Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Open Letter To Our Leaders by SC Austero

I love this post by Mr. Austero and I would love to share to my fellow Filipinos about the real sentiments of the "silent majority." Sir Austero, you nailed it...
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Open Letter To Our Leaders
by Schubert Caesar Austero

Dear Tita Cory, Senators, Congressmen, Businessmen, Media people, Leftists, and all Bleeding Hearts Out There:

I am angry. And I know that there are many out there who are angrier than I am for the same reason. And that reason is simple. I am sick and tired of all you guys claiming to speak for me and many Filipinos. I feel like screaming every time you mouth words about fighting for my freedom and my rights, when you obviously are just thinking about yours. You tell me that the essence of democracy is providing every citizen the right to speak his or her mind and make his or her own informed judgments, but you yourselves do not respect my silence and the choices I and many others have made. In other words, your concept of democracy is limited to having your rights and your freedoms respected, at the expense of ours.

I am utterly flabbergasted that you still do not get it: we already responded to your calls, and our response has been very clear - we chose not to heed your calls to go to EDSA or to Fort Bonifacio not because we do not love our country or our freedoms or our rights, but precisely because we love our country even more. Because quite frankly, we are prepared to lose our freedoms and our rights just to move this country forward. You may think that is not correct, you can tell me all the dire warnings about the evils of authoritarian rule, but quite frankly all we see is your pathetic efforts to prop up your cause. You tell me that you are simply protecting my freedoms and my rights, but who told you to do that? I assure you that when I feel that my rights and my freedoms are at a peril, I will stand up and fight for them myself.You tell us that GMA is not the right person to lead this country because she has done immoral acts. As someone who sees immorality being committed wantonly in many ways every day and by everyone (yes, including the ones you do), I may have become jaded. But you have not been able to offer me any viable alternative, while GMA has bent over backwards many times to accommodate you while continuing to work hard despite all the obstacles and the brickbats you have thrown her way. From where I sit, she is the one who has been working really hard to move this country forward while all of you have been so busy with one and only one thing: to make sure she does not succeed. So forgive me if I do not want to join you in your moral pissing contest. Forgive me if I have chosen to see things from another perspective. You say she is the problem. I say, we are the problem, more to the point, I think you are a bigger problem than she is. Taking her out may solve part of the problem, but that leaves us with a bigger problem: you. That is right, YOU!

While I felt outraged that she called a Comelec official during the elections and that she may have rigged the elections, I have since then taken the higher moral ground and forgiven her. Yes my dear bishops, I have done what you have told me to do since I was a child, which you say is the Christian and moral thing to do: forgive. Especially since she has asked for forgiveness and has tried to make amends for it. Erap certainly has not apologized and continues to be defiant, continuing to insult us everyday with his protestations. Cory has not apologized for her incompetence but we have forgiven her just the same because like GMA, she has worked hard after all.

I know you do not think that GMA's apology was not enough, or that she was insincere, or that that apology should not be the end of it, but please spare me the hypocrisy of telling me that you do so for the sake of protecting the moral fibre of society. The real reason is because you smell blood and wants to go for the kill.

Well, I have news for you. I do not like her too. I did not even vote for her. I voted for Raul Roco. But as much as I do not like her, I do not like you even more. I may not trust her, but guess what, I do not trust you even more.

You know why? Because all you do is whine and sabotage this country. You belittle every little progress we make, conveniently forgetting that it is not just GMA who has been working so hard to achieve them. Every single day, we keep the faith burning in our hearts that this country will finally pull itself out of the mess and we work so hard to do that. Every little progress is the result of our collective effort, we who toil hard everyday in our jobs. Yet, you persist in one and only thing: making GMA look bad in the eyes of the world and making sure that this country continues to suffer to prove your sorry point. In the process, you continue to destroy what we painstakinly try to built. So please do not be surprised that I do not share your cause. Do not be surprised that we have become contemptuous of your antics. You have moved heaven and earth to destroy her credibility, you have convened all kinds of fora and hearings and all you have done is test our patience to the core. For all your effort, you have only succeeded in dragging us further down. I say enough.

