reytrillana

Really.

What do we need it for? To discern the state of the nation all you need are your five senses.

The best way to comprehend the state of the nation is to see the hunger on the streets, to smell the stench of corruption in government, to feel the misery and desolation of those whose loved ones were taken away by a repressive regime, to hear the rage of decent Filipinos over the cheating and deception that catapulted and maintained this administration to power, and taste the bitter pill that this regime wants the poor to swallow while claiming that “ramdam na ang kaunlaran.”

So why do we need to see a fashion show among legislators, rush a P90 million renovation of the venue of the SONA, and listen to the lies of that “lying bitch” (was that what Gov. Salceda used to described his boss? Sorry I couldn’t remember the exact term he used)?

In fact, not only should we scrap the SONA because it has no purpose, we should shelve it because it is a health hazard! I’d like to know how many among the taxi drivers suffered hypertensive attacks upon hearing that their income increased under this administration.

And how many from our Muslim brothers and sisters choked on their food when the President, the same administration that reneged on its earlier commitments to the MILF and continues to renege on its commitments contained in the 1996 Peace Agreement with the MNLF, proclaimed she wanted peace in Mindanao during her term.

I wonder how many among us wanted to hang ourselves when we heard this: “As your President, I care too much about this nation…I will let no one, and no one’s political plans, get in the way of the well-being of the people. I will let no one hinder our people’s progress and prosperity. I will let no one threaten our nation’s survival. This is my commitment.”

Wasn’t it her political plans (when she said she wasn’t running in 2001 but reneged) that started the political crisis we have been experiencing?

And who threatens our nation’s survival but her?

I really almost fell off my chair when I heard: “As your President, I care too much about this nation…” and that she worries about the housewife, the student, the teacher, and the farmer.

She said, “Leadership is not about doing the first easy thing that comes to mind; it is about doing what is necessary, however hard.” That is true. But why does the poor always have to bear the brunt of this bitter pill. Leadership is about showing your people a clear vision of the future no matter how difficult AND leading the way to that perilous road. She worries about the common tao? Why don’t she and her family switch places with that poor family she cares a lot for?

She blames the imposition of VAT as the cause of her unpopularity. Not true. She was unpopular even before VAT! She doesn’t get it. She is unpopular not because she has the courage to make decisions that may be difficult to swallow. She is unpopular because people do not consider her as their president! This is the reason why whatever her administration does—good or bad—people are always suspicious. Tough, but that is the consequence of cheating your way to the presidency.

Despite the evils of her administration, she will probably survive until 2010. She and her allies, however, should not rejoice. It will be (as it is now) a very lonely and insecure presidency. Just look at the number of policemen mobilized just because the President has to deliver a speech. Her administration will quiver every time a holiday comes along, for fear that destabilization attempts might be launched.

But the saddest of all is this.

History, I believe, will be harsh on her. If Claro Recto and Jovito Salonga are often referred to as the best presidents we never had; Gloria will be known as the worst president we should have never had.

Really.

(Erratum: I just remembered, Gov Salceda called GMA a “lucky bitch” not a “lying bitch.” Sorry for that. Really.)

I am not voting for Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel because he is the son of a distinguished senator of the Republic. Although I think that is not really a wrong reason to vote for Koko. His father, Nene, is one of those few politicians who actually has principles to fight for (and boy,did Nene ever fought for his cause especially during Marcos’ martial law and GMA’s de facto authoritarian rule). Like father, like son.

I am not voting for Koko simply because he is a bar topnotcher. Marcos was a bar topnotcher (I rest my case!)

I am voting for Koko because of the issues he espouses.

Koko is for genuine local autonomy and federalism. I have always believed that the problems of this country are caused by a flaw in its political system. No, it’s not the presidential system, it is the fact that the national government manipulates the powers of government.

As the world grow more complex, the needs and interests of people also become less homogenous. The central government simply does not have the capacity (and the creativity) to respond to these changes. It is too bureaucratic. It is too big. It follows therefore that the solution to our problems lies in our ability to make the national government irrelevant. And that can only happen if we achieve genuine autonomy or shift to a federal system.

