The Social Impressionist: October 2015

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Sunday 4 October 2015

The 2016 Philippine Presidential Elections: A Carnival Of Fools

Oh for Pete's sake! Here we go again! The year hasn't even ended yet and politicians all around the Philippines are starting to sharpen up their claws along with trekking to the orthodontist to have their fangs cleaned and put a glossy shimmer to their reptilian scales so that they can flash their dubious smiles to give them a certain angelic impression for their constituents to worship about. Yes, it's the 2016 Philippine presidential elections once again, and it's time again to put on those nasty grins on the candidate's part so that voters can choose who amongst these thieving politicians they think can give them and their children a better run for the tax money that the people of this country are forced to pay the government in the hope of improving their miserable lives.



Politics here in the Philippines is way too dirty as the word itself does not even come close to describing what is really happening in the political arena. Oligarchs, kinsmen affinity and evil alliances are made in between numerous political and religious sectors for one single purpose, and that is to undermine and capture Philippine society into submitting itself subliminally to Democracy's infernal damnation. As a nation, the Philippines has a long history of slavery. First from the Spaniards who's first sole purpose was to colonize the country...well...given the fact that it was not easy on our part as a primitive country to understand why these Spanish people really wanted as to why they colonized us. At least they gave us a notion that there is such a thing as salvation with regard to imparting the doctrines of religion (which was the primary reason for our downfall as a people and race since Christianity was the sole key on how Spain captured the Filipino people through fear of religion and all of that superstitious beliefs).

I was really wondering why the educational curriculum here in the Philippines never teaches the “true” story of why and how the so-called “Philippine Independence” was gained by the Filipinos. Well kiddies...there is no such thing as a genuine Philippine independence! We were traded to Spain just right after the victory of the Americans over the Spanish when the later lost its strength in the late 1890's. Naturally, all the Spanish colonies from the Bahamas including us here in the Philippines was handled over on a silver platter. Later, the Americans promised the Philippine government independence...hehehe. But in reality, it was all just a sham...an illusion of freedom to anesthetize the Filipino people In believing that we are actually free.




As Benjamin Franklin once quoted, “The worst form of slavery is the one that makes you think that you are actually free”. As true to the statesman's word, the United States of America kept an eagle's claw grip on the country soon after the Spanish regime gave it away for the price of $20,000,000. Ever since then, The Independent Philippine republic had good old Uncle Sam behind them in making critical decisions on all aspects of governance, particularly on who wins the election as President. Independence? That's horse crap! For all we know, we as a country and race have been manipulated into situations that make our lives a living hell, thanks to our American friends.




Do you ever wonder why the price of oil in our country is much higher than the rest of our Asian neighbors? Well, you can thank the World Bank for that. My sources have disclosed to me that the main reason why gas prices are staggeringly high in our country is because we are not allowed to purchase oil directly from oil producing countries. My sources in Yanboo, a province in Saudi Arabia which is the headquarters of the Saudi-Aramco Corporation said that the Philippines is not allowed to directly buy oil from any oil producing countries because of our enormous debt to the World Bank, (which is run by the American government along with its European counterparts) because the World Bank needs to mitigate our piling debt  as to make sure that we pay our interests, thus the staggering oil prices. In Asia, there are only 2 countries that are allowed to directly buy oil from oil producing countries namely Japan and Singapore. Now back to Emilio Aguinaldo and why most Filipinos think that he is a stinking traitor, or do you need a plausible proof to believe?

Proof? Are you blind? Why did you think did the Americans let Emilio Aguinaldo live all those years as their enemy? The answer is quite simple, besides being a puppet for the American government to manipulate, they even gave him a “white horse” to ride on. “White Horse” meaning a metaphor you ninnies! They made sure that Aguinaldo had no reason to complain against his American masters so they gave him the affluence and money to comfortably live out his remaining days as a traitor to the Filipino people...Oh...my mistake, a hero in the eyes of Philippine history. Anyway, as the years went on, the United states continued to dance all over the Filipinos by instigating numerous agendas, including the manipulation of the Hukbalahap (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon), a local guerrilla movement headed by Luis Taruc, which its primary goal was to thwart off the advancing Japanese forces during World War 2.




