Finally

Everything is happening so fast right now. Just got my last subject passed, got shortlisted for a job, filed resignation from current work, got everything prepared for grad, gets a call requesting to start new job before grad, and now, my biggest challenge is to, sleep 5 hours and then work the rest of the 24 hours today. Its just that I have to serve a couple more days before I'm totally done with my call center stint. I'll be going to Taguig at 8AM. Leave at 6PM and be at Commonwealth before 7:30. I do hope I can make this game plan happen

No Pain, No Game

Upon entering college, I was one fat promdi. I got my independence by boarding in campus. I did all the budgeting, and it happened that I did allot a lot to Ragnarok Prepaid Cards and Computer Rental. Magic, I lost kilograms by just doing that. It was just all fun playing and forgetting all about the eating. But it did have a drawback on my health, my immune system went weaker after the weight loss.

*Don Antonio Badminton Court*

Addiction to Ragnarok over, I started my way to healthy living. Tried better food choices. Did some gym, jogging and badminton. Unfortunately, starting it is a completely different story from maintaining it as a lifestyle. My belly goes inflated, deflated, inflated, deflated... it goes on forever.

I'm in the deflating phase now, and this time, I'm gonna try to keep it up, haha! I'm making it a point to avoid eating excessively and do a physical activity every week. Last week was the jumpstart. It was badminton for 4 hours at Don Antonio. On my way to the dorm, while crossing the footbridge at Sentral,  I found myself stuck in the middle. I panicked because walking or standing did almost make me cry because my legs are screaming out of pain. Nobody was with me. I had no choice but to start moving, it was high noon and my shirt was dripping with sweat. Getting to the end of the bridge, everything just feels numb. I will never forget that! Fwahahah!

I do hope I will not get fed off from this routine this time. I'll just make sure I'm not gonna miss the fun out of all this. I think this game plan will work. Good luck to me, hehe!

Sunflowers Are To Be In Bloom

Suddenly, I felt like writing. It’s been a long time since I felt like this. I guess it’s just a bit different when you enjoy doing things instead of thinking why things are the way they are. Lately, I would think of a lot of things to write about but in just a bit, I lose the train of thought. I don’t know what’s got into me and the heck I am writing right now.

I just got off from work, off from the stress of speaking with people who know all about complaining. I think I can write a book about it but I better not. Don’t get me wrong, I actually enjoy my part time job. In my whole lifetime, I finally felt that I am good at something. I can say loud and proud, I am the top agent of my team, and my stats will attest to that. I started out not even able to speak fluently and not say what I mean. Now, before my customer can even belt out a rampage, I nip the bud with a verbiage that sometimes is made up just to get that “very satisfied” rating. I do enjoy all that, and I’m having the time of my life, it’s just that I’m forgetting that I’m still a student.

I go to school to finish my last 3 units when the sun is up and work my ass off when almost everybody is sleeping. Besides enjoying my work, I feel obligated to do my best on my calls because it is my cash cow, it’s why I can support myself. I make it a point to give it my all every shift, but I do forget that after each shift, I have projects and classes to take care of as the sun shines and to finish before the sun sets. Well, I just got my wake up call, last Wednesday, I took my 1st exam and there, I just stared at the test paper even though I knew I studied for that. Well, I am still asking myself why I wasn’t able to do some good with that exam. That exam would not even count on my grade, haha! But hey! I WILL BE GRADUATING THIS APRIL! I WILL! I WILL BE WORKING THINGS OUT TO GET THERE! First challenge – body clock screw-up!!  >.<

Opportunity Costs

I first came across this term when I was taking up my BA 101. Let me give you Wikipedia for a definition:

"Opportunity cost is a key concept in economics because it implies the choice between desirable yet mutually exclusive results. It is a calculating factor used in mixed markets which favour social change in favour of purely individualistic economics. It has been described as expressing "the basic relationship between scarcity and choice."[1] The notion of opportunity cost plays a crucial part in ensuring that scarce resources are used efficiently.[2] Thus, opportunity costs are not restricted to monetary or financial costs: the real cost of output forgone, lost time, swag, pleasure or any other benefit that provides utility should also be considered opportunity costs."