Koko, like his father, has consistently fought attempts to subvert the democratic rights of the people. He has vigorously opposed the marcosian measures implemented by this bogus president. He has opposed the Calibrated Pre-Emptive Response Policy (“CPR”), Executive Order No. 464, Presidential  Proclamation No. 1017 (and General Order No. 5) and the failed People’s Initiative and Con-Ass among others.

I am voting for Koko not just because he opposed the measures that I also oppose. I will vote for Koko not just because he abhors the fake president that I also abhor. I will vote for Koko because, as I wrote in my previous blog on Trillanes, it takes character to go against the current. It is easy to espouse issues like the environment, housing, poverty and other issues. They are safe issues. But to stand up against an oppressor knowing fully well that media persons critical of this administration and members of progressive organizations have been targetted for their "destabilizing" actions, that takes courage.

That, I think, is a character that a Senator must possess. If the executive can bully the lower house, the senate must have members who can stand up to an authoritarian ruler.

I am voting for Koko because he believes that there is no inherent contradiction between freedom and economic growth. He said, "We should use our freedoms to improve the standard of living  of our people". That is why no matter how GMA claims that the economic numbers have improved under her watch, the only number that history will remember her by is the number of people her regime has oppressed.

After all, numbers don’t lie. But this president does.

Yup. I am voting for Antonio Trillanes, the coup plotting-leader of the Magdalo group. I want him in the senate. Here’s why.

One, his last name is eerily similar to mine. He is like, hmm..my plural.
Two, he is a friend. On friendster of course.

What?! Am I not entitled to a moment of…absurdity?

Now, seriously.

Three, his idealism is amazing. In a political system populated by seasoned and jaded politicians, it will be refreshing to see someone who still thinks he can change the world. There is nothing wrong with idealism. Idealism is not daydreaming. It is grounded on reality. The more you see injustices, the more you should dream of a just world. The more you experience corruption, the more you should fight for an honest government.

Four, the guy has balls! How many among us can risk our careers, our lives for a cause? When was the last time you stumble upon a cause worth dying for? There aren’t too many people like that in this world anymore. Let me be clear though. I was against the coup stunt they pulled in Oakwood (this despite the fact that I would be ecstatic at the thought of a GMA ouster). I thought their grievances were valid. But I had complaints too, so do millions of poor Filipinos. But we can’t organize a coup because we are not armed. That’s the unfair thing about that spectacle. But that is precisely why I’m voting for him. To risk one’s life for a cause he truly believes in shows character. That’s another quality our political system is missing. We may not agree with his beliefs and ideas but we have to acknowledge that the guy has courage.

Five, he is anti-GMA. Amen!

Here we go again.

Elections will be held this coming May 2007. And if you belong to that group they call youth (especially if you are a first time voter), you will surely hear a lot of bullshit from everyone: politicians, teachers, parents, church people, concerned  citizens.

To save you the trouble, here are some of the shit you have to endure:

1. "Voting is not just a right, its a responsibility"
2. "Vote wisely"
3. "Vote for what is best for the nation not just for your self interest"
4. "Do not vote on the basis of personality (obviously referring to showbiz people)"
5. …and here’s my favorite, "Voting is a sacred duty"

What? Voting is sacred? What is so sacred about it? You go to a precinct, look for your name, fall in line, get a piece of paper, have your thumb inked, write down a bunch of names, drop the paper in a box, and get the hell out of there to live your normal life: play dota, watch tv (probably to see whether the person you voted for actually won), make out with your girl/boyfriend (or your friend’s girlfriend), sleep, pick your nose, chat, etc. If you have not voted but has actually placed a bet in "ending", its pretty much the same thing.

So in the interest of the young Filipinos out there, "the future of this motherland" (another bullshit you will often hear by the way), let me give you my shit on this topic.

