The Stories Behind My College Medals

Hanging on a hook of my ancient cabinet are the medals I got in my life.  Actually, they are all medals I got in my college life, and any medals I got in my early elementary years are all lost (since I don’t value them at all).  I am not at all very active at school in my elementary and high school years.  I didn’t join school-accredited clubs, competitions, or extra-curricular activities.  Heck, I was never an honor student since I was Grade 3.  Maybe I am just too passive and lazy and bored to earn myself some achievements in my academic career.  I have the mentality that such are irrelevant to actual living and they are not worth bothering about.  It was never my cup of tea.  But, surprisingly, when I entered college, I found myself earning medals.  Hmmm.  As if the rule of Bernel “numbness” and laziness on school activities disappeared in college.

               

I am not that smart.  I am not really that active in school.  There are only 6 medals.  But compared to what I got in elementary and high school, which is zero, these are actually noteworthy.

               

So here is the story behind each of them, in chronological order.

Master of Strings – Champion (Freshman)

               

I am not actually thinking of joining any competition in our college intramurals as a freshman (with the course BS Accountancy).  As I’ve said, I don’t want to be bothered with any school activities.  I find them no fun.  Plus, the intramurals would serve as vacation time from school.  However, Juris, a senior of mine in high school, who is aware of my guitar talents, asked me to join him to play in the intrams’ musical competition.  Well, I really don’t want to join.  But I guess something in me was curious on what would it feel to experience it, that I agreed.

               

We would compete in the “acoustic rendition” and the “master of strings” competition – a competition for guitar instrumentals.  But our band of four only fully concentrated on the acoustic rendition competition, and had only a decent practice for the master of strings hours before the competition. 

               

That night, when it was our time for the acoustic rendition competition, I got my first taste of Murphy’s Law in a competition.  I found that the pick-up cable for my acoustic guitar was too short.  Bummer.  I had to settle with a microphone to amplify my acoustic guitar, but actually the mic was inutile since it can never really capture the sound of the acoustic, thus my guitar was impossible to hear.  We only ended up second in that competition, and I’ll give credit to our brilliant vocalist for getting us to at least second (more about her later). 

Now, though I am not very active in school competitions, I did develop a competitive nature.  This is because of playing computer games (I even won an award in a “Pangya” competition, though it was only my first time to play that game.  And never played that game again after the competition.  I just wanted the prize money) and being exposed to an internet café environment (very competitive).  I already knew we would not win in the acoustic rendition before the winner was announced.  I hate losing.  And I don’t like to come out empty handed that night.  Thus, I made a decision that when we play in the master of strings, I would stay near the sound system controls, which was down the stage and away the eyes of the audience, so that my short pick-up cable would reach the sound system and my guitar playing, which was our ace, would be heard.  Juris was the only one who stayed on the stage (his acoustic has no pick-up, but he made use of the four microphones available).   With that settled, we played some parts of “Hotel California” and Alamid’s “Your Love” – with me let loose for about 8 minutes of guitar solo.   We won.  Probably, the mystique of being an “invisible instrumentalist” (remember, most of the audience can’t see me since I was not on stage but beside the sound system controls) helped.  The management department actually had, I admit, the best guitarist of the college, but I got to beat him… at least that night.

I am always proud to be a guitar slinger.  But that competition made me a “master of strings”… at least, for that year.

Acoustic Rendition – Champion (Sophomore)

The loss the previous year in acoustic rendition left a bitter taste in my mouth.  I had already won a “master of strings”, and for that year, I wanted to concentrate on the acoustic rendition.  This time, I was the “captain.”   Thus, I had free reign of choosing the song and the appropriate musicians. 

                 

I built a band that has lead guitar (Eugene), rhythm guitar (Janine), violin (Rich), percussions (yours truly) and, most importantly (voice quality has a major percentage in the criteria), lead vocals (Gra).  I wanted the performance to be “un-mainstream” and “show band-style” – to be close to a “professional-sound” as much as possible.  Thus, not only I instructed the instrumentalists to be polished, I also designed them to serve as backup vocals.  Yes, I was a “musical director”, but I did not make any much “directing.”  Yes, I gave the initial instructions, but I allowed them to figure it out for themselves.  It was a true team effort.  And, boy, these guys practiced well individually to get their part that when we finally put the individual parts together, it was so good.  Gra, as before, was the ace.  Her voice is one of the best I ever heard, so ideal to be the front of a band.  She ranks at my top three vocalists I had performed with (her bestfriend Kaye is also there.  I performed with them when I was in high school, in the Morph all-star band’s gig at the Pacifif Mall.  I could still remember the date:  December 17, 2005.  Pity, I do not have a video.  It was one of the best performances I was part of).  Our piece was The Corrs’ “Only When I Sleep”.  I am not exaggerating if I say that Gra sang it on par with Andrea Corr.

Of course we won.  No way would we lose with such brilliant teamwork of musicians. It was perfect from start to finish.  With the violin as the “X-factor” and Gra’s voice beautifully silences the crowd.  I loved that performance.  It is a pity I did not record it.

I was also part of the master of strings competition that year.    Just like the last year, our only real practice was hours before the competition.  But this time, we did not win.  That guitarist of the management department finally did something so awesome I actually considered conceding before it was our turn to perform. He probably wanted to get back at me for my “upset” win against him the previous year.

  

Academic Scholarship (Junior)

Failing my first course (BS Accountancy), I shifted to the new course of the college: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Financial Management.  And in that year, my third in college and my first in my new course, I got my first  academic honor since my third grade.  The taste of an Academic Scholarship was so sweet, not only because I got some refund of the tuition, but because I never thought I would ever have an academic honor in college.  The feeling was nice.  I never ever expected to experience having a medal hanged around my neck in a recognition day. 

The story of this medal is simple:  this medal gave me a “glimpse” of an “impossible” dream, that though I desire it, it seems still distant to think of yet.

