WTF

I’ve just read from Ms. Ella’s blog that the DSWD is not releasing the relief goods.

Well, I guess to be fair to the government, I need to link to this page from Yahoo! news.

Somehow, no matter what these government officials say, the stench is just too strong to be brushed aside. On one hand, I get the point of DSWD in that it needs to allocate the goods properly. There are a lot of people who’d want to con the government and donors such as those who, even if they’re not victims, would pretend just to get freebies. Worse, they might even sell those freebies to more unfortunate souls.

BUT for the government to turn down people who are willing to volunteer — this just ain’t right. Volunteers would ease costs of the relief operations. You want us to trust you? Well, learn to trust us too. Not all Filipinos are “halang ang bituka”, you know?

Another thing… Government-organized relief operations have proven to be way too slow. The excuse is always — “We Lack Resources.” Well, what are you doing with our tax money? Why are you turning down volunteers? Why is there a directive for donations to be coursed through DSWD, instead of other NGOs who’s only affair is to reach out and help in relief and rehab operations and would thus be able to work faster?

Please do something. It’s your job. You even volunteered for that job when you asked people to vote for you or when you submitted your resume for appointment to your posts.

Oh! Before I forget… Try not to castigate the public when we clamor for action from you. You’re purpose is to SERVE US. Not the other way around. Remember that.

K-pop

I’ve a new addiction these days — Kim Hyun Joong and his SS501.

Will local Philippine music stores carry their new album? Hmm…

P.S. (October 25)

Addiction overload!! I joined hyunnies united and tripleSph forums..

according to tripleSph, 3 albums will be released tomorrow afternoon. woohoo!!!

But these 3 albums will not include ReBirth. If you want a copy, go to TripleSPh!!! (I hope it’s okay for TSPH if I put this link and endorse their site. But it’s just really great that you guys are doing this for us Flips )

To: LBC, Consul General Paynor, and other Flips!!

I came upon this entry in Multiply. It’s about Fil-Ams, along with LBC, discussing ways of sending relief goods to the Philippines. This effort, although not completely blocked, received a weird kind of aid from Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. The article cited Paynor as saying in a letter that – “Used clothing as donations is prohibited under Republic Act No. 4653, thus the Bureau of Customs can seize/apprehend said importation.” AND “donations in kind (except used clothing) shall be exempted from custom duties and taxes provided that these are directly addressed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.”

My first reaction — Can’t our government just say thank you to all the help we’re receiving?! Why is our government being such an *s$?!

Second reaction — What the hell is RA 4653?! I googled and tada! It’s An Act to Safeguard the HEALTH of the People and Maintain the DIGNITY of the Nation by Declaring it a National Policy to Prohibit the Commercial Importation of Textile Articles Commonly Known as Used Clothing and Rags.

SO!! Our government can overlook importations of drugs and luxury cars and other stuff which only a few percentage of Filipinos can buy. And yet this – free aid – it becomes vigilant and is now protecting our “health” and “dignity”?!

On further reading of the said law… Actually, immediately after the title, Section 1 states –

SECTION 1.    It shall be unlawful for any person, association or corporation to introduce into any point in the Philippines textile articles commonly known as used clothing and rags, except when these are imported under Subsections “i”, “j”, “k”, “l”, “n”, and “v” of Section 105 of Republic Act Numbered Nineteen hundred and thirty-seven.

Ha! Exception! So what is this RA No. 1937? It’s AN ACT TO REVISE AND CODIFY THE TARIFF AND CUSTOMS LAWS OF THE PHILIPPINES. So I searched for Section 105 where all the supposed exceptions were… And tada!! (I have color coded this for ease of reference)

v. Food, clothing, house-building and sanitary-construction materials, and medical, surgical and other supplies for use in emergency relief work, when imported by or directly for the account of any victim, sufferer, refugee, survivor or any other person affected thereby, or by or for the account of any relief organization, not operated for profit, for distribution among the distressed individuals, whenever the President shall, by proclamation, declare an emergency to exist by reason of a state of war, pestilence, cholera, plague, famine, drought, typhoon, earthquake, fire, flood and similar conditions: Provided, That the importation free of duty of articles described in this herein subsection shall continue only during the existence of such emergency, or within such limits and subject to such conditions as the President may, by his proclamation, deem necessary to meet the emergency.

