Umbrellas Ruined Inside a 7-Eleven

           My most memorable typhoon experience happened on June of 2008. Typhoon Frank –– the typhoon that caused our country over 4 billion pesos worth of damages –– was wreaking havoc in the Philippines. I was not injured or anything. But I could have been. And that thought scared me out of my mind and had me shaking for about a week afterwards.

            This was my first real typhoon experience. I’ve never actually to swim in chest-high water or anything like that. One of my most memorable experiences was during the Millenio Typhoon, where the santol tree in our garden fell down right before my eyes. No one was hurt. Another experience was when our air conditioner got struck by lightning and had burst into flames. Thank God we saw it before it could do any damage other than frying up our air conditioner.

            Anyway, the story when I woke up to raging winds–– and when I mean raging, I mean it’s like The Exorcist and Carrie combined. Open doors banged closed (loudly). Our glass windows were heavy, but the wind managed to get most shut (and they shut rather loudly, too) –– and moderate rain.

            My mother was in something of a dilemma. See, we don’t really use gas stoves. We had one, of course, but we prefer to use our electric stove, and that was used rarely. We had adopted a “take out or delivery for dinner” lifestyle, partly because of the fact that we were lazy and disliked washing dishes, so we didn’t really see the need to stock up on LPGs (we do now). Back to the story. That day, my mom couldn’t connect to most restaurants. We tried nearly everything that had delivery. McDonald’s, Jollibee, KFC, Kenny Rogers, Pizza Hut, etc. No one was picking up. To make matters worse, the power was out. Our freezer and refrigerator were already defrosting. We had no way to cook.

            Knowing this, of course, made me all the more hungry. (This was, apparently, a psychological thing.) The gruesome rumbling in my tummy made me crave a large, juicy burger. Preferably with melted cheese, lettuce, and really red tomatoes. And onion rings on the side. My mother was craving a Big Mac. I wanted to buy something from Brothers Burgers. So we decided to travel to Tomas Morato and see if McDonald’s and Brothers Burgers were open.

            Our house was really close to Tomas Morato, so we walked every time we had to go someplace there (why waste expensive gas?). We took two umbrellas, one for me and one for mom (big mistake). The wind was still pretty strong, but we thought we could handle it. It wasn’t raining that much, either.

            When we first stepped out of the house, what struck us first was how dark it was. It looked like an hour before sunrise, but it was nearly 11 o’clock in the morning. Then, as we went down the street, we remarked about how strange seeing our street so deserted. We were the only ones walking on the normally busy street, and there were no cars. Add in turbulent winds and erratic rain and you’ve got yourself a really spine chilling setting. We tried to make light of it, even humming the theme to The Twilight Zone. But I was really creeped out.

            We reached Tomas Morato and saw that almost every establishment was deserted. Again, there were hardly any cars in the street, and no people milling around. Our first human contact outside our house was the guard at Jollibee, who told us that the store was closed. Right across the street from Jollibee was Brothers Burgers and it was closed. We decided to try and see if McDonald’s was open, so we crossed the street again and kept walking. After just passing 7-Eleven, right in front of the Nokia store, the wind suddenly blew us away. I can’t even describe it, except to say that it was so strong, we were literally being dragged away by our umbrellas. My mother hung on to one of the parking posts, and I hung on to my mother. My arm was outstretched because I hadn’t let go of my umbrella yet. Needless to say, if a car happened to speed by us, I wouldn’t have my cherished arm today.

            When the wind calmed down, Mom hauled our asses inside the 7-Eleven, where a group of people were waiting for the rain to stop. Another stranger entered the store, soaking wet. And we all just waited there for the rain to stop, me shaking, my mom fussing over me, our umbrellas ruined.

            It was a really scary experience, but it made me realize how fortunate I am. All I have to say is I’m extremely lucky if that’s the most memorable thing that ever happened to me in a typhoon. I can’t even imagine the people who have lost their homes or worse, their loved ones.

Revisiting Rosing's Fury

The year 1995 noted an unusual cyclone trend in the western Pacific basin.The La Nina effect caused an increased draw of more strengthened storms.Hurrican “Angela” was one of the strongest storms to cause insurmountable damage to the Philippines. This storm was already packing wind speeds afar at about at least 1000 miles continuing to intensify at steady gains made extraordinary fear to embrace the public for awareness and abreast preparation as the storm headed toward Southern Luzon.  Before its forecast ground hit televised the storm was on its way culminating to steady wind peaks at least 250 km per hour at close range within the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The storm was first forecast to hit Catanduanes, then the Bicol Region, with its peak fury at landfall to be at least 285 km per hour. Danger lurked the whole Luzon Island.

