Sunday, August 31, 2008

Post-Mortem

Over three thousand blogposts about the Eraserheads in the last month. Boy, the Pinoyblogosphere has been busy. I thought this was a thoughtful post by Armi Millare of Up Dharma Down (my favourite band of the moment):

On the way to the gig, Keith, Glenn and I talked about how it would uplift the spirits of the Filipinos if the guys decide to get back together after the concert. I guess got ahead of myself there, but I’m sure this was no taboo because majority of us did not see this coming despite secretly wishing for it, the time the rumours started circulating the industry and out.

To our initial dismay, the symbolic return of our pride and hope got cut short. On the other hand, everybody knew it was impossible to get the four back up on stage and it did happen, didn’t it? Above all the factors that sent all of us home, there still is quite a bit of hope. What the entertainment industry wishes to give during these times of absolute low. And sometimes it only happens when a nation is nearly hitting rock bottom, to me at least.

During the first few years of being with this band, I thought that the music was all inward, and that it was all about self-gratification, most definitely not about the money nor fame and thought that it was about making ourselves better people, therapy
for having such an outlet and using up what we had picked up from the bands we looked up to growing up, when in these circumstantial events, there’s that kiss of life that tells us about the impact of music in our lives and what it says about where we are and where we ought to go.

Dear Eraserheads

We, your humble fans, understand how stressful the last few days have been for all of you and especially for Ely.


But having found out that the concert was 'continued' at Saguijo, probably with only a handful of people around you, I think it is only fair that you and the people who manage you consider doing a continuation for all of us too.


Yun lang.

Thank you.

ETA:How many times have I expressed awe for this medium? News just filters through almost on real time. Anyway, here is the latest on the Eraserheads' bitin concert. From the Sandwich mailing list, Raimund writes:
Ely was in no condition emotionally, physically) to play but he did. And he gave it his all which is more than we could ask from him. Given the circumstances he was in.

We all wish him well. We are all confident that he will recover soon.

I promise to give you another Eraserheads show as soon as possible.


Hold on to your tickets...I'm holding onto mine!

Friday, August 29, 2008

The World Can Go Fuck Herself Tomorrow...


I'd been dreaming of this for the longest time. And now it is finally coming true. For one day, I revisit my youth while I look into the future. The voice of an entire generation will string happy songs tomorrow. A generation sheltered by the 1990s, a decade so different from the turbulence of the one before, and the one that would come after.

Here's to the innocence of the past. For one day, we will zone out. For one day we will say the world can go fuck herself. Tomorrow is dedicated to remembering what we have lost. Para sa dekada nobenta, heto'ng sayo!!!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Doggie Blues

I look at my dog, I see myself.

I got Rune five years ago, from one of the crazy loons in this community of crazies. She has been witness to five years of tumult, of a re-arranging of my universe. She's no longer the cheerful little puppy of the past. In human years she would be 35. A proud mum of 2 litters of pups, saviour of the almost-drowned, protector of this precarious house of rag-tag survivors.

Why is that when I look at this photo, I see myself? I think its her eyes. Over the years they have turned from wide-eyed-enthusiastic to worried and watchful. But always, through it all, staunchly hopeful.

Thanks to pelikula76 for this photo.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

philippines pussy - Hanapin sa Google

It has been over a year since my "Philippines as Open Pussy Country" post. My google search rank has been fluctuating, but as of today I am number two. Still no de-throning the "World Sex Guide" page. Lookie that. 2.5 million hits. Aside from my main page, the pussy post is the most popular of my pages.

Hala sige. Methinks I will direct these foreign germs to Yvette Tan's short story (Seek Ye Whore - for those who read Rogue magazine) that so wonderfully captured the dynamics of modern sex slavery (among other masalimuot issues).

Are you Ninoy?

In memory of a man who thought the Filipino was worth dying for. Here is the speech he no longer had a chance to deliver when he returned to the Philippines in August 21, 1983. It has been 25 long years. Much of what he writes remains the same. Are we still worthy of the sacrifices made by those who came before us?

I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through nonviolence.

I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.

I am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my most valued political mentors.

A death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now pending with the courts.

I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis.

I never sought nor have I been given assurances or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end justice will emerge triumphant.

According to Gandhi, the WILLING sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny that has yet been conceived by God and man.

Three years ago when I left for an emergency heart bypass operation, I hoped and prayed that the rights and freedoms of our people would soon be restored, that living conditions would improve and that blood-letting would stop.

Rather than move forward, we have moved backward. The killings have increased, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and the human rights situation has deteriorated.

During the martial law period, the Supreme Court heard petitions for Habeas Corpus. It is most ironic, after martial law has allegedly been lifted, that the Supreme Court last April ruled it can no longer entertain petitions for Habeas Corpus for persons detained under a Presidential Commitment Order, which covers all so-called national security cases and which under present circumstances can cover almost anything.

