I know it's a bit late to comment on this issue. I'm not exactly a fan of school sporting events so news about this kind of things I rarely open in my news. But after reading this article from Rappler, I guess I'll take a shot at it and share my thoughts.

Hmmmp... disclaimer first. My status has a UST graduate does not have bearing in my opinion. If you know me, I'm sure you are aware that I am not a proud Thomasian. With that said, here is what I think about the issue.

Something is amiss here. This is school sports we are talking about right? This is equivalent to school spirit and school pride. Then Mikee Bartolome's formation is incomplete because she represents a school that she is not proud of. If her life long dream is to represent UP in a swim meet, why did she enroll in UST High School? She could have easily enrolled in UP Integrated School and represent the UP Junior Swimming team. I've read in other articles that another reason for her transfer in UP is that UP is much nearer to their place. All the more reason why she should've enrolled in UPIS. Then she wouldn't be having this problem.

There was another reason given from an article I cannot locate anymore. It said that she would need to pay for her two years in college because UP cannot offer her scholarship because of the residency rule. Haaaay, then stay with UST! She'll still be part of the swim team which in turn gives her athletic scholarship from UST. My goodness! This is a hard decision she needs to make! She's lucky enough that she can even choose between these two schools, unlike people I know who can't even go to college! Nakakainis eh! You cannot have everything girl!

In my opinion, the life-long dream thing is not accurate. There's no logic in enrolling in a school far from your house, represent it in the sport in you excel in, then after four years say your dream school is the one near your place.

On another note, I understand UAAP officials why they created the residency rule. It is simply a safety net for them. How would you feel if the dog you trained and fed, betrayed you because it favored to your rival and worse bit you? Well, I don't really look at athletes as dogs and just made my remark to simply to explain the matter. But if the shoe fits...

My blood baro-metrics rose after I read the headlines in my Rappler feed last Wednesday morning:

Retired generals want ROTC back in colleges

DA FUCK!!!!

"(More than) 10 years after the abolition of the ROTC as mandatory program, there is now a growing sentiment that the national defense preparedness of our nation has not been served well since the alternative programs in the National Service Training Program are deemed insufficient to inculcate the values of discipline and patriotism required of every citizen and do not address the military training ideally required of every citizen," AGFO said. -GMA News

I would react to this in points:

Point #1: Patriotism and Discipline = Military Service???
I don't understand why these Generals (well former Generals) always equate Patriotism and Discipline with Military Training. Well in a sense it is true but we can all agree that Military training is not the only way to develop patriotism and discipline. A prime example is our Pambansang Kamao, a Filipino Athlete. Athletics is yet another venue to develop patriotism and discpline. The discipline required for training to become an athlete and the glory of representing your country to international games are the same output as military training in terms of discipline and patriotism.

If the military is really a training ground for patriotism and discipline, why is the military plagued with corruption and abuse of power? Isn't that the reason why the Magdalo group staged a coup d'tat? Let's not forget the pabaon system for the retiring AFP Chief of staff which was exposed by George Rabusa, former budget officer. AFP Comptrollers General Jacinto Ligot and General Carlos Garcia were primary accused. These GENERALS are the high ranking officials of the Armed Forces, yet there were no qualms in misusing taxpayers money. Where in this case in patriotism and discipline? Also, let's not forget about former AFP Chief Angelo Reyes who committed suicide because he is compelled to testify on the matter. I know it is wrong to bad mouth a dead person, but if REAL PATRIOTISM was instilled in this FORMER HIGHEST RANKING MILITARY OFFICIAL, he should have faced the Inquiry and spilled the beans! Even after his death he still owes us, his countrymen, the truth behind this corruption!

Let us now consider the recent headline that I read in my newsfeed. A certain General is allegedly abusing his authority by commanding troops under him to construct his personal home and is using provisions for military gas for his personal use. Where's the discipline in that?

Military service = Patriotism and Discipline? Bleh!

Point #2: Key phrase, the military training ideally required of every citizen
First, let as attack the phrase this way. If military training is a must for "every citizen" why is it that ROTC is only mandatory for the Male youth? It should mandatory to all and not just the male youth. But similarly, this military training for every citizen is already encompassed in the high school subject, Citizen's Army Training (CAT). Even the name of the subject itself summarizes what the AGFO wants. It's an Army Training for every citizen that is integrated in the Secondary Education Curriculum.

In my personal experience, CAT is nothing but a nuisance. I had to wake up early on a Saturday and go to school. There for half a day, we will be just be shouted by our batchmates who endured the same shouting the year before. We were commanded to look to left, the right, and march like there's no tomorrow. Then we are forced to shoulder punishments for the offenses did by other members of our platoon. We were screamed to squat, do push ups, jumping jacks, and pumpings. As part credit for CAT, we were required to attend a Say No to Drugs campaign. Honestly, I don't know what we did, we just simply marched around the Tondo neighborhood with streamers and slogans. Now, is that MILITARY TRAINING? HELL NO!!! Take note! CAT is also handled by Military officers!

Although I have doubts in the effectiveness of CAT for the required military training for every citizen, it still addresses the fact that there is already an existing COMPULSORY Army training that every citizen must take. Why add another?

Point #3: NSTP insufficent?
The National Service Training Program is promulgated by Republic Act 9163 which was catalyzed to enactment by the death of one, Mark Welson Chua. Of course the NSTP does not fully address the military training that they want. It was designed to give the students a choice to take ROTC or not. The law requires students male or female to render personal, military, or civil service for the country. It is therefore a service to the country regardless if its military in nature or not. It's PATRIOTISM in general not AGFO's crude definition of it.

Point #4: Nation Defense Preparedness
I can never contest the fact that every Filipino has the responsibility to defend our Motherland. But one can agree that there is greater responsibility for the soldiers whose main job is to defend our country and ensure peace and order. Why waste time on getting more reserve troops when you can just focus on strengthening and improving the skills of our Front line forces?

Although I didn't take ROTC during my college years, I feel as though the "Training" that the students received is not at par to be "national defense" ready. It's just like CAT; only, the students are in college. The same trash talk, the same shit of command hierarchy, and the same old boring march till you die under the ever so hot shining sun or the wet under the blanket of rain clouds. I don't have first hand experience on this, but just like everyone else, I was once a student. So taking into context that ROTC is just another subject, the students probably skip classes because its BORING. You stand in formation, get punished for an offense you didn't do, and talk to a douchebag officer who thinks his the king of the world since he's your superior. At the end of the day, students who took this "training" are non-combatants. One cannot expect them to contribute effectively in a war.

Forcing students to take the course and then concluding that every single one of the cadets are quality cadets is grave miscalculation. This is just quantity over quality. AGFO just wants more bodies to be considered cadets while not giving consideration on the quality of cadets the have. Stupidity at its finest.

Point #5: Mark Welson Chua
If you want one big reason why ROTC should not be made mandatory again, just think of Mark Welson Chua. He exposed the corruption hidden behind the ROTC program. He paid dearly for his courage and true sense of patriotism. His gruesome murder sparked the reform in that corrupt operation. For that I am very much grateful to him. Because of him, I enjoyed having the right to choose Literacy Training Service as my NSTP. His death will be in vain if the ROTC will once again be made mandatory. The cycle will just begin anew since the temptation of having too much power over a group of people is just so hard to resist.

I will never be in favor of having the ROTC mandatory again. My two nephews will be the ones affected by this. I want them to enjoy having the right to choose what type of service that they want to render for the country. IF they want to choose ROTC, then it's their own prerogative but at least I have a peace of mind that they are doing that in their own accord and it was not forced on them.

I was reading my News Feed from Rappler when this article caught my attention.


**Source**
The cartoon really said it all. See the roots? The Pandacan Oil Depots are rooted to that area; They will leave a big hole if they are removed.

My 1st question after I read the Rappler article, "Why are they always pointing their fingers at the Pandacan Oil Depots?" Is it that easy to just blame the depots for every disaster that Metro Manila encounters related to Petroleum?

The recent Oil Spill in Sta. Ana, Manila revived the unending call for the ousting of the Oil Depots in Pandacan Manila. The City of Manila ordered the closure of the depot in Sta. Ana following the Oil Spill. This will not be the case in with the Pandancan Oil Depots since they follow international standards just like what the Rappler article said. SO WHY BOTHER REMOVING THEM???

