Wednesday

Realizations for the new year

With about few more hours left in 2008, I am bent on looking back at the past year, re-examine what I have accomplished for another 365 days and write it in a piece of paper, just like what I did last year before the strike of 12. But since this is the year I discovered the tool of cyberspace, I am not going to write in my new year's journal as usual, but in this blog, which can be read by anyone who browses my site.

I am trying hard to find my words for this year-ender, but I am apparently stuck with the adage that keeps repeating on my head just last night. We live only but once! It keeps on repeating in my head, that I decided to make it this year's topic.

2008 was another year for me. I turned 2 years past 2 decades this year, the second of the double digit that occurs in a persons' life. It is a bit strange to me, now that I began slowly to realize that I am not getting any younger. My birthday celebration was proof of that fact. I only had beers to share with two of my closest friends since high school, in a gasoline station pavillion an hour before February 4th. Although we went to a cabaret after the drinking session, it was not like the previous years were I spend almost P10,000 just for the drinks at home, excluding the food. On the day itself, I did not go to school. I did not treat any of my classmates, unlike again in the previous years, where I always have double or triple celebrations. Mamang cooked pansit for me, and it was only a quiet time with the family. 2008 was the quietest birthday celebration I had since I learned to booze it out with friends.

Last March, I finished the first year of law school. Although I made a comeback politically, as I won the Student Council seat for the 2nd year Batch Representative, and was elected by my fraternity brothers to an official position in the frat, I only managed to pass 1Y Law with somehow good track record. First semester was good, I was included in the Dean's List. But the second semester was a little bit worse. For the first time since I started to go to school, I was in the trouble of failing. It was some sort of luck and old style "politication" that did the trick. But I really did not like the result because I have not actually given a hundred percent of my effort in my studies, as I usually did way back in college. Another first time.

By April, we were confronted with the news that my first cousin Paola was pregnant and that she is to get married, otherwise she'll not be allowed to enroll for the summer term in her school. She got married on her birthday, which also happened to be Easter Sunday. The family at first received the news with dismay, but was eventually accepted wholeheartedly. Everyone was in the mood to celebrate even Tita Mae and Tito Miroy. Another first. Truthfully, our generation, was indeed, next in line. By September, Ezra Madison was born, and I became an uncle for the first time.

At the start of the school year, I was expecting some good. Sad to say, on the first day of classes, I was victimized by holduppers on my way to school. I reported the incident to police officers in the UBA area. We captured a person who I am quite sure is one of the robbers. I sent him to jail. But by some touch of godliness and forgiveness, I executed an affidavit of desistance and had him released. It was the first time crime was committed against my person, but I forgave him.

But jailing somebody seem to be the trend. By September, I was jailed for the first time. It was an experience that I shall never forget, and shall always be an important lesson in life.

October saw me leave the country for the first time. And now, I am writing this post, in country not my own, celebrated Christmas and New Year away from home for the first time, but with my family by my side.

As I look back, some would say that the topic of this post is first times. But it isn't. It is about living one's life, not as the first time or the last time. It is finding the reason, the purpose, the goal of one's existence. True, it may be the first time I experienced some things. It may or may not be the last. But the most important thing is that I made the journey worthwhile. And with everything up in God's hands, I am truly sure that 2009 would be another exciting year full of ups and downs in my life.

That is the gist. I am rushing to finish this as we are going to the house of another Filipino, where we are going to welcome the new year. Another first.

To everyone, my greetings for a new year!
Good luck and God bless us all!

Thursday

Pinoy Christmas Top 10, Day 10 - Pagmamano and Christmas Day

Christmas Day in The Philippines is primarily a family affair. Prior to the stroke of 12 midnight on the morning of December 25, the Misa de Aguinaldo is being celebrated. It is usually attended by the whole family. Misa de Aguinaldo is the Holy Mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Roman Catholic Church and Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan) in the Philippines' main means of celebrating Jesus Christ's birth.

Misa de Aguinaldo is also celebrated at dawn or in the morning between immediately after sunrise and 10 a.m.; this schedule is preferred by Filipinos who choose to celebrate Christmas Eve with a night-long celebration of the Noche Buena.

Preferably in the morning, Filipino families visit members of the extended family, notably the elders in order to pay their respects. This custom of giving respect has been an age-old tradition in the Philippines called "Pagmamano"; this is done by touching one's forehead to the elder's hand saying Mano Po. The elder then blesses the person who has paid respect. "Aguinaldo", or money in the form of crisp, fresh-from-the-bank bills is given after the Pagmamano, mostly to younger children.

A Christmas Lunch usually follows after the "Pagmamano". The lunch is heavily dependent upon the finances of the family. Rich families tend to prepare grand and glorious feasts that consist of Jamon de Bola, Queso de Bola, Lechon and other Filipino delicacies. Some poor families choose to cook simple meals, nevertheless still special. When the family is settled after the lunch, the exchange of gifts is usually done. Godparents are expected to give gifts or Aguinaldo to their godchildren.

When nighttime falls, members of the family usually take part in family talks while listening to favorite Christmas carols. Some may opt to have a glorious Christmas feast for dinner.


Source:

Christmas in the Philippines - Christmas Day


When it is all said, only one thing remains to be done.

Mula sa bansa ng Inglatera, at galing sa aking puso, isang mapagpala at maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!



Pinoy Christmas Top 10, Day 9 - Noche Buena

For Filipinos, Christmas Eve ("Bisperas ng Pasko") on December 24th has the much-anticipated Noche Buena – the traditional Christmas Eve feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together around 12 midnight on traditional Noche Buena fare, which includes: queso de bola (Spanish: "ball of cheese"; this is actually edam cheese), "Tsokolate" (a hot chocolate drink) and jamon (Christmas ham), and some would open presents at this time.

Noche Buena, often translated as "Good Night", is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve. Custom in Spain, Cuba, the Philippines and Latin America, the evening consists of a traditional dinner with family.

In the Philippines, this usually comes after the entire family has attended a late evening mass. Often on the table are: lechón, pancit, fried chicken, lumpia, rice, adobo, among others for the main course; desserts include halo-halo, bibingka, rice cakes, puto bumbong, ice cream, pastries and cakes; drinks include soda, wine, beer, juice, and goat milk.

Throughout the country, the meals vary according to the place's respective traditions.


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV


Source:

1. Philippine Christmas traditions - Christmas Eve
2. Noche Buena

Tuesday

Pinoy Christmas Top 10, Day 8 - Philippine's Panunuluyan and Kawit's Maytinis

Panuluyan or Panunuluyan (Tagalog for "asking for lodgings") is a Philippine Christmas dramatic ritual narrating through song the Holy Family's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem for Jesus Christ's birth.

The panunuluyan originated from the Mexican nine-day Christmas ritual called posadas. The only difference between the two is that the panunuluyan only takes place over one night. Mexican sailors from the galleons during Spanish colonization probably brought the custom to Tagalog and Bicol towns.

The panunuluyan is held on Christmas Eve. The procession begins with the images of St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary on floats being wheeled out of the church courtyard at about 7 pm. Two singers vocalize the two parts accompanied by musicians. They stop at three or four homes throughout the barrio or town, representing different inns or houses in Bethlehem. At each, they plead for lodging in song. The singers representing the house owners or innkeepers all refuse to provide lodgings and give various reasons. One sings that his house is overflowing with guests; a couple may claim to be too poor to take them in; another person gives the excuse that the real owner is out; another argues that it is unsafe to let in strangers at night. The ritual ends towards midnight, at the church where the midnight Mass is about to begin. At the singing of the "Gloria" the nativity scene is unveiled at the altar.

In the town of Kawit, Cavite, the town commemorates this tradition by holding the annual Maytinis.

Like many other traditions, the origin of Maytinis is shrouded in mystery, no one knows exactly when or how it started. But it is commonly believed that the Maytinis cannot be less than three centuries old, since the Kawit Church itself was built around 370 years ago. The most common belief as to how the MAYTINIS begun is that it was probably started by the Spanish Priests to facilitate the natives' understanding of the Catholic Religion. Kawit, three centuries ago, could very well be a preliterate society made up of simple folk who can only deal with practical things. Thus, there was a great need for presenting the religious teachings and constructs by the use of what is visible, and the festival called MAYTINIS answered this need.

The MAYTINIS is essentially a portrayal of the history of mankind's salvation, from the Old to the New Testaments. A procession is held in which various Biblical scenes and characters are portrayed by means of picturesque floats, played for by characters selected from the various barangays of Kawit.

The responsibility of organizing the annual MAYTINIS celebration rests on the shoulders of the Confradia de Sagrada Familia in cooperation and coordination with the Pastoral Council.

The Confradia choose the "AMA" (Hermano Mayor) and the "INA" (Hermana Mayora) for the year who acts as the principal sponsors of the "MAYTINIS" festival.







Source:

1.
Panunuluyan
2. Maytinis
3. MAYTINIS - Kawit Traditional Cultural Event

Monday

Pinoy Christmas Top 10, Day 7 - Dia de Los Niños Innocentes (Day of the Innocents)

Every 28th of December, the Church celebrates Niños Innocentes, marking the sacrifice of innocent boys aged two or under by King Herod the Great in his futile attempt to get rid of the Christ child born in Bethlehem.

During the Holy Mass, the reading of the Scriptures will recount the children’s martyrdom that came about when Herod, wary of the foretold birth of the Messiah, failed to find the newborn child despite his attempt to guile the three magi who came to Jerusalem inquiring about the baby born in Bethlehem.

By the way, Herod "the Great," king of Judea, was quite unpopular with his people because of his connections with the Romans and his religious indifference so he was insecure and fearful of any threat to his throne. He was a master politician and a tyrant, however, capable of extreme brutality including the murder of his wife, his brother and his sister’s two husbands, to name only a few.

The three magi must have known Herod’s nature and kind so that when they found the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, and after praising Him and giving Him their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, they returned to their land, skipping Jerusalem along the way.

Then, Joseph, warned by an angel in a dream, brought Mary and the baby Jesus safely to Egypt.

Troubled, and chagrined by the fact that the magi made a fool of him, Herod ordered that all newborn babies and first-born children in and around Bethlehem be killed so that his throne could be secured.

Well, what is the catch for the celebration of the Filipino Christmas?

While the faithful continue to observe religious rites like that for the Holy Innocents, it only takes Pinoys to add a "twist of humor" even to the solemn commemoration of their martyrdom — they have turned the day into something akin to the American "April Fools Day," or an opportunity to play pranks on unsuspecting folk.

