i ♥ my life ^

♥ Monday, July 27, 2009

My Complicate Life ♥

Ikaw Iskolar, Aktibista ka ba? :
A Forum on the History, Essence and Forms of Activism in U.P.

.....Before I entered the University of the Philippines, I can always hear many ideas of people about this school. The common stereotypes are nerd, genius, geek, smart, intelligent-I think I am speaking of the intellectual too much. Well, one thing that really is distinct about the students of U.P. is that they really speak-out their minds. They are aware and vigilant of the current issues and they fight for what they believe is right. Many people I know always tell me to be very careful in U.P. because I might get brainwashed and be led astray to wrong beliefs and ideas where there is no such thing because I believe that all ideas are correct according to your own thinking and we all have different opinions. It’s just a matter of knowing what to take in and learn from or not. They generalize that students there are all activists and usually join the rallies and a lot of student strikes. Not all are activists but yeah, rallies are already part of the lifestyle of many of the students. What I certainly admire about this prestigious school is that freedom of speech is very much exercised and respected.

animated small heart Pictures, Images and Photos

.....I am just a freshie now but I really learn a lot, not just inside the class but most importantly, the things happening in our society. I admit that when I was just in high school, I was not interested on the news. I will only listen or read the news when it was required on a certain subject. I was only interested at the entertainment portion of the newspaper. I was most of the time ignorant and surprised when the news finally reached me. But I am so glad that I am no longer like that today. U.P. has really inspired me. I already have the desire to update myself as much as possible and if I can not watch the TV patrol or read the newspaper, I would just read from the internet just so I am not left behind.
There are usually papers given away at the AS, the CAL or everywhere almost everyday. Small papers that talk about big and important issues like taking action on cha-cha and the (mis)education, babaeng nakakadena who are Karen and Sherlyn, asserting the student’s right to representation and so much more. I am always eager whenever I receive these papers because I want to hear the opinions and ideas of the different students to widen my perspectives and help me criticize my own judgments as well on things.

.....I got to ask my grandmother who is a graduate of UP about the condition of the university during her time. I asked her if even at her time, there were already rallies and strikes just like today. She told me no. I was surprised because it was the time of President Marcos and I was wondering how could that possibly be. She explained to me that it was before the martial law and the students were still satisfied with the system. How different it is now. Almost all the students now are not satisfied. More and more people are protesting about the 300% tuition increase and other matters which are greatly affecting the education.

.....When I first heard about the seminar, “Iskolar, aktibista ka ba?” I did not know whether to say yes or no because honestly speaking, I don’t want to join rallies and I believe that there are other ways of showing your protests and love for your country other than joining the rallies. The usual interpretation of people including me when you talk about activism is that it always have to do with rallies. After the seminar, I have learned more what it is to be an activist. Mr. Dante Ambroiso of the dept. of History defined activism as protests and a need for change. But at the same time it’s not just about contradicting something but also giving an alternative or a solution to the problem. You don’t protest just for the sake of getting heard or known but rather you do it because you know other ways on how to solve the issue on hand or how to deal with it. It’s true that the students before were usually the sacrificial lambs and that is still true today. The parties explained that it is not just because youth is the future of the generation but the idealism that is intact in you. I have observed this on some forums and sites on the internet. One particular forum involved alumni of U.P. They were talking about their experiences in college and their present situation. They said that before, they were also very idealistic about the Philippines and they wanted to serve their own land but as they graduated and faced the real world, they have become realistic and practical in life. In order for them to survive and support their family, they have to work abroad or foreign companies. So where’s the idealism now? I believe that despite being realistic, deep down in you, you can still be hopeful and dream what you have dreamt before. Never get tired reaching your aim in life. Make it your motivation to keep on going forward. There shouldn’t be an exception on who can only participate or become active in our society because as a member of it, we have the responsibility to move.

