Why this Election is Fatal to Everyone

There I said it: this election can kill everyone. In the coming weeks before the election and the first few months afterward is a very dangerous chapter of our history. If you make it alive next year reading my blog, I just I hope I’m also well enough to write quirky things for the world to read.

So now you ask: how come this election fatal to everyone? I know there’s violence from the goons and lunatics of the political candidates but that can be easily avoided: simply stay away from politics (also, read my blog). But I’m not talking about that danger, we are facing something more sinister and fatal that without swift action, death to those who can’t face the challenges will come.

Unfortunately, election came in one of the most trying times in our country. El Niño couldn’t have arrived in a much worst situation. In just a few weeks, farmers were brought to its knees and everyone felt the searing heat of the sun. Personally, I have never experienced this temperature before. I have two personal experiences why we are experiencing record breaking heat:

• My laptop can’t take it anymore – I need help. I have to purchase a brand new laptop because this one is going into white screen more than six times a day. Before the searing heat, my laptop only goes to unexplained white screen once in two days. (Donations – please follow the link on paypal :) ).

• It’s too hot outside – Every time I go home, I have this terrible headache that only wanes after four hours. The sun’s heat (even at 5pm) is still unbearable.

So how come nature is mentioned in politics which can kill us? Because this disaster will be exploited at our disadvantage:

• There is still bickering about the “emergency state” since some will see this as a chance to exploit the poor. This is true and they will delay their funding. Worst, the funding will only be given to those who kiss the politician’s *ss in the coming election. So with the searing heat – farmers and people who stand by their principles are left to rot or wither under the sun.

• The blackout in Mindanao is getting a lot worst. Eight hours of rotating blackouts will put me out of business. Imagine small hospitals and even government hospitals that can’t support this type of power challenges. People will die everyday because there is no solution or no solution was made to prevent this problem.

I don’t know what we can do about this. I tried staying in the mall for more than eight hours but I can’t do anything in that place – besides, it’s too expensive there.

How about you? Any thoughts on how we can survive? Please…

News with Good Idea but Worst Implications this Week

This week, we take a look at three recent news that seemed good but has a bigger chance that it's just be another bust.

Bacolod asking for Exemption from Donation
News Link: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/247308/bacolod-seeks-exemption-elections-ban

The logic is simple: COMELEC has to exclude Bacolod City with the ruling of donations during election period because it could disrupt certain spending as they are regarded as donation. The recipients of the donation and assistance are the teachers, the police and the poor people who need help.

While the reason for exemption is noble, it is quite impossible that it'll never be part of politics. This is especially true in Bacolod City since politics is way muddier than an unkempt road in the sugarcane fields during the rainy season.

Gibo's Plan for Pork Barrel for Local Government Unit
Link: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/247186/gibo-push-pork-barrel-lgus

While reading the article, I was thinking: this is actually a great plan because it will cut down middle-men (AKA Congressmen) in distributing funds. But then I remembered the danger of money when given to politician located in a very far and unknown area. I mean, just look at the Ampatuans. I'm sure they have billions everywhere because of the power they wield. Since they are in Mindanao, no one can easily check what they do. This is also true in other towns in Visayas and Northern Luzon. No one is there to audit what they do with the money.

Speaking of Mindanao:

Mindanao Now in the State of Calamity
Link: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/247343/mindanao-under-state-calamity

If there's a specific part of the country that needs more help than anyone - it's the folks in Mindanao. Nature is under heat, literally, and its destroying crops. To deal with the problem, they declared a state of calamity.

Now, I fully support this decision because this will allow farmers or just about anyone in Mindanao access to the needed funds. But, how are they going to get these funds? Of course, they will have to approach a politician and these funds will be used to gain advantage in the election.

Any stories like these? Add the news in comments :)

(Image: trap door spider from Wikicommons)

DVDs of the Maguindanao Massacre? C'mon!

