Lee Kuan Yew vs Ferdinand Marcos

From :“Political Virtue and Economic Leadership: A Southeast Asian Paradox” written by Hilton L. Root and was published by Milken Institute on November 13, 2000:

“Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew (1959-90) and Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines (1965-86) coexisted under similar geo-political pressures and were known to share similar political and social philosophies. Yet Lee Kuan Yew established a political party that derived its credibility from a reputation for corruption-free governance, sobriety and growth while Ferdinand Marcos became famous for larceny on a grand scale, stealing the people’s foreign aid and putting it into private bank accounts and property throughout the world.”

“Reflecting upon his success in Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew often boasted that he would have been able to create immense wealth for his citizens if he had only had a larger, more resource-rich country to manage. Few believed that Singapore, an island of 214 square miles and 1.8 million inhabitants, could be a viable country after separating from Malaya in 1964. Lee himself worked tirelessly from 1959 to 1964 to keep Singapore and Malaya together, writing in his memoirs, “We had said that an independent Singapore was simply not viable.” Lee argued, “It is the hinterland that produces the rubber and tin that keep our shop-window economy going. It is the base that made Singapore the capital city. Without this economic base, Singapore would not survive. Without merger, without a reunification of our two governments and an integration of our two economies, our economic position will slowly and steadily get worse.”

“By contrast, the nearby Philippines, with a population of 26.6 million, was considered to be a much more promising developing country. The world’s second largest producer of gold, the Philippines was endowed with a relatively well-educated population, a large resource base and, by the standards of the time, a well-developed infrastructure. With a potentially large resource base to pay back loans and extremely articulate leader it became one of the largest recipients of World Bank assistance during the tenure of Ferdinand Marcos. Yet the Philippines became the sick man of Asia, while Singaporeans now enjoy the second highest per capita income in the region after Japan.”

Source: Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew and Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines: So similar yet so vastly different!

Additional Reading: Different legacies: Ferdinand Marcos and Lee Kuan Yew

Ano nga ba talaga ang problema sa Pilipinas at sa ating mga Pilipino?*

Inilarawan ni Mr. Lee Kuan Yew sa kanyang memoir na  “From Third World To First” tayong mga Pilipino bilang masyadong malambot at mapagpatawad. Parte ito ng ating kultura. Sabi nya pa tanging sa Pilipinas mo lang makikita na ang isang pinuno na tulad ni Ferdinand Marcos pagkatapos ng lahat ng ginawa nito ay nailibing pa sa Libingan ng mga Bayani. At ang kanyang asawa at mga anak na ay nakabalik pa nga at patuloy na namamayagpag sa politika.

It is a soft, forgiving culture. Only in the Philippines could a leader like Ferdinand Marcos, who pillaged his country for over 20 years, still be considered for a national burial. Insignificant amounts of the loot have been recovered, yet his wife and children were allowed to return and engage in politics.

"Some Filipinos write and speak with passion. If they could get their elite to share their sentiments and act, what could they not have achieved?

Masakit tanggapin ngunit marami sa ating mga Pilipino ang hindi alam ang ating tunay at buong kasaysayan. Kung alam man ay kinakalimutan ito. Ang ating mga kabataan naman, kung sana ay ginagamit ang Google o internet para magbasa ng mga impormasyon galing sa mapagkakatiwalaang mga  manunulat at historyador.

Ito pa ang kanyang dagdag na obserbasyon kung bakit hindi umuunlad ang Pilipinas sa kabila ng mga maraming mahuhusay na Pilipino:

This was a pity because they had so many able people, educated in the Philippines and the United States. Their workers were English-speaking, at least in Manila. There was no reason why the Philippines should not have been one of the more successful of the ASEAN countries.

In the 1950s and 1960s, it was the most developed, because America had been generous in rehabilitating the country after the war. Something was missing, a gel to hold society together.

The people at the top, the elite mestizos, had the same detached attitude to the native peasants as the mestizos in their haciendas in Latin America had toward their peons.

