Openmindedness

Seeing something good in every person does not mean seeing every person good. Same goes with ideas, opinions and beliefs. If you can't distinguish the difference, then you are not yet capable to create a balanced view.

Tactical Irony

A leader must be a good tactician. He must have a strategy which is easily conveyed and related to by his followers to move his team forward, and another one which will be used against the competition that they will not be able to decipher it and only the trusted and helpful allies will know about it. But once the common followers start saying that they have a full grasp of their leader’s strategy against the enemies and they call him a genius for it, and they are right about what they say about the tactic, then that means the opposite about the leader.

Stay Humble and Confident

Confidence in realizing that you understand what you are doing is good. Overconfidence that you act like others have no idea of what's going on thinking like you can always outsmart them most of the time ends in disaster. Be confident. Be humble. Be calm.

Wag Kasing Sobra

Marami na rin ang nagising. Sa wakas. kung tutuusin, dapat masaya pa nga ako. Kasi yung ilang beses na rin naming pinananawagan noon ay tila ba narinig na ng marami ngayon. Kaso ang problema, mukhang nabigla din sa pagkagising. Di pa nagkakape kumbaga. Baka need muna rin natin mag-inat inat at magmumog kaya baka di pa maganda ang pagkakamulat ng mata.

Mahirap ang napapasobra sa kahit anong bagay. Gasgas na ang katagang ito pero tama naman talaga. Ang kulang sa tin madalas ay yung balanse. Lalo na sa usaping panlipunan, pag masyado natin tinodo ang galit o pagsuporta sa isang panig, nagiging bingi tayo o bulag sa posibleng mga tamang punto sa kabilang partido. Pakiramdam natin ay tama na tayo sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Malabo yun. Pero minsan, dumarating nga yung punto na nagigising din naman tayo. Kaso ang problema, pag nagising, biglang kabig naman din sa kabilang side ng todo. Todong kanan papuntang kaliwa. Walang gitna. Samantalang kadalasan, ang pinakaligtas, paborable at malapit sa katotohanang sagot ay nandun lang banda.


Tulad ng mga bumaligtad na sitwasyong ito sa baba. Nakakatawang nakakainis na makita mo sila na napunta na halos dun sa tinuturo mong lugar nila noon pa. Kaso tumodo kabig at lumampas pa. At pinapalabas pa ngayon na ikaw ang di nakakaunawa. Mapapakamot ka na lang minsan dahil di mo na alam ang irereact mo. Ansarap sanang sabihin na "ako pa ngayon".
 
1. Tulad ng marami noon na sobrang puri kay Pnoy na ang tingin nila dati ay "chosen one" sya. Pero nung nadismaya na sa kanya ay naging sobrang galit naman at mas galit pa sila kesa sa min na di bumoto sa kanya na tipong kahit anong maattach sa pangalan nya ay ayaw na nila. 

 2. Yung mga sobrang isumpa si GMA dati kasama na ang asawa at mga anak nya, marami ngayon ay ok na sila at wala na raw kasalanan at inosente ang tingin kay GMA at napaginitan lang daw ng dilawan. 

3. Yung mga dati na sobrang galit naman sa China na pati sa usapang Gilas e dinamay si Chowking at namumula ang mga ilong sa list of richest Pinoy na puro Chinese names ang pangalan na tingin nila ay mga mapagsamantala sa ting mga kababayan, ngayon marami sa kanila sobrang love na nila ang China. 

4. Yung dati na sobrang iniidolo ang US sa mga polisiya nito at nakiki-greatest president pa kay Obama na sana daw ay maging tulad nya ang pangulo natin habang kami sa pro-life advocacy ay matagal nang nagwawarn sa mga pakulo nila sa atin na pagtulong na halatang may hidden agenda, ngayon sila naman ang todo magalit na dinamay na ang buong America na nagkukunwari lang daw na mababait at di na raw natin mapagkakatiwalaan.

5. Yung dati sobrang magshare at magforward pa ng articles dun sa mga news sites na patungkol sa kasiraan ng ibang pulitiko, mga polisiya sa gobyerno na di naman talaga maganda pero pinupush nila, at kung ano ano pang mabibigat na usapin habang dati pa kami nagpapaalala na pag-ingatan ang pinapakinggan, pinapanood o binabasa kahit ano pa yan sa news sa tv man, radyo, dyaryo o social media. Nagwarning na kami na may pondo yung ilan sa mga yan para palaganapin ang ilang mga agenda na di naman talaga pabor sa tao. Tapos ngayon, yung mga sobrang nagpapaniwala sa lahat ng binuhos na balita sa kanila dati, sila ngayon ang nagpuputok ang butsi na "bias bias bias" daw lahat.




Kaya kinakabahan ako para kay Pres. Duterte eh. Malamang nito after 6 yrs, sa kabila ng mga di ko gustong ginawa nya ay inaappreciate ko pa rin ang lahat ng maganda nyang accomplishments habang pinagtatanggol ko na rin sya sa mga hardcore fans nya ngayon na may bago na namang magiging idol pagdating ng panahon at galit na galit na sa kanya. Wag kasing sobra. Wag puro puso. Isip din. Dapat sakto lang at magtira para sa sarili.

Questions?

Questions can either be empowering or dangerous. It depends on the intent of the one inquiring. If the question given was for the purpose of finding answers, it helps not only the one who is asking but also those who are listening. It also opens an opportunity for those who know the answers to transfer knowledge to others. But if the question was blurted out simply to create a statement and the person who gave it is not open to responses, it becomes dangerous to him, to those who sensed the intent and agreed to the insinuation, and to those who will try to answer just to be shut down by the closed minded lot.

My Most Important Mistake

I want to say something to the young ones today who are trying to change the world. Maybe this experience of mine would help them. I'm not that old. Maybe we are just separated by a decade or a half. But those 10 years I managed my time wrongly could spell a better future for you. I'm not living a miserable life and I'm thankful with all that I am today but somehow I could have done better if someone older told me this thing before.


