Manila Kingpin: Asiong Salonga Story A Review

Watching the Manila Kingpin: Asiong Salonga story is the one thing that I enjoyed while on holiday. The film is really different. As a student of communications, however, let me give my reactions to the film.

The life of an ordinary King starts with his birth, and his claim to the royal bloodline. Then it goes on his training for the Kingship. And it proceeds to his struggle against pretenders to the throne, annihilating any opposition to claim ultimate monarch-ship. Then,his coronation.

Asiong Salonga was considered as the "King of Tondo". All of the stages of being a King was portrayed in the film.

His claim to the royal bloodline was his leadership skills in managing a young yet closely knit gangster group that takes care of the community rather than suck them dry. He tried to annihilate some of his enemies, but failed to really conquer the entire Tondo because several survived him and even went on the extent of betraying him and killing him eventually.

Died when he was just 27 years old.

The first half failed to tell us when did the people vested him his kingship. Was it during his jail fight with Ventura when he was proclaimed king? Or was it in the early aspects of the film when he shot and nearly killed Waway? Yes, his own people proclaimed him as King, but,honestly, he was still a pretender to the throne because most of Tondo were still being ruled by Totoy Golem’s group who was larger and more lethal than his.

If the first half lacks context, the second half redeemed our frustrations. It is quite evident that two strands of thought was applied to the film, and the producer tried his darn best to give us a tightly spunned story.

In my estimation, he failed. He should have allowed just one strand of thought to prevail in the movie. Likewise, let me say to all Filipino filmmakers—the essence of a good film is in the storytelling. All others are just supports used by the filmmaker in trying to make his story understood by his viewers.

The film starts with a man, fortish looking, being beaten to a pulp by another man, in a darkened room somewhere in the world. While the scene is being shown, it is juxtapose by several scenes showing some people sharpening their balisungs (knives of the Filipino) and pana (arrowheads, used in local slingshots). Nothing wrong with the opening scene, except that, if I'm not familiar with the story of Asiong Salonga, I probably would have difficulties situating myself in there.

He looked like Asiong had he outlived his untimely death at 27

The first scene is a creative rendition of how this man, was introduced into the world which he chose--the world of the gangster. That scene which shows him being beaten and threatened not to take part in this world because he's still "nursing from his mother's milk" and those scenes showing others sharpening their knives were allegoricals.

It is an allegory because it shows that this man is trying to enter a world where there are numerous other gangsters like him in the territory. Those scenes show that this man, Asiong, has already penetrated some of those areas being ruled by others

But, is this historically accurate?

How young did Asiong really rule Tondo or a greater part of it? A Manila Chronicle article says that Asiong died on October 5, 1951, a few days before his birthday on October 11th. He was just 27 years old. Meaning, he was born 1924. Obviously, he probably did not rule Tondo as a legitimate gangster during his teens because he probably spent it during wartime. So, the only time he could have probably ruled tondo was during the period 1946 up to the time he died. Or probably even less, because he was arrested and jailed. Asiong must have ruled as the ultimate king for two years or even a year before he died.

Again, Asiong Salonga died at a very tender age of 27 years old.

So, there. If you don't know anything about Asiong, you would accept that he looks "fortish" and probably that era was well in the 1950's, which is historically incorrect.

Why the confusion? Because the first half of the film failed to give the story some context. Audiences have probably asked themselves during the screening, where in time did all these things happen? Where is Tondo? Why was Tondo poor at that time? Nothing of that sort was provided.

The first half dismally confused the audiences in terms of the true character and identity of Asiong and the environment that he was in.

There is some confusion also if Asiong was indeed, a gangster par excellence or just a young thug who portrayed himself as a neighborhood Robin Hood.

There was no explanation as to how Asiong get his money. Did he get it from stealing? Did he get protection money from numerous businesses which sprang from Tondo post-war?

The two scenes which suggest that he did neither was when he intercepted a smuggling operations of one his enemies, Ventura. Ventura, as the story goes, was one of the members of the Totoy Golem group.

Ventura was eventually killed by Asiong in a jail fight. His other enemies, while he was in jail, tried to kill themselves for the honor of being the ultimate siga in Asiong's territories.

"Our local version of the fight in Faceoff is better--
cinematographically that is

Highlights of this film were those artistic shots of street and gangsta fights involving Asiong. I was moved in the scene where Asiong was fighting Hapon played by Joko Diaz in a gunbattle. That scene alone deserves an award, although it is quite similar with that scene in the movie of Nicholas Cage in Face/Off.

Equally great was the scene when Asiong was killed. It was another allegory on how a king was betrayed by his own friend during a feast. There was some aspect of biblical allegory as prior to this dinner killing, Asiong already said that Ernesto "Toothpick" Reyes would be used by his enemies in killing him, and Toothpick indeed killed him. (Likened to the Last Supper of Christ).

