Lack of Maturity

Photo from Lingnan University

I will not even attempt to say that the Philippines is not a "nation of servants" as Mr. Chip Tsao bluntly puts it. He wrote an article War at Home published by the Hong Kong magazine.

Tsao depicted the Philippines as a “nation of servants” not worthy of claiming the Spratlys from China, which employs hundreds of thousands of Filipino domestic helpers on very low wages. In the same article, Chip threatened to terminate the employment of his Filipino domestic help, Louisa to avoid committing an act of treason “by sponsoring an enemy of the State by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows.”

This is what our national leadership gets for exporting our people to work for other nations.
Sadly, the Philippines has yet to reach an economic maturity like that of Hong Kong to be taken seriously by people like Chip Tsao who look at themselves as "Masters."

If his article does not reek of racism, I don't know what to make out of it. I am not angry because he called our country as a "nation of servants" because it is the image projected of our nation since the '80s, when various countries around the world needed skilled, efficient and English-speaking workers.

Tsao was right, not only in Hong Kong that many Filipinos work as domestic helpers, laborers, nurse, attendants...name it. All over the globe, Filipino workers are scattered, doing the dirty jobs for foreigners.

What pisses me off is the way he presented his argument on the Spartly issue. I pity him because for a journalist and a writer, he lacks imagination and savvy.

He could have asserted China's ownership claim over Spratly by presenting facts and data why China should be declared as the rightful owner. But instead, he used the "master-slave/servant" plot to assert China's positioning on the issue.

This I can say. He is not only a racist but uneducated. He may not be well informed on the issue of Spratly and he is a bad debater. By the way, I can honestly say that he cannot carry an intellectual debate on serious political issues like Spratlys.

And before I forget, he should be thankful that Filipinos want to clean your toilets or else no one from Hong Kong might do it. And given that Hong Kong has enough maturity as a nation, it should have the sensitivity and humanitarian attitude to teach others and guide them, not to insult them should you feel superior. Even though, you may be superior economically but not intellectually and morally. The likes of Tsao lacks compassion and maturity to work well with other nations.

And by the way, lest I forget, is'nt it the British gave Hong Kong the heads up? Is'nt it that the Chinese have long been sleeping before their so-called economic maturity came? No one is above anyone. We will all die in the end. But if Tsao is immortal I will look at him as a "master"but not mine. Could be a master to the Chinese.

And my advice to Tsao, try to dig in Philippines pre-Spanish history, he would be very surprised to discover Chinese documents proving that the early inhabitants of Eastern Philippines were decendants of the emperor of South China. They used to call Luzon, one of Philippines largest islands, as Lusung Empire. We have artifact to prove this as well.

So come to think of it, Tsao could be actually discrediting and degrading his own kin....what an irony....isn't it?

I will be very glad to post your comments on this....

Value for Money

(Photo by Mini)

In times of the widespread economic crisis, it is very important for companies and entrepreneurs to reassess their assets, plans and strategies to cope up with the times.

Also, economists are saying that it is crucial to learn more, check on the competitors, study trends and think ahead of the others.

It is quite refreshing to hear words of encouragement from experts. Today, my sister and I attended the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) symposia at the Lewis Grand Hotel in Angeles City.

W are fortunate enough to get new tips and strategies from experts like DTI consultant Ricardo De Vera, Central Country Estate Inc. Chairman and CEO Arch. Nestor Mangio and Betis Crafts owner Myrna Bituin.

I learned three important things in the symposia. First, the crisis is really all about attitude; second, we have to plan “to have a future” and not to plan “for the future”; and third, it is crucial to plan comprehensively, strategize and execute well.

De Vera said we should give customers “value for money.” He added that it is a must for companies to listen with an open mind. Do not block off things. Take the initiative and look at the situation as a challenge and not a problem. Don’t ask why if but rather why not?

As for Mangio, he shared Lakeshore’s (one of CCEI real estate projects) strategy of maximizing the power of the media, especially the internet. Today, Lakeshore is using the internet as a powerful tool in marketing. He also advised everyone to expand social networks either virtual or personal.

