One of my favorite bloggers once again rises to the occasion, this time against a seemingly illogical and truly hurtful decision (with far-reaching and far-ranging effects) on why Ladlad is refused accreditation. – Rob

From: http://houseonahill.net/a-benighted-and-repressive-comelec/#more-11205

A benighted and repressive Comelec
by Connie Veneracion on November 17, 2009

Just last week, in the column “Sometimes, TV doesn’t suck”, I asked whether religious persons make fair and objective leaders who will think, decide and act in favor of the common good rather than in compliance with their own religious biases. Today, I have to ask that question again in reaction to the Comelec’s resolution in SPP Case No. 09 – 228 denying accreditation to the Ang Ladlad LGBT Party.

The facts are not disputed. Ang Ladlad LGBT Party (Ladlad, for brevity) is composed of Lesbians, Gays, BisexuaIs, and Transgenders. It filed a petition with the Comelec seeking accreditation as a party to better represent the interests of its members and individuals in similar situation.

Ang Ladlad LGBT Party has complied with all legal requirements. In accordance with Republic Act 7941, it filed with the COMELEC a petition, attaching its constitution, by-laws, platform or program of government, list of officers, coalition agreement and other relevant information as the COMELEC may require.

In its petition, Ladlad averred that: it has nationwide constituency; it is not a religious sect or denomination; it does not advocate violence or unlawful means to seek its goal; it does not receive any support from any foreign government, foreign political party, foundation, organization, whether directly or indirectly; and it is not a party or organization that is an adjunct of, or a project organized or an entity funded or assisted by, the government.

The Comelec found nothing to hold any of these averments as untrue. Ergo, the Comelec should have granted the petition. But it didn’t. Why? Because, according to the resolution, homosexuality – as a status – is against the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Koran among other things.

The Comelec is a Constitutional Commission and the Constitution requires that majority of its members be comprised of lawyers “who have been engaged in the practice of law for at least ten years.” The intention is clear. Majority of the members of the Comelec should be well versed with the law and the application of that knowledge should prevail in resolving all issues before it.

But what does the resolution tell us? First, it quotes from the Bible. Then, it quotes from the Koran. Despite having complied with all legal requirements, Ladlad’s petition was denied because homosexuality is against the laws of two religions – a clear violation of civil rights, the exercise of which is based on what the law guarantees and not on what the church – any church – prohibits. Civil government and church are two distinct entities with separate sets of rules and spheres of authority. That is basic. That is something that even non-lawyers are aware of. How could the Comelec and all its legal thinktanks have missed that?

But, beyond the legality, what’s really mind blowing is the reasoning. The resolution sites the comment of the Comelec’s own Law Department which states that Ladlad advocates sexual immorality because homosexual relationships “serve no other purpose but to satisfy the market for violence, lust or pornography; offend any race or religion; tend to abet traffic in and use of prohibited drugs; and are contrary to law, public order, morals and good customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees and edicts.” Huh?

Based on news reports that we hear day in and day out, violence is more often engaged in by men who feel they’re so macho. Let’s not be hypocrites – lust is something that heterosexuals indulge in too. Even priests, for goodness sakes! Pornography is not something that only homosexuals make and watch. Offend any race? There are homosexuals in any race and all throughout history. Greek erotica, including those that depict homosexual acts, date back to 5th century BC. Tend to abet in the traffic and use of prohibited drugs? Where are the statistics? Drug trafficking is a global business. It doesn’t have anything to do with sexual orientation. Drug use is a global problem and it transcends social class, sex, race and religious belief.

Contrary to law, lawful orders, decrees and edicts? Which ones? I’m not sure if you’ve heard of the term bill of attainder. It is a law that punishes a person or persons for his or their STATUS and not because of something that he or they have done that constitutes an offense. A bill of attainder is unconstitutional because our legal system follows the principle that it is the act that is punishable rather than the status or condition of a person. That’s why there is no law punishing homosexuality. It would be a bill of attainder. Just like any law that punishes being ugly or being stupid. Even the condition of being corrupt is not punishable. One has to commit an act of corruption, as defined by law, to be held liable.

