LOWERING OF THE GUARD

I myself had my second dose of my vaccine, just a week ago. Then IATF announced the lowering of quarantine status to alert level 2. I can't particularly remember what the status was before. But after that announcement, a lot of restriction was downgraded.

Examples are, removing of barriers from public vehicles. Allowing of minors to go with their parents in malls. Face shields are now optional, In my city, liquor ban was lifted. But as a considered fully vaccinated, because of my two doses, and a homebody, I'm still scared of what is going on.

As of my writing this, Philippines is still on the 50-60% vaccination rate, with only 30+ percent being fully vaccinated, meaning those who have the second dose already. Which only means, there is still 70% who doesn't have the full vaccine protection, which is not a 100% immunity against COVID. 95% at best, 60+percent the least in efficacy rates. Which means it prevents you getting severe symptoms, hospitalizations and worst case scenario, death.

And children are out now, most of them are not vaccinated yet, and we are freeing them. Letting them go to malls etc.

Don't get me wrong, I am in favor in some of relaxation of restrictions for the economy, but it should be gradual and not drastic. And I'm thinking it is being done, because of the elephant in the room. The coming elections.

The news is like conditioning the masses, that it okay to go out now. Health officials and personnels are skeptic. And knowing Filipino's as the saying goes, kung makalulusot, lulusot. And it's not even lusot. They are giving a lot of allowance and leeway.

Elections are important, but not as important as health. How can you vote when you're in the hospital, or someone you know is. Remember that vaccines are not 100 immunity, and we are not all vaccinated. As a saying that I saw in memes said. The probability are low, but not zero. I hoped that the lowering of the guard, doesn't result in something bad, and I'm wrong. But most of the time, they do. Again, I'm hoping I'm wrong.

Source: 

Covid Vaccination Tracker

WHAT DOES THIS MEANS FOR THE UNITED STATES?

Many are comparing what is happening now in Kabul, on what happened before in Saigon when the US is trying to pull-out from Vietnam, in the 1970's. It's not the same. The US never defeated the Viet-Cong, and North Vietnam in the Vietnam War. They might have caused casualties, and damages. But they never defeated Vietnam. On the other hand, they defeated Taliban, and got the revenge of 911, by killing Osama Bin Laden. But why did the Taliban return, and takeover the capital?

The simple answer is, US fought a two prong war. One in Afghanistan, and one in Iraq. And both ended in failures. The adventures in Iraq, didn't prove anything on the accusations of weapons of mass destruction. And as many people have said, Saddam might be a tyrant, but he stabilizes the region. That even the Saudis, disagrees on the attack on the country. They took out Saddam, and what happened? They unemployed all member of Saddam's political party, from the government. Which is stupid, why? They didn't do that in Germany after World War 2, because they can't. No one will run Germany, if they take out all Nazi party members, in the government. They only took out those who they deemed responsible for war crimes. But they didn't do that with Iraq, those who became unemployed, especially army personnels became the foundation of the ISIS. It destabilizes Iraq, and Syria. And they pulled out, which the other powers, Iran, Turkey, Russia, maybe in a way China, took the opportunity to get in. Which I believe is not in the US foreign policies interest, and their allies to in the region.

Now Afghanistan. As the time progress, and the objectives are fulfilled. I think they lost interest on it in a way. Maybe because of high cost of maintenance, and criticism at home. Then President, declared that they will pull out completely from Afghanistan, with the deadline in September 11, 2021. 

So how did the Taliban took over? How did they get the arms and weapons? I don't know. But what I know is, as US is pulling out, China and Russia are getting in. One Taliban leader, even met the Chinese Foreign Minister in China. Another angle was, US is pulling out, so that China will have these problem Afghanistan. That they may pivot to China, because of the treatment of the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. But that's not confirmed, and only the days will tell, if that will happen.

The images of the exodus are horrifying. People in fear of the return, of the Taliban, hang on to planes as it flies. And of course they will fall. Why did it happened? Because they never treated Iraq, and Afghanistan, like the Germany of 1945. Had they done so, we might have a different Afghanistan and Iraq. But some may say, that can't happen because of the culture and the people. I don't think so. Japan are a warring state, and a backward society, before they became like this. China also are a warring state, and a backward society, before they became like this. Even the US is like that in the beginning, and they are a superpower. Everything can be changed. Not even many, only one has to will it, and it will happen.

