Mandato sa Pagbabago

Inaugural speech of President Benigno C. Aquino
Filipino Version

His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of the diplomatic corps, fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan.

Ang pagtayo ko dito ngayon ay patunay na kayo ang aking tunay na lakas. Hindi ko inakala na darating tayo sa puntong ito, na ako’y manunumpa sa harap ninyo bilang inyong Pangulo. Hindi ko pinangarap maging tagapagtaguyod ng pag-asa at tagapagmana ng mga suliranin ng ating bayan.

Ang layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang: maging tapat sa aking mga magulang at sa bayan bilang isang marangal na anak, mabait na kuya, at mabuting mamamayan.

Nilabanan ng aking ama ang diktaturya at ibinuwis niya ang kanyang buhay para tubusin ang ating demokrasya. Inalay ng aking ina ang kanyang buhay upang pangalagaan ang demokrasyang ito. Ilalaan ko ang aking buhay para siguraduhin na ang ating demokrasya ay kapaki-pakinabang sa bawat isa. Namuhunan na kami ng dugo at handang gawin itong muli kung kinakailangan.

Tanyag man ang aking mga magulang at ang kanilang mga nagawa, alam ko rin ang problema ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Alam nating lahat ang pakiramdam na magkaroon ng pamahalaang bulag at bingi. Alam natin ang pakiramdam na mapagkaitan ng hustisya, na mabalewala ng mga taong pinagkatiwalaan at inatasan nating maging ating tagapagtanggol.

Kayo ba ay minsan ring nalimutan ng pamahalaang inyong iniluklok sa puwesto? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay sawang-sawa na sa pamahalaang sa halip na magsilbi sa taumbayan ay kailangan pa nila itong pagpasensiyahan at tiisin? Ako rin.

Katulad ninyo ako. Marami na sa atin ang bumoto gamit ang kanilang paa – nilisan na nila ang ating bansa sa kanilang paghahanap ng pagbabago at katahimikan. Tiniis nila ang hirap, sinugod ang panganib sa ibang bansa dahil doon may pag-asa kahit kaunti na dito sa atin ay hindi nila nakikita. Sa iilang sandali na sarili ko lang ang aking inaalala, pati ako ay napag-isip din – talaga bang hindi na mababago ang pamamahala natin dito? Hindi kaya nasa ibang bansa ang katahimikang hinahanap ko? Saan ba nakasulat na kailangang puro pagtitiis ang tadhana ng Pilipino?

Ngayon, sa araw na ito - dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa mga daing ng taumbayan. Hindi si Noynoy ang gumawa ng paraan, kayo ang dahilan kung bakit ngayon, magtatapos na ang pagtitiis ng sambayanan. Ito naman ang umpisa ng kalbaryo ko, ngunit kung marami tayong magpapasan ng krus ay kakayanin natin ito, gaano man kabigat.

Sa tulong ng wastong pamamahala sa mga darating na taon, maiibsan din ang marami nating problema. Ang tadhana ng Pilipino ay babalik sa tamang kalagayan, na sa bawat taon pabawas ng pabawas ang problema ng Pinoy na nagsusumikap at may kasiguruhan sila na magiging tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbuti ng kanilang sitwasyon.

Kami ay narito para magsilbi at hindi para maghari. Ang mandato ninyo sa amin ay pagbabago – isang malinaw na utos para ayusin ang gobyerno at lipunan mula sa pamahalaang iilan lamang ang nakikinabang tungo sa isang pamahalaang kabutihan ng mamamayan ang pinangangalagaan.

Ang mandatong ito ay isa kung saan kayo at ang inyong pangulo ay nagkasundo para sa pagbabago – isang paninindigan na ipinangako ko noong kampanya at tinanggap ninyo noong araw ng halalan.

Sigaw natin noong kampanya: “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” Hindi lamang ito pang slogan o pang poster – ito ang mga prinsipyong tinatayuan at nagsisilbing batayan ng ating administrasyon.

Ang ating pangunahing tungkulin ay ang magsikap na maiangat ang bansa mula sa kahirapan, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapairal ng katapatan at mabuting pamamalakad sa pamahalaan.

Ang unang hakbang ay ang pagkakaroon ng tuwid at tapat na hanay ng mga pinuno. Magsisimula ito sa akin. Sisikapin kong maging isang mabuting ehemplo. Hinding hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa akin. Sisiguraduhin ko na ganito rin ang adhikain ng aking Gabinete at ng mga magiging kasama sa ating pamahalaan.

Naniniwala akong hindi lahat ng nagsisilbi sa gobyerno ay corrupt. Sa katunayan, mas marami sa kanila ay tapat. Pinili nilang maglingkod sa gobyerno upang gumawa ng kabutihan. Ngayon, magkakaroon na sila ng pagkakataong magpakitang-gilas. Inaasahan natin sila sa pagsupil ng korapsyon sa loob mismo ng burukrasya.