General Information Quiz Bowl – Champion (Senior)

               

I was an officer of the newly-accredited Junior Institute of Business Administration in my last year in college (see, I’m more “active” in school than I was in high school.  Really strange) and I was tasked as top head for the intramurals that year.  So, I was tasked to head the organization of participants, and uniforms, and other matters regarding the JIBA’s participation for the intrams.  It was not as if I did it all, the other officers were actually more hands on, while I am more on assigning tasks and responsibilities and “putting it all together and making it flow smoothly.”    Too “busy” as overhead chairman of the JIBA for the intrams, I was still able to find time to join three events:  acoustic rendition, instrumental (replacing the original “master of strings” competition), and GI quiz bowl (I “captained” in all three events.  I applied and taught them the use of my usual strategy or practices, which includes a prayer before the start of the respective competition… and lots of psyching out strategies during or before the competition).  You can watch our acoustic rendition and instrumental performances in this site, which we lost (I could give reasons why, but a loss is a loss.  No excuses).  However, we won the GI quiz in an epic fight.

I christened our team as “Team Rabat.”  “Rabat” is a word in some parts of Bicol which means fluke.  It was our joke that we would win quiz bowls by “stroke of luck” answers.  Nonetheless, I assembled this team for the quiz bowl for the Management Days of the previous year.  I pick Jessie, for the “numbers”, and Gens, for the “words”, to join me, the ultimate “King of Analysis and Irrelevant Facts” (hahahaha!  To Jess and Gens:  you have to admit, though, I am the ace, and I make 60%-90% of our answers).  They serve as my “sounding boards”, to bounce out ideas or rationalization before I make an “instinctive” analyzed guess if we don’t know the answer to a question.   We actually make a good team, since we won our first quiz bowl together during the Management Days, and were rewarded a cash prize.

So, as overall head of the JIBA, I pick “Team Rabat” to compete in the college intrams’ GI quiz that year, now with a management days quiz bowl under the team’s belt.    We were never at all in the lead of the entire competition until that decisive last question.  We were second place so far and were down by 3 points.  The last question in the difficult category, which was worth 5 points, in paraphrase, was “what was the living together of animals for benefit?” (the question was longer than that.  As I pointed out, it’s my paraphrase).  I quickly wrote “symbiosis.”  Now, the usual answer that would be made would be “mutualism”, the popular example of symbiosis, and I know that it was probable that the other teams would have it as their answer.  My two teammates told me, “It’s mutualism.”  They wanted me to change it.  My rationalization: “We are down by three.  Now, the other groups, including the lead group, would probably answer ‘mutualism’ – the most popular type of symbiosis.  Now if all teams answer ‘mutualism’, and if it is correct, the lead group still wins.  And if all of the teams answer ‘mutualism’, and it is wrong, the lead group still wins.  Now, if we answer differently from what they are thinking, which is ‘symbiosis’, which is also probable to be correct, we have a gambling chance of edging them.  If ‘symbiosis’ is correct, and ‘mutualism’ is wrong, then we win by 2 points.  If we are wrong with ‘symbiosis’, it is no different from the scenarios in which we answer ‘mutualism’ like the other teams.  By ‘symbiosis’, we have a one last wild gambit.  Besides, I am almost sure that ‘symbiosis’ is the correct answer.”  My analysis and answer were correct.   The other teams answered “mutualism” but the correct answer was “symbiosis”, our answer, and we won by two points.  It was like a buzzer beater game winner.        

Dean’s Lister (Senior)

In the previous year, I got an Academic Scholar award during recognition day, this time, though it was the same type of medal, it was a Dean’s Lister award, after being an Academic Scholar for both semesters of the school year.   So, in my entire stay in college I get to be a three-time Academic Scholar (which also means I had refunded 50% or 75% of the tuition fee each semester three times), with the latter two making it possible for me to become Dean’s Lister.  

By this time, when I got this medal, I was now greatly praying for that ultimate prize, the “impossible” dream.  And that is, to graduate “Cum Laude.”

Cum Laude

This medal is the “King of All Medals.”  This medal alone outweighs all the previous medals put together.  Great was the joy I felt when I got it.    

Outrageous.  Me?  Cum laude?  I was never the scholarly type.  I was never an honor student in high school.  It was “impossible.”   

And that is why I appreciate this medal and this honor.  Because it is “impossible.”  But because of God, he made the “impossible” possible.    He gave me the wisdom and intelligence.  He made the high grades possible.  All Glory belongs to Him. 

These medals (especially the cum laude medal), and the honors they represent, are only temporary.  All honors and favors that bring me temporary joy, are only “glimpses” of the Ultimate Medal of True Honor and Unspeakable Joy that can be found solely in the Giver of these gifts. 

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"Alive" Special Number

As a special number in the Aprill 11 Dynamic Worship, we performed our "fun" cover of the Hillsong Kids' song "Alive."

click here for more videos

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Reminiscing Red Alert 2

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 is my most favorite game during those days I cut classes just to play PC games – in which some days I wait for the internet café to open at 8:00am and play PC games until 9:00pm, without any lunch break or snacks (I would get bronchopneumonia that would ultimately worsen to tuberculosis primary complex because of this practice).  I enjoyed the wackiness of the game, realistic units and scenarios mixed with out-of-this-world units and scenarios.  Actors playing cut scenes and briefs.  Mind controls.  A hot commando beauty.  Suicide bombers.  Time travel.   Battle on the Moon.  Giant squids and dolphins.  Hollywood actors joining the fray.  Just lots of craziness and fun.    Plus, an actually creative and enjoyable story.

 RA 2’s level of strategy is always a welcome break for me from the more complex strategical gameplay of Starcraft (which requires a high level of strategical thinking, as with Warcraft III and Stronghold, two other games I also find requires high level of strategical thinking).  I’m not saying you don’t need strategy to win in RA 2, it’s is just that the strategy and unit management required in Starcraft are more complicated.  You also have to be creative in an RA 2 combat, but there is also a good chance you can luck out a win.