They were two different societies: Those at the top lived a life of extreme luxury and comfort while the peasants scraped a living, and in the Philippines it was a hard living. They had no land but worked on sugar and coconut plantations.

Ano ang kulang?Ano ang wala? May sagot dyan si Miriam Defensor Santiago:

"We don't have a sense of community. We don't have a sense of shared destiny, that what happens to one of us will be experienced by others."

In short, kanya kanya. Walang pagkakaisa.

Minsan o madalas pa nga ang ating pagiging family oriented ay nasosobrahan, na nagiging sanhi ng pagiging makasarili na ang tanging inaalala lamang at pinahahalagahan ay yung mga taong itinuturing nating myembro ng ating pamilya.

Kung sana, mababago natin ang ating pag iisip patungo sa pagiging community oriented, nation building oriented.

Dagdag pa ni Miriam: "Unfortunately, our voter education is so feeble that it tends to produce feeble-minded voters. Binoboto nila dahil kursunada nila, gusto nila hitsura nito. They don't even try to imagine how that person will act as a legislator. Para bang popularity contest."

Nakakalungkot pero totoo. Tulad ng ibang trabaho, ang pagiging politiko lalo na ang mga mambabatas (congressmen and senators) ay kaylangang may sapat na kaalaman at kakayahan upang gumawa ng mga epektibong batas. Para naman sa mga politikong parte ng executive branch tulad ng presidente, governor at mayor makakabuti kung sila ay may sapat na leadership skills upang ipatupad ang mga batas na nilikha ng mga mambabatas at gamitin ang mga batas na iyon upang paunlarin ang kanilang nasasakupan. Ang mga myembro ng judiciary kung saan kabilang ang ating mga mahistrado ay may trabahong suriin ang batas kung kaya naman hindi natin gugustuhin maglagay ng mga tao sa posisyon na ito na alam natin na hindi kayang gampanan o mahihirapang gampanan ang kanilang mga tungkulin.

Kahit noong unang panahon na wala pang pormal na edukasyon o mga paaralan, ang mga pinuno ay inihahanda at sumasailalim sa wastong pagsasanay para sa kanilang gagampanang tungkulin. Sa panahon ngayon na higit na kumplikado ang mga bagay bagay, higit nating kaylangan ng mga pinuno na may sapat na qualification at kahit papaano ay napatunayan na kaya nilang gawin (kung maaari pa nga ng mahusay) ang tungkulin ng posisyon na kanilang gustong makuha.

Tulad ng kung paanong tayong lahat ay nag aaral o nagsasanay upang maging handa at karapat dapat para makuha natin ang ating gustong trabaho.

Ano pa ang wala sa Pilipinas? Ano ang wala tayo na meron at ipinagmamalaki ng ibang bansa?

Wala tayong "global Filipino brand" na matatawag, sabi ni John Gokongwei Jr., may ari ng JG Summit at Cebu Pacific Airlines.

Sabi ni Mr. Gokongwei "To be a truly great nation, we must also excel as entrepreneurs before the world. We must create Filipino brands for the global marketplace."

Sabi nya pa, "If we want to be philosophical, we can say that, with a world-class brand, we create pride for our nation. If we want to be practical, we can say that, with brands that succeed in the world, we create more jobs for our people, right here."

May Samsung at LG ang South Korea.
May Lenovo at Huawei ang China.
May Sony ang Japan.
May Banyan Tree ang Singapore.
May Nestle ang Switzerland.
May Ericsson ang Sweden.
May Nokia ang Finland.
May Toyota ang Japan.

Oo nga daw at kilala ang Pilipinas bilang call center and BPO Hub of Asia pero wala tayong sariling  big industrial base.

Sa kabilang banda, sa obserbasyon naman ng batang historyador na si Ose Martija, ang mga postcolonial Pinoys ay nasa ilalim pa rin ng "alipin mentality". Pinipigilan daw ng ganitong pag iisip ang ilang mga Pilipino para mapaunlad ang kanilang sarili.

Martija, 24, said the alipin (slave) mentality was thriving among Filipinos when plunder convict and former President Joseph E. Estrada was elected into office as mayor of Manila in 2013.