But for a person who is not so adept with terminologies, it goes around one basic question - Which is more practical?  This had been my philosophy for quite some time now. I gets me away from should-have-done-this's and should-have-done-that's. What makes a decision 'less practical' for me is when you regard yourself less important than other people or than other things. It might not be the best choice, but I know that it is MY choice and I am totally happy about it.

And why did this bug me today? It took me two hours to decide on attending a seminar a while ago, haha! Its for a career talk from a Japanese company. Working for that company means settling down on another company but for a high-paying job. I told myself that I will work here in the country for a number of reasons but my mom is pushing me to try going out of the country. Well, its just a company talk, but why should I attend that if I know from the very start that I will never go there. I may not qualify or pass their requirements, but going there is opportunity wasted. I might be off to something productive during the time that I'm gonna sit there and listen to whatever they have to say.

It just feels good that now, I am confident with choices I make. I now understand how the value of opportunity costs works out for me. :D

Some Direction

“Despite having known so many friends, I still can’t get rid of that person that has his comfort zone right there in the corner – all alone.” - May 3, '09 12:06 PM | DRAFT

How much self-pity is there in this line? I pulled it up from an unpublished entry in my Multiply Blog, and was planning to keep it unheard of until now. I already came into the realization that I was thinking too much of things. (at last!) Too much, but all for nothing - I guess there was no sense at all the thinking. I get stressed and nothing changes. A lot of energy needs to be rechanneled to something productive. If I want to be alone, well, its just that I wanted to be - no need for other why's. Its a choice or preference, a part of being me.

*Got this from a Multiply Theme header. Just found it really cool.*

I made a list of my targets. I came out of this after a long time of not being able to accept my additional one year, in the university - as an undergraduate. Maybe coming across this one is a sign that I should pursue things that are worth the time. Here goes:

1. to draw again

2. to write better

3. to speak better

4. to sing better

5. to touch lives

6. to be a better person

7. magkaluvlife!! Hahaha!

Ooops, seems like something is wrong with this list here, haha! (Cheezy ata? Haha!) But at the end of the day, I know I'm off to something with a new mindset. I'm gonna make this year count. Its not a delay, its just more time to prepare for the real world.

Shed Some Blood

I donated blood early this month, a second take on a bloodletting drive we have at UP ERG. In cooperation with National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), our organization continues to support this cause. I, myself, found how crucial each pack of blood is. As the VP for Externals last year, I had a number of encounters with members and alumni in need of blood donors, and guess what, we were able to give it through NKTI. Each request was a letter away.

*Look for a bloodletting ad and find your way to it!*

*Doesn't hurt at all, even went straight to my night shift @ call center w/o sleep.*

*Cool freebies I got - a tumbler, a baller and a pillow!*

It was always a drag to convince first time donors. They think a bag is a lot of blood. They think it will handicap them for the rest of their day. They think it hurts a lot. Take it from me, donated twice already, there is nothing to be afraid off. They have a lot of freebies plus, you will feel refreshed after your body regenerated the lost blood. It’s a very cool feeling and at the same time, you are helping somebody needy out there. Go and give your first bag to a bloodletting drive near your place, or drop by a near hospital!

The Mayonnaise Jar

When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
and proceeded to fill it with golf balls..

He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family,
children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --The small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.
'I'm glad you asked'.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.

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A re-post from Ian Tolentino (from his Facebook notes), said he got this from a friend. I couldn't say anymore than agree. We have to set our priorities and stand up to that, make it apparent that we know that there are things that are more than just important.

The Brat Is Trying To Grow Up

I came home from work yesterday at freakin' 4:00 AM. I did an overtime together with some of my wavemates to take the final assessments. Everybody was tired and all, but it was worth it. We can tell the whole world now that we are officially call center agents - after a number of assessments and all that jazz. We made it.

