How could they?

My wife works in a government institution helping people with their needs. One project of our local government is to provide cheap homes for the servicemen like my wife who works for them. At one point, it seems good that this government still thinks for their workers.

But then, another thing rose, at about the time it was conceptualized, engineers and department heads are already spinning their heads for better place in the area. Then it happened, some are ordered to pay 500 pesos 5 year amortization for a 120 square meter lot while others are paying 480 for the same space. What could spell the difference? When asked, the engineering office simply says that those paying 500 have locations better than those paying 480. Well, this sounds ok, but not in the true sense. Why? It is because location was not chosen but drawn. Should this be acceptable reason???

This was not yet the problem. Because of the draw lots, heads of departments came to a place that was near a creek. It was a sloping pieces of land, off course, it wont be good for them to own such a place. Planners then, decided that the plan of the whole subdivided lots be turned upside down so that those placed at the front will now be placed at the back where the sloping land was. How rude! Employees will not dose with sentiments if they haven't change the plans. It was showed to them, the original plan, then, drawn their lots, and now, suddenly, changed the plans to what should suit them. Is it not horrible how these people is using the government to step ahead further than other people? How rude? How could they do this to people in their own ranks? Such a horrible thing to think that this is one of the classic examples of graft and corrupt practices that leads to a much bigger, more horrible transactions happening in the national government. This is how sick our system is. And we, ourselves could no longer take any cure. A sick and dangerous system of governance and society. I do hope that it die and never to be revived again.

Politician's Waiting Shed

This country was blessed with a tropical climate that only serve 2 conditions, rainy days and hot dry summer. There was, most of the time, dry sunny days during school days, only when it is mid July to September when the hardest rains hit the land, they call it moonsoon rains. During this period, it is hard for a public commuter like me to catch a ride from a jeepney especially when I'm on a rush.

To solve such an discomfort for the people, waiting sheds have been erected. Politicians boasts their projects, most of them, waiting sheds. Many of these, sub-standards, could not even hide you from rain if it rained with certain winds. You'll get wet, even inside these waiting sheds.

But that supposedly solution, has also become more of a problem, I think.

One, it has been a case of graft and corrupt practices for politicians here in the Philippines. Many of these sub-standard waiting sheds caused 5 to 10 times more than they should. These sheds caused more, in almost every corner, you'll see one. Even along the major hi-ways, numerous numbers of these waiting sheds can be seen, all of them, produced by politicians. There was no definite design to standardize them, you won't even see a toilet (portable or installed) near it that when you need to pee, you simply go to the back wall of the shed and release!

Another thing, it has been a major attitude changer for Filipinos riding public transport. Jeepneys would stop anywhere, where there are people waiting, not minding other users of the road. It has spoiled the commuters that they would stop the bus or jeepney to the nearest possible site to their destination. Is it the driver or the commuter that should be blamed for traffic? I think, providing standard waiting shed and terminal at designated places will lessen traffic, would provide discipline among us, would save more of our energy. Look at Singapore, even taxi's won't bother to stop at you when you are not on the right waiting / passenger terminal or shed.

Due to poverty, this sheds had also become home for those without home, hideouts / posts for sub-culture groups like fraternities and gangs, vendor's business places, and vandals favorite areas. Some people even rob these sheds of roof and posts to use in making their huts. During the nights, you won't feel safe waiting in these sheds when you see groups of young men drinking, or doing the pot, or just chatting in there, you'll feel like if someone of them made fun of you and you retaliate, all of them would come banging your face. It has been a territorial post for them.

Can't this politicians think of other useful projects to make the community worthwhile? Why not conduct business seminars, or host projects to kick start a business that would help generate income to the poor ones? With so many people without a job, or not in school or in any other worthwhile activity, they could think of nothing good but to associate with people like them and plan things that we are regretting. How many have died because of gang wars and frat wars? How many got involved in hold-ups and robberies, all done in waiting sheds and dark places near it?

I think, it is time that this politicians think not only of themselves but also think for the general good of the people, not limiting projects to waiting sheds but to think further for progress.

The Problem of the Hungry Tummy

Yesterday, I have watched a tv program campaigning for the reduction of green house gases emission, they say that global warming is already being felt and that we are nearing our doomsday if we do nothing about it.

I have nothing against the idea, it was true that global warming is an ill fate that we will face in the future if we just shrug our shoulders and do nothing. Yet, is it worth noting and thinking about it when the people of this land is suffering from hunger and poverty? What is to survive the calamities of the weather when we are to die of hunger? Could you think logical when you crave for food and shelter?

