Ko Swe Win
Building the quality and force of media's truth-telling.
Friday, September 27, 2019
DISSOLVE THE DUNGEON
When an educational institution tolerates hazing and all forms of physical and psychological torture, it is accepting oppression, cruelty and murder. So then it has been reduced to a dungeon. It is no longer an educational institution and it is time to make it disintegrate, to dissolve and to create a new one that will truly uphold wisdom, knowledge, and empathy as keypoints for learning.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
NURTURING CITIES
What makes a city or a town or a barangay? Above all else, it's the people. What makes Greece a memorable city? It was the center of philosophical discourse in ancient times in Europe.
What makes Moscow memorable? The sight of Lenin in the casket reminds us that he was one of the pioneering leaders in turning that part of Europe socialist.
What makes New York City memorable? At 12 midnight the streets are still lit up, the people enjoying being in the streets or cafe after watching a play or a concert.
Köln or Cologne was memorable for me because I saw a bunch of kids having very healthy bodies, skating around amid a very clean city.
Paris is memorable for me bcause of the first time I had seen the long bread and the sophisticated looks of ladies in very long robes, as it was autumn, and wearing hats some with feathers and others with a veil on their faces just like what I had seen in the American movies.
What about Hong Kong? Oh the efficiency of the trains is admirable. But passing by Mongkok is terifying. One time I asked the person standing beside me? what's going on? " There are pushers outside who would pack every coach like sardines," i had been told. My goodness, I thought my rib cages would break.
London, where I stayed for almost two years where I had seen the happy, bright sides of the West End and the musical plays,as well as the Brixton riots in eighties, and my joining the women's rally to protest nuclear armament in very cold snowy winter, is memorable for me because I could cmmunicate very well with every one since I was honed at home or at school, in speaking and writing English as our second language.
What is remarkable about these cities is that the citizens have a high IQ. Their cities are full of newstands. Every morning, these stores have the freshest reports about what is going on in the city and elsewhere. Then come evening, there are flea markets where the people coming home from work can buy cheqp fruits, veggies and other foodies.
Ergo these cities take care of the minds and bodies of the citizens. They make them a reading and a health conscious public.
What am I saying here? I think as we clear the sidewalks of our cities, let us leave space for newstands. We must inculcate and sustain among the people the habit of reading. By doing so we make them aware all the time of what is going on in the government, the community, and every human being's life, here and abroad too where our OFWs are working.
We must also have fleamarkets at night so that those going home could bring home someting to buy and eat cheaply for themselves and their families. Let us encourage our market vendors to delight in selling to our people and not deprive them totally of their businesses. After all, food is important to everyone. Did you know that I could buy four carrots for P20 in Quiapo, whereas in my community, it is P10 each? How many eyes are deprived of carotene because of expensive carrots?
Let us mull over these, Folks and let iur lcal and national government sensitive to our basic needs for an intellectually stimulating and healthy environment.
What makes Manila memorble now?
What makes Moscow memorable? The sight of Lenin in the casket reminds us that he was one of the pioneering leaders in turning that part of Europe socialist.
What makes New York City memorable? At 12 midnight the streets are still lit up, the people enjoying being in the streets or cafe after watching a play or a concert.
Köln or Cologne was memorable for me because I saw a bunch of kids having very healthy bodies, skating around amid a very clean city.
Paris is memorable for me bcause of the first time I had seen the long bread and the sophisticated looks of ladies in very long robes, as it was autumn, and wearing hats some with feathers and others with a veil on their faces just like what I had seen in the American movies.
What about Hong Kong? Oh the efficiency of the trains is admirable. But passing by Mongkok is terifying. One time I asked the person standing beside me? what's going on? " There are pushers outside who would pack every coach like sardines," i had been told. My goodness, I thought my rib cages would break.
London, where I stayed for almost two years where I had seen the happy, bright sides of the West End and the musical plays,as well as the Brixton riots in eighties, and my joining the women's rally to protest nuclear armament in very cold snowy winter, is memorable for me because I could cmmunicate very well with every one since I was honed at home or at school, in speaking and writing English as our second language.
