Ang Aking 'Manok'

The Chook-minder's Quill seriously supports

My Lessons for Today

Since yesterday, at work and at home, I’ve been wearing my yellow shirt... just like many other Filipinos across the globe, I have also been expressing my gratitude and giving honour to the late Pres. Corazon Cojuangco Aquino—the global icon of democracy.

Thanks to the modern technology, even if I’m thousands of miles away, oceans apart, from the Philippines, I was able to watch the live coverage of the memorial services in honour of the first woman Philippine president who, I believe, served and loved the Filipinos selflessly. The coverage, updates and news during her late husband’s cortege 26 years ago, they say, were not as intricate as how it is now. With this, I say, thanks to democracy and to the freedom of the press!

Honestly, I never expected to see the outpouring of love from a very big crowd—rain or shine; daytime or night-time—who wore or had yellow ornaments with them, tirelessly lining along the streets while repetitively chanting the heroine’s name, throwing yellow confetti, releasing balloons and freeing doves when the remains of the late Philippine president were passing in front of them. I have never expected because in the past months or even years, it seemed that the essence of liberty in the country—which Tito Ninoy, and Tita Cory together with the thousands of unsung heroes and heroines of EDSA I have fought for—has already been set aside; and was once considered irrelevant and immaterial.

For me, Pres. Aquino’s passing does not only mean that her meaningful life and her battle against her painful illness have ended. Her death has also reinvigorated the spirit of People Power back to life. ...it has reminded both the older and the younger generations that Philippine democracy should be cherished and upheld at all times.

Her sickness and death have, obviously, regenerated faith, peace and unity to the Filipino people, as well. The series of novena prayers and healing masses held all over the Philippines and in other parts of the world, the rapid spreading and posting of the images of that meaningful yellow ribbon in the web and on the prints, as well as the yellow ribbons tied, the gold-coloured banners, flowers and balloons swarming along the streets in every Filipino community have reminded me that Filipinos can always unite and work as one for a brighter and progressive Philippines.

In my very humble views, the personal appearance of the Marcoses, and Arroyo with her cabinet members in the wake of the former Pres. Aquino to express their sympathy to the bereaved family was an indication that even ‘after life’, the 'power' of Tita Cory is still working in a very mysterious way! Mysterious as it may seem, but as a Filipino, I am very happy to see that the ‘pillars’ of my nation—who have different political beliefs and separated by undeniable animosity—could possibly reconcile and eventually lead as one towards the common good of my beloved country. Perhaps, Tita Cory—having that very strong religious devotion while she was still alive, reminds her children, as well as every Filipino whom she also considered her child or grandchild that loving an enemy is still one of the greatest virtues in life.

The speeches said during the necrological service have summarized and revealed the kindness and humility of Corazon Aquino as a friend, a leader, a sister and a mother. But the funeral rite, especially the words of Mrs. Aquino’s youngest daughter, had not just highlighted Mrs. Aquino as a loving and caring mother but it has also reminded me of the value of loving and honouring my own mother while both of us are still together in this world.

To exist during the time of Ninoy and Cory, for me, is the same as being alive during the days of Andres and Pepe; and I consider myself lucky because of this!

As the remains of Pres. Aquino were laid beside her husband’s tomb, tears had flooded not only in Manila Memorial Park but also inside the caravan in number 22 Pareora Rd. in the township of Port Wakefield, South Australia. ...but I believe that her stories of nobility have never been buried with her inside that mausoleum, but instead engraved in the heart and embedded in the mind of every Filipino who loves her so much! I wish that the Aquino couple’s very meaningful life and death, as well as their heroism will continue to live within me so I can proudly share its important lessons to the coming generations.

The late Pres. Aquino’s gift to us—our country’s freedom from the decades of corruption and dictatorship is the living and the most precious legacy she has ever given to me and to every Filipino. Today, August 5, 2009... I have been feeling homesick again! How I wish I’m in the Philippines to be physically present along the streets of Metro Manila as the new chapter of the Philippine history unfolds! Today, I am glad and very proud of being a Filipino!



***photos from the The Filipino Channel

I would like to thank all my friends in the blogosphere who voted for my article ‘The Keynote...’- an official entry to the 2009 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards.

Mabuhay ang PEBA!

