The Faith of a Nation.

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Lurking in the Pacific Ocean, deep within the barren wasteland under the seabed, lives yet another giant waiting to be released and no, this is not a trailer piece for a movie. This is simply about Haiyan the super-typhoon that struck the Philippines on November 8, leveled towns and cities in about 3 provinces.

It is known locally as Yolanda in the Philippines, how it became "Yolanda" is beyond me. Regardless, that Yolanda is one nasty bounder. As soon as enough inertia was gathered, she rolled, rolled and rolled. As she tilted, tumbled and squashed tress, animals, people, houses and many more. She couldn't care less, she is, in one word; brutal.

With the country, not yet being able to recover from a recent earthquake that shook and laid waste a number of significant cities, she rode the country with her blistering winds of 240-315 km/h, leaving death and destruction in her path.

The Philippines, is known to be a typhoon country. What that means is basically, on a yearly basis they are kinda the receiver of the inevitable onslaught of devastation and destruction brought on by typhoons such as Yolanda.

The Philippines is a wonderful country, blessed with natural fruits, lands and vegetables ideal for an exporter-type country, with an even more interesting government.  One skill that almost all Pilipinos have is 'adaptability', that regardless of present circumstances, they will find a way out of it or to move on, to trudge through whatever trial they might be facing.

With all this in mind, we come to our 'food for thoughts' for the day.

Due to recent events in the country, the global community has decided that when they offer financial assistance, they will not give in money, but in commodities and/or physical services such as medical teams.

I can not blame them for this.  This is due to the recent development in government.  Link.  I actually agree with what they've done, regardless of the "development".  This, in my humble opinion, is a better and effective way of actually helping the people in dire need.  With more direct, and physical service, the donors can actually see, first-hand, what the people need and how those needs are to be met.

An image will be inserted here, 
as soon as I have enough time to make it

We come to our final food for thought. We now venture into the world of dire need, immense emotional turmoil, numerous deaths and massive destruction.

"Does being sardined in unexpected situation, justify illegal actions?"
First, let me just say, that in other countries, besides the Philippines, when such an event as Haiyan happens, law 'n' order, does NOT exist, period.

So, does being sardined in a situation of death, hunger and destruction justify one to make illegal actions.  My answer is, yes.  As long as the dire need for basic survival is immense, it is justified.

When your home, your house, your wife, your children, your husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, dog, cat, parrot, whatever, something that you hold dear, love and treasure with all your heart was suddenly taken away.  And all you are, is a broken piece of yourself.  Struggling, fighting for a way for survival.  Looking for motivation, for an urge to live. Then my answer is yes.

Given these extreme circumstances, this urge is deemed justifiable, meaning, these actions were done out of necessity, not opportunism.

An image will be inserted here, 
as soon as I have enough time to make it

When a government fails to respond within a timely manner, regardless of education, its citizens will almost always delve into their baser primitive instincts, the need to survive.

All actions justified by sheer circumstances must be given lee-way by the law, grant its citizens a little bit of perspective.

Therefore, it is the opinion of this Blogger that I join the millions of people not only in the Philippines but also the global community whose eyes are fixed on the Philippines' particular situation in the aftermath of Yolanda.

I join them in saying, "may the donations in kind, be received by those in need." In a state of emergency such as this, if "proper process" is required by the state in coordinating relief efforts from all sides, then it is my firm recommendation that these "proper processes" be done so, ASAP. And it needn't take days, just to approve a team of foreign volunteers for relief operations.

Sincerely,

John Arcenas

News online via Yahoo News PH:
A do-it-yourself-drinkable water (via Yahoo News PH)
Haiyan seen from space (via Yahoo News PH)
Bureau of immigrations loosening (via Yahoo News PH)
Guesstimate amount of money donated to the Philippines (via Yahoo News PH)
Humanity starting to turn real desperate (via Yahoo News PH)
WHO guides, how to identity dead bodies even in advance stage of decay (via Yahoo News PH)

Previous article : "The fortitude of the Pilipino people, evokes respect."

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The fortitude of the Pilipino people, evokes respect.

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The Philippines is known for a lot of things. Warm weather, blistering typhoons and near paradisiacal beaches, caves and locations that any vacation lover or backpacker would love. From the hospitable nature of its people, from rare animals, plants and to locations where traditions aren't lost but are still very much alive.

The Pilipinos are known for a lot of things. The most common, the Philippines is known for, is being the world's largest exporter of workers. 10% of their country's population is outside the country, why? Simple, not enough job opportunities or inadequate finances.

They work abroad, not because they don't like their country.  In fact most of the Pilipinos that I've talk to, say in one accord "bansa ko, bayan ko" which means 'my country, my home'.  The love for their country is strong and most of them, feel this disappointment and/or shame that they "have to work abroad".

Unfortunately, most of them, due to circumstances, aren't given the proper opportunity for quality education and jobs can not simply support their families. Hence, they "have to work abroad".

I agree that it is a shame, a disappointment that one can not work in his/her own country due to multiple valid reasons. But it amazes one that, even despite the distance, the hardships, the sufferings and occasional, being taken advantage of, that these Pilipinos are strong. Their fortitude is deemed with respect.

Whilst I do not want to go into details, but let me just say this, there are multiple incidents of very lowly educated or even properly educated OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) who are harassed, abused, humiliated, tormented, even killed or raped.

