# 56 MAYOR LIM DOES A DAREDEVIL

LIFTED FROM DD #50. The best part made by Bendis & Maleev.
Imagine if incoming Mayor Lim would bark these orders to the bad elements of Manila? Well, he just did after his proclamation as hizzoner. He also outlined his eight-point program for the city (which I got from this.):

1. NO to crime, so it does not pay to commit crime in Manila.
2. NO to drugs.
3. NO to graft and corruption.
4. NO to inefficiency.
5. NO to indolence.
6. YES to transparency.
7. YES to public accountability.
8. YES to health and education.

To the pushers: Evacuate or Evaporate. “They talk about the rights of drug pushers, but what about the rights of the victims? Who will defend them?”, said the newly-elected mayor. It’s as simple as that. Though, they should not go to Las Piñas. They’re more welcome in other places like Cavite. Hehehe

Kidding aside, I fully agree with a senatoriable’s opinion that drastic reforms in the judiciary should be carried out ASAP so that we could see results right away: punish the guilty so that people would think a thousand times before committing a crime. Dapat sampolan.

But for now, I’m seeing Mayor Lim with spray paint in hand and vice-mayor Isko “the (Kanto)Boy Wonder” on his side painting houses in Manila. The good senator admitted that he has gotten sleepy in the Senate and that he wasn’t even able to pass a bills that deal with political dynasties and libel. He is willing to leave this den for Manila. Part of his well-penned speech says:

“The motivation that animated me to ran (sic) is beyond physical. It is an idea that is fueled by justice and righteousness. It creates power that continues to grow for as long as the reason for its growth remains. This example that was set in the City of Manila is to show to the whole world, that in this little corner called Manila, everyone has a chance to nurture and cherish a dream.“

Parang superhero. Now, I don’t know what he’s trying to say at the beginning of that statement but the last line is inspiring. Some may contend that his predecessor has done much for this city. I’d agree but every time I pass by Baywalk, one thing that can’t escape my eye is Manila being replaced by MayniLA. Though, I could understand that it’s a form of reminder that this is where your taxes go. But it’s already too much. The Hawaiian shirts and the crummy TV show just have to go.

I do hope that the new mayor will continue the good things Atienza has done and move forward in decongesting the city and putting it in order– have a foresight in urban planning and revive commerce.

A final thought: How I wished that Manila was not bombed in WWII.

# 55 BASTION? HWAT DA HELL IS A BASTION?

Haha. Back in the old days, I just thought that I knew the meaning of the word. Besides, I was a campus journalist… cartoonist. Ah, to be young again. The feeling just comes back especially when things are getting online (as plugged by G!). The paper has a huge stake on me and I am extremely grateful. So I chose this post to post some photos that I just dug from my collection.

DOING THE FISHLIPS. My fortress of attitude.
A few years later…
MINI-MIG COMES ALONG. A posted photo that bears an uncanny resemblance.
I told myself that I will not see a post like this in my blog but just yesterday, I bumped into three of my friends from the paper. Koryn had lunch in my building and on my way to pick up the wife, I saw Sarah and Djong. Coincidence? Too much of it. I never thought that I would meet them all at the same day. Isn’t it a wonder? Anyhoo, another picture that struck me was this:
NOT THE COUPLE. It’s the signboard, silly.
A story about the signboard: it was literally, a school paper effort but I owe it to the superb engineering/ compsci/ martial arts genius of Kendrick “Jackie Chan” Chung. Clearly, the guy’s the master of cardboard. He even thought of making the star three-dimensional (Saan ka pa?). We used Z’s house as our pabrika. It was intended to lure new recruits especially them lovely frosh people (Ah, to be young again.). Going back to the story, we hung that thing in the chess plaza, near the APO tambayan so that everybody could see it. In my arrogant opinion, the old masthead is darn good than the one made by my little brother, who by the way would be off to Singapore in a couple of months (Huhuhuhu.).