So why is Kabul not Saigon? US retreated in Saigon, and it remains a superpower nation. One other country retreated in Afghanistan, years ago. That is the Soviet Union. Four years after they collapse. Will the US collapsed in four years? We can never tell. But US is in a free fall decline, as a superpower.

And it also says something, about Duterte's foreign policy, not being to reliant on the US. And to those advocating we forcefully retake lost territories in the West Philippine Sea, because we have the US backing us. First of all, we don't have the force. Second is, we may not have, the US backing us, despite promises. Last time, the Philippines were in trouble because of an Asian power. They flee first. Remember that, and just look what is happening in Afghanistan now.

STUPIDITY AND MISPLACED ANGER

This quarrel about our societies are really unneccesary. Here is my point of view that I post to Facebook, days ago.

The BTS Biot is trending both in Philippines and South Korea, for a time now. It's started because of some students posting some pictures with a whiteboard with that caption. The trend has blown out of proportion, and the country was embarrassed and seen as homophobic. It doesn't only attack the K-pop fans of BTS, but also the LGBTQ+ community. But the thing is, South Korea considered BTS as one their national treasures. Promoting their country all over the world. And Koreans take offense on thiis because. Now it's not only the Armys that have become our enemies, but most of South Korean people. And to those who do not know, biot is rehashing of the word bayot. Bayot is a visayan dialect of the word gay. Sometimes, that word is used out of slur, and not of definition. And connecting that to the group of BTS, and we had a disaster.

The reasoning behind the slurs is, is it not for the BTS itself, but of the ARMY's, the fandom of the group. And ARMY's are one of the most toxic fandom, among K-pop fandoms. I understand that you can be irritated by them, for most of them, not all really are. 

So why attacked BTS? The group have not done things that are condemnable. If you are irritated of the ARMY's, why vent on BTS? It's injustice for their part. They did not deserved such attacks. Maybe the ARMY's do, but not BTS. And many stupid shits are bandwagoning on the trend just for the fun of it. And now the country was embarrassed.

And because it was embarrassed, some of our countrymen, who heard the news, want to un-Filipino. Really? Just because of that, you will want to forsake your country. Although its trending, it's not the entirety of the Philippines that did it. Most of us don't even cared about it. Their are some stupid shits, but they are not the entirety of us. It's unfair to do that. It's only an internet issue.

Their are some things that you can still be proud of as Filipinos. We saved people, who are seeking refuge, when everyone refuses them. The Jews, who were exiled from Germany and Europe by the Nazis. We had help South Korea, to be free from communism. They prosper and become rich, and to look down at us, because we are poorer than them. We can still be proud of that. 

You may said, that I have mention that they are looking down at us, for many reasons. As I believe that the trend of the BTS, is not the entirety of the Philippines. I also believe that it's not the entirety of South Korea. Many of them maybe, but not all. All countries of the world has their own groups of assholes. I still believe on the potential of the good, than the prevalence of the bad. We must believe on that.

All I'm saying is if you're irritated by the ARMY's, attacked them, but not BTS itself. Don't just bandwagon on the things you don't know, or only know a little. And if you will un-Filipino just because of this. You don't deserve a country.

SHOULD US GIVE MORE?

 

President Duterte and Senator Lacson, got into bit of word war, because the President told the Americans, that if they want to somewhat extend the VFA, that they should pay more. Senator Lacson, told the President to read the constitution, and the Philippines are not a country of extortionist. But then the President retorted, that the payment is not of money, but of armaments.  And the question is, should the US give more to it’s ally, the Philippines?

You may have heard many times in the past, from many US Presidents in the past, and officials that the Philippines is a strategic ally, of the United States. With the title strategic ally, I think the United States should give more.

I mean, it will be their problem too, if the Philippines remained too weak. We are the chink in the armour, along the strings of allies of United States in the region. Japan is strong, South Korea is strong, Taiwan is strong, Indonesia is strong,  Australia is strong. Only the Philippines is weak in the region. And we are a strategic ally.

And the opposition might, oppose or criticize the idea of Duterte asking more payment, from the United States. Especially the main opposition party, the Liberal Party. Let me remind you, the party of the Aquino, that Ninoy Aquino himself agrees, to these idea of Duterte. He even word it rentals. Watch his statement in this documentary  NINOY: The Heart and The Soul, on 1:13-23-1:14:58 about the US bases at the time. And I will quote some part of it.

