LIFE'S PRIORITIES (Edited Version)

This will be long, but I encourage you to spend a few moments of your time to read it. If you don't like it, leave a comment. If you do like them, don't comment at all. Just copy, read and ponder and digest what I wrote.

There are 3 priorities in life that I think are very important to all of us, not just OFW's but for all people. We probably know them, so this is just a reminder. 

1. SARILI (SELF)

Sa lahat ng interest sa buhay, bilang isang tatay, nanay, kapatid, at OFW na sandigan ng pamilyang nagigipit sa hirap ng buhay sa Pilipinas, ang ating sarili ang pinakaunang bagay that we should look after as we look forward in our lives.

We need sometime to meditate and ponder, to think, and to wonder. Minsan nakakatawa kasi may mga taong kinakausap ang buwan o tinatawag si Batman but sometimes, probably that's all we needed to do too. Minsan kailangan magbasa ng good literature like Great Expectations ni Charles Dickens. o mga books ni Og Mandino o ang the best self-enrichment book na 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Isa sa mga the best book of all time for me na hindi nakakasawang basahin.

Last Friday, tinabihan ako ng kaibigan kong Kano na halos tatay na sa amin ni Mrs. Thoughtskoto. Tinanong ako kung kumusta na siya. Sabi ko "She's fine, we're recovering from the gossip trauma that definitely affected her though we know it is still going around. We shielded our lives with a wall for a while because people are so intrigue and jealous with the beauty and wonder of our lives."

He replied. "I don't see the glow and joy I was seeing in her eyes and face several months ago. Maybe she need some break. Maybe she wanted to walk along Corniche, or go shopping or just be with herself. Maybe she wants to read a book or be alone in the room."

I wanted to tell him. " You have no idea how we missed home. Na kung gaano kami nagtitiis dito because we have a dream to fulfill, and we have a baby whom we wanted to have a better life ahead."

So today, this very moment, a friend picked her and Babytots on the way to their house for an indoor pool swimming, and later, shopping and malling.

I must admit raising a baby without any help galing sa tatay at nanay is definitely stressful, but nevertheless we persevere and it is so joyful and rewarding. Nag-aaral pa po kaming mamuhay, everyday we learn a little lessons here, a little there. Pero sa isang munting tahanan ng pamilyang OFW na punong puno ng pananampalataya at pagmamahalan, miracles do happen, right?

Masyadong naging busy ang ating mga buhay-buhay. We run from one thing to another. Pinapagod natin ang ating mga utak sa pag-iisip at katawan sa pagkakahirap upang magkaroon ng mga bagay-bagay na hindi naman natin madadala sa kabilang buhay. Kelangan seguro ng isang araw or ilang oras na pagninilay-nilay. Isa sa mga pinakanamiss ko sa buhay, ay ang maglakad sa mga daanan ng palayan at langhapin ang presko at masarap na simoy ng hangin, o ang nakaupo na may hawak na libro sa isang malaki at malilim na puno.

Ang pangangailangan at panlasa natin sa mga bagay na ito ay nagkakaiba sa edad. Pero lahat tayo need some of it. A Time to Stand Still and Ponder. To think what we really wanted to become and what we really wanted in life.

Kagaya ng mga sinabi niyo sa comments niyo sa post ko na SOME SIGNS THAT I AM OLD, we need to treat ourselves once in a while. We need to take care of ourselves. Di ba DAPAT IKAW ANG PINAKAHEALTHY SA ATING LAHAT? We need to have some laugh, we need to look at a child and smile. We need sometime for ourselves. To THINK. TO SET A GOAL. TO PRAY. TO RESOLVE. TO FORGIVE.

Remember this advises from the Thoughtskoto's;

Do not focus on what you haven't, or what is lacking and imperfect but rather on the things you have accomplished.

We need to be stronger, that's why we need to take care of ourselves. Remember that we are the hope of others, especially nila Tatay at Nanay, ng mga kapatid natin, ng mga anak natin, and habang sinisikap nating iaangat sila, we rise a little higher ourselves.

2. Pamilya (Family)

Bawat normal na lalaki ay naghahangad ng mabuting asawa. Bawat normal na babae ay minimithi ang isang matinong asawa. Funny ba, pero it is very true. Dapat maging karapat-dapat tayo sa ating mga piniling minamahal. Respect and give encouragement to him or her. Kung may dalawang great commandment ang Diyos, seguro ang pangatlo ay ganito. Love your companion with all your heart, might, mind and strength. Ito ang pinakaimportanteng desisyon na gagawin ng mga single sa tanang buhay nila, ang pumili ng kanilang mapapangasawa.

Hindi ito pagkaing isusubo na pwedeng iluluwa kapag di masarap sa panlasa or mainit sa dila. Sabi nga ni Gordon Hinckley sa book niya na Standing for Something. 

"Don’t cheat yourself. Don’t cheat your companion. Don’t shortchange your lives. Marry the right person in the right place at the right time. Choose a companion you can always honor, you can always respect, one who will compliment you in your own life, one to whom you can give your entire heart, your entire love, your entire allegiance, your entire loyalty. Determine that there will never be anything that will come between you that will disrupt your marriage. Make it work. Resolve to make it work. There is far too much of divorce, wherein hearts are broken and sometimes lives are destroyed. Be fiercely loyal one to another. You will not always be young and handsome or young and beautiful. There will come a time in life when instead of growing taller you will begin to shrink."