I am just glad that it’s still there and it’s part of the thing we PIMA (our printer back then) people call, legacy. Things were so easy back then. Especially when you look at the face of the frickin’ guy taking advantage of the photo op. But moving along, I raise my glass to the people who made up the paper– past, present, and future: TO OUR GOOD LOOKS AND SEXXXY BODIES.

Oh, and by the way, how many points are there on the masthead’s star?

# 54 IT BRINGS A BIG SMILE TO MY FACE…

MIGMOG & PEACHES. My beautiful (god)kids. Mukha silang anime

# 53 BOTO BOTO PICK

We had lunch with my in-laws today and our conversation drifted from the terrific sinigang sa bayabas (typing it just made me drool) to the elections tomorrow. My father-in-law took a stand of not making a stand-- he sees no point in voting after reading Kit Tatad’s full page “protest” to our current political scenario.

My two cents: Reading the advertorial just describes the ex-Martial Law secretary’s hypocrisy. He’s part of the rotten system. He became senator and he cannot wash his hands. Plus, he’s too late to be vocal about political dynasties and turncoatism. Why now?

The advertorial was nicely penned though. He’s right on the money but it would have been better if somebody who’s a better reputation did it. Too bad that Mr. Tatad lacks credibility.

Moving along. My wife and I made a list of our senatorial line-up and the showroom manager will make his endorsement (the same way INC, El Shaddai, Diyos Ka Day, JIL, JLA, and others have been drawing their sheep):

1. Manny Villar.The biggest factor: He’s from Las Piñas. Who knows? He might even create a flyover connecting Las Piñas to Makati when he becomes… PRESIDENT(!?). The guy’s already rich and I just hope that he would use his shrewdness for the good of the Philippines. Another thing going for him is his hidden dancing talent (have you seen the TV ads?) and Angel Locsin’s support… bless her… heart.

2. Francis Pangilinan. The biggest factor: He’s Mr. Sharon Cuneta. With brains. The big letdown: His crying act before being on the hot seat at Isang Tanong show (for those not in the know: it’s a show where senatoriables will answer one question within one and a half minutes). He redeemed himself during the show where he gave REAL answers and not motherhood statements and all those flack about morality and unseating GMA. I almost took him out of my list because of his tentative stance in the first weeks of the campaign period. Now that he chose an “independent” path, I’d vote him.

3. Francis Escudero. The biggest factor: He is like a machine. He answers like a robot BUT just like a robot, it has demonstrated consistency. Escudero’s programmed to answer your question. After EDSA Dos, I thought at first that it’s a battle between Good and Evil: GMA vs. Erap. Anybody supporting Erap is bad. What made me decide to vote for Escudero is his consistent stand– a trait that is sorely missing in our political landscape. Say what? Say Chiz.

4. Joker Arroyo. I have enough admiration for this man. He had guts during the Martial Law days and his prosecution of Erap. For me, he’s one of our best men in the Senate. He’s 80 but he is still very sharp. His advantage: those cute Joker campaign stickers.

5. Ping Lacson. This guy has a definite answer to contraceptives, peace and order, and death penalty. His nasty background may give him a disadvantage but Lacson is a necessary “evil” to our brand politics. He may have ordered those kidnappers extinguished but again, it demonstrates action.

6. Miguel Zubiri. My last minute vote. I went to Bukidnon and saw the things that he wanted done for this place. Wider road for commerce. Magnificent municipal buildings to show government’s presence. I just hope that he could do more for Mindanao if he gets elected.

What happened to Defensor, a guy who has demonstrated consistency? A flipside to Escudero!? Defensor is too much of a Yes Man of GMA aka Dakilang Sipsep. During the heat of the Hello Garci controversy, I cannot get the reasons for him to make any comment about it as DENR secretary. Epal, if you’d ask me.

Noynoy Aquino? His father has all the trappings of a good politician and leader. I just don’t see it in Benigno III. The trouble with current politics is that people take advantage of an established name. You see, Sonia Roco, Koko Pimentel, Alan Cayetano, and Noynoy Aquino– they don’t have it and can’t have it.

