Cutting Edge

It happened in a split second. Before I knew it, my dog and I were inches away from a Toyota Previa which madly veered towards our direction in the event of avoiding a fatal mishap with a truck. Then, like a scene from an action packed flick, it screeched to a halt. Casting a deep sigh, I walked away with legs akin to rubber for escaping death unscathed. There I was, with my adrenaline surged, rushed a mental note, the top three of a want-to-do list after a near death experience, which I posed to ten people I know . Surprisingly, answers were poured down to 2 categories: focused towards self and towards loved ones. One Brit, Cheddar Caveman, wrote to propose a smile to all the people he meets (imagine my sardonic grin. No but yeah, he’s kinda cute) . Hindsight, this is the social equivalent of being simply nice (er, then my hard work of sneering will go down to nothing!).

Then one wicked idea toyed in my complex whiny nutshell . It’s about asking the exact same question to politicians who are desperate for votes . As a moot question, I am pretty certain, most Filipinos will agree to the matter . This will be the political equivalent of analyzing what goes in their heads (at least), where their priorities lie ( if it's people oriented or to a rather largely selfish goals) and what economic strategies they come up with if they will eventually win a seat in the government. As incurable optimists Filipinos as can be, it is just right that voters heed their possible answers. Due to learned brainlessness on the part of the electorate, many keep on believing the pathetic lies exemplified by politicians, thus many stay, winning the same seat in a tight grip.

Of course, these buggers may have probably experienced a near kiss of death, perhaps at a rather frightening course. “Had these steely politicians ever purported a change in their governance style after being dealt with a near peep at pearly gates, something which could bring the Philippines to a cutting edge whereby people see change ?” one thinks. Astoundingly, the kinds of political figures we have today are just too happy to impetrate for help from rich countries rather than creating an atmosphere to raise the standard of living of the mundane and to equally share the growth expected . This should largely create a roadblock to extremism and to slow down the mad flow of brain drain, thus hauling the country from the brink. The Rwandan President significantly took the courage to build such change despite him taken to center stage as ruthless, authoritarian and undemocratic. So why can’t we?

Am I too dreamy? The sense of defeatism may prove pervasive but definitely it is not terminal. We need people to govern but let them be the ones who look after the interest of the poor to a larger degree because the poor make up the bigger constituent, the bigger number of the society, whether we like it or not.

As for the haughty question popped up to my mind, Keith asked the same to me. My answer will send the female Filipino population cringing. I’d get a bf with a sexy man rug and shag twice a day . He chuckled relentlessly before agreeing. And yes, I got invites. Bettina Arndt will be too happy to include me as her diarist. Of course I will never make any list. Spontaneity is still genuine and fun. Take life as it comes and make a difference. Viva Cheddar Caveman!!!

Author: Marife Tandoc

Pasaway Na Puso

Puso -- katagang makapangyarihan, nakakakilig, makulay, minsan naman madugo at madalas pasaway. Kapag puso ang pinag-usapan marami ang natutuwa. Marami rin naman ang nalulungkot. At karamihan ay umiiwas sa usapang ito. Iba't iba man ang kuwento at dahilan ng bawat nilalang kung saan sangkot ang puso, it's still a part of our everyday scenario. Boring ang buhay kung wala kang matatawag na love life or sex life na karaniwang pasaway na puso ang siyang nagpapairal.

Hanga na sana ako sa kaibigan kong si Mabeth nang makita ko siyang all-out smile sa bagong pakilala sa aming foreigner guy friend. "Ang cute niya girl, 'di ba't kamukha niya si Ian Veneracion?", 'di niya mapigilang sabi. Sa sobrang tuwa ko, ginagap ko ang kanyang palad and gave her a handshake. "Wow, congrats 'tol! You did have an eye for a perfect creature." "Ano ba, kainis ka!", nakanguso niyang protesta. Natatawa na lang ako na pagmasdan ang reaction niya. Yeah, the guy was one hell of a hunk. Malaki nga lang ang brain damage ng kaibigan ko. Maya-maya pa'y narinig ko siyang tumitili. Hila ang laylayan ng aking damit, sinundan ko ang tingin ng kanyang mata. Sa 'di kalayuan mula sa pwesto ng aming mesa sa pub na aming pinasukan, isang naka-mint green sweater, nakabonnet at mala-anghel na mukha ang kampanteng nakikisabay sa indak ng tugtog. Cool ang porma, cool ang galaw, sobrang cool ang total package.

Mabeth rolled her eyes. "Ang cute niya. Kinikiliiiigggg ako..." Oh no! Kung naging dragon lang ako ako na bumubuga ng apoy, tustado na ang friend ko. "Hoy, 'yang nasa harapan mo ang ulamin mo. Dukutin ko kaya 'yang mata mo." Tumawa lang siya ng nakakaloka. "Basta, 'di tayo aalis dito hangga't hindi mo nakukuha ang number niya." Aba! demanding ang lola. Bakit ba kasi may mga nilalang na gaya niya? Siguro ako na lang ang natitirang abnormal sa mundo. Everything around the place makes me wanna kill myself.

Saan mang sulok dumako ang paningin ko, kakulay nila ang friend ko. Disaster talaga! Ganun pa man, mahal ko ang kaibigan ko kaya 'san man o anuman ang nakapagpapasaya sa kanya, s’yempre doon na rin ako. Pagbigyan ang kabaliwan, inalam ko ang pangalan ni cutie pie. Nice name. "Ice". Bongga! to the coolest level talaga. Bumalik ako sa aming mesa. Hindi pa rin mapakali sa kilig itong kaibigan ko. At nang tanungin niya ako kung nakuha ko ang number, "Your job," ang tanging sinagot ko sa kanya. Diskumpiyado pa rin ang hitsura nito. Kinuha nito ang bote ng beer at inisang lagok. Gawin bang tubig? Pinukol niya ako ng isang pilyang tingin saka nagmartsa palabas. Nahuhulaan ko na ang diskarte niya makuha lang ang numero ng kinakikiligan. Breaking the record. Salamat kay San Mig Lights!

Hindi ko alam kung nasa ayos pa siya ng mga sandaling 'yon. Napapailing na lamang akong sinundan siya. "Hi! 'Pwede ba makuha ang number mo?", walang pasakalyeng sabi nito paglabas ni Ice sa banyo. “Bakit ko naman ibibigay 'sayo, eh 'di ko nga binigay 'dun sa babaeng nangungulit sa akin kanina?”, tinutukoy nito ang medyo may edad ng katabi lamang nila kanina sa mesang inookupa nila. "Eh, kasi nga sa 'kin mo ibibigay," puno ng kumpiyansang tugon ni Mabeth. Tumawa lang ang huli. Naaaliw na lamang akong pagmasdan sila. Ayyy... puso nga naman. Mga Pasaway!