And for Bituin, resiliency and determination is a must. It is also important to maintain the trust of old but loyal clients. No matter what the cost may be. One good client is better than hundreds of none. “Clients are your partners,” she said.

Patent, Copyright and Trademark

There is a common notion that a “patent” is applicable to all kinds of creations. Actually a patent is different from a copyright or a trade mark.

A patent is an exclusive right granted by the State through the IPSO to a patent owner for a product, process or an improvement of a product or process for a specified period. Patentable inventions offer a technical solution to a problem in any field of human activity. The technical solution must fulfill three basic requirements: (1) it must be new, (2) it must involve an inventive step, and (3) it must be industrially applicable.

Copyright, on the other hand, is a branch of Intellectual Property which pertains to the rights given to creators or authors for their literary and artistic works. The domain of works includes writings, music, fine art (photography, paintings or sculpture) and technology-based works (computer software programs, websites and electronic databases). Copyright protects the expression of thoughts or ideas, not the thoughts or ideas themselves.

Meanwhile, a mark is any visible sign that distinguishes the products (trademark) or services (service mark) of an enterprise, which includes the container of the products or the packaging. If it is only a name or designation of an enterprise, it is termed trade name.

What's In The Name?

Every man is unique. Not even twins are exactly similar. And for almost all men, identity is everything. It is a basic instinct for everyone to find their real identity as a person or as a nation. Our identity gives as a distinction against others.

And so are our creations. That is why we put a name to everything to distinguish it from others – it could be an invention, expression, artistic work, writing, product, and all other creations of men.

But in a highly competitive and commercialized world, somebody found it imperative to claim ownership of a particular creation, especially if it has potentials for profit or income generation. In other cases, ownership of an expression is simply an assertion of one’s right to intellectual property.

And so today we have issues on intellectual property rights (IPRs). Information technology giants like Microsoft, Macintosh, Hewett-Packard, Compaq, Toshiba, Dell, Acer and all other software and hardware providers and manufacturers protect their products by patenting. By securing patents for their products, they get protection for exclusive manufacturing and distribution in a given period that usually lasts 20 years.

But what about songs, poems, writings, literary pieces, books, paintings, photos, films, and other expressions of specific authors? And how about logos or marks of products or services of certain companies? Remember McDonalds, Jollibee, KFC, Max’s? How do we protect such names or works?

Various governments around the globe have come up with their own policies on the protection of intellectual property rights. In the Philippines, we have the Intellectual Property Office (IP Philippines), the lead agency mandated to implement state policies on intellectual property. Headed by Director General Atty. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., it has a national office in Makati.

But good enough for the people of Central Luzon, the IP Philippines has established a new satellite office at the DTI Region 3 office in Nepo Quadrangle, Angeles City. The office was launched last March 25, 2009. This is the third satellite office of IP Philippines. In 2008, the satellite offices of Cebu and Davao were put up.

16 Years and Still Growing

He is the eighth president of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC). And comes April, as the CDC celebrates its 16th anniversary, President and CEO Benigno Ricafort likewise celebrates his eighth month as head of the freeport zone. He was also appointed on the eighth month of the year 2008. Coincidence? Luck? A good omen? Name it. But Ricafort is a person who seems to be enchanted with superstitions although he is wise enough not to depend on his beliefs alone.

He always says “I am not here to undo what my predecessors have done.” He said he is at the CDC to get things done. And true enough, the government-owned corporation continues to grow despite the current global meltdown. Clark’s active locators are recorded at 434 with commitments of new capital investments of P36.51 billion. Meanwhile, current investment have already reached P68.63 billion generated from industrial, garments manufacturing, tourism, IT and electronics, and Business Process Outsourcing industries.

Resiliency, determination and passion will best describe Clark Freeport Zone today under the stewardship of Ricafort.

