A Day In The Life Of A Student

International Political Relations as Distinct Academic Discipline

2011-10-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

International Political Relations as Distinct Academic Discipline

Alt and Alesina’s “Political Economy:An Overview” and Gil’s “Reorienting the New (International) Political Economy” provides an overview on the importance of studying political economy, which relates to the political economy of institutions and public policy.. Political Economy, is described as a research which attempts to answer two central questions: how do institutions evolve in response to individual incentives, strategies and choice, and how do institutions affect the performance of political and economic systems? Political Economy has rejected the exogeneity of institutions and discussed the rejection of the dichotomization of economics and politics, which are in inextricably interconnected. For example, the implementation of laws is not possible without a given budget. Currently, the research agenda in IPE is being driven by a number of factors and forces that are often collectively labeled globalization. Gil’s described that globalization has little to do with the traditional state-centered concerns of International Relations, which is one reason some IPE scholars have now begun to think of IPE as distinct academic discipline, not just a sub-field of IR. There lies a challenge to re-invent the current discipline in order to make it more distinct. “The science of economics presupposes a given political order, and cannot be profitably studied in isolation from politics.” (E.H. Carr)

What we cannot have (again!) is economics without politics, and politics without economics. Economics is intrinsically political, thus economics and politics are interrelated, whereas the foreign economic policies that governments adopt emerge from the interaction between societal actors’ interest and political institution.(Oatley). International Political Economy opens up several new research agendas, some of which move away from IR as traditionally understood. The main strength of international political economy is that it raises the problems of development and change of sovereign statehood. The “development” problems are at the centre of the discipline, which focuses on the realities of global inequality, global / social polarization, and global income… The new international political economy also attempts to move away from the single western Eurocentric view, to change to a global discipline which will teach people something about the common, intellectual, material and spiritual culture and history of humanity and therefore about our common feature. The national economy is crucially important resource basis for the nation state. The borders of markets are dynamic, transparent, and porous; they rarely coincide exactly with the borders of states and a few markets today are even global in their reach. When trade within a market involves buyers and sellers in different nation-states, it becomes international trade and the object of political scrutiny. The main weakness of international political economy is that in its attempt to find a “global view of the discipline, international political economy ignores cultural differences, as well as internal class differences. Countries are grouped as 'core' and 'periphery,' but their cultures are ignored, and this makes the theory too simplistic as a holistic view. International Political Economy fails to incorporate internal class difference into research, which detracts from its credibility. It is also impossible to have a “global view” of the discipline that promotes the common interest of the humanity, because nation-states defined themselves by population and geography which causes “global tension”, as the countries are deemed to be nationalistic. It is difficult in globalization, to implement a global view, because there is a contradiction of views and adaptability. It would be difficult to remove the “culture centrism” since the countries would not think about the global goals of nations, instead they would first concentrate on the improvement on their own state, domestically. States, therefore, do care about the where (what countries would I or not transact with) and the who (who will they will be transacting with) and this creates a tension between the economic and the political analysis of trade. Globalization, a process that seems to defy easy definition, it breaks down barriers whether these barriers separate nation-states, cultures, labor markets, national economies and academic disciplines, creating a New IPE in the process. In so doing, IPE has perhaps carved out for itself an unexpected role: the academic discipline that studies the results of the creative destruction of modern society. Implementing political economy must be reformed, innovative, and reinvented, in order for it to become a distinct academic discipline devoid of infinite concepts..

Sources:

· Alt, James E & Alesina, Albero. (September 1998). Chapter 28. Political Economy: An Overview. A New Handbook of Political Science, pp. 645-675(31) Oxford Scholarship Online Monographs

· Gills, Barry K. (2001). Re-orienting the New (International) Political Economy New Political Economy, Volume 6, Issue 2 July 2001 , pages 233 - 245

· E.H. Carr, THE TWENTY YEARS' CRISIS

· Michael Veseth. (2004) What is IPE?

· Jackson, Robert H. et al. Introduction to international relations

· Oatley, Thomas, International Political Economy. Interest and Institutions in the Global Economy.

· New International Political Economy: Debates and Criticisms

The International: Movie Analysis applying neoliberalist policies

2011-10-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

The International: Movie Analysis applying neoliberalist policies

In the movie “The International”, Interpol agent Salinger and his partner, New York Assistant D.A Whitman, are consistently stonewalled by local law enforcement in their attempt to close in on the bank’s insiders. They uncovered that I.B.B.C, an international bank, is buying large amount of weapons, and which it then sells to some terrorist organizations. The bank is involved in certain illegal activities such us money laundering, arms trading and destabilization of governments. The IBBC is trying to become the world’s bank that all terrorist and third-world nations use when shopping for ill-gotten weapons. But since the IBBC’s network of assassins and corrupt officials remains elusive, that justice comes mostly in the form of stale platitudes. According to Sallinger “Sometimes a man can meet his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.” The plot seems perfectly suited to the dire financial times in which we live in, the opportunity is lost in what amounts to a competent thriller that becomes less plausible as it progresses. The plot of the film is plausible because international banks, such as the World Bank, and IMF, have the capability to control how a government could leads its people through the programs and rules that they make for some countries that borrow money in their banks. The IBBC is also described by Calvini as bank, which have the objective to control the debt that the conflict produces. According to Calvini, if you control the debt, you control everything. When we look at our present economy at the moment, we can see this is already happening. Banks are controlling the debts of third world countries, like the Philippines for example. The Philippines has gained enormous amounts of debt from the IMF, and so that the government could borrow more, the Philippine Government blindly follows the neoliberalist policies of the IMF, even though these policies may not benefit the country. The movie presented an international bank that does not only control the money of the people, but also controls the government. They control their lives, and as a result everybody pays. The very essence of the banking industry, to make us all, whether we be nations or individuals slaves to debt.

Characteristics of Public Administration in a democratic institution

2011-10-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

Characteristics of Public Administration in a democratic institution

Principles at the heart of good governance are participation, pluralism, subsidiarity, transparency, accountability, equity, access, partnership, and efficiency. The essence of public administration as a democratic institution is to use the principles of good (democratic) governance to design and structure state institutions, their internal processes and mechanisms, and their mission. Simply stated, it implies that public administration as a democratic institution has the following characteristics:

It is accountable and transparent

“In the words of Francisco S. Tantuico Jr., former chairman of the Commission on Audit of the Philippines: “Public accountability is the foundation of integrity. It cuts to the soul of government. It unmasks the government of the day of whatever façade it wears.” The Constitution of the Philippines describes public accountability thus:

Public Office is a public trust. Public Officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice and lead modest lives.”(Briones Leonor)...

It is decentralized

Ø The Philippine Government is decentralized the legislation of the Local government code of 1991, whereas the legislation gave lgu units responsibility for basic services in health, agriculture, public works, and social welfare and environment and natural resources.

It is instrumental in ensuring fair and legitimate elections

Ø Various departments are held incharge to make sure that there will be fair and legitimate elections, such as comelec...The various departments in the government sometimes help to conduct the election to be fair and legitimate...Elections may be insufficient, but they are a necessary and essential element of democracy. By allowing certain government posts to be filled through the choices made by the electorate, elections function as a mechanism for determining the legitimacy of the political leadership, while at the same time guaranteeing the representational requirements of a modern democratic state. It is because of these characteristics that elections create opportunities, as minimum as they maybe, for altering the status quo and serve as a vehicle for political change.

It is based on a system of checks and balances between the executive branch and the judiciary and legistlative.

Ø The principle of the separation of powers has been adopted in the Philippines in order to avoid arbitrary rule and abuse of authority. The so called checks and balances among the three major departments of the government -executive, legislative and the judiciary – are no more than means of control by each and upon each of the departments. It is the duty of the departments to exercise moderation in their dealings with one another and their treatment of the public interest.This principle was instituted in the Philippine constitution for the purpose of impeding each branch from trespassing and seizing the power vested to others. Moreover, the provisions of the constitution in establishing limitations on the exercise of government authority also provide means of moderation

It plays a central role in combating exclusion and protecting the rights of minorities and disadvantaged groups

Ø Government activities undertaken to protect society as a whole. This includes national defense, protective services like police, fire and jail, education and environment.

Ø The government protects the rights of the minorities and disadvantaged groups through various executive orders that is instituted, like the laws that protects the lands, of various ethnic groups, and minorites

It has adequate management capacity to enhance access to justice;

Ø Free access to courts are not denied to any person by reason of poverty..The government make sure that the people are not deprived of their rights especially when they are facing criminal case, civil case,etc..

It protects public goods

Ø The pursuit of the public good by enhancing civil society, ensuring a well-run, fair, and effective public service are some of the goals of the field.

Ø Government activities are desinged to provided assistance to economic, pressure, and social groups.

It provides a facilitating environment for the active engagement and role of civil society and the private sector

Ø There government should not passed laws abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

Ø Government activties undertaken to regulate

It utilizes the power of information and communication technology to promote citizens’ access and participation in the development proces

1. Article 3, Bill of Rights, Section 7: The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law”

It promotes and strengthens partnerships of various types to achieve objectives.

