Her story is the story of all of us

A visibly skinny middle-aged lady frequents the Krispy Kreme area in Ketkai. She walks from her home in Kauswagan to Ketktai around 5 pm everyday hoping to tap the generous hearts of people. In other words, she begs.

Before, her life was decent. She used to sell bananaq near her place providing a steady income. But when her husband died, life went downhill. She now takes care of her aging mother and 5 children of whom one just finished high school and the other one is in elementary. The rest, she could not afford to send to school.

Her eldest who already earned a high school diploma could not get any job. She reasons that her son has difficulty looking for one because "pangag cya". The eldest is eager to get a TESDA certification but the cost of transportation going to school is simply a huge burden.

She made it clear that she wants to stop begging. What she is looking for is a job however small or enough capital to start-up her bananaq business. And that is it. That is her goal. That is all she wants.

Her story is the story of all of us.

Pope Francis

He wore the same yellow raincoat like everyone else. In the face of a brewing pacific storm, he came. He came and he smiled. He hugged and he kissed.

He came to shepherd us and to remind us of the core of our humanity. He reminded the multitude of our inherent divinity that never fades - it forever shines even if clouded by layers of our own sinfulness and doubt.

He reminded us that there is God who is present and active in each one of us; walking with us, laughing with us, toiling with us, crying with us, suffering with us even more in the midst of unimaginable catastrophe. He never lets us down. He keeps on inviting us and never gets tired even if we do.

Our love affair with the Pope should not just end with that - an affair defined by constant hashtags and shares on the latest of the papal visit. It should and ought to transcend the feeling of jubilation that would last even when he has already returned to Rome. This affair grounded in our faith in Jesus Christ should galvanise the faithful towards collective action of love not just within our family and friends but a love that is expressed in all areas of our civic life - to strangers and enemies - and especially to the periphery, to the marginalized and forgotten. A love that is expressed more in deeds than in words.

Much more so that our Pope came at the beginning of the most important year of our story. The nation is preparing for a critical election, a promising peace process in Mindanao is rolling in and the nation is recovering from Yolanda. We are at a critical juncture in our national story and we should shun any force that may deviate us from the light. In this time the Filipinos are called - regardless of faith - to simply do good , be good and be hopeful.

‪#‎PopeFrancisPH‬

My 2014

This 2014, much of my personal time and energy were poured into what I would like to label as our attempt to build a social innovation project right here in our beloved Cagayan de Oro. It seems to me by far, the greatest education I am receiving. The immense educational value of engaging with people in power and building relationships in the grassroots has opened a new world for me. It has given faces and life stories to theories on power and structure. And more importantly, the whole journey is life-nourishing which enables me to give more back to the community, which gave me so much.

This 2014, my teeth just got rail tracked. It got my braces and it will be on for another year or so. I figure that if my work in the future deals more on talking to public, then better at least invest in the physical arrangement of my mouth.

This 2014, I visited the beautiful country of Peru. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine going to Machu Picchu. Thanks to my brother, I went there for free – touched the walls, talked a little bit of Spanish and walked where the great Incas walked. It was a breathtaking experience. I also experienced my longest plane trip with a total travel time of 36 hours. I also encountered my first trip “nightmare” where our flight got super delayed due to some airplane computer problem. My luggage also got delayed.

This 2014, I happen to become the Association of Law Student President. It was a continuation of my campus leadership track. I would personally like to thank the whole ALS team for their dedication and work ethic. Though the law community is small, the team managed to execute all traditional projects with focus and energy. Innovations were also introduced such as an expanded law freshies program with a mentorship system and the vibrant organizational life in law school with the growth of BALAOD ATENISTA, a new legal advocacy and alternative lawyering group.

This 2014, I also had my first ever-modeling stint endorsing the Pag-bago Project, a social enterprise selling up-cycled bags made by the mothers of Xavier Ecoville. We even got our own billboard outside of MUST! It was the most awkward thing in the world but I had fun doing it. It is something so new but it is so awesome to help out spread the brand in our networks.

This 2014, we are once again complete as a Family for Christmas. I could not ask for more.

Thank You Lord for all blessings and challenges this year. I pray you give me the courage to face 2015 with hope, joy and love. 




2013: http://republikaneri.blogspot.com/2013/12/2013-year-end.html
2012: http://republikaneri.blogspot.com/2013/01/2012-year-end-review.html
2011: http://republikaneri.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-year-end-review.html

2010: http://www.republikaneri.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html

2009: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=230581705895

2008: http://republikaneri.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=50

2007: http://republikaneri.blogspot.com/2007/12/bias-year-end-review-2007-my-life-year.html

2006: http://republikaneri.blogspot.com/2006/12/happy-new-year.html

My first political jab

I got a unique Christmas gift - My first political jab.

A local politician shouted my name in his radio program sometime ago telling the public that I should know better since I am a law student. He also uttered words that were designed to intimidate and discredit our efforts – a typical logic in politics. He remembered us because we wrote a letter addressed to his collegiate body about the farm-to-market-road issue earlier this year, which was later resolved.

