The other night I was watching Nuts Entertainment on GMA PinoyTV and Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero was the guest in the Balakubak segment. One question was whether he’d consider running in the presidential election in 2010. As usual, Chiz gave an intelligent answer whereas he said that he’s only thirty-nine years old so he won’t comment on such, but he hinted that he would be forty by the election day. Unlike the United States which requires a 35-year-old limit, the Philippines requires that its President is at least forty. Escudero has been considered to be one of the candidates in 2010, and so thoughts amassed.
So far, the hopefuls that I’m aware of are Mar Roxas, Manny Villar, Noli De Castro, Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, and Bayani Fernando. To follow are my two cents:
Bayani Fernando would be insignificant in this race. Though he is famous around the National Capital Region for his MMDA, the provinces are not aware of his accomplishments. Addition to that, he has divided support within the region. I strongly believe that the progress he dreams of for the nation is purely cosmetic. I won’t be surprised if he’s in the office and make the country foolish by nominating it for the Olympics… Sorry I couldn’t resist humor.
Francis Escudero entered his first term in the executive position a year ago. Intellegent, young, ambitious and with great vision. If elected, my expectation on his policies would be too high. He’s one of the better nationalists in the country. However, I would question his experience. Are his accomplishments enough to say that he has experience in the executive level? My bet is that his greater chances is at age forty-seven. He’s one of the better politicians in the national level in the country I must say.
Loren Legarda is probably one of the most greedy politician I could think of. Should we say power monger? She failed to win as the vice president, so she’s expected to take a stab at the presidency and become the third madam president. Cory and Gloria I think are enough to screw the nation. Is that sexist to you? It’s a fact! Not only the gender that will render incapability to lead the country for Legarda, it’s also the fact that she’s a news woman. A journalist must be objective, but a journalist also knows all the tricks to hide and confide things. They can be their own PR strategist. The public could be easily blinded. She is intelligent and courageous, but those aren’t enough.
Vice President Noli De Castro could be a force to reckon with during the elections. He has a wide fanbase way back his MGB days. He’s literally done nothing (as far as I know) that can smudge his reputation, but he’s also done nothing for the country. He’s playing a neutral role now as he tries to win the public through image. I believe he will fight during the elections using righteous image and maintain his fanbase. Like I said about journalists, I hope he doesn’t rule the country.
That brings me to the two men who will probably have a showdown in 2010. Them being Ilonggos are mere coincidents. I don’t have wide knowledge of all these six politicians I’ve mentioned, my opinion is based on tidbits of knowledge about them.
Roxas is a respected Senator and is a descendant of the former President Manuel Roxas. In fact, he won more votes than the current president had, so he’s popular also. He’s rich and intelligent. He appeals to the masses and he’s media friendly. The only negative on him would probably his bachelor status. Being a family person is usually a factor in becoming the leader of a nation (it’s a big deal in the US anyway). Other than that, he may as well be the next president of the Philippines.
Roxas may have a greater chance to win the presidency, but he won’t get it so easily. Manny Villar will most likely make a stir and give Roxas a fight of his life. Villar has led the Congress and the Senate in his public service in the last decade. Though I’m not knowledgeable of him, I’ve seen him on a TV interview once. I don’t need books to tell me what this person can bring the nation. He has a clear vision of what he will give for the country, the values he set for the country to straighten. I don’t invision him to lead the country and make it prosper. I see him leading the country to a path which could eventually lead to properity. A very intelligent man who seems to have his priority set straight.
I may have misinformed you on facts, however these are thoughts without allusions. I may have just paraded my ignorance, but at least I’ve cleared my head.
September 2nd, 2008
As I was checking blogs off my blogroll, I noticed that my ads are McCain oriented. Data mining capability of Google is really amazing. I don’t have to say which party I tend to lean, yet it knows. I’m not a registered voter and I don’t think I’ll be, but I’m openly a Republican. I guess it’s in my nature to go against the grain because I live in an urban area and urbanites tend to be democrats.
Especially in this year’s election. I think that the democratic party is a joke. They should have found someone more effective because McCain is a tough contender. I think if they had Kerry run again, they may have a chance. I won’t make any prediction save one. Hollywood will vote Obama because the vocal these celebrities about supporting Obama, they think that the masses will watch their movies. If you have Pamela Anderson screaming she’s voting Obama, I think you have to think who to vote again. It may be better to vote for Perot if he runs again.
Before you comment on my opinion, it is solely mine and I did not do any research on each candidate’s platform or issues. These are solely my hunch based on the years I’ve “kind of” observe these men.
August 5th, 2008
Okay, here we go. You may have noticed drastic changes in the site. It looks more crowded than the previous one. Don’t worry, an upgraded version of the old one will return. For now, let me enjoy the pinkish motif. I love the header so much that it compliments the site’s name.
Over the weekend, I finally had my first entry at Tech Blog Philippines. I’ve been looking for a topic for nearly a month and I finally found it yesterday. I don’t intend to write regularly there, but I will formulate a better piece next time I come across an interesting gadget.
