Ang Tipo Kong Lalaki

Several years ago, I was friends with a guy who was what Cosmo Magazine in the mid-1990’s would call a S.N.A.G. As in, Sensitive New Age Guy. He wrote a lot of poetry, wore his hair long, read a lot of books. I thought it was refreshing to be with a guy who knew exactly what I was thinking and who listened to me carefully without trying to be the problem-solver with a toolbox of solutions. And then one day he told me that he believed that he was an angel.

And no, he didn’t mean it in a metaphorical sense, or even in the “just call me angel in the morning ANGEL” sense, he meant it in the I-actually-have-wings-under-this-nike-jacket sense.

One day, I asked him to go with me to the City Jail, as part of a feature story I had to do for Journalism class. We interacted with the prisoners there, asked a lot of probing questions, listened to their stories for the entire afternoon.  When we were about to leave and lining up to get our cellphones from the visitors’ counter, two policemen were running after us with angry looks at their faces. We soon found out why. It turns out that Mr. S.NA.G. had just slipped a small hard stone into the hands of one of the prisoners we spoke with.

“What was THAT about?” I screeched in the car, after successfully persuading the policemen that no one was trying to stage a jail break, especially not a nerdy-looking college student in jeans who left both her UP library ID and Nokia 5110 cellphone at the visitors gate.

“His aura looked dark and foreboding. I gave him an energizing crystal to balance his chakra.”

My high-pitched voice got even more high-pitched. “Chakra? Chakra? CHAKRAHIN kaya kita. E kung nakulong tayo dun? Tingnan natin kung di mangitim at manuyot Atenista mong aura dun.”

And that was when I realized that I was never, EVER going to fall for a Sensitive New Age Guy again.

Fast forward to now. My friend Lin, who just got herself a spankin-new love life, and I were talking about the guys we like. We agreed that we both wanted a guy’s guy.  Sexy, swarthy, unapologetically-male. In my beloved Gus’s drunken words: “makamundo, earthy, hayop bumarurot.” (though I’m not sure about that last part, or even that I know what it means, hehe.) Of course, we want someone decent and gentlemanly and progressive — that means no gay-bashing and no feudal archaic notions about gender. That’s a given, for sure. What I mean is that I’ll always find 100% maleness, with all its foibles and frailties, unbearably sexy. Some days are good for flowers and scented candles, some days you just wanna be made itsa  to the bed and take in all that rough maleness in its rawest, most primal sense.

It’s also a given that we all want someone sensitive and considerate not only of our feelings, but of other people’s feelings. HOWEVER, maybe it’s just me, but there’s just way too much self-help books going around to help men and women navigate their way through the murky forest of male-female relationships. Gimme a break. Sometimes it’s all a matter of having strong foundations and taking things from there. Please don’t sit down with me, overanalyze my feelings to death (i can do that on my own, believe me), and trace my issues back to my childhood (I’ll pay for someone with a doctorate to do that). Just listen to me and be my steady rock.

And one other thing, while Im at it. There appears to be a whole global trend these days towards metrosexuality. David Beckham started it, no thanks to Posh Spice and her ministrations. Everyone and her sister has a crush on Sam Milby, whose singular claim to fame is having sheepish eyes that always look like they’re about to cry. My brother, who is teetering precariously into the world of metrosexuality with his body fit shirts and the amount of “product” he puts in his hair (I’m breaking up with the guy who uses the word “product” to describe the stuff put in hair or on the face), at least eats like a kargador and burps after a good home-cooked meal. I’m all for good grooming of course, and do wrinkle my nose when I see guys with long and dirty toe nails, but I draw the line at guys with strategically-placed highlights, who skip basketball for Belo, and has all the Mars and Venus books in his shelf.

Of course, all these are personal preferences which we’re all entitled to have. I’m certainly not suggesting that there are superior and inferior breeds of males. I’m sure Victoria Beckham and Dr. Phil’s wife are pretty happy with their lot in life; I have heard that Mr. Angel has found someone who has made him spread his wings and soar even more.

But me, I’m quite happy with a guy who is comfortable enough to tell me, “please don’t force me to watch the Philharmonic Orchestra with you because it bores me to death”, but listens to what I have to say, values the work that I do,  and…. cares enough about me to go gown-hunting with me during SM North’s three day sale.

