TATSULOK by Bamboo

“Habang may tatsulok at sila ang nasa tuktok, hindi matatapos itong gulo!” Indeed, very appropriate for the election season.

STRONGER PESO… WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The Philippine peso had definitely become a lot stronger during the past months. From a record high of P56-57 to a dollar a number of months back, it has currently remained between P48-49 per dollar. This is definitely a great improvement. Seems like very good news, huh?! But to me it’s not (as expected).

Does this really mean that our country’s economy is improving? If so, why can’t I see any tangible proof of this so-called improvement? Why is it that wherever you might look, you’ll still see poverty?

Have we really done it or have we just convinced some foreign investors that we Filipinos work for a cost far less than the average laborer and as such, they would get a lot more bang for every buck they’d invest should they decide to bring their business to our land?

On the other hand, could this be just a sign that more and more Filipinos have made the right choice and have gotten out of here?

This for me is the more likely scenario. More and more overseas Filipino workers are working their butts off abroad to ensure a better future for their families back home. And by doing so, also indirectly help increase the dollar reserves of the country thereby producing a stronger peso.

What do these OFWs get in return for sending home their hard-earned dollars, however? The answer is, less value for every dollar they worked for. It’s not enough to be called “bagong bayani,” you know. They too have mouths to feed. And less money means less everything for their next of kin.

Indeed, there is a direct correlation between the number of Filipinos abroad and the value of the Philippine peso. For whatever reason, though, a stronger peso does not necessarily equate with an improved economy. All we’ve got is a stronger peso.

So what does a stronger Philippine peso mean to me?
1) We have again, for the nth time, undervalued the skills of our Filipino workers in exchange for foreign investment
2) More and more Filipinos have decided to look abroad for a future they could not find here.
3) Less value for every dollar hard earned by our OFWs aka “bagong bayani”

POLITICS, POLITICS AND MORE POLITICS

Politics in the Philippines has always been dirty, corrupt, fraudulent, evil, immoral, etc. Whatever terrible word you can conceive, indeed, that defines politics in this country. And there is no reason not to believe that this coming election would not bring about any positive change compared to the previous ones. It’s been the same every three or six years that you can actually make accurate predictions regarding its outcome.

Here are a few of mine:
1) Traditional politicians will once again lay claim to some, if not all of the available seats of power. Your great great grandfathers would have been very proud of how well you handle the country’s economy… Oh wait, I meant to say the country’s money. By the way, that’s really a nice car you’re driving. Don’t forget though that my hard-earned money paid for one of your wheels.
2) There’s a great chance that we’ll be seeing some new faces in the government line up - new faces, yet old and not unfamiliar to the limelight. Let’s see how well they can act out intelligence.
3) Opposition will become pro-administration and pro-administration people will become opposition a few seconds after the election. Whose side are you really on anyway? Of course, the side that is winning... at the moment.
4) Some foolish candidate will cry “I’ve been cheated.” Or is it “I’ve been out-cheated” if there’s such word. Better luck cheating next time. You’ve got another three years to practice.

I used to think that the voter’s intelligence had something to do with the poor outcome of our elections and that setting the limit of those who can vote to people with IQ’s above 100 would make a significant difference. This seemed to be a very bright idea at first. But now, I think otherwise.

Yes, we’ve got to vote wisely but the fact is, it’s really up to the dude we elect whether he’s going to fulfill or not his promise. For instance, I voted for this candidate only to realize that he would live up to his name - a joke. Needless to say I won’t be voting for him again. He has done exactly nothing from my point of view. Someone please tell him “Bad Ka” at politics. All I see is a lizard and not the dragon that he claims to be. And he is but one of the very numerous examples of seemingly good choices who eventually end up as disappointments.

Is there hope yet for our country’s politicians? I don’t think so. “Habang may tatsulok at sila ang nasa tuktok, hindi matatapos itong gulo!”

…Yet another reason to love the Philippines so much… (The word of the day is sarcasm.)

REPRIMAND ALL TAXI DRIVERS… AND BUS DRIVERS… AND JEEPNEY DRIVERS TOO… AND DID I MENTION TAXI DRIVERS?

What is it with drivers of public transportation in the Philippines nowadays? Those alleged “kings of the roads” who tyrannically act as if they really do own every bit of street their tires touch.

If you drive almost every day of your life, you’d probably understand what the hell I’m talking about and you might even agree.

Pedestrians as well could attest to these experiences.

Have you ever been cut off by a speeding cab? Have you ever had the experience of almost being sideswiped by a jeepney? Have you ever been involved in an accident with these lower life forms? Hopefully not, but chances are your answer will be yes to all of these questions. Why do we tolerate this?

What are these unruly, undisciplined, reckless, (bleep! bleep!) drivers doing on our streets. Why are they allowed to do such despicable acts of rudeness and total disrespect for other drivers, not to mention pedestrians? It may have been ok if one or two do such. After all, there’s always one or even a couple of bad apples in a group. But the fact of the matter is, all of them are this way. I guarantee that there are no exceptions to this allegation.

I used to say “squatter kasi, kaya squatter din ang ugali.” It’s a bit judgmental but it’s the truth. I just don’t get how these drivers could do such things and then after a few seconds act as if nothing had happened and worse, get away with it.

It’s in their blood I guess. These people were probably born lacking a gene that codes for respect for other people including pedestrians and other drivers alike. On the other hand, hours, days, months or more likely years of driving may have shaken up their brain cells too much making them totally incapable of realizing that they could hurt people with their reckless driving; and most of the time, they actually do. Or maybe they’ve got mush for brains in the first place.

However unfortunate their situation may be, these idiots should not be allowed to roam our streets.

Why are the police and traffic enforcers not doing anything about this? They are probably asleep in some shaded area or simply keeping their eyes on some private vehicle and waiting for him to commit a traffic violation. And traffic violations mean extra money in the pockets of these jerks. Or they may tell you, no harm was done anyway. It was a near miss after all. Stupid people! Well that’s another story.

What does it take to get a driver’s license nowadays anyway? Don’t they get to be tested if they are psychologically sound or sane enough to drive? Well in my opinion, they should. You might as well throw in a crash course on road courtesy while you’re at it.

…Another reason to be proud of the Philippines huh!? (with sarcasm on top)
…Another reason why I can’t wait to get out of the Philippines…