The (Now-Defunct) Blog of JR Lopez Gonzales

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2011-02-27T04:24:00.000-08:00

Top 10 Everything of 2010

2011-01-13T20:12:00.000-08:00

At the turn of the New Year, it is but proper to come up with a review of the events that transpired over the past 12 months. Check out my Top 10 hodgepodge events of 2010. 10 – You probably had the Last Song Syndrome with Manny Villar’s TV Ad, “Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura?” last May. I believe because of its media overkill, it should have been voted in the Billboard Charts and if be mass-produced, would surely be a radio hit.

9 - Last year’s election brought us the first ever automated election. Smartmatic’s PCOS (Precint Count Optical Scan) is the name; automated election was the game. And did I mention that Joseph Estrada allegedly junked his runningmate, the first black president Jejomar Binay? Photos and TV footage were there to prove it; Erap admitted skipping the VP slot but “returned” and then corrected it.

8 - A pathetic milestone in lawmaking was made by Lito Lapid. His proposed bill: seeking to limit the weight of bags of schoolchildren to three kilos. LOL (for old-timers, this means “Laugh Out Loud”)

7 - The seemingly-never ending debate between the RH bill proponents and the pro-life advocates also made the headlines. The president was warned with excommunication, Carlos Celdran was jailed, and there was a scuffle between the two groups outside the Manila Cathedral. And then suddenly, Report: Pope approves use of condom to prevent diseases”. I can’t help but smile. (Click here, here, and here for my articles about Sex Ed and RH Bill).

6 - Words such as Taamah and major, major were everyone’s catchphrases for the year. Thanks to Maria Venus Raj’s major, major blunder at the Miss Universe Q & A. Taamah!

5 - The Bar blast that injured 44 people also made the headlines which brought us the question of whether to discontinue the long-standing tradition of Bar Exam Salubong or not. Raissa Laurel, the law student who lost her two legs after the blast, is modern-day picture of resiliency and optimism.

4 – In the world of sports, Manny’s eighth world title in eight different divisions made us proud in world sports. His opponent Antonio Margarito looked so awful after the twelve-round pugilism; he had cuts all over his face and a broken facial bone. On the other news, Philippine football team shocked defending champion Vietnam, 2 goals to nil in ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup tournament; finally reaching the semis against the powerhouse Indonesia. Will soccer be our next basketball?

3 - The biggest bonus in the history of Philippine lotto lured thousands of Pinoys to various lottery outlets all over. People from all walks of life flocked to try their luck for the windfall (which is, 1 in 28 million). in the end, the 741.1 million-peso pot money was won by a New York-based balikbayan.

2 - Who would forget the August 23 Manila hostage crisis? Nine innocent tourists were wasted due to a botched attempt of the Manila Police District. I am keeping my mouth shut.

1 – And instead of PNoy’s administration that should be frequently looked into, strange enough, his love life was always brought in the limelight. The bachelor’s affairs were always highlighted whether it’s with Liz Uy, Shalani Soledad, Korina, Barbara Milano, Bernadette Sembrano and 14 others girls. Let’s see who will be the new girls in the stellar president’s love life this year.

A Word of Thanks from JR Lopez Gonzales (Part III)

2011-01-13T16:56:00.000-08:00

2010 has been a fruitful year for this weblog. The blog started in April at the height of the General Elections and never did I imagine that I would still continue to blog up until this point.

With a schedule so jam-packed with studying law, working as a college teacher, being a member of an international organization, and having a very beautiful girlfriend, I am pleased to have sustained my writing passion.

At the turn of this year, this humble blog had already surpassed its 10,000 view-mark. For the past months, this blog never left the 20^th Spot in Philippine Top Blogs under the Politics Category. Last year, the blog entry, Supremely Surprising South Cotabato! Won the 1^st SCT Blog-Writing: The South Cotabato Experience.

On this third installment of my thanks, shoutouts to the Admin Nanard Navarro of the SCT website. To the judges, Book author Corie Laraya-Coutts, and to the men & women of South Cotabato Tambayan under South Cotabato Gov. Dodo Pingoy, madamo gid nga salamat sa inyo nga pagsalig.

A fellow blogger even included my blog on his Top 10 Emerging Influential Blog for 2010! Some entries are also featured in some magazines; I’ve also received messages asking for my permission for my post to be cited in their academic papers. Thank you for not plagiarizing. Lol.

To the politicians, government officials, actors, actresses, musicians, and journalists who, in any way, mentioned on this blog, thank you for your understanding.

To the thousands of readers, visitors, friends and fans (are there?) of this blog in the Philippines and other parts of the globe, thank you for reading and supporting my little space here in the net. Thank you for those enlightening critiques on my critiques, too.

I also would want to dedicate the blog’s achievement to my kababayans in South Cotabato, and in my beloved hometown of Tupi. This is humbly dedicated to my alma mater, my glorious Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology which served as my haven for six years now.

Ultimately, to all the Filipino journalists who, because of their dedication and determination, were able to bring about the news to the public. Even if it means threat to life for the sake of work and social responsibility. Maguindanao Massacre victims, you will never be forgotten.

I may be a college teacher. A law student. Yet my heart will always bleed with ink.

Kita kits sa Facebook!

Fliptop Battles: The Return of Filipino Hip Hop

2010-12-17T03:28:00.000-08:00

FlipTop Emcee Profiles

2010-12-17T02:06:00.000-08:00

Here are the some profiles of your favorite FlipTop emcees on YouTube.

Abra

Real Name: Reymond Abracosa

Age: 21

Hometown: Pasig City

Reppin: Lyrically Deranged Poets, FlipMusic, Team Sunday

Anygma

Real Name: Alaric Riam Yuson

Age: ?

Hometown: ?

Reppin: AMPON, Talksic Ways

Apeks

Age: 17

Hometown: Valenzuela City

Reppin: Rhym Minister, Deepflowmahgik, Hustlin Records

Batas

Real Name: Mark Rodriguez

Age: 29

Hometown: Tahanan Paranaque

Reppin: Wild Ones Tatttoo, Kampo Teroritmo, Barangay Tibay, Sultan of Snap, Tha TVC Black

Cameltoe

Age: 22

Hometown: Paranaque

Reppin: Ampon

Daddy Joe D

Age: 24

Hometown: San Pedro, Laguna

Reppin: Elegante / P3TRecords, RS Production, Bigkasang San Pedro

Datu

Age: ?

Hometown: ?

Reppin: ?

