Writers’ manifesto on the Philippine election

This manifesto, in English and Tagalog, is from a growing list of more than 90 Filipino writers around the world. Our values, and candidates, differ, but we set aside what divides us to unite behind our country. We invite all to stand, with us few Filipinos here, during these troubled times everywhere, for unfettered expression and the necessity of free speech.

A MANIFESTO
I am a Filipino writer.

I am one among journalists, fictionists, poets, essayists, bloggers, screenwriters, graphic storytellers, copywriters, playwrights, editors… Citizens, all—in a perilous place to wield a pen.

I stand for unfettered expression—to discuss, dispute, debate, dissent. For democracy is respectful disagreement—change persuaded, never imposed. And freedom cannot be dictated, for the right to speech empowers all others: to worship, and participate in society, to cry against injustice, and call for what is just. Speaking responsibly is my responsibility—but expression remains unconditional, essential to equality and universal liberty: To each citizen, a free vote; to every citizen, a free voice.

All of us, citizens, live in a world where the powerful thrive on secrecy and the privileged seek our poverty. Ours is a time when righteousness and faith are weaponized into fear and savagery, and life is dispensable to opinion and ideology. All of us, Filipinos, live in a country where facts are spun as black propaganda, and dynasties stage a masquerade of choice, and leaders prosper on our weakness and disunity. Ours is a society broken by those who benefit from its breaking.

I refuse to let that be the story of our people.

To our Filipino sisters and brothers—at home and around the world: I pledge my pen. My task is to listen, to give voices when you’ve none, and render us with all the humanity I can muster and the dignity you deserve. As a writer I work, and witness, inform, and incite. I shall concede my stance when proven wrong, aspire to constant civility, and safeguard our history from those who reap from its rewriting. This I vow. To this I will see.

To those who mislead for fake faith, profit, or political gain—the false prophets, corporations, and agents of disinformation: my enemy is your iniquity, rapacity, manipulation; my methods are clarity, creativity, careful investigation. I know, as you do, that your power sits solely in the pliancy of us people—and I refuse to sit idly as you crave our control. I shall match your inhumanity with plain and simple decency. This I vow. To this I will see.

To our leaders abusing power—elected or otherwise: I am watching, taking notes, recording for all time. I will mock you who’ve made a mockery of our democracy; yours will not be bronze statues in plazas, or elegies on brass plaques—for my words will outlive your influence, in a world that will know the ills you committed and the ugliness that you were. In life you’ve stolen from our country and our people, and in your death I will steal the respect you never earned and the dignity you never deserved. Try to censor me and I will find a way—to immortalize your infamy, defame your legacy, tell your children’s children with accuracy of what you did and precisely all you failed to do. Your punishment will stretch through the pages of perpetuity.

This I vow. To this I will see.

For all histories have shown: Elections pass, systems crumble, but stories remain. Assassinate one of us—but another speaks louder. Pass laws to make us criminals—but our writing blooms beyond their reach. For history has proven: Jose Rizal is always remembered, Marlene Esperat never forgotten. Your weapons may be violence and money, but our tools are vigilance and memory.

For I am a Filipino. I am a writer.

This I vow, and this you will see: I shall not be silent. I cannot be silenced. I am not alone—our writing remembers, our laughter reminds. The truth of you the world will know. And it starts right here, with me.

ISANG MANIPESTO
Ako ay manunulat na Pilipino.

Isa ako sa mga mamamahayag, kuwentista, makata, mananaysay, blogger, scriptwriter, komiks writer, mandudula, patnugot—mamamayang nabubuhay kung saan mapanganib magsulat.

Naninidigan ako na malayang makapagsalita—para magtalakay, tumutol, makipagtalo, sumalungat. Pagtatalong magalang ang demokrasya. Nag-uudyok ito ng pagbabago, hindi nagpapataw. Kailanman, hindi maididikta ang kalayaan. Karapatan ng lahat na magsalita: para sumamba, makiisa sa lipunan, tutulan ang kawalang-katarungan, at manawagan para sa katwiran. Sa pagbibitiw ng salita, may responsibilidad ako. Pero walang anumang kondisyon ang pagpapahayag. Esensyal ito para sa pagkakapantay-pantay at kalayaang unibersal. Malayang boto para sa bawat tao; malayang tinig para sa bawat mamamayan.

Nabubuhay tayo sa mundo kung saan namamayagpag ang laksang lihim ng kapangyarihan. Hangad nila ang patuloy nating kahirapan. Sa panahon ngayon, iniaambang sandata ang pananampalataya at katuwiran para manakot at mag-asal-hayop. Ibinubuwis ang buhay ng tao para lamang sa ideyolohiya at opinyon. Nabubuhay tayong mga Pilipino sa bayan kung saan mistulang black propaganda ang katotohanan. Mapanlokong palabas ng mga dinastiya na mayroon tayong pagpipilian. Malayo na ang narating ng mga namumuno sa bayan dahil sa pagkakawatak-watak natin at kahinaan. Iginugupo ang lipunan natin ng mga taong nakikinabang sa pagkakalansag nito.

Hindi ko papayagan na ito ang maging kuwento ng ating lahi.
Sa mga kapatid na Pilipino dito sa Inang Bayan at saan pa man sa mundo: para sa iyo itong panulat ko. Tungkulin kong makinig, magpahiram ng tinig kung wala na ang sa inyo. Ilalarawan ko ang lahat sa paraang makatao, puno ng dignidad na nararapat sa iyo. Bilang manunulat nagsisikap, sumasaksi, nagbibigay-alam, at nang-uudyok ako. Sakaling mapatunayang mali, isusuko ko ang posisyon ko. Ipagtatanggol ko ang kasaysayan laban sa mga nakikinabang sa pagrebisa nito. Panata ko ito; bagay na tinitiyak ko.

Sa mga nagbabalak iligaw tayo dahil sa pananalig, kita, o benepisyong pulitikal—mga bulaang propeta, korporasyon, at ahente ng tiwaling kaalaman—tutol ako sa inyong kagaspangan, manipulasyon, at pagkagahaman. Laan akong magpaliwanang, maging malikhain, at magsiyasat ng buong ingat. Tulad ninyo, alam ko na nakasalalay ang kapangyarihan ninyo sa pagtitiis ng tao. At hindi ako uupo na lamang para patakbuhin ninyo ang lahat. Hindi ako magsasawang magpakadisente para tapatan ang inyong hindi-makataong paraan. Panata ko ito; bagay na tinitiyak ko.

Sa mga pinunong abusado sa kapangyarihan—inihalal man o hindi: nagbabantay ako, nagtatala para alalahanin ito habang buhay. Kayong kumukutya sa ating demokrasya, kukutyain ko rin kayo. Walang rebultong tanso sa plaza o mga papuring plake para sa inyo. Higit sa impluwensiya ninyo ang bawat salita ko, sa mundong tutuklas sa katiwalian at kahalayan ninyo. Sa buhay, pinagnakawan ninyo ang tao at bayan. Sa kamatayan, babawiin ko ang respetong hindi dapat at dignidad na hindi para sa inyo. Busalan man ninyo ako, pipiglas ako para talunin ang kasamaan ninyo. Yuyurakan ko ang mga iniwan ninyo. Isalaysay ko nang tama sa kaapu-apuhan ang mga nagawa at hindi ninyo ginawa para sa bayan. Walang humpay ang parusa ninyo. Panata ko ito; bagay na tinitiyak ko.