Offend any religion? Ah, now we really get into the meat of the issue. Despite all the instances cited, this is the only phrase that matters. Homosexuality does offend religion, the Comelec cited two, and it goes on to make a sweeping generalization as though to offend these two is to offend all. Even if homosexuality offends religion, so what? That is for religious authorities to deal with. That is not for civil government to dabble in.

The Comelec resolution does not carry the weight of criminal law and the denial of Ladlad’s petition does not include the imposition of a penalty – at least, at first blush, because in modern society, penalty in law is either imprisonment or fine. But what the Comelec imposes on Ladlad – and on all homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders – is a deprivation of the right of representation which, had the party consisted of heterosexuals, would have been readily granted.

From one perspective, this denial of right of representation is even worse than the imposition of a penalty. Imprisonment is not forever. Heck, even life imprisonment has a maximum. A fine once paid is finished and done with. But if the legality of the Comelec resolution is accepted, this denial of rights may be for far longer than the lifetime of the members of Ladlad. And it will affect people who have not even been born yet.

I smell certiorari in the air. And it’s a smell that I welcome.

(To be continued…)

Dennis and I have lately been doing a soup-and-bread dinner. I would get these packed soups – the ones that only need to be dropped into boiling water – and add shreds of chicken meat, boiled eggs and real vegetables. I would then toast sliced bread with butter and shredded cheese. We’ve taken to washing down everything with our usual iced tea and orange juice with pulp mix. It’s quite a hearty meal!

I discovered that a serrated plastic knife is also ideal for shredding boiled chicken meat without any fuss. I got this Gondol (http://www.gondolplastic.com/)  plastic serrated knife. It’s supposed to cut vegetables such as the leafy ones but I find it’s also good for shredding boiled meat if you don’t want to do it manually. Before, I would shred boiled chicken meat with my bare hands specially when I like to mix it with Lady’s Choice sandwich spread to make chicken sandwiches. Soon after, I also discovered that I could use the blender to shred boiled chicken meat for a truly finer chicken spread. Now this, a third way of doing it.

Dennis and I have also taken to eating again fried dried squid with fried rice, also for dinner. It has been our favorite for many years but it’s only recently that we’re re-discovering how simple and filling it is.  I would deep fry the dried squids and  prepare a vinegar-patis-sugar dip and make fried rice with bits of fried eggs and an ample dash of garlic powder and a pinch of salt. It’s another hearty meal!

P. S.
It so happens that I just finished watching “Julie & Julia.” Despite the not-so-good reviews I read before, I liked the movie. While I found Julia’s story interesting, it was Julie’s life that I found more engaging. It could be because it is of the here-and-now, it is current and truly relatable. Specially so since Julie is also a blogger, has a job that she finds unfulfilling and full of pressure and financial well-being that’s comparatively below par compared to her contemporaries. Her saving grace are her love of food and the love of her husband.

Meryl Streep of course is in her element. She had Julia Child’s voice down pat. It was amazing how the filmmakers made her look like she was indeed about six feet tall, as was the original Julia!

The film is about the struggles of both women as they try to find their place – something a lot of us go through too every day.

It was quite toxic at the office yesterday and the toxicity level was raised a notch more by a domestic issue. But all’s well that ended well I hope. Some days indeed can be dark and dreary.

Even then, I still had the chance to review blogs on my favorite list. One of them posited the question of the relevance of mounting non-Filipino (actually, “Western”) plays. The blog author actually clipped a review of a play; theblog author asked his readers about their own takes on the issues that were forced out into the open both by the clipped review and the blog author’s own views.

I wanted very much to weigh in but I didn’t. So much for intellectual pursuits.

I also read a news article about a dying man (he suffers from an incurable disease of the nervous sytem) who held his funeral while he is still alive. What a novel concept, but one that has so many ethical conundrums built-in into the equation.

Would I want to do something like that?

It was markedly colder this morning than yesterday morning. Autumn indeed is here!

Best of luck to Jun R. on his exams tomorrow!