“Rather than continue the situation of this nature. May we therefore ask the United States government that they pay us rentals for these bases, so that with these rentals, we can now update the position of our Armed Forces, we can have our own missile batteries, we can have our own missile frigates,we can have our own modern weaponry. Rather than go out with our hands out...” –Ninoy Aquino

So why US should give us more. First of all there is a threat now, unlike before. Before we are only a launching pad for Vietnam. Now there is a threat of the paper dragon. And the US knows that they are really a threat. And if they will not give more to the Philippines. They will have a problem in the West Pacific. China may invade, or force the Philippines to give Pacific positions to them. At least if we are strong, China may think twice. And as an ally, US should help, because it is on their interest too.

But why Duterte is asking for more armaments? It is because we want to have the capability to stand alone. Not to ultimately defeat China, we can’t . We only want to have the capabilty to bloody the nose, so that China might think twice, of confronting us. With our present military capabilities. It can only cause a scratch, and it might be an insignificant scratch.

We want to stand alone, because US has a history of abandoning allies, along  with its western friends. Look at Poland, The Allies, promise help, but left alone to face both Germany and the Soviet Union. Lost their freedom in 1939, and gain it only after 1990. That’s a 51 year freedom lost.

Look at Great Britain, Winston Churchill pleaded with all of his heart, to then US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to join him in the war against Hitler’s Germany, after the defeat of France. He did not get it until Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, and Hitler declares war on the United States. That’s almost a year of abandonment.

Philippines in World War 2, was left alone by Americans to the Japanese. Although they came back, but it destroyed Manila, and left a lot of jeeps. And it had let the Japanese to do atrocities to Filipinos.

South Korea, Syngman Rhee asked for weapons, for him to wage war in the North. They declined, and US pullout of the South. The North Koreans attacked. The Chinese got involved. And the peninsula is still divided.

South Vietnam, although they start by supporting them. They abandoned them, when things go south.

The United States has this habit abandoning allies. They are unreliable, when it comes to a shooting war. So to that former justice, who is saying that the US will come in, if there will be an incident with China and the Philippines. You are very naive, to think that. You are not a student of history.

So its only right to ask US to give more. All they have given us in the past, are obsolete helicopters, tanks with no guns. C130 scrap of weaponry, Maybe its high time to give us, newer weapons. And I believe the government is willing to pay. We all know that it’s not cheap to manufacture such weapons. But I envy Iraq, in a way. It’s a former enemy, and a conquered state yet it has possesed US weaponry that the Philippines didn’t have. And we are called a strategic ally. Is it because we don’t have oil? Why is that a former enemy have that kind of weapons, but an ally was given scraps? Why is that? Your Excellency, Mr. President Joe Biden, why is that? Why is that?

PRESIDENCY, NOT FOR A WOMAN

 

On January 14, 2021, at the inauguration Skyway Stage 3. President Rodrigo Duterte stated that the presidency is not for a woman. In the context that her daughter, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, might run as President on the 2022 Presidential Elections, which is only a year away from now. Many reacted that it is sexist, and not necessarily true. But is it?

Historically speaking locally, locally meaning Philippines, how was the leadership of the woman that became Presidents, Corazon Aquino, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo? The First Aquino Presidency, reversed and stopped all programs of the Marcos Administration, even if it is for the better. Privatized government controlled or owned companies, while the trend in the world at the time, was to nationalize. Deregulate price controls, now companies hike prices at will. And Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, although credited for economic gains, was a corruption ridden administration, that she has reach a negative ratings at the end of her term. And that’s how women had performed at the helm of power in Malacanang.

But was the President talking generally? If that is the case, he is wrong. Many woman leaders around the world, past and present, had led their countries well.

I interpret this in two ways. As the most literal explanation. He is only talking about his daughter only. Discouraging her to run on the highest post on the land. Which is maybe a reverse psychology. Remember when the now sitting President run for it. He vehemently deny until the filing of candidacy, that he wont run for President. Yet he is now our President. He is using strategy, although it’s now too late, because it’s too obvious now that her daughter will run. He is trying to deny that she will run, so that her supporters might support her more.

Another way of interpreting is, he is quipping the Vice President  Leni Robredo, that the job is not for her. Which I believed so, not because she is a woman, but she is just not fit and capable, to do intelligent decisions. And like the Liberal Party always does, with her becoming President, they might overturn government projects, that are maybe for the good. Just like the flood control program in NCR. Aquino, the son stopped it, because Arroyo started it.

