Saturday, August 30, 2008
12 LITTLE THINGS EVERY FILIPINO CAN DO
No. 1 - Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.
No. 2 - Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.
No. 3 - Don't buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino.
No. 4 - When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positivelyabout us and our country.
No. 5 - Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.
No. 6 - Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly.Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.
No. 7 - Support your church.
No. 8 - During elections, do your solemn duty.
No. 9 - Pay your employees well.
No. 10 - Pay your taxes.
No. 11 - Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
No. 12 - Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the lawand love our country.
I bet you're wondering what this is all about.
It's about a little book, "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country," 105 pages, written by Alexander Lacson, 40, a lawyer by profession, a UP graduate, College of Law Class 1996, with postgraduate studies at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Four years ago, he and his wife Pia had a serious discussion about migrating to the US or Canada because the Philippines appeared hopeless as it only got worse year after year. They asked themselves this question: “Will the Philippines progress in the next 20 years?” If the answer was yes, they’d stay. If no, they would leave and relocate.
After a long discussion, they could not give a definite answer to the question, until they realized that the answer to that question is actually in them. They also realized that the answer is in us as a people, that hope is in us as a people.
Since then, Alexander and Pia decided to do more for their country. Thus, this book — one way of their ways of doing more for the country.
I won't go into details here, for these 12 basic steps are self-explanatory but the author's arguments are valid and his recommendations, feasible. Get a copy. It's a quick read and besides, you may be inspired to become a part of the solution to alleviate our country's ills.
And If you agree with what this book says as doable, buy one for a friend, and then request that friend to give a copy as well to another friend. Come to think of it, our balikbayan friends and relatives should buy some copies to bring back as pasalubong to our compatriots abroad.
To buy copies, you may call at these telephone numbers: 840-0338 to 41.
You may also contact the author via email: alacsonph@yahoo.com
I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.
Thank you!
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Labels: Featured book, Featured Writer
posted by Señor Enrique at 10:45 AM
71 Comments:
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said... 12 little things that mean a lot, 12 little things that can make a big, big difference...
thanks for sharing the story behind the book, senor enrique. i'll definitely get a copy :)-
Señor Enrique said... My pleasure, Juleste. Actually, just found out about it the other day; I was so intrigued that I bought a copy. A quick read but if heeded, it'll help make a fine human being out of all of us ... hehehe.
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said...
Amen!
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pusa said...
very true! discipline and respect, and learning that if we want change and a better phillipines we should start with 'us'
a simple act of throwing our candy wrappers in the trash bin can help-
Panaderos said...
When I was in Manila back in May of this year, I saw the author on tv when he guested on Jojo Alejar's talk show. He came across as a very sincere guy who just wanted to do the right things for the country.
Unfortunately, Mr. Alejar had another guest whose name I can't recall who did nothing but make a joking remark on each of the 12 points Mr. Lacson was discussing. If that other guest was trying to be funny, it certainly didn't work. Mr. Lacson's 12 things may seem like a challenge given the enormity of the problems our country is facing but they are certainly worth doing.-
Señor Enrique said...
Indeed, Anonymous ... and thank you!
About 40 years ago, a white woman wrote Malcolm X to say how much she supports civil rights, and that she wanted to join his movement. Malcoml X wrote her back to say that it was totally unnecessary, because she could just start at her own backyard. And just a couple of days ago, America saw the very first African-American nominated by a major political party as its presidential candidate.
Personally, I think if every Filipino willingly embodies these 12 simple thoughts and actions, we can see our country become truly great in a couple of decades.
As for our government leaders, well ... as the adage goes, "We cannot have a good government without good people." Thus, when every Filipino first changes himself for the better -- instead of pointing fingers at those "elected" officials -- so will our government :)-
Señor Enrique said...
That is right, Pusa! I am really astonished at the way some kids just throw their candy and gum wrappers on the very same spot they're standing on. And it appears to me that it is a more common practice amongst the residents of depressed areas; that is, even if their surroundings are pretty much litter-free. An acceptable behavior? Perhaps, the parents just haven't stressed enough about cleanliness.
People have to realize that the general appearance of their neighborhoods affect the overall well-being of the residents.
Last year, the photo I had taken of a broken street sign prompted me to post an article about it:
quote
I wish our city officials would soon realize how important it is to immediately fix or replace broken street signs, light bulbs in our lamp posts, potholes, or anything else that may somehow compromise the overall pleasant appearances of our neighborhoods. Stringent measures must also be adopted so as to prevent thefts of our manhole covers, street signage, lamp post parts, and etc.
In New York City, there is a common belief that broken stuff like windows that are left in disrepair only inspire those inclined toward petty crimes to commit further similar offenses -- graffitti, vandalism, littering, and etc. Consequently, procrastination or complete disregard only contributes to the inevitable decline of the general appearance of a neighborhood; worse, it reflects indifference or a nobody cares attitude by local residents, which in turn, encourage petty criminals to commit even more serious crimes such as burglary, mugging, assault, rape, and etc.
The New York Transit Authority once was confronted with what seemed to be an insurmountable dilemma with graffitti, vandalism, and public urination. Nonetheless, it was able to solve it effectively and for good when it adopted a Zero Tolerance policy.
The first step it implemented was to clean up and perform all necessary repairs on all subway cars and stations; even refusing to allow a subway car out of the yard even if only defaced with a single graffitti. Eventually, the city's efforts were rewarded with significant reduction in the amount of petty crimes on its subway system, as well as a drastic drop in incidences of violent crimes.
Perhaps, if applied locally, Manilenyos will begin to enjoy an even more pleasant city with no more darkened streets and missing road signs, as well as reduced chances of becoming crime victims.
unquote
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2007/09/zero-tolerance.html-
Señor Enrique said...
Firstly, Panaderos, if I were an author of substance, I'd be very wary of appearing on Jojo Alejar's talk show. Let's face it, the guy is no Letterman or Conan. But from what I surmise from your comment, Mr. Lacson handled himself well and able to accomplish his objective.
You're right, the country's problems are indeed enormous and appears to keep on growing as if exponentially; however, behind every problem is a person or group of persons. And if they are willing to change their attitudes for the better, then half the battle, as they say, is already won.
Technically speaking, these 12 little things aren't such arduous tasks. And they are, unarguably, "worth doing."-
nutart said...
I recall a book before (forgot the exat title)...a best seller and a bible of a lot of management people yata. I haven't really read it but my manager of a sister takes it with her everywhere. It is about the great-ness of small things. The title caught my attention and recall so I am once again in deja vu of 12 little things that this book talks about. I really commend Mr. lacson for printing such a book...however, some of the items that you mentioned is really for certain economic classes. I am thinking of whom to give it here but wala masyado. The neat thing about this book is that it can serve as a springboard to other 12 simple things that a fisherman/farmer or vegetable vendor or even tambay can do for his/her country and even be made proud of doing it. A lot of these people pay their taxes (mind you!) and vote when election comes but they may not be proud of it ;-).
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Señor Enrique said...
"The neat thing about this book is that it can serve as a springboard to other 12 simple things that a fisherman/farmer or vegetable vendor or even tambay can do for his/her country and even be made proud of doing it."
I've never thought of it, Bernadette, but what a swell idea! Yes ... why not?
Again, the basic idea here is for every citizen to change his consciousness for the better. Eventually, it'll yield positive results. I think this kind of thinking is an effective antidote against the "anger" that many people harbor within themselves whether they realize it or not.
By the way, the 12 little things as outlined by Mr. Lacson are but the norm in other countries. And this is the reason why our fellow Pinoys thrive even more in such, though foreign, settings.-
said...
"No. 10 - Pay your taxes."
And add a little prayer that your taxes are utilized the right way and not pocketed by unscrupulous politicians. :)
I agree with Bernadette that these 12 guidelines can serve as springboard for every Filipino to add to other guidelines.
However much as I don't want to sound cynical, I don't think every Filipino will be able to adopt these guidelines because, as Bernadette said, some of them are addressed to certain economic classes.
Setting up these guidelines is like skimming only the surface. It can't apply to poverty stricken families who survive on a meager P100 a day.
I'm not criticizing the book nor the author, Eric. What I only want to point out is - the problems of our country are rooted much, much deeper than problems on proper garbage disposal or obeying traffic rules or asking for receipts for your purchases. :)-
Señor Enrique said...
"I'm not criticizing the book nor the author, Eric. What I only want to point out is - the problems of our country are rooted much, much deeper than problems on proper garbage disposal or obeying traffic rules or asking for receipts for your purchases."
Am I to assume then that we shouldn't even try to do what is fundamentally right and good, and what is deemed standard behavior in other culture, Rhoda? If that were the case, and if your thought reflects that of the general public, then Rizal had the keen foresight to say: “It is enough for good people to do nothing, for evil people to succeed.”
The 12 little things as Mr. Lacson had pointed out, basically echo what was once taught in our public schools like "Good Manners and Right Conduct."
And sadly, there isn't much respect and courtesy going out there; anger rules. Thus, Little Thing No. 1.
I guess, the question here is: How are you looking at your own personal world? Half full or half empty? Because the way one sees the world (or his country) and the way he conducts himself while out there has a lot to do with the state of his consciousness.
As for the poverty you mentioned, I am one of those who truly believe that it is essentially a mental disease.
Here’s an excerpt of a Wealth Consciousness affirmation I found online, Open Your Arms to Receiving by Patricia J. Crane Ph.D.:
Did you know that there is enough money on this planet for everyone (yes, everyone) to have a million dollars? So why is it that Bill Gates has BILLIONS, others have a million, and others have only a small amount? The answer is simple: CONSCIOUSNESS.