There was a scene, quite disturbing, about the death of Erning" Toothpick" Reyes. In a news article, Toothpick surrendered to the police. He surrendered the 38 caliber pistol revolver he used in killing Asiong Salonga. Yet, never mentioned what happened to him afterwards. The movie said, he was killed in a ritual killing by his own friends in a cemetery. How true? 

(Totoy Golem in the fictional movie played by Anthony Alonzo in "Totoy ng Bangkusay" claimed that Golem was Asiong's gunman. That is farther from the truth. Totoy Golem was the real gangsta boss in those times, even eclipsing Asiong in notoriety. Fact is, Golem ruled Tondo before Asiong and when Asiong was killed, Totoy Golem continued wrecking havoc in Tondo before, as the legend says, he was killed by Asiong's brother in a street fight)

" Okey film. But, I think they should show
the director's cut. Maybe it's better. Dunno.

The last scene was probably inspired with the carnage shown in the film, “ The Gangs of New York” of Martin Scorsese. By the way, most of the artistic shots done by the director were not originals. Some were either inspired by Scorsese and others by Michael Bay.

Manila Kingpin won ten awards during the Metro Manila Film Festival. It bagged Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Sound Recording, Best Original Theme Song, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director and Best Festival Picture.

I don't know about the editing of the first half, but, overall, I agree with the jurors in giving the awards to this film. I encouraged other film outfits to do some historical research first and try to outdo this film in terms of tight storytelling. But, I’ll watch this and even buy the DVD of this film instead of the others.

Asiong Salonga Story

As a kid, I'm quite familiar with the movies of Joseph "Erap" Estrada. There are two (2) movies which I still fondly remember and impressed me a lot. One such film was when he portrayed the character of Diegong Daga. It was megged in 1968 but was shown at RPN9 every afternoon during Martial law. And of course, Asiong Salonga. 


I searched the web for the true biography of Asiong Salonga but found only one---a newspaper article about his death. I tried to look for any criminal case filed against him that reached the Supreme Court, but found none. I'll find time to seriously write a biography of Asiong Salonga very soon.


I am also interested in his genealogy--where did he came from? The movie "Manila Kingpin" says that he was born and raised in Tondo Manila. Good. Were his grandparents, migrants from Pampanga, since most Salongas came from there. 


The surname "Salonga" is mythical, in the sense that it is directly linked to the House of Soliman, the hegemon of Tondo before the Spaniards came. Most of the royal blood line members migrated stealthly in Pampanga and in Bulacan after the Spanish forces tried to eradicate all of them. Fortunately, most of Soliman's house survived. Aside from the Salongas, Gatdula is also one revered surname that survived the Colonial rule.


Anyway, a few hours from now, I and my family will be watching Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga story. For a Manileno like me, it is interesting to know or at least relive the life story of this man. He personified the tumultuous era of the 1950s and 1960s.


I would really want also to see the editor's cut of the film. But, I reserve judgment later. After I finish watching the film, will I write a review about it.


Curiously though, two Salongas got the nation's nod during those times--one a bar top notcher by the name of Senator Jovito Salonga and Asiong. At the age of 27, Asiong died reportedly at the hands of the henchman of his friend, Totoy Golem. Ernesto Reyes gunned down the King of Tondo during a drinking session. Reyes denied killing Asiong and said that it was just accidental. His 38 revolver went off during a scuffle between Reyes and one of Asiong's men.


Anyway, this is the only piece of news available online. I'll try to go to the National Library and scan the 1950's and 1960's newspapers for additional information about Asiong Salonga.


Meanwhile, here's Gloc9's Youtube video on the film

Merry Christmas friends!

Sa mga tagapagtangkilik ng NPR, na itinuturing kong mga kaibigan, maligayang pasko sa inyo. Sa mga kaibigan ko, sina Arlyn dela Cruz, Bobby Capco, Dado V, Dante L, Fred M, Sonny M, Cosette R, Don Rice, Sandy and Macon A, Mia M, Gilbert B, Raul de Vera, Dr. Zeus S, Anthony Taberna, Onin Miranda, Rainier Ronda, Robert Requintana, Boy GOnzales, Ariel Ayala, Melo Acuna, Melo del Prado, Ariel Fernandez, Susan Toots Ople, Alex Lacson, Jay Jaboneta, Miro Quimbo, Leslie Bocobo, Noemi Dado, mga Kabayanis, mga Democrats, mga taga SAMASA, at sa mga hindi nabanggit, 


MALIGAYANG PASKO SA INYONG LAHAT! AT ITONG VIDEO AY REGALO KO SA INYONG LAHAT..





http://youtu.be/YR1ujXx2p-I

SWS survey: More Pinoys to celebrate blue Christmas

A few days before the December 16, 2011 tragedy that struck Cagayan de Oro and several other provinces in Northern Mindanao, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted a survey to determine how many Filipinos are still happy celebrating Christmas. 

