Picture 3

just another pictures:

Choosing blue over red

      You think I'm hopeless? nah!,..... no, i'm not hopeless at all
so what's this thing all about? well, It's about the single issue thing (lol)

     During my 20th birthday, I told myself that I am ready for a relationship but unfortunately it did not happen. I'm not picky or what other say choosy (lol), I just thought that there's a right time for it, i don't want to rush just because i'm jealous with my friends or just being pressured.

The Politics of Change in the Philippines (a review)

*this is was my book review in development study,.... 

By Yuko Kasuya and Nathan Gilbert Quimpo

Reviewed  by Richard Allan B. Borja -418history

The repetition of old patterns appears to be a frequent subject in studies of Philippine political history since the fall of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986. Many political scientists as the authors’ argue have characterised the country's post-Marcos politics as merely being a return to the "elite" or "oligarchic" democracy of the pre-dictatorial era. The authors puts in the book together the articles that explore questions from multiple angles, including the nature of the political regime; democratic consolidation; elections and electoral reform; the reform of other political institutions; reform efforts of civil society and state actors; mass media, information technology and reform; classes and political change; and national-local dynamics.

            As I review this book which was formerly reviewed and presented by Cedric Yoro, my classmate in our Development Studies class, I just formulated questions that I thought would be suitable in looking into the arguments presented by the Authors. Since the book focused in theme of politics, I assume that this would fit to my field of interest hence I am taking up history in college. But aside from me, the other audience that this book will cater are those who are the field of political science, economics and alike. Here are the questions which I tried to answer as I review this book.

Has nothing really transformed in the Philippine politics?

President Ferdinand Marcos engages in the plunder of Philippine resources. Despite of the ouster of the corrupt dictator through people power in 1986, predatory politics has made a comeback in the country over past decade under President Joseph Estrada and GMA. The essay argued that predatory rule resulted to the synergistic relationship of presidency and political parties.

The authors did really have an in-depth analysis of the past events, the trends which transformed the society until the recent event and it was indeed a good job in looking into what is relevant to know and what should be understand throughout the events. Such analysis of the authors leads to discover that Philippine politics didn’t really change a lot as it was expected after the Marcos regime. Take for example the passage which states according to Mark Thompson wherein he pointed out that elite politics in the Philippines was a cycle of populism, clientilism and reformism. Populism was dominated Philippine politics for the decade since Joseph Estrada became president in 1998. He was jailed and populism declined because GMA done a dirty work of bourgeois through neo-traditionalism. Stating such analysis in the book was a powerful statement that will boost the critical thinking of the readers to question if such thing really did occur and therefore can come up a conclusion that is based on own idea.

But come to think about it, did nothing really transformed? Why the authors are pointed much of the problem of elitism to the two former presidents? Such vogue explanation might lead to a conclusion that Philippine politics is in a need for a change radically to transformed it’s oppressive system towards full freedom in political rights.

Are there realistic projections for substantive political and social change in the years ahead?

                As far as the book is concerned, there are realistic projections for substantive political and social change in the years ahead. The hypothesis which the authors presented in measuring the democratic consolidation in the Philippines, they considered namely: subjective competence, civil society and rationality of fear. Strong manifestation of these three hypotheses means that people have a greater tendency in supporting extra-constitutional government change. It was clear as I read it that such proposition would be the best projections for the substantive political and social change but aside from it, modernization was a thing being focused in the book, a good analysis but somehow not different from other suggestion of other authors. Modernization is given and is needed in every aspects towards changing society to keep up with the needs of the people so I presume that this book somehow give partly it’s projections but leave up only to what they think would be the best for the country in developing the Philippine politics.

Critique on the book:

            Lastly, as I conclude this review, I will be straightforward to assert that it was indeed a good source of knowledge. The authors have the great analysis on the issues that is beyond a reader can imagine. One thing the book could offer is the development of the critical thinking skills of the readers like me. Though there were some technicalities that may hinder the readers from accepting the knowledge due to a highly academic approach of the author’s presentation of their arguments, it was by far a tool in changing the perspective of the readers towards what we call the Pilipino politics. This might and I guess would open the mind of the readers on what is really happening and can involve them in the continues debate towards building a more comprehensive solutions in uplifting the politics in the country.

Gagraduate nalang, ang dami pang gagawin,....

Malapit na ang March,... parang ang bilis nga ng panahon, dati inoorient lang kami sa gym ng school ko, tas ito na 4th year n kami. Nakaka-excite pero nakakalungkot, pero ganun talaga, ang problema nga lang, ang daming gagawin bago makagraduate. Eto't gagawa kami ng requirements sa Assesment and evaluation, Research at presentation of book reviews, parang every other night nalang ang tulog but that's ok, bagahi naman siya ng training eh.

Paano ba maging PNUan.....

     Philippine Normal University ang pangalan ng school ko, kilala sa paghuhubog ng mga mahuhusay na guro ng bayan at karangalan kong maging studyante dito. Syempre nasabi ko 'to dahil dito ako nag-aaral at dahil sa malaki ang binago nito sa akin. Ngunit paano nga ba maging PNUan? Ano ba ang pakiramdam na maging estudyante ka dito?. Ganito ko sya ilalarawan; masarap, mahirap, masaya, malungkot, nakakabaliw, at nakakaproud,....

     Masarap, kasi sa PNU hindi mo man makilala lahat o mamukhaan mga studyante dito, di mo mararamdamang loner ka o walang kakilala dahil ang mga tao dito bagama't ilan sa kanila ay taklesa at balahura, palakaibigan naman. Isa pa, dahil sa nasa gitna siya ng kabihasnan, sa PNU mo mararamdaman ang monasteryo sa pusod ng lungsod,.... Tahimik, hindi magulo, mapuno.
     Mahirap, kasi bahagi yun ng training para maging mahusay na estudyante at professional. Pag 'di mo pa maramdaman ang hirap, isa lang ang ibig sabihin niyan, 'di ka papasa (promise!). Kahit sino naman siguro na gustong pumasa at makatapos ay makakaramdam ng hirap, iba-ibang level nga lang. Isa pang dahilan kung bakit mahirap dahil, intense ang training, kumbaga kailangan mahasa ng husto dahil matapos maranasan ang hirap, kakaibang saya ang mararamdaman mo, gaya ko, matapos ang thesis, di ko maipaliwanag ang saya.
     Malungkot kasi hindi pangmatagalan ang pag-aaruga ng Alma mater, pero hangga't alam niya na nahasa niya ng husto para maging magaling na guro ang kanyang mga studyante, masaya na rin siya dun.
     Nakakabaliw dahil sa mga requireents and projects, sometimes I pause and tell myself, with all this thing, where the hell can I buy miracle, only to find out that it was not for sale so I have to try harder and it works,... (LOL) matapos makalampas sa kung ano-anong requirements, surely you will feel proud of yourself, dahil ako, nasabi ko sa sarili kong kaya ko din naman basta matiyaga at madiskarte lang.

it's more fun in the Philippines =)

     The Department of Tourism introduced it's new slogan. Simple yet can catch the attention of the tourist.
Philippines has it's negative and positive side, same with other country. Here you will feel the extreme of life,.... the adventures which are everywhere, you just need to look for it, and try it.

Picture-picture 2: random memories

Since I don't have any idea what to post, I thought of posting some of the pictures I took last year,......
I really love taking pictures, It is one of the hobbies which give me enjoyment,....
What I like about this is that,... those unforgettable moment which you want to be remembered were frozen by a flash, making it last until it fade.