"Everything's hallow even the struggle itself is also hallow"

"Everything's hallow that even the struggle itself is also hallow"

Warm greetings.

In this season of All Hallows, this marks the start of commemorating not just the dearly departed, but also to think a little about the need for holiness as a person in this changing world.

To be holy is a difficult kind of commitment. People may pray, attend mass, confess, even fast in pursuit of absolving sin and attain grace, but the realities of life shows people that they're still in constant battle with sin, and at times fall from it. 

But it takes time to recover as one has to stand up and continue walking on its journey towards holiness. That by praying and doing good works help one or another to get on the right path especially in facing existing, next, and future challenges in life. True that being holy requires a lot of effort, as God desires humanity to pursue holiness at all costs because without holiness one cannot see the Lord.

For sure most people have started to clean the graves of their loved ones, if not starting to provide kids treats at night, or even writing thoughts in this solemn occasion, but behind happiness and remembrance is the call for holiness as God encouraged. 

To be honest, this note have nothing to say more, but this call for holiness in this season is also becoming a call for struggle. Call it ideal but, the need for holiness doesn't stop by simply praying or by making good works alone, for like the saints and martyrs of the church, those who trying their bests to save lives and give a voice to the voiceless, who partake the bitter cup of sacrifice as they witness to the injustices of this world, do they bear holiness as they seek truth from facts and thus willing to resist and assert the just?   

This note ends up by saying that they didn't die in vain as they call for holiness and facing the struggle. That by pursuing holiness also means to stand up for truth and justice at all costs, if necessary by partaking the bitter cup of sacrifice in facing numerous challenges that affects not just the person in itself but also the community a person belongs. 

An untitled poem for Halloween

An untitled poem for Halloween

How tasty the soup is
As it suffices my hunger
It eases my heart
After enduring sadness and anger
The satisfying taste
Gives both light and warmth
Enough to fill an empty soul
All after the stress and toil

From time to time how stressful work is
Especially after enduring the boss's responses
Sometimes it affects my sleep
If not the time for me to eat
Many tasks to finish upon
Papers to pass, books to carry on
Yet the salary still quite low
But had to endure then and now

For sure my parents would disagree on this
Such as working for a low wage
Despite passing one, two, three, five pages
Accomplished works can't cast out their doubts
But the soup served ease my stresses
If not lightens out my burden
Enough for me to save for the times sudden
If not for the coffee that's often

Oh coffee! my joy and delight!
You made me awake against the forbidding night!
The soup! Enough for an ambrosia!
Compliments the coffee so glorious!
Enough to forget the low wage
Instead shutting the bosses down by passing them hundred pages
But good lord when will their consciences realise
That their servant worked hard yet ain't enough what they pay?

The war may be 'over' for now, but still, a free Artsakh no matter what!

 The war may be 'over' for now, 
but still, a free Artsakh no matter what!

by Kat Ulrike

At first, this writer may not be an Armenian, but this note sympathises with the Armenian people of Artsakh and its struggle for self-determination despite being disregarded by the world, beaten by the Azeris, what more of being alienated by a government who thinks staying silent means national survival. 

Armenians around the world are now grieving, lamenting the loss of life and suffering of its fellow compatriots in Artsakh. That by seeing them leaving their homes, these innocent human beings carrying nothing but their own belongings, what more to see them with fear in their eyes as Azerbaijan imposed a nine-month blockade of the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor, the only route connecting Artsakh to the outside world. 

Even the assurance from Russia would say is "token" enough to say "they able to help unlike most of the west", but most are deprived of food, necessary supplies, medical and emergency care. Thankfully there are those who able to show concern to these affected thousands in those times of crisis, providing assistance in any form to alleviate their suffering,  nonewithstanding the fear as Azeris, chanting the return of their "Nagorno Kabarakh" to the homeland wanted to expand in the name of "Greater Azerbaijan" that includes Hayastan itself.  

But, will the Armenians just accept it? Unless that person happens to be supportive of Pashinyan, but people should recall the words of Raffi, a renowned writer and Armenian nationalist, whose message still hold true today as did in 1915. He ingrained the values of education, independence, love of nation, and freedom in the Armenian mind. He urged the people of Hayastan to arm themselves and protect themselves. "Don't count on others to stand up for you!" he said. 

For sure the entire world only sees the humanitarian crisis over Ukraine and in Gaza Strip, while being mum over Artsakh. Sometimes this writer would wonder why the mum? Just because the war on Ukraine or that of Gaza Strip affects the flow of grains, oil, and gas around the globe? But how about the lives of many who demand justice and self-determination as a community? The situation in Artsakh is no different from what happened in Donbas and other provinces in Ukraine, Gaza Strip in Palestine, or even the Jewish communities in Israel! "Never Again!" said these Armenian folks as they remember the genocide of 1915, as they're willing to take the bitter cup of sacrifice while preparing the weapon and fight back not to repeat the tragedy if not to win back their homeland, their community, their honour as an entity. 

