The Mentors' Journal

Journalists shout justice and no to Martial Law

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:00:18 +0000

by: Carlyd Mae C. De Jesus and Mery Rose G. Borjal

Journalists and media men from Bulacan and BulSU’s student publications gathered and held a prayer rally for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre last December 9, 2009 at the university’s Heroes Park.

Media workers from YAMAHA Bulacan Riders, Punla, Bulacan Press Club (BPC), and student writers from Pacesetter, the university- wide publication, and those from college publications like Nurses’ Notes (CON), Cursor (CICT), The Mentors’ Journal (COEd) lit candles and offered prayers to show their sympathy to the death of their fellow journalists.

“Walang pinapanigan ang media. Ang pinapahalagahan [namin] ay karunungan at katotohanan; ang bawat mamamahayag ay dapat sumali sa digmaan ng karunungan. Peryodista ang tumitindig at lumalaban sa katarungan,” said Joey Rey Munsayap of BPC.

Members of student publications, meanwhile, with their slogans, expressed their opposition to the imposition of Marial Law in Maguindanao last December 5 under Proclamation No. 1959.

“Walang direktang basehan ang pagdedeklara ng Martial Law sa Maguindanao, isang paraan lamang ito upang mapalagay ang mga tao na sinusolusyunan ng gobyerno ang problemang hinaharap ngayon ng Maguindanao. Isa rin ito sa mga pwedeng paraan upang mapahaba ang termino ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, kung saka-sakaling maidedeklara ang Martial Law sa buong Pilipinas,” said Mark Romel Cabrera, KABATAAN party-list student.

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The Mentors Journal SG Election 2010 Primer

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:54:22 +0000

Question for President and Vice President Candidates:

Kung bibigyan ka ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng superpower, ano ito? Sa anong paraan mo ito gagamitin para makatulong sa ating unibersidad?

Question for Senators and Board Members Candidates:

Anong kanta ang maaaring kumatawan sa iyong plataporma? Bakit?

Question for Gov. and Vice Gov. Candidates:

Sa anong uri ng pagkain mo maihahambing ang iyong mga hangarin para sa mga estudyante ng COEd? Bakit?

PDM

PRES. RENEN BANTILLO

Time-freezing power para maagapan ang anumang masamang banta sa ating unibersidad at upang maagapan ang isang problema bago ito tuluyang lumala.

VP JOEY MARIE SANTIAGO

Super speed, inaamin ko sa napakaiksing panahon na ilalagak ko sa SG maaaring di ko masagawa ang lahat ng aking mga nais matapos, kaya kung mararapatin ang kapangyarihang maging mabilis ay makakatulong upang maisagawa ang aking nilalayon ng pulido at maayos.

SEN. FERNAN DEALCA

Magsimula ka. We should all work as one not tomorrow but today. Magsimula tayong baguhin ang mga nakasanayan sa Student Government. Magsikap tayong kamtin kung anuman ang ating ninanais.

SEN. VICTOR BANAS

Redemption Song. “How long shall they kill our prophets while we stand aside and look?”

SEN. LEO NACAWILI

Para sa’yo [ni Manny Pacquiao] dahil para sa estudyante at BulSU lang ang aming pinaglalaban.

SEN. CON GABA

Hawak kamay. Kinakatawan nito ang aking plataporma sapagkat ang pagkakaroon ng publication fee ay daan upang magkaroon ng boses ang mga estudyante at sama-samang lumaban sa pagkamit ng pagbabago.

SEN.JENUELLE “JR” GAPUZ

Let me take you there [Plain White T’s]. Let me take every BulSUan to change the university not just by giving what they want but to fulfill what they need.

GOV. ABIGAIL “ABI” ADRIANO

Para saken, tuyo. Simpleng ulam para sa mga mayayaman ngunit mahalaga para sa dukha dahil kahit gaano ito kasimple, natutugunan nito ang gutom na sikmura ng mga tao. Tulad ng aming plataporma, simple ngunit malakas ang impact at mahalaga sa bawat estudyante.

VICE GOV. JAIROH “JAI” SANTOS

Simple lang, galunggong. Bakit? Pagkain ng mahirap, simpleng isda ngunit nalalagyan ng laman ng ating tiyan. Katulad ng aming plataporma, simple lang ngunit malaki ang epekto sa mga estudyante at kung masusulusyunan, maiibsan ang kahirapan.