Martija said he again witnessed the existence of the alipin mentality among Filipinos when Arroyo was reelected to Congress in a landslide vote against three contenders in 2013.

For Martija, a society with a sense for self-respect, decency and justice would in no way risk to elect or appoint politicians whose reputation is tainted with corruption back to any public office.

THE alipin mentality is being encouraged and reared to live forever on social media, where disinformation campaigns are storming the gullible people today, Martija said.

“Many are well-informed, but only a few are taking actions to help others understand issues,” he told the BusinessMirror.

And some of the well-informed who try to help enlighten others, he added, are doing it the wrong way.

“You cannot liberate others from ignorance by telling them ‘bobo ka!’ [You are stupid],” Martija said.

For him, “educating others requires passion, hard work, patience and the ability to make them understand at the level of [what] their [minds can] grasp.”

He is saddened at the unfortunate reality that some people make a firm stand based on conviction shaped by false information.

“It’s ironic that we call our time the ‘Information Age,’ yet many are misinformed,” he said.

Mas madaling ipag walang bahala at pagtawanan na lamang ang ating mga kababayan na nabubulagan at pinagpipilitan ang kanilang paniniwala na base sa maling impormasyon pero walang ibang paraan kundi subukan silang paliwanagan at ipaalam ang mga bagay na dapat nilang malaman.

At kahit mahirap, instead na maging proud lang kung saang lugar tayo galing sa Pilipinas, sana maging proud din tayo bilang Pilipino, proud sa Pilipinas bilang kabuuan nito, gumawa ng mga bagay para higit pa nating maipagmalaki ang sarili nating bansa.

Walang ibang magmamahal sa Pilipinas at makikipaglaban para dito kundi tayo.

Walang ibang maghahanap at gagawa ng solusyon kundi tayo din mismo.

Sana ang sunod naman nating tanong ay "Ano ang tama at dapat kong gawin para sa bansa ko?"

Maging nasaan man ako.

*Mga kasagutang aking napulot mula sa pagbabasa at pagtatanong kay Google sa tanong na ito at iba bang mga tanong na patungkol sa problema ng Pilipinas at mga Pilipino.

Galing ang mga impormasyon sa taas sa mga artikulo na naniniwala ako na dapat mabasa, basahin, pagnilayan at wag kalimutan (Batch 1) ng lahat ng Pilipino! Shinare ko din ang iba dito sa FB wall ko, may ilang mga nag like at dasal ko sana binasa rin nila ang mga ito:

Filipino Values
15 Things Lee Kuan Yew said about the Philippines
What if Miriam had become President?
How the Philippines can become a great nation according to Big John
Among postcolonial Pinoys, 'alipin mentality' thrives---young historian
Why are we shallow
I thought democracy had failed Filipinos but it is we who have failed it
Be proud of being a Filipino even if its not easy
Filipinos misguided sense of patriotism is tearing the nation apart


Batch 2
Ways every Filipino can help the Philippines become a better place to live in
Recipe for economic growth in the Philippines: invest in infrastructure, education, and job creation
Is there hope for the Philippines?
Yes, there is hope!
The Philippines can overcome Poverty
5 Key Capabilities the Philippines needs to develop to become a great nation

Crocodile Tears

It is a noun used to refer to tears or expressions of sorrow that are insincere.

Politicians are known to show superficial empathy.

Hypocrisy at its finest.

How do you identify a good politician now?

Based on their political records? their academic backgrounds? awards? personal life? ethics and values?

As a voter, don't you feel like a judge too?

As a citizen who loves your country, don't you feel like a gambler who wants to win so much?

How do you know the right bet? How do we make the right bet?

Maybe we should try instead to find an effective leader, he or she may not come from a political background but has proven to have the leadership skills needed and enough experience in whatever industry he or she came from.

Some people joke that good and effective leaders are rare species, on the brink of extinction or are they extinct already?

Extinct or not, leaders are made.

Doctors just don't become doctors one day, they underwent years of training and education.

Let us not put unprepared individuals in jobs they should only get after enough training, education and experience.

