Why not Noli de Castro (part 2)

A welcome discussion with Ganns from his blog. He made reference to my previous blog post discussing why Noli de Castro can be a good president contrary to the doubts of what I assume as the majority of the middle class.

First, let me clarify that I’m not dead serious (and passionate) in supporting and promoting a Noli de Castro presidency as much as I was with then candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva (whom, on a different note, I am starting to dislike for his insinuations that he is still the best “presidentiable” around). I’m just trying to support the idea that the best constitutional alternative is possible — de Castro being ready to assume the post if ever Gloria resigns.

I like what Senator Lacson said in an ANC interview. He was asked if he has problems with a de Castro presidency. As an oppositionist that he is, I’m surprised by his answer. He said, he is the constitutional successor so let him be the president. And I believe that that’s the only error-free, non-bloody and feasible alternative to solve the present political crisis.

Having said that, I think Ganns doesn’t like de Castro for 2 reasons, 1) his alleged involvement in extortion as a broadcaster, and 2) his perceived inability to lead

I’m not sure with the Ozone allegations, I was in college back then and TV was only accessible on weekend in my dormitory :D The most recent allegations I remember were those tossed on him during the election campaign. Honestly, in my opinion, because of the dirt in politics, I cannot really say if those allegations were sincere or tainted by political propaganda. If I can remember it right, the allegations last year looked very suspicious and incredible. Nonetheless, I’m not saying all the allegations are baseless. Those might be true — or not. As Ganns said, “The potential for Noli de Castro to become corrupt is as open as any other person’s, [and] Mr. De Castro and his handlers are just as crooked as anybody else out there.” Well, that’s the reality of Philippine politics. In the meantime, I am trying not to believe those, though, when accusations remain verbal, without a court case filed nor court case won.

Ganns has a point for de Castro not having the capability to lead for *just* being a broadcaster. I agree that being a broadcaster doesn’t entail you of much experience to govern or lead a group. But, really now. If we talk about capability to lead, aside from Bro. Eddie, it’s Lacson who will lead the pack. He was a PNP officer all his professional life. Not even PGMA, before becoming president, can catch up to that qualification and leadership experience.

A professor of mine from business school said, “A good leader doesn’t mean he has the ability and knowledge to do all the work. A good leader is capable of picking the right people to do the work”. I don’t know whom he quoted it from, but he does make sense to me. That’s where Erap failed. He picked the wrong people. If only he picked the right ones — and was sober most of the time — he could have been a good leader.

Add to this what Rick Warren says, “If you want to know if you’re a good leader, see if people are following you.” This is where being popular to the masses will come in. Normally, a good communicator, such as President Ronald Reagan, is a good leader — because people can relate to them and they follow. Being a broadcaster such as de Castro, I believe he has an advantage in this area.

If Noli de Castro picks the right people, stay away from dirty traditional politics and communicate well with the people, I believe that he can earn Ganns’ trust, eventually :D.
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G8 cancels poor countries’ debts

I’ve been getting email updates from The One Campaign. Now, this is gorgeous: G8 cancels the debt of mostly poor African countries! You of gracious hearts. Can you extend this graciousness to the Philippines too? Please?

Why not Noli de Castro?

This blog is fast becoming a photo gallery. Can I post something meaty today? :D How about politics?

More and more people are calling for President Arroyo’s resignation. With her silence, she is not allowing herself to exercise her priviledge of refuting the accusations against her. I’m about to believe that the “Gloria-gate” tape (actually, “Gloria-gate CD” is more appropirate) is true. Konti nalang!

Now, these people has one apprehension — there is no viable alternative to take Gloria’s post. Not even vice-president Noli de Castro. But just recently, it made me thinking — why not Noli? I mean, are they saying that Noli is bopols, must like what they think about Erap — that he cannot be a good President?

Let me take the unpopular position. Let me tell you why I think Noli de Castro is a very good alternative to Gloria Arroyo.

1. Untainted reputation. Please, don’t compare him to Erap. Yes, he may not be an economist or a lawyer. But Erap wasn’t kicked out because he doesn’t have a high-profile education. He was kicked out for corruption. Not that he cannot govern for just being an entertainer, he is corrupt! Now, aside from that unfounded accusation on Noli during the campaign period last year, I can’t remember anything that would taint his reputation for the last 4 years of holding a public office. He certainly isn’t another Erap unlike what others think he is.

2. Not a trapo. Now, Gloria IS a Trapo (non-Pinoys, that means “Traditional Politician”). Erap IS a trapo. Most of the senators are trapos. But Noli isn’t. He was a public servant in the field of media. Was a senator for 3 years. I still have to see a strain of a trapo in him. Trapo-beaters, sure Noli isn’t in your list.

3. Public servant. Unlike FPJ, I believe that a brodcaster like Noli de Castro is more capable of serving the public than that of an entertainer. He is more in touch with the real issues of the nation. Has been in the field hearing what people have to say.

4. Popular. Oh, this man is. Top notcher as a senator. And while there is still a controversy between him and Loren Legarda, I still believe that the general public love this guy. See what happens when we have an unpopular president such as Gloria Arroyo? If only the mid to higher class of our society can accept him as an alternative to Arroyo, together with the masses, I’m sure he can be one of the most loved president of our country.

Who says Noli de Castro can’t run a country? With proper guidance from men of integrity, he sure can manage this sin-sicked, corrupt nation. Why not consider him than thinking of other weird alternatives like a military hunta — especially that he is the legitimate successor in the first place.

