A Literal Waking Nightmare

Photo borrowed from My Haunted Life Too:  Image Link

When you dream, you usually forget about it. You may recall it for a moment, but then it quickly fades. I, for one, have experienced recalling dreams just a few minutes into my waking state and then completely forgetting about them barely another minute afterwards. But not this one.

13 January 2018
The following narrative is deliberately written in the present tense. It's an account a dream, so duh!

I'm in a very dim room. A pair of distinctly rough hands grab my shoulders from behind. I turn to see who it is and notice a tall, skinny man with hairy arms. I look up, but the faint light only permits a view up to his chest. I see no face. It does not occur to me to try harder to see one. Instead, I turn away.

I regain consciousness and suddenly my surroundings change from the vague scene of a dream into my own room. I am awake, but the hand is still on my shoulder. I could feel it fully on my bare skin -- rough, warm and worn out, like a fisherman's or carpenter's.

My heartbeat begins to race. It's a horrible feeling. Normally, sleep paralysis accompanies something like this, but I am fully mobile. Now taking notice of the light piercing from the lamp post outside my window through the makeshift curtains made from a microfibre towel and a blanket I once took from an Etihad flight, I am fully conscious.

I move my shoulder and the hand is still there. I come to terms with the idea that there is another person in the room with me. I lay frozen, feeling almost helpless. Then I realise I could tell it to go, so I do just that. It obeys. I feel the skin on his palm part from mine as he lifts it off my shoulder. And now, silence. I hear no footsteps, no doorknob turning, no door hinges creaking -- nothing. It takes a minute before I turn my head to the blindside of the room, to what the subdued light piercing through my drapes shine on. And nothing, thank goodness. It was only a nightmare. Or was it, though?

Who was that ? Was it a malevolent being ? Was it benevolent? Was it neutral? It did not harm me in any way. It just left me a little shaken. I was afraid, sure. But not all that we fear are bad, and not all that we trust are good.

Self-Introduction Write-Up for the T.S.P.B.S.G.

I wrote this introduction article for the national lecturers' study group of the Theosophical Society in the Philippines.

There are no pieces of sensitive information contained in it, so I figured it'd do no harm to post it here.

_______________________________

Namaste!

I'm Ludwig Bon Mirgiño Quirog, a 22-year-old Boholano. I've been an official member of the T.S. since 2008, but I've been attending meetings since as early as 7-years-old. My parents, Boni and Liza, are both Theosophists themselves so I was introduced to Theosophical ideas and literature early.

As a child, I grew up picking up all sorts of information from my environment and learning from them instead of following a funnel with a single view. I was taught that everything, including chairs and pillows, had life. I was also trained never to hate anything or anyone for any reason.

I had a fascination for comparative religion when I was little. I studied Eastern spiritualities with my parents and I even went through a phase where I declared myself a Buddhist with a dream of becoming a monk one day—which caused me to be ridiculed by everyone who didn’t understand.

In 2007, with the inspiration of my father and the world’s need for peace, I started to get involved with the interfaith dialog efforts of the United Religions Initiative. I fell in love with the organization because its cause is centered on ending religiously-motivated violence and promoting peace among the world’s different religions and spiritual traditions through dialog in grassroots communities—similar to the Theosophical principle of Universal Brotherhood. For the U.R.I., I co-founded a Cooperation Circle called Trust, Understanding, and Learning Among Youth—T.U.L.A.Y. C.C., for short. Its aim is to build trust and understanding by learning from each other. Moreover, it is primarily a circle that promotes environmental awareness, so its activities mostly have to do with Earth care endeavors such as coastal clean-ups, tree planting, awareness seminars, and nature appreciation trips.

In 2010, I turned my post as coordinator of T.U.L.A.Y. C.C. over to a co-founder of mine and I became the primary coordinator of Bohol Goodwill Volunteers Inc., the organization that my father had founded in 1996, which is also a cooperation circle of the U.R.I. Its advocacy is mainly social issue awareness and personal outlook transformation. We promote peace through spreading information on acceptance of human differences in race and gender orientation, and proliferation of a positive attitude towards gender equality among many things.

Last November, I was elected president of the Bohol Theosophical Lodge. I accepted it as a big challenge and with great honor. Yes, it entails a lot of responsibilities, but it is absolutely not a burden. As much as I will be able to help lots of people, I will also be helping myself in the process. And joining the B.S.G. is an awesome way to kick start things.

Not of the Dragon Yet

Just so you all know, the Year of the Water Dragon doesn't begin until January 23rd!

So, yeah.  Don't go around greeting Chinese people "happy Year of the Dragon," because it's still the Year of the Hare until then.

This article is about cultural awareness, okay?

I'm not scolding anyone.  I'm just writing this so you'd all be made aware.

Have you ever taken a long placement exam with multiple sub-section tests in a single session?  I bet you have.  You know... tests like NCAE, NMAT, LSAT, NEAT, NSAT, UPCAT, USTET, IQAT and other pretentious acronyms ending with E's or T's.  Yes, I'm talking about those.  They're pretty annoying, right?  And I'll be damned if a huge chunk of you reading this don't think the annoyance largely stems from the time limits.  I know you feel me here.

Take this situation: You're working on a test that you know is supposed to be good for one whole hour.  However, lo and behold, a seatmate of yours pokes your shoulder on the 52nd minute to tell you that your next test has begun.  Even though you know he/she is wrong, you still get pretty annoyed, don't you?

