UPDATE:
Just found out that it was not Gerry Lirio who titled the article. It was an editor who shall be unnamend as of now who did. I thought I should take the heat off Gerry since I know now that he was not responsible. Apparently, that’s how it works in newspapers. Some guy writes and someone else edits. Why the copy editor gave such a headline and apparently edited the whole article, I do not know.
Gerry, this is my humble step in picking up the feathers of your pillow of reputation I slashed because of my hastiness. The article by itself is not bad although I still felt it already had a slant even before it was written. It was looking for a poster boy for the current hopelessness felt by many and I was chosen. But I don’t question Gerry’s right to write the way he does. That’s his prerogative just as it is mine to criticize his work. I must admit it even had some parts I liked.
The damage though is in the headline itself. I know that very few actually read the whole thing and many more just read the headline and came to their own misguided conclusions. I know because people have expressed shock and outrage towards me. But those who know the story expressed the same thing but directed their wrath at
PDI. I still believe The Philippine Daily Inquirer should correct this falsehood and apologize.
Lastly, I want to say that I felt bad not so much that people misread me as a person (that’s hurtful, yes) but more so that they may slip deeper into despair by such a false story. That’s the last thing we need.
_ _ _
Was awakened this morning with a text from my brother informing me that I am on the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The bottom banner read, ‘Finally, APO’s Jim Paredes gives up on RP.’ It was datelined Melbourne.
While APO was doing our shows in Melbourne and Sydney, Gerry Lirio from the Inquirer was interviewing me about my new life in Aus. I talked to him how we were adjusting to everything, the joys and tears experienced by all immigrants, etc. I also talked about my reasons for leaving (personal growth mostly) and my frustrations with the political situation. I said that I was tired. But not once did I ever say that I had given up on the Philippines.More correctly, I have always said I would fight another day. Everyday in Sydney, I wake up to discover the things that work well and wonder how we can do it back home.
I am not one to trash the Philippines just to feel good about migrating. In a country already reeling from so much self-inflicted wounds and pessimism, I don’t know how editors and writers can continue twisting things around. I am, to say the least very disappointed with the Inquirer. I just don’t know how they can come to such a conclusion based on the interview with me. Sure, I expressed disappointment with the politics of the country just like everyone else but to say I have given up on the Philippines is to put it mildly, a naked lie. It seems that the one who thought of this headline feels the best thing this country needs is a daily fix of despair and gloom.
I believe the truth will set us free, but sadly, there is also power in falsehood. Apparently it sells more than good news.
I remember reading an analogy about spreading falsehood and it compares it to going on top of a windy hill with a feather pillow and a knife. While there, slash the pillow and let all the feathers fly out to where the wind takes it. If a newspaper wishes to make amends about a false report later on, it becomes as futile as picking up all the feathers again to restore the reputation of anyone.
Alas, I’ve just been had. If I had a newspaper right now, I would be tempted to run a the banner which reads, “Should we all give up on the Inquirer?’
Other strange facts on the article;
-I was never a member of the MTRCB
-APO did not sing Handog Ng Pilipino sa Mundo in the concerts.
Sorry Gerry. I think you already had a headline in mind even before the interview. You ‘cherry picked’ to fit words and impressions to the headline and so missed the true story. OK Inquirer, you can headline that Jim Paredes has given up on the Philippines.just as Bush claimrd there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq!
—
I am in my home in Manila now. This is going to be a long visit. I was planning to enter and leave without much noise but apparently fate has other plans. As I write this , the Apo tribute album by the hottest bands in Manila is the biggest selling CD in the Philippines. We are guesting today on TV where they will announce that it has reached gold record status in just 7 days. Future gigs already planned before my migration await to be fulfilled.
And since I was going to be away anyway, I have decided to accept the offer to be part of a new show on TV. I am accepting the position of headmaster, artistic director of Pinoy Dream Academy, the new abs-cbn show that will feature a number of artists and the training they will undergo. More on this on future blogs. I guess I should expect that I will be media fare for the next few months until I return once again to my quiet, simple life in Aus.
I miss my family terribly and I go through throes of loneliness thinking about them. I have not quite settled with the fact that I will be here for awhile. I get stomach pains just thinking about it. I chat with Mio, Lydia and Ala whenever I see their YM on. It’s great to see my friends and all that but I am in a Sydney state of mind and so feel displaced. I am, strangely enough, an OCW in the Philippines.
Isn’t that ironic?
Hi Jim! Charlie & I miss the evenings we spent with you, Lydia and your kids at your home just enjoying our chats & eating. We will still be doing the same things with them – only without you for a while. Can’t wait to see you back here – in your new home.
It is sad that you get used for senational headlines. It is hurtful to be used in that way specially when things that are said are untrue. Don’t worry about it too much. The truth will come out sooner or later.
Take care.
Malu, Charlie & Xavi
P.S. Say Hi to Erica & Dada
apojim,no need to make an explanation on those absolute lies they are telling about you. We know who you really are from the start. I know the feeling being away from your love ones but I know they fully understand the situation, it’s for betterment of everyone.Anyway it’s only for short time. Have a nice time and enjoy every minute of your stay in our beloved country.
Take care and God Bless.
sir jim!
i was excited to find out that you’re the PDA Headmaster! I’m sure they will learn a lot from you just like we did in your creativity classes.
Good luck and hope to see you here in Abscbn grounds. 🙂
Hi Jim! What do you expect? Sensationalised headlines sell newspapers!I am not surprised at all…kung iyon ngang spiritual adviser namin ay nabiktima din eh…
I can testify that you did not sing Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo in the Sydney concert. Sabi din ng pinsan ko sa Melbourne…
I think you should now include in your concert the song “Oh oh oh lies…
Anyway, don’t worry about your family in Sydney, we’re just a phone call away. Cool ka lang dyan sa Inang bayan…kailangan siguro nilang mag attend ng TCU para magpakatotoo, ha!ha!
Napintahan ko na ang “nuno sa punso”-ready to move…
All the best!
M
arg! sue for libel and wait for inquirer to settle. haaay. its things like these that eat me up i cant concentrate studying. some ppl are soo…… AGH!
isnt it standard practice for the interview to be approved by you first before they print?
Doranne:
Unfortunately it is not standard practice. I’ve beem “vicitmised” a few times too.
God, my blood was boiling when I read it. Couldn’t resist and blogged about it, too.
Apo JIM,
I really enjoy watching u guys in ASAP today and had your album featured there. brings back memories and see new talents strut their stuff doing your songs. nice, really nice!
And I’m happy that you accepted the PDA post. i maybe inclined to watch the show this time.
Just learned about the Inquirer article in your blog. how sad. good thing you have this blogsite to air your side.
May the Good Force be with you, APO!
Koala paredes:
yeah i saw your blog.
KAKAINIS SOBRA! why do people like that even exist? I sort of understand pa why people cheat, or steal, or lie to their spouses… but that?… Di ko parin gets what kind of satisfaction is worth such effort. These people will never learn.
Good day Mr. Paredes!
I have been a lurker here for sometime now, reading about you and your family’s adventure in Australia.
I grew up listening to APO and hearing you sing in ASAP earlier, tears just started to flow. I miss hearing you guys sing. And although I understand your reasons for leaving, I wish you come back more often to perform for us here.
Good luck in your new adventure with the new ABS show! God bless!
“Everyday in Sydney, I wake up to discover the things that work well and wonder how we can do it back home.”
– just like rizal, who left the philippines and saw how europe worked and consequently pondered on how to apply what works to the philippines. it’s not that you’ve left the fight, but every warrior gets tired and needs to recharge once in a while, only to come back to the battlefield with more fervor.
like the others, when i read the article, it made my blood curl. and i believe you were maligned and taken out of context.
bayani pa rin kayo sa paningin ko. mabuhay ang lahing Pilipino! mabuhay ang mga bayaning tulad nyo!
isang batang nagmamahal at nananalig sa kakayahan ng pilipinas at ng mga pilipino,
Sophia 🙂
smart readers will surely overlook this just a price to pay for celebrities like yourself. they have taken advantage of your good nature. looks like you are going to settle in sydney na.
I posted this on Ala’s LJ:
don’t believe that migrating automatically means deserting ones’ country.
In fact, I think the PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT (past and present officials) SHOULD APOLOGIZE to your father and the many other Filipinos who had needed to migrate to other countries just to give their families a better life. These so-called leaders (past AND present) have failed the Filipino people.
If they had truly taken the Filipinos’ best interests to heart right from the start, there would be no swarms of OFWs. There would be no migrations.
Why would Jim Paredes and other Filipinos feel guilty about leaving when clearly they are the only ones DOING THE COUNTRY ANY GOOD right now? Raising the GDP by bringing in much needed dollars into the country, keeping the economy alive and active by spending their hard-earned money in the Philippines — NO THANKS TO THE GOVERNMENT OR PEOPLE LIKE GERRY LIRIO!
lus, what is so wrong about complimenting Australia and it’s obvious advantages over the Philippines? E ganun talaga eh! We’re a corrupt nation and poverty leads people to be dishonest here. But in Australia the standard of living is better for most of its citizens.
And I don’t know what Lirio is trying to prove with his veiled insults for Jim Paredes (e.g. about Jim Paredes getting his TV and garden hose second-hand; the family having no maid).
If anything, the Paredeses in Australia should be ADMIRED because unlike the moneyed rich of Manila who are bankrolled by graft, corruption and exploitation of laborers, this Filipino family is being resourceful and honest. And they are willing to work hard and earn what they need. I’m sure Jim Paredes has more financial reserves, but he doesn’t flaunt it, and he doesn’t let his family live over their means — such wonderful values that EVERY Filipino should abide by.
Sorry, I’m just so mad by the senseless veiled attack on the Paredeses. Lirio’s attitude is an example of the crab mentality that keeps the Philippines from developing to its full potential.
Hold your head high, Ms. Paredes. Your family has our admiration.
a lot of people still believes in the capability of the country to heal itself. We just need to finda healer and a nurturer as a leader…
congratulations on your album.
and the pinoy dream academy bldg is just outside my window. i work for RMH and i’m stationed at the 7floor of ELJ. goodluck with your gig there.
Well, if there is indeed hope that the Philippines will be a prosperous nation someday, then maybe someone should attempt to point out what exactly it is that is being done differently today. Otherwise, it is borderline insanity to expect a different outcome whilst doing the things the same way they have always been done.
There is no shame in abandoning something that consistently fails. Migrants should make no apologies about leaving the Philippines to build a better life elsewhere.
If you think there is still some fight left in you, save it for something that offers opportunity rather than on something that merely sucks the life and soul out of its hardest workers.
Life’s too short to be in between commitments. You have to decide at some point in your life between taking a dump and getting off the can. If you want to be a “true Filipino”, then there is no better place to be one than in the Philippine Islands. But if you are going to live in Oz and continue wasting precious buntong hininga on a country that prefers to muddle along in mediocrity, think again. God put us on this earth with only a finite number of breaths to use.
“If you want to be a “true Filipino”, then there is no better place to be one than in the Philippine Islands.”
Tell that to the hundreds of thousands of overseas Pinoys who do not consider themselves any less Filipino just because they’re not in the islands.
If I can love both Australia and the Philippines, why not? I’m Filipino, but I’m also a citizen of the world. “Wasting” my energy on a country that muddles along in mediocrity is better than doing nothing at all,and being one of those Filipinos who like to sit around and complain about the state of the nation.
If you think of it, how many of us really do want to be “true Filipinos”? Only about 3% of Pinoys constitute that small minority who prefer watching Jamie Foxx over Rudy Fernandez, or while their nights away in Starbucks rather than eating with their hands with one foot on their seat and an elbow resting on that knee.
Anyone who’s studied in a private school (at least those that curn out products that can speak with that coveted American twang) knows how their contemporaries routinely regard the short and dark masses with disdain, how baduy they find Eat Bulaga or one of those noontime shows, and how tacky homes adorned with gigantic wooden rosaries and spoons and forks are.
Lest we forget, the overwhelming majority of Pinoys are the very people and characters that are the direct antithesis of the aspirational goals of upwardly-mobile Filipinos. We the elite pride ourselves in our ability to speak in an American twang, wear fashion labels that have not yet made their way to the baduy masses, comprehend movies and literature that our unfortunate Tagalog-speaking compatriots can barely grasp, and go head-to-head in English debate with expat corporate officers, and eat with comfortable use of utensils.
Success for the upwardly-mobile Filipino is marked by a sharp contrast with the nature and tastes of 99% of Filipinos. Do you want to be a “true Filipino”? Ask the people who sell skin-whitening lotions to Filipinos what their market research reveals.
Tito Jim,
Sa pagbasa ko ng sinulat ni Gerry, halata namang may halong inggit, e. Siguro balak mag-TNT dito noong tao pero hindi pa lang makalusot sa Aus embassy.
Hayaan ninyo, kung mag-TNT siya rito, isusuplong ko agad-agad para ma-deport sa lalong madaling panahon! Oks po ba? 🙂
-JT of Dural
P.S. Nakakabato iyong concert ni Basil Valdez noong nakaraan sa Hillsong! Ba’t nagkaganoon si Basil? Naging mas masahol pa kaysa kay Cat Stevens!!! 🙁
Mr Apo
Masyado ka kasing madrama. Nag-migrate ka, pinaalam mo sa buong bayan.
