Apila ni Arnel Magtoto

Kaso ni Mr. Arnel Magtoto, isang heavy equipment truck driver sa Dammam na aksidenteng nakapatay ng isang Egyptian national.

December 17, 2011 nang hindi sinasadyang naurungan ng malaking truck na minamaniobra ni Arnel ang kasamahan nito sa trabaho.  Agad itong namatay at agarang nakulong si Arnel ng araw din iyon.  Nangako naman ang kanilang kumpanyan (Nassir Bin Hazza Brother and Company na may mailing address na P.O Box 12 Rakah Al Khobar KSA 31952) na sa loob lamang ng tatlong araw lang hanggang isang linggo, aayusin ang lahat at makakalaya na si Arnel.

Higit tatlong taon na ang lumipas mula noon at kasalalukuyang nasa bilangguan pa rin si Arnel.  Inabot na ng iba’t ibang sakit at pagbaba ng pisikal na pangkalahatang kalusugan, subalit walang dumating na tulong mula sa kumpanya na napag-alaman wala ring ibinigay na insurance na ayon sa batas ng Saudi ay nakalaan sa bawat empleyado.  Hindi rin nagdulot ng inaasahang tuluyang paglaya ang pagsisikap sa pag-follow up ng anak nitong si Arlan, isang simpleng OFW rin na naka-base naman sa Jeddah. 

February 25, taong kasalukuyan, lumabas ang desisyon na nagpapataw ng halagang SR300,000 kapalit ng kalayaan ni Arnel.  Para sa isang simpleng manggagawa, ang desisyong ito ay katumbas na rin ng halos sentensya ng kamatayan. Papaano matutugunan ng mag-ama ang desisyon kung walang aasahang tulong mula sa kawani ng gobyerno na dapat sana’y mangangalinga sa mga mamamayan nito. 

Sa mga ganitong klaseng pagkakataon, ang nakatataas sa gobyerno na lamang natin ang may kapangyarihan upang makipag-usap upang mapagaan ang hatol kundi man mapawalan ng bisa ito.  

Kapeng Arabo, the Re-fill

Sa unang aklat, ipinakita ang sari-saring isyu na kinakaharap ng mga OFW o Pinoy abroad. Mga pangyayaring minsa'y masaya, minsan shocking, at kung minsan nama'y naglalagay sa kanila sa senti mode. Kaya nga ang konsepto ng 'emo' ay hindi nalalayo sa mga OFW. Malamang sa kanila nagsimula yon, pinangalanan lang mga maarte nilang anak at mahal sa buhay.

Ngayon, sa book 2, masasabing isang 'baptism of fire' ang magaganap. Masusubok ang katatagan ng OFW habang patuloy na pinapanday (naks! ang lalim) ang kanilang pakikitungo sa pamilya, sa community na kanilang ginagalawan at pati na rin sa country.

Anu-ano kaya ang mga pagbabago sa pakikitungo ng isang OFW o Pinoy abroad habang malayo sa mga bagay na kanilang kinagisnan. Positibo kaya, o magresult ang mga epekto nito sa pagkawasak ng kanilang commitments? Kaya pa kaya nilang i-sustain o ibalik ang mga naudlot na relasyon? O kayanin pa ka nyang bumuo ng mga relasyon, at least the way we know it?

Sasagutin ang mga ito at iba pang mga additional issues sa pagpapatuloy ng istorya ng author ng KAPENG ARABO sa book 2 nito. Kung ano man ang sagot sa mga tanong, individual tayong maga-asses kung talanga nga bang kabutihan o isang karangalan ang maging OFW o Pinoy abroad.

BOOK 2 of Kapeng Arabo

Sa mga nagtatanong, isang malaking OPO. May second book po ang Kapeng Arabo. At sa ngayon ay kasalukuyan na itong sinusulat.

