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. 