Stated differently, LBC and Fil-Ams abroad can lawfully ship into the Philippines relief items such as used clothing in the event of a state of calamity as declared by the President, and within such limits as prescribed by the President.

The fact that the Philippines is in a state of calamity is already known worldwide. In reality, not only are we in a state of calamity. We are in a state of helplessness, especially as our government representatives keep pointing fingers at each other. They seem to be unaware that all branches of the government should work as a whole!! (This should have been etched in their brains the moment they thought of running for office!!!! Or even after graduating from high school!!!)

The local governments would not be able to move if they are not given aid by the national government thru its representatives, who, weird enough, graciously shell out MILLIONS for f*ing meals spent abroad but who cannot generously donate to give aid to the country.

The national government would not be able to give proper aid to local residents if the local government representatives will stay at home and twiddle their fingers, while trying to avoid blame so they can run again next year.

Ugh!

They do not want to provide proper aid, and yet they are even trying to stop aid from reaching the country! =(

AND… Not only are they choosing items. They even specified that help will be duty-free only if such were “directly addressed” to the DSWD.

I have no idea why Consul General Paynor, Jr. acted that way. Maybe he was fed the wrong information. Maybe he was given the wrong instructions. Maybe those drafting the stupid letters he unfortunately was ordered to sign were also ordered to single out items that can be easily pocketed for personal use, such as money and medicine.

Hopefully, somebody somewhere can give these people a heads up that they made a mistake.

Hopefully, people who’ve been super helpful will not give up on our country. We need all the help we can get right now.

To us who have received help, let’s pick ourselves up and start paying it forward. Other people, not only the Philippines, need our help too.

Kapit-kamay.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!

Ilocos Highlights, Part II

Collage!

I. Currimao

II. Vigan

III. On the way to Pagudpud

IV. Pagudpud!!

V. On the way home…

Note to Self

1. Do Not Procrastinate. This will just get you in neck-deep shit of a trouble, which will ultimately make you even more insane.

2. Do Not just Rely On what Other People tell you. They’re humans too. They make mistakes. It is your responsibility to make sure you get out of hell fast.

3. Do Not F*ing Give Up. You caused the trouble, you fix it.

4. Move Fast. Hell is catching up, baby.

5. When all else fails, p*ta Stand Still and Just Let Go.

Let God.

Starting Over

I’ve started a new life. Again.

I left the one I thought was “the one.” I found a new job. I’ve a resolution to not get into a serious relationship for a year (but I’ve been praying really hard that if God wills PGPC to come my way, I will plunge head first even if I end up getting a big bukol on my forehead!!). I’m in a new house! I’ve new friends and am renewing past friendships.

How many times do I get to start over? Need to start over? Does this happen to everyone? Will it end?

How many times will I make someone cry? Hurt them… Cause them to feel as if they’re not worth even a single tear, not even worthy to be looked back on. And how many times will I feel this too?

I’m a year older. Again.

Somehow I feel as if I were more mature back in high school. The sheltered world I was privileged to live in gave me a clear sense of the self I wanted to be – a girl passionate and wild and soft and bright – human. Even in college, I was blessed enough to find a gang of “lost boys” who made my fairytales last longer while anchoring me well and good with two feet planted on the muddy ground.

Those were the days… Will I be able to live again in those moments of utter freedom? Did living in such state usher me into the murky path of confused decisions? Am I content to stand still in the middle of my colorful nowhere?

I understand that I need to make my own choices. I cannot – rather, I do not have any one anymore who’s willing or capable to drag me along allowing me to continue sightseeing and daydreaming, instead of carefully picking my way amongst life’s potholes. But just what should those choices be?

