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Monday, October 4, 2010

Comments on “The so-called Philippine “Elite”: failure of leadership”


  • frustratedcitizen wrote on 17 September, 2010, 9:24

    “…use their training and expertise to analyze situations in a more realistic fashion and make no further ado about nothing.”

    –indeed, that’s how professionals should handle any situation no matter what kind of emotion they encounter in the process. Unfortunately for our country, there are many professionals who apply this kind of thinking only on selected areas – and that, in their list, does not include the Philippine government and how citizens’ decisions affect the government. Thus we have the incompetent government that is handling the country right now.

    another brilliant piece Mam Ilda, bravo!

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    Thanks frustratedcitizen

    In saying that he was “insulted” by the letter from a HK Official, it was evident that P-Noy was letting his emotion cloud his judgement. He was not acting like a real statesman. He was not advocating peace with our neighbours.

    [Reply]

    frustratedcitizen Reply:

    PNoy is using the usual ‘I’m the victim’ tactic to get sympathy from the people since he’s losing his popularity even more from Aug.23 onwards… hopes that his popularity nosedives till it crashes to the ground. I can’t stand having an incompetent leader. (I didn’t vote for him)

    just got back to work today.. am glad I’m in not in front of the TV in my hometown.. so sick of watching news on the media giants channels, its obviously biased…good thing I don’t have television in my rented place. bwahahaha

    [Reply]

    surigaokid Reply:

    @ ilda and frustratedcitizen
    It’s time to move on. Please move on from the last elections, clearly you guys are stuck. Vigilantly waiting P-Noy will make a mistake and then succumb to it. So quick to judge that the president is incompetent, man i hate these bashing and bashing! Give the guy a break, he’s still three months in office! Ms. Ilda you’re telling us to be a good citizen and be proactive, proactive in what? in bashing? So you know what proactive means, go to Bagong Silang, Caloocan, go to Smokey Mt., go to Baseco, you will see good citizens and proactive Filipinos helping their kapwa pilipino, these Filipinos volunteer their time for their countrymen, may it be house building, feeding program, medical missions, etc. There are a lot of organizations you can volunteer like Gawad Kalinga. Proactive means getting our hands dirty trying to lift the lives of our less fortunate kababayans.

    ilda Reply:

    @surigaokid

    Please tell P-Noy that it is time to switch off the campaign mode. He is still doing lots of stunts just to entertain the masa. His latest was when he ate hotdog in NY. Not that there is anything wrong with eating a hotdog in NY. I just think that he should have avoided all the fuss. We all know that the streets and the air in America are clean which is why he was able to stroll along comfortably. He should focus on doing his job so one day Filipinos both rich and poor can stroll along Manila streets comfortably too.

    You know I have nothing against organizations like Gawad Kalinga. In fact, you don’t even know if I have given contributions to similar organizations, so you don’t have a right to judge me. The thing is, organizations that run on volunteers is not really sustainable. They are also what you call bandaid solutions. They do not address the core problem of our society.

    Antipinoy.com digs a little deeper into the why we are in this mess to begin with.

    BongV

    BongV Reply:

    barely 3 month and his incompetence is quite glowing.

    proactive – choose the right candidate

    proactive - advocate for the parliamentary system where incompetents like Aquino can be removed through a vote of no confidence.

    GK – oh puhlleeeeezeeee - :lol: lokohin nyo lelong nyong panot :lol:

    surigaokid Reply:

    C’mon man, move on. We already elected a president. Clearly you are stuck with the loss of your candidate during last elections. The president’s term is 6 years, he is barely 3 months is office, That is 4% time he already spent in his term. And by the way, GK has built 1,700+ communities (approx. 40 houses per community) for the poorest of the poor all over the country.

    Proactive – advocate for parliamentary system? Why not advocate for something more concrete. Pero Sige lang, trip mo yan e. Sabi nga nila, walang basagan ng trip.

    surigaokid Reply:

    @ ilda
    First of all, I did not judge you. I was just suggesting how we can do more concrete actions in trying to build our country. I don’t agree that volunteer organization is not sustainable. GK has 1,700 communities and counting, I don’t know what sustainable means to you. But the 1700 communities and millions of lives look sustainable to me.
    P-Noy went to the US for investments. Earlier in the news, we received a grant from the US, $434 Million. That’s why we went there.

    ilda Reply:

    @surigao

    Why do you keep insisting that writing the truth is not a concrete action?

    You are so fixated on charity that you think the grant given by the US government is already the result of P-Noy’s hard work.

    palebluedot_ Reply:

    “There are a lot of organizations you can volunteer like Gawad Kalinga. Proactive means getting our hands dirty trying to lift the lives of our less fortunate kababayans.”

    GK people are addicted to the yellow pee of the president. Most of my GK friends (?) are so snobbish & pretentious. They believe they are the real elites (“alta sa sociedad”), esp. now that their kapamilya is the el presidente. The first time I inquired to join that GK group several years ago (right after my time with Habitat for Humanity), I was met with scorn by the members because they said I do not belong to their caste division. They own schools; I only teach in a school. They own hospitals; I only manage a community clinic. Their coverage area is nationwide, with ABS-CBN’s camera in tow; my coverage area are only the families living under the bridge & by the river, street kids, old people with no one to take care of & unemployed college grads, with 5mp resolution digcam in my purse to be used for my co-volunteers FB. The GK in my neighborhood is an oligarch’s club. They are so crazy in campaigning against charter change, not using their kukote that they will have cleaner hands if they only allow investors to enter our country to give their so-called less fortunates descent jobs. Yak! Why do this people always have a love affair with their dirty hands?!?

    surigaokid Reply:

    Writing the truth? Judging P-Noy incompetent is writing the truth? I just think you have to slow your comments down, P-Noy just took the position three months ago. The thing here is that you can’t accept the truth that Filipinos elected P-Noy. You need to give the guy a chance. If he fails, the Filipinos fail. And if he fails, will you feel happy just to prove your point? Well, you cannot please everybody. My hope is that you will be able to be more hopeful for the country’s well being, without compromising our vigilance with the government.
    @palebluedot
    I hope i can enlighten you as i myself have volunteered in GK. I am an ordinary Filipino with big dreams of having a better future for me and my family. I started volunteering because i felt we are more connected as a people than divided. The slum areas affect me and my family. During my stay in the villages where we help build houses, i see first hand real hope right before me. I volunteer once in a while in building houses, i get to talk to the beneficiaries and hearing first hand stories how their lives have changed. We build these houses together with the beneficiaries, as they say it, bayanihan. You feel their joy every time we go to a GK Village. It’s unfortunate to hear your first encounter with GK. Well, i can give you my word. I can tour you around a GK Village for us to clear things up, because as far as i know what you are talking about, i’s not GK.

    ilda Reply:

    @surigao

    I guess you are one of those who do not read the article in its entirety. As I said in the article, even Winnie Monsod is saying P-Noy is not up to scratch.

    Don’t be blind, dude. Even if the President is just one day old in his post, you should be able to tell already if he is capable or not. Aside from his gaffes, he does not have any concrete plans for the future anyway. Did you even read the article I recommended to you?

    BongV

    BongV Reply:

    less than 8 bills in 3 years is competent? 8O

    a continuous series of gaffes in less than 3 months is competent? 8O

    WA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

    you helped build the villages – have you ever bothered to ask how the donations to GK are being spent? what percent is actually being spent on the projects 8)

    my boy – you don’t see “the big picture” – that’s because you are in surigao :mrgreen:

    surigaokid Reply:

    @BongV
    That’s the problem my friend. You are so quick to judge. No faith in the Filipino. Well, that’s why your website is anti-pinoy, i thought you guys were objective and the word “anti-pinoy” is just a marketing brand.
    Why? Do you know how the donations are spent? I know how. Actually their auditor. is Isla Lipana.

    @ilda
    Can i buy you a drink? Can we have coffee sometimes? It’s on me. I promise, we will not be arguing. :))

    BongV

    BongV Reply:

    you audited the funds disbursed in your area – how about – in the areas overseas – where the funds were raised? have you audited those funds?

  • kssael wrote on 17 September, 2010, 9:41

    “And then there are The Realists, including a few public officials, a few members of the Media and a few technocrats and professionals. They use their training and expertise to analyze situations in a more realistic fashion and make no further ado about nothing.”