Ø This characteristics is evident in the various politcal parties, interest groups and pressure groups in the Philippines....

Structural Features

1. hierarchal structure of authority

2. creation of subunits based on differ nation of functions or specialization

3. recruitment and promotion based on merit and competence

4. a system of rules and procedures to guide action in the organization.

Source:

Ø United Nations (2007). PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: Governments Serving Citizens. 7th Global Forum on Reinventing Government. Building Trust in Government 26-29 June 2007, Vienna, Austria

Ø Briones Leonor. Public Financial Accountability for Integrity and Results: The Case of the Philippine Bureau of the Treasury

Ø 1987 Phillippine Constitution

Ø Tendero, Avelino (2000). Theory and Practice of Public Administration in the Philippines.Fiscal Administation Foundation Inc. (FaFI): Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.

Ø De Guzman, Raul P. Is there a Public Administration

POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS AS BASIC FUNDAMENTAL PROTECTION OF MAN

2010-03-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS AS BASIC FUNDAMENTAL PROTECTION OF MAN

John Locke is among the most influential political philosophers of the modern period. In the Two Treaties of Government, he claimed that men by nature and free and equal against the “divine right theory” claims that God had made all people naturally subject to a monarch. Locke argued that people have rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property that have a foundation independent of the laws of any particular society. The social contract, where in the people in the state of nature agrees to transfer some of their rights to the sovereign such as the government to insure of protection of their properties, lives, and liberties. According to him if the government fails to promote the public good, it can be resisted and replaced with a new government by revolution. Locke also defends the principle of majority rule and the separation of legislative and executive powers.

Man is considered as a human being; therefore he/she has the capacity to exists as rational and free within their expected societal acceptance. By nature man is capable of understanding the “causes and effect” of their actions, as Lock claimed that “all men by nature are equal”, that is to say that everyone has an equal right to his / her own freedom without being subjected to the will or authority of another. We are all governed by “the law of reason”, in which “Law” is not so much limited as the direction of a free and intelligent agent to his proper interest. Thus self-government according to the law of reasons is necessary for human freedom. This freedom of man, and the liberty of acting according to his own will is grounded on his having reason, which able to instruct himself in “Law”. As men multiply, there is a need to for us to create a vital form of control in setting up societies, various institutions in order to preserve peace, liberty, justice. The political institutions as the basic fundamental institutions for man’s survival, we must support and utilize it in a proper manner. Man needs political institutions to exist as rational and free, because it is need to protect the basic fundamental rights of people, property, and etc. Without the existence of political institutions, man will lead to chaos and revolution. Man could live rational and free by nature, but if where are living in the group or society, we need as a set of institutionalized form of control such as laws, that will our protect and preserve our “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.” In order, to balance the competing the interest, institutions are created for fair and justifiable lifestyle. But in the modern world, as there is the existence of society such as state, must need institutional form of control.

Reference:

1) Curtis, Michael (1976) The Great Political Theories V2. Haper Collins.

2) Santiago, Miriam Deffennsor (2003) History of Philosophy: The Great Political Thinkers (Philosphy Series, Vol 1) Central Professional Books, Inc: Quezon City

3) Eisenstein, Great Political Thinkers

A successful Ruler in Machiavelli’s Eyes

2010-03-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

A successful Ruler in Machiavelli’s Eyes

Machiavelli is considered one of the great early modern analyzers of political power. For Machiavelli, a prince must have the following characteristics such as deceit, cunning and expedient in order to be a great leader. He believes that man must control his own destiny, not God(s) or society. In doing so, man is in effect now allowing “nature” to dictate his fate. He treats morality and religion simply as “a means to political ends.” One of his famous claims is that “the end justifies the means”, in which he says that in order for a prince / ruler to attain his goals for the “common good”, he must sacrifice something like people (war, violence), land, and etc. From Machiavelli's point of view, a prince's attitude toward power must be based on an understanding of human nature, which he perceived as basically self-centered. Political activity, therefore, could not be restricted by moral considerations. The prince acts on behalf of the state and for the sake of the state must be willing to let his conscience sleep. Machiavelli believes that in order to be a great leader, one must be too kind or generous, liberality, clemency, and mercy, for he might be think of one as weak. Machiavelli’s principles and ideals can be consolidated into three main mindsets. 1.) Men should either be caressed or crushed, 2.) You must be prepared to act immorally when it becomes necessary, and 3.) It is better to be feared than loved.

At present, the contemporary state of politics is more democratic and civilized. There is not much chaos as what Machiavelli present. His idea of an ideal ruler is still viable in our government; however some ideas presented needs to be changed. Although, some politicians use his political blueprints for success, but they never cease to be effective. An example would be President Bush’s application of “the ends justifies the mean” when he sent troops to Iraq. His actions might have stopped some atrocities that the terrorist might make, but it leads to more violence, conflict and etc. Indeed, only a part of the “ideal ruler” will work today, since it’s not as chaotic as Machiavelli presented in the “The Prince”. However, the “ideal ruler” is what we need today, in order to correct corrupt and abusive practices in the government. If a leader wants to follow what Machiavelli’s idea of a ruler, the leader must be take things at a time in order to become the ideal ruler. The “ideal ruler” that others perceived today might be the same and sometimes different from Machiavelli’s. They might perceive a great leader as just, “god-fearing”, charismatic, optimistic and etc. Although we have had some leaders that possess those qualities that Machiavelli said that a leader should have, they are not using this to be a great leader, but use their skills and abilities for their own interest only. “The Prince” would be nice training handbooks for future leaders; the ideas presented would help them be a great leader in a lot of ways. Using it might be great for countries that doesn’t have a strong government or have been The truth is Machiavelli is only being honest with what he have observed consistently to be true. The effect of his writing are still found today.

List of Alleged Corruption Cases During the Administration of Pres. Gloria M. Macapagal-Arroyo

2010-01-24T20:41:00.000-08:00

What is corruption?

Corruption is the misuse of entrusted power for private gain.

NBN ZTE Scandal
Millions of bribe money to Congressmen and Governors (October 2007)
Cheating in 2004 Elections (Hello Garci)
Joc Joc Bolante Case (Fertilizer Scam, P728 Million)
Jose Pidal Bank Account (Unexplained Wealth, P200 Million)
Nani Perez Power Plant Deal ($2 Million)
Use of Road User’s Tax for Campaigning
Billion Peso Macapagal Boulevard (Overprice of P532 Million)
Juetengate (Illegal Numbers game kickbacks)
Extra Judicial Killings
Arroyo Moneys in Germany (Exposed by Senator Cayetano)
General Garcia and Other Military Men
Billion Peso Poll Automation contract (P1.3 Billion)
Northrail Project($503 Million)
Maguindanao Results of 2007 Elections (Zubiri, Bedol)
NAIA-3
Venable Contract (Norberto Gonzales)
Swine Scam (Exposed by Atty. Harry Roque)
P432-million fertilizer deal in 2003

Journalist and former Ombudsman of the DA Marlene Esperat was killed 2005. The gunmen were apprehended and convicted, but the mastermind was never caught.

Source:http://arroyocorruption.pbworks.com/

BLISS

2009-12-22T01:21:00.000-08:00

BLISS

i can't think of a title.. =)....this quote is by Bob Marley.. This quote just got me thinking about some people in my life and some others that i’ve met for only a brief time. ...hayz..maganda lang ung qoute, i hope, niahaha.. =)...

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”

~ Bob Marley.

Philippine Foreign Policy Analysis

2009-10-25T06:52:00.001-07:00

Philippine Foreign Policy Analysis

Gilpin focused on the powerful economic, political and technological forces that transformed to economic globalization. He argues that the state, like the market, remains a principal institution. He also cautions against overestimating the power of multinational corporations; most economic transactions still occur within nations and not across nations. Waltz introduced the neorealism theory which states seek to survive within an anarchical system. Although states may seek survival through power balancing, balancing is not the aim of that behaviour. Balancing is a product of the aim to survive, because the international system is regarded as anarchic and based on self-help, the most powerful units set the scene of action for others as well as themselves; (poles); the international system, characterized as unipolar, bipolar or multi polar. Putnam introduced the two-level game theory, a political model of international conflict resolutions between liberal democracies.The "two-level game" is a metaphor referring to a situation where statesmen are positioned between domestic politics and international negotiations and should simultaneously calculate the domestic and international implications of their actions:"International negotiations must be seen as a double edged process in which every actor tries to take into account expected reactions on both the domestic and international level

