Biggest Flood In 40 Years: A State Of Calamity

How to help:

http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/09/27/09/tropical-storm-ondoy-how-you-can-help

Ways to donate to the Philippine National Red Cross via the PNRC web site

DSWD donations drop-off points

1. National Resource Operations Center , Chapel Road , Pasay City
Contact: Mrs. Francon Favian

2. Quezon City Area Disaster Resource Operations Monitoring and Info Center (DROMIC) DSWD Central Office
Contact Rey Martija or Imee Rose Castillo, Tel Nos. 951-7119, 951-2435 or Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera Tel No. 0918-934-5625

3. Manila Area (DSWD-NCR)
San Rafael corner Legarda Streets, Quiapo, Manila
Contact: Dir. Thelsa P. Biolna, Dir. Delia Bauan Tel Nos. 734-8622, 734-8642

Manuel L. Quezon's blog: How to help (original on Quezon.ph | Tumblr.com mirror link)

Google Docs: Rescue InfoHub Central | List of Places where to donate (check out one nearest your area, or add a donation center that is not on the list)

Another list of where to donate goods via Bury Me In This Dress blog

Google Maps: Ondoy situation map for Metro Manila, by KaninLamig

ABS-CBN HOTLINE
416-36-41

SAGIP KAPAMILYA
413-2667 / 416-0387
No 13 Examiner Street , Quezon City , Look for Ms Girlie Aragon

Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 5630020111

Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch

ABS-CBN Foundation US Office Toll-Free 1-800-527-2820

Negros Navigation

from Mr. Edmund Gawchua, Manager

Negros Navigation is now accepting the transfer of relief goods from Mindanao to Manila for free for aid to victims of Ondoy.

Donations can be sent to Negros Navigation stations and offices nationwide.

http://www.kapusofoundation.com/donatecashcheque

METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY (METROBANK)

Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 3-098-51034-7

Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 2-098-00244-2
Code : MBTC PH MM

UNITED COCONUT PLANTERS BANK (UCPB)

Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 115-184777-2
: 160-111277-7

Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 01-115-301177-9
: 01-160-300427-6
Code : UCPB PH MM

BANCO DE ORO (BDO)

Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0022189

Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0072135
Code : BNORPHM

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK (PNB)

Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 121-0032000-17

Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 121-0032000-25
Code : PNB MPH MM

Pictures (Click on Pictures to enlarge)

Deluded By Their Own Device

The New Narcissism
By Randy David
Philippine Daily Inquirer

“How can well-to-do members of society be so stupid as to spend large amounts of money on advertising in order to confirm their belief in the stupidity of others?” - Niklas Luhman

[...] the term “narcissism” is used to designate a condition characterized by self-obsession and an extreme thirst for attention and admiration... Narcissism is normal among children, but after puberty, it may be considered pathological. We might say it is also normal to find it among politicians during an electoral campaign. But, when self-promotion becomes a standard feature of a society’s public life, one must ask if it has not become a social disorder.

Let us leave aside for the moment the logic of the law that is supposed to regulate electoral campaigns. We have seen how easy it is to go around it. The law has been interpreted to apply only to individuals and entities that have filed their official candidacy. It does not cover those who have only signified an intention to run. So long as they are not yet candidates, the latter can do everything that candidates are prohibited from doing, short of actual vote solicitation. The result of this has been the proliferation of all forms of political advertising long before the official campaign period has begun. To all intents and purposes, the offense of premature campaigning has been effectively erased from the election code.

Yet our election laws have not changed much. What seems to have changed is our general attitude toward self-promotion. It is no longer frowned upon. The new principle appears to be: “if you have it, flaunt it; if you don’t have it, imagine you have it.” A new narcissism seems to have replaced the ethic of quiet modesty and self-deprecation that citizens in the past looked for in their leaders.

[...] if politicians had a better appreciation of how advertising today works, and how countless forms of self-promotion only evoke negative reactions from the public, they would think twice before they inflict their narcissism on the public consciousness.

Let me offer a few examples to illustrate this point. Every time I see promotional material stapled on trees or dangerously clipped onto electric and telephone wires, I cringe. I take a good look at the faces of these irresponsible politicians and swear never to vote for them. Whenever I pass a road or a bridge being repaired, and I see the beaming faces of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her public works secretary, and the local politicians on the billboards—instead of the budget for this project and the starting and completion dates—my blood boils. These politicians are using public money to promote themselves instead of empowering the public with useful information. [...]

Click here to read the complete text.

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Sana ang bolok na pamamaraang ito ng tradisyonal na mga politiko na inaasahan nila ng malaki na makapagpanalo sa kanila ay sa halip ang magiging pinakamismong kasangkapang matahimik na maglalaglag sa kanila ng unti-unti hanggang sa kalaunan ay tuloyang magpapatalo sa kanila.

See It Rather From A Different Perspective

Senators hit Reyes on 2010 power forecast
Inquirer.net

Two senators assailed Energy secretary Angelo Reyes for raising the possibility of nationwide power interruptions next year and the need to grant emergency powers to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to address this problem.

Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Edgardo Angara said Reyes’ statement was “suspicious” and "dangerous.”

“It was an ill-advised comment coming from the secretary. It's still too far off so how can he predict a brownout? His pronouncement is suspect and ill-advised to say the least," Lacson told reporters in Filipino Thursday.

“I hope he was only misquoted or he said that in jest. But if he was serious about it, he could be conditioning us to expect power outages next year and that's dangerous," he added.

Senator Angara echoed Lacson’s apprehensions, saying Reyes’ warning of a possible power outage was ”mind conditioning towards emergency power”.

“Any suggestion that we do not need to empower anyone nor any group of people with emergency power during a political crisis is always suspicious and then dangerous because it can be used to solve many other things other than solving the real problem,” Angara said.

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What may be meant for something sinister can be turned for good.

Publicly raising the said possibility is no joke. Yet while the people behind it may have intended it for something sinister, let us try to see it from a different perspective and we would be thankful they did it because aside from the fact that we are made aware of the possibility, the measure that needs to be done to counter the said possibility from coming to pass gets hinted at the same time. And of course the people and those in authority must act accordingly. But beware; for there could be two possible traps.

Don't use surveys as a drunk would use a lamppost

Aquino says 8 polls show him winning big
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which shows that one of every two voters in Luzon would support him, may have limited coverage but it is indicative of the nation’s pulse, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said Monday.

Aquino, standard-bearer of the Liberal Party (LP), said seven to eight separate surveys showed practically the same results.

“This proves that people want change,” said the only son of the late President Corazon Aquino and opposition Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., who was assassinated upon his return to the country in 1983.

In the SWS survey conducted on Sept. 5 and 6, Aquino obtained 50 percent, dislodging the previous front-runner, Sen. Manny Villar, who was a far second with 14 percent.

The survey covered 1,200 respondents in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Central Luzon and Calabarzon—an area that is home to 40 percent of the country’s registered voters—and had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

Similar margins

Aquino said results of the various surveys showed that he had similar margins over the other presidential hopefuls.

“We have been getting surveys … for specific places and it’s not just Luzon. I can’t say that they show the same numbers, but they’re (almost) the same,” he said.

Aquino, however, did not name the groups that conducted the opinion polls.

In the SWS survey, former President Joseph Estrada got 13 percent, Sen. Francis Escudero 12 percent, and Vice President Noli de Castro 7 percent. [...]

Click here to read full text.

Read also:

* 50% prefer Noynoy in vote-rich Luzon areas: SWS survey
* The Front Runner by Ricky Carandang

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Don't put your trust on opinion surveys. They can be very deceiving and could tend to lead people into complacency.

According to one thinker, survey statistics are like bikinis: they show a lot but not everything. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. And according to G.K. Chesterton, there are people who use statistics like a drunken person uses a lamppost -- for support, not for illumination.

Build your house on rocks and not on sands.

Right Platform Protests Much Stronger Than Sleazy Criticisms

Aquino to Palace: "I can’t pretend to see, hear, speak no evil’"
By Philip Tubeza
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Responding to Malacañang’s broadside that he has yet to prove himself, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III Friday said he could not pretend to “hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil” in the face of unpunished crimes in the government.

Aquino, who has declared he would seek the presidency next year, said he could not turn a blind eye on the unresolved scandals under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration, including the P723-million fertilizer scam, the $503-million North Rail project, and the $329-million NBN-ZTE deal.

“They want me to hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil, but I’m obligated to champion the interests of the people. At the end of the day, the people are my masters,” Aquino said in a phone interview.

“My record speaks for itself. I have called attention to acts and policies detrimental to the people’s interest. None were personal attacks,” he said, adding:

“Since they have suggested that I can’t call on my parents’ legacy to criticize the workings of this administration, I assume their suggestion is for me to be quiet and do nothing. If that is the case, I am sorry, I can’t accommodate them.”

Aquino, the only son of the late former President Corazon Aquino and former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., has promised to make more efficient use of government resources if he wins the presidency in 2010.

Arroyo spokesperson Gary Olivar said on Thursday that Aquino and other aspirants for the presidency should desist from portraying the 2010 elections as a battle between good and evil.

He said they should not run “at the expense” of Ms Arroyo who, he claimed, had “done her best for this country in the last eight years.”

Strongest threat

Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, spokesperson of the Liberal Party (LP) of which Aquino is a member, said Malacañang considered the latter its strongest threat because “Noynoy is the complete opposite of what the administration is doing or stands for.”

Sen. Francis Escudero, himself an aspirant, said reviewing Ms Arroyo’s record was “unavoidable” in the campaign.

“Her government is a benchmark from which we want to make improvements, and the best way to show that is to compare what it is and what it should be, bearing in mind that it should never be personal but issue-based and issue-driven,” Escudero said.

