Is Shopwise Misleading their Customers?

Last night, we dropped by Shopwise Araneta to do grocery chores. It's very essential since it's Holy week already and we have to stack some fish for the no-meat-meals. So here's the scenario.

The lady in front of us had complained about the Cream Dory she was about to purchase. I was talking to mum so next thing I know, she left without purchasing anything and left all the items she took at the counter.

Our turn. When the cashier punched the Dory we took, mum was surprised that the price reflected on the screen was P109.00. There was a sticker type bar code on the left side portion of the item's label that indicates 85.00. (the bar code looks like the picture below.)

So this was the issue of the lady in front of us huh. The cashier called a supervisor who instructed her to just call someone from the "Fresh" section to have it weighed and stick another bar code. My mum asked the cashier,

Mum: "Ano yung 85.00? Akala ko naman yun yung price nung Dory" (So what's 85.00? I thought it was the price of the Dory).

Cashier: "Ma'am, manufacturer's bar code po yun" (Ma'am, that's the manufacturer's bar code)

Implying that the manufacturer's bar code is different from the supermarket's bar code. Right?

Then, that someone from the "Fresh" section came back with the Dory with a new bar code. It read "P91.00". So mum goes "Bakit 91.00 na? Akala ko naman ico-correct lang yung bar code to 85.00" (Why did it become 91.00? I thought you would just correct the bar code to reflect it was actually 85.00) The cashier told us that they already weighed the fillet and that was the actual price.

Holy smokes. We ended up with no Dory! :( My mother got pissed already.

What the eff?

1. The item had a sticker indicating 85.00 when in fact, it was not the price of the fillet. Why didn't they change it or cover it so consumers would not think that it was the actual price?

2. If it was the manufacturer's bar code, why did the cashier USE THE SAME BAR CODE and punched it on their system? Isn't it odd? The manufacturer's bar code is different from the Supermarket's bar code but you punch it anyway?

Some consumers may not look at the screen while the cashier inputs the items they are about to purchase. Say we didn't see it, we would've paid for 109.00 for a Dory my mum took from their fridge because she thinks it costs 85.00. Plus, every time a consumer notices that the price of Dory was actually not 85.00, the cashier would call a supervisor and let the customers wait? THAT'S A LOT OF HASSLE.

This isn't the first time we encountered such an incident at the said supermarket. Sometime last year, they had this Vegetable Oil on Sale. At Shopwise Araneta, sale items are on the middle of an isle with short bond sized papers reflecting prices plastered below the stack of goods. Again my mom took the veg oil because it was on sale. At the cashier, the price called by their system was still the old price of the item (which was 10.00 higher than the sale price). We didn't notice it until my mum reviewed the receipt. She was already done with signing the receipt for the credit card and stuff. She complained and they returned the 10.00 in coins. Yay. They said the system was not updated or had a problem or whatever.

I wonder how many trusting consumers paid for more than they expected because of the system error huh?

I think they should exert more effort in solving this problem. In the same way, consumers should never trust prices plastered on their goods cause some of them aren't read in their system/machines/computers thus, fake.

I Don't Want to be Anti-Gordon but...

Some of his supporters are getting into my nerves. Emphasizing on some. First, I would like to quote my friend:

"kagagawan yata ng kulturang popular ang pagkakaroon ng avalanche of dick vs gibo supporters sa facebook." - Carmi Alfonso

I think I'm going to agree with this. Biglang dumami yung Gibo and Gordon. I have nothing against that. People should make their choice right? Nakakatuwa nga actually nung una kasi here, you see people taking the risk of casting their vote to candidates who aren't leading in the surveys.

But then I saw some comments from some Gordon supporters. It started in Pat Evangelista's article posted on FB. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of hers, that was the first time I've read something written by Pat. Some comments were so passionate to the point that they bash other people's ability to think for themselves. Making them sound like they're the only intelligent people in this land. That's just so wrong. Some of them speak like Gordon is THE right choice, kumbaga sa math problem, he is THE right answer. Seriously? That's why we have elections people! We have the right and the ability to make a choice. IT'S A CHOICE! So please, don't talk like you have the monopoly of right answers.

