OPENING SALVO!

By Francis A. Buenaventura

Hello and welcome to The Brown Man Diary!

This diary is and will be kept open for everyone to look into and be updated of what’s happening in the Philippines. We will be sharing our thoughts, stories and photos of my existence in the Philippines. Here, you can get your monthly dose of Philippine experience, bringing you the latest news and stories from the land called Pearl of the Orient.

Here we go.

The last two weeks of October 2011 was another show of questionable leadership from the present administration. Thanks to the major news organizations in the land for providing us truthful and unbiased views on these.

While the Philippine Government and MILF were having “Peace Talks” somewhere around the world, 19 Marines in Basilan, Mindanao were killed which until now could not be confirmed if the attack was made by MILF people or by the renegade Abu Sayaf Group. And to fan the flame of ire from the military and PNP, news of the 5-million Aid or “Reform Fund” coming from the government circulated everywhere. One source said “This is part of the commitment of the government to the peace process and training of future Bangsamoro leaders. This is not armed conflict, but primarily for political and socioeconomic development.” Then there is the “All-out War vs. All-out Justice” issue which PNoy has supposedly been misquoted. This all-out-war and all-out-justice talks ridden by politicos to grandstand among us was one sure way to miss the main point in solving our country’s woes in this arena.

So where is our fight against the insurgents going?

If we ask someone what happened, he would say this “the government gave money to the MILF and afterwards, they killed 19 soldiers serving and protecting the Filipino people.” Sadly, these things happen while we’re walking our way towards a peaceful and united country.

The killing of the son of former senator Ramon Revilla Sr., Ramgen Revilla by his siblings has occupied much of the news in print, TV and radio that one cannot separate the publicity the family members are enjoying and the real story. Ramgen is the half-brother of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and his wife, Congresswoman Lani Mercado. Bacoor city Mayor Strike Revilla is also his brother thru his dad. The suspect-sibling Ramona Bautista travelled out of the country and went to Turkey, her residence for some time now. Weeks later, we learned that she is married to a Turkish national and that we do not have extradition treaty with Government of Turkey to have her extradited.

How this story will take its twist and turn is interesting but we will follow this one until the end, if the Justice system in the Philippines will allow us to see it in our lifetime.

Charice Pempengco’s dad was stabbed to death last October 31, 2011. The world famous singer had to pull-out of a concert in Singapore to be at the funeral of her dad who worked as a construction worker before his death. It is not so secret to us that Charice’ dad and mom were separated for a long time now and that they were victims of domestic violence because of Mr. Pempengco.

Here’s one positive note about our culture: the Filipino family will always get together and pay their respects to their parents, in good and in bad times.

And for the last bad news for our opening salvo, the shooting of Philippine Basketball Player Ali Peek. Peek, a PBA veteran currently playing for the Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP)-owned Talk and Text, is now out of danger after suffering from a gunshot wound on the nape. The shooting happened at the parking lot of the RFM Gym in Mandaluyong City where he had his work-out. The shooter is still at-large and a five hundred thousand peso bounty was offered by MVP for anyone who can give a lead on the whereabouts of the shooter.

Pictures of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a “screwed-up” profile photo surfaced online and made it to the front pages of major dailies in the Philippines. The Aquino administration (again!) is at the heart of “tug-of-war” on the issue of allowing the former President and her family to travel overseas for medical reasons. The last time I checked, former president GMA was given the green light to seek medical attention outside of the country on certain conditions.

Onto surveys made by international organizations about the top or the lowest ranked, the list of the best and the worst, the most and the least and whatever they thought of for their surveys. In a span of eight weeks, the Philippines got Kalabasa, Kangkong and Kamote for the following categories: Worst Airport in the World, Most Hated Airport in the World and Worst Country for Business Ventures. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA took both distinctions for the Most Hated at number 5 and Worst Airport in the World at number 1 spot. And in business, the Philippines placed high up in the Top 5 for the Worst Country for Business Investments.

To end my entry on records and list of lists, let me tell you something about crocodiles. The biggest crocodile ever captured was Lolong. Lolong is a saltwater crocodile with a length size of 21 feet, was captured by a team headed by Ernesto “Lolong” Canate in a sleepy town of Bunawan Agusan del Sur. Mr. Canate was the go-to-guy of Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center or PWRCC. Unfortunately, Mr. Canate died weeks before they caught “lolong”.

So much news for killings, politics and surveys, let me breathe and share the better side of being Filipinos like you and me.

Barely three months after Ms. Chamsey Supsup won 3rd runner-up in the 2011 Miss Universe beauty pageant with highlight films showing us her “Tsunami walk”, another Filipina beauty and brains won a prestigious beauty contest.

Ms. Gwendolyn Ruais wins 1st runner-up in Miss World 2011 held at the Earls Court Exhibition Center in London last Sunday, November 6, 2011. With her statuesque presence, brains and sincerity, Ms Ruais shone and made our country proud.

And in eco-tourism, drum roll please with thunder and lightning, the St. Paul Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Palawan was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. That is something we can really be proud of!

In the 64-square arena called chess, the recently held National Inter-Cities and Municipalities Chess Championship crown was won by Tandag Team of Surigao. The team was made up of young players GM Richard Bitoon, FM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Jimson Bitoon, Sherwin Tiu and Den Reyes.

Philippines’ Pambansang Kamao Congressman Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao won the final match of his trilogy with Mexican fighter Manuel Marquez for the welterweight division with a majority decision. This one was the closest fight between the two and I believe the result could have been in favour of the Mexican fighter. Until the result was announced, most of the people watching the live telecast were at the edge of their seats.

Boxing experts and aficionados were divided in their online, round by round scoring. Round 7 of the match, definitely belongs to the Mexican fighter and round 12 was Pacquiao’s. Here at home in Imus Cavite, while I was trying to tune-in to the radio announcement about the fight, my neighbour shouted from across the street that Manny Pacquiao won. And then there’s the confirmation from News Flash given by the two major television networks in the land, ABS-CBN and GMA News. I will not be surprised if Marquez’ camp claims they won the fight this time.

Congratulations to all the Filipino winners who made the Philippines proud once again. Filipinos all over the world are celebrating!

Until then!

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