I see a lot of people who spend their youth looking for inspiration. They would try to meet and get in touch with those men and women they look up to. Well, it's not bad at all. Listening and reading from their success stories would help. They might give you a thing or two about fighting obstacles. Maybe a word from them that would light the fire up. 


What's wrong is when these things occupy your time more than it should be. Inspiration is like a drug of the mind. You should not overdose yourself with it or else, it puts you in a dangerous position to think that you can do everything. It sounds good, right? No. You can't do anything if you aren't learning and training yourself with the basics, the techniques and the details. Without these things, you'll be like pumping a balloon up with too much hot air in it without actually knowing where to go. Sure, you might end up in a good place. But the point is, you don't have control of the destination if you lack the skills.


There are not a few managers who think that inspiration is what mostly needed by their men for engagement. It is, but only with the right amount. The innovators and successes of today spent their lives training, learning and practicing. Maybe they read quotes, self help books or heard advice from others. But if you check on their stories, they burned 99% of their time making themselves better than 99% of the people that also tried to do the things they do. They coded thousands of programs, wrote hundreds of stories and researched more different ways to improve many things. That is how they arrived into where they are now. And to the not so young, it is never too late as many of the successful people in history only started doing what they do in their 40s and 50s. 


Inspiration is a good thing. But I see it coming naturally when you find that thing you are interested doing with many years of your life. Inspiration would only push you an inch in doing things you don't like at all. But finding that one you love doing, most especially in something you are naturally good at, or if not, it is where you are willing to spend thousand of hours practicing and training, add the inspiration to it and you will reach thousands of miles.

Acting Beyond Sacrifice

There are instances in life where you find yourself trapped in a sinking ship and the only way to save the rest is for someone to sacrifice himself, do a kamikazee and bring down the biggest enemy with him and provide all who were left on board a chance for survival. Someone has to play the hero part and die for the rest.

But if you choose to take that kamikazee part, unlike in a real war, you'll live to see what happens next. Sometimes, there are after effects that are bitter to swallow. Just remember, it's part of the sacrifice. And that your goal then is for the whole ship to survive which is what satisfies your chosen action.

And since you're alive, you'll have another chance to regroup and reset your goals while you wear that experience as a badge and as a lesson towards your next battles.

Dealing with the News

Tips on how we could address government news and actions less the emotional stress and baggage:

1. Controversial but not essential - for entertainment purposes only. And usually it is there to cover on something that people needs to be focused on. So better be on the lookout. Dont get yourself dragged into the mud pit. Not everything we see at the surface is what it really is. Originally, this is number 3 on the list but I thought this might be what's more important.

2. Good news - It is always great. And it's their job. Let's be thankful then move on with our lives. That's what our votes and taxes should worth anyway. But be cautioned that not all things that seemed to be good are really that good. The devil is always in the details.

3. Bad news - Criticize. Until they listen, improve, act and falls on number 2. Or if you dont care, move on. Let the critics do their work since what they want to happen is also for the most of us. And if the critics are up to no good, most of the time they wont succeed. People would realize it anyway. Same caution as number 2 but in reverse.

Us vs Them

The "us vs them" tactic has been one of the oldest plays in the book yet it still is so effective until today. A lot of us engage in politics yet we seemed aren't coping that we keep letting our guards down and pinning all our hopes to individuals forgetting that most of our leaders are cut from the same mold and gone thru the same system.

Their characters though matter and it is what makes some do better than the others. But better not hold your breath from thinking that someone would be the savior that you've been waiting for.

Let them do their jobs. We already gave them our votes. It's their job to deliver. They have the power and machinery to defend themselves. It's not your job to do that for them. It's not about you or your vote anymore. It's not about the rich against the poor nor the literates against the less knowledgeable. It's not about one party against another party, not one camp against one camp, nor one politician against another one as these things should just happen for a day and that's during the election. But for the rest of our lives, it's us the people against anyone who would deny what is rightly ours. That's where the real "us vs them" should fall into play.

How About Prevention?

There's no denying the fact that our nation is sick. Seems near to terminal level and if not addressed soon, things might turn out to be fatal, that is if it's not yet.

Just like a sick person, there must be something done to get back our country's health. Like most illness, there's a need for consultation, observation and tests. There are cures available but we can't just jump quickly into one if we are serious in fighting society problems. Let's keep in mind that if we are not careful enough, it may cause further damage to what we are trying to fix. Like medicines, some of these may have side effects which can cause more damage than the disease it tries to heal. That's why a doctor considers all aspects first before prescribing one for an individual. 

 
And often times, prevention is always the best solution just like how upholding and strengthening moral values would strengthen and uplift an ill society. There are some institutions who call for these things. Most policies that are made focus on the end effects and on curbing the problems that are already existing but the promotion of values to counter these diseases of our society from the onset is usually left out. Yet, sadly, those who are trying to fill up that void are being silenced by people who think that these things are counter productive to the policies that are being enforced. Then those who remind us of our values are branded as hypocrites. Ironic that these institutions are silenced to shame by the same ones who are calling for speech and choice freedom.

And we rarely hear our leaders and lawmakers concern themselves about it. They often want the easy way out, not taking the problems on the core but address only what is obvious. For survival, they push for what's popular and not what is necessary. I wonder why people love leaders doing populist solutions when the reason why we put them there is that we think they know better than us and believe that they have more aces up their sleeves that none of us have and thought about. If we are just electing people whom we think will do what most people would, are we not taking advantage of our right of suffrage to put in position someone whom we recognize could think brighter than most of us? 

But definitely, something has to be done to impose and enforce the law to everyone. And there's nothing wrong with either approach as long as they are done within the bounds of the law. A problem so deep needs a multi-faceted approach. A sick person needs to be treated while the healthy ones, which are the majority, needs to learn how to prevent the illnesses.

Disagree or Agree to Learn

There are those who readily shut other people down upon learning that they believe in something they don't agree with even if they initially looked up or respected that person for so many reasons. I also encountered this situation even with those I see as my model in life. I also felt disappointed. 