I have been married for 3 years now. I admire the likes of Blogusvox, NJ, Jess and The Pope. They been married for a long time, and they're stronger in their bonds, full of wisdom, full of inspiration. I love my wife more than she ever imagined. I told Hevyn, our one year old baby kagabi. "Ikaw ang inspiration ko." Napatanong tuloy si Mrs. Thoughtskoto, "Eh ako, ano ako dada?" I look her in the eye and said. "Buhay kita." I could not wish for any of you more than my caring and lovely wife.

Hinckley continues, "A good marriage requires time. It requires effort. You have to work at it. You have to cultivate it. You have to forgive and forget. You have to be absolutely loyal one to another. Most of you will marry and have children. They will become the source of your greatest pride and happiness. I hope so. Rear them in love. You don’t have to kick them around. You don’t have to get angry with them. You just have to love them. If they make mistakes, forgive them and help them to avoid a repetition. But let them see in you their truest and best friend, their constant support."

Para sa mga Thoughtskoto, the greatest task of all, ang pinakamalaking challenge, at ang pinakagreatest satisfaction ay nakasalalay sa pagkakaroon ng isang matatag at masayang pamilya.

3. Work (Trabaho)

We spend seguro 8 or more hours a day sa mga work at career natin. I honestly didn't chose to be a Chemist, it just so happen na ito lang yung may available na scholarship that time. But I enjoy what I am doing. Income is important, pero hindi natin kelangan maging multi-millionaire para maging happy. Haha. Sa totoo lang hindi ka talaga magiging masaya kung ang tanging objective lang natin ay yumaman. Magiging alipin ka nito, na magbibigay kulay sa bawat desisyon mo sa buhay. Kelangan natin ng enough para maka get along. We need enough para mabigyan natin ng konting comfort ang ating mga pamilya. Mas maganda sana kung ang husband ang nagtratrabaho at ang wife ang nag-aalaga ng bata sa bahay, pero kadalasan, gawa na rin ng kahirapan at kakulangan kelangan talagang magtrabaho ng nanay. It is okay. Nasa mag-asawa ang desisyon na iyan.

Be a good example in your work, especially about honesty, and dedication. Most of us have kind employers, never mind the one on top who thinks you are chasing him/her. Most of us OFW's had been given enough compensation and benefits. If unfortunately you are not, we pray that soon you'll have. Nasa sipag at tiyaga lang yan, and depende paano ka nakikisama sa mga katrabaho at sa mga nakakataas sayo. But most importantly, nasa skills at talento yan, nasa dunong ng tao, guts or diskarte sa buhay. But there is one thing that will shine forth in you as you exemplify the true Filipino values - hard work. If they won't notice as you try your best, it will be a disaster to them if you leave. You are giving them no choice to pay you for what you show your worth. Not a peso, not a dollar...thousands. Do it without stepping or putting down others. I know there is that inside you.

Sabi nila sa buong buhay natin, 2 or tatlong beses tayong nagpapalit ng profession or career. I didn't get it, pero I prepared for it. Kailangan maging handa at masigasig sa mga new effort and new ambitions, of new discoveries and new challenges. Kaya napagkamalan akong Computer Engineer, or Cellphone Technician, or Graphic Artist, pero ang kinakarer ko ngayon, BLOGGING!!! Haha. I want to be remembered as as OFW STOCK TRADER. :)))

Kailangan kong mag-aral ng masteral or MBA, yan ang isa sa pinakagoal ko sa buhay, pero kahit hindi na, kailangan kong makapagtayo ng isang negosyo. In this world, competition is terrible. It eats up people. It destroys many. Pero kelangan nating harapin ang katotohanan na iyan, if you want an increase in salary, increase your education or work efficiently. If you want makaahon sa buhay, kailangang magnegosyo, hindi maging trabahador.

So this 3 are my priorities in life. Service to others comes fourth, as well as my dedication to OFW causes, lalo na PEBA. I also want to serve more in my faith with my wife. We want to live our lives in a way that someday when we depart, it will be a better place than it was when we found.

I think it is time to set yours too. A roadmap perhaps, an outline at where we are heading, so we have a direction to follow.

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

The King is Dead

At the age of 50, he was preparing for a comeback show that will start off in London, pero di nagmaterialize. Inatake siya ng Cardiac Arrest, which eventually the cause of his death.

Officially, the King of Pop music, Michael Jackson, one of the greatest singers of all time along with the Beatles and Elvis Presley is dead.

He leave with him two children whose future is still unknown, and a massive debt cause by the scandals and events that transpired that leads to his waning career.

But his story will always be remembered. His music will always be played for generations to come.

We look at his life, he lived like a king, but died like a poor man. Two contrasting status, but whatever is our judgment of him, his character and behavior, we can't deny the fact that he is a music icon, and only God can tell who he really is.

To paraphrase a poem.

"Music are made by a fool like me, but only God can make a tree."

Goodbye Michael Jackson!

Some of his songs that I like are;

We are the World,

The Earth Song,

Heal the World

You are not Alone

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Live Within Your Means

We all have simple dreams. Kaya tayo nag-abroad dahil sa ating pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay. May isa lang akong naiisip kung bakit marami pa rin Pinoy ang hirap sa buhay despite the fact na naraise na ang salary ng isang OFW. Kung dati sumasahod ito ng 8-10T pesos, ngayon sa abroad, sumasahod ito ng 15-20T pesos.

Pero bakit kulang? We come here to provide for our families, but when we arrive here, suddenly yung ibang tao na naiwan sa Pinas thought nga "ginapala kag ginapiko, kag ginabulldozer pa ang kwarta sa abroad". Ang ibang pamilya kumuha na ng maid, labandera, tagaluto, at bumili na ng malalaki at flat screen na tv, magagarang cellphone, yung may bluetooth, yellow tooth at kung ano-ano pang pautot ng mga cellphone makers. Yung ibang pamilya di na maglalakad sa school, dapat hatid-sundo na, tapos dapat di na jeep, dapat taxi na. Bibili na ng mga ganito, ganire, ganyan, ganun...haysss.

