“Another World is Possible” (A Book Review)

           “Another world is not just possible but is also essential…" These words are the battlecry of every people in the globe who seek for genuine democracy in international institutions that the oppressed majority have been dreaming of. What the present globalization offered us were nothing but developing the underdevelopment of countries at the periphery through these developed countries’ undemocratic decisions solely formed in crafting policies for the developing states. This however led towards crises that currently are in need of a treatment.

Edited by William Fisher and Thomas Ponniah, there exist specific alternatives to globalization convened at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre in Brazil, a convention from the symbolic South. The book mainly expresses the conference proposals and synthesis that both articulate the rebellion against the neoliberal order and the desire to produce another world that is free of empires. All these are blended by the ‘network of networks’ composed of the old left, new social movements, and the newest wave of radicalism- or just mainly the global civil society. This precisely is a world engineered through a ‘globalization from below’ as a term parallel to Walden Bello’s ‘deglobalization’.

The core clash of these social movements is hinged throughout the effects of neoliberal policies. From the perpetuation of indebtedness to the stolen wealth and the culture of dependency- all these contribute the rooted sentiments against the developed North.  Even the problem of indebtedness lies in the history of colonialism! This puts forward the cancellation of debts to the ever-oppressed developing countries which is a bad idea for international financial institutions like IMF and World Bank.

Moreover, it has been a challenge for some time that these movements appear in two significant areas. First are the reformers that uphold the value of dialogue, negotiations, and partnerships. Change can come through reasonable discussion while the other one are the radicals which are total critics to the dysfunctional Bretton Woods/WTO and believe that the economy works better for the poor if there is check and balance not dominated by institutions. However, this divide is never a hindrance as to my views. So long as the anger, hatred, and fear envelopes the global civil society, the struggle remains constant. With the existence of these unjust institutions, social cohesion rises, thus, the movements will remain.

The principle of subsidiarity backs up these struggle where decisions does not have to be decided at the larger scale, then it let be decided at the smallest scale possible. Part I discusses the solidarity economy that which contribute a socially just globalization. The idea behind is to put the human being at the center of social and economic development. Preceding discussion emphasize the economics behind the movement which include the external debt, the call for reparation and extension of the scope of affirmative in Africa and Brazil, the alternative approach to international finance that has the economics in the service of humankind, reformation of WTO, forwarding corporate social responsibility, consolidation of representative voices of organized labor. One striking incite is the pressure on Argentina in climbing the ladders of development. In Todaro’s Development Economics published in 2011, Argentina despite the efforts of financial institutions in appropriating the structural adjustment programs, it is enveloped by negative growth rate, underwent a default in 2002 and the economy shrank 11%. This conditioned development primarily fell victim of the developed country where foreign investors buying high interest Argentine bonds with accounts in banks in the US and Europe.

One most important thing to understand is the nature of the opposition to the meeting in Davos for the World Economic Forum. This global political party in WSF at Porto Alegre against the Investors’ Protection Party in WEF is simply not the anti-globalizers as media would sensationalize it. Globalization is something that will continue and the concern is on the economics that serves the society, not the one that is served by society.

To boil down the specifics, further rights are highlighted, rights which are displaced in the order of globalization. Before, bureaucratic control and state dominated economies flourished not until the corporate rule in this modern world. Identities and contexts were moved from the national to the global. Heritage was all to disappear and destroyed. This is a fear that haunts one Filipino to identify himself amidst the trend on K-Pops, Hollywood dramas, nonsense and erotic songs from West, and many more.

Moreover is the transformation of public domain to privatization. Water, a common heritage for all are mismanaged resulting to inequality in access to it. A sustainable water management definitely requires the effective participation of local communities in decision-making process. On the other hand is the monopoly of knowledge by corporate interests or private profit shaped by the market of rich consumers. This expounds the rights over intellectual property which includes the patents, copyright, and trademarks- the first problem is this rule of granting patent holders to the members of WTO. The second problem is the impact which specifically explains the high prices on HIV/AIDS medicines which limits the ability of developing countries to meet basic human rights to health.

What is also striking to remember is the patent right as a recent development. We can remember how US took over British technology without any problem and without paying for it. In 20^th century is the emergence of Japan that copied freely the western technologies. But in the 21^st century, developing countries are hold back from developing its knowledge on improving high technology. This is an important thing to ponder on. What my Microeconomics taught me is the argument on protecting intellectual property through patents is the need to reward innovation. It is based on the assumption that inventing new is something to be encouraged. However reality speaks that the result is painful. We can also imagine our commendable farmers on the field introduced by sterile seeds by corporate seed manufacturers thus prohibit them on reusing their own seeds. This is a way to the monopoly over the reproduction of TNCs in the agricultural products. This however fuels the alternative to the rights of farmers and rural communities to ownerships, rejection of the monopolistic appropriation of knowledge, and therefore the increase in the public funding for research and innovation for social and economic development.

Lack of investment in research and development of medicine to treat neglected diseases which are mainly diseases of developing countries is a problem at status quo. This might probably supply the idea that diseases of the ‘rich’ are highly profitable thus crowded by profit driven character researchers influenced by neoliberal perspectives while in-need treatments for the developing countries is continually neglected.

With neoliberal policies, heavy subsidies for export agriculture and fishing are maintained with absolutely no protection for small- and medium-sized producers who produce mainly for the domestic market. On the other side of the story, access to food should not be viewed as a form of assistance.  It is indisputably a right that everybody needs to have. For this reason, USA using food as a weapon of economic and political pressure against countries like Cuba is definitely inhumane.