Kinumpara mo pa ang sarili mo sa mga Pinoy na bayani na kuno ay nagmigrate sa ibang bayan. Karamihan sa kanila mga exile! Ikaw umalis na kusa!
Taops sabi mo OFW ka. Pero ang OFW, “guest worker” laang. Pag naterminate ang kontrata nila, pwede silang ma-deport. Ikaw, puwede bang madeport sa Ostrelya?
Benigno:
Oh so that’s how you sum up what a “true Filipino” is? And anyone who doesn’t fit that prototype isn’t a “true Filipino”?
So anyone who is intellectual, privately schooled, doesn’t like Wowowee, and goes to Starbucks cannot possibly be Filipino anymore?
Do we even know what a true Filipino is? I think we’re all still trying to find out.
This much I know: I am a product of a bastardized culture (all that history cannot be undone) which is, all the same, unique in all the world.
I speak English and know American culture, but when I’m in America, I don’t even feel American. I feel Filipino. Same as with Aus. I can speak like them, but something in me says that I come from a Filipino platform when I speak.
Brazilians are black, white, rich, and poor, but they’re all Brazilian (and they come from a bastardized tulture, too). We’re mestizo, kayumanggi, rich, and poor, and we’re all Filipino.
(And going back to what we were originally talking about, I still don’t think it’s either or)
“Kinumpara mo pa ang sarili mo sa mga Pinoy na bayani na kuno ay nagmigrate sa ibang bayan. Karamihan sa kanila mga exile! Ikaw umalis na kusa!”
Rizal was not exiled, he left for personal growth, same as Mr. Paredes. I believe Mr Paredes was merely responding to clamor from the public when he made “drama” about his leaving.
To everyone,
Salamat sa sulat. Malou, Charlie, everyone. thanks fpor looking after my lovevd ones there.
Hey Benig0,
You couldn’t resist.
Tell that to Rizal, and the millions of Pinoys who went abroad. Tell that to Sheila Coronel who is leaving to teach at Columbia for the next few years. Nothing wrong with being abroad. But there is a lot of wrong in always pontificating and judging other people. What have YOU done REALLY aside from rant and rave and be high and mighty?
And what makes you a better judge of a ‘true Filipino’ than any other Filipino?
You love to visit blogs and preach. Make your own blog and preach there. And what action have YOU done to help the situation? Really now!
You strike me as a person who (to be straightforward about it) can be pedantic. Frankly, I find your views too black and white for my taste. Your generalizations about the Philippines and Filipinos are way off the mark in my experience. Now, unless you have ACTUALLY risked your life for the country or devoted a number of years doing direct work for its alleviation aside from just issuing your edicts and decrees on how things should be, I am afraid you are wasting OUR time.
I’ll call a spade a spade. You have a way of sounding like you are ‘talking down’ to people you assume are not like you.
Get off the can and do YOUR own action. Don’t tell other people what to do. I see you’ve written a book. If you can’t inspire anyone with your vision, don’t take it out on anyone. Take a look at yourself.
And quit knocking people who are not as enamored with the West as you are. ‘To be fair of course, this Western concept of resolving thesis and anti-thesis through critical discussion may be alien to the Pinoy mind’. (from an old post of yours.) Ha ha. You sound like a spanish praile or an american thomasite who feel they must must carry the white man’s burden. Baka ikaw ang tumalbog kung makipagdebate ka sa mga nandito sa Pinas IN TAGALOG! Have you read any Tagalog book at all?
Lead your own revolution. O puro dada ka lang ba? You may answer this again with another long treatise but you will not necessarily convince those you silence.
Jim
jt of dural–bakit? what happened to Basil?
blast, hanne– I will do my best to pass on true values artists should. in my opinion, possess. It’s quite a challenge and is fraught with risks since it is after all still a reality show. Best effort nalang. Better to try than just complain about how bad TV is. Bahala na.
To neva, soph, and anonymnous and everyone–thanks for your comments.
“If you want to be a “true Filipino”, then there is no better place to be one than in the Philippine Islands.” – benigno
“Tell that to the hundreds of thousands of overseas Pinoys who do not consider themselves any less Filipino just because they’re not in the islands.” – ala
I agree with what Ala said. People like Benigno should not stereotype the thousands of Filipinos who leave the country… leaving the Philippines does not make anyone less of a Filipino.
It makes me sad that someone like Benigno will say such a thing to Filipinos who migrated to another land. Does he even know how hard it is to move to a different country? Does he know the struggles that a Filipino face everyday in a foreign land?
Oo… hindi ko idedeny na may ibang Filipino na umalis ng bansa na akala mo kung sino na hindi na marunong magtagalog pagkatapos ng isang taon sa ibang bansa… yun ang mga FAKE na Filipino.
It hurts me that some Filipino thinks like Benigno… Naiinis ako! Oo isa ako sa madaming Pilipino na umalis ng Pilipinas. Pero mahal ko ang Pilipinas! Proud ako na Filipino ako! Itanong mo pa sa lahat ng mga kaibigan kong Amerikano dito. Mas Filipino pa nga ako kesa sa mga tao na nasa Pilipinas.
Ms. Koala, precisely my point. We are still trying to find out. Until then, don’t you think it is fair to say that the character of the majority of Filipinos is what adds the most weight to any attempt to describe our collective nature?
Nobody is disputing either that one can instantly feel American or Australian when one first moves to those countries. But the thing that annoys the native citizens of any country that is very generous and fair to non-native residents is migrants who, in return, continue to be wishy-washy about where they think they belong. If one does not at least try to assimilate into their adopted land, it offers a convenient excuse to “not feel at home” there and continue this whole unproductive business of pining about one’s country of birth.
I might dare observe that your dad struggles to rationalise his migration because does not send a clear message about what this migration means to him and to the society that adores him. On one hand he says he migrated to expose you and his family to a world of broader, fairer, and more consistently-available opporunity — a world that the Philippiens presumably no longer offers. Yet on the other hand, he says that he will go back someday (I think “fight another day” is the term he used). Those are two difficult positions to hold concurrently, don’t you think?
It’s a bit of a tragedy to spend one’s life not being sure of where he or she belongs. Does your Dad belong in the Philippines? Then why did he leave? Does your Dad belong in Australia? Then why does he keep pining about “home”? The point is, neither of the two is clear. And like a dog who can sense the fear in his prey, detractors will always take potshots at this wishy-washiness.
Being a celebrity is a tough life. Your dad is a celebrity and therefore will always invite scrutiny. My analogy is that of a company being audited by accountants. When one is audited, one tends to mount an effort to setting his books right. A manager who cannot answer the black-and-white questions of an auditor will merely invite more difficult subsequent questions. “Are you profitable or unprofitable”. “If you are profitable, then how come you only paid this much tax”. And so on, and so forth. The challenging (and often in-your-face) questions will never end as long as one offers nothing more than a wishy-washy position.
As I said, it’s either you take a dump or get off the can.
“But the thing that annoys the native citizens of any country that is very generous and fair to non-native residents is migrants who, in return, continue to be wishy-washy about where they think they belong. If one does not at least try to assimilate into their adopted land, it offers a convenient excuse to “not feel at home” there and continue this whole unproductive business of pining about one’s country of birth.”
You’re annoyed at maybe 90% of migrants then. Just because we miss the Philippines does not mean we haven’t tried to assimilate. The fact is, it’s a big, BIG part of what being a migrant is. Just what is so annoying about it? Because it’s “unproductive”? Really now.
And by the way, I don’t presume to be a judge of what a “true Filipino” is because, frankly, I do not know what a true Filipino is. I, for one am Filipino, simply because I was born one. What I did say is that there is no better place to be a “true Filipino” than in the Philippines. Voluntarily leaving the Philippines on a permanent resident visa (and that visa class presumes that your intent is to settle permanently — thus the term) is an act that speaks for itself. But undertaking that act with conviction and clarity of mind is another thing.
One needs to take personal accountability for one’s actions and not proclaim that one’s actions were undertaken under force of circumstance. Saying that “something made me do it” is an affront to the free will we fancy ourselves to possess as human beings.
I only sound like I’m preaching because my challenging assertions cannot seem to be responded to with clarity. Kind of like a parent sounds preachy to a teenager who is being asked to explain exactly why he/she came home past his curfew the other night.
So risking one’s life actually constitutes a worthy cause? Think again. Ninoy Aquino died — presumably for his country (that intent is actually ONE BIG ASSUMPTION if you ask me) — back in 1983. Was that death worth it? Would he been of better service to his country alive or six feet under? We’ll never know. But then one cannot “risk one’s life” when one has none to give in the first place.
And yes, I couldn’t resist challenging ideas I am interested in getting some clarity on. Isn’t that the whole idea of using a technology that makes exchanging ideas more vastly efficient?
Hey overseas Filipinos! Stop missing the Philippines! Benign0 thinks it’s annoying! 😀
Oh, sorry, all I read was bla, bla, bla 🙂 Could you type that again? 🙂
Si Rizal, na-exile sa HongKong. Si Apo Jim, nagpainterbyu sa embahada ng Ostrelya at pinakita ang laman ng alkansiya niya.
Si Rizal, hinuli, nakulong at pinatay. Si Apo Jim, tumakas ng Pilipinas!
Si Rizal bayani, si Apo Jim Assie!
The problem with you benigno is you do not understand complexity. It HAS to be either/or. which in many cases is simply not the case. Jesus was God AND Man. A Filipino may live abroad and still love the Philippines. There are educated people who do not speak English. Scott peck says that the greatest truths are paradoxical.
It is not only simplistic but ‘poverty-thinking’ to think Black and White all the time.
The world is a more complex place than we can grasp. To learn from the world and bring it back to one’s home– is that a hard thing to understand? What is hard to reconcile about my situation? That I love the Philippines but I want to give my family a chance to know other systems? That I want to rejuvenate and fight another day? That anyone can think differently and have opinions other than yours and be a ‘true Filipino”?
And what do you know of celebrityhood outside of an intellectual concept of it?
A human being is NOT a company. Only God can REALLY audit anyone’s life. Leave others be.
How have you audited yourself? Just curious. What have you found?
anonympous–may karapatan ka magdsalita aminado ako diyan. At hindi ko kinukumpara ang sarili ko kay Rizal maliban sa pareho kaming umalis sa umalis sa Pilipinas. Si Jim Paredes naglalagay nhg pangalan niya sa comment.
Anong tawag sa tumatago sa pangalang anonymous. Hoy! Magpakilala ka.
Talk is cheap. Owning up to what you say, now THAT is the first mark of courage.
SQUEAK SQUEAK!!!!
Don’t worry. Di kita hahanapin o iba-ban. Huwag kalang magmura sa blog ka at mang insulto at pwecde ka pa rin dito.
The greatest truths are indeed paradoxical, Mr. Jim. Like the whole paradox as to how such a massively church-going society could be such a corruption-ridden and inherently unjust one. Or why such a hard-working people collectively constitute such an unproductive and, therefore, impoverished society.
And yes, there is some merit to being “black and white”, for achievement sets very stringent standards. At the Ateneo, for example, very stringent standards are imposed on its students. That is what makes it an excellent school — because mediocrity (which thrives on wishy-washiness) is not tolerated.
And one more thing: For someone who believes in the tenet that “anyone can think differently and have opinions other than yours” (your words, Mr. Jim), it is strange that you seemingly find offense in my penchant for begging to differ to some of your views on life. 😉
Tito Jim,
Naku, ibang-iba na si Basil na ‘di tulad noong araw. Nakakabato ang mga choice of songs niya. Inaasahan kong awitin niya ang mga sikat niyang awitin tulad ng “Gaano kadalas ang minsan”, “Tuwing umuulan”, atbp. Kaso mo, mga “Ama namin” at “Abe Maria” ang inawit niya! I came to see him and spent $105 of my hard-earned money to be entertained, not to be annoyed. Anyway mas masaya pa ang Youth Mass ng 6pm Sunday evenings sa St. Bernadette’s parish sa Castle Hill dahil may live band at palakpakan sa mga awitin!
Ang isa pa, finale niya ay mga Barry Manilow medley. Utang na loob, ang mga awiting iyan ang ginagamit sa mga loudspeaker sa Sydney south para paalisin ang mga sigang kabataan sa mga public parks doon! 🙂
Benign0,
Ba’t ka nagpunta rito? Ba’t mo ginugulo ang mga taong nananahimik dito? Bumalik ka sa SCF at doon tayo magtagisan ng mga kuru-kuro! O baka natatakot ka na? Remember, silence doesn’t necessarily mean agreement! 🙂
-JT of Dural
Only.a.silencer.will.silence.me
Si Apo Jim naman, hindi na mabiro. Nagkamali laang ako ng type – dapat ang nailagay ko ay “Aussie”.
Totoo nama iyon di ba?
Pasensiya nAPO…huwag PO ninyo sanang i-Ban ako sa blog ninyo dahil natatawa akong basahin ang mga kuro-kuro ninyo.
Sig nAPO!
There you go again. “Like a parent sounds preachy to a teenager’. There seems to be a not so hidden condenscension and hostility emanating from your statements. Of course, YOU are the Father and we MUST explain to you.
Don’t you get it that we have heard you over and over and do not agree? Don’t let my own or anyone else’s accountabilities be your burning concern. Deal with your own accountabilities, like your need to have the last word, to convert people, to vent out anger, to scold the Philippines.