Sa mga itinalaga sa paraang labag sa batas, ito ang aking babala: sisimulan natin ang pagbabalik ng tiwala sa pamamagitan ng pag-usisa sa mga “midnight appointments.” Sana ay magsilbi itong babala sa mga nag-iisip na ipagpatuloy ang baluktot na kalakarang nakasanayan na ng marami.

Sa mga kapuspalad nating mga kababayan, ngayon, ang pamahalaan ang inyong kampeon.

Hindi natin ipagpapaliban ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga estudyante, kaya’t sisikapin nating punan ang kakulangan sa ating mga silid-aralan.

Unti-unti din nating babawasan ang mga kakulangan sa imprastraktura para sa transportasyon, turismo at pangangalakal. Mula ngayon, hindi na puwede ang “puwede na” pagdating sa mga kalye, tulay at gusali dahil magiging responsibilidad ng mga kontratista ang panatilihing nasa mabuting kalagayan ang mga proyekto nila.

Bubuhayin natin ang programang “emergency employment” ng dating pangulong Corazon Aquino sa pagtatayo ng mga bagong imprastraktura na ito. Ito ay magbibigay ng trabaho sa mga local na komunidad at makakatulong sa pagpapalago ng kanila at ng ating ekonomiya.

Hindi kami magiging sanhi ng inyong pasakit at perwisyo. Palalakasin natin ang koleksyon at pupuksain natin ang korapsyon sa Kawanihan ng Rentas Internas at Bureau of Customs para mapondohan natin ang ating mga hinahangad para sa lahat, tulad ng:

· dekalidad na edukasyon, kabilang ang edukasyong bokasyonal para makapaghanap ng marangal na trabaho ang hindi makapag-kolehiyo;

· serbisyong pangkalusugan, tulad ng Philhealth para sa lahat sa loob ng tatlong taon;

· tirahan sa loob ng mga ligtas na komunidad.

Palalakasin at palalaguin natin ang bilang ng ating kasundaluhan at kapulisan, hindi para tugunan ang interes ng mga naghahari-harian, ngunit para proteksyunan ang mamamayan. Itinataya nila ang kanilang buhay para mayroong pagkakataon sa katahimikan at kapayapaan sa sambayanan. Dumoble na ang populasyong kanilang binabantayan, nanatili naman sila sa bilang. Hindi tama na ang nagmamalasakit ay kinakawawa.

Kung dati ay may fertilizer scam, ngayon ay may kalinga na tunay para sa mga magsasaka. Tutulungan natin sila sa irigasyon, extension services, at sa pagbenta ng kanilang produkto sa pinakamataas na presyong maaari.

Inaatasan natin si papasok na Kalihim Alcala na magtayo ng mga trading centers kung saan diretso na ang magsasaka sa mamimili - lalaktawan natin ang gitna, kasama na ang kotong cop. Sa ganitong paraan, ang dating napupunta sa gitna ay maari nang paghatian ng magsasaka at mamimili.

Gagawin nating kaaya-aya sa negosyante ang ating bansa. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance, to business. Sa ganitong paraan lamang natin mapupunan ang kakulangan ng trabaho para sa ating mga mamamayan.

Layunin nating paramihin ang trabaho dito sa ating bansa upang hindi na kailanganin ang mangibang-bansa para makahanap ng trabaho. Ngunit habang ito ay hindi pa natin naaabot, inaatasan ko ang mga kawani ng DFA, POEA, OWWA at iba pang mga kinauukulang ahensiya na mas lalo pang paigtingin ang pagtugon sa mga hinaing at pangangailangan ng ating mga overseas Filipino workers.

Papaigtingin namin ang proseso ng konsultasyon at pag-uulat sa taumbayan. Sisikapin naming isakatuparan ang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon na kinikilala ang karapatan ng mamamayan na magkaroon ng kaalaman ukol sa mga pampublikong alintana.

Binuhay natin ang diwa ng people power noong kampanya. Ipagpatuloy natin ito tungo sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala. Ang naniniwala sa people power ay nakatuon sa kapwa at hindi sa sarili.

Sa mga nang-api sa akin, kaya ko kayong patawarin, at pinapatawad ko na kayo. Sa mga nang-api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan na limutin ang inyong mga kasalanan.

To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. Sa paglimot ng pagkakasala, sinisigurado mong mauulit muli ang mga pagkakasalang ito. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

Ikinagagalak din naming ibahagi sa inyo ang pagtanggap ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide sa hamon ng pagtatatag at pamumuno sa isang Truth Commission na magbibigay linaw sa maraming kahinahinalang isyu na hanggang ngayon ay walang kasagutan at resolusyon.

Ang sinumang nagkamali ay kailangang humarap sa hustisya. Hindi maaaring patuloy ang kalakaran ng walang pananagutan at tuloy na pang-aapi.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflicts, inclusive of the interests of all – may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalI defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. Sa tamang pamamahala gaganda ang buhay ng lahat, at sa buhay na maganda, sino pa ang gugustuhing bumalik sa panahon ng pang-aapi?