Another city is possible. Right now, urban population is denied the right to housing, essential services, employment in reasonable condition, etc. it is essential to deconstruct the ideology of the single-minded city that aspires for more supportive, more democratic, and more sustainable in response to social demands. Lastly, the indigenous people who are marked by domination, social exclusion, intolerance, wars, and destruction of nature, violence, and threat of extinction must be protected. They are vulnerable to projects imposed on them, introduction of construction sites and making decision without them on the table of decision-making. What is important is the idea on the “Unity in Diversity” among IPs. Indigenous territory can be inherited, but never sold or mortgaged. This is the weapon of the IPs in forwarding their calls and sentiments. Defending their rights as collectives is their armor.

In the light of the age of information, what is concentrated among the media is their high profitability over and above the public interest. The sad story for media is being forcefully swept away of being in a public character, privatizing most and forcing the rest to become commercialized. The danger is indeed on the dictatorship of the market that it has enormous power to win peoples’ ‘minds and hearts’. The exaggerated news on movements is irritating and the sensationalized publicity on neoliberal projects are attracting. Before when CNN flashes the World Economic Forum in Davos, an inspiring message will registered into my mind thinking of being one of those participants along intimidating conferences with the good-looking people all around the globe.

Furthermore, one right to push through is for the education to be not treated as a commodity. This is a problem deeply felt by the youths actively acting against neoliberalism. Thus, with the youths in the picture, the movement coming from all the different sectors of the society remains solid and alive.

In the context of violence, some argues that war on terrorism is justified just because of the 9/11 attacks of the terrorists. However, the excuse of using 9/11 nightmare propagates US in legitimizing the use of weapons for wars. Talk about how they tried to pulverized the Talibans in Afghanistan who abuses women. However, which is more abusive is the US bombing in the Afghanistan which results to the rise on the number of women victimized by the armed conflicts initiated by the US. These are women who are victims of discrimination and intolerance.

Finally, what is essentially presented is the international architecture of power which Walden Bello calls it ‘deglobalization’. It is all about getting rid of being dependent to the North, income redistribution and land redistribution, de-emphasizing growth, democratic economic decisions, new production and exchange, and the principle of subsidiarity.

With the another world that dismantles the present hierarchical system of domination, there rise a threat to cultural imperialism. This is something beyond to my expectation because anyway, what is a must to focus is this current illness in the global order that in need of a special treatment started by the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre.

Haunted by Joel Lamangan's "Sigwa"

           “I totally admire the youths of 1970s!”  This immediately registered to my mind after watching the internationally acclaimed movie Sigwa by brilliant Joel Lamangan. Staging the culmination of “End on Impunity” week-long event, I think that last Saturday afternoon was indeed a full blast, seriously awakening.

            The movie loaded with flashbacks gave the feeling of putting oneself back to the first quarter storm. It also relates the audience that being a student confronting with social issues at present cannot be just different to what students before experienced. However, there is a thick line that distinguishes my generation’s reaction compared to what our parent’s generation of being students back in 70s.  I felt that they were more active. I felt that they were more united and dedicated.

            I love the idea that the movie explains us the truth on why people resort to activism. Simply on what is the rationale behind why the characters, specially the youth engage in underground movements. They aren’t to be blame for all the activities they have done before, from marching on the streets, from holding placards, from resisting the police’ forces, etc. I personally hail them for all of these. I feel the anger that squeezed their hearts. I saw their tears that trickles down to their cheeks. I feel for their struggle.

            With the crowd of people who intensely watched the movie, I think we are all in common feeling that drives us to realize that in the end, being an activist is the best for those who have the courageous hearts. I admired these people for having deeply rooted sentiments in them against inequalities. Well, I have been into this stage but no time for me to be a radical. Rallies from the panting leadership of Gloria to the spring of Noynoy’s presidency made up my college life. I know that the intensity of my experience were incomparable to what Pauleen Luna, Marvin Agustin, Megan Young, Lovi Poe, etc. did in the movie, but I know that the feeling in forwarding the struggle is the same.

            There were some disappointments in the progress of the story. When they were all fragmented and their circle of friends was dismantled, I think that they were all innocent of it, not until Marvin Agustin-turned-Tirso Crus III’s rise into political power. His role of being a traitor to his comrades signals how activists turned to be pliant like a bamboo when situation calls for a matter of death. On the other hand, I have a high regard for Pauleen Luna-turned-Zsa Zsa Padilla in continuing the struggle in the country side. She was a fierce woman with nationalist and scientific principles embedded in her personality.

            After all, I hope that the story behind the movie will put a tingling sensation down to our spine with a realization that it is the masses that go along with our struggle. I love the idea of “social practice” taught to the main characters by their professor. Thus, the vehicle towards the courage is to feel the masses and to seek for a better future for the greater good.  

Lastly, the movie is composed of few words, “Serve the People!”

“Deglobalization” (A Book Review)

            It was once a privilege to be one of the reactors during Walden Bello’s symposium on “Terrorism and Counter-terrorism” at the University of the Philippines Visayas here in Tacloban. He may be old but enough to educate young minds that thirsts intellectual truth on the bigger picture of the world. Moreover, I felt his air of authority in the field of activism that upholds anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, and anti-fascist upbringing. All these reflect his impressive book implanted of brilliant ideas entitled “Deglobalization”.

            Beginning with the discussion on the establishment of the World Trade Organization in consonance to the prevalence of globalization, bringing more equity and global trade remains the outlook for WTO  but inversely, what is reaped in the membership of WTO are costs, not benefits. This introduces the crisis of the globalist project designed specifically by World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.

Globalization, as supported by status quo obviously marks the hegemony of neo-liberalism which focused on ‘liberating the market’ via accelerated privatization, deregulation, and trade liberalization. These are the best solutions as what my Development Economics subject taught me. Nearly did I believe but thanks to my Sociology of Development instructor who taught me otherwise about these globalist projects, I learned to think critically. These two orientations are opposites in viewing the dimension of globalization. However, only one line of critic is followed by Bello. He buys the idea that steps to market liberalization cannot count as pre-requisites to development.

