"The red sun will soon shine in the east"

 "The red sun will soon shine in the east"

Forests remain green despite the tremor

As blood of martyrs waters the fervor

The tales of their actions becoming legends

Enough to drown the order's stand

The slander dispelled by the folk's praise

For just like the weapons in hand avenge as they raise

Anger cannot cease from their once tired faces

Having enough of the order foolishly bragging as if "they've won the race"  

Like the ancient incantations and prayers

Speeches and chants trying to dispel suffer

As the city whose smokestacks suddenly stop

Instead shouts of protest overheard till cops drop

The scent of gunpowder still fills the countryside air

Enough to dispel the people's despair

As guns from the folk 'gainst its foes rattle

Continuing that is, the people's battle

The order and its hordes will still try to dispel

The ages old desire with rumor, fear, and rifles peal

Yet the same old fear, and its sister terror

From theirs aggravate the continuing past of error

The "peace" tyrants preach is all but farce

As if a filthy stench from their arse

The homeland cannot be contented with its pain

As the folk in arms will shower them with lead rain

The red sun will soon shine in the east

Whose shining rays enough to scare beasts

This called "fear" by the oppressing tyrants

And hope to the oppressed as becoming defiant

The "peace" been shattered by a reborn race

Turning action into weapon in a forsaken place

Sparks of struggle becoming raging fires

Full of anger, of love, of endless desire

This sun now red glows with shining rays

Enough to call a new dawn, a bright day

Rays to dispel living ghosts

Of scoundrels, tyrants, and its hosts

The bells ringing and the bugles blew

The call: "To arms!" as the folk knew

As in the past still resounds with fleeing foes

Scared of the bright sun in east with its glow

And if obstacles will try to block its bright red glow

The folk will remove till the sun be saw

Call them fools by the order and its hordes

Yet cannot stop them to remove every chunk and block

For this red sun from the east brings the land new life

New strength to empower the folk amid strife

To churn new action, spark new fire

Enough to burn the old order in its pyre

When will we ever hear the storm again?

When will we ever hear the storm again? 

 When will we ever hear the storm again? 

If not see the sea of flame? 

Of glowing red coming from the east? 

Enough to end this ages old pain? 

When will we hear the raging noise

Against the tyrants and its horde 

When will we ever hear the storm again? 

Or shall we set? If not now, when? 

 When will we ever see the flowers bloom? 

If not the trees bear sweet tasting fruit? 

Or feeling the cool ocean breeze? 

Enough to end this struggling heat? 

When will we hear the clarion call 

Enough to respond thy country's call 

When will we ever see the flowers bloom 

Or shall we see? If not now, when? 

 When will we ever see a homeland free? 

From a continuing past of tyranny? 

Of enjoying thy cherished liberties?

 What forefathers desired to be? 

When will we hear the call to arms? 

For all have enough of the order's harm?

 When will we ever see a homeland free? 

Or shall we act? If not now, when?

"The folk has the right for the fire to stir"

"The folk has the right for the fire to stir"

They cry for reform only to be hijacked by reaction

"Freedom" is their call when in fact it is subjugation

For the poor remained poor what more exploited by the "rich"

Worse to see the country treated as a sonofabitch

Such nonsense I see find that "change" impossible

Especially after seeing the same order trying to be infallible

The law and government form may be changed but the people still there

Same old bullshit making the folk in despair

Not surprised if those who support claim there are wonders

Despite rephrased terms enough to remember

But the spirit of those laws nothing but cheap messages

Enough to massage the egoes who misunderstood such passages

If not trying to appease the international banksters

Still acting professionally as any other gangsters

Promising one country and exploiting another

Using terms enough for a nation to suffer

Or claiming they're destroying the bad "oligarchs"

Through "reforms" enough both to bite and bark

Quite doubtful for such works faileth to resolve

Just expanding the pie for new and old exploiters involved

Again not surprised with their actions

Brought by those whose fact they're counterreactions

They would claim they've change the order yet failed to see underneath

The roots that meant to be removed in every beat

So long as the same old people prevail

Those "new laws and form of government" are rephrased tales

And if these same bullshits still occur

No wonder why the folk has the right for a fire to stir

"As Easter begins"

"As Easter begins"

As Easter begins 

The red sun shines brightly 

Over hills and the blue sea 

The morning star shines evenly 

The breeze brings good news 

Of songs calling for redemption 

Flowers of all kinds blooming 

This sets for a revolution 

The message inspires to advance 

Turning every tool into a weapon 

Taking the cross and follow 

The way towards liberation 

Expect hardship, pain death 

But the message continues to inspire 

The folk having enough of the system's wrath 

Taking arms and be fighters to aspire 

Expect the order and its attack dogs 

Belitting the clarion call of struggle 

Trying to downplay the message 

And unleashes its tremeandous terror 

But this doesn't stop the rising 

As the folk and land resurrecting 

The message of resurrection 

In action comes insurrection 

In every hand a weapon 

In every call an action 

Willing to break the continuing past 

Of destitution and corruption 

All rushed to the capital 

Singing songs of determination 

Trying to resist the hordes of reaction 

Like his ressurection the glory is the revolution 

As easter begins 

The red sun shines brightly 

The message is loud and clear 

To revolt is justified and necessary 

Just like the risen Lord 

Who called the folk to revolt 

Take the arm destroy the order 

Who brought the world suffer

Regardless of “actions”, crisis and oppression breeds resistance

 Regardless of “actions”, crisis and oppression breeds resistance

by Kat Ulrike

At first, this note extends greetings this Easter Sunday, for like the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, this note expresses that despite numerous challenges and hindrances, that the nation's struggle for independence and democracy is greater with full of hopes amid continuing socioeconomic crisis, oppression against the folk, and threats to national sovereignty. 

Easter is the occasion when people wished for a lasting peace as to honour its fallen dead. When remembering those who died, or imprisoned because of a belief, heir contributions, sacrifices, are driven by the desire to fulfill hopes, of making the future generation shall have peace in their homes and communities. 

On this, this note remember all of those who have given their lives in the cause of national and social liberation. This note salutes the courage and fortitude of those who have died in this phase of a historic struggle, and thus remember them with honour and pride. 

This note reaffirm the belief that the current government continues to downplay the people's desire for peace based on justice, the denial of a nation's right to self-determination, and the maintenance of social and economic inequality as the root causes of conflict.  

 By refusing to continue the stalled negotiations, the current administration seems to be stubborn in pursuing an offensive that involves bombing of communities, harassing and arresting peace negotiators, to that of involuntary disappearances. These actions, whose basis is “to end decades-old insurgency”, intensifies popular resistance as the current administration continues to be in connivance with entrenched local and foreign interests in exploiting the country and its people. With the support of imperialists, attempts to undermine people’s struggles to the extent of seeking to criminalise dissent has shown remain the order fixated with the objective of “destroying subversion” rather than developing the peace process. 

But regardless of their messages justifying their operations, its actions made clear that the responsibility for the ongoing conflict rests firmly on the shoulders of the ruling class through its government. The rejection of the people’s desire for lasting peace in favour of the order’s deafening silence shows that the ruling class wanted a condition that rather intensifies exploitation to maintain and consolidate further interests. Of course that deafening silence is redescribed as the “absence of war”, but, is that absence of conflict is based on justice? Of answering the cry of the poor and the oppressed? That “peace” of the order benefits the exploiters as they talked it through threat and coercion. 

This note requires no lengthy speech. However, the order does not present the necessity for a just and durable peace to a group of like-minded despots and tyrants. That "peace" they've wanted is a fiction, as the vast majority of peasants, workers, and other toiling people continue to face land grabbing, economic dispossession, poor wages, unemployment, and other kinds of terrible social injustice, making the fight even more just and necessary. And contrary to their statements trying to "win the peace", the present US-Marcos regime has aggravated the situation of the people by serving the interests of foreign capitalists, as that of local economic and political despots to the detriment of the Filipino people’s welfare and rights. "Programs" meant to appease the folk doesn't resolve the problem, but instead to placate the interest-seekers. 

