Was It Ever A Doubt?

I remember writing about the Pacquiao-Cotto fight last March as being the event when I became a Pacman fan. Why it had to be the 7th Belt Championship we will never know but "Better Late Than Never" I always say. (I took pictures on my phone but there's something wrong with my transfer system again, so those will have to wait til next blog. LitB)

As the days leading up to this bout with Margarito neared, I was regretful that I would not be able to watch the fight live, as I was supposed to go to Malaybalay with a group of tour guides for a familiarity tour. Up until yesterday at 4:00 pm, my mindset was still on the tour and my greatest worry was how I was going to react when I heard of the outcome (whatever it would be) when I got back. One thing I was sure of though, there was never a doubt in my mind that Manny would win.

Anyway, by 5:00 pm yesterday, it was clear the God was reading my mind. I did not pray that the tour be cancelled but it just so happened that only three people texted to confirm their attendance (1) and absence (2) so I decided that it would be easier on all of us to just cancel the whole thing. So it was only last night when I got home that I realized what it all meant -- I would be watching the Pacquiao-Margarito Fight LIVE at the new St. Jude Parish Convent Conference Room!

The tickets cost P500 with free lunch. Of course we could have watched it for cheaper (it was shown at the Phillips Social Hall for only P10, no lunch) but we agreed that it made a good fundraiser for the unfinished Convent.

There were 12 rounds, but it was clear from the start that Manny had the upper hand (uppercut?). It was never a doubt that he wouldn't come out of this victorious.. except in the 9th (or was it 10th) round when he looked kinda tired or groggy. But I guess that's also Manny's style. Like what he did during the Cotto fight, he really went out of his way to make the show entertaining. And it also seemed that he didn't want Margarito to go down in a knock-out, because after he loaded the Mexican with punches, he let him make some sort of comeback in the next round, and then jabbed the air in front of Margarito's face to make it look like he was boxing in the last round.

So what happens next? I heard that Manny was thinking of retiring after this. His mother has declared that she will prohibit him from accepting another fight. And his wife always looks like she'll die if anything happens to him because of boxing. Just after the 9th round, when Margarito had pinned Pacquiao to the ropes, it occurred to me that getting knocked out in this fight would not only look bad on his record, but also it would be embarrassing because of all his championship matches, Margarito was certainly not his strongest opponent. Obviously Someone was listening to my silent ramblings.

Well, whatever happens, whatever the future holds for Manny Pacquiao -- be it in boxing or in the world of politics -- there will be no doubt in my mind that he will win the next fight.

God Bless you, Manny! And God Bless the Philippines which you so proudly represent!

21st Philippine Travel Mart: September 3-5, 2010

Says Cesar Cruz, PHILTOA president, “The 21st Philippine Travel Mart is the perfect venue for Filipinos to be aware of (the) endless tourist attractions and destinations the country has to offer.”

This annual event showcases the best attractions, the best deals and the tour operators that offer these services. As a tour operator myself, I always try to make it a point to attend this affair, because it gives me a sense of belonging. I've always, always enjoyed traveling, seeing new places, and what better place to get all the information I need than the Philippine Travel Mart?

And this time, I am preparing to introduce myself to the association that is bringing this major event to life each year. The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) "is the single largest association of registered tour operators in the Philippines that exclusively promotes in-bound and domestic tourism." (http://www.philtoa.org) Maybe get a chance to join them, if they'll accept my application.

This year also, it's a double hit for me, because my high school Alma Mater (Philippine Science High School) is holding its 44th Annual Homecoming this Saturday, September 4, and my batch (1990) will be celebrating its 20th year (wow, it's been that long already???).

See you at the Mart!

MOJO: Proudly Philippine-Made

How is one supposed to act when people find out you are related to royalty?

Me, I've always known someone in my family would become famous.  True enough, my eldest brother is the first Filipino Vice President of Sony-Columbia Pictures (in California), and even tried his hand at producing not one, but TWO full-length movies, the first of which won numerous nominations and awards in several film festivals in the US.  My eldest sister is a self-proclaimed tourism adviser and is actively promoting Philippine tourism to foreigners abroad.  My second sister is a high-ranking executive of Boeing, the makers of the longest running commercial airplane in the world.  She gets sent to Europe on business, and her husband gets to go with her for free!