Dello

Real Name: Wendell de Jesus Gatmaitan

Age: 28

Hometown: Tondo

Reppin: Skwaterhaws, Mongol Unit

Dhictah

Age: 22

Hometown: Ciudad Grande

Reppin: Kampo Terroritmo / Heavenly Host

Fuego

Age: 19

Hometown: Paco, Manila

Reppin: Mack-Town, Taft-Love

Gap

Age: 21

Hometown: Vito Cruz

Reppin: Vito Crew, TL, LD, People’s Future, Yo Momma

Harlem

Age: 22

Hometown: Pasig City

Reppin: Team Watawat, Schizophrenia, Street Team

Josh G.

Age: 18

Hometown: ?

Reppin: SNL Crew, Edub

Juan Lazy

Loonie

Real Name: Marlon Peroramas

Age: 24

Hometown: Cebu City, Pasig City

Representing: Stickfiggas, 6000 Goonz, Team Watawat, Batangay Tibay, Konektado

NothingElse

Age: 25

Reppin: Ampon

Hometown: Santa Mesa, Manila

Plazma

Age: 24

Hometown: Quezon City

Reppin: Ampon / Murderdeathkill

Protégé

Age: 23

Hometown: Quezon City

Reppin: Audible MC’s, Talksic Ways

Shehyee

Age: 18

Hometown: Mandaluyong

Reppin: BMG

Silencer

Real Name: Ric Laurino

Age: 29

Hometown: Paranaque City

Reppin: Familia de Calibre, DC Clan Music, The Real South Pride Production

Skarm

Real Name: Philip Pacheco

Hometown: Pasig

Tropa / Label / Crew / Grupo:

Ampon, Talksic Ways

Contact Info: www.skarm.bandcamp.com

Target

Real Name: Rene Boy Palma

Age: ?

Hometown: Las Pinas City

Reppin: Double Cross, DC Clan Music, The Real South Pride Production

Tim

Age: 22

Hometown: SouthSide Las Pinas

Reppin: Himself

Zaito

Age: 26

Hometown: Las Pinas City / Cavite

Reppin: Vigilante Family, South Radical Production

Contact Info: www.youtube.com/User /SouthradicalProd

Suicide, Suicide, and More Suicides!

2010-12-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

Hey, this post have already moved to my new blog. Just click the image below to redirect or you may click here.

Top 10 Warning Signs of Suicide

2010-12-06T21:22:00.000-08:00

Certain warning signs may indicate serious depression and the possibility of suicide. To prevent things from worsening, take any threat of suicide seriously, even if the person is already being treated for depression.

If you see any of these danger signs, call a doctor, mental health clinic or suicide hotline immediately:

10 – A sudden brightening of mood after a period of being depressed.

9 – Delusions or hallucinations, such as hearing voices.

8 – Actions or threats of assault, physical harm or violence.

7 – Unusually risky behavior, such as buying or handling a gun or driving recklessly.

6 – Threats or talk of death or suicide, such as “I don’t care anymore”, or “You won’t need to worry about me much longer”.

5 – Putting affairs in order, such as saying goodbye to friends, giving away prized possessions or writing a will.

4 – Pacing agitated behavior, frequent mood changes and sleeplessness for several nights.

3 – Withdrawal from relationships.

2 – Strong desire to be alone such as refusing to go to school or participate in group activities.

1 – Feeling of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness that usually have crying spells.

Pacquiao Overpowers Margarito; Bags 8th World Crown

2010-11-14T01:59:00.000-08:00

TEXAS, USA – Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao grabbed hold of the tail end and dismantled the “Tijuana Tornado” Antonio Margarito, after a unanimous decision win adding the World Light Middleweight Championship belt to his historic eight championship titles in eight divisions at the jam-packed Cowboy Stadium, hours earlier.

Speed remained Pacman’s primary weapon as he gobbled up the Mexican star. The judges scored the bout: 120-108, 118-110, and 119-109 in favor of the People’s Champ.

On the starting bell, both fighters immediately engaged on the violent confrontation. Trying to gauge each other’s punching power, the Filipino star’s flurry of punches found their marks. Both fighters’ disparity in height was evident and Margarito’s five-inch reach advantage can also be seen when he unloads his jabs.

The Tijuana Tornado was touted to be a “diesel” fighter that builds up momentum and revs over time. Wisely using his footwork, Pacquiao frequently dances out of trouble each time his three-time-champ opponent would ram him with bodyblows in the second round.

Pacquiao, on his white trunks, looked like a swift butterfly that softly dances around the stiff Mexican warrior. There was a beautiful exchange of punches in the third but the Filipino fighter has amazingly used speed to his advantage which enabled him to punch upstairs and downstairs.

The Filipino champ manifested his firepower in the early seconds of the fourth round that made 42,000 people at the stadium roar and jump to their seats. Pacman’s combinations stunned Tijuana Tornado pushed him to back. Moments later, Margarito pinned Pacquiao to the ropes but the People’s Champ released a series of punches that forced the Mexican backpedalling again. After the round, the Mexican boxer a cut can be seen just below his right eye.

The fifth period of the game came as Pacquiao, with his signature flash-like reflexes, danced out of trouble while launching his counters. The fight still continued to heat up, but with forty seconds left on the game, a large lump can be seen on the Mexican’s face due to the bunch of power-punches he has taken.

Halfway through the match, Pacman’s right jabs were more evident. The fight seemed like the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya fight. Speed versus height and power. The Mexican pugilist continued to receive huge blows from the dominating People’s Champ.

On the seventh, the Mexi-cutioner landed more serious punches despite the occasional stinging right hooks of his opponent. He again unloaded his arsenal with a minute and a half left in the round. Pacman’s right hooks landed on the Margarito’s already-bruised cheek like laser-guided missiles with forty seconds to go. With five rounds to go, Rep. Pacquiao still continued to dominate the exchange of punches. The Filipino pugilist has perfectly found his punching angles eventhough there was a significant showing of his fatigue.

On the ninth round, Margarito’s marred face can clearly be seen while the referee Laurence Cole occasionally checked his cut. On the tenth, despite the puffy face of Margarito, his coach Robert Garcia seemed no plans of stopping the fight. Manny Pacquiao just continued to push through his plan of going in and out of harm’s way.

On the penultimate round, it seemed that Pacquiao got a hold of his second hind and continued to overpower the sluggish Mexican with his accurate haymakers. Pacquiao’s crisp punches can be heard; as each fist landed on its designated points on Margarito’s face.

