"Accept Deregulated oil industry? Tuition and Other Fee Increase??" A SLAP IN THE MASSES FACE!

"Accept Deregulated oil industry? Tuition and Other fee Increase?" 

A SLAP IN THE MASSES FACE!


by Katleah Ulrike

"Insisting the government is already taking all steps to minimize the impact of rising fuel prices, Malacañang appealed to transport groups Saturday to “accept” the deregulated nature of the oil industry."

These are the opening words stated by GMA news about Malacanang's stand in midst of the growing oil prices in the country.

At first, the system seemingly acting pessimistically, or in a retreating manner as it gave up trying to keep oil prices low; otherwise, it is more likely to state such words as this: "That's Life, accept it."-that somehow also meant greater opposition despite justification as most are struggling to survive especially the hard-earned.

In fact,  it is quite weird and stupid to think of a Government giving way to the wishes of private interest while calling for people power  as a means to improve stability and attaining superficial progress in it. As prices of commodities gone high same as oil, yet the laboring masses kept on struggling overnight to have a good increase, such minimal moves taken by the national government were simply a slap on the faces of the masses as it treats everything a charity such as "Pantawid Pasada" subsidy-an alms in other words in midst of the growing oil prices.

This writer somehow would think that since the government "accepts" the so-called "fact" of having a deregulated oil industry, why not also help the consumer as well by rising its salary and abolish VAT on oil, or to the maximum extent, renationalize Petron for the benefit of Public Utility Vehicles seeking for a cheaper oil and gas?

For sure how wonder why people are in discontent about this serious matter especially rising prices of goods and commodities. This matter is not about calling for a doleout as those who justify accepting it think of. As most government officials seemingly questioning this and that, that and this in the halls of the senate and house of representatives, it end up rather as empty phrases or lucky if it end up as law that obviously few would tend to obey with; worse, within the facade of superficial "progress" is a rampant, obvious poverty prevailing in the metro and in the countryside.

The rise of Oil increases due to having a deregulated oil industry and predominancy of cartels such as Petron, Shell and Caltex showed the slowness of the system in regards to this matter. One commentator even said:

"What is not accepted and is not acceptable is that this current admin makes a big fat excuses out of it. The laziness is prevalent. And it is obvious that the government doesnt have any mitigating measures to cushion its impact...he's so focus on matters of wrong politics, that is, to get that vengeance to the perceived obvious enemies."

Quite personal to say so about the comment, that the current administration makes some excuses but the fact lies in having a system of elitists dominating everything in every sphere such as the Oil industry. However, some tend to aggravate the matter by telling "Foreign companies" to come further and tap oil and natural gas in every national reserve!-That means giving up sovereignity for pieces of silver then!

As another commentator said:

"If we want to encourage foreign oil companies to tap our petroleum reserves while the local oil companies gets latest technology on how to drill the petroleum reserves and also encourages more foreign oil companies to operate and compete with the existing oil companies for domestic consumption:Abolish the 60/40 Filipino-Foreign equity restriction on setting-up domestic corporations especially in tapping natural resources like petroleum and natural gas from the 1987 Constitution and allow foreign multi-national corporations and individuals to provide jobs to our millions of unemployed Filipinos, to improve our infrastructure, compete the inefficient and low-paying existing local companies, and to compete with the global market like Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia."

The commentator seemingly speaks of "providing jobs, improving infrastructure, being globally competitive" by having foreign entities controlling in all spheres in lieu of the elitists as against with. In fact, more foreign oil companies like what? British Petroleum? Gulf Oil? Esso? Most of them rather tend to monopolize as its main objective rather than to compete with other oil companies such as what we see nowadays. Otherwise, it shows the acceptance of Filipinos are unfit to develop themselves as the commentator preferred multinational companies dominate in the economy and perhaps in the country as well.

