Don't quite see it yet? Here's a closer look.



If you are familiar with the area of EDSA - Harrison, you would have seen this "footless" bridge, in MMDA blue and pink diagonally crossing Harrison Street in Pasay. This "footless" bridge has been without stairs on both ends, rendering it useless, and has been so for more than two months since it first went up. This is admidst several tarpaulin banners along that stretch of EDSA announcing the infrastructure construction list under the faces of GMA, BF, Peewee Trinidad and another politician with a moustache whose name escapes me right now.

Lest the BF hornblowers think here she goes again pointing out the bad and ignoring the good, I would like to thank the MMDA for doing a good job of planting balete trees along EDSA. I can imagine them years from now, giving adequate clean oxygen and shade to people who may be walking along the pink-lined sidewalks.

I wonder though, if by some solomonic wisdom the MMDA has chosen to spend more on the chairman's facial tarpaulin banners than on finishing the footbridge, or moving the footbridge to a more strategic place. Like somewhere in front of Savers Plaza and the opposite side, where those big signs say "Walang Tawiran Nakamamatay."

You may have seen the newer versions of BF's tarpaulin banners announcing the nationwide rotunda design contest. Take note: nationwide. Ergo now Bayani Fernando has the excuse to put up his face anywhere in the country, because this is now a nationwide campaign. Tuso talaga tong BF na ito. Note also that the newest versions of the Metro Gwapo Tao Ganado (or what I'd like to call Metro Kwago Tao Ginagago) pink and blue signs on the walls in the metro now sport a third line that says "Proyekto ni Pangulong Gloria."

Is BF buttering up GMA for the post for which she has said she will not run again? Or is this a tacit pat of the sword on the shoulder of the Chairman from GMA?

They do not wear safety harnesses, and not all of them have helmets. Some of them don't even have gloves or other similar protective clothing. They climb to more than a hundred feet with no elevators or winches or pulleys and platforms. They climb on their own steam.

And for what? Just so a pharmaceutical company can sell a few more capsules of vitamins. These workers don't even earn enough to buy a jar of the vitamins advertised by the banner they are hoisting. Whether they even have insurance is even in doubt. But the billboards are a necessity to capitalism. Then again, so is the sacrifice of the labor force a necessity to capitalism.

So the lives of these workers are put in peril on an almost daily basis, all in the name of capitalism.

Ka Bel’s death can be considered a quiet disaster with an explosive impact. When the rest of society seems to explode either with senseless violence or equally violent thoughts, feelings and language from “shoot to kill,” “beasts” and “restore the death penalty,” in death a man ironically, offers an alternative to violence: voluntary poverty and simplicity.

Ka Bel did not die in detention or in a violent rally dispersal, which he was always ready for. Instead, he dies from an unexpected cause whose impact is probably deeper than if he died as militant leaders usually do. Ka Bel died leaving a legacy of contradiction and counter-witness. He died a poor and simple politician. He died repairing his own leaking roof. He died working, serving and not being served.

from "Ka Bel's Legacy: Voluntary Poverty and Simplicity", Fr. Roberto P. Reyes

Precious few are the men you will meet with the rank of Congressman who will go up on the roof of his own house to fix a leak. Not in this country.

All you congressmen at the House of Representatives hang your head not as much as in sorrow for the loss of a good man in your midst, but in shame as none of you has stayed firm to his ideals and principles as the late Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran.

You can read Sam's requiem for Ka Bel here: Mabuhay ka Ka Bel!

Previous to this post I blogged about a new poster with Bayani Fernando's mug at the South End of Roxas Blvd. I mention in this post the revisions made to BF's face on the pink tarpaulin posters that continue to proliferate along the length of EDSA. This excerpt from GMA news gives credence to my assertion that Bayani Fernando is a vain megalomaniac.

MMDA chair gets 'makeover' in street posters
05/08/2008

MANILA, Philippines - Motorists and commuters who ply Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) will soon be greeted by tarpaulins bearing the new photo of a “smiling" Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

According to a report aired by GMA's 24 Oras on Thursday, Fernando decided to replace his present tarpaulins which bear the photo of a “serious" looking MMDA chairman.

Fernando, who had earlier announced that he would want to run for the presidency in 2010, had earlier posted his tarpaulins in key areas of Metro Manila.

The said tarpaulins drew flak from Fernando critics who accused the MMDA chairman of using public funds for his early campaign.

“This time I’ll try the one that’s smile. May be the reason why some people got mad, it is because they want to see an adorable smiling Fernando," the MMDA chair said.

YUK! But to continue ...

Fernando’s number one critic, Paranaque Rep. Roil Golez said he already filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against the MMDA chairman.

Golez asked the Ombudsman to investigate Fernando over the latter’s tarpaulins along EDSA, none release of clothing allowance of MMDA personnel, and irregularities over MMDA regulations like the use of pink fences and U-turn slots.

The lawmaker also urged Malacanang to investigate and subject MMDA officials to a lifestyle check and determine if they have unexplained wealth.

When asked about Fernando’s plan to place his new tarpaulins, Golez said: “People are wondering why there are funds for tarpaulins but none for the clothing allowance…that will be another case for him."

