...Not an Open Letter from a RoS Fan: Scouting the Mixers...

The San Mig Super Coffee Mixers and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings figured in an epic seven-game series, which the Mixers won last Wednesday to set up a date with the Rain or Shine Elastopainters for the Finals of this All-Filipino Conference. This is the nth time Coach Tim Cone will be in a Finals series, while the young Elastopainters will figure in just their third Finals appearance.

I am a basketball fan, and I enjoyed the SMC-BGK series immensely, despite not rooting for anyone in particular. However, as a fan that (at least I'd like to believe) has an above-average understanding of the game, I have grown to love the way that Rain or Shine plays the game. I have been rooting for Rain or Shine since they traded away Sol Mercado; the same time they got the outspoken Coach Yeng Guiao to take the helm for their team. Coach Yeng just made lineups work. He was leading the Red Bull franchise to multiple playoff and finals appearances despite management constantly trading away his main guys. I'd hate to say "the team plays with heart" because I have conceded that UST concept to Gilas. RoS just plays hard and does not give up. In a word, "palaban". The team doesn't care if it's down 16 heading to the fourth quarter, and they don't need a whole arena chanting their name to make a run. The team is bigger than any individual player. Gabe Norwood is arguably the biggest name in terms of basketball, and Chris Tiu may be the biggest name in the team in general, but both concede their roles to whoever Coach Yeng says.

And now, here we are again, no import to reinforce both sides, no political campaigns to worry about. Rain Or Shine is back in the Finals. I have little doubt in my mind that we will take this series. Since I won't be able to watch the first game tomorrow, I leave this as my contribution to the team. Here is how I see our opponents:

*NOTE: All photos from Google. Not taking credit for any of it. I note those without watermarks.

Backcourt:

Mark Barroca

Size doesn't matter for Barroca
*Photo from Inquirer Sports

When You See Him: A little before the end of the first quarter or starts the second quarter. Depending on the flow of the game, he'll be in the middle of the third until the end of the game, with a brief spell in the break or he'll sit out for a hotter player on the court.

Strengths: Speed, playmaking, and pesky defense. Knows how to use the board or his body when going up against big guys down the lane.

Weaknesses: Sometimes gets a little too eager getting the ball and gets called for petty fouls. Blocking the passing lanes late will throw him off; he has a tendency to look for the pass before setting his feet,making him susceptible to traps.

Stop Him With: Jireh Ibanez, Gabe Norwood either on him or to his favorite target. Paul Lee may not be able to keep up with him on a footrace. TY Tang will get called for fouls because he's not much of a star as Barroca is. Jeric Teng might be pulled out by Coach Yeng to handle this assignment from time to time. Chris Tiu is a candidate if only because he's a good basketball sense in him to figure something out. Ryan Arana will mess him up good. Yes, safe to say, I want just about everyone thrown at Barroca. Stopping  Barroca is key for RoS; he may not be what LA is to Ginebra, but his teammates feed off his energy as much as they do off Pingris.

PJ Simon

That's not an awkward shot for him at all.

When You See Him: Starting the game, mostly spelled by either Melton, Barroca, and for some reason, Mallari.

Strengths: A wild hot streak. When he's on, he is on. Almost automatic from three when he's free, has a midrange shot, and has that incredible floater.

Weaknesses: Off nights. It's sad but that's one of the primary ways he could be stopped. However, if his hop step in the lane is timed right for a defender to be right in front of him as he's about to take that floater, he usually hesitates and looks for the pass. Take that floater away, and he loses most of his offense, not allowing him to wax hot.

Stop Him With: Jireh Ibanez and Gabe Norwood are RoS' best defenders, and Simon being one of the best offensive weapons of SMC, it is only fitting one of these guys be on him.

Justin Melton

He's 5-11, can do that and more.

When You See Him: Spelling for the starters, usually in tandem with Barroca. He's mostly seen on the front end of an Ian Sanggalang basket.

Strengths: Athletic, has nice handles, can shoot from the outside and has a nice defensive awareness. Height is no reason for him to not block shots.

Weaknesses: Being young, he's sometimes swayed by the crowd to do something more than what he's capable off. He also sometimes gets too flashy dribbling or passing the ball.

Stop Him With: Paul Lee and Ryan Arana will make this kid regret his flashiness. Alex Nuyles will one-up him on those athletic plays.

Alex Mallari

Not a point.. Yet? Coach Tim will tell.

When You See Him: Start or mid second, when everyone needs a rest. Coach Tim likes his ball handlers tall, and Alex is one of his favorites despite not being too effective on the floor. He's either bricking shots, making dumb plays, or taking a free throw after the refs save his ass.

