This post wasn't due to be released for another month. Woke up this morning feeling it was right to do this now. It's been one of those weeks: Felt some friends needed cheering up and, of course, the world has darkened a bit with what is happening in Japan, Libya and elsewhere.
Music. I could go on with quotes about its healing powers and all, but, I'd rather let it speak for itself....
This is How We Walk On the Moon - Arthur Russell
Radio - One of the pleasures living abroad. Yes, that old-fashioned thing. I stick to those fringe stations that are adventerous in their programming (to be discussed in a future post). KEXP in New York is one of those and this is where I found this...
No Cars Go - Arcade Fire
They play, what I think, is very spiritual music.
Whole Of The Moon - The Waterboys
For me, this one's about those people who "blaze trails" and do things their way with no fear. I suppose a tribute to iconoclasts. May the world have more of you. May we all see the "whole of the moon."
I pictured a rainbow, you held it in your hands / I had flashes but you saw the plan / I wandered out in the world for years while you just stayed in your room / I saw the crescent, you saw the whole of the moon / You stretched for the stars and you know how it feels.
I was grounded while you filled the skies / I was dumbfounded by truth, you cut through lies / I spoke about wings you just flew / I wondered I guessed and I tried, you just knew / With a torch in your pocket and the wind at your heels / You climbed on the ladder and you know how it feels / You came like a comet, blazing your trail.
Dancing In The Moonlight - King Harvest
Should bring a smile to your face and sunshine to your soul.
Hollywood Bass Player - Josh Rouse
Let's stay with the 70's with this one. Okay, this one's actually from 2006 but it's by an American who loves that era. First heard it in Spain - where he actually lives. I'll always have sweet memories of our three years there.
It Never Rains in Southern California - Albert Hammond
I'm having a hard time getting out of the 70's. This one's, I'd like to think, a ballad for Filipinos living abroad. People back home think it's all about happiness, wealth and the good life. It's not always like that. "When it pours / man it pours."
Strawberry Letter 23 - Shuggie Otis
What happens when you cross The Eagles with Prince? Here it is, California Rock with Psychadelic Pop. Yes, it's still from the 70's.
Rock Baby Rock - VST and Company
My critique on Filipino music: We're so influenced by our colonial past that we have a difficult time coming up with one that's distinctly ours. When we do, it's not appreciated by us. But, hey, we do a great job of copying, eh? For those of you keeping track: This is disco, yes, but it's technically from the 80's, ok?
I Wear Your Ring - Cocteau Twins
Ethereal - One of my favorite English words. Also the best one-word description for this group featuring Elizabeth Fraser. May recognize her from her work with Massive Attack. Off the excellent 1990 album "Heaven Or Las Vegas." The whole album? Ethereal.
Loving The Alien - David Bowie
Great artist. Had a hard time choosing which of his songs to play. I suppose this one works for the moment. He openly mocks religion (But if you pray all your sins are hooked upon the sky /
prayers they hide the saddest view / believing the strangest things / loving the alien), but, sings it with a great melody. You know my stand: Sprituality and faith is great. It's when it's used for purposes that actually contradict sprituality and faith that I'm against.
More Than This - Peter Gabriel
Since we're now getting into cerebral territory why don't we bring this one out. It's a humbling experience knowing how long the world we know has been around, how vast and still unexplored it is, how we have not really understood the "why" of our existence...there just must be more than this (there is something out there / more than this / way beyond imagination / there is something else there / when all that you had has all gone).
This Must Be The Place - Talking Heads
Possibly the only way to close this piece: Home is where I want to be....
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
An Englishman (Jeepney Driver) in Manila
or "How They See Us Part I"
Did you hear about this one? About the bus driver from London who became a jeepney driver?
My posts, as many of you know, are often long-winded exercises that usually last...ohh, forever. This time, I'll shut up and let this story do the talking. It'll take an hour, but, I think it's an hour worth wasting. It really is as much about us as it is his story.
Tip: Click "pause" on all videos at the same time in order to cutdown on the download time.
Part 1 of 6:
Part 2 of 6:
Part 3 of 6:
Part 4 of 6:
Part 5 of 6:
Part 6 of 6:
Great, great shout-out to one of our most loyal readers, Dani Orosa, who found this story on the BBC.
Did you hear about this one? About the bus driver from London who became a jeepney driver?
My posts, as many of you know, are often long-winded exercises that usually last...ohh, forever. This time, I'll shut up and let this story do the talking. It'll take an hour, but, I think it's an hour worth wasting. It really is as much about us as it is his story.
Tip: Click "pause" on all videos at the same time in order to cutdown on the download time.
Part 1 of 6:
Part 2 of 6:
Part 3 of 6:
Part 4 of 6:
Part 5 of 6:
Part 6 of 6:
Great, great shout-out to one of our most loyal readers, Dani Orosa, who found this story on the BBC.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Caged Bird: A Children's Book
A children's book about a country, a song, its writer and a musician.
Hoy, did you know that there once was a land that was clean, green and pollution-free?
Its beauty so captivating, its riches so bountiful and its people so warm that it lured men from different parts of the world.
This is where we find our writer - by all accounts, an unexceptional man who led an unexceptional life but who was rather exceptional with words (Parents: Re-do that sentence with a British accent. We were, after all, under them for two years). His name? Huseng Batute. Funny name, right? That, of course, is his stage name (Parents: Explain "stage name") but in the interest of keeping you from getting bored we'll leave it at that.
Millions felt a great sadness and longed to say goodbye to Ninoy. One of those who lined up for hours to pay respect was our friend, Freddie. After Ninoy's family recognized him, they asked if he could sing the song that spoke about freedom. He declined at first because he didn't have a guitar with him. They asked him to sing acapella - without a musical instrument - instead. This, he did, with much power and love that it brought tears to many.
This is the song:
My beloved country
Filipinas is your name
Pearl of the Orient
Blest with unblemished beauty
But alas! robbed of your longed-for freedom
Always weeping in poverty and pain.
My country, Filipinas
Land of gold and flowers
Love has given her grace and tranquility
And her radiance and loveliness
drew rapacious foreigners
My country, they have imprisoned you
Thrown you into sorrow and despair.
Even birds who freely fly
When caged will struggle to escape
What more of a country endowed with
nobility
Would she not strive to break free?
Filipinas, my cherished land
My home of sorrow and tears
Always I dream to see you truly free.
How lovely it is to live in one's native land
If there is no slavery and freedom
reigns supreme
A people who are now oppressed
In the morrow shall stand up
The east will turn a fiery crimson
And mark the dawn of freedom.
For my father who gave me a brain, my mother who gave me a heart, my two wonderful kids, my wife who is raising them well, my cousin, Jeannine, who showed me love of country and to not fear Filipino music and finally to those who gave their lives so that we may all live free - J.B.
For my mother, my brother, Marcus, and Grandma and Grandpa - K.B.
JAY BUENAFLOR was born in the United States, grew up in the Philippines, worked abroad for 14 years and is back - for now - in the Philippines. Wheww. He lives in Paranaque together with his wife, Kelly, and two kids, Kara and Marcus.
KARA BUENAFLOR was born in the United States and is currently in the process of learning to love the Philippines. The interests of this seven year old include arts and crafts, history, reading and gymnastics.
Monday, February 21, 2011
So You Want A (Facebook) Revolution....
or "Julian, Charles, Ray, The Woz and Tron Part II"
...then came the WikiLeaks website's release of thousands of U.S. diplomatic cables that revealed the underside of Arab regimes, including Tunisian President Zine el Abidine ben Ali's, a portrait of corruption complete with a stolen yacht, a tiger kept in a cage and a lavish dinner with ice cream flown in from the French Riviera.
Arabs were at once titillated and outraged. Tunisia, with more of an educated and cosmopolitan middle class than much of the region, grew increasingly restless.
That's funny, the future is here. Faster than expected. Part I - written two months ago (see below) - talked about (among a nuuuuuuummmber of things) how technology is rapidly changing the way we think, feel, believe and live.
In particular, I mentioned that there are "those who are becoming more intelligent, more informed, less gullible and...more importantly...starting to question more. What does a more enlightened human being mean: More people who'll question authority and the actions of leaders, governments and corporations. Who'll question the very traditions and ideas they've found themselves in."
I also had thought that in the future, - oh, about 200 years down the road - conflicts will be "between the traditionalists (more to lose) who'll subconsciously see knowledge as the enemy and the enlightened (more to gain) ones."
The future, though, seems to be now.
Mohamed Bouzazi was a street vendor in Tunisia who set himself on fire in December in protest to his wares being confiscated and the humiliation inflicted upon him by a female municipal official. His death became the official catalyst for the revolution that overthrew the Tunisian government.
Ibrahim Ben Slama, a university student in Tunis, says he first heard of Bouazizi's self-immolation on Facebook, which was used to plan many of the protests.
"I was with my friends on Facebook, and we encouraged each other," said Dali ben Salem, a 25-year-old intern at a pharmacy in Tunis, the Tunisian capital. "The solidarity helped me to face the fear."
Social media played a crucial role in spreading news of the uprising, which was not mentioned on Tunisian TV until nearly two weeks after it started. Ben Ali's government was a master of Web censorship, but Tunisians are professionals at getting around it. They exchanged proxy servers and posted images of alleged massacres online, further enraging the population.
Soufiane Chourabi, a journalist for the Tarik Al Jadid newspaper, was one of the first to begin documenting the uprising in Tunisia's interior. The rapid spread of information online was a key reason that the rest of the country joined in the revolt.
"When Tunisians saw images of fellow citizens rebelling, they lost their fear," he says. He credits the videos of youths tearing down ubiquitous photos of Tunisia's autocrat as a psychological turning point.
"They needed someone to do that simple thing of taking down the picture of Ben Ali, and that was it. That released them," Mr. Chourabi says. "When Ben Ali's symbol fell, there was no fear. This picture of the big and strong Ben Ali collapsed."
The Tunisian revolt became the inspiration for similar actions throughout the Arab region - including the overthrow of the 30 year regime of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt.
The young men and women (who were) in the streets, are a generation that never knew anybody but President Mubarak since they were born. It's a new generation, a generation of Facebook, Twitter, and now the Internet, where it's a small world and everything is known. That generation grew up thinking -- what is freedom, what is democracy, and they thought why not us?
"It's political challenge to autocratic systems that have degraded and dehumanized people and humiliated them to the point where they just can't take it anymore and they finally started to erupt," said Rami Khouri, a commentator and analyst affiliated with the American University of Beirut.
"That's combined with intense social and economic pressures and disparities which are accentuated by the lavish lifestyles of the rich who made their money by being close to the regime."
Let's have Julian Assange, yes, the "Julian" in the title and one of the founders of Wikileaks, have his word before we move on: "When you see abusive organizations suffer the consequences as a result of their abuse, and you see victims elevated... that's a very pleasurable activity to be involved in."
Check out this video from an Egyptian filmmaker made about 20 minutes after the announcement of Mubarak's departure. Goosebumps guaranteed:
So, that was fun: This past month, I unleashed upon the world a fake "news" article about the Philippines. It talked about how a President named Buboy Garduque transformed the Philippines (let's now call him a "Faux-resident"). Actually got some people into believing in it. So much so that I had to issue an "apology." Yes, the quotation marks are there because, yes, it was a fake apology.
I mention this story to illustrate the power that the internet wields. It has the power to connect us all and be a force for the human spirit but can also be a tool for those with dark intentions - like me, hehehehe.
The hard part, of course, for Tunisia and Egypt will be what happens after the bad guys have left. Check out this heartfelt piece by a Filipino blogger illuminating us on the difficulties and hopes ahead: "A LETTER TO EGYPT"
What stands out from the ongoing revolts in the Middle East is that they are being led not by messianic figures but, rather, by faceless citizens who decided to take matters into their own hands.
It may surprise a number of people that the United States Declaration of Independence actually agrees to the right to rebel or revolution: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government...." Funny, eh?
Yes, it's easier when the enemy is an obvious villain. But, what if the enemy is...ourselves? That's what the Philippines is faced with. It'll have to be up to the faceless, nameless dedicated citizens - people like you and me - who in a tiny, tiny way try to help open people's minds to the possibilities.
These are the questions we should ask ourselves? What's our purpose? What are we on this earth for? What can I do?
Sorry, but, can't help but bring out a favorite of mine by the anthropologist Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
My brother and I used to chuckle at our sister-in-law's insistence that the year 2012 is not the end of the world as some have insisted but, rather, will be the dawning of a new age of enlightenment. After these past few months' drama....Rica, I've now reduced it to a half chuckle.
Thought this Beatles classic would be the best way to close this one. The best line: "You tell me it's the institution, well, you know you better free your mind instead." Indeed.
Thanks to my brother, Diego - my fellow futurist and radical, who helped me push through with this piece when I was this close to abandoning it.
Note: Italicized passages from this article came from various sources: Time Magazine, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times.