Finally, today is the birthday of one of my fave sis-in-laws – happy birthday Ate M!

via http://www.arabnews.com/?page=9&section=0&article=127741&d=27&m=10&y=2009

It’s one of those rare times when Arab News features a citizen of the Philippines in its pages so I just had to clip and share with you. – Rob

Bea Valdes: World-famous Filipina designer Lisa Kaaki | Arab News

In the next few years, Asian and African designers will play an increasing role on the global fashion scene. Even the most famous European fashion designers such as the genial Galiano and even the late Yves Saint Laurent often turned to the East for inspiration. The Filipina designer, Bea Valdes, is currently enjoying an unprecedented success, both in Europe and the United States. Valdes, whose family has been working in the jewelry business for three generations, began designing evening bags in 2004. She soon became interested in statement neckpieces, these giant necklaces which add “wow” to the most casual clothes. Her ‘artrageous’ creations have been photographed in Harper’s Bazaar, Newsweek, Glamour and Marie Claire. More recently, British Vogue’s September issue featured Kate Moss wearing only a Burberry trench coat and a sublime neckpiece by Bea Valdes. Sold in well-known shops such as Barney’s, Harvey Nichols and Saks Fifth Avenue, her jewelry has been worn by Sharon Stone, Kate Hudson and of course Kate Moss. A Bea Valdes piece, whether a bag or a neckpiece, takes around a month to finish. Each piece is handmade and can consist of up to 75 different beads, crystals, and even semiprecious stones. “I don’t really plan what I create. I begin by working on my panels. Sometimes, a panel will tell me what it wants to be, a bag or a neckpiece. We are a work in progress and that is the kind of mindset I plan on keeping for the years to come. We are in constant search of new material and we aim to evolve in design and technique,” she explains. She has chosen to remain in the Philippines where she works closely with her team of forty artisans. She feels it is important to maintain a creative environment and Manila is the only place where what she wants can be done as she wants. Bea Valdes grew up in the Philippines. She graduated with a degree in Industrial Design from the University of the Philippines and then studied Interior Design in London. When she was applying to Central Saint Martins for Jewelry Design, a professor she met for an interview, saw the embroidered panels she had brought along and told her to use them as bags. In 2000, she created 12 egg-shaped bags which were an instant success. And her breakthrough happened when one of Bea’s clients brought some of the bespoke bags to Vogue and they immediately requested a photo shoot and an interview. She is presently famous for her gorgeous, bold necklaces, the niche she was looking for, a kind of jewelry which is neither fine nor costume. “It was like trying to create the antithesis of fine jewelry while still capturing the drama of it,” says Bea who was surprised by customers’ reactions. A number of women felt they were too short to wear such huge pieces: “I am quite small myself and love the fact that the pieces are oversized.” Bea draws some inspiration from outside the fashion world, presently she is mostly influenced by writers such as Edward Gorey and the French poet Charles Baudelaire. She admits that she likes pieces that tell a story and according to her sister Marga: “She designs everything for herself, something I would wear, something she would wear. It’s just something she would like.” As for Bea, every time she starts working on a new bag, she says: “This will be my favorite piece. And then, the next time I start another, I say it again. That’s my motivation.” Her bold necklaces have been doing very well since they were launched on the market a couple of seasons ago. The best-selling pieces are the most intricate, most of which are bespoke. Besides the regular collections which are sold worldwide, Bea Valdes continues to do special orders for private customers in Manila and abroad. Despite her global success, the most well-known Filipina designer remains unchanged. Bea Valdes still spends most of her time designing, despite the birth of her daughter, Bella. Her presence, however, has affected Bea’s creativity. She tends now to use fewer dark and bold colors in favor of pastels and light colors. For Bea Valdes, “The most important thing in one’s life is that you do the work you love with the people you love.”

 

CAT BITE
Yesterday (Friday/Oct. 23) at lunch, I was feeding Merrill some chicken morsels when he missed them and instead got the tip of my forefinger. My, was it painful! I really felt Merrill’s tooth as it punctured my flesh. Blood oozed out of the puncture wound immediately and I rushed to the kitchen to get the blood and the wound washed by tap water. Dennis went to look for a Band Aid strip.

