MORE ANGRY WOMEN WANTED

The records of women entering high government service posts are appalling. Within a year, three have been replaced, disgracefully, and replaced by men. 

Gina Lopez, secretary of the Dept of Environment and Natural Resources, was first, as she fought for the right of a healthy environment for our country; but the mining lobbyists are much more influential. (May 3, 2017)

Next was Judy Taguiwalo, secretary of the Dept of Social Welfare and Development whose heart and mind are in the right pace -- for the poor, the deprived and the oppressed sectors of our society. She was dismissed because of underground talks about her ties to the left, which she never denied. So, her leaving the post shows that it is impossible to have a government of different colors, although the missions are the same. (August 16, 2017)

Third, Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, secretary of Health,  despite her long service in the government was not deemed fit to head the office. (October 10, 2017)

Are these not glaring evidences of the violation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women or CEDAW? Here is a brief statement of the UN Convention to which our country is signatory:

The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men through ensuring women's equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life -- including the right to vote and to stand for election -- as well as education, health and employment. States parties agree to take all appropriate measures, including legislation and temporary special measures, so that women can enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

It was adopted on by the UN General Assembly on December 18, 1979, and got adopted as an international treaty on 3 September 1981 after the twentieth country had ratified it. 

So, after having had two female presidents, our country is back to square one, with the kangaroo court of the Commission on Appointments  REJECTING WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN RUNNING THIS COUNTRY. 

Here is what the RA 9710 Magna Carta for Women issued on August 14, 2009 and signed by Gloria Macapagal, says about women's rights:in its Policy Declaration: 

Recognizing that the economic, political, and sociocultural realities affect women’s current condition, the State affirms the role of women in nation building and ensures the substantive equality of women and men. It shall promote empowerment of women and pursue equal opportunities for women and men and ensure equal access to resources and to development results and outcome. Further, the State realizes that equality of men and women entails the abolition of the unequal structures and practices that perpetuate discrimination and inequality. To realize this, the State shall endeavor to develop plans, policies, programs, measures, and mechanisms to address discrimination and inequality in the economic, political, social, and cultural life of women and men.

The State condemns discrimination against women in all its forms and pursues by all appropriate means and without delay the policy of eliminating discrimination against women in keeping with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and other international instruments consistent with Philippine law. The State shall accord women the rights, protection, and opportunities available to every member of society.

The State affirms women’s rights as human rights and shall intensify its efforts to fulfill its duties under international and domestic law to recognize, respect, protect, fulfill, and promote all human rights and fundamental freedoms of women, especially marginalized women, in the economic, social, political, cultural, and other fields without distinction or discrimination on account of class, age, sex, gender, language, ethnicity, religion, ideology, disability, education, and status.

Meanwhile, we also have the GAD or Republic Act 7192, the Women in Development and Nation Building Act - AN ACT PROMOTING THE INTEGRATION OF WOMEN AS FULL AND EQUAL PARTNERS OF MEN IN DEVELOPMENT AND NATION BUILDING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. It declares that the State recognizes the role of women in nation building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men. The State shall provided women rights and opportunities equal to that of men. 

This was signed into law by President Corazon Aquino, the first woman president of our country,  in 1991. 

In other words, the acts of the Commission on Appointments go against what have been established as policies of the UN and the Philippine government itself. 

Why is machismo so strong in our society? Acting Social Welfare Secretary is a man. The new health secretary is also a man. Then the DENR secretary is a former military man. 

My goodness, this country is kicking out Filipino women from the most sensitive posts of government very easily. 

It is time to examine the composition of the Commission on Appointments -- why are they anti-women? 

But before we do that, we should feel anger, not sadness. We should feel revolted by what is happening to women to us. If you will examine the news, women are getting killed easily as well as the men. So much violence exists. No longer is there respect for the kabaro of our our grandmothers, our mothers, our daughters,  our granddaughters. 

Artwork by JamesFrancow.tumbir.com

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/82261130671469922/

CELFONES IN THE FAMILY

If I were a child and my parents are having dinner but at the same time, instead of dining judiciously and engaging in family tete-a-tete,  are busy answering or talking to other people over their celfones, I would feel very rebellious. 

A sociologist said that our society is creating a cyberfamily. You see families around a table, each one having a gadget -- a tablet, an I Pad, a celfone, etc. I told her, a cyberfamily is an aberration, nothing to celebrate about. It is the beginning of the destruction of communication in the family.

 Worse yet, when husband and wife are together and one is into reading texts or talking to a caller on the celfone, using up all the minutes for eating. 

If we want a healthy society, the DSWD should come up with short ads on TV and radio cautioning people to respect the hours they devote to intimate partners and to the family. 

SHOCK

State of Shock! That is how I would describe what is happening in the United States today. The people, the women especially are in a state of stupefaction. 

