Voyager-3

Thoughts on Her Serving Persons with Disabilities

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:12:11 +0000

Nerissa and I were in Tabaco City a couple of weeks ago. I facilitated the 2-day strategic planning of the City Federation of Differently-Abled People of Tabaco, Inc.

The day before the strategic planning, Nerissa spoke about the barriers faced by persons with disabilities, such as physical, institutional, and cultural barriers during their opening program of the 48^th National Disability Rights Week.

Two things come to mind every time I watch Nerissa ably and sincerely perform her duties as a barangay, municipal federation, and provincial federation persons with disabilities officer and as a psychosocial services resource person for persons with disabilities.

WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD

First, I remember the period when I was still seriously considering pursuing and marrying a person with a chronic illness. One conversation with a godly Christian friend, kuya Ellis, helped me in my decision. At that crucial moment, he reminded me that only God holds our future. We try to avoid someone with a dire physical condition because of fear, so we naturally prefer a person who has no health issues.

However, we can marry a perfectly healthy person but after a year or so, that person may suddenly acquire a life-threatening illness. So, we really can’t tell. It boils down to how willing we are to love a person in sickness and in health and if we can see the person as a partner in fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. It really boils down to faith. “Without faith, it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6). How far can I trust God and how far can I trust God to walk with, and provide for, me and the person I love?

THORN IN THE FLESH

There is a second thing that comes to mind whenever I see how far Nerissa has gone in serving people with special needs, given her own physical vulnerability. Why didn’t God heal Nerissa? Why does she have to live with a chronic illness? Some friends may even wonder why I have not desperately prayed for healing nor searched for some miracle cure.

I remember Paul and his thorn in the flesh, something that he said was “a messenger of Satan buffet” him (2 Cor. 12:7-10, NKJV). I first learned about this passage in college when a pastor pointed out that Paul did not specifically write what the thorn in his flesh was. Like Paul, we may have this thorn in the flesh that we ask God three (or a hundred times) to take away from us but He doesn’t, in order to show us “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Nerissa’s chronic illness causes her physical pain during periods of her life, but it is this same thorn in her flesh that God has used so she can enter the circle of persons with disabilities to empathize and sincerely love and serve others who literally have thorns in their flesh.

IT’S HER BIRTHDAY

It is Nerissa’s birthday today. The woman who has a chronic illness completed another year and braces for yet another year. Only God holds and numbers our days. We only need to believe that He will see us through our pains and He desires to use us not only despite our thorns, but even BECAUSE of these same thorns.

Happy Birthday, Nerissa! Pa-burger ka naman.

Winning the Country's for All the Right Reasons

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 22:28:33 +0000

Alex Eala just keeps giving us the right reasons and examples to love and support her--giving her all on and off-court for her country, top 20 with her first WTA championship, saying all the right things while saying things right during interviews, and making her people proud and renowned worldwide.

If only more of our young ones follow her lead and strive hard, not only for themselves but for a greater, more selfless purpose.

She has been trained, educated, and raised well. I wonder how many of our schools and teachers talk about her because if we are looking for systemic solutions to the flood control, Piattos and other social problems, then we need to make the youth see that there is a right path and there are people who are already leading the way. Being doctors, lawyers, politicians, are not the only way to success. They can pursue whatever dreams they have, using the skills and interests they already possess, and direct their efforts and their minds toward a purpose greater than financial survival or the accumulation of wealth.

I Shall Not Live in Vain

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:48:12 +0000

After putting her on that perch, she just stared back, not moving, not trying to go anywhere else.

This morning gave me reason to recite one of my favorite poems by Emily Dickinson. She wrote, in these few simple and profound lines, the most poetic purpose statement for one in search of life's significance.

"If I can stop one heart from aching,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain."

I was clearing weeds when a tiny bird suddenly fell on her back on the foliage in front of me. She seemed dazed. I assumed she fell from the Santol tree while strengthening her wings. She could not fly high or far enough and didn't try hard to fly away from my hands. I couldn't leave her on the ground because I have two cats that are excellent hunters. She would be easy prey for these highly experienced felines that I have seen climb and jump to successfully catch birds, geckos, and skinks, and rats.