Dahil napatunayan na ng kasaysayan: nagwawakas ang mga halalan, nagigiba ang mga sistema, pero nananatili ang mga salaysay. Itumba man ninyo ang isa sa amin, may isa pang aangal ng mas malakas. Magpasa man kayo ng mga batas para gawin kaming kriminal, yayabong pa rin ang panulat namin lampas sa mga hangganan. Dahil pinatunayan na ng kasaysayan: patuloy na ginugunita si Jose Rizal; hindi nalilimutan si Marlene Esperat. Pera at karahasan man ang sandata ninyo katapat nito ang aming gunita at mulat na pagbabantay.

Ako ay Pilipino. Manunulat ako.

Panata ko ito. Hindi ako mananahimik o mapatatahimik, itaga mo ‘yan sa bato. Hindi ako nag-iisa. Hindi nakalilimot ang aming panulat; nang-uusig ang aming halakhak. Malalaman din ng mundo ang katotohanan tungkol sa iyo. At ngayon magsisimula ito, mula sa akin mismo.

Signed, chronologically (as of May 4, 2016):

MIGUEL SYJUCO
CLINTON PALANCA
LISANDRO CLAUDIO
JOEL PABLO SALUD
MARCK RONALD RIMORIN
RANDY DAVID
ALMA ANONAS-CARPIO
JIM PASCUAL AGUSTIN
SYLVIA E. CLAUDIO
ROMANO CORTES JORGE
AMBETH R. OCAMPO
CAROLINE S. HAU
DANTON REMOTO
ROFEL BRION
MARNE KILATES
NINOTCHKA ROSCA
IAN ROSALES CASOCOT
PATRICIO ABINALES
SARGE LACUESTA
NEIL GARCIA
KIMI TUVERA
GEMINO ABAD
LOURD DE VEYRA
MARITES VITUG
LUIS FRANCIA
JESSICA HAGEDORN
D.M. REYES
MOOKIE KATIGBAK LACUESTA
NICANOR TIONGSON
ISABELITA REYES
ROLANDO B. TOLENTINO
LINDA FAIGAO-HALL
MERLIE ALUNAN
NENI STA. ROMANA CRUZ
KARINA BOLASCO
NICOLA SEBASTIAN
RENE CIRIA-CRUZ
KRISTINE FONACIER
CRISELDA YABES
JOSE DALISAY
DEAN FRANCIS ALFAR
RAMON GUILLERMO
PATRICIA LIM
MONA LISA YUCHENGCO
GEMMA NEMENZO
CRISTINA PANTOJA-HIDALGO
NICK CARBO
GRACE TALUSAN
ALBERT B. CASUGA
SYLVIA L. MAYUGA
CARLOMAR ARCANGEL DAOANA
M. EVELINA GALANG
FH BATACAN
CARLJOE JAVIER
FELIX FOJAS
NADINE SARREAL
SUSAN S. LARA
RHANDEE GARLITOS
EUGENE EVASCO
DINO MANRIQUE
LINDA NIETES
GRACE R. MONTE DE RAMOS
JOHN LABELLA
KARL R. DE MESA
YVETTE PANTILLA-CARPIO
JAN PHILIPPE V. CARPIO
ROGER B. RUEDA
OSCAR V. CAMPOMANES
CHARLSON ONG
NOELLE Q. DE JESUS
MAXINE SYJUCO
SHIRLEY O. LUA
PAULO ALCAZAREN
TWINK MACARAIG
DEE MANDIGMA
MYRZA SISON
SHAKIRA SISON
LUIS P. GATMAITAN
THELMA ENAGE
RALPH SEMINO GALAN
LUISA T. REYES
REBECCA T. AÑONUEVO
MICHAEL M. COROZA
GERALDINE C. MAAYO
RAMIL DIGAL GULLE
MALOU JACOB
RONALD REYES
DARYLL DELGADO
NONOY ESPINA
ELIZABETH ONG
LOUIE JON A. SANCHEZ
LILA SHAHANI

JOIN THE GROWING LIST OF SIGNATORIES BY CONTACTING MIGUEL SYJUCO AT miguel.syjuco@gmail.com.

Wondertouch, Philippine best massage lotion and painkiller

Wondertouch, energy massage lotion and painkiller made with a blend of ginger essential juice, chili, and peppermint. It helps energise the body and sharpens the senses. Wondertouch helps clear bruises, carbuncles, sores on the skin, arthritis, muscle aches and pains, rheumatism, relieve acne, lighten age spots, fight skin damaging free radicals, reduce cellulite, promote smoothness and evenness of skin tone, decrease inflammation, increase radiance to skin, and provide aromatherapy benefits and more!

Wondertouch absorbs instantly and leaves no greasy, tacky afterfeel. Plus, its refreshing zeal gives spirits a boost. It is uplifting to release tension and sharpen the senses.

The ginger as its main ingredient releases energy to human body, improves blood circulation, and has a continuous lightening age spots while boosting the energy during spa, aromatherapy, and cellulite-reducing treatments.

This lotion is excellent for all massage modalities. Extended glide with less reapplications. Message +639777522401 for bulk order.

Dr Maria Jade Catalan Opulencia and her other colleague nominees for the 2016 Global Top 50 Educators Award

Professors of Human Resource Management, Dr Maria Jade  Catalan Opulencia and her colleague Dr Rommel Sergio, from the School of Business Administration at Canadian University Dubai (CUD), have both been nominated to the 2016 Global Top 50 Educators Award, scheduled to be presented in the UK later this year.

The most innovative educationist in the Philippines, Dr Catalan Opulencia was awarded a Lingkod Bayan, the highest award given by the Philippine president to a government employee. She was given the award for her exceptional performance in and contributions to public service by helping out government workers earn bachelor's and master's degrees. A lot of the government officials in the Philippines now are products of her programmes.

She is indeed of the highest calibre. A gold laid waste by the university in the Philippines which didn't understand her worth and importance. Now abroad, CUD is getting off on her remarkable talent and intelligence. Sayang, she could be a ​great asset to the university.

Fibre & Fruit

I've finally found the best juice brand for me. So now there's lots of reasons to drink fresh juices (grape, peach, apple) these days, from the flavour and the blast of vitamins easily absorbed by the body, to detoxifying and cleansing. Many thanks to Oishi. With Oishi's Fibre & Fruit, I can get a good source of fibre every day. It uses cane sugar, a delicious and healthier organic sweetener, so I can get rid of aspartame. It is very light and delicious! A healthy and refreshing treat for a hot day.

Susannah: Deliciously Native!

Invite your taste buds to take a momentary break from Susannah and enjoy its rich and delicious butterscotch, Iloilo's most delicious, when you visit Iloilo City's Aldeguer Street this January during the Dinagyang Festival. It’s bound to be amazing. It has a delightfully rich leche flan-like flavour and creamy smooth texture. This treat is loaded with lots of moist and chewy goodness. Susannah: Deliciously native!

IF YOU NEED HELP PLEASE RING (033) 3373566/3375457. Monday to Sunday 9.00 to 5.00pm.