They cannot believe that their country's political elections had been manipulated to place someone who day by day reveals who he is. 

And that American women are in shock also because an outside force was able to tinker with the political processes, dislodging the iconic atmosphere of USA being the place for liberated women. The defeat of Hillary Clinton in the hands of someone who is studying how to lead, is really mind-boggling. 

Correction of political errors becomes very important as history could be repeated again and again. The losers would be the people. 

I think it is time to think beyond Hollywood. The movies cannot save America. It is the people who will, if everyone would stand together and say they would not tolerate anymore fantasies, any more masks. 

IN SEARCH OF PURPOSE

                                                           WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ASEAN MEETING?

To insure that nobody in the region is left hungry, thirsty, homeless, lacking education and suffering from unjust imprisonment. 

KATAS NG SAUDI: WHO WILL SAVE THE PHILIPPINE JEEPNEY? TABANG! TULONG!

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*Who are the intellectuals who developed that program? in their formulation of the program, were they not strengthening the role of authoritarianism in the country as the program is being rammed down the throats of the jeepney drivers? Sinu-sino bang ang mga intellektuwal na nagbuo ng programa? Sa kanilang pagsusulat, hindi ba nila pinalakas ang papel ng awtoritarianismo sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng puwersa sa mga drayber na tanggapin ito?

The country is a signatory to the Millenium Development Goals which has spawned the 17 Sustainable Development Targets, seeking to realize the human rights of all and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. This also aims to integrate and balance the three aspect os sustainable development -- the economic, social and environmental. 
Ang bansa ay pumirma sa Millenium Development Goals o MDG na naglabas ng 17 targets para sa isang likas-kayang kaunlaran. Nais nitong mapasakatunayan ang karapatang pantao ng lahat at matamo ang kapantayan at pagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa mga babae. Nais din nitong mabalanse ang ekonomiko, sosyal at pangkapaligirang kaunlaran. 

It states, among other things that "Recognizing that the dignity of the human person is fundamental" for all countries of the world. "Ang pagkilala sa dignidad ng tao ay pangunahing batayan para sa lahat ng bansa sa buong mundo."

We cannot dismiss these Targets as they were discussed and debated upon for over two years publicly and in consultation with the civil societies from all over the world. Hindi natin puwedeng isantabi ang mga mithiin sa ilalim ng MDG dahil ito ay pinagdiskusyunan at pinagdebatehan sa iba't ibang bansa, mahirap at mayaman  kasama ang mga NGO. 

Another target or goal is "a world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want, where all life can thrive." Isa pang mithiin ng MDG ay isang mundong walang naghihirap, walang kagutuman, walang kapansanan at walang pangangailangan, kung saan lahat ng may buhay ay nananahan.

And still another goal is-- which Pres. Duterte may not probably like very much - at isa pang mithiin na maaaring di gaanong gusto ni Pangulong Duterte:

"a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination; of respect for race, ethnicity and cultural diversity; and of equal opportunity permitting the full realization of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity." - isang mundo kung saan may pandaigdigang respeto sa karapatang pantao, at dignidad ng bawa't tao, may pananaig ng batas, hustisya, kapantayan, kawalan ng pagtatangi, respeto sa lahi, ethnisidad (o pagkakaiba ng lahi), at pagkakaiba ng kultura; at ang pantay na oportunidad na tumutuloy sa pagsasabuhay ng lahat ng kakayahan ng tao na tumutulong sa isang kolektibang pag-unlad. 

The UN does not leave any country on her own to realize the goals but rather swears that "to work with local authorities and communities to renew and plan our cities and human settlements so as to ...reduce the negative impacts of urban actities and of chemicals which are hazardous for human health and the environment..."

Modernization Program-- AHISTORICAL

Clearly the so-called "Modernization" Transport program is addressing the environmental problem of our country which is being aggravated by the presence of polluting jeepneys. However, the action it will take -- of removing all of them from the streets -- is rather inhuman and a-historical. It is inhuman because it dismisses the sentimental link of the drivers, the operators and all of their families, as well as the associations of the drivers -- to the vehicle itself. In fact, it can ask the help of any country in the world to address the problems caused by the jeepneys. Malinaw ma ang programa ng DOTr ay nakatuon lamang sa pangkapaligiran, dahil sa polusyon na dulot ng mga jeep. Pero ang pagpapalayas sa kanila sa kalye ay hindi makatao at walang pagrespeto sa kasaysayan. Ito ay di makatao dahil hindi nito pinapansin ang madamdaming pagkakaugnay ng jeep sa drayber, sa pamilya ng mga drayber, mga asosasyon ng mga drayber, at sa mga operators -- na maaaring nakapagpatapos ng kanilang mga anak sa pag-aaral dahil sa pamamasada nila. Hindi ba't sa mga jeep ay nakasulat ang mga salitang: "Katas ng Saudi"  na nagpapahiwatig na pinaghirapan ng may-ari ng nagtrabaho sa ibang bansa upang makabili nito. 