A wise government in its home policy considers the reasonable wants of the people; in its foreign policy it is prepared to resist the unjust demands and the unreasonable views of foreign powers.( Lord Palmerston, leader of the liberal party in Victorian England) The Neorealism Perspective and State Centric (partly reflected) are reflected in the main objectives of Philippine Foreign Policy. To date, the Philippines pursues the 3 main pillars / objectives of foreign policy, which are the following: Preservation, and and enhancement of national security; promotion and attainment of economic security through the mobilization of external resources for economic advancement and social development; the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interests of Filipinos overseas. The state centric realism is also reflected in the Foreign Philippine Policy, in as much the Philippine state is seen as the the primary actor in the international affair. The central concerns of the state in state centric realism, are it's national interest as defined in terms of military security and political independence. National Security is and always will be the principal concern of the states. The engagement of the Philippines in the global community is guided by the mandates of the 1987 Constitution, more specifically, Article 2 Declarations of Principles and State Policies, Sections 7; the state shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states the paramount consideration shall be the national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination Neorealism holds that the international structure is defined by its ordering principle, which is anarchy, and by the distribution of capabilities, measured by the number of great powers within the international system. The anarchic ordering principle of the international structure is decentralized, having no formal central authority, and is composed of formally equal sovereign states. These states act according to the logic of self-help--states seek their own interest and will not subordinate their interest to another's. Neo-Realism maintains that while states maybe concern with raising the population’s standard of living and promoting national moral values international, these goals must ultimately remain subordinate to ensuring the state’s survival, without which all aspirations are doomed anyway. To guard against the worst case scenario of national enslavement or destruction, states tend to see each other as potential enemies. Corollary to Section 7 is Section 2 which states; The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations. Neo-realists also assume that states are rational, unitary actors in their external behavior because when it comes to international relations and foreign policy, all factions and organizations agree on the common goal of making the states as secure as possible (Denny, Roy, (1998), China's Foreign Policy). Neorealism is based on the on the rational choice approach to internal relations, with it's three axioms: 1) States are concerned with self preservation in a self-help system.; 2) States are concerned with their positons vis-a-vis other states; this is also known as the concept of relative gains. 3) These concerns will lead states to form and preserve balances of power.States are assumed at a minimum to want to ensure their own survival as this is a prerequisite to pursue other goals. This driving force of survival is the primary factor influencing their behavior and in turn ensures states develop defensive or offensive military capabilities. because states can never be certain of other states' future intentions, there is a lack of trust between states which requires them to be on guard against relative losses of power which could enable other states to threaten their survival. This lack of trust, based on uncertainty, is called the security dilemma. (Culture Relations: The Role of the State)./

Kenneth Waltz. The Emerging Structure of International Politics
Robert. Putnam, Diplomacy and Domestic Politics: The Logic of 2-Level Games by Putnam
Robert, Gilpin. The New Political Economic Order
Romulo, Alberto (2004) Philippine Foreign Policy Realities. (Speech) Manila Overseas Press Club Diplomatic Night: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/archive/speech/romulo/realities.htm
1987 Phillippine Constitution
Denny, Roy, (1998), China's Foreign Policy
Santiago, Defensor. (2002). International Relation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neorealism_(international_relations)

Sun Tzu's Adivce on How to Achieve Goals

2009-08-12T12:36:00.001-07:00

Sun Tzu's Adivce on How to Achieve Goals
(and translation in modern development context)

Maintain good spies. (Maintain up-to-date-information using the lastest technological methodologies.
Know when to fight, when to stall and when to retreat. (Know when to confront, when to main status quo and when to collaborate).
Use guile and surprise war. (Develop technical expertise and intellectual superiority through education and value formation. Act swiftly.
Be brave, loyal and comply with instructions. (Practice dedication, unity and full adherence to your mission and objectives.
Mentally rehearse the battle over and over again before it it waged. (Make full preparation, take full cognizance of contingencies and enforce full psyching of the entire organization.
Use intuition and creative responses to situational changes. (Same for the modern development strategies.)

* THE GOVERNOR'S HANDBOOK, LPP, 1992

Who am I? - - THE HABIT

2009-08-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

Who am I?

I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failture. I am completely at your command. Half the thing you do might just as well turn over me, and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed - you must merely be firm with me.

Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great people; and alas of all failures as well. Those who are failures I have made failures.

I am not a machine, though I work with all precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a human being. You may run for a profit or turn me for ruin -- it makes no differen to me.

Take me, Train me, Be Firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you..

I am the Habit.!

Review: Christine Bellen's Batang Rizal (PETA)

2009-08-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

On September 16, 2007.. Our Filipino teachers made us watch the play about the young Jose Rizal, and teacher made us passed a paper / review on the play.. I did not have time to post this then, because i did'nt have a blog yet, but i found some old papers from my previous classes that i want to share...This paper was passed when i was a second year political science student, i currently a fourth year political science...*I am not a good tagalog speaker, but i tried my best to make the paper as scholary as i could...lol..I never thought i could write some deep Filipino tagalog words...

The Play was entitled "Batang Rizal" by Christine Bellen..The actors and actress that comprised of the play were from PETA (Philippine Eucational Theater Assocation")

Christine Bellen's Batang Rizal

Sino nga ba ang maituturing nating bayani ngayon? Paano kaya nating huhubugin ang pagiging isang bayani sa panahong ito? Sinisikap ng dulang "Batang Rizal" ni Christine Belen na magbigay ng kasagutan sa mga katanungang ito, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita kung paano magkakakilala ang Batang Rizal, si Pepe at Pepito, isang magaaral na nasa-ikaanim na baitang sa mababang paaralan ng Rizal sa kasalakuyan, sa nakaraan. Ipinapakita sa dula ang buhay ni Rizal noong siya ay bata pa. Ang dula ay naglalayong ibahagi sa mga kabataang Pilipino ang mga mahahalagang usapin ukol sa pagiging bayani, at mga kaakibat ng pagiging bayani. Ang salitang bayani ay marahil malayo sa pagkakaintindi ng mga kabataan nabubuhay sa kasalukuyang lipunang bugbog sa realidad ng pandaraya, pangabuso at pagkukunwari na ipinapakita ng samu't - saring mamamayan at institusyong sosyal, lalong lalo na sa ating kommunidad o gobyerno. Una sa lahat, ang dulang ito ay karapat-dapt na panoorin ng mga kabataan upang malaman nila na ang bawat bata ay pwedeng maging isang bayani basta gumagawa sila ng kabutihan sa kanilamg mga simpleng gawain. Gawaing, maging ito'y maliit man or malaki, ang mga simpleng paggawa ng kabutihan ay isang malaking bagay na pagpapakitan ng kabayanihan. Matutununan din ng mga kabataan sa dulang ito na ang pagkabayani ng isang tao ay hindi nakikita sa mga bantayog, gamit or iba pa.

Naganap ang Batang Rizal sa panahon ng kanilang selebrasyon ng Buwan ng Wika at Kultura sa mababang paaralan ng Rizal. Si Pepito ay naharap sa isang malaking problema - kailangan niyang makanap ng paraan upang mapalitan ang nasira niyang bantayog ng pambansang bayani, ang bantayog ni Dr. Jose Rizal. At sa tulong ng isang mahiwagang linro, si Pepito ay napunta sa nakaraan at doon niya nakilala ang Batang Rizal, si Pepe, sa Calamba, Laguna. Malinaw na nailarawan sa dulang ang mga tagpuan, may buhay ito. Mahalaga ang bawat tagpuan sa kwento, katulad ng sa Calamba, Laguna. Ang lugar na iyon ay mahalaga, upang ipakita kung paano pinalaki si Rizal. Ang Mababang Paaralan ng Rizal ay mahalaga rin, dahil pinapakita dito ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon.

Ang mga nagsiganap sa dulang ito ay pawang magagaling sa pag-arte, dahil mahirap gampanan ang paple ni Rizal noong siya ay bata pa, lalo na dahil mas maraming nasulat tungkol sa kanyang pagiging bayani. Pero nagawa ito ng mahusay ng aktor. Isa lang ang naging problema sa dula, at ito'y ay ang ginawang "puppet show" ni Pepito dahil habang ito ay kanyang ginagawa, may isang "shadow-play" sa gitna ng stage. Maganda iyong "shadow-play" upang mas lalong nilang maikuwento ulit ang "Ang Bujay ni Pagong at Matsing" pero ang ang mga attensyon nila ay nanakaw ng makulay na disenyo sa "puppet show."

Ang dulang "Batang Rizal" ay naging epektibong paraan upang maalala nating ang naging buhay ng ating pambansang bayani. Para sa akin ang dulang ito ay umaakit ng paniniwala't pagsang-ayon, dahil naniniwala ako na ang kabayanihan ay hindi makikita sa mga bantayog o anumang bagay, ito'y dapat lang isapuso. At, puwedeng maging isang bayani basta sila ay magandang asal, may pagmamahal sa bayan at gumagawa ng mga simpleng bagay na nakakatulong sa iba.

Nagbibigay ito ng kahalagahan ng kasimplehan at ipinapaalala sa atin na dapat nating ipagmalaki ang pagiging isang Pilipino. Informal ang naging istilo ng mga nagsiganap sa kanilang pagsasalitan, imbes na "formal" gaya ng lagi nating ginagamit kung ang paksa ay si "Rizal". Dahil sa paggamit nilang ng informal na istilo, mas madaming kabataan ang naeengayong manood ng dula. Kasi, nakakarelyt sila dito. Pawang orihinal at simple ang naging himing ng dulang ito. Bilang kabataan, naniniwala ako na ang dulang ito any makakatulong sa pagresolba ng mga problema o issues sa ating bayan sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa ating minamahal na bayan. Dapat nating tandaan na ang kabataan ang pagasa ng bayan. Ang ating mga pananaw at paguugali, ang magiging daan tungo sa isang tapat at naninindigang Pilipino upang maglaan ng pagibig sa ating bansa.

