SMALL BUT DANGEROUS

SMALL BUT DANGEROUS OR ON IMPROVING TRICYCLE SERVICES

28 October 2019


ATTY MARTIN B. DELGRA III
Chairman,
Land Transportation and Franchising Board


Dear Atty. Delgra,


Greetings.

May I present my suggestions regarding tricycles here in MtroManila:

1. The interiors of tricycles should be foamed. The drivers do not drive smoothly and majority are in a hurry snaking in and out of streets causing passengers to bump their heads on steel sides and tops, which are actually dangerous acts, healthwise;

2. A signage should be placed inside the tricycle indicating:
a. name of the driver
b. operator's name and contact number;
c. LTFRB contact number for complaints; and

3. Silencers- each tricycle should be equipped with a silencer to make them ply around MetroManila quietly thus creating a peaceful place to live in.

Kindly give priority to these suggestions in order to allow us to have a more rational and humane life.

Sincerely,



WILHELMINA S. OROZCO

HARASSED BUS PASSENGER

COMMUTER WOES|

Last October 23, 2019 at 9:30am, we rode the Thelman Transit bus at Banawe stree corner Quezon Avenue and going through Commonwealth Avenue  the conductor in which had given us tickets 0320812 and 0212645.Immediaely we told the driver that we would get off at Tandang Sora. However the driver did not stop nor did the conductor inform us that Tandang Sora was at hand already. Instead, the driver drove on and on until it was impossible for us to walk back to Tandang Sira. So we had to take a cab worth P65.

Why was the conductor and driver arrogant about not acceding to our request to stop at the place? Why were they laughing at us? Only another passenger inside that bus had told them to behave obnoxiously at us.

LTFRB please examine the Thelman Transit bus if it is being used not for punlic use but for political purposes as well. We demand decent public service. And those who use the bus service for poliyical purposes of harassing critics of the government be dismissed right away. Let this be a lesson for all who engage in genuine public service.

RAISING INVENTIVE AND CREATIVE PEOPLE

What is the best solution to despair and wanting to commit acts of suicide? Nothing but an inventive and creative mind.

If we have people who are inventive and creative we need not worry about poverty and underdevelopment. The problem is that people who exhibit these characteristics are termed either:
"nasisiraan ng bait," or "namamaligno" or "mahika lang yan." In other words, in our society so many factors have to be considered when raising the consciousness of our people towards being inventive and creative.

We have lots of inventors in our midst. 

I know one inventor who looks like Abraham in the Bible, sporting a long white hair but he is a very successful businessman with his own invention, the Green Leaf, a liniment that can ease feelings of anxieties, destress anyone, and  raise one's feelings of self-worth. His products are sold at Centris every Sunday from 7 to 1 pm. I am talking about Mr. Joe Ingles who has gone around the world before settling to being an alchemist. 

The Women Inventors Association of the Philippines headed by Dr. Edinell Carvalhio boasts also of many women who have come up with products that help our society like herbal teas produced by Erlinda Sanqui now being managed by Carmela and Larry her daughter and son-in-law; Carlita Rex-Doran whose gugu shampoo was a pioneering product in hair care has been replicated by others already, Maja Prevendido who invented soapmate for saving soap up to the last slice, and propagates the invention of Panfilo Rieta, the laser light for curing many diseases of the human body including TB, stomach ache, arthritis, for a very minimal cost. 


Many young inventors can be found in Tondo High School under the encouraging mentorship by Mr. Sonny D. Valenzuela, the principal. The Indian Innovacome tors Association, under Mr. A.S. Rao hails the the exhibit and says:

Learning gives creativity. Creativity leads to thinking. Thinking provides knowledge and Knowledge makes you great. Courage to think different. Courage to invent, Courage to travel into an unexplored path. Courage to discover the impossible, Courage to combat the problems and succeed are the unique qualities of the youth."