    This.

    They are already becoming a dying breed nowadays. Even the so-called “elite” on mainstream media are being hailed by the sheep of the nation, since we have a sheepdog. The sad fact is that only the “Realists” have to dwell in the depths of the cyberspace and underground literature in order for them to be not shunned by society, but to awaken those who are willing to see the clear picture of this country.

    [Reply]

    Aegis-Judex Reply:

    Well, this endangered species is the true elite, the true human being. Every single Flip, however, isn’t. Making reference to SC and SC2, the Realists are the Protoss to the Flip Zerg. All we need now are purifier beams to burn the lesser creatures to ashes. 8)

    [Reply]

    killem Reply:

    remember, the protoss, lost, their home planet and the war in SC1….hope the “realists” wont suffer the same fate =)

    [Reply]

    Aegis-Judex Reply:

    If the Philippines were Aiur, where do you think Shakuras will be, if it comes to that.

    Aegis-Judex Reply:

    Erratum: “…if it comes to that?”
    Me, I think the world outside the Philippines is Shakuras. What of you?

    ilda Reply:

    Hi kssael

    Sad to say you are correct. People do not want to hear the bad news because they prefer to see only “fun” things on their FB wall. And then when there’s a crisis, they are totally clueless about why it happened or they just shrug it off. Most Filipinos think that only the public officials are in charge of the public affairs.

    Being a good citizen means being proactive. Filipinos should speak up and be mindful of how the country should be run. They need to write/contact their barangays when they see something amiss in their backyard. They can’t just shrug things off and then get surprised when the situation is already out of hand.

    [Reply]

    frustratedcitizen Reply:

    correct Mam Ilda!

    the filipino thinking is always a reactive one, that is why we are always caught off guard on disasters and tragedies. if we have been proactive all along, like most well-developed countries, then we won’t have such problems like we are experiencing right now here in the Philippines.

    (then the pro-Noynoys will then say, no one’s perfect — classic ; advanced rebuttal mode)

    –nobody’s perfect, but wouldn’t it be better if we aim for perfection? aiming for perfection brings excellence. most filipinos don’t aim for perfection – the result is the poor performance.
    –being proactive is better. yes we are not perfect; but being proactive will minimize the tragedies, disasters , and mishaps that we are still having right now. if the president has been proactive during the hostage crisis, malamang walang namatay na turista. better result, right?

    [Reply]

  • NFA rice wrote on 17 September, 2010, 10:06

    @Ilda
    I just wish to say to Monsod that we don’t need to ‘imagine’ the shortcomings of PNoy. We only turn on the tv for the news or read all about it on the internet, including the Inquirer’s website.

    What’s up with the Friendlies and Unfriendlies characterization? Do we all have to be PNoy’s friends so that our criticism can be accepted as legitimate? I cannot consider myself as his friend because we do not know each other personally. He is my President. That’s it. Her characterization smacks of undemocratic malice. Let’s ignore the malice. How useful is it? Can she explain?

    What about those Friendly’s that would only praise his every move? Do they have a positive contribution?

    She has to answer these

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    Exactly NFA rice

    She should stick to analysing datas instead of analysing people’s motives.

    [Reply]

    NFA rice Reply:

    @Ilda
    Her criticism of Aquino was OK until she started her ‘groupings’ of Aquino’s critics. It seems she is trying to tell Aquino that not all criticisms are unfriendly (ie wanting to fail him). Granting that the grouping is valid, how could she address the question that his supporters (might) turn against him?

    She better review her articles before they get published. The childish categorization lowered my admiration.

    [Reply]

    NFA rice Reply:

    This brings into question Benigno Aquino’s character. He only listens to ‘friends’.

  • Paolo wrote on 17 September, 2010, 10:35

    My activist friend offered me this piece of wisdom:

    “The ones who stand in the middle are the first to die in the crossfire.”

    [Reply]

    crust Reply:

    So… you need to either be ultra-right or ultra-left to be safe?

    [Reply]

    Paolo Reply:

    That means that you have to have conviction in who or what should believe in. Its not just about left and right, you know.

    [Reply]

    Hi-C Reply:

    What if you’re sitting between a fence-sitter and an ultra-whatever?

    [Reply]

    BongV

    BongV Reply:

    fence sitters become collateral damage – refugees.

    ilda Reply:

    The Phil society is full of people who are happy to be fence-sitters all their life. They see people like us as divisive. Never mind that when they judge others like GMA without any of the allegations against her being proven in court, they are doing exactly that.

    [Reply]

    noremedies Reply:

    Maybe they’re just audiences, doormats, or whatever you prefer calling it, but some people just do not wish to enter the fray, especially debating with regards to politics, religion, and the like. Think of it as their comfort zone, they want no enemies or people hating them for their stand.

    It’s not their intellect (or lack thereof) that prohibits them to go out and talk, I think it’s more of the personalities of those involved. While some are outspoken, some are justifiably inexpressive.

    But I do agree with you Ilda, people have come to look down on thinkers who wish to express their opinions, most of which are contrary to popular belief, and these people joyfully, without doubting, join the bandwagon, and be part of the “hate” mob against a much-criticized personality.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @noremedies

    If they choose to not participate in the running of the country, I hope they don’t act surprised with the number of casualties when the next calamity strikes. Anyway,they will have an excuse as usual. They never include blaming themselves for voting for incompetent leaders in the first place.

  • Parallax wrote on 17 September, 2010, 11:34

    you’re right about monsod’s slip-up, ilda.

    wherever a noynoy critic’s loyalty might lie, if the criticism is true, such loyalty does not diminish the validity of that criticism.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    I saw through what she was trying to do as soon as I got to the part of her article grouping P-Noy’s critics. It’s as if P-Noy comes with an instruction: “FRAGILE – handle with care.”

    [Reply]

    May Party Sa Dasma Wala Akong Wheels Reply:

    Must be because Noynoy is a spoilt egg.

    [Reply]

  • Ronald Montemayor wrote on 17 September, 2010, 12:37

    At least the late Teddyman Benigno was brave enough to stand by his principles during the late Cory Aquino’s administration.
    He resigned from his cabinet position when he became a full blown critic of the 1st Aquino government.

    He knew that you can’t have it both ways.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @Ronald

    We don’t have that kind of statesman anymore. Pakapalan na ng mukha.

    [Reply]

  • Hyden Toro wrote on 17 September, 2010, 12:52

    I do not subcribe to people with supposed known expertise and educational attainments, that they cannot be susceptible to Poor Judgement. The problem of us Filipinos is: we don’t use our common sense. We depend on people, to do the thinking for us. Regarding the Aquinos. I have no qualmn in calling them:Unabashed Opportunists. They went to politics; to protect their huge landholding: Hacienda Luisita. How can one family own almost all of the Province of Tarlac? Is a good question to be reckon with. And this family is not even a Native Filipino. If we are really sincere in moving our country. We have to face our Realities. Solve them; not with gimmicks; not with deodorize press releases; not with paid Media minions, who will praise anybody who can pay. But, with sincerity and eagerness to really better ourselves… :-)

    [Reply]

  • Sareet L wrote on 17 September, 2010, 13:46

    I read Monsod’s essay with disappointment, too. She is clearly unable to be objective about her assessment of Noynoy (for whatever reason – emotional or utilitarian?). Why the ‘malice’ swipe at those who call a spade a spade, who are unafraid to point out glaring shortcomings of the president? No matter how much knowledge and education she might possess regarding economics, etc., her inability to assess things and people dispassionately automatically makes her judgment about other things suspect from hereon, because her evaluation of anything now can not be guaranteed to be untainted by her personal bias.

    Another fine posting from my fave AP blogger! Thanks, Ilda!

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @Sareet L

    I have to hand it to folks like her along with de Quiros, they have a way with words that appeal to the masses. They can wiggle their way out of any corner they paint themselves into to.

    Thanks!

    [Reply]

  • red
    red wrote on 17 September, 2010, 13:47

    i think this article exposed who mareng winnie voted for… and how she now regrets it.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    In her article, it’s as if she was trying to reach out to the Aquino family and make them understand that she needs to be a critic too – a “friendly” one who means well unlike the “unfriendlies.”

