The Philippines is NOT a ‘Nation of Servants’
Chip Tsao failed to exercise tact, respect, and clear thinking when he wrote the controversial article, The War At Home, in his column in HK Magazine on March 27th. Considering he is a writer by profession, he should have consulted the ethics book before even thinking of writing, even more so submitting the article to be published in his column.
I do believe in freedom of speech, but with this freedom comes responsibilities that cannot be neglected in any way. Mr. Tsao may have tremendously enjoyed his freedom, but he has failed to recognize his responsibilities.
The Philippines is NOT a nation of servants. He may have concluded it from the 100-plus thousand Filipino domestic helpers employed by middle-class Hong Kong people, but it will never be enough factual basis to arrive upon this conclusion. However way the facts are twisted, Mr. Tsao’s conclusion is purely that: his conclusion.
Pity those who are educated but refuse to see the truth, and resort instead to creating their own ‘truths’ which are haphazardly concluded. I wish Mr. Tsao peace of mind and pureness of heart, as he goes through every day of his life in comfort, thanks to the excellent service provided by his underpaid, over-worked, loyal Filipino domestic helper.
And bless those who toil and labor with goals of providing only the best for their families back home, hoping that one day, they will break free from a cycle that has fostered discrimination and created imagined supremacy.
God bless Filipinos. God bless us all.
Earth Hour 2009: VOTE Earth!
On March 28, 2009, it will be our turn to give Earth her personal time off. For one hour, people who care from different cities across the globe will turn their lights off for Earth Hour 2009.
From the busiest cities to the smallest villages, lights will be turned off to show that people still VOTE for the Earth and not for global warming. Even the world’s tallest hotel structure, the Burj Dubai, and the world’s most recognizable opera building, the Syndey Opera House, will turn their lights off for our Earth.
So far, 83 countries have already been listed to participate in this year’s Earth Hour. Some of the major cities included are Cape Town, Chicago, Copenhagen, Dubai, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Lisbon, London, Los Angeles, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Oslo, Rome, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Warsaw.
So what will you do on Saturday? Whether you are in the office or at home, please turn the lights off for just one hour, from 8.30 to 9.30 PM.* Do not miss this historic event. Please VOTE Earth!** Together, we can all make a difference.
* To view the official Earth Hour timing schedule for cities around the world, click here.
** Results of the Vote Earth campaign will be presented at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. Click on the poster above, or visit the sites listed below for more information:
We Ran for the Whale Sharks (Well, Sort Of)
Early this morning, my boyfriend and I went to The Fort to participate in the Condura Run for the Whale Sharks 2009. Well, sort of.
We both weren’t able to register for the event for varied reasons, primarily because I got sick on Friday night. Last Saturday night, while I was sick, and my dear boyfriend was at our house to accompany me, I received a message from my friend Kimi. Apparently, our friend Marye asked her to ask us if my boyfriend can run on Sunday morning because her boyfriend, JC, will not be able to attend the event for some reason. Of course, my boyfriend wanted to run! So we said yes without even blinking. Haha.
We woke up at 4.30 AM, dressed up, had a quick breakfast, then met up with our friends Kimi, Marye, Ryan, and Awi at Boni High Street at around 5.45. I knew my boyfriend got even more excited when he saw the other runners, and I felt excited for him too. However, I felt a bit sad as well, because I so wanted to run for the whale sharks, but I wouldn’t be able to. Thankfully though, we bought our adorable, little (albeit a bit overweight) Chiquito along, and we jogged back and fort the sidewalks waiting for my boyfriend and friends to come back from the race.
I saw people from all ages and social backgrounds run for the event: from cute, little babies and preschoolers, to healthy, aged people; and from office yuppie types, to athletic, adventure-seeking types. Definitely one diverse pool.
We ate doughnuts for breakfast, played meet up with some dogs (much to Chiquito’s chagrin), then went home a few hours after. As soon as we got home, my boyfriend and I, with Chiquito in between, plopped down into bed and slept til this afternoon. Ah, another day spent wisely. 
Because Summer Spells B-U-S-Y
Every year, I welcome the summer season with much glee and delight. When I was in my lower academic years, it meant two whole months of bumming around, discovering new things, and (also literally) growing up. When I stepped into college, it meant almost two months of long summer classes every-freaking-day of the week. I could have opted not to take summer classes, but it was necessary to take advanced and some back courses.
I have been working for almost three years now, and every year, summer has taken on a whole new meaning. Long gone were the days when I would lounge on a hot summer day, drinking iced tea and reading a good novel. Or the days when I would sleep til the wee afternoon, waking up with not a care in the world. Being in the workforce means that I have to be in the office for at least nine hours from Monday to Friday.
Last year, I was out of work for three months, two of which were in summer. I was able to experience bumming around again, quite literally: sleeping and waking up with not a care in the world, and looking for interesting things to do for the whole day. It was supposed to be FUN, but in reality, it wasn’t. I was bored to death, and I felt really depressed. I was supposed to be working then, earning money to burn on countless after-work parties, dinners out, or beach trips. I was able to somewhat experience those still, but the feeling was different. How would it be not different, when you relied on your parents for allowance?
This year, summer for me equates to BUSY. I may not be too busy at work, but I need to do some stepping up in my sort-of-non-work life as of the moment. I missed the application period for MIS in UP because I was too complacent that, one, I would be able to write a decent application essay; and two, get enough recommendation letters before the deadline came. I was able to get a recommendation letter, and I was able to research on how to write the best application letter but I never started on actually processing my MIS application. Heck, I haven’t even filled out the application form. I was too busy minding the superficial things in my life that I neglected things that DO and WOULD matter to me.
And yes, I was busy obsessing about where to go and have fun this summer season. Like right now, I am planning for our trips to Cebu (again), Batangas, Puerto Galera, Boracay, and (hopefully) Pagudpud. All these trips, when I should be reading and reviewing for an upcoming exam, when I should be processing my application for MIS in DLSU, or when I should be saving up money for things that I should be really spending on.
But it’s summer. I have waited all year to be able to enjoy the sensation of the hot sun burning on my skin, the delight of seeing schools of fish and beautiful corals under the sea, or the feeling of thinking, ‘this is the good life’ as I look at the sun setting over the sea.
And yes, it’s just summer. It doesn’t mean that I should visit all the pretty beaches in two months; and it surely doesn’t mean that I should neglect applying for graduate studies, or be lax on studying for an exam that would bring the much needed change to my career.
So yes, it’s time I turn this summer into a fun AND productive, albeit busy, one. Anyone care to join me on the beach trips?
Tiesto in Manila 2009: Live at the Embassy
For those of you who haven’t heard yet, or are in doubt: YES, Tiesto is coming back to Manila on April 25, 2009. Presented by event organizer, Worldwide Womb, Tiesto will be playing at the Embassy Superclub. Tickets, priced at two thousand each, will be sold to the first one thousand people only, so do hurry and get yours now.
For tickets and other info, please visit www.eventscapemanila.com. See you there.
