Diyos at Bayan

Last night, 28 March 2009, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Jesus is Lord
Movement launched his presidential candidacy at the
full-house-Araneta Coliseum attended by his supporters, lay leaders
and some former and present political officials. Bro. Eddie describes
himself as a leader for God and country, Diyos at Bayan. And his
program are 7-fold centering on eradication of poverty, and stoppage
of the labor export, among others.

What does this mean for us, selectors of leaders? Bro. Eddie raises
the ante for all other candidates: as he has brought in a quality of a
leader -- that ability or possession of a spiritual view that God
guides the moves of every individual which is highly avoided by those
who think that there should be separation of Church and State. He also
said that he is taking a leave of absence as pastor of the JIL
Movement to concentrate on campaigning for his candidacy nationwide.
In answer to the clamor of his supporters, he agreed to be a candidate
again based on two conditions: organizational ability and logistics.

On the other hand, Among Ed Panlilio on March 26, responded to three
questions to a forum participant at the Third Force Meeting led by
convenors Bro. Melo and Patrick Pantaleon: On Marcos, no way will he
give in to a request from Imelda to declare him a hero; on
reproductive health: as a priest he will oppose it, but as a
politician he will allow it but question the legality of the law; and
on whether he will prosecute Arroyo for her crimes, he said yes,
categorically.


KAMALAPINA 28 Marso 2009

Si Bro. Eddie Villanueva, lider ng Jesus is Lord Movement ay
nagdeklara na tatakbo siyang pangulo ng Pilipinas sa 2010 elections.
Nagsalita siya sa Araneta Coliseum na punung-puno ng kanyang mga
supporters, lay leaders at ilang dati at kasalukuyang political
officials. Nilarawan ni Bro. Eddie and sarili niya na bilang isang
lider para sa Diyos at Bayan. Ang kanyang programa sa pagbabago ay
nakatuon sa pag-aalis ng kahirapan, at pagpapatigil sa labor export na
nagdadala lamang ng pangaabuso sa karamihan ng mga babaeng domestic
helper sa mga banyagang bansa sa Gitnang silangan.
Tinanggap niya ang hamon ng kanyang mga supporters batay sa dalawang
kundisyon, pagkakaroon ng organisasyon at pondo para mangampanya.

Sa kabilang dako, noong a-26 ng Marso, si Among Ed Panlilio,
gubernador ng Pampanga ay nagsalita naman sa Third Force Meeting ng
mga alternative groups na naghahangad din ng pagbabago sa lipunan at
lalahok sa pulitika sa 2010 sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng mga convenors na
sina Bro. Melo Pastor at Patrick Pantaleon. Hindi pa siya
nakakapagpasya kung sasali sa 2010 subalit kung siya ay magiging
pangulo, sabi niya na una, hindi niya idedeklara si Marcos na bayani;
tungkol sa reproductive health, susuportahan niya ito kung siya ay
mananalo subali’t kukuwestiyonin niya ang legalidad ng batas; at
pangatlo, ipo-prosecute niya si Arroyo sa mga krimen na nagawa nito sa
taumbayan pag-upo niya sa puwesto.

philippine political panorama

so many voices, so many ideas about changes in our country, the Philippines. we are drowning in too many slogans -- we want change, we want new leaders, we want pure heartedness. yes, the philippines is entering another similar era like the one before the fall of the dictatorship. if the alternative groups handle this well, it is most likely that there will be a great revolutionary change through the ballot by 2010. but if the people remain quiet, and just watch how the groups are discussing, arguing, and quarreling among each other, then not much change shall occur.

but i am optimistic about the outcome of this sudden surge of voices in the air. we have not had that for a long time, ever since edsa 20 actually. people were at first afraid after that time, then they became desensitized to all talks about clean politics, then they woke up suddenly when the manila penn siege happened. but the wake up was only a great interest in politics, not exactly participation. people will discuss but not participate actively in politics.

then in the elections of 2004, the urban poor came and in droves supported fpj, their interest only to be thwarted by the hello garci method of insuring a favorable outcome for the incumbent.

when fpj died, the more the urban poor quieted down. but then in 2007, there was a higher zeal to bring about change, and the opposition won overwhelmingly over the administration candidates. lampaso, wika nga. presidential impeachment moves over mismanagement, corruption and other charges however failed and failed all the time as the house of reps is controlled strongly by the administration, using carrot and stick all the time to make the reps toe its line.

now it's 2009. we are all gearing up for another showdown, in 2010, this time with many contenders for the presidential post. Among Ed, Manny Villar, Kabayan Noli de Castro, Loren Legarda, and even newly-elected senator Chiz Escudero with Ping Lacson at the tail-end. The hopefuls are all enthusiastic about being tossed in the limelight as prime contenders for the highest post of the land.