Renato Reyes Jr., secretary general of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), said an anti-Arroyo stance was “the minimum requirement for a credible presidential run.”

“All those who are serious in contending for the highest position in government must now make it crystal-clear that they are anti-GMA (anti-Arroyo),” Reyes said in a statement.

“An anti-GMA platform will surely connect with the people,” especially because the 2010 elections will be “the judgement” on Ms Arroyo’s nine-year presidency, he said. [...]

Click here to read full text.

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Huwag sana si Noynoy dumulog sa mapanirang paraan ng kritisismo na pinag-uudyok ng ibang mga taong bihasang-bihasa sa maling gawaing ito. Sa halip, sa pamamagitan ng kanyang malakas at tumpak na plataporma, ipakita niya ang kanyang malakas na pagtutol sa anumang mga kamaliang maaring nagawa ng kasalukoyang pamumuno. Hindi na niya kailangang magbigkas pa ng kritisismo dahil kung tutuong may mga kamalian at katiwaliang nagawa ang kasalukuyang pamumuno, ito ay alam na alam na ng taombayan at anumang pagalit at diritsong mapanirang kritisismo na galing mismo sa kanya ay maituring na parang isang hiram na lakas.

Kung ang pinupuntirya natin ay ang kasalukoyang pamumuno lamang, ang baba naman ng puntirya natin. Hindi lang dahil sa mga taong kasalukoyang namumuno ang siyang sanhi ng mga problema ng ating bansa, kundi, maliban din sa bolok na mga sistema na dapat ng baguhin, ang isa pa ring pangunahing dahilan ay ang kultura ng kawalang takot lumabag sa batas na siyang bunga ng kawalang tunay na takot sa Panginoon.

Simpleng halimbawa lamang ay ang pamamaraang pag-iwas (na siyang nakasanayang gawain ng mga politiko) sa batas kaugnay sa pagbawal sa maagang pangangampanya. Iniikutan nila ang batas para makalamang. At sa panahon naman ng kampanya hanggang sa araw ng eleksyon, ang mga tao ay lantarang nagbibinta ng kanilang mga boto at ang mga politiko naman ay walang takot na namimili ng boto na para bang walang batas na nagbabawal sa gawaing ito.

Kung ang ating bansa ay maihantulad sa isang katawan, ang mga mamayan nito ay ang iisa't-isang mga selda na bumubuo sa ibat-ibang mga bahagi ng katawang ito at ang iisang dugo na nananalaytay sa mga ugat nito ay may bahid ng sakit ng katiwalian. Kaya bang magawang murahin ng mga kamay na tiwali ang mga paa na hindi man lang sila tatamaan sa kanilang puna? Ang sinumang kumakandidatong lider na kuno ay pagalit at mapanirang namumuna sa mga kamaliang nagawa ng kapwa lider ay parang isang hipokrito. Sino kayang lider na mortal ang mamumuno na wala man lang kamalian o pagkukulang na magawa kahit man lang katiting?

Kung may bahid ng sakit ng katiwalian ang dugo ng ating bansa, ang mabisa at tamang panlunas nito ay katuwiran (o pagkamatuwid) -- katuwiran na bunga ng tunay na pagkakilala at pagmamahal sa Panginoon. Kung may pagkukulang man ang estado, sa bahaging ito ay masasabing may malaking pagkukulang din ang simbahan, at ang pagkukulang na ito ay hindi kayang mapupunuan sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagsali ng mga alagad ng simbahan sa pamumuno sa estado. Ang estado at ang simbahan ay ang dalawang pakpak ng isang bansa na kinakailangan para ito ay matagumpay na makalipad ng maayos tungo sa kasaganaan.

Halos lahat tayo ay magaling sa mapanirang kritisismo, subalit iilan ba sa atin ang talagang marunong humanap ng tamang paraan na makatutugon at makalulutas sa mga problemang ating pinagpupuna? Peru kung talagang nakahiligan na ng iba ang mapanirang kritisismo, e bago man lang sila mamumuna sa kanilang kapwa ay sana kahit papano may kapani-paniwalang solusyon man lang muna silang maipresenta.

Isa sa mga katangian ng isang magaling na lider ay ang pagkamaparaan sa halip na mapagpuna. Walang maidulot na makabubuti ang mapanirang kritisismo kundi ang lalo pang pagkabaha-bahagi ng mga mamayan at ng buong sambayanan. Ang sinumang nag-nanais na mamumuno at nahiligan niya itong masamang gawain na ito ng tradisyonal na mga politiko ay di siya kukulangin nito mula sa mga tao kung saka-sakaling siya ay mananalo at mamumuno na. Sa totoo lang, may darating na punto sa buhay ng sinumang mamumuno na parang pagsisisihan niyang bakit pa siya nagiging pinuno. At sa puntong iyon, hindi niya kayang magkunwari pa na kaya niyang lutasin ang lahat na suliranin sa bansang kanyang maaring pinagkunwariang pagsilbihan. Kakailanganin niya ang tulong ng lahat at hindi ang mapanirang kritisismo na galing sa kanila.