SWS found out that the percentage of Filipinos expecting a "blue Christmas" rose to its all-time high in several years---from 7% in 2010 to 11% this year. Even the 64% of those who said that they expect a happy xmas this year is five percentage points lower than last year's. 

The survey found out that Filipinos' expectations rose only last year and lower expectations went back to its initial levels during former President Arroyo's term.

This pessimism is understandable since food stuffs are really priced extremely high compared several months ago, and there is relief in sight. Worse, government is doing nothing to arrest the  continuing price hikes.

President Aquino has just ordered a price freeze in typhoon-stricken provinces in Mindanao. What happened? Well, based on reports, prices of commodities and goods continue to rise. Even in times of distress, profiteers continue their nefarious schemes. 

Where is government in all of these?

Government is built on the premise that it will be the people's vehicle for a better life. With oil prices at its astronomical levels (the highest in the world), food prices comparable with those of first world countries and joblessness and economic inactivity persist, what could be a better Christmas than make do of what we now have.

GENERAL PALPARAN MANHUNT ON! LATEST PHOTO OF PALPARAN SHORTLY AFTER HE WENT UNDERGROUND

Palparan's face when he
 appeared before Congress

Major General Jovito Palparan, the guy whom ex-President and now suspected electoral rigger Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is in hiding. This after a Bulacan court ordered his immediate arrest for numerous crimes involving disappearances of political activists and the death of several more. 


NPR went to greater lengths from its "sources" and found one possible "look" that Palparan could have made to his face shortly after he went missing. Sources say this could be the new face of Palparan, who earlier said that he will squarely face his accusers in court.


Please, if you see a man or somewhat of a man who appears like this, immediately read him his Miranda rights and collar the man and send him to a nearby police station. 

Any similarity? 

According to the law, there is this thing called "citizen's arrest" when a responsible citizen effects an arrest against an individual who committed, is committing a crime or a subject of a warrant of arrest.


Paging the National Bureau of Investigation! Please include this photo in your gallery and quick!

TYPHOON SENDONG: NDRRMC admits PAGASA erred in excluding CDO and Iligan in advisory

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council revealed that PAGASA did err in alerting officials of the possible heavy rains brought by Typhoon Sendong. NDRRMC also said Pagasa never included Cagayan de Oro or Iligan in areas which PAGASA expects to be hit by Sendong. It only did several hours after flash floods have already inundated large parts of Malaybalay, CDO and Iligan.


Reports show that Sendong hit ground by about 4 o'clock in the afternoon (severe weather bulletin no. 4) in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, unleashing heavy rains as many as 200 mm (according to Pagasa) when in fact, according to NASA and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sendong (international code name Washi) dumped 400 mm of rains, 26 mm less than Ondoy.

Early in the morning of December 16, 2011, PAGASA issued its regular weather bulletin. Its severe weather bulletin no. 4 reported that a new Typhoon, codenamed “Senyong” was expected to make landfall over at Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of sixty five kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. The weather bureau forecasted it to move West north west at speeds of up to twenty two kph.

Compared with other tropical cyclones which hit the country in the past, Sendong was a relative weakling. It does not have the wind power of an Ondoy nor that of the 1991 Typhoon Uring which killed an estimated 5-8,000 people.

Pagasa even predicted that rains would only amount to 10-25 mm per hour within the 400 kilometer radius of the storm. This is extremely off--when as early as December 14, the Japanese weather bureau already predicted that the typhoon will bring in more than 200-400 mm of rain.

That explains why Pagasa only declared Signal number two over the provinces of Surigao Del Norte,Siargao Island,Surigao Del Sur,Dinagat Province,Agusan Provinces, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental,Compostela Valley and Camiguin island.[i] 

Pagasa did not expect that Typhoon Sendong would actually create havoc or destruction to Mindanao.

Inspite of the weather bulletins issued by Pagasa, local government officials say there was no alert warning given to them as to the severity of the typhoon. Residents were advised to stay at home.

Sendong made landfall at around 4 o’clock in the afternoon in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. After soaking the town with more than 25 mm of rain, Sendong moved stealthly towards other provinces in Northern Mindanao, packing more than 200 mm of rains in its way.

On Saturday morning, residents of Bukidnon experienced the wrath of the Storm. Sendong unleashed more of his power, strong winds and heavy rains poured down on the city of Valencia. The Pulangi river spilled over, destroying the bridge that connects Bukidnon going to Davao City. Houses along the river got swept away by raging flood waters.[ii]

NASA said what caused the devastation was "poor warnings, deforestation, and weak construction". see link: 

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/12/21/11/nasa-sees-poor-warnings-deforestation-behind-sendong-disaster 

Areas mentioned that were affected were heavily logged areas such as Bukidnon, CDO, Iligan and Surigao. 