It jumps over the fact that the jeep is a historical icon of the country already, and needs to be preserved as it gives us our identity as a people. Pinapalis nito ang katotohanang ang jeep ay isang makasaysayang imahen. 

Actually, the Sarao family, which manufactures jeepneys, has already presented its capability to change the polluting engine into an e-jeepney engine.  Sa katunayan, ang Sarao family na gumagawa ng jeep ay nagpakita na ng kapabilidad para alitan ang makina ng jeep at gawin itong e-jeepney, nakasalalay sa elektrisidad na baterya ang pagpapaandar. 

Recent reports reveal that a Philippine subsidiary of a Sigaporean group aims, the Philippines Electromobility Solutions and Consulting Group Inc., their capability to produce a "green jeepney." May mga huling ulat na isang grupo sa Asya, ang Philippines Electromobility Solutions and Consulting Group, Inc. ay handang gumawa ng "berdeng jeepney," isa ring nakasalalay sa kuryente.

What does this mean? The Philippine jeepney will not be done away with but will be improved upon -- its dieself-fed engines changed into electricity-run engines. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito? Hindi tatanggalin ang jeep; sa halip ay tatanggalin ang diesel engines at papalitan ng makinang pinatatakbo ng elektrisidad. 

COLLECTIVE DECISION-MAKING

Any plan, program or project of the government has to undergo consultations with all the sectors of society especially as it will affect the lives and livelihood of the people. Kahit anong plano, programa o proyekto ng gubyerno ay kinakailangang malaman ng taumbayan; kailangang kasama sila sa balitaktakan lalo pa kung maaapektuhan nito ang buhay at hanap-buhay ng lahat. 

On December 4, 1986, the General Assembly declared the Right to Development which contained among others the following provisions: Noong Disymeber 4, 1986, ang General Assembly ng UN nagdeklara ng Karapatang Umunlad: 

.

 "1. The right to development is an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized;" Ang karapatang umunlad ay hindi maaalis kaninuman at sa lahat ng taong 

gustong lumahok, mag-alay at magtamasa ng kaunlarang -- ekonomiko, sosyal, 

kultural at pulitikal, kung saan, lahat ng mga batayang kalayaan at karapatang pantao 

ay maaaring matamo.   

2. The human right to development also implies the 

full realization of the right of peoples to self-determination, 

which includes, subject to the relevant provisions of both

International Covenants on Human Rights, the exercise of their inalienable right to 

full sovereignty over all their natural wealth and resources.

Subset 1. : human person is the central subject of development and should be the active participant and beneficiary of the right to development.Ang tao ang sentro ng pagpapaunlad at kinakailangang aktibong kumikilos at nagtatamacysa karapatang umunlad. 

Subset 2 -  All human beings have a responsibility for development, individually and collectively, taking into account the need for full respect for their human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as their duties to the community, which alone can ensure the free and complete fulfillment of the human being, and they should therefore promote and protect an appropriate political, social and economic order for development." Lahat ng tao ay may responsibilidad sa pagpapaunlad, ng sarili at ng pangkalahatan, na may paggalang ng buo sa kanilang karapatang pantao at mga kalayaang batayan , pati na ang kanilang mga tungkulin sa komunidad, na siya magdudulot ng pagkakaroon ng isang malaya at ganap na tao; kung kaya't kailangang isulong at tangkilikin ang mga nararapat na kaayusan para sa kaunlarang pulitikal, sosyal at pangkabuhayan. 

Note that this Declaration takes into account the human being, the individual, and the need for a holistic development, not only one or two aspects. Hence it says in Article 3, that Pansinin na ang Deklarasyon ay tinuturing ang tao, ang indibidwal at ang pangangailangan para sa isang kaunlaran na may kabuuwan. Sinasabi nito sa Art. 3:

"States have the right and the duty to formulate appropriate national development policies that aim at the constant improvement of the well-being of the entire population and of all individuals, on the basis of their active, free and meaningful participation in development and in the fair distribution of the benefits resulting therefrom." Ang mga Estado ay may karapatan at tungkulin para magbalangkas ng mga polisia na tutukoy sa parating pagpapaigi ng katauhan ng buong populasyon at lahat ng mga indibidwal batay sa isang actibo, malaya at makahulugang paglahok sa kaunlaran at sa isang makatarungang pamamahagi ng mga benepisyong makakatulong sa kanila. 