Am I stuck?

… Again?

Effort

Someone once told me about effortless superiority. This someone seemed to think I was one of those gifted with this. He described it as being able to excel with the least amount of effort. Three years ago, when I first heard him describe me as such, I was flattered. I did not nor do I now think of myself as superior. But I loved hearing the adjective. Now, I believe that I might have deluded myself into believing that I am effortlessly superior. And if I really were that, then I’m doomed.

True, the general rule is that I do not exert all that I can when I need to do something. When I was in law school, I only studied when I felt I was on deck (aka when I felt that the professor might unfortunately pick the index card containing my name). The pile of cases on my bed the night before class will only be read 5 minutes before the actual class; sometimes, 5 minutes after the class had begun. I was on the Dean’s list. I graduated. I passed the bar exam and am now a lawyer.

True, my life does not have any direction. I currently am unemployed again. The work I had to do for the previous company did not satisfy my craving for something… More. But then I left my first job (in a law firm) because the work was too much for me to bear (plus, the compensation absolutely sucked). Bottom line is, I complain too much without even knowing what I want. Too much, too little – nothing’s really enough.

True, there is no outright connection between the subsequent statements. But here is how I see it. I keep getting what I want for the least amount of effort. Consequently, I tend to quickly lose interest in something when I already have it. Since I did not need to work so hard to get it, it’s value to me is less than what should be. Hence, I keep searching for something “more.”

True, whatever the reason for my life’s lack of direction is, I need to get up and start doing something productive. I cannot stay here in front of the computer typing these things, overanalyzing my life, and not do some thing. It would be great to follow Plato’s philosophy and know that I know nothing. Hence, I should start learning by doing something. And it’s important to learn fast as when all else fails, the only one who can truly help me – is me.

Surf’s Up

I started the Christmas week in the cold, welcoming embrace of the waters of San Juan, La Union. And all I can say is – Hell, Yeeeeaaaahhhh!!!!

The invitation to go to La Union for a “daytrip” came around 11 in the evening. I received the text while I was still out drinking. I hurried home and quickly stashed 3 shirts, 1 suit, 1 towel, and 3 shorts in my backpack. I ran out of the house, and promptly went back in to get a few toiletries. I got in the car wearing the flimsy dress I’ve gone drinking in. And by 2AM, my friends and I started on the greatest adventure I’ve had in 2008!

The ocean has always been a magical place for me. It has always been my favorite sanctuary when the universe conspires to send its wrath my way. The rhythmic humming of crashing waves eases my worries. It reminds me that I should go out of my shell and reach out. That I am not the only one who has troubles. That someone else might need more help than me. Of course, the surf board underneath me helped me focus and harness all the optimism I can muster to finally f*ing dance with the waves and forget my sadness.

It was my first time to surf. Ever!! I was absolutely excited. I could have screamed were it not for the embarassment I’d have caused my friends. And of course I was nervous, especially when the first thing the instructor told me was to listen and follow what he said or else I might end up letting the fins of the board slice my face.

I’ve always thought that my worst enemy in learning how to surf would be my poor balancing skills. I’m just naturally clumsy, plus I’m flatfooted to boot. I found out that balancing was the least of my worries.

The first position was to lie on my tummy with my feet almost at the tail of the board. When the instructor shouts, “Ready! Go!” I’d have to push against the board and jump. Ideally, the position of the feet should be a bit perpendicular to the length of the board. I’d have to be in the middle of the board as well, making sure that my legs are not too close to each other to maintain good balance. The “push up and jump” activity required upper body strength, which I do not have because I’m a lazy bum who does not exercise. Add to that the fact that I haven’t slept and the liquor was still running through my veins. Needless to say, I spent almost the entire morning session being washed off the board (I think they call it “wiped out”).