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'..turned yellow'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Flag

A woman who has disproved that 'yellow' is for cowardice, instead for bravery!

A woman who had overthrown dictatorship... and restored democracy.

A woman who has showed that authority is synonymous to humility.

A woman who, up to her sickbed and down to her grave, has brought faith and unity!

A mother, a president, a heroine with religious piety...

Maria Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino

(January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009)

CCAquino's photo from http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb005812.htm



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My post about Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr. here...


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The Keynote...

"Filipinos Abroad: Hope of the Nation, Gift to the World"

This is an official entry to the 2009 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards (PEBA).

Ang Panauhing Pandangal (ang panimula...)

Ngayong nasa entablado na ang espesyal na panauhin, nahahalatang medyo kulang siya sa tangkad! ...at kahit na sa malayo halatang-halata ang malaking nunal nito sa kanyang kaliwang pisngi, pati ang dalawang ngipin n'ya sa harapang medyo may kalakihan.

Hindi pa niya naibuka ang kanyang bibig para simulan ang kanyang maikling pananalita ay nagpalakpakan na ang madla!

Nagbago ang kulay ng ilaw sa loob ng pavilion, bahagyang dumilim ang silid ngunit may isang liwanag na nakatutok sa magsasalita... Narito ang kabuuan ng kanyang talumpati:

Good evening ladies and gentlemen!

It is, indeed, a great honour and privilege for me to be invited by the powerful men and women behind the Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, Inc. to speak for tonight’s PEBA Awarding Ceremony. Despite the cool Christmas breeze outside which has been brought by the amihan winds from the freezing temperature of the northern hemisphere, we seem to be sharing the same season with our KaBlogs Down Under because our attendance tonight shows the warmth of harmony and solidarity between us—and this is already an initial indication of this evening's success!

With Kenji creating this award-giving body for the Global Filipino bloggers in 2008; and with Nereus Jethro spearheading the group this 2009, I- together with our friends from OWWA, POEA and TESDA with their mother agency DOLE, and the DFA whose representatives are also here with us this evening—were greatly convinced that every Filipino blogger interspersed around the globe has been given the great power to influence every world-wide-web-reader through their writings. I am sure that as you- the supporters of PEBA- take the responsibility to write in your blog, you do not just simply become the hope of our country, but also the pride and inspiration of our beloved nation.

Currently, there are eleven million Filipinos living outside the country. The count includes all of you who venture overseas as temporary workers, expatriates, as well as those in the academe- which comprise 11% of the total population of the Philippines. I understand every story of every Global Filipino, like you...

...if we could only collect every teardrop, measure the loneliness, or even quantify the hard-work that you’ve been doing while you’re away from our homeland, it would surely flood or cover the entire earth—more than enough that it would be very impossible for me to prevent it from overflowing!

For almost eight years now, The Palace has been doing every important step to create, generate and provide a job for every qualified Filipino. But because of the ailing global economy, our efforts may not be enough...

...I really admire all of you- the talented and skilful Filipino youths—for living up to the expectation of our national hero! You are truly courageous and determined to continuously extend your horizon as you seek for your own place in this world whenever you feel that the Philippines is too small and overcrowded for you. This attitude has instantly made you the living heroes of our beloved nation!

How many Filipino children have been left hungry and thirsty for food and education, alike, hadn’t their nanay, tatay, ate, kuya, tiyo or tiya explored for and took better opportunities overseas? With the total inflow of US$10 billion in 2005, US$13 billion in 2006, US$14.4 billion in 2007, and US$15.9 billion remittances to the Philippines in 2008...

...you—the Global Filipinos are not just simply providing for your family back home, but you are also unconsciously contributing to the Philippine economy! ...and I salute you for this!

Amidst various trends and economic challenges of the modern day, well-developed nations in the world are still continuously craving for more knowledgeable and skilful workers because of labour shortage in their country. I am so glad because Filipinos still remain to be one of the few choices of Canada—particularly in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan; Japan, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain as shown by the effective Memorandum of Agreement between the POEA and these countries.

Who can ever forget those 400 Filipino nurses who had gone to Japan thru JPEPA seven months ago, and underwent intensive training for six months in Nihongo? These successful nurses and caregivers had already found their way to their new workplace last November; and the POEA is still negotiating with the Japanese government for additional deployment next year. We are also very grateful to the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship for granting a total of 3,970 working visas to Filipinos for the period of July 2008 to March 2009.

