There was a time the American dollar had a fixed exchange rate of two Philippine pesos. Thus it was when the equivalence was observed for decades with neither questions asked nor hesitations made. Then it came to pass that a dollar became equals to four pesos, to seven pesos and so on. And time came when the exchange rate between exactly the same American dollar and exactly the same Philippine pesos became anybody’s guess.
During these however, practically every hour on the hour, on the hour, the exchange rates between them changes for enigmatic reason – known only according to the dictate and determination of global financial oligarchs. The money changers merely faithfully obey and accordingly act in their money business ventures. And the general Filipino public simply follow the continuous varying and vexing exchange rates. The same is true for all other foreign currencies vis-à-vis the poor and pitiful Philippine peso.
Except for periodic changes in but machine printed denominations and given opted colors - - while remaining exactly the same in size and shape – strange to say, the dollar and peso paper money exchange rates rise and fall with the rising and setting of the sun. Supposedly financial wizards simply pontificate that the dollar suddenly becomes more costly, and the infallible consequence is that the peso also all of a sudden becomes cheaper in value. And everybody else simply says “Amen!” Why, they do not know. How come, they neither have any idea. But with blind obedience, they bow their heads in utter submission.
What is truly strange as well as really despicable and abominable even is when money has become itself a business – instead of its fundamentally intended purpose of buying material assets and/or consumer goods. Historical records said that human society started with the plain and simple barter - - when manufactured – paper moneys were printed and coins were minted – and used to transact business, to buy and sell at a profit.
But now, it is money buying money, and money as well being sold for money. Why precisely is exactly the same amount of money becomes more or less in value also in terms of money – while this phenomenon may seem curious if not irrational as well, there is however one plain and painful explanation for this economic paradox. This: Human greed! Make money through all possible ways and means. Have more money irrespective of how and when. Get the money and do not mind humanity.
Greed – thy name is abominable, censurable, condemnable!
OVCRUZ, JCD
07 JUNE 2010
Monday, June 07, 2010
Friday, June 04, 2010
“PO”
There is something worth noting well and appreciating much in the relatively recent development in the Filipino language. Most probably it has been taught and insisted by the elders long since. But it is not really that long since that it became a rather common practice. And it is quite not only consoling but also endearing. One only need to listen a little more attentively to become conscious of and grateful for it. At least, there is still this one good news in this Country that is continuously flooded by one bad news after another.
Simple and plain, but true and real, the superlative of respect and deference word “Po!” is nowadays both ordinarily and distinctly used in conversations not only when the young address the adult, but also, and particularly so, when adults talk to adults. The truth is that the lesser respectful address “Ho!” seems to have disappeared from both ordinary and special conversations – although it is also a word or term of deference.
And there is one more amiable practice. This is when young people address someone older than they, as “Kuya” or “Ate” – and the like. Related they are not. Usually, they do not even know one another. But the respectful address as an older brother or sister precisely denotes a deferential relationship, a respectful communication.
Needless to say, all the above good tidings do not in any way compensate for the one to many wrong words and deeds continuously taking place in practically all parts of the Country – the mere mention of which bring the Filipino spirit down and makes the Filipino heart hurt. But the more reason there is to be aware, to be glad and grateful for the Filipino respectful stance – together perhaps with the Filipino hospitality.
Incidentally, let it be said that the English words “Miss” and “Mister”, “Sir” and “Madam” or “M’am”, are not really words of respect as they are more intended as qualifying titles. And the Spanish “Usted” is neither pleasing nor endearing as it is more but a formality.
In other words, there is still rhyme and reason to say “Mabuhay ang Pinoy!”
OVCRUZ, JCD
04 JUNE 2010
Simple and plain, but true and real, the superlative of respect and deference word “Po!” is nowadays both ordinarily and distinctly used in conversations not only when the young address the adult, but also, and particularly so, when adults talk to adults. The truth is that the lesser respectful address “Ho!” seems to have disappeared from both ordinary and special conversations – although it is also a word or term of deference.
And there is one more amiable practice. This is when young people address someone older than they, as “Kuya” or “Ate” – and the like. Related they are not. Usually, they do not even know one another. But the respectful address as an older brother or sister precisely denotes a deferential relationship, a respectful communication.
Needless to say, all the above good tidings do not in any way compensate for the one to many wrong words and deeds continuously taking place in practically all parts of the Country – the mere mention of which bring the Filipino spirit down and makes the Filipino heart hurt. But the more reason there is to be aware, to be glad and grateful for the Filipino respectful stance – together perhaps with the Filipino hospitality.
