Of Bullies, Demagogues and Catcalls

So I have been out of the political loop for a month while I was busy with our Summer Camp at Maya Playgarden and already there are a lot of issues to sift through all this political debris. I don't know where to begin. 

First, there is that initial hesitation: should I really make my thoughts appear on print? I just read about Tamara de Jesus' post about how she was bullied when she aired out a contrary opinion and a certain fear engulfs me. But I reckon: why? Don't I have the right to say what's on my mind? I have been blogging for years now. And never, and I mean never, was I ever constrained by anyone. I shiver at the thought of losing my right to free speech and expression.

Second, for the record, my presidential candidate lost. So, my country will have a new administration under former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who overwhelmingly won by a large number of votes. We're talking millions! Sixteen million (16M) Filipinos wanted him to be the leader of the land.  Until that day he takes his seat in office, I observe, I take note, and I wait for him and his administration to prove me wrong as I mull over this Bloomberg's post about having a demagogue for a Philippine President. 

Third, as mundane as it may sound to some, catcalling. A respected female journalist, Mariz Umali, was catcalled by our President-elect during an interview which caught the ire of the reporter's husband, another respected journalist, Raffy Tima. Now, this got me and my husband talking about catcalls. And I told him that contrary to popular male opinion, catcalls are not welcome. The only exception would be catcalls from husbands and dear friends as part of an endearment. Catcalls from strangers are best described in our own language as "bastos."  I recalled one time I was catcalled in one of those city jungles in Makati City while I was on my way to work. I stopped, looked back, retraced my steps, scanned the area for the catcaller, finally saw him grinning, looked him in the eye and asked: "Do you need anything from me, Sir?" He was shocked and scurried away. If we go by leadership by example, well........................

Six years. And it hasn't started yet. I am and will always remain hopeful. 

And in the lines of the now famous resurrected song of INOJ "I Want To Be Your Baby, Lady:"

"I'll be watching...."

Election 2016 on Social Media

Sweeping generalizations, that's the culprit.

This is what causes the great divide, the conflict, the mudslinging, the broken friendships. How sad. Social media was supposed to give us a platform to air our thoughts and opinions but I guess that's the downside of too much freedom and too much information flooding our timeline. Everything is taken in, both bad or good, substantial and trivial to the downright, pardon my French, stupid. Emotions are hyped up and a dignified discussion of things are set aside in favor of impassioned speeches and replies that cannot be moderated. So, thus, impairing logic, reason, and most of all, manners.

Respect, that's the answer.

No matter how much you try to convince one to shift to your camp, so to speak, this cannot be done if there's no effort on the other person to listen. And sometimes just don't even try. We don't know everything. We don't know their stories and why they chose to stand by their candidate. We can't impose. We just don't. That's trampling on their freedom of choice. That's their right.

I know of friends who are for Miriam. They stand by her brilliance, eloquence, and gung-ho attitude.

I know of friends who are for Grace. Her genteel nature and upbringing are what attracted them to her.

I know of friends who are for Binay. His lengthy experience in governance is what makes them an admirer of the man.

I know of friends who are for Duterte. His battlecry against drugs is their only hope.

And I know of friends who are for Roxas, just like I do. At this point in time, we are still hoping for some level of continuity to a path that it took a long time to pave given the circumstances in the past.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Our stories are more than just snippets. It cuts way too deep. It cannot be contained in this one post. What we don't know won't hurt us but what we know will probably do. So, please don't judge. And don't generalize. It's not fair. Just because I am rooting for my candidate, it automatically means that I took an “envelope,” that I am “bobo,” that I am “kupal.” I am not part of the Liberal Party nor am I a campaign manager. Instead, I belong to a closed Facebook group called The Silent Majority. I am rooting for my candidate because I believe that he is the best person to represent our country given the choices. My criteria is very simple: competence, leadership, compassion, and the ability to represent the nation in international fora. This is the same criteria I have measured the previous candidates in the 2010 elections and I did not even vote for PNoy.

The real battlefield, dear family and friends, will be at the polling precincts on May 9. That's the best place where we can wield our power, where we can truly have our voices be heard. Make your vote count. And remember it's not just about the President and Vice President, we are to vote for our Senators, Congressmen, Party-List and local leaders, too. Almost two weeks left so better start drawing up your list if you don't have one yet.

After the elections, we will be led by a new leader, whoever he or she may be. Let's pray for our new administration and start living in harmony once again. But we shall also be vigilant, regardless of the fact that he or she was our candidate. Once they're installed in office, we don't have loyalty to them anymore. Our loyalty is to our country. At all costs.

The CPU Handbell Ringers at Maya Playgarden!

I am a fan of the CPU Handbell Ringers. I mean, who wouldn't? From the first time I heard them ring their bells at the CPU University Church a long time ago, I knew that at some point in my busy life our paths would cross again. 

And cross it did. Years back I heard them again at the benefit concert for Mga Kaibigan ng Kabataang may Kanser (KKK). Still at the University Church, it has once again delighted me!