Ricafort’s strategy of involving key personalities and groups in the community, particularly the private sector, is working well for the refocused development at the freeport zone. The new CDC leadership is maximizing its resources and efforts in
developing the 10,000-hectare sub-zone now named as the Next Frontier.

In the next few years, CDC is eyeing major development in tourism, light industries and institutional investments at the Next Frontier. The projected yield from such investments is pegged at P144.78 billion and is expected to create about 47,000 jobs.

The only challenge to CDC is how to address the social costs brought by the planned developments. I learned that the existing Aeta communities, about 10 of them, will be redesigned by the management into two large communities with full amenities, service facilities like hospitals, schools and local government offices. I wish CDC the best in this endeavor because we all know that the hardest part of development is the initial phase where you encounter a lot of opposition. Once you’ve got over it, growth is inevitable.

Given its proximity to the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway and its low 5 percent tax rate to investors, Clark Freeport Zone has the biggest edge against other industrial zones in the country. From NEDA;s projections, Central Luzon’s population will probably increase by 5 million in the next 10 years. This is mainly due to economic activities in the area, particularly at the Clark Freeport Zone.

Earth Hour

(Photo from Greencanticle)

Everyone is encouraged to join millions of people from all over the globe in a symbolic event on March 28, 2009 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. In a bid to create awareness on the importance of saving our planet, preserving it from further destruction and fighting global warming, everyone is asked to put-off lights, electrical appliances in our offices or homes.

This one-hour cooperation, even in its simplest form, is a strong message delivered to the world about the urgency of addressing climate change.

I received this message from Camalig, one of the most environmental friendly restaurants in the Philippines. Please pass it on to our friends, family, and acquiantances.

Vibrant Clark

Listening to an enthusiastic speaker like former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor is very refreshing and inspiring. Unlike other tourism officers who are bankrupt in ideas, Gabor has a lot to offer to Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) as far as selling Clark is concerned. So getting her as a consultant is a good job.

During the North Luzon Tourism Roadshow organized by CIAC last Friday, Gabor was very optimistic on the potentials of Clark and Northern Luzon as prime destinations in the country. Sometimes, in our weakest moment even for a nation, all we need is a little nudge to move forward. And Gabor is doing just that for Clark.

Gabor, CIAC, ATTAP and Clark Freeport Tourism Association are planning a series of road shows in various cities in North and Central Luzon to strengthen this tourism project.

Matched with a strong leader like CIAC President and CEO Victor Jose “Chichos” Luciano, Gabor and all the stakeholders in this campaign for tourism will open numerous opportunities for employment and livelihood. It is not surprising that CIAC is pulling the strings on this campaign considering the creditable developments at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

As soon as Luciano took over as CIAC boss, improvements continue to unfold in the country’s next premier airport. Of course Luciano was able to invite several airlines to fly in Clark including his former company, South Korea’s second flag carrier Asiana.

Asiana was named airline of the year by the Air Transport World (ATW). They are flying in 62 major cities and destinations worldwide including China, Japan, Korea, United States, London, Paris, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hongkong, Taiwan, Russia and Sydney. It has 65 modern aircraft and the first airline to be ISO 2002 certified for aircraft maintenance.

Luciano said DMIa is more than ready to accommodate huge aircraft and additional flights. Given its existing state-of-the-art radar and high standard support infrastructure, Luciano said the construction of the proposed US$142-million (P6 billion) Terminal 2 is on the way.

Meanwhile, CIAC Chairman Nestor Mangio said the new terminal will accommodate three to seven million passengers. This is in preparation to the influx of international and domestic passengers brought by Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific, SeaAir and Asiana airlines. DMIA recorded three million passengers last year and at the rate it is going, there is no doubt that such projection will be accomplished.

DMIA has 56 flights a week. More and more people travel at ease through DMIA. Most of the flights are Clark to Hongkong, Macau, Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and domestic destinations like Cebu and Caticlan.

Mangio said that despite the current global economic crisis, DMIA likewise stands firm as a logistics center in Asia. He added that CIAC has secured air entitlements to at least 20 countries including Qatar, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates.

