Cooking Filipino Food for my American parents-in-law

I cooked Bulalo, Tapa, Afritada, Pancit Bihon, and spring rolls (with white rice) which are some of the favorite Filipino dishes of my husband. For dessert, I prepared leche plan and guyabano juice. I am so happy they liked and appreciated everything I prepared. My mother-in-law loved the different flavors of 3-in-1 coffee mix, the pito pito and other traditional herbal tea I gave her.

On their next visit, I am excited to let them try other Filipino and Asian dishes.

Starting all over again: Applying a new job here in U.S.

We, my husband and I, went by the books. We followed everything by the letter. We chose to wait for all my documents to be processed first before I started applying for a job.

I don't want to be a pasaway. I don't want to be a part of the stereotype of immigrants who already applied for jobs even when they don't have their Employment Authorization Document (EAD)/working permit YET. My husband also don't want me to be pasaway. Thank goodness he was so supportive in all the ways I needed. The feeling of being unemployed is never a good feeling, even if we know that it is just a part of the process we need to go through.

Before I left the Philippines, I was a college instructor in a state university. I was given an item (an equivalent of a regular position in the government) a temporary item that will turn to permanent once I finished my thesis and get my master's degree. I wasn't able to finish my thesis. If I am not leaving, I don't have a choice but to finish it or transfer in a non thesis program. My job was good but can be overwhelming and stressful at times, like all other jobs. Juggling them both (writing a thesis while working and teaching was just too much for me). But I regret not finishing it. I am finding a way now if I can continue it thru distance learning in UPOU or in a university here.

Now living in the U.S., I know I can't expect to get the same job I last had in the Philippines but as they say there is no harm in trying so I will. But I am also open to start at the bottom as a teacher assistant or office staff.

Having a driver's license is so important here. Most job ads I saw have it under the requirements. Since I am still working to have one (just got my learner's license), I am narrowed in applying jobs that don't require having one.

Certifications are also big here. Almost all jobs require some kind of certifications. Here in Florida, the most in demand jobs are mostly related to medical professions.

Some professional jobs may also ask you to submit a US Equivalency Report. I just did my research on that one and working to get mine now.

Those who want to be primary, middle, and high school teachers here need to have a Florida teaching license. These are the requirements for foreign trained graduated or non-citizens like me.

I am not so choosy regarding the salary but I am looking and hoping to get a Monday-Friday job. Day shift of course. Raise your hand to those who tried night shift before and you just know it won't work out for you. LOL.

Wish me luck! God bless us all!

I want to write and I'm learning

I promised myself to write at least once a month in my two (barely) active blogs.

I just shared and posted my experience in getting a LEARNER'S LICENSE (for first time drivers) here in Florida.

I went here in my blogspot after I published the said article above in WordPress.

I tried to open some saved bookmarks to get an idea on what I can write about but I don't like them.

I opened a book entitled What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers but nothing caught my interest at the moment.

I bought the book after seeing it in a Thrift Shop knowing it would come in handy as a reference book even though I like writing non fiction more than fiction.

And then...

while typing the word license a question popped in my mind...

Can anyone just get the LICENSE to WRITE?

It is interesting to realized that driving and writing have similarities.

It is said that driving is not a right but a privilege with great responsibility.

And it can be withdrawn anytime you don't drive responsibly (i.e. driving under influence or texting while driving)

Now how about writing? Is it a right?or more like a privilege?

Anyone has the right to write (nice homonyms).

But isn't it a privilege to be read by some and of course by many?

Some write responsibly and some don't.

Everyone writes for different reasons, with different or similar goals.

With purpose (consciously or subconsciously).

Just like we drive to go somewhere...we write to tell..to show...to let the story flow and go somewhere.

Some people write to impress, to earn money, to persuade, to sell, and some write..mostly for themselves yet sharing it with the hope it can and will make sense to someone else.

And sometimes we drive and write to escape.

Just like we drive to go out of the house, we write to get thoughts out of our minds...of ourselves.

I remember reading, hearing, learning, and agreeing that everything seemed to be written already. All topics and stories (existing and non existing in real life but exist in the mind/imagination of someone) they said in a way had been written already and there are just some parts changed or just told/written differently by various authors.

Saw the article proving that researchers analyzed over 1700 novels and found out that every story in the world has one of these six basic plots?

Read the The Seven Basic Plots?

There are also those who are saying there are 9 basic plots. The only difference is how many they count but the point remains that they all fall to a finite number of plots.

Just as I only have a learner's license in driving, just like how I am learning to drive now...

I feel like I am eternally holding a learner's license in writing.

But learners can be teachers too.

Learners can share something important too.

And I'll end this post here even when I don't like using two too's and ending two sentences in the same word.

Cause imitating and repeating are not always as bad as they seem...at all.

The Language, Science, Arts, and Secrets of Online Dating

I first started online dating April or May 2016 when I was about to turn 26.

I tried a lot of dating sites but it is in OkCupid where I met my husband.

