The foolish side of life

What is so special about the Libingan ng mga Bayani anyway?

Whats the point in all of these anyway? Me and my family is not a victim of the Marcos regime, nor has any of my relatives been deliberately executed during the Martial Law era, but how do you think will people (who were victims, or relatives of victims) would react to such a request?

1. Ferdinand Marcos, the man who reportedly gave the Philippines a First World status during his time, is also the man who:

a. declared Martial Law

b. responsible for millions of dollars laundered into secret swiss accounts

c. placed the country into its worst budget deficit, even the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas declared bankruptcy (wtf?)

d. responsible for extra judicial killings

Yeah, he was a good leader, possibly the greatest president because no one could be at par with his acheivements. BUT, he was also responsible for a lot of wrongdoings during his time. Why would we now listen to the outcry of his family to burry him at the Libingan ng mga Bayani? Or even consider a burial with full military honors for this man? Burrying him at the Libingan ng mga Bayani would not vindicate him of all the allegations thrown at his family or his regime.

2. This article speaks for itself. Why is Mrs. Marcos scared? She should be. Dont you think, after all these years, now is the worst time to push for such request. The president is Noynoy AQUINO. The son of the martyr who DIED DURING THE MARCOS REGIME. No human being, with this kind of background, will set aside his personal vendetta and favor such a request. If a man or his family, suspected to be behind the assasination of you father, is asking you a favor 2 decades after, will you favor their request? or even try listening? I dont think so.

3. I believe that this issue is more of a political issue: Ferdinand Marcos given the honor said to be “due” to him, the Marcoses rising up in power again, I strongly believe that theres more than what meets the eye. What is their personal agenda? Only time will tell, around 2016 maybe.

I hope the Marcoses find peace and let Ferdinand Marcos rest in peace. You dont have to be burried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani to be considered a hero. There are millions of unsung heroes out there, and yet they are honored everyday. Receiving honor is not restricted to uniformed soldiers accompanying the dead to the grave and a couple of gun shots fired before the burial. A greater honor is simply being remembered as the person that you were, the lives you’ve touched, and the amount of faith that you had towards your creator.

What is the rationale behind this blog? Its because of the arguments of anti-RH Bill advocates that we are not over populated based on our population density. Throwing examples such as Singapore and Hongkong which has high population density and yet they are progressive countries. First, lets go back to basics:

Population Density is computed by the total population over total land area of a country. Thus, having the answer X no. of people per X no. of square kilometers of land. PEOPLE, open your eyes.

Singapore, the small island state, is smaller than the island of Manhattan. The development of Singapore for the past 40 years is really exceptional, BUT it must be noted that the development of Singapore can be felt throughout its country. Meaning, there is an equal distribution of development in their country, which is felt by most, if not all, their citizens. Look at the Philippines:

Aside from Metro Manila (or Mega Manila to be politically correct) can you name another area which is relatively as progressive as the metro? The first thing that comes to mind next to Manila is Cebu. I was in Cebu 2 months ago, yeah there are new hotels beign built there, but the development in Cebu is still far from being the next Manila. Other than Cebu, can you name another city?

Going back to their stupid arguments about Singapore and Hongkong. Ive been to those two places recently. Wherever you go in this 2 cities, or states, you can feel the development. It shows that their whole land mass is being developed and utilized for the progress of their states. Let me ask you this rhetorical question: are you willing to live in Basilan or somewhere in Cagayan Valley so as to spread out the population of the country and be true to the “population density” argument of the anti-RH bill advocates? Can you experience the same degree of development that we have here in Manila?

You cannot compare apples to oranges, neither can you use established facts, twist it in order to serve your purpose. Deceit is a more serious sin, since your fooling people in order for them to agree to your stand.

I have a theory: people who THINK and use their brains can rationalize and see the benefit of the RH bill, people who DO NOT think and don’t use their brains simply listen to the twisted arguments, take sides and slam religion into the pro-RH bill advocates well in fact religion is not the one in question here. Now tell me, are you one of the people who thinks or you are part of the latter which lets your brains shrink because it is not being stimulated?

