Talk about word-count-worthy, I just finished proof-reading my blog post, and though it looks overwhelmingly long, if you do care for our country’s future, what I have written is a good-read, I poured my heart out on this one. However, if you don’t have the time, I have highlighted the key points in the article so that it would be easier for you to skim.

The level of respect and amount of hope that our people have on today’s government is indeed imperceptible; taking into account everyone’s all-out assault against both the administration and opposition (including their irrefutable attempts on killing each other). You can’t help but wonder what the future holds for our country. To date, there are only two things that excite me about next year…the upcoming NBA Free Agents (includes LeBron James and a gang of basketball talents) and the 2010 Elections. Yeah, the 2010 Elections: where patriots with much needed idealism are thrown into a pool of greedy, power-hungry, ass-kissing hypocrites. They converge and munch on the crumbs of what was a reputable-soon-to-be-super-power country. What, if not for their blind ambitions, will they offer the Philippines?

I was privileged enough to have caught part 2 of the ANC Leadership Forum (replay). I was searching for the complete series on YouTube and Torrentz.com but couldn’t find one. GLADLY! A friend was online and saw my YM status. Turned out, she taped part 1…Imagine that. With Mediafire.com as our favorite file-sharing tool (I say ‘our’ like you use it too eh?) she was able to give me the 360mb worth of political mumbo-jumbo spoiled with an overwhelming amount of clichés, in four cutlets.

Reactions to Part 2 (the first I caught) of the ANC Leadership Forum:

The participants were Mayor Jejomar Binay of Makati, Senator Loren Legarda of the opposition, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and Former President Joseph Estrada of the bilibid, yeah I said it. The following will be in order of their appearance during the Q&A.

Former President Joseph Estrada played the role of a gold fish in an ocean infested with sharks (he miserably failed because Bayani Fernando stole the role from him). His answers were clichés, yes, but he delivered them like they were from his heart. The veteran actor in him was definitely present. His answers were more comedy than wit. He was cutting thru the thick grass of political questions with the phrase “kidding aside”. The one thing I have to agree with him though, was his positive view on the RH Bill (because of his “experience”, he said.). If I wasn’t groomed to be a practicing Christian, I would completely agree with RH Bill as well. I am pro-choice and drastic times call for drastic measures. If we can’t handle or even educate people in the depressed areas to stop having children if they can’t take care of them responsibly, then we ought to at least give them the tools to prevent (not put-away) the fruit of their lust from “being”. However, I am a following Christian and believe that abortion/safe abortion should not be part of the deal; therefore my answer to the aforementioned problem would be free education!

Senator Loren Legarda is absolute. Her answers were very relevant and quite exalting actually. Though their answers were rehearsed of course, not ignoring the fact that she was a correspondent back in the day, Loren showed great resilience when presented with impromptu questions. It was the ‘can do’ not ‘will do’, no mediocrity attitude of hers that caught my heart. As well as her views on the MSME law, small businesses are keys to our economic improvement, considering our country is drowning in them.

Mayor Jejomar Binay is quite the character. He has this sincere look in him or maybe it’s because he looks like ‘Yoda’ of Star Wars, but there is this side who kept bragging about the many things that Makati was able to be during his regime. One can only eat something continuously until it becomes tasteless; and to me, that was what it was…Tasteless. His answers regarding the corruption issue and how he acquires his 43M net income were classics: he was thrifty (Who the hell gets 43M net by being thrifty??? I’m thrifty, but I always find myself a buck short of building a respectable amount.), he gained properties from his parents and he has a piggery. If there’s one thing good about Binay, and from what I heard, he manages taxes well.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando was a complete mess. There was this point when Tina Monzon-Palma asked if he was “above the law”, on the issue of the 2 supreme court orders he overruled (mind you, he had no right to do so, he SHOULD be in jail), BF actually said YES! That got me to stand and shout “WOW!” Later he steers away from the controversy by saying, “Yes I abide by the law.” This made him look even more stupid. Either he has the ear of a 90 year-old or he used pictionaries more than dictionaries as a kid…OR he thought he was actually above the law. Either way, it flushed whatever amount of respect I had in him. His statement about using our money for business and not for consumption, conversely, is certainly notable. What intrigued me the most was his 178M net income, unfortunately this wasn’t tackled. Tina Monzon-Palma probably got tired of talking to the junk BF was that night, I still can’t believe how smart he made ERAP look.

My thoughts on “art 2” as a whole:

Estrada, Binay and Bayani Fernando are without doubt, out-standing local officials. San Juan, Makati and Marikina are awesome partly because of what they have done. Erap has proven that he can’t take it on a national level; Binay and BF also look par with Erap. Senator Loren Legarda on the other hand, has not proven anything and being a media magnate alone has carried her places. However, I would gladly go with Legarda if it’s against these three, as she, considering what they all had to say, is more competent, relevant and honest.

