by Manuel Rodriguez II
We have become a lawless and a society full of danger.
On the streets, in public places, one may spit, dump his garbage or, urinate anywhere he pleases. Nobody takes offense anymore, whether for himself or for the society. On the road, no courtesies are given and received: the man behind the wheel is an emperor; the traffic police could be bribed, the pedestrian run over, no big deal.
An innocent harmless old lady could be robbed and gunned down in broad daylight, and the witnesses of the crime would simply walk away and watch the evening newscast in the comforts of their homes, sleep soundly, and in the morning read the newspapers.
Within the metro, anyone can construct anything anywhere – on somebody else’s property, in the park, sidewalk or, under a flyover or a bridge – without reference to a zoning law, a building code, or property rights of other persons. The growth of squatter colonies is unstoppable.
Poverty is now equated with filth, and the rich think they have a right to pollute. We now see the air that we breathe and we lack law on noise, we now have equal chances of getting deaf. Piped waters remains drinkable, but the pipelines are all dead. While political environmentalists protests, all environmental proposals sleep in Congress.
If the physical environment is polluted, the moral environment is worse.
Unable to teach the citizens work ethic, the Government operates gambling through casinos instead, to teach the poor Filipinos to trust their luck. And even as we exert efforts in defending the women and children against sexual abuses, pornography is open to everyone.
And while violation of the sixth commandment remains a felonious act, its most notorious public offenders seem to regard themselves as a special gift to public office. They have a luxurious visualization of themselves so they do not commit petty graft.
Truly, the law is dead, and the State is dead.
Of course, the State has died many times before. But it has not stopped dying since.
We must realize that the rise of corruption and petty crime rates are simply other words for the collapse of the rule of law. And that, in turn, is just another word for the collapse of morality.
The crisis that we are facing is first of all a moral crisis, a crisis of our soul as one Nation. We forgot that the most important battle is not the battle against poverty, sicknesses, or even terrorism, no matter how critical they may be, but against evil. We have turned the truth upside down and worshipped man in his own image instead of God. We have lost distinction of good and evil.
Solemn pronouncements or congressional inquiries cannot address or solve this morality crisis. Not even, with all due respect, by a political movement for moral recovery.
Only a return to morality – to a sense of good or evil – will do the work. Once the rule of law is collapsed, the social order can restore it only by appealing, no longer plainly to the law, but rather to the basis of the law which is morality.
The essential query in political affairs is how to arrange our lives as one. That is the role of law, which Saint Thomas Aquinas defines as an ordinance of reason promulgated by authority for the common good. To the law then, society entrust the arrangement of our lives as one.
Saints for public office? Why not, if we can find them in this world. If not, let’s look for the next best, not the least worst. The Government can be an avenue for morality to spring once again; we need morally upright law-makers, judges and president. Change happens gradually. The change that we seek may not come in our lifetime, but there is no time to start the work for change than now.
In the search for these people in the mean time, we can start the revolution by changing our communities, homes, and ourselves in the light of morality.
3/14/10
To the 2009-2010 SDP Core and Members
To My Dear SDP Family,
The academic year that will come will not be an easy time… It will not be an easy time for the Quadricentennial AB Student Council. And it is certainly not an easy time for the Students’ Democratic Party. Great things are expected of us by the student body, sometimes far beyond our modest capabilities.
Our fellow Artlets, although great believers of democracy, are not great believers in its tedious process. Students are impatient for quick results, quick progress and quick change. I know these things very well because I had the chance of serving in the council as the Public Relations Officer. Many times they expect the Council to do decision which only the administration or the Dean himself can do. They look to the Council for miracles that only the good Lord in his infinite wisdom can arrange.
The SDP campaign days (which include the campaign of affiliates in the different societies) we have been training our thoughts on accountability. What really comes before accountability is authenticity. Authenticity, according to the dictionary, is genuineness, being true to character, being constant with our inner nature.
There is so much falsehood, so much deception, fakery, and phoniness in our common life that we Thomasian leaders must remain true to the best we know – both in public and private leadership. This is the one thing that makes me so proud being an SDP, we are genuine.
