ON DOING AWAY WITH BUREAUCRATISM

I have been wanting to write about bureaucratism for a long time because I think it is a very big reason why this planet is a-shambles despite the many well-meaning persons around. Here are some examples:

1. I wrote a proposal for a cultural event. It took several months before the response came. By the time it did, the deadline for submitting a revised proposal and for a different department had lapsed. 

2. I complained to the highest court of the land about the skyway being built near our subdivision. The reply came many months after and the skyway company  had already erected the posts where the bridges will be placed. The reason for rejection of my complaint, for one I did not pay the proper docket fees. If we are correcting a misdeed of the government should we pay up at all? We are doing our civic duty to point out that that skyway will bring meaningless results to our people and yet the DPWH still continued with it. 

4. Everyday, or almost everyday, I hear that PAGCOR is distributing its funds to buy school desks and chairs in the various regions. How come the Education Secretary has not rejected that at all? Maybe he thinks it does not fall within his list of tasks. But the act of PAGCOR is disastrous in the long run. For one, it brings in the idea that "charity" is good but since it is a gambling institution, then it is instilling in the minds of the students that to gamble is okay. Is that not an unhealthy thought? Gambling brings about a breakdown of family relationships and could cut down a person's ability to function well in the family and in society. It is as insidious as alcoholism and smoking. 

Yet not one has raised a horror about PAGCOR's act because it shares the manna to almost everyone. Now why "bite the hand that feeds you?"

5. The DENR was found by the COA to have underplanted trees from one billion + it was only able to achieve a 20% result. Why should the COA always come late with its assessment, and why not in the middle of the project? Again that is a case of bureaucratism. 

6. This is the same case with the DSWD which had a lot of donations in cash and kind not being spent or distributed to the needy victims of disaster.  The COA report came late, after millions have been lost due to negligence. 

The bureaucracy has a lot of problems. Maybe we need a task force to study how it can be curbed or how we can do away with it altogether in order to make public service truly meaningful, speedy and relevant. 

When public service becomes so, then we could expect a lot of happy, healthy people, I surmise. 

HEALTH IN AN ABERRANT SOCIETY

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HEALTH will be a very big issue in the Philippines five to ten years from now without our knowing it. And with the non-passage of the Freedom of Information Bill, we shall face a country of young people reaching their middle years and leading this country in different sectors of society. Pity the senior citizens who will bear the brunt of this irony. Here are the health problems that would occur should the current situation does not change

1. Blindness or blurry vision -- because of exposure to radiation from the computer screens, the vision of the youth would grow dimmer and they would have need for glasses;

2. Deafness or being Hard of Hearing  -- the youth are so attuned to music so much so that they go around with headsets of their celfones ringing or playing music in their ears. We know that the technology of celfones is not that good in terms of protecting the human body. So we should expect to be speaking more loudly or shouting when interacting with them;

3. Attention deficitness or Lack of focus -- because of their immersion in the computer games, they would begin to lose concentration on their studies, on their work, and on activities requiring focus. 

4. Desensitization -- constant immersion in technologies would make them more desensitized, "manhid" because they only interact with the people on screen and not in realia. This desensitization could lead to a breakdown of relationships within the family and society in general.  I heard a sociologist talk about a family with all the members gathered together by a table and each having a celfone, a laptop and what-have-you gadget. She said that her colleagues should look at this as a new phenomenon in society. After her talk, I approached her and told her -- "the cyberfamily is an aberration in society." She looked at me, very surprised that I should have that point of view. I have seen that at malls and in the families that I have gone with. It is a total breakdown of person-to-person relationship.

5.  Anemia -- the rampant visits to junk food restaurants which offer chicken, beef and pork with nary a vegetable leaf or fruit could result in the youth's being anemic, if not candidates for high blood pressure or cancer as meat is greatly liked by the negative cells.

The government must see the problems from a larger vantage point as we have entered an age where technologies coming from abroad are flooding our country, advertising through different forms is making inroads in our external and internal lives  displaying unhealthy products, unhealthy lifestyles, and our people are so enamoured with gadgets  that they do not foresee the eventual havoc they would create in their lives.

"Tell me what you are holding in your hands and I will tell you what you are."


The Scream (Norwegian: Skrik) is the popular name given to each of four versions of a composition, created as both paintings and pastels, by the Expressionist  ...

‎Edvard Munch

HENERAL LUNA, THE FILM

My friend, SG and I went to see Heneral Luna with both of us liking the film very much except -- for her, she didn't like the showcasing of divisions among the Filipino soldiers and in the movement for independence itself. As for myself, I didn't like the gore, the too bloody ending. 