Merrill seemed to sense he contributed to something awful for he made himself scarce while we were in panic mode over the bleeding wound; we found him hiding under the shelf which we use as our cupboard.

After the bleeding stopped, due to the Band Aid strip wound too tight around the wound, I felt that all was well that ended well. But after about two hours, my forefinger turned hard and swollen. This spurred me to check the Internet for cat bites. All the articles I read said that cat bites must be taken seriously for they are dangerous, if not for rabies, then for the bacteria in cats’ mouths which may lead to fatal infection specially of a puncture wound.

Dennis arranged to get me to a doctor, just to be on the sure side against any possible infection. After about SR300, I got a prescription for pain relief, and antibiotic ointment and pills.

MEETING NEW PEOPLE
Also over the weekend, Dennis and I met a couple and their two kids. The wife works in a hospital. When she heard about Kuya Ed’s dialysis treatments, she readily offered to get some of the medication he might need. If we can give her a list of the medicines, she can maybe get some for free.

This reminded me of inspirational stories/messages I read before, of why fate makes us meet total strangers who turn out to be generous souls.

The lady has been a friend of a friend for many years and it’s only recently that our paths crossed.

A few times in the past, whenever Dennis and I meet new people, I would sometimes ask him, “Why do you think we met this particular person? Is there a design behind the meeting?”

I never get a coherent answer from Dennis but we both seem to believe and hope that meeting a particular stranger can only mean blessings.

THE GOVERNMENT THAT THE PHILIPPINES NEEDS
The recent disasters that ravaged parts of the Philippines in recent weeks and months brought out what’s best with the Philippines and Filipinos – that in the direst of straits, we rise to the occassion.

I hope and I pray that come election time, the same sterling qualities – our resilience and tenacity – will urge voters to elect into office leaders who will transform the Philippines into a modern country, a nation that is aware of how best to use technology to make communities green and environments sustainable.

We don’t need a leader so involved in politics, not even in economics. The so-called changing global climate, and how best we must respond and adapt, must be the primary basis for our choice of leaders now.

And such a leader certainly goes beyond planting a tree on Arbor Day.

[via http://pinoyambisyoso.com/blogs/philippine-blog-awards-2009-winners#more-5495 who in turn, got it from the Philippine Blog Awards website.]

This is my humble homage to award-winning bloggers. – Rob

Here are the Philippine Blog Awards 2009 Winners.

SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Blog Design – The Site Guy
Best Filipino Blog Abroad – The Warped Zone
Best Foreign Blog – My Sari Sari Store
Blogger’s Choice – Micamyx
Best Filipiniana Blog – Pilipino Komiks

TEN BEST POSTS OF THE YEAR
Karnabal by Tuyong Tinta ng Bolpen
Finding Your Soul Mate: A Statistical Analysis by Guttervomit
Lost Gems Of Philippine History: The 1896 Board Meeting by It’s true! It’s true!
The Diving Boys of Quezon Bridge by Dennis Villegas
Twenty Pesos by Lostphotograph
The way of the leaf by SMOKE
Portrait of a dramatic highlight in Nick Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino by Gibbs Cadiz
Kaya Dumarami ang Bading Kasi… by Manila Gay Guy
The Parable of the Furry White Rabbit by Good Times Manila
The Amazing Bulul: A Story of Epiphany by The Cat Whisperer

BEST BLOGS
Best Technology Blog – Jaypee Online
Best Travel Blog – Langyaw – Sojourns and Off-the-Beaten Path Travels
Best Entertainment Blog – Lessons From the School of Inattention
Best Personal Blog – Writing on Air
Best Food & Beverage Blog – Table for Three, Please
Best Family & Living Blog – Make or Break
Best News & Media Blog – Virtual Journals
Best Business Blog – Negosyo Ideas
Best Sports Blog – Fire Quinito
Best Hobby & Recreation Blog – Bearbrick Love
Best Fashion Blog – Who is Elyoo?
Best Photoblog – I Am a Documentary Photographer
Best Culture and Arts Blog – magnetic-rose.net: Japanese Pop Culture for Filipino Fans
Best Commentary Blog – The Marocharim Experiment
Best Videocast Blog – Entrepbuff.com
Best Podcast Blog – Brink Notes Entertainment Daily
Best Humor Blog – The Professional Heckler
Best Gaming Blog – Blog Mike Got Game!
Best Advocacy Blog – Autism Society of the Philippines
Best Beauty Blog – The Doctor Is vaINlo