We don't want to put our lives in the hand of a quack quack doctor don't we? We should not put the future of the town/city/province/state and the lives of its citizens on people who only know how to shed crocodile tears.

Don't vote for someone who promises a lot of free stuff. Where will they get that? Not from their own packet but from ours, who pay taxes.

It is our duty to help those in need but not to enable those who don't even want to help themselves.

A good politician is an effective leader. But a leader is not a leader without followers, not blind followers but productive members of the group/society they belong to.

Do we have few choices? or no choice at all?

We always have a choice.

Lesser evil?

YES.

But for me, those who support late term abortion (unless the mother's life is in danger, still make the husband decide) is the greatest evil.

There is no lesser evil than a mother who kills her own child.

That is not a mother but a monster.

Those who can kill or support to kill a child, a baby, a fetus then shed tears?

Crocodile tears at its finest.

How to be a critical thinker?

Images are not mine

Semiotics and Subliminal Messages

Images are not mine

Troll 101

              What is a troll?              

              

              What are hybrid trolls?

             
              What is trollosphere?

           Images are  not mine.

Propaganda 101

What is the story of propaganda?

The term “propaganda” apparently first came into common use in Europe as a result of the missionary activities of the Catholic church. 

In its origins “propaganda” is an ancient and honorable word. Religious activities which were associated with propaganda commanded the respectful attention of mankind. It was in later times that the word came to have a selfish, dishonest, or subversive association. 

World War I dramatized the power and triumphs of propaganda. And both fascism and communism in the postwar years were the centers of intense revolutionary propaganda. After capturing office, both fascists and communists sought to extend their power beyond their own national borders through the use of propaganda.

The modern development of politics was another stimulus to propaganda. Propaganda as promotion is a necessary part of political campaigns in democracies.

-excerpt from The Story of Propaganda

Images are not mine.

Additional Reading: Propaganda’s goal is political success by Bong R. Osorio

Fake News and Media Literacy

   

Images are not mine

Additional Reading: Media's Use of Propaganda to Persuade People's Attitude, Beliefs and Behaviors by Johnnie Manzaria & Jonathon Bruck's War & Peace: Media and War

Welcome to my new blog

anglabko.wordpress.com

I will still continue this blog and post here most of the academic/educational articles I will write in the near future, hopefully soon.

Till then.

First Lab, First Blog

I cannot open my tumblr account anymore anglab.tumblr.com.
I cannot reset the password because the auth code is being sent to my old sim card which I already cut in two and thrown.
Tried sending an email to the technical help desk of tumblr but wasn't able to get any help.
Goodbye my first blog.
You were mine once.
I should focus now on my blogspot cause this is what remains.

Katharine’s ShrewStory

HIStory vs HERStory

Patriarchy vs. Matriarchy

Patriarchal rules. Phallus Policy. Panalo? Patuloy pa rin ba?

Halata naman na kahit sa mga simpleng salita tulad ng woman, female, she--- lahat ng mga ito nanggaling sa salitang man, male, and he.

Sino ang mas makikita sa history? Sino ang madalas na bida sa mga ancient literary pieces?

Bigla kong natandaan yung mga nabasa ko at na discussed namin sa isang klase namin sa MACA under Feminist Theory. Ang oppression sa mga babae nuon kitang kita pa rin ang mga ebidensya hanggang ngayon. Nasa mga libro e, nasa mga kwento, nasa mga tula, at nasa HIStory mismo.

Kagabi, nagkita kami ni Katharine ng The Taming of the Shrew ni Shakespeare sa aking panaginip. Una ko syang nakilala nung nasa college pa ako pero hindi ko sya nakausap. Wala pa kasi akong masyadong pakialam at alam noon. Nakakatawa lang yung istorya nya para sakin.

Kagabi, medyo nakapag kwento sya at ipinagtanggol nya ang kanyang sarili. Wala naman daw syang kasalanan at hindi naman talaga sya mali. Tinawag syang Shrew dahil maldita sya, hindi sya submissive tulad ng inaasahan sa mga babae nuon.