This politician’s angry effort to educate undoubtedly stemmed from our #PAGSURE campaign online. This was our reaction to the zero budget allocated by the City Council to the Out of School Youth and Oro Youth programs. The total budget asked for is just 0.2% of the total actual expenses of the city.

The politician emphasized that since our proposals are special projects, it is unnecessary because it is part of the office expenses of the CSWD. Hence, the budget of the youth is already incorporated in the budget of the office itself (Personal Services, Non-Office Social services, Special Accounts).

What is sad about this logic is that the youth (including the out of school youth), as well as so many other sectors such as the PWD, Senior citizens, Indigenous People are struggling to get a slice in a meager office budget. Why do they have to burden these basic sectors to race for a slice when the city, which has increased its revenue to 70% in this year alone, can well in fact afford it? A regional capital and the top 3 billionaire-city outside of Metro Manila could surely at least allocate even a seed money to the basic sectors.

At hindsight, the mere fact that a local politician mentioned this effort means something. It means that they have taken notice of our frustration and disappointment. They were provoked and they saw that we are worth responding. Do not mind the fact that the rage was addressed to me particularly. If that is the price we have to pay to stand for the principles we believe in, then so be it. It is part of the civic life of a polity.

The quality of political discourse in our city maybe at a tribal-scavenger level but at least the politicians have taken notice of some group of young volunteers who are speaking truth to power in social media. This social experiment brings tremendous educational value in our part as young citizens from all political persuasions. It tells us how social media can deliver a point to politicians. It tells us that social media can only do so much, what is more important is action in the ground. It tells us also that the work for social change necessarily brings you in friction with the establishment. It tells us that politics maybe petty and idiotic at times, but it is necessary in our humanity. 

This unique situation in Cagayan de Oro offers an opportunity for civil society to organize politically in order to assert their influence on the budgeting process. The middle class and pockets of organized critical masses should at least come together and demand that the budget process in the city be changed entirely.  It would not be enough for the people to sit in the city council. It is imperative that they sit and join the whole process from preparation to submission to approval to execution to evaluation. The seeming discord in the budget is the product of this lack of pressure and collective ownership from a third party. The dominant political parties simply dictate the budget shutting its doors from civic participation. The coalescing People’s Council should now look into the question of how do we creatively translate the budget process into a simple user-friendly information material that can be disseminated and analyzed in the barangay level. And more importantly, how to propel action based on the analyzed information.

Politics necessarily stirs deep passions; more so when you provoke those who cling to power. When you make enemies, it means you are budging something, some idea, some attitude, and some point of view. So then, judge our character by the enemies we make.

You are made of Stars

HEY YOU!

Remember! you are made of stars. The matter in heaven is the same as the one in your bone and blood. You are a child of the universe! You are the embodiment of a cosmic miracle. You are made for endless possibilities. You are the greatest creation. You are loved. Make sense of it and make full impact of your existence. Change lives and improve the world! Good Tuesday to all! God bless your day! :D

Bus bombing in Bukidnon

Bus bombing in Bukidnon. 12 dead.

Let us pray and act.

We have to be vigilant but we should never allow fear to paralyse our efforts on building lasting peace in Mindanao. We do not want to speculate at this point but reading the signs can lead us to say that the drive for structural changes in our Island has provoked people of ill-will to unleash all necessary means to stop it so their entrenched interests and outdated beliefs are preserved and protected.

We will not let them prevail! Justice to the innocent lives lost!

This senseless and atrocious attack on innocent civilians strikes at the very principle we all pursue and build. The respect for the dignity and life of every human being serves as the foundation of a just and humane society and once this is undermined by elements in an indiscriminate and terroristic manner, then it is incumbent upon all of us, public or private, young or old to do our duties to the fullest extent possible to bring these elements to justice and restore peace and solidarity in our communities.

Bilibid lifestyle: Drugs, guns, sex, cash

This is no surprise. Pockets of anomalies such as these prosper in decaying institutions such as our correctional system. If you consider the deteriorating state of our jails, it is but natural for rent-seekers to emerge when their is no strong accountability systems and transparency in the jail management. People, at the end of the day, respond to incentives. As long as these values (ei accountability, transparency) are not strongly incentivized to a critical point and old systems remain intact, then this continues to persist.

Machu Picchu

When you just sit and embrace the magnificent view, you cannot escape thinking how and why this have ever come into being. How did an ancient people choose and manage to build a city in this very unforgiving terrain. TIt was said to be driven by their faith in the sun - their central deity and their visionary emperor - Pachakutek, not by practicality or economy.

Other great civilisations managed to build wonders out of flat terrain unlike this, unlike the Incas who carved an empire out of the rigid mountain ranges of the Andes.

I cannot also escape thinking how western conquest turned this once egalitarian civilisation which was often described by historians as a welfare state with extensive system of social nets and health care ended up as one of the most unequal nations in the continent.

Nonetheless, it is an unparalleled achievement of our humanity.

Bucket List

Grace of Encounter

It is a Friday night. It is small window of time where i can breath after a week of law exams. I take this time to assess and to look back on the things that was.