Conscious of the storm the potential damage it may cause, I remember my uncles and I checking our roofs had enough strength to standthe winds. Our house in its fairly old structure stood many of the worst storms in the past, but survived. The bungalow type the house sports with a look is advantageous to stand through storms. It was lucky we had it. Without doubt I was confident we could weather the storm but prayers could only save. I was hoping for the best but expecting the worst then.

Catching the first glimpsethe widespread damage caused on Catanduanes,with the storm heading its way towards Metro Manila, the public realized the extensive damage that the storm could ravage to limits within the city. PAGASA forecasted a high pressure which developed on the northern portion of the Philippines preventing the storm to sheer its course northbound towardsJapan, as what the usual path is. Because of that,entrapped fear grew to its peak for the people of Metro Manila.

Winds on the onset of the storm upon its approach gave a hint feeling of its unbound strength. The storm finally hovered over Metro Manila. That night ravaging winds peaked at 240 km per hourgusting to 320 km per hour as it approached the city. The subduedfury incited a scary feeling. It was like the roofs were ready to uproot.

Tracking this new course, Rosing headed its way to Manila crossed a precisely horizontal, straight path, hitting its eye at bulls eye on Metro Manila. Its entry had sown a bruising hint. The winds seemed to permeate its fury through the walls. This incited me to cover myself and an infusing window view with twisting trees as the winds blew them at sheer angles as if in real time and close range.Because of this grueling feeling and the outstanding uncertainities ahead of time compounded my senses that I wish then the time could pass quicker to get the storm over. The wind direction viewing from window at an extremely slim peep surmounted a clue what could have been much worst at full view. Since the time frame seems to dispose a longer range with the storm at a slower move than imagined, I forcibly came under my blankets, covered myself so thoroughlyout of the scare as I could not stand the wind strength causing tranches of the wind to sip through the windows and door peepholes. After prayerful moments for hours, I realized the storm had slowed down its strength and could bear now to hear the winds with bear ears.

After realizing through the news the damage extentcosted so insurmountable, I contemplated with wishful thinking no storms would come way to the Philippines ever again. But this was impossible. The Philippines is a geographical destination where its strategic location paved a path for the cyclones to come into and develop into a herculean monster upon arrival.  Truly from religious views, prayers are so powerful if we heed to divine power in similar moments when the danger is beyond human strength for recovery. This proved just like from the same approach I did on the recent storm which was threatening upon entry and suddenly changed course upon close range where the storm was about to hit landfall. Over time, the generated hurricanes out of landfall on the Philippines generate insurmountable strength of rainfall. This gave me a an added anxiety when a strong downpour situates. Just like in the United States, in which hurricane “Katrina” battered with insurmountable strength and effect causing a total wipeout of the Gulf Region, could compare no other than we experience here with typhoons on a periodic basis. I can say the Philippines is still lucky except the impact “Ondoy” caused.by human negligence to the environment. Our people can weather the strength of the storm and the floods it may cause at escalating trends with heightened water levels if we shift our attention to environmental welfare.  That way an adverse impact can be mitigated.

100 Days to Heaven (Reconciliation Among Brothers)

     The May 26^th & 27^th episodes of 100 Days to Heaven should teach us forgiveness as written in Matthew 18: 21, “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." And Luke 17:3, “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins against you rebuke him and if he repents forgive him.”

      On this recent episode of 100 Days to Heaven, they focused on reconciliation among brothers. Young Anna Manalastas (Xyriel Manabat) is still uneasy pondering about her past life when she created a conflict against brothers. Her treacherous plan was to make Roel and Jojo Villanueva fight each other through betrayal of trust when she set up a meeting with Jojo, telling him to resign from his position in her own office.  But she also called Roel to set up for another meeting that he would see his brother Jojo so that he may think that he is betraying his own company for a price, and she succeeded this time. Now her mission is reconciliation among brothers. With the help of Sophia who concluded that her mission was to have Roel and Jojo see their father reconciled before he died.

      Sophia’s plan was to call both brothers to handle a Singaporean account.  Basically her plan was a proposal of reconciliation of both Jojo and Roel.  And so they met, and they were both shocked that it was not a new Singaporean account but a for them to meet. And so as usual both brothers almost walked out from the meeting until young Anna prevented them telling that they should reconcile for the sake of their father who is sick and dying and that both brothers are needed by their father if they want his immediate relief. Both brothers thought that the plan was crazy, to think that it was enunciated by a child.