Kung kasama ko kayo, maitataguyod natin ang isang bayan kung saan pantay-pantay ang pagkakataon, dahil pantay-pantay nating ginagampanan ang ating mga pananagutan.

Kamakailan lamang, ang bawat isa sa atin ay nanindigan sa presinto. Bumoto tayo ayon sa ating karapatan at konsensiya. Hindi tayo umatras sa tungkulin nating ipaglaban ang karapatang ito.

Pagkatapos ng bilangan, pinatunayan ninyo na ang tao ang tunay na lakas ng bayan.

Ito ang kahalagahan ng ating demokrasya. Ito ang pundasyon ng ating pagkakaisa. Nangampanya tayo para sa pagbabago. Dahil dito taas-noo muli ang Pilipino. Tayong lahat ay kabilang sa isang bansa kung saan maaari nang mangarap muli.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works.”

Inaanyayahan ko kayo ngayon na manumpa sa ating mga sarili, sa sambayanan, WALANG MAIIWAN.

Walang pangingibang-bayan at gastusan na walang wastong dahilan. Walang pagtatalikod sa mga salitang binitawan noong kampanya, ngayon at hanggang sa mga susunod pang pagsubok na pagdadaanan sa loob ng anim na taon.

Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawang-gawa.

Nandito tayo ngayon dahil sama-sama tayong nanindigan at nagtiwala na may pag-asa.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. Sa inyong mga nag-iisip pa kung tutulong kayo sa pagpasan ng ating krus, isa lang ang aking tanong – kung kailan tayo nanalo, saka pa ba kayo susuko?

Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to the people’s needs and aspirations.

Kayo ang nagdala sa akin sa puntong ito – ang ating mga volunteers – matanda, bata, celebrity, ordinaryong tao, na umikot sa Pilipinas para ikampanya ang pagbabago; ang aking mga kasambahay, na nag-asikaso ng lahat ng aking mga personal na pangangailangan; ang aking pamilya, kaibigan at katrabaho, na dumamay, nag-alaga at nagbigay ng suporta sa akin; ang ating mga abogado, na nagpuyat para bantayan ang ating mga boto at siguraduhing mabibilang ang bawat isa; ang aking mga kapartido at kaalyado na kasama kong nangahas mangarap; at ang milyun-milyong Pilipinong nagkaisa, nagtiwala at hindi nawalan ng pag-asa – nasa inyo ang aking taus-pusong pasasalamat.

Hindi ko makakayang harapin ang aking mga magulang, at kayong mga nagdala sa akin sa yugto ng buhay kong ito, kung hindi ko maisasakatuparan ang aking mga binitawang salita sa araw na ito.

My parents sought nothing less and died for nothing less than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

Layunin ko na sa pagbaba ko sa katungkulan, masasabi ng lahat na malayo na ang narating natin sa pagtahak ng tuwid na landas at mas maganda na ang kinabukasang ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Samahan ninyo ako sa pagtatapos ng laban na ito. Tayo na sa tuwid na landas.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!
(source: manila bulletin, July 1, 2010)

Mandate of Change

Inaugural speech of Pres. Benigno C. Aquino III

English Version

His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of the diplomatic corps, fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan.

My presence here today is proof that you are my true strength. I never expected that I will be here taking my oath of office before you, as your president. I never imagined that I would be tasked with continuing the mission of my parents. I never entertained the ambition to be the symbol of hope, and to inherit the problems of our nation.

I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my parents and our country as an honorable son, a caring brother, and a good citizen.

My father offered his life so our democracy could live. My mother devoted her life to nurturing that democracy. I will dedicate my life to making our democracy reach its fullest potential: that of ensuring equality for all. My family has sacrificed much and I am willing to do this again if necessary.

Although I was born to famous parents, I know and feel the problems of ordinary citizens. We all know what it is like to have a government that plays deaf and dumb. We know what it is like to be denied justice, to be ignored by those in whom we placed our trust and tasked to become our advocates.

Have you ever been ignored by the very government you helped put in power? I have. Have you had to endure being rudely shoved aside by the siren-blaring escorts of those who love to display their position and power over you? I have, too. Have you experienced exasperation and anger at a government that instead of serving you, needs to be endured by you? So have I.

I am like you. Many of our countrymen have already voted with their feet - migrating to other countries in search of change or tranquility. They have endured hardship, risked their lives because they believe that compared to their current state here, there is more hope for them in another country, no matter how bleak it may be. In moments when I thought of only my own welfare, I also wondered - is it possible that I can find the peace and quiet that I crave in another country? Is our government beyond redemption? Has it been written that the Filipino’s lot is merely to suffer?

