Suddenly I'm scared to say what I mean and mean what I say.
Suddenly everyone has become vanguards of morality, and policemen of human rights.
Just recently:
1. Justin Bieber called Indonesia "some random country."
2. Miriam Quiambao quoted the Bible and said homosexuality is a "lie from the devil."
3. Manny Pacquiao gave an opinion that he is against gay marriage.
4. Tony Gonzaga admitted she stopped listening to Lady Gaga because the latter's music has spawned "double meanings."
5. Bayo, the clothing company, launched "What's your mix?" campaign insinuating that a mixed blood between Filipino and another (Australian, Chinese, Indian, British, American) is a sure-fire formula to becoming beautiful.
All of the above have been stoned. Never mind who cast the first one.
This is not to agree with their opinions. This is to allow them their opinions.
Granted that their platform is wrong. Granted that their grammar is horrible. Granted that their ideals are misplaced. Who are we to stand perfect?
Grant that they have the moral obligation to society, to speak fairly and just, to be the role model.
But as members of society now, what have we done to deserve leaders we expect to be in the company of Plato, Alexander the Great, Mahatma Gandhi, Rizal, Martin Luther King, Siddhartha...JESUS!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
When Education Interrupts Skills and Knowledge Acquisition
I wouldn't say my nephews are geniuses. But boy! They are smart for their age! Today, the older one enters Grade One. I look back at my own first day of school (I didn't go to any pre- and kinder school.), and I don't think I knew then a quarter of what my nephews know now.
My Grade One nephew can read, can count, can argue, can be fierce in street games, can play strategy games like Cut the Rope, Push Cars, and Lorax, never mind that he scores more than 1.5 million in Temple Run.
My three-year old incoming pre-schooler can count, knows all the channels in cable as the TV remote custodian, "reads" interactive books, creates folders in iPad and re-arranges icons in and out of folders (And he learned it on his own), plays "Mahjong" better than my sister (He will hate any teacher who will give "match/ put similar things together" tests.). He knows "download," "delete," "complete," "game over," "next level," "internet," "wifi"...
I can only hope that the school will provide the right environment where they can acquire skills and knowledge as they do at home. I don't expect that they get brilliant teachers, only patient and caring ones who will teach only what they know to be 100% accurate and right.
I hope their learning at home will not be stunted by their going to school for some formal education.
My Grade One nephew can read, can count, can argue, can be fierce in street games, can play strategy games like Cut the Rope, Push Cars, and Lorax, never mind that he scores more than 1.5 million in Temple Run.
My three-year old incoming pre-schooler can count, knows all the channels in cable as the TV remote custodian, "reads" interactive books, creates folders in iPad and re-arranges icons in and out of folders (And he learned it on his own), plays "Mahjong" better than my sister (He will hate any teacher who will give "match/ put similar things together" tests.). He knows "download," "delete," "complete," "game over," "next level," "internet," "wifi"...
I can only hope that the school will provide the right environment where they can acquire skills and knowledge as they do at home. I don't expect that they get brilliant teachers, only patient and caring ones who will teach only what they know to be 100% accurate and right.
I hope their learning at home will not be stunted by their going to school for some formal education.
Friday, June 1, 2012
The Mighty Twenty and the Lousy Three
I did not intend to watch verdict day of the Corona impeachment trial, but when I came in at the GHQ, a TV set was placed atop the executive assistant's cabinet, through the wishes of the CEO. I could easily read my boss's mind. Staff would pretend to be working, but secretly would be watching live streaming of the trial. From 2 to 6 PM, work stopped its grind, the world stood still.We renewed appreciation of our boss.
I came in at the middle of Angara's speech. When he gave his "guilty" verdict, the office roared in delight. Never mind it was only the first vote out of twenty-three. When the Joker pulled out his vote for acquittal, one quipped, "Akala ko ba, pag bad ka, lagot ka?!" Well, some people grow old to shine. Others just wither away.
When Allan Peter Cayetano gave the "guilty" vote, we were all sure his sister Senator Pia would take the same route. And it was 3 to 1. We were keeping scores like watching a ballgame in an arena.
Then came Franklin Drilon, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, TG Guingona, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, and Loren Legarda. Guilty votes came in torrents, broken only by Marcos Junior. No one in the room was surprised. But the Junior's attempt to glory was just that, an attempt. For halfway into his speech, everyone was still talking about Lito Lapid's "pizza pie." Why is Bongbong even a Senator in our midst?
Then we had Sergio Osmena III, Kiko Pangilinan, Koko Pimentel, Ralph Recto, and Bong Revilla. All voted to oust Corona from the Supreme Court. The score: 16 to 1. Bong had the honor to seal the deal.