In the spirit of fun, practical jokes and some harmless trickery like "borrowing" money or other things will likely be sprung on "innocent" victims who, in the spirit of fun as well, are expected to accept the fact they could no longer recover the "borrowed" things.


Source:

Beware, Today is Niños Innocentes!

Sunday

Pinoy Christmas Top 10, Day 6 - Dia de Los Tres Reyes Mago (Araw ng Tatlong Haring Mago)


The article titled PASKO was first written by Alejandro and Chorengel

Aside from being the symbolic end of the Christmas season for the Filipinos, the Feast of the Three Wise Men have a symbolic meaning for us.

For Centuries, the magical bearers of gifts for Filipino children were the Three Kings, not Santa Claus. Shoes were brightly polished and left on the window sills toferther with the cleanest socks, fresh from the laundry. The children knew that the Three Kings, on their way to Bethlehem, would pass by theri homes to fill their shoes and socks with gifts. Some would thoughtfully leave some straw or dry grass for the camels; if these were gone in the morning, surely the cames must have been terribly hungry.

The Feast of the Three Kings (Araw ng Tatlong Hari) is celebrated on the First Sunday of January. It is also known as the Pasko ng Matatanda (Feast of the Elderly), the day specially honors senior citizens. The feast is also called "The Epiphany" which commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.

They were called Melchor, meaning "king of light", Gaspar, "the white one", and Balthazar, "the lord of treasure". In the Middle Ages, Gaspar was depicted young, Mechor as middle-aged, and Balhtazar as ancient. They came bearing gifts or gold, frankincense and myrrh.

In the city of Manila, it has been a tradition for dacades for the prestigious club Casino Español to organize a Three Kings' parade on January 6 or the first Sunday of January. Dressed in royal robes, the Three Kings ride on stately horses as there are no camels in the Philippines. They parade down the block, and end at the clubhouse where children of the Spanish community await them to receive more Christmas gifts. There are gifts prepared for the poor children and orphans, too.

In the town of Gapan in Marinduque, a religious folk play is presented in which the Three Kings follow a star and meet Herod who later "runs amok" by chopping off the heads of infants, as well as demolishing his own palace. The Kings eventually find the holy manger with the Infant Jesus.

This feast of the Three Kings marks the official end of the litrurgical Christmas of the Philippines.


Source:

Araw ng Tatlong Hari

Saturday

Pinoy Christmas Top 10, Day 5 - Puto bumbong at bibingka


Puto bumbong and bibingka are two native holiday treats that are bound to the pre-drawn Misa de Gallo, which starts December 16 and is held everyday for nine days until Christmas Day.

In the city, even well-dressed matrons buy them dripping with melted butter and sprinkled with niyog to get them going for the nine dawn Masses. The number of street stalls serving these delicacies have been where most Filipinos get this delectable treats, but recent years show restaurants serving these traditional Christmas delights.


Source:

That unmistakable flavor of Christmas, Pinoy-style

Friday

Pinoy Christmas Top 10, Day 4 - Belen



Another traditional Filipino Christmas symbol is the belen -- a creche or tableau representing the Nativity scene. It depicts the infant Jesus Christ in the manger, surrounded by the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the shepherds, their flock, the Magi and some stable animals and angels.

Belens can be seen in homes, churches, schools and even office buildings. The ones on office buildings can be extravagant, using different materials for the figures and using Christmas lights, parols, and painted background scenery. A notable outdoor belen in Metro Manila is the one that used to be at the COD building in Cubao, Quezon City. In 2003, the belen was transferred to the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan when the COD building closed down. This belen is a lights and sounds presentation, the story being narrated over speakers set up and most probably using automatons to make the figures move up and down, or turn, etc. Each year, the company owning it changes the theme, with variations such as a fairground story, and Santa Claus' journey. Construction for this year's show started around the 1st of September.

On the other hand, Tarlac, known as the "Belen Capital of the Philippines" holds the annual "Belenismo sa Tarlac". It is a belen making contest which is participated by establishments and residents in Tarlac. Giant belens with different themes are displayed in front of the establishments and roads of Tarlac for the rest of the Christmas season.


Source:

Wikipedia article on Christmas in the Philippines

Thursday

Pinoy Christmas Top 10, Day 3 - Christmas Songs and Caroling

Caroling is a part of the Filipino Christmas tradition. Once the Dawn Mass known as "Misa de Gallo" or "Simbang Gabi " starts, carolers will be on their feet singing Christmas carols from house to house spreading the spirit of the season through songs.

Children like to form groups and enjoy hopping from one house to another every night singing Jingle Bells, Silent Night and traditional Filipino Christmas songs like Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit, Pasko Na Naman, at Namamasko.

They usually have handmade musical instruments like tambourine, made from bottle tops, cans or biscuit tins used as drums. They will be happy if you give them a coin or if your feeling generous a peso or more will make them sing another song for you.

And this is what they sing to thank you for your generosity... "Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo ...thank you...."



It is not only children who go on caroling, church organization, clubs, group of friends, raise funds through their yearly caroling. Some of these groups will give you a letter in advance, informing you the date and time they will sing carols to your house with an envelope attached to it for you to put your donation.

Most of these strolling minstrels are well equipped with their musical instruments like guitar, drums and tambourine, they have practice their songs weeks ahead and they are ready to sing with all their heart in spreading the joy and warmth of the Yultide season. They do hope that you will be generous enough to dig deep into your pocket to help them raise funds for their club or organization.


Source:

Christmas Caroling in the Philippines

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With 11025.22 kilometers from home, and some 8 days before Christmas, I cannot help but be quite nostalgic of celebrating the season at home. So to lessen the homesickness, I browse the web for some Tagalog Christmas songs.

Some of the songs are new novelty songs popularized by the Sexbomb, Willie Revillame and the like. But the classics do stand out.

Advance Happy Christmas to everyone.


~TAGALOG Christmas Song

Wednesday

Pinoy Christmas Top 10, Day 2 - Parol

Elegant Christmas Parol made from capiz shells are very popular in the Philippines and are exported to other countries.

Parol is a traditional Filipino Christmas decoration, a five point star-shaped Christmas lantern.

Originally made of thin bamboo frames and covered with colored cellophane or with rice paper also known as Japanese paper or papel de Japon. It has two tails that serve as the rays of the star.

Parol reminds the Filipino Christians of the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men on their way in search of Baby Jesus.

During Christmas season, parols are seen everywhere. As early as November, parols are hang on windows or door of every Filipino homes, offices, schools, shopping malls and even streets are adorned with these multi-colored lanterns. You will even find mini parols hanging on buses and jeepneys and cars. Today, the parol become more colorful because of the twinkling bulbs in dazzling pattern that help illuminates each parol.

Filipinos used new and recycled materials to make parols, like plastic glasses, candy wrappers, soft drink straws, recycled papers and shells. The present day parol come in different shapes and sizes it doesn't have to be star- shaped, it can be round, rectangular or even square, like a diorama with the Nativity on it.

Parol represents the Filipino innovation, creativity and it is the greatest expression of Christmas spirit. Parol making is a traditional folk craft. School children are taught how to make parol and they usually have a lantern parade to showcase their work.

Elegant Christmas Parol made from capiz shells are very popular in the Philippines and are exported to other countries. Parol making is not only a Christmas symbol, it is a symbol of hope for lots of Parol makers. Parol making business is a source of income for lots of Filipinos. They make parol as early as June, a lot of them are sold in the market from October. Parol vendors can be found everywhere, you will see them on the side walks, bus stops, jeepney stops or even along the highway.

Parol has become the most recognizable Christmas ornament for Filipinos not just in the Philippines, but in any country where there is a Filipino community. Parol are sold overseas, these are usually made from capiz or shells and are intricately designed, these last longs and can be used every year. There are also Parol that are sold online.

The parol uplifts the spirit, instills a sense of pride and hope, it not only brightens Filipino Christmas, but it serves as an inspiration for Filipino ingenuity.


Source:

Parol - Filipino Christmas Lantern.

Tuesday

Pinoy Christmas Top 10, Day 1 - Simbang Gabi

As a contribution to my list of Top 10s, I am compiling 10 unique Filipino Christmas traditions, one that a Pinoy can truly say, "Onli in da Pilipins!"

Parishioners attend the Misa de Gallo at the Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Graces in Digos City, Davao Del Sur, Thursday.


Simbang Gabi is part of the Filipino tradition when observing the season of Christmas. It is one of the longest and most popular traditions in the Philippines. This is a time when Catholic churches across the country open the door shortly before the break of dawn to usher in people to the Simbang Gabi.

Simbang Gabi literally translated means Mass at Dawn observed as a series of nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother Mary. Simbang Gabi is alos known by its famous Spanish name as the Misa de Gallo or “mass of the rooster”. The annual novena starts at December 16 as early as 4 in the morning. It is symbolical to Catholics since it commemorates the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is quite traditional to see the “panuluyan” reenacted during the mass as an effort to show how Joseph and Mary found a birthplace.

“Panuluyan” is best illustrated with a “Belen” or the Nativity Scene that counts as a Filipino Christmas decoration. Ii displays the baby Jesus in a manger with Mother Mary and Saint Joseph. The holy family is surrounded with shepherds and farm animals. A complete set of Belen includes three wise men along with their gifts to infant Jesus and the shining star of Bethlehem guiding them in their journey.

Origin of Simbang Gabi

Simbang Gabi was born following its roots in Mexico in 1587. It was when the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the covenant of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Mass outdoors during Christmas. The Church then could not accommodate the large number of people who were attending the evening mass. The pre-dawn mass is usually announced by the ringing of the church bells during the old times. While in some rural areas, a brass band plays Christmas carols loud enough to be heard all over the town. It was believed that parish priests would go as far as knocking on doors to wake and call all faithful to attend the misa de gallo. Some farmers also pray for a good harvest when they hear the Gospel before going to the sea and fish.

How Simbang Gabi Changes

Up to this modern age, Simbang Gabi is upholded and celebrated in new ways. It continues to be a part of the tradition of Christmas in the Philippines. Christmas is felt everywhere even at churches where lanterns or parols with colorful lights fill every streets and every window. Christmas songs are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends, lovers and relatives frequent to the nearest local church to attend the nine day novena of Simbang Gabi.