Regarding the Pipeline leak, it is owned and operated by First Philippine Industrial Corporation (FPIC). In my opinion, any fault or consequence resulting from this incident should be directly thrown to FPIC. The transfer of stream from Batangas to the Pandacan Depots is contracted out to FPIC. FPIC should be the one maintaining the pipe not whoever contracted them.

As with the City Council of Manila, the primary concern is SAFETY. But then again, as the Rappler article pointed out, there is no Government Agency tasked to really monitor this type of businesses. But in my point of view, since DOLE is the one tasked with handling Permits to Operate Boiler, Steam turbines, etc. I think DOLE should be the one handling this. The real problem here is that there are no rules regarding how frequent maintenance of Pipes that extends that long. It would be easier to just create an addendum to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (which covers Boilers and such) about a pipeline that extends to a certain length. Problem solved!

I believe that people don't really understand why the depots located in the heart in Manila. It's a strategic area and ousting them there will have great ripple effects in our lives. Here's a simple thought: the oil prices are already high when the depots are here in Manila, what more when they are located in the provinces? Probably to make it cheaper they will just have gas stations in Expressways. That way, they have minimal investment in supplying the oil.

The Depots should stay. Period.

BOBO

Wala na akong maisip pang ibang salita na pwedeng ilarawan ang mga taong nagreact violently kay Dan Brown.

Unang una, FICTION ang libro na isinulat nya. Pawang mga kathang isip lamang ang mga bagay na yon. Special nga lang ang case nato kasi sa Pilipinas ang setting. Ganun lang talaga sya kagaling magsulat kaya hindi na alam ng mga tao kung ano ang totoo at kung ano ang gawa gawa lang.

Pangalawa, eh ano naman ngayon kung yung libro ay inihantulad ang Maynila sa "gates of hell"? Mas nagrereact talaga violently ang mga tao pag totoo ang sinasabi sa kanila.

Ano ba ang pinagpuputok ng buchi ng mga to? Eto checklist:
***6-hour traffic jams - Check
***Suffocating pollution - Check
***Horrifying sex trade / prostitution - Check

Oh! Check naman pala lahat! Eh bat hindi nalang natin tanggapin na tama ang depiksyon ni Dan Brown sa Maynila? Take note. MAYNILA. Hindi PILIPINAS! Wala naman magiging epekto yung sinabi ni Dan Brown sa novel nya sa Philippine tourism eh. "IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES" naman ang tag line hindi "IT'S MORE FUN IN MANILA". Eh pero kung trip ng mga forenjer na maligo sa dagat ng basura at magpaka-Ultimate Fighting Champion sa mga holdapers eh baka nga may epekto.

Nakatira ako sa Tondo buong buhay ko. At araw araw nakakakita ako ng pulubi sa kalye, mga barong barong sa tabi ng tulay at riles ng tren, mga taong nagbebenta ng droga, at mga taong nahoholdap at nasnatchan. Bukod pa sa personal ko nakita na may itim na usok na pumapaibabaw sa Maynila nung sumakay ako ng barko papuntang probinsya. Hindi na kelangan pang ma-Imbestigador ni Mike Enriquez para malaman ko na uso ang bentahan ng laman dito samen. Totoo naman talaga ang sinabi Dan Brown. Kung may ekseherasyon man ito, nasa pagsusulat nya ito at hindi malayo sa katotohanan.

Nakakahiya kayo. Proud na proud kayo na sabihin na magagaling ang Pilipino. Pero yung simpleng maintindihan na FICTION ang libro ni Dan Brown, hindi kayo makaunawa. Hindi nyo ba alam, na ang award winning film ni Brilliante Mendoza starring Coco Martin ay about sex worker na sumeservice ng customer para lang kumita ng pera? Sa Maynila ang setting nyan. Sa award winning Indie film ulet na Babae sa Septic Tank, si Eugene Domingo ay nagportray ng isang ina na ibinenta ang anak nya sa forenjer para lang mabuhay nya yung iba pa nyang mga anak. Tuwang tuwa tayo sa mga likhang sining na yan, pero pareho yang nagpapakita ng mga sinabi ni Dan Brown.

Bobo. Yun nalang ang maiilalarawan ko sa inyo. Saktong Sakto kasi eh. Bobo.

The day of the election is quick on its feet. With less than two (2) weeks away, the political climate here in my domicile is as filthy as the last trash slide in Smokey Mountain; and there is no sign that it will be cleaner anytime soon.

Power, Privilege, and Justice. It seems that most (if not all) the candidates in the local elections in my place of birth are after those three things. Well, these three things are not inherently evil. But these once used lavishly, carelessly, and selfishly, is a recipe for disaster and ruin. Just like what the two people running for the Mayoral Race in my lupang tinubuan. Evidently, a story of ruined friendship and relationship.

Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Alfredo Lim, former friends and political allies, now political enemies and rivals, are both running as the top man of our City. At first, I found it amusing that these two grown men are barking each other like wild lions marking their territory. But as I moved on to the initial shock and amusement, and these childish men are still at it, I exasperate that one of these bicker boys will seat as the leader of our city.

For the record, I will vote Mayor Lim. Though, we do have our strong difference of opinions on many matters such as: his selfish remark that Patriotism is dying in the Motherland because of the ROTC was made not compulsory for male college students; shutting down the Baywalk establiments since it provides high income for the City among other things. But we coincided on the long standing issue regarding the Oil Depots in Pandacan. If you would recall, he is very instrumental why the Oil Depots can still operate in Pandacan, because he signed the Ordinance that repealed an earlier local law that converts that particular area in Pandacan to a Mixed Commercial/Industrial Zone. Plus he vetoed succeeding ordinances that aims to remove the Oil Depots in their place.

This is a strong testament that the Depots are not going anywhere if Mayor Lim wins the seat for the third term. I would like to maintain that status quo. Though I know that it is just temporary since it will only last for three years. I'll just cross the bridge when the time is up.

Lately, I am flabbergasted with the news of throwing disqualification cases like a tennis rally. There are better things to do than watch and read fetal minded adults. I am much more irritated with the Estradas filing a disqualification case for Lim coupled with snarky uneducated comments. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!! ala Sen. Miriam. In my point of view, it's just a juvenile attempt at intimidation. I mean, the man is a former Police General. C'mon! You need to do better than that! The man already ran against Estrada in the 1998 Presidential elections; he even won as Senator prior to becoming Manila Mayor again. kabobohan!

In other news, rivals in the position of Representative for the 1st district of Manila are my Godfathers. They are Ernesto "Erning" Dionisio and Ferdinand "Ding" Diaz, my Godfathers when I was baptized as a baby. Well, Ninong Dionisio formerly served as Councilman, and then was succeeded by my Godbrother Ernix Dionisio, a re-electionist. Ninong Dionisio already ran as Congressman prior to being a Councilor, but the position was far from his reach. Ninong Ding, on the other hand, is running for the second time for the same position. But when he 1st ran during the Presidential elections, he was not at all visible. Let us see if second time's the charm for him because I believe he has more machinery now.

I think I will abstain on this one.

For the councilors, I will not vote for any UNA candidates with exemption for my Godbrother Ernix Dionisio. I am positive that he did not vote to remove the Oil Depots in Pandacan. I am well aware that most of the UNA bets are PRO Oil Depot alis. The epitome of that is Atty Jong Isip who is running in the 3rd district is under the UNA ticket. Isip, the spokesperson of the authors of the Ordinance that converts that area of Pandacan to Mixed Commercial Zone, is enough reason why I can say for certain that most of the UNA bets would make moves to remove the Oil Depots.

Vice Mayor? Lou Veloso. I am saddened and disgusted how my former idol Vice Mayor Isko Moreno transformed to the power hungry insincere politician he is now. Though I don't have first hand experience on this, but being my father is also saddened by his experiences with this mud slinging, power tripping politician, he is off my list.

Today I learned that the President of the Manila Barangay Bureau and the President of the Sangguniang Kabataan are ex officio members of the City Council of Manila. What good does a less than 18 year old add to a room chalk full of adults? Haaaay Manila.

I love our city. I love our district. But the people in power should change for the betterment of our city's role to the society. I just hope that this coming election will be free from fraud. And may this be the first step for Manila's progress.

I opted to stop writing my Economic Timebomb series because I am slated to work for the Petrochemical Industry. I believe that the series will be branded impartial because of my affiliation with the industry.

For this blog post, I would like to express my sentiments regarding the issue about the Oil Depots encompassing all the recent events. Consider this as my final stand on the issue as this will be the final time that I will write about it.