Napakadali ang mag-criticize sa mga maling bagay; napakahirap ang paghanap ng kalutasan nito. May nagsabi na ang mapanirang kritisismo daw ay ang siyang takbuhan ng mga mahihina at kulang sa gawa.

The power of a true democracy lies in the hands of the people

Noynoy Aquino will [not] win in 2010
By Harvey S. Keh

[...] Yet, as I read a major newspaper (not the Philippine Daily Inquirer) last Sunday, I was disappointed by an article written by a regular columnist who said that it was good for Panlilio to back out from the race since he didn’t have the money to run a national campaign which he mentions as having at least 1 billion pesos. This kind of thinking is what has led the country to where it is now. Moral, upright and good leaders opt not to run during our elections because many people tell them that if you don’t have money you will not win. This is also the reason why more often then not Filipinos are left with no other choice but to always choose between the lesser evil since those who have the genuine desire to be of service do not anymore run for office since they do not have enough financial resources. Moreover, this kind of thinking has led to patronage politics and politics as a business wherein the politicians would “invest” millions or even billions to win an election then they would “reap” the fruits of their investments by siphoning off public funds that should be used to provide basic services to the Filipino people. Worse, they will also have no choice but to grant political favors to benefit the people who donated millions in their campaign. If we will all accept this columnist’s way of thinking then I will be the first one to tell all of you that Senator Noynoy Aquino will not win in the 2010 elections. His current net worth is less than 15 million pesos as compared to Senator Manny Villar’s billions of pesos.

However, like many of you, I refuse to buy this columnist’s argument of having billions of pesos in order to win in the 2010 Presidential elections, Gov. Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio won in Pampanga against his well-funded and politically-entrenched opponents despite only having an initial fund of P 1,000. Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca also won not only once but twice despite her opponents spending millions of pesos against her. Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija won despite not having any posters or tarpaulins during her campaign. If we want to elect a reform President like Senator Noynoy Aquino that will not be beholden to the self-interests of the ruling oligarchs, business groups and traditional politicians, this President must be elected through the support of ordinary Filipinos like you and me. Like the Aquino family who has given already so much of themselves for our nation, every Filipino will also need to make our own small sacrifices such as chipping in our own small share of funds to help in his campaign, volunteering our time and talents and going out of our way to convince our friends to support Senator Aquino. This is our chance to prove once again to the whole world that the Philippines can lead the way in showing that the power of a true democracy lies in the hands of the people and not in the hands of a few.

Click here to read full text.

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Those who are equipped are not always the ones who are called, but the Lord never fails to always equip those He called.

The Reason To Unite Has Now Been Reinforced

Noynoy Aquino to run for president in 2010
INQUIRER.net

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III officially announced that he will run for president in 2010 on Wednesday, exactly 40 days after the death of his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

Aquino made the announcement of his candidacy for the presidency at about 8 a.m. at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, the same venue where his late mother took her oath as president in 1986.

Personalities present at the jam-packed room were Liberal Party members Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Francis Pangilinan, former Sen. Franklin Drilon, Quezon Representative Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III, former congressmen Florencio “Butch” Abad and Nereus Acosta, singer-composer Jim Paredes, former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz and Leah Navarro of the Black and White Movement.

Noynoy’s sisters, Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris, were also there.

Aquino, who has gone on a spiritual retreat in Zamboanga City, has said he would announce his decision before the end of the month even as his supporters continued to gather the signatures that they hope would convince him to run.

Roxas, who was one of the earliest to announce his plans to seek the presidency, last week gave up his ambition and yielded to Aquino, saying the fight for 2010 was a fight for the country and went beyond personal interest.

Read also: Aquino camp swamped with support offers

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Ngayong tinanggap na ni Noynoy ng buong puso ang hamon ng sambayanang Pilipino, sana ay mananatili siyang mapagkumbaba. Alalahanin niyang siya'y tao rin na maaari ring magkulang o kaya magkamali katulad ng ibang mga namumuno.

Sa halip na puro kritisismo sa kasalakoyang pamumuno na siyang paboritong gawain ng tradisyonal na mga polotiko, sana maipresenta niya sa bayan ay isang payak at totoong plataporma (at hindi kathang-isip lang ng isang magaling na tagapagsulat ng plataporma) na tumpak na makatutugon sa mga suliranin sa ating bansa at na makapagbibigay ng kayang-abotin na pag-asa para sa kinabukasan. Isang plataporma na kumikilala sa sari-sariling lakas na taglay ng bawat mamayan na kailangang pag-iisahin. Tunay at detalyadong plataporma na kahit pa yaong ibang nag-nanais mamumuno ay kaya itong tuparin.