Illegally cut logs barred normal water flows from the mountains, causing rivers to swell to as high as 15 feet. This caused siltration and erosion which, along with raging floods from the mountains and swelling rivers, spilled over riverine communities and even those near coastlines.

This calamity exposed the continuous illegal activities of loggers in the area, and to think that this area is the territory of Presidential adviser on Climate Change Nereus Acosta.

Acosta positions himself as an environmentalist.

---

[i] http://turtzonthego.blogspot.com/2011/12/pag-asa-public-weather-forecast.html#.TvKMdTX9Pes

[ii] http://www.bukidnononline.com/

188 million given to anti-Corona Congressmen; 11 million to Cagayan de Oro flood victims. Wow.

Sunstar Davao just released an article saying that President Aquino just gave 1 million pesos each to the 199 Congressmen who signed the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona. Wow. And to think that their signatures harmed only one man.


Based on the report, the money was given during a Christmas party held by Speaker Sonny Belmonte at the Makati Shangri-la hotel. 

During the said event, it was also announced that the DBM allotted 800 million pesos to Batanes, province where DBM secretary Butch Abad's wife serves as Congressman.


Wow. That amount, 800 million if re-allocated to Cagayan whose citizens suffered more than a billion peso worth of damage are more than enough to make Cagayanos recover from Typhoon Sendong's aftermath. 


For Cagayanos who suffered extreme distress since last Saturday, President Aquino gave 11 million pesos. 


Eleven million pesos for 6,000 plus families who lost their homes, their relatives and friends. Wow. 


That shows you why politics is the most destructive calamity ever to hit this country. 


Meanwhile, casualties hit 1,000 today as more bodies were discovered, most are decomposing. Several hundreds more remain missing.


So, this is truly what it means for "tuwid na daan".

Manhunt on for ex General cum Fascist Jovito Palparan

Oh General, where are you sir?

Where is the "berdugo' of Central Luzon, that braggart, retired General Jovito Palparan? After attempting to leave the country a few days ago, and bragging that he will face the criminal charges filed against him squarely, the puny Berdugo just suddenly disappeared? A warrant for his arrest has been issued by a Bulacan court. 


Palparan needs to be arrested. And fast. For a review of his case see link : http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/may2011/184461-62.htm


Mr. Palparan, don't tell me you're afraid of the courts? You're not afraid of ordering the killing of innocent civilians and torturing several others, right? Then, quo vadis? 

The 3 Faces of Fascism in RP

If you happen to see him at Glorietta or Ayala Malls (sources told me he frequents the place), there is what we call a "citizen's arrest". 


An ordinary citizen is empowered by law to arrest anyone "committing or has committed a crime" or "those with pending warrant of arrest".


It would probably be extremely good material if somebody arrest this demon cum budding dictator and lead him to jail. 


He's about 5'4 in height, slim, with always two burly security guards along with him. 


For those who gives him succor, I advised you not. Aiding or abetting a criminal or a fugitive is a crime. 


O Patriots of the New Generation, you know what to do.

A History of Chaos and Dismissiveness by the Aquino administration

Is this the way government handles relief?

It started when Edwin Lacierda, the newly appointed Spokesperson declared Proclamation No. 1. He said "sorry" and replaced it with Proclamation No. 2. Fact is, Lacierda wasn't able to explain if these proclamations were "Executive Orders" or what. That "first official day of business" went chaotic. 


Yet, Lacierda, apologized. The public forgave the new administration.


Then a Manila cop, anxious to be heard, hostaged several Taiwanese tourists and held them inside a bus. The bus, strategically placed infront of historic Quirino grandstand, was supposed to be going someplace else. Yet, the cop asked them to cut their trip off. 

Don't criticize. Just help. What about justice?

Presidential Communications secretary Ricky Carandang announced on DZMM that this hostage crisis is "local" and therefore, the palace left it to the hands of local police. This announcement was made inspite of the presence of foreign tourists. Then, what happened? Twelve people died, scores injured and diplomatic relations strained between the two countries. No one was held responsible. No one, except the valiant cops who responded to the scene, were suspended. HIgher-ups, like Mayor Lim, Vice Mayor Moreno and secretaries and undersecretaries of this administration got away with a mere admministrative sanction which was never implemented by the way.


A brutish storm hit Central Luzon, transforming lush ricelands into a howling wilderness. During the onslaught, President Aquino was seen singing with Malacanang Press Corp members. While Bulakenos wallow in waist-deep floods, without food, adequate shelter and water for many days, this administration dilly-dallied and went on doing other things that it forgot that people have died and were dying at that time. A mayor's public rant had to be made for the President to realize how important his presence is during times of great distress.

