ON 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Come Philippines’ Election 2016, what I want for the new President is someone who has a noble bravery and with strong conviction that will not be unshaken, and someone who will not hell-bent be it family or friends.  Miriam Defensor-Santiago has it, for she will not be known as Asia’s Iron Lady for nothing.  In several occasions, Miriam has showed her usual wrath when it seems mistaking the truth.  Her strong and fierce personality like bursting volcano who doesn’t care whoever may hit her fuming mad, her exceptional academic record, encyclopedic expressions, aggressiveness and presence of mind, these are her characters I like so much.  But when she joined political ally with Bongbong Marcos and ignored the brutality of Martial Law by defending it, my admiration with this Iron Lady has slowly faded like melting steel.  I can’t understand how this genius giant senator, pro-poor and advocate of the oppressed people who are supporting her has suddenly became oblivious about the dark days of our country and instead justifying it.

I am not favoring Miriam to join force with Bongbong not because Bongbong is the son of the dictator but because he himself has own share of abuse during martial law, aside from a question of integrity when he tampered his Oxford University diploma.  But I will not go further on Bongbong because that is another story to write and instead I will just focus on Miriam.  Knowing her political prowess and expertise in law, when she said there’s nothing wrong with Marcos’ martial law which means common people will may think twice, I am now skeptical in her true objective because Miriam Defensor is known for defender of aggrieved and poor people.  I don’t like the 20-year’s repressive martial law and I am renouncing all who are responsible for it, those who enjoyed and benefited from it, and those who defending it despite the fact of its heinous impression.  With Miriam’s approval in martial law, this started me to go back to all her past weaknesses to finally surrender my presidential hope with her and that ends my admiration to Miriam.  And by the way, Miriam contradicted the martial law ruling on the cases against Lino Brocka, Behn Cervantes et al to free from detention that the same martial law she is now saying nothing wrong.

Miriam is a political butterfly who flies whoever is in power for her convenience.  She has no permanent interest but only personal agenda who shifted alliances from one to another for own security.  There were times she heavily criticized Joseph Estrada on both governmental and personal issue during his Vice Presidential post then later on defended him when she became cabinet member under Estrada administration.  She roasted the PCIBank officer in defense for Estrada’s plunder case.  Then she protected Gloria Arroyo in many controversies involving the first family, saved them during Hello Garci controversy by blocking it with wiretapping as crime, and acquitted Chief Justice Renato Corona during the impeachment.  And the infamous quote when she said “I lied” in response to her failed anticipation “I will jump headfirst from a helicopter in Luneta if Estrada gets removed from power”, this really doubted my respect to her from then on. Now, her team-up with Bongbong showed her true color as political butterfly.  The sequence of occurrences showed the changes of Miriam moods that made me stop to put her in pedestal.  Even her faith was tested during the untimely death of her son.  She is questioning the presence and the supreme power of God, claiming all her achievements are her hard work and not as blessings.  This makes a conclusion where she gets her courageous that if even God she’s got the gut to question, how much more us as ordinary people?  She’s repugnant.

What I always admire with Miriam is her courage, brilliance and wit to handle issues and controversies, but not until today.  Gone are the days I look up on her as bright lawmaker, rightful politician during her leadership as secretary in Agrarian Reform, and brave campaign against child pedophile as the Commissioner of Immigration and Deportation.  With her color now, I think she goes with Bongbong for campaign fund.  This is political suicide but if her funny and feisty mood that are “in” to many youth and modernized citizens may win her, which is alarming, she may pull up Bongbong.  And if they win, the question to her health to finish her term may put at risk will give the clear opportunity to Bongbong to sit in the presidency which is a clear indication of Marcoses’ regaining the whole power again that the prime agenda in going back to Malacanang is just to recover sequestered properties and do the unfinished jobs that were withheld from them since 1986.

By Alex V. Villamayor

October 26, 2015

BRUNCH CAKE

Called brunch cake since this recipe’ is ideal to be eaten at breakfast, lunch or in between. 

