hindi lang 10% kundi 20 - 30% ang komisyon hinihingi sa mga kontratista.

Pansinin niyo na lang ang pagbabago ng buhay ng ilan sa ating mga Senador simula nang manungkulan sa puwesto. Kung dati ay simple lang ang kanilang pamumuhay ngayon ay nakatira na sila sa mga eksklusibong subdivision, maraming bahay sa Pilipinas at abroad at mahigit lima ang sasakyan.

Ngayon nagtataka pa kayo kung bakit gumagastos ng daan-daang milyong piso ang mga Senador sa kampanya para sa isang posisyon na P35,000 lang ang suweldo kada buwan? Bawing-bawi pala ang gastos kapag naupo na!

ANG SARAP MAGING SENADOR! ! !


One of the reasons why the Philippines will never, ever get off the ground...... ayon..... . kaya talagang mahirap ng umasenso ang bayan nating Pilipinas - yung mismo nilang gobierno ninanakawan and kanilang kapuwa Filipino at hindi pa iyan..... hindi pa sila nagbabayad ng buwis sa bansa - kaya lahat ng kalyehon lubak-lubak at masyadong madumi at mababaho!!! Hindi sila nahiya sa kanilang nakikita at makapal ang pagmumukha nila. Dapat sa kanila pumunta lahat ng mahihirap. True Whistleblowers - this is what our country needs.If there are no whistleblowers the country will never ever prosper and will just sit in the sidelines watching with envy the prosperity of the other southeast asian countries - look at Vietnam now, much more progressive. ......while the rest of the new breed of filipinas are just maids - the present level of education has also deteriorated in our country - whether it be Ateneo, UP, La Salle - they could not compete anymore - they do not know how to use their education to better up their poor country, they prefer to steal and not assist in the path of prosperity for their country - they lack human factor and social conscience and no social responsibility. ....the result of a poor level of education. so wake up, you filipinos paying your taxes there, stop defending your corrupt masters and do something!!! !! we all feel so sorry for you.....
Kayo po diyan nasa Middle East na mga OFW, gumising na po tayo. Panahon na.

PLEASE FORWARD TO AS MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS AND LET THE WHOLE COUNTRY KNOW THAT ELECTION IS MORE OF PUTTING AMBITIOUS PEOPLE IN POSITION WHO ARE GREEDY IN POWER, WEALTH & PRESTIGE THAN OF PUBLIC SERVICE... ANG MASAKIT PA PERA NG BAYAN PARIN GAGAMITIN SA ELEKSYON MALUKLOK LANG SILA SA PWESTO!!!

This message was forwarded in the internet and I am merely reposting it here for everyones reference.

Bagong Kolonyalismo part 2

Bagong Kolonyalismo part 1

Part 1 of 2
"Bagong Kolonyalismo" is a short documentary/satire about a social issue present in the time of El Filibusterismo, Dr. Jose Rizal's(the Philippines' National Hero) historical book and and still present in our society today. The title translates to Neocolonialism.

The film focuses on greed and how it was introduced by the conquistadors to the Filipinos in the 1500's through their exploitation of the Philippines' Natural Resources. Today, this greed has taken a new form: Consumerism. And Colonization still happens through Imports making third world countries dependent on "bigger, richer countries."

This film was the collaborative project of several Fourth Year High School Students from PAREF Springdale School, Cebu, Philippines

Please watch and comment on the film! Daghang Salamat!

Scores killed in Philippines flooding - 26 Sept 09

Just when the country is getting into the fad or hyping about Going Green as a sort of fashion statement. Force Majeure takes place...

This reminds me of an event that happened during Marcos time. It normally happens when the Leaders of this country reaches the peak of their haughtiness.

I cant tell you more...


This new video is taken from Al Jazeera.

Scores of people have been killed and thousands have fled their homes in the Philippines after a whole month's rain fell in just six hours.

Houses were swept away by swollen rivers and people were trapped on rooftops and flooded highways.

The storm is said to have brought the heaviest rainfall seen in the country since 1967.

Thousands of travellers are stuck in the chaos, including Al Jazeera's correspondent Marga Ortigas, who filed this report from Manila airport.

Modern day Pinoy Suicides

september 25, 2009
by: ehnriko

I am writing this as a first entry to my blogs about "Ang bayan kong Pilipinas".

Since I came back from Arabia, I felt the country becoming more sicker and sicker all the time.

I noticed that more and more Pinoys are willing to put the life of their families at stake by carrying them altogether in one motorbike, endangering the lives of kids below 12 - with their mother in one 125cc bike!