Strengths: Long and athletic, has slightly above average ball handling, has some mid to long range shots.

Weaknesses: Not too creative of a finisher, isn't consistent with his jump shot, is being experimented on to be a tall Magic-type point guard in the Triangle.

Stop Him With: Anyone not tasked to guard the main guys. I may be underestimating him, but unless he shows he's capable of doing what is expected of him, he doesn't warrant too much attention on defense. Jeff Chan and Paul Lee can take turns resting while marking him. Chris Tiu can out-Pogi him any day.

Swingmen:

James Yap

Will the shots fall as it did in Game 7?

When You See Him: Shooting bricks when Kris Aquino isn't wishing him good luck. He starts and is plugged in when the Mixers need some offensive firepower.

Strengths: Strong presence on the court that draws defenders, not-a-million moves, exceptional shooting (when hot), good timing on rebounds

Weaknesses: Defense (though that has improved a bit over the years), cold spells, almost-predictable moves (always starts with a jab step or a head fake when he gets it facing the basket; at least one fake on the post before dribbling twice for a spinning fadeaway)

Stop Him With: Jeff Chan, Alex Nuyles, Ryan Arana, or Jireh Ibanez when he needs a rest. His shots will fall if he's hot, and no amount of defense can stop that. He just needs to be bothered, with people needing to front him. If he gets it from the elbow, he usually drives towards the basket than choosing the baseline.


Joe Devance

He can pass from everywhere. Expect it to be flashy.
*Photo from Rappler

When You See Him: Starting, getting most minutes in the middle of quarters (someone else starts and finishes the quarters for him after the first quarter).

Strengths: Size and agility that's almost unfair because he can shoot from the outside. Has nice court awareness to know where his teammates are to find them where they need the ball.

Weaknesses: Tries to be a guard a little too much sometimes. He'll opt for a fancy pass rather than just doing the right play. Has a volatile temper that can be abused by playing him physically. I'm calling for at least three techs on him if this series goes seven games.

Stop Him With: Gabe Norwood in a normal lineup featuring two other guards (Lee, Arana), and agile bigs like Raymond Almazan and Jervy Cruz in a big lineup featuring both Extra Rice boys. Beau Belga and Larry Rodriguez can try to mark him if Almazan is tasked to man the middle as a weakside defender.

Frontcourt:

Marc Pingris

This shot has been money for Ping.
*Photo from Interaksyon.com

When You See Him: Everywhere. Blocking, rebounding, doing his version of the bicep shot, scrambling on the floor, and guarding practically everyone on the opposing team.

Strengths: Boundless energy, impeccable timing on rebounds, excellent defender, an improved one-handed jumper, a strong post up game.

Weaknesses: I have no words. Fouls, probably, because he plays too physical. Dribbling, probably.

Stop Him With: Any able body. The Extra Rice boys won't be pushed around if he goes for a post up, but they won't be able to jump up and block his one-handers. Almazan WILL be pushed around, so the only way he'll be effective against Ping is if he stays as a help defender. Jervy might be able to defend him on the floor, but won't be able to contain him if he posts up. Rodriguez is two gulang points up from Ping; if he can't defend him, he might fish a foul from him.

Ian Sanggalang

Gained a lot of confidence going up against Ginebra in 7 games

When You See Him: Mid to late first quarter, some stretches in the second and third, and if he's hot, he'll earn some for the fourth. He's usually on the receiving end of a Melton pass.

Strengths: Size advantage over the RoS big men, agile, has a midrange game, smart defender, long, and athletic.

Weaknesses: As a rookie, he hasn't shown some of the skills he did back in college; he's not much of a shot blocker now, and he's staying away from three point shots. He's easily rattled if he's too wide open.

Stop Him With: Extra Rice boys and Larry Rodriguez. I'm afraid that if Almazan picks him up, he reverts to his Baste form. RoS doesn't want him to gain confidence. I would've loved him to be on our team.

Rafi Reavis

Like Ping, he's agile enough to guard players smaller than him
*photo from Yahoo Sports Ph

When You See Him: Tapping missed free throws away from the rim. He usually starts the game for the Mixers, but is replaced by more capable scorers when they need it. He'll be in for crucial possessions where they need a rebound or a defensive stop.

Strengths: Long, agile, and athletic, the guy knows how to make use of his body and skills to the fullest. He doesn't score much (his hot Game 7 start isn't something you see everyday), because he understands his role in the team. High leaper, can get up to block shots or grab boards.

Weaknesses: Limited offensive game, mostly gets his points off offensive rebounds.

Stop Him With: Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, Jervy Cruz. The bigs just need to keep an eye on him and box him out. He's not an option on offense, but can hurt RoS with putbacks and offensive boards.

