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ernierojo   ernierojo Ernesto B. Rojo Jr.'s TIGblog
Ernesto B. Rojo Jr.'s profile

Business as usual in Mindanao!
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

The spate of atrocities in Lanao and Central Mindanao (Southern Mindanao) perpetrated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front brought quiver and shiver to many, especially to the people of Metro Manila (Regional Capital) who are mostly glued to their TV.

But for people like me who calls Mindanao home (I was born, raised and educated in Manila but I chose to be a Mindanaoan!), it is BUSINESS AS USUAL!!!

We will not be cowed by the threats of these bandits and terrorists. Sowing terror is their primary goal and we will not give them sweet victory by showing that we are frightened, threatened and scared. Instead, we remain vigilant and keep going with our usual lives.

Violence should never and will never be a means to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.

From Dipolog City, where I live and my home for the past 5 years, I could see the bright and peaceful side of Mindanao.

The promise of Mindanao remains. I will stay here to see my second home achieve its dream for all peace loving Mindanaoans and for all great Filipinos.

- Ernie Rojo
Mindanaoan by choice!

August 20, 2008
Dipolog City, Philippines

August 19, 2008 | 2:17 PM Comments  0 comments



Katea   Katea hekatea's TIGblog
hekatea's profile

Child/Youth Prostitution and Sexual Abuse

I hear a lot of cases about sexual abuse on children and young people. Often, it happens in their own homes where their own father, male relatives or other close friends who the children trust are the ones who betray them. I don't understand, how a father or an uncle or a grandfather could ever do that to his own. Is it a mental illness? While I do not believe in capital punishment, when I hear of such crimes like child molestations or sexual abuse, I cannot help myself but think that the best punishment for them is to show everything that they did to those children, picture by picture, frame by frame, until the fang of their guilt devour them. Like a month ago, there was this young girl who was burned alive after she was sexually molested. These kinds of evil, I cannot take. I cannot make peace with these things, not when children are involved.

For children who are made prostitutes by their own parents, or relatives, there's no forgiveness. It's the responsibility of the parents to provide a good life for their children. If they cannot, they should not be allowed to have children in the first place (this may sound a violation of human rights, especially freedom of choice but really, what rights do they have to sell their children?!) Even if the parents are poor, they should be the one to make every legal means possible to at least feed their children, or clothed them or give them shelter. I know a lot of poor families and the parents do their best, work almost 24/7 just to make sure that their children eat 3x/day, or that they have blankets to keep them warm. But of course, we are responsible for them as well. For allowing it to happen. For making them poorer, more envious. For allowing child prostitution businesses to prosper. For keeping our mouth shut when we know that the kid next door is being molested and made prositute by his or her parents.


For some people, prostitution is an opportunity to live, or to survive rather. For those who are 18 and above, it's become a personal choice, not that they have other choices. I'm sure, if there's a better job out there and if they have the skill, prostitution would not have been included in their choice of work. Like, the other night, I was watching on a local network the "local bills" that our councilors passed. One of them was talking about prostituttions. He said that "it is very alarming that when the sun sets, prostitutes are on queue" on this particular avenue, and "these prostitutes are very young like 14-16 years old." He added, "these young women are not native of this town, they've come from other poor provinces. We therefore think that we should set a raid, and take all the prostitutes." One chauvinist councilor in a malicious tone said, "I'll go with you", and all other chauvinist councilors, as if in unison, reiterated, "me, too", and they all laughed. Bastards! They wanted to go there not because they want to save these young women but because they want to see a spectacle, being surrounded by half-naked women, would have been a taste of ectasy. If they trully want to be of help, they would have a ready-made alternative for these young women. They would have planned it really well, like send them to school after the Department of Social Welfare and Development officers have counselled them. But no, they just wanted to "catch" these young women as if they were the criminals. Like most raids, these women would be put to jail, subject to more molestations and sexual abuses by God-knows-who. And what about those people who made profits out of these poor young women? Nothing. They just enjoy their profit, relocate and look for another opportunity to lure poor young women to their bait. Our local government, obviously is oblivious of women's rights, of gender sensitivity. They make local bills that are trully nonsensical. They don't even read, I'm sure, that's why they are so dense. Again, it's our fault for voting these people. Well, I didn't vote for them but the rest of local city populace did.

August 19, 2008 | 11:59 AM Comments  0 comments



rowjie   rowjie Rowjie's TIGblog
Rowjie's profile

Mahaba-habang Inuman Yata Ito


Mahaba-habang inuman yata ito!

Mahaba-habang inuman yata ito!

