Freedom of Expression

This past few days, news media have shamelessly twisted President Duterte's words in a seamless fashion that those readers and spectators who did not set aside time to dig deeper blatantly misunderstood his speeches. These news befuddled the Filipinos who put it upon themselves to voice out their opinions regarding the President's latest 'brand of diplomacy'. What was only a remark to remind an intervening foreign leader to mind his own business turned into a nasty piece of article brought about by the circulating twisted headlines from the media. News nowadays are too non-regulated and bordering to a lie. Media outlets seem to set aside ethical and responsible journalism for 'clicks and views'. These people have obviously enjoyed too much of their freedom of speech as well.

 Thus, I speak in the name of the same freedom.Let me begin by saying I was shocked at how ruthless our fellow citizens could be. While the president is dead-on making ways to create progress for this country as well as preserve its sovereignty, some people who call themselves Filipinos, ordinary and government officials alike, criticized him for standing up to what he believes is right for the country and the people and even stood on his way towards his goal.

I know it doesn't matter what you do, because there will always be someone who will find fault in it. But come on people! You have called him a 'loose cannon', a 'psychopath', 'Philippine's version of Hitler', a 'murderer' and whatnot simply because you do not see eye to eye with him. You failed to see it in his perspectives. You did not 'try' to understand his motives and reasons. 

And I seriously think the root of all these issues is that people failed to know and understand him as a person. They didn't know the culture of the place he lived in. They didn't know how sharp Cebuano expressions could get when we are most frustrated and our emotions go overdrive wherein most of the times those shouldn't be taken literally. He may not be a man of perfect morals as those hypocrites who berate him for every single thing he does but he is a man who's willing to live the true definition of service and loyalty to his country no matter what. They failed to see him as a man who genuinely loves his country and its people. And that for me ladies and gentlemen is what defines a real leader.

I don't know about you but I am personally grateful to be a part of an era where a person like him leads. Somebody who is not afraid to take a stand for himself and for his people. He ain't no saint. But he is, for me, a modern hero with an armor of hope, brandishing a sword of courage and a shield of determination. I know I'm ranting and getting off-topic but well... what can I say? I also have my freedom thank you very much.

#Realtalk on Duterte vs. Drugs

Image source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2016/07/Drug-suspect.jpg

Ever since President Rodrigo Duterte launched an intensive war against drugs, news media flooded with horrible scenes of bloody deaths of suspected drug users and pushers everyday. With the increasing number of casualties of alleged victims, people of various social status have expressed contrasting sentiments and even took it to social media to share their perspectives. Difference in beliefs on the subject matter heightened the issue on basic human rights violation as families and friends of alleged victims cried foul over the 'unlawful' conduct. 

As reported by news portals, these alleged victims have supposedly resisted capture during the police operations and as a result was gunned down by the authorities under the 'shoot-to-kill order' of the president. More speculations surfaced on possible cases of extrajudicial killings which many known personalities both local and international have strongly condemned as it is 'illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedom' (Fedotov, Agence France Presse). Some critics pointed accusations on the police as a number of the casualties increased which the police however dismissed.

Besides that, the newly-elected President also surprised many when he publicly produced lists of people allegedly involved in the drug trade which included ordinary citizens and more than 150 influential officials, judges, policemen and soldiers. Although, many critics disapproved of  the action as it was produced without sufficient evidence and only threatened to ruin the reputations of the accused. Either way, the pursuit resulted to a mass surrenderees of  half a million! That's a bit unnerving particularly when this number shows those who have only voluntarily presented themselves even when they weren't on the official list of suspects. 

In my point of view, President Duterte did not only name-dropped to shame the accused. He shook the country awake and slapped us the truth that drugs is a hundred-fold more rampant than we have imagined. That with continuous indifference towards drugs, our country would soon be facing an appalling reality wherein drug cartels have supreme hold on our legislative and judiciary branches such as in Mexico. Duterte have given us a glimpse that the trade have infiltrated and corrupted our government. He opened our eyes to how massive the problem have become and how much the previous administration have done to control it which is not really much. Politicians have lambasted the approach and raised their concerns on its humanitarian issue. They, too, cried foul over its flagrant disregard for the basic human rights as stipulated in the law.

I, for instance, cannot agree more to their concerns. However, the power of the Human Rights Code have been blatantly abused by those with means and connections. And people, other than the likes of Duterte, who did not have the will to push through will lose to the amount of time and energy it needs to pursue legal proceedings. Just imagine filing half a million cases in court! I particularly do not have a background in Law and how it runs but I have seen how influential people have made their way around it, bent it to suit their cause and evaded it entirely. Money made their impunity possible. 

The irony of the situation is that the law was used against justice, when its main purpose is to uphold it and protect the citizenry. So excuse me if I say, my trust in the Law have faltered. It's sad how a lawyer himself gave up on the law. In a way, I saw Duterte's point of view.  