Don't ge me wrong. I am not asking that we take immorality lying down, or that we let the President get away with anything illegal. But you have tried to do that all these time and you have not succeeded, so it is time to let things be. Besides, you are doing something immoral as well if not utterly unforgivable. The Magdalo soldiers are consorting with the communists - the same people who have been trying to kill democracy for years. Cory has been consorting with Erap and the Marcoses.

So please wake up and take a reality check. In the absence of true and genuine moral leadership, many of us have decided to cast our lot with the President, even if we do not like her. A flawed leader is better than scheming power hungry fools who can not even stand up for their convictions in the face of an impending arrest.

Your coup attempts and the denials that you have consequently made only underscore what we think is true: you are spineless and unreliable people whose only defense is to cry suppression when your ruse do not work. You are like bullies who taunt and provoke, but cry oppression when taken to task for your cruelty.

I would have respected you if you took the consequences of your actions like real heroes: calmly and responsibly instead of kicking and screaming and making lame excuses. You say you are willing to die for us, that you do all these things for the country and the Filipino, but you are not even willing to go to jail for us.

Come on, you really think we believe that you did not want to bring down the government when that is the one and only thing you have been trying to do in the last many months?

We love this country and we want peace and progress. Many among us do not give a f*&k who sits at Malacanang because we will work hard and do our share to make things work. If you only do your jobs, the ones that we elected you to do, things would be a lot simpler and easier for every one.

The events during the weekend only proved one thing. You are more dangerous and a serious threat to this country than GMA is. We have seen what you are capable of doing - you are ready to burn this country and reduce everything to ashes just to prove your point. If there is something that we need protection from, it is protection from you.


Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Fighting the Wrong Fight

On the remembrance of the People Power (EDSA) Revolution this week, many pseudo-patriots a.k.a oppositions once again will gather at the EDSA shrine and a handful of them will march at the Ayala Avenue in Makati with one goal in their sporadic minds— oust President Macapagal-Arroyo from her office.

To start with, this particular “revolution”, as they call it loosely, was a fabricated theatrical act by political thespians who have no real concern about the plights of their countrymen. They advocated themselves as the knights riding on the bandwagon of serving the poor… but looking at their track records, they haven’t done ANYTHING to alleviate or even minimize poverty. They are just a bunch of blubbering mouths full of bullshits.

What irks me most is their constant generalization that the whole nation is with them. Manila is not the Philippines, OK! Many Filipinos are sooo tired with these political theatrics. We are tired of your ranting against the government, of always barging on the President’s initiative to make a difference, and their ever so highly legalistic technicality about every darn economic proposition that can actually help this country take off.

I got two words for you, O High and Mighty Oppositions, “MOVE ON.” If “we” the silent majority really want to oust the President, we should have done it a year ago with all the scandal of the Garci Tape. The fact is we don’t like you guys to take over the country. It is better by far to have a known enemy than to risk our lives from a lurking monster hiding in those designer tuxedos.

We know your hidden agenda. Puhleeze!!! Don’t make us pay for your vacation abroad or your mansions or your posh cars or your mistresses.

Just give us the honor of having a minute sense of observation because it’s that OBVIOUS, OK!

You might get the attention of the media by exaggerating a skimpy protest by those marginalized people whom you obviously paid to protest, but when asked, they surely don’t know what they are fighting for, saved for their memorized mantra “PATALSIKIN SI GLORIA.”

The hardest part was the whole world is watching us and when these media exaggerations will be funneled to the international viewers, our country is seemingly chaotic…but it’s not. It is you guys who are perversely committed in destroying in whatever economic and social agenda the President is doing.

I salute the President for not being affected and still focusing her mind to fulfill her vision. Continue Madame President of annoying those opposition leaders by simply ignoring them. That’s the best way to stop a childish tantrum made by those insecure, power hungry and good for nothing simians.

EDSA commemoration is nothing more than a desperate attempt to woo the nation in believing that they are the champion of the masses.

…wrong attempt. We know what you are up to!

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Helping Hands Across the Seas


While going to the gym last Saturday, I was speechless when I read on the newspaper that at least 2000 people were feared to be dead in Southern Leyte. The incessant rain caused the whole slope of a mountain to gave away and totally swept the whole municipality in oblivion.