So now, the people are watching again -- kara y kruz, manalo-matalo, sa pula sa itim, etcetera. 2010 will be a time for them to earn cash or merit good leaders who will guide them to prosperity and peace. meanwhile, the abu sayyaf is having a heyday, capturing and holding hostage innocent victims.

as the political stories are unfolding, the women's movement is in the doldrums with a whimpering show of strength in backing up nicole, the raped-turned around victim changing her story. in the other settings, women's groups are creating an edge in the economic sector -- both underground and overground. Teresita Sy-Coson is holding her ground as one of the primemovers in the Sy empire's capturing international recognition of their financial accumulations. Others are ms. Juan of Figaro Coffee, and a host of quiet women-achievers. Unfortunately, in the field of politics, only Legarda seems to be consistent in playing an equal field with the men, although not much of her bills are being talked about. Other senators like Pia Cayetano, Jamby Madrigal and Miriam Defensor-Santiago now and then have issues to talk about in the media but on the whole remain second or even tertiary as important sources of ideas compared to men who hog the media limelight when it comes to talking about national and local issues. More so in the house of reps, where women's voices are terribly muted.

Yet, the most significant field where women should count is in politics. Liza Masa is a good voice of the left, but sometimes the too many demonstrations she and her groups hold in the streets make the people demo-phobic. They should try varied methods of approaching political issues instead of the cut-and-dried marching in the streets.

In the alternative movement, we need another Cory-like inspiration of the 80's when Marcos the dictator rules the country, someone who can rally the people to move as one in toppling corrupt, incorrigibly corrupt, and worst corrupt administrations ever.

Where is he or she? Or even where are they? In the next months we hope to find the person or persons strong enough to face the legal, political and all kinds of battles.

Minorities and maps

Cory Cojuangco-Aquino came to power after the martial law regime, the dictatorship of Marcos. Barack Obama now is in power after 8 years of Bush administration full of lying, and an unprecedented economic recession that could drive the US to a full-blown civil war if not stopped right away. Cory worked for the peaceful transition of the country into a democratic state. Obama is now working for a peaceful recovery of the state of comfort the Americans used to have.

Why do minorities achieve power after times of inhumanity? What is it in their character to be able to take on the challenge of accepting the need to help, to serve and to be truly effective in turning the tide of adversities?

It is not and never easy to steer a country to a peaceful state where people would still believe that democracy can work. Leaders have to contend with many sectors, forces of reaction not wanting to shake up their hold on power, or wealth. But it is the appeal of human reason, to the Christian spirit, that humane spirit of helping the other person, the need to share blessings -- both knowledge and material wealth -- which shapes the kind of leaders there are.

I received a uniformal message from US Pres. Barack re his speech yesterday and it was full of plans to recovery. We in the Philippines have not had such a grand speech for a long, long time and coming from a sincere person. So our duty now is to search for that person, the one true leader who will lead us from the morass of ignorance, of lack of willpower to change, and will generate hope in every Filipino, man, woman, child, elderly and the country in general. Come 2010,let us make sure that no more cheating would occur.

Lastly, allow me to reveal that everytime I see our map in a magazine, or an atlas, and surrounded by other countries, I feel a tugging in my heart, telling me everytime that this is the same land that our heroes and heroines fought for for us to have our own national identity and spirit. This was the same feeling I had the first time I looked at a map in 1981 to find out where the airplane I was going to ride from Manila to Amsterdam would pass. And I felt very low then because the plane from Europe was not going straight to Manila - it would still pass by Hong Kong, because the Philippines was not a direct landing place then. We were really a Third World country then, and until now, i suppose.

Henceforth, let it be a demand, an order for everyone: everytime you are hopeless about the country, about our people, look at our map and feel a surge of nationalistic feelings. Feel that love for the ordinary folks and act.

On presidential palaces

I read the history of the White House in Wash.DC this afternoon and I felt my heart skip a beat. How could a half-black president sleep in a huge house full of memories of people who lived during the colonial era and some of whom had a hand in keeping the black people in bondage? How do he and his family feel now walking on all its floors knowing that some of those people had hobnobbed with the royalties of various countries and did not mention anything at all about the black people's participation in the national affairs?

