NOT EXACTLY PURE OF HEART

HOW DID THEY TREAT THEIR EMPLOYEES?

The DOLE must now expose all the complaints against the employer, ABS-CBN in order for us to get the true picture of the company. 

An FB writer revealed his disgusting experienceS and those of other co-employees who received physical and verbal maltreatment from high-ranking officers of the company in the creative department. 

I think it is time to respect, honor, and protect the rights of creative people who sacrifice their lives and honor just to be able to express their God-given talents.

One noted radio and TV host and now the wife of a politician, would throw video tapes; another threw ball pens; still another struck the neck of one employee with a newspaper; another one was threatened with being beaten up; and the worst, scorned, the officer had the poor employee removed from a production activity thus making him/her lose the job as well as income.

 

One ex-insider revealed to me that couch casting is a given when an actress aspires for a role, meaning she sleeps with the boss first. 

Also, it is important to know if the company had contractuals and for how long. Were they ever made permanent?

When a company is disenfranchised it is important to see its history of operations from all angles since changes need to be done to make the field an honorable industry. 

Media needs both creative and administrative individuals who will make the outfit run. Usually, the creatives get the worst end because the admin people are the ones holding the purse or could influence who as to who gets the bigger share of the pie. 

Sure, there are economic and political reasons for disenfranchising; but let us not forget the cultural aspect. of how it operated as a company. 

It is important to know it the company had a strong grievance committee, if it existed at all, and if it tackled the complaints of the employees on a daily basis. If it did not have any grievance committee then the DOLE has a big problem - why did it allow a company to exist in that manner

The Commission on Human Rights also has a problem - how to institutionalize a grievance committee in all companies in the Philippines. 

Keeping quiet on its work history is allowing the above anti-human rights violations to persist in the world of media and pity the next generations of media workers or those in other companies who suffer similar fates. I know one company that enjoys calling its women employees"men" as in |radyo men.|" 

    

FALL OF BASTILLE

Let us celebrate with the French the Bastille Day when they were able to throw out the aristocracy. 

"The French National Day is the anniversary of Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution, as well as the Fête de la Fédération which celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790....

...The medieval fortress, armory and political prison in Paris known as Bastille represented royal authority in the centre of Paris. The prison contained just 7 inmates at the time of its storming but was a symbol of abuses by the monarchy; its fall was the flashpoint of the revolution."

PHILOSOPHY IS FOR EVERYONE

WHY STUDYING PHILOSOPHY IS IMPORTANT

First of all, I would like to thank Rusty Imperial for having quoted my statement on making ABS-CBN a cooperative in order for us to see, watch and hear Makamasa programs that will uplift the intellectual understanding of our Kababayan of social political, economic and cultural matters as well as provide morally upright programs.

This exercise of hearing the statusof the media company makrs me realize the value of philosophy as a subject to be taught from the grades up to college as well as post-graduate studies.

Philosophy is very useful in helping us analyze the arguments of people with regard to issues -- whether they are logical, moral, and just.

In the course of discussions about the state of the company, some people who were deeply on the side of the company exhibited their bias and illogical thinking - some using argumentum ad baculum, and others ad hominems. (murahan). This does not augur well for our country seeking a place in international world politics. This kind of argumentation will make us a laughing stock because clearly there is the rampant descent to personal attacks.

Hence, I would like to suggest to Secretary Leonor Briones to please add more philosophy subjects in our curricula for all courses starting from the grades so that we shall be able to discuss intelligently, with all gallantry and sophistication.

WHY DO WE NEED PHILOSOPHY?

Here are the reasons provided by the University of Washington

(Philosophy)  teaches critical thinking, close reading, clear writing, and logical analysis; it uses these to understand the language we use to describe the world, and our place within it. Different areas of philosophy are distinguished by the questions they ask. Do our senses accurately describe reality?

I tried surfing the departments of other universities and found that many do not really expose why they exist, what reasons they have for teaching philosophy. Instead they focus more on their course offering, their administrative structures, and what fields of philosophy they are tackling, meaning to say, they are talking to the converted. 

