I Vote for MDG

Stating today and for the next two days, 16-18 October 2009, people around the world will take action in pushing for the eradication of poverty.

This 3-day global mobilization aims to send a loud and clear message from citizens to leaders of rich and poor countries to take urgent action to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It also aims to once again break the Guinness World Record for having the largest number of people participating in a single event.

The MDGs are a set of eight time-bound, concrete and specific targets aimed at significantly reducing, if not decisively eradicating extreme poverty by 2015. They are embodied in the Millennium Declaration of 2000, which were signed by 189 world leaders from around the globe, including the Philippines.

The eight MDGs are:

Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

Achieve universal primary education.

Promote gender equality and empower women.

Reduce child mortality.

Improve maternal health.

Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

Ensure environmental sustainability.

Develop a global partnership for development.

 This year, Stand Up will take place against the backdrop of a deepening financial crisis and a slowing global economy. Much closer to home and only recently, we were devastated by the wrath of Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng that not only showed to us the unparalled strength of nature but also the lackadaisical and almost criminal (in)action of our government towards poorly planned urban-rural development and unconscionable abuse of our natural ecosystem.

It is a time of great challenge for development in general and the MDGs in particular. Already we are seeing the potentially devastating impact on this on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. We know that the current economic climate threatens to undo and possibly even reverse the very significant gains that have been made towards achieving the MDGs.

With just six years left to the 2015 deadline for the achievement of the Goals, we cannot afford to let this happen. The achievement of the MDGs must remain a priority on the global political and public agenda. Through Stand United, we will convey the urgency of meeting the MDGs and end extreme poverty by 2015.

Watch this 2009 video  on why you should vote for MDG. 

Autopsy of a Disaster

What went wrong?

While it is true that PAG-ASA told us about the oncoming slow-moving typhoon Ondoy (international codename Ketsana) days before it hit Metro Manila, I wonder why we were not warned of the unusual amount of rain it has brought?

Consider this:  government data tell us that rainfall was abnormally high at 41.6 centimeters, breaking the previous single-day record of 33.4 centimeters in July 1967.    Metro Manila’s average rainfall for September is 39.17 centimeters. In six hours, Ondoy dumped 34.1centimeters of rainfall.  So how come nobody issued a warning that Ondoy is bringing an extraordinary amount of rain when average rainfall per hour has already registered beyond the normal level?

I was in Pasig City that day, 26 September 2009, with colleagues from Philippine Business for Social Progress, as we have a scheduled business advising workshop with a multi-purpose cooperative.  We left Intramuros, Manila few minutes after 9 AM aboard a rented van.  The rain was gentle but relentless.  When we reached Sta. Mesa, Manila, we were not at all surprised to see ankle-deep water in the area.  In fact, it was quite a normal occurence on a rainy day. 

All roads leading to Pasig however, were also flooded.  That was the time that I started to worry but I kept quiet.  We already spent some two hours on the road, snaking through several side streets hoping to find a clear road but to no avail.  After some time, and quite fortuitously, the president of the cooperative called up to say that their place is flooded waist-high already; better to cancel the event.

As soon as we decided to cancel, we found ourselves trapped on the road heading to Pasig City Hall.  Vehicles in our front suddenly stopped, and we saw the floodwater rising.  Our driver has got presence of mind so he backed off, away from the gathering crowd of stranded vehicles.  Then we stopped for brunch, clueless that what lies ahead of us is a “once-in-a-lifetime typhoon”, as Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has put it.

***

Going back to Intramuros was a nightmare.  We decided to take the long way:  via C5 to Fort Bonifacio to Villamor to Roxas Boulevard.  En route, we already saw several motor vehicles on the roadside, as if parked or just waiting for the flooded road to subside.  Traffic situation has turned terrible.

When we reached Fort Bonifacio, we spent one hour on queue to Villamor – Nichols exit.  Our driver decided to take another route (Ayala via Forbes Park) only after a man in bicycle told us that the flood in Nichols- South Superhighway area has reached chest-deep.

