My Point...

I missed the SONA of PGMA last Monday, my first absence from the time she started her presidency way back 2001. I was in-charged to man my internet shop every Mondays and since I don’t have a TV set there, I wasn’t able to see how the president addressed this nation in the midst of all the crisis that we are currently facing. I heard there were still ‘special mentions’ of her many allies. Expectedly, a few legislators still gave her a passing mark on all her boasted accomplishments for the past year, despite the obvious decline in her approval rating as revealed by the SWS survey results which were released days before Monday. Well, speak about cronies and affiliations!

Now that she has presented before us her people her 8th scorecard, I can only contemplate where we are as a nation; now that the prices of commodities increase week-by-week, now that the minimum wage isn’t sufficient to decently feed a family and now that only one out of ten Pinoys believes the truthfulness of this annual event.

Back in 2001, we thought that an Economics graduate can save this country from its increasing foreign debt and boost the country’s economy, but, we were wronged ~ our debts still grow day-by-day and many Filipino families are joining the poverty line. Back then we thought that a second female leader could help heal this wounded nation by her caring nature, we were again wronged ~ some Pinoys think that she’s far more brutal than the previous president who proclaimed martial law three decades ago. While we thought that her being a daughter of a former president would guide her to be a better leader of this ailing nation, we were again wronged ~ she herself had her own way of leading, some of which are in direct contrast with her father’s platforms and programs when the latter was still the president.

She mentioned many this-and-that in her last SONA (thanks to the web I was able to get the full text), but to me these figures speak less of our current standing as a nation. The many words of encouragement she uttered last Monday did not really count the many stomachs aching during meal times. Sure, there are external factors like the oil price hikes and the US economic recession and yes, we can have these as excuses but these does not give our government the right to be apathetic of the many clamors for change and salvation, especially when we really needed concrete action plans to resolve our current dampened state. She mentioned she worries much of the housewives who’re taking charge of the household budget, but she did not mention any plans of wage increase; she only boasted of the recent revision in the Tax Rulings of BIR benefiting only the minimum wage earners, but hey ~ the whole labor force is hurt by the income taxes! While this is seen as fair, to majority it is still but UNFAIR!

Let me clear this though, I am not resigning yet to the hopes of a better future for all of us Filipinos. I am still proud of this nation, its history, its culture and where it has placed itself in the world today. But beyond hopes and prides, I still believe that progress is a shared responsibility. No most appealing platform could change this nation if we can’t start the change from within ourselves. To survive this crisis, we can help by tightening our belts, by working hard, harder and hardest. And lastly, we need to believe in ourselves that we can really survive, in spite of all the hardships that lie ahead of us as a nation.

Yes, we only need to look at what, where and who we are to make a resounding impact to change this nation that’s ill and wounded. And by doing that, we don’t actually need a PGMA to move forward. Even if we miss her two more SONAs (wishing those will really be her last two), these wouldn't be much of a big deal. We’re better positioned as a nation for the greater role as Filipinos has been accomplished!

This is me...

I am not your tamed sheep, I am too far in comparison; but I am not your wicked ghost either. I am free-spirited and bubbly yet strong and ferocious. I proclaim myself as an angel but my wings are black. And yes, it’s either you like me or not ~ and I don’t give a damn.

I am bitter. I am conceited. I am possessive. I am greedy. Think of the most vicious adjectives, I may simply agree that it’s me. I am not to please anyone anyway. Truth is, I can’t live comfortably with your charlatan rules.

My life is simply lived the way I choreographed my dances, and they are sometimes out of the rhythm. Who cares, my life is my stage and you got yours; to each his own, as long as I am not stepping on your toes when I do my salsa and you your tango.

And most importantly, this is me ~ you may hate me but I am pretty sure, the people who love me are the ones who’ll cast that first stone on you if you try to get one step closer. You fuckin son of a bitch! Back out, you whore!

Oh My Oh My... Boracay for the Third Time

Who wouldn't fall in love with Boracay?

Not so long ago, I thought Bora was simply a place that is over hyped. I kinda had a disinterest of going there already for I've heard a few bad comments about it being too commercialized, not to mention the many ugly stories of prostitution, garbages dumped in one of its hill areas, etc. etc. I even came to a point of saying that Panglao Island in Bohol is far better than this Philippines' most famous island resort... but yes, I was wronged. (Panglao is still a good spot though!)

