2010-04-17

the process to Perlas

From the very start, I knew who I did not want to vote for. That was the easy part. Who to vote for was a much more difficult task. For the past few weeks, I have been examining three options. And no joke, I spent every day thinking about it, especially during my commute to and from work. With four hours wasted on the road, that's a lot of thinking time.

At first, I was certain I was not going to factor in winnability. At a certain point though, I did falter, but eventually assured myself that my compelling reason to participate in this elections is TO VOTE AGAINST THE PRESENT SYSTEM more than anything else. Whoever wins, at least we can finally move on from this saga in Philippine history. After having come to terms with that, winnability was no longer a factor.

It was just a couple of days ago when I FINALLY DECIDED who I want to be as MY PRESIDENT.

It's funny, actually... when Jan told me that a friend of ours was endorsing a certain Nicanor Perlas, I scoffed. I said, "Who's that? Another nuisance candidate? This country is just full of delusional people." As I was saying that, I was picturing Eddie Gil singing "Pelukang Itim."

It was one of the ABS-CBN debates when he finally caught my attention. I think it was his answer to a question on education that he got me interested in him. He was advocating for mother tongue instruction, which was something I believe in as well. I also liked the fact that he pushed for sustainable agriculture and that he practices it in his own backyard. (Not only that, he looked like an adorable uncle. He's just cute that way, and I'm mababaw that way. hehe.)

After that, I usually listened intently to what he has to say. I find myself agreeing with his own ideas. At that point, I thought... "Sayang. He should have ran for senator. It would have been a better start." It was when Rowie sent me a FB post by a Nick supporter that made me think about him more. I wrote an entry in my blog, of which a supporter left a comment and led me to websites providing more information about him. After that he was finally on my top two choices.

It was only last Tuesday that I finally come to terms with why I am voting for him. I am voting for Nick because I want to vote for someone I TRULY BELIEVED IN.

For most of my employed life, I have been working in social development. While there is so much critique we can throw at NGOs and the many issues that surround them, I have to say there is a lot of learning that can be found in the industry. I believe people in the development sector tend to be more in touch with the issues of the marginalized. They learn to be more realistic in the approach to poverty, with an understanding that IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT PROVIDING NEEDS, BUT EMPOWERING PEOPLE. (This, however, may be a hasty generalization. NGO people have their own politics that can be frustrating as well) This, I think, is one thing lacking in traditional politics, which has thrived on creating delusions of instant poverty alleviation by promising the world. Nick Perlas, on the other hand, has constantly said that in his interviews and his website, it will not be the president alone who will be doing the change. He strikes me as one who really believes in people and their own capacity for change and for self-empowerment.

Perlas also had work in the government, having been part of Ramos' Agenda 21 team. He also did work for the UN. These two credentials would give him a good background in research and policy-making. I, therefore, feel that Perlas has the goods to back his crusade for the presidency. But then, so do the others.

My biggest reason then is I WANT GENUINE CHANGE. Most, if not all, the candidates have used CHANGE as part of the motherhood statements they throw around every sortie, TV interview and debate. Yet most, if not all, have been in that traditional system for years and have not really done anything to make me believe they have it in them to make things different from what it has been the last nine years.

One candidate has been running on the steam of hope brought about by his ancestry. I, too, believe in that hope. I believe in the people that believe in him. The problem is, I'm not sure if I believe in him. I'm not sure if I believe he can change things. And like I said, CHANGE IS WHAT I DESIRE MOST. I also imagined myself shading his circle and gauged how I feel after the exercise. I don't feel too fulfilled or excited.

Perlas may be on a Quixotic quest and he knows it. But I think he thinks he is already a winner because by running he delivers a strong point. If we want the system to change, we can not just sit idly by and pray that the people in power start getting a conscience. If we want the system to change, we can not expect our leaders to just be benevolent all of a sudden. If we want the system to change, we have to be part of the change ourselves. What he is advocating is what I would advocate for too.