Calamities break the poor and the rich alike

Several natural disasters hit various parts of the country, some led to scores dead and injured, most lost their lives and futures due to horrific landslides and flash floods. Again, it took several days before this President decided to go to the ground and check whether things are ok or not.


Harvey Keh of Kaya Natin to, put it rather in mild terms when he posted in his Facebook that the president had to attend this "ministry of engagement", so to speak, because people need not just goods and emergency services, but some form of psychological boost from their leaders. It makes people recover faster if they see other people, particularly national leaders going to their place and responding to their needs as fast as possible.


Yes, the President coordinated with several agencies to pull government resources together to respond to this crisis. Kudos to the President.

GOvernment should help alleviate the grief

Yet, he fails to see the human side of the tragedy. Aquino only sees the logistical side, never the psychological or the sociological effects of such a calamity to people.


Aquino can't even claim success in coordinating relief efforts. Look at what happened in Iligan yesterday. The DSWD mucked up its work in distributing relief goods. Chaos ensued when people started getting their relief stuff. Many were injured when a melee ensued shortly after the President left. Is this the way government responds to emergencies?


Likewise, the President was even exposed when he said that "government will be responding to relief operations in " Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Negros and...Ilocos Norte? Why? What happened to Ilocos Norte, Mr. President? Was that province also struck by Typhoon Sendong?


Seems like the President was not even briefed or probably he was, except that he forgot it. That's the problem. These people did not forget attending a lavish party but forgot even the most basic and most fundamental of all things---attending to the needs of the people. 


Jessica Soho in her TV news program " The State of the Nation" last night, noted why government gave 20 million pesos in assistance to Negros Oriental and only 11 million to Cagayan de Oro when this city was ravaged more than Negros. Soho commented government should have given more to these provinces and cities struck by Sendong.


Mispriorities or effects of differing political affiliations?


What is good about what the President said yesterday was he already formed a Committee to investigate this tragedy. Good.


However, officials of his administration should be allowed to take a leave of absence or resign for being totally inefficient.


ONe, DENR secretary Ramon Paje. He failed in his job. Why? INstead of stopping illegal logging operations, he allows them. People on the know says Paje is on the take. Nah. I don't believe it. He is just inefficient.


Two, DOST secretary Mario Montejo who said that there is nothing wrong with Pagasa. There is Mr. Montejo--they failed to alert government officials in Northern Mindanao of a strong typhoon coming. 


Heads should roll so that people in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Negros will at least feel that a semblance of justice had been given to them.

800 dead in Typhoon Sendong aftermath: Someone should be made accountable for this

" As we mourn, the pursuit of justice should also continue"

Just got tons of comments about the statement of the presidential sisters. Really,the reason I wrote this is I am ashamed of the reaction given by the Aquinos. (As of late, more than 70,000 people have read my earlier post. And the stats keep rising with nearly 300 comments)


We Filipinos have a tradition, especially concerning the dead among us. We pay homage. We pay our respects. Really, the world stops when we see our friends dead and our fellow Filipinos suffering. That is what distinguishes us as Filipinos.


Those who defend Pnoy and those who are angered by his actions, they have rights to express themselves. In a democracy, we are entitled to our own opinions. We don't just lambast people without facts and reasons. 

The entire family died. Ok. So, no one will ever be
 punished for their untimely death? 

I don't agree however, that we should let this thing pass and just be mindful of the welfare of people. I myself, am in the thick of relief operations for CDO and Iligan, not because I have relatives there. I don't. But I have lots of friends who, eventhough they are not Bangsamoros or Mindanaoans, they empathize with what had happened. 


Palagi na lang tayong ganyan, we enjoin Filipinos when a catastrophe or calamity as big as this happen, not to get angry and just help and not be mindful of those responsible for this. 


It is time for us to get angry, since this is not the first time it happened to many of our kababayans. Landslides are caused by illegal logging operations there, according to several sources. There are no more trees to hold the ground from erosion.

Entire barangays wiped out. Are we saying that
no one is responsible for this? What's the
purpose of having government
when government cannot even
warn people of impending disasters?

Since Sunday, inspite of my sickness, I was coordinating efforts and calling my corporate friends to help in the relief efforts.


My world stopped when this thing happened. And we expect nothing less from our President and his sisters.


Secretary Herminio Coloma said, let's give the President a break. He spent an hour or two partying we should give it to him. 


Mr. Coloma, for many months now, actually two years already, we have been giving this President a break. When will he start working? 


Our economy has been in the doldrums since, what, two years ago? Joblessness is still high. Food prices are also very high, not to mention gas pump prices, the highest in the world, even higher than prices in America.


Mr. Coloma, when will your principal work? Is he always tired? Where are the results of his "hard work"? Why are you so concerned? Everyone is tired, Mr. Coloma from work. The President is not this country's monarch. He is not a king. There are so many problems. He is not entitled for a respite. 


