Batang MILF by: Maribeth Q. Galindo September 29, 2008
Posted by beth95 in Thoughts.add a comment
Last September 14, 2008, I watched one of my favorite shows of the ABS-CBN entitled “Rated K” hosted by Korina Sanchez which is aired out in the television every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. But that particular night I was shocked with what I saw in one of their episode entitled “Batang MILF”. MILF is popularly known as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, an extremist group found in Mindanao. All the while I thought that all members of the said group are all in the right age or old enough to decide for themselves but my thinking was proven wrong when I saw Korina interviewed two very young children who both members of the group. Korina calls them Walid Ander who is 15 years old and Abdullah who is 12 years, these two young individuals are one of those MILF children who undergone trainings as the video aired out for national television. I filled with mixed emotions at that time when I saw the video. I felt pity, sad, sorry, angry, and confused when Walid said during the interview that he dreamed also that someday he wants to be a professional and Abdullah on the other hand said that he is willing to die for what he believed in.
Upon seeing their innocence and hearing their words, I felt pity on them because at that early age, these children are supposed to carry pen, paper, book and play in school and be taught the basic foundation of learning and yet they were in the mountains and trained to carry deadly weapons such 45 caliber, M16 and a high powered arms like RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) use during wars and usually operated by an adult only.
I felt sad too because these two young children are trained to kill and willing to be killed for the said ideology being inculcated into their young minds. I don’t know if I am using the correct term “ideology”. Moreover, I felt sorry for I can’t do something for the situations of these children who were brain washed by the olds except to include them in my prayers. I felt angry somehow to the parents when Abdullah said that it was his father who encouraged and trained him. Ideally, I perceived parents are supposed to be the one who would send their children in school. Encourage and direct at the same time guide their sons/daughters to come up with their dreams and help these dreams come true but it’s not with what I saw. I just really don’t know of what is the psychology of these parents who loved to see their children participating in the bloody battles and trained their children to be the future killers. I don’t know if they are in the right line of thinking. Thus, I don’t want to point my fingers of who should be blamed for the said situation. Rather, I felt confused of who should take care of helping these young to become an asset instead of a liability.
Is it the family? What if the family is economically deprived thus, could hardly eat three times a day, cannot send their children to school, cannot provide medicine if their children get sick, parents don’t have any permanent job or no fixed income and other sufferings, how could the said family takes care of their children properly? How can these children of the rebel group recognize and appreciate good if they do not experience that life is good itself.
Is it the government? Government is another institution that is expected to take care of the young. How could the government then help these young if the basic services that they should give to the people like infrastructure, health, education etc. could hardly reach to the far flung area that needed it most thus, the budget of the said services goes into the pocket of some greedy politicians. How could these young children of the rebel group know that there is government if they themselves have not see and felt the government? How about the church that is supposed to strengthen the spiritual aspect of the people but it seems, the institution itself is engaged already in politics. The school that that is supposedly the second home of the child and the teachers are supposedly the second parents of the child too, how can they help the young if the standard of teaching is deteriorating?
This realization of mine gave me a deep thought and I asked myself, Are there any hope for these children that are trained to be the future killers to be saved and live a normal life? What do you think readers? Can you still see light for these young? Do you think you too have the responsibility? If you think you have, what can you do? Try to ponder on it…..
Artificial Beauty by: Maribeth Q. Galindo September 22, 2008
Posted by beth95 in Thoughts.2 comments
Webster dictionary defines beauty as the quality in a person or thing that gives intense aesthetic pleasure. Some says beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What is beautiful to me might not be beautiful to you. Thus, we have different standards of beauty.
With the fast changing world, who would really think that those physical features that are inborn could possibly be changed at this point in time such gender, skin color, shape of the nose, size of the eyes and others. If one has the means almost everything that she/he wants to happen to attain physical beauty is possible.
Apparently, physical beauty nowadays is given more emphasis especially in the field of media such advertisement in the television, magazines, internet commercials and others in promoting products thus be sold to public. Skinny women/men are seen to be more sexy than fat women/men as portrayed by media using different models in the world of fashion. Having long and well shape noses are seen to be more beautiful than those individuals who have flat noses as seen in the different “teleseryes” and movies. Having white complexion too is seen to be more attractive than those who have dark complexion. Thus, much emphasis of physical beauty paved the creation of the different beauty products such soap that whitens skin, glutathione, extraderm, ponds and others. Belo’s and Calayan”s clinic are some of the popular clinic in the Philippines that enhances physical beauty endorsed by well known showbiz celebrities.
