super cleng

2006-01-27T20:06:00.000+08:00

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House Bill No. 3555: The Bitter Pill!

2005-01-27T21:04:00.000+08:00

Have I become so aloof? I try to watch the news everyday to get me updated with what's happening in the corner and I'm not hiding in a cave, pero bakit ngayon ko lang nabalitaan na napasa na sa House of Representatives pala ang VAT Restructuring Bill? Hindi ko man lang nabalitaan na pinag-uusapan na ito sa Congress! I guess I was just bombarded with sensationalized news, those petty street crimes, and all, that I failed to notice the bigger and more important news. Or siguro, ganun lang talaga kagaling mag-conduct ng railroad/marathon sessions ng Congress lalu kapag may pressure from the President?!

It is ironic that I have little knowledge of economics, taxation, and all samantalang it has been my mom's job even before I was born. I must say that I have limited knowledge about taxation, so limited that any layman without formal education would even understand. Anyway, I'm not going to deal with that.

I'm aware that it is a part of the program of the Arroyo Administration and I also know about the nation's worsening fiscal problems. I understand the effort of the government in implementing measures to save our nation, but I just feel for the poor people. Definitely they are the ones who'll be affected greatly. Although there are major considerations in exempting the basic commodities, such as rice, corn, fish (bangus, tilapia, galunggong), eggs, noodles, fruits, beef, pork, and chicken. Paano ang mga sardinas, paano na kung ang isda ilagay sa lata, na hindi exempted sa VAT? Ergo, prices will still increase right?! And I'm wondering why independent power producers, and other cosmetic services are exempted from VAT? And I'm talking about cosmetic surgeries here, alright! Hindi naman kayang i-afford ng mga mahihirap ang magbayad ng ganung kalaki para lang sa pagpapaganda. My point here is, oo nga at we have to take the 'bitter pill' as Zubiri put it, para maligtas ang mamamayan sa mas malaking problema but the thing is, ang laki na ng pasanin ng consumers walang katapusang pagtaas ng gasolina, electricity, water, products and services, tapos tataas ulit hindi naman tumataas ang sweldo nila?! Bakit hindi kasi i-consider ang pagpataw ng buwis sa mga exempted gaya ng.... simbahan, maybe?! O kaya, mas mahigpit na monitoring sa mga hindi nagbabayad ng buwis. Ang daming negosyante ang hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis... Hmm, I should know...

My heart goes out to the poor Filipino. Personally, hindi ganun kasakit ang nararamdaman ko sa pagtaas ng VAT kasi hindi ako nagtratrabaho, kung may pera man ako bigay lang sa akin yun. Sa tuwing titignan ko ang resibo ng mga binili ko sa tuwing mag-shshopping ako, iniisip ko kung san napupunta yung 10% ng binayaran ko. Kung hindi ko pala nabalitaan ang pagincrease ng VAT, magugulat na lang pala ako sa pagtingin ko sa resibo ko next time... Ako, napapansin ko ang epekto ng VAT, paano pa kaya yung simpleng mamamayan na walang humpay sa pagtrabaho. Pagod at pawis ang puhunan para sa perang kikitain pero saan mapupunta sa VAT na pambayad sa basic services? Pero malala situation ng bansa kung hindi kikilos ng mga ganyang alternatibo ang pamahalaan anong mangyayari sa atin in the future?

Hindi ko alam kung saan talaga ako lulugar sa issue na ito. Pero kung bitter pill nga ito, sana hindi naman ganun katagal ang pagtiis ng mga Pilipino sa pag-inom ng gamot na ito". Sana hindi ma-immune ang mga kawawang Pilipino, Gaya ng sinabi ni Mr. Palengke, sana ito ay "sunset provision" lang. Kapag naka-recover ng konti ang bansa (sana talaga matupad ang recovery!), sana i-reduce nila ulit ang VAT. Sana tuparin ni Joe de Venecia at ni Nograles ang pangako nilang reduction ng VAT kapag nag-improve na ang fiscal problems ng bansa. Hanggang kailan kaya magtitiis ang Pilipino? Sana hindi ganun katagal...

Sa Senado kaya, ganun din kaya kabilis ang pagpasa nito gaya sa House of Representatives? Sabi kasi ni Drilon, gagawin ang lahat para mapasa ito in the soonest possible time...Hmmm... Ano kaya gagawin ng opposition senators para dito?