On the last ticks of the fight, it was the Tijuana Tornado’s heart and courage that kept him fighting. Referee Cole again see to it that Margarito still have a good vision despite the two swollen eyes. Pacquiao’s trunks had lots of blood smears from Margarito’s dripping cuts. In an obvious attempt to hold back, Pacman let the round pass without trying to give out hard punches to the already battered opponent. The brave Mexican boxer still managed to keep on fighting until the last bell.

Number 13 proved to be lucky. Manny Pacquiao sealed his 13th straight win with his eighth world championship title in eight separate weight divisions – a feat unmatched by any other boxer in the planet. Mayweather, hope you've watched the fight.

My Top 10 Proposed Philippine TV Shows

2010-11-08T00:18:00.000-08:00

On my last article, I’ve mentioned that 63.5% of Filipino household has TVs; far more than those with PCs. In line with this, the following are my Top 10 proposed TV shows for the new-improved Philippine programming:

10 – Batas Pilipinas: A gameshow that gauges each Filipino’s knowledge of the Revised Penal Code, his or her Rights and Liberties, Civil Code, Tax Law, and the likes. Prizes are not in monetary form but given as major university scholarships to selected beneficiaries.

9 - Jose Rizal Adventures: A cartoon show that features the life of Jose Rizal that features his voyages, learnings, inventions, discoveries, writings and more. Great for kids.

8 – Si Betty at Si Yasmien: A story of the two high school best of friends. Betty is a Christian while Yasmien is a Muslim.The drama highlights how they value each other despite their religious differences plus other teen issues.

7 – Magtrabaho Tayo!: An informative livelihood show that features top Filipino businessmen and how they succeeded on their business endeavors. The show will also provide tips and tutorials on how to do proper commercial activities in the Philippines.

6 – Disip-Lino: A soap opera that features the day-to-day adventures of the fictional character called Lino. He’s a decent, refined and amazingly disciplined ordinary Filipino. But his life will be full of hardships courtesy of his archenemy: Juan Tamad.

5 – Word of the Lourd: Instead of the less than five minute-segment shown on TV5 before the Evening News, I propose that it should be made into a full-blown 30-minute. Lourd de Veyra’s creative commentaries on social issues and politics should be featured in our larger TV networks. Si Lourd na ang bahala.

4 – Pinoy Big Brother: Politicians Edition: A reality TV show that would have national or local politicians as the Big Brother’s housemates. Activities should challenge individual strength, experience, and leadership qualities. Each week, a politician will be evicted. The Big Winner wins the political seat through votes casted from PCOS Machines. Works best for Senators, Governors, Mayors, Congressmen, and ofcourse for the Presidential seat.

3 – FlipTop TV Battles: A rap battle show that features battle MCs that would never diss or insult the other but instead, would praise and acclaim the other rapper. Instead of uttering some degrading words, only positive things should be said of the other. Anygma and other organizers can also make a “Politicians Edition”. Debates in the Congress or the Senate should be off the top with or without the matching hip-hop beats. An important note though: no reading from prepared statements.

2 – Advertisement Buster: A show that reviews and points out TV commercials and their half-truths/lies presented in our TV sets everyday. Just like in Discovery Channel’s MythBuster, Jamie and Adam would try to scientifically debunk the fallacious promises and lies by the commercials that plagued our TV sets.

1 – Politi-Cam: An expose show that stalks and stealthily checks on corrupt politicians through mounted hidden cameras. The cameras should be secretly installed in any politician’s office, city/municipal hall, and the view under his table (To see if the monies really passed under their office tables). Politicians caught doing bad will then be filed with criminal charges and then be dismissed from their offices. The show should be shown on a primetime, complete with reruns, and little updates (like that of the traffic updates on morning shows).

Wanna share your ideas? You also have your proposed TV shows for the Philippines?

Holler back and type down your proposals on the Comment Section located below this post! :-)

A Critique on the TV Shows in the Philippines

2010-11-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Steps on How to Make A High-Rating Soap Opera in the Philippines

2010-11-04T21:17:00.000-07:00

Reproductive Health Bill in the Philippines (Part 1): Facts and Salient Features

2010-10-13T01:31:00.000-07:00

Reproductive Health Bill in the Philippines (Part 2): My View

2010-10-13T00:21:00.000-07:00

Supremely Surprising South Cotabato!

2010-09-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

“Ano? Taga-Cotabato ka? Hindi ba magulo doon?” I was kinda used with these questions after hearing me say where my home province is…I replied, “Yes, I was born and raised in South Cotabato. Hope you can visit my home turf so that you’ll realize why my heart solely belongs to that place”.

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For almost six years now, I have been away from my home. I merely have the opportunity of going back to South Cotabato once a year (and if sometimes I get lucky, twice). I blame the insufficient bank account and the bottomless pits of work for this. Waay abi sing damo nga kwarta mo. (Transliteration: I have no lots of money, that's why).

Life is not a piece of cake especially if you’re living alone in a far-off place where you grew up. After finishing four years of my undergrad education, I decided to study law here in Iligan City while working at daytime as a college teacher. Working like a dog in this city, a half-day-bus-trip-away from your folks, simply meant a “challenging” life.

Spending some sixteen years on my home province gave me a sense of affection towards it; a thing hard to believe by people whose minds were inked with negative notions of Cotabato being unsafe. I remember an appalled co-teacher who said: “Ano? Taga-Cotabato ka? Hindi ba magulo doon?” (Transliteration: What? You’re from Cotabato? Is it safe there?).

I was kinda used with these questions after hearing me say where my home province is . Somehow getting the hang of it, I replied, “Yes, I was born and raised in South Cotabato. Hope you can visit my home turf so that you will realize why my heart solely belongs to that place”.

Somehow after an ample time of staying away from home, I developed my nostalgia outlet. I often grab the opportunity of going back to the Municipality of Tupi on the two-week long Christmas breaks. After the vacation, my loneliness would spring to life and a coping mechanism, I have musings of turning back time to when I had my wonderful moments at my Southern turf.

Since my two-week vacation is a few months away (it will already be October tomorrow!), let me share to you some of my happy moments and my stress-relieving escapades at my home province...

On a bus ride upon reaching my place, I can instantly tell if I’m nearing South Cotabato just by a quick glance outside the bus window. How? If I see the stretches of wild grass, trees and ricefields which are interrupted with occasional sea of pineapples and cornfields, I know I’m close to home.

Formerly among the country’s dormant provinces, South Cotabato is progressing significantly with the lure of exciting activities drawing a record number of both local and international tourists alike. Although South Cotabato’s claim to fame on the international tourism stage came in the form of the highly lauded Lake Sebu, the province is fast gaining fame for its numerous activities on its other municipalities, too. Lake Sebu and Tupi towns will be the focus of today’s musing. First stop will be Lake Sebu.