Shortly after the mass, traditional delicacies are sold in stalls outside the church. It is usual to see Filipino favorites like bibingka (rice cake), puto bungbong, suman sa pasko, suman sa ibos served with tea or coffee. Breakfast roll or hot pandesal are also a popular breakfast food among Filipinos. When the last of the nine Misa de Gallo has ended, families hurry home to celebrate Noche Buena and feasts on bountiful Filipino food and delicacies such as queso de bola or edam cheese, tsokolate or hot native chocolate drink jamon en dulce or ham, pancit, barbeque, lechon or suckling pig, Western and native cakes, lumpia, rice among many others.

Importance of Simbang Gabi

Simbang Gabi is more than a mere tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. Simbang Gabi continues to be a significant moment where it strengthens the relationships among family members and a time to restrengthen our faith in God. This is a special time when we feel the loving presence of our Lord and a spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Most Filipino believes a sincere wish granted when the nine series of masses are completed. It does not matter ,however, when one failed to attend the Simbang Gabi from December 16 up to eve of Christmas. The blessings given by the Lord does not depend on the number of masses attended. What really matters is what lies inside the heart and the sincerity and morale o the person who receives the Lord’s blessing.


Source:

1. The article is courtesy of
Simbang Gabi: A Filipino Christmas Tradition.
2. Lower image is courtesy of Geonarri Solmerano, and GMANews.TV.
3. Simbang Gabi Readings

Friday

Biguin ang Cha-cha! Ipaglaban ang Pambansang Kalayaan!

Kapos man sa balita tungkol sa ating bayan, umaabot pa rin sa kalayuan ng ibang bansa ang alingawngaw ng paglapastangan sa katotohanan at ang pambubusabos sa kalayaan ng sambayanan. Kaya't sa una pa lamang ay buong tapang ko ng hinahayag ang aking pag-suporta sa mga susunod na kilos at hakbang na gagawin ng sambayanang Pilipino!


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Nailatag na ang konkretong batayan para kumilos ang mamamayan. Kahit malinaw na sufficient in form, at sa pananaw ng mas nakararaming Pilipino, ay sufficient in substance ang inihaing impeachment complaint laban kay Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, nagkaisa na naman ang kanyang mga ka-alyado sa House Committee on (In)Justice, para ibasura ang nasabing complaint. Kaysa usisiin kung may batayan nga ba ang mga akusasyon ng sambayanan, mas inatupag nila ang teknikalidad nito. Ayon sa isa pang Kongresista, na ikinalulungkot ko ay aking brod, palsipikado raw ang mga lagda ng naghain ng reklamo. Pilit na inililihis ang mga isyu na ikinahaharap ng administrasyon. Tunay ngang naisantabi na lamang bilang isang moro-moro at numbers game ang proseso ng impeachment. Pinagsamantalahan na ang taumbayan, pati ba naman ang Saligang Batas ay nilaspatangan na rin. Lintic na iyan!

At habang na-lutong Macao ang impeachment, ibinalik na naman ang isyu ng Cha-Cha para daw sa ikauunlad ng ating sambayanan. Kaunlaran pa ang paghahain ng isang Resolusyon sa House Committee on Constitutional Reforms, na naglalayon na iurong ang nakatakdang halalan sa Mayo 2010 at pahabain ang termino ng mga kasalukuyang mga opisyales hanggang Mayo 2011, upang bigyang daan ang pagbabago sa Saligang Batas. Isa itong tuwirang plano ng mga nakaupo sa ating pamahalaan na kumapit sa kanilang mga puwesto, at para sa isa, mapalawig ang Constitutional immunity na kasalukuyan niyang tinatamasa. Isang taas noo at diretsahang pandarambong na naman! Lintic na talaga!

Matagal ng nanahimik at nagmasid ang taumbayan, nagpatawad at nagbigay ng ikalawang pagkakataon. Ngayon, alam na natin na walang patutunguhan ang pagtahimik, walang patutunguhan ang pagmamasid lamang. Ang pagpapatawad ay nagbibigay lamang ng lakas ng loob na gumawa pa ng higit na masahol na krimen laban sa mamamayan at ang ikalawang pagkakataon ay magdudulot lamang ng mas laganap na pangungurakot at pagnanakaw. Huwag na nating hayaan na paulit-ulit na lokohin ang mga Pilipino. SAWA NA! TAMA NA! PALITAN NA! Magpapaloko pa ba tayo sa ginagawang ito ng ating pamahalaan! HINDI NA! Kaya ang ating panawagan sa Sambayanan, MAGSURI! KUMILOS! MAKIBAKA! Napapanahon na para ipakita natin ang ating pagtutol sa ginagawang panloloko ng Rehimen ni Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Hindi pa huli ang lahat, may kaunting panahon pa!

Sa ilang araw ay magbobotohan ang plenaryo ng Kongreso kung sang-ayon ba sila sa naging kapasyahan ng Komite ng Hustiya. May pagkakataon pa tayo. May kapangyarihan sa kamay ng mamamayan, ang kapangyarihan ng botohan!

Gumawa ng sulat o e-mail sa inyong mga local na Kongresista at ipahayag niyo ang inyong pagsuporta sa impeachment, at ang inyong pagtutol sa Cha-cha! Maari niyong sundan ang link na ito: House Members - House of Representatives; para malaman ang kanilang contact details. Ipahayag ninyo ang inyong mga saloobin sa mga nagaganap. Sabihin niyo na kapag sinuportahan nila (ang inyong Kongresman) ang pagbasura sa impeachment at kung papanig sila na palawigin ang kanilang termino hanggang 2011, ay manganganib sila sa susunod na halalan. Na anumang salapi ay hindi na nila mabibili ang inyong boto. Napatunayan ito ng mga taga-Isabela ng ipanalo nila sa Gob. Grace Padaca, at ng mga Kapampangan ng iniluklok nila si Gob. Ed Panlilio. Kapag nagsama-sama ang sambayanan, walang hindi kayang gawin.

Dumalo sa mga darating na malawakang KILOS PROTESTA. Mag lunsad ng mga walk out at signature campaign. Tuloy tuloy na laban ito, at kung kinakailangan, ay puwersa ang ating itapat.

Sa layo ko sa ating bansa, naguumapaw ang aking kalooban sa mga nagaganap. Kaysa mainis at magsentimiyento sa aking kalayuan sa mga balitang nagaganap, gagamitin ko na lamang ang aking talento at galing para maipakalat ang bagay-bagay sa internet at sa kung anu-ano pang midyum bilang tanda ng aking pagsuporta sa laban ng sambayanan. Ngunit sa aking pag-uwi, isang matinding laban ang aking susuungin.

Handa na ako!

Thursday

This is how the House Committee on Justice voted

Against Dismissing the Complaint
1. Minority Leader and San Juan Ronaldo Zamora
2. Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo
3. Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza
4. Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño
5. Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona
6. Makati Rep. Mar-Len Binay
7. Parañaque Rep. Rufus Rodriguez
8. South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio


For the Dismissal of the Complaint
1. Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro
2. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman
3. Baguio City Rep. Mauricio Domogan
4. Negros Oriental Rep. George Arnaiz
5. Iloilo Rep. Raul Gonzalez
6. Cebu Rep. Pablo John Garcia
7. Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco
8. Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier
9. Apec Rep. Edgar Valdez
10. Bohol Rep. Edgardo Chatto
11. Lanao del Sur Rep. Faysah Dumarpa
12. Leyte Rep. Eufrocino Codilla
13. Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Belma Cabilao
14. Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao
15. Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles
16. Masbate Rep. Rizalina Seachon Lanete
17. Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison
18. Bohol Rep. Roberto Cajes
19. Tawi Tawi Rep. Nur Jaafar
20. La Union Rep. Victor Ortega
21. Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong
22. Romblon Rep. Eleandro Madrona
23. Isabela Rep. Giorgido Aggabao
24. Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas
25. Quirino Rep. Junie Cua
26. Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga
27. Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Matugas
28. Sultan Kudarat Rep. Arnulfo Go
29. Manila Rep. Theresa Bonoan-David
30. Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas
31. Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita
32. Cebu Rep. Raul del Mar
33. Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong
34. Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia
35. Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor
36. Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin
37. Quezon City Rep. Bingbong Crisologo
38. Misamis Occidental Rep. Herminia Ramiro
39. Bukidnon Rep. Candido Pancrudo
40. Manila Rep. Zenaida Angping
41. Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Maranon (for Occidental Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa)
42. Agusan Del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino

There was a time I was on the newspaper

Pol Sci bags WOW Champions

There was a time that newspaper meant something good!

Tuesday

Small Claims Cases Pilot Project

Nota bene:

Check the following as guides for this post:
(A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC) Rule of Procedure for Small Claims Cases, and
(A.O. No. 141-2008) Administrative Order Designating Pilot Courts for Small Claims Cases.


Overview of the Rule


The Supreme Court, by virtue of its Constitutionally guaranteed rule-making powers under Section 5(5) of Article VIII, formulated this special rule of procedure to govern small claims cases. It provides a simple, more inexpensive and expeditious means of settling disputes involving purely money claims than the regular civil process, by allowing the plaintiff (the person suing) to sue a defendant (the person being sued) without the need of a lawyer.

According to the definition provided by the rule, small claims cases are civil claims which are exclusively for the payment or reimbursement of a sum of money not exceeding P100,000.00, and does not include interest and costs.

These claims or demands may be:

(a) For money owed under any of the following:

1. Contract of Lease;
2. Contract of Loan;
3. Contract of Services;
4. Contract of Sale; or
5. Contract of Mortgage;

(b) For damages arising from any of the following:

1. Fault or negligence;
2. Quasi-contract; or
3. Contract;

(c) The enforcement of a barangay amicable settlement or an arbitration award involving a money claim covered by this Rule pursuant to Sec. 417 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.



Wednesday

Complete again!... $:-D

In about a couple of hours more, my sister Nouelle shall be with us here in the UK. Medyo napaaga ang alis niya sa Pilipinas nating mahal kasi sa mahal ng treatment for kidney stone, which unfortunately, meron siya (thanks sa Piatos, Boy Bawang, Nova, Ice Gem, Lemon Squares, at kung anu-ano pang chichirya na lagi niyang kinakain). And because that lousy and good for nothing school behind the unfinished church in Cavite did not want to give her further leave of absence for medical treatment, after some hard decisions, we decided that it is best that she drop from school. It is sad, but it circumstances intervened from the plans.

After three years and twenty-five days, my family is complete again. Matagal tagal na rin pala kaming hindi nagkakasama together, mapapalitan ko na rin sa wakas yung lumang family picture na nasa wallet ko. I am kinda teary-eyed writing this!

Ang saya ng feeling, eto pala ang reason why Dad and Mom wanted us both to be here, to the point of sacrificing everything just that I and Nice be here. Sa mahal ng pamasahe ko (US $ 4,276) tapos yung pamasahe pa ni Nouelle, just imagine...