To cut this thought short, the desire for peace means to address the people's desire for justice. The prisons or graves may be filled with those whose reasons as just, but an ever prevailing crisis which trying to be hidden cannot remain hidden at all as it breeds resistance- for regardless of the reprisals from state elements this doesn't stop the people from ever concerning hard issues the order fails to address, downplays, or outright denies; what more the willingness to resist in order for the nation to exist. 

"Christ is Risen! Let the world Rejoice!"

"Christ is Risen! Let the world Rejoice!"

Warm Greetings.

At first, this note resounds the following message: that Christ has risen; let us also rise; let us maintain His triumph over death and partake in His joy.

This message reminds the reader that with his resurrection, those who witnessed comes an expression of amazement, of a renewed faith as the tomb of Jesus Christ, once sealed with a great stone been rolled out, what more encountering a resurrected being, face to face, and touching the pieced hands, feet and side. 

And in his resurrection means hope, as Jesus Christ is risen, that shows he alone has the power to remove the obstacles that block path to life. He faced death yes, as he was crucified, sacrificing his life to absolve the world from sin and misery and was buried- only to rise again on the third day. 

In this note would ask why should the world not fill hearts with hope and joy as Christ rose from the dead? A victory of Life over Death? He is the Christ! He is the Emmanuel that says "God is with Us" and therefore he lives among the people yearning for salvation. His love showeth the redemptive goodness of God that the world needs in this present time. Through his resurrection, the world can now experience life beneath death, glory in the midst of suffering, strength from weakness, and victory despite the agony of defeat. 

Folk! As the world face various obstacles, of "stones" that blocked the path, looking back at Christ and sharing God's gladness  means keeping the promise that "He is with Us" and by His resurrection means giving people life that's eternal. Only the risen Lord who granted each and everyone the forgiveness of sins, for without this, such "stones" that blocked that path cannot be removed. 

In all honesty, this note would state that everyone is still struggling as humanity attempts to combat evil. Yet, that same humanity has experienced pain during the fight, which affected the body, mind, and soul, and thus humanity looked back at Christ, whose suffering and death on the cross have caused people to easily empathize with those who suffer. Of course, some will dismiss the pain and suffering being endured, but as humans who bear that pain and suffering require love and care to rise up and fight back in order to progress forward. For sure, everyone was looking for recent news about the pain of Palestinians, those whose families had been killed by missiles and whose homes had been destroyed; the pain of those who had lost their jobs or were struggling with meager incomes; and the frustration of those who were unable to support their families due to economic deprivation. 

And yet this note talks about resurrection? Again, Christ's resurrection from the dead represents hope. And hope for humanity takes numerous shapes. Of course, such realities are quite "mentally paralyzing," hopeless conditions that cannot be rejected, no matter who merely shrugs or blames the victim for the consequences. But, again, why does this note mention resurrection? Christ descended into hell and rose again, bringing with him everyone who had died, suffered, and was hopeless- and in His rising again shows He the paschal victim brought an immense hope and the immeasurable love of God the world yeans, the insurmountable hope that peace will come, and the miseries, abuses, deprivations, sufferings will end and go away. 

To cut this thought short, as the world celebrates this occasion, again let the folk remember that infinite love of God that overcomes humanity's limit and weakness. This gift means having a renewed will to fight be it against the self or against the world, especially in this time of catastrophe and crisis. 

"When resistance becomes necessary"

"When resistance becomes necessary"

Sometimes I wonder 

Why resistance becomes necessary 

Despite the numerous wonders 

Brought by today’s modernity 

For behind the grandeur 

Age old injustices occur 

Making resistance possible 

Even in this contemporary 

Of course these may downplayed 

Calling such actions as passe 

That seeing mass actions, red banners swayed 

Be deemed noise, disorder as one say 

Fine! Yet how come mum in the injustices 

Brought by the order and its oppressive practises 

Will the oppressed remain silent 

In this goddamn tragic play? 

That by seeing contentment 

Brought a generation full of indifferent 

Choosing to live in isolation 

Justified by redescribing as freedom 

Yet chains remain shackled on them 

Whether invisible or in shimmering silver 

Still, shackled in a cycle of alienation 

Of fear and countless desperation 

And the order continuously exploit them 

As in the past felt being goddamned 

In a society where humanity’s physically alive 

Yet souls barren and minds deprived 

Is this freedom what today’s systems sought 

The liberty that’s sold and brought? 

Is this the promising future presented as something 

When in fact an inglorious past that’s continuing? 

 It is not surprising that despite their criticisms 

They find no alternatives to this activism 

The culture of contentment brought by that modernity 

Made one critic find it as “overdressed monkeys” 

The silence and injustice must be provoked 

By the multitude of noises invoked 

As thoughts, words transform into flames 

A reply to a systemic underserved reactions 

 Again, sometimes I wonder 

Why resistance becomes necessary 

Despite numerous wonders 

Brought by today’s modernity 

But the People doesn’t content 

By this continuing depravity 

Thus resistance is still possible 

Even in this contemporary

“When words shouldn’t remain empty”

“When words shouldn’t remain empty and meaningless”

This note first expresses solidarity to the struggling folk in this season of Lent. 

 As the folk commemorate the passion and glory of the saviour Jesus Christ, this solemn occasion means a time to reflect, to renew, and to take wholeheartedly the love and sacrifice what God made to every heart and mind especially in a time of crisis. 

 However, despite such messages especially from the current order, words like "forgiveness", "love", "solidarity", among others, is not being taken seriously as injustices and oppression still occur. And it is not surprising that from these messages are rephrased statements from the past whose thought is far from its actual action such as driven by self-interest. 

Right is His Holiness Pope Francis in his "Fratelli Tutti" that certain words are being bent and shaped as tools to dominate, and as meaningless tags to justify actions- that mostly contrary to the spirit of the message. Especially in the presence and pressure of recent events, those words stated above, being babbled by those from the order would be enough to say trying to rally people- especially those having enough of oppression or injustice, of systemic corruption to that of rising costs of living, that those from the order would appeal to everyone's faith, or conscience despite such inconvenient truths that same order failed to address what more doing so just to maim growing dissent. 

For sure there are christians who ought to downplay this message, that Christianity should focus on spiritual redemption than social reform, that "There is no such thing as society" as what Thatcher said, but Christ's message, action, what more his sacrifice is itself paved way to social reform. As according to Daniel Lyons SJ, that "Christ came to found a religion; He taught no formal social science. But the religious principles He laid down revolutionized social science; in fact, they brought it into being. Fully one-half of Christ's recorded sayings are social in character, that is, they deal with man's relations with his fellow-man, which is the very definition of sociology. When Christ reduced His commandments to two, the first dealt with the love of God, the other with the love of one's fellow man: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself". Of the Ten the first three deal with man's duties towards God, while the other seven are concerned with man's social duties." 

 Words like "Love," "Solidarity," and other concepts should be understood by Christians as calls to action as well as thought. A spiritual rejuvenation achieved by introspection and prayer needs to be complemented by deeds, such as providing for the impoverished, healing the ill, or standing out for social justice and the truth. Call it radical or revolutionary, but the objective of the faithful is the life to come, just like Christ, through whom God's love is made evident. 

 Jesus Christ fulfilled his obligation. Nevertheless, He spent His time demonstrating unending compassion for the populace, especially for the uncontrollable masses. 

And by following Christ, it is the duty to serve the people all for the kingdom come.