Sa pag-aakala ni Mabeth na 'di ko siya sinundan, agad siyang nagkuwento kung pa'no niya napasakamay ang numero ni Ice ng balikan niya ako. "So you really like that Ice, huh!", panunukso ko sa kanya. "So much!," abot tenga ang ngiti nito. The intense desire in their eyes couldn't be denied. They wanted each other. And in 2 days time simula ng magkakakilala sila, wala ng pakiputan. They were already an item. May magagawa ba ako? Puso nila 'yon. Well, who the hell cares?

Eh, ano ngayon if Ice is a les, as in "lesbian"? Kung kaguwapuhan lang din naman ang pag-uusapan, mas marami nga siyang mailalampaso na mga barako. Besides, it's the character that matters. Mali man sa tingin ng iba, eh ano ngayon? Mamatay na lang kayo sa inggit!

Author: Amy Gunnacao

Year Of The Ox

I call them Tony’s Angels – Tony Bartolome’s bevy of Filipina beauties who provide much of the literary input for True Friends Magazine.

It was my third trip to Hong Kong in almost as many months – I first came out to the region in October after a gap of thirty years and was wonderfully looked after then by Miam (The Boss) Medrano. A little over a month later the Hong Kong Tourist Board brought me over on an all expenses paid trip (along with five other Middle Eastern journalists) as I had been asked to write a number of articles for a travel magazine. Flown over on Cathay First Class, pampered in both the Shangri La hotels, taken to a string of good restaurants and shown some more of the city’s sites (including, I’m sorry to say, the truly awful Disneyland, which was the only down side of the entire trip… but hey, don’t get me started!). I’m sure I could get used to such a luxurious lifestyle!

And being smitten by the city and its people, it didn’t take a lot to tempt me to come on over again for Chinese New Year. Once again M(TB)M pulled out all the stops for me, sharing me around all the other Angels – such an ego boost for a hot blooded male who was made to feel so very welcome by one and all.

Who could forget Amy’s smile which seemed to linger in the air as the rest of her disappeared round a corner, much like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland? Or Annabelle’s business savvy as she rushed around collecting sugar packets from the likes of Mc Donalds for sale on eBay? How about Marie who complained that I was too tall and proceeded to call me daddy as she skipped along the street holding on tightly and trying to flutter her eye lashes at me. “Daddy buy me some ice cream,” she wailed. “Only if you are a good girl,” she was told. (She never got her ice cream!) How about Daisy and Ines and Zyrel and Edenell and Marife and all the other Angels, too numerous to mention here?

I was taken to see the Temple of 10,000 Buddhas which for some inexplicable reason is totally missing from the HKTB’s Visitor’s Kit. This has to be one of the best must-visit places in the whole of HK. We started out by breaking into a picnic lunch by the IFC’s Caribou (much better to carry it around inside us, rather than lug heavy boxes around). The security guards tried to move us on. Not because we were making a nuisance of ourselves, but because they thought there were too many open boxes of food. What might the other visitors to the Caribou think? But Daisy placated them and they left us in peace to munch through the mountains of food.

And then it was off to Sha Tin where we met up with Amy’s friend Mercy who led us to the golden Buddhas… eventually. First we took a wrong turn and found ourselves in a kind of cemetery which was actually next door to the temple, but interesting and noteworthy all the same. And then M(TB)M spotted a path winding up the hillside which indeed proved to be the way to the temple.

I found on a website that there are actually 12,600 Buddha statues, rather than the 10,000 implied by the name. (But then, who can say? Amy lost count after the first two or three hundred anyway, as she mistakenly believed that others in the party would count the ones she had missed.)

We all posed beside our preferred statues – one that I leant against was not anchored down and toppled somewhat precariously until I managed to retrieve it and stop it rolling down the hillside. (Not sure Temple of 9,999 Buddhas would have had quite the same cachet as the original name.) We all posed with our respective zodiac animals. Me beside a tiger; Daisy in front of a dragon; M(TB)M with a rat; Amy with a cockerel; Annabelle with a dog; Mercy with an ox and Marie with her ear pressed perilously close to the backside of a ram.

Other highlights of my trip (not to mention the pizza parties in Tony’s office) included the New Year’s procession (tip for next time – stay in and watch it on TV); and the fireworks display which we watched from the IFC Mall, thereby missing the drama of one of the barges catching alight and wondering why there was so much black smoke that at times one was hard pressed to see the fireworks at all. It will all end with the Chinese character for an Ox, M(TB)M predicted. But from where we were, it was all just obliterated by the smoke. Her prediction was acknowledged by a report in the South China Morning Post, however, which prompted an apology from yours truly who was ashamed that he had had so little faith in her tourist guide capabilities.

We visited some of HK’s beautiful parks – Victoria Park and Hong Kong Park and the Botanical Gardens – where there was so much to see and learn. How do you tell the difference between a turtle and a tortoise, for instance? Throw them both into a pond and see which one crawls out. Oh look, there’s a Burmese Python, said M(TB)M in the reptile house. How do you know it’s a Burmese Python, asked a member of the party, better to remain anonymous. I read the sign, she was told!

And talking of signs, HK is full of wonderful collector’s items. “For your own safety, please do not climb up … the staircases” advised one notice; whilst another by a fountain admonished “No climbing or padding”. “Closed” said another sign on a door which was blocked open and through which visitors walked. But my favourite sign was a massive billboard positioned very close to Tony’s office. “Single unattached billboard looking for love” read the main headline, with accompanying classified ads as diverse as “Have Viagra: Need woman – any woman between 18 and 60” and “For sale: Complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica. 45 volumes. No longer needed. Got married last weekend. Wife knows everything.”

Aaaahhhh. Hong Kong . Don’t you just love it!

Author: Brian Salter

Kaylupit Mo Pag-ibig

Masarap ang magmahal at mahalin. Ngunit paano kung ang minahal mo ay sasaktan at iiwan ka lang? Ano ang gagawin mo? Gaganti ka ba at gagayahin mo ang ginawa niya sa iyo? Manahimik at magsasawalang kibo? Tanggapin ang pangyayari at magmove-on sa buhay? Alamin po natin.