And using Malaysia as one of its examples as the quote said so, the writer would say again that most of it are state-owned or private companies supported by the state; Proton is state-controlled so is Petronas. And despite having foreign companies in countries like what he said, as well as Singapore's, the state had a right to intervene ensuring "Common good" despite allowing private enterprise while the Philippines literally preferring foreign institutions, whether through domestic dummies or not, dominate the economy. Quite weird to think of why such countries that commentator tend to look examples are the countries whose states having intervening powers? He may not notice also as well that Malaysia's Article 153 said:

It shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

...Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, but subject to the provisions of Article 40 and of this Article, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall exercise his functions under this Constitution and federal law in such manner as may be necessary to safeguard the special provision of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and to ensure the reservation for Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak of such proportion as he may deem reasonable of positions in the public service (other than the public service of a State) and of scholarships, exhibitions and other similar educational or training privileges or special facilities given or accorded by the Federal Government and, when any permit or licence for the operation of any trade or business is required by federal law, then, subject to the provisions of that law and this Article, of such permits and licences.

There may be foreign companies in Malaysia, BUT the law speaks of MALAYS as SOVEREIGN and PRIORITY OF THE STATE TO ENSURE WELFARE AND ADVANCEMENT.

Well, such decree is really contrary to what the Philippines' "Laissez Faire" attitude enjoyed by foreign entities, oligarchs, and the corrupt. To think that the Government itself said that "Better to accept Deregulated Oil Industry?" A SLAP ON THE MASSES FACE!

Same goes in Tuition and Other Fee Increases.

Last friday, students from different universities in Metro Manila marched towards Mendiola protesting against attempts for having tuition and other fee increase. As according to the National Union of Students of the Philippines, most Universities tend to increase their fees this 2012, here are the Universities shown:

National Teachers' College: Php 40/unit
DLSU: 3.5%
TUP: Php 1000
UST: 6% old student, 19% incoming freshmen
UE: 5%
FEU: 4.3%

Again, what do most expect in having an increase that is, yearly? For sure the administrators of those institutions tend to justify this and that as a "Policy" despite having bigger chunks last year-that most end up in its "Return of Investment" and some, if not few end up in the basics such as utilities and salaries of Professors and Employees.

Worse, there are "Student Councils" tend to Justify ToFIs as they brag their so-called "Projects."

Like in the University of the East, for example, one group tend to brag like traditional politicians as said:

Separation of LFR and LFIR
UE Botanical Garden
Festive UE Foundation Week
Blue Chairs
White Boards
Automated Student Council Elections
CCTV Cameras at UE gates
Tri-colored trash bins
Comprehensive Committee System
Manila Week
UE Printing Station

Nice to hear such "Achievements" but on the other hand, are these projects really made by the Council or simply made by the Administration? Tangible projects like Blue Chairs and White Boards are obligations set forth by the University in general, and not of the Council as it tends to "Improve" the University's appearance-so is the practical notion of "Having its own money produced by ToFI be allocated to": Another Bragging Right then!

As Alec Mandrilla of the University Student Council of UE said:

"the TOFI will continue to pursue and as students, we can demand for a justification of the increase..."

Sounds ridiculous as that USC President, whilst saying "NO", also agrees, accepts the said 'truth' the way Malacanang did in regards to having a deregulated oil industry and its effects such as oil price hikes. Otherwise, what is the purpose of having ToFI in UE? Another bragging right for the ruling puppets? 

Quite desperate to see people joining the joyride, while at the same time justifying the increase by bragging such projects and make-up reforms. And yet, those bragging rights said so by the council aren't really made by the party who dominates in it, as according to Jade Valenzuela:

"Those projects were done upon the consensus of the council."

Quite stupid to see "Yellow" student councils bragging their short-term projects as if theirs not noticing that the money being used came from the University's budget; worse, unveiling their bipolar attitude as noticed by most students of the University of the East.

Then telling everyone that the "Youth is the hope of the homeland?", of extorting everyone to move "Forward" yet most are stopped from studying in college because of having a Tuition Fee Increase? The issue became a "Hot topic" during Student Council Elections like in UE. Valenzuela, as she consistently opposed the moves of the rival group dominating the USC, also tend not to limit the issue of ToFI during Election campaigns and instead be consistently opposed in midst of the current social crisis, as said:

"The reality of Tuition and Other Fee Increases should not be made or taken as an electoral campaign. This is an issue that should be well learned and fought against all throughout the year. Annually we face this and for the longest time in the university, it is only now that the council(s) are taking stands. The students should be critical about this. We should keep in mind that real leaders do not only take action when it is beneficiary for them given that they are aware of this issue, real leaders take action even though they are not in any position or office. Real leaders do not treat the issue of student rights and welfare as a seasonal thing. Real leaders are well versed and well prepared to take action upon this, not only when they are pressed for time, but the whole year round."