Yancy De Ocampo

A distributor off the post.

When You See Him: When bigs are in foul trouble, or if  none of the big guards are not too effective in spreading out the floor.

Strengths: Veteran smarts, post passing

Weaknesses: Not too agile. He's generally an effective PF.

Stop Him With: Larry Rodriguez. Counter veteran smarts with another veteran.

Most Likely Effective Hugot:

JR Cawaling 

Not much pictures of him in an SMC uniform, but he's a steal at the end of the SMC bench

I honestly don't know if he saw minutes in the Ginebra series, but l think he's the best talent in the San Mig bench that isn't given enough minutes. I think he's a smart basketball player with better handles than Alex Mallari. Mallari looks to be more athletic than Cawaling, but the latter has a better mid to outside jumper and better ball handling skills. He could be a blindside pick by the Mixers.

...The Year Apart: Looking Back at the First 11/29...

I have a pretty close family. Every birthday is a chance to get together to celebrate. 

November 29, 2004 wasn't that different. The Lozada family gathered in San Juan because it was Uncle Jun's birthday. It was a birthday Uncle Jun said everyone must always be present because the following day is a holiday. While everyone was there, I was in UST, for our annual deliberations for possible candidates for the AB Student Council. With me were friends, fellow prospects, and some members, one of whom was pretty special to me.

See when the Academic Year started, I met these two Communication Arts freshmen from Stella Maris College. Issa and Che seemed inseparable then. As I introduced our political party to them, I felt a weird attraction to Che. She was all smiles and had a somewhat irritating pitch when she shouted, but she was "kwela" for lack of a better word to describe her. But beneath all the smiles I felt that she was fragile and is this loud and cheery exactly because she's hiding it from the world. I wanted to take care of her. 

Che was in no way attracted to me. Kinikilig sa harapan ko yan pag nakikita crush nya. But I persisted. I brought two umbrellas in my bag everyday since the first time I met her. One day, it finally rained during dismissal, and I chanced upon Che and Issa sharing a small umbrella. I pulled out my umbrella like it was just their lucky day that I had an extra one. Of course, it only gave me a chance to see her again. 

I was able to get on her good side at least. There was always that awkwardness because she knew I liked her, so building up a friendship with her was a bit difficult. She got through it though, and at one point during the sem break I got Issa to tell her we could all watch a movie together, then cancel at the last minute so that we could go watch that movie by ourselves. Truthfully, I forgot which movie it was. I just remember how nice it was that we were able to pull it off. 

Eventually, I got the courage to express my feelings for her. It was in Benavides Park, fondly called "Lover's Lane" in UST. There we were, sitting on a rock, with tears falling because of all the emotions being poured out, all while Issa was trying her best impersonation of a rock while everything is happening around her. 

"Gusto ko maging sigurado muna ako..." was ultimately Che's message that night. 

And so, November 29, 2004, weeks after this scene happened. It was a rainy day, and there were no classes in UST, true to the GMA's habit of switching holidays. Che kept looking for me like some clingy kid. Later, she would borrow my cellphone to send a text message. She held my hand more that day, and I didn't mind. As we were going home she kept asking if someone replied. I checked, but there weren't any messages. As we rode the FX to Pasig under the Pureza Station of LRT 2, she finally told me to write a message. I opened it and saw the words already typed in:

"Sigurado na ako. Mahal kita. :)" 

And a happy, exciting feeling just poured out of me. I didn't want to go down from the FX, but she insisted that I go. I did, and we went our separate ways. I don't know how her ride was, but I know she got home safe. From Kalentong, I walked to San Juan while it was raining lightly, and some of the roads were flooded. I didn't mind, I could finally say Che was my girlfriend.

Every 29th of November, we celebrated it together. She knows of my family's traditions, but we always make it a point to celebrate our anniversary together. I'd come late to Uncle Jun's party, or be somewhere else during this day for the past nine years. I honestly can't enumerate every single date that we had every November 29 since 2004. We've had so many special moments that I've forgotten which happened on the 29th of what year. But this year is going to be new.

Today, as we mark our 9th year anniversary together, we're celebrating it apart. It is a consequence of the choices we made. It's quite sad not to be celebrating this day with her, but there's still a lot to be happy about because we made the choices that we did. Happy should always outweigh the sad. 

We're living in the "now", and we don't want to speculate as to how the 29th will turn out next year or the year after that. Right now, we know that we're celebrating it apart; sad with the fact that we're miles away, but happy with our decisions that got us where we are now. 