BSEd BOARD MEMBER RAYMOND “MOMON” ADRIANO

Heal the World. Bakit? Dahil gusto po ng aming partido na gamutin ang mga sirang facilities ng ating kolehiyo. “Make it a better place” sa kantang heal the world na kumakatawan din sa kagustuhan naming magkaroon tayo ng mas maayos at conducive to learning classrooms.

BEEd BOARD MEMBER NOEMI “NAOMI” LUMIO

Ang kantang napili ko ay Hawak Kamay ni Yeng Constantino dahil hindi namin matutupad ang aming plataporma sa ating kolehiyo kung hindi naming kayo kahawak-kamay. Aming matutugunan at masosolusyunan ang lahat ng kakulangan ng ating kolehiyo kung hawak kamay tayong magtutulungan.

ASAP

PRES. ROBERT “ROB” PORCIUNCULA

Kung bibigyan ako ng isang super power, gugustuhin kong mabasa ang isipan ng mga estudyante upang mabasa at malaman ang mga problemang hindi nila masabi. Sa paraang iyon masosolusyunan ang problema ng mga mag-aaral kahit hindi sila mismo ang magsabi.

VP DANA ELOISA “DANA” TAMAYO

Kapangyarihan ng mas malawak pang kaisipan. Bakit? Upang mas makaisip pa kami ng mga paraan at solusyon upang matulungan at matugunan ang bawat problemang kinakaharap ng bawat estudyante ng ating unibersidad.

SEN. PAUL CHRISTIAN “PAUQUI” QUILET

Dahil favorite ko ang Nobody ng Wondergirls, iyun ang napili ko. Dahil wala akong ibang gustong pagsilbihan kundi ang mga estudyante. “I want nobody, nobody but you” (clap-clap)

SEN. ALBERT “SYD” OLORAZA

Sana by Kenyo. “Sana’y pag-ibig na lang ang isipin…”

SENATOR MARK ANTHONY

Hold on to your dream. “Hold on to your dream we can make it happen…” Dream + Action= Vision

SEN. ALYSSA “POTCHIE” GONZALES

For me the song suited for the general advocacy of our ASAP family is the song entitled Hawak Kamay.

SEN. MERYLLE GRACE “MERYL” ROQUE

Just stand up. Kasi yun ako, kaya kong panindigan ang mga bagay [na] nais kong mangyari para sa mga estudyante, kaya kong ipaglaban ang karapatan ng bawat estudyante.

GOV. RUSSEL “RUSH” LUMIDAO

Pinakbet. Isang pagkaing may iba’t ibang sangkap, sangkap na may kanya-kanyang lasa ngunit nakabubusog na ulam. Isang pagkaing sakto sa bulsa at panlasa ng masa. Simpleng mga plataporma ngunit bongga ang dala dahil nakasisigurado ka.

VICE GOV. ROBERTO “OBANG” TORRES

Maihahambing ko ang aking mga plataporma sa isang Menudo sapagkat marami itong sangkap na katanggap-tanggap sa panlasa ng mga estudyante at dahil madalas din ito nakikita sa mga handaan nagpapatunay na ito ay pang-masa at alam at huli ang pangangailangan ng mga estudyante.

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Bukambibig: Ano’ng alam mo sa eksena sa Kapitolyo?

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:10:56 +0000

Limang buwan bago ang nalalapit na eleksyon, isang balita ang gumulat sa Bulacan patungkol sa tunay na nanalong gobernador ng probinsya. Ang nasabing balita ay nagbigay ng kalituhan sa mga mamamayan. Bilang estudyante sa pinakamalapit na unibersidad sa kapitolyo, ano ba ang alam mong latest na pangyayaring nagaganap sa nasabing lugar?

“Pag-apila ni Obet Pagdanganan na mayroon daw na dayaang nangyari. Kaya nagpagawa siya ng recount voting para malaman ang katotohanan.” Edward C. Ramuro, BSEd I-H

“Sa aking pagkakaalam ay hindi na si Jon-Jon ang gobernador sa kapitolyo.” Mary Grace Bernabe, BEEd 2-C

“Nagkaroon ng dayaan nung huling halalalan, Dapat si Obet Pagdanganan ang nakaupong gobernador ng Bulacan. Nagkakaroon ng rally patungkol sa dapat umupong gobernador ng ating lalawigan.” Cristina Jhoy M. Balanay, BEEd 3-A