This year, I had hoped to catch their performance in one of the cultural presentations for APEC Iloilo but, notwithstanding my role as Delegation Coordinator/Liaison Officer in the local APEC hosting, I just couldn't find the time because I would go straight home to be with my son.

Now, they are gracing Maya Playgarden with their awe-inspiring presence! And not only will it inspire me and my son, they will be heard by families! 

The CPU Handbell Ringers, also known as the CPU Handbell Choir, is a religious cultural group from Central Philippine University (CPU). If I'm not mistaken, they're the only handbell ringers or bell choir in Panay Island. Christmas is usually made magical because of their musical bells ringing!

Should you want to catch them at Maya Playgarden, you may do so with a minimal contribution of Php 100.00/adult. Children are welcome to attend for free!

For more updates, you may check us out at facebook.com/MayaPlaygarden. 

I Havs!

It's not often that I get something like this delivered to me! Oh, joy!

I am so grateful to fellow blogger Kathy Purr (Kathy Villalon) for including me in the list of very grateful recipients of Havaianas' Flat Style flip flops.

The Havaianas Flat range is "bound to revolutionize the look of flip-flops" as it showcases a "more feminine silhouette and shorter straps."

I immediately donned my new Havs flats and apart from that unmistakable Havaianas' comfort, I really felt lady-like and all ready to unleash the animal in me! Who could resist those color-popping animal prints? Never mind that I should've gone to a nail salon first before taking a photo. Hehehe

Nevertheless, I have been wearing my pair for almost three weeks now. Don't be misled by its dainty-looking design; I survived wearing it around my 3-year-old son and everything is still in place!

Do check out other designs to your liking at HavaianasPhilippines on Facebook and @havaianasphils on Twitter and Instagram.

Madamo guid nga salamat, Havaianas!

Life is Still Beautiful!

A recent suicide by a celebrity teenager in the country has got all the netizens talking about it and everybody gave their two cents worth of advice to other teeners who are probably contemplating it as well. 

This brings me back to an unpublished post I made months back, when the recent Bar Exam results came out. Although already not a teenager when I started my fascination with failing the Bar Exams, (of course, I am describing it in jest!:), I still find my post relevant to the topic of the town. After all, these were no ordinary failures. But I survived.

Bar Exams Memories

I failed the Bar not just once, not twice, not even thrice...I failed it four times. Yes sirree! Four. But I hope I stop counting there! (Either because I will not take it anymore so I would peg my number at 4 or because in the event that I attempt to take it again, I will pass it!)

Sigh. The thing with having taken it several times is that you get jaded. I think I have a calloused heart already. I can proudly say that it does not affect me. No way at all! And it's really true! I am happy where I am now and life has since redirected my course towards a different path. 

But I can relate to most of you who failed the Bar Exams for the first time. The first time cuts your heart out. It sucks the breath out of you. It wells you up and you wonder if you still have more tears to shed. Sleepless nights and anxiety. How you wished you could sue the Supreme Court for damages! 

I can still recall how difficult it was mustering the courage to pick up the phone and call your parents and tell them yourselves that you didn't make it. I was surprised I was even audible on the phone. It was early in the morning when the results came out. My former boss even opened a bottle of wine in anticipatory celebration. Alas, not everything happens according to plan. I was around 24 at that time and I was hoping to be a lawyer before turning 25. It was in my list of 25 things to do before I die. I eventually comforted myself that I shall live longer instead! 

I thought long and hard about why I failed and pointed towards a failed love life as synonymous to a failed Bar exam. Oops.

And then I took it again. Funny, all I could recall during this time was my frequent visits to the nail salon. I think I had my toenails painted in different colors every other week! If I'm not mistaken, this was the year I watched Julia Fordham's concert!

In my third attempt, I distinctly remembered not telling any of my dorm mates that I was actually going to audition in Miss Saigon. I didn't get the part and I didn't pass the Bar either! So much for hitting two birds with one stone.

Alas, I had to take a refresher course. My former classmate was one of my teachers! I studied well this time around. I was serious. Maybe because I have come of age. And this time around I was really bent in passing, if not acing, the Bar.  Actually, I had high scores. I have to credit Atty Elizan for this, but my highest score was in Political Law. But then...I am not much a stickler for processes so i messed up my Remedial Law. It brought me down.

After four botched attempts...four review centers...four dormitories...four batches of reviewees...four failures....I am still gunning for it...not now, though.

I am not sure if I am plain stupid or I just have faith in myself that I will eventually pass it. And it's not even for me. The honor and the glory of having an Atty before my name will be for my Nanay and Tatay, who after all these years, still believe that I can make it! They, who never gave up on me when I already gave up on myself. They, who would always reassure me that they still love me despite my failures. They, who moved heaven and earth and gave out their all-out support to see me through.

I am and forever be proud of my parents for inspiring me always to persevere, no matter what.