Tonight, I'll be coming to Uncle Jun's birthday celebration without Che by my side for the first time since November 29, 2004. Just like every other year that this celebration happens, we're another year wiser, and another year grown up. This year may have seen the most grown up decision we had to make for our relationship. 

Happy 9th, Che.

As your favorite K-Pop stars go: "Fighting!" =)

...To New Beginnings...

"Alis volat propriis"

- Latin phrase, Translated; "she flies with her own wings"

We dream to do a lot of things with our lives, but few dare to reach for these dreams.

Today, I return from Singapore alone. After two years of dreaming of taking the next step in her career and exploring a new world, Che has finally taken that huge leap on crossing that out of her bucket list. She's taking a job she didn't expect. To save you from the details, I'll simply put it this way; she was aiming for the sky, but it opened such that she would reach a star. 

Since she started this motion in September, a lot of scenarios have been played out in our minds, but extending her resignation date wasn't one of them because she might not want to leave. She considered a local job from the client side because we don't want our beloved Mother May to feel bad that she left and went to another agency. She thought about staying behind in Singapore after our F1 trip, which, looking back now, thankfully didn't happen. 

Almost a month after we learned of her promising new opportunity, she stopped making plans and was all in on this. It was a long and difficult wait of the unknown. She went through the whole month either watching Running Man and The Heirs, reading eBooks, or taking orders for Hungry Rover.  

And finally, the call. 

My phone rang while I was in the office, and she was calling. I thought it was a random call because I wasn't replying.

"Meron na kong hiring approval!" shouted the excited girl from the other line.

You could make a comic strip out of this series of events under the phrase "Good things come to those who wait" to illustrate it. She almost lost hope, waiting for more than a month with no updates after her interview over the phone. I just picked up my renewed passport. Issa already considered having a roommate. Just when she was down in the pits, the call from her employer just picked her up. 

And now, after that long intro, I answer the two most frequently asked questions to me since we learned about the move.

"Kaya mo ba?"

"Ready ka na ba?"

I write this because this is the only way I know best to explain these without either breaking down or looking indifferent about everything that's happening.

For the first time in nine years, we'll be really apart. It will be the first time in years that I won't be there to hold her hand right when she needs me. It may be the first time in her adult life when I wouldn't be physically present when she vents out all her frustrations and feelings she keeps behind her wonderful smile. 

Over the years, our relationship has evolved constantly as we grew older. Needs, priorities, and plans changed. We learned to adapt to the real world, breaking our personally-set life deadlines, and just living life. We have faced different challenges, and here we stand still together, officially on the 29th of November; nine years after that saved message on my 5110 that said "sigurado na ako :)" and made me a giggling fool running under the rain and over the floods of Kalentong to San Juan.

Since day one, I knew I wanted to take care of her, and God knows I always did. It has burned me a couple of times already; she came to a point where she thought she lost her individuality and wanted to distance herself from me. It was the only way she knew how to be known as "Che" and not "Che, Volt's girlfriend".

As we adapted, she somehow learned to work through having our kind of relationship and still keep the individuality she wanted. She had a lot of dreams, so many things she wanted to do. I wasn't going to stand in any of it.

The best and permanent reminder of this is probably her urge to get a tattoo. I have always been against it. I never liked the idea of tattoos and piercings. She's been saying she wanted one for a couple of years already. I've always told her that I don't like it, but if she thinks she needs to get it, then she can do what she wants. I told her that I won't be there to hold her hand when she gets hurt while getting it though.

Early this year, she found her quote, and finally decided to get it; a Latin phrase she found among the thousands of quotes she gets to read over social networks - "Alis volat propriis," translated, means "she flies with her own wings."

Of course, I wasn't happy about the tattoo, but I am happy that she decided on her own to get it, and that she did it for herself. And no, I wasn't there when she got it.

And now, Singapore.

Am I happy about this? Absolutely. She's always wanted this, and this is her chance to make her dream come true.

Am I not sad to see her leave? Of course I am. But I look at the bright side, and understand that in the long run, this will only do us both good.

Have we talked about who's moving where and how long this Singapore thing will last? Truthfully, no. But it is a choice that we made. I think that putting deadlines on dreams limits one's chance of enjoying the said dream. We can chase our own dreams separately knowing that we're cheering each other to go on and not racing each other to who gets to a goal first.

Am I ready for a long distance relationship? I say, who is ever ready for it? I know it is difficult, and there will be days when we'll feel helpless not being on the other's side. But overcoming adversity is something that we know a thing or two about. I think we have built a strong enough foundation to be ready for this move.

Umiyak ka na ba? Not yet. I think for a couple of times I was on the brink of it, but tears haven't really fallen. It's not because I don't care, but rather because her getting a really promising career opportunity is something we should be more happy about than dwell in the sadness because of the fact that we'll be apart.

