Lawmakers promote social importance of reading, pose with their favorite books

As part of government efforts for the National Reading Month, lawmakers today from the House of Representatives, led by Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond “Mong” Palatino, urged the public especially the youth to revitalize reading as a social activity due to its importance in nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and even enjoyment.

Through the campaign iRead (Inspiring Reading for Action and Development), lawmakers gathered with their favorite books and promoted the vital role of reading for social development.

“In the age of information technology and mass media, the reading of books and informative materials has unfortunately declined. Especially since the Philippines is a developing country, there is a pressing need to revitalize reading among the people to foment social development and empowerment,” Palatino said.

Palatino said that poor reading and comprehension are contributing factors to the high functional illiteracy in the country, where an estimated 11 million Filipinos are considered to be functionally illiterate or cannot read or write well enough to deal with the everyday requirements for social advancement.

“The high functional illiteracy rate in the country goes to show that majority of Filipinos may be able to read and write, but many are still unable to go beyond this basic level. Reading and comprehension skills have to be honed regularly; otherwise, they get rusty to meet the demands of modern society. Reading regularly will prove useful in sharpening one’s critical cognition,” Palatino said.

Palatino also explained that insufficient government funding for education also contributes to “a regime of ignorance that makes people susceptible to various forms of oppression including poverty”

Palatino said that there is currently a 50.5 million gross shortage in textbooks which requires at least P1.7 billion to be eradicated.

“Lack of budget for education supplies and infrastructures like schools and libraries limits the capacity of Filipinos to hone their reading skills. Any reading campaign, to be worthy of its name, should be also active in pushing for a substantially higher education budget ” Palatino said.

The lawmakers who participated in the iRead campaign also took a photo of themselves with their favorite books which they said will be spread virally on different social networking sites.

Palatino called their photos “a different mug shot”, in clear allusion to the contested leaked mug shots of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is facing charges for her alleged involvement in electoral fraud.

For his part, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., in statement expressing support, also invited Filipinos “to return to reading, and more importantly, to share its joys to their children and to an even wider audience.”

Palatino also expressed support for HB no. 3877, filed by Quezon City Rep. Jorge Banal, which declares November 27 as “Araw ng Pagbasa”.

Runes

The runic alphabet is an old Germanic literary language, which were used in all of Northern Europe. In addition runes has always had a magic, prophetic meaning. Runemasters used them to practice magic on somebody, cure the ill, protect holy rituals and resurrect the dead. Runes also had an important role in making prophecies.

From the very beginning each of the 24 runes in the alphabet had their own name. It is said that runes were also used to interpret omens from the gods, especially Odin. The legends the runemasters told, tied the runes to Odin. He appeared as a Shaman or a wandering wise man (even if he also was a warrior, lawgiver and lover of great capacity). He is described as wearing a cloak and a wide brimmed hat, one-eyed and with a blackthorn-staff. A legend about his life tells he spent 9 days and 9 nights in the tree of the universe, Yggdrasil, until he noticed some runestones on the ground. He reached for them in pain, grabbed them - and was released by the magic of the runes.

One believe that the runemasters made their runes themselves by carving them in a rock, wood or leather. Afterwards they coloured them with magical ingredients, which at times can have contained blood. If they were consulted about a coming event, they spread the runestones on the ground. Only the stones which landed with the runeside up were interpreted.

The original, magical symbolism tied to each rune, is lost. The following interpretations are based on astrology, numerology and I Ching. If it is hard to get hold of runestones, you can make your own from small stones or pieces of wood, which should be about the same size. Many specialists claim that the runes work best when they're made by the person who should use them. But remember: There's nothing magical about the rune-stones, they just connect you to your intuitive process in your "inner self."

Interpretation of the runes

(Old Scandinavian names are used.)

fé - harmony, fertility

Connected with luck and the good things of life, especially with goods and gold - mainly cattle in the beginning. It has strong associations with Taurus in the Zodiac. Promise material goods, but warn against self indulgence and stagnation. Fé encourage creativity, emphasize mutual love and promise completion.