Today marks the end of a regime indifferent to the appeals of the people. It is not Noynoy who found a way. You are the reason why the silent suffering of the nation is about to end. This is the beginning of my burden, but if many of us will bear the cross we will lift it, no matter how heavy it is.

Through good governance in the coming years, we will lessen our problems. The destiny of the Filipino will return to its rightful place, and as each year passes, the Filipino’s problems will continue to lessen with the assurance of progress in their lives.

We are here to serve and not to lord over you. The mandate given to me was one of change. I accept your marching orders to transform our government from one that is self-serving to one that works for the welfare of the nation.

This mandate is the social contract that we agreed upon. It is the promise I made during the campaign, which you accepted on election day.

During the campaign we said, “If no one is corrupt, no one will be poor.” That is no mere slogan for posters -- it is the defining principle that will serve as the foundation of our administration.

Our foremost duty is to lift the nation from poverty through honest and effective governance.

The first step is to have leaders who are ethical, honest, and true public servants. I will set the example. I will strive to be a good model. I will not break the trust you have placed in me. I will ensure that this, too, will be the advocacy of my Cabinet and those who will join our government.

I do not believe that all of those who serve in our government are corrupt. In truth, the majority of them are honest. They joined government to serve and do good. Starting today, they will have the opportunity to show that they have what it takes. I am counting on them to help fight corruption within the bureaucracy.

To those who have been put in positions by unlawful means, this is my warning: we will begin earning back the trust of our people by reviewing midnight appointments. Let this serve as a warning to those who intend to continue the crooked ways that have become the norm for too long.

To our impoverished countrymen, starting today, your government will be your champion.

We will not disregard the needs of our students. We will begin by addressing the glaring shortage in classrooms and educational facilities.

Gradually, we will lessen the lack of infrastructures for transportation, tourism and trade. From now on, mediocre work will not be good enough when it comes to roads, bridges, and buildings because we will hold contractors responsible for maintaining their projects in good condition.

We will revive the emergency employment program established by former President Corazon Aquino. This will provide jobs for local communities and will help in the development of their and our economy.

We will not be the cause of your suffering or hardship. We will strengthen collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and we will fight corruption in the Bureau of Customs in order to fund our objectives for the public welfare, such as:


· Quality education, including vocational education, so that those who choose not to attend college or those who cannot afford it can find dignified livelihood;

· Improved public health services such as PhilHealth for all within three years;

· A home for every family, within safe communities.


We will strengthen the armed forces and the police, not to serve the interests of those who want to wield power with impunity, but to give added protection for ordinary folk. The armed forces and the police risk their lives daily so that the nation can live in peace and security. The population has doubled and yet their numbers remain unchanged. It is not right that those who make sacrifices are treated pitifully.

If there was a fertilizer scam in the past, today there will be security for farmers. We will help them with irrigation, extension services, and marketing their products at the best possible prices.

We are directing Secretary Alcala to set up trading centers that will directly link farmers and consumers thereby eliminating middlemen and opportunities for corruption. In this way, funds can be shared by farmers and consumers. We will make our country attractive to investors. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance to business. This is the only means by which we can provide jobs for our people.

Our goal is to create jobs at home so that there will be no need to look for employment abroad. However, as we work towards that end, I am ordering the DFA, POEA, OWWA, and other relevant agencies to be even more responsive to the needs and welfare of our overseas Filipino workers.

We will strengthen the process of consultation and feedback. We will strive to uphold the constitutional right of citizens to information on matters of public concern.

We relived the spirit of people power during the campaign. Let it take us to good and effective governance. Those who believe in people power put the welfare of others before their own.

I can forgive those who did me wrong but I have no right to forgive those who abused our people.

To those who talk about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. When we allow crimes to go unpunished, we give consent to their occurring over and over again. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

We are also happy to inform you the acceptance of Chief Justice Hilario Davide of the challenge of strengthening and heading a Truth Commission that will shed light on many unanswered issues that continue to haunt our country.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflict, inclusive of the interests of all -- may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalI defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. With proper governance life will improve for all. When we are all living well, who will want to go back to living under oppression?

If I have all of you by my side, we will be able to build a nation in which there will be equality of opportunity, because each of us fulfilled our duties and responsibilities equally.

After the elections, you proved that it is the people who wield power in this country.

This is what democracy means. It is the foundation of our unity. We campaigned for change. Because of this, the Filipino stands tall once more. We are all part of a nation that can begin to dream again.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works.”

Today, I am inviting you to pledge to yourselves and to our people. No one shall be left behind.

No more junkets, no more senseless spending. No more turning back on pledges made during the campaign, whether today or in the coming challenges that will confront us over the next six years. No more influence-peddling, no more patronage politics, no more stealing. No more sirens, no more short cuts, no more bribes. It is time for us to work together once more.

We are here today because we stood together and believed in hope. We had no resources to campaign other than our common faith in the inherent goodness of the Filipino.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. To those among you who are still undecided about sharing the common burden I have only one question: Are you going to quit now that we have won?