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE PHILIPPINE JEEPNEY:

Noong a-27 ng Hulyo, 2009, nagsabatas ng REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066 na tumutukoy sa pagpapahalaga sa mga makasaysayang yaman ng ating bansa. 

on 27, July 2009, the country enacted 

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF THE NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE, STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS (NCCA) AND ITS AFFILIATED CULTURAL AGENCIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

It cites a Constitutional provision that the State "shall foster the preservation, enrichmane and dynamic evolution of a Filipino culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression."

It also mentions that the State must "conserve, develop, promote and popularize the national's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations..." and that it must protect all the country's artistic and historic wealth as they constitute the cultural treasure of the nation. 

Here is one provision that is very apropos to the current debates surrounding the "Modernization program of the DOTr. Narito na ang isang probisyon ng batas na tumutugma sa mga debate tungkol sa programang "Modernization." 

"The State shall likewise endeavor to create a balanced atmosphere where the historic past coexists in harmony with modern society. It shall approach the problem of conservation in an integrated and holistic manner, cutting across all relevant disciplines and technologies. The State shall further administer the heritage resources in a spirit of stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of the present and future generations."

"Ang Estado ay nararapat na ibalanse ang kalagayan ng makasaysayang nakaraan at iayon ito sa lipunang nagbabago. Kinakailangang ang suliranin sa pag-iingat ng lahat sa bansa ay nakasalalay sa isang paraang may kabuuan at pagsasama, kaugnay ang iba't ibang disiplina at teknolohiya. Ang Estado ay kinakailangang pamahalaan ang mga pamanang yaman para maging inspirasyon at pantulong sa pangkalukuyan at pangkinabukasang henerasyon. 

What the "Mod" program aims at is complete obliteration of the jeepney -- thus Kung kaya't ang "Mod" program ay naglalayong burahin ng buo ang jeep:

1. denigrating the contributions of the designers of the jeepneys; walang pagtanaw ng utang na loob sa mga nag-disenyo ng jeep;

2, belittling the artistic contributions of the lesser-known artists who paint it with unique designs; pagmamaliit sa mga kontribusyong mapanlikha ng mga di-kilalang mga artists na nagpintura ng jeep gamit ang mga disenyong unico;

3. making us break away from our historic past, although it is a very important historical response of our jeepney designers and producers to the costly problem of transportation; and to the need to recycle the war vehicle into a vehicle of life; 

ginagawa tayong makakalimutin ng ating makasaysayang nakaraan, kahit na ang ginawa ng mga nagdisenyo at nagprodyus ng jeep ay nagnais lamang na makatulong sa  problema ng mahal transportation; ang pangangailangang palitan ang gamit ng isang behikulong panggyera para maging behikulong pambuhay. 

4. non-recognition of the voices of the general public who are the main patronizers of the jeepney; and Walang pagkilala sa mga tinig ng mga mananakay na siyang parating gumagamit ng jeep, at 

5.  creating generations of historical cretins who will have lost all their connections to the past, and Nagbubuo  ng isang henerasyong mga lampa at mangmang na walang kaugnayan sa nakaraan

- who will be uprooted and transplanted to a future that is unfeeling and irresponsive to what could possibly reinforce their love of country. 

na mawawalan ng pagmamahal sa tinubuang bayan, at mapupunta sa isang kinabukasan na walang pakiramdam, manhid at walang paki kung ano ang mangyayari at nangyayari sa ating bansa. 

  

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Short Historical Notes about the Jeepney:

Jeepneys are a popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are well known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating.

As American troops began to leave the Philippines at the end of World War II, hundreds of surplus jeeps were sold or given to local Filipinos. Locals stripped down the jeeps to accommodate several passengers, added metal roofs for shade, and decorated the vehicles with vibrant colors and bright chrome hood ornaments.

The jeepney rapidly emerged as a popular and creative way to re-establish inexpensive public transportation, which had been virtually destroyed during World War II. Recognizing the wide-spread use of these vehicles, the Philippine government began to place restrictions on their use. Drivers now must have specialized licenses, regular routes, and reasonably fixed fares.

Although the original jeepneys were simply refurbished military jeeps, modern jeepneys are now produced by independently owned factories within the Philippines. In the central Philippine island of Cebu, the bulk of jeepneys are built using second-hand Japanese trucks, originally intended for hauling cargo rather than passengers. These are euphemistically known as "surplus" trucks.

Etymology

The word jeepney is usually believed to come from the words "jeep" and "knee" because of the crowded seating, passengers must sit knee to knee. Hence, the word jeepney. The word jeepney is also commonly believed to be a portmanteau of "jeep" and "jitney". – source: http://en.wikipedia.org

WHO WILL SAVE THE PHILIPPINE JEEPNEY? TABANG! TULONG!

A drivers group, the The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper and Opereytor Nationwide or Piston on Monday,  launched a two-day transport strike nationwide to protest the government’s so-called Modernization program phasing out the jeepneys that are at least 15 years old.