 Their book, INVENTONDO held in 2018, contains many products and services by high school students which could rival the output of adult inventors.  Many of the inventions use local materials like seashells for tile-making   (Ethan Carlo Repollo, Sheila P, Tolentino, et al); cucumber for hair spa (Muhammad Alawi, et al);   banana stalks as alternative source for making eo-bags and hand bags (Gianna Nicole S. Palma); santolw peelings for making corkboard instead of cork itself (Angela Nicole R. de la Cruz and Jenizon M. Cruz), Werpa Bank, an alternative power supply for gadgets and other smartphones (Norhasan Marangit);   among others. 

The Philippine Science High School  will be conducting an entrance exam soon for incoming students. It is so pathetic that there are thousands who have applied but only a thousand will be accepted coming from different parts of the country. The scholarship includes free tuition and even allowances, hence its popularity as an educational choice. 

Quietly and without much fanfare our educational institutions are coming up with inventors and creators but how sound is our society in nurturing them to further their work into adulthood? 

Indonesia is like the Philippines which has lots of agricultural areas. She has exported many FOOD products using the country's resources. Erricha Insan Pratisi, President of Indonesian Invention and Innovation Promotion Association said in her greetings to the trade exhibit that their group is committed to helping their young inventors and help them to "MARKET THEIR INVENTION TO THE WORLD, in order to change the paradigm of Indonesia (from) a consumptive country to a productive one."

Mr. Valenzuela, meanwhile aims to make Tondo a progressive community and make her competitive in the computer and industrial world. His plans include holding invention exhibitions yearly. 

HOPELESS EDSA?

Is Edsa Traffic a Hopeless thing?

I don't think so. The bigger problem is the need for a creative spirit to tackle the problem.

Yesterday, I shifted from going home from UP Village via East Avenue going to Kamuning and thus passing through EDSA, to gojng bak to the QMR Circle and taking a ride in a UV UV going to Quiapo and passing thru Quezon Ave. and getting off at Welcome Rotonda. Thereafter, My companion and I took a tricycle to go around and be unloaded at the opposite side to take another tricycle at would bring us home.

And somhow do we solve the traffic in EDSA?

When I went to New York City, and was about to go home to take a flight at the airport, my far-away cousin, Mr. Cubillan, drove me from their home at Queens. His car was running nicely though quite old. You see, he is an airplane mechanic and so I think  he knew the ins and outs of fixing his car.

So we were passing through a very wide lane when suddenly he stopped in the middle of the road. I asked why and he replied, the traffic enforcers shall allow the opposite direction cars to take over the whole lane, both directions so that slow traffic can be avoided. In other words, the road became just a one-direction traffic. 

Ganun pala ang sagot sa traffic. Bigayan ng lanes.After fifteen minutes, the other direction would take over all the lanes.

Am I making sense? Let us send these people of the Traffic Management Group or TMG to LA and let them study the techniques of solving traffic there. Send them to other parts of the globe and observe how the roads are managed.

You see Folks, the vehicle technology came tomour country without our knowledge of how they should be handled on the streets. Akala natin, papindut-pindot lang ng buton para maging pula, dilaw o berde and mga traffic lights. Yun pala, kailangpa rin ng new techniques.

Otherwise, let us convert the skyways to train tracks so we can have mass transports and people will no longer have any need for private vehicles.

MARIA Y MARTHA, the Opera

What is the purpose of putting up a play? An opera?   

It is to tell a story in musical form—and that is what Maria y Marta is all about. Their story is about how they had felt about the death of Lazarus, based on the account of John in the New Testament. Lazarus died and  had lain for four days when Jesus came and told  him to rise up and live again.

The play only uses the two women expressing their grief for one hour. And for one hour, the chimes, sets of which were distributed to the audience kept on ringing and ringing all throughout, so much so that we could only hear snippets of the words of the songs being sung.

When telling a story from the Bible, we expect that the writer would want the reader to appreciate Christianity afterwards, or see the value of Christ’s teachings. But reading the script which was printed in the souvenir program, nothing of that sort is given. Instead the lines delved on the pain of missing Lazarus, of feelings of hopelessness, and almost blaming Jesus for not coming earlier so that he could have prevented the death of Lazarus. 