The ingredients, we’ll need:

12 pieces of butter cookies

6 pieces of eggs

1/3 cup of luncheon meat (ham can be alternate)

1/3 cup mozzarella

1/3 cup cheddar cheese

1 medium onion (equivalent to 1/3 cup)

Salt and pepper

Onion leaves (or chives for garnish)

PROCEDURE:

1. Chopped the onions and luncheon meat into small pieces.

2. Mix them in a bowl.

3. Put the egg and beat. 

4. Add salt and pepper to taste, mix them well.

5. Put the mozzarella and cheddar, then mix well.

6. Arrange the butter cookies in a baking pan.

7. Pour the mixture of eggs and other ingredients over the cookies.

8. Put some onion leaves on top cut into tiny pieces.

9. Bake for 25 minutes.

10. Place in a dish and garnish with some cut onion leaves.

11. Serve while hot.

And lastly, just eat right.

HOUSEKEEPING IN WORKPLACE & DESK

I came across to this quote from Albert Einstein that says “if a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” Knowing how great the contribution and intellectual cleverness of this theoretical physicist, there is no doubt his every word is wisdom to ponder for every listener.  But as a normal human creation, I have a reservation to have second thought and scrutinize what did he really meant when he quoted this. This quote is ambiguous that can be given to the readers what it ought to mean.  The initial impression one could immediately think to this quote could be referring to the function of brain that is either about the quality or can be about quantity of our thinking.  But either way, it is unfair if those who are keeping clutter-free desks will categorically label of doing and thinking nothing.  This quote puts malign to the credibility of those who has the ability to keep their station organized despite a hectic works and heavy workload.

I assume this quote is not meant to every worker because you cannot really say a person with this quote.  And I hope this was not quoted to favor the clutter desk of those claiming busy which they make it untidy to appear themselves occupied.  The end should not justify the mean.  Having a clutter desk doesn’t mean the owner has a large volume of works or has a superior thinking.  What if the person is not really into good housekeeping, maybe he is unable to manage his space because he is poor in organizing paper works?  Every company wants good office housekeeping, if not a blue-collar job then you are expected to have a professional presentation of your desk.

Or how about if this quote means empty desk is a sign of organized and clear mind? That you have a control in your occupied mind despite having workload but still managed to keep his space free from clutters.  There are just people who cannot work with messy environment, the same thing there are people who are messy.   Some people are more quickly, effective, comfortable, confident and not distracted when they are in an organized and without destructing clutter workplace. Going back to this hanging and interrogative phrase that sounds like a fill in the blank question, if empty desk gives the empty mind suggestion then what if this quote is interpreted as the other way?  That a clutter desk is sign of troubled mind that can output less quality and garbage work? 

Let us remember, office good housekeeping is not just about the huge papers and files in your desk but it is also the constraint of unimportant colorful trinkets pinned in your office like various quotes, unnecessary pictures and some promotional items or mini toys placed in your desks – and they are nothing to do with competency.  Having these in your table, can you still say clutter desk is a sign of clutter mind?  It is not about brain function anymore but it’s your personality.  If these papers show the discursiveness in things, then most likely the same thing goes to your e-file.  It is office decorum, remember: it is office decorum.

It is actually and certainly depending on the nature of your work. It’s too difficult to achieve paperless office for journalists, design engineers, accountant, teachers, librarian and other jobs that are literally dealing with papers but we can see if the huge bundle of paper works are properly pile.  Even in times there is occasionally mess of papers and disorder in your desk, the mark of an actually systematized office set-up can still be seen.  And again, this is not just about paper but the presentation of your desk and office presentation whether it is vulcanizing shop, recruitment agency, etc.  And we are just talking about workplace here, not including about home because it is another issue that may hit those guilty because it is said that your attitude, characters and manners inside your home are taken out up to outside.