Bigla ko syang naintindihan, MAS naintindihan. Nakakalungkot isipin na ang happy ending ng kwento ay nung napaamo na sya ng asawa nyang si Petruchio. Si Petruchio na yun naging bida sa kwento at buhay nya? Maaring mabuti para kay Petruchio pero tunay kaya na “happy” si Katharine sa kinalabasan ng kanyang kwento? Hindi ko na naitanong sa kanya, nagmamadali na kasi syang umalis nun nagtxt si Petruchio at pinapauwi na sya.

Ibig bang sabihin, kaylangang paamuhin ang babae kapag sya ay may sariling pag-iisip at pagpapasya sa kanyang sariling buhay? Mali man sa paningin ng iba pero tama para sa kanya?

Ang ama ni Katherine ang sya ding nasunod kaya naikasal sila ni Petruchio. Bakit ngayon ko lang sya nakausap? Mukhang matagal nya na akong sinusubukang kausapin nun una ko ko syang nakilala pero hindi ko sya masyadong pinansin.

Katharine represented and still represents the so called “shrew” in each of us, the independent woman, the dominant lady,the pasaway, maldita, masungit, mataray girl that our society dictates to be sweet, prim, proper and controlled.

Gusto mo din bang ma TAME? Papa TAME ka ba?

*tame- correct by punishment or discipline

ALDUB: A Critical Analysis (For academic purposes only)

I tried analyzing this phenomenal love team and kalyeserye based on the following critical theories:

 a.      Marxist

·         The base of Marxism is the relationship between the classes. Example is the employee/employer relationship that can be seen on the role of Lola Nidora and Yaya Dub. The kalyeserye also shows the wealthy (ruling class) vs. the poor (working class) based on the following instances:

o   Lola Nidora vs Yaya Dub, this can be seen at the start of the kalyeserye, even before the love team of Alden and Yaya Dub, Yaya Dub needs to follow Lola Nidora because first and foremost Lola Nidora is her employer. Yaya Dub also has an “utang na loob” because Lola Nidora serves as her grandmother after her parents left her under Lola Nidora’s care. In return, it is now her responsibility to take care of the old lady and follow her wishes, because she knows that “Lola Nidora only wants the best for her”. These reasons, in a way affect every decision she does and will do in her life.

o   Lola Nidora vs Alden, starting the day Alden announce his intention to court Yaya Dub, Lola Nidora became the upper hand, because Alden needs her permission in almost everything that concerns Yaya Dub which is under her care and also her employee.

o   Lola Bhabha vs Lola Nidora, when Lola Nidora was informed that she is indebted to Lola Bhabha and Lola Bhaba can get the Explorers’ mansion anytime she wants, the situation was reversed. Now, Alden with his Lola Bhabha is the ruling class.

·         The idea is a reflection of reality

o   The main idea that makes it successful is their digital relationship, their interaction via the digital screen which represents the age we are in. Where instant relationships via email, Skype or dating websites are becoming the norm in finding true love. Also, for OFW and their love ones who are communicating via the internet.

·         Places reality over idealism

o   The tamang panahon tagline shows this. Despite their mutual understanding, the reality is they still haven’t met each other personally (initially). However, it can also be said that idealism are also shown in the show because they are trying to show the audience of the supposed right ways and right time for everything.

·         It gives insight into everyday life

o   The dubmash phenomena, the instant relationship, the digital advantages and boundaries are all tackled in this kalyeserye.

b.      Feminist

·         Female characters prevail in the series. Male characters are short-lived except to Alden.

·         The Explorer sisters: Lola Nidora, Tidora and Tinidora are all accomplished and happy even without a man in their life.

·         Yaya Dub is the first one to like Alden. However, because she is a girl and a Filipina, it is Alden who needs to woe her. Gender roles are clearly defined in the kalyeserye. Lola Nidora is a typical conservative grandmother with lots of reminders to Yaya Dub. Despite of living in the city and already in the modern times, duties are assigned by gender. Alden should court Yaya Dub because he is the guy. He needs to follow Lola Nidora because she is like the grandmother of Yaya Dub. Lola Nidora as an elderly lady needs to be prim and proper and Yaya Dub is expected to follow her example. 