Maybe to sneak a peak or two at the fitting room, but who’s counting? Then again, maybe I’m just being “feeling.” Hehe.

Here’s a really funny song — albeit politically incorrect in parts — by Brad Paisley, entitled “I’m Still a Guy”.  

CARP in the simplest of terms, CARP for the deepest of reasons

A few nights ago, Charms and I were chatting online. She said she was against CARP and I was flabbergasted. Parang, “Huh? Di ba given na dapat yun, na all sane, reasonable, intelligent  people who are my friends, believe in agrarian reform?”  Since I’m definitely unwilling to say that Charms is not sane, reasonable or intelligent because that’s absolutely untrue, it got me thinking that maybe we haven’t gotten the message across. Maybe, to the rest of the world, we’re just angry empty rhetoric in bold red letters.

I was thinking of Charms when I wrote the privilege speech of Risa below, delivered today. I’ve always believed that the universe of reasons for supporting CARP can be crystallized into four main points, and I tried to capture those four points here in the simplest and most sober way possible. 

Sana makumbinse ka, Charms. At kung hindi, mahal pa din kita.

CARP In the Simplest of Terms, CARP For the Deepest of Reasons 

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of personal and collective privilege.

As we resume session today, two points could not be clearer: one is that we only have 17 session days to go, and two, we need to pass the CARP extension with reforms law before December 31, 2008. The clock is ticking, and we must proceed cognizant of our vision and sure-footed in our step.

The time for waffling and fence-sitting is past. The time has come to buckle down to work and deliver our deliverables to the Filipino people: one of which is an agrarian reform law that will ensure continuing funding for land acquisition and distribution after 2008 and incorporate crucial reforms to implement the law consistent with its spirit.

It is time to talk about CARP without the fat, without the frills.

I have four points.

First.  CARP is a duty, not an option.

The call for a CARP extension law is not only founded on a moral imperative, but also stands on clear and solid legal ground.

Nothing less than the Philippine Constitution in Section 4, Article VIII, mandates that “The State shall, by law, undertake an agrarian reform program founded on the right of farmers and regular farm workers, who are landless, to own directly or indirectly the land they till .” The same section adds that, “the State shall encourage and undertake the just distribution of all agricultural lands, subject to such priorities and reasonable retention limits as the Congress may provide xxx.”

During the plenary debates in June, we heard so many suggestions, bordering on the absurd, to the effect that agrarian reform is an option and a prerogative of the legislature. They have said: “Agrarian reform is to be encouraged, but is not mandated.” We have also heard: “Support services must be focused on, and land acquisition and distribution may be deferred.”

No, Mr. Speaker.

The Constitution, by its express wording, commands the State to undertake – not only to encourage, but to encourage AND undertake – the just distribution of all agricultural lands. By clear implication, until all agricultural lands have been distributed, the work does not stop. The work cannot stop. We do not rest and say, this is ok for now. We will see what happens in the future. We will stand proud before our country and say that we are elected government officials, we shall follow the Constitution and give the people what is due them, let other interests be damned.

 As long as there is one landless farmer who meets the requirements to be a beneficiary but does not own the land he tills, we are committed to ensuring that there will be funding for the acquisition of land from his landowner and its subsequent redistribution to him.

Second. CARP has worked more times than it has failed.

Yes, we can talk about the bureaucratic inefficiencies of the Department of Agrarian Reform – AKBAYAN has always championed the cause of transparent and effective governance. Yes, we can talk about how poverty and iniquity in the countryside still continue to persist – our AKBAYAN farmers have similar experiences.  Yes, we can talk about the many gaps and loopholes in the existing law that impede the implementation of the program – AKBAYAN may have a tale or two to tell on that regard.

But the truth of the matter is this:

In the past twenty years, even with the pockmarks that is Hacienda Luisita, Negros, Batangas, Masbate, Bondoc Peninsula, etc, 4.5 million farmers have full control of 7.2 million hectares of agricultural land by virtue of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. As of 2007, 1,959 agrarian reform communities and special agrarian reform communities have been set up. True, this covers only 32% of agrarian reform beneficiaries, but it is a system that is by and large working and can be made expanded even further with effective implementation and political will.

We have 4.5 million farmers whose lives are better off because of CARP. These 4.5 million farmers stand beside the millions more who still remain landless and echo the call of their brothers and sisters in the countryside for the speedy distribution of agricultural lands.

