a new day

Today the Philippines welcomed a new president.

Today the Philippines breathed a sigh of relief as it gets rid of a president whose legitimacy has always been in question.

Today the Philippines hopes that this man, the son of a martyr and a former president, will restore, at the very least, trust in the system.

While I did not vote for this man, I accept his overwhelming mandate. I embrace the hope he gives to people. I accept the challenge he has launched during his speech.

Let's all work together, shall we?

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

Why I do not think we should have a twelve year education cycle (yet)

Many presidentiables and even civil society are pushing for a twelve year education cycle. I think I am one of the few who do not find this a promising solution at the moment.

Here is a quick summary as to why I feel that way:

The quality of our present education system is already flawed. At grade 3, only 50-60% actually learn what their level should know. We need to ensure the quality of our ten years before adding to it.

More than 50% of our students are out of school by high school. This does not signify an Education Nation. Exert more effort putting children in school FIRST.

As it is our budget for education is below the UNESCO recommended. We lack teachers, classrooms, chairs, restrooms, books as it is. Do we even have enough budget for another two years?

There is lack of attention to teacher’s training. We should increase our budget for the skills upgrading of our teacher, so they can teach our children better, so the kids can learn better.

(The situation may be different for those studying in elite, private schools. I write this with the situation of urban and rural public schools in mind.)

This is the declared situation and my explanation with has more supporting data:

The Philippines has the shortest education system in Asia. Our neighbours have 13 years, while the Philippines have ten, not including the recently declared compulsory pre-education for Filipino children. Filipino students are lagging behind our Asian neighbours. In 1999, the results of an international test taken by Filipino eighth graders ranked the Philippines 36^th out of 38 countries. These facts led the Department of Education to conclude that the answer to a better-educated Filipino people would be to add two more years of education to level the playing field with our Asian neighbours.

I take a controversial stand. There are other deeper, more immediate issues on the Philippine education system which need to be addressed, which requires a solution other than adding two years of education. IT IS a solution, but not THE solution for a better educated Philippines. There are other actions that need be addressed FIRST and must take PRIORITY.

National diagnostic tests for third graders and sixth graders reveal that only 50% gain competency in English, Math and Science (World Bank 2004 data). This shows that without having completed the Philippine education cycle, our students are already performing below par. This then also shows that the problem of our education system is already problematic FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. Adding years would not make those sixth and third graders perform better. We need to provide quality education more than quantity education.

More than 25% of Filipino children are out of primary school and more than 50% are not in high school. Dropout rate in high school is 20% (National Statistical Coordination Board data). This shows that we have a more urgent issue at hand. The challenge to the government then is how do we get the other half of our students in school? Should we further the cause of ALS (alternative learning systems) or should we be more vigilant in supporting them so they can be formally educated? Whatever it is, adding two years will not solve this problem and may even create a bigger education gap.

UNESCO recommends a budget allocation of 6% of GNP. As of 2006, the government only allocated 3% of GNP. Our 2008 budget was further reduced to 2.18%. While the budget decreases, the number of students increases by the year. So this budget shortage would translate more shortages in classrooms, teachers, facilities and school materials.

Classroom shortage is so severe that schools are forced to conduct morning and afternoon shifts (sometimes evenings!) Single shifts = shortage of 74,115 classrooms. Double shifts = 6,832 classrooms (1 room: 50 students). We are short of 3.48million chairs as of 2008. Double shifts would mean six hours for eight subjects and triple shifts would be just four hours in the classroom. How then do we expect our students to perform well against our Asian brothers when there is hardly time for our students to learn what they have to?

As of 2005, there is a shortage of 50,000 teachers which is probably a reason why target teacher to classroom ratio is 1:50 (ideal is 1:25 according to studies). DepEd budget for teacher trainings does not benefit all of the 500,000 existing teachers (2005 data). What is interesting, while I was doing research regarding DepEd budgets for teacher training, I could not find anything sufficient. Most of the issues being addressed by DepEd and by its critics are the lack of infrastructure and textbooks. I could not find anything sufficient data on how many are being trained in a year, how much is actual budget for training. This leads me to think that teacher’s training is least priority. I think this is a big mistake. TEACHERS ARE THE CORE, THE HEART of education. A good teacher will still be able to teach their students with resources available while a good classroom will be useless with a bad teacher. This is not to say that infrastructure should be dismissed. This is to say that the DepEd must give better priority to developing their teachers.