·         The joke of Lola Tidora (Paolo Ballesteros) on the bouquet of flowers being a baby can be a maternal instinct from the character he is playing which is an elderly lady. Even though simple explanations can be rendered such as because of the shape of the bouquet which is similar to a baby, being affectionate to a newborn child is a trait of a woman.

c.       Structuralist

Cultural practices can be seen in ALDUB such as Filipino customs, traditions and beliefs. According to de Saussure, words, he says exist primarily in relation to one another, before they exist in relation to an object. The word ALDUB is the combination of ALDEN and YAYA DUB, their relation to one another as a love team is the first thing that comes to mind rather than their individual identity or real identity.

d.      Postmodern

ALDUB in a way is like a repetition of the formula of Cinderella, Be Careful with my Heart of Sir Chief and Maya and the likes. It has a light and feel good feeling. Its simplicity and "go with the flow" formula were also great additions. ALDUB is commodified and consumed; the ALDUB NATION is a result of that, having a large following currently makes them top endorsers of leading products. Even politicians use their name. Any connection to them connotes opportunities and anything they represent shows success.

e.       Postcolonial

The way we love the mestizo features of Alden Richards in a way show our post colonial mentality. Frankie, a rich guy in love with Yaya Dub also shows an interesting characteristic. He loves to wear designer clothes with big names on it like Channel, Guess, and the likes. He represents the way we like the American brands which is also related to our colonial mentality.

Additional observation: Wordplay was used to its highest form, creating new words, new identities and new meanings. Such as kalyeserye (street series), Lola Nidora (grandmother of Dora) which is originally from the show Dora the Explorer. As I remember, it started with Doktora the Explorer, which later gave birth to the Explorer sisters, Doris and other characters.

High school Days sa Banus, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro

1. Para may dagdag baon, tuwing may libreng oras (kahit sa simpleng pagbili sa tindahan) naging hobby namin ng pinsan ko ang pamumulot ng pako o kahit anung maliit na bakal tulad ng mga turnilyo sa daan. Ibinebenta namin iyon sa kalapit na junk shop. Hindi dyaheng dalhin kasi kasya sa maliit na lalagyan o sa bulsa namin at mas mahal ang kilo kesa sa plastic, bote at dyaryo.

2. Tuwing hapun pag uwi sa eskwela at kapag walang pasok, nangangahoy kami sa likuran ng bahay nina Lolo Celso. Ginagamit namin iyon sa pagluluto.

3. Pakikipag- away sa pinsan ko na minsang umabot sa batuhan ng eveready batteries.

4. Pagbebenta ng mga napanalunan kong lastiko sa mga kapwa ko kalaro na natalo ko (ako bilang 1st year highschool student vs elementary students).

5. Paggawa ng bracelet mula sa bulaklak ng santan. Pag sipsip sa matamis na katas sa stem ng santan. Paghahanap ng santan flowers na may 5 to 6 petals sa paniniwalang swerte iyon at pwede kang magwish.

6. Paglalaro sa may playground ng Banus Elementary School, na kaharap lang ng bahay ng lola't lola ko.

7. Pag-aalaga sa mga nakababatang pinsan.

8. Pagbabantayan sa PULPULAN (ang billiard sa probinsya pero parang mga coins na malalaki na yari sa plastic ang gamit instead na billiard balls). Ako ang nangungulekta ng TONG.

9. Paggawa at pagbebenta ng walis tingting. Pagbebenta ng load, ice candy at ice water sa bahay. Pagbebenta ng ice candy at mani sa elementary school sa tapat namin. Pagbebenta ng barbeque, isaw at iba pang street foods sa may tapat ng waiting shade ng baranggay namin. Pagbebenta ng lugaw at mga ihaw ihaw sa sabungan.