And we all had been better off to skip the next judge: Miriam Santiago. It was the first time I saw Santiago do her theatrics in this trial. I thought the news was just exaggerating about her feistiness. She was INDEED a first-rate virago and termagant. I had to leave the room after she talked back at the presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile who reminded her of the time, to which she retorted, "I thought I was unlimited." She could say that, but my endurance and patience had limits. I stepped out of the room, out of the office and went to 7-11 to get some Magnum (the chocolate bar, not the gun. But I could have used one on the TV set.), canned juice, and a bag of chips. If Miriam thought everyone would cling to her every word, she was mistaken. I'd rather endure the rancid, dog-pee smell along Eastwood sidewalks than let her finish the speech which would only conclude to her acquitting Corona.
When I re-entered the room, Antonio Trillanes was just wrapping up his "guilty" vote. The score was now 18 to 3, Tito Sotto having voted against Corona, too. Then Manny Villar came in: 19 to 3. But Villar could have stayed away from grandstanding. This trial was not about him. Sheesh! And by the the way, Mr. Villar, I didn't vote for you.
Then finally, Dumbledore. Excuse me. What I meant was, Juan Ponce Enrile, the captain of the impeachment trial. After a long, circuitous speech, he voted "guilty." What can I say about the man? At 88, he redeemed himself from his gory past. Martial Law, anyone? He had been heroically smart against the lackluster job of the prosecution (Let me just say this. This trial was won not by the "brilliance" of the prosecution, but by the _________ of the defense.) and heroically strong against the "nerve" of the defense and the accused.
And it all came to pass. Twenty (20) voted guilty. Three (3) voted not guilty. No one dared to play safe and abstain.
I pity the three who let political partisan ruled over common sense. Never mind their lack of regard for the common tao. That was a given. Those who brag about education and diplomas, of Harvard, and the Ivy League, are the biggest letdown when the rule of the game shifts down to common sense. Whereas, whereas, my ass!
I came in at the middle of Angara's speech. When he gave his "guilty" verdict, the office roared in delight. Never mind it was only the first vote out of twenty-three. When the Joker pulled out his vote for acquittal, one quipped, "Akala ko ba, pag bad ka, lagot ka?!" Well, some people grow old to shine. Others just wither away.
When Allan Peter Cayetano gave the "guilty" vote, we were all sure his sister Senator Pia would take the same route. And it was 3 to 1. We were keeping scores like watching a ballgame in an arena.
Then came Franklin Drilon, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, TG Guingona, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, and Loren Legarda. Guilty votes came in torrents, broken only by Marcos Junior. No one in the room was surprised. But the Junior's attempt to glory was just that, an attempt. For halfway into his speech, everyone was still talking about Lito Lapid's "pizza pie." Why is Bongbong even a Senator in our midst?
Then we had Sergio Osmena III, Kiko Pangilinan, Koko Pimentel, Ralph Recto, and Bong Revilla. All voted to oust Corona from the Supreme Court. The score: 16 to 1. Bong had the honor to seal the deal.
And we all had been better off to skip the next judge: Miriam Santiago. It was the first time I saw Santiago do her theatrics in this trial. I thought the news was just exaggerating about her feistiness. She was INDEED a first-rate virago and termagant. I had to leave the room after she talked back at the presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile who reminded her of the time, to which she retorted, "I thought I was unlimited." She could say that, but my endurance and patience had limits. I stepped out of the room, out of the office and went to 7-11 to get some Magnum (the chocolate bar, not the gun. But I could have used one on the TV set.), canned juice, and a bag of chips. If Miriam thought everyone would cling to her every word, she was mistaken. I'd rather endure the rancid, dog-pee smell along Eastwood sidewalks than let her finish the speech which would only conclude to her acquitting Corona.
When I re-entered the room, Antonio Trillanes was just wrapping up his "guilty" vote. The score was now 18 to 3, Tito Sotto having voted against Corona, too. Then Manny Villar came in: 19 to 3. But Villar could have stayed away from grandstanding. This trial was not about him. Sheesh! And by the the way, Mr. Villar, I didn't vote for you.
Then finally, Dumbledore. Excuse me. What I meant was, Juan Ponce Enrile, the captain of the impeachment trial. After a long, circuitous speech, he voted "guilty." What can I say about the man? At 88, he redeemed himself from his gory past. Martial Law, anyone? He had been heroically smart against the lackluster job of the prosecution (Let me just say this. This trial was won not by the "brilliance" of the prosecution, but by the
And it all came to pass. Twenty (20) voted guilty. Three (3) voted not guilty. No one dared to play safe and abstain.
I pity the three who let political partisan ruled over common sense. Never mind their lack of regard for the common tao. That was a given. Those who brag about education and diplomas, of Harvard, and the Ivy League, are the biggest letdown when the rule of the game shifts down to common sense. Whereas, whereas, my ass!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Code Red
Chief Justice Renato Corona has finally admitted to having four dollar accounts, not eighty-two as reported by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and presented by Ombudsman Morales. That the accounts contain only $2.4 million, not $10-12 million as reported by the same. Be that as it may, he did not declare them in his statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) because declaring his dollar deposits would be going against the Foreign Currency Deposits Act (FCDA). Wow, what a genius!
