The slave psyche

The famous "I have no major major problem..." answer of Venus Raj, the Philippine candidate to the recently concluded Miss Universe 2010, had been the subject of ridicule, parody, and praise. With my set of friends, we just make fun with it and laugh at the first hint of the word "major major". Sad to say, there is no one in the office who could share or discuss this matter with me. Arwin is not the typical guy who would engage in critical conversation and the rest of my colleague didn't care - they are Arabs.

Tonight, I heard TM Ron talked about this. Initially, we just laugh at it and then we progress by exchanging discourse on why Venus failed to snatch what every one expected to be hers. I cited that Yahoo banners "Answer cost a candidate a pageant" and the article clearly elaborated Venus lost the pageant. She was the judges favorite, the crowd's favorite and even the candidates' favorite. It was suppose to be her's but she fizzle at the last moment.

TM Ron had an interesting explanation on the situation. He shared that he once had similar situation where he also fumble. Hence he could at least approximate the feeling of Venus at that moment. Years ago, according to Ron, he was suppose to deliver his last campaign message for the position Region 10 Youth Leader President . Together with the rest of the candidates, they were invited in a prestigious 5-star hotel in Cagayan de Oro to speak before an audience of voters. For unknown reason, he said, he stammered and felt so small - he barely deliver a good message during his turn. He lost the position to a sweet-talking and confident speaker... to the dismay of the everyone because they felt, he was far better qualified as a leader.

Ron explained that the slave psyche conquered him that night. He felt like he was a slave who was invited in a banquet of rich people. He didn't feel worthy to stand in front of the voters because he came from poor family and he has humble beginnings. And that is what strike Venus at the final moment of the pageant. She was overwhelmed with the invitation to join the top 5 of the pageant... and she felt she didn't deserve it.

The words of TM Ron rings a bell in my mind. Even before going to bed, I still thought about it. How many times did the slave psyche conquered me? Gee there were many times... and those cost me the growth of my academic endeavor and in my career choices.

Mommy just smiled, kissed me and then said "That's alright, you have me anyway"!

the driver

I made a quick visit to Batha today. I made a bank to bank transaction at Enjaz to pay my credit card bills for Singapore, and then bought some personal items at Al Rajih grocery. Quick indeed, in less than an hour I was already on my way home.

Oftentimes I took a taxi cab when going home. But today, I thought of availing the services offered by a fellow Pinoy. The agreement was, I have to pay the same amount as the taxi - SR15 - and he will take me to my place at Sulaimaniah. I felt that this is one way of helping someone earn a living, and at the same experience something new.

Well, I didn't regret my adventure. I really enjoyed the trip. The driver was talkative and engaging, and he told me many stories about the lives of Filipinos in Saudi. He said that he literally grow old here having spend the past 35 years in the kingdom. "I've seen it all", he said.

Our conversation was short, but it was full of meat and action. The stories that he told me were both painful and eye opening, that it made think long after he has left. What keeps popping on my mind was the questions:

1. "If you're single, are going to get involve with a married woman"?
2. "Would you fake a marriage license just for you to live freely as couple in the kingdom"?
3. "Would you renounce Christianity, so you can legally marry two or more wives"?
4. "How would raise the children out from an invalid marriage"?

These questions may not be applicable to me, but upon knowing the truth that more than half of the couples in the Riyadh are not legally married at all, it made my heart bleeds. How would the children take the truth that their parents have families of their own back in the Philippines? Where will they go once their parents returns to their original families?

Painful to think. But it's happening... not only in the kingdom, but all over the world. This is our problem, us the expats - the OFW - who proudly call ourselves as the country's "modern heroes". Yet, we all ignore it in the name of money and the promise of better life for our love ones.

In Singapore, I know a lot of Filipino women (and man) who plays around. Some are professionals, some are blue-collar workers, some are "fly-by-night" workers, and few are just the bored plain housewives. Yep, they play but I don't think they thought of going through to falsifying marriages and raising children. Maybe there are some, but that would be isolated cases. Unlike here... it's prevalent.

I'm sad.

goodby manong max

In my lifetime, there is only one Filipino that I admire most and he was no other than the prolific Max Soliven.