The amazing thing about Pilipinos is, even when such thing happens. The anger, the absolute anger, hatred that one would naturally feel isn't as strong as with other ethnic groups.  While, yes, the hatred is there but the feeling that most of them feel is sadness. Just sadness.

The Pilipinos, regardless of whatever circumstances, have rarely been a nation that whenever someone pushes them to a corner, they'll shed blood, just to escape being cornered.  Most of them, not all, mind you, but most of them won't.

Hmm?  How can I elaborate this more clearly?  The Philippine public about a month ago, received a bombshell of an announcement of an example of pure greed, that is, the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) scam or pork barrel scam, how it became a "pork barrel scam" is beyond me.

Anyway, the whole idea of the PDAF scam is basically someone "stole" about 10 billion Philippine pesos or about $24.6 million. Allegedly Janet Lim Napoles is that "someone", though some would argue otherwise (Senator Miriam Defensor).

Whatever the case may be, our focus here is not about "pork barrel scam". Our focus here is, the impressive patience of the Pilipino people.

A simple render by me

Our prime example of this is, the "Million People March".  Mind you, it wasn't exactly "a million people" but about 350,000 people, which isn't bad considering that it wasn't planned.  It was just a thing, someone posted on Facebook.  Shares happened, sharing continued to happen, till eventually someone made an event, a petition even, and the "Million People March" happened.

An incredible feat, imagine about 350,000 gathered in unison. Not planned, just via a post on Facebook. It happened, incredible.

As we look at this "Million People March" more closely, we see the patience and the kind nature of the people. This rally was unlike the protest rally, even felt like a party to many, but their message is clear and firm "Scrap pork barrel (all forms)".  "Makibaka, Wag Mag Baboy" is their message, loud, clear and firm. "Makibaka, Wag Mag Baboy", is a bit difficult to translate literally but basically it means, don't be a pig but be a cow?  Hahaha, I don't know, but yeah it's something like Struggle (addressing the people). Don't vulgarize (addressing the guilty politicians).

Video of "Makibaka, wag mag baboy" :

People both foreign and local, response to all this :

Hey, remember that I said it felt more like a party than a rally? Here's proof : 

Kawatan Million People March by Jograd de la Torre 

The nature of the general public of the Philippines is just amazing. I don't think I've ever seen a rally that felt more like a fund raiser. And even when one of them got a little be too hot and maybe a little bit too activist-like the people tamed that person. Amazing, just amazing. A non-violent protest. {o_O}

Anyway, as I feel this is getting a bit too long and preachy.  I'll just sum it up; even with the pork barrel scam and a recent, tragic event that is Haiyan or Yolanda (super typhoon), as it is locally known.  Even when their homes, their livelihoods are destroyed. Absolutely shattered, stepped them and pissed on.... they, with their firm faith in God, their nature to help each other rise again, they do rise.  They stand, with endurance, to the onslaught of destruction, disappointments and disasters.

Let us admire and respect the fortitude of the Philippines people.  May they be blessed, and be granted one day with a benevolent leader who will not only restore the dignity, the position of the Philippines in the global market but pass on this example of fortitude, of endurance, of love for their country.

Sincerely,
John Arcenas

Previous article: "Corruption in Government. The disappointment that we feel with our public servants."

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Corruption in Goverment. The disappointment that we feel in our public servants.

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Corrupted, by sheer common sense, is defined as being twisted, bent, lacking of moral fiber even moral principles. One might hope, that when a person runs for office, he/she aims to help, to develop his/her local district or the scope of his jurisdiction.

Unfortunately, this is not always true... or it was true when they were running for office for the first time. The way it happens is, it's like what Robin Williams said that, "politicians are a lot like diapers. They need to be changed for the same reason." 

Put simply, there's only so much unless maybe that person has an extreme grip on his principles, his morals, his conviction as not only a servant of the people but a "respecter of God". There's only so much that he/she can take, crap is inevitable. It increments, why?  Because it's natural. 

More often, it's the system that often corrupts the servant. A kind of Biblical tale of, Bathsheba and David. David being them, and Bathsheba being the system. 

The system can be interpreted as simple as little leaks, that when, not fixed, can first annoy you, intimidate you till eventually you'll be surrounded by water. Then, that's when you'll have to make a choice, to put out or stay afloat in the hope of maybe, still, being of some help. 

It is a shame, it is an absolute disappointment that politicians, most of them, do not listen, do not humble themselves to their constituents. Whatever happened to the saying, "as meek as a child"? What's with all this pride, this ego, these superficial feelings of power?

Here's a little simple statement, we voted for you, we supported you. Why aren't you listening to us now? Are we mere pawns here, to be used by you, to gain power and power, of which you will eventually lose because, first, there's a limit to your term in office and second, we all die, dummy. 

Let it be, that this short and simple article encourage us, the public to consider if politicians, in whatever level, if they truly are of some use. 

As for the politicians, we don't ask much. We just want, job security or opportunities. Respectable homes. Quality food. Quality environment. Places where our families, our friends, our buds can go and have fun without having fear or discomfort because of this and that. Is that really so hard? 

Is it really that difficult to understand that oil and water doesn't mix? 

Sincerely,

-John Arcenas 

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