Huwag niyang pag-ukolan ng sobra sa makatarungang nararapat na bigat sa kanayng balikat ang pinansyal na aspeto ng kanyang kandidatura dahil hindi siya ang mismong nagpepresenta sa kanyang sarili na mamumuno kundi ang taombayan ay ang silang nanawagan sa kanya. Walang sundalong nakikipaglaban para sa kanyang bayan na siyang gagasta para sa kanyang pangangailangan sa pakikipagdigma. Kadalasan, hindi ang tinatawag ng Panginoon ay yaong mga sangkap na, ngunit hindi Niya binibigong sangkapan yaong kanyang mga tinatawag.

Nasa Tunay Na Pagkakaisa Ang Ating Lakas

Ang ating tunay na lakas ay nandyaan sa ating tunay na pagkakaisa.

Ipagdasal nating lahat ang tunay na pagkakaisa ng lahat na mga grupo at mga hanay na nagnanais ng tunay na pagbabago sa ating bayan. Sa tunay na pagkakaisa nakasalalay ang buong tagumpay ng lahat.

Noong nakaraang mga araw matapos ang libing ni Cory, sa isa sa aking mga blog entry tinanong ko, "Ano na ngayon, anong kasunod?" At sa entry na iyon sinabi ko rin na, "Sa kahit anumang bagay na pagsisikapang tuparin, di mawawala na may kailangang unang hakbang na dapat gawin, at karaniwan, ang unang hakbang ay ang siyang pinakamahirap na gawin sa lahat ng mga hakbangin. Nngunit kung mapagtagumpayan natin ang pinakaunang hakbangin na iyon, hindi na masyadong mahirap tuparin ang mga susunod pang mga hakbangin."

Upang na ang ating pareho at iisang mithiin ay magkakaroon ng katuparan sa 2010, ang pinakasusi nito ay ang pinaka-unang hakbang na kailangang dapat nating gawin at ito ay walang iba kundi ang tunay na pagkakaisa ng lahat ng sinumang nagnanais ng tunay na pagbabago sa ating bayan.

Peru dahil sa kasalokoyang kalagayan ng sistema sa ating politika, sobra-sobrang dami at ibat-ibang uri ng mga partidong pampolitika ang nagsusulpotan ngayon at halos lahat ay gustong maipanalo ang kani-kanilang mga kandidato. Ang marangal na hangaring magsilbi sa bayan ay nagigi na ngayong parang isang sugal, at dahil dito nalapastangan ang pagka-sagrado ng tawag ng pagsilbi sa bayan. At tulad ng sugal, naging kasabay sa maruruming laro ng pera ay ang pandaraya at pandarambong sa halalan. Dahil sa uhaw ng kapangyarihan ng makasariling mga gustong mamumuno at dahil sa pagkasilaw ng lahat sa salapi, nagkawatak-watak ang mga mamayan at tuloy na nawalan ng tunay na pagkakaisa ang ating bayan.

Tuany na pagkakaisa ang siyang dahilan na nagtagumpay ang taombayan laban sa maling pamumuno noong panahon ng unang tunay na people power. Pagkakawatak-watak naman ng mga mamayan ang siyang nagiging dahilan sa di-pagtagumpay ng taombayan noong halalan sa 2004.

Tunay Na Pagkakaisa. Talagang ito ang pinaka-una na bagay na kailangan nating mapagtagumpayan kung nais man nating mga mamayan na tatahak sa daan ng pagbabago.

Siguro maaring sasabihin ng iba, "Katulad ninyo, malakas ang pananalig namin sa Panginoon na sa pagkatapos ng 2010 na eleksyon ay mangingibabaw muli ang isang matuwid na pamumuno sa ating bayan." Amen sa pananalig na ito. Ngunit subukan nating pag-ninilayan ang bagay na ito.

Kalooban ng Panginoon na ang isang bansa ay mapasa-ilalim ng isang matuwid na pamumuno. Hindi labag sa kalooban ng Panginoon kung ang isang bayan ay mananalangin na bigyan ito ng matuwid na mamumuno. Ngunit ang pamamaraan ng Panginoon sa pagtugon sa isang panalangin ay hindi sa lahat ng panahon katulad ng isang magulang na kapag umiyak ang isang sanggol dahil nagugutom ay bigyan kaagad ito ng didi. Hindi porke't nanalangin tayo na magkaroon ng matuwid na pumumuno ang ating bayan ay bigla na lang sa darating na eleksyon ay may mananalo na isang matuwid na lider. Totoong sumasagot ang Panginoon sa tunay na panalangin, ngunit kalimitan tinutugon niya ito sa pamamagitan ng isang pagsubok na kung mapagtagumpayan natin ay ang siyang maging susi sa kasagutan ng ating pinapanalangin.

Pagmasdan natin ang kasalokoyang pampolitikang kapaligiran sa ating bansa ngayon at suriing mabuti. Di ba natin nakita na binibigyan na ng katogunan ng Panginoon ang ating panalangin? Di ba natin nakita na bawat iisang grupo sa atin na pampolitikal na naghahangad ng tunay na pagbabago sa bayan ay binigyan ng Panginoon ng sari-sariling lakas, subalit kapag ginamit sa sarili lamang ay hindi sapat? Hindi ba natin nahalata na ang nais ng Panginoon na mangyari sa atin ay ang pagkakaroon ng pagkakaisa, at sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisang ito ay matitipon at mabubuo ang sari-sariling lakas natin na siyang pinakasusi sa kasagutan ng ating panalangin para sa 2010 elekesyon?