But the subject of this blog is my second brother, who, at the young age of 12, was already dabbling in business and investments.  He started with selling bread in his dormitory in high school.  Today, he is in the process of expanding his footwear enterprise (better known as MOJO) from Manila to all over the country.  In fact he has outlets in almost every major mall, including SM, Ayala and Robinsons, and in the local malls like Gaisano (CDO).

Last June 2010, the brand was awarded Brand of the Month by Robinsons Pioneer in Mandaluyong City, having sold more than P100,000 in a single month.  Fantastic!  Then, just recently, he and his business partner successfully completed an interview with several marketing applicants in Cebu.  Interestingly, they will conduct another set of interviews in Davao later this year.  Awesome!  And to think, their products are made from pure Philippine rubber (found in Bukidnon), unlike the competition which still import their materials.

So what does one say when asked how they're related to Joey Cuerdo, president and general manager of MOJO Enterprises, makers of quality outdoor slippers and sandals (and soon to come, apparel)?  Me, I just say, "He's my brother," and smile.

MYFP (Make Your Family Proud)!!!

spotted at the Philippine Airlines (NAIA 2) 
pre-departure area on June 15, 2010;  
the logo is blurred but only 
one brand of sandals can be that simple

Only in the Philippines: Prayer for Tourists

We found this prayer at the entrance of a resort in Camiguin.  It rings true for tourists worldwide but only in the Philippines will it be written out and posted in a public place for everyone to see!

Happy Traveling!

Malas or Positive Attitude?

A new century, a new millennium...  But did anything change?  Nuh-uh.  If anything, it got worse.  Isn't there a saying "History repeats itself"?  In our case, Philippine history repeats itself every election year.  When election results are in, many of the citizens who want change (myself included) have to sigh in frustration because people don't seem to learn from their mistakes.  They vote for the highest bidder and then complain when they don't get what they want.  So why are we still here?  Well, because there is still a chance, even though it's only 10%, it's still possible.

----- 

2001. More catastrophies! The peso plummeted to a horrifying US$1 to P51. The Abu Sayyaf (extremist ideologues? Or mindless barbarians) were into kidnapping and terrorism, gaining worldwide notoriety.. Businesses are still closing shop. Thousands of workers are being retrenched. Prices of food and gasoline are very high. (Galunggong is P80 per kilo!) Our streets became permanent garbage dumps. Maggots multiply to spread disease. Our communities stink.

Again, the whole nation was witnessing sickening crimes attributed to people in the government. Talo na naman! We are now 75 million people but the gap between the rich, 30% (middle-class and rich), 70% (lower-class and rural/urban poor) remains the same for one century.

When will this end? It's been more than 350 years since Lapu's- Lapu's victory, 100 years since Rizal martyrdom and we're nowhere as a people, as a nation. Malas pa rin!

Some wise guy said the Filipino is a damaged culture. Bully! And what do you call other foreigners. They used slaves in their plantations, and landgrabbed from the natives! What should we call such culture? Predatory Culture? Bully Culture? What about another country? How many countries did it put under the barrel of its gunships, so they could gloat that the sun never sets on their empire?" What shall we call this culture? Sahib culture? Gunga Din culture? C'mon, give us a break!

We Filipinos have strengths and endearing values. We are Christians, God-fearing, and peace-loving. We are patient and tolerant (matiisin to a fault). We are musical. We sing our blues away. We have a sense of humor. (We concoct and text Imelda hyperboles and Erap malapropism) . We learn fast because we are bilingual and highly educated.. We've got thousands of MBA's and PhD's in economics and management from AIM, WHARTON, HARVARD, UCLA, etc (most of them now overseas).

We've got a surplus of technocrats for nation-building.. We want to work if there are vacancies. We want to go into business if we have the capital. We want to obey the law if the law is being enforced.  We want to live and die here, if there is peace and order.

But, but, and but. We have many shortcomings. We are immature in our politics. Given a choice on whom to elect: a handsome pabling movie star or an honest and brilliant political scientist, we'll vote for the movie star.

