What is common between an elected official and people being interred at public cemeteries?
Both have term limits.
Happy Halloween!
Monthly Archives: October 2007
31
Oct
On North Cemetery
Wait, maybe I should post something related about Halloween.
So last Sunday, me and my 3 brothers, together with father went to North for clean up and painting. I failed to take pictures, because inside is so garish, the absence of logic and sense of space astound me still. (As a side note, since the cemetery can no longer expand horizontally, it is expanding vertically.) Sometimes it is impossible to get to your destination without stepping on tombstones. Some tombs are flooded. Some mausoleums also house the living.
Since it was a Sunday, it was “delivery” day. In fact, the cemetery was so busy that MMDA should send traffic enforcers inside. The traffic was horrible that day, and I presume it is the same scene every Sunday. Too bad we don’t have the numbers; I doubt if the cemetery management even keeps tab with average interment per day. Or maybe they do.
Two years ago, on my way home after the yearly painting, I was passing by the apartment block along the A. Bonifacio Ave. side of the cemetery when I saw several kids playing with something. Looking closely, I found that they were holding skulls. Like elected officials, some plots in the cemetery have term limits, and when that time comes and the family isn’t able to get re-elected err.. renew, the remains are exhumed and placed in sacks. The caretakers just place them anywhere, and woe to those who do not take note of renewal dates.
Last Sunday, after visiting a school mate’s niche at North Green Park, I passed by the second level of the apartment block on the way to my paternal grandparent’s tomb. The walkway is rather narrow, and made more so by microtombs at the open side of the walkway (the other side is where the apartment niches are). These are tombs, two feet by two feet by 3 feet, where the bones of those who were not re-elected err… renewed are interred. I am not sure if this arrangement is permanent, but I think this adds more danger to the walkway.
To end this post, I restate what I had observed before. When you enter the cemetery, you will see the opulent tombs. When you get past the rotunda, you get the “squatters.” Yes, the cemetery is the Philippines in miniature.
31
Oct
Halloween link list
No, this is not a post about Halloween. You better look somewhere else.
Anyway, hit the link list. If you don’t find your blog or Web site on it, yell at the comments. The only condition is that you should link back to this blog. Fair enough, right?
Since I had dropped by Manila North Cemetery last Sunday, I will be dropping by the Chinese Cemetery and La Loma Cemetery tomorrow. I hope to take some pictures, specially on the Chinese Cemetery, since taking pictures is not allowed in that cemetery. And oh, maybe a decent post on the experience as well, since the Chinese tradition is colorful, noisy, and full of smoke. And cute people. Nope, no pics of cute people ha ha ha. Go look somewhere else.
31
Oct
Contaminated, 2
All of us wanted clean politics and clean elections. But where do we start?
Last time around, I talked about barangay elections being invaded by traditional politics, and thought about making it non-partisan. MLQ3 disagrees with the notion. But then again, where do we start?
Just look at the most recent barangay elections. Candidates being killed or wounded, flying voters, vote buying, wayward poll watchers, tarpaulins and posters everywhere, motorcades, bands – and no, it is not the national elections. Imagine, all that money being spent, all those lives wasted. It has been harder to enter the political race via barangay. It just became more expensive, and for what? Three years of allowances, three years of being village chief? No, I don’t think so. And since money has entered the ball game, where can a candidate get the funds?
Enter the lord. Political lords, starting with the mayor, congressman, councilor, need a political base. And what better way to establish one than by “sponsoring” candidates? After these candidates get elected, payback time – the political lord now has a political machinery deeply indebted to him. And since the incumbent has a machine, a newbie is at an obvious disadvantage.
Enter the lord. Gambling lords, too, can sponsor candidates (as they also bankroll mayors and the like, barangay sponsorship is peanuts) in exchange of relative peace for their “business.”
Enter the lord. Warlords, who have no taste for politics, will rather play kingmaker than be king themselves.
So with the barangay heavily politicized (and monetized), getting into elected public service becomes a wee bit harder. Compound that as you progress along the political food chain, and you get what I mean. One billion pesos is not enough to get yourself elected as President. Just ask Gloria Arroyo. Oooppss.
Yes, level the playing field. And it should start at the barangay level.