I’ve had my first taste of Lake Sebu back on my high school days. We had a provincial journalism seminar scheduled at the town and I was one of the delegates. I never knew that it was grandeur as it is.

We took the Tupi-Marbel bus trip and hopped to another going to Surallah. From there, we had a short trike ride to a jeepney terminal bound to Lake Sebu. From Tupi, it would take more than 3 hours to get there. (If you’ll be starting off from GenSan, it will take more than 4 hours). But the trip is twice engaging, especially while on the jeep trip to Lake Sebu.

I still can’t forget that feeling even it happened a couple of years back. The jeep going up to the lake-town was slogging heavily on the snaky road, probably due to its heavy cargo and passengers. It was pretty slow but as I with the delegate went upwards, the cool South Cotabato wind can be felt. Thinking about this reminds me of my Tagaytay escape last year.

Staying at the Punta Isla Lake Resort, for three days, I never missed the opportunity of seeing the golden sun rise as it reflects on the mirror-like surface of the idyllic lake. There and then, I appreciated the beauty of this picturesque cozy haven. And with luscious huge lake tilapia dishes for our meals, both my eyes and stomach were deeply satiated.

The Lake Sebu experience seemed was not enough for me that after a few months, upon hearing that the 2004 Provincial Scouting Jamboree was to be held at the same town, I quickly enlisted myself to scout there hoping to visit the place one more time.

You may experience riding on a habal-habal (motorbikes on steroids of quick trips) as substitute to the dawding jeepney trips. I’ve experienced riding on those grand prix motorcycles on my second Lake Sebu outing.

I’ve had the opportunity of traversing through its glorious seven falls. The hours of hike may get arduous but for adventurers out there to help you for the trek, I've got a tip: secure a cane (mine was a makeshift cane from a kakawati trunk). But when you finally reach the seven interconnecting falls, you’ll surely appreciate this great work of The Almighty.

I’ve enjoyed my five-day camping there by enjoying other exhilarating activities such as rock-wall climbing, rappelling, and kayaking. One can also enjoy the 700-kilometer zipline dash there. Tourists can also visit huts where the native T’bolis interlace indigent threads on a loom to make the famous t’nalak cloth. It is the inspiration for the joyous month-long festivities of the province thus calling it “T’nalak Festival”.

Lake Sebu was truly a dreamlike place for people on an eco-vacay. No wonder this “South Cotabato Summer and Tilapia Capital”, was acclaimed internationally considered by the German hiker Jens Peters* as "the country’s most beautiful lake". It was even featured by Discovery Channel one time. As a South Cotabateño, it truly made me proud.

While the pristine Lake Sebu is South Cotabato’s top tourism jewel, my hometown of Tupi was also making the news. This is our second stop. Tupi is not just a sleepy town where buses plying the Koronadal and GenSan routes stopped only briefly at the bus terminal to load and unload passengers.

A municipal forest park called “Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape” in Barangay Linan, Tupi is making high notes for wildlife tourism. And why wildlife tourism?

Bohol = Sole home of the tarsiers? Now, it doesn’t hold true anymore. It was recently discovered that a throng of the world’s smallest primates were naturally breeding here in Mindanao – and that’s in my hometown of Tupi. Those adorable bug-eyed ET-looking creatures are now protected by the townspeople and last year formally made the landscape a protected area open for tourism business.

Tupi, known in the region as the home of Mt. Matutum and the “Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Basket of South Cotabato”, boasts many surprises too. The now tourist center, Barangay Linan, is a mere 5-kilometer ride from Poblacion. A few years back, I’ve visited Linan hotsprings and it is a good thing the local government is making ways of promoting and developing this environmental fantasyland.

Clearly, Tupi’s pride can stand up to par with Lake Sebu, given the potential attractions of the Bailinan River, pineapple plantation, orchards, its eleven falls, caves, springs, and pilgrim hills. Tupi’s Linan is a haven for relaxation after one’s fast-paced leisure activities, indeed.

Springing back to reality, reliving my precious trekking experiences at South Cotabato never failed to refresh me. South Cotabato is one of the country’s fastest rising tourist destinations. The question of the province’s security is never an issue for people who use good sense, I believe. Well aside from my mom’s delish home-cooked meals and Tupi’s fresh fruits, meeting Linan’s tarsiers will be a thing I will surely look forward to.

So if you're planning for a place to visit, my serene home province is obviously a sure hit that would take your breath away. You may check out www.southcotabato.org for your awaiting unforgettable escapade. Or better yet, you may inform me A.S.A.P. and don't forget to prepare your camping gear, backpacks and fare.

This December, you will be sitting beside me on the bus.

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Madamo nga salamat sa akon mga 'migo sa South Cotabato Tambayan sa pag-mugna sing 1st SCT Blog-Writing Contest. Indi gid matungkad ang akon nga kalipay sa pagsali para makabulig sang pagpalambo kag pag-edukar sa aton nga mga kasimanwa diri sa cyberspace.

Ang mga still pictures gali diri kay halin sa Isulong Music Video. Other pictures are linked back to its respective source by clicking the it. Madamo gid nga salamat!

* Thanks to the German-national Mr. Hans Brandeis for pointing out that Jens Peters was "German" and not "American". I thought Jens Peters was an American only based in Germany. :-)

Dengue Cases in the Philippines: Symptoms, Precautions, and Treatment

2010-09-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Dengue Prevention Tips

2010-09-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

Bar Exams Blast leaves 46 Wounded

2010-09-28T01:14:00.000-07:00

TAFT AVENUE, MANILA - Last Sunday (September 26), while thousands of bar examinees and well-wishers gathered at the DLSU Campus to celebrate the supposed-to-be joyous culmination of the month-long bar exams, an improvised explosive device blasted in the throng of people leaving 46 wounded.

MPD says that the IED was thrown at the crowd of the law students of UP and San Beda. Because of the blast, forty-two were wounded by the shrapnel while two law students were seriously wounded. One of those seriously wounded was Raissa Laurel, who, after finishing the bar exams was at the point-blank range of the bomb. Her two legs were amputated yesterday.

While many say that the cause was a conflict between rival fraternities, the Supreme Court and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim as of the moment deny such claim for lack of proof. Although the Supreme Court has not yet received an official report from MPD or NBI as of this writing, it will conduct an independent yet parallel investigation to further look into the incident.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on the other hand, said that conflict is likely to happen because of the presence of different schools teasing and throw crass remarks at each other. He suggested that tighter security measures should be done in the traditional “salubong” of students to prevent such incident in the future.

