March 23, 2009

I have always encountered some people saying bad things or complaining about other people, groups or institutions but they themselves also practice what they complaint about. There are also some people who dislike the government they have but didn’t even bother to register to vote or didn’t even think well on who is best for the post when they voted.

It is most ideal that change should start small. Change is not about changing the world immediately but change should start within us and among us until it becomes a ripple and then a contagious action that could truly make our communities, city, country and the whole world a better place to live in.

We can do this by simply obeying our local ordinances and by being honest and sincere to others and to ourselves. As they say, the true measurement of one’s character is what he says and does even when no one is listening or looking. We should also learn to be more vigilant. Furthermore, we should be more aware of what’s happening in our communities and act appropriately.

Life is how we make it. It is better to have a good attitude, a good disposition and positive thoughts. Let us try to do it every day and let’s see and feel the difference. Being good is cool.

Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.

March 20, 2009

Overconfidence sometimes leads to complacency and at times to a loss instead of a sure victory. Some say that when one is overconfident he tends to trust too much on surveys or his gut feel that he relaxes and just let things happen.

Overconfidence can happen when one is courting someone, when one is going to take an exam, when one is joining a game or a contest, when one is running for an elective post and when one organizing an event. Possible reasons for overconfidence are when one believes in surveys too much or when one knows his skills, abilities and assets and feels that nothing can happen to stop him.

In the political arena, I always tell people there is nothing certain. We can cite the situation of a seemingly sure win of then New York Senator Hillary Clinton who lead all surveys and was the presumptive Democrat presidential contender until a long shot unknown African American first termer Senator Barrack Obama beat her to become the next president of the United States of America. This also is true in the local scene when the political institutions and establishments seen to be unbeatable lost to new faces without political machinery and a financial war chest such as Isabela Gov. Padaca who defeated the Dy’s, Nueva Ecija Gov. Umali who defeated the Josons, Pampanga Gov. Panlilio who was a priest that defeated the Lapids, and Tarlac Governor Yap who defeated the Cojuangcos. In Iloilo City, there were councilors who won in the top 3 rank in their first term but had a hard time winning their second term or even miserably lost. In the province, there were board members who won and ranked top of others but lost in their re-election. This seems to be a case when maybe performance truly mattered to the people but maybe also their overconfidence and their initial resounding victory went to their head too much that they felt invincible and unbeatable.

Let us learn from these experiences. There is nothing sure in this world. Things can change very fast. Let us not put victory too much into our heads. I don’t believe that power is permanent. It is temporary and was lent to us by the people to use it wisely and for public interest. It can easily be taken away from us. So let’s stay humble and sincere. Let’s continue to work hard and always be consistent with the people. Let us stay the way we were with them or change for the better. Let us serve them well and right.

Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.

March 17, 2009

Stress is defined by Microsoft Thesaurus as pressure, anxiety, constant worry, nervous tension or a result of trauma.

I’m sure everyone has experienced stress. It may have been because of school examinations, relationships, work expectations, change of residency, change of career, lack of rest and sleep, and other daily life situations or experiences.

Some give in to stress which leads some people to getting sick, depressed and even some lose their life because of it. Thus, it is best to always find ways to manage stress well. Some do it by going to the gym, by doing some exercises, by enjoying a hobby or any form of entertainment, by having a massage, by playing sports, by going on a vacation, and other activities they enjoy and love. As some say, activities to relieve stress are to each his own. Some might work for others but some might opt for other things. What is important though is that stress is faced well and defeated.

Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.

March 16, 2009

March 9, 2009

The Senate has recently passed the Law on the automation of the elections and has provided funds for such. The 2010 upcoming elections will be automated. Some argue that the voting will still be manual since there will be a paper to be provided for and the voter will shade the candidate of his or her choice. What is automated is the counting.

I am blessed to have won the 2007 elections even if I was the only one who ran under a local party, UGYON party, and did not have a national party. I was affiliated though with a national party and adopted by a coalition. Until this day, almost two years after the election, I could not stop thanking the people who gave their trust in the youngest candidate that time and a new resident of the City. The gratitude for lending me the position I have now will always be present. My victory was unexpected and against all odds.

When one mentions the upcoming elections, a lot of people get worried about possible cheating especially if one isn’t an incumbent or a part of the administration. We have always heard but hardly proven cheating during the elections. This is quite worrisome because maybe the true voice of the people will not be known and heard, and an undeserving candidate without a real mandate is put in a position.

As the so called automation of the upcoming 2010 elections has already apparently met its pre requisites and all systems go already, the voting behavior and voting system will need to change. There should be an adequate information and education campaign on the new system of voting and the new procedure of voting. There should also be a safeguard on possible high technology cheating.

We as voters should be vigilant of possible cheating or repression of the true voice of the people. The election is a show of how democratic our political system is. It gives the power to the people and the power of government comes from the people.

The filing of certificate of candidacy is said to be this coming November 2009. It is about 3-4 months earlier than the usual. This is good for the voters since they will have more time to get to know the candidates so they could make well thought of, well analyzed, and well informed decisions. The point of contention is will their real voice be heard and will this be truly reflected in the candidates who will be proclaimed in a matter of hours after the elections. What we are asking for and should work hard to ascertain is that just like in school or when we join games in sports, no cheating please.

Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.