.....All the three parties did not have any concrete or clear definition of activism and when asked which has the best form, they said there isn’t let alone better because there’s no higher key. They respect each other’s reforms. It’s how you address the issue that is important. They all have the same goals and visions, it’s how they plan to reach them and solve the current issues that they vary. Mr. Rain Sindayen from the Stand-Up party believes that activism isn’t nice because it is not convenient. You are acting because you are looking at the long-term effects. He also believes that mass demonstration is not the way because you will only get what they are capable of giving. He may have a point but he can not say that mass demonstration has never been effective because it has during the people power and the people have gotten what they wanted. But of course we also have to be practical; we can’t expect that every time we go on rallies or strikes, we can have what we asked for. There is such thing as the participatory mode where you yourself have to change too and have motherhood values like patience and honesty because in doing so, you will influence many people to do the same which will eventually revolutionize the society for the better. You can not just do it on your own so you must be organized in order to mobilize effectively.

.....The Kaisa party which is represented by Ms. Kriska Kalingking showed 3 kinds of people: a philanthropist where you just give fish to the needy, a developer where you teach people how to do it and a liberalizationist where you explain why you are doing it and at the same time you teach and help. A developer and liberalizationist are what we should be if we really want to be a true activist. You need to have a sense of activity to be able to push your goal and a sense of politics to be constantly aware of the current issues. The party believes that U.P. people are not apathetic because in nature we react and it is within us. It’s how we react that matters. We can react without doing anything. It depends on the person. Change is within all of us. Being an activist, you excel toward progress and you become part of the change in society. You can be an activist not just through rallies but through conversations, blogging where you share your knowledge and ideas to make other people think and informed, writing articles and many other simple ways to make the people vigilant and knowledgeable. In order for our public sphere to be strong, we must give attention to deliberation dialogue, proper agreements and engagements. We must be involved and not be ignorant.

.....As iskolars ng bayan, we should use the intellect as the primary tool for social change. We must educate ourselves first for us to understand more our rights as citizens and know our responsibilities. We need to be critical and analyze everything so that we will not easily be fooled and we can give good ideas and possible solutions to the problems. I have learned that we must look beyond the memorized script and the platforms and look at the sincerity and real purpose of what there is. We must also see beyond the personality and look back to the principles. Voting will exercise our right and increase the accountability. Keeping this in mind while choosing the next President for our country will indeed help us. Political parties seem the same but you can see the real difference on how they analyze and deal with the issues responsibly.

.....There are so many kinds of activism and it is a choice if you want to be an activist. It is voluntary. You must have your heart on it and not because you were forced to. Now I know what to answer when asked if I am an activist. Yes I am, but in my own way. I will defend myself and let not my rights be stepped on and let the truth always prevail despite how small it may seem.

words: 1620 words

♥ My World My Life

7:01 AM

♥ Sunday, July 19, 2009

My Complicate Life ♥

Am I a Filipino?

.....Ever since I was a child, every flag ceremony we will always sing the National Anthem. It’s like an obligation we must do whether we liked it or not. I admit that even if we have sung it for hundreds of times already, I can’t really understand what it says. The words are deep and not commonly used. I can understand the anthem better when it has a visual presentation showing the heroes who died fighting for our country, the beautiful sceneries and of the Filipinos from different regions with their rich culture. I think of what happened in the past and how every one of them contributed and helped in the sweet freedom we are experiencing now.

.....Thanks to our history teacher, nationalism and patriotism is always described and molded in us. Nationalism is supposed to objectify one’s sense of belonging to the nation while patriotism defines one’s love for one’s country. Knowing that we were born in our own nation, we are driven by love to do great things for the betterment of our country. When Manny Pacquiao wins many awards internationally, Leah Salonga sings on Broadway, Charice Pengpenco discovered and shown at “Oprah” and “Ellen” shows and other Filipino artists and achievers on their fields known in the whole world, we can’t help being proud and wanting our heart to shout, “I am a Filipino!” … But for how long? After all these, the tedium of daily life takes over and the feeling of dissatisfaction and weariness comes back, so that the same old feeling would have died out as fast as it comes. We are again drowned by the all-familiar refrain of kidnapping, corruption scandals, bombing and killing of innocent lives, severe poverty, the never-ending chaos and currency crises.