But rather than looking away from them, I try to listen on why they believe the opposite. Besides, I idolized them earlier because I trusted that they know better in many things. Although it does not mean I have to agree with all that they have to say. Upon hearing their sides, the possibility is either I get enlightened with their reasons and nod in agreement to their position, or learn something from their point of view but still disagree. In both scenarios, I learn, I win, I improve. 

Turning our backs and shutting our doors just because of dissenting opinions is a sure fire way not to learn a new thing about the world outside. I did that mistake a lot of times before. And I learned the lesson that I missed a lot more other lessons in doing that.

Dignity and Definitions

I don't know which among these scenarios is the worst. Being called idealistic by someone who thinks the ugliest of things can easily turn out fine by means of words even among clashing ideologies and beliefs? Or being tagged as pessimist when you provide valid reasons as to why this person's idea won't possibly work? Or being treated awkwardly by someone as if you are the same immature person more than a decade ago  to the point of shame not considering that things, character and people change?

But I don't think I should care much as to which one is the worst. Though it reminds me that treating other people should not be based on what we think about them but on how we want to be given respect and with caution by others. There should always be dignity. And that I have to think thoroughly the meanings of words especially before attaching it to other people. Or just avoid tagging people at all since issues are different from persons and we should not be defined by how we think about a specific one. If there's only one thing that must define us all in any matters, it should be "critical" and in a positive sense. 

Having been able to experience the three just recently, it really feels bad. Or I might just be over reacting. So accept my apologies.

Listen Closely

Those with the loudest voices usually come from those with the lesser grasp of the subject matter. What makes them more resonant is that their arguments are more simple, fewer and therefore easier to repeat and will always sound like in unison when they speak.

Unlike for those who know more, articulating would be longer and would sound in different tones that it is difficult to become a unified voice even if they are few. Sometimes a bit dragging for the majority as what appeals to most are the shorter ones. And for people who understands more, they recognize that there are a lot of things beyond their knowledge that they avoid pushing harder and would convey their positions in a calmer manner. Compared to those who have the modest cognizance to hold on to, they are more confident with it having more of those around them that approves and agrees with what they say. It's easier for them to feel that they already have everything that is needed to know about the matter and would shout about it whenever there's a chance.

But it is not always the case. Loud voices could be the good ones and the silent ones are better off not heard. So you got to listen carefully as always.

Man In The Mirror

Many if not all things that thrive in the modern society are due to the law of supply and demand. In the history of the world, no commodity ever survived against it. There's a reason why junk food business owners create empires while the vegetable farmers struggle to live for the day. So if we really are keen on fixing the bad media practices and practitioners, maybe we ought to start finding out where all those demands for them are coming from. And they might be closer from where we expected them to be.

Church and Hypocrisy

The Church was instituted by the Lord, provided her with divine teachings but is LED and MADE UP of IMPERFECT people. The Church cannot be hypocrite but the members can be. Though it will be unfair to tag every sinning churchgoer to be as such. And everyone of us is a sinner.

It depends on your bias to see either a broken person trying to correct himself with the help of the Church or someone who covers his sins with religiosity. Or you can just leave the judgement to the only One who can see through the heart. If there's one case, this is when the favorite "don't judge" phrase by a lot of people is most applicable. But sadly, even this even seems optional upon convenience.

The "Non-Intellectual" Votes

I was too naive then. When I was a first time voter, I also had this notion that choosing candidates is purely an intellectual practice.  It was difficult to fathom the reasons of those who voted for politicians who obviously did not have the qualifications for the posts they were running for. 

Realizing later that the reasons for electing politicians vary among us voters, I began to understand other's choice whatever they are. Maybe for us who have decent jobs, are able to provide food on the table and have comfortable beds to sleep on, our brains take the major part in the selection process. But there are those whose hopes for the elected leaders have a higher stake than ours. Like those under the funding programs of politicians like housing, food, education and livelihood, a loss for their candidate is a dagger to them. On which it is the heart and perhaps a rumbling stomach which directs them in deciding who to vote for. It's an immediate need for them. There are legitimate programs that the government is giving them which are based on who's running the show and disappear when they are not in power. And unless there's someone who can ensure continuity of these projects for them, their votes, no matter how we thought of them, are the best choices for them.

One more angle is this. When you have a problem and you try to get help from another person, you do not necessarily look for the brightest people at the onset. You try first with the person whom you find reachable, could empathize and understand your situation. Someone you think who can relate to you as they might have gone through the same troubles. I think that many politicians have a better grasp of this idea that's why most of them try to package themselves as someone who is like the most of us. Though sometimes it back fires because many could identify the authentic ones.
There also comes a time that you will establish the beliefs, principles and convictions you would stand for. If you have gone through this process, you will begin to understand that voting is not a mere mental exercise but a holistic one that requires your whole person; emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical to participate in it.


And also, if elections were really that simple, there wouldn't be much spending and effort coming from those candidates. For they know, people have different reasons to select among them and they have to cover the majority of these causes. Indeed, politicians know us more than we voters know ourselves. I also made those condescending remarks to people who choose their candidates differently from how I did.  And now, I realize and embarrassed to admit how wrong I was.

Eleksyong Bilog, Paikot-ikot

Nanalo ang “no-votes” kasunod ang pag walk out ng mga senador. College student pa lang ako nun at sinusundan ko na ang mga balitang pulitika. Pagkatapos ng walk out, nagsimula na ring magtipon ang mga tao sa EDSA noon. Dismayado ang marami sa hindi pagkakabukas ng envelop na sinasabing naglalaman ng mga impormasyon at transaksyon ng mga accounts sa ilalim ng pangalan ni “Jose Velarde” dahil sa no votes ng 11 senators sa impeachment case na nangyari against Former President Joseph Estrada. Umapela ang dating pangulo sa tv na pumapayag na siyang buksan ang envelop. Pero huli na. At iyon na nga ang pagbagsak nya, ang EDSA 2. Nakulong si Erap sa pamamagitan din ng house arrest makalipas ang ilang buwan.