There was one comment that struck me most. This supporter points out Singapore as an example, comparing Gordon's style to that of Lee Kuan Yew. I just had have to laugh. Really? You want to compare LKY with Gordon? I don't think that's as easy as you think it is. Do you know your country? Do you know Singapore? Napakalayo naman. Singapore is just a miniscule of the Philippines' land area. We are living in an archipelago, we are over populated. So please don't say Singapore-Philippines period. Wala man lang explanation. See, sometimes that's the problem, people argue without justification. Pft.

Oh well, the race is over. We should just work together and stop calling the Filipinos idiots stupid etc. Sige kayo na matalino. Bleh.

Just Saying

This is a repost of my blog from FB (May 9, 2010)

I'm very excited for this year's elections because it's the first time I'm going to cast my vote. I will vote for Gibo. And before you throw stones at me, I just want to clear, I am not pro-GMA. Well, I don't want to insult you by emphasizing that but just to be sure, you know.

I was actually thinking of Perlas at first, he got me at Probe Profiles. You know, the counter-culture feeling that hey, this is the alternative. It's like going vegetarian when a branch of McDonald's just opened across the street. This brave man with conviction and vision. He lost me on the debates though. Vision? Not quite. I can't say he's that prepared. He's a bureaucrat, yes, a plus over Bro. Eddie I guess. But what about the economy? Plans for the BPO's? Housing? I've heard mostly about agriculture, which is a good thing of course, but I believe he has to have concrete plans about other sectors too.

Then there was Gordon. The man has excellent credentials, volunteer of Red Cross, held executive and appointed positions, very competent and the leading choice of young people I know. (pati yung crush ko, yee!) He just lost me at Head Start. He kept on saying "You people..." "kaya kayo mahirap" blablabla. He's a no nonsense guy but he can't inspire me. And don't get me wrong, I'm not a romantic looking for Noynoy's parent's love for democracy as my inspiration and so on. That he owes it to the Filipino people to run and then he continues on saying "you people" - I just can't vote for him now. Hello nga pala sa mga smuggled cars sa Subic.

Being the agit person that I am, I think mas bagay na suportahan ko si Gordon (This is an inside joke)

But in line with Gibo's positive campaign, I would stop at that shout out and leave the highly quahlified Gordon alone. I don't want to bash him. Again, I still think he's highly qualified for the position.

Gibo got my attention through the debates. First, I want to say that I have faith in his vision and I believe he is highly qualified too.

One answer I could never forget was his answer to the question (not verbatim) "If elected as president, hahabulin nyo ba si GMA sa mga anomalyang ginawa nya?" Everyone said yes with varied "patutsada" I don't even remember a thing because bottom line, it was a yes. Then Gibo says if there's evidence, then take it to the courts, that he is in no position to decide on that matter. Playing safe? Playing GMA's puppet? Not quite. He's just thinking as a president. Maybe he read about the three branches of government, the executive, legislative, and judiciary which are co-equal and independent of each other by the way. Meaning? Yes, according to the constitution of this land, if he wins, he is in no position to dictate the courts of what to do. Yun ang gusto ko. Aside from being qualified, he is someone who knows what a president is. Starts from the basic rules and says whatever is right and not just popular. For all those who said yes, nakakatakot kayo. If you plan to use your powers against GMA, you can use your powers to God knows who as well. I just want a president who doesn't give us false hopes and gets us to vote w/o hating/blaming someone at the same time. Plataporma lang na malinaw.

I want to end this note by saying, I admire and salute people who are voting because they believe in their candidate. I applaud them for not being discouraged by surveys. Hindi po ako natanong sa survey, actually wala pa kong kakilala o kahit kakilala ng kakilala ng kakilala na natanong sa survey. So don't waste your vote, itiman mo ang bilog sa tabi ng pangalan ng kandidatong pinaniniwalaan mo, wag yung leading sa SWS or Pulse Asia. Malay mo, 50% ng boboto sa mga nangunguna sa survey, nagpapadala lang pala sa agos.

When Dark Clouds Surround your Dreamy Mind

If there are many gays and lesbians in our midst, fine! We should respect their rights…But they should not also go around town proclaiming their preferences as if it was a badge of honor…
Gays and lesbians should be happy society tolerates them. They should not abuse society’s doting attitude towards them. - Ramon Tulfo

I read this while browsing tumblr today. It was posted a week ago.