The strike prompted Malacañang to suspend classes and government work nationwide on Monday, October 16, 2017. 

Earlier, on September 25, 2017, the members of the transport group Stop and Go Coalition held a strike to protest the government's plan to phase out old jeepneys, which will deprive them of their livelihood.

Now, let us emphasize this, Folks, the Philippines has been  part of the global organization of the United Nations since 1942 and no one can erase that historical event. 

We are a signatory to the 1942 UN Declaration from which the UN Charter of 1945 was based. We are also among the 51 original member states and one of only four Asian nations that signed the charter which began the UN Operations.

Now, a recent political problem is the creation of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program. A major component of the program is the phaseout of all jeepneys including old PUVs, according to Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. He said that most jeepneys “are of substandard quality in terms of safety and environmental sustainability.”

This program in its implementation is not in tune with the goals of the United Nations. But first, let us talk about the jeepney.  

What is the Jeepney? Ano ba ang dyip? Saan ito nagsimula?

Leonardo Sarao, a kutsero, who turned auto mechanic, produced the jeepney using the Willy’s jeep, a product of World War II, in his small garage in Las Pinas,in 1953. (Jovic Yee, Lyn Rillon, PDI, April 23, 2017) Other mechanics had done it before he did. 

Si Leonardo Sarao, isang kutsero na naging mekaniko, ay gumawa ng jeep gamit ang Willy’s jeep, isang sasakyan noong WWII, sa kanyang garahe noong 1953. 

From 1960 to 1980, Sarao, the company, produced about 200 jeepneys a year.  Mula noong 1960 hanggang 1980, ang Sarao ay nagpo-prodyus ng jeep sa daming 200 bawa't taon. 

The features of the Philippine jeepney are: Ang mga katangian ng jeep ay ang sumusunod: 

1.  It is originally designed by the Filipino mechanic; Ito ay orihinal na disenyo ng isang Pilipinong mekaniko;

2. The designs on the body, which are uniquely Filipino, came about as a regular feature because the customer/buyers wanted their jeepney to contain features of their province/their children’s faces/ and even their penchants for super heroes. Ang mga disenyo sa katawan nito ay tatak Pinoy, na naging palasak na disenyo dahil ang mga bumibili ay humiling na lagyan ng mukha ng kanilang mga anak o kaya larawan ng kanilang mga gustong super hero;

3.  The jeepney is a vehicle that incorporates a feature that is unique to our society: it has two long seats facing each other, at the back of the driver. The passengers, through the years, have developed, through time, a uniquely Philippine system of collectively helping each other make their fares reach the driver’s hands safely. This in effect is an implicit bond among the passengers that the jeepney has spawned among us, the citizens. Ang jeep ay isang behikulong unika lamang sa ating lipunan: may dalawang mahahabang upuan na magkaharapan sa likod ng drayber. Ang mga pasahero, sa pagdaraan ng mga taon, ay nakapagbuo ng isang sistema kung saan natutulungan nila ang bawa't isa na maipadala ang mga pamasahe nila sa kamay ng drayber. Kung kaya't ang epekto nito ay isang pahiwatig na ang mga sumasakay ng jeep ay nagkakaisa kahit hindi binibigkas; 

4.  Even the estribo at the back of the jeep is built so that passengers who cannot be given a seat inside the jeep may be allowed to hold on or hang on there till the jeepney reaches their destination. Kahit ang estribo sa likod ng jeep ay inilagay upang mabigyan ng pagkakataon yung mga mawawalan ng upuan sa loob ng jeep na sumabit na lamang hanggang sa makarating sa destinasyon nila, isang pagkilala sa pagkakaisa ng "riding public;

5.  Two passengers on the front seat beside the driver can be accommodated – probably developed for the family members of the driver to join him in the ride around the city/town, etc. Ang pagkakaroon ng upuan sa tabi ng drayber ay isa ring paraan upang ang mga mahal sa buhay ng drayber ay makasama niya sa pamamasyal habang siya ay namamasada; at siyempre karagdagang kita rin kung mga ordinaryong pasahero ang ookupa nito;

 In other words, the jeepney is truly a Philippine product and which has made us famous throughout the world. Kidlat Tahimik even brought a jeepney to Paris in order to showcase our product. Sa makatuwid, ang jeep ay isang tunay na produktong Pilipino at nakapagpatanyag pa sa atin sa buong daigdig. Dalawang Papa ng Katolikong Simbahan ang nakasakay na sa popemobile na hango sa disenyo ng jeep -- sina Pope John Paul II at si Pope Francis. Si Kidlat Tahimik ay nagdala na rin ng jeep sa Paris para iparada ito sa mga Pranses. 