And for God’s sake, can’t you write about anything else? And in my blog pa. Lagi nalang political, social and all that. And the same arguments lagi. Please do vent somewhere else although I won’t stop you.
The world is a richer place. Let’s talk life, spirituality, guitars, music, books, aging, science, etc..
You are you and I am I, and perhaps ne’er the twain shall meet.
Peace Benign0. Sorry. What else can I say? Frankly, ayoko na magsalita pa. I tried but it seems that subtlety and anything between black or white is alien to you. We all know our points ad nauseum. Tama na.
I find it interesting that some people are mistaking citizenship for nationality. I’m an Aussie citizen and, I freely admit, consider myself as Aussie as I am Filipino. But I would never deny my heritage nor the fact that even though I don’t live in the Philippines, it continues to be part of my heart and and my identity. Even my husband who has been here since he was 3 years old would not deny that his life, his experiences are coloured by his Filipino identity. Just because we have assimilated doesn’t mean we are any less Filipino nor any less proud to be identified as Filipinos. Yes, there are some stereotypes we object to, just as we object some Aussie stereotypes. There are other stereotypes we can laugh at, which probably shocks other Filipinos. Each of us embraces new cultures to different degrees but this is a very personal journey and one that we cannot expect to be the same for each individual.
No one is denying Jim Paredes’s nationality nor his rebellious contributions to the unsettling of the Philippine economy by promoting the people power movements.
I, like some people have a hard time when he compares his circumstances to filipino national heros.
Is Apo Jim a filipino hero? I think history will be the judge of that.
-Chris
Chris,
Ako na ang sasagot. Hindi ako hero. Never wanted to be one. Never compared myself except as one who lived abroad like some of our heroes–and villains as well. If you’ve been reading my blog, i compared some aspects of our migration experience to what the Marcos family felt when they had to suddenly ‘alabalutan’ to hawaii. As a migrant, i look at so-called small and big examples who have done this in the past.
Heroes are too …’monumental’. I don’t have the concentration to be that serious or to take myself too seriously.Ha ha.
Some will think I have participated in great things. Some will think they were stupid endeavors. Time will tell. But they were done with a pure heart.
You credit me with too much lalo na with the ‘unsettling of the Philippine economy’ because of people power.
Isn’t it more accurate to credit marcos, Erap, Joma, and so many others for this?
The governments of Cory and FVR and even GMA all offered me positions in government before. All I had to do was take it.. I am glad i was too smart to take any.
I am an artist. I write songs that I hope have become or will become soundtracks for Filipino lives. I take pictures that I hope will someday hang in Filipino homes.
My bigger contributions though are those of a father, husband, friend to some. Perhaps those are the true things that matter.
Jim
Thank you for replying Jim, but I disagree.
You credit me with too much lalo na with the ‘unsettling of the Philippine economy’ because of people power.
Isn’t it more accurate to credit marcos, Erap, Joma, and so many others for this?
They the incumbent. You and your cohorts destabilized them. Who gave you the mandate to do that?
So Sheila Coronel is leaving too – good riddance!!!
Maybe now we can get some positive reporting from PCIJ about what’s GOOD about filipinos to actually encurage foreigners to have the confidence to invest back in the country.
– Chris
“My bigger contributions though are those of a father, husband, friend to some. Perhaps those are the true things that matter“
Yan naman pala e.
So you don’t really mean this whole business about having to “risk one’s life” to be worthy of any measure of self-actualisation after all. See, this is one example of why I stick to a particular topic. It’s kinda hard to move on when one finds gaps and inconsistencies in the other’s conceptual framework.
And no, I don’t presume to be a father figure to anyone. In fact I’d like to think of my questions as a bit child-like and innocent. Have you ever been interrogated by your kids when they were young children?
Back in my suburb, there is a street with a speed limit of 10 kph and, of course, the number “10” clearly painted on the street itself. Needless to say, nobody actually goes at 10 kph on this street, but my son never fails to make this very simple observation while glancing at our car’s speedometer everytime we pass this street: “Dad, the sign says ’10’ and we are going at ’25’ “. Not surprisingly, I stammer my way through an explanation and often succumb to responding to the effect of “ay basta!”.
Sound familiar? So who is really the father figure now?
“Ay basta!” is an easy-way-out dismissal that Filipinos are often inclined to invoke.
Children’s questions are the toughest to answer. I think lawyerspeak was designed with this challenge in mind — to provide lawyers with the tools to skirt otherwise straightforward issues. 😀
Benign0, you’re an idiot!!!
Jim, I live in Sydney. Have been so for last 19 years.
I have been speaking to my wife about migrating back home at some point to help rebuild.
It’s never too late and I have a different political persuasion of what it takes to make it work.
When you’re back in Sydney, I’ll drop you a line so we can have coffee.
– Chris
benigno,
you are such a nitpicker, to say it politely. you just love to twist everything just to satisfy your ego. we have heard you loud and clear. and I respect your rights to your opinions. Huwag mo nang pilitin isaksak down our throats. We all have our journeys through life. And not one persons journey is better than another.
may you have inner peace and love in your heart. you are always in my prayers.
lmparedes
I think Inquirer should be Enquirer 😉 anyhow Sir Jim congrats about the upcoming tribute concert and soon-to-be platinum album, nakakaiyak yung performance ninyo sa ASAP… we missed APO so much on screen…
Let’s consider what’s taking place: something like 10 million Filipinos now live and/or work outside the Philippines. In a recent survey, three out of ten Filipinos want to leave the country. One local survey reveals that a significant number of Filipino children now belong to broken-up families (i.e., where one or both parents have to work abroad) anf this may take a deep, psychological toll on them.
Manolo Quezon once wrote that only around 15 percent of the Philippine population constitutes the middle class, and something like half of that class now live outside the country, while the other half controls most of the country’s resources.
The Philippine economy remains weak, many economies are strongly dependent on each other (such that if some major economies experience crises others will follow), and a combination of global warming, depletion of natural resources (including oil and potable water), increasing levels of conflict, and other problems take place.
If countries like the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Singapore, and others experience economic problems, what might happen to the thousands of OCWs and new immigrants in these places? If they are forced to return to the Philippines because of layoffs or other problems (like racism), where the economy is already weak and unemployment significant, what will happen then? Is it possible that those who have lived in such countries will become increasingly resentful of newly-arrived peoples? Is it possible that “peak oil” (i.e., the phenomenon where we will have less oil in the near future) will make it increasingly difficult for anyone to remain a “citizen of the world”? And if conflict forces a person to take sides, which side will he take?
I visited Australia last April, stayed there for two weeks, and had a great time. I’ve lots of relatives there (almost all professionals) who think I should move to Australia (many of them are even willing to sponsor me), and more relatives in Manila who think that my talents are going to waste in the Philippines and that I should live and study abroad.
I am part of the middle class (that 15 percent that controls most resources in the country) and I am tired of crime, stress, and money problems. That is why I want to leave. However, I also feel that I will do very little to help my country by leaving. (I know that I can send dollars to folks back home, but if the global economy worsens or if I become homesick, what happens next?) I get this feeling that the only people who will benefit if we leave are ourselves and our loved ones.
Mr. Benigno, whoever, you are….
Everyone has the right to decide what to do with their lives, paths to take, and journeys to travel….and we all have to respect the decisions people make, whether or not we agree with them. We can express our opinions or sentiments, disagreements or otherwise, but keep away from being judgemental or too opinionated over issues we do not agree with.
There are other forums to express your strong sentiments. May I suggest you utilize those options.
This is suppose to be a pleasant forum of exchanges. It can be a learning experience for most, but it can maintain a very positive atmosphere.
The world is flat. But it doesn’t mean it is such an unpleasant place to be in. Let’s remain positive in all our undertakings inspite of the “ugliness” we see around us. Life is just so good to muddle it with too many unnecessary unpleasantness!
The lessons that matter in life can’t be taught. They must be lived to be understood. So let’s have a wonderful time while we are all at it, okay?
God bless you, Mr. Benigno!
Totally irresponsible journalism.
Inquirer,
I am tired of crime, stress, and money problems. That is why I want to leave. However, I also feel that I will do very little to help my country by leaving.
These are universal problems regardless whether you live in a 1st or 3rd world economy.
or if I become homesick, what happens next?)
You will get over it. Just think of the next remittance you need to send back home to motivate you.
I get this feeling that the only people who will benefit if we leave are ourselves and our loved ones.
You wallow in self pity and over analyze things. When you work overseas, you will not have time to think these things. If you do, it means you are not working or not working hard enough.
JIM!!! I miss you three so much!!
I woke up this morning and saw you, danny and buboy on ASAP – brought a tear to my eye. We just finished doing a show with Apl from the Black Eyed Peas last night. He’s awesome, but there really is no show like an APO show.
Then I checked the newest articles on INQ7 and saw that disgusting article. I knew that wasn’t you. That was so wrong and unethical of that writer to twist your words. Your actions do speak louder than his awful words. His article will pass with time, but the difference you make in everyone’s lives and the mark you leave in Philippine history will be forever etched for all generations to witness.
I’m sorry if I haven’t contacted you in a while. I had my stint with depression caused by hormones and the cancer ordeal, but have bounced back and am stronger than ever. Thanks for the support you provided during my early stages. You are nowhere near the character the Inquirer published. No matter what’s published about you in that one stinky article, you’ll always be remembered as the Jim Paredes that we’ve all come to know and love.
Hopefully we’ll see you soon – Best of love and grace to you and your family!
Jenn (and Jeff)
I just remembered you asked for photo websites to submit to:
1. GettyImages.com
2. Photobucket.com
3. IstockPhoto.com
Hey Jim,
I feel for you. Sometimes (or shall I say “most of the time”) philippine media can be really annoying. Sensationalist at best, out-right liars at worst, as shown in the article written about you.
I don’t know you personally, but I get the impression that you are held in high regard by those around you and that you’re a fairly level-headed person.
I admire you for not holding back from your want of a better life for yourself and your family. I do wish you a good stay in Oz.
Let me also say that I understand completely where you’re coming from. I’ve spent my life’s first 6 years in Europe, moved and lived in the Phils for 18 years, then moved out to Africa about a year ago.
I’ve left behind family and friends (and in fact am missing them a lot), but all of that is worth it. My wife and I moved away a month after we got married and are not planning to go back. We have given up on the Philippines and are not afraid to admit it.
Maybe this is where we differ. I think that our homeland’s problems are not just the result of the here and now, but a result of entire generations of errors and ommissions. Errors and ommissions that’ll take another few generations to undo.
Perhaps you are of the belief that change can still be made. Big up to you! The world (and the Phils) needs people like you.
I, on the other hand, would rather not choose to sacrifice myself and my short life for a people that I think will not be changed in this lifetime.
I often think that if I could bring the likes of Rizal, Bonifacio and even Ninoy back to life and let them see the Philippines in 2006, would they still choose to die for their country? (Well, maybe Rizal is a different story as he wanted our country to be a Spanish province. Ok sana as we’d all be holding EU passports now. Hehehe…)
Just my 2 cents, mister. And if ever you do return to the Phils to get back into the “fight”, I wish you the best and may God bless you.
wow… I just read the sleuth of comments!
Benign0:
Seems like you’re trying to use Jim’s blog as a springboard to sound off your ideas and opinions, which don’t make sense to me. While you use fancy diction and elementary sentence structure, your messages are more agitating than profound.
“As I said, it’s either you take a dump or get off the can. As I said, it’s either you take a dump or get off the can.” – Benign0
That statement is far from allegorically parallel to Jim’s situation. So stop using it, because it further disqualifies whatever point you are trying to get across. You are preaching – nonsense. I agree with Koala – all I read is “blah-blah blah.” If you forgot, you’re commenting on Jim’s blog – not writing BS essays on your opinions. Only 90% of the content of your comments have anything to do with the blog. Get your own blog! (Hmm, kulang ka sa pansin!) Go to eblog.com. It only takes 5 mins to sign up.
“So you don’t really mean this whole business about having to “risk one’s life” to be worthy of any measure of self-actualisation after all. See, this is one example of why I stick to a particular topic. It’s kinda hard to move on when one finds gaps and inconsistencies in the other’s conceptual framework.” – Benigno
Do you really think you stick a particular topic? Stop trying to mesmerize us with your “English skills” and get real. Inconsistencies in your statements reveal you insecurity in yourself – you’re coming across as a “wishy-washy” Filipino. You need to take English 101 and learn proper structure before you go off preaching like that. As they say here in America, “WTF are you talking about?” Perhaps you’re overusing your thesaurus a bit too much.
Chris and Benign0:
Jim is not Rizal, nor did he ever compare himself to Rizal.
So far, he’s made more of an impact in the Philippines and on this earth in the past year than you have in your entire lifetime. Together with the APO he’s traveled around the globe to perform and entertain collectively thousands of OFW’s and give them a sense of “home” and “culture” – something they’ve been missing away from home. With humility he reminds Pinoys who have settled overseas about the beauty of being Filipino and reconnects them the Philippines. His music has been played around the world and touched the lives of many. He’s a father, teacher, musician, artist, celebrity, and a human being living his life on this chaotic earth. Through my eyes, he’s contributed a great share of Filipino enrichment already and still continues to do so. He doesn’t just sit around complaining and preaching like you two – he actually puts his words into action.
