The Die Is Cast: Woe Is The Filipino, Woe Is Me!

On May 14, 2007, the Philippines held its elections for the senate, congress and local officials. Just like the past elections, this election is also tainted with violence, vote-buying and cheating. I don't think that the Filipino people will ever realize the consequences of being so careless when it comes to choosing the right people to do the job correctly.

In the remote provinces, especially in Mindanao it's not surprising to hear news on violence. In fact, Dapitan City, a place which is considerably peaceful had its own improvised bomb explosion near a polling precinct on the night prior to the election day. The only good thing was that nobody got hurt in the incident.

The ruthless politicians are always there to carry out their own agenda to ensure a victory. They are all willing to march into hell, for their personal interests. How about using the typical 3G ammunition? Goons, guns, gold. Whoever has the 3 Gs almost always cement their way to victory.

Millions of Filipino people out there were happy for a day because of the vote-buying. Everyone had a nice meal for a day after being paid P1,000 (about $20) for their votes. It is a sad fact, yet it is the Filipino nation's reality. The impoverished nation, basically, cannot think properly and cannot even weigh-in on the pros and cons. And there is no such thing as a peaceful, clean and honest elections in the Philippines. Why? The political evils are deeply rooted in the system. Corruption, bribery, harassment, assault, political dynasties, name it and it's not news anymore. It's like an age-old disease that has no cure. And the Filipino people doesn't seem to mind. Protest after protest, nothing beneficial ever resulted from it. Well, does the Filipino people have a choice?

As far as candidates are concerned, there are only a few who are there for the right reasons. The rest of them are only there for the political gains accorded with the office, like the pork barrel and other government funds at the disposal of the immediate authority. Add to that all the other perks afforded to a politician who holds a top post, and any political position is very well within everyone's dream for a career.

Including the 12 senate seats, and the 275 congressional seats, there are 17,889 posts up for grabs. Multiply that to the expenses that each politician spends during the campaign. How much do you think is the Filipino people indebted, if let us just say 80 per cent of these politicians will collect back through whatever means, their expenditures during the elections? Do the math. Add to that the fixed 200M annual pork barrel for each of the 275 Congressmen, and we have a very fat bill on our way, for all Filipinos to pay. Woe is the Filipino.

Well the cards have been laid on the table. It's no longer in our hands. And whatever happens to this nation for the next couple of years will be shaped by how well we exercised our right to vote.

Let me just say in passing, that some politicians have thicker skins than you think. I mean, whatever happened to 'delikadeza' (a value which implies the decency to inhibit oneself for ethical and moral reasons)? A mother and a son, a brother and a sister, a husband and a wife, a cousin and another kin--all to take the same seats in the same election year? Two senatorial seats for one family; two congressional seats for a brother and a sister; a province to be dominated by a single clan; a city to be lead by a single family. Don't we have enough talent out of the 75 million or so Filipinos? Why must a family have to occupy more than one seat? Ah . . . political dynasties, they're so sickening!

The next few days will be critical because any politically motivated violence could erupt. With all the cheating accusations between camps, protests are more likely to be staged by the losing parties. I'll have to keep my fingers crossed in the hope that there'll be none of such untoward incidents.

And to all Filipinos out there, it's never easy to get out of a deep, dark pit especially if we are starved and blindfolded, but we have to push ourselves up and not be crabs. We have to rise to the occasion if need be. Or should we just resign to the fact that we are a hopeless case, and just say, "Woe is the Filipino, woe is me!"?

Best Places To Dine In Cebu

I am a big eater and I have a really discriminating set of taste buds for good food. I like different kinds of dishes and I don't stick to one culinary preference. It's good to know that in Cebu you can find almost any kind of food. Cebu has turned into a melting pot of different cultural genre.

First off, Japanese food. I think Japanese food is the kind of food that is not only nourishing but healthy as well. Japanese food is mostly served fresh, with little or no oil or cholesterol and often served with the 'creme de la creme', my personal favorite, fish eggs, that almost always happily stick to a well-prepared california maki roll. Try it. It's out of this world. So where do you eat good Japanese food?

The best in Cebu is Yumeya Kihei. It is located along Ayala access road, that road that leads to the Ayala mall. You can also go to Kaishu past the Shangri-la and Hilton hotels in Mactan. They also have the best-tasting and freshest Japanese dishes. If you don't want to go anywhere far and a little bit too pricey, go for Sen Ryu on the way to Lahug. At Sen Ryu, I particularly like their beef teppanyaki. These three Japanese restaurants are really worth the money. No fake caviar or imitation crabs here. Just raw, fresh, healthy food. Hmmm...I could just taste the flavorful sushi in my mouth after dipping it onto a little bowl of soy sauce and wasabi.