It is okay to spoil them once in a while. It is alright kung sa ikakagaan ng buhay.

Most of my relatives na nagwowork sa abroad end up staying for 20-30 years sa abroad na hindi nakasama ang pamilya nila, maliban na lang kung kasama mo sila sa abroad.

We should remember that we come here for our families. We come here to provide for their needs. Now, if that family has a 'SUDDEN LIFESTYLE' backhome, we come to provide not only for their needs but for their 'new and sudden lifestyle' as well. Meron pa tayong ugali na kapag nagpapadala, ubos-ubos lahat, maiiwan na lang pambili ng pagkain. Ang nasa Pilipinas naman, bili dito, bili duon, parang midnight sale, baka maubusan. Kaya the day after makadeposit, sakit sa ulo kasi ubos na ang padala or kulang pa kasi its either pinambayad sa 5-6 or binili ng malaking karaoke component system. Did you get what I mean?

Kaya ang kawawang Mang Jhoe, kayod ng kayod, nagpapart-time pa para masustentuhan ang mga lifestyle na yun. Nangungupahan pa rin sa Pinas at ang anak ayaw magtrabaho kasi maliit ang sahod kaysa padala ni tatay. We need to talk with our loveones.

It is okay, we love them.

But it is not right.

We have to save for the future because we love them.

Ang daming taong namumuhay na nasa edge ng kani-kanilang income. Sa totoo lang maraming taong namumuhay sa borrowings or loans or pangungutang.

We have witness in the past few months the swings of the economy and markets of the world. Economy is indeed a fragile entity. One collapse of NYSE will swing a tremendous and chaotic effect to London, Hongkong, and major economic countries. It is felt in every corners of the world.

Sinong mag-aakala, Dubai - one of the most thriving and richest country in the world will become a meager city in 3 months?

It affects us all, cross-cutting measures, job cuts, no-overtime, and slow business flow. There are 3,000 people leaving the Philippines everyday, there are hundreds or maybe a thousand of them coming home because of the crisis.

I recognize na kelangan magloan para sa bahay, sa education or sa mga health and other benefits. Pero there are things to consider. There are wonderful advertisements in TV of a new shoes, a new LCM-HDMI TV, a new stuff that will make you something. Mapapabili ka talaga.

But I urge you all to save.

I encourage all to live within your means. To live within your income, and to set aside a few hundreds or a few thousands of your income for the rainy days. I appreciate people who save for the future. Infact, I admire those kind of people. Iilan lang ang damit, di man nagrerelos, or paulit-ulit ang hikaw, kung may nakaipon na pera kahit papaano, panatag ang loob, masayang nagtratrabaho, and may peace of mind.

I ask you my friends na tingnan ang kondisyon ng inyong mga finances. This is something na dapat pinag-uusapan as a family. I ask you na maging modest sa inyong mga gagastusin at disiplinahin ang sarili sa mga bagay na binibili upang maiwasang makapangutang. Bayaran ang utang as quick as you can and I can guarantee you, pasipol-sipol ka habang nagtratrabaho.

Me and Mrs. Thoughtskoto see to it that every month, we set aside a small percentage of my salary for savings, maybe a 300SR, or depende sa budget. I encourage you to do the same.

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Bring Honor to Us All (111th Independence Day Post)

In the afternoon of 12 June 1898 in the town of Cavite-Viejo, Filipinos gathered at the residence of General Emilio Aguinaldo to witness the first Philippine national flag unfurl as the San Francisco de Malabon Band played the Lupang Hinirang.

Reciting the Declaration of Philippine Independence, our people promised to support freedom “with our lives, our fortunes, and with our sacred possession - our honor.”

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL from the THOUGHTSKOTO FAMILY!!!

Pero teka, are we really independent?

Do we have the ability and the capacity to stand alone, defend and protect our sovereign - our people?

Do our people have that capacity, or in times of challenges or war, we still run to Uncle Sam?

Do some of our major international decisions are influenced by the superpowers?

I think we are still captive by the habits we inherit from our "mananakop",

I think we are still captive by the corrupt system that hinders our growth and progress as a society and as a country.

Philippines is a very beautiful and rich country.

Give me an honest law enforcers, give me an honest leaders in the government who serve the people and not just a few, and give me an honest Filipinos working in different entities who have no fear or regard of power, fame and money, and who honestly deals with everybody in the workplace. Give me Filipinos with just that one character, and I will give you a nation that thrives, and stands out to the world. I am not saying Filipino's are dishonest, I am saying collectively, it should start with us, then law enforcers and the bureacracy. There is just too much distrust in our leaders, and we have no one to blame but them.

I think one of the pride we have left for ourselves are the great Filipinos around the world who excels in every small and simple things they do. They truly as the Mulan song says,

"bring honor to us all."

(Bukas na po ang mga photos sa EB na nangyari kagabi, may mga napag-usapan po kami para sa pinakagrand EB na mangyayari sa SAUDI. Napakasaya po ng pagtitipon kagabi and we are so excited to post our pictures.)

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Chocolate - Indulge Yourself

Alin ba dyan ang gusto mo. papadalhan kita. I am sure hindi yan Made in China.

I have to ask Mrs. Thoughtskoto for a P1000 budget para pambili lang ng mamahaling Chocolate for you. 

Para naman kahit papaano...

According sa mga Chocolate Eaters, ang Chuao Chocolate ang pinakabest na chocolate sa buong mundo.