Hayastan must avenge the sorrow, suffering, and death of its people who were forced to abandon Artsakh. The victim's finest retribution is to seek and obtain the justice they deserve. Armenia must hold President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani government accountable for their criminal conduct by requesting that Azerbaijan be prosecuted for war crimes and genocide by the International Criminal Court; as well as President Pashinyan and his incompetence, preferring to sell its compatriots to the dogs. Armenians have a moral commitment to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to make its adversaries pay for the atrocities they have committed against the  people. Artsakh's suffering is also Hayastan's and even the world's suffering, and Artsakh's future also intertwines with that of Hayastan, and even the world.  

The news may blare through and through that the war has ended, but for Artsakh and Hayastan, the battle has only just begun. 

There are no words to say, except the right to resist.

There are no words to say, except the right to resist.

“To demand transparency is an act of patriotism.”

“To demand transparency is an act of patriotism.” 

 By Kat Ulrike 

 To demand transparency is itself an act of patriotism. 

 In a time when corrupt tyrants trying to justify their actions, it becomes a duty for a concerned folk to assert the need for transparency the way these tyrants, being elected by the people, sworn to upheld freedom and the rule of law. 

 Call it a form of gaslighting Duterte’s statement calling those opposing her anomalous Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIFs) as “enemies of the state” and “enemies of the peace”, but damn, what’s wrong in demanding transparency? Those people who she called enemies of the state are the ones who pay taxes and therefore asking why the need of public funds for confidential and intelligence purposes! She even afforded to say that such actions go against the protection and well-being of the citizenry but if one may ask, what protection or well-being is the Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary talking about? She and her office may brag numerous achievements ranging from feeding programs to free bus rides, but the obvious such as to surveil the folk and be justified with “national security” makes the intention the main emphasis- and it has nothing to do with any of her position. 

As an observer, Duterte’s action clearly states that her frustration to become a Defence Secretary shows. Instead of meeting the needs of the Education sector, why national security? On the first place, why accept the title when not even an educator? Of course, she doesn’t want to be treated as a spare tire! And the claim that Confidential and Intelligence Funds immediately contributes to peace is oversimplified and disregards the difficulties of governance and peacebuilding. Confidential and Intelligence Funds are one weapon among many that can be used for intelligence gathering and other covert operations that may indirectly support state security- and these are meant to be for the security agencies of the state. 

And in speaking of national security, especially after recent reports that made Duterte bow down to public pressure and had her CIFs rechanneled to state security agencies, is it really to defend the sovereignty and integrity of the nation and its people, or to consolidate interests of the current order by silencing dissent as what Duterte wanted? Again this demands transparency and accountability too. But regardless of what the current administration justifies its actions, that social justice, economic empowerment and stability, sound administration through participatory democracy, efficient law enforcement, and mass-oriented education all contribute to a just and lasting peace. 

But what Duterte said is an oversimplification that ignores such intricacies as she delegitimises any criticism or demand for transparency and accountability especially in the use of these public funds, if not an intentional forgetting that she is an elected official and like any other public personality she has to face the scrutiny of the people.

"Big chunks for guns and thin slices for books"

"Big chunks for guns and thin slices for books"

Or: "Thoughts after the current regime's 2024 budget
and its Confidential and Intelligence Funds"

By Kat Ulrike

“Guns will make us powerful; butter will only make us fat.”

- Reichmarschall Hermann Göring, 1936.

Regardless of their statements, the Marcos-Duterte regime has managed to have confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) totaling PHP 5.277 billion and PHP 4.864 billion. 

For just like its predecessor that uses "National Security" for an alibi, these Confidential and Intelligence Funds are rather used to consolidate their interests- that of filling their own pockets and that of its supporters, and to further attacks against the people. 

However, this issue is more than just about CIFs. For as the current administration continues that of its predecessors in emphasising internal security over that of others, the budget for 2024 continues the trend of boosting military and infrastructure spending while cutting funds for social services and public needs. The budget for 2024 includes PHP 733.2 billion for "special purpose funds" under the Office of the President, PHP 977.6 billion for public works, highways, and transportation, and PHP 9.7 billion for NTF-ELCAC, while cutting PHP 6.16 billion from state universities and colleges, PHP 10.17 billion from the Department of Health, and other welfare services including fuel subsidies.

Quite obvious that the regime would certainly choose guns while claiming to be having funds for the butter; and if this writer recalls, their intentions makes yours truly think they have studied Miguel Coronel's "Pro-Democracy People's War" with all its "development packages" just to support counterinsurgency operations- yet by seeing budget thin slices for others such as agriculture, education, health, and social services, is their desire to win the peace attainable in the long term?