Erap's impeachment hearing

GMA swore in as president

 Nanumpa si GMA at siya ang tumapos sa 4 na taon pang natitira ni Erap. 2003, sinabi ni Arroyo na di siya tatakbo. Nagbago ang ihip ng hangin at tumakbo siya ng 2004. Pinakamalakas nyang kalaban ang matalik na kaibigan ni dating presidente Erap, ang yumaong si Fernando Poe Jr. Sa lahat ng survey, dikit sila. Subalit marami ang lumipat ng suporta kay GMA dahil sa paniniwala ng ilan na hindi dapat manalo ang walang karanasang si FPJ. Anybody but FPJ ang sabi ng marami. At si GMA na nga ang nanalo. Sinubukan ng kampo ni GMA ang i-introduce ang charter change para palitan sana ang kasalukuyang constitution at sistema ng bansa. Pero inayawan ito ng marami. Natakot na baka gamitin ni GMA ito para magkaroon ng absolute powers at magtagal sa puwesto. Pinalibutan din ng maraming alegasyon ng korapsyon ang kanyang administrasyon. Pero natapos ni GMA ang kanyang termino. Nakatakbong congresswoman. Pero nakasuhan siya ng sumunod na administrasyon at ngayon ay naka hospital arrest. Marami nang nadismiss na kaso sa kanya pero may ilan na patuloy pa rin na itinutulak sa kanya. By the way, binigyan ni GMA ng parole si Erap mula sa pagkakakulong (house arrest).

Panday vs Pand... GMA pala

Sumunod na eleksyon, ang nangunguna sa survey ay si Sen. Villar. Mukhang sure win na nga siya dahil talagang tambak ang kalaban sa surveys. Nang namatay si dating pangulong Cory, nabago na naman ang timpla ng bayan. Nanawagan ang marami na sana ay tumakbo ang anak nya na noon ay si Sen. Noynoy Aquino. Walang bahid diumano si Noynoy ng korapsyon at pagnanakaw at naturuan ng mabuti ng magulang nya malamang, sabi ng kanyang mga supporters. Hindi ito kasama sa plano ni Noynoy at si Mar Roxas ang napupusuang standard bearer sana ng LP. Tumaas pa lalo ang clamor na tanggapin na nya ang oportunidad. Matapos ang maraming pagtulak ng tao at pag iisip, tumakbo na rin siya. Nag give-way si Roxas. Malakas agad ang dating nya dahil sa tinatawag na “Cory Magic”.  Pagbabago raw ito sa wakas. Passionate ang mga supporters ng LP noon. Mga artista, sikat na tao, mga iba't ibang relihiyon ay nagkaisa para suportahan siya. Halos santo na nga ang tingin sa kanya. At pagdating sa social media, pag nagcriticize ka sa kanya, tatawagin ka ng mga supporters na “supporter ka siguro ng korap at magnanakaw”. O kaya naman ay dahil baka korap ka rin o kaya ay bayaran.

Yellow Army

Pero nandoon pa rin si Villar. Lumabas ang mga kaso laban kay Villar na nagsimula sa pagbaba ng popularidad ng dating nangunguna sa surveys. Isa na ang C5 extension at iba pa. Marami daw diumanong pandarambong na ginawa si Villar. At pagkatapos ay tumakbo pa uli si Erap. Lalong nahati ang supporters ni Villar na sinasabing galing sa masa. Andaming naniwala na may mga pagnanakaw siyang ginawa at dapat siyang kasuhan. Napakarumi ng tingin sa kanya. At natalo si Villar. Nanalo si Pnoy.  Pero walang kasuhang nangyari kay Villar pagkatapos at nawala na sa pinaguusapan ng Pilipino ang mga paratang sa kanya. Samantalang nung nasa kampanya ay talagang paniwalang paniwala na silang magnanakaw ang mga Villar pero wala namang umusad na kaso. Puede ko bang sabihing siniraan lang sila sa eleksyon? Hindi ko binoto si Villar pero kung tunay ang  paratang ng kabilang kampo, bakit di na siya hinabol at ng mabigyang hustisya ang inaakusa nilang pagnanakaw ng buwis ng taong bayan?

Remember the C5 road extension ?

Halalan na naman ngayon. Kung babasahin nyo yung naka bold and italics sa taas, mapapansin nyo na parang ni-rereplay lang ang lahat. Palitan nyo lang ng pangalan, parehong pareho lang din ng nangyayari noon sa nangyayari ngayon. Ang mga pulitiko ay natututo sa mga nangyayari sa nakaraan. Inuulit ulit lang nila kung ano ang makakatulong sa kanila at inaayos at iniiwasan naman ang tingin nilang nakasira sa iba ng mga nakalipas na eleksyon. Pero tayo bang botante ay natututo? O hindi tayo nadadala? Ireview ang kasaysayan. Ireview ang history kung pano napasok ang mga tumatakbo sa pulitika, sino nagbigay kapangyarihan, pano nasimulan. Baka magulat pa kayo na halos iisa lang pala roots nila. So sino ngayon ang naiisahan?

Matunog pangalan nya nung first debate.

To be fair, hindi lahat ng mga bumoto sa mga nakaraang admin o sumuporta sa pagbagsak ni Erap ay nagsisisi. May iba na consistent. Kahit ako naman, hindi ko sasabihing puro negatibo ang ginawa nila. Kung tutuusin, tama naman. GMA and Noynoy admin did well in luring foreign investors. They did brought in jobs and opportunity. Kung magiging logical, fair at masipag (yes masipag) lang sana tayo, hindi naman lahat pangit. Like personally, umayos naman ang buhay ng pamilya namin mula sa halos wala nang maipabaon ang mga magulang ko kung di dahil lang din sa allowances na nakukuha namin sa scholarship ng kapatid ko at pagtulong ng ilang kapamilya, na ngayon ay nakatapos na kaming lahat at kahit papano ay naibabalik naman namin ang tulong sa iba na pagtanaw din sa mga naitulong samin ng ibang tao noon.