When I first came to the halls of AB, I have been pleased to be an active member of the Students’ Democratic Party. In the 2008 elections I was chosen by the party and ran as the President, under the Blue & Red banner (as what other students call the SDP). SDP, it will be remembered, was the party that fielded a ticket to oppose the seven independent candidates, with disastrous results. March 2008 came, and I was elected as the Chairperson of the party.
During the brief time I served the party, I have tried to prove myself worthy of our member’s mandate and the expectations of my fellow party officers. The job in the SDP core is more often than not a job for gods rather than for college students, but we try to give it our best, and our all. That is why I understand the situation of our Chairperson Sheena de Guzman and the rest of the current core officers. Many times the core officers’ best is not good enough, but I hope they shall be judged by righteous men on the basis of their sincere efforts to do the best that they can.
The victory of our bets in the positions VP-Internal and Secretary in the ABSC and the successful campaigns of our affiliates (Ka-CASA, Journ Soc, Asian Studies, etc.) made me really happy not only as your former Party Chairperson but also as your “Kuya” - and I hope the entire SDP family too including my fellow alumni members – and I thank all our party colleagues and supporters especially the freshmen for their warmth and generosity to this party.
I thank the party and its officers for the opportunity it gave me to be a “Kuya,” as I continue to remain in my place in the party now as one of the alumni prepared to work and sacrifice and contribute whatever I can to continue the advancement of our ideals.
We live in the best and worst of times. The challenges are formidable, we have already lost so much time, and so we must create and multiply opportunity as best as we can.
Much is expected from each one of us. And there is much that each of us can do. But a party ought to be bigger than the sum of all its parts.
Working together in pursuit of a common vision and a common objective, we can provide the authentic leadership and the impulse that will lift the student body from the current state and move them fast forward to better times enjoying quality liberal education. Let us help each other to boost morale instead of bickering and passing the buck. We fight as one, “wag tayo mag sisihan sa mga maling naganap,” isang partido lang tayo.
This political party is destined to exist beyond our lifetime as long as there are members who believes on its true cause, and fights for it passionately. For the lower batch I sincerely hope that we have taught you well of our principles. Let us not lose track on the right road that we are travelling now, but instead let us focus more and improve ourselves. Running the party is not just about planning how to win the upcoming elections, but instead practicing the ideals we have, and serving the student body genuinely.
May you guys find us the alumni and the outgoing core officers faithful in keeping the flame of liberalism and democracy alive.
SDP leadership is authentic. This is authenticity; this is to be a genuine Christian, Nationalist, and Democrat in one’s position of great responsibility in the common life as what our Democratic Creed has thought us. These things I have learned on our blue paper, ideals I will bear for the rest of my life, principles which my future children will learn.
To all the SDP members, Mabuhay kayo!
May God keep the SDP for the next 29 years and for all time.
Long Live the Students’ Democratic Party.
In SDP leadesrhip I strongly remain,
Your Kuya Manuel "MANNY" Rodriguez II
Chairperson (08-09)
Standard Bearer(2008)
ABSC PRO (07-08)
The academic year that will come will not be an easy time… It will not be an easy time for the Quadricentennial AB Student Council. And it is certainly not an easy time for the Students’ Democratic Party. Great things are expected of us by the student body, sometimes far beyond our modest capabilities.
Our fellow Artlets, although great believers of democracy, are not great believers in its tedious process. Students are impatient for quick results, quick progress and quick change. I know these things very well because I had the chance of serving in the council as the Public Relations Officer. Many times they expect the Council to do decision which only the administration or the Dean himself can do. They look to the Council for miracles that only the good Lord in his infinite wisdom can arrange.
The SDP campaign days (which include the campaign of affiliates in the different societies) we have been training our thoughts on accountability. What really comes before accountability is authenticity. Authenticity, according to the dictionary, is genuineness, being true to character, being constant with our inner nature.
There is so much falsehood, so much deception, fakery, and phoniness in our common life that we Thomasian leaders must remain true to the best we know – both in public and private leadership. This is the one thing that makes me so proud being an SDP, we are genuine.