“Nagkadayaan sa bilangan, Pagdanganan claiming he won, hindi si Jon-Jon.” Chix, BEEd 3-A

“Ang alam ko may mga militar ngayon sa kapitolyo para piliting paalisin na si Gob. Jon-Jon.” Grace Marcos, BEEd I-B

“Talo si Gob.Jon-Jon sa recount. Ang lumabas na nanalo ay si Pagdanganan pero ayaw paupuin ni Gob. si Obet. Laging may party sa kapitolyo.” John Kelvin R. Briones, IV-K

“Sa ngayon, hindi malaman kung sino ang nanalo sa pagiging gobernador, kung si Jon-Jon o si Obet.” Daisyrie A. Dela Cruz, BEEd I-B

“Nag-aagawan ngayon sina Gob. Jon-Jon at Obet Pagdanganan sa pagka- gobernador dahil ayon sa Comelec, hindi daw si Jon-Jon ang nanalo nang ang mga balota ay pinabilang muli.” Rosalie A. Somontina,BSEd II-C

“Napapabalita na ang tunay na nanalo sa eleksyon ay si Obet Pagdanganan.Lamang daw po siya kay Jon-Jon.Yun po ang napanood ko sa balita nadaya raw si Obet Pagdanganan.” Stephanie Joy Fabian, BSEd I-G

“Yung rally tungkol kay Jon-Jon kasi ayaw paalisin ng mga tao si Jon-Jon tapos pinasara yung mga daan.” Ivy Dianne Arcilla , BSEd I-H

“Marami pa ring sumusuporta kay Gob. Jon-Jon kahit na ang balita ay hindi siya ang nanalo kasi ayaw nilang mapasok ang kapitolyo.” Marvic Cruz II, I-E

“Gustong linawin at makuha ni Obet Pagdanganan ang pwesto bilang gobernador na sinasabing niyang dapat ay sa kanya.” Khristine Balanay, BSEd II-G

“Pinapababa si Gob. Jon-Jon Mendoza dahil nang binilang ulit ang boto lumabas na si Pagdanganan ang nanalo bilang Gobernador ng Bulacan.” Fatima Xyleene L.Aquino, BSEd II-H

“Sa pagkakaalam ko ay may ginaganap na program sa harap ng kapitolyo sa pangunguna ni Jon-Jon Mendoza.” Yzhel, BSEd I –G

“Pagwawalang bisa ng COMELEC pagkapanalo ni Gov. Mendoza, at pagdedeklarang si Obet Pagdanganan ang tunay na nanalo sa eleksyon.” Mary Grace L Ventura, BSEd I-G “Ang alam ko dalawang gobernador ang nakaupo.” Regine San Juan, BEEd II-C

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Übermensch – Why Write?

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:02:39 +0000

by: Ruby Rose R. Cruz

It is when you don’t have the initiative, it is when you’re not inspired, it is when even the corniest idea or the silliest thoughts didn’t even bother to cross your mind—it’s these times when you are mostly required to write. Ironically, the sources are all widely available, you just have to choose, yet you still cannot write.

I’ve spent the last five-and-a-half semesters of my college life in this college publication (two semesters as a staff writer, and the rest as part of the Editorial Board). Being part of this publication brings pressure since I always have to prove my skills to others especially because I’m here. I always try not to be the cause of headache of the other editors, but unfortunately, sometimes, I cannot help but be one. And because of these faults, I always make it a point that my presence is felt every EB and Ed staff meeting, but due to some inevitable circumstances and conflicting schedules, sometimes still I fail to do so. I always attend journalism skills training for I know I badly need plenty of it. I am regularly ready for shoe-wrecking legworks, since I know that is the only way I can help my co-editors. I always try to visit the office every Saturday presswork even if it means spending my allowance for the coming week. I’m always ready to solicit monetary assistance from politicians and other affluent personalities so that we could have funds for office expenses because I know I cannot give that by myself. I do these things though I know that being part of this student publication requires more than just presence during meetings, presswork, seminars, and the likes. It requires more than just doing legworks or soliciting monetary help. I didn’t know that all along, I was missing the very essence of this student publication.

Only after almost three years did I realize that I haven’t produced any true column article for the publication yet. True article because I had written one before but it just did not fit the standards of the other editors. In conclusion, it was not published and was just posted on the website instead. Only now did I realize that probably this is my chance. I merely have no more than two-and-a-half semesters left in college (I hope) and I expect to still spend it with this publication—writing articles.