At para po mabigyan kayo ng konting lead, ganito po ang tinatakbo ng utak ng may akda... ako po yon : )

Maaring hindi natalakay ang lahat ng issues sa unang aklat, ang kadahilana'y nilimit ko lang ko lang talaga sa mga isyung nasesentrong sa individual behaviors ng mga Pinoy abroad (mapa-OFW o balikbayan). Mga gawain, na gaya nga nang naisulat ko na, nakapagpapabago sa pananaw natin bilang mga Pinoy.

Ito po ang primary reason kung bakit hindi ko sinulat ang mga aspetong political o social kasi sa palagay ko may mas malalim na pakikidigma tayong mga Pinoy abroad, at iyon ay ang ating mga sariling demonyo (trans. our own evil). At sa akin, sapat na ang mga inihayag ko sa unang aklat para mapagmuni-munian (lalim no?), at mananatiling challenge na lamang para sa ibang authors o mga nagnanais na magsulat rin para ihayag ang iba pa.

Sa ngayon, ang KAPENG ARABO BOOK 2 ay pilit na ini-explore ang mga isyu ng RELATIONSHIPS. Relasyon ng magulang sa anak, ng mag-asawa, ng pagkakaibigan, o nang kung ano pa man.

Syempre, bilang mga nakabasa at kahit pa sa mga babasa pa lang ng KAPENG ARABO, gusto kong isipin nyo na welcome kayong maging bahagi ng ikalawang aklat. Maari kayong magsuggest, o magreact, or magpahayag ng kuro-kuro. E-mail lang sa ask_manny@yahoo.com.

Kampay!

Libre lang Mangarap as Blog of the Year

My Vote for the 2009 Bloggers' Choice Award (National):

I vote for Otep's LIBRE LANG MANGARAP
Bloggers' Choice Award
2009 Philippine Blog Awards

Ibonoto ko sya dahil:

1. kewl mga entries nya
2. rock ang attack nya
3. makatotohanan ang mga sinasabi nya

At lahat nang yan ay mula sa sinungaling blogger tulad ko. (Joke!)

Kaya mga kapwa bloggers abroad, boto na rin kayo. Click here para malaman kung pano.

Typhoon Ondoy

This literally moved me to tears. I hope we find in our hearts even the smallest sympathy we can extend to our kababayans.

Hwag tayong maging bato!



ABS-CBN Foundation
http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/

Kapuso Foundation
http://www.kapusofoundation.com/help

You may also wish to donate to Red Cross thru txt.
Snd RED (space)<5,25,50,100 or 300> to 2899 (Globe) & 4483 (SMART)

Buloy, the slang version

It's fun to hear pinoy songs being imitated ang sung by foreigners. Listen to this, you gonna luv it.



Thanks to facebook buddy Patrick for this.

Train Railway

Preaching and showing the world how some of our sytems fault is not really KAPENG ARABO's cup of tea. I'd rather preach good news, and uplift Filipino spirit by showing the world how great we are.

Just the same, I don't subscribe to blind reality. From time to time, we need to take a look at at the real world, and hope we can do something about it.

Here's a perfect example:



I was told the video is taken along the intersection of Dimasalang near Espana Boulevard in Sampaloc Manila. This despite the on-going rail road rehabilitation program.

Thanks to facebook buddy Vonnel for providing this video.

Parent and Kid

I was just listening to Chico and Delamar show the other day (RX93.1, the radio station). In passing, Del mentioned how parents and kids shift roles at certain point. And I realize it really is true. At one time, we were kids, rowdy, makulet. Yet, our parents never waiver in showing their love for us.

Then, we grow up, we become busy. And our folks grow old thru the years, and start demanding our care and attention. Will we be the same in giving them the attention they want from us, the way they gave us theirs? Will we show to them our love and understanding?

I wonder how we OFW's and Pinoys abroad show our love for our parents. How do we cope?

Oh, I am sure they miss us. But do you miss them?

WARNING: Emo mode eto.

Rock hard abs & white skin

I am fond of watching videos of 'Word of the Lourd'. They speak of social consciousness from political arena to the everyday events in Pinoy's life.