What is happening inside the Freeport Zone and DMIA reminds us that we should not be totally hopeless amidst the economic meltdown. We are affected yes but as President Arroyo’s boys always say, “it is all about the attitude.”

Greed

What an apt word to use. US President Obama nailed it right to the core. Recklessness and greed is the root of the current financial turmoil among insurance giants like AIG.

And while the taxpayers are burdened by the relative effect of the economic distress in United States, the AIG is giving out bonuses to its executives.

Obama said over CNN that the payments are an “outrage.” It is indeed very ironic to see a distressed corporation bailed out by the government for $173 billion just so it could continue operations.

"This is a corporation that finds itself in financial distress due to recklessness and greed…Under these circumstances, it's hard to understand how derivative traders at AIG warranted any bonuses, much less $165 million in extra pay. I mean, how do they justify this outrage to the taxpayers who are keeping the company afloat?" Obama said over international media.

The people have the right to be angry, outraged if your must. They have the right to ask what is happening to these firms. What happened to their small investments poured in to these companies? If the Congress can find a way to prevent such greed and irresponsibility, then they must approve new laws to teach these giants some lessons.

Guns or no guns?

If there is one agency in the country that faces huge challenges -- that would be no other than the Philippine National Police (PNP). Highly demoralized, embattled and unappreciated, some members of the police force tend to compensate their condition by corruption, indolence or abuse.

Remember the alleged shoot-out in Quezon City last month? The arresting police officers exchanged gunfights with suspected car thieves. There is no problem there. This is usual business with criminals. But the incident that followed the gunfight shocked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The ABS-CBN news crew clearly documented the scene after the shooting. The policemen went near the car, opened its doors, fired some bullets towards the alleged criminals still inside the vehicle and pulled one out. As soon as the suspect touched the road, one of the policemen fired more bullets to the wounded and obviously defenseless suspect.

This is not a movie clip. It is real. It happened amidst a country that supposedly believes on democracy and the rights of the sovereign people.

But this could be isolated although I will bet a cent that this scenario always happen but it passes through public scrutiny because of lack of documentation.

Reading the national dailies recently, I stumbled upon an article saying that almost half of our police force in the country have no guns. Read: Out of 125,000 police officers nationwide, only 73, 758 have guns. The rest are still praying that they will be issued one before they retire.

Every year, about 3,000 policemen are recruited. This means additional annual provisions for PNP.

The tough question though is whether or not all policemen deserve to be issued a gun. Of course, they are. They are supposed to use these guns to fight criminals and protect the civilians. But what if they cross the line and use the firearms to abuse their authority? Then what should be done?

Emergency Measures

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently reported that lay-offs in Central Luzon already reached 10,000 and still getting higher. All over the region, several companies have already announced that they will close shop by mid 2009. Worse, the economic zones and industrial areas like Luisita Industrial Park, Clark Freeport Zone and Subic Bay Freeport Zone were all affected by the ongoing economic recession.

But as they say, it is during the hard times that we survive as a nation. The current economic slump should not also slow us down but rather we must challenge ourselves to do something to help boost the economy. We have to have faith in each other and continue doing what we have been doing ever since. Eat, work, go to school, buy things we need, invest if we must. These will keep the economy going, the experts say.

Now some workers' unions are suggesting that the national government should shell out at least P2 billion as stimulus fund for retrenched workers. This fund will keep them up within six months, they said. This is actually a good idea if only to save the country from further economic gloom. If this will be heard, the workers will at least be assured to cover their basic needs for months while they are looking for new jobs. The only problem is there is no assurance that the retrenchments will stop after the first quarter. This scenario can go on and on. But I won’t hope for that.

Meanwhile, it is a breather for us to learn of President Arroyo’s Comprehensive Livelihood and Employment Emergency (CLEEP) program. Several national government agencies are busy nowadays designing ways how to help retrenched workers recover from the crisis.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for one has conducted a jobs fair last March 9. All the 14 engineering districts in Region 3 held simultaneous jobs fairs.