Pero naiintindihan ko rin ang kinaiinis ng marami sa kanila na naranasan ko rin. Lumala ang krimen, ang transportasyon, ang mabagal na pagaksyon sa mga sakuna at national and security issues, etc. Sabagay, college pa ko e takaw holdap na kami nun. Lampas sampung beses siguro ako nakaencounter ng nadukutan at naholdap. Cellphone, wallet, etc. Pero masisisi ba natin ito lahat sa gobyerno o tayo din ang nagcocontribute mismo? Tulad sa panahon ngayon na marami na ang walang malasakit o paki sa kapwa. May makitang di tama, huhugutin ang telepono sa bulsa hindi para tawagan ang may kapangyarihan kundi para kunan ng larawan o ng video para maishare at maging viral. At yung mga nakapanood naman ay manghuhusga sa mga napapanood at nakikita kahit wala naman silang alam sa nangyari.  Tayo rin mismo ang nagbibigay ng lakas ng loob sa mga masasamang tao dahil sa kawalan natin ng pakialam, malasakit at pagkilos para sa bawat isa. Kung alam lang nila na ang mga Pilipino ay may malasakit, may ilan sigurong magbabago ng isip sa kanila.

Sa karanasan ko, ilang mga pagtatangkang pagnanakaw,  mga kahina hinalang pagkilos ng tao, mga rugby boys na nakatambay, mga snatching, holdup atbp, ilan lang yan sa mga naitawag ko agad agad sa brgy tanod, security guards, mga pulis o kung sino mang may kakayahan na umaksyon sa lugar na pinangyarihan. Hindi ako sigurado kung ano ang kahihinatnan ng mga naireport kong yun kung di ko sila itinawag. Baka mali lang o naghinala lang ako masyado. Pero sabi nga, it's better to err on the right side. Kung di ko itinawag sa pulis agad yung nakita kong nakatambay na pitong rugby boys sa kanto dun sa may lugar namin na sumisnghot pa sa bote at plastic, o yung mga nagkukunwaring tumatawag sa may ari ng bahay dun sa may malapit sa pinagpapalabhan namin dati na nilalakasan pa ang boses sa kausap kuno sa telepono na kesyo aakyatin na daw nila yung gate dahil wala silang susi para ayusin yung ipapaayos nila habang alam ng lahat na nakabakasyon sa malayo ang may ari ng bahay na yun, ano kaya ang mangyayari? Ilan kayang mga masamang pangyayari ang posible sanang naiwasan kung meron lang pakialam ang mga tao sa paligid? O wala tayong paki hanggat di tayo ang apektado? O inaantay natin yung presidente natin ang kumilos para sa tin? O gusto natin passive lang, na pag may napatay, patayin na lang either bitayin o barilin na lang din?

Throwback: I made this video for the 2004 elections

Dahil sa mga krimen at problema natin sa trapiko sa araw araw, talagang perpektong set up ito sa candidacy ng kandidatong nagsasalita ng matigas laban sa mga kriminal. Isang tao na nangangako ng pagpuksa sa krimen at pagalis ng kurapsyon na magdudulot ng mas maraming pondo para isaayos ang mga problema ng bansa. Bunga ito ng tila pagiging disconnected ng kasalukuyang administrasyon sa mga maliliit na parang pambabalewala na nga. Nakakainis naman talaga. Kaya talagang inaasahan na kung sino ang marunong magsalita patungkol sa pagbibigay hustisya sa ating mamamayan, siya ang mangunguna. Pero enough na ba ito para bumoto na agad sa kanya? Hindi ko sasagutin yan. Pero puedeng para sa iba ay oo. Ito ay dahil talagang perfect setup ang Aquino admin sa ganitong uri ng kampanya. Pero sino nga ba ang nag-setup? Si Pnoy? O yung mga bumoto sa kanya? Ito ba talaga ang gusto natin? O redeeming point lang yan ng mga bumoto kay PNoy dati para makabawi?

Hindi ako sumama sa EDSA 2, hindi ko binoto si GMA, hindi ko binoto si Noynoy. Puedeng ginawa nyo lahat yan. Pero ganyan naman talaga ang demokrasya. At least, nakakapili tayo at nakakakilos ng kung ano talaga ang gusto ng isip at puso natin. Pero kung isa kayo dyan lalo na sa mga bumoto at kumampanya ng todo kay Pnoy noong nakaraan, at pagkatapos ngayon ay nangangampanya na naman kayo ng walang humpay at sa paraang pakiramdam nyo e ang tama lang ay ang choice nyo, na hindi kayo puedeng magkamali at kaming mga critical sa kandidato nyo ang mga mangmang o kaya ay nabayaran, may konting pakiusap lang ako sana. Puedeng mag sorry muna kayo sa mga kinilos nyo dati bago mangampanya na naman ng bagong pagbabago sa bagong idol nyo? Or kahit wag nang magsorry. Puedeng konting hiya naman sa ming naapektuhan ng mga boto nyo last time. Ok lang naman kung ayaw nyo. Pero sana this time konting kalma. Paalala lang. Di lahat ng di pabor sa inyo ay pera lang ang katapat o kaya ay di nagiisip.

Sa loob lang ng 2 presidential elections na naranasan ko sa buhay, natuto na ako kung ano ang halaga ng ballot secrecy. Natuto din ako ngayon na minsan, yung inaakala mong iboboto mo ay di mo pala iboboto and vice versa dahil di lahat ay nakukuha sa unang tingin. Ang basehan pa rin dapat ay ang prinsipyo at sariling paninindigan. Hindi ang emosyon o ang pangalan. Hindi entertainment. Hindi ang boredom. Yung track record at nagawa naman, parang highlight reel lang yan sa basketball e. Kahit yung pinakabanong player, puede mong piliin ang best move nya at gawan mo ng video montage, voila, mukha na siyang magaling. Kaya mas maganda, tingnan mo yung posisyon nila sa mga bagay bagay na pinaniniwalaan mong makakabuti at kung pabor sila dun, dun ka. Now, some people are asking who my president now is. No, I'm not giving you the delight to grab that chance to judge and ridicule me with my choice. Naalala ko pa last time, di lang isang beses kundi makailang ulit tuwing sasabihin ko kung sion ang iboboto ko, ang tanong sa kin ay "bakit?" na ang tono ay walang inaantay na sagot at may kasamang tingin na condescending ang dating. Ngiti nalang ang sagot ko. Siguro kasi, iba ang kandidato ko sa karamihan sa kanila.

