Social Issues

Wazzup, Juan Dela Cruz?

Should my title be “Wazzup, Philippines?” I can’t help but react to the present situation. Juan dela Cruz symbolizes filipinos, same as John Doe of US.

The basic commodity prices continues to increase, a regular filipino hardly bought food for the family. How about the less fortunate pinoys, their situation became worst. The skyrocketing price of rice added to their dilemma. Its in the news everyday, price increase of gasoline, rice, raw materials of canned goods etc which naturally the finish product price will follow to increase. There are times that I don’t want to watch news, its always bad news except when Manny Pacquiao wins against Juan Manuel Marquez. The crime rate are also expected to rise because of the terrible cost of living.

A friend living in US, once told me that together with his family, they’ve decided to move from Escondido, California to Texas. The reason is they can’t cope uo with the cost of living in California, they are better now in Texas. I hope, filipinos can apply the same strategy in the Philippines. Nah, enough with the wishful thinking.

Economic sabotage? I hardly heard of ZTE-NBN case witness Jun Lozada except that former President Cory Aquino has colon cancer and her chemotheraphy. I pray and wish her fast recovery. The people now are more focused on how to cope with the cost of living.

A colleague campaining for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last election told me that her “only” reason why she supports GMA was she is an economist. Economist? Why thinking of rice importation when Philippines is a agricultural country? The reality that she neglected many things and concentrated on other “economy”, proved my collegue wrong on her choice. Where was my collegue now? She migrated to US and plan to go back in the Philippines when the economy becomes better. Whew!

Better Caring Of Filipino Elderly Abroad

Strong family ties is a culture we have among Filipinos, there’s no doubt that we take good care of our elders. But sometimes, there are various reasons why some family cannot attend to their elders. Unfortunately, poverty is one of the main reason, filipino elders belongs to class A and B family are lucky.

The most common reported illness by the elderly was arthritis and rheumatism. Other common health problems are hypertension, lung diseases (e.g. asthma, emphysema, tuberculosis), cataracts and heart problems. The elderly also mentioned diabetes, stomach and kidney problems. Poor physical function has adverse consequences for the affected elder, his family, community, and the larger society.

What about the filipino elders outside our country, in United Kingdom specifically? They have the financial capacity to live in a care home. But choosing the right care home is the primary concern. Each elderly have different health condition, emotional state and needs, the family are choosy on choosing the right home care.

Bettercaring is leading online service offering needed informations on registered care homes in the UK. Its impossible that you cannot find the best option available that suits the needs of your beloved elderly. Aside from the list of registered home cares, the site is also a source of information on care. They also have articles on health care that are really worth reading for. I even read the diabetes article because my mother is a diabetic. A forum is also a plus factor of the website wherein people can discuss their concens on choosing the right home care and other topics such as health care experiences.

Same Sex Marriage

I’ve just received pictures of my cousin’s wedding held last December in New Jersey, USA. We had received the wedding invitation here but ’til now, the entire family were still shocked because of my cousin’s gender and decision. Actually, my cousin hesitated to let us here know of the wedding. Here in the Philippines, same sex marriage is impossible.

Philippines does not offer any legal recognition to same-sex marriage, civil unions or domestic partnership benefits, although there is increasingly heavy debate on them.

In 1998, Senators Marcelo B. Fernan and Miriam Defensor Santiago submitted a series of four bills that barred recognition of marriage involving transgender individuals, contracted in the Philippines or abroad, and bar recognition of marriages or domestic partnership between two people of the same biological sex contracted in countries that legally recognize such relationships.

As of 2006, three anti-same sex marriage bills have been introduced and are pending before the Senate and Congress. -taken from here

The entourage… I don’t know if the women should be called “brides maids”, they still have their bouquet as well as the “flower girl” but they wore black skinny pants, hair were tied and wore wigs as their “head dress”. They were on the right side of the wedding picture above. The groom and the groom were on the center of the picture. They were both pinoys, born and raised in USA.

news and info pinoy

Manny Pacquiao Invades The Embassy With Women

I’m surprised to received this email this morning, pictures of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao dancing with women at The Embassy. Scandal indeed because he is a married man. Why did I post it? Manny Pacquiao is known to boxing, an aspiring politician, actor(?), producer… he is a public figure! Everybody knows Pacquiao, he should be aware of his actions. With this pictures circulating on email and website, he should learn his lesson now and face the consequences. This issue will sure be on TV, radio and newspaper soon.

Did he looked drunk? He is still a public figure and a married man. He was dancing not with one pinay but two women. A simple google search and I’ve found this, take note of the date it was posted, December 21, 2007. (link not available already)

UPDATE: January 7, 2007
The issue was reported already at TV Patrol.

news pinoy life rambling

Angelina Jolie In The Philippines?

I stumbled from the news that The Kilusang Magbubukid Ng Pilipinas (Movement of Farmers in the Philippines) has sent a letter to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to look at the worsening refugee situation in the country.

I admit, I got excited. I am her fan, I’ve watched her movies and followed her career. Actually, Kilusang Magbubukid Ng Pilipinas is asking for United Nation to send here the ambassador of goodwill at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees which is Angelina Jolie’s position.

Anyway, according to the letter… “Hundreds of people are being forced out of their homes and farms every month.” I believed it was true (the letter), tv news at primetime shown protesting and crying farmers with their placards and not allowed to get near Malacanang Palace. I don’t know if they knew that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is still in Kuwait.

I really don’t know how to express my sadness with their situation. They work hard for their farm, didn’t even earn much and they lose their own farm.

What’s your stand on the current situation?