In a talk with the press, Director Alfredo Tolentino of the DPWH Region 3 said that these jobs fairs are part of the President’s emergency measure program designed to lessen the impact of the current crisis that hit the country.

The International

Clive Owen’s latest movie, The International, is quite convincing and entertaining. Aside from its aesthetic features, I laud the writer and producer for bravely exposing a possible truth in our midst. Although the story was presented in a fashion that it should be treated as fiction, still, there is a mind-boggling voice behind one’s head after watching the movie. Could this be true? Could this be really happening?

To carefully scrutinize the possibility of the movie’s truth, it is wise to closely monitor the real events around us.

Fact: All third world countries and other developing states are incurring debts with international banks and are lined-up for aides and loans.

Fact number two: There are highly industrialized nations or countries that work closely with the international banks and one way or another, these nations are in a more advantaged position to impose demands on these institutions.

Fact number three: There are several separatists and extremist groups around the world that continue to create wars and packets of wars in different parts of the globe.

In the Philippines alone, the Abu Sayyaf rebels continue to cause chaos and conflict in Mindanao. Despite the government’s continuing efforts to curb their activities, they thrive and worse, they generate more power, influence, ammunition, weapons and intelligence. How they get it? I am not really sure but we have a hunch.

Taking the line of the movie, it is possible that some institutions could be interested in supplying weapons and information to extremist groups in exchange of favors for other nations. They are working hard to control the conflicts and thus, they control the governments and their economies. More favors, the better. More wars, more debts. And take note: everybody is involved.

I wonder why the US troops are all over the globe. In the Philippines alone, the US soldiers augment our military troops in Mindanao to fight the Abu Sayyafs. Considering US and Philippines joint efforts, I am quite intrigue why these small groups of rebels continue to survive. I know the answer but of course, I cannot just point my fingers to anyone. Remember? Just like in movies, there must be EVIDENCE. And believe me, we will not find a single evidence to pin down these wars and conflicts to the culprits we have in our minds.

No to Reply Bill

“No to Reply Bill!” This is the collective stand of various media organizations, newspapers, radio and television stations in Central Luzon. Starting this week, all media outfits and groups will come up with their own streamers, tarpaulins, and information materials to express a common cause to defend press freedom.

In a meeting at the Cioccolo Restaurant in Angeles City last Friday, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Pampanga Chapter, Pampanga Press Club, Angeles City Press and Radio Club, Central Luzon Media Association, Channel 36, ABS CBN Pampanga, Punto, Businessweek, The Voice, Society of Pampanga Columnists, DWRW and DWGV FM and AM,  and UNTV signed a collective  manifesto adopted from NUJP stating their opposition on House Bill 3306 and Senate Bill 2150, two versions of the Right to Reply Bill.

The first paragraph of the manifesto states: “The Right of Reply Bill is an ill-conceived piece of legislation that violates two of the most cherished freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, those of the press and of expression.” 

The issue on the bill’s intent to impose prior restraint to the media is very revolting because it abridges the freedom of expression and of the press. 

And just like other media organizations around the country, the Pampanga media and nearby provinces will not let this pass. Even if this will not be approved because of its weak stance in the House of Representatives, every journalist and every Filipino who enjoys his civilian rights for that matter has the responsibility to speak against this Bill and its intent and purpose to kill the most sacred right we have in this country. A country known to embrace democracy but is run by some officials who are afraid of the power of the true voice of people.

I would rather see a country that has a media that at times abuses its power rather than to have one that has a media that is censored and controlled by the privileged few.

Automated Elections

Should the Philippine Congress finish deliberations on the proposed P11.3 billion supplemental budget on 2010 poll automation, the long-time dream for a fair elections in the country might have a chance.

Several groups have long been clamoring to automate elections in the country so as to eliminate cheating. During the 2007 elections, several French researchers covered the local elections here one of them said “the Philippine electoral system was designed for cheating!”