The first video speaks of people's penchant for white skin, especially Pinoys. I mentioned this in the book Kapeng Arabo. The only difference lies with the analogy. I used the fruit 'santol' quoting my professor in college, while his used the chocolate bar. The essence is the same though, the outside is dark while the inside is white.

Here's the video:



The second video does not really answer one of the toughest questions: "bakit nga ba kelangan ng hard-rock abs at bakit nga ba marami ang nagsasakripisyo sa altar ng kagandahan." Might as well find out for ourselves:

Call center recording

WARNING: A lot bad and foul words in this recording. More like curses actually. So, extra-caution to those who are sensitive (and the kids too).

The rant took more than 3 minutes, though my thoughts were really rambling wild against the caller for like forever. So, if you feel like you can't take it anymore, just click the pause/stop button.

My hands were shaking while doing this entry. I was mad. I was caught in disbelief knowing there are Pinoys out there who's moving heaven and hell downplaying fellow Filipinos, and worse, the country.

I heard of similar stories like this. In fact, this is one of the reasons why i kind'a used to be 'antiseptic' to the concept of pinoy migrating to other countries, only to find myself working abroad too.

Siguro nga, we have our purpose in life. I wrote the book 'Kapeng Arabo' so that us Pinoy abroad may be reminded of our situation; that we are in the position to do something, and the power to do something good for the country.

But then I can only do as much. I can only expose a dent in a certain situation. Because in the end, it rests in our own will, on our individual choices.

Ikaw pinoy...ganito ka rin ba? Listen, and decide for yourself.

AGAIN WARNING: maraming mura at mga salitang di maganda.

Signs

At last! I have long been looking for the link. Now here it is (though it is much clearer with Flash videoplayer).

The video says a lot about the noise beaming almost every corner of our planet, about most unexpected things that can happen in the most 'usual' situation, or about a relationship that may blossom in a unexpected circumstance.

We just keep on hoping, or we just keep on dreaming.

GMA7 & ABS-CBN Livestreaming

Here's the livestreaming of GMA7 and ABS-CBN. The cool thing is you can actually watch both networks at the same time. If you feel you need not miss any event in the Philippines, then go and see them simultaneously.

But if not, my advice for you is to decide which one you really feel like watching, and completely shut off the other (use control buttons within the screen).

Again, I do not patronize network wars. As an avid televiewer myself, I do not believe that I should confine my source of information and entertainment to a single network. As Pinoy abroad, we should rather be thankful for we are afforded freedom to choose.

Besides, they are free, and as they said "the best thing is in life are free." Enjoy!

GMA7 Livestreaming


ABS-CBN Livestreaming

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Juana Change Bayani

I got this video from a fellow blogger. Thanx to seashellofislandandangel for the link. To all Pinoys, I guarantee watching the video will make eyebrow raise.

I find the ending disturbing though. I guess the question here is hanggang kailan pa kaya?/

Well, we have our own reasons why we have to suffer through all these. It's our individual and personal decision when and how do we want to end this. You be the judge.




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Lea Salonga?

I was one of those who lined up on the first day to watch the animated movie Alladin. You know that feeling of being first - kasi you're in a more solid position to spoil it. Hehehe.

Kasikatan din talaga ni Ms. Lea Salonga non, kaya she's a worthy topic in almost every conversation back then. Besides, cartoons is really something I never really outgrew. I am still fond of watching them. Oftentimes nga, I choose short cheesy animated films over award-winning and critically-acclaimed movies. I am amused with Spongebob, Ben10, Megas XLR, at syempre Samurai Jack (kaya lang puro replay na lately).

And so I was there inside the cinema with all fellow would-be spoilers. The experience was usual, but at the time when the voice of Ms. Salonga started to play, OMG...the feeling was unforgetable. Siguro that feeling of tiny patriotism in me kicked in. I got goosebumps for the rest of the song, teary-eyed for that matter, knowing our very own Ms. Lea has uplifted the country once again. Like Cory Aquino, she made me really proud being a Filipino.

