It is very true indeed that most of us Filipino DO NOT really know why we vote these candidates for political seats and power, we blindly vote for those who are colorful in a way that we are attracted to them, and so I ask you fellow citizen and fellow youth, that we should act to make that change that we all want. Register and Vote wisely, our future is in the palm of our hands!

So without further delays please enjoy reading:

It’s less than 100 days until the 2010 National Elections. Last year, I attended the “Y VOTE? U VOTE!” forum at the UP College of Law on the same day that Noynoy Aquino announced his decision to run for president. Afterwards, I was, more than than ever, convinced to vote and convince others register and vote. How can I not be when the panel of speakers included Professor Randy David, Governor Grace Padaca, Ms. Bianca Lapuz, and Atty. Marvic Leonen, Dean of the UP College of Law?

Randy David was the first to admit that it seems more logical not to care about politics. “There are more important matters, such as philosophy and the academe,” he said. It’s funny how the “presidentiables” (that’s Filipino-English right there) are championing democracy when in a Southeast Asian survey, it was the Filipinos who had the least faith in democracy. And to think we were the first Republic in Asia dating back to 1898. But, Prof. David said, we must “understand the promise of politics,” which he defines as, “a mechanism by which society produces collectively blinding decisions.” For the 2010 elections, he advised us not to seek personal traits (“maka-Diyos,” “mabait,” “hindi corrupt,” etc.) but ideas, visions, plans, and programs. We should ask the candidates what their vision for the Philippines is 6, 10, 20 years from now. When Noynoy announced his presidency, the questions were, “Ikakasal ka na ba?” and “What does Kris think of your decision?” One of the last questions was, “What do you intend to do if you win?” Bakit yun ang huli? Diba dapat yun ang una? Prof. David also reminded us that “making a difference” is not limited to writing down names on a piece of paper come May 10, 2010. It’s also about making an informed decision. (Hold that thought, more on that in a bit.)

RM Awardee and (unfortunately FORMER) governor of Isabela Grace Padaca is a living legend because she had the guts to go against the 30-40 year political dynasty of the Dys in Isabela. Dy-nasty, she called it. She was a radio commentator in Isabela for over a decade and one day, she just got tired of listening to people’s problems and people who just bitched and didn’t do anything. She declared to her friends that she would run for the 2001 elections. “Sige Grace, takbo ka!” her friend said enthusiastically. “Kasi alam mo, gustong-gusto ka ng katulong namin!” Well, that katulong along with 55% of the people of Isabela elected Gov. Padaca in 2004. Since then she has paid off 90% of her province’s debt and stopped illegal logging in the Sierra Madre. She doesn’t buy the “I’m not gonna run for public office ‘cause I’m too smart to” mentality. “Then you will be ruled by those who are not,” she said.

Ms. Bianca Lapuz must have said “noh?” in every other sentence. Aside from this linguistic nuisance, she made several salient points. First, that seeking change does not begin and end at voting. “Ang dami nating gustong igiba, wala naman tayong gustong itayo. Ang dami nating gustong tanggalin, wala naman tayong gustong ipalit.” Well said. We can’t wait for inspiring leaders, we have to create an “inspiring movement.” She also said that all the politicians are trapos*, but if they’re willing to seek reform, why not support them? She also talked about junking the “I won’t vote ‘cause I’m moving out of this shithole anyway” mentality because even if you are ten thousand miles away, you will still remit to this country. So kahit nasa Amerika ka o Saudi o kahit anong lupalop ng mundo ka, nakatali parin ang pusod mo sa Pilipinas. Kaya care ka nalang diba?

I loved every minute of Atty. Leonen’s presentation. He commented on the rules that would make one eligible for presidential candidacy. “Must be able to read and write” yung isa diba? FYI: to be a UP professor you must first be an instructor (may levels pa ‘yan), get an MA, get published to be promoted to associate professor, get a Ph. D then get published again to be a full professor. “Mukhang kulang yata yung ‘read and write,’” he commented. He then proceeded to show 25 questions answerable by yes or no, meant for anyone who is aspiring for a national political position. (At dapat sagutan sa blue book, which says “HONOR EXCELLENCE” in front!) Directions: “You are to answer this question by yourself without any assistance from any of your immediate family (whether or not deceased), consultants, political or media handlers.” For the Preliminaries, the examinee must provide “reasons for wanting to apply (please avoid the words “change,” “democracy,” “true,” “good,”… “legacy,”…”god told me.”)” The final note: “You do not have to apply simply because your parents wanted you to do so. Again, whether or not deceased. Good luck!” WOOHOO! Isang masigabong palakpakan! The twenty-five questions were on the current issues the country is facing: healthcare, political settlement with the MILF, revising the national flag and language to accommodate provinces/languages other than the Tagalog, imposing carbon taxes, negotiations with the European Union, suspension of Burma from the ASEAN, and the abrogation** of the DENR to name a few. “If you do not know what ‘abrogation’ means, then you probably have no business running for the Congress, Senate, or President.” Awesome.