.....Sad to say that many people today are ashamed to admit that they are Filipinos. The fervor to fight for one’s country becomes apathy. The zest and passionate conviction of yesterday do not hold much to us anymore. Yesterdays have actually painted or shaped the way we are. The sacrifice and the deeds of the people before would just be another page in history books. Only a few hearts are that willing to follow the footsteps of our heroes. I am not saying we have to die for our country or give our everything just to show our love for the Philippines. We have to really know and fully understand what happened in the past so that we will know how to face and handle our present and future and to get to know ourselves completely. Knowing ourselves come from the willingness to accept new circumstances and the courage to leave what is unfavorable behind. We should not see our heroes as perfect and impeccable icons because they are humans too with dark histories but rather see them as people who have struggles just like us and learn from their mistakes and admit where we had erred. Only then can we correct the flaws and avoid the history from repeating the wrong things of the past. We have to reflect, rejoice and remember what it is to achieve freedom so that we will have that fervent desire to really reach for it.

.....We may think that we are already free from the bondage of the countries that captured us, in a sense we are but not totally. Unconsciously, we still let others control us. We still have that colonial mentality. Most of the time we prefer imported goods and with brands rather than our own products. Hey there’s nothing wrong with that. I admit I do too sometimes. I don’t want to be a hypocrite you know. What I am just telling is that despite all these, we should not forget our own-our land, our people and our identity as Filipinos.

.....I have mentioned before in my recent journal, “Chinese everywhere” that I have Chinese blood in me and many people mistaken me as Chinese. You know what I always say to them?

“I may look like a Chinese but my

is full Filipino.”

.....It is with the heart that can really tell who you really are. It’s not Filipino foods you eat like adobo, sinigang, dinuguan or the culture or traditions that you do and have grown up to that can distinguish you as a Filipino. Maybe part of it but in the end, it all comes back to you. You are the one who decides what citizenship you want and what nation you want to LIVE for. I am a Filipino not because I was born in the Philippines or my family and friends are Filipinos but because I chose to be one. I love and care for my own nation and I am not ashamed of it. I will not die for the Philippines but rather live for it so that death won’t stop me from continuously serving my country, my life.

Word count: 825 words

♥ My World My Life

6:51 AM

♥ Monday, July 13, 2009

My Complicate Life ♥

CHINESE EVERYWHERE!

chinese anime Pictures, Images and Photos

.....Everywhere we go, we can see Chinese people. It’s like they are already part of our society and seem normal. Most probably you have friends and classmates who look like Chinese but are actually Filipinos. With so many Chinese people migrating to our place, it’s no wonder many people today have some Chinese blood on them even if they are Filipinos. And I am one of them. There are many instances that people ask me if I am Chinese. Some are even surprised when they realized that I know how to speak in Filipino. My father’s father who is my grandfather is a pure Chinese. I never got to meet him because he died before I was even born. But nonetheless I knew some things about him through my papa’s and lola’s stories. One of the things I can remember is that the reason he went to the Philippines is because life in China was hard so he tried to find a new life here. It didn’t really leave a mark in my mind before because what I always think when it comes to China is that it is a successful and beautiful country. Especially after seeing on the television the opening and ending of Olympics that took place in Beijing, you would not think that many people there are suffering.

.....After attending the seminar about, “Chinese Everywhere,” it took me some time to finally accept the reality about China. I never knew that the largest emigrant group in the world is the Chinese emigration. It has been said that over 62 million by the latest have spread to 150 countries around the world and 18o million for the last 20 years. Wow! They prefer the North America and other Western countries but because of the large public demand for jobs, they also migrate to other places like Australia, Israel, Dubai, Italy and many more. Unemployment and underemployment have been increasing each year so many Chinese are really desperate to find job opportunities in other countries even if it means they have to migrate illegally. Many want to work abroad hoping for a better life with higher wages. There are even villages where families are ashamed if their male member in the right age is left behind.

…..I have learned that just because they simply want to leave China that does not mean they can. Emigrating from China is a complicated and lengthy process mainly because many countries are unwilling or unable to accept the large numbers of people who wish to migrate. Oftentimes only the elite Chinese families can go. The students and scholars get to go to different countries legally to study and scientists are able to attend foreign education and research institutions. Others who can go legally are either because they have relatives in abroad or they have the skills a country is in search for. But not all are given the opportunity and are qualified so they use illegal migration. Even if it’s illegal, it is not for free because they still have to pay the smugglers who will help them. Some of the money they will pay will be used to bribe authorities to get them legal visa cards, passports and identification cards needed.