I realized I've been resting for a month now. I eat, sleep, surf the internet, go out for a walk, watch House etc. If I had a list, what's going on in his country was the last item on it. I lived my days relaxed, alone, peaceful. This is how it went until I heard what happened in Maguindanao. Actually, the whole thing was already in the news for 2 days before I really paid attention to it. The details give me goosebumps, the incident itself makes me want to just shut up and feel scared. What the fuck is happening in this country?

I wrote blogs about the presidentiables months ago. I was talking about Villar and Mar when I stopped. Noynoy came into the picture, Chiz then not Chiz, Erap again - there's just so many things that's happening I can't even begin to write them down. It's a goddamn circus.

And now, as I write again, I write about these terrible news that currently flood the people's mind, including mine.

“My wife’s private parts were slashed four times, after which they fired a bullet into it. They speared both of her eyes, shot both her breasts, cut off her feet, fired into her mouth. I could not begin to describe the manner by which they treated her.” — Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu

How violent can people get? Are we in fucking ancient China? They just buried people for Chrissake it's getting unbelievably disgusting. Is this the democracy they're bragging about?

And now, Tulfo, the oh-so-macho journalist thinks gays and lesbians are trying to abuse society.

Oo nga naman, hayaan nyo na lang yung mga “machong” lalaki mambugbog ng asawa, mam-bully ng anak at kapit-bahay, mambabae. Astig yun! Baka yun ang badge of honor? Tapos gawin natin silang congressman, governor, tapos may private army sila para may maipang-massacre. Nakakadiri kaya mga bading at tomboy compared sa machong lalaki.

Tulfo, you fucking idiot. Have you thought about life? What if one of the victims in the Maguindanao massacre was a young gay/lesbian journalist who haven't lived his/her life because of people like you? People who restrict, who command, who judge. People who say "makuntento ka na lang, tino-tolerate ka na nga gusto mo pa magkaron ng representation". Yup, just limit what other people wants to achieve. Macho ka e, suntukin mo na lang kaya si Danton Remoto para mas astig ka. How can you even belittle gays and lesbians for immorality when fucking straight people can be just as or more immoral than them. Will the COMELEC ban every Ampatuan who plans to run for office? Can they? All they can bully are groups who seek representation. For Chrissake, there's a Marijuana Party in Canada and the US, the Western "idols" of this third world country, and the COMELEC can't even grant a level playing field for gays and lesbians. Yes, not even a chance.

Sometimes, I wish it was that easy to seclude yourself a dream of your life ahead.

This is the Battle of our Generation

I have lost the enthusiasm in joining rallies. I always tell my friends, people who rally on the streets are fighting for different causes. If you see leaflets distributed by protesters, they look like a hodge podge of arguments. If I join, I really do not know my cause, I do not really know what I want to happen after the protest.

I always think of martial law. I wonder what it was like to fight for something. Iba kasi noon eh. Today, we are diverted by iPods, internet, Wii, malls, Starbucks, parties, movies, music, texting, blogging (ehem).

Noon limitado ang pinapalabas sa TV, pinapatugtog sa radyo, iniimprenta sa dyaryo. Ngayon, ilang chanels mayroon ng cable TV? Ilang banda at solo artists ang naririnig galing sa buong mundo? Sama mo na yung mga independent artists na pinakatatago sa playlist para astig ka dahil ikaw lang may kilala sa kanila. Ilang dyaryo ang mabibili? Tabloid, magazine, mga FHM, ganyan. Dami diba?

Diverted ang attention natin eh, kaya hindi tayo focused masyado sa pulitika.

They say when a society has fulfilled its material needs, it begins to focus its attention to issues of human rights, standard of living, environment protection etc. (Post-materialist) Habang materyal na bagay ang pinoproblema ng isang bansa, they fight about ideology. Dapat pantay-pantay, yung iba naman gusto kapitalismo, mga ganong bagay.

We haven't met our material needs. Nasa ideology struggle pa yata tayo eh. Kasi ang tao, ayaw ipaalis ang mga pabrika dahil mawawalan ng trabaho. Hayaan ng magtapon ng dumi sa ilog basta may makain paguwi.