Trying to use "National Security" as an excuse

But despite the scrutiny and criticism, justifying the need for CIFs rather create outrage. Yes, everything is tied to national security ranging from education to that of dealing with the industrial sectors, but the current order's view on national security is more to do with protecting their interest even at the expense of the folk: whether by filling the pockets of its supporters, to that of surveillance and "special operations", the current administration, as said earlier is as same as that of it's predecessors in its perchance to upheld the status quo of interest seekers and exploiters alike- and it is not surprising that such squandering of funds proves how these are used for corruption.

Just imagine how Vice President Sara Duterte spent the Office of the Vice President's PHP 125 million CIF in just 11 days? Of course, the office would brag about certain projects be it feeding programs to that of free rides, but if one may ask- why should these projects be "confidential" in the first place? Besides, these programs being taken pride about by the office using such funds are nothing compared to the obvious interest in surveilling against those who are concerned, in seeking truth, and voicing dissent. 

Currently, lawmakers talked about rechanneling CIFs to supposed agencies such as in the wake of tensions in West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard for instance is in need of such funds for their activities, as well as that of the National Security Council and the National intelligence Coordinating Agency, but if one may recall, such agencies dealing with security did really talked about bolstering national defence to uphold national sovereignty especially in the face of tensions coming from its neighbours; but at the same time these security agencies are also known for using their funds to conduct illegal surveillance and harassment against unionists, mass leaders, and opposition personalities. If one may ask, which is their priority given that they got their needed funds? Is it to upheld national sovereignty against a big chauvinist power? Or by protecting a rotten social order on the basis on national security? They would talk about modernising the armed forces, with all the "much needed" military materiel mostly of handouts, but will these meant to protect the nation or the order that controls in it? Remember, these mostly are used against communities in counterinsurgency operations. 

Big chunks for guns and 'safe houses',
Thin slices for books and schools

And since the admin pouring funds to national security and in piecemeal developments, health, social services, and education experienced cuts. 

With a nearly PhP10 billion budget reduction in 2024, the Department of Health also takes a significant hit. Only 481 billion, or 8% of the total national budget, will be allocated to health overall. And institutions like the Philippine General Hospital, the Philippine Heart Center, the National Kidney & Transplant Institute, the Lung Center of the Philippines, and the Philippine Children's Medical Center would see funding cuts.

The "emergency assistance programs" of the Department of Social Work and Development, which provide aid to Filipinos in need, will also see an almost 28 billion peso reduction in funding.

And although true that the Department of Education has able to got a substantial budget, this rather allocated only to the office of the Education Secretary headed by nonetheless VP Duterte herself. But how about its attached agencies like the the National Book Development Board, National Council for Children’s Television, National Museum of the Philippines, Philippine High School for the Arts, Early Childhood Care and Development Council, and the National Academy of Sports? Even State Colleges and Universities got only a share of PHP 6.16 billion. 

Other government departments like the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Labor and Employment, and even the Department of Migrant Workers got cuts in the national budget. With these cuts, or should say thin slices given to these departments, will these "win the peace" as what the current administration wanted?


"insidious reasons"?

“The success of a project, activity or program really depends on very good intelligence and surveillance because you want to target specific issues and challenges.”

- Sara Duterte

For sure supporters of the order would say that by reducing, or removing CIFs means against peace and development. Just like their idol Duterte whose tirades against the opposition, that seeing their idols being questioned by the opposition over the use of public funds for "intelligence" and "confidential" purposes as persons having "insidious reasons" that "jeopardize national development."

If so, then no wonder these supporters tolerate corrupt personages that filled their own pockets with funds meant to be for the people, if not intentionally having blind eye over state-sponsored terror against dissent and justified as "national security". The Vice President had no choice to submit to public pressure by letting legislators rechanneled her CIFs to that of the coast guard and other government security agencies enough to dispel further scrutiny; but will the concerned just accept the regime's bow-down to public pressure?

In fact, contrary to these supporters claims, that "insidious reasons" is much more deserved in their idols rather than those who strongly disagree with their actions involving public funds- and such insidious reasons of theirs doesn't "win the peace" at all. 

A free Artsakh even if heavens may fall!

 A free Artsakh even if heavens may fall!

by Kat Ulrike

At first this note certainly doubt that peace will prevail over Hayastan (Armenia). For despite assurances from both Armenian and Azeri governments as well as Turkish, Russian, and western observers, the realities such as Artsakh under Baku's full control, and tens of thousands of Artsakh Armenians have fled to Hayastan in fear of Azeribajan's full military might, these does not mean will create an atmosphere of peace.

