Voters Education? We Can Do Better Than That!
April 18, 2007
I am dismayed by the kind of (some) candidates we have. Since amendments to raise the qualification for candidates is not possible at this time, the least that could be done is provide an orientation or some kind of briefing for the aspiring candidates. I think that educating them is more doable compared to educating millions of voters. Perform some realization check on how serious it is to hold a public office. I recently read an editorial by professor Randy David which I think is a good material for this purpose.
The following link will take you to INQUIRER.net :
To run or not to run: an ethical question
In the above link, professor David quotes Max Weber, “What kind of a man must one be if he is to be allowed to put his hand on the wheel of history?” He also stressed three traits that are essential to a political vocation—“passion, a feeling of responsibility, and a sense of proportion.”
However, I know that there are candidates who will stop at nothing in order to grab a public office, whose calloused hearts rendered their conscience to become insensitive. With that, nothing will match the value of an educated voters.
Formal Education Against Voters Education
Though voters education may help, government should seriously improve the quality of education in the Philippines and make it accessible for it’s citizens. Only then could the government come up with wise people that can vote wisely. Only then can we have voters who will have an independent mind to vote based on needs and platform rather than based on popularity and personality.
A study by IBON Foundation showed that the government’s neglect of education, coupled with worsening economic and social conditions, means that millions of children are unable to obtain a decent schooling. Out of every 100 children who enter Grade 1, only 66% will finish elementary school, 43% high school and only 14% will graduate from college.
With that predicament, will Rizal’s famous words that “the youth is the hope of our nation” still holds true if only 4 out of 100 children who enters Grade 1 manages to finish college?
BREAKING NEWS!
10% Cap Tuition Fee Increase, Inalis Na Ng CHED;
Matrikula, Tataas Sa Pasukan.
Vote In Pinoy’s Big Bother: Senatoriables Edition
April 16, 2007
I think people should take the trouble of participating in a national election. This is probably the time that one’s voice rings the loudest. Election therefore, should be us Pinoy’s Big Bother.
I would like to know what you think about some of our senatorial candidates. Your views and opinion will be much appreciated and respected.
Mechanics: Assume that the 12 senatorial candidates below are the ones most likely to win in the coming election, participate by leaving a comment answering the questions below. Votes will be summed every now and then, and will close on the eve of election day.
- 2 OUT: Choose at most 2 among the 12, that you DO NOT want to win. Why them?
- 2 IN: Who among the other senatoriables not listed below, would you like to win in their place? (up to 2 choices as well)
NOTE: Candidates above are the Top 12 candidates in Pulse Asia’s April 2007 survey arranged according to rank in a descending order starting from the top going left to right.
The Common Life
April 15, 2007
“Is not this the carpenter?” (Mark 6:3).
Jesus’ neighbors spoke those words. Amazed at his latter-life popularity, they asked, “Is this the same guy who fixed my roof?”
Note what his neighbors did not say:
“Is not this the carpenter who owes me money?”
“Is not this the carpenter who swindled my father?”
“Is not this the carpenter who never finished my table?”No, these words were never said. The lazy have a hard time hiding in a small town. Hucksters move from city to city to survive. Jesus didn’t need to. Need a plow repaired? Christ could do it. In need of a new yoke? “My neighbor is a carpenter, and he will give you a fair price.” The job may have been common, but his diligence was not. Jesus took his work seriously.
And the town may have been common, but his attention to it was not. Mountain flowers in the spring. Cool sunsets. Pelicans winging their way along the streams of Kishon to the Sea of Galilee. Thyme-besprinkled turf at his feet. Fields and fig trees in the distance. Do you suppose moments here inspired these words later? “Observe how the lilies of the field grow” (Matt. 6:28) or “Look at the birds of the air” (Matt. 6:26). The words of Jesus the rabbi were born in the thoughts of Jesus the boy.
The maker of yokes later explained, “My yoke is easy” (Matt. 11:30). The one who brushed his share of sawdust from his eyes would say, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matt. 7:3).
He saw how a seed on the path took no root (Luke 8:5) and how a mustard seed produced a great tree (Matt. 13:31–32). He remembered the red sky at morning (Matt. 16:2) and the lightning in the eastern sky (Matt. 24:27). Jesus listened to his common life.
Are you listening to yours? Rain pattering against the window. Silent snow in April. The giggle of a baby on a crowded plane. Seeing a sunrise while the world sleeps. Are these not personal epistles? Can’t God speak through a Monday commute or a midnight diaper change? Take notes on your life.
Next time your life feels ordinary, take your cue from Christ. Pay attention to your work and your world. Jesus’ obedience began in a small town carpentry shop. His uncommon approach to his common life groomed him for his uncommon call.
The UpWords Weekly Devotional from Max Lucado
Originally printed in Next Door Savior
Mirrored:
I guess today’s devotional teaches us to be diligent no matter how common our job maybe. Moreover, it teaches us to be open to God as He speaks to us through our day to day affairs.
