Thursday

It is just another new year's eve

As everyone in the world awaits for the passing of time and the arrival of the new year, let us not forget that it is just another day in our lives.

In ancient times, civilizations deemed it important to commemorate the new year not to celebrate the end of an era and the completion of a period but to pray for next year's bountiful harvest and for victory in wars. They offer lavish gifts to the gods - gold, fruits, animals, even man himself. With the advent of modernity, we may have done away with sacrifices, but we have flooded ourselves with series of extravagant merry-making comparable to those made by our predecessors. Fireworks, sumptuous feasts and parties mark our celebration of the new year. But is new year defined by what we so do?

New year is a moment in time. It is the beginning. But it is also an end. As the clock strikes 12, we usher in the next year and escort out the past year. A clear reminder that when we say hello to a bright new season, we bid good bye to the last. What therefore is the sense of everything when it is merely the closing and opening of a door?

We must go back to the basics. We recall our faults and make amends to our life. We remember our triumphs and hope for a better year. We reminisce our tribulations and pray for greater strength to face new ones. In the end, it is about our families, friends and love ones.

I shall celebrate new year this 2010 in quiet simplicity. My entire family is abroad, while my friends are celebrating it with their own families. I shall be content with greeting everyone through the internet because my cellphone has been broken since the December 16. My neighborhood is conducting a community wide greeting at the kalsada.

So before everything goes gaga around the world, let me share this song as I greet everyone a warm, happy, safe and prosperous new year. Maligaya at masaganang bagong taon sa ating lahat!

It's just another new year's eve
by Barry Manilow


Don't look so sad,
It's not so bad you know.
It's just another night,
That's all it is, it's not the first,
It's not the worst you know,
We've come through all the rest,
We'll get through this.
We've made mistakes,
But we've made good friends too.
Remember all the nights we spent with them?
And all our plans,
Who says they can't come true?
Tonight's another chance to start again.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Another night like all the rest.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Let's make it the best.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
It's just another Auld Lang Syne,
But when we're through this New Year
You'll see, will be
Just fine.
We're not alone, we've got the world you know.
And it won't let us down, just wait and see.
And we'll grow old, but think how wise we'll grow.
There's more you know, it's only New Year's Eve.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Another night like all the rest.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Let's make it the best.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
It's just another Auld Lang Syne,
But when we're through this New Year, you'll see, will be
Just fine.



Auld Lang Syne
Traditional Scottish New Year Song

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.


Same Auld Lang Syne

As I was browsing the internet for the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne, a song by Dan Fogelberg came out in the search. I opened the link. Then one of the songs that hit me this Christmas... EMO!



SAME AULD LANG SYNE
By Dan Fogelberg

Met my old lover in a grocery store
The snow was falling Christmas Eve
Stole behind her in the frozen foods
and I touched her on the sleeve
She didn't recognize the face at first
but then her eyes flew open wide
Tried to hug me and she spilled her purse
and we laughed until we cried
Took her groceries to the checkout stand
The food was totaled up and bagged
stood there lost in our embarrassment
as the conversation dragged
Went to have ourselves a drink or two
but couldn't find an open bar
Bought a six-pack at the liquor store
and we drank it in the car
We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now
Tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how
She said she'd married her an architect
Kept her warm and safe and dry
She said she'd like to say she loved the man
but she didn't want to lie
I said the years had been a friend to her
and that her eyes were still as blue
But in those eyes I wasn't sure if I saw doubt or gratitude
She said she saw me in the record store
and that I must be doing well
I said the audience was heavenly
but the traveling was hell
We drank a toast to innocence we drank a toast to time
We're living in our eloquence, another old lang syne
The beers were empty and our tongues grew tired
and running out of things to say
She gave a kiss to me as I got out
and I watched her drive away
Just for a moment I was back in school
And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make my way back home
the snow turned into rain

Tuesday

Placidus dolor

Vacuus mihi , vos es magis gauisus,
sine vos, cassus mea pectus pectoris.
Semper fide, fidei insquequo abeo,
pro vacuus vos illic est haud vita.
Unus ego moro, ego ago tantum vobis.

Vos es grate immerito,
ego vadum
exsisto solitudo vacuus vos.

amor.