úr - power, energy

Symbolise a wild ox with an enormous energy and power, which must be tamed before its strength can be used positively and constructive. Suggest that the asking person is entering a period characterized by changes, growth and consciousness. Adversity, even tension and stress, can create possibilities. Also a sign of sexual passion.

thurs - strength, good news

A request for an exhaustive evaluation of all situations - temporary neutrality and a pause for thinking, both in everyday life and psychic development. No matter what is achieved, we must be careful for a while. The rune is also called «The Gate»: We must pass through it, but first we should evaluate everything on this side. The gate can open to a confrotation with unknown dangers.

áss - Odin, wisdom

The rune of the written word and communication, connected with Mercury, which according to tradition communicated with divine powers. Also connected with Odin, who had to suffer great pain to become wise. Express wisdom and help from an elderly person. Better communication, possibly of magical or parapsychological nature, maybe with collegues. Be at guard against swindlers. Odin's day, Wednesday, is at the same day as Mercury's in roman languages.

reið - wheel, travels

Long travels, traditionally by horse, especially funny travels. The travel can be spiritual (personal development) or the soul's last travel to Valhalla, home of the gods. Other interpretations: Message(s) sent or received, or scholarship the asking person need to gain.

kaun - creative fire, light

The rune of light and fire gives the asking person the ability to see the current situation in a brighter light. Lay stress on fertility and intensity, in addition to enthusiasm and optimism which clears the path and carry out ambitions. Kaun has the planet Mars' flaming energy and strength. It is the rune-family's torch-carrier, but is also synonymous with passion and sexual lust, which can hinder personal development if they're stopped.

gebo - gifts, generousity

Gifts and the pleasure of giving. Friendship, generousity and simple delights. Even the rune of relationship/couples, and therefore a happy choice in connection with future engagement, marriage or businessprojects. Such relations demand a certain willingness to sacrifice, something that should not be underestimated: egoism can destroy all kinds of mutual experiences. Even a warning against laziness and indecision, but all in all in a positive rune.

wunjo - happiness, joy

A sign of happiness, strength and deliverance. The asking person is maybe frustrated by exaggerated self-criticism, but is encouraged to acknowledge and enjoy a well-earned change to the better. Also an ambiguous strain of sexuality: danger of disappointment even if it is laid stress on pleasure. It can cost to gain experience! Don't overlook the possibility of complications and difficulties.

hagall - trouble, misfortune

Suggest a frustrating and difficult period characterized by unexpected problems, misfortune or illness. Philosophical considerations concerning a problem must not lead to despair, and frustration not to rashness. Great possibility that coming changes will influence the future in long terms. Possibly inconvenience and fight, but extra effort will heighten the esteem.

nauð - need, necessity

Need for patience is important. The asking person must judge his actions before he act, even the underlying motives. He can be his own, worst enemy. Greed or lust can easily be destructive. Emotional, material and spiritual wealth are close, but the angle of incidence must be soft, real soft. If we are dissatisfied with our share in life, possibly with a good reason, it's only ourselves who can do anything about it.

íss - ice, cold

Frustrations andobstacles, and only patience can resist. A connection to the thought of ice and cold between humans, especially in the family. The asking person is maybe in a situation which prevents him from acting, or he may not be aware of what is going on. He should stay calm until the sun breaks through and the thaw comes. It can bring new emotions and perspectives.

jara - year, natural cycle

The cycle of the seasons, especially the harvesting. When this rune is drawn og thrown, it refers to started work and encourage to perseverance and will to fight for success. Shortcuts will be catastrophic. The natural process - sowing, tending, ripening - must go its course. Let the patience rule physical and mental energy.

yr - yew, the journey of the dead

The yew was first of all Odin's tree. He collected the souls of the dead before the journey to the underworld. This rune symbolise therefore death, or changes and breaking with old habits. It doesn't have to be negative, but can signify htat the asking person is approaching his goal in a successful way (depending on the other runes.)

pertho - hearth, mysticism

One of the mysterious runes, which always has been a conflict over. It suggest something mystical, but refer also to home and hearth. A possible gift or heritage should be evaluated. Weight on secrecy, connections with the occult, possibly introduction to psychic activities.

elgr - defence, protection

A very positive rune, which suggest that the asking person is strong and successful, but also experience a periode he should enjoy to the fullest. Possibly new and exciting challenges. It is important to let elgr remind that emotions should be controlled, and that the current strength should be used positively. Be careful if you deal with people who exploit others, and don't put your health at risk.