Of Poems after Hao An

Of Poems after Hao An

A visit to Hao An 

Seeing cyclos running the streets

And markets bustling with tourists

Old houses trying to well maintained

To appease the eyes of visiting guests

Coffee mixed with coconut milk keeps me awake

Enough for me to walk on its ancient way

And hear the incantations on the village temple

Whose newly-lit joss sticks fill the hall with sacred air

Followed by the laughter of the white skinned tourists

With the tune of today's pop music played

While waiting for a sumptuous dinner of steak

In the middle of the noise-filled night

The town fills with various lights

Enough to compliment the ancient sight

Authentically beautiful the place it is

As it fills everything with life

A life that ain't scripted like Disney's

Enough to grant wishes that never missed

 Beach

 The breeze of the sea is enough to ease

The tiresome me that needs to cease

From the pressures of life and work

That sometimes made me ask is it worth?

Seeing the waves, of flowing waters

Of people enjoying after week's pressure

The saltwater that counters the heat

Brings love as to recall someone I met

Strange that her beauty keeps on recalling my mind

Even at the waters where I wade as if her embrace have to find

The sound of the waves as if kept calling my name

Is it to inspire me to make this poem after enduring pain?

To cut the thought short, 

the beauty of the beach doesn't need to be idyllic

As opposed on the other where leaders 

whose design they've wanted deemed pathetic

Inside Hao An's temple 

The scent of joss sticks continues to linger 

As outsiders from neighbouring towns enter 

The sacred hall as afternoon ends 

With electric lights turned on in every lampstand 

Every stick be lit for the deities 

And seeing the murals to recall sacred mysteries 

So are the departed now bestowed by grace 

From the deities who gave them impassioned embrace 

Lets celebrate the heavens and the waters 

And the land we trod and the fire that's power 

Bringing life to the people and to the nation 

Whose strength comes from its will and passion

Before the temple near the night market

The scent of joss sticks perfumed the sacred hall 

And the incantations and prayers sung aloud 

All to commemorate their families and friends 

If not the martyrs, heroes of the land 

May the Jewel of the Lotus guide in our way 

So as not to lead themselves astray 

 To reach to that promised luck and grace 

And for the souls to heaven that promised place 

St. Paddy's day 

Enjoying the walks despite tiring soles 

Enough to satisfy an old soul 

Seeing various coloured lights 

Trying to shed darkness in that early night 

The music played and the flow of beer 

Enough to call for a heartfelt cheer 

From various lands Erin's call raised 

In memory of Pádraig whose name be praised

Neither "god", "heaven", nor his "friends", will stop the long arm of the Law

 Neither "god", "heaven", nor his "friends",
will stop the long arm of the Law

It is not surprising that Apollo Quiboloy, by invoking god, or being supported by his friends in the government tries to act infallible. That by downplaying the cases served against him, that self-proclaimed "son of god" tries his best to show to the world that "he is not of this world" yet still living in this world, a fallible being susceptible to sin. And since he lives in this world, the fact that some senators are impeding efforts to force the controversial leader of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) religious group, to participate in Senate hearings led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros is not surprising, but it is nonetheless unfortunate.

In response to the testimonies coming from witnesses at the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality hearing, which accused the televangelist of grave crimes like human trafficking and the sexual abuse of women, the Senate issued subpoenas to a man claiming to be "son of god". 

However, that "son of god" didn't show up at the committee hearing, even maligning it through his pulpit, crying wolf to and fro, making Riza Hontiveros to cite him for contempt and asked the Senate to order his arrest and face accusations against him.

To begin with, Senator Hontiveros's probe is by no means the only one that has produced reliable proof of the "appointed son of God" having perpetrated heinous crimes. The filing of charges for qualifying human trafficking and child abuse has been mandated by the Department of Justice. The individual who says he chooses whether or not he will roll through the pearly gates would, if found guilty, enter Bilibid's gates himself. 

However, as this note previously said, there are senators who oppose Quiboloy's arrest. Senator Padilla, for example, has opposed the motion of contempt and has enlisted Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, and Christopher Go in an attempt to prevent Quiboloy from being arrested by their own chamber.

For a concerned would say that it is not convincing the bullshitries coming from those to be in aid of defending Quiboloy from his crimes. Be it from his senators, his fanatics, or even the former president and his allies, the man claiming to be the "son of god" is as if infallible because of these people supporting him regardless of the evidences that putting that "son of god" in a bad light. But, is the folk convinced enough of his apologists' statements? 

In an instance, Senator Robin Padilla cited "separation of church and state" to justify his defence of that fallible being. If one may ask, is Padilla willing to become a "people's jackass" by failing to understand what separation of church and state is? The separation of church and state doesn't escape the fact that his friend "the son of god" is accused of crimes against the people and therefore must face it- and it has entirely nothing to do with the faith and beliefs of Quiboloy's "church"- and it's up to the believer whether will cling to his statement of faith even he's in prison or whatsoever, like Warren Jeffs of the "Fundamentalist Latter Day Saint Church" or the late David Koresh for example. Both happened to be religious, but with their crimes their faith couldn't stop the long arm of the law that led to their unlikely fates.
Furthermore, Padilla also said that Quiboloy made a lot of contributions to stop insurgency during the Arroyo era. To some would find "okay" but so was the late Parojinog of Koratong Baleleng whose beginnings as a "counterinsrugency force" end became a crime syndicate; or the Tadtad cults that like Quiboloy, were utilised by the government for "counterinsurgency" and yet notorious for killing priests like Fr. Favali. Quiboloy himself used "counterinsurgency" as an alibi to expand his domain- at the expense of the folk whose struggle for their land end being called as an insurgent, and likely to be killed by the hands of the order. But regardless of Padilla's justification wither by "separation of church and state" or how his friend contributed to the government's programs, he doesn't seem to have understand deeply the constitution and its related laws or statutes.

And along with Villar and other legislators and personalities who stood beside that goddamned pastor, the basis in justifying their defence of him is that of friendship- and that's much obvious over that of "separation of church and state", "support for government-led initatives", among others, just to defend a sinner pretending to be a saint.  Cynthia Villar's downplaying of his "friend's crimes" shows a blatant testimony that their "friendship" trumps over that of the need for justice. 

Like Padilla's, that "friendship" is rooted on interests, of patronage politics and the looks of it. Not to mention that Dela Rosa's, Go's, or Imee Marcos utter disregard to the victims and instead telling that the courts and not the senate should deal with it. Okay, but what's the purpose of those committees whose purpose includes protecting the vulnerable? Again, those people mentioned rather side with that "son of god" whose interests are intertwined.

 Mentioning that "let the courts decide," the United States issued notices against Quiboloy and his gang, but why the local authorities chose to protect him in spite of having an extradition treaty to those being implicated of crimes? It takes a person in the senate who wants to know the truth, if not seeing the purpose of arresting Quiboloy to make the inquiry potent and compelling. Yes, let the courts decide on Quiboloy, but as he himself downplaying the order from the senate to face the inquiry and to counter those from the wittnesses, then his arrest is imminent. Why would these legislators like Padilla, Villar, and Imee Marcos shield him from facing the nation than letting him defend from his accusers? Are they themselves becoming Quiboloy's "black nobility" the way Duterte made them part of his camarilla? 

 Regardless of their words, Quiboloy is still a fallible being. With his victims seeking justice and the hordes of corrupt siding with him, makes a concerned think will his belief redeem himself? Whereas his claims that he could stop the earthquake, he cannot stop the law from doing its job of imposing justice to the victims of his doing. This note may find lamenting that his supporters may still support him regardless of his actions, that those from the government doesn't matter his crimes as they benefited from his support; but still, law and justice triumphs over interest- and that includes the distortion of faith or the diamond-studded heaven what that "son of god" preaches about.

When serving food and promoting culture as an act of solidarity amid fear

 When serving food and promoting culture 

as an act of solidarity amid fear

(or: Thoughts after eating at Cafe Habib)

In early 2023, Mahmoud and Nadia Habib opened their cafe in Manila to bring a piece of Palestine to the Philippines. With foods ranging from simple Pita Bread and Hummus to Chicken Biryani, Shahwarma, and the Palestinian sweet Knafeh, that establishment on Mabini Street became a "Darling" for those who expressed solidarity, particularly during a time of national struggle.