I was born and raised in America. I’m a 2nd generation Filipino American and didn’t know much about the Filipino culture until I was 16. Since then I learned Tagalog and have traveled to the Philippines 4 times in the past 8 years – each time to find ways to contribute to the Philippines. My home is both here in America and in the Philippines, what’s wrong with that? I’m not wishy-washy. Jim is not either. Benign0 appears to be.
Peace to you all =]
Pwede kayang i-people power na yang kuto na nagtatago sa pangalang Benigno na malayo naman sa kagalang galang na Ninoy na pinarangalan ngayong araw? If he had his own blog site na lang sana – para masaya na lang dito.
Pinoy Dream Academy – inaabangan lalo na ng mga Aussie na may tatlong pambato so far. Papaangatin pa ng headmaster Jim.
Gamot sa pagka-miss at lungkot sa pagkakahiwalay sa mga mahal sa buhay? – being busy. Surely you are or will be – so I’ll wish you more pawisdom.
-Menchie
Hey Jenn, I missed you too. I am always praying for your recovery and I am glad to hear you atre OK. I smiled as I read your spirited reaction. ha ha. I really hope we see each other soon.
Menchie– will definitely be busy with this new ABS thing. Can’t wait to go back to Sydnety though. I hads such a soft landing there because of friends like you.
Jozi-man-Whatever your journey is, do it. I for one will not judge you. God speed. And thanks for the empathy.
To everyone, salamat sa bisita.
Ironically, what Anonymous3 says proves Anonymous1’s point: one shouldn’t over-analyze (if not, not even analyze at all) since one is motivated by remittances sent back to the home country. This is, in fact, Anonymous1’s point: the only people who will benefit if a person leaves the country are the person’s loved ones. And if something goes wrong, he go back to his home country or work in another country.
One gets this bad feeling that this need to escape personal troubles and to make a living by relying on foreigners will have a negative impact on Philippine society in the long term.
as I’ve mentioned earlier, benigno is a medical textbook example of somebody afflicted with acute attention-deficiency syndrome. he’s been all over the internet, spreading his 2-cent political theories to whoever cares to listen. nobody pays attention to him at peyups.com. UP students are bright enough to know that this guy is Kulang sa Pansin.
Go back to your own website benigno where you can spread your mayhem for all you want.
Unfortunately, we all missed what Benigno wrote:
“There is no shame in abandoning something that consistently fails. Migrants should make no apologies about leaving the Philippines to build a better life elsewhere.” As one poster puts it, just as long as one concentrates on remittances, then he will think less of anything else. Family comes first.
And yet all of us will admit that we (Filipinos, including Benigno) have consistently failed, and what we are doing now is, essentially, trying to “build a better life elsewhere,” and to send money to folks remaining in the Philippines.
Reread some of the responses to this post. Some still think that there is hope while others have given up. Some blame the government while others blame Filipinos in general. Some think that there such a thing as a Filipino while others do not want to think about it at all. And yet we all agree that we leave or complain because we (Filipinos) have failed: our country is in tatters and we have not succeeded.
As one poster puts it, three out of ten Filipinos want out. It is possible that as the economy grows worse, more of the middle class flee, and those who remain become increasingly corrupt, then that number may increase.
Hi Jim,
Just a quick quote from Karl Marx:” To each, according to his ability. To each, according to his need.”
The media tends to sensationalized and exagerate the facts and the truth. Sir Jim, you are a lotus flower and you will emerge unscratched from the murkiness of our fellow Filipinos who are possessed by the crab mentality. Keep the fire of the Filipino values burning.
Hanggang sa muli.
Ipopost ko lang po dito ang pinost ko sa site ni ala…
I dont usually post/comment on people’s blogs… but I will this time just because this issue affected me so much. I read your dad’s blog and I also read how some people reacted “negatively” towards people who left the Philippines.. someone even said “a true Filipino” should stay in the Philippines… this made me cry. I left the country a couple of years back not because I am ashamed of it or I felt like “wala ng pag-asa” ang Pilipinas. I left because I needed to do it for myself… for my own spiritual & personal growth. Filipinos who stereotype their fellow Filipinos who leave the country pisses me off! Alam ba nila kung gaano kahirap mabuhay sa ibang bansa… UGH! This frustrates me!
You have always been my favorite APO…not the kalokohan ni Danny or Buboy’s cuteness..but you, because of your gentle giant ways. When I was young, I made it a point to only sing “your” compositions…and in a way I guess I felt a connection with you. We actually met when you had a concert here in Chicago a while back…still have the autographed tickets and CD…and you need to come back soon. I miss you guys!
I totally understand your wanting to be “away from it all” for a while. To have some semblance of normalcy after so many years of standing up, being the voice of the Pinoy, yet NOT BEING HEARD. I just came back from the Philippines and I couldn’t help but be disappointed in the shows, the music, the artistic character of the country. Whatever happened to the simple yet complex aspect of raindrops on a roof? Sayang that the younger generation did not take heed from your examples. Buti na lang, I exposed my children to APO, so even though they are half Filipino, they understand and appreciate your music. My 12 year old (who doesn’t speak Tagalog fluently but understands it) loves to sing “Ewan” since the words aren’t so complicated. They even understand that “American Junk” is not because you don’t like “americans” but how Filipinos need to find their own identity and be proud of it. My kids had a chance to appreciate my part of the heritage when they went home for a vacation this year…hearing the stories they brought back, brought me back to the years when my parents regaled me with stories of heroism, patriotism, and being a woman for others. Why is it that we never appreciate the beauty of our country until we leave it? It took 30+ years for me to be awestruck by the beauty of Banawe. I’ve asked friends in the Philippines if they have been there and the common answer was “what for? it’s there”. Sad but true.
So enjoy Australia…enjoy your family and we would love to hear about the simplicity of the kangaroo hopping into your backyard, or the koala perched on your tree. Keep writing and keep dreaming about a better future for the Filipino…I am going back home in about 10 years and I hope to bring what I have learned in the US back and make a difference in the life of even just one Filipino.
Hi Jim. I have long respected your ideals and look up to you as a good role model. However, I would like you to check your opinion about Bush claiming that there was WMD in Iraq. It wasn’t only Bush who thought there was WMD in Iraq, the UN issued at least 8 resolutions before the war thinking that there was WMD or that Iraq was hiding WMD. Also Saddam was not helping the situation at all. Remember he disallowed the inspections of the UN teams and played hide and seek with them during the 90s? Wasn’t it just frustrating for everybody, from the UN inspection teams, the Security Council and the world in general from issuing warnings, resolutions and threats and Saddam refused to cooperate, bringing the world into another conflict? If you could check the last UN resolution it was just the last straw before the war. You can see that it wasn’t just Bush but the whole world was duped by Saddam into thinking that Iraq had WMD. Also although no nuclear weapons have been found, they did find chemical and biological weapons in Iraq in large quantities. I guess this does not qualify as WMD (?).
Hope I explained the situation about Bush. I am no supporter of Bush but given the information and events during the time, I believe he had no choice but to act on the UN resolutions.
I remain your fan and of APO,
Jake
tuyo na ba damdamin mo towards philippine politics…
Having left the country for over two decades now does not change who you are nor your sentiments towards “Lupang Sinilangan.”
I recall an encounter with an acquaintance on a not so recent visit. He tells me; “Unlike you, I serve my country thats why I never left.” I still remember that “jilted-lover” look on his smug face years afterwards…
No skin off my nose there, but you’re in the public eye..so it rankles.
There’s this link of a winning speech by a Filipina who does really well explaining why we are elsewhere yet home in our hearts.
http://www.inq7.net/nat/2004/may/23/nat_11-1.htm
Hi Apo Jim,
I’m one of the many regular reader’s you and Ala have on your blogs, and though I
would have preferred to stay as an avid reader and continue to decline on the idea of
fencing of wit and clamor just to say namedrop you in the future as reference, but this
is an issue I strongly feel about and can’t help but to comment on.
Apparently, the issue on the article has become a battle out of context, and most
importantly, a headline that was way out of line. I read the article, and the headline
almost has nothing to do with it. I believe it was poorly done and lack journalistic
values, which i think has become a widely acceptable attribute in the the industry of
print and broadcast journalism nowadays. It could have been just a slip-up since this
was a weekend paper, while everyones in day-off, maybe they were left with some
newbie editor who has to write a catchy headline for the said article. Still, given the
benefit of the doubt, it was a mistake from poor standards, and would must justly be
accorded with an apology.
I am a communication graduate out of Saint Louis University in Baguio City, and
though it may not be an Ivy League school as most of the schools here in Metro Manila,
it prides itself as being one of the top 10 universities in the country. I learned in my
journalism class that an article should be a collective summary of the interview, in the
same way that the first paragraph is an introductory summary of the whole article, and
the HEADLINE being the summary of the first paragraph. The article seemed to have
followed all the rules in writing a feature news article, but seemed to have missed its
target and rather unfortunately hitting someone else instead. I remember my mentor
always telling us then to be careful on our C.O.W. (meaning Choice Of Words at hindi
BAKA na hayop, hehehe), as it may result to the a misconstrued reader and may imply
the wrong message to the masses. This is actually a very simple rule if you think about
it. Not only in journalism, but in our way of living. Utter the wrong word and make sure
you get the wrong impression that will eventually lead to a misunderstanding. Ask all the
married people.
I would’nt even start on how our media has become so deteriorated by the amount of
sensationalism and un-newsworthiness insofar as only thinking about the corporations
goal on profits. Lecheng mga SELL-OUT ika nga. Whatever happened to being the
watchdog of the society. WATCHDOG! Bantay ba.
Watchdog of the society. My wife and I was actually discussing this issue while
listening to the AM radio the taxi was on, on our way home from graveyard shift. I told
her how mediocre every news columnist and networks has become. Depicting themselves
to be the good samaritans by becoming the all out “sumbungan ng bayan”. People has lost
most of its trust to the police and the government because of media’s overly
exaggeration of the news. Mass Media should not be solving the society’s problem, they
should be reporting it to help the authorities solve the problems. And in the matter of
our authorities’ chronic misbehaviors, we have laws and rules to correct them.
Nagiging sobrang pakialamero at nagmamaalam na ang Media sa lipunang halos sila na
ang nagdidikta.
The article was flawed, so every discussion on the message the writer intended to pass
along, I stongly believe, will also be flawed. ANG SANTOL HINDI NAGBUBUNGA NG
MANGGA.
TRUE FILIPINO.
Manong Jim, it seemed that all us Filipino’s, here and abroad, have been uberly
analyzing the thought of Patriotism and Nationalism. To the extent that some of those
who have commented before me has greatfully expressed their disgust on how you have
alledgedly abandoned si Inang Bayan. We all have become so procedural and thoretical
on our perception of our ideal Pilipinas to the extent of forgetting to just FEEL and BE
A FILIPINO. We have become too proud of WHAT WE ARE and not of WHO WE ARE.
We cannot and should not define a TRUE FILIPINO. I say we find meaning in BEING
A FILIPINO. It doesnt matter anymore if your a lawyer, an artist, a father, or a call
center worker just like me. It shouldnt even matter if your abroad or your here. I dont
think our government should be solely blame on what our country has become, in fact we
should all be blamed for it, but instead of becoming so immersed on pointing fingers and
feeling bad at one another, we should not forget about our main goal, our care for our
beloved Ina and let’s start healing her wounds. If most of us should only learn that
instead of rallying in EDSA to dethrone the presidency, We revolt on the street of
united consciousness and aim to help our country get better. Sabi nga sa commercial,
tama na ang satsat, umpisahan na ang gawa. No More Excuses Philippines!
Enjoy your stay here! Namaste!
ok… tama na ang satsat umpisahan na ang gawa, that’s the right attitude philippines… go for it…
To SK, it is not our intention to stereotype Filipinos living abroad. Apparently, most Filipinos do not move abroad because they want to experience spiritual and personal growth. Most are OCWs who are forced to work abroad as domestic helpers and caretakers. In fact, the situation is so bad that many OCWs did not even want to leave Lebanon, and several are even willing to work in Iraq.
To those who plan to come home after years abroad, you have to ask yourself the following:
What will you see when you come home? Will the problems that you left remain, and will those problems become even worse?
More Filipinos want to leave the country each year, and the nation is being bled dry of teachers, doctors, nurses, and other professionals. Those who remain cannot leave due to poverty and they are being controlled by a corrupt government. That government appears to be getting worse each time.
The economy is doing poorly and getting weaker each time. It is possible that Philippine society may collapse and experience civil war in the near future.
The ecology is all but devasted. Only a percentage of forest and coral reef reserves remain, and given First World lifestyles they may disappear.
Given a possible peak oil scenario, a “borderless world” may soon become impossible. “Citizens of the world” will probably have to stay where they are because they will not be able to afford to venture further.
It is always nice to talk about essays like
http://www.inq7.net/nat/2004/may/23/nat_11-1.htm
but there’s also
http://www.bulatlat.com/news/6-23/6-23-hawaii.htm
and
http://www.bulatlat.com/news/4-21/4-21-tenkyu.html
fan-ni-jim,
Here’s a child-like question that begs to be answered coherently:
Go for what exactly?