In less than 2 hours, we shall be leaving our house for London Heathrow Terminal 3 to fetch my sis, and in less than 2 hours, our family which Dad and Mom have cared and nurtured for almost 25 years (kinasal sila 1984, ako lumabas sa eksena 1986), shall be complete once again.

I can't wait!

Monday

A new English word - 'Meh'

Courtesy of Homer Simpson

Bothered Much? 'Meh' Is A Word

It might be nothing to get excited about, but there is a new addition to the Collins English Dictionary. Skip related content

Related photos / videos

Bothered Much? 'Meh' Is A Word

The preferred response of the apathetic, "meh" is the newest word in the famous lexicon.

The word, defined as "an interjection expressing indifference or boredom", beat off hundreds of others to gain entry.

It has won its place between "megrim" (whose plural means "low spirits") and "meibomian" ("the large sebaceous glands of the human eyelid") thanks to generating a surprising amount of enthusiasm among lexicographers.

Cormac McKeown, head of content at Collins Dictionaries, said: "This is a new interjection from the US that seems to have inveigled its way into common speech over here.

"It was actually spelled out in The Simpsons when Homer is trying to prise the kids away from the TV with a suggestion for a day trip.

"They both just reply 'meh' and keep watching TV; he asks again and Lisa says 'We said MEH! - M-E-H, meh!'

Publisher HarperCollins said that the word had been chosen from terms suggested by the public for inclusion in the dictionary's 30th anniversary edition, to be published next year.

The dictionary will define "meh" as an expression of indifference or boredom, or an adjective meaning mediocre or boring.

Examples given by the dictionary include "I feel a bit meh about the whole thing" and "The Canadian election was so meh."

The dictionary's compilers said the word originated in North America and spread through the Internet.

Sunday

to all me contacts

hi guys,

please add my sister MJ in your contact list... i encouraged her to open a multiply account so that she could post her essays, poems and stories. i believe she is a budding writer in the making. so give her a pat in the back if you can..

her multiply id:http://mjoi24.multiply.com/



thanks and cheerio!


-kulot

Wednesday

An Obama Presidency - Its Effect on Philippine-American Relations

Out with the old, and in with the new.

Obama won the US Election and became the first African-American to hold the most powerful office in the United States and the world. And with the change in administration, it necessarily entails changes in the policies by the new president-elect. This analysis deals with the possible implications of an Obama Presidency to the relation of the country that we, Filipinos, hold with so much esteem.

With a Democrat White House, we can see the traditional democratic policies in place, such as social services (education, health care and labor rights), civil liberties, economic intervention, progressive taxation and international cooperation, as opposed to the traditional Republican priorities on defense, conservative views, laissez faire, tax cuts on business and foreign interventionism. This paradigm shift would primarily affect American domestic policies and its international commitments, particularly the its principal participation in the Iraq War. This change would produce significant ramifications to other countries as well, especially that the United States is currently in an economic downturn, gravely comparable to the Great Depression of the 1930's.

Thus, going to the meat of the issue, how will a Democrat President affect The Philippines? Firstly, our country is not a newbie with regard to Democratic policies. As history would show, Democrats were our supporter numero uno since the American occupation of our country. The Democrats in the U.S. Capitol argued against the American conquest of the Philippines in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War. Republican President William McKinley was only able to convince the Democrats to ratify his war acts as the benevolent assimilation of the Philippines, to train them in the art of self-government, on the condition that independence shall be subsequently given to our country. It was a Democrat Congressman, William Atkinson Jones that authored the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916, otherwise known as the Jones Law, that provided the framework for self-government and promised us ultimate independence, and signed by President Woodrow Wilson, also a Democrat. Almost 20 years after, 2 Democrats in the person of Maryland Senator Milliard E. Tydings and Alabama Representative John McDuffie, authored the Philippine Independence Act of 1934, more commonly known as the Tydings-McDuffie Law, that created the Commonwealth of the Philippines. It was yet another Democrat President, Franklin D. Roosevelt who signed the said act, which provided for self-government of the country and for Filipino independence after a period of ten years. Our country's return to independence in 1946 was seen over by a Democrat, President Harry S. Truman. Democrats in the White House (i.e. Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter and latest was Bill Clinton) have always maintained equally good and harmonious relations with the Philippines. Democrats in the U.S. Congress have always supported measures that benefit the Philippine cause, from economic aid to veterans concerns to international support. In general, Democrats are traditionally Filipino friends in the United States.

And secondly, as it would show, most of President-elect Obama's policies revolve around solving the domestic woes of the United States. Thus, even if he was popularly elected because of the American weariness on the Iraq War, social welfare programs remain at the centerpoint of his agenda. He aims at providing universal health care. He favors higher federal funding for the educational system, invest in early childhood education and accessibility of college education for all Americans. He aims to provide tax cuts to millions of low and middle income families. He favors increasing the minimum wage. He vows to create more jobs. He advocates alternative sources of energy to reduce American consumption of foreign oil. He supports a comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Therefore, on the overall, he has consistently advocated programs that would be beneficial to the Americans, particularly in this difficult times.

Thus, with that in mind, what then would an Obama White House offer a Filipino?

With the economy at the forefront and defense on the sidelines, our more prosperous northern neighbors (e.g. Japan and South Korea) would be the United States primary partners. Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have the same level of economic cooperation that the Philippines have with the United States. Indonesia and Vietnam are also major trading partners of the US. And more importantly, China and India, the second and third largest economy in the world respectively, figure prominently in Barack Obama's speeches. The European Union is still a major player in the world and Obama is keen on rebuilding broken ties with European allies.

However, American economic survival still hinges on it military supremacy. With Osama bin Laden still at large, the War on Terror is Barack's alternative to a disastrous Iraq campaign. In this regard, our country remains to be a front of the War against Terror. It is being claimed by the US as a training ground for Islamic militants. Therefore, it is quite sure that defense and military cooperation between our two countries are likely to remain strong. But conflicts in some other part of the world, particularly in the Middle East and Afghanistan, are likely to affect the military grants given to our country. Further, the huge damage which resulted from the Iraq War would cost the US a lot more for its re-construction. Currently, the US government's expenses has drained the national coffers, ballooning the national debt. With the country tied to its commitments to bring sanity in Iraq, the spending would increase resulting to lesser defense aid to other countries, namely the Philippines.

If this is the picture of an Obama White House, where does one place the tiny island republic of the Philippines?

The Philippines is likely to remain a steadfast ally of the United States in the Southeast Asian region, being the only colony that the country has ever had. We are only one in few that maintains a Mutual Defense Treaty with them. We are also one of the first countries that responded to the American call for a War against Terror. That fact made defense cooperation particularly well during the last administration. But since Obama is much more interested in securing a better American future, the development of the economy ranks high on his agenda. Although he vows to stop terrorism, he maintains his focus on problems at home. Therefore, with the War on Terror coming second to President-elect Obama's priorities, we may see a stark contrast to the Bush-style cooperation with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

However, Mr. Obama's alleged mistrust of the Chinese would likely place the Philippines at the foreground, as the US has avowed to defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion. The freedom of the South China Sea has always been critical to world trade, as many tonnage of cargo ships pass through these waters. Furthermore, the South China Sea has a huge potential for oil and gas reserves that is critical to US and Asian energy security. China is re-arming its Navy with Russian and Indian made ships to beef up its blue water fleet to expand its influence to the South China Sea area, but it is still weaker than the technologically-superior US 7th Fleet. As such, the Philippines may still be of use to the US in this area and our security against China would still involve American participation.

Also, his foreign policy states his goal of finishing the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban and securing all nuclear weapons and materials from terrorists and rogue states. He also emphasized the need of rebuilding alliances to meet the said challenges of the 21st century. In this regard, the Philippines may still enjoy some level of cooperation from the President-elect.

Overall, the Philippines may not be as important to the United States as we used to enjoy in the past. It has its advantages and disadvantages. But whatever, the situation may be, all are one in an ardent desire that Mr. Barack Hussein Obama II would deliver the vibrant promises that his historic election as President of the United States of America have hoped to bring. Being a man of diverse background, may he lead the world to show true democracy, one that truly exemplifies the concern for the common good of man, and not just the desire to exploit the weaknesses of others.

Congratulations to President Obama!

Tuesday

Pulis encounter, again, again, again!

KAILANGAN PA BANG I-MEMORIZE YAN!

P*t*ng nang yan, hanggang dito, pulis pa rin! Wakekekekek!

Last night, while we are watching television, someone knocked at the front door. Being the eldest son, and whilst my father is away for night shift, I was the one who answered the door. When I saw it was a policeman, I called my Mom.

The policeman then said in advance, "This is no cause for alarm.

Then he proceeded, "Do you own a black BMW, with plate number N387 MG0, registered under the name of Mr. Manuel (he pronounced it as MAN-NEW-WELL) Encar... (had a difficulty pronouncing the surname, I think he said it is EN-CARNA-YON)?"

Sagot ni Mommy, "Encarnacion. Yes, what is it?"

Sabi ni pulis, "It was seen early this morning, parked near St. Mary's (MJ's school) at Ashlawn Drive. Someone reported that one of its passengers took photos."

At ano pa ba, ako nga ang may kasalanan. Eh di, umamin na si Kulot, "It was I, officer, that was taking the photos this morning. I was taking pictures of my sister on her way to school. Is that prohibited?"

Sabat ni Mommy, "He hasn't seen his siblings for a long time, that is why he is taking their photos."

Sagot ni policeman, "Ah, its alright. We just responded to this call from Ms. Parkinson (St. Mary's Secretary). She gave us a ring after someone from school told of the incident. Okay please just write your name here (pointing to the incident report paper)."

Ano pa ang gagawin ko kung hindi sumunod. I wrote "IAN ENCARNACION, Brother of MARIONNE JOI ENCARNACION." Then the policeman left and said, "Okay, have a safe night!"

Tinanong ko kay Mommy bakit ganun kahigpit. Sabi sakin, mahigpit daw talaga kapag dating sa mga picture taking sa mga bata, kasi daw madaming pedophile dito. Anak ng pating! Mukha ba akong pedo??? Wahahahahahaha!

Ay naku, kahit kelan ka kulot ka, takaw huli! Wakekekekek!

2008 U.S. Presidential Elections

Let me sidestep for a while on my UK vacation to provide a commentary on the upcoming US Elections later this day, 4 November 2008. True enough, you can put out the lawyer in politics, but you can never put out the politics in a lawyer, in my case, a political science turned law student.