Well, for Chinese people and pedantic people with Chinese descent, that's kind of how it feels when you greet them "Happy Year of the Whatever-Zodiac-Animal-Comes-Next" before the Chinese New Year actually comes.

Also, when you try to make representations of the Water Dragon, please don't give them bat-like wings and arrow tip tails.  Those are European dragons.  Do a little research on the appearance of Asian Dragons before you try to draw anything.  And, much like the image above, the term Water Dragon doesn't refer to a dragon that dwells on water.  Rather, it refers to a dragon that's actually made of water.  However you draw the wateriness doesn't matter much, though.  Just please make sure it's not a creature that looks like it's been pulled right out of the Welsh National Flag and recoloured blue.

Anyway, until January 23rd comes around, Happy Last Days of the Year of the Metal Hare, everyone!

Random Thoughts at 4 in the Morning

I don't know why I'm writing right now.  I've been on my books for way too long.  I don't feel well.  I've been sneezing all night and my head hurts.  I guess this is what one gets for slacking off.

I feel a fever coming on.  Should I get some sleep?  I have something to do early this morning.  If I sleep now, I might not be able to wake up.  Oh, I'm such a bloody plonker!

Me and my bald...  Wait, no.  My hair has already grown a little.  Wow!  Did my hair grow that fast?  I only had it shaved last Wednesday.  Five days ago, my head was completely hairless and now, well, it's not.

Should I take a photo for my readers to see?  Naaah!  I'm way too tired to do that.  I don't even want to wash my face before hitting the hay, but, alas, I need to.  Getting zits is not a pleasant experience.

What in the world am I talking about?  What should I talk about next?

Oh, yes!  Manny Pacquiao!  His fight yesterday was a complete...  I don't even know what adjective to use for it.  He should have lost.  I've already said this on Facebook but I'm saying it again here because I want to.  Juan Manuel Marquez should have won that match.

More on Pacquiao...  He has immersed himself in politics--an arena that he knows absolutely nothing about.  He stands in opposition to a bill that would provide education to people and help even out the lopsidedness of rich-poor opportunity distribution simply because of his religion!  Screw that!  When you're a representative, you should listen to your constituents, not create stances based on the twisted views of the hierarchy of your religion!

Oh, it doesn't end there.  Pacquiao has been telling the nation that he has plans to run for vice-president.  And later the presidential seat.  What?  No way!  Not gonna happen!  Not on my watch!

Deal With It!

I am bald.

I am short.

I am a Filipino.

I am part European.

I am dominantly Asian.

I am a human being.

I am everything I am.

Deal with it.

Intact Egg + Microwave Oven = BAD IDEA!

I had a very bad case of momentary stupidity today.

I took a saucepan, filled it with water, and dropped two intact eggs in it.  I was so ready to mount it on top of the stove, when all of a sudden, I thought to myself, "screw it!  It's gonna take way too long.  I'll microwave one to boil and scramble the other one instead."  So I placed one in a microwavable thing-a-ma-jig half-filled with water, popped it in the microwave oven, set the timer to two minutes, and waited.

One minute into it and I found myself in the middle of a much-needed yawn when the egg literally exploded inside the oven!  It gave off a loud thud like someone's head was being bashed against a concrete wall.

Just an inch away from freaking out, I quickly unplugged the device and opened it and, well, I don't think I need to explain how it looked.

So, yeah, take it from me.  Intact raw eggs inside a microwave oven?  NO!  BiiiG NO!




To any family members of mine reading this...  No worries.  I cleaned it up right after taking a photo of it.  I also did a little research and found out that exploding eggs aren't detrimental to microwave ovens--just to the eggs and the emotional well-being of the stupid person/people in front of it.  In the latter case: me!  But I'm alright.  No therapy needed.  LMAO!

.

Of Generation Gaps and Wisdom

Chronological advancement advantage only presupposes possession of greater wisdom.


However, members of a particular generation have a great deal of things to learn from members of another generation--from the older to the younger and, in turn, from the younger to the older.


Listening and Understanding, employing genuine Love and Compassion are the basic keys to achieving Harmonious and Peaceful coexistence.


It is true that the perennial philosophies are matters of broad discussion, which great minds who have existed longer in the present consciousness usually bear more profound credibility to give insight on.


Keep in mind, however, that everything is dynamic and subject to the laws of evolution--most especially when dealing with the subject of knowledge.


In the end, a give-and-take process of insight exchange among various generations will always work best.  No one holds the absolute truth.  Likewise, no one is inherently and absolutely incorrect, either.

.

.

.

Old Entry #13: I Idolize John Gokongwei, Jr (But...)

Time for another old entry.  Well, I don't know exactly what makes it "time" for one.  I just feel like posting one so that means it's time!

Not much blabber needed for this one.  It has to do with John Gokongwei, Jr as my role model in the field of business and entrepreneurship (although I'm not as hardcore as he is... yet).  It also talks about a very sweet bottled juice drink that his company produces, which, for that matter, I haven't seen in quite a while.

I wonder...  Maybe I was right after all.  Where'd it go?  Wanna know what I'm talking about?  Go ahead and read!

This was originally posted on Apr 6, '09 3:00 AM on Multiply.com.