You are the boss so I cannot ignore your orders. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to your needs and aspirations.

You are the ones who brought me here - our volunteers - old, young, celebrity, ordinary folks who went around the country to campaign for change; my household help who provided for all my personal needs; my family, friends, colleagues at work, who shared, cared, and gave their support; my lawyers who stayed all hours to guard my votes and make sure they were counted; and the millions of Filipinos who prevailed, kept faith, and never lost hope - I offer my heartfelt gratitude.

I will not be able to face my parents and you who have brought me here if do not fulfill the promises I made.

My parents sought nothing less, died for nothing less, than democracy and peace. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

My hope is that when I leave office, everyone can say that we have traveled far on the right path, and that we are able to bequeath a better future to the next generation. Join me in continuing this fight for change.

Thank you and long live the Filipino people!

P-Noy cabinet members

any Mindanaowon?
Wala. Dahil ba natalo si Noy sa Mindanao? I just hope this people here will also push for development and peace in Mindanao.

# Executive Secretary – Paquito Ochoa
# Finance – Cesar V. Purisima
# Justice – Leila L. de Lima
# Defense – Voltaire Gasmin
# Budget - Butch Abad
# Education – Armin A. Luistro
# NEDA – Cayetano Paderanga
# Agriculture – Proceso V. Alcala
# Environment – Ramon Paje
# DoTC – Jose Ping de Jesus
# Labor and Employment – Rosalindo Baldoz
# Health – Dr. Enrique Ona
# Foreign Affairs - Alberto Romulo (still)
# Tourism – Alberto Lim
# Trade and Industry – Gregory Domingo
# Social Welfare and Development – Corazon Juliano Soliman
# Energy – Jose Rene Almendras
# Public Works and Highways – Rogelio Singson
# Science and Technology – Dr. Mario Montejo
# Agrarian Reform – Virgilio R. De Los Reyes
# Peace Process – Teresita Quintos Deles
# Presidential Management Staff – Julia R. Abad

Mabuhay ka Pilipinas

Philippines, My country, My home

As I a child I wonder, why are there white, yellowish, brown and dark brown skinned, Filipinos.

With some eyes big but not gawking, some are squint. And the nose, oh the nose! Look at that little bunch of plump nose, how cute. While others are pointed, and some a little flat somewhere else. Put that together, you have this little, amiable, humor-filled, quick-wit Filipino.

A step further, I wondered, how in the world could a country be made of one thousand seven hundred islands? Each distinct and unique.

My many wonderings led me to investigate and discover a treasure which is not just a country, but a home to over 80 million gems of congenial Pinoys.

Indeed the Philippines, is more than just what we see it today. Its history, its people, its culture and traditions, and its uniqueness have a poignant root that explains the exquisite beauty of this Pearl in the Orient.

Welcome to my home.

Beautiful, we always describe this little paradise in the southeast part of Asia. But do you know where its beauty is really coming from?

Is it from the pristine beaches and sugar-white-laced islands? Or the lush forests that support various life forms? Or the mountains that contain precious ores and minerals like gold, copper, silver just to mention a few?

Of course there is the Majestic Mt. Apo. The almost perfect cone of Mt. Mayon, the chocolate hills, the subterranean river in Palawan. Boracay, the paradise island, the captivating Baguio city, the enchanting Davao, the waves of Surigao, the Tuna in Gen San… Are these the beauty of this country?

Significantly yes…

But on top of that is yet another beauty of the Philippines as I have learned, is hidden among its very delicate treasure… me! Yes, I am. And you too… You and I are the true beauty of this country.

You are surprised, aren’t you? Well, it’s not about your eyes, or my nose….but beyond.

More than four centuries of western domination, at least three foreign regimes, we have become a formidable people that have not lost our identity. We remain steadfast and resolve that we are a nation to be recognized.

As said Patricia Evangelista Our country is a land that has perpetually fought for the freedom to be itself. Our heroes offered their lives in the struggle against the Spanish, the Japanese, the Americans.
We struggled to be who we are; We fought for our identify.
Isn’t that heart-warming to hear?

Blessed with the bounty of natural resources, we enjoy life more.
My tito once had a chance to go to Korea as an exchange fellow. He was surprised during a conversation when one Korean said: “I’d like to be Filipino..” My shocked tito replied “why is that so?” The Korean replied: “You are more human. You laugh more. You sing a lot, you dance… You live your life!”

Ah.. What a complement! So it’s not the money then that makes people happy. Despite poor and developing, this country has not succumbed to becoming nothing. Yes, times are trying but we continue to live and cherish every little happiness we can muster, thus we are fittingly recognized as the top five happiest people in the world.

And for the record, this country alone lives and relives in perpetuity the value of family. Our lolos and lolas are never forsaken. They live among us. We care for them. We love them.