What we gather here is that the writer is talking to the converted Christians. She does not intend to propagate the value of Christ’s teachings.

What I rue most is that, Jesus who is the major character did not appear at all; he was just symbolically presented as light. The lamp that was used was so bright that I had to cover my eyes as it was terribly blinding.

What about the music?

The music is what is called serial – “In music, serialism is a method of composition using series of pitches, rhythms, dynamics, timbres or other musical elements.” Actually, almost  all of the songs sung were atonal in nature. They were rising high and low, here and there, without any key. One cannot say that the song being sung is in the key of C or E, rather they shot up here and there and everywhere. And that is the immediate sound of the songs. The notes seemingly arose from impulsive urges of the singers.

And so the play I think appears to be un-Christlike, meaning it does not show us who is Christ and why He should come at all to make Lazarus arise again. It is not appreciative of the lines in the scripts as the voices of the women were drowned by the constant clinging of the chimes. By the ay, it was a good thing that we were able to read the script afterwards.  

I think the play is more a presentation of the music, which served as background to the songs, and as links to the different segments  provided by The Ripieno Ensemble consisting of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano and percussion instruments supposed to play in the background.

The movements in the play were very slow, almost slow motion all throughout. The faces of the actresses were slightly  shown as shadows  were the common features. 

I like the play of the shawls which covered the faces, the bodies and were raised to the light to reveal black and white lines.  

As this is a student production, I think that professors must examine the literature of the students presenting their works to the public. Also, a theatre consultant must be there to analyze if the play is audience-friendly. 

Unfortunately, the play barraged us with chimes clanging here and there (several distributed to the audience seated at  different parts of the theatre) thus making us fail to appreciate the import of the lines of the script.

Sopranos were Stefanie Quintin who sang very high notes, beautifully, and Pauline Arejola equally a good performer while Alexander John L. Villanueva was the Composer/Conductor. Libretto was written by Sofia Paderes and Gabo Tolentino was the director.

THE RIPIENO ENSEMBLE:

John Owen Castro, flute; Danelle Dionisio, clarinet; Marian Mayoga, violin; Joseph Emmanuel Hernandez, cello; and  Gabriel Paguirigan, piano. The play was shown at the Black Box on 9 October 2019.

OCTOBER 11, UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE CHILD

Talumpati ni Lawrence Temfwe, Direktor ng Jubilee Centerm Zambia para ipagdiwant ang UN International Day of the Girl Child 11, October 2014

Speech by Lawrence Temfwe [Director of the Jubilee Centre, Zambia] at the Commemoration of the UN International Day of Girl at Christian Bible Church Ndola 11 October 2014

Sa pagdiriwant ng International Day of the Girl Child, nais kong ipaalala sa inyo na ang Octubre 11 ay hindi ordinaryong araw: it ay isang kilusan.

Ang Araw ng Batang Babae ay isang malaking isyu. Sa araw na ito, may pagkakataon tayong magmunimuni kung anong gagawin natin para matamo ng buo ang gender equality o kapantayan ng kababaihan sa lipunan.

_______________________

As we celebrate the International Day of Girl Child I would like to remind you that October 11 is not just a day; it’s a movement.  The Day of the Girl is bigger than one issue and even the day itself. The day gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we aredoing to fully achieve gender equality everywhere.

Ang araw na ito ay pagdiriwang sapagka’t nabubuhay ngayon ang batang babae ng buung-buo. Dapat nating ipagdiwang ang pagsasalba ng kababaihan mula sa maagang pagkasal; pasalamatan ang mga pamilyang nagbibigay ng tahanan sa mga batang babaeng nawalan ng mga magulang; kilalanin ang mga taong nagbabayad ng tuition fees para sa maselang batang babae.

Today ought to be a time of celebration because the Girl Child is living her life to the full (John 10:10). Today we must celebrate that we rescued girls from early marriages; thank families that have come forward to provide shelter for the orphaned girls; recognize individuals that are paying school fees for the vulnerable girl child.