I thought it was very eerie seeing how history is turning upside down now -- that the black people are represented and a person of that race, Barack Obama, is leading a nation of 52 states with histories of varying states of treatment of their ancestors. Maybe there is a reason for all of these happenings, an unfathomable rationale that the world is turning around more rightfully.

The book, the title of which was just plain The White House, gave a textual parade of all the residents of that House and how it underwent several overhauling as the materials could not withstand the tests of time and weather. One prominent aspect of that history is the highest regard that the occupants had for the building, which could be readily understood as it symbolizes the shelter of the person occupying the highest position of the land.

In the Philippines, we also have the Malacanang Palace as its counterpart, but when Cory Conjuangco-Aquino succeeded after Marcos, the dictator was booted out, she had chosen not to live in that Palace as it brought her gross memories of the assassination of her husband and the many incidents surrounding his incarceration during martial law. Maybe Cory would be seen as too sensitive as to skip that opportunity of living in that highly important building. Or she loved Ninoy more than her historical role of continuing the saga of the people's search for genuine democracy geographically. Nonetheless, we commend her courage in offering and risking her life to confront Marcos at a time when it was too dangerous to do so.

But if we are going to be true to our work as change agents of society, I believe that the greater demand for us is to be able to show that every corner of our nation is a palace in itself and its inhabitants are royalties who deserve all the respect of their human rights.Let the presidential residence remain as a symbol, but not the one and highest symbol of power, as the power of the people resides in every square mile of the country.

Dealing with History

I have always loved historical accounts, both local and international. In fact my love of philosophy stems from knowing how the philosophers had lived and died. I think it is fascinating going to the past, especially now that I am reading the History of Modern France. Sorry but I forgot the author. Anyway, history books give us that feeling of being a part of the events, well of course, that is, if the author is really good in whipping up the readers' interest in the subject.

Some historical accounts like that one of David Fagen, an American black soldier who fought on the side of the Filipino people during the Fil-American war, and of Macario Sakay, the last Filipino hero who fought the Americans during the same period also made me really go through every detail.

I think that good historical accounts somehow break our hearts a bit, as they tell how the dreams of heroes and heroines are not fulfilled. They show us how they had to go through the great difficulties of making people realize how important what they are trying to say is, like Sojourner Truth, who travelled miles and miles and braved deathly situations just to help free slaves. By the way, her speech, "Ain't I a Woman" really gives the the atmosphere of the Convention where she delivered it - must have been full of machos, and machas (women who did not believe in emancipation but would follow men in politics.)

Another thing that history does to me is to make my heart skip a bit, and then I have to turn away, because the wound it has caused has not been healed yet. This is when in that particular period, I was truly involved in its creation, in its processes. Like when I helped start the party for women. A group of women asked me about setting up that party. We worked through the night its principles, mission and vision, you call it. Then suddenly on the day itself, everything changed. They changed the name, and I can't remember the rest. So I walked out and told the women at the register, "why do you work that way? You wasted my time talking with you, only for you to change everything today." and they just stared at me.

Another time, when I participated in the elections of Amnesty International here, I could feel the suffocating feeling -- of people trying to manipulate the processes. My name was put up as a candidate for directorship, but a foreigner questioned something which hit at my organizational links. Nonetheless, the body decided that the question was not allowed to be a hindrance to my candidacy. However, when the counting began, I was shocked to find out that only two people, two women were counting the votes in one corner. There was no transparency at all. And no third party to watch if the counting was being done correctly and honestly. Then one officer approached me later on, "Kilala ka na naman nila. Siguro, next year, baka manalo ka na." For an international organization to act this way, especially an organization that seeks to uphold the political rights of oppressed Third World peoples, was I shocked beyond belief.

The latest was my involvement in an electoral exercise. I see the pictures of the winning candidates that I rooted for and the pictures give me the blues bliss.

That political exercise was quite tiring, what if you will consider that efforts will have an impact on a whole continent. My country is only composed of 7,100++ islands, but that one was a whole continent. Maybe I shall remember that period, for a long, long and nurse good and not so good feelings for a while until such time that I would be able to get to another country, see another culture and speak a different language, not English but possibly French or Vietnamese. Maybe there is something that really perks up a person when he or she meets someone from a highly different culture.