No brainer tayo dito. Talo! We have many stupidities. Like dogs, we pee (Bawal umihi dito) on walls and tires. Our driving is suicidal. Our service quality is inferior.

Clerks at City Hall act arrogantly. Sales ladies at department stores don't know their product features. No exchange No return even if it is defective, you have to argue for it. Tourists get mugged by thugs in uniform. Police lay traps so they can catch you and ask for bribes. What's wrong with us? We don't have a great leader. And good governance. (In Singapore, Lee Kwan Yew did it. The constituency profile is similar to Filipinos.) Admittedly, this country is impossible, tiresome, and frustrating.

But it's the only country we've got. We live and die here.. Will we ever see the dawn?

Dios na mahabagin, Kailan pa kaya? Ubos na ang aming luha. Katog na ang aming mga tuhod. Tuyot na ang aming utak. Hingal na ang aming puso.
Dios na mahabagin, isalba Mo po kami. Hindi po kami talunan. At lalo pong hindi kami tanga. Sunod-sunod lang po ang malas.

NOTE:
Dati Kastila, Amerikano, Insik, Hapon at ngayon may Koreano pa.

Mahabagin Diyos, Nasaan Ka PINOY ??

The End

Malas with Eyes Wide Open

I remember this era.  Real estate was booming, multilevel marketing was in and it seemed like everyone had money.  Then the bottom fell out.  And people, grasping at straws, caught this charismatically eccentric man named Erap, which is the word "pare" spelled backwards, another idiosyncracy known only in the Philippines.  Another problem was born.  Can you see my eyebrows rising?

-----

In 1997, the Asian economic crises struck, triggered by a balloon burst of the hyper-speculative Bangkok economy. The financial debacle created a disastrous effect in the investment institutions of Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Taiwan. All the Ramos gains evaporated into thin air. Malas na naman! The poor, specially Mang Pandoy, were poorer than ever.


1998 was showbiz time! The Erap para sa mahirap show opened to the chagrin of Makati Business Club.. Pasensya na po kayo, mga elitists. Democracy is also weird. The choice of the masa must be respected.


Catastrophe! Chavit Singson exploded jueteng bombs! For days on end, a nation sick in the stomach, sat through primetime TV aghast at watching the bizarre drama of alleged bribery, gambling, drunkenness, womanizing, deceit, and corruption. A lantern-jawed witness and a sexy intelligence "asset" hogged the witness stand.


Viewing the scandals on TV was like watching dogs mating in the public square. It's embarrassing but you can't take your eyes off them.


The impeachment trial serialized on TV was riveting. The defense lawyers, some wearing a canine sneer (ngiting aso) insulted our intelligence often. (Lokohin n'yo ang lelang n'yo). The whole country was stinking to high heavens.. The prosecution produced its own witnesses - Clarissa Ocampo, Emma Lim, Carmencita Itchon and many others.


Idols with feet of clay fell crashing into the dust. Those who voted against opening the envelope were legalese, procedural, and sounding intellectually brilliant. Also heartless and thick-skinned. They couldn't fathom the heartbeat of the nation. Cardinal Sin, aging and sickly, called the people again.. It was People Power II!


Same humongous and collective umbrage, same brinkmanship, and same staccato prayers! Generals Reyes and Villanueva simply joined the mammoth EDSA crowd. No US jets from Clark this time. Erap was out! Gloria was in!


Hope springs eternal. Malacañang regained its honor and dignity. Protocol was observed. Absurdity was gone. Grammatical English was back. Now the first gentleman should have been named Mr. Pakyao, he has the monopoly of the graft behind Gloria's back.

(to be continued)

Malas Anew

This was the era when I was introduced to the "outside world", my innocent mind not comprehending that the Philippines had just experienced a major catalyst.  I guess I was fortunate to have had Cory as President because she was so passive that her pace suited my indoctrination to Manila life.  And then Ramos -who happens to be a distant relative of my husband- gets elected, does a relatively good job, but is not allowed to run for a second term.  Sigh...