Google Lens identified the bird as a Stripe-headed Rhabdornis, an endemic species that forages on insects and nectar--thus encouraging me to grow more flowering plants and vines. Since I didn't find her nest, I helped the bird perch on a low Lubi-lubi branch so I could check on her from afar.

For at least an hour she stayed there, her eyes gazing toward where I was. As the morning became hotter, I went to check on her a few more times.

The morning was bright and beautiful,

During a short break from the morning's activities, I went to check on her again. She was already on the ground, still warm but lifeless.

I didn't expect the day that started bright and beautiful would suddenly change before morning even ended.

There are times like these when we fail even in our sincerest desire to help. We want to help but we are helpless. Was it worth it? Are the efforts, the emotions we spend for others worth it when our efforts fail? Maybe, maybe not.

Nevertheless, I still stubbornly cling to "it is better to have loved and lost than to have not loved at all". I'm just stupid that way.

I held the bird until its warm, soft, fragile body transitioned to rigor mortis. I could not sing her a song, I could not think of memories with her, I could not pay her tribute because I knew her for such a short and fleeting time.

In order to move on and make sense of my morning, I consoled myself knowing that this animal, even though it doesn't have a soul, felt important and not alone, during the last hours of her short, beautiful life. I like to think that when she closed her eyes for the last time, she felt that someone cared and to another being, she mattered.

Despite the sad, anticlimactic ending, I still hope that today I did not live in vain.

This is how she looked like when I first saw her.

Hoping the Benguet Lilies Will Not Simply Be a Memory

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 03:24:38 +0000

Benguet Lilies from the Cordilleran Sun FB page.

Growing up in the 1980s to the 1990s, two kinds of flowers on the steep slopes of the Itogon-Tuba area in Benguet really fascinated me--the walls of sunflowers during the cold months of November to February and the beautiful white Benguet Lilies that sporadically popped out among the light green blades of grass on the steep mountain slopes during the start of the rainy season (May to July).

     The yellow sunflowers gave warmth to the cold mornings and the Benguet Lilies signaled the end of the carefree summer days and the start of a new school year with old classmates and new teachers.

     I never picked these flowers.  They were just there, alive, ready to be visually enjoyed.  The sunflowers were easy picking as they simply hugged the slopes right down to the road.  To get to the lilies, however, you'd have to stop a running jeepney so you could leap or crawl toward any of the blooms.

     I just realized now that maybe this is why the two flower colors I still prefer up to now are white and yellow.

     The walls of sunflowers have already dwindled around Baguio.  I hope we don't permanently lose the Benguet Lilies.

Dapat 1sa Lang

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Tue, 12 May 2026 08:46:00 +0000

DAPAT 1SA LANG.

Fellow Filipinos, let us support this move to finally end political dynasties.  It's been so long.  The Constitution provides for it, subalit hindi natin maasahan ang Kongresong gumawa ng batas na hindi tugma sa personal nilang interes.

People's Initiative is the best legal option we have.  Let us all support this campaign until COMELEC verifies it and a plebiscite or referendum is successfully undertaken.

-- Hindi pwedeng mag-asawa, magkakapatid, mag-aama, mag-iina, magpipinsan, magbi-biyenan, ang mga may hawak ng kapangyarihan at kaban ng bayan 
-- Lalong dumadali ang korapsyon kapag magkakamag-anak ang nag-uusap-usap. 

"Launched in response to current deliberations by the 20th Congress to finally enact the political dynasty prohibition prescribed by the 1987 Constitution, D1L Petitioner Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio cites the urgency of enacting the prohibition. “Congress has not defined it for almost forty years, so we are going to enact that law through the People’s Initiative”.

DAPAT 1SA LANG.

Position Paper on the GE Program

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Mon, 11 May 2026 15:35:00 +0000

As someone who used to teach GE subjects such as History and Ethics in a community college, I am glad that this is finally being raised.

 Let me just add to the conversation.  These subjects must be taught by faculty members who have the heart and drive to teach these subjects properly--with the aim of fostering critical thinking and developing a strong sense of social responsibility among our youth, and not merely making students memorize dates, names, and events.