When I first came to the halls of AB, I have been pleased to be an active member of the Students’ Democratic Party. In the 2008 elections I was chosen by the party and ran as the President, under the Blue & Red banner (as what other students call the SDP). SDP, it will be remembered, was the party that fielded a ticket to oppose the seven independent candidates, with disastrous results. March 2008 came, and I was elected as the Chairperson of the party.
During the brief time I served the party, I have tried to prove myself worthy of our member’s mandate and the expectations of my fellow party officers. The job in the SDP core is more often than not a job for gods rather than for college students, but we try to give it our best, and our all. That is why I understand the situation of our Chairperson Sheena de Guzman and the rest of the current core officers. Many times the core officers’ best is not good enough, but I hope they shall be judged by righteous men on the basis of their sincere efforts to do the best that they can.
The victory of our bets in the positions VP-Internal and Secretary in the ABSC and the successful campaigns of our affiliates (Ka-CASA, Journ Soc, Asian Studies, etc.) made me really happy not only as your former Party Chairperson but also as your “Kuya” - and I hope the entire SDP family too including my fellow alumni members – and I thank all our party colleagues and supporters especially the freshmen for their warmth and generosity to this party.
I thank the party and its officers for the opportunity it gave me to be a “Kuya,” as I continue to remain in my place in the party now as one of the alumni prepared to work and sacrifice and contribute whatever I can to continue the advancement of our ideals.
We live in the best and worst of times. The challenges are formidable, we have already lost so much time, and so we must create and multiply opportunity as best as we can.
Much is expected from each one of us. And there is much that each of us can do. But a party ought to be bigger than the sum of all its parts.
Working together in pursuit of a common vision and a common objective, we can provide the authentic leadership and the impulse that will lift the student body from the current state and move them fast forward to better times enjoying quality liberal education. Let us help each other to boost morale instead of bickering and passing the buck. We fight as one, “wag tayo mag sisihan sa mga maling naganap,” isang partido lang tayo.
This political party is destined to exist beyond our lifetime as long as there are members who believes on its true cause, and fights for it passionately. For the lower batch I sincerely hope that we have taught you well of our principles. Let us not lose track on the right road that we are travelling now, but instead let us focus more and improve ourselves. Running the party is not just about planning how to win the upcoming elections, but instead practicing the ideals we have, and serving the student body genuinely.
May you guys find us the alumni and the outgoing core officers faithful in keeping the flame of liberalism and democracy alive.
SDP leadership is authentic. This is authenticity; this is to be a genuine Christian, Nationalist, and Democrat in one’s position of great responsibility in the common life as what our Democratic Creed has thought us. These things I have learned on our blue paper, ideals I will bear for the rest of my life, principles which my future children will learn.
To all the SDP members, Mabuhay kayo!
May God keep the SDP for the next 29 years and for all time.
Long Live the Students’ Democratic Party.
In SDP leadesrhip I strongly remain,
Your Kuya Manuel "MANNY" Rodriguez II
Chairperson (08-09)
Standard Bearer(2008)
ABSC PRO (07-08)
2/17/10
To the Nationalist Christian Filipino
by: Manuel "Manny" Rodriguez II
No administration can thrive without you full support and cooperation. No matter how courageously our next President exercise political will, he will never make a meaningful change and reform without the active participation of the people, especially people like you; a nationalist and God-fearing citizen of the Republic.
A prolific Filipino writer in the field of Public Administration Dr. Jose Leveriza puts it this way:
“The reality of the situation shows that the authority of a public administrator can no longer be exercised purely by the strength of the law vested upon himself, but it requires the acceptance and support of those being governed. A government official cannot fulfill his responsibilities without winning the loyalty and support not only of his own organization, but also of his external environment.”
This nation seeks the cooperation of its citizens, the likes of you is the least expected to just abandon the call of our motherland.
We, who hold this passion for love of our Nation, must accept the challenge. We must embrace the opportunities available here on our motherland, to be at the head of new enterprises. We must lead the generation as we enter the new dawn our Nation will soon face.
I pray that morally upright men and women will get elected in the coming election. I also have faith that you with the grace of our God will be the most enlightened and trustworthy in practicing the duties of a Filipino citizen, considering the training in the Christian perspective that you possess.