When Ondoy took us by surprise, I realized we have a more serious battle than the martial law kids. Why? Because we are caught in the intersection of materialist and post-materialist problems. Hindi lang ito pagpapaalis ng diktador na nagpapahirap sa buhay ng mga tao, sa panahon natin ngayon, pati diktador pwedeng maging biktima. Yes, freedom is not a material thing pero part of ideology pa rin yun. (Liberal)

The damages brought about by Ondoy were partly due to geographical constants (Marikina, Cainta, and Pasig are valleys), partly caused by negligence of developers (areas were not fit for urban development), partly of corruption (800M from emergency fund spent on GMA's foreign trips) and last, our own irresponsibility as citizens.

Yung bibilhing mga damit sa Greenhills o Divi, ipapasupot pa pwede naman ilagay ng sama-sama sa bag. Yung basura pag walang makita na basurahan, pasimpleng laglag sa sidewalk o kaya paliliparin habang nakasakay sa sasakyan. Yung chewing gum idudura sa kalsada (natatapakan ko tuloy! Any ba yun.)

Hindi man natin kayang ilikas ang lahat ng tao palayo sa valleys, o ipakulong yung mga developers na nagsitayuan ng mga subdivision sa di masyadong safe na lugar, at singilin si Gloria sa mga ginastos nya sa ibang bansa, maging malinis na lang tayo. Even in our little ways we can save lives.

We should start fighting our generation's battle. Protect the environment.

090909

I've been lazy to update this page. Many, as in many, things have happened in the nation.

Mar backed out from the presidential race. Mikee Arroyo's interview was a mess and was irritating as hell. Erano "Ka Erdy" Manalo of INC died. And just in today, Nonoy Aquino announced his desire to run for president. He said he's "accepting the challenge". OH WELL. Let's see if he knows what he's doing...

I'm not so much inclined to give opinions about this. Hmm. Just updating! lol.

Mars Vs. Caparas

Mars Ravelo's Family Breaks Silence on Carlo J. Caparas Award

A contact from Plurk shared this link and I am re posting. Erika and I have talked about this issue last week. It was said loud and clear that Manoling Morato is a moron blabbing about how great Carlo J. Caparas is. Nailabas na ang pagiging agit at lahat. But it does not seem to stop. Everytime I read atricles about this issue, I end up frowning.

What the hell is with Manoling and Carlo J.?

Manoling tries to defend his dear Carlo J. by lambasting other artists. And take note, artists na hindi ka-level ni Caparas. As in he's way under their level. Morato's arguments are just so idiotic.

Caparas on the other hand, tries to defend himself as well. As in effort! Parang pinagpipilitan na niya ang award sa kanya.

And one more thing, I may not be a Mars Ravelo fan but indeed, her deserve the NAA more than Carlo Caparas. Carlo may have produced a great number of komiks (none of them I knew of btw) but always remember, it's not about the quantity but the quality.

Illustration by David Sysing

On Politics

I would like to make some points about issues that I encountered lately.

1. Support for Corazon

My friend Thesa wore a yellow ribbon to school and I did too as soon as I found out she had a long ribbon to share. Erika said she did not like Cory. She stated some of the reasons why - CARP, Mendiola massacre, Doy Laurel, Casino Filipino. N on the other hand was totally in support of Cory. I told her my opinion and she only answered “Ok”. It made me think I was not able to explain my side very well.

Being a president is no easy job. Being a president out of a People Power Revolution makes it more difficult. For one, you have the burden of huge expectations. You are a symbol of democracy; that’s bigger than and far from being just an elected president. Just imagine bold letters twice as big when you spell accountability. Presidents make wrong decisions too and these we find easy to say “that was a wrong decision, she should have seen in coming etc.” in retrospect. Consider asymmetric information, consider differences in political views, and consider what it’s like to make a decision. In policy making, it’s almost impossible not to have winners and losers. Policy for group A could mean taking some of group B’s subsidy or group C’s privilege. There is no utopia where in one person can make each and everyone happy.

See, that might be the problem. Giving someone the task to be a symbol of something so meaningful to people has its dangers. No one is perfect but when you put someone in such a place and he or she does something wrong, you lose respect. A revolution is no revolution if you fought it alone. There are people who took part in it that no matter what their motivations were, they were of some help in the victory. When you study politics, you will learn that there is such a thing called political necessity. In one way or another she may have given some people favors. But how do you expect a leader of a transition government to act? In some parts you have to pay “utang na loob” or you have to give concessions to appease people who threaten a frail government trying to build itself in a new political environment (democracy). There are some things that are inevitable in politics. As Laver (1983) said “Pure conflict is war. Pure cooperation is true love. Politics is a mixture of both.”

