OhhhhBAMA...

Well I don't know where to start. I tell you, I am not a pro-Obama but I'm overwhelmed with his victory in the recently concluded US presidential election. Before, Obama was just a joke, my uncle always used to tease his wife. He told us, when his wife is in the comfort room, it seems there's a rally for Obama because her crap goes out loudly with a sound like this "barack barack barack barack!" And laughter follows. But now, Obama and his cry for change is a joke no more.

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After an almost landslide victory in popular and in electoral votes, we now vigilantly awaits the change Obama is vehemently forwarding. What are the implications of his election as president of US to the world affairs particularly to our planet in peril and to the financial crisis? We can't really tell since he is just reaping the fruits of his personal labor. Lets give him the day and maybe tomorrow, we can talk about this issue again.

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As to why Barack Obama won, I say he was tailored to be elected at this situation. Rizal said, heroes are not born they are produced by the economic and social factors of that period. Hence, Obama concomitant to Rizal's idea, satisfies the economic needs and the social clamor as of the moment that's why he won. Why? First, with the current financial crisis what US needs is a leader who is knowledgeable and really equipped with the highest of education not a Vietnam war captive John McCain. (See my October article, Obama vs McCain) Aside, the party matters. History has shown that a democrat won when there is a financial crisis. This was true particualrly in the 1930's with Franklin Roosevelt.

Moreover social clamor against rascism, for equality and change definetely have played a major role. Obama is an african-american. But who cares when US is forwarding the idea of anti-racism. Obama had started to inch over his republican opponent with his famous speech in 2004 “young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled — Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America." This underscored the importance of equality, unity and not racism.

on a much much lighter note, even in dance prowess Obama has the advantage! take a look at this.

OHHHHHHHHHHBAMA.......

Videos I love to watch...

EVOLUTION OF DANCE


ACHMED THE TERRORIST


The adorable charlie! hehe


GUITAR LEAD OF CANON PACHELBEL


Sports related bloopers


lets end this with an adorable laugh..


ENJOY!

Philippine Politics Today

Here I literally mean today, Monday, October 27, 2008. After an exhausting day, I'm glad to still be able to watch news and relax a little bit. The news hit me particularly the return of the infamous Jocjoc Bolante tomorrow after some years in the US. The issue is whether he should be arrested at his departure or not. His lawyer believed that he must not be arrested since the warrant of arrest issued by the Senate in 2005 had lapsed already. Moreover, he argued that 1987 consitution gives only the authority to release warrants to the judges of the Judiciary. However, the Senate and other critics assumed that Bolante could still be arrested. Atty. Harry Roque mentioned that the Senate as an institution did not change even if its personnel, particularly the senators during the period did change. Hence, the arrest could still have legal basis. As of the time of writing, a flash report coming from Senate President Villar has stated that Bolante will be arrested tomorrow.

The crux of the matter, I suppose is this. We know that Bolante tried to escape the Senate investigation hearing for his alleged involvement in the fertilizer scam. Now that he is coming back, why would we let him slip this time? As they said in tagalog, "kusa ng lumalapit sa pain, bakit hindi pa hulihin?" Why should Bolante let the oppurtunity to clear his name if he really is not involved? If the administration tries to silence him, and coverup the real issue, why in the first place, they would allow Bolante to go back? As Miriam Santiago addressed, "Ang Kapal naman ng mukha."

Get your friends close and your enemies closer

This should be the foreign policy of US right now. Why would McCain and Palin mock Obama for trying to have a bridge to communicate with rogue leaders Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Iran's Ahmad Ahmadinejad? Is it really smart to declare to never talk to such leaders? Is it really in US long-term national interest to shut US off from one of the most important and powerful states in the Middle East—Iran—or one of US major suppliers of oil, Venezuela?Should isolation of the potential enemies be the way to go in the current affairs? I don't think so.

"of course we should talk to difficult adversaries—when it is in our interest and at a time of our choosing"--these words have been the position of senior diplomats serving from Carter to Bush administration. This holds true most importantly nowadays."You don't make peace with friends, you make peace with very unsavory enemies." (Israel's Yitzhak Rabin)

So, why should the United States approach the world any differently now? We inhabit a rapidly integrating planet where dangers can strike at any time and from great distances. Americans are not excluded. And when others—China, India, Brazil—are rising to share power in the world with America, it needs to spend more time, not less, talking and listening to friends and foes alike.

The real truth Americans need to embrace is that nearly all of the most urgent global challenges—the quaking financial markets, climate change, terrorism—cannot be resolved by America's acting alone in the world. Rather than retreat into isolationism, as we have often done in our history, or go it alone as the unilateralists advocated disastrously in the past decade, we need to commit ourselves to a national strategy of smart engagement with the rest of the world. Simply put, we need all the friends we can get. And we need to think more creatively about how to blunt the power of opponents through smart diplomacy, not just the force of arms.( obtain form Newsweek)

Sunday Gospel and Politics

Its been two months since I was reunited with my God. I've been regularly attending masses and about the homily today, I would like to share my reflections. The gospel for the 30th sunday in ordinary time came from Mt 22:34-40:

WHEN THE PHARISEES HEARD THAT JESUS HAD SILENCED THE SADUCEES, THEY GATHERED TOGETHER, AND ONE OF THEM, A SCHOLAR OF THE LAW, TESTED HIM BY ASKING, "TEACHER, WHICH COMMANDMENT IN THE LAW IS THE GREATEST?"

HE SAID TO HIM, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, WITH ALL YOU HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. THIS IS THE GREATEST AND THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.