In Makati, traffic along Ayala Avenue was light but when we reached Buendia (Gil Puyat crossing Ayala), traffic going to Manila was not moving at all.  We again decided to take another route, this time our driver led us to the Skyway entry ramp near Don Bosco.  We were shocked to see this side of Makati that day:  cars on counterflow, going nowhere and everywhere, it was anarchy in the true sense, flood all over.

We braved the flooded Skyway ramp, only surprised to find out that people have started walking up in the Skyway, going to Bicutan, Sucat and Alabang.  Pedestrians in Skyway was really surreal.  I was no longer worried, I was shocked.  From Skyway, we saw Magallanes and parts of Pasay City all covered with flood water.  I felt safe in the Skyway, something in me would like to suggest that we stop right there.  No flood can reach us this high.

***

We found refuge at McDonald’s in front of NAIA Terminal 3, after several attempts to negotiate our exit to Manila via Tramo.  Three times we tried, three times we failed.  So we were holed up in McDo with all other stranded motorists.  We stayed there until past 10 PM.  I was fortunate to find a friend also stranded within the area.  Since he lives near my place in Sucat, I decided to transfer car, leaving my PBSP friends and my parked car in Intramuros to fate.  

***

All those time, we were tuned in to a local AM radio, or at least for most of the time that we were in the van.  Sad to say, there was no coordinated effort or direction given to the public.  It has become evident that our government was not prepared for a disaster.  There is NO plan.  There was nothing but panic in their voice.

At 6 PM that day, I started to spot army trucks carrying troops and rubber boats.  On Sunday morning, I realized that their action was too late, too little.  Many had already drowned and died.

Why I left my glamorous job

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain   

Call it the 7-year itch because in a month’s time, I will be saying goodbye to my 7-year old career as corporate training officer for a public corporation.  I may have what most people would consider an enviable job given the perks that goes with it– large paycheck, quarterly bonuses, car plan, housing plan, a reserved parking slot, clothing allowance, and bonuses of up to 1xth month pay.  It was no surprise then that when I told some people about my jumping ship, they considered me a fool.  Who in his right mind would want to give up a life in Utopia? 

What are you willing to give up to go up?

I was never your Average Joe.  I hate being average or normal or pedestrian for that matter.  I am always stubborn and arrogant.  I am restless. I am ambitious.  I know that I am destined to be great, and that I can never personify or achieve such greatness while trapped in my own Utopia, comfortably sitting on my executive chair in an air-conditioned office facing my flat screen monitor inside my well-appointed cubicle.  These are my faults and I am proud to have these virtues running in my veins.  To go up, to achieve greatness, I must give up the things that although provides for my own instant gratification, would in the long run become the very hindrance to my own self actualization.

Life is a cycle.  If I will not leave now, I will miss the next one.

And if I do not leave now, I am afraid that I would not have the capacity to find any reason or courage in the future to leave.  I will rot and I will die.  If I am no longer learning any thing  new, or does not push myself to the wall with exciting, challenging, never-done-before endeavors, then I am not growing anymore.  Life is too short, I shall not waste it.

I am giving up stability over uncertainty.  I am giving up security over my own freedom.  Freedom to chart my own destiny, freedom to allow myself the full benefits of the mysteries that surround life in general.  Freedom to learn and to unlearn.  Freedom to become what I wanted to be.  Security on the other hand, and quite paradoxically is constricting, suffocating and stymying.  It secures your body but imprisons your spirit.  It kills your ability to dream big dreams.  It annihilates the greatness in us.

I am a big fish in a small pond, not anymore.  I’m taking one step backward only to gain a momentum for the big jump into the big pond.

Harry Potter is Noynoy Aquino

What an interesting plot this story-in-the-making which is Philippines Elections 2010 has turned into now that the son of modern day hero and heroine has finally decided to join the race for the presidency.

To Harry Potter- The Boy Who Lived. —Wizarding world toasting Harry Potter after Lord Voldemort’s first downfall

In so short a time, the quiet Senator Noynoy Aquino was transformed into a national sensation and as a strong contender versus the Death Eaters and the Dark Lady currently occupying the Palace.  Noynoy is now seen as ’the boy who lived’ being the only son of the martyred Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino.  He is looked upon as someone who can bring back the rule of law, decency and pride in government service.