With a heavy but hopeful heart, I'm going on with my day with the realization that this is really happening. I am a country away from her. I don't know how her day or her week will turn out. I am scared as shit that she might put too much pressure on herself and I can't hold her hand to tell her she'll be ok.

Part of me doesn't want to let go. But a bigger part of me is reassures me that I need to. Like only a few before her, she's daring to take a next step in her life.

Today, she truly will be flying with her own wings.

Good luck, my love. :) I pray for the day that your wings fly you back to where we need to be at the end of each day... I love you! <3 

...Letting Go of Hatred: An Open Letter to Aljon Mariano...

Dear Aljon Mariano,

'Sup.

I have been a supporter of the UST Growling Tigers since day 1 of my Thomasian days back in 2003. Yes, that time post-four peat when every one on that team was a nobody and we were fighting for pride to not be the last place finisher against UP, NU, and Adamson. When P.E. classes gave out Gen Ad tickets, we don't just have our attendance checked. We stayed to watch the games, win or lose, and raised our fists when the UST Hymn is played.

My dad laughed at me back in '06 when, as a fragile-looking boy, I shouted my lungs out to cheer for the team and looked like I was literally stabbed whenever the opposing team scored. I lose my voice watching the games on TV wherever I am. My passion for this team has never wavered, and it was with great pain that I saw how we lost Game 3. 

This is me as a UST fan.

That is why I was one of the thousands who scorned you for that end of regulation jumper. I cursed you countless times that day, and the days after that. I firmly believed that you sold us out and denied Jeric Teng the chance to end his career on his own terms. 

Understand, sir, that I defended you from critics in Games 1 and 2. You were tasked to guard that hefty beast of a man, Jason Perkins and even the guy they call "The Bear" Norbert Torres. Given your position, I or 99% of the people who bashed you may not even be able to run down the floor after being beat up by those guys in the post. 

And then, six seconds happened. You were clutch last year, we believed that. You were more ruthless than Ryan Buenafe down the stretch of games, that's why we were called "Comeback Kids" last year. You were a huge part of this year's success. But this series was not your series. You had a chance to bounce back for 79 minutes and 54 seconds in games 2 and 3 or whatever your playing time total was. Those six seconds weren't the time for you to bounce back. 

Tonight is Animo Night, a night of celebration for DLSU's championship. It is a night I feel we they shouldn't be having because we were supposed to have raised the trophy last Saturday. But we didn't. And tonight, they'll be having their night.

See, I am now at peace with the fact that it wasn't entirely your fault. Tata had a steal that would've stretched our lead, but fumbled going 1 on 3 on the fastbreak. Almond Vosotros had a real nice fly by move and sunk a shot that he could have missed the way his game was going. Karim tried to do a little too much to get those 2 points back on our end. And in the end, he could've tried to bank it in for two instead of going for all the marbles with a three. Heck, he could've passed it over to Kevin Ferrer in transition when he drew 3 defenders on him instead of almost losing the ball to his foot. 

The breaks of the game, they call it.

I am not asking for your forgiveness because I bashed the hell out of you. I meant every word I said and I'm not taking any of it back. From a guy who loves basketball to another, I want you to shut me up and prove me wrong. You have one more year to prove us all wrong, and regain your form from last year to pre-Final Four you. You are, I still think, one of the best Power Forwards in the league right now, and could be a very serviceable SF when you go pro. 

Another year at redemption, play with the heart and pride that made people call you "Clutch Cat" last year

Understand that whenever something negative happens to us, we always try to find the reason behind it, and choose that which we had control over. If you made that shot and DLSU lost, the scorn of the people would be directed at no less than their MVP, who threw that turnover to AVO at the end of regulation. People won't talk about your game winner, but rather, how Jeron threw the game for his brother. Since we lost, all the anger is directed at you. Nobody seems to be talking about Vosotros' amazing shot to take the lead with only 19 seconds left in the game. People will talk about the blunder of our team and not the amazing things the opposing team did. 

UST has always lacked talent, but more than made up for it with heart. No matter how people overuse the "Puso" mantra, we know that it pushed us to win the title in 2006. The pride of carrying your school's name in front of your jersey, and the fighting spirit to win games while being egged on by the faith of everyone whose heart beats with the drums as they chant "Go USTe!". You had those to pair with your God-given talents.

Now all you have to do is play with those again. 

Play your game, and know that those who truly love this team may curse you but we have moved on. Like a younger brother, we'd want to slap your face for the poor decisions, but can't stay mad at you for long because we're family. All the rest who keep anger in their hearts are probably fans of the run or lost a huge bet. If they can't get over it, it shouldn't matter to you, because they shouldn't. 