Seemingly, some individuals who are not physically gifted are engrossed to avail the services of such beauty clinic without further a do, thus, physical beauty will be enjoyed. Who doesn’t want to be beautiful anyway?
Personally, I don’t go for physical renovations if there is such term. But I am not against of those individuals who undergone surgeries for their own satisfaction. Anyway, enjoying artificial beauty is a personal choice. As a matter of fact, I appreciate the braveness of those individuals who went through operations for the sake of beauty. And I do encourage too to those individuals who can afford to enjoy artificial beauty especially if they are agonizing every time they looked at themselves in the mirror. If they think, it gives them satisfaction and happiness and make them more confident in dealing with other people, why not do it if they have the means. Famous line from Claire dele Fuente, popular singer during 80’s says nowadays “it’s a sin if you have the money and you remain ugly”. It sounds funny but there is a little truth in it.
On the other hand, physical beauty somehow is helpful in looking for a job. If you are intelligent and graduated with flying colors and yet you are not physically blessed, you might have the difficulty of finding a job especially if the company that you are applying is particular not with the grades alone but also with the physical appearance of their employees. A certain applicant cannot tell to the one who is in charge of hiring during the interview and said talk to my brain because I am intelligent never mind my face. Funny and shallow reasons for some but there are instances that it really happens. If you were to ask, would you undergone the process of attaining artificial beauty?
Is it right of the women to court? by: Maribeth Q. Galindo September 15, 2008
Posted by beth95 in current issues and historical facts.23 comments
In the world where we live, everything is fast changing beliefs, traditions, laws, arts, norms and others. Sociologically, these changes are brought about by the new innovations, inventions, discoveries and diffusions thus, making people’s life more complicated.
One of the big changes that took place was the manner on how women were treated. Culturally, women were/are not treated equally with man, thus women were/are considered an inferior being. As time gone by, these impressions towards women are slowly corrected through education and therefore increasing the level of awareness about women’s right happened. Equality of rights between men/women is recognized by laws. With these, there are women who claim that one of their rights that should be enjoyed is courting the man. Do you agree? Now, if you belong to a conservative culture and your orientation about courtship is somewhat limited no doubt! Your answer is a big NO.
Apparently, women cannot do anything that she wants to do because she is bounded by the so ca culture. It’s the culture that tells what is good/bad, right/wrong, proper/improper, moral/immoral that put man/woman in a box that sets limit of what to do and not to do. Obviously, there is some culture that does not welcome courtship initiated by a woman. If a woman does it she will be labeled as flirt, cheap or negatively criticize. Women are discouraged to court the men simply because the culture says it.
On the other hand, modern women took the challenge. They excel in the fields of politics, business, education, sports and others just named it and you’ll find them. Thus, believing that they can also court the man because they too are capable of expressing what they have felt. Why not? If they have the guts to do it but be reminded to face the consequence like you might be rejected, ignored, or insulted by the man that you courted especially if the man has a conservative outlook of what courtship means. Thus, women are ready to be basted because it is also the right of the man to refuse a woman if he feels so. Now, would it matter if the woman courts a man? Do we really have the right to court the man? If you believe that it is our right, can you exercise the said right? What can you say man?
Same sex marriage by: Maribeth Q. Galindo September 9, 2008
Posted by beth95 in relationships.1 comment so far
Same sex marriage, is the Filipino culture ready to accept same sex marriage? Why not allow it? These are some of my questions that need to be clarified. In a conservative culture like Philippines, the word “marriage” is defined both in the church and in the state as a binding of two different genders, a male and female. This definition was and is clearly taught and inculcated to everyone’s mind. Thus, the sacredness of marriage lies in the sacrament and vows of the couples made. Unfortunately, there were/are couples who have difficulty of holding on what they have promised to each other then later file an annulment thus, making them free again. Indeed, marriage/annulment is a special privilege given to a man/woman. I said especial privilege because not every lover has given the legal and spiritual rights to be married such as gays/lesbians.