As to Doy Laurel, I am not that sympathetic of the thought that Cory did not give her position to Doy as it was agreed upon according to Thesa’s professor. Doy wanted to run as president but, if I remember it correctly, Cardinal Sin did not allow him to. He was a politician and that would raise doubts of the people thinking he still is just like one of them (traditional politicians). Cory was just right to give the people the feeling that they can fight. Even people in advertising could identify to this – packaging is important. It is not something noble, that’s just the way it goes – people are drawn to support or patronize something and you have to do anything to get that support. Doy cannot draw that immense support. If we recall the events, there were numerous coups that attempted to bring the Aquino government to an end. (I think the military wanted to gain power because they played a huge part in the revolution. That is true, without the support of the military; the revolution might have turned out differently. However, their goal was very selfish. It was like “you owe your freedom to us, we should rule” without even thinking, do Filipinos want a military government?) If Doy took Cory’s position, it would just give the impression that, not only Pres. Aquino, but most of all the democracy the people fought for was not worth it. It would appear weak, trivial and senseless because it was unable to sustain itself. It would mean the people fought for nothing; that they were but accessories of the revolution because the military could just replace the dictatorship if they wanted to. If Doy assumed office, it would be as if she gave up and appointed someone to save the government. I wouldn’t, in a million years, wanted Doy to be president. I wouldn’t want a woman who is already in power give up and pass her responsibility to someone. It may be unfair to Doy because Cory gave her word, but it would have been unfair to the people as well since they did not vote for Doy to be their president.

But just to clarify, Corazon is not a saint. I cannot say she was never tainted with fraud, intentional or unintentional. CARP and Mendiola massacre should not be forgotten. She was in politics.

2. On bureaucrats.

Alex Magno was in Cory’s background in a video clip. He wore a yellow shirt. As an impulse, I pointed to the screen right away and said “Uy, si Alex Magno”. My dad reacted and said “Nako, isa pa yang super balimbing.” I did not respond. I thought for a while then I smiled. Being a writer, it is expected of him to criticize the current government and people have been commenting that indeed, his political views change from time to time. Anyway it is not so much about Alex Magno that I want to react upon. He has assumed certain positions in different governments. I would just like to add that he is a bureaucrat. What he writes in his column is not my concern.

The point I want to make is, if one serves the government as a political adviser or as the one who makes the president’s speeches or street sweeper, he or she is a part of the bureaucracy and not a politician. Can you see the difference? If I have enough knowledge to advise the president, why wouldn’t I? Why would I let my political views prevent myself from advising the president? If worse comes to worst, I can walk out and declare my opposition. For example, my job is to write a speech for the president but I do not agree with her principles and with what she does. We are a week away from SONA. Would I leave my job and pass it on to someone? No, because the people has to have the State of the Nation Address no matter what. The Philippines will not miss SONA just because the president’s speech writer has his own views. When you are a part of the bureaucracy, your views are subordinate to your duty. People who work at PMS (Presidential Management Staff) continue to work despite political turmoil. Presidents change and it doesn’t matter if they are elected or installed by other means what’s important is that they have to work to maintain order. They do not work for the president herself but for the Office of the President. To put simply, if I work as a nurse in a Brgy. Health Center, I would not stop giving vaccination to babies just because the ZTE controversy broke out.

Not all who worked for Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and Arroyo are “balimbings” some of them are called bureaucrats.

Has He Lost His Mind?

What's with Manoling Morato?

"O bakit ba naging national artist to si Lumbera? Sino ba nakakakilala dyan? O sige, paglakarin na lang natin sila sa kalye, tingnan natin sino kilala ng tao, sila (national artists) o si Carlo J. Caparas..."

Yes, he said something like that. Not the exact words but that was more or less what he said.

Ang sakit mo sa ulo Manoling. There are standards in choosing a national artist. Hindi nadadaan sa kasikatan yan, hindi sa kung sino ang popular at kilala ng tao. He even said "kaya nga national e, dapat kilala sa buong bansa". What an idiotic point to make. He being a big baby.

R.I.P. Cory

Former President Corazon Aquino died at around 3 a.m. today, Aug. 1, 2009.