Without the core humanities subjects in college, we will continue to have a country with arrest dramas in the Senate, unresolved flood control scams, political dynasties ruling over our national and local governments, corruption from Bids and Awards Committees, etc...

If we only focus on technical and marketable skills, we will only keep giving diplomas to a labor and entrepreneurial force who are merely becoming more skilled in skirting the law for personal gain.

"Without this core, education risks becoming fragmented—reduced to the acquisition of discrete skills without a coherent sense of purpose or responsibility."

My Piece of Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:37:00 +0000

My piece of peace.

Music: Show Me a Smile by Apo Hiking Society

Fixing Ayuda and Ending Wealth of the Crooks

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:30:00 +0000

Taxes should build a nation, not break it. Ann Cuisia.

I agree.

However, I want the fix to focus more on holding the corrupt accountable. There must be certainty of punishment. What happened to the flood control corruption, Fertilizer fund scam, etc.? How about the continuing overpriced and rigged purchases and contracts via Bids and Awards Committees?

Having lived in a poor rural municipality for years, I cannot agree and generalize that all the ayuda beneficiaries are idle. A lot of them deserve the cash transfers and are really breaking their backs farming and working.

However, we must:

1. Make sure that the beneficiaries do not use the ayuda or their own earned money to support vices like gambling (cockfighting), smoking, and drinking.

2. There must be some form of breaks or benefits for the middle class and the owners of small and medium scale enterprises.

Let us keep raising our voices, or at least help amplify the voices of those who do.

Mayon Looms Over the City

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:40:00 +0000

I'm not able to watch Mayon's lava flows during its current (2026) activity because we live far across the gulf from Mayon. But I can still make myself happy looking at this painting I did more than a year ago.

I had to take separate detail shots because it's almost impossible balancing exposure of an image with a black glossy surface. Really need to use matte or satin varnish for dark/black paintings.

Happy Morning Dancers

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:38:00 +0000

Listening to the morning sounds while watching a pair of butterflies is such a beautiful way to start a light, happy day.

Alex Eala: Ambassador for the Philippines and Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 03:19:00 +0000

View interview from We.Filipinos FB page.

For me who, like the others who followed Alex Eala's journey even before last year's Miami Open, her interviews are as entertaining and inspiring as her presence on the court.

May she continue to be this excellent ambassador not only of the Philippines, but of Asia as well. May we, ordinary citizens and public officials, aspire to be like her--excellent in our work, passionate for our people, recognizing that God blesses us when we pursue the right things, trusting that the right process produces the right results. As she said, the turning point is actually the result of the process.

The Invasion of Idiots

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 02:39:00 +0000

Image Source: Weird Facts

Makes a lot of sense. We do want the democratization of speech and expression--that everyone is given the opportunity to share their own music, own videos, own opinions, own experiences, no matter how factually incorrect, vulgar, or patently evil. That also drowns the voices of more learned, rational, responsible, and "correct" thought leaders.

It is so easy to create content that sells and amasses views, engagement, and revenue and become so-called "influencers" and "content-creators" if you never think of consequences.

There is always a hitch to every good thing. We can only hope, pray, and work so that the balance could tip towards "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" as exhorted by the apostle Paul and Timothy.

Impeach the VP or Imprison Flood Control Legislators?

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 04:38:00 +0000

Image from Masang Pilipino

The only way to stop Sara is to prevent her from running. Hence, the multiple impeachment attempts. As of now, she is on the road to taking the 2028 elections.

Congress wants to impeach her over allegations of millions of intelligence funds, but it has yet to take decisive actions on the billions of flood control funds stolen by whom? Themselves.

As I have said before, BBM is a problem that Sara created. She is battling a problem of her own creation. Hence, Romualdez and Co are the byproducts of her decision. Doesn't speak well about her judgment as a leader. Doesn't make her a great potential president.

Should Sara win in 2028, one wonders how many of the flood control legislators will be put behind bars? Will she not rest until she turns the tide against each and every one of them? Should she do so, would that be a personal vindication or a victory for the Filipino people?

Let's pray, wait, and see.

Scholars Leading Scholars

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:16:00 +0000

Nerissa and I are so thankful that on a day that neither of us were present, our two college scholars stepped up to lead our high school scholars' huddle and tutorial.