Why is it hard for the Filipino society to accept and allow same sex marriage? And to think the issue of same sex marriage has long been an issue that needs to be heard. In some countries like Belgium, Netherlands, Columbia, South Africa, Spain, Massachusetts, California etc. settled the cries of the gays/lesbians and legalized same sex marriage. However, gays/lesbians in the Philippines still fighting for the rights mentioned to be given to them.
At present, most of the lawmakers if not all are very much hesitant to make provisions for the legalization of same sex marriage considering the fact that Philippines is a catholic country. Naturally, a lot of criticism will come if same sex marriage will be approved.
Seemingly, people looked at same sex marriage as an immoral act, not good to see in the eyes of the other, therefore, it is scandalous and it shouldn’t be made legal. A very limited point of view of what morality means? Why can’t lawmakers give rights for gays/lesbians to be legally married? Definitely, they will not use the money of the Filipino people for the celebration. Unlike those greedy politicians who keep on spending the money of the country for going abroad, stayed in first class hotels, having expensive gadgets for their work, having luxury cars yet many people suffered in poverty but it seems they have not felt the agony of the people. Corrupt politicians are disgraced to the country. Shame on you!!!! Now, whose actions are immoral, inappropriate, and scandalous? No provisions also made in the constitution that allows corruption and yet politicians are doing it. So, lawmakers, why can’t you give way and make laws for same sex marriage for the gays/lesbians for them to be happy in one way or another and be protected legally? Those people who are against of same sex marriage just give gays/lesbians a break. Don’t be too harsh on them. Apparently, it’s not for us to condemn these people….If you were one of the lawmakers, what will you do?
Rizal vs. Bonifacio, Is it fair to compare? by: Maribeth Q. Galindo September 9, 2008
Posted by beth95 in Uncategorized.Tags: Historical
67 comments
The name Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio are some of the well-known personalities that have been mentioned in the annals of Philippine history. The exemplary deeds that they had done for our country; in order to achieve freedom from the hands of the Spanish colonizers is worth to be remembered specially by the present generation. Indeed, their heroism is well done.
Apparently, there are some students, faculty, leftist, writers, critics and even we perhaps questioned the credibility of Rizal when he got the title of being our “Philippine National Hero” why not Bonifacio which results to the existence of pro-Bonifacio and anti-Rizal or pro-Rizal and anti-Bonifacio. The comparison of these two personalities and made endless debate of who should be our national hero is much discussed in the environment of academe.
Moreover, to give you a little background, Jose Rizal was a son of an educated parents and belong to a wealthy family. All siblings of Rizal’s family had gone to school. Jose studied in Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas and had gone to Europe for further studies. He finished medical course specializes in Ophthalmology and made known for his talents in writing, painting, sculpturing, fencing and others. He fought the Spanish tyranny through a propaganda battles by means of using his pen in critiquing and exposing the defects of Spanish governance. He died in front of the Spanish and Filipino crowds by a firing squad on December 30, 1896 due to a false accusation of instigating Philippine revolution. Thus, his charisma for the elite and intellectuals are proven strong.
On the other hand, Andres Bonifacio was a son of a farmer and belongs to a poor family. All siblings of Bonifacio’s family had not even finished high school due to economic instability. Andres at early age had to work hard and carries big responsibilities for him to help his family. Andres represents the grassroots of society that were/are usually exploited, abused, maltreated, and marginalized one. He proved to be a good organizer when he established a revolutionary movement called “Katipunan” in 1892. He fought the Spanish tyranny by using bolos and guns, thus, encouraging bloody revolution.
Sadly, he was executed by his co-katipuneros on May 10, 1897 which was not made known to many Filipinos due to a false accusation of betraying Philippine government. Jealousy and greediness of power brought Andres to death. Thus, his strong charisma for the masses is pretty obvious.
Now, would it be fair for these two personalities that are extremely opposite to be compared? Would it be fair for a rich man to be compared by a poor man? Would it also be fair for a poor man being compared with a rich man? Would it be fair for a doctor to be compared by a farmer? Would it be fair too to a farmer to be compared by a doctor? Where is fairness if an educated man who attained the higher degree of education being compared to a man who didn’t even finished high school and vice versa. Come to think of it……
But one thing I am sure of, that these two personalities have in common, they are both brave and great heroes of their time. They both wanted freedom for the Filipinos that long been controlled by the Spaniards. So, do not compare and stop using each others weaknesses and flaws in order to put down one another. If Rizal and Bonifacio would still be alive, definitely, they don’t want to be compared. Who wants to be compared anyway?