What is remarkable about these cities is that the citizens have a high IQ. Their cities are full of newstands. Every morning, these stores have the freshest reports about what is going on in the city and elsewhere. Then come evening, there are flea markets where the people coming home from work can buy cheqp fruits, veggies and other foodies.
Ergo these cities take care of the minds and bodies of the citizens. They make them a reading and a health conscious public.
What am I saying here? I think as we clear the sidewalks of our cities, let us leave space for newstands. We must inculcate and sustain among the people the habit of reading. By doing so we make them aware all the time of what is going on in the government, the community, and every human being's life, here and abroad too where our OFWs are working.
We must also have fleamarkets at night so that those going home could bring home someting to buy and eat cheaply for themselves and their families. Let us encourage our market vendors to delight in selling to our people and not deprive them totally of their businesses. After all, food is important to everyone. Did you know that I could buy four carrots for P20 in Quiapo, whereas in my community, it is P10 each? How many eyes are deprived of carotene because of expensive carrots?
Let us mull over these, Folks and let iur lcal and national government sensitive to our basic needs for an intellectually stimulating and healthy environment.
What makes Manila memorble now?
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
WHEN A BANK STEALS FROM THE COOKIE JAR
When a bank becomes a tool for sabotaging trust in the banking system, what should we do?
A depositor lost P460,000 pesos in her ATM account in the Philippines while she was abroad. When she complained, she was given the brush off.
Many other OFWs, according to her, have suffered the same fate, in the thousands. Another ex-OFW told me, he deposited in the same bank for many years from a South Asian country but when he came back, the deposits had not been recorded.His savings were gone. He showed his deposits, but still the money was gone.
I think, an alarm bell should be sounded when a bank starts this criminal 's act of stealing money from depositors. It means that our banking officials are sleeping on the job, or that they are clueless about what is going on, or that they are part of the conspiracy, or that the money rules are so loose that they could be easily circumvented and the perpetrators go scot free.
I think as soon as a bank depositor/s suffer the fate above, then the depository operations of that bank should be stopped right away until the problem has been solved. The bank should not be allowed to receive any more amounts until the public gets a clear picture that its officials have the moral integrity to protect the people's money.
Monday, September 16, 2019
ASIAN AWARDEES SHINE WITH THEIR ADVOCACIES
THE 2019 RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARDEES
Neelapaijit, Angkhana
Championing justice, case after painful case.
Kumar, Ravish
Harnessing journalism to give voice to the voiceless.
Cayabyab, Raymundo Pujante
Nurturing the gift and unifying power of music.
Kim, Jong-ki
Stemming the destructive tide of youth violence.
CCP CHANGED FACE TAKE TWO
Folks this is the second time I am wrting this article. The first which I had just edited was deleted in toto by the hacker here at my residence located in one of the units on this 5th floor of this building. They belong to the PNP intel group.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines assumed a different face last Monday, September 9, when the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation Awardees were feted. We listened and watched to the many speeches revolving around the advocacies of the advocacies and I greatly wondered how the atmosphere had suddenly turned very progressive at CCP which was considered Imelda Marcos' ostentatious turf during their reign in the seventies and eighties.VP Leni Robredo, whose husband died suspiciously in a helicopter crash gave the awards together with other RM Board of Trustees.
Awardees included our very own National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, who prefaced his statement greeting the invited guests and a past president as "the former ___(name of the president)___ president of our country, the Philippines. Everybody laughed at the mistake which had a grain of cynicism in it.
Another was Ms. Angkhana Neelapaijit, former Human Rights Commissioner of Thailand who has to face a lot of violence ( her husband was assassinated for being an activist); Ko Swe Win, who faces the military in his land, Myanmar through committed journalism; Kim Jong-Ki, a former businessman threw all his financial cares and resolutely campaigned for legislation against bullying in schools; and Ravish Kumar of India who features the powerless in his country, India through TV broadcasting.