But the Washington University explanation is greatly encompassing of why we should study philosophy.

It is really intimidating when we hear philosophy but we should not feel so. Once we learn it, then we cannot only analyze other people's thoughts but our own -- how logical we are in terms of arguing our cause or causes. 

For a country that is experiencing the ups and downs of a pandemic, I know presenting philosophy as an important concern will be quite out of touch. But actually, when we examine the goings-on in our society, we will see that there is a lack of philosophical relevance. Sometimes what is just plain common sense is being obfuscated by long-winded talks. 

So let us hope that Secretary Briones will be able to invigorate our academes so that when faculty and students sally forth to highly contentious issues, they will be armed with logical reasoning and a socially-critical mind, among others, not just an arsenal of insults. 

I think the departments of communication and other arts are in need of philosophy. For example, the communication field churns out creative and non-fictional products. if the thrust of the department is for the production of the creative, without regard for a broad understanding of the issues that are tackled, then the product comes out as pure "art for art's sake." Sure it is beautiful, but is it meaningful? Now that is the question that is posed by a philosophical mind. 

Or if the product is non-creative, meaning direct from reality, the question would be 1.) whose points of view are being presented? 2.) what lessons can we gather from the event; 3)  who are affected by the circumstances? 4.) what is the alternative solution? 5.) In presenting the alternative solution, who will profit most of all; and 5.) how significant is the solution?

Many questions can still be asked but the point is we will be able to derive our intelligent opinions from a broad understanding and questioning of the event or subject matter while tempering our biases or doing away with it totally. 

START THINKING OF FOOD

Paano akong nagpapalakas para hindi magka-Covid 19?

1. Natutulog ako ng 8 hanggang 10 oras gabi-gabi. Kung mapupuyat ako, kumakain ako ng maraming gulay at prutas sa susunod na oras.

2. Ang tanghalian ko ay noodles na sinamahan ko ng violet na gulay, garlic, onion, celery and cumin powder, turmeric (anti-viral), virgin coconut oil. 
   
3. Ang kape ko ay yung may halong guyabano at mangosteen at iba pang herbals. 

4. Naliligo ako  at nagbibihis ng ibang damit araw-araw. Hindi ko inuulit ang mga damit ko. 

5. Iniiwasan ko ang mga balita na nakakapagpa nerbyos sa akin. 

6. Nagbabasa ako ng Bibliya at iba pang babasahin na nakakapagpakalma ng aking isipan bago matulog. Hindi ako nanood ng hearings sa House of Congress dahil nahihindik ako na ang isang media company ay napakaraming taga pala para sa kanila kahit na napaka halata na na ang budget for propaganda ay umarangkada sa milyones. 

7. Nakikinig ako sa classical music, as much as possible. 

8. May alcohol ako sa tabi ng kama ko, at sabon ng sabon ng kamay kapag may mga hinahawakan. 

9.  Kung puwedeng makapagbigay, nakikibahagi ako ng pagkain sa mga nangangailangan. 

10. Nagsusulat ako at lumilikha ng tula at himig kung may pagkakataon. Hindi ko masyadong iniisip ang katagalan ng SAP dahil alam kong ang Diyos ay may nakaambang sagot sa mga pagpapahirap sa atin. 

11. Nanonood lang ako ng tungkol sa mga balita ng Covid 19 tuwing tanghali. Pero kinukuha ko ang statistics tuwing umaga sa Worldometer. 

12.  Parati akong nagsusuot ng facial mask at lumalayo sa mga tao ng isa hanggang 2 metro. 

Apat na buwan na tayong nasa ilalim ng Covid 19. Dalawang buwan akong nag-quarantine. 
Kasihan nawa tayo ng Maykapal. Ilayo tayo sa mga makakapal at hindi nakikinig sa tunay na hinaing ng bayan -- na pagkain ang sagot sa Covid 19. 


WHAT AM I REALLY SAYING  HERE?

It is quite simple. We can get over Covid 19 if we observe a simple lifestyle. 