...then came the WikiLeaks website's release of thousands of U.S. diplomatic cables that revealed the underside of Arab regimes, including Tunisian President Zine el Abidine ben Ali's, a portrait of corruption complete with a stolen yacht, a tiger kept in a cage and a lavish dinner with ice cream flown in from the French Riviera.
Arabs were at once titillated and outraged. Tunisia, with more of an educated and cosmopolitan middle class than much of the region, grew increasingly restless.
That's funny, the future is here. Faster than expected. Part I - written two months ago (see below) - talked about (among a nuuuuuuummmber of things) how technology is rapidly changing the way we think, feel, believe and live.
In particular, I mentioned that there are "those who are becoming more intelligent, more informed, less gullible and...more importantly...starting to question more. What does a more enlightened human being mean: More people who'll question authority and the actions of leaders, governments and corporations. Who'll question the very traditions and ideas they've found themselves in."
I also had thought that in the future, - oh, about 200 years down the road - conflicts will be "between the traditionalists (more to lose) who'll subconsciously see knowledge as the enemy and the enlightened (more to gain) ones."
The future, though, seems to be now.
Mohamed Bouzazi was a street vendor in Tunisia who set himself on fire in December in protest to his wares being confiscated and the humiliation inflicted upon him by a female municipal official. His death became the official catalyst for the revolution that overthrew the Tunisian government.
Ibrahim Ben Slama, a university student in Tunis, says he first heard of Bouazizi's self-immolation on Facebook, which was used to plan many of the protests.
"I was with my friends on Facebook, and we encouraged each other," said Dali ben Salem, a 25-year-old intern at a pharmacy in Tunis, the Tunisian capital. "The solidarity helped me to face the fear."
Social media played a crucial role in spreading news of the uprising, which was not mentioned on Tunisian TV until nearly two weeks after it started. Ben Ali's government was a master of Web censorship, but Tunisians are professionals at getting around it. They exchanged proxy servers and posted images of alleged massacres online, further enraging the population.
Soufiane Chourabi, a journalist for the Tarik Al Jadid newspaper, was one of the first to begin documenting the uprising in Tunisia's interior. The rapid spread of information online was a key reason that the rest of the country joined in the revolt.
"When Tunisians saw images of fellow citizens rebelling, they lost their fear," he says. He credits the videos of youths tearing down ubiquitous photos of Tunisia's autocrat as a psychological turning point.
"They needed someone to do that simple thing of taking down the picture of Ben Ali, and that was it. That released them," Mr. Chourabi says. "When Ben Ali's symbol fell, there was no fear. This picture of the big and strong Ben Ali collapsed."
The Tunisian revolt became the inspiration for similar actions throughout the Arab region - including the overthrow of the 30 year regime of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt.
The young men and women (who were) in the streets, are a generation that never knew anybody but President Mubarak since they were born. It's a new generation, a generation of Facebook, Twitter, and now the Internet, where it's a small world and everything is known. That generation grew up thinking -- what is freedom, what is democracy, and they thought why not us?
"It's political challenge to autocratic systems that have degraded and dehumanized people and humiliated them to the point where they just can't take it anymore and they finally started to erupt," said Rami Khouri, a commentator and analyst affiliated with the American University of Beirut.
"That's combined with intense social and economic pressures and disparities which are accentuated by the lavish lifestyles of the rich who made their money by being close to the regime."
Let's have Julian Assange, yes, the "Julian" in the title and one of the founders of Wikileaks, have his word before we move on: "When you see abusive organizations suffer the consequences as a result of their abuse, and you see victims elevated... that's a very pleasurable activity to be involved in."
Check out this video from an Egyptian filmmaker made about 20 minutes after the announcement of Mubarak's departure. Goosebumps guaranteed:
So, that was fun: This past month, I unleashed upon the world a fake "news" article about the Philippines. It talked about how a President named Buboy Garduque transformed the Philippines (let's now call him a "Faux-resident"). Actually got some people into believing in it. So much so that I had to issue an "apology." Yes, the quotation marks are there because, yes, it was a fake apology.
I mention this story to illustrate the power that the internet wields. It has the power to connect us all and be a force for the human spirit but can also be a tool for those with dark intentions - like me, hehehehe.
The hard part, of course, for Tunisia and Egypt will be what happens after the bad guys have left. Check out this heartfelt piece by a Filipino blogger illuminating us on the difficulties and hopes ahead: "A LETTER TO EGYPT"
What stands out from the ongoing revolts in the Middle East is that they are being led not by messianic figures but, rather, by faceless citizens who decided to take matters into their own hands.
It may surprise a number of people that the United States Declaration of Independence actually agrees to the right to rebel or revolution: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government...." Funny, eh?
Yes, it's easier when the enemy is an obvious villain. But, what if the enemy is...ourselves? That's what the Philippines is faced with. It'll have to be up to the faceless, nameless dedicated citizens - people like you and me - who in a tiny, tiny way try to help open people's minds to the possibilities.
These are the questions we should ask ourselves? What's our purpose? What are we on this earth for? What can I do?
Sorry, but, can't help but bring out a favorite of mine by the anthropologist Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
My brother and I used to chuckle at our sister-in-law's insistence that the year 2012 is not the end of the world as some have insisted but, rather, will be the dawning of a new age of enlightenment. After these past few months' drama....Rica, I've now reduced it to a half chuckle.
Thought this Beatles classic would be the best way to close this one. The best line: "You tell me it's the institution, well, you know you better free your mind instead." Indeed.
Thanks to my brother, Diego - my fellow futurist and radical, who helped me push through with this piece when I was this close to abandoning it.
Note: Italicized passages from this article came from various sources: Time Magazine, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
History Comes Alive For Kids!!
Would like to let everyone know that I've started a series of tours for kids highlighting our history. What's it all about? It covers the history of this great (and sometimes...not so great) country of ours. The tours are designed specifically for the little chikitings.
Why am I doing this? History is a great way of making us see "who" and "why" we are. Because of it, I believe, we're giving our future a better chance.
What we've done so far:
- Ayala Museum: Diorama experience highlighting major points of our history.
- Intramuros highlighting Jose Rizal
- Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna
- Aguinaldo's home in Kawit, Cavite where independence was first proclaimed
Upcoming sked:
- A redux of the Intramuros tour as requested by several: TBA
- Remembering EDSA: Visit to Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani Museum on February 26, 2011
- Death March and Mount Samat
- Corregidor Island
- Malacanang Palace
For more details, just click yourself over to the site: http://www.historycomesaliveforkids.blogspot.com/. Hope you can join us.
Why am I doing this? History is a great way of making us see "who" and "why" we are. Because of it, I believe, we're giving our future a better chance.
What we've done so far:
- Ayala Museum: Diorama experience highlighting major points of our history.
- Intramuros highlighting Jose Rizal
- Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna
- Aguinaldo's home in Kawit, Cavite where independence was first proclaimed
Upcoming sked:
- A redux of the Intramuros tour as requested by several: TBA
- Remembering EDSA: Visit to Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani Museum on February 26, 2011
- Death March and Mount Samat
- Corregidor Island
- Malacanang Palace
For more details, just click yourself over to the site: http://www.historycomesaliveforkids.blogspot.com/. Hope you can join us.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Ningan and Buboy Garduque: Confession and Apologies
This thing is getting out of hand. I must confess to you, my friends, that the whole "A Feel-Good Story About The Philippines" is one big hoax that I came up with. Yes, I wrote everything. Including the fake "LA Times article."
I'm extremely sorry if this whole affair caused you pain and suffering. I am sorry. If it's any consolation, my "sorry" is as sincere as hers:
Before I go on, I'd first like to commend those who saw that it was all made up and have sent in priceless comments. This from Dani Orosa in the UK:
It left me feeling both optimistic and frustrated at the same time. Optimistic in a sense that I can see so much potential in our little country, and that I'm pleased because ningan is indeed a reality. We really are such happy people. How many countries can say their people are are happy in every sense of the word? So happy that you can't really even describe it properly, that it's more an internal feeling that's hard to put a name to. I think we really are blessed as a country for it's people more than anything else, it really is one of our greatest assets.
I'm also a bit frustrated because along with this happiness sometimes I think we're a bit naive too, this is my Western sensibility speaking. ie the GDP and GNH, as happy as any country can be, if it's still corrupt then nothing is ever going to work properly and it's people won't benefit. I know that part of the way we are as a people is largely due to the fact that we ARE a third world country, part of me wonders what would happen if we managed to claw our way out of that, would as a people, we still be the same? Would we change?
Your piece really had my head going back and forth, really made me think. About governments, environment, class, national identity, all sorts of stuff. It makes me proud of where I come from, happy, and I think I understand why we are the way we are more. It also makes me want to do more, to want to try and change how people work, how people perceive things, how to try and educate people so that they question things and not be so submissive, question authority, and demand/expect better from themselves and from our country because we should and we deserve it.
Perhaps, her best compliment: My brain hurts from all this thinking!!!
Comments from other readers:
Interesting in Peter Pan's world...hehe...but you never know.
And it's good to keep on repeating these visions. It will come true.
I love how this guy writes about us!!! Now if only the whole country can see themselves they way this dude sees us!! MORE POSITIVITY :)
Ok, those comments were nice and...thank you for that. But, here's the problem. Apparently, some people have taken this story to be the gospel truth. Other comments:
Kumusta, po? Gusto, ho, namin sanang ma-meet si Buboy. Napakaganda, po, nang-ginawa niya para sa atin. Gusto, ho, namin siyang pasalamatan. Pwede ba, ho, kaming bumisita? Pasensya na, po, kung medyo straight-forward kami.
Fourth Year Class of Succor Colleges, Cavite
And this from Egypt:
Hello! We read about wonderful man called Buboy and how he transfformed your nation. Things bit of difficulty now here in Egypt. We would like somebody like him for our next leader. Death to Mubarak and his minions!! Is possible if we outsource our presidency to the Philippines? May a thousand blessings enter your domain, sir!!
Abu Qirqas Freedom Brigade
Like I said, things are getting out of hand. Hence, my dilemma. Do I tell them the truth or do I continue with this grand delusion? Actually, it really isn't a dilemma. As you very well know, certain grand delusions are actually good for you: Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, the Three Kings and the Easter Bunny. I mean, who am I to spoil a good party with the truth?
I keep going back to that last scene in "Brazil." You know, the one where Jonathan Pryce's character is catatonically blissful - happy in his head only - while he actually lives in a dystopic society. Reality isn't important, right? It's your perception of it that counts.
Like I said: No dilemma.
So, now I'm searching for an actor - in his 70's - to play El Presidente. Any suggestions? Send them in.
Also, there were those who sent in their entries for the country's new name. So far:
Jollibee Republic
Islas Kalakaran
Pacquiaoland
Republic of Kalikasan
Last one's my favorite. Send in yours.
Lastly, special mention to Rocky Camus for having sent in this quote from the "Harry Potter" author:
We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better.
J.K. Rowling
Speaking of imagination, did I mention that "Imagine" is one of President Garduque's favorite songs? That he also happened to play bass on an experimental jazz outfit that John Lennon came up with in New York while he was on his five-year music hiatus?
Imagine the possibilities....
I'm extremely sorry if this whole affair caused you pain and suffering. I am sorry. If it's any consolation, my "sorry" is as sincere as hers:
Before I go on, I'd first like to commend those who saw that it was all made up and have sent in priceless comments. This from Dani Orosa in the UK:
It left me feeling both optimistic and frustrated at the same time. Optimistic in a sense that I can see so much potential in our little country, and that I'm pleased because ningan is indeed a reality. We really are such happy people. How many countries can say their people are are happy in every sense of the word? So happy that you can't really even describe it properly, that it's more an internal feeling that's hard to put a name to. I think we really are blessed as a country for it's people more than anything else, it really is one of our greatest assets.
I'm also a bit frustrated because along with this happiness sometimes I think we're a bit naive too, this is my Western sensibility speaking. ie the GDP and GNH, as happy as any country can be, if it's still corrupt then nothing is ever going to work properly and it's people won't benefit. I know that part of the way we are as a people is largely due to the fact that we ARE a third world country, part of me wonders what would happen if we managed to claw our way out of that, would as a people, we still be the same? Would we change?
Your piece really had my head going back and forth, really made me think. About governments, environment, class, national identity, all sorts of stuff. It makes me proud of where I come from, happy, and I think I understand why we are the way we are more. It also makes me want to do more, to want to try and change how people work, how people perceive things, how to try and educate people so that they question things and not be so submissive, question authority, and demand/expect better from themselves and from our country because we should and we deserve it.
Perhaps, her best compliment: My brain hurts from all this thinking!!!
Comments from other readers:
Interesting in Peter Pan's world...hehe...but you never know.
And it's good to keep on repeating these visions. It will come true.