State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2009

2009-07-29T23:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the full text (transcript) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's 2009 State of the Nation Address last July 27, 2009...According to the Article VII, Section 23 of the 1987 Constitution "The The President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session. He may also appear before it at any other time"

State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2009

Thank you, Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Before I begin my report to the nation, please join me first in a moment of prayer for President Cory Aquino. Senate President Enrile, Speaker Nograles, Senators, Representatives, Vice President de Castro, former President Ramos, Chief Justice Puno, Ambassadors friends:

The past twelve months have been a year for the history books. Financial meltdown in the West spread throughout the world.

Tens of millions lost their jobs; billions across the globe have been hurt—the poor always harder than the rich. No one was spared.

It has affected us already. But the story of the Philippines in 2008 is that the country weathered a succession of global crises in fuel, in food, then in finance and finally, economy in a global recession, never losing focus and with economic fundamentals intact.

A few days ago, Moody’s upgraded our credit rating, citing the resilience of our economy. The state of our nation is a strong economy. Good news for our people, bad news for our critics.

I did not become President to be popular. To work, to lead, to protect and preserve our country, our people, that is why I became President. When my father left the Presidency, we were second to Japan. I want our Republic to be ready for the first world in 20 years.

Towards that vision, we made key reforms. Our economic plan centers on putting people first. Higit sa lahat, ang layunin ng ating patakaran ay tulungan ang masisipag na karaniwang Pilipino. New tax revenues were put in place to help pay for better healthcare, more roads, and a strong education system. Housing policies were designed to lift up our poorer citizens so they can live and raise a family with dignity. Ang ating mga puhunan sa agrikultura ay naglalayong kilalanin ang ating mga magsasaka bilang backbone ng ating bansa, at bigyan sila ng mga modernong kagamitan to feed our nation and feed their own family.

Had we listened to the critics of those policies, had we not braced ourselves for the crisis that came, had we taken the easy road much preferred by politicians eyeing elections, this country would be flat on its back. It would take twice the effort just to get it back again on its feet—to where we are now because we took the responsibility and paid the political price of doing the right thing. For standing with me and doing the right thing, thank you, Congress.

The strong, bitter and unpopular revenue measures of the past few years have spared our country the worst of the global financial shocks. They gave us the resources to stimulate the economy. Nabigyan nila ang pinakamalaking pagtaas ng IRA ng mga LGU na P40 billion itong taon, imparting strength throughout the country at every level of government.

Compared to the past we have built more and better infrastructure, including those started by others but left unfinished. The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is a prime example of building better roads. It creates wealth as the flagship of the Subic-Clark corridor.

We have built airports of international standard, upgraded domestic airports, built seaports and the roll on/roll off transport system. I ask Congress for a Philippine Transport Security Authority Law.

Some say that after this SONA, it will be all politics. Sorry, but there’s more work.

Sa telecommunications naman, inatasan ko ang Telecommunications Commission na kumilos na tungkol sa mga sumbong na dropped calls at mga nawawalang load sa cellphone. We need to amend the Commonwealth-era Public Service Law. And we need to do it now.

Kung noong nakaraan, lumakas ang electronics, today we are creating wealth by developing the BPO and tourism sectors as additional engines of growth. Electronics and other manufactured exports rise and fall in accordance with the state of the world economy. But BPO remains resilient. With earnings of $6 billion and employment of 600,000, the BPO phenomenon speaks eloquently of our competitiveness and productivity. Let us have a Department of ICT.

In the last four years tourism almost doubled. It is now a $5 billion industry.

Our reforms gave us the resources to protect our people, our financial system and our economy from the worst of shocks that the best in the west failed to anticipate.

They gave us the resources to extend welfare support and enhance spending power.

For helping me raise government salaries through Joint Resolution 4, thank you, Congress.

Cash handouts give the most immediate relief and produce the widest stimulating effect. Nakikinabang ang 700,000 na pinakamahihirap na pamilya sa programang Pantawid Pamilya.

We prioritize projects with the same stimulus effects plus long-term contributions to progress.

Sa pagpapamahagi ng milyun-milyong ektaryang lupa, 700,000 na katutubo at mahigit isang milyong benepisyaryo ng CARP ay taas-noong may-ari na ng sariling lupa. Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na ipasa agad ang pagpapalawig ng CARP, at dapat ma-condone ang P42 billion na land reform liabilities dahil 18% lamang ang nabayaran mula 1972. Napapanahon, it’s timely because it will unfreeze the rural property market. Ang mahal kong ama ang nag-emancipate ng mga magsasaka. Ii-mancipate naman natin ngayon ang titulo.

Nakinabang ang pitong milyong entrepreneurs sa P165 billion na microfinance loans.

Nakinabang ang sandaan libo sa emergency employment ng ating economic resiliency plan. Kasama natin ngayon ang isa sa kanila, si Gigi Gabiola. Dating household service worker sa Dubai, ngayon siya ay nagtatrabaho sa DOLE. Good luck, Gigi.

Nakinabang ang isang milyong pamilya sa programang pabahay at palupa, mula Pag-Ibig, NHA, community mortgage program, certificates of lot award, at saka iyong loan condonation.

Our average inflation is the lowest since 1966. Last June, it dropped to 1.5%. Paano?

Proper policies lowered interest rates, which lowered costs to business and consumers.

Dahil sa ating mga reporma, nakaya nating ibenta ang bigas NFA sa P18.25 per kilo kahit tumaas ang presyo sa labas mula P17.50 hanggang P30 dahil sa kakulangan ng supply sa mundo. Habang, sa unang pagkakataon, nagawa nating itaas ang pamimili ng palay sa mga magsasaka, P17 mula sa P11.

Dahil sa ating mga reporma, nakaya nating mamuhunan sa pagkain—anticipating an unexpected global food crisis. Nakagawa tayo ng libu-libong kilometro ng farm-to-market roads at, kasama ng pribadong sector, natubigan ang dalawang milyong ektarya. Mga Badjao gaya ni Tarnati Dannawi ay tinuruan ng modernong mariculture. Umabot na sa P 180,000 ang kinita niya mula noong nakaraang taon. Congratulations, Tarnati. We will help more fisherfolk shift to fish farming with a budget of P1 billion.

Dahil dumarami na naman daw ang pamilyang nagugutom, mamumuhunan tayo ng panibago sa ating hunger mitigation program na sa nakaraan ay napatunayang mabisa. Tulungan ninyo ako dito, Kongreso.

Mula pa noong 2001, nanawagan na tayo ng mas murang gamot. Nagbebenta tayo ng gamot na kalahating presyo sa libu-libong Botika ng Bayan at Botika ng Barangay sa maraming dako ng bansa. Our efforts prodded the pharmaceutical companies to come up with low-cost generics and brands like RiteMed. I supported the tough version of the House of the Cheaper Medicine law. I supported it over the weak version of my critics. The result: the drug companies volunteered to bring down drug prices, slashing by half the prices of 16 drugs. Thank you, Congressmen Cua, Alvarez, Biron, Locsin.

Pursuant to law, we are placing other drugs under a maximum retail price. To those who want to be President, this advice: If you really want something done, just do it. Do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Don’t pander. And don’t say bad words in public.

Sa health insurance, sakop na ang 86% ang ating populasyon.

Sa Rent Control Law ng 2005 hanggang 2008, di pwedeng lumampas ng 10% ang pagtaas ng upa taun-taon. Ayon sa kakapirma nating batas may isang taong moratorium, tapos hanggang 7% lamang ang maaaring pagtaas. Salamat, Kongreso.

Noong isang taon, nabiyayaan ng tig-P500 ang mahigit pitong milyong tahanan bilang Pantawid Koryente sa mga small electricity users.

Yung presyo ng koryente, ang EPIRA natin ang pangmatagalang sagot. EPIRA dismantled monopoly. Ngunit minana natin ang power purchase agreements, kaya hindi pa natin makamtan yung buong intended effect. Pero happy na rin tayo, dahil isang taon na lamang iyan. The next generation will benefit from low prices from our EPIRA.

Samantala, umabot na sa halos lahat ng barangay ang elektrisidad. We increased indigenous energy from 48% to 58%. Nakatipid tayo sa dollars tapos na-reduce pa iyong oil consumption. The huge reduction in fossil fuel is the biggest proof of energy independence and environmental responsibility. Further reduction will come with the implementation of the Renewable Energy Act, and the Biofuels Act.

The next generation will also benefit from our lower public debt to GDP ratio. It declined from 78% in 2000 to 55% in 2008. We cut in half the debt of government corporations from 15% to 7%. Likewise foreign debt from 73% to 32%. Kung meron man tayong malaking kaaway na tinalo, walang iba kundi ang utang, iyong foreign debt. Those in the past administrations conjured the demon of foreign debt. We exorcised it.