The first time I went to Bora was September 2007 when our project's Management Team had our FY08 Planning Session (if it was really a planning session hehehe) in Le Soleil De Boracay. Since it was my job, I took care of almost everything about the trip ~ from coordinating with the travel agency, to the room assignments, to the flight schedules (we must be flying separately ~ an Accenture policy), etc.etc. It wasn't really a big task but I am still not sure if I will enjoy because of my many misconceptions. But again, I was wronged! I came to appreciate Boracay the same way many people loved it. And much to my surprise for I never really thought I could do it, I went parasailing ~ the most daring yet best adventure I did in my entire life!

The second time that I visited Bora was last July 4-6, 2008 with my two good friends Ryan and Grace. I came with them simply to enjoy ~ kill time in the cabanas of the hotel, splurge in our food trips, hang-out in any of Bora's exciting bars and finally, to just rest idly in our hotel room. That was merely the plan ~ no wild and adventurous activity (or so I thought).

To say that I am fascinated with Boracay is already an understatement, for I will be back to enjoy its pristine sands and clear waters again on August ~ this time, with my beloved best buddies, Yeth and Jingle. The original plan was to stay in La Carmela de Boracay, but I told Yeth and Jingle that LC is in Station 3 and is quite too far from where the action in Bora is! I am actually good with LC for I am okay with long walks (Bora is quite a long walking stretch, anyway!), but since we will be there for only a night (we will go straight to Bacolod to visit Jingle's family) I told them we better stay somewhere in Station 2 or better yet, in Station 1 since these two stations are near the bars, the D Mall and of course, the best sands are there. Without so much persuasion, the two agreed. Yeth was able to get an affordable hotel to stay ~ Sur Beach Resort in Station 1. I've seen the place from along the shoreline when Grace and I were walking on our second night but I was not able to get a clearer view of Sur Beach. All I know is that it's in Station 1 and so I recommended it to Yeth without me knowing that she's already considering it, thanks to the many good reviews about Sur!

The nice thing about being with Yeth and Jingle in trips is that they are too organized I need not worry of the things to do and yes, even the last single centavo is accounted for since these two bestfriends of mine are both Accountants. We always joke that during our trips, I am always the boss and they are my assistants ~ expectedly, I am enjoying the role!

Must I say, I couldn't wait any longer! While my tanned skin is still obvious out of my last Bora visit, I am getting excited already ~ to see the grotto and take my nth picture there, to eat in that famous Hawaiian restaurant, to sip Jhona's shake again, to check out items in the D Mall, to try the crepe that Grace, Ryan and I failed to try, to try Gilly's Island Bar, to go star gazing in the sands, and to experience arrival in Boracay as early as 6:00 AM (yes, we'll leave Manila at 5:00 AM). I am not sure as to what other things from the many there are to do, but one thing certain, I will relish my third experience of the Boracay paradise!

*** Uli

* Spent the weekend in Boracay kasi long weekend kami for the July 4 Holiday
* Yes, I am tanned again... and cute ang pagka-tan ko...
* Will post my pictures tomorrow sa office wahahaha... naiwan ko kasi camera ko kanina when I'm heading to my shop... di ko tuloy na-post...
* Ang hirap mag-stalk... most especially pag ang mga kasama mo magstalk eh Maria Clara sa kahinhinan...
* Lesson learned... put away all inhibitions...
* The Bora experienced reminded me of Mariefel Valenzuela's motto... "Nothing is achieved without trying"
* Sino si Mariefel Valenzuela? Isa siyang matalinong Chemical Engineer. Search her in the net... was a schoolmate in high school and classmate in Drum and Lyre sessions.
* Nahilo ako sa byahe on our way back to Manila... paglapag ng eroplano sa CR kagad ako pumunta para sumuka
* Delayed ang flight namin pabalik... sira ang propeller nun Asian Spirit na nasakyan namin... hindi na kami uli sasakay ng Asian Spirit
* E constantly texted me to check how am I in Bora... at alam din niyang I was not feeling well kagabi...
* Birthday ni Arvien tomorrow... so Happy Birthday na lang po... pa-burger ka naman!!!
* Deal na... at oo will send you the text message to confirm wehehehe...
* Sorry J and P... kay E na lang daw eh...
* Pero saan na nga ba si B?
* Wag sa akin isumbat ang kasalanan mo... oo, nagkasala din ako... pero matagal kong pinagbayaran yun... tanga kasi ako eh...
* And naiirita man ako recently, okay lang... E kasi is just around to pacify me... isang text lang, kumpleto na araw ko...
* Weird... si E hindi siya ang tipo ko... but okay lang... unlike poles attract naman eh...
* Bora ule sa August... sama na din Bacolod...
* Mag Manila Ocean Park din... waiting lang for the notification as to when...