…..Smugglers globally are creating a much bigger industry because of profit and profits increase every year due to the demand. They may be helping them how to migrate to other countries but once the immigrants enter a country, they have no access to regular labor markets and the benefits of labor-protection law. They are forced to work underground. Their sufferings do not stop there. Even if they get jobs on companies, factories and in other businesses, they experience discrimination and deterioration of labor standards. There are also Anti-Chinese laws that make it difficult for the Chinese to own lands and find work. When there is a slow economic growth, immigrants are the target. They do not have political power and so the government they work in take advantage of them for their own advancement. Many people blame them or accused them of something they did not do out of resentment. Despite the fact that there are signs of growing anti-Chinese sentiment in many quarters of the world, the government of China is practically doing nothing. You can see the logic that the more Chinese leaving, the lesser the population and the lesser the unemployment, the more money. The government benefits from the remittances of its citizens abroad and can get as much as US 20 billion dollar a year. No wonder!

…..All these things go to one question, “Why are the Chinese leaving when the country is starting to modernize?” Prof. Peter Kwong said that the pressure of migration is at its largest when the country starts to modernize because there aren’t enough facilities and jobs. Also, the competition is tremendous because of the population. I was confused by his statement because I thought that when a country starts to modernize, there would be new job opportunities for there would be new companies and other business sectors that will grow. I also thought the businesses will bloom because more foreign countries will invest in their lands and there will be other new transactions. That’s the way it should be, right? But as I analyzed the situation, I realized that when a country starts to modernize, it does not immediately rise. It faces many risks and failures first. Many people lose their jobs because a lot of industries and companies close perhaps due to the sudden change of the economy. Some businesses may be a boon to many towns and people and very profitable to some investors BUT NOT ALL. Some will continue to grow and prosper, while others face a much harsher future. Before a business becomes successful, it encounters many difficulties and problems and sometimes bankruptcy. During the modernization period, big changes are experienced by the people and by the country itself so it needs to become stable first and adjust to the current situation before it can actually bloom. Chinese development creates social displacement so it really takes time.

.....While listening to the seminar, I can not help comparing Philippines and China. In terms of migration, it’s like we are only talking about one country. I understand more what the Chinese are experiencing and realized that they too are suffering from severe poverty, many unemployment and underemployment, corruption in the government, overpopulation and other sufferings. I thought only third world countries suffer these kinds of things. Millions of people from both countries are dying of hunger, do not have shelter and barely have clothing on their bodies and are uncertain if they will still survive another day. I also thought that their government is just and far away from being corrupt base on what I hear and see that the people there are disciplined and strictly follow the laws. I was wrong.

Political corruption there is also common just like in our country. No matter how powerful or unpopular a country is, you can always find a hole in its system. It is never perfect. I never have given much thought about it before because in the Philippines almost all the Chinese people I knew and heard about were successful and rich. Most of them are businessmen who own huge malls, restaurants, hardwares and etc. so my image of China was positive. I guess I was over generalizing.

.....Another factor that made me generalize is the fact that wherever store you go, almost all the products you buy are made in China. Even if you are in America and want to give pasalubongs, you would recognize that a lot of them look original and made in U.S. but are actually made in China. Truly, their mass production in almost all sorts is indeed big because of their immense population working in their many large factories. It’s like China is invading the whole world! Sometimes I wonder how come the prices of products in the Philippines made in China are actually cheaper than the same products bought directly in China. It is supposed to be more expensive. But I learned that the real reason is that many of the products we buy made in China here in the Philippines are usually smuggled and free from the taxes unlike in China where taxes are added to the original price.

.....Well anyway, I was glad that I attended the seminar because I learned so many things about China. I thought I already knew enough about China but realized that I have been ignorant to what is really happening there and their economic status. I have become more aware and updated about the present status in China and at the same time, I got to see its similarities with the Philippines. Both economies are decelerating. Filipinos are not the only ones suffering from the economic crisis but many other countries in the world as well. People migrate not only from the poor nations to the rich, but from the poor to the less poor nations. They will do anything just to live and have a good life. I won’t be surprised if more than 50% of the owners of businesses here in the Philippines are foreigners, specifically Chinese. That’s how dominant they are now. Wherever you go, there will always be Chinese...no doubt about that!