Teachancement 2015 Promotional Video

Teachancement 2015: Speakers

TEACHANCEMENT 2015

MARISSA J HARTWIG is an educator, an author, a Reiki master, and a peace seeker. She has been an early childhood educator for 18 years, and also trains and mentors teachers. Believing that dance mirrors life, she wrote her memoir titled Life Is A Dance: Reflections on Defining My Truth, infusing it with her poetry. She also edited and published her father's autobiography, The Mountain and the Metropolis. Ms Hartwig received a grant from AMS (American Montessori Society) to establish peace education through a ‘Healing Garden’ for the child victims of typhoon Haiyan in Iloilo, Philippines. That experience has inspired her to help cultivate peace through what she refers to as ‘the healing art of teaching.’ Ms Hartwig presents in workshops and seminars on education, addressing and focussing on nurturing the spirit of the child.

The author of K-12, ISAGANI R CRUZ earned his bachelor’s degree from UP Diliman in 1965, his MA in English Literature from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1970, and his PhD in English Literature from the University of Maryland in 1976. In 1972 and 2003, Dr Cruz received a Fulbright grant to study in the United States. He is a Don Carlos Palanca Memorial member of the Palanca Hall of Fame in 2004 for his plays, essays, and short stories. He also won the SEAWRITE Award in 1991, the Centennial Literary Contest Award in 1998, and the Gawad Balagtas Award in 1999.  As an educator, Dr Cruz worked with the De La Salle University, the Ateneo de Manila University, and the University of Santo Tomas. He was an Assistant Professor at the UP Diliman and a director of the Teachers Academy at Far Eastern University. He also became a professor at universities in the United States, Japan, and Taiwan. He became a Visiting Fellow at St Antony's College in Oxford University. A former DepEd’s undersecretary, he was the president of the Philippine Fulbright Scholars Association. He writes a column for Philippine Star and blogs at www.isagnicruz.com.

LEONCIO P DERIADA has a BA English (cum laude) from the Ateneo de Davao University in 1959, an MA in English from Xavier University in 1970, and a PhD in English and Literature (creative writing) from Silliman University in 1981, where he before long served as professor and chairperson of the English Department. A language champion, he’s produced works in English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Cebuano. His thirteen Palanca awards include works in English, Filipino and Hiligaynon. He became a Palanca Hall of Famer on 1 September 2001. Aside from his Palanca awards, he has garnered other prestigious awards such as the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, Asiaweek, Gawad CCP, Graphic, Focus, Yuhum (Iloilo), and Blue Knight Award from Ateneo de Davao for Outstanding Achievement in Literature. In 2002, he was one of Metrobank's Outstanding Teachers. He’s a UP professor emeritus.

Teachancement 2015: Teaching Children Specialisation Seminar with the Champions

Teaching children is a unique experience that is both challenging and fun. Compared to adults, children are more energetic, have shorter attention spans, and learn language according to specific stages of development; these present planning challenges for the teacher. The key to teaching children is to understand the principles of teaching and apply it in ways that keep children motivated to learn. This 40-hour Teaching Children Specialisation Seminar with the Champions - Marissa Hartwig, Isagani Cruz, and Leoncio Deriada - expands upon teaching philosophies, and will prepare teachers to design and implement curriculum specifically for young learners of varying ages and skill levels. See you all at Teachancement 2015 in Iloilo City. For more details, message +639154030975.

Day 1-Day 3 Ms Marissa J Hartwig
Day 4 Dr Isagani R Cruz
Day 5 Dr Leoncio P Deriada/Tour of select Iloilo City schools
6-10 July 2015


DAY ONE:

Opening Remarks: Mrs Estrella Mago, DepEd QAA

Morning Session:

Creating a Paradigm Shift in Education (1 hour & 20 minutes)

Discuss the benefits of schools offering individualised and personalised instruction, as opposed to the traditional one-size-fits all approach to education. How can we create a model for quality schools? We will discuss developmentally appropriate practices and how they relate to the educational system today. This discussion will provide insight into marketing a private school. Participants will be given tips on how to attract clients.

Break:15 minutes

The Healing Art of Teaching (1 hour & 20 minutes)

What defines a good educator? Discuss the attributes of effective teachers from the perspective of the learner. What is inherent in the role of the educator in the 21st century, whether you’re teaching preschoolers or adult learners? Participants will be asked to discuss what they believe makes a good educator. Teaching techniques and role-playing will be utilised.

Lunch Break and Networking: 12:00 – 1:30
Afternoon Session:   

The Essential Classroom (1 hour & 20 minutes)

How can you design a classroom that is conducive to learning? How can you create an environment that stimulates the curious mind? Participants will learn about the tools essential in any classroom setting, from the material to the ethereal. They will reflect on what they have in their classrooms and make a list of what they aspire to secure, or create. Methods to create affordable, sensible, and practical classroom materials will be discussed.

Break:15 minutes

Integrating Relevant Themes (1 hour & 20 minutes)

What does your curriculum include? What topics do we teach in general education? Why should we incorporate relevant themes and how can we integrate them into our course of study? Participants will be given examples of themes that are successfully linked to science, math, and the arts. They will be able to review materials and discuss how to integrate them into their curriculum.

Exercises in music will be highlighted for the young learners.
               

DAY TWO:

Morning Session:

Dynamics of the Classroom Setting (1 hour & 20 minutes)

Discuss the constitution of a classroom – what kinds of learners do you have? How do you determine learning styles and how can you address them? How can you maintain an inclusive classroom, mainstreaming your children that exhibit various personalities? Participants will learn to define their class and individual students and design and implement effective instruction.

Break:15 minutes

STAR: An Approach to Behaviour Modification (1 hour & 20 minutes)
STAR is an acronym for Stop, Think, Act, Reflect – a developmentally appropriate conflict resolution strategy. How do we handle children who have behavior problems in the classroom? Participants will learn how to apply this technique to students who exhibit disruptive behavior. They will role-play situations and behaviors then implement the strategy. They will also learn about other proven effective techniques to address this issue.

Lunch Break and Networking: 12:00 – 1:30

Afternoon Session:   

Educating for Peace: Dealing with Pain (1 hour & 20 minutes)
Natural disasters, crime, and other tragedies prompt educators to develop coping skills for the children afflicted with emotional trauma. We will discuss the impact of such loss on our students young and old. How do we communicate with these young victims and what outlet can we provide. Educating for inner peace is vital and ideas will be shared and discussed. Sharing books on peace, journal writing, art activities, and other avenues will be explored. Participants will practice stress-releasing techniques to share with their students.

Break: 15 minutes

The Healing Garden: Creating A Space for Peace (1 hour & 20 minutes)

A garden is a tool for healing. It is therapeutic, providing children with a sense of awe and wonder. Momentary peace can be attained through tending to a garden, creating a sanctuary for reflection and silence. How can you design a garden that is not only functional, but also beautiful and inviting. Participants will be given ideas on how to create a peace curriculum with the garden. They will design their own garden along with extensions such as learning exercises focused on this garden.


