Honor Guards at the House of Representantives
Posted by: joselito capariño on: October 15, 2009
The first batch of the Congressional Honor Guards created pursuant to administrative order issued by the Honorable Speaker Prospero C. Nograles.
Congressional Honor Guards with Legislative Security Bureau (LSB) Executive Director LtCol Isabelito P. Flores, PN(M)(R)
Typhoon Ondoy on my mind
Posted by: joselito capariño on: September 28, 2009
I just can’t imagine the destruction left by typhoon Ondoy in the lives of the Filipino people, especially in the Metropolitan Manila and nearby cities and municipalities. I thought it was just signal No.1 bringing short rain falls and mild thunderstorm. But when the rain seemed unstoppable, the disaster was slowly creating a pathway to every one of us. The whole Metro Manila was mired in mud and submerged in flood thereafter.
My boarding house in Project2 was no exception. It was attacked by a five feet water that caused big ruins to the properties of my landlord. Project 2 and Project 3 in District 3, Quezon City were badly hit by flood. Many residents said that it was first time that had such flood happened in the said area. The creek that crosses the locality overflowed leaving garbage, dead animals, and other organic and inorganic materials in streets and highways.
I posted a message in the Facebook walls of Ms. Arlene DeGuzman and Mr.John Lesaca, both residents of District 3 and active in community service thereat. I hope they have already read my posting. Donations and assistance to the victims were also flooded in cyberspace – Facebook, Twitter, among others. Thanks to these social networking media, we are connected faster with the rest of our kababayans in other parts of the globe.
This is the creek situated in Project 2, near Anonas, Cubao, District 3, Quezon City
I was monitoring the news through television and the Internet. Later the telecommunications encountered problems that disrupted the cyberspace for a while. I had to go to the nearest computer shop to get updates on the situation. I was also thinking of my sister Joy and her family who live in Divisoria near Tutuban Mall. I was also thinking of my sister Jhejie and her family in Cainta, Rizal, an area reportedly hit drastically by flood. Until now I have no communication with them.
This morning my classmate in graduate school texted me that she cannot give to me our book review material and that she cannot report for work on Tuesday because she badly needs to go to her family in Marikina. She needs to respond to her family there; her cousin was reportedly missing until now. Marikina was also devastated by typhoon Ondoy.
I texted my brothers and sisters in the province to inform them of the situation here in Metro Manila. They keep on reminding me to get in touch with our siblings and their families.
More than the flood in my area was the one happened in Quiapo, Manila. I saw a video in the Internet of the “Quiapo ilalim” and the rest of Metro Manila. That’s why I was very worried of my sister in Divisoria and the rest of our kababayan there. I pray that they are safe now, and others who have gone through this calamity, luckily survive and are still fighting amidst the tragedy.
Now I am powerless on how to help my sisters. We have not seen in years. My fraternity is also calling on our members to give manpower to the DSWD in the packing of relief good for the victims of typhoon. I need to act now, in my own little way.
Let us hope and pray that this will not happen again. God bless the Philippines!
Beware of being an activist
Posted by: joselito capariño on: September 24, 2009
Being an activist nowadays, or even being a progressive, is a dangerous pursuit in our society. Take for instance the case of Noriel Rodriguez, 26, who was reportedly missing in Cagayan province. He is a member of the militant group Anakbayan.
Noriel and others who have traversed a much more meaningful life are under surveillance by authorities. They are subject of military and police intervention.
This reminds me of my good friend, orgmate and batchmate in UP – Karen Empeno. Karen was a graduating sociology student when allegedly captured by the military in Bulacan. As a requirement of her thesis, her immersion with farmers thereat caused his disappearance.
The case of Noriel and many others who were captured, tortured and worse, killed before the supposedly protector of human rights and of the interest of the Filipino people is alarming. This must be stopped.
Election time is hukay time;Sorry for the Inconvenience
Posted by: joselito capariño on: September 23, 2009
I was just asking, or thinking why, every election season there are so many infrastructure projects out there. I don’t have pictures of what I am talking here but, to many ordinary citizens, even in Metropolitan Manila, this is very evvident.