Pag-ibig! Iyan ang pangunahing suliranin ng mga OFW saang panig man ng mundo.Unahin na natin ang mga nasa Hong Kong. Napakarami sa atin na ganyan ang problema. Nang magpunta ka dito napakaganda ng inyong mga pangarap para sa inyong pamilya at mga
anak. Umalis ka sa atin dahil ninais mo na makaipon at mapag-aral ang mga anak. Ngunit bakit iba ang nangyari, nasira ang pagsasama nyo ng asawa mo. Ano ba ang nangyari? Parang may mali, di ba? Nabalitaan mo na lang na may ginagawang milagro ang asawa mo. Aray ko po! Ah, napakasakit at nakakalungkot.

Minsan ayaw man nating tanggapin na may mga pagkakataon na tayo rin ang may kasalanan. Sa katwiran natin na "okey lang na magluko ang asawa basta ba pagdating ako parin ang asawa nya". At okey lang basta huwag siyang mag-aanak sa iba. Iba ka sa lahat, iba ka kung magmahal! Okey lang sa iyo dahil katwiran mo pa nga na kailangan ng asawa mo ang pangangailangan niya bilang isang lalake at katwiran pa
ng ilang lalake naman walang mawawala sa kanya, bagkus nagpapatingkad pa sa kanyang pagkalalake. Aba, bongga! Eh ikaw ba, tayo, walang pangangailangan? May puso ka, katawan at pakiramdam, di ba? Kaya kung katwiran nyo eh kailangan nya dapat sabihin nyo din kailangan nyo rin pero nagtitiis kayo dahil mahal nyo siya at ayaw nyong masira ang pinagsamahan nyo. Dahil katwiran na okey lang, kinukunsinti mo lang ang pagluluko ng asawa mo. Tingnan mo ha, dahil sa katwiran mo na iyan, ang asawa mong mabait, aba, nawiwili siya kasi nga katwiran mo "okey lang". Paano iyan kung matutuhan na niyang mahalin ang kinalolokohan niya? Ano na ang mangyayari? Eto na, magsisimula na ang away at walang katapusang sumbatan. Kesyo ganyan, kesyo ganito! Kasi ikaw, kasi siya! Ah, buhay pag-ibig, nakakabaliw!

Kailangan kasi natin na palagiang may komunikasyon sa ating mga mahal ng maiwasan kahit papaano ang mga ganitong pangyayari. Kung ang atin pong mga asawa ay nagluko lang noong umalis kayo sa Pilipinas pag-usapan nyong dalawa kung ano ba talaga? Saan na ba papunta ng relasyon nyo? May aasahan ka pa ba? At dapat ka pa bang umasa? Kung sinabi niya na ikaw parin ang mahal nya, okey fine! Bigyan natin ng isa pang pagkakataon. Why not? Coconut? Chestnut di ba? Tanggapin mo, bakit hindi? Kailangan mo tanggapin na tao lang ang asawa mo at natutukso rin. Lalo na kung ang asawa mo ang nilalapitan. Kung may pag-asa pa ang pagsasama nyo gawin nyo ang magagawa para maayos pa ang ang pinag samahan nyo. Sayang naman kung mauuwi sa wala ang sinimulan nyo. Pakialam mo ba sa iniisip ng iba kung iyon naman ang paraan para maging masaya ka. Dapat naman talaga na kayo ang higit na nagkakaintindihan dahil relasyon nyo iyan hindi ninuman. Kung kinakilangan na masakripisyo ka maging maayos lang ang samahan, bakit hindi? Pero kung ginawa mo na lahat, as in nilunok mo ng lahat ng pride mo, wala parin halaga sa kanya at pagkalipas lang ng ilang araw ayan na naman.Aba ba ba! Mag-isip-isip ka na kung okey lang ba sa iyo at kung kakayanin mo na dalawa kayo sa kanya? Over na iyan ha! Kailangan na mamili siya kung sino ba talaga sa inyo ang mahal niya? Hindi puwede iyong katwiran na ikaw ang mahal niya pero may iba pang nakareserba na pag wala ka siya muna proxy ika nga. Dahil kung mahal ka niya, patunayan at panindigan niya.

Oo, mahirap ang malayo sa mahal mo ngunit dahil my pangarap ka kaya kailangan mo na magsakripisyo. Sino ba ang di nahihirapan pag malayo ka sa mga minamahal? Wala di ba? Mahirap iyong umasa ka sa wala at nagmumukha kang tanga! Kailangan din naman nating magtira ng pagmamahal para sa sarili natin. Kapag nagmahal tayo kailangan 50-50 lang. Hindi maaaring lahat lahat dahil pag nabigo tayo baka maloka ka. Eh ang pag-ibig pa naman pag pumasok sa puso, patay, bulag, pipi at bingi. In short, kakaloka!

Ngayon kung ang sagot sa iyo ay mas mahal na niya si SPO2 , ngak, patay! Kailangan mo ng mag-isip at magdesisyon kung ano ang mas makakabuti sa iyo -- ang maging martir ba habang buhay o ang palayain siya? Ah, napakasakit, kuya Eddie! Kaylupit mo pag-ibig! Sinasabi ng iba na bahala na siya sa buhay niya at hahanap na lang ng iba. Madaling sabihin, mahirap gawin lalo na kung itinakda mo na sa isip mo na siya ang asawa mo at magsasama kayo sa hirap at ginhawa. Paano pa nga kayo magsasama kung may mahal na siyang iba? At si SPO2 na ang gusto nyang makasama sa hirap at ginhawa kahit pa mali ang isipin ng iba. Kailangan ba na maghabol ka sa kanya habangbuhay dahil asawa mo siya? Oh come on! Move on. Ang buhay natin ay napakaiksi sasayangin mo pa ba ito sa isang kaluluwang ayaw na sa iyo? Sabi ko nga po kanina kung may pag-asa pa, bakit hindi? Pero kung wala na, hello?! Magising ka sa katotohanan at tanggapin ang kapalaran di ba? Kailangan natin ng lakasan ng loob at harapin ang bukas. Kung ang iisipin nyo lang siya at siya wala ng iba eh maawa naman kayo sa sarili nyo higit sa lahat sa mga anak na umaasa sa inyo. Ipakita nyo sa asawa nyo na kaya nyo na kahit mawala siya makakaya nyo. Sino ba sya para habul-habulin nyo? Lalo na kaya lang pala siya nakakuha ng SPO2 dahil sa padala nyo. Hah! Masaya ka! Kaarawan mo ba araw-araw? Akin naman ang bukas.