DAY THREE:

Morning Session:

Effective Parent-Teacher Communication: Bridging the Gap between Partners of Education (1 hour & 20 minutes)

Excellent communication skills with the parents are required to ensure the success of your students. We will discuss how to relate with these partners in the interest of their children. How do we conduct ourselves during these conversations? How do you handle parent-teacher conferences? Participants will be given scenarios to role play and strategies to acquiesce the situation, arriving at mutually agreeable solutions.

Break: 15 minutes

Keeping Families Engaged (1 hour & 20 minutes)

You have a family enrolled, now how do you keep them at your school and be an active participant in the learning process? What programmes and activities do you have that are specifically for that purpose? Participants will explore events designed to keep the parents interested and involved with your school. Book fairs, art auctions, fund-raising activities, family fun day, and others will be discussed.

Lunch Break and Networking: 12:00 – 1:30

Afternoon Session:   

Celebrating The End of the School Year (1 hour & 20 minutes)

There’s graduation for those leaving the school, but what about the students going into the next level? Do they not deserve a celebration too? We will discuss how to design an end-of-the-year programme that is fun and developmentally appropriate. The event will showcase what the children have learned through the year. Writing an original play, creating a song and dance programme, or reciting poetry will be explored.

Break: 15 minutes

Learning IS Fun (1 hour & 20 minutes)

This segment reviews the topics that were discussed for the last three days. Participants will recap what most interests them and will address issues they may have on others. They will break into groups and be given specific assignments like making materials, designing a classroom, performing songs, role-playing a parent-teacher scenario, etc. We conclude my presentation with a song or two in sign language.   
           
DAY FOUR:

Morning Session:         

Understanding K12 Curriculum (1 hour & 20 minutes)
Principles Underlying K12 (1 hour & 20 minutes)
K12 Curriculum Outcomes Framework (1 hour & 20 minutes)

Break: 15 minutes
   
Understanding K12 Assessment and Evaluation (1 hour & 20 minutes)
Considerations for K12 Programme Delivery (1 hour & 20 minutes)
   

Lunch Break and Networking: 12:00 – 1:30

Afternoon Session:

Qualities of Effective Principals (1 hour & 10 minutes)
Facilities Management in Schools (1 hour & 10 minutes)

Break: 15 minutes

Getting Parents Involved in Schools (2 hours)

Sponsored Dinner & Free Film Showing at Cinematique Iloilo: 5:30-7:30

DAY FIVE:

Mother Tongue with Dr Leoncio P Deriada, Language Champion
Tour of select Iloilo City schools
Awarding of Certificates
Registration Fee: Php 6000

Leoncio Deriada: Language Champion

Leoncio Deriada spent most of his life in Davao. He graduated from the Davao City High School in 1955. He read BA English cum laude at the Ateneo de Davao University in 1959; his MA in English, at Xavier University in 1970; his PhD in English and Literature with a specialisation in creative writing, at Silliman University in 1981 where he later on served as professor and chairperson of the English Department. He is a UPV's professor emeritus.

A multi-lingual writer, he has produced works in English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Cebuano. His thirteen Palanca awards include works in English, Filipino, and Hiligaynon. Of these thirteen, five are first-prize winners, and these include 'The Day of the Locusts' (Short Story, 1975), 'Mutya ng Saging' (Dulaang May Isang Yugto, 1987), 'The Man Who Hated Birds' (Short Story for Children, 1993), 'Medea of Siquijor' (One-Act Play, 1999), and 'Maragtas: How Kapinangan Tricked Sumakwel Twice' (Full-Length Play, 2001). He became a Palanca Hall of Famer on 1 September 2001. Aside from his Palanca awards, he has garnered other prestigious awards such as the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, Asiaweek, Gawad CCP, Graphic, Focus, Yuhum (Iloilo), and Blue Knight Award from Ateneo de Davao for Outstanding Achievement in Literature. In 2002, he was one of Metrobank's Outstanding Teachers.

He was the literary editor of the defunct Home Life magazine and has been editor of several West Visayan anthologies. He has mentored famous writers in the Philippines: Peter Solis Nery, Alex Delos Santos, Genevieve Asenjo, Melecio Turao, John Barrios, Isidoro Cruz, Alain Russ Dimzon, Alexander de Juan, Melchor Cichon, Felino Garcia amongst others.

He is the country's Language Champion. He's going to talk about Mother Tongue at the seminar I have organised for teachers on 10th July this year. To enquire about the seminar, message me at +639154030975.

Calabashes at the Jaro Plaza

These large hard-shelled globose fruits are calabashes. I happened to see them at the Jaro Plaza. They are grown in Dinglê, Iloilo, a town on the outskirts of Passi City. According to the farmer who sells this, the fruit is effective in bringing about recovery from diabetes. It's cooked in boiling water and its watery solution is drunk like tea. It tastes tangy with a strong aftertaste. The farmer will stay up at the plaza till 5 February, days after the famous fiesta of Jaro District.

Justice

a poem by Roger B Rueda

is like a pebble that once buried it'll not shoot
like a seed of a vine that grows up a trellis
and winds itself around tall trees
as it spreads out and obscures them as possible.
It will keep mum underneath the memory
of the living and silverfish.
It'll be lost sight of by the heart that feels for,
that understands.
But no. I will stifle it in texts which hide
on paper where silverfish are dead to the world.
The texts have magic. It is more than a seed.
It is a firework blowing up into the sky.
It will make anyone stagger back against the rail
and topple over, wiping out the gloom of oblivion.

Pity

a poem by Roger B Rueda

It blows up when I see a cat hit by a jeepney
and transforms itself into a scalpel so sharp
and jagged, each of its cuts bringing twinges
to my heart snivelling and withstanding
the torment and misery of helplessness.
It reminds me of the enormous, whose
conception consists of me and pity, so then
of supplication as whispered by faith
from the abysmal respites of my humanity:
All I want is the vanishing of grieves,
fairy-like and spiritual, in the lurch and faithful.
It clings to the sentience and conscience -
it draws the pith of my wits and gags
bliss and vanity and conceit with remorse and
regret smothering me to be more tangled.
It intrudes me and my vision: it goes with
the cat whose body is feeling at ease now
and whose avatar occupies my sentiment
which is river-like - it's full of water
that wells over the window of my quintessence
when I am all alone, grief-stricken, pity-warped.

NLRC

a poem by Roger B Rueda

It is full of fire and brimstone –
its autochthons and peons
are genetic copies of Beelzebub,
Mephistopheles, Apollyon:
atrocious, villainous,  fiendish,
abominable, depraved.
They eat crying shame
and drink dirty deal.
They love rarity and high living –
their secret selves are fighting
a blaze in the recesses
of their hearts.
They exchange smiles
as they pass in the hallway:
their lips are so crisp
and their eyes,
pleased as punch, their scruples
ice-covered in the glitter
of their real distance downward.
The sacrileges
of their wounded
are behind themselves
waiting to  unwrap their lips and
muffle their laughs in their sleeves.