Well,
The bipolar tendencies of those currying popular support unveiled its rottenness like accepting the "fact" of having a deregulated oil industry, increasing oil prices, prices of commodities and services, including tuition and other fees. For sure some would think that how come in spite of having "progress" via increasing GNP and GDP rates these problems prevail?

This writeup is not even about urging the system to have doleouts as what critics may think of most of the time why there are rallies outside. Most of them are staying in their condominiums all the time anyway...but the next time they'll complain about having increasing rates in electricity, water, cellphone, telephone, cable, and other shit their money throw upon. What's the use of being apathetic if they themselves wanting refunds the way the poor as they think of "wanting doleouts" while obviously "wanting housing and livelihood"?

In times like these, such issues IS A SLAP IN THE MASSES FACE!

"Gia"

"Gia"

made by Pavel Smirnov (as Ingvard Schnitzelton)

Music based on "Sankt Peterburg" by Roman Svetkov

I remember the time when I was young

I met a girl that seemed pretty

Her oak-brown hair

Her olive green eyes

Skin kissed by the sun and quite merry

I felt so admired and I don't know why

Quite shy as I asked her name

And she told me that "Gia is her name"

Then she left in the midst of night

Chorus:

Oh Gia, моей любви

until death, you are part of me

Oh Gia, my work of art

For you are the girl I love

I tried not to cry yet tears flow from my eyes

Silent yet felt the pain and sorrow

And looking at night the stars shining bright

Thinking a coming tomorrow

Someday if I met Gia, I'll let my sketchbook bring

And draw her and thus worth remembring

And thus I realize, the beauty that mermerize

Whilst my heart will forver sing:

And as I see you dance, I feel the rage inside

and yet I don't know what comes happening

Perhaps it came from my barren mind

Des'prate as loneone for years nothing

As the music plays, your moves fills the space

Giving life like the tales of old days

And it ends with a kiss, that gives tender bliss

That no one may never miss

Whether it is the past, or it is today

She held the key to my 'lone heart

Whether she's in paint, in sketch or in clay

She is the a one of a kind art

And thus I thank god like no lover done

For my prayers fulfilled as she come

Just like from the start, Till death to us part

I swore to you in my life you've been

Her beauty remains enchanted

Her beauty remains enchanted

(partly based from Jose Maria Sison's The forest is still enchanted)

Background:

This poem was made long after been reading one of the poems made by Professor and Left-wing writer Jose Maria Sison.

Upon reading the poem, the writer was quite inspired by the message given by the work and that at the same time quite concerned in  regards to the present-day women tainted by the prevailing culture such as lavishness (that despite its grandeur corrupts the essence of beauty itself). Obviously, he was simply admired by the beauty of the women whom he end up being inspired. And with Sison's poem serving as its basis for the work itself.

The make-up and the jewelries

Are left away in the wooden chests

The lavishly woven dresses

And the imported accessories

Have lost its lustrous power

The mere beauty of the past ages

Had changed for many years

As the chains once bound a someone's body

End up rot and broke easily

Leaving her alone once more to be free

And yet her beauty remains enchanted

And there's a new tune from her mind

A new magic from a loving face

To be inspired by amongst people to be as friends

To be loved by someone whom both cherished over

As they fought for freedom and to astonish the intruders

The passiveness and of the differences

Had been fade away as it lasts

As the age old disciplines

And of the unfair practises

Have closed its chapters

The differences of the past ages

No longer to be heard and seen again

The words saying "I am taken"

Hath disappeared in the mouths once being spoken

As a new and meaningful love hath risen

And yet her beauty remains enchanted

And there's a new tune from her mind

A new magic from a loving face

To be inspired by amongst people to be as friends

To be loved by someone whom both cherished love

As they fought for freedom and to astonish the intruders

The writer was quite inspired though in making that poem the way he loves to draw, sculpt and even write stories out of reality and imagination. The poem is also somehow reminds of one of Mao Zedong's poems as it said:

How bright and brave they look, 

Shouldering five-foot rifles,

On the parade ground lit up by the

First gleams of day

China's daughters have high aspiring minds,

They love their battle array, not silks and satins.