Iboto nyo ang gusto nyong iboto pero sana lang, wag na kayo sumama sa pagpapakalat ng mga kabobohan sa internet. Di natin kailangang magpakatanga para ipagtanggol ang ating kandidato. Konting due diligence lang at common sense para masabing fake yung pinapaikot, shinare mo pa rin? Di natin kailangang patulan ang lahat ng mga sinasabi laban o pabor sa ating idolo. Hindi naman natin sila ka close. Unless kapatid o magulang mo sila, ok lang. Pero para magkaroon ka ng interpretasyon at update sa bawat kilos nila, aba matindi. Maging consistent din. Kung alam mong ang pulitika ay marumi, itrato mo na lahat ng sasabihin ng isang pulitiko sa kahit kaninong kandidato ay maaaring paninira lang at hindi totoo. Pero bakit may kinakastigo ka na sa umpisa pa lang? Tama ba ang hinala mo o baka nalinlang ka rin pala para maidirect ka nila sa gusto nilang iboto mo? Tingin mo? Ewan ko, ang gulo eh. Pero sana di na tayo makisali. Pero wala e, tayo lang din ang nagpapagulo. Ang gulo.  Di ko alam kung sino mananalo. Pero baka ang kalalabasan na naman nito pagkatapos ay sasabihin na naman natin sa iba eh “Yan kasi, buti nga sa inyo. I told you. Ayaw nyo makinig eh”.

Pero di naman lahat kasi ng bumoto kay Pnoy ay nagsisi halimbawa, tulad ng mga nabanggit ko sa taas, I'm sure naappreciate nila yung magaganda ding nagawa ng admin. Gusto ko lang sabihin yan dun mga maka Noynoy dati na ngayon e sukang suka na sa kanya. Na mas maingay pa ngayon sa lahat sa social media dahil sa inis sa nangyayari sa administrasyon nya. MRT, traffic, riding in tandem, SAF44, holdapan, Quirino Grandstand, Sabah, South China Sea, BBL, RH Bill, etc etc, puro yan ang post. Dati bangong bango eh. Gusto ko sabihin tuloy sila na ano pero... O ano ha?! Ang kulit nyo kasi eh. Buti nga sa inyo. Di pa kayo madala ha. Emosyon pa more. Sige, kampanya pa more. Kami na uli ang ayaw sa pagbabago. Kami na uli ang bayaran. Kayo na naman ang tama. Kayo na naman ang magaling. Tapos sa susunod kayo na naman una magrereklamo sa binoto nyo? Ewan!

Sarap nun ah.

Decency Is Not Hypocrisy

I made a lot of mistakes in my life. Some deliberately while others due to naivete. But no excuses. I did a lot of bad things. Period.

Wrong things are called "wrong" that you have to make them "right" and not to make another one. Realizing that one thing is wrong is the first step to correct it. Acknowledging your imperfection does not mean you are to do more intentional wrongs or you have to tolerate others' mistakes. 

A plane on auto pilot may deviate from the desired path but there's a locator mechanism which brings it back into the right direction just like how your morals and principles redirects you into doing the right things. And being wrong once does not diminish your ability to identify the sins of others. We have the responsibility to guard our actions towards other people and to guide, teach and call out those who are going astray. 

Para Kay Gloc at Sa Kanya'y Tumatalak

Sa bansang pinagtatalunan ang halos lahat ng bagay,
Pati mga kaliit-liitang isyung nakakaumay,
Sa social media ang mga tao ay ubod na ng ingay,
Pati patay na nananahimik ay pilit dinadamay.

Kung Showtime ba ang magaling o ang Eat Bulaga,
Pinapakita ba ng Aldub sa tao ang syang tama,
Isama pa ang relihiyon at mga paniniwala,
Kung may forever nga ba o may taong tinadhana,

Sino nga ba ang mas tama, walang makapagsasabi,
Kung ano ang gusto ko, wala ka dapat nang paki,
Ang utak mo at utak ko di pareho ng sinasabi,
Isip at puso ko nga mismo minsa'y di mag-intindi.

At sa pulitikang sobrang daming maririnig na tunog,
Kaliwa't kanang pagkalampag, pagkidlat at pagkulog,
Pag di ka mag-iingat, ikaw ay mahuhulog,
Sa mga kasinungalingang sa iyo'y magpapalubog.

Walang ni isa sa tin ang makapagsasabing may alam,
Tunay na mga nangyayari habang sikmura'y kumakalam,
Lahat nagtuturuan, si ganito at si ganyan,
Magnanakaw at kurakot, sinungaling at gahaman.

Kung sinong nakapuwesto, sya ang may kapangyarihan,
Kawawa ang mapupuntirya at maiipit na kalaban,
Gamit ang makinarya, putik sa yo ay hahagupit,
Paninirang matindi ay wala nang ilulupit.

Normal lamang sa tao ang agad mapaniwala,
Sa dami ng ebidensya, lahat ay tamang hinala,
Ngunit sa sistema natin ngayon, sino nga ba ang malinis,
Makikita ba sa itsura o sa sapatos kung makinis.

Si Gloc-9 na ngayo'y kinukwestyon nyo ang prinsipyo?
Dating kasama ko kay Bro. Eddie, habang kayo ay na kanino
Sa sabi nyo noo'y walang bahid, ngayo'y sinusukang si Aquino.
Sabay ngayon nagmamagaling na tama na ang pinipili nyo.

Noon kami'y nagpapapaalala ng posible na mangyari,
Sa pagsuporta sa kanila ngunit di nyo inintindi.
Pero gayunpaman, karapatan ninyo ang pumili ng gusto nyo.
At karapatan ko ring ipamukha sa inyong "I told you so".