Sa mga anumang samahan dito sa Hong Kong pangkaraniwan na natin itong naririnig. Pero alam nyo ba na hindi ibig sabihin na kaya lang nagluko ang asawa nyo eh dahil andito kayo. Ang mga asawa kung nais talagang magluko kahit katabi nyo gabi-gabi sa higaan gagawa at gagawa ng paraan iyan upang magawa ang nais nya. Nagkataon lang na mas may dahilan sila dahil malayo ka sa kanya kaya iyon ang idinadahilan niya. Ika nga ng kasabihan "kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan." Tama naman, hindi ba?

Kaylupit mo pag-ibig to the point na nagmumukha ka nang tanga at sugar mommy. Iyong iba pa nga kay SPO2 nagpapadala ng pera at siya na ang bahalang magbudget para sa mga anak dahil hindi marunong sa pera si general. Sustentado, asensado, abusado ika mo! At pag wala kang maipadala aawayin ka at ibinebenta ang mga naipundar mong gamit. Wow! At kung wala ng gamit babalasin ang bahay dingding man o bubong ng bahay. Mga tinamaan ng magaling! Ikaw kasi eh masyadong mabait. Ang iba naman, sabi bibili daw ng bahay o lupa, pasamahin na natin bahay at lupa, kamukat-mukat wala pala, pinag-pasarap o pinantustos lang pala sa luho ni SPO2. Gusto ko na atang mag-amok, lalaban ka ba? Maraming kuwento, ibat-ibang mukha ng kalokohan. Hay, life!

Sa dami ng nangyari, nangyayari at mangyayari pang ganito sana magkapuwang parin ang pagpapatawad. Pagpapatawad bilang kaibigan man lang at katuwang kahit papaano para sa mga anak. Kung nangyari man ito sa atin sana wag nating ipagkait ang mga anak natin sa kanilang ama o ina man. Dahil pagbabaligtarin man natin ang mundo magulang parin sila ng mga anak mo. Hindi ko sinasabing magkabalikan pa kayo kung wala na iyong respeto at pagmamahal mo sa kanya. Ang ibig kong sabihin ay bilang kaibigan man lang para sa mga bata. Ngunit kung ang mga bata na ang ayaw eh mahirap iyon, ibig sabihin grabe ka, general. At sorry, di ba kailangan ligawan nya ang mga anak nya para mapaamo niya?

Masakit at mahirap man tanggapin ngunit may mga pangyayaring nais man nating iwasan pero iyon pa rin ang nangyayari. Parang aksidente, ingat na ingat ka na eh nababangga ka pa rin. Huwag po nating hayaan na palaging poot ang naiiwan sa ating puso at isipan. Imulat natin ang ating mundo sa panibagong yugto ng buhay. Dahil walang mangyayari sa atin kung palagi tayong nakalingon sa nakaraan, mababangga ka, ikaw rin. Harapin mo ang kasalukuyan at tanawin mo ang kinabukasan. Magsilbi kang sandigan ng iyong mga mahal na anak. Malay mo, may makikilala kang higit pa sa nang-iwan sa iyo at tanggapin ang nakaraan mo. Tuloy ang buhay kahit nag-iisa. Isipin mo na siya ang nawalan ng iwan ka niya at hindi siya kawalan sa buhay mo. Maraming nagmamahal sa iyo. Pangyaw, andito lang kami.

Author: Daisy Vanzuela

Published in True Friends Newsmag September 2009 Issue (vol. 6 no. 2)

The Beauty of New Zealand

Wished nowhere but home. Do I need reasons? Work has to serve its purpose and so does time for every plan. I wasn't entirely excited when Boss asked me to spend a month with them back in their home country.

Twelve hours air travel, five times miles away from family, aches and longings but as I step out from the plane onto the tarmac I was treated to a visual feast so stunning that it took my breath (and pains) away. Scenic view of wide lush fields, feast-like coasts and cosmopolitan areas provide an amphitheater unfolding the unique beauty of New Zealand. First morning I woke up at 5. Well, actually the sun rose before 4. It shone brightly on the window blinds (sunsets at 9 pm). Glorious. I decided to walk around the neighborhood. Anti-clockwise seemed the right way to explore, I don’t know why, just a hunch. But the hunch proved right. My location: Waikanae. It is part of Kapiti Coast situated at the Northern Island.

Strolling is great that it became a ritual. The beach is just 5 minutes walk down from our residence. And I was amazed that no matter how many times I walked around the place, I always spot something new and I did enjoy munching wild berries picked along the roadside on my way.

I visited the world famous Nga Manu Reserve, it's a bird sanctuary protecting endangered animals and birds of rare kinds like the kiwi, it has a body smaller than a native chicken yet it can lay egg bigger than that of ostrich... really amazing. Also I watched a Jousting Show, the settings, music, costumes and games were so medieval. I felt I was classically transported back 200 hundred years ago.

For me, holidays are also about history. I can’t bear to be in a place without knowing how it came about or what makes it tick. So after attending Holy Mass, I spent most of my Sundays exploring museums, bookshelves, and interesting places. Nothing can compare to learning the history of people while you are there.

From Waikanae, Paraparaumu Station, it takes 45 minutes by train to reach NZ's capital city, Wellington. The city's historic Cable Car brought me up to Mt. Victoria summit, a 360-degree views over the top, so magnificent. Botanical garden, flower displays, walking trails are added treat to enjoy. I wandered along its heritage buildings and colonial charm. I stopped at the Wellington Cathedral, the National Library and the nation's political powerhouse-Parliament Building. I even sat at the exact chamber where PM John Key delivers law and order… sorry bawal and kamera. On the central waterfront, Te Papa (NZ's national museum), I had interactive and innovative experience. In Our Space, Earth Quake House, it simulates real shakes and aftershocks, likewise with other adrenalin-filled motion simulators. I came face to face with the infamous Colossal Squid: 4.2 m long, weighing 495 kgs… yap, almost half a ton, (at katumbas ng gulong ng malaking truck ang diameter ng katawan ang isang hiwa) preserved in 3D glass compartment. And oh, more than 300 impressive artworks-both historical and contemporary.

Along with the fascinating stories of this land and its people… bitin ang half day mo sa loob. I had unusual close encounter with the cheetahs, giraffes, and red pandas at the Wellington Zoo and was deeply enchanted at the film location of the Oscar-sweeping trilogy "Lord of the Rings". Along the outskirts of the Shire and the eerie darkness of Buckland Forest, I trailed along the same path where the Hobbits took the ferry, and the famous site "Get off the Road" scene.