word count: 1564 words

♥ My World My Life

4:12 AM

♥ Monday, July 6, 2009

My Complicate Life ♥

Animated Hearts Pictures, Images and Photos

MY JOURNEY IN LIFE

Prologue

.....What’s happening mama? Papa? I don’t want to go. They said we have to because papa has found a great career in America. They promised me that I will enjoy it ‘coz the neighborhood is good and we’ll have a beautiful house there. I have to leave my loved ones and friends and all the wonderful people I’ve met here. This can’t be happening to me. I can no longer continue my education at the University of the Philippines. The iskolars ng bayan would be continuing their studies there and as for me, I will have to go to another prestigious university in U.S., Harvard University. It may seem such a privilege but it’s never gonna be my home. It is truly breaking my heart. What about my dreams and promises for my country? Nothing’s gonna take that away from me, you’ll see. Someday I’m going to live my aspirations right here in the land where I was born to love and serve..so long Philippines…at least for now..

Animated Heart Pictures, Images and Photos

.....Let’s see. 1, 2, 3, 4… wow! It’s been 8 years since I last visited my own country. Perhaps I was too busy with my studies and my career as a successful and well-known lawyer that I hardly noticed it. I mean who can blame me? I have so many big cases to handle and almost no time to enjoy the benefits of my work. Despite the large money I get (when I say large-it really is!), the challenge and fun of being a lawyer, and all the privileges, there’s always something missing. Everytime I win on a case, at the back of my mind there’s that Mr. Conscience asking me if I’m really happy serving and defending the rights of other people and not my own people. Flashes of childhood and college memories in U.P. occur once in a while. Oh I admit, almost everyday. It has become clearer and more real each day. It only means one thing. I MUST GO BACK. I forgot to tell you my parents already left for the Philippines for 2 years now. I did not go with them before because of my so-called wonderful job. But now, even that can no longer stop me from going back to my home.

3 weeks later...

.....“Ehem.,kuya, hanggang dito na lang po. Keep the change na po. Salamat!” the driver smiled at me. I left the taxi with a smile in my heart. Oh how I missed those smiles. In the States, many people looked down on me because I’m a Filipino and they usually have that serious and hard face whenever I asked directions or even gave a tip! Well anyway, I’m not in the mood to complain about that ‘coz I’m very hungry. I want to eat adobo, kare2, inasal na manok, sinigang na baboy and a whole lot more in just one meal. If I can.haha While walking, I suddenly stopped in where I was standing and my heart started to beat faster. Oh my gosh! Could this be true?I saw a banner and it said, “ Congressman Joseph Estrada for vice President and Senator Mike Arroyo for president”. They were voted as congressman and senator respectively in spite of all the corruptions they have done?! You must be kidding me. This is hilarious. Is this now how the Philippines is running? Is the system too corrupted that people are already blinded and controlled by it? I must go to UP Diliman immediately to know if it too is corrupted. Forget about my growling stomach. This is way more important. I run as fast as my feet can.

.....As I was riding the jeepney, there was a list of fares posted at the back of the driver’s seat. Good thing there is because I don’t know anymore how much it is now. But then as I was studying the list, I was again shocked. It says that the fares are according to your weight. The heavier you are, the higher the fare you will have to pay whether you are a senior citizen, student or an adult. I must say this is ridiculous, so to speak. We are talking about discrimination here! This is so unfair. I was just behind the driver so I asked him since when was that law implemented. He told me since the last survey that 75% of the people age 15-60 are obese. I did not notice it before but as I observed the other passengers, I saw that almost half of them were really fat. What happened? It wasn’t like this when I left. I know many Filipino people are fat but not like this. It seemed so typical here that it doesn’t stand out anymore. I guess the society already accepted the BIG Fat change. I never imagined my country will be like the states of Massachusetts were more or less 75% are obese too. I wonder what caused all these. Hmmm.,it was still a mile or so from UP but I already went down the jeep because I suddenly had the urged to walk so that I could exercise. I want to maintain my healthy body you know.

.....While walking, I tried to absorb everything around me. There were new malls and a whole lot of new restaurants specifically fast food chains in almost every corner of the streets. It’s kind of funny that wherever the food chains are, there is always a drug store beside it like the Mercury and South Star drugs. It’s like they are prepared already to provide you what you need before and after you enter a restaurant to avoid high blood pressure, fight the cholesterol and fats and other illnesses. There were also many salons. So far the salons I passed by were always full even if it was not a weekend. It seems like it has become a necessity to the people. There were signs that say, “The outside matters more than the inside,” “You can have the beauty you want!” and many more nonsense words. The standard of beauty of the society has changed. I hope the people won’t be brainwashed by it and they would be proud and happy whatever physical traits they have.