I like OkCupid out of all the dating sites I tried. It worked for me but not instantly.

It took me almost two years before I met someone who is as honest, serious and share the same values I have.

It is very important to KNOW WHAT YOU WANT, it is harder though because it is easier to just let yourself be fooled by anyone and justify that he or she is good enough. When you need to convince yourself otherwise, most of the time there is something wrong.

Too good to be true= FAKE/NOT TRUE/SCAM

I learned that it is never too much to know more, be more prepared and cautious yet still BE HONEST as much as you can. Never mind the liars, stay away from pervs and just try your best to not fall for them and their games.

There are things that we can only learn through experience but there are more things we can learn beforehand (through tips backed by data) that can help us in the long way.

In an app like OkCupid, I learned that answering questions as many as you can to read others’ answers too is the first phase to know (as much as you can) the person you are interested to. Investigate before meeting someone in person and only meet first in a public place.

In an article I read, one of the co-founders of OkCupid said that ''We're not psychologists. We're math guys,” remarked Sam Yagan, the chief executive of OKCupid. He wasn’t being self-deprecating.

OKC suggests romantic pairings based on information gathered from a sprawling, seemingly endless questionnaire. When filling out the questionnaire, users are also asked to rank the relative importance of each question and to say which answer or answers they would prefer in a partner. Users, in other words, describe to the OKCupid database their ideal “match” as a set of data points.

READ and equip yourself as much as you can.

Either online or offline, bad people are everywhere.

BE SMART. BE WISE.

Learn the language of online dating.

Learn the science and arts of what you are doing.

Know the secrets of what you are trying.

Don't take the shortcut even when it is tempting.

Some may be lucky/blessed to meet their THE ONE instantly but believe me when I say that it is rare.

There are no exact rules but knowing these things will surely help you to set your expectations and limitations.

Suggested Readings:

The Science of Online DatingOnline dating secrets, as revealed by math majors
How To Get More Matches On OkCupid, According To An
ExpertDating with data
Seven secrets of dating from the experts at OkCupid
Going on a First Date? Here Are the Questions to Ask
The Language of Online Dating
Language in Online Dating Texts: Trait Identification, Homophily, and their Effect on Attraction
Decoding The Language Of Online Dating: What She Says vs. What She Means
Online Dating Vocabulary: What You Need to Know
From 'Bae' To 'Submarining,' The Lingo Of Online Dating
The secret language of internet dating
How To Win At Online Dating
Best dating sites for introverts, wallflowers, and anyone hesitant to try online dating
7 Ways To Optimize Your Online Dating Profile
How to Protect Your Privacy While Online Dating
Translating the Language of Online Dating Sites
The Essential Do's and Don'ts of Online Dating
The Grown Woman's Guide to Online Dating
“Gendering” the Self in Online Dating Discourse
Online Dating Decoder: Desperately Seeking Meaning
11 Results from Studies About Online Dating
The 5 Love Languages For Singles: Using Them With Online Dating

Online Dating Translations: What Guys And Girls Are Actually Saying In Their Profiles
An Examination of Language Use inOnline Dating Profiles
Idiot’s Guide To Online Dating Terms & Lingo [2019 Edition]

Bakit uso ang networking sa Pilipinas?*

Direct selling/MLM o Multi-level Marketing/Network Marketing o networking.

May ilan na talaga namang legit. Tulad ng Avon* at Amway.

Pero meron ding mga nagsasabi na may pagkakatulad na rin kahit ang mga nabanggit sa isang Pyramid scheme. Madami pa rin ang nagsasabi na hindi ngunit may paalala. May isang unbiased umano na review akong natagpuan na maaring basahin.

Sa kabilang banda, sa pagkakaalam ng aking asawa mas madami naman daw ang naloloko dito sa Amerika ng Ponzi scheme.

Natanong ka na ba ng Open minded ka ba? May kakilala ka ba na bigla na lang nag text, nag chat o tumawag para yayain kang mag kape? Ang biruan, alam na this. Kung wala kang balak sumali, run for your life. 😅🤣

Kung wala ka namang ka alam alam at nakipag kita ka, napasama o na 'kidnap' sa isang presentation, hindi ka nag iisa.

Na budol budol ka na ba?

Na pressure?

Na guilt trip?

Kung oo, at pakiramdam mo na budol budol ka, na pressure, na guilt trip, muli, hindi ka nag iisa na napaniwala ng mga pangako na malaki ang kikitaing pera at makakapag travel ka pa kung saan saan.

Gullible nga ba ang mga Pinoy?

Isa pang tanong, kung sa ibang bansa ang headquarters ng mga companies na ito (though may mga bago na 100% Filipino owned na), bakit hindi sila o hindi na sila ganun ka sigla sa mga bansa na pinagmulan nila pero namamayagpag sila sa Pilipinas?

Bakit nga ba booming pa rin ang mga direct selling companies sa Pilipinas? Bakit nga ba hit na hit pa rin ang mga ito?