Alone wandering? Nope, lots of locals are too eager to entertain and in each destination, fortunately, I was always with someone when it's time to eat, to get lost, to laugh, and to fill in photo memories. So that was 28 days of summer in NZ. Yes, it's one of the most memorable experience of my life. I love this place. Everything is accessible, including the past, and it’s free. Sights and sounds, fresh air, organic foods, 4.2 million friendly people, 17 million sheep, added new friends... I have to tear myself away.

As I climbed the steps of the plane, vowing to return, I have sweet plans in July when the cheese and wines are at their best and the Alps will be covered by snow.

Author: Annabelle Libao

Worthwhile Pursuits

As my BA flight taxied through the tarmac, I made quick recount of the year that was. My clamor for change towards my current disposition about life ceaselessly pounded me all throughout the past year. With a massive amount of courage, I willed to seize every chance there is to initiate that change. Remembering that New Year's eve, I left the year bearing a positive note.

Before I could get up, from my aisle seat (my choice of seating arrangement for long haul flights) to gather my stuff, I rummaged through my neurons of what capacity I have to fulfill this year's aspirations. My limitations will bound to grip me helpless, I'm sure, but to dream, plan and find ways to make these happen will worth any wait. Same ways in the past, when my thirst for something more to fulfill my aspirations was insatiable. The faith that somehow, sometime, these pursuits will bound to happen lingered on.

There was a time when I was searching for a school which offers courses for professional advancement, I sighed in exasperation upon learning that I needed to submit a good number of contact hours of continuing education as an additional requirement for admission. It started there. Someone did actually called me a psycho for endlessly searching and hauling all capabilities to learn and test and garner certificates on accredited sites. Completion is still halfway through but smile is slowly replacing my long time burrowed forehead (of which is good because I'm too young to be a candidate for botox. Ha ha.).

One could blatantly surmise that to pursue educational pursuits is somewhat out of reach given the current situation. Pretty true. Everyone is harping how bleak the economic atmosphere is. It's doom and gloom for most families back home and we, the providers are directly affected. Selflessness resurfaces as a result in order to meet the growing demands of living. Prices soar to an inconceivable heights, sadly speaking. Yet again, to dream of something more on the educational front and hold on to it is perhaps worth doing. Instill a faith of what one can do, unshakable even when then eyes are blinded by tears of frustration. Never settle for less such as ending up undergoing surgical procedures to sell body parts, a misguided concept. (Some people actually resort to such measures as in nephrectomy to sell one of their functioning kidneys for a huge amount. Out of desperation, I believe). The madness of being less empowered is sometimes undaunting, true. But to keep believing and taking charge could keep one on track. After all, the promise of economic revival is always there.

To emulate those who invested on knowledge could have a long term effect. After all, knowledge is unsurprisingly ubiquitous. I suppose, it is worth not letting it sit idly within one's reach and like a macrophage engulfing an invading microorganism, be ready to conquer.

As I got up from my seat, ready to breathe Hong Kong life once again, my smile never left. I clutched my rucksack and strode my way out the plane ready to face the battle of daily life. With me is the promise of achieving my plans.

Author: Marife Tandoc

Winner: Bagong Tuklas na Manunulat of the Month. Published in True Friends Newsmag February 2009 Issue (Vol. 5 no.7)

Too Much Power Corrupts

Once, my friend jokingly said that for the Philippines to really rise up from the ashes it has to burn down first. Then he continued by insisting that for a fresh start, all existing politicians should be wiped out from every nook and corner of the Philippine island and those who will declare in public that they are aspiring to be mayors, congressmen, senators, etc., should immediately be exterminated. Thus, he argued, when we reach a state wherein we force our friends to run for public office, or say, beg those we admire and respect the most to run for president but still they refuse to accept either for fear of their lives or scared of the sacrifices that is required of a public servant, only then he said, can we safely say that our country is indeed on the road to recovery.

Of course, these are just wishful thinking because we know for a fact that our country is abundant of power-hungry leaders who would do everything in their means to remain in power. These are people who believe that to remain “there” is not everything – it is the only thing. I have consistently spoken in the past that the most effective reformers and ideal voice of change our country badly needs will not come from the breed of politicians or military personnel or even celebrities we have today, but rather, it will come from the ranks of the OFWs because of the unique traits we have acquired through all the years we spent overseas. Below are just some of the qualities I am referring to and the reasons why:

1. Good Governance -- Our temporary stay on the host country where we work, give us the opportunity to witness that good governance leads to efficient public utility services such as water & electric supplies, affordable but dependable transport system, transparent government bureaucracy, etc. These amenities eventually results to a stable, orderly and progressive society. Majority of our people back home are unaware that these “luxuries” -- as migrants like us call it – are not impossible to achieve because these are products of a government run by ordinary folks like us.

2. Self-sufficient -- Our society should be appreciating real heroes (the OFWs) - people who sacrifice their own interests for the good of others - and not self-centered, grandstanding politicians. As workers, we have learned to look after the welfare of our own family and have lived with the fact that our government cannot be depended upon in times of need.

3. Honest Labor -– We know the value of every dollar that we earn. We pride ourselves with the thought that what we feed our family comes from honest work - galing sa pawis at luha nating mga manggagawa. If only our leaders will have the same principle in their conduct of running the affairs of our government… but again, that is also wishful thinking.

4. Visionaries -– Against daunting odds, we were able to provide food, clothing, shelter and education to our loved ones. On top of that, to combat homesickness, boredom and other negative vibes that is commonly associated with being an OFW, we learned to manage our limited free time positively. Many among us have developed skills in organizing events, honed our entrepreneurship skills and appreciate charity work.

The qualities that I mentioned above are just but a few of what we have become. I just hope that we can finally unite into one strong body in order for us to fight the ills of our society. Few weeks ago, I was invited to attend in what is now known as a very private and selective gathering with President GMA and FG Mike Arroyo in a restaurant in Central. I was ushered on a table few feet away from where the President, the First Gentleman and their entourage where sitting and I couldn’t help but wonder how these two seemingly harmless individuals inflicted so much harm to our country. Instantly, the scandals wherein they have strongly been linked came flashing in my mind – the Garci tapes, NBN-ZTE scandal, Joc-Joc Bolante Fertilizer scam and the most recent issue regarding Charter Change. Although there are numerous anomalies and countless questionable transactions our current administration is accused of, these 4 incidents are perhaps the most unrivaled in terms of ruthlessness, figuratively speaking. Garci tapes scandal points to the tampering of the results of the 2004 election –- an indication that there were concerted efforts to undermine the will of the people. The NBN-ZTE deal shocked the people by the sheer amount of the bribe –- alleged to be somewhere around 130 million US dollars. Whew! The Fertilizer scam, although smaller in amount compared to the NBN-ZTE scam, was supposedly intended for the farmers – meaning, it was meant for the very disadvantaged sector of our society, ninakaw pa nila (ang lupit talaga!). And now most recently are the efforts, obviously, by this administration to modify our Constitution to suit their insatiable thirst for more and endless power.

