Aug 2nd 09
Posted by Arnold in Politics
By now, we already know that the Filipinos are mourning with the death of our former President Cory Aquino. Let me add my thoughts on top of the thousand bloggers that already expressed theirs.
Let’s talk about legacy, shall we.
Legacy, in my opinion, is so powerful it can affect the lives of others even after we die. And legacy is something that we normally don’t plan. For most people, legacy is not a one shot deal, it’s not created by a single event in their life. A lasting legacy is created by the kind of life you live. It is the series of decisions we made, right or wrong, that form part of our legacy.
Good or bad, our legacy affects our love ones, our community, or even a whole generation. Think about Jose Rizal and Hitler and Billy Graham (still alive) and Michael Jackson. Each of them left (or will leave) a legacy that has affected us.
President Cory was not the best president that we had. She’s not extra ordinary. Not a brilliant economist or a strong military leader.
Rather, she is known for her love for peace, her passion for democracy.
We did not become a tiger economy during her term, but because of her determination and right choices, we were able to grow the economy from being at its worse after the dictatorship.
She was known to be the “least corrupt” president. No hidden bank accounts, no AMARI scandals, no jueteng scandals, no ZTE scandals. Money maybe important, but it wasn’t her god.
She was honest. She know where she stands. She knows her weaknesses and admits it.
She was humble and didn’t even know it. I hate to make this blog a political one, but I can’t help but compare her to our sitting president. Yesterday, I watched her last SONA on YouTube and there was some very significant differences with GMA’s “last”. Let me share some:
Cory: “I accept the criticisms poured on me painful as they are as part and parcel of the hazards of public service.”
GMA (current president): “To my critics… don’t pussy foot”
Cory: “Next year, I will step down… Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, at paalam”
GMA: “After I step down from this platform, I’M STILL THE PRESIDENT” (As if we don’t know that!)
Legacy. What will be Cory’s? What will be Gloria’s? What will be yours?
The kind of legacy that we will leave when we die is the choice that we can make while we’re still alive.
Jul 8th 09
Posted by Arnold in All in a days work
Before I piss off some really good friends of mine, let me first say that while I’m not an Iglesia ni Cristo, I respect them as a religious sect. I have several friends who are members of this organization. The point of this blog is not about them, it’s about how this government is treating our intelligence.
The Inquirer reported today that the government is declaring July 27 as Iglesia Ni Cristo day in commemoration of their founding anniversary.
An anniversary celebration for a big religious group, yes. But a national holiday? Shouldn’t it follow, then that Bro. Mike’s El Shaddai receive the same holiday treatment on their own anniversary — especially that according to their claims, their membership is far more than that of INC? Or Bro. Eddie’s Jesus is Lord? Oh, by the way, Victory Christian Fellowship, one of those huge Christian groups that contributes to the spiritual and moral development of the country is having their 25th founding anniversary in 2 weeks time. I’m not a member, but I love these guys. I know some of their pastors and they are one of the most sincere and passionate leaders I’ve ever known.
Can we also ask for a Grace Place day on September 3?
Let me get straight to the point. You advisers in Malacanang are doing this for one reason: votes for 2010 election! The INC are known for block voting. You’re insulting our intelligence.
Hayyy!. Sana 2010 na.
Update: It gets even worse: It was actually a law signed by congress. Magalit na ang magagalit sa akin, but don’t we have better laws to pass these days?
May 15th 09
Posted by Arnold in Webby
First of all, let me state where I am as a Filipino on this issue: Martin Nievera did really well in singing our National Anthem during the Paquiao-Hatton fight in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a Filipino, seeing him sing the anthem with class, with passion and with energy — it makes me proud.
The guy is under tremendous pressure right now as some think he did our anthem injustice when he created an arrangement that is, according them, against what the law prescribed.
Well, it’s just me, but I simply think that we all need to grow up.
Now, having said that, I don’t think Martin needs to make an alibi for doing his choice of arrangement. But in today’s column at Philippine Star, he does seem to make one. This time, he said, it was Robin, his eldest son’s mistake. Or something like that. Oh, well, not really blaming his kid. Nonetheless, I don’t think it’s really needed.
In my opinion, let’s just leave the guy alone. He kicked Sir Tom Jones’ ass during that night. It’s enough for me.
May 5th 09
Posted by Arnold in Politics
Over the weekend, we saw a very interesting newspaper center fold ad about an advocacy. “Ako Mismo” features very interesting personalities promoting it. Ely Buendia, Angel Locsin, Chris Tiu among others. I sincerely appreciate its cause. It makes everyone think about doing something and not just “saying something” for the country.
And it makes me wanna get that dog tag!
On the other hand, I had some questions in my mind then:
1. Are these artists pro bono, or were they paid to appear in the ad?
2. If they were paid, it definitely sure cost a lot!
3. If it costs a lot, who paid for it? — and we now know it’s Smart Communications.
My doubts are later triggered further with MLQ3′s Twitter update:
Is it possible AkoMismo ads today are trial balloon for possible Manuel V. Pangilinan presidential bid? Who else could afford it?
Today, an email is circulating that supposed to come from Jaime Garchitorena:
To all those that signed up with AKO MISMO!
You are now part of SMART telecoms network for potential campaigns in 2010.
The amount of information they have asked is so detailed that they can track you down to your zip code and contact you any time. In all my years of signing up for information I have never had a site require so much information AS REQUIRED FIELDS.
This makes for a perfect voter mapping database and campaign tool for anyone that wants to pay SMART for the information.
Did you think SMART would pay MILLIONS in production and advertising and talent costs for nothing?
If you refer to their privacy policy that no one ever reads, it states:
AKO MISMO MAY use the personal information you provide to:
• Contact you – either in response to a query or suggestion, or to mail newsletters, documents, publications, etc.
• “Remember” your online profile and preferences;
• Help you quickly find information that is relevant to you based on your interests, and help us create site contents most relevant to you;
In other words the can PUSH information to you which is an important tool in making sure that you can receive even unwanted campaign messages.
• Undertake statistical analysis.
They can use your answers to this PUSH for other mapping and trending purposes.
They also wash their hands of any person “accidentally” cracking the site and getting all your info. If you read privacy policy, again, which no one reads:
AKO MISMO shall not be liable under any circumstances for damages resulting from unauthorized use of information collected from visitors to the site.
AKO MISMO may change this privacy policy to reflect changes in the way we collect visitor information.
As a final warning, their privacy policy claims that you can still access this site even if you do not sign up (again from the privacy policy page):
What if I don’t want to provide personal information?
Providing personal information on the AKO MISMO web site is optional. If you choose not to provide personal information, you can still browse and use the AKO MISMO site, but you will not be able to carry out certain actions.
This is not true. None of the pages are viewable unless you have signed in. This is already a sure sign that their intent is to make you sign up and not just to make you a part of a youth reform activity.
A friendly piece of advice: Go back to the site and change your details please change all the details that pertain to AGE, SEX, and, LOCATION.
Also change your phone number if you like. This is to protect your privacy.
And remember you are still holding on to your pledge of participation in making our country great and they promise not to bar you from accessing the site even if you change your details so you will lose nothing but you will take back your security.
Please pass to all the people you know who may have signed up.
Ingat lang tayo po sa mga ganito.
Salamat!
I’m not insinuating that this campaign is not an authentic, honest way to reach to every Filipino to do something for the country. I just think that there is a lot of questions that needs to be answered.
