D-liberate

THE NEW BLOG

2012-09-05T11:47:00.002+08:00

You can now check out the new blog at "Betwixt and Between: A Fool's Journey"

All of my announcements and musings can now be found on that site.

DON'T APPLY FOR GLOBE POSTPAID - please share

2012-02-09T18:00:00.002+08:00

I haven't used this blog for a while but I thought it would a good place to have this item searchable.

The subject says it all... please share...

AFTER 10 WORKING DAYS (2 WEEKS), 4 CALLS, 10+ TALKTOGLOBE ATTEMPTS, 2 EMAIL COMPLAINTS, I DIDN'T GET A REPLY (FOR MY APPLICATION OR MY COMPLAINT). IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING GETTING A POSTPAID PLAN FROM GLOBE, DON'T. IF THIS IS THE SERVICE YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THEM, IMAGINE HOW IT WOULD BE IF YOU HAD A PROBLEM AND ALREADY HAD A LINE FROM THEM.

This is the email I sent them (to two different customer service emails) yesterday (3 DAYS AFTER MY FIRST EMAIL):

First and foremost, I want to say I have experienced terrible customer service so far. I sent a complaint (this email 3 days ago) and have not received any sort of communication back. I have no faith in your company's ability to provide service anymore.

THIS IS WHAT I SENT 3 DAYS AGO TO GLOBEONLINE SALES EMAIL:

I have been trying to follow up my application for a postpaid plan.

My name is Richard Dacalos my prepaid number is 0905XXXXXXX. I have been a prepaid subscriber for over a decade with my previous number 09173XXXXXX. And in the least, I am extremely disappointed. If this is how, you treat your loyal customers, I'd rather move my services elsewhere.

I made my application last week thursday (submitted the requirements on Friday).

I was told it would be processed within 2-5 days. I was told that I would receive some sort of communication.

I have not received anything and it is Sunday. Past 6 working days. (IT IS NOW PAST 9 WORKING DAYS)

If you are not going to make it within 2-5 days. Don't promise that. I'm left with the experience of terrible service. I'm left with not trusting you to deliver on what you promise.

Aside from that, I called your hotline to be redirected to your 1234 text line/status check.

For three hours, I tried to get connected to an agent to no avail. I get connected only to be told ive been idle too long when in truth i had just replied.

I called 2 more times. Only be told if I would try again it would work this time. And that they could NOT refer me to someone who could help me.

Needless to say it didn't work. And again, I felt I was lied to and that you can't deliver on your promises.

I then tried to connect to your online chat. Still was not redirected over to an agent.

I feel like I wasted 4 hours of my life. Economically speaking, I could have been working within that time, instead of trying to follow up an application that should have delivered previously. And instead of moving forward, I've lost money (a minimum of 3000php lost in hours of work lost) trying to get a service that should be simplifying my life.

I want to know what's happening. I want something to be done to be reassured that this won't happen again and that at least I get the feeling that you care about your customers. Because as of now, I'm not getting it.

I'm expecting a prompt response. I'm expecting an update. I'm expecting a shift in your service.

If I don't, I'm obtaining the services of another provider and I'm making my complaint public. (I AM COMMITTED TO MAKE THIS PUBLIC BY 5PM TOMORROW IF I HAVE NO RESPONSE FROM YOU)

Sincerely,

Richard Weinbrenner Dacalos

THAT'S WHAT I SENT. DON'T EVEN BOTHER APPLYING. IT'S NOT WORTH YOUR TIME. WHATEVER AMOUNT YOU MIGHT "SAVE" FROM THEIR "DEALS/PROMOS" - YOU'LL PROBABLY END UP LOSING BECAUSE OF THEIR TERRIBLE SERVICE.

Update: 7 months later (Sent Feb - Today is 9/5) - No response to date. No apology. No nothing. I got a SMART line and I'm very happy with the service. No complaints. No hidden charges. And the reassurance that their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Division is doing great things for our country.