By the way, I was once a member of the Andres Bonifacio Concert Choir where we presented on the same stage in the 90's the musical play of Prof. Jerry Dadap. The music of the play is singable and all the members of the group enjoyed singing the songs with our hearts burning for love of country. Jerry gave us vocalisation lessons before each rehearsal and so there was no one out of tune in that presentation. Despite meager resources, the director Jerry was able to give us decent costumes and a little honoraria for attendance. Unfortunately, one philosopher criticised our presentation which was rather uncalled for. His line of philosophy was not aesthetics at all and out of touch in terms of the linking of history with music as Jerry had done in the play. Anyway, we did not really take him seriously as more presentations were made later on by the group. May good God bless his soul, though.
Folks here are some memorable statements of the awardees which should be relayed to our youngsters so that they would grow up embracing not only specialization in their chosen fields but also commitment to social responsibilities.
ANGKHANA NEELAPAIJIT:. Thailand
While leading a civil society organization, I had the opportunity to work with many vulnerable groups especially the vulnerable of the vulnerable such as victims of human rights violations in Southern Thailand, most of whom are women, refugees and asylum seekers or grievous women who are victims of gender-based violence. (v)iolent extremism, poverty, refugee crisis, absence or lack of freedom of expression (faced by Thailand and other Asian countries) -- are only the tip of the iceberg. (O)rdinary heroes in their courage, determination adn commitment...serve as evidence that every one of us can make a difference to stand for what is right and just...."
KO SWE WIN, Myanmar
The predominance of the military's role, combined with the continued armed clashes in a number of ethnic minorities and the rise of nationalism, is the major challenge facing the independent media in Myanmar. This situation constantly instills a sense of thread into civil life and the news media circle...we have a firm belief that we are not on the right path towards democracy and liberty as long as the supremacy of civilian rule has not come into fruitiion....In this context, journalism pla goalsys a crucial role....
KIM JONG-KI, South Korea
...I have never looked back. (I have) led a nationwide campaign to gather signatures, garnering support from 470,000 citizens urging the ...passage of the "Special Act on Preventing and Handling of School Violence," which was made into law in 2004.
I have gone through extreme hardships but poured out my passion, money and personal connections to fulfill my goals.Management skoills that I obtained from my previous work also helped. To be honest, there were many times I wanted to give up, but this work was my promise to my son, (who committed suicide after being bullied).
RAVISH KUMAR, India
Our news channels do not have a journalistic tone; they adopt, instead, the language of the authoritarian military commanders. Anchors speak as if issuing orders and vilify dissenters by labeling them traitors. Ground reporting is almost non-existent; studio shouting-matches are ubiquitous. A nation's health is endagered when its news media renounces humility and authenticity.
My hope is that we can restore the sanctity of reporting the news. I hope audiences will value truthfulness in reporting, and diversity of voices and platforms. A democracy can thrive only as long as its news is truthful.
RAYMUNDO CAYABYAB
A professional musician once asked me, 'Aren't you afraid that by teaching everything you know you are actually divulging trade secrets?' Because of this it become clearer to me why I wanted to teach. There really are no trade secrets; but even if there were, I would divulge them anyway...
(our) original music is not only a form of entertainment but a living tradition. It is the binding 'glue' that forms, strengthens and positively moves the Filipino ...(cortriibuting) to the vibrant music movement happening in the entire Asian region...
The Cultural Center of the Philippines assumed a different face last Monday, September 9, when the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation Awardees were feted. We listened and watched to the many speeches revolving around the advocacies of the advocacies and I greatly wondered how the atmosphere had suddenly turned very progressive at CCP which was considered Imelda Marcos' ostentatious turf during their reign in the seventies and eighties.VP Leni Robredo, whose husband died suspiciously in a helicopter crash gave the awards together with other RM Board of Trustees.