sol - the sun, good health

Prosperity and luck. The asking person's natural abilities should come out and be used positively, so that they canreach their full potential. Success and creative will. Now and then sol can ask if we don't have too many irons in the fire, and if we shouldn't slow down a bit. Also a warning against wanting to show off or over-dramatize, but encourage positive creativity.

tyr - war, courage

Symbol of courage and devotion. At the same time the sun's mighty, masculine power appear together with passion which bring good fortune. Weight on patience, reminder of that some rules must be followed. Encourage to stand on your own feet and have faith in yourself. Positive actions and perseverance prompt respect.

bjarkan - birth, new beginning

A suggestion to fertility and to restoration/recovery. We must do penance for old sins and get rid of bad habits which are hazardous to health, such as alcohol and smoking. Women who are trying to conceive (the rune of birth) should be encouraged. If some plans promise bad, the whole matter should be reconsidered.

ehwass - horse, changes

The rune of Sleipner, Odin's horse - travel and changes. An asking person involved in a business project should be encouraged, but emotional relationships must be rebuilt or given some vitamins. Weight on spiritual travels. A calming rune which weights prosperity. To get inner peace we should make an extra effort to finish our tasks.

maðr - intelligence, culture

This rune represents the asking person and is strongly influenced by the surrounding runes. It represent the best in us - culture, memory, intelligence and other human traits. Our evaluations should be wide, our lives in balance and our emotions under control. The energy should be preserved and the body respected. Opinions and attitudes must be flexible and positive. «You've made your bed, now lie in it.» Remind the asking person of this in time of need. Everything is up to him!

logr - water, the unconscious

Connected with running water and consequently with emotions and intuition. We should get in touch with our intuition and our emotions, give them free reins (under supervision). Deepseated instincts shouldn't take the power from us. Psychic abilities and hidden creative abilities should be encouraged. Another subject is the change of one's self, with greater happiness as result.

ingwaz - fertility, completion

A fortunate rune which announce completion of a project or an idea, or someone who develop their potential to their fullest. At the same time a feeling of relief, which means an end to worries even if this need doesn't have anything to do with completion. A very important rune, often an omen of a turning point in the life of the asking person.

oðal - familyproperty

Beginning and end. Familytraditions and heritage, often in connection with breaking away from an old influence and maybe old friendship. Such changes have a long-lasting effect and will be important to the concerned. They can become difficult under the influence of oðal, but doesn't lead to false steps. Related to hagall.

dagaz - day, rousing

Dagnaz symbolize culmination and can symbolize spiritual advancement. Possibly a form of transition - at great benefit for the asking person. At it's best this rune establish that the darkness is over: light, results and prosperity are secured. This may seem fatalistic, but dagnaz says that we must seize the opportunity, or else it will pass. Warning against indifference and encourage to a certain portion of meditation.

Odins rune - fate

This rune is completely blank and is said to represent both the end and the beginning, i.e. the transition of death (but not physical death of the asking person or others.) Possibly a symbol of something we don't know, a step into the unknown. Maybe personal development. A new phase in life or the whims of fate will be able to light the situation in the end.

To read the runes

Inverted runes An inverted rune means that the actual influence is weakened, or that a negative indication is strengthened.

The most useful way to lay the runes, may be the one shown here. The numbers indicates the sequence the runes should be placed.

BURMA: WHERE OLD IS NEW, AGAIN

Burma’s junta leaders delivered what could probably be the political masterstroke of 2010 in the South-east Asia region: Obscure the continuing military dictatorship in the country by releasing from detention a global democracy icon and conducting nationwide polls.

Despite its new name (Republic of the Union of Burma) and the inauguration of a new republic with its elected parliament deputies, Burma is in reality still the same old Burma where democracy, freedom and human rights are rigidly defined in favour of the interests of the ruling junta.

But the old generals were wise to adorn the rebranded republic with some democratic trappings since they can use the image of a new Burma to convince the international community—especially the business sector—that substantive positive changes are finally taking place in the country.

Through this genius political maneuver, the generals and their favoured cronies could continue hoarding the nation’s wealth and silencing the organized opposition while proclaiming to the whole world that Western-style democracy is beginning to work again in Burma.