Does Corona know any other government employee or officer who does the same? With whom does he exchange notes ? Seriously, is this a practice people in the government do, but just won't talk about it because it is ill? Ill and evil, but it's there? Not in the book, but it is there? Or is this just another legalistic alibi Corona uses to get away with crime?
What then is the use of issuing SALN if you can hide your other assets behind dollar accounts with the absolute protection of the foreign currency deposits act? Pray tell!
Does Corona know any other government employee or officer who does the same? With whom does he exchange notes ? Seriously, is this a practice people in the government do, but just won't talk about it because it is ill? Ill and evil, but it's there? Not in the book, but it is there? Or is this just another legalistic alibi Corona uses to get away with crime?
What then is the use of issuing SALN if you can hide your other assets behind dollar accounts with the absolute protection of the foreign currency deposits act? Pray tell!
“I have more responsibility than you can fathom.
You weep for Santiago and curse the Marines.
You don't know what I know.
Santiago's tragic death saved lives.
And my existence, while grotesque to you, saves lives!
But deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, -
- you need me on that wall.
We use words like honour, code, loyalty.
They're the backbone of our lives.
You use them as a punchline!
I haven't the time or inclination to explain myself -
- to a man who needs my protection - but questions the way I do
it.
Better just to thank me.
Or pick up a gun and stand a post.
But I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!”
“Did you order the Code Red?”
“You're goddamn right I did!”
Corona must have thought he could pull out a Jack Nicholson with his acting. But his excuses are lame and his acting pathetic.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Brat!
You disrespected the Filipino people by walking out of the impeachment court. You made a mockery of The Supreme Court by shedding crocodile tears after churning out motherhood statements all three hours you hugged the limelight to yourself.
You were there as a witness to be cross-examined that you might have shed light to the "lantern of lies" you so vehemently deny, and other vengeful acts against you by the Aquino administration, as you so tearfully lament. But you pulled a DJ Mo Twister act and delivered a monologue all three long hours. When you were done with your one-man show, after signing a waiver allowing your bank accounts to be opened that holds true only if half of the country signs a waiver too, you, the Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines "wished to be excused," closed your script, turned your back, and walked out.
Thank God for Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile's quick wit, you were locked in before you could pull a Houdini. Half an hour later, your relative and one of your defense lawyers talked to the press to announce you have a "slight" medical problem caused by the dropping of your blood sugar, and other medical possibilities, which once again proves that in this country, lawyers hold two degrees: law and medicine.
After some grave threats from JPE who got so angry enough to put the Hulk to shame, Corona appeared in a wheelchair before the court. What a foolery!
If he was feeling faint to continue, how hard was it to speak so? If the way he just walked out of the room, so full of himself, appeared like he was going to faint, as his counsel Cuevas claimed half an hour later, then I am Lady Gaga.
JPE's shining moment was when he castigated Cuevas for Corona's misbehavior in the presence of the Chief Justice himself, but Enrile directed all his wrath to Cuevas as if Corona was not there in his wheelchair listening. Enrile was like a grade school principal reprimanding a parent (Cuevas) for raising a brat (Corona.)
Corona ought to have been cited for contempt, or may be not if he pleads temporary loss of sanity. But fainting spells? Ano ka, tiyahin ni Scarlet O'Hara?
You were there as a witness to be cross-examined that you might have shed light to the "lantern of lies" you so vehemently deny, and other vengeful acts against you by the Aquino administration, as you so tearfully lament. But you pulled a DJ Mo Twister act and delivered a monologue all three long hours. When you were done with your one-man show, after signing a waiver allowing your bank accounts to be opened that holds true only if half of the country signs a waiver too, you, the Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines "wished to be excused," closed your script, turned your back, and walked out.
Thank God for Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile's quick wit, you were locked in before you could pull a Houdini. Half an hour later, your relative and one of your defense lawyers talked to the press to announce you have a "slight" medical problem caused by the dropping of your blood sugar, and other medical possibilities, which once again proves that in this country, lawyers hold two degrees: law and medicine.
After some grave threats from JPE who got so angry enough to put the Hulk to shame, Corona appeared in a wheelchair before the court. What a foolery!
If he was feeling faint to continue, how hard was it to speak so? If the way he just walked out of the room, so full of himself, appeared like he was going to faint, as his counsel Cuevas claimed half an hour later, then I am Lady Gaga.
JPE's shining moment was when he castigated Cuevas for Corona's misbehavior in the presence of the Chief Justice himself, but Enrile directed all his wrath to Cuevas as if Corona was not there in his wheelchair listening. Enrile was like a grade school principal reprimanding a parent (Cuevas) for raising a brat (Corona.)
Corona ought to have been cited for contempt, or may be not if he pleads temporary loss of sanity. But fainting spells? Ano ka, tiyahin ni Scarlet O'Hara?
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