In an interview by Arnold Clavio, SC Spokesperson Midas Marquez said that if the suspects are law students, they should abandon their dreams of becoming a lawyer. PNP says the manhunt for the suspects is ongoing and someone should pay for the bloody incident.

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My brother Jasper Ian, was there to meet my sister Celeste Mae who also finished taking the bar exams last Sunday. Good thing they were not hurt. I pray for those affected especially for the two aspiring lawyers who were seriously hurt. The suspects should receive the full penalty of the law for their criminal act.

Martial Law in the Philippines: A Retrospect (Part 1)

2010-09-24T06:47:00.000-07:00

Martial Law in the Philippines: Effects and Legacy (Part 2)

2010-09-24T06:21:00.000-07:00

MSU-IIT to IITNU Part 1: Are We Ready For IIT Separation?

2010-09-11T02:07:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard of this MSU-IIT separation issue was when I was a freshman five years ago. It was the House Bill No. 658 then, authored by then Representative Tikbong Badelles. For quite sometime now, various bills were introduced that aimed for IIT separation, a recurring scenario since the 90’s I was told.

Senate Bill 1966, HB 4912, HB 658, and the others that came out of the woodwork were heavily thwarted by militant student organizations, studentry and faculty members. Previous bills, such as HB 658, reveal that commercialization and privatization of the institution’s facilities, services, and grounds are bound to happen.

And with the rebirth of another bill submitted last July 31, I did not wonder why majority of the MSU-IIT people are quite hostile with regards to this new bill proposed by the representative of the new Iligan lone district, Varf Belmonte. This is obviously for the fear of soaring tuition fees, privatization issues, and the likes that daunted us in from the past bills.

This is a two-part article that tries to assess how ready IIT is to be separated from the MSU system. We will try to ascertain what this new bill is about, by looking into the significant provisions of the bill.

I remember the newly-elected Rep. Belmonte mention about this IIT separation in his speech last June. Come to think of it, since we became a city a few years back up to now, the city doesn’t have its “own university”. In various cities all over the country, all of those have their own universities. With this trend, Iligan seemed to be an exception. From the year 1958 up to now, the city doesn’t have its “domestic” university.

For a little retrospection, MSU - Iligan Institute of Technology came into existence by virtue of Republic Act 5363 which aims to produce graduates who have expertise on technical skills and knowledge to serve the growing number of industrial companies in Iligan City and the surrounding regions.

MSU-IIT was the first external unit of the MSU system after the main campus’s creation in 1961.Often called as “The UP of the South”, MSU-IIT has been the choice of many Filipinos, especially those of poor but deserving Mindanaoans. Both of my parents, coming from impoverished families, finished their Civil Engineering Technology course three decades ago on this institution. All three of us (me, my sister, and my brother), also finished our degrees in Political Science at this prestigious university.

The school is definitely ready for possible changes, its numerous achievements speak for itself. MSU-IIT has been declared as regional and national Top Performing School by the Professional and Regulatory Commission in Licensure Exams in Electronics and Communications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering (For producing topnotchers, for 100 % passing percentage, or for higher percentage of passing than the national average).

We also had topnotchers in business administration courses, education, etc. Name it, we have it. Mylene Macumbal of MSU College of Law – Iligan Extension who ranked second in last year’s Bar Exams, was also a topnotcher in the CPA Exam at this university. I also remember Miss Irene Te, ranking second in the CPA exams a few years back. In 2008, The MSU-IIT College of Education ranked number one in the Philippines being the Top Performing School in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) Board. IIT bested other education schools such as UP Diliman and St. Louis University in Category A with 10-99 examinees. In 2007, we ranked 2nd and 3rd in 2006. And who would not forget MSU-IIT’s debating stint two years ago? MSU-IIT defeated UST and UP in the televised Frankahan Debate Championships at ANC. We are currently the Top 2 Performing Nursing School in the Philippines with 96 out of 97 passers. Talk about underdogs, eh?

MSU-IIT has an effervescent research environment, too. There were a total of 65 researches: 17 were completed, 39 on-going, 9 newly started 6 big studies were actually funded. Research results and papers delivered by faculty members in national and international fora were published in national and international journals and monographs for wide dissemination.

We also have multitude of extension projects. One hundred thirty (130) extension projects were conducted by different Academic Units as well as by the Department of Extension in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte.

We are the only academic institution in the country with the most vibrant, nationally recognized, and successful SC Coop, the MSU-IIT Multi Purpose Cooperative, now with
11 branches, 28,000 members and half a billion peso-asset. We are the only one in the country whose in-house-developed IT applications (e.SMS) are used by other public and private colleges and universities.

MSU-IIT has a range of stellar institutional awards and recognitions. The institute has been working hand-in-hand with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for more than a decade now. IIT is the Center of Excellence in Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry; Center of Development in Physics and IT; Center of Excellence in Teacher Education; Best HEI Research Program for Region X (Biodiversity Research Program (BRP)); Center of Development for Excellence in Information and Communications Technology; Center of Development in Ceramic, Civil, Electrical, Electronics and Communications, Mechanical, and Metallurgical Engineering.

IIT has also been the Zonal Research Center for Regions XII, IX, ARMM. It is also the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Learning Hub for Northern Mindanao; Virtual Center for Technology Innovation - Microelectronics.

The University has these accreditations statuses from the Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities (AACCUP): Level II Re-accredited for all programs of the College of Arts and Social Sciences; Level II Re-accredited for College of Education (Secondary Teacher Education, Industrial Teacher Education, and Physical
Education) (Elementary Teacher Education Candidate Status); Level II Accreditation for Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering; Level I Accreditation (Candidate) for all other Engineering disciplines; Level I Accreditation for all programs in Business Administration.

In addition to that, MSU-IIT also is one of the four universities in the Philippines that has a Haribon Foundation Academic Center of Excellence in Biodiversity. The university is a member of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and 2007 KAPATID Awardee.

For Mindanao peace and development, Institute of Peace and Development for Mindanao (IPDM) is the most effective and productive Peace Center in the entire MSU System and in the academic institutions of Mindanao. These accomplishments are simply, the indicators of the institution’s attainment of its vision and mission.

MSU-IIT has the largest concentration of doctoral and master’s degree holders in its faculty, more than any university or college in Mindanao. I remember my teacher, Dr. Hilton Aguja joking about IIT having the most doctoral degree holders in the world… per square kilometer. (IIT measures merely 14 hectares).