Each of us has played out the beliefs from childhood about deservability and money to create whatever we have in our lives right at this moment. If all the billions on the planet were redistributed tomorrow and no one changed their consciousness about money, it would all be back to the same people in the same amounts in about six months. Are you willing to change your consciousness RIGHT NOW about what you deserve to receive?
Read more here:
http://www.affirmations-for-success.com/wealth-consciousness.html
Cheers!-
said...
I'm afraid you got me all wrong, Eric.
Anyhow, just one more point: How can the poor change their consciousness about money when they have NOTHING at all? Much like - paano mo iba-budget ang pera, kung wala ka namang perang iba-budget?
But I guess one cannot fully understand their plight - if one has never been in their shoes, right?
It's easy for us to say: Let's change, change our attitude for the better. But how can you say that to a person already born to poverty?
Peace. :)-
said...
P.S.
"I guess, the question here is: How are you looking at your own personal world? Half full or half empty? Because the way one sees the world (or his country) and the way he conducts himself while out there has a lot to do with the state of his consciousness."
I believe, Eric, that sometimes, you need to see the ugly side of things in order to appreciate the beautiful. You need to see that the glass is half empty so you will realize it's also half full.
That's my state of consciousness.
Thanks and all the best,
Rhoda-
mgaputonimimi said...
amen! sana nga magawa natin lahat ito..
siguro mga kasamahan din sila ni bob ong.. pareho ang kanilang hangarin. ang audience ni bob ong ay younger generations karamihan. marahil ang libro ni ginoong Alexander Lacson ay sa mga magulang o di kaya'y mga nagttrabaho narin.
sana mabasa ng lahat.-
Señor Enrique said...
One of my early blog posts, Rhoda, was on a book by Wayne W. Dyer, "Real Magic," and I'd like to quote an excerpt from which:
quote
Dr. Dwayne Dyer also mentions of the time he was accused of having a cavalier attitude toward the poor by a radio talk show host when he was a guest on his program.
Dr. Dyer’s contention was that being broke is a temporary state of affairs that afflicts everyone at some point in life, but being poor is an attitude, a set of beliefs that gets reinforced when we shift to blaming life circumstances for the condition of poverty.
One of the incoming calls in response to this radio conversation was from a physician in Washington, D.C., who had grown up in a family of thirteen children in appalling poverty in Jamaica. He disagreed with the host, saying:
I lived in dirt-poor conditions all of my life. I mean hungry, starving poverty. But I always had a vision of myself as a doctor. I could not lose that vision, and I would always tell my grandmother about that picture in my head. She was raising all of us on practically no income, and she always told me to never, but never, let the picture become blurred. She told me about the value of that inner picture, and that I always kept it, and believed in it, I would only have that picture to act upon.
As I got older and finished high school, I applied to several schools in premed curricula, and I was rejected over and over again, but I could not shake that picture that my grandmother helped me to have as a ragtag little boy playing with the chickens in our little hut in Jamaica. Finally I was given a conditional opportunity to enroll in a premed program in Europe, and I worked my way there and through school.
Today I am a physician with a thriving practice. Without that vision, without that invisible picture in mind, I could never have escaped the life of poverty that continues today for most of my brothers and sisters and all of my friends there. They live in poverty and believe that life dealt them a stacked deck, and that I was lucky. But I know better. I am living the life I pictured for myself.
And Dr. Dyer, don’t you ever let anyone dissuade you from telling the truths that you know, because you are doing much more to help those in horrible circumstances than those who buy the big lie that their lives are beyond their own control.
* * *
Dr. Dyer asks his readers to suspend any erroneous beliefs that these truths apply exclusively to him, the doctor in Washington, D.C. and to a chosen few, but has nothing to do with any of us. In actuality, it has everything to do with all of us.
He argues that these truths transcend individual lives because it involves universal laws and principles that were here long before we all showed up in our physical form. He’s simply reporting on what he knows to be true for his own self and many others. That if you want to experience prosperity in a miraculous level, he suggests that you must leave behind your old ways of thinking and develop a new way of imagining what is possible for you to experience in your life.
The old tried and true adage supports Dr. Wayne Dyer's principle: "Thoughts manifest themselves."
Ask and you shall receive, applies as well.
unquote
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2005/11/featured-book-real-magic.html
Cheers!-
Aura said...
Thanks for the info Eric! I´ll definetely look on it when i come home.
Unfortunately we needed more than 12 things to help our country and in my opinion the most important is the education that should start in our own backyard.
Our young kids needed a proper guidance to help them turn into a good person and citizen of our country so as they may be able to pass the same education to their children and the future generations.EDUCATION MUST START AT HOME.
As for exercizing votes,we must vote for an honest and worthy hardworking candidate with a good vision for a better philippines and not go for actors, actreses or corrupt candidates who may not know how to help our poor kababayans,And when they are already in power,they willonlt remember to help their family & friends to get richer.
I definetely agree to no.3, never buy imported or smugled goods! BUY FILIPINO PRODUCTS!! We filipinos still have that mentality thay anything imported are better than filipino products.All signature brands are no longer made in France,Italy or US,they are being made or fabricated in Asian countries,philippines included.CHEAP LABOR for the product to be more affordable.
Sad,is´nt it?-
ka tony said...
Hi Eric,
God Bless You for this blog & God Bless Atty. Alexander Lacson (I wonder if he is related to the Great Mayor of Manila, the late Gat Arsenio Lacson) for these "12 LITTLE THINGS EVERY FILIPINO CAN DO."
To have a good government, good things should start from us...The People! If we do & follow these 12 simple things, then we have the right to protest & criticize "trapos" & the "walang kabusugan sa lagay" na politicians.
Reading these "12 Little Things," I confess that some of them I really don't do!!! Like observing the simple "10 Commandments of God" are so hard to comply, so how does one expect to keep up to thousands of laws to obey in our government & judicial system? ...just simple 10 Commandments, easy ethics that if you condense the whole "ten" is...
‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’
Yeeaaah!, "The Golden Rule" Let me pass you to my favorite "satire" comedian the Late George Carlin with his interpretation of the 10 Commandments (for adults only)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCz0-HY1TLU
Thanking you once again,
ka tony
p.s.
Eric, my "better half" is there in Manila & Naga for two weeks!-
said...
The truth is millions of Filipinos are following those 12 ways to living the right way. The problem is those Filipinos are all based overseas.
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Señor Enrique said...
"I believe, Eric, that sometimes, you need to see the ugly side of things in order to appreciate the beautiful. You need to see that the glass is half empty so you will realize it's also half full."
Living in a populous city like Manila, Rhoda, requires not for a "need" to see life in a 'half empty state,' for it is shoved onto you whether realized or not ... hehehe.
Nonetheless, there is a choice to be made here; that is, although I may not have the power to change the circumstances at hand, I do have the power to control the thoughts and visions that I allow into my mind. Thus, I do not wallow in the unpleasant aspects of life because doing so only gives them MORE power in my consciousness.
Nonetheless, I occasionally feature blog articles such as on Marianet Amper - the 12-year-old who hanged herself after no longer able to live with the poverty that she and her younger brother had been subjected to since birth.
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2007/11/for-marianet-amper.html
But I am more inclined to feature Manila personalities who strive to rise above life's challenges - such as Gloria the pineapple vendor of Quiapo.
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2008/04/pineapple-vendor-of-quiapo.html
As a photojournalist, though, one area that fail to arouse me is "poverty pornography" -- photos of poor people and their depressing environment. And as you know, Manila has plenty of such.
My point is: I choose to look at life in general as half full simply because I am one who fail to find virtue and piety -- and eroticism for that matter -- in pain and suffering.
Cheers!-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Mimi,
Ito namang 'little things' ni Alexander Lacson ay mga gawaing normal sa ibang bansa, kaya sigurado ako na madali lamang itong gawin din ng ating mga kabayan. Kaya lamang, dapat, eh, hangad nga nila ay kabutihan sa sarili at sa buong bayan.
Salamat, Mimi, at salamat din sa pagbanggit kay Bob Ong. Titignan ko din ang kanyang mga libro.-
Señor Enrique said...
It is sad, indeed, Aura, but I am not giving up hope, yet, on our 'kababayan.'
Just take a look at America, for almost 50 years, since the death of Martin Luther King, the African-Americans were without someone to uphold as a leader or 'guiding light.' Now, there is Barack Obama!
Something tells me that the Filipinos will eventually realize that it is truly up to each and every one of us to actualize a better and greater Philippines! For now, we need more people like Alexander Lacson to keep writing and publishing books that will inspire and empower the Filipinos, despite the mounting problems that our country is dealing with.-
EM said...
Wow Senior, you really have one intense discussions here. I seemed to be in a sociology class and everybody is participating and learning. I applaud the way everybody handled the exchange of ideas without allowing emotions to blow up.
And ... are you you're not a professor in another life?? :) I like the way you explain using references and examples. Siguro kung ikaw and prof... complete attendance ako palagi!!-
Señor Enrique said...
That's right, Ka Tony, that's another simple thing that we sometimes do not practice: "Treat people the way you want to be treated."
Am not sure if the author is related to Manila's finest and intrepid mayor; perhaps, we could email him and ask :)
I am one of George Carlin's fans. I'll check out the URL :)
Trust your wife is having a wonderful time in Naga!