In Project 3 for instance, canals, gutters and sidewalks are under repair and construction is ongoing. I live in that area so every time I walk by (I used to walk rather take a ride for exercise) from Project 3 to Project 2 where I stay, I don’t feel comfortable about the “SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE” and “CONSTRUCTION ONGOING” signages.
Beautification here. Sidewalks improvements there. Drainage and canals. Roads. Basketball courts. Name it.
I have nothing against these changes in our landscape, neither development of urban forms in our respective communities. But come on, the timing of all of these is entirely a big question to me. Why not do it years ago?
Rhetoric of Lies and Half-Truths
Posted by: joselito capariño on: August 28, 2009
Last State of the Nation Address (SONA) focused on the theme BEAT THE ODDS: B-Balanced Budget, E-Education for All, A-Automated Elections, T-Transportation and Digital Infrastructure, T-Terminate Hostilities with MILF and NPA, H-Healing the Wounds of EDSA, E-Electricity and Water for All, O-Opportunities for Livelihood and 10 million Jobs, D-Decongest Metro Manila, and Develop Subic and Clark.
More than a political speech, supposedly informing the public of the real state of the nation, Mrs. Arroyo’s SONA was a mere rhetoric and half-truths and a grave attempt of getting the ire of opposition and critics of her administration. Her SONA was based on government figures stating a resilient economy in the midst of global financial crisis.
It was, it was a presentation of a reactive government, not a pro-active and anticipatory administration when it comes to planning the future of the Philippines. Indeed, Arroyo’s SONA was a showcase of short-term programs and projects, especially on infrastructures built with foreign aids and perhaps, tainted with illegal transactions and corruption per se.
Now we ask, was Arroyo’s SONA a presentation of the real state of the nation. I beg to disagree. The true state of the nation is a nation with an administration that has distrust of the public, a nation that is lured in poverty and hunger, a nation that has rampant misuse of taxpayer’s money, and a nation that in under threats of repression and oppression.
Despite government’s claim that it is winning the war against poverty, 47 percent or about 8.7 million of Filipino families consider themselves as poor, while 27 per cent put themselves on the borderline, according to the Social Weather Station in a survey conducted in February 2009.
The same survey also found that 36 per cent or an estimated 6.7 million families consider themselves as “food-poor,” while 34 per cent said they were “food-borderline.”
Hunger is felt severely by families of the unemployed, especially those laid off from their jobs.
How bad is the hunger situation in the Philippines? In a survey conducted by Gallup International, the Philippines ranks 5th among 56 countries where hunger is prevalent.
The illusion of Arroyo administration of decongesting Metro Manila is and will remain such unless her administration does not provide opportunities at the local government levels and the countryside. The big chunk of budget allocated at corrupt government offices, had it been given to LGUs, would have been put to better use addressing the real concerns of the people at the basic level.
Nababahala ako sa isang bansang iiwanan ni Mrs. Arroyo, kung totoo ngang iiwanan niya na ito. Sa ilalim pa lang nga ng kanyang termino, nakita at naranasan na ng taumbayan ang gutom at hirap ng buhay. Sa ilalim pa lang nga ng kanyang termino, sari-saring kontrobersya na ang lumabas, kasama na dito ang milyun-milyong transaksyon, laganap na korupsyon at pandaraya sa eleksyon. Binalewala ang masang Pilipino, ang malaking bahagdan ng mga naghihirap nating kababayan, sa pagpaplano ng eknomiya at kapalaran ng bansa.
*Reaction paper submitted to and read in my Planning 201 class, UP School of Urban and Regional Planning.
Mayor Binay and his TV ads
Posted by: joselito capariño on: August 26, 2009
I heard a lot of black propaganda regarding TV ads on Makati and how its competent mayor, Jojo Binay presented his progressive city to the whole Philippines.
From the start, the “Ganito kami sa Makati” ads in connection with the Makati’s 39th cityhood foundation received some criticism as to Mayor Binay’s promise of a paradise for the Filipino people. It brought up an issue of Mayor Binay’s capability of replicating what he had done to Makati in the entire country. Makati is just a simple city, easy to handle and manage compared with the whole nation. Some would also say that Makati is not an epitome of good governance, and Makati is not the Philippines. It is just Republic of Makati, as one magazine described some years ago.