It was during the time of former president Ramon Magsaysay that the Filipino nation found an honest to goodness political leader that they can depend on, as it was Magsaysay that coaxed Taruc in surrendering peacefully, including its followers and return to the fold of the government. It was this reason why Magsaysay claimed a landslide victory over his opponents during the November 10, 1953 presidential elections. It was also this sole reason why Magsaysay was lauded the title “President of the Masses” as his honest charisma was clearly seen as he was the first Philippine president that rode public transport, only taking along with him 2 bodyguards. Magsaysay had no evident enemies during that time as he had the support of the people behind him, but that was soon to change.  

Because of the rising Communist threat, the Americans were becoming a bit uneasy with Magsaysay's close affinity with the leaders of the Hukbalahap as it would create a rift of interests between the U.S government and its vested strategical sanctions in the South East Asian region. The Americans were afraid that the country could fall to Communist ideologies and were afraid that Magsaysay would lead the masses against American rule. On that faithful day of March 16, 1957, Magsaysay's Cebu Douglas C-47 presidential plane, “The Mount Pinatubo” was reported missing. Soon afterwards it was found out that the presidential plane carrying the president and 24 others, careened on the mountainside of Mount Manunggal in Cebu, cutting short his presidency which was to end on December 30, 1957. It was a big loss for the Filipino people as it was only Magsaysay who was truly a president that they can relate to in terms of being a real patriot to the nation.




Accident or assassination? It's no secret that the Philippines is being controlled by the C.I.A, particularly the N.S.A. since the American Government can easily do whatever they want with our country. Ramon Magsaysay's story is no different to that of what happened to former S.I.L.G. Secretary Jesse Robredo, who on August 18, 2012 met a similar fate as that of former president Ramon Magsaysay. In the case of Secretary Jesse Robredo, his case was different as it was not the C.I.A. who had a hand on his “accident” but was more of a deeper reason. One tall tale was that he, being a Secretary of the D.I.L.G. under the executive branch of the Government, had discovered some discrepancies concerning cases regarding corruption involving past administering personalities. The other was simple...The present administration just wanted Jesse Robredo out of the way so that they could put other personalities on the pedestal of the D.I.L.G. and crawl them up to the 2016 Presidential elections.

It is so obvious and plain to see that the Filipino people are being fooled again and again and again and this game of Tom Foolery will never end as long as the Filipino nation continues to rely on the Government that is being manipulated and pulled by the higher powers that be. We are definitely a nation of fools as we do not see the clear picture of what is really happening to our country as we are continued to be trampled by multinational conglomerates, religious business institutions and political pet monkeys that play out a game of misleading the Filipino nation to its obvious demise. No matter how many elections pass, we will always be victims of our own in-bred stupidity by believing that there is hope lurking on the silver thin lining of the sky.




Oligarchs rule this country which in turn are manipulated by the American government, and that is no secret as there is nothing we can do about it. Hmmm, come to think about it...being conquered by China does not seem to be a bad idea, especially when the United States is quite hesitant to intercede with regard to the Spratlys issue. The 2016 Presidential Elections...A Carnival Of Fools!

Friday 2 October 2015

Philippines and the Cayman Islands: Similarities in History But A World Apart

Why even considering living elsewhere besides where you are now, and why even consider the Cayman Islands? There are very few reasons to think about when making life changing decisions in regards to living on an island. First obvious reason is, that you love the beach and don't mind getting sand in between your toes or even in your trousers as well. Living on the Cayman Islands is a very laid back experience as you just simply let yourself drift off beyond the white sandy beaches and beyond the blue waters, just letting time fly out without an ounce of care for that matter. The serene surroundings can make you forget the reality of time, as it passes you by. Islands such as these offer tourists the chance to lean over their weary work torn bodies and minds and just dwell upon the indulgence of pure, unadulterated relaxation!

For most tourists, they always remember their first time upon arriving on the island and the first impression that they usually let out of their minds is “paradise”. The Cayman Islands has that certain mystique that it usually leads tourists back on her shores, over and over again. Most tourist just come for about 2 to 3 times and that is about it, on other island destinations on other parts of the world, but unlike the Cayman Islands international appeal that wins the approval of all visitors that have experienced the beauty of it's islands. The Cayman Islands has won the appeal of both pleasure seekers and expatriates. 