(This has yet into consideration the reaction poorer families against the DepEd 2004 proposal for a bridging program year. Parents complained that this would require additional expenses on their part. Expenses they can not afford. Additional years in education would mean expenses on baon, transportation, books, projects... An additional two years would also mean more expenses on the part of the government. This money that would be spent on the additional two years, could be used for more pressing education concerns.)

What I am basically trying to say is there are too many problems in our education system which contribute to the non-performance of our students vis-a-vis our Asian neighbours. These are problems that have persisted through time and have yet to be addressed. My stand is for the government to tackle these issues first. If they are hell bent on the additional years, then I suggest a thorough study be done to ensure that that is the immediate and best answer to our problems.

the campaign period begins...

right now, i'm watching TV Patrol feature the different campaign launch of presidential candidates. as expected, the front runners have their bonggang-bonggang activities. bands. dancing. actors. personalities. willie revillame (*gasp*).

with the debates and the news giving the candidates more exposure, i have more or less an idea who i want to vote for. it has yet to be backed by a decent research but mainly driven by gut feel.

for now, i am quite inclined to vote for nicanor perlas. as i said, we have the same vision when it comes to education particularly first language instruction of which i am very passionate about. another thing that i am quite excited about when it comes to nick perlas is how he wants civil society to be closely involved with governance. having worked for NGOs most of my life, i have come to believe that true sustainable development can only come from synergy among stakeholders.

this is not set in stone though. i have yet to review his track record and determine how he plans to execute his platform. but i will admit to being enamored by the romance of his vision. in this regard, i take back what i said that i will not give my vote to sentimentality. this might be my act of sentimentality... to vote for someone people consider an underdog, way below the radar with hardly the 'financial' goods to back it up.

i have not ruled out the others yet though.

i'm still strongly considering gordon, though he has slid a few points for me after i realized that he was really serious with the kindle and the P40,000 public school teachers' salary. while i wish the salary scheme was possible, i do not find this a realistic vision. (i like how perlas answered when he was asked about this in the inquirer Q&A). gordon is right in saying that this implies repercussions in taxation. as employed middle-class, i do not think i can afford to have more money taken away from me by the government. at the same time, kindle will not make children more educated. a good percentage of schools hardly have access to electricity, much less e-books. train the teachers. provide decent text books and classrooms. that is what we need. i am still considering him because people in olongapo vouch for the good work he has done as SBMA chairman. i was very impressed with his DOT work. i have yet to review his work in the senate though.

now, for the front runners.

when people were wanting noynoy to run for president, i hope that he won't. when he decided to run, i was a bit disappointed but somehow i did have hopes. he is after all the son of ninoy and cory. but despite the disappointment, i was inclined to vote for him. despite the fact that he was reluctant, that he was inexperienced. i was inclined to vote for him because people, many of which are good friends, campaign for him and sincerely believe him. i thought, if he were president, it's good to know that civil society is behind him. that if he will owe people, it will be civil society. HOWEVER, the past few weeks he has been losing points for me. mainly because of how his campaign is being directed. there is too much negative campaigning going on. he seems to talk more about how bad villar is rather than what he can do for the country (aside from not stealing). i forgot was tv patrol was saying in the news tonight, but my reaction was just, "stop it, stop it! why do you make it about villar all the time?' it's really such a turn off. that is not how i envision moral ascendancy.

i do not close my doors on noynoy. i am still hoping that i see something in him that will make me decide to vote for him. i want to like him so bad for so many reasons. but mainly because he has good, nay, great people backing him up. i believe in these people so i want to believe in him. mainly because of this, he is still up for consideration.