At first glance, Cafe Habib appears to be a light, warm, and informal establishment that displays maps, photos, and symbols of Palestinian heritage. Mahmoud, a native of Gaza, and his Filipino-Iraqi wife wanted Cafe Habib to feel like Filipinos were experiencing Palestinian hospitality and to highlight Arab culture.

And this writer, who happened to visit the cafe a few days ago, found the Chicken Biryani and Falafel to be quite good, reminding him of college days eating Middle Eastern food for lunch, as well as meeting Arabs who find yours truly "authentic" in expressing solidarity with Palestine and its people. 

To be honest, most people may still cling to the narrow-minded thought of most Arabs as warmongers, that there's no "Palestine" but rather "Israel" in its place; all due to what the media (even the internet) presents to them; but, for those who truly concerned, especially those who yearned for peace knows why resistance became necessary for the Palestinians as they themselves expelled from their homes, farms, and communities, and be dismissed as "terrorists" and thus susceptible for destruction. 

And according to Mahmoud in an interview from "Arab News" that the last time they visited was in September, just two weeks before Israel launched its latest deadly onslaught that has since killed at least 30,000 people, wounded tens of thousands more, and displaced about 1.5 million. Saddening isn't it? The civilians who wished for their right for peaceful coexistence with its neighbours be "punished" by those claiming to be superior. Thus no wonder why yours truly would say that the concrete border wall wails aloud than the wailing wall itself in Jerusalem. 

On the other hand, there are those who simply apathetic on the situation in the Middle East, maybe because they got used to limit Middle East to that of getting a job in Saudi Arabia or in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, but one Arab whom yours truly interviewed said that Iraq before the US intervention was way developed than Saudi Arabia; and Syria under Assad served as a sentinel against terrorism brought by the "islamic state". "If not for Assad, Syria and the Middle East is occupied by ISIS" he said. 

Pardon if the visit may sound political - for the act of fraternising with Palestinians is itself political, what more seeing them serving their food and enjoying it is also political! Why is it anyway? A simple serving of Falafel with Garlic sauce is itself showing people a glimpse what more the taste of Palestine, and who the Palestinian people are, that is, different from what the media shows as rabblerousers and "terrorists". 

Women and the Toiling Masses: Rise up amid crisis and onerous policies

Women and the Toiling Masses: Rise up amid crisis and onerous policies

A Women's Day message
by Kat Ulrike

This note wishes all working women in the nation and around the world a very happy International Working Women's Day. Let this note honor the accomplishments and remember the bravery of working women who defied socially enforced gender norms and assumed roles alongside the toiling masses in the fight for equality, national liberation, and social justice. 

Given the rapidly deteriorating situation, which is marked by a precipitous decline in living standards, it is critical that women join forces with the labouring masses to protect welfare and interests, promote gender equality, and oppose policies that exacerbate oppression. The situation still affects women today, just as it did under previous regimes, exacerbating their experience with unemployment, unequal pay, and unfavourable work conditions.

The current US-Marcos regime, like its predecessor, relies on big business, despotic landlords, the military, and corrupt bureaucrats to enact onerous policies. One such policy is the recent charter change, which includes a "all out" economic liberalisation programme designed to attract new foreign investment at the expense of working people, including women. This venture, like all other attempts to denationalise the economy, is motivated by the belief that the world market, not the people, should dictate the national economy, and thus the country should be opened to the whims of profiteers with promises of "investments" in exchange for fewer regulations, particularly those governing labour, the community, and the environment. This line implied further exploitation of the Filipina as a worker, as the rising cost of living, exacerbated by profiteering and rising taxes, took away her earnings.

Contractualisation, with longer and more burdensome working days, and unjust conditions in the workplaces, brought dangers while gradually removing state protections. The exploiting capitalist, in collusion with the corrupt bureaucrat, demands higher profits, trampling every woman as a worker in order to compete in the market while pretending to be "for the people" or "for the Filipina" with empty rhetorics; worse, the order's attack dogs enforce the "law" through warrantless arrests and detention, or extrajudicial means such as involuntary disappearances.

With this situation, one could argue that the exploitation, injustice, and terror brought about by the current order have caused the Filipina to rise up and fight for national and social justice, equality, and to inspire many others to assert their rights as they have in the past. Despite its contributions, this struggle has evolved into more than just a debate about gender relations or how society should perceive women. This occasion is more than just a celebration of accomplishments, with women frequently receiving flowers and gifts, but also a reminder that women, who once held half of the sky, are also colleagues and comrades in the forefront of national and social struggle. 

When her "health-conscious" post creates negative feedbacks

When her "health-conscious" post creates negative feedbacks

In a society where perfection becomes the standard, the pursuit of beauty frequently takes us down less-examined roads with less thought given to their ramifications. 

 Following the viral photo of a drip session inside Senator Robinhood Padilla's Senate office, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla found herself at the focus of a contentious discussion. 

 The controversial photo illuminates a larger conversation about the extent people will go to achieve beauty, the risks involved, and the laws governing such treatments. 

 Understandably, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla's post about having an intravenous treatment (IV) drip session inside her husband's office, has sparked concern to the public. The now-deleted post demonstrates that Mrs. Padilla's IV session is motivated by vanity rather than "promoting good looks and good health" as her husband claims, and is viewed by many as "disrespectful" and a "mockery" of the upper house. This comes from the fact that it happened inside the office of a public servant. 

 Moreover, despite the senator's attempts to downplay the controversy or assert that his wife had no intention of disrespect, that bothersome Instagram post raises questions about the use of intravenous fluids as it raises ethical, moral, and institutional concerns in addition to safety and health-related issues. Lawyer Chel Diokno and several dermatologists have voiced alarms over the potential health risks associated with gluta drips. These risks include toxic impacts on vital organs, skin diseases, and the threat of severe infections. 

 The Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines also previously warned against the use of injectable skin lightening agents, emphasizing that the distribution of unregistered health products is illegal and dangerous. No wonder Mrs. Padilla suddenly spoke out that she's taking a Vitamin C drip to dispel criticism, with her husband further noting that his wife's intention "was just to inspire others that wherever they are, they can still prioritize their health by taking vitamins.” 

 But again, Mrs. Padilla's post did cause serious worry since it promotes something that is prohibited and illegal according to the Department of Health (DoH). It raises important questions about the appropriateness of conducting such procedures in unauthorized settings, such as a Senate office. 

Sen. Binay was right when she said that being famous had drawbacks, particularly when Mrs. Padilla's spouse is a senator. Furthermore, the senator should be reminded that great power comes great responsibility, public service is a public trust, and that, in his capacity as a legislator, he bears the additional obligation of upholding the institution's integrity as a public servant. 

 Otherwise, why is he there? Is he truly serving the public or is he just trying to impress just like his wife?

"When changing the tune doesn't stop the irritating music"

"When changing the tune doesn't stop the irritating music" 

 After making strong remarks about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in late January, former President Rodrigo Duterte moderated his hostile tone during a "prayer rally" at South Road Properties in Cebu City on Sunday, February 25. 

 From using terms like "drug addict" to that of opposing Marcos's plan for charter change, the former president, known for making contradictory statements and sarcasm, end calling Marcos as a "dignified man" and saying he had nothing against the Marcos administration’s charter change efforts, provided they didn’t serve to advantage the current President. 

 However, these changing tunes doesn't soften the stances of his supporters towards the current regime if not trying to salvage that goddamned "unity" betwen the Marcos and Duterte factions- especially knowing how the current regime indicate increasing support for the drug war investigation despite undecided on cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

 Ironically, that "prayer rally" Duterte led ain't even a prayer rally but an effort to rally support towards him in a time he's in danger of getting arrested. Prayers? For sure people remember how that former president called God "Stupid" and lambasted the Pope for the traffic, what more of seeing Willie Revillame's dancers on stage dancing during that "prayer rally". Besides, why instead of prayers would be that of rants? 