The age of computer science has arrived; it is already an established fact of our daily life. The ability to operate a computer will soon be the measure of literacy. No field in the physical science is further than the reach of today’s high technology. These developments we have will radically change and alter the lifestyle of the Filipino people which includes their social values.
The concepts of ethnic loyalties, religion, nationalism and the solidarity of the family will be challenged and perhaps modified. These are the issues and concerned citizens like us must address. These are the issues that will test not just our convictions but more of our faith. We will soon find ourselves making very difficult choices and decisions.
If you despair hearing these realities, then I have faith on your spiritual moorings. I am counting on you to provide the leadership for the generation that is to come. To Christian educational institutions whether Protestant or Catholic, I call upon you to build up your value-immersion subject even as they revise and modernize the assorted curricula in the physical sciences.
Our fellow Filipinos, although great believers of democracy, are not great believers in its tedious process. They are impatient for quick results, quick progress and quick change. Our democratic institution often fails us, sometimes we tend to think to change the entire institution but the real problem is the anchor of our institution not the institution itself.
We must keep in mind that the enduring and lasting institutions of the human race are those that have been anchored on moral values and on an unshakable faith.
To the Christian Filipino, let us take with us the challenge. Let us serve something greater than ourselves, let us think of our beloved Philippines, let us think of this world and exert every effort to change it for the better and spell the differences in our short lifetime.
SO HELP US GOD.
No administration can thrive without you full support and cooperation. No matter how courageously our next President exercise political will, he will never make a meaningful change and reform without the active participation of the people, especially people like you; a nationalist and God-fearing citizen of the Republic.
A prolific Filipino writer in the field of Public Administration Dr. Jose Leveriza puts it this way:
“The reality of the situation shows that the authority of a public administrator can no longer be exercised purely by the strength of the law vested upon himself, but it requires the acceptance and support of those being governed. A government official cannot fulfill his responsibilities without winning the loyalty and support not only of his own organization, but also of his external environment.”
This nation seeks the cooperation of its citizens, the likes of you is the least expected to just abandon the call of our motherland.
We, who hold this passion for love of our Nation, must accept the challenge. We must embrace the opportunities available here on our motherland, to be at the head of new enterprises. We must lead the generation as we enter the new dawn our Nation will soon face.
I pray that morally upright men and women will get elected in the coming election. I also have faith that you with the grace of our God will be the most enlightened and trustworthy in practicing the duties of a Filipino citizen, considering the training in the Christian perspective that you possess.
The age of computer science has arrived; it is already an established fact of our daily life. The ability to operate a computer will soon be the measure of literacy. No field in the physical science is further than the reach of today’s high technology. These developments we have will radically change and alter the lifestyle of the Filipino people which includes their social values.
The concepts of ethnic loyalties, religion, nationalism and the solidarity of the family will be challenged and perhaps modified. These are the issues and concerned citizens like us must address. These are the issues that will test not just our convictions but more of our faith. We will soon find ourselves making very difficult choices and decisions.
If you despair hearing these realities, then I have faith on your spiritual moorings. I am counting on you to provide the leadership for the generation that is to come. To Christian educational institutions whether Protestant or Catholic, I call upon you to build up your value-immersion subject even as they revise and modernize the assorted curricula in the physical sciences.
Our fellow Filipinos, although great believers of democracy, are not great believers in its tedious process. They are impatient for quick results, quick progress and quick change. Our democratic institution often fails us, sometimes we tend to think to change the entire institution but the real problem is the anchor of our institution not the institution itself.
We must keep in mind that the enduring and lasting institutions of the human race are those that have been anchored on moral values and on an unshakable faith.
To the Christian Filipino, let us take with us the challenge. Let us serve something greater than ourselves, let us think of our beloved Philippines, let us think of this world and exert every effort to change it for the better and spell the differences in our short lifetime.
SO HELP US GOD.
Youth’s Stand Against Destructive Mining
The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7942) was enacted particularly to encourage large-scale Mining by local and foreign corporations, However, the law went beyond encouraging the revitalization of the mining industry in the Philippines; it has disregarded the integrity of our National Patrimony for the sake of attracting foreign investment. The law allows the widespread plunder and exploitation of our natural resources. It allows foreign mining operations by foreign mining corporations, it allows 100% of their profits, and it grants tax holidays and exemptions to mining firms.
