Carlos Celdran's first round loss against Catholic Church

I have to say that the Catholic Church deftly handled a possible controversy, what with the conviction of Carlos Celdran today by a Manila Regional Trial Court. His highly popular antic last year that made headlines both here and abroad will cost him a month's detention in a filthy cell inside Manila City Jail.

The Church immediately issued a statement, saying that the Hierarchy has forgiven Celdran but respects the decision of the Manila Court.

I remember back in 1896, when a similar court found Jose Rizal, guilty of a more serious crime of rebellion and sedition. Rizal wrote disparaging stories against the Church and the colonial state, and he was being punished for it.

The friars in those times publicly announced their forgiveness. Behind the veneer though, the friars' true sentiments got exposed.

When Rizal was being led to a martyred slaughter, those who yelled and clapped and lustily shouted death to Rizal, were the same Friars who already forgave him.

Such hypocrites! Now,

In our digital age, when the right to express oneself is sancrosanct in every democratic society, such a ruling from a court, shows a very dangerous precedent.

Celdran did what he did for the sake of enlightening the public about alleged dangers of not passing the RH bill. If the Church wants to punish those behind the RH bill, don't shoot the messenger.

And if the Church is really dead serious on forgiving Celdran, then, they should be the ones to tell the Court to stop the proceedings.

The Church is slowly showing its backwardness.

Ratsada Inquirer: Why Carlos Celdran militates against DMCI and Ayala Land Premier projects in Manila

Performance artist and social media practitioner Carlos Celdran just appeared before the City Government of Manila with one mission---prevent DMCI, a big real estate developer, from building a 42 storey condominium in one of the historical places in Manila. 


Celdran, a long-time resident of Manila, points three reasons why he, along with hundreds of netizens, oppose this "tower" project: first, the building would just appear like a sore thumb in the historic stretch of Taft avenue. The area where DMCI wants to build their "tower" is a historical landmark. If built, the tower would be the tallest structure along Taft avenue. And being the tallest, it would obstruct other views in the area. That's the second reason. Lastly, the area where DMCI will build its own, is a hazardous area. Several studies point that the ground there cannot support such a big structure.


Last Friday, Celdran along with hundreds of others, appeared before the City Council of Manila, to specifically discuss the DMCI issue. The group has submitted a position paper before the Council. This coming Friday, the City Council will invite DMCI for it to give its side of the story.


This demonstrates how powerful social media is becoming right now in the Philippines. Aside from this issue, there were three other issues which got flak from netizens: the Pasay ordinance asking for registration fees for bike and dog owners, the "God" bill filed by Mong Palatino and the Tricia Bonoan-David proposal to solicit $50 more from Overseas Filipino Workers. These obscene proposals were discarded shortly after netizens found them out and talked these proponents out of their irrelevance. 


Social media has become a force to reckon with in the Philippines. It is slowly developing its voice, and becoming more and more influential as more and more Filipinos engage themselves electronically. 


Social media maven Noemi Dado pointed this out during our Ratsada Inquirer show last Saturday. 


She gave as an example, the advocacy of Mindanaoan, a blogger based in Cagayan de Oro, who created a movement out of a single tweet. 


At the height of Typhoon Sendong, Mindanaoan was the first to gather people together to help. With just one Tweet, Mindanaoan was able to unite people of different persuasions to come together and help other Filipinos in need of assistance.


Such a feat is becoming more and more possible right now, what with the Internet becoming more and more user-friendly and turning to be a suitable platform for causes. With its speed, the internet is now becoming a repository of the collective consciousness, now being tapped and being used to empower movements and peoples.

Carlos Celdran and Redefining Subversion

"Art and Liberation--The "subversive" Carlos
with Leslie Bocobo and Pat Mangubat

It wasn't surprising that even in a cosmopolitan city such as Dubai, things like art, are still being considered subversive. At the largest art exhibit in the Middle East held in Dubai, avant-garde protest artist Carlos Celdran's philosophical viewpoint got censored, just because he tried to tell the truth. 