According sa Forbes, the most expensive chocolate is Madeleine & Chocopologie by Knipschildt

The healthier according to health experts, are dark ones. 

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

"UNCLEAR, UNSUBSTANTIAL"

ANO BA ANG MGA PROPOSE AMENDMENTS SA CONSTITUTION KUNG SAKALI. CHECK MO DITO. DUDUGO ANG ILONG, TAINGA, BIBIG AT SASAKIT ANG ULO MO, pati mga kasu-kasuan. PERO KELANGAN MALAMAN NATIN. KUNG AYAW MONG MAGBASA, ITO NA LANG ANG SINABI NG ISA SA MGA GUMAWA NG CONSTITUTION NA YAN AT EXPERT sa mga bagay na ito.

Si Father Joaquin Bernas - Dean Emeritus of Ateneo School of Law in Makati City, Philippines. He was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission which drafted the present Philippine Constitution.

"Unclear. There were three sponsors of the Resolution who did not seem to agree on what they were sponsoring. One sponsor essentially supported the view that the House could exclude the Senate from the amendatory process. Two others seemed to say that whatever the House approved would be passed on to the Senate for concurrence. When the Ayes out-shouted the Nays, what was approved? It was not clear. Perhaps clarity will come later."

"Unsubstantial. If the purpose was to make the House a constituent assembly, the action was unnecessary. The Constitution itself has made House and Senate constituent assemblies without more. Article XVII says “Any amendment to or revision of the Constitution may be proposed by Congress ...” A constituent assembly is nothing more than a body authorized to amend or propose amendments to the Constitution. Congress, that is, House and Senate, are already that. We are no longer living under the 1935 Constitution when, before Congress could act as a constituent assembly, by constitutional command it had to pass a joint resolution calling for a joint session."

- Making Sense of 1109, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ang stand po ng Thoughtskoto is malinaw sa bagay na ito. Wag ngayon. Please naman. Maawa naman kayo sa bayan ko. Ang daming Pinoy na nagsipag-uwian kasi nawalan ng trabaho, ang daming Pinoy na naghihirap dahil sa epekto ng Economic Crisis, and ito tayo, ito ang mga kagalang-galangang halal ng bayan, walang iniisip kundi paano manatili sa pwesto? Maybe. Pero kung ano man ang kanilang motibo. Be transparent po.

At saka, pwede ba tumawag ng Constitutional Convention kung kelangan na talagang palitan ang Constitution?

Ang daming tanong, ang daming mga hinaing, minsan nakakawala ng pag-asa, minsan nakakawala ng tiwala. Pero patuloy ang buhay, from time to time we have to make a stand, we need to be counted. NO TO CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY!

Pakigrab na lang kung gusto mo magdisplay ng banner na yan sa sidebar mo.

Salamat po.

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

The Price of Leadership

The past few days, I was reading an Ebook sent to me by a friend. An American friend gave me, 9 years ago this book entitled STANDING FOR SOMETHING by Gordon B. Hinckley. I've read it several times, pang 5th times na itong Ebook ngayon kasi naiwan sa kapatid ko sa Pilipinas ang hard-bound book. Nagsilbing inspirasyon ko ito sa buhay, maliban sa 7 Habits of Highly Effective People at mga Books ni Og Mandino, isa ito sa mga inspirational book na gustong gusto ko.

Applicable ito sa atin lalo na yung mga nakipaglaban sa EDSA(pangilang EDSA na ba ito, lols) at yung mga nakikipaglaban sa Constitutional Assembly now. Applicable din ito sa mga kingkongresman na pumirma at nagrailroad ng petition sa Kamara.

Promise maganda ito, kung dudugo man ang ilong niyo dahil English ito, please paduguin niyo na lang muna o pahiran ng tissue. hehe

Ito yung mga Excerpts...

"What we desperately need today on all fronts - in our homes and communities, in schoolrooms and boardrooms, and certainly throughout society at large - are leaders,men and women who are willing to stand for something. We need people who are honest; who are willing to stand up for decency, truth, integrity, morality, and law and order; who respond to their consciences even when it is unpopular to do so - perhaps especially when it is unpopular to do so."

"The problem with most of us is that we are afraid to stand up for what we believe, to be witnesses for what is true and right. We want to do the right thing, but we are troubled by fears. So we sit back, and the world drifts about us, and society increasingly adopts attitudes and standards of behavior that most of us do not approve of."

"In leadership, in standing for principle, there is loneliness. But men and women of integrity must live with their convictions. Unless they do so, they are miserable - dreadfully miserable."

"Tremendous is our opportunity to reach beyond the hoped-for goal of wealth and worldly success to build and strengthen others, to relieve suffering, to aid in making the world a better place, to be as a light. Tremendous also is our potential for leading out and standing up, in every arena, of our lives, for the virtues that will make our individual lives, our families, and our society strong and vibrant."

"No nation can rise above the strength of its homes or the virtue of its people. The time has come for good people everywhere to demonstrate that they stand for something - something that is virtuous and clean and worthwhile."

In a way, nagpapasalamat ako dun sa mamang yun, kung sino man siya. Dumami ang entry sa PEBA, dumami ang naging magkakilala, dumami ang naging magkaibigan, dumami ang nagkaisip na magsulat ng entry to defend hindi lang ang pagiging O-F-W nila, kundi ang pagiging Filipino.