But, why write in the first place? Who cares if I would not write at all? People would not mind seeing me not writing any article. But since I choose to be a part of this publication that requires me to express, I am now more than obliged to finish this article.

But, why did I begin writing only lately?

Maybe, most people, including me, probably consider the beginning as the toughest part of writing. It is as if all the thoughts you gather in your head suddenly scatters like a wide variety of irresistible sweets you’ll choose to take after a meal thus, making it really hard to pick, organize and plan—making it difficult to start writing. It has never been easy starting articles particularly if you do not have any experience in writing.

I lacked self-confidence and I did not have the courage to be criticized especially by the past editors who are far better than I am. Since the better ones had already proven themselves and produced better articles, I have to come up with their expectations and with that of the readers.

I couldn’t start writing prior to this since most of the time, I always find myself gazing at nowhere and struggling with my vocab. I also find it hard to arrange my thoughts that are essential for writing and so I just begged off myself from writing instead. But I learned that behind everything, there would always be something or someone that will persuade you to continue writing, and at the end of the day, you’d be surprised of the results of your struggle.

At first, the main reason that I came up in writing this article is a former friend. He was the reason that I took the last two Editorial Board Examinations and fueled my interest in writing. He, who always underestimates and criticizes my abilities and worthiness to be in my position in the Editorial Board, made me so eager to finish this one off so that I could slap it to his face and prove to him I that I could go beyond what he expects from me, and that I deserve to be where I am now.

But, as I progress in writing, I came to a realization that I’m not writing for him and that even a bit of this is not intended for him. I am writing because this is my avenue of expressing my thoughts and emotions and to share to the readers what I know that they may not know.

When we are required to write, we can hardly find the best inspiration and the best topic to dwell on. On that note, I learned that being a keen observer will help a lot. Outside, you will find the best source of inspiration. It can be in the jeepney terminal, it can be the scenarios on your way to school or while just hanging around the campus. You’ll see different phases or faces of people that will motivate you to write. It can be about your new haircut, or the campus cutie that everyone screams about, or the birthday of your bestfriend. It can be anything under the huge, illuminating sun. Sometimes, all you need is just a pen and something to write on.

Writing is also a conversation between the writer and the readers, where the former submits a part of him to make the output more natural for the latter. It is also a conversation among the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious self of the writer where the output is the product of exchange of thoughts. While for some, including me, it is a way of escaping from the realities of life. We write because there is something that haunts us, and only in writing can we express it—especially when no one would want to listen to all of our angst in life. When we write, we discover who we are as people. By writing we can express ourselves in a more different and creative way. We are armed by our experiences and circumstances in life that makes it easier to start the writing process and in the same sense, we may be able to know ourselves better.

Another good source of motivation is when we are evaluated by our mentors, whom we consider as the skilled ones in the writing process. It always feels good to be assessed by someone who is more enhanced. Honestly, I immensely enjoyed it. Hearing the remarks of the ones you consider experts will really, if not immediately, slowly-but-surely help you in improving your writing skills.

But, after all of this head-banging-mind-popping-balloon-bursting-know-how-to-why-to-write-experience, I realized that I can no longer escape from my call of duty to write, I must write whether required or not. Because, sometimes the best inspiration comes from nowhere and the best output comes from the time you are least required to write. Just believe in yourself and in the power of words. It can take you farther than you expected.

I always believe in the saying “to write is already to choose”, when we write we are required to offer a part of ourselves to our readers, critics and to the community where we are. In the same sense we choose to accept the appraisal, criticisms and the what-not of the public.

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Odds and Ends – Reality Bites

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:58:50 +0000

by: Kenneth Caesar C. Javier

It was still vivid to me, that fateful day on April 24, 2009. That usual hot, summer afternoon and I was actually in the middle of my nap when I was awakened by a frantic phone call. It was my girlfriend - telling me she’s pregnant. To say that I was shocked as hell and to say that she was scared to death is a big understatement (believe me). We decided to talk about sorting things out, the rest was history, and how being a young father changed me in a way I didn’t expect. Call it cliché if you may, but really, I felt that 360-degree turn around.

Of course, fatherhood isn’t all good especially if you consider my situation: I’m still studying while my girl works her ass off being a call center agent. As much as I hate to say this, right now, I just can’t be the provider that a father should be. It was one reality that smacked me in the jaw from the very beginning. And what did I do about it? I swallowed every pride inside my machismo-fueled body. I learned to accept that the wisest, if not the best, decisions we make in life are the ones that hurt our egos so badly that we can do nothing about it.