Mining is Inherently Unsustainable
We do not believe in the myth of “sustainable mining.” Mining is inherently unsustainable since it requires the depletion of non-renewable natural resources. Instead of requiring ever-growing amounts of mineral and fuels, a sustainable economy will use materials much more efficiently, reducing waste to a bare minimum, and rely more on recycling, reuse and renewable energy technology. Sustainability means less mining, not more.
Mining should not be considered as the only industry that will propel our country towards development. Unrestricted mining activities will destroy other industries, like agriculture and fishing.
“Aanhin pa ang kayamanan kung sira na ang kalikasan.”
The serious environmental destruction caused by large-scale mining outweighs any economic benefit that may be derived from it. Mining is among the greatest threats to biological diversity worldwide. Mining creates extraordinary amounts of waste; much of it contaminated. And often creates environmental problems, such as water pollution, that can endure for centuries. Mining often yield little, if any, long-term net benefits for host communities and countries, as is becoming increasingly evident, the long-term cleanup costs of many mines may well exceed what the host countries gain while the mines are open.
Mining encroaches on Indigenous Peoples’ Lands
Mining has disproportionately great impacts on indigenous peoples and poor, rural communities, whose lands are often forcibly seized for mining with little or no competition, and enjoy few of the benefits of mineral extraction. Indigenous people and their communities have a historical relationship with their lands and are generally descendants of the original inhabitants of such lands. They have developed over many generations a holistic traditional scientific knowledge of their lands, natural resources and environment. Any development initiative should be implemented recognizing their values, traditional knowledge and resource management practices with a view to promote environmentally sound and sustainable development, and recognizing their traditional and direct dependence on renewable resources and ecosystems.
To Our Fellow Youth
It is important that we, the youth, actively participate in all relevant levels of decision-making processes of our nation, particularly with regard to the environment, because it affects our lives today and has implication for our futures.
It is our solemn duty to preserve and safeguard our environment and natural resources if we want to ensure that our generations to come shall enjoy the blessings of a healthy, balance, and diverse ecology. Nature needs our help; it does not stand a chance against man’s rapacity and insatiable greed.
To Our Elders
To our elders: “Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it is lent to you by your children.” In turn, we pledge to ensure that our future children and generations to come will enjoy the blessings of a healthy environment.
To the Government
We demand that the Government stop its liberal policy on mining. We challenge the Government to instead revitalize the agriculture and fishing industries, two industries that are full of potentials but greatly neglected.
We call on Congress to immediately repeal the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, the law responsible for all these destructions. We will not allow the further destruction of our environment.
________________________________________________________________________________
A statement of the proponents of Kontra Mina
Kontra Mina is an advocacy of Batas Tomasino: the UST law society in cooperation with Thomasian Writer’s Guild, College of Commerce Economics Society, Earth-UST and Alyansa Tigil Mina.
(http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=batas+tomasino&init=quick#!/note.php?note_id=291845199471)
Mining is Inherently Unsustainable
We do not believe in the myth of “sustainable mining.” Mining is inherently unsustainable since it requires the depletion of non-renewable natural resources. Instead of requiring ever-growing amounts of mineral and fuels, a sustainable economy will use materials much more efficiently, reducing waste to a bare minimum, and rely more on recycling, reuse and renewable energy technology. Sustainability means less mining, not more.
Mining should not be considered as the only industry that will propel our country towards development. Unrestricted mining activities will destroy other industries, like agriculture and fishing.
“Aanhin pa ang kayamanan kung sira na ang kalikasan.”
The serious environmental destruction caused by large-scale mining outweighs any economic benefit that may be derived from it. Mining is among the greatest threats to biological diversity worldwide. Mining creates extraordinary amounts of waste; much of it contaminated. And often creates environmental problems, such as water pollution, that can endure for centuries. Mining often yield little, if any, long-term net benefits for host communities and countries, as is becoming increasingly evident, the long-term cleanup costs of many mines may well exceed what the host countries gain while the mines are open.