Marben taught Math during tutorial and Jovy helped facilitate the huddle and handle the week's reimbursements.

I had to leave immediately after our fellowship so I could catch up with the Albay Art Foundation's mentally invigorating Meet, Greet and Talk Back with museum curator Marian Pastor-Roces.

Then we fetched Nerissa at the airport. She was arriving early evening from helping facilitate an inclusive mental health and psychosocial services capacity building training for typhoon Tino survivors in Cebu.

We wouldn't have managed that day without our two college scholars' help. These two are already practice teaching and will graduate this school year. So, it's been 4 years since we took the step of faith to commit supporting them through college.

Our scholarship program with GAiN-Tiwala is for high school scholars only. When the two graduated from Senior High School, Nerissa and I wanted to help them through college even with our meager resources. Then God amazingly led a friend to commit to help these two through four years in college. And here they are now, paying it forward. We have also been using other financial help from other friends to help one third year college student.

We will have more high school graduates soon and there are still other members of our fellowship who are now in college whom we earnestly want to help. If you want to be a part of giving deserving young people a better future, you may message me or Nerissa for more details.

Thank you and may God continue to richly bless and keep you!

Here Without You... Brad Arnold, Brother

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Thank you for the music, brother.

Sad that you left us Here Without You... but happy to know you're Home now.

We Do Have a Large Problem with Congress, But Federalism is Not the Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 02:50:00 +0000

I agree with a lot of what Greco Belgica does and says, but I don't agree to a federal solution. I still believe we are not a culture and a nation ready for federalism. Our leaders and our people will still find a way to defile lofty ideals and structures.

A federal form of government will benefit us when our people, right down to the lowest levels of governance, learn to become critical thinkers--not mere benefactors and beneficiaries of patronage/transactional politics.

I say this because a federal form of government will give more powers to local governments. Look at how lawmakers and contractors in Bicol plundered our national budget. Give corrupt local leaders more powers and autonomy over the budget and over the execution of projects, couple that with an electorate that does not question leaders as long as they are given free rice and ham, and you will have a government running wild with all sorts of flood control and other construction projects.

I do agree that we have a massive problem with the Philippine Congress, but federalism is not a fix. It might even exacerbate the problem because local leaders will have more freedom to rule over their federal government units without oversight and criticism from Filipinos elsewhere in the country.

Just think of the damage that Bicol politicians have done in recent years. Without a national outcry, without interest, exposes, and investigative journalism from nationwide media outlets, we would still have one of our lawmakers freely enjoying his wealth with impunity, instead of him hiding and wasting away in a foreign land.

So keep going Mr. Belgica. I’m just still unconvinced with a federal form of government. The same is true for a shift to a parliamentary form of government.

The problem is not the structure of government, the problem is who holds power within it.

Get Your Fuzzy Wire Flowers and Support a Former Student

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 05:47:00 +0000

Several things help her stand out among my former community college students.

Her name. It’s spelled “Maria=Laarni” based on her birth certificate, she said during first day of class. So that’s how I called her when she recited, Maria equals Laarni.

She has the distinction of being the editor-in-chief of the school paper when I was still its adviser. She led the school paper when they participated (for the first and last time) in the Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference. They were blessed enough to win a few awards in the group and individual categories.

Her personality. Maria equals Laarni is one of the most independent and optimistic young women I know. She would probably register a High-I in the DISC personality assessment tool. Influencer-- always optimistic, always laughing, always saying yes to new opportunities. She's probably the reason why she and her classmates composed a majority of the membership of the community newspaper we used to publish.

After graduating, Maria equals Laarni, along with everybody else, moved out of town and worked in Manila. Later, she would quit work, go back home in the province, and start undergoing dialysis three times a week. She spent about month confined at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC) last November to December 2025 because there was a problem with her fistula. We visited her again.

As usual, she never broke. More than two years not being to work, she keeps taking what life throws at her. Still talks non-stop. Ever fighting, ever laughing.

Maria equals Laarni currently crafts and sells fuzzy wire flowers. She even gave Nerissa a pink bonsai-looking plant on a pot. They are really beautiful and are cheaper than I expected.