It was said that the only sole survivors were the one who went to the market, a couple of kilometers away from their municipality. The sad note in this story was a whole school where many kids with their parents and their teachers who were there to celebrate a school event were trapped during the mud avalanche. It was so sudden that there was no possibility of escape.

Up until now, as I write this post, the chance of saving few more lives are dimming. Through the help of other nations like the US, Malaysia, Taiwan, China to name a few, the whole nation is still adamant and praying hard that hope is not yet lost or forgotten.

What interest me these past days was many militant groups who were shouting anti-US sentiments at the US embassy were mimed because of this tragedy. How could they rant against the US now when the whole nation is very thankful for their effort and brotherly gesture.

Are they the one who were digging up mud and dirt?

Are they doing anything, save for voicing their unreasonable opinions, to ease the burden of their own countrymen.

If they believe that they are the guardians of this country, the first act they must do is to show that they care. It appears now that only thing they are guarding is their personal interest.

The Opposition likewise can not stop their blubbering mouths; they want publicity by pinpointing all the blames to the government. They are very good in proofreading, mind you, almost all the good programs that the government is doing had/has been looked critically, scavenging loopholes and legal technicalities. Always on guard as well by deposing all the necessary ties with the US. The funny part was, these groups of pseudo-patriots have vacation houses and stocks in the US. If they don’t want the Americans, then they should reject any help from them in the first place. They are bunch of hypocrites worthy to be replaced instead by those who died in the landslide

The fact is, this country needs the Americans. We can’t do it all alone. It’s good that they are still interested in helping this little nation who is so long been an ingrate.

We owe so much to the Americans. My generation may not have known and felt the sacrifices of the G.I.s when World War II broke, but I personally am deeply grateful. The pacific ocean may separate the two nations but when tragedy strikes, Americans were the first one to respond.

To all the nations who were so kind to give a hand with our present dilemma…THANK YOU so much. May God bless your country more.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Random Thoughts and a Cold Valentine



Sometimes you will meet a very nondescript person that will totally make an indelible impression in your heart.

After attending our company’s annual festivity, I opted to go to the church last Sunday, and I never thought that random circumstances can actually help me perceive my faith in a different angle.


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I found myself sitting next to this young man, around 18 or 19 years old but what struck me most was he was so downcast. The first thing that came to my mind was he was having a real bad day. I could picture the whole world on his shoulders literally.

I kept my focus and tried very hard listening to the Pastor…but having a wary eye on the dude sitting on my right. He was fidgeting the church program and looking down intently on his slippers, or so I thought. But still he tried his best to be mentally present during the service.

When the service ended, as if fate had something to do with it, we shared the same cab ride home. I set a 20 peso bill on my hand and finally asked him where he will be going. It turned out he was just a block away from my home, so I offered that I’m just going to pay his ride. He said a mild thanks.

Fifteen minutes later, he reached his hands and offered a friendly hand shake.

Him: I’m Raul
Me: Jef
Me:…so you are a Methodist
Him: Yeah, I usually attend the Tagalog Service

silence

Me: Im sorry to pry…but I feel like you have a problem

silence

Him: Yes!

And his reply was one of the exceptional answers I have heard so far coming out from an angst ridden teenager.

Him: My problems are big but my God is much bigger.

I was totally taken aback from his answer that a lump on my throat was forming.

Here was a guy whom I thought was having a real bad day…problems that I dare not imagine going on his head and yet had that stern faith that comes from a strong heart.

I never remembered what the Minister‘s sermon was but this guy’s testimony was sufficient; a testament of a soul leaning upon the strength of his God. I am so impressed and yet humbled that I was able to experience rare moments like this.

It was said before that we may be the only Bible a person could ever read on his life.

Never miss an opportunity reaching out to others and always be mindful of rare moments which could help you along your journey. It maybe a small chat by an unknown person as you wait for the bus or a warm smile from an acquaintance. The list goes on but one fact remains true, moments like this are wrapped in a very simple packages.

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I was thinking about writing about Valentines and things like that but crap…I got none.

I’m still a hopeless romantic.

Nope, make that hopeless hehe.

Happy Valentines!

adopt your own virtual pet!