Four hundred ninety

70 x 7 =?

A simple mathematical equation that reminds me of how many times I have to forgive somebody whom I perceived has done something wrong against me. But honestly, doing it in real life is quite difficult because forgiving isn’t as easy as solving that simple arithmetic problem presented above.

Nobody is holy; I’ve even inherited a sin from our fore parents which means I have had it since the time I was conceived. With this, I feel guilty to be uncompassionate to someone who’s admitting his or her own fault and, to deny my pardon to an apologetic offender, especially if it is done publicly.

Thru a phone call, the power of my ballot was stolen in the May 2004 presidential election, but the equation above simply implies that the theft still has another 489 chances for me to be patient and for her to be forgiven. (More stories here.)

The past Australian parliament had once decided to seize the children of the natives thereby depriving them of growing up with their own culture, but the federal and state governments can still enjoy the remaining 489 times of exoneration. (More stories here.)

Countless men and women have been sexually assaulted by some members of the clergy, yet undeniably, the church possesses and at the same time teaches that we should grant our brethren the limitless opportunity of absolution. (More stories here.)

A world-renowned golfer has committed adultery and admitted his sexual relationships to more than a dozen women; luckily he still has more than 39 dozens of opportunity to be understood by his family, friends and fans. (More stories here.)

The British 'child migration scheme' in the 1920's-1960's sent an estimated number of 150,000 children to Australia without the consent of their parents thereby painfully tearing those families apart... but the kingdom still has 489 chances to make up with each of these victims. (More stories here.)

Assessing the sincerity of the remorse as the transgressor expresses an apology is very subjective, most especially to the one who has been offended because of the complexities of the prejudices involved. Objectively, when the offender refrain from doing the same mistake for a lifetime, only then can one conclude that he has genuinely repented. But in the case of ‘addiction’ of any immoral, illegal or anti-religious acts, genuine repentance is more likely unachievable!

But then again, I should not judge; I should not condemn. I should love my neighbours; I should love my enemies. I should forgive so I shall be forgiven. It is worthwhile to note here that according to the University of Wisconsin, happier and healthier people are those who forgive. (More...)

Lucky are those who are forgiven, they have all the opportunity to be happy and be healthy, as well. They are being freed from all the horrifying punishments and restitution entailed because of their shortcomings.

Forgiving a person who's asking an apology isn't the end of the story. The question if they have forgiven themselves of the guilt they've inflicted in their own heart and mind after committing a mistake as well as the shame of doing a public apology (if needed) and, above all, if they have asked for and received the divine forgiveness that they surely need are now beyond my control. Of course, I am a sinner, and I know that I also need the same.

.

Political 'Affairs'

I really would like to submit myself into an elective surgery; I wanted my occipitofrontalis muscle be severed so I could stop raising my eyebrows!

There's something about the modern Philippine politics that I simply hate the most- when leaders of various religious organizations deliberately choose to appear old-fashioned by entertaining the ‘serenade’ and ‘go dating’ with the national electoral candidates. Or shall I put it this way: ...when these candidates are desperately doing a ‘serenade’ and going out with these ministers for a ‘date’.

I, obviously, don’t know if who among them is enjoying this kind of affair, the electoral candidate who ran after the religious minister or the minister being persuaded by the soon-to-be a national leader.

...just can’t believe that gaining and giving a support for one's candidacy is as difficult and embarrassing as that. For me, yes. But perhaps, for these candidates who desire to earn millions of votes in the much-awaited May 2010 election, courting an influential religious leader may be much easier than visiting every household in the 41,995 barangays throughout the Philippines.

This type of political campaign is undoubtedly like courting an intended spouse amidst a number of equally competent rivals! And with these preachers openly saying to reveal their decisions, if to whom they are giving their support, in the next or after a couple of month, it would surely drive the ‘dandies’ to intensify their flattery so they could savour the heavenly flavour/favour they’re craving for—the powerful votes.

Courtship is an art; I believe nobody would dare to disagree. Undeniably, special gifts such as stuffed toys, delicious chocolates, expensive flowers, as well as sugar-coated words are all part of the craft. The finest presents and the most excellent promises that could gratify these ministers, of course their suitors know best.