The university currently has a total of 557 members in its faculty as of 1st Sem., AY 2010-11 composed of (96 Doctoral degree holders, 304 Master’s degree holders, and 157 Bachelor’s degree holders). MSU-IIT offers total of 116 academic programs (10 Doctorate, 35 Master’s, 2 Graduate certificate, 47 Bachelor’s degree, and 22 Diploma).

According to the CHED Evaluation in 2003, IIT is the most qualified to be University among fourteen colleges/institutes applying for conversion. Come to think of it, MSU-IIT has long reached a level of accomplishments and development to deserve becoming a full-fledged and independent university.

Without a doubt, I strongly believe we are more than ready for any institutional reforms.

(Please click here for the Second Part of My Blog Entry on MSU-IIT Separation).

MSU-IIT to IITNU Part 2: HB 1743 and FAQs on Separation

2010-09-11T01:52:00.000-07:00

I’ve mentioned on my previous article that judging on the merits of the school, MSU-IIT has surpassed all the MSU units including that of the Main Campus. Indeed, we are more than ready for changes may it be a separation from the MSU System.

The new House Bill No. 1743 aims for the setting up of a distinct national university similar to the University of the Philippines, in Southern Philippines which will be headed by a President, a separate and smaller BOR but still headed by the CHED Chair.

House Bill 1743 uploaded by JR Lopez Gonzales

But what brings us to separation? Why is there a need for IIT to be separated from the MSU System? Eleven reasons were enumerated by the IITNU Presentation (Click here):

1. Grants intended for the entire university usually end up only in MSU Marawi.

2. Being viewed as just one university, MSU is provided only one item each for important positions by Civil Service and DBM, e.g. Registrar, Librarian, Chief Security, PPD Director, Medical Director, HR Manager, etc and all of these are given to MSU Marawi.

3. The Institute gets penalized for breaches of contracts with external agencies committed by faculty members in another campus.

4. Poor performance of other units of the MSU System has adverse effects on budget allocations, (e.g. normative funding) for the entire University System, including IIT.

5. Proposals for the offering of some new programs were obstructed.

6. Faculty promotions of faculty members for Associate Professorship and up have to be reviewed by MSU Marawi, which involves a very long process.

7. Being part of MSU, IIT has become vulnerable to the so-called “Marawi politics”.

8. Constricting bureaucratic procedures and policies, political interference.

9. As a unit of MSU, we cannot apply for land grant.

10. As an external campus cost center heads should only have a maximum salary grade of 18, thus existing items beyond 18 are classified as CT positions. This is the reason why the positions of Registrar, Librarian, Chief Security, PPD Director, Medical Director, HR Manager, IT Director were deleted in our plantilla of personnel. Being viewed as just one university, all these said positions are given to MSU Marawi.

11. Level of Authority of the Chancellor in the MSUS Management Matrix is very limited since he can only sign contracts up to PhP 2M. All contracts beyond PhP 2M should be brought to Marawi for the signature of the President. Contracts and MOAs have to be signed by the MSU President.

Looking into the significant provisions of the bill, the following are the perceived advantages from MSU separation:

1. A bigger budget share for Higher Education

2. Access to quality and state of the art education for the Mindanaoans

3. A Research University as clearly stipulated in the proposed bill

4. Can apply for a land grant, can invest and own properties (like UP-Diliman)

5. Faster promotions and retention of all existing privileges of personnel

6. Proposals for new and innovative programs are always evaluated in terms of the implementing capabilities of other units, many of which are far behind IIT.

7. Additional layers of decision-making in the system unnecessarily delay implementation of plans, programs and projects. For example, a simple curriculum revision designed to be responsive to the challenges of the times would still need the approval of all the other ten campuses before these can be submitted to the Board of Regents for its consideration.

To further enlighten us on the nitty-gritty, I compiled the Frequently Asked Questions about the bill:

HB 1743 Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1: What will be the benefits of the conversion to students?

1.Assured representation in the Board of Regents. (Section 3.g)

2.Equal access to quality, market-driven, and cutting-edge academic programs

(e.g. Mechatronics, Bio-informatics, Animation, Film and Production, Communication Arts, Development Communication, Culinary Arts, etc.).

3. More academic scholarships in all disciplines, (e.g. Polsci., History, Accountancy, Education, Marketing, etc.).

4. Faster implementation of curricular revisions.

5. With bigger budget, better facilities and more academic programs for the students.

6.Better chances for poor but deserving students through scholarships and socialized tuition schemes.

7. IITNU will have its own distinct representations to interuniversity/ state competitions, fora, etc.

8. Additional courses

FAQ 2: Won’t this move lead to Increase of Tuition and Other Fees?

No. Increase in tuition is not automatic. Any increase in tuition and other fees will be done only after a thorough consultation with all sectors concerned, especially the

students. This is enshrined in the bill.

The University will “Fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as but not limited to matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees, as the Board may deem proper to impose, after due consultations with the involved sectors” (Section 21.o)

Moreover, the bill provides for scholarship programs and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students in all disciplines. IPs will be given preferential treatment.

Sec. 18. Scholarship Program and Admission. – The University shall provide a scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students, includeing special programs for those who come from the indigenous communities, who qualify for admission to the University.

FAQ 3: Won’t this move lead to Localization or politicization of IIT?

No. The proposed bill ensures that IIT will maintain not only its present character and stature but in fact aims to upgrade into the national university in Southern Philippines. Also, the structure of the Board of Regents in the bill guarantees that governance is free from local politics.

FAQ 4: Won’t this move lead to Privatization/ Commercialization of IIT?

No. The bill stipulates that IIT will remain a state university, the mandate of which is to make quality education accessible and affordable to the people of Southern Philippines.

The things that will be privatized are only “the management or non-academic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property maintenance and such other similar activities” (Section 5.R).

FAQ 5: Won’t this move lead to Decrease in Salaries and Other Benefits?

No. We are covered by the Salary Standardization Law. The bill ensures

that there is no diminution in salaries and other benefits. In fact, the bill allows the

granting of special allowances to ensure the retention of the most qualified

personnel. (Section 21)

In order to continue to attract and maintain an excellent pool of teaching personnel, all faculty members of the University may be granted special allowances upon approval of the Board, up to a maximum amount equivalent to one hundred percent of the basic monthly salary specified for their respective salary grades under Republic Act No. 6758, as amended, otherwise known as the “Salary Standardization Law”.

The bill assures additional funds to the new university, being national in scope as reflected in the title itself.

FAQ 6: Can we not upgrade while we are still a part of MSU System?

