If you are pressured on your job, will you commit suicide?

My title is quite morbid. And for sure we are not that stupid enough to say 'YES.'

But if you are in China, and you work on a 12 hour shift assembling a part that makes the iPhone or iPad at Foxconn, chances are, you might say 'YES', and a sad truth, employees really commit suicide because of extreme military style of management. And if you are still alive, for sure, your hands will be shaking - suffering from the worst Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ever known in medical history. That is due to repetition - you assemble the parts many times over and over again.

While some say it is inhumane, others point out that it is the only way to beat poverty. Where people can earn a descent living instead of farming. A few dollars is much better than nothing. Especially in Third World countries, this is the trend: sweatshops, cheap and docile labor, mass production, contractualization, those are the key to success for poor countries.

I don't know...

Check out where I got this idea from the link below:

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/454/transcript

Commercialization of weight loss

I have a friend who is quite pretty, but fat (can't think of any good words, so let us be blunt, no offense).

I am also fat on the stomach, my belly is protruding, and everyone thinks like I am a married man. And sometimes, we associate fatness of being pregnant, got married, had a child, and any other things associated with your marriage.

In short: 

fat = marriage = family

Well its a misconception. I have seen fat kids too, teens and adults who are still single, but still fat. But do not worry, Filipinos are not that fat really. But now, it is changing. Everyone seems to be getting bulkier, fatter, and unhealthy. Myself included.

And now, a lot of junk products are on the market filling our closets and medicine cabinets. And these manufacturers, pharmacies, even food companies always give empty promises that we will be healthy and avoid fat. But all are just lies.

You see these junk from the malls, and some slim sexy women and muscular guys approach you and tell them to buy these from you. Some might actually invite you on their fitness center, where you pay them just to lose weight, isn't it a little odd? If we want to exercise, we could have just cleaned the car, do the laundry, or clean our house.

My father said that: "Losing weight is easy, you will save money actually by not eating too much and doing all the chores without the paying the housekeeper."

He is right.

I have this small story, that I applied at one company, but i was rejected because of fast heart rate (tachycardia). I told that I have checked with my cardiologists that I am perfectly fine, I am not nervous or anything. Really, I was almost hired, but was not accepted because of that condition.

And another company I applied wants to get easy money, as they are in cohorts with the medical testing companies. When my initial medical report came, my mentioned heart rate is very high that I have to undergo ECG. Then they told that I have to seek a specialist. That is no problem, I can go to the Philippine Heart Center. They know everything about our hearts right? They refused. They told that they have this doctor they know and I should come to him only. WTF! And when I arrived to the particular doctor, he asked immediately a fee of PHP 500 without even looking at my medical report and ECG results.

People look down on fat people. Yes there is discrimination. People always tease you that you are fat. And that makes fat people more rebellious, they eat more.

If you have watched the movie "Supersize Me," the students at a supposed to be aggressive and undisciplined high school came out calm, orderly,and getting good grades because of one thing they have changed - their diet. They are getting organic, fresh foods, vegetables, and home cooked meals.

Here is another inconvenient truth, fresh food and vegetables are expensive and hard to prepare.

That leads to my conclusion that weight loss is commercialized. It is easy for governments and private companies to make us more fat, get sick, and purchase more of these exercise junk, weight loss medicines, or fancy gyms / exercise studios.

The choice is yours if you want to get fat, or get even.

Thank God its Friday, and for giving us those other days

I wrote this on a Friday.

Just imagine, the sun is shining, the air is a little cold but still good on your skin, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, people are doing their own thing, it seems that we - as humans - are born to be like this and appreciate it in every single day. Not just Friday, but on any day that suits us.

As a child, we used to go to the market, to different places, and we are excited to see something different and new. We are so happy we tell it to our parents, friends, classmates, and other relatives. Nevermind if it is just the store on the corner, the environment that accepts us - who we are, is a good feeling.

So what makes Friday special? Well it is the end of the week, where we could rest and unwind from a hard day's work. That is for those working in the office. But for others, like those assigned in engineering, mechanical, medical, telecommunications, its a normal day for them. Before, I even hate Fridays as traffic is in a standstill, lines are long everywhere, and those pickpocketers / snatchers are trying to get easy money by stealing your money away, especially during pay day. By the way, some people are paid on a weekly basis, and they are paid during Friday.

So Friday, is truly a good day. The whole world wants it. It always comes for us and it recharges our souls.
I think the people who are the most happiest are in the MIddle East. As Friday is a weekend for them.

We have to thank God also for giving us Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It will be boring if all days are named Friday, lols! This means we have always something to look forward to. Just like the many things in our lives - always something good will come out, something where we can be happy and contented. We are lucky that Friday always comes to us.