I am not questioning the religious leaders’ ability to assess a potential and to choose a good candidate to vote, nor am I taking away their right of suffrage. With their credibility, well...

It seems that I am going too far, far away from what I wanted to point out in this post- that when somebody decides whom to vote there are only two possible outcomes—a right choice or a wrong choice. And in the case of these great and most ‘sought after’ religious ministers, millions of votes are at stake! Of course I haven’t forgotten that the Holy Spirit is ____ there to guide them, hopefully at all times and NOT just always.

The question on why the followers of these religious organizations behave like water buffaloes with a nose-string is another lengthy story.

Now back to dating and courtship... I know you know what’s next—engagement and marriage. In the Philippine political affairs, I am giving all the benefits of the doubt regarding ‘engagements after the election’.




.

Monarchy: Economy?

I didn’t care about Prince William’s arrival in New Zealand yesterday, as well as his scheduled visit here in Australia tomorrow. But it doesn’t mean that I hate the monarchy...

It is The Prince’ first official overseas trip on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II— ...since yesterday my mind has been troubled in finding any direct or indirect effect of this event in the life of a foreigner who's working as a chook-minder in the monarchy of Australia. Perhaps, I care... but this doesn’t mean that I love the monarchy, either.

As an innocent boy being raised in a small village in Southern Philippines, I had the belief that the dominion of kingdoms, if they existed, has already ended many years ago... that those kings, queens, princes and princesses are only fictitious and are only present in the pages of fairytale books. Well, obviously I was wrong because they are factual and still exist until today.

I know that I need to read more to understand more about the British Throne, especially its absolute relevance in the Commonwealth Realm of the present day when every nation has its own government chief executive. A survey in New Zealand—a member of the Commonwealth of Nations has, somehow, surprised me. It says that in the recent years, around 40 per cent of the Kiwis voted to end their royal ties with Her Majesty and support the creation of a republic. Today, Australia’s Channel 7 is inviting the Aussies to participate in the poll tonight asking if this Land Down Under still needs monarchy. I can’t believe that these two developed nations have been considering to gain complete independence from the British Monarchy—whom, I believe, they owe a lot.

For me, there’s a thing called ‘British Magic’, and I believe in this magic... in its power to establish economically-stable nations such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand! Just like the Philippines who bravely fought for independence from the Spanish, Japanese, and American rules, it is worthwhile to think about the ‘what if’s’ had South Africa and India dwelt under the British authority until today.

Singapore and Hong Kong are very fortunate! The two countries’ history was almost the same- while under the British Empire, both islands were occupied by the Japanese during World War II but the British regained their control after the war. These currently-wealthy cities didn’t fight through a bloody battle to achieve their independence from Britain, they waited for ages to gain their stability and used the war of words: Singapore outlined some policies that convinced the British; while Hong Kong, through the People’s Republic of China, initiated diplomatic negotiations. It is not destiny, it is the strategy.

Currently, according to the World Bank, Spain’s economy is the 9^th largest worldwide, Japan is the 2^nd largest (and 3^rd from the United States of America and China when it comes to purchasing power), and USA is on the first place... and the Republic of the Philippines, well, I have no plans to consult Google.



Source: Wikipedia

'CROSSing Over'

http://www.daemonsmovies.com/

Watch AVATAR: The Movie (new extended HD trailer here...)

Sa mga hindi pa nakapanood ng pelikulang Avatar, panoorin niyo na. (Biglang naging amateur ang dating ng Jurassic Park nang dahil sa bagong-likhang ito ni James Cameron.)

Ito ang dahilan ng aking pagkatulala sa nakalipas na apat na araw; iniisip at winawari ko kasi kung ano ang hitsura ng aking magiging avatar sakaling ako ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataong makadalaw sa mundo ng mga Na'vi- ang Pandora!

Ang Pandora ay kathang-isip lamang; ito'y isang daigdig na kasinlaki ng ating mundo kung saan nakatira ang mga matatangkad na nilalang na kulay-bughaw ang balat at mayroong isang-dipang buntot- sila ay ang mga Na'vi.

Nag-uumapaw sa likas na yaman ang Pandora. Sa malagong kagubatan ay mayroong napakaraming mga makukulay na halaman, iba't-ibang uri ng mga lumilipad, lumalangoy at pagala-galang mga hayop.