      Unbelievably both brothers have both agreed that they will pretend to reconcile only in front of their sick father who was on a hospital during those times, and nothing more.

      Anna Manalastas chastised them on how can they can say such a thing to a dying man without the feeling of guilt in their hearts. Sophia again concluded that Anna should have the heart to tell the truth. And so both brothers have shown respect on each other in front of their dying father.  When Jojo talked personally, the old man told him that during his younger years, he was the one who was sickly.  When their mother died, he made a promise that he will take care of them. That’s the reason why both brothers have not grown closer than they should be. There is some gap of jealousy and longing in the heart of Roel.  However, the old man says he is both proud of his sons.

      The old man talked personally to Anna and thanked her for the help she has given him for the reconciliation among his sons.  He couldn’t thank her enough. The old have long fought for his sickness because of his two sons and now that he finally found that his sons are back again as brothers and treat each other’s such, he can die happily. Young Anna upon hearing those words was alarmed but relief, reminding the old man to not worry about death for she has seen heaven and he should be there for he is a good man.  The old man can’t help but to laugh to a young girl of seven years of age talking about heaven.

      Anna thought that her mission is accomplished but Sophia told her that it wasn’t since both brothers were just pretending in front of their dying father and nothing more, but Anna still insists that she is indeed successful since the old man thought that his two sons has reconciled.

      Anna continuously thought that the only thing she has to worry about is the Singaporean account she has promised to Roel and Jojo. It was during those times when the nurse was yelling that Mr. Villanueva, the old man, was experiencing a major problem in breathing and that the old man is dying. The old man was dead when both brothers have arrived. Young Anna pretended to feel that she is successful in her mission since the man has gotten his last wish of reconciliation among brothers and that he died contented when he saw his sons back with respect among each other.

            

     

                 

Condoms with Prescriptions: An Ordinance Too Aggressive for a Barangay

May

28

If I may give a personal observation and opinion regarding the Anti-Condom Ordinance of Ayala Alabang, a barangay under the city of Muntinlupa, I would say that it is short of being a funny stuff.  Funny, in the sense that it is obviously hurriedly done considering that even minor issues in connection to it were overlooked.  Whoever thought of it in the first place, or even helped in making it an ordinance, looked like didn’t do his homework well enough. It is such a broad issue, as broad as the Reproductive Health Bill itself which even until now is still pending in the Congress and remains to be the subject of debate among lawmakers and the Catholic Church.

The ordinance is a slap to many of the affluent constituents in this posh barangay seeing it as curtailment of their freedom and a violation to their privacy. Furthermore, the issue is really a national in scope that needs the collaboration of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Food and Drugs Administration (BFAD).  A barangay such as Ayala Alabang is too aggressive, bold and arrogant as to form an ordinance as equally aggressive as Anti-Condom is such a short period of time.  They cannot be more authoritative than the World Health Organization (WHO) itself on this matter. Nor to BFAD that cited the safety and efficacy of contraceptive contrary to their defense of the ordinance that it is not. They met their match in the persons of their own affluent, educated and more popular populace.  It’s no small wonder why.  Even their own local government unit, the Muntinlupa City government want the said ordinance totally scrapped on the ground of it being unconstitutional.

Personally too, I find the ordinance really out of context. The barangay council could have chosen another ordinance that fits to their level.  From all I see it, it is such an ambitious effort on their part to touch a subject which has been quite an untouchable a topic in fact for too long a time now.  Let’s face it, for the longest time now; the subject remains untouchable until only lately when the subject resurfaced by way of the RHbill because it is as sensitive as can be that causes separation of giants, the state and the church.

As in the case of the issue against the RHbill, the ordinance poses an invasion to the private and personal lives of couples as the issue of family planning which includes the use of condoms and/or other forms of contraceptive is always a matter of choice and thus, the use of it or otherwise should always be entirely on the prerogative of the person involved.  The implementation of this ordinance clearly infringes human rights. To suggest pro-contraceptiveness as pro-death and those against it as pro-life is an arrant nonsense.  When in fact, pro-contraceptiveness is about quality of life and responsible parenthood.  In the first place, what in the world is the difference between say natural method as withdrawal and contraceptive to justify the latter as killing or aborting life. What is the difference of these two methods of preventing the mating of the sperm and egg while in the throes of the most satisfying activity here on earth?