In 1983, Ninoy Aquino, Marcos' exiled arch rival, was assassinated upon his return. Push came to shove. Cardinal Sin engaged on the people on to protest. Outrage, self- pity, shame and fury raged and rumbled like a tidal wave, culminating in the incredible People Power Revolution. The very sick and obstinate Marcos fled (hijacked by Americans from Clark) to Hawaii (sounds like Paoay) where he died. His alleged millions of stolen dollars intact and unresolved.. Up to now... Peso to dollar exchange is now US$1 to P20.

But People Power was our shining glory! The whole world applauded our saintly courage, our dignified defiance, our bloodless solution to expel a dictator. We were the toast of all freedom-loving countries, the envy of all oppressed people. In 1986, we placed Cory Aquino, Ninoy's widow, in Malacañang. She was virtuous, sincere and full of good intentions for the country. But what happens under Cory?

An endless brown out and living in portable generators is a must and monopolized by Cory's relatives who threw out her Energy Department down the Pasig River. The land reform she professed and promised was going good at first, but after she found out her Hacienda Luisita will be greatly affected, that program went down the Pasig River too!. No wonder that river is so polluted.

Coup attempts by Honasan, power struggle, political squabbles, and the infighting for juicy deals harassed the amateur Cory presidency. So nothing happened. No progress took place. The economy was still bad. The poor suffered more and more. Sure we got democracy back on its feet.. But the Filipino resolve didn't happen. People Power pala was "ningas cogon" power.

Sayang na sayang! The gap between the rich and the poor remained at 30% (middle-class and rich), 70% (lower-class and rural/urban poor). Exchange rate was US$1 to P25. We were 55 million people.

In 1992, Cory's choice, Fidel Ramos, West Pointer, soldier, and hero of the People Power won the presidency. He had the bearing, the single-mindedness and the vision to bring the country to a tiger economy status.. Ramos was a terrific salesman of the Philippines to the world. He was able to hype a climate of an economic ground. He removed barriers to progress. He was an apostle of privatization. His mantra was, less government, more private sector! Fidel hit the right note and the economy went on a roll. Fidel wanted to run for reelection but failed to swing the cha-cha (an idiotic acronym for Constitutional Change) so he could run again.

-to be continued-

Malas in Reconstruction

Sorry for the long break.  Unfortunately, our authorities must have forgotten that they were supposed to be unreliable and remembered just in time, by breaking an almost two full weeks of continuous electricity with two consecutive nights of brownouts.  Sigh...


But there was still no peace from 1947 to 1966. A widespread communist rebellion led by Taruc, the Lava brothers, and its armed guerillas called Hukbalahap (Supposed to be Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon) waged bloody war with government troops and turned out to be nothing but bandits in disguise. Filipinos killed kapwa Filipinos. Malas na naman!

Our politicians and bureaucrats learned to engage in graft and corruption (What are we in power for?) - such as the war surplus bribery, the Tambobong wheeler-dealing and the Namarco scam. Talo nanaman!

Six presidents were elected to manage the country from 1947 to 1972, under the democratic system. They were Presidents Roxas, Quirino, Magsaysay, Garcia, Macapagal, and Marcos.

Economists looked back to the decades of the 50s and 60s as the best years of the Philippine economy, surpassing Asian countries. The nostalgia was naiveté, a useless ego-tripping. The gap between the rich and the poor remained big. 30% middle-class and rich, 70% low- class, rural and urban poor. We were 27 million people. US$1 was to P4.

During the late 60's, the Maoist communists led by Commander Dante intensified its drive to overthrow the government.. Marcos added fuel to the fire by creating a communist spook. Violence and mayhem rule the streets. The youth went up in arms! Martial Law was declared in 1972 and Marcos became dictator. Freedom of assembly and expression went out of the window..

What followed were years of dictatorial abuse, crony capitalism, shackled free enterprise, near economic collapse and a demoralized middle class. The gap between the rich (30%) and poor (70%) remained in a quagmire. Pareho rin pala ang situation.

Our population was 40 million. Exchange rate was US$1 to P7.. Kawawang kawawa! Malas na malas! 