The idea is not to simplify this things. Yes, I can manage my waste, but, to other fellows who only have 20 cents a day for the meal of a family of seven, do you think they would still care? This comes hand in hand with the government policies. Prioritize to solve the immediate needs of the people before digging deeper into other cancers of society. Our need is to be fed and felt the assurance that we could still live for the next five or ten years. With an ever increasing prices of basic food like rice, fish, and meat, how can a family of seven survive for the next five years when there is less and less job opportunities? It is a sad thing to note that people here in the Philippines, especially the poorest ones, are satisfying themselves from the leftovers of few people who could afford hotels and restaurants. There is one meal that they call continental, just because it is the surplus of continental hotel, which is being sold to them at P30.00 per kilo. How degrading, these leftovers are dug up from trash cans. Would you dare to eat like that?

In my opinion, this government should properly use time and priorities, act now, save our people from poverty and all else will follow. If we have a healthy people, they would refrain from other crimes to the planet and to other citizens. Act now, fast.

The Importance of Family

I have to deviate from my previous post topics that deals mainly with the issues of the governance and social system. This time, I would like to talk about the family.

I was always confronted with the question of what is more important, providing for your family's need or strengthen family ties and lead them not into drugs and bad peers.

I don't really know if my choice was right or wrong, or weather it is acceptable to many or not. It has always been a question of what is your priority in life. For me, I chose the later. I still believe that family ties and teaching the children proper values would conquer our need for better life. Though I cannot deny the urge is strong for me to choose a work that would provide better living for my family, I cannot leave them and go abroad.

Being an observer, I have seen a lot of families, though rich and wealthy of worldly possessions, whose members lacks the morals and values that for most of us, should come naturally. I have seen families broken and children going no where but drugs and vices that would tragically lead to crimes and before everyone knew it, it was already too late.

This thought came to me late last year and ever since I realize the effects of it, I loose the appetite of going to a faraway land to work and earn lots of money. Though we are on a tight budget here in this miserable country, I think, it is still best to stay and earn just enough to make my family alive for a month.


I hate to see my children grow without me, and the guidance of a father. I could never forgive myself if ever that happens. I just wish that this government would not forget its people, find ways to make life bearable and light. I still believe in the Filipino people.

What do I Offer for a Change?

It has been a while since I last posted something in here. I was just too busy thinking, what could I be contributing to this society that was burying itself more and more in the quick sand of chaos and disorder? Does this country still feels something worth mentioning? Do we really need something else to be free and be responsible for all the things that is happening now? Where is hope? What have become of it?

I was always saddened lately by the news around my country, making me feel so stressed out and left with no energy, not even the guts to write on this blog. I have failed. That is what I felt. I have failed. I could give nothing more because, I, myself is a failure.

Was it just because of something that was not attained or done that gives me this feeling? Lately, I felt like I'm feeling that nauseating breeze that I used to breath when I'm still a fifth grader. I missed it, but going into it once again reminds me a lot of things that I dreamed of, and should have been prioritized before but I have failed to do. Now, I am considered a failure.

This country, Philippines, has a lot of things happening just because they are needed to happen, yet, my countrymen doesn't care. I am a public school teacher. A servant for my people, yet, I cannot feel that I am effective. Last graduation, I have more than 10 students that should have been dropped out of the list of graduates, these students failed, failed to attend my class, failed to submit requirements, failed to pass the exams, all for 2 semesters. Yet, they were able to go upstage and took their high school diploma with them. I thought, it will be helpful, but my conscience is killing me. How could I be unfair to other students? This was not my idea. It was by the virtue of advisers who kept begging me to pass their students and simply ask for projects like books. I failed with them when I gave my self up and let them go.

Now, tell me, when these things happen here in small school which is a small institution in this country, how could the country be better? If would simply count its effect in geometric multiples, it will be gigantic. That will be the reason why this country is still sinking. Tell me, what must I do for change?

Is it worthwhile hearing them?

Moral recovery, the most sought after word in the Philippines today. Is it just an issue to stay famous or rather infamous or was just a way to create another chaotic system of governance? I am speaking for myself, and for the past years, I have been convinced that it is not simply the government or the system, it was our culture. So sad, but I am very much convinced that the system of governance executed in the country is far from being PRO-People, it is the sad truth, it is in our blood and it runs with in the people. How demoralizing!

Recently on the news was the President saying that she will stop RED TAPE in the government. She will start programs for moral recovery of this nation. But looking at the situation in my perspective as a simple citizen, why should that be said now, when her "Malacañan People" is on the middle of controversy of giving a fortune to politicians, for free, without necessary papers, without request, without anything, just a mere cash gift! Gift for what? Why? and who? Where does the money came from? What is the purpose? It is good that Pampanga governor used to be a priest, an honest man who believes that this should end. How have been given? Why only two of these politicians came out and tell of the money?

