Eh-hum # 288

What would Cory do?

I join the rest of the country in expressing heartfelt condolences to the Aquino family for their loss. In addition, the country lost an icon of democracy and peace. Her regime was not perfect, it was marred by coup attempts and controversies (Mendiola Massacre, power shortages, etc.). But as we know, the transition from martial rule to civilian authority was not easy for the Filipino people, and she, a simple housewife, took the reins at a truly challenging period for the nation.

What is even more sad with the passing of former President Cory Aquino is that there are still remnants of the old martial rule walking about. I am talking about them Marcos cronies who were her political rivals. Perhaps there is some truth to that old Filipino saying, "Ang masamang damo ay matagal mamatay".

Here we go...

When things couldn't get any worse, we hear Kris Aquino-Yap(ping) thanking the Marcoses and Joseph Estrada for their support. Talking about adding insult to injury. Why am I not surprise? Let me take you back to the days when Ms. Aquino-Yap had a talk show on Channel RPN 9, when she had Bongbong Marcos as guest and her gestured distressed the former President. She also forgot the time when Tita Cory apologized to Estrada and the reaction that got from the civil society.

The Aquino family's decision to refuse Malacañang's offer for a state burial was their business and should be respected; hence, I was hoping they wouldn't have to explain why. Well Ms. Aquino-Yap decided to do it anyway, and unfortunately it may further divided the nation (in her logic, one of the reasons was the supposed pull-out of the former President's security details). From what I heard, some of the family members just didn't want to get involved in politics. Naive?

Reality check, from the moment politicos like Erap and other so-called Cory "friends" and "supporters" have been visiting her and hosting masses for her recovery then, it has become a vehicle for these folks for media mileage and support from the voters this coming election. Like what Mr. Cito Beltran said in his article (see link above), how ironic it is to see those trapos who have betrayed her in the past and now claim to be close friends with the family. I am not being cynical, just realistic.

If Cory can see all of this happening, what would she do? I am sad that all of these are happening at the expense of the former President's death. So Kris, don't be naive and say that your clan is "small" (compared to the current regime) and helpless and all that. Think again; these trapos and former cronies see the (politcal) potential in expressing their sadness for Tita Cory's passing. In addition, by expressing publicly your appreciation for Erap's and Marcoses' support (brrrr) and Noynoy's disappointment for a possible GMA visit, you have unwittingly made this a political issue. Again, not cynical, but realistic.

With all of this craziness, I am glad that the former President (and Ninoy) are in a better place right now.

Just tie a yellow ribbon on the old oak tree...

Eh-hum # 281

Just two things:

1. CONGRATULATIONS to the Pambansang Kamao (National Fist) Manny Pacquaio for knocking out British Boxer (or brawler) Ricky Hatton on the 2nd Round. Read TIME article on PACMAN here.  So who's the "joke coach" now, Floyd Sr?

And on a more personal note;

2. R.I.P. to our Perdie, many thanks for your much appreciated doggy antics.

Eh-hum # 244

To my Fellow Pinoys:

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

May we continue to work smart and hard to make our nation independent from the things that challenges our place in this world.

Eh-hum # 210

Wow, American TV network ABC is on a roll. First it was Desperate Housewives, now its Jimmy Kimmel Live! Wonder which ABC program will take on the Filipino pride next. Eh-hum

The latest joke about Pinoys occured on the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, wherein Kimmel was interviewing Josh Hartnett. The latter just finished shooting a film at Mt. Diwalwal in Davao. During the interview, Kimmel expressed that Filipinos lack the ability to speak and read English. The comment/joke came in after the two talked about Hartnett's and the American crew's safety while filming near the mountain; the locals told them that there were cases of kidnapping in the area before they arrived.

Like the Desperate Housewives "joke", I initially expected the Filipino-American community will demand Kimmel's head on a silver platter. But according to a report from local network ABS-CBN, the Pinoys and the Fil-Am community in the US had "mixed and considerably milder reaction" to the said remark. I also had the same reaction.

The joke was uncomfortable, but I'm not taking it too seriously. I mean, it was made by an American comedien, so I don't really expect him to do some "research" on the Philippines. If a person (or foreigner) does not know and/or understand a nation's politics, culture, and history, he or she is bound to have her own perceptions (or biases, depending how you look at it). I find myself doing the same thing. The only difference is that, I don't do it on national television.

Geez, I hope this won't become a trend.

***

Due to my 207th post, I would like to think I had something to do with this (I did vote, twice):

Filipino, 7 others picked to carry Olympic torch in China

Associated Press Last updated 00:47am (Mla time) 11/03/2007

BEIJING -- (UPDATE) A Filipino marketing manager and an American who works with Chinese orphans are among eight foreigners living in China who have been picked to join in the 2008 Beijing Olympics torch run across the country, organizers said Friday.