    [Reply]

    frustratedcitizen Reply:

    you cannot claim to be a ‘friendly critic’, since it’s in the eyes of the one being criticized if your criticisms will be viewed as ‘friendly, constructive, or simply degrading. in short, it’s in the eyes of the beholder. sorry winnie monsod, a critic will always be a critic -it’s a harsh reality indeed

    [Reply]

    Aegis-Judex Reply:

    Laa, in the eyes of the Flip, a critic is an enemy. No more, no less.

  • markus cebuano wrote on 17 September, 2010, 16:57

    i lost my interest to monsod after airing her side at GMA-7. The talk was about the 300% increase in toll gate. …. the only advise that was clear from here is ” if you dont want to pay the high toll fee, then dont use it. there is always the service road you can use anytime for free” i find this statement very rude to normal JUAN or filipinos.. especially to a person coming from an elite thinker or economist.. she needs to realize that these slex.nlex. etc though they are privately owned, they are occupying our land and has ease so much traffic. everyone can come to work on time or deliver there services or goods on time. these makes these roads very important to everyone lives and the economy. Telling a poor Juan to use the service roads which monsod knew that its so traffic, is just too rude. that time i thought, Monsod is prolly part of these wealthy tycoons payroll system.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    Great! They’ll fix the road but you’re not meant to use it.

    [Reply]

    killem Reply:

    why dont you pay for the toll if you want to use it??if you dont want to pay, there always the national and service road….

    the problem was, and still is people always want a 1st class service, but only willing to pay for bargain price for it,!!

    [Reply]

  • Ryan Bosco wrote on 17 September, 2010, 17:43

    Filipinos should “delete” the so-called “elite.”

    Elite in the Philippines means the powerful and rich through corruption so they show-off and intimidate those who threaten their position on top of the Philippine non-thinking society.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @Ryan

    There are some who mean well but realise that their hands are tied because of the padrino system. They cannot even introduce measures to combat overpopulation because if their policies clash with that of the Catholic Church doctrine, they will lose the votes of the flock. Padrino system rules! Yeah!

    [Reply]

    Aegis-Judex Reply:

    So would you call that the “padrino” system, or the “padre-no” system? :lol:

    [Reply]

    mel Reply:

    So true, Ilda!

    I attended several Rotary Club meetings and heard speakers who have the expertise and charisma to be “thinking elites” but most of them are afraid to go against the tide. In closed meetings, they speak of economic and political solutions and changes, even share the same views like the AP writers, but when asked if they are willing to speak publicly about their visions, they just answered “mahirap na…kapitbahay or kumpare ko sila”

    A waste of intelligence this “padrino/pakikisama system” brings!

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    That’s just sad mel

    That kind of mentality is hard to change. It’s hard to convince people not to be scared of being shunned by the rest of society when they speak out. It’s a bit frustrating.

    palebluedot_ Reply:

    ” they just answered “mahirap na…kapitbahay or kumpare ko sila” “

    that statement above sounds silly if spoken by an adult, especially from an accomplished professional. only those who were stuck in the “identity vs. role confusion” psychosocial development stage (Erikson) are allowed to acknowledge peer pressure.

    @ilda
    sadly, this fear of being ostracized when one speaks out is being molded while a Filipino is still a child. yes, Filipino teachers encourage a child to speak but only within the bounds of the grading sheet. outside the grading papers, the child is taught to be silent and be unmindful of the issues surrounding him/her, because such virtue will give one better rewards, particularly, in the delusional place called, heaven. if teachers and parents will only allow children to express themselves and not suppress this intellectual instinct just to satisfy the pakisama mentality, then maybe our society will have better social & political dynamics. our society kasi made the people believe that any form of “speaking out” promotes divisiveness, disrupts peace…

    ilda Reply:

    @pale

    You are correct. It’s because our society does not see children as individuals with their own set of views and rights. They are seen as possessions even. An extra breadwinner one day.

  • Elias Chacour wrote on 17 September, 2010, 20:47

    Ryan Bosco,

    This will interest you:

    http://getrealphilippines.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=291

    [Reply]

  • Jag wrote on 17 September, 2010, 21:01

    Monsod like GMA are doctrinaire professors of the religion of free markets. GMA unfortunately turned her executive position into a bastion of patronage politics to maintain power after doubts of her legitimacy dogged her tenure. For that the mainstream theologians of unfettered markets disowned her. She severely damaged the institutions of state that were already weak.

    Civilized societies are underpinned by a civic culture that arises from a functioning democracy.

    The rule of law and regulations implemented by a tolerable justice system that are seen by society as fair. Without that there can be no civil societies to act as buffer between the state and the markets. The state turns into a predator. Elite control of state power..

    The hostage crisis is proof positive of the weakness of society in the country. The culture of community much less country is absent.

    It is a jungle out there. It is sad that many who post here have an over-simplistic perspective akin to a sabong. “schadenfreude” (pleasure at someone else’s misfortune).

    After Edsa I it was the Aquino versus Marcos feud. Now it is the GMA versus Noy game. For a country whose intellectual literacy in economics and financé is wanting it is a tragedy.

    Is there a critical mass that supplant elite control of the state? Is there a critical mass that can appreciate the workings of the political economy?

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @Jag
    The solution is simple if everyone cooperates. But just trying to get people to listen is hard let alone asking them to do something that they are not used to. There are people in the country who are too lazy to think. They don’t want to know about the details of the problem even if it involves them. They think that one day, every thing will just fall into place and it’ll be ok. Their mantra is “Let’s leave it up to God.”

    If you think about it, if a politician with genuine platform for example, want to implement changes but which will greatly disadvantage someone who benefits from the current set-up, then that politician will have to fight tooth and nail to get it across to those who have to approve it first. That is, if he doesn’t get toasted by allegations of corruption.

    We are trying to understand what makes an average Filipino voter tick. Since the situation is too convoluted, we can only do it step by step.

    [Reply]

    Sareet L Reply:

    Real example of the prevalent laziness of many Pinoys:

    My very energetic and driven entrepreneurially spirited sibling (who has worked in many places, including Pinas and USA in unrelated jobs and industry), wanted to help folks in one of my parents’ hometown (in a province south of Manila) by setting up small businesses, specifically, a cottage industry of basket-making. She would help them set it up, build the business, promote it, etc.

    You know what some people whom she talked to told her? Why should they bother with the basket-weaving and selling business when they already have some land that they collect rent from, and with which they don’t have to lift a finger to earn money, anyway?

    It is exasperating, this attitude of wanting the easiest way to get anything! Hay, naku. No ambition, no desire to improve themselves or their lot if it takes just a bit more effort.

    [Reply]

    frustratedcitizen Reply:

    “Let’s leave it up to God.”

    –this is far the worse thing that a person/flip could say whenever faced with adversity. And so we have lots of Juan Tamads in the country. Add to that, Juana Tamads as well.

    I really dislike the idea of some people that God is always involved in matters that are totally controllable, and totally is the result of people’s decisions and actions. Some people will say that the hostage taking crisis is with God’s will —- WHAT? WTF?! Did God desire for someone to die, not just one but many?! People, please think naman…

    Then they say.. let’s leave it all to God… that will only happen if all other options – all AVAILABLE options, were already used. Doon lang pwedeng sabihin yan.

    Sad to say, people just took the first step, then they fall down, then they immediately retreat to their comfort zones and say ‘ let’s leave it all to God’…. coconuts niyo people.. gamitin nyo naman.

    [Reply]

    Sareet L Reply:

    Isn’t there that saying, ‘God helps those who help themselves’? Problem is, so many don’t want to help themselves – just want a hand-out and easy way to get lots of money.

    There is no OPTIMISM in the country anymore. Kayod ng kayod, wala naman ibang resulta sa kalagayan ng tao, samantalang yung isang kakilala niya, yumayaman nang husto sa kurakot, at wala sa tunay na pagsasakripisyo o hirap na dinaanan.

    And to put that attitude in context (which is not to excuse it!), the problem is so deeply entrenched and so long-standing in society that for someone trying to spur change and improve conditions or better the way of doing things, it is an uphill battle that can turn into a vicious circle for some who finally give up hope – or who never had hope to begin with. Since the social, political and economic infrastructure really puts down those who try to do something more or differently from the usual corrupt practices that do not benefit the powers-that-be (no matter how minor), the obstacles he/she faces only discourage them from exerting more than the bare minimum effort required to get something done. Resulting attitude will thus be, ‘Why bother?’ Pinoys who go abroad work in a different environment, and outside of the abused domestic helpers across the globe, these Pinoys do see and gain the rewards from their efforts, because the system is much more fair.