__________________________________________________

If nonsensical blogs annoy you, then stop reading and leave now.

Well, don't say I didn't warn you...

Anyway...

Two years ago, when I was still in Silliman University business school, my dad gave me this book called The Path To Entrepreneurship.  It told the story of how John Gokongwei, Jr constructed his massive business empire.  It divulged how he went from riches-to-rags-to-riches -- how he managed to carve his name in the list of the world's most respected business personalities.

[Note: Such list excludes Donald Trump]

I read the book from cover to cover between breakfast and lunch one nothing-else-to-do Saturday morning.  And believe me, it was inspiring.  You need not be business-minded to appreciate it.  You don't have to take it in as some sort of business scheme textbook.  Let it inspire you the way it should.  The way it did me.

Yes, John Gokongwei, Jr is a well-renown man in business.  Yes, he is a good man.  Yes, he has helped a lot of people.  Yes, he gives job opportunities to thousands and thousands of Filipinos who would otherwise add to NSO's figure of native mendicants.  Yes, he is a role model for all of us who wish to take a similar path in carving our names somewhere.  Yes, yes, yes.

HOWEVER...

I personally do not believe that the bottled juice drink his company sells actually aids in making a person slim down -- or even lose weight at the very least.  It's just way too sweet.  Universal Robina's TV commercial says Fab has some sort of substance that burns fats.  If all those substances that allegedly help burn fats could actually work their way into doing what they could supposedly do, then where does all that sugar go?  It would probably just compensate for the burned fat and nullify the effect.  Or, or all it probably does is add to our body fat substance.

I don't know what the truth is but that's what I think.  I'm not a chemist.  I don't really know.  Who am I to make such judgment.  This is just an opinion, okay?  Don't diss me for this.  It's just that I haven't blogged in a long time and I felt the need to post something.  My apologies.  But, anyway, I still drink it.  I drink it a lot.  It tastes good.  It just seems preposterous to me that something that sweet could actually aid me in slimming down.

I believe in C2's antioxidant content, though.  At least, I'd like to believe -- since I drink it ever so often.  It has a very refreshing tinge to it.  Moreover, it has that reassuring bittersweet taste of green tea leaves that tells me every time I drink it that: "I'm not just drinking some bottle of concoction made from sugar and whatever else.  I'm actually protecting myself from cancer."

[LMAO!]

So, yes, I idolize John Gokongwei, Jr.  However, the idea of Fab doing what the ads say it could do is just plain ridiculous.

.

.

.

You Really Think You're All That, Don't You, Bishop?

“Ito ay isang malinaw na insulto sa ating Civil Code at sa katuruan ng Simbahang Katolika!  Kawawa naman ang mga taong ito!  Wala nang kinikilalang Diyos!  Wala na rin silang paggalang sa kanilang sarili!  Dapat na matigil ang kahibangang ito!  Ang mga nagpakasal at nagkasal ay mayroong mga problema sa pag-iisip."


Translated from Tagalog Filipino to English:

"This is a blatant insult to our Civil Code and to the teachings of the Catholic Church!  These people are pathetic!  They do not recognize God!  They do not even have respect for themselves!  This foolhardiness should stop already!  Those who got married and those that married them have mental problems."

.

That, up there, my dear brothers and sisters, is a statement by Most Rev. Carlito Cenzon of the Roman Catholic institution, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), which isn't even worth spelling out to begin with.  Well, just for the sake of those who don't know.

It was obviously provoked by the recent big attention-drawing event in Baguio City, where a local liberal Christian denomination, the Metropolitan Community Church, held a mass same-sex marriage ceremony.

The good bishop felt the need to say something in response to how what they were doing was a so-called insult to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

.

Well, Carlito Cenzon, if you felt the need to respond to that, I now feel the need to respond to you!

Bottom line is this:  That marriage ceremony that happened in Baguio of recent had abso-freaking-lutely nothing to do with you!  It wasn't like they got married in a Roman Catholic church.  They got married under the spiritual guidance of their own ministers.  And, newsflash to you!  That made it none of your business.

Why would you say you got insulted in the first place?  It's not like the whole nation is required to conform to your religious standards.  Do you feel THAT powerful just because you're all ordained bishops and because Roman Catholics kiss your hands and give you the best food there is to serve?  And just because you get so lofty a regard by the nation's majority, do you think that gives you the power to stick your nose in other people's affairs?

Also, who the heck are you to say that those people didn't recognize God?  For your information, your church doesn't have a monopoly on God.  No one does!  And you bishops aren't privy to the fullness of God's will either.  I have Lea Salonga to thank for those words.

Furthermore... No self-respect, you say?  Mental problems, you say?  Wow!  What an insinuation!  You not only think you're up there and all-powerful, you even think you're intelligent.  Nice self-regard, Carlito.  Very nice, indeed, especially coming from a person who belongs to an institution that killed thousands and thousands of people during the Inquisition--the same institution that imprisoned Galileo for educating us all about the sun being the center of the solar system--the same institution who killed Joan of Arc and later declared her a saint to vindicate itself.  And yet, you're also an institution that teaches of compassion, respect, kindness, and God's unconditional love for the world.  The likes of you used in the same sentence as "Catholic Church" makes the perfect oxymoron.