Awardees included our very own National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, who prefaced his statement greeting the invited guests and a past president as "the former ___(name of the president)___ president of our country, the Philippines. Everybody laughed at the mistake which had a grain of cynicism in it.
Another was Ms. Angkhana Neelapaijit, former Human Rights Commissioner of Thailand who has to face a lot of violence ( her husband was assassinated for being an activist); Ko Swe Win, who faces the military in his land, Myanmar through committed journalism; Kim Jong-Ki, a former businessman threw all his financial cares and resolutely campaigned for legislation against bullying in schools; and Ravish Kumar of India who features the powerless in his country, India through TV broadcasting.
By the way, I was once a member of the Andres Bonifacio Concert Choir where we presented on the same stage in the 90's the musical play of Prof. Jerry Dadap. The music of the play is singable and all the members of the group enjoyed singing the songs with our hearts burning for love of country. Jerry gave us vocalisation lessons before each rehearsal and so there was no one out of tune in that presentation. Despite meager resources, the director Jerry was able to give us decent costumes and a little honoraria for attendance. Unfortunately, one philosopher criticised our presentation which was rather uncalled for. His line of philosophy was not aesthetics at all and out of touch in terms of the linking of history with music as Jerry had done in the play. Anyway, we did not really take him seriously as more presentations were made later on by the group. May good God bless his soul, though.
Folks here are some memorable statements of the awardees which should be relayed to our youngsters so that they would grow up embracing not only specialization in their chosen fields but also commitment to social responsibilities.
ANGKHANA NEELAPAIJIT:. Thailand
While leading a civil society organization, I had the opportunity to work with many vulnerable groups especially the vulnerable of the vulnerable such as victims of human rights violations in Southern Thailand, most of whom are women, refugees and asylum seekers or grievous women who are victims of gender-based violence. (v)iolent extremism, poverty, refugee crisis, absence or lack of freedom of expression (faced by Thailand and other Asian countries) -- are only the tip of the iceberg. (O)rdinary heroes in their courage, determination adn commitment...serve as evidence that every one of us can make a difference to stand for what is right and just...."
KO SWE WIN, Myanmar
The predominance of the military's role, combined with the continued armed clashes in a number of ethnic minorities and the rise of nationalism, is the major challenge facing the independent media in Myanmar. This situation constantly instills a sense of thread into civil life and the news media circle...we have a firm belief that we are not on the right path towards democracy and liberty as long as the supremacy of civilian rule has not come into fruitiion....In this context, journalism pla goalsys a crucial role....
KIM JONG-KI, South Korea
...I have never looked back. (I have) led a nationwide campaign to gather signatures, garnering support from 470,000 citizens urging the ...passage of the "Special Act on Preventing and Handling of School Violence," which was made into law in 2004.
I have gone through extreme hardships but poured out my passion, money and personal connections to fulfill my goals.Management skoills that I obtained from my previous work also helped. To be honest, there were many times I wanted to give up, but this work was my promise to my son, (who committed suicide after being bullied).
RAVISH KUMAR, India
Our news channels do not have a journalistic tone; they adopt, instead, the language of the authoritarian military commanders. Anchors speak as if issuing orders and vilify dissenters by labeling them traitors. Ground reporting is almost non-existent; studio shouting-matches are ubiquitous. A nation's health is endagered when its news media renounces humility and authenticity.
My hope is that we can restore the sanctity of reporting the news. I hope audiences will value truthfulness in reporting, and diversity of voices and platforms. A democracy can thrive only as long as its news is truthful.
RAYMUNDO CAYABYAB
A professional musician once asked me, 'Aren't you afraid that by teaching everything you know you are actually divulging trade secrets?' Because of this it become clearer to me why I wanted to teach. There really are no trade secrets; but even if there were, I would divulge them anyway...
(our) original music is not only a form of entertainment but a living tradition. It is the binding 'glue' that forms, strengthens and positively moves the Filipino ...(cortriibuting) to the vibrant music movement happening in the entire Asian region...