The migration of the family of a Filipino blogger named Loida of 2L3B’s to Canada last May, as well as her and her husband’s immediate employment within a week of arrival in Ontario is another very good example. We also have another blogger- Chico who has been enjoying his dream job in Dubai since June 2009. We should also add Gasoline Dude on our list for receiving two job offers last May after being laid off from his previous job in Singapore on that same month. David Edward Santos of Geeky Thoughts who had moved to Kuala Lumpur last April is also one of them; as well as Joan Manalang—The Artist Chef who’s been savouring her adventures in Ho Chi Minh since May this year. We should also count the best luck of A.R.D.Y.E.Y. of ARDYEYTOLOGY in, who, after signing a job offer and consequently being denied of a work permit in Algeria because of his age, was still accepted with open arms in his old job in Doha!

Undeniably, the 2009 success stories of these Filipino Expats/OFW bloggers and non-bloggers would prove that our race is still the most sought workforce in the international arena! Global Filipinos, your English communication skills, as well as your expertise in various professions and trades are not just the only reason for this...

...you are, undoubtedly, armed with your strong faith in God! ...you are also furnished with your long-term, whole-hearted commitment to your job, your loyalty to your employer, your good relationship with your workmates and all the other admirable Filipino traits in the workplace, in general. These are, actually, the major reasons why these developed countries are insatiable—they wanted to hire more and more workers from the Philippines every year.

Now look at how the product exportation of that prawn company by the Red Sea and that poultry farm by the Flinder’s Ranges has succeeded! Quench your thirst with the sweet and safe drinking water from Al-Khobar- produced through reversed osmosis in a high-tech lab... don’t forget to browse and have a glance so you can appreciate the illustrations in that Malaysian children’s book which was released in the middle of this year... imagine how the Filipino music, and words soothe the exhausted muscles, pacify the aching nerves and inspire the disheartened souls on earth...

And there you are, Filipino bloggers and non-bloggers around the globe who are currently watching tonight’s event—live and online through the comfort of your own computers; we should thank our computer analyst and programmer based in the island of Palau for making all these wild world-wide-web things possible!

...and who said that while the Philippines is boasting for your 13.5% contribution to our Gross Domestic Product, she’s also been suffering from ‘brain drain’? Do you know that we could start calling it ‘brain gain’?; for as soon as those overseas Filipino students, or even those skilled temporary workers, get back to our country after months or years of intensive trainings and studies abroad, they can surely offer and share their expertise to every interested student back home.

My friends and fellow 'netizens' of the web, the things I’ve just enumerated to you are only few, yet significant examples that show how Filipino expatriates and overseas workers sparkle like pieces of diamonds spangled around the globe! Believe me, you—yourselves, are our invaluable gift to the whole world!

How wonderful it is to note that Filipino bloggers across the globe have also been united and gained dauntless strength through this one-of-a-kind effort of KaBlogs Station...

You possess the greatest power and the absolute freedom to write what you think and how you feel; simply, it signifies that the true spirit of democracy is still flourishing until today!

As the Icon of Democracy—the late ex-President Corazon Aquino—showed her motherly concern to the OFW’s, I promise to uphold her Executive Order number 126, and the Republic Act 7111 which was promulgated during her administration. Let your voices be heard. I encourage you to sustain your acts of heroism for our country not just within the pages of your powerful and influential blogs, but also in the foreign land where you’re working right now!

I trust, much more than I am expecting, that you will continue to help in building a strong nation and in shaping a peaceful world to live in! In your simplest way, spread the best news, promote goodwill, create and nurture friendship, reach out and inspire every Global Filipino—blogger or non-blogger—with your brilliant and lovely words.

I know you can do this, that's why I have decided to step out of this eminent throne in the Philippine government come June next year; of course after the much-awaited May 2010 elections. Honestly, I really feel secure to leave my office in 6 months time because I know that you- the Filipino expatriates and OFWs are there—whom I believe, are the real hope of our nation and the genuine gift to the whole world!

Congratulations to all the PEBA winners; isang Maligayang Pasko sa ating lahat, at mabuhay ang PEBA! [To vote for this PEBA 2009 entry, please CLICK THIS.]

Itutuloy...