Hindi Ka Nag-Iisa: NoyNoy Aquino's Ad

I did not get a chance to watch the video premiere of Noynoy Aquino's ad.

It was back in early September when Noynoy Aquino finally declared this bid for presidency at Club Filipino --- the same place where his mother, the late president Cory Aquino, took her oath of office.

Now back to the said video, the song is entitled Hindi Ka Nag-Iisa or Ninoy theme. Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez sung the song composed by the Singer-Songwriter, Ogie Alcasid. The said video is said to be a love offering from the showbiz and advertising industries. In it are Kapuso, Kapamilya, ang PBA stars (it's nice to see Kapuso and Kapamilya together).

The song was beautifully composed and the interpretation of Regine was brilliant. The video was directed nicely. People were bringing torches, which I would interpret as a light or hope for the people and also symbolizes to ignite the flame burning deep within the Filipino's heart for better Philippines.

If you haven't seen the video, I have posted it below for you to sense.




Source: Youtube

Stephen Gately Dead at 33

Stephen Gately, a member of the boyband Boyzone whose popularity rose in the 90s, died while vacationing in Majorca with his partner Andrew. No details yet were released on the cause of death. The said news came from the band's official website (boyzone.net).

Stephen made a buzz years back when he publicly admitted we was gay. He and Ronan were the lead singers of Boyzone.

Boyzone came into prominence in the 90s where boybands, girlbands, and pop music dominated the charts. Their hits include Isn't it a Wonder, A Different Beat, Baby Can I Hold You Tonight?, Words (cover), and my favorite Picture of You (Bean soundtrack).

Tag: One word

I got this in the internet and I rarely do this. I'm doing this just to kill some time :)

This is a ONE WORD tag and you can only answer with just one! It's not easy especially if you want to share more of the story. But it was fun answering. Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on.

1. Where is your cell phone? table
2. Your hair? long
3. Your mother? abroad
4. Your father? idk
5. Your favorite food? chicken
6. Your dream last night? events
7. Your favorite drink? softdrinks
8. Your dream/goal? houses
9. What room you are in? sala
10. Your hobby? reading
11. Your fear? snakes
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? abroad
13. Where were you last night? work
14. Something that you aren’t? phony
15. Muffins? tasty
16. Wish list item? vacation
17. Where you grew up? dumaguete
18. Last thing you did? eat
19. What are you wearing? clothes
20. Your TV? off
21. Your pets? dog
22. Friends? many
23. Your life? blessed
24. Your mood? normal
25. Missing someone? yeah
26. Car? wishing
27. Something you’re not wearing? earrings
28. Your favorite store? supermarket
29. Your favorite color? black
30. When is the last time you laughed? morning
31. Last time you cried? idk
32. One place that I go to over and over? church
33. One person who emails me regularly? motheret
34. My favorite place to eat? McDonalds

Liham Para Sa Mga Pilipino (Letter to the Filipinos)

As an honest taxpayer, a righteous voter, and a proud citizen of this country, I can’t help but think if this country would be able to rise again to its glory---the same glory we once had before the Marcoses stepped into power. With the current situation of my beloved country, it made me ponder on what kind of system our government has. True, that we cannot always rely on the government, that as citizen we must also do our part in serving the country. But it hurts given that you have poured your utmost servitude to the country and all you see are officials who only think of fattening their pockets, their kickbacks, and their thirst of power, more more power.

It is saddening. It is heartbreaking. But we are not left without an option. We still have our voices and ensure that it has to be heard; we still have the desire and let it ignite to influence those whose hopes are gone; and we still have our love of country and let it be an inspiration to every Filipino.

A friend of mine forwarded a forwarded e-mail containing a letter authored by a certain Remedios C. Paningbatan, who works for Asian Development Bank. But according to globalnation.inquirer.net and angdabawenyo.com, she never wrote the said essay. Apparently, she received the mail and forwarded it to people but her signature was still at the bottom of the e-mail. That's how it was accounted to her. To straight things up, Remedios did not write the said essay.

To whosoever authored the said piece, I think you did a pretty damn job. For me, whether the piece was done by Remedios or not, I know the intention was to have this read by millions of Filipinos. I think that objective has been achieved.

The letter is very interesting and worth reading.

TO ALL FILIPINOS EVERYWHERE:

I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behavior? And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country. Can it get any worse than this?

Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these "honorable" crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and appalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!

I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like "Honorable", "Senator", "Justice", "General" and worse, "President". Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do! These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation – Robin Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? "Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich."

It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for all the world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures who can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience. Heaven forbid!

I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.

And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own "pag bad ka, lagot ka!" slogan.. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?

And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship. "Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.

They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it..

But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.

Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!

I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion – right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go.. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.

I call on educators and teachers – we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future – and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.

I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders. YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your heritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.

Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country.. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater.. We are tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field.. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.

For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.

Typhoon Ondoy

Ondoy has left the Philippines, but it left floods, deaths, missing people, a lot stranded, milliones of properties lost and damaged, and a lot are homeless and with no food and clothes.

I am happy that we are not in those areas that are greatly affected. I am thankful to God for keeping me and my community safe.

I am praying that water would recede and that people affected will recover.

Let us all pray that the rescue and search operations would all be successful. Also, pray for the volunteers and those who are helping that they may have all the strength needed, good health, and endurance to continue.

In our own little way, let us all help.