His depiction of Imelda Marcos, wife of former dictator Ferdie Marcos was not flattering, but it does not mean that he lied about how Meldy used her charms to convince former Libyan president Moammar Khadaffy to take an active role in pacifying the violent South during Martial Law. Khaddafy did stop helping the Bangsamoros in their struggle against Marcos and it was historically correct to say that Meldy had a big role in bringing together MILF leader Nur Misuari, the government and the Libyans in what is now known as the 1979 Tripoli agreement.


Celdran's art was not bold nor abstract--it was simply, the truth. That incident happened and for me, does not merit any singular objection.


Fact is, what happened shortly after the 1979 Tripoli agreement, which was supposed to end the Bangsamoro struggle was overtly subversive, to say the least. Admit it---post-Tripoli agreement was pure canard. It momentarily brought peace in the South, but the struggle remained. Had Carlos depicted post-Tripoli Mindanao, it could have merited a stronger reaction.


What is most refreshing about what happened to Carlos is the re-definition of protest. Gone are the days when youngsters wearing Mao shirts and caps populate the protesting mobs. Now, even people of such fine pedigree such as Carlos are showing their subversion in their own styles. 


For those who don't know, Carlos is not your typical ideologue, the one whom the military considered as security threats. 


Fact is, Carlos' ideology is amorphous--no mold, just simply protesting what is wrong about the things happening right now.


Carlos was once a banker in New York. He went back and embraced his being Filipino. He looks cono to you and me, but behind that facade lies a caring and understanding soul that wants to liberally break free from the mold that society had secured for him since his birth.


What is good about the things Carlos is doing is the way he redefines the concept of political subversion. 


You don't need to be a Commie to be able to see what's wrong and act upon it, no. You only need to be a citizen and open your eyes to the truth--that you live in a society where brute force is the Law and governments are wolves that shepherd the sheep through mass indoctrination. 


Carlos chose not to tread the path recommended by society to him. He chose to tread the path least taken--that of a revolutionist who simply want the world to know what is happening.


He's like Neo of the Matrix whose eyes have been opened and he is breaking all the established rules to liberate those who continually live peaceful lives when all they are, really, are hosts being literally eaten by society's fat parasites. 

FREE CARLOS CELDRAN! FREE OUR SOULS!

Sharing with you this link http://www.thepoc.net/commentaries/9820-free-carlos-celdran-the-uber-subversive.html.


I am writing this from the hills of Tagaytay. 


I am asking the New Patriots of the New Generation to march at the Station 5 of the Western POlice District. Let us join the thousands as we demand the release of Carlos Celdran, a dear friend and uber-Patriot.


He is being kept in violation of his rights as a citizen. He is being kept by the dogs of the clerico-fascists.


After I finish my work, I will go and storm the heavens with my appeals for the freedom of Carlos Celdran.


FREE CARLOS CELDRAN NOW!


LET US EX COMMUNICATE THE FRIAR WHO FILED A CRIMINAL CHARGE AGAINST CARLOS CELDRAN!

Carlos Celdran's arrest and the Core Issue on the Reproductive Health Bill

Carlos Celdran did the right thing--he went out
of his way to express his stand against
Church opposition to the RH bill

To use plastic or not is an environmental question. For a priest though, it's religious. For President Aquino, its just state policy. 


President Aquino has just regained the sympathy of the middle class when he opposed the view of his church on the reproductive health bill. Aquino said that the State has the right to give couples an option to use contraceptives or not. Fact is, the state right now is imposing upon couples to use artificial means of contraception through the propagation of condoms. 


The Church, through the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, has stated their opposition to Aquino's plan. The government, seeing an opportunity to regain the sympathy of many Filipinos, publicly announced its so-called "plan" which sparked this debate. 


The question really is this--who has the right to impose artificial or natural means of contraception to people or couples? The answer is no one. 


The use of condoms is simply not a religious matter nor a state matter. It is a personal choice. The use of contraceptives is one of the rights given to people under a democracy. You want to use a condom, go ahead. You don't want to use it and would like to exercise natural methods, do so. No law or canon can actually dictate a person's action or choice. 