😀
And what’s with the “Finally” word in the headline? Was Gerry Lirio just waiting diabolically for Jim Paredes to leave? I find this totally irresponsible journalism. If this appeared in the editorial section, then I would understand. But to place this as a headline reeks of sensationalism. Are they painting a picture of gloom and doom in the Philippines? Hey, Inquirer, especially Gerry Lirio, you need to brush up on what is meant by news. Look it up at Wikipedia, you jerk: “News is factual. Opinions should be sourced from qualified sources, and the fact that those people express those opinions becomes the fact that is reported.”
Besides, why does moving to another country constitute surrender? What is so dishonarable about that? A man has a responsibility to his family. A man must ensure his family legacy continues, otherwise what good is there in his sacrifice? I know it’s Ninoy’s death anniversary today, and people portray him as a man who sacrificed his life for his country. I am not making his martyrdom any less, but note that his family is well taken care of already. People can be heroic, but please don’t drag your innocent children into the fray. And don’t be quick to judge a person’s actions.
Shame on you, Inquirer!
http://www.buwayahman.com
Benign0 –
Tama na
Sobra na
Tumahimik ka na
Magandang araw po Sir Jim,
palagay ko po ay tutoo ang inyong sinabi na hindi si Gerry Lirio ang may kagagawan ng titulo ng artikulo. Binisita po niya ako sa Melbourne noong nandito kayo at sumulat din ng isang artikulo tungkol sa buhay ko sa Melbourne, kasabay ng sa inyo. Napagusapan po namin kayo ( naibiro ko na mas nauna yata ang APO kay Dan Brown sa paggamit ng mga hidden codes, gaya ng Eto na Pusila) at ang mga dahilan kung bakit ang mga Pilipino ay nagingibang bansa. Hindi po pagsuko o abandonment ang kaniyang tema sa mga kagaya kong namimirmihan sa Australia. Nabanggit din po niya sa akin ang sariling paghahangad na sumubok ng buhay dito kaya taliwas na pagtalikod ang kaniyang pananaw sa mga migrante.
pagpalain po kayo at ang inyong pamilya. isa po akong tagahanga, kung magawi po kayo sa melbourne at kailangan ninyo ng driver, pasabi lang kayo.
don
caseworker@ddls.org.au
I miserably missed the controversial article published in the Phil. Daily Inquirer. With all this “clutter” I am reading, I am interested to read the “root” of all these postings on this blog. Could somebody be kind enough to email to be the whole article, so I could really understand what is all about these conglomerated discussions. I would appreciate very much if anyone can email it to me at “obet_dionisio@yahoo.com.au”
“Are they painting a picture of gloom and doom in the Philippines?“
But isn’t it a fact that doom and gloom prevails in the Philippines at the moment? Maybe the reason why we can afford to be positive about the Philippines is because none of us who frequents this blog actually lives on a pile of rubbish, scavenges for a living, or actually thinks that living in a war-torn desert nation is a better option over steamy Manila.
People in our circles have no problem responding positively to “be-positive” slogans. But try asking the average Pinoy to be positive?
There’s a fine line between “being positive” and being delusional about what is really going on in the Philippines.
To Jim, pls kindly excuse “benign0” and all the trolls that are in his image for he’s been doing this SAME ranting for YEARS now on OTHER sites and forums like Pinoy Exchange, Tsinoy.com and even on other School boards. I once thought that his intentions were good but now I see it for what it is: a power-trip and show of superiority (complex) if you will. IMO, Better block the IP address and only allow registered users to post here. God Bless you Jim and your family!
huwag sya i block. Maisin natin ang intelektuwal na kapasidad ng second hand culture na yan.
Kawawa naman.
All sound and fury signifying nothing. Parang siyang naglilimos sa iba’t-ibang mga blogsites ng kanyang 15 minutes of fame and attention.
Puro ‘solution’ na walang ibig sabihin. Ang nakikita lang ng lahat ay ang kanyang frustrations as a human being. Ika nga ni John Lennon sa Nowhere Man–‘making all his nowhere plans for nobody.’
Desiderata says “even the dull and the ignorant have their story”. Tiisisn natin hanggang kaya si BenigZERO!
Binasa ko yuong artikulo tungkol kay Jim Paredes.
Sa akin hindi sensational ang dating pero siguradong pinadaplusan si Jim.
Madalas kong basahin iting blog ni Jim.
Napakinggan ko din yuong interview niya sa Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
May karapatan ang Inquirer na ihatlad yuong artikulo na ganoon.
Kung mag-migrate ka, eh di sige umalis ka.
Ang kaso eh maraming cheche bureche – tungkol sa pamamalakad ng gubyerno, tungkol sa “polarization” ng political process, tungkol sa ganito at ganoon…
Narinig ko pa duon sa interview with PCIJ na may tinawag siyang “basura”.
Si Jim sa tingin ko idealista. Pero ang problema, wala siyang IDEA para sa ikabubuti ng Pilipinas.
Pagpasensiyahan niyo na po si Benign0
Do an internet search and you’ll find out he’s been doing this all over the internet.
Benign0 cannot accept the reality of the fact that his views on the Philippines and the culture are all lame based on the fact that he is a resident of Australia. He is outside looking in. Anything he says, observes and concludes are all tainted with that bias based on his current situation and status.
He can afford to “sermonize” because he’s not there to identify with the people he “preaches” to. In other words, he, who keeps whining about GetReal Philippines, is in fact lost from reality.
He can afford to do so because he is not in a position to understand those he talks about. But rather he talks about his position on something he understands with shallowness.
He can afford to “sermonize” because he’s not there to identify with the people he “preaches” to. In other words, he, who keeps whining about GetReal Philippines, is in fact lost from reality.
You can say the same thing about Jim Paredes – he’s now on the outside looking-in. And yes he too preaches… we all do, who comment in this blog.
And we don’t all have to agree with Jim Paredes. Some of the criticism about him I think are fair.
Benign0, kung sino kaman,if you’re in Sydney, I’d like to buy you coffee to hear more about your whining.
-Chris
“cheche bureche” lang ‘yon kung hindi siya si jim. his political involvement (if it can be called such) is part of who he is. he deserves to talk about it on his blog, or to anyone who asks him about it.
benign0 — “whilst”? “conceptual framework”? you’re killing me! more italics please! hahaha!
and jim — the headline was in bad taste. but at least you — and the people who are truly important to you — know better than to believe it.
Chris,
Send me your number at benign0@yahoo.com and I’ll give you a call. 😉
“
You can say the same thing about Jim Paredes…”
At least Jim gets involved or at the very least got involved. There is a difference. There is difference from one who talks a lot while doing nothing, or have never done anything, about it and one who talks having, at the very least, tried to do something about it.
And there is a difference between stating one’s opinions which Jim has done in his blog and going out of ones’ way to visit numerous sites on the internet and imposing his views to be accepted by others lest they be considered of lesser intellect, as Benign0 has done. The difference between the two says a lot. And if you can figure that one out the good luck on your coffee break. 🙂
let’s see how quickly you can finish your coffee and say. ‘uh..gotta go!’
The most accurate thing we can say about everybody is that everyone is partially right! Even the people we loathe are partially right. I think the trick is to see whose ‘partial rightness’ covers the most ground and learn from the ‘partial rightness’ of others.
We must remain tolerant of others views no matter how grating they can be. Sure we can all disagree in our views. That’s OK.
There will be no banning unless insults are thrown along the way. I know I have let a few things pass and I apologize for them. Am very busy and have little time to pay attention to everything in this blog..
If things deteriorate, I MAY have to impose a registration of some sort if everyone keeps commenting anonymously and hitting each other. Or even trash some comments.
I would also like everyone to try and stay ON TOPIC. This is NOT primarily a political blog. This is a blog by Jim Paredes and what he likes to talk about. I hope that isn’t too hard to understand and accept.
If all you want to talk about is how to save the Philippines, go somewhere else–unless it’s the topic I am writing about.
If you feel these rules are too confining. Sorry nalang. I will not make this Jerry Springer blog.
It’s my blog after all.
I’d invite everyone else to cofee with me and benign0 pero mukhang “lynching” ang mangyayari sa amin 🙂
Jim, if ever you’re in Sydney, just post in your blog if ever you want to have coffee.
Like I said before I want to give back and I have ideas how to help.
You may not agree with them but you can hear me out, yeah?
I also have the commitment and passion to act on them. And no, it is never too late to help so I’m bidding my time for when I’m ready.
Hopefully we can promote “bayan-pansin” where kababayans want to come home, stay, start a business and transfer skills, business acumen and technology.
This is my last comment, unless someone baits me back. Good luck to all, especially to Jim Paredes and his family.
Don’t be too harsh on benign0 😉
-Chris
Wow. Just wanted to give some support, Sir Jim. And this thought.
I am a technocrat. I work for two government agencies in “policy” capacity.
I am in my early thirties. I speak slang English, I was educated like Ala (we have friends in common), I love Japanese anime & have been mistaken for near every nationality except Filipino. These traits do not make me any less nationalistic.
And I am a third generation civil servant. I serve as well as I can and pirate more technocrats when I can. We remain idealistic & work as professionals in the career service.
I’ve been asked why I remain despite the “better” offers in the private sector. Because I want a better country for my children who I will raise here. My fiance & I have decided to stay despite the odds & contribute what we can to nation-building.
Many of my batchmates have migrated. Some will return to help rebuild through businesses. Some won’t. I think that in the end, it’s all about personal choices. We, as civilized people, should respect that.
And I know you’re tired, but I just wanted to tell you there is still hope. There are those of us who have seen your example as children & hope to emulate it. In silence, maybe for now. We know that talk is cheap, we will work our way quietly for change. Through professionalism & hard work. Through the private & public sector. It may take a generation or two, hopefully less, but there is hope. As the banner in my (and your) school proudly proclaims, “Our Country, OUR Business.” A cliche, but we take it to heart. All the best to Ala & Ananda & your family. ^_^ – Auriela
Jim,
sa totoo lang nakakaenjoy ang mga comments. Hindi nawawala ang
pagka-Pilipino natin, pagmamahal sa ating Bayan kahit nasaan tayo.
Dasal tayo lahat at gumawa ng tama para sa Bayan, sa buong mundo sa Pamilya at sa Sarili. Enjoy lang mga kapatid.
I think it is totally unfair for people to judget other people’s intentions. Especially if you don’t know them.
People fight their battles in different ways. The fact that Filipinos migrate to other countries, whether permantently or just temporarily, does not automatically mean that they are abandoning the Philippines.
I know of many people who have migrated and yet they give something back to the Philippines. They do fund raisers, they give to charity, they do community service when they arrive.
So those who are quick to criticize, ask yourself: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR THE PHILIPPINES? It does not have to be grand gestures or vocal support/opposition to the government. It can be something as simple as giving to charity.
Those who criticize other people should direct their focus elsewhere. Preferably something constructive. Jim Paredes can say that he at least fought the fight and will continue in his own way. Can you say the same?
http://www.buwayahman.com
Hello Jim! I was assigned to do a feature with a balikbayan theme for our countrymen in San Diego. I was wondering if I could quote your comments (or your blog, *smiley*) regarding Filipinos leaving but not being “un-Filipino?”
Sorry about your experience with PDI. Rest assured I wouldn’t slash your pillow any further than it already has. I just want people to read your insight especially those who are on other lands, too. It made me reflect even more on whether I should leave or not, anyway.
BenigO
It’s sad that you have formed prejudices not only to Filipinos who have decided to leave the Phils for better opportunities overseas but for filipinos in the Philippines who wants to enjoy stuff which in your opinion are non-filipino. You must come to Australia and you may also say that the Australians who enjoy Starbucks are unpatriotic and are Americans – HELLO? You sound like my 80 year old arrogant stepfather who has stuck in the 1955 era of the ratpacks. Wake up man- the world is getting global- the people who do ‘actions’ are better heard than those who just have a way with words- never mind sana kung positive, encouraging, motivational or something inspirational. I think that you are just one jealous guy who is stuck where you are and are therefore reeling with envy for people like Jim who is not only a celebrity but have indeed touched a lot of pinoys thru his music and his courage to take action express his beliefs and principles and be as basic as wanting to be a good husband and father to his own immediate family. Charity starts at home, pare ko. He is a man of conviction and you are a what- a man who puts fellow -filipinos down just because they are doing something out of the ordinary. Live and let live- mate…If you are a Filipino still living in the Phils come out and be a good ambassador of the Philippines overseas- basang basa na ang papel ng mga pinoy overseas due to people like you who are suppose to be doing something with all the money that the OFW are sending to all of you guys – to make the Phils a better nation for our children, apo, etc. You should start with yourself and your own family and ask yourself- ‘what can I do for the Filipino people?’ Act like one who is proud to be a filipino and take pride in the achievements of others like Jim and myself hehehe (LOL!)- I am a proud Pinoy serving the federal government of australia- should i say that I should be proud of you ? then act, talk and think like a Filipino I could be proud of here in Australia. Not only one who picks of a guy like JIM…just because he made a personal choice- for himself and family
Hi Idol Jim,
I’m very happy dahil i found your blog site… i did a google search about this issue after watching the news from TFC, of course as a fan of your music i must know what’s the real score and get the whole detail and luckily I landed in your great blog site and able to read your statement and feeling about this issue. Well bro i can just say that let’s forget that because we are very excited here in Guam and Saipan to finally watch your much awaited show… i believe dudumugin kayo ng mga kababayan natin dito…isa na adin ako (baka in both venues pa hehehe).