 Perhaps this note doesn't find any basis to see both factions in need of "unity", Imee Marcos and others within the administration may've tried best to maintain that "unity" despite the obvious dissolution due to major differences. Not surprising if these two factions through its online influencers willing to hurl mud at each other just to defend their idols and its controversial policies; Otherwise, both Marcos and Duterte sworn to upheld the status quo that's already tainted, what more soiled by entrenched interests- and in the face of growing opposition due to the corruption, injustice, and oppression that's condoned and tolerated by these two. 

 To cut the thought short, Duterte's change of tune doesn't stop the irritating music people wanted to stop. Those who once snared by Duterte's tirades are nothing but empty rhetorics as they saw the obvious soiled facts justified with terms such as peace and order. He may find Mindanao separatism, charter change, or Marcos's alleged drug abuse as empty words to babble with, but these cannot save an already crumbling structure called "unity". It also makes no sense in changing the tune as the concerned find his view shallow and pretentious from the start, by claiming himself to be patriotic as that of the patriots yet the same Duterte who kowtows with the Chinese; what more cries separatism after getting troubled by the refusal of the Marcos regime to block the ICC from proceeding with its case against him and his cohorts for crimes against humanity. 

 But for the concerned this pretentious bullshitry needs to stop as they want to take back the future from the unjust and the corrupt. As patriots the need to expose and oppose the crackpots and gangsters in the bureaucracy becomes imminent with words like "Bombard the Headquarters" starting to churn in everyone's minds.

The beginning and end of Beijing's "Forbidden City" reconstruction plans

The beginning and end of Beijing's 

"Forbidden City" reconstruction plans

Wang Jun 

 On October 14, 2005, Zheng Xin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture and President of the Palace Museum, published an article "Looking Back, Inspection and Prospect - Written on the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Palace Museum" in Guangming Daily, disclosed: "In the early 1960s, someone proposed that the Forbidden City was vast and sparsely populated. It's backward construction, it should be right. It was transformed; in the early stage of the Cultural Revolution, there was also an absurd and terrible 'rectification plan' in the Forbidden City. 

 For these little-known historical facts, the article has not been elaborated, but it is already surprising: how did such a thing happen?

A confusing nightmare 

Zheng Xi's book "Eighty Years of the Palace Museum" was released in October 2005. It mentions other topics covered in an article of the same name. 

"Build an east-west road inside the Forbidden City and transform the Wenhua Hall and Wuying Hall into entertainment places" was the renovation concept that was put forth in the early 1960s. 

The "rectification plan" for the "Cultural Revolution" calls for "erecting two large placards in front of the Taihe Hall, one east and one west, the Taihe Hall, which is more than 18 meters high in ancient height, and using it to overwhelm the 'king spirit'; the Taihe Hall's throne should be moved down and sealed; the statue of a farmer with guns should be shaped on the throne, with the muzzle aimed at the overthrown emperor." The emperor's temporary resting spot, which was neutral and served as a place of repose before to the Taihe Hall ceremony, was transformed into a "people's lounge." Additionally, all the palaces and doorways that symbolized feudal consciousness were destroyed. The 'People's Lounge' has been set up, the projects in these plans have been completed, and the rest have been overlooked since they are too busy to handle them. 

 He analyzed: "The architecture of the Forbidden City is magnificent and magnificent, and most of the Forbidden City is a treasure, so the Palace Museum was established. But the Forbidden City is also a feudal palace. In the minds of many revolutionaries who oppose the overthrow of the imperial system by feudalism, there is always a shadow that lingers: is it right to value the Forbidden City so much? Is the protection of the Forbidden City consistent with the anti-feudal purpose? 

Jing Hengyi, a member of the National Government, proposed in 1928 to "abolish the Palace Museum and auction or remove all items of the Palace respectively," claiming that the museum was engaged in "the study of how to equip the palace and the things used by the emperor." The palace is only Tianzi's first reverse production. "Isn't it preparing to be the emperor in the future and set up a preparatory office for the ceremony in advance?" one may ask. It is appropriate to auction reverse production. Hengyi's suggestion sparked a contentious debate before the National Government sent a letter requesting reconsideration to the Central Political Conference. Ultimately, the plan was rejected. 

"Yet Jing's perspective has not vanished." Since the People's Republic of China was established, this line of thinking has never stopped and is frequently articulated in a variety of ways. Treating our history and traditions with respect remains its fundamental aspect. Though the state values the Palace Museum highly, many people are still astounded by the relationship that exists between the palace, the emperor, and the "feudal" class.

"The Forbidden City will start to be rebuilt" 

 In September 1958, the Beijing Master Plan (Draft) stated: "The Forbidden City will start to be rebuilt." 

  The "Planning Instructions" specifically proposes: "Organize Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Zhongshan Park, Cultural Palace, Jingshan, Beihai, Shichahai, Jishuitan, Qiansanmen moat and other places, demolish some houses, expand the green area, and make it a large garden in the city center, and enjoy the joy of millions of people at the festival. The place. 

  In 1959, the Beijing Municipal Urban Construction Commission proposed that "Tiananmen Square and some buildings in the Forbidden City" could be protected, and "the Forbidden City should be transformed into a mass cultural and rest place". 

  Previously, Mao Zedong delivered a speech at the Nanning Conference and the Supreme State Council in January 1958: "I feel uncomfortable with the houses in Beijing and Kaifeng." "The walls of Nanjing, Jinan and Changsha have been demolished very well, and the old houses in Beijing and Kaifeng should all be turned into new houses." 

  Mao said this when he mentioned Zhang Xiruo twice. On May 1, 1957, Mao solicited the opinions of Zhang Xiruo, a political scientist and Minister of Education, on his work. Zhang summed up his usual feelings as "good joy, quick success, contempt for the past, and superstition in the future" and put it up in person. 

  "'Good joy to return', what is the great achievement, whether it is the great joy of the counter-revolution or the great joy of the revolution. It's not big, isn't it so small?" Mao said at the Nanning meeting, "China's revolution, such a big cooperative, such a big rectification, are all great achievements, and they don't like merit. Have you liked it?' Be eager for quick success and quick profit. Don't work hard. Do you want to pass? It's not good for the people. Is it harmful? Isn't it good to despise the past, despise the little feet, and despise the braids? 

  Mao set the tone: "Antiques should not be bad, nor too good. Beijing demolished the archway, made a hole in the gate, and also cried. This is a political issue. 

  On April 14, 1958, Zhou Enlai sent a letter to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to convey the spirit of the executive meeting of the State Council, proposing that "according to the instructions of Chairman Mao, the urban landscape of Beijing should be completely changed in the next few years." After that, Beijing quickly formulated a plan to complete the reconstruction of the old city for about ten years, and the "Forbidden City should start reconstruction" was immediately proposed. 

  Tao Zongzhen, the architect of the Beijing Municipal Urban Planning Administration, recalled the speech of a leader of the bureau at that time: "He said, why can't it exceed the ancient times? Tiananmen Square can demolish and build the State Council building to give a powerful blow to the feudal and backward things!" 

  "At that time, Peng Zhen said that the Forbidden City was built for the emperor. Can it be changed into a central government office building? Have you ever thought about it? The technician drew a few strokes casually and didn't take it seriously. During the Cultural Revolution, this matter was found out. Some people said that you were going to build a palace for Liu Shaoqi. In fact, what Peng Zhen said is actually what the chairman said. Zhou Yongyuan, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Urban Planning Administration, made such an explanation to the author before his death. 

When Mao Zedong climbed the palace wall for three times 

(and did not enter the palace)  

  Zhang Xiruo, who made Mao Zedong angry, once took the People's Liberation Army cadres to ask Liang Sicheng, an architect and professor of Tsinghua University, to draw a map of Beiping cultural relics when he was forced to attack the city on December 18, 1948.  

  The day before this, Mao personally drafted a telegram from the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China to the General Committee of the Pingjin Campaign, demanding full attention to the protection of the Beiping Industrial Zone and cultural monuments. 