Anyway, can I just say, bakit nagiging trend na ata ng mga elected leaders ang pag-walk out kapag hindi maganda ang pinatutunguhan ng usapan/ debate nila? I just notice it, at kahit mas suportado ko ang ilan sa mga Congressman na nagwalk out nung isang araw, tingin ko hindi tama ginagawa nila. Sana tinapos na lang nila properly ang session para alam nila kung anong ending, kahit hindi in favor sa kanila, at least alam nila gagawin nila...

Goodbye Nemo: My Flowerhorn

2005-01-25T05:18:00.000+08:00

And now, it is empty...

Nemo, my flowerhorn, died early this afternoon due to poisoning. Ate Chona cleaned the aquarium early morning and probably there are soap suds left in the aquarium which Ate didn't notice that poisoned my little fish.

We named the fish after the famous clownfish Nemo. It was given to us by Uncle Boy some time in October last year. Actually, he gave us three fishes but the two didn't survive leaving Nemo alone. Nemo was with us for quite some time, and I practically enjoy feeding him with his food. He usually jumps and reaches out for his food. And I like it everytime he swiftly swims in his big home. I was supposed to buy him toys and artificial coral reefs for his home, this coming weekend, but it was too late...

I just felt sad that another pet has to go away. Honestly, Nemo wasn't a planned pet but since he was given to us, I might as well share my care for the little fish. I don't know how I would exactly feel if any of my pet dogs, die. *cross-fingers* But I got teary-eyed about Nemo, and good that I've gotten over it right away. I guess, I'm not that super-attached with him.

You might think that I'm crazy 'coz I get teary-eyed/ cry over my pets. Maybe I'm just too emotional that is why. But then, like many pet-lovers out there, one cannot deny the unconditional love and loyalty that your pets give you. They are there beside you in times of laughter and tears. They know if your happy or not. And even if you've beaten them up, they will still come to you, wagging their tails, as if they didn't get hurt. You can confide all your problems with them without judging you. All they need is not too much of your time, food, shelter, and they will reciprocate it with innocent love and loyalty. You might not get the real interaction or answers to your problems when you confide it with your pets, but it will sure make you feel better. You know, sometimes it's better to talk to your pets!

I used to be a dog-beater before. At one point, I regretted being cruel to them but then again, it helped me realize how special these creatures are. That just like us, they too have feelings. And they deserved to be treated fairly.I became a bit overboard about my post here. I was just supposed to post about the death of my little fish.

Anyway, good bye my dear Nemo. Thank you for the short but wonderful time we've spent together...

Saying goodbye to 2004

2004-12-29T23:14:00.000+08:00

I lost a loved one---my Uncle Ver.
I found the joy in reading, I read more than 5 books this year not to mention the few pages from law books-- The Revised Penal Code & The Family Code.
I enjoyed the beach life for 3 straight weeks by going to Agno.I became a blogger & learned basic html. I encountered a stampede in the mall.
I became a volunteer poll-watcher for Mama Letty during the last National Elections.
I bought a new camera phone.
I welcomed 4 adorable puppies in our home.
I got to play basketball again & in the process, improve my playing skills somehow.
spent quality time with my childhood bestfriends.
I drove like devil is chasing-after-me to avoid a 'much' bigger mess.
I had an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of my brain 'coz of a suspected brain tumor & thanks to the angels in the highest heavens, the results were benign.
I had sore eyes (conjunctivitis) for the first time.
I fret over a crazy guy stalking at me in a mall & an addict who's waving at me, calling my attention one midnight.
I learned that my guy friends really do care about me.

Things that happened in my life or my accomplishments might seem absurd & mundane to some, but still I appreciate & value everything --- No regrets!

I can say that I am stronger, more independent, a bit geeky, more responsible, braver, made new friendships even to people I haven't personally met because of all these experiences. I welcomed life and it's surprises... So I try to live my life to the fullest. I've became more open to my feelings especially towards my loved ones.. I'm comfortable saying "I Love you" to my Mom, my Kuya, etc... I learned to let go of someone I love (+Uncle Ver) & let my Creator do its Will.

I can just go on & on looking back at the memories of 2004. It has been a crazy year. There had been so many disasters, controversies in the world. Although it inadvertently affect me, it made me realize and understand life even more. This year has been crazy but GREAT as well!

And to cap the year of the monkey-2004, I'll be spending the holidays in Subic with my family and Karl (wow! first time). We'll be leaving in 10 minutes (off to Tarlac first, for the yearly gift giving to the barrio) so I'm not sure if this is going to be my last entry for the year.

Happy New Year y'all! I wish you all the best that life can offer on 2005! Take care & Keep safe...