I am not really a fan of Cory and Ninoy. I was born two years after the "first" but I think, the only ESDA revolution. I am not a fan of this revolt either, it is only a transition from an authoritarian rule to an oligarchy; an elite democracy. My personal view is that Cory was chosen because of her character. The widow of Ninoy who could have been the savior of the country and was brutally assasinated; the religious one, the pure one. People mourned with her, they loved her and the opposition knew the people would support her more than they would support Doy Laurel. She was perfect because she was the opposite of Marcos. She was reluctant and some say her family convinced her. The Conjuancos, land owners who were not really affected by CARP. They wanted to regain power that was lost during Martial Law, and they wanted to regain it big time.

She ran for President, was installed by People Power Revolution and was challenged by numerous coups. I think she wasn't fit to be a president, she never prepared for it; but I guess she tried. After her term, she stepped down. She wasn't the best president, she wasn't a technocrat, she wasn't pure. She was a mother. She tried to be a mother of this nation. She tried to repay the people's support for her late husband. She tried to be good for this country.


Just hearing a story about how she served food in a meeting with the labor group leaders made me feel some sense of sadness. My dad laughed, he said "wala syang ere" but continued "sanay sa pulitika sa probinsya, yung inaasikaso ang mga tao". I do not know what he really intended to say. He was never a Cory fan, he often criticized her because he was a Marcos loyalist. Maybe his views affected my views in a way. However, given my bias towards my dad, I tried to look into what he meant. I think he's impressed on how Cory acted by saying "walang ere" and tried to counteract it by saying she's used to a provincial approach to politics, almost saying "funny because she doesn't know how politics is in Macanang." I thought, he didn't consider that Cory above all is a housewife. It's not all about politics sometimes, sometimes it's just who you are.

I think she deserves respect despite her shortcomings in being the icon that she should be. I guess she never wanted to be one, but tried.

Thank you Cory for all the time you spent praying for this country. Rest in peace.



Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegalvez/298633414/; http://www.flickr.com/photos/jowellmariano/3067434829/ and fjsanchez.wordpress.com/2009/07

SONA NA NAAAA

Yup, say that it a horror tune.

How to start writing about 2009's S.O.N.A.? I don't really know.

I got a pen and paper, as usual, to take down notes. I reserved the top part of the paper for the tally of applause given by the very attentive audience.

Notes:

Strong economy despite the global recession
Popularity is not important, right decisions are ("...political price of doing the right thing")
New tax revenues - sin taxes instead of taxing books
Infrastructure projects (roads, airports, seaports)
Agricultural reform (giving land titles)
Addressed issue on drop calls and cellphone loads
Government salaries raised
Achievements in tourism
Cash hand-outs (stimulating effects in the economy)
Inflation dropped to 1.5% by lowering interest rates
Over a million jobs created (each year)
Cheap medicine (RiteMed)
Lowered public debt to half
Improved banking system
Investment in food and education
OFW protection

yadayadayadayada

I stopped writing, I just continued to tally since it got boring.

Achievements were as always, a bit shallow in description. What is the nature of jobs created? Yung mga contractual na nag-wawalis sa tulay? Nung kelan may nabundol na nagwawalis sa Kaipunan bridge, bumagsak sa kalsada at na-hit and run ng van. Mga ganong trabaho ba?

Laid the foundations so that the Philippines could join the first world in 20 years? I find it difficult to know how. The rise of foreign investments are a bit vague. It increased but relatively, is it high? When you compare it with investments in other countries, do we rise up from the ranks of the poor nations? Sure, the economy is in a "decent" state; not so much impoverished, not so much devastated. Is there a better state? I do not know, ask an economist. We are lagging behind. In S.E.A. we are better off compared to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia. Is that the nature of our achievements?

The Philippines will chair the review of the nuclear weapons non-proliferation Treaty in New York in May 2010. Well, yeah. Good diplomatic achievement for the Philippines. I say saling kit-kit lang tayo jan, wala naman tayong nuclear arms.