Many thanks, Ka Tony!-
Señor Enrique said...
You are so correct, Leo!
As I had replied to Bernadette's comment: "By the way, the 12 little things as outlined by Mr. Lacson are but the norm in other countries. And this is the reason why our fellow Pinoys thrive even more in such, though foreign, settings."
In essence, much like any citizen anywhere in the world, the Filipinos enjoy law and order, and put in such circumstances, they will thrive and succeed even more!
Can you imagine if we can create that kind of environment here at home?-
Señor Enrique said...
I think I am more of a musician in previous life, EM ... hehehe.
Yes, I am truly impressed by the pleasant and smart exchange of thoughts and ideas that this entry has prompted. I have our fellow bloggers to give credit to for setting such tone.
By the way, when I moved back to Manila, a cousin asked me what I had learned in America that I could pass on here. I told him what I have to share is nothing new, for Christ has already spoken it thousands of years ago. He had even included it in a prayer:
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
In essence, every thing that we see and experience around us has its beginning in 'thought.' In other words, nothing just come out of the blue without any one having thought about it first.
And whatever it is we nurture in our consciousness -- good or bad -- is interpreted by the universe as that which we desire; thus, it is given to us eventually.
Remember: "Ask and it shall be given?"
In actuality, we don't need the services of the "prayer ladies" of Quiapo to lobby on our behalf for God will sooner or later grant our hopes and desires. We only have to harbor in our "consciousness" what we want to actualize in our life, which made our elders to warn us to "be careful on what we wish for."
Simple truth is, God does listen and give us what we ask, though in most cases, not as expeditiously as we had hoped it would be ... hehehe.
Thanks, EM!
By the way, my story of fiction, "Windfall," was inspired by such ideology:
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2005/10/windfall.html-
Sidney said...
Hi Eric,
Sometimes I am really depressed... sometimes I really think that this country will not be able to prosper...to fight against corruption, against the prevailing chaos... but good for me that before I loose all hope I always meet some great people working to improve the Philippines.Fighting against all odds.
I hope you don't mind if I give an example here and if I mention their name and website links.
Dr. Willie and Liza Ong.
They are the founders of the "Movement of Idealistic and Nationalistic Doctors".
They are working hard to convince Doctors to stay in the country, they have outreach programs for the poor, they look for donations to help patients who are poor and in need of medical help.
This country needs more people like them.
Those people convince me that not everything is lost. And I am sure there are many others out there working for a better country.
http://docwillieandliza.com/
and his personal blog at
http://mind.pinoy.md/-
said...
"I am one who fail to find virtue and piety -- and eroticism for that matter -- in pain and suffering."
Empathy, Eric... that is what we just need to have for those who are suffering. :)
And if a photojournalist delves on the depressing environment of the poor - that should not be called poverty pornography/eroticism. Rather, it should be regarded as a way of putting into the consciousness of the readers that there is such an ugly facet of life.
And true, life in 'half empty state' is often shoved to us, and would we not open our eyes and look and accept? To see the glass always half full - won't that be a form of denial?
:)-
Señor Enrique said...
Through the years as a blogger, Rhoda, I oftentimes feature quotes by notable personalities that reflect my belief that "thoughts manifest themselves."
Herewith some of them:
"Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives." - William James, US Pragmatist philosopher & psychologist (1842 - 1910)
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2006/01/featured-quote-by-william-james.html
"The aim of life is self-development. To realize one’s nature perfectly – that is what each of us is here for.' - Oscar Wilde
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2006/01/featured-quote-by-oscar-wilde.html
"If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse." - Walt Disney
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2005/12/featured-quote-by-walt-disney.html
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." - George Bernard Shaw
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2005/12/featured-quote-by-george-bernard-shaw.html
"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you." - Oprah Winfrey
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2005/11/featured-quote-by-oprah-winfrey.html
"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will." – George Bernard Shaw
"The ancestor of every action is thought." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
"It seems to me that people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don't. They sit in front of the television and treat life as if it goes on forever." - Philip Adams
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind." – William James
"There are admirable potentialities in every human being. Believe in your strength and your youth. Learn to repeat endlessly to yourself, 'It all depends on me." – Andre Gide
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2006/01/five-thoughts-for-new-year.html
Cheers!-
said...
Noted, Eric...
Nice one! :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Thank you, Sidney!
This is what we need: to know more about local Pinoys who are trying to do something to better our lives. I will definitely check out his site and movement.
Like you, I believe that there are many Filipinos both here and abroad who want nothing more than create a safe and brighter landscape for all of us. And kudos to all whose endeavors lead towards it.
I will remain adamant in my belief that there is hope yet on the Philippines :)
Incidentally, it was your comment on my LTO post -- about the hostilities in our streets that discourage you from driving around town -- that further validates Little Thing No. 1.-
Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, Rhoda :)
-
joe said...
Hey Eric,
LTNH from this lurker hehehe! Nice post btw! Here's one W. Dywer quote that i like.
"Everything is perfect in the universe - even your desire to improve it."
Maybe you and Rhoda can interpret it for me. TTYL.-
ka tony said...
Hello uli Eric,
This is a pretty good & healthy exchange of ideas. I'm learning a lot & can see every ones point of view. Like I said, I admit that I don't observe some of these "12 Little Things." I believe for someone who'll keep these "12 Little Things," is to start to be HONEST with himself.
I confess that I gave up on our country's system, but never give up my love & hope for our country! I've seen the first two years of dictator marcos' martial law and how Pilipinos confirmed & can be disciplined thru fear. With my strong belief & ideology then as a professor at the Philippine College of Commerce, I was physically & mentally tortured at Camp Crame. So my giving up is personal & just fed up with the system, unless we cut the strings of the "master puppeteer" our country will definitely succeed!
Like Leo said...
"The truth is millions of Filipinos are following those 12 ways to living the right way. The problem is those Filipinos are all based overseas."
True indeed, and why can't we do it in our own country? Because we don't respect our government, they FAILED TO EARN IT. Leaving abroad one can see where our taxes goes, except of course some of it goes to evil things... like bombing other countries & killing innocent children & civilians!!!
rhodora...
"How can the poor change their consciousness about money when they have NOTHING at all? Much like - paano mo iba-budget ang pera, kung wala ka namang perang iba-budget?"
Very true Rhoda, there are two struggling classes in our society, "proletariat" (mahihirap) and there are "lumpen proletariat" (talagang walang-wala or timawa), these are the classes in our society who are surviving to look for food not looking where to get money, but food to eat everyday for him & his family.
This subject is an awakening of our consciousness. We have to make it into a scenario of a "lumpen"...
"Ang pangalan ko ay Juan de la Cruz, ako po ay hindi nakapagaral sanhi ng maagang pagkaulila sa magulang. Ako po ay pinalaki ng naawang magasawang may pitong anak. Ako po ay kanilang inalagaan at ipinalaki sa munti nilang barong-barong sa Isla Puting Bato o "Ismoki Maunteyn." Ang aming pinagkukuhanan ng aming makakain at pinagkikitaan ay nangagaling sa Basura.
Kung hindi sa basura kaming maganak ay walang kakainin at walang pagkakakitaan. Ang mga sirang, halos inuuod nang mga pagkain na aming napupulot ay aming pinapakuluan at ito ang aming pinagsasalo-salong kainin. Ang mga basurang tulad ng bote, papel, bakal at iba pa, ay siya naman naming ipinagbibili o ipinagpapalit sa damit at iba pang pangagailangan. Ako po ay nakapasok ng trabaho, subalit ang aking kinikita ay hindi sapat na makatulong sa aming maganak. Hindi tulad ng pagbabasura, walang gastos sa pamasahe, pagkain at damit.
Ako'y 64 taong gulang na at ako ay mayroon na rin mga anak at apo, na aking nais man lang sana ay magkaroon sila ng pagkakataong umunlad ng kauti ang kanilang buhay at huwag matulad sa aking naranasang kahirapan."
Juan de la Cruz was not Juan Tamad, de la Cruz wanted to improve his life, unfortunately does not have an education. He had a job but no enough to support himself & his family.
Juan de la Cruz, simple minded (walang pinagaralan at maliit ang kaniyang mundo) with the "12 LITTLE THINGS EVERY FILIPINO CAN DO"
No. 1 - Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.
JC - "Masyado akong abala upang pagukulan ko ng panahon ang ito. Minsan tumatawid ako sa bawal tawiran, nagmamadali ako. Hindi ako sinisita ng Pulis, kasi wala silang "makukuha" sa akin!"
No. 2 - Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.
JC - "Hindi naman ako bumibili sa mga tindahan na malalaki, minsan sa palengke. Wala naman resibo doon"
No. 3 - Don't buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino.
JC - "...aywan hindi ko alam kung "ismagel" o ano, basta mura okey lang"
No. 4 - When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country.
JC - "Hindi nga ako marunong maginglis eh"
No. 5 - Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.
JC - "tuwing nakakakita ako ng pulis, tanong ko agad sa aking sarili...ano kaya ang nagawa kong kasalanan o ano ang bawal na nasa akin? wala akong tiwala. Sinisira nga ng mga sundalo kadalasan ang aming tirahan at kami ay pinaaalis"
No. 6 - Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly.
Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.
JC - "lahat ng bagay aking "niririsaykel" pati na ang pagkain na galing basura"
No. 7 - Support your church.
JC - "Kami pa ang magaabuloy? Bibigyan ba kami ng pagkain? kung hindi wala akong oras"
No. 8 - During elections, do your solemn duty.