To others, it is quite weird to think of writing poetry yet they listen to music, Rap is even an example involving a degree of spoken poetry, however few would understand every word despite singing it, especially the ones what goes played nowadays.

So are the others that obviously, being made and played for sake.
Love songs without the thrust, Vengeance music without the reason, how come writers tend to create just to sell, or worse, putting less its own "heart" unto it the way those who sung with high decibels that made popular in mainstream radio?

Anyways,
The poem made is for those who are beautiful deep inside without what is being shown too much.
For sure we are tired of bitches around as examples.

"Black and Red Roses for Kristine who also made the writer's works 'enchanted'"

"Black and Red Roses for Kristine 
who also made the writer's works 'enchanted'"

Supposedly this work is to be done last 14, but this writer spent most of the time in the fair watching at the band singing about love and spending (one lyrics said about he wants to go on a date with his girl yet the price of gasoline ran high).

But this writeup doesn't speak much entirely about love most people think of. As this writer, so to speak, in fact admires women that inspires him to write poetry or to draw, in other words, muses that brings some "colour" and "enchantment." 

Yet still he don't know why.

Anyways, Kristine, one of the writer's inspirations, is one example.

long haired, skin kissed by the sun, slim, quite merry in her appearance, Kristine, born in the tropical isles ravaged by corrupt order and its silent destruction carries a wild beauty far from the so-called "rice dolls" the west use to think of Filipinas so to speak; but within her beauty lies a burning passion to destroy the rotten order despite walking in the sand and staring at the blue waters of Boracay. 

And despite having different musical genres usually heard (she loves rap and rnb much while this writer is addicted to rock and classics), it rather remains a matter not to be think of since respecting views is a must so to speak; and speaking of rap and rnb Kristine love most, this writer thinks that, different from any other girls who just simply 'join the flow', perhaps chooses which is pleasing to the ears and perhaps the message as well. For sure few girls do so as most, especially everyone else just simply grab and grab till they drown themselves in the 'flow' they join to.

Been there, been that as this writer would say, been a victim too.

As for the writer's view using his sketches, Kristine would be this:

Since she likes Latino culture most, perhaps this writer drew a sandinista or a Cuban version of her's. 

Warlike beauty staring over the wild roses growing whilst carrying the FAL rifle means staring at the coming promise that is, been sworn being against the system. Remember Arlen Siu Bermúdez? Comrade Tania? Perhaps just been compelled to draw after making a politically-tainted writeup. Anyway, she's against the system though, a "Rose of war" to think of despite enjoying the cool summer breeze and warmth of the afternoon sun.

Otherwise, the other pic would be fit for a female warrior-in an ethnic style similar to the Aztecs (what Kristine wanted) and her Kapangpangan heritage:

In fact, Kristine, like any other girl whom I inspired in making works, carries a wild beauty not because of being "brown", but carries what is, admirable and inspiring-the way Amorsolo, Tolentino, or Botong Francisco tends to create their masterpieces feat. Filipinas wearing Balintawak or Kamison; this writer also thinks that speaking of being "brown", "morena", how come most tend to think of Filipino women carrying such beauty as "rice dolls", "whores" in the eyes of those who slander? Just because they're "exotic" in their very own appearance? For sure we see everything, from the media to the street exploits, degrades the beauty that is the brown-skinned Filipina (like Kristine, Gia,)  like those who just pose their bodies, especially in lingerie or shyly exposing their areolas in their nipples whilst looking at the mirror for sake or just to be called 'delicious.' 

Sadly to say, most people are desensitized about these things happened all the time such as describing as 'delicious' (and nothing else) in the eyes of a pervert whilst posing.  By the way, this topic is about Kristine but why about 'delicious' again? Oh god!

Anyways, quite weird for this writer who made this writeup about a girl in a page full of art history, architecture, literature and...politics. But on the other hand, the tan-coloured girl who loved summer, beach and cool breeze, like a wild-grown rose, wants to be free from an unknown past, whether it is from an old relationship with a someone, or from the system she tries to resist.