Friday, September 6, 2019
FREEDOM OF MOBILITY IMPERILLED
If we are getting just our birth certificates, why do we have to go through a very circuitous procedure?
Way back in the 80's my friends who lived in Kentish Town in London got their passports from the post office. As easy as that.
But here, the Dept of Foreign Affairs wants us to present our birth certificate from the Civil Registrar in the city where we were born and then submit this to PSA so that the DFA will get a PSA-issued birth certificate! So after the City or town hall issues the birth certificate it will be given to the PSA which will then issue a PSA birth certif document.
Do you see the snake-like procedure, Folks? 1. Get the bc from the local registry ( which requires five steps and so you could spend a whole day queuing up and chatting with the receptionist and xeroxing your materials.)
.
At the PSA main office here in QC I saw a mother applicant carrying her child because she has no caregiver at home. I also saw an elderly on a wheelchair. Over a thousand people were at the hall sitting down, waiting for their names to be called, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
True the government must earn some money but does it have to be through this way?
What is a passport? It is an ID so that we will be identified in foreign countries.
Then we also have such a thing as freedom of mobility. By the procedures that the DFA dictates, it sounds as if it suspects everyone of being notorious by asking the PSA to certify that the individual was born here. They will not accept the copy bc coming from the local registry.
The circuitous procedures breed instances of bribery. Applicants for passports will just pay someone to get it for them. And so how sure is DFA that all applicants are honestly submitting valid documents?
With all the high technologies we have, why can't the DFA ask the various agencies, "Please certify that this person has no pending criminal record because we want to let him or her get out of the country."
That's all. So the NBI, the PNP and all other agencies will be obliged to answer. To be able to implement this, the DFA will create a passport division with research component for the background of applicants may be sourced through online communication with NBI, PNP, etc.
We should free the load of the PSA and let it concentrate on more pressing data like -.how many deaths occurred last year due to hunger? How many students dropped out of school? How many teenagers are giving birth and how many are living alone without any support from the partner? How many companies are folding up and for what reasons? How many are closing shop because they cannot pay the rent? What is the highest cause of death in the country?
How many are.............????? we have many questions that need answers. We need to raise them so that we will know where the P70M per district allotments are going. These are the more pressing questions for the PSA. Let the local registries deal with DFA with regard to birth certificates.
Allow us more breathing space to live, please.
PS Folks look how simple it is to get a passport in the UK:
1. UK passports may be applied for through the local Post Office and apply by post, or use the Post Office Check and Send Service.
2. Emergency passports are issued by British embassies across the world. Emergency passports may be issued to any person holding British nationality. Commonwealth citizens are also eligible to receive British emergency passports in countries where their country of nationality is unrepresented.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