THAT is what I am voting for. I am voting for an overhaul in the system. I am voting for an overhaul of the people running the system. I am voting for Nick Perlas' message. I am voting for what I believe in. When I vote for Nick Perlas, I am voting for who and what I am.

Perlas is chasing windmills. So am I by voting for him. The world always has space for more idealism and blind faith, doesn't it?

Like I said, there are just too many delusional people in this country. I never realized I was talking about my self back them. At least, I am a delusional person at peace once I get my finger dirty on May 10. ;p

2010-04-11

"How to Train Your Dragon " rocks!

Dragons have always fascinated me. I am, after all, a lover of fantasy books. There was a time I'd buy books just because there is "dragon" in the title or in the cover. But then, I started to earn my own money and plan for bigger things so I had to be choosy.

I've seen the "How to Train Your Dragon" book several times in the bookstore and have thought of buying it. Unfortunately, other books kept overtaking it in my buying list. Until I realized that it is too late... the book is now a movie. So it is highly likely that when I buy the book, I'll have the Dreamworks cover.

Which is actually not that bad because the movie was absolutely enjoyable. I LOVED IT! The facial expressions of the characters were good. The script was great. The music was fascinating. The dragons were creative and lovable. The animation was fantastic.

At the end of the movie, I said to myself, "Best Animation Feature" nominee! I hope it wins but it might be too early to say especially with Toy Story 3 coming out. Nonetheless, I really really enjoyed the movie a lot and if movies were cheap, I'd watch it again.

This is one movie that would have been great in 3D. Unfortunately, Clash of the Titans just bumped it off. And that movie was not even that great.

How to Train Your Dragon! Watch it!!!

2010-04-04

i can buy books again!

since i got back, i had to hold back buying all the books that i wanted because... well, because i wasn't sure when i get a job. and while books would have been the perfect company while i was stuck at home waiting for job interviews, it would also be an unnecessary expenditure.

thank God for great friends who lend their own! bunny lent me "underpass" while andoy lent me the entire percy jackson series and some issues of fables. great reads! i finished all five books of PJ and fables issues in less than one week. i did read edgardo reyes' "maynila sa kuko ng liwanag" which was written in the 80's (or was it 70's) and unfortunately speaks the truth about poverty until now.

there were a lot of other books that i looked at longingly every time we entered a bookstore. some of the titles i wanted to read, since they were indie local comics, could only be found in local comics stores which thankfully are not in the easily accessible paths of the mall. in other words, kelangan sadyain.

now... i finally have a bit of disposable income. and so i bought some of the books that i wanted.
i have been looking for septimus heap for ages. none of the places i went have the first book. i went to a less-known branch of National Bookstore and found lots of copies. wooot!

Since the movie was coming out, I had to put it on priority list. Read the book, saw the movie. Makes it fun to be 12 and reading this.

And TRESE. Trese, trese, trese. Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo... wow. wow. wow. I can't get over the fact how amazing the story of Alexander Trese and the Kambal are. My fancy for local folklore has been tickled crazy. I've re-read the comics twice. In two days. And I want to read it again. And guess what... Neil Gaiman likes Trese too. NEIL GAIMAN LIKES TRESE. How cool is that?! How cool is that?! I think this book should be released world wide!

I hope the duo comes up with more Trese stories soon.

Anyway, I want to buy more books soon. But I think I should hold back a bit. I should really put a book cap on myself per month because I can go crazy especially since I've been using my credit card a lot (i know, i know... I tread dangerous waters here). I think I've reached my April quota. So I should buy on May already.

Next on the list is Elbert Or's Lola (as illustrator, not writer), Alanguilan's "Elmer" and "Where Bold Stars go to Die", the second Wimpy Kid and Septimus Heap book,

Though... on the 17th would be the KomikCon... so I may not be able to keep my word. uh-oh.