As an editor and a concerned citizen, I normally get excited in the presence of VIPs especially when the VIPs I am referring to are no less than the most powerful and influential figures in our country. No disrespect to those who invited me, but the truth is I felt no trace of admiration to the President and her husband especially when she triumphantly proclaimed that she was able to secure numerous job-placements from various countries in the middle east and Japan. While she received a vibrant applause from the selected guests over her announcement, I cannot help but be dismayed to hear from our President, who boasted herself as an economist, that she was able to secure more deployment for our people as contract workers overseas. How can a true leader rejoice by the thought of sending your people away? I have spent two thirds of my life as an overseas worker and I stand proud of what I have accomplished – no thanks to the government. I strongly believe that I share the same sentiments of most of the OFWs. We know that our government has consistently failed us. We feel it when we go home for our regular vacation, the hassles at the airport, the red tapes in every government offices we are required to visit, even all the people seem to be in an extortion mode when they find out who we are.

For now, while I longed for a leader who will stand before us and speak of decent jobs to be created in our own country, of realistic plans to lure honest businessmen to invest, to give us hope that corruption can finally be contained and peace and order can be restored in our land, I will remain vigilant and hopeful until that day will come!

Author: Tony Bartolome

Of Vision, Division And Prevention (Rising Above Negative Criticism)

“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, this award-winning movie title best describes the China that I saw when I visited the capital city, Beijing, two weeks ago. After a 3 ½ hour gentle Air China flight from Hong Kong, we landed in an airport 3 times bigger than Chek Lap Kwok Airport. If there is one obvious spectacle that a non-Beijinger would immediately notice upon arrival, it is its grandeur and sheer vastness. As part of a K-Touch group (Manufacturer and Distributor of K-Touch Mobile phones) on a 4-day business trip, we were welcomed by our local counterpart who immediately ushered us to the hotel. True to my first impression, the 30-minute ride through smooth traffic in a late afternoon on an almost empty freeway reinforced my thoughts -- that the airport, the freeways, the transport system and other structures that I saw, are obviously built to accommodate a business environment that is yet to come, say 5 or 10 years in the future. What strikes me with admiration though is the ability of its leader to prepare their country for these challenges ahead. That is what I call VISION!

Except for the slight distraction caused by this “Chip Tsao incident”, I have no doubt that the Filipino politicians and entrepreneurs have already noticed this transformation and consider China as a serious partner both economically and politically.

On a personal level, Chip Tsao’s article has not elicited my contempt simply because it’s not worth it. Instead, I pity this poor soul for “he know not what he is doing”. On his opening statement – "The Russians sank a Hong Kong freighter last month, killing the 7 Chinese seamen onboard. We can live with that-—Lenin and Stalin were once the ideological mentors of all Chinese people. The Japanese planted a flag on Diàoyú Island. That’s no big problem…”, Mr. Tsao is implying that he can take the bullying from “stronger” countries and at the same time rejoice in bullying the “weaker” ones. This kind of persona reminds me of infamous people such as Hitler, Mussolini, etc… characters who had provoked and incited people to harbor hatred against others through their misguided or misplaced concept of nationalism. And so it is no wonder why his article brought condemnation both from the Filipino community and Hong Kong people. In this age of the internet -- where the world becomes a small global village -- this kind of mentality, no matter how Mr. Tsao defends it, has no place in a just and decent society. He is a disgrace to the Chinese people in general. Instantly, my local Chinese friends called me to express their disgust as soon as they came across his article. Mr. Chip Tsao’s mentality towards people who are doing honest labor, no matter how menial, is what creates animosity in our society. That is what I call DIVISION!

On the other hand, as responsible members of our community, we should treat this incident as a wake-up call for us to discipline our own ranks and stay on guard at all times. Meaning, we have to be vigilant to the excesses that may arise in our conduct as “transients” in our adopted home. On this regard, I strongly urge our community leaders to take notice of how our people behave in public places, especially during holidays, such as gambling in public view (i.e., tong-its, pusoy…), barricading highly visible walkways with thick cardboards (karton) which is obviously an eyesore, leaving behind piles of trash in places of convergence, or any acts for that matter that may offend the sensitivities of others. Kailangan pa bang antayin natin ang Hong Kong government pa ang magbawal sa atin? Officers of the Philippine Consulate must look into this matter and come out with appropriate recommendations. I understand the shortage of manpower from our consular office but there is urgency in this problem that I think they must seriously consider. In as much as I admire and commend our consular staff for gracing our community events with inspirational speeches, I urge them to do a brief detour to the places where our OFWs get together during holidays before proceeding to their appointments so that they themselves can witness what many already know – that during Sundays and holidays our kababayans have literally taken over the many paved walkways and corridors, especially areas around Central and Admiralty, making it appear like we are squatters. We should come up with answers as to why our workers choose these places for “rest & recreation” instead of the more appropriate areas such as public parks and other shelters. Is it lack of space? Is it because of its proximity to Worldwide House? O kaya likas lang talagang wala ng halaga sa loob natin ang maaaring ipuna o masagwang masabi ng ibang tao sa ating lahi? Whatever is the reason, believe me, we should get answers now or find ourselves being bombarded with complaints in the very near future. Have we ever forgotten the old saying: “An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure”? Now, I challenge you to act on this “PREVENTION”.

As for us in True Friends Newsmag, we will continue to do our share of raising awareness to some of our negative traits so that we can rectify it before another persona of Tsao’s mentality take advantage of it and poke fun at us once again.

Author: Tony Bartolome

*Published in TF Newsmag (April 2009 Hong Kong issue)

Tsao Mentality Explored

"As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter," wrote Chip Tsao on his HK Magazine article. The bigot columnist apparently has a heavy chip on his shoulders. Whatever grievances he has, he need not take it out on an entire nation nor a powerless group (the domestic helpers). Had Tsao been the egoistic master and I, his humble servant I'd tell the old fart to take my "bread and butter" and shove it up his ass. Oh man, I pity the poor soul working for him -- if he really has one. He probably couldn't afford to hire a local maid if his only bread-and-butter depends on his unprofessional writing. Even if he's filthy rich and offered me a job to clean up his daily filth for, say twice, the amount I'm earning now... I'd still tell him to shove the darn job up his butt. The Filipinos that Tsao speaks lowly of may not all be professionals but we do our job professionally that is why many (for your information, master fool Tsao!) nations seek our services. In case, Tsao misinterprets my piece, I'll make my message clear: There is nothing so sweet in this write up, peahead. Read ahead to enlighten your dark, ancient, narrow, narcissistic mind! I'm an amateur creative writer so pardon my colorful language, old hog.