Just recently, I read an article that Mayor Alfredo Lim vetoed the Ordinance to change the Oil Depot Area from Heavy Industrial to Mixed Commercial. Honestly, I am quite delighted with the news. Finally, someone with the right mindset.

October 25, 2012. The Oil Depot issue was tackled by Prof. Winnie Monsod in her segment in Unang Hirit. Commenting on the issue were Mayor Alfredo Lim via Phone Patch and Councilor Jong Isip, the spokesperson for those who drafted the Ordinance.

After watching the segment, it is evident that in the surface the prime motivation for the passing of the Ordinance is the issue of SAFETY. This actually is the same point of an acquaintance in our publicly published debate in facebook.

I stand firm in what I said. If we are to remove the Oil Depots in Pandacan because of the perceive Terrorist Threat, then we should remove ALL Gasoline Stations in the Metro as well. The Primary function of the Oil Depots are storage and distribution. Gas stations are in essense small scale Oil Depots, hence they have the same function. Therefore, any threat that you can think of with the Oil Depots can be associated with the Gas stations scattered all over the metro.

If they really are scared of the Terrorist threat in the depots, I suggest they create an ordinance that will provide additional security for the area. Or better, ask the national government to provide it. Since Terrorist threat is a national issue not a local one.

Councilor Isip cited two additional scenarios that deemed the Oil Depots as Hazards. He spoke of the incident where an Oil Tanker Truck had an accident while it was on its way back to the Depot; Also, he cited the leakage of gas in the Condominum along SLEX.

I believe Mayor Lim effortlessly countered the first scenario. He mentioned that since the Depots function as storage and distribution hub, if it were removed, then a swarm of 2000 trucks will be coming and going to the Batangas Refineries (Chevron, Shell). Since the storage and distribution facility is gone, all the trucks will be coming from the provinces which will cause a big traffic jam in SLEX and of course an increase in utility cost for the Oil Companies which will be converted to increase in Oil Prices.

I would like to add that the Petron Refinery is in Bataan so kindly add the traffic jams in Pampanga and in NLEX starting at the San Fernando Exit. Also Expressways will be subject to very heavy loads than usual everyday as there will be increase in the number of Oil Tankers using them, It will then turn to Toll increase since the Toll Companies will need to maintain the roads as often as possible.

For the second scenario, I believe that this is a separate issue. That long Pipe that connects the Oil Depots to the Tabangao plants is owned by a third party company. It is not owned by neither Chevron nor Shell. I believe it is owned by the Ayala Company, since there is the word "First" in its name. Therefore the Oil Companies that "rent" the use of the long pipe is not responsible for the maintenance of the pipe. Hence, the negligence of the owning company should not be blamed on the lessee companies.

One question that I think was brilliantly asked goes something like this: "You passed the ordinance that repealed the earlier ordinance that converts the whole area to a Commercial Zone, now your passing another ordinance that amends this ordinance to convert a small portion of land that is occupied by the Oil Depots. Why?" That's not in verbatim.

If I recall correctly, Councilor ISip expressed that at the time, the reason why the City Council drafted the oridnance to repeal the ordinance that changes Pandancan to Commercial because there was a need to establish an Industrial Zone. Now, since there is an issue of safety with the Oil Depots, they drafted this new ordinance because of the people's "Right to life".

Okay, I would react on this, regarding the safety issue, it's already old news. Kindly reread my earlier sentiments about it above. I would attack this in a legislative point of view. I believe that the same people who passed the earlier repealing ordinance are the same people who passed this amending ordinance.

The repealing ordinance is for the establishment of an industrial zone. Therefore, the Councilors already had the power to set the boundaries in which the area in Pandacan will be considered as part of the Zone. If they considered the Oil Depots as a big safety threat, they should have already excluded the area of the Oil Depots as part of the Industrial Zone to have them removed. I believe that the reason for the drafting of the repealed Ordinance is also the same as this amending ordinance: SAFETY. Yet they included the area of the Oil Depots in the industrial Zone. It is inexcusable if they will say that they didn't thought of the safety issue during the drafting of the repealing ordinance since that is the main of the those against that particular Ordinance.

Why the change of heart? I agree with Prof. Winnie Monsod that that this is more political than a safety threat issue.

Next, I will answer the main point of my debate opponent in Facebook. Although I had this ready after his rebuttal in may last statement, I thought not replying anymore since a Third Party acted as a Middleman. I will finally answer it here.

His point rests on the idea that the Big Three will enjoy more profits if they are to move the facilities to the province. This is because of the low cost of living in the provinces. Therefore, operational cost regarding wages and utilities will be much smaller.

The fact is, the Big Three's main plants are already located in the provinces. As mentioned earlier, Chevron and Shell have their Refineries in Batangas while Petron has its plant in Bataan. Again, the depots act as storage and distribution hub which is essential in planning distribution routes and forecasting costs.

In general, companies have its manufacturing plants in the provinces because of the obvious reasons, as stated by my opponent, of lower operations cost. But they still have DEPOTS in the metro that acts as storage and distribution hubs.

Going to the prime example of my opponent, Coca-Cola Philippines moved its facility from Manila to Laguna. I believe this is his best example of a company migrating to the provinces. Well, yes the Coca Cola Philippines transferred its facilities there but it still has a "depot" in the metro.

If you will go to Pasig, near Eastwood, you will come across a Coca-Cola Distribution Area. Yes, it functions like a DEPOT. It acts as a storage and distribution facility just like what the Oil Depots in Pandacan.

Another example is San Miguel Brewery. It has its manufacturing facility in Laguna yet it has two DEPOTS, one in QC behind TIP, and one in Valenzuela. Liwayway Marketing has a plant in Cavite yet the finished products are shipped to its main office and storage facility in Pasay.

I can go on and on but the fact remains: DEPOTS in the metro are a must regarless of industry of a manufacturing company. It provides storage and quantifyable stocks so as to project the amount of products to ensure continuous supply in the market.

A few weeks ago, I heard a rumor that one of the Big Three is tranferring its Depot facility in the North Harbor here in Tondo. Well, if Pandacan don't want them, we will welcome them with open arms here in Tondo! We will enjoy the fruits of the Social projects of the company.

Also, I think will be a good move since the facility will be located in the West Philiipine sea and is already at seaside. They can use bigger barges to transfer the petroleum products since the barges don;t need to pass through the Pasig River anymore.

Oh well. One disaster averted. For now.

After I read GUIDON's rebuttal article against the Varsitarian's editorial, I scrolled down some more to read the comments of other readers of the article. I found an amalgam of people from different schools that share a common viewpoint on the Varsitarian's lemon article.

But a comment from someone, implied as a Thomasian, caught my eye.

It's about an editorial article that sprung because the article was written after he "saw an Atenean wearing a GetBlued shirt with Rizal('s silhouette) saying 'Ateneo: I spent many happy years there.'". Upon researching and reading the article, I have this to say.

First of all, I would like to address that there is nothing wrong to write something about what inspires you. It seems like the commenter disliked the idea that a simple shirt sparked an article in the student paper. But it is an editorial, so i gues she has the freedom to address what he likes.

Second, the next statements are not targeted to the author of Rizal-is-a-Thomasian article. It is more directed to the collective Varsitarian staff who published the lemon editorial.

To start, let us set the premise that Rizal really did "spent his most meaningful days in UST". That his knowledge and wisdom was due to his Thomasian education. Thereby, his name is engraved as one of the best alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas.

Hmmmmp... Following the conservative point of view of the Varsitarian through their collective Editorial, I find it funny that one of the most famous Thomasian, who is considered the greatest Philippine Hero, had a different view on the matter.

Dr. Jose P. Rizal, who took Art classes and Medical courses in the UST, in his letter to addressed to them, advised the Women of Malolos: to be wary of blind obedience, God's gift of freewill, having one's reason through personal reflection, etc.

You can view my previous blog about our Pambansang Bayani. But for those who are not interested to jump to that article, I have taken this portion from that blog post which I think should be in everyone's little notebook of reflections.

About believing something of one's reason:

"The usual reply of those who want to fool others is this: He who depends on his own reason is arrogant. I believe that more arrogant is he who wishes to subject another’s will and dominate all men. More arrogant is he who poses as God, who pretends to understand every manifestation of God’s will. And exceedingly arrogant or blasphemous is he who attributes to God everything he says and desires and makes his personal enemies the enemies of God. We ought not to depend on ourselves solely. We should seek advice, listen to others and do what we believe to be the most reasonable..."