He wanted to be president, then, he should be prepared for the strenous work schedule and the rigors of the work. I am starting to believe several of those who spun the yarn that the President's men are deathly afraid of him getting stressed out because it may cause him a nervous breakdown.


Likewise, when will we see this President actually firing one of his erring men? I mean, this catastrophe was brought about by illegal logging. This is the turf of the DENR. Are you saying that no one will ever be brought to account for the thousands who died?


A warning could have prevented thousands from death. No warning was given to the people of Cagayan de Oro, according to a report by Ted Failon. That warning could have saved thousands of lives. 


Isn't this the responsibility of government? To protect lives by being pro-active in its actions? 


No.


While we mourn our dead, and help the living, let us not forget that this is also a call for justice. Those who died deserve nothing less than see those responsible behind bars.

TO KRIS AQUINO: AN APOLOGY FROM PNOY AND PAGASA WOULD HAVE SUFFICED

A SIMPLE APOLOGY WOULD HAVE MATTERED.

" Our world stopped when your mother died. "

But, presidential sisters Balsy, Pinky Aquino-Abellada and Kris Aquino were one in defending their brother, President Benigno Aquino in his latest brouhaha.


In an ABS-CBN interview, the presidential sisters were one in defending the non-appearance of their brother during those critical weekend when Cagayan de Oro and Iligan were being battered by strong torrential rains brought by Typhoon Sendong. Malacanang just admitted that Pnoy was out partying with PSG officials and men and was even said to have laughed hard when sexy and sultry actress Valerie Concepcion cracked jokes. (Obviously not Pnoy Penot jokes of fellow sexy actress Francine Prieto). Here is what Kris and her sisters said during her show over at ABS-CBN:

"Ngayon, 'yun namang party ay matagal nang naka-schedule 'yon. Siyempre, may mga masasamang nangyayari at may malungkot but then, life should go on. Hindi naman pwedeng huminto na lang ang buhay at magmukmok na lang tayo."That party was for the PSG, ang mga nag-aalaga sa Pangulo at sa kanyang pamilya. Tradisyon 'yon na talagang every year ay nagsasama-sama. Kasi it's time to thank them for always being there. At saka alam naman nating lahat na binibigay nila ang buhay nila para mapangalagaan ang Pangulo. At talagang nasa Constitution na dapat mapangalagaan ang Pangulo. Kung di man sa Constitution, there's some law."
Pinky, on the other hand, explained that the President does not want his arrival to disrupt rescue operations.
"Pinaghahandaan niya ang pagdating niya, ayaw niyang makagulo nang ganoon. So as early as Saturday, alam na natin na Tuesday ilalatag nila lahat. Sana ay hindi siya makaabala doon sa government agencies na talagang working hard to save as many lives as possible," she said.
Kris, for her part, said critics should give the President and their family a break.
"I think hindi niyo po maiaalis sa amin na gusto naming i-depensa ang kapatid namin. The entire night, also Saturday, when we were together, he was constantly on the phone monitoring everything. I think today ang pagpunta ko although I'm going with ABS-CBN. I'm also representing him. I think in many cases talaga, the three of us were able to do that and also there are a lot of security concerns as well," she said.
"Pero siguro hindi niyo maiaalis sa amin na sabihin namin na it's not like he doesn't care. Give me a break, diba? Siyempre pangulo siya ng Pilipinas at mahal niya ang ating mga kababayan. So siyempre, gagawin naman niya ang lahat.
"Sana huwag napakabilis ng batikos kasi napakaraming ahensiya ang nagtatrabaho na. It's just that a President is not like you or me na we can hop on a plane and go there because there are a lot of national concerns.
The sisters just gave a nice alibi but what hurt me and I think many who heard it the most was what Kris said:

" Where is my president?"

"Ngayon, 'yun namang party ay matagal nang naka-schedule 'yon. Siyempre, may mga masasamang nangyayari at may malungkot but then, life should go on. Hindi naman pwedeng huminto na lang ang buhay at magmukmok na lang tayo.

WHY KRIS???

WHEN YOUR MOTHER DIED, EVERY SINGLE FILIPINO STOPPED WHATEVER HE WAS DOING AT THAT TIME, AND PAID HOMAGE TO HER.

Pang Pnoy, masama bang makipaglamay ka sa amin?

I, ALONG WITH MILLIONS, STOOD IN LINE TO VIEW HER. I, ALONG WITH MILLIONS, WAITED HOURS ALONG SOUTH SUPERHIGHWAY TO PAY MY LAST RESPECTS.

NOW, YOUR BROTHER IS PRESIDENT AND HE CAN'T EVEN SPEND A FEW MINUTES ATTENDING TO RELIEF AND EVACUATION OPERATIONS IN CAGAYAN DE ORO AND ILIGAN?