Now this is just insane…

The Optical Media Board is now looking into the piracy of DVDs containing the footage of Maguindanao. The contents are gruesome (allegedly) as you'll see heads were crushed and body practically mutilated because of the massacre. The DVD has been circulating in Mindanao for days. The DVD allegedly contains 4 hours of footage - 2 hours for the first day of digging and 2 hours the next day. According to the newspaper, the DVDs can be purchased for 60 pesos.

There are two conflicting ideas in the report:

The OMB is clearly against this type of "exploitation" earning from a gruesome event is not something a regular person should do.

On the other hand, a lawyer in Mindanao is sees "nothing wrong" with the distribution of DVDs. Because this should show how gruesome some people are in this senseless murder.

Both parties have a point but both parties are missing out something.

For the OMB - guys, you better do something about this fast. The weird part is that you only new this because someone sent in a complaint online. Don't you have guys down there in Mindanao? If there's any place you should be aware of piracy it's in Mindanao. I know Manila is also hotbed for piracy but our brothers in Mindanao are doing much more simply because of the economic situation. Why should I watch "Panday" in MMFF when I can have it on DVD for half the ticket price? Don't just investigate - go down there and do something. Sir Ronnie (Rickets), you should be the one more concerned about this because your movie is also heavily pirated.

For the Lawyer who Encourages the Distribution of the Said Movie - I know how you feel and I understand it. I'm also curious what's inside the DVD. But selling them? I don't see any justice for the families there. The persons behind this distribution are the only ones earning from this mishap. They are exploiting the situation and tries to earn big from it. The earnings should be given to the families but I don't see that happening.

That is why I think the distribution should be stopped. The families are the ones on the losing end of this alleged DVD fiasco.

How PETA Ruined My Evening

I was lazily staring at my laptop when my mom shouted "get in front of the TV, they're featuring rabbits". I stopped what I was doing (or staring at) and switched on my TV in my room.

Jessica Soho was narrating the opportunity the country has in rabbits. They are great source of meat (only 150/kilo), tastes a lot like native chicken and they never thought of adapting any family planning of some sort. It's a great source of meat because they can be available at almost anytime. There's a town in Mindanao that uses rabbit instead of chicken because it's less expensive and easy to propagate. Rabbit skin is even great for a wallet.

I liked the segment but then a note came out...PETA is against slaughtering of rabbits!!! They said animals should not be sacrificed for the sake of us humans. Wow. I was disappointed and that thought was enough to destroy my evening. Thanks PETA, I owe you one.

I always like the idea of PETA. Stop killing animals. I thought their reason was that they animals should be preserved and when the need arises, should be killed in a very humane way. But noooo...I was wrong. Animals should never be killed no matter what. I thought the "humane" fly catcher PETA sent to President Obama was ridiculous...and it still is.

Let me give you as simple argument why PETA has got it all wrong. I'm all for human treatment of animals. I have five turtles that I rescued from their crazy owners because they are tied up without food. That's my share of trying to help the world. For the mosquitoes however, I have no second thoughts of swatting them. How can I be humane for mosquitoes? Tell them not to bite me? **** *** (expletives, figure it out).

Going back to the rabbits, I like what the good pastor did to make the rice porridge (arroz caldo) taste better – spike it with rabbit. Everyone liked it and the feeding program is a success. Now, if PETA tells me that rabbit should not be included in the porridge, they should try eating porridge with salt everyday. When I was in elementary, I forced myself to eat "Burgur Wheat" or whatever they call it. The abomination is practically brown rice with peas! It doesn't taste anything without sugar or salt. If they could have spiked it with chicken or pork, I could have been transformed from skinny to obese when I finished my elementary years.

Please PETA, before you tell people not to eat anything be sure they have options because us Filipino people doesn’t have a lot of options in terms of food. Don't tell me "it's the government’s problem" yeah, **** ** **** (expletives). I know how you've been violent on celebrities who tried to wear fur. Maybe you're right in there. But try to be violent in front of our brothers in Mindanao who can't have chicken because they're too expensive. Let's see how you courage could fare with their warrior-like courage.

Again...I would like to thank PETA for ruining my Saturday night. Hopefully, I could return the favor by ruin your one of your nights.