There's nothing left to discuss because always and forever I will always shout:

Evening of Monday, October 8, 2012, I read the most self-righteous and most egotistic editorial article I've ever read in The Varsitarian. It was very painful to read. Whip lashes burdened me as I read every paragraph to the end.

Haaaaaay!!!

Shattered Pride
This is the first time that The Varsitarian editorial and my opinion were on opposite poles. From the issues of the ROTC program change from compulsory to elective, to the statement of Mayor Alfredo Lim that "Patriotism is dying in the motherland."; to the inconsistencies in the USTH Tower, in all of these, both The Varsitarian and myself share the same strong standpoint. It is in this case that I consider The Varsitarian the last drop of my pride as a Thomasian. That is why it is most appalling that The Varsitarian published an article that not only is againts my views, it also belittles thinking professionals simply because they chose to be firm on their views.

This is yet again another reason why I am not at all sad that I was rejected for an Instructor post in my Faculty. During my interview, I was asked that if I was asked by the students regarding these issues, would I discuss the matter in class. I initially tried to dodge the question but eventually I answered it and I still stand firm on what I said:

"I would like to promote a class where students can freely speak their sentiments and views."

Somewhere along the interview I was able to express one of the fundamental reason why I am Pro-RH Bill:

"We are a Faculty that is based on technology, and contraceptives are products of that technology. If the technology can help us with our current social problems why not use it?

If professors are suppressed to voice out their real stand on issues, then it would be like college for me all over again. When asked why UST is my last choice for law school, I always say the same thing:

"There is this culture of suppression in UST that not all are aware of. I believe that being a lawyer, you would need to sharply question anything, and that simply is not the culture there."

Well, I always thought that only applies to students but after reading the article that the UST went so far as "reminding" the Faculty members of the University's stand:

obliged to uphold and show deference to their teaching authority whenever the bishops of the Church have spoken on an issue and have taken a stand in behalf of the Church,”

There was nothing left to do but spew out my intestines to express my utmost disgust. Elk!

Reaction of a Thomasian Chemical Engineer
There was no written name of the author in the article so I'll consider this as a collective statement of the of The Varsitarian staff. I will express a five-point reaction to the article: Open-mindedness, Lap dog, Technology, Catholic Education, Attack!

Open-mindedness. One thing I learned from being a homosexual, a student-leader, and a Thomasian Chemical Engineer, you need to be open-minded; There are things that are not easily grasped when you seclude yourself into a closetted space; There are people who will have different opinions about you; There are technical problems that are not solvable unless you try a different approach. These three identities fostered my open-mindedness and it has become who I am today.

Lap Dog.When I left the University, The Varsitarian was a beast. It clutches its fangs to its prey and attacks rabidly on issues that are in line with the student population. In all essence, it was a fierce Tiger. But now, I find it sad that the publication where I banked my last drop of pride as a Thomasian became nothing but a lap dog that barks its owner's ideals and bites those who are against it. (But the last I heard, its owner disowned them. Too bad.) Allow me to remind The Varsitarian that the real owners of the publication are the students. Hence, it is a student publication. Most of the Thomasians I know, both students and alumni, are Pro-RH Bill. I did not compel them to think that, it is their own freewill and conscience that they are supporting this bill. You might want to check the pulse of your real owners before howling the University's stand simply because you believe that the students think the same.

Technology and Authority. The Varsitarian is concerned about the ill effects of the contraceptive pill. Saying that it is medically proven that the pill has dangerous effects. I would like to ask from where did they take this information because if they are reading medical articles from 19-kopong kopong, I am sure that they had read grave effects of the pill. But we are of the age that everything is on the rush for improvement. The pills of old were phased out and came an improved pill. But this is not free from some side-effects but is far less as compared to the earlier versions. Well, that's the thing about technology, there will always be a price for whatever convenience we enjoy.

When speaking of the RH Bill, don't limit yourself with the contraceptive pill. The Bill tackles more than just the pill. Sex education, condoms, among others are enveloped in the Bill. The ADLSU professors argued that the RH measure would be needed to lower maternal mortality precisely because the Philippine government not too long ago had told the United Nations that it was on track to meet the UNESCO millennium development goals by 2015, one of which was the lowering of maternal deaths.

Maternal deaths should not be solely based on cardiac problems. Moreso, the contraceptive pill alone is not the only reason for these cardiac problems. The RH Bill may increase cardiac problems for women but it will decrease pregnancy deaths, HIV/AIDS proliferation, and Teenage pregnancies. Lower three factors, and increase one. It is still a win situation.

The Varsitarian slammed the ADMU and DLSU (ADLSU) professors for supporting the RH Bill amidst the effects of the contraceptive pill. Even going as far as questioning their intelligence and authority. In their words, it is implied that the ADLSU Professors cannot simply "dismiss the medically established dangerous side effects of contraceptives" because they are not physicians.

In case you don't know, the main sponsor of the RH Bill in Congress, Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, is a Medical Doctor by profession. I am sure we will agree that she is the most suitable authority on this issue in Congress. I heard her in debates and there was never an issue regarding the pill that she successfully gave convincing statements defending it.

I think this is a case of lack of research. Whether or not this is true, it is inexcusable to react to something without counting every factors in the equation.

Catholic Education. I studied for nine years in Catholic instutuions (4 high school. 5 college. 6 years of it in UST). In my 1st years of high school and college, my religion subjects said the same thing, that God created man with freewill and conscience. Therefore, man has the privilege to use this freewill in response to his conscience's notion of good and bad or listen to this conscience in response to the knowledge and wisdom gained through one's freewill.

A part of the article really alarmed me. It is part of the Sec Gen's memo:

“to safeguard the right of the students to a solid Catholic education.”

How bout the right of the students to inquire and be answered? If the student asked, especially if its pertinent on the topic, then I believe the teacher should answer the question. There are subjects that are more subjective like Communication subjects and such. Hindering these kind of discussions would hinder the students' holistic development and also the ability to exercise their freewill and conscience.

Attack! I was not born a Catholic. First and foremost, I was born as a human being. It was only after I was baptized as an infant that I became a Catholic. With that, my first loyalty is with the Human Race and not with the Catholic Church.

But being a Thomasian and a Catholic, I believe that I am simply using my God-given freewill supporting the RH Bill. The same can be said with the ADLSU Professors. If the students and Professors of UST also have the same view as we do, then they should not be compelled to refrain from expressing their views.

It was through my Thomasian Catholic Education, that I developed my critical thinking skills and was able to grasp the reality that the only constant thing in the world is change. I had deeply thought about it and made my choice. I stand firm to my belief that the RH Bill will spark the change that is needed to sustain our country.

Since God also gave you the ability to think just like He did me, feel free to live in the Spanish Colonial years where every words uttered by the prayles are absolute, and any contrary are works of the unfaithful. You have that choice. But don't drag the whole Thomasian Community with you. Most of us are "Thinking Catholics" that act on our own freewill and conscience and does not follow the every whim of the clergy.

If having Catholic Education means losing my freewill (having my own sentiments and acting on it), then you can keep your damn education! I'd take my freewill any day over those conservative teachings!

What I find the most absurd in the article was the branding of the ADLSU Professors as cowards, intellectual pretenders, and interlopers simply because they made the stand supporting the RH Bill. This is totally uncalled for!

Cowards. In my eyes, you dogs are the ones who are cowards! You are afraid of the inevitable change and then shield yourselves by announcing that you are "Faithful to the CBCP's ideals". Bleh! Makes me sick!

Intellectual Pretenders I don't grasp the idea how intelligence is tied to being faitful to the Church. I am not faithful but people will stand to atest that I am intelligent. And I will do the same with other intelligent not faithful people that I know. Prentenders? Hell! They just made a stand to support the RH Bill! I believe this is called Pagpapakatotoo. Unlike you conservative fools who still clings to the days of old when there is obviously a need for change.

Interlopers. I read this entry from the response of The La Sallian, the student publication of DLSU, to your editorial:

"Precisely because we are members of a Catholic University, following Pope John Paul II’s encyclical letter Ex Corde Ecclesiae and its challenge to university students, we encourage our individual staff to make personal judgments that may guide them to truth. Perhaps we may make recommendations, but we would never impose on the freedom of conscience (ECE II, Art. 2, sec. 4)."