And just look how she responded on the recent typhoon victims in 2020. Their houses are destroyed, by the typhoon, because they are made of light materials, yet you will give them light materials, to be destroyed again by other typhoons in the future. Which I believe is a practice in idiocy and stupidity.

If Sara won’t run, and Leni will. I will vote for other candidates. It’s not common sense to put her at the highest office of the land. You may say, the Duterte are lacking in the pandemic response. Both in Davao and on the national level. Everyone is lacking in response to the pandemic. Another name that is ringing the bell, when we talk about national politics, Isko Moreno, who has good programs, in the case of the pandemic, allowed the Traslacion to happened, even if they could be a spike of new cases because of that. Everyone is lacking. Because this pandemic is new, and still developing.

I believe that he is not talking generally, but only talking to those two people.

WEST PHILIPPINE SEA: WAS HE RIGHT OR WRONG?

 

Note: This was written or finished around July 29, 2019. But for unknown reasons, I forgot to post this is on my blog. I think, the topic is still relevant, for Duterte is still the President of the Republic of the Philippines. And the issue involved will not be resolved, even in the near future. That is why I am still posting this.

I’m not really versed on what the UNCLOS says on the about the disputed territorial claims, nor the arbitral ruling, nor what the constitution says about the exclusive economic zone, or traditional fishing rights, or whatever terms that comes up, whenever we talk about the West Philippine Sea issue. What I know is the practicality of the situation, and the historical, most of the time response, of the United States on conflicts which are not directly their problem. The United States is the hope of the once that pursues to reclaim the territories now occupied by China.

But first, who should we really blame for this problem? Is it Duterte, because he is president now? Of course not. He is only 3 years in power. The one who is to blame, goes way back. It is those legislators who kicked out the Americans from Subic. Had the Americans stayed in the Philippines, would the Chinese behave this way? Of course not. Then after kickng them out, there was no effort to modernize the miltary, especially the navy. It was from Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo, then again Aquino. Only from the Aquino the son, do they start modernizing, because the Chinese problem is apparent already. It has become too late. We lagged behind, and couldn’t catch up, in the arms race.

And the practicality. We can’t patrol the waters, because we have no or less ships, that can impose our rule there. Courage alone, can’t defend a country, we need weapons. We have less, compared to them. To those who keep blaberring, but we have the Hague Ruling? Yes, but we have no weaponry, ships. The two warships are still in South Korea, and will not come here, until after two years. Yet those two ships, are still not enough to defend it. Its too big a sea, for those two ships to handle alone. We need at least a fleet of them, and a fleet cost billions of dollars, which we can’t afford now and in the future. To upgrade the navy fully, at least the essentials, will take at least 10 years. So what we can do for the time being? Peaceful coexistent and compromise, rather than confrontation and war. War will be more expensive, both in resources and in lives. We should know better. We too, suffered from World War 2.

A statement of Former Justice Antonio Carpio, I don’t know if he still on the Supreme Court, in an interview with Winnie Monsod, that he is depending, in case of war that America will intervene. Yes America, is still a military superpower, and will not be taken over, even by Russia and China, in another 20 years. But would they helped us?

Even with Mutual Defense Treaty that had been signed, between the Philippines and The United States. History suggest, that they will take a back seat first, before responding. A lot of things will happen, as they do nothing first. And China is not a pushover country, that they can bend. US will think twice on confronting China, as to China with confronting US. But it’s a different between the Philippines and China. And China knows this too, that the US will take a back seat first. So Duterte is right, to wait for the right time to confront China, with the ruling that has been granted to us.

To historically proved it, just look at the oldest and strongest ally of the United States, Great Britain. Back in World War 2, Winston Churchill, then the Prime Minister of Britain, lobbied for support and for the US to join him in the war against Nazi Germany. He assumed office in May 1940. Only when did Churchill got his wish? On December 7, 1941. A year and seven months. A lot has happened then. France surrenders, Britain is losing on North Africa, Hitler has attack the Balkans, the Mediterrenean, Britain is being blockaded, and Soviet Union was attacked and is retreating, with the Wehrmacht threatening Moscow. Only when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, did he help Britain against Nazi Germany. Imagined if the US responded, as Churchill wants it? The thing is, as long as USA can stay out, they will stay out, especially if its against a strong power too, like that of Germany then, and of China now. If that is how they treat their oldest and strongest ally, we are only an ally, and not really an important one, what can we expect from them? United States is not a reliable ally, we can’t depend on them to defend us.