Make your last year count. Do it for yourself, do it for your family. We're still all in for UST next year. 

Still believing,

Voltaire Lozada
AB Philosophy batch 07
UST

...Of Corruption and Current Events: Realizations After a Talk with Uncle Jun...

Not too glamorous now, are you?

The PDAF Probe started yesterday, with all eyes intently watching what will happen to Janet Napoles and company. It should infuriate you, who are reading this now, because chances are, you belong in the same class as I do, the middle class. On a scale of 1 to Bayola, we are the ones most fucked over by what Napoles and whoever she alleges to have spent on her non-existent NGO's. The taxes that are automatically deducted from our salaries are supposed to be spent on improved roads at the very freakin least. It should maybe contribute to the salaries and the air conditioned-rooms of the legislative department to make laws that benefit us, or at least amend laws that are non-relevant or useless now. People shouldn't get away from driving 100km/h on the wrong side of the Skyway for a measley 200 Pesos just because there are no laws penalizing a drunk (possibly stoned) driver in the middle of the day.

The farmers are always the beneficiaries of millions of Pesos in PDAF funds, and yet you don't see them thriving.Educated by comments to my Facebook status sometime last week, I no longer understand why these "Legislators" from our House of Representatives have access to such a huge amount of money when all they have to do is legislate. How the hell can they check if the farmers they supposedly gave money to actually received it, if they're staying in the metro most of their days except election time?!

I'm almost baffled as to why the senate is investigating this case and not the DOJ. I'm definitely confused why Napoles had a closed door meeting with the President to surrender rather than going directly to the NBI or the DOJ. And while most are confused as to why Uncle Jun is being interviewed again, I am not. 

Whistle Blowing and Corruption

Spot.ph's report on 10 controversial Filipino whistleblowers

Jun Lozada's name was brought to the public's attention at the height of the NBN-ZTE probe, one of the most controversial cases of bribery and corruption alleged to the government some years back. It was one of the issues our former president, Corazon Aquino prayed intently for before her health failed her. It was one of the rallying points of the Yellow Army to urge Noynoy Aquino to take the challenge of running for presidency back in 2010. The resolution of which, and the judgement of the guilty were a couple of Noynoy Aquino's main thrusts in his campaign of a "clean government".

And yet, years removed from his campaign, what are the results? Uncle Jun is holed up again somewhere, as somehow his "moderate greed" statement has become a reason  for this government to file cases of graft against him. And the whole NBN-ZTE case just died down, with GMA getting public sympathy wearing a neck brace. Funny how she could be perfectly healthy for 10 years in the office, and as soon as she steps down, she's suddenly fighting for her life with whatever disease. 

Anyway, Uncle Jun's being interviewed again, and some friends and some random people (yes I listen in on random people's discussions) are questioning what his role is here. Some in the media would like to make it seem that this is a "revenge" angle by Uncle Jun because Noynoy (I refuse to call him PNoy, because I refuse to believe that he reflects the Filipino people as a whole.) did not help him out of his graft case. 

Fact of the matter is, as one of the more popular whistleblowers in the country, he did inspire quite a number of people who believe in his cause. And given his state in life right now, people would rather just shut up than share the same fate as him; jobless, and not knowing who to really trust in the government. Not everyone may have the skills he has in public speaking or the knowledge he has in technology to get by and manage to still provide for his family. 

With the inspiration he sparked, people have stepped forward and shared what they knew to him. These are, after all, part of the corrupt system he was up against when he stepped forward some years back. 

Soul for the Country

I had a short talk with him the other night, and pointed out a couple of stuff. I understand that one of his most popular snapshots is the one where he was crying in the senate. As per Uncle Jun, when you know what he knows, and you have the heart and soul for this country as he does, you will be able to feel pain, and there is nothing else that you can do but cry in pain. 

Go-to image by the media when portraying Uncle Jun. May pinapalabas o wala nang makitang ibang picture?

He says that "when you feel pain, it means that you are still alive... When you're numb to the pain of the people, your body might still be alive, but your soul (for the country) is already dead."

How many of us still has a "soul" for this country? 

I think that our "soul" is killed off by the same people we should feel pain for. EDSA 1 happened because the people had enough of that pain. EDSA 2 happened because we felt pain again, not the same kind as in EDSA 1, but pain, nonetheless. But that was it. We couldn't possibly overthrow another president (GMA) through the same way we put her in power. EDSA would lose its essence as a bloodless revolution, with the operative word being a "revolution" if it became a habit for us. 