Sinasabing ang old ways ng mga companies na ito ay epektibo pa rin sa mga Pinoy.

Sino-sino ang mga sumasali at tumatangkilik?

Mga part timers o walang regular na trabaho lang ba ang mga nahihikayat? Mga housewives lang ba na naghahanap ng extra income? HINDI.

Iba ibang tao galing sa iba't- ibang larangan ang sumusubok, ang nahihikayat, ang nangungutang pa para lang ipambili ng 'starter kit' o kung anuman ang tawag dito ng MLM company na sinalihan.

Pulis, teachers, kahit mga doktor, nurses at iba pang mga nasa medical field.

Parang kulto ang mga networking companies na ito kung makapang charm ng mga myembro.

Sa isang artikulo ng Forbes, inamin ng USANA na sumailalim ito sa isang informal na probe ng Security and Exchange Commission noong 2007.

Ilang mga MLM companies na rin tulad ng Royale Business Club ang may hinarap na tax evasion charges. Ilang mga companies din ang nagkaron ng pyramidal problems kaya naman isinulong ng Department of Trade and Industries noong 2017 na magkaron ng isang ahensya na sasala sa mga direct selling companies.

Madami ang nawalan ng pera dahil sa panloloko ng isang multi million pyramid scam sa Mindanao nuong 2018, ang pangalan ng kompanya ay Lahdin's Marketing.

Isang artikulo ang aking natagpuan tungkol sa pag kaka ugnay ng MLM at Pyramid Scheme sa Pilipinas.

May isang pag aaral din na ginawa tungkol sa Pitfalls ng Network Marketing sa Pinas.

May mga nag sasabi na madami na ang nasirang buhay ng pagsali sa MLM, ang nababaon sa utang, ang nagkakalamat ang relasyon sa pamilya at mga kaibigan.

Sa palagay ko, uso pa rin ang networking sa Pinas dahil sa kagustuhan ng mga Pinoy na makapag negosyo kahit sa kokonting puhunan. Dagdag na kita para sa mga maybahay at kahit sa mga nagtratrabaho pa, ganun din sa mga nag retired na.

Nakakalungkot nga lamang isipin na karamihan sa mga sumasali ay iniisip na easy money o maibebenta nila ang mga produkto ng sinalihang kumpanya nang madali.

Na amazed sa presentation ang karamihan, sa mga nagsabing napagaling, napaputi, napapayat sila ng produkto ng kompanya.

Nakaligtaan na higit na may kamahalan ang karamihan sa mga produkto na inilalabas ng mga bagong MLM companies na ito kumpara sa mabibili sa grocery kung kayat kung hindi magaling mag sales talk o mambola, mahirap makuhang muli pabalik ang nailabas na pera.

Madami pang big myths and facts about MLM programs at malaki ang maitutulong sa mga gustong sumali na alamin muna ang mga ito bago magdesisyon at maglagak ng perang kanilang pinaghirapan o inutang.

May 5 fatal flaws ang MLM. Marapat na ito ay timbangin muna. Hindi lahat ng tao ay para sa MLM. May mga nagtatagumpay man ngunit higit pa ring madami ang umuuwing luhaan, ang nababaon sa utang.

Naniniwala ako na higit nang mautak o nag iisip ang mga Pinoy ngayon lalo na ang mga Millenials bago sumali sa kahit anong MLM.

Sa ngayon, nakakaranas ng mga challenges ang mga MLM companies kahit pa nga ang nangunguna sa Amerika na Amway na meron din sa Pinas.

Magkaganon man, masasabi pa rin natin na hanggang ngayon ay tinatangkilik pa rin ng mga Pinoy ang mga MLM companies.

Pahabol! Naisip ko lang ano kaya ang reaction ng mga die hard networkers noon dun sa sikat na 'Yes! Powerful! line nina Kim Chiu at Xian Lim sa pelikulang All You Need is Pag-ibig na nagpapakita ng isang stereotypical na meeting/presentation sa isang networking company. Naging pambansang inside joke na tuloy ang linya na ito kasama ng 'Open minded ka ba?' 😂✌

*Hindi po ako against sa direct selling/MLM/networking basta legit at kayang ibenta dahil abot kaya at may mga siguradong consumers na sa market. May Avon store nga kami sa Cavite e, pero bukod sa mga dealers madami din kaming mga suki dahil well known na ang mga produkto ng Avon sa Pinas, kumbaga may cult following na. Subok na rin ang kalidad. Lalo na ang kanilang mga underwears, makeup, cologne and lotions. A proud user here. Naka pag advertisement pa nga e noh. Haha.


Suggested Readings:

Understanding pyramid scams in PH
Investors in Philippine Pyramid Scheme Lose Over $2 Billion
Philippines Deports Mastermind of $33 Million Bitcoin Pyramid Scheme
BI nabs alleged leader of pyramid scam in Davao
Court freezes Kapa-Community Ministry's assets over Ponzi scheme
The Difference Between MLM and Pyramid Schemes
Investing 101: Don’t Get Scammed! Learn How to Spot Investment Scams in the Philippines

Nakakamiss ang SLAM BOOK noon*

*Always be careful on the things we share online, some questions and answers may be used to hack our online accounts (via password recovery). I didn't use any of these questions and answers on mine.