Incidentally, let it be said that the English words “Miss” and “Mister”, “Sir” and “Madam” or “M’am”, are not really words of respect as they are more intended as qualifying titles. And the Spanish “Usted” is neither pleasing nor endearing as it is more but a formality.
In other words, there is still rhyme and reason to say “Mabuhay ang Pinoy!”
OVCRUZ, JCD
04 JUNE 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
“DURA LEX, SED LEX”
The law may be hard to observe or difficult to obey, but it remains the law and must be therefore followed just the same. This is the plain and simple meaning and implication of the above cited Latin maxim which is well known in a special way by those in the legal profession. The Latin principle is objectively right and the legal experts are professionally right as well when invoking the Latin truism – but only by virtue of the following three fundamental premises:
Firstly, that the law is just in its objective content, just for the subject party concerned, and just to the society as a whole it is mandated for observance. In other words even but there is an iota of injustice in the law in conjunction with any of the said qualifying factors, a law may be difficult to comply with, but an unjust law it remains. Thus it is that it loses its nature and finality as a law. Example: The E-Vat as a law is unjust because the very poor and the very rich are taxed same amount in their purchase of consumer goods!
Secondly, that the law equally applies to all – “without fear or favor”. This simply means that everybody has exactly the same standing – the same basic human dignity and the basic human rights – before the law. This is the cornerstone of the majesty of the law: it bows to no one for consideration of power and wealth. Precisely, herein hinges the majesty of the law – or this becomes a joke. Example: Recently, nothing less than a whale in authority and might wriggled out of the legal net while two small fries were caught!
Lastly, that the law is interpreted and applied by a legal system that is not simply working as designed and expected – but categorically working according to the demands of social justice specially in terms of its distributive dimension that is provident of public welfare or common goods. And this is distinctly not the case when those entities and individuals tasked to act accordingly, either do nothing or act to the contrary. Example: The dysfunctional justice system in the Country.
Under any of the at least three realities above mentioned, it is quite incongruous to say it with peace of conscience and conviction of reason the famous Latin line “Dura lex, sed lex.” – in the concrete Philippine situation. Therein, the maxim or saying becomes a big bad joke - such as in the following cases: When jails are full of poor and helpless people. When the so called “Rich and Famous” are above the law. When someone is altogether immune from any prosecution for any gross misdeed, any gigantic graft, any colossal corruption even by making them one big combined or huge composite villainy – precisely brought to fulfillment by that someone with all the power and influence to do what is right and just, but does exactly the abominable and censurable.
OVCRUZ,JCD
2 JUNE 2010
Firstly, that the law is just in its objective content, just for the subject party concerned, and just to the society as a whole it is mandated for observance. In other words even but there is an iota of injustice in the law in conjunction with any of the said qualifying factors, a law may be difficult to comply with, but an unjust law it remains. Thus it is that it loses its nature and finality as a law. Example: The E-Vat as a law is unjust because the very poor and the very rich are taxed same amount in their purchase of consumer goods!
Secondly, that the law equally applies to all – “without fear or favor”. This simply means that everybody has exactly the same standing – the same basic human dignity and the basic human rights – before the law. This is the cornerstone of the majesty of the law: it bows to no one for consideration of power and wealth. Precisely, herein hinges the majesty of the law – or this becomes a joke. Example: Recently, nothing less than a whale in authority and might wriggled out of the legal net while two small fries were caught!
Lastly, that the law is interpreted and applied by a legal system that is not simply working as designed and expected – but categorically working according to the demands of social justice specially in terms of its distributive dimension that is provident of public welfare or common goods. And this is distinctly not the case when those entities and individuals tasked to act accordingly, either do nothing or act to the contrary. Example: The dysfunctional justice system in the Country.
Under any of the at least three realities above mentioned, it is quite incongruous to say it with peace of conscience and conviction of reason the famous Latin line “Dura lex, sed lex.” – in the concrete Philippine situation. Therein, the maxim or saying becomes a big bad joke - such as in the following cases: When jails are full of poor and helpless people. When the so called “Rich and Famous” are above the law. When someone is altogether immune from any prosecution for any gross misdeed, any gigantic graft, any colossal corruption even by making them one big combined or huge composite villainy – precisely brought to fulfillment by that someone with all the power and influence to do what is right and just, but does exactly the abominable and censurable.
OVCRUZ,JCD
2 JUNE 2010
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