Congrats nga pala on your move to Oz, we just got approval on our visa sa New Zealand naman hopefully maka drop-by din dyan sa Sydney sometime in the future and hopefully meet you as well, so i will make your blog my new net hangout from now on.
More power!
Neo
Hello Mr. Paredes! I admire your honesty! Hindi ka plastic kagaya nang iba d’yan na nagmamarunung (Benigno…tumigil ka na!). Kung sabagay kanya-kanya tayo ng opinyon pero dapat naman nandun parin ang respeto. Hindi kita masisi kung nagmigrate ka ng Australia…kagaya karin ng Dad ko na gustong ipadama ang magandang oportunidad at kinabukasan sa ibang bansa para sa pamilya. Bilib ako sa’yo… na kahit anong tsismis ang ibato sa’yo, nakukuha mo paring maging totoo sa sarili mo. Hindi ka bumababa sa lebel ng iba d’yan. Pasensiya nalang sa tagalog ko…gusto ko kasing ipahiwatig lalo na kay Benigno na tulad ko na Pinoy youth na lumaki sa ibang bansa alam ko kung ano ako talaga at kung sino ako.
I just love your band. I’m glad I watched Bandila and found out that you’re a Blogger too. Big fan. 🙂
So sad to hear about that, but no matter what they write I honestly believe that they don’t make up 1% of those who actually believe you. I grew up in Manila and never heard anything bad about APO nor you guys showed any negative thing against common people but instead inspired the youth and the masses inspite of hard life back home. Cheer up and keep going, they can say anything they want to but they can’t take away our admiration and respect to a simple and humble person like you (and of course to Buboy and Danny as well)
Hello po! I know wala po itong connection sa blog post ninyo, pero I just want to say something about sa performance ninyo sa ASAP last Sunday. Grabe ang galing pa rin po ninyo kahit ang tagal na ng APO. I’m 16 years old at sabi ng parents ko mas matanda pa yung ibang songs ninyo kaysa sa akin pero you’re one of my faves! PAti po si Mama naiyak din nung nanonood ng ASAp last sunday.
More power to you and to APO! =)
Mr. Paredes:
You might not know “how editors and writers can continue twisting things around” but perhaps a better point to ponder about is “why editors and writers can continue twisting things around.”
I do not mean to bash Inquirer but I just cannot shake off this nagging feeling and perception that since the Philippine political scene degenerated into the “Oust-the- President-or-Bust” track, the Paper has been milling an oversupply of “daily fix of despair and gloom.” Either I have lost my sense of objectivity or the respected Paper has found an unshakeable objective that is more valuable than what is left of the common Filipinos’s self-esteem, hope, and child-like optimism.
I am not entirely surprised how your story was spun packaged for I have been noting that Inquirer “touch” for some time.
Though I am substantially critical of the Philippines’s defense establishment, I was astounded once when I read a headline “AFP consultant arrested for estafa”. As it eventually turned out, the person, who was in possession of an authentic AFP identification card, was not an AFP consultant after all. He was misrepresenting the AFP. But there it was, the headline did not distinguish nor placed a qualifying word (e.g., alleged?) that could have hewed the headline closer to the truth (or would have given the AFP the benefit of the doubt).
Several days ago, I chanced upon the opening line of a report on the quashing of the impeachment complaint on the same Paper. The report started with the phrase “In another killing….” Maybe it was just my imagination but I cannot shake off the whiff or feeling of subtle conditioning that the person responsible for the extra judicial killings is the same person that is the object of the impeachment complaint. The phrase insinuates the correlation.
I do not know if these are cases of subliminal conditioning. But maybe, just maybe, this is the new reporting style of your beloved country’s journalists.
An oft-repeated lie, over time, would be taken as the truth, so said Goebbels. What about oft-repeated and analyzed bits of realities that focus on despondency, distrust, and cynicism? What do they become and what do they do to the self-respect and self-perception of people as gentle and as creative as the Filipinos?
Hello Jim!
I share your sentiments exactly.I am what I would call as a silent activist, at least for now. I guess, I owe that to my family who is always aware and do have the tendency to be involved on what is going on in our country. Involved in a sense that we are members of some advocacies. As a matter of fact, I used to tag along with my mom who was an active member of the ATOM and the Piso for Cory – guess you still remember all these groups. I was barely a grade schooler then. And yes, you were there along with other performing artists. Actually we were in the same place together with the late Don Chino Roces, throwing confetti and all that. And the mitings in Luneta – all these I could still vividly recall.
Why am I sharing this with you after more than a year of being a lurker? Simple. Like you, I am also fed up – as simple yet piercing at that. I need not elaborate on this. You’re luckier I guess, coz well, I’m still here. God knows until when.
On a different note … I actually watched the Kami nAPO Muna concert few hours ago and was seated few rows from the stage.It was really, WOW!!!
Can’t wait till Sept 2nd!
God speed!
basta ako, mahal kita at proud ako sa’yo – kahit na nasaan ka pa nakatira sa mundo. hindi nawawala ang pagka-pinoy ng isang tao dahil lamang umalis sya sa bansang minamahal.
napanood ka namin ni husbander sa ASAP at tuwang-tuwa kami habang kinakanta ng mga banda ang mga kanta nyo. kung ako nga na-touch ng sobra, inisip ko, kayo siguro very overwhelmed ang mga puso sa galak. basang-basa ko sa mga expression nyo yung saya habang nakikinig kayo sa kanila.
hay naku, ang masasabi ko na lang, pabibili ako sa kapatid ko nung limited edition nyo na album – yung may version kayo atsaka version ng mga banda.
at sa mga tumutuligsa sa iyo at sa pamilya mo, walang k, ha… hindi naman sila ang may responsibilidad sa buhay ninyo kundi kayo lang. I have faith in your decision and alam ko, sa pinas pa rin ang puso mo.
apo jim, hello from way out west, where fall is peeking around the corner and we can no longer deny the inevitable march of the seasons as the temperatures are dropping dropping irrevocably. now how is that for digression to the extreme…?
i really just wanted to say this, jim: i’m going home in 2008 and i so badly do not want to because of the horrible socio-economic-political situation in the country, but i fiercely love my country. would i die for it? i would, if i could cheat god and eradicate the anomalies of nature called politicians, lawyers, cheaters, and liars from our world. therefore it’s painfully clear that as things are, i could not possibly lay my life on the line for a cause that would make a mockery of my sacrifice. sounds selfish and trifling? perhaps so, but i still harbour this crazy dream of doing an angelina jolie for the philippines, sans the drop dead looks and gorgeous body. i want to make a difference in a big way. i just have to figure out how to get to that apex.
thank you for the honour of letting me read you yet once more.
i pray for you and your heart, that you may not suffer too much from loneliness and separation pangs. it is awful to be apart from the people you love most. being with your beloved is all that matters — this is love according to me. 🙂
something struck me about the tenor of the posts in this long thread…
benigno makes some fine points, and it is quite disconcerting to see people labelling him as an idiot for being staunch about his opinions. definitely he is NOT an idiot… even IF he drops names like (argh) ateneo, private schools, starbucks, and all that.
but much as his logic is rather questionable, i find it infinitely more unpardonable to dismiss him as a quack who has nothing to say.
we can agree AMIABLY to disagree, and it takes a certain level of maturity to not belittle other posters and what they have to say, objectionable as their ideas may seem. if anything, benigno makes strong, emphatic, and clear points which, i believe he was right to point out, are not addressed.
but then again there is the case to be made for manner and tone, and perhaps benigno may have forgotten to consider these in his argumentation. 🙂
anyway, the crux of my thoughts on this article, jim, is this: why do we have to be “boxed” in by the notion of NATIONALITY? consider this: it’s a construct. there really is no such thing as nationality. if you just consider this at this initial level, then you will see how the headaches of citizenship can be done away with and we can get down to the more palatable concepts of residency!
sorry, mea culpa: i meant concept, and not concepts, of residency. isa lang pala yon! sowee.
“you can take the filipino out of filipinas but you cannot take the filipinas out of a filipino”
hi jim,
that’s not my qoute by the way, i totally support and respect your decisions. your motherland is in your heart!
saludos,
DatuPanot
To APO Jim,
I was really sad when I heard the news some months ago that you were leaving the country for good. Una, hindi na APO ang APO kung wala ka. Second, I like to hear voices and opinions from artists like you. Ikatlo, kahit na merong CD mas gusto ko pa rin na makita kayong tatlo na kumanta.
I was teary eyed when I saw APO back on TV again (via TFC), I can see the image of time but the talent is still there.
Sorry to say but PDI has lost another star this time. I’m wondering where in the Filipino dictionary the word ‘Moral’ now is. Like you I still hope for a better Philippines, something that Ninoy paid 23 years ago.
just read new release from inq7.net: PDI apologizes to Sir JIM!
Mabuhay ka IDOL!!!
Mabuhay Philippines!!!
sorry abs-cbn.com pala binasa ko.
I bought that CD! SUPER GANDA! As iN!
Reading all the blogs (ang dami!)
I just want to add that the likes of Benigno are all over–MAKITID ang utak. I have a few officemates who are like this and I’ve given up on them. And I’m thankful that I don’t live with one.
Sorry, Benigno, but summing it up, Jim is right. His move to Oz has nothing to do with his being a Filipino. I think one can still be a Filipino even if they live abroad. It’s the problem in the Philippines that is too complex to untangle. There is no true leadership. Too much poverty, corruption, illiteracy. But on the bright side, I know someday, a true charismatic leader will be born to lead that country, albeit not in our lifetime.
Tsk tsk, funny how the last several comments directed at moi are fixated on this bizarre perception that I presume to be the judge of who is more “Filipino” than the other when the fact is, I don’t even presume to know what “being Filipino” exactly means (in fact, I don’t even care. 😀
In fact, the only reason I bring it up is because a few here have offered their views on what it means to be “Filipino”.
Why should one’s Filipinoness or lack of Filipinoness be an all-consuming issue in the first place? The fact that the discussion in this blog has ballooned to 107 comments (and counting) with a significant chunk of that accounted for by comments about one’s Filipino-ness simply shows just how perversely we intertwine our personal sense of worth to our national identity.
Of course all of us want to be “ambassadors” of the Philippines overseas. But just like this rather empty call to “be positive”, here are the underlying facts of this equally empty call to be “ambassadors”: For every one of us who exhibits impeccable ambassadorship, there will be hundreds and even thousands of others who will be jumping queues, entering and working as illegal residents overseas. Needless to say, the mothership itself — our once pretty islan nation — already projects to the rest of the world just how talented we are at electing fools to office and cutting them down in one of our increasingly frequent ad-hoc street parliaments. Kind of like pushing against a tidal wave, don’t you think?
One fragrant rose that blooms in a sea of rapidly growing weeds simply gets choked just as a motorist in Manila who stops for a pedestrian crossing a zebra-stripe lane simply looks like a fool to the rest.
There is no merit in being good in a society that finds no merit in being good. Thus the beauty of living in a society like Australia where there is merit — and reward — in being a civic-minded by-the-book citizen who goes about things without having to hire fixers and rely on personal connections to get things done.
The whole point of being a nation had ceased for Filipinos the minute news about thousands being buried in mudslides had routinely stopped making front-page news; the minute our idea of creating opportunity for our compatriots had degenerated into routinely training and sending them off as contract workers overseas; the minute the amount of care foreign governments give to the honest Filipino worker had surpassed that of our own government.
No amount of “positive” thinking and individual “ambassadorship” can change those realities about our society and the collective character of our people. Change begins when these realities are recognised and raised to the mainstream consciousness rahter than sugarcoating them with hollow positivism and individual “ambassadorship”.
PDI has apologized to Jim Paredes
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=16688
The world is a better place because of this. Jim can now focus on engagements/activism/show me the money — during his stay in the Philippines, then bring all that back home to Australia where he now leads an OFW or hero-in-exile lifestyle pursuing personal growth, photography, book appreciation meetings, guitar lessons, kama sutra, midlife crisis. In his spare time, he dreams how things can be made better in the Philippines…
OPM jim – -walastik, talagang sariling atin.
of course you had to send it anonymously. you mouse.
peace upon you. i brought the inquirer closer to the truth and have done all of us a favor. i am happy about that. i hope you are happy in your cynicism. meanwhile I will think of you with compassion while I ‘ommmmm’ and touch my mood rings to divinate on life.
ha ha ha
sobra ka naman.
benigno:
don’t you know what the meaning of freedom of choice and life fields are?? why are you so fiesty in all your comments here about filipinos moving out of the philippines and now even typecasting them to be non-patriotic. how dare you!!! i myself — a SpEd teacher — would be moving to another country in a few months and you call that being non-patriotic!! could you just get down from your high horse and face the fact that this country still lacks much of the knowledge and the venues wherein the skilled and the gifted citizens could share in and pour out the God-given gifts that the Almighty has bestowed upon them…
you are so feeling so high and mighty in wherever you are right now.. come down and tell that to the special kids who are in most need of our help right now but we don’t have much of the know-how’s.. i will be moving to where my feet would set me to share and to get(of course) ideas and knowledge on how i could be of more help to these children coz it would never be an excuse for me just to see them as they are but to help them to be functional citizens of our society, and then i would come back here and apply whatever i have learned..
face it.. our red-taped and bureaucratic government hasn’t seen this fact.. yes, we have laws wherein they could be served as equal as we are (it depends on how you define what the word equality means) but are they really implemented??? go and run as the next congressman na lang.. then i would listen intently to your platform and what have you done for the next generation of these country… i might believe you and join your league..
stop blabbing.. do something that could make a change — to this country, and to its next generation… better yet.. stop blogging here and use your effort and energy to reach out to the children in the streets.. teach them how to read instead.. do something for a cause.. or the best is.. join me in teaching the kids in the various foundations here in the country so you may see what the real situation of our education and economy is.. ok..
just a suggestion from a teacher..
let the paredeses do what they want to do.. you do what you ought to be doing.. you have your own purpose for your existence, they are have theirs.. ok… smile.. don’t make a big fuzz out of what they did.. =o)
PS don’t make a comment to what i just posted coz i ain’t returning to this page again.. i got so much to do.. just wanted you to see what you have been blabbing.. i better act that blab.. do that instead… okidoki.. got nothing personal against you.. heck.. don’t even know who you are..
hahaha… =o)
i have to agree with the comment of others that those who migrate do not need to apologize for doing so. our country’s leaders have failed the people so miserably. people migrating are doing what they have to do. kudos to them.