Gusto mo ang Ebook , dito

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Statement: Mike Avenue - Anti-OFW Persona

(I WATCHED MY ONE YEAR OLD BABY WHEN I WAKE UP TODAY AND I AM INSPIRED. THANK YOU MY FRIENDS. WE HAVE SAID OUR PART, AND WE HAVE SAID IT LOUD AND CLEAR. IN A SPIRIT OF UNITY, CIVILITY AND PEACE, LET US MOVE ON. MAY WE HAVE LEARNED OUR LESSONS WELL THROUGH THIS,

that in unity we have a VOICE. I hope the other end learned too,

TO NEVER ABANDON THE VALUES THAT OUR FATHERS AND OUR FATHERS FATHERS HAVE TAUGHT US, LIKE RESPECT.

NEVER TRAMPLE THE INSTITUTION THAT IS SO SACRED TO US - FAMILIES. OFW WORKED ABROAD FOR THEIR FAMILIES!

I AM CALLING ALL OFW BLOGGERS TO MOVE ON AND FOCUS ON OTHER TRIVIAL MATTERS LIKE THE CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY GOING ON IN THE PHILIPPINES.)

On Mike Avenue Pinoy Blog’s ‘Tsokolate’

at dahil ang blog niya ay for Invited Readers na lang sa ngayon,

read the Thoughtskoto reply here

PEBA and KaBLOGs and the Thoughtskoto family MANIFESTO

So that the bloggerworld and everyone may know...

We believe in the right to freedom of speech as a human right.

We believe in the freedom to hold opinions without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.

We believe in the right to freedom of expression to receive and impart information.

We believe that blogging is an expression of one’s opinions, personal experiences, hobbies, commentaries, diaries and we further believe that every blogger has the right to publish his personal expressions and opinions.

We believe that the exercise of these freedoms is not an absolute right but carries with it duties and responsibilities, that may be subject to restrictions or penalties on specific grounds as prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests and protection of the reputation or rights of others.

We believe that majority of the Overseas Filipino Workers have chosen to leave the Philippines to seek and search for better livelihood opportunities abroad so they may be able to support themselves and their families back home.

We believe that the OFW’s search for a greener pasture is not at all that easy and yet hundreds of thousands of OFWs have created names for them and have excelled in their chosen fields of endeavor, setting the world standards for nobility and for hard work.

We believe that there is nothing wrong with doing an honest day’s work as a domestic help or as construction worker or doing any other menial and blue collar jobs.

We believe that OFWs whether professionals or not should be given honor and respect.

We believe that the OFW is the Hope of the Nation, Gift to the World!

With these guiding beliefs:

We regard Mr. Mike Avenue’s Pinoy Blog post on "Tsokolate" as one that lacked research and a flagrant ignorance of the truth about Overseas Filipino workers and expatriates.

We regard this lack of truth and ignorance as especially inexcusable from one who feigns intelligence and high learning and coax people into belief and following.

We regard his statements: “minumura ng amo kapalit ng dolyar” and “humahalik sa paa ng mga dayuhan” as blatant mockeries of the sacrifices of the Overseas Filipino Workers and expatriates and are hasty generalizations of the living and working conditions of the Filipino expatriates and OFWs.

We regard his post as tactless and offensive, trying to make a lame attempt to sarcasm that failed to be funny, at the expense of the Overseas Filipino Workers.

We regard his post as a clear display of arrogance, done in a distasteful manner with blind indifference and unjust condemnation of the millions of hardworking OFWs who work long hours to earn an honest buck.

We regard his post to have overstepped the bounds of sensitivity and responsibility of a decent mind and an accountable and sensible blogger.

Therefore, we at PEBA and KaBLOGs and the THOUGHTSKOTO family will not allow this kind of humiliation to pass without us making a stand.

We strongly condemn this irresponsible blog post and Mike Avenue.

We consider Mike Avenue as an Anti-OFW persona.

We demand a retraction and an apology from Mike Avenue of Pinoy Blogs for this irresponsible blogpost!

We are Filipinos and we should stand together and strive for a better Philippines!

**********************************************

BELOW is MIKE AVENUE's message and comment saying sorry about the Tsokolate incident.

Mike Avenue said...

Paghingi ng Tawad

Isang taos pusong pasasalamat din sa iyo at sa lahat.

Mike Avenue

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Epistaxis

Mike Avenue said...

Paghingi ng Tawad

Isang taos pusong pasasalamat din sa iyo at sa lahat.

Mike Avenue

The link above is Mike Avenue's sorry comment about the Tsokolate. The Thoughtskoto family are human and sinners too, and forgive others as God forgives us all.

I’d like to thank those who responded and posted their entries. There is no gray decisions here. It’s either black or white. There is no "in between" – only "for or against." We must draw the line in what is responsible and tolerable, and insensitive in mainstream blogging and we cannot keep going through offending us and as if we 'll just keep our tempers down after the insults some hurled at the OFWs.

We have seen a coward hide his identity and bash a community. I have read and heard the OFW bloggers who come out into open and with courage - openly stand for their belief and convictions and expressed their disappointments.

Sabi nga ng isa kong kaibigan, "If he has a right to use the blog as a platform to insult and degrade the OFW's, then we have a moral obligation to speak as protected in every norms, through the so called "Right to Reply" through the same platform. If he can violate the the OFWs in the name of "freedom of expression", we will unite ourselves and with one voice we'll make sure our declaration be heard in the name of freedom of expression. "

Sa publiko inihayag, kaya sa publiko rin sumambulat. Wala akong balak sumikat, lalo na sa paraang biglang angat ngunit pabulusok ang bagsak, at malakas ang lagapak. Kahit anong liit ng daga, o mga daga, kung gamilyon sila sa dami, tigok pa rin kahit gaano kalaki o katalino ng pusakal. Pusang nangangalkal at humahalungkat ng basura pagkat hirap, hikahos, at puno ng pait, saklap at kabiguan sa buhay.