ANOTHER LINK OF NOKOR FIRING TO PHILIPPINE EARTHQUAKES?
NOKOR MISSILE TEST:
| November 15, 2018 | North Korea tested an unidentified "ultramodern tactical weapon" with Kim Jong-un in attendance at the testing ground of the Academy of Defense Science. "[T]he test did not appear to violate the voluntary moratorium North Korea imposed on nuclear and long-range ballistic missile tests" in 2018 and "South Korean daily newspaper Chosun Ilbo on Friday [11/16/18] quoted anonymous government sources as saying that North Korea had tested multiple-rocket launchers this month", per the New York Times.[71] |
PHILIPPINE EARTHQUAKES
| 15 November 2018 - 11:45 PM | 11.28 | 124.58 | 004 | 3.0 | 006 km S 75° W of Capoocan (Leyte) |
| 15 November 2018 - 10:27 PM | 07.08 | 126.08 | 031 | 2.1 | 015 km N 30° E of Banaybanay (Davao Oriental) |
| 15 November 2018 - 09:40 PM | 08.47 | 126.50 | 026 | 2.4 | 021 km N 56° E of Hinatuan (Surigao Del Sur) |
| 15 November 2018 - 08:01 PM | 08.46 | 126.77 | 009 | 2.7 | 048 km N 78° E of Hinatuan (Surigao Del Sur) |
| 15 November 2018 - 07:45 PM | 06.33 | 123.78 | 023 | 2.0 | 041 km S 49° W of Kalamansig (Sultan Kudarat) |
| 15 November 2018 - 05:33 PM | 15.13 | 119.89 | 060 | 1.9 | 018 km S 79° W of Cabangan (Zambales) |
| 15 November 2018 - 01:06 PM | 09.83 | 126.77 | 022 | 2.6 | 067 km N 85° E of General Luna (Surigao del Norte) |
| 15 November 2018 - 12:47 PM | 09.00 | 122.04 | 018 | 3.6 | 079 km S 39° W of Hinoba-an (Negros Occidental) |
| 15 November 2018 - 12:16 PM | 06.35 | 123.85 | 007 | 3.3 | 034 km S 42° W of Kalamansig (Sultan Kudarat) |
| 15 November 2018 - 12:08 PM | 06.46 | 123.78 | 002 | 1.6 | 033 km S 67° W of Kalamansig (Sultan Kudarat) |
| 15 November 2018 - 12:02 PM | 06.39 | 123.82 | 013 | 3.4 | 033 km S 53° W of Kalamansig (Sultan Kudarat) |
| 15 November 2018 - 11:01 AM | 07.00 | 126.77 | 069 | 3.7 | 035 km S 48° E of Manay (Davao Oriental) |
| 15 November 2018 - 10:34 AM | 06.80 | 123.87 | 007 | 1.8 | 016 km S 85° W of South Upi (Maguindanao) |
| 15 November 2018 - 05:19 AM | 09.73 | 125.61 | 099 | 2.1 | 009 km N 05° E of Placer (Surigao del Norte) |
| 15 November 2018 - 04:41 AM | 06.52 | 123.85 | 004 | 1.6 | 024 km S 74° W of Kalamansig (Sultan Kudarat) |
| 15 November 2018 - 04:25 AM | 10.79 | 125.83 | 033 | 2.0 | 029 km S 23° E of Guiuan (Eastern Samar) |
| 15 November 2018 - 04:07 AM | 13.36 | 124.35 | 016 | 1.9 | 028 km S 28° E of Virac (Catanduanes) |
| 15 November 2018 - 03:59 AM | 06.39 | 123.87 | 001 | 1.7 | 029 km S 45° W of Kalamansig (Sultan Kudarat) |
| 15 November 2018 - 03:57 AM | 05.72 | 125.95 | 018 | 2.1 | 041 km S 64° E of Jose Abad Santos (Davao Occidental) |
| 15 November 2018 - 03:33 AM | 06.44 | 123.82 | 011 | 2.3 | 031 km S 60° W of Kalamansig (Sultan Kudarat) |
| 15 November 2018 - 03:22 AM | 10.20 | 125.28 | 029 | 1.6 | 009 km S 16° E of Anahawan (Southern Leyte) |
| 15 November 2018 - 02:55 AM | 06.25 | 126.00 | 086 | 1.8 | 034 km N 81° E of Don Marcelino (Davao Occidental) |
| 15 November 2018 - 02:42 AM | 09.44 | 122.67 | 065 | 3.1 | 005 km N 50° E of Basay (Negros Oriental) |
| 15 November 2018 - 02:35 AM | 05.67 | 126.44 | 047 | 2.4 | 094 km S 76° E of Jose Abad Santos (Davao Occidental) |
| 15 November 2018 - 01:19 AM | 09.40 | 126.27 | 024 | 2.9 | 016 km N 34° E of Cortes (Surigao del Sur) |
| 15 November 2018 - 12:30 AM | 13.82 | 120.43 | 086 | 1.8 | 022 km S 85° W of Calatagan (Batangas) |
BATANES EARTHQUAKE CAUSED BY NOKOR MISSILE TESTING?
Magnitude: 5.9 Mw
Depth: 43 km (27 mi)
Casualties: 9 dead, 60 injured
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