Source : PBA 2009 Website

Yesterday (Friday/Oct. 16), Dennis and I went with a gang of friends to a picnic site in the outskirts of Riyadh. The area is called Ha-ir and infamous locally as the site of the equivalent of our Bilibid prisons at Muntinlupa. It is also known among Filipinos as a picnic site, if only for the streams that crisscross the area.

The last time Dennis and I were at Ha-ir was in the 1990s. I was looking forward to making tampisaw again in the streams, but it was not to be. We went to a private compound that looks like it used to be a farm. It was obvious that the farm is no longer in use as one – the animals have long been gone. There only remained the remnants of stables and an oval truck used for exercising horses.

The farm is in disarray; indeed, it is in a sorry, derelict and dilapidated state. This however, did not deter Filipinos from making the most out of the place.

The ex-farm’s caretakers have built ramshackle sheds with makeshift wooden tables and grilling areas. For a fee, they supply plastic chairs and tables. A nearby store, by the compound’s gate, sells stuff including charcoal and ice.

The appeal of the place is its distance from the city; it is also said that unlike in an esteraja (resort), the farm is out-of-bounds to the religious police. The presumption being, you can engage in hanky-panky without fear if you’re so inclined.

We weren’t and so we bonded instead on kantiyawan (teasing) and stories. We also grilled fresh tilapia and marinated spring chicken. We finished our meal with cones of ice cream from a mobile ice cream van.

Karlo brought his Savage RC and let it roam roaring in the uneven fields.

The other Filipinos (methinks there were only Filipinos) in many other groups were either singing to videoke and eating brunch or lunch. Some were going around taking photos as there are areas in the compound that seem to be under renovation, making those areas look like portions of the old city of Diriyah.

The picnic was far from relaxing; the fun was in mingling with friends.

Dennis and I have been playing hosts to new housemates since about two weeks ago, but not of the Big Brother type. They are new additions to the company I work for. They were provided housing allowances but since they’re still new, we played up the charitable gene and invited them to stay at our flat.

At first, we had two of them. We picked them up at the airport. One arrived early but was held up at Immigration for finger-printing. It took us about four hours of waiting before we finally saw him get out of the Customs area. The other one (we picked him up the next day), went through Immigration and Customs in a breeze but he did not go through the finger-printing process. This means that the company will have to find a way to get him finger-printed one of these days, which in turn means, he has to queue up just the same.

The first two stayed with us for a week. They moved to another flat (offered by equally well-meaning kababayan). They did not have to rent space but the new villa is quite a distance to the office and so they are spending quite a sum on transport – that is, if they can’t catch one of the many so-called “colorum” modes of transport that ply their district.

The third one arrived just when the first two were leaving. He too arrived early in the airport but managed to get out of the Customs area also after about four hours and sans finger-printing. All that waiting for nothing! You also have to wonder how the finger-printing process goes in the airports. Is it up to the whims and caprices of those in charge?

The third one is still with us as I write this. All three of them are planning to rent just one space, preferably something nearer to what will become our company’s new digs.

I was in full Martha Stewart mode when our new housemates stayed with us. They were picked up at the airport and they had quilt-covered mattresses and matching pillows to sleep on. They even had free rein of my laptop so they can chat with their loved ones and tell them they arrived safely and safely ensconsced in our flat, he he.

One time, I had the foresight of asking them if anyone is allergic to seafood (I was planning to serve crabs in coconut milk). One of them said that he doesn’t eat crabs but not because he is allergic but because his faith/religion does not condone eating shellfish. It turns out, as he explained it later, that his faith/religion only lets him eat seafood that has scales!