It has acquired fame because of its usefulness and beauty even beside the sleek cars and vehicles of –car mass-producing countries. Nakilala ito dahil sa maraming gamit - pagdadala ng mga mabibigat ng kargo, pagsasakay ng siksikan at kagandahang uniko lamang sa kanya kahit na itabi pa sa ibang mga sasakyang inilalabas ng mga ibang bansa. 

|The jeepney becomes the center of attention now because the DOTr is using the word, "Development" to phase out the jeepney. He finds it OLD, POLLUTANT, AND EYESORE on the roads. Ngayon, ang jeep ay sentro ng ating atensyon dahil gamit ang salitang "Development" o "kaunlaran" palalayasin na raw ang jeep sa kalye. Matanda, nagbubuga ng masamang usok at masakit sa mata. 

Meanwhile, Pistom claims that about 650,00 jeepney drivers and 250,000 operators would be suffering from this government plan to phase out jeepneys aged 15 years old and over. Samantala, ang sabi ng Piston may 650,000 drayber at 250,000 operator ang maghihirap dahil sa planong ito ng gubyerno na palalayasin ang mga jeep na 15 anyos at pataas ang idad.  

Development 

The UN has a definition of "Development" to which our country is a signatory. Development means to improve the people's well-being, one of the central aims of the UN. Nowadays, the word Development has been coupled with the word, sustainable -  one that "promotes prosperity, economic opportunity, greater social well-being and protection of the environment."  

May depinisyon ang UN sa "Kaunlaran" na sinang-ayunan ng ating bansa. Ibig sabihin ng Kaunlaran ay para mapabuti ang katauhan ng mga tao. Sa ngayon, ang Kaunlaran ay dinidikit na sa salitang "likas-kaya" o "renewable" o"sustainable" isang uri ng pag-unlad na nagdadala ng kaginhawahan, pagkakataong gumaling ang hanapbuhay, mas magandang kagalingan at pangangalaga ng kapaligiran. 

The program of the DOTr seems to address only the latter -- "protection of the environment." The rest, "promoting prosperity" is geared to the financiers of the loans for the purchase of the new jeepney at a cost of P1.2M and above to be shouldered by the jeepney drivers (the government is offering P80,000 to help the drivers purchase initially.) The financiers (and those down the line who will facilitate the release of the loans) will enjoy the profits from the sale. The phrase, "economic opportunity" does not seem geared for the jeepney drivers because the loan will saddle them with paying the mortgage for three years  at P400,000.00 a year plus interest, or P33,333 per month more, not less; divided by 30 days = P1,111.00 more that the drivers have to shell out for 1095 days. 

Mukhang ang programa ng DOTr ay nakatuon lamang sa huli -- ang pangangalaga ng kapaligiran. Ang iba, "yung tungkol sa ekonomiko" ay nakatuon sa pagpapalago ng kita ng mga maglalabas ng pautang, hindi ng mga drayber. Ang utang ng drayber sa isang E-jeep ay P1.2M na kailangang bayaran sa loob ng tatlong taon, o P400,000 bawa't taon o P33,333.00 bawa't buwan. Kung hahatiin sa 30 araw, magiging P1,111.00 kada araw, at sa loob ng 1095 na araw o 3 taon. 

How much would be left in the hands of the drivers after a day's work? At present, they are earning P800 to P1,000 per day, driving from 4 to 5 a.m. up to 9 or even 10 p.m. Is this what is called "Development?"

Magkano ang matitira sa drayber na kumikita lamang ng P800 hanggang P1,000 kada araw, at pumapasada mula alas 4 o 5 ng umaga hanggang alas 9 o alas 10 ng gabi. Ito ba ang tinatawag na "Kaunlaran?"

Let us examine "social well-being." Whose social well-being will the program benefit? This phrase should mean that the drivers shall have a healthy, wholesome family and social lives. Yet if they are working 10 to 12 hours a day so that they could earn enough to pay for the loan, how much energy and healthy minds will they have when they retire at night? Suriin natin ang mga salitang panlipunang kagalingan or social well-being. Ang ibig sabihin nito, ang mga drayber ay magkakaroon ng malulusog, masasayang pamilya at buhay na panlipunan. Subali't kung kailangan nilang magtrabaho ng 10 hanggang 12 oras sa isang araw, para makabayad ng utang, may enerhiya pa ba silang matitira para sa pamilya?

Will they still be able to contribute to the debates and discussions, not only at home but also in society in order to improve and advance the quality of life of transportation drivers? Kaya pa ba nilang makipag-debate, makipagtalastasan para umigi ang buhay ng pamilya at ng lipunan? 

Sustainable Development

The UN developed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Its aims are:

Naglabas ang UN ng 2030 Agenda para sa Likas-kayang Kaunlaran:

1. to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.  - tapusin ang kahirapan at kagutuman para magkaroon ng karangalan at kapantayan sa isang malusog na kapaligiran. 