No. The problems of IIT are largely caused by the system governance and from the fact that units/campuses of MSUS are of different levels and conditions of development. The policies proposed by IIT to address its needs are not approved because other campuses are unable to implement them. Curricular revisions, even just a change in course content in order to be responsive to present needs, have to approved by the other campuses.

FAQ 7: Won’t we lose IIT’s privileges as part of MSU?

No, the bill ensures provisions to retain all these privileges currently enjoyed by IIT and its employees (Section 22 in Bill).

FAQ 8: Why change the name into IIT National University (IITNU)?

“IIT” is our brand which is recognized not only nationally but also internationally.The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia, which was converted into a university after 123 years of existence, retained the name RMIT and became RMIT University. Also, Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) retained its name instead of changing to Malayan University because of the name’s value.

FAQ 9: Won’t this move lead to the Disintegration of the MSU System?

No. IIT is only one campus. MSU System has 10 other campuses with their own respective thrusts and strengths.

FAQ 10: Won’t this move affect Muslim-Christian relations?

No. The move to an independent universityhood is a product of a growth and development process and therefore should not be viewed as anti-Muslim.

In fact, IIT, among all other campuses of the MSUS is the most active in promoting peace and development, multiculturalism, and dialogue, through its Institute of Peace and Development for Mindanao (IPDM), and will remain so.

IITNU will always continue to promote harmonious relationships among all peoples in Mindanao.

FAQ 11: How about the appropriations?

The amount of needed to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be charged the current year’s appropriations of the MSU-IIT. Such additional amount as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be funded from the appropriations for the Commission on Higher Educaiton under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the University shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. (Section 24)

On a personal note, there are some things we should also carefully look into. In some discussions and fora that I have heard, I feel that the socialized scheme of the tuition fee enshrined can be a source of problem for most students.

Historically, the socialized scheme of tuition fees was first implemented last more than 2 decades ago in UP. True to its essence, the tuition fee in UP ballooned from Php 17.00 per unit to Php 200.00 in the first year of its implementation alone.

The bracketing system is biased towards making the students pay that even the poorest will only be minimally subsidized for their education. In the University of the Philippines experience, 13 years after the implementation of socialized scheme of tuition fee, 83.6% of the students ended up paying full tuition (Bracket 9) and only 8.6% enjoys full waiver of tuition (Brackets 1-4 / low family income brackets). This might also happen in the IITNU with the socialized tuition fee.

Secondly, the proposed law transforming MSU-IIT into a university must better be designed and formulated by the IIT constituents taking into full considerations its current needs, its purpose and path to growth (like what happened to the new UP Charter). Bakit kaya ang mga politiko ang gumagawa?

According to Philip Altbach (2004), a world-class university should have the following characteristics:

1. Excellence in research is the primary criterion, requiring top-quality professors. Favourable working conditions are also necessary, including job security and good salary and benefits for academic staff.

2. Academic freedom, allowing professors and students to pursue knowledge wherever it leads, and the ability to publish without fear of sanctions by academic or external authorities.

3. Institutional self-governance, in which the academic community has significant control over the central elements of university life – admission of students, curriculum, criteria for degrees, and selection of new members of the professoriate

4. Adequate facilities, appropriate to the discipline, for both teaching and research.

5. Adequate funding, consistent and long-term.

6. An atmosphere of intellectual excitement.

Our glorious MSU-IIT at present cannot perfect its distinction if its academic and administrative management is dictated by the system. A school like MSU-IIT can’t realize its vision to be “a world class institution” with so many restrictions/limitations within the system.

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POLL SURVEY RESULTS:

Sang-ayon ka ba sa pagggamit ng Multilingual Education sa Pilipinas?

Oo naman! Mas naiintindihan eh. 6 votes (66.66%)

Hindi. Ingles at Filipino lang ang nararapat. 3 Votes (33.33%)

Top 10 Funny Swat Acronyms

2010-08-29T00:36:00.000-07:00

After the Manila Hostage Tragedy, a lot of acrostics for S.W.A.T. came out, well that’s ofcourse it digressed from the original Special Weapon and Tactics.

Here’s my Top 10:

10 – Sh3t Wala Akong Teargas

9 – Stupid Wipe A$$ Team

8 – Stupid Weapons And Tactics

7 – Samahan ng Walang Asensong Tao

6 – Sorry We Aren’t Trained

5 – Sobrang Walang Alam Talaga

4 – Stand and Watch All the Time

3 – Sana ‘Wag Akong Tamaan

2 – Sige! Wait Atras Tayo!

1 – Sharon Wow! Ang Taba!

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On a personal note:

I would like to ask for an apology for the people who, are in a way were affected or deeply offended by this post. The joke was meant to crack up and lighten the very serious SWAT issues we had during the last August 23 crisis. The number 1 spot was an obvious digression from the real meaning of SWAT and that has been seen as a basic element of a comedic posts.

I thank all of the readers for their expressions of concern. I sincerely thank you for your time and effort in reading my entries. Enjoy your day... with a smile! :-)

A Word of Thanks Part II

2010-08-28T00:15:00.000-07:00

Yes. A Word of Thanks Part II.

Well, this is because I’ve already made another one a few months back. But anyways, I’ve made this second entry to once again thank all of my readers.

I made this blog for my personal enjoyment while at the same time express my rants, my critiques, and my view of the Philippine political scene and the world.

I’ve started posting my entries 4 months ago and I can say I’ve had bunch of positive reactions from my readers. As of this writing, this blog had 1,000+ views from the Philippines just after four months of blogging with only 39 entries.

Thank you for those people who followed this blog; as of this writing there are thirteen; One for NetworkedBlogs and 12 for Google.

Thank you for those people who cited my blog as their reference for their academic papers.

Thank you to Nanardxz, a fellow blogger that included my blog on his Top 10 Emerging Influential Blog.

According to his blog, an “emerging influential blogger” is:

An influential blogger is simply someone who can inspire and motivate others. Someone who can make you reach your goals, someone who can make you pursue the things you want to do, and someone who can keep you moving forward with aplomb and grace of a running deer in the prairie.

Thanks Nanardxz!

Thanks also for the bunch of private message I’ve been receiving from you guys most especially about my posts. Gracias todos!

From the bottom of my heart, a million thanks! I will continue to write what I believe is right.

Manila Hostage Crisis: MPD Needs to Play Counter Strike

2010-08-27T23:21:00.000-07:00

Almost a week has passed since the Manila Hostage Tragedy. This may be quite long overdue but still I had to share my views on this one. With the Philippines being on the international press once again, I should never miss this featuring this one on my blog.

