climate change: not just an environmental issue

earlier today, my officemates and I suddenly got into a heated discussion about global warming and climate change.

Some points that I realized:

• there is a problem with carbon dioxide levels, as the growth of humans is exponential and our consumption of fossil fuels will also increase exponentially.
• no matter how much fuel efficient a car will get, or how much bio-fuels or alternative fuels we come up with it will never be enough, as the driving and travelling patterns of humans only increase therefore negating any gains that could be had with fuel efficiency and alternative sources of energy.
• the proponents of climate change and global warming are mostly developed countries who are already heavily industrialized, but what they want is for the reduction of carbon emissions of all country even the developing world, the philippines included, who do not have any heavy industries to speak of.
  
• If we look into recent history, all this developed countries went through the industrialization phase, now if they want all countries to cut emissions how will we, the developing world, be able to build heavy industries.
• this is another ploy of the center to control and undermine the gains of the peripheral nations, basing on the "Center-periphery Theory"
• The proponents of climate change wants the world to change its consumption patterns, especially in the consumption of fossil fuels.
• If you look at China, which is experiencing growth due to their heavy industrialization policies and then they decide to cut their consumption pattern, their economic growth will grind to a halt.

To clarify, I am not against the whole idea of going green, of finding alternative sources of energy, of being fuel efficient, of saving this planet. But those pushing for this have their vested interests in mind, they want the third world to compensate for them, thus keeping the developing world in stagnation and keeping our dependence on them a perpetual relationship.

feeling tibak

whenever i hear someone arguing that the present administration has done good for the country, i try my very best to suppress my laughter.

yes, the peso's value against the dollar has risen, but its not entirely due to a strong peso or an even stronger economy. First, America is experiencing an economic crisis and it has greatly devalued the dollar against the euro, but it doesn't neccessarily mean that the peso has strengthened. Secondly, the only reason that the economy is experiencing growth is mainly due to the increase in remittance from Filipino workers overseas. And lastly, the reason why so many Filipinos are abroad and are able to send money is because this adminstration cannot generate enough jobs.

NOW, if you still think that GMA has helped the economy grow, then maybe she has but for all the wrong reasons.

The national oligarchs (National Bourgeosie), as Neri quite so eloquently put it, still control the local economy, laws are made and bent in their favors. Politicians are at their beck and call because they will not be able to win their duly elected seats if not for the funding from these oligarchs, this is what we call "The Ties that Bind."

If you still think that a People Power is passe then to hell with you, you are like those businessmen who have nothing but their personal interests. They always say that mass movements create nothing but destabilization and chaos, but they are only protecting their own selfish interests. Those who are in the streets are fighting for their lives, for their right to live by their own means, and not see their taxes go to the pockets of those in power. We do not need a change in personalities, the same crimes will still be committed only their names change.

Become the change...Now!

Kung HIndi Tayo, Sino?
Kung Hindi Ngayon, Kelan?

copyright violation

i recently got this email from multiply:

One or more of your content items was found to be in
violation of Multiply's terms of service regarding
copyrights. We have deleted the item(s). We suggest you do
the same with any other items that may contain copyrighted
material. We reserve the right to cancel your account if we
discover another violation.

so i'm deleting all my songs, i think this is due to the recent ruling in the UK that you cannot rip cds that you own. quite preposterous...

a call to action

Everytime we turn on the TV and watch the news, we always see Jun Lozada telling the truth on the whole ZTE-NBN broadband deal. Another whistleblower, Jarius Bondoc, a newspaper columnist and the first one to expose the dirt on this whole deal, is my fraternity brother. Last Saturday, when we were taking photos for our 40th Anniversary Jarius said something that really stirred something inside of me. He said that it is now the task of the present generation to effect changes in our society. Their time has now passed, their grand-fathers fought against Colonial Spain, their fathers fought agains the imperialist scourge of the Japanese, and they fought against the Martial Law regime of Marcos and the corrupt government of Estrada.

What has our generation done? Who have we fought against? What have we died for?

Questions that need to be answered by a generation lost in our angst, pride, indulgence. We need to take a stand, let the truth prevail. Not because our economy is improving do we turn our backs on the truth, not because this will cause destabilization and chaos do we ignore what is right. What kind of society are we living in where we let those in power get away with murder? We only think of what is effortless and easy, we live our lives trying to take an easy path but what would life be without pain and struggle? it would be worthless...

...try fighting for something

guillotine

The only song that I've been recently been listening to is this song by urbandub, somehow gabby alipe and the rest of the band managed to put into song the exact thing that I am feeling right now.

What's done is done and we've crossed the line
Your indecision is taking over every time
Your pride, my anger our situation is worse than ever

We've taken this too far
We've had our run
With your arms wrapped tight around my neck
I Close my eyes I sink and grasped for breath

She's with someone new

All hope is gone and Since you'll never gonna change
I'll erase your taste and Let you go, slowly
Suddenly I wasn't enough
Your lust disguised as love

Your pushing me too far
We've had our run
With your arms wrapped tight around my neck
Close my eyes I sink and grasped for breath
Suddenly I wasn't enough
Your lust disguised as love

This whole time with me, was just another lie
My feelings up and down
You're just a little inconsiderate
This whole time with me, was just another lie
Was just another lie!!!

boomerang

why is it that when my life is finally going back to normal you suddenly manage to drag all my emotions out again? why at this most inopportune time do you decide to comeback and mess up everything that I've tried to rebuild from scratch.

i think this is life toying with me again, haaay life, i just need to be in control and not let my heart lead me to my demise

A relatively "happy" post

A friend told me last Saturday that he noticed my sudden change in disposition, he said that it I was visibly happier and relaxed. I smiled when I heard this, cause I know that somehow it was true, I was finally able to genuinely smile after a couple of months of feeling sorry for myself.

I want to take this time to say sorry to those who had to put up with my "ka-emohan," and thank you for the support and help that you extended.

Ever since February came my life became relatively smoother, happier, relaxed, and noticeably better. My coming back to Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative was really a step into getting back on track (as one of my previous blog says). I'm working on a part-time schedule, only 30 hours a week getting the same salary I would if I stayed in Makati, and no lates cause I live only 30 mins away from the office. I can now pursue graduate studies in UP Diliman, I'll be applying for the Masters in Technology Management program hopefully I get in.

My hobby has taken another turn as I got my new lens also this February, I'm really enjoying photography and I don't mind that I spend a lot of money on it. Its very fulfilling and I get a lot of encouragement from people that think I'm doing something productive.

Finally, enough of the drama, watch me as I flourish.