Taken from the point of view of Walden Bello unveiling the sentiments of a developing country, market liberalization all the more pushes the people to ‘below the poverty line’ as manifested few weeks after the implementation of these projects in Thailand and Indonesia. This project called as the structural adjustment program clearly institutionalized stagnation, worsened poverty, and increased inequality.

Then goes from the foreword of the book are big economic terms and events like the crises of globalization during the collapse of the Third Ministerial of the WTO and the collapse of the stock market. Good higher economic subjects’ background might be an edge to further understand some complicated equations and solutions to globalization as narrated by Walden Bello. Needless to say, the entire views of the book clashes against the prominence of USA through assassinating its good background to the readers. Irregardless of the intention, this book speaks information that one needs to know and understand. Though shocking are some of the details, this book is commendable for being highly informative in the field of reality in politics and economics.

Given this 3 Pillars that are scaffolding the new economic order- the WTO, IMF, and the WB, the roles of each are nothing but innocent in the formation of new global economy. WTO is projected as a catalyst of an economic process that would bring about the greatest good for the greatest number. IMF is identified ever to promote freer global capital flows, and the WB supervises the transformation of the developing countries along free market lines and manages their integration into the global economy. I mean that all these bring the tone of kindness from the stakeholders behind these institutions. Not until this WTO’s agreements promoted monopoly for US firms, that IMF is used to dismantle the structures of sate-assisted Asian capitalism that are barriers to the entry of goods and investments from US transnational companies, and WB accusations of being irrelevant to the task of eliminating poverty. All these constitute the crises of legitimacy of all these 3 institutions. The supremacy of United States of America was therefore innocent until proven its selfish interests that drive these multilateral institutions forward.

Targeting America’s corporations that remains prominent in this age of globalization evaporates more questions of resentment against the world’s superpower. Microsoft is so much attached to my student life but nothing I know about its predatory practices, Shell is almost everywhere that truly we know about its environmental depredations, Monsanto and Norvartis as familiar are irresponsible in promoting genetically modified organisms. This made me believe that GMOs indeed happens after thinking it as a conspiracy to deprive US of its high-tech edge. Nike, which is famous among with my friends secretly systematize exploitations of dirt-cheap labor. Lastly, these air pollution contributor cars like Mitsubishi, Ford, and Firestone are known for their concealment form consumers of serious product defects. Rapid melting of the polar ice caps is traced to Big Oil and automobile giants promoted by uncontrolled transnational corporations (TNCs).

 It is beyond my intention to shame these companies. In fact, I always wear my Nike branded shoes. Shell is most often the destination of vehicles like “multicabs” that I used to ride in roaming the city. I ate on local restaurants that offer large stunning fried chicken believed by some to be GMOs. All these are inevitably confronted especially in the age of globalization. However, what is important to highlight just like what Bello pointed out is the ‘process of uncontrolled growth’ among these companies.

To quote former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the text, “…unregulated markets make difficult to reconcile the demands of social responsibility with the demands of profitability”. This brings us that corporate-driven globalization was creating tremendous problem, much more that the driving institutions to globalization promotes privatization, deregulation, and trade liberalization- all in all celebrates uncontrolled corporations and the imperial overstretch of America.

Structural adjustment programs are definite ways to discipline the Third World countries like Philippines. It brings the image of a new lending approach which pushes reforms. IMF and WB- imposed structural adjustments became the vehicle for a program of free market liberalization applied to countries suffering major debt problems like the Third World. Its major elements are heartfelt to me as a student of a third world country. Firstly is the government reduction on budget allocation to basic services like education, health, and welfare. Secondly is my observation on destroyed local markets being exposed to foreign competition due to the removal of restrictions on foreign investments. Thirdly is the high prices on toll fees and many others seen on news stations every evening due to privatization and radical deregulation of the use of resources that tolerates the private owner’s insatiable appetite for profit. This sends out a message that government participation is already curtailed.

In the prevalence of the neoliberal hegemony was the pushing for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation which Philippines is one of its 21 member-states. Basically it is a framework to discipline Asian economies specially the East and Southeast Asian countries where an activist government intervenes the key areas of its economy and where domestic markets are protected from foreign competitions, and there are tight controls on foreign investment. All these are deviations to America’s free market ideals. Thus the effect was the formation of APEC to tame the Newly Industrialized Countries (NIC) in Asia.

            Another action was to weaken the United Nation’s agenda to the south through America’s power of the purse. The United States, whose contribution funds some 20-25% of the UN Budget has its major role in influencing programs to the South that leans to their interest. Putting General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in the age of globalization, where US is the leading advocate, is purely because of the inability of US goods to enter Southern markets, and the rise of new competitors in the shape of the East Asian NICs. In fact, later on, GATT turned to loose and get flexible which justifies the birth of WTO that further United States’ assessment on interests of its corporation that which were no longer served by GATT.

            Recognizing United States as a major voice in the multilateral development banks, the domination of developed economies in the International Monetary Fund which the Fund itself is non-transparent and the one who vetoed the creation of Asian Monetary Fund  (AMF) as its counterpart that could have been a blow to the US role in Asia, and the consensus nature that defeats the one-country-one-vote principle in the World Trade Organization, these furthers the crises of legitimacy among the institutions manipulated by developed countries specifically the US.

            With all these basis that exist in the international arena as manipulated by developed countries, from IMFs packages to rescue foreign creditors, imposing radical deregulation on fallen economies, financial and trade liberalization, killing the proposal of AMF, promoting structural adjustment programs that institutionalizes stagnation in Africa, Latin America, and other parts of the Third World, all these devil institutions remains to operate with zero changes on its policies and structures.

            After all these disastrous effects that subjects to public scrutiny, structural adjustment program (SAP) failures pushes the IMF-WB meeting on 1999 to rename it to extended structural adjustment  facility (ESAF) that still preserves the neo-liberal economic model that secretly shows anti-developing country policies. Furthermore, as what the International Monetary Fund managing director Horst Koehler’s famous line “I also have a heart, but I have to use my head in making decisions”, as an answer to the charges against IMF-World Bank meeting on September 2000, the idea behind was all because of those institutions’ crises of legitimacy.