As one poem says:

"And yet her beauty remains enchanted

And there's a new tune from her mind

A new magic from a loving face

To be inspired by amongst people to be as friends

To be loved by someone whom both cherished love

As they fought for freedom and to astonish the intruders."

And if so, then black and red roses to Kristine! 

"SILO" Writeup on Pasig's Flour Silos and the failed Industrialization experience

"SILO"

Writeup on Pasig's Flour Silos 

and the failed Industrialization experience

It was last week when this writer went to Pasig for some pictorial. 

He simply took some pics of these edifices not as a mere objects of curiosity but rather to reflect how Pasig before was one of the industrial components of the country, especially that these edifices are serving as monuments, if not rotting graves with a purpose such as storing wheat and flour and likely to be demolished in favor of building condominiums and commercial complexes in that city.

Sadly to say, one silo, owned by General Milling Corporation, end up demolished and paved way to a condominium owned by Rockwell, a Lopez affiliate. And according to one source:

The company is launching this year a 5.5-hectare themed development in C5 which was the former General Milling Property in Pasig City to be called “The Grove". The project will take about five to seven years to complete.

The Grove will have five towers and will also have retail and commercial spaces and will have a total development cost of P12 billion.

“With this project, we are aiming to make Rockwell Land more affordable," Cordero said, adding that the units will be old at 20 percent to 25 percent lower than Rockwell Center’s condominiums in Makati City.

Well, to others, it is nice indeed to have new edifices to be build such as "The Grove" that replaced the familiar Silo in Pasig. For sure some would reminisce the scent of wheat and seeing trucks full of sacks waiting to be delivered and distributed all over so to speak. Yes, some companies tend to sell their lands for developers thinking that there's nothing to gain nor loss in having properties once they benefited from it.

And to think that as one building being demolished in favor of building a new complex geared by commercialization, this writer thinks that yes, commercialization includes deindustrialize everything the way the Philippines failed to achieve industrialization thanks to the policies stunting efforts to create a self reliant economy and society.

However, despite seeing the examples of a vision that the rotten system tend to fail. There were grain and flour silos, owned by Wellington Flour Mills, Universal Robina, and Morning Star Milling remained standing as  the landmarks of industrialization specialized in the production of Flour and its by-products made unto it. Some even tend to put advertising billboards to the extent of having its silo, such as from Morning Star be put ads unto it. To others, seemed to be nice to see an industrial edifice got a "makeover" by placing ads, an examplar of "Advertecture" so to speak (paraphrasing Afoyren Paulo Alacazaren).

But still, despite these efforts in creating means in supporting the economy, the system's aloof in self improvement and contentment in foreign imports made progress as "hopeless."
And thinking that most people blamed the presence of  industry over the city as those who made Pasig river dirty, this writer would see that yes, some companies failed to stress sanitation and being reluctant to develop in averting the problem such as making the river clean as possible despite increasing profits in it.  Lucky that Pasig river nowadays is still in the process of getting cleaned from its murky past thanks to some institutions and companies getting concerned over the matter.

Yet most rather treated it as charity or a corporate social responsibility, in other words a Public Relations (PR) act to do so.

Truth hurts as this writer may've say.

But despite contradictions, dreams of massive National development continues to inspire everyone's mindset, in other words creeping over despite system's means to reinterpret (like favoring tourism over industrialization) the idea of it. But also to think that efforts in undermining Industrialization continues to prevail, this writer would say that it underestimates total National Development through Agricultural and Economic reforms such as these edifices of progress that would utilize labour and material to provide everyone's need. 

Hilarion "Larry" Henares, former Government official and advocator of Domestic-centred National Development, said:

"We welcome foreign assistance, primarily as foreign loans, secondarily as joint ventures, as partners not masters, to supplement not to supplant Filipino capital, to stimulate not to overwhelm Filipino businessmen, and only in areas where Filipinos are unable or unwilling to invest".

Henares's words simply fell into deaf ears as the policy, even until today tied under agreements sponsored by the west regardless of what the constitution stated (such as 70-30 and other similar matters involving foreign companies and Filipino representatives.).

