Piercing Pens

While he was on television defending himself against accusations of involvement in jueteng, presidential son Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo sounded like an irritating showbiz talk show host discussing a blind item. He rattled off counter-attacks on the character of Wilfredo Cimanis Mayor, a self-confessed jueteng operator who claimed during yesterday’s Senate investigation that Mikey and other lawmakers used bagmen to receive bribe money from him. The congressman from Pampanga called Mayor “immoral” and added that he heard his accuser is a drug addict facing estafa cases.

One of our favorite columnists, Conrado de Quiros, has again called for President Arroyo’s impeachment. He wrote that Arroyo’s failure to stop jueteng–the illegal numbers game that caused former President Estrada’s ouster–is enough for us to get rid of her.

Bull.

Shit.

Do people honestly believe this crap?

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signs into law Republic Act No. 9337, otherwise known as the Expanded Value-Added Tax Act of 2005, in ceremonies held Tuesday (May 24) at Malacanang’s Aguinaldo State Dining Room. With the President in photo are (seated from left) Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Prospero Nograles, and (standing from left) Commissioner Guillermo Parayno of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina, Rep. Eduardo Gullas, Rep. Monico Puentevella, Rep. Exequiel Javier, Rep. Joey Salceda, and Rep. Luis Villafuerte. (Michael Rey Baniquet-OPS-NIB Photo).

This must be the people’s song for Pangulong Gloria these days:

I don’t wanna jueteng vain for your love
I don’t wanna jueteng vain for your love

After the people took back the power from an alleged “Lord of all jueteng lords,” and Ate Glo, a.k.a “Ina ng Bayan” took over, the people have been waiting for her to let them feel her love. She did, actually, but only in the form of such dole-outs as Patubig ni Gloria and the road-cleaning projects that gave temporary jobs to hundreds of thousands of people during the campaign season last year.

There are places and spaces that you never really leave behind. For me, and for a lot out there I’m sure, it’s the University of the Philippines. Despite the reported crimes, the unbelievable competition in the academe, nothing can stop me from going back to this place I once called home.

Commencement speech given by Ryan Cayabyab
(Mr C of the entertainment world) in UP Diliman on
April 25, 2005 for Class 2005
‘Pitong bagay sa buhay na natutunan ko sa U.P’
by PROF. RYAN CAYABYAB

Maraming salamat po, magandang hapon po sa inyong
lahat. UP President Emerlinda Roman, former
presidents Jose Abueva and Noel Soriano, UP Diliman
Chancellor Dr. Sergio Cao, the Board of Regents,
U.P.faculty and administrative staff, co-professors
from the College of Music, classmates from UP High
1970, fellow alumni, graduates, and friends:

Continue reading “Nostalgia”

The Philippines is living up to its reputation of being the world’s most murderous country for journalists. Just this May, two mediamen were killed in two weeks. Another one was arrested while he was broadcasting on air.

We haven’t even written about Klein Cantoneros yet when we got the news about Philip Agustin. Cantoneros, a hard-hitting radio broadcaster for dxAA-FM in Dipolog City whose commentaries targeted local politicians, was ambushed last May 4 by gunmen riding a motorcycle. He died in the hospital before that day ended.