Ngayong araw na ito, dapat tayong magusap tungkol sa kahalagahan ng pagkalinga ng lahat ng mga batang babae-pagiging magulang nila at ang pag-adopt sa kanila. Masasabi ba nating gumaganda na ang pamumuhay ng mga batang babae?

Today we should be talking about the importance of foster parenting and adoption systems. Can we really say we are improving the living standard of the girl child?

Also, let us remind ourselves that in few days our country will be commemorating 50 years of independence. It is important for you girls to understand the sacrifices made by our leaders to free us from the slavery of the British rule and that of Arabs and Portuguese. Missionary, David Livingstone the first white person to open our country to the colonialist went as far as saying that Africans, “would only be persuaded to accept the Christian gospel if their social conditions were improved.” Remember this girl child, that the entrance of the gospel and the end of the Arab-Portuguese slave trade were the major objectives that sprang from the missionaries Christian faith.  Our chiefs did not want our people to be sold into slavery.  Out of fear they sought British protection with the help of missionaries. In this agreement the colonialists also got most of our land that was fertile, mining rights, governing rights and taxes and other privileges.

Sadly though, some missionaries actively participated in the political, economic, cultural and mental exploitation of the African people.  As Africans Christians who were at missions stations become more politically conscious they found themselves confronting the combination of government and missionary power.  Christianity and faith was the driving force in making Zambia, shaping its destiny as a beacon of peace and friendliness to the world. Girl child you are the reason why our forefathers fought for independence.

Ang United Nations ang nagsimula ng okasyong ito dahil nakita nilang may mababang pagtingin ang lipunan sa mga mga batang babae.

 Lastly, United Nations started this annual event because it saw that in many cultures the Girl Child is undervalued.

Naririto ako para sabihin sa inyo na pinapahalagahan ng Diyos ang mga batang babae, tulad ng mga batang lalaki.

I am here to tell you that God values the girl child as much as boys, women and men.

Naririto ako para sabihin sa inyo nab ago nagsimula ang kasalan, binuo ng Diyos ang batang babae at lalaki sa kanyang larawan ang sinabihang mamuhay sa mundo.

I am here to tell you that before God instituted marriage, He created a girl child and boy child in His image and told both of them to subdue the earth.

Batang babae, naririto ako para sabihin sa inyo a marami kayong talino para mamuno at gawing maganda ang pamumuhay sa mundo. Girl child, I am here to tell you that God has blessed you with leadership gifts to help make this world better.

Mapanlikha ka, matalino ka, at matapang. Huwag nyong hihintaying maging magaan ang buhay, kundi itaas ninyo ang inyong masigasig na sarili at harapin ang mga paghamon na dumarating.

You’re creative, you’re clever, and you’re courageous. You must never wait for life to get easier, but you must stir yourself up with that brave spirit in you and face the challenges ahead of you. 

Pakinggan ang sinabi ni Malala, isang batang babaeng Pakistani: Akala ng mga terorista, mapapalitan nila ang aming mga mithiin at matitigil ang aming pagnanais (na mabago an gaming buhay.)

Listen to what Malala a Pakistan girl said at the UN after overcoming the challenges of a system that did not want her to go to school.   “The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions but nothing changed in my life 
Nguni’t walang nabago kundi namatay ang panghihina, ang takot at kawalan ng pag-asa.

Nabuhay ang lakas, kapangyarihan at katapangan.

except this: Weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born.”

Humayo kayo, Batang Babae. Kasama ninyo ang Poon. Hindi niya kayo pababayaan.

Go Girl child. The Lord your God is with you. He will never leave you alone or forsake you.

Batang Babae, nawa’y mabuhay ang lakas at tapang sa inyong buhay ngayon. Amen at Amen.

Girl child may power and courage be born in your life today. Amen and Amen.

POWER TO THE WOMEN AND GIRLS

WOMEN AND GIRLS POWERS ARE LINKED TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE DEVELOPMENT PEACE AND EQUALITY.

THIRD WORLD WOMEN ARISE! 