We are country of hardworking and warm people, compassionate and loving. And such hardwork, warmth, compassion and love are sent throughout the world.
Haven’t you heard that we are the 40,000 skilled nurses who support the London healthcare services? We are the one million seafarers manning most of the world's commercial ships. We are your software engineers in Finland, the construction workers in the Australia, the oil drillers in Middle East, the thousands of house help in Hondkong, the expert hands in Taiwan factory, the doctors and caregivers in North America, and, the musical artists in France.

Virtually, The Philippines is a beauty beyond borders.

But this country is poor! There is typhoon every month. To be more injurious, the government is so corrupt, so says the news. Some insurgency problems, a pinch of kidnapping here and a little bombing there.

How can I love this place so much?

Hey, is there any place in this world that does not have this “negative facets”.
Even the highly regarded United States went ground zero on 9/11, remember…

Despite some obnoxious issues, I see brightness on the other side.

Just weeks ago a taxi driver returned a bag of money to his foreign passenger. There was “Bayanihan” in the province of Compostela Valley for the landslide victims. A Bishop who apologized. A Boxing champion. … moral decency, humility and valor personified.

True, there are things we do like and do not like in this country.
But, that’s the challenge now for us. It’s not about what this country is not, or what it should be. It’s about what we have done. It's about giving back to the country that shaped us.

Brown, white, yellow, big eyes, squint ones, well defined nose or plump ones. It doesn’t matter.

More than being amused at how we Filipinos are alike and different and how the Philippines, this home of ours is so blessed and cursed at turbulent times, I am and will always be at heart and mind a standing tall Filipino. And Proud to call this country my own... My home.

The gangster of beautiful bandits

(on ZTE Scandal)

The leader wears Prada. The members include a genteel man who heads the posh golf club, some are the country’s economic czars and the rest wears black coat and tie. A group of beautiful men and woman; the gangster of intelligent bandits.

Libungan, North Cotabato

Literally on foot, on their way home from school


Rural calmness and serenity

Gigaquit, Surigao Del Norte

Portraits

MRDP’s P6.4-M envi project up in Lanao del Sur

Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur --- The Mindanao Rural Development Program’s greening activities are on the roll launching another multimillion environment projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Covering the upland down to its coastal areas, the natural resources management (NRM) component of MRDP in coordination with the local government unit (LGU) here launched recently over P6.4 million worth of projects.

The funding is intended for the establishment of a central nursery which will make planting materials for agro-reforestation activities ready and accessible for the communities. This project allotted over P650 thousand will benefit 15 barangays.

The upland community folk will rehabilitate its forests by implementing a150-hectare agro-reforestation project amounting P3.8 million.

While, the Budas river bank stabilization project allotted P628 thousand will directly benefit three lowland baragays which have been prone to flooding and soil erosion in recent years.

In the coastal areas, a 20-hectare mangrove rehabilitation amounting close to P600 thousand will be conducted. An MRDP study in coordination with the LGU showed that their coastal areas rear at least nine species of mangroves which needs to be protected.

Also, a 30-heactare fish sanctuary will be put up to regenerate the seafood production in the area. The establishment of the sanctuary is earmarked P679 thousand.

Kapatagan is the second town to have launched its environmental protection and conservation projects among the six covered sites of the NRM year-two implementation. Year-one projects of NRM covering another six towns spent P42 million.

“Our aim is to make our natural resources sustainable,” said program director Lealyn A. Ramos.

Ramos said NRM is purposely implementing projects in the upland, the lowland and the coastal areas as activities in the upland have downstream impact to the coastal areas.

“Aside from cushioning the communities from the impacts of climate change, this interconnectivity has to be maintained ‘as green as possible’ in order to fully support regeneration of our natural resources, the source of food and most livelihoods in rural areas,” she added.

As the projects are rolled out, community empowerment is also promoted as MRDP is using a community-driven development (CDD) approach.

“With the bottom-up approach through CDD, peoples’ organization members will be empowered to procure, implement and manage the projects entrusted to them,” Ramos said.

MRDP, a poverty-alleviation program of the Department of Agriculture jointly funded by the World Bank, and the national and local governments, also implements livelihood projects, infrastructure development and assists LGUs in implementing governance reforms.

ComVal get P2-M waterworks

The lack of clean and safe water in a town of Compostela Valley province will be solved soon.

This as the Department of Agriculture through the Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) and the local government of Nabunturan partner to put up a P2.7 million worth of level-II communal potable water system (PWS).

Particularly benefiting Brgy. San Isidro, the project will construct two water intake boxes, a 27-cubic water reservoir and install pipelines and 18 communal faucets.

The study prepared by the LGU Nabunturan said Brgy San Isidro is abundant with water however it is not properly regulated and managed resulting to shortage of potable water supply.