I love how this guy writes about us!!! Now if only the whole country can see themselves they way this dude sees us!! MORE POSITIVITY :)
Ok, those comments were nice and...thank you for that. But, here's the problem. Apparently, some people have taken this story to be the gospel truth. Other comments:
Kumusta, po? Gusto, ho, namin sanang ma-meet si Buboy. Napakaganda, po, nang-ginawa niya para sa atin. Gusto, ho, namin siyang pasalamatan. Pwede ba, ho, kaming bumisita? Pasensya na, po, kung medyo straight-forward kami.
Fourth Year Class of Succor Colleges, Cavite
And this from Egypt:
Hello! We read about wonderful man called Buboy and how he transfformed your nation. Things bit of difficulty now here in Egypt. We would like somebody like him for our next leader. Death to Mubarak and his minions!! Is possible if we outsource our presidency to the Philippines? May a thousand blessings enter your domain, sir!!
Abu Qirqas Freedom Brigade
Like I said, things are getting out of hand. Hence, my dilemma. Do I tell them the truth or do I continue with this grand delusion? Actually, it really isn't a dilemma. As you very well know, certain grand delusions are actually good for you: Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, the Three Kings and the Easter Bunny. I mean, who am I to spoil a good party with the truth?
I keep going back to that last scene in "Brazil." You know, the one where Jonathan Pryce's character is catatonically blissful - happy in his head only - while he actually lives in a dystopic society. Reality isn't important, right? It's your perception of it that counts.
Like I said: No dilemma.
So, now I'm searching for an actor - in his 70's - to play El Presidente. Any suggestions? Send them in.
Also, there were those who sent in their entries for the country's new name. So far:
Jollibee Republic
Islas Kalakaran
Pacquiaoland
Republic of Kalikasan
Last one's my favorite. Send in yours.
Lastly, special mention to Rocky Camus for having sent in this quote from the "Harry Potter" author:
We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better.
J.K. Rowling
Speaking of imagination, did I mention that "Imagine" is one of President Garduque's favorite songs? That he also happened to play bass on an experimental jazz outfit that John Lennon came up with in New York while he was on his five-year music hiatus?
Imagine the possibilities....
Saturday, January 22, 2011
A Feel-Good Story About The Philippines!!
In an alternate universe, the Philippines is clean, green, peaceful and proud...and this is where I live....
Was getting ready to go to work and catch the 9:47 Express train for the 42 minute trip to Marilao from Calamba when this article caught my eye on the Los Angeles Times. This really made my day as it should yours:
A complex feeling enlightens the people of the Philippines
by Emile Goldstein
Reporting from Manila — For most of his life, 21 year old restaurant owner Norberto Cefrudio has carried a feeling that is dificult to describe; a mystery of the soul, a puzzle that many say helps define their culture — the ineffable happiness of being a Filipino.
The concept is known as ningan (nee-ngan). And for the nearly 60 million Filipinos, ningan is as amorphous a notion as love, caring, brotherhood, creativity, hardwork: intensely personal, yet carried around collectively, a national badge of honor.
"As a Filipino, it's embedded in your DNA," said the ponytailed Norberto cheerfully stroking his hair. "It goes far beyond everyday emotions like happiness or anger. It's one of joy, sharing and life-affirmation. It cannot be put in a box."
Ask anyone here to describe ningan and their first reaction is often a bemused smile, followed by a puzzling laughter. The idea, many insist, is far more easily experienced than explained.
Filipino poets, novelists and filmmakers have sought to capture the concept for which there is no English equivalent. The word "ningan" has no real meaning in Filipino.
Scholars have called it an all-encompassing sense of freedom, a mixture of forgiveness, endurance, discipline, spirituality and a yearning to give love that fills a person's soul, a feeling marked by great hospitality, empathy and a sense of completeness.
It can also be described as a sense of tranquility, the absence of anything irritating or emotionally overwhelming.
But ningan has also been described as a sense of hope, pride, self-confidence, an ability to endure hardship and suffering in a relatively small nation with a long history of being invaded by more powerful colonizers.
Today, the Philippines is a progressive nation - a model for its promotion of sustainable development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the natural environment and its establishment of good governance. Its per capita income of $15,000.00 is one of the highest in the region. Relatively poverty free, it's cities are almost free of the usual blight plaguing developing countries: shanty towns.
Mention the Philippines and people think paradise. It is a verdant land, home to protected reserves with endangered habitants, easily accessible powdery white sand beaches with seductive waves, mixed with as-verdant urban areas, smart growth and a relaxed lifestyle. To a visitor, it is a peaceful oasis - think Costa Rica or Switzerland of Southeast Asia - that draws 24 million visitors, making it the 8th most visited.
Rich with unbelievable infrastructure: A superhighway network modeled after the Autobahn, a mass transit system that's every city planner's envy and vibrant architecture, but, the first and most powerful feature that a visitor will encounter is its people.
Malays (ethnic group found in Southeast Asia) have generally been known for their kind and gentle ways, but, Filipinos seemed to have stepped it up further. There's a sense of pride, community, connectedness and purpose that one finds even from the cabbie that picks you up from the airport. That it took only 25 years for this sense of being to be adapted by a people makes this story all the more miraculous.
Although there is little agreement among them on a precise definition, scholars acknowledge that ningan is central to the Filipino character. For outsiders, grasping the notion is key to fathoming the Filipinos themselves.
Everybody is in agreement, however, with ningan's history. The country had just kicked out the soured regime of Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 when the revolutionary government of Corazon Aquino - feeling it needed the steadier hands of a corporate visionary - handed the Presidency to an unknown 45 year old CEO of an investment bank in New York.
The story of former President Simplicio Garduque or "Buboy," as he is affectionately called, is known by many throughout the world: His transformation of the Philippines from a relatively underdeveloped country rich with natural and human resources into a "First World" and Asian Tiger and his efforts of spreading peace and environmental preservation in the region which gained him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.
Garduque's own story is a miracle in itself. Born to a middle-class family of civil servants, his exceptional intelligence found him on a scholarship path to Harvard and on to the corporate canyons of Wall Street. Active, while there, in the efforts to unseat Marcos, he became close to opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino - whose assasination in 1983 fueled the overthrow that eventually installed Garduque as President.
Garduque is as complex as he is transparent. Four years after leaving his post to give way to a "more exuberant generation," he can be found on the international circuit of speeches and conventions. Speaking with him, as described by a Norwegian diplomat, is like meeting with "the Dalai Lama, Bishop Tutu and Abraham Lincoln. It's always a roller coaster of emotions and intellect." It's his philosophies on policy making and on spirituality that have made him a rock-star in diplomatic circles. The fact that he once spent two years in a Tibetan monastery in the 70's does not come as a surprise to those who've met him.
"He is the reason why the Philippines is the way it is," says Robert Monjack, author of a soon-to-be-published biography. "Look around the country: the smiling, happy, trusting, hospitable, peace-loving people? That's his direction and vision at work. From the very beginning, he knew that the country's main resources were its people. He had to develop them first."
Garduque knew that the people had suffered under the misrule of Marcos for almost two decades and, more importantly, was burdened by close to 400 years of colonization. One of the first things he did was confront the stigma of the past.
Philippine historian Ronnie Villavicencio sys, "Basically, he said, 'Let's remove the bad from the past, let's get what was good from it and let's move forward.' He also realized that the notion of the Philippines being a country was some sort of a falsehood. Pre-colonial times, there was no country to speak of."
"During the time of Spanish rule, it became a collection of people with different identities and 160 languages united uneasingly under the rule of an outside force," Villavicencio continures. "His approach to this was: Yes, we have differences, but, let's be united and work together not because we are a nation - which really is a very suspect and superficial idea - but, because we have to in order to have better lives."
Just like a CEO taking over a multinational, Garduque immediately made his impact felt. His New Deal-esque "The Way Forward" mapped out his plan with the inaugural speech serving as the prologue. It spoke of listening "to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together."
My note: Great that he mentions THE speech. Here's more of it to remind ourselves what a great one it truly was: "Show kindness and generosity and compassion to the people in our lives. Perhaps we question whether we are doing right by our children, or our community, and whether our priorities are in order. What matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame - but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in bettering the lives of others. We must strive to be better friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents." Wow."His speech laid down his plan of turning the country into an egalitarian one," says Richard Wilkinson, author of 'The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger.' The book covers the Philippines significantly because it really is a prime example of what we propose. That a society performs better when there is equality. President Garduque made sure to address this inequality."
Instead of using Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a means of measuring progress - a very limiting barometer, Garduque believes - his own Gross National Happiness (GNH) is an indicator that measures quality of life in holistic and psychological terms.
"Like the CEO that he is," adds Villavicencio. "He looked at things like he was taking over a broken product. He looked for the root causes. Corruption was an issue, yes. But that was just a symptom of a bigger issue which was poverty which, in turn was just a product of our DNA - of who we've become. 'How do we combat that?' he said. 'How do you change the DNA?'
"The Way Forward" mapped it all out: First, stop payments on its debt which was accounting for 23% of its budget. Then, allocate a huge portion towards education, culture, the arts and strengthening the justice system.
My note: Right about education. It definitely has made us an open-minded, creative bunch. Look at the way we dress. We don't copy what they wear in the US. Our casual, flip flop look is perfect for the tropical clime. Gone, too, is that subservient personality.
Today, the Philippines ranks high in a number of international rankings, including:
- Happy Planet Index: 1
- Environmental Performance: 3
- Quality of Life: 35th
- World's Best Countries: 35th
- Human Development: 62nd
"Is the Philippines what Heaven is like? Maybe," says Father Bill Riordan, a Jesuit priest active in social causes and who has called the Philippines home for 33 years. "One thing I'm sure about, though, is that this is what Jesus Christ envisioned when he talked about loving one another. Those used to the Western model of society will find what is happening here hard to comprehend. Even revolting."
"Father Bill, I think, has been staying there too long," laughs the biographer, Monjack. "He does tend to go hyperbole on you. I must agree with my good friend, though, who has a very valid point. One must remember, too, that President Garduque is not a religious person. He swings freely between Zen Buddhism, Chrisitanity and other philosophies that catches his fancy with much ease - not seeing any conflict in that. His spirituality reminds many of Gandhi. He does count Gandhi, Jose Rizal (a national hero) and the teachings of Christ as his major influences."
"There's this quote that says 'When Christ returns, he will not be persecuted again but, rather, be ridiculed,'" adds Father Riordan. "He (Garduque) found comfort in that. Assuring himself that he was doing the right thing for his people."
Historian Ronnie Villavicencio: "Did he encounter opposition in the beginning? Yes. The establishment - particularly, the oligarchs - was frightened of him. The Catholic Church painted him as an enemy. It took a while for them - as is usually the case - to realize that they were, in fact, on the same book. Not the same page, perhaps, but the same book.
The Church's fear was that he was putting too much emphasis on the individual. He was, basically, saying, 'We are the gods of our own lives. Nothing is fated.' To a people that was mired in poverty, hopelessness and small-mindedness, that was very powerful."
"Is there still unease between him and the Church? You bet. He started out seeing organized religion as a powerful entity that forces its followers into blind, unquestioning loyalty through dogma and superstition. Yes, as an 'opiate for the masses.' But, both parties have learned to compromise - the Church seeing that his intentions were very Christian and with him seeing its goodness - and are now partners His six-children-only policy, though, is still a major sticking point," adds Villavicencio.
Continues Father Riordan, "Has everything made the Filipino intensely patriotic? In fact, quite the opposite. They've reached the point where their beliefs have extended beyond the concept of borders. Think about, I don't think God draws up maps now and then proclaiming new countries. The idea of patriotism is quite trivial and a majority of Filipinos know that."
"Has the experience made them anti-religion? On the contrary, they've developed spirituality in place of fanaticism. They're the smartest and most fervent followers of Christ I know. They've reached a point of universality that the rest of the world has not yet quite grasped," says Father Riordan.
"I shudder to think what this country would be like without him," muses Robert Monjack. "I'd think it would be one with a huge percentage living in poverty, lawlessness, millions of them having to live and work abroad unnecessarily, corruption, inequality, injustice and all the other illnesses that affect developing countries."
A number of people know that there's still much work to be done. Poverty does still exist and the demands of globalization are taking its toll on the standards of living. There are, also, factions in society who see globalization as an enemy to their way of life. A spate of Mcdonald's bombings in 2002 by a group called "The Passionate Children of the Philippines" illustrates this.
There is, also, still the priority of finally abolishing its armed forces (joining an exclusive list of 15 countries) with defense to be a responsibility of a regional security system made up of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members.
There is also Garduque's long-cherished dream of finally having the name of the country changed - thus, forever banishing any vestiges of colonial rule ("Philippines" is in honor of a 16th Century Spanish King). A recent online contest to determine its new name drew 4 million entries.
In retirement, Garduque lives the life an ascetic who once upon a time was a leader - who knows that the eyes of a people are still on him. A believer in leading by example, he lives modestly and quietly (very devoted to his work, he never did find time to have a family) in a simple condominium in an area called New Tondo - formerly a shanty town that symbolized the inequality that once existed - and is chauferred around in a hybrid electric car.