First Sex

a poem by Roger B Rueda

I hugged his leg tightly to my chest.
His leg hairs like thin threads were tickling
my cheeks and lips,
his hands pushing my head off from him.
I moved his underwear
strap from his waist
towards the tops of his legs
with my teeth.
His penis like bubble gum touched me
on my clam-like lips which were ready
to close together to swallow
it as he put it
into my mouth, it getting
firm and more
difficult to bend and he
having a masturbatory
fantasy, I felt it was a golden
opportunity.
In a sudden paroxysm, it burst
a salty flavour.
I ate it the way I eat raw oyster,
thinking
lucky me. Then, we undressed and got
into the bath. I washed
his penis with
Safeguard, its bubbles falling
into his hands.
I licked his lips, cheeks, ears,
neck, and nipples,
he on bended knee and we
showering together.
Then he stabbed at me
with his penis.
I was bleeding, he sploshing water into
my flesh wound, the wound
which made me feel
a sense of freedom and baptism.
He kissed me on the mouth
and whispered
I love you in my ear, I was crying for
the pain in my bottom.
In a sudden paroxysm,
it burst whitish lotion
which I gently rubbed in.
Then we hurried back to school,
we put on
clothes,me taking up my bag
with my Grade Five
workbooks and he his folders and class records.

Wall

a poem by Roger B Rueda

A wall made of flat-sided pieces of stone
keeps a tight rein on emotion as if
it was a horse frenzied and out of control
when I’m feeling full of fear or dread.
It shields my body from cruel eyes
when I’m in the buff, and theirs
from mine, dagger-like, so sharp.
It wards off assailants of my poems:
as words surge from my mind
and spill over from my right hand,
nobody can rabbit on about the PDAF
or the DAP or the yellow ribbons,
or the flood in Iloilo City.
No one, even on the justice selling
of the NLRC, where crooked arbiters hole up.
Only the smell of my meals is lost, unbound –
it passes through my neighbours’
imaginings but never their cats,
which snaffle my other neighbours’ viand.
And, yes, when I snuffle but
never their fists or strikes with the foot.

The Lunok Tree

a poem by Roger B Rueda

Its roots and branches rigorously pruned,
the lunok tree rests with beauty
in a clay pot filled with soil and some
stones, everyone filled with wonder
as they sit at table, waiting
for the director’s visitor to go,
its leaves like small balls of paper
and its bole, a roll of shredded tobacco.
Its yellow buds like lolly.
When the fan blows, it blows too
as if in the wind, the kalachuchi outside
growing to a height of several feet
reeking of loss but celebrating indulgence.

Crab

a poem by Roger B Rueda

You’re a crab - you can't crawl or scuttle
on your legs and grasping pincers
out of the bucket full of hot water
loosening the shells and killing
you gently: your temperament
is barely believable: you clasp others
tightly to yourself in the surging crowd
of crabs lying in wait for their death.
You think I’m a crab, but never am I:
see, I’m boundless. I have no broad flat shell,
antennae, and five pairs of legs. You do.
I don’t scavenge through slurry.
We eat respect and conviction.
We’re not bound by lies and deception.
My cronies and I can take wing anytime.
We are eagles: we wrangle, we put
others forward, and we cut
and run together.Bye crabby!
I hope you put up with the warmth of death.

On Beauty and Gayness

an essay by Roger B Rueda

Is it proper to say so – that a handsome man can’t become a gay because only the ugly ones deserve to become one? But is it also proper to say that an ugly man can’t be a gay because only those who can look pretty deserve to become one? Our opinions and sentiments sometimes suck – and are puzzling.

Being gay isn’t based on one’s ugliness or handsomeness. For one, being gay is a way of thinking and what makes one tick. So saying that an ugly man is so unrealistic for becoming a gay is so illogical and unthinking. Much so when one is so handsome, because a lot would say that one is living in vain. Being ugly and being gay could effectively interweave. Why not? Being handsome and being gay, too. Being a gay has no system and design based on beauty or race or status in life. Anyone can be a gay regardless of his eminence and prominence –or even looks, so it’s atypical. Life is indeed hit or miss and predictable as well.

Whatever combination one has is thinkable and likely – an ugly gay or a handsome gay or a pretty gay or a freakish gay or a senseless gay or a plump gay. We can’t saddle someone with our own standard. Only a scientist can, to a robot or to his Frankenstein. People especially gays evolve and emerge with a lot of freedom in deciding how to behave and think, because everyone is at liberty. In a country such as the Philippines, all people are expected to be willing to listen to and consider other people's ideas and suggestions. Apparently, the most powerful people in the world are the people who love changes and new ideas. Their maturity and humanity are unforeseen yet felt.

Being gay is indefinable. Being gay has no restriction, yet being gay isn’t really extraordinary because being gay is no different from being a human being. A gay, like a man and a woman, knows love, too. He knows how to value and respect life. He also celebrates life as he is pleased and excited about his reality. He can be impaired by pain and suffering. He has feelings and thoughts because being a gay is a fact of life, something that relates to humanity and existence, something that cannot be discounted or repudiated or circumvented. It is a mystery of life which is appalling based on what is normal and anticipated, yet when not confronted or explored or plumbed up to its depth, we can’t know how enigmatic it is or how reflective it is. It is a fact of life which draws us to be free-thinking and permissive, because we value respect, consideration for others, and love for others based on their happiness and feelings more than the normalcy and what is usual. Being gay is not a choice, but it is being truthful or true to oneself. It is being sincere to one’s innermost complexity. It is recognising nature or the supernatural for what is felt or sensed rather than what is imposed by others. It is confronting oneself instead of disagreeing with it.

Being tolerant to gayness is being OK with more choice and diversity into the society. It is enjoying the uniqueness of everyone and the uniqueness of one’s experience.

Now I hope you’ve got my point and most likely use your imagination to weigh up a lot of things around us by understanding them or putting up with them or passing over them because so long as it doesn’t cause detriment to us, I think the best thing to do is keep mum. For one, we don’t know their hardship and struggle and desolation and misery because they, too, want to live life happily and normally as everyone does.

Life is so fabulous only if we know how to make one.

Napoles

an essay by Roger B Rueda

Napoles is a perplexity herself. Imagine she was economical with the truth behind all the scams she had devised herself and by her surreptitious mentors. At first, she wanted to look in the clear, well-intentioned and straightforward, while appearing on TV, comely and poised. Of course, it is her right to do so. After all, she is a private citizen. But later she came forth to bear out what she knows, perverting representatives and senators and even the Catholic Church. Now she is a lying detriment.

Having professed her innocence before the senate, Napoles with her new testimony now bamboozles the Filipino. Her credibility is lost, her face pinched and drawn as she goes deathly pale. Everyone thinks of her as a liar and a cheat. Well, she only has herself to blame. Had she told the truth before the Senate, then she could have blown up a blast in the government. She could have dishonoured the honourable criminals.

Then the Napolist began to filter through to the DOJ and some others. The confusion got underway. Why was it Napoles wasn’t quick and confident about incriminating her accomplices? Has she passed over some for reason that she and her family could be bumped off anytime or at some point?

Now the Napolist is sanitised. It has become beyond belief: why are some senators drawn in and some left out in the cold, based on whistle-blowers’ list? For what? Anyway, I hope Napoles has substantiations for all the people she has embroiled in controversy and dishonour.  Otherwise, all of this is all her way to mess up the truth to flummox the Filipino. If no one will be indicted, then indeed the Napoles thing is just a show set up to harass and embarrass the opposition and undesirable allies. And thus, she and her family and the whistle-blowers deserve to be sent down.