At some point, I choose to give the Barangay Council of Ayala Alabang the benefit of doubt.  Perhaps, they see the need and urgency to have this ordinance applied to their own community, who knows.  Maybe someone so respectable has to be pleased with this ordinance. Well, just maybe. For all its lapses and obvious unconstitutionality, I laud them for their effort in promoting the sanctity of life if that alone is worth their efforts.  Just the same, sans the ordinance, they can be encouraged to continue exalting the benefits of natural Family Planning in various sectors of the barangay to which they belong without infringing to the right of other individual who may hold a different view and choose to access to the other forms of family planning methods which are otherwise authorized by law.

Meanwhile, the saga continues.  The Barangay Council of Ayala Alabang does not bend to its critics as it continuously claims that the ordinance is constitutional and even challenged to court those who see it otherwise.  As an observer from outside, I can only expect the expected.

A Commuter's Agony in the Streets of Manila

     I’m a resident of Manila for 31 years now and my experiences as a commuter varies from one ugly encounter to the other.  These experiences could be enough reasons to change location to a more friendly and comfortable zone considering that I am not at all born and raised here.  For one reason or another, I stick it here, trading it to a more comfortable life in the south where I grew up.

     In my years in this city, I tried varied transport this metropolis offers. LRT, bus, jeepney, etc.  Each experience has its sad story to tell. For instance, my regular ride of my after-office Wednesday devotion in a Baclaran church in the ‘80s was the LRT.  Every ride is a chaotic experience wherein I had to huddle to get a minute space to be  in a rush hour  as this.  I remember an instance wherein in the thick of things, I did able to squeeze in as the door closed but my shoulder bag did not. The handle was in my shoulder while the bag was tucked outside.  Such a silly scene until the train halted in the next station.  Riding in an LRT on a rush hour and on a rush day is as horrible as horrible can be.  Here you are, all made up as you get inside only to be messed up upon you alight from the jam-packed train.

     Commuting on a jeepney is another story altogether. Bag slashers, hold uppers, snatchers are typical here depending on the route. Bag slashers abound along Taft Avenue any time of the day. I have experienced my bag being slashed in two successive days in a row, the third day I saw the slasher doing it to another passenger as I watched in silence. In the next succeeding days, the scene became a normal sight already. It occurred to me that these people are actually doing this on a daily basis as their means of livelihood.  People with decent jobs wake up early, leave their homes; ride in a jeep to bring them to work.  Criminals are no different. They too wake up early, leave their homes and go to work earning by taking other people’s money.

     Snatchers on the other hand abound along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao and work in twos.  They work outside the vehicle while the jeep halts during a red light. One partner checks on the other side of the jeep to see which passenger wears a necklace and signals the other for the possible victim, the latter makes the necessary action from the back of the passenger.

     Holduppers, on the other hand, work in fours and if one was a victim of the crime already like me, it’s easier for me to spot them once they appear in disguise.  If you happen to see clean-looking foursome males entering a jeep for a ride with you among the passengers with one finds a seat at the rear side, two in the middle and another at the back of the driver, beware. Chances are they are the same breed of people who hold us up during a jeepney ride from Cubao to Cainta.  And because one goes home from a day’s work and thus, sleepy and tired, you will be jolted by a shout of a hold-up and the sight of guns. Then, they would order everyone to put the wallets and jewelries to a bag which they circulate around the passengers.  Then off went our treasures.

     Another commuter’s dilemma is the thieves who work in twos disguising as passengers in a jeepney. One sits beside his victim, the other in front of him to keep watch. You will just realize there was a victim when these two suddenly ordered the driver to halt and off they went in a hurry.  I have been a victim of this incident twice. Same route, same hour of the day, same criminal.

      On a bus on my way to work one day, I put on my Rayban sunglasses and fell half asleep and I was in that position where my head tilted to the window of the unairconditioned bus. Suddenly, I was jolted by a hand grabbing my shades from outside and  saw a riding tandem in a motorcycle, one driving it, the other holding what  my sunglasses.

As far as being a victim of  stealing crime inside a public transport as a commuter, I think I am a pro.

                  

Big Deal on the RH Bill

     I am a devoted Roman Catholic and I am for the Philippine’s Reproduction Health Bill more popularly known as the RHbill.  I believe in my heart that one can be both a good Catholic Christian while promoting family planning.  In my opinion, one cannot be regarded as unchristian just because of a certain choice that one he/she undertakes to improve the quality of life.  I choose to side for the bill because of how obviously population explosion contributes largely to poverty among Filipinos.  Poverty could become a breeding ground for anything evil.