What is abominable is when the State uses its coercive powers to interfere with personal choice. When a state uses its budget to buy billions of condoms and force its use among its citizenry, that to me, is entirely illegal and un-democratic. When the State uses its enormous clout and money to fund advertisements encouraging couples to use plastics or other contraceptive tools, that to me, is unnecessary and un-democratic. 


This also applies when the Church uses the pulpit to encourage people not to buy or use condoms. The Church only has the right to do so when there is an existing social malady or condition that necessitates its interference. The Church is recognized by everyone as a social influencer and it is within its rights to oppose measures that it thinks borders on the immoral.


When my good friend, Carlos Celdran did his action yesterday, it behooves me to write if he did the right thing. 


Celdran did what he's supposed to do--express his disgust over the apparent or non-apparent interventionist stance of the Church. It is well within his rights to express his opposition to the   Church. And he committed no crime, as far as the public's eye is concerned.


It is different though when you ask a lawyer--Celdran may be charged with violating Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code which imposes jail time for those who will disrupt religious ceremonies such as a mass. Manila mayor Alfredo Lim ordered his arrest.


I texted him to know his condition and he says that he's okey. 


There must be other people who must stand up for or against this RH bill. If you support the bill, then, do a Celdran. If you don't, then, what prevents you from doing the same thing as what my friend did? This is a democracy. We live in a democratic society. If we want change, then, it is up to us to the necessary thing. 

A New Day is upon us--Let us create a New Country!

A new day is upon us. Those who caused nine and a half years of misery will leave the palace by today, and will be replaced by a solid team with an idealist for a leader. Many hail this as a triumph of democracy, yet, it is too early to even say that change is upon us. Best that we look forward to a good day tomorrow.

Today, we celebrate the inauguration of a new Head of State, someone who will manage our affairs for the next six years, and someone who will definitely set the direction of our country for the next decade or so. Undeniably, he faces a most critical juncture in our history, and the challenges are truly daunting, to say the least. No amount of "image building" or "crisis prevention" will ever be effective once he strays from the path of change. The People, all 15 million and rising, have reposed their trust in him and expects him to fulfill his campaign promises. The level of trust and expectations are so high, one false move and deeper still is the abyss waiting for him and those who will break their promises with the people.

Half a million Filipinos will also make a vow to ever be supportive of the new government. This vow includes sharing the responsibilities of nation-building. Nation-building is not something to trifle with. This is serious business, and entails a lot of thinking, blood and sweat. Nation-building is not solely calling for unity. Nation-building is more of calling for those who have solid and doable visions for the country to share their talents with the new administration.

I watched an interview with Carlos Celdran over at the Explainer by my good friend, Manolo Quezon III, and Celdran talked about the "cosmetic overhauling" of metropolitan Manila, similar with what happened in Paris shortly after the war. Celdran says that Manila, especially Quezon City, has an enormous tourism potential and what we only need is one person or an agency of government who will be given one task of envisioning this reconstruction and put together a very solid plan. That plan should probably be patterned after "cantons"

I agree---Metropolitan Manila should actually be reconstructed or "remodelled" to impress visitors of this country. The greyish urban landscape should be reworked and given life, colors, that is. The colors of modernism should ever be present in our lives. These colors and hues should be expressed ever so strongly in Manila.

Look around, and you'll find that there is nothing to rejoice about in Manila. A tourist who is visiting will find nothing extraordinary here. He would have to leave Manila and go to Palawan or to any other city.

Manila should be transformed into Asia's new cosmopolitan city, not just a centerpot of trade and industry, but also of tourism and hospitality. There should be at least one place where malls are located and one long stretch of road filled with everything pleasurable about this country.

We should have more art galleries, more entertainment centers, more cultural landmarks and more places to go to to enjoy life.

Let's drive off bad luck and that ever present feeling of dread and drudgery of life, by infusing colors into our landscapes and throwing away these greyish and rotting images of a life.

Let us revive the wonderful glory of Manila in the 1930's. Those who lived during those times see a wonderful cornucopia of art, culture, prestige and greatness, all in one space. That space has all been lost and we all just see it in those old pictures.

Let us work together, the private and public sectors, to revive Manila. Let us create centers of life in each and every city and town in this wonderful country and show the world our greatness.