Catholic is supposed to mean all-embracing.  Where have your positive principles gone?  You've been mostly about hate and discrimination and intolerance lately.  Your church has a beautiful name.  Too bad it has been stained and decimated irreversibly by the people who run it - the likes of you!

All you now know is church-church-dogma-dogma-hate-hate-discriminate-discriminate-shun-shun-shun, so don't pretend like you're qualified to influence state affairs and the affairs of people whose leagues you're obviously inferior to!  You have the right to comment on things, but, hey, SO DO I!  I respect you for being a human being and I'm not saying these things to demean you.  I'm saying these things to give you a slapping wake-up call and make you realize how low and insipid you're presenting yourself to be and that you don't bear the right to dictate anyone's lives and condemn people's loving ways as foolhardy Godlessness.

By all means, go ahead and preach in your sphere of influence.  Until you turn your face blue and fall down, you can tell your faithful followers that it's wrong to get married to the same sex and tell them they'd go to hell if they do it.  You probably do that all the time already.  However, do it in your own church and in places where you're certain only your followers are nodding.  Don't pretend to be a monarch and impose on the rest of the country as if you're some sort of credible authority whose words the Philippines should abide by.  This isn't the 17th century anymore.

Know your place in society, Carlito.  Go back to your headquarters and stay there living the life of "priestly poverty!"  Play mahjong with your clergy buddies or something.

You are the pathetic one here, Carlos Cenzon!  This also goes to Teodoro Bacani and every single one of you who think the same way.

.

P.S.  I'm speaking generally in this entry, but I do recognize the fact that there are members of the Roman Catholic Church and its clergy who are good, right-thinking, and intelligent people.  Also, I didn't cite the institution's past mistakes to demean all its members.  I just mentioned them to provide a reality check to the hierarchy and remind them that the institution isn't (has never been and won't ever be) as perfect as they perceive it to be.

.

.

.

Absolute Justice

Life would be very convenient for me if I were to allow myself to sin everyday and confess at the end of each week to have everything effortlessly erased from my slate.

Or maybe... I could sin as much as I want, keeping faithfully in mind that I am predestined to be saved.

However, I'm not down with such paths.

I believe there is no convenient way to get through life.

I believe that mistakes are to be learned from and not simply erased from consciousness.

I also believe that negative acts are, likewise, to be returned to us in some other form, some time in the future - not merely dismissed as forgiven sins.

Yes, the Absolute God, fountain of Divine Consciousness, is unconditionally loving.

God loves all of us equally, regardless of differences.

God loves every human being - every race, male or female, every gender, every sexual orientation, every belief held.

It's a fact that's hard for some to embrace that God even loves the bigots and criminals equally as God loves those with positive consciousness.

God loves every other being - animal or plant or virus or bacteria or whatever.

Putting all those thoughts in mind, God's equal love for all also means that...
God is purely and infinitely fair.


Cheers, everyone.

.

.

.

Old Entry #10: Nosebleed

Another old entry just for the heck of it!

I didn't think this expression would last up to now.  I though it would eventually die after two years.  Alas, it still exists and thousands of university students in the Philippines still use it.

Yeah, whatever! 

This was originally posted on Oct 14, '08 10:35 PM on Multiply.com.

__________________________________________________

I used to ignore jokes forwarded to me via text messages on my phone so I wasn't really hooked to the infectious Inday Pandemic that was plaguing Silliman University--or any other university for that matter.

Halfway into the first academic semester of 2007-2008, I noticed that more and more people adopted the term "nosebleed" to retort to people who used English terms they didn't understand.

I'll give you a sample Inday joke.


Amo: Inday, ba’t sinisipon si Junior?

Inday: He came in direct contact from surfaces contaminated with rhinoviruses which entered the cells of the lining of his nasopharynx which in turn rapidly multiplied. Thus, giving him a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system called acute viral nasopharyngitis.

Amo: [nosebleed sabay nataranta] what??! tumawag ka ng ambulansya!


Here's an example of an ordinary dialog wherein the term is used to describe a word I just said.


Klarisse:  Bon, go na!  Face him.  You're such a chicken talaga!

Me:  Ayoko nga!  Come on.  Talking to him will only exacerbate the situation.  As if it's not dire enough.

Klarisse:  Ano ba naman!  Nakaka-nosebleed naman ng terms mo!


Nakaka-nosebleed?  Which word/s?  From what I know, the term is heavily used by people who do not understand a certain word.  So has the English proficiency of the common Filipino student plummetted to such horrifying depht?

Even some of my classmates in Basic Communication used the term "nakaka-nosebleed" to describe our instructor.  Gahd!  It's their job to speak straight English with use of atypical terms!  How else the heck would your nose stop bleeding?

And besides, why the word nosebleed?  What logical explanation could you provide to associate incomprehension with nose bleeding?  I'd rather seePatrick Star drooling blankly infront of me while I speak English than see a university student bleeding from the nose.

Yes, I'm overreacting and I'm ranting about something which would make everyone else's lives better when ignored.  Sorry but it's just become too much for me.  Even usage of the term "euphemism" made someone's nose bleed just a couple of days ago.  What?  Why not go to Wiktionary.org and find out what it means?  For God's sake, why allow yourself not to be aware of what a certain word means?  I just used it.  Go look it up!

How would you respond then?  Just let your nose bleed profusely until Red Cross/Crescent starts bringing bags for you?  Ugh!  Some people!