But I hope, too, that the Napoles thing is not a planned controversy for 2016, to disconcert the plans of some to run for president, or for vengeance for whatsoever – political or personal.

The PDAF scam expose is a bitter taste of truth that the impoverishment of millions of Filipinos is due to the greed and materialism of some representatives and senators. They have no respect for trustworthiness and decency when they secretly appropriated the money intended for the Filipino. That’s why a lot of representative and senators put themselves up for the posts because of the contentious PDAF, which is like a windfall, a gold mine – a secret trove that conceitedly bares their spurious bigheartedness and altruism before the illiterate and the unwitting.

I hope that all the evidence of the Napolist will be brought together soon so that the 2016 and beyond will be the years for squeaky-clean representatives and senators. And all the guilty politicians should be condemned and mortified by displaying their photographs and videos of them at malls and at museums and at schools, with captions or descriptions reminding everyone how immoral, unethical, dishonest, crooked, shady, and fraudulent these politicians are. A book titled ‘Napolist’ is also worthwhile, for children to bury themselves in for them to learn something vicariously – and perhaps with crisp resentment and aversion in their realisation. Only then we can say that we are all serious about our advocacy against corruption.

Inside the Philippines

an essay by Roger B Rueda

In the Philippines, honesty and integrity are only part of propaganda, but the truth is the ones telling of honesty and integrity are those who are lacking in them. The ones who hate the corrupt are those who have consummate corruption. The ones who disdain evils have archevils clad in angelic outfits close to them, manoeuvring them, waiting for their collapse – or they are evils themselves, unknowing that they are. The ones who help the poor are the ones whose family and kinfolk made millions to be poor or took selfish or unfair advantage of the poor to be poorer or down-and-out. Everyone now has their own inner conflict to keep cover, to survive socially, commercially, and politically. Everyone now especially the politicians has become more psychologically precocious and image-conscious behind all their malevolence and voracity. It’s time everyone became more prudent, or else they would be played away.

The national government is pushing for a corrupt-free government, yet the local ones have fraudulence and characteristic of their own. They are the paradox of what is campaigned for. They have agendas of their own. This happens because such a campaign is only made known in words and not operationally and seriously, without all the monitoring and setting up of feedback mechanisms that will provide useful information for future decisions and development of the government. Without this, all the campaigns on anti-corruption are only artificiality. It means it has no sincerity or spontaneity in here. They are all apparently vague and general, only high-flown rhetoric, only hoopla. Acting against corrupt officials only happens when the corrupt government officials are anti-national government, when they are put on the agenda.

Fortunately, anyway, no one is complaining to this point, but history will or after 2016, when everyone has realised the untruthfulness, pretence, and worst treachery of the previous government, whose agendas would have been unimaginable and whose paradoxes would have been two-faced and impertinent.

Another thing, not all local counterparts of the government are good and truthful. Most of them were evils arrayed in pretentious outfits of an angel, their hearts so malicious and avaricious. These local government officials protect anyone who has money despite his/her shameful, unwise, or regrettable act or activity that involves breaking the law. Money in the local level of government talks much and mightily and everyone listens to it, according to a local writer on my Facebook. Surprisingly, the national government is unspeaking about all these. This is a simple failure of sincerity and urgency, to stop all corruption in the government. Well, it is easy to believe this rhetoric when everything is OK, but when a lot in this country are hurtled down to injustice, mishandling, and disproportion – and unthinkable reality, such pomposity becomes exposed and discerned, like what is coming about now, slowly, increasingly – and the tall tale is coming into view like the tip of the iceberg.

The laws of the Philippines are also pretentious and hollow. It is perhaps for this country to be seen in a positive light globally. Imagine millions of workers receive pays below the minimum and whose benefits are deprived of them, yet the government turns its back on this issue and talks like everything is OK in this country before the international media and journalists and foreign legates. What is more substantial and central here – the law, the country’s image globally, the skint workers, who have no voice to express their unhappiness, or the well-fixed employers who grease the palms of the local politicians? Why does the government allow this abuse and violation to happen, reflecting its disrespect for the laws? If the laws are not followed, then why not repeal them – or at least amend them?

This government talks about its achievements, yet in truth, millions of Filipinos are putting up with inequality and injustice in all sectors of the government – as corruption is done in subtlety and with utter expertise, as a lot of poor people are exploited yet disregarded by the DOLE itself. Without addressing this problem, it points towards how unconcerned and lethargic the government is. It reflects how habitually careless or irresponsible the DOLE is. It reflects, too, how defenceless it is from moneyed employers and businessmen, which calls for the government to streamline its policies and ways to be more of help. Imagine this: the DOLE allows the erring employers to manage the distribution of back pays to their workers without its presence. Yes, workers can complain anytime, the DOLE would put in plain words – and the workers sign here. Really? Why can’t the DOLE act on this issue so that distrust and suspicion are avoided? Or does the DOLE itself want to get out of this to help employers do the chicanery lawfully deceptively? Isn’t it so obvious? Only the stupid can’t notice this. What has a representative/senator done about it? Is it OK, anyway? For me, it’s a favour to give latitude for the employers to defraud workers with authorisation. And I’m sure this is one of those good turns extended on the sly by the government to the most moneyed and influential.

I can say then that the laws of the Philippines are not for the welfare of everyone, but for the image the government has outside this country. To say at least that there is no injustice or abuse here because everything undergoes a process. Yet to the mind of the victims, they have become more helpless and adversely ill-treated – not only by their untruthful employers but by the inattentive and dissembling government. Some of them will just keep it in their heart, but to some, they will scatter it, like the scattering of seeds over the fields, over their family and friends, over the next generation. A lot of people know it and all government officials should inspire shame in themselves, because it is not that the people do not know it, they only keep mum to the level nobody knows – until, of course, the flare-up, like those made by militant and radical groups, until everyone is ready and resolute to pressure the government or worst to vanquish the oligarchy, the system favourable to the elite or toffs.

It is funny though that still a lot of our politicians and government officials pretending to be angelic hope to be recognised as an angel and a hero in the end despite the blatancy of their ill will and duplicity. Is it because they think all Filipinos are so thick or dispassionate? Well let’s see in 2016 who the PCOS is programmed to vote for. Let’s see if PR and PCOS are still the best towards a corrupt-free Philippines! And let’s see if PR can still romanticise the incompetence and failure and unfulfilled promises of the present government and the uncontrollability and leaning-on of the local government as all these go down in everyone’s consciousness and in history.

Justicebiz

by Roger B Rueda

The cohesiveness and camaraderie of lawyers and fraternities are adversaries of justice and subtle advocates of injustice. Bribery then is likely and inexorable as justice is big business in this country. No poor people can go in for justice because the process to realise it is full of prejudice and inequality, as everyone can be bought off. Duplicity and corruption are everywhere despite the Daang Matuwid, a pompous, ostentatious, and hollow watchword of the present administration. It promises disappointment, exasperation, and weariness. It offends the intelligence of the poor Filipinos. It eggs on the unfairness, favouritism, predisposition, and preconception of our society. It reflects the pointlessness, futility, ineffectiveness, and incompetence of the government. It disregards the poor intellectuals and pushes them to rise up and kick up a rumpus, to stand up for their right.