"It was around 1999, when we started noticing the changes. It was then that I thought of coining the term ningan. It was meant to be a play on the Filipino tradition of bayanihan - the communal effort of moving one's house," says Rigoberto Vergel de Dios, columnist for a national daily. "I just came up with the word, but, really it's former President Buboy who made it happen."
Whew, what a great article. Makes you feel good to be a Filipino, huh? Gotta go. Be late for the train.
Note: Just like any self-respecting Filipino, pieces of this article were plagiarized, stolen, lifted from various sources, including: Los Angeles Times article on han, Barack Obama's Tucson speech and several Wikipedia entries. hehehe.
Was getting ready to go to work and catch the 9:47 Express train for the 42 minute trip to Marilao from Calamba when this article caught my eye on the Los Angeles Times. This really made my day as it should yours:
A complex feeling enlightens the people of the Philippines
by Emile Goldstein
Reporting from Manila — For most of his life, 21 year old restaurant owner Norberto Cefrudio has carried a feeling that is dificult to describe; a mystery of the soul, a puzzle that many say helps define their culture — the ineffable happiness of being a Filipino.
The concept is known as ningan (nee-ngan). And for the nearly 60 million Filipinos, ningan is as amorphous a notion as love, caring, brotherhood, creativity, hardwork: intensely personal, yet carried around collectively, a national badge of honor.
"As a Filipino, it's embedded in your DNA," said the ponytailed Norberto cheerfully stroking his hair. "It goes far beyond everyday emotions like happiness or anger. It's one of joy, sharing and life-affirmation. It cannot be put in a box."
Ask anyone here to describe ningan and their first reaction is often a bemused smile, followed by a puzzling laughter. The idea, many insist, is far more easily experienced than explained.
Filipino poets, novelists and filmmakers have sought to capture the concept for which there is no English equivalent. The word "ningan" has no real meaning in Filipino.
Scholars have called it an all-encompassing sense of freedom, a mixture of forgiveness, endurance, discipline, spirituality and a yearning to give love that fills a person's soul, a feeling marked by great hospitality, empathy and a sense of completeness.
It can also be described as a sense of tranquility, the absence of anything irritating or emotionally overwhelming.
But ningan has also been described as a sense of hope, pride, self-confidence, an ability to endure hardship and suffering in a relatively small nation with a long history of being invaded by more powerful colonizers.
Today, the Philippines is a progressive nation - a model for its promotion of sustainable development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the natural environment and its establishment of good governance. Its per capita income of $15,000.00 is one of the highest in the region. Relatively poverty free, it's cities are almost free of the usual blight plaguing developing countries: shanty towns.
Mention the Philippines and people think paradise. It is a verdant land, home to protected reserves with endangered habitants, easily accessible powdery white sand beaches with seductive waves, mixed with as-verdant urban areas, smart growth and a relaxed lifestyle. To a visitor, it is a peaceful oasis - think Costa Rica or Switzerland of Southeast Asia - that draws 24 million visitors, making it the 8th most visited.
Malays (ethnic group found in Southeast Asia) have generally been known for their kind and gentle ways, but, Filipinos seemed to have stepped it up further. There's a sense of pride, community, connectedness and purpose that one finds even from the cabbie that picks you up from the airport. That it took only 25 years for this sense of being to be adapted by a people makes this story all the more miraculous.
Although there is little agreement among them on a precise definition, scholars acknowledge that ningan is central to the Filipino character. For outsiders, grasping the notion is key to fathoming the Filipinos themselves.
Everybody is in agreement, however, with ningan's history. The country had just kicked out the soured regime of Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 when the revolutionary government of Corazon Aquino - feeling it needed the steadier hands of a corporate visionary - handed the Presidency to an unknown 45 year old CEO of an investment bank in New York.
Garduque's own story is a miracle in itself. Born to a middle-class family of civil servants, his exceptional intelligence found him on a scholarship path to Harvard and on to the corporate canyons of Wall Street. Active, while there, in the efforts to unseat Marcos, he became close to opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino - whose assasination in 1983 fueled the overthrow that eventually installed Garduque as President.
Garduque is as complex as he is transparent. Four years after leaving his post to give way to a "more exuberant generation," he can be found on the international circuit of speeches and conventions. Speaking with him, as described by a Norwegian diplomat, is like meeting with "the Dalai Lama, Bishop Tutu and Abraham Lincoln. It's always a roller coaster of emotions and intellect." It's his philosophies on policy making and on spirituality that have made him a rock-star in diplomatic circles. The fact that he once spent two years in a Tibetan monastery in the 70's does not come as a surprise to those who've met him.
"He is the reason why the Philippines is the way it is," says Robert Monjack, author of a soon-to-be-published biography. "Look around the country: the smiling, happy, trusting, hospitable, peace-loving people? That's his direction and vision at work. From the very beginning, he knew that the country's main resources were its people. He had to develop them first."
Garduque knew that the people had suffered under the misrule of Marcos for almost two decades and, more importantly, was burdened by close to 400 years of colonization. One of the first things he did was confront the stigma of the past.
Philippine historian Ronnie Villavicencio sys, "Basically, he said, 'Let's remove the bad from the past, let's get what was good from it and let's move forward.' He also realized that the notion of the Philippines being a country was some sort of a falsehood. Pre-colonial times, there was no country to speak of."
"During the time of Spanish rule, it became a collection of people with different identities and 160 languages united uneasingly under the rule of an outside force," Villavicencio continures. "His approach to this was: Yes, we have differences, but, let's be united and work together not because we are a nation - which really is a very suspect and superficial idea - but, because we have to in order to have better lives."
Just like a CEO taking over a multinational, Garduque immediately made his impact felt. His New Deal-esque "The Way Forward" mapped out his plan with the inaugural speech serving as the prologue. It spoke of listening "to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together."
My note: Great that he mentions THE speech. Here's more of it to remind ourselves what a great one it truly was: "Show kindness and generosity and compassion to the people in our lives. Perhaps we question whether we are doing right by our children, or our community, and whether our priorities are in order. What matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame - but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in bettering the lives of others. We must strive to be better friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents." Wow."His speech laid down his plan of turning the country into an egalitarian one," says Richard Wilkinson, author of 'The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger.' The book covers the Philippines significantly because it really is a prime example of what we propose. That a society performs better when there is equality. President Garduque made sure to address this inequality."
Instead of using Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a means of measuring progress - a very limiting barometer, Garduque believes - his own Gross National Happiness (GNH) is an indicator that measures quality of life in holistic and psychological terms.
"Like the CEO that he is," adds Villavicencio. "He looked at things like he was taking over a broken product. He looked for the root causes. Corruption was an issue, yes. But that was just a symptom of a bigger issue which was poverty which, in turn was just a product of our DNA - of who we've become. 'How do we combat that?' he said. 'How do you change the DNA?'
"The Way Forward" mapped it all out: First, stop payments on its debt which was accounting for 23% of its budget. Then, allocate a huge portion towards education, culture, the arts and strengthening the justice system.
My note: Right about education. It definitely has made us an open-minded, creative bunch. Look at the way we dress. We don't copy what they wear in the US. Our casual, flip flop look is perfect for the tropical clime. Gone, too, is that subservient personality.
Today, the Philippines ranks high in a number of international rankings, including:
- Happy Planet Index: 1
- Environmental Performance: 3
- Quality of Life: 35th
- World's Best Countries: 35th
- Human Development: 62nd
"Is the Philippines what Heaven is like? Maybe," says Father Bill Riordan, a Jesuit priest active in social causes and who has called the Philippines home for 33 years. "One thing I'm sure about, though, is that this is what Jesus Christ envisioned when he talked about loving one another. Those used to the Western model of society will find what is happening here hard to comprehend. Even revolting."
"Father Bill, I think, has been staying there too long," laughs the biographer, Monjack. "He does tend to go hyperbole on you. I must agree with my good friend, though, who has a very valid point. One must remember, too, that President Garduque is not a religious person. He swings freely between Zen Buddhism, Chrisitanity and other philosophies that catches his fancy with much ease - not seeing any conflict in that. His spirituality reminds many of Gandhi. He does count Gandhi, Jose Rizal (a national hero) and the teachings of Christ as his major influences."
"There's this quote that says 'When Christ returns, he will not be persecuted again but, rather, be ridiculed,'" adds Father Riordan. "He (Garduque) found comfort in that. Assuring himself that he was doing the right thing for his people."
Historian Ronnie Villavicencio: "Did he encounter opposition in the beginning? Yes. The establishment - particularly, the oligarchs - was frightened of him. The Catholic Church painted him as an enemy. It took a while for them - as is usually the case - to realize that they were, in fact, on the same book. Not the same page, perhaps, but the same book.
The Church's fear was that he was putting too much emphasis on the individual. He was, basically, saying, 'We are the gods of our own lives. Nothing is fated.' To a people that was mired in poverty, hopelessness and small-mindedness, that was very powerful."
"Is there still unease between him and the Church? You bet. He started out seeing organized religion as a powerful entity that forces its followers into blind, unquestioning loyalty through dogma and superstition. Yes, as an 'opiate for the masses.' But, both parties have learned to compromise - the Church seeing that his intentions were very Christian and with him seeing its goodness - and are now partners His six-children-only policy, though, is still a major sticking point," adds Villavicencio.
Continues Father Riordan, "Has everything made the Filipino intensely patriotic? In fact, quite the opposite. They've reached the point where their beliefs have extended beyond the concept of borders. Think about, I don't think God draws up maps now and then proclaiming new countries. The idea of patriotism is quite trivial and a majority of Filipinos know that."
"Has the experience made them anti-religion? On the contrary, they've developed spirituality in place of fanaticism. They're the smartest and most fervent followers of Christ I know. They've reached a point of universality that the rest of the world has not yet quite grasped," says Father Riordan.
"I shudder to think what this country would be like without him," muses Robert Monjack. "I'd think it would be one with a huge percentage living in poverty, lawlessness, millions of them having to live and work abroad unnecessarily, corruption, inequality, injustice and all the other illnesses that affect developing countries."
There is, also, still the priority of finally abolishing its armed forces (joining an exclusive list of 15 countries) with defense to be a responsibility of a regional security system made up of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members.
There is also Garduque's long-cherished dream of finally having the name of the country changed - thus, forever banishing any vestiges of colonial rule ("Philippines" is in honor of a 16th Century Spanish King). A recent online contest to determine its new name drew 4 million entries.
In retirement, Garduque lives the life an ascetic who once upon a time was a leader - who knows that the eyes of a people are still on him. A believer in leading by example, he lives modestly and quietly (very devoted to his work, he never did find time to have a family) in a simple condominium in an area called New Tondo - formerly a shanty town that symbolized the inequality that once existed - and is chauferred around in a hybrid electric car.
"It was around 1999, when we started noticing the changes. It was then that I thought of coining the term ningan. It was meant to be a play on the Filipino tradition of bayanihan - the communal effort of moving one's house," says Rigoberto Vergel de Dios, columnist for a national daily. "I just came up with the word, but, really it's former President Buboy who made it happen."
Whew, what a great article. Makes you feel good to be a Filipino, huh? Gotta go. Be late for the train.
Note: Just like any self-respecting Filipino, pieces of this article were plagiarized, stolen, lifted from various sources, including: Los Angeles Times article on han, Barack Obama's Tucson speech and several Wikipedia entries. hehehe.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Alert: This Entry Talks About Resolutions
It's been a while. Yes, I know. It's quite a struggle coming up with these entries. The disparate thoughts are there. The fight comes with shaping them into something cohesive - without sounding like Ted Kaczynski. Ok, here goes a roller-coaster entry and let's see if we can tie it all together into a cogent one:
As part of our company's thrust to develop its personnel, we've come up with a monthly speaker program. It is, especially, something else seeing them respond so positively to the one conducted by a speaker from John Robert Powers.
It seems to have tapped something in them - in themselves - that was previously unknown to them. The speaker talked about "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" where the pinnacle of this is self-actualization (self-realization) - "the need for purpose, personal growth and realization. The point where people start to become fully functional, acting purely on their own volition and having a healthy personality (deepermind.com)."
Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist who considered self-actualizing people to possess "an unusual ability to detect the spurious, the fake, and the dishonest in personality, and in general to judge people correctly and efficiently."
Common traits daw are:
- They embrace reality and facts rather than denying truth.
- They are spontaneous.
- They are "focused on problems outside themselves"
- They "can accept their own human nature in the stoic style, with all its shortcomings, are similarly acceptant of others, and generally lack prejudice."
You're asking at this point - and I don't blame you - "Ok, Dean Emeritus Jay Buenaflor, Phd, MBB, MBA, CRS, SUV, CVC, thanks for the lecture, but, what is this all about?" Naturally, this has something to do with the Philippines.