This is why, for me, no singer can sing that part of "A Whole New World" better than her.

There were attempts though, and here is a good example. While watching and listening, it has taken me aback. Watch, and be amazed?

One Good Person

Amongst the speech delivered during the necrological services of Tita Cory, Conrado de Quiros' struck me the most. In it, I find no reason to adore Tita Cory as President or for whatever she symbolizes. Rather his speech finds all reasons to adore Tita Cory for her humanity.

I've been searching the internet for his speech, and asking fellow bloggers if they have a copy so I can post it here, a sort of another tribute. But what I do know, after all the searching....I found it inquirer website, in his regular column.

Here it is:

I’VE written a good many things about Cory this past couple of weeks. I guess it’s time I got a little more personal.

I wasn’t an ardent fan of Cory at the beginning, I was an ardent critic. I came from the ranks of the red rather than the yellow, and looked at the world from the prism of that color. It got so that in one program Kris Aquino invited me to (I don’t know if she remembers this), she took me to task for it. It was an Independence Day show, and during one break, Kris turned to me and said: “Why are you so mean to my mom?”

To continue reading, click here.

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Slang

Bilang pagpupugay sa buwan ng wika. Eto para sayo..wink! wink!

Paalam Tita Cory!

I was in the middle of watching series of youtube funny videos when I was informed of the passing away of former President Cory Aquino. I had to text my family back at home, and my some of friends here in KSA to spread the news. Since, I am practically alone and had no one to talk to, I tried to resume watching the videos, only to stare blank at my computer as I could no longer undertstand a thing. And then it sank in. I felt it. It's sad.

In lawschool, I used to engage in great debate (well..actually 'street type' discussions) as to who is a greater Philippine president, comparing her to FVR (whom I personally had a chat during one of the youth camps) and Erap (still Senator then at the time I assisted him in San Beda in one of our Student Council sponsored lectures). These are two great gentlemen who have the ability to persuade and work their charms on issues they believe in. With Tita Cory? Well, I saw her more than a couple of times when I attended morning masses at San Beda chapel. Though we used to sit more than 5 meters away from where she used to sit, I distinctly remember her very vibrant aura. She certainly has the 'arrive' (dating)... but I must admit, I was more engrossed looking at Kris who's always beside her.

I never had the first hand experience of 'People Power' in 1986. At that time, I was still inside the confines of minor seminary. But even then, we could feel the the growing patriotic feeling. It was so warm, it couldn't escape you. Remember, the church people were so proactive in expressing their discontent against Marcos regime, and as hard as they fought to hide their feelings, their words gave way.

And so that's the first time I came to realize the true meaning of the phrase "one in spirit". Even though, we seminarians did not participate in fencing armored tanks and forming human shield against bullets, we were there. Armed with our bibles and rosaries, we were asking the Lord to prevent any bloodsheds from happening.

I can still remember Tita Cory appearing on TV screen encouraging Filipinos abroad to come back, and participate in its development; and asking the nation to "buy Filipino products". I must admit, they where the basis of my strong beliefs and my advocacies in writing my e-newsletter SAWALI and the book KAPENG ARABO. Yeah, though I always say, I only wrote kalokohan, but really...that is the message I am trying to impart - that we Filipinos abroad should do our share in building the nation, and that should start from our desire to come back.

They say it is history who will judge one's performance. And as the events are unfolding before us, I'd say Tita Cory may have done a real good job. With her honesty in governance, her non-hesitation to relinquish her post after her term, placing the mechanics to ensure that our freedom may not be taken away once again, she is perhaps our best President so far.

To Tita Cory, the Philippine's symbol of democracy and shining example of ethical leadership, a job well done. Farewell!

JK Wedding Dance Entrance

Another feel good video. With more than 13 million hits on youtube, I am sure the concept is not totally new to you. You can say this is not a typical-walk-down-the aisle type. I just wonder if I can make Nanay and Tatay do the same on the 'd day'...hmmm...