"THE SECOND IS LIKE IT: YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. THE WHOLE LAW AND THE PROPHETS DEPEND ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS."

---the gospel of the lord. (PRAISE TO YOU, LORD JESUS CHRIST)

A famous line in law books, "DURA LEX SED LEX" states that "the law maybe harsh but it is still the law." I think this holds true even with the commandment of our God. What God's law asks seems too difficult to uphold and to follow. This I suppose points to a reason why we are all hypocrites. We tried our very best to follow God's commandment but because of its impossibility, following god's rule is tantamount to pretention. and pretending because we believe in something (in this case our faith in god) we tend to be hypocrites. I dont know if this holds true to all, but this is why we became human because we cannot love god with all our heart, soul, and mind. Because if we really religiously follow this rule there is no reason for mistakes and sins to exist.

Moreover, if the first rule is difficult a task, more so is the second rule. Can we really love our neighbor as we love ourselves? Human nature theorists clamor for a self-dependent individual pushing selfishly in maximizing interests and personal gains. Thus, can we really equate love for oneself with love for others?

Law is indeed harsh. But the law stands as is. It is true most especially with God's commandment. Though it is difficult to follow, as a christian and a believer, we must strive and put our very best efforts to try to at least love god with all there is to offer and love our neighbors like we love ourselves. This maybe a path to greatness, and this is the path that god envision for us. To live trying to follow him. With Him, mistakes are unimportant compare to the efforts that we give to mitigate it.

If everyone of us would take this into consideration politics would not be as problematic and complex as it is. If our leaders could act altruistically, no corruption can be allowed. If our decision makers decide not for their personal gains, we might reach a peak of stability and growth. If we can all have "the love God with all our heart, soul and mind and love our neighbor as we love ourselves" principle, I think life will be happy, fruitful and prolific up to a level we never have imagined.

ASAP vs SOP: who's got talent?

I woke up late Sunday morning. It was already 11:31am and I'm still sweetly and lazily having my moment with the bed. Then, an alarming invitation for lunch by my Ate provide impetus within me to work my muscles and to get out of the bed immediately. After a quick stretching and light exercise, I saw myself near the table ready for my brunch (breakfast and lunch).

I had a bountiful feast (exaggeration to make a point). I turned on my TV right away to watch shows. Since today is Sunday, I have expected another showdown between ASAP and SOP, two flagship Sunday entertainment show of the archrival stations---the kapamilya station (channel 2) and the kapuso network (channel 7).

It's a debatable issue on the table right now. Between ASAP and SOP, who has the talent to entertain? To compare and contrast the two, its imperative to give a standard where we can analyze the competing parties. But I would like to focus the camera on who really has the talent?

ASAP is composed of artists like Gary Valenciano, Zsa zsa Padilla, Martin Nievera, Vina Morales,Billy Crawford, the singing champions (Sarah, Erik, Christian, Yeng,etc), groovy dancers (Vhong Navarro, Gab, teacher georcelle, Raven, John Pratts), pretty faces such as Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis, etc; Hunks and macho gwapitos (John Lloyd Cruz), respected hosts like Toni Gonzaga, Lucky Manzano and many more.

SOP, on the other hand, is represented by Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya, Janno, Jay-r, Jolina, and other unfamiliar faces.

From the presentation of members per se, you will see where I am coming from, where I attest my inclinations. Definitely, everyone has its own talent. But I reckon ASAP having the advantage because of the great, recognized, versatile artists, singers and dancers that they have. Who can beat Gary V in his performance? Is it Janno or Ogie?NOBODY in SOP can level the pure energy GaryV provides. Who can surpass Vhong Navarro's comic performances? Ruffa Mae Quinto?I don't think so. Who can best the hosting style of Toni?

Yes, Regine Velasquez maybe a respected and a great singer, the Asia's songbird. But can she dance like Sarah Geronimo? Almost all singers can have that belting skills Regine has. She may hold the highest range and pitch but is it always important? I think what matters is the versatility of artists, one who can sing and dance, can host and can make you laugh--that's what you call entertainment.

Another standard, the manner of presentation entices audience to watch as well. Whatever talent you may possess if not express and utilize efficiently, its plainly imbecile. SOP clamors creativity. Almost everyweek they have new theme and new customes. After a typical introduction, sing and dance, they will have a model or fashion show, nothing more nothing less. Is that what you call entertainment? For avid fans maybe. SOP almost everyweek promote GMA shows. It will present for example, Dyesebel, display their casts in full costumes. Once again, modeling and posing skills were utilized. This style sucks most of their time and the ability to show real talents of their performers.

On the other hand, ASAP makes full use of talents and skills of their performers. Gary V is always on his concert style performances. The singing champions seem always on the competition and on their winning moment. Dancers have their new moves. ASAP has in fact, what they call dance school where new moves were instructed by teacher Jercel demonstrated by Rayver, Gab and Mickey among many others. This manner of presenting is a plus because it gives the audience something to watch for every week.

Hence, in terms of manner of presentation. ASAP excels over SOP because the former provides real entertainment, real talent! SOP, meanwhile, after some boring sing performances of their stars commit most of their airtime on fashion shows of unknown and talent deficient casts.

Admittedly, this is just superficial analysis. Some may agree others may not agree. Nevertheless, this article is a wake up call for both of the "entertainment" shows to provide real entertainment. That's their purpose and that's what the audience at the end of the day need. Right?

This battle between ASAP vs. SOP has a great semblance with Obama vs. McCain for president. WHO HAS THE TALENT???