.....Anyway, I planned to take-out some food on the way so I entered a resto with the name, “The bigger the better.” The choices were many. I was surprised to see that a burger cost 200 even if it was labeled small. It better be good. When I saw the burger, oh boy was it huge.

It looked like extra large. I informed the cashier lady that there was a mistake but she told me that small was supposed to be like that. I saw the lady on the other line ordering a much bigger burger than mine..whoa! No wonder obesity is already so common. The moment I went outside the resto, little children were blocking my way, asking for food. It was unusual to see them begging while wearing almost brand new clothes. Out of curiosity, I asked them why they were begging for food when in fact they had new clothes on. It was also branded. Penshoppe. Pink soda. Bench. They immediately reasoned out,
“..kasi naman ate bigay lang po ito nung mga matatabang tao. Sabi nila ang suwerte raw namin kasi di na sa kanila kasya yung mga damit na minsan lang nilang nagamit. Kahit ate medyo malalaki sa amin, meron kaming masusuot. Bago pa!o di ba?”
“Ah.ok.o sige, ishshare ko na lang itong burger ko, tutal di ko naman ‘to mauubos sa sobarang laki.”

.....Despite the abundant food some people get, many people were still suffering from hunger. The children looked like hangers with those large clothes on. They were malnourished. Many things have changed but the poverty was still the same. Worse perhaps. Behind the new high buildings were the squatter areas. It expanded from the last time I saw that place and I can see even from a far that garbage was all around their houses. They were used to it. They have no place else to stay than the garbage place of the factories and food chains. Hai..

.....When I arrived at the university, I rode the TOKI

and went directly to my own supposed to be college for 4 years which was the College of Arts and Letters-CAL. I was so glad that the fare was still 6 pesos and not based on the weight of a person. That’s what I call fair. I felt at home looking at the familiar places. The tambayans, the street foods, one of my fave place which was the CAL library because I feel at eased there, mr. oble(haha), and the sunken garden. I did not expect to see any of my blockmates ‘coz for sure they have already graduated unless they took masteral degree. But I did saw one of them. This day never stop surprising me. I saw a classmate of mine and she told me that she was a professor in sociology 10. She seemed so happy and contented with her life. I asked her why and she told me because it’s a joy serving your own country and opening the eyes of the youth. I was inspired by what she told me. I thought about my career at U.S. and realized that I don’t want to work there ever again. It’s been a long time that I thought it over but now I am making a decision. Life is not just about being rich and having a good life. It isn’t bad to serve other people but isn’t it more satisfying to know that you are serving your own land? My heart is where I was born. I remembered my promises and I will not break them. I will keep on fighting for what I believe in. The government may be corrupted but I know not all of the people there are. I honestly believe there is still hope. In our own ways we can help our society. In our own ways we can set an example of what justice and discipline mean. The change starts within you…

Epilogue

.....“Salamat ma’am! Marami talaga akong natututunan sa lesson ngayon. Mas napapamahal ako sa sariling kong bansa at namumulat ako sa mga pangyayari ngayon..”
“Your learning doesn’t stop there. Share your knowledge with your friends and through the net and inspire them too. You’d never know that one person can touch and move the hearts of many people..”

.....That’s what I said to my student. Oh by the way, I have practiced law for 15 years in my own province but now I am teaching law here at the University of the Philippines, Diliman and it has been for 10 years now and I am planning to continue this profession until I retire. I am happy with my work. Listening to the minds of young people and learning from them too. I love what I’m doing. I don’t really consider this as a job but a commitment. Some of my friends questioned me why I chose what I have now than my old life abroad where I had a luxurious life. The only thing I can tell them was, “the happiness I feel serving and loving my own country can never be bought by the wealthiest man on earth because my heart is already rich with joy knowing that in my own simple ways, I am keeping my promises.”

Philippine Flag Pictures, Images and Photos

-------35 years after-------

.....Now I know why my mother died smiling. I closed her journal book and went to my children, ready to tell them the wonderful life of their grandmother, my very own mother, Christine Joy G. Co. :)

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word count:1954 words

♥ My World My Life

6:50 AM