Britain’s Sniper   

    Allied’s Great Britain was my early favorite because of the sniper.  Britain had been always the country I was greatly fond of, thus it was the country I chose in my first RA 2 game.  I was against an AI Cuba (Easy mode of course).  I had scattered my snipers, dramatically putting them beside trees (as if they can be perfectly invisible), some few inches (in my computer screen’s perspective) apart.  The snipers easily took out any advancement of the enemy’s conscripts and terrorists.  I was ecstatic.  From what I remember, I was not able to finish that game since my time was up.  I just spent building defenses and amassing my forces without actually going on offense.
    

The next game, I was now against a classmate.  I pick Britain.  He picked US.  With small groups of snipers, I easily picked off his idle Tanyas and GIs early on.  I won that game, but the snipers were only a small part of the victory. Later, prism tanks and aircraft carriers won that game for me.

God bless Korea – the power of the Black Eagles!!!  Small blitzkriegs.    
    

I had always picked Allied whenever I play.  I find them more advantageous back then and seems to be stronger (that’s before I experience the outrageous strength of a flood of Apocalypses… more on that later).  The Allies have Spy Satellite to reveal the map completely, Spies that are effective against computer opponents (worthless against human opponents), Rocketeers to take down the greatest threat of the Soviet which is the Kerov airship (again, before I realized the wrath of Apocalypses), and the collective strength of Prism technology.  So I had alternated between the Allied countries whenever I play.  Then, I started to lean more on France (Grand Canon) and Korea (Black Eagle).  I found my sync with Korea.
    

Grand Canon is very valuable in defense.  Several of them (I forgot the max) plus prism towers, toss in a few pillboxes to slow down the opposition, makes a base almost impossible to penetrate.  But defense would not win games.   I was more of a “blitzkrieg” guy (the “building up forces before one big attack” philosophy which I do sometimes would take too much time, thus too much money spent for the game.  Small blitz are more effective for me.).  I do small attacks.  Small raids.  I rush early in the game sometimes.  I initiate fast pace games.  I only slow down the tempo when I am a) want to enjoy a long game; b) I have enough money to pay for a long game; and c) I am confident I would win.

But most of the time I have the mentality to make a quick game of it, either from a Grizzly Tank rush (hopefully, would work after the opponent made the mistake of putting his initial free tanks and troops away from the construction yard) or an Engineer rush (the opponent making the mistake of not training an attack dog early).  If not, then I would settle with small raids.  Swarms of Rocketeers, occasional attack of Harriers, small battalions of GIs or tanks (with an IFV with a few engineers in it; an opening might happen for a “capture building, sell” move), etc.  Whatever it takes to harass the opponent; delaying his training and building of units and buildings.  Each raid should at least do small but significant damages that would put the opponent out of his equilibrium (an addition of trash talk to psyche him out would give extra help).  Later on, these small raids had done the collective damage.  Not enough defenders to fend off those Rocketeers or tanks I sent as each one dies I already sent another one to replace it.  Already too delayed and forces too weakened, the continual pouring of Rocketeers/paradrops of GIS/tanks would finish the opponent.    So with this kind of game mentality, the Black Eagle was suited for me.         

And boy how I love what the Black Eagles can do.  Tougher and stronger than Harriers, they can do quick damages with quick coordinated raids.  I usually have numbers 6 to 0 of the keyboard as five squadrons of Black Eagles.  Often, the enemy would just surrender after receiving too much damage (and delay) or his Construction Yard got destroyed from Black Eagles.  Some opponents would concentrate too much on land defenses that air defenses are so weak, thus easily exploited from a swarm of Black Eagles squadrons.  At the start, these raids only consists of 4 or 8 Black Eagles, continuing the air raids as soon as a casualty is replaced and the remaining planes reloaded.  Later, I would have squadrons swarming (as I’ve said “numbers 6 to 0 of the keyboard”) the enemy base coming from different directions to evade anti-air units’ damage of the enemy.  If this attack is successful, the Construction Yard and the War Factory or Baracks would simultaneously be destroyed.  Assured victory.  If the enemy is still stubborn to give up, more bombings and a final clean-up by my tanks (usually, at this part of the game will only be the first time the tanks would move from camp; in my “Black Eagle” mentality the tanks are for majority of the game just for defense, and a few for small raids if I saw an opening).    Small maps are an advantage to my Black Eagle strategy since they will have shorter trips – quicker return trips and quicker raids.  Moreover, if there are Superweapons in play, the Black Eagles are doubly invaluable.  The downside in Black Eagles are it is difficult to control them when you have to use them against a mass of enemy land units; picking each plane to target a specific enemy unit.

I owe most of my victories in RA 2 to the Black Eagles.  In fact, if I remember it right I was never defeated when I chose Korea in RA 2 (but I have one loss in Yuri’s Revenge while using Korea… because of one stupid mistake in my part that cost me the game, though it still took an hour after that mistake until I was fully defeated).  

As I’ve said I preferred the Allied technology over the Soviet and pick Korea for the Black Eagles to win quick games.  Usually, there are more chances of me getting defeated when the game lasts for more than an hour.  The “blitzing” strategy works for me.  Lightning war.  Constant raids.  Just like constant attacks of Lightning Storms made by the Weather Machine.

Could it be the Reds actually have the advantage?  Isn’t the game called “Red” Alert?
   

 I had always thought that the Allies are more advantageous in short games, and that the Soviet are more advantageous in late games.  But according to Wikipedia: “In general, the Soviet faction is superior in the early game and in land wars because of their very powerful and advanced tanks, while the Allied faction is better in the late game with more advanced units, in naval warfare. In particular, the Soviets are better for early game rushes, which are very common in online games.  The Allies tend to be better at longer games and/or big maps because they are more suited to ‘turtling’ but the Soviets are usually better at shorter games and/or smaller maps because they are more suited to ‘rushing’. While the Soviets are more suited to rushing, the base defenses they have are arguably inferior to Allied ones.”