            Deglobalization is mainly an answer to international institutions’ crises of legitimacy. It is a reconstruction method after the strategy of dismantling the WTO and the Bretton Woods institutions. Bello introduces the tactic on making coalition to reduce the power of institutions like the IMF that for instance be converted into a research agency with no policy powers. In the case of World Bank, the coalition shall end its loan-making capacity and devolving its grant activities to appropriate regional institutions. In addition to the response of deglobalization is to boycott the World Bank bonds, deny new appropriations for the International Development Associations, and oppose calls for quota increases for the IMF. All these simply aim to disempower such institutions that are now at crises on their legitimacy.

            An important to understand Bello’s deglobalization effort is not about to withdraw from the international economy but simply about to reorient economies from the emphasis on producing for export to production for the local market. It is about bringing development from bottom to top. What is entirely needed for today is not another centralized global institution but the deconcentration and decentralization of institutional power and the creation of a pluralistic system. These regional blocs involve not only government and business but also NGO and people’s organization. This is an agenda of people-oriented sustainable development that will naturally succeed if it is evolved democratically rather than imposed from above by regional elites.

          Bello’s tone in the ending part of his book sounds a hero that fights the failures of today’s globalization. His proposal on the strategy for deglobalizing Philippines faces risky tasks. One thing is disciplining the private interests in the country and giving more roles to the civil society in checking the state and the private, focusing on internal market, building up capital-intensive industries, reinvigorating our agriculture, building up an industry like information technology that is managed under democratic process, and many more counter strategies to neoliberal framework.

             Deglobalization is a difficult project to accomplish as long as the hegemony of neoliberalism is on its peak. With more public scrutiny, more critics, more heartfelt economic stagnation despite IMF, WB, and WTO’s blind response to developing countries, then, the coalition that Walden Bello imagine will naturally uprise along with the reorientation on each national economies.

I FEAR NO HARDSHIP

“He who knows no hardships will know no hardihood. He who faces no calamity will need no courage. Mysterious though it is, the characteristics in human nature which we love best grow in a soil with a strong mixture of troubles.”

Wait. The tone of the quote above might sound different that which might leave wrong message about me. But anyway, it is an advising mechanism that we all Political Science Dungganan can get after all these unexpected events confronting into our lives. This will be all about the first month of second semester year 2011 that we all live in infamy.

The whole story is too complicated to share, too long to write, and too difficult to understand. But perhaps the effect of this greatest problem or one of the greatest problems I had might lead a picture on how we [Pol. Sci. Batch Dungganan] surpassed and continuously surpass this great challenge.

I know that clashing against the ‘highest ranking professor in the University of the Philippines’, as what that Professor consider himself is very difficult or dangerous so to speak. However, this is nothing when I come to think of being in the right path and being on the side of justice and truth. If he thought of his right being violated, a right which we cannot readily identify, well, I firmly believe that the damage that he claimed is incomparable to the wounds that I personally feel. I come to think over that after all, it is us against them. It is me personally, or we the 3^rd year Political Science majors against the whole Division of Humanities faculty and staffs.

Well I guess we are all united. I presumed each of us had the meeting of the minds regarding the ‘unintentional movement’ that we eventually created. Unintentional for nothing was never planned against Professor “he who must not be named”. Moreover, it lately turned to be a movement for us to protect our names after all the drama that spread from him tagging us as grade oriented, coward, and more that is demeaning to his personality making him more of being unprofessional.

I know that some of my close friends who are of my co-party to the problem badly-behaved along the way at the peak of our campus prominence. I just listen…and listen. I’d rather be silent. I believe my silence will somehow make them regret their words. So far, I felt happy that they continue to ride with us in this difficult journey. One of them told me that if only we can ‘undo’ what we have done.

I cannot directly pinpoint if there are some of us who have this connivance with some other secondary actors in this issue that fuels the strength of our newly turned opponent in this fight. I know that they are encroached of their selfish interests. Academic interests perhaps like designing their image to be neutral so as to gain praise from some other secondary actors of this issue. With this I felt disappointed. I felt being betrayed from the struggle that I eventually organize after my name being mentioned inside one of the classes handled by that Professor. It really affected me a lot after I recall this statement which is famous to my friends that “It takes time to rebuild an image”. Another friend of mine texted me about this with the details about my name assassinated in the eyes of some students in the campus. With this I felt the shame, the isolation, and it made me more often go with the flock of my Pol.Sci.mates. I feared to be the subject of some students gathering along the hallway and lobby. But all these internal troubles eventually wiped out in my imagination. The key is simply to be courageous and be a fighter.

For these past few days, I happened to have almost a close contact with the secretary of that Professor when I almost twisted the door upon entering the faculty when she eventually opened it from inside. I can’t forget this stern looks from her when she glimpsed to see my face. At first, I got upset but lately had thought how funny she reacted and designed her strict emotions against me which in fact she is not a party to the issue; neither has she known the whole story nor the sentiments from our side. What she had is this brainwashed mind to hate us and this myopic understanding of what problem we had against that Professor who is her boss.

Before I usually greet and smile to one of their young faculty which was once my instructor, but now I felt the awkwardness with her head bowed whenever we happened to cross our path. Also, just lately when I was on my way home, I walked along the street across where that Professor who must not be named stood together with some of his cohorts. I heard this heavy laugh from him and that I registered to my mind his weirdness.

One of my instructors this semester keeps on asking me about this matter. Something which I cannot disclose the details. Perhaps the best thing is to smile and show how this problem affected me. It is just some sort of a way to let them stop asking from me about it. And so it is effective. Moreover, I feared also that another one of my instructors this semester will see this as a disappointment towards me. Well, I don’t care. It’s all the more challenging. As what I recall together with my friends in high school, we had this motto that: “I fear no hardship”.