MANY PEOPLE DIED KRIS. FATHERS AND THEIR KIDS, MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES. WHOLE GENERATIONS WERE WIPED OUT.THE ENTIRE CAGAYAN WAS ALMOST TRANSFORMED INTO A WASTELAND AND YOU WILL TELL US THAT "LIFE SHOULD GO ON...AND IT WILL NOT BE GOOD IF OUR LIVES STOP FOR A WHILE AND FOR US TO MOURN?"

WE MOURN FOR YOUR FATHER, KRIS. I WAS JUST A KID WHEN MY TITAS AND TITOS VOWED TO SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES FOR YOUR FATHER TO GET JUSTICE...

OUR LIVES STOPPED WHEN YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER DIED.

DON'T EVER TELL US, US, THE FILIPINO PEOPLE THAT WE WILL NOT MOURN OUR FELLOW FILIPINOS WHO DIED DURING THIS TYPHOON.

WE ARE NOT LIKE YOU, WHO DOESN'T CARE.

WE CARE FOR FELLOW FILIPINOS, POOR ONES, WHO BECAME VICTIMS.

MORE THAN A THOUSAND LOST THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF THE INGRATITUDE AND THE INEPTITUDE OF THEIR LEADERS!!

THOUSANDS MORE LOST THEIR FUTURES BECAUSE OF THE CALLOUSNESS OF LEADERS LIKE YOUR BROTHER, KRIS!

A MERE APOLOGY WOULD HAVE SUFFICED.

Pnoy chose a Slenda Body than a Sendong

A Slenda body is worth more than Sendong

Malacanang says and it later corrected itself that the President will visit the typhoon Sendong ravaged cities of Iligan and Cagayan before (and not after) Christmas. It fails to even grasp my imagination why on earth the Presidential communication group made an error such as this. Imagine, sending out an erroneous message in this time of great calamity! Dios mio!@ Que horror, as the conos would say.


And this enlightened indio can't believe his ears when he heard that Pnoy was out partying with Slenda girl, Valerie Concepcion during the Typhoon Sendong outslaught. Maybe Pnoy thought that this is just an ordinary storm, nothing to worry about. 


Opps, flashback to Manila Bay Hostage Crisis. Flashback to the Bicol flooding tragedy. Flashback to other similar tragedies that happened here without the President ever going there and commanding the bureaucracy.


This same kind of lack of insight and obvious katamaran is neither an aberration nor a propaganda-based accusation. It is beginning to be a hallmark of this administration. 


Valerie Concepcion, the sultry ABS-CBN talent who was invited during the party attended by no less than the President and hundreds of testosterone crazy PSG men, even tweeted that Pnoy enjoyed her jokes. Since when did the sexy, vavavoom become a comedianne? She doesn't look like Ai-ai, right?


Anyway, the party lasted into the wee hours of the night so much so that the President was so drunk and that explains why probably he wasn't able to read the report--and that report about the devastation probably gave him a headache---scores dead, hundreds missing and entire villages swept by raging flash floods.


And quite expectedly, the President would have remarked---This can't be! This is Mindanao! It rarely rains there. Or so we thought.


His secretary Mario Montejo, in classic cono style said that PAGASA did not err in predicting the path of the typhoon. How about predicting the volume of rain water? Of what, Mr. Mangubat, I imagine Mario responding. " Of soda water and whisky?"


" The amount of soda water last Sunday was enough for everybody."


O, flashback again, and we see the "Emperor" former AFP Chief Esperon throwing thousand peso bills in the air, to the delight of his ISAFP men, who were so drunk, they thought the party was inside Ms. Universe in Pasay. Wrong.


This explains why we have a depressed nation, with a depressing economy and a similarly depressing bureaucracy.


We have conos in power, who have a false sense of priority in their lives. Who choses a Slenda body instead of bodies which Sendong killed?


Of course, who will not succumb to a Slenda?

Answer to Ling Pao: Open Democracy or Seven Points in Re-Imagining the Philippines

"7 Points in Re-Imagining the Philippines"

I would like to answer Ling Pao's question with an essay. There are seven points to structural re-engineering.

First, a true recognition of what the concept of a "Filipino Nation" really means to all of us. Is this "Filipino Nation" only comprised of Malays or Austronesians? Or this Nation is a conglomerate of different races: Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Persians, Arabs, Malays, Thais and Western, all existing co-equally in Austronesian terms?

If we recognize that this Nation has, since its birth, been dominated by Chinese and Indian economic systems, adopted Islamic or Arabian political belief systems, and inculcated with Asian mainland cultural values, that is one step towards the right direction. There should be a re-examination of what this term the Filipino Nation truly is before we embark on the more serious structural re-engineering.

And granted that we already did, the second recognition should be that any other system, other than capitalism, will not genuinely prosper in this country. Why? Because from the very beginning of our History as a Nation, we have always seen and adopted free enterprise as our economic system.

