"TESDA MAN" for Senator

Secretary Joel Emmanuel Villanueva also known as “TESDA MAN” is running for senator under the Liberal Party. He says he wants to lead people to employment, raise their incomes, and eventually make them part of a strong middle class.  His platform is connected into TESDA – which stands for Trabaho, Edukasyon, Serbisyo, Dignidad and Asenso (Employment, Education, Service, Dignity and Progress). His advocacies are education and giving jobs to people.

We should vote Villanueva for his sincerity in serving the Lord and the country. We should retain people like him who truly serve our country. He has proven all of this through TESDA. During his time as director general of TESDA, Villanueva helped increase the employment rate of TESDA graduates by 72 percent in 2014 from only 28.5 percent in 2008. He extinguishes the stigma to tech-voc studies and the difficulty for the Filipino’s to get college diploma. TESDA created a big change in the connotation of tech-voc. It has removed the “Tesda lang” mentality among the Filipinos especially the youth.

Villanueva is proud of his of what he had done and what the TESDA has accomplished in years.

I would like to see this honest, sincere, hard-working man in the Senate because of what he had accomplished for the Filipino. I know that Villanueva being a senator is a right decision and he will give his best to bring the same success he gave in TESDA to our country. Joel Villanueva a.k.a “TESDA MAN” is my senator for 2016.

Traffic Congestion in Manila

How do we feel about traffic? That’s a no-brainer. We hate it. And we feel the same for its synonyms which all mean that we’re going to be late for work again, words like “gridlock” and “congestion”. Anyone who has ever visited, worked in or lived in the Philippines would know how bad the traffic jams are in the cities, particularly Quezon City, Manila and Makati. The main avenues of these cities and even the secondary roads are often congested, and the problems of traffic congestion have become so serious that the economy is affected in no small way. I, myself has also a personal experience with traffic congestion. As a student, it is difficult for me to wake up early but I had to so I won’t be trap in the traffic by going to school even if I just reside in Villamor and my school is just on Magallanes. I need to wake up early and leave the house one hour before my class start. I always ride three vehicles to go to school. First is tricycle to get to the terminal that goes to Rotonda. In the terminal, it is usually difficult to find a ride because the vehicles came from Edsa and when there is traffic, they are having a difficulty to be back soon. If that is the case, the commuters tend to form a line and wait for their turn to ride and that takes time. After waiting for so long, you’ll get your ride but you will still face the traffic in Andrews Avenue. The traffic is really worse there because there are vehicles going to Baclaran and Rotonda. The traffic is due to the jeepneys that loads and unloads passengers in anywhere they want to or even in a go signal and the vehicles that tend to change routes from time to time. That is really frustrating if you are rushing. Same thing goes when I ride the jeepney that goes to my school after getting off my second ride.

It is inarguable that the worst traffic in Philippines is in Metro Manila, the center of economic activity in the country. Daily travel in the metropolis for an ordinary commuter requires two to four hours a day.

For every minute a commuter languishes in a traffic, the longer he or she is subjected to stress and pollution, translating to higher incidences of sickness and cost of medical expenses. The longer hours lost in traffic means fewer time spent for family, rest and recreation.

Metro Manila commuters are exposed to greater air pollution and extreme doses of toxic substances that could cause many diseases— including cancer. In 2009, the Philippines had one of the highest incidences of breast cancer in Asia and several cities in Metro Manila had a much higher incidence than most cities in the country.

According to the government, 85 percent of air pollution in Metro Manila comes from vehicles in spite of PH having one of the lowest motor vehicle concentrations in Asia. In 2010, World Bank estimated that PH had only 30 motor vehicles per 1,000 people while US has 797 and Thailand 157. However, one-third of all vehicles in the Philippines are in Metro Manila.
Worsening traffic is clearly becoming one of the major economic, environmental and health concerns of Metro Manila citizens.

The worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila can be attributed to too many Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) in the metropolitan area. Public transport in Metro Manila is most commonly provided by train, bus, jeepney and taxi on main roads, and tricycle and pedicab in small roads. Transportation on the roads, specifically buses and jeepneys, are mostly responsible for the clogs along the streets which always result to traffic jams along highways and main roads, causing the transport of commuters to be delayed and their time wasted. Another means of transportation is via trains, which do not make use of roads. Among these are the LRT 1 & 2 Lines (Manila Light Rail Transit System) and the MRT Line 3 (Metrostar Express). Transportation via trains can guarantee commuters of avoiding road traffic, however there are still factors that affect its ability to transport passengers efficiently such as congestion of people and technical problems. Thus, public transportation in the Philippines does not promote effective means of transportation, due to the inefficiency of Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) present on both the roads and tracks.

Land Transportation in Metro Manila should be improved in order to properly manage commuting problems such as traffic in the cities or congestion of commuters in trains. The inefficiency of public transportation may be solved through numerous ways, in order to solve the problems that commuters are coping up with. First solution is to regulate sorts of PUVs on the roads. According to Winston Ginez, a Regulatory Board chair, traffic among highways are mostly caused by the volume of city buses being more than double what a highway can accommodate. Adding to this is the problem of traffic along the roads which commonly involve jeepney drivers who go through risky actions just to carry as much passengers as they can. These PUVs often tend to choke up the roads, therefore causing traffic gridlocks that affect the flow of traffic in Metro Manila negatively. Furthermore, according to Andrei Medina from GMA News, “the local government of Manila is now eyeing to implement stricter road regulations on jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs to decongest traffic in the city”. With the bus and truck ban already implemented, Mayor Joseph Estrada said that the implementation had greatly reduced traffic in Manila. He believes disciplining drivers of public utility vehicles would further benefit the city. This proposed solution may be put into action by eradicating colorums, or unauthorized motorized operations – meaning illegal PUVs, along the roads so that traffic may be reduced.

Another solution is to have a better route plan for the jeepneys and buses, and to designate terminal areas where commuters would load and unload from the said PUVs. Through this way, traffic along other roads may be lessened when there are better route plans, and this also paves a way for a more convenient route for commuters. Since jeepney and bus divers usually unload and load passengers everywhere they want to, even if they are in the middle of the streets during a go signal, they cause delay for other vehicles and instigate obstructions along the flow of traffic. The designation of terminals would be a solution for this which may progressively reduce the traffic along the roads. The former mayor of Manila, Alfredo Lim, has quite taken an action regarding this issue by abolishing illegal jeepney terminals on street corners and street intersections around the city. The planning of a better route and designation of terminal areas may be advantageous to both the commuters and other public and private vehicles since they promote a smooth flow of traffic.

The present conditions of public transportations are alleviating persistently. Traffic couldn’t be completely avoided due to the high numbers of private and public cars in the metropolis. Ongpin also said that “Traffic will become even worse the coming months and years as infrastructure, long needed and long delayed, is now commencing construction”. However, with vital measures, traffic may still be minimized by applying these solutions in order to prevent traffic clogs and jams among vehicles. In effect, the time wasted on commuting or in traffic may be allotted instead into a more economical aspect for commuters, and this would promote the growth and productivity of both the commuters and the economy.

Leni for Vice President

Leni Robredo’s candidacy as vice president of the Philippines started as the Impossible Dream. It has now become a national crusade not just a political campaign. To a growing number of Filipino voters, she has restored faith in the democratic process.  She is proving that a person of integrity, humility and simplicity can still run and win a national position in this country.

Her late husband, Jesse Robredo, once said in a speech: "Our country is dire need of servant leaders whose sense of compassion and service are truly awakened. We cannot bring the Philippines to lasting greatness without leaders of this calibre working in government." Those prophetic words are how people are now describing his widow. 

These emotions are best shown in the words that different people have used to explain why they are voting for Leni. For some people, it is because they believe that she shares a common cause like a group of alternative lawyers, legal advocates and human rights defender who recently expressed their support in a public statement.

Among the many reasons they stated were the following: “We enjoin voters to choose Leni for her commitment to transparency and reform ... Our endorsement for a true public servant like Leni is equal to our continuing commitment to the advocacy for programs and policies that empower communities through equal access to education, employment, food, land, and other resources and justice. Let us not simply vote for personalities with tainted political histories and short sighted promises.