Hmmm.  Is that so?      Soviet for tank rushes?  There is truth in this. Soviet tanks are tough.  But when a player, using the Allies, effectively builds his defenses early on, any tank attacks can be easily fend off.  I already mentioned that the Allies had stronger defense, and in my experience I used the “turtling” (search the meaning in the Net, if you don’t know) to make the game quick.  The defense is for depleting enemy forces so the enemy starts to weaken and later on wouldn’t be able to fend off effectively my raiding parties, ultimately leading to my victory.  Plus, I had said that smaller maps were to the advantage of my Black Eagle strategy.  And since this strategy works, I often use the Allies (Korea).

And the Soviet are better in long games, as I experienced.  How can Allied units stop more than a hundred Apocalypse tanks backed with hundreds of Terrordrones?  Plus, tens and tens of Kerovs, with more than a hundred Flak Trucks closely near them to defend the Kerovs from racketeers?  Even if the Allies has also more than a hundred Prism Tanks (though it would insure victory if you ever reach the enemy’s base since Prism Tanks are very effective against buildings, but you have to pass the Apocalypses and Terrordrones first) and Mirage Tanks and IFVs, the Soviet’s toughness would win.  Hundreds of units I say?  It is not at all impossible in Red Alert 2, as long as you have the resources.  There is a technique that would allow you to build units and structures real quick.  No, it is not a cheat.  I only learned this in high school when a friend and I saw someone doing this technique.  Of course, I would not reveal the secret here.  But believe me, hundreds and hundreds of units is possible in a long RA 2 game.

So with this new revelation, I started to appreciate the great advantage of the Soviet – the Apocalypse.  In long games, the Apocalypse is unstoppable.

That’s why when we played later on, we always prefer the Unholy Alliance.  Thus, we both have Soviet and Allied advantages.  Build hundreds of units before finally battling it off.  Such games took hours, with no clear winners.

Yuri’s Revenge

   The gameplay gets more complicated in the expansion pack.  Yuri is outrageously powerful.  The Allied finally have the Battle Fortress to make the Soviet’s Apocalypse puny.  Guardian GIs are great upgrades that you can now do with just a few Rocketeers.  Soviet has Boris to the Allied’s Tanya. 
  

 I had two losses to a friend in Yuri’s Revenge.  This friend I had once beaten three times with my “blietzkrieg” strategy (Rocketeers swarm, Black Eagles raid, and a Conscript counter-attack after his unsuccessful Rhino Tank rush) in 20 minutes.  The first loss with him was my first loss while using Korea.  Indeed, I was cocky on that first loss.  I made a long game out of it, instead of striking fast as I usually do.  I was confident I would win.  But I made the mistake of pressing the T button twice.  He dropped some Paradrops of Initiates (he was Yuri) in a blind spot (no defense) of my base.  I intended to press T – to select across screen – on my IFVs.  But I pressed it twice and all IFVs in the map was selected, as I moved them to meet the dropping Initiates.  It left my Construction Yard and War Factory open for his Yuri Prime to control them and sell them.  Thus, I was left with no tank units.  I was left with building troops and Black Eagle raids.  I was still able to “turtle” for more than an hour before being defeated by those Yuri flying saucer units.  Yuri is just too tough.   I won the next game we played, with the same choice of nations, he was Yuri and I was Korea.  This time, I used my “blitzkrieg” strategy to make him surrender.  (Some few games later he would beat me again… with Apocalypses.)

Red Alert 3

Finally, this new game came up to continue the Command & Conquer: Red Alert franchise.  I want to play it, but I had not yet seen it in this parts (Internet cafes here stopped installing new games and just settle with DOTA).   I’ve read the reviews and saw some videos.  Japan’s units – samurais with lightsabers, transforming vehicles, and mecha – are so cool.  Moreover, more cute girls in this game.  It would be nice if I could get the chance to play RA 3.  With the fun I derived from RA 2, RA 3 would probably extend the enjoyment more.  RA is not the most complicated or most challenging game I had played, but it was a favorite because of the level of fun it can give.

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Iran Weapons Crisis

Iran’s nuclear program is something worth bothering about.  Sure, there is still no actual working nuclear weapon available in Iran.  But they do have enriched uranium for energy production - for "peaceful programs", as they claim. Moreover, they had already developed rocket technology that have long-radius range and are still working for rockets that can go further (see the image at the left).  It doesn’t take a genius CIA analyst to see where this is going.  (Besides, uranium for generation of electricity?!  Ha!  Doesn’t Iran have all the oil they need for that?)

Will the United Nations this time enforce their rules and regulations or remain passive as what they did with Iraq (which forced the US [Bush] to take the matter at their own hands)?  A deeper question: will a now liberal-governed US be able to take the initiative to pressure (even if it have to go to the point that it is necessary to insert military pressure) Iran in abandoning their WMD aspirations?  (This is no longer the Kennedy-era Democrats who can play hard ball… this is a political power-hungry “morally and intellectually bankrupt” – as David Limbaugh said – Democrat Party in the US today)

This is a different era than the Cold War.  At least, back then, the MAD (mutual assured destruction) gives an uncomfortable but effective impasse to stop the world from being blown up “ten times over.”  At least, we can trust the Soviets and the Americans not to mess the equilibrium because they are a more “practical” bunch – both are scared of upsetting the balance.  Now, we have Iran and North Korea with nukes. And WMDs at the hands of this type of countries – which are unpredictable and has the potential to just snap to insanity (thus fearing nothing) – is definitely scary.

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The Vampire Allegory

You vowed to fight them.
Slay them.
To protect yourself and others.
You hunt them or they’ll be the ones that would do the hunting.
Then comes a day you realize… that you had become like them.
That’s the most painful thing about getting bitten.  When you become the evil you hate.

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Initial Analyses of the Candidates for the 2010 Presidential Election

Hit the proper age.  Check.  Register as a voter.  Check.  Pick the presidential candidate.  Check.  All ready.  I’m now all set to send Francis “Chiz” Escudero to the Malacañang Palace.  Uh, what?  Escudero’s out of the race? Bummer.
     