The journey that has revealed itself brings me nothing more than immense gratitude. As it unfolds everyday in my life, it makes me more convinced that there is so much hope about the future our nation. Even in the midst of all the noise and cynicism, there is always that light, that spark, that simple story that can change how we see our world. Encountering this light is both a challenge and a conscious effort. It is everywhere, even in the most mundane of things. I thank the Lord for the grace of encounter these small sparks around and I pray that this continue to sustain and nourish us in our journey ahead.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

This subject deserves a bigger place in our curriculum and greater emphasis in the legal practice. The Alternative Dispute Resolution or better known as ADR is a whole new legal continent that few have invested time and effort to explore and lay paths. In this one-semester encounter with ADR, I have taken away 3 major ideas.

First, ADR is more attuned with our culture and sensibilities. The Filipino culture is mainly characterized as one that is collective and close-knit. We know our neighbors and their neighbor’s neighbor and family closeness is a corner stone in our being Flipino. We just want to get along. This paints a general picture that the Filipino is a litigation-adverse people. We do not use the court as the first weapon of choice. We often take intermediaries to at least settle differences either in love or in contracts. We take all the necessary steps for us not to proceed to the point where we drag our names and reputation in an open court. This cultural context is a fertile ground for ADR to develop. We do not have to force it in because we naturally embrace it, consciously or otherwise. Second, ADR is cost-efficient and practical. Considering our economic situation, ADR is best suited for poor and rich alike. The rich could save a lot of cost that entails a full-blown trial. When the zone of possibilities offers a settlement to a conflict, it would be rational for business owners to employ this method and use the savings to further invest. It would also save our government a lot of trial time and thus allocate more to matters that require litigation as a matter of law. ADR is also a pro-poor policy tool. It allows the poor access to justice without staggering court costs. It empowers the poor because they are included in the conflict-resolution process. Participation in conflict resolution by the parties themselves offers a greater chance for resolving conflict. Legalese, which oftentimes creates barriers to conflict-resolution, is put out of the process. This inclusive and equitable process reinforces the social justice mandate of our constitution and enhances the dignity of the human person especially the poor and marginalized. Third, ADR contributes to community cohesiveness. A full-blown trial does not only entail economic costs but it also includes psychological and social costs as well. The scene of a witness traumatized in open court, reputations being questioned in the witness stand, and neighbors divided are things that nobody wants to happen. ADR on the other hand employs community leaders as adjudicators of controversies. The parties’ problems are settled by people they respect.  They are not also bound by the strictness of the Rules of Court such compelling people to testify and cross-examine. This flexibility of the proceeding and its emphasis on community effort strengthens the community overall. It facilitates trust and reconciliation.

ADR is a way towards the future. If law schools are serious in reforming our legal institutions, they should employ greater emphasis on ADR. The alternative way of ending conflicts without the heavy cost and burden of trial strengthens not only our public institutions, but it ultimately strengthens our faith in the whole justice system and justice itself.   

Doing “Sugal”

Beside a Siomaian near Mom’s Corner.

We met these two children holding plastic cups near a food house earlier. They were siblings – one was 5, the other was 12 - holding out the rain just hoping to gather coins form passers-by.

They said that their father was just blocks away doing his usual thing – doing “sugal” as what the 12 year old girl said. We asked her, what would you do with the money if we give you. She said, with an innocent smile and an honest tone, that she would give it to her father to help him with this usual thing.

We got the logic.It was tragic. Both of them stopped schooling already and just spend the whole day begging. In that situation, giving food is better than giving money. But aside from all this, you can still see the hope radiating in their eyes. They told us they want to learn and that is all that matters for that moment.

Their story is the story of the streets; one of thousands of people who have fallen into the gaps of our "economic" development. The cycle continues unless a fundamental shift of political and economic power towards the masses happens. Nothing will really happen if 80% of the nation's wealth is controlled by just 20% of the people - nothing. We can start with the kids. Hope the father will also change.

Encounter the Law

Greetings Freshies!

On behalf of the Association of Law Students, welcome to XAVIER LAW!

We understand the jitters and anxiety that comes with this day. Undeniably still, there is also a feeling of excitement dancing inside you. This familiar mix of feelings will linger for the next few days as you settle yourself in this new world.  Be wise. Use that feeling of anxiety to drive you to study harder and smarter and use that feeling of excitement and possibility to connect and engage. 

Law school is a journey like no other. It has been the stuff of movies and legends – as well as jokes and meme. And now finally, you can experience it first hand. It is your experience to define. But if there is one word that I must emphasize, it is ENCOUNTER. Encounter the law. Do not just read and memorize the black print. Encounter its spirit, its history, and its purpose. Understand that the law is a recorded conversation of the collective conscience shaped by the perception of man tested by time and the fruit of our desire to attain fairness and justice in this mortal world.  Such lofty words but it brings you to the realization that what you are about to learn is a cornerstone of our humanity and our civilization. Embrace this and you will be fascinated and you will see more than just words.

The Association of Law Students hopes to be an enabler and facilitator of such encounter. We do not only endeavor to best deliver the traditional set of activities but we hope to bring more meaning in your studies by providing activities that bring the social dimension and public value of legal studies into full light.