Since 1986, it has been my morning habit to pick up a Philippine Star newspaper - my choice of paper - to get the latest news of the day. But instead of reading the headline, I would dig in into the Opinion section for my favorite column "By the Way" of Max Soliven. And when the online version became available, reading his column was never been easy. From that time on, I never stop reading his works.

Reading the column was much better than the headlines because it was informative and the column was laden with "inside" information, comparative analysis, and most of the time "right-from-the-horse-mouth" info. Max offers a wide perspective of what's happening to his beloved Philippines and would oftentimes give realistic advice to our narrow minded politicians. He was never afraid to voice out his opinion to anyone including our Philippine President, and he even write kilometric column about political leaders of the world. You could easily sense his authority and knowledge of what he was writing, having been in the industry for over half a century and having had first hand experience and of the situation. Max was the icon of Philippine journalism.

Just like my regular day, I surf the net and open up the Philippine Star website and immediately browse the column written by Max. He wrote about the rising Japan and its move to amend its constitution. It was an open ended column, as usual, and I was expecting that by Saturday he would give a more detailed update. But I was wrong, there will never be no update to come. Max, my favorite writer pass away at 11:45am today.

To manong Max, the great saloyot, I will miss you very very much. Enjoy in the presence of our Maker.

NDP 2006

All Singaporeans had been waiting for this day - the National Day Parade. Today, the tiny city-state marks its 41st anniversary as a nation, and is looking forward to reinvent itself into a global city. Just watching the vibrant faces of the people and listening to its leader, I am sure these multi-culture multi-racial people - though tiny they are - will achieve that status.

Whew, sana someday... ang Pinas will also be a 1st world country... and sana within in my lifetime!

Only singaporeans and permanent residents can get the ticket for the parade - save for the few VIPs - and for ordinary expats like us, we can either watch it on TV or picnic near the Kallang River basin to catch the spectacle of the fireworks display. Well, a photobug like me surely would not settle sitting down infront of TV. I planned to pitch my tripod along Tanjong Rue together with the Photonski team, but a friend gave me a call telling me that she can give me an access to the rooftop of Pebble Bay Condominium. Hmm... that would be very nice, I thought. I'll have a good arial view of the the National Stadium and my foreground would be the Indoor Stadium and the Kallang Basin. So I scouted the area seven hours earlier to find the best angle for my tripod.

My fortunes did just stop there. While catching the festivities around the stadium, I met this photographer who just gave me his extra NDP ticket. A ticket inside? - wow!!! I literally jump for joy and embrace this "smelly" stranger out of happiness. He then shoo me away and tell me to catch the show inside. In my hurry, I forgot his name. I only managed to say thank you and that was all. I was really really happy. Lady luck smile at me once more. Yess!!!

The first sight that greeted me when I enter the National Stadium was a sea of red and white
colored Singaporeans cheering, clapping, and shouting for their country. Believe me, the mere sight of people chering and singing happy birthday and then shaking hands to all strangers sitting along their seats made my hair stand. What a beautiful sight and strange feeling indeed. And you know what was on my mind that time? I felt proud that I am a part of this celebration - I just got my PR, remember :D

Few minutes later, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause as the Red Lion jumpers started to parachute their way into the field. Few minutes later, a loud siren overwhelms the place that signals the start of the parade. The civil and military contingent started to converge into the parade ground, then followed by "display of power" by the Singapore total defense force. Oh I forgot to mention, Singaporeans love their leaders. You can easily feel with the way they welcome and cheer their leaders who made a grand entrance at the VIP area.

I didn't watch the whole show - I wanted to - but I cannot take a good firework photo if I am inside. So I left the stadium in the middle of those very beautiful performances and shows. The next thing I remember: I was running towards Tanjong Rue so I will not miss the fireworks display. Huh, just imagine how my fats burns and pours out a river of sweat all over my body because I run for 15 minutes nonstop. And I just arrived at the rooftop in the nick of time. I had less than one minute to setup my tripod, mount my camera, set the corret exposure setttings, and make some test shots.

Nevertheless, I captured some nice fireworks in my camera.

If you want to see more pictures, see my photo profile at the photonski website.

http://www.photonski.com/sons_of_jorge/NDP2006

Darn... tax?