I was always thinking, is there still a way for my country to get out of this hell? A hell of doing transactions with the government. And in my observation, it is in our culture. Take for example a fellow of mine who happens to need some of my expertise, she would always be giving me some sort of gifts, for doing something for her. You know what, I will do that job even if I get nothing out of it. It is genuine for me to do that, but why should she insist on me the gifts? Then, probably, I thought, it is on the culture of Filipinos. Imagine, every election, how many people sell their votes? Ahh, it is a widespread culture here in this country that I revoked so much. If it is happening in my level, so much more on the higher courts and forums. Just like an officer who heads a government office, he bought a new car and boasted it to be used by him on every official business that he has to attend. What would he expect in return? He make his office pay himP20,000.00 for every month, as a sort of rent for the car, that is excluding the gasoline allowance and other expense of travel. If you will compute for the amount the office had paid him for the past years, it would amount to 2 brand new cars to date. Yet, none is exposed and the Commission on Audit, as usual, is not doing its job. A moral leader?

So how do you think this government will do moral recovery program? I don't know. Perhaps, every member of the government, including the lowest position should be compelled to resign, that includes me. Then, perhaps, they should implement a new system of audit and hire a lot of undercover cops/agents watching the Auditors, the Office heads and all gov. employees. Probably, a massive computerization should help solve massive corruption. I don't really know the most effective method, but for my growing child, I have to find a way for him not to adapt these ways, these shameful ways. If you will think about it, it is a problem so complicated that it seems no solution is probable at all. Thinking further, you would arrive at a thought asking, Is it worth listening to this government?

A Shallow Generation

I think I would never see, students working as hard as a bee, not in in this lifetime that many children are confused in society torn with corruption and greed. It was a pain in the ass being a teacher in a third world country, being underpaid and working more than your capacity, I couldn't even touch my keyboard and start writing on this blog on a regular time interval! It was a sad tale yet I have to live with it, not for the rest of my life, but as long as I haven't got another job!

What bothers me is not about me or my family's future, it is the children who I am responsible to teach. I couldn't get into their minds what is supposed to be fed in them. I hate to admit it, but the quality of education in the Philippine setting has long been corrupted by those administrators and managers on the higher offices, jumping one curriculum to another without even taking note of the consequences it has on the students. There are no studies done to show how wrong an implementation is or no evaluation of the previous curricula before going to another. It was just like changing shirts! They were not bothered by the preparations and additional burden on the shoulders of the ranks like us. They never even thought of the impact of these changes on students! Imagine, every time the department secretary changes, so was the curriculum! Our graduating student today have undergone almost 3 curriculum changes while studying a 4 year secondary course. What could be the effect on them???

A SHALLOW GENERATION! That is. you could hardly find an ordinary high-school student who really do understand the word OBLIVIOUS. And it is very obvious that these students could not very well express their thoughts. We can find students doing a lot of things in their body out of curiosity. There are body piercing, abuse and dependence on drugs, grass, sex, violence. They tend to associate with people whom they hardly knew. They even organized themselves and try to build a name, of being notorious in the campus. You can only see through them, but you won't hear from them. Even their names are sometimes miss-spelled! What would you expect from them? I have been teaching 10 years now and have seen both the best and the worst students. In today's setting, you will meet them both in one single class, both sides of the extreme qualities of the students. Those on the better side, performs to their best, but only a handful, sometimes, not even three in a class. Worst sides are booming, numbers are far more exceeding than a handful. Bridging the gap between them are below average ones who could hardly be felt. What happened? It is easy to pass a name than to fail his mother or father begging for mercy. This was the real scenario. At the end of every grading period, it is a familiar scene that could be observed. Many parents roam around, begging teachers to let their children stay on the class and pass! Head teachers are also problems. You could hardly find one who will stand by you on the case against students failure. Most of them see student's failure as teacher's failure! What a disgrace! Teachers burdened with full time loads and a ton of paper works, would still find time to visit the students and asked them to come on school and study?

I don't really know where the root of the problem really is. Should some other government agencies be more vigilant and start to do some actions on this matter? But what agency could help when in their own agencies, they have a much worse problem? Should the senate and congress enact a law that will force the students to study and parents to be responsible for their children's attention on studying? After all, the government is paying the tuition fees of these irresponsible students! Should we change the whole system? I don't know. I could not even think about it. It was too complicated that almost everyone is connected to the crime of not giving or not taking the right to a good education and be educated. What will the future of the Philippines be if the citizen's are not well educated at all?