On January 16, 1949, Mao again drafted a telegram from the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China on the protection of cultural monuments in Peiping, which mentioned the Forbidden City: "This In the second siege, a precise plan must be made to avoid destroying the Forbidden City, universities and other famous and valuable cultural monuments. On January 31, 1949, Beiping was peacefully liberated, and the capital planning was launched immediately. Liang Sicheng, who participated in the planning work, disagreed with the Soviet experts invited to Beijing to guide the work. Liang Sicheng and Chen Zhanxiang, an urban planning expert, jointly proposed that the central administrative region should be built in the western area outside the ancient city in order to achieve balanced development between the old and the new. Soviet experts proposed that the central administrative region should be built in the central area of the ancient city and start the reconstruction of the ancient city. Mao  supported the latter.  

  Ancient buildings such as city walls, towers and archways in Beijing have begun to be demolished one after another. In August 1952, the left gate of Chang'an and the right gate of Chang'an on the east and west sides of Tiananmen Square were demolished. In May 1956, the Beijing Municipal Planning Bureau and the Beijing Municipal Road Engineering Bureau repaired Zhushi Street (now East Fourth West Street and Wusi Street) to the north entrance of Beichang Street, and demolished the Xili Pavilion and archway in front of the Dagao Xuan Hall, the north doorway of the Forbidden City and The east-west houses and the increasingly fierce demolition of the ancient city finally led to Zhang Xiruo confess his opinion to Mao Zedong in 1957.  

  Mao Zedong had a relationship with the Forbidden City. Yi Peiji, a teacher at Hunan Provincial First Normal School in his early years, became the president of the Palace Museum in 1929. In December 1919, Mao Zedong led a delegation to Beijing to petition the expulsion of Hunan warlord Zhang Jingyao, who lived at the foot of the Forbidden City.  

  In April 1954, Mao Zedong climbed the wall of the Forbidden City three times in four days.  

  On the afternoon of April 18, 1954, Mao took a bus to Shenwumen of the Forbidden City, from Dongdeng Road to the Shenwumen Tower, along the city wall to the northeast corner tower to the south, through the Donghua Gate and the southeast corner tower, to the Meridian Gate, from the Wumen Tower to the city wall, back to Zhongnanhai.  

  On the afternoon of April 20, Mao took a bus to the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City, climbed the Meridian Gate Tower, visited the exhibition of cultural relics unearthed in the historical museum there, and went down to the tower and returned to Zhongnanhai.  

  On the afternoon of April 21, Mao took a bus to Shenwumen of the Forbidden City. He went west along the city wall from the Shenwu Gate Tower on Xideng Road, and went through the northwest corner tower, Xihua Gate and southwest corner building to the Meridian Gate.  

  After three routes, the Chairman just took a detour on the wall of the Forbidden City. This is the only record of Mao Zedong's three times to the Forbidden City, and these three times he only climbed the wall and did not enter the palace.  

  How does Chairman Mao feel about walking slowly on the wall? Did he think of the plan to rebuild the Forbidden City? Why didn't he walk in the Forbidden City?

No one knows the inside story.  

  "Plan to remove dross buildings"  

  In October 1952, the Beijing Municipal Government held a meeting to discuss the project. Liang Sicheng recorded the opinion of a speaker in his notebook: "I don't agree with the central government in Tiananmen."  

  In July 1953, the Beijing Municipal Construction Department and the district committees expressed their opinions on urban planning. Most of the people advocated the demolition of the city wall, believing that the Forbidden City was enough to protect antiquities, and proposed that "the main organs of the Central Committee are distributed in the inner ring, extending the Party Central Committee and the Central People's Government to the south of Tiananmen Square, and losing the Forbidden City. Build high-rise buildings in the back and around it, forming a pressure.  

  In 1955, Liang Sicheng's architectural ideas were criticized. He Zuoxu, who was working in the Central Propaganda Department at that time, published a critical article in the magazine Learning, saying: "Why is the urban construction of the old Beijing city without even any shortcomings? For example, the city walls of Beijing have greatly hindered the traffic in the suburbs and in Beijing, so that we have to open up many gaps in the city wall. For example, there is a large Forbidden City in Beijing, so that pedestrians have to take a detour, and the traffic is very inconvenient.  

  The "three-year difficulties" in the "Great Leap Forward" period forced Beijing's plan to rebuild the Forbidden City in 1958 and complete the reconstruction of the old city in about a decade. However, during this period, the Palace Museum put forward a "plan to remove dross buildings" - while implementing the repair and finishing of ancient buildings step by step, it also began to plan the reconstruction project to prepare for the clean-up and demolition of some "dross" buildings in the courtyard that do not reflect the "people's nature".  

  The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture put forward a request: "(1) If it can be used temporarily, it may not be demolished; (2) Select a few typical places to retain the houses and duty rooms where the palace servants (eunuches, maids, etc.) lived in the past, and mark the text description, so as to compare with the emperor's luxury life and level the audience. Level education; (3) When dismantling indoor walls, attention should be paid to the safety of buildings; (4) materials that can be used, attention should be paid to protection when demolition, and should be properly preserved and used after demolition; (5) Demolisted buildings should be taken.  

  The implementation of the plan is that "a number of dross buildings such as Jiangxuexuan Shed, Yangxing Zhai Shuan, Jihui Pavilion, Luqi, Jianfumen, Huifeng Pavilion, etc. will be demolished within a year."  

  The reconstruction plan was brought up again.  

  In 1964, the Report on Beijing's Urban Construction mentioned the reconstruction plan of East and West Chang'an Street, and the reconstruction plan of the Forbidden City was put up again and studied. Opening up an east-west road in the Forbidden City is only one of the plans.  

  Wu Han, Vice Mayor of Beijing, changed the construction of the Forbidden City in his article "Talking about Beijing City":  

  The historical development of Beijing City tells us that neither the city construction, the political center, the street layout, the height of the house, etc. are immutable. The opposite conclusion is that it must be changed. We must have such a historical understanding so that we can not be shrouded in the shadow of our predecessors and move forward in a healthy way.  

  In 1964, after six design units came up with a plan, Beijing held an exhibition, and the reconstruction plan of the Forbidden City was exhibited in the internal room. Several schemes are internally discussed and do not form decisions and facts. Liu Ren, the Second Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, looked at the reconstruction plan of the Forbidden City and left with a smile.  

  During the exhibition, Wu Han listened to the guests in the Oriole Hall in the Summer Palace, and some city leaders and planners were present. During the banquet, Wu Han talked about the Forbidden City and quoted the scriptures, saying that the Forbidden City has been changing since ancient times. Pu Yi also sawed off the threshold of the Forbidden City for cycling.  

  The Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture of Tsinghua University in January 1965, the Collected Collection of Discussion on Teaching Thoughts (1) included an article entitled "Analyzing the Architectural Art of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square from a Class Perspective", saying that "the Forbidden City has no 'people's nature'" and "Today, the working people are the masters, and the Forbidden City is no longer feudal rule. The palace of the class has become the wealth of the people, so we also transform it and use it to serve today's socialism.  

  The article lists the views of the "working people" on the Forbidden City: "It's empty and loose, with a broken chair on the stage and looking at the 'greasy'! It's more tiring than marching!" What we are not interested in is just not suitable for our needs." With a stack of big wood, they can build fifty rooms. It can only build one room, and it can't stay for a few people!" It occupies such a large space, and it is still in the middle of the city." In the past, some of us were scared by the architectural style of the Forbidden City and fell at the feet of the feudal emperors, and we still haven't got up yet." Such a big country should have a good center.  

  "Smash the Forbidden City!"  

  In 1966, the "Cultural Revolution" broke out, and the reconstruction plan of the Forbidden City was listed as the "crime evidence" that the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China wanted to give Liu Shaoqi the palace.  