The market grows economies. A free market, not a free-for-all.

To that end, we improved our banking system to complement its inherent conservatism. The Bangko Sentral has been prudent. Thank you, Governor Tetangco, for being so effective. The BSP will be even more effective if Congress will amend its Charter.

We worked on the Special Purpose Vehicle Act, reducing non-performing loans from 18% to 4% and improving loan-deposit ratios.

Our new Securitization Law did not encourage the recklessness that brought down giant banks and insurance companies elsewhere and laid their economies to waste. In fact, it monitors and regulates the new-fangled financial schemes. Thank you, Congress.

We will work to increase tax effort through improved collections and new sin taxes to further our capacity to reduce poverty and pursue growth. Revenue enhancement must come from the Department of Finance plugging leaks and catching tax and customs cheats. I call on tax paying citizens and tax paying businesses, help the BIR and stop those tax cheats.

Taxes should come from alcohol and tobacco and not from books. Tax hazards to lungs and livers, do not tax minds. Ang kita mula sa buwis sa alak at sigarilyo ay dapat gamitin sa kalusugan at edukasyon. Pondohan ang Philhealth premiums ng pinakamahihirap. Pondohan ang mas maraming classroom at computers.

Pardon my partiality for the teaching profession. I was a teacher.

Kaya namuhunan tayo ng malaki sa edukasyon at skills training.

Ang magandang edukasyon ay susi sa mas magandang buhay, the great equalizer that allows every young Filipino a chance to realize their dreams.

Nagtayo tayo ng 95,000 na silid-aralan, nagdagdag ng 60,000 na guro, naglaan ng P1.5 billion para sa teacher training, especially for 100,000 English teachers.

Isa sa pinakamahirap sa Millennium Development Goals ay iyong Edukasyon para sa Lahat pagdating ng 2015. Ibig sabihin, lahat ng nasa tamang edad ay dapat nasa primary school. Halos walang bansang makakatupad nito. Ngunit nagsisikap pa rin tayo. Nagtayo tayo ng mga paaralan sa higit sanlibong barangay na dati walang eskwelahan upang makatipid ng gastos sa pasahe ang mga bata. Tinanggal natin ang miscellaneous fees para sa primary school. Hindi na kailangan mag-uniporme ang mga estudyante sa public school.

In private high schools, we finance half of the students.

We have provided college and post-graduate education for over 600,000 scholars. One of them, Mylene Amerol-Macumbal, finished Accounting at MSU-IIT, then she went to law school, and placed second in the last bar exams - the first Muslim woman bar topnotcher. Congratulations!

In technical education and skills training, we have invested three times that of three previous administrations combined. Narito si Jennifer Silbor, isa sa sampung milyong trainee. Natuto siya ng medical transcription. Now, as an independent contractor and lecturer for transcriptions in Davao, kumikita siya ng P18,000 bawat buwan. Good job, Jennifer.

The Presidential Task Force on Education headed by Jesuit educator Father Bienvenido Nebres has come out with the Main Education Highway towards a Knowledge-Based Economy. It envisions seamless education from basic to vocational school or college.

It seeks to mainstream early childhood development in basic education. Our children are our most cherished possession. In their early years we must make sure they get a healthy start in life. They must receive the right food for a healthy body, the right education for a bright and inquiring mind—and the equal opportunity for a meaningful job.

For college admission, the Task Force recommends mandatory Scholastic Aptitude Tests. It also recommends that higher private education institutions should be harmonized with state universities and colleges, and that CHED should oversee local universities and colleges. For professions seeking international recognition—engineering, architecture, accountancy, pharmacy and physical therapy—it recommends radical reform: 10 years of basic education, two years of pre-university, before three years of university.

Our educational system should make the Filipino fit not just for whatever jobs happen to be on offer today, but also for whatever economic challenge life will throw in their way.

Sa hirap at ginhawa, pinapatatag ang ating bansa ng ating overseas Filipinos. Iyong padala nilang $16 billion noong isang taon ay record. Itong taon, mas mataas pa.

I know that this is not a sacrifice joyfully borne. This is work where it can be found—in faraway places, among strangers with different cultures. It is lonely work, it is hard work.

Kaya nagsisikap tayong lumikha dito sa atin ng mga trabahong maganda ang sahod, so that overseas work will just be a career choice, not the only option for a hard-working Filipino.

Meanwhile, we should make their sacrifices worthwhile. Dapat gumawa tayo ng mas epektibong proteksyon at pagpapalawak ng halaga ng kanilang pinagsikapang suweldo. That means stronger consumer protection for Overseas Filipino Workers investing in property and products back home. Para sa kanila, pinapakilos natin ang Investors Protection Task Force.

Hindi ako nag-aatubiling bisitahin ang ating taong bayan at kanilang mga host sa buong mundo – mula Hapon…hanggang Brazil, mula Europa at Middle East hanggang sa American Midwest, nakikinig sa kanilang mga problema at pangangailangan, inaalam kung paano sila matutulungan ng ating pamahalaan—-by working out better policies on migrant labor, or by saving lives and restoring liberty.

Pagpunta ko sa Saudi, pinatawad ni Haring Abdullah ang pitong daang OFW na nasa preso. Pinuno nila ang isang buong eroplano at umuwi kasama ko.

Mula sa ating State Visit sa Espanya, it has become our biggest European donor. At si Haring Juan Carlos ay nakikipag-usap sa ibang mga bansa para sa ating mga namomoblemang OFW. Ganoon din si Sheikh Khalifa, ang Prime Minister ng Bahrain.

Pagpunta ko sa Kuwait, Emir Al-Sabah commuted death sentences. We thank all our leaders, our world leaders, for showing compassion to our overseas foreign workers. Salamat.

Our vigorous international engagement has helped bring in foreign investment. Net foreign direct investments multiplied 15 times during our administration. Kasama ng ating mga Together with our OFWs, they more than doubled our foreign exchange reserves. Pinalakas ang ating piso at naiwasan ang lubhang pagtaas ng presyo. They upgraded our credit because while the reserves of our peers have shrunk this past year, ours reserves grew by $3 billion.

Our international engagement has also corrected historical injustice. The day we visited Washington, Senator Daniel Inouye successfully sponsored benefits for our veterans as part of America’s stimulus package.

I have accepted the invitation of President Obama to be the first Southeast Asian leader to meet him at the White House, later this week.

That he sought us out testifies to our strong and deep ties.

High on our agenda will be peace and security issues. Terrorism: how to meet it, how to end it, how to address its roots in injustice or prejudice—and first and always how to protect lives.

We will discuss nuclear non-proliferation. The Philippines will chair the review of the nuclear weapons non-proliferation Treaty in New York in May 2010. The success of the talks will be a major diplomatic achievement for us.

There is a range of other issues we will discuss, including the global challenge of climate change, especially the threat to countries with long coastlines. And there is the global recession, its worse impact on poor people, and the options that can spare them from the worst.

In 2008 up to the first quarter of 2009 we stood among only a few economies in Asia-Pacific that did not shrink. Compare this to 2001, when some of my current critics were driven out by people power. Asia was surging but our country was on the brink of bankruptcy.

Since then, our economy posted uninterrupted growth for 33 quarters; more than doubled its size from $76 billion to $186 billion. The average GDP growth from 2001 to the first quarter of 2009 is the highest in 43 years.

Bumaba ang bilang ng mga nagsasabing mahirap sila sa 47% mula 59%. Maski lumaki ang ating populasyon, nabawasan ng dalawang milyon ang bilang ng mahihirap. GNP per capita rose from a Third World $967 to $2,000. Lumikha tayo ng walong milyong trabaho, an average of a million a year, much, much more than at any other time.

In sum: 1. We have a strong economy and a strong fiscal position to withstand global shocks.

2. We built new modern infrastructure and completed unfinished ones.

3. The economy is more fair to the poor than ever before.

4. We are building a sound base for the next generation.

5. International authorities have taken notice that we are safer from environmental degradation and man-made disasters.

As a country in the path of typhoons and in the Pacific Rim of Fire, we must be prepared as the latest technology permits to anticipate natural calamities when that is possible; to extend immediate and effective relief when it is not. The mapping of flood- and landslide-prone areas is almost complete. Early warning, forecasting and monitoring systems have been improved, with weather tracking facilities in Subic, Tagaytay, Mactan, Mindanao, Pampanga.

We have worked on flood control infrastructure like those for Pinatubo, Agno, Laoag, and Abucay, which will pump the run off waters from Quezon City and Tondo flooding Sampaloc. This will help relieve hundreds of hectares in this old city of its age old woe.

Patuloy naman iyong sa Camanava, dagdag sa Pinatubo, Iloilo, Pasig-Marikina, Bicol River Basin, at mga river basin ng Mindanao.

The victims of typhoon Frank in Panay should receive their long-overdue assistance package. I ask Congress to pass the SNITS Law.