Voting is NOT sacred. Its a simple mechanical act of choosing people in government on the basis of what YOU think is best for YOU. But hey, what about the interest of the nation? What national interest?! There is no national interest! It’s a myth they teach you so you will obey laws, pay taxes and follow your government. There is only one interest that matters. YOUR interest.

But that’s is so selfish! I know.

Consensus is made not through a mythical "national interest", it is forged by individuals with diverse interests who vote on the basis of that personal interest. So do not vote for what is good for the country, vote on the basis of what you think will be good for you or your family or your community.

A wise, responsible voter simply refers to this: someone who has a clear idea what his/her interests are and has strong opinions about issues on the basis of his/her interests. Some groups will say you should vote for candidates with the following qualities: makadiyos, makabayan at makatao. But what the hell do those terms mean? And how do you know if someone is really makatao? They are useless guidelines. If at all, they lead voters into making wrong choices!

Here is a simple guide to voting wisely:

1. What is important to you? What are your interests that you want protected?
2. What is your stand on issues that you consider important? (the answer to this, of course, should be dictated by your answer to No.1)
3. Of all the candidates running for different offices, who among them espouse more or less the same interest that you have?

And your answers to these questions, need not be "big" issues like the budget deficit, liberalization or the foreign debt (unless you’re into that stuff). Let us say you love to play video games from dusk till dawn. There. That’s your interest. That’s what’s important to you. Let me ask you this, if that’s important to you should you vote for someone running for councilor who wants to impose a curfew on teenagers? Should you vote for a Congressional candidate who believes that video games are violent and should be outlawed? See? My shit is better! Now you can vote with dignity and responsibility…in a sacred way of course.

Answering no. 3 involves more work (hey if you can search and download porn from the net you should be able to do this). You have to spend some time looking at their record and platform. You can search the internet (for example, you can google their names or see newspaper archives), watch tv, look at their pamphlets, etc. If you feel strongly about the Subic rape case, do not vote for those who approved the Visiting Forces Agreement. If you hate GMA but hate Erap more then balancing that hatred should guide your voting preferences.

So should you go out and vote? Your call.

Me? I’m definitely voting. I’m going to vote against all candidates endorsed by, and have helped, Gloria. I don’t care if they look good, intelligent, has a good record. If you support a lying, cheating, and bogus president, you go to hell! 

That’s my shit…

i have been teaching since i graduated from college in 1994. man, that’s 12 years. and to be honest, i still don’t know whether i did well or sucked big time.

i started out imitating the style of my favorite professors. as they say "you cannot give what you don’t have". typical political science/law strategy: scare the shit out of your students with hellish recitation sessions, boatloads of readings and an unshakable arrogance. as i love to tell my students then, "suffering builds character".

maybe i got tired of the routine or the devil talked to me in my sleep. but whatever the reason, i found myself critically examining my teaching style. is this working? am i helping students think critically for themselves? i mean, really think for themselves. not just mimic what i say or agree with my opinions. or am i just power tripping? satisfying my narcissistic tendencies?

it was then that i realized that to make young people think for themselves, i have to stop being a teacher. i have to remove that cloak of authority that tells them i’m always right. i have to allow them to undermine what i represented. i have to make them subversives. in other words, i have to make myself irrelevant.

it was difficult because it’s hard to let go of that much power. it’s not easy to trust other people to do things right. but really, can you teach critical thinking if you do not allow students to question you? others of course would say that young people need structure, they need discipline. but whose structure? this is the type of thinking that values conformity over autonomy. i just think it doesn’t make any sense. de quiros was right when he wrote " school got in the way of my education, so i quit school"

i think learning should be liberalized from the control of THE "professor". i think young people should push the limits of authority. i think they should transgress rather than follow. i think they should rebel rather than conform. they should dissent rather than agree. without struggle there is no progress. the more i teach, the less they learn.

but will this not create chaos? yes. and that’s good. structures are meant to be undermined. systems are meant to fall apart. order is overrated.

so while teachers are busy making students learn, students should be busy unlearning. they should create new visions, forge new alternatives and construct their own realities. its the only way to freedom.