So, I suggest to the government, create a FOOD TASK FORCE, counterpart of IATF. This FTF will take care of:

1. ESTABLISHING A FOOD LUNCH EVERYDAY AT EVERY BARANGGAY AND ACCEPT EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO EAT;

2, PUTTING UP A PUBLIC BATH HOUSE SO ANYONE CAN TAKE A BATH THERE DAILY;

3. PROVIDING A ROLLING BANK FULL OF VERY CHEAP VEGETABLE AND FRUITS;

4. PROVIDING MENU LIST OF CHEAP MEALS AND DISTRIBUTE TO EVERY HOME PER WEEK;

5. REQUIRING ALL RESTAURANTS, CANTEENS AND CAFES TO HAVE FOUR HOURS OF 60% DISCOUNT TO ALL THE FOODS EVERYDAY, FROM 6 TO 10 PM.; AND

5. PROVIDING A BUDGET OF P1 BILLION FOR THE FOOT TASK FORCE THE FIRST MONTH AND SEE THE RESULTS - I.E.,   IF THE STATISTICS RISE OR FAL.

NOW, LET US READ HISTORY AND FIND OUT HOW THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND OTHER RACES FACED FAMINE IN THEIR COUNTRIES:

GREECE:



Demeter (CERES, Roman ) is the goddess of the harvest and presides over grains and the fertility of the earth. Although she was most often referred to as the goddess of the harvest, she was also goddess of sacred law and the cycle of life and death.


 Huixtocihuatl, The Aztec Fertility Goddess of Salt & Water

Salt has always been vital to food production & preservation prior to the advent of refrigeration, and of major fixation to humans being that it is the only rock we all consume. One surprising finding of mine is that salt is also associated with fertility and sexual desire.

The Aztecs seemed to believe the same; blessing their goddess of salt and salt water with the name Huixtocihuatl. Not much is known about Huixtocihuatl aside from: 

"One interpretation of the myths surrounding Huixtochiuatl says she gained control over sea water when she was having a fight with the Tlaloque and they threw all their salt water at her[2] and Chalchiuhtlicue, sister of the Tlaloques were her sisters, or, in some sources, the younger sister of Tlaloc in an attempt to drown her.

In June, there was a ten-day festival in her honor. During the festival, one woman was considered to be the embodiment of Huixtochiuatl. That woman would be sacrificed by the end of the festival.[3] Salt makers would honor her with dances."

Salt being a source of wealth and symbol of sex it's natural that numerous religions worshiped salt as a female deity.

INDIA

Annapurna is a combination of two words- ‘Anna’ meaning food and ‘purna’ meaning ‘filled completely’. Annapurna is the goddess of food and kitchen. She is an avatar of Goddess Parvati who is the wife of Lord Shiva. She is the goddess of nourishment and never lets her devotees stay without food. She is also considered to be the goddess of Kashi in Uttar Pradesh. Kashi or Varanasi is called the city of light as the goddess does not only provide nourishment to the body, it provides nourishment to the soul in the form of enlightenment. She gives us the energy to attain knowledge.

- https://www.templepurohit.com/

JAPAN : Ukemochi

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Ōgetsu-hime  commonly known as UkemochiEnglish: "Goddess Who Protects Food"), the daughter of the Shinto deities Izanagi and Izanami, is a goddess of food in the Shinto religion of Japan.^[1] Different interpretations of Ukemochi often refer to them as both male and female. When shown in other forms, Ukemochi takes the shape of a fox.^[2] Ōgetsu-hime is the wife of Hayamato, who is the son of Toshigami through his wife Amechikarumizu-hime.

When Ukemochi (Ōgetsu-hime) was visited by Tsukuyomi, she prepared a feast by facing the ocean and spitting out a fish, then she faced the forest and bountiful game spewed out of her mouth^[4], finally turning to a rice paddy, she coughed up a bowl of rice. In the Kojiki^[5], it is stated that she pulled various foods from within her nose, rectum, and mouth to prepare a feast.

CHINA

CHINESE  KITCHEN GOD

The Kitchen God – also known as the Stove God, named Zao Jun, Zao Shen, or Zhang Lang – is the most important of a plethora of Chinese domestic gods that protect the hearth and family. The Kitchen God is recognized in Chinese folk religion, Chinese mythology, and Taoism. Under different names, he is also celebrated in several other Asian religions.