  In the reconstruction plan, the Forbidden City did not have peace. On May 23, 1966, the clay sculpture "rent collection house" exhibition opened in the Shenwumen Tower, and then moved to the Fengxian Hall of the Forbidden City to continue the exhibition. For this reason, from June to July 1966, the I-shaped hall of Fengxian Hall was changed to a square. The statue of Mao Zedong was hung in the Fengxian Hall. The silk furnace used for the sacrifice of ancestors in the Qing Dynasty in front of the hall was considered to be inconsistent with the content of the exhibition and was demolished.  

  On August 3, 1966, eleven clay statues and a pair of clay-shaped horses in the Forbidden City God Temple were destroyed. On August 16, except for the "rent collection house" exhibition, all other parts of the Forbidden City were closed and closed.  

  The marble door plaque of the Palace Museum is covered by paper, and the ink pen book "Blood and Tears Palace" is three words; on the brick wall outside the Shenwu Gate, "Burning the Forbidden City!!!" Smash the Forbidden City!" The big-character newspaper is posted.  

  The "rectification plan" of the Forbidden City was immediately released. The forehead of the door of Shunzhen Gate, Tianyi Gate, Wenhua Hall and Qianlong Garden was removed, and the throne of Zhonghe Hall was demolished.  

  Other projects of the "rectification plan" have not been implemented, that is, they encountered the tide of "criticizing the bourgeois reactionary line". In May, they entered the Palace Museum and led the staff of the military propaganda team to criticize the "black line" and implement the "red line". In a blink of an eye, they became the object of criticism and struggle. In October, they had to withdraw from the Forbidden City, "the rectification party The case is over.  

  On May 26, 1967, Premier Zhou Enlai sent a battalion from the Beijing Garrison to the Palace Museum to implement military protection to protect the Palace and cultural relics from direct destruction.  

  In 1970, five rooms in front of the Qin'an Hall of the Forbidden City were demolished (restored in 2005).  

  In July 1971, the Palace Museum reopened. The museum compiled the Introduction to the Forbidden City and printed the "Quotations of Chairman Mao": "You see, for thousands of years, the palaces of those feudal emperors were not strong? The crowd came together and fell down one by one.  

  On March 27, 1973, due to the need of Luoyang White Horse Temple to receive Prince Sihanouk, according to the instructions of the superiors, all the cultural relics of the Great Buddha Hall of the Cining Palace of the Forbidden City were transferred to Luoyang White Horse Temple and have not been returned so far. When carrying cultural relics, the architectural paintings of the Great Buddha Hall of Cining Palace were destroyed.  

  In 1972, the East Building of the Beijing Hotel, which was designed with a height of more than 100 meters, was built on the east side of the Forbidden City. During the construction, it was found that it constituted a peep into the South China Sea, and the height of the East Building was reduced to 876 meters. On February 10, 1974, with the approval of the State Council, five obstructive buildings began construction on the north and south sides of the Xihua Gate of the Forbidden City. The following year Completed on November 22.  

  Previously, it was suggested that the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City should be raised to act as a shield, which was rejected by Zhou Enlai.  

  Zhou Enlai proposed that the height of the old city of Beijing should not exceed 45 meters.  

  "Lu Dingyi rushed and angrily protected the Forbidden City!"

  "Lu Dingyi protected the Forbidden City and made great contributions!" Referring to the reconstruction plan of the Forbidden City that year, Xie Chensheng, a consultant of the China Society for the Protection of Cultural Relics, said.  

  Wang Yeqiu, then director of the Cultural Heritage Bureau, was notified by the meeting of the Central Propaganda Department that the topic was to discuss the reconstruction plan of the Forbidden City. Wang Yeqiu became angry as soon as he heard it and refused to attend. Xie Chensheng recalled, "Later, when he saw me, he regretted it and said that he really should attend that meeting!" I thought that the meeting held by the Central Propaganda Department had been set, but it turned out to be a meeting to protect the Forbidden City. Lu Ding gave the plan to it!"  

  What Lu Dingyi left out was the plan to open a road in the Forbidden City. This road is planned to cross from Xihua Gate to Donghua Gate, and the two halls of Wenhua and Wuying will be used as entertainment places. Xie Chensheng said, "The plan was proposed by Beijing. The two major reasons for reconstruction are that the Forbidden City is 'the land is vast and sparsely populated, and the feudalism is backward'."  

  At this meeting, Lu Dingyi was furious.  Lu Dingyi said, 

"'feudal backward', the Forbidden City is feudal backwardness. If it is not feudal backward, how can it be called the Forbidden City? The land is vast and sparsely populated. What's wrong with leaving a place for the people to visit and rest? In my opinion, don't light the light bulb in the Forbidden City for 10,000 years. Our cadres above the department level of the Central Propaganda Department are all 'Royalists'!" 

At that time, the opinion of two central leaders was to dismantle the Forbidden City to repair the road, but Lu Dingyi's advice made the Forbidden City safe.  

  On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Palace Museum, Lu De, the son of Lu Dingyi, wrote in Beijing Daily: 

"Regarding the protection of the Forbidden City, my father said: In the 1950s and 1960s, in order to carry out construction, Beijing needed to demolish some ancient buildings. Some experts and scholars disagree, and some have cried bitterly about it. We reported this situation to the Chairman (Mao), who said: 'These old and young people, when the subjugated slaves (Note: when Japan invaded and occupied Beijing) they did not cry, and demolished several archways, they would cry?!' No one dares to reflect this kind of thing easily in the future. It seems that in order to protect the Forbidden City, my father took a great political risk in the early 1960s."

***

  (Extracted from Reading Library 0602, May 2006 edition of Tongxin Publishing House)

"Neither their whine nor their reation" (Now's the time continuing the revolution)

"Neither their whine nor their reation"

(Now's the time continuing the revolution)

Old yankee money is now no longer shining 

While goddamn mainlanders whose cancer is quite threat'ning

The hand of the both imperialists is not so scary 

 For the dawn of the people will scare them badly 

 Amidst the order, its state-led terrorism 

 Resistance is rising no place for defeatism 

 The Unity of people will sweep them badly 

 In every front until they're gone, come join the party 

 Neither their "whine" nor their reaction 

 Now's the time continuing the revolution 

Advance, fighting masses their threat is deemed no meaning

Neither law nor truncheon will beat the battle coming 

 The congress nor the courts even police and army 

 Together slaves of the order: to hell so badly 

 Advance, fighting masses, together striking in flanks 

 Despite stabbing our backs this ne'er tire our ranks 

 The blade of the old tyrants now stabbing their own throats

 While their attack dogs now fleeing searching for new hosts 

 Neither their "whine" nor their reaction 

 Now's the time continuing the revolution 

 Amidst the hardships, betrayals and of infamies 

The road to our freedom still taken and surely 

 Even thousands of traitors who join in this journey 

 Only the few will see the sun rising with its glory 

 We're the vanguard of the sovereign people 

 Taking the weapon continuing the struggle 

 The same revolt of past ages will end the error 

 We will reboot society to end their terror 

 Neither their "whine" nor their reaction 

Now's the time continuing the revolution

Peace, Land, Justice, Jobs, Decent Wage not "Charter Change!"

Peace, Land, Justice, Jobs, Decent Wage 

not "Charter Change!"

 By Kat Ulrike 

 Instead of addressing numerous challenges of the Filipino people the current Marcos administation, in connivance with Speaker Martin Romualdez and others prioritises amending the constitution with the goal of opening and depending further the country to Foreign Direct Investment. This venture tends to downplay that of basic social problems like low wages, rising costs of commodities, slow-paced industrialisation and domestic-based development, lack of genuine agrarian reform, and pseudo-"sovereignty". 

 By pursuing this "Charter Change", the Marcos administration wanting to enact 100% Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Ownership of local businesses, domestic utilities, and national patrimony, making the national economy be at the hands of foreign profiteers in connivance with local despots and at expense of the stuggling masses. 

