soundoff (43 Responses)

1. A FILIPINA LIVING IN ISRAEL
   

   YOU SEE WHAT I HAD BEEN SAYING?????????

   I KNOW WHO IS THAT ACTOR

   TOO BAD AS FILIPINO PEOPLE STILL TOLERATE ALL OF THIS.

   WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS FIGHT FOR THE PROGRESS.

   DO NOT VOTE A CANDIDATE WHO IS AN UNFIT AND UN-LOCK OF KNOWLEDEG AND UNLOCK OF INTERESTS.
   YOU FILIPINO VOTERS MUST DO ALL YOUR RESEARCH ABOUT YOUR CANDIDATE.
   FROM ELEMENTARY TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE EVER THEY OCCUR.

   YOU VOTERS MUST CHECK POLITICAL BACKGROUND, PROGRESS, AND WHAT THIS CANDIDATED HAD BEEN GIVING AND WHAT HAS HE DONE IN THE PAST BEFORE CONSIDERING OF REELECTING HIM AGAIN.

   DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORKS FOR THE SAKES OF YOUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE.

   GOD HELP PHILIPPINES

   May 16, 2010 at 6:52 am | Report abuse |
2. ndundu
   

   Writing from Africa, I can say that Filipino's should not think the problems of overcrowding and poverty, culminating in mass shack-dwelling, are exclusive to the Filipino's. Where I live, the R. Catholic Church is but one of many churches and for the most part, the churches here are supportive of family planning and birth control. Yet, the problem is also here. It has many causes. The government not being pro-active, is surely one of them. I suggest another approach: instead of merely trying to apportion blame, let's use whatever we have that is positive – for example, if the Catholic Church had been preaching the value of human life, then build on that and take the initiative to start community based programs for children to form, help, teach them life skills, involve their families, etc., or support existing ones, which sometimes have to function without much support. If the government is at least not against it, take the gap and if you are middle or upper class, reach out. There are examples world wide to learn from. I am also very much convinced that there is a God who cares, we just have to know about Him and separate His image from the one that people created.

   May 16, 2010 at 7:45 am | Report abuse |
3. Mushe
   

   What is happening in the Philippines and some parts of Asia and Africa is so sad and heartbreaking. It is sickening to think that the first thing that those that get into power in these countries first want to fill their pockets with as much wealth as they can at the expense of the people they are supposed to be leading. God has given us a world with enough for all of us, but because of our greediness we aren't willing to share with the less priviledged. God have mercy on those that have been affected by this fire and I hope people will come up with help.

   May 16, 2010 at 7:47 am | Report abuse |
4. Barney
   

   It is so easy to feel sorry for these people.
   So easy to write and feel thankful that these things wouldn't happen in your own country.
   So easy for all of us who have an access to this kind of information to blame poverty as the major cause of tragedy.
   So easy for all of us to level ourselves off from reality.

   Filipinos are accountable to themselves.
   I am accountable to myself.

   So many times in the past, Filipinos blamed the government for whatever shorthcomings in life.

   These people in the slum were warmed countless times of the imminent fire. So many times they took them lightly, so many times they voted for politicians whose own vested interests cost more than the free food handouts they'd given them during election.

   So many times, they had wished their lives to be better at the expense of others who were doing most of the work, paying off the responsibility which should have been theirs in the first place.

   You blame poverty.

   But, in reality these people don't pay rent, water, and electricity. If they were the pioneers to settle in that place they might have businesses renting off some of the pieces of the land, and even some shops.

   Some even have free cable and DSL connections and given access to free education and health care. In return, they steal conveniences in life as if the government owe them these things while doing nothing.

   It is easy for all of us to see pity in the situation presented in media.
   So easy to point blame to others.

   They are to be blamed for the conditions which they had chosen.

   We all think just because they are people living in those filthy places, shirtless with 8 kids in tow, we assume they are poor and uneducated. They chose to be there. They chose to be lazy. They chose to put their own responsiblity upon someone else's shoulder.

   So shameful to say, but true, they profit from our tolerance and we take from them the high moral grounds.

   Shameful indeed!

   May 16, 2010 at 10:55 am | Report abuse |
5. Boomboom
   

   EVERYTHING HAPPENED FOR A REASON!...CATHOLIC IS CATHOLIC. AND STILL YOU CAN TAKE CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS. PEOPLE SHOULD BE SMART AND NEVER STOP DREAMING. YOUR DREAMS WILL COMES TRUE.

   May 16, 2010 at 1:01 pm | Report abuse |
6. LUCKY
   

   THE GOVERMENT WILL NOT GOING TO HELP THEM.IT"S NOT LIKE HERE IN AMERICA, AND THAT IS WHY POOR PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPINES LIVED WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD FOR THEMSELF AND FOR THEIR FAMILY. WE DON"T HAVE HEALTH CENTER THAT WE CAN GO TO IF YOU DON"T HAVE INSURANCE. THEY WILL NO TREAT YOU IN THE HOSPITAL UNLESS YOU HAVE TO PAY THEM FIRST IN ADVANCE. I"M SO BLESSED,...VERY BLESSED I"M IN AMERICA I CAN ABLE TO SEND HELP TO MY MOTHER, BROTHER AND SISTERS, AND I"M COUNTING MY BLESSINGS EVERY SINGLE DAY. THANK YOU DEAR LORD,......THANK YOU AMERICA!!!!!!!

   May 16, 2010 at 4:34 pm | Report abuse |
7. Randy
   

   While poverty is rampant, you will find brand new BMW's, Benzes, and many other exotic cars roaming the streets. There is not one day that I do not run across a $100k Land Cruiser. I see an average of 7 of them on a typical day, most of which are being used for security detail "follow vehicles". In the US where these Land Cruisers are a mere $70k and they can be leased or amortized, I see these Land Cruisers only once in a blue moon. In the Philippines where credit does not exist favorably for the consumers, 90% of these high end vehicles are paid for by cash.

   So when you talk about poverty, the Philippines is technically richer in terms of wealthy people per square mile, or on a per capita basis compared to the US. MOST IMPORTANTLY, when a Filipino is said to be rich, that only means that he/she does not know how much he/she has. Because in Philippine standards, if you know how much you have, then you are not rich.

   May 16, 2010 at 10:46 pm | Report abuse |
8. Nina Martin
   

   I believe that over population in the philippines is one of the cause of poverty. Please stop. One or two children are enough. Wake up philippines.!!!! It is time for us to learn.

   May 18, 2010 at 3:30 am | Report abuse |
9. jade mae
   

   i am a Filipino citizen and its hard for me to say that poverty is rampant in our county, Philippines. i hope our government will do active actions on this and i am looking forward to our new president, pres. noynoy aquino.there are many pity filipinos that were starving in hunger and seeking for shelter. lets help one another because we are the one who can help our dear country...

   January 25, 2011 at 9:31 pm | Report abuse |
10. liga bbva spain
    

    At least some bloggers can still write. Thank you for this piece

    September 27, 2011 at 7:05 pm | Report abuse |
11. Jesse dziedzic
    

    That was a really joy of a post!

    October 20, 2011 at 12:46 pm | Report abuse |
12. napa auto parts vallejo
    

    You couldn't be more precise..

    October 25, 2011 at 4:06 am | Report abuse |
13. drip feed blast
    

    You are precisely correct on this piece...

    October 29, 2011 at 2:39 am | Report abuse |