It is believed that on the twenty third day of the twelfth lunar month, just before Chinese New Year, the Kitchen God returns to Heaven to report the activities of every household over the past year to Yu Huang, the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor, emperor of the heavens, either rewards or punishes a family based on Zao Jun's yearly report.

VIETNAMESE KITCHEN GODS

Tao Quan (Kitchen God)

In the past, there was a woman named Thi Nhi and a man named Trong Cao. They got married but often quarreled. One time when Nhi was thrown out by her husband, she left the house and went into the woods. Thi Nhi then found a hut to live, fell in love and got married to Pham Lang.

After Thi Nhi left, Trong Cao regretted and decided to go looking for her. He traveled far, ran out of money, and became a beggar. Coincidentally, Trong Cao knocked at Thi Nhi’s house to beg for food and was invited to the house for a meal when Pham Lang was away. Pham Lang then came back, and Thi Nhi had to hide Trong Cao in a bush of straws as she knew how weird it was if they met. However, to enrich the soil, Pham Lang set fire to the straw. To save her ex-husband, Thi Nhi jumped in the fire and Pham Lang also jumped in to stop her. As a result, they all died in the fire.

The Jade Emperor knew their story and let them be the 3 Kitchen Gods to be together forever. Since then, they have been the guardians of family chores. On the 23rd day in the last month of the lunar calendar, Vietnamese give some offerings and the Kitchen Gods leave the earth for heaven on a carp. The 3 gods then report to the Jade Emperor how each family has been doing in the previous year and come back to the world on the Lunar New Year Eve.

There is a popular belief in Viet Nam that Tao Quan, the Three Kitchen Gods, are present in the kitchen of every home.These gods observe everything that takes place there. At the end of the lunar year, on the twenty-third day of the twelfth month, they depart to make their report to Ngoc Hoang, the Jade Emperor, supreme divinity of the Taoist Heaven. On that day, Tao Quan are offered the best of food and spices and are presented with gifts of money and clothing.

Tet Tao Quan on the 23rd of December is considered one of the most essential festivals in Vietnamese religious beliefs.

The meaning of Tet Tao Quan is all about preparing a grand farewell for three Deities on their journey to the Heavens, and the ceremony is held at every Vietnamese household. On the 23r day of December, normally, grandmothers and mothers of the family will cook a lot of delicacies such as new harvest steamed sticky rice or plain porridge. They clean and decorate the altar with fresh flowers and fruits. On the altar also laid three votive paper caps, the yellow one in the middle for Mrs. Tao and two black ones for two Mr. Tao

Along with these preparations, a large bowl of water with one live large golden carp or three small ones is kept aside. The carps are all alive and will be freed into a pond, lake or river after the worshipping ceremonies are finished. Tao Quan can only travel up to the Heavens with the help of golden carps, as carp is used to be the Heavens’ animal and is a very good swimmer.

-https://www.vietnamonline.com/

WEST AFRICA

Oko

Oko is the god of agriculture and fertility. He came to Earth and lived on a small farm, growing some of the most beautiful and delicious fruits and vegetables. One day, he simply vanished, leaving nothing but his staff sticking in the ground.

When the people saw this and realized his gift with agriculture, they knew then he must have been a god. The staff later became a phallic symbol, representing fertility, and Oko has a holiday just before the rainy season devoted to him where men are encouraged to be a little more friendly with the local women.

Painting by Fernando Amorsolo

SOCIAL WELFARE IN NEED OF CIVIC-DUTIFUL OFFICERS

Stranded at a mall, I began to ponder on the situation of a senior citizen. Where is she now?  Is she home? Where will she sleep? I forgot to ask her because I was in a hurry to have lunch.

Then I remembered, I had gone to the DSWD Social Service Department of the QC Hall on Jun 17, 2020 and brought to them the report that I had been excluded from the list of social amelioration beneficiaries. I had gone to the barangay, two days late because of some convoluted instructions to an aide. I don’t know if that aide gave my form to the right people. But when Ms Rose Borlongan, our governess at our place had told me to go to the Barangay to be part of the amelioration program, , I immediately did.