Isa sa mga pinakamagagandang tanawin at pinakakakaibang anyong-lupa sa Pandora ay ang mga bundok na nakalutang sa kalawakan, at higit sa lahat, sa tinutubuan ng isang higanteng punong Kelutrel ay matatagpuan ang isang mineral na kung tawagi'y unobtanium. Napaka-espesyal ang mineral na ito sapagkat ang isang dakot ay nagkakahalaga ng US$20,000,000!

Nang dahil sa unobtainium, nagkainteres sa Pandora ang mga tao mula sa ating mundo. Nais nilang sakupin at angkinin ang lahat ng kayamanan sa daigdig ng mga Na'vi subalit hindi ito madali sapagkat salat sa oxygen ang Pandora at ang natural na komposisyon ng hangin doon ay ang carbon dioxide, methane at ammonia.

Sa tulong mga mananaliksik, natuklasang sa pamamagitan ng mga avatars na may magkahalong genetic composition ng isang tao at isang Na'vi, ay posibleng maikot at mapag-aralan ng lubusan ang Pandora. Ang mga avatars na ito ay maaari lamang kontrolin ng mga taong pinagkunan ng DNA sample sa pamamagitan ng kanilang sariling utak habang sila'y tulog sa loob ng isang makabagong kasangkapan.

Sa panahon ng bahagyang kalungkutan at pangungulila sapagkat sigurado nang hindi ko na naman maipagdiwang ang Pasko kasama ang aking mga minamahal, iniisip kong sana'y isang umaga ako'y magising doon sa Pandora bilang isang avatar! Natitiyak kong sa ganda at kulay ng kapaligiran doon, makakalimutan ko kahit papaano itong aking mga dinaramdam. ...lalo na siguro kung magkikita kami ng kanilang prinsesang si Neytiri.

Napakaraming uri ng mga hayop doon sa Pandora, at nais kong mag-trabaho bilang isang beterinaryo roon. Hangad kong tuklasin ang mga lihim kung bakit malulusog at malalakas ang higanteng ibong Toruk at ang mala-kabayong Pa'li! Nais kong mapag-aralan ang mga bahagi ng katawan at ang kahalagahan nito sa buhay ng isang ibong Ikran at ng mala-lobong Nantang.

Kayo marahil ay nag-iisip kung kaya kong magtatagumpay sa aking pakay doon sa Pandora... kung maihahayag ko ng maayos sa mga katutubong Na'vi ang aking sadya sa kanilang daigdig. Siguradong kayang-kaya, bilang isang avatar! Isang avatar na kawangis ng mga katutubo roon, na kumikilos, nag-iisip, at may pandamdam na katulad ng mga Na'vi.

Maganda ang pelikula, panalo ang kwento at super-galing ang animation at visual effects!

Subalit may tatalo pa ba sa isang 'avatar' na isinilang sa mundo at namuhay bilang isang tao humigit-kumulang 2,009 taon na ang nakalilipas? Ang 'Avatar' na walang kapantay... nagturo, at nag-alay ng kanyang buhay bilang isang sakripisyo upang mailigtas mula sa kasalanan ang sangkatauhan at tuluyang mabuhay ng walang-hanggan doon sa kalangitan!

Halina't batiin natin Siya- ang tunay at nag-iisang avatar! Maligayang kaarawan, Panginoong Hesus!









Ang mga impormasyon sa lathalaing ito ay nagmula sa Wikipedia at sa opisyal na pahina ng pelikulang Avatar.




.

Joining the Magi

Twenty-three days from now, the Christian (as well as some of the non-Christian) community across the globe will be celebrating the most festive day of the year. Everyone has been looking forward for the coming of this very special day and has been traditionally counting the number of sleeps before Christmas immediately a day after the last Christmas celebration!

Undeniably, people whose workplace is miles away from home would love to schedule their vacation during Christmas season, and those whose workplace is just close to their hometown couldn’t resist the desire to take a day off during this day. In some countries, employees are obviously very excited as December draws near because of a longer break from work during the holidays and primarily, it is the time to receive the ‘thirteenth-month pay’ and the Christmas bonus from their generous employers.