 Contrary to the establishment's blame on the current constitution for national woes, it is not in the constution but rather in this continuing-past of subservience to entrenched interests both local and foreign. By looking back at history previous administrations been subservient to unequal agreements and enacting oppressive policies at the expense of the people, while pretending to uphold justice and democratic rights. And contrary to these proponents, the Philippines is lenient if not lax when it comes to Foreign Direct Investment, yet far from its neighbours in South East Asia. It is not surprising if these advocates wished for unbridled, unregulated kind claiming these what the international market needed in today's societies. 

 Regardless of the statements coming from the administration and its apologists, the toiling masses demand for right wages, better jobs and working standards, genuine agrarian reform, national industrialisation and domestic based development, and defending human rights and national sovereignty. The current regime may've promised and parroted such sentiment, but the neoliberal-oriented "Charter Change" being peddled as a panacea for social ills but rather consolidates interest-seekers at the expense of the toiling masses. Those being "left out after EDSA" are rather fooled by the very rotten order whose personages wanting not just "through and through" economic liberalisation but also political power through term extension while pretending promising the vulnerable with "social justice" through "Charter Change". 

 Folk! Changing the charter by the very rotten order is not reform! It is consolidation of interests! A counterreaction to an existing reaction! 

“Is that so? Everyone doesn’t think so.”

“Is that so? Everyone doesn’t think so.” 

The recent events that brought division between the Marcos and Duterte factions has clearly showeth that their unity becomes a farce. Be it issues regarding Marcos's alleged cocaine use to Duterte's use of Fentanyl, to that of threats of arrest from the International Criminal Court and alleged clamours for Mindanao's secession from the Philippine state, these recent events doesn't stop people from seeing them both as accomplices of maintaining a rotten, decadent social order that benefits themselves and its camarilla- all at the expense of the labouring people whom they promised a "comfortable life for all" in the "new Philippines."

 How come this note say so? Duterte's statement is not borne out of principle but of his own fear, as news about the International Criminal Court entering the Philippines has fueled much of angst by his supporters, and further justified by the current regime's reluctance to expel investigators from further doing such actions. Duterte would churn rumours of Marcos's alleged use of Cocaine- that made Marcos churn about the former president still using Fentanyl. With these would say shows that this "Mindanao separatist" issue is not driven of principle as Duterte and his ilk claim- but of fear and of still keeping interest. 

  Even the so-called amendments to the constitution caused controversy; those who had previously been "pro-charter change" turned against it, while others who had supported it pushed the agenda through "People's Initiative." This was the case even though both sides pushed for the charter change because it contained "economic amendments" that enshrined the neoliberal policies of liberalization, deregulation, and privatization and further reinforced the dominance of foreign capitalists over the country's resources and economy. Why would Duterte oppose those "economic provisions" in that "initiative" yet he and his camarilla forcefully advocated for the passing of neoliberal laws and policies? Or is it a result of the present regime's reversal of course and return to US military action against China, which the previous administration attempted to favour with? Once more, there is no principle in what Duterte and his allies are attempting to convey in their criticism of Marcos—especially considering that both are willing to sacrifice the nation's patrimony for powerful interests and are subjects of foreign tyrants.  

 But as the rift continues thus exposes Duterte becoming desperate- that by babbling "Mindanao separatism" and his supporters strongly supporting him especially in the face of possible arrest by the International Criminal Court shows trying to gain leverage (and credibility) to push back against the Marcoses’ schemes to degrade their economic and political power. His "Federalism" scheme, just like the attempt for "revolutionary government" failed and still Duterte have misled Filipinos by banked his presidential campaign on federalism because he and some of his key allies are now against constitutional reforms. 

  However, supporters of both camps would argue that this is irrelevant because they continue to uphold "unity" in spite of this being the clear right and in spite of recent events where both factions have wasted public funds on busing in supporters to create the appearance that they have widespread support. The deplorable conditions of the people were used by both warring groups, who seemed to be advocating for "unity" and "change" while entertaining them and promising them government assistance. Bullshit and mudslinging are being used by social media experts and vloggers to mislead readers as the rift gets worse. Sounds familiar in order to avoid acknowledging the reality, which is that the nation is still far from fulfilling people's dreams due to an order that falsely claims to speak for the Filipino people. 

In the meantime, Duterte's sockpuppets showed off the notion that his remarks—who is well-known for making absurd claims—should not be taken seriously. It was hard for journalists to cover him because of his tendency to startle people. According to the article from the Manila Times, it said: "They were used to heads of state who can be taken literally, without the need for adding context."

By flaunting such nonsense would say that the former president tries to rally Mindanaoans to his standard thinking they voted for him; but did these people voted for him simply because he's a Mindanaoan who promised change? Peace? Development? Not all would say voted because of his background nor his promises, let alone how he snared them by his antics and his "hands on" kind of politics as they would say "he relates to the common people" the way he uses expletives and sarcasm to convey his thoughts and thus becoming policies. However, he's the same Duterte who chose to swore upholding a rotten, oppressive social order. He even intensified it by making laws that put burden to the common folk for the interests of the few. And now he talks about separatism that even the Moros and most Mindanaoans beg to disagree on him in the name of "national unity".

For the concerned these bullshits doesn't water down the fact that he babble it out of fear- that his case against the folk are being investigated for his crimes and therefore he and his ilk facing arrests. Even Dela Rosa, his trusted henchman who once led the Philippine National Police chose to side with the current administration than his master, is it because of principle as a legislator supporting the administration? Or simply by fear because he's part of the Duterte camarilla?

“On my part, personally, right now I don’t want to because I don’t want to get a visa if I go. I will visit my grandchildren here in Batangas,” dela Rosa said in an article from the Inquirer, speaking partly in Filipino, when asked if he is in favor of the “One Mindanao” proposal.

"From Davao, I will fly here. I will have to get a visa because it turns out that Luzon and Visayas are already different countries." Dela Rosa added. 

With these words would say that one of Duterte's henchmen rejects his boss's words, despite claiming that those who promote Mindanao separatism "were just sending a message that they would be forced to encourage a separate state if pushed to the wall"; however, dela Rosa said he would back Mindanao's secession in the "worst" case scenario as he said. But, is Duterte much so dela Rosa and those supporting the past administration really for the Mindanaoans much so as Filipinos? Or just because they're feared of being investigated further, much so arrested by the International Criminal Court for their actions? No wonder why Congressman Raoul Manuel said Duterte should not treat Mindanao as if his own realm much so an escape bunker amid investigations by the ICC.  

Wouldn't be surprised if there are others who supported Duterte also changing their tones, if not end mum as interfering costs their so-called political integrity. 

 Despite this, some would argue that the warring camps are still committed to upholding a corrupt social order, and that nothing has changed. Whether the legislators continue to clamour for "charter change" or Duterte with his "separatist" agenda, that the Filipino people are still forced to deal with issues like growing costs, low wages, unemployment, landlessness, economic dispossession, widespread corruption, declining social conditions, a lack of public services, and other issues brought on by the nation's vassalage to powerful foreign powers and entrenched interests. Once more, the "new Philippines" is nothing "new" other than reworded statements and programs, but the goal of upholding the status quo and uniting interests is still the same- and wouldn't be surprised if the rift between two camps continues to be aggravated.  

 As said a year ago the country is still in a state of "Vivere Pericoloso" thanks to those whose interests trying to hinder the aspirations of the people whether by amending the fundamental law, churning state funds for "malicious purposes", to that of slander in social media by its supporters, or by the bullet as attack dogs in various forms trying to silence growing dissent. Yes, the folks are living dangerously despite promises of stability, whereas the past administration loves to gaslight, the current one will "kill us softly with his words".

And since the country and its people is still living dangerously, then why not have the will to resist? For sure they have enough of tyrants and scoundrels, of incompetents and those spewing with hollow phrases. No bullet, law, nor "heaven" of theirs will stop the people's call for just aspirations.