Another bomb

The explosion may not have been as violent and visible but the World Bank's stoppage of P21.5 billion worth of credit due to collusion and excessive price padding in Philippine road projects was another bomb that ripped the national character. The response of our government by blaming the alleged corruption on the accuser (the World Bank) is more devastating, as this is like saying that the criminal is not responsible for the crime but rather the victim is to be blamed.

In my opinion this is an indicator that we will continue to sink deeper or wander in the wilderness. Unless we acknowledged we are part of the problem only then do we become part of the solution. I just cannot digest blaming the World Bank for the corruption in our government, can you?

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Just as tropical storm “Lando” says good-bye, “Mina” (international codename, “Mitag) says hello. The rains and strong winds have caused destruction and aggravated the poverty of affected communities. In quiet personal time, the force of nature seems to be rubbing in the consequences of holding our leaders holding “cash buffets” while the silent majority is asked daily “randam na randam na (you can really feel it now)” of the success of others. Promoting the economic upliftment of others to encourage those needed to be uplifted has its point. However, we must be careful not to use the success of others, if such is really success, to bury the growing difficulty of life made unreasonable by the diversion of development resources to personal bank accounts. As we come across the paid advertisement of “ randam na” let us balance the glimpses of economic upliftment of others with the vivid images of the increasing number street parking boys, beggars, the deranged and homeless that we daily see in our lives. In this way, we see a balanced picture and we get to know ourselves better by being of help to those in need.

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Despite the pending visit of another storm this weekend, the “Green Cycles” discussion group that promotes healthy choices in food production and consumption is all systems go in participating in the Health and Wellness Fair at the Quezon Park in Dumaguete City . An inventory of organic products to be offered at promotional prices include, Wati branded vermicompost, natural fermented solutions (NFS), potted alugbati, sili, lettuce and onions. The fair is scheduled to begin this Friday and run until Sunday.

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The Negros Oriental Hotel Resort Restaurant Association is also all green lights toward coordinating a “Christmas Bazaar” at the ground floor of the historic Silliman University Hall this coming December 7 to 9. The affair will provide guests, tourists and the residents with a shopping destination for exquisite handcrafted gifts, toys, housewares and Yuletide season decorations.

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“GMA, execs blame WB for RP corruption” the headline of the Daily Tribune reminded me of this blaming anecdote. A guy goes to pick up his date for the evening. She's not ready yet, so he has to sit in the living room with her parents. He has a bad case of gas and really needs to relieve some pressure. Luckily, the family dog jumps up on the couch next to him. He decides that he can let a little fart out and if anyone notices they will think that the dog did it. He farts, and the woman yells, "Spot, get down from there." The guy thinks, "Great, they think the dog did it." He releases another fart, and the woman again yells for the dog to get down. This goes on or a couple more farts. Finally the woman yells, "Dammit Spot, get down before he shits on you."*