Joana Change - Re: OFWs as New Heroes of the Nation

Hehehe. I find it amusing that all OFWs have the same insight towards working abroad - out or not out of choice.

Linked to my blogmate's most recently posted article, I even found Ms. Malu Fernandez mentioned.

There, I thought Dr. Jose Rizal was jealous he's been replaced as the national hero of the country. Nevertheless, I would like to think he ushered the true meaning of patriotism, is in fact sacrificial for the benefits of the family and ok, the country.

Find more thoughts and comments in J. Villanueva's post regarding the Joana Change.

Technorati Tags: Joana Change,J. Villanueva Cabrera,OFW,Reality Change,New Heroes of the Philippines

Season of Bad Fate

In as much as I always want to write of happy thoughts and happy affairs. My mood and my spirit is now pulled down by the news of a shootout between the police and the hold-up gang armed with automatic weapons and grenades that took place in Manila just recently (December 7, 2008). A shootout crossfire so deadly it left sixteen people dead including ten of the robbery gang members, the news confirmed.

A father and his seven years old daughter on board a passing sports utility vehicle were hit in the crossfire and few moments later died. They were among the six civilians, collateral on that police operation. The Two other people manning a truck near the office of the transport firm also died from gunshot wounds. And, a men's fashion designer who was just on his way home from a Christmas party was also caught in the cross-fire.

What saddened mo most is the death of the father and the daughter. The father just went home for vacation to be present on his seven years old child's birthday. Who would have thought this dreadful event would left a weeping and wailing mother. A mother full of questions as why her spouse and child had to die. Why has she been left alone now? What would she be doing with her life now - that she's alone. Asked by this mother and wife as she hugged their pillows and kissed her daughter's school ID. What's is not more heart-breaking sight to see than this? And considering the time of the year this fate had occur.

What gives me more discomfort, is the speculations that again the p-o-l-i-c-e again had made some inaccurate mistakes. I have this frustrating doubts and fear that in such cases like this, accuracy of neutralizing situations is a quality questionable from the part of the forces. This is not the first time in the police force, when a civilian is undeniably part of that collateral damage. One civilian always has to die every time their is a shoot out like this one. Containing the situation accurately and swiftly should be a skill to be mastered by our forces to spare the lives of a civilian. One civilian's death is inexcusable. It is excusable because no one will answer to a collateral damage - especially not in the kind of justice system Philippines has.

On the contrary, the criminals, it is them that they would not care who their bullets will hit when they pull some triggers. Imagine an aimless shower of bullets from them - anybody could be hit of course. And they had to be neutralized - swiftly. Nonetheless, a question is asked. From whom did this bullets that ceased the lives of the innocent passers-by come from? Doing ballistic analysis, I wished this question will be answered honestly by the authorities.

LiveJournal Tags: Assault against violence,Christmas,collatera,crime,Family,justice,Opinions,Patriotism,Philippines,Politics,Rant,Safety,Terrorist,Violence

Congratulations UAE - It's 37th National Day

Congratulations UAE for the 37th Anniversary as a nation of peace and prosperity.

However difficult it is living alone here in the UAE, I am still thankful for the opportunity of work and for the chance of better life for my family back home.

UAE, despite few problems the expatriates are facing, is still truly a country of equal opportunity and growth for as long as you have the guts to grab your heart's desire. People have many problems here, I'm no exception, but I always examine the condition back home before I begin to think or become vocal about it. Like for example, before I even begin to complain about the traffic condition, I always remember the condition of my own home-town's roads and streets. And, hopeful the same condition will happen one day in the Philippines.

This country is beautiful. And, many of its locals are respectable and honest. I think honestly and respecting one's belief and principles is the key to a nations growth and peace. One principle UAE is modeled. Wherever you go, you will still face problems anyway.

Everywhere or whichever company you will go, there will always be antagonists and challenges around. And, one sure way to make expatriate's stay worthwhile, endure homesickness is to find all possible ways to enjoy your self with the camaraderie of others. Might it be a fellow Filipino or not, there are good sides of people too.

I am sure the Filipino community of UAE is ever thankful and as well sharing the pride this nation has achieved for thirty-seven years of challenges and opportunities.

Well, at least I got a day holiday off to relax and contemplate my plans in the coming seasons. Government offices are entitled fifteen-days off and other private offices will have a two day's off in the coming days.