No 0ne is perfect. Everybody commit mistakes. As long as they ask f0r forgiveness with all sincerity, who are we t0 judge db? We’re just only humans anyway.
With regards nmn p0 sa pagiging Pilipino, sa t0t0o lng P0, mas BILIB p0 ako sa mga ta0ng ngsasakripisyo na nsa PILIPINAS at hindi s mga taong napilitang umalis ‘pansamantala’ sa ating bansa. Mas hinahangaan ko PO ang mga Pilipino na anumang silaw ang makita sa karatig bansa ay di magawang iwan ang Inang Bayan…yon ang t0t00ng ngma2hal at nagpa2kasakit.
Kung umalis man ang isa s sariling bansa, dhil kailangan ng pamilya ang mas maayos-asyos n buhay, ok fine….PER0 mas kahanga-hanga kung ngbalik sya at handang 2mulong sa mga nghi2kahos .
Pasensya nA P0 dko lng mapigilan…
Napaiyak p0 pla kmi ng kapatid ko ng mapan00d ang AP0 tribute, dhil s mga lirikong tumitimo sa pus0…sana mgkar0n pa ng mga kagaya nyo.
in my case, i left the phils to migrate to canada not because i gave up on our country but on the dirty and corrupt politicians who are running the country.
kuya jim, i admire you bec you are an honest person and your posts and opinions are without pretense. we need more people like you in this world.
Hi!
Since I entered one of your creativity classes in the Ateneo a few years ago, I kept on quoting bits and pieces of lessons on creativity and blocks to friends and family. Somehow, I’m near where i want to be, but not exactly.
I now work for the Inquirer(no, I am not a writer, so people who send comments here please resist from trying to bite my head off), and was shocked when I read the article by Gerry Lirio. I knew that you and your family were already migrating to the Australia, but also having had a glimpse of the passion you have for the Philippines made me question the validity of the article, and honestly, made me sad because, well, what does that say about the Philippines now?
Honestly, I feel that Gerry Lirio wanted to tell your story, but yes, maybe the editor wanted a “see how hopeless we are” slant on the article, so maybe that’s why he wrote that. But that’s just my opinion. Writers (and you yourself are one, Sir Jim), have so much power, that it is very important for them to be doublecheck each and every single detail of what they write, because they don’t know who will be reading their articles.
Anyway, I just wanted to tell you these things, and how it has affected me, one of your students from a few years back. I myself do mirror your view. I believe being a Filipino doesn’t mean that you have to stay in the Philippines and mindlessly pay your taxes while some corrupt congressman breezes off to summer destinations on government money. I believe that being a Filipino requires being the best you can be, wherever you are, whoever you are, and shouting to the world, that hey, i’m great, i’m pinoy.
if i counted it right i will be commenter no. 117…
this is such a good read so here’s my five cents…
kahit saang lupalop man ako nakatira, kahit ilang beses man ako magpapalit ng zip code, o magpakulay ng buhok o dili kaya’y maging citizen ng ibang bansa. o kahit ano pa man ang sabihin ng ibang tao.
Kahit baluktot na akong managalog, kahit ilang beses ako magpableach, magpanoselift or magpalit ng passport..
pinanganak akong Filipino at mamatay akong Filipino.
Apo Jim,
This topic has sparked an intense debate of whether one is more “Filipino” for staying in the Philippines or is less of one for leaving to seek greener pastures somewhere else.
Why are we so gung-ho over this? Isn’t it the right of every individual to choose their own path and seek a better life for themselves without being judged? In my case, I believe that leaving the Philippines is better for my future. The current situation in the country, unfortunately, just makes it easier for people to leave.
This happens everywhere in the world, right? People leave their countries and move elsewhere to have a better life. Here in Australia, it’s a mesh of different nationalities – Asians, Europeans, Americans, even Africans.
There is nothing wrong with missing one’s home country. I miss my friends and my family, but I also recognize that life in the Philippines is not for me. Migrants all over the world, not just Filipinos, experience this. I love the Philippines because it’s the country where I grew up and I also love Australia because it gave me the life I have now. Why can’t I love both? These countries helped shape the person I am now.
I say good on you, Apo Jim. There is nothing wrong with wanting a better life for your family. People often forget that just because you’re a celebrity it doesn’t mean you’re not a human being. People can be so tactless and self-righteous sometimes. Tsk, tsk.
When I read the Inquirer article, I felt that it was so unlike you. Just so you know that I have faith in you.
Sabi ni Benign0:
“There is no merit in being good in a society that finds no merit in being good.”
My take:
You’ve given up on Inang Bayan, that’s cool. But many have not. Sure, it’s no easy task and it’s a big job ahead. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
My question to everyone: “Are we part of the problem, part of the solution, or are just parting in our pants?” 🙂
Saw a Bloomberg interview of Jaime Zobel de Ayala yesterday. He paints a rosy picture of the country’s economic future. This guy is rich and powerful; it would be silly to “sugarcoat” an otherwise bleak situation.
Peace!
-JT of Dural
A Filipino raised with the Filipino values will never forget his motherland no matter how far he is.
I believe in you. More power to you
i think the reason why you moved your family to oz is that you simply gave up on our country.
how can you fight another day if you’ve completely changed your citizenship?
you left our country and now you enjoying the best of both countries. good for you jim.
Sa isip…
Sa salita….at
Sa gawa…..
Let’s do our own share and be a part of countries solution, di lng puro salita.
If I may suggest Ap0 Jim, sna p0 in your stay in the Philippines makagawa pa rin kau ng mga kantang ANGKOP sa buhay ng ating mga Kababayan at buhay hinaharap.
Mas mapalad ang mga taong naki2ta, nari2nig at naka2usap sa Radyo, telebisyon at panulat dhil ngsisilbing inspirasyon pa rin khit cnsbing nasa GEN-X na…sana p0 mgsilbi pa rin kayong Eye-Opener..cge na p0.
how can you fight another day if you’ve completely changed your citizenship? (by anonymous)
Anonymous,
haven’t you heard of dual citizenship???kaya nga dual eh “both”
To Darleng
As a matter of fact, I used to tag along with my mom who was an active member of the ATOM and the Piso for Cory – guess you still remember all these groups…Actually we were in the same place together with the late Don Chino Roces, throwing confetti and all that…
Like you, I am also fed up – as simple yet piercing at that. I need not elaborate on this. You’re luckier I guess, coz well, I’m still here. God knows until when.
Sabi na nga ba! Ang mga gustong lumayas puro yellow ribbon crowd – yuong mga Makati, Magallanes at Greenhills types – mga middle class na ngayong naghihirap ang bansa (dahil sa kagagawan nila) imbis na basagin ang mga alkansiya para gamitin sa kalakalan ay tinatago-tago para pantakas sa kung saang lupalop.
Yaan ang hirap sa mga taong hindi Ilokano. Nene, matuto kang magbanat ng buto!
Kabagis
Huwag nating husgahan ang ating kabayan. Ano ba ang masama sa ginawa ni JIM PAREDES..???? Tingnan muna natin yung mga sarili natin bago tayo mag husga ng ibang tao. You should be proud APO JIM- sa mga Kanta ng APO.. doon mo makikita ang tunay na pagkatao ng mga filipino..I am PROUD to be a MIGRANT WORKER…
MORE POWER TO YOU and YOUR FAMILY MR. JIM….
MR JIM, marami ka paring taga-hanga. Isa na ako DOON. Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan yung ibang tao dito naghuhusga ng kapwa nating filipino “ang tanong ko lang PO.. ano ba ang nagawa ni JIM PAREDES ????.. KUNG mali po ang mag migrate sa ibang bansa for a reason.. kasama na po kaming milyon milyon na migrant workers sa mga hinuhusgahan ninyo. I think JIM PAREDES should be PROUD for being honest to himself.
MORE POWER sa iyo JIM at sa FAMILY MO….ang NAME ko ay FERDIE from NY.. at hindi ako ANONYMOUS.
benigno:
yada yada yada!!
realize when you’re not welcome, and back off. there must be some other ways you can put your supposed all-knowing and so righteous ways to good use.
bless you.
hats off for you jim, welcome to sydney, remember I had once dinner with a family and you’re there, i too was disappointed with what is happening in the philippines,I’ll love our beautiful country but the people who lead our country they must have felt something reading you in that Inquirer thing
mms
benignO: any thoughts on how to play the STOCK MARKET these days… i need your mind and interesting points… honestly…or maybe some golf tips my friend…
SIR JIM: MORE POWER TO YOU!!!
SUGGESTION BOX>>>> CHANGE TOPIC NA TAYO!!!pumapatak na naman ang ulan… just love listening to APO songs…
Dear Jim,
A friend sent me the article about you moving to Australia and my instant reaction was: Wow! Unless I am mistaken, I remember that some 20 years ago, you gave up your US green card so that you could continue fighting for our country. Your decision stunned me. Many Filipinos are wishing to get a “green card” and here you are giving yours up. My respect for you grew even more.
This is not to say that I have now stopped respecting you for your decision to move to Australia. A different emotion surfaces: I understand completely.
I left the Philippines some 20 years earlier than you did. I guess I got disillusioned earlier. Like you, I had some part in the protest movement of the 1980s and eventually felt burned out when it became clear to me that the improvement we fought for, was not happening after all.
Not too long ago, I read and was hurt by a political columnist’s tirade against Filipinos who left the Philippines to find a more comfortable life abroad. He reserved his praises for those who returned after a year or so of studies abroad. I did not react. I just said to myself that I need not argue anymore with anyone about who is patriotic and who’s not. My path went towards another direction and it is a useless exercise to judge whether that was right or wrong. Besides, we can continue serving humanity at some other place. And, through it all, and over the distance, our country will always remain in our hearts.
Thank you for your music. Thank you for your courage. Good luck to you and your family in this new phase of your lives. If you ever drop by Europe, I hope to meet you someday.
Hi Jim:
I share your sentiment. I love our country – but our country has to learn to love its people – not screw them, cheat on them, lie to them. I, too am part of the diaspora. I gave up one of the best years in my life for this nation – as one of the Davaoeños who was in the core of the 1st Welgang Bayan in the country – we faced the brazen attacks against human rights, decency, and personal freedoms. Me and my friends even landed on the AFP’s watchlist. But I have no regrets – as a blue knight would say – it was ONE GOOD FIGHT.
We turned a blind-eye on Cory’s shortcomings thinking she deserved a chance. In retrospect – it was a precursor to the return of the oligarchs. We were so naive.
After the militant days – I embraced the development agenda of FVR – it was good to see people get jobs, food, and the basic services under the Invest in Davao project.
Everything looked good. Then Erap won – and it has been downhill all the way. And things are worse with GMA – Erap cheated while he was president. GMA cheated to become president. it’s a darn shame.
It would have been an opportunity to take up the cudgels again – but for what? To replace GMA with another bunch of lying kleptocracts.
Enough is enough.We have done so much for this country. We need a life, too. I moved to the US in 2000 – and I have no regrets. We can only do so much. But it does not mean that we forget who we are – and in our own small way – we will always be grateful to our country.
Maybe, living outside will allow us to be more effective like the propogandists of 1896. When the time is ripe. We shall engage once again.
Mabuhay ka Jim! Life continues – and we will always be in for one good fight.
Si benigno, buhay pa rin?Matagal na yang pinatay sa pinoyexchange.
He had been banned in comment boxes of several bloggers.
Buti hindi niya inaadvertise yong kaniyang laos na website.
I think we need to see all of this in a bigger light:
1. Ten million Filipinos now live and/or work outside the Philippines. Most of them are forced to work abroad as domestic helpers and contract workers.
2. In one recent survey, three out of ten Filipinos want to leave the Philippines. Probably more want to work abroad. (The situation is so bad that many Filipinos in Lebanon did not want to go home, and it is possible that significant numbers are willing to work in places like Iraq.)
3. The educational field is being bled dry. God knows how many teachers have left to work as domestic helpers. Thousands have left to teach in places like the U.S. Some local recruiters argue that the U.S. will need hundreds of thousands more teachers in the next few years.