Namana natin ang pinakamatagal na rebelyon ng Komunista sa buong mundo.

Si Leah de la Cruz isa sa labindalawang libong rebel returnee. Sixteen pa lang siya nang sumali sa NPA. Naging kasapi sa regional White Area Committee, napromote sa Leyte Party Committee Secretary. Nahuli noong 2006. She is now involved in an LGU-supported handicraft livelihood training of former rebels. We love you, Leah!

There is now a good prospect for peace talks with both the Communist Party of the Philippines and the MILF, with whom we are now on ceasefire.

We inherited an age-old conflict in Mindanao, exacerbated by a politically popular but near-sighted policy of massive retaliation. This only provoked the other side to continue the war.

In these two internal conflicts, ang tanong ay hindi, “Sino ang mananalo?” kundi, bakit pa ba kailangang mag-laban ang kapwa Pilipino tungkol sa mga isyu na alam naman nating lahat na di malulutas sa dahas, at mareresolba lang sa paraang demokratiko?

There is nothing more that I would wish for than peace in Mindanao. It will be a blessing for all its people, Muslim, Christian and lumads. It will show other religiously divided communities that there can be common ground on which to live together in peace, harmony and cooperation that respects each other’s religious beliefs.

At sa lahat ng dako ng bansa, kailangan nating protektahan ang ating mga mamamayan kontra sa krimen’ — in their homes, in their neighborhoods, in their communities. How shall crime be fought? With the five pillars of justice, including crime fighters. We call on Congress to fund more policemen on the streets.

Real government is about looking beyond the vested to the national interest, setting up the necessary conditions to enable the next, more enabled and more empowered generation to achieve a country as prosperous, a people as content, as ours deserve to be.

The noisiest critics of constitutional reform tirelessly and shamelessly attempted Cha-Cha when they thought they could take advantage of a shift in the form of government. Now that they feel they cannot benefit from it, they oppose it.

As the seeds of fundamental political reform are planted, let us address the highest exercise of democracy, voting!

In 2001, I said we would finance fully automated elections. We got it, thanks to Congress.

At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage, but not from the Presidency. My term does not end until next year. Until then, I will fight for the ordinary Filipino. The nation comes first. There is much to do as head of state—to the very last day.

A year is a long time. Patuloy ang pamumuhunan sa tinatawag na three E’s ng ekonomiya, environment at edukasyon. There are many perils that we must still guard against.

A man-made calamity is already upon us, global in scale. As I said earlier, so far we have been spared its worst effects but we cannot be complacent. We only know that we have generated more resources on which to draw, and thereby created options we could take. Thank God we did not let our critics stop us.

As the campaign unfolds and the candidates take to the airwaves, I ask them to talk more about how they will build up the nation rather than tear down their opponents. Give the electorate real choices and not just sweet talk.

Meanwhile, I will keep a steady hand on the tiller, keeping the ship of state away from the shallows some prefer, and steering it straight on the course we set in 2001.

Ang ating taong bayan ay masipag at maka-Diyos. These qualities are epitomized in someone like Manny Pacquiao….Manny trained tirelessly, by the book, with iron discipline, with the certain knowledge that he had to fight himself, his weaknesses first, before he could beat his opponent. That was the way to clinch his victories and his ultimate title: ang pinakadakilang boksingero sa kasaysayan. Mabuhay ka, Manny!

However much a President wishes it, a national problem cannot be knocked out with a single punch. She must work with the problem as much as against it, turn it into a solution if she can.

There isn’t a day I do not work at my job or a waking moment when I do not think through a work-related problem. Even my critics cannot begrudge the long hours I put in. Our people deserve-a-government that works just as hard as they do.

A President must be on the job 24/7, ready for any contingency, any crisis, anywhere, anytime.

Everything right can be undone by even a single wrong. Every step forward must be taken in the teeth of political pressures and economic constraints that could push you two steps back-if-you flinch and falter. I have not flinched, I have not faltered. Hindi ako umaatras sa hamon.

And I have never done any of the things that have scared my worst critics so much. They are frightened by their own shadows.

In the face of attempted coups, I issued emergency proclamations just in case. But I was able to resolve these military crises with the ordinary powers of my office. My critics call it dictatorship. I call it determination. We know it as strong government.

But I never declared martial law, though they are running scared as if I did. In truth, what they are really afraid of is their weakness in the face of this self-imagined threat.

I say to them: do not tell us what we all know, that democracy can be threatened. Tell us what you will do when it is attacked.

I know what to do:

As I have shown, I will defend democracy with arms when it is threatened by violence; with firmness when it is weakened by division; with law and order when it is subverted by anarchy; and always, I will try to sustain it by wise policies of economic progress, so that a democracy means not just an empty liberty but a full life for all.

I never expressed the desire to extend myself beyond my term. Many of those who accuse me of it tried to cling like nails to their posts.

I am accused of misgovernance. Many of those who accuse me of it left me the problem of their misgovernance to solve. And we did it.

I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my position for personal profit. Many who accuse me have lifestyles and spending habits that make them walking proofs of that crime.

We can read their frustrations. They had the chance to serve this good country and they blew it by serving themselves.

Those who live in glass houses should cast no stones. Those who should be in jail should not threaten it, especially if they have been there.

Our administration, with the highest average rate of growth, recording multiple increases in investments, with the largest job creation in history, and which gets a credit upgrade at the height of a world recession, must be doing something right, even if some of those cocooned in corporate privilege refuse to recognize it.

Governance, however, is not about looking back and getting even. It is about looking forward and giving more—to the people who gave us the greatest, hardest gift of all: the care of a country.

From Bonifacio at Balintawak to Cory Aquino at EDSA and up to today, we have struggled to bring power to the people, and this country to the eminence it deserves.

Today the Philippines is weathering well the storm that is raging around the world. It is growing stronger with the challenge. When the weather clears, as it will, there is no telling how much farther forward it can go. Believe in it. I believe.

We can and we must march forward with hope, optimism and determination.

We must come together, work together and walk together toward the future.

Bagamat malaking hamon ang nasa ating harapan, nasa kamay natin ang malaking kakayahan. Halina’t pagtulungan nating tiyakin ang karapat-dapat na kinabukasan ng ating Inang Bayan.

And to the people of our good country, for allowing me to serve as your President, maraming salamat. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.

Nationalism as a Liberating Movement

2009-07-16T06:06:00.000-07:00

Nationalism as a Liberating Movement

Nationalism is a political or social philosophy in which the welfare of the nation - state as an entity is considered paramount. It is basically a collective state of mind or consciousness in which people believe their primary duty and loyalty is to the nation - state (Columbian Encyclopedia). The nation, from which nationalism is directly derived, is Latin in origin - nation was used in medieval times without 'most often any political connotation. It means, like the Greek term ethnos, people, nation, country (Nurbu, Dawa. Culture, and the Politics of the Third World Nationalism). Nationalism in this sense first recorded 1844; earlier it was used in a theological sense of "doctine of divine election of nations" (1836). (Etymological Dictionary)

Historically, nationalism has been fostered by various technological, cultural, political and economic advances. The beginnings of modern nationalism may be traced back to the disintegration, at the end of the Middle Ages, of the social order in Europe and of the cultural unity of the various European states. National feeling was strengthened in various countries during the Reformation, when the adoption of either Catholicism or Protestantism as a national religion became an added force for national cohesion. Nationalism has becime increasingly popular since the French Revolution. National feeling in France until then had centered in the king. As a result of the revolution, loyalty to the king was replaced by loyalty to the patrie or fatherland. (Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia). Regional divisions, with their separate traditions and rights, were abolished, and France become a uniform and united national territory, with common laws and institutions. By the close of the 19th century, nationalism - a very pliant doctrine, as it turned about - was espoused by elements of both the left and right. Leftish have supported it as a vehicle to improve the well-being of citizens, while rightist use it to encourage unity and stability. (Baradat, Leon, Political Ideologies) World War I, early in the twentieth century, was at least partically cause by imperalistic competiton of Europe's powers that had been fostered by rightist nationalism. The war's end saw a general disenchantment with rightist nationalist. The end of the Cold War has seen many people who were formerly controlled by the Soviet Union asert their right to national self deterimination. At the same time, however, Western European Countries and North American states have taken steps toward international unions and the Muslim world has toyed with the idea of a huge, reactionary Pan-Islamic state.

Filipino nationalism is an upsurge of patriotic sentiments and nationalist idelas in the Philippines as a result of the Propaganda Movement. Nationalism in this sense, is the ideology of the struggle toward national liberation of the vast majority of Filipinos from suffering and poverty resulting from elitist and neocolonialist rule. (Ordonezm Elmer A., the Other View) The racial prejudices of the Spaniards against the natives had proved to be one of the strongest unifying factors, in which nationalism arise. The racial discrimination controvery that led to the execution of the the three martyr fathers Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora led to the birth of Filipino nationalism in the year 1872. The powerful force that charged it all out, igniting a fresh volley of courage was the time of Rizal's martyrdom. As a sentiment, nationalism has neither strongly swept or deeply penetreated the entire Philippine nation. However, some observers note that Filipinos suffer from "national amnesia" and colonial mentality. (Panopia (2004). Sociology: Focus on the Philippines). Filipinos have a strong preference for imported goods and easily adapt themselves to foreign ideas and ways. Many attribute their / our lack of national integration. However, schools, people's organizations, groups and individuals are now exploring more about their cultural roots and searching for national identity. This may eventually lead to a stronge sense of nationalism.