Maybe you can help her by ordering and messaging her directly. Below is the link to her account. Even if you’re not within the Legazpi City area, I’m sure Maria equals Laarni will find a way to ship them to you.

May we all keep encouraging others, especially those who, like Laarni, keep finding a reason to laugh and live while trying to help themselves.

--------------------

Maria Laarni Lovendino Dajac

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17twEYmP41/

I was surprised last week when Maria equals Laarni's mother brought this gift for Nerissa. Isn't that pretty?

Why Punish Them When We're Encroaching in their Habitat?

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:59:00 +0000

Bakit sila ang kailangang hulihin at saktan? Tayo ang sumasakop sa matagal na nilang tirahan.

I think the comment from Eira Jade Sebastian makes the most sense:

"Let’s be clear—ang bakawan is a protected natural habitat, at matagal na itong tirahan ng mga buwaya bago pa may pumasok na tao. Hindi sila biglang “sumulpot” lang; we moved into their space. Kaya unfair na sila ang hulihin o sisihin kapag may nakita sa lugar na malinaw namang wildlife zone.

Totoo, importante ang safety ng tao, pero dapat balance ang safety at environmental responsibility. Hindi pwedeng laging ang solusyon ay capture o displacement ng hayop, lalo na kung wala namang malinaw na threat at ang tao ang kusang pumasok sa area.

Ang mas dapat tanungin: bakit may activities at tirahan ng tao sa mga lugar na alam nating natural ecosystem ng wildlife? Development should not mean destroying or removing nature para lang umangkop sa atin.

Kung gusto talaga ng long-term solution, dapat may proper zoning, awareness, at conservation programs. Respect nature, because we are the ones adjusting—not them."

Follow Me cover

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 08:26:00 +0000

I took you from the comfort of the big city, the warmth of your friends, and the loving care of your family, to all sorts of discomfort and uncertainty. You followed me from up north to down south. You willingly welcomed the things and people that are dear to me--my goals, my friends, my family and relatives. You valued them the way I value them. By following me, you have embraced all my faults, weaknesses, and failures. But here you are, still following me after 17 years. In live performances, John Denver ended the song with "take my hand and... I will follow too..." You know I am not used to following, but as you continue to take my hand, I will follow too. Happy Anniversary.

Doing Magic with Acrylic Polymer

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:57:00 +0000

I only shifted to acrylic gloss polymer from spray varnish last year. The quality of the finish seemed the same as traditional acrylic varnish. But this time I had to remove the finish because specks of dirt stuck to the surface. The dirt came from bird nests on our ceiling. I was pleasantly surprised to see how easy it was to remove the layers of gloss polymer. What started out scary turned out weirdly satisfying. The coat peeling off the surface and rolling with my fingers as a single rubbery film felt like magic. Blessed Sunday!

Last Generation to See Fireflies?

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 23:33:00 +0000

Post from Garden Tips and Tricks

It was late night in a remote barrio of Baggao, Cagayan, when we were on our way home from showing the JESUS film when I saw the most spectacular firefly display.

As the jeepney sped (the place was still an insurgency hotspot), we passed by a glowing tree in the middle of almost complete darkness. The entire tree was lit by thousands of fireflies. It was like looking at a giant greenish neon light bulb.

There is a tree beside the bridge in our barangay which had a lot of fireflies also, although not nearly as numerous as the one I saw in Baggao. It seems that the fireflies there too are gone. Might be because of the flood control/river dike that was constructed along the Kamanitohan river a few years ago.

The other night, while talking to our neighbor outside our house, she pointed at a solitary firefly. I hardly noticed it. I rarely see these amazing creatures now.

This post reminds me to keep native plants around and resist the urge of creating a completely manicured lawn.

Education and Journalism: the Prevention and Cure for Social Gangrene

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:15:00 +0000

I've had the privilege of teaching all categories of journalism since June this year.

Thanks to school-based press conferences at the Auxillary Academy in Bulacan, Manito Central School and Cawayan High School, and the District Press Con (elementary) here in Manito last week.

All these efforts come with the hope that somehow, our young learners would imbibe the power and honor that the pen holds, especially when wielded by conscience-driven heroes like our own Dr. Jose Rizal.