JC - "pagmay nag bigay ng pera, doon ako"
No. 9 - Pay your employees well.
JC - "kulang nga ang suweldo, sa pamasahe, pagkain at pangaraw-araw na pangagailangan"
No. 10 - Pay your taxes.
JC - "ang gobiyerno pa nga ang dapat magbigay sa amin"
No. 11 - Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
JC - "kung wala talagang kukupkup aalagaan ko, isa rin pakakainin"
No. 12 - Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law
and love our country.
JC - "mahusay akong magulang at nagtuturo ng kabutihan, subalit ang aming kapaligiran ay walang maituturo mabuti"
Sad to say Eric like Rhoda & Bernadette were saying this is the real picture & still the same condition when I left the country. I guess one of every 500 "lumpen" really tried their best & found a way to better their lives, so we were able to read, made into a movie their successful struggle, or hear them when they already successful, proud & able to look back at their past.
I'm with you Eric that we have to start somewhere with simple things, as simple as these "12 Little Things." I honestly believe we can, after witnessing the discipline Pilipinos demonstrated during the first two years of martial law!
Question...
How about our government who collaborated at the expense of the Pilipino people with foreign businessman, bankers, military chief & US imperialist policy maker, are they willing to change?
The revolution which Gat Bonifacio started was interrupted & since then with all the fake "independences" we had, the significant record of the many who resisted colonialism & neocolonialism, who have given their lives, been imprisoned & tortured or suffered great hardship & sacrifice to gain GENUINE FREEDOM, we didn't learn specially our government.
Number of Pilipinos living in absolute poverty increased by 10% placing over 70% of the population below poverty line. Things are still the same for the past hundred-year of meddling on our country's political & economic role by the US. I guess their policy is that we can have our rules, regulations, "democracy," have our cake & eat it too, as long as it doesn't affect their interest!!!
Like I said, I"ll be honest 'cuz we have to start with something to improve our selves, our country & hopefully our government...oh! for "Tio Samuel" to leave us alone!
Maraming salamat & take good care Eric,
ka tony-
Señor Enrique said...
Hello Joe,
I see you've become quite proficient in chat lingo, eh? Hehehe. How are you and Upstate New York? Bet you'll be enjoying the foliage pretyy soon with autumn coming up.
As for: "Everything is perfect in the universe - even your desire to improve it."
Best way for me to interpret that is to borrow Oscar Wilde's: "The aim of life is self-development. To realize one’s nature perfectly – that is what each of us is here for."
Cheers and good health, Joe!-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Ka Tony,
- "I've seen the first two years of dictator marcos' martial law and how Pilipinos confirmed & can be disciplined thru fear. With my strong belief & ideology then as a professor at the Philippine College of Commerce, I was physically & mentally tortured at Camp Crame."
I can't imagine the agony you went through, Ka Tony. So sorry to hear that.
My mother's best friend's husband was also picked up and imprisoned ... naked. He was only given something to wear when his wife was allowed to visit him; female clothing, I was told, so as to further humiliate him. Luckily, he survived his imprisonment and psychological torture, and was eventually made an envoy to some Asian country during the Aquino administration.
- "I'm with you Eric that we have to start somewhere with simple things, as simple as these "12 Little Things." I honestly believe we can, after witnessing the discipline Pilipinos demonstrated during the first two years of martial law!"
I really cannot answer for anyone else, except for myself. Neither do I possess the power to change anyone's mind set. But these 12 little things are something that I can personally do.
We should also keep in mind that there is the powerful few, the elite, who actually profit from keeping our poor people poor. And if I were one of those poor people, I'm going to do something to improve my lot -- very much what I had done while in the States. I was, after all, a poor working student during my initial years in New York. However, in order for me to increase my income, I kept acquiring the required sets of skills. I was also fortunate for my brother Taba who kept egging me to apply for jobs that were more challenging. This way, he reasoned, I would keep learning and not become complacent. At times, the interviewer would be astonished for the positions I was applying for. But I was also lucky to come across some managers who were impressed by my audacity ... and hired me ... hehehe.
Neither did I depend upon any corporate entity to provide me with job security, I provided the security for myself by continually learning and building up my knowledge.
And most important, I made sure that the promotions I received was because I deserved it; not to appease the company's need to comply with any federal regulation or to meet some quota on some equal employment opportunity regulation. And if a company cannot meet my demands for a higher salary and higher profile position, then I move on to one that will gladly provide me with such.
As for Tio Samuel, or any other superpower for that matter, I have no qualms to open a dialogue with any of them, for I believe that "no man is an island." But never will I become like a Noriega.
But nonetheless, the only state leader that I'm most impressed by was the guy who also once studied in New York. I admire the fact that he outlasted basically all the other world leaders -- friends and foes alike. He was incredibly sharp, too, and knew how to play his cards, so to speak. I got a kick when he came back to New York to speak at the United Nations, and Tio Samuel couldn't do anything about it ... hahaha.
But I'll leave him for a separate blog post in the near future ... hehehe.
Many thanks, too, Ka Tony, for allowing me to uphold my optimism.-
said...
Hi Eric,
I'm a long-time reader but first-time commenter. A fellow ex-New Yorker, too.
I couldn't agree more with you, especially your replies to Rhodora.
You see, I never saw my parents together, except when I was maybe five when I HEARD them fighting downstairs. Years later, I would learn that my dad cut his own finger that night.
My sister and I were dumped from one unwilling relative to another, while my drunkard of a father and golddigger of a mother partied hard separately.
So yeah, should've been another sad story. Should've been another junkie.
But I didn't.
Today, I am no longer homeless in my own country.
Tomorrow, I hope to establish a school to mold the minds of our future.-
escape said...
i have this book and it's really something that every people should read.
im thinking of featuring him on my blog. that i think might happen in september.-
Unknown said...
Wow, this is a lively discussion, Eric. I learned a lot from all these comments. I admire Filipinos like Alexander Lacson who contributes what he thinks is beneficial to all. Through the years, I have taught myself to look at life half full. It’s my way of coping, my way of keeping my sanity, my defense from not giving in to hopelessness that would make me pack up and leave. But that doesn’t blind me to the ugly side of life in these islands---like poverty, criminality, corruption, social injustice, pollution, etc.
Lacson’s 12 Little Things seem simple enough, but I must admit that they’re not that easy to follow even for a middle class, educated Filipino. Marami kasi sa atin ay wala ng pakialam, bahala na si Batman ang attitude. And who can blame them? When ordinary people feel that they don’t have any influence on how society is run, sure we have rallies---but to the silent majority, frustration is bound to build up. When a minimum wage earner cannot live decently and comfortably, eventually, anger and despair set in to the psyche, even to the optimistic ones. We need people like Lacson to probably wake us up, and hopefully, make us care again.-
ka tony said...
Amen, Amen Eric,
Bless your heart & Bless your principles, in which one can only encounter during the days of Senor Cervantes, "Don Quixote."
Unfortunately now a days here in the states, the promotion & increase in salary a hard working man is expecting for the reward or recommendation from his supervisor or employer are things of the past! One have to apply for the next level or position/grade for promotion.
Sad to say the hard working man is too busy doing his job & have no time to apply for the next level. The stupid lazy employees, with bad attitude, ambitious and have all the time in the world 'cuz they are not doing their job, are the ones applying & eventually get the position! Now these a _ _ h _ _ls, now supervisors, are so intimidated by the hard working man who knows the job better than him. So why should he recommend this hard working guy promoted, ano baliw?
So Eric, it's not only in our country as you probably witness, but A _ _ H _ _ Ls are everywhere! I'm willing to spend my one month salary to buy the book "12 LITTLE THINGS EVERY FILIPINO CAN DO." & give it to each & everyone of them, he, he, he
I wonder who's the "state leader" that you're impressed with. As for me the state leader that I really admire, its FIDEL CASTRO!!! ...okay, okay I know he's not perfect but hey!!!
Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, G H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W Bush, then another US president will be elected this coming November, six of them are dead, each of these 10 US presidents promised to kill or get CASTRO! With all the embargo & no country to trade & help them, Castro & Cuba managed to exist & still somehow motivated! All alone the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon was in the wrong place, in Florida lsearching for the "fountain of youth," de Leon didn't expect that it's in Cuba & Fidel is using it!!! he, he, he
The guy is still alive & still doesn't accept B_ _ _S_ _ _ from the US, and US hates Castro's guts! he, he, he ...mga Gringong pikon!
maraming salamat Eric,
ka tony-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Anonymous,
- "So yeah, should've been another sad story. Should've been another junkie."
You reminded me of a friend in New York who, despite having gone through a traumatizing and messy divorce of his parents, had the wisdom to remain in school, though his living arrangements had become hellish. And last I saw him, I could confidently consider him a success story -- living in Jersey with his wife, while his two 'opinionated' sons (as he calls them) are away in college.
And congratulations to you for having the wisdom as well to remain focused on your goals.
If by chance you need a volunteer basic photography teacher for a weekend seminar or something in this school you someday intend to open, do drop me a note please ... hehehe.
Many thanks for your visits :)-
Señor Enrique said...
You should post something about his book, donG. And since you're quite a lensman yourself, do what I did: accompany the 12 little things with your photographs.
Hmmm... wouldn't it be wonderful if camera clubs take this on as project for their members?-
Señor Enrique said...
