Uber-cool Fil-Chi priest Fr. Ari had some words to say on Apostol's racist remark. Needless to say, he was nicer about it than he should have been. But then, he *is* a priest.
Latent Racism
For several years now, the widespread celebration of the Chinese New
Year has illustrated the nation's acceptance of the Chinese-Filipino
or Chinoy community as an integral and significant part of Philippine
society. Last week, however, during the week of the Chinese New Year,
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol reacted to the Senate
testimony of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., by calling him a "crying lady." He
is also quoted as saying, in reference to Lozada, "They say he's a
Chinese from the province. Bagay sa iyo i-deport ka. Magulo ka dito
(You should be deported because you're troublesome)."
Apostol's comments are not only ad hominem, they also show that
despite the perceived acceptance of the Chinoys in Philippine society,
old racist tags are still very much around. Apostol should realize
that he will only get as far as Bicol if he's going to have Lozada
deported. This episode demonstrates what Chinoys have often lamented,
that when their financial help is needed, the government and other
bodies are quick to acknowledge their unique place in the Philippines.
But the moment Chinoys need help or try to break free of economic
stereotypes, as in the case of Lozada, a Chinese mestizo (and proud of
it!) who is trying to set things aright in his life, then the old
prejudices emerge once again.
Apostol is not the first public official to utter a racial slur
against the Chinese during an emotional outburst. Whether he
apologizes or not, perhaps it will be a worthy Lenten exercise for all
of us to examine the latent racism that we may still harbor within our
selves--against other Filipinos, and against those who are different
from us in any way.
Fr. Ari C. Dy, SJ
Director, Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies
Ateneo de Manila University
Showing posts with label current events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label current events. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, March 19, 2007
Cesar Montano for Senator
This is old news but... Cesar Montano is going to run! *keels over* Why don'tthey just burn the country to the ground ad get it over with?
I hear that the night before he announced his candidacy, he was vehemently denying plans to enter politics. And now this.
If you knew what I did about him (and the sad fact is I don't know much -- but what I do know is enough for me), you wouldn't vote for him. I don't think I'm voting in this election, so that means I'm definetly not voting for him. :P
We already have enough action stars in our Senatorial stable to beat all of Iraq and Afghanstan's forces combined. Hold on...
On the other hand, I say we should all vote for him, and all the other action stars who are running. That way, when the next political crisis arises, be it an MILF assault or being called to send troops to another international war against terrorism, we can jut SEND THEM INSTEAD and spare all our good, patriotic soldiers the fighting. We can't lose!
I think it's a good idea.
Cesar ontano, I'm voting for you!
I hear that the night before he announced his candidacy, he was vehemently denying plans to enter politics. And now this.
If you knew what I did about him (and the sad fact is I don't know much -- but what I do know is enough for me), you wouldn't vote for him. I don't think I'm voting in this election, so that means I'm definetly not voting for him. :P
We already have enough action stars in our Senatorial stable to beat all of Iraq and Afghanstan's forces combined. Hold on...
On the other hand, I say we should all vote for him, and all the other action stars who are running. That way, when the next political crisis arises, be it an MILF assault or being called to send troops to another international war against terrorism, we can jut SEND THEM INSTEAD and spare all our good, patriotic soldiers the fighting. We can't lose!
I think it's a good idea.
Cesar ontano, I'm voting for you!
My Last 4 Senatoriable Picks
I just came back from not eing allowed to enter the seminary. Who knew that non-Catholic women weren't allowed to be priests? Let them tr to explain Pope Joan to me, then!
Too bad mybid for priesthood was so short-lived. I was going to announce my last 4 Senatoriables, too. They are:
9. Shaider - so we can b safe from the forces of evil that plague the universe, and so we will finaly know what color Annie's panties really are.
10. Ramon Magsaysay - Since this isn't a Presidential election, the most I can nominate our dear beloved ex-President for is a Senator. I don't think he'll mindif its for the good of the country. All we need is a really good voodoo hougan and we're good to go. I figure that the zombified corpse of one of our nation's greatest Presidents should make better decisions that some of the class acts we have out there. Whle we're ressurecting him, we should also tell him that the Chinoys are Filipinos, too.