     Consider this, when an average family has more than enough children than the breadwinner can afford to feed, the most next likely thing to happen is hunger, illiteracy and the worst, crime.  Let’s face it, every family has its own capability to raise a family depending on its financial capacity. Such that what is true to one family, may not hold true to the other. One family may be able to raise four children while another can only be able to raise only two depending on the situation. Raising children does not only limit to putting food on the table. It goes beyond as giving time and resources to raise him well as giving him a decent shelter provide for his/her education and giving him a quality time so, the children grow to be responsible and upright productive adults.

     Reproductive health bill is about reproductive care which ensures the complete well-being of the reproductive system from its functions down to its processes. Our body is not a manufacturing machine where babies come and go. Though one goal of building a family through marriage is to pro- create, the bill helps to ensure that  married couple have the freedom to decide when and how often to do so as long as they have done nothing against the law. RH bill specifically does not support abortion and that doing so remains a crime punishable by law.

     Likewise, worth commendable to the RHbill is the birthing services to solve maternal deaths whose proponents covers a wide range of concerns related to mothers who are in fact seems to be the most to benefit from the bill.  It covers the following: a)Information and access to natural and modern form of family planning; b)Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition; c) Promotion of breast feeding; d) Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications; e) Adolescent and youth health; f)Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections, HIV/AIDS and STDs; g)Elimination of violence against women; h) Counseling on sexuality and sexual reproduction health; I) Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers; j) Male involvement and participation in RH; k) Prevention and treatment of infertility and; l)RH education for the youth.  It is sad to know how many maternal deaths in the past could have been prevented had more Filipino women have access to reproductive health care and information. It’s quite alarming that 32% maternal deaths could have been reduced or altogether prevented had family planning been observed as 11 maternal deaths occurs daily in the Philippines while giving birth.

     As a mother of two boys ages 11 and 12, I wouldn’t mind my kids getting proper sexual education in school than them getting them from their peers who might give them the wrong information.  Come to think of it, what is taboo in the olden days cannot anymore be applied in this changing world. Children are naturally inquisitive, so much so, that rather than them asking questions relating to sex and sexuality from persons not in authority, might as well tell or educate them in a manner appropriate to their age.

     The passing of the RHbill continues to be the center of so many debates. Philippines is a free country, so, the argument continues as long as it lasts.  Meanwhile, I will continue to support the bill as I have personally witness from my own community how a once otherwise healthy woman turned into a living cadaver of a slave by an irresponsible jobless husband who got her pregnant successively one year after the other.

     The same holds true with another community couple who seems to enjoy bearing children inspite of poverty and witnessing and not minding their children grow up lacking even the basic manners that eventually make them a menace to society.

The Reproductive Health Bill is about responsible parenthood.

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Magayon Festival: A Fiesta that Originated from a Tragic Love Affair

     The Mayon Volcano in the province of Albay in the Bicol Region is a famous tourist landmark in the Philippines and is the most active volcano in the country, with over 50 eruptions in the past 400 years. The 2,463-meter high Mayon is a classified as a composite volcano whose symmetric cone came about from alternate pyroclastic and  lava flows. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire of volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean and is a nominee in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition.[1]

     The Magayon Festival is a reliving of the folk legend of Mayon Volcano that is held annually in Albay in May. According to folklore, Mayon rose from the grave of Daragang Magayon, literally meaning beautiful maiden, a beautiful princess named Magayon who was in love with Panganoron but was forced into a wedding with the spurned suitor, Paratuga. When Pangaronon appeared during the ceremony, Magayon rushed towards him but was killed, and so was Panganoron when he lifted her body. The lovers were buried together with all her possessions including the wedding gifts, and the burial mound continuously rose over time and eventually transformed into the volcano.[2]

     People from the province believe that the spirit of Paratuga causes the occasional eruption of the volcano, which is due to his desire to exhume Magayon’s grave and force out all of the precious metals and stones that was given to her as wedding gifts.  On the other hand, the spirit of Panganoron is seen as wandering  above the volcano’s peak in the form of clouds, that usually disperse into raindrops as if grieving for the death of the loved one, and also keeping the vegetation on the volcano’s slopes fresh all the year round.[3]