We want a transparent leader who will espouse and enable our own engagement and participation in good governance, and we believe vice presidential aspirant Leni Robredo has exemplified these features throughout her career as an alternative lawyer, development worker and legislator. “

She is not one who will bombard you down with long speeches and promises and wouldn't flood you with political ambition. Instead, Robredo is a gentle presence but leaves such a great impact. An articulate lawyer, she is very conscious about serving people in the grassroots and in the margins of society--she spent all her weekends as congresswoman going in far-flung, underserved barrios in her province. In fact, she had been helping her kababayans as a practicing lawyer whose focused on cases involving the marginalized sector. She is connected with the Naga chapter of Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Pang Legal (Saligan), a national alternative lawyers’ group helping farmers. She founded Lakas ng Kababaihan ng Naga, was the past president of the Naga City Council for Women, and a member of Federacion International de Abogados. 

She also worked with the Public Attorney's Office. Her legal career was devoted to defending the rights of farmers, fisher folk, women and all those who could not afford legal fees.

During her term in Congress, the bills she supported show her preference for pro-poor and people empowerment legislation. These bills included People’s Participation in Budget Deliberation; People Empowerment; Freedom of Information; Full Disclosure; Tax Incentive Management and Transparency; Anti-Discrimination; National Food Security; Agrarian Reform Commission; National Land Use and Management; Healthy Beverage Option: and, Mt. Isarog Natural Park.

FATHER. Leni Robredo's father was a Regional Trial Court judge in Naga City. Photo from Robredo's Twitter page

If she wasn't thrust into politics in 2013, Robredo could have been a regional trial court judge. Before her husband's death, she had been shortlisted to become presiding judge in any of 3 regional trial courts (RTCs) in the Bicol region and could have followed her father's footsteps, the late Antonio Herona Sr, who was an RTC judge in Naga City. Leni withdrew her nomination when husband Jessie died. She then applied as judge for any Quezon City regional trial court so she could be with her daughters but her plans were derailed because she had to run for Congress in the 3rd district of Camarines Sur.

And get this, when she was asked in an interview that if she were elected Vice President, and a new President would ask her if she wanted a Cabinet portfolio, she said that she would request an anti-poverty assignment, even if it were a task force and not a department. "Because of my background, I see things from the point of view of the people on the ground," she said.

Robredo said she is prepared for all the difficulties and frustrations of government service. She's had her share as a legislator, and saw them herself during the stint of her late husband Jessie as the DILG chief and that was no piece of cake. "Not everyone is called to serve. No matter how small the role you're given, it is still an opportunity to make a difference. So whatever is given to me I will do my best to do it," says Robredo.

RIGHT REASONS. Liberal Party vice presidential bet Leni Robredo tells local officials in Negros Occidental on October 6, 2015, that she hopes they will join her not out of pity but because they believe she will be good for the country. In the photo withe her are (from left) former Governor Rafael Coscolluela, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr, former Governor Daniel Lacson, and Bacolod Representative Evelio Leonardia. Photo by Marchel P. Espina/Rappler

On her first sortie after declaring her vice presidential bid, Leni Robredo of the Liberal Party (LP) told voters here on Tuesday, October 6, that should they vote for her, it should not be because she’s the widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. “It should not be hinged on sympathy, because you’ve taken pity on me). It should be based on what the candidate has done in the past,” Robredo said in a speech before local officials at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.

There are still those who believe Leni lacks the necessary experience because they are not aware of her record as a public servant. This is how she introduced herself in speech during a Vice President Forum:

 “I may be new in politics, but I am a veteran in public service. I have dedicated my professional life as an alternative lawyer, working with and serving farmers, fisher folk , abused women, laborers, and others in the margins of society. My work has allowed me to walk closely with sectors of our society that are hungering for justice and a better life such as the Sumilao farmers in 2007 as they marched in protest to get the land that is rightfully theirs.

“This brand of leadership – one that listens to the people, gives voice to the margins and inspires people participation  – is what I strove to continue during my term as representative of the Third District of Camarines Sur.”