So long as we stand on our right. So long as we fight against immaturities that the other people tagged us. So long as the conscience drilling into my classmates who MIGHT have betrayed us, there remains the hope of getting over this situation, then after all, we laugh and say “I’m fine. There is nothing wrong, thank you”.

Akong Kinaagi sa First Semester 2011

Sa dihang maghinapos na ang kining akong unang semester sa 3^rd year college dire sa UP, dakong hinam-hinam nako nga himuan ug storya ang akong mga naagian nga kapait ug kalipay dianing semestera. Sayang intawn kung makalimtan, dili baya basta-basta lang kining mga akong naagian na kahimtangan.

Sa kadto ning Miting de Avanci last
February 28, 2011. Nakadaog baya kog
ka Vice Chairperson gikan sa Pulso Party

Buwan sa Hunyo naining tuiga, dos mil onse, sama lang ako sa laing estudyante diha-a. Excited ba. Third year na baya! Gimingaw la gad pud kog swela. Kinsa bay gusto magdugay sa akong bakasyon nga hastang boringa. Mamati napud kog utro sa mga maistra, maestro, magdugay ug katog sa kadamo sa tun-anan ug sa uban pa nga mga buluhaton. Bise president baya daw kuno ko sa Student Council ug Secretary- General sa Debate Society. Di gad ni angay ipanghambog ue. Maayo raba ug lalim ning mga trabahu-a.

18 units ra gihapon ko dianing semestera pero di jud ni ma-ihala kay mga hastang lisora. Kung buot sabton damo gad ug vacant, pero mura raman ug wala. Meeting didto, meeting dire. Group study didto, group study diri. Library permi. Ambot ue, ma-o jud tawn na! Naka schedule halos tanan himuonon ug sa dihang mura ba kog robot ba?

Wa man ko mangandoy na ma college scholar karon nga sem. Syempre, kay naglisod baya ko sa akong mga subjects. Mura ba kog nag suicide ba nga nagkuha pa kog BA 161 nga subject sa mga Accountancy para free elective nako. Sige lang, naka 2.5 man pud. Better nalang. Mao man pud akong expected grade. Pasar gad ko sa midterm ug final pero siguro, mejo maot man jud akong recitation. Dah, basta damog nahibaw-an, okay na uy! Atleast, mao diay to ang experience pag nag skwela nakog Law puhon.

Sem-ender namo sa Macroecon didto
Botanical Garden

Maayo man pud akong Macroeconomics. Wala jud ko kayo nag effort pag advance-advance ba. Kahibawo baya ka nga mas maayo gud kung mag advance reading sa mga lessons. Maayo man pud akong Microeconomics. Mejo kulba-kulba lang. Igo ra jud ko makapasar kada Long exam. Atleast! Kaysa sa mahulog. Anyway, may pagka confident gad ko sa major nako kay syempre, double effort. Basta kung may effort, may maayo baya nang resulta. So mejo expected gad pud nako ang mas maayo na grado. Thank you Ma’am Lim and Sir Talde sa tulo ka subjects sa Pol.Sci. nga inyong gitudlo sa amoa! Mejo kahadlukan gad kay duha kay Ma’am  Lim, terrorized gamay.

Sa dihang nag interview mi. Unsani ba
nga mitugpa man ang manok sa akong likod.

Okay na ang academics… storya napud tag lahi bi. Ahmm. Di gad to makalimtan among field trip sa Tubabao. First time jud ko maka puyo ug layo nga isla nga hastang mingawa. Wa juy mga sakyanan wala lay labot sa pumpboat nga sakyan padung Guiuan.

Pinobre ra gad to didto sa Tubabao. Pero maayo pud to kay permi damog pagkaon. Kapoy baya mag alog-alog ug tubig para pagkaligo sa CR sa skwelahan kung asa mi nangatulog, ah kay ang akong gibuhat, manumbay nala ko didto sa ilang Kapitana. Maki-kaligo. Dili pa hago!

Orange nga mga payong gikan nila
Manny Villar! Siya baya sponsor pagpakaon
sa amoang first day lunch time.

Naa puy dinato nga field trip namo. Syempre, Embassy Tour jud to sa Manila. Usa ka simana kahuman sa among Tubabao, nangadto mi ug Manila sa among tibuok klase sa Comparative Politics. A courtesy of Philippine Airlines, Meyers Mansion, ug Vacazion Travel Agency baya to. Nakangadto nako ila Villar. Nakaabot napud kog Chile, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, ug Sri Lanka. Kutob ra gad mga Embassy nila pero okay na to! Murag di na baya jud ko mubalik didto puhon.

Pero sa tumoy sa kalipay kay may nag abang jud nga kapait. Naunsa ba ni nga permi man ko masakit karong semestera, permi nala pasakit ning permi ko hilantan. Wa jud intawn ko naka apil sa among Opening sa Sportsfest. Muna-muna baya jud kog practice sa among sayaw ato nga i-present sa opening. Sa third day nakos Sportsfest nabanhaw. Pero bawi pud ko uy, second jud mi sa sepak takraw, first sa Kawatay Bulad nga ngadto na ko nakahibawo sa duwa sa mismong duwa na, first sa Last Suffer nga abi nakog kaon-kaon nga di man diay! Unsani batong mag pasa-pasa man hinuon ug mga kendi, saging, tawong, bread stick, etc. gamit ang baba! Second to the last pagud ko out of ten players. Haha! Proud pud ko ato sa among Patintero kay first pud mi! Namawi jud ko sa duha ka adlaw nga wa ko sa UP sa Sportsfest kay napugos ko ug pahuway.