Even more sad, Luna, is the fact that some local folks feel more comfortable to see so much agony and poverty around them, because it makes them feel that their own set of problems aren't all that bad because of the existence of those in a sorrier state than they are ... hehehe.
And mention the word "change" and they all suddenly get rattled.
I totally agree with your take on looking at life as half full:
"...my way of coping, my way of keeping my sanity, my defense from not giving in to hopelessness that would make me pack up and leave. But that doesn’t blind me to the ugly side of life in these islands---like poverty, criminality, corruption, social injustice, pollution, etc."
It is actually a choice that we make for ourselves. Had I been a person who looks at life as half empty, trust me, I probably would not have returned to the Philippines even for a week's vacation. What for? Last I need is to be fooling myself ... hahaha.
And yes ... we need more people like Lacson!-
Señor Enrique said...
You got it, Ka Tony! FIDEL! ... lol :)
During the missile crisis under Kennedy's era, Castro had the Russians demand the US to sign an agreement that it will never again invade Cuba.
And as much as the US hates his guts, the irony of them all is that Cuba's economy is currently buoyed by the US dollars coming from the States's Cuban communities -- much like the Philippines' from its OFWs. However, for Cuba, those dollars are from the relatives living in the States who were on those boats during the 80s, and some from those exiled by Castro when he took over.
And did you know that Castro could recall or quote passages, including the page number and chapter, from a book he had read only once. He had photographic memory.
As for the current state of labor affairs in America, corporate politics can be daunting all right, but that seems to be the picture anywhere else ... may maiinggit at maiingit sayo, ika nga.
You're right, Ka Tony, those a-holes are a universal phenomenon ... hahaha!-
ka tony said...
High Five Eric,
I knew we have something in common! And to top it all, these Gringos are expecting the policy will change, in case Castro past away! While there are still old "Sierra Nuestra revolucionarios original" in Cuba's Politburo & Fidel's brother Raul still there, nothing will be change!
"And did you know that Castro could recall or quote passages, including the page number and chapter, from a book he had read only once. He had photographic memory."
...didn't know this, now I'm more impressed! Thanks Eric!
"...Cuba's economy is currently buoyed by the US dollars coming from the State's Cuban communities -- much like the Philippines' from its OFWs. However, for Cuba, those dollars are from the relatives living in the States who were on those boats during the 80s, and some from those exiled by Castro when he took over."
Eric, to think deeper into this fact, those exiles that the Gringos are using as "imperialist propaganda" claiming escaping from the dictatorship of Fidel Castro, in reality these so called "Cuban Exiles" are the scams, criminals & the undesirable citizens of Cuba. Castro want them out of the country & he also knew that they will help Cuba's economy, like you mentioned Eric...
"dollars from the relatives living in the States who were on those boats during the 80s, and some from those exiled by Castro"
Do you know Eric that the Philippines & Cuba revolted against Spain almost at the same time? They have their Jose Marti while we have our Jose Rizal? Why can't we have our Fidel Castro?
...in time, in time, Eric many thanks,
ka tony-
nutart said...
Wow! May I invite the whole forum of Senor Enrique's blog to our place and have an afternoon cup of coffee for such a thought-provoking discussion about Filipino psyche and consciousness???
Being here in the province, my husband and I live a sort of (also) a very loose earning capacity. One can say, we are often in a position of "will we be able to earn something next month that will tide us through with all our commitments and obligations?" We also send children (not our own) to school to help them open up to their future dreams...guess they help us to stay grounded in that way.
I stand by the adage that "poverty" is a state of mind just because I am witness to people who are of the same economic level (near poverty) and yet one man still is able to send ALL his children through college and another man just drinks half of his earnings away while his wife gambles away the rest and the children are sent off to buy their gin. The later part of their stories are always predictable.
As for us, we are often also guided by the ideals good education and prayers have given us. By this lifestyle, I know of no other way to enjoy our glass half full! :-)-
The Fish said...
i added you on my blogroll. :) great blog.
kaye-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Bernadette,
The turon vendor in Quiapo whom I had previously featured immediately comes to mind:
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2008/07/turon-saba.html
She already had a college graduate! The second oldest, a girl, is in college, while the two younger ones are in high school. And there are many more of them who despite their daunting poverty decided to get off their butts and take responsibility for their well-being. And they are succeeding!
And there are those who'd rather wait for a handout, but would squander whatever you give them anyway. These people even have the audacity to make you responsible for their existence for life. I should know, some of them are relatives ... hahaha.
I have a doctor friend in New York who hates coming home for vacation because his brother wouldn't stop hounding her for money. And as soon as she gives him some, out drinking with his buddies he goes.
I have two stories of fiction inspired by such charcters:
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2005/11/about-manang-seta.html
and
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2005/11/by-aling-meding.html
Incidentally, I had just received this email from Aurora which I'd like to shere with everyone here:
quote
THE BASICS OF CASH FLOW
There are those who e-mailed me asking about the basics of cash flow. I'm really sorry that I assumed everybody already understands it. Anyway, by demand ...... here it goes...
May isang bata... joke lang.
The basic is. What pattern do you see if you will get a P100.00 bill and monitor where and how it is transferred from 1 possessor to the other? How does it flow? The pattern for a typical Pinoy is.
You earn from your work, you spend it on food, gadgets, clothing and other basic needs. Before you reach the next payday, paubos na yung pera mo. But that's ok payday is just a few days ahead and it doesn't matter if I run out of money, I am expecting money again any time soon.
This cycle goes on and on and you make some sidelines or create other ways to earn but it seems that money was never enough. (I am tempted to explain further pero usapan... basics lang).
So you can't leave the job that you have because a week without work would affect the cash flow you have to support your family and needs. As much as you wanted to accept another job, the gap would make you pay less for a couple of days, which makes you a slave to your boss.
At least, you have a job to support your needs.
So to illustrate.. .Cash is flowing inside your pocket.
Years have gone by doing your monotonous routine.
Question... what if you get fired? Or you were forced to retire because there are new and younger people ready to take your place. What would you do?
As an OFW, Makati Executive, Top Salesman, Engineer, Attorney, Teacher, etc... What if it all ends? The sweet cash that enters your pocket every 15 th and 30th suddenly comes to a halt.
There are two things you can buy with your money... An asset and a liability. To describe each... An asset brings money inside your pocket; a liability takes money out of your pocket. Another way to see, it is that an asset if you buy one, will bring the money you spent for it back to you 2 or 3 folds. A liability, when you buy it will not give your money back at all.
Sa ilocano... idjay ti kwa.... djak maawatan... (joke lang po, seryoso na kayo eh...)
Sa madaling salita... kapag asset, maibabalik ang pera , pag liability, goodbye sa pera...
Ang problema kay JUAN DE LA CRUZ, habang may trabaho ipon ng ipon at bili ng bili ng liability!
I have seen OFWs get back to the country with gold chains at kung pwede lang limang shades ang isuot ng sabay-sabay gagawin nya eh... dvd, component, jackets, clothes, inuman, pulutan, party, pabango... hindi na makalakad sa dami ng bitbit...
At s'yempre mga empleyado natin dito sa bansa na lingo-lingo bago cell phone at mags ng kotse.. hindi na nga magkasya ang damit sa aparador, tapos pag umaga sasabihin... . wala na akong maisuot.
Guys, esep-esep... what you bought... will it bring money back to you? I know what you have in mind... you have to enjoy what you worked hard for. That's right, but think of something that will last... think of your future.
I have seen the worst of people who were abogado de kampanilya, executive secretaries of top rank business men, people who worked for big companies, earned a fortune and got a big retirement pay by the millions... Now..... Wala na.
Why? Because of their cash flow... went in... went out..
I need not to mention basketball players, actors, singers, etc... Check what is their career path... next after acting, singing and playing... POLITICS. Kasi, 'yung million na kinita nila, puro liability ang binili.
Going back... all the liability they bought, ibinenta ng mura! I'm wearing a gold chain now, which I got from a seaman... he bought it for P35,000 and sold it for 8,000 to me. Hindi po asset ang alahas! Bakit? Totoo na tumataas ang value n'ya pero kapag gutom ka na, kahit palugi ibebenta mo! (wala bang aaray?) Cell phones... dvd players etc. pati bahay at kotse... that's the cash flow of most OFWs...
The question is ... " WHAT IF THE INCOME STOPS?"
Sa Pinoy, ganito: anak... mag-aral kang maigi, at pag tanda namin... ikaw na bahala sa amin ha.... Hindi po ba maling-mali. ..
You have to establish something today that will take care of your future.
Teka, teka.... eh ano ang dapat gawin para hindi mangyari yan?
You must create a source of income that will continually make money flow inside your pocket. Start a business! While you are working as an executive or an OFW, or a professional. ... START A BUSINESS and MASTER that business till you get out of that company. Para kapag tumigil ang income mo sa kanila... may susuporta pa din sa iyo hanggang pag-tanda mo!
Now don't tell me to invest my money on pensions and plans... NO WAY ! Narinig n'yo na siguro yung .... Naku ayaw ko na magbanggit.. .. 'yung mga nagbayad at hindi nakapag-claim. .. sila pa ang dinimanda at nag-piyansa! !! HUWAG MO I-ASA ANG PAGTANDA MO SA IBA! GUMAWA KA NG SARILI MONG BALON NG PERA! KAHIT MALIIT PA 'YAN, SARILI MO AT HINDI KA AASA SA IBANG TAO...
