jengsan's Xanga

Malu Fernandez and OFWs

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:51:57 GMT

It is an unusually long day at the office, until my officemate asked me if I've already read the controversial Malu Fernandez’ article, “From Boracay to Greece”, published on the People Asia magazine. Filipino bloggers and OFW groups have been lambasting this (former?) writer of Manila Standard and of People Asia for demeaning Overseas Filipino Workers in her lifestyle article with her "Mean Girls" slant. (What kind of magazine would dare waste two pages on articles of this kind.)

I remember one speech of late Blas Ople who, while he was the Secretary of Foreign Affairs at the time, issued a strong statement to ambassadors and staff in Philippine embassies that they do not have any right to degrade OFWs.

Well, that is for the diplomats. But for Filipino writers like her who outrightly show their own foolishness by belittling other Filipinos, they deserve more than a million hate mails.

word for the day

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:45:50 GMT

Yep, one of my most-visited sites is the Merriam-Webster Online. Sounds too nerdy... but this is a proven useful tool for writers. My first Yahoo mail was mostly filled up with the Merriam-Webster "word of the day" subscriptions that I need to take time to transfer them all off to one document file during my 'mail clean-up' modes such as this time. Going through each message, I noticed some words like these:

1. props

You'd always hear this word whenever when there is a stage play, especially during elementary years. Props, as in stage props or "something used in creating or enhancing a desired effect."
But according to their email subscription, it's used informally - short for "proper dues." It is "something that is said to publicly thank and give special attention to someone for doing something - credit or recognition. Like, "Props to everyone that made this movie a success."
It can also mean "respect," as in "The lawyer earned our props with an outstanding performance in court."
There is also that "mad props" to mean "very enthusiastic praise."

2. doohickey

If you're so used to "whatchamacallits" or "thingamajigs," you can use "doohickey" for an object or device whose name you do not know or have forgotten.
For example, "I need one of those doohickeys with the long handles."

There are also a lot of common words that were surprisingly included in the word-for-the-day subscription, such as draft, typical, delight. And there are some that you may never use in your lifetime. Oh well, just another dagdag-kaalaman for the day.

to a mourning soul

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 09:01:59 GMT

What can you possibly say to someone who's loved one has just passed away? I have a friend who lost his newborn child and his wife a few days ago, and I can't seem to find the words to say. I know, based on personal experience, that nothing, nobody, could ever comfort me, than God's soothing words promising me, "I have a plan. I have a plan."

And of course I would not dare say this one - and this should be the last thing a mourning person wants to hear - "Tanggapin mo na." These words are still ringing in my ears until now.

You just know that you should get over it, but hearing these words at the instance when you were in the middle of all the drama, with the band of bugles and trumpets in the background, as that would be the last day you'd see your father's remains. "Could I just have this moment of mourning? Could you just please give me this time to cry my last for Papa?"

In the province, it's a common sight of people, neighbors, mga "nakikiramay," playing cards or bingo until the wee hours of the morning. The minute I arrived at our house and saw these people, I wanted to do what Jesus did - I have the earnest desire to turn over the tables and shove the people around and say, 'How dare you do these things here?!' Really, no joke. But if the dead was just someone not emotionally attached to you, you would not care less and then join the bingo crowd.

There is, indeed, a time of mourning - and you can never get away with it, pretending you're okay. And you can't just overcome that grief without ever having to express it. How about the crying-it-all-out therapy? (Could I tell him, "Iiyak mo lang 'yan lahat?" - Not!)

I remembered that the song "Still" was playing in my mind minutes after my aunt broke the news about Papa. I can really say I was at peace. And that is one of my testimonies wherein God's grace is more than enough for me to smile and be calm amidst the uncertainties of the future with Papa no longer with us physically. It's like God stripping away things, shaking everything in you, so that the unshakable will remain.

The death of a loved one is not merely a soul-crushing, painful experience.

And so I have encouraged him with God's promises and plans... prayed for comfort and peace...

Up to now, I'm still thinking of what else to say. Or better yet, I just leave it all up to God to work in his heart.

where art thou

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:51:48 GMT

when you receive an office memo & it's plain injustice

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 06:26:32 GMT

"I am the One who strengthens you. Why should you fear mortals, who are no more enduring than grass? Have you forgotten the Lord who made you, who stretched out the heavens and laid the eart's foundations? Why should you live in constant fear of the fury of those who oppress you, of those who are ready to destroy you? Their fury can no longer touch you. Those who are prisoners will soon be set free; they will live a long life and have all the food they need. I am the Lord your God; I stir up the sea and make its waves roar. My name is the Lord Almighty! I stretched out the heaves and laid the earth's foundations. I say to Jerusalem, 'Your are my child!' I have given you my teaching, and I protect you with My hand." - Isa. 51:12-16

the formula

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:43:39 GMT

another blog = discovery of interesting blogsites i.e., Superpasyal, Eats for Two + long-delayed plan of writing a travelogue + limited access to Multiply

how much of the Philippines have I visited

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:42:14 GMT

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out atLakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Thanks to Lakbayan and Superpasyal and much to my more-than-three-year-stint at the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, G4, Philippine Army and I got this result - Lakbayan grade of C!