There is one story about Leni that has endeared her to those who have heard about her. When she was Congresswoman, she had to attend the regular sessions at the Congress in Quezon City. Every week, she would ride a bus – yes a bus – to go home to Naga City, Camarines Sur. There are now many who are saying that she will change her lifestyle since she is now a national celebrity. It is to Leni’s credit that she understands the siren song of power and fame.

I am sure that the Philippines “will be better for this that one woman...strove with her last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable star.” Leni Robredo for Vice President of the Philippines.

What it means to be a Filipino

The concept of national identity is a tricky one. Asking what it means to be Filipino is basically the same as finding what it is that brings 94.85 million people together. Is it the fact that we share the same land? 7,107 islands beg to differ (at least when it’s low tide). Is it sharing a mother tongue? We have 185 languages between us. Is it having the same blood running through our veins? Whether we’re aware of it or not, almost all of us have a mix of Chinese, Spanish, American, or some other foreign blood.

Or it might not be the factual attributes as it is the cultural that matters, though culture itself is something continuously changing. When we once wielded bolos or wrote upon leaves and tree barks, we now dress in Western styles and use touch-screen gadgets.

Still, we have been faced over and over with the same blinding question: Does a unique Filipino identity even exist? From wading in knee-deep floodwater to our unique love for all things basketball, we delve into the rare attributes of Filipinos and their rich heritage.

One thing that a lot of people love to complain about in the Philippines is that we are a country without a culture. Indeed, regionalism is somewhat strong in the Philippines; some of our southernmost regions keep pushing for secession, many regions have stronger loyalty to their ethnic groups than to the Philippines as a whole; and Manila’s reach is somewhat hard to feel in some of the farther-off areas, especially due to the Philippines being an archipelago.

It’s a big challenge trying to sum up what it means to be a Filipino in just one article. Yet, there are some things that stand out about us as a people.

To be a Filipino is to adapt, endure, and somehow find happiness.

Filipinos have to embrace duality in many aspects of life. Having gone through three different occupations that lasted hundreds of years, we have learned to adapt and mold different cultures. For example, most Filipinos are Catholic, yet we also grew up with many decidedly pagan beliefs. As children we were taught to be good and to fear God; yet we were also quieted by our mothers and maids with threats of being carried away by dwarves or tikbalang (a sort of half-man half-horse creature; think a reverse centaur). We pray the rosary and visit churches to ask for favors; yet sometimes we also call in the local albularyo or folk healer.

Filipinos are also known for being able to adapt easily to life abroad. There are significant numbers of Filipinos in the United States, Middle East, East Asia, Western Europe, the United Kingdom and Australia. Remittances from these Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) totaled about 10-12% of Philippine GDP in 2010. OFWs know that their earnings are a boon to the nation’s economy; but they know even more that it is this money that allows their families to live better lives. That’s why they do it – it’s a big sacrifice to be away from family and friends for so long, but this is a small sacrifice to pay for a better life. Yes, it’s also an adventure and a chance to grow, but you have to understand how important family is for us Filipinos. To leave for a foreign land with no guarantee of returning to the Philippines for good is one of the hardest things to deal with. Technology eases the sting somewhat, but considers that Filipinos have been doing this for decades before Internet use became widespread. Filipinos before would cope by forming their own communities, and by bringing over what things they could of home, such as food (Filipino restaurants like Jollibee, Red Ribbon and Max’s have gained footholds in LA, for example), and by writing back home every so often.

Let’s look back earlier in time. History shows that when the Spanish, Americans and Japanese all came to conquer the Philippines; we did resist. Yet, we had to surrender when it became clear there was no way to resist. By all accounts, most of our leaders and our people were able to adjust remarkably well by cooperating with the new leadership. Some would call it cowardice; but most would agree that it was merely practical survival. Several revolts did spring up throughout the years, but sadly, most didn’t get very far.