Pichay? Nope. I just can’t imagine how he could recover his expenses after the polls? Others are doing the same but there’s something about him that’s very sneaky.

How about Ang Kapatiran? Church groups have endorsed them. The trouble with Church endorsement is that morality is too much of a bottomline. I’ve watched how Zosimo Paredes answered the questions on the Isang Tanong show and it’s full of moral advocacy. It’s too much. I believe that these men have good intentions for seeking public office. The problem is that skills are equally needed. How do we concretely solve our peace and order situation? How do we exhaustively audit government spending? How do we push livelihood programs in the provinces? How do we punish the bad guys? I’m imagining an answer to all these: We pray.

# 52 A MAMA’S BOY ANTHEM

TREAT YA MAMA RIGHT. Mr. T as Kuya Bodjie.
Happy Mama’s Day!

# 51 MINDING MINDANAO

I went to Cagayan De Oro City last week. It’s always a pleasure to see this beautiful city and taste its food (especially its prawns that are so darn good). They pretty much have everything that makes it look like a Metro Manila City like Makati. They got the Limketkai Mall and a hotel that is connected to it. Taxis here are mostly Corolla Altis. I also envy their clean river and whenever I see it, I’m just reminded of how our Pasig River is so dead.

The city is becoming more and more the main hub of Northern Mindanao. It’s near Camiguin Island, a place known for its beautiful beaches and sweet lanzones that makes the island shout out: THANK YOU AND CAMIGUIN. Ahahahahaha… sorry, just can’t help myself.

Anyway, it’s a treat going to Mindanao- a place that is literally a land of promise. It has everything. Almost. Its natural resources, excellent food, and the place itself is beautiful. The sad thing about this is that those who haven’t been there are still programmed to think that it is a lawless place, a haven for terrorists, and backwater. Well, I have to agree that there is some truth in it but we are influenced by our perceptions.

I just find it odd that here in Metro Manila, papers are hogged by sensationalized headlines, bombings, kidnappings, hostage dramas, shootings, and all the violent stuff you could think of. And we’re scared of Mindanao(!?). Quezon City is old and dirty. And has more televised crime reports (check out Channel 2 or Channel 7). It’s happening here. It’s also happening there.

Poverty is widespread and seeing our probinsyano immigrants in Manila is just the icing. We went down south to Bukidnon and I got to say that it’s really far (you would have to use your nguso to point the direction) and the terrain was just difficult to cross. We passed through a mountain to visit Malaybalay- a place for recreation, their Baguio (they got pine trees) of the South. We also passed through Valencia, the commercial hub of Bukidnon, before reaching Quezon.

Quezon is a municipality that is far from the national road. We went there to visit one of our salesmen, a good friend who is now running for councilor. And he is…

ANG KAHIRAPAN AY HINDI HADLANG SA TAGUMPAY. A slogan embodied.
I am supporting my candidate because I believe in him. His story is a common rags-to-riches one: He started out as a waiter in Iligan City then he became a Grollier’s Encyclopedia salesman and eventually, he became one of our top salesmen in Mindanao. He is now well-off and he wants to go for his dream to “uplift the lives of farmers”. Townspeople know how real his intentions are. There’s a good chance that he might even come out as the topnotcher of votes.

And I was there to endorse his candidacy.
SA DARATING NA HALALAN… Your showroom manager and Mr. Toyota.
Mindanao should be included and should be on top of the national agenda. The yardstick where I measure the effectiveness of our government is Mindanao. If the national government can’t take care of Mindanao, it is of my “arrogant” opinion that it could take care of its own and truly sever its ties with Manila and make the Philippines an “idea” of unity.

That remains to be seen, however, since there is no man or woman of the hour to completely unify this island. At the back of my head: Duterte or Emano perhaps? Or maybe we would have to wait.