By Alex V. Villamayor

October 19, 2015

KABILUGAN NG BUWAN

Sa tuwing sasapit ang dilim ay palagi akong dumudungaw mula sa bintana, nakatingala sa langit upang tingnan ang inaabangan kong kabilugan ng buwan.  Kung may dalawampu at walong araw din ang aking paghihintay para mabuo ang napakaganda, napakaliwanag at napakahiwagang kabilugan ng buwan.  Sa napakalawak na madilim na kalangitan, namimilog ang aking mga mata sa labis na katuwaan na tinititigan ang tumitingkad niyang kaliwanagan habang papalalim nang papalalim ang gabi.  May hatid na hiwaga ang napakalawak na kalangitan at kapaligiran sa tuwing bilog ang buwan.  Katulad din ng mga kababalaghang nakakatakot pag-usapan tuwing ganitong panahon.  Bakit ba sa tuwing bilog ang buwan ay saka pa napag-uusapan ang mga kakaibang nilalang na hindi natin nakikita na nananahan sa kagubatan at karagatan.   Hindi man nakikita ngunit nararamdaman.  Katulad ko rin, may hatid na misteryo ang bumabalot sa aking katauhan tuwing sasapit ang kabilugan ng buwan.  Parang kakaibang katauhan na nananahan sa aking katawan.

Tuwing araw na ganito, may hatid na misteryo sa akin ang kapaligiran para sa mga nagmamahalan.  Ang panahon ng pagmamahalan at paglalambingan, panahon ng magkasama na naglalakad sa ilalim ng liwanag ng sikat ng buwan.  Gusto ko lamang ang mamasyal at maglakad nang maglakad kasama ang aking pinakamamahal.  Mauupo sa damuhan at sabay na titingnan ang napakagandang buwan, tatanglawan nito ang dalawang nagmamahalan.  Sa liwanag ng bilog na buwan ay nasisinagan nito ang kaibig-ibig na mukha, mga mata at labing mapangusap.  Tila sa tulong ng sinag ng buwan, pakiramdam ko’y napakalakas ko.  Matipuno ang aking bisig, siksik at namimilog ang mga kalamnan, tila nababanat na parang sa isang gerero na nasa digmaan tagapagligtas sa buong mundo.  Isang ganap na mabikas, makisig na mandirigmang namumukadkad ang panghalina dahil  sa kanyang bangis at tapang.

Mataas ang tubig sa dagat, salamin ng bilog na buwan, nagniningning ang buong sinag nito sa karagatang mistulang sinaniban ng langit, ang kapaligiran ay isang buong kulay itim, walang naghahati sa pag-itan ng langit at dagat.  At sa baybayin ay maingay ang maliliit na alon na humahampas sa dalampasigan dahil sa malakas na hangin.  Ganito ang karagatan, habang ako ay nasa kapatagan, tinatanaw ang aninag ng liwanag ng buwan sa mga dahon ng puno ng niyog at saging, sa pagwasiwas ng hangin ay tila mga tala na kumikislap sa kalangitan.  Sa gabing ito, pakiramdam ko ay ako ang pinakamasaya at pinakamapalad na lalaki sa buong mundo.  Bakit hindi ay napakaperpekto ko sa panahong kasama ko ang aking mahal ay wala ng hihigit pa sa aking kaligayahan.  Iyung yakap ko siya sa aking mga bisig at ipaghehele hangang sa makatulog sa gitna ng sikat ng buwan. Sa gabing iyon ay tila ako ang buwan na nakatingin lamang sa kanya at tinatanglawan, ako ang kanyang tala na nagbabantay sa kanyang pagtulog at ang dilim ng gabi na kukumutan siya.

Ayaw ko sanang matatapos ang magdamag, kung magliwanag man ay naghihintay pa rin ako kinabukasan kahit na sa ikatlong kinabukasan dahil may mga nalalabi pang hiwaga ang buwan sa akin.  Hanggang muli akong maghihintay tuwing sasapit ang dilim na palagi akong dumudungaw mula sa bintana, nakatingala sa langit upang tingnan ang inaabangan kong kabilugan ng buwan.  Maaaring wala na sa dalawampu at walong araw, kung maaari nga lang ay wala na’ng pagbibilang hanggang sa masilayan ko ang kanyang pagngiti sa kalangitan.  Hindi ko man maunawaan ang nangyayari ay masaya na ako dahil sa ganitong panahon ay nararamdaman kong ako ang pinakamahalaga, pinakamakapangyarihan at pinakamapalad na lalaki.  Ito ang hiwaga ng bilog na buwan na aking laging inaabangan at pinananabikan.

Ni Alex V. Villamayor

October 18, 2015

BUWAN NG KABILUGAN

I.
Hinihintay ko parati ang kanyang pagdating,

doon sa dating tagpuang nais kong marating,

upang ang gabi’y balikan at ito’y makapiling.