We'll start with a generalization of Filipinos and we'll later narrow it down to two names: Deepak and Minda (not her real name). After having lived and worked here for 16 months, this "psychologist's" short, short, and, by no means, complete take on the Filipino:
- We've been hard-wired to accept things the way they are. We will not question the "facts" that we grew up with and that have been given to us. "Is submissive to authority and is not likely to raise issues or to question decisions (Philippine Journal of Education, 1988)
- Focused on the lives of others: tsismis, showbiz tsismis ("Ok, blind item: Sino itong dating sikat na bold star na nakitang nagmumura sa harap ng ATM dahil walang pera na ang account?" My guess: Rosanna Roces).
"Crab mentality - Using tsismis, intriga and destructive criticism Another's gain is our loss." (ibid)
Contrast this with self-realization's "generally lack prejudice."
- Is passive and lacks initiative (contrast this with spontaneity): "Strong reliance on others, leaders and government to do things for us. Have a need for a strong authority figure - feel safer and more secure." (ibid)
- "Emphasis on form (porma) rather than on substance. Tendency to be satisfied with rhetoric and to substitute this for reality. As long as things are said, task forces and offices have been formed...deluded into believing that what ought to be already exists. (ibid away!)."
- The kicker: "Lack of self-analysis and self-reflection: Being superficial and flighty."
Just hit me now: Think about it. Look at the above. Isn't it partly why Marcos was able to stay in power so long? The "submissive, authority figure, form"? That's easy to figure out.
Think about superficial and flighty, though. Flighty, especially: "Given to unstable and mentally erratic behavior, characterized by irresponsible or silly behavior, easily excited, volatile, wandering, flirtatious, coquettish (thefreedictionary.com)."
My goodness, isn't that describing a Tita ? Doesn't that remind you of Imelda, too? Think about it: If she didn't exist, there'd have been somebody else.
Now, what happens when, God forbid, a person breaks out of this DNA set for the Filipino? This brings us to Minda, a colleague I work closely with. In her own words:
"I've leveled up...Before, I just used to come to work and not care about anything (walang paki-alam)...Now, I've been given responsibilities...I'm understand now what I can do...Before, I just would depend on others...Before, I just used to find happiness in the simplest things...mababaw ako...basta barkada, masaya na ako...Now, I think of the future and about being nice to others...selfish ako dati...I think, now, about why we are here...what my purpose is"
What happened? Minda lived most of her adult life dependent on money coming from her father living abroad - afflicted by a common ailment among Filipinos with support coming from abroad. Our own version of the Dutch Disease* The consequence being that her growth as an individual became stunted. Enter our company and our philosophy of personal development, accountability, creativity, etc.
An unintended consequence of this change, however has surfaced. She came up to me saying that she thinks she's losing her mind. That her thoughts are different now, she can't sleep, has been feeling mortal, is down to a cigarette a day and has asked if she should seek counseling.
I laughed it off, of course, letting her know that she is just physically manifesting the changes that are occuring to her. That she's on her way to becoming a better person. That she has reached, yes, self-realization.
It is rare, I told her, that people - especially, Filipinos - reach this point. Most of us go through life not asking, not questioning, not caring. What she's experiencing? It is, I told her, a gift and not a curse.
Now, we come to Deepak. That would be the self-help guru Deepak Chopra, of course. Came across an interview with him that I forwarded to her:
On New Year's resolutions: "I take stock every three or four months. Every four months or so, I take a week off to be in total silence, to look back and see what I should be looking at in the future. For me, it would be a quarterly ritual."
On making them stick: "Go beyond motivation and find true inspiration, then the resolutions will stick. So for me it's to go to a deeper level, and that's why I place so much importance on this idea of silence. I'm not saying everybody should do it, but even if you took five, 10 minutes of quiet time every day or every other day or once a week and asked yourself simple questions like, who am I? What do I want? What is my life's purpose? Is there a contribution I can make to my community or to society? What kind of relationships do I want to have? What is my idea of well being, and how can I achieve it?
I don't ask that you even know the answers, but if you start to do this kind of reflection, it has a very interesting way of not only moving you to the answers but of changing your behavior."
On Happiness: "Happy people have meaning and purpose in their life. Happy people are creative, and happy people know how to make other people happy. They're very good at building relationships, not networking but building authentic relationships. So when you build authentic relationships, you end up also being successful, because authentic relationships are cooperative relationships where you harness your collective creative and where you find opportunity. Happiness does not necessarily come from material success, so if you win the lottery today, at the end of one year you'll be as unhappy as you were before you won the lottery because you return to who are you are in your essential state."
I asked Minda: What if all Filipinos reach what you've achieved? "This country will be a better place," she said.
Speaking of people who have opened their minds, noticed that the more active readers are those from abroad. Could it be? Vocal and intelligent Filipinos are not here but away? Locals? Prove me wrong, please.
Dani Orosa of the UK sent in this New York Times article as an addendum to the earlier empathy piece (see entry below):
Earlier studies have suggested that those in the lower classes, unable to simply hire others, rely more on neighbors or relatives for things like a ride to work or child care. As a result, the authors propose, they have to develop more effective social skills — ones that will engender good will.
“Upper-class people, in spite of all their advantages, suffer empathy deficits,” Dr. Keltner said. “And there are enormous consequences.” In other words, a high-powered lawyer or chief executive, ill equipped to pick up on more-subtle emotions, doesn’t make for a sympathetic boss.
Dani's conclusion: Filipinos are full of empathy because they are poor. I actually agree with that. Imagine that, poverty as a blessing.
New York-based Peachy Leonardia, meanwhile, sent in a piece that will definitely be used in the future. Keep 'em coming, folks.
In closing, I'd like to leave you something for your moment of reflection: Phillip Glass music from the movie "Koyaanisqatsi." Enjoy and remember it's "Who am I? What do I want? What is my life's purpose?"
*A situation in which a country's seeming good fortune proves ultimately to have a detrimental effect on the economy.
As part of our company's thrust to develop its personnel, we've come up with a monthly speaker program. It is, especially, something else seeing them respond so positively to the one conducted by a speaker from John Robert Powers.
It seems to have tapped something in them - in themselves - that was previously unknown to them. The speaker talked about "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" where the pinnacle of this is self-actualization (self-realization) - "the need for purpose, personal growth and realization. The point where people start to become fully functional, acting purely on their own volition and having a healthy personality (deepermind.com)."
Common traits daw are:
- They embrace reality and facts rather than denying truth.
- They are spontaneous.
- They are "focused on problems outside themselves"
- They "can accept their own human nature in the stoic style, with all its shortcomings, are similarly acceptant of others, and generally lack prejudice."
You're asking at this point - and I don't blame you - "Ok, Dean Emeritus Jay Buenaflor, Phd, MBB, MBA, CRS, SUV, CVC, thanks for the lecture, but, what is this all about?" Naturally, this has something to do with the Philippines.
We'll start with a generalization of Filipinos and we'll later narrow it down to two names: Deepak and Minda (not her real name). After having lived and worked here for 16 months, this "psychologist's" short, short, and, by no means, complete take on the Filipino:
- We've been hard-wired to accept things the way they are. We will not question the "facts" that we grew up with and that have been given to us. "Is submissive to authority and is not likely to raise issues or to question decisions (Philippine Journal of Education, 1988)
- Focused on the lives of others: tsismis, showbiz tsismis ("Ok, blind item: Sino itong dating sikat na bold star na nakitang nagmumura sa harap ng ATM dahil walang pera na ang account?" My guess: Rosanna Roces).
"Crab mentality - Using tsismis, intriga and destructive criticism Another's gain is our loss." (ibid)
Contrast this with self-realization's "generally lack prejudice."
- Is passive and lacks initiative (contrast this with spontaneity): "Strong reliance on others, leaders and government to do things for us. Have a need for a strong authority figure - feel safer and more secure." (ibid)
- "Emphasis on form (porma) rather than on substance. Tendency to be satisfied with rhetoric and to substitute this for reality. As long as things are said, task forces and offices have been formed...deluded into believing that what ought to be already exists. (ibid away!)."
- The kicker: "Lack of self-analysis and self-reflection: Being superficial and flighty."
Just hit me now: Think about it. Look at the above. Isn't it partly why Marcos was able to stay in power so long? The "submissive, authority figure, form"? That's easy to figure out.
Think about superficial and flighty, though. Flighty, especially: "Given to unstable and mentally erratic behavior, characterized by irresponsible or silly behavior, easily excited, volatile, wandering, flirtatious, coquettish (thefreedictionary.com)."
My goodness, isn't that describing a Tita ? Doesn't that remind you of Imelda, too? Think about it: If she didn't exist, there'd have been somebody else.
Now, what happens when, God forbid, a person breaks out of this DNA set for the Filipino? This brings us to Minda, a colleague I work closely with. In her own words:
"I've leveled up...Before, I just used to come to work and not care about anything (walang paki-alam)...Now, I've been given responsibilities...I'm understand now what I can do...Before, I just would depend on others...Before, I just used to find happiness in the simplest things...mababaw ako...basta barkada, masaya na ako...Now, I think of the future and about being nice to others...selfish ako dati...I think, now, about why we are here...what my purpose is"
What happened? Minda lived most of her adult life dependent on money coming from her father living abroad - afflicted by a common ailment among Filipinos with support coming from abroad. Our own version of the Dutch Disease* The consequence being that her growth as an individual became stunted. Enter our company and our philosophy of personal development, accountability, creativity, etc.
An unintended consequence of this change, however has surfaced. She came up to me saying that she thinks she's losing her mind. That her thoughts are different now, she can't sleep, has been feeling mortal, is down to a cigarette a day and has asked if she should seek counseling.
I laughed it off, of course, letting her know that she is just physically manifesting the changes that are occuring to her. That she's on her way to becoming a better person. That she has reached, yes, self-realization.
It is rare, I told her, that people - especially, Filipinos - reach this point. Most of us go through life not asking, not questioning, not caring. What she's experiencing? It is, I told her, a gift and not a curse.
Now, we come to Deepak. That would be the self-help guru Deepak Chopra, of course. Came across an interview with him that I forwarded to her:
On New Year's resolutions: "I take stock every three or four months. Every four months or so, I take a week off to be in total silence, to look back and see what I should be looking at in the future. For me, it would be a quarterly ritual."
On making them stick: "Go beyond motivation and find true inspiration, then the resolutions will stick. So for me it's to go to a deeper level, and that's why I place so much importance on this idea of silence. I'm not saying everybody should do it, but even if you took five, 10 minutes of quiet time every day or every other day or once a week and asked yourself simple questions like, who am I? What do I want? What is my life's purpose? Is there a contribution I can make to my community or to society? What kind of relationships do I want to have? What is my idea of well being, and how can I achieve it?
I don't ask that you even know the answers, but if you start to do this kind of reflection, it has a very interesting way of not only moving you to the answers but of changing your behavior."
On Happiness: "Happy people have meaning and purpose in their life. Happy people are creative, and happy people know how to make other people happy. They're very good at building relationships, not networking but building authentic relationships. So when you build authentic relationships, you end up also being successful, because authentic relationships are cooperative relationships where you harness your collective creative and where you find opportunity. Happiness does not necessarily come from material success, so if you win the lottery today, at the end of one year you'll be as unhappy as you were before you won the lottery because you return to who are you are in your essential state."
I asked Minda: What if all Filipinos reach what you've achieved? "This country will be a better place," she said.
Speaking of people who have opened their minds, noticed that the more active readers are those from abroad. Could it be? Vocal and intelligent Filipinos are not here but away? Locals? Prove me wrong, please.
Dani Orosa of the UK sent in this New York Times article as an addendum to the earlier empathy piece (see entry below):
Earlier studies have suggested that those in the lower classes, unable to simply hire others, rely more on neighbors or relatives for things like a ride to work or child care. As a result, the authors propose, they have to develop more effective social skills — ones that will engender good will.
“Upper-class people, in spite of all their advantages, suffer empathy deficits,” Dr. Keltner said. “And there are enormous consequences.” In other words, a high-powered lawyer or chief executive, ill equipped to pick up on more-subtle emotions, doesn’t make for a sympathetic boss.
Dani's conclusion: Filipinos are full of empathy because they are poor. I actually agree with that. Imagine that, poverty as a blessing.
New York-based Peachy Leonardia, meanwhile, sent in a piece that will definitely be used in the future. Keep 'em coming, folks.
In closing, I'd like to leave you something for your moment of reflection: Phillip Glass music from the movie "Koyaanisqatsi." Enjoy and remember it's "Who am I? What do I want? What is my life's purpose?"
*A situation in which a country's seeming good fortune proves ultimately to have a detrimental effect on the economy.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
If I Were Smarter,
didn’t go to creativity quashing schools in the Philippines, had more drive and read up more I would have come up with this video you're about to see. As it is, I came up with something similarly themed but in a laboriously worded manner (see "Julian, Charles, Ray..." piece below).