Daily Link Share - 8/3/10 - SUBFLEX

2010-08-03T06:38:00.003+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

SUBFLEX is held every first Wednesday of the month at B-Side.

This night features an eclectic roster of multimedia artists, from: beat makers, sound manipulators, turntablists, visual manipulators,mc's and soothsayers.

A Night of True-School Hip Hop...

with performances from:

Albatross&Loveski
Labjaxx
NothingElse
Skarm
Plazma
Anygma
Flexx
Layman's Term

Plus guests...

FREE ENTRANCE

Daily Link Share - 8/2/10 - I'm a Masterpiece

2010-08-02T10:57:00.005+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

It's been a while since I really enjoyed my work.

So I wanted to share with everyone what I've been doing lately.

I've been working at My Masterpiece Movement. It's a creativity school in Pasig.

It's hard to explain what we do. Sometimes it's best that you come and see for yourself. I'll be writing a more in depth post about my experiences, in the future (so you guys can get a better idea).

For the mean time you can visit "Everyday Isa" to read her beautifully written article about MMM.

Also, if you are interested in finding out more about what we do, I'm planning to have a reading/creative writing workshop there later this month for my book.

Here's to building a creative culture!

Daily Link Share - 7/30/10 - Under the Red Hood

2010-07-30T11:06:00.002+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

Today I watched "Batman: Under the Red Hood". (Not going to go in-depth, you can read the synopsis on Amazon)

And I must say...

WIN!

I randomly stumbled across it when looking for what new movies were out. And serendipitously, I saw this.

It's amazing. I love the Batman series. The main thing that caught my eye at first was that Neil Patrick Harris was the voice of Nightwing. And commonsense says when NPH is in something, it must be good (just look at Starship Troopers).

Then while I was watching I discovered Jensen Ackles is the voice of Red Hood.

(Yay! No Batman Nipples!)

But putting the stars aside, the story and the direction is great. A dark and deep addition to the already twisted Batman mythology.

Thursday Thought - Fliptop and the Future

2010-07-29T22:30:00.004+08:00

Cuz sometimes after a hump day, you just want to think...

This is only my second Thursday thought. I haven't really been able to follow schedule and I'm really sorry. But I want to share and try and keep up as best as I can.

I've been meaning to write about Fliptop for a while now but I've been busy with work, with my book and other random ramblings and/or nonsense.

It's amazing what has happen in the past few months...

The way Fliptop went viral just blows my mind. We had battles before. I think some of the older cats might remember "V.S.". But that was a time before Youtube.

Youtube has really changed the way people can market things. And it's not even that Fliptop was marketed. It was just out there and people loved it so people support it.

Never in the 10 years (more or less) I've been in the Filipino hiphop scene, have I seen such an impact. The last event was a real shocker for me.

(Funny how I've been doing hiphop this long and now I'm pretty much known as the "SYAT DA PAK AP GUY")

"SYAT DA PAK AP!" (Photo courtesy of Charelle Meneses)

First of all, there was a line that extended down to the stairs (we were on the second floor of Freedom Bar). Aside from that, the place was already backed with maybe 200+ people.

But the most shocking thing was that people were taking pictures with the artists... A sort of celebrity status was being born amongst the popular battlers.

For Filipino hiphop, I believe that is a huge thing.

There are pros and cons to this type of publicity. And our "Kuya Pleptop" knows this.

I'm just so glad the organizer, Anygma, has managed to keep an underground/indie sensibility to a growing media market.

I love the fact that Anygma will always call out stupidity.

It may scare away potential fans but the main point of the movement is to educate the audience. To paraphrase "Kuya Pleptop": if you don't tell them the things they are saying are stupid and give them the reasons why we will never have any change, and we need change RIGHT NOW (more than ever).

But of course this doesn't mean we can't help publicize the movement.

FHM recently did an article. You should check it out.