Hindi ito between skilled at professional o matatalinong OFW laban sa dating bangag sa kanto. Ito'y prinsipyo at paninindigan laban sa opinyon na may halong pangiinsulto at kabastusan.

Ang Thoughtskoto ay pamilyang simple at nagsusumikap mabuhay ng marangal at matiwasay. Hindi nang-aapi, ngunit di rin paaapi.

Nakausap ko ang isang OFW na nanay, domestic helper sa Riyadh, umiiyak, tumakas daw sa among malupit. Nagtitiis maging yaya sa kasalukuyan upang makaipon ng pambili ng visa, makabalik dito sa Saudi, kumita ng marangal, mapag-aral ang mga anak. Ito'y ayon sa kanyang salaysay.

Nakausap ko ang isang nanay na DH sa Amman, Jordan, narinig ko ang iyak sa celpon ng malakas na parang nilalapirot ang puso mo, halos di makapagsalita sa takot at sakit na nararamdaman dahil binubugbog daw siya ng mga dayuhang amo. Hindi siya bayani, martir siya alang alang sa kanyang anak.

Nakausap ko ang isang driver sa Dubai na nagbayad ng ilang libong piso para makarating sa ibang bansa ngunit nabiktima ng scam at illegal recruiter at ngayon ay tinutulungan ng ibang Pinoy na OFW upang makahanap ng trabaho doon.

Ang may karapatang magsabi kong ano ang buhay OFW ay yung mga nakasubok na maging isang ganito, hindi dakdak ng dakdak, with flowery words and liniment oil, (lolz!) pero baka di nga nakapunta ng GAMCA o kung nakapunta man dun baka bumagsak dahil sa sakit na HEPA or may trace ng droga.

Kagagaling lang namin ni Mrs. Thoughtskoto sa groceri, kumain kami sa Mcdonalds, walong crew, dalawang Indian, limang Filipino, isang manager na Pinoy na nagtanong "Sir, anong order natin?"

Pumunta kami ng Sparky's isang palaruan ng mga bata sa loob ng mall, kami lang yata ang Filipinong pamilya na nandun, pero nakita ko at nakausap ng misis ko ang maraming pinay na yaya na galing Mindanao, Cebu, Iloilo at Nueva Ecija. Maaamoy mong Victoria's Secret ang mga pabango ng mga yayang ito.

Nag-ikot kami sa Carrefour, isang malaking groceri store sa loob ng mall, at dun makikita mo ang mga Filipinong promo at merchandiser, matatatas mag-Arabic, trying to explain things sa mga mamimimiling arabyano. Masaya, magagaling at confident, pero pagkauwi ng villa, andun ang lungkot at lumbay.

These and the millions of OFW men and women are brave, who have seen more, felt more, and fought more, unlike others who cry like a baby and bashed the rest of us over a little thing, “insert the title of the blog entry HERE”. ( Hehe, kanino ko ba nakuha yang ganyang style? Sa chatting yata.)

Ofw's in UAE with Ambassador Seneres

Nakakasalamuha ko sila, nakakausap, at nakikita and I admire them. That's the reason kung bakit naisipan kong magkaroon ng mga organisasyong magbibigay excitement sa mundo ng blogging para maraming OFW na Pinoy ang magblog, makapagbigay inspirasyon sa mga nagbabasa, at magkaroon ng kaunting libangan at kasiyahan.

OFW’s are reminders of RESILIENCE, HARD WORK, and yes HUMILITY in the kind of WORK they do. Don’t blame the OFW’s for what you are.

You are what and who you are because of your own choice.

Blame yourself!

You’ve done nothing.

We’ve done a few but significant things.

If not for our country,

For our family.

Thanks Jigs for the title.

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Dear Mike Avenue, Ikaw at Ako kasama ng mga OFW ay di IISA! (EDITED)

(Nagkausap na kami ni Mike Avenue, today, 23 August 2009, and here's the link of him asking sorry, ANG PAGHINGI NG TAWAD)

This post below is my reaction at that moment, and medyo nagover react ako.

Mike, sorry for this. )

I am determined to spread this post. Never provoke 12 million people and the many millions that depends on them in the homefront.

Do not provoke 12 million OFW's if you have nothing to say.

But if you have the guts, you better be ready...

Hindi kita kilala, at mas lalong hindi ko gusto ang tatas ng pananalita mo, lalo pa't nilalahat mo ang mga OFW. Hindi rin ako nagpapakabayani dahil may karapatan ako bilang isang OFW at blogero na sagutin ang post mo dito. Pasalamat ka, maraming bibisita sayo kasi starring ka dito.

Papatulan ko ang "cheap shot" mo hindi dahil cheap ako, kundi dahil ang post ko ay hindi pananaw lamang kundi galing mismo sa puso ko, puso ng isang OFW.

"Itinatanong ko kung bakit naging bayani ang isang OFW. Hindi agad siya makasagot. Ngumiti siya at iniabot ang mga tsokolateng may tatak na “Made in China” sa likod ng pakete. Ang mga tsokolateng ito sa kamay ko ang isa sa mga sagisag na siya’y kagagaling lamang sa ibang bansa – sa Canada."

Sa tanda mong yan, at sa galing mo sa economics, itatanong mo pa? Magpasalamat ka na lang at binigyan ka pa ng chocolate na galing China, o baka nagpuputok ang butse mo at hindi dolyares ang binigay sau?