*The whole wave made it through the first hurdle*

Now, I am part of the populace who earns money. I'm finished with my fifth year in college (my last year supposedly), on my sixth year right now. If shit didn't happen, I should be making money already out of my should-have-been-finished degree. Not being able to graduate is not an excuse - I felt the need to contribute financially at home. We are not rich and the cost of living is not getting any cheaper. I took the step to apply for a job, a call center stint that is. I went out of my comfort zone, and hell did I whine about everything! Haha! Check out this sampler, found it on my hard drive. Hahaha!

"I am just so pissed off. I was so happy that I passed the final interview in the call agent stint I was eyeing. After the day-long application process, I went through days in queues to process the requirements for employment. Those days weren’t as smooth as I envisioned them to be. I guess being a grown up is not that easy after all.

Then there goes the dreaded medical clearance. It just shakes every little part of me into anger. I’ve been going back and forth to Diliman fixing things for my employment and still, after a month of agony, I am not yet done.

Now Deborah, this was spontaneous blogging. The hate just made me type sentence after sentence. I am here in the convenient store in the building of the company. I am trying to exhaust everything hoping that after this post, my blood pressure would go down. I’m giving it one last shot. Or is my blood pressure shooting up again. I just feel helpless after that doctor told me that cutting off some of my physical activity had nothing to do with my status right now."

*Sha, Helene & Abby left but everything's good; decisions had to be made*

After all that - I made it through, because of them, my team. We will hit our second monthsary on the 8th of August, hahah! When things go wrong, we just laugh our way out of it. Everything is fun at work with them. They killed my inhibitions with getting close to people. This team we have here is one that you'll die to be in, take it from this brat who was born to complain about everything. We did it, together! Yay!

Huhuh! I'm forgetting something, I and Marie will be transferred to another team. Damn! But then again, we will still see each other on the floor, hahha! Oh well!

Wake Up Call for 2010 Elections

Enlightenment. The perfect term I associate with the phenomenon I experienced earlier today after reading the headline on what I used to term as a piece of crap. I never was the person who reads publications, I was never fond of reading - and out of the blue, I was digging into a very long article. The yearning for change inside me woke up from my long sleep of indifference. I felt like I can do something to drive a change in the country. I will start by making my vote count and by helping others make their choice - a perfect choice that is, as Dr. La Vina would put it. Take the time to read this article and feel empowered by your right to vote!

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How To Choose A President In 2010:

What Should We Look For In A Future Leader

by Antonio G. M. La Vina, JSD*

"The enemy of the good is the perfect." This is the adage I will bear in mind when I enter the voting booth on the 10th of May, 2010. At that time, I will probably have four or five candidates, possibly more, to choose from. They are the ones who remain standing, with serious chances of winning after the longest campaign in Philippine history.

All the choices will be imperfect: if the country allowed it, one choice would be a reform candidate - a non-"trapo" local government official, a Christian preacher, a young councilor or an environmental and sustainable agriculture activist. If the COMELEC or the Supreme Court allow it (which I cannot imagine them doing, given the clear prohibition for any reelection under the Constitution), another choice would be an impeached ex-President. Three or four senators from varying backgrounds and perhaps a former Congressman turned Secretary of Defense would complete the spectrum of options.

How will I choose a President in 2010? It is tempting to do this in a very simple manner: to approach politics, like all things in the Philippines, as personal. But to say that politics is personal can mean two things. It can mean on one hand: Sino ang kakilala ko? Who is the closest to me? Who is the one I am most personally connected to? Or it could mean: Ano and alam ko sa kandidato? What do I know about the candidate? I suppose, as a good citizen, I would choose a President based on what I know about the candidate, rather than my personals connections to a candidate. But wait, this is the Philippines: what I know about a person comes not mainly from what she or he has done in her or his public life but largely from the fact that I know him or her personally.