I was under quarantine for months and so only relied on other people to tell me what to do.

However, at the barangay, the officers in charge of the  SAP did not want to receive me anymore because they said the deadline for listing had passed. (Two days ago, June 15^th,  later on I had been told.)  

 So then, I wrote a letter to the Barangay Capt. Fernand Ubaldo that same day explaining my situation and left, thinking that the papers would flow in its normal way.

Two weeks had passed and nothing was happening. So I went to the barangay again and then, I was told that the deadline was over. “I am going to the DSWD about this; may I have your written reply?”  I think he was shocked to know that I would go to that extent. “You should not be going around because you are a senior citizen and could catch the Covid 19.” I replied, “No one would do this for me.”   So he had his secretary, Reggie, prepare a reply and what I had read was an endorsement to Ms. Fe Macale, head of the DSWD at QC Hall.

No jeep, so I had to take a cab to QC Hall. At the DSWD office,  the receptionist said that they could npt provide me copies of the papers. Fortunately, the guard was so nice, he volunteered to Xerox my papers and so I was able to submit my letter plus the response of Mr. Ubaldo.

Then I asked for their phone number so I could follow up. The receptionist said I would be contacted. But I insisted on having a phone number. When they did not budge, I contacted 8888 and registered my complaint that the DSWD at QC Hall does not have a phone number that I can call and that their phone according to the receptionist has been out of order since the lockdown; that I want my social amelioration payout.

But when the receptionist saw that I had contacted Malacanyang, immediately another woman came down and gave me a phone number of Au who turned out to be the leader of the senior citizens’ group.

Today, when I called up Au she said she is on lockdown and cannot do anything about my problem.

Folks, at age 72, should I suffer this way? Going from one office to another, without regular transportation; being shuttled from one desk to another; and having no phone number/s to contact? What do these people think of me, a robot, desensitized and incapable of getting tired from their roundabout methods?

My goodness, tell me, what is the next stop, the DILG? They told me that they would call me up this week, but those are just words.

The governor told me that all the people in our building would be receiving their pay-out tomorrow. Is this how social services should be done, full of uncertainties and convoluted red tape?

SOCIAL WELFARE KNEE-DEEP IN BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE

Stranded at a mall, I began to ponder on the situation of a senior citizen. Where is she now?  Is she home? Where will she sleep? I forgot to ask her because I was in a hurry to have lunch.

Then I remembered, I had gone to the DSWD Social Service Department of the QC Hall on Jun 17, 2020 and brought to them the report that I had been excluded from the list of social amelioration beneficiaries. I had gone to the barangay, two days late because of some convoluted instructions to an aide. I don’t know if that aide gave my form to the right people. But when Ms Rose Borlongan, our governess at our place had told me to go to the Barangay to be part of the amelioration program, , I immediately did.

I was under quarantine for months and so only relied on other people to tell me what to do.

However, at the barangay, the officers in charge of the  SAP did not want to receive me anymore because they said the deadline for listing had passed. (Two days ago, June 15^th,  later on I had been told.)  

 So then, I wrote a letter to the Barangay Capt. Fernand Ubaldo that same day explaining my situation and left, thinking that the papers would flow in its normal way.

Two weeks had passed and nothing was happening. So I went to the barangay again and then, I was told that the deadline was over. “I am going to the DSWD about this; may I have your written reply?”  I think he was shocked to know that I would go to that extent. “You should not be going around because you are a senior citizen and could catch the Covid 19.” I replied, “No one would do this for me.”   So he had his secretary, Reggie, prepare a reply and what I had read was an endorsement to Ms. Fe Macale, head of the DSWD at QC Hall.

No jeep, so I had to take a cab to QC Hall. At the DSWD office,  the receptionist said that they could npt provide me copies of the papers. Fortunately, the guard was so nice, he volunteered to Xerox my papers and so I was able to submit my letter plus the response of Mr. Ubaldo.