Malas in Depth

Notice the detail?  The author must have given this piece of work much thought before posting it on the internet.  Either he/she is a good researcher or he/she is a historian with a sense of humor.  This particular section is my favorite because for some reason, World War II is the part of Philippine History that is closest to my heart.  Probably because that's when the Philippines gained true independence, but didn't know it.  Too bad.

During the Commonwealth period (1901-1941), which followed, there were lots of learning on democratic principles, its structure and governance. Technology transfers were done on Constitutional Rights, Public Education, Transportation, Health, International Trade and Industrialization. The Americans turned out to be good tutors. Filipinos also went crazy over American brand products like Libby's corned beef and Portola sardines, Hershey's Kisses and Wrigley's chewing gum, Camel cigarettes and Model T Ford for the hacienderos of Pampanga and Iloilo .

Hollywood films made Pinoy males fantasize on Jean Harlow, Betty Grable, and Mae West. Thus, Filipino colonial mentality began. We fondly called this period Peace Time.. By the way, American troops massacred innocent people in Balangiga. Mga hayop din pala!

1941. Disaster! World War II! After attacking Pearl Harbor , the Japanese army invaded our country defeating the combined American and Filipino forces (USAFFE). General MacArthur, the proud and handsome Army chief, fled to Australia at the height of the battle. Then the Filipinos marched to Bataan as the prisoners in the Death March.

For four miserable years we suffered the sadism of the Japanese militarists rule. Torture, famine, and death were for us the order of the day.. Kawawa. Malas na malas!

The American forces returned in 1945 to liberate the country. MacArthur, General superiority complex himself, sporting Ray Ban sunglasses corncob pipe swaggered back to Manila . Piqued at his humiliation in 1941, MacArthur ordered the bombing and shelling of Manila till kingdom come. So he can get back at Japs for wrecking his R&R place in Asia. Malas na naman.

The whole-wide expanse South of Pasig - from Post Office to Vito Cruz, including all of Intramuros - was pulverized. Manila was the most destroyed city of World War II next to Tokyo. Our culture, our heritage, and historical assets (seven beautiful churches in Intramuros, hundreds of elegant Art Deco and neo-classical architecture in Paco) were sacrificed recklessly and completely erased from the face of the earth. Sayang na sayang!

In 1946, we gained our Independence from the Americans. We were a free nation at last! A true Independence day for us, July 4th 1946 not the June 12th that Aguinaldo declared and Marcos celebrated. We had enough exposure and lessons on how to govern a democratic country, the first in Asia . Our population was 17 million. The dollar exchange was US$1 to P2.

(to be continued, God willing...)

Malas vs Suwerte

If you are a Filipino citizen, you are either born to Filipino parents, or you are born in the Philippines to either a Filipino mother or a Filipino father, or you have been naturalized.  Another way of looking at it is if you grew up in the Philippines, you're as much a Filipino as all the rest (whether you're white, black or brown).

Why?  What make Filipinos different?  Is it because the Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia?  Is it because our language is easily influenced and is therefore always changing?  Or is it because we believe everything we hear that our lives are filled with sayings and verses and luck (bad luck?) that we cannot get by a day without first consulting one or another form of fortune telling?

I came across an article through the mail called "History of the MALAS Nation."  Below is part of it; the rest will be posted in the next few days.  I just want to warn you that the writer (unknown) was being sarcastic.  I'm sure a lot of us have thought of our history in this point of view, have even discussed it at length with friends while downing some interesting drinks.  Don't get me wrong...  I love my country.  I love the country I grew up in.  I will probably stay here until the day I die.  So why am I posting the article?  Well, because it's funny... and true.  And that, at the end, we should realize that it is time to change.

Subject: History of the "MALAS" Nation - Panahon na para baguhin

"There is a lot of truth on this. Don't know the "Historian" Author:
This brief history of the Philippines, told by a philosopher of the streets, is probably closest to the truth about ourselves.

WHAT'S the big deal when Lapu-Lapu killed Magellan in 1521? Nothing much really. During Lapu-Lapu's time, Mactan was strictly tribal. Think small, gid. There were no big ideas such as nationalism or geopolitics.

