“GAMBLING PHILIPPINES” – A WORK IN PROGRESS

It is certainly not an exaggeration of some kind to declare, once and for all, that this otherwise beautiful and admirable Country by reason of its majority simple and guileless citizens, is a Gambling Nation in the making. This is definitely not some kind of an expression of frustration, much less a cry of desperation. It is an existing national reality that is precisely becoming more and more deeply rooted and extensive in coverage. Of course Luzon is way ahead in the vibrant incarnation of gambling, with the Visayas closely following, and Mindanao slowly but surely gain grounds – all in the context of “Gambling Philippines”.

There are major and marked indications to reasonably arrive at such a nauseating observation and conclusion – even if but considering the following three standing realities in the Philippines scene. These public and living facts may no longer rightfully demand for “evidence” - - considering their naked truth long since well known and accepted by the general public. In other words, below mentioned are the factual and real observations that only downright fools or ignoramuses would dare to ask for proofs thereof:

One: Once upon a time, there were Jueteng, Bingo, Lucky Nine and similar petty neighborhood gambling forms. Then was lo and behold, there was Pagcor, Lotto, STL and other more ardent and heavy gambling, internet gambling, not to mention public bookies here and there. After some harassments specially from local police authorities and after certain “considerations” asked by and given to them by the gambling operators with the usual “Gambling Lords”, gambling happily, freely and profitable went on, goes on and intends to become even more and more – not less.

Two: The distinction made between “legal” and “Illegal” gambling is but part of the diarrhea of sound and words in the realm to objective truth and reality. In other words, with no juridical difference between them, any and all forms and modalities of gambling publicly and freely operate in all conceivable places in the Country, and at all opted times. Meantime, the supposedly local, regional and national public authorities see nothing, say nothing, do nothing. Thus it is that “Everybody is happy!” with the present national gambling situation to the standard ultimate lost of bettors and the standing “happiness!” of gambling capatalists and their protectors.

Three: On account of the above throbbing realities, the fact is that recently, one or more now incumbent ingenious and honorable legislators came up with the brilliant idea of “creating” some kind of a “National Gambling Commission” intended to “supervise” any and all kinds of gambling in the Country for their proper taxation! Brilliant and ingenious yet amoral and demoralizing for Filipino with still sound value system. Shame! Shameless!

OVCRUZ, JCD
06 AUGUST 2010

GMA REGIME

Power, command, control, dominion, dynasty – these are some of the more common realities associated with a “Regime” in general. And rightly or wrongly, thus also distinctly stood the existential and operative main highly questionable features persistently attributed to the GMA Regime. Practically greeted with euphoria on the occasion of its constitutionally questioned succession in 2001, and also seriously doubted in its electoral validity in 2004, the Regime went on from bad to worse in the perception of the general public. In fact, when it was moribund for some time, specially so in early 2010, the Regime super Head obtained the lowest approval – trust and acceptance attributes – public ratings squarely based on repeated and tenable surveys made by different entities. So categorically and consistently low were the said public ratings that these made singular history in Philippines politics, among Philippine Presidents.

One reality however stood firm and clear. This: Meantime, the GMA element in the regime continued giving big smiles here and there, proudly waved hands to these and those people, and in fact managed to stand tall and straight – before local and foreign crowds. In other words, the distinctly over-all negative pronouncements said and denouncements made against the same Regime principal – specially on the part of the poor, the oppressed and depressed – apparently made not the slight dint at all, regarding the self-esteem and consequent self-appreciation of the then gloriously reigning visionary character. It might be worth saying that at the bottom of all such perceived socio-political adversity and ethico-social errancy, could be one of the following rudimentary conclusions:

Or: Someone is pitifully afflicted not simply with an erroneous but a really gross conscience. Anyone burdened by this disgusting if not malevolent personality feature, can be adversely impacted such that what matters is not what is right or wrong, what is virtuous or vicious, but what is advantageous, profitable and/or pleasurable to oneself.

Or: Somebody is sadly saddled by the fatal personality constitution of delusion, i.e., anyone feeling and thinking, acting and reacting independently of reality and reason. Such a personal disordered psycho-emotional stand understandably manifests the behavioral feature of nonchalance, insensibility and/or callousness.

Considering the “What is?”, “How come?”, “Why so?” of the long GMA regime, could it be that someone thereafter who took the reigns of government, is in fact repenting for so doing? Just asking a fair question!

OVCRUZ, JCD
4 AUGUST 2010

“EMERITUS” – 2

Time and again, the word “emeritus” is heard. Here and then wherefore, the question is asked: What does the term “emeritus” mean? And the answer are different, depending of the knowledge, the interest or even the mood of the person asked. And this is what makes the nomenclature quite interesting - - hereunder thus pointing out the three following more common answer to such a cryptic title or mysterious appendage:

First: It can be traced to the word “Emirate” with “Emir” as its derivative. This is indeed saying much and thinking high. The conclusion is obvious: Someone after whose name the term “Emeritus” is appended, clearly means that the individual comes from an “Emirate” and his proper title is “Emir”. Well and good, but false and fake. Sounds great but ridiculous.

Second: It means “finished”, “worn out”, “done with” or something similar with such a finality or terminal feature. Wherefore, when somebody is called or qualified as “Emeritus”, this says in so many words that the person concerned is in effect, dismissed, discarded, fired, set aside as one worn out - - or simply given his walking papers. This is a pity but it is the truth.

Third: It has reference to an individual “who has served his time” or “who has done the service”. He is wherefore some kind of a “veteran” who is good to have around as a souvenir of the past - -a reminder that after all and in due time, everybody has an ending to say and/or to be told “Good-bye”. In other words, an “Emeritus” is some kind of a remnant that is still around - - until he is no more. This is cruel but real.

It is the Catholic Church as a kind and considerate Institution that has invented the title “Emeritus” and that has appended it to old, weak and sickly, or simply spent, undependable and wherefore dispensable members of the Hierarchy. Strictly speaking, physical age has nothing to do with it - - notwithstanding what the appendage of “Emeritus” after one’s name is to be expendable. And that’s it.

In more ways that one, the phenomenon of being certified as an “Emeritus” brings about a good number of lessons - - for the Member of the Church Hierarchy in particular - - some of the said teaching are the following: You too will be “set apart” from the all others. You too will be “discharged”. You too will be “just around”. Thus it is.

Prior to being given the title, you are called to do this and that, be here and there. Upon getting the title, you make the calls - - upon yourself.

OVCRUZ, JCD
2 AUGUST 2010