Mining encroaches on Indigenous Peoples’ Lands
Mining has disproportionately great impacts on indigenous peoples and poor, rural communities, whose lands are often forcibly seized for mining with little or no competition, and enjoy few of the benefits of mineral extraction. Indigenous people and their communities have a historical relationship with their lands and are generally descendants of the original inhabitants of such lands. They have developed over many generations a holistic traditional scientific knowledge of their lands, natural resources and environment. Any development initiative should be implemented recognizing their values, traditional knowledge and resource management practices with a view to promote environmentally sound and sustainable development, and recognizing their traditional and direct dependence on renewable resources and ecosystems.
To Our Fellow Youth
It is important that we, the youth, actively participate in all relevant levels of decision-making processes of our nation, particularly with regard to the environment, because it affects our lives today and has implication for our futures.
It is our solemn duty to preserve and safeguard our environment and natural resources if we want to ensure that our generations to come shall enjoy the blessings of a healthy, balance, and diverse ecology. Nature needs our help; it does not stand a chance against man’s rapacity and insatiable greed.
To Our Elders
To our elders: “Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it is lent to you by your children.” In turn, we pledge to ensure that our future children and generations to come will enjoy the blessings of a healthy environment.
To the Government
We demand that the Government stop its liberal policy on mining. We challenge the Government to instead revitalize the agriculture and fishing industries, two industries that are full of potentials but greatly neglected.
We call on Congress to immediately repeal the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, the law responsible for all these destructions. We will not allow the further destruction of our environment.
________________________________________________________________________________
A statement of the proponents of Kontra Mina
Kontra Mina is an advocacy of Batas Tomasino: the UST law society in cooperation with Thomasian Writer’s Guild, College of Commerce Economics Society, Earth-UST and Alyansa Tigil Mina.
(http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=batas+tomasino&init=quick#!/note.php?note_id=291845199471)
12/24/09
A Broken Spirit's Letter to His Creator
Dear God,
There was a day when i can say that I will be alright, but im not alright today. There was a time when i could find myself very near to you, but now You seem so far from me. I walked out the door of your prescence and entered a stone cold harsh world that promised me that ill be ok. I remembered that I left you waiting for me to come home.
Back then i can find a million excuses, but now I cant speak of any. I know that I have been away, away from the voice that has been calling me and i know that its time to come back.
Now there is no solid ground where my soul can rest, I can't find any truth in all that is happening. It seems that my life is only goin' around and around. My spirit is drowing in lies and phoniness, like waters that closing in and washing on me. Drifting me down and sinking my thoughts on a stormy wheathered sea with a vision of a light up there which I am having a hard time to see and hearing Your voice that calls my name. That is maybe the perfect way to describe the situation of my emotions and spirit.
I want you to put your arms around this life of mine even for a while because I am trying to find a way to deal with this, and i dont know how. I cannot stop the pain and i do not understand the things that i should do. Nothing really seems the same and my world is falling down, oh Lord how can i get through.
Now, I can see myself on thousands of people I encounter either personally or on electronic media. People like me who are alone, lost and left behind. Now I am somehow ashamed that my life is torn apart, but I know in Your name I can once again be complete. Although "holy" men may condemn me I know forgiveness can mend this broken heart of mine.
When I was nowhere, you knew where that was. I never lost my way, and I knew you were the cause. When I was no one, and felt that I will end it right there, you stood behind me. I really never knew that you've cared despite my imperfection.
I come to your arms from where I was in, this time in the spirit of brokeness. You were crucified and was committed to die, Your'e my pride.
You. A being who is specialized if "comebacks," over time made me see that even though I may not be perfect You will never give up on me. Your Love is for my everyday, and I know that your Love is here to stay with me.
Your Love now covers as your river flows all over me again.
Love,
Your Son
There was a day when i can say that I will be alright, but im not alright today. There was a time when i could find myself very near to you, but now You seem so far from me. I walked out the door of your prescence and entered a stone cold harsh world that promised me that ill be ok. I remembered that I left you waiting for me to come home.
Back then i can find a million excuses, but now I cant speak of any. I know that I have been away, away from the voice that has been calling me and i know that its time to come back.