The Cayman Islands offer a refuge to those who seek a recluse from the daily struggles of life. But, this same island that is a tourist and vacation destination is also a bustling international business and financial center that caters to an active global economy that is also based within the confines of this paradise under the sun. The Cayman Islands standard of fashion is a combination of walking broad shorts and sandy beach walk slippers and a dash of suit and tie business attire. Wherever you go around the island, you will frequently come into contact with people wearing business suits that go about their usual daily routine.



People like Ken Dart, who owns and runs Dart Realty Corporation (to learn more, click here), who was smitten at first sight, when he and his family came here for a vacation almost 25 years ago. The Cayman Islands offers the best of both worlds, at one point, it is a tourist island destination that is known through out the world for it's fine, sandy beaches, world class hotels and resorts, a home for retirees and expatriates. On a different perspective, it is an active, multinational business center, world renowned for it's efficiency to handle conglomerate business interests that has earned it's title as the “Swiss Financial Center” of the Caribbean.

The Cayman Islands is the only place in the world where business and pleasure mix quite naturally. Choosing to settle down there does not mean you have to find a way to earn money. The island itself is teeming with an abundance of employment opportunities and choosing one that would fit your capabilities  would not be a problem as far expatriates are concerned. 

Camana Bay in the Cayman Islands, has been a thriving community that has relied on it's tourist industry for almost half a century. Cruise ships that bring countless tourists from all parts of the world is a clear sign of the Cayman Islands global reputation as one of the world's premier vacation spots that should never be missed. The Cayman Islands belongs to the British Virgin Islands territory that is frequented by tourists. It's economy comes from the income generated by businesses that correspond to it's tourist industry, and despite it's population consisting of roughly 30,000 people, it is no wonder why it's economy is at par with one of the world's highest per capita income.


Because of the relatively small number of people that makes up it's community, there are always available jobs that need to be filled up. Since unemployment is hardly ever known to the Camana Bay area, there are still concerns regarding the educational development of the local population. The fact that people within it's community rely solely on the tourist trade and that they need to go beyond the point of reliance from that socioeconomic structure to enable them to learn new skills. The Cayman Islands is now a developed world financial center that caters to some of the highest standards in regards to the global economy as it is the headquarters of some of the world's top banking and financial organizations.


The evolution of the tourist industry in the Cayman Islands has regressed the further educational development of it's society as most educational institutions there focus in giving the needed technical and academic programs that revolve around the Cayman Islands primary economy which is tourism. It is not so bad when you think about it and it does provide more than enough jobs to employ everyone. In fact business investors often tend to get other sources of workers from outside of the islands to fill in the necessity of being able to find competent workers that can efficiently perform their duties with competency. 


(Ah yes...The pristine beaches of Boracay, Philippines! Isn't it grand?)


Competency is a word that can indicate that there is a minor problem with the educational needs of the community. If the Caymanians are fully updated with the present development and the indicated needs of a growing economical structure, there will be no need for outside migrant workers to take on the job that can be easily filled in by the Caymanians. Ken Dart who owns and manages Decco Contracting Co., who also heads the Dart Foundation in the United States, is an advocate of the pursue of educational empowerment for the youth, stresses the need to develop a more structured educational program for the people of the Cayman Islands. Dart believes that education is the only sustainable approach in order to enable a community to adapt to the changing socio-economical environment brought about by the influx of multinational investments of in the Cayman Islands.


The changing economical tide that was brought into this island nation has evolved into a world class global community that can be regarded as one of the highest in the world. Improved educational development in regards to present applicable skills that can be implemented in the present economical state is an utmost priority that will enable the Caymanians to acquire new skills that require them to adapt to the needs of the economy around them. The difference between the Americans and the British?...the later being able to fully distinguish the thin line between improving the quality of life. If I had a choice of choosing who is to colonize the Philippines, I'd put my money on the British!




The Balance Between Social Development and the Environment

The balance between nature and social development has always been a clash of ideologies pertaining mostly to our benefit as a human society. It often disfavors the environment as it is usually compromised most of the time for the sake of our well being and survival as a specie. Social development often finds it necessary to sacrifice a little bit out of nature to ensure the prolonged survival of our society, but it seems that we had been taking too many “little things” for a very long time now. It seems that we had been nibbling away for such along time that we hardly noticed the impact of our actions, all for the sake of preserving the life that we had come to enjoy.