30
Oct
P1i’s menu in landscape orientation?
Last week, something happened on my P1i. The programmable key at the right of the phone was set to Main Menu (meaning, when you press that button, the Main Menu is displayed; default is Web browser for this button), and while I was taking some camera shots, I accidentally pressed on that button. What happened?
The menu did appear. In landscape mode.
I regret not installing a screen shot app for the phone. I cannot replicate it now, though the fact that it did happen means it can be replicated somehow. The menu was in grid mode, and the Back icon was on the bottom of the screen (since it was in landscape mode, bottom is the left edge of the screen). The Status bar and the soft keys were not visible. But when I get back to standby mode, the screen was restored to the usual portrait orientation. Going to the main menu, the screen shifted to landscape again.
When I restarted the phone, the main menu is in the usual portrait orientation.
Has anyone experienced the same?
29
Oct
Contaminated
If there is one reason why I have doubts about the barangay as a political unit, it is because it is already co-opted by the political class.
Look at this:
You see, at the lowest political unit of government, traditional politics and patronage is at play. We need remedial legislation to prevent barangay officials from becoming political leaders of elected local government officials. And vice versa.
Keep this in mind when voting for your barangay officials today.
26
Oct
MyManila: An Invitation for Amateur Photographers
MyManila
Images of old|new Manila
Theme
Manila is a glaring study in contrasts. This is where the rumble of big city traffic meets the steady clip-clop of horses’ hooves. This is where nightclubs and discos sit side by side with art galleries and museums, a place where gourmet restaurants are seconds away from roadside canteens. This is where rich tradition meets modern urban living, a city where the old blends with the new in a seamless tapestry of culture. More than its landmarks, Manila has this particular quality, a certain air, a distinct flavor that makes it like no other city in the metro.
Sponsored by Avida Towers San Lazaro, MyManila is a photography contest aimed at capturing the dynamism of Manila while showcasing the talents of amateur Filipino photographers and enthusiasts.
Official Photo Contest Rules and Regulations
- Each contest entry or photograph must include an accomplished entry form (see link below). A contestant may submit up to a maximum of four (4) entries. Numerous entries need not be mailed in separate envelopes.
- Entries must be delivered to the ground floor lobby guard of Avida Land Corp. Mondragon House, 324 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City) by 6 pm of November 14, 2007. Avida is not responsible for entries that are lost, late, delayed, misdirected, unintelligible, illegible, incomplete, postage due, stolen, returned, separated, damaged, or undeliverable entries or mail.
- A model release form must accompany photos containing identifiable people. Model releases are the responsibility of the contestant and must be available in the event the photo is a winner.
- Entries must be in colour.
- Any point-and-shoot, SLR, DSLR, medium format camera may be used.
- Entries must be photo lab-printed on an 8×10 in. photo paper. Digital prints should match the quality and character of the original digital capture. White borders around the image area are optional but should not exceed one (1) inch on all sides.
- Compositional changes to digital files are NOT acceptable. Tonal or colour cast corrections are acceptable. Creative effects done within the camera at the time of exposure (e.g. multiple exposures, flash fill, lighting, filtration) are allowed.
- For all entries, original material, including original negatives and/or capture files must be available for reproduction purposes. All entries and contest materials received become property of Avida and will not be returned.
- All submissions must be original, unpublished photos taken of or in Manila.
- By signing the attached entry form, the contestant grants Avida the unrestricted and exclusive rights to use photograph(s) for any purpose. This includes, but is not limited to, publishing your photograph(s) in print or electronic form for promotional purposes without further compensation, and the right to use the photographers name as a credit along with the photo. The photographer must own all rights to any photographs entered in this contest. It is the responsibility of the contestant to ensure that publication of the photos raises no legal claims. Accordingly, the contestant agrees to compensate the sponsors fully regarding any claims arising out of the use of the photos. Photos previously published in full or in part in other publications, contests etc., will be disqualified.
- Each contestant can win only one (1) prize.
- Prior to receiving a prize, the winners will be required to sign an agreement declaring the following, among others: a) The photo submitted is his or her original work. b) The photo was taken at the location specified on the entry form.