     The Magayon Festival is a feast with its own identity that celebrates life and its abundance and blessings, and blends Catholic beliefs with traditional ways of living in Albay. Activities lined up for the event typically include cultural showcases, trade fairs, travel and tourism exhibits and sports contests. A regional cooking competition, with categories for students, homemakers and professional chefs and focusing on creative dishes that use native Bicol produce like coconut, pili and hot pepper, is held on May 13-15. The festivities also feature a Mayon Marathon, an eco-camp activity at Mayon Volcano National Park for the youth, and a hiking activity for young people with the Bicol Federation of Mountaineers to make them aware of the environment. Songwriting and chorale competitions and the Search for Mutya ng Magayon and the Mr & Ms Bikini Summit also take place. The Magayon festival promotes tourism in Albay, which also has fine beaches, diving and snorkeling locations, historical Spanish-era churches and sites and ancestral houses.[4]

     The 15^th Magayon Festival was held in Legazpi City, Albay in April 2011 and was led by Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda and the Department of Tourism Region V. The majestic Mayon Volcano served as the postcard-perfect backdrop anywhere one turns to in Legazpi City, and one is filled with awe when such a presence of belligerence and beauty is viewed for the first time.[5]

     Gov. Salceda opened the festival on April 1 at the Penaranda Park, which had the Silyab sa Magayon” fireworks display and the “Concierto sa Magayon” concert with comic host Ate Shawie and the 6 Cycle Mind band. The Mutya ng Magayon pageant night, the 9^th Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals Showdown and the 2011 Magayon Mr. & Ms. Bikini Fashionista attracted huge crowds.[6]

     Senator  Antonio Trillanes visited his hometown in Albay in time for the month-long festival and also consulted with local officials and his constituents. This is the senator’s first visit to Bicolandia since coming out from detention in December 2010, where he spoke at the cultural celebration and led the Samahang Magdalo convention in Legazpi City, which had at least 15 chapters from the region.[7]

---

[1] “Mayon Volcano”, WikiPilipinas, 4 March 2010, <http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Mount_Mayon> [accessed 26 May 2011]

[2] “Magayon Festival 2011: Rediscovering Albay” Pinoy on Board, 2011,

<http://www.pinoyonboard.com/english/127-magayon-festival-2011-rediscovering-albay> 

[accessed 26 May 2011]

[3] Anastacio C. Canciller, “The Legend of Mount Mayon”, Magayon Festival 2010, 13 September 2007, <http://magayonfestival.albay.gov.ph/legend%20of%20mt%20mayon.html>  [accessed 26 May 2011]

[4] “Magayon Festival – A Celebration of Life and Its Abundance of Blessings”, PhilippineFiestas.com,

23 June 2009, <http://www.philippinefiestas.com/tag/magayon-festival/>  [accessed 26 May 2011]

[5] Reinerio A. Alba, “Magayon Festival” mb.com.ph, 22 May 2011,

<http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/319342/magayon-festival>  [accessed 26 May 2011]

[6] ibid

[7] “Trillanes Graces 15^th Magayon Festival”, Senate of the Philippines, 1 April 2011, <http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2011/0401_trillanes1.asp>  [accessed 26 May 2011]

100 Days to Heaven and Its Characters

      Today we are going to look at the characters of this teleserye and how they manifest to teach us morally. From the title alone, this teleserye has values formation much more about their characters; Take a look at the characters mentioned below and find out if you can relate to their personalities. Their individual characters mean so much and teach so much that it may simply be designed to teach us the meaning of life.

     Anna Manalastas (Connie Reyes) – A strict businesswoman who doesn’t care about anyone but only herself.  She grew up lonely and isolated and was taught by her father to never care about other people, something she has carried on till her death. Upon reaching heaven, she compromises with the gatekeeper and asks the gatekeeper that she be allowed to live again rather than to go to hell. She was given an opportunity to go back to her past life and correct all the mistakes she has done in the past. This has taught me to correct my mistakes while I'm still alvie, since we have all the opportunity to do good to people while we are still alive.  

     Young Anna Manalastas (Xyriel Manabat) – Lovable, clever, young lass who plays the role of an intelligent girl who has the mission to make a difference on anyone whom she had done wrong in the past. She must visit all the people she has made mistakes with and correct her mistakes for only 100 days or go to hell. This teaches us that life is short so we have to use it to the fullest or have regrets in our life when we grow old.  A dream that is not fulfilled will haunt you forever.

     Sophia (Jody Sta. Maria) - Another promising young lady whose job is to deceive people. Sophia never really wanted to do it but she was forced to do so because of her sick brother who needs medicine to survive. Deep inside she is a kind, warm-hearted lady who wants to change. This teaches us the ability to change no matter what situation we are into.  That life is a choice between good and evil. What will you choose?