Take for instance, one of the potential candidates, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. I have know Gilbert for more than 20 years as we are classmates in the UP College of Law. As someone who studied for the bar exams in the same study group as Gilbert, I know him to be one of 2 or 3 of the most intelligent Filipinos that I have personally known, and I have studied and worked with and taught thousands from 3-4 generations in the last 30 years. More significantly, I know him also to be one of the most patriotic, humble and honest public servants (and I have known thousands as well), able to make hard choices against his own family and class interests. The discipline, professionalism and leadership he has brought in his work in the Defense Department are good qualities of a future President of this country. But does the country have appetite for a candidate supported by the present administration? Will Secretary Teodoro be compromised and become unelectable if he is endorsed by President Macapagal-Arroyo?

I also know Governors Ed Panlilio and Grace Padaca quite well. They inspire me and many others: I look up to them. Both governors, potential candidates for 2010, are founders and champions of the Kaya Natin Movement that aim to espouse genuine change and ethical leadership in our country. The movement seeks to promote genuine and lasting change in our government by promoting transparency, social accountability, people empowerment and electoral reforms. By upholding these values and principles, Kaya Natin hopes to help make our government and our leaders more responsive to the needs of the Filipino people and enable it to deliver basic services to those who need it most in the most efficient and effective way.

Together with Brother Eddi Villanueva, John Carlos de los Reyes, Olongapo City Councilor (Ang Kapatiran Party 2010 Presidential Candidate), and environmentalist Nicky Perlas, Governors Panlilio and Padaca are considered by many to be non-traditional politician and reform candidates. All of these reform candidates will be running in bare-bones, volunteer-manned campaign fueled by idealism and hope. Their potential candidacies excite me but it is difficult to imagine any of their campaigns prospering unless they unite and form a unified front. Even then, the odds will be daunting.

We should also acknowledge that, given their lack or limited governance record, the country is also taking a risk with these reformers. I would have preferred that Governors Panlilio and Padaca finish three terms as Governors first and that Brother Eddie, Councilor de los Reyes, and Nicky acquire local executive experience before running for national executive positions.

The good of course not monopolized by the reform candidates. To me, the candidacies of Senators Mar Roxas, Manny Villar, Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon are attractive and merit consideration.

Behind the hoopla of the padyak commercials, Senator Roxas has a solid record of implementing and legislating economic policies that have created jobs and have benefited the poor. Senator Roxas, as Trade Secretary and as Senator, has also been at the forefront of consumer protections and defending our trade interests in the WTO. For example, he has taken the lead in the face of the opposition of the multinational drug industry, in ensuring cheap access to medicines by the poor. His recent vote for CARPER (extending the agrarian reform law with reforms) is something I will count in his favor as I make my decision on whom to vote for 2010. Finally, I like the fact that Senator Roxas is supported by people I have the highest respect for - from veteran political and social activists like former Education Secretary Butch Abad to you and imaginative campaign workers like Rose Romero and Clare Amador.

Senator Villar also has a solid pro-poor and pro-development record, as a businessman and a legislator. The passion with which he is conducting his campaign is also attractive to many. I can personally attest to his commitment to local development, as reflected in the mnner with which he supports capacity building of local governments all over the country. I have ment many local government officials who have told me that they find in Senator Villar someone who understands the challenges of development that their local government units are facing. Finally, to the extent that political courage and will is an important quality for me in our future leaders, I will always remember Senator Villar's actions the night the House of Representatives impeached former President Joseph Estrada.

Senator Legarda is also a real option for me as I decide whom to vote for in May 2010. Indeed, on substansive issues that I care deeply about, such as peace in Mindanao and environmental issues, her record is admirable. Through many year, I have personally seen how she has been a passionate advocate for sustainable development. Through these years, I have also been quite impressed with thw work ethic of Senator Legarda who has clearly put at the center of her life a passion to lead the country to better times.

I do not know Senator Escudero as well as others in the UP College of Law,, not having had the opportunity to teach him. But a viable candidacy of a 40-year-old politician who is explicitly appealing to the youth vote is very tempting to support. The clarity and passion with which he articulates his positions will serve Senator Escudero well if he is elected President.