The late Pope John Paul II himself said that the Church SHOULD NOT COMPEL anyone with the Church's views. One can advise but not compel! What does your mere bishops (CBCP) and mere priests (UST) can do against the highest clergy? In case you forgot, the Pope is successor to St. Peter: the de facto leader of the Apostles. Going with the tide of your conservative point view, it's obvious that your owner's actions are against this apostolic constitution by the late Pope.

The ADLSU Professors are simply undertaking this teaching from the late Pope: expressing their freewill. Therefore, you dogs have no right to call them as interlopers. The word is more suitable for you since you are using student paid funds to express sentiments that does not belong to the majority of the Thomasian student population.

Being a medium to express one's views, you should have observed open -mindedness. Not all people will have the same view as you do. The University is run by the Dominicans, ADLSU are run by Jesuits and Christian Brothers respectively. They don't give a damn care how the Dominicans run the University so it goes to show that you have no damn care how they run their schools!

Saying sorry in my point of view is unacceptable. If you will be sorry, why publish the article in the first place? Aren't you the ones who wrote it? You know by heart its content belittles other people and in turn will hurt someone's feelings. Again, you should have been more aware and open-minded that this will affect the explicit targets of the demeaning adjectives.

But alas, it seems open-mindedness is in such short supply in Rm 105 UST Tan Yan Kee Student Center that it became more of a dog cage than a student publication office.

Final word for the Lap Dogs
If you want to see what will happen to our country, try playing the Game Virtual Villagers. Any version will do. Impregnate all the women of age at the start of the game. Then impregnate them again as soon as they give birth. Watch how your villagers die one by one because nature's resources cannot sustain them all.

If I were you, I will stop reading outdated médical articles and start helping your owners to develop a feasible and concrete plan that will render the RH Bill pointless. Let's face it, your owners had never proposed a good alternative to the RH Bill. I agree with their remark that corruption is the root of poverty in our country, but until they do a good job of enlightening every single person who runs for a position in the government, I am with the RH Bill.

Also, kindly clarify to them that their proposal of the use of Rhythm method, since its a natural method of contraception, is still in essence Contraception. It has the same objective as its alternative: stop the union of sperm and egg. Tell them to weed out what is wrong in that logic.

You and your owner should strive to sway the "Thinking Catholics" to abandon the RH Bill because you have thought of a better plan. Borrowing the words of my friend Engr. Sed:

"I have said it before and I will say it until the day I die: Give me an argument that opposes the RH Bill that is not based, in any way, shape or form, on any religious belief, and I will listen. I may or may not change my mind, depending on how good the argument is, but the mere fact that the argument is grounded in human issues and not supernatural wishes is enough to catch my attention."

I concur 100%.

The new Thomasian Identity
To become a successful student leader in UST, you will need embody the three C's of the Thomasian Identity:

Competent. Compassionate. Committed.

And in my five years as a student-leader in the University, I believe that I have acquired the Thomasian Identity. But it seems that after leaving the University for two years, the Thomasian Identity has changed. From 3 C's it has become 5C's:

Competent. Compassionate. Committed. Conservative. Close-minded.

If this is the new Thomasian Identity then I will never be called a Thomasian again. The first three I can handle, but the last two... Never! I am simply not that type of person. Changing myself to simply conform and regain the right to be called a Thomasian again, I am not that naive.

I was never the type to blindly follow whatever is told and I survived 5 years in the University with this mindset. You can keep your Title of "THOMASIAN" if this entails that I will be called Conservative and Close-minded.

Message to the ADLSU Community
I would like to sincerely apologize for these lap dogs' awful barks. I assure you that most of the students and alumni of UST do not think the same. Even I was surprised that the venerable Tiger metamorphed to a lap dog.

Anyway, if you are planning a lemonade party, I would like to come. Litsunin natin tong mga tutang to. Then turn it to a Lemonade and Thomasian Lap Dog shawarma party.

When I was a kid, I used to fear the unknown. I am a big scaredy cat. I was afraid to be alone in a room at night, I was afraid to watch horror movies, and most of all, I was afraid of the dark.

As time passed by, I overcame these petty fears. I developed confidence, and made a name for myself with my leadership skills, although in limited areas.

But going back to the subject of fear. I learned these passed days that fearing the unknown is nothing compared to fearing an oncoming catastrophe that will change the lives of Filipinos.

I was simply blog walking that Tuesday evening when a student-leader from my alma mater posted this link. It was news article concerning the never ending issue regarding the Oil Depot in Pandacan.

Apparently, the City Council of Manila passed a new ordinance that amends a portion of Ordinance 8187. If you will remember, Ordinance 8187 was the controversial draft ordinance 7177 which Mayor Alfredo Lim signed in the Oil Depot Compound last 2009. It aims to let the Petrochemical Industries to continue their operations in the Pandacan area. But the New ordinance reclassifies the Pandacan Oil Depot Area from High Industrial to Highly Commercial/Mixed use area. Please read this section that I took from the news article:

In Section 1, Section 2 of Ordinance No. 8187 shall be amended to read as follows: “The land use where the existing industries are located, the operation of which are permitted under Section 1 hereof, are hereby classified as Industrial Zone except the area where petroleum refineries and oil depots are located, which shall be classified as High Intensity Commercial/Mixed Use Zone (C3/MXD),” the ordinance stated.

Well I won't flatter myself with the thinking that they must have read my blog article before, since they countered my ultimate counter-statement regarding the change of the Pandacan area from Industrial to Commercial Zone. I mentioned in my blog that the reclassification will not only eliminate the Oil Depots, which most people think as "toxic", but also the "non-toxic" industries in the area that provides employment to residents in the vicinity. Bear in mind that I wrote that particular blog article when I was still a 5th year Chemical Engineering Student.

I am writing this series of blog articles to express my sentiments in this move by the City Council of Manila. But before someone points out that I am just a blogger, I would like to explicitly say that I am a licensed Chemical Engineer. Inexperienced and also not part of the Petrochemical Industry, but I much more credible that a person who doesn't have education with regard to this subfield of Chemical Engineering.

I intend to create this Economic Timebomb Series as a continuation of my earlier blog post about this issue. Of course, from that blog, you can easily conclude that I am against to remove the oil Depots in Pandacan. With this series I will attempt to explain in different aspects why this move is illogical and will have catastrophic effects in our economy.

Fuel prices will go up!

That was the thought that was shouting in my mind after I read news article. In future posts, I will provide a simple course in Physics and Engineering Economy that will explain in detail why fuel prices will go up. But for now let us consider this as a fact.

I immediately contacted my Junakis Jeco who is an economist. I asked him the question: What is the effect in our economy if there would be significant increase of fuel prices? Here is his reply:

Increase (in) price of basic commodities po. Then if (it) continues to increase, it can trigger large scale inflation. Kasi fuel(,) basic need to run an economy yan, kasi connected halos lahat ng industry jan.

My initial thought was cemented when I read his message. Of course he mentioned that he will try to study the issue because he thinks that it can still be prevented. But until he tells me convincing arguments that will change my mind regarding the forthcoming onslaught, I will stick to my instincts.

I concur to Jeco's statement that fuel is connected to almost all industries. In future posts, I would try to enumerate all if not most of the industries that will be directly affected, and those in the secondary level.

The news article also mentioned that the Supreme Court released a 56-page Resolution regarding the matter. I found the resolution online and to my surprise Impeached CJ Corona handled the case. He was then Associate Justice and CJ Reynato Puno was still at the helm of the Supreme Court. Well, this is yet another instance that I am quite happy with result of the trial to impeach him. Most of my future posts will be a response to this resolution by the Supreme Court. I would try to give my counter-arguments and commentary on the issues presented in the resolution. So I suggest that you read it too. Here's the link: http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2008/feb2008/gr_156052_2008.html.

I would also try to make commentaries on the individual Civil Cases filed by those concerned that was cited by the SC Resoultion; If I will be fortunate enough to get them.

This is it for now, but I am adamant that compelling the Oil Companies to relocate their depots will create a future catastrophe. And I believe as a resident of Manila, as a Chemical Engineer, as a Filipino, it is my social duty to inform the public of this incoming onslaught that will have a huge impact in our lives.

For Chemical Engineers and future Chemical Engineers, this is where our profession meets with economics, social responsibility, and politics. I believe that it is our duty to prevent this catastrophe from happening. Be informed. Be confidently informed, then spread the word. This is not just for you, this is for our society.

The end is near. An Economic Timebomb is set to explode before PNoy steps down by 2016.

I'm scared...