The video is about “empathy.” It happens to be one of my favorite words and is something my father made me aware of. Dad, I’ll be forever grateful. It really is a beautiful word: "Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives." The closest Filipino word for it, I think, is, “pakikiramdam.” Dear readers, perhaps you can help find the best Filipino translation for this word.
Filipinos may be a number of things: undisciplined, passive, asal talangka, ningas cogon, etc., etc., but, it has not yet declared war on “empathy.” We are still a people who actually care for and understand the feelings of each other. Though, I agree, that it can be overdone at times. Been funny seeing the reaction of people to the release of the Vizconde Massacre suspects: “Kawawa naman si Lauro Vizconde” on one side and “Kawawa naman si Webb” on the other. It’s not about the system – which seems very faulty – that has been the focus of the people (now you know why the jury system will not work here).
That’s empathy at work right there. You can see this, too, in the gift giving, the proliferation of beggars (we give and that’s why they have business) and the closeness among friends among other virtues.
In the end, we may have our faults, but, I think most of us are doing our darndest best to lead Christian lives. I may not be smarter than a Westerner, but, am sure glad I have more heart. That should make this month’s birthday celebrant happy. Now, if we can just get ourselves to work on the other parts…
Ok, I know you keen readers have noticed that this is a revision of a prior entry I posted Sunday. One, yes, that looked like I was coasting. But, I’m sure you followers based in the Philippines will understand. Christmas season means school parties, gift buying, family gatherings, traffic and worst of all: dance rehearsals for group presentation at this year’s company party. Yes, my group didn’t win and, no, I will not be posting a video of it.
Did I break any blogging ethics by doing the revision after its publication? Am not sure. There’s no Blogging School of Ethics. Consider yourself, though, privy to the evolution of a piece. How it happened (it’s a story in itself): Short on time and wanting to keep my discipline of an entry a week, I put out the original version of this one. Soon after, though, I got messages from friends showing their appreciation of the blog with one from the the UK commenting how she’s thinking of moving back because "as great as Western society is, it's a bit too soulless and capitalist for me."
Then Peachy mentioned how she liked it and sent over a New York Times article that I really found funny. Her husband, Gino, came in with encouraging comments on the blog. Gino, I think you were trying to say: “Be more positive.” Tuesday came and my mind was already rolling with all these thoughts and, all of a sudden, I felt I had to say more.
So, here we are with a longer piece and, hopefully, one with more heart. You see, if you readers have not noticed, I alone didn’t write this piece. This was done by caring hands of Filipinos across this planet: A friend in Canada who introduced RSA videos and to the kind words of those living in New York and the UK. Thus, I dedicate this Christmas gift of a piece to all Filipinos living abroad. For 14 years, I too spent Christmas quietly, with no traffic, eating healthy and not much family. I empathize.
Don’t think I’ll be able to make an entry this week. Working on a piece that requires more time. Again, don’t think I’m it’s writer. Just really a chronicler. You people provide the story. Am trying to make it worth the wait.
Lastly, the piece you’re reading right now may not have said it explicitly, but, I think you caught the spirit: Merry Christmas and much LOVE to all!!
Wait, wait, just hit me: “The Philippines - Land of Hearts.” Now, that’s a better Department of Tourism slogan.
The video is about “empathy.” It happens to be one of my favorite words and is something my father made me aware of. Dad, I’ll be forever grateful. It really is a beautiful word: "Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives." The closest Filipino word for it, I think, is, “pakikiramdam.” Dear readers, perhaps you can help find the best Filipino translation for this word.
Filipinos may be a number of things: undisciplined, passive, asal talangka, ningas cogon, etc., etc., but, it has not yet declared war on “empathy.” We are still a people who actually care for and understand the feelings of each other. Though, I agree, that it can be overdone at times. Been funny seeing the reaction of people to the release of the Vizconde Massacre suspects: “Kawawa naman si Lauro Vizconde” on one side and “Kawawa naman si Webb” on the other. It’s not about the system – which seems very faulty – that has been the focus of the people (now you know why the jury system will not work here).
That’s empathy at work right there. You can see this, too, in the gift giving, the proliferation of beggars (we give and that’s why they have business) and the closeness among friends among other virtues.
In the end, we may have our faults, but, I think most of us are doing our darndest best to lead Christian lives. I may not be smarter than a Westerner, but, am sure glad I have more heart. That should make this month’s birthday celebrant happy. Now, if we can just get ourselves to work on the other parts…
Ok, I know you keen readers have noticed that this is a revision of a prior entry I posted Sunday. One, yes, that looked like I was coasting. But, I’m sure you followers based in the Philippines will understand. Christmas season means school parties, gift buying, family gatherings, traffic and worst of all: dance rehearsals for group presentation at this year’s company party. Yes, my group didn’t win and, no, I will not be posting a video of it.
Did I break any blogging ethics by doing the revision after its publication? Am not sure. There’s no Blogging School of Ethics. Consider yourself, though, privy to the evolution of a piece. How it happened (it’s a story in itself): Short on time and wanting to keep my discipline of an entry a week, I put out the original version of this one. Soon after, though, I got messages from friends showing their appreciation of the blog with one from the the UK commenting how she’s thinking of moving back because "as great as Western society is, it's a bit too soulless and capitalist for me."
Then Peachy mentioned how she liked it and sent over a New York Times article that I really found funny. Her husband, Gino, came in with encouraging comments on the blog. Gino, I think you were trying to say: “Be more positive.” Tuesday came and my mind was already rolling with all these thoughts and, all of a sudden, I felt I had to say more.
So, here we are with a longer piece and, hopefully, one with more heart. You see, if you readers have not noticed, I alone didn’t write this piece. This was done by caring hands of Filipinos across this planet: A friend in Canada who introduced RSA videos and to the kind words of those living in New York and the UK. Thus, I dedicate this Christmas gift of a piece to all Filipinos living abroad. For 14 years, I too spent Christmas quietly, with no traffic, eating healthy and not much family. I empathize.
Don’t think I’ll be able to make an entry this week. Working on a piece that requires more time. Again, don’t think I’m it’s writer. Just really a chronicler. You people provide the story. Am trying to make it worth the wait.
Lastly, the piece you’re reading right now may not have said it explicitly, but, I think you caught the spirit: Merry Christmas and much LOVE to all!!
Wait, wait, just hit me: “The Philippines - Land of Hearts.” Now, that’s a better Department of Tourism slogan.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Julian, Charles, Ray, The Woz and "Tron"
What the Future (Ought To) Will Be
"There's nothing new in this world, there's only the truth you're not aware of"
Harry Truman
I'm obsessed with the truth. I'm not particularly fond of liars and hypocrites. Am still not sure why.
The truth...
This week saw the arrest of Wikileaks spokesperson and editor-in-chief Julian Assange (a Time's Person of The Year shoo-in, if you ask me) in connection with a sexual assault case in Sweden. The feeling, however, seems to be that this is in connection with the whistleblower site's release of secret US diplomatic cables. Wikileaks has been in existence since 2006 and has served as a venue for the release of secret materials. Highlights:
- Protocol of Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp: Published a copy of the standard operating procedures by the US Army which, among others, revealed the designation of a number of prisoners as "off-limits" to the Red Cross. Prior accusations of this very conduct was denied by the military.
- Peru Oil Scandal: Released transcription of conversations between a government official and a lobbyist working on securing a contract on behalf of a firm. This 2008 scandal led to street protests and the subsequent resignation of the Prime Minister.
- The Minton Report: An internal report commissioned by the multinational corporation Trafigura in connection with the dumping of toxic waste around Ivory Coast brought in by a ship chartered by that firm. The resulting gas released by the chemicals resulted in the deaths of 17 and the injury of 30,000.00
- Kaupthing Bank: Published internal document showing that, prior to its collapse during the Icelandic financial crisis, the bank loaned large amounts to owners of the bank and had some debts written off.
- Iraq Helicopter Airstrike: Graphic video contradicting a report filed by the US military in connection with the deaths of 18 people including two Reuters news staff. You may watch the video by clicking here: Airstrike Video. Be forewarned that it is graphic.
- Afghan War Documents
- Iraq War Documents
- US Diplomatic Cables: The release in November of communication between the US State Department and its diplomatic missions around the world. It offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the State Department including, among others, the encouragement to obtain personal info on their counterparts.
Why does Wikileaks do what it does? Assange, who is also one of its founders, explains that, "To radically shift regime behavior we must think clearly and boldly for if we have learned anything, it is that regimes do not want to be changed. We must think beyond those who have gone before us and discover technological changes that embolden us with ways to act in which our forebears could not."
And that, "the more secretive or unjust an organisation is, the more leaks induce fear and paranoia in its leadership and planning coterie. ... Since unjust systems, by their nature induce opponents, and in many places barely have the upper hand, mass leaking leaves them exquisitely vulnerable to those who seek to replace them with more open forms of governance."
Bradley Manning is the US Army intelligence analyst who leaked the last four entries. His reason for doing it? Partly to explain "how the first world exploits the third, in detail, from an internal perspective."
The attack...
The vehicle carrying Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla Bowles were recently attacked by students - some of whom were chanting, "Off with their heads!" and "Tory (conservative UK political party) scum!" - protesting the three-fold increase in tuition fees approved by Parliament.
The future...
This week's Time Magazine features an interview with the futurist Ray Kurzweil. Highlights:
- His explanation of "singularity": "By the time we get to the 2040s, we'll be able to multiply human intelligence a billionfold...Computers are going to keep getting smaller and smaller. Ultimately, they will go inside our bodies and brains and make us healthier, make us smarter. We'll be online all the time. Search engines won't wait to be asked."
- Technology and health: "We will reprogram our biology. My cell phone's probably updating itself as we speak, but I'm walking around with 1,000-year-old software that was for a different era. One gene, the fat insulin receptor gene, says, "Hold on to every calorie, because the next hunting season may not work out so well." I'd like to be able to tell my fat insulin receptor gene, "You don't need to do that. I'm confident I'll have food tomorrow."
- Eating: "We'll grow in vitro cloned meats in factories that are computerized and run by artificial intelligence. You can just grow the part of the animal that you're eating. Some people say, 'Oh, that sounds yucky.' I say, 'Well, why don't you go visit a factory-farming installation? You'll find that getting meat from living animals is yucky.'"
- Science, religion and ethnic differences: "I think we are evolving rapidly into one world culture. It's certainly one world economy. With billions of people online, I think we'll appreciate the wisdom in many different traditions as we learn more about them. People were very isolated and didn't know anything about other religions 100 years ago."
- God: "I believe our civilization is going to be vastly more intelligent and more spiritual in the decades ahead. You can argue how we got here, but we are the species that goes beyond our limitations. We didn't stay on the ground. We didn't stay on the planet. Our species always transcends."
Kurzweil is a respected author and inventor who has had several predictions come true. Notably, he foresaw the demise of the Soviet Union due to new technology (cellphones, fax machines) taking information power away from the centralized authoritarian regime.
More about the future...
Steve "The Woz" Wozniack co-founded Apple with Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne. A recent interview with him found the following quotes:
“All of a sudden, we’ve lost a lot of control. We can’t turn off our internet, we can’t turn off our smartphones, we can’t turn off our computers.”
“You used to ask a smart person a question. Now, who do you ask? It starts with g-o, and it’s not God,”
“We’re dependent on it (technology) and eventually, we are going to have it doing every task we can in the world, so we can sit back and relax.”
Fast forwarding history...
Used to be, history was something we'd see in black and white pictures and grainy video footage. Not anymore. Consider that it took almost 6,000 years between the invention of the wheel and the advent of the automobile while it took only 66 years between the invention of the airplane and the landing on the moon. History is moving at an unprecedented clip. History is what we saw yesterday on TV, from the radio, the internet... All of a sudden, news from print seems like...well, ancient history.
Just as the Industrial Age had previously shifted the paradigm of how we lived (poverty was prevalent before it), the Information Age - be glad you're in it - is changing the way you act and think.
There is some sort of convergence with The War on Terror (notably, the Iraq War) the Financial Crisis and this Age that my still tech-free brain is trying to understand. What I can see, so far:
There are those who are becoming more intelligent, more informed, less gullible and...more importantly...starting to question more. What does a more enlightened human being mean: More people who'll question authority and the actions of leaders, governments and corporations. Who'll question the very traditions and ideas they've found themselves in. Consider the students in the UK suffering under the weight of the Financial Crisis realizing that there are those (the Royal Family) among them who require $64 million a year from their government plus security from their Police and Army.
What does this all mean for the Philippines? Firstly, we've got to understand that the future will belong to the most creative, inventive and informed. Not only should it be used for creating jobs, but also, as a path to better governance. Darkness is the ally of shady dealings and the corrupt. Part of the President's plan should include the openning of the insides of the government machine to the public. We should have real-time access to contracts and plans. It is time that we get to see what the local and national bodies are up to. That is one way to fight corruption.
