FLAGdown Rate

May 28, the country (with special mention to the province of Cavite) celebrated the National Flag Day. Purposely, statutes, like the National Flag Law, were enacted to serve the proper disposal of such a supposedly valued symbol, and once and for all, enshrine identity to the Philippine flag.

However, more than a century later, the evolutionary symbol of the country's independence is in the midst of serving a rather literal symbol than the value it originally repesents.

As a matter of refreshing our memories, each part of the Philippine flag has a specific meaning as follows: The blue field stands for common unity and the noble desires of the Filipino people. The white triangle with equal sides of the flag is symbolic of equality among men. The white field stands for purity. The sun stands for the gigantic strides that have been made by the Sons of the land on the road to progress and civilization. The eight rays of the sun in the triangle represent the first eight united provinces that revolted for independence - Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac. The three stars in the triangle stand for the three major geographical divisions of the country which are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The red field symbolizes the eagerness of the Filipino people to shed blood in defense for their country.

Ironically, it seems that the ordinary Filipino rates this symbol as nothing but a piece of cloth, and only makes sense during this season. While the glorious symbol of the flag are usually gratified when Manny Pacquiao makes this sort of towel after making it through its bouts, or the Mt. Everest expedition, and as OFW puts it, a reminder of who they are.

At my age and as taught in school, i BELIEVE that the last of the honest-to-goodness displays of flag was more than a century ago in Cavite and probably during the subsequent and culminating resistance. Definitely, not during the bogus independence supposedly given by the United States in 1946, when the Philippine has to rise above the pole, while the US flag retreats, BUT, their grip over the country became a perpetual affair.

This culture of negligence against the flag entails something of a subculture-- of helplessness and neglect from government itself. Some basic rationale proposes that no amount of patriotism and nationalism could assimilate hunger and poverty. So goes with a kingdom or corrupted government, which cannot inspire a hundred soldiers and servants. When worst crimes are committed by the day, the flag is no less remains hopeful of utmost respect. In fact, I can't even remember of any single case of violation of the Flag Law.

But culture, like wisdom comes with age. I remain hopeful that someday in the near future, Filipinos would eventually take pride of treating the flag with so much aesthetics on it. This time, with a new flag, of a duly constituted government of, for, and by the people.

Anak ng Pawis

Tao kang isinilang uring anakpawis

Talim mo’y samyo ng bawat hilab ng tiyan

Papanhik sa udtong tutok, sisilong sa kawalan

Sa lupa’y sasayad at sa gabi ay hahalik

Ngunit hahayo’t mangabubuhay di sa limot

Sa umagang kalayaan at katarungan ang dulot.

*Pagpupugay at huling pamamaalam kay Ka Bel.
Ika-27 ng Mayo 2008.

An Inconvenient Encounter

"To the youth…that you may continue the struggle".-- Ka Bel

Many are deeply shocked and sincerely affected by the great loss of a foundation, a hero of the working class, and voice of the toiling masses, that was Crispin ‘Ka Bel’ Beltran, following an ironic incident in his house few days ago. His untimely demise gathered about reactions from different persuasions, and more so, from among his comrades in the labor sector and sympathizers in the working class.

We were on our way to Batasan Pambansa that day when I learned of the breaking news from a friend who works in a media monitoring NGO, shortly before his eventual death. Reading through my cell phone entailed an anxious and uncomfortable feeling. Of prayers, of wishes, and luck. Another message minutes later came, to read: ‘as of 11:48 am, Ka Bel died’. I remained silent, closed my eyes and started a recollection that passed through my mind for about two years now.

I had a first glimpse of Ka Bel on TV as early as elementary but remained clueless of The Man until I entered the university. His unwavering and relentless commitment to the struggle of the working class in the face of political persecution has inspired my personal standpoints of society.

My being active in political roundups and activities in the campus and outside brought me closer to meeting Ka Bel. If my memory serves me right, it was during the SONA 2005 mobilization at the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue that I had personally met him and have interviewed him for a then alternative campus publication. The brief conversation left me in awe seeing the courage and conviction in him.

Then the encounters came as often as I attended subsequent mass actions. At times, the lawmaker would visit the university for some speaking engagement, or en route to visiting mass sectors in the region.

But the remainder of that passive encounter concluded when at these times, two years ago, during our internship, we had the chance, to talk to him in person, in his hospital bed at the Philippine Heart Center where he was under hospital detention pending a rebellion charge and later dismissed by the Supreme Court. Really, it was a very inconvenient, but self satisfying encounter with Ka Bel, having passed through police security, and still managed to bring in our cameras for the said interview.