Justice in the Philippines is politically driven: anyone who supports a politician is fail-safe to realise justice, which can be brought about by palm-greasing.  Thus, this country is a country of unethicality and dishonesty. Its mediocrity, superficiality, and triviality are reflected by the services the government puts forward and the untruthfulness it can do despite depravity and paltriness all in the name of money and politics. With this, it is alarmingly discriminating to millions of Filipinos who do not play a part in prompting the government to be reliable and scrupulous, to rationalise its system, and to tick off the erring government officials like arbiters and judges. If the government does not follow through what is even-handed and appropriate, honest and humanitarian, and rational and judicious, it does not deserve to be deferred to or respected. All it deserves is to be disparaged for it misuses the rationality of this country. It promotes disparity and confusion amongst its people. It signals to the poor people to be apathetic about this country and its identity and national dignity and honour. And it inspires people to be high level criminals – corrupt officials whose charge is difficult to prove unless one is the enemy of the present government.

Depriving people of justice they deserve is more disconcerting than burglary, mugging, stealing, shoplifting, and pilfering. People who are bribed to supress justice are scoundrels and crooks more than pork barrel scammers. They are like an apple which looks so luscious yet its pulp has been ravaged by worms. They should be poked around by the ombudsman. In the Philippines, however, corruption and bribery are OK – a signal to the youth that everyone should strive to be high level criminals, as these kinds of crimes are subtly threatening and dishonouring. That being a criminal is OK so long as you are an arbiter or judge or a head of a local government agency.

I hope the social media will serve as a looking glass for the government to mull over itself and gauge its efficiency and inadequacy and laxity and incompetence.  

To the arbiter I hate most, don't be so bloody like the smell of the fish and your rotten soul! Do your job honestly!

Labour Injustice in Iloilo City

an essay by Roger B Rueda

Persuading someone to favour someone is bribery that both the lawyer and an arbiter should fight shy of especially when the case lacks subtlety and brims with clarity. All the lawyers I’ve consulted have been knocked for six as the decision of the corrupt and dishonest arbiter derides the intelligence of the sacked workers and the truthfulness of the law. My suspicion has been aroused with such a stupid decision, which can only be gotten done when bought off. It is so preposterous.

Such an arbiter should be kept an eye on and all his decisions before should be looked over – perhaps, by the CHR or ombudsman, as with this kind of arbiter, many human rights have been disregarded and defiled. I’m afraid that the ill-treated and misused were insulted and unfairly treated twice – in the workplace and a government agency labelled as or at least expected to be in ‘Daang Matuwid.’ This decision calls for organising a group that keeps this government agency under observation and asks for its abolition when it is so unscrupulous and depraved. This corrupt practice should be known by all Filipinos, whether they will react or not, act or not, express sympathy or not – to understand how justice is being carried out in the Philippines or in some places like Iloilo City, to inform everyone that the gremlins of bribery and corruption are full of zip and unscathed.

The only way to judge the Daang Matuwid is through one’s direct experience with the government, when one knows he/she is abused in the workplace, yet there is no government agency which can help him/her because of the arbiter who has the tendency to be deceitful.

If such an injustice happens in the local government agency, it means that the Daang Matuwid has no power in the local government or the local leaders betray the Daang Matuwid as they pretend to be upright, trustworthy, moral, good, decent, law-abiding, reliable, scrupulous, or honourable, yet it slurs over the intention of the Daang Matuwid. They treat the Daang Matuwid with scorn, as they pull it down to mockery and cynicism. They bear out how useless the Daang Matuwid is as it has no teeth. Then the President on TV brags about the Daang Matuwid. The Daang Matuwid is mentally overwhelming when the injustice it has not prevented has scored in the victims’ hearts and minds. (The Daang Matuwid should have its own eyes and ears in all government agencies.)

If one has the same case as the ten and the one has won and the ten has lost, does it mean that the one is not worth it (for buying off), but the class is because it involves a lot of money and bribery is worth it? Why is it that the decision is very short? And why does it only focus on one person, who quit then but returned after a few months and stayed for another year? How about the others who worked for the school for eight years? Why theirs aren’t discussed and as if circumvented or considered unreal?

I hope the administration of President Benigno Aquino pokes around this government agency in Iloilo City, for the sake of carrying out the Daang Matuwid. I hope the CHR will be as vigilant as it is, though it is not on TV or publicised. If injustice has taken place it means it has been happening since then. If injustice is not stopped, it signals everyone to revere money more than everything as justice means money, which purports justice.

Frankly, now I’m afraid that this country is getting so prejudiced against the poor, with lop-sided arbiters and government officials.

If the Daang Matuwid promises to alleviate the cancer of this society, then be it, and never should it act like it has no therapeutic claim – or else what is it out of the ordinary compared to the previous administration?

Ritz School Summer Speaking & Writing Programmes

Classes for the arts and music resume on Wednesday (9 April) on the second and fourth floors of the Saavedra-Pacis Building at 13 Del Rosario Street in Balasan, Iloilo - as the part of the school that has been burned away will be restored tomorrow (8 April).

So see you on Wednesday. For one, the rooms for practice have never been damaged. Only a small portion of the school was damaged, and fixing will start tomorrow.

***

The speaking classes and the writing classes have been rescheduled because some enrollees will still have regular classes on the 14th, so we'll start on the 21st, and it'll be until the 23rd of May. Certificates will be given.

***

Those who are interested to get the details of the summer programmes in speaking and writing, please request it  through bookiewordie@gmail.com or message +639154030975.

By the way, the teacher for the speaking classes is Jimmy Garcia Bedano. He is a well-known host. He'll teach American Accent Training, Public Speaking, Speech Communication, and Survival English.

Here is Jimmy's short biography:

Jimmy Garcia Bedano is a seasoned and inspiring public speaker. His past hostings include Miss Toltogan from 2005 to 2010 in Maasin, Iloilo, Little Miss Dinagyang 2006, Miss Dao 2008 and 2010 in Dao, Capiz, Surong Festival Queen 2012 and 2013 in Janiuay, Iloilo, Lin-ay sang Estancia in 2010, and Panagat Festival Queen 2012. He graduated from UP Visayas at Miag-ao:  has taught ESL at UPV at Iloilo City – and in Malaysia. He was a disc jockey at Q89 dot 5 Homeradio and Z100 FM. He also presented Music and Dance Ensemble Singapore in May 2010. He was 8finity’s concert host for Ryan Bang, Nina, Jovit Baldivino, and Marcelito Pomoy. He also hosted Sights and Sounds 2 West Visayas. Of late he has hosted Miss Iloilo Festival Queen 2014 and Hiyas sang Iloilo 2014. Message or ring him on +639288275462.

The objectives of the speaking classes are for students to deliver basic presentations concisely; deliver informative presentations clearly; deliver complex arguments persuasively, speak confidently with appropriate rate, projection, movement, and vocal variety; and evaluate and critique speeches insightfully.

Jimmy leads from the front, offering a powerful and passionate approach to speaking, that will help you step beyond whatever limitations or nerves you may currently face.

So, expect to be challenged, to be ‘seen,’ and to be nurtured through your speaking journey.

Training personally with Jimmy, you will build solid foundations and excellent technique and start to put the pieces in place to becoming a truly inspiring speaker.

