My Stand on HR 1109

Civil society is on an outrage. The Senate is strongly against it. Congressmen just go on with their normal lives. Malacanang has nothing to say about it. We citizens must take a stand.

Apathy and ignorance is a no-no in times like this.

So there, personally, I am very much in favor of Charter Change. It is for a variety of reasons, for which I believe will tremendously benefit our nation. Basically, the chacha issue is primarily bent on changing the form of government that we have. I think that a shift to a parliamentary form of goverment will be better for an archipelagaic state like the Philippines. Abolishing both houses of Congress and transforming them into just one body will translate to faster and a more efficient delivery of services for the citizens. Members of parliament must be voted upon by each legislative district, and in turn, more people will have a say in running the government, not just those who have the popular vote or those who have influence. Power will be decentralized and will not just be concentrated on specific areas, particularly those urban in nature. People in the far-flung towns and barrios will feel more empowerd and morover, they will feel that they play an active part in the daily affairs of the nation. There will be more accountability since the prime minister is directly responsible to his partymates and more importantly, members of parliament are directly responsible to their constituents who have vested power upon them.

We must also consider that ammending certain provisions of our 22-year old constitution in order for it to more in tune with the present globalized environment is another reason as to why Cha-cha must be prioritized. It includes several economic provisions, which we Economics majors can precisely relate in. Among a string of many other positive factors, I believe that effectiveness, unprecedented continuity and better public accountability will be those taken into consideration if we eventually decide to dance the Cha-Cha.

However, the heart of the matter lies on how this Cha-cha is to be done. We all know that the current constitution provides only three ways in which we can change it. Our congressmen in the House of Representatives, after exhausting all possible legal remedies, are resorting to the method that they voted upon last night. While I am one with the current administration in running this Chacha train, I vehemently deplore the way in which they are doing it, through House Resolution 1109. The abrupt railroading of such a pivotal action must undergo the proper procedures, which includes consultations with the citizens and a smooth coordination with the Senate - both of which are apparently lacking in the present situation. Changing the constitution must be concurred upon by the majority of 90 million Filipinos, not just by 150 or so pro-administration congressmen.

I have to admit that ever since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed office, I am always with her in every good endeavor of her administration. I know that many will disagree with me on this, but I think that Gloria is the best Philippine President in recent memory. You want proof? Then look around you. She may not be perfect due to the corruption scandals hounding her, but let's face it, every politician is blinded by money and greed once he is in office. The idea of the president still sitting in power beyond 2010 is alright with me. There are no better alternatives anyway.

The best time to ammend the constitution may be after the 2010 elections, yet I am not against doing it earlier than that. But again, I reiterate that changing the charter must be done in a manner that will not compromise anyone. Not by hastily passing HR 1109 in order to convene a ConAss. There is a way Congress can do it legally, and that is what they must do. And this is what we Filipinos must do: to prod them to do the right thing they should do.

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By voicing out our opinions, we are not just saying whether we are pro or against it; we are helping ourselves to be better Filipinos. :)

OMG!!!

Noteworthy current happenings that will make you react with OMG!!! :))

• Sweeney Todd in Manila!!!

Oh yes folks, this stunningly dark yet amazzzzing musical will be adapted by Repretory Philippines here in Manila! Too bad it is set for a November 2009 premiere though. But still, I know the wait will be worth it.

Pies, anyone? :))

• Disappontment over new AI "champ"

I guess he is not the champion after all. HAHA I know, I'm still bitter. ADAM SHOULD HAVE WON!!!!! America, sorry but you got it wrong this time. hahaha.

Simon Cowell and Katy Perry's support for Adam failed. But like the conspiracy theories in the blogging circles, I agree that Kris won because either Adam supporters became laxed and thought that he would win anyway so they didn;t vote for him anymore. And second, I hate to admit this but Kris' repertoire will be more album and radio-friendly than Lambert's. Though Adam indeed possesses a very humongous musical prowess, Kris's matinee idol looks and tween-appeal may have charmed his way into winning.

Plus Adam's gender issues somewhat took its toll too. No homosexual Am Idol. Yet. : But mind you, he will be more popular and more sucessful than Kris. Team Lambert forever! Oh yeah!!!

• Cannes 2009 Best Director is a Filipino

It just goes with his name. Absolutely brilliant.

There's no stopping Direk Brillante Mendoza from conquering the world as he was named Best Director in the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in France. Cannes is widely believed as the world's most prestigious film festival. Mendoza's film, "Kinatay" is in the competition section and it tells the story of a chop-chop lady, hence the title. Brillante bested other world-renowned directors also competing for the recognition like Ang Lee (Sense & Sensibility, Brokeback Mountain), Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction), etc.