After winning our "democracy" at least twice through those EDSA revolutions (the first was to "win" it, the next to validate it), we expected that we become vigilant and use our power to help us help this country. Yet the same system prevails; actors with no qualifications are voted into office, the same names that did nothing but put their faces on everything (using your money, by the way) in your city are re-elected, and the same people who voted them to office are the same people who cry out that their government has done nothing for them.

How can one have a "soul" for this country if this country doesn't seem to want to help itself? 

Second Generation Politicians

Taking "Family Business" to a whole new level

Speaking of the same people being re-elected, we're probably one of the top countries that have the most political dynasties ruling the country. For some reason, we have come to believe that "genes" could be a great basis for choosing our leaders. 

In the same conversation I had with Uncle Jun, he pointed out that the past two years should teach us that "genes" fail us sometimes. Diosdado Macapagal was a respectable President. Corazon Aquino was an inspirational one. We voted their children to office thinking we'd get more of the same. Apparently, their children did not have the same "soul" for this country as they did. 

And now, here we are, screwed over by the Arroyo administration, was said "sorry" to on national TV in the most stoic way possible, then given hope by one Noynoy Aquino for "change" and "clean governance" and we learn now that more of the same is happening (talking about the negative things he was against during the Arroyo administration). 

How many more examples do we need? Because of familiarity, we settle for who we know, but who we know don't usually share a love for this country that drives him to public service. The government has become a family business rather than a venue for public service.

Presidential Budget

A statement that is still true, but really, has anything been done to actualize it?

The last point that Uncle Jun talked to me about was that the senate approving the Presidential Budget for 2014. Despite an increase from the 2013 budget (2.82 billion from 2.73 billion), it was approved in a record 10 minutes. 

Reading up on news articles the next day, I learned why it lasted a mere 10 minutes:

In an interview after the hearing, Escudero explained that there were “no issues” with the OP budget because the lump sum funds are not under the OP.

“The lump sums [critics are mentioning] are with the Special Purpose Fund, which the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) will defend. Even the Presidential Social Fund is not with the budget of the President,” said Escudero, an ally of President Benigno Aquino III.

He added, “The third reason is by tradition, even in the past, Congress usually [extends] courtesy to the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President with respect to their budget and if there are any issues with respect to the administration, it’s addressed to the department and not the office itself.”

 - Extracted from a report by Rappler's Ayee Macaraig, September 3, 2013

"Tradition" is what seemed to put Aquino in power, and it seems it is what has continually fucked us over throughout the years. The "nakasanayan" that we never got over; sila na yung nandyan, sila na lang ulit. We pay "bribes" to make our lives easier because policemen "traditionally" accept them. We shell out money to customs because "traditionally" the customs people are used to the practice of taking cuts from incoming goods either in form of money or in the goods itself. These are but some of the "traditional" shit going on in the country. 

What I don't understand about the 10-minute budget approval are the following 

1. If the lump sums are not under the budget of the president, why is it included in their proposal?

2. If the DBM will "defend" it anyway, what's the purpose of the senate approval?

3. If the senate will "extend courtesy" and will not scrutinize it, why did it have to go through that process in the first place?

In a time when the public is questioning how the government is spending our hard earned money, shouldn't this process take longer than 10 minutes to scrutinize at least, and not approved in the middle of the night?

The "Mythical Yellow Forces"

It was the people who urged him to run. Those people seem to mean nothing to him now.

Back in 2010 I had several healthy debates with friends who follow politics. We may not have changed each others' minds, but we did understand why we were standing by our candidates. It was the best possible way I enjoyed democracy; a clash of thoughts, a difference in ideals, but with a common cause. 

One of the main reasons why I campaigned for Noynoy was the fact that he had a whole nation rooting for him. He had a good family background that people could rally behind, and a clean enough reputation to make people believe that he has a genuine love for this country. He also was adamant in bringing the wrongs of the Arroyo administration to light, and punish the guilty. 

With everyone (or mostly everyone) rooting for him, I firmly believed that he was trustworthy enough to call for a constitutional change. FVR didn't have the trust of the public, as everyone thought he just wanted to stay longer in his office when he proposed constitutional change during his term. Erap didn't have that trust, nor was he ever in a position to propose it. GMA, well, she did do the country some good, but by the time she would propose the constitutional change, she no longer had the trust of the public. Aquino had that chance. However, little by little, my trust for him has dwindled. When you try to understand what this government is saying and doing, it almost seems that they are taking the public as fools. The Janet Napoles story is a prime example of it. 

As his parting words, Uncle Jun had this to say:

"It is painful to let of the sentimentality of the myth of the yellow forces" 

Is it not painful to let go of something you believed to be true? Hopefully, our vigilance toward the Napoles probe does not end with that Million People March.