So with my man Escudero not running this election, I have to pick a new bet on this first national election that I’ll be able to exercise my right of suffrage.   Let’s get this straight, I am a patriot.  I do love my country, though I make fun of it sometimes.  I might joke of getting excited of finally being able to vote to get rich from all those candidates’ bribe money, but in truth, I would never allow anybody to buy my vote (“Owwws”).  My pride is not worth it (“Owwws”).  I am not going to do something that would make me in the same league with these power-addicted politicians that have no set of morals! (“Owwws.  Mega hypocrite.”)
    

Anyway, I do research on this people running for president.  I watch the TV specials/forums/debates of the presidentiables (finding out these guys are nearly as interesting and funny as those outrageous and crazy nuisance candidates when they file their candidacies).  I surf their sites.  Look at their achievements and platforms.  Not as if I care what they achieved or what they claim to do if elected president.  It’s just a way on trying to figure out these candidates.  There’s no way we could really know these people. They all wear masks.  But in an initial way, I could make an initial analysis on these candidates to help me pick my candidate.

So in no particular order, here are my analyses…

Joseph Ejercito Estrada (“Erap”) – Partido ng Masang Pilipino
    

Let’s start with the “People’s President.”   He’s soooooooo popular with the people.  People love him.  Are Filipinos really suckers for movie stars turned politicians?  He won in the 1998 elections even though it was claimed the government was rigging the election for Jose De Venecia to win (The late FPJ was not able to do so against PGMA and Garci’s rigging in the 2004 elections).      And even if he was kicked out of his stint as president back in 2001, he’s still mighty popular.  The name Estrada ensured the victory of his wife Loi and son Jinggoy in the Senate.

Sure, he talks and acts like an idiot most of the time, but he has a good track record as mayor.  And during his short run as president, the Philippine economy was turned from a negative growth (inherited from Ramos) to a 6% growth by 2000 (Yeah.  Yeah.  I still think the momentum was set by Ramos for that growth, but it was, take note, two years after Ramos left.).   Another thing I liked about when Erap was president was he went on all out war against the Islamic terrorists (I refuse to call them freedom-fighters, they are definitely not!) and crushing the MILF (when he was kicked out and PGMA took over, the MILF regain their strength).   I never liked People Power 2 (the first PP was justifiable because it was against a dictatorship, but in Erap’s case, there is no “secret police” or martial law that can hinder a proper process).  If a president has to be removed, it should undergo due process.  That’s what an impeachment trial is all about.  (Erap’s lawyers kick the butts of Joker Arroyo and his colleagues.)

Erap’s “Erap Para Sa Mahirap” slogan gives the illusion that he was once poor.  Give the fact that he never graduated in college and the illusion is complete, as if he did not complete college because of poverty.  But actually in reality, Erap was from a rich family.
    

All things considered, I will not vote for Erap in this election.  He’s better off returning to the movies.  By his insistence of running himself in this election, instead of supporting a candidate (like Chiz, maybe), what I see is not someone that has the burden on wanting to continue serving the country after being “interrupted.”  What I can see is someone addicted to power.
    

Another point against him is he’s old! He’s, I think, 73 years old.  Would you want a president that talks and walks like that?  And someone, though not convicted “without reasonable doubt” (yeah, I also think the trial for plunder was rigged), has a tarnish of scandal?  Hell, no.  Never.

Eduardo Villanueva (“Bro. Eddie”) – Bangon Pilipinas Movement
    

Let’s get it straight.  I am a Christian.  What you call Born-Again.  So, you can say I am in the same religious wavelength with Bro. Eddie.  Some Christians would blindly vote for him because they say that he is righteous and that what we need is a righteous leader that would change the corrupt political system.  I am not one of them.  I believe I am not alone among the evangelical community that would not vote for him.  We are forgetting one thing:  he is a preacher of the Gospel and it would destroy his testimony if he seeks office.
    

As my father pointed out, Jesus Christ himself did not at all seek political power to correct the corruption and injustice in the political system back then (that was not his mission, he was here for something more important).  He actually ran away when some wants to make him a political leader.  He was only interested in what really matters: the Good News.  So when you are a Christian preacher or teacher, you teach about what really matters, you teach about Jesus whom you know and love.  Nothing else matters.  What is happening right now is Bro. Eddie is now, instead, “preaching” about himself.  I find it uncomfortable when he is being claimed as the “Pag-asa ng Bayan.”  (As Christians, Jesus is our only hope).  Moreover, I find it uncomfortable that the resources and machinations of the “Jesus Is Lord” denomination are being used to promote, not Christ anymore, but Eddie Villanueva.  Their Sunday shows on Sunday mornings in GMA-7 are now used for Bro. Eddie promotions and propaganda. The gospel is lost.  It really shatters Christian testimony.  It seems they force the message of “Gospel=The Rise of the Philippines as an Economical and Power=God’s chosen one is Bro. Eddie Villanueva.”   For my fellow Christians, please, we should all go back to the basics.  Sure, it is not wrong to love your country.  It is not wrong to pray for our country.  But we should remember that we are Christians-first and Filipinos-second.  Our Christian purpose is paramount.  The Kingdom we belong in is not of this world.
    

And that’s just another thing what I think is wrong with Bro. Eddie.  He acts as a “Filipino-first and Christian-second.”  His love for his country is more than his love for his God.  We can see that on his answers on the TV forums.  He is afraid to proclaim his faith would be his guiding force when he makes national decisions.  A good Christian national leader should not be afraid or ashamed to admit that he will be on his knees praying to his God when tackling difficult national matters even if he will be ridiculed or be accused of being biased of his faith and morality when deciding national issues (The guy I am talking about is, guess what, George W. Bush.  Surprised he’s a Christian?).  Another thing is when Bro. Eddie went to the wake of Iglesia Ni Cristo’s patriarch Eraño Manalo.  What is he thinking?  He’s acting like a politician, playing the game like on the world’s terms.  He’s courting for INC’s support.  To add more damage he talked of Manalo as a great spiritual leader.  What the - ?   Hello?!  The God you are preaching about is different from the God they believe in (Don’t give me that “we all have the same God with different names”-crap.  Totally naïve.)  The God that became man to die for your sins is not God to them but a mere human.  Come on.  Isn’t that an insult to the God you love?  Just for the sake of getting their nods, you’ll kiss their… whatever.  It’s a job for politicians.  You’re a Christian leader, not a politician.
    