So, do you miss home? Do you want some nice hot burgers that taste like they come fresh from the grill? Try Brothers Burger in Banilad Town Center. They have the best burgers that I've tasted. You can actually taste the quality of the meat that they use. It is grade A meat. Try their Angus burger. You'll surely be coming back for more. A close alternative is Flame It somewhere along A.S. Fortuna St. The good thing is, both of these places offer delivery services, at an extra charge of course. Don't forget to order onion rings and some nice crispy fries on the side. Don't forget to tip the delivery guy, as well!

In the mood for pizza? Go to Yellow Cab Pizza in Banilad Town Center for eight hundred ways to prepare your pizza. They use fresh ingredients and they also put a different spin to the way a pizza should be. My personal favorite is the four seasons pizza--one flavor for every member of the family. I always take the slice that is decorated with onions, capers, anchovies, olives...mmm...yummm. If you want to go for the typical pizza, go for one at Pizza Hut. There's one at the Gaisano Country Mall. I like their pan pizza that comes in different healthy and delicious varieties. They even have pizza crusts oozing with melted cheese. And if you can't make up your mind whether you really want pizza or not but you somehow feel that yes, you want pizza, go to Shakey's for a smorgasbord of different stuff--salad, pizza, mojos, spaghetti, chicken, soup--all in one serving. I like to have it every once in a while for some good culinary workout.

What about some fine cuisine? Try Tinder Box along Archbishop Reyes Avenue. It's an all-imported store but it does have a dining area for patrons who want to satisfy their taste buds with some fresh U.S. certified meat or some Australian produce, whichever they like. They have a neat line-up of appetizing dishes on their menu which their chef will gladly prepare for you a la carte. Trust me, if you want some nice pumpkin soup, or a cold glass of banana-berry smoothie or a quick breakfast sandwich or a sumptuous grilled U.S. Angus certified steak with fresh veggies and mashed potatoes on the side, you can find it in this place. Are you on South Beach diet? They also have it on their menu. They even have the best wines. You can always rummage through the wine cellar as you wait for your food to be served. Try also Le Maison, a great place that offers fine cuisine and some typical Filipino group (barkada) meals. Do you like lamb, they have it at a price that is not painful on your pockets. My favorite dish of course, is the ever delicious liver pate topped with a dash of cranberry sauce with a hint of some fine wine served with some french toasts. It's out of this world! I'm drooling right now as I imagine the foie gras melting in my mouth. It's never boring.

Do you want some Chinese food? Go to the White Gold House near the reclamation area. You will not be disappointed. You can also visit Big Mao in Ayala mall. I always go for the quick and easy dim sum kind of Chinese food, so I always end up at Harbor City Dim Sum in Ayala mall.

Are you in the mood for Italian flavor? Go to Giuseppe's along Ma. Luisa road. They have the best thin crust margherita pizza. You can also get some nice spinach or meat ravioli in creamy white sauce or in red marinara sauce, whichever you're in the mood for the day. More pasta and meat entrees await you too. When you order your food, don't forget to get several helpings of Tiramisu. They're just so good. Perhaps you never heard of La Bouna Forchetta too. It is another good Italian restaurant. They used to be located along Jones Avenue but just recently they moved to Acacia St. near the Ayala mall. They also have good Italian food choices. I like the appetizer sampler of different cold cuts and yes, they have an Italian chef plus they also import from Italy most of their goodies. If you want something easy and close by, go to La Tegola along Banilad road. They also serve food that satisfies your Italian taste buds, plus, a few spoonfuls of authentic Italian gelato (ice cream) will surely finish off a good meal.

What about Pinoy food? On top of my list is Golden Cowrie. Fill your Pinoy hunger with their delicious baked scallops to pump-prime your appetite. Order their grilled favorites of fish, squid, pork and more. Do add some Filipino vegetable salad on the side. Did I say pochero is also on the menu? And get this! You can order plain or garlic rice but if you do get the plain rice they refill your banana leaf platter for as long as you like, endlessly! How much rice can you chow, huh? Golden Cowrie is located inside SM mall and they also have another outlet in Lahug. Second on my list is Patio Isabel. I like their buffet style dinner. Munch on some crispy deep-fried Kangkong leaves dipped in mayonnaise. If you have never tasted it before, then you definitely should go and taste for yourself something that is only fed to the pigs (yes-the kangkong leaves) but tastes so delicious. Patio Isabel is located near Archbishop Reyes Avenue, at the back of the University of Cebu building in Banilad.

My other note-worthy favorites include Melange (fine cuisine) at the Banilad Town Center, The Patio at Shangri-la, Cowrie Cove at Shangri-la, Ginza (Japanese cuisine) near Patio Isabel, Dad's at SM (if it is still open), Persian Palate in Ayala mall, Jonie's both in Ayala and SM malls, Cafe Vienne in SM and of course Kenny Rogers in Ayala mall.