"Naubos ang mga propesyonal dito. Halos lahat. Ang mga doctor na nagsunog ng kilay ng mahigit sampung taon, mas pinili ang maging nurse na assistant lamang ang ranggo sa abroad. Ang mga nurse naman na dapat ay dito magsisilbi sa bansa, mas ginusto pang mangibang bayan. Ang epekto nito? Bumaba ang antas ng industriya. Nagkasya kasi tayo sa mga second choice dahil ang mga de-kalibre, naroon at kasalukuyang minumura ng amo kapalit ng dolyar. Bayani ka bang tatawagin kung humahalik ka naman sa paa ng mga dayuhan? Labag yata iyan sa prinsipyo ni Rizal. Baka bumangon si Rizal."

Patay na si Rizal, Mike, wag mo ng buhayin ang nanahimik na ang kaluluwa. Ang baluktot mong pananaw ay hindi kahit kailan man sasang-ayunan ni Rizal. Isa siyang OFW, baka nakalimutan mo ang History mo. Kaming mga OFW at si Rizal ay iisa. Hindi mo masisi sila Doc at ang mga nurses na umalis ng bansa para manilbihan sa ibang bayan. Ang bawat tao may kanya-kanyang karapatang pumili. Hindi mo pwede ipagpilitan na magpaiwan sila sa Pilipinas at magpapatuloy sa kanilang propesyun na ang mga anak ay dilat ang mata sa gutom, at di man lang makaranas ng ginhawa sa buhay, o mapag-aral si Boboy at si Neneng.

"Minumura ng mga amo kapalit ng dolyar?"

- Mas titiisin at palalabasin sa kabilang taenga ang murang yan sabay pikit ng mata at isiping makapag-aral si Junior, or makatuntong ng kolehiyo si Ana

Bayani ka bang tatawagin kung humahalik ka naman sa paa ng mga dayuhan?

-May problema ka na tawaging bayani ang mga OFW? Fine! Di namin gusto maging bayani. ang bayani, namamatay o pinapatay. Kaya kami tinawag na bayani ng gobyerno para magkaruon ng magandang tunog sa taenga, at bilang pagtanaw ng utang na loob nila sa patuloy na pagpapaangat ng ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Sa ayaw mo at sa gusto isa ka rin sa mga nakikinabang sa dinudulot ng mga OFW sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas, dahil kung hindi, baka sa abroad din ang lagpak mo. Wag kang magsalita ng patapos, Mike, baka bukas makalawa, kakainin mo ang mga sinabi mo at nakapila ka na rin sa embassy or immigration.

Sayang ang mga talento na dapat sana’y sariling lupa ang nakikinabanag. Sayang ang mga pawis na sana’y didilig sa uhaw na mga kapatagan ng mamamayan. Sayang ang mga ugat na magdudugtong sana sa yaman at kaban ng bansa.

- Hindi sayang, pare. Hindi mo seguro nababasa na ang mga dating OFW at nahasa sa talento galing sa ibang mundo ay nagpatayo ng sariling negosyo. Na ang mga pundar at ipon ng mga OFW ay pinatayo ng mga negosyong pangkabuhayan, nagkaroon ng mga training centers, ng mga consultancy offices upang mapaayos pa ang mga talino at dunong ng mga Pinoy na lumalabas ng bansa, at mabigyan ng additional jobs ang mga kababayang naiwan sa Pilipinas? Magbasa ka at magresearch, boy.

Ikakatwiran na walang pag-asa dito. Mahirap ang buhay dito. O talagang mahilig lang ang iba sa “piso tamang barko”. Meron din naman dito. Kaya lang, ang mga bagay na narito, ayaw naman natin. Para lang din sinabing “walang akong magawa”. Marami ka naman pwedeng gawin. Kaya lang, itong mga bagay na available na gagawin mo, ayaw mong gawin, tinatamad kang gawin o may iba kang gustong gawin.

- Anong gusto mong gawin ko dyan? wag mong harangan ang aking karapatang mangarap ng kaaya-ayang buhay. Ah, okay. Ako ay isang chemist dyan. Sumasahod ng 5-10T pesos sa entry level? 20T sa Supervisorial? Paano naman ang mga deductions at 10 % na tax? Ilan na lang maiiwan sa akin?

Hindi ko itinatatwa ang bansa ko, kahit pa sabihing tadtad ng gastos dito at duon, bawas dito, bawas duon pag-uwi. Ang sahod ko dito na 60T pesos ay sapat na pansamantala sa amin, pero paano ang bukas, paano ang kinabukasan ng anak ko?

Isa lang dahilan kung bakit nagpapaalipin sa ibang lahi ang mga Pinoy. PERA. Masasabi kong iyan ang nag-iisang dahilan. Kaya nga mas gusto pang gawing panginoon ang mga dayuhan para sa salapi. Hindi dahil sa kung ano pa man at sino pa man. Ang ibang dahilang maiisip mo, bagamat nasa estado ng pagsasakripisyo at pagpapakahirap, babagsak at babagsak din sa kategoryang pera ang dahilan.

PERA PERA LANG, walang PERSONALAN, haha. Hahayaan ko na ang mga commenter ang sasagot sa rants mo na ito. Tanungin mo si Azel sa lagay na ito, or si Jee, di nila kelangan pera, ay si NJ rin pala? hehe

"Hindi sila magpapaalipin sa ibang lahi dahil sa Pilipinas. Tinanggihan nga nila ang Pilipinas. Nawalan sila ng pag-asa sa Pilipinas."

"Ang dahilan ng pagtatrabaho ng isang OFW ay upang maiangat ang kabuhayan ng pamilya at sarili. "

Sa lahat ng sinabi mo, yan lang ang malinaw, at sang-ayon ako.

