Tapping the Right Resources

I am amazed at how this circus called politics can put up heart-pounding stunts and amusing gimmicks. I got entertained with the recently concluded May Elections as candidates showed a dazzling array of talents- some ate fire as they belt out tunes while some danced on burning coal- just to land a spot under the political sun.

After three full moons, the dust should have settled by now.But not for Ping, one of the circus masters,who believes that the dust should never be allowed to settle.Or there will be no more dust to sting the public's eyes.

Ping has found himself a new show dog. He calls him Doble. This show dog can do moving renditions of "Through the Fire", and "Long-distance Love Affair." But Doble's most celebrated trick is his ability to intercept and record phone conversations-a trick that catapulted Garci to stardom.And introduced the best-selling single, "Hello Garci!"

But Doble doesn't stop there. He also knows how to dance to the tune of two million bucks. oh yes,Doble is serving Ping's purpose of keeping the audiences engaged and mezmerised.

Only Ping can tell when it's curtains for Doble the showdog.By then, he will be remembered for his heart-felt version of "My Way" ending with a big bang. BANG!

Small But Robust

Pagmulat ng mata langit nakatawa sa Batibot...

I was born in the eighties, I counted one to ten with Kuya Bodgie; a certified "Batang Batibot." Mornings are not complete without my daily dose of "Mga Kuwento ni Ate Siena", and "Mga Hula ni Manang Bola." Batibot translated as "small but robust" is a children's show which started in the early eighties and continued until late nineties.It was dubbed as our version of Sesame Street albeit in Filipino language. It spawned a number of names and characters headed by Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing as our version of Big Bird and Oscar, Ningning and Gingging as our local Ernie and Bert, and Sitsiritsit and Alibangbang as the Two-headed Monster of Sesame Street.

It cannot be denied that Batibot is an offshoot of its western counterpart, but the show was brave enough to take the risk of using our own language and highlight the value dear to us as Filipinos. Since children spend at least two hours watching television, I was really bothered by the fact that the show is not receiving the same popularity it received then, among children nowadays. There were various attempts to stage wholesome children shows but they all packed up one after another.

Unless a new Filipino children show is produced, children these days would have to settle counting with purple Barney and exploring with hispanic Dora.

The Truth That Will Set Smith Free

I missed the Pacquaio-Morales match. I didnt see those killer punches that made Morales land on his rear-end and bade his boxing career Adios! I did not witness Manny's triumphant moment when his shining fist was raised up in the air. But it was just fine, I had expected that the boy will clinch it. Manny is a living proof that the little brown guy can dance (to the tune of Eye of the Tiger).

But I would never want to miss the Nicole-Lance Corporal Daniel Smith bout dubbed as "The Subic Bay Rape Case".
The wayward white boy, Lnce Crprl Daniel Smith got the upperhand over the little brown b*tch, Nicole, when the latter was dumped on one of Subic's streets; pants missing, with a used condom and vivid accounts of how it all happened.

Needless to say, Nicole regained her composure, odds being reversed and the next things we see, is a triumphant verdict of guilty beyond reasonable doubt, in favor of Nicole.

The process must have been long and ardous for Nicole, but her fight is just beginning. Good(?) 'Ole Uncle Sam will definitely interfere and pull the necessary (puppet) strings to change the direction of the case. As I am tapping on my keyboard, GMA's minions are expressing their support to the U.S.'s suggestion(?) of transferring Smith to a U.S. facility, while the case is still being elevated to the Court of Appeals.

Moreso, Nicole is not only seeking justice for this crime commited against her but she was also resisting the pull to conform to centuries-old of inferiority complex and lack of national pride.Nobody knows when her fight will end, maybe until all of her hope and strenght are consumed.

The simple truth is that rape is a crime. It was commited against the poor girl and the verdict was simply to dispense justice. But since Smith is an American serviceman, protected by the provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), he can just be shipped back to his country, singing "Star-spangled Banner" and get on with his life. He might even choose to order a Filipina bride online. This is the sad truth that will set Smith free. Nicole's case will then be just another statistic.

Burn, Momma, Burn

In India, during 4th century B.C. ,widows, after their spouse's death, are left with only two options: pack their stuff and head to tralalaland, or hurl their bodies into their husband's burning funeral pyre.

These virtuous women, referred to as "suttees", are expected to fulfill this ultimate gesture, to expurge their sins and assure her and her departed husband eternal bliss.

This prevailed, until the British government outlawed the tradition in 1800s. But rumor has it that it still secretly occurs until today. Modern day suttees must be singing "Eternal Flame" (as performed by The Bangles) as flames consume every inch of their skin.

I wonder if husbands who outlive their wives also go through the same feat?

An Anthropological Hoax

The Marcos Regime left a string of the most intriguing stories of our time. No, I am not talking about the discovery of Yamashita Treasure, or Ninoy's Assasination Plot. Those stories had been dissected and discussed ad nauseam, it feels like I had first hand share of the events myself. What I found out is less celebrated, but equally interesting.

The year was 1971. There was so much excitement circulating within the scientific world. Dafal, a Filipino hunter, stumbled upon the Tasaday Tribe hidden within a thick rain forest. The modern world had just discovered a prehistoric relic existing on an island in Mindanao. Scientists, anthropologists, international media and organizations came in hordes, all eager to stick their noses into such an amazing discovery: A prehistoric group of people, still following stone age ways far from the reaching arms of civilization.

The Minister for Tribal Affairs, Manuel Elizalde, during Ferdinand Marcos, is in charge of the affairs.And just a year after their discovery, the Tasaday forest was declared as an anthropological reserve in 1972.

It stayed that way for fourteen years.There were about twenty-seven people, including children, and they existed without any knowledge about agriculture or raising livestock. They had no social norms, no social hierarchy, no leaders.

But when the Marcos Regime receives the last inevitable blow in 1986, and as soon as Marcos was unseated, the lid was lifted and out goes the stench. Oswald Iten, a Swiss journalist, paid an unannounced visit to the Tasaday reserve. Much to Ossy's surprise, he was greeted by tribesmen wearing modern underwear beneath leaf aprons and cavemen living in modern houses.

It was a splendid performance worthy of an Oscar Award. The gentle Tasaday sported crude tools and spoke their ancient Tasaday language to pull up the act. And the children too, were very cooperative.
While scientists were shaking their heads and anthropologists argue how they were taken for a ride, Elizalde is sipping the rich, steaming froth of the proceeds from grants, intended for the tribe's preservation.

Amazing isn't it? I'd probably try to look for someone who can claim that he's seen Bin Laden basking under our tropical sun.