The existing water system, whose pipelines were dilapidated and exposed to contamination, has served only 15% of the growing population. The rest of the community folks are dependent on rain waters exposing them to health hazards since water is exposed to contamination.
Upon completion of the project, it is expected that water will be provided to 216 households of the barangay with close to a thousand residents.
Also, the water system is expected to reduce, if not eliminate, fatal waterborne and water related diseases.
“Putting in place accessible potable water not only eliminates risk of water-borne and water-related diseases but helps in improving economic activity in the area,” said program director Lealyn A. Ramos.
“The problem in potable water is widespread in Mindanao, and we at DA are resolved to combat this problem by partnering with LGUs who are willing to put their stake in the program,” Ramos added.
Jointly funded by the World Bank, the national government and the 225 local governments of Mindanao , MRDP aims to reduce poverty, improve incomes, and better local governance by establishing infrastructures, livelihoods and pursuing environmental conservation efforts.
“Although infrastructure is a costly investment, the program (MRDP) has frontload of infrastructure projects since this is the foundation for agriculture to grow. And as we know agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy,” Ramos said.
Recently, the program has completed two PWS projects in Mati, Davao Oriental amounting close to P5 million.

Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte

Poor Service

More often than not, I accompany my wife to a beauty salon. And for vanity and personality improvement sake, this happens specifiable times in a month. We usually go to salons in Davao City.

However if my wife feels the need to visit is urgent, we go to Panabo City the nearest city where we live.

Now, she doesn't have a particular choice of salon in this city so we just chose according to its name's popularity. There was this newly opened Carlo Reyes Beauty Salon (noticeably this salon has been sprouting all over Mindanao nowadays maybe franchising is cheap and salon services are in-demand.)

We went straight to the salon. Opened the glass door holding its silver handle. A gay (beautician I suppose) who has an unfortunate face in full contrast to his job description greeted us with an ersatz smile. We smiled back wryly and turned to the lady in the counter.

My wife discussed with lady the services she wanted. While, I quietly found a place in the corner to sit and schemed through some old, crumpled and lousily cared for magazines.

And so everything has settled.

One thing i noticed, this salon is extraordinarily noisy. Yeah, in salons people talk. the beauticians to their clients, vice versa, beautician to beautician, or client to clients.

But this salon is extra noisy. My wife once told me that aside from beauty beautifying herself, salon makes her feel relax. But in this case, no one, I say absolutely no one can relax. What with the boisterous laughter, the seeming-holler talk using gay-language, the annoying FM radio jokes coupled with terrible music from an old and barely breathing sound system.

What an awful Carlos Reyes branch.

Despite the scorching summer heat, I decided to go out and grabbed snacks. Now that made me feel better.

Everything was done, we paid and excused ourselves. My wife mysteriously smiled.

When we were already on our way to the mall, she told me that that unfortunate-looking-supposed-beautician gay backbit us using gay language without me knowing it (i don't understand gay lingua franca). The unfortunate-looking-supposed-beautician gay was referring whether we gave tip or not. Well, we did not.

Tip are supposed to be given when your satisfied with the services rendered to you. But in this case at Carlo Reyes Pabano branch we were disgruntled and fully unsatisfied with how the handle their customers.

Business franchising is easy to acquire. But I supposed what are franchised are not only the equipment, the shop's name but also the standards upheld by the original owners of the shop.

Now my bothered soul rests.

Young boy shares to build toilets in tribal villages

Today's reading:

An eight-year old boy uses his singing talent to built toilets in the thirty-seven tribes in Mindanao.

John Mc Earl, while proving his way to be the next inspirational pop prince, chose to support the Kasilyas Program to benefit tribal communities like Manobos, Mamanua, Dumagat, Aetas, and other ethnic groups.

"I have seen through my visits in those areas that those communities lack toilets. It is my way of helping them have their own and at the same time educating them on its importance," the young boy said on Monday's Kapehan sa SM. Mc Earl is in the city to promote his self-titled album serving as an inspiration to many as T3 Community Foundation's Ambassador of Good Will.

A modest young boy of Paranaque, studying in Immaculate Heart of Mary College, he has been developed to become an entirely integrated person and his musical inclination made him popular in singing and dancing.

He shares his time and talent for the betterment of the community with the proceeds of his album and concert going to the Kasilyas Program of the T3 Community Foundation Inc.

The foundation is an independent non-sectarian, non-religious organization that aims to empower the people in enriching community that develops a humane, progressive and equal democratic society. (by Mai Gevara/PIA XI)

Antipoverty program boosts Mindanao's reforestation efforts

The antipoverty program in Mindanao prides itself on its contribution to the reforestation efforts of the country.

The Department of Agriculture's Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) has released over P40 million for its environment projects and half of it is allotted for reforestation activities in the upland the coastal areas in the south of the Philippines.

DA-MRDP is poverty alleviation program under the Department of Agriculture aims to improve incomes, better governance and sustain bountiful gifts of nature of Mindanao.

"We're glad that we have our humble contribution for the protection of our natural resources as well as in the reforestation efforts of the country," said program director Lealyn Ramos.