Busy, no time, overtime... yep, I can always think of thousand reasons but the reality is, I am lazy when it comes to filing of income tax. It's been long overdue, I know, come to think my income statement arrived last February and yet, I haven't even had a form to file for my taxes. When was the last time I paid income taxes? Hmm.. I guess six years ago at Philcom and then no more - we don't have taxes in the Middle East, by the way.


The thought paying again shivers me. Yay! And I haven't subscribe to withholding tax, meaning I have to pay in full this year. Well as the old saying goes.. "two things are certain in this world - death and taxes", I might as well go to the Inland Revenue House and do what is necessary.


To my surprise, filing taxes in this country is not that hard. All I did was queue for about 5 minutes, present my Green Card to the reception officer and then after 2 minutes, the lady returned and presented me my new IRAS Pin. She gave a smile and instructed me to file my tax on-line using my IRAS pin to logon. There several available kiosk around and depending on one's literacy with computers, I bet, anyone can finish e-filing in less than 5 minutes - which I did. All in all, I completed the transaction in less than 20 minutes. Very efficient, don't you think?


I wonder when can we achieve this level of efficiency in the Philippines... just dreaming, though.

Hoping for a hitler

Watching an old movie - The rise of Evil - a movie that chronicles the life of Adolf Hitler, I could not stop my self from wishing... i wish someone strong like Hitler would rise on our troubled nation.

Why Hitler? Nah.. I don't know, I just thought that my country need a strong hand. I am too tired and too frustrated on putting my faith on the administrators, politicians, power players, and "religious" clowns that litters our government. What we need is someone new, someone who has strong passion of raising our country from shit. And only a Hitler would fill the shoe.

Then let's have civil war... wow, exciting... i'll volunteer to attack the senate first, then congress, and perhaps the palace. Hmm… don’t forget those nasty newsmen who earns their living by poisoning the mind of the innocent with their bias, twisted and sensationalized reporting.

Spare Max Soliven. He’s my favorite.. hehehe.

A what? Republic of...?

I was browsing for good articles in the online news in the Philstar when I run across very interesting news from the Visayas. I thought, I read it wrong but a second look confirms that ... majority of the local government officials in Visayas are contemplating of creating a Republic of Visayas. Well, the way the papers reported, it is no longer in theory but work is already in progress to create a general framework for a new government.

Huh! I pause for a moment and look at the ceiling, thinking… what will happen to my beloved Philippines should this happen?

Yeah, I read the rest of the news and the reporter was articulating that the premise of this move is if Gloria is ousted through extra-constitutional means. Blah... blah... blah… what ever


That was morning!

Later after lunch, I went back online and browse more articles related to federalism, separate republics, and etc. I was shock to realize that the move for a Visayas Republic is not an isolated issue but rather a growing feeling of disappointment of what they call “breaking away from Imperial Manila”.

An opinion writer revealed that Chavit Singson had floated the idea of creating a separate state in the north and would call it Ilokoslovakia. What a nice name, indeed, hehehe. Well, the strong man in Mindanao – Davao Mayor Duterte - was way ahead of them and had promised (take note promised!) to “move” the people of Mindanao to create a separate republic. And what else? A possibility of a Bicolandia is certain.

Sus, what would I call myself then? No longer a Pinoy for sure, but what? Hmmm… I will have many choices though: my mother was hailed from Ilokos, my father from Batangas, and I was born in Davao. Tsk.. tsk.. tsk.. I cannot wait to see that day happen. Hehehe.


Evening!

Seriously, I am saddened with what is happening in my country. Few years back, my colleagues at work were asking about my nationality of which I was very proud to say “I am a Filipino”. I don’t know now, if I can still say the same words with pride.

Worst, I am afraid that one of these days I may say “I am a Mindanaoan”

Angst of a Middle Class Worker

My last blog entry expresses my disappointment on what's happening out there in my home, my country, the beloved Philippines. I thought, I had posted something that is uncharacteristic of being an nationalistic Pinoy.

But to my surprise, I received a comment telling me that I was not alone. I even got an attachment article about a Middle Class worker who expresses his angst!