Muli kong liliparin at tatawirin ang hangin.

Lahat ay magiging paraiso sa aking paningin.

Ang kabilugan ng buwan ay magiging sa akin.

II.
Ang nasabing hinihintay, kung ano’ng ibig sabihin,

ito ang kabilugan ng buwan na aking haharapin.

Kaliwanaga’y aninag sa dagat tila nananalamin.

May bulong sa hangin, man din kaba sa dibdib.

Ang hanging may kalamigan sa aki’y humahalik,

sa gabing ito magaganap ang aking pananabik

III.
Hitik sa misteryo ang bilog na buwan ay hatid,

kasabay ng dagat ay pagtaas ng kanyang tubig,

upang aking paimbabawan ang buong daigdig.

Tila kabaliwan ngunit walang pagsisinungaling,

may kung anong lakas ang bumabalot sa akin.

Ano mang hiwaga ang nangyayari’y di ko batid.

IV.
Sa natatanging panahong ito, ako’y isang magiting.

Diyosa ang aking katagpo, ilang araw magkapiling.

Panahon ng pag-iibigan sinag ng buwan ay lalakarin,

ang matarik na hagdan katiyakang aking aakyatin,

sa bisig ay tangan ang Diyosa, hirap ay babatain.

Sa tuwing ganito oras , ang aking pinaka-magaling.

V.
Tibay ng dibdib, ang lakas ko ay hindi magagapi.

Ang sulak ng dugo sa mga ugat ko ay sumisiksik,

sing-laki ng daigdig, katapangang humahagupit,

isang matigas na mandirigma mala-bato’ng bisig.

Kung anuman ang misteryo na sa akin ay hatid,
ng bilog na buwan pagbabalik ay hihintayin muli.

Ni Alex V. Villamayor
October 18, 2015

CLAIMING SPRATLEYS ISLANDS

Short introduction:  The Scarborough Shoals or Spratley Islands constitute more than 750 reefs, atolls, rocks and islets that are strategically located off the coast of the Philippines and Malaysia scattered over 400,000 square kilometers in South China Sea.  There are six countries in the region claiming respective territorial sovereignty.  China, Taiwan and Vietnam claim it entirely while portions are claimed by Malaysia, Brunei and Philippines which is claiming the Scarborough Shoal as falls within its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.  These islands might seem insignificant because they are uninhabitable and not ideal for construction of infrastructure yet six countries are claimants due to the believed to be rich in gas and oil deposits, marine ecosystem, fishing ground and ideal location for military strategies.   Due to growing standoff in the territorial disputes, the Philippines seeks clarification from the tribunal as to whether China's 9-dashed line can negate the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone as guaranteed under the United Nations Convention on the Law Of the Sea (UNCLOS), of which China is a signatory, which the case is solely a maritime dispute, and not territorial in nature.

The issue of territorial disputes against China regarding Spratleys Island seems to be ours easily but since it involves a powerful and giant country, it becomes complicated (Or may I say it involves wealth that’s why it becomes complicated.)  Foremostly, based on the geographical presentation of the disputed islands is virtually sit well within the Philippines exclusive economic zone.  While china is vividly hundred miles away from the disputed islands which are just beside our land, their claim (same with Taiwan) of a whole islands is based from their historical tale supported by producing their version of a modern time detailed map is obviously unbelievable and just printed to for the sake of claim.   But the thing is their historical reasons are not marked clearly defined, instead based on numbers of historical events including the – 1433 AD.  And in 1947, a map with the s0-called nine-dash line was produced by China.  Although the Philippines claims came later in 1956 but it is clearly defined coordinates, and claims merit is on the proximity principle.  Undocumented historical tale that wrote and rewrote again and again (as China does) will remain uncertain according to experts in maritime law.

Although we’re in the rational and reasonable side but no matter where we look, we are the aggrieved in this fight of territorial claim.  It is totally mismatched when it comes to battle to defend our sovereignty over the territories.  We don’t have enough resources, we’re outnumbered.  Our military force is not well equipped with high tech, modern and state of the arts facilities.  Our economy is just kicking up, unstable and our technology is far behind their advanced machineries.  But we still have a choice.  In a battle like David and Goliath, for you to defend is to find the ways that will not need to use your physical strength.  We don’t need to spend to wage war since we may not able to afford it but we can stand united to at least harm their economy by stopping importing and using infamous China made products.  In this way, we are not just only designing our game plan but also we show our nationalism by patronizing our own.  And it can open door for us to look alternatives by focusing on our local resources to rediscover and enhance them, and find out what they can offer.