***

I'll be for the writing programme. I'll teach Intensive Grammar & Usage, Intensive Writing, Stylistics, and Vocabulary Enrichment. Build new rhetorical tools or sharpen existing ones with our writing courses. Well, good writing matters - no matter the profession.

My writing classes are where students exchange words, ideas, talents, and support. They will be introduced to a variety of rhetorical concepts - that is, ideas and techniques to inform and persuade audiences - that will help them become a more effective consumer and producer of written, visual, and multimodal texts.

***

Enrolment is ongoing. It'll be until the 20th or until all the 30 slots are taken up. The programmes have two groupings:  (1) high school students and (2) university students/professionals.

***

If you’re unsure which of our speaking or writing courses at the Ritz School is right for your needs, please register early.

Just Before Summer

by Roger B Rueda

The 2nd Ritz Literary and Journalism Colloquiums is very successful indeed. Two schools took part: the Balasan National High School and the Iloilo King of Glory Christian Academy. Well along the Northern Iloilo State University at Estancia sent their two publication editors to attend my newswriting and editorial writing and as well as my poetry writing and short story writing. GMA 6 in Iloilo City graced the Colloquiums: sent Ms Fabienne Paderes to speak about newscasting for TV. The Colloquiums was shown on Ratsada, a local TV news programme of GMA 6.

The Balasan National High School and the Iloilo King of Glory Christian Academy are the two famous schools in Northern Iloilo in terms of writing and literary activities.  A lot of their students are talented and have won awards regionally and nationally. Some of their teachers were also present.

Mr Jimmy Garcia Bedano, a well-known host is now with Ritz English Institute after his talk and workshop on effective emceeing. He has an exciting voice. He has taught ESL in Malaysia.

Many thanks to Mr Rosie Garcia, my friend who is very good at emceeing and dramatics. He talked about declamation and oration at the Colloquiums. I know how busy he is as he has obligations in Iloilo City and the Office of the Congressman.

Ms Ruth Tuvilleja, an ex-DJ of StarFM, was also there: had won the regional extemporaneous speech of the DepEd. Her expertise is beyond compare.

Mr Angelo Tejada and Mr Raymund Cabrera were also speakers at the Colloquiums. They are both famous ESL teachers in Iloilo City. Angelo discussed some topics on intermediate grammar; Raymund, advanced grammar. Raymund used to teach ESL in Malaysia.

Mr Rene Sausa and his family are the reason why the Colloquiums is possible, and will be. I'm happy that there is this family who thinks of service first more than business. So despite the impracticality and hassle, the Sausas support all my proposals and projects. Mr Sausa is a visionary and I thank him for not giving up on me and the Ritz English Institute.

All the logistics and everything - from sending of the communication to the cars used to bring me to different schools in north Iloilo and Capiz to the food of the participants - were possible because of the Sausas and their hands, who are kind and cooperative despite their mechanical peculiarity.  The two secretaries are very nice and talented. They are very serene and hardworking.

Ms Edsel Salarda was also there despite her busy schedule. Her expertise in giving ice-breakers is very noteworthy. Mr Tim Lynes, too, our British teacher and now our marketing head, was very helpful, having noticed how difficult it was to accommodate participants while the other staff were doing something like fixing the speakers and projector.

So after the six day Colloquiums, Mr Jimmy Garcia Bedano and I are ready to fire up the summer programmes, which start on the 31st of March.

Stupidity

an essay by Roger B Rueda

Stupidity means lack of intelligence or rashness or thoughtlessness. The most dangerous thing about it is that it ramifies. It comes to blows with our reality – and worse, with our wealth, which we’ve got from our fraudulence. It is like a virus: It withstands even the idea of someone we think of as the sharpest one, so it can’t be fixed no matter how moneyed we are. The most painful is it is the idea of the most disloyal and dissembling, as one day we wake up and everything is not in favour of us. It flaunts our despondency. Funny: whatever route we are going to take leads us to our catastrophe – stupidity breeds stupidity.

Once a stupid idea, always a stupid idea. That is what I’ve learned of late. A stupid idea coated with pride is the most dangerous. It is like a cockroach approaching unnoticed and to your annoyance you pour a pool of petrol on it. So what will happen? Of course, conflagration. Then sometimes we can croak: can be horrified by our own doing. It is stupidity at its best.

Stupidity, however, can be expedient. With this, I love the word ‘bond.’ It comes with an appeal. An honest lawyer will always tell honesty; the deceitful one, deceit. And there my chuckles come in. A very obvious case is always an obvious case: it’ll always be straight, winning. It can never be politicised. That means it can be foretold. Problem here is the earnings of the lawyer. The more the case is delayed, the better for the lawyer. Logical: Well, sometimes, the lawyer’s shrewdness can be favourable to the plaintiffs. At least, there is no way to struggle to search out what the erring stupid person has. And the good thing about it is that dishonour can be eluded. This way at least money can spare an erring stupid person from mortification and outrage. Or else the whole city can see how his/her whole house is turned inside out. In plain sight, it will chop up his/her pride. Psychologically, even if that person’s major is psychology, it’ll be harrowing to him/her. For one thing, all that is judged against him/her is true, so it is guilt that cuts up his/her scruples.

I got one friend who was fired because of someone’s stupidity coated with pride and racism. All she thought everything would be OK because all she had done injustice with were domestic helps and nannies. So she thought she could do the same thing to anyone then. She fired my friend who happened to be smart and educated. She got married to her ex-student. The stupid employer said it was so unethical because to her, ‘student’ means ‘ex-student’ and ‘current student.’ (I hope she doesn’t include ‘future student’ or else I will be astounded by her stupidity.) So her stupidity went off: ramified. My friend was given a push. Her friends who supported her were harassed in the workplace: were thrown out, too. Stupid lies came out conflictingly, which only a stupid judge can believe. No fictionist can fix it, even Stephen King or Joseph Heller, the author of Catch-22.

Now I can say that stupidity is like a spade. It can dig secrets of illegalities kept for years out of the hole, the hole of ruses, lies, and devilishness – all of which can smell reeks of wickedness. Funny: Stupidity reveals everything of the erring person’s artificiality and fraud. It transforms everything to sludge – all the good impressions about the person are scoffed at and mocked in everyone’s mind. Worse:  His/Her university where he/she graduated will know how wicked he/she is even how much defence is done by his/her arselicker. Worst: Christianity and Christ are sullied by all his/her hypocrisy as he/she claims to be a Christian. I hope Christianity and Christ won’t despise him/her – or else she’ll be shied at the perdition: will see Satan smile at him/her and his/her family and adore his/her stupidity.

Stupidity means wielding power at justice despite the recognisable truth that what one has done is truly an injustice and it is so wrong and anti-workers. Unbelievable: Stupidity is used to threaten people smarter than you as if they were uneducated and unthinking – and tax evasion is the best case for your employees who complain against your illegalities. Yes, it is reverse psychology, but dear, sorry, that is old music. Admit it: You are smart stupid. That’s the job of the BIR or else Kim Henares will resign because you are taking the place of her.

Stupidity is saying that criminals are OK so long as they help boost the tourism industry. Shockingly stupid. Tell it to the idiots, please. The UN can’t agree with you. Watch your word, stupid.