(edited)

My nana virgie was involved in a violent accident on New Year’s eve itself. No, it wasn’t because of fireworks. (We’ve forgone on that tradition a long, long time ago) She was crossing a street when a white civic apparently hit her because he couldn’t be bothered to slow down and let an old woman cross. Since the white civic pulled over and was contemplating if he indeed hit her, she was sitting in the middle of the street when another fast approaching cab hit her. The cab driver then took nana virgie to the hospital. It was such a violent death and it still hasn’t sunk in.

Nana Virgie was such a kind person. She was with our family (my grandmother) for almost 40-50 years. When you say its hard to find good help these days, imagine how hard it is to find another Nana Virgie. You never heard her complain. Every Christmas, she would approach me on the side, and give me P100-P300 as a gift and she always tells me “kahit pang-load lang!” (I know its not big, at least you can use it to buy credits!) I remember being over there this Christmas, because we always spend christmas eve at my grandmother’s house. I remember her asking me when she’ll get to see Pat (my gf) again. It’s been more than a year since I brought Pat over. I told her don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of times! Baka nga yan na pakasalan ko eh! ( She might be the one!) I told Nana Virgie. That was the last time we spoke.

You see, Nana Virgie and I have a lot of history. When I was growing up, since the gap between my siblings (who are twins) is just a year, I’d usually end up being taken care of by my grandmother. I would get dropped off at her house and well I’d stay there. Since I was the only kid there, I’d usually be taken care of Nana Virgie. For breakfast, I would have Oatmeal and little hotdog bits in it. For merienda, she would concoct, pan de sal pizza made from her pizza sauce. I never did get the recipe for the spaghetti she always made. I always enjoyed that. I have a lot of fond childhood memories. And most, if not all of them are at my grandmothers with Nana Virgie. I can never imagine Banawe without her. I love you Nana Virgie. You were the link between me and my childhood and now that is gone.

Another loss is my 9 year old rottweiler died. Maki was beautiful. He was full of energy. He guarded our house. I could never walk him because he was too strong. People where just too scared of him. I remember, since I commuted from school when I was in HS. As soon as I started opening the gate, he would run towards the gate and would try to knock me over or pounce on me. He would always be there to greet me when I got home. Goodbye dear friend. I loved you dearly as well.

What a way to end 2009. I am looking forward to 2010. A year full of loss and yet, I felt as if I gained much more.

Ok so this post is not really a parody post on the morning talk show. (I’m sorry to disappoint?) But it is indeed a post on Ruffy and I.

I sat down with a cup of hot coffee and got down to business.

Rarely am I afforded the chance to really sit down with a possible senator and really discuss the man behind the politician. This is not in any way an endorsement of his candidacy nor am I telling you to go out and vote for him. This is just a post on what my experience is actually sitting down for about 3 hours and and talking with Ruffy Biazon.

Just a quick background on tonights guest, Ruffy Biazon is the son of the current senator Rodolfo Biazon. He was chief of staff for Sen. Biazon and is now serving his 3rd term as congressman for the district of Muntinlupa.

It was inevitable throughout tonights discussion that politics, and the dirt that comes with it, would be brought up and I would like to applaud Cong. Ruffy for being so candid and honest in all his answers. (I especially like when he admitted of being guilty on a certain issue. He did try to explain why or rather the reasoning on such acts but it never came across as defending himself which I really like)

Just some of my own observations at first. The first thing I really noticed about Cong. Ruffy was that he was soft spoken. I would sometimes strain to hear what he was saying. (This is very different from the typical flamboyant politician who literally booms over you sometimes!) He also seemed sincere. Not the type of sincerity that you kind of see thru after just a few minutes, but rather the type of sincerity that is deeply rooted in the values and type of person he really is. (He couldn’t have faked that for 3 hours!) But the most important thing I saw from our discussions were not the intellectual masturbation that we were all subject to during that night, but rather the passion that I could hear in his words. This was a man who didn’t have to talk to us the way he did, but he did so with so much gusto that one is instantly affected.

I’ve always had the notion that politicians are the type of people that if you typically don’t rub elbows with. But tonight I think I’ve seen what a public servant is really. No body guards. No entourage. Just his wife as well as his personal assistant to take pictures. No men in barongs outside Bo’s Coffee. It was just him.

I caught myself thinking that if this was someone Noynoy put on his senatorial line-up then they must have similar ideologies.

So I wasn’t really ready to take down notes, so I ended up scribbling on a piece of tissue paper some of the more important things he had to say.

Here are some of the finer points of tonights discussion:

• His first order of business if given a chance to take his turn at the senate would be to reform Sec.20 on the Commission of Appointments. This is a rarely heard of section but it bears so much significance. This is usually used and abused by some committee members. It is used to delay the appointment of a certain secretary or promotion just because they have a certain grudge or personal interest in the matter. This can be invoked as many times as possible. 
• His unique selling proposition is “what you see is what you get” which he likens himself to Noynoy.
• One of his primary platform policies is to “reform national security as a whole”
• He is not in favor of the right to reply bill as he sees it as an encroachment of the right to freedom of expression.
• If Charter Change is indeed pushed through in the 15th congress, he would like a constitutional convention rather than a con-ass. He feels that the current congress pool is tainted. One reform also that he would like to see amended is that we go back to 2 party system. (I greatly support this amendment! Hopefully with 2 parties offering up different ideologies so as to avoid rampant party switching like before!)
• He is also FOR the Reproductive Health Bill. He believes that women have the right to choose and even takes time to clearly explain the provisions of the law to his constituents. Even painstakingly going through each item if need be. Now that is service.

On the man behind the politician, Ruffy Biazon enjoys mixing music. He actually has a DJ station at home which hooks up to an ipod. Check out the latest mixes, it might be his! He also plays Airsoft! Visit his blog at http://ruffybiazon.blogspot.com. This is actually not a political blog but a personal blog where he posts his insights and feelings. I actually think this is very very admirable. I would want to get to know the person aside from the politician. It adds a personal component to it. He is also a very staunch family man who knows how to fear God. He’s a regular member of the VCF. (Victory Christian Fellowship)

I enjoyed tonight immensely. It gave me a renewed faith in some of our politicians. I already feel jaded enough but tonight was a revelation. It showed me that there is hope. There can be change. It is a possibility.

I hope to be able to sit down with some other candidates in the future.

Here are some of the bloggers who came to talk to the congressman.

Of course a group shot.

Here’s the Congressman taking time to really discuss some of his policies. As well as our souvenir mug!

The night ended on a high note. We had laughs and well there were some political jokes thrown around as well. Heavy insights as well as light hearted jabs were present. With my cup now empty of the caramel latte I ordered, my previously jaded view has somewhat cleared.

Now more than ever do I believe that we deserve the kind of leaders we elect. Like I said this is in no way endorsing Cong. Ruffy Biazon as a candidate for senator nor am I selling him as a banner for change. (I wouldn’t mind if he won though!) I just don’t want this to happen again.

You choose.

It was a tall task indeed to just shoot the breeze with bloggers like us. We had some interesting questions as well as light hearted ones. I wonder who will step up next to the plate and actually allow themselves to be questioned. 

Maybe, Mikey? 

*on a personal side note, I really want those shirts that LP members wear! Where do I get that?!?*