What a mess indeed. It is true. Even before a single vote is cast, the system already provides possible ways of cheating. Many would not even reach the election precincts but their votes will do. Yes Virginia, only in the Philippines. This is because all the materials used are manually collected, collated, counted, canvassed and transported to the designated canvassing centers.

The paper trail and documentation gives space for human intervention. Thus, as the saying goes, “in the Philippines there are really no losers in elections…only the winners and those who were cheated!”

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri has proposed to convert the plenary into a committee en banc for the discussion of House Bill 5715, also known as "An act appropriating the sum of P11.3 billion as supplemental appropriation for an automated election system and for other purposes."

Meanwhile, Sen. President Juan Ponce-Enrile acknowledges that there is urgency on the subject matter so they have to facilitate all the legislative procedures.

To Kill the Watchdog

“No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

This is provided for under Section 4, Article III or the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. The English dictionary meanwhile defines “abridging” as to “shorten, edit, condense, reduce, abbreviate, or cut.”

To reduce the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech is unconstitutional. Senate Bill 2150 or the Right of Reply Bill is literally that. It reduces the freedom of the press because it seeks to impose limitations on the process of journalism work.

In a country that is plague by corruption, clipping the muscle of the press is tantamount to tolerating scams and more illegal activities.

It was reported that the Senate already passed the bill on third reading. The bill provides the news subjects right to air their side over the same media outfit that has published or aired the news.

Senate Bill 2150 provides that violators will be penalized with P10,000 for initial offense, P20,000 for 2nd offense and P30,000 and imprisonment of not more than 30 days for the third offense.

The bill requires the reply of a news subject to have equal space and length of airtime as the original news. The bill also states that reply must be aired or printed not more than 24 hours after the publication or broadcast of the original article or broadcast.

Thus, taking into context the intent and rationale of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Senate Bill 2150 is truly unconstitutional because it is directly negating the very purpose of the fourth estate -- that is to be the watchdog of the government.

And to kill the watchdog is very dangerous. It could cause eventual breakdown and moral decay.

Japan Speaks for Asia

Of all other highly developed countries in Asia, Japan is the most significant in terms of economic talks aside from China, India, Hongkong and Singapore.

It was recently reported that Japan’s exports fell by 46 percent in January. This is a bad sign. When President Arroyo reported that the Philippines is outside the sphere of global crisis, I was really bothered. How can we be too complacent when everything else falls apart?

Come to think of it, Japan is now losing billions in income because of the economic slump. It was also said that Hong Kong’s economy contracted 2.5 percent in the last three months of 2008. These are serious signs that the economic downturn in Asia is set to drag on through this year.

Economist likewise reported that the Japanese economy was one of the first in Asia to tip into recession last year due to poor domestic demand and decreasing orders from overseas.

Of course, the situation in Japan would eventually affect Philippines. I just hope that it is not that soon. But Japan is the barometer for Asia’s condition as far as economics in concerned. Although Philippines is enjoying alleged surplus from the Overseas Filipino Workers’ remittances, we would never know what will hit us in the future.

Come to think of it, our OFWs from the Middle East are now returning home one by one while many in the United States are now having a hard time maintaining their jobs.

The Obama stimulus bill is expected to help a lot of Filipinos, especially the war veterans. But as it stands now, this is still far from being realized. The processing for the veterans’ payoff is very tedious and would probably take years.

Long Overdue

The plan to withdraw US troops in Iraq should have been done before by the American government. President Barack Obama said by August 2010, the troops will be out of Iraq soil.

Of course, the Iraqi leadership welcomes this and appreciates the sincerity of the new US president. This is a beginning of a new era for United States, the dawn of realization from a super power that to respect other nations is the real measure of success and maturity of a government.

Obama’s pronouncement must become a reality. It should be done or else America will reap the angst of Iraqi anew and all other nations who have been under America’s sphere of influence.

There were no biological weapons there to start with. All other nations are just too modest to say that US was just after Iraq’s oil. This is the truth. So the comouflage should stop.