What happened in Burma in 2010—or, to be more precise, what appeared to have changed in Burma last year—was a smart repackaging of an old and discredited political order. The ‘old’ was remodeled to become the ‘new old’. Aung San Suu Kyi was released from her house prison so that she could enter a bigger prison. Election results were pre-determined by the same people who stole Burma’s democracy more than 20 years ago. The elected parliament members were high-ranking members of the military.

It was as if Burma’s citizens were forced to choose between two bad options in 2010: Continue to suffer under the military-backed regime or elect the candidates appointed by the junta so that the people of Burma can at least suffer under a government with some semblance of democratic aspirations.

And the junta’s deception succeeded for two reasons: One, Suu Kyi’s decision to boycott the elections fragmented her party, which crippled the chances of the opposition. Second, the political strategy adopted by the junta is a popular tactic in the playbook of political parties and politicians, especially in South-east Asia.

If Western critics were to expose the sham democracy in Burma, the junta leaders could always claim that their brand of democracy is no different from the other democracies in the region. In Burma, there’s no freedom of the press; there’s no genuine opposition party; and there’s no accountability of public officials. But these democratic deficiencies could also apply in some degree or other to Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia. Singapore has, after all, been dominated by a single party in the past 50 years, censorship prevails in Cambodia and political accountability is weak in Malaysia.

In previous years, Burma couldn’t easily brush off accusations that it doesn’t uphold democracy because there was a clear military dictatorship in the country. But today, a military that continues to dominate the government can reason that democratic institutions are actually already in place. Furthermore, the elections that were held were monitored by foreign observers and diplomats. The country’s most famous political prisoner is now free. And even the flag of the republic is new.

So how should the international community deal with Burma? Should it welcome the new republic and christen it as the newest and youngest democracy in the world? Or should it support the pro-democracy movement both inside and outside Burma as it continues to struggle for real reforms?

These questions are not difficult to answer since it’s obvious that nothing fundamental has really changed in Burma other than the fact that the situation there has deteriorated because of the two strong typhoons that hit the country in 2008 and 2010.

But maybe what the consistent critics of Burma should also reflect upon is the valid objection raised by the junta about our eagerness to punish the country for betraying the democratic enterprise while pretending to be blind to the similar crimes of Burma’s neighbours. Maybe it’s time to stop designating the Burmese government as some kind of supreme evil that must be fought so that we can objectively redistribute our rage to other anti-democratic governments in the region.

That said, showing solidarity to battling Burmese citizens should remain an urgent political task for all pro-democracy advocates. And this means, first of all, unmasking the real power behind the newly elected government of the Republic of the Union of Burma.

The Vicious Cycle of Vote-buying and Vote-selling

In Philippines’ politics, there are no permanent friends or foes - only permanent cost. Yes! Permanent cost: the root cause of corruption and fiefdom’s perpetration.

To run a decent election campaign, be it national or local, one would need an enormous wad of money flowing continuously. Apart from the election machinery, the cogs of which require an ample supply of grease to keep it moving, voters from Class D and E - those unemployed, hangers on, and sycophants – for them, election, is their chance to leech blood from politicians. Millions of them repeatedly troop to politicians and juiced them with such basics as; meals, burial expenses, bridges, artesian wells, basketball court and dole outs, for which politicians can’t say no, lest they can be construed as unsympathetic to people’s needs, and ground to loose their votes. Sorry to say, but politicians during election becomes a witting hostage. But soon after election, it’s payback time, because it’s the people now who will be hostage of the politician’s whims.

Politicians are not stupid, of course. Remuneration for the position they coveted are miniscule. The only way they can recoup their investment is through corruption, by way of their assumed power, privileges, perks, and influence. Discreet or brazen their corruption is, it doesn’t matter: because, for politicians, everyone has a price. And as they accumulate wealth to buy more people out, they build their fiefdom. They will protect this little kingdom with blood, if it needs be. This “vicious cycle” of vote-buying and vote-selling, perpetuates the evil of corruptions, the victim of which is the nation. And it trickles down to its citizens, who bear the brunt. Whose fault is it anyway?