Imagine yourself when you reach an older age... (aruy ko,,, baka yung iba sa inyo about that age... tabi tabi po...Ako po sa mga nagtatanong. .. I'm 37 years old. Naabutan ko pa si Michael Jackson at hinele po ako ng nanay ko sa mga kanta ng hagibis...). You have money that the company gave you as your retirement pay... what will you do?
You can consume the money till your old... eh kung hindi umabot? Masamang damo ka pala... at hindi ka kaagad kinuha ni Lord. Eh pang age 65 lang yung naipon mo na budget.
Or maybe, you can start a business and use the money for capital... Kapatid... 9 out of 10 businesses, FAILED... yung isang magsa-succeed, gagayahin pa ng kapitbahay mo instead na mag-franchise sa 'yo... think! At age 50, you are struggling trying to make a business work! What if it fails?!
Eh ano nga ba ang sagot?
The answer is, stop buying liabilities and instead buy assets now. I don't care if it is a banana-Q store, balot, ice candy or a sari-sari store, etc... start now! Because, your experience here will teach you what to do in the future. It's so hard to struggle in business when you are 60 yrs old.
You have to create a source of income separated from the source of income from your work. That when the time comes that you have to stop working, you will have your own source of money! Create assets, start a business that will be there to support you and your family. I AM NOT TELLING YOU TO QUIT YOUR JOB! I'm telling you to start a business while you're working and stop spending your money on liabilities and start putting them on assets!
Ang pera kapag pinambili mo ng LIABILITY... hindi na babalik... ang ASSET... BABALIK.
Teka... masama ba bumili ng mga magagandang gamit? Hindi! Siguraduhin mo lang na ang pambili mo nun ay galing sa asset mo. The business has to be prioritized! Mawalan ka man ng trabaho, may negosyo kang palalaguin.
If before, nabubuhay ka naman ng iisa sapatos mo, huwag mo baguhin 'yun... dati, nagdyi-jeep ka lang... 'wag ka na munang mag-FX...
Create assets and lessen liabilities. Invest and learn now... mag-negosyo!
Eh anong negosyo? Any, as long as you think it is work and doable! I am still looking for partners for my HOME MASSAGE SERVICE! SPA MAGIC! And my business CAR MAGIC is still franchising. .. (joke lang ... baka sabihin nyo nag pro-promote lang ako eh...But I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT ALL MY BUSINESSES ARE ORIGINAL AND ALL ARE GRAND ASSETS!
I started all my businesses with a very small capital. If I used that money to buy a gadget, new shoes or any liability... baka wala lahat ng negosyo ko at wala na akong makain ngayon.
Again, I hope that this BASIC CASH FLOW article helps.... I wish all of us become financially free!
FROM AN UNKNOWN AUTHOR
PAKIPASA...
MAGANDANG EYE-OPENER 'TO!!!
unquote
Thanks, Bernadette!
I will definitely come and check out your bed & breakfast hideaway :)-
Señor Enrique said...
In due time, Ka Tony, the right people for the job will show up, but first we have a lot of work to do: mainly, to be good citizens despite the hurddles along the way.
-
Señor Enrique said...
Thank you and welcome to the club, Kaye :)
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NOYPETES said...
Isa pa sa dapat nating isa-ala-ala ay ay ang sinabi ng yumaong pangulo ng America na si John Fitzgerald Kennedy na: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". Kung titigilan din ng karamihan sa mamamayan'g Pilipino ang patuloy na pami-milosopo sa mga payon'g dapat gawin sa kabutihan ng bayan at kabuhayan at mag-sipag sa pag-hahanapbuhay at tigilan na ang pag-asa sa pamahalaan ng siyang ina-akala ng taong bayan na makakatulong sa kanila. Lawakan natin ang ating mga isipan at tulungan ang sarili upang ma-i-ahon sa kasalukuyang lagay sa buhay. Tanong ko lang po, sa mga dinami-dami ng rally at kung ano-ano pang pang-gulo ng araw-araw na kabuhayan ang nagwagi at nagbungad ng maganda sa bayan'g Pilipinas? Nariyan kasi ang asa sa bigay na salapi sa tuwing may botohan at hindi bukas na sariling isip sa pag-pili ng mga ilalagay sa puwesto upang magpalakad sa ka-unlaran ng bayan. Basta magaling bumulada sa entablado at sikat o kaya medyo pogi o maganda at medyo pa-inglis-ingles pa ay ayos na. Marami na ring nakakalimot sa pag-sasaka at pangi-ngisda at tila nalilimutan na rin ng bayang Pilipino ang yaman ng kalikasan sa mga isla ng Pilipinas. Ay naku! sasakit ang ulo natin ng ka-iisip ng mga paraan upang ma-ayos ang patakbo ng pamahallan'g Pilipino, kaya limutin muna natin iyan at i-ukol natin ang panahon sa pag-pabuti ng sarili at tulungan umunlad ang bayan. Di po anting-anting ang makakalutas ng sakit ng bayan'g Pilipinas. Tulungan din po natin ang mga malinis at tapat na tagapag-lingkod sa bayan na matupad ang mga gawain nila sa pag-unlad ng mamamayan. Sila Darna, Kapitan Kidlat at mga politikon'g puma-papael na mga bayani ng bayan na kampeon kunwari ng pag ahon sa mahirap ng bayan....sa komiks lamang po ang mga iyan!
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Señor Enrique said...
Lol ... nakakatawa pero tama ka at sangayon ako lahat sa sinabi mo Pareng Pete!
Ako na nga lang sa trabaho sa America, tulad ng sabi ko kay Ka Tony, ako ang gumagawa ng paraan para mabigyan ko ang sarili ng "job security" at hindi ang pinagtratrabuhan ko kasi busy din sila sa pagpapalago ng kita ng kompanya. Yun ang trabaho mila at yon din ang expected sa kanila ng mga may-ari o stockholders ng kompanya.
Correction nga pala sa nasabi ko Kay Tony:
I was poor during "the initial decades" in New York at hindi lamang years kasi tagal kong binabayaran mga student loans at credit cards na ginamit ko sa pagbili ng mga librong mamahalin. Kadalasan nga pizza na lang o bagel pagkain ko sa buong araw, linggo at buwan. Ito naman ay sa hangad kong maiangat ang sarili ko sa hirap ... hehehe! Angas lang ng utak ang panglaban ko sa mga puti at mga iba pang asungot kundi kawawa ka din sa kanila. Ang lalaking bulas nila, eh ... hahaha!
Lahat tayo may kanya-kanyang trabaho, at kung gagawin natin ng taung puso, lahat tayo uunlad. Pero, kahit sa ibang bansa, dami ding mga tamad tulad na nga lang sa opisina ni Ka Tony -- mga epal lang mga tamad na yan pero sila pa kung minsan ang napro-promote kasi ang huhusay "bumulada"... hahaha.
Tama naman ang kasabihan na "sa lahat ng buhay ay may sakripisyo," pero ayaw ko naman ng buong buhay ko eh puros sakripisyo na lamang. Si Hesus Kristo nga, eh, tatlong oras lang pinasan ang krus niya.
Maraming salamat, Pete!
By the way, in addition:
1) About three years ago, during my early years as Senor Enrique the blogger, I featured an interesting book. Here's an excerpt:
quote
As usual, the primary reason many people think too small is fear. Thoughts like, “I can’t speak to a room full of people,” “I can’t risk taking on a larger project,” and “I couldn’t ask the boss to have lunch with me” fill the mind and are taken to seriously. When fearful thoughts enter the mind, try to banish them. You can do it—once you believe you can. The fear you are experiencing is almost always self-created and usually unnecessary.
I have a friend who spent most of his adult life insisting he couldn’t write a book. This was very puzzling to me, because not only was he an excellent writer, but he also felt quite comfortable writing articles and chapters! One day I asked him to consider the idea that a book is nothing more than a series of interesting chapters put into sequence. As obvious as this was to me, he had never thought of it in those terms. Instead, he had always focused on his stubborn belief that writing a book was too big a project. This simple shift in his thinking made all the difference. Two years later, he finished his first book.
Take a look at your abundance. Is your vision too small? Could you be thinking in larger terms? In most cases, the answer is yes! There may be ways that you can reach more people with the same amount of effort. Regardless of the business you are in, the first step is to eliminate any fear or worry that is getting in our way. As your worrisome thoughts gradually disappear and become less appealing, new ideas and insights will begin to emerge.
Richard Carlson, Ph.D.
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff About Money
(Spiritual and Practical Ways to Create Abundance and More Fun in Your Life)
unquote
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2005/11/want-to-make-more-money-think-big_20.html
2) I know how overwhelming it is to see many of our officials and government employees entrenched in corruption and red tape, but we have to be careful as well and not condemn them. Here's the reason why -- an excert from another book that I had also featured on my blog:
quote:
Evil is the absence of light. The remedy for evil is presence.
When you hate, you bring that suffering to yourself. Hatred of evil affects the one who hates. It makes him a hateful person, a person who has also absented from light.
Understanding evil as the absence of light does not require you to become passive, or to disregard evil actions or behavior. It is appropriate to do what you can to challenge it, but if there’s no compassion in your heart also for those who abuse or oppress — for those who have no compassion — do you not become like them?
Compassion is being moved to and by acts of the heart, to and by the energy of love. If you strike without compassion against the darkness, you yourself enter the darkness.
A compassionate heart is most effective against evil for it can engage evil directly by bringing light where there was no light.