In a separate text message to GMANews.Tv, Golez added: “Nakangiti o nakasimangot is not the issue. The issue is he is violating the MMDA rules banning billboards along high ways and avenues, spending scarce MMDA funds for his political promotion."

Golez said he will pursue his case against Fernando before the Ombudsman, “smiling or scowling."

Fernando, meanwhile, said he has no grudge against Golez despite the lawmakers move against him.

Fernando's tarpaulins - widely considered to be political ads - were torn down by the local government of Makati City, which is headed by Mayor Jejomar Binay, who is said to be another contender for presidential post in 2010.

Makati City executives have said then that they are not afraid of any retaliatory move from Fernando who had ordered the MMDA to tear down commercial billboards some months back without the owners' permission.- GMANews.TV

MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno shrugged off criticisms that the tarpaulin posters smacked of early campaigning by Fernando, who has expressed a desire to run for President in 2010.

"The posters inform the public about our programs and appeal to the public to follow the law. Nowhere can you find any political message in them," he said.

Nacianceno said the posters were far from being campaigning tools considering that they show a photo of a "stern-looking" Fernando instead of a smiling one.

"His picture is not meant to attract people. It's meant to warn them," he said.

Excerpt from MMDA Won't take down BF Posters

For the second time MMDA Chairman Bayani BF Fernando's minion Robert Nacianceno opened his mouth, his boss did something that proves him wrong.

The first time was when Nacianceno said that the MMDA would help bring the wet paint rag vandals to justice. A few days later, the metropolis finds out that the wet paint rag vandals were his co-workers at the MMDA, operating on orders by no less than the Chairman himself.

This time Nacianceno defended his boss's enormous narcissistic tarpaulin banners saying that they are meant to warn and not to attract.

Yeah, right, Mr. Nacianceno.

Explain then, this new mushroom that has popped up at the south end of Roxas Blvd. just after the turnoff from MIA road leading to the airport. Done one side in pink and the other in blue, one bids a traveler welcome and the other goodbye, in Tagalog, so it is safe to assume that the message is for Filipinos who have just arrived from, or are going to places foreign and domestic.

This is the newest in the series of updated pink and blue banners that have become Bayani Fernando's method of insinuating himself into the minds of the voting public, whether they be Metro Manila residents or otherwise.

But going back to Mr. Nacianceno's "stern" explanation. As he was probably saying that, the photoshop artist at the printing press where the facial tarpaulins were being made was busy taking the hand apart from the chin, as prescribed by the feng shui expert who told Chairman BF that chin on hand was bad mojo. The first revision of the pink tarpaulins was obvious to anyone who knew photo editing techniques. Moving the hand meant exposing the neck and the collar, which then had to be created because the collar was not visible in the original photo. The second revision was more radical, applying retouching techniques to Bayani Fernando's face as well, making him younger and smiling--now quite contrary to the explanation of Mr. Nacianceno.

Now that the pink posters have been taken down from the MRT pillars, the latest albeit smaller versions of the pink tarpaulins now hang from the Pahayagan ng MMDA wrought iron frames embedded in the center islands along Roxas Blvd. and EDSA, as well as other main thoroughfares in the metropolis. On Roxas Blvd. they alternate with no less than tarpaulin banners bearing Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's mug, in a vain attempt to hypnotize motorists perhaps, into believing that the economy has improved, citing evidences to her claims.

Which got me thinking, as I stared in shock at this fly in my mother's day ointment, does Bayani Fernando plan to run for President with our without the blessing of his party, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)? These banners may be evidence to that possibility.

Five times a week I pass this route on the way to work. Beginning at the bus stop between the Centennial Airport and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), turning into Dr. A Santos Avenue (Sucat Road) where it pours into MIA Road, the turnoff at Coastal Mall into Roxas Boulevard, past Baclaran, the right turn at the Heritage Hotel, past the Pasay Rotonda, joining the multitude of vehicles that run on EDSA day after dusty day. This is my little world, the bus I am on a microcosm of Metro Manila.


On both sidewalks of Sucat Road coming out of the NAIA tarpaulin billboards on steel frames have sprouted in recent months, with individual logos of what are apparently the Philippines' biggest investors. Intel. Kopiroti, Toyota, Convergys. At the end of Sucat Road where it meets the MIA road there is a gas station, and behind it a forest of commercial billboards all exhorting motorists to buy burgers and motorcycles, join call centers or get fixed at cosmetic surgical centers -- all except one.

On this road where our OFW's come home either for a break or for good, there is but one billboard in that forest that thanks our seagoing OFWs for a job well done.

To all our seafarers, Welcome Home!
Thank you for a job well done.
We are glad to have you onboard.

While doubtless the main point of a billboard is to sell a company, this shipping company shows it's got heart.

And isn't that what our country needs right now--heart--because that where it all starts. One good person with a good heart armed with good intentions, multiplied by all the seats needed to run a country. Too idealistic? I don't think so, because that's were we all failed. We chose candidates during elections because of their winnability and not because we felt they were the best people for the job. Well maybe some of us did vote with the right intentions for the right people, but then all the rest overpowered our choice.