Acceptance was really hard for me. I thought that it would be easier when we decided that I finish my studies first as she works. As we all know, finding a job is bleak these days especially for undergrads. She and our baby live with her parents. We have the choice to get married and be together but we are not dumb not to be aware that we can’t provide for the baby at this point.

That’s our arrangement, plain and simple.

I thought that it was all easy to think that one year isn’t a long time until I graduate but it is easier said than done.

You might think that I’m a self-pitying wimp, but what the hell, it’s just hard to stay firm, to have more focus and not to give up. It’s also tough hearing her talking to her parents about her work and how she is harassed by her stupid costumers. It pains me a lot to pretend that I’m not hurt. Man, I feel like a losing boxer, unable to move, incapable of fighting back and waiting for that one blow to knock me out. But then again, I helped myself to get up and realized that it’s all part of the game - that it’s just the beginning and there are lots of fights still to be won and that I couldn’t call myself a father if I couldn’t get back on track and focus on my goals.

I guess the bottom line is: if you have the guts to do things you want to do whether you know it’s wrong or right, then you must also have the balls to face the consequences of your actions. Sometimes, all we need is one reality check to make us see things in a broader way. In my case, as scared as I was, I realized that escape was never the answer, because what I have now is probably the most exciting and the best experience in my life. I’m not promoting pre-marital sex and I’m definitely not encouraging young parenthood here, all I want to say is that the greatest joy of being a father is felt after experiencing all the pain of acceptance and after you’re through with all the self-pity to the point that you begin questioning yourself. You can still smile and feel proud about it because you know you are a complete person, and you can say that you made the right choice after all.

I know I sound preachy right here but the point is that it’s just a matter of digging deep upon yourself to make the right decision. What I did was wrong, but somehow, I made a way to make things right for me and my family. Like I said, it was a complete turn around. I know that I’ve missed a lot of things and opportunities being a young father, but now I know the life that I won’t be missing.

Decision making is perhaps both the easiest and the hardest factor that constitutes our existence. Drinking with your buddies when you have a scheduled examination or goofing around with your academic responsibilities hanging - those things come easy, then later on, you feel a touch of guilt and an ounce of fear because you know that you are going to do a lot of catching-up - but I tell you, those things mean nothing compared to family matters. You can amplify all the pressure, all the pain, and all the sacrifice when your family is at stake in every move you do. It seems to me that even a single hour takes too long to pass by, and I still continue to count and wait while I’m studying until we can finally be a happy family like the stories we often hear. It is the little things that kill as they say and we all have our little demons dancing in our heads but the choice is - and will always be - ours to make (or break).

Again, a cliché but really, we must think or even re-think things over and over again before taking actions. Obviously, we are all aware of that but in reality, not all of us apply it. We are all going to benefit on the right decisions we make - simple, plain, and true - but the question is: Are we ready to feel the slow burn if we decide things the other way around?

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BSS holds annual Benefactors’ Day

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:47:29 +0000

by: Ruby Rose R. Cruz

BulSU Scholarship Society (BSS) held its annual benefactors’ day last December 3 at the BulSU gymnasium as part of the week-long celebration of the university’s 105th founding anniversary last December 1-6.

Dr. Mariano C. de Jesus, university president, delivered his welcome remarks and gratitude to the benefactors who helped the students of BulSU.

Guest speaker Rep. Emmanuel “Joel” Villanueva of Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list updates the university of the current activities of CIBAC and he also reported that there are 2000 scholars of CIBAC in BulSU since 2002. He also emphasized that the youth are the future of the country, that’s why they are giving scholarship grants to poor yet deserving students. And every year, he said, the number of scholars also increases.

De Jesus with VP for Academic Affairs Danilo Faustino, VP for Student Affairs and Services Antonio Del Rosario, and BSS Director Dorothy Reyes distributed plaques of appreciation to the benefactors. Among the said benefactors were Bulacan Rep. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado, BUTIL party-list rep. Leonila Chavez, CIBAC party-list rep. Joel Villanueva and Students’ Tuition Fee Assistance Program (STFAP) of PTA’s of COEd, COE, CSSP, CIT, BulSU SG, Alumni Association, Jollibee Foods Corporation, SM Foundation and Hagonoy and Friends Australia.

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BulSU continues 105 years of excellence

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:44:24 +0000

by: Edmundo V. Julao Jr.

