http://www.makepovertyhistory.org Twisted Grooves: February 2006

Monday, February 27, 2006

hard to be a filipino

it's a hard to be a filipino these days.

just a few weeks ago the stampede at ULTRA claimed quite a number of desperate poor people's lives. most of them hoping that their luck would lift them from their sad state. instead they faced death and left their families mourning.

the next weeks saw another tragedy. more than a thousand people were buried alive in leyte because of a freak landslide that engulfed a whole community. i couldn't bare watching what was unfolding in the news. i just can't imagine that people were slowly dying 30 meters deep into that mud.

and just this weekend another power grab was in the works. this time some military people were involved. just when we were supposed to be celebrating 20 years of the first EDSA.

hell!!! these are some CNN front page cover stories. i just wish we could pull off something positive the next time we hit the international news.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

an act of defiance

a day after a failed power grab,
and a state of national emergency raised
(whatever that means)
they were supposed to be home-
watching tv,stocking-up on food,
avoiding crowded places,
fearing what may come

instead, they woke up early
grabbed some food to eat
and endured the long commute
to their place of service

with barely any knowledge or experience
they finished a skilled worker's job
as they ended up dirty and burned

it wasn't the end though
they still had time to be with other bayanis
they gathered, watched performances,
sang songs and literally just partied

as they say there is a new lifestyle-
of nation building
and a new hobby-of building homes

gawad kalinga! isang milyong bayani!!!



Monday, February 13, 2006

baguio


i was in baguio last weekend and man it was cold! anyway, here's one pic i took while we were just hanging out. i'm still sleepy...

Thursday, February 09, 2006

hoodwinked


Translated to tagalog it means "naisahan". That's according to one of the producers who we met at the special screening at Shangri-la. He was very passionate about their independent film which only costs a fraction of what would normally be if it was animated in the U.S. But this one was outsourced. Guess where? In the Philippines, brother! 100% animated by Pinoys!

Check it out, if you can. Or better yet, pray that someone can afford to distribute it here.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

looking for heroes

Covenant of a GK Bayani
The Philippines, my country, is a gift from God.
1. I commit to love and serve my country with all my heart.
2. I am proud to be Filipino and I will raise children who value their Filipino heritage.
3. I will generously share my time, talent and treasure in helping my country rise from poverty.
4. I commit to live a life of integrity and help restore faith in ourselves as a people.
5. I will follow the path of peace in pursuing meaningful and lasting change.
6. I will help build a culture of hardwork and excellence for the collective good.
7. I will commit to be a Gawad Kalinga Bayani and consecrate my life to God and country.
So help me God.