Now, I'm really getting hungry that I can no longer concentrate on my blog. If there's anything that I've missed, I'll fill you on it soon after I fill my stomach. And if you are hungry too from reading this blog, just hail a taxi and ask the driver to take you to any of the above-mentioned fine dining places in Cebu.

You'll surely get your fill beyond your heart's content.

Do you need directions or contact numbers for all these dining places? Call 187 on your land line (Cebu only).

'Live, love and eat well', if I may borrow from Wolfgang Puck's mantra.

Filipino on Politics: Too Stupid To Figure It Out? or Too Lazy To do Something About It?

The month of May has come sooner than most of us had wished. For the Philippines a major political exercise is brewing and gaining steam as we speak. May 14 is a day for all Filipinos to get out and vote.

It is my ardent hope, being a Filipino myself, that the Filipino people exercise a sound judgement and for once, utilize this opportunity to change the course of the nation's future by exercising some willpower over all forms of trickery that the politicians are willing to do in order to gain the post that they so badly want to venture on.

And why do I say venture? Most of those who are running for a post are there for a different reason. What reason could that be? Isn't it obvious that there's so much personal interests that are at stake rather than a genuine desire to serve the Filipino people?

I want to say to most of them, "Tell it to the judge!". I am completely and utterly convinced that those noble people who are worthy of the words, 'the people's servant' have all come and gone.

I don't buy any of the candidates promises anymore. Their promises have a shorter lifespan than the 0% apr that I enjoy with my credit card. I might be prejudiced against traditional politicians, but I do believe that most of them are liars, are good actors, are insincere mongrels and are really awesome when it comes to putting up a good show for the Filipino people. How about a handshake from the elite to those less fortunate people whose only meaningful use of their hands involved rummaging through the trash of other people to find food for most of their lifetime? Where's the sincerity there? You'll never see that scene all year round. You'll only see such an extraordinary display of interest for the poor during election campaign period. You'll only see these poor people basking in the spotlight during election time. On other days, none of these people exist. It is really an eyesore. Everytime I see an ad with such fake emotions towards the poor and the forgotten, I feel like I want to throw up. How much more abuse can we take as a people?

Trust me, the really good and deserving candidates can only be counted by your fingers. Most of the candidates nowadays are just useless leeches who hide themselves behind the cover of an 'honest servant' but on the other hand pursue a different undertaking.

And where do you find a senate wherein both the mother and the son occupies a seat? What? Yes! Take the case of the Estradas. Tell me if that's possible anywhere else on this planet. I guess that's only permissible in our banana republic. Shame on us all, for letting our rotten political system take hold of the reins of our government.

Why are there so many poor people in our country? Why are the politicians the richer of the pack in our society? You'll never see a politician's relative who is poor or jobless. You'll never see a politician's kin begging on the streets for food. Why is that so? Instead, who do you see driving around in expensive luxury vehicles? Who do you see owning big houses in affluent communities? Who do you see running the most lucrative businesses in the community. Isn't it a little more than coincidental that none of these politicians ever complain about the rising costs of the basic commodities? You'll never hear any of these politicians complaining about the ever increasing taxes. You will never hear any of these politicians getting worried about the looming economic crises. Why? These people have access to the cash boxes of our government.

That is what's sad about Philippine politics. It has turned into a lucrative family venture. Why? Try visiting a province. Find out the people who run the province starting from the Congressman, the Governor, the Mayor, the city councilors, down to the mayor's office's janitor. You'll be shocked to learn that most of them all belong to the same clan. You might as well draw a genealogy tree or a family tree out of those government positions, and you will not see any difference.

That is what we are so bad at, all of us Filipinos. We are too stupid to figure it out and even if we do figure it out, we are too lazy to do something about it.

We know for a fact that the Philippine economy is not getting better. All the good economic reports that they show to the Filipino people every now and then with good ratings is bogus. Why? It's effect if indeed it's true, does not reflect the present plight of the millions of Filipino people.

How can our government be better? Corruption is everywhere. Political dynasties are taking control of most of the different political clusters in our community. We know that power corrupts. How much more if there is no check and balance because it is just one family running the show?

So Filipino people, wake up! Take the battle. You are responsible for whatever happens to this nation after this election. Do something to help eliminate political dynasties. They are like termites that are eating the very foundation of our democratic government. If we don't do something about it now, we will all be raised to the ground.

Forget about 'Vox populi, vox dei'. Traditional politicians are so good at paraphrasing and abusing 'The voice of the people is the voice of God' phrase. The people loses its voice as soon as these corrupt politicians occupy their most coveted seats of power.

Let's do something. Let's do it now, while we have the upper hand.

Remember, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.