As we all know, the handling of the siege was a failure; there are two things I’ve learned. First, not all Chinese knows kung fu because if they do, they should’ve kicked Mendoza’s guts out. Second, I realized that both the PNP and SWAT need to play Counter Strike. Seriously, this is how my August 23^rd night went:

I just finished taking my midterm exam in Property subject at MSU College of Law. I hiked away to go back home. Before finally going out of the campus, I’ve caught a throng of university and law students gathering in front of the flat screen TV mounted on one of MSU-IIT’s lounges.

What I saw was a tourist bus surrounded by a throng of creeping policemen on a dark rainy night. They lobbed to tear gas into the bus. There was hostage taking situation in the Quirino Grandstand, Manila.

I’ve thought of it as an inconsequential event so I just straddled my way. Maybe it was just a trivial hostage drama, I thought. As I’m approaching towards our lodging house, I’ve noticed that TV sets are all tuned in to the same hostage drama taking place. And it then made me curious why it was broadcasted play-by-play on live TV.

Reaching my place, I hurriedly turned my TV on and found out that yes, it was a hostage taking of a certain Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza. Earlier in the day, according to reports, Mendoza hitched a ride on the Hong Thai Bus but then pulled out an M16 automatic rifle and declared he was taking the 25 passengers hostage.

With the hostage taking starting at 10:30 AM, it ended nearly half a day. A total of seven hostages were released before six o’clock and before the agitated hostage taker initiated the carnage. Mendoza would have been trained in police tactics and known what to expect and as it seemed, he was better trained than the 200-strong (?) police and SWAT team that assaulted him.

At the end of the day, eight innocent Hong Kong nationals died. A both fiasco and carnage witnessed by the 90 million Filipinos and the rest of the whole wide world (through CNN, BBC, Fox News,etc.)

If there was a day that made me ashamed of being a Filipino, last Monday would probably be one. Even if I was not personally involved; I was outraged on how things went awry which should have been prevented if only brains were used instead of plain stupidity.

A lot of things and changes ought to be done (as always). Our policemen and SWAT were too coward not to employ an aggression that would follow through. Kapag may putok mula sa bus, kanya-kanya na sila nang retreat at tago. That's why I suggest our cops to play computer games like Splinter Cell, Delta Force or old school Counter Strike. They may also watch movies that should help them improve in strategizing: Misdirection techniques in Swordfish; Injection of sleeping gas, compressed air propelled hook to puncture the door to be pulled by a truck, and false broadcast courtesy of Speed 1. Or infrared scopes from that of the movie, Navy Seals.

MPD have shown to the world that we lack equipment. Are we really that poor not to have ladders? No flashlights attached to firearms? No night vision goggles? Although we clearly had other things that may be of use: a sledgehammer and an old rope that would snap after tying it to the door.

Another possible option’s that they could have just accepted his demands. He could be reinstated in the police - and then be immediately put in prison for life for hostage taking. It’s a must to hear the grievance of Mendoza first, and give initial soft assurance. After all he is not doing it for money.

My brothers and sisters in the media should also be partly blamed for the bloody end of the incident. They covered it as it happens without knowing that they’ve been giving the hostage taker leeway to ascertain the movements of the detachments. The live coverage could have been giving Mendoza up-to-date knowledge of how the police are trying to sneak up on him. Definitely not an intelligent move.

What the media did as part of their job completely disregarded the safety of both the hostages and the police. News blackout might be good as it was used by the Arroyo administration in a coup attempt a few years back. No one was hurt; no fatalities. After seeing his brother’s arrest, the hostage taker started killing some of his hostages in protest of what the police did to his brother. They should not have telecasted live since we know how the police might screw this up.

With its apparent international implications, Pres. Noynoy Aquino should have been visibly engaged in hostage situations. The event surely is a difficult challenge for the communications group of PNoy; not to mention his image-building moves. He just came out after the carnage; obviously showing signs of lousiness. Unavailable and cannot be reached by both reporters and Donald Tsang; that day, I felt that Isko Moreno was our president. Let’s see how he would skip this one. Tan-awa. Mao man gu’y inyong gebotaran.

To quote from Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's leader, “The way it was handled [by the Philippine police], particularly the outcome, is disappointing.” Ouch. The truth hurts. (Click here for the anime reenactment of the incident)

So, what are the things to expect for the weeks, months, and years to come? A lot of negative things. Hong Kong has placed the Philippines on the blacklist of countries to actively avoid, urging its nationals currently in the Philippines to immediately pack up and leave. We may expect maulings and dismissals of our OFW’s working in countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China. Singapore (with 70% of its population are Chinese) and Malaysia (around 40% Chinese, forming the urban majority in some cities) may follow suit.

At this point in time, a full report is eminent. It has to present thorough detailed crime scene including autopsy reports (if any) of the deceased and surviving victims. Full scale investigation will also be carried out in Hong Kong by those surviving victims and whether there was negligence. If there was sufficient evidence, the victims will then seek legal experts and most likely will convene a class action law suit against the Philippines government for unspecified sum for the deceased and victims.

Our already damaged reputation was exacerbated by our incompetence in handling these situations. As of the moment, it seems there’s a pint of hope left to ease off the siege’s effects. Unless we change our rotten system, the world will have no choice but to see us all in a bad light. We simply can’t beg other nationalities to see us positively with all this happening. Venus Raj’s win in the Miss Universe did not do much. A teenager’s letter hoping that “the world will know who the Filipinos are and that we're not all like Mendoza” did not do much either.

After all, it’s major, major big mistake to correct a big wrong decision.

The (Now-Defunct) Blog of JR Lopez Gonzales

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Top 10 Everything of 2010

A Word of Thanks from JR Lopez Gonzales (Part III)

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My Top 10 Proposed Philippine TV Shows

A Critique on the TV Shows in the Philippines

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Reproductive Health Bill in the Philippines (Part 2): My View

Supremely Surprising South Cotabato!

Dengue Cases in the Philippines: Symptoms, Precautions, and Treatment

Top 10 Dengue Prevention Tips

Bar Exams Blast leaves 46 Wounded

Martial Law in the Philippines: A Retrospect (Part 1)

Martial Law in the Philippines: Effects and Legacy (Part 2)

MSU-IIT to IITNU Part 1: Are We Ready For IIT Separation?

MSU-IIT to IITNU Part 2: HB 1743 and FAQs on Separation

Top 10 Funny Swat Acronyms

A Word of Thanks Part II

Manila Hostage Crisis: MPD Needs to Play Counter Strike