Two Hates

Two arguments brought about by hate - either because of the system, or merely sick and tired of waiting for something positive to happen.

The first article caused so much disruptions among Pinoys abroad. Alam nyo naman nature natin, makanti lang konti, nagpupuyos na damdamin.

The second is in retaliation to the first article.

Personally, I give the first article the benefit of the doubt. He may have employed seemingly politically incorrect terms such as "humihimod ng paa ng mga banyagang amo," or "piso tamang barko", yet I believe he used them to drive a point.

While I agree to the premises advanced by author the second post that we have our own individual needs to attend to, I don't necessarily solicit to the idea of utmost practicality. I am guilty of that, and I am now suffering the consequences.

Going abroad is personal decision. It certainly has consequences. But let it not be the case that we Pinoys abroad rejoice in our little successes as we mount the so-called 'desire-to-advance-our-personal-causes.' They look good now, because the country is not in good health. But when the time comes, believe me, it is only then, we will realize that we have lost a lot.

TSOKOLATE
Ni Mike Avenue

Itinatanong ko kung bakit naging bayani ang isang OFW. Hindi agad siya makasagot. Ngumiti siya at iniabot ang mga tsokolateng may tatak na “Made in China" sa likod ng pakete. Ang mga tsokolateng ito sa kamay ko ang isa sa mga sagisag na siya’y kagagaling lamang sa ibang bansa – sa Canada.

Naubos ang mga propesyonal dito. Halos lahat. Ang mga duktor na nagsunog ng kilay ng mahigit sampung taon, mas pinili ang maging nurse na assistant lamang ang ranggo sa abroad. Ang mga nurse naman na dapat ay dito magsisilbi sa bansa, mas ginusto pang mangibang bayan. Ang epekto nito? Bumaba ang antas ng industriya. Nagkasya kasi tayo sa mga second choice dahil ang mga de-kalibre, naroon at kasalukuyang minumura ng amo kapalit ng dolyar. Bayani ka bang tatawagin kung humahalik ka naman sa paa ng mga dayuhan? Labag yata iyan sa prinsipyo ni (Dr. Jose) Rizal. Baka bumangon si Rizal.

To continue reading, click here.

In contrast with

MGA BAYANING MUKHANG PERA
by Buraot

Sawa na akong maging bayani. Alam kong baka isuka ako ni Bonifacio pero kailangan kong magpa-alipin sa mga dayuhan. Tutal bukod sa di naman gumagalaw si Bonifacio kahit lagyan ko ng banderitas yung monumento nya, di rin naman nya mapapakain ang mga janakis ko.

Kaya narito ako, dala-dala ang aking tampipi at gutay gutay na cedula. Wala akong dalang agimat kundi kapal ng mukha at panalanging sana ay tumama din ako sa lottong dollar ang premyo.

To continue reading, click here
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Filipinos version on world domination

This is an old article written by Ms. Jessica Zafra. This is her stake on Filipinos version of world domination. The gist of the article is that OFW phenomenon is actually a precursor how we Filipinos will rule the world. As the number of OFWs and Balikbayan continue to rise, the article finds its significance more than ever.

But it was only recent that I heard a radio commentator lambasted the article which primarily got me curious to check it out once again. I find it witty though (well, it's Ms. Zafra). Read on and be the judge.

Everybody says we’re wimps, right? The Air Force hasn’t got any planes and the Navy ships are held together by rust and spit and the Army’s guns are being sold off por kilo by enterprising parties. We’re practically defenseless, and if the leaders of some superior power should get it into their heads to invade us, the only way we might repel their forces is to douse them in buckets of boiling drool from the frothing mouths of our politicians. This way if infection doesn’t kill them, rabies will. Of course, those same invaders will rue the day they entered the P.I.–just wait until they breathe the black Manila air or see a Carlo Caparas film or attempt to drive on EDSA. But by the time they realize their humongous error, they’ll be here. We’re a bunch of defenseless dweebs, right? We’re weenies, right? We have nothing, right?

WRONG (to continue reading click here)