Here's the attachment:

My Philippines

Have you ever been a spectator of a game that was so exciting and it fires your belly to join? Yet you hold your horses because ... basically you don't know how to play the game? And that left you staying on the sideline, wishing you had the skill and talent that could turn the game to your favor.

I am at the sideline right now, and I am not watching just a game but... I am watching the "play" that would define the destiny of my country. Yeah, am talking about the political game in the Philippines that is so exciting and colorful, it attracts attention to almost everyone.
Hey, before you ever made a conclusion... I never wish to join the "game".

I am just worried though. Lately, my colleagues had been asking me about that “circus” in my country and I don’t know, I just had this strange feeling of… how do we call it?… a bit ashamed of being a Pinoy. I never felt this before. I had been proud of my color, my race, and my Nationality and will always be.

How about you? How do you feel being a Pinoy?

London and my aching foot

My foot aches! and argh… it hurts every time I tried to walk fast.
And what a good timing indeed!

This morning, I was afraid that I might just have to cancel my plans of going to the Splanade tonight. You know, my friends had been talking that David Beckham may loiter in the area. And I have a good reason to believe they may be right. The International Olympic Committee will announce the winning city who bids for the 30th Olympics on 2012, and Beckham is one of several personalities who will grace the occasion. Should I miss to catch a sight of the famous England Football Captain, well am sure I can find some sports personalities of lesser caliber. If not, I may just have to enjoy watching beautiful girls. Oh… I heard, there are over a thousand tourist in towns and most of them are French girls.. hehehhee

But my foot really aches!

Afternoon, I went out of the City Hall MRT Station and I tried to walk towards the Splanade. But walking was just not my forte today so I decided to proceed to the Raffles City Shopping Mall instead. I thought, I would just take my dinner there and after that… go home take a rest.

But to my surprise, I found out that there were so many people at the Activity Center waiting for the announcement of the winning city for Olympics 2012. There was a huge screen showing the activity of IOC at the Splanade. The people, mostly French and Britons, packed in front of the giant screen and were cheering for their respective city. I was simply mesmerized with the energy that emanates from these people.

I tried to squeeze in to one of the groups. I first went to the circle for Paris, take a closer look at the lovely French ladies… but decided to move away. I found them too noisy and too gaudy, always jumping and screaming for their city. Gee… there was so much energy with these people. Anyway, I decided to move to the next circle which is for New York. If Paris was boisterous, NY was the exact opposite. The people were too formal and too dry. Not one person was cheering for the city. Certainly, this is not the crowd where I wanted to stay. So, I moved again to the next circle which was for London.

My foot? Yeah… it is still aching but I had ignored it. I was more interested and was excited just to be in a middle of so many beautiful girls… English girls! Hehehehe I had forgotten the French girls

I was still trying to look around when the big screen came alive and started to air the IOC Announcement. Then a wild applause filled the air and the people started to press towards the center. I was there in the middle, caught between big people and could barely move. What was in my mind? …. My foot aches! Arghh!

When the name L O N D O N was announced as the winning city, everyone on my side screamed in jubilation. On my left, there was this towering athletic guy who was very happy and when i look up at him, he simply hugged me tight! Ugh, I did not see that coming. Good thing, he released me without doing damage to my bones. Then I moved towards the right, where I bumped to a big athletic, 5 foot 10 inches English lass. She looked at me with all the smiles in her face and then hugged me! Then came another large - I meant horizontally - girl who also hugged me, then another and another, finally ending up hugging a hairy smelly guy. Hehehe… I didn't see that coming! That was a good experience, though. Hey... not the guy thing! I meant the girl hugging thing.

Minutes later, the atmosphere started to calm down. The English had enough of their celebration, and on the far side I notice the French were crying. The New Yorkers looks gloomy, and who cares? They had been gloomy since the start anyway. Few Spaniard grouped together under a pole. They looked stunned but they were silent and relatively calm. The Moscovites? Oh where were they by the way? I did know where they were!

Arghh!! My foot still aches!

I guess, I had enough for the day. I slowly moved towards the Raffles City exit and looked for a taxi cab to bring me home. What a day, indeed! Even though my foot aches! And even if it hurts every time I tried to walk fast.