    It will take a multi-pronged effort to get our culture and society and economy out of the deathly doldrums, but something has to start somewhere, and waking people up to the reality of the situation, no matter how painful or bitter, is one way to begin the hard work towards improving ourselves. Kudos to you, Ilda, and to others writing intelligently on AP, for doing this.

    Jay Reply:

    @frustrated citizen

    I have it easy. I don’t ask much of the cosmic omnipotent being and everything I do in life I take myself as accountable as possible.

    That way I never get in a situation where I question the cosmic being about my loved ones dying or getting hurt.

    Jag Reply:

    Ilda do you understand why we have in the country the uninformed consent of the governed that has resulted in the autocratic form of government. What makes the voter tick so to speak?
    The result is an electoral autocracy pretending to be a functioning democracy.

    The state is more “Hobbesian” than it is “Lockian.” It is a faux democracy. When economic survival is dependent on autocratic state power we have to allow it to play out. But the flaw in the Philippine model is that it has no wish to allow equal economic opportunities for its own people. It has been drawn into the false religion of the free markets by the corporate elite who actually use it simply as a mantra to weaken state power. Without state power being used as an enabler markets will fail to work. Even the most rabid Marxists or Maoists in China now understand this reality. That in essence is the primordial rationale for an effective nation state.
    Eventually the country will have to move to a more authoritarian from of government.

    Even the U.S. started out that way. economic & civil rights were skewed for the few but the national government set a road map for the future even if it was not a true democracy of a united nation state or a community of states at the start. They even went to war with each other over economic policy of slavery and free trade.

    This cannot be outsourced to foreign government much less multilateral institutions that are skewed by the economic power of its members. This is an imperative of a nation state. What happens when the people of a country still do not have a sense of nation or of country.

    You have a screwed up culture that does not know who or what they are? Hence the country has a very shallow and hollow sense of nationalism. You cannot impose that from the top.

    The Chinese model of the social contract is a case in point. An authoritarian state that curtails civil freedoms but guarantees economic opportunity for all its people.

    [Reply]

    Aegis-Judex Reply:

    The only problem would be selling the Chinese Social Contract to the masses. Trust me, most Flips would detest having to live under a benevolent dictatorship (Singapore writ large) because of those dumbfvcks in media who still believe in the specter of Marcos..

    Jay Reply:

    @Jag

    Modern history books would say that one of the main excuses for the American Civil war was slavery. Sure it was a defining model considering most of those who joined the Confederation were pro-slavery, but it had more to do with social and economic change than anything. The North were becoming more industrial, meaning they didn’t need to use slaves anymore while the south, being purely agricultural needed it for their way to run their business. Just to get you straightened there.

    What happens when the people of a country still do not have a sense of nation or of country.

    The reason being is that the nation itself does not have programs or such that help define accomplishments as a collective. It still more of a top-down effort considering they are the ones capable of creating opportunities on a national scale with long term potential than small locals banding together to create something that can’t necessarily be sustained for long term.

    And sadly, benevolent dictatorship won’t work currently with the Philippines. Aegis pointed out the media but also the inability for the current government to deliver the 3 basic needs, thus having the citizens go in desperation to screw up society in order to obtain sustenance and the already messed up culture in place.

    ilda Reply:

    Mr Jag

    I agree that what we have is not really a democracy. But the current set-up, which has been in place since 1986, does not eliminate dissent or have intermediate forms of repression like in electoral autocracies. Since the current government is actually in the guise of democracy, they have no choice but to pretend to allow opposing views even if it is largely ignored. Although competition is unfree and unfair; social protest is not proscribed. In fact, the elite who are in power came to power with the use of rallies so they cannot get rid of that.

    Because there is hardly any separation of Church and State in the Philippines, politicians also have to pander to religious leaders. This was evident in the last election when P-Noy secured a deal with the Iglesia ni Kristo which contributed to him winning the presidency. Communist countries don’t have to contend with religion like in our case. Also, in the U.S. the separation of Church and State is clearly defined.

    It still boils down to the electorate who are vacuous. They give away their power freely during and after the elections. They don’t really care how the country is being run. They also think that their status in life will magically transform for the better with a leader who they think has a heart of gold. It is in our cultural DNA to be indifferent regrettably.

    Aegis-Judex Reply:

    “…the separation of Church and State is clearly defined.”

    Hear, hear. Can’t Abp. Oscar Cruz quit with the Caesar act? To think that he’s a man of God!

    Frankly, I’m starting to think that with PNoy at the helm, a theocracy could be in the works. Yikes.

  • Hyden Toro wrote on 17 September, 2010, 21:14

    They attached a Link-Virus in the AP Website. It is called Exploit Rogue Scanner Type #1624. Be sure to have advanced anti-virus protection on your computer. :!:

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @Hyden

    Gosh, I could not reply on my own blog the whole day actually! Apparently, it was some kind of hack attack on WordPress as per BongV.

    [Reply]

    Hyden Toro Reply:

    I think the Link-Server Virus is still there. The Word Press attack is just a diversion. I see the WebSite still distorted. And my indicators, still show: it is still there. I had warned a mointh ago that these people hired Hackers… :idea:

    [Reply]

    Jay Reply:

    well as long as we get the name of it, we can be on top of it. I encountered it twice yesterday but it doesn’t come up anymore. Just get anti-spyware software and keep everything net security related intact on your side and it should be okay.

    No Idea Reply:

    Now, I am so mad. Why do people have to play the virus game? Where are f**ck are we? North Korea? My religion is FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!! This is a pathetic attempt to control the internet and it sucks!!!! Filipinos should LEARN to accept contrary opinions NO MATTER how much it “hurts” their mad sensitivities!!! I am for Charter Change so we have something REAL (not phony) like THE FIRST AMENDMENT… on second thought the 2nd Amendment isn’t so bad too so we can shoot these people who put spywares on our sites!!! Wil someone please watch the speech of Michael Douglas in the movie “THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT”????? WHY can’t some people GET it?????

    [Reply]

  • Mike H wrote on 17 September, 2010, 21:32

    Lacierda and company are playing the game of politics well. “No comment, no mistake” and there are less and less comments from Malacanang about “Quirino Grandstand” tragedy.

    Two more weeks like this and Quirino-grandstand will be :( forgotten just like that, and Undersecretary Cruz, instead of being fired, may even be 8O promoted.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @Mike

    They are busy packing their bags for their trip to the city that never sleeps. They will catch up with SJP and the rest of the girls from Sex in the city.

    Kidding aside, they are busy trying to emphasize that they are travelling light – a complete opposite of GMA who allegedly spent millions of tax payer’s money on her travels overseas. Their mantra: it’s time to distract the audience and return the attention to GMA’s eevil ways.

    [Reply]

  • kid dynamo wrote on 18 September, 2010, 1:06

    …speaking of Monsod i chanced to watch a segment of hers last night at QTV

    http://www.gmanews.tv/video/66505/qtv-analysis-with-prof-winnie-monsod-millennium-development-goals

    she tends to lash out at Pnoy for several times then she would be ok with him then hit him again….just a thought….

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @Kid

    It could be me but I didn’t hear her berating P-Noy in the video though.

    [Reply]

    HareBurger Reply:

    “It is when we all play safe that we create a world of utmost insecurity” – Dag Hammarskjold

    [Reply]

  • Parallax wrote on 18 September, 2010, 1:32

    it’s a little lonely without joeam muddling up the issue.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @Parallax

    Sigh…I miss him too….NOT!!!