The second tv ads, “May Pag-ahon, May Bukas Pa” also got some negative reactions from the public. Again, those comments were related to the first tv ads. One YouTube video countered it as “Ganito Kami sa Makati-CORRUPT.” It speaks of Makati as the negative of what Mayor Binay is saying in his political advertisement.
I won’t delve on these ads in the marketing aspects, but I would speak of these ads as the reality of what Makati is and what Mayor Jojo says to the Philippines. The ads really speak of the real Makati. It is indeed Makati, no doubt about it. The contents and information are true and indeed correct. What Mayor Binay is saying are indeed proven and tested in Makati. The tv ads do not lie. And it isn’t just empty promises and ‘pa-cute’ attempting at getting sympathy or gaining support of the ‘masa.’ It is really the message of “May Pag-ahon, May Bukas Pa” should Mayor Binay become president of our beloved Philippines.
But what made Makati City progressive today compared with the old municipality of Makati?
I would say it is leadership with good governance and competent people that contributed a lot to Makati’s progress.
When I was a fresh graduate of UP, I had a little information about Makati. Believe it or not, I didn’t admire that city and Mayor Binay as the local chief executive. But when I was employed at the Makati City Hall, my admiration of Makati had slowly developed when I found so many beautiful things about the place itself and the leadership, among others.
As a graduate of public administration, I had moments to reflect on how Makati really adopted good practices when it comes to local governance, fiscal administration and personnel development. I came to realize that Makati is so blessed with competent local chief executive with dedication, sincerity and determination to uplift the lives of his constituents and develop his own city. That’s why it is true, that in Makati, there is this so-called “pride of place.” That’s why when you are a Makati resident, you can proudly say “Ganito kami sa Makati.”
I discovered that Makati’s progress depends largely on the leadership. Believe it or not, Makati has continuously been doing plans and programs, never stop at formulating development plans that would address the needs and demands of the present and of the future. Makati21 is just an example of how the City of Makati under Binay leadership continues to strive towards excellence in the provision of services, in the innovation of governance, and in the renewal of the city’s landscape. So it is not the Ayalas or Zobels who made Makati, it is the cooperation of various stakeholders including the business community plus the good leadership of the Local Chief Executive that made Makati to what it is right now.
Mayor Binay does not stop from doing the better, but doing the best for his constituents and for his city. He is a far cry leader of mediocrity.
This is not your ordinary HOR Honor Guards
Posted by: joselito capariño on: August 18, 2009
In coffee shop I find peace of mind
Posted by: joselito capariño on: August 18, 2009
It’s been a long time, about a month, after I visit my blog here. I had just finished my MA class in UP. Now, I am here in my favorite coffee shop in Cubao, doing some stuff with my laptop and reading newspaper. I love this place. And I would love to visit this place again and again.
Here, I find a peace of mind, that I can think of so many things without interference from the outside environment. Here I can do a lot with my source of living, I would say my laptop. I can search the Internet till 2 am. I can do tons of research. I can surf and visit the cyberspace the way I want to.
In this coffee shop I can muster my strength to face reality. I can plan ahead of time. I can visualize my dreams, my vision. I can imagine and create so many possibilities. I love this coffee shop, not only because of its wide accommodation, but also of the comforts and tranquility it brings to me.
While enjoying my White Oreo Chocolate, and observing the passersby outside, I am more than relax as I could imagine. I love this place. It gives me a sense of privacy amidst a hectic day. Here I can laugh through the YouTube videos. Although I am alone, I don’t care! For as long as I feel the beauty of being alone with fellow people doing the same thing.
In this coffee shop, I truly find a peace of mind.
Ang A(H1N1) sa aking hinagap
Posted by: joselito capariño on: June 23, 2009
Pinauwi kami nang maaga sa Congress, House of Representatives. May isang empleyadong namatay raw ang kumpirmado sa A(H1N1) o swine flu. May isang kumpirmado rin daw na kasalukuyang nasa ospital ngayon. Ang buong Kongreso ay medyo naalarma sa balita. Kaya naman ay abala ang lahat sa pagpapaturok ng vaccine kontra flu. Ako naman, bukod sa medyo takot sa karayom, ay ninais kong sa Lunes na lang magpaturok, sa pasukan namin.