A Reflection on Measuring Philippine Development by: Maribeth Q. Galindo September 1, 2008
Posted by beth95 in current issues and historical facts.24 comments
The Philippines, categorically, is a nation which, unfortunately belongs to the third world country, a definition of relatively struggling nation when it comes to economic progress and development. This category has been the country’s unfavorable image for a long period of time, hence, the government and other private sectors made strenuous efforts and programs to get rid of this status by creating different techniques just to improve the condition of living of every Filipino people in general.
This is maybe the reason the Development Academy of the Philippines conducted a study on The Social Indicators to hopefully implemented an appropriate program for national welfares. The social indicator’s project aims to gauge the present condition of the Philippines in the modern society; its objective is a system of measurement which is capable of depicting aspects of both improvement and deterioration in national welfares.
The report extensively contains an appraisal of the circumstances of Filipino welfares, its causes and effects and the right things to be done especially for political leaders to be more considerate in creating laws and programs. The social indicators presented hopefully will be used as guidelines in identifying and implementing the right policies. The government has its responsibility to rightfully disseminate the information to the general public, so they will be informed on the great deal of this awareness.
The term “welfare” as define in the report is used in broad sense. It is associated with “well being”, “happiness”, “quantity of life”, “state of development” and other terms which is meant to refer to the degree of achievement of the important goals of Philippine society as the whole project proceeded.
The following are the proposed set of social indicators for the Philippine welfare:
- Health and Nutrition — free from hunger, malnutrition and disease in life.
- Learning — Acquisition of knowledge and skill on the job.
- Income and Consumption — freedom from poverty, for greater consumption and for protection against inflation.
- Employment — people be able to work and to be fairly compensated.
- Non-human productive resources — the rate of exploitation doe not prejudice future generation.
- Housing, utilities and the environment — basic concern for proper housing, safe water, electricity and clean air to breathe.
- Public Safety and Justice — basic concern for peace and order and for speedy, equitable and efficient justice.
- Political Values — basic concern for a democratic government with freedom both to participate.
Social indicators then is equated with welfare indicators which is designed to reflect the degree of enhancement in any social concern on the degree of sharing in that enhancement among present day Filipinos and between those alive and unborn. But in analyzing different aspects of achievement and welfare, the policies should be totally diverse from other countries and territories because the Philippine society needs are far more different and that the national welfare is based on the present condition, culture and tradition of Filipinos. But even its citizen also has different needs, the underprivileged has different priorities and necessities compare to the upper class. They are more concern on their personal needs than that of their environment.
Thus, in order to achieve a progressive condition of the Filipinos, the indicators used for evaluating the improvement as well as the deterioration of the national welfare must be significant and clearly defined to come up with orderly and well organized policies to harmonize with the present situation of the Philippine society with fairness regardless of the class and status of each individual. The national welfares reflected different concerns and considerations specifically political, social and ethical. These concerns must be put into consideration when implementing policies to avoid biases and discrimination against certain groups and individuals. Ethnically, Philippines subdivided into different groups and this variation has mixed traditions, beliefs and needs and these considerations sometimes are so sensitive that the social indicators must be carefully outlined to compliment these factors.
The modern world is fast changing, norms sometimes dictate society and in order to be more responsive with this changes, the environment must completely in harmony with the level of condition of the lives of every citizen to function well in the society. The national welfares should be taken care of and be equally distributed to every single person to experience life in a more meaningful and sensible way. If these needs will not meet and if the welfare is inadequate, chances are, development and progress is impossible to achieve and as a result, slow improvement in the different aspects of life and convenience is too dim for everyone to experience. Economic and ethical concerns, in some ways are two inseparable states when progress is concerned because they both played an important role in the lives of the people. Without economic stability, society tends to slump down, without fairness in ethical conditions, environment lost the very profound of freedom in every areas. Therefore these two basic concerns should be satisfied first in order to achieve a just and humane society, penetrating further the real meaning of development.