Evolution of mature democracies in the world found a way of reining this “vicious cycle” through electoral reform. Electoral reform might be long time coming to the Philippines as the country needed an upside down overhaul of its culture, but it has to start somewhere, somehow.

Politicians of mature western democracies, in general, don’t spend their own money when running for office. They fund raise for their political expenses from their constituents. If their constituents believe the politician is an asset to the political party which can bring positive changes to their lives, their constituents wouldn’t hesitate to support. Then the political party, to which the politician belongs, provides the machinery. Political Parties, in essence, are strengthened institutions; abide with principles and ideologies on how best they can serve the nation, and the populations’interest and welfare.

Instituting strengthened political parties is a basic necessity for a truly workable democracy. Politicians belonging to a certain party, for example, require that they espoused the principles and ideologies of the party. This in turn is the idea the politicians will sell to electorates during election time. The battle grounds between political parties are methods, systems, and procedures to which voters are given choices which party could give them the best.

Would there be a chance for the Philippines to institute strengthened political parties that discourage the “vicious cycle” of vote-buying and vote-selling? That’s a million dollar question. But not until this question is confronted and dealt with, this "vicious cycle" would continue to roll, and the Philippine politics would remain juvenile.

Number Of Poor Filipinos Likely To Rise By 4 Million In 2009

Using even the government's unrealistically low poverty line, the number of poor Filipinos will likely increase by 4 million this year from 2006, according to research group IBON Foundation.
This figure is based on a conservative estimate, said IBON research head Sonny Africa, since it merely assumes a continuation of trends in the 2003-2006 period. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaged 5.6% in 2004-2006, but the number of poor Filipinos according to the government's official poverty line still increased by 3.8 million to 27.6 million in 2006. GDP growth will likely average even less than 5% in the 2007-2009 period, which means that poverty will possibly increase by at least 4 million poor Filipinos.

Africa added that growth has dropped steeply from 7.2% GDP growth in 2007, to 4.6% in 2008 and will likely be less than 3% this year. The real number of jobless Filipinos increased to 4.1 million in 2008 and will likely rise to some 5 million this year. The number of unemployed and underemployed Filipinos could then rise to at least 11 to 12 million in 2009.

Given the scale of the problem, the government's measures for supposedly dealing with the crisis are sorely lacking, he said. The alleged "pump-priming" 2009 national government budget is actually equivalent to just some 16% of the GDP, and is among the smallest in the last two-and-a-half decades. The size of the budget has been more or less continuously falling from a peak of 24% in 1990. The supposed "alternative livelihood" and "jobs placement" programs seem oblivious to the severity of global and domestic economic problems and the absence of jobs for millions of displaced workers. In any case, they are even very narrowly targeted at just newly-displaced workers and ignore the over 4 million workers who were unemployed even before the recent worsening of the crisis.

There is certainly a need for the government to undertake mitigating measures, said Africa. Because of the huge number of poor Filipinos, the mitigation measures have to reach the greatest number in the quickest manner possible. Among these are restoring real per capita social services spending to at least 1997 levels through an additional P246 billion for social services and removing the value-added tax (VAT) on food and oil products.

Over and above these measures, there needs to be a radical change in economic policies to strengthen the domestic economy and create jobs and livelihoods for millions of Filipinos, said Africa.

On Nograles Cha-Cha Reso: Foreign Land Ownership Has Weak Link To Investment

While the committee on constitutional amendments prepares to vote on Speaker Prospero Nograles’s Resolution 737, research group IBON Foundation says that changing the charter to allow foreign business to own land does not necessarily increase foreign investment.
The Nograles bill seeks to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution to allow foreign corporations and associations to own land. Charter change proponents argue that allowing foreign business to own land in the Philippines will increase foreign investment flows which will lead to development.

“The experience of our Asian neighbors proves that the relationship between foreign land ownership and overall levels of investment is weak,” said IBON research head Sonny Africa. “This reinforces the suspicion that HR 737 is a ruse to justify charter change for self-serving political ends.”

With the current constitutional restriction on foreign land ownership, the Philippines had foreign direct investment (FDI) inward stock of US$19.0 billion in 2007 which was equivalent to 13.1% of gross domestic product (GDP). It is made to appear that this is a major factor in the country’s underdevelopment.