Please!  Do take responsibility for your own noggins!  We each only have one.  Remember, if the brain does not get enough blood flow (because you allowed most of the blood in your head to fall off your nose), it will be damaged permanently.  That's an indubitable medical fact.

So, please!

Moreover, do find an alternative term for nosebleed.  It's getting old -- not to mention tremendously annoying.  Try using the expression intellectually orgasmic or what have you.  Just not nosebleed.

.

.

.

Another RH Bill Argument Scenario

Before I begin, let's recite the mantra:

I support the RH Bill!

There!

On May 25th, a cousin of mine tagged me in a photo showing a hypothetical diagram of the expenses the nation would incur if the RH Bill is passed.

It bore the caption, "And you think the current form of the RHB is sexy?"

I responded in a way that somehow initiated an argument.  No, not with my cousin, but two other people whom I didn't know.  I don't know if you're going to like how it turned out, though.  I'm not sure I do.  I'm posting it here for public viewing purposes.

And, oh, while I was responding to most of BP's early arguments, I was watching Glee's final episode -- something that holds more of my interest than arguing with antagonists.  I know I could have done better in some points.  I have so many more things to say now, but, alas, they've gone silent.

In the morning, I had to check it before leaving for Dumaguete City and typing arguments almost caused me  to "no show" on my trip.

This entire thread is unadulterated.  I did not edit it in any way except for the spaces, font size, and boldface.

You can click on this LINK if you wish to see it -- if you have appropriate permission.  Maybe you'd be required to add my cousin as a Facebook friend first.




Ludwig Bon Quirog:

This diagram is still purely hypothetical... the point is, I want this to happen and we can beat each other up about it for sixteen hours, I'm still going to argue that it's beneficial and practical because it's biggest aim is to proliferate EDUCATION. The issue on distribution is not the whole point of it. If you're going to bomb it because it's the most logical thing to whine about, fine. Be that way. I'm sticking to education because that's what it's primarily all about. This is for the eleven women who die everyday. This is for the midwives who fight to battle ignorance. This is for the pauper who knows no other recreation but making children. This distribution issue is subjective and can be amended when it's being discussed in a productive manner. If you're just going to pick on the whole issue endlessly because of it, you're not going to amount to anything.

I'm just saying.

May 25 at 5:51pm · Like ·  2 people


Alistair Jephte Migriño Caseñas:

There are parts of the current incarnation of the RHB that raise a couple of red flags. Like I once said, I'd be amenable to it when those red flags are eliminated. It's the EDUCATION that we can concur on, Kuya Lud. You know that.

May 25 at 11:24pm · Unlike ·  1 person


Ludwig Bon Quirog

:D But I'm not against contraception either... if it's for those who need it, then be it. Certain limitations just need to be set. STRICT and STERN limitations... especially regarding disbursement of funds. as long as the money that's currently being funneled into corrupt hands gets where progress is attainable, meaning a newly married poor Juan won't have to live life with 12 hungry children, then I'd be proud to say "my taxes paid for some of your condoms."

May 25 at 11:30pm · Like ·  1 person


Alistair Jephte Migriño Caseñas

Which is where the bulk of the red flags are found. Funds tasked by Jose for the RHB could be used for other long-term aspects such as education, infrastructure, and what have you. Taxing Juan to pay for Pedro's condoms... For one reason or another, I smell a rat.

May 25 at 11:33pm · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

Hey, like I said... as long as it helps him start. of course, the limitations include stipulations of it never becoming a "forever" thing.. it's just to help him start the husband's job.. because if he derives productivity from income and education while not having to be burdened by more than one child at early marriage (assuming the woman was impregnated before marriage, as is the usual case), he could afford his own condoms later.. and by education, the woman will learn her choices (not getting pregnant if not desired/planned).. so she could do her part in generating income.. yes, there will be rats... but they will have to die at some point as in a heavily controlled scenario with a well-built infrastructure (as we want to put it), rats will not have the opportunity to reproduce... ^_^

May 25 at 11:39pm · Like ·  1 person


B.p. Betterphilippines

just wondering, is there no other way to provide rh education?

May 26 at 1:28am · Like


B.p. Betterphilippines

can't the government just use mass media to promote rh-related information?

May 26 at 1:29am · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

The gov't actually can. but we need concrete programs here.. we need hands on participation in this by people who know what they're doing... the government is now refusing to sit and watch things happen--leaving people to each his/her own.. we ought to be more supportive now that something progressive is underway... it is polite to argue specifications, but to suggest killing the entire bill on grounds of moral brouhaha is just sad... we can't afford to just watch sparks fly after releasing some sort of mass media program... progress needs to be calculated after input... also, there are baranggays in the country that don't have access to mass media..

May 26 at 1:34am · Like


B.p. Betterphilippines

perhaps the government should consider providing radios to those isolated barangays.

May 26 at 1:37am · Like


B.p. Betterphilippines

i'm not against the idea of providing rh information and making it more accessible. i also support population manage for the simple reason that a managed anything is better than an unmanaged one. however, i would like to see a better version of this bill.

May 26 at 1:39am · Unlike ·  3 people


Ludwig Bon Quirog

then again, that isn't hands-on, is it? It's a lazy attempt at educating people... the government doesn't expect people to actually listen to jargon over the radio.. are they supposed to simply imagine how a condom works or what it looks like? most poor people are complacent... that's why we need to reach out to them with education first.. hands-on education... and then technology can come later... several households don't even have access to electricity..

