philippines, my philippines - what has happened to you?

I felt betrayed. I felt numbed. I feel so angry. I feel insulted.

These are just some of my sentiments when I read about the executive clemency as granted by current Philippines President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to Joseph Estrada. I can’t help but think that all the court hearings and proceedings that have transpired was nothing but all show. What kind of message does this send across the globe? To all other sovereign nations that kept close track of the proceedings of this one-of-a-kind case .... a case that finally showed people all over the world that this time around the political scene in the Philippines has changed for the better - imagine, prosecuting the ousted President of the Philippines!

And then, this happened ... (read link)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=96730

Oh, Philippines, my Philippines - what's gotten into you? When will you ever put yourself on global news on a better light? Nowadays, very little things of good nature are being said about the Philippines and the Filipinos - now, that's very sad. Why do you keep embarassing yourself internationally? Why the bickering among the Filipino nationals, whether in the Philippines or abroad? And now, this! Shame, shame, shame ....

on manny pacquiao ...

i chanced on the article below about manny pacquiao, and it sure irritated me ... no, not because i agree with the writer but because i cannot understand the need for filipinos to put such an ordinary man on a pedestal, short of worshiping him in his grand days and then criticise him when he doesn't serve his purpose to the chosen few ...

http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/ThePacquiaoFiles/view.php?db=1&article=20071022-95894

i believe this guy didn't ask to be the average filipinos' local hero. the politicians made him that - in the absence of better things to do. this is typical of what is sometimes wrong with the filipinos - "putting their eggs on the wrong basket" in its every sense ...

manny pacquiao is his own person - with or wothout the adulation of the filipino people! he achieved most of his accomplishments by doing what he do best and these politicians were the ones who simply had a free ride in terms of publicity and name recall for the filipino public. the philippines wouldn't need a hero in the person of manny pacquiao or the OFWs if the philippine government is doing their job properly.

i'd say, leave the guy alone! concentrate on improving the economy of the philippines instead of bidding your precious time over so little things as manny's "responsibility" and "loyalty" to those who put him in the pedestal. your accord of appreciation of his achievements should come voluntarily without any expectation of a "pay back" from your hero. he did not ask for you to make a bonanza of each of his win! he did not ask to be awarded any medal of honour or recognition for his achievements. with or without the local funfare, manny is still a winner in the book of international boxing due to his own merits!

wowowee update, anyone?

it's now october 2007 ... any news about the wowowee scandal? what happened? was there ever a case filed? was the alleged rigging even investigated? did ABS-CBN managed to wrestle public opinion? was the scandal over and done with? forgotten? no follow up?

hmmm ... very filipino. forgive and forget? whatever happened to the catchy "in the service of the filipino people"-slogan? sad ... sad ... sad ... just empty words!