KASAMA sa UP! Mga officers na sila gikan
UPV Miagao ug UPV Iloilo

Interview namo kay Kawayan Mayor
Gerry Espina, Sr. Alams na kung unsa
na siya ka imba! :)

Na contact person pud ko ug ahat sa All Leaders Conference sa Visayas-wide nga  Kasama sa UP. Kapoy jud to kaayo kay akoy nag Head sa among student council ato. Nauwaw napud ko kay naka utang mi sa Office of the Student Regent para sa registration. Ambot lang ani! Wa pa jud ko mitungha sa second day ato kay nangadto mi ug Kawayan kauban nila Mark, Kim, Jude, Fionna, si Milay na nahimong photographer namo ug si Maville nga murag tour guide ba. Hehe. Syempre pasalamat ko ni Mama nga maoy naghikay sa among panihapon ug pamahaw inig ka ugmaan. Sa Chona’s Boarding House man sila ga star, nindota man jud didto ba.  Na interview jud namo si Mayor Gerry Espina, Sr., ang banggiitan na ngan sa pulitika sa Biliran. First time pud ko kaabot ug Kawayan ato ug first time nakakita atong mga langgam, tiger, buaya, magkadilain nga has ug sa kadtong bao nga ikaduha sa pinaka kusog mupaak sa tibuok kalibutan. Didto man to sa Zoo nila Espina sa Caray-Caray ug mga pila nalang to ka minuto usa mi manglarga pabalik Tacloban.

Mejo proud ko aning tungura ba! Hehe... Syempre.

Kapoy kung huna-hunaon ano? Pero worthy baya tanan kung mahibaw-an nimong Top 3 ka sa inyong Batch sa UP. Na tingala jud ko diato nga kadtong gipa apply mi para Ayala Young Leaders Congress basta apil sa Top 20 sa over-all since First Year First Semester sa UP. Maayo unta ug madawat ko. Amisyoso ra. Haha.

Syempre halos tig dugay nako maka uli sa boarding house karon nga semester. Makatog man jud ko sa kwarto ba, wa na hinuon koy ma studyhan kay magsige nalang ug katug. Tapad ra man gud ang higdaanan. Ako ra mang usa pud tapos mingaw baya kaayo. Effective pud baya tong mga group study nako sa Zilog nga mga tig alas sais na sa buntag maka uli. Mao nay overnight nga walay tulganay. Damo na pud kog mga di makalimtan diha sa Zilog ba. Makakita mga pok-pok nga halos bisag si kinsa la nga lalaki ang kauban kada kaon pag kadlawon, mga muduol sa imo para mangayog kwarta, ug uban pa. Pag katugon na gane, mag lakat lakat sa karsada sa downtown, muagi ug Dunkin didto dapit sa Jollibee nga tua pud didto ang mga uban nga kaila namo nga na bugbog pud ug study. Maglakat-lakat lang jud intawn mi usahay kauban nila Lois, Kim, Mark, Pamela, ug Glecy. Maabot mi ug RTR Plaza mga alas singko na sa kadlawon kahuman sa downtown tapos manguli na diretso sa tagsa-tagsa sa boarding house mga mag alas sais na tapos andam para klase sa alas dyes. Pasalamat nalang naka College Scholar gihapon ko! Yes! Mas dako pa gane akong GWA karon kumpara last semester.

Kini! Murag klaro ko diini. Hehe
Lipong baya ni sa ulo aning tungura

Ika usa nga mga alas kuatro mi nanguli kadtong pila ka adlaw nalang kay mag pista na ang Tacloban. Nangita man mi ato ug Freestyle nga concert sa Balyuan. Maayo man sab diay sila. Mga pol.sci. gud to akong mga kauban. Red Horse dayon ue. First time baya to nako. Nalipong baya jud ko ato. Wa pa ma kontento nga nag baktas pami padung i-ref. Ngadto man na sa ubos sa traffic light didto mismo sa eskina dapit Gabrino ug Zilog. Storya –storya ra man to ba. Jamming man to kauban nako mga ka kurso nako. First time siguro to namo. Damu-damo man pud mi ato ba.

Naa pay iba. Di ka malisang nga naka emcee na baya jud ko. Ikaduha man to sa Kapihan nga gi pangunahan nako nga event sa Student Council about sa SONA ug usa sa kadtong tri-sectoral forum about SONA gihapon. Nalipay napud ko nga damo ang nangapil atong rally namo against budget cut. Dakong pasalamat nako ila Ma’am Ana, Ma’am Rosianette, Sir Galang ug Sir Dakila sa pag apil ato nga rally sa downtown.

Planking! Mao na pag budget cut pa sa education! Tuo
ninyo ug musugot ra mi? Dili no?! Shock lage mo.

Iapil pa nato ang kadtong nabalita mi sa Bandila nga gi hostan ni Ces Drilon sa ABSCBN tungod lage atong rally laban sa Budget Cut. Ang planking man to sa covered walk ang na kuhaan sa camera sa balita. Syempre niapil ko ato ug hapa-hapa sa covered walk. Damu-damo sab baya mi ato.

Zip line sa Agas-agas bridge sa Southern Leyte!
Di ka malisang ana?
Ako diay nang naa sa left nga naka helmet ug white.

Kadto tanan dugang pa ang kada gabie nga practice sa debate namo kay hasol gad kung huna-hunaon ano? Pero na manage naman la gihapon. Wa ko kahibawo kung gi unsa to nako. Niagi nalang tong mga adlawa nga nakaya man. Naa pud gad lipay-lipay. Labi natong laag nila Sir Jethol, George, Roniel, Mera, Maville, Aina, ug Rose didto sa Agas-agas. Syempre uban ko! Naka zip line najud ko didto. Perti bayang habuga ug perting kulbaa!