▪️First Job - Customer Service Representative

▪️Dream Job - Writer/Teacher

▪️Astrological Sign - Libra

▪️Favorite food - dark chocolate with raisins or bluberries inside, mango graham cake, fruit salad, coleslaw, tocino, humba, street foods tulad ng bbq isaw at dugo, cheese flavored fries and chips, Jollibee/ Pinoy sweet style spaghetti at carbonara, burger, pizza

▪️Favorite dog- my childhood dog ‘Chuppy’

▪️Favorite footwear- banana peel na tsinelas

▪️Favorite candy - kahit ano basta fruity or menthol

▪️Favorite Ice Cream - cookies and cream at iba pa (sarap kaya kahit anu)

▪️Pet Peeve/s
1. chain letter/messages at scam/hoax/fake news
2. nito ko lang narealize nung inaasar na ako ng asawa ko na awkward pala sa pandinig ko at medyo naaasar pala talaga ako sa kantang ‘Careless Whisper’ na na associate ko na bilang sex scandal song
3. rude remarks and cursing
4. too much personal rant sa newsfeed ko as in araw araw (unfollow tapus ang reklamo mo Lablyn, paki unfollow na rin lang ako if ever pag napapasobra charot)
5. gambling, smoking and other vices
6. too much tickle yung parang pinapatay na ako di na ako makahinga (matadyakan talaga kita)
7. eating in bed or couch tapus may mga crumbs na mararamdaman ko paghiga o pag upo, na mapipilitan akong pulutin dahil hindi ako mapapakali
8. cutting nails near dining table (naiimagine ko nililipad sila papunta sa pagkain ko)
9. nag linis pero hindi inayos o binalik sa dating pwesto
10. ad hominem lalo kung tsismis
11. pinaghihintay pag kain at nagtatapon ng pagkain na pwede pa naman
12. ‘pisti’ na hindi nahihiya, nang gugulo pa/ toxic people
13. taong pinaniwalaan na ang kasinungalingan nila na katotohanan tapus pinipilit pa sayo (dont talk to me tapus usapan)
14. trying hard na awkward (wag na lang kasi)
15. kukulitin ka na sumali sa networking/direct selling/multi level marketing etc., bumili ng products na di mo gusto, i gu guilt trip o ipre pressure ka na bumili ng insurance etc. (if gusto ko, wait ka lang, ako mismo ang lalapit, mag i inquire, mag re research at bibili)

▪️Your Vehicle Color - wala pa (yung kay hubby dati puti ngayon gray)

▪️Favorite holiday- Christmas & New Year

▪️Night owl or early bird - gabi dati, ngayon keri na rin na maaga

▪️Favorite day of the week- Friday to Sunday

▪️Tattoos - wala

▪️Like to cook - lahat ng recipe na madaling hanapin ang ingredients (mas ok kung meron na ako sa loob ng ref) at madaling sundin na instructions

▪️Can you drive a stick shift - anu yun? di pa

▪️Favorite color - lavender (kasi may lav parang lab feeling ko connected sakin) at lahat ng kamag anak na kulay ng violet

▪️Do you like vegetables - lettuce and cucumber

▪️Do you wear glasses - since 2011

▪️Favorite Season - December

My reaction to Duterte's comment likening Constitution to ‘toilet paper’

Sa mga nag iisip bakit ba importante ang Konstitusyon ng Pilipinas?

Dahil sa konstitusyon po natin nakalahad ang ating mga karapatan at tungkulin ng ating gobyerno.

Ito ang pangunahin at pinaka importanteng batas sa ating bansa na marapat lamang sundin at respituhin nating lahat bilang sibilisadong mamamayan na naninirahan dito.

Dapat lamang tayong mainsultong lahat sa paghahambing dito bilang 'toilet paper' o pamunas sa pwet. Para na ring sinabi na ang ating karapatan, ang tungkulin sa atin ng ating gobyerno at sa ating bansa ay basura lamang, ay lokohan lamang, ay kasingbaba lamang nang isang pamunas sa pwet. Dahil kahit san mo man ginagamit ang toilet paper, tinawag yan na toilet paper kasi nga pang toilet, pang iwang, sa basurahan ang bagsak, o sa inodoro kung finlush mo, sa septik tank. At kung toilet paper ang batas na nag proprotekta sa atin, so ano tayo, ano ang bansa natin? TAE?

Sa mga nagsasabi na O.A. ang reaksyon ko, namin, na mga pumipiyok sa issue na ito, bilib ako sa inyong sikmura at konsensya bilang Pilipino.