That's it for now. What are your thoughts?

Daily Link Share - 7/28/10 - Random Revolution

2010-07-28T23:17:00.001+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

Because I'm tired and have nothing better to share...

REVOLT!

Daily Link Share - 7/27/10 - It's Friggin Gambit...

2010-07-27T23:21:00.002+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

I shared this on facebook but...

It's so nice I had to share it twice.

Monday Mash-up: Making up for lost posts

2010-07-26T10:27:00.003+08:00

Last week I really didn't get to post much. I acknowledge that.

For those of you who didn't know, it was a huge week for me.

The reason:

I had my book launch at the Spoken Herb Cultural Festival. It's not really an excuse not to blog but I was insanely busy.

So today what I want to share is a link on how you can get a copy of my book. Because, now, I'm not just taking reservations but I'm taking orders:

HOW TO GET A COPY

I will try to organize more events to commemorate the launch of the book. If you have ideas or suggestions, feel free to comment or e-mail me at rdacalos@gmail.com

Daily Link Share - 7/20/10 - I Hate M Night Shyamalan

2010-07-20T08:15:00.002+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

So, I watched The Last Airbender last night. And, I think from the title you have a general idea of my feelings towards the movie.

You must understand that I'm a fan of the Avatar series (to the point I wished they continued it). Since they didn't want to continue the series, the movie was the next best thing for me.

But M Night crapped on that dream.

I don't want to make an in-depth review because it would depress me.

Let's just say a part of my soul died and I've seen pornos with better character development.

The kicker was that he owned up to that "tapestry of feces" in the end credits by showing it was "Written, Directed and Produced by M Night"

I'm hoping the studio kicks M Night off the project and continues the trilogy. Because if he's still on the next project, I'm probably not watching the next movie.

HATE HIM ON FACEBOOK.

Daily Link Share = 7/19/10 - Old Spice Remix

2010-07-19T10:34:00.002+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

In the spirit of Old Spice...

Here's another video!

And on an unrelated side note, the book should be out within the next 48 hours!

Saturday Seven - Proudly Pinoy

2010-07-17T19:13:00.005+08:00

‘Cuz a list of 11 would be copying and a list of 10 is just too much work…

For this week’s edition of Saturday Seven I wanted to put a pinoy spin to the blog.

Seeing that I’ve lived in the Philippines for most of my life and I’m Filipino it seems like I should do more Pinoy-related posts.

The list for today is more of things I’ve noticed that are either uniquely pinoy or things that are present in other countries but seem to just be so pinoy. I’ll try to avoid the more obvious ones (like jeepneys).

Let’s start…

1) The cheap-o metal door with matching spring (that breaks) and screen (that ends up having huge holes in it).

You know which one I’m talking about. The one that looks like they all came from the same supplier in China.

C’mon. Go down the street there has to be one house or establishment that has this door (even the rich bastards probably have this door in their dirty kitchen or maid’s quarters).

2) The door on gate combo

Well, it seems practical. We do cage ourselves behind cement walls and gates. The door might as well be on the gate to save space.

3) The makeshift tabo.

The tabo is a Filipino staple. The makeshift tabo (from cut-up chemical cleaner containers) is just a great representation of Filipino ingenuity (and blatant disregard for health standards and safety).

Not just for cleaning and etching stone but for asses too!

4) Unknowingly racist mothers/titas + their comments

I don’t know if it is just the generation gap but my mother is a racist and she doesn’t even know it (well most pinoys are but it seems like the moms and titas have it down to a science). The kind of casual use of “Bombay” or “Negro” (pronounced neh and not nee) while trying to use it endearingly is just so mom-ish.

Example: “Your negro friend is so nice.”

“He’s so nice.” I bet she doesn’t know why this is racist…

5) The maid/houseboy that’s also kind of your cousin/distant relative.

Weird but true.