ah, yes. he who holds the holy grail of jingles, manny villar. i give him credit for having that thick skin with all the jabs he is getting from jamby and LP. however, this 'i am poor' story is getting old. you WERE poor. you are not now. and i am so unsatisfied with how he has been handling the C-5 issue. we have been subject to endless avoidances of GMA regarding the issues thrown against her. i want him to answer monsod's questions point per point because she does present interesting facts. (however, i do not like how the senate is handling the inquiries either)

i do have this feeling that villar is not after my vote. looking at the strategy of his campaign, from earworm jingles to Willie Revillame and Sarah Geronimo endorsements, it's clear who he wants to talk to. my vote is not his loss because i don't think he's after it in the first place.

jamby is starting to grow on me though. i'm starting to be glad she's running because she provides such comic relief.

i forgot bro. eddie in the other post, by the way.

as for the others, wala na talaga. i dislike GMA so much that, while i am charmed by gibo's wit and good looks, i will not even consider him. i am not comfortable having a religious leader run the country. i do not like how jc de los reyes is cutting off the RH bill. erap and his many wives... no.

there are still three more months before the actual elections. so much can happen. so much can be discovered. this can change within that period. for now, this is my short list.

presidentiables and politics

the battle among presidential candidates are getting hotter as the campaign period draws near. i expect more mud-slinging and negative campaigning in the coming days.

we have been subjected to elections of voting for the lesser evil. yet i am thinking about what kind of lesser evil do i allow?

today the news revealed that manny villar is fast catching up with noynoy aquino. this can probably be attributed to the amount of 'airtime' villar is getting with the C-5 scandal. as conrado de quiros mentioned in his column, his publicity is giving villar an advantage because noynoy is getting less coverage (though arguably, the SCTEX issue cropped up in relation to the C-5 issue).

but then i think that is too presumptuous. we have to remember as well, that noynoy has not given people a solid reason why he should be elected president other than the fact that he will not be corrupt (but is not SCTEX a form of corruption as well?). i honestly do not find this a sufficient reason to give my vote to him. i adore his parents but my vote is too precious to be left to sentimentality.

i find it disturbing that it took villar a long time to face the senate and say his piece about the situation. when he finally did, he walked out immediately leaving questions unanswered. maari ngang lutong macao pero napapapaisip ako kung bakit ayaw niyang sumagot. if he is really for the people then it is not really the senate that he owes an explanation to but the people. and it is not enough for me to be directed to the website (though i should start studying their profiles soon) for that question to be answered. things are easy to hide in writing. facing a crowd full of questions takes guts. and i want my leader to have guts and to be honest. i have a feeling that villar has not yet shown this.

on the other hand, i am also disturbed by the fact that noynoy has not given a satisfactory answer regarding hacienda luisita. when i listen to him answer questions in debates, he is always vague and unclear. i find this as dangerous as not answering questions. more so because people loyal to him can interpret it the way to his advantage. or even those he is loyal to. after these past few months, i am still unclear what he stands for. moral ascendancy is too precious a term to just be given away like that. this is something that is shown or practiced and not claimed.

one question i have regarding this senate inquiry on villar though is, why just villar? have we not heard news of bayani fernando's construction company doing the overpasses and fly overs and urinals all over the metro? why has this not been raised in the senate? did i miss this one? because i hope not. i dislike the guy because he has turned metro manila into one giant ugly playground. i could not take it seriously with the blue and pink (in the shade of the blue and pink in an 8-color crayola box). makati has similar structures but it looks serious and clean. i digress. anyway... why have i not heard of this? if you have, please point me to the right direction so i can read about it.

and why has the senate not exerted the same amount of time and effort with the arroyo scandals? why do they let it die down? yet this issue with villar drags on and on.

right now, neither one is on top of my list. unless i get the last minute idea that i should just vote for a candidate who is more likely to win rather than one i truly believe in. i have not done that ever yet. i voted for roco twice despite knowing how little chance he had because he was who i believed in.