Yes, there are structural imperfections brought about by this system, but these are mostly political by nature and hence, can be corrected politically.

The institutional imperfections of our system are organic features of the economic system that we adapted. However, we can modify this economic system to suit the political system we want. And that's the beauty of modern capitalism.

Modern capitalism thrives in all forms of political systems: be it republican, democratic, or undemocratic. We have seen how undemocratic systems were allowed to co-exist with other systems provided that the main thesis of capitalism: open markets are allowed to exist.

We all know that capitalism now exists side by side with socialism. Socialism is an economic theory but it is not an open and shut case. It can evolve and exists beautifully as a political theory rather than purely economic in the sense that man can mold it in whatever way possible based on his current needs.

Some may argue that both systems: capitalism and socialism are anathema to each other that they clash. I will not cite further examples here of how certain societies have successfully put together the fine features of Socialism with those of an existing capitalist system without getting into a serious mess.

China, for example, recognizes two economic models, both modifications of Socialist and capitalist thought: the Guangzhou model and Chongqing. Both models advocate free enterprise yet views political openness in contrasting styles.

Guangzhou model advocates for both economic and political liberalism while Chongqing is advocating the basic party line of conservatism preserved inspite of fast-tracked free enterprise.

In the case of the Philippines, we are still observing and studying what applies to a system like ours. We adopted American-style market economy while our laws are basically a mixture of Castilian and Anglo-Saxon precepts. Our laws are like a synthesis of Guangzhou and Chongqing in the sense that we tend to think liberally in certain things while being strict in others. This is good if we know or we have a sense of what is good and what is not good for us, in the first place.

Let us re-examine the past and recognize that these lands were once thriving free enterprise zones. There is no dominant economic hegemon, only political administrators who see to it that traders are allowed unhampered use of the lands and give the political powers the respect it deserves. In the first years of human habitation in these lands, no one claims to own them, except powerful families of old who rule not as economic dictators, but of administrators whose primary responsibilities are to keep the peace and observe the communal laws.

Third, we must recognize that the only viable political system for us is not Western models with its attendant problems, but Asian democratic.  I am not saying that we totally overhaul the political system because doing so at this point, is more destructive than beneficial.

What we need to do, as what we have done over the past few years, is enact legislation that is more attuned to our prevailing cultural norms and values and prune away old political concepts inculcated by us by our former Western colonial powers. It is time to strip away the thick layers of Western influence and try to see problems based on our own perspectives, rather than using Western lenses to solve Asian problems.

We are in the position to do this now because even if we don’t declare it before the world, our policies are becoming strictly nationalistic. That is why some governments argue with us, and even protest our ways because we mix political policies with economic ones. It is time to disengage politics with economics and just allow free enterprise and open markets to exist without overbearing them with politically sensitive policies.

Fourth, we must recognize that our social values differ from others, and these values should be institutionalized. We must start building a definite social value system that we will slowly inject into the State through the bureaucracy. The Bureaucracy should be the first laboratory for this.

Some may argue that we already have a Code of Conduct and Ethics for every singular profession in this country, so, what’s the use of another one? The problem with these codes is that they are unobservable, since the prescriptions there were made to address experiences of other nations or systems.  We must try to institutionalize what we in the corporate world term as “values stream”, definitive actions designed to achieve added value to a system, process or service. Example would be our concept of corruption or bribe. In the olden days, bribery is not morally wrong. It is given to speed up processes. In values stream analysis, we take away bribery as a concept entirely without giving morality as a basis for its extraction; rather as an ordinary course of business, we take away bribery and make it a fixture in the system but transforming it as an additional levy or tax. Those who want, say, speed up the delivery of their cargo, should pay extra to government. Those who don’t, well, they are levied the normal fees.

Fifth, we must recognize what our order of priorities is as a People. For us to determine what order this is, we must recognize that most of our problems are structural; therefore, solutions lie also on re-imagining structures. Graft and corruption, we say, is a structural problem. The solution is not piece-meal legislation or Executive action; but structural. How do we address this? First, change the penal provisions of laws punishing grafters. Second, change the penalties and punishments attendant to violations of the anti-graft code. Third, blind justice and effect the law against big-time corrupters and violators then admonish the small fries.

Sixth, we have laws and we must all follow them. Laws are useless concepts if society does not follow them. Laws are meant to keep the peace. However, if the law is being interpreted this way and that way and follows only the dictates and wiles, and whims of a definite class or clique in society, then, we must change those who interpret the law and even punish those who implement them without blinders. No one is unassailable or infallible in human 

institutions.

Lastly, we must recognize that we should continually evolve our institutions and our cultural value streams. We must recognize that as time goes on; our institutions must attain a higher level of goodness and achieve higher strata of development.  The ideal is, the more developed our institutions are, the lesser those structural imperfections become.