Subalit napakatalino ng Panginoon dahil ibinuho niya na talagang ang tunay lang na uri ng pagkakaisa ang dapat mananaig dahil kapag hindi tunay, hindi natin talagang makamtan ang kasagutan sa ating pinapanalanging tunay na pagbabago dahil pagkatapos ng eleksyon ay posibleng iiral na naman uli ang sari-sariling interest ng bawat grupong pampolitika at magkakabaha-bahagi na naman ang bayan natin, at ang kasagutan sa tunay na pagbabago na ating minimithi at pinapanalangin ay mananatili pa ring naghihintay na ating maangkin at matatamasa bagama't inilatad na ito ng Panginoon sa ating harapan.

Peru papaano ba natin makamtan ang tunay na pagkakaisa? Ang sagot ay napaka-simple lamang ngunit napakahirap gawin dahil nangangailangan ito ng tunay na lakas ng loob. Ang tunay na pagkakaisa ay nangangailangan ng pagbibitiw sa sarili para sa lahat, at ito ay tinatawag na sakripisyo, kagaya ng ginawa ng ating mga bayani.

Dahil sa ginawa ni Senador Mar Roxas at Ed Panlilio (at ng iba pang susunod sa kanilang ginawa) bagama't 'di man sila magiging pangulo ng ating bansa sa 2010, subalit sa kanilang sakripisyong ginawa sila ay nagiging pangulo sa paraang hindi lahat ng tao ay maaring makakaintindi, ngunit sa mga mata ng mga nakakaintindi nito, ito ay napakarangal at kahanga-hangang bagay.

Mga kababayan, sana sa panahong itinatakda ng Panginoon ay tunay na magkakaisa na tayong muli para sa tunay na pagbabago ng ating bayan.

As Unity Continues To Form, Strength Continues To Build Up

Panlilio, Padaca offer full support for Noynoy in 2010
GMANews.TV

Throwing their support behind Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio and Isabela Governor Grace Padaca on Friday announced that they will no longer join the 2010 presidential race.

"Pagkatapos ng aming pagdarasal, pakikilahok sa mga kaganapan sa ating lipunan at pag-iisip at pagkonsulta sa aming mga taga-suporta, nagpasya kaming lahat na tugunan ang tawag ng pagmamahaal sa bayan, sakripisyo at pagkakaisa na pinangunahan na ni Senator Mar Roxas noong martes," Panlilio read from their joint statement at a press conference in Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Padaca was reportedly sick and was not present in the press conference.

Panlilio said they were pulling out of the race so they could support a singular candidate who they believe can win against the administration bet.

He urged other presidential aspirants to follow their footsteps and give up the race for Noynoy. The two officials said they hope their decision could ensure that the legacy of Noynoy's parents, former President Corazon Aquino and Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., would be continued.

Noynoy has yet to categorically announce his presidential bid despite Liberal Party president Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas' announcement on Tuesday that he would be abandoning his own intention to seek the presidency to support his "friend."

Noynoy is currently in Zamboanga City to undergo a spiritual retreat to decide whether he would take up the cudgels for the LP and run for president.

But former President Joseph Estrada said Panlilio's decision to back out of his presidential bid hardly has any effect on the race.

"E mabuti naman, mabuti hindi siya maghihirap. Sa Pampanga pa lang mahirap siyang manalo, pano pa sa buong Pilipinas (That's good, at least he won't have a hard time. In Pampanga alone he's having a hard time winning, how much more if we're talking about the whole Philippines)," Estrada said in a radio dzBB interview.

Estrada said Panlilio's presidential aspiration was hardly counted. "Sa survey hindi naman lumalabas yung pangalan nya sa presidential e. Wag natin lokohin ang ating mga sarili (His name doesn't appear in presidential surveys. Let's not fool ourselves)."

Estrada had earlier announced he is 99.9 percent certain that he will again seek the presidency in 2010.

Estrada's hesitation to back down from the 2010 polls is fueled by the recent Pulse Asia survey showing the deposed leader placing second to Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. should the presidential elections be held now.

Vice President Manuel "Noli" de Castro was in third place at 16 percent, while Senators Francis Escudero and Manuel Roxas II also score double-digit presidential voter preferences (12 percent and 11 percent, respectively).

Others included in the presidential survey, including Panlilio, obtained voter preferences of 6 percent or less.

Click here to see video.

Related links:

* Tuloy pNoy (The Noynoy Aquino for President Movement)
* Cebu group launches Aquino campaign

The Time For Preparation & Spiritual Strengthening Has Come

Noynoy to seek 'divine guidance' for 2010 plans
abs-cbnNEWS.com

Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Wednesday announced that he will be going on a retreat this coming weekend for "divine guidance" for his plans on the 2010 presidential elections.