Now there is no solid ground where my soul can rest, I can't find any truth in all that is happening. It seems that my life is only goin' around and around. My spirit is drowing in lies and phoniness, like waters that closing in and washing on me. Drifting me down and sinking my thoughts on a stormy wheathered sea with a vision of a light up there which I am having a hard time to see and hearing Your voice that calls my name. That is maybe the perfect way to describe the situation of my emotions and spirit.
I want you to put your arms around this life of mine even for a while because I am trying to find a way to deal with this, and i dont know how. I cannot stop the pain and i do not understand the things that i should do. Nothing really seems the same and my world is falling down, oh Lord how can i get through.
Now, I can see myself on thousands of people I encounter either personally or on electronic media. People like me who are alone, lost and left behind. Now I am somehow ashamed that my life is torn apart, but I know in Your name I can once again be complete. Although "holy" men may condemn me I know forgiveness can mend this broken heart of mine.
When I was nowhere, you knew where that was. I never lost my way, and I knew you were the cause. When I was no one, and felt that I will end it right there, you stood behind me. I really never knew that you've cared despite my imperfection.
I come to your arms from where I was in, this time in the spirit of brokeness. You were crucified and was committed to die, Your'e my pride.
You. A being who is specialized if "comebacks," over time made me see that even though I may not be perfect You will never give up on me. Your Love is for my everyday, and I know that your Love is here to stay with me.
Your Love now covers as your river flows all over me again.
Love,
Your Son
12/20/09
Alone
by The Lads, Parachute Records (New Zealand)
I am alone in the darkness
Can you hear me now
Are you the same
Or are you different somehow
Can you reach me
Can I be sure that you won’t hurt me
If I let you in
Are you the same
Or are you different somehow
Can I trust you
If I gave you my heart
If I gave you my soul
Would you take me apart
Would you make me whole
(x2)
Do you know my name
When the tears fall
Are you there to feel the pain
Can you reach me here
Can you give me what I’m looking for
Can you take away the fear
Can I trust you
They say that you could come and meet me
Are you really there
Are you the same
Or are you different somehow
Can you love me
If I gave you my heart
If I gave you my soul
Would you take me apart
Would you make me whole
(x2)
Do you know my name
When the tears fall
Are you there to feel the pain
Can you reach me here
Can you give me what I’m looking for
Can you take away the fear
(x2)
I am alone in the darkness
Can you hear me now
Are you the same
Or are you different somehow
Can you reach me
Can I be sure that you won’t hurt me
If I let you in
Are you the same
Or are you different somehow
Can I trust you
If I gave you my heart
If I gave you my soul
Would you take me apart
Would you make me whole
(x2)
Do you know my name
When the tears fall
Are you there to feel the pain
Can you reach me here
Can you give me what I’m looking for
Can you take away the fear
Can I trust you
They say that you could come and meet me
Are you really there
Are you the same
Or are you different somehow
Can you love me
If I gave you my heart
If I gave you my soul
Would you take me apart
Would you make me whole
(x2)
Do you know my name
When the tears fall
Are you there to feel the pain
Can you reach me here
Can you give me what I’m looking for
Can you take away the fear
(x2)
12/11/09
Lamenting Nation for the Loss of Lives and Justice
(OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF BATAS TOMASINO: THE UST LAW SOCIETY ON THE NOVEMBER 23, 2009 TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED IN MAGUINDANAO)
November 23, 2009 is one of the most disturbing days of our life as a nation. Never in our existence as a nation has something barbaric as the Maguindanao Massacre happened. Although an organized and bureaucratic system of government had been established nowadays, we are forced to accept that there is an inevitable evil within our political society.
With respect to this happening, has our society really matured over the decisive years, decades, and centuries of aiming for the maintenance of pursuit of justice and a humane society? This question is apparently answerable by the recent consternation our country had faced.
A strong insolence to the rule of God, of Man, and of Society was indubitably shown to us by the Maguindanao Massacre. Indeed, the political system, the law, and the justice in our country have been disdained by the pillars of the government. There were innocent lives dragged to death because of political ambitions by politically-oriented families. As we share with the agony of the families of the victims, we also languish from a system of government we have today. These carnages and other malicious tactics are triggered by the evil political intentions of greedy politicking individuals. Undeniably, in our country, money has always taken a very significant role in times of elections. We hope that this would not hinder our people from choosing and electing the right person to serve us at the end of the day.