(Photos credits to http://fiveprime.org, http://experiencingtheemirates.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html & http://ofwzone.com

Technorati Tags: Career,Dubai,Home,Party,Patriotism,Philippines,Pinoy in UAE,Work,Opportunities,Living,OFW

The Power Within Us...

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

I just couldn't resist pulling tag from one of my friend Ludig's blog. This is a famous quote by Nelson Mandela during  his 1994 inaugural speech.

True indeed. While there is nothing wrong with being timid, like a gluttony for food, when it's more than enough, becomes a poison. When we don't react, while our rights to grow as a person or as a nation is hammered, we unconsciously give the other person the permission to use and abuse us.

A lesson learned from my previous company here in Dubai. Nothing really happens to people who are passive and not willing to be heard. Although the change was painful, it is an eye-opener.

Technorati Tags: Blogging,Famous People,Nelson Mandela,Opinions,Patriotism,Roots,Stress-out

Chaos in Mumbai

 

Who was it that said, "Those who can't think, fight"? I think it was me.
Judy Robinson, Lost in Space 1998

Mumbai, India again was rampaged by terrorist attack today which saddened a lot of Indian expatriates who lived and worked in Dubai. Partly, the bus I rode today has been silenced nor numb by the news which was precipitated rapidly via UAE's mobile network. I honestly sympathized their sentiment just because I have family away from me too. I knew a lot of Indian friends who are good people whose life and daily problems are as same as mine or any other Filipino back home.

I saw one guy, who by his stature is a composed professional, is obviously anxious by trying to contact families and friends whose location could be near the incident zones. Seldom I've seen people inside the bus, strangers, men and women share emotions, concerns and fear of the dreadful event which is every city's enemy.

  Several attacks were implicated and bombarded few of the city's hotels which is can be considered already a financial destinations for both local and foreign investors and a cultural center. The Taj Mahal Hotel and the Oberoi Complex, Mumbai's economic life line and blood. Bombardment of barbarous attacks which had occurred in just few minutes to hours interval in just a single day.

A total chaos expected. Bloodshed. All because of a pointless cause. Cause that has been distorted - now to destroy human life - innocent life. A cause they believed could be answered by grenades and bullets. This is a practice of people whose pride is extremely high beyond their heads, they deny everything democracy has to offer. Even to the extent of becoming ungodly. Even crisscrossed to their own belief. So clearly, those who can't think to settle diplomatic and fundamental issues the smart and humane way, recourse their action to violence and bloodshed.

My home town is no alien to the threat brought about by these acts of terrorism. It is an act so void of reason that it will change a city's emotional and economic landscape in a day time. So damaging it is fitting only that an act injustice to another person should be paid back with life itself.

Obviously, Barack Obama, in his new administration and the rest of the world will face an international tests in the first several months. These war on terror being the most served in the menu of these problems.

"It is evident that the group which carried out these attacks, based outside the country, had come with single-minded determination to create havoc in the commercial capital." - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, condemning the barbaric act to the highest of term.

You can see how big the scale this incident brought to the city and the nation as a whole here.

Pictures from Home

 

Photos grabbed from my sister Jennifer of Davao, Philippines. Dusk of November 9, 2008. My mother's birthday. No sweeter place like home. Mountain APO shown at hundred miles distance.

God's Lovely Maid

Sen. Aquino composed a poem dedicated to his wife Corazon, “I Have Fallen in Love (With the Same Woman Three Times),” on the occasion of their 19th wedding anniversary in October 1973. It was later set to music by Jose Mari Chan. The poem partly ran:

    I have fallen in love
    With the same woman three times
    In a day spanning nineteen years
    Of tearful joys and joyful tears.

    I loved her first when she was young
    Enchanting and vibrant, eternally new
    She was brilliant, fragrant and cool as the morning dew
    I fell in love with her the second time

    When first she bore her child and mine
    She’s always by my side, the source of my strength
    Helping to turn the tide…
    I fell in love again with the same woman the third time

    Looming from the battle her courage will never fade.
    Amidst the hardships she has remained
    Undaunted and unafraid
    She is calm and composed. She is God’s lovely maid.

LiveJournal Tags: Marriage,Inspiration,Tribute,Patriotism,Aquino

Davao: Mt. Apo Grandeur

Photo taken during the morning of February 2005. This was taken sometime 6:00 in the morning while me and Ronna is taking a regular walk while she was pregnant for our second baby.