May 26 at 1:40am · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

If an impacting suggestion is to be made by someone, I believe they're willing to listen.

May 26 at 1:41am · Like


B.p. Betterphilippines

there are radios that operate on energy from a dynamo.

============

the gov't should provide health centers manned by people who can provide not only medical attention but relevant info. i don't think this version of the rh bill is needed for that.

May 26 at 1:43am · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

then suggest adding and subtracting based on logic.. and readily available resources should be considered, too..

as I've said, it's not the radio issue, it's the hands-on part... people can't just imagine how things work... especially those without basic academic education.. they need people to be there to show them things..

I agree with your statement that health workers should be authorities on relevant info, too... the centers should also be readily able to provide resources such as contraception.. on a limited distribution basis so people won't end-up dependent...

In my opinion, the bill is good.. but, like the state of the nation, it needs some work.. that's not impossible to deal with.

May 26 at 1:48am · Like


B.p. Betterphilippines

may i ask how is it good?

May 26 at 1:50am · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

Because it is for progress through education on reproductive health... a good use of taxes for population management, for a change, instead of most of it being funneled into the pockets of bamboozling public officials...

it's a counter-measure to ignorance... a way to explain to people, especially women, that they actually have choices... it's for the welfare of the 11 women who die everyday due to pregnancy issues.. it's for those who have fallen victim to the circumstance of poverty.. it's for the packed lying-in centers who have 2 women in one bed because of too many births and lack of space.. it's for the barrio family's 6 hungry children who had to exist because their parents didn't know any better..

yes, we have mass media, but general technological advancement for many remote areas is a far-fetched idea.. we can't just expect people to listen, we must go there and speak to them where we are sure we will be listened to.. the provisions of the bill entail that..

May 26 at 2:02am · Like


B.p. Betterphilippines

aren't those the goals or objectives? what i'd like to know is how the those things will be achieved through this bill?

May 26 at 2:14am · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

people being more educated about choices.. a better-managed population because of lesser women getting pregnant all the time.. ergo, better resource management... lesser people getting sick.. lesser child mortality rate... more productive educational system because of the more manageable number of students coming in (in the long run)... a bigger chance at everyone actually getting educated because there doesn't need to be any competition...

May 26 at 2:18am · Like


B.p. Betterphilippines

that's the projected effect. can someone please explain how the bill, once enacted into law, will actually work?

May 26 at 2:24am · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

look... I'm a huge optimist about this... a supporter.. a staunch advocate.. I am someone who wants this and will fight for it.. I have broad ideas to answer your question with since I've also asked them myself... I've gotten pieces of information from people who are as positive as I am... the programs I spoke of in my previous answers were part of the infrastructure... however, I would only be giving you second-hand information if I take the liberty of doing a blow-by-blow since I'm not an authority... if you really want to learn, ask the authority... Lea Salonga is on twitter.

I will now finish the final episode of Glee. haha!

May 26 at 2:50am · Like


Warlito Nobleza Vicente

‎"just wondering, is there no other way to provide rh education?" - there's this thing called a ... school

May 26 at 2:53am · Like ·  3 people


Warlito Nobleza Vicente

the diagram is hypothetical - so is the effect of the RH Bill

as Hans Rosling - Swedish statistician Extraoridnaire who works with TEDTalks pointed out that based on empirical data - "raising the quality of life reduces population growth" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpKbO6O3O3M&feature=player_embedded

May 26 at 2:56am · Like ·  1 person


Ludwig Bon Quirog

This is all hypothetical... what makes the difference is that I'm optimistic about it. No single principle holds the absolute truth. Different approaches work for different situations.

Raising the quality of life cannot be summoned as a solution if there are way to many people to cater to. We have a population problem and we need to deal with it in an educative manner that can reach out to everyone (IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL, because NOT EVERYONE IS IN SCHOOL) so we can, afterwards, then go on to create life quality-raising programs and watch the sparks fly on their own. Until then, we cannot stay in denial and stick to the same system that we've had for so long. It isn't working because people have so many opportunities to be complacent. There is no law that serves as an affirmative action to benefit those who are underprivileged of such resources and information. This is just a small step forward.

May 26 at 3:32am · Like


Warlito Nobleza Vicente

So you just want free condoms and don't want to raise quality of life?

Are you saying the Philippines shouldn't raise its quality of life and just settle for condoms?

Yes? No?

May 26 at 3:54am · Like


Warlito Nobleza Vicente

as Hans Rosling - Swedish statistician Extraoridnaire who works with TEDTalks pointed out that based on empirical data - "raising the quality of life reduces population growth" -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpKbO6O3O3M&feature=player_embedded - it's not hypothetical - it's FACTS :)))

May 26 at 3:55am · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

Do not insinuate words that I'm not saying. I merely pointed out that we need to address the population predicament ahead. I also pointed out that no single principle holds the absolute truth.

Besides, that's not all the RH Bill is about, anyway.

Spearhead a bill or at least proliferate an idea that *speedily* raises the life quality of 90+ million people in this country of ours with such limited resources we have and such kind of dire situation, and I'll start putting one of my eyebrows down.