At dahil mahilig ang ating presidente sa metaphor, gusto ko lang sabihin na hindi sya nag iisa. Pwede nya rin yang gamitin sa pagsusulat ng kwento o poetry, gamitin nya dun lahat ng figure of speech na gusto nya. Pero sana hindi sa pangbabastos sa atin, sa batas natin, sa bansa natin.

Hanggang kaylan natin matitiis at ipag wawalang bahala na lang ang mga ganitong bagay? Manhid man tayo pero kaylangan nating harapin ang katotohanan na kung hindi tayo SASATSAT, MAGSASALITA, AALMA, lalong walang mangyayari. Sa sunod na may makakausap tayo, pag usapan natin to kasi lahat tayo later on (if may hindi pa naaapektuhan sa ngayon) DAMAY DAMAY din tayo, kahit tayong mga wala sa Pinas, ang mga mahal natin sa buhay andyan.

Matagal ko nang gustong magsalita, magsulat, sabihin ang mga nararamdaman ko at iniisip tungkol sa ating bansa at sa mga nangyayari dito. Tulad ng nakakarami, natatakot, nanlulumo, nanglulupaypay, nauumay, nawawalan ng pag asa, tinatamad, naiinis, nagagalit, nasusura at minsan parang wala na akong maramdaman o mas accurate siguro sabihing hindi ko na alam kung ano ba ang dapat kong maramdaman.

Madami pa ring magagandang bagay tungkol sa Pilipinas, tungkol sa mga Pilipino. Pero bakit ganun? Bakit ganito pa rin tayo? Bakit parang hindi talaga tayo matuto tuto? Bakit gusto nating ulitin yung mga bagay na natakasan na natin? Piliin ulit ang isang diktator at sabihing yun ang kaylangan natin? Masokista ba ang mga Pilipino? Bakit natin hinahayaan at sinusuportahan ang mga ganitong klase ng leader? Dahil ba umaasa tayo na baka nuon hindi umubra pero ngayon uubra na? o SAWA na tayong umasa? Bahala na kung sinoman ang andyan pare parehas lang naman sila. Walang tunay na gustong maglingkod sa taong bayan, kung tayo ba ang mga leader natin gugustuhin ba nating paglingkuran TAYO? Baka kaya ganyan ang ginagawa nila kasi nasanay na rin lang sila na "Ay ok na yan sa Pilipino, konting tulong lang, kahit mas madami ang nakaw natin, wala na silang ibang choice, hindi naman sikat yung iba tayo lang kilala nila, sanay na sila sa atin."

Kahit yung mga hindi alam kung ano ba ang konstitusyon at kung anu anu pang mga komplikadong bagay, lahat tayo ngayon may access na kay Google, kahit anung lengwahe mo itype ang tanung mo, meron at meron kang makukuha kahit panong sagot, at maiintindihan ito ng kahit sino na handang intindihin ang dapat at gusto nilang intindihin.

Sabi siguro nung iba, basta ok ang pamilya ko, basta nabubuhay kami ng maayos, wala akong pakialam, bahala sila sa buhay nila. Wala na rin namang pag asa ang Pilipinas. Ramdam kita pero....naniniwala ako, lahat tayo naiinggit tayo sa ibang mauunlad na bansa, gusto din nating maging tulad nila. Napakayaman ng Pilipinas sa likas na yaman at yamang tao, ang Singapore at iba pang maliit na bansa na wala masyado nito pero nakaya nila, matuto tayo sa kanila, kunin at gayahin natin yung mga pwede nating gayahin, maniwala tayo na makakahanap, makakakilatis at makakapili din tayo ng sarili nating Lee Kuan Yew.

Sabi ng isang Pinoy sa isang artikulo sa Rappler nung tinanong kung ano mensahe nya sa Presidente ng Amerika nung bumisita sa Pilipinas: “Please Girahin mo na mga corrupt dito sa pinas... pa slave nalang kami basta maayos pamumuhay namin at walang pasakit sa bawat araw, may nakakain, may nabibili at may mga makukuhang magandang trabaho, at mura ang pagaaral. `Di na namin matiis pasakit at pahirap sa sariling bayan.”

Ramdam mo ba? Ang pait, ang hapdi, pagod na pagod na sya.

Tulad mo, tulad ko, tulad nating lahat.

Pero sa palagay ko hindi nakarating yang mensahe nya at kung nakarating man, alam natin na hindi pa din natin pwedeng iasa sa ibang bansa ang sarili nating problema.

Salamat kung matutulungan nila tayo pero kung hindi balik tayo sa "TAYO", tayo ulit, paulit ulit, ang mag dedesisyon anu nga ba talaga ang gusto natin para sa bansang ito?

Sana hindi naman para gamitin as 'toilet paper' lang.

Differences between Trump and Duterte*

*These are based on my own personal observations and conclusions from reading news and other information I can from local and international point of view. They may be similar in some ways, but I think Donald Trump is still so much better in so many ways than Rodrigo Duterte.