I say, it was a feat for me having slipped through state elements who at that time, keeping in an innocent man in that solitary room, although they’ve been cooperative that time.

And in the next thirty minutes or so, we engaged in a variety of topics, ranging from family, the labor struggle, his experiences, worries, and hopes and wishes, especially to the youth. That moment, I have seen before my eyes the different sides of Ka Bel. The flexibility in his voice and the humble smiles adds up to the wisdom that Ka Bel nurtured in his lifetime. His aging face, watery eyes, calloused hands and feet and weakening health condition are but reminders of his glorious and continuing past seeing the fruits of the struggle which he once led.

For some who may have encountered him in many ocassions would have experienced the same feeling and impact as we have, if it wasn’t for the unconventional circumstance that brought us together in that setting and setup.

Reaching Congress by lunchtime, I can sense some distress from within the surroundings as the news on his death spread. Just like any other deaths that I’ve encountered, good things are always remembered of the person. In Ka Bel’s case, a continuing act of goodness for the greater good never seizes in the memories and hearts of ordinary Filipinos. A conversation I’ve overheard later on that day, where a jeepney driver lamenting on ‘the outcome of Ka Bel’s proposal to lower electricity by removing E-VAT from it, now that he’s dead’, left me some sort of humble salutations.

The struggle continues.

*Memories with and tribute to Rep. Crispin ‘Ka Bel’ Beltran (1933-2008).

Grief Into Revolutionary Courage

At exactly 11:48am today, Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Partylist Representative Crispin Beltran better known as Ka Bel among his comrades succumed to an untimely death following an accidental fall in his house early this morning. He was 75.

CRISPIN BERTIZ BELTRAN
Worker. Statesman. Martyr.
1933-2008

Emancipation

At 2:35 pm today, I've made a self serving feat of expression. Although it never went fully as planned, it goes without saying that I'm at bliss as of this writing. It surmounts the idea of equal satisfaction as it pounded a big sigh of relief from days of uncertainties. I'm not used with gestures of affection and the likes. I'd rather say things unblatantly than making it appear as if accomplishing something out of dictate. If I am to do it, I'd make it sure, it is kindled by that fiery feeling of say admiration. In this case, it was more than that.

Its been sometime since the last feeling was gone, at least a year after I entered the university. I couldn't imagine the futility inside me than waiting under a tree waiting for the fruit to fall. And here comes another unassuming subject of affection, but not really the previous feeling at all, hence, it went absurdly lost like a raging bull. But in all honesty, I've been very unfair to still hold to her without sense of affirmations whatsoever. But I decided to settle on a plain of intimate friendship. And it ends there.

I counted months thereafter before you arrived in this fountain of misery. I should describe it that way and at no cost. After all, the providence of aches and pains mean nothing to anyone other than myself. Unknowingly, it came to me as a surprise. I was limited of the view that it would came to pass. But pristine as it came, the feeling was nurtured in naturality to where it is now. And for two years now, the feeling remains. Nothing has changed. The only pitfall being, I don't know if she has changed. That continuously lingers on my imagination.

I learned she has been to much of personal struggles lately. But she remains the smarter fighter. By her looks, you can't find any traces of irregularities. But her eyes reflects it all. That I see to it to look straight into it and drain all the joys and pains altogether in my mind. It's nearly a month since I last saw that windows of her soul. As much, I've always wanted to have her around, but the two years of futility persistently fades that possibility. It came to my psyche that I should relinquish this mania for probabilities and certainties. On the other hand, I am already adapted to it. Whichever comes first, I'd be okay with that.

If she is the future, I could settle for that. If she really is not bound, then I'd gratefully accept that. My only consolation is having explored the possibility of sparing a part of me for quiet some time. I have lived through these times, and I said earlier, it'll remain. That I have onced loved, and that would lingers on me forever. At least at this point in time, I paved a way for emancipation.The path being, if time allows, a commencement of an end.

Couldn't wish you more than bliss.

One step higher, closer ...

After several months of painstaking advocacy work, the PCARRD-DOST led efforts in pushing for the enactment of House Bill 3270 or the technology Transfer Act of 2008 initially paid off following the finalization of its revised and refined version before the House Committee on Science and Technology yesterday. Present were Reps. Abaya (1st Dist., Cavite) and Piamonte (A-Teacher Partylist) who are Chair and Vice-Chair respectively, Atty. Eugene Perez of IPO Phil, Atty. Celia Villanueva, DOST Consultant, USEC de la Pena and ASEC Yorobe (DOST), DOST and PCARRD personnel, Atty Gumpal of DA-BAR, Dr. Garcia of BIOTECH-UPLB, and Dr. Ramos of Intitute of Physics-UP Diliman. It is expected to be presented to the S&T Committe on May 20 for its 2nd Reading and approval of the Committee. Proponents are in high hopes that the House version will push smoothly, and are working hard to do the same in the Senate.