Chalk up that one to learning something new everyday.

It’s refreshing to have new people at our flat; Dennis and I are more than pleased to be of help.

On the night when they were supposed to be celebrating their National Day, and when their King was inaugurating his eponymous state-of-the-art research university in the Western region, many local youth in the Eastern region collectively decided to go on a rampage to vandalize and loot many establishments along the Eastern region’s famed and popular Corniche.

It was a rare display of seemingly spontaneous mass action.

Those caught were immediately sentenced to public flogging.

From news reports, the rampage was precipitated by shouts that a particular chain of restaurants identified/classified as Western (or American) was a supporter of Israel. It was more than sufficient call for the local youth to break window panels and ransack the restaurant including other nearby food outlets and shops.

Media of course was rife with commentaries and analyses. Even letter-writers joined in letting their views be heard/read. The popular sentiment among them included the lament that there is a current lack of avenues, if not channels (venues and activities) for local youth nervous energies that could very well occupy their minds and time. Government is being blamed for such lack. Communities,schools, parents and families too are being blamed.

My take on all of this is that everyone seems to be right. Everyone deserves the blame game and the finger-pointing.

After all, someone once famously said, “It takes a village.”

Via http://blogs.stylebible.ph/rajosblog/:

TYPHOON SURVIVAL KIT

1. Clean drinking water. Good enough for a week. Consider having at least 1 gallon per person.
2. Other drinks. Consider: juices in packs, carbonated drinks, coffee.
3. Food. Also good enough for a week. Consider:
   • Snacks that are easy to store and carry (biscuits, cookies)
   • Non-perishable canned food (corned beef, tuna, pork and beans, vienna sausage, etc.)
   • Candies to maintain sugar in body and keep acidity at bay
   • Bread that will last for a few days, for carbo load
   • Instant noodles, if you have the means to cook
   • IMPORTANT: food for babies and the elderly if you have some staying with you
4. Food utensils.
   • Spoons, forks, knives, paper plates, drinking cups
   • Non-electric can opener
   • Cooking stove and fuel, if possible
   • Plastic bags
5. Medicines. Consider having medicines for the following:
   • Fever and nausea
   • Coughs and colds
   • Hypertension
   • Diabetes
   • Diarrhea
   • Anti-tetanus
   • Anti-leptospirosis
   • Other prescription drugs that you need to take
6. First Aid kit. Must contain band-aids, gauze, tweezers, alcohol, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, bandage scissors, absorbent dressings, antiseptic wipe packets, cold compress, gloves and thermometer.
7. Sanitation kit. Make sure that you have tissue wipes, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, diapers.
8. Toiletries. These include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap.
9. Blankets, towels, comforters, pillows. You can put them in large garbage bags to keep from getting wet.
10. Extra clothes and underwear. Put them in plastic bags to avoid from getting wet. If you can, pack something that will last you for a few days.
11. Jackets, sweaters, socks, caps. And anything else that will keep you warm and dry.
12. Emergency lights and flashlights
13. Fresh batteries. Have reserves for batteries of different sizes, especially for radios and flashlights.
14. Radio. Must be portable, battery operated, has functional AM station.
15. Mobile phone. Make sure the battery is fully charged, and that you have a spare one, too, in case of emergency. Also consider walkie-talkies.
16. Cash. Banks and ATMs might not be available so make sure that you have cash with you.
17. Keys. Have copies of keys to the front door, back door, garage, car, etc.
18. Items for pets. Consider also having a leash, muzzle, cage and food for your pets.
19. Umbrellas and tents
20. Water pails and dippers
21. Floatation devices like life jackets, styrofoams, old tires, etc.
22. Rope

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO PROTECT

Many people have died trying to go back for these things, so it’s important that you are well-prepared already at this point in time. Keep these documents in a water-proof container:

1. Birth certificates
2. Insurance records
3. Medical records
4. SSS, Pag-ibig and Philhealth records
5. Identification cards
6. Passports
7. Bank account numbers and records
8. Emergency contact numbers
9. Contact numbers of family, friends and loved ones