The biggest statement I guess was the claim that people who perceived they were poor dropped by 2M. It was like a huge bang! with no follow up. Ok bumaba siya - Where? Baka naman itong mga nagsabing hindi na sila mahirap e yung mga may mga kamag-anak na nakapag-abroad bilang DH o ano man. Ang daming layers ng masang Pilipino: mahirap, mahirap pa sa mahirap, mas mahirap pa sa daga etc. Sa bagay kung may naalis man sa hirap maganda yun db? Pero and matinding tanong ay How? Were your survey questions reflective of one's perception of poverty? Baka naman binago niyo na naman yung parameters at standards sa pag tingin sa kahirapan. Ano na ba ang minimum na batayan niyo sa pang-araw-araw na gastusin? Baka naman 20php na lang ha. O baka naman kapag sinabing nakakakain ng isang beses isang araw, di na mahirap. I think she owes it to the people to elaborate on this. Poverty is not just any other problem of this country because it is, if not the root cause, the excruciating effect of almost all other problems.

So there, I will stop at these points (I still have articles to read)

I just like to quote some things. First, I hope G.M.A. would really oppose taxing books.

"Taxes should come from alcohol and tobacco and not from books. Tax hazards to lungs and livers, do not tax minds. Ang kita mula sa buwis sa alak at sigarilyo ay dapat gamitin sa kalusugan at edukasyon. Pondohan ang Philhealth premiums ng pinakamahihirap. Pondohan ang mas maraming classroom at computers."

I think she said this in a decent though a bit dramatic way. Do this.

(2nd) The President is in a nice mood. It was awkward for me to watch those smiles that seemed to almost turn into a soft laughter. What's with that? Maybe she's thrilled, excited to throw those "witty" lines more often reffered to in Philippine language as "pasaring" or "parinig".

"To those who want to be President, this advice: If you really want something done, just do it. Do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Don’t pander. And don’t say bad words in public."

"Those in the past administrations conjured the demon of foreign debt. We exorcised it."

"Compare this to 2001, when some of my current critics were driven out by people power. Asia was surging but our country was on the brink of bankruptcy."

"The noisiest critics of constitutional reform tirelessly and shamelessly attempted Cha-Cha when they thought they could take advantage of a shift in the form of government. Now that they feel they cannot benefit from it, they oppose it."

"At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage, but not from the Presidency."

"As the campaign unfolds and the candidates take to the airwaves, I ask them to talk more about how they will build up the nation rather than tear down their opponents. Give the electorate real choices and not just sweet talk."

"But I never declared martial law, though they are running scared as if I did. In truth, what they are really afraid of is their weakness in the face of this self-imagined threat."

"I never expressed the desire to extend myself beyond my term. Many of those who accuse me of it tried to cling like nails to their posts."

"I am accused of misgovernance. Many of those who accuse me of it left me the problem of their misgovernance to solve."

"I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my position for personal profit. Many who accuse me have lifestyles and spending habits that make them walking proofs of that crime."

"Those who live in glass houses should cast no stones. Those who should be in jail should not threaten it, especially if they have been there."


Grabe naman ang finger pointing ano, pero may mga linya ding ewan ko ba pero nakakatawa lang.

"EPIRA dismantled monopoly. Ngunit minana natin ang power purchase agreements, kaya hindi pa natin makamtan yung buong intended effect. Pero happy na rin tayo, dahil isang taon na lamang iyan." (Eh yung "Pero happy na rin tayo said in a very G.M.A. way)

"We love you, Leah!"

"Ang ating taong bayan ay masipag at maka-Diyos. These qualities are epitomized in someone like Manny Pacquiao….Manny trained tirelessly, by the book, with iron discipline, with the certain knowledge that he had to fight himself, his weaknesses first, before he could beat his opponent. That was the way to clinch his victories and his ultimate title: ang pinakadakilang boksingero sa kasaysayan. Mabuhay ka, Manny!"

2010: Manny vs. Mar

I wasn't able to watch G.M.A.'s documentary entitled "Gusto Kong Maging Pangulo" because I was upstairs "reading". I happen to hear a few lines that caught my attention from my room.

Manny Villar has the longest air time of TVC, next is Mar Roxas then Jejomar Binay.




Manny:
2 versions of TVC in the tune of "Sasakyan Kita"
The famous "Itik" commercial
The "Tindera kong nanay..." Pabahay commercial
OFW commercials: Riyadh and Jordan
"Akala Mo" TVC (latest)



Mar:
Tide Sulit Bags
Voter Education ad in the tune of "Mr. Suave"
"Murang Gamot" ad
"Padyak"
"Ramdam Ko Kayo" (lastest)


It's unbelievable. The amount they pay for these ads are enormous!