Ewan ko kung matutuwa ako na walang pasok hanggang Huwebes o malulungkot sa nangyari sa kapwa ko mga emplyedo sa Kongreso. Siguro nararamdaman ko ang lungkot sa mga positibo sa virus. Kahit ako ay medyo nagpapanick na din, baka kako ako na ang susunod na may A(H1N1). Nitong mga nakaraang araw ay kakaiba na ang nararamdaman ko. Di ko alam kung lalagnatin ako o dahil lang sa pabagu-bago ng panahon.
Katatapos nga lang ng kontrobersyal na House Resolution 1019, o ang Con-Ass, na naglagay sa Kongreso sa spotlight, ito naman at tinamaan na ng A(H1N1) ang House of the People kuno. Biglang natakpan na ng virus na ito ang isyu ng constituent assembly at ang pagpapalit sa Konstitusyon ng bansa. Talaga namang nakakatakot ang virus na ito, na tila iba ang psychological impact sa sambayanang Pilipino. Ito na ngayon ang mas “in” sa media, ang pinag-uusapan ng madla, ang kinakatakutan ng lahat. Tuloy, nababahala ang publiko.
Saan nga ba nagmula ang A(H1N1)? Ang pagkakaalam ko sa Mexico, sa baboy doon. Kaya nga siguro tinawag ito nung una na “swine flu.” Di na kataka-taka na maapektuhan nito ang Kongreso ng Pilipinas, ang Mababang Kapulungan. Eh kasi naman maraming baboy rin dito. Ang kaso nga lang, medyo huli na dumating ang virus sa loob. Naapektuhan tuloy ang mga ordinaryong empleyado ng Kongreso. Matanong ko lang, wala kayang mga Kongresista na pumirma sa House Resolution 1019 ang nagkaroon ng swine flu? Oh talagang di na sila tinatablan ng virus? Talaga namang sa bakuran ng mga baboy, may sumulpot na flu na patuloy na pipinsala sa mga tao kapag di naagapan.
Grabe talaga ang virus na ito. Sana di na kumalat agad. Sana masolusyunan agad ng gobyernong Arroyo para may maiulat siya sa darating na State of the Nation Address o SONA. Na kesyo napagtagumpayan ng bansa ang hamon ng A(H1N1). Sana mamili na lang ang virus na ito ng taong dadapuan niya….Kaya mag-ingat muna kapag papasok kayo sa House of the People kuno. Baka paglabas niyo ay may virus na kayo, mas malala pa sa A(H1N1).
Tean Years After YRAP ‘99
Posted by: joselito capariño on: May 9, 2009
It was my first time to travel away from my province, and alas, alone to Manila. Summer of 1999 was a memory to me spent in the verdant environment of the University of the Philippines in Los Banos – one of the constituent campuses of the State University in the country.
I didn’t expect that I would be attending the 1999 Youth Research Apprenticeship Program. My high school chemistry teacher gave me a form to fill up during my junior year. Without second thoughts, I filled up the said form and formulated my essay for the said event. After that, it didn’t come to my mind to be chosen in the said month long research program.
YRAP is a month long research program of the Gamma Sigma Delta-Honor Society of Agriculture (GSD-HAS) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the University of the Philippines in Los Banos (UPLB).
It aims to expose high school students, the selected ones from public high schools in the country, in science and technology and engineering. Guided by UPLB scientists and researchers, these incoming senior students would spend their whole summer in doing research at the different research and institutes in UPLB.
Batch ’99 was composed of thirty-three (33) high school students, all outstanding in their own rights and achievers in their respective schools. I represented my province – Masbate and my school – Masbate National Comprehensive High School. We were three from Bicol Region: Stephen Zano from Vinzon’s Pilot High School of Camarines Norte and Marilou Espartinez from Gallanosa National High School of Sorsogon. Both became graduates of Chemistry in UP Diliman.