May 26 at 7:17am · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

Don't steer the argument in a direction which makes it seem like all it's about is population control because, mainly, it's about reproductive health education for ones with lack of access, choices, and women's welfare (before, during, and out of pregnancy context).

May 26 at 7:30am · Like


Warlito Nobleza Vicente

Spearhead a bill or at least proliferate an idea that *speedily* raises the life quality of 90+ million people in this country of ours with such limited resources we have and such kind of dire situation, and I'll start putting one of my eyebrows down. -

knock.... Consti reform anyone? Remove the 60/40 :)

May 26 at 8:26am · Like


Warlito Nobleza Vicente

the bill intends to reduce the population - if that's not population control - what is?

May 26 at 8:27am · Like


B.p. Betterphilippines

optimism is a good thing. i like it too, but i think the debate over the rh bill is getting nowhere because the whole thing seems to be marketed as the solution to a wide range of problems, which i think it really is not. i think this is the very reason why in most discussions about the bill the goalpost seems to be moving all over the place.

May 26 at 10:28am · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

‎"if that's not population control - what is?" and I never said it isn't. I basically said it's not only about that.

May 26 at 5:27pm · Like


Ludwig Bon Quirog

BP... well... that's your opinion and I respect that.

May 26 at 5:27pm · Like

.

.

.

My Response to Some Preposterous Antagonistic Statements by an Ignorant Idiot

Yes, I just branded him with a name.  I don't care.  That's what he really is, anyway.

A couple of days ago, a friend asked for help in engaging in a discussion about the RH Bill.

In the thread, there was a certain man whom I noticed was such a staunch advocate against the RH Bill.  Why?  Based on what I've read him write earlier--as in before I came in--he says:  morality; pro-creation as the sole purpose of sex; Upholding the Roman Catholic institution's idea of what pro-life is; because contraceptives are designed to kill.  The list goes on.

I got so irked by his obtuseness and ignorance that I typed this long palaver of a response.

I wasn't able to resist pointing out what he really was:  an incorrigible fanatic fundamentalist who attacks senseless minute words with no position in claiming detail rather than presenting logical arguments.  He branded me a childish name-caller.  I got annoyed and realized he was doing that to divulge from the real discussion because he had nothing sensible to say as a retort.  I eventually stopped responding.

Anyway, the following are my responses.  The underlined PINK statements are my explanations as to why I responded as such.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Oh, you (yes, you)...

You can rant all you want about your religious stance and be obvious to the world about being in denial that it's the 21st century, but you can't deny the fact that we are about to hit 90 million very, very soon.

Are you just going to let people go on and on and on and on making children without educating them about the consequences? It's not a secret that the people who have the most children are those who are paupers to begin with. Aren't you wondering why? Are you going to say corruption? No! It's lack of education! Politicians can straighten up and give everything they have to these poor people and nothing is going to change because they aren't armed with the right stuff in their pathetic noggins about what to do with their resources. The RH Bill is about education.

Now, yes, let's talk about procreation and life because that's what your last statement was all about. Let's say procreation happens and a human being gets born into this world? What then? How will he/she be fed if the parents have 6 other children to feed first? And on the subject of life, what kind of LIFE will this child have? A one with a very degraded quality? A one with no quality at all? Death could knock on the door very quickly, you know. Now, if you say you reject RH education, you're saying you uphold this kind of situation! Yes, no matter how much you deny that you are, it's still akin to that. Where's your love for life? Where? And where does the RC church's respect for its sanctity come in? Do tell me.

Let's move on to the subject of contraception and whether or not it kills. Take the scenario of semen splattered on a blanket. That's basically what contraception does. It prevents the union of the egg and the sperm cells. Where's the killing part there? It doesn't exists! Are you telling us you feel sorry for the sperm cells because of all 40 million of them, not one was able to make it to the egg? And that the woman has to menstruate again and put that perfectly good egg to waste? Is that why? Are we a numerically threatened species? The "killing" contraceptives that you so intelligently speak of are abortifacients. Why you're stuck on abortifacients, I don't know. They're not happening! They're not being promoted by the RH Bill and you should know that.

You can hit that gong all day and rant about your beliefs, but they will not change the fact that we are in need of concrete action against poverty. This is, for that matter, a hindrance to the corrupt system as well since all those millions of unused funds that get funneled into corrupt pockets will now be used to fund the proliferation of the RH education.

Talk about contraceptives later! That's not the primary aim, but that's what you hammer on because it's the only thing the Roman Catholic hierarchy can present a legitimate and seemingly intelligent statement on. Well, guess what? Contraceptives are tertiary in this issue! What this is about is education! Education for couples, education for and protection of the welfare of mothers, education for those who are old enough to start asking some very sensible questions (so we can provide answers to those who are curious). The antediluvian habit of lying to your children is wrong and it's tantamount to courting disaster.

If you fear a scenario where 10-year-olds will be taught how to use contraceptives and condoms, you're not sane! That's just not going to happen!  This is an intelligent bill initiated by intelligent people, and that scenario is dumb! There's just no way!

___________________________________

Because he said I was ranting...

I'm not denying the fact that I was ranting. It's what I was ranting about that makes the difference. I'm just saying.

Because he asked if contraceptives kill...

You're putting the question this way: "Do contraceptives kill (prevent life)?" This in quotes was his statement. You can't play it like that. Killing is different from preventing life. If I prevent life by not allowing the union of the sperm and egg cell, that's not killing. You can play semantics all day long and you'll still be getting the same thing from us.

