Adel Tamano on the defense

ADEL TAMANO after all is not just a prettyboy spokesperson of the Genuine opposition when he defended Islam [and even Christianity] against those who stereotype Muslims and link them to organized cheating. He said in the Inquirer: “But cheating is cheating whether committed by Muslims or Christians and should be condemned. The law prohibiting election fraud makes no distinction based on religion,” he said. "Those attempting to make the issue a war between the Muslims and the Christians have completely missed the point," said Tamano. (An excerpt from the Inquirer.net.). As I have made my point earlier, it is unfair [and even pathetic] to tag...

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Maguindanao 12-0 vote, explained

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NGOs must learn how to fish

I HAD A chance to sneak-in during the Luzon Inter-PAC Development Planning Workshop of the PEACE and Equity Foundation (PEF) yesterday, and had a rare opportunity to listen to the lecture of Dan Songco where he discussed the need for NGOs to engage into social enterprises. The following is a summary of what I learned from him:"During the 80s, NGOs responded to the needs of the time to help the government deliver the service gaps the latter has failed to deliver. During this time, funding from the international donor agencies were abundant. However, in the 90s, grants for programs and projects began to come in trickles. As a result, some NGOs,...

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Among Governor

WATCHING THE EVENING news today is delightful. Why not? Fr. Ed Panlilio, a native of Minalin Pampanga won over incumbent Governor Mark Lapid, and Lilia Pineda, with a measly 1,147 votes. The proclamation was a sight to behold, not only because it was a time for jubilation. More importantly it is historical as this is the first time to elect a [former] man of the cloth.I am not a Kapampangan, but my heart goes for the supporters of Fr. Ed. Pampanga has been a haven of controversies like jueteng, the never-ending megadike issues, and the recent controversy over Mark Lapid's alleged marriage with a Korean in the US. They deserve a new leader who...

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The legacy of an old chair

I TOOK the responsibility of enrolling my two sons this afternoon, and I just realized how alienated I am from the schooling of my two sons, ages 12 and 9. I didn't know where and how to enrol them and I felt as dumb as a high school freshman, not knowing where the registrar and the cashier are. So I resorted to asking parents (mostly mothers) who were there on how to proceed.Thank heavens I did not trust the security guard because his instructions...

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In the defense of birthright

THIS WEBSITE called Uncyclopedia, which is a pale parody of Wikipedia has infuriated me when I learned about this in my Flickr group.This website presents itself as a satire to the Philippines and to other nations, people, events, things, and cultural practices, but simply failed to bring the humor it has intended to elicit from the readers. While it intends to entertain, it is far from entertaining people, especially someone like me.This is not humor or entertainment or comedy. This is utter disrespect of one’s culture. Once a joke touches on culture, it is no longer humor. It is maligning one’s living tradition.It even provides a link: which...

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Jungianisms

IN MY STUDY of psychology, there are at least 4 psychologists who are influential in my life:1. Sigmund Freud - because of his id, ego and super-ego concept and that your motivations are actually a function of your physical desires.2. Viktor Frankl - his concept on man's capability to find meaning in his existence. His book Man's Search for Meaning is just so riveting and at the same time hopeful as he narrated his life in a concentration camp.3....

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FREE JONAS BURGOS

I got this from my friendster Bulletin. I usually do not re-post spam. But I have a moral responsibility to share this. I do not know Jonas personally. But I believe we share the same vision for the country--to free every Filipino from the bondage of injustice and poverty. SO I QUOTE: Date: Monday, 7 May, 2007 9:1 PM Subject: ISANG LIHAM MULA SA NAGMAMAHAL NA KAPATID PARA SA NAWAWALANG KAPATID Isang sulat para kay Kuya Jay (May 7, 2007) Tol, Sana pinapabasa ka nila ng dyaryo. Sana umabot sayo ang mensaheng ito. Alam naming mahirap ang sitwasyon mongayon. Alam din namin na nagaalala kasa pamilya. Ayos ang mag-ina. Matibay na hinaharap ng...

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Understanding and embracing blogging

The first time I heard about BLOG, i was completely dumbfounded. So I consulted Pareng Webster to shed light on this. But I could not find any BLOG word in the dictionary. Was my dictionary outdated? Probably. Then I heard about its cousin: Web Log. So I assumed that you "log" in the web or write something on it. Cool! The first time, I was afraid to write about me and what I think or feel or even express my positions even on trivial matters. It is like opening myself up to the world! But eventually, I was able to overcome this. Besides, I told myself that when I retire, i would like to write a book about me and my family, and even about the...

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Igorot Foot Massage

LAST APRIL 23, I attended the Launch of the First National Weaving Congress in Mt. Data Hotel, Bauko, Mountain Province. We were treated to a cultural presentation. One of the highlights of the presentation is the Igorot foot spa, where some participants obliged.The foot massage, according to Manong who gave me one after the conference, is a pasttime of elderly men. After a hard day’s work, their sons give them the footspa in their “dap-ay” (huts)....

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Weaving the tapestry for saving the Cordillera weaving industry

I had a chance to work again with the Cordillerans, specifically with the weaving industry. The following is an excerpt of the summary of the study I did for the Peace and Equity Foundation, CORDNET, and DTI-CAR. FOR CENTURIES, the tribal people of the Cordillera in Northern Philippines have hand-woven the rich tapestry of their culture and heritage into the tight-weave designs we see today. Each community group has their respective designs, colors,...

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Baguio vignettes

(Note: I wrote this sometime in 2004).Anything about Baguio is good and beautiful to me.Why? I grew up there as a person. I studied there for 4 years and worked for another 2 years. Despite some heartaches and difficulties, Baguio has a special place in my heart. I do not know exactly the reason why I would never, ever forget Baguio! That is why it was hard for me to leave Baguio in 1991. Had it not for a career change, I would never leave Baguio....

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Of Maryhurst, flowers and drizzles

IN MY BAGUIO sojourn, there are three things I wish I could still have in my life here in Manila. Those who lived in Baguio would certainly agree with me, 100%. These include my unforgettable and treasured memories of Maryhurst garden, the flowers of Baguio and indolent weekend strolls amidst the afternoon drizzles.When I went to Baguio recently, I have reminisced about the good life I once had while in Baguio. With nothing to do during weekends,...

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