"As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter"... the Tsao mentality. How else can we Filipinos, or even non-Filipinos, interpret such words other than a racist's remark. Tsao added more insult to injury by saying his words were misinterpreted...
"The article was never intended to be insulting to the Filipino domestic workers," he told Agence France-Presse (AFP). "English, being a global language, is open to different interpretations by those who come from various cultural backgrounds." Now what? You're suggesting we're morons? Get lost!

Tsao must get off the Spratly Islands issue since he's obviously not in a sane, diplomatic mind to write about such (if anything, he's simply creating a great divide) just as I won't talk about Spratly Islands which I know not much about but I'm here for my people, I speak as an 11-year Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).

Sadly, the Tsao mentality (arrogance, superiority-complex, one-track mind, narrow vision, and snobbery) exists in any part of the world. When I worked for a manpower agency in Taichung City in 1999, one of the agents told me that Taiwanese employers no longer want to hire Filipino workers. When I asked why, a client/employer complained to my agent that "Filipinos are very smart. They know their rights and can sue you to court. Other nationalities won't complain as much, cost cheaper, and got the 'yes-ma'am' attitude." We both laugh at that. The months that followed after that little conversation had proven my agent wrong... The five employers I've been sent to by the agency had all wanted to hire me -- a Filipino -- permanently. Not that I'm an idiot nor will it cost them less... No, senor. It's because I do my job professionally. Filipinos are honest, efficient workers. Period. I worked exclusively for my greedy broker (who's infected with the tsao mentality), working only temporarily for the other employers (Yup, that's illegal. I was at the mercy of my agent -- "Taiwan --Mei Yo Nama Wan" article). When I defiantly challenged the shrewd agency owner, I was more than happy to be sent back home... that's simply "shoving the bread-and-butter" up my agent's ass. Lesson learned: The master sings high praises of you, "selling" you to his clients, family, and friends at every possible opportunity, giving you false hopes of high salary while encouraging you to work your butt off and pushing you harder and closer to workaholic hell, as if your job's the only most important thing in the world that your life depends on it, never mind the damage it's doing to your well-being -- physically, mentally, emotionally, socially. At the slightest sign of defiance (i.e., you're sick you can't work or you want a day-off after a year of non-stop work), you're given a crack of the whip, you could be terminated. Ask why you're not getting the right amount of salary, you're told you have no right to question how you're being paid. It sounds like it's a practice from the dark ages but it's actually happening everywhere. It happened to me in Taiwan. Though the severity was less than Taiwan's, it happened to me in the western world with my previous slave-driver boss who had been shortchanging me. Darn right, she's got the tsao mentality so I shove my bread-and-butter at her throat and quit my job. With my current Canadian bread-and-butter, it's way, way creamier and healthier. ;-D

No matter how big a master you think you are, if you step on my pinky toe or blow on my tribe's face with your stinky breath, you have something coming... and it's definitely not sweet words, cheap old Tsao. Being a master doesn't give one the authority to step on a servant's rights. Creatures with the tsao mentality need a brain overhaul. If Filipinos are such an insignificant, worthless lot to Tsao why then are our services in such high demand in Hong Kong and China (not to mention other nations)? Why can't they just hire local workers which would cost them way cheaper (RMB500/month) than hiring an OFW (HK$3500+/month)? It's the quality of work we do. It's the respect we have of ourselves (OFWs), of our job (bread and butter), of our employers (masters). Tsao doesn't seem to know anything about respect. And if he's afraid his article could be misinterpreted he should stick to his mother tongue and not write in English.

I thank my lucky stars I hadn't been employed by someone of a tsao mentality in Hong Kong. My big-hearted, open-minded Chinese employer encouraged openness, creativeness, and couldn't stand idiocy. It's in my 5-plus years of working for her that I completely understood why people like her prefer to hire Filipinos instead of other nationalities. More than a dozen locals got the sack from my former boss in just a span of 2 years. There are way much more of the enlightened Chinese souls than that of the tsao mentality kind. ChipTsao wasn't speaking for the entire Chinese race. He was speaking for himself. Furthermore, his writing voice was severely out of tune, and he stepped out of line. Tsao's chosen words simply reek of racism. Filipinos will not simply stand back and let him flex his muscles at us!

Author: Joy Marqueses

*Published in TF Newsmag (April 2009 Hong Kong Issue)

Letting Go

I saw myself walking down the beach; my feet were touching the floury sand, hand in hand with the cold and lonely night.

I was all alone...

As another puff of freezing wind blew my face, tears start rolling down my cheeks. I wonder why I cried when I was alone.

I sat on the sand and pondered for answer but all I heard was silence. I could not understand why up to now I still have not learned to be alone. The tears I felt falling on my cheeks was profuse they rolled continuously.

Suddenly, I heard a voice calling. It called my name. I looked back. It was a blur, all I saw was a man from a distance waving to me. And as he drew near me, he smiled while putting his arms around my shoulders. I felt so weird, but I gave in, for I needed a friend at that time. We went walking with our hands clasped together. The grip of his hands was strong, so strong to catch me if I fall.

He led me to a house, full of daffodils around the ground. The scent of the fresh green grass swayed and danced in the wind. I felt the warm caress of the air as I entered the house full of glaring lights. My spirit exalted. The coldness I felt slowly faded as the warmth of joy greeted me.

He took my hand and showed me around the house. It was full of people dancing,with smiles gleaming on their faces. Everyone was happy and I was happy too.

I danced all night with the man I met on the beach. His eyes stared like an angel. Though he was a stranger, all that mattered was the gladness he gave me. He was like a prince, he held me differently, in my mind and in my heart, and I knew I would fall for him.

We stopped dancing, and went out from the house. He asked me to the grass while looking at the stars. He turned to me, as if he wanted to say something. He held my hand tightly, stroked my hair and touched my face. I gave him a bemusing look. Then the music from the house stopped. A big roar was heard from the sky, then, he placed his arms around me and gave a kiss and cheerful smile and said, "It's gonna be okay, I'm here!"