    Life is simpler without him. I can devote more time to writing articles than responding to his useless dribble..haha. But I do miss your rebuttals to him though :( ciao

    [Reply]

    Parallax Reply:

    haha. joeam brings out the gordon ramsay in me. have an excellent day! 8)

    [Reply]

  • geeky Mary wrote on 18 September, 2010, 4:15

    <3>

    When Monsod ran for senator, her ass got handed to her by someone. The details are fuzzy but it it involved someone pointing out the problem with her having an opinion and moderating that Debate show. In that show, Winnie Monsod had the time of her life shooting Erap. After that incident, she did the very Pinoy thing and swallowed a tank of syrup. Hence, the regular saccharine effect. She might have been considering the backlash (political & career wise) of being a harsh PNOY critic or it might be a misguided sense of loyalty to Cory.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @geeky
    Tsk-tsk. Such is her life I guess.
    I can’t imagine living a life where you have to always be in a pandering mode to people you think you might need favors from one day. Or living a life where you can’t even speak your mind anymore because people will shun you for your opinions. Stuff that!

    [Reply]

  • Aegis-Judex wrote on 18 September, 2010, 6:12

    What is elite, if not a state of mastery over one’s specialty? Be it in arts, culture, or science, what is the true description of the term “elite,” if not superiority in the terms of mastery?

    The reason why man has progressed is because he desires to better himself. Why settle for less when you can surely have more? That is the ethos of the true elite: unwilling to settle for mediocrity, and thus ensuring that his standards are high and his works are imposingly magnificent.

    Verily, not every man born of privilege can be considered elite, as we have all learned to our sorrow. Likewise, not every man of the elite grew in privilege, as we have also learned. Therefore it is foolish to consider the all wealthy men as elite, and vice versa.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    Excellent point Aegis-Judex!

    I can’t imagine anyone NOT getting that.

    [Reply]

    May Party Sa Dasma Wala Akong Wheels Reply:

    But 15 million souls picked this thinking-challenged president to be their elite. Sus ginoo!

    What has PNoy mastered anyway? Sloth?

    [Reply]

    Jay Reply:

    Much like how people see what Jesus is nowadays, the 15 million saw PNoy for what he is. They saw themselves. Every piece of error of the Pinoy culture that they revel in they saw in the Aquino name that is pretty tarnished at this point. That is why they completely agree with PNoy saying Kayo ang bossing ko. Because it feels so empowering yet ironically, they don’t have a problem seeing their mediocrity image in a job that requires to go above and beyond the standards of NORMAL. And idiot.

    frustratedcitizen Reply:

    ‘The reason why man has progressed is because he desires to better himself. ‘

    -Filipinos haven’t arrived to this point yet. Or, better yet, they are afraid arriving at this point. They’d be better off with the following lines:

    ‘Eto na kasi ang nakasanayan ko eh…’

    ‘Lumaki na ako sa ganito eh..’

    Bottom line is, most Filipinos stopped working for excellence. They work only, just work, not smart work that will bring excellence.

    [Reply]

  • innagadda54 wrote on 18 September, 2010, 11:16

    Would this be considered an unfriendly joke?

    http://cornholiogogs.multiply.com/journal/item/1190

    [Reply]

  • m. kasahara wrote on 18 September, 2010, 13:21

    meh.

    I just wish she could single handedly turn the Felefens into something like hong kong or singapore or taiwan. heh jk. jk.

    [Reply]

  • pro-pinoy wrote on 18 September, 2010, 16:37

    magaling kang magsulat pero may konkretong solusyon ka bang nagawa na nakapagpabago ng positibo sa buhay ng isa o maraming filipino? madaling maghanap ng mali ng iba! mahirap gumawa ng aksyon! sa tingin mo sa bawat pagsusulat nyo ng kritisismo, may nakakakain ba na pinoy? aangat ba ang ekonomiya?

    [Reply]

    Jay Reply:

    magaling ka sa paggamit ng kokote mo. Tyak na, sablay nga.

    [Reply]

    frustratedcitizen Reply:

    -…may nakakakain ba na pinoy?-

    flips only, ONLY think of feeding their physical bodies but not their minds. pakainin mo naman ng masustansyang impormasyon ang utak mo bago ka mag react dito

    [Reply]

    innagadda54 Reply:

    http://cornholiogogs.multiply.com/journal/item/1097/WHY_Because_We_Are_Dumb_

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    Isn’t that why some people call it the idiot box?

    Aegis-Judex Reply:

    Mao bitaw! Like I told JUANDELACRUZ, what use is a well-fed body without a well-fed mind? Such a creature can only be fit for servitude under those with well-fed minds. Really, unsa bitaw ang gamit sa himsug nga lawas kung dili sab himsug ang huna-huna? Right?

    [Reply]

    bokyo Reply:

    Hmmm sample.

    I follow traffic rules. I don’t litter the streets. I have to look for a proper toilet instead of using a tree or a wall. I file my taxes on time. And I don’t vote for idiots.

    [Reply]

    Jay Reply:

    @bokyo

    Thing is, that is the standard for ANY civilized society. Sadly pinoy society has degenerated to a point where those things you mention are good, and it is considering the positive outcomes and consequences it brings at least around you.

    Its like that Chris Rock segment I talked about where he explains the absurdity when certain black people celebrate with such claims like I’m a good parent or I’ve never been to jail. Because everyone with proper values recognize the importance of being a good parent and not going to jail in a civil society!

    [Reply]

    bokyo Reply:

    yeah, it’s a really the standard for almost all of the civilized society today. However , as much as these were being taught in the schools since Day 1, Pinoys never really get down to serious business of following these simple acts. That’s why our society has developed a sense of impunity that if some can get away with it, i can also get away with it.

    Many Pinoys have no sense of collective “contribution” to society and it’s up to the individual if he or she will be absorbed or reject the “system” we have. That’s why we are here at AP to break out of that “system” :)

    brianitus Reply:

    @pro-pinoy:

    I dagdag ko lang sa mga puna ng tao.

    Tingin ko lang, concrete solutions start from ideas arising from discussion of the issues. Call it criticism. okay, but to just dismiss the idea presented in the writings, na sinabi mong mahusay ang pagkakasulat, wouldn’t that be defeating the purpose of opening your mind to come up with the concrete solution you desire? Or if Ilda’s essay opened your eyes, what are you going to do now?

    Now, if you think AP, or any blogsite, news agency, opinion columnist, tells you how to think or act, then you represent the segment of society that relies to much on other people — those who have to be told what to do to make life better for them.

    If you’re not of that type, then good for you. You might just be on your way to come up with a concrete solution for the country. I believe the country and it’s problem is like a puzzle with a multitude of pieces to pick from. Figuring out which pieces fit and which do not is part of solving the puzzle, don’t you think? In the end, you have to sift through the ideas and take what you need — and use them to your benefit.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @pro-pinoy

    I saw this same comment of yours on another AP article that was written by someone else. Do you paste this statement in all the sites you visit? Para kang robot :)

    All I can say is, you did not understand the point of the article. Hinde mo ba na-iintindihan ang ibig sabihin ng padrino system? Ang isang ehemplo ng padrino at work ay yung pag-assign ni P-Noy sa kaibigan nyang si Puno sa DILG post kahit wala namang experience masyado sa crisis situation. Tapos, kahit pumalpak na, ayaw pa din nyang palitan ng mas magaling at may experience na tao.

    Paki basa na lang ulit. Madami ka pang pwedeng basahin dito na merong “konkretong solusyon.”

    Marami na po akong natulong sa kapwa ko saka sa mga kababayan ko, ayaw ko lang mag-yabang.

    Have a nice day kahit alam ko naman na troll ka lang. ;)

    [Reply]

    pro-pinoy Reply:

    ang komentong ito ay di lang para sa artikulo mo, bagkos para sa mga bloggers ng antipinoy na wala na yatang makitang maganda sa pilipinas.puro pessimism, negativity and cynism lang- di magaling na lider si pnoy, bubong butante ang pinoy, mahina tayo, naive, walang pwedeng ipagmalaki.kahit goodnewspilipinas na site, binanatan niyo. kung wala kayong makita na maganda sa pinas, magmigrate kayo sa ibang bansa. sobrang galing nyo kasi. pang-harvard level. lumampas na sa upcat. di nga kayo nagrerefer sa filipino na WE, the filipinos lang, 3rd person. just plain hypocrites na akala sa sarili ay di pinoy! bestias cargadas de oro! naalala ko ang sabi ng guro ko dati, kung wala kang maganda na magagawa sa pinas, bago ka magsalita ng masama laban sa pinoy, umalis ka nalang ng pilipinas. you deserve a better counry.god bless the philippines!