Understanding evil as the absence of light requires you to examine the choices that you make each moment in terms of whether they move you toward the light or away from it. It allows you to look with compassion upon those who engage in evil activities, even as you challenge their activities, and thus protects you from the creation of karma. It makes you see that the place to begin the task of eliminating evil is within yourself. This is the appropriate response to evil.
Gary Zukav
SEAT OF THE SOUL
Unquote
My point in mentioning this: Instead of focusing on those people who make a career out of making our lives miserable and our country the laughing stock of Asia, we ought to focus instead on the "positive" things that each and every one of us can possibly do (such as the "12 Little Things" in Lacson's book).
And just like my fellow ex-New Yorker, Anonymous, who focused on rising above the pain and suffering of growing up in a broken family, so can each and every one of us. If Anonymous can do it, so can we all!
In essence, let's not get too overwhelmed by the evils of the world, but bathe ourselves instead with this empowering "light" that which is available to all of us!
Salamit uli, Pete!
Cheers!-
Señor Enrique said...
Moreover ...
Here's another blog post from the past:
quote
What makes life difficult throughout the history of mankind is that we are born without a manual. As we struggle to follow our bliss; to fulfill our inner longings that will consequently define our life, we find ourselves at a certain crossroad: whether or not to transcend our comfort zone – family and culture – that once nurtured us. Thus, begins what Joseph Campbell would refer to as the hero’s journey.
From teenage angst to mid-life reevaluations, for the most part, we cope with personal issues alone. Regardless of our basic support system comprised of family and friends; despite of their well-meaning intentions, suggestions and recommendations, we often base our decisions on the set of thoughts and core beliefs that we alone ascertain for ourselves.
As a Man Thinketh tells us that although we are powerless to change any person or condition that comes our way, we do, however, have the power to provide its meaning, as well as how and to what extent we will allow this person or condition to affect us. But then again, this book argues, most people and conditions that we attract into our life are equivalent experiences of the thoughts we harbor in our mind.
Long before the publication of this tiny book, many had already attested to the power of thoughts to manifest themselves; that our every uttered word and every action taken was preceded by our having thought about it first. Everything around us – from our cellphones (or mobiles, as they are now beginning to be referred to these days) to the cars we drive — all came from thought.
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Emperor of Rome, A.D. 161-180, said, “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts, therefore guard accordingly; and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue, and reasonable nature.”
James Allen, in this tiny book, also underscores our innate power to fill our mind with thoughts of what we want to experience in our life, as well as our power to filter out those we do not wish to experience.
He claims, “Of all the beautiful truths pertaining to the soul which have been restored and brought to light in this age, none is more gladdening or fruitful of divine promise and confidence than this – that man is the master of thought, the moulder of character, and the maker and shaper of condition, environment, and destiny.”
In essence, we actively participate in creating our destiny through the thoughts we often find ourselves thinking a lot about.
This is a wonderful book that reminds us about a simple truth: we are what we think.
unquote
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2005/11/featured-book-as-man-thinketh.html
Have a good day!-
ka tony said...
Magandang umaga Eric,
Sa lahat yata ng blog mo ito ang may pinakamahabang "comments" he, he, he...
Tama kayong dalawa ni Ka Peter, kailangang tunay na magmula sa atin ang pagsisikap, pagbutihin ang ating sarili, at may "positive thinking." Pagnagawa natin ito at walang ginagawang pagbabago ang ating pamahalaan...
ako ay uuwi at sisigaw ng ala Fidel Castro at Bonifacio... "SUGOD MGA KAPATID!!!"
Tama Eric, si Senor Hesukristo ay tatlong oras lang pinasan ang krus, pero ...ANG BIGAT NOON SA ATING MGA KASALANAN! kasalanan ko lang simbigat na ng mundo, eh kasalanan pa ng iba? he, he, he
Nang aking mabasa ang "12 Little Things" na ito sa iyong blog, napahiya ako sa aking sarili. Kasi marami dito ay hindi ko pala ginagawa... but now I will try my best!
Salamat Eric at Ka Peter,
ka tony-
Unknown said...
Hi Eric!
I agree with the list indeed. I am amazed at the amount of reaction you received in this post. It is just all palpable the reality of the discussions!!! I wish I had all the time to read through them But I did some very interesting comments
Thank you for these discourse. I agree and see clearly where you are coming from!!! I believe in the same things!
1. pick up your trash! We are all responsible for our own trash. this issue is a big one for me. me and my friends we remind people we see on the street or jeep just throw litter like it would disappear the minute it is out of their hand. We would say "miss nahulog mo ito" we pick it up and give it back. There was one girl my friend said "ang ganda mo miss kaya lang nagtatapon ka ng basura" then there was a time I said to the face of a teener-- dont do that again after she just threw the cup of softdrink on the floor of the jeep. And I get stares! haaay!!!
It is also part of my environment work to teach kids. we do the reverse in a youth camp. there is a question, multiple choice
You are walking with your friend to school eating candy you have the wrapper in your hand. what is not the proper thing to do!And Why?
a) put it in your pocket
b) give the wrapper to your friend
and one kid answered "b" po. And why? dahil hindi po basurahan ang kaibigan!
Wagi--- as in alam nila ang tama at mali! this are grade 3 students in a remote coastal town.
I have many more stories about our advocacy of helping the planet have clean air, clean water!-
Unknown said...
Eric!
I am really happy to see that you talk about POSSIBILITY! what we dream of, what we envision our selves and our nation to be is really how the we will be in the future. As you know I have a post on this-- that thoughts manifest themselves indeed!
I was having a conversation with friends about possibilities!
We talked about creating the possibility of a better life for all of us and for the Philippines. We still believe that this can happen and it really starts from the vision of the its people. We want to start that!
We were discussing... remember Narnia? When Aslan was singing and he was creating the world of Narnia.
In the Bible how was the world created? through words!!!!
let there be light and there was light.
if we are created in his image and likeness we have the power to create ourselves through our words!!!!
so we need to be careful with what we "create" and say!
some people say it is denial but by not giving power to the negative we disempower it. We only talk about the good we want to empower that we vision!
If we all envision a better country we will have it. And it is not impossible. Little things are the big things that matter indeed. It is the start of a good foundation.
What we say and what we believe will manifest for us indeed!-
Señor Enrique said...
Lol ... magandang umaga din, Ka Tony!
Huwag mo ng masyadong isipin ang mga nagawang kasalanan kasi lahat naman tayo nagkakasala. And the reason? It is because we thought those things we did were the right things to do in those particular moments of time. Choices, choices, choices, ika nga. Tulad ng mga bata, nadadapa din tayo sa mga daanan na ating natutunguhan kung minsan.
Ang isa pa nga pala, Ka Tony:
Sa mga makakabasa ng ating mga haka-haka at kuro-kuro sa ating history, at least, makikita din ng ating mga fellow bloggers na naiisipan din nating gumawa ng kaya nating panglutas sa mga problema ng ating bayan. Hindi lang tayo puros salita, ika nga, di ba?
But you know what, Ka Tony? I wouldn't be surprised -- with your exposure and experience -- to one of these days come up with your own version of 12 Little Things para sa ating mga kabataan -- lalo na sa ating mga estudyanteng militante na ang hangad ay matulungan ang ating mga naghihirap na kababayan.
Salamat din, Ka Tony!-
ka tony said...
100% tama ka Eric,
Kaya natin ipinagugunita ang nakaraang TUNAY na KASAYSAYAN ng ating BAYANG PILIPINAS, ay upang ituwid ang baluktot na kasaysayang ipinamulat ng mga dati nating kolonyalista at tutang pamahalan. Dahil doon ay nawala ang ating tunay na pagkatao at ikinahiyang kulturang Pilipino na mas makulay at nauna pa sa mga dayuhang nagsisakop sa ating bayan.
At tayo ...na tulad ng iyong sinaad, ay hindi lamang puro salita, haka-haka at kuro-kuro na napakadaling gawin, ating inaamin ang nagawang pagkakasala at sinusuri ang ating sarili upang ituwid ang mga nagawang hindi tama! Nang sa ganoon, ituloy ang ating bagong buhay sa tamang landas.
Salamat Eric, sa iyong pagtitiwala na balang araw ako ay makagagawa rin ng tulad ng isinulat ni Ginoong Alexander Lacson. Napakadaling sumulat ng malalalim na kaalaman, subalit napakahirap magakda ng napakasimpleng pilosopiya! Nais ko sanang sumulat ng katulad, subalit may nauna na, at ito ang sinusunod na aking naging Biblya..."The Little Prince" sinulat ng isang na walang Franses na abyador, Antoine de Saint Exupery.
Maraming salamat Eric at Mabuhay ka, sa muling pagbubukas sa aking kaisipang kumitid,
Ka tony-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Daisy!
Firstly, thanks for dropping by :)
And secondly, yes! I agree with what you said:
"Some people say it is denial but by not giving power to the negative we disempower it. We only talk about the good we want to empower that we vision!"
Hence, if we actively participate in a national consciousness that it is up to each and every one of us to affect the much needed changes that will better our lives and our country it shall indeed happen. But it will take "baby steps" such as 'loving' our country once more and doing "little things" to lead it towards 'greatness.' And we can start in our own backyard :)
As for littering, I had just posted some photos I had taken in Manila yesterday, and while going through the posted pics on the entry, I suddenly realized how clean our city streets are! I didn't even realize it until I was looking at the pictures. In short, there are those involved on a daily basis to make our environment a pleasant one. And here I am taking it for granted. Shame on me! Hehehe.