US Presidential elections are always looked after in world news, not only because the United States is the so-called beacon of democracy in the modern world, but because it is the election of the leader of the world's largest economy and the only remaining superpower in the world. Everyting that happens in the US has a profound effect on the rest of the world, as reflected by the recent financial crisis, caused by the crashing of Wall Street over the sub-prime crisis. As they frequently say, when America sneezes, everyone else catches a cold. Hence, anything, including administration and policy changes, has a significant impact on the world.

This year's election has set amazing historical precedents. It started with the history set by the Democrats during the Primary elections. It is the first time a woman (Hillary Clinton) and an African-American (Barack Obama) had been major contenders as frontrunners for Democratic nominee. Both of the major contenders in the Democratic Party were history makers in their own right. A relatively young Obama with fantastic rhethoric rides of on a platform of change, while Clinton claims expertise on a wide range of issues. When Obama won the Democratic nomination, he set another record to be the first non-white to be a Presidential nominee of a major political party. After being nominated for the presidency, he decided to chose Sen. Joe Biden, a known foreign policy expert, to counteract the claims of his lack of experience. Despite calls for Sen. Clinton to be his running mate, he clearly walked the line of prudency, knowing the deep wounds of the campaign has yet to heal. 

With his wide reaching appeal and amazing American rhethoric, Obama has brought politics back with the youth. He has attracted the attention of the world stage. In November 4, if polls are to be believed, he may take the presidency, on the people's hope of change. 

On the other side of the contest, Republican candidate John McCain rocked the political world when he chose as running mate, the feisty Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, to counteract Obama's advantage of precedents, because she is the first woman to be selected as a Vice-Presidential running mate. A single mom and relatively young, Palin, a patron of the influential US National Rifle Association (NRA), gave the election a twist, as both parties may now claim history setting records in the upcoming elections.

But history-making facts set aside, the bone of contention still is the expiration of George W. Bush's 8-year term as president, reputed to be one of the worst US president in recent history. Even McCain, his partymate distances himself from Bush. Thus, whoever replaces him has the responsibility and burden to correct his wrong policies, which caused the global turmoil the world is now into. Reality bites us all hard, and the next US President, is not so different.

The failed policies of George Bush makes the campaign of Republican John McCain particularly a distance-me-away and not-a-Bush-look-alike type of slogans. He focuses on Obama's youth and relative unpraparedness to take over the Presidency to veer against the Bush tags. However, the negative tone of his campaign has driven long time friend and republican stalwart Colin Powell into supporting the candidacy of the Democratic candidate. He never clearly enunciated his economic, political and domestic policies, nor did he inspire the more numerous undecided voters to vote for him. Even his choice of vice-president failed to stir attention, except for a few months and the issue of over-priced wardrobe. And with the recent loss of traditionally Republican states, it is clear that we may have a Democrat in the White House in 2008.

Monday

Town Trip II

Went to the town center again, this time with Mom and MJ. We went to Pescod Square, an Ayala style type of mall here in Boston, to buy some stuffs, including a lip balm, as my lips have already chapped due to the freezing temperature here. On our way there, we passed by the Town Center, the Municipal Buildings, and St. Botolph's Church. After going there, we passed through some street corners and went to shop at Pescod's. After buying some stuffs, photo sessions again at the Garden of Peace War Memorial, the Central Park and the Boston Windmill.

Just check photo gallery at my Multiply site.

Sunday

Trip to Town Center and All Saint's Day Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church



Today I went to the Town Center of Boston to buy and check on some things. According to Dad and Mom, every Wednesday and Saturday, the town center is abuzz with stalls selling their goods and stuffs. And this day was no exception. Ang daming tinda, most are worth from a few pence, to a several pounds. 

Bumuli kami ng crab. It was two large crabs, as in large talaga! It was worth £8. I also bought a Nokia cellphone charger. It is worth £3, yung car charger lang ang binili ko, kasi yung socket charger, £6 eh! Hehe!

After a late lunch, we went to church to hear mass at the St. Mary's Church for the All Saint's Day Mass.


Just check photo gallery at my Multiply site.

Saturday

REPOST - Di na paaalipin

Di na paaalipin
in Radical Pinoy 

Ito ay hango mula sa akda ni Vencer Crisostomo sa Pinoy Weekly

NITONG nakaraang Oktubre 29-30, 2008 ginanap ang Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFDM) sa PICC sa Maynila, at binuksan ito ng mga pahayag ni Gloria Arroyo at UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon na nagkaisa: Ang migrasyon ay instrumento para sa kaunlaran.

Ilang kanto mula sa venue ng GFMD, nagtipon ang International Assembly of Migrants and Refugees (IAMR). Nagsama-sama rito ang mga hindi imbitado sa GFMD -- ang mga migrante mismo, ang mga alipin ng bagong mundo mula sa iba’t ibang panig, at sa kanilang mga sarili ay nagtanong: Nasaan ang kaunlaran sa dustang kalagayan?

Nagpulong ang mga migrante at nagbahagian ng mga kuwentong tiyak na di tatalakayin ng mga hari, burukrata at negosyante sa PICC. Habang pinag-uusapan nina Arroyo at Ban ang remittances, batas at mga proseso ng maramihang pagpapadala sa ibang bayan, pinagkukuwentuhan ng mga migrante ang kanilang mga pamilya, mga kasamahan, at ang kanilang pangarap na umuwi sa kani-kanilang mga bayan.

Malinaw ang kanilang deklarasyon: Hindi kaunlaran ang mahiwalay sa pamilya, maabuso, mabigyan ng mumong pasahod, makaranas ng pang-iinsulto at pagkakapahiya, nakawan ng perang pinagpaguran para sa bulsa ng iilan. Hindi kaunlaran ang magahasa, mabartolina, mapugutan ng ulo, mabitay, mawalan ng asawa, anak, magulang.

Hindi kaunlaran ang mabigyan ng sahod-alipin na nanakawin pa ng malalaking bangko at mga gubyernong mapagsamantala. Kung may salamangka na hatid ang remittance, black magic ng panloloko ito sa mga mamamayan ng mundo.

Sa araw ng pagbubukas ng GFMD, lumabas ang mga migrante at nagmartsa. Isantambak ng mga pulis at sundalo ang itinapat sa kanila. Napigilan man nito ang paglapit nila sa lugar ng pagpupulong, bigo itong puksain ang kapangyarihan ng kanilang nagkakaisang tinig na pinaalingawngaw sa buong daigdig.

“Now we speak for ourselves!” Ito ang islogan ng International Migrants’ Alliance (IMA) na nanguna sa martsa. Isang makatindig-balahibong pahayag kung tutuusing mula ito sa mga mamamayang itinaboy mula sa sariling bayan, pinagkaitan ng boses at pinilit magsalita sa tinig ng iba, at tinanggalan ng sariling karapatan bilang tao pagkat tinuring bilang kalakal.

Oktubre 29-30, 2008, nagtipon ang mga naghahari-harian at mga alagad ng karimlan at sila’y nagkaisa: Higit nating pahirapan ang mga alipin, higit nating pagsasasaan sila at ang kanilang mga anak.

Ilang kanto mula rito, itinipon ang nagpupuyos na galit sa puso nilang matagal nang dinusta. Iba’t ibang lahi, iba’t ibang salita, pero iisa sa pagbabanta: Di na kami paaalipin, di na palalansi, ang kinabukasan ng mundo ay sa amin at sa aming mga anak.

Halloween 2008




Trick or treat!

Ang tanda ko na, sumama pa ako sa Halloween activity ni MJ and Mika (anak ni Kuya Arnold, Pilipina friend ni MJ). We moved around the neighborhood, knocked at people's houses and asked for sweets, or we shall treat them with tricks.

It was MJ's first trick or treat because nobody could accompany her. So its Kuya's way of making up for years that I wasn't there to see her grow.

Medyo hazy ang pics! Ang lamig. 2 degrees lang ngayong gabi, tapos may hangin pa!


Just check photo gallery at my Multiply site.



Thursday

I am here in England!

I am here! And it is so damn cold!

I left our Cavite City house yesterday, at around 1230 HRS. I went to Mamang Mariet's house for my lunch. We packed my box and made some last additions to my luggage. We left Mamang's house by 1430 HRS, maaga kasi ang daming stopovers akong dinaanan bago umalis. We went to the cemetery (Himlayan) to pass by my grandparents. Since wala ako sa November 1, so I decided to go there to pray and pay my respects. After, I passed by sa bahay namin for some last minute checks. Afterwards, we passed by San Roque Church, since wala rin ako sa piesta, kaya nagdasal na ako doon. Then, we proceeded to my inaanak Ezra, the daughter of my cousin Paola in Bacao. Ang cute-cute. Wala rin ako sa binyag nun. Tapos, our final stop is at Pascor, para kunin yung siopao ni Dad. Kaya lang walang nabili eh. Tapos may naatrasan pa kami na motor. Well, dinaan ko na lang sa astigan, ayaw magpakausap ng maayos eh!

I checked in at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 1700 HRS. I checked in the baggage at the Business Class counter of Cathay Pacific. It was thanks to my angel, Roche. Pati yung box ko na super overweight, naipasok. It was around 27 kilos na pala. So thanks a lot to Roche and Rojie (the Cathay employee at the check-in counter). I then proceeded to pay the terminal fee of PhP 750. Afterwards, I passed the immigration counter. So far, okay naman lahat. I stayed at the lounge, waiting for flight boarding announcement. Nakatulog ako doon, sobrang pagod siguro. Nagising ako mga 1830 HRS. Kumain na muna ako, kakagutom e. Nung makakain na ako, nakipag kuwentuhan ako doon sa mga Pinoy na kasabay ko sa Hong Kong leg of my trip. Nakilala ko si Kuya Rolly and si Kuya Danny, mga seaman on their way to Greece. Pagdating sa Hong Kong, change plane sila to Frankfurt. We boarded the plane at around 1930 HRS through Gate 7. Cathay Pacific CX 902, taxied at 2000 HRS and took off was at exactly 2021 HRS (Manila Standard Time or MST).

Ang lakas ng turbulence sa Manila pa lang, kasi may bagyo daw ata. According dun sa on-board flight map, we passed by Angeles City, then Laoag City, before crossing the South China Sea to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). We arrived at HKG at 2155 HRS (MST). The plane docked at Gate 47. My next flight required me to walk the entire length of the Hong Kong Airport as my British Airways Flight is at Gate 15. Muntik pa akong maligaw, kasi I am on the arrival level, departure level is on the upper floor. When I reached Gate 15, I waited for only 10 minutes before boarding at 2245 HRS. BA026 left the dock by 2330 HRS and the plane wheels left Hong Kong soil at exactly 2342 HRS (MST).