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @pro-pinoy

    Paki explain lang sa aming lahat kung saan mo nakikita ang pag-asa. In detail, please. Wala naman kaming nakikitang iba or bagong ginagawa ang mga Pilipino lalo na si P-Noy na kakaiba sa dating administration.

    Si P-Noy nga assigned a friend to a sensitive position tapos palpak pa ang pag-ganap sa trabaho. Ngayon nasangkot pa sa jueteng. Nasaan ang matuwid na daan?

    Nabawasan na ba ang pag-alis ng mga tao para magtrabo overseas?

    palebluedot_ Reply:

    “naalala ko ang sabi ng guro ko dati, kung wala kang maganda na magagawa sa pinas, bago ka magsalita ng masama laban sa pinoy, umalis ka nalang ng pilipinas. you deserve a better counry.”

    ay sus ginoo! bugoka sa imong maestra uy!. she promoted the degradation of our nation by telling those who can see beyond the pretentious beautiful facade drawn by so-called pinoy-prouds to get out of this country. these people who are realists, who are critical about our nation should be nurtured by these teachers. their comments & criticisms should be analyzed further by them. these teachers should have allowed others to assess on the criticisms and allowed them to come up with a solution to answer the “salitang masama laban sa pinoy”. instead these stupid teachers are the ones driving them (the critical thinkers) away from this country without even analyzing the validity of the criticisms. kaya pala this country is becoming garbage because of your teacher!!! how i wish i can throw my lcd projector to her. but no, blackboard eraser na lang kasi ang cheap nya palang guro…

    The Philippine Guild Reply:

    to identify a solution, one must first determine the problem — president noynoy

    [Reply]

    aboy Reply:

    @pro-pinoy

    sorry pro-pinoy… the “TRUTH REALLY HURTS”… and I can see it from your posts/messages… ang pag kakaiba lang natin eh ang reaction namin sa pag kakaroon ng ganito karaingan… kasi kami dito tinatangap namin at d namin itinatangi na madami mali sa pilipinas… bukas ang mata at isip namin na dapat may magbago dapat maging maayos…

    “sobrang galing nyo kasi. “

    wala ako nakikita dto sa AP na nagsasabi na magaling sya kaya nya na-isulat to o magaling sya kaya ganito opinion nya… opinion yan ng mga tao dahil ganyan ang napupuna nila… kung ang perception mo eh parang nag “mamagaling sila” eh, baka nagagalingan ka talaga kasi may totoo sa sinasabi nila at may laman…

    “pang-harvard level”

    kala ko ba proud ka sa pilipinas? bakit napasok o naicompare mo sa harvard ang pagiging magaling? tingin ko proud ka nga na pilipino… :P o sadyang alam mo na pababa o nahuhuli na ang standard of education natin sa pilipinas kaya ang basehan mo na eh eskwelahan ng ibang bansa..

    “naalala ko ang sabi ng guro ko dati, kung wala kang maganda na magagawa sa pinas, bago ka magsalita ng masama laban sa pinoy,

    maganda nagawa sa pinas? mention ko lang at d ako magaling at d ako nag yayabang… nung asa pinas pa ako volunteer ako sa mga civic/social and religous org. i’ve raised funds for kids na belong sa mahihirap na families para makapag aral sila… nag coconduct kami ng free tutorials para sa mga batang ito… i volunteer for GK… nung asa pinas pa ako, nag trattrabaho ako marangal… kinukuhanan ako ng tax bawat sweldo… alam ko kahit malaki part yun ng pag tulong ko sa bansa ko… pero minsan kailangan mo din isipin ano ba in-return ang nakukuha mo… nag iimprove ba paligid ko given my contributions? diba dapat kahit onti meron…??? pero wala… paulit ulit lang… walang pag babago… so may karapatan n ba ako mag salita laban sa pinoy? tingin ko meron… lalo na sa mga taong bingi, pikit ang mata at d nag iisip…

    “umalis ka nalang ng pilipinas”

    eto, tama ka… umalis k na nga bago ka pa mahawa… kaya ako eto umalis na… kahit malungkot mahirap dahil malayo ka sa mga kamag-anak mo… pero kahit umalis na ako, nangangarap pa din ako bumalik… bumalik n sana maayos na ang pilipinas… sample sana sa pag balik ko, kahit sa airport pa lang nakita ko na pag babago… san ka makakakita mas mabilis pa papasukin ang foreigner sa bansa mo kesa sayo… sa mga bansa na napuntahan ko yung mga citizen nila para nasa expresslane… at yung mga visitors, sila ang kailangan pumila ng mahaba… as atin ibang klase… punta ka dto sa singapore tol, malalalaman mo kung gaano kaawa-awa ang pilipinas… at gaano tayo kahuli…

    “you deserve a better counry.”

    mali ka tsong dun sa phrase mo lalo na sa huling part… ang dapat ay: “The Philippines need better people”

    [Reply]

    aboy Reply:

    para sayo @pro-pinoy… coming from my President, Sir Dick Gordon…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjpyzvGhd9M&feature=related

    Sammael Reply:

    And you would rather be comfortable with the status quo that spits on and oppresses not only our basic human rights for each of us Filipinos, but also our repressive culture that demeans and degrades our humanity with each passing day? “Live and let live”, like the rest of the millions of Filipinos living in this country?

    WAKE UP. Things can always be better ONCE WE PICK OURSELVES UP FROM OUR HOPE-INDUCED DRUNKEN STUPOR and actually ACT ON THAT HOPE! Hope springs eternal but it does not have to cripple! Spit on that status quo, gleams lessons from our broken culture and identity and spread the word! Educate and motivate, then push for programs and resolutions not as an individual but as a collective that is aware of our failings and shortcomings!

    [Reply]

  • frustratedcitizen wrote on 18 September, 2010, 18:20

    problem with flips is they don’t want criticisms, they take it as a form of attack.

    eto yung isa sa mga konkretong solusyon, ang sabihin ang mali at sabihin kung ano ang tama.

    [Reply]

  • Hyden Toro wrote on 18 September, 2010, 21:57

    I have done something good. I’m awakening people from their delusions…

    [Reply]

  • Hyden Toro wrote on 18 September, 2010, 22:02

    They have duplicated the AP Website again. There are two Paths in the Web Browser. Just delete the First Path, which is the duplicate. The second path is the original. :-)

    [Reply]

    miriam quiamco

    miriam quiamco Reply:

    Hi Hyden,

    It seems Mel is unable to access AP, every time she tries opening the site, she gets a warning that it is a dangerous site, what should she do?

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    She should be able to by now miriam. The problem was fixed yesterday afternoon.

    Cheers!

    [Reply]

    miriam quiamco

    miriam quiamco Reply:

    Thanks Iida, will relay the message to Mel.

    Hyden Toro Reply:

    @lida. The Cyberwar has started. Noynoy Aquino and his Cahoots have hired some Hackers to hack all Anti Noynoy Aquino BlogSites. It is Paradoxical that a person who pretend to promote the so called “EDSA Democracy”; “Freedom of the Press”; “Freedom of Opinion”.; is the one destroying them. You can see the viciousness of these people. There is a Window at the Bottom of your computer screen. Once you log-in to Anti Pinoy Website. There are Two (2) Paths of log-in, you can see. The First Path is a FAKE (Copied) Anti Pinoy Website. The Last Path is the true Anti Pinoy Web Page. Just Point your computer Mouse to the First Path. Click Right Hand, and Click Delete…My Facebook Site was also attacked. So, this is not an Isolated Incident. Even the FLOCK Search Engine of Anti Pinoy is now under the control of the Hacker…

    bokyo Reply:

    @Hyden – Is it you who are posting only one-time smileys at this post or is it because of the virus?

    Hyden Toro Reply:

    My instruction is the answer to the question of Miriam Quiamco, also. Don’t use the fllowing Search Engines: Flock, Yahoo, Google, etc…Use a not too familiar Search Engine to log-in.They have directed their attacks to the Search Engines, thru a Link-Server Virus… :?

    [Reply]

    Hyden Toro Reply:

    Hi Miriam: If you suspect that a Hacker is controlling your computer:Just LOG-OFF. To cut the connection path. Do not use the Search Engines: Flock, Google, Yahoo, etc…Use unfamiliar Search Engines. The familiar ones have been attacked by Line-Server Virus and compromised…

    [Reply]

    miriam quiamco

    Miriam Quiamco Reply:

    Hyden, its not me, it Mel who is based in the Philippines. You know, where I am my provider has an advanced system that can verify a site whether it is virus-infested or not.