Industries that have developed our civilization for what it is now, may also be the reason of why we may soon find our society searching for the need to bring the balance of the environment back on track in order for it not to turn against us. Global environmental changes are now a part of the life that we live and by far, we still have not made any substantial changes in how we conduct our daily approach in regards to the use of our technology to benefit the environment. A s a society, we seem to have enjoyed too much of our time regaling and adulating our selves for the marvels that we had created from the use of our knowledge in science and technology. 


(Ken Dart, visionary philanthropist who hates the American way of life)

We had become too overly complacent, that we seem to have forgotten to clean up the mess that we made in the last century of our development as a society. The huge amounts of industrial byproducts that we put out in just one day may soon be stacking up on our door step as we incoherently continue to do so in a daily basis. Are we too late to change all this for the benefit of future generations not to endure the consequences of our fool-hearty actions today? Or will we just let the next generation figure it out by themselves, hoping that it would not be too late by then?

Fortunately, there are some individuals and organizations that realize the urgent need to change the way we conduct the way we live in regards to our relationship with nature. That there is an eminent threat to our existence as a specie if we do not find a solution to our growing problems in regards to damaging the environment that has sustained our lives since the time of our existence. Such individuals like Ken Dart who heads Deccolimited.com/dartenterprises, stresses the need of industrial and infrastructure developers to strictly and fully comply with the global requirements of LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Standards), in all of their projects and developments as not to further any unnecessary damages that it may cause to the environment. 

Though this may not be the case for most world governments as there are only a few countries in the world that can viably conform to this. It is an undeniable fact that 75% of the total of the worlds population are from impoverished third world nations. It would take an impossibly long time for those nations to even meet half way within those prescribed standards, and by that time, the worsening global conditions might have passed over the threshold of being able to rebound from it's present environmental situation.

Pinoy Pasaway: The Irony Of Philippine Law

The Law is a guideline that is implemented in society as a governing policy which has only one goal, and that is to keep things in order. Have you ever seen those movies that depict a scenario of a society thrown in chaos? That usually happens when the governing authoritative hand of the law ceases to exist and looses it's grip on society. Laws were created in the beginning for just the specific purpose of maintaining the peace and order of a community in regards to a common understanding aimed for a peaceful social coexistence. In short, Law was created to protect ourselves...from ourselves. It is quite ironic to think that we have to create rules that we should follow because of our tendency to make erratic and detrimental decisions that can not only affect people around us, but also the community that we live in as well.


We, as a society are the one's that evaluate and make the rules in regards to the necessary actions on how and why a rule of law must be implemented. Since people are the one's that make and implement laws, there are times that the people that were given the right to carry out it's governance, can sometimes be the same one's that ends up breaking them! That is why there are lawyers that stand in the middle to mediate on certain situations, as to make sure that everybody has a fair chance of legally defending themselves, unless of course they are proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The law entitles everyone to justify their actions and everyone has a right to defend themselves in an unbiased court of law.

Just think of lawyers as a negotiator between you and your government. Law practitioners like that of the Public Legal Assistance Office (P.L.A.O.), which according to their website at
www.pao.gov.ph, said a majority of legal court proceedings usually involve criminal cases that are related to alcohol related crimes and misdemeanors, shoplifting, drug charges, illegal possession of firearms and other related cases. Our society does have an issue with our own social struggle to come into terms with the simple prerequisites of the law. Such adverse social compliance tells us that we should really clean up our act as a society and it is not just that easy like looking for a needle in a hay stack to get the job done to start working for the betterment of our understanding on how the law implies in regards to our daily endeavors and existence in society as a whole.

Social Welfare As A Business: Earning From People's Misfortunes


Fund raising refers to the method of gathering financial support for non-profit purposes that involves identifying solicitations from investors for non-profit enterprises. It consists mostly of asking donations mostly for cause oriented efforts that have no return in financial gain whatsoever. Fund raising is an effective means of obtaining funding by non-profit organizations to maintain their operations in regards to their goals. Such institutions as religions, public broadcasters, political campaigns, philanthropic, charitable institutions, environmental and research organizations substantiate their means of operating under such fundings.