Little by little, and step by step, we can do it, Daisy. It all start with a "thought."
Thank you, God bless, and good luck with your advocacy efforts!-
Señor Enrique said...
"The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery:
"It appears to be a simple childrens tale, some would say that it is actually a profound and deeply moving tale, written in riddles and laced with philosopy and poetic metaphor."
I shall read it again. BTW, it's available online for free:
http://www.spiritual.com.au/articles/prince/prince_contents.htm
I can see you writing many books in the very near future, Ka Tony!
But know what I'm really excited about, Ka Tony, is this: Once we, as a nation, consistently prove and demonstrate our true love for our country -- with each one's participation, of course -- and make it great as it should be, perhaps, then Tio Samuel will begin to respect us, and then return to us all those documents, books, artifacts, and everything else that they had carted back to America during the colonial period as "spoils of war."
Afterwards, we can finally revise our history books to reveal the real story. Because by then, we will be motivated by the need to tell the truth, and not to appease some foreign superpower or some local trapos whose intention is to advance their respective political agenda, as well as to glorify and immortalize their clans.
Maraming salamat din. Ka Tony!-
ka tony said...
IshAllah, IshAllah, IshAllah Eric,
IshAllah! (God's will) & today is the second day of the Holy Ramadan! If only people will respect other people's belief, then this world is the Utopia that one have been looking for!
I respect you & your audience, because you all care, intelligent! Look at all the comments on this blog!!! To think that what being discuss here is a simple "12 Little things," yet so complicated!
Unfortunately US, will be as its predessesors' super power; Macedonia, Mongolia, Rome, Spain & UK, her decline & fall is near. This country can't even produce, decent cars, appliances, even simple clothes!!! US is just the marketing concept, distributor & consumer of its own capitalist idea!
With this decline coming closer to our "master puppeteer", it's time for us to have self assessment, have a positive attitude, like you do & take advantage of the situation!
One of my advertising clients, a Chinoy (I was responsible for all HOPE, Winston, More Cigarette commercials, Fortune Tobacco), while I was in the Philippines was Lucio Tan. Lucio saw the potential in Chinas' market, his products were already there 20 years before what China is today!!!
What did our government & Lucio's competitors do? Jealousy & gossips, so Lucio instead of investing in the Philippines, invested in China!!!
I hope Eric, Tio Samuel will stop being "pikon" & will "chill out" on us, so we can go on with our life!!!
IshAllah Eric,
ka tony-
nutart said...
sorry, Eric, but I can't help but add another comment. I just reflected on the life and times of Jesus Christ. The writings by the "gospelers" said that he would attend parties of the "sinners" like the prostitutes, tax-collectors, etc. It was his way of connecting talaga and as one comment included the showing of compassion without being condescending. To attend parties and gatherings is one way of Jesus the Christ telling the people of God's 12 simple rules :-).
Usually in the plaengke, when I show my own personal bag and mga plastic bags na ibinabaon ko, I just say it is my way of helping the kalikasan. I get smiles from the tinderas and other women-buyers. They know the theories and teachings about environmentalism but someone has to show them how it is done in actuality yata.-
Señor Enrique said...
"Unfortunately US, will be as its predessesors' super power; Macedonia, Mongolia, Rome, Spain & UK, her decline & fall is near."
I hope not, Ka Tony. Despite acting like a meddling, nagging, and nosy mother-in-law, I still have a soft heart for the United States. I consider the US my fatherland, while the Philippines my motherland. In fact, I had spent more of my life in the States than in the Philippines, and asking me to choose one over the other is akin to asking me to choose one parent over the other ... hehehe.
And if ever a war broke out between these two countries, you will definitely find me in Bahia, Brazil instead; finally actualizing a dream to learn Portuguese; somehow my favorite Jobim tunes sound more sensuous and alluring in Portuguese.
IshAllah to you, too, Ka Tony!-
Señor Enrique said...
No need for apologies here, Bernadette. This an open forum for everyone to share their "thoughts" and as often as they wish.
The bag I usually bring along when I go downtown shopping for the usual staple is one that folds into a small pouch, though it's quite hefty when open. Bought it in New York's Eddie Bauer store. But on major grocery shopping errands, I bring along a boat bag which I had bought online at L.L. Bean. See this post:
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2007/09/gift-idea-from-states.html
As for Jesus, there was a controversial book that I had read during the '70s: "The Passover Plot" by Hugh Schonfield.
I'd like to share this excerpt from Wikipedia:
quote
Based on scholarly research into the social and religious culture in which Jesus was born, lived and died, into the source documents of the Gospels, and into other literature, Schonfield reached the following conclusions:
* That Jesus was a deeply religious Jewish man, probably well-versed in the teachings of the local northern sects such as the Nazarenes and Essenes.
* That growing up in Biblical Galilee he had a skeptical and somewhat rebellious relationship to the hierarchy and teachings mandated by the authorities (the Pharisees) of the Temple in Jerusalem.
* That Jewish Messianic expectation was extremely high in those times, matched to the despair caused by the Roman occupation of the land, and by their subjugation of the Jews.
* That he was in many ways both typical of his times, and yet extraordinary in his religious convictions and beliefs, in his scholarship of the Biblical literature, and in the fervency in which he lived his religion out in his daily life.
* That he was convinced of his role as the expected Messiah based on the authority of his having been descendant from King David (the royal bloodline of David), and that he consciously and methodically, to the point of being calculating, attempted to fulfill that role, being eminently well-versed in the details of what that role entailed.
* That he was convinced of the importance of his fulfilling the role perfectly (after all prophesy and expectation), and that he could not allow himself to fail, as that would undoubtedly lead to his being declared a false Messiah.
* That he was perfectly aware of the consequences of his actions all along the way, and that he directed his closest supporters, the original twelve Apostles, unknowingly to aid him in his plans.
* That he involved the least possible number of supporters in his plans ("need to know" basis), therefore very few knew of the details of his final plan, and even then only the least amount of information necessary.
The culmination of his plan was to be his death (the crucifixion), his resurrection and his reign as the true Kingly and Priestly Messiah, not in heaven but on earth— the realized King of the Jews.
Unquote
Read more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Passover_Plot
But my most treasured book on Jesus is "The Philosophy of Jesus" by Ernest Holmes. It's available free online as PDF document. Just google the title and author.
Have a good day!-
said...
Hi senior!
Don't know your name yet since I was a first timer on your blog. And I would say that I'll keep coming back here since I was hooked with your thoughts here especially with this entry.
I was thinking for a couple of months now how can we survive this country. Yes, I agree with those 12 little things but I would say that some of them are really hard for a common Filipino to follow. Like obeying traffic rules since giving bribe is much easier than getting your confiscated license on LTO. Another thing is avoiding to buy smuggled goods, the fact that it is really hard to do is because it's much cheaper, right?
So I would say the easiest thing to follow is No. 6 which is disposing garbage properly. If you're going to think, a progressive country don't have a people ruining there land with garbage. Having a clean environment will trigger a lot of things like good health, tourism growth and others. So what do you think Señor?-
said...
Nice one, those little things if done by many will really make a difference
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Señor Enrique said...
Hi Marc,
- "I would say that some of them are really hard for a common Filipino to follow. Like obeying traffic rules since giving bribe is much easier than getting your confiscated license on LTO."
But such attitude would only defeat the whole thing, Marc -- Little Things #1 and #5.
Besides, would you want your own children to imitate your ways and grow up not respecting any of our laws?
Come to think of it, obeying traffic laws can save lives of innocent people.
- "Another thing is avoiding to buy smuggled goods, the fact that it is really hard to do is because it's much cheaper, right?"
Billions of pesos a year on tax revenues are lost due to smuggling. These also encourage those incredibly wealthy importers to keep smuggling in their goods or pay outrageously low taxes because they can bribe our custom employees, and worse, there are local folks who are cheering them on because, as you said, smuggling results to cheaper prices.
All these 12 little things are actually "doable" but then again it all depends on the way you see the overall condition and well-being of our people and country -- half empty or half full.
Thanks for dropping by, Marc!-
Señor Enrique said...
That's true, Vic!
It's a matter of choice and accountability.
But nonetheless, it does feel good at the end of the day when you've done some good even though no one knows about it, except you.-
nutart said...
Yep, Eric, I also have read the Passover Plot many years ago. Along with these set of studies was a book entitled "Jesus of Nazareth", also a historical look about Jesus the Nazarene. But all these books left me cold. I also read this book (forgot the title) where the author did a content analysis of the New Testament and the word "Love" was the most mentioned word in Jesus' teaching. His teachings (whether it be factual or myth) is still for me words to live by...among other Masters. Thank you, Eric, for always answering my comment with something engrossing to read (not to mention others' comments as well), it makes your blog so cozy and alive!
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Señor Enrique said...
"His teachings (whether it be factual or myth) is still for me words to live by...among other Masters."
Indeed, Bernadette.
I have somewhat of the same reaction to "Passover Plot," though undoubtedly a well-researched effort.
Thank you as well for your comments; however, there are some posts of mine in which the comments/reactions of fellow bloggers I sometimes deemed so poignant or significant that they are best allowed to stand on their own without my adding my two cents, so to speak :) ... such as the recent "Tribute To All Our Grandparents:"
http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2008/08/tribute-to-gramps-living-overseas.html
Have a good day!-
said...
i love this page! because of this my homework is just like a piece of cake. Copy, paste, and print. oh yeah xD