Being an activist before he became a Christian, I think being a radical Filipino patriot is really integrated in him.  His heart probably sincerely aches of immorality, corruption, poverty, and injustices in our country.  He really wanted to make a change.  I do respect him.  But I wish he realizes that he is doing a more effective way in combating these evils in a heavenly perspective as Christian evangelist.  Promoting God as the only answer.  It is a more blessed calling.
    

We can never really judge him. What if God really did call him?  If, indeed, God calls him to be a president, well, surely he’ll win.  If God is with him, who can be against him?  But if he just decided to run because of his burden as a patriotic Filipino that wants the Philippines to prosper… well, he’ll lose.  Maybe by losing, he’ll realize what really matters most in his life: God, and not the prosperity of his country.
    

For now, my stand is I will not vote for him.  My mind would change if these things would happen: 

a.)  He will start acting as a “Christian-first, Filipino-second.” I am not against a Christian going into politics, I am against a Christian, who thinks that changing the country and the political system for its economic and moral revival is the gospel, going into politics.   
b.)  He’ll leave as the leader of JIL and would separate himself from the denomination in identity.  

c.)  His campaigning would not be run by JIL funds and machinations and TV time (Sundays are for preaching the gospel and not campaign ads).  

d.) And the most important part, if God calls me to vote for him, I would.

John Carlos de los Reyes (“JC”) – Ang Kapatiran
    

Excuse me, who?  A national nobody.  This guy actually thinks he’ll win?
    

Well, when I first heard his name I did pay attention to him to know this nobody.  Could he also be a charismatic youngblood (like Chiz)?  He seems to claim he is the representative of the “youth.”  But I found out he’s not at all charismatic.  Not at all articulate and cannot construct his thoughts well.  He’s so nervous in those TV specials for the presidentiables and seems so close to crying.  Like, startle him with a “Boo!” and he’ll break down crying.
    

Did he ever think that the youth votes would go to him when Escudero decided not to run?  I don’t think so (Those youths that are mesmerized by Chiz’s fluency and youthful intelligence would find it in Gibo among the remaining candidates, thus it is probable that the votes will go his way, and never de los Reyes’).
JC’ll never win.  I promise to eat this laptop I am writing this essay on if he ever won.
  

Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal-Valade (“Jamby”) – Independent
    

If I hadn’t researched, I wouldn’t have discovered her complete name.  I am actually amused she decided to run as independent for the presidency.  Makes us wonder what is going on her mind.  Is she crazier than Miriam Defensor-Santiago, or she just has the Messiah Complex to save the Philippines from the evil known as Manny Villar?

She is part of an elite family, but is more known having a "palangkera"-attitude (very Miriam).  She is almost like Miriam  (but Miriam is still more entertaining) who have some short bursts of insane and sharp-tongued comments or attacks but, nonetheless, being a fearless, smart and knowledgeable legislator.
    

I won’t really vote for her, though I joke I would and hope she would win.  Is insanity a ground for impeachment?  If she won, and Mar Roxas won as VP, she would be impeached and someone decent would be president.
    

Enough about her.  I never really bothered taking her seriously.  (Though I would had voted for her if she had run for the Senate instead... like I would vote for Miriam.  The Senate is fun with them in it.)

Manuel B. Villar (“Manny”) – Nacionalista Party
    

The greatest advantage of Villar is his “rags-to-riches” story.  Someone who was poor once, but through “sipag at tiyaga” (hard-work and diligence) became a multi-millionaire who can burn lots of money for TV ads jingles that get stuck at children’s heads (if you are an elementary pupil and you don’t memorize the song, you’re not in).  Yeah, his catchy TV ad is the reason he is closing the gap between him and top-survey Noynoy.  But, remember, catchy as Villar’s TV ad is, just the same as the regular catchy TV ads for products, they are designed to hypnotize you to buy the product and when you finally do, you’ll realize it was all hyperbole and lots of bull.
    

Villar might be accused of corruption (the c-5 extension scandal) but he does have an admirable record.  Starting out as a fish vendor, he financed his education, became a CPA and then became a successful entrepreneur and founding a vast property conglomerate.  He became a congressman and Speaker, and during his stint created two major cities, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa, which are now strong business hubs.  He was also a Senate President when he became senator.  He has promoted entrepreneurship programs and built housing projects.  With his success in business and politics, he does have the capability.  Give Villar his dues, not all of his boastings in his ads are empty.
    

But will I vote for him?  Ah.  He’s still not my candidate.  His life story really appealed to me, as well as his political warmth and charm and his managerial skills to get where he is now.  But the C-5 scandal keeps nagging at me (watched the Villar segment in “Failon Ngayon” in ABS-CBN).  Why wouldn’t he face it in the Senate if he is indeed innocent?  Instead, he does not go to work anymore just to avoid the issue?  Villar could have been a nice guy at some time, but I think he is among the ones who are already corrupted by power and was tempted to use a position for personal gain.  It’s hard to trust someone who has the potential to steal money when he is on top.  There might be a slight chance I would still vote for him, but for now, no, I would not vote for Villar.  Maybe I would consider voting for him if he do some silly dance in a campaign ad like what he did in 2007 Senate elections (really, Villar dancing with that smile of his was so funny).

Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. (“Gibo”) – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
   

 “Galing at talino” is Gibo’s slogan.  It’s not at all empty words.  He’s smart and competent.  It shows.  When he’s on those TV forums, he gives clear answers on the issues and questions thrown at him.  Among the candidates, he is the one, I can observe, which have a focused vision if elected.  As I’ve said, he’s intelligence and fluency might get those youth votes that were meant for Escudero.     
      

He was a bar topnotcher.  He has some solid education from Harvard.  He has deep experience from being a corporate lawyer, a congressman, and as the youngest defense secretary in Philippine history.  According to the profile I read about him, he brings to his job “youthful dynamism, a civilian perspective, and blue-chip pedigree.”  He’s fresh and tough.
    

I was actually considering voting for him.  He impressed me with his intelligence, articulation, and focus.  But I am not still sure.  Though he has the integrity (that’s why the Administration pick him as their bet), he will always be PGMA’s lackey.  It’s a scary thought.  PGMA as Prime Minister (if her diabolical plan of being elected as congressman and then spearheading a cha-cha to make her PM) having a hold on a President Gibo.   Scary.  Gibo might not be corrupt but he’s surrounded with people who are, especially his boss.  If he wins, the same people behind the current administration that runs this government will remain in power.  Thus, all this factors considered, I am wary of voting for him.  

Nicanor Jesus Pineda Perlas III (“Nicky”) – Partido ng Bansang Marangal
    

He actually has an impressive bio-data.  But he’s too ambitious if he ever thinks he has a chance of winning.  He’s a known environmentalist that wants to legalize divorce in the Philippines – that alone put his chances of winning the presidency from to 0.00000001% to full oblivion.

He was already dismissed as a nuisance at first, but because of the Court, he was returned back to the race.  It was better off if he stayed disqualified, saving him a painful loss as - possibly - the last placer in the election.

He's intelligent but a non-factor.

Richard Juico Gordon (“Dick”) – Bagumbayan Movement  
    

Among all the candidates he has the best, tested and proven, administrative skills.  He did not really do anything special as senator, but his true talent is not in the legislative branch but in the executive branch.  His optimistic spirit and quick-action mentality are big pluses.  He did wonders with Subic, and he is an effective Red Cross chairman.  With what he did and his experience with Subic and the Philippine Red Cross might just make him a good president.
    

I could vote for him.  Having him as president – someone that could deal with crises immediately and effectively, that could improve economic status of a city, and act in a disciplined and focused manner – could make dramatic changes for a country.  But I am not committing anything.  He’s really not that popular and we are not really assured if he will be an effective national government leader as much as he is as a local government leader.

Benigno S. Aquino III (“Noynoy”) – Liberal Party  
    

I really can’t find anything special in him, or any special thing he did in the government.  He’s just the son of the legend in the 500 peso bill, the son of a former president that was also a symbol of democracy, and the brother of the Philippine’s greatest product endorser (only rivaled by Manny Pacquiao).  That’s it.
    

I admire his father, Ninoy Aquino Jr.; he was intelligent, articulate, charismatic, and a noble patriot.  If Noynoy inherited his father’s strengths, in a blink of an eye, I would vote for him.  Unfortunately, he did not have his father’s strengths.  Though I think of his mother, Cory, as an incompetent and overrated president, I would give it to her that she was a symbol of democracy and an inspiration to nationalism.  Noynoy is also a symbol… but only a symbol of being an Aquino.  People just see him as the son of Filipino legends, not as a person, an illusionary symbol on what his parents stood for.
    

He is also accused of being lazy and not taking his job seriously, often being late on his appointments and work.  I don’t know if it’s true, but it’s minus points for him.
    

His platform of government is cannibalized from Mar Roxas, whom is actually equipped and understands most, if not all, of the issues of the land (Mar is my second choice, but unfortunately, he also decided not to run for president to give way for, ugh, Noynoy) .  At the forums in TV, he delivers unsatisfactory answers, makes me question if he really knows what he’s doing or what he’s going to do if elected.   

“Hindi ako magnanakaw” he promises… Mmm.  Maybe he wouldn’t for the sake of the honors of the name Aquino.  But it doesn’t make him invulnerable to temptation.
He’s actually the frontrunner in the surveys, so it is very probable he would win.  Hmmm.  If he wins and, mmm, somehow, something happens to him, that would make Mar president!  A good scenario.  Morbid thoughts.  Just kidding.  Anyway, if he wins, I hope he surrounds himself with smart and honorable men to advise him.  Give Mar an important designation.  Maybe even asking those guys that run for President and Vice-President to help him.  He could steal Gibo from PGMA’s clutches, put Bayani Fernando as DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) head, Gordon or Jojo Binay in DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), Perlas as DENR secretary, etc.  That may go well.

*     *     *

    

So who would I ultimately vote for then?  I got no candidate to support yet.  But there’s still a few months left till Election Day, enough time for me to think who would deserve to be president.  Who knows, maybe one of them would pay me a hundred K to vote for him.

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Chaos Theory and God's Sovereignty

One of the most interesting subjects I ever encountered is Chaos Theory. Chaos Theory studies dynamic systems that are highly chaotic in behavior which makes these systems very hard to predict. The reason of these systems' chaotic behavoir is their sensitivity to initial conditions, which is more popularly known as the "butterfly effect." Very cool, eh? Actually, Chaos Theory is a complicated area of study of physics, mathematics, and philosophy and I really do not know the whole picture of it and I definitely don't understand the math of Chaos Theory. But in my simple basic understanding of the Chaos Theory, I can see the truths and the beauty of it.

Let me explain this in my simple understanding.