What does Friday mean to you? Is it good, bad or just a normal day for you? Let me here your thoughts...

Too much love will kill you

I have seen this quirky news from Yahoo.com.ph that one gay was trying to commit suicide by slashing his wrist and trying to jump on the 16th floor of a condominium at Quezon City.

As usual, a lot of keyboard warriors filled the comment posts with 180 comments and counting.

That reminds me, are we so different?

We have too much love in our hearts. That is who we are. Filipinos have full of love.

And, truly speaking, this love might kill us someday.

I love my country, the Philippines. But I have given it too much love. Now, it is neglected. It may take time now to mend it back.

Love has many definitions, many variables, even computers cannot comprehend such illogical manifestation of something that gives courage, happiness, content.

Some say that love involves sacrifice, yes it is. But a lot of it might destroy us. The band Queen has known this decades ago and made it into a song "Too much love will kill you"

If love can truly kill us, it is a tragedy. Lots of stories are there, from Romeo and Juliet and many more.

I think love can be interpreted as 'hope' something you will have wished for. When you have worked hard for it, invested time and effort, that love will grow and blossom.

I think the best person to love at the moment is yourself.

For now, let us enjoy the song...

Too much love will kill you..

by: Queen

I'm just the pieces of the man I used to be

Too many bitter tears are raining down on me

I'm far away from home

And I've been facing this alone

For much too long

I feel like no-one ever told the truth to me

About growing up and what a struggle it would be

In my tangled state of mind

I've been looking back to find

Where I went wrong

Too much love will kill you

If you can't make up your mind

Torn between the lover

And the love you leave behind

You're headed for disaster

'cos you never read the signs

Too much love will kill you

Every time

I'm just the shadow of the man I used to be

And it seems like there's no way out of this for me

I used to bring you sunshine

Now all I ever do is bring you down

How would it be if you were standing in my shoes

Can't you see that it's impossible to choose

No there's no making sense of it

Every way I go I'm bound to lose

Too much love will kill you

Just as sure as none at all

It'll drain the power that's in you

Make you plead and scream and crawl

And the pain will make you crazy

You're the victim of your crime

Too much love will kill you

Every time

Too much love will kill you

It'll make your life a lie

Yes, too much love will kill you

And you won't understand why

You'd give your life, you'd sell your soul

But here it comes again

Too much love will kill you

In the end...

In the end. 

A simple Indian family lesson

I think we could learn something from India. It is about close family ties. Let me share you this:

Before they marry someone, it is all being checked by the family of both parties, that is, the parents of future bride and groom. A dowry still exists on some parts, and surprisingly, some of it is the opposite: meaning the bride's family may give something, a gift for the groom. This is not done these days, but there are some parts of India who still practice it. (There are reports that some husbands kill their wives after they got the gift. But that is another story).

Back to our blog. The main thing here is, both families must agree on the marriage. If there are any problems, the couples, either one of them are regarded as an outcast.

Marriage is not only an affirmation of love between the couple, between God and Law, it is also the merging of two families. If they have a child and each of the family has doubts on their marriage, the couples' life will not be happy in the long run.

I noticed in the Philippines, Filipinos are not doing this at all. They just make a child and pray that things will get better for both families. They are thinking that a child may serve as their 'salvation' for the merging of both families. I don't know about you but that is a product of watching too many telenovelas and immaturity in the Philippines.

It is not actually so called 'Arranged Marriage' like most of the people think of, although it existed in India before. Times are changing, and yes they may love someone with the man or woman whom they have chosen. Provided that they have a go signal or the blessing of their parents - of both parties - all will be fine.

The reason why I have mentioned this, it is because the family is the basic structure of any person. It is the basic foundation, a connection, before a wider social circle. If you have a good family with a good solid foundation, the couple will have a good life and their children will be able to succeed in the society much quicker than those couples who have dysfunctional families.

Think about it. What are we right now? Are we able to succeed whatever family background we have?

Your comments are highly appreciated.

How to 'milk' an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker)?

The diaspora of OFW's and Filipino citizens around the world has been a phenomenon since the early 1980's.
Filipinos has reached on every continent around the globe, the only destination that we have missed is the North and South Poles.

It is simple math. Filipinos are working abroad to have a better quality way of life. The hefty remittances from OFW's are able to send their kids through nice schools, pay their home mortgages, food and electricity, and the important thing is, they can save some money on the side for emergencies and other uses. You can never ever do this in the Philippines. Because after you have paid your electricity (this is the topic i'm researching from now), water, LPG, transportation, food, kid's allowance, taxes, insurance, and miscellaneous expenses, mobile phone cards, you will never get anything afterwards. You are not able to save. And with contractualization is the 'IN' thing for various companies, job security is another problem. You must have that extra money on the side for emergencies.