Plus, then and the current leadership of the United States, don’t want confrontation with China. Obama stated, why should we have on pieces of rocks in the sea, referring to the Scarborough Shoal, not an exact quote. And Trump, is on an America First Policy. He is turning inward, although he has some progress with North and South Korean relations, on foreign policy. Plus with the Iran deal. But Philippines is not on the radar on his foreign policy. I don’t know if he is going to be re-elected, or a Democrat candidate will take the helms of power, in the White House. But I don’t see any radical change of policy against China, even if its a new leadership. Philippines will still be not as important, as Japan and South Korea.

So for the time being, Duterte is right. Peaceful coexistence, and compromise. We can’t fight them, and our ally is not really dependable. China will one day, face trouble for what their doing to us. But it should not be a trouble that will cause us damage in lives and resources. Let’s keep the peace, and keep quiet for the time being.

CANCEL KOREA, REALLY?

 

I will say this early on, I will not give up on K-Drama, K-Pop, K-Variety just because of this shit.

It all probably started when a Filipino tiktoker, Bella Poarch, who is not even living here, posted on tiktok, it’s not clear whether she has that tattoo or her father, a tattoo of the rising sun flag of Japan. To those who not know, that flag was the flag of the Imperial Japan. The time when Japan conquered a fourth of China, the whole of Korea, and almost the entire South East Asia, along with it, our own country the Philippines. With that imperialism, atrocities follow. And with all the countries that fall under their rule, Korea, or then Joseon, suffer the most of it. Girls were kidnapped, and force to have sex with the troops, in brothels. Man were force to served in the Japanese army, as frontline troops, and the others are emigrated also to do force labor. They are treated as second class citizens in their own land. So you would imagine, how deep is the hatred between South Korea and Japan. I dont know if South Korea, and also the North, had not fully forgiven, or not really forgiven Japan for it.

So seeing the rising sun flag, is offensive for Koreans. Had Bella Poarch just post it, their would not have been any problem. But she tagged the word Korea, along with the words I Love Korea, with the tattoo of the rising sun. If you’re a Korean, how would you feel seeing that? Knowing all the history behind the flag. I will feel insulted if I am one.

But the excuse was, she doesn’t know anything about the history of it, and apologized. And the series of insults and counter insults began. And Cancel Korea was born. Asking to boycott K-dramas, and kpop idols. As I have said early on, I wont give it up for this shit.

Its not that I am defending racism. Racism is evil, not just bad. But we Filipinos, are also guilty of it. In fact all nations, are guilty of it. And our racism are much worse. Just look, why many from Luzon, hates Duterte even if they have not known him personally. Some of have even edited the picture of Duterte, paying respects to the fallen of Jolo blast, making him look like eating dog food. Why is that? Because of the mere fact, that Duterte is from Mindanao, a Bisaya, and they that hate him, are Tagalogs.

So before we called Cancel Korea, we must cancel racism first, in our own ranks. We cant counter hate, with hate. It will just produce more hate. And Yoda said, hate leads to suffering. If they are down at that level, we should up the level, not go down with them. We should be the better person. If they are generalizing, we should not. Share love instead of hate.

IS A PROBLEM, IS AN IMMINENT DANGER

IS, is a problem and an imminent danger that may cause World War 3 itself. But first who and what is IS

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IS, which means Islamic State, is a branch of Al Qaeda on Iraq, a jihadist group who wants to established a caliphate, in which Sharia Law will be implemented. Their group is led by Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Their group is much like the Taliban but more traditional and more violent. They kill those who dont want to be converted to Islam, and beheaded a number of American journalists. They are so violent, Al Qaeda which is also a jihadist group, denounce IS, cause they say, IS will damage Al Qaeda's reputation, which begs the question, What reputation?

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Among those who are killed are Catholics who lived in vicinities now occupied by IS, who had not escape. This has led a reaction from Vatican, which in the past always advocates peaceful solution, to bombed the IS as the only solution.

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The red represents the territories now occupied by IS. IS hates America and also hates Russia. They hate people what they believe as infidels, or non believers. After they are denounce by Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh, naming them as the number one enemy of Islam. They threatened to attack Saudi Arabia, in which thank God is not happening yet.

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And after all the troubles, America the superpower, is not doing anything, with the exception of doing airstrikes. Which historically, America should know that it will have little effect and sometimes none, it had not lower German morale in World War 2 nor the British when bombed by the Germans, and also done nothing to stop North Vietnam in the Vietnam War. Military strategist will agree to this.

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I don't know, maybe America is to be blame with this. They attack Iraq for imaginary WMD's(Weapons of Mass Destruction). If Saddam have stayed in power in Iraq, this may not have happen. In the first place Saddam is not a threat anymore, after the first Gulf War. Dick Cheney, the VP of US in Bush Jr. administration advocate to attack Iraq in worry that they may give WMD's to the terrorist. After all we know there is no such thing as WMD's in Iraq. Now we are here with this IS.

As I said IS want to established a caliphate, a caliphate to unite all Islamic countries into one. Inevitably this will include Iran which itself presents danger because of two possibilities. If Iran is to fall which has a lower chance of happening, IS may obtain nuclear capabilties, thats one, If Iran is to win and push IS into defeat, they will be closer to Israel. And Iran close to Israel is a very combustible element which can lead to World War 3, however it is only a possibility for now.

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It is imperative for US and UN to take actions on this, they should put troops again to stop the advance of IS and push them to defeat. They should also established a permanent base in there, just like in South Korea, as the threat their is permanent. The threat is always permanent in the Middle East. they should have known that, not only from IS, but also from Iran and Israel. Their presence there may served as a deterrence for any threats. Whatever badmouthing US is receiving, the truth is IS and any terrorist group fears the US.

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Now what is the implication of the happenings in the Middle East concerning IS to the Philippines. If they are to attack Saudi, first and foremost, many OFW's are there, secondly we are dependent on the Middle East oil. And recently Abu Sayyaf pledge allegiance to IS. A number of Filipino has been recruited by IS as Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Former President Fidel V. Ramos has said. And I the author lives in Mindanao, particularly Davao, we suffered three bombings in here which has killed and injure a lot of people from terrorist attacks. And that IS rising in the Middle East worries me. That's all

THE GUN QUESTION

United States and the Philippines, malayong-malayo ang diperensya sa isa't-isa. Ang Amerika ay isa sa pinakama-uunlad na bansa, habang ang Pilipinas ay isa naman sa papa-unlad na bansa. Maging sa isyu ng demokrasya, malayong-malayo pa ang Pilipinas, sa Amerika.

Ngunit nagkakalapit nga ang dalawang bansa na isang karagatan ang layo sa isa't-isa sa isang isyu. Ito nga ang isyu ng  gun ownership and control, dahil sa mga sunod-sunod na pangyayari na may kinalaman sa baril.

Nitong July 20, 2012 lamang, ay isang James Holmes ang namaril sa isang sinehan sa Colorado, kung saan palabas noon ang pelikulang "The Dark Knight Rises". 12 ang patay, at 58 ang sugatan, o injured. Nahuli nga siya at kasalukuyang nakakulong na.

Nitong December 14, 2012 naman, ay naganap ang isang massacre sa Newtown, Connecticut. Walang awang pinatay ang 20 estudyante at anim na mga matatanda na kinabibilangan ng mga guro at magulang sa Sandy Hook Elementary School. Si Adam Lanza, ang nagsagawa ng pagpatay, ay natagpuang patay katabi ng kaniyang baril, na pawang matataas ang kalibre.

Nito namang New Year, sa Pilipinas, ay tinamaan ng ligaw na bala si Stephanie Nicole Ella, isang inosenteng bata. Di nga nagtagal ay pumanaw ito. Ang salarin ay hindi pa nahuhuli.

At nitong January 4, 2013, isang massacre ang nangyari sa brgy Tabon 1, Kawit Cavite. Pito ang patay, kabilang ang dalawang bata at isang buntis. Napatay naman si Ronald Bae, ang nagsagawa ng pagpatay, ng mga awtoridad. Si John Paul Lopez, ang sinasabing nagre-reload sa killer ay sumuko, at sinampahan ng patong-patong na kaso.

Bagaman may parehong isyu, ay magkaiba ang approach ng dalawang lider ng dalawang bansang ito. Malakas nga ang public opinion sa America na magkaroon ng total gun ban, maliban sa mga uniformed personnels gaya ng pulis at militar, at tila si Obama ay ganoon din ang pananaw. Malakas din naman ang panawagan sa Pilipinas, ngunit dahil ang Pangulong Aquino ay isang gun enthusiast, ay tutol siya dito. Nabulalas niya nga ito matapos ang isang insidente ng shoot-out diumano sa Atimonan, Quezon, kung saan siya ay nagpahayag sa duda na shoot-out ito, at tanungin tungkol sa posibilidad ng total gun ban.

Kung ako naman ang tatanungin. Hindi maaaring mawala ang baril. Pero sa isyu ng kung sino lamang ang hahawak, ay mahirap sagutin. Madali pa ngang sagutin kung alin ang tunay na relihiyon sa mundong ibabaw, kesa sa naunang tanong.

Bakit ko nasabi? Natutuwa din kasi ako sa idea na walang baril kundi sa mga awtoridad lamang. Ngunit sa klase ng awtoridad sa Pilipinas, eh mapapaisip ka. At saka paano kung isang gaya nila James Holmes ang maupo, at maging tyrant. At magpatay ng tao. Then being gunless society will be non-sense, because extreme tyranny, will always lead to revolution, maiging-maigi kung peaceful. At pagkatapos ng revolution, laging magulo, matagal pang dumadating ang kaayusan.

Hindi naman imposible ang sinabi ko. Ang Libya, nagkaroon ng Gaddafi, ang Syria, ay may Assad, ang Russia may Joseph Stalin, pawang mga lider na loko-loko at lumaban sa kanilang tao.

Magulo nga ang topic na ito, ako man naguluhan din.

ANG PAGPAPAPUTOK SA BAGONG TAON

Kung papaanong may kakaibang pag-celebrate ng Pasko ang mga Pilipino, ganoon din nga sa bagong taon, naiiba ang karamihang Pinoy. Bagaman ang tradisyon ay galing sa China, ang pagpapaputok, at ginagawa rin sa iba't-ibang bahagi ng mundo, ay kakaiba pa rin ang sa Pilipnas sa aking pananaw.

Ngunit bakit nga ba nagpapaputok tuwing bagong taon? Ito daw ay para magtaboy ng malas at masamang espiritu. Ngunit kung Bibliya ang pag-uusapan totoo ba ito? Dalawang talata lang ang katapat to belie this belief. Santiago 3:16,15

SANTIAGO 3:16,15 

Sapagka’t kung saan mayroong paninibugho at pagkakampikampi, ay doon mayroong kaguluhan at lahat ng gawang masama. 

Hindi ito ang karunungang bumababa mula sa itaas, kundi ang nauukol sa lupa, sa laman, sa diablo.

Ayon nga sa itinuro sa amin ni Bro. Eli na ang paniniwala ko ay nagtuturo ng ayon sa Biblia, ay sa bawat may kaguluhan, nandoon ang diablo, nauukol sa diablo. kaya mali na kaagad na nagtataboy ng bad spirit ang pagpapapuputok. Dahil ang baddest of all spirit, ang diablo eh nandoon. At hindi maitatanggi na magulo sa Pilipinas pag bagong taon.

Kung sa pagtataboy ng bad spirit eh mali, lalo naman sa pagtataboy ng malas. Pinatutunayan yan ng mga pangyayari sa mismo sa araw na iyon. Ito nga ang mga malas na nangyayari na ang dahil ay ang pagpapaputok.

ANG MAPUTUKAN. Hindi bat't maliwanag na malas yan pag nangyari yan sa iyo. At hindi lang iyan, yung iba bata nakakalunok ng paputok. Na minsan humahantong pa sa kamatayan yung iba.

ANG MAGING HOSPITAL STAFF SA ARAW NA IYON. Una dadami ang trabaho nila. Ikalawa, imbis kasama nila ang pamilya, nasa ospital, at ikatlo sila ang makakakita firsthand ng mga sabog na kamay. Kahit pa sabihing tungkulin naman nila iyon. Kung sana ay nag-iingat yung ibang tao, eh pwedeng wala naman sila doon at kasama ang kanilang pamilya, kung hindi man ay mas magaan sana ang kanilang trabaho.

KUNG MAY SAKIT KA SA BAGA. If there is smoke, there is fire, the after effects of fire is smoke. At sa bagong taon ay mga firecracker na nag-eemit ng smoke, na nagsisimula wala pang alas dose hanggang sa pagkalipas pa hanggang magbukang liwayway. Just like in the picture it is an aftermath of a New Year celebration in the Philippines. And smoke, thick smoke is a nightmare of people who has lung ailments.

ANG MAGING TAGA LINIS NG MGA KALAT. At pagkatapos nga ng lahat ay kakatakot na kalat ang lilinisin ng sinomang maglilinis, mapa-street-sweeper man o ordinaryong tao lang ang maglilinis nito, na may tsansa pang maputukan din.

