Ondoy literally means “Little Boy“

We lost all forms of communication last Saturday night amidst all the commotion happening in the Philippines and most especially the Metro. I was literally left nothing to do. I couldn’t go out because of the flooding. I couldn’t do anything. I hate being a spectator but that was just I am during these troubling times. No Pringles entry for now because of the disaster. I guess we never actually grasped what the provinces of Bicol experience during these really big floods. We’ve been so disconnected with the rest of the Philippines. But good ole’ mother nature brought the cause right at our doorstep. I was amazed that at this day and age, so much flooding can happen in Metro Manila. Houses sinking, cars being left at the mercy of flood waters, we were unprepared. We were caught off-guard. We never expected this. I have no idea what the Government is doing. Presidential  Gibo Teodoro for sure is not getting my vote this coming May 2010 elections. We’ve heard so little from him. The areas I heard most in the news are Marikina and Pasig. Mayor Marites Fernando and Presidential Candidate Bayani Fernando, what are you doing? (Live up to your name-sake! They need one right now.) I realize that I’m being hard on these guys but hell, this is their shining moment, or rather their defining moment. Actually we all need to step up.

Flood in Manila

Apathy is one nasty word. One that we are mostly guilty off. Although there is something inertly asking us to urge and move, for fear of retribution or rather for fear of the unknown we stay in place and do nothing, or even worse, turn a blind eye and leave. The tropical typhoon may have passed, but we are not out of the woods yet. The worse is yet to come. Remember the people who will step up. Remember the kind of leaders we elect. We need better people. We deserve better people.

Waist Deep Water

Pasig. Ortigas Extension (REUTERS/Erik de Castro (PHILIPPINES ENVIRONMENT DISASTER) Pic. Reuters)

All photos taken from the internet and various sources (Erik De Castro for the Pictures)

Let’s put it in the simplest way possible, we weren’t prepared. Too comfortable in our little Metropolitan safehouse that we didn’t think anything of it. The typhoon lived up to its named (Ondoy) which means “little boy”. It wasn’t even a super typhoon and yet so much destruction, so many lives disrupted, we can’t help but blame ourselves.
Who are we to blame?

There has been a link circulating around the web that GMA (yes our president) basically squandered the emergency fund amounting to Php 800 Million. (In a nutshell, she went over budget with her trips so thinking we won’t miss it, or won’t be using it anytime soon used the emergency fund.) But should we really blame her? After all, we ELECTED her in 2004. People have been praying for mercy. As the old addage goes, “Nasa Diyos ang Awa nasa tao ang gawa” (God has the mercy but it’s still up to man to do something) . We will get our chance.

Another typhoon is said to be heading our in 3 days. Are we going to be ready this time?

On lighter side, it is awesome to see Filipinos actually doing something for fellow Filipinos. The uncountable facebook messages relaying emergency numbers. People willing to skip work to help out. Strangers opening up their houses sto those stranded by the flood. The quick mobilization of local rescue groups as well as influential institutions helping out quickly and mobilizing man-power to help alleviate the situation. There is a strong sense of volunteerism now coursing through the veins of most Filipinos. (Probably the Cory magic still?) Go out there and do your part. Send clothes, blankets, ready-to-eat food, or even just help out in packing the already donated goods. Now is the time to relish what it is to be part of the lucky few. To really know that meaning of MAGIS as well as Cura-personalis. It took a small boy to bring Manila to its knees, yes. But it was that same boy that united the Filipinos today. As a facebook blogger said, Daghang Salamat Ondoy. (Thank you Ondoy) I remember driving home and seeing a quote on the back of a jeep which really hit me. None of the “basta driver sweet lover”, or “sexy libre sakay” (driver’s are sweet lovers, sexy girls ride for free). The quote read:

“From our ashes will rise the monument of our success. “

Indeed. Our time is now.

Cars after the waters subside

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?!?*