Hindi dahil gustong maiambag ang sakripisyo sa bansa. Hindi upang magpakabayani. Walang ganoon. Dahil kung ganoon, pwede namang makatulong nang hindi umaalis. Ang totoo, lahat ay sa sariling motibo lamang nabubuhay. Gustong-gusto kasing maging Victoria’s Secret ang ginagamit na pabango ng asawa na dati’y White Flower lamang?

At, marupok din ang lubid sa kabila. Ipinapanalangin kasi ng isang OFW na tumaas nang tumaas nang tumaas ang halaga ng dolyar laban sa piso. Para nga naman mas maraming salapi ang katumbas ng kanilang pagpapaalipin. Gustong-gusto nila na mataas ang palitan ng dolyar. Kapag mataas ang palitan ng dolyar sa piso, ibig sabihin mas maraming pera ang maibibigay kay Misis. Mas maraming pera, mas maraming pambili ng Victoria’s Secret. Ang problema, kapag mataas ang halaga ng dolyar, mababa ang halaga ng piso. At kapag mababa ang halaga ng piso, ang ibig sabihin, mababa rin ang ekonomiya ng bansa. At kapag mababa ang ekonomiya ng bansa, mataas ang mga pangunahing bilihin at siyempre pang apektado ang mga karaniwang manggagawa na sumusuweldo ng mababa dito sa Pilipinas.

Di bale, marami naman tayong bayani.

Kapag umalis ang isang Pinoy papunta sa abroad, maiiwan nila ang kanilang pamilya. Sakripisyo ito sa OFW. Pero mas sakripisyo ito sa pamilya. Kung babae at may asawa’t anak, siguradong ibang tao ang titingin sa mga anak. Lumalaki tuloy sa pangangalaga ng iba na ang itinuturo ay ang matatas na pagsasabi ng salitang pakyu imbes na patsshu. Kung lalaki naman, ibang tao pa ang magpapalit ng pundidong ilaw sa kusina imbes na siya. Nasasakripisyo ang “minsan-lang-sa-buhay-na-maging-bata” ng maraming kabataan. Maraming anak ang nawalan ng pagkakataong maramdaman ang kalinga ng isang ama o ina sa kanilang kamusmusan. At karaniwang hindi nasusubaybayan ang paglaki ng bata. Ipababantay na lamang ang paglaki sa malalaking Barbie Dolls o Robot na ipinapadala ng OFW. Okay lang. Pag-uwi mo at paglaki ng anak mo, saka mo siya samahan para magpatuli kay Dok. Nakakalungkot din ang katotohanan na ang mga OFW ang dahilan kung bakit nabansagan ni Tsip Tsao ang Pilipinas na “nation of servants”.

- Maihahalintulad kita kay Cheap Tsao. Hindi mo man lang naisip bago ipost ito kung anong hirap ang dinanas ng mga TATAY at NANAY, ng mga ATE at KUYA, para halos pagtawanan ang mga kagaya namin na nagpapakahirap sa ibang bansa. Kahit anong anggulong tingnan ko, hindi kita makitaan ng gratitude sa mga kababayang nagtitiis para sa pamilya. Baka manager ka diyan at malaki sahod mo, paano naman kaming mga ultimo utusan? Hindi kita matawag na kabayan kasi nahihiya ako sayo. And Congratulations, ipamamahagi ko ang post mo na ito sa lahat ng kakilala ko, mga contact ko sa Press, sa GMA7 at ABS CBN, pati sa mga kagrupo, gusto kong malaman ang totoo kung sino si Mike Avenue, at bakit halos alipustahin niya ang mga OFW?

Nagtataka lang ako, at maraming mga FOLLOWERS ito? At andun pa ang mga OFW's? karapat-dapat bang i-follow ang taong ito na ganito ang pananaw sa mga OFW's?

Kung walang apoy, siguradong walang usok. At tanggap ko. Kung walang magpapaalipin, tiyak na walang tatawaging alipin. Hindi mo BA matanggap na tawaging ganoon? Kung domestic helper ka at gusto mong tawagin kang manager, pumunta ka sa Philippine Embassy at maghuramentado ka doon. Kung mas gusto mo naman na tawagin kang bayani alang-alang sa sakripisyo mo sa sarili mo at sa pamilya mo, pumunta ka sa monumento sa Caloocan at tabihan mo si Bonifacio. Pasulubungan mo na rin siya ng tsokolate. Yung galing sa Canada at kagaya nitong may tatak na Made in China!

- Pag nabasa ng mga OFW sa Canada ang post mo na ito, sasabihing may tama ka, Mike. haha.

Simpleng equation lang at dapat mong pakaisipin.

Ang mga Pinoy ay may pangarap sa buhay. Ang mga Pinoy na OFW ay may pamilyang nagbibigay sa kanila ng inspirasyon, na kahit anong hirap at saklap, na kahit malayo, at namimiss ang mga importanteng occasion sa mga anak at mahal sa buhay, okay lang. Ang importante ay mabigyan ng masayang birthday si Nene, matreat sa Jolibee, mapapaaral sa private at matinong school si Tiboy, magkaroon ng sariling lupa at bahay, magkaroon ng kaunting savings sa hinaharap. Ang resulta nito, isang masayang pamilya, at kapag malakas ang pamilya, malakas na bansa, and in turn, may pag-asa at masarap mamuhay.

Hahayaan ko na lang na ang mga makakabasa ang mangkokomento, pero hindi tayo IISA, Mike Avenue. Kakaiba ka!

Wala akong balak sirain ka, Boy. Di ko ugali yan, pero gusto ko lang malaman kung sino at anong tunay na pagkatao ni Mike Avenue.

Hinikayat ko kayo na mga OFW Bloggers lalo na sa KABLOGS na magblog ng view niyo sa post niya na ito. Salamat!

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO