On everyday politics

You may wonder about this type of post here samantalang hindi naman mala The Professional Heckler  ang category ng blog ko. Also, it isn't even timely, given the campaign period and national elections are long over. Let's just say wala lang, feel ko lang. Kasi ganun naman ako pag inspired sumulat eh. I just write from the heart. 

So moving on to the topic - Politics. The dictionary defines this as "the art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs". Through this post, I would just like to show the many valuable lessons we could learn from this science because politics is not only found in a nation, it is evident in any entity such as the workplace, school, or home. Basta anything being governed, administered or controlled, something that has a system.

So to start off syempre in a political system, we have to nominate/elect/appoint who will take control of the entity. Sila ang magiging leaders/bosses/administrators. So who are our usual cast of candidates or nominees? Unfortunately, not all are qualified, if not most are unqualified. For me, here are the usual suspects:

image from the web

1.  Manok ni San Pedro - Such a very lucky candidate/nominee, as they would say, eto ung the favored one. Paano, padrino/backer lang naman nya ang may hawak ng susi ng langit. Sureball na ang panalo, promotion o appointment nya.

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" - George Orwell, The Animal Farm

image from the web

2.  Nancy Binay - Eto ung mga tipong anak ng vice president o may-ari ng kompanya with questionable qualifications/performance. Sige na pagbigyan na, nagOJT naman daw ng ilang taon eh, at andyan naman ung tatay to guide and support her.

“It is better to deserve without receiving, than to receive without deserving.” - Robert Green Ingersoll

image from the web

3.  Bitter Ocampo - Eto ung walang ibang ginawa kundi mag question bakit ung iba ang nanalo, napromote or naappoint. "Bakit hindi ako? Di hamak naman na lamang ako ng ilang paligo sa kanya. Bakit sya eh wala namang laman utak nyan?" Instead of assessing another individual's abilities/performance objectively, they tend to veer towards self-righteousness and have a biased view of themselves.

image from the web

4.  Cut-off - Parang sa instant noodles commercial lang na umiiyak ung bata: "12 lang ang nakuha sa practice, pang 13 ako, practice ako ng practice, may uniform pa ko, nay bakit?" Or by comparing with the recent senatorial elections, eto ung kawawang nasa 13th place. Dahil may cut-off, kahit na qualified ka pa, hindi ka makakapag-lingkod.

5.  Pity vote/Pasang-awa - Eto ung mga nakalusot, nanalo, napromote. o naappoint ng dahil sa awa at hindi dahil sa exceptional qualifications. Perhaps magaling ung campaign manager o image consultant nila. 

6.  Highly qualified but low popularity/unrecognized/underrated - Parang Dick Gordon o Risa Hontiveros lang. Eto ung mga kahit may very impressive track record na, sadyang hindi talaga mataas sa survey ratings at hindi nakakalusot sa election. Aantayin pa bang mamatay kagaya ni Jesse Robredo bago makarecognize ng mga matitinong leader o tagapaglingkod? For companies or organizations naman, you should nurture this rare breed of talents, otherwise run the risk of them resigning or being pirated by your competitors.

Here are some wonderful insights when you encounter the aforementioned in any entity you are in such as the workplace, school, or at home. I got these from The Prince and the Pauper by Jaachynma N.E. Agu:

1. “Don't underestimate your worth by comparing yourself with others.” - You are a unique individual, capable of contributing something to this world which others are unable to. So never let yourself be intimidated by what others can do. 
2. “Don't blow off another's candle for it won't make yours shine brighter.” - In other words itigil na ang crab mentality. In the end baka pati ikaw mahila pababa. Try to be the one that pull others up. Working together may actually bring out the best results.
3. “Don't set your goals by what other people deem important.” - You alone can know what matters most to you and what your own definition of success is.
4. “You are not in competition with anybody except yourself; plan to outdo your past not other people.” - Like the 1st and 2nd quote, just give your best in everything you do for God's greater glory. Keber na sa ginagawa ng iba. Always try to be a better version of yourself.

Lastly, you really cannot change the system but you can change how you react to the system. You can chose to go or stay. I leave you with a nice verse I got off the internet from an anonymous author, just to keep things in perspective: 

You need not stay where you are; 

there are other places you could occupy, possibly more happily than where you are now.
What keeps you were you are?
If there is nothing, walk away.
If there is something, you will know why you stay.

Happy Birthday Mama!

Posted for May 30, 2013

It’s been a while since I’ve written a post. Perhaps the pain of loss has left me uninspired, silenced and blank. But I just cannot let this chance past to pay tribute to a strong and loving woman who I owe my life to. For if there is one thing I’ve learned from our recent ordeal, it’s that you should tell the person you love how much they mean to you while you can.

It broke my heart to see my mom this morning crying while I entered their room to greet her a happy birthday. I couldn’t find the right words to cheer her up, knowing this is her first birthday without the love of her life. Not only that, she just lost her own mother, my dear lola Anita, May 24th of last year. It seems these past two birthdays have not been so happy at all.

My mom would often think of herself as weak and timid, but I believe this dragon lady is far from that. It’s high time she knows how strong she really is and how amazing she is as a wife, mom, grandmother and friend. Let me tell you some of her traits that I admire. If I were half the woman that she is, superwoman na ko.

Jack/Jill of all trades – Kung ang Papa ko ay tubero, karpintero, mekaniko roled into one, si Mama ay magaling sa kusina, sa crafts, pananahi, sa music, sa fashion at design at kung anu-ano pa. I never had to worry about school parties or prom because she makes the most beautiful dresses. Pati projects ko sa home economics puro perfect sa tulong nya. I’m so lucky to have a beautiful home which she lovingly decorated. She also knows how to play the piano, organ, guitar etc. During her younger years she was a good athlete winning tennis/pelota tournaments.

Hardworking – I’ve never seen a 60 year old woman with the energy to carry heavy bags while wading through the busy streets of Divisoria to source materials, stay up late just to finish quotations and designs and wake up early the following day. I learned to value my studies, seeing how hardworking my parents are.

Selfless – She exemplifies the saying na “isusubo nalang, ibibigay pa”. She will let us have our favorite parts of chicken, fish, meat etc. at sa kanya ung mga napagtirahan. Even when someone gives her a nice gift she will ask me pa if I like it and insist I wear/use it as well. Swerte halos same size kami sa shoes and dati sa damit.

The ultimate caregiver – Oo parang pelikula lang ni Ate Shawi. Siya ang nagalaga at nagbantay sa hospital for most of our relatives, from my lolo (maternal grandfather) and lolas (both paternal and maternal grandmothers), her sister in-law (my dad’s sister) and lately to my dad. Even if sa bangko or monobloc chair lang sya natulog, to changing adult diapers, tiniis nya ang lahat. And now, that tender loving care cascades down to her grandchildren which she patiently cares for kahit makulit at mahirap patulugin.

Lastly, I admire how she held herself during Papa’s last few days until he was buried. I could never imagine myself going through what she went through, sifting through Papa’s belongings, settling accounts and facing each day still with much energy and strength. God gave me and my brother a mom with a strong heart who holds her family together.

And so Ma, I admire you and I thank you. I will never fail to say and show I love you everyday, for each day is a gift. Happy 61st birthday! No matter how hard it was, another year is truly a blessing from God. Let’s look forward to beautiful days in the future.