10. Paghuhukay at paghahanap ng kamote sa bakuran ng bahay sa may ibaba (tawag sa bukid papunta sa aplaya sa probinsya).

11. Pagkokopras (niyugan).

12. Paglalaba sa ilog na nasa ilalim ng tulay ng Banus at pagligo pagkatapos.

13. Pagligo at paghugas ng pinggan sa may poso sa may likuran ng bahay. Pag-igib ng inuming tubig mula sa poso sa may palengke ng barangay, na katapat din ng bahay ng lola't lolo ko. Doon din kami nag-iigib ng huling pangbanlaw sa mga puting damit para hindi manilaw.

14. Pagbili ng spaghetti kay Aling Susan sa may palengke tuwing umaga para gawing ulam sa kaning lamig.

15. Pamimiesta sa BULBUGAN, katabing barangay namin.

16. Ang paglaki sa isang extended family sa probinsya ay may pros at cons. Parehas na pros at cons ay ang pakiramdam na madaming may pakialam sa pagpapalaki sayo ng nanay mo.

17. Si JEMEL (acronym ng pangalan nya na dinagdagan ko na lang ng isang letra para di halata) at si Bhabes (mga codename ko sa mga mega crush ko nun highschool). Si JEMEL na ngayon ay isang buhay na patunay na kahit gaano kagwapo at kakisig ang highschool crush mo, malamang na magmumukha din syang siopao pagdating ng araw. Si Bhabes na 11 years later ay crush ko parin. Buti na lang as of this posting ay hindi na.

18. Pag-lalakad hanggang sa aplaya, makaligo lang ng libre sa beach ng Agsalin.

19. Paglalakad mula kanto ng Banus hanggang sa ibaba (sa aming bukid).

20. Pagligo sa ilog ng Agsalin, na napakaganda ng pasukan dahil naghugis kweba na ang mga puno duon na nagmistulang entrance sa mga pupunta sa ilog.

21. Kawayanan Festival. Street Dancing in the tune of "ang lahat ng bagay ay magka-ugnay, magka-ugnay ang lahat"..repeat until fade...

22. Pagpasok araw-araw mula sa dulong barangay (andun ang bahay ng lola't lolo ko) hanggang sa bayan (andun ang school namin).

23. Pumasok sa school na kulang ang pamasahe. Uupo sa likuran ng driver ng multicab o jeep, isasabay namin ang bayad namin ng pinsan ko sa ibang pasahero (kapag kulang ng piso o dos ang pamasahe namin) para hindi kami mahalata (sorry kuya, sa kagustuhan lang talaga namin makapasok).

24. Hindi makasunod sa uso dahil hindi priority ang fashion sa mga kapos sa pera. Ang goal ay patuloy na makapag-aral sa private catholic school na aming pinapasukan.

25. Hindi makasama sa field trips o extra curricular activities dahil sayang ang pera. Balik sa goal na nabanggit na.

26. Mareject sa UP Diliman dahil 2.8 lang ang nakuha ko sa UPCAT.

27. Mag-alala bawat taon ng highschool na baka hindi na makapasok sa susunod na pasukan.

28. Pagdadala ng camera na de film at ubusin sa mga kaklase. Ipaprint ang mga pictures na ang papangit ng kuha. Sayang ang pera pero hindi ang memories.

29. Nagrent ng apartment sa Poblacion/sentro ng bayan nung 4th year na ako.

30. Pagkakantahan sa gabi ang libangan naming magpipinsan. Nabuhay ako ng 4 na taon na hindi nakakapanuod ng mga palabas sa tv, sa kwentuhan ko lang narinig at sa tv ng kapitbahay ko lang napanuod ang Meteor Garden. May tv kami pero dahil walang maayos na antena tanging mga linya na kulay black at white lang ang makikita.

31. Nakahiwalay ang comfort room sa bahay ng lola't lolo ko nung highschool at tuwing umaga kung duon ako maliligo kaylangan kong mag-igib ng tubig hanggang mapuno ko ang palanggana na ipinatong ko sa inidoro.

32. Panuorin ang aming kapitbahay na si Lolo Poldo tuwing nagwawalis sa kanyang bakuran at natutulog sa kanyang rocking chair.

ASTIG ANG BUHAY PROBINSYA!