Let us say that there are two types of systems or behavior: simple and complicated. Simple systems are such that can easily be solved or predicted by the use of linear equations. Examples are simple physics problem regarding Galileo's cannonballs or some billiard balls. These are easily predicted by the use of some basic equations. Second, the complex systems. These systems are very chaotic in behavior that it seems to be random, thus it's difficult or impossible to make predictions. The most perfect example of this is weather (actually Chaos Theory was initially designed to understand weather). Other chaotic behavior is found in the human behavior, air moving under a wing, economics, etc. The reason of this is these systems are sensitive to initial factors. The "butterfly effect" comes to play ("a butterfly flaps its wings in China, causing a hurricane in the US."). A small variable can cause big dominoe effects that ultimately affect the output behavior in a big way. Let us compare the simple and complex system. In the simple system's cannonball, if a cannonball is fired, and then a second cannonball is fired after it - with the same weight, same speed, same startng place, same angle - basic mathematical linear equation can predict that the second cannonball would fall at the place where the first cannon ball fell. Now in the complex system's weather, have a weather system start with a particular temperature, particular wind speed, particular humidity, and then start another weather system with the same temperature, same wind speed, and same humidity, the second weather system would have a different result than the first; the first weather system may result in a typhoon, the second may result in a sunny day. Why is this? It is because these systems are very sensitive to small variables, thus there could be a teeny-weeny difference ("a butterfly flapping its wings") between the two systems that made the big difference in the outputs. That is a simplified explanation for us laymen. (Note: the illustrations are basic Michael Crichton illustrations :>)

Chaos Theory tries to define these small variations (small "butterflies") and find hidden regularities in these complex random systems. Thus, there could be actually small patterns that would help predict the bigger picture.

And, also, back to the "simple systems." Yes, these type of problems are easily solved. But these simple systems can also commit chaotic behavior in the long run. Let's use billiard balls as examples (another Crichton illustration). Newtonian Laws can predict their behavior in a pool table. Know the mass of the ball, the angle, the force to hit it, and all that factors, and you can predict where it will end up... in theory. But then, in the long run, tiny variables like imperfections in the surface of the ball or minor indentions of the table , all these small variables accumulating in the long run, would cause the ball the behave away from the basic Newtonian calculations.

Thus, in a comprehensive summary that I always say to describe Chaos Theory: "Chaos Theory says, 'Complex systems, though as if acting randomly, have an underlying order in it. And simple systems, though can easily be predicted in theory, can produce complex behavior.'"

As we apply this in our daily life, we realize that society, the world, the universe is consisted of many complex systems interacting - complex systems that are prone to behave or actually behaving in chaos. Tiny variables can affect the overall picture. The reality that we live in have many potential bombs that can go off. Murphy's Law will always apply. An infinity of things can go wrong. Everything, in an overall picture, is actually behaving in a complex manner, everything is dynamic, always changing, every behavior is hard to predict and understand. Creation and life are so very complex, very very complex, that it is impossible for us mere humans to completely understand it all. Spider's weaving their webs, the systems of organs and chemicals working together in a living thing, planets revolving around suns, the mind's qualities, the flow of history, economics, the sensitivity of the ecosystem, the unpredictably of an individual's psyche... indeed, everything in our reality our behaving in a complex manner. Countless complex systems that consist a bigger Complex System. How can this overall Complex System, which does not only consists of small "butterfly effect" variables but consists of countless complex systems, actually function if just one tiny variable may actually bring in the end of the cosmos?

With the complete complexity of life and creation which is impossible for us humans to completely understand and predict and with millions of small things that easily affect these systems, it can be easily proven that there is a Creator. There is a God.  Life and creation are just too much complicated to exist on their own.  There must be a Powerful Someone whom designed these complex creations and keep them from falling apart.

Let's choose one topic that we can apply Chaos Theory principles and prove the argument: Creation. Now so-called "great logical" scientists say that there is no God and that everything just happened. I find this very outrageous. How can these complex systems around us "just happened"? Isn't it more logical to think that A Great Power designed such complex systems? Life and creation is just too complex to "just happen." Let's continue with the argument. Let us say, hypothetically, there are many many factors that are needed to interact with each other, in specific appropriate times, in specific appropriate external or environmental conditions, to Create. Now, these "know-it-all" scientists claim that the existence of everything - time, matter, life, etc. - are nothing but accumulation of chance events; that these many many factors just suddenly interacted, in the appropriate times, and in the appropriate external or environmental condition, on their own by chance... by accidental accumulation and simultaneous happening of chance events. What are the odds that all of this happened by accident, by simultaneous and accumulated chance events? The odds on this argument that everything existed by chance is like a tornado htting a car in Sydney, disassembling it, and then reassembling the parts back together in the Australian Outback. An impossibilty. Logic fails this argument. It is more believable that a Creator made everything - time, matter, life, etc. - to exist and the factors that they call "simultaneous and accumuated chance events" are made possible by the Creator; that there is a Creator that guided and willed for these "many many factors to interact with each other, in specific appropriate times, and specific appropriate external or environmental conditions" to create Creation.

So, indeed, with the complexity of life and creation, claiming that there is no God that created them is very illogical and stupid. Definitely, there is a God that created and designed these complex systems.

Now we determined that there is a God, the second thing to determine is what kind of God is he, by the use of Chaos Theory basic principles. If we claim that there is a God that created everything, definitely it is already given that He is a powerful God that can create something from nothing. But we can appreciate more how powerful He really is by the complexity of Creation. Countless complex systems are interacting in Creation (the Complex System). For every complex system to work, that is very sensitive to small factors, and for the overall Complex System to be in constant existence, this God must be a hands-on God. Nothing happens by accident in His Complex System. Everything would definitely happen by His will. If we claim that God just Created and left Creation on its own, these complex systems would easily go into complete chaos, and everything will go into complete destruction. Thus, we can conclude that not only did God created the Complex System, but in such a System in which millions of things can go wrong in its own, He is always in control and everything happens by His will.

God is a Sovereign God. By Life and Creation, He proved this. It is plain arrogance and stupidity if we limit what God can do. He is always in control and can do anything He wills. We can never ever understand the complete complexity of Life and Creation. But by undestanding in small ways, by using such scientific/mathematical/philosophical methods like Chaos Theory that can understand complex systems of Life and Creation in its small limited ways, we become more in awe of the complexity and beauty of the Complex System, and ultimately realize how big, how powerful, how creative, how great God is.

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