Nung tinignan ko yung Journey Map, we are over Chinese airspace. Eh its already midnight, so after eating my snacks, I decided to sleep. Sayang lang at hindi ako nakakain ng dinner. Hehe! Nalampasan ako. Pero I am really sleepy. So natulog na ako. I tuned in to some easy listening music. I played 2 Kenny G. albums, masarap pakinggan yun kapag inaantok ka, makakatulog ka talaga. When I woke up at around 0600 HRS (MST) on my watch, we were already in Russian airspace. I think nasa may western Siberia. Over the Ural Mountains. Ang lamig lamig. But the sky is very clear. I can see the stars. I slept again seeing that we are still halfway through our flight. I woke up at around 0645 HRS, I looked over the window and I saw a lot of lights. I presume that it is an important city so I looked over the map. We flew over St. Petersburg. Tapos I watched The Last Samurai. After the movie, the map said that we were over the Baltic Sea. We passed by Copenhagen, Denmark. Then I watched a television show, the World's Finest Cars. After the program, the flight stewardess Wendy served breakfast. I asked for an English breakfast. After breakfast, I looked over the map display, it showed that we are less that 2 hours to our destination. I saw that we are over the North Sea. Yonder the sea, I say another city. I checked it on the map, and it showed that it was Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

I decided to enjoy myself by watching the news channel. After the news, we were already across the English Channel. At about 45 minutes to London Heathrow, I stood up to go to the comfort room. It is the only time during my almost 13 hour flight that I stood up. As I look over the window, nakita ko it's already land. When I looked at my watch, I saw that its almost 1200 HRS (MST). I am very ecstatic to see that we are already over London airspace. In about 20 minutes, the plane started to descend to about 4000 feet, and I can already see the roof tops of London houses and buildings. With less than 10 minutes, the captain ordered all flight crew to go to their seats and prepare for landing. And at exactly 1231 HRS (MST), BA026 landed at London Heathrow International Airport (LHR) Terminal 5. Paglabas ko ng airplane, nakaw, naramdaman ko na, ang lamig lamig. The captain said that it is -3 degrees and we could expect some frost.

Everything was somehow okay. I even managed to help a fellow Filipino who is lost. He is Hector Acerba of Cagayan. He is going to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) for another flight to Bermuda & Antigua, to go to British Antilles. Malayo layo pa ang biyahe niya. Welder siya from Saudi, and he shall also be a welder in the Antilles.

There was however, a minor glitch as the Indian Immigration Officer stopped me and detained me. He questioned some details so I answered him, British accent and all. Ayun, sa kayabangan ko, at sa kapapakinig kay Mr. Bean, na-detain ako... Hehehe! Hari talaga ng Sablay. Wahehehe! Pero, pinadaan din naman ako. Parang niyabangan lang din siguro ako. Well, tiempo tiempo lang, kasi yung Nigerian na napunta doon sa babaeng immigration officer na British, wala pang 20 seconds, tinatakan na agad eh. Pana-panahon lang talaga!

We then proceeded to baggage claim. Nakuha ko na yung baggage ko, so I passed by custom check. Eh wala naman din ginawa doon. Paglabas ko, nakita ko na si Daddy, Mommy at si MJ. Andoon din si Kuya Jay. Sila na ang nag-assist kay Kuya Hector.

Ang lamig talaga! Pagdating dito sa Boston, medyo mainit init na ng kaunti. Mga 6 degrees na. Nagpahinga ako ng saglit. Then we had a late breakfast. Kumain ako ng adobo na luto ni Mommy. Na-miss ko ang luto ng nanay ko! I slept after breakfast. Medyo may jet lag pa e. Hehe!

After that, ginising ako ni Mommy ng 1600 HRS (UK Time). Darating daw yung mga Filipino dito. May welcome daw sa akin ang Tropang Sunog Baga ng Boston (Sina Arnold, Ver, Glenn, Bryan, Engr. Art, Daboy, Jay), ang kanilang mga asawa, at yung mga binibini ng 90% of Filipinos. Hanggang dito sa ibang bansa, uso pa rin ang faction. Nag-barbecue sila sa likod bahay namin. Ang lamig lamig! Tapos nag-inom kami. Napoleon French Brandy. Naka-4 na bote ata kami. Mga lasing narin silang lahat umuwi. Pero ang pagkakaiba, iniwan dito sa amin yung mga kotse nila. Bawal magmaneho ng naka-inom. Mga law-abiding citizen. Hehehe!

Well, so far for my first day here in UK! I'll update this often. Photos to come.

Monday

Ecstatic Augustine 2003 - Hello again, darling!

Five (5) years since graduating from high school, much of it remains the same! Same faces, same innocent smiles, smile silly jokes and same brand of friendship. Although some may say that being same meant nothing has changed, this time around, I cherish the "sameness" if there is such a word (hehe)! Truly, high school life is the high school life, is the high school life, is the high school life.

I have not been happier this past few days. Although what happened last Saturday night cannot be changed, and I cannot help but be sorry for the accident, being with my Augustine friends helped me drown some of the mixed emotions that pervades my thoughts these days. I now understand the meaning of leaving the Philippines. Hehehe! parang hindi na babalik ah! So the Augustine eat out at SM MOA last night, truly is heart warming!

So dahil ang reunion ay kay Bebang, siya na muna. Kahit alam kong asar na asar ka sa pang-aalaska ko sa "ka-sexyhan" mo, I know that you really enjoyed my pang-ngungulit... Presumptuousness! Hehehe! But seeing you grow and mature and be the usual Bebang, ayos na. 

Mga matagal na nawala, Jody at Colleen, ang valedictorian at salutatorian namin, repectively; and our News Editor and Editor-in-Chief of The Bugle, respectively ulit! naks, I missed you. Good luck in all your endeavors. Si teacher Daisy, pwede ba ako mag-apply as teacher, I'm sure ang daming kalokohan akong ituturo sa mga students mo..hehehe! Kapag parada, kumaway ka lagi ah! Cathy, as usual, maganda ka pa rin... At ang dami dami talagang ulam! Hehehe! Na save ko na number mo, hndi na ulit ako magtatanong ng "Hu u?" Hehehe! Irish, pahingi ng Diamond Card. Hehehe! Ikaw na lang ang contact ko kapag ako na ang head sa fraternity namin, gusto ko sa Diamond kami, para may libre ako na room, hehehe! Myk, seatmate kamusta na? Matagal tagal din tayong hindi nagkita kita! Good luck sayo pare. 

Sa mga kumpare natin, Mon, maghanda handa ka na, may 8 taon pa yata ang City Engineer dito sa Cavite City. Hehehe! Baka Mayor na ko pagdating ng panahon na iyon. Hershel, ang discount card ko jan sa San Mig By the Bay, ikaw na ang bahala boss! Hehehe! Mario, ayos lang lagi dre. Text text, matagal tagal narin tayong walang napupuntahan. May papakilala ako sayo. Tapos, kaw na ang bahala dun. Tapos, alam mo na! Ayusan mo dre ang pagtingin mo sa mga patiente mo ah, sabagay, napag-aralan ko na naman ang medical malpractice. Hehehe! Basta ninong ka sa una kong anak! Leandro, topnotcher dre. Kita kits na lang sa Baste simbahan sa April 2009 na ulit. Hehehe! Bhen, ayos lang, tuloy pa rin ang text ah, piso lang naman sa inyo eh, i-roaming ko sim card ko.

O sa mga ladies in the house, say Oh! say Ei! Carlo muna, oh wag ka na magalit. Alam ko na bakit masyado malaki ang naibayad mo sa bill doon sa kainan, nalimutan ko isama ang E-VAT sa computation ng bill! Kaya ikaw tuloy nagbayad ng taxes ng kinain ng Augustine...hehehe!!! Ok lang yun, at least tax paying ka na! Hehehe! Renz, ayos talaga ang mama mo, mahal na mahal ka pa rin! Masaya ka naman dahil andoon si Pareng Mario. Hehehe! Till next Tagaytay trip!

O sa mga special ladies in the house! Kai, hopefully next time na magsabay tayo sa bus, mas mahaba habang kwentuhan ah! Yung lakad natin pag-uwi, sabi mo maganda Bohol sa April ah! We'll see! Take care always! Gel!!! Kaw na bahala sa flight plans ko... hehehe! I surely and truly missed you! Sweet ka parin! Don't change ah! See you pag-uwi ko.

Sino pa ba??? Hehehe! Res ipsa loquitor, it speaks for itself. I'll miss you so much Pan!

Sa mga wala, namimiss na kayo ng tropa guys and gals. We'll all see each other as always. Hopefully in the near future.

Despidida

I have invited yung tropa ko for a short, meaningful and private despidida dito sa bahay before I leave for the UK last Saturday, October 25, 2008.

Aris, Byron, Emman, GJ, Joshua. (Absent: Aran, Flynn, Jamer, Jaypee, Rayjohn)

Absent ang Shagidy, okay lang pag-uwi ko na lang! I'll miss you guys!

Please pray for the safety of Rap Muncal. He met a motorcycle accident. Pare, yung pangako ko sayong pasalubong, hintayin mo.

Wednesday

British Visa Approved!

My British Visa  
21 October 2008 - 21 April 2009
Multiple Entry Clearance

God is truly amazing, and He works in mysterious and wondrous ways!

Today, Wednesday, on the day of Baclaran Novena Days to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, He decided to grant me this gift. Tapos, my 16 + year old dog named Blackie also passed away this morning, probably God's way of saying that Blackie shall look after me in heaven and Blackie's farewell gift (alam niyo yun, di ba, yung Filipino notion that our pets, kapag may aalis na amo, namamatay para isagip yung amo nila). 

Well, I'll be going to UK to visit my family there, who I have not seen for a very long time. 

Thank you Lord! And Dad, Mom, Pipoy and MJ, konting hintayan na lang, I'll be there soon!

Blackie (Son of Aso ni Kap and Brownie) 
? 1993 - 22 October 2008 
Eternal rest grant unto him, Oh Lord! 
And Let Perpetual Life shine upon him.
Thanks for everything Blackie, you are a wonderful dog.
May you Rest in Peace!