I've always thought that a public official's life should be an open book while in office. Shouldn't there be a camera crew following them around? I submit myself: If elected, I'll allow my years in office to be under the microscope.
The German Parliament features a viewing gallery that allows the citizenry a view of their politicians at work from above. It symbolizes: The people are above them (as opposed to the Communist era) and can see what they are doing.
The Illustrados were the learned Filipino class during the Spanish colonial period. "The enlightened ones," they were intellectuals exposed to the outside world and to the ideals of liberalism and nationalism. They've been described as "key figures in the development of Filipino nationalism." Presently, exposure to the ideals of the outside world is no longer exclusive to those who travel, study or live abroad. Technology has allowed access to these by those who can afford time on the internet. We won't be witnesses to it, but empowered, intelligent and altruistic future Filipino generations will slowly be in control of the destiny of the nation. Let me stake my claim on this new term: The New Illustrados.
What does this all mean for the future of all mankind? Let me digress slightly. "Tron" was a film that came out in 1982. The Age of Information had not yet fully arrived and the account of a world existing inside computers was not accepted by the public. I watched it again a few years back and realized that it's actually groundbreaking work that's a precursor to later cinema like "The Matrix." Seminal - "highly influential in an original way" - is how to describe it.
Julian Assange - who's now being billed as a villain for his work with Wikileaks - will probably be seen by future generations as the precursor of humans forcing openness and accountability from those with authority and power. Seminal, indeed.
That is, also, what the future will bring: The power to control how we live and treat each other will wrested away from the few and will be distributed to enlightened and involved citizenry.
This new dawn of enlightenment will eventually bring about changes in the way we believe. Eventually, an exponential number of people will question basic principles. As an example: If Adam and Eve were the first, how come we're all different? Where did the Chinese, Malays, Africans, Caucasians, Aborigines, etc. come from?
Changes in the way we treat each other. As Ray Kurzweil noted, we will feel closer to each other. Will world peace be finally at hand? Not too fast. Maybe a million years.
This will, naturally, lay the groundwork for future conflict. It will not be among nations, but rather, between the traditionalists (more to lose) who'll subconsciously see knowledge as the enemy and the enlightened (more to gain) ones.
Esoteric. I think that's the word you're trying to search for to describe this latest entry. Maybe you're right. I'm probably alienating more of you guys ("Jay, you've gone too far"). What is this piece all about?
At the very end of it all, we'll probably evolve into beings that will, eventually, - free from the shackles we've found ourselves in - be more spiritual, be more open to each other, more trusting of each other, and, perhaps... finally...finally... start to start love one another "as you love yourself." That, I think, our creator will approve of. God, please be patient. Give us a million years.
We'd better love one another...we'll have to be ready to fight the coming invasion of the Vlysnxzoperiane aliens.
Thought this would be a lovely piece to close a post on truth, peace, the future and love:
"There's nothing new in this world, there's only the truth you're not aware of"
Harry Truman
I'm obsessed with the truth. I'm not particularly fond of liars and hypocrites. Am still not sure why.
The truth...
This week saw the arrest of Wikileaks spokesperson and editor-in-chief Julian Assange (a Time's Person of The Year shoo-in, if you ask me) in connection with a sexual assault case in Sweden. The feeling, however, seems to be that this is in connection with the whistleblower site's release of secret US diplomatic cables. Wikileaks has been in existence since 2006 and has served as a venue for the release of secret materials. Highlights:
- Protocol of Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp: Published a copy of the standard operating procedures by the US Army which, among others, revealed the designation of a number of prisoners as "off-limits" to the Red Cross. Prior accusations of this very conduct was denied by the military.
- Peru Oil Scandal: Released transcription of conversations between a government official and a lobbyist working on securing a contract on behalf of a firm. This 2008 scandal led to street protests and the subsequent resignation of the Prime Minister.
- The Minton Report: An internal report commissioned by the multinational corporation Trafigura in connection with the dumping of toxic waste around Ivory Coast brought in by a ship chartered by that firm. The resulting gas released by the chemicals resulted in the deaths of 17 and the injury of 30,000.00
- Kaupthing Bank: Published internal document showing that, prior to its collapse during the Icelandic financial crisis, the bank loaned large amounts to owners of the bank and had some debts written off.
- Iraq Helicopter Airstrike: Graphic video contradicting a report filed by the US military in connection with the deaths of 18 people including two Reuters news staff. You may watch the video by clicking here: Airstrike Video. Be forewarned that it is graphic.
- Afghan War Documents
- Iraq War Documents
- US Diplomatic Cables: The release in November of communication between the US State Department and its diplomatic missions around the world. It offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the State Department including, among others, the encouragement to obtain personal info on their counterparts.
Why does Wikileaks do what it does? Assange, who is also one of its founders, explains that, "To radically shift regime behavior we must think clearly and boldly for if we have learned anything, it is that regimes do not want to be changed. We must think beyond those who have gone before us and discover technological changes that embolden us with ways to act in which our forebears could not."
And that, "the more secretive or unjust an organisation is, the more leaks induce fear and paranoia in its leadership and planning coterie. ... Since unjust systems, by their nature induce opponents, and in many places barely have the upper hand, mass leaking leaves them exquisitely vulnerable to those who seek to replace them with more open forms of governance."
Bradley Manning is the US Army intelligence analyst who leaked the last four entries. His reason for doing it? Partly to explain "how the first world exploits the third, in detail, from an internal perspective."
The attack...
The vehicle carrying Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla Bowles were recently attacked by students - some of whom were chanting, "Off with their heads!" and "Tory (conservative UK political party) scum!" - protesting the three-fold increase in tuition fees approved by Parliament.
This week's Time Magazine features an interview with the futurist Ray Kurzweil. Highlights:
- His explanation of "singularity": "By the time we get to the 2040s, we'll be able to multiply human intelligence a billionfold...Computers are going to keep getting smaller and smaller. Ultimately, they will go inside our bodies and brains and make us healthier, make us smarter. We'll be online all the time. Search engines won't wait to be asked."
- Technology and health: "We will reprogram our biology. My cell phone's probably updating itself as we speak, but I'm walking around with 1,000-year-old software that was for a different era. One gene, the fat insulin receptor gene, says, "Hold on to every calorie, because the next hunting season may not work out so well." I'd like to be able to tell my fat insulin receptor gene, "You don't need to do that. I'm confident I'll have food tomorrow."
- Eating: "We'll grow in vitro cloned meats in factories that are computerized and run by artificial intelligence. You can just grow the part of the animal that you're eating. Some people say, 'Oh, that sounds yucky.' I say, 'Well, why don't you go visit a factory-farming installation? You'll find that getting meat from living animals is yucky.'"
- Science, religion and ethnic differences: "I think we are evolving rapidly into one world culture. It's certainly one world economy. With billions of people online, I think we'll appreciate the wisdom in many different traditions as we learn more about them. People were very isolated and didn't know anything about other religions 100 years ago."
- God: "I believe our civilization is going to be vastly more intelligent and more spiritual in the decades ahead. You can argue how we got here, but we are the species that goes beyond our limitations. We didn't stay on the ground. We didn't stay on the planet. Our species always transcends."
Kurzweil is a respected author and inventor who has had several predictions come true. Notably, he foresaw the demise of the Soviet Union due to new technology (cellphones, fax machines) taking information power away from the centralized authoritarian regime.
More about the future...
Steve "The Woz" Wozniack co-founded Apple with Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne. A recent interview with him found the following quotes:
“All of a sudden, we’ve lost a lot of control. We can’t turn off our internet, we can’t turn off our smartphones, we can’t turn off our computers.”
“You used to ask a smart person a question. Now, who do you ask? It starts with g-o, and it’s not God,”
“We’re dependent on it (technology) and eventually, we are going to have it doing every task we can in the world, so we can sit back and relax.”
Fast forwarding history...
Used to be, history was something we'd see in black and white pictures and grainy video footage. Not anymore. Consider that it took almost 6,000 years between the invention of the wheel and the advent of the automobile while it took only 66 years between the invention of the airplane and the landing on the moon. History is moving at an unprecedented clip. History is what we saw yesterday on TV, from the radio, the internet... All of a sudden, news from print seems like...well, ancient history.
Just as the Industrial Age had previously shifted the paradigm of how we lived (poverty was prevalent before it), the Information Age - be glad you're in it - is changing the way you act and think.
There is some sort of convergence with The War on Terror (notably, the Iraq War) the Financial Crisis and this Age that my still tech-free brain is trying to understand. What I can see, so far:
There are those who are becoming more intelligent, more informed, less gullible and...more importantly...starting to question more. What does a more enlightened human being mean: More people who'll question authority and the actions of leaders, governments and corporations. Who'll question the very traditions and ideas they've found themselves in. Consider the students in the UK suffering under the weight of the Financial Crisis realizing that there are those (the Royal Family) among them who require $64 million a year from their government plus security from their Police and Army.
What does this all mean for the Philippines? Firstly, we've got to understand that the future will belong to the most creative, inventive and informed. Not only should it be used for creating jobs, but also, as a path to better governance. Darkness is the ally of shady dealings and the corrupt. Part of the President's plan should include the openning of the insides of the government machine to the public. We should have real-time access to contracts and plans. It is time that we get to see what the local and national bodies are up to. That is one way to fight corruption.
I've always thought that a public official's life should be an open book while in office. Shouldn't there be a camera crew following them around? I submit myself: If elected, I'll allow my years in office to be under the microscope.
The German Parliament features a viewing gallery that allows the citizenry a view of their politicians at work from above. It symbolizes: The people are above them (as opposed to the Communist era) and can see what they are doing.
The Illustrados were the learned Filipino class during the Spanish colonial period. "The enlightened ones," they were intellectuals exposed to the outside world and to the ideals of liberalism and nationalism. They've been described as "key figures in the development of Filipino nationalism." Presently, exposure to the ideals of the outside world is no longer exclusive to those who travel, study or live abroad. Technology has allowed access to these by those who can afford time on the internet. We won't be witnesses to it, but empowered, intelligent and altruistic future Filipino generations will slowly be in control of the destiny of the nation. Let me stake my claim on this new term: The New Illustrados.
What does this all mean for the future of all mankind? Let me digress slightly. "Tron" was a film that came out in 1982. The Age of Information had not yet fully arrived and the account of a world existing inside computers was not accepted by the public. I watched it again a few years back and realized that it's actually groundbreaking work that's a precursor to later cinema like "The Matrix." Seminal - "highly influential in an original way" - is how to describe it.
Julian Assange - who's now being billed as a villain for his work with Wikileaks - will probably be seen by future generations as the precursor of humans forcing openness and accountability from those with authority and power. Seminal, indeed.
That is, also, what the future will bring: The power to control how we live and treat each other will wrested away from the few and will be distributed to enlightened and involved citizenry.
This new dawn of enlightenment will eventually bring about changes in the way we believe. Eventually, an exponential number of people will question basic principles. As an example: If Adam and Eve were the first, how come we're all different? Where did the Chinese, Malays, Africans, Caucasians, Aborigines, etc. come from?
Changes in the way we treat each other. As Ray Kurzweil noted, we will feel closer to each other. Will world peace be finally at hand? Not too fast. Maybe a million years.
This will, naturally, lay the groundwork for future conflict. It will not be among nations, but rather, between the traditionalists (more to lose) who'll subconsciously see knowledge as the enemy and the enlightened (more to gain) ones.
Esoteric. I think that's the word you're trying to search for to describe this latest entry. Maybe you're right. I'm probably alienating more of you guys ("Jay, you've gone too far"). What is this piece all about?
At the very end of it all, we'll probably evolve into beings that will, eventually, - free from the shackles we've found ourselves in - be more spiritual, be more open to each other, more trusting of each other, and, perhaps... finally...finally... start to start love one another "as you love yourself." That, I think, our creator will approve of. God, please be patient. Give us a million years.
We'd better love one another...we'll have to be ready to fight the coming invasion of the Vlysnxzoperiane aliens.
Thought this would be a lovely piece to close a post on truth, peace, the future and love:
Friday, December 3, 2010
Can We All Get Along? or The Balls and Chains Keeping Us Down Part 2
"People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?"
Rodney King appealing to the people of Los Angeles during the 1992 riots. The acquital of police officers videotaped beating him a year earlier sparked the disturbance.
"What is produced when Filipinos form an organization? Several factions and a witty acronym for a name."
I'll go a little "Ambeth Ocampo" on you today and give a short, short history course. With apologies to the Chair of the National Historical Institute, here goes - to keep you short-attention-spanned generation from moving on to Facebook - a Reader's Digest version of history:
Andres Bonifacio (to the chismis inclined, his first wife died of leprosy and had a son, with his second wife, who died at infancy) was a founder and later leader of the Katipunan - a revolutionary movement seeking independence from Spain. By the portrayals I've seen, namely from the movies "Jose Rizal" and "Bayani," he seemed to be the fire-brand type full of conviction.