Lapu-Lapu was simply, the local siga-siga and Magellan was the culture-shocked Westerner, a native first-timer in the exotic east. We lionize Lapu-Lapu as a hero and nationalist. Ang totoo, mayabang lang si Lapu-Lapu. But this defeat of a foreign invader, did not make a Filipino nation. The timing was wrong. And don't you believe that bull that Spanish explorers came to find spices of the East to improve the taste of their bland cuisine.. Their hidden agenda was to spread their kingdom through colonization, the euphemism for land grabbing.

During the 333 years of Spanish rule (1565-1898), hundreds of rebellions were waged by native firebrands in many parts of the archipelago. Not one succeeded. Our rebels were either caught, garotted, or simply ignored by the Commandante as nuisances. Puro malas!

The execution of Rizal in 1896 was a traumatic experience for Filipinos. Those who read Rizal's Fili and Noli were incensed by the abuses of the church and state regime of the Spaniards. Emotions ran high, from Aparri to Jolo. The critical mass needed for nationhood was formed. At last we could rebel as a people, as a nation.

The Katipunan did their battle heroics, originally led by the firebrand Bonifacio and later on by the crafty Aguinaldo. With more Katipunan charges (Sugod mga Kapatid), freedom seemed possible. Between 1897 and 1899, stealth, betrayal, and skullduggery bedeviled our prospect for independence.. The Aguinaldo and Bonifacio factions engaged in an ugly infighting (the talangka mentality) resulting in the execution of Bonifacio.

Meantime, an American Admiral named Dewey entered Manila Bay and defeated a luckluster Spanish navy. Aguinaldo reneged on the pact of Biak na Bato. He resumed the revolution by proclaiming the Philippine Independence in Kawit. June 12. From whom? We were still under the Americans & Spaniards at that time.

Meanwhile, American and Spanish soldiers held a "moromoro" battle in Intramuros with the Spaniards surrendering. Aguinaldo's republic and his KKK patriots were left out and ignored. Naisahan tayo... Minalas na naman.

The Filipino-American War broke out. Tall American soldiers looking like Clark Gable chased and battled the outlawed Filipino revolutionaries, ending in the capture of Aguinaldo in Isabela. Thanks to the mercenaries from Macabebe. This was the second time those Macabebe turned on their own kind first with the Spaniards. This was the mother of all kamalasan..

At that time, our population was 8 million. The gap between the rich and the poor was estimated at 30% middle-class and rich, 70% low-class and rural poor.
(to be continued, God willing...)

Road Trip: Lanuza (Part 7)

We left the boys (Joey, Chi and Maxie, Joey's friend) out on the waves and Father Cid brought us girls (Mama, Maite and me) and Ed to the Gold Bar Restaurant to have lunch.  Let's see, what did we have?  Binagoongang rice, fresh lumpia, tinolang malasugi, and tilapia.  And like any gracious host, he wouldn't let us pay... he wouldn't even let us see the chit, claiming all he had to do was sign it and we were done.

By this time, the beach house was ready and cleaned so Ed dropped us off there.  After that, he went about returning Father Cid to the convent and picking up the tired surfers and bringing them to the house.  It was easy to laze away the afternoon, with the cool ocean breeze and the sound of the surf in the distance.  As the sun was setting, we went out for a dip.  The water was amazing!  It was so calm, so clean and so clear!  That night, we had dinner on the beach (crabs, prawns, clams and chopsuey), courtesy again of our host and drinks (red wine) at the house of the Provincial Tourism Officer.  Unfortunately, we couldn't really keep up with the developments because we were all soooo sleeeeeepy.

The next morning, January 6, we were served breakfast again on the beach and then we had to say our sad goodbyes to Father Cid and Maxie, with the solemn promise that we would be returning soon.  Our trip was finally coming to an end and we would be on the road back to Bukidnon.  We took the shortcut at Lianga, through the mountains dividing Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur and came out just outside Prosperidad.  We headed north until Butuan City where we had our lunch (at around 1:00pm) at a restaurant called Rosario's.  Then, with a short side trip to the new Suspension Bridge, we were on our way.  We made good time and arrived home at around 6:00pm.

Joey departed for Manila early the next morning...  And so another turning point in our lives as travel coordinators has developed, and so begins another chapter in our journey to know the Philippines!