Ang obserbasyon ko nga ay ang Pilipinas lang ang tila warzone ang atmosphere tuwing New Year. Nag-cecelebrate din naman ng New Year ang ibang bansa pero wala kang mababalitaan na gaya ng sa atin kagulo. Maging sa China na pinanggalingan nito ay hindi naman ganito kagulo ng gaya sa atin.

At ang injuries na tinatamo tuwing bagong taon, nangyayari lang sa ibang bansa sa mga sundalo na nasa giyera, na hinagisan ng granada, binomba ang kampo kinanyon. At kada taon pa mas lumalaki ang paputok. The bigger the size, the bigger its damage. May bagong labas pa na ang pangalan ay Crying Bading at Ampatuan.

Sana nga ay mabago na ang ganitong uri ng tradisyon ng pagpapaputok, na wala namang naiidulot na mabuti, gastos lang, at mas lalaki pa ang gastos pag naputukan ka. Para ka lang nagsunog ng pera. Pwede naman walang paputok. Tignan nyo ang Davao City. Na pinupuri ng national government natin dahil sa mababang injury rate tuwing bagong taon. Hindi naman totally eradicated, pero bawal na bawal dito ang paputok. Magagalit si Digong.

After all the tradition came from China, a country which most of us hate because of their incredible territorial claims.

INSANE CHINA

Nakakatawa na nakakainis na itong China, halos lahat kine-claim.

Una yung Kalayaan Islands, tapos yung Scarborough Shoal, tapos ang buong South China Sea through the nine dash line

May isa pa ngang anchor sa China, na pati ang Pilipinas diumano ay inherent part of China, ano sa inyo na lang lahat? Sa glory ng past Chinese Dynasties, walang record na tinangka man nilang sakupin ang Pilipnas. Dahil alam nila may kalalagyan sila, sa ating bansa noong unang panahon.

At yung anggulo na, since some dynasties pa ay kanila na ang Scarborough Shoal, kung ganoon rin lang ang batayan, eh dapat sa Italy na ang much of Europe and North Africa, dahil Roman Empire ang Italy noon eh. Dapat ganoon muna ang mangyari bago kayo mag-claim, China.

At hindi lang pala ang Pilipinas ang nagaganyan ng China, pati ang Vietnam, damay sa claim sa South China Sea. Nagputukan na nga nag dalawang bansang ito noon, dahil sa away sa teritoryo. Pati ang Japan nga ay inaagawan nila ng isla, yung Senkaku Islands na kung titignan naman ay talagang mas malapit ito sa pinaka-remote island ng Japan kesa sa China.

Yun nga ay humantong sa mga protesta sa China, kung saan napagtripan ang mga Japanese made na mga sasakyan. Ipinost nga ang imaheng katulad nito noon sa isang anti-China bullying page sa Facebook. Umani nga ng batikos na"ano ba yan! nagpoprotesta nang ganoon pro-government" something like that. Sa loob-loob ko naman, knowing China's little bit of its history. Hindi gagawin ng mga tsino muli ang magrally laban sa China, knowing what happen in the 80's in the Tiananmen Square, The Chinese government massacre their own people.

http://www.japancrush.com/2012/stories/clinton-reveals-china-claim-to-territorial-rights-in-hawaii.html

Ngunit ang nakakagulat sa lahat, pati Hawaii! ito nga ay ayon sa isang article ng MSN Sankei, na sinabi daw ng official ng China kay Clinton. I will quote the the title and the first paragraph.

From MSN Sankei: China ‘Could Also Insist Upon Territorial Rights in Hawai’i: US Secretary of State Reveals Part of Consultation With China.

"On November 29, it was revealed that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated in a question and answer session at a speech she gave in Washington, that when the US had consulted with China about the past problems of territoriality in the South China Sea, the Chinese side had said that they could also ‘insist on (territorial rights to) Hawai’i’. To which Clinton replied, ‘Well, you’re welcome to try. Territorial rights will be settled through arbitration institutions. That is precisely the action that we want you to take’."

Para sa buong detalye nito, may link sa ilalim ng picture ni Clinton

That is too much already for China, worst than Hitler's bullying of territory in Europe before Poland. But Hitler said something in his book Mein Kampf that I would like to agree, "The Seas Belong to the United States". I dont really remember what chapter it is, but Hitler really said that. And I like it better than China.