This is the second year in a row that Brillante had a dilm in competition in France. Last year, his entry was "Serbis", wihich tells the tale about a family that owns a theater house in a municipality and the 'wonders' happening inside it. Just like "Serbis", "Kinatay" received mixed reactions from critics, noting Mendoza's flair for films with gory themes, as well as the unique story-telling methods he employs in them.

Mendoza deserves a treatment given to the likes of Manny Pacquiao, considering the huge feat he has accomplished. No other Filipino film maker won the said title, not even the late, great Lino Brocka.

Aww, my directorial dreams are on fire again. How I wish. Well, one day. :) haha.

Kudos to Direk Brillante for this shining, shimmering glory that you bestowed on our country.

Oh Vicki!

The cyber world is all abuzz over the video scandal involving Doctor Hayden Kho together with sexy actress Katrina Halili.

In the video uploaded to the net, even on YouTube, around 2 weeks ago, the doctor is found singing "Careless Whisper" while her ex-lover Katrina is gyrating hermoves towards the camera. The affair of Kho and Halili is the reason why famous dermatologist Vicki Belo ended her May-December relationship with the doctor-turned-singer.

Apparently, that said video is just a preview for the scandals soon to be released!

Rumors has it that Quiapo pirated DVD vendors are compiling the set entitled "Hayden Video Scandal". The next to come out will be a 40-minute actual sex video with Halili. Then there are two more videos with models. There is also a supposed video with actress Ruffa Mae Quinto.

Finally, the video series will be culminated by an actual video of Belo and Kho themselves! Imagine, 50 something (?) well respected Dra Belo engaging in sensual activities with her young loverboy. People are saying that they are once again back in each others arms.

Oh Vicki, haven't you learned your lesson yet?! Yeah, Hayden might be a good catch. But still, are you willing to sacrifice your name and dignity for this crazy pervert?

Missed Chances

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At a recent ANC Forum at the Ateneo which I attended, the 2010 presidentiables, for the first time, faced off for a round of questions concerning current issues and their stands about them. It was hosted by Tina Monzon-Palma and my all-time favorite news anchor slash commentator, Ricky Carandang. Okay I admit, it was my dream to meet him personally. I even remembered that he is one of the persons indicated on the 'Who I Want To Meet' section on my Friendster profile. Hahahahaha.

So there, I was kind of star-strucked when I saw him in person. After the forum, the presidentiables stayed to mingle and to grant photo-ops and interviews for the guests, mostly students. TMP and Ricky were there, talking to various guest politickos. I stayed at the back of the auditorium witnessing the brouhaha, at the same time formulating in my mind the exact words I will say when I introduce myself to him (okay, ang kapal eh. haha)

Mar Roxas, Dick Gordon and Gilbert Teodoro all passed beside me, about a foot away, and still, I didn't bother to greet them nor to shake hands. I was really determined to meet my kumpareng Ricky. HAHA. Several minutes had passed and I noticed that he is on his way out. Being the stalker that I am, I followed him and found him talking to a former congressman and some NGO officials.

Again, some minutes later, I saw him walking towards the driveway of Leong Hall. Apparently, he may be waiting for his ride. So I gathered some courage, composed myself and started to walk towards where he is. Alas, he was talking yet again with people, this time with her colleague, Tina Palma and another journalist whom I really admire, Maria Ressa. Ressa is the head of ABS-CBN News and prior to that, she was CNN's cheif correspondent for Southeast Asia.

3 moles in just one hit. How lucky could I get?! Haha

Sadly though, I didn't get to pursue my noble intention of meeting them. My shyness enveloped me once again. :( :( :( I hate it when my introvertness attacks.

Well I hope there's a next time. :

***

One of the things I looked forward too last weekend when I was in Baguio was the Ukay shopping. I know that Baguio is not just famous for its strawberries and peanut brittles, but it is also a place for good shoppong finds at rock-bottom prices.

Walking in Baguio is an entirely good experience. Immersed into the cold crisp air, I couldn't feel being tired while I endlessly scour the whole stretch of Session Road and the Wet Market for things I'm looking for.

The thing is, when I go out and buy something, I search the whole area and compare the items. That's why it takes me half a day when I buy some clothes at the mall. I applied the same thing when I was in Baguio. I already passed by this area which I know from the first time I looked at it that they were selling some overrun signature items and old ukay stuff. Being the wais shopper that I am, I said to myself that I will look at other places first and just come back later.

Just like in my Ricky Carandang experience, I failed once more. : When I came back to the place where the sellers were (btw, they are in bangketas lang), they were gone na. :( I suddenly remembered na they have a specific time when they sell their stuff since they were just located in the side streets. Oh well. Good thing I found other good stuff to compensate for what I "lost" Haha.

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Two missed chances. Ugh. :

HAHA, sorry. I sulk at shallow thoughts. :)) sabaw na. hahaha

A Barrage of Changes

Just when you thought that a certain thing will become a permanent fixture in your life, will you then discover that it is not rightly so.