2. to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations. -para mapanatili ang kalusugan ng planeta, sa pamamagitan ng likas-kayang paggamit at produksyon ng mga likas-yaman para masuportahan ang pangkasalukuyan at mga salin-lahi. 

3. to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature. -- upang siguruhin na lahat ng tao ay magtatamasa ng isang mayaman at kaiga-igayang pamumuhay na hindi salungat sa Kalikasan. 

4. to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development. -- upang makapagsulong ng isang matahimik, makatarungan at walang pagtatanging lipunan na libre sa takot at karahasan. 

Inarguably, the Transport program only addresses the second aim of the MDG. The rest which centers on the effects of any government program on the human being and society are not sustainable. --sa ating pagsusuri, ang Transport program ay tumitimo lamang sa pangalawang misyon ng MDG. 

A more important goal of the MDG is to realize "the human rights of all and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls." --ang isang mahalagang misyon ng MDG ay maisakatuparan "ang mga karapatang pantao ng lahat at matamo ang kapantayan at pagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa lahat ng mga babae at batang babae. 

I have seen only one female driver driving the public jeepney. Now where is the socalled "development?" Since 1953, the jeepney has existed as a public vehicle but the women have been shut out from enjoying working as a driver. Not even the girls are encouraged to someday work as a driver of the vehicle. Isang babaeng drayber lamang ang nakita kong namamasada ng jeep. Ngayon, nasaan ang tinatawag na "Kaunlaran?" Simula noong 1953, ang jeep ay nabubuhay na pero ang kababaihan ay sinarhan ng pagkakataon ng makapagtrabaho. Kahit na ang mga batang babae ay hindi ineengganyong matutong magmaneho ng jeep. 

Is that "development?" Iyan ba ang tinatawag na kaunlaran?

Who will bear the brunt of the miscalculations about the pricing of the so-called "modern vehicle?" The passengers! Sino ang magpapasan ng mga pahirap sa pagpapatupad ng programang ito? Ang mga pasahero!

I was at Recto Avenue, Quiapo, one time, wanting  to go to Divisoria.  Then I saw this small E-jeepney that seats about 8 people. I was about to sit myself, when I asked the driver, "Magkano ho hanggang Divi?" Beinte raw. "Ano beinte singko sentimos?" 

"Hindi, girl, beinte pesos."

Meron pa bang sasakay ng "so-called modern jeep" kung beinte pesos ang isang sakay? Wow! Isang rootbeer soft drink at banana cake na yun, meryenda sa isang hapon. 

When we use the word "modernization," let us not equate it with  "development." "Modernization as used nowadays has many controversial features. Some people think that when they use the word, "Modern" then they are being up to date, when in fact, they could be hiding other factors that are affecting so-called "modernization acts." Kapag ginamit natin ang salitang "modernisasyon," huwag nating ipantay ito sa "development" o "kaunlaran. Akala ng ilang tao, kapag ginamit nila ang salitang "Modern" ay wow, au courant sila, o sikat na sila at hindi nahuhuli sa fashion. 

Actually,  "Modernization theory stresses not only the process of change but also the responses to that change." Sa katunayan, ang "teoryang modernisasyon ay nakatuon hindi lamang sa proseso ng pagbabago kundi sa mga tugon din sa pagbabagong yan. Nguni't parang di pinapansin ang mga tugon ng taumbayan. 

Who are the theoreticians of change in society? Sinu-sino ba ang mga intelektuwal ng nagsusulong ng pagbabago sa lipunan? 

I don't care about them, except about Max Horkheimer (Max Horkheimer, (born February 14, 1895, Stuttgart, Germany—died July 7, 1973, Nürnberg), German philosopher who, as director of the Institute for Social Research (1930–41; 1950–58), developed an original interdisciplinary movement, known as critical theory, that combined Marxist-oriented political philosophy with social and cultural analysis informed by empirical research.) who said that a critical theory must: Isa lamang ang pinaniniwalaan ko, si Max Horkheimer na nagbuo ng isang kilusang tinawag na "mapagpunang teorya." Narito ang mga sinabi niya na ang isang teorya dapat ay:

1. "account for the whole of society within historical context; sa kabuuan ang teorya dapat ay may pagturing sa lipunan at tumatalakay din dapat sa kasaysayan;

2. "it should seek to offer a robust and holistic critique by incorporating insights from all social sciences."   One particular field, or sector that the present so-called DOTr program is sidestepping is history. Dapat ay mag-alay ito ng isang mayabong na kritiko at naglalaman ng mga pananaw mula sa lahat na siyensiyang panlipunan. Isang larangan na hindi binabanggit ng DOTr program ay ang kasaysayan. 