It’s an eye opener, it is a wakeup call for us to empower ourselves.  Set aside political agenda and support our government to sustain the continuous growth of our economy to carry the modernization of our military, strengthening of our economy so that we’ll never look pathetic in times of our need to defend our own territories.  We might have legal claims and attestations but with the current turn of event, claiming Spratleys Islands is a big challenge in our solidity and patriotic as Filipino and a big battle as well in our territorial sovereignty.

By Alex V. Villamayor

October 14, 2015

REASONS TO TRAVEL

I’ve been a fan of local tour in my country for I certainly know there is more fun in the Philippines.  I’m more interested to visit different tourist destinations in my own place rather than checking out popular international tourist destinations and attractions.  And I have strong belief that some places are comparably even more spectacular than those highly publicized international tourist destinations.  My country is an archipelago with more than 7,100 islands that there are so many places to go, that in my own place alone is not enough and there are more places to discover so why it has need to go out.  I think one has to visit first his own land before going to foreign land thus it makes one should never become foreigner in his own country.  Actually I am not really interested to visit different foreign tourist destinations because they have no attraction for me.  Maybe my sense of nationalism holds back me to feel it.  The only few places that I want to experience are the Sphinx Pyramid of Egypt, Paris in France, the Holy Land of Israel, and USA since almost everyone is looking up American dream.

They say travel while you are young and able. Some argue that they will get to it later, that while they have to do other priorities they can always travel later.  But being young is the time you can do whatever you want, getting old limits your times to do more.  When it is not important now, when will it be?  Going to different places will teach you to relate to others, environment, build compassion, handle challenges and above all learn something.  While still young, get to know the real world and people, and you will realize it’s a big and small world that it is so huge that not just about you but there are other people out there that the world is so small to reach them, regardless if local or global.  And you will realize you just know very little about life.  They may say travelling is expensive, luxury and waste of money but going to tourists attractions becomes too expensive when your idea of travelling is pleasure and leisure of grand vacation.  It’s not just about being tourist but it’s about experiencing life, having few more memories, experience and of course it is about you, your life.

While still working, there are two things that I really wanted to do in my life; to visit local scenic spots and own a home.  My connection to nature empowers my interest in visiting places that have natural beauty while having a home where I can make it a haven of nature for me to feel the same relaxation when I go travel.  There is blue in above and green surrounds, these are what make me feel relax and comfortable, and complete my dream of getting closer to nature.  From 2004 – 2009, I paused my plans in traveling in favor of dreaming a house but I failed in both.  The following year and onward, I decided to pursue my interest in visiting nice places, at least I could have one out of two rather than nothing at all.  Until my surprise on 2013 – I had them both, though it may not literal but it’s a home for me.  What I want to underline here is we follow what our heart desires that will make our life happy.  But it is not just because we want it but it should be the right, just and proper.  And travelling for me is right to do as long as you are capable to do it, you are not neglecting your future, and you are doing your responsibilities to your families.  And without these, then there I know I have mistaken my belief.

In my experience, I do not consider traveling luxury because for one thing I’m still within the classification of low-cost tour, and the point here is to seize the moment and experience life.  What I do not see proper in travelling is when you compel to go around while you don’t have resource.  And for me, it is not waste of money because it gives me long term knowledge, memories and meaningful experience.  An American writer Henry Valentine Miller said “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things”.   I agree because nothing can compare the price of witnessing the God’s creation that nobody can match or even exceed.   Personally, I feel it’s worth to go.  I am taking care my family as always, I’ve been working hard for long and at least in ten years now I’m close enough to become retiree, I think maybe I’m too deserved to go to places to enjoy myself.

By Alex V. Villamayor

October 9, 2015

GROW OLD WITH YOU, GUITAR ACCOMPANY

GROW OLD WITH YOU, AN ACAPELLA

This video is not made and posted for something but for personal record only.  Not a singer, just love soft music.

Recorded:  October 6, 2015