...Pangingialam ng Pakialamero: Driving in the Philippines...

We Filipinos are known to be able to remain happy despite adversity. Working in the field of sales, one of the challenges I have to deal with is the hellacious traffic in the metro. To deal with road rage, I watch movies on my tab, or look out my window to criticize my fellow motorists, the whole scenery around me, and at times, pedestrians. Here are things I noticed while driving in the Philippines:

1. Turn Signal Technology

We have added features in ours.

We have an amazing turn signal technology implanted in our cars. I think it is only in the Philippines that your turn signal is directly connected to the accelerator pedal of the car behind you in the lane you want to switch to. You can try out this technology in the next traffic jam you're in. Compare it to when you don't use your turn signal when switching lanes. You'll find better success switching.

2. Road Signs are Decorative Pieces on the Road

How could I illustrate this better? 

I remember taking a written test when I was applying for a driver's license. I remember a couple of guys flunking it. I even remember a dude who was actually caught cheating. Yep, and all that I didn't really understand because everything was so openly displayed around us. Now, rules are supposed to give us a sense of order, and signs are great illustrations of what the rules are. Here in the Philippines, these signs are actually mere decorations on the road. Those white lines on the road that other countries call pedestrian lanes? No need for that here, because people can cross the road however they want. The perfectly spelled out "No Loading and Unloading" sign? That's the best place to hail a PUV because people would usually avoid it. Our roads no longer need paintings or murals, we already have a lot of decorations in the form of these colorful roadsigns nobody follows.

3. Rules End at the Stroke of Midnight

Of course I'll take a left there, don't be silly

You know how there are one-way streets, and there are streets where you can't turn right or left or you can't make a u-turn? Well, at the stroke of midnight, you apparently can already! Rules seem to only be followed if there are uniformed individuals manning their post (which curiously is always found just after a road sign or traffic light) and these same rules are no longer in effect when no one's looking. Way to contribute to our nation's progress, motorists who can't be patient enough for rules.

4. "Yellow" Means "Faster"

One of the most common practices that one would notice while driving in the Philippines is the fact that vehicles actually speed up rather than slow down when they see the yellow light on the traffic. I think it is somehow correlated to item #1, since turn signals are usually yellow. We need to find a new color for saying "slow down". 

See the bright dot at the top right? It means stop. Yellow comes before it, which means slow down. The Jeepney clearly had a different mindset when the saw that yellow light

5. Rain Causes  More People on the Road

They have their umbrellas, but wouldn't it be drier indoors?

I don't have proof of direct correlation of this, but for some reason, traffic is worse when it's raining that when it's sunny out. I don't know how people occupy 3 of the 5 lanes of Marcos Highway when it's raining, but manage to keep it steady the rest of the days. Don't people have to take shelter when it's raining? I have theorized long before that The Gremlins may be true after all. 

6. The Road: An Extended Market

Random stuff you'd probably need in your car to amuse you

I haven't been to too many other countries, so I can't say for certain that this only happens here in the Philippines. Sure, traffic bores the hell out of you, and makes you pick your nose or sing at the top of your lungs. But the characters outside of your car will give you more things to enjoy; there's the "takatak" boy selling cigarettes and candies, the Fish Cracker or other snack sellers along C5, the roasted mani vendors, the Kasoy vendors who can jump in and out of buses but also sell to cars, and vendors of random stuff; i.e. cellphone chargers, fruits, that solar powered plastic flower that moves by itself under direct sunlight, and just the other day, I saw one selling shaving blades. 

And it's not just the micro-entrepreneur that you will see on the roads. There are also the hopeless cases who just wander around begging for money, and the kids who "clean" your windshield with dirty water and shaggy rags. There are the sampaguita kids who will persist that you buy their stuff at 11PM. These are the sights and sounds of traffic in the metro. 

7. "Sorry" Makes Everything Better

"Sorry" lang katapat nyan boss, relax.

Traffic jams usually involve a lot of bumper to bumper jockeying for position. The most notorious of which are the steel-built jeepneys and other Public Utility Vehicles. It is almost common now that you see at least one or two accidents in a week, with one of the involved parties being that of a PUV. There are a lot of head scratching involved while the other party is irate. For some reason, these PUV drivers or those drivers who are generally assholes are the same people who will scratch their heads and say "sorry" as if their "sorry" could fix up the dent or scratch on your car. Forget insurance or police reports, they don't have those. It's going to be your responsibility to have it fixed by insurance because you don't possibly have the heart to let this poor man's family starve to death. You should take his "sorry", let out a sigh of relief, then charge it to experience, because the traffic will only become worse with your car never going to get better despite the more powerful "sorry na po talaga".