6) Hand-me-downs from your “first world” relatives

I know for a fact I wouldn’t have a pair of Chucks if my cousins from New York didn’t send me a pair of their old ones.

7) Broken-glass rimmed cement walls

I couldn’t help it. I had to go for one of the obvious ones. It’s just so entertaining. I always imagine crimes being foiled by a broken Sprite bottle caught on someone’s left nut.

“Damn you Salazar!”

Friday Follow Up

2010-07-17T19:06:00.002+08:00

The power outage didn’t really help me keep my schedule with blogging.

So, my Daily Link Shares and my Thursday Thought will end up turning into a Friday Follow Up (that sadly is being posted on Saturday). Procrastination wins again.

I just wanted to share the greatness that is the Old Spice online marketing campaign.

They have managed to not only get me to start using their products (like a mindless drone) but also keep me wanting more.

To make up for all the missing link shares, here’s the link for their channel.

They most recently had a wild campaign involving twitter, yahoo answers and other online forms of social media.

The Old Spice guys does a personalized reply to several tweets (including Ellen Degeneres, Alyssa Milano and Ryan Seacrest). He’s done a lot and I’m pretty impressed.

Some of the ones I liked were:

Re: Alyssa Milano series
Re: bballgirl
Re: Ellen Degeneres

You should check them out.

I’m on a horse.

Daily Link Share - 7/13/10 - Fliptop!

2010-07-13T00:07:00.003+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

I'm not that patient to post all of the battle clips. But if you have the time you should look for Fliptop on youtube.

What I'm sharing now is not the battles (which are becoming insanely viral like an STD), but one of the events they are presenting.

They usually have hip-hop nights on Tuesdays (including tonight).

So you should check it out!

Beer is 25php! Support Local Hip-hop!

Daily Link Share - 7/12/10 - That High

2010-07-12T09:58:00.002+08:00

Cuz sharing is caring...

I was stumbling and found this hilarious site. It's a lot like My life is average but a lot more funny...

Check it out!

Puff, puff, pass!

Daily Link Share - 7/11/10 - Man Creates Life

2010-07-11T19:26:00.002+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

I was watching Discovery Channel today. There was a documentary on the path to creating synthetic life.

Turns out...

Someone has done it...

I don't know about you... but I'm a little scared.

Saturday Seven - 7 Videogame-Inspired Videos

2010-07-10T22:45:00.003+08:00

‘Cuz a list of 11 would be copying and a list of 10 is just too much work…

I’ve been really busy lately so I think the best I can do for a list is something really simple. I spent most of my week preparing to discuss some of the philosophical themes in Plato’s 50+ page dialogue, Phaedo, so, this is a good change in pace for me.

These aren’t all my favorites but these are the ones that come to mind while writing this post. Feel free to share yours by commenting! Remember: Sharing is caring!

Some of the vids embedding was disabled so all I have is a link:

1) RPG Heroes are Jerks

This one is for the people who used to play The Legend of Zelda…

2) Mediated Mortal Kombat

Get over here! You mean the world to me!

3) Koopa’s Hell

I always kind of felt Mario was a douche. It could have been the moustache…

4) Mortal Kombat is not a Tournament

Goro…

5) A Complaint to Mario Bros. Plumbing

It all makes sense now…

6) Pixels

PIXELS by PATRICK JEAN.
Uploaded by onemoreprod. - Watch original web videos.

7) Cal Band Video Game Show

This one doesn’t really follow the general theme of the last few videos but it is quite awesome nonetheless. I feel bad for the dudes running…

Daily Link Share - 7/9/10 - Nowhere Boy

2010-07-09T09:29:00.003+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

Today's share is the official trailer to Nowhere Boy.

It's the "untold" story of The Beatles (a.k.a. John Lennon's childhood). Hope it doesn't disappoint.

Here's the link because embedding has been disabled:

Thursday Thought - The Universe Conspires

2010-07-08T20:09:00.005+08:00

'Cuz sometimes after a hump day, you just want to think...