Good thing about that morning was the cute surfer who kept encouraging me to try again. He said that the moment I get to stand up, I’d understand why he kept cutting his weekend classes to go to La Union. When I heard “classes,” my brow went up and I figured he was still in college and that I should not be flirting with a minor.

My friends and I took a break first to ease our tummies and our sore bodies. After lunch, two of them were already learning how to paddle (that was their third or fourth time to surf). Another friend, KC, was like me, a beginner, first time to surf. After 30 minutes, KC figured she’d be better off taking pictures from the shore. So I was left with my instructor, and another cute surfer with a great tan and cherry-kissed brown hair (but was quite short and just kept smiling without saying anything; my friends and I later figured he was from Japan and that his English was not that good, let alone his Tagalog).

The morning session wore my body down and so I kept falling off my board more. My instructor kept telling me to move faster. Since I did not have the upper body strength, I bent my left leg first and then used my knee at the same time that my arms started pushing my body upwards. If I were to move too slow, I’d topple over as the balance would be terribly off. Still, I was not keen on giving up. And going under did not bother me. As I’ve said, I love the ocean and I’ve always felt peaceful when I’m in the water, no matter what the circumstances are (unless, of course, if I’ve just jumped off a sinking boat or if there’s a shark or something of that sort).

And then – a miracle!! Until now, I’m not sure how I was able to do it. I just felt that if there was a time I’d learn how to surf, it would be at that moment. My instructor gave me the signal that a nice wave was on the rise. I inhaled sharply as I heard him shout, “Ready! Go!” I let my body relax and just move on its own without thinking about the sequence of steps I should ideally follow. Next thing I knew, I was riding a wave.

It was absolutely exhilarating. I felt the cold wind rush against my cheeks as the board gently glided over the water. I heard some people cheering and figured it could only either be my friends or the cute minor. I forgot how to breathe for those few seconds that I was on top. And I wasn’t just on top of the water. I felt on top of every thing I needed to conquer.

After that great ride, I figured I should follow the maxim, “Quit while you’re ahead.” I thanked the instructor profusely, and headed towards KC for some excited shrieking and high fives. The rest of our group joined us on the shore, and we sat peacefully as the sun set over the teasing waves of La Union.

Trains and Tempers

What is up with the MRT today?

I arrived at the station at around 930am. SIX – as in 6 – trains going north passed by, but not a single southbound train arrived to pick up passengers. Fifteen minutes past 10am, we hapless mostly-Makati-bound passengers breathed a sigh of relief when we finally saw a southbound train arriving. But that relief quickly turned into frustration as the train zoomed away without slowing down!!! And it was not even full. No one was in that train except for the driver – who was even smiling and who seemed to enjoy watching the horror on our faces as he sped past us. Hay naku!

The next train which arrived was so full. Even so, the two women beside me and the three elderly men squeezed themselves in, foregoing the fact that the person sitting on his wheelchair was already being crushed by different backsides. I did not even try to lift one foot to step into that train.

Then finally! A train with enough space to fit me and another lady in. Unfortunately, we found a throng waiting at the next station. I had to push against a post so as not to squish the pregnant lady standing next to me. I lost count as to how many “ouch!” I’ve said as people stepped on my foot and nudged my back. Someone got irritated enough to shout, “Wag naman kayong manulak. Hindi na nga kayo kasi kasya e. (Don’t push. You won’t fit anymore.)”

People!!!! Come on. We ride the train because it’s cheap and it saves us from the traffic jam in EDSA. We ride it because it saves us time, and we are always in a rush; hence, every second counts. But people!! Please!! We are that – people!! – human beings. We’re not animals. Most of us have college degrees or are studying. Most of us are working, with decent jobs at that. Let us please try to control ourselves and hold on to the morals that we usually have when we’re not trying to compete with the person beside us for that minute space in the train. Please remember that YOU are not the only person who needs to go somewhere. The train does NOT exist only for you. The world does NOT revolve around YOU.

Remembering AR

I Miss You…