"This weekend, starting tomorrow actually, I will be going on a spiritual retreat as I pray for discernment and divine guidance," Aquino said in a prepared speech.

He also implored his supporters to pray with him, and said he hoped people are one with him in the "difficult struggle ahead."

"I urge you to pray with me so that you too can assess your own readiness to take part in the difficult struggle ahead. We are hopefully in this together," he said.

"Hindi ko po tatalikuran ang hamong ito, sana'y kasama ko kayo sa labang ito," Aquino said.

"Sa mga nalalabing araw ng aming pagluluksa at pagdadalamhati sa pagpanaw ng aming mahal na ina, sisikapin ko pong taospusong sagutin ang katanungang ito. Sana maunawaan po ninyo ang bagay na ito," Aquino said.

Aquino made his announcement in front of members and supporters of the Liberal Party at a press conference at Club Filipino in San Juan.

Noy thanks Mar

Aquino's announcement came a day after Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II announced his withdrawal from the 2010 presidential race to give way for an Aquino candidacy under the LP.

In his speech on Wednesday, Aquino first thanked Roxas for his "sacrifice" in withdrawing from the 2010 race, in favor of party unity and the sake of the nation.

"Umaapaw po ang paghanga at paggalang ko kay Mar sa kanyang pagsasaaalangalang ng kanyang personal na ambisyon para sa pagkakaisa ng aming partido at para sa higit na mataas na mithiin na kapwa namin inaasahan para sa aming taumbayan," Aquino said.

"Senator Roxas's sacrifice is the finest example of selflessness that our nation sorely needs in this morally troubled times," he said.

He also echoed Roxas' call for personal sacrifice.

"Tulad po ng kanyang sinabi kagabi, kalimutan po natin ang ating mga sarili dahil ang laganap na pagtingin sa pansariling kapakanan ang mismong ugat ng kasakiman at pagkawatak-watak na sumisira sa ating lipunan," he said.

Noy, Mar one in their fight

Aquino said he and Roxas will be one in their fight.

"Kasama po ako ni Mar sa malaking laban na ito. At sana, kasama rin naman ang bawat Pilipinong naniniwala sa aking kalinisan ng loob, at ng karamihan ng ating mga kababayan at naghahangad ng isang bansang tunay nating maipagmamalaki," he said.

He also said that this is not really an issue about him or Roxas.

"Ang usapin pong ito ay di tungkol sa akin o kay Mar. Ang mahalaga pong malaman ay kung kasama namin kayo sa misyon ng tunay na pagbabago. Hindo po madali ang misyong ito dahil matindi ang kabulukukang bumabalot sa ating lipunan. Nguni't hindi imposibleng makamit ang ating mga pinakamimithi para sa Pilipinas. Ito ay magsisimula sa bawat isa sa atin," he said.

He made his announcement at the historic Gabaldon Room, where his mother, the late former president Corazon Aquino, took her oath of office in 1986.

Click here for related story and video clip.

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Walang sinumang tunay na sasabak sa isang matinding hamon ng responsibilidad na hindi man lang naghahanda sa kanyang sarili kahit papaano.

Kung si Noynoy ay kailangan niyang ihanda ang kanyang sarili, e mas lalong kailangang ihanda ng taombayan ang kanilang mga sarili dahil ang hamon na kanilang tatahakin ay hindi lamang hanggang sa pagkakampanya at pagboto kay Noynoy. Tutoloy ito lampas pa sa eleksyon hanggang sa susunod na darating pa na yugto ng ating kasaysayan.

Walang tunay na pagbabago na walang katumbas at kalakip na sakripisyo. Ang tanong ngayon na dapat nating itanong sa ating mga sarili ay ito, "Anong sakripisyo ang mai-alay at mai-bahagi ko para sa katuparan at tagumpay nitong ating sama-samang minimithing tunay na pagbabago ng ating bayan?"

Si Senador Mar Roxas ay nag-alay na ng sakripisyo. Sa pamamagitan ng kanyang ginawang sakripisyo, binuksan niya ang daan hindi lang para kay Noynoy kundi lalo na para din sa ating lahat.

Ngayon na ang tamang panahon para simulan na nating tipunin ang ating mga sarili at magpalakas sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa sa iisang mithiin.

Bukas na ang daan. Peru gaano ba tayo kahandang lalakad nito?

The Way Is Now Opening

Mar Roxas withdraws from 2010 race
ABS-CBN News
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Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II formally announced his withdrawal from the 2010 presidential race on Tuesday and his support for his partymate, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

"I am announcing my support for the candicacy of Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010," Roxas said at a press conference at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.

"Noy has made it clear to me that he wants to carry the torch of leadership. The passing of our beloved former President Aquino has reawakened a passion among us. I acknowledge this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dream: Good will triumph over evil," he said in his speech.

"Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko. Maniwala man kayo o hindi, ginagawa ko ito para sa bayan, para sa inyo. I do this for unity in support of change. And if that means that somebody must make the sacrifice, it must be me. Ako na," Roxas said, alluding to his political ads.

Among those present were LP chairman emeritus and former Senate President Jovito Salonga, former education secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad, and Aquino.

Country above self

He said his decision to withdraw his 2010 bid was placing the interests of the country above his own.

"Country above self. Bayan bago sarili," he said at the beginning of his speech.

Roxas said that he and Aquino share the same "outrage over the mess we are all in, the same way we share the solution--clean, honest, selfless public service."

"Noynoy and I want to make a difference, but we also know that we need to unite to achieve what we want," he said.

"Over the weekend, Noynoy and I had many long conversations... Masinsinang usapan. We agreed: Let us forget about ourselves for a moment. This is not about us, this is about our people and our country. This is about our common dream. The dream of our parents. But let us not remain a country of dreamers. Tama na ang pangarap. Gawin na natin, ngayon," Roxas said.

Before ending his speech, Roxas gave a message to Aquino.

"To you Noy, I say: I began the campaign to sow the seeds para sa pagbabago at reporma. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership," Roxas said.

"Hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Noy. I will stand with him," he said.

Nonoy's plans

He also had a message for his supporters, saying he won't be abandoning them.

"At sa aking mga kababayan, sa mga nagtiwala sa akin: Mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Mahal na mahal ko po ang ating bayan. Hindi rin tayo maghihiwalay. Itutuloy natin ang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Itutuloy natin ang laban para sa reporma," he said.

He, however, did not say if he will be Aquino's running mate, or if he would run for re-election in the Senate. Noynoy is expected to make announcement about his decision for 2010 on Wednesday.

Prior to the press conference, LP officials declined to confirm the announcement, but LP leader and former representative Nereus Acosta told ABS-CBN's Pia Hontiveros prior to the 6:30 pm press conference that the LP is heeding the clamor of the people.

Acosta said Roxas will be explaining the rationale for the changes in the LP's political plans. He said national interest, rather than personal interest, became the basis for Roxas' decision.

Since Roxas announced his decision to run as LP's presidential candidate, he has spent heavily on political ads.

Liberal Party roots

Both the Roxas and Aquino families have deep roots in the Liberal Party.

Roxas' grandfather, former President Manuel Roxas, founded the Liberal Party in the 1960's. The elder Manuel was the first president of the Philippine Republic.

Roxas' father, former Senator Gerardo M. Roxas, was the president of the party from 1969 to 1982. "My father led it during the most difficult times of Martial Law. Sa harap ng peligro, sa kabila ng napakaraming tukso, hindi siya sumuko. (In difficulties and temptations, he did not give up.)"

"He inspired me-to stay the course, to fight the good fight, to pass the test of true character. To believe," Roxas shared about his father.

Aquino's parents were also involved in the Liberal Party. His father, former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. was the party's most vocal member against the Marcos rule. His mother, former President Cory Aquino, ran as a guest candidate of the party in the 1986 snap election.

In the weeks leading to Roxas' announcement on Tuesday, Filipinos mourned the August 1 death of Cory Aquino, a democracy icon, and commemmorated Ninoy Aquino's death last August 21.

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Salamat kay Senador Mar Roxas sa kanyang ginawang pagbigay daan kay Noynoy. Kahanga-hanga ang kanyang sakripisyong ipinakita, isang gawi ng bayani.

Tama si Mar na hindi ang sariling ambisyon ang dapat manaig sa puso ng isang lider kundi ang kapakanan ng taombayan at ng buong sambayanan ang kailangang maisa-alang-alang. Ang mga hinaing ng mga mamayan ay ang siyang magiging pinakaplataporma ng sinumang magnanais na magsilbi sa bayan at ito rin dapat ay ang siyang magiging paninindigan ng kanilang partido.

"You just have to have faith in the filipino people. Alam nila kung ano yong tama, at alam nila kung sino'ng nambobola, at alam nila kung ano ang landas na tatahakin ng bayan." -- Former Gongressman Acosta of LP, speaking at ANC's Strictly Politics.

Peru noong nakaraang mga araw at mga buwan, bakit nila ginawang tanga si Senador Mar Roxas sa pamamagitan ng paulit-ulit nilang pagpapalabas sa kanyang pampolitikal na patalastas sa nasyonal na mga telebesyon kahit wala pa sa takdang panahon ng pangangampanya? Patalastas na halatang pambobola lamang at nilalaro lamang ang emosyon ng taombayan? Maliban pa dyan, pinagsasamantalaan pa nila ang kahinaan ng ating batas sapagkat ang kanilang ginawa ay isang uri ng pag-ilag sa ating batas panghalalan. Sana ay tunay na magbago na ang gawi ng ating mga politiko. Huwag sanang mahulog sa kamaliang ito si Noynoy.