The universe conspires. It sounds so new-agey (I contend that it is a word).

The idea is so very, "The Alchemist". And, more and more I'm starting to believe it.

I actually read the book in high school. I didn't really like it. I actually liked Coelho's writing style more than the book itself. His pacing actually makes reading a lot easier for someone with borderline ADHD.

How I used to read.

But back to my point...

The universe conspires. I feel this more and more because right now it just seems my life is coming together in the right places.

I guess the reason why I didn't think much of the idea before was because of my mindset. I wasn't quite ready to own the idea just yet. But my perspective has changed, a paradigm shift if you will.

Coelho, in his work, made it look so out there. The idea that if you pursue your dreams (or at least your true purpose), the world will help you in every way possible. Bullshit...

Well, that's what I thought.

But I think more than anything, it's a matter of perspective. It doesn't have to be a purely spiritual, metaphysical, explanation (though that aspect does give an added layer of depth to the idea). It can be explained in a more rational way (if that floats your boat).

If you truly believe in what you are doing, take ownership of your life, I think the world will notice. If you put your heart into it, I think the world will notice. And if you're doing something you hate or don't love, the world will notice too (and help you fail).

I think as humans we have an inclination to help others. Levinas called this substitution.

Imagine a trash can being randomly pushed down by someone on the side of the street. Not so bad right? Now imagine the same thing happening to a person. Not so cool right? (Well, if you don't particularly dislike the other person.)

Substitution. Not so cool if it were a person. "Pank's nat ded."

So in some way, we want to help each other out (unless you're a complete douchebag).

With me, I think by changing my outlook and taking ownership, people felt they were becoming part of something big and that's why I get the help I need to move forward.

Just something to think about.

(Buy my book!)

Daily Link Share - 7/7/10

2010-07-07T00:03:00.003+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

Today's link share is a video from one of my favorite shows:

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS

This is one of my favorite songs from the show.

Aside from Too Many Dicks on the Dance Floor...

Daily Link Share - 7/6/10

2010-07-05T23:26:00.003+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

I know it's a few minutes early but I'll share the link now while I can...

I may not have access to the net tomorrow or might be too exhausted from work and training.

So here's today's (or "tomorrow's" depending on your understanding of the time continuum) link:

It's Six the Northstar's new album, Galacticquantumleap.

What' great about it is that it's good music available for FREE!

So download your free copy now and support a local artist.

Six was my groupmate back when we were still Archonz Akeen. But we parted ways as a group and decided to become solo acts. We are still members of AMPON though...

Enjoy!

Daily Link Share - 7/5/10

2010-07-05T09:13:00.005+08:00

'Cuz sharing is caring...

Here is the first new post in the series.

Took me a while to get myself together but I'm going to start posting according to the new schedule. At least, I'm going to try...

Today's link share is...

He's back!!

I love these commercials. And they finally came out with a new one.

I don't want to sound like a mindless consumer but these commercials got me to start using Old Spice.

On a side note: This Old Spice Man's (me, not the one in the video) book will most probably released this week.

Check Facebook for updates!

The New Schedule and Updates

2010-06-27T14:20:00.003+08:00

So here it is.

We're one week away from the book release (if the printer didn't lie to me).

Gets? has been a project close to my heart for the past 6 years. I was supposed to finish it a long time ago. I actually set a personal deadline of June last year.

It's pretty obvious I didn't make it.

But missing deadline pushed me to finish the last 3/4 of the book. And with that, I completed most of it within the 2-3 months after June last year.

THIS IS IT!

The printer should be able to give me the copies by Friday next week or Monday after next. And if there are no complications with the cost, I plan to sell it at 300php/copy.

Most people have been asking if they can get the book in bookstores.

For the first batch, I'm staying away from the bookstores. So you understand my situation, bookstores take around 30-35% off the selling price of the book. And for an indie publication, that's just not something I can afford to sacrifice at the moment. (That money can be used to print the next batch).