Christmas really has a magical impact in this world! It is the season when houses and offices; malls and stalls; as well as gardens and lanes are displaying colourful lights and decorations! It is the time when Christmas carols fill the air, and Christmas cards occupy the mail boxes... and when ovens, fridges and pantries are packed with special meals for every member of the family.

Through the years, Christmas has gradually become more modernized and commercialized. Airline, bus and boat companies, food producers and processors, as well as product wholesalers and retailers directly benefit from the event. As we gear to celebrate with our family and friends, prepare to have a special dinner to feast on, and choose to give the best gifts to our loved ones, businesses are certainly making more money during this festive season of the year.

There’s nothing wrong with the contemporary way of celebrating Christmas, of course... but as we pack our bags to fly or sail home this Christmas, we should also join the magi in riding their camels as they journey towards the manger to celebrate the birth of the real Celebrant this Christmas. May we never fail to light and decorate our hearts with faith and hope. ...guided by the bright, shining Star may we, at all times, be ready to give love to every person we meet as we travel in this life so we could feast on everlasting peace and joy in this world!




.

Closer

There are beautiful places in this world that are luckily spared from the heavy rains, flood, earthquake and tsunami...

I know that most of us are still soaked with the saturating mud of nightmare brought by Ondoy; while some are still covered with the rubbles of broken dreams, lost livelihood, and most especially, loved ones. Surrounded by misfortunes, I believe that people around the globe, not only Filipinos, have once again proved that the spirit of peace, unity, and generosity still exists in our world until today. And with the widespread prayer offerings occupying substantial pages of the internet lately, I am also certain that trials and tragedies in life really bring us closer to the Almighty.

***

While the entire Philippines is praying and hoping for sunshine after the rain, it is also the best time for National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to shine and prove his worth to become the next president of the country. For me, his name is not as nationally famous as his cousin’s name- Noynoy Aquino (who is also aspiring for the presidency in 2010), but being the current chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council this is an opportunity for Sec. Gibo to improve his popularity and move closer to his dream.

***

Honestly, because of the natural calamities in the Asia-Pacific Region, I am now unaware of any development regarding the proposed implementation of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for all motor vehicles in the Philippines. I have been working and living in Australia for nearly 33 months now, and have purchased a second-hand vehicle lately but I haven’t encountered this kind of thing in this first-world country. I, actually, couldn’t believe that the Land Transportation Office of a third-world country is so confident to ‘switch on the ignition’ of this 2-billion peso project without undergoing a thorough consultation among the transport groups and the business sectors.

Two thumbs-up for the DoTC for doing its best in strengthening the system of the LTO to wipe out all ‘colorum’ vehicles; and in helping other government agencies such as the DILG for the anti-carnapping campaign, and the DENR for the Clean-Air Act... but, I will give them my PMA and PNPA-style salute as soon as another 2 billion (or more) peso is allocated for more LRT and MRT railcars in Metro Manila (to avoid this scenario); or by simply implementing stringent Maritime Industry rules and regulations to avoid or lessen sea accidents; or even simpler- a strict monitoring and surveillance of the Philippine telecommunication law to achieve an affordable means of communication so every Filipino could enjoy the opportunity to get closer to their loved ones despite the geographical distance from each other.

***

How about my introductory statement: “There are beautiful places in this world that are luckily spared from the heavy rains, flood, earthquake and tsunami...”? Sorry, I got carried away; I’ll focus on this topic on my next post.

.

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!

.

HR 1109, RA 9189 at YR. 2010

Pipilitin niyang magmaneho ng 14 na oras at 16 na minuto galing Adelaide papuntang Canberra KUNG mayroong Absentee Voting registration sa Philippine Embassy para sa isang plebisitong mangangalap ng kasagutan kung sasang-ayon ba ang mga Pilipinong botante sa Con Ass o hindi.

Handa rin siyang gumastos kaagad ngayon ng halagang Au$900 para sa balikang pamasahe sa eroplano mula Adelaide patungong Canberra kung kinakailangang makahabol siya sa Absentee Voting registration para lamang maidaan niya sa kapangyarihan ng balota ang kanyang pagtutol sa Con Ass!