    Thanks I will copy and paste your reply for Mel. We communicate via email. If Iida is able
    to access AP, everyone in RP should be able to as well, right? Oh boy, you know I am a technical idiot, so thanks for the reply.

    [Reply]

    mel Reply:

    Hallo AP! Am back! Whew! Days without reading AP were not good! Thank you for the concern, Miriam and Hyden!

    The Philippine Guild Reply:

    thank you, Noynoy’s Communications Group. Thank you for your show of desperation.

    [Reply]

  • MaskmanReturns wrote on 19 September, 2010, 4:09

    Great Job Ilda!!!Another intelligent post indeed.Man I could not get it done intelligently and I’m not good at this.Thanks Ilda 4 posting this topic on what is wrong w/the Philippine Society.

    [Reply]

  • Voltron05 wrote on 19 September, 2010, 4:20

    Okay I’m really pissed off w/the new pres.who turns out to be like “Doink the Clown”(former WWE Superstar) 1st he could not handle the hostage taking fiasco then he is not able to handle the economic situation here in the Phils. then he could not handle the HLI issue and his decision making sucks everything he says will still sucks.He is not good at anything he does P-crap sucks ass!!!!!!!

    GO Voltron let’s combine!!!! Form feet and Legs,Form Arms and Torso and I’ll Form the head and the kicking of John Cena Wannabe ass Hahahahhhaha

    [Reply]

    Voltron05 Reply:

    hahha wish that he’ll be like him and he does he is a lousy pres. who cant do anything and he is only popular thanks 2 ABS-Crap and the Communist Partylist.Speaking of partylist,do u think that partylist system should be removed in the 2016 elections?if it does I would like 2 read the topic on this web about eliminating partylist in the 2016 elections but I haven’t seen the topic on this website yet about the partylist system here in the Pinas and why it needs 2 be out.

    [Reply]

    BenK Reply:

    Ask, and ye shall receive. I believe that most of us have expressed some degree of distaste for the partylist system for one reason or another. It’s hard enough sometimes to think of something to write about, so I’m more than happy to consider this a good suggested topic. :-)

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    Good on ya! ;)

    MaskmanReturns Reply:

    haha he is that much of a lousy pres anyway and all of this thanks 2 the morons in the Pinas,as 4 Doinks,whatever happen 2 him haha who cares he is the worst wrestler like Cena hahahahahaha lol

    [Reply]

  • sky wrote on 19 September, 2010, 7:41

    To be fair to Winnie Monsod, she did give Gordon perfect marks on all aspects of his platform. The analogy does not necessarily follow: Monsod’s advice did not translate into people voting for him. However, this is probably because we care more about personalities than platforms.

    My aunt is the same way: at least now she realizes that voting for Noynoy was a mistake. And I urged her flatly beforehand not to vote for him!

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    As I said, by then the damage has been done. The vacuous voters already settled for the one that was endorsed by a “leading economist” in the fake email. And she did not give an all out support for Gordon. She just ticked all the box on him.

    [Reply]

    ChinoF

    ChinoF Reply:

    That’s one problem about some Filipinos you mentioned though… she gave all good points to Gordon… but didn’t vote for him! There shows how many Filipinos keep eating their words. “Yeah, we know he’s good, he’s the best, he’s skilled, he’s brave… but we don’t like him. He’s unappealing,” as many other people say. Heck, appeal never made a country successful.

    Perhaps those Filipinos who voted Master Ignoy just wanted to prove reality wrong: “we’d like to see an incompetent prove to be the best president ever.” Akin to, “I want a man to fly without wings, I want a car with square wheels to roll fast, I want a radio to work without batteries or power… I want to receive money without doing anything to get it…” :wink:

    [Reply]

    aboy Reply:

    If I can only find the youtube link of Winnie Monsod’s show Timbangan, we can see there that she praised Gordon but then at the end still picks Noynoy… I wonder what was she thinking…

    We had an opportunity talaga… but Filipinos just cant handle it…

    [Reply]

  • bubi78 wrote on 19 September, 2010, 17:55

    “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” – Oscar Wilde

    Aside from being too cozy in their comfort zones, the so called ‘elites’ have become too inured to the cesspool around them that they couldn’t care less to lift a finger or utter a word in bringing about change. Why? Because change is anathema to them, that’s why. They don’t want to lose their hard earned privileges, their social status and their way of life. It’s not surprising, really, coming from people who are trained, all their life, to look out for number one, people who won’t think twice about stepping on others just to get ahead in the rat race, that they would vehemently oppose change and so adamantly insist on maintaining the status quo.

    The so called ‘elites’ have seen the flaws and the weaknesses of PNoy beforehand and they rightly concluded that they can leverage these drawbacks to their advantage. They are not fools; after all, they are the best of the best in their respective fields. They are the ‘friendlies’ of Winnie Monsod.Those outside of this privileged circle are the ‘unfriendlies.’ They are the few who are looking at the stars and invariably seen as naive idealists, misfits and, worse, some even branded as rebels. It is not surprising then that, eventually, they fade into the background; banished to the fringes of mainstream society where their voices become the proverbial cry in the wilderness.

    But, all is not lost as long as they keep to their siren song. Each day more and more good men are auspiciously adding their voices to the clamor for change; influenced, in no small measure, by the unceasing gaffes and the unrelenting display of idiocy by the Aquino administration. While we share with the President a common vision of a free and progressive Philippines, at the crossroad, we part ways firm in our belief that not only is the roadmap of the President fraught with embarrassments but also the President himself is incapable of steering this nation towards that goal.

    We shall continue to be critical of this administration; on the other hand, we shall commend and shall support this administration if it so deserve. We are not rabid, hysterical madmen after all, are we?

    [Reply]

    bubi78 Reply:

    Please, anybody. Why do the paragraphs run into each other?

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    I fixed it :)

    It’s the new formatting system. It does not separate the paragraphs.

    [Reply]

    Jay Reply:

    They don’t want to lose their hard earned privileges, their social status and their way of life.

    Ironically, they didn’t earn their privileges the hard way. Their great great grandfather was just there when the Spanish left and they just took the power from there. Of course GetRealPhilippines has talked about what an elite should be anyway. They can still enjoy the social status and IMHO, a better way of life than reinforcing in the modern day the old mindset of them as land owners and everyone else as indios. If anything, they are more than motivated with the lack of desire for real progress, opting to stay in their modern iteration of a tribal kingdom built for them.

    Support for the administration is only appropriate if they have something worth supporting. What is the use of helping them out if they don’t have a clear direction of where to go? They applied for positions as LEADERS to begin with, so it is expected they do their jobs as such. Sadly, it is very apparent that the voters put in people in public posts that exactly mirror their mindset. To me, the next 6 years is a lost cause. But that certainly doesn’t mean we can’t inform people of what is REALLY happening. I don’t expect the Philippines to automatically turn around. Much like how Independence Day passed over their heads, they have to want the kind of changes that would benefit the nation and country for years to come. This isn’t some immediate home makeover. And it seems AP is going to be in it for the long haul.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    bubi78

    - the process of convincing the Delusionals to do something different can be maddening at times if you let it affect you. But we cannot let the voice of reason fade into the background.

    [Reply]

    bubi78 Reply:

    Stalin had a ready solution for these people sent them off to the gulag or to the killing fields if we were to ask Pol Pot; nevertheless, these extreme measures have had been discredited and condemned worldwide. Going this road is out of the question…just too messy. Meeting these Delusionals headlong is futile, they are too set in their ways and their egos prevent them from doing things differently. There is one thing that terrifies them though and it’s the common tao. Win the hearts and minds of the people and you’ve halfway won the battle.
    I agree with you, we cannot let the voice of reason fade into the background but the burden of trying to make ends meet is enough to make one lose heart; one is tempted to go gently into the night and let one’s conscience and principles take a backseat. It is so easy to just let go and join the maddening crowd if it were not for you and the others. God bless and take care always.