This morning, I took my learner’s permit exam for a motorcycle license and I passed. I’m going to take the rider’s course later this month or early next month once I’m fully geared up. I have to do this before the winter starts. Then save for a bike for next summer. I’ve been eyeing a Ducati Monster for a few years now.
Tonight, before catching up with a late entry before midnight strikes, I cleaned up my Friendster list. I deleted a few accounts which are duplicate and/or have been dormant for a few weeks.
August 4th, 2008
Today I had a tiny luxury to watch Pinoy Dream Academy 2’s performance night. I’ve seen their contestants scholars a few days back because the network seems to be injecting every little bit of segments from the 24-hour affairs within the academy. That means I see their faces everytime I pass through the channel. I may sound bias and I believe I may be, but the Idols are better than the scholars.
The Idols have variations when it comes to talent and style; the scholars don’t. It’s boring when you see a singing contest and all contestants have the same style of music. That’s why I like the Pinoy Idol. However, I like Cristina “Cris” Pastor a lot. That’s the only thing I like about PDA2.
July 12th, 2008
I never thought this would happen. While having breakfast in a cafe near our office’s building, a customer sat in front of me reading the same book I’m reading, Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead. The same paperback version. I never thought that with the few different people I see in the cafe, I would find someone reading a philosophy novel. I often see people reading Sheldon’s or Brown’s or other contemporaries, but I never thought I’d see someone in front of me reading Ayn Rand, and the same title needless to say.
I guess I’d better say more about the book since I’m only a few leaves away to the end. I’ve alluded so much of We The Living and I believe The Fountainhead is much better than that.
In this novel, I’ve met a perfect hero that I can relate so much to. A villain that brings out most of my anger. I feel anger which means I’m not purely an Objectivist, not an egotist, but I’m working on it. I will loan the novel to Ate Lorie, so I won’t divulge so much of the characters. So far, I’m not too concerned of the plot in Rand’s literature because her characters are interesting enough. She develops her characters wonderfully and I can’t get over imagining these individuals.
The book is difficult to read not because of her diction, but because knowledge and emotions are only emphasized. The style makes the reader hurry up and wait for the characters to verbally confess. It makes the book not suspenseful, but rather plentiful of self discovery. The emphases on these knowledge ask the reader if he thought the same. “Are you thinking what he’s thinking?”
Why do I think that the hero is perfect? Because he doesn’t care about people, about what other people would think of him, of what he’s doing, of what he’s going to do. I guess About A Boy has to move down a notch.
After this, I’ll venture to Rand’s next book, the Atlas Shrugged. Hailed to be better than The Fountainhead so I’m also excited. Only after reading the last novel that I’ll decide what (not which) my favorite book is.
July 11th, 2008
It’s Independence Day weekend and for those who will be staying home (like me) during the long weekend, I am recommending the films below. They are all foreign films (not if you’re Japanese or Korean). I have them as part of my tiny DVD collection. They aren’t new. They’re about at least 3 years old already and I’m guessing that most of my readers have not seen them yet. I’m a huge fan of martial arts films especially the ninja and samurai. That’s not the only reason why I’m recommmending them, however. These films possess deeper meaning. I have found those meanings in my own perception. It’s up to you to find for yourself.
I will recommend more films later on.
SHINOBI — The movie contains one of the greatest fight scenes ever shown on film. The hero and heroin possess amazing powers and the fit the actors portraying the characters. Probably one aspect of the movie that made me love it is the cinematography. Amazing, amazing, amazing.
AZUMI I — The first of the two. The history of Azumi; how she became. An excellent display of swordplay. I’m a huge fan of the ways of samurai. I’m a man who adores perfection through simplicity and the samurai way of life is that. Simple, precise, perfect. The pretty face of Azumi is a plus.
AZUMI II — The second installation. The continuation of Azumi’s journey towards cleansing. Aagain, contains a great display of swordplay. Unlike most sequels, this one did not disappoint me. Azumi still looking good especially with a cloak (that’s when she really kicks ass).
SHADOWLESS SWORD — This is a Korean film that I can proudly recommend. Korean films are becoming better and could probably replace Hollywood. The film contains another excellent display of swordplay. A must see.
July 4th, 2008
I was watching Carlos Mencia again last night and he pointed out a good point about white people not able to say certain words to minorities. He said that the founding fathers of this great nation fought for their lives to gain such freedom; the men and women of America fighting for their lives to uphold and maintain such freedom, but that freedom is restricted nonetheless. It is true that words cannot physically hurt, so as long as freedom of speech is available, anybody should be able to say whatever they want. I have been living with this kind of principles: as long as I’m not physically hurting another, I’m entitled to whatever I want to do. That’s probably why I enjoy playing with people’s minds and emotions. Don’t get me wrong. I’m ruthlessly cold when I’m provoked. I have no guilt; no conscience.
Unfortunately, people (we really are primates) moralize the things we say and do. If you expect to feed your children affluently, then you better watch your words. Reputation plays an important role in the lives of people. Something I don’t have and don’t really give a rat’s ass about it.
June 12th, 2008
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