“Hmm. Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There’s talent, oh my goodness, yes – and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that’s interesting… So where shall I put you?” —Sorting Hat to Harry Potter

The factotums in the Palace question Noynoy’s ability and capacity to lead, dishing out trash like Noynoy’s career as a lawmaker was dismal and unremarkable.  But to many people, Noynoy is destined to be President of this country, like his mother was.  Recent survey and actual show of support for Noynoy as President show that Cory’s Magic is still a very much evident and powerful force that can unite the good forces against the evil one.

Ron: “We’re nearly there. Let me think — let me think… Yes…it’s the only way … I’ve got to be taken.“

Harry and Hermione: “NO!“

Ron: “That’s chess! You’ve got to make some sacrifices! I take one step forward and she’ll take me — that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!” — Ron sacrifices himself in Wizard Chess

Taking up the role of Harry Potter’s bestfriend Ron Weasly is the admirable, intelligent and courageous Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.  When he relinquished party nomination as standard bearer, he said:  “Noynoy Aquino and I share the outrage in the mess we are all in. I want to make a difference…I am the president of the Liberal party. It is within my power to preside over a potentially divisive process or to make the party a bridge for the forces of change.” 

“Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth stand united, there is no hope for any of us.” —Albus Dumbledore after the return of Lord Voldemort

Former Senate President Jovito Salonga is the Great Wizard Albus Dumbledore. “Dumbledore is a great wizard. Only a fool would question it”

To say that ours is a very interesting time is an understatement.  It is up to each of us to choose from which side of history we want to be in.  Do you want to be a Death Eater or do you want to be part of the Order of the Phoenix?  You have to make a choice.   

Who Wears the Death Eater's Mask?

Spot the Similarities

“Every great wizard in history has started out as nothing more than what we are now: students.  If they can do it, why not us?” – Harry Potter as they formed the Dumbledore’s Army

Ramadan Reflections

It is with great interest that I’ve observed how Filipinos have come to accept that this country is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural and that the name Filipino does not anymore mean Tagalog or Manilenyo or Kristyano.  

Thanks to the long and hard efforts of those people who have struggled to increase our level of cultural sensitivity that we now learn to accept each of our culture’s peculiarities.  It won’t be long before we can live peacefully and without malice or prejudice with our neigbor’s differences.

Sadly, there are still few unenlightened souls who have been left out to continue living their lives in the Medieval period, and they are the real barbarians in today’s postmodern society.  They are not aware that the cultural divide between Christians and non-Christians, the Manilenyo and probinsyano, the Tagalog and the Bisaya have been torn open.  Whether the tear is narrow or wide, it does not matter, as long as we consciously make it our own individual responsibility to keep it open for the rest of our lives.  As long as we respect ourselves and other people, we can all live in peace and harmony. 

This is my reflection on the ocassion of the celebration of the holy month of Ramadan by our Islamic brethrens.  On my way to work last week, I noticed streamers along Sucat Road in Parañaque and Roxas Boulevard in Manila that thoughtfully convey messages of solidarity in the celebration of the Ramadan.  Only in 2001 and for the first time in our nation’s history, the government has included Eid-Al Fitr (or day commemorating the end of Ramadan) as a national public holiday although PGMA did not send any official message in this year’s Ramadan, in stark contrast to US President’s Barack Obama’s powerful unity message to all Islamic nations.        

These are small gestures that hopefully, and in the long run will build lasting cultural understanding among all Filipinos (and all citizens of the world), embracing and celebrating our diversity as peoples of Christian, Lumad and Muslim orientations.

To all our Muslim brothers and sisters, a joyous and meaningful celebration!

National Book Store Turns Local (Updated with Photos)

Here is an updated post on NBS.  This time with pictures unofficially taken inside the store. 

The newly-renovated National Book Store outlet in Robinson’s Mall Ermita is sporting a different look, and I must say that it is both politically correct and aethetically sound, never mind that the floor layout is still crampy and confusing like a maze.