Reactions to Part 1 of the ANC Leadership Forum:

The participants were Senator Chiz Escudero, Senator Richard Gordon, Governor Ed Panlililio of Pampanga, Senator Mar Roxas and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. Getting tired of typing now…

Senator Chiz Escudero the youngest, I believe, among the Presidentiables, was just moving. If cars were witty then he is a Ferrari. The charisma of this guy is nostalgic of Barack Obama’s. Three introductions for one person IN ONE PARAGRAPH, that’s how awesome Chiz Escudero is. He was quick to answer the questions asked, and piercing at that. Especially when he was asked about the positive contributions of PGMA, the man simply said: “…minulat at ginising niya at marahil sa ilang parte ginalit niya ang maraming Pilipino para seryosohin ang kanilang pagpili ng susunod na pinuno natin.” Now that’s riveting. He left every kid inspired in the end when he said, “ang kabataan hindi lamang pag-asa ng bayan, ang kabataan dapat maaasahan na ng bayan.”

Senator Richard Gordon I don’t have much to say about him except that he was boring and so full of clichés. He will never make a difference. Richard Gordon is way past his politician-prime if you ask me, naunahan pa nya si Joker Arroyo. Although I have to agree when he said that being resolute is PGMA’s lack as a leader. It is very true. Our country isn’t run by one tiny lady, its run by her family of clowns. Gordon failed to say though that being resolute is the only good trait HE has. He’s just got “bad rep” written all over him.

Governor Ed Panlililio rained “I believe” while speaking. His answer to every question began with “I believe”. He probably thinks he’s in a beauty pageant or something (not to hash the reputation of pageant contestants…just the likes of Janina San Miguel may be.). If this country were to run on sheer beliefs alone, we’d be called Cuba. We need more than idealism, everyone HAS idealism. You’re not as widely known as the other candidates, including Gilberto Teodoro, people would want to hear what you bring to the table, not what you believe in. Also, cut the “if the people believe…” non-sense. You know you want to run as President, say it. Use your beliefs as reason to back it up, and then say what you’re going to do about your beliefs. Don’t say “This should be addressed” about issues; say how you’re going to address them. Don’t leave us hanging.

Senator Mar Roxas is like Air Supply songs, they’re corny, they’re hated, but they stick on you like glue. Mar was just oozing with confidence, which showed and was heard. He said (on Presidency) “Do I think I can do a better job? The answer is yes.” Although it was pretty obvious that if what he and Korina Sanchez have is love, it isn’t pure. He’s at least using her to some extent; otherwise, he wouldn’t have talked about her as much as he did. IF he’s just using her however, Korina will also benefit from this…Imagine being a would-be-first lady. If I were a woman, I would choose “to be the first lady” to be one of my dreams. It was also pathetic for him to insert his “Lalaban tayo!” slogan during his talk.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro is smart. That’s all there is to this guy. Teodoro has the idealism, and he has the spine to say how he’s going to back them up. He also has the spine to stand behind the government he’s working for, without sounding arrogant or damaging others. That’s a plus. He is also for amending the Philippine Constitution, which is definitely out-dated, because of our people’s adaptation on other cultures, especially western. Our country’s a world in its own, give me a nationality and there are at least 10 people in our country who’s acting the part (and dami nang Fil-Am, Fil-Chi, Fil-Jap, Fil-Span, lalo na mga FIL-ING!). Our constitution needs to mesh with its new environment. The only concern I have is his experience. The level he’s in, and at his age—as compared to Chiz Escudero who’s younger but is a Senator. Bigger fish will eat him. He might fold.

My thoughts on “art 1” as a whole:

Gordon and Panlililio were like two bad jokes, one is used-up and the other one is missing a punch line. You can completely see through Mar Roxas’ mask; if there was an ounce of sincerity in him, his acting is ruining it. Teodoro and Escudero are both my choice. Both are young, yes, but both also gave the best answers: true and bold but sincere. If I had to choose one however, I would choose Chiz, his charisma won me over.

MY FINAL SAY:

Wow. If you reached this point, provided you read everything before this, then you must love reading and/or you’re completely concerned about your country’s health.

Anyway, after all of that, I’m still not satisfied. It would’ve been best to have heard Vice President Noli de Castro, Senator Manny Villar and Senator Ping Lacson; though I would’ve hated on Noli and Villar as well. No, I refuse to hate on Ping Lacson. His firm leadership is just too attractive for one not to care (I know the retro people--those who existed during the Marcos era--will hate on me for this). It’s his dedication to enforcing discipline that speaks loud for me. Scary, yes, but effective? I can only hope. “And I appeal to the learned and the highly educated in our society to share their thoughts and help guide the vulnerable 80% of the Filipino electorate to vote wisely and conscientiously, not for their day to day personal needs, but for a country that we all love and care for.” Says Ping Lacson.

Finally I would like to share with you my top bids for 2010: Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Ping Lacson, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and PRESIDENT CHIZ ESCUDERO (sounds good does it?).