While I see the positive aspects of the candidacies of Senator Roxas, Villar, Legarda and Escudero, I am concerned that they do not have local governance experience. Through the years that I have worked on governance issues, not just in the Philippines but all over the world, I have come to believe that the heart of governance, the place where it matters the most, is local governance. My hope is that one day, we will have a President or a head of government that comes from the ranks of local government official. For this reason, I will include Senator Gordon among the options I will consider, given his record as long time Mayor of Olongapo. For the same reason, if the candidacies of MMDA Chairman and former Bayani Fernando and Major Jejomar Binay became viable, I will not necessarily rule them out as I make my choice.

Reflecting on these choices for President, I actually feel good about what is in store for us in the 2010 Presidential elections. I think we have a number of good options. Of the candidates I have mentioned in this article, I could easily vote for any 3 or 4 of them.

So how will I choose a President in 2010 among the three or four that I like?

The Movement for Good Governance developed and the Moral Force Movement has endorsed a criteria that would enable us to select transformational leaders. They have also recommended a score card to use to evaluate the 2010 candidates, for President and other options. It is this criteria and scorecard that I will use and encourage others to apply in answering the question: What should we look for in a future leader?

Our future leaders should be transformational leaders who bring about change in individuals, institutions and the country to build a just, humane, prosperous and genuinely democratic Philippine society. Transformational leaders promote the moral values of integrity, social responsibility and love of country through their practice of effective empowering and ethical leadership.

As effective leader is competent, decisive and proactive and has the track record to support this. As Kapitan ng Barko, she/he has the ability to steer the ship of government, to arrive at the destination of a prosperous and just society. Sample indicators for effective leaders are:

1. Does the candidate have a vision of the society with a clear, comprehensive and viable platform of government? Does this translate into consistent and clear positions on key issues (e.g., human rights, agrarian reform, education, etc.)?

2. Does the candidate work hard, get things done and demonstrate political will?

3. Does the candidate have a sound and effective record

- as a legislator (in terms of number and quality of bills);

- as an official of the executive department (in terms of effective, innovative and sustainable programs);

- as a leader of citizen organizations or business enterprise (in terms of effective, innovative and sustainable programs).

An empowering leader is participative/engaging, inspiring and is committed to social justice. As a servant leader, a Lingkod ng Bayan, she/he sets a good example for all to follow and work together. Indicators include:

1. Does the candidate involve stakeholders in decision-making and in implementing and evaluating policies, programs and projects.

2. Does the candidate promote social justice and address basic needs (food, health, education, shelter) and promote the interest of the disadvantaged (women, indigenous people, handicapped, etc.)?

3. Does the candidate inspire unity, trust and hope in people?

4. Does the candidate prepare others to be leaders to succeed him/her?

Finally, an ethical leader is a Katiwala ng Bayan: God-fearing, with moral ascendancy and integrity, a clean and honest track record, and proven integrity. Indicators are:

1. Does the candidate demonstrate good moral character (lifestyle); have a circle of associates (allies, backers, party, broad-based volunteers) who are people of integrity and are pro-reform; and transcend self-interest and sacrifice personal/familial/vested interests for the common good (political dynasty, conflict of interest, nepotism)?

2. Does the candidate advocate and practice meritocracy in government; personally comply with laws (self, family and subordinates); prosecute/punish offenders; protect and promote human rights; and take responsibility for his/her actions?

3. Can the candidate be trusted, based on his/her record and background, to use tha national wealth and resources for the common good and to practice transparent use and accounting of public funds?

4. Has the candidate acted to expose injustice and corruption and has this led to prosecution and/or enactment of a law or other concrete actions?

"The enemy of the good is the perfect." I will remember this principle when I vote on the 10th of May, 2010. But I will vote with confidence and optimism. I do so knowing that I will vote not for the least or lesser evil but for the best among a number of imperfect but good choices. If many of us do this, if enough of us do this, we will change the country.

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Dr. Antonio G. M. La Viña is a professorial lecturer at the UP College of Law and the dean of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government.

verbatim from THE UP FORUM Volume 10 Number 3 | May-June 2009

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We will get there if we do more and talk less. Let's put some effort to make things work out right. Start with an intelligent vote! Yay!