And still, this writer would say that there is still a need for self improvement the way this nation needs to recover its identity and modernize it. These edifices served as examples the way we see churches and old houses in Intramuros.

Well...What made me compel to write poetry and lyrics using existingmusic?

Well, What made him compel to write poetry 

and lyrics using existing music?

"Every jeep taxi bus playing novelties

And pissing minds in shitty jokes

Making me annoying as common tunes been played

wanna have a walk out to my home where I stayed...

Stop the Cali swag!

Stop that dougie stop!

Stop the Cali swag!

Stop that dougie stop!"

-from "Stop the Cali Swag"

"Gia my Gia

My shining red star Katleah

I hope I'll see you back as I returning

In the night when the red star is shining"

-from "Gia's Theme"

"I've been dreaming of you when I see you in red
Then my eyes turned red till it bled
As if I've seen a rose covered in blood
Heiliges quillrose now found!"

-from "Charmel"

These poems made by this writer are accompanied by the songs and thus made it singable. The former two used the melodies of Russian songs "Stop the Rolling Stones" and "Polyushko Pole", the latter was from a Turkish theme named "Gafil ne Bilir." The writer somewhat kinda isnpired by the music that made some of his poems "singable" using melodies oftentimes heard. And to think that using other melodies is somewhat awkward, that "why not create your own" instead of using other person's melodies? After all, he's not even a songwriter.

Obviously, it seemed to be strange enough as a writer specialized in making critiques, essays, everything in a near journalistic experience to write poetry and oftentimes end up singable using someone else's melody; for sure others would likely to say that this writer is doing plagiarism for not having permission from the artist who have made it; but obviously despite all these subjective responses such as that, this writer would say that it is  kinda compelling enough though as you listen strange tunes like The late Egor Letov and make words out of it unintentionally simply because of getting inspired or what, as what the poem "Stop the Cali Swag" made it singable enough out of using the melody of  "Stop the Rolling Stones" by the late Letov himself.

For sure some used to make songs using exisiting tunes like Weird Al who made parodies of popular tunes coming from singers such as Madonna and Michael Jackson. The Philippines' very own Michael V even created some music for quite some time using the songs of Spice Girls or Jon Bon Jovi despite using Filipino as its medium. Pete Seeger, known for his "If I had a hammer" also made a protest music using the melody of  the "Ballad of the Green Beret" in midst of the protest against the war in Vietnam.

So is this writer who perhaps tried for quite some time the way these people once did in their part time whether just to gain popularity or just to convey their feeling as an individual. For sure some, if they dared to do so, perhaps because they want to convey something by any means no matter what it is as they do so. But on the other hand, it seems that this writer also wanted to revisit music as he himself was once playing the piano and today he tries to play it again, although with flaws he tried to correct though.

Anyway, this writeup is made in memoriam to the person whom the writer inspired to write more: Gia Hilado.

‎"STOP THE CALI SWAG"

‎"STOP THE CALI SWAG"

by Paul Smirnoff

melody based from the song 'STOP THE ROLLING STONES' by Egor Letov 

Every day every night in the radio

"Teach me how to Dougie" until signing off

Otherwise someone singing "Hari ng Tondo"

That some people making them Freaking on

Then after the music comes in the news

Like tabloids i say full of rape as cues

Then followed by jokes no laughs full of shit

And music again with a nonsense beat...

Every jeep taxi bus playing novelties

And pissing minds in shitty jokes

Making me annoying as common tunes been played

wanna have a walk out to my home where I stayed...

Stop the Cali swag!

Stop that dougie stop!

Stop the Cali swag!

Stop that dougie stop!

Next day black and yellow as the common tune

No Lito Camo, Ely, Bamboo

And looking at ladies wearing short shorts

less dignities full of make up worn

Then at the store full of clients went

Looking for a varsity jacket

They want "swagger" written at their back

Fucking mainstream culture-fuck....

Stop the Cali swag!

Stop that dougie stop!

Stop the Cali swag!

Stop that dougie stop!

Stop the Cali swag!

Stop that dougie stop!

Stop the Cali swag!

Stop that dougie stop!

Stop the Cali swag!

Stop that dougie stop!

Stop the Cali swag!

Stop that dougie stop!...