And even though it only lasted for 24 hours, that "anti-terror operation" happened weeks ago gave Azerbaijan exactly what it wanted: the local defense forces capitulated and agreed to integration negotiations. The Lachin Corridor, the only route connecting Artsakh with Armenia, was finally opened by Baku five days after Azerbaijan barred it for 10 months. Armenians from Artsakh were able to evacuate due to this, and it doesn't appear that they will return. Baku benefits from such a result because it will be "simpler to rule Nagorno-Karabakh" with fewer Armenians present.

However, what worries most is how Prime Minister Pashinyan treated the situation. Of course, the main evil-doers are that of Azeribaijan and Turkey, but how come Pashinyan cannot escape from being pointed out by Armenians as a feeble kind of 'leader'? In 2001, he wrote in his Haykakan Jamanak newspaper and said “Through diplomacy, it is not possible not to return these [Artsakh] territories to Azerbaijan…Having abandoned our own lands, we are trying to be the owners of someone else’s land.” But as he became the head of the government after the western-sponsored 'revolution', Pashinyan made numerous contradictory statements regarding Artsakh, first stating emphatically that “Artsakh is Armenia, that’s it,” and then, “Artsakh is part of Azerbaijan.” What a foolish gesture as one may say that by saying "Artsakh is part of Azeribaijan" means peace with its neighbours while blaming everyone else for his misdeeds, including the former leaders, the domestic opposition and Russia.

But did the west whom Pashinyan thinks would help Armenia did helped? Other than press releases and token 'help' are nothing else. As Baku launched a military attack over Artsakh on the pretext of "anti-terror operation", Pashinyan really backtracked from his message as he declared that Armenia will stay out of the fight, giving Azerbaijan the go-ahead to conduct all kind of heinous crimes against the people of Artsakh. Pashinyan, having washed off his hands of Artsakh had urged its leaders to sort out their differences with its neighbour, as he simply ignored them as fellow Armenians while cherished the false belief that the people of Artsakh accept themselves as a minority and will live in peace when Artsakh is returned to Azerbaijan as Nagorno-Kabarakh. Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth- for as hundreds of Artsakh Armenians were killed and wounded, and thousands are missing as a result of Azerbaijan’s attack, Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, will continue his invasion of Artsakh while facing a militarily incompetent and weak Armenia in front of him. Aliyev, who thinks Hayastan as western Azeribaijan will continue to press the feeble Pashinyan for concessions while annexing more Armenian territory. 

To be honest, this writer ain't even an Armenian, but this situation over Artsakh and even Hayastan itself would say that the flames of Armenian struggle kept on growing. Decades ago people heard about groups like the Armenian Fedayeen, to that of ASALA and JUSTICE COMMANDOS sworn to promote justice against those whose blood in hands still justified its actions. Of course mainstream media branded them as bandits, terrorists, criminals, but to be honest would say that these folks who took arms were themselves patriotic enough unlike the regime whose aloofness quite deafening even the very Armenians themselves- that also enough to rise up having enough of Pashinyan capitulated to the whims of Aliyev. Even Russia’s statesmen, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, repeatedly stated that Pashinyan is the one who relinquished Artsakh. 

But speaking of Russia, to see an aloof west while Russia busy with its war against Ukraine makes one think or say that their action over a fellow Christian like Artsakh is token as opposed to the press releases being churned to and fro from the other side. The Russian peacekeepers, who were mandated by the 2020 agreement to safeguard the population of Artsakh and keep the Lachin Corridor open until 2025, may've failed miserably to carry out their responsibilities. But comparable to an aloof west (and even the international community in general) Pashinyan thinks will help Hayastan, Russia tried to yet not enough as a “guarantor” of peace and security of Artsakh and Hayastan while Azeribaijan harass them through and through - thus showing the limits of agreements required by the Collective Security Treaty signed by Armenia, Russia and several other former Soviet Republics, if not the same Russia that profits from selling weapons in one country while promises to protect the other. 

What would stop Aliyev from pushing through his idea of western Azeribaijan over Hayastan? Armenians hope that the world ain't aloof in the situation they faced, they have enough of seeing the feeble prime minister who is refusing to resign amidst growing protests. Of course there are legal means such as the ICJ or the United Nations to support Artsakh's right for self-determination and its will to unite with Hayastan. But is it enough? CSTO isn't enough, even the resolutions from the European Union ain't even enough, not even the statement from Kim Kardashian.  And it is not surprising that Armenians will rise up even without the government to support with- for no one wants a "peace" that's been forced by someone who would remind through and through of a tragic 'past', but instead what matters most for them is to fight defend their homeland back even if requires violating ceasefire orders and suffer heavy casualties. A free Artsakh united with mother Hayastan is a goal for Armenians and those who support its cause, even if mountains shook and heavens may fall.