A Slice of the Jinxed Apple

Paving the way to the Promised Land: Silverio Compound Demolition

Ipinangako ni Noynoy na dadalhin niya tayo sa tuwid na daan. Mali lang ni Juan dela Cruz, hindi niya tinanong kung papano. I-dedemolish pala ang daan para sa mga nakakataas na uri. Kawawang Juan, naisahan. Tsk.

As of the moment, there are reports from netizens that 3 people are dead and 36 others are injured in the bloody demolition of Silverio Compound this morning, April 23, 2012. It is demoralizing to read the news and watch the news feeds, more so seeing pictures of victims of the violent demolition that had just happened.

One of the victims of this bloodshed. There are unconfirmed reports that it appears that he has a gunshot wound at the back of the head.

As a human rights activist, a Filipino, and a blogger, I condemn the bloody and extremely violent Silverio Compound demolition. I am not picking on any side, and in this blog entry, I would like to stress out some of my thoughts.

Both the policemen and residents are victims; victims of a very lousy local government. Had the Parañaque government completely and intensively informed the Silverio Compound residents of their plans and laid out all their cards on the table (IF and ONLY IF Mayor Bernabe is telling the truth that SMDC has no plans to acquired the land for future condominium development), a bloodshed wouldn’t have happened. Yes, I know that in an ideal world residents would have cooperated, but in reality a forceful demolition like this one shouldn’t have happened.

Policemen and other members of the force, on the other hand, are also victims of the residents’ fury. They acted impulsively and started shooting like madmen. The shooting spree and all the battering of the policemen are not called for, it is overkill. They should have expected resistance from the people who practically grew up in the area. The people living in the compound can literally give their lives for the land, and that’s exactly what they did. They, PNP, came in unprepared for battle, such an expected move.

With everything that has happened, two challenges are place on top of PNoy’s desk: How to bring justice to the victims of this bloodshed and how to address this situation properly. By victims, I mean not just the people who died and are injured, but the residents who lost their livelihood and will eventually lose their homes. I just hope that this time, Noynoy Aquino will present concrete plans and step up to this challenge. I hope that he develop the “balls” to lead this country properly and with a real direction.

The Jinxed Apple on twitter here —-> Jinxed Apple

Paving the way to the Promised Land: Silverio Compound Demolition

Ipinangako ni Noynoy na dadalhin niya tayo sa tuwid na daan. Mali lang ni Juan dela Cruz, hindi niya tinanong kung papano. I-dedemolish pala ang daan para sa mga nakakataas na uri. Kawawang Juan, naisahan. Tsk.

As of the moment, there are reports from netizens that 3 people are dead and 36 others are injured in the bloody demolition of Silverio Compound this morning, April 23, 2012. It is demoralizing to read the news and watch the news feeds, more so seeing pictures of victims of the violent demolition that had just happened.

One of the victims of this bloodshed. There are unconfirmed reports that it appears that he has a gunshot wound at the back of the head.

As a human rights activist, a Filipino, and a blogger, I condemn the bloody and extremely violent Silverio Compound demolition. I am not picking on any side, and in this blog entry, I would like to stress out some of my thoughts.

Both the policemen and residents are victims; victims of a very lousy local government. Had the Parañaque government completely and intensively informed the Silverio Compound residents of their plans and laid out all their cards on the table (IF and ONLY IF Mayor Bernabe is telling the truth that SMDC has no plans to acquired the land for future condominium development), a bloodshed wouldn’t have happened. Yes, I know that in an ideal world residents would have cooperated, but in reality a forceful demolition like this one shouldn’t have happened.

Policemen and other members of the force, on the other hand, are also victims of the residents’ fury. They acted impulsively and started shooting like madmen. The shooting spree and all the battering of the policemen are not called for, it is overkill. They should have expected resistance from the people who practically grew up in the area. The people living in the compound can literally give their lives for the land, and that’s exactly what they did. They, PNP, came in unprepared for battle, such an expected move.

With everything that has happened, two challenges are place on top of PNoy’s desk: How to bring justice to the victims of this bloodshed and how to address this situation properly. By victims, I mean not just the people who died and are injured, but the residents who lost their livelihood and will eventually lose their homes. I just hope that this time, Noynoy Aquino will present concrete plans and step up to this challenge. I hope that he develop the “balls” to lead this country properly and with a real direction.

The Jinxed Apple on twitter here —-> Jinxed Apple

Nora Aunor, Reproductive Health Bill, and a Glass of Cosmopolitan

HBO’s Sex and the City is my all-time favourite TV series. I dreamed of being one of the girls, successful and empowered. I am doing my best to at least be at par with them in my own way. I envision others to be as successful as they are, both in career and personal life.

These days, it is still hard to compete with men. I belong to a man-dominated industry, and believe me; it is hard to get big breaks for women like me. Sadly, our society is never different. Women are still shelved thinking that we only have our ovaries to contribute to the society.

It breaks my heart to see that one of the bills that could really uphold women’s right is still stalled in the four corners of the plenary hall of the House of Representatives. Yes, I am talking about the Reproductive Health Bill. A bill that aims to educate women on choices, and make those available and accessible for the poor and marginalized sector deserves utmost importance than a bill seeking to penalize those who spit on public places, or a bill that seeks to include Nora Aunor in the country’s list of National Artists.

Do not get me wrong, Nora Aunor indeed deserves a spot on that list. She is, after all, the superstar. With the movies she made, the awards and other citations she had, she is one strong name out there. But, all I’m wondering is, there are a lot of pending bills in the HOR that needs immediate attention. These bills are part of PNoy’s priority bills, but I can’t see where it is going.

Pinoys waited (and is still waiting) for this bill for sixteen long years. One way or another, we have to take this bill seriously. If only our congressmen would stop and for heaven’s sake do something right, this is one of the bills that should be passed.

As I sip the last drop of my cosmopolitan in my usual spot in a bar in Tomas Morato, I can’t help to wonder. When would I see the Filipino women be at par with the level of success and freedom that these ladies from Sex and the City achieved?

And oh, Nora Aunor as a national artist? I need to get myself another glass. Waiter!

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Top 10 Wishes for my Birthday

My birthday would be a nearly a month away from now, and it is the perfect time to wish for things to happen. I am nearing thirty, so please, help me out. Here’s my list:

1. I wish that Manny Pacquiao would stop seeking any position in the government. (This can also be translated as “Sana hindi na maging uto-uto si Manny Pacquiao”)

2. I wish that the Hacienda Luisita Lands be equally and rightfully distributed to the farmers who gave their lives in tilling that soil. For real.

3. Maging transgender para makasali sa Miss Universe 2013.

4. Mapagana ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

5. Mapabilang sa Forbes List of Billionaires.

6. For Noynoy Aquino to at least have the balls to run this country properly.

7. Mapanatag na ang Panatag Shoal.

8. Maka-date si DJ Pat ng Magic 89.9 o si Gino ng RX 93.1. (Di ako choosy)

9. Justice for Hacienda Luisita and Maguindanao Massacre victims.

10. A brand-new Samsung Galaxy Note.

I am accepting donations as early as now. Please send me a message over at iamdesperate@birthday.com.

Gusto mo pang makipag-kulitan, mag-twitteran tayo sa twitter.