The Philippine educational system is doing badly. The national class size is around 60, there is a severe shortage of classrooms, and teachers are still underpaid.
4. The medical field is being bled dry as well. The Philippine Medical Association reports that within a decade the country will experience a dramatic shortage of doctors and nurses.
5. The global economy appears to be increasingly volatile, to the point that what is now in demand will not be so in five years or so. This will put incredible strain on Filipinos who will train to become nurses, then switch to another occupation after a few years, and then switch again.
On top of that, wars may cause serious displacement, and that combined with recession will affect the Philippines twice: OCWs will lose their jobs abroad and then go home to a country where unemployment is rife.
6. According to Manolo Quezon, only something like 15 percent of the Philippine population constitutes the middle class, and probably half of that class has now left the country. And as more Filipinos leave, the situation in the fatherland will become worse.
It is possible that none of these will affect those who have left. Then again, one never knows: wars and economic recession may make things unpleasant for new immigrants (not just OCWs). And it appears that most immigrants want to retire to the Philippines, a country which will likely be worse off than it is right now.
Conrad de Quiros once wrote an article about Filipinos who studied abroad and yet returned to “face the music.” Readers criticized him and those Filipinos by arguing that many Filipinos do not go abroad because they choose to or to study but to find work. Also, Filipinos who do return will likely find very good jobs or fulfilling careers. The case is not the same for most OCWs.
Both sides make sense, which makes this issue not only complex but very painful for all of us. If we stay, what is the cost of such in terms of our own well-being and the welfare of our loved ones. And if we leave, what is the cost of such in terms of our countrymen and our fatherland?
MT9 of Qatar
Sir Jim, natutuwa po ako na malaman na hindi nyo talaga i give-up ang ating sinimulang ipagalaban. muntik na akong maligaw ng direksyon dahil isa po kayo sa aking hinahangang tao hindi artista lamang kundi tutoong tao. marami pa po sa inyong sumubaybay at ginagawang gabay tungo sa pagsulong na malayang Pilipinas. Huwag po kayung bibitiw dahil katulad ko na labing walong taon na sa Middle East ay umaasa na mauubos din ang ang matandang henarasyon ng mga politoko sa Pilipinas at may awa ang ating panginoon makakamit din natin ang ating mithiin.
Hi Jim, what do you expect from PDI, you are writing for their rival newspaper and the last time I heard is that you have lots of followers and readers. Same thing happened to my friend who also writes in the same paper as you are.
To everyone– I normally try and answer each and every comment. Alas, there are too many and I am now a busy person once again.
Thanks for all your two cents worth. If I could put them in a bank I would now be a rich man. ha ha.
To all those who wrote comments of support, SALAMAT!
If you guys post here afyter this, mmalamang hindi na ako makaka comment so salamat na rin sa future commenters on this topic.
To all overseas Pinoys, mabuhay kayo!!!
ingat ka Chris.. bading yata si Benign0,haha!!!
benigno, dapat sa yo “salvage”. stalker and predator ang tawag sa mga taong katulad mo. my brother is one of the police investigator especialty nya is internet stalker-predator. so, you are now investigated by one of his detectives. good luck!!
apojim,
hello sir jim! I saw you at ASAP last sunday, you know what I was touched with that episode. It really shows how much you missed the Philippines. And after hearing all the bands singing your songs and since we are avid fans of APO, that same afternoon my sister and I went to Tower Records to buy KAMI nAPO MUNA, actually we planned to buy the limited edition the KAMI nAPO MUNA+APO version. However, it will be release the coming week pa. So my sister and I decided to buy another APO album, “The Best of APO Vol 2”. So that day we splurge and bought 2 albums. Hehehe..anyway it was worth it!
Coming a bit late but better late than later.
*#Doranne said at 11:20 PM
isnt it standard practice for the interview to be approved by you first before they print?
Nope, it isn’t standard practice. FYI, it was practiced during martial law and Sir Jim knows what it was like during that time. In cases involving scientific or medical studies, some writers do show their copy to the scientists or researchers involved to make sure they got everything correctly. It’s the job of the editors to watch for inaccuracies, editorializing or sensationalizing by the reporter or writer. Unfortunately, editors are also human and not immune to making mistakes.
And that is why newspapers have a Letter to the Editor section where aggrieved parties may express their side. It doesn’t mean though that just because the subject of a news report denies an alleged act, the report is wrong. As an old song says, words are easy to be spoken. Denials are easy to come by. So the writer or the newspaper does not necessarily have to apologize. Despite the tendency of some to sensationalize, they also know when they have made a mistake. In the case of Sir Jim, he was really wronged by the bad headline, and the Inquirer people have found that out and apologized.
arg! sue for libel and wait for inquirer to settle. haaay. its things like these that eat me up i cant concentrate studying. some ppl are soo…… AGH!
Doranne, mabuti pa mag-concentrate ka sa pag-aaral mo. Your suggestion to sue for libel is a bad idea, arising from ignorance. Ang kikita lang diyan ay mga abogado. Both the Inquirer and Jim will lose badly because they will be drawn into an unnecessary fight in court, which will only rip apart their apparent mutual admiration.
Sa pagbasa ko ng sinulat ni Gerry, halata namang may halong inggit, e. Siguro balak mag-TNT dito noong tao pero hindi pa lang makalusot sa Aus embassy.
JT, I’m not from the Inquirer but I know for a fact that many of its editors and reporters admire the likes of Sir Jim and the Apo. When they tried to project him as a poster boy of the growing sense of disappointment among Filipinos, it was not meant to put him down. They only meant to show how bad the situation is by using the example of Sir Jim, a freedom fighter of proven integrity. Fortunately, Sir Jim didn’t find that amusing because he obviously is not giving up. Despite the headline fiasco, Sir Jim readily accepted the apologies of Gerry and the Inquirer. That’s because they don’t have bad blood between them. In fact, they have mutual admiration, and that’s because they have one thing in common: progressive-mindedness.
The Inquirer is not perfect but it is the best newspaper we have in the Philippines right now. It does not crumble in the face of terror. There are many who get hurt by its hard-hitting reports and commentaries but they don’t deserve any apology. At least their side of the story are also carried. Many of these villains are in government or allies of the powers-that-be. They would like to use this headline fiasco to destroy the Inquirer. But they won’t succeed because Sir Jim is not cheap. His initial reaction was understandable and his acceptance of the Inquirer’s apology is noble.
As for Sir Jim’s motives for migrating, that’s another point. I’m also an overseas Filipino (now in Dammam, KSA) and I have a sister who is a Canadian citizen and a brother in the US. But our Filipino-ness has not been diminished a bit. We continue to return home and visit our parents and other relatives. My nephews and nieces in Canada are proud to be Filipinos.
Good day to all!
Major Knot got it right: “They only meant to show how bad the situation is by using the example of Sir Jim, a freedom fighter of proven integrity.” The phenomenon of the Filipino leaving the country is becoming increasingly prominent, together with our feeling that things will only become worse for the Philippines.
I only know Jim as a public personality, and from what I see he is a bright and good man.
The problem is that we are facing a situation that is not getting better. For example, MT9 hopes that as trapos grow older they will fade away, but I get this ugly feeling that their children will take over and that things will get worse.
Major Knot wants to go home and see relatives. If we have to ask ourselves if there will still be a place that we can go home to a few years from now, and if our parents and relatives will eventually follow us (that is, if they and increasing numbers of Filipinos will still be accepted in other countries).
Interestingly enough, the Inquirer also published an article by Conrad de Quiros (that time, a Filipino who topped the medical exam decided to leave the country to work as a nurse abroad) about Filipinos who studied abroad but returned home. Several readers gave negative views, stating that unlike middle class Filipinos who can choose to live abroad or who can receive professional opportunities when they return, most Filipinos work as domestic helpers and contract workers abroad and eventually have to return to the Philippines. From there, they will have to look for another job, probably in another country.
Many of these OCWs are lauded by the government as the “new heroes” of the country, but they are more likely just average joes who are doing their best to feed their families.
http://www.adrian.i.ph It is down now until Aug 31 because the bandwidth has been exceeded. try to visit anyway. I talked ro your brother in law Bobby and he told me that your going to Australia is to get access to medical technology, education, a choice for your children, while you will be going back and forth as this is your home too.
adrian Sison
You have to read the law, understand it and see how it is applied in life , situations and cases. Never have your lawyer promise a win, as winning has many aspects. You may be on the side of the law yet lose because of other factors. A lawyer prevents problems , not create new ones
Note from the moderator!
Discussion is over!
i think people who nitpick at fellow pinoys who leave ‘pinas are simply hypocritical (read: benign0). i have not left the philippines, but only because i dont have the means to do so. But unlike benign0, at least I have the b*lls to admit that.
ang mga tulad ni benign0 na nasa pinas ang totoong nagmamalinis– gloria-fying himself and his nobility as a true pinoy who sticks with his motherland, for poorer or for poorer… andito pa sya sa pinas dahil di sha makaalis. trapped, just like how the majority feel deep in their hearts and starving stomachs. So I think this is what benign0 is doing here, he’s covering up his envy by painting a bright, sun-shiny patriotic version of him using apo jim and the rest of the pinoys abroad as his dark backdrop. Classic talakangka. pathetic.
i felt bad when i found out that a tatak pinoy like apo jim had to make this painful decision to leave. pero mas mabuti na yun kaysa mabulok sa pinas na desperado, miserable, puno ng galit at sama ng loob. mas mahirap tanggapin na isang araw magising tayo, sa isang bangungot na habang narito tayong lahat nagsisiksikan sa pilipinas, pero pare-parehong nalulunod sa utang at oil spill at pinaglalaruan ng engkanto/nuno sa malakanyang (oops, teka di na pala yan bangungot, dahil nangyayari na nga). Mas mahirap na dumating ang araw na yun and we cant help but sing to ourselves and to each pinoy, one of APO’s classics as our new anthem for the Philippines:
[i]”minsan, kahit na pilitin mong uminit ang damdamin,
di sya susunod at di maglalambing…
minsan di mo na mapigil mapansin,
na talagang wala ng naiiwan na pagmamahal…
at kahit na anong gawin,
di mo na mapilit at madaya
aminin sa sarili mo na
wala ka ng mabubuga…
parang ‘sang kandila na nagdadala
ng ilaw at liwanag
nauubos rin sa magdamag..
di na madaig o mabalik
ang dating matamis na kahapon
pilit ma’y tuyo nang damdamin…”[/i]
to apo Jim and all the pinoys abroad out there, more power.. stand proud. we will wait for your return… nawa’y di matuyo ang damdamin nating lahat.=)
Hi Mr. Jim! I wasn’t that surprised that PDI did something like this to you, lately I PDI is starting to lose it’s credibility somehow, based on the article written about you, and also about my friend’s dad, Lito Balquiedra.
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=13133
Even Ricky Lo reacted on the said article ‘coz the writer said no when ABSCBN requested for an erratum.
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200608091701.htm
Also, I want to commend about migrating abroad. I’ve lived abroad for quite some time also so I know how it feels like to adjust to a new environment and starting everything from scratch. If other people think leaving our homeland is a very coward thing to do, maybe they should start worrying about their future before they say such comments. Or maybe they don’t know real facts like OFW’s or some Filipino’s who are based abroad who sends money to their loved ones here in Manila are the main reason why the peso was the strongest currency during Asian Economic crisis.
People like you, just because they’ve “given” up on the Philippines, doesn’t mean that the fight ends there, specially with the political issues which is the primary reason behind our country’s stagnant growth. Sad but true.
AND lastly, IMO it’s useless “fighting” for our country as of the moment. Thanks to our corrupt government.
salamat sa awiting humobog sa aking pagmamahal sa bayan at mga himig na napapatibog muli ng musmos na pagibig na dala ng mga ala-ala ng bawat kataga ng inyong mga awitin.
sa likod ng mga panunuligsa at pangungutya, walang makakapapawi ng galak at tuwa na bung ng inyong mga awitin.
sa bandang huli, alam kong tanging ang damdamin ang mananaig laban sa pilantik at anghang ng pananalitang bunga ng kaisipang hitik ng pagadlahi na nagmumula sa kaisipan kapos sa pagmamahal.
ang awitin nyo ang tulay sa kahapong naghahatid ng galak sa kasalukuyan at walang makapagkakaila nito.
para sa inyo pamilya isang panalangin ng kapayapaan at katiwasayan.
Agapito
This is why I don’t read the papers. As more Filipinos adopt social media, neither will the rest of us.
hey people, esp you benigno, can you just stop arguing abt what filipino is and stuff like that. Jim and Ala have been hurt of course by the people’s judgment. They’re celebrity, true, but that doesn’t make them less filipino as all others. Just because they’re celebrity doesnt mean that you can just say things like that without enough basis. Let’s not look at them as being celebrities, they’re also human beings like us. What’s important is that they contribute/contributed to the growth of the country. benigno, what did you do your entire life? scrutinize celebrities/people? they’re are not clowns, they are human beings just like you. What will you do if people scrutinize your job? If people look at you in terms of what you do for living or as a career? ala and jim have something to be proud of. they are actually helping the country even though they are million miles away! How many of us can inspire people to believe in their dreams, to stand firm in their ideals, to help other people in little ways?
I\’m looking at using accelerated learning for my studies. Thanks for the advice.