I like what Atty. Leonen said in the end: “Don’t treat me like I’m a statistic.” Because I’m not. And neither are you. We’re human beings capable of thinking, questioning conventions, and making informed decisions. After the forum, I realized that it’s not true when people say “vote ‘cause your vote counts.” Your vote, your ONE vote, won’t count. However, if you read up, engage in intelligent political conversations, blog, Tweet, use your Facebook status and convince other people to register and collectively support a candidate, then you can make a difference. If everyone gives importance to their vote, then you have 9 million informed decisions pushing for reform. The youth (defined in the Constutition as 15-30 years old, RA 8044) is 50-60% of the voting populace. Because we have the privilege of being literate and educated, our votes should trump the uninformed, those being blinded by all the colors. Voting isn’t just a right, it’s a responsibility.

**traditional politician
***Which means “to do away with” in case you’re wondering. Kaya ayan, pwede ka nang tumakbo!

-http://fbfilipino.wordpress.com

pero, hindi dahil sa mga walang kwentang politiko ako ay nagsusulat ngayon, ako ay susulat tungkol sa isang ulat na umano’y pumatay sa isang kaawa-awang tricycle driver. Siya ay binaril sa likod habang siya ay namamasada, ng itanong ang mga kamag-anak at mga kakilala nito, siya daw ay isang mabait, masipag at mabuting ama/asawa/kaibigan, at wala daw itong kaaway. Dinikta ng mga pulisya na isa daw itong hold-up. ng narinig ko ito, ako ay nalungkot sa nangyari, napakababaw at napaka-sama ng gumawa nito. Pumatay sila ng tao, para lang makuha ang kaniyang kinita na mahigit sa isang libong piso? napaka-walang hiya, napaka-walang modo ng mga taong ito. Sayang at hindi sila nahuli, kaawa-awang mamang driver. Ipag-dasal natin siya at ang mga pumatay sa kanya, na sana’y makinig sila sa konsensya nila kung meron man at sumuko na sa kamay ng batas. NAKAKABIGO ANG NANGYARING TRAHEDYA.

Kung ang ating mga mambabatas at mga opisyal sa gobyerno ay nagtatalakayan tungkol sa mga sarili nila, napaka-walang kwenta nila. Ngunit kung sila ay umaaksyon tungkol sa mga ganitong trahedya, at gumagawa ng paraan para walang ganitong nangyayari sa ating lipunan. Paniguradong may saysay ang kanilang pag-upo bilang mga opisyal ng ating Gobyerno

Don’t say you love me,
First of all I dont care,
That’s the way life is,
Life just isn’t fair.

Don’t get your friends to check me out,
Thats just really lame.
I forgot about our past,
I’m sorry what’s your name?

You think you are all that,
But to all my friends you’re not,
You think you are the hot stuff,
But to me you’re not even hot.

Don’t come begging me back,
Don’t come begging on your knees,
Is that all that you can do or say,
Come on give me a break Please!

Your words didn’t prove a thing,
I’m walking away with a smile,
Don’t even think about calling me,
Don’t waste your time, hold that dial.

If you think I’m going to forgive you,
Then girl you are dead wrong,
There is no more of us,
There is no more of our stupid song.

Don’t say you love me,
Don’t say you want me, Don’t even try.
This is all I have to say,
I’m sorry I’m over you, I’m sorry and goodbye.

You don’t even know it.. And why should you care?
Your happy just pretending that I’m not even there..

Forever means nothing if I don’t spend it with you..
But there’s just nothing more I think I can do..

I try to tell you I love you but you just don’t stop to listen..
Then I guess you’ll never know that I’m the one your missing..

Give me just one minute and look into my eyes..
Forget your friends.. Forget the world.. Forget the pain and lies..

Forget about what people say and what other people might see..
All I want you to think about now is what you think of me..

Cause nothing really matters except for the people you love..
And it kills me inside not knowing what you think when your all I’m thinking of..

Maybe I am wrong and you really just don’t care..
But why sometimes do you act so sweet if no feelings are actually there..

All I want is for you to tell me exactly how u feel..
Id rather be hurt than keep believing what you say is real..