Yes they suffer a lot through homesicknesses, high cost of living, culture shock, and sad to say, fellow OFW's who are such 'crabs' who put you down while your back is turned away.

I know and we all know that 'money' is the answer why OFW's are leaving the country. But is it really the solution? Who have implanted this way of thinking on our heads?

In the 1960's, the Philippines has been regarded as the second wealthiest nation in Asia, next to Japan. But something came along the way, it was Marcos, due to political and economic mismanagement, our country was in disarray. This prompted some Filipinos to work abroad. They already knew that there is something bad going on. And that was told to me by my father.

"Damn, this Marcos is so stubborn, he wanted to run the Phils in his own hands!"

"Anong gagawin natin? (What we will do now?) My mother said.

"Let us leave for a while, let us go out. Paris, Cali, Tokyo."

"How about the kids?"

"Leave them. Istorbo lang sila, papatakbuhin ko Pinas sa abroad" (They are a disturbance, I'll run the Phils in abroad).

So much for parental love.

A lot of Filipinos left, and they watched in horror how the Philippines, like a deck of cards fell little by little.

During the 90's where my dad talked to various government agencies, he was really worried on how to improve our economy. They are planning again to borrow from IMF, but of course they need something substantial, something where we can repay back our debt and future debts.

While on a meeting, my dad overheard a conversation from a DFA official to his staff, about the deployment of workers in the Middle East. After the conversation, he talked to him.

"How many Filipinos are going abroad in a day?"

"That depends sir, but right now it is more than 2,000 a day."

"Hey, that is too much (in 1990's). Is there an epidemic or something?"

"I don't know sir, but, it seems we are getting good money from them."

My father saw the 'idea light bulbs' on a lot of government officials. My father made a quick look at some financial papers and held a calculator. Yes, the OFW's remittances can contribute to the country's GDP of about 13% to 20%. This is easy money. Without any form of operating cost or expenses, rent, or any other expenditures. Just take a portion of their remittances through agreement with banks and other foreign exchange centers. Increase of prices of basic commodities and imported items sold in the Philippines is another way of getting the money from OFW's. Taxes and government processing fees. They always think that every Filipino has a relative who is an OFW. Just get any amount of money from them, they will give it immediately without any questions.

And if someone wants to leave the country, make it hard for them. So hard that they must pay and various fees before they leave the country. Make the process slow and tedious, so that both parties, the employer from abroad and the employee (OFW) will have to pay the government just to fast track the processing, settlement of fees, etc. No wonder illegal recruitment and human smuggling is rampant in the Philippines.

In simple terms:

* Job application for abroad = money
* Remittances = money

And where those the money go? Philippine Government, into the pockets of corrupt government agencies.

Philippine media has its share of 'brain washing' as well. Always broadcasting and reporting that the 'grass is greener' on other countries. Just look at those endless advertisements from agencies and recruiters who are willing to take Filipinos outside the country.Actors and actresses who are half-Filipino / half-foreign blood are featured and given priority. We do have an 'off' button but sometimes, if it is shown into your face many times, you can't help but to watch it. And the media is also giving credit to those who are half-Filipino or Filipinos who are away from a long time in the Philippines. Duh. They are already living successfully, why waste our time with them?

My dad, then again, has no choice but to approve of the idea. Since our economy is in shambles. There must be something out there where we can get some money. Money that will keep the Philippines afloat. But sacrificing our fellow citizens, leaving their families behind, is truly a sad sight to see, especially crying children and relatives where they send off OFW's onto the airport. More harrowing if they found out that they come home mentally incapacitated, or worse, in a 'box.'

Hopefully, Filipinos are smart and strong enough to show their disgust - LET US STOP THE GREED!

The Monopoly of Electricity in the Philippines

This is an important blog I want to address. I believe we have to know this, and take actions right NOW. or else, these powerful companies will continue to suck our hard earned money 'till we become lifeless ghouls.

My inspiration for this came from Michael Moore's documentaries. If he can read this, I hope he can help me make it into a film.

My blog, article, or rant is simple - Why does the Philippines have high electricity bills? It has been known that we have the highest power rates in Asia. Unless everyone wants to prove that theirs is more expensive, prove it, and show the bill receipt, your electrical appliances inside
 your home, and how you use it. I welcome comments from other countries as well. Let us compare electricity bills and let us check which one is the cheapest out there on this date.

I also want to interview, advise, or the comments of Professional Electrical Engineers, electricians, technicians, Accountants, and of course, ordinary consumers like you and me. Let us really check on this high power rates which gives us high blood pressure everytime we see the bills. Worse, foreign investors don't want to invest in our country because of high power rates.