Some things that happened these past few days taught me so:

1. I now have contact lenses! Hmm yeah, not much of a great deal. But hey, I never thought that I would be wearing one. First, my mom was kinda apprehensive towards that idea before since she had a bad experience with contacts some years back. Still, I was hesitant. Then yay, I have one na! People are not so used to me not having glasses, including me. Haha. I hope its bagay. Its color is clear though. Im g0nna try a colored one maybe next month. Any suggestions on the color?? Hopefully, Lasik is next. :D
2. A February-April Summer. Due to the irregular weather phenomena during the past weeks, it seems that the Philippines now has a new summer season. February pa lang, the sun is so blazing hot na. It's like were being roasted in an oven. It's not supposed to be hot yet around that month. Then fast-forward to May. Boom! Pit-pat-pit-pat on the roofs and on the street concretes. A storm in the middle of summer? WTH is this joke! Hi Emong! Peace be with you.
3. No More Korina. Every morning while going to school, it is either that my car radio is tuned in to Good Times with Mo on the Magic or to Tambalang Failon at Sanchez on DZMM. I just love listening on how they put flavor to their commentaries. Imagine them singing or acting - things they couldn't do while doing the newscasts on TV. Sadly, yesterday Friday was Korina's last day on the radio show (also on her late-night newscast Bandila). She'll be on a one-year leave for her wedding prepartions, as well as to help in the presidential campaign of her fiance, Mar Roxas. Ted is still on leave because of the tragedy that happened to him but is scheduled to be back around June. Korina said that the media has been her life for the past 25 years and she will definitely come back. The question is, as who? As the First Lady of the republic? Well, I wish them luck. :)
4. First Gay American Idol. It seems that a new age of liberalism (and precisely, change) has eneveloped the United States. First, they just recently elected their first African-American president. And now, the first gay champion of the most popular show in the US is in the making. I think that no one can stop Adam Lambert from achieveing such a feat. After breaking the racial divide, it looks like gender stratification will be halted as well. Now that is real change.
5. I don't know, but it seems like I found myself again. :) It's hard to expound on this one. Just be happy for me. Lol.

Nothing is permanent, indeed. And this fact of life teaches us spread out and be ready for anything, as well as to reach out to anyone. The world is changing faster than it has before. The same goes with us.

Halfway

It's been a month since summer started and (sadly), I'm still stuck with my summer classes. Well yeah, I enjoy my subjects. In fact, they're very interesting. Political Science. Money and Banking. Spanish. I loathe the readings though. They're so many. One day, I was so determined to finish reading the whole pack, but next thing I know, I find myself browsing the net, procrastinating or doing stuff outside.

One of my consolation for having to survive the extremely humid weather conditions at Ateneo is my prof. Wah, HOT!!! =)))))))

***

Speaking of the weather, its ever-changing moods has gotten me coughs and colds. In the morning, it is a struggle for me not to melt under the blazing heat of the sun. Then a few hours after, the rain pours down heavily. The effects of global warming are now here. Sigh. We humans are to blame for it, so naturally, we must live with it too.

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Believe it or not, I overcut NSTP last semester. So much for thinking that it was a preposterous subject. HAHAHA. Good thing our formator was very considerate that instead of us having to repeat NSTP for another year (nightmare!!!!), we will just have summer NSTP. Just for one Saturday. weeee!!! :)

But crap!!! It was so hot a while ago!! And we have to brave this severe heat! To make things worse, the stupid jeepney driver dropped us off at the long place so we have to walk a few kilometers still. We are like drenched with sweat when we reached the place. : Oh well wala lang. Yay!!! No more NSTP! Forever!!!!! :D :D :D

***

To cap off my sabaw week, I would like to announce that I have been apprehended by traffic enforcers TWICE this week! 2 times in one week! Shit! And since I am a squeaky clean citizen of my country, I have decided to.... bribe them. HAHAHAHA. Php. 500 for each offense. One grand gone to the hands of those extortionists!! Is swerving really a violation?! Tsss!
Too bad my "balikbayan" excuse didn't work with them. Have to make my accent and my storyline more believable. :))

Ciao. Good night world.

A Filipino Jolie-Pitt

Last week, it has been reported that a private jet chartered by Hollywood powerhouse couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Gossips speculated that the couple arrived in the Philippines for an island-hopping get-away and that their stops include the pristine Amanpulo Island and the world-famous Boracay.

However, theres a new twist to the story lately. It has been said that the reason why Brangelina are in the Philippines is that they are planning to adopt a new member for the multi-racial Jolie-Pitt household. If this is true, then a Filipino will be the seventh child of the couple, including biological and adopted children.

Supposedly, the couple initially wanted to adpot a child in Burma; but certain laws of the country prohibited them from doing so. So pronto, their next choice is someone from the Philippines!

A Pinoy child of a Hollywood royalty. What do you think?