AFP’s bad boy emeritus

from Miriam Coronel Ferrer's EYES SEE in abs-cbnnews.com
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With the ravage brought about by the once tagged as Berdugo aka Brigadier Gen. Jovito Palparan in recent years in Mindoro, Samar and Bulacan and created a chilling effect across the country, here is the dishonorable man again, making noise from his own insenuations of arrogance and display of ruthlessnes. Really, an evil is despised by another evil. Jovi now finds himself fighting against his own mistahs and former subordinates in the military following the row in a Zambales port. Read on Gen. Jovito Palparan .

Advocating Technology Transfer

This is one my first writeups in PCARRD. With nothing to really highlight these times, I suppose I'm kind enough to share the inputs I made in promoting this proposed legislation.
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PCARRD advocates technology transfer

Cognizant of the need for a strengthened and institutionalized technology transfer policy framework, PCARRD is currently at the forefront in the inter-agency and multi-sectoral advocacy for the enactment of the Technology Transfer Bill pending before the Committee on Science and Technology at the House of Representatives and the Committee on Trade and Commerce at the Senate, respectively.

House Bill (HB) 3270, otherwise known as “An Act Providing the Framework and Support System for the Ownership, Management, Use, and Commercialization of Intellectual Property Rights Derived from R&D Funded by Government” or the Technology Transfer Act of 2008 was conceived to bring in more technologies accessible to end-users through a clear and sound policy legislation on technology transfer and adoption, especially those derived from government-funded research and development initiatives. Proponents of the proposed bill are Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya and Sen. Edgardo Angara, Chairmen of the S&T Committees in both Houses.

This policy advocacy initiative of DOST cropped up in 2006 upon request of Sec. Estrella F. Alabastro for the drafting of a technology transfer policy framework that would serve as basis of policy makers in formulating a technology transfer policy and would resemble that of the Bayh Dole Act in the US. This further recognizes that efficiency in the area of technology transfer has now become a benchmark in scaling the technological readiness and competitiveness of countries, in line of the tremendous global innovation efforts.

In the Philippines, however, an apparent scenario in our innovation system has shown weakness in the process of transferring and commercializing these innovations across clients and intended audiences. Moreover, the country also has yet to reach a status of technological readiness and innovative capacity relative to its neighbors.

This is evident in the recent Global Competitiveness Report (2006-2007) showing the country places 71^st among 125 countries in terms of technological readiness and ability to adopt technologies from different sources. Thus, it hinders utilization of research and development (R&D) results to its full potential, notwithstanding the fact that key activities of this kind emanate from government institutions. A favorable atmosphere along policy lines would then be instrumental to averting this gap.

HB 3270 primarily provides for a national backbone and framework that would push technology generation and application to its maximum potential through efficient and coordinated transfer capability around the country and provide for opportunities and regulation thereof. The proposed bill likewise aims to promote commercialization of intellectual property rights resulting from R&D across sectors. It underscores the relative advantage of technology transfer as a driving force for innovation competitiveness in the region.

The enactment of this proposed bill into law would ultimately pave the way for increased revenue generation and benefits on R&D institutions; maximize researches, which otherwise remain unexploited, to generate jobs; avail of more research collaborations between private and public sectors; and secure added quality and reputation to the institution.

Early on, nationwide multi-sectoral consultations on the proposed bill have been conducted to consider inputs from local counterparts. Concerned government agencies were also conferred to scrutinize the bill. Alongside, a massive information, education, and education campaign and media publicity was carried out to ensure broad awareness and support.

Since its formal filing in Congress late last year, the proposed bill has already gone a long way. A series of public hearings and inquiries into the bill have been done at the House Committee level where Rep. Abaya also seats as Chairman. In the last three months, marathon workshops of the Technical Working Group (TWG) organized by the House Committee on S&T were held to discuss the refinements of HB 3270 until its finalization last May 15, 2008.

Although the Senate version (Senate Bill 1721) introduced by Sen. Angara has not moved significantly, PCARRD and its advocacy partners are looking forward for its eventual ratification in the Upper Chamber. In fact, a Legislative Forum on Technology Transfer is being scheduled at the Senate this coming June.

The proposed legislation is also jointly endorsed by the Departments of Science and Technology, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Trade and Industry, and the Interior and Local Government, Commission on Higher Education, National Commission on Indigenous People, the University of the Philippines, and the Intellectual Property Office Philippines.