Marcos Antonio Torres was picked from among 262 applicants in a contest organized by Chinese computer maker Lenovo Group, an Olympic sponsor, and the government newspaper China Daily. Each will carry the torch for 200 meters on Chinese soil.

Read the rest of the article here. Mabuhay tayo!

Eh-hum # 193

All 1,600 of them, swaying/waving/turning to the music of the Algorithm March, a dance featured in the popular Japanese children's program Pythagora Switch (I remembered embedding the ninja version of the march in an earlier post), was the first video I saw. And then, I found out a couple of days ago, the same 1,600 inmates of a provincial jail in Cebu, Philippines, have also danced and marched to the beat of local pop songs and foreign tracks such as the Village People's "YMCA", Michael Jackson's "Thriller", and songs from the movie Sister Act. And yes, these routines are all available online.

According to this article from Yahoo! News, the synchronized dance routines, the brainchild of special security consultant Bryon Garcia (who also uploads the video on YouTube), is first and foremost a form of physical exercise for the inmates. It was also intended to inculcate discipline among them. However, the videos are now getting a lot of attention online and has become really popular. For instance, as of today, the "Thriller" video has been viewed more than 4 million times! I for one, think that's amazing.

I first thought it was quite strange, but I eventually saw the significance of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center's (CPDRC) program. Of course, dancing is a form of exercise, and the complex steps plus the number of the people doing it does involves work. More importantly, I agree that the program help boost the inmates' self-esteem since they are doing such a good job with the routines (video user comments have been positive). Plus, it looks like they're having fun (especially the inmates who gets the chance to perform in the middle of the court and show off those dancing skills).

These people may be criminals, but they are still human beings. The guilty deserved to be in jail, but they're also in need of rehabilitation so that when they return to society, they will be better equipped to start a new and crime-free life. Filipinos, in times of trouble and despair, turn to music for comfort. Its not a sign of weakness in the sense that people use it to escape reality. Rather, music can be a source of hope, inspiration and even strength. Connecting with music, whether by song or dance, as the saying goes, soothes the savage beast (in this case, within). As long as its not hurting anybody else, we can see the pride in doing even the most trivial of things, which may or may not include dressing up like a nun and copying some of Whoopi Goldberg's moves.

Here's a video featuring the inmates dancing to the tune of "Radio Gaga". The song is one of the Queen's succesful singles and I think the line "someone still loves you" is very meaningful. Enjoy!

Eh-hum # 172

Still not in the mood to study, but will do so in the next hour.

While writing this, I heard a buzzing sound beyond my room's sliding door. When I looked out to investigate, I saw a pretty and rather huge emerald-colored beetle flying in my veranda (thank goodness for the screen door, or else there would've been a BIGGER problem). Here in Japan, they call it a semi...if I'm not mistaken. Its a sign that summer's definitely here...unfortunately.

What is fortunate, on the other hand, is my little trip to Nishinomiya yesterday after church. Two of my friends and I were invited to this small gathering of Filipinos. We though it would just be some party, but as it turns out, it was the first anniversary celebration of the Philippine Circle in Nishinomiya City. It sounds official, and actually, it was; the Philippine Consul General herself was the event's Guest of Honor (to me and my friends' surprise and amusement). It was indeed an opportunity to get acquainted with a diplomat, especially since the atmosphere of the event was laidback; it did not require us to observe strict rules of protocol. And it was a treat on my part to have learned that the Consul General and I went to the same college, making us co-alumni. Also, me and my friends suddenly found ourselves representing Kobe University's Filipino students in the party.

But that's not all. I mentioned before that I am in the process of renewing my passport. Last week, I had to fax a copy of my ARC. It was an oversight on my part, and was not able to send it with the rest of the other required documents. After sending it, I thought everything was settled. But last Saturday, I was informed that I needed to re-fax my ARC because the copy was not good. I was suppose to do it today, but because of yesterday's event, I did not have to: the secretary of the Consul General was present as well and she recognized me due to my pending application. It was quite a stretch, but I did managed to give her a photocopy of my ARC without making it sound cheesy; she was gracious about it though.

So, yesterday was indeed fruitful:

1. Met the Philippine Consul General and Vice-Consul;

2. Met the Filipino community of Nishinomiya;

3. Free food (BIKO!!!); and

4. Assurance that my passport will be processed, my thanks to Ms. Mislang of the Philippine Consulate General, Osaka.

Eh-hum # 166

To my fellow Filipinos:

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Mabuhay tayong lahat!