Who are the intellectuals who developed that program? in their formulation of the program, were they not strengthening the role of authoritarianism in the country as the program is being rammed down the throats of the jeepney drivers? Sinu-sino bang ang mga intellektuwal na nagbuo ng programa?

SOUNDS, VISUALS, AND MANY MORE

My radio is always turned on when I enter my room. It is my company which I can switch from one program or station to another. In the daytime, I can listen to discussions; but after two or three hours, I have to switch to classical music with spiritual messages to give my ears respite, and my mind rest from the piles of issues that clog the airwaves. 

I also have my crafts which keep my company while listening. So I am able to do two things at the same time: finish a ball of beads and listen with intent to the political, economic and cultural issues of the day. Crafting makes listening not a chore. You see Folks, the heaviness, the gravity of the issues could wear me down as I get involved easily. Then when I really feel that the sounds are becoming really torturous, then I switch to tones, rhythms, melodies from the classical composers. Ahhh, Nirvana. I forget the issues of the day. No not forget, I just lay them aside till I switch to the station again. 

Here are some observations of mine about certain media and theatre:

1. RADIO: When a reporter commits errors in pronunciation several times in one minute, I start counting how many more will be committed. This is the problem: i cannot forget being a communications teacher;

2. TV: I saw a laundrywoman sitting on a short stool with her basin of clothes and the broadcast reporter interviewing her about the rise in water rates. You know how the guy sat? Higher  than the woman, with his legs spread apart by 3/4 yard, and slouched on the chair. Was that being respectful of the woman? And then the microphone was between his legs-- Good God, what was that? If my TV were in black and white, the microphone would appear as his thingamajig. 

3.  RADIO: Voices I would expect to be well-modulated. You see Folks, radio is an intimate medium and for one to speak on a high pitch would really cause earaches. Now I have the tendency to lower the volume when that happens. Unfortunately, I have to keep it high again in order to catch the other speakers. And so I hope that sound engineers would be alert when they have a host who gets high-strung about discussing issues and so is no longer aware that the voice is becoming intolerably loud;

4.   RADIO: Since radio is an intimate medium, ergo, breathing can be heard all the time if the announcers are not aware. Some I found out have the tendency to inhale and exhale so that they seem to be having a hard time taking in oxygen. But if you listen to BBC or VOA, Folks you would not hear the breaths at all. I think that should be cultivated here. We have to listen to the words being spoken, not the air at all. 

5.  RADIO: Finally, when closing a radio program, I hope that the sound engineers would not just clip the hosts' voice abruptly without their being able to say goodbye at all to the listeners. First, the hosts are young people who could really be tyros in that professions. Secondly, it is rather jarring to the listeners to find them gone right away. So sound engineers please take note. 

6. RADIO: Advising heart problems must be guarded. Conflicts between lovers should be resolved by looking at the side of the woman too. One woman letter-writer is said to be too jealous of her new boyfriend who courted her for two years. Her "true" colors showed, daw. And so she appeared as the contrabida. But what happened if she slept with that guy and he was the one who broke her virginity, wouldn't she get jittery that he might fly away, especially if she is a provincial girl? To the guy, maybe kissing, petting and having a day in bed is just all right and so the girl must not get jealous if he still entertains texting female mates. No my dear, before going to bed, you must have a contract how far that would go -- will it go on and on as we are, as steadies, or do we end up in church? Clarity of intentions has to be made. 

I think advising problems of the heart must be done with the gender issues being a Bible of the adviser, so that he or she could also redirect the opinions of the listeners who would phone in. Those listeners would be spreading conservative views to the others if they would start attacking the woman victim and just praise the manhood of the boyfriend. 

6. THEATRE: When an actor's saliva splashes against his or her co-actor, that does looks like a breach of etiquette doesn't it? I would suggest that the director teach the actor to swallow the saliva before speaking. Anyway, silence is also part of acting. 

7. THEATRE: Cultural norms in the Philippines prohibit a woman from showing her breasts in public. And so even onstage, I think we should observe that, unless, the theatre has become a cabaret, a club bar for prostitution masquerading as theatre. One way of giving a hint of the woman baring is for her to wear flesh coloured tights. 

8. THEATRE: Another cultural norm is kissing onstage. Behn Cervantes taught us in our theatre course how to cheat -- appearing to kiss but not kissing. The man kisses the left cheek of the woman near the lips. This will not make the audience uneasy nor the actress forced to accept an act that she does not really relish going through with a man that is not his spouse or boyfriend. Let us observe our customs and traditions on this matter, please. 

So, Folks let us jot down our observations to make our cultural artists in media and theatre aware that we are sensitive, keeping tab of what we think and feel are right to be presented. In this way, we will be raising the standards for being a media and theatre artists in our country. Let us leave the sexual permissiveness to other countries and concentrate on making our own culturally-sensitive and appropriate to our race.