11 and 12. Butch Aquino and Letty Ramos Shahani - Just becuase I still remember their jingles fro the 80's. I'm sure you do, too.
Too bad mybid for priesthood was so short-lived. I was going to announce my last 4 Senatoriables, too. They are:
9. Shaider - so we can b safe from the forces of evil that plague the universe, and so we will finaly know what color Annie's panties really are.
10. Ramon Magsaysay - Since this isn't a Presidential election, the most I can nominate our dear beloved ex-President for is a Senator. I don't think he'll mindif its for the good of the country. All we need is a really good voodoo hougan and we're good to go. I figure that the zombified corpse of one of our nation's greatest Presidents should make better decisions that some of the class acts we have out there. Whle we're ressurecting him, we should also tell him that the Chinoys are Filipinos, too.
11 and 12. Butch Aquino and Letty Ramos Shahani - Just becuase I still remember their jingles fro the 80's. I'm sure you do, too.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Candidate Meat Market
In a glorious example of separation between te Church and the State, Brother Mike Velarde is urging Church Leaders to place their bets for te coming election so that the people will know who to vote for.
Again, from the Inquirer, he says: "They can just whisper their names and [the names] will spread to the people."
In this spirit, I'd like to announce that I'm leaving for the seminary next week, so that I can become a priest and so that I can whisper to my constituents my choices for Senatoriables.
They are:
1. Frosty the Snowman - lagyan ng air con ang Pinas!
2. The Tooth Fairy - comprehensive dental plans for everyone!
3. Santa Claus - gifts for all
4. The Easter Bunny - becasue we're a Christian/ heathen country, even though we won't admit it, and because I owe him money
5. Zsa Zsa Zaturnah - to represent the GLBT sector
6. Captain Barbell - because a strong country needs a strong man
7. Daddy Warbucks - because everybody could stand to benefit from a rich fafa (we'll have to grant him citizenship, first)
8. Maria Makiling - because I owe her money, too; plus, we need an environmentalist
And because I'm all for democracy, the poeple can choose their last four candidates themselves. I hear Shaider wants to run.
Oh, here's Bro. Mike's defense for his non-separation o Church and State statement, also from today's PDI:
"My position is the separation of Church and State does not apply to the process of selecting leaders because this is te time when leaders of the Church should have active participation not just in setting guidelines but also in guiding the flock on who the right candidates are."
Flock is right.
Again, from the Inquirer, he says: "They can just whisper their names and [the names] will spread to the people."
In this spirit, I'd like to announce that I'm leaving for the seminary next week, so that I can become a priest and so that I can whisper to my constituents my choices for Senatoriables.
They are:
1. Frosty the Snowman - lagyan ng air con ang Pinas!
2. The Tooth Fairy - comprehensive dental plans for everyone!
3. Santa Claus - gifts for all
4. The Easter Bunny - becasue we're a Christian/ heathen country, even though we won't admit it, and because I owe him money
5. Zsa Zsa Zaturnah - to represent the GLBT sector
6. Captain Barbell - because a strong country needs a strong man
7. Daddy Warbucks - because everybody could stand to benefit from a rich fafa (we'll have to grant him citizenship, first)
8. Maria Makiling - because I owe her money, too; plus, we need an environmentalist
And because I'm all for democracy, the poeple can choose their last four candidates themselves. I hear Shaider wants to run.
Oh, here's Bro. Mike's defense for his non-separation o Church and State statement, also from today's PDI:
"My position is the separation of Church and State does not apply to the process of selecting leaders because this is te time when leaders of the Church should have active participation not just in setting guidelines but also in guiding the flock on who the right candidates are."
Flock is right.
Santos vs. Sanchez, Round One, Fight!
So Vilma Santos is running for Governor of Batangas. This has reelectionist Gov. Arnamdo Sanches quaking in his boots, er Guccis, er, footwear, especially since Lakas CMD has withdrawn its support from him and has chosen to go with Santos instead.
In a show of sportsmanship, professionalism and good taste, Sanchez has taunted Santos without naming her. I quote part of his speech from today's issue of the Inquirer:
"Will you vote for someone who spends three hours just to put on her makeup? Will you vote for someone who reports to City Hall jut once a week? Or someone who needs alcohol after shaking the hands of the people?"