What made the NBS interior design great is the motif they chose for their store:  the Islamic arts of our brothers in Maguindanao, Tawi Tawi and Lanao in Mindanao.

In our multi-ethnic society, we only find great pieces of indigenous artistry inside museums and during trade fairs or cultural activities in school .  But a deliberate attempt to infuse these designs and artistic genius to our everyday modern living is not a matter of course. 

NBS’s public display of this great design allows the mainstreaming of the real Filipino art, more specifically, the art forms from Muslim Mindanao.  Hopefully, such act would lead to greater understanding, acceptance and celebration of our diverse cultural traditions.  In this way, our culture becomes alive and relevant, and ends to be just another artifact from ages ago.  Understanding leads to tolerance, tolerance to peace.

Kudos to the National Book Store!  Give us more of the same.

Surrounded by Women

Last weekend, I found myself surrounded by very enterprising ladies from Women for Progress of Nagpayong Multi-Purpose Cooperative.  We had a 2-day strategic planning workshop for their 3-year old cooperative.  I facilitated the workshop in my capacity as volunteer business adviser for small and micro enterprises, of the Philippine Business for Social Progress. 

I enlisted as volunteer adviser (VA) for PBSP’s Business Advisory Program some three years ago.  Despite that, it was only this month that I took a real advisory assignment.  The other assignments that came in the past did not jibe well with my schedule.  The other engagements I had with PBSP until last Saturday was limited to being present in its various seminars for VAs and emceeing an acquaintance party.

The Women for Progress of Nagpayong Multi-Purpose Cooperative is one of the many urban poor community enterprises that the PBSP supports.  The PBSP on the other hand, is what we may now call as the country’s oldest living consortium of private businesses that aims to eradicate poverty through concerted, deliberate, and sustainable programs that empower the poor.  This is not simply one of those private philantrophic activities that make donations for good PR or to ease a guilty conscience.  PBSP is about corporate citizenship:  we are citizens of the world therefore we should leave this place a lot better than we found it, whichever part of the world you may be right now.   

Women for Progress is currently into sewing rags from scrap fabrics, sewing of school and office uniforms, and lastly, weaving of bags, mats and slippers using wicker and dried water lily stalks.  Shown below is a screen capture of Alibaba.com promoting the products of WPMPC.

 

Interestingly, the Women for Progress MPC has already started doing internet marketing as a way of reaching out to their target customers.  Aside from Alibaba.com, they also have their own website and presence in other online trading sites like Sulit.com.ph.

As an enterprise, I see that the WPNMPC has a lot of potential to grow and become successful.  Hopefully, there will be more people and corporations who will lend a helping hand in ensuring that the cooperative will achieve their business objectives, and ultimately become significant contributor of income to the families of each of their members. 

As for me,  I was just glad that I cleared up my calendar for this activity.  I’ve had the chance to meet the women of Nagpayong whom I admire for their steadfast commitment to bring their business to the next level.  Their positive attitude, fighting stance and willingness to listen and learn, despite the negativity around them, was a powerful reminder that the poor Filipino is already fed up with government dole outs or pantawid gutom strategies of this government.  The pantawid programs make them feel poorer, inutile and useless.  Those are not sustainable response to the poverty problem. 

Empowering the poor is the answer.  But they can never succeed without our help.  So pitch in and be involved.  Let us stop poverty today.

Macau and Me

It took me long to write about my trip to Macau.  Let us just say that I am still in shock of what I have seen there.  This state of denial might last longer so what better way to recover but to spill the beans, right here, right now.  Let the catharsis begin.

Macau is a special province of China, bestowed with autonomy in governance not seen in the mainland but almost similar with what Hong Kong enjoys.  Macau was the first and last European colony in China.  Portugal handed over Macau to the People’s Republic of China in 1999, with an understanding that Macau’s autonomy will be in full force for the next 50 years.