i hardly have the same certainty for any candidate as much as i did for roco. though i am strongly considering nick (perlas) and dick (gordon).

i don't care if gordon is using his red cross experience because it could not be any worse than asking me if i have swam in a sea of garbage or being told of his heritage over and over. i thoroughly enjoyed gordon's time sa DOT secretary. all those WOW activities generated a lot of local tourism. though after being informed that he feels kindle is the answer to education woes lost a few points for me. but i don't think that will fly anyway. but he seems to be able to get things done. and we need things done in this country. we are too stuck in words and debate. :(

nick perlas, on the other hand, swept me off my feet when he said he would push for first language medium of instruction. i think he was the most clear with what he wanted to happen in terms of education. he gives well thought out answers and seemed intelligent enough. he just is not popular enough, unfortunately. if he chose to run for senate, he would definitely be one of my top votes. but who knows... i never really factored in winnability when it comes to casting my vote.

as for the rest...

erap. he should not even be a candidate. stupid comelec knows that by putting him in the roster is inviting a constitutional crisis. he looks like he still has his dose of booze and women. no no no. i do not want a president who slurs.

gibo. well.... he is quite a looker. and it's nice to listen to him talk. he won pogi points for me when he answered that he should abstain himself from GMA issues because they are of the same party. it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. so i credit him for honesty. and honesty in this game is a breath of fresh air. nonetheless, it is clear that he does not run the party, that he is a puppet by the very fact that he allowed edu manzano to be his running mate. at the same time, masyado syang magaling magpalusot sa mga GMA questions. he answers the questions, but the things he does not say sound scary to me. can still be considered but more likely a no vote.

jamby. number one nuisance candidate. i can't believe they disqualified ladlad and not this woman. NO NO NO NO!

jc delos reyes. no sex education? are you kidding me?! and i also want a president who can speak with confidence. maybe he should run for mayor first. no.

anyone i missed out?

if you have any dirt on gordon or perlas, i welcome it. and if you have arguments for villar and noynoy, i welcome it as well. i have not done much research on the candidates yet. my thoughts are mainly formed from what i see on tv and read on the newspaper and my own gut feel.

if you are a follower of any of the candidates, i welcome a sales pitch. i want to know why you are voting for your candidate. if you want to argue, do so, but do not take it personally against me. i am not out to be vile against your candidate (unless she is jamby or BF) rather it is just what i see.

i am very confused. :(

think about your local governent too

I've been quite concerned for the past few days regarding the 2010 elections. Most of the information that we are getting are those in the national level. Followers of presidential candidates are doing a lot of hard sell. People are thinking hard of who to vote for this coming May. I, for one, have yet to decide for who to vote for. But one thing I have been bothered about the last few weeks is the local government level. I think we should work as hard educating our peers about local candidates especially those in Congress.

GMA is running for Congressman in Pampanga. This just goes to show how much she really lacks dignity or pride. Much worse, this goes to show how much she is addicted to power. I do not know who her opponent is but I heard that that person hardly stands a chance. Given how loyal Kapampangans are (for better or for worse), it is highly likely that we have not seen the last of this evil incarnate.

We know that she holds majority of the Congress in her hands. In a few months, we will be seeing her in the Congressional halls. I am certain that she will once again push for Charter Change. If majority of the people in Congress are loyal to her, then it is highly likely that she might just get what she wants after all.

So I really worry about this. Seriously worried. Thus I hope that people will be vigilant to campaign against those who have continuously supported GMA if we want to see a semblance of integrity return to our political system with her departure from Malacanang.

In response to 'Ganito Tayo Noon, Ganito Tayo Ngayon' centerfold in the Inquirer

In the centerfold of the Inquirer is a huge table of data comparing our present data compared to past presidents. It is undeniable that this is another attempt by the government to laud the 'achievements' of the nine-year GMA regime.

First response to that is that the UN itself is saying the Philippines is performing poorly in the Education For All program (EFA), trailing only after Tanzania and Zambia. Here's the link:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100120-248349/UN-RP-trails-Tanzania-Zambia-in-education

Data given:
Teachers' salaries from P9,939 in 2000 to P14,198 in 2009. Excuse me but given the inflation, their value is probably just about the same.