Trying to destroy the name of a opponent by attacking, not her political standpoint but her beauty routine. Now that's class. That's the hallmark of Philippine politics, that is, right up there with Tessie A's boogie. Or if it isn't, it should be.
I don't live in Batangas, but here's my answer to Sanchez's "questions."
1. Would I vote for someone who spends 3 hours doing her make up? Hell yes -- provided s/he comes out gorgeous and not like the bride of Wildestein. A leader has to look good for her people, sice s/he represents them. Of course, the people should come first. That's a given. I woudn't vote for a leader who goes to a plastic surgeon, though, that bespeaks insecurity. Sanchez should take a cue from Santos and visit a beauty parlor. He looks like he needs it more tha she does.
2. How about someone who goes to City Hal only once a week? I never beleived in the "you have to be in the office al day to be considered workin" mentality. A lot of people spendtheir 8 hour office day doing nothing. Again, f someone does more good wandering around, meeting people, upholding policies, kissing children, whatever, then good. Going to the office does not work equate.
3. Someone who has to use alcohol after shaking hands? That's jut cleanliness, baby. My mother wishes I'd do that more often. Besides, it's better to be washing ones hands of germs than washing one's hands of jueteng lord allegations, don't you think?
Okay, before people start bashing, let me just explain my political knowledge for the above, and all my political rants and comments: I HAVE NONE. I just read the papers because I have to, not because I want to, and can I help it if our nation's politicians lead lives more colorful than any telenovelas? I mean, where else can you find a bunch of well-mannered, restrained, oh, and classy individuals out to protect the welfare of our glorious nation against tyrants, terrorism and each other (I say te should start protecting our glorious nation against bad fashion, too)? So you'll ave to forgive my rants if they seem idiotic, because they probably are. On the toher hand, there's a school of thought that says fools make the best prophets... or was that the other way around?
In a show of sportsmanship, professionalism and good taste, Sanchez has taunted Santos without naming her. I quote part of his speech from today's issue of the Inquirer:
"Will you vote for someone who spends three hours just to put on her makeup? Will you vote for someone who reports to City Hall jut once a week? Or someone who needs alcohol after shaking the hands of the people?"
Trying to destroy the name of a opponent by attacking, not her political standpoint but her beauty routine. Now that's class. That's the hallmark of Philippine politics, that is, right up there with Tessie A's boogie. Or if it isn't, it should be.
I don't live in Batangas, but here's my answer to Sanchez's "questions."
1. Would I vote for someone who spends 3 hours doing her make up? Hell yes -- provided s/he comes out gorgeous and not like the bride of Wildestein. A leader has to look good for her people, sice s/he represents them. Of course, the people should come first. That's a given. I woudn't vote for a leader who goes to a plastic surgeon, though, that bespeaks insecurity. Sanchez should take a cue from Santos and visit a beauty parlor. He looks like he needs it more tha she does.
2. How about someone who goes to City Hal only once a week? I never beleived in the "you have to be in the office al day to be considered workin" mentality. A lot of people spendtheir 8 hour office day doing nothing. Again, f someone does more good wandering around, meeting people, upholding policies, kissing children, whatever, then good. Going to the office does not work equate.
3. Someone who has to use alcohol after shaking hands? That's jut cleanliness, baby. My mother wishes I'd do that more often. Besides, it's better to be washing ones hands of germs than washing one's hands of jueteng lord allegations, don't you think?
Okay, before people start bashing, let me just explain my political knowledge for the above, and all my political rants and comments: I HAVE NONE. I just read the papers because I have to, not because I want to, and can I help it if our nation's politicians lead lives more colorful than any telenovelas? I mean, where else can you find a bunch of well-mannered, restrained, oh, and classy individuals out to protect the welfare of our glorious nation against tyrants, terrorism and each other (I say te should start protecting our glorious nation against bad fashion, too)? So you'll ave to forgive my rants if they seem idiotic, because they probably are. On the toher hand, there's a school of thought that says fools make the best prophets... or was that the other way around?
VILMA SANTOS IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR!!!
I think the title says it all, don't you? Excuse me while I move to Batangas.
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