I'm terrified...

tic... toc... tic... toc...

Task: Compare the Current from the Former

uhhmmmm... Pareho silang appointed ni PNoy.

hmmmp... Pareho silang lalake...

anu pa ba... Pareho silang may salamin??

ahmm,...

mmmm....

Teka, sabi nga pala ng Thesis Adviser ko, wag ko daw icompare ang dalawang sobrang magkaibang mga bagay!

Ngayon naiintindihan ko na kung bakit si Dr. Jose Rizal ang itinuturing na pambansang bayani ng Pilipinas. Sadyang napakataliino pala nya talaga. Kung matatandaan nyo, para kasi saken si Andres Bonifacio ang mas nararapat na pambansang bayani.

Si Jose Rizal ay haciendero na taga-Laguna. Si Andres Bonifacio ay batang kalye sa Tondo. Si Rizal pinagpatutor ng pamilya nya tapos ay nag-aral sa Ateneo. Si Andres Bonifacio ay gumagawa ng pamaypay para lang masustentuhan ang pag-aaral nya. Sino ngayon sa dalawa ang larawan ni Juan dela Cruz?

Hindi kasi ako naniniwala na ang Noli Me Tangere at El FIlibusterismo ang pumukaw ng damdamin ng mga Pilipino para maghimagsik. Hindi ba sa Espanyol sinulat ni Rizal yung mga nobela nya? At dahil hindi marunong magbasa ng Espanyol ang normal na magsasakang Katipunero, tanging yung mga nakapag-aral na miyembro lamang ang nakabasa nun.

Dahil sa Rizal COurse ko nung subject ko nung college, para saken si Rizal ay isa lamang babaerong magaling magsulat na doktor sa mata. Hindi naman kasi nabibigyan ng halaga yung essense ng mga ginawa nya nung pinag-aaralan namin sya kasi ang mga tanong sa quiz namin ay kung sino ang babae nya sa ganitong bansa. Yes, name that candidate ng Ms. Universe ang mga babae ni Rizal; kung nung petsa sya namalagi sa Barcelona at kung magkano yung inutang nya kay Pio Valenzuela para mapalimbag ang El Fili.

Pero ngayon napagtanto ko na isa nga talaga syang magaling na tao. Timeless ang mga katagang sinabi nya sa Letter to the Women of Malolos.

About Blind disobedience:

...that it is not goodness to be too obedient to every desire and request of those who pose as little gods, but to obey what is reasonable and just, because blind obedience is the origin of crooked orders and in this case both parties sin...

About having freewill:

...God gave each one his own mind and his own conscience so that he can distinguish between right and wrong. All are born without chains, free and no one can subject the will and spirit of another. Why would you submit to another your noble and free thought?

About believing something of one's reason:

The usual reply of those who want to fool others is this: He who depends on his own reason is arrogant. I believe that more arrogant is he who wishes to subject another’s will and dominate all men. More arrogant is he who poses as God, who pretends to understand every manifestation of God’s will. And exceedingly arrogant or blasphemous is he who attributes to God everything he says and desires and makes his personal enemies the enemies of God. We ought not to depend on ourselves solely. We should seek advice, listen to others and do what we believe to be the most reasonable...

About having one's own stand:

Ignorance is bondage, because like mind, like man. A man without will of his own is a man without personality. The blind who follows other’s opinion is like a beast led by a halter...

About caring for others:

One who wants to help himself should help others, because if he neglects others, he too will be neglected by them. One mid-rib is easy to break, but not a bundle of many mid-ribs, tied together.

About Equality of men:

Men are born equal, naked, and without chains. They were not created by God to be enslaved, neither were they endowed with intelligence in order to be misled, nor adorned with reason to be fooled by others. It is not pride to refuse worship a fellow man, to enlighten the mind, and to reason out everything. The arrogant one is he who wants to be worshipped, who misleads others, and wants his will to prevail over reason and justice.

About personal reflection:

Analyze carefully the kind of religion taught you. Find out if that is the command of God or the teaching of Christ for alleviating the suffering of the poor, for comforting those in pain. Consider everything taught you, the aim in every sermon, the underlying reason for every Mass, novena, rosary, scapular, image, miracle, candle belt, and other things that are forced upon you, dinned daily into your ears and dangled before your eyes, and discover the beginning and their end, and then compare that religion with the pure religion of Christ, and see if your Christianity is not like the milking animals or like the pig that is being fattened, nor for its own sake, but in order to see it at a price and make money out of it.

Wow, parang halos niquote ko yung buong letter. Naiintindihn ko na ngayon why he is considered to be the best among our heroes.


Yes to Ibarra, No to Damaso

People say that I am acting Un-THOMASIAN-like because I support the Reproductive Health Bill. Since the University of Santo Tomas, my Alma Mater, is a Catholic University, it is one with those people who are against the RH Bill.

I spent nine years of my life studying in Catholic Schools: 1 year in UST Pay High, 3 years in Holy Child Catholic School, and 5 years in the UST Faculty of Engineering. Although I hate my Religion Subjects, I do admit that I learned things from them.
One of the things I learned is that...

...God gave me free will....

God gave me the ability to think for myself. God gave me the ability to judge what is right and what is wrong. No person should be compelled to support what he doens't approve of. That is why I am making a stand. I am using my freewill and I am supporting the RH Bill. I am doing this because...

I am a HUMAN first,
a THOMASIAN second.
My duties as a human being precedes those of my duties as a Thomasian.

As a human being with my God-given freewill, it is my responsibility to think of ways on how to help others. And I believe that the RH Bill will do just that. The RH Bill will have a huge impact in our society because other than the obvious reproductive health benefits, it tackles the social, the educational, the economic and the domestic aspects of the lives of Filipinos. As a human being, one that had the priviledge to be educated, it is my responsibility to provide the truth to the unpriviledged. The CBCP's article that cited a journal is the lamest attempt to fool the Filipino people. (Read this article in Business World Online site) It's a disgrace for the Religious constitution to do this deception! Do they think of the Filipinos are still stupid? Naive, yes! Stupid, no! We are not anymore oppressed, poor, and uneducated like in the Spanish colonial Period! Most of us may still be poor, but we are not at all oppressed and some of us are educated! How can one be proud to be called a THOMASIAN if the upper echelons of the Filipino Catholic ladder resorted to spread lies to convince the Filipino masses of their stand? May I remind you that UST's, a Catholic University, motto is Veritas. TRUTH. Please practice what you preach.

Lesson learned #2:

Life begins at the moment of conception

I remember this statement very well. This was mentioned when we were discussing abortion in our Christian Ethics subject. According to my handy dandy Bantam English Dictionary, the definition of Abortion is the induced expulsion of the a fetus during pregnancy. Since the main objective of using contraceptives is to prevent conception, then there is no abortion. I am stating this fact because some people think that using contraceptives is abortion. Absurd right? But it's true.

Now, Pro-Life advocates will argue that that is the reason why they are against the RH Bill. It prevents conception, therefore it prevents the formation of life. But that is also the effect of the Rhythm method that the Church advocates. The idea of Rhythm method is to perfrom sexual intercourse in the small window when the woman is not ovulating. Therefore, since there is no ovum that will meet with a man's sperm, there is also no conception. There is another natural method to use. It's called Coitus Interruptus. The idea is to pull out the penis before it ejaculates inside the womb. It's a good idea in words but it's hard to do especially when you're in that level of ecstacy.

On another issue, the Church is against test tube babies. The method may be artificial, but it's main objective is conception, ergo life creation. I have a theory why they are against it, it involves baptism. But I will not delve in it further for the comfort of my mother because I might be tagged as anti-theos.

Lesson learned #3

Sexual Acts done under the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is not immoral

Sexual satisfaction is a need for an individual. Holy Matrimony will provide the spiritual go signal to make those sexual acts not anymore immoral as long as their doing it with each other. It is therefore a right for the spouses.

The Rhythm method limits the number of times that the couple will "make love" since it provides a definite time framre in the menstrual cycle of a woman. But let's face it, sometimes the mood of both spouses doesn't meet. It's a right and it's a need. They should not be limited to a small window of opportunity especially if they both want to do it but doesn't want to have a child for child spacing or control. Contraceptives are the way to go.

I watched the report on TV about this couple who are urging others to use the Natural method as opposed to using artificial contraceptives. But I message to him is that he try to put on others' shoes before he advocates something like that. Please try to live with your wife for a month in Parola Tondo Manila. You can't use what you've learned in school. Try to act like you're no read no write. You can't bring in money, so you need to work. You can't go to any office to apply since you're uneducated. When you are able to experience not eating a single thing in one day, then that's the time that you tell me to use your natural method.