Kaya lang hindi na rin lubos ang kanyang tiwala ngayon sa kapangyarihan ng isang balota sapagkat minsan nang napatunayang mas makapangyarihan ang mga katagang "Hello Garci...". Ang mga kataga ring ito ang nagdadagdag sa kanyang malaking pagdududa na maging mas maayos ang botohan, mas mabilis ang bilangan at mas ligtas ang kanyang boto kapag idinaan ito sa computerized election. Para sa kanya hindi naman mahalaga kung manual o computerized ang magaganap na botohan at bilangan, ang pinakamahalaga ay 'yong walang dayaan!

Nakasaad sa HR 1109 na hindi naman palalawigin ang panunungkulan ng mga nasa posisyon ngayon; at siguradong may halalan naman daw na magaganap sa 2010.

"Hindi nga pahahabain ang termino ng mga nasa katungkulan ngayon pero baka papayagan naman silang tumakbo sa darating na 2010 election kahit na panghuling termino na dapat nila ngayon base sa kasalukuyang konstitusyon," naisip niya.

Bago siya tutugon sa napakalakas na panawagan ngayon ng Republic Act 9189- ang Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003, nais niya munang malaman ang kahihinatnan nitong Con Ass na 'to.

...sa bagay, mayroon pa naman siyang nalalabing 85 araw para makapagdesisyon.






-----------------------------
Sa lahat ng mga kaibigang sumuporta sa aking akdang The Keynote- na kalahok sa 2009 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, maraming, maraming salamat po.

Deafening Silence

There's a total of 639 swine flu [A (H1N1)] cases in Australia as of this writing! But this is not the major reason why The Chook-minder’s Quill was in silence for a week because fortunately, I am not included in the count!

...I am not on a holiday, either. So if you are thinking that the chook-minder may be one of those 2,000 suspected passengers of the Pacific Dawn that were isolated in the Tasman Sea while waiting for their A (H1N1) test result, you are wrong!

I’m still here in one of the South Australian poultry farms... silent because we’ve been very busy receiving 500,000 chicks for the past 7 days. I am not missing! It’s the Filipino seafarer Arden Jugueta, not the chook-minder RJ, who was named as one of the 228 missing victims of Air France A330 flight 447.

I AM ACTUALLY wondering about and, somehow, intimidated by the powerful combination of the numbers 9 and 11! ...remember the 9/11 USA attacks last 2001 (not to mention the crash of Air France flight 1611 last 1968)? And now here comes the Philippines’ House Resolution number 1109!

Con Ass?! (Just like the belief of the people in the east central Arizona) I wanted to remain silent here in The Chook-minder’s Quill as a sign of anger! I don’t care if Francis Bacon said that “Silence is the virtue of fools”.

THERE’S A VERY CONTROVERSIAL issue concerning the Global Filipinos in the blogosphere these days and I have decided to remain silent, as well!

"Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in SiLENCE. As far as possible without surrender be in good terms with all persons..."

-Desiderata

I would like to thank all my friends in the blogosphere who voted for my entry ‘The Keynote...’ for the 2009 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards. Mabuhay ang PEBA!

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...

INNOCENT (Epidemics II)

After serving almost 26 years in prison, the twelve convicts of the Benigno Aquino, Jr.-Rolando Galman assassination have been freed—two of them were released last February 6, 2009 and the remaining ten walked out of their detention cells last March 4, 2009. I don’t know if the multiple serious illnesses (hypertension, diabetes, kidney failure, etc.) they have had made them very lucky because their current health status was one of the palace’s bases for granting them the executive clemency.

Exactly a week after the 23^rd EDSA 1 commemoration (which was very notable due to the absence of the current Philippine president) was another remarkable day in history as the Malacanang Palace boasted her gesture of ‘political-wound healing’ by sending those convicts out of jail. It’s indeed a celebration for the family and friends of those who received the pardon, while it’s an absolute day of lamentation in the household and supporters of the former Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Jr.

August 26, 1983 - Friday; RJ's 4th Birthday Party

Photo taken 5 days after Ninoy's assasination.

WHO AM I TO SPEAK or to write about the issue here? I feel that I’m not in the right position to comment on this very sensitive matter because I am just an ordinary chook-minder who, 25 years earlier, was completely INNOCENT celebrating my 4^th birthday in North Cotabato five days after Ninoy shed his blood on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport.