Lamborgini Aventador ad

THE LAMBORGINI AVENTADOR

A few months back, an issue of the Top Gear Magazine featured a concept car for the next generation of Lamborgini cars named Sesto Elemento. After reading the feature, i thought that the car was about 5 years ahead of its production since it featured aspects that go way beyond our time (which is a perfect justification for the term “concept car”).

Then ER showed me a video of a new lamborgini ad, and I was surprised, IT WAS THE SESTO ELEMENTO- or better yet, they gave it a name suitable for its stance and power- the all new LAMBORGINI AVENTADOR.

I am no car expert, im just a simple car enthusiast most boys (Ok fine, younger men) like my age who finds simple pleasures in reading car magazines during coffee breaks or saturday breakfasts. According to my research, the Aventador is a mighty bull somewhere in a province of spain where they have their bull festivals. I think everyone will agree on this that the name that the company gave to this model fits the description. Bullish. Mighty. What makes me say so? Here are some of the bullish and mighty specs of this car.

Running late for a date or a movie screening of The Fast and the Furious 5? No worries, this car will take you 0-60 mph (or 0-100kph) in 2.9 secs. Thats enough for your 700 HP V12 engine roaring over the metro manila skyway just in time for the kick-ass opening of Fast 5.

You want to make a statement as you roll in front of Greenbelt? With this car, you dont need an expensive watch or a crocodile-embroidered polo shirt. Going out of its cockpit with its signature suicide doors, which traces back from its predecessor the Countach, will give a man wearing shorts, plain white shirt and a pair of flip-flops all the pogi-points that he needs to score some chicks.

I LIKE THIS CAR. Period. But for the unknown price tag? I bet it’ll send chills throughout your body just to hear the 8-digit price. Its predecessor, the Lamborgini Murcielago SV (Super Veloce) has an estimated value of Php 40M, after paying our outrageous taxes (and some on the side, of course), will give you more or less an idea how much it would cost a billionaire, in the likes of Danding Cojuanco or Ramon Ang, to bring this car to our shores.  

Ok, after taking up your first degree at a university, what’s the next logical course of action? its either you take up another degree or you take your masters. Lucky for me i was able to do the latter in a pace much faster than the others. Why? Because at my univeristy, you simply need to meet the GWA, simply put “grade average”, of 1.8 or higher and pass the qualifying exams to pursue 5th year, or the Master of Science in Management (MScM) Program.

One of the on the job trainees was photocopying some stuff at the machine near my desk, and asked a few questions about the program. It made me reminisce the times when I was in 4th year torn on whether to take the 5th year or not. Today, I am thankful I did. Without the 5th year, i wouldnt be in this chair, in front of this computer waiting for my schedule to present the 1st semester report in front of our dear (and lovely) president.

So after taking up my masters, one of the frequent questions I get from people is “Are you planning to take up your doctorate degree?” in which I quickly answer “uhm. NO.” plain and simple. Though I want to teach part time, as a professor at my former university, embracing the academic life instead of the corporate one is simply not my thing. I dont have anything against people who do this for a living, but I believe that being a teacher is like being a priest- it is a calling that only a few receive.

Now back to that common question, NO im not planning to take up a doctorate degree but I am dreaming of taking up another MBA program elsewhere. And where the hell is this elsewhere? In a place where I can be with my parents and at the same time take up another MBA program which interests me. PHILADELPHIA. UNIVERSITY OF PENN. WHARTON.

Big names, big university, big price tag. But wait, lets start imagining: bigger paycheck, way better than my current pay grade for sure, nicer car and bigger house. This is my own version of THE great American dream. But, I got myself thinking: IS THIS REALLY WHAT I WANT TO PURSUE? because mind you, the investments this plan entails is far greater than most filipino “businessmen” shell out in order to put up their own business.

 I guess I wouldnt be able to answer that in the near future, but who knows? Maybe next time, ill be writing about my dorm room in the University of Pensylnvania, Wharton school of business. :)

Moments before the Levi’s party at Palladium Bar New World Hotel to support my love on her first event at the PR firm.

After 8 rhum cokes and 2 bottles of beer, i was dancing at the ledge with my friends… and then i noticed my watch. IT WAS 3:30 and i had to go to work by 8 or 9am! Nonetheless, i just enjoyed the night (and the morning) and decided to skip my corporate duties the next day.