This doesn't even count all the cheating that went on. Even the lowest positions in government were aspired for because of the potential income it could bring, not through salaries but through kickbacks. And in the rush to enrich themselves these people lost their hearts. If indeed they had one in the first place.

CHED bans med students from bringing cameras inside operating rooms
05/05/2008 | 12:27 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Monday released a directive, prohibiting medical students from bringing camera devices inside operating rooms of government-run hospitals, in light of the controversial "Cebu surgery scandal."

This, Health Secretary Francisco Duque relayed to reporters at a press conference at the Department of Health office on Monday morning, a radio report said.

“Ito iyong ipinagbabawal na direktiba sa mga eskwelehan sa lahat ng kanilang estudyante na pinagbabawalan ng paggamit ng mga video camera, digital camera, cellular phones with camera features, and other similar equipments habang sila ay sumasailalim ng kanilang training to witness (surgeries) that are related to their courses, while attending a clinical business (This is a directive preventing medical students from bringing still and digital cameras as well as mobile phones with camera features whenever they undergo training to attend a clinical business)," Duque said.

The move was in response to calls by the Department of Health (DOH) to bar medical students from carrying cameras during surgeries in order to avoid a repeat of the incident involving a video of an operation to remove a perfume canister from a man’s anus at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

It is an embarrassment no person in his right mind would wish on anyone else. Even Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, he whose sense of justice is the complete opposite of the word, showed that there is actually a human being in there somewhere when he said

"I would think that this really is more on the ethics and on the civil action for damage. That's clearly a case for damages. The hospital would also seem to be liable, because why were people allowed to watch in the operating room?" said Gonzalez.

While it has not yet been publicly determined who the individuals are who uploaded the video on YouTube, I do often wonder if they have now realized the gravity of the offense, if the thought of the same thing happening to themselves has crossed their minds, and how they would have felt if they had been in Danny's place.

Would it be possible, I wonder, amid the tumult and the shouting, for these people to approach Danny with humble and contrite hearts, and offer him their sincerest heartfelt apologies.

This will not, of course, excuse them from all the legal ramifications of their actions, but I am more concerned with what will be the end product of this deplorable incident.

Will it be vindication for all patients who have suffered abuse or lack of care but have neither the means nor the impetus to speak out? Will it become the definitive rallying point for LGBT's in the Philippines against discrimination? Or will it spur a renewed scorn and disdain for people who have learned to fight back against people with power?

Because, if we really get down to it, this was an exercise of power over the powerless. That someone's life and reputation were put in the hands of people who did not have the good judgement to protect both is a sad incident. That they added insult to injury by uploading the video for public, worldwide consumption bespeaks of insensitivity to another person's health and well-being; that no one has come out to admit the deed shows a lack of accountability as well.

It does not help that the Catholic church has joined the fray by putting the blame on the victim, very much like saying that a woman wearing a revealing dress and is eventually raped is to blame. Statements like these absolve wrongdoers by purporting that there will be no rapists if women stopped showing cleavage and legs.

I only hope that with the CHED directive will be strictly implemented in all hospitals, be they state-run or private, in the country.

The informal fallacy of false dilemma involves a situation in which only two alternatives are considered, when in fact there are other options. This fallacy is also called false dichotomy, the either-or fallacy, and bifurcation. Closely related are failing to consider a range of options and the tendency to think in extremes, called black-and-white thinking. Strictly speaking, the prefix "di" in "dilemma" means "two". When a list of more than two choices are offered, but there are other choices not mentioned, then the fallacy is called the fallacy of false choice.

False dilemma can arise intentionally, when fallacy is used in an attempt to force a choice ("If you are not with us, you are against us.") But the fallacy can arise simply by accidental omission—possibly through a form of wishful thinking or ignorance—rather than by deliberate deception.

Accidental omission probably through a form of wishful thinking or ignorance. That is probably the most diplomatic way of explaining why a certain camp has implied that the author of this blog is in the employ of some politician(s) who are allegedly against the (overeager) campaign for the presidency by MMDA Chairman Sec. Bayani "BF" Fernando.

Along this same line of thinking is the belief that all government officials, bar none, are corrupt because they work for a corrupt president. This same line of thinking imputes that all doctors at the VSMMC are devoid of principle because of the Black Suede Scandal. And this may also be the same line of thinking that pushes the idea that since Bayani Fernando is "out there doing his job" he is, bar none, the best bet for the Philippine presidency in 2010.

Any government office is funded by taxes. With this blog (and this blog as well) I exercise my right to free speech as a self-respecting tax payer. And with the responsibility of free speech I also have declared my true identity because I prefer to stick to my words and stand on my own name, worthless and unknown it may be to some, when I say words against anything that I feel I should speak out against. I refuse to hide behind pseudonyms because I think that strong words need a real person and a real identity behind them.

Others may think that they can start a blog under an alias (and they won't even say what they are also known as) where they can call other people names such as "bayaran," implying that people are paid pundits and therefore corrupt, without even digging up one iota of proof to backup their allegations. To me that cannot be called strength or fortitude.

To me, that is merely a lack of good judgement.