Suportahan man nya ngayon ang kandidatong inyong kalaban,
Na tingin ng taong bayan ay pamilyang kawatan,
Sa korte tandaan ay hindi pa napapatunayan,
Kaya para husgahan siya'y wala tayong karapatan.

Katulad din ng lahat ng iba pang mga kandidato,
Lahat may mga baho at balitang panloloko,
May isa raw sa kanila ay hindi tunay na Pilipino,
At isa namang berdugo raw at mamamatay tao.

May isa naman daw walang silbi at inutil ang pagkilos,
Katulad ng sinundan ang bayan daw maghihikahos.
At isa naman daw na sinasabing may sakit na at mabagal,
Kung maupo man daw sya ay di na rin magtatagal.

Sa mga balitang yan pumipili tayo ng iboboto.
Subalit ang impormasyon ay galing lang sa ibang tao.
Bawat isa sa kanila'y di tayo nakakasiguro,
Dito na rin papasok ang salitang prinsipyo.

Bawat tao'y iba-iba ang pinapahalagahan,
Sa iyong karakter ito ang iyong pinagyayaman,
Tulad ng sinasabing pagpili ng "lesser evil",
At paggamit ng karapatan gamit ang ating "free will".

Maaaring sa yo ay ayaw mo ng magnanakaw,
Numero unong bagay na iyong pinaka-aayaw.
Kung kaya ang kandidatong dito pinaka-nakilala,
Ay siya ring sa iyo'y pinaka-nakakairita,

Pero di naman lahat ng tao ay pare-pareho,
Sa pagtulak sa iba dapat tayo ay pumreno.
Kadalasang gusto nila ay iyon ang ayaw mo,
Na siya namang dahilan ng kampanya ng pulitiko,

May ibang tao kasi na di basta naniniwala,
Hanggat di pa sila napapatunayan ng husgadong nagkasala,
O kaya naman ay meron na mas ok na daw ang magnakaw,
Dahil paniniwala nila, lahat nama'y may tagong takaw.

Ok na daw ang dumudukot, basta naman tumutulong,
Kesa naman daw sa iba na ang mga ulo'y gumugulong,
Kumbaga sa kriminal, holdapin mo na ko't dukutan,
Basta hayaan mo akong mabuhay pa ng matagalan.

Hindi ko alam ang dahilan ng aking idolong si Gloc
O ng kahit ng ibang supporter na putak ng putak,
Kung alin sa mga nabanggit ang kanilang naging batayan,
Sa pagpili ng iboboto at susuportahan.

Subalit kahit ano pa man ang kanilang rason,
Kahit nakakabobo man, karapatan nila yon.
Ano man ang dahilan o kanilang intensyon,
Bunga ng karanasan, kaalaman at leksyon.

Ang bawat pamantayan natin ay iba-iba,
Yan nga ang dahilan kung bakit may kampanya,
Kung tingin mo man na mali ang aking napipisil,
Ilatag mo ang mga puntos na sa pagboto'y makakapigil.

Pero ang husgahan mo ang bawat pagkatao,
Dahil lamang sa iba ang kanilang iboboto,
Tawagin siya at pagbintangan ng kung ano-ano,
Nakakabuisit ka na pare, suntukan na lang tayo.

Biro lang naman yan, pero nakakainis na talaga,
Madalas nga na ako ngayon ay nagtataka,
Mga kakilala kong matino at noo'y hinahangaan,
Tila ba tamang pagrarason ay kanila nang nalimutan.

Ng dahil lang sa matinding pagsuporta sa kandidato,
Minsan din akong naging ganyan, ang suporta'y todo todo.
Pero hanggat maaari'y iniwasan, personalang pagbira,
Dahil sa huli naman, tayo tayo rin ang matitira.

Pagkatapos ng eleksyon, asan ba ang mga pulitiko,
Ni hindi mo malapitan ang marami sa mga ito,
Kung sisirain ang pagsasamahan, dahil lamang dito,
Panalo man ang sinuportahan, tayo pa rin naman ang talo.

Photo from Gloc-9's Facebook Page

Create Your Purpose

Paralysis while being alive is one of the worst experiences. I'm not speaking of the medical kind but more of the growth and development as a person. 

Thinking inward and meditation are necessary. But doing it too much to the extent of spending most of your time looking for your purpose is not healthy. If you keep on doing that, you might not get to the answer. And without noticing it, it's already the end of you. 

If you haven't found your purpose, you can always create one. You'll never go wrong in building your life for a purpose of helping another life. You'll never lose anything but you'll gain more in reaching out to people around you. Most of the time, you don't really have to seek for the purpose as you just need to act on it as it is has been beside you all this time.

Writing For Yourself

The most effective type of writing is when you write for yourself. There's no point in writing about things you don't like or in a way you don't desire. The first person that should appreciate what and how you wrote is you. You will learn a thing or two about good practices in writing from others. But you don't put the practice into your writing but rather your writing into the practice. 

You write what you like. Other like minded people might like it also. And people who understood what you say might be swayed by it. Some might not like what you say but will read you anyway. Some won't like how you wrote and your topic all in all but there will always be people like that no matter how and what you write. Just write. For yourself first. 

We All Lack Something Anyway

Judgement and intolerance aren't bad, nor they aren't good by themselves. Both are just mere actions and reactions. The targeted subject is what makes it either right or wrong. Since it's the Easter week, I am sharing my thoughts about tolerance and judgement towards our own Christian brethren.

We all had different journeys towards where we are now. Speaking about faith, many of us went through our weakest and coldest days.  And those strong in faith are the ones expected to guide those who are weak. But the problem is identifying the weak. Most of us won't know or even deny it when we are weak in faith. We might even think that what we're doing are just fine. And maybe, they are indeed "just fine". Not wrong, but there are a lot of things that could be done to improve.

