2007 was supposed to be the revenge of the opposition, what with seven candidates in the opposition (eight if you count Sen. Francis Pangilinan), trouncing the administration candidates very soundly.
Posts Tagged not that funny really
Gramps Keeps it Gangsta
Jan 21
Remember that grade school retort “wala yan sa lolo ko? (roughly: my grandfather is even more badass than that)” that nobody ever really used except ironically?
Danton Remoto sa Senado!
Dec 2
The Philippine zeitgeist has hardly had time to forget how the Commission on Elections denied gay rights group Ang Ladlad party-list accreditation for basically being gay, but its president Danton Remoto is already exploring other means to get to Congress, this time as a senator.
Promising reform and a departure from traditional politics (and one could argue that he’s definitely not traditional, being gay and everything), Remoto is running on a platform of education and human rights for all.
That’s cool, right? Our first openly-gay senatorial candidate (that I know of) is advocating politics of change! Maybe being discriminated against has made him realize the need to get rid of corruption and money politics!
And then you read this actual quote from an actual interview:
“As of today, I am running as an independent. Baka bukas iba na ang kulay ng paru-paro (The butterfly may change colors tomorrow),” Remoto said, jokingly referring to shifting political alliances.
Asked which presidential candidate or party he wants to align himself with, Remoto said: “Kung sino ang magbigay ng campaign funds (Whoever will provide campaign funds).”
So, yeah. I guess the moral of the story is gays are just like everyone else.
Campaign of Compromise
Nov 26
With magic man, and senator, Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s decision not to run for president (or at all) in 2010, our hopes of a perfect tandem have forever been shattered. Indolent Indio had been waiting to throw our support behind a superhero team up of Senator Richard Gordon with Escudero as his VP if for nothing else but to be able to say Dick-Chiz with a straight face.
Too soon?
Nov 25
Life imitating art?
Powerful families operating above the law, and using violence to get what they want sounds like something out of an HBO TV-movie. Unless you’re in the Philippines, where the Sopranos have nothing on your friendly neighborhood political warlord.
What fuel shortage?
Nov 18
Motorists who have been turned away from gas stations with no gas, and those who have been left with no choice but to stock whatever was available (suspiciously, the more expensive Shell V-Power) will be glad to know that the past few days were all just a bad dream.
Douchebags in Flight
Oct 17
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
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That we Filipinos see the law as something that can be bent is a given. This mentality seems to extend to other, more immutable laws, though. The law of gravity, say.
Philippine air regulations prohibit the use of mobile phones and other devices with transmitters aboard airplanes. The rationale being mobile phones could interfere with the airplane’s navigation systems and its ability to stay in the sky.
This does not seem to matter much to Filipinos, though, as demonstrated by a chorus of Nokia tones and message alert beeps that accompany Philippine flights on their final approach to any airport.
The thinking, I suppose, is that since you’re almost there anyway, a sudden burst of cellular activity won’t really matter much. No way to go but down, right?
"o, kumusta ka na? anong oras na diyan?"
The warning to stay buckled in until the plane comes to a complete stop is likewise treated as a friendly suggestion. This shaves off precious seconds of deplaning time, but also increases the risk of baggage flying around.
No worries in case you get hit on the head by a suitcase, though. Medical assistance is just a call or text away.
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Yes, we lost at the Philippine Blog Awards 2009.
Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay (Lakas-Kampi) says that Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco (Lakas-Kampi) could not have conducted an informal survey of their colleagues where he says around half preferred Sen. Benigno Aquino III over other presidential aspirants. After all, she says, there are never enough congressmen around.
ZTE whistleblower and Internet star Jose De Venecia III recently came out with a radio ad (as some sort of advocacy message, I guess) talking about how he saved the Philippines from an anomalous deal.
In 2007, the average score on the National Achievement Test given to our public elementary school kids was 55%. In 2008, it was 66%, the new benchmark set by our Department of Education from the original 75%.