Actually, the film hews closely to the life of Heneral Antonio Luna who was the equivalent Chief of Staff then by General Emilio Aguinaldo. He was a common Ilustrado product of the 19th century of the Philippine Revolution who was educated in Europe and never forgot the need for the cutting off the Philippines from the umbilical cords of any foreign country -- Spanish and American. He was a musician, playing the guitar, a swordsman, a linguist, a writer, the quintessence of the Renaissance man at that time. Actually, Europe has the tendency to breed such people -- all-around personalities, not one-dimensional at all as is the tendency now for some people to aspire to be specialists. 

Hence we see how Heneral Luna deals with her beloved, someone he sees when he has the time and prone to suffer from his speedy satisfaction without waiting for her to finish I suppose. We see him scold and be hard on those soldiers who do not abide by the rules of engagement -- not to have long hair, or not to obey when told to shoot at the enemy while being in the trenches. The film even recreates that funny but lugubrious scene when Heneral Luna brings a coffin to fetch General Mascardo who is attending a fiesta in Pampanga when there has been a need for him to be in a battle. Mascardo has earlier sent a message that Luna would need to bring a coffin should he force him to return to battle -- meaning to say, over his dead body. And so Luna  does bring in the coffin thus forcing Mascardo to obey him. 

Luna has many differences with Aguinaldo, not only in terms of making the soldiers obey him solidly. The latter has the tendency to coddle even those so-called revolutionaries who turned traitors when the Americans have come. Luna is very brave to call them as such and demand that they be arrested. Aguinaldo follows his idea but only has them kept out for a few days. Later on, they are brought out onto power again. 

The way Luna fashions the soldiers is really remarkable. He emphasizes that they should have uniforms thus rendering a national dignity to the act of defending the country from invaders. Even the American generals who are penetrating Manila at the time take their hats off him, commenting that "he could have read the same military books that they had also."

More than the uniform, Luna emphasizes discipline among the ranks, even among the townspeople. When his soldiers are  going to ride the train and the people -- children and adults ride it ahead of them, he tells them without mincing his words to "Get out!" swishing a nipa leaf to make them them. He is so at home with the people, even their quirks.

The film is done with a great understanding of the medium in mind, not like a book that renders a biography chronologically. Jerold Tarog made the film flow with beautiful Pilipino "(na)subukan mo bang (m)ahuli ang hangin?"  "Dugo at pawis (ang bayad sa kalayaan)." Mga kapatid, may mas malaki tayong kaaway, ang ating sarili.(We have a bigger enemy than the Americans, ourselves.)" 

This readily shows that our revolutionaries were intellectuals, highly percipient of social forces in operation as to why we could be easily conquered by invaders. Their quality is highly admirable which is probably why they won the battle against the Spaniards, the very first in Asia to wage and win victory against colonialism. 

Another film technique that Tarog uses is  his cut-to-cut of images between Luna and Aguiinaldo with their contrasting political views. That is a technique that is not possible in a book unless it were a cartoon. 

Now this is my previous point why I have misgivings about the film, although it has many admirable points. I did not like the shots of Luna being massacred by the Caviteno soldiers. That scene has too many close-ups pandering to the violent and gory tastes of the audience, seemingly like Quentin Tarantino's movies. It takes the point of view of the killers not of Luna, which if the film has done so, should have shown how Luna's vision goes blurred minute by minute as his killers take a blow on the different parts of his body. Also, the film could have shown the scene in a long shot, emphasizing the bigger setting of contrasting viewpoints -- that of narrow-minded soldiers and the heavy sacrifices of the general to achieve liberation for the people and the country. 

But then, the writer or the filmmaker of one's biography will have the last say because the subject is already dead, no longer able to resist or protest against the treatment of his ending. 

Still I salute Tarog and the producers for having dived into the project though some powers-that-be in the international scene would squeak at the anti-colonial attacks of the film. 

INDICTMENT

Luckily, I was able to listen to Grace Poe's twenty-point program from my celfone radio while I was riding home from my meditation class yesterday . She sounded very natural, speaking all about those grand plans she has which will affect everyone all over the land -- Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Now it does not send me goose pimples anymore listening to a woman brave political waters. It just seems so normal, so human, so au courant.  We are no longer the butt of jokes, nor are we belittled for our desire to serve this country. 

I remember having faced some commissioners of Comelec before to justify my running for senator. The chair was sniggering in his seat looking at me as if I was some kind of an alien in this country having those ideals that are "passe." Huwag tayong magsasalita ng patapos, wika nga. Behind every cloud, the sun is still shining. 