So this is how you can get the book:

1. I will be taking orders online (I prefer to take them through e-mail or messages on facebook so I can really keep track of orders). For the most part I'll be doing meet ups and selling it "back pack"-style (pretty much the guerilla way AMPON sold the first album).

2. I will also be putting up the option of depositing cash into an account. Then, I will have the book delivered to the address you specify. The delivery charge would have to be shouldered by you though.

3. After the soft launch, approach me if you want a copy. I'll probably be carrying a few on me.

4. I will be having a series of launches/events to coincide with the release of the book. One of the majors ones is a tie-up with AMPON for Spoken herb on July 24 (tentatively set). I'll be doing a reading there and there will be several other acts (live visual art performances, musicians, poets, etc.).

If you have any comments or suggestions, I am very open to them. Just drop me a line on facebook or at rdacalos@gmail.com

I'll need a lot of help promoting. So I hope you can spread the word!

In connection to the release, this blog will be revamping and having more frequent posts (you can send people here too to know more about me).

The new schedule of posts is as follows:

"Daily Link Share". 'Cuz sharing is caring.
"Thursday Thought of the Week" - 'Cuz after a hump day, sometimes you just want to think.
"Saturday Seven" - 'Cuz a list of 11 would be copying and a list of 10 is way too much work.

This is just the set sched but I'll still be having my random posts here and there.

Gonna start this tomorrow. So I hope you keep on reading!

REVAMPING!!!!

2010-06-24T12:45:00.002+08:00

I'm planning to revamp D-liberate.

It has been a while since I've really been in the blogging mood but I feel that with the coming of my new book...

SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION!

... I felt it was important I started writing again.

So you can expect more frequent blog posts and a set schedule for releases.

More to come!

(and buy my book)

Why Nicanor Perlas has my vote for President (and why not the others)

2010-05-08T19:57:00.010+08:00

I haven't blogged in a while but the elections deserve some attention.

Why Nicanor Perlas has my vote for President (and why not the others)
by Richard W. Dacalos

“Wait… who?”

If you haven’t heard me rant or seen my video posts on Facebook, or maybe you just haven’t found the time to look over general overviews like the one made by CODENGO , you are probably asking this question. And it’s sad.

It’s two days away from May 10 and most people don’t know him.

I’m usually the type that keeps quiet during discussions of politics and religion. I prefer to hear people out and leave my opinions to myself if they conflict with others. I try to find middle ground so everybody is happy.

But when it comes to an issue I am adamant about, or I’ve just become too drunk too keep my mouth shut (I like to believe I’m writing this article because of the former rather than the latter), something must be said.

I am not as eloquent, refined or tactful as other writers might be so please bear with me. I mean no offense to anyone. (Except you, Manny Villar. Dude, you’re a douchebag.) So here I go (better late than never)…

(please check the links scattered through article)

The Black Swan of Filipino Politics

I could go into detail about Perlas’ profile and his qualifications in this article but you can read that on your own on his website and Probe does a pretty good job as well. And anyway, I will mention key points as I write.

Aside from having one of the most specific platforms, I’m not just voting Perlas, the person, the practical visionary, the scientist, the philosopher, the farmer, the former consultant for the Office of the President (not this administration), the rap music enthusiast (I could go on). I’m voting for what he stands for.

He stands for a shift into New Politics.

I’m tired of voting for the same old people in different clothing. And now, I don’t have to (or abstain) because we have a real alternative choice.

And when he makes promises of fighting things like corruption and poverty, building avenues for education and art, I believe he will follow through because he has been fighting and building almost his entire life (I will go more into this in later parts of the article). Because a man or woman doesn’t and can’t change from spots to stripes all in one election. (That goes for my candidate and all the others out there.)

A lot of people might say “You’re “wasting“ your vote” or “You’re insane”.