Fraternal correction must be done as it should be, fraternal. Though in reality, if we try to call out all that we see as not proper with everyone's practice towards the faith, we'll end up doing only just that. And there are also things that does not really need correction but a follow up and appreciation about what is good in what they do.

"Alay Lakad" and "Visita Iglesia" are two of the most popular activities during the holy week especially among the young ones. We hear a lot of reminders about not to make this just a "barkada gimik"  to the point of being too hard on those who do it.  Rather than being preachy, maybe we can choose to befriend some of them and when the opportunity to teach arise, we can provide a piece of our mind talking about the sacredness and real meaning of these activities. Young people love this kind of information as they are the curious ones. You might be surprised with their reactions when you do that.

Easter egg hunt is for the kids. This is new as it was recently adapted from the western culture by this generation. We can hear a lot of traditionalist whining about this and I could understand them fully. It was also my first reaction when it was initially proposed at our village. But upon learning the complete program which included a Holy Mass, a bible story reading about the resurrection then the Easter egg hunt as the last part, I thought that it's actually a great idea . This will get the whole family involved and will definitely bring the message to everyone especially the kids.

There are families that take their chances on these dates to have a vacation. It is definitely not a good practice to start with as sometimes, people forget the true meaning of the Holy Days. I myself would try to avoid doing it. It is avoidable. But for those who do it, they can still make their holiday silent, sacred and holy and the best thing about it is that their family is together.

We may be a catholic country for many centuries but to say that we are a model nation in practice, we still got a long way to go. Remember that all of these practices and traditions in one way or another lead us to being better followers of Christ. Individually, let's keep in mind that we all have a blank space to fill towards faith. And let's use this thought upon seeing all these "incomplete" acts of our brothers and sisters to try looking at things more positively. Rather than feeling disdained and calling them all out, appreciate them for a moment. Be thankful that no matter how secular this world and how busy most people become, the season still has an integral part of their schedule and while at that,  let's try to make it more meaningful for someone.

A Front and Back Leader

Leaders must know how and when to push the right buttons. To do that, one must know how to read the writings on the face of the followers. You don't have to ask if your people are committed. You just know if they are. You don't have to motivate self-motivated people as it will spoil the mood. As a leader, you are expected to be behind your people pushing them to move forward. At the same time, followers expect to see you ahead of them guiding the team on their way to the desired direction.

Because We're All Children

How our parents taught us about life is similar as to how God reveals His Words to men.

When we were toddlers, our parents told us to do things that we didn't understand. Sometimes they would even tell us to just follow. We even get scared with them when they do it. It's almost the same when God started talking to His people. There seemed to be a lot of confusions and some words humans can't fathom. They got scared of Him also. But most of the time, just like our parents, God asks us to do things we can't understand because they are trying to protect us from bad things we are not aware of. As little kids, we were bold and adventurous so as the earlier men before they started understanding the law of God and nature that we try to do a lot of stupid things that could hurt us.

Not until we grew older that we became aware of the dangers of heights, fire, water and sharp objects. We were curious when we were kids even when our parents told us not to play with them. Some of us abide. Some did not but then learned from the experience. Just like how the early men did not realize how vices, infidelity, promiscuity, over consumption of a lot of things could harm them physically, mentally and emotionally. Many of them followed what God told them. But others did not and learned the hard way.

Then came the time that our parents saw our maturity and started to explain things to us in depth. Just like how knowledge of science, philosophy, psychology and other advance learning started to bring light to God's wisdom. It became easier for the people to understand His words and actions.

We react differently to how our parents treated us same as to what God wants us to do or to be. Either we grow as faithful and loving children or as rebels. And there are those who are just like the prodigal son who comes back to his father after realizing his mistakes. Or maybe like some who hardened their hearts and forever leave their parents and families, forgetting everything. Then there are those who follow only the things they like which just meant it's not their parents whom they are listening to but themselves.

Our fathers and mothers aren't flawless. They can do things wrong and this might impact as to what kind of adults we become. Our parents are human too. But not God. God is perfect so as His words. As to how we can be sure if we're listening to Him right, we're asking the wrong question. Let us ask ourselves first if we truly believe Him. It's the prerequisite before we are even capable of sitting down and listening to Him.

Leader's Apology

I still feel embarrassed every time I remember those mistakes I did in the past. Most especially those that I did while thinking I was doing the right and best thing just to realize later how shameful those actions were. Some say it's maturity. I think it's a curse though. Maybe I better be stuck into thinking they were right all along. Or maybe not. I don't know. I just feel bad about myself. Or maybe, more of how people thought of me. Do they still think I'm like that person now? Or am I just thinking that they still remember me? I hope they don't.

Everyone makes mistakes. Even Steph Curry takes bad shots. Or does he? We are all bound to do something wrong in our jobs and relationships. That's 100% accurate. The difference is our perception and reaction on that mistake. Are we always on denial? Do we always find things to justify it? Or do we accept and apologize for it? 

Don't buy from here

Leadership requires strength. Not only physical but more on the emotional. As a leader, getting caught on the wrong end could be seen as a weakness especially if it's a careless one. If you think you can simply hide it, then you're wrong. Your members would be the first one to see and feel it. They might be smiling at you but behind all of that is them thinking that you could have done better. But it's not the end of it. What your followers are looking for is your reaction after that blunder. They listen to your words. Some take it to the heart. They won't bother a lot if you make a mistake. But they would if you do something opposite of what you say. Much more if it's obvious that you are just trying to cover up something. They can smell hypocrisy from a mile. More than anything, that's the worst thing you could do. Just stop. Accept the mistake. Apologize. Make amends. Correct what could be corrected and learn from what you couldn't. Apologizing is strength. And leaders must be strong even when he's wrong.

If given the chance, I would like to apologize for those who I did wrong. Sometimes I can't sleep at night wondering if they are still angry at me. Or maybe laughing thinking how stupid I was. Maybe I'll reach out to some of them soon. Then I'll say sorry then they'll say I'm forgiven. But they could also say "huh?!?". That's more likely. So I'll just stop, move on with my life and try to avoid doing the same mistakes in the future.