The country is far advanced in her times of trouble. Economic, social and political problems bedevil the Filipino. These problems may be surmounted if we are united. But we can be united only if all the rights and freedoms enjoyed before September 21, 1972 are fully restored.

The Filipino asks for nothing more, but will surely accept nothing less, than all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the 1935 Constitution -- the most sacred legacies from the Founding Fathers.

Yes, the Filipino is patient, but there is a limit to his patience. Must we wait until that patience snaps?

The nation-wide rebellion is escalating and threatens to explode into a bloody revolution. There is a growing cadre of young Filipinos who have finally come to realize that freedom is never granted, it is taken. Must we relive the agonies and the blood-letting of the past that brought forth our Republic or can we sit down as brothers and sisters and discuss our differences with reason and goodwill?

I have often wondered how many disputes could have been settled easily had the disputants only dared to define their terms.

So as to leave no room for misunderstanding, I shall define my terms:

1. Six years ago, I was sentenced to die before a firing squad by a Military Tribunal whose jurisdiction I steadfastly refused to recognize. It is now time for the regime to decide. Order my IMMEDIATE EXECUTION OR SET ME FREE.

I was sentenced to die for allegedly being the leading communist leader. I am not a communist, never was and never will be.

2. National reconciliation and unity can be achieved but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers. There can be no deal with a Dictator. No compromise with Dictatorship.

3. In a revolution there can really be no victors, only victims. We do not have to destroy in order to build.

4. Subversion stems from economic, social and political causes and will not be solved by purely military solutions; it can be curbed not with ever increasing repression but with a more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy and more freedom, and

5. For the economy to get going once again, the workingman must be given his just and rightful share of his labor, and to the owners and managers must be restored the hope where there is so much uncertainty if not despair.

On one of the long corridors of Harvard University are carved in granite the words of Archibald Macleish:

"How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always, and in the final act, by determination and faith."

I return from exile and to an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer -- faith in our people and faith in God.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Bitch Fit

When you are the country's most hated president since Marcos, saddled with dealing with a food and energy crisis, and are dealing with a bungled peace process with Moro separatists...among various other headaches brought by Philippine governance, you are certainly entitled to a royal bitch fit.

Progressives

OUT OF THE LIST: Assessing the power of progressive party-lists in the context of oligarchic Philippine politics

Brought to you by:

Buklod CSSP: The premier leadership and service giving formation in the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

Guest Speakers:

Mrs. Loreta Rosales (Akbayan)

Mr. Ramon Casiple (Institute of Political and Electoral Reform)

Dr. Felix Muga (Ateneo Math Department)

Mr. Joel Rocamora (Institute for Popular Democracy)


Claro M. Recto Hall
University of the Philippines
August 22, 2008
1:00- 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

The Population (Debate's) Explosions

As a response to last week's Talk of the Town in the Inquirer discussing the contents of the Reproductive Health bill, the CBCP will issue their arguments this coming Sunday.

From a socio-economic point of view, here is a fun read this weekend.

The population issue – now passé elsewhere in the developing world, even in the poorer countries – remains a durable puzzle in the Philippines. On the one hand, a majority of Filipinos regard rapid population growth as an impediment to socioeconomic development, requiring policy intervention; on the other hand, virtually nothing is being done about it as the government appears immobilized owing to opposition from the conservative Catholic Church hierarchy. Central to the population issue are the negative externalities that sustained high fertility brings to bear on economic growth, the environment, inequality and poverty. These externalities plus the fact that women, particularly in poor households, are having more children than their desired number, as repeatedly shown by surveys, constitute strong grounds for an unambiguous population policy. Population is evidently a public interest issue that the national government must address squarely objection from some religious groups notwithstanding.


As I am trawling the net for data, I hear Dr. Ben Diokno's interview conducted by our organisation. As of 2 weeks ago at least, and according to the UP economist, the Philippines is the most unstable country in Asia (politically and economically), even more so than perceivable basket-cases Myanmar and Laos. Hooray.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Michel Lagravère Peniche: French-Mexican Killer

This 10-year old killer of bulls has been allowed to show his craft in France.



I don't know if killing bulls is something to brag about, as 'Michelito's father is wont to do: "No one ever stopped Mozart playing the piano or Maradona kicking a football -– so they should just leave him alone."

Err, yeah, my son's special talent is killing male cows while wearing über tight pink pants. Great.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Raving

Carl Ramirez wrote a glowing review and Butch recommended it. Its from the indie cable channel that brought us Weeds and stars one of my favourite characters in Six Feet Under. What's not to like about the sociopath-killer-forensics-specialist Dexter? I've only seen an
episode, but am left with the same impression as when I first saw Weeds. Wow.

Also raving about Luis' new app Guerilla Radio. Its obsure artist friendly too.

And oh. I've been asked to write a privilege speech of a senator. Again, wow.