WOMEN LET US CELEBRATE 

OCTOBER 11 UN International  Day of the  Girl Child

REDIRECTING THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENTS' FOCUS

*Violence in the United States especially against black people is a sign of the failure of the women's movement to contain and uproot machismo at its core in their society.

*Due to the institutionalized rights of women in that country for better educational opportunities, freedoms of speech, religion, expression, and the lot, women have been led to believe that the struggle for emancipation culminates always in these legislative achievements.

*But a greater degree of struggle should spread wide into the problems of third world women especially - the black and marginalized ethnic rces in that country and the world. The women from these sectors are the ones breeding men who could turn out to be victims or perpetrators of crimes.

*By refocusing their sights on third world women, they would be arousing the interests of  men, especially white men, to more humane interaction with the world.

*Hillary having been catapulted to the limelight because of her past presidential candidacy, Oprah Winfrey, and other notable women, can lead these redirected energies of the women's movement and thereby bring about pece in the long run.

*What is happening now is that women are being drawn to the men-led agenda of politics, and so there is a weak focus on third world concerns. It is time to bring about a new era of the women's movement in the world.that will have more lasting benefits and effects on this world.

*We can see how women's strength has been distorted in the world. The HK leader is the target of the protesters for not espousing national determination of Hong Kongers. Myanmar freed a supposed icon of human rights but turned out the opposite upon her ascension into legally powerful position. The past UK PM was a woman who was deaf to the cries for a more secure society of the people in all aspects especially economy.

*Women of the world, let us welcome change. And let us move the world to a peaceful struggle for equality.

WHEN WOMEN ARE AT THE RECEIVING END

It is so pathetic that a woman had to go through a shameful process of having a high position based on patronage but not on qualifications. Many women are like that until now -- they sell their womanhood to buyers of their talents and "services." Just this morning, I heard that a famous foreign basketball player got his wish, a P15M Filipino woman "caregiver," for a night? for a week? I don't know the details. But it was really a money exchange. Ask your announcer who has a "bubuwit" in his pocket. Then I also came across a sweet and modest-looking actress who in order maybe to get back into the acting circuit has begun baring some of her private parts for the delectation of readers in a newspaper. Start of a wardrobe cleansing or disrobing? 

I think this shows how lowly women are in our society. It proves that women are always at the receiving end. Unfortunately, some do not even have the temerity to reject such positions since they are not qualified.. Instead, they jump on the opportunities and act as if they really deserve to be appointed. 

This also goes to show the very narrow path to development of women nowadays. Very few powerful positions are available and some women in order to serve under the limelight swallow every kind of offers under very lowly circumstances. With the fashion now allowing women to show one of their most valuable assets, their thighs, I will not wonder if these women are made to go through stringent rules in order to get hired. Extraction of best benefits can be dangled before them if only they would go through certain "palatable methods of acquiescence. " 

 Now, we have agencies supposedly attending to women. For one, the National Council on Women must be strengthened by having officers who will fight tooth and nail for women's emancipation from decadent employment circumstances.

The NCW can insure that  the percentage of composition of women in all government agencies, corporations and all other government entities is being increased up to 40% at least of the total number of employees. Then they should publicize those errante offices that do not do anything at all about this problem. Also they should insure that vacant positions are advertised and applications are accepted. Everyone must be able to compete for positions instead of allowing a few officials to wield power to say yes or not to appointments.  

By the way, if you search well the UN positions, are all advertised online. Applicants are being encouraged to join the UN.

Government employment is a very lucrative job -- full sick and vacation leave benefits, coverage under GSIS which insures that the employee gets pension upon retirement once they fulfill the requirements, lots of free travels, extra income and free mental development like scholarships to further one's studies.

Hence, I think no single woman should be able to enjoy going in and out of government employment without competition. All women must compete justifiably for positions in government, and not get any position through "special links" from the appointer.

By the way, the Senate and Congress must enact stronger laws for women to benefit from the government on this score.  Also the Civil Service Commission must flex its muscles so that only qualified and capable women are appointed and can bring pride to government service.

After all, government service is public trust. Can you really trust someone whose only asset is only "closeness" to the signer of her papers?