Chibilicious - Having my own small, cute world is great

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*

Popularity: 14% [?]

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?

Popularity: 85% [?]

Loans are good… you just have to know where you stand.

My dad built this small-scale home-based business of giving loans to people within or outside our neighborhood.For a requested loan, my dad will lend money to a person, making it known the amount of interest that will be placed when payment will be made. The mode of payment (installment or otherwise) will depend on the negotiation done between the two parties. Additional interest will be added for payments not payed in due
time.

Having a loan service sure has its pros and cons.

An advantage to the business is, you won’t loose clients. Everybody needs money and since not everyone gets the desired amount of money to suit their needs, they would look for a temporary source of funds. Sometimes the purpose is neccessary (e.g. tuition fees, house mortage, payment for bills, etc.) sometimes its leisure (e.g. a gadget, trip, etc.) but the bottom line is, money sure makes the world go round.

Now the disadvantage is still the clients. There will always be the ‘untrustworthy ones’ . They would hide from you when they don’t have the money to pay and they will make tons of alibis just to get away from your calls of reminders. If worse comes to worse, bouts of anger could lead to lawsuits, which I think are unnecessary if people only had the sense to pay what they borrowed.

I’m not saying it’s bad to get a loan but people have to understand what they are getting themselves into especially if they haven’t done it before and probably (I hope not) lack money management skills.

Before getting a loan, it is best to know what kind of loan to get into. There are types of loans like unsecured loans or homeowner loans. There are loans for Education, Mortages, Houses, etc. If you are able to find cheap loans you can afford then that would be great. The important thing is you know you will be able to pay your due at the agreed time. It will remove any kind of harassment and headaches for both parties. Following the ethics of paying your dues will make bonds stronger and result to having more business in the future.

Now you wonder, why am I typing something like loans when I haven’t had the experience handling such.

As I said, my dad has a business and of course, this is one of those days again when his mood against ‘unreliable’ clients has reached its limit and bouts of anger reign in the house. Honestly, I’m getting pissed when he is pissed with those people because I get to listen to his endless tirade and that in turn, makes me angry at him and at the untrustworthy people a round us.

Popularity: 5% [?]

I wonder if people similar to my situation ever wished they were in another family, born in another body, lived in a different familial position to what they are in. I bet, a lot would say yes once I reveal just what kind of predicament I am talking about.

Life of the Eldest Child

I have heard stories from others how annoyed they are at their eldest siblings for being bossy, snobbish, power tripping, etc. I am not defending all eldest children as not all eldest are not similar or in the same situations to account their behaviours. But I would like to make it known to others the pressure of this specific familial status to the individual, in ALL aspects of life, to make others understand them better.

Before I start, I would like to clarify… Yes, I AM an eldest child. Mind you, I am not writing this to defend my status or my situation. I’m friends with people in the same position as me and I can’t help but be awed by the similarities of life and tribulations we undergo, at most part, AUTOMATICALLY rendered by the status. True, this may look like a listing of rants. You may look at it that way if you want to. On my end, I am honestly listing all I have underwent and heard regarding the gifts and curse of being the eldest.

You are pretty lucky if you and your sibling/s were born not too long after each other. You would be taken care of together by your parents or other relatives and wouldn’t be given the immediate responsibility of overlooking the rest of the brood. Eventually though, as you grow older, the elders will impose on the eldest child the neccessary responsibiliy of being the role model, the guardian or the younger ones, the babysitter over the litter. Worse part of the deal is, the mistakes of the younger child will automatically translate to the eldest. If the younger sibling painted drawings on the wall, spilled some paint on the carpet, ate a non-edible substance out of curiousity, the eldest child will have the burn of anger from the elders. He or she will be blamed for not looking after the younger ones well enough. He or she could be punished for it even if he or she did the job well, and only turned his or her back for second to finish a job or chore that was entitled to him or her.

To the eldest children out there, doesn’t this sound familiar?

Of course, once everyone grows and are able to stand at their own two feet, such concept wouldn’t apply anymore. I am telling this scenario as what happens while growing up, to make everyone understand why eldest children could be bossy or annoying or kill joys. There is a reason behind it. The nature of responsibiliy confuses them sometimes as they want to be children themselves.

I have heard rants from the ‘younger sibling’ group how their eldest sibs gets to make them do more responsibilities (chores, errands, etc.) than what is required or perhaps needed against their ‘busy’ scheadules. I have a friend who once ranted out how her siblings leave all the house chores to her at most times since they knew that she was used to them, as she was the eldest and she had been doing the chores longer than everyone else and that she was used to them.

That is not the point.

The point is, she had been doing the work for quite some time for EVERYONE. It is a form of help, to both parents and siblings. To do the household chores is of course, automatically given to the one capable of doing them. Just because the eldest child can do everything more efficiently than the younger ones does not mean they will do it forever. So the younger ones have no excuse to rant about excess chores, even if there are maids to do it. Maids are there to help, not to be slaves (as most people would think). If the family is rich and can afford to hire a number of maids, that is another story.

The worst part of being the eldest is probably the ‘high expectations’ parents expect from them. They have to be responsible, efficient, swift, smart… Everything positive outlook they could think of. Also, when something bad happens to the family (I hope not, knock on wood), or a great argument happens between parents, the eldest gets the brunt of responsibility and pressure to somehow set things right. The eldest child has to be in between things, and try to remedy the situation as much as he or she can for the good of all, at most times sacrificing what he or she wants just to get the right things done. If sacrifices had to be made, the eldest will have to take the load first and if possible, take the whole of it so as to spare his or her siblings.

Call it a challenge or an immediate curse package for a first born. Being the eldest may have its privileges but it is accompanied with so much more than the perceived power-tripping status. Others wouldn’t easily know the tribulations emotionally brought about by these kind of pressures. It could break them, when pushed too far.

Yes, this post may be a rant but I bet a lot of ‘eldest child’ people out there know EXACTLY what I am saying.

Popularity: 7% [?]