My point is you are of different stature with those Filipinos living in Parola. You have your job that's why you can go through without making love to your wife while those in Parola have no jobs to make them busy, and they usually "bake the cake" when bored.

...

I would like to share this statement that I read on my Facebook Wall.

"May pakelam sila sa unborn, handa silang ipaglaban ang mga karapatan ng mga unborn. Pero once na pinanganak na tong mga taong ito at lumaki na, wala na silang pakelam, hindi na sila mag effort tignan kung okay ba ang kalagayan ng mga batang ito."
-Vince C.

After reading this, I stared for ten whole minutes at the screen. Plangak eh! Plangak na Plangak! And this statement was written by someone much younger than I am!

Now is the time to make a stand. PASS THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL! It's long over due!

It was recently headlined that Pilipinas Shell is liable to pay more than 1 Billion pesos worth of excise tax because of its importation of Alkylates. These Alkylates were marked as a raw material that is why it is exempted from excise tax. But a tax collector found out that these alkylates have 94 Octane rating and concluded it as fuel. Therefore, it is subject to excise tax.

Okay, as a person that has exposure in both chemicals and law, I will make a commentary on this issue.

The smart questions to ask:
-Why did the Tax Collector think that Alkylates are fuel?
-Is it really a raw material?

First let us check why the Alkylates being a raw material was not subjected to excise tax upon importation. This is explicitly stated in the Tax Reform Act of 1997. Section 109.

The following shall be exempt from the value-added tax:
F) Sale or importation of raw materials to be used by the buyer or importer himself in the manufacture of petroleum products subject to excise tax, except lubricating oil, processed gas, grease, wax and petrolatum;

Since Pilipinas Shell declared the Alkylates as raw materials, it is clear that it should not be subject to excise tax because of the provision above. Actually, the government will still receive its excise tax after the end product is produced. Examine the words ...in the manufacture of petroleum products subject to excise tax... So, after the use of the Alkylates in the manufacturing process of gasoline, it will then be subject to tax.

Now let us answer the question, Why did they think that this is a fuel?

According to the news, the tax collector found out that Alkylates have 94 Octane Rating and had considered it as fuel afterwards.

First, let me just define what Alkylates are. Alkylates are organic compounds that are rich in isooctane. Isooctane, in general, is a significant factor in identifying a fuel's Octane Rating or Anti-Knock Index (AKI). The AKI as defined in the Clean Air Act of 1999:

...means the rating of the anti-knock characteristics of a grade or type of automotive gasoline as determined by dividing by two (2) the sum of Research Octane number (RON), plus the motor Octane Number (MON); the octane requirement, with respect to automotive gasoline for the use in a motor vehicle or a class tehreof, whether imported, manufactured, or assembled by a manufacturer, shall refer to the minimum octane rating of such automotive gasoline which the manufacturer recommends for the efficient operation of such motor vehicle, or substantial portion of such class, without knocking.

In other words, Octane Rating is the point system that rates the tendency of a gasoline to induce knocking in an engine. A lower Octane Rating will yield a higher probability of knocking. Knocking, in the general sense, is the literal knocking sound that you hear in an engine. This happens because of the pre-mature self-ignition of the fuel in piston before the optimum position in the piston cycle.

There are two parts in the piston cycle: compression and expansion. Compresison is when the piston starts to go up, thereby compressing the fuel injected in the engine. Expansion is when the piston goes down, giving space for the gases to expand. The time for ignition of the fuel is after the compression but preceding the expansion. Knocking occurs when the ignition of the fuel happens during the compression cycle.

Now, we will finally answer the question, Is it really a raw material?

Answer: Yes.

For a product to be considered as an end product or consumer product, it should be useful it its current form without the need for anymore process. In other words, after you buy a product and immediately use it for its intended purpose then it is an end product. On the other hand, raw materials are the one's that need to undergo processes first before it can be used by the consumer.

Alkylates is used as a blending component of gasoline because it provides the anti-knocking properties that will make the gasoline blend saleable. By law, there is a minimum amount of octane rating before gasoline can be sold as stated in Section 26-a of The Clean Air Act of 1999 that declares:

...no person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply, offer of sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce unleaded premium gasoline fuel which has an anti-knock index (AKI) of not less that 87.5...

Since Alkylates is full of isoocatane; And isooctane is identified to posses a high anti-knock property; it is thus used as a blending component in gasoline. Before, they use Tetraethyl lead as additive for its anti-knock property. But since the identification of the hazardous effect of lead in humans, it has been phased out. Hence, we now use UNLEADED gasoline.

We don't actually need to get technical on this. If it is an end product, they should be selling it to the market without further processing. Let me ask you, have you ever seen a Shell Station with ALKYLATES with its price displayed in the price signage?

...

In my point of view, Pilipinas Shell did not do anything wrong. Alkylates are really used as a raw material in gasoline blending which will be later be subject to excise tax.

The most logical reason that I can think of that led to the misconception of Alkyaltes as end product fuel is the hastiness to conclude that it is a petrochemical fuel because of having the high AKI of 94 as said so in the report. I would suggest that we educate our tax collectors of such technical facts or even asking sister government agencies such as the DOE and the DOST before making decisions on this matter. It's like the scandal in both the engineering field and the commercial sector for accusing a very large corporation of not paying the proper taxes. If this happens again, I'm sure it will have a detrimental effect in our economy.

After the first batch of high school students graduate from the Department of Education’s new Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) program, some college programs will be shortened and first among these are engineering courses, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Patricia Licuanan said Friday.

Licuanan said the CHED engineering technical panel "has decided" to cut short the five-year engineering programs to four years, but "some of the science technical committees, however, have categorically said their programs cannot be shortened."

According to CHED estimates, some 322,000 students will enroll in engineering and technology programs for school year 2012-2013.

The country's colleges and universities produce about 48,000 to 49,000 engineering graduates yearly, CHED data show.

Last month, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro revealed in a meeting of the Philippine Business for Education that college courses will become shorter because of the curricular changes in basic education under the K-12 program.

Licuanan clarified though that the proposal to shorten college courses did not come from CHED, but from its technical panels of experts who come from stakeholder sectors.

She said the changes in college degree courses "will be the product of long and intense discussions and that comments made or ideas floated during the discussions must not be interpreted as definite plans."

She confirmed previous reports that the technical panel on general education (GE) "has initially proposed a shorter GE curriculum as some GE courses will now be part of Grades 11 and 12." —VS, GMA News

hmmmp... I don't quite agree that Engineering should be shortened to 4 years. Most especially my field of Engineering of Chemical Engineering. I understand that some of the General Education subjects are to be taught in the latter parts of the K-12 classes, but I think that dropping a year should not be done. I think it would be better to make the 5th year as an expertise year. There are numerous sub fields of chemical engineering that students can venture to. This can provide more edge to the Chemical Engineering Students since they specialize in a particular sub-field they can venture directly to the companies of the industry in their employment. Also, this can easily be a filter for those who wants to teach Chemical Engineering. They should be have an expertise of a particular field before venturing into the academe. Hence, increasing the competencies of the Faculty and the graduates alike.

-INHINYERA DYOSA

I was surfing the Teevoh for something to watch when I switched to TV5’s news channel. Dokumentado program was airing. Hmmp.. So apparently, the debate about the RH Bill in the Senate is already on. And on the podium for Pro RH Bill is the author and prime defender of the bill, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago while for the Anti, it’s Senator Tito Sotto.

My goodness! I am appalled by Senator Sotto’s questions and counter arguments. It’s beyond close-mindedness and reason. I can’t believe I voted for such a… ulk!

He questioned Senator Santiago’s source of data. She stated that it was from the National Statistics office, a government agency. The data I’m talking about is that 11 women die every day from child birth. OMFG! If I were Senator Santiago I would be pissed and extremely insulted by such a remark! He dared question the integrity of Senator Santiago’s research? A Doctor of Law? A UP Law Professor? A candidate to become an Inquisitor in the International law? Eff!

This was not the 1st time my right brow reached its apex. He said something like: “wag tayong magmarunong sa Dyos.” (not so accurate). But in essence he’s implying that the RH Bill will disrupt the balance that the Lord has given us. That the Lord will not create something that can’t be sustained.