It gets more irritating each day. I do not know why no one regulates this. It's an early campaign for the presidentiables. Why don't they revise the rules to eliminate or even reduce this loopholes?

Villar is putting so much effort on these ads. He's like forever active - dramatic, optimistic, life history etc. And now that Mar is all over the place as well, it seems Villar is more prepared than ever. The "Akala Mo" ad definitely won over "Ramdam Ko Kayo" commercial. "Padyak" was already dramatic, other TVCs of Villar were already dramatic; as Mar puts on another drama, Villar releases this fresh ad with a catchy jingle (rap) and a very light feel (with all the cartoons andperky colors). All of a sudden, Mar's "Ramdam Ko Kayo" became redundant, blunt, and very plastic. It makes me grin. Kung love lang ito, aminin niyong sobrang cheezy!

Will there be any other choice to be the president of this republic?

(to be continued)

Photo: http://sikwati.wordpress.com/category/legal-and-constitutional-issues/; http://www.flickr.com/photos/38204808@N and http://www.flickr.com/photos/repormar/3410650340/02/3657284532/

Breezy Friday

Having slept for about 10 hours on a Thursday night meant not being able to re-read the articles for my 199 exam the next day.

I prepared for school and put on one of my favorite button down shirts (50php from Katipunan ukay-ukay) and my favorite pants (I realized it's my favorite just now).

No texts except from Miko's invite to hangout at FC which she canceled about an hour later. I thought "sayang naman suot ko, sayang naman it's a Friday."

So then after my exam, I texted some people. As usual Pam replied. Hurrah! I was about to go to CMC when someone from the mob called me. It was VJ and Ralph, Pao's orgmates. They called me to join the Rally - No to ConAss, Oust Gloria. I went. It was embarrassing to decline VJs invitation, I have been hitching to Robinson's for days. Haha. They were very perky, it made the rally fun somehow.

Rallies - on my first year in Diliman, I was a little inclined and sympathetic to these movements. Part of which Pao was responsible, part of it maybe was caused by my idealism and another part is Silay. Yes, the one I stalked with the help of Ja that brought us to the Interfaith Rally at Ayala Ave. last year.

However, as time passed, I felt distant to these things. Partly because there was this annoying activist that spoke of rallies every time she sees me, partly because the political science approach is more conservative (for the lack of a better, shorter word) and partly because I feel that the "Left's" arguments are not that well-organized.

So there, I felt like a big poser. Every time cameras would be near our spot I bowed down pretending to use my phone. I do not want to think I have lost my idealism. I just do not see myself in this kind of movement. I just do not get why Gloria should be ousted when she has a few months left. I do not mean to promote apathy, I just think it's no longer logical to ask for that. Political instability might even bring the economy to a worse position. Besides, this is power politics. But not at its worst because we are not in Myanmar. The majority of the population is poor but the middle class is listening to their ipods, drinking coffee at Katipunan Ave., thinking of exams for next week, thinking of basketball games, parties, drinking sessions, sex, typing their blogs. What is there to really complain about? We could all recognize poverty but do not feel the extent of it. We are not in the Martial Law era. How do you arouse activism these days? I do not know. I do not have the heart of an activist. Maybe shame on me. But it's a bigger shame to join without believing a cause then go on with life after college to join the other side of the spectrum.

Anyway, why is it a breezy Friday? After the mob, Pam, Joy and I went to eat. Bucket meal! Haha after more than a month of inviting people to feast on a bucket meal, here we are at last! ok, so after eating we went to Joy's place to do some fixing in her unit. Ice came and they talked about audition stuff while Pam and I play Exhaust. We tried to watch a pirated copy of "The Proposal". Fail! We ended up watching Friends. After 2 episodes, Pam and I left.

It was really light and calm and fun but not exagerated or life-altering. It was breezy.

But then when I came home, I began to think of things again. Stupid things. And I ended up doing like what Monica did. Negate the breezy feel. It's quite funny when I think of it. Its still quite sad though. I don't know. Maybe when we zoom in this picture to 10 years from now, this will just be the unnoticed background.

Yadayada

photo:http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnparaguya/2775088608/