I WAS ONLY SIX and a half years old during the 1986 People Power Revolution, a grade 1 pupil of Bialong Elementary School who indeliberately heard, “Tama na, sobra na, palitan na!” over the local radio station; a young boy who had unintentionally seen the waves of the meaningful hand gestures and imagined the two political parties being separately wrapped in red and yellow cloths on the screen of my grandmother’s black and white TV. In the succeeding years I had turned into a ‘promdi’ adolescent who met the Aquinoes and their family's immortal, political rival only in the history books; and finally transformed into a young professional who has been seeing the re-enactments and dramatization of the Martial Regime on the award-winning movies.

RJ with Lola Abe.

March 1986, Bialong Elementary School Recognition Day

Approximately a month after the People Power Revolution.

Last January 15, 2007 at exactly 5:10pm, I left my beloved country—Philippines, thru the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. That’s the only thing I had in close contact with ‘Ninoy’ since birth, and oh, before I forget... when I flew to Australia that day, I still have a 500 peso bill in my wallet.

These days, it seems that Ninoy Aquino is simply just the father of the controversial actress and a witty host Ms. Kris Aquino; he was also the man who has literally given his full name to Sen. Noynoy Aquino III; and the late husband of ex-President Cory Aquino who is currently fighting her battle against colon cancer, whose favourite colour is unmistakably yellow. [And a man whose family name is the same as the middle name of my late father, huh! Kamag-anak?!]

I don’t know if Malacanang’s decision to release the convicted killers of the proclaimed Philippine hero Ninoy Aquino, Jr. was the best ‘suture material’ that will excellently help in the ‘primary intention healing’ of the political wounds incised using the sharp scalpels of EDSA I and II (and if I may include, as well as the unhonoured EDSA III). I’m not really sure if the actual wound healing has already started because there seem to be an erroneous wound debridement on the ‘heart’ of the Aquino family as Senator Noynoy was quoted calling this clemency as a solid proof of injustice.

After more than 25 years, these convicts (who were active members of the Philippine Army when Ninoy was murdered) are still claiming their INNOCENCE on this crime. How about the inside story? Can we safely say that the truth behind this case has already been moulded with the ‘wax’—where the facts haven’t been buried but displayed behind the lying wax statue inside the museum, instead? I definitely don’t know!

Ninoy’s heroism was once ironically equated into a funny jig performed after the successful voting against the opening of the controversial second envelope during ex-Pres. Estrada’s impeachment trial.

How about tomorrow? How would my grandchildren identify ex-Sen. Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr.? I am scared that in the future ‘Ninoy’ would only mean a dilapidated aircraft passenger terminal; or Ninoy would soon become an unnoticeable carved stone in the middle of Makati’s empty skyscrapers; and possibly, Ninoy’s value could only be as worthless as our rapidly depreciating five hundred peso bill!

photo from http://myepinoy.wordpress.com/

"The Filipino is worth dying for!"

-Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino, Jr.

Epidemics

The Philippines... couldn’t just depend solely on poultry exportation to earn the sufficient amount of dollar to fill up it's nearly exhausted 'piggy bank'...

...Philippine human exports have been gradually increasing through the years leaving the one thousand one hundred and eight islands brain-drained!

Before I decided to come to Australia I had spent my last twenty-six months in the Philippines as a veterinary epidemiologist in a swine integrator. I was there to monitor 22 breeding farms, 11 nursery stations and 149 growing farms of the company. As a member of the animal health services group, I was busy visiting farms five days in a week, while spending the remaining two days for regular meeting, thinking, planning and decision-making. (Of course while I'm driving from farm A to farm B, and to farm C it’s the best time to ponder about my tasks, as well.)

IN AUSTRALiA. I’ve been working as a livestock farm overseer for twenty six months now; and during my first year of work in a piggery farm in Queensland, the veterinary consultant had only been there twice for a visit! I’ve been in this chicken farm for 14 months already (as a part of a team that produces 1,000,000 chooks every 60 days) but I haven’t seen even a single vet visiting just to simply say “Hi!” to these poor (rich?) birds!