1. Trump prioritizes Americans, Duterte don't prioritize Filipinos. This can be seen especially on Trump's policies against illegal immigrants and his focus on giving jobs to Americans, trying his best to bring back jobs to America from other countries especially China. On the other hand, Duterte allowed illegal Chinese workers in the Philippines when in fact there are many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who seek jobs overseas because they can't find and get good paying jobs in their own country. The salaries of these Chinese workers are even way higher than the average Filipino worker even if they are doing the same job. A total of 3.12 million Chinese citizens entered the Philippines from January 2016 to May 2018, according to the Bureau of Immigration.

2. USA economy gets better under Trump (even my husband like him so much because of that), while Duterte blames and find excuses on the inflation crisis in the Philippines. Prices of basic commodities were higher and peso purchasing power declines even as economy booms. Many are unemployed and even those who are employed can barely get by. It was even dubbed as 'Duterte's jobless economic boom'

3. Donald Trump don't kill American citizens while, Rodrigo Duterte is well known for his Extrajudicial Killings (EJK's) related to his supposedly War on Drugs (but drug lords are spared), mostly killing poor and young Filipino citizens. In addition, even if we also compare their 'tough talks', Duterte's rape jokes, personal insults, curses, and violence (especially to those people who don't deserve it even a bit) are worse. His words and actions towards women is worse too. Most of the time, he don't apologize or if he does (rarely) you can feel and see his insincerity because he will do these things again the next chance he gets.

4. The way they both handle Chinese issues (government and private companies). Trump takes on China, attacked China and its companies with tariffs and do in all his might to stop China taking advantage of America. Even though the Philippines is not a global power like USA, still, even when we compare how other small countries like Vietnam and Taiwan speak up against China's bullying is still way better than how Duterte's administration does. He always sided with China even when they sank the boats of Filipino fishermen. He did not push the arbitration case we won against China. He is even saying he is Chinese and that if China wants, they can make the Philippines their province. His spokesperson and loyalists always say he is just joking but even as a joke it is disappointing and treacherous. He is also leading the Philippines to a Chinese debt trap. He is selling the country's sovereignty for Chinese funding, when in fact Japan and EU offered less interest with reasonable conditions unlike China.

5. The way they handle their political enemies/oppositions. Trump defends himself (mostly through Twitter) without jailing or threatening to imprison or kill those who oppose him. Duterte on the other hand, enjoys jailing or trying to imprison anyone who oppose him like Senator Laila de lima (who is still in prison now for more than two years, considered by Amnesty International as arbitrary detention) and Senator Antonio Trillanes. Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was also ousted after clashing with him. Recently, after saying that the Philippine constitution can be used as just a mere ‘toilet paper’, he gave a threat that he will jail anyone who tries to impeach him.


Suggested Readings:
Duterte does not favor deporting illegal Chinese worker
10 Best Things Trump has done in 2018
Never mind his critics, Trump is getting the job done
Shock: Even Trump critics admit he's been winning on Foreign Policy
Five things even Trump critics can give him credit for this Christmas
Trump defies doubters with surging economy
American's feel good about economy and give Trump credit-CBS News poll
How good is the Trump economy, really?
Duterte shaken by inflation storm
Inflation, GDP, and Duterte
Duterte's Luster Dulls as Rice Price Soar in the Philippines
Inflation in the Philippines a faultline for Duterte's 'Build, Build, Build' ambition
Philippine Politics under Duterte: A Midterm Assessment 
Labor group to Duterte: Hike wages amid shrinking purchasing power
Trump takes action on chinese imports
Trump's china policy is a triump
Trump's trade war targets Chinese students at elite U.S. schools
Trump: We can't let China take advantage of our country anymore 
Trump to CNBC: China is going to make a deal because 'they're going to have to'
China had no good option in retaliating against Trump's Huawei ban
Duterte and China
Duterte accused of 'FEAR MONGERING' over claims China could declare war
Rodrigo Duterte: "I am Chinese"
Duterte threatens to jail critic
Filipinos burn Chinese flags in protest against Duterte's 'weak' response to South China Sea sinking
The Philippines is beginning to pay the price for Duterte's South China Sea flip-flops
After snuggling up to China, Duterte talks about 'suicide missions' to protect island
Duterte defends China Infrastructure loans
Trump defends tweets, says he 'somewhat' prides himself on his writing
Duterte a 'puppet' of Beijing, says imprisoned Philippine lawmaker
Living in fear, Duterte's Chief critic speaks out from Philippine jail
The silencing of Leila de Lima-- Duterte's "first political prisoner"
Duterte orders arrest of Philippine senator, one of his top critics
Duterte orders Trillanes arrest
Duterte warns opponent Trillanes
In the Philippines, Duterte orders arrest of prominent critic
Lawyers alarmed by Duterte's move to jail Trillanes
This Philippine senator won't come out of his office for fear of arrest of Duterte's forces
Philippine court rejects Duterte bid to have critic arrested
Duterte critic arrested as 'darkness and evil' prevail in Philippines
Duterte revoked amnesty of chief critic, orders arrest of Trillanes
Duterte to Trillanes: I will have you jailed
Second Philippine senator who defied Duterte, arrested
Philippine President Duterte has ordered the arrest of a chief political opponent
Philippine chief justice ousted after criticizing Duterte 
The messy fight between Duterte and his chief justice
Philippine top judge, Duterte critic ousted by colleagues
She was the enemy of Philippine President Duterte, and her fellow judges just sacked her
Duterte to Sereno: I am now your enemy, I will see to it that you are removed from the Supreme Court
Philippines' ousted Supreme Court chief lambastes Duterte
Philippines' top judge ousted after clashing with President Duterte
Philippine's top judge took on Duterte. Now, she's out.
Philippine chief justice, Duterte's critic, removed
Impeach me, I'll jail you- Philippines' Duterte dares foes to test him
Philippines: Duterte threatens to lock up critics calling for his impeachment
Duterte on impeachment proponents: I'll jail them all
Duterte a 'dictator, coward' for threatening to jail impeachment petitioners- de Lima
'I dare you': Duterte dares critics to file impeachment, threatens to imprison them
Duterte comment likening Constitution to 'toilet paper' troubles Robredo
Diokno hits Duterte for likening Constitution to toilet paper
Constitution as 'toilet paper' is just another Duterte 'metaphor'- Palace