Mga halos lima ka buwan nga kasakit ug kalipay. Mao na akong natagamtam. Salamat nalang sa akong mga igsuon nga nag finance sa akoa. Dako jud na kaayo nga tabang. Maayo unta  ug malipay sila sa akong mga nahimo nga kaayuhan karon sa college. Atleast naka one-time university scholar ug consistent college scholar ko. Namention pa jud baya na sa pag introduce sa akoa didto sa symposium namo about Al Qaeda ni Representative Walden Bello sa UP. Nag reactor man jud ko ato on behalf sa mga youths. J

Sa diha nga gihatag sa akoa ang akong certificate
nga naka frame na daan. Kadto man ning nag reactor
ko sa event ni Rep. Walden Bello :)

(Reaction on Maritime Terrorism)

A Reaction Paper on the Symposium on “Asia Pacific Security,

Maritime Terrorism and Spratlys:

Issues on Asian Politics”

The over-all performance showed between Prof. Rommel Banlaoi and Dr. Aileen Baviera were so commendable for being highly informative.  Though it was a struggle for me to be early in school for catching up the opening program because I had encountered a problem on my laptop that needs further time to get fixed at downtown area, I felt that all those in-a-hurries were worth in relative to the vast of knowledge that I learned on that Saturday.

There was no electricity to begin with. So I pondered upon the ceiling in my room on what it might create to the awaited symposium at the 3^rd Floor Library inside UPVTC. I began scanning my cellphone with messages of my classmates asking who went ahead in the venue. So much for the electricity problem, grumbling stomach craving for food, I also carry the problem of my laptop not operating well on that day. With all these bits of burden, I went to the campus and joined all the students in semi-formal wears. Well, that was good enough to set an atmosphere of a formal discussion between intellectuals.

Though the program started late, I think it was forgivable given the failure of LEYECO for not giving prior notice of the said brown-out. I saw how busy the organizers were from the registration booth to the sound system adjustments and up to the serious mitigation of braving the road given the formal attire in buying gasoline for sustaining the generator. Anyway, I see myself in them. I know a lot of fora, symposia, and things alike that awaits our efforts when we turn to be seniors next year.

            In few minutes around 10 in the morning, I knew it was relieving to witness the coming back of electricity. Immediately the program started. I had a thought before that the venue cannot give as much as satisfaction when it would otherwise be at the AS Conference Hall. Well, I proved myself that my assumptions were all wrong. It was relaxing to be seated on the chair at the 3^rd Floor Library given the fresh air that comes from the nearby trees and the good feeling that the venue was wide enough to comfortably fit a number of students, and so much for that…

            Moreover, with all the contentment, I knew that the issue on Maritime Terrorism is rarely met. I was just fortunate to be seated on the second row where the speaker Professor Banlaoi was standing closely. It is already a privilege to diligently pay attention to his lecture and witness him for he had already this experience of talking to the world’s feared people- the terrorists. His expertise on maritime terrorism which comprises the economically motivated piracy and politically motivated terrorism gave the dichotomy of terms well understood and cleared.

            In his discussion, we had gladly clarified our confused idea on the matters regarding Spratlys. This particularly deals on what are the names of its few islands and islets, who owned those, what are being built among those islands, and how are some of the Islands in Spratlys that of which owned by China be compared to those owned by Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Philippines.

            I think his photography efforts in capturing the beauty of Spratlys creates more words that are self-pondering. The images of the islands owned by the Philippines are too far in comparison to what those of China’s, Taiwan’s, etc. These countries built concrete runways and concrete buildings on the islands that they claimed. But the sad reality is the face of the Philippine Government looking weak in claiming the islands. The arid runway, igloo-like structure, and some bamboo fenced establishment built on some Philippine owned islands reflects the level of competitiveness of the Philippines over other Asian countries that continue to contest some of the believed rich islands.

            To add up the wisdom, Professor Baviera’s macro-political view in the name of the international community, the superpowers, and the rising China was very enlightening. It firstly gave me an answer to whether or not I should regret the rise of China. Moreover, her facts and analysis were all striking. I find it remembering to see USA as democratic internally and undemocratic internationally with relative to China being undemocratic but acting democratically in the global arena. Though the number one factor that lessens the discussion on the burden proof was the time, I think all the details that she bombarded were all enough to formulate an individual analysis on the rise of China in Asia as a superpower globally.

Seated on the left wearing a polo shirt with a blue pen on my
left hand, we were gathered together with my
Political Science majors. :)

            Given all the beauty offered by the symposium, I think what makes me to regret too much is the wasted chance in asking both speakers. I had questions in me to both speakers which were left hanging on my mind. Perhaps I just lack the reinforcement and courage to bravely stand on the microphone and speak with the guests.

            Anyway, it was fun. It was fun equivalently filled with knowledge supplied by experts. I had a good time with my batch mates during the wave of presentations that began after the all the presentations of the guest speakers.

            Over-all, the symposium was pretty good. I just hope to actively participate on some other gatherings that happen to be also like that. I am hoping to learn more from expert individuals on their specific field in politics. Furthermore, it was just self-fulfilling and worthy to experience in attending such gathering.

More than Fun

Before, I never know the pleasure of doing it. I cannot comprehend what makes some of the men in the campus created a fan page on Facebook proudly publicizing how they delicately do it on the rooftop, on the stairs, on the hallway, on top of cars, and wherever I believe they find unusual.

Just lately this semester, I find it cool scanning pictures in the internet showing how youths planked braving the foreseeable injuries that they might get when balancing gets over. I’m talking to how “plankers”, as we call them, perfectly portrayed unemotional and stationary planking on a rooftop that which is inclined. Well, I find it attractive! I mean, it transcends me an image of a misplaced dead body. So unusual. For the safety issue, well, I leave it to them, I had this prior idea that these rational youths know what they are doing.

But what does it really signify? What one can get from it remains to be contested.  Well, if some legislators’ head aches when planking issues flashed on television, I don’t care the worth of their effort in crafting the anti-planking bill. I just want to leave that matter to them, I mean to our over-acting legislators. Perhaps, they are just bored.