Equipped with courage and determination, I stepped out from my comfort zone, crossed the waters that separate my island from the mainland Bicol and traveled by land to Laguna. There I found new surroundings, much more different from my little world. I met new faces who greeted me and had me registered at the Men’s Dormitory, all staff and volunteers of the event.
Room 212, if I’m not mistaken this time, was my next destination. In this small world I met Jericho Palay (Olongapo Science High School-Olongapo City), Mac Bumulo (Ramon Magsaysay High School-Cubao), Floro Espiritu (Nueva Viscaya General Comprehensive High School-Bayombong, Nueva Visscaya), and Biboy Rocamora (Jose J. Leido National Memorial High School-Calapan, oriental Mindoro). Biboy came later to join our group at Room 212.
The friendship that formed amongst us was beyond compare that even after YRAP we still have time to chat and talk in whatever means of communication there is. I once encountered Jericho at Kalayaan Residence Hall in UP when he visited his cousin during an open house. He went to UST for college. I first saw Floro after YRAP when I campaigned for the UP Student Council in Diliman; he was visiting the campus that time. He studied in UPLB that time.
Accidentally, I met Biboy along Katipunan and was informed then that he was taking up Economics in Ateneo. I had no chance to meet Mac again but had time communicating each other. If I get a chance to meet Biboy again, for sure he would be surprised to have a smoking buddy. It was Biboy who, at that young age during YRAP, can accommodate two packs of Marlboro reds on his chest.
The memories during YRAP ’99 were full of work, fun and excitement. We were assigned to our respective research and designated to our mentors. I was at the National Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology doing my research on producing a biodegradable plastic through enzymatic extraction of a certain bacterium. My research mentor was Ms. Susan Mercado of BIOTECH.
There I learned to use a vortex, to use a real laboratory more advanced from what we had in my high school. The people at BIOTECH were all great and the facilities were conducive to learning and research. At least it was my perception from a point of view of a probinsyano, a high school student that time.
GSD-HAS made us feel the real world of science and technology, with emphasis on its role to national development. We also had talks and discussion, not just a plain research work. We also visited the Philippine High School for the Arts at the top of Mt. Makiling, National Museum, Malacanang, and memorable places in Laguna such as Paete. The group also enjoyed the fiesta in Los Banos through the warm welcome and hospitality of Rojane Cabunagan, our fellow research scholar. We really thanked Rojane’s family for the reception. And also we had several courtesy calls including that of the Chancellor of UPLB, Chancellor Ruben Villareal.
Many days and night had passed that we never noticed the time to finalize and defend our research project. I experienced in YRAP the sleepless nights to seriously finish the work. I also valued much the help and cooperation we had, sharing thoughts and experiences in wide array of our fields. As for me, the greatest challenge, I would be prank to admit, was to encode my data on the MS-Word. Funny to reminisce but it was all true, given that time I didn’t know how to use computer.
After the hard work, we made it to finish the whole month of the 1999 Youth Research Apprenticeship Program. Thanks to God, we made it and we returned to our respective schools with high hopes and determination to pursue a career in science and engineering. After that experience, I planned to take up either Biology or Chemistry in UPLB.
Ten years after, though I didn’t pursue a career in science, I realized how important YRAP experience is to me. Although I am a graduate of Public Administration from UP Diliman, the love for science is still in my heart.
Science and technology are still two fundamental needs of the country to achieve genuine development. This is the perspective that was inculcated in my young heart and mind during YRAP. The discipline to profession, the dedication to work, the perseverance to succeed, the cooperation and interaction with the rest of the group, the humility to follow instructions and directions from mentors – the trainings that we had, I would say, were the guiding lights that would aid me as I look forward to my chosen career and profession.
Projects for the youth such as the Youth Research Apprenticeship Program must continue and must be supported by the government. It is through these programs that we develop amongst the youth the value and importance of science, technology and engineering to everyone’s lives. It is through this venue that the youth has given opportunity to have hands on and real experience in doing scientific research.
Again, after ten years, my million thanks to YRAP and its organizers are properly accorded. Happy ten years Batch 1999 of the Youth Research Apprenticeship Program!
Hope to see again!
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