After 105 years of existence, Bulacan State University (BulSU) celebrated its week-long founding anniversary bearing the theme “Ensuring Continuous Excellence” last December 1 to 6 hosted by the College of Engineering (COE) and College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA).

“Ang importante ay simulan ang programa with a bang. We must be very happy dahil since I became the president, God is also with us. Kaya kayong mga estudyante, you can do anything with God,” said Mariano de Jesus, BulSU president

“We are on the right track. Basta’t sama-sama tayo. Walang iwanan. Ang gusto lamang namin sa inyong mga estudyante ay mag-aral ng mabuti. Maraming mga companies ang gustong makipag-MOA [Memorandum of Agreement] kaya ayaw naming kayong masama sa caravan of the jobless,” said BulSU president Mariano de Jesus in his opening remarks on the first day of the event.

Along with the week-long fair, COE also observed their college’s week while College of Education (COEd) organized an acquaintance party held last December 4 at the BulSU gymnasium. Other colleges also conducted activities like Science and Math Quiz Bee Fair (CSSP), College of Nursing’s (CON’s) Night.

On December 3, BulSU also observed Benefactors’ day as part of the week long festivity as well as Non-Academic Personel Association (NAPA) Day last December 5 to give non-academic personnel a break and to promote teambuilding.

“As we dwell on equity, BulSU, we have reached the pinnacle of excellence. Kinikilala tayo ‘di lamang dito sa rehiyon, kinikilala tayo ‘di lamang bilang isang institusyon kundi, kinikilala tayo globally,” said VP for Planning Research and Extension Services Danilo Hilario in the closing program.

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Forth and Back

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:25:32 +0000

JON-JON MENDOZA, FOR ALMOST THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS, HAD BEEN THE ENTITLED BULACAN GOVERNOR UNTIL HIS CLOSEST RIVAL Obet Pagdanganan appealed to Commission on Elections (Comelec) claiming he officially won in 2007 national elections. Comelec Second Division, after a recount, proclaimed Pagdanganan as the rightful winner for the gubernatorial post on the last day of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (CoC) for the next elections.

When Mendoza was first proclaimed by Comelec as the duly elected winner of the said seat having a total vote of 364, 566 against Pagdanganan’s 348, 834, which made him win via 15, 732 votes, a protest was immediately filed by Pagdanganan to predetermine the votes. After the protest was granted, Mendoza, being allowed to defend himself, filed a counter-protest which the Comelec set aside to give way to Pagdanganan’s appeal. Soon after, Pagdanganan was declared as the rightful winner having a head vote of 4,231. An oath-taking ceremony was held right after Comelec En Banc declared him Governor of Bulacan. But still, Mendoza has not stepped down from office.

On an official statement released by the Provincial Capitol on February 9, Mendoza said that he has not received a Notice of Promulgation from Comelec or DILG which states that Pagdanganan has already seized his position; therefore he will not leave the office yet. Since December, supporters of Pagdanganan (with a little number) in Capitol View Park were seen shouting for Mendoza to step down from office because he was said to have cheated in the previous elections, while Mendoza’s supporters (with a way larger number) block every entry of the Capitol to prevent Pagdanganan and his supporters to get in.

Bulakenyos are now wondering who their official leader is. For almost three months, projects are on-hold for no one knows who will sign for it. Public Utility Vehicle operators are losing business because the usual vehicle routes are blocked. Those who have transactions in the Capitol can’t seem to do their business for every entrance is jammed with government trucks which are supposed to be for official use. End line: Every one is affected in any way possible.

Hence, the credibility of the results of last year’s elections planted a seed of doubt upon the people of the province. Why did this detour happen just when the nationwide election is barely three months from now? Or worse, why does this have to last for three months? What action has the government been taking for this to last up to now—when this has been constantly written in newspapers, seen on national television and heard on the radio?

Before, when Mendoza was still part of Lakas Kampi, the administration’s party list, no news of this election results inconsistency controversy arose. When he unexpectedly left the said party and joined Liberal Party instead with presidentiable Noynoy Aquino came these political rumors. The same scenario also happened to Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca and Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio who left the party. Now is this mere coincidence or another of the nation’s political vendetta?

The choice is ours to seize the real score. No more in-betweens.

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The tempest

jervy — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:14:38 +0000

RAINSTORMS COME AT THE MOST PEACEFUL TIMES.