Let's set up the scene: It was a heady time with the people finally - thanks to "troublemakers" like Jose Rizal and others - recognizing an identity and uniformed Filipino soldiers battled the Spaniards both with set piece battles and guerilla tactics,
Ok, so far, we seem to have a run-of-the-mill hero story going on here, right? Ho-hum, yawn, huh? Well, this is where our story takes on an interesting "Soprano-like" texture. Turns out, there were two Katipunan chapters in Cavite (Filipinos? Two chapters in the same area? You're going "Uh-oh," right?). There was one headed by Emilio Aguinaldo's cousin and the other by an uncle of Bonifacio's wife. Telenovela fans out there may recognize where this is going: family loyalties, lots of shouting, macho posturing, betrayals, charges of treason and gun play.
Cutting to the chase: The clash between the two groups - now involving Bonifacio and Aguinaldo - becomes a full-blown power grab with both claiming Presidency of the Philippines with Aguinaldo writing in his memoir that Bonifacio "acted like a King." Wow, this is all too "Cristy Ferminit" for me: "So, Andy, ano naman ang masasabi mo sa akusasyon na you're 'acting like a king?'"
The Philippines, with a population of only 7 million back then was not big enough for two leaders. Something had to give. Here is how it went down: A party of Aguinaldo's men conducted a surprise attack on "Andy" and his men with the ensuing violence causing his wounding, the death of a brother, the beating of another and the possible...wait, wait...let's make this Oscar-worthy...and thepossible rape of his wife.
A trial for Bonifacio and his surviving brother ensues with charges of sedition and treason against the Aguinaldo government filed against them. Found guilty (his defense lawyer himself found him guilty), both were executed in the mountains of Cavite. The execution? Depends who does the story-telling: One account that Hollywood would surely appreciate is with him laying in a hammock, too weak to walk from his wound, being stabbed and hacked to death ("Down and out Hollywood producer, Jack Hiltzick, on his last legs halts reading the script handed to him by the Filipina maid of a more successful friend, looks at the sinking California sun and mutters to himself with great satisfaction, 'This is my Braveheart'").
Great story, huh? But did you really expect me to just stop there? What? No pontificating from the "Great Pontificator," you say? Well, here goes the "Balls and Chains" part...
Over lunch recently with my officemates (as you may surmise, they "love" having lunch with me), we discussed the whole Bonifacio story and their views say much about who we are. Firstly, of the four, only two were aware that he was killed by fellow Filipinos and are thankful to Jessica Soho for this bit of info. The Account Officer, Che Esmille, thought it was a reflection of the Filipino: "Hindi lang pala ngayon nag-aagawan ng kapangyarihan. Akala mo mas matino sila noon." My best friend, Dondi Gaite, loves pointing out the fact that historical figures are just...humans. The passage of time may allow them to be placed on pedestals with a romanticized version shown to the world, but, truth is - and this is where that Hollywood producer should get it right - these figures were human and....Filipinos.
What is a Filipino? There are the positives (we'll discuss lengthily in the future) and the not so positive, including: deep envy (asal talangka), intrigues (some of the rumors against Bonifacio included him stealing funds from the Katipunan and his sister being a mistress of a priest) and divisiveness (office politics and the common warning to avoid other Filipinos when living abroad).
The root cause of this? Kindly allow me to play armchair historian and, please, feel free to send in your differing views: It's something we picked up from our hundreds of years of occupation by different powers. Regionalism probably comes from the fact that we are different indigenous groups (170 languages, remember?) artificially put together by an outside force. Our feelings of envy probably come from the fact that there were those favored during the Spanish times. Our defeatist views and uncanny ability to adapt come from having been under different occupiers. This is in our DNA. The memes (cultural ideas and practices passed on) that we have all inherited and will pass on.
All is not lost, of course. We try to offer solutions here on this site. Firstly, we must collectively acknowledge what we are and explore why we became. We should come up with a definitive series on TV about our history. The government should commission Ambeth Ocampo to take on an expansive and entertaining documentary that will be seen as a must-see by Filipinos. There are three channels (4, 9 and 13) owned by us that could be the venue for this. History not only explains who we are, but, mirrored against those of other nations; can help us see what we may...should be.
Secondly, the government should mandate community programs that will require each and everyone of us to serve the community. The documentary series should also explore our lost values - introducing them to a new generation. We are, relatively, a young nation and we still have a long way to go towards moral recovery and efforts like these (others will be discussed in upcoming posts) will help.
Before we close out this story, you may be wondering about what finally did happen with Bonifacio and Aguinaldo. The former - in the long run - did well: He's one of only two heroes with a national holiday. Aguinaldo, meanwhile, is a different story entirely: He was forced to sign a truce with the Spaniards in exchange for cash and exile, became the first President of the Republic, lost to a landslide on another try then found himself accused of collaborating with the Japanese during the Second World War - including giving radio speeches supporting the occupier. I suppose Aguinaldo is one reflection of us: Again, the uncanny ability to adapt in order to survive.
Hard to say if there are villains or good guys in this story. Both represented the best and worst in us. Just like us, they were probably just victims of history.
By the way, my colleagues? They're glad lunch is over. Our Accountant did say that we should celebrate Bonifacio's death anniversary instead as a reminder of who we really are. "Para magising tayo," she says. Another? Cris Rayos thinks they should not be heroes for they went against the occupiers. He believes that we should just be obedient to them - in order to survive and live in peace. Just another victim of history, I guess.
Here's something that should make us all think:
Excerpt:
Nakaranas ka na ba?
Nakatikim ka na ba?
Nakatanggap o nabigyan ng kahihiyan?
Dahil sa iyong panindigan
O dahil sa iyong nakamtan
Inggit sa iyong narating
Pilit kang sisirain
Dyan sila magaling
Ilalagay ka sa alanganin kaya
Mag-ingat sa mga asal talangka
Hihilahin ka nila pababa
Namamato kapag ika'y hitik
Hitik sa bunga
This piece is dedicated to an uncle, Tonypet Araneta, a dedicated lover of the Philippines and all things Filipino and to my best friend who has helped make me see the real Filipino.
Rodney King appealing to the people of Los Angeles during the 1992 riots. The acquital of police officers videotaped beating him a year earlier sparked the disturbance.
"What is produced when Filipinos form an organization? Several factions and a witty acronym for a name."
I'll go a little "Ambeth Ocampo" on you today and give a short, short history course. With apologies to the Chair of the National Historical Institute, here goes - to keep you short-attention-spanned generation from moving on to Facebook - a Reader's Digest version of history:
Andres Bonifacio (to the chismis inclined, his first wife died of leprosy and had a son, with his second wife, who died at infancy) was a founder and later leader of the Katipunan - a revolutionary movement seeking independence from Spain. By the portrayals I've seen, namely from the movies "Jose Rizal" and "Bayani," he seemed to be the fire-brand type full of conviction.
Let's set up the scene: It was a heady time with the people finally - thanks to "troublemakers" like Jose Rizal and others - recognizing an identity and uniformed Filipino soldiers battled the Spaniards both with set piece battles and guerilla tactics,
Ok, so far, we seem to have a run-of-the-mill hero story going on here, right? Ho-hum, yawn, huh? Well, this is where our story takes on an interesting "Soprano-like" texture. Turns out, there were two Katipunan chapters in Cavite (Filipinos? Two chapters in the same area? You're going "Uh-oh," right?). There was one headed by Emilio Aguinaldo's cousin and the other by an uncle of Bonifacio's wife. Telenovela fans out there may recognize where this is going: family loyalties, lots of shouting, macho posturing, betrayals, charges of treason and gun play.
Cutting to the chase: The clash between the two groups - now involving Bonifacio and Aguinaldo - becomes a full-blown power grab with both claiming Presidency of the Philippines with Aguinaldo writing in his memoir that Bonifacio "acted like a King." Wow, this is all too "Cristy Ferminit" for me: "So, Andy, ano naman ang masasabi mo sa akusasyon na you're 'acting like a king?'"
The Philippines, with a population of only 7 million back then was not big enough for two leaders. Something had to give. Here is how it went down: A party of Aguinaldo's men conducted a surprise attack on "Andy" and his men with the ensuing violence causing his wounding, the death of a brother, the beating of another and the possible...wait, wait...let's make this Oscar-worthy...and the
A trial for Bonifacio and his surviving brother ensues with charges of sedition and treason against the Aguinaldo government filed against them. Found guilty (his defense lawyer himself found him guilty), both were executed in the mountains of Cavite. The execution? Depends who does the story-telling: One account that Hollywood would surely appreciate is with him laying in a hammock, too weak to walk from his wound, being stabbed and hacked to death ("Down and out Hollywood producer, Jack Hiltzick, on his last legs halts reading the script handed to him by the Filipina maid of a more successful friend, looks at the sinking California sun and mutters to himself with great satisfaction, 'This is my Braveheart'").
Great story, huh? But did you really expect me to just stop there? What? No pontificating from the "Great Pontificator," you say? Well, here goes the "Balls and Chains" part...
Over lunch recently with my officemates (as you may surmise, they "love" having lunch with me), we discussed the whole Bonifacio story and their views say much about who we are. Firstly, of the four, only two were aware that he was killed by fellow Filipinos and are thankful to Jessica Soho for this bit of info. The Account Officer, Che Esmille, thought it was a reflection of the Filipino: "Hindi lang pala ngayon nag-aagawan ng kapangyarihan. Akala mo mas matino sila noon." My best friend, Dondi Gaite, loves pointing out the fact that historical figures are just...humans. The passage of time may allow them to be placed on pedestals with a romanticized version shown to the world, but, truth is - and this is where that Hollywood producer should get it right - these figures were human and....Filipinos.
What is a Filipino? There are the positives (we'll discuss lengthily in the future) and the not so positive, including: deep envy (asal talangka), intrigues (some of the rumors against Bonifacio included him stealing funds from the Katipunan and his sister being a mistress of a priest) and divisiveness (office politics and the common warning to avoid other Filipinos when living abroad).
The root cause of this? Kindly allow me to play armchair historian and, please, feel free to send in your differing views: It's something we picked up from our hundreds of years of occupation by different powers. Regionalism probably comes from the fact that we are different indigenous groups (170 languages, remember?) artificially put together by an outside force. Our feelings of envy probably come from the fact that there were those favored during the Spanish times. Our defeatist views and uncanny ability to adapt come from having been under different occupiers. This is in our DNA. The memes (cultural ideas and practices passed on) that we have all inherited and will pass on.
All is not lost, of course. We try to offer solutions here on this site. Firstly, we must collectively acknowledge what we are and explore why we became. We should come up with a definitive series on TV about our history. The government should commission Ambeth Ocampo to take on an expansive and entertaining documentary that will be seen as a must-see by Filipinos. There are three channels (4, 9 and 13) owned by us that could be the venue for this. History not only explains who we are, but, mirrored against those of other nations; can help us see what we may...should be.
Secondly, the government should mandate community programs that will require each and everyone of us to serve the community. The documentary series should also explore our lost values - introducing them to a new generation. We are, relatively, a young nation and we still have a long way to go towards moral recovery and efforts like these (others will be discussed in upcoming posts) will help.
Before we close out this story, you may be wondering about what finally did happen with Bonifacio and Aguinaldo. The former - in the long run - did well: He's one of only two heroes with a national holiday. Aguinaldo, meanwhile, is a different story entirely: He was forced to sign a truce with the Spaniards in exchange for cash and exile, became the first President of the Republic, lost to a landslide on another try then found himself accused of collaborating with the Japanese during the Second World War - including giving radio speeches supporting the occupier. I suppose Aguinaldo is one reflection of us: Again, the uncanny ability to adapt in order to survive.
Hard to say if there are villains or good guys in this story. Both represented the best and worst in us. Just like us, they were probably just victims of history.
By the way, my colleagues? They're glad lunch is over. Our Accountant did say that we should celebrate Bonifacio's death anniversary instead as a reminder of who we really are. "Para magising tayo," she says. Another? Cris Rayos thinks they should not be heroes for they went against the occupiers. He believes that we should just be obedient to them - in order to survive and live in peace. Just another victim of history, I guess.
Here's something that should make us all think:
Excerpt:
Nakaranas ka na ba?
Nakatikim ka na ba?
Nakatanggap o nabigyan ng kahihiyan?
Dahil sa iyong panindigan
O dahil sa iyong nakamtan
Inggit sa iyong narating
Pilit kang sisirain
Dyan sila magaling
Ilalagay ka sa alanganin kaya
Mag-ingat sa mga asal talangka
Hihilahin ka nila pababa
Namamato kapag ika'y hitik
Hitik sa bunga
This piece is dedicated to an uncle, Tonypet Araneta, a dedicated lover of the Philippines and all things Filipino and to my best friend who has helped make me see the real Filipino.
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