Veritably, the 2010 elections is fast approaching and this time, we were taught by the malfeasances in the government, extra judicial killings, and unlawful judgments of the state to be critical with our choice of leaders. Furthermore, we are not just after the safeguarding of the 2010 elections, but also what we could do to eradicate the system of iniquities that deviates the people from exercising their right of suffrage governed by truthful intendments.
Momentarily, we may continue to bewail but together with this, we should motivate ourselves to do something for the lives of the victims and give them honors. We should learn and accept, as citizens of our beloved and devastated government, that ELECTIONS change everything. As critical thinkers, we should lay down our requirements of how a leader should be, so that we would be able to deselect the unworthy ones.
We are one with the families of the victims in praying for the eternal repose of their souls. We believe in the prevalence of justice in our society. We hope that the government would not take long in deciding the verdict for this case because the longer it takes for justice to be redeemed, the harder it is for the families to accept their loss. Justice delayed is justice denied. We believe that with this recent alarming circumstance in our nation, justice will be served and all of us would live under a new Society where no one is above the law whether he be powerful in terms of wealth or political influence. We bring changes and we could improve these changes through our absolute and moral intentions.
"The law applies to all or none at all."
November 23, 2009 is one of the most disturbing days of our life as a nation. Never in our existence as a nation has something barbaric as the Maguindanao Massacre happened. Although an organized and bureaucratic system of government had been established nowadays, we are forced to accept that there is an inevitable evil within our political society.
With respect to this happening, has our society really matured over the decisive years, decades, and centuries of aiming for the maintenance of pursuit of justice and a humane society? This question is apparently answerable by the recent consternation our country had faced.
A strong insolence to the rule of God, of Man, and of Society was indubitably shown to us by the Maguindanao Massacre. Indeed, the political system, the law, and the justice in our country have been disdained by the pillars of the government. There were innocent lives dragged to death because of political ambitions by politically-oriented families. As we share with the agony of the families of the victims, we also languish from a system of government we have today. These carnages and other malicious tactics are triggered by the evil political intentions of greedy politicking individuals. Undeniably, in our country, money has always taken a very significant role in times of elections. We hope that this would not hinder our people from choosing and electing the right person to serve us at the end of the day.
Veritably, the 2010 elections is fast approaching and this time, we were taught by the malfeasances in the government, extra judicial killings, and unlawful judgments of the state to be critical with our choice of leaders. Furthermore, we are not just after the safeguarding of the 2010 elections, but also what we could do to eradicate the system of iniquities that deviates the people from exercising their right of suffrage governed by truthful intendments.
Momentarily, we may continue to bewail but together with this, we should motivate ourselves to do something for the lives of the victims and give them honors. We should learn and accept, as citizens of our beloved and devastated government, that ELECTIONS change everything. As critical thinkers, we should lay down our requirements of how a leader should be, so that we would be able to deselect the unworthy ones.
We are one with the families of the victims in praying for the eternal repose of their souls. We believe in the prevalence of justice in our society. We hope that the government would not take long in deciding the verdict for this case because the longer it takes for justice to be redeemed, the harder it is for the families to accept their loss. Justice delayed is justice denied. We believe that with this recent alarming circumstance in our nation, justice will be served and all of us would live under a new Society where no one is above the law whether he be powerful in terms of wealth or political influence. We bring changes and we could improve these changes through our absolute and moral intentions.
"The law applies to all or none at all."
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- Manuel A. Rodriguez II
- Professor of "The Humanities" at the Lyceum of the Philippines University. Law Student at the Far Eastern University, Institute of Law. President and former Auditor of Legal Network for Truthful Elections (UST Chapter) Former Vice President- Internal of Batas Tomasino: The UST Law Society, Former Chairperson of UST-Students' Democratic Party. Former Vice President- Internal of UST UNESCO. Former Public Relations Officer (PRO) of UST Arts and Letters Student Council. Former Vice President Internal of Community Achievers' Association (UST-AB). Bachelor of Arts in Legal Management (University of Santo Tomas, '09) High School Education (Christian Academy of Manila, '05)