- The contest is open to any amateur Filipino photographer over 18 years of age, excluding Avida employees and/or their immediate family members.
- Only the photographer has the right to submit an entry.
- By signing the entry form, the participant consents to the entry of his or her submission and agrees to these Official Rules and Regulations and the decisions of the judges, which are final and binding in all matters to this contest.
Awards and Prizes
1st Prize: PhP12,000.00
2nd Prize: PhP8,000.00
3rd Prize: PhP5,000.00
Other minor prizes
Awarding ceremonies will be held at the Avida Towers San Lazaro activity area on November 18, 2007 (tentative). Finalists will be notified and invited to attend the event.
For More Information
Call: 753-1178 or 753-4906
Email: venturanza[dot]januel[at]avidaland[dot]com
Web: www.avidaland.com
Download the Contest Rules and Application Form (PDF).
26
Oct
Another weird dream, 5
Last night, I had a series of dreams, but only one I can remember distinctly.
There was a mass of people, and it was raining. The people are asking for “her” resignation. There was this lady who took to a platform, stood infront of a microphone, and shouted “She has resigned!” The people roared in delight. Then I woke up.
Maybe the dream was influenced by that pardon thing. For the record, I am not under medication, and I ate lomi and maja blanca at dinner.
26
Oct
Now what?
On my way home yesterday, Schumey informed me via SMS that Gloria Arroyo has pardoned Joseph Estrada. Coincidentally, the bus was slowly cruising the Ortigas flyover, with EDSA Shrine at my right. Or maybe it was not a coincidence at all.
The only question that I would like to ask everyone, and specially those who went to EDSA 2 (specially the “masterminds”):
NOW WHAT?
Already, there are gnashing of teeths, most of them has-beens (pushed into nothingness and irrelevance by Arroyo herself), like Fidel Ramos and other do-gooders. That’s what you get from dancing with the devil. That’s what you get from hijacking the rule of law.
Since 2004, when this administration is no better than the last, we had all the chance of getting her out. Yet, badly burned by EDSA 2, we did nothing. Yet now, you all cry foul? Who knows, if she was ousted before 2005, Estrada would still be in house arrest or jailed. They say we cannot right a wrong with another wrong. What if that another wrong is actually right?
There’s nothing more that I can add. Everything that I wanted to say, I had posted in the previous post. Again I ask, NOW WHAT?
CORRUPTION IS STARING AT YOU, IN THE FACE, BUT WHERE ARE YOU LOOKING?
I remember chatting with someone via Twitter. That person was weary with politics. Everyone is, I said, but that should not deter you from keeping yourself informed and from holding our leaders accountable. Just think about your future. (As an aside, we Filipinos are really not long-term thinkers.) That’s the least you can do – for yourself and for your country. Unless, you are like others who chose to surrender, go abroad, and then snipe at everyone who chose to stay behind.
25
Oct
The birds and the bees
I was reading an old copy of the Reader’s Digest. There was this anecdote where a child asked his father how a baby appears in a mother’s tummy. The father muttered incomprehensible words, leading the child to exasperatedly say, “It is ok to admit you don’t know anyeverything.” Or something like that.
Anyway, I can distinctly remember not asking my parents about “the birds and the bees.” (Yes, we even have euphemisms for sex.) It must be the culture. After all, this country was held by Spanish Catholic Taliban for more than 300 years. Heck, a new form of Catholic Taliban is in control of this country, opposing artificial family planning methods, teaching sex education in any level, giving Joseph Estrada pardon (oooppss, that is another story). Like censorship, every attempt to suppress is futile.
When I was in high school, saucy tabloids were the rage. I know of someone who bought two different tabloids everyday. I get to read them from time to time, and that is how I found out about the birds and the trees. However, there was something strange. These are mere words, and if you don’t have an idea what was being talked about, you wouldn’t understand, right? But how come it had an effect on the reader?
Nowadays, the Catholic Taliban is losing the fight to the Internet. They even entered the ISP business just to control what Catholic students see over the Web. That venture failed. Now, every one can learn about the bird and the bees. Google is your friend, he he.
When did you learn about the bird and the bees? How did you found out?
TIP: If you have minors at home, don’t leave your pron lying around.