Then I asked for their phone number so I could follow up. The receptionist said I would be contacted. But I insisted on having a phone number. When they did not budge, I contacted 8888 and registered my complaint that the DSWD at QC Hall does not have a phone number that I can call and that their phone according to the receptionist has been out of order since the lockdown; that I want my social amelioration payout.

But when the receptionist saw that I had contacted Malacanyang, immediately another woman came down and gave me a phone number of Au who turned out to be the leader of the senior citizens’ group.

Today, when I called up Au she said she is on lockdown and cannot do anything about my problem.

Folks, at age 72, should I suffer this way? Going from one office to another, without regular transportation; being shuttled from one desk to another; and having no phone number/s to contact? What do these people think of me, a robot, desensitized and incapable of getting tired from their roundabout methods?

My goodness, tell me, what is the next stop, the DILG? They told me that they would call me up this week, but those are just words.

The governor told me that all the people in our building would be receiving their pay-out tomorrow. Is this how social services should be done, full of uncertainties and convoluted

SOCIAL WELFARE KNEE-DEEP IN BUREAUCRATIC METHODS.

Stranded at a mall, I began to ponder on the situation of a senior citizen. Where is she now?  Is she home? Where will she sleep? I forgot to ask her because I was in a hurry to have lunch.

Then I remembered, I had gone to the DSWD Social Service Department of the QC Hall on Jun 17, 2020 and brought to them the report that I had been excluded from the list of social amelioration beneficiaries. I had gone to the barangay, two days late because of some convoluted instructions to an aide. I don’t know if that aide gave my form to the right people. But when Ms Rose Borlongan, our governess at our place had told me to go to the Barangay to be part of the amelioration program, , I immediately did.

I was under quarantine for months and so only relied on other people to tell me what to do.

However, at the barangay, the officers in charge of the  SAP did not want to receive me anymore because they said the deadline for listing had passed. (Two days ago, June 15^th,  later on I had been told.)  

 So then, I wrote a letter to the Barangay Capt. Fernand Ubaldo that same day explaining my situation and left, thinking that the papers would flow in its normal way.

Two weeks had passed and nothing was happening. So I went to the barangay again and then, I was told that the deadline was over. “I am going to the DSWD about this; may I have your written reply?”  I think he was shocked to know that I would go to that extent. “You should not be going around because you are a senior citizen and could catch the Covid 19.” I replied, “No one would do this for me.”   So he had his secretary, Reggie, prepare a reply and what I had read was an endorsement to Ms. Fe Macale, head of the DSWD at QC Hall.

No jeep, so I had to take a cab to QC Hall. At the DSWD office,  the receptionist said that they could npt provide me copies of the papers. Fortunately, the guard was so nice, he volunteered to Xerox my papers and so I was able to submit my letter plus the response of Mr. Ubaldo.

Then I asked for their phone number so I could follow up. The receptionist said I would be contacted. But I insisted on having a phone number. When they did not budge, I contacted 8888 and registered my complaint that the DSWD at QC Hall does not have a phone number that I can call and that their phone according to the receptionist has been out of order since the lockdown; that I want my social amelioration payout.

But when the receptionist saw that I had contacted Malacanyang, immediately another woman came down and gave me a phone number of Au who turned out to be the leader of the senior citizens’ group.

Today, when I called up Au she said she is on lockdown and cannot do anything about my problem.

Folks, at age 72, should I suffer this way? Going from one office to another, without regular transportation; being shuttled from one desk to another; and having no phone number/s to contact? What do these people think of me, a robot, desensitized and incapable of getting tired from their roundabout methods?

My goodness, tell me, what is the next stop, the DILG? They told me that they would call me up this week, but those are just words.

The governor told me that all the people in our building would be receiving their pay-out tomorrow. Is this how social services should be done, full of uncertainties and convoluted modus operandi?

PAID TO PLAY

Folks, when a hacker blocks or keeps tab of my writings in the computer which I don't do in a disciplined way, as I play Free Cell first before going into my emails, does that mean, he or she plays the game also and the government pays them to play computer games also? What a great life. No sweat.