I closed my eyes to feel him and tried to retain this in my heart.

I opened my eyes and found myself lying in the beach. There was no house, no daffodils, no dancing people, and worst still, he was not there.

I thought I had him.... I was wrong. Tears began to roll down, I closed my eyes to stop them from falling and was startled because I felt his lips on my forehead. I opened my eyes excitedly. Only to find out he was not with me. Again, I am alone.

I closed my eyes again and felt his presence so passionately. Then, I woke up from my dream.

This morning, I understood why I needed to cry. It was the pain of letting go, of realizing that he was just a dream and can never be true.

I want to stay and wait for his presence but it is time for me to let go and accept that he was just a dream, my fantasy. Yet I am thankful, for in my loneliness he came and made me feel he was right for me -- forever in my dreams.

Author: Feme Delmonte

The One

"This story of overseas Workers, Migrant labor, Contract Labor – however they may be labeled – people looking for a better opportunity at HONEST LABOR- seems similar to the Silver People here in Panama. People are still searching for relatives lost a century ago when they took ship to come to Panama to work on the Panama Canal – never to be heard from again." -- Lydia Cortes Reid, Editor, The Silver People Chronicle


The caption above is a comment from the Editor of The Silver People Chronicle based in Panama who read my article "Casualties of War" (Knockin' on Heaven's Door, TF November edition) through the blog site of our Editorial Assistant, Joy Marqueses. As an outspoken critic of the ills of the Philippine Society – of how badly it has turned out through the years – I felt sad yet somehow elated of what Ms Reid is trying to impart. Sad because as Overseas Workers we can relate partly to what Ms Reid's migrant worker-ancestors' tragic experiences had 100 years ago and yet elated because at least nowadays even if we have "fallen" workers, modern technology allow us to identify causes of their misfortunes and transport their remains back home. Napakasakit talagang mawalan ng minamahal, subalit mas masakit and 'di mo man lang masilayan and kanyang labi, 'di ba? One of my cousin back in the 70's was a seaman and was declared missing when their ship sunk somewhere in the seas of Africa. Up to this day, my Aunt refuses to believe that he died and she never stopped dreaming that one day my cousin, Eddie, will come back.

As I started my career in publication 5 years ago, I never stopped dreaming too. I am still hoping that my thoughts, especially my clamor for decent and sincere governance from our leaders back home, would somehow inspire many of my co-workers to be vocal and express their sentiments too. I am also fully aware of what little we could achieve because of our limitations. Our voices of gripes might not even reach the gates of Malacanang. As I begin to contemplate that perhaps our generation of OFWs is not destined to start the "wind of change" that our country badly needs to get back to its feet, something promising happened a month ago that renewed my hopes.

One Sunday afternoon of December 21, 2009 in North Point, being one the invited guests in the celebration of the 16^th Anniversary of the Bohol Hong Kong Association headed by Flor Virtoudazo, I was by chance arranged to sit beside their special guest – Cesar Montano and his wife Sunshine Cruz. My short chat with Cesar Montano brought surprising realities of our bloodlines – he is my cousin – somewhere in the 3^rd or 4^th degree. However, my amusement did not stop there for when he took the stage, to everybody's delight, he spoke not just of mere celebrity stuff to entertain the HK Boholanos & their visitors but rather about his humble beginnings; his plans for his home province – Bohol; his vision for the youth and so on. I was not only impressed. I was mesmerized not by his celebrity charm but rather his intellect and the strong values that is rare among stars of his stature.

A natural-born Leader
A quiet dinner with the couple the following night revealed more interesting character of the man. He spoke of his priority projects to build sporting facilities for kids, believing that a young man's "idle mind is a devil's workshop". His ideas of how to transform Bohol into a premier tourist destination and investment paradise is not only practical but realistic in my view. After all, he has a reputable track record in Bohol when he filmed his much acclaimed movie: "Panaghoy sa Suba" entirely in Bohol - bringing prestige and revenues to this island-province. His impressive knowledge in Philippine history surprised us at the dinner table that night. His outstanding portrayal of Jose Rizal must have rubbed him that special aura of nationalism and pride. A non-smoker and non-drinker, he turned down a lucrative endorsement from a giant alcoholic drink industry to the tune of P10million pesos. His explanation was simple, "How can I reprimand my children when I see them smoking or drinking if they would counter by saying that I endorse those products to the public".

This man has balls.
Since he publicly declared his intentions to run as governor of Bohol, I asked him in an alarming tone the dangers he will be facing especially from the more established political clans in the province. To which he replied; "Sinabihan ko sila (referring to Bohol's local politicos) na I will work with them as long as they invest their wealth and create jobs for our people. But once, they exploit its resources and bring elsewhere its revenues, I will fight them!" Behind that baby face and sweet smile is a fighter.

A fighter for OFWs
Being critical of the government and consistently encouraging my fellow OFWs to voice out their dissatisfaction to the excesses of our government, I cannot resist from pouring my sentiments to "Buboy". I told him that many among us feel funny about being labeled "Bagong Bayani". The truth is parang pang-uto lang ng mga politico. We don't feel its meaning when we go home. Many among us, especially those from the domestic workers' sector, still suffer the same humiliation and discrimination at the arrival sa airport pa lang. We are victims of impractical policies and bureaucratic red tapes tuwing umuuwi at umaalis. Again, to my surprise, Buboy talks about the need for a strong OFW body that could represent its interest in the higher echelon of the government (tulad ng sa Kongreso). Kailangan din daw na magkaroon ng isang seryosong pananaliksik kung paano makapagtapos ang mga undergrads o kaya'y makapag-take ng board ang mga hindi pa lisensyado habang nasa "Tour of Duty". Kung ano-ano pa raw na re-integration program ang pinagkakagastusan, samantalang kung magagawang mapagtatapos ang mga "undergrads at underboards", the country will not only benefit from their professional skills but will also create more business as returning OFWs are financially capable of creating medium-size businesses.

For more than 30 years that I lived my life as an OFW, my eyes have painfully witnessed the consistent downslide of our economy and the slow degradation of our moral values. There are times that I am convinced that the "salvation" of our country's woes that can only be delivered by a leader of exceptional character will not be seen in my generation. Today, I stand to be corrected. Cesar "Buboy" Montano is one leader we can bet our children's future and now I believe more than ever that there are more of his kind. Fight for our cause, Buboy, and we will fight for you! You are THE ONE – Mabuhay!

Author: Tony Bartolome
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (January 2009 issue)