Macau has a total land area of 28.2 square kilometers, it is essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges.  Population is at 559,846 as of July 2009, unemployment rate of 3%, $0 external debt, and in 2008, it posted the highest GDP growth rate in the world at 15%.  Macau is generally a service economy with 97.1% of its GDP comes from the services sector- hotels, restaurants, tourism, and gambling.

And gambling!  Macau has a long history of gambling operations.  In fact, it has been always said that it was the Macanese who first operated the gambling dens in the Philippines during 1970s.  In year 2001, the Macau government opened up its gaming industry to foreign operators or licensees that also ended up the monopoly long enjoyed by the gambling tycoon Stanley Ho.  By year 2006, gaming revenue in Macau surpassed that of Las Vegas.  At the same year, 75% of total government revenue can be attributed to gaming-related business.  If that was not fast track development, then what is it?  Knowing all these will knock your socks off.  Seeing all those things that happened and still happening in Macau, will get you into great depression.

 

 

 

How come Macau successfully transformed itself so fast, so right?  How come our own version of Cotai Strip, the PAGCOR City, or Theme Park Manila or the Bagong Nayong Pilipino or its much-recent reincarnation, the Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City is taking so much time to come into fruition?  If urban legend is to be believed, the idea to develop an integrated resort-casino along the Manila Bay was first brought up way back in the 1990s.  

Here’s the rub:  by end of 2009, one of Singapore’s two integrated resort-casinos will start operating.  By 2010, both Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa  would become the most favored tourist destination in Asia.  Believe it or not, the Singapore government only opened to the idea of hosting a casino-resort development some few years ago.  In December 2004, it called for a request-for-concept and accepted 19 bids from industry players.  Only two concepts were approved for implementation.    

From a strategic perspective, Singapore’s opening will totally wipe out any first-in-the-industry advantage that Philippine casinos has so much enjoyed but has also taken for granted.  A few years from now, Vietnam and Taiwan would be joining the ranks of Macau and Singapore in gaming-tourism development.  Where will the Philippines be?

Dumbing Down

Okay, I admit that when I am bored but not feeling sleepy, I read anything there is:  street and jeepney signs, notices in the bulletin board, old newspapers and clippings, drug literature insets, and all other fine prints, especially when I am not mobile, and especially when I am stuck in a 2-hour plane ride.

Such was the case when, to my dismay, I discovered that our Customs Disembarkation Card, a Philippine Government Official document for incoming passengers to Manila is full of fatal errors- in spelling, grammar and sad to include, in style.

Here is Exhibit A:  Mershandise

Exhibit B:  The sentence just does not make any sense at all.

   

Exhibit 3:  Reasons not Reason’s

 

What is more disturbing and revolting at the same time is that no one seems to have raised these errors to the authorities.  Notice that this document has been in circulation since year 1996!  That or our government never pays attention or it does not care at all.  Anyway, it is just a piece of paper that no one reads seriously.  Sorry, but I do. 

More importantly, this is an OFFICIAL government form, and it should be given the attention it deserves.  An incoming passenger may be deported or fined or both for not taking diligence in filling out this form.

Should the lackadaisical people from our Bureau of Customs be also made accountable for these officially-sanctioned errors that dumbs down our nation? 

Lastly, it is tasteless and irresponsible to promote alcoholic drinks, or any form of commercial advertising for that matter, together with our official forms.  It not only diminishes the importance of said document but also sends a message that customs declaration is just a joke.   Intoxicating!

Idea Camp Davao

Amidst the cynism and intellectual laziness that seemingly dominate  our generation today,  there are a few things that, thankfully, can still give us space for a refreshing mental masturbation, allowing us to explore the unimagined and create solutions to problems not yet known by ordinary mortals.  One of these few things is the Idea Camp Davao:  the unconference for people who want to make a difference.  I am in no way connected to, or friends with the people who are behind this revolutionary initiative.  At least not yet.  But I am an avid observer and a silent supporter, ever since I’ve learned of their first Idea Camp few months ago.  

If I were based in Davao, this event would surely be a never-to-be-missed day on my calendar.  For those who are in Davao City, or nearby provinces, why not pitch a tent to this camp of ideas?  It could be the right orgasmic experience for you- intellectually speaking.