Monday

The Presidential Series 2010

Before the end of the year 2009 (and before I go back to law school and lose time over the net), I shall try and try to be informative as possible on the people's choices for our next President. Thus, I open the Presidential Series 2010, a one stop shop for information on who's who in the 2010 Elections, especially those who seek the highest position in the land - the Presidency. This thread shall seek to find out about their qualifications, their party and business interests, their agenda and positions on key issues and their personal life.

As of today, the Commission on Elections has narrowed the Presidential contenders to EIGHT. The candidates are (in alphabetical order):
  • Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III (Liberal Party)
  • Olongapo City Councilor John Carlos "JC" delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran Party)
  • Former President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito-Estrada (Partido ng Masang Pilipino)
  • Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon (Bagumbayan)
  • Senator Anna Maria Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal (Independent)
  • Former Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
  • Jesus is Lord Leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas)
  • Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar (Nacionalista Party)
However, the COMELEC still has to rule on the appeal of Nicanor Perlas (Partido ng Marangal na Sambayan) over his disqualification as well as the petition of several lawyers against the re-election campaign of former President Estrada.

Tomorrow, the author shall start with the standard bearer of the Liberal Party, and current front-runner, Senator Noynoy Aquino.

Thursday

SC extends Voters Registration for 2010

The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, extended the voters registration until 9 January 2010 and declared as null and void the Commission on Election resolution setting the 31 October 2009 deadline.

In a 9-page decision, Justice Conchita Carpio Morales directed the COMELEC to reopen the registration of new voters until 9 January 2010. According to the Court, Republic Act No. 8189 or the Voters Registration Act of 1996, provided that the period of 120 days before a regular election and 90 days before a special election is enough time for the COMELEC to make all the necessary preparations with respect to the coming elections. The preparations include (1) completion of project precincts, (2) constitution of the Board of Election Inspectors, (3) finalizing the Computerized Voters List, (4) supervision of the campaign period, and (5) preparation, bidding, printing, and distribution of Voter’s Information Sheet. The Court said that such determination of Congress is well within the ambit of its legislative power, which the High Court is bound to respect, and that the COMELEC’s rule-making power should be exercised in accordance with the prevailing law.

The Court further stressed that the Republic Act No. 6646 or The Electoral Reforms Law of 1987 and Republic Act No. 8436 or The Automated Election System Act grants the poll body the power to fix other periods and dates for pre-election activities “only if the same cannot be reasonably held within the period provided by law.” There is thus no occasion for the COMELEC to exercise its power to fix other dates or deadlines therefor.


Full text of decision:

Kabataan Party List v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 189868, 15 December 2009.

Sunday

Martial Law in the Philippines - Take II (update 12 December 2009, LIFTED)

Yesterday, at around 9 o'clock in the evening, the state of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the Province of Maguindanao has been lifted by the President. The order came after the President held an emergency meeting with the National Security Council (NSC) on the status of the objectives of Proclamation 1959.

According to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, the objectives of 1959, as advised by the NSC to the President were as follows:
  • Quell the rebellion in Maguindanao
  • Arrest the suspects of the November 23 Maguindanao Massacre that left 57 dead
  • Secure the safety of the witnesses
  • File appropriate charges against the suspects
  • Disarm illegal armed groups
  • Restore law and order and press freedom
  • Restore civilian government
Mixed reactions face the lifting of martial law. Lawmakers are divided on this issue. Human rights lawyers are asking the Supreme Court to here the petitions against martial law. The Supreme Court has a standing order on the Executive Department to answer the petitions. The High Court has still to decide on the matter.

Whatever the decision of the Supreme Court, it shall be the ultimate test of the effectivity and deterrence of Article 18 on future dictatorships.

Martial Law in the Philippines - Take II

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Friday

Appointive Officials need not resign

Appointive officials planning to run for elective positions in the upcoming 2010 polls need not resign from their posts when they file their Certificates of Candidacy.

As an offshoot of the Penera case, the Court through Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura states that appointed officials should not be considered as second class citizens, because elected officials and other persons seeking elective office shall only be considered as candidates on the start of the campaign period. Hence, appointive officials shall only be required to resign from their offices at the start of the campaign period.

In as much as I reserve my dissent for this decision, the Court has to come up with such otherwise it would be inconsistent with the view it took in the Penera case.


Full text of Case:

Quinto and Tolentino v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 189698, December 1, 2009
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