Eto Senator Sotto, tatagalugin ko na para maintindihan mo ang point ko. Hindi ko maintindihan ang point mo. Don’t give me this shit na wag marunong sa Dyos. Pag isipan mo tong sasabihin ko. Bakit may global efforts to save the environment? Hindi ba gawa din ng Dyos ang mundong ito? Bakit kelangan pa nating gumawa ng international treaties at national laws para lang masustain ang nanganganib nating environment? Sa logic mo hindi ba pagmamarunong na yan sa Dyos? Kasi sa logic mo, kayang magsustain ng mga ginawa ng Dyos kasi it’s all part of the grand design. Kaya sabihin mo saken ang dahilan kung baket kelangan nating gumawa ng sobra sobrang efforts para lang mailigtas ang environment kung kaya naman pala nyang magsustain in itself kasi gawa ito ng Dyos?

What really irked me the most was the statement that the RH Bill is just for the money. Good thing Senator Santiago is tact. I agree with her that it’s unfair. Corruption is out of context in this issue. I remembered Manong’s counter statement for this (Well, all of us are Pro RH Bill, except for Av, an altar server). He said, ”Hindi maganda yung logic na yan, para mong sinabing wag ka nang matulog kasi alam mong gigising ka din naman”. The debate for the RH Bill should remain in context with the RH Bill. Corruption is another issue which is deeply rooted in our political system. You can counter every bill with this corruption stance because all of you sitting in the Senate are all there because of the political mechanism called an election. Then, there won’t be any laws that will be passed because of this crude philosophy.

Haaaaay!!! Why do we have *toot* in the Senate?! Haru! No wonder our country is not moving forward. We’re still plagued by conservatives. I mean, being conservative is good but in excess, it’s really a pain in the ass. Like the excess population that we have today.

Hmmmp… I somehow find it ironic that economists are Anti-RH Bill. Well according to monster from one of our intelligent conversations about the issue: less people, less productivity. Well in my point of view that is true in an ideal setting. But what I learned in engineering, there is no such thing as ideal. We should always look at the REAL situation. But anyway, I’m not an expert in the economics point of view so I’ll try to talk to my new anakiz who is a macro- and political economist about this issue. It’s better than talking to just a high school economics teacher. Ay! Bumabanat! Wahhahahahah!!!

Another person fell victim to Frat initiation in the form of Carl Intia, a student of the University of Makati. He was to join one of the biggest Fraternities in the Philippines, the Alpha Phi Omega. He was found dead in a cliff in Laguna. Well that's what I remember from the news a few days ago.

We already have anti-hazing law but initiation rites like these are still rampant. Even my own Alma Mater the University of Santo Tomas is poisoned by this kind of act but it is underground. you need to have the right connections to even know that such acts exist. I'm happy that I am not tangled in that web of shadows. I'm already covered with the Central political filth.

Anyway, why is it important to undergo these initiation rites anyway? Is this some kind of special baptism that one should first do before being welcomed to the brotherhood? I am at lost here.

To the family and friends of Carl Intia, my deepest condolences. To Carl, may your soul be at peace.

EDUCATION

I was watching TV when I encountered again this advertisement that advocates, "Karapatan ng mga bata ang makapag-aral". It is the right of children to have education. But given the quality of education that we have in our country. I think it's best described as "It is the right of children to have poor quality education."

There is this Imbestigador feature entitled: "JUAN TANGA?" and I'd like to refute the statement of the then DepEd official. I think she said something like: "Kahit poor ang quality may matututunan pa rin ang mga students."
This remark, coming from an official of DepEd, is truly refutable! If the government is satisfied in giving poor quality education to our youth, well there those who are not! How can we expect great outcome from them in higher levels especially in their tertiary education if the optimum amount of education that we give them is out of par? Even though they excel in that less excellent education, they are still behind in terms of their lessons that are crucial in college.

It is a known fact the quality of education in the Philippines is on a downward spiral. Its slow but it is indeed going down. There are multitude of reasons why this is happening. I'll break some of them down later and try to give my thoughts of possible plans to alleviate our sinking education cap.

I would like to say a disclaimer though, I am not quite sure that the solutions that I'm going to present will work. Those are just steps that I thought will somehow help aid the problem. Also, I am pretty biased because I'm a pure blooded Manileño so I focused on the development of Education status here in Manila concerning the public schools.

Like I said earlier, there are a number of reasons why our education system is on the downturn. There is the physical reason, then the psychological reason, and lastly the implication reason.

Physical Reason
The Physical reason I'm talking about is about the inadequacy of classrooms, the shortage of teachers, and the ever so increasing number of students annually.

Let's face it. There aren't enough room to accommodate the massive influx of new students in public schools. These are the newly enrolled not-too-well financial status family students and the newly transferred just-become-not-too-well financial status family students, and their numbers are increasing every year according to the news. There was once this feature saying that children from grade school need to seat by three in a two-seater desk so that all of them can seat. If they what to participate in the discussion and recite, they need to stand on desk and walk towards the blackboard and step on the path of desks in front of him while his classmates in front need to bend their head so the reciting student can pass. Well, they are the lucky ones, the unlucky ones are forced to sit on the floor just so that they can be part of the class. Others, just settle outside the classroom and irritably stands and peeks into the windows so they can be called part of the class.

According to some teachers that I have talked to, the optimum number of students in a class is 30-45. But unfortunately, this doesn't happen in reality. Students are crowded in hellfire oven called their classrooms so that the school can accommodate all of them. This is why I am AMBIVALENT with the school's action to not to accept late enrollees. yes, I also believe that everyone has the right to education. But this is shadowed by the fact that most of our public schools don't have the capacity to give quality education to all of their students and with surplus of students, I believe that education capacity has just crumbled.

At the same time with the large number of students, there is a shortage of public school teachers. Well the profession itself is not that attractive financially to begin with and the thought of handling a class of 60+ misfits is just a nightmare. I really cannot blame our people if they choose other options rather than joining the academe. Aside from still having INCOME TAXES, they often have their bonuses late or even none at all.

Psychological Reason
I somewhat blurted my psychological reason earlier. Since we are in hard times, most people would like to choose greener pastures in terms of their career. I think being a teacher would be in the waaaaaaaaaaayyyy bottom. This is a big problem in our country because we have a surplus supply of Nurses but we still don't the sufficient mark in the teaching profession.

Implication reason
Well, corruption of funds is still the mitigating reason why our education system is in such spiral abyss. The country's budget every year for education represents the largest chunk of pie, its even larger than the other chunks combined. But our country still suffers in terms of education quality and still has a lot of deficiency in deployment teachers and facilities.

I believe that only Teachers who had substantial enough of time as a teacher are the only ones qualified to sit as Department of Education Secretary. People chosen to sit as DepEd Secretaries have Ph.D.'s but only in Management and not really in Education. As the cliché goes, Teaching is not a profession but a vocation and I think it applies also that being the DepEd Secretary. he/she is somewhat the Principal of all the Public Schools in the country, so he/she as a teacher should know what to do and what are needed to be done to enrich once more our educational cap.

Proposed Action
Study and work
I would like to suggest a Study and work program in all Public Tertiary institutions that offer Teaching courses. In this program, students are invited to study to become teachers and then pay off the fees by either giving the required sum or working as a public school teacher in a required number of years.

As early as the 4th year of the program wherein the 1st recipients of the program are now Seniors who are in their Practicum year. This will give a supply of teachers for the 1st wave. Then when these students graduate and become full fledged teachers, the 2nd batch will be practicumers and the cycle goes on. This will give if not ample, a steady supply of teachers for Public schools.

Well, I'm not limiting it with Public Tertiary Schools. It would be a good program to implement also in Private Institutions. I got the idea from a book actually, it's a John Grisham book. In the book, Harvard Law School offers to forget all the fees incurred by law students if they spend 3 years after graduation to help those in need by offering free services to them. I think it's a good project and a great way to help the community.

More Open-mindedness
With the advent of technology, a crate full of distractions is readily available to the students. I strongly believe that we should also use technology to boost their learning experience. This, of course, will be limited by our country's financial capacity to surplus computers for public schools. But as a biased statement, I would like this to be implemented first here in Manila. It is very sad to note that not all public schools here in the Philippine capital are equip with such facility.

Learn to apply new teaching approaches. Since things have changed from then to now, using the same strategy will not be able to call their attention to learn. Aside from the few species that are willing to learn, the class will be boring and cutting-material.