Now, I don’t want to see the NBI in our door steps — I’m not an Atty. Ong asking the president to step down. I’m just trying to paint a scenario when and if ever Gloria heeds to pressure. I’m saying, why not Noli?

Team Sparrow under heat

July 4, 2005 at Island Cove. More here.

Reuben Morgan in Manila: a review

Last Saturday, June 11, 2005, Reuben Morgan of Hillsongs Australia came to Manila for a night of Praise and Worship. I should say, he actually brought his personal band that toured with him for the past weeks and not United nor the main Hillsong team as previously announced. Whichever, they made a great impact in the worship experience of Filipinos.

I went with Joy (my wife) and 4 others from our church. We missed the seminar at 4 pm, though. So this review is based on the evening’s main event.

Now, please don’t look at me as a critic, but below are just my honest evaluation of the event itself.

The should be’s

* The Dome wasn’t a full house. I think the major factor for this is the prices of the tickets. Considering that the promoters are targeting the youth, the gate tickets should be lower. When I first attended a Hillsong worship concert back in 2001 at the ULTRA, we paid P100 for a level 3 seat. At Araneta, we’re at the level 4 paying P400. When you look at the place, there seemed a huge vacuum at the center going nearer to the stage. :D

I was thinking, if only the organizers were able to see this while they were planning for this event, they should have used a smaller venue, say ULTRA. For some, seeing the “near-the-stage” area not covered by people isn’t a big deal. But, I think, it has an impact on the event itself — whether it’s a secular or religious concert.

* Carefully listening to Reuben Morgan and his band, I feel like there’s a hole in their sound. I mean, I’ve attended several concerts at the Dome before and I have never been unsatisfied with the music as now. Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the time so much — and I’ll tell you later. But what I’m saying is, they sounded flat. Was it the mixing/sound engineering? Was it the Dome’s sound equipments? I’m not sure, but as I have said, Patti Austin sounded real better than Morgan at the Dome.

Or was I simply expecting too much? You see, I was expecting a Hillsong-type of music, or even a United-kind if their intention was to sound “youth”. But I guess, they sounded flat because 1) Rueben has no praise and worship team 2) no keyboards/synth (I know its supposed to be a rock concert, but I believe that a Praise and worship as grand as this should have a keyboard) and 3) generally lacks the man-power to create a better sounding music.

My assessment was confirmed when I asked several people that were with me. I think what the organizers should have done was coordinate with local musicians. Look at this picture taken from their Malaysian leg. They have a choir, keyboards and the stage looks amazing. (Ours was so bear. Other than the lights, there isn’t anything present really). I wonder how the Malaysian organizers did this. I bet they did a great work in partnering with local churches and musicians. This is what Darlene and her team did back in 2001. I remember during the concert, there were about 3 Filipinos singing with them and a musician that played with the band.

* Overall, the organizers seems unprepared. You can see it how they flip the screen camera and the projector (for the lyrics of the song). They just don’t know what to do :D I am just blessed to know most of the songs that I don’t need the projector anymore. But you can imagine how others felt.

You may say, I saw these things because I’m just not really worshiping most of the time. Well, I’ll tell you later. But really, I believe, and Hillsong in their recordings has repeatedly mentioned, that when we do something for God, it should be the best. We have an audience of One. Please take this as point for improvement the next time we invite groups such as Morgan’s.

The praises

The seemingly negative things I mentioned above is overly overwhelmed (can you feel the redundancy? :D ) by the fact that thousands of worshipper worshipped the Almighty together that night. People shouting “hallelujah!” on top of their lungs, jumping up and down in celebration of a living Savior (while singing “My Redeemer Lives”). It was an awesome experience.

I also noticed that there were more intimate songs than the celebrative ones. I guess its because Reuben’s forte is really on the contemplative, intimate songs. If you can carefully look at any Hillsong albums’ song credits, you will notice that Rueben’s compositions are more intimate than celebrative. And I enjoyed it. When we sung “Still”, I can’t help it but cry to the Lord in worship. If there’s any time in my life that I need songs like that, it’s now. I need an assurance that I can be still and know that God is in control.

Another wonderful thing happened — this is the first time I saw Catholics and evangelical Christians worship together. You see, the promoter/organizer of this event is Fish Magazine – a Roman Catholic oriented youth magazine, published by BO Sanchez, a Roman Catholic preacher. But you should also take note that most of their partners were evangelical para-church organizations. Jim of Now Radio made a wonderful promotion for the station. Pastor Eric C. Maliwat of DZAS, an evangelical radio station said his piece, too. And, Hillsong with Rueben Morgan themselves are evangelicals (pentecostal in orientation). So, can you see the mix?

Now, my friends at the Bereans Apologetics, I’m not talking about ecumenism here. But Roman Catholics and evangelicals worshipping together one Lord – whats wrong with that?

All in all, it was an awesome experience. I praise God for Fish and Bo Sanchez for bringing Rueben Morgan here. I know guys, you can do better next time :D.

Let me just end this piece with a thought: that Saturday night, while people are trying to overthrow the country’s leadership, while people are protesting, flocking towards the San Carlos Seminary where a person holding the alleged original wiretapped conversation of the President of the Republic is hidding, the people of God are worshipping Him and praying for the nation. Isn’t that we should do?

Next: more pictures.