Instead of just autobiographical entries, why not put pictures? Something like a combo of Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo's sojourns and Superpasyal's photo album.

And I'd have my 3 blogs updated.

justifying a Trillanes

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 05:41:15 GMT

Today's papers reflect the controversial case of a convicted soldier who triumphed its way to do away with the chain of command and turn things around in the AFP and in the country with the declaration of being a senator-elect.

Having worked in the military for more than 3 years, I somehow understood how important the Chain of Command is crucial to a military organization primarily because it works for them. The leader cannot carry out the mission if s/he could not steer his subordinates to where it should be and what it should do or not do. “Obey first before you complain” may be harsh, but then again, it works for the organization – so it could move as one. That’s why when one becomes a soldier, it’s like disowning one’s self, giving up liberties that civilians enjoy, be always on call, suffer years of being away with their loved ones, and even love their arms more than their spouses.

At DFA, I experienced how different this set up is from the civilian – the latter has the option to disobey orders/instructions of his/her superior, that is if s/he believes there’s valid/rational reason to do so. And that’s what you can’t do in the former – seniority is part and parcel of a soldier’s life. It’s a lifestyle, not just conformed within the portals of the workplace. These of course are subjected to abuse, but then they’re there for a purpose (would this be pragmatism?).

And there goes the irony of Lt. Antonio Trillanes’ case. Great, we just let a convicted plotter of coup d’etat run for the senate post and then what – he won. I don’t question his convictions – his passion for the country and to salvage the organization from the plague of corruption and malpractices is quite laudable.

But NCRCOM Chief Mgen. Ben Dolorfino couldn’t have said it any better: “Launching a coup is an undemocratic means of effective political change and a violation of our regulations.” He said military men were known to be “men of rigid discipline,” in the first place.

“We all want to have a democratic system of government, and here [is] a group of military men known for their professionalism and discipline getting involved in undemocratic acts like launching a coup d’eta t,” he said of Trillanes and company.

I remember my aunt, a History professor in PLM, saying that if he really wants to make a difference and change the military, he should get out of the organization. Machiavellian, I would say – his convictions and principles don’t justify the means he used. Amid so much political noise, he's bound to be a Senator.

And so we didn’t vote for him. A rebel would not likely subject himself/herself to authority. Imagine what he will and can do when he comes to power.

Everything happens for a reason. Probably this is a timely wake-up call to the military and the nation. And I’d want to see the purging in our government and transformation of our country in my generation though. Probably this is one of the manifestations of Cindy Jacob’s prophecy to the Philippines – expose, expose, expose!

Let's just hope and pray that he would have godly vision, wisdom and discernment during his term and not let his convictions and principles be corrupted with egotistical interests and so be a classic counterproductive roisterer in the Senate.

liberation day

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:02:41 GMT

From the inside out

A thousand times I've failed

Still Your mercy remains

And should I stumble again

Still I'm caught in Your grace

Everlasting

Your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending

Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart and my soul

I give You control

Consume me from the inside out, Lord

Let justice and praise

Become my embrace

To love you from the inside out

Your will above all else

My purpose remains

The art of losing myself

In bringing You praise

Everlasting

Your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending

Your glory goes beyond all fame

Everlasting

Your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending

Your glory goes beyond all fame

And the cry of my heart

Is to bring You praise

From the inside out

Lord my soul cries out

Oceans will part

If my heart has grown cold
There Your love will unfold
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
When I’m blind to my way
There Your Spirit will pray
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand

Oceans will part nations come
At the whisper of Your call
Hope will rise glory shown
In my life Your will be done

Present suffering may pass
Lord Your mercy will last
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
And my heart will find praise
I’ll delight in Your way
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand

None But Jesus

In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored

When You call I won’t refuse
Each new day again I’ll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion
I know You’re Sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will

When You call I won’t delay
This my song through all my days

All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord

Forevermore

don't vote for Loren Legarda

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:19:21 GMT

Why Loren Legarda doesn't deserve my vote:

1) The concept that members of the AFP, PNP and BJMP should not get more than P200,000 after their retirement pleased herself that she translated it into a bill.

2) And she finds it very practical to have a big slash in the budget of the Department of Education by pushing for a bill that public school teachers should have a vacation with NO pay.

Sa sipag at talino lang naman, tanging si Loren na.. hindi magsasawa na maglingkod..

Some kind of advocacy.

For information, if this isn't so apparent at all to her, soldiers and teachers are among the most underpaid in this country. And what thanks do these heroes get?

Are all soldiers and policemen - who exchanged their personal liberties to serve the country, risking life and limb - corrupt and potential means for political machinery? Their retirement benefits are just what the government can do the least to give back to these loyal men and women who sacrificed being away from their families for so long, stuck to the chain of command and endured unimaginable adversities amid grievances.

Were teachers - who still chose to perform their jobs despite the lack of almost everything - so devoid of integrity that could have deliberately reduced the number of votes for this senatoriable in the last election?

I wonder what other sectors in this country might Ms. Loren Legarda, once re-elected, think of giving her brilliant ideas and sincere "service" to...