I'm not asking you to rest your case. In fact, I'm not asking you to do anything. I'm merely pointing out to the world the shores of your arguments. You know why I say shores? 'cause I can bathe in it without drowning myself. It's just not deep.

Because he said the average children of poor families is 1 to 4 from what he sees in places...

From what you see in places? 1 to 4 children? Where have you been going? And you're insinuating I watch too much TV? Wow! Blaming my youth, huh? Now, who's generalizing?

Because he asked me where I base my arguments and told me I watch too much TV...

Where exactly do YOU base your arguments?

He ridiculed my analogy and attacked the detail when it was insignificant to begin with.

And talking about the semen on the blanket. If you can't stick your brain to such method of comparison, I can't help you there. I only said it's a similar scenario of waste. I never said it was exactly THAT.

Because I said "If you fear a scenario where 10-year-olds will be taught how to use contraceptives and condoms, you're not sane," he automatically assumed I said he wasn't...

And I never called you "not sane." Geez, sensitive much on that? Go back up and read it again. Unless you're thinking about such scenario (up there)... Then you're probably right about me thinking you're not sane.

Because someone said "Wow! Very good," as a compliment to my long palaver.

You're just jealous about me being called "very good" since you haven't merited such a statement and you probably feel that, for what you're doing, someone should put a gold star on your forehead and give you a pat on the back. Not happening.

___________________________________

The following in quotes was my statement that led him to insinuate that I called him not sane.

"And if you're thinking about a scenario where 10-year-olds will be taught how to use contraceptives such as condoms, you're not sane!"

- So you really are thinking that way? Are you the bull's eye of fanatic obtuseness that my arrow has struck? Read it again. I said you're not sane if you think this way. Do you?

Because he asked me where I have been...

Where have I been? I've been in slums talking to people. I've been in remote areas advocating dialog with poor people who don't have access to regular resources. On average, those families have 5 kids. And if we say 4, do you think that's too little to consider? And do you know how many children there are in a regular elementary public school setting? Do you think 50 is too little? Yes, there is a need to allocate funds for building new class rooms. But why is that? Because there are just too many of us.

I'm not saying these children aren't blessings. They exist now and they should be cared for, but you cannot deny that most of them are products of irresponsible parenthood. My heart bleeds for the children who need to get up at 5 in the morning to do this and do that and get cooked under the scorching sun to do manual labor because they have to help their parents feed their siblings.

Once or twice every month, I visit a certain place in Bohol where people are in such kind of living condition. Parents who seek transient employment just to get a little milk here and there; 5 children; NO HOUSE! There are literally hundreds of these breeding all over that place with early marriage and the machismo tradition of I-am-better-than-you-because-I-have-more-children-of-my-own. Because they don't know any better. Because the RC church tells them that using condoms is a sin.

What's a bigger sin? Using condoms or leaving your child hungry? Let's not mention the fact that because this happens ever so often, children get sick and the parents fall into more debt (sometimes life-endangering).

___________________________________

Because he was starting to pick insignificant words from my statements and playing semantic...  I got irked about his immaturity at such an old age and decided to let him be since the argument was obviously not productive anymore.


For lack of sensible things to add, he ridiculed my words.

You're incorrigible, Manolo. Go fly a kite. Swim in the shores of your own ideas because that's all you're going to be doing for the rest of your life.

I have my sanity to lose in this kind of internet conversation. You obviously don't. I'd rather do this with a person who doesn't play semantics to get his way and one who actually knows how to read. That's another thing you don't do very well.

___________________________________

The RH Bill is for progress through education. You can beat the keyboard about your twisted and fundamentalist views on morality until your fingers get necrosis. That's all you have to say, anyway.

While we work for progress out here, you can stay in your cave and preach there--with your fellow fundamentalists who just love a good power play.

___________________________________

This is me getting annoyed to the point of utter disgust.

Typical... When your kind doesn't have any valid logical arguments, you resort to threats of excommunication and so-called eternal damnation. Wow! You are epic that way! And let's also mention the play on semantics regarding contraception being technical killing. Nobody really cares what the word connotes. We all know what it means.

The fact is, this is going to happen and your weak retorts won't do you any good. Deal with it. I'm not going to sit here and respond to your redundancy any more. I have better things to do. Good luck fighting your fight.

.

.

.

RH Now! We Need It!

What's taking too darn long?

I want RH Bill passed!

I want it passed NOW!


Why are there so many dumb people in the world who refuse to understand that this (RH Bill) is something progressive?


For that matter, why are there so many people against progress?


Goodness!


And what's this argument about rejecting the RH Bill because it means X would be taxing Y to buy Z's condoms?


What?  Would you rather have X tax Y and have a huge portion of Y's money get funneled into the pocket of some random corrupt politician while Z lives in poverty with 12 hungry children?


Now why would that happen?


Here's why:  Because, aside from the fact that he's a pauper who doesn't know anything and has nothing better to do, he didn't receive proper reproductive health education and family planning tips.


Why again?  Because the RH Bill is being suppressed by certain institutions who still believe it's the 19th Century.


Think!


Use that noggin!


And don't be a douche bag about this!

Any questions about it?

Wanna debate?

Wanna learn?

Wanna get educated?

Talk to me!
.
.
.