And so, for history to be swallowed without bitterness, to be regarded as a boost to maturing a person, it is good to light candles and pray for peace in this world so that security, that word security will not be bandied about as a cause for war of any kind, whether physical, socio-psychological or emotional and that all political exercises shall become an obligation and a sweet encounter at the same time for like-minded peoples aiming at some ideals.

new day

Today, I reviewed my emails, and saw bits and pieces of messages from the States. For many months I was involved in American politics, writing and receiving emails from various names ranging from Barack, to David, Jarrett, Michelle, the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Ted Daschle, and another one whose family name starts with M. I felt heady then, as there was something going on -- the election of the first Afro-American as president. The run-up period was particularly exciting as the Republics put up a vigorous fight to defeat the Democrats. But then of course, the rest is history. Then a new twist happened. The Barack team started emailing about joining the inauguration and my having to write why I wanted to attend. As weeks wore on, different people asked the same thing; so the same messages and the same requirement as to the reason for attendance. But at the last, when it was Barack who was signing the message, I stopped short because my son and daughter had cautioned me about its being a scam. Then the emails started saying that if I could not attend, then I could gather a group that would watch the video instead. There was something spooky about the way the reader was conditioned to think that I was a part of a big thing, that I had to do this and do that.

Although I am not an American, I felt compelled to respond to the game. Then it suddenly dawned on me, after writing that brief speech for Barack for 2012,Then I remembered what Kuya Dolly, my cousin, had told me: "I removed my name because baka kung sinu-sino lang ang nagsusulat noon at ang pumipirma ay si Barack daw, e hindi pala. (someone might have been writing those messages and then signing up as Barack, when it could have been just any other fellow.)

But as I told Ogening my son, life has many twists and turns; and also fake and genuine friends. One just has to coast along and should one proved to be a jerk, then that is his or her problem. Not mine, because I started everything from a solid and genuine commitment that American politics needs to be redirected to something that could fulfill the dreams not only of the American people, but all people around the globe.

So today, as I read my email, I felt a void, a relief also because I know that I have to fill up that void with something else, something more authentic, an authentic existence that can stand the tests of all kinds of political storms and stresses.

loving

what makes loving a person such a very big effort? so many books give advice on how to love, as if it were truly a course to be learned and practiced. but what is really loving? february 14 is fast approaching and i am sure many stores are now gearing up for it, to present the best hear-shaped designs for their bookstores to attract buyers, for the windows of cafes to attract cooing couples wanting to relive their first dates, for the gates of motels and hotels to usher in lovers feeling sexy and expressive of that "it' which could be for procreation too, according to the religious.

yet loving i feel should be a simple pit-a-pat feeling for not always a person, but an activity, like a certain craft or hobby or skill. i have felt that great urge to create puppets in 1994 to 2000 as puppetry had become then a good respite from the rigorous dissertation writing i was doing. mental work and handicraft became a good combination to maintain one's balance in the face of a fake regime, which was tainted with questions of genuine votes for its installation.

by the way, i had my column writings as well as access to magazines that accepted my fictional writings then to allow me to express my political views through them rather liberally. but as usual, suppression is the name of the game for the powers-that-be, and i had to shift activities -- as i had to turn to filmmaking, and this was after the election of the only president who earned a landslide victory at the polls.

the rest is history, my dears. but i can assure you that i was loving myself through all these years as i was able t churn out many works, from puppet plays, to a film and body of political writings which i could compile into books. of course, before loving others, we must love ourselves first.

creative efforts

when creativity becomes a way of life in any society, then the people can become very happy indeed. life becomes something that is looked forward to day in and out. even meeting people, regardless of their attitudes are welcomed as new experiences worthwhile going through. even situations which are sometimes avoided becomes a beautiful encounter that could fill up one's memories.

but sometimes, creativity or that creative spirit is hard to come by. some people could easily capture it, day in day out. like i know a couple of painters, who upon getting up in the morning right away goes to their studio room splashing colors, lines and shapes on big and small canvasses. their works fetch a big sum internationally and which allows them to roam around, and come home to their original countries easily.

an urban poor woman i know turns out beautiful bags made of recycled newspapers which she does a sa living and as a craft of beauty. her bags are exported by a foundation but she gifts people with her works. these show real effort put into them, and her eyes show meticulous inclinatin to have perfect braiding, and even the selection of the pages that will be included in the making of the bags.

Yet, when a country is ruled by gangsters, whose prime purposes in life are to maintain power and fill their pockets with gold, all types of creativity vanishes or becomes a very difficult effort. some people can overcome this by not being engaged in media - not listening to the radio, not watching tv, not reading the papers, etc. others shut up and walk away when their crown starts talking politics. i really wonder how boring such a life would be.

so then, being creative could require a great effort or not at all, so long as one keeps an open mind. why because even politics could be handled creatively. oh if only if....