China's 3 Warfare Strategy

Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio criticized those who say China might wage war over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), as he downplayed this fear as part of a "false option."

One of those who have raised this possibility is President Rodrigo Duterte himself.

Carpio said: "The option for the Philippines is not either to talk to China or go to war with China. This is a false option, and shows a dismal lack of understanding of international law and international relations."

Carpio explained: "China itself does not want war because war will give the US an excuse to intervene in the South China Sea dispute, considering the existing Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty. China's strategy is to control the South China Sea without firing a single shot."

Carpio pointed out, too, that many people do not understand China's "3-warfare strategy." The 3-warfare strategy refers to China's use of "3 mutually reinforcing strategies" of psychological operations, media manipulation, and legal warfare, The Diplomat reported in 2015.

Carpio said, "Those who raise the issue of war with China either do not understand the 3-warfare strategy of China, or simply are scaring Filipino people to make them submit to China."

Excerpt from Talk to China or go to war ? 'False option' , Carpio says

Further Readings:

Enforce UN Ruling? Carpio lists ways

China and the 'Three Warfares'

Treat China like the bully it is

10 Facts that Prove that China is a Big Bully

China's 'Three Warfare' in Perspective

Searching for Filipino Patriotism

A study of Filipinos´ character, commissioned by the Senate (1988) finds that Filipinos are sensitive to others´ needs, good humored and love their families, but they lack a sense of patriotism and the common good.

The 41-page report by the office of Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani, also states: "Filipinos have a deep faith in God ... and live very intimately with religion -- it is part of everyday life."

The report, based on existing sociological studies and a poll of 2,000 individuals, says that Filipinos have personal ambitions and drives for power and status that are "completely insensitive to the common good. Personal and in-group interests reign supreme."

There is little cooperation and community spirit among Filipinos, it says, and they also lack discipline and tend to be superficial.

On the other hand, Filipinos are flexible, optimistic and creative. They are survivors capable of "eking out a living from a garbage dump," according to the report, prepared by Doctor Patricia Licuanan, academic vice-president of the Jesuit Ateneo de Manila University.

The study points out: "Our family orientation is both a strength and a weakness, giving us a sense of rootedness and security, both very essential to any form of reaching out to others. At the same time, it develops in us an in-group orientation that prevents us from reaching out beyond the family to the larger community and the nation."

Excerpt from Study shows Filipinos lack sense of patriotism, common good

Additional articles I found helpful:
Is patriotism passe?
Filipinos' misguided sense of patriotism is tearing the nation apart
The Insufficiency of Filipino Nationhood
Why Filipinos are not a patriotic people?
Be proud of being a Filipino (even if it's not easy)
Philippine Patriotism: The Absence of Humility
The Foundations of Patriotism
A Damaged Culture

Understanding the working poor, nonworking poor, the deserving poor and welfare dependence

Suggested Readings from different perspectives:
Are poor people responsible for their poverty?
The behavioral aspects of poverty
A profile of the working poor, 2016
A House Divided: How Welfare Reform Pits Working Families Against the Nonworking Poor
Welfare dependency 'poison' for jobless, human services minister says 
Three Things to Reduce Dependency
Moving from Welfare to Work
On not liking the Poor
Wealthy habits
How do Americans view poverty?
The Deserving Poor, the Family, and the U.S. Welfare System
Solutions for America: The Unsustainable Growth of Welfare
Indicator of Welfare Dependence
Welfare offers short term help
Surprising Facts about Welfare Recipients
Important Welfare Statistics for 2019
The Deserving Poor, the Undeserving Poor, and Class-Based affirmative Action
The Dimensions of Poverty: Public Perceptions of the Deserving Poor
The Deserving poor and the undeserving poor