Whether you tell me you love me or not this will still be true..
Nothing in this whole damn world could keep me from loving you..

PERO HINDI!!

Unang linngo palang, tinadtad na kami kaagad, sa katunayan unang araw palang andami na agad na binagsak na gagawin. Akalain mo unang araw palang nagbigay na agad ng deadline ang mga guro namin at mga gawaing kailangan ipasa kaagad. Parang totoo lang ang sinasabi nila na wala na talagang saya ang buhay kolehiyo kapag nasa mataas na ang level mo at hindi ka na freshmen o isang baguhan sa kolehiyo. Ba’t ba kasi napaka-hirap ng buhay ngayon, mahirap na nga mga aralin namin, pahirap pa ang ginagawa ng mga guro namin. GGGRRRR!!!

Beauty will fade as time goes on
Yet love given years remains strong
Flowers will bloom and seasons pass
But you and I will forever last

Withering petals and fallen leaves
Can witness our love eternally
Like the white glitter dust on the stars
I’ll be your light no matter how far

That dust that shines all the way here
Will be a reminder our love’s held dear
You are my one, together we shall be
Yes you have me for an eternity

I’m scared that I will mess this up
A single mistake could break my heart
And I just don’t want to fall apart
By putting my foot in could ruin everything

So I fight the urges
Go against whats inside
These feelings I try so hard to hide

And tell myself I don’t need you
And that what I feel for you isn’t true
But that’s a lie
And it doesn’t seem to matter how hard I try

Because the truth is I can’t stop these feelings for you
I’m unsure what to do
If its not me that your in love with then who?

Keeping it all in is a strain
But if I speak up then others will know about my pain
I really don’t want my feelings hurt again
It’s safer this way if within my emotions remain

There are so many reasons why I hide this away
With hurt I don’t want to pay
These feelings get deeper day after day

People say I don’t have a chance
But inside is hope you could love me back
And I live for that
I just don’t want to get hurt again

So we celebrated the new year’s eve as one family in the usual manner, having lots of food, sharing smiles and laughs after the preparations for it. Last night we drive to Bulacan for our annual family reunion. And last night it was kind of fun although we don’t drink alcoholic liquor, there was one who was drunk all the way (he was drunk even before the celebration start)! Yeah, our  uncle was so drunk he fall fast asleep as we were trying to play poker with our cousins, although I don’t know how to play poker, i decided to be an observant and study the game until I can join them.

And before we go home, our family decided to play tricks our my uncle and take pictures of him as he sleep. They even try to make him wear sun glass and cap as if he were being portrayed as a blind beggar in the street, it was quite funny.

I got a picture of him here:

Tulog! ^^

There were more photos of him actually, this was a bad photo. My cousin’s haven’t yet uploaded them up.

Anyway, ou gabi na nga ng bisperas ng undas. Nakakaasar lang dahil sinuspindi ung klase namin ngayong araw dahil sa bagyong santi, na wala man lang binuga ngayong araw.

Yung mga kapit-bahay namin, nagsisi-gayak na at nag-sisipuntahan na sa sementeryo, na hanggang ngayon hindi ko rin talaga alam kung baket sila nagsisipunta.

Pero narinig ko kanina ang mga kabarkada ng pinsan ko na pupunta sa sementeryo, aba akalain mo nga naman, pupunta silang sementeryo para maghappy-happy. Magtatakas pa daw ng alak para happy talaga. Nakakapag-taka lang, kung karamihan ng mga tao sa sementeryo ay ganito, baket dun pa nila naisipan mag-happy happy?

Anu ba meron ang undas para sa kabataan? Isa ba itong lugar kung saan pwede silang maglaro o isang lugar kung san pwede silang mag-happy happy, kapag hindi sila nahuli. Siguro, naisip mo din na hindi ko nasali dito ang pagdalaw nila sa mga namatay, simple lang ang sagot doon, ang pinag-uusapan natin ay kabataan na walang inisip kung di ang kanilang walang sawang kasiyahan at ang samahan ng kanilang mga kabarkada.

At ang talagang pumunta doon para dumalaw sa mga patay ay ang mga nakakatanda na nakakaramdam na ng kanilang malapit na paglipas mundong ibabaw, pero may exception doon. Isasama ko narin ang mga namatayan ng wala sa oras, tulad ng mga nasawi sa kamay ni Ondoy at Pepeng. Kaawa-awa kasi.

At bago ko tapusin ang blog na ito, na walang saysay. Matanong lang kita, anu ba ang dahilan mo at baket ka pumupunta ng sementeryo? kasi ako hindi ko alam ang sagot eh.