Going back to Grace's items, I could see that in the future, should she win, she would be a hands-on president. In her speech, she went through the nitty-gritty detail of every problem we have like in education where she wants us to go digital and for the young to have access to scholarships as well as pay-later school fees' schemes. Then she also mentioned our farmers, artists, and sports people as recipients of government support. 

Here is the full program she mentioned:

1. ...(W)e must attend to the needs of our classrooms. We should maximize digital technology for education, and eliminate backlogs. We shall strive to expand our scholarship programs and strengthen the “Study now, pay later” program. We will also help college students find internships and jobs to gain invaluable experience even before they graduate.

2. We shall work for the flourishing of the agricultural sector. We will heed their longing for land to till. Irrigation is still badly needed in half a million hectares of land. We will push for mechanization. We need an effective program to make fishing, farming and livestock propagation profitable for our farmers and the youth.

3. We will make infrastructure development our priority, whether in terms of streets, trains, airports, seaports or the internet. I will strive to increase the annual infrastructure budget to 7% of the GDP. The government will support the private sector in formulating an industrialization and IT plan. As more products “Made in the Philippines” flourish, more jobs will be created. This should be done while taking care of our environment.

4. No one man or group holds a monopoly on “Tuwid na Daan”. President Aquino has done much to curb corruption and I am thankful that it has restored the people’s faith in an honest leader.

It is only right to continue the fight against corruption. We will hold the corrupt accountable, whether they be friend or foe. This should be the crusade of every Filipino, not just one person or party.

To strengthen transparency in government, I will push for the passage of the Freedom of Information bill at the soonest possible time.

5. We have one of the highest tax rates in the world. My aim is to lower these.

People know what their needs are and they have a right to choose how to spend their hard-earned money. But if government lowers taxes, we should reciprocate by paying the right taxes. And this I guarantee: Every peso you pay will be returned to you in fast and quality service.

6. We need to examine if we are giving our workers and government employees fair wages and benefits. Their work and service will suffer while their own families starve. Every worker needs a decent and legal source of income.

7. A large percentage of a family’s earnings goes to paying for electricity. We need to find a way to lower power costs. In many parts of Mindanao, brownouts are a frequent occurence. We will ensure sufficient power to fuel a growing economy, especially in Mindanao. We shall see to the development of renewable energy.

8. We will value our OFWs and take care of them. We will provide them with proper legal support overseas and reduce the fees and red tape that they currently put up with just to have their papers processed.

9. As a mother, I am deeply troubled by the proliferation of crime and drugs. Like every parent, I cannot rest easy until my children are home safe at night. For me, the elimination of drugs and crime is not just a job. It is my personal crusade. I will make sure the police have the required discipline and skills to immediately deal with crime. Their job is not just to log crimes, but to catch the criminals.

10. We will pursue peace with all groups. Filipinos should need no longer kill fellow Filipinos. With peace, real progress can touch all corners of the country.

To our Moro brothers, your culture and heroism were the inspiration for many of my father’s films. After a long and hard history, it is time that you are given equal opportunities and genuine assistance.

11. We should respect human rights. We will not be blind to the conditions of our vulnerable sectors, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, urban poor, women, youth and children, the LGBT sector and senior citizens. To all senior citizens, you will not be ignored. My own mother has asserted that the older one gets, the more he/she should feel government’s care.

12. Everyone’s health is important. No family should be driven to bankruptcy by illness or be made to choose between food or medicine for their sick loved ones. Our people should be able to rely on expanded health benefits through Philhealth. I will ensure that each community has a proper hospital, staffed with enough doctors, nurses and midwives, and with all the necessary equipment, medicine and supplies.

13. The West Philippine Sea is ours. We will protect our right through peaceful means, and according to international law. We will beef up our Coast Guard and armed forces so that we need not be intimidated by other countries.

14. The traffic situation takes away not just our precious time, it tests our patience. It eats up valuable time that we would otherwise have spent at work or with our loved ones.

15. We should do the following: We should build more roads and trains not only in Metro Manila but all over the Philippines. We should ensure that our train project is awarded to a contractor with strong capability and track record in long-term maintenance. We should clean our drainage systems. We should provide coats and boots for the people who manage our traffic. We should remove all colorum and illegally parked vehicles. We should implement staggered office hours. No roadwork should be left unfinished. We should immediately fire contractors who don’t stick to the approved timetable.