Let us abandon those thoughts of death and destruction from our minds, and focus on the good and great things. Greatness is upon us and we must seize it by the horns and make sure that we use this to create and mold a new country for us and for our children.

Gilbert Teodoro: A meeting with the would-be president of the Republic?

I highly respect Carlos Celdran, one of the country's foremost promoters of historical places in Manila and one of the online people whom I feel very credible. He's a Facebook friend of mine and he's an ardent supporter of Gilbert Teodoro, the palace bet. And I highly respect his views. (By the way, his cousin, David Celdran is a very good friend too).

I was fortunate to be invited by Noemi Dado, another good friend and highly respected blogger. She formed Blogwatch (http://blogwatch.ph/), which I was very fortunate to be a guest blogger. I commend Noemi for forming this group.

Anyway, Noemi told me that there is a Blogwatch event featuring presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro. Unknown to her, I was once invited to join the Green Team of Michael Ong, a group connected with Teodoro's closest associate and supporter, Raul Lambino. I attended the first meeting and never went there again.

Gilbert Teodoro---a leader, reformer and visionary

He sat at the head of a long table, an imposing figure with an authoritative air in him. Am I meeting a president? No. I am attending a Blogwatch. ph meeting with administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro.

Teodoro is an ideal leader. He's charming. He's warm. He's a critical thinker and what I discerned, he has a deep understanding of the political system.

Gilbert Teodoro has what other presidentiables lack---he's intelligent and he's definitely a technocrat par excellence.

His prescriptions are fresh, original and utterly doable. He's a quick thinker, a lover of people, and definitely a great listener. When I looked into his eyes, I feel that Teodoro believes in what he says. He is definitely a reformer.

1. Teodoro wants to prioritize education. He wants to implement what Ateneo educator Fr. Bienvenido Nebres prescribes--one year added to the primary and secondary grades. This is in conformity with international standards.

2. Teodoro wants to fast-track modernization through increasing food security. He wants to modernize agriculture, without affecting the environment.

3. Teodoro will definitely solve the worsening urban housing problems by prioritizing giving low-cost housing to the poor.

4. Teodoro wants to bring peace to Mindanao by allowing all stakeholders all "Mindanaoans" to resolve the issues among themselves.

5. Teodoro will definitely pursue peace with all secessionist and insurgency groups. He is quite confident he has the wherewithal to do this because he's friends with all political groups.

6. Teodoro wants to continue infrastructure projects started by his supporter, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

7. Teodoro will definitely reach out to other political parties and form a consensus with them.

8. Teodoro wants to solve the problem of poverty by boosting the economy. He will definitely implement a fair investment climate, with both local and foreign investors enjoying the support of government.

9. Teodoro wants to strengthen the stability of this country by implementing a no-nonsense peace and order policy.

One heavy weight that he bears on his shoulders is his close association with the devil enfant--Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, an association which affects his relationship with the ones he want to serve as president.

Teodoro is now at the bottom rung of the surveys--only 5 percent trust and approval ratings from both the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia. The People have spoken---they don't want Arroyo anymore and being the "anointed one", the People feel that they ought to reject Teodoro's bid for the presidency.

What is admirable about him is his realistic assessment of things---he knows how the system works and definitely knows how to speed up its modernization.

Teodoro is definitely better than other presidentiables. It's just that.....he is still directly connected with Arroyo.

However, come to think of it, that's actually an advantage instead of a disadvantage because it shows the character of the candidate.

I remember one interview with Teodoro. A journalist asked him why is he not disassociating himself with Arroyo? Teodoro answered curtly: he will definitely not do that because that would not reflect well of him. He was raised as a child with traditional values, especially on "utang na loob". Why would you bite the hand that feeds you? It would not look good if he does that.

What is certain is this---Teodoro will not prevent nor influence or use the Office of the President in pressuring anybody who wants to file a case against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Carlos Celdran heaved a sigh of relief. Carlos is a supporter of Teodoro but hates the guts of Gloria. At least, after June 2010, even if Gilbert wins, surely, those who want to prosecute Arroyo will have a free hand expressing themselves against the former president.

If God wills, Teodoro will win this elections. Like what a Prophet said, miracles do happen.