Yet Vietnam does not allow foreign land ownership but had inward FDI stocks of US$40.2 billion or up to double or triple the value of foreign investment in the Philippines. Indonesia, meanwhile merely gives land cultivation or building rights but had inward FDI stocks of US$59 billion.

Thailand, with its US$85.8 billion in investment, also prohibits foreign ownership of land as a general principle. Foreign companies can own land only upon approval of its Board of Investment, by ministerial permission or by virtue of treaty provisions.

Singapore, with its massive US$249.7 billion in FDI inward stock, is often cited as underscoring the benefits of foreign land ownership. This “ownership” though is more in the form of long-term leaseholds and not freeholds or title-deeds. Malaysia which has US$76.8 billion in investment also allows foreigners to acquire industrial land only on a leasehold basis.

There are many factors affecting FDI such as domestic market size and prospects, production costs and efficiency, infrastructure, economic stability and extent of corruption, said Africa. Foreign land ownership in itself is neither necessary nor sufficient– while raising the danger of land speculation and greater foreign control of the domestic economy.

It must also be accepted that foreign investment does not necessarily lead to development and the government has to create the conditions for the country to benefit, said Africa. More importantly, Cha-cha proposals such as the Nograles bill undermine national interest, surrender the country’s economic sovereignty, and legalize foreign corporate plunder of natural resources.

CONVERSATIONS WITH KAMAEL I

I'm drunk...
I'm lost...
I want to die...
I love her very much...
Fuck! Why?! Why me?!
Amidst my drunken stupor and seemingly suicidal depression... I saw a figure... A sexy figure of an angel... Angel? But I soon noticed she only have one wing...
"Who the fuck are you?!" "Where am I?!" I noticed that I am sitting in darkness with the being looking at me curiously...
She answered me with a sweet melodious voice... "You are at the void, Mr. Borja... As to who I am, call me Kamael..."
"Void?!" "Kamael?!" "You are nothing but a product of my sick mind! Are you the angel of death?! How beautiful?! I'm dead?! How splendid!"
"I am not an angel of death... There is no need for you to know who I am..." As she comes nearer and nearer. She is beatiful... Magical... Like a cross breed of a fairy and a vampire...
I heard your anguish my dear Mr. Borja... Your anguish is like the symphony of the night... Like the howling of a thousand wolves worshipping the full moon... I think you need someone to talk to... Your depression brought you here at the Void and me...
Shut up will you? You don't know me?! Don't act as if you can help me! YOU DON'T KNOW A SINGLE THING ABOUT ME!
That is where you are wrong my dear... I know a lot abot you... The real you... From the beginning... The you that even you does'nt know... The real you...
Please leave me... I am mourning... I want to be left alone with my depression... Can you drink Matador? Want some? As she sit beside me... I can feel her presence... Her aura something different but calm... There is no malicious intent whatsocer...
Do you want to know who you are? Who you were?
Will you go away and leave me alone if I will let you? She has a sword... Astig!
Ok Mr. Borja... All want is for you to listen... And concentrate on what I am telling you... My confessions might help you survive your present life time...
You have my word for it...

At first you were a part of the earth...
Doesn't all of us? Your joking... I might be drunk but I am not stupid! Shot?!
Listen Mr. Borja... Others started not as earth... Others started as water, fire, air or metal... You on the other hand started as earth...
Can I now continue? With a smirk and a sigh she did continue... That happened 4.6 billion years ago... You are already a part of this planet... Of this reality billions of years ago...
Then after 3.2 billion of years ago you became a diamond... Don't you see Mr. Borja... Even from the start your life was full of struggle and lowliness... After billions of years you as an earth became a diamond... Don't you see it Mr. Borja! If the earth which was you stopped dreaming will it become a diamond... Persistence Mr. Borja! Even from the start you are persistent!
When the single celled animals evolved to different kinds of animals like dinosaurs... You asked the creator if you can be one of them... The Creator obliged and made you a Triceratops 26 million years ago... If you remember when you are yet a young boy you are very fond of the dinosaur Triceratops... A lot of kids want the T-rex but not you! You want the Triceratops! You are defensive in nature like the Tops... And like the Tops you are very dangerous if you run berserk...