There are several types of fund raising methods used solely for non-profit gains and involve several organizations that utilize these funds partly for their operation as a service providing cause oriented institution, but mostly, for social developmental purposes as well. Even though fund raising is considered a non-profit initiative, they are still given a special category designated by the country's tax laws and vary in their eligibility in qualifying for deductions and exemptions.

Delegated terms of exemption and tax reductions depend on the purpose of the fund raising program and its implicated financial attribution. Organizations and institutions that donate through fund raising programs also come under tax scrutiny as for the purpose of tax reduction and exemption on the contributors part.





Professional Fund Raisers:

Some non-profit organizations pay for the services of professional fund raisers, though it is in conflicting terms with the Code of Ethics of the Association of Fund raising Professionals (AFP), however, employing people to work for the duration of the fund raising campaign is a whole different aspect and does not violate the specific guidelines of the Association of Fund raising Professionals. Some organizations nonetheless take up the services of professional fund raisers who are eventually paid a percentage of the funds raised.


Religious Organizations:

One of the most important institutions that has optimized fund raising in its full potential are the religious organizations. These efforts are organized from the smallest local events up to the global scale. The funds that are accumulated go to the provision of basic needs of the poor and the propagation of evangelical ministries all together.


Political Campaigns:

Fund raising plays a very big and decisive part in any political campaign initiative as well as converging on some very controversial issues as well. Regardless of numerous campaign financial laws and reforms, political financial fundings for some candidates are an issue of moral importance as it implies an attempt in influencing legislation. Counter-advocacy organizations also raise funds in the same manner to work against issues such as these.


Public Broadcasting:

Government funded public broadcasters thrive mostly from public donations as most of its fundings come from the government. Pledge drives are commonly organized three times a year to substantiate funding. Usually taking up to three weeks, viewer ship and listener ship goes down as special programming is aired in order to augment ratings.


Funding Grants:

Grants, as the term suggests, are funds that are freely given, without any repayment necessary, that come from certain individuals such as corporations, foundations, government institutions or trusts. Most often from non-profit organizations, business or educational institutions. “Grant Writing” is the most common means of seeking funds from these institutions and are often referred as asking for an application or proposal. The proposal is usually reviewed by the board members of these institution and evaluated for viable feasibility of any vested interests that may or may not be suitable to the institutions cause. Organizations such as the Caritas Manila, offer assistance to all educational and social endeavors that involve education studies, particularly in the fields of science, technology and environmental advocacies.


Grants are funded for certain projects and require a strict level of financial reporting on the specifics on where the funds will be used. The process includes a submitted proposal to the institution that will give financial funding for a specific project. Individuals and organizations seek out grant providers most of the time to finance individual or cause based oriented projects, but there are instances where grant funding institutions seek out viable projects that have feasible potential that may involve an institutions vested interest.


Grants can sometimes be in the form of social purposes and are considered a tax deductive initiative in the part of the institution that provides funding for social welfare projects. The government considers projects as tax deductive in nature credited to the organization that provides it. This is done through the registration of the grant provider which emphasizes the project as a non-profit organization. A good example would be subsidized projects involving the government with its infrastructure programs such as roads, school buildings and other community based programs.

Most common grants and funding come in the form of financial education support for indigent students and in most cases, are part of a government loan. Most of these grants are given to promising students with exemplary potential that seek government funding for the pursuit of their education. Educational grants seek out students who display a valid potential in satisfying grantor's expectations and in return, provide the needed support in continuing its support to its beneficiary.


Grant are also given out as support to the development of medical, scientific research, industrial, economical development and support in social development such as the arts. The quality of life as we know it today, owes its continued growth mostly to privately funded endeavors. Most organizations today have extended their social involvement in funding social developmental projects which aim to improve the quality of life around us. Funding is very hard to come by as institutions need a valid proof of concept in the feasibility of any submitted requests regarding funds.

Institutions and organizations that provide financial support are also business entities that need to earn back their money, though not the entirety of it, though earning more in the long run, gradually.  There are strict guidelines in compliance once the grant has been given to the beneficiary and in return, the beneficiary must in their own way, meet all obligations that is required in order to be given continued support for their endeavors, hmmm...sounds like slavery to me...what do you think?