Friday

Background of the Bangsamoro Struggle

I found this Discussion Board from the website of the University of the East. I find it necessary to repost this, in order that we may have a working knowledge, and more critical understanding of the raison d'etre of the continuing Bangsamoro secessionist movement. Click the title for the permalink!

Re: GRP-MILF Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain

by nassefadiong on Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:58 am

Bases of Bangsamoro Struggle for Self-determination

• Their historical right as free and independent nation before the formation of the Philippine state 
• Their unpleasant experiences under the Philippine republic

Historical Experiences
• Before the arrival of the Spanish colonialists the Bangsamoro were already in the process of state formation, while Luzon and the Visayas were still in the barangay stage of political development.
• They had developed well-organized administrative and political systems; and
• Organized strong maritime and infantry forces that defended the Bangsamoro territories from Western colonial intrusion, thus preserving the continuity of their independence
• Resistance continued even during the American occupation. Although the sultanate-sponsored resistance were not as fierce as during the Spanish-Moro wars, but group-organized and individual resistance (prang sabil – martyrdom seeking operations) continued. 
• These compelled the U.S. to govern the Moro territories separate from the Philippine Islands. 

When the U.S. planned to grant independence to the Philippines, Bangsamoro leaders petitioned the U.S. government that the Bangsamoro territories should not be included in the would-be Philippine Republic.
– June 9, 1921 - petition of the people of Sulu 
– February 1, 1924 - Declaration of Rights and Purposes (Zamboanga declaration)
– March 18, 1935 - Dansalan Declaration

When their territories were made part of the Philippine Republic in 1946, the Bangsamoro people continue to assert their right to independence
– Amilbangsa Bill (H.B. 5682)
– Mindanao Independence Movement Manifesto
– Organization of the MNLF and MILF 

Why negotiate with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) when there is already the 1996 GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement?

1. From the start of that negotiation, the MILF had adopted a supportive stance, but halfway in the progress of the talks, things had not turned perfectly well in addressing the centuries-old conflicts in Mindanao. So the MILF had to downgrade its policy to “wait and see”. When finally the GRP-MNLF finally wrapped up their talks and signed the September 2, 1996 Final Agreement, having examined fully its content, we concluded that it would not address this problem:

 We put into question the preambular premise that has abandoned the right of the Bangsamoro people to determine freely their political status and to pursue freely their religious, social, economic and cultural development.

 Instead of giving genuine self-rule or autonomy to the Bangsamoro people, the Final Agreement has worked for the MNLF elements into total integration including its armed component into the Philippine body politic in the guise of giving autonomy yet paving the way towards their eventual political defeat.

 The agreement also failed to give to our people the control over natural resources, which are all practically classified as “strategic minerals”. The MNLF agreed to define these later.

 Therefore, we reject the “totality clause” providing that any conflict in the interpretation of this Agreement is to be resolved in the light of the Philippine Constitution and existing laws. This, in effect, gives one Party (the GRP) almost blanket authority to interpret this Agreement to the exclusion of the other Party (the MNLF) and the participation of the OIC. 

“Any conflict in the interpretation of this Agreement shall be resolved in the light of the Philippine Constitution and existing laws.”

2. The MILF believes that the present “constitutional process” is a narrow framework for the negotiated political settlement of the Mindanao conflict as well as to resolve the “permanent status” of the Bangsamoro people.

3. Current trends in the resolution of sovereignty-based conflicts in many parts of the world such as those in South Sudan, Aceh, Bougainville, and Kosovo have proffered a new modality that has advanced the conduct of permanent status referendum for nation-states as the viable options to armed conflicts between divided societies in Ireland, Montenegro, Catalan, and the Basque. It is in this context that the GRP-MILF framework documents have formulated the sequence, time periods and transitory process the defined function, ending with the referendum results.

Start of GRP-MILF Peace Process 
(January 7, 1997 - Domestic Stage, Without a Third Party Facilitator)
 MILF Deputy Chairman for Political Affairs Ghazali Jaafar and Executive Secretary Ruben Torres met twice, one in Davao City and second in Cagayan de Oro City on August 3 and September 10, respectively. They agreed to form the peace panels and technical committees of both GRP and the MILF.

Creation of Peace Panels and Technical Committees (October 25, 1996)
• GRP and MILF Peace Panels headed by former CEMCOM commander and former Lt. Gen. and then Ambassador Fortunato Abat and Ghazali Jaafar, respectively.
• Committee on Agenda Setting headed for the GRP by ASEC. Jovenal Lazaga and for the MILF by Moner Bajunaid
• Committee on Cessation of Hostilities headed for the GRP by AFP Chief of Staff Jocelyn Nazareno, and for the MILF by Atty. Lanang Ali.

Technical Committee on Cessation of Hostilities
• After the GRP and MILF Peace Panels formed their Technical Committees, they directed their Technical Committee on Cessation of Hostilities to meet, which agreed, among other things, for the declaration of an Interim Cessation of Hostilities in Buldon on January 27, 1997.

– To return the municipal mayor of Buldon who was forced to go to safer places as a result of the fighting in his town.
– GRP and MILF forces to maintain “as is where is”.
– All AFP troops deployed in Buldon, Maguindanao from January 1, 1997 up to 27 will be withdrawn.
– AFP and MILF will refrain from provocative action against the other.
– The MILF to remove and shall not establish checkpoints, roadblocks along the road networks from Parang to Buldon.

To prevent further escalation of the fighting in many parts of Mindanao, the Parties forged the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities on July 18, 1997 wherein both committed their respective “Armed Forces” to the Cessation of Hostilities in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan.

• To direct their respective sub-committee on cessation of hostilities to meet on June 30, 1997 to draw and finalize the Guidelines and Ground Rules for the Implementation of this Agreement.

• To resume and proceed with the formal talks in a venue to be mutually agreed upon by the GRP and MILF Peace Panels.

• In a secret document, the GRP agreed to sign to withdraw from Rajamuda on condition that MILF sign this Agreement.

Supplementary agreements to strengthen the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities:
• Implementing Administrative Guidelines on the GRP-MILF Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities of September 12, 1997
• Implementing Operational Guidelines on the GRP-MILF Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities of November 14, 1997
• Internal Procedure in the Conduct of the GRP-MILF Meetings (February 17, 1999)
• Rules and Procedures in the Administration of the Joint Secretariat of the GRP-MILF CCCHs (May 18, 1999)
• Agreement on Safety and Security Guarantees for MILF Members Directly and Personally Involved in the Peace Process (March 9, 2000)
• The Parties also created the Quick Response Team (QRT), Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (ICMC), and the Independent Fact-Finding Committee (IFFC).

The Committee on Agenda Setting
The MILF proposed a single talking point agenda– and the GRP agreed:
“How to solve the Bangsamoro Problem”

The MILF explained that “How to solve the Bangsamoro Problem” involves a variety of social, cultural, economic and political issues and concerns that include, but not limited to the following: 
1. Ancestral Domain
2. Displaced and landless Bangsamoro
3. Destruction of properties and war victims
4. Human rights issues
5. Social and cultural discrimination
6. Corruption of the mind and the moral fiber
7. Economic inequities and widespread poverty
8. Exploitation of natural resources
9. Agrarian related issues

• The above issues and concerns are what we perceived to be the Bangsamoro problem, which will be addressed through a negotiated political settlement in the form of a comprehensive compact.
• The late MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim said: “The most civilized and practical way of solving the BM problem is through a negotiated political settlement.”

The nine (9) talking points are later reduced to six (6) points:
1. Ancestral Domain/ Agrarian Related Issues.
2. Destruction of Properties and Victims of War/ Displaced and Landless Bangsamoro.
3. Human Rights Issues.
4. Social and Cultural Discrimination/ Corruption of the Mind and Moral Fiber.
5. Economic Inequities and Widespread Poverty.
6. Exploitation of Natural Resources 

Signing of the general framework of agreement of intent between GRP and MILF on August 27, 1998 under the Estrada Administration.
• GRP and MILF Panels have renewed their commitment to pursue peace negotiations on the substantive issues until a political settlement is reached.
• They committed for the protection and respect of human rights in accordance with the principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• The Parties pledge to refrain from the use or threat of force to attain undue advantage while the peace negotiations on the substantive issues are ongoing.
• The Parties recognize that there will be lasting peace in Mindanao when there is mutual trust, justice, freedom, and tolerance for the identity, culture, way of life and aspirations of all peoples of Mindanao.

Note: The use of the word “freedom,” the most contentious issue.

Acknowledgement of seven (7) MILF Camps out of the 46 camps covered by the cessation of hostilities
• The acknowledgment of MILF camps is a confidence-building measure in furtherance of the peace process.
• To effectively implement the general cessation of hostilities and thus to avoid armed encounters or confrontations between MILF and GRP forces.
 Camp Abubak’r As-Siddique in Maguindanao
 Camp Bushra in Lanao Del Sur
 Camp Rajamuda in Maguindanao and North Cotabato
 Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao
 Camp Omar in Maguindanao
 Camp Bad’r in Maguindanao
 Camp Bilal in Lanao Del Norte

First acknowledgment on February 10, 1999; Second acknowledgment was on October 6, 1999.

October 25, 1999 Formal Opening of the Peace Talks in 
Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao

• Three years in preparation
• Ambassador Manuel Yan, GRP chief peace negotiator with MNLF
• Embassy officials from Manila
• WAMY assistant Secretary General

Agreement on the Rules and Procedures on the Conduct of the Formal Peace Talks between the GRP and MILF Panels (December 17, 1999)
The Parties agreed on the ff:
• Agenda for Peace Talks, to be prepared by GRP and MILF Technical Committees
• Venue and Schedule of the Peace Talks, GRP and MILF Peace Panels shall hold their talks in a venue to be previously by the Parties.
• Attendance/Quorum, Official members of each panel shall attend regularly.
• In case of permanent disability or for any reason, a substitute is allowed provided there is prior notice to the other Party.
• A majority of each panel shall be present to have a quorum.
• Presiding Officer, the two panel chairmen shall act as co-presiding officer.
• Permanent Secretariat
• To document proceedings.
• To prepare and submit agenda of meeting.
• To prepare highlights of consensus points/agreements
• To handle administrative requirements.