What’s wasted is when you vote for a candidate not because he’s a good candidate but because he’s “winnable”. What’s insane is voting the same kind of people over and over again expecting things to be different (as aptly put in this article).

I’m not voting for a lesser evil. I’m voting for another choice.

The Usual Judgments…

He has no experience.

True. He has never ran for the lower offices. And if he does become president this will be one of his weaknesses since he has no ties.

But this weakness is also a strength. In a fight against corruption, he owes no one but the Filipino people.

I truly believe he can handle the position. He seems competent and practical. He also seems like the type of person who won’t back down when he has to blow the whistle if people aren’t cooperating. He also seems like the type of person who will continue projects of the past administration if they really do help the Filipino people (he might change the people in charge though).

And his experience outside of government is a very good edge.

He has helped millions of Filipinos without being in government.

With much more limited resources than that of a President, he has managed to better the lives of farmers. And by being a major proponent in shutting down the Bataan power plant, he has bettered each of our lives (check out the probe video I posted earlier in the article, it was built on a fault line).

If you really look at his profile you can see his experience as a consultant to the government (all the way up to the Office of the President). You can see how he has already represented the Philippines in various different ways (UN, APEC, etc.). And has served this country and the cause of environmentalism in various degrees.

He’s also received various awards locally and internationally, including the Alternative Nobel Prize.

He’s up in the sky with his plans.

Here, I really have to disagree.

Being up in the sky, is saying you are against corruption and then leaving it general so that it’s up to a higher power.

If you read his platform, and listen to him speak, you know he means business.

His plan for corruption is grounded on civil society and creating watchdog organizations. Which is a very grounded idea, that not one man is the hope for our country but each and every one of us has to do their part.

His ideas on poverty make sense. 75% of those considered affected by poverty are farmers. And who better to know the problems related to those 75% than a farmer.

Not only has he been helping them for the past 40 years but has also through his foundations created opportunities for education and micro-finance.

He was also a major proponent for the Ramos’ governments plan for sustainable development (but he says it was not properly done because people tried to take shortcuts).

His 6 pillar platform is clear. You just have to read it.

He should have just ran for senator.

Sometimes I wonder this myself because he would have such a better chance in a senate race than in a presidential race.

But I agree with him when he says that the problem is not in our senators. It’s in the executive branch. We have good senators and good laws.

But when it comes to problems like corruption and poverty, we have to cut off the head of the snake, so the body dies. And that’s the executive branch.

Besides, he’s in this race to win and I’m with him till the end.

On a personal note…

On a personal level, he shares a lot of my views on issues.

He emphasizes the importance of art and culture in transforming society. And how the problems in our country are not just out there but deep-seated in the lack of development of the individual.

He also has the balls to say that Wowowee "feeds off the carcass of our decaying culture”. And emphasizes the need to assist and support alternative forms of entertainment that help develop a genuine creative culture.

And his idea to assist visionaries… He noticed that Filipinos have been receiving so many global awards but nothing has been done to help them. The 6th pillar of his platform is to find people like this and let the government assist them in these projects and ideas.

To drive my point further I think you should understand why I don’t really want to for the others.

Why I’m not voting for the other candidates…

Let’s go down from the usual suspects to the real candidates to the not so real candidates…

Noynoy
I’m not a praying man but…

“Dear God, please do something about his strange over whelming support. I just can’t stand him as president.”

Okay. He seems like he could have good intentions. But the road to hell is paved in good intentions.

Aside from that, he looks like a tool.

He doesn’t really have a proven track record, doesn’t seem like he has any specific plans to fight corruption, and despite using the color yellow he is not his father.

Let’s be fair to him, looking retarded doesn’t equate being retarded. But the fact he is not retarded doesn’t make up for his lack of competencies. He barely did anything as a senator.

The way he scoffed aside Hacienda Luisita in his assets video didn’t help his case either.