Bahid ng Hinayang

--Pilit ko mang ilibing sa puntod ng aking isipan ang sigwang dulot ng pusong humihikab ng diwang pag-ibig, sa muli't muli'y patuloy itong sumisikad sa pag-asang mapapawalan ng isipang pilit sumasamyo sa diwang gising--

Sa kalamigan ng paligid ng Cordillera aking napagtanto ang pasyang pilit kong iniiwasan. Sa tinatagal-tagal ng panahon na bumilang ng halos tatlong taong pagtitimpi sa damdaming gising. At ngayon ay mananahan na sa kasaysayan ng isipang patuloy na kumukompas sa tunguhin ng pag-ibig. Huli na ito, ayoko ko nang maramdam muli ang ganitong damdamin. Hindi kanino man kundi para sa isang kaluluwang nagbigay sa akin ng pasakit, mga pag-aalala at sang butil ng luha, ngunit nagdudlot naman ng ibayong kaligayang walang pagsidlan.
Ang luhang ibinuhis sa ngalan ng tapat na damdaming pilit itinitimpi ay katumbas ng sanlaksang pangakong dapat sana'y aking nabitawan sa mga sandaling tayo'y hawak kamay sa dako roon. Ang kabang maya't maya'y bumabalot sa saplot ng aking kutis sa tuwing ika'y nasisilayan ay nagbabadya ng tensyong manindigan sa alay na pag-ibig, at lampasan ang mga hamon sa gitna ng kawalan. At higit sa lahat ang hapdi ng kirot ng karamdamang hindi mo nadadama san mang dako ng iyong pisikal na katawan ngunit tagos hanggang buto ang hirap at sakit. Maaring ito'y kalabisan ng sitwasyon sa konteksto ng realidad, ngunit ito ay pagtanto sa tamang daan na dapat sana ay tatahakin ng isang taong nabubuhay sa kaligayahan. Ano mang klase ng hirap at hinayang ang abutin ko, patuloy akong sasamyo at luluhod sa payo ng puso ko, sang ayon sa kalagayang taos ang hangarin ko sayo. Ngunit kahit ang busilak na kalagayang ito ay hindi nangangahulugang lulundo sa kaligayahan, ngunit mas pa ang sakit na dulot ng pag-ayaw at pagtalikod ng kaluluwang pinagukulan.
At sino ba ang dapat masisi? Ang pusong umaasa sa hinaharap o ang isipang mapagbigay at kumukuha ng sandaling tugma sa pagbulalas nga mga wikang pag-ibig. Kung sana lang ay nahinuha niya ito, kung sana'y nagbigay siya ng daan sa pagpapatawad at paumanhin at kung sana'y di na siya nagpakita ng kagandahan at kabaitan, di sana'y naibuhos ko na ang damdaming ito sa ibang katauhan; di sana'y umusad na ang pusong bigo at puno ng hinayang; di sana'y napawi ko na sa ulirat ko ang ideyang ikaw ang nasa unahan ng aking isipan. Kung sana di tayo magkaibigan, di na dapat ako lalayo.

*Pilit kung ipinaparamdam ang damdaming gising, ngunit patuloy niyang pinapawi ito. Ramdam ko sa mga sandaling iyon ang di kasiguruhan sa puso niya, at may pilit humihimpil dito. SA huli ko malalamang, katulad ng luhang aking ibinuhos, sanlaksang luha din ang kanyang sinayang sa kaluluwang ligaw na patuloy gumagambala sa puso niya. Ang malinaw, hindi ako yon. Panghihinayang ang namamayani sa akin ngayon. At ito'y lalatak sa aking landas magpakailan man.

Mid-Summer Dream

I should have reaped the fruits of courage and persistence if only its that easy to expose your realities. But unless you take on the challenge, the feat is but a journey a way from your doorstep. To my mind, I can't bear seeing the daily contradictions happening around this tiny midst of reality. The sky is blue, and wide up to the stream of inception where the feeling of lowliness emanates from the most delirious insignificance that one could feel in his lifetime. To pursue a dream is a feat itself. Along its way however are streams of infallible persuasions that confine the very core of self expression. Tight as it could, it held my heart until it crushes before my seemingly insurmountable ireverence to live up to the expectations dictated upon by externalities. And tonight, I dreamed of you. Puzzled, I came to your rescue. You faded from a far, and yet there I was in a hurdle of letting your warm body reflect before the sight of men. Able and nicest with time, you whispered in some uncomprehensible language-- a deliverance from your honest heart. While I in my solitude, wept before your divine eyes. And foreover, I'll be in denial.