This is yet another challenge for me. I tend to grumble over little discomforts in my job and I know that because of that, I am missing some important life lessons. For the moment, I do not have a regular job that God might use for my “education”, but His lessons are everywhere. We only need to be receptive and actively listen. Let us all learn how to be quiet so that we may here God’s still small voice even in the midst of our discomforts or injustices we are experiencing.
India Arie - India’s Song
April 13, 2007
India Arie Sampson (born October 3, 1975), professionally known as India.Arie, is a two-time Grammy Award-winning American soul, (neo soul) and R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, and flute player.
India.Arie’s third studio album, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, was released on June 27, 2006. It gave India.Arie her first number-one on the Billboard 200 and was her second chart topper on the R&B chart. This album was also the first number-one album for Motown in thirty-three years since Diana Ross’s 1972 Lady Sings the Blues. Its first-week sales of 161,000 copies is Arie’s best sales week to date and was certified Gold in August 2006. She is expected to release Testimony: Vol. 2, Love and Politics in 2007.
(Source: Wikipedia)
2007 World Light Expo
April 11, 2007
Last April 1, we went to see the World Light Expo located on the junction of Roxas Boulevard and Coastal Road. Compared to the all inclusive price of PhP300 last February, entrance for adults are now PhP200 with a separate fee of PhP100 if you want to see the Harbin Ice and Light Festival. Originally, children below 4-feet are priced PhP200 and free of entrance for 3-years old and below. This might have changed as well.
The World Light Expo boast of a production cost of US$ 6M, employing a gross staff of 10,000 persons over a production period of 2 years. Designers from Philippines, Korea, China, and Italy used around 2 million bulbs in it.
Main attractions of the expo includes:
- Harbin Ice and Light Festival, An Ice World of minus 18 degrees Centigrade
- A Replica of the 1st Qin Emperor’s Terracotta Army, One of the World Top 7 Mysteries
- China Government-certified Circus Performance
- Korean Folk Paper made (Hanji) Dolls by Ms. Hyong-suk Lee
- A Water Screen Laser Show and Fireworks (starts around 8:30pm)
- Dance Festival with World Top Korean B-Boy Group
Schedule of performers are posted on the ticket booth. There are also a number of inflatable playgrounds for the kids and some snacks you can buy inside the facility.
The 2007 World Light Expo is open from 4pm to 12mn and will run up to the 22nd of April only, so you only have less than 2 weeks to go see it. This event is also for the benefit of Pangarap na Lupa Foundation, Children with sight impairments. For inquiries, you can call (02) 482-5067 or check out their website.
For more photos visit my photoblog.
Sabit Si Chavit?
April 10, 2007
As one of my blog reader previously commented:
“At itong si Chavit? If i can remember well dapat nakakulong to kasama ni Erap. May atraso ka pa sa amin, tapos tatakbo takbo ka dyan.”
Though Mister Singson was the key to the downfall of an alleged corrupt president, one cannot deny the fact that the governor himself had a role in the said crime and I strongly doubt that he himself didn’t enjoyed the benefits of it.
Also, the said expose was done out of vengeance and not out of a legitimate concern for the country’s welfare. If he was not ‘betrayed’ he eventually would have not squeal, so I don’t see it reasonable why the man is enjoying the freedom of being by the side of the Pambansang Kamao after the latter’s winning matches and having the liberty to run now for senator.
“May problema ang justice system natin,” these were the words repeatedly answered by senatorial candidate Luis “Chavit” Singson on ANC’s Forum 2007. With Chavit a free man, the justice system clearly does have a problem.
He Walked Among Us
April 8, 2007
We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15
When God chose to reveal himself, he did so (surprise of surprises) through a human body. The tongue that called forth the dead was a human one. The hand that touched the leper had dirt under its nails. The feet upon which the woman wept were calloused and dusty. And his tears…oh, don’t miss the tears…they came from a heart as broken as yours or mine ever has been.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.”
So, people came to him. My, how they came to him! They came at night; they touched him as he walked down the street; they followed him around the sea; they invited him into their homes and placed their children at his feet. Why? Because he refused to be a statue in a cathedral or a priest in an elevated pulpit. He chose instead to be Jesus.
Grace for the Moment, Volume 2
Originally printed in God Came Near
Mirrored:
Amazing is the extent that Jesus was willing to go through because of his love for us. He left his kingship and became small enough for us to understand him. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. He did it for us all. Not just for the not-so-bad ones but also for those super-bad ones.
With this, we should probably seek to understand our fellowman as well. We should extend more patience, show more kindness, and demonstrate concern. We must learn to always put ourselves in someone else’s shoe. It is one great challenge, but not as great as the cost that Christ was willing to pay.
Rejoice! Christ is risen!