1.3 million hectares is the remaining balance for distribution. AKBAYAN firmly believes that with the correct reform-oriented CARP law and proper implementation, these landholdings may finally be distributed.

Third. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If it IS broke but can be fixed, then we should fix it.

Indeed, Mr. Speaker, we recognize the many gaps and loopholes of the existing law. These gaps and loopholes have translated into tragic stories oft-repeated and well-documented. We are not blind to cases of CLOA cancellation infesting  Isabela, livestock exemptions impeding land acquisition in Masbate, non-installation prevalent in Negros, conversions most pronounced in Batangas, corporate farming in Mindanao, criminalization rampant in Bondoc Peninsula, non-redistributive schemes like SDO and leaseback all over the country.

That is precisely why our position has always been consistent – extend funding for land acquisition and distribution but introduce meaningful reforms that address historical injustices to the farmers.

AKBAYAN stands strongly in support of the reforms in Consolidated House Bill 4077. There is much to be gained for our farmers if these reforms are adopted in the final version. For example, the provision declaring the indefeasibility of CLOAs and emancipation patents after the lapse of one year will arrest the alarming trend of CLOA and EP cancellations and strengthen the titles of the farmers over their land. We will continue to push during plenary other meaningful amendments such as tighter regulations on land conversion and the prohibition on non-redistributive stock distribution options.

The point is simple. We do not throw the baby out with the bath water.

We take a good hard look at what we have and see what holes need to be plugged, what gaps need to be filled. We make improvements and institute changes. We do not give up. Not when so much has already been gained. Not when we can still look forward to more gains.

Fourth. CARP is not a farmers’ issue alone.

When last I took the stand to speak on the issue of CARP extension with reforms, I brought with me three stories from three lives – Benido Mahilom, the farmer from Bondoc Peninsula then languishing in jail for harvesting coconuts; Glen Malaluan, the boy from Calatagan whose family’s agricultural land is facing threat from a mining corporation; Jennifer Pagaspas, the young widow whose husband was killed because he dared lead the petition for leasehold.

But these are not the only lives that agrarian reform impacts on. In the alleys of Sampaloc, Manila, Leonila Giray wonders how to keep up with the spiraling cost of imported rice, and how she can feed her family of six children. She falls in line under the heat of the sun for NFA rice and because it is never enough, supplements it with an unhealthy medley of MSG-laden noodles. Replicate this situation thousands of times over in urban poor communities all over the country and the picture becomes starkly clear.

We are a nation going hungry, Mr. Speaker. We are a nation feeling the pinch of food insecurity and poverty, but whose agricultural lands are being slowly but surely being eaten away by rampant and unabated conversion, whose granaries are being turned into eco-tourism and industrial complexes.

The call for agrarian reform is not a call for the farmers alone, but a call on behalf of the entire nation. It is not the clamor merely of peasants living off land, but of millions of Filipinos dying for food.

AKBAYAN echoes the plea of Pope Benedict the XVI for real and meaningful land reform. The time is now.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. Mabuhay ang magsasakang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang Kongresong maglilingkod ng tapat at magsusulong ng repormang agraryo.

Maramang salamat po.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides

“Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise…”

Maya Angelou, Still I Rise

The Stars

This is my horoscope for today, November 6. Hmmm. I wonder what this means.

PISCES. Sometimes, it is only when you end a journey that you realise where it was that you set off from. Perspective is a wonderful thing and nothing affords us this quite so well as distance. You are now starting to see the past in a different light. You can see the positive side of events that once you only felt able to reject and resent. Soon, you’ll gain more encouraging insights into the true nature of a trying phase of your life. Allow this to inspire a fresh look at a current struggle. It may yet prove far more fruitful than you expect.

My Online Garage Sale

I was cleaning out my closet a few days ago and realized I have a ton of stuff that are still almost-news that I haven’t been able to use. The Kumikitang Kabuhayan in me decided immediately to see if I could make a few bucks out of the stuff in my closet without the hassle of putting up a garage sale.

Thank God for sites like Multiply, I can.

Please check out my online shop Magic Kamison by clicking on this link. I have branded blouses (Mango, etc.),  bags (Coach, for example), shoes and bag organizers at ridiculously-low prices.

Sige na, please.