Everything you need to know (and consider) about Free College Tuition in the Philippines

1. Overstaying students wont get free tuition. Free tuition not forever; students must graduate on time. Free tuition is not absolute
2. Economists: Tuition-free SUC education is 'anti-poor'. Unsustainable, disruptive
3. Universities and colleges with free tuition starting 2018
4. Students benefiting from free tuition must render school services- CHED
5. 8 Things you need to know about the free tuition law
6. Who can avail it?
7. Guidelines on Free Tuition in SUCs
8. A Student's Guide to the Free Tuition Law
9. Free education for doctors
10. The Philippines just made free tuition for college a reality
11. Advantages and disadvantages
12. Will it really benefit poor students? Who will benefit more?

*A copy of the law

Stupidity vs Ignorance: Katangahan laban sa Kamangmangan

Some people agree in the proverb that says ignorance is bliss. If you do not know something, you do not worry about it.

Sa tagalog, ang kamangmangan daw ay lubos na kaligayahan.

Payag ba tayong maging mangmang kung ang kapalit ay kaligayahan?

Ano ba ang mas masakit? Masabihan ng tanga o mangmang?

Ano ba ang pagkakaiba?

Nagagalit tayo pag nasasabihan tayong tanga o mangmang pero alam ba natin ang pinagkaiba?

Saan mas guilty ang mga Pilipino?

Ayon kay Juan Flavier, may taong mas gugustuhin pang matawag na ulol kesa masabihang mangmang o tanga sapagkat may kasabihan ang mga matatanda na nagpapahiwatig na "may pag-asa" pang gumaling o bumait ang mga nauulol o nababaliw, samantalang wala nang pag-asa pa ang isang tanga.

Pinakamahirap pangaralan ang mga taong sarado ang isip at mayayabang na hirap tumanggap na mali ang kanilang inaakala. Ma pride ika nga.

Wala raw maling paniniwala. Siguro nga kung respeto ang pag uusapan pero totoo ang maling akala.

Maling akala.

Akala ko kasi totoo yung nabasa ko, totoo yung narinig ko, totoo yung tinuro sakin.

Mahirap itama o palitan ang kaalaman na naidukduk na sa kailaliman ng ating pag iisip.

Mas mahirap kapag pinaniwalaan na ng isang tao ang isang kasinungalingan bilang katotohanan.

Paano ba natin maitatama ang maling impormasyong naipasok, naisuksok, naimarka na sa ating pagkatao?

Kaylangang maging bukas ang ating pag iisip, timbangin muli natin ang mga bagay na hindi nailahad sa atin nuong una, at saka mag desisyon kung ang bagong argumento na ating nalaman ay higit na dapat paniwalaan.

Patunayan nating hindi tayo tanga. Na hindi tayo papayag manatiling mangmang.

Na ang tunay na kaligayahan ay para sa mga MAY ALAM!

The images below are not mine and downloaded from the internet, but I will share it here because they discussed the difference of stupidity and ignorance.

Suggested Reading:
Miseducated and disinformed

Force and Freedom

We can't force anyone to believe or do anything and WE SHOULD NOT.

Some people try to manipulate others in subtle ways.
Some are good with persuasions.
Some do it through reviling.
Some do it by threat.
We can all try but we know we should't in any way do it by force.

Following the law and other rules are different. It is our OBLIGATION.
As a part of a just society, as a good citizen, we are expected to follow the law that is created to protect our rights, show respect to others and be productive in our community.
The Congress creates law. They discussed and argue thoroughly to make sure any law do not oppose any fundamental rights and existing law unless there is a need to improve it.
The Judiciary analyze the law and decide on cases where people committed anything that is against the law.
The Executive department of the government execute the law and manages the government.
The police enforce it.
But NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

As regular citizens, if we want other people (especially the uneducated and under-educated) to understand certain issues we need to make them understand by explaining it to them in the easiest way possible, sharing them first the basics.

The most effective way for me?Like talking to a friend, share my thoughts to anyone who is open enough to listen and think about it. To those who don't like talking too much, just be your own good example. People see and understand your principles that way too and some will be inspired enough to follow your example.

We all feel frustrated. Most of the times, we can't help but revile the people who don't share the same mindset as we do. That is the easiest part of it. Call them names, make fun of them with our other like-minded/educated friends. But later, it will strike us that it don't change a thing, it can even make things worse to worst. It is not the SOLUTION we seek.

When we find the patience we need within us and when we are ready to try to understand where they are coming from, why are they believing and doing things differently from us, that is when we can see the SPARK OF HOPE.

I am sharing this, praying I will have the courage to act my own thoughts, walk my own talk and contribute in EDUCATING and NOT FORCING anyone to care for the country we live in and the world we all belong to.

May we all protect the FREEDOM we enjoy today from the sacrifices of the people before us who didn't tire to educate and make things better.