Many a spectator have condemned him along with his allies and jumped in the opposition's bandwagon. Foreigners have called him a mass murderer, a loose cannon. All in the name of human rights. But, how about the rest of the citizenry who have the rights to peace and justice? Specially those victims who have been robbed of their loved ones, innocence and life brought about by the trade and the people under its influence. It is in this context that Duterte have captured the hearts and interest of the citizenry who have grown desperate and whose hearts have hardened with the continuous battle-cry for peace, freedom and justice. 

Duterte is the man who have promised to terminate corruption and drugs in the country and impose peace and order even if it means an afterlife of hell for him as long as the next generations live in paradise. Therefore, I say, I understood him in his fight. Desperate times require desperate measures. Idealists will only see wrong and thus criticize, but realists will see reason and understand. However, my understanding doesn't necessitate the action as righteous, it just reveals the sad fact that it is needed because the law don't bite that hard and fast. Local and foreign media, politicians and the Church can condemn him. They have the right to do so. It's their job and moral instincts. 

But then again, they can only begin to imagine how it is living in this era and only helplessly witness the continuous crimes and injustice to the innocents because you are only an ordinary citizen with no power to make a difference in a world where the culprits have woven strings in the government. As PNP Chief Ronald 'Bato' De la Rosa said, "You can criticize us to the high heavens but you cannot stop us. We have a mission to do." 

And besides,  isn't it only right to vindicate them for their sins? Why should I care for their lives when they haven't gave the least to their victims? Why should I care more for the lives of these criminals when my own blood and family is in danger from their kind?

Fixing a Broken Heart

"You can die of a broken heart" - it's a scientific fact. Research shows that a real-life broken heart can actually lead to cardiac consequences. There are established ties between depression, mental health and heart disease.You can check here for more information.  

To those like me, who have once in their lives, had their hearts broken from a failed relationship, they would somehow agree that it does somehow kill you unbearably slow. Metaphorically of course.   

So I guess, I'm speaking from experience but let me tell you some tips - or a friendly advise on how to cope in such a traumatic emotional blow.

• Be with your best friends - for someone like me who's family isn't ideally into intimate conversations like break-ups, it helps to be with those individuals who have known your struggle and who you're comfortable with. Sometimes, even having somebody give you a hug provides comfort and helps ease your pain.

• Let it out - it's not alright to suppress feelings as consuming as a broken heart. Your best friends are there for a reason. Spit it all out till their ears fall off. Telling your story isn't really barbaric as you have to relieve the pain over and over again. It's actually therapeutic is some way. It helps your mind process the situation that it really happened and you're getting over that denial stage.

• Cry and Scream! - You've got your heart broken so you have all the right to cry. Use it. You can even scream your anger out. This is best to relieve all the tension building up inside you and calm you down. Somehow, when you're done, you'll have this peaceful disposition. You won't be likely to march your way over to your ex's and key their car or smash it's windshield.

• Give yourself alone time - they say reminiscing is too barbaric, but I say otherwise. You have to give yourself time to absorb it all. To think about what happened, how it ended the way it did. We have to get over that stage wherein we only blame the other party. In my isolation, I learned a thing or two. I realized things I should have had when I still have the time. Then again, it's done. You can only learn from your past and strive to do better in the future. 

• Accept - when you've given yourself ample time to mull it over, you'll have that level of understanding and acceptance. 

• Go out! - your life doesn't have to take a screeching halt because of it. Move! This is when you'll take a time off. Take a walk. Go on vacation. Swim at the beach. Hike a mountain. Go paragliding. Whatever. Enjoy yourself and be happy. Free yourself of negativity because dwelling is not healthy. Seek peace of mind with nature. Let your mind relax. Only head back when you feel like yourself again. When you've already felt that lightness in your heart.  

After all are said and done, this journey will always get you to the tricky part which is 'what will you do next' ? In this stage, you should have had thoughts and much more decisions on what your next steps will be. You should have had consulted yourself already. 

I can't tell you what to do. You are your own self. I know, you know what to do. Deep in your heart. You know what you have to do. Just do it. The road can be hard and rocky, but then, what do we know? It might end up in a field of roses. Or if it doesn't, you can always  MOVE ON. Don't push it to yourself. If things aren't meant for you, it won't be your's. You can get it but it won't be good. 

Lastly, always remember 'Life isn't a fairytale'. Though, we can always make the most of it to make it better. Because, "Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just got to find the ones worth suffering for' (Bob Marley). Yes, one way or another. Let's just hope that God would give us the happiness we always asked for sooner. 