Ilabas na ang mga beer at mahaba-habang kwentuhan ito! Haha. Dahil na rin sa matagal-tagal kong pagka-hiatus ay naipon na ang mga kwento ko.

Actually parang di ko na nga din ata maalala ang mga ikukwento ko. Anyway, sana maalala ko lahat.
Ayun, ang dahilan ng aking matagal na pagka-hiatus ay dahil aayusin ko sana ang blog ko pero super busy talaga ako kaya inabot na ako ng higit sa isang linggo.

Kamakailan ay nagkaroon kami ng “cocktail” sa opisina. Ang purpose talaga noon ay para siyang acquaintance party kasi ang dami ng new employees sa office. Wow, malapit-lapit na akong maikonsidera bilang isang “old employee”. Hehehe… At since medyo pormal-pormalan party siya, eh kami ay naatasang magbihis ng medyo kakaiba naman from the usual. Di ko naman masyadong kinarir actually. Hehe. At (sa kasamaang palad) ay ako ang itinanghal na “Male Star Of The Night”. Hehe. Nakakatuwa na medyo nakakhiya din.

May premyo kaming tig-500 pesos ni female star of the night, na hindi man lang umabot sa wallet ko dahil sa mga kantyaw ng aking mga office mates na magpakain. Pero okay lang yun. Enjoy naman.

May kakaunti akong mga larawan na naipost sa aking multiply account.

Hmmm… Ano pa ba ang kwento? Hay, kung kailan naman heto at nakaharap na ako sa computer eh tsaka ko naman nalimutan ang mga kwento ko. Hay. Anyway, nakakalungkot na balita ang lumabas nung isang araw tungkol kay master rapper, Francis M. Who would have thought na magkaka-leukemia siya. Pero siyempre, sana gumaling siya agad.

Sa trabaho naman ay medyo busy ako recently, at feeling ko super busy din sa mga susunod na araw. Huhu… Baka hindi muna ako masyadong makapag-gym kung ganun nga ang mangyayari.

Gosh! Ano ba ito! Nalimutan ko ang mga ikukwento ko!!! Haha. Anyway, gusto ko lang namang maka-catch up sa mga kwentong di ko naipost dito. Nawa’y maalala ko ang lahat sa mga susunod na araw.

O siya siya, maginuman na lang tayo!


August 18, 2008 | 9:08 AM Comments  0 comments



rowjie   rowjie Rowjie's TIGblog
Rowjie's profile

Ang Pagbabalik


Hello! Namiss ko ang pagbablog kahit halos dalawang linggo lamang akong nanahimik. Well, di ko naman talaga planong magpaka-hiatus ng matagal. Aayusin ko lang naman talaga ang blog ko kaya lang kulang talaga sa oras, gustuhin ko man na maayos siya agad.

Marami na akong kwentong hindi nailagay dito sa blog ko kaya I hope maikwento ko siya sa yo sa mga succeeding blog entries ko.

Pero ang pinaka excited akong ikwento sa iyo ay akin na ang domain name na www.rowjielogy.com. Hehe. Yehey!

This is Rowjie, signing on again! Live High!


August 17, 2008 | 9:08 AM Comments  0 comments

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Katea   Katea hekatea's TIGblog
hekatea's profile

On Reading Umberto Eco
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

I just love everything that he writes.

When I first read "The Island of the Day Before", I was like, "Omigod! That's exactly how I imagined things when I was a young HS student, creating my own theories about getting old or younger the moment one crosses the latitudes" But of course, his was more intellectual in a sense. It was like reading what I had in mind.

Anyway, my latest addiction is his Foucault's Pendulum. I read it before and reading it again after 3 years of keeping from the shelf. Now, I understand it more clearly. I really believe that his works are the work of not just a creative writer but a genius, somebody who can infuse history, myth, science, religion and creative writing in one. I mean, there are other writers who write beautifully but not with intellectual magnitude like him. Eco does not only entertain but informs very well. I have to read the "Name of the Rose" soon. I have some of his books in my library and this month til next month, he will be my "author of the month". I wish I could see him in person! Maybe that chance meeting will spark some inspiration in my own writing. Maybe.

Funny, I've been directed to the Middle Ages era in all the books I've recently bought, especially the ones connected to the Templars. Maybe, it's the kind of topic that's been read many many times and it's no longer a hot topic. I really don't mind having that kind of information: myth, stories, legends of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. I just enjoy reading.