Towards the end of the Spanish era, the members of La Liga Filipina, a civic organization devoted to achieving independence, would split. Some would advocate seeking independence through armed revolution; some would argue for using the strategy of propaganda and institutional reform. Again, neither group quite succeeded. During the American era, Filipino politicians were also split: some were quite aggressive towards the Americans, while some wanted to work with them and prove that the Philippines were ready for self-governance. During World War II, under the Japanese, some Filipinos took to the hills to wage guerilla warfare, while others stayed in their posts to act as a buffer between the Japanese and the Filipinos.

There were two widely different strategies, yet both had the same aims.

This is because we Filipinos do our best to endure. Yes, there comes a time when we have had enough, and we do fight – the EDSA Revolution of 1986 played a key role in forcing an ailing Ferdinand Marcos from office, for example. However, as long as things can be endured, we will find a way. Some argue that this is a bad thing – that if we had not been so patient, we would years ago have risen up and taken power away from the rich few in Manila who influence the way the country is run. On the other hand, it is a testament to the hardiness of our people that we somehow make the most of what little we have, and slowly, we grow.

In today’s highly globalized world, it has never been more important for Filipinos to act with an inherent national pride in doing things, from the littlest to the most ground-breaking, from crossing the street to paying taxes, from being the best in school or at work to engaging in social entrepreneurship.

Only when people attach being Filipino within themselves will they realize their vital role in continuously defining and re-defining what Filipino means and what it stands for.

That thing called "TADHANA"

Part of this year's Cinema One Originals Film Festival is Tonete Jadaone's 'That Thing Called Tadhana'. A Rom-Com that tells the story of Mace (Angelica Panganiban), a soon-to-be-heart-broken girl who met Anthony (JM de Guzman) in an airport, the latter offered help by giving his extra 'luggage allowance' to Mace, when they returned from Rome, Mace is now a broken-hearted girl and Anthony became his shoulder to cry on. The two took the longest day (and the shortest moving on phase) in their lives by spending time with each other and rediscover a kind love that they may only experience once.

The film frees itself from the love formula we are all familiar with, even if the main premise is nothing new: Girl sees the end of an eight-year relationship, wallows in her heartbreak, goes some place to find herself and hopes to move on. Boy comes along unexpectedly, does not intend to be the knight in shining armor, but eventually finds himself feeling something special. The film purposely turns its back on what normally makes the masses tick. There is no grand production, no comic lines being shoved down your throat, no roster of supporting acts, no dramatic declaration of love, no going to great lengths to run after one’s love, and thank heavens: no shameless product placement. Instead, it chooses to be quiet, steady, honest and witty. It is serious, but not heartbreaking; hilarious without even trying and; smart without being overwhelming. The restraint used in every scene results in effective storytelling and pulls the magic, not out of fairy tale-ish circumstances, but from the humanness of its characters.  Who, by the way, happen to be the only players in the movie (another bold move).

 This Angelica Panganiban & JM de Guzman starred triumphs through effortless performances and a good story. It has a steady flow which never once wavers or gets confusing. It manages to keep the audience focused and engrossed even if it has nothing else to offer but Anthony and Mace’s uneventful journey and the little things in it that mirror ourselves. THAT THING CALLED TADHANA is a story that reminds us that love can be a no-frills kind of thing, and reminds us (once again) that it can be born out of friendship, in the unlikeliest of places. That Thing Called Tadhana will remind us of our forgotten memories and thank them for they led us down to where we are today.

The director put a fundamental question for us to answer. Are we truly destined to find our soul mates? Or are we who we are completely because of decisions we make? Without waxing poetic about names being written in the stars, the movie shows us that there are certain wonderful circumstances that we find ourselves in if we allow ourselves to enjoy the journey. No matter the situation, life leaves us room to recover if we allow ourselves to. In less than two days, our female protagonist found the strength to defeat her deep-seated cynicism and regain her faith in the universe.

I'd like to end this review with my favorite concept of the movie. At one point, she asks him, why did she waste all this time on her ex? She regretted putting so much time and energy into the relationship. Anthony answered her by saying that every good deed deserves another and every kind act will be repaid in some other form in the future. If I were to describe Destiny, it would be in this very simple understanding of the way the world works. Be kind and you'll find kindness. Be generous and generosity will be given to you. Be loving and you will be loved.