Angelica Panganiban, Tears Over a Broken Heart

On her guesting in the May 22 GGV episode, Angelica Panganiban finally broke her silence about her failed 4-year relationship with former boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz. In the interview which started with the two throwing jests at each other, Angelica shed tears when Vice prompted a question about how she felt after her break-up. Angelica honestly admitted that she haven't fully moved on yet but she's getting there. She also divulged that she was so hurt. She had felt too down at times that she even pitied herself. She said she would cry for hours whenever something reminds her of it. 

"Minsan kasi eh... sikat. Di ba? Ang daming billboard. Kapag nakita ko, maiiyak na naman ako. Ganun... Ayan na naman tayo. Magmomove-on na naman ako. (Sometimes... He's famous, right? He has a lot of billboards. Seeing it makes me cry again. Like that... There we go again. I have to move on again)," she said. 

In that tell-all, Angelica shared her experiences after the break-up which mostly made both she and Vice Ganda end up laughing. Though, despite that little tearful moment, it was amazing how Angelica still held herself together. She remained strong despite the heartache. She laughed brightly. And most of all, she stayed positive. She even said if they weren't able to save the relationship, why not save the friendship? That for me is a very open-minded approach to a failed relationship,

We have idolized Angelica for her great talent as an actress. We adored her beauty. But watching that interview gave us a glimpse of who Angelica Panganiban truly is. Personally, I saw a strong and beautiful girl with a genuine heart, full of love and passion. Angelica bared her soul to the viewers. Something that is so rare in showbiz, which is cramped of artists with two-faced personas to gain the love of the viewers. 

How John Lloyd Cruz broke somebody like her was beyond me. However, I do not judge him. I understand he may have reasons to let the love go. Yet somehow, it made me realize that no matter how talented, beautiful or loving you are, if a love's not for you it's not for you. That having those attributes won't spare you from a broken heart. Angelica, like all the other girls, could only wish for love that is pure and real. You can watch the uncut GGV episode here.

Ironfist Duterte, Afraid of Ghosts

I was flipping through the pages of our local newspaper SunStar Davao this morning when I came over their cover story entitled 'Malacañan Ghosts' written by Stella A. Estremera.

It was about why presumptive President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will only be holding office at Malacañan BUT not living there. Then, he was quoted saying, "In the Palace? Maraming mumu doon! Totoo (Me live in the Palace? There are lots of ghosts there. It's true)" and recalled a memory he had on the place.

 He said he had been invited in there sometime ago past midnight by then erstwhile President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whom he served as consultant for law and order. He said he was ushered into a sala inside Malacañan where the portraits of past presidents are hung to wait for Arroyo to dress up.

"It's really giddy," he said. "Kasi when I went inside , tiningnan ko yung mga mukha nila, there were several poses. Yung mga mata nila nakatingin somewhere else.. eye in front. I was waiting there in the sala and the wind was... either malakas yung aircon or talagang meron. Nung tumingin ako... nakatingin sila sa akin lahat. Put--na. Lalabas ako dito."








I laughed so hard upon reading it that my supervisors peeped on me, confused by my sudden outburst. It was so funny! Considering I had this super macho image of him holding a gun like what social media portrays him to be and riding a super cool big bike and then an image of him shriveling from the thought of ghosts just cracks me up. I mean c'mon...

Yeah. Duterte might be a ruthless disciplinarian and not afraid of anyone except God, but well ghosts are really scary.

Rodrigo Roa Duterte: The Kind of Leader We Need

"Many people feared him; many looks down on him; many scoffs at his attitude and many don't believe he has what it takes to be The President of the Philippines.
Simply because they don't know him enough. Enough to see through his edgy aura; his simplicity; his tactlessness and his laid back attitude. They haven't lived in his City; hear about his greatness and see how much the people loves and respects him as much as a father. They haven't witnessed his sincerity to serve his people; to give them the best a father could provide; protect them like a doting father would and punish those who bring ruins to his beloved city. Or perhaps they did. That's why they fear him. Because Duterte like a strict father imposes discipline. Extreme Law-breakers fear Davao because they know Duterte wouldn't even bat an eye and slap them a one way ticket to the other life. He said it himself, he doesn't care if he burns in hell for as long as his people live in paradise.
Yes, Duterte's image isn't as pure as crystal. But if he will provide my family the safety and comfort to walk on the streets at midnight, I wouldn't really mind. If he can insure the security of my future family, I wouldn't really mind. If he can provide the country with a corruption-free government, I wouldn't really mind. If he can give the people the benefits and services due to them, I wouldn't really mind. If he can reinstate the Laws for all to follow, I wouldn't really mind. If he can show us a responsible government worthy of praise and respect, I wouldn't really mind.
What is a life of a drug addict/dealer, rapist and murderer compared to the 102 Million citizens of the country? What is a foul word compared to a genuine heart?
Come to think of it. He is not superficial, look beyond.
Nonetheless, he is the kind of Leader we need. A fist of an iron but a heart of a child."

'Picture shows Duterte crying 3 hours after election polls show him leading the race towards Presidency'