Textbook to student ratio: 1:1 for English and Sibika in Elementary, 1:1 for English, Math and Science for High School. Sounds good. But what about the other subjects? And do you honestly think these books translate to better understanding on the kids part? AND are they allowed to bring this books home in the first place? I've visited rural public schools before and the kids ARE NOT allowed to bring them home because they will get old fast and may not be able to be used the next year.

Classroom to Students ratio: 1:39 Elementary and 1:55 HS. This ratio is not exactly something to feel good about. A conducive learning environment for children and a manageable classroom level for teachers would be a ratio of 1:20--25. 30 at most. And excuse me, but you have failed to note that A GOOD NUMBER OF SCHOOLS HAVE THREE SHIFTS OF FOUR HOURS just so there would be less students in class. So you think students can learn seven subjects in four hours?!! Tell me.

PAG-IBIG calamity loans for Ondoy and Pepeng victims: None for 2000. P12B for 2009. ALANGAN!!! Walang Ondoy at Pepeng nuon. Please say NOT APPLICABLE.

Farm to Market roads: 1998-2000 = 3,044 kms. GMA term = 17,517. Woman, you had nine years to accomplish that. Your average is just about the same.

OFW Deployment: 841,628 OFWs in 2000. 1.28M Jan-Nov 2009. You are proud of sending people abroad to work to keep this country afloat? Many are leaving this country, finding work abroad because they are desperate to survive. Nothing to be proud about.

Land distribution through agrarian reform: 523,000 hectares 1998-2000. 1.8M from 2001 to Sept 2009. That's just an average of 200,000 hectares per year for you. 260,000 hectares for Erap.

Buying rice for palay: P8.50 per kilo in 2000. P17 per kilo in 2009. Excuse me, magkano bigas nuon? I think it was around P18. Magkano ngayon? P30-40. Hello.

Cellphone subscribers: 6.4 M in 2000. 75M in 2009
Internet usage: 1.98% 2000/24.5% in 2009
1) It was just starting then. What do you expect?
2) I think Globe, Smart and Sun are the ones we should thank for this. Not you.
3) And oh... do you remember the time when text messaging was free? We pay P1 per text now. Whee. Hah.
4) Wala pang FB at kasisimula pa lang ng Friendster. Wala pang halaga ang internet nuon. (hehe! joke lang to)

There are so much more data in the newspaper. I can't seem to find it online yet. But those stuff up there are the only ones I have an answer to. The economy part... malamang it's true. I know crap about econ.

I mean I understand the needing to justify what you have done for your work. I used to that for my work too. But the thing that pisses me off is that those data pretends that everything is fine and dandy in this country because she took over. Pshaw. No, it's not.

knowing it's your time

Press Secretary Cerge Remundo passed away today from a heart attack. Sudden and unexpected. I don't remember ever liking him. I even came to a point of absolutely disliking him after the Le Cirque incident last August. Despite that, I feel for his family and friends who mourn his loss.

But I wonder if he saw it coming. His last FB status was a prayer of entrusting all worries and fear to the Lord. It gave me goosebumps reading it.

It led me to wonder how much of a blessing it is for someone to somehow know it is his time. He can be able to come to terms with all the things he has done or failed to do. He can say goodbye, forgive those who have hurt him and most importantly, forgive himself for whatever guilt one may have in the heart. At least one can go in peace...

I condemn the Ampatuan massacre

yesterday, 21 people were killed in Maguindanao. people were on their way to the COMELEC office to file a certificate of candidacy. they never made it. along the way, 40 were taken hostage and 21 of them found dead. the massacre is being blamed on Gov. Ampatuan, a new Maguidanao dynasty, but one not afraid to abuse its power.

I condemn these killings. I condemn any abuse of political power. I condemn the culture of impunity in the Philippines. I do not know what my condemning it can do. But I want my government to know about it. I want my people to know about it.