– Meeting Flow
• Invocation
• Opening Remarks
• Approval of Agenda for Meeting
• Adoption of Reports of Previous Meeting
• Discussion of Unfinished Agenda
• Discussion of Agenda Items
• Adoption of Consensus Points/Agreements
• Adoption of Proposed Agenda, Schedule and Venue of Next Meeting
• Adoption of Joint Statement/Press Release 
– Media Coverage
• Mutually agreed upon by the Parties
– Confidentiality
– Amendments
– Safety and Security Matters
– Effectively
• Usually after signing

First Round of Formal Peace Talks (February 15, 2000)
• Acknowledged all agreements entered into by the parties
• Tasked the Technical Committees to cluster the approved nine (9) talking points (Already stated earlier)

Second Round of Formal Peace Talks (March 2, 2000)
• Adopted the nine (9) Agenda items submitted by the MILF which was later clustered to six (6) aggregations.

Third Round of Formal Peace Talks (March 9, 2000)
• Adoption of the highlights of the Technical Committee Meeting.
• Signing of the Agreement on Safety and Security Guarantees.

Aide Memoiré (April 27, 2000) 
• Both Panels agreed that the GRP shall prepare a paper on the proposed political package to be presented to the MILF within 72 hours from date of the meeting. The MILF, on the other hand, shall be given enough time for consultation and thereafter respond to the package.
• The Parties agreed to normalize the situation in Mindanao for the sake of the people and the peace process.
• They also agreed that there is a need to pursue the ongoing peace process between the GRP and MILF in order to achieve stability and development in Mindanao.
• To normalize the situation along the Narciso Ramos Highway, both Chairmen agreed to study the following proposals:
– PNP to takeover in ensuring security and law and order at the highway. (If possible show a map of the highway and Camp Abubakar).
– For GRP and MILF units to remain in their current positions.

Note: Barely six hours after signing, AFP attacked Camp Abubakar from almost all sides, a very clear example of GRP double talk and the use of outright lies in deceiving the MILF.

ALL-OUT WAR OF ESTRADA (April 27, 2000) 
• All-out war was first declared by President in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte on March 16, 2000 after his grandson, 1st Lt. Don Alfonso Javier, was slain in battle against MILF forces on March 15, 2000 in Inudaran, Kauswagan, Lanao Del Norte. 
• About one million people were displaced.
• Hundreds of houses were burned by AFP troops and paramilitary forces.
• Billions worth of government and private properties were destroyed including power lines, bridges, etc.
• At the height of the war, the government was spending P100 million a day in its offensive in Mindanao.
• Two-third of the entire firepower of the AFP were deployed in Mindanao.
• Peace Talks collapsed completely on June 15, 2000 after the MILF disbanded its peace panel and declared an all-out jihad against the government.
• On July 19, when AFP captured the lower portion of Camp Abubakar (the upper or forested portion still effectively under MILF control), President Estrada personally and together with his Cabinet came to Camp Abubakar to celebrate the “victory”.
– They raised the Philippine flag in a Muslim school.
– Roasted pigs and drank liquor, totally unmindful of the religious sensibilities of the Muslims.

GRP-MILF Peace Talks: Diplomatic Stage with a Foreign 3rd Party Facilitation
(March 24, 2001 – Present)
• In February 2001, Estrada was ousted from powers by People Power EDSA II and Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was sworn in as the new president of the Philippines.
– Immediately reversed the all-out war policy of Estrada and started to establish contact with the MILF for the possible resumption of the peace talks.
– At first, the MILF was very reluctant and seriously doubted the sincerity of the government. But after sometime and serious considerations, the MILF replied affirmatively but with the following conditions:
• All past agreements must be respected and to be implemented.
• Talks must be held outside of the Philippines.
• To be facilitated by OIC or any member state. 
• President Arroyo also contacted the former Malaysian Prime Minster Dr. Mahathir Mohammad for Malaysia’s possible facilitation of the talks. To do this, she paid an official visit to Kuala Lumpur, which so far was her first foreign visit since she became president.
• The Malaysian Government, after consulting the MILF, facilitated the talks. 

Agreement on the general framework for the resumption of the peace talks between the GRP and the MILF (March 24, 2001)
• The parties agreed to resume the stalled peace talks immediately after signing of this agreement and shall continue until they shall have reached a negotiated political settlement of the Bangsamoro Problem.
• Organize the Peace Panels
• MILF shall reciprocate to GRP’s SOMO
• Respect and implement past agreements
• Relief and rehabilitation of evacuees
• Commitment to negotiate with sincerity and mutual trust, justice and freedom, and respect for the identity, culture and aspirations of all peoples of Mindanao
• Both Parties expressed gratitude for the gracious hospitality of the Malaysian Government.

Tripoli Agreement on Peace (June 22, 2001)
• Security Aspect
• Rehabilitation Aspect
• Ancestral Domain Aspect

After the Agreement on Intent, this is the most important agreement signed by the Parties; it is considered a mother agreement which all succeeding agenda or agreements are based.

Finding New Formula

The negotiation and peaceful resolution of the conflict must involve consultations with the Bangsamoro people free of any imposition in order to provide chances of success and open new formulas that permanently respond to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people for freedom.

What does “new formula” mean?
• It means, the framework of talks is no longer the shallow constitutional processes as in the GRP-MNLF peace process but refers to International Humanitarian Laws and Human Rights Laws, and also the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights.
• New formula may also mean the exclusion of autonomy as envisaged in the ARMM but for some higher form of self-governance.
• It can also mean an invitation for the Parties to examine current trends in conflict resolutions in the world today, as in South Sudan, Kosovo, Bougainville, Ireland, and even Aceh.
• It is a process by which the Parties, after they diagnosed the Moro Problem thoroughly, will assemble all the negotiated parts to form a new political entity of its kind.

Security Aspect
• International Monitoring Team (IMT)
Note: Japan joined the IMT socio-economic monitors on July 23, 2006. Sweden has already joined; Canada has also applied. 
• Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH)
• Local Monitoring Team (LMT)
• Ad-hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG)

The Security Aspect of the Tripoli Agreement on Peace of 2001 is basically about human security and ceasefire.

THE Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities:
• Monitors and supervises the ceasefire.
• Conducts inquiry on alleged violation by either side.
• Visitations and inspections of conflict-affected areas (CAAs).

THE International Monitoring Team:
• 60-man: 42 Malaysian, 10 Bruneians, and 7 Libyans, Japan, 1; has five team sites: TS-1 in Cotabato City, TS-2 in Iligan City, TS-3 in Zamboanga City, TS-4 in Davao City, and TS-5 in General Santos City. IMT GHQ is also situated in Cotabato City.
• On July 23, 2006, Japan joined the IMT in its socio-economic monitoring functions.
• IMT has practically reduced the fighting into zero-level since it arrived on October 10, 2004.

THE Local Monitoring Team:
• Serves as the principal ceasefire monitors at the local level.
• Composed of Representatives from LGUs, MILF, NGO-GRP, NGO-MILF, and Religious Sectors.

THE Ad-hoc Joint Action Group:
• To interdict and isolate criminal syndicates and other similar criminals in or near MILF communities or areas.
• MILF signed to show that it is not a terrorist organization but a truly revolutionary organization with a clear and legitimate political agenda.

Rehabilitation Aspect
• Affirms the Parties’ observance of International Humanitarian Law and respect for internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedom for all persons in Mindanao.
• Cooperate in the investigation and prosecution of serious violations of international humanitarian laws and human rights as well as violations of this Agreement.

Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA)
Development agency of the MILF tasked “to determine, lead and manage rehabilitation and development projects in conflict affected areas.”

Ancestral Domain Aspect
• What is ancestral domain or ancestral land? 
“They are those held under claim of ownership, occupied or possessed, by themselves or through their ancestors of the Bangsamoro people, communally or individually since time immemorial continuously to the present, except when prevented by war, civil disturbances, force majeure, or other forms of possible usurpations or displacement by force, deceit, stealth, as a consequence of the government project or any other voluntary dealing entered into by the government and private individuals, corporate entities o institutions.”

• Divided into four (4) Strands:
– Strand on Concept
– Strand on Territory
– Strand on Resources
– Strand on Governance

• All in all the Parties have signed 29 consensus points

Remaining agenda for the GRP-MILF Peace Talks

MOA on Ancestral Domain
• Finding a political settlement of the Bangsamoro problem, this will be in the form of comprehensive compact. 

Summary of the Peace Process
• Ten (10) years in the making: January 7, 1997 to Present (2008).
• GRP, MILF Signed 72 Documents:
– 45 documents in Mindanao w/o a 3rd Party Facilitator (January 7, 2000 to June 15, 2000) 4 Formal Talks; 10 Informal Talks; 31Technical Committee Meetings
– 27 documents signed outside of the Philippines w/ 3rd Party Facilitator, mainly by Malaysia and only once by Libya (March 24, 2001 to July 2006) 4 Formal Talks; 13 Exploratory Talks; 1 Backchannel talks; 1 Indirect Talks (Signing of IMT TOR on September 28, 2004).
Thousands of armed confrontations, two major, scores of medium, and countless minor.
• GRP chief peace negotiators: Lt. General Fortunato Abat, Major General Orlando Soriano, Major Gen. Edgardo Batenga, Col. and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Atty. Jesus Dureza, and Secretary Silvestre Afable, Jr.; MILF chief peace negotiators: Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar, Vice Chairman Abdulazis Mimbantas, Vice Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, and Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief information officer.

Present Status of the Peace Talks
 The 13th GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks, September 6-7, 2006
 Talks bogged down on the issue of territory and constitutional processes
 GRP peace panel has no mandate
 GRP asked for more time to present new proposal
 September 30; October 31; November 15.
 On Nov. 9 the GRP has submitted a new proposal with right to self-determination as the main sweetener.
 War almost ensued
 Peace talks in December 2007 (14th Exploratory Talks) has been stalled when MILF aborted the panel in Kuala Lumpur due to inconsistencies part of the GRP by presenting different drafts of proposals incongruent to what was agreed in the previous meetings.
 On July 16, 2008, peace talks were revived when both parties agreed on the contention about Ancestral Domain and will continue formally by July 24.
 MILF will now adhere to the Philippine Constitution by expanding ARMM by instituting 735 barangays through plebiscite.
 Signing of a MOA on Ancestral Domain is in grasp now after their meeting last July 16.
 MILF requested to postpone the ARMM’s August elections to pave the way for the peace process in creating a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, an expanded ARMM territory with much greater power of self-rule.
 The signing was stopped by a TRO issued by the Supreme Court due to petitions filed by the people of N. Cotabato, Zamboanga, and Iligan led by Gov. Piňol et al.
 Oral arguments are going-on in the Supreme Court for examining the constitutionality of the MOA-AD.
 Armed conflicts erupted in N. Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur between AFP and some MILF renegades due to the dismayed and disappointments resulted by the aborted signing of MOA-AD.

A.M.Nassef

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