The recent feat of the country as cited for its low-carbon reforestation program comes as a reward when everyone toils to protect ourselves and the country from climate change Ramos said.

"Our contribution might be considered small but surely it's nothing trivial," she added.

Implemented under the Program's Natural Resources Management (NRM), 575 hectares of upland and coastal areas various areas in Mindanao have engaged in agroreforestation, watershed management and mangrove rehabilitation.

RT Lim town in Zamboanga Sibugay is now implementing 100 hectare reforestation activities with P3.45 million to spend. About three communities in Linamon town in Lanao del Norte have engaged in agroforestry conservation and ecotourism development for its 12 hectares forest cover which house the one of province's tourist spot the Tinago Falls.

Don Marcelino town in Davao region has started the protection and management of its 200 hectare Nuvada Watershed with P4.24 million budget.

In Kalamansig town in the province of Sultan Kudarat, the seaside community is now rearing mangroves planted to its 20 hectares coastal area which is part of its P2 million mangrove rehabilitation project.

The 100 hectare agroreforestation program in Nasipit, Agusn del Norte is now thriving and the community is seeing the promise of its fruit trees.

While in the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao, has planted various fruit-bearing trees in 128-hectare area in the mountains of Datu Odin Sinusat town and mangroves in a 15 hectare coast line. The project was allotted P6 million.

ElLohW P0wHh..>~~MuzZhtAhh n@ poWHh keYOHhh??><~~

Here's my JEJEMON piece.

When cellular phones came to be popular and the Philippines became the TXT (SMS) capital of the world, I was never into word shortcut (the usual text message) like "Hir na me, wer na U" for the simple reason that it caused me pain while reading.

Not only it's so difficult to comprehend them, it might lead to misunderstanding and miscommunication, defeating the purpose of having fast and easy communication by way of cellphones.

The shortcut messaging hit most of the students' (if not everybody's) ability to spell out words correctly, not to mention grammar. There was even an impression that the Philippines' diminishing performance in English is alluded to the proliferate use of shortcut SMS in cellphone communication.

Now here comes the attention-deficit creatures called Jejemons.

Whether it's a trip, it makes them happy, whatever it is they feel about it, surely Jejemons have added to the confusion of this already confused world.

They got the media's attention, all right. A success!

But lo and behold, jejemons do not live unchallenged. The so-called Jejemon Busters came to surface and raged the jejemon-tide.


And now, the busters have found an ally in the entire Department of Education as it pledged to smash, shatter, pulverize and totally annihilate this new-age paltry coterie. Happy busting! Good luck!

I am sure jejemon is an ephemeral pop culture. This counterproductive culture should be put to end soon. Having them around, infecting school children (and the nation as a whole) like incurable virus imperils not just the quality of students learning and knowing, but also our productivity and global competitiveness.

Jejemons cast out in the Name of ....

Dance Reload: Panabo's ultimate summer performing experience

Just when everyone thought summer is fading fast, the Banana Capital of the South throws a colorful party to end this hot, hot season with performances by the Curay Dance and Arts Workshop (CDAW), Panabo City ’s premiere dance and arts studio.

The jampacked Panabo gymnasium and the excited crowd witnessed the grace, style and creative choreography as workshop graduates paid tribute to classic Disney themes, modern beats and Broadway musicals in various dance numbers.

With recital theme Dance Reload, about 180 workshop graduates grabbed the spotlight.

The audience wowed at the ballet skills of the kids enrolled in baby and advance ballet classes, and at the fluid moves of Hawaiian dancers dressed in colorful grass skirts. The jazz group presented experts from the hit musicale “Chicago,’’ while the hip hop dancers danced to heart stomping arrangements.The night was also highlighted by the taekwondo dancercise.

PANABO’S ‘MOTHER OF PERFORMING ARTS’

“It’s the same excitement and enthusiasm year after year,” enthused Darling Curay, CDAW over-all aesthetic director.

CDAW has become a recognized dance institution in the area with 22 years of training and workshop experience under its belt.

Darling’s Management degree from Ateneo de Davao University might have been put aside awhile when she opened the studio in March 1988 to give way to her heart’s desire for performing arts.

Her various dance trainings with well-known performers, exposures in stage and theater and additional degree in Physical Education beefed up her credentials as performing artist.

“It’s all for the love of performing arts. My vocation to share my talent, as well as my dance instructors’ makes for the lifeblood of this studio,” Darling added. “We want to nurture, develop and enhance the ability and talent of every individual and inculcate in our students appreciation and valuing of art and the artist.”

She said every year, they face the perennial problem of finding sponsors, one reason why in some years they did not have grand recital. It was only recently when people started noticing and eventually appreciated their efforts in performing arts.

Today, the Dance Reload recital has shown that it can be done. There is in fact an overload of dancers in this city, young and energetic performers who will hopefully pass on the love for the arts to the next generations.