August 1, 2009 brought the nation to an awakening it once thought insignificant—a national hero who lived for peace, freedom, and love united our severed nation with her literal demise. Her passing kindled a flicker of light to recall the past, provided a vision to the blurry future ahead and had given life to live with hope the habitual episodes of our everyday survival. A month later, the same flicker was harshly tested and blown by the unforeseen tragedies little typhoons had brought.

It wasn’t the highways that turned into rivers, nor the swimming cars that made the typhoons tragic. It wasn’t the confused cats and dogs, the weeping mothers and cold children on rooftops nor the trapped human beings left to die in inescapable zones. What made it tragic is the unpreparedness of the government and each individual to the situation. The stressing part is—we are always unprepared.

The scenario: million-peso dinner abroad versus improvement of drainage systems, presidential jet versus seminars in natural disasters, campaign ads contributions versus anti-littering laws and penalties, deforestation for factory sites versus reforestation and relocation of shanty residents and inutile foreign trips abroad versus a Doppler radar that could have had measured the amount of rain to pour if purchased years ago. The government obviously does not care much about PAGASA—nor should we expect them to prioritize hope. The priorities of the government are misled and irrelevant for the majority of the Filipinos.

Robert Ingersoll, American lawyer and orator, once said, “In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments—there are consequences.” Blaming the act of God on this is simply washing themselves off the responsibilities they could have played as captains of the ship called Philippines. The reason that we are living in this technological era is not to live like the apes, waiting for whatever tomorrow might bring and live with it. We are given the choice to prepare—at least. We just did not choose good priorities. If God chose to punish us just because, He could have opted to bring pandemics or signal #6 typhoons. Blaming a higher order for a reckless disregard for environmental development is just a concocted alibi. If officials chose to cut and sell our million peso lumbers to foreign lands illegally and not replace them, if parents, teachers and officials do not give efforts to defame littering because they themselves are literers who do not give interest in the consequences of their actions, pointing fingers to God is not a convincing option.

They do not care if their little candy packs decay or cause clogs. Neither do they worry if their little dumps are eyesores. All they care about is mere own convenience. Never mind the janitors or metro aids whose job is to sweep and wipe. Never mind what they do to the stinky garbage—whether they throw them on dumpsites or rivers or simply burn them to get rid of them, it’s okay as long as they don’t bother their households. That’s the problem of being selfish—we forget that we are interrelated to each other since we live in only one earth. It was our piled little selfish acts that brought us this tragedy. We forget the law of the universe. Looking back on all that has happened—we only got ourselves to blame. That exactly is what we need to hear from the leaders who forgot to prioritize the important. We need to hear that they were not able to provide rubber boats and helipads because they chose to preserve their authority by enticing their subordinates. We need to hear that they are not afraid of losing their leadership but of losing the opportunity to corrupt and steal. We need to hear them admit that they chose to serve themselves first and still are doing so by prioritizing their campaign ads and bribes just so they could handle power in a stronger form and could commit the same or even graver mistakes again. Never would we want to hear them again blaming other than themselves for their negligence and lousy governance. Woe to the leaders who were not able to swim in the dank mixture of urine, waste and tears of the flood victims. Woe to those officials who did not feel their flesh shiver at the thought of the psychological damage the tragedy has brought to the Filipinos. Woe to the literers who did not taste the rightful vengeance of their actions.

Lest, we forget, the flicker fortunately did not only survive the flood. It also flamed more passionately for a new hope of good governance and change. Thanks to the good-hearted rescuers and givers who believe that they don’t need to be paid back for their genuine concern for their fellows. Thanks to the millions of peso bestowed to the victims to help them get on their feet again. True enough, disasters bring out the best in us. However, how many disasters are we willing to endure before finally saying: “Lesson learned—rewinds uncalled for”?

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her midnight hums

jervy — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:11:07 +0000

it’s now

during the bitter watches

of the night when

I miss you

and your scent

that once brought me to

Wonderland—

took me into

the (almost) black shores

of your nails,

and let me dive into

the vast trenches of your

leaking palms bracing mine.

so now,

let me go again

to the stretches of the ghastly slopes

underneath your shirt

and walk through every inch of your

barren look from those opaque and meek irises,

with that smell, the suffocating Series,

as my guide.

and while I travel along those bushy eyebrows,

let the same smell lead me to a place

where I don’t have to choose between

your kisses or your curses

for they have long pleased

everything in me.

(allende)

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