Archive for July, 2008

SONA 2008 – the contents

SONA 2008 – the contents

It looked like things went well with the SONA yesterday. In the office, we didn’t really seem to care but as the usual course goes, even with a foggy mind as I scoured the internet for information about it, I landed on pages of comments and materials to browse upon for input.

* SONA The Technical Report



* Covering the SONA ritual
It is a typical SONA day, and we are likely to report in typical fashion — count how many times the crowd burst in applause and giggle, time the speech, describe the gowns, estimate the size of the rallies, track the security incidents, list and put a price tag on the projects the President will rattle off in a series, and solicit comments on the speech from a sampling of political leaders and militants.

I find it irritating for our corrupt official to dress in OSCAR like fashion at this time. I guess this is the time for them to show off their ‘wealth’ to each other and to the masses. Not that its anything wrong. Just irritating. The SONA is NOT a social party and yet it seems that way.

* SONA belies true state of education
In her hour-long speech, Arroyo made no mention of her accomplishments in the basic education sector, apart from a perfunctory line saying that elementary and high school education is free.

I wonder why she missed out these details? Is there something to hide? It’s a sad tale to remember that once upon a time, Philippine education was looked upon as one of the best in the world. Now, we’re down to the list of moronic educational systems especially in the rural areas.

* SONA pickiness with numbers leaves state of economy hazy
“Improved collections further continued in the first five months of 2008 with revenue collections growing by 11.5 percent to P482.43 billion from P432.59 billion during the same period last year.”

Where are the actual numbers of improvement in the country? Why does this look like propositions for future projects? What happened with the ‘PRESENT’?

* Hunger, poverty figures the President chose to ignore
In fact, SWS reported that “both Severe Hunger and Moderate Hunger are now higher in Metro Manila than in other areas.” In both Visayas and Mindanao, severe hunger likewise increased.

So there weren’t much improvement there huh?

Gaaaah… I wanted to hear good news but there seems to be not much improvement going on in the country with this kind of SONA. What is going on in this country? *sigh*

7/29/2008 5 comments Read More
Chess Players, time to beef up!

Chess Players, time to beef up!


PawnShark

Are you an avid chess player? Is chess such a challenging game you play on hours end and hone your brain muscles to the extent of challenging a game by yourself?

Haha. No no I’m just kidding. Though I’ve heard some people really do that for brain development. Anyways, PawnShark is the world’s first and only high-stake chess community. It is dedicated to friends playing with friends with a powerful system to keep all games honest. PawnShark features exclusive offense and defense based high-stake chess games such as Outlaw™, Ransom™, and Hold’em chess™. Added bonus is, you could earn money by accumulating points and converting it to real cash!


Mesa 33
photo credit: target="_blank">erral

So make some friends, take a deep breath, and plunge into real chess!!!

7/28/2008 0 comments Read More
SONA 2008 (in Philippines)

SONA 2008 (in Philippines)

Freedom?

It’s that time of the political world again, wherein the president will state the status of the country under his/her regime and developments to improve cost of living for a country’s inhabitants.

State of the Nation Address (SONA) is always looked upon by most as a time to stop work and listen to the President’s speech. I remember when everyone in the ad agency left their work on their desks and clumped around the television set (even the one IN our president’s office, which he didn’t seem to mind because he was also watching). The SONA takes second place after Manny Pacquiao’s fights to take such effect in the office setting. The SONA takes on various effect though as to everyone has different reasons to watching. I, for one, remember, didn’t join in clumping around the TV set. I was content in listening from my desk as I am among those who does not believe anything the SONA states. Why? I may not be politically correct as I do not indulge myself too much with the ways of the government, but I do know as everyone feels that the way of living in this 3rd world country is getting steeper and steeper making it far from any improvements in the short-term future.

I asked a couple of people yesterday if they are too watch or listen to the SONA later. It could be because I was in a mix of similar thinking people but it seemed they all took on a similar negative reaction.

Manonood ba ako eh totoo naman kaya sinasabi nila don? Maririnig at maririnig ko rin naman ang nilalaman ng SONA sa ibang tao. Baka magaksaya pa ako ng oras sa kakakinig pa diyan.

(Translation: Why do I have to watch that SONA? Do you think everything the SONA states is true? I will definitely hear about it from other people so there’s no need for me to listen to it anymore. I will just waste my time.)

Heartless? I don’t think so. I think I understand why they would think that way as I share the same sentiment. Time and again promises made by the government didn’t come true and it is no secret this country (the Philippines) is known for its Corrupt nature in the whole world. Will we believe a government that will seem to forever just look out for themselves and fill their pockets with money from the populace? Are we forever to be in such predicament? Will there be no hope for the Filipinos to lead a better life especially for its masses?

It is no wonder a lot are now not so interested to hear the SONA. I admit I may not listen to it later in the office as we tend to have too many tasks to keep our minds busy. I’d rather make a living that to listen to something that may not hold true to its contents and promises.

Despite the rainy season and the possible of a typhoon later on, it’s all systems go for the SONA later in Batasan Pambansa. There is no doubt too, that any school near that area will be closed down for the protest marches that will happen again and 1,200 policemen dispatched for security. It seems such scenario is already expected and the never ending dance of tango between the government and activists will always be a part of the SONA. Yet, nothing really happens.

What’s your take on the SONA?

7/28/2008 105 comments Read More