     Kevin (Louise Abuel) – A young innocent boy who is sickly but kindhearted and understanding. A good boy who loves his family above all.  He is the friend of the young Anna Manalastas. He is the one who will teach Anna the simplicity of life being a child.  He depicts the reality of life is in the hands of a child. They are the one who own the world because of their honesty and innocence. It is only in the eyes of a child that we can see real happiness without limits. Learn to love them and you can see life.

     Mang Andres (Joel Torre) – The father of Kevin and Sophia who never stopped teaching their children about good character, Godliness and morality in spite of his impairment. Mang Andres sells rags on the streets to earn a living but he has lived decently living in modesty and poverty despite being a limp man. The real image of a father who will never give up for the love of her family and will always be dependable up to the last beat of his heart.   

     Bobby (Dominic Ochoa) – A greedy man who wants to get the possession of the toy company of Anna Manalastas in any way he could just to prove his worth to his family. He is greedy in business but a kind brother and a loving husband. He will do all things just to get the company even to push his brother to follow his will no matter what happens. Greed is another thing that makes a person weak although he looks strong in front of people but he will always be alone in reality because nobody wants to live with a greedy people. This is a kind of person who can never rest peacefully and can never find a true friend but more of an enemy.  

     Bart (Rafael Rosell) – The brother of Bobby who always follows him no matter what his brother says. Bart lived in a shadow of his brother forever although he knows he feels empty deep inside and wants to find his own personality. These people have low self esteem and hard to improve, weak in spirit and easy to discourage. This is a kind of person who needs more than sympathy but real love.

      There are many characters in this teleserye that definitely will teach you the real meaning of life and its lessons that you can keep in your heart to be strong. I really love this show. I hope you do too!

Migratory Birds in Lake Mainit

Hot Springs and Cold Springs

            Lake Mainit is a pear-shaped body of inland freshwater that covers the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte in eastern Mindanao. I don’t know how the lake got its moniker, “mainit” meaning “hot or warm” in English. But there are hot springs in the area much as there are cold springs. So it could probably come from the former. I waded and tested the temperature but it could not account for its name.

            It is the deepest and clearest lake in the country and the fourth largest lake coming in after Laguna Lake, Lanao Lake and Taal Lake. There are 28 creeks and rivers that flow into the lake but only one outlet drains the water into the sea, the Calinawan River. That explains why the area is constantly flooded during continuous and heavy rains.

Jabonga, Agusan del Norte

            We accessed Lake Mainit in a remote and quiet town of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte. We pitched our tent on a grassy lawn and bought food from the nearby market to sustain our nourishment. We chose Jabonga for its favorable access to the lake and for its relatively richer biodiversity. We were there basically for an ecological observation but behaved like tourist/amateur scientists with our notebooks and pens and measuring equipments and of course our cameras.

Boating and Migratory Birds

            We rented a boat to explore and observe the area. We started from the shorelines of Jabonga and circumnavigated half the lake following the curve of the shoreline. The water is clear reflecting the state of the skies from above. Large as it is, it gives a feeling that one is boating on an open sea rather than an inland body of water.

            Offshore, the waters are lined with hyacinths and lilies which give a festive mood of purplish colors in an otherwise serene body of water.  There were cliffs bordering the water and the hills, which are always beautiful and mystifying with or without the water. The boating took us around the lake for the purpose of not only a sightseeing adventure but to make an inventory of migratory birds. There are migratory birds in the area coming from Japan and New Zealand, explained our ecology professor. They migrate to the lake during winters and of course they should because they are a welcome sight to behold. They float on the lake like a huge bed of white and a spectrum of colors, the site of which is a pleasant surprise for the uninitiated.  

            When our boat comes buzzing along they fly away to a more private and quite part of the lake and would want to be bothered. We did that over again, disturbing the birds, taking pictures, taking notes of their colors and shapes and sizes and beaks as they flutter in throngs and pick a more private site to float themselves in the warm water. The birds avoid the winter chills in their country of origin by taking comfort in the warmth of our country in the bossom of Lake Mainit. That is the best thing to see in Lake Mainit, the migratory birds.

Endemic Birds and Animals

            The biodiversity in the area is interesting. In the afternoon we hear a cacophony of birds singing including distinct cackling of kingfishers and at night the hooting of the owls. The owls and the kingfishers are unique species that are endemic to the area. There are other birds that can be found around the lake and which are only endemic in Mindanao much as there are monkeys and wild pigs and unique species of trees.