16. The internet is just like a highway. It is a conduit for information. It should be fast. Many jobs will become more productive with faster internet connection. Kids will finish their homework faster and we can more easily talk to our loved ones working overseas without any Skype delays. When it comes to the internet, connecting should not take Forever.

17. Arts, culture and sports deserve the government’s attention. We are recognized internationally as a creative race of visual artists, writers and performers, but we do not value them ourselves. They bring us honor, so we should support them. Our athletes too need our support. We should never give up on our dream to win an Olympic gold medal.

18. Let us not forget the reality of climate change. This is not just a middle class issue; the poor will be hardest hit by its effects. We should have a separate Emergency Management Department that will focus on national preparedness, climate change and geo-mapping.

19. Tourism is another sector that needs our attention. A vibrant tourism industry will create new jobs for Filipinos, even those in far-flung areas. Our country is filled with beautiful tourist destinations, but the industry will never fully succeed if we don’t provide sufficient infrastructure and build more airports.

20. Children are the nation’s treasure. They are our present and future. And yet, they do not stand a chance if they do not receive proper nutrition. Many children continue to starve and waste away. It is time to create a Standard Lunch Program in all public schools.

Actually the list seems like an indictment of what this administration has not done fully for the people despite its five-year existence in office. 

Time will tell if we will be able to see Grace realize all those dreams -- as she said, everyone can dream. Actually, we, all of us -- the Filipino race are dreamers. But some people killed our ability to dream and to realize them; and so many are going abroad, have gone abroad and are staying out of the country to find out if they could still live out their dreams.  


The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

REPEATING THE QUESTION: DOES DEMOCRACY EXIST?

The anniversary of the declaration of matial law is just around the corner but who says that it has been lifted already?

My blog is being watched wherever I go -- can suffer from slow down, erratic spellings, and difficulty to opublish.

My bedroom is being ransacked everyday -- my towel being used for something else; my clothes torn in the armpits and elsewhere;

My files mislaid, misplaced and altogether stolen to be returned when they want to.

Wherever I go, a parade of women and girls in short shorts to emphasize that there is nothing wrong with their displaying their wares in public and to strangers.

The tee-shirts I have printed with my own designs are reprinted on the wrong sizes, and then exchanged surreptitiously in the homes of my friends by their own relatives who are bribed to act "innocent" while doing mischief.

Some of my clothes have been outright reshaped so that I would not fit into them anymore

Today I really lost my cool and uttered highly unprintable words against those I have known to be responsible for them right in my own home.

I really am so disgusted that under an Aquino this should happen. I campaigned for Cory to win the presidency, and did the same so that PNoy would ascend into power despite his lack of administrative capability. Look what I get.

Should I still believe that democracy exists in our country, that martial law has been killed? Please repeat the question.

LANGUAGE DEFINING OUR IDENTITY

I would like to write in Filipino but then my audience would be limited to those speaking it. However, I had my Pilipino-English Feminist Primer translated into Spanish because in order to reach out to women in Latin America. But later on, I had thought, they could be more advanced than us in terms of understanding feminism. They have had so many female presidents already Brazil, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, Panama, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Bolivia, (Isabel Peron was the first woman president in Latin America), according to a BBC report. It would be a good idea to research on how they influenced the developments of their countries as women presidents. 

Then, while perusing a magazine from India, I discovered that they are still using their language Hindi, side by side with English officially. But look at our midst, we are sunk in using English. Here is a list of them and my desired Pilipino equivalent:

1. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council -- NDRRMC. (KONSEHO IWAS SAKUNA) How many syllables do you have there -- 16!!!!. Whereas if they use theTagalog term, that is only 8 syllables and KONISA for its acronym but actually, there is no need for an acronym anymore since the full name is easy to utter.

2. Department of Environment and Natural Resources- DENR (Kagawaran ng Likas Yaman) DENR has 15 whereas the Tagalog term 9 syllables. 

3. Department of Social Welfare and Development -- DSWD (Kagawaran ng Pagkalinga)
13 syllables for DSWD and 9 for the Tagalog term. 

4. Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development - PCARRD  -- 27 SYLLABLES!!! (SALIKSIK YAMANG KALIKASAN - 9 syl only)

5. DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT - DBM Kagawaran ng Badyet
(It is understood that when you take care of the Budget, then that would include management, not just the figures that you spend, isn't it?)

I could come up with a longer list Folks. I will continue this next time. This is just to emphasize that the Linggo ng Wika celebration is no celebration at all so long as our officials have a hard time deciding whether to be bilingual or not in its transactions. Should they accept bilingualism, you can expect a further leap in our children's intelligence.