We all know that MERALCO distributes the power through the entire metropolis in Manila and on its other nearby areas. And they are always blamed for the high rates. Technically yes because they are the ones who are doing the billing and computations. But they have this one good reason which is quite hard to refute - they are just buying the electricity from major power providers, particularly by the National Transmission Company. In short, they are just distributors. Or is it? Because of this 'bloated democracy', we are suffering, our pockets and wallets are always 'dried up' every time we pay the electric bills. Who is it to blame? Can we do something about it?

I am sure you cannot wise crack like "don't use electricity, period" Having electricity is considered a necessity. We can work and play. It makes our lives better, and actually, some make a living from it. As an ordinary individual and same goes for large corporations.

Enlighten me. I ask each and everyone to speak out. If Meralco can see my blog, the better. Let them explain and convince us why do they have to charge us high power rates.

A dream that is almost real, it never happened

Have you experienced it before? That you have dreamed of something that is so real, so vivid, that you think it will happen tomorrow or the next day. But somehow, it did not happen.

Is there something wrong with you?

The dreams that we have are manifestations of the sub conscious mind. That has no boundaries, no limitations. 

We are in control of those dreams. And it may or may not happen in reality. 

Studies, published articles, even Hollywood has come to offer the interpretation of dreams. It is the only place of pure creativity. Where inventions are made, and it may solve the mysteries and problems we are facing right now. The dreams that we have are basis for all of these wonderful ideas that we have experienced and continue to experience as of this moment. For now, we may not be able to apply it. But in the future, it maybe possible.

What are your dreams lately?

It could be anything. You are flying, the world is in your hands, you can be rich or poor, powerful or weak, healthy or sick...there is a lot of factors, and our mind has it all.

Whether you are highly educated or did not finish school, you are still dreaming up to this moment, that is the only way to escape for now temporarily.

You know that some people even use sleeping pills, or hallucinogens, prohibited drugs that let's you continue to dream. That is not the proper way. Our brains will be abused that way.

A powerful computer, like the brain. Can access all the infinite possibilities. And even more, if we joined it together. That goes for the saying: "two heads are better than one."

Being able to dream and tell about it is a golden gift. An opportunity that is waiting. Mind you, some win the lottery on dreaming of the winning combinations.

Keep on dreaming...even though it did not come true, at least, you dreamed about it. Dreams are not made into reality in an instant. It needs time and hard work to make it a reality.

It's more fun in the Philippines - Really?

I won't go into details about the new tourist slogan of the Philippines. I have to say it outright...


It is not good.


I don't want to trivialize it more that "it is sooo badddd" or "copycat" like other netizens out there, but as a pure ordinary Filipino, who works on an 8 hour shift, we want something to be proud of. 


And this is not it.


We have the brains already, why can't we think of something original? or better yet, simple enough. After all, if we improve our airports. lower the terminal fees and other taxes, heighten the security and welfare of the tourists, they will come automatically. And no need for a catchy slogan or continuous editing of photos at Adobe Photoshop.


And for the tourists out there. Be careful when you travel to our country. Kidnappings are still there and lots of pickpockets / thieves who will steal your mobile phones / wallets.


On the good side, yes those airport terminal fees are a pain (and the bad airport, just do not look at it), but some of our famous tourist spots are still famous up to this date. And the fees are quite affordable. Almost everyone can speak English fluently, you will never have any problems regarding communication, unlike in other countries.


I myself have been a tourist in my home country, to tell you frankly, I am treated the same like I am a foreigner, even though I speak the national language which is Filipino! 


In the end, it is the tourist's choice whether he or she will come or not. Whatever those slogans or advertisements given, as long as the safety of the tourists are not taken cared of, it will never be fun in the Philippines.

Some work and financial issues

Did someone told you straight that "You are now not needed in this company because of recession. localization, bankruptcy, etc. etc.?" I did, several times now in one year that is 2011.

It was a shock to me at first. really, there were even those sleepless nights. All the work that I did just nosedived and went to nothing.

I understand it is the time of recession. There are no problems for me. heck, I have lots of money more than the company I have been working on. I just don't brag around like some dumb schmuck. But I feel pity for those who really need a job, one that has a family to feed, children to educate, and all of that.

Times are hard. It is a sign of capitalistic failure. We have to overhaul our financial system.

Debates are pouring in from all over the world, from thesis, dissertations, chatrooms, forums, but the single question still remains: "How do you minimize the gap between thr rich and poor?"

Communism is not the answer. Look at what happened to North Korea. They almost did it, but, making weapons instead of food is the same as capitalism in its sick level.

In any case, let's go back to where I am. Since my boss told me to leave my job, I have only one thing to say:

"Thank you sir for letting me work. And hope to serve you in the future."

It is much better accepting the fact that they are removing you from the job as soon as possible than letting you stay and be unproductive.