Democratic Capitalism as a Regulated Economic System

2009-07-16T05:03:00.000-07:00

Democratic Capitalism as a Regulated Economic System

Democratic capitalism is an economic ideology based on a tripartite agreement of a market-based economy base on an amalgam of three systems: an economy based predominantly on free markets and economic incentives; a democratic polity: and a classical-liberal moral cultural system which encourages pluralism. (Noval, Michael). The free market creates an intricate web of supply and demand relationships and fosters economic growth, social mobility and innovation. Political liberty allows for a constitutional systems of government in which both individuals and groups are represented. The moral-cultural sphere, which includes values such as a work ethic, individual initiative, honesty, and respect for private propety, is supported by the mediating institutions of family, church, and numerous other voluntary associations (Edward Youkins, 1998)

Most liberals and conservatives generally support some form democratic capitalism their economic practices. In 1776 Adam Smith defined a new industrial system that could eliminate material scarcity, but he warned of the threat from speculators. Smith's vision of economic freedom was complemented by the political freedoms in the new American republic. Robert Owen provided early experimental verification that investment in human capital produces superior results, and Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill enlarged the definition of democratic capitalism by examining worker ownership as a way to distribute wealth broadly. Mill's manifesto contains the radical proposal that industrial performance and the worker's quality of life are synergistic: It is scarcely possible to rate too highly this material benefit, which yet is nothing compared to the moral revolution in society that would accompany it; a new sense of security and independence in the laboring class; and the conversion of each human being's daily occupation into a school of the social sympathies and the practical intelligence. Mill's manifesto and Marx's Communist Manifesto appeared at the same time, 1848, yet the record does not show that the intellectual community synthesized these two powerful statements. I also draw on the Marquis de Condorcet's 1794 summary of the work of the Enlightenment; the examination of the American democratic experiment by another Frenchman, Alexis de Tocqueville; and the march toward freedom described by the German Idealists Kant, Hegel, and Marx. Kant also proposed the imperative of law, not violence, in the relations among nations in order for economic and political freedoms to be functional. Marx’s axiom that social progress depends on movement to a superior economic system is contrasted to the flawed cultural tradition in which reformers are conditioned by a contempt for commerce and a love of state.

Democratic capitalism is a complex concept consisting of three-dynamic and converging systems. The economy is based on a substantially competitive market-system, private ownership and economic freedom while the political system is based on consent by the people, limited government power, a reliance on checks and balances, and a legal order that protects individual rights and voluntary exchange. Economic and political freedom are inextricably linked in democratic capitalism. The ideas of a market economy and political democracy stem from the same reasoning and the same moral-cultural values, institutions, and assumptions. Both the economic sector and the political sector affect and are affected by the moral-cultural sphere, which reflects ideals such as freedom, justice, productivity, and hard work. One of the central areas of dispute revolves around the relationship between capital and labor.

* Eward, Youkins (1998). The Conceptual Foundations of Democratic Capitalism
* Ray, Carey: Democratic: Capitalism, The Way to a World of Peace and Plenty: A Reader's Guide

How to Train Your Pet

2009-07-16T04:28:00.000-07:00

Process Essay: How to Train Your Pet

Have you ever wonder how the animals you see on TV and in moves are trained to perform such amazing tricks? Many of their trainers use a technique based on the teaching methods developed by behavioral psychologists such as B. F. Skinner. Skinner studied techniques for reinforcing desired behaviors in animals. Animals can be taught many sophisticated tricks using Skinner's techniqes. If you want to teach your pet do do a trick, you must understand the techniques pyschologists call "shaping." Shaping manes reinforcing, or strengthening, behaviors that you want to encourage. Here is how you can use his techniques to train you pet to do tricks.

The first thing you must do is choose your subject. You can pick any household pet, such as a cat, hamster, parrot or dog. For example, suppose you want to teach your dog to do a trick. Next, choose a reward. Food is usually the easiest reward to use. Keep in mind that in order for food to be an effective reward, you dog must be hungry. Don't try to teach him a new trick after he has eaten a big meal. Also, a reward is most effective when it is given at the same time the dog performs the desired trick. Since you will not not always be able to give the dog food as quickly as you would like to, you will need to develop a "conditioned reinforcer". You can do this by connecting the food with something else, such as ringing a bell. In this case, the sould the bell makes is the conditioned reinforcer.

You are now ready to begin conditioning the dog to respond to the bell. Get out about 40 small dog biscuits. Toss a few of them to your dog, one at a time, at a rate of about one or two biscuits a minute. As soon as the dog begins eating the biscuits, ring the bell and then throw him another biscuit. Wait about 30 seconds and then repeat the steps. When you ring the bell, do not make any other sound or movement. Give the biscuit only when the dog is standing in the place where he gets his food. When your dog reaches the point where he goes to the food plate whenever you ring the bell, you are ready to begin teaching him the trick.

At this point, you need to choose the trick you want to teach. An easy trick is teaching your dog to roll over. Shape the dog's behavior by reinforcing anything that resembles the behavior you are trying to teach. Begin by reinforcing any attempt to lie down. Then reinforce any movement of his body when he is lying down. Every time you reinforce any of his behaviors that resembles rolling over, immediately give him a biscuit and ring the bell. In this way, he will begin to associate the sound of the bell with the trick. Continue reinforcing closer approximations of rolling over with the biscuits and the bell. During the teaching session, do not touch the dog, talk to him, or in any way distract him. A normal dog, according to Skinner, will learn the trick within five minutes.

As you can see, it is really not very difficult to train your pet to do a trick. It is only a matter of a little time and some effort. Once you have established a conditioned reinforcer, you can easily teach your dog a new trick by shaping his behavior. Remember, though, that if you want to teach you dog another trick, you must eliminate the first behavior by no longer reinforcing it. Eventually, he will stop rolling over and will be ready to learn something new.

Democratic Socialism as an liberal economic development movement

2009-07-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

Democratic Socialism as an liberal economic development movement

Democratic socialism is the wing of the socialist movement that combines a belief in a socially owned economy with that off political democracy. (Busky, Donalod: Democratic Socialism: a global survey). Sometimes, simply called socialism, the adjective democratic is added by democratic socialist. They believe that economy and society should be run democratically - to meet the needs of the whole community, not to make profits for a few. It is the movement of people to end their own exploitation and the destruction of environment whereas power is taken out of the hands of elites who run political and economic systems solely for their own benefit at the direct expense to everyone and everything else.

Democratic Socialism that arose in late 19th and early 20th century Europe, out of the evolutionary wing of the Second Communist International. During this period Mill and Thomas Hill Green followed the logic of Bentham and increased call for social consciousness, thus leading the way toward democratic socialism. (Baradat, Leon : Political Ideologies) Dewey called upon the people to constantly question the values upon which society is based and to boldly try to improve the human conditions through social engineering. Democratic socialism took firm root in European politics after World War I. (Columbian Enyclopedia) Socialist democratic parties actively participated in government in Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands and other nations. Socialism also became a powerful force in parts of Latin America, Asia and Africa. The prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru and other leaders of independece movements considered democractic socialism as an attractive alternative to the systems of private enterprise and exploitation established by their foreign rulers. After World War II, socialist parties came to power in many nations throughout the world, and much private industry was nationalized. In Africa and ASIA where the workers are peasants, not industrial laborers, socialist programs stressed land reform and other agrarian measures. These nations until recently, have also emphasized government planning for rapid economic develooment. African socialism has also included the revival of precolonial values and institutions, while modernizing through the centralized apparatus of the one-party state. Recently, the collapse of Eastern European and Soviet Communist states has led socialist throughout the world to discard much of their doctrines regarding centralized planning and nationalization of enterprises.

Democratic socialist maintain a commitment to the re-distribution of wealth and the nationalization of major industry, and some believer in a planned economy; these are all concepts which social democrats have largely abandoned. Politically, it involves a commitment to popular, constitutional rule and protection of basic rights. Economically, it involves an equitable distribution of the community's wealth . To achieve a more just society , many structures of our government and economy must be transformed through greater economics and social democracy so that ordinary people can participate in the decisions that affect our lives. Democratic socialists maintain that the key aspects of economic life must be publicly owned or a mixed economy with a greater emphasis on worker and consumer co-operatives, credit unions, family farms and small businesses.

Source:
Riemer, Neal & Simon & Romans: The Challenge of Politics: An Introduction to Political Science, 2nd edition. Drew University

Progeria – “accelerated aging disease”

2009-07-11T01:43:00.000-07:00

In my previous class, public speaking, we were tasked to make an informative speech...some can make a speech on how to make something, like to make a rose winem by showing the steps..But i decided to give an informative speech about progeria...I got some info here, and others were added by me...