    [Reply]

  • The Philippine Guild wrote on 19 September, 2010, 23:45

    I read this article by Winnie Monsod sa newspaper and had a similar reaction — that the celebrity analyst is obviously playing it safe when it comes to criticizing President Noynoy. Reluctance in her reviews only reveal her affiliations.

    [Reply]

  • ako ang simula ng pagkabobo wrote on 20 September, 2010, 12:49

    http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=613731&publicationSubCategoryId=200

    [Reply]

    bokyo Reply:

    Aba, loco nu. . . :lol:

    We have the #1 proof why they vote for Pnoy:

    “The ballots were not votes of confidence on your capacity; they were outpourings of the multitudes’ hope that you will harness everything good about this country and rally them towards the transformative change you talked about,” Barnido said.

    Ay sus, alam nyo na palang walang capacity ung kandidato, binoto nyo parin on the word of “HOPE”. Too late man…..

    [Reply]

  • Hyden Toro wrote on 20 September, 2010, 15:03

    :lol:

    [Reply]

  • Odette C. Cruz wrote on 21 September, 2010, 1:09

    The elites usually serve their own interests, as can be expected. The education of the masses is the least of their concerns.

    IAnd i’s still political patronage, people getting plum positions in the government because they are friends with the President or have granted favors for the Aquino family in the past. Never mind if we have better educated and more competent people who can do better job working in the government.

    We can probably tolerate the lack of development policy or foreign policy, but the indecision, lack of disposition in the hostage crisis resulting to the death of foreign nationals, this we should not tolerate.

    [Reply]

    Jay Reply:

    GMA’s developmental policy and foreign policy were certainly above par, compared to what the media would have everyone believe. The problem is upon mention of her name, they are also automatically associating the words scum sucking thief at the same time. Which isn’t much considering Cory, Ramos and Erap have got their own dirt regarding their presidential work. Even for Marcos who had good intentions as a dictator bent down to the whims of his cronies.

    Only in the Philippines are where the elites don’t care about the progress of the society in the country. Other developed countries and wisdom from before us shows that the elites should be examples for people. They don’t see it like a well ran corporate structure where smart, satisfied employers leads to competitive edges and future gains. They resort to their age-old culture of nepotism and share the wealth amongst themselves, much like royal families before did then. They would rather just enslave their own in economic terms and milk them like cows for all they are worth. And its rather funny considering the elites that help mess the country up number on in about 5% of the population, so the moment the masses can choose to use their common sense for once, they are indeed screwed.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    Sadly, that is the case Odette

    The negative connotation of the word “elite” applies to Philippine society. The privileged members of our society hardly look out for the welfare of the poor. They in fact, benefit from the status quo.

    [Reply]

  • Homer wrote on 21 September, 2010, 16:38

    Here’s the roster of players for the Abnoy’s business team during his U.S. trip (dig the alibi at the end):

    Aquino’s business delegation includes the biggest names in the local commerce and some, if not most, of them were known as his principal contributors during his presidential campaign, led by Makati Business Club chairman Ramon del Rosario, Telecommunications tycoon and TV5 chairman Manny Pangilinan, Ayala Corp. chair and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. chair and CEO Eugenio Lopez III, Philippine Multi-Media System Inc. president and CEO and presidential brother-in-law Manuel Abellada, and presidential cousin Antonio Cojuangco; Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., president and CEO Ramon Aboitiz; San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang; Airfreight 2100 president Alberto Lina; Nutriasia Group of Companies Inc. chairman and CEO Joselito Campos, Jr.; Planters Development Bank chairman and CEO Jesus Tambunting; SM Investment Corp.’s Teresita Sy-Coson; Magsaysay Maritime Corp.; CEO Doris Magsaysay-Ho; Bank of the Philippine Islands president and CEO Aurelio Montinola; International Container Terminal Services Inc. chair Enrique Razon; Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Francis Chua, Philam Life president and CEO Jose Cuisia; Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. board member Rizalino Navarro; Jollibee Foods Corp. chairman and CEO Tony Tan Caktiong; Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industries Inc.’s Alfonso Uy; International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors’ Association executive director Isidro Consunji; Transnational Diversified Group chairman and CEO Jose Roberto Delgado; Equicom Group chairman Antonio Go; Francis Enrico Gutierrez, Domingo Lee, Roger Lim, Oscar Lopez, Romeo Mercado, and Cirilo Noel.

    Meanwhile, Malacañang clarified that no bilateral talk will happen between Aquino and US President Barack Obama following the 2nd US-Asean Leader’s Summit that will be hosted by the latter and attended by other Asian leaders as well.

    Aquino has been hoping that a possible meeting can be arranged between him and Obama but Carandang said a mutual agreement has been reached and both parties decided to just schedule such particular meeting some other time.

    (taken from the Daily Tribune)

    [Reply]

    ulong pare

    ulong pare Reply:

    @ Homz: doktor santa ate glo phd, x-senatong-x-veep-x-prez-now-rep, is doing the backdoor thingy trying to hook up with da debonaire obama…, she has this thing with the debonaire… she stalks him… never gives up… she&entourage travel separately… ay sus ginoo… :mrgreen:

    [Reply]

    Homer Reply:

    Hehe…..She probably won’t stop trying to score pogi points with BO, and I wouldn’t be surprised if BO continues to evade her and the abnoy. Not worth his time, I’m assuming. :-)

    [Reply]

  • Homer wrote on 21 September, 2010, 16:53

    It’s not exactly the complete roster listed up there, but Mar Roxas and Bert Romulo are also part of the team, playing major roles (for sure).

    Hey, we gotta have Mr. Romulo around for every U.S. trip, don’t we? :wink:

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    Thanks for pasting this Homer. It might come handy.

    P-Noy cannot live without Mar. He was supposed to do the job for him but the plan did not happen. That’s why P-Noy is totally lost without him around Malacanang.

    [Reply]

    sky Reply:

    Well, Alberto Romulo did have the “gargantuan” job of delivering what’s supposed to be Noynoy’s speech at the UN MDG Summit. I wonder why Noynoy didn’t deliver the speech.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    He didn’t know he could not deliver the speech while eating ;)

    [Reply]

  • Rick De Castro wrote on 23 September, 2010, 13:11

    Guys, please help me. I posted several comments on this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjhQDyHE9tE. Ako si RickDC1, obvious naman. I’m outnumbered by Flipos there. I need help from REAL Filipinos to throw arguments against the mentality of those arrogant Flipos. Thank you very much. Usual mentality lang yan, yung “Di ka marunong makisama? Kakahiya ka! BOBO!” I’m expecting more verbal abuse from them. Pero if ayaw niyo ko tulungan, then fine. Gusto ko lang naman iparating sa kanila na I’m not mentally-ill and there are lots of Filipinos who share the same opinions.

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    Hi Rick

    I have just the right article for you. It should help you with your arguments.

    Filipino tragedies: Is incompetence in our cultural DNA?

    Good luck! :)

    [Reply]

  • rem wrote on 24 September, 2010, 6:19

    The author keeps contradicting herself.
    In one instance, she states “the voters never really heard her (Prof. Monsod) give a strong unbiased opinion about P-Noy’s capacity or incapacity to lead the country… I’m sure she would like to be seen as being one of the “friendlies”; an attempt to reduce the likelihood of her falling out of favor with the Aquinos ” Now, THOSE are strong and biased opinions.
    In another, she criticizes Prof. Monsod’s grouping of Pnoy critics into “friendlies” and “unfriendlies” and asks “why is there a need for her to come up with such a grouping?” And yet she later proceeds to come up with her own grouping of the thinking elite into “delusionals” and “realists.” Furthermore, she describes the “delusionals” as having “irrational reasoning” which contradicts her grouping them under the “thinking elite.” And oh, to be “irrational” is to be “without reason” – so “irrational reasoning” is a contradiction of terms.
    And lastly, the tone of the article strikes me as quite elitist for an article that decries the follies and failures of the elite. The elite are guilty of “dumbing down the masses,” she says… can you get more elitist than that?

    [Reply]

    ilda Reply:

    @rem

    Ever heard of the term sarcasm?

    ;)

    [Reply]

  • ako ang simula... Ng? wrote on 24 September, 2010, 12:16

    asus, sabi na nga ba at palusot na naman yung baguhan pa si Pnoy. May nagbubulagbulagan pa rin. Nakahain na ang ebidensiya. Sus.


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