Falls

            From the lake we diverted our attention to inventory the trees. There were huge trees that have fallen and uprooted due to the recent flooding. When the rains are continuous communities ashore are flooded with a great amount of water that cannot flow out of the basin due to a single and minimal outlet – the Calinawan River. But while we were surveying the surroundings we were distracted by a gentle humming of water and found ourselves staring on a tiny falls. That was a welcoming treat to a long and tiring walk.

 Rainbows

            The day that we left we were treated again with a natural spectacle. The plenty of moisture in the area coupled with a little bit of sunshine produced a beautiful play of rainbows that looks like it has sprang off our feet. It was the time of the day when the rain has subsided and the sun started to emerge. We left the place on that very day fulfilled as amateur scientists and happy and satiated like tourists.

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Wage Increase without Productivity Increase will lead to Unemployment Increase

     The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines’ (TUCP) demand for a 75 pesos daily salary increase in 2011was met with a counter proposal of 25 pesos increase for Metro  Manila workers by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and an offer of 13 pesos hike  by employers. According to the TUCP, Metro Manila workers need the demanded amount to cope with the rising cost of prime commodities, but may consider lowering their demand to 45 pesos. According to the BSP, a wage adjustment higher than 25 pesos will lead to inflation. According to employers, a wage adjustment as demanded might force companies to lay off employees, reduce working hours or simply shut down.[1]

     The Employees Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) assert that the 75 pesos hike will stop employment creation and will only benefit full time employees, which is 16 percent of the population. According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), fixing the minimum wage aims both to protect the low-income workers’ purchasing power and to preserve existing jobs. A balance must be determined between giving workers a decent standard of living and ensuring that the economy can sustain wage adjustments and viability of businesses, particularly of small and medium-scale entrepreneurships.[2]

     Population growth and migration, and economic size and growth determine labor supply and demand, while market-determined or equilibrium wage and government-mandated minimum wage are the two types of wages. The three main schools of thought on why wages are viewed this way are as follows:[3]

     Wage is determined by the cost of living of a family, with the minimum wage set by government at what a family of five would need per day or per month. This depresses the dynamism of the labor market because even the most unskilled workers will have to receive the same wage, resulting in their not being hired by businesses. Employers may choose to hire only single people or those without children, so the reason of family needs cannot be applied in wage hike negotiations.

     Wage is determined by the rate of inflation or the price of commodities. The latter cannot be used to justify wage hikes because the inflation rate can increase for various reasons such as the high interest rates placed on government borrowing to finance the budget deficit, economic losses due to natural disasters and world oil price increases. If wages are increased in such conditions without a corresponding increase in productivity, many businesses may be forced to reduce working hours, stop hiring or lay off workers to remain viable, or just close shop.

     Wage is determined by workers’ skills and productivity, which means that regardless of the workers’ having families or not or a rise in the inflation rate, wages cannot be increased if productivity has not increased. Otherwise, businesses cannot remain viable and unemployment and poverty will rise, due to the labor supply being higher  than labor demand in the country because of its fast population growth.

     Labor laws that overly benefit workers in the capitalist business landscape are rooted in the socialist point of view, with the argument that since workers do not own means of production, the state must protect them. Such rigid laws include high minimum wages for all workers, security of tenure, various types of leaves from work and extensive retirement benefits.[4] These result in companies favoring contractualization of most  of  their labor needs to ensure that productivity gained is equal to the payment given.

Private businesses cannot operate like the services in government, where security of employment also leads to job complacency, because they are commercial undertakings facing constant risks and only hire workers who are self-driven and willing to accept that their wages depend on their productivity in the company. In other words, workers must view themselves not as being entitled to wage adjustments every time their family needs are affected, but more as business persons who must do their part in sustaining and increasing productivity in their companies.

---

[1] “TUCP Rejects 25 Pesos Wage Increase for Metro Workers” Trade Union Congress of the Philippines,

5 May 2011, <http://www.tucp.org.ph/news/index.php/2011/05/tucp-rejects-p25-wage-increase-for-metro-workers/>  [accessed 26 May 2011]

[2] “Employers Not Keen with 75 pesos Wage Increase”, JobOpenings.ph, 2011, <http://www.jobopenings.ph/article_item-319/Employers_Not_Keen_with_P75_Wage_Increase.html>

[accessed 26 May 2011]

[3] Bienvenido Oplas, Jr., “What Determines Wage?”, pdf, July 2006, <http://www.minimalgovernment.net/media/fm_200607.pdf>  [accessed 27 May 2011]

[4] ibid