Progeria – “accelerated aging disease”

Imagine for a second that you are 10 years old. Your friends call you up to go out and play but you can't because you have a painful case of arthritis that hurts with every step you take. Or, your chronic heart disease disables you from being able to breathe easily. These conditions are just a few that a child with Progeria may suffer from. Progeria is also known as Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome. It is an extremely rare aging disease that causes a child to age up to eight times faster than normal. It is also know as the “accelerated aging diseases. I first became interested in Progeria when I have read it from an article in Nature.The disease affects between 1 in 4 million and 1 in 8 million newborns. Currently, there are 51 known cases in the world. Most people with progeria die at around 13 years of age.

The condition was first identified in 1886 by Jonathan Hutchinson and in 1987 by Hastings Gilford. The condition was later named Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome (HGPS). However until now scientist have yet found a medicine for this condition. In the beginning, Progeria was studied as a disease that included the process of normal aging, just at an incredible rate. This is no longer be true because Progeria does not affect all of the body's organs. For instance, there is no evidence of aging in the central nervous system. A few are mentally retarded, but most have normal intelligence and may even be advanced. A child with Progeria is just a normal seven-year-old in a 70-year-old body!

The cause of this rare disorder is not yet fully understood. In 2003, researchers announced the discovery of a single gene mutation responsible for Hutchison-Gilford progeria syndrome. The gene is known as lamin A (LMNA), which makes a protein necessary to holding the center (nucleus) of a cell together. Researchers believe the genetic mutation renders cells unstable, which appears to lead to progeria's characteristic aging process. Unlike many genetic mutations, Hutchison-Gilford progeria isn't passed down in families. Rather, the gene change is a chance occurrence that researchers believe affects a single sperm or egg just before conception. Neither parent is a carrier, so the mutations in the children's genes are new (de novo).

Individuals with Progeria appear normal at birth. It is not until about the age of one that signs become evident. Growth is extremely stunted, and they may only reach the height of a normal two or three-year-old. It is very unlikely that they will grow taller than a normal five-year-old will, even though they have the physical characteristics of a 60-year-old.

According to the Hutchinson-Gilford entry of the Electronic Textbook of Internal Medicine, there are many signs to detect the presence of Progeria. These signs include: (visual aide) baldness, prominent scalp veins, beaked nose, receding chin, prominent eyes, a narrow chest, a protruding abdomen, an enlargement of the spleen, and the absence of eyebrows and lashes. The sex organs also remain small and underdeveloped, and they are not able to reproduce. They often have relatively large heads with small faces and crowded irregular teeth. Individuals with Progeria often develop diseases related to aging, such as arthritis and heart disease. Another common cause of death is angina pectoris, which is a condition in which there is a sudden decrease of blood in the heart muscle. Progeria is extremely rare. In my speech, I have informed you of the extremely rare aging disease known as Progeria.

Filipino Debate: PAKSA: ANIM NA TAONG LANG ANG TERMINO NG ISANG PANGULO (Affirmative)

2009-07-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

oI am just cleaning the files in my pc, when i saw one of my homeworks in my Filipino class, i think this was about 2 years ago..the teacher gave our group to debate about the term of the president....(6 years term)..i was tasked to debate in affirmative side, which means i am in favor of the 6 years term... it was bit hard to debate in Tagalog...i needed to translate the constitution and my debate as well from English to Tagalog..

here is my tagalog debate, i will post the english translation when i have time...

PAKSA: ANIM NA TAONG LANG ANG TERMINO NG ISANG PANGULO
(Affirmative)
Magandang Hapon sa ating lahat!!!
Malugod kong binabati ang lahat ng nandito. Nagpapasalamat ako sa pagkakataong ibinigay niyo upang ating mapag-usapan ang pagkakaroon ng anim na taong termino ng President ng Pilipinas.

Ako’y nakikiayon sa ating 1987 Constitution na ang termino ng pangulo ng Pilipinas ay anim na taong lamang dahil sa mga sumusunod na kadahilanan:

Una: Kapag ang ating pangulo ay may anim na taong termino mas magagawa niya ng mabuti ang kanyang mga tunkulin dahil magkakaroon siya ng sapat na panahong upang maisakatuparan ang mga programang nasa plataporma niya. Halimbawa: Binabalak ng Pangulo na magpatayo ng mga tulay at kalsada. Ang pagtatayo ng mga tulay at kalsada ay nangangailangnan ng ilang taon. Kung mahaba ang termino ng Pangulo, nakakasigurong matatapos ang mga imprastrakturang ito. Magkakaroon din siya ng sapat na panahon upang maisagawa ang mga batas na makakatalong sa mga programa na binabalak pa lamang at mga programang kasalukuyang ginagampanan. Halimbawa: Binabalak ng Pangulo na bignyang ng malaking pansin ang pambansang kalusugan. Kinakailangang may sapat na panahon upang mapagkasunduan ito ng kongreso at senado senado sa loob ng termino ng pangulo.
Pangalawa: mababawasan ang pabagobago ng mga opisyales na napasailalim sa pangulo kung ito’y manunungkulan ng anim na taon dahil tuloy-tuloy ang pakikitungo ng goberyo at ng mga mamayan. Kung ang ating pangulo ay magkakaroon ng anim na taong termino mababawasan ang kalituhan at problema dahil ito’y maayos na ng mga kaslukuyang opisyales. Sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaron ng ang ating pangulo ng 6 na taong termino, nakakatipid ang bansa sa mas bawas na botohan. Malimit mangyari ang paghihimpil o pagbabagal ng komersiyo tuwing may eleksiyon. Higit na tuluy-tuloy ang paglakas ng pangangalakal. Kung tuluy-tuloy ang komersiyo, mananatiling matatag ito, at makikinabang ang buong bansa.
Pangatlo: Sa pakikipagpanukala ng ating pangulo sa ibang bansa, higit na mapapabuti ang kaugnayan ng ating bansa sa kanila dahil mayroong personal na kaugnayan ang ating Pangulo at sa ibang bansa. , kabilang na dito ang pandaigdigang samahan.

Narito ang nakasaad sa ating konstitusyong magpapatibay na dapat ang isang pangulo ay manunungklulan ng anim na taon

Artikulo VII

SEKSYON 4. Ang Pangulo at Pangalawang Pangulo ay dapat mahalal sa pamamagitan ng tuwirang boto ng sambayanan para sa taning na anim na taon na magsisimula sa katanghalian ng ikatatlumpung araw ng Hunyo na sumusunod sa araw ng halalan at magtatapos sa katanghalian ng gayon ding petsa pagkaraan ng anim na taon. Ang Pangulo ay hindi magiging karapat-dapat sa ano mang muling paghahalal. Ang sino mang tao na humalili bilang Pangulo at naglingkod nang gayon sa loob ng higit na apat na taon ay hindi dapat maging kwalipikado sa paghahalal sa katularing katungkulan sa alin mang panahon.

Time?

2009-07-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

Time?

As life passes by us we sometimes

do not notice the simple things in life.

Like the way a bird collects straw for her nest.

Or the way a flower blooms over night.

But we should stop to notice these things.

We are always so caught up in our own

lives we sometimes forget the

rest of world and before you know it could be all gone.

So stop today and take a minute to notice the little things in life.

my subjects this semester..

2009-07-02T02:21:00.000-07:00

I only got 4 subjects the first semester..... i might get 4 others next semester because i took advanced classes in the previous summer classes.. now i have free time to relax, since only got 4 subjects..weee! i just do not like the schedules, since i have only one subject for TTHS, and 3 for MWF...and its until 7 pm... no classes in the morning, nice one, but its too late...

My subjects are this semesters are the following:

Pol Sc 11A Introduction to Philippine Law 2

Pol Sc 26 Political Economy

Pol Sci 28 Computer Applications in Political Sciences

Pol Sc 9 Philippine Public Administration

My World, My Life.!

2009-07-02T02:05:00.000-07:00

I have been a student for almost all my life..I am still a student now, and when i am out of school when i graduate, i will still learn a lot of things..things and lessons that i have yet to encounter in school. Learning does not pick ages, its a lifetime process... I remember when i was young, i use to say that i want to be a doctor, scientist, and the like... But as i get older, i told myself..."how can i be a scientist, i have not invented anything at all... I have came to see the truth..the world is full of people who takes advantages of the others, a world that is full of injustice, corruption and etc... I wanted to a be lawyer, a detective, a criminal investigator, and more...I choose to study political science...I want to study politics, and analyze it...In the course of this process, i might find a way to change the political systems of government that corrupts the people...An alternative, which is yet to be found....

I want to accomplish a lot of things in my life...study other courses... Finding my purpose in my life, is one of my goals..I must do my best to finish the things that i have started to start another one...Life is but a track, a journey if you will, a constant search for our destiny, our mission, the purpose why where are here...

I am Diamond... I am a graduating political science student....After graduating, i might take up law...but other thing's might happen...I do not know for sure what destiny will bring me...