I noticed more and more road accidents involving a motorbike and most of the time, the bike driver or rider dies, and this happens every night.

This can only mean, that the average Pinoy family car which used to be a beat down VW bug, then a Toyopet, then a Corolla to an owner type Jeep has been reduced to the state of a China made Honda XRM clone or Dio.

This also means that it is a lot cheaper to bring the family all in one bike than to put them in a less safer drug crazed driven Jeepney or Public Bus.

Clearly, all signs manifesting the life of the Pinoy getting cheaper and cheaper everyday.

No wonder, we are seen as the slave/ boy or maid of the world.... the first world.

In light of this, I also noticed the high rise in suicides.

Whether local or abroad of Pinoys.

Just recently, a 17 year old student contemplated to commit suicide days before he actually did it in public. Of all places, right in the middle of SM in Fairview, in broad day light.

What I heard, is that the student - discontented with his life, from a disfunctional family, provided with many material blessings, was still very much unhappy with his parents... and was also agravated by his recent break up with his girlfriend. Rumors had it that he was trying to win back his girl but the girl turned him down.

He also threatened to kill himself and told his peers about it. They thought he was just kidding around, but he did it a few days ago. By jumping from the 4th level of this mall to be witnessed by a large number of crowd. He died right on the spot at the ground floor.

This is an amateur video of the incident a few minutes after it happened.



What happened makes one think, why he did it? What for? For what sense?

I have always been advocating responsible parenthood.

Parents must always value time for family as paramount before any material things.

Parent must also give the right values to their children... as well as a sense of pride and not a life of shame.

We live only once, we have to live life fully.

Not die in vain or in shame... nor live in vain or in shame either.

But what does Philippine media, showbiz and noontime shows or even tele novelas are teaching the new generation of Pinoys?

It suggests to the general public, specially the younger generation that it is ok to be in love even when you are young - below 10! Have you seen Stairway to Heaven? - What a stupid Pinoy Interpretation of a Korean story. The moment I saw a few minutes of that story - I was infuriated. Thinking of what stupid suggestions in the minds it can do to the innocent and less occupied brains of our children. What is the board of censors doing? absolutely nothing! The Philippine media programs nowadays it absolute BULL! - Nothing to be learned - Except tips on how to become a LOUD MOUTH - Shouting over your lung type - Attention Deprived Personality.

Ever noticed how Gay culture is venerated and promulgated or propagated nowadays?

Ever noticed how degraded our standards of respect to the elderly, women and children nowadays?

Even programs that are supposedly educational are mixed with loud mouth gay cultura.

The country is becoming more shallow and shallow everyday.

We have absolutely forgotten the fact that we were once a rich nation 3 decades ago.

I shall write more on that in another post. But right now, I will emphasize on the following questions... thoughts to provoke each and every Pinoy who will be fortunate to read this.

1. Magpapakamatay ka ba para lang sa isang babae? o lalake?

2. Magpapakamatay ka ba dahil lang malunngkot at walang saysay ang buhay mo dahil walang panahon ang magulang mo sa iyo o dahil kinahihiya mo ang nanay o tatay mo?

3. Magpapakamatay ka ba dahil nawala sa iyo ang isang mahal sa buhay?

4. Magpapakamatay ka ba dahil nabigo ang iyong mga pangarap sa buhay?

5. Magpapakamatay ka dahil... wala lang?

Nakakatawa diba?

I once learned from one of my college professors that... People who commit suicide are normally possessing LOW I.Q. levels.

We asked why?... she said, because if they have had High I.Q., they wont kill themselves.

Not only is this a direct violation of God commandment... it is also a sign of Weakness.

Suicide is a form of Escape... That's what you think!

Suicide is not an escape at all, it is the fastest trap to eternal damnation, i.e., HELL. Believe it or Not - Whether you like it or not - the devil can easily fool the individual who is weak to fall right into this trap easily... no need for a second party at all. Absolute STUPIDITY!

I dare every individual who is somewhat contemplating on this easy escape to be Man or Woman enough and FACE the Problem!

Magpakalalaki kayo! Magpakababae kayo! Be HUMAN enough and Face the problem! - Even if the problem is your face.

...I will tell you a secret...

All problems no matter how big or small they are MERE ILLUSSIONS!

They are not real.

This world is temporary.

There is an even more bigger problem than your present situation.

All you need to think about is how are you giving yourself a favor?

Be good to yourself!

Be kind to yourself!

Reach out!

There are more things this present life can offer. Just WAIT and SEE!