August 14, 2008 | 10:44 AM Comments  0 comments



vsorayav   vsorayav Vida Soraya's TIGblog
Vida Soraya's profile

About the Justice Jose L. Sabio, Jr. Controversy

Dear Friend,
It's me again.  First, allow me to thank you for all the support and
prayers that you have shown my father and my family during these times
to trial.  And thanks for passing my email. The only things that keep
us going are your prayers and whole-hearted support. I am overwhelmed
by the email and texts that we have received these past days and we do
appreciate them. I am only sorry this has to take up your time still.
Second, I beg you not to let up in your prayers and support. As we
said, this was going to get ugly. Just today, my father has been
depicted in the most disgusting way as a double-dealer. Whatever
least-favorable fact they can get a hold on, they will spin to make
him look evil.
Can you expect me to take sitting down an editorial which depicts my
father as "hopelessly naïve…too clever for his own good…or a bumbling
prisoner of circumstance, who has blown the lid off a legal system so
thoroughly tainted it cannot absolve itself the longer the inquiry
...

August 14, 2008 | 3:08 AM Comments  0 comments

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Katea   Katea hekatea's TIGblog
hekatea's profile

Learning a New Language
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Since my visit to Mexico, I had this dream of learning the Spanish language whole-heartedly. Although I took Basic Spanish a few years back, I only remembered a few phrases. The Filipino language has similarity in the Spanish language, as a matter of fact, there are so many Filipino words that are derived from Spanish. For this reason, I was able to, more or less, bargain some items in the flea market in Mexico. People thought I was Mexican. As my teacher would say, "you were Mexican, the Wise Woman of Mexico, Was it Mayan?". But when I went to Spain, it was totally different. The Spanish was harder to understand probably because they spoke quite fast and kind of slang.

Anyway, I recently visited a bookstore and bought 5 Spanish grammar books. From beginner's to intermediate, from conversational to basic form, and of course, a writing worksheet! Everyday, I try to read 1-5pages a day just to familiarize with terms and construction. I am preparing myself so that when I study the language formally, I won't start from scratch. I feel, I'm destined to go back to Spain (or I dream of going back to Spain, anyway) so I have to learn their language better.

Next time, when I'm good with Spanish, I will have to go back to my French school and relearn the language. Yes, I did study French for the simple reason: to be able to pronounce French food especially pastries properly. Hahaha. I just love French pastries and cakes. Yummy!

Next will be Italian. I like their accent, almost like singing; very romantic.

Next next will be German.

Then the classical languages (Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, Eyptian...) I'll just stop on my death bed, well, maybe not. Who knows, I might be chanting a Tibetan prayer to hasten my "transformation".

August 12, 2008 | 12:32 PM Comments  0 comments

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melrose   melrose melrose's TIGblog
melrose's profile

Why don't we organize ourselves.....
Related to country: Philippines

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Its has been long since TIG Philippines is working...Or should I say actively working? Even though, I am inspired by the number of poeple subscribed to this e-network. Individual stories inspires me to do little things in respond to the pressing issues we Filipinoes faced today. Reproductive Health Bill is pending in congress, shortage of food supply, worsening political environment.

This is actually my first time to write in this blog. Funny.
But with hope in me, that someday, we can organize ourselves, unite our forces, and do big things to help uplift our country.

August 10, 2008 | 8:43 AM Comments  0 comments

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mheegay   mheegay Hail Marygrace 's TIGblog
Hail Marygrace 's profile

I POST THIS 2 ARTICLES FROM OUR LOCAL DAILY SITE. THIS IS REGARD TO THE SITUATION IN MY REGION WITH THE ANCESTRAL DOMAIN ISSUES...

Thursday, August 7. 2008
MILF rebels sightings trigger panic in Zambo
by Dan Toribio Jr. & Jemeuel Mojica
Article courtesy of Daily Zaboanga Times site.

Residents panicked yesterday amid reports that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels are in Zamboanga City since Monday when a big rally against the Bangsamoro homeland was in progress.

The situation became more tense when Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari and his entourage arrived in this city yesterday in what was described as a “journey of peace.”

Live radio coverage of Misuari’s visit made the residents confused as they thought that Misuari’s group was one with the MILF rebels.

At least three schools sent their students home for fear of eruption of violence in the streets. Text messages likewise circulated that Zamboanga City was on “triple alert”.

The tension started after DZT reported the presence of MILF rebels with firearms eating at a restaurant along Gov. Camins Road.

Reports also disclosed that unidentified armed men believed to be MILF rebels were sighted in Manicahan, Cabaluay, Sangali and Labuan.

Soldiers and policemen were dispatched to the mentioned places to secure the people and the barangays.

Many parents stopped their children from going to schools for fear of kidnapping.

Last Tuesday night, residents living along the highway in the east coast were thrown into panic after they spotted a group of per