Australian piggeries and poultries don’t need a close monitoring and regular surveillance of a veterinary epidemiologist, anyway, because for 776 days of my stay in this country, I’ve only seen nutritionally- and stress-induced scouring in pigs, and genetically- or nutritionally-related lameness in chickens! What a boring life!

Australian livestock farmers are complaining, though, because for ages, their government has been very stringent with their genetic importation laws—the reason why the genes of their stocks have been relatively getting worse. Based on my personal observations, I agree with these farmers. While the Philippines has been continuously producing lean finisher pigs having a well-trimmed belly with a broad shoulders and hams, Australian pigs are lamentably saggy having large bellies with tapered shoulders and hams, others actually have unhealthy hooves because of poor genetics.

YES, PHILIPPINES HAS the capability of producing muscular pigs because our importation laws has been allowing us to import the best genetic stocks from other countries, possibly (definitely?) up to the point that our sea- and airports become very imprudent. Proper quarantine and biosecurity measures could be sometimes (?) ignored, tolerating the entry of those disease-laden live animals, meat, eggs, milk and milk products, etc.

Our virology professor once said that, “All animal diseases are present in the Philippines, except rinderpest!” Name it, we have it. Whoowow! A Filipino veterinary medical student couldn’t help but feel the excitement that someday he could possibly become one of the best veterinarians in the world—a globally-competitive vet for the reason that every disease encountered in the field would gradually equate to expertise.

The Philippines has been modestly exporting poultry to Japan because it is boasting its freedom from avian influenza (or bird flu; and if this is virologically true I must be very proud). However, last December 2008 I was saddened by the news regarding the outbreak of Reston Ebolavirus in pigs of Luzon; and recently 6,000 hogs were humanely slaughtered and burned in Pandi, Bulacan as part of the measures to control the above-mentioned, dreaded viral disease of swine nowadays.

DESPITE THOSE undesirable physical features of the hogs in Australia, these relatively small, family-owned piggeries and dairy farms here are very fortunate to be granted with the important documents allowing them the mass exportation of live animals, pork, milk and dairy products, etc. in New Zealand, Singapore, and more... This is because animal diseases with biosecurity concerns are nonexistent in Australia.

The Philippines, however, couldn’t just depend on poultry exportation alone to earn the sufficient amount of dollar to save its sinking economy. Instead, the Philippine government is very proud of exporting its agriculturists and licensed veterinarians to work as livestock farm attendants in various 'critical animal disease-free' countries worldwide where their scientific knowledge is only indirectly necessary. Philippine human exports have been gradually increasing through the years leaving the one thousand one hundred and seven (...eight during low tide) islands brain-drained!

Brain... Filipinos are known to be brainy. Filipino veterinary epidemiologists and medical practitioners are very good in the prevention and control, as well as in the treatment of various zoonosis because they’ve been well-exposed and experienced since college days.

There is an ‘epidemic disease’ in the Philippine society, however, that doesn’t need globally competent veterinary and medical practitioners. The ‘causative agent’, preventive and control measures are already known but nobody would dare to administer the most effective treatment to this ‘communicable viral disease’ of our country...

...just wondering why can’t we humanely slaughter and literally burn all those who are infected with the ‘virus’?

'Phoenix'

Lately, I’ve noticed that I’m running out of ink for My Quill! I don’t, actually, know where to buy a good quality ink; and if possible, an ink bottle that never dries up so I can update The Chook-minder’s Quill frequently without bothering myself of my ink supply. I’m actually thinking of going to Diagon Alley to see if a Muggle* like me could get one! And if I could, I’ll also try to enter Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC and ask Mr Ollivander if I can purchase a very special wand for myself!

“I don’t know how the Muggles manage without magic!” a remark given by a giant wizard named Hagrid in the Harry Potter series.

If Hagrid only knows how difficult it is! If he only knows how I wish to own a flying motorbike so I could visit my mother in the Philippines who is sick at the moment; how I wanted to try to wave a magical wand so I can have my dinner ready every time I arrive home from work; how I desire to have power so I could have all the changes I need without (somewhat) relying upon Obama!

*Muggle - is the word used in the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling to refer to a person who lacks any sort of magical ability and was not born into the magical world. - Wikipedia