Belated reaction

I am writing this letter in reaction to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) that President Arroyo delivered recently. Although she mentioned the milestones that her regime achieved, it failed to address a major sector which can not be left unnoticed because of the huge contribution it gives into the country. I am talking about the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s) who are pumping billions of pesos every month for several years now.

While the President again praised the efforts of the OFW’s, she did not really mention any plans to advance this sector.

Filipino workers are much sought after because of our proficiency in English, skills and attitude towards any working environments and conditions. However, this premise is not supported by the same government which praises our efforts.

If the government truly appreciates what the OFW’s are doing, they should make an effort in supporting them not only through facilitation of loans, prompt processing of documents and employing able consulate offices to assist Filipinos abroad. They should also look into the improving the English proficiency and skills of would-be Filipino workers not only for other countries but for local employment as well.

The television shows are a glaring evidence of these deficiencies. When I was younger, there was an abundance of cartoons, programs and dramas in English that were available in the local channels. There were no Filipino translations nor were there any subtitles to help us understand what was being said but we did understand and we did learn from them. Watching foreign shows as they were also aided us in recognizing their values and cultures.

The medium of instruction in schools at that time was English and as an added measure, the school managed by nuns where I attended also encouraged the use of the English language within the campus grounds. It may seem to have been a ridiculous exercise at that time but it did us well and I am sure that it will do the country well too if it will be implemented again.

I hope I will not be branded as a traitor when I say that we should rethink the language that we use especially in our education system. In fact, I am being nationalistic in thinking this way because I am merely pointing out something which the whole country will benefit from, now and in the future. We have seen the results of using the English language, let us not be blinded by our pride. Come to think of it, our national hero did not get recognized by using Filipino but he used a foreign language and he gained the respect and recognition of his countrymen and the world. The patronizing of the Filipino language during these times is nothing but superficial especially if one will note how the younger generations are now living and thinking.

It is a disturbing fact that most of the college and university students now cannot even make a simple sentence in English. It is also dismaying to see that the next generation is so much into using technology that people skills is deteriorating rapidly. Youngsters nowadays prefer to use text messages, chats and emails instead of talking face to face with their parents, teachers and bosses. They are virtually assertive but they shy away from human contact which continues to be essential requirement even in today’s technologically progressive world.

Most of these young people go for jobs that are easy and only require sitting inside an air conditioned office while working on the computer. There seems to be a lacking interest in other skills aside from nursing which continues to be popular not because of its original purpose but because of the lure of greener pastures.

While the SONA enumerated the achievements of a few individuals and how we are trying to survive the crises which the Philippines is not spared from, it failed to give us hope and pride. While the President talked about advancements in infrastructures, agriculture, transportation and the like, it was never mentioned how we can sustain these growths aside from their funding components.

The achievements which we attained as a nation can only be advanced if we go back to the inheritance our parents gave us which is quality education. Our parents did not just give us the legacy of the names we are carrying. They gave us something which we can use and be proud of anywhere in the world.

I just hope that our leaders being parents to the country will act immediately on these and put the luster back into being Filipinos in the country and abroad by reviewing our present education system because then, and only then can we truly move forward. – MA. CLARA JESUSA G. GUZMAN, 1-2-11 Lintang Gangsa, 11600 Penang , Malaysia

Mindanao: Sold!

It’s all over but the shouting. Indeed, the grant of ancestral domain to the Bangsamoro homeland may just be in suspended animation, but to them, they consider this truly as a done deal. To them, the sale of Mindanao was consummated many, many moons ago. It’s been signed, sealed and now, is in the process of getting delivered.

The cost? A whopping US$3 billion?

Gadzali Jaafar (father-in-law of one of Malacañang’s key officials) and other MILF top brass are fully convinced that they have re-acquired their homeland through a "sale" that was consummated and allegedly paid for by their foreign benefactors, with funds mostly coming from international financial institutions, remitted to whose ‘account’ , which had reportedly gotten a cut of 40 percent?

Ever heard about BEDCO? Yes, BEDCO is the Bangsamoro Economic Development Council. This entity, which is tasked to organize a separate government, is allegedly funded by Malaysia. It shall serve as the policy-making body of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).

So, no matter what, the Mindanao Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a small break-away group that deserted the original Filipino mujahedeens, will employ anything and everything to seize possession, control and exploitation over a huge chunk of Mindanao and Palawan islands. No wonder, this band of shrewd Ali Babas would even go as far as trying to link up with the much bigger Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of Nur Misuari, who they deserted decades ago.

Fact: The Philippine government has an outstanding sovereignty claim over the island state of Sabah, which is owned by the Sultanate of Sulu. According to Plan Reverse Arrow, Malaysia, which exercises sovereignty over the disputed island state, finds it cheaper to bankroll a rebellion in the southern Philippines than to go to war with a neighbor known for its innovations and skills in combat tactics in spite of being ill-equipped.

On the other hand, gluttony and the greed for cash, which has been plaguing the leadership of the MILF appears to be enough for them to fight a proxy war in favor of Malaysia – over the island state of Sabah, if only to succeed in grabbing back the land and all the improvements introduced on them by the settlers from the north, to whom they had earlier sold their properties. By fighting this war, the MILF is in effect, providing Malaysia an effective buffer against any attempt by the Philippine government to pursue its sovereignty claim over Sabah.

For the United States, keeping the Philippine authorities busy on their own internal security threats, would continue allowing the Yankees unabated access to the strategic spots in the south, where she may keep her secret base for its submarines and other war machines and intelligence operatives on the ground as they keep their sights focused on maintaining control over the straits of Malacca, the crossroad between Asia minor and the Pacific.

Besides, Uncle Sam is engrossed with trying to seize control over the rich oil fields in the South China Sea and those in the Liguasan Marsh of Maguindanao and the no-man’s land (the erstwhile Monterey Ranch) between Wao, Lanao Del Sur and Alamada, North Cotabato.

So, there goes the agenda of each of the players. This is also one of the reasons US Ambassador Christie Kenney travels incognito to the south so often. In most cases, she is seen without any Filipino security detail. Although we can’t blame her for doing her homework in following her government’s undisclosed policy.

One important message that ought to reach every Filipino is for them to keep wary about foreign hands who, through the lure of federalism, have been trying to divide the country in a bid to keep their control over the Philippines resources of GOD (Gas, Oil and Deuterium). Remember, before Yugoslavia got balkanized, they had first to federalize that once was a progressive, emerging industrial state in the European stage.

Vigilance and the will to survive are among the basic attributes that every peace-loving Mindanaoan needs to have these days, if only to drive away all and every attempt by the army of the intended beneficiaries of a sell-out sponsored by the globalists, to take final possession over the "Moro homeland," which they hastily want to acquire via an "initialed" memorandum of agreement (MoA) on ancestral domain. God forbid. – ERICK SAN JUAN, (culdesac0002@yahoo.com.ph)