Our nation needs science and technology, no doubt. But without the heart and soul of the liberal arts, we would merely be producing politicians and professionals like engineers and contractors who only live for luxury and power -- bringing with them a deluge of all possible national ills.

Education should prevent social malaise while journalism should be the antibiotic that the gangrene whenever it is found.

Solar System for Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:53:00 +0000

Mga kababayan.

Huwag po tayong mababahala sa korapsyon ng flood control. Matagal na tayong ibinebenta ng mga politiko (mula barangay pataas), contractor, at suppliers.

Maglaway at mamangha na lang tayo sa "inspirational" na buhay nila from rags to riches.

Heto nga binebenta ang solar system, ni hindi nakapalag ang US at UN. Mabahala na lang tayo pag buong kalawakan na ang binebenta nila.

Ipagpatuloy na lang nating tanggapin ang ilang kilong bigas at ham kapalit ng boto natin. Tapos kapag nakaupo na sila, palakpakan lang natin sila at tawaging "honorable" dahil for them there is no such thing as "beyond the commerce of men".
--------------------

1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." ESV

Luke 12:15: "And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.' ESV

Remembering Vinzons in the Wake of Flood Control

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 22:16:00 +0000

Photo and original post in Facebook

We have no lack of great heroes like Vinzons, and yet our people continue to bow to leaders from barangay leaders to high officials who have no sense of honor. And our people keep voting them to office.

Ang daming opisyal ang hindi raw makapaniwala sa tindi ng korapsyon ng flood control, samantalang halos lahat naman alam na ang kalakarang ganito ay hindi bago.

Wala raw "ebidensya". That is the mentality of even the lowest level politicians in the country. You can steal rebars and gravel and sand from infrastructure projects as long as there is no evidence and you deliver them at night.

Ang daming namatay para sa bayan. Sabi pa ni Ninoy, the Filipino is worth dying for. Ang hirap paniwalaan, pero kapag hindi tayo maniwala at manindigan, wala talagang kahihinatnan ang sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani. Binura na sila sa papel na pera, patuloy pang nabubulag ang mga kababayan nila sa pera.

From Flood Control Corruption to Plato's Noble Lie

noreply@blogger.com (Voyager-3) — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 08:19:00 +0000

From Sumbong sa Pangulo website.

These are the flood control projects in our town of Manito in Albay for the years 2023 and 2024.

The reporting website is a great initiative from PBBM. Try it to find projects in your area.

This site/service should be expanded to cover other infrastructure projects because the top 15 contractors in the President's list are most probably also the top contractors in road and bridge projects. The site/service should also be expanded to cover those undertaken in the Barangay level so citizens can report unfinished/substandard works and other corrupt practices. It is no secret that a lot of people want positions in government so they can cash in on "SOPs" from projects like basketball courts, barangay roads, and other similar projects.

This is why Plato's myth of metals still intrigues me. What if we can implement some modified form of the "noble lie" -- a socio-political structure that can make people in positions believe they are made of gold so they would no longer hunger for gold and everything related to power and wealth?

Could we really raise philosopher-kings -- philosopher-mayors, philosopher-kapitans, philosopher-kagawads, philosopher-representatives... who only live to lead in excellence and nothing more?

Would our current barangay councilors and higher ranking leaders who only want power and wealth be convinced to be "simply" merchants, farmers, and artisans? And would this make our military, police and all those in the uniformed services concern themselves only with matters of the State's security and the public's safety instead of accumulating wealth through online gambling, e-sabong, kotong, moonlighting as body guards, and planting evidence to meet quotas?

I believe that Biblical Christianity is, in a way, some form of this myth or noble lie, because sincere adherents would not think of this as a lie but something they are truly convinced in. However, Plato's idea will only work if everyone in society subscribe to the myth and play within their roles.

And that is the problem. Because true Christianity cannot be imposed by force, by subjugation, or by some form of manipulation. Add to this the irony that those who are competent and sincere do not want anything to do with government and politics, while the incompetent, greedy, and power hungry are the ones who covet the titles "Honorable" and "His/Her Excellency".

Wouldn't it be even better if we wouldn't even need the noble lie? What if we could all just be noble, without the lie?