Villar
Reasons why he is a douche:
1. Questionable 1,287.54% increase of assets while in government.
2. Pathological Liar (look at his early campaign ads)
3. In relation to above, lies and uses the death of his brother to get votes.
4. There are so many more but it takes time to write an article like this and I don’t want to waste my time.

Gordon

He has experience and seems like a pretty good candidate. Aside from Gibo, I think he is one of the only 3 candidates people should vote for if they are making an educated, track record-based, platform-based vote.

And in his assets video , he shows his diligence in keeping records and proving where his money comes from.

But I can’t help but feel like he’s a DOM.

Sure, everyone has his or her character flaws. Winston Churchill was known for his drinks and cigars and the fact he wouldn’t hesitate to call a woman ugly if she called him a drunk.

But times have changed. The internet won’t let you get away with things like that.

C’mon… “Everybody loves dick.” And “Dick makes everybody happy.” Sounds like something a creepy tito would say not a President.

Gibo

Before I knew about Perlas, I actually was considering Gibo. He seems like a decent guy. He’s well educated and qualified. But there were some things that really disturbed me and really put me off the Gibo train.

One of the main things is that he is an administration bet. Well, we all know that… but it’s something I can’t get past.

This is the same administration that has turned a blind eye to journalist killings (last year 64 of the 100 recorded journalist killings since 1986 happen during this administration). The same administration that let massacres such as the Hacienda Luisita Massacre and Maguindanao Massacre happen.

Okay, okay. Let’s be fair. Gibo was calm under pressure and did his job with grace (as most people will say). He’s a good politician (in the traditional sense of the word). He has stayed with his party regardless of the flak it has gained him.

But I think a reason why anti-corruption doesn’t seem like a main focus of his campaign (though it is part of his platform) is because you can’t boast zero-tolerance when you’ve managed to be that near to GMA and tolerate her. Corruption is a major issue for me.

Sure, he has his own mind but he still has his administration ties. It can be a strength, I admit, when he needs to pass some bills. But when push comes to shove these ties and the necessity to please his party will at some point become a hindrance to real change.

Another thing that disturbed me was his asset video. There was a 189.93% increase in his assets in 2008. He explains this because of him admittedly being part of a rich family. This still doesn’t account for discrepancies in many of his declarations (including the things he didn’t declare).

You can afford a Jaguar and 2 Suburbans but you can’t hire someone to do a better job of putting your assets in order.

The aiplane “lent” by a supporter also reminds me of the problem of political favors.

As a public official things like this need to be taken into account. Some of his reactions in the video didn’t really give me any settling feelings either.

Erap

Cue laughtrack. I don’t even know why I have to give any reasons besides this one:

HE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF PLUNDER!

To be fair, Erap did a lot of good for San Juan. He laid the foundation and groundwork in building it into the city it is today.

But as a president he already showed his lack of competency.

He had his chance. “Give chance to others.”

Jamby

C’mon…

Anyone remember that old Jamby Jamby ad on TV, back when she was running for senator. (I tried to find a link for comedic effect but I think they tried to sweep that one under the rug.)

In general…

Let’s remember Ondoy. And when I say remember. Let’s really remember.

The floods caused by poor infrastructure, the lack of preparation and the garbage in our canals. (On a side note, Nicanor Perlas warned people about super-typhoons 3 years ago and was just brushed aside and called paranoid)

Sure we got together, united, and helped the victims. But come election period we turn a blind eye to the people posting a barrage of campaign materials that will later fill our canals when not properly disposed.

I understand you need campaign materials to get your name out, but hell, it has become overkill.

Aside from that, a lot of the posting done is illegal. How can you boast clean governance when your election is already dirty?

I’m tired of douchebagery.

I’m tired of candidates with empty promises.

I’m just tired…

I’m ready for change.

Come Monday, I hope you vote for it.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead

For other resources:

You should check his videos on Hotseat and NURockEd (youtube).