This all the more interests me to plank. Yes! I’m seriously justifying the idea that it is more than fun unlike to what legislators narrowly see as to why “plankers” do it.

When news stations reported the unending protest on anti-budget cut, the crowd of students gave way to highlight the planking moment. Again, it transcends me to another picture. I see an image of people massacred in vain where hopelessness and fear is painted out. I know that planking is meaningful. I know that it gives a deeper meaning. I know that it is used as a sign of protest.

As enrolled in a regional UP unit, now on my junior year, I know how students of left-leaning parties show sentiments in public. I feel how heart is being crumpled when issues protested are denied by some apathetic authorities. If rallies resorted to consciousness to some other students or even to “tambays” on streets as well, I think the rise of planking gives equivalent effect, if not, creates much more impact to some other lives. You may be silent and motionless incomparable to that of a noisy and “wild” protester in rally, I do believe that both costs way the same for a greater benefit.

I have been into rallies. I felt stinky, I get wet, and still, I continue to learn. The burning passion continues to fight for everyone’s right. I learned not to be silent. I should have opted to live normally as a student that involves to none of any organizations and that programmed to school-boarding house- school- boarding house lifestyle. But instead, I want to get involved. Yes, I had my rallies, now, I had my planks.

May it be sound funny how I felt in love with planking on a meaningful way; I felt that it is even inspiring on how my friends too viewed it on the same manner.  I remember last 24 of September this year when the whole UP system asserts for a greater state subsidy and expressing anti educational budget cut, I historically had my first ever public planking. It was inside the campus. It was along the covered pathway. Although it takes too much courage to do so, my friends’ enthusiasm in doing the act pushes me more to do it and joined the chain of planking in the covered walk. I know people see me awkward. Who say so that planking is not for serious people? Some of my schoolmates usually tag me as a very academic student. I cannot forget my classmate in the university when he classified me as a person that once known to public that I drink, that I smoke (something which I honestly never tried yet), then my image will automatically be destroyed in the eyes of some other people. I am undeniably seen as an eternal sinner if I happen to do more of such normal male stuffs. My personality is not for planking as what some commented. Am I really molded this way?

As long as this remains to be legal, for no reason at all to put anti-planking bill into law in the first place, I continue to fight. We the students continue to shout our rights in the public through our silent protest. We continue to catch everyone’s attention that after all shall challenge the audience’s mind on what keeps planking alive and prominent.

A Collective Experience

That was mid-August particularly on the 12^th to 14^th. There was fun, stronger friendship, and encouraging challenges. That was the field trip fulfilled with gratitude from everyone else’ thanks…

In order to understand more what you have studied, there must be a need to integrate yourself to your subjects. This is what some of the people would say just as you need to get out of the four corners of the classroom to learn more of the relevant emotions to get. The trip to Tobabao, Guiuan was an ideal place to integrate with the masses that are away from the busy streets of Tacloban. Even before the field trip, I saw it as an opportunity to serve as my stepping stone to start my research career. I think that it is too early to give thanks to everyone but anyway, what had happened throughout the trip was unforgettable.

Stop at Silogan along Guiuan Coast
for a breakfast

It might be a little too hassle that we actually deprived our self from sleeping the night before the fieldtrip because we probably want to enjoy the fun before departing from Tacloban. We had good communication with my group mates at the Student Lounge and at Zilog where we made a transcript to our research topic. Though we were a little bit late in departing from the campus as we still went to fetch our two classmates who were late all the way from their respective boarding houses, the fun during the travel was at worth considering that we all who paid were complete.

After a long travel which I spent all through sleeping, the food stop in Silogan was very much worth the cause. We had this very sumptuous breakfast beside the shore of Guiuan. They had this large piece of chicken, a pair of hotdog, and rice which fully occupied the packed meal. Right after the breakfast was the moment of buying goods for the following breakfasts in the island. Oh, well, it is actually our group which was given the task to figure out the menu for breakfast and which is assigned to buy some of it at Guiuan public market. Looking out for danggit, fresh eggs, and canned goods in their market was actually the challenged that took us a little late to depart from BFAR site to Tobabao Island, somehow a 30-minute ride from Guiuan proper.

Waiting for the pumpboat after a tiring market 'tour'!

Travelling towards our venue island through riding in a “baluto” or the “lantsa” was very new to me. That was actually the first ever experience that I traveled the sea not through big ships. That was definitely unforgettable given that I fear travelling by seas much specially when heavy rains pour and you were facing rough waves below dark skies. Anyway, I see an encouragement though to my group mates who were also sharing giggles and poses from random digital picture taking despite being exhausted from roaming around Guiuan’s market.

Yehey! My first time ride in a pumpboat :)

As we were almost at Tobabao Island, few of my classmates with some of our faculties who joined the trip crowded the shed where the “lantsa” is destined to stop. With my two bags, one gray sling bag and a black hand carry bag, I walked from their port to their barangay hall where all of my classmates who arrived before us stayed. As the long road enjoyed my heavy footsteps, I came out to realize that there is something that the place wants to tell me. I notice the silence, the splash of the waves along the shore, the gushing wind that clashes the leaves of the trees, the chuckles of kids playing along the way that around 10 in the morning, and all those enlightening moments that were enough to disturb my mind that the place where I visited was no longer a busy, noisy place of Tacloban, but in fact, a calm, refreshing island of Tobabao.

I felt the weary faces of my classmates as I entered the Barangay Hall. I could not have imagined how some of them happily gathered around a long table with cards spread on top, some sat beside each other on a sofa which tiredness closed their eyes. Some even managed to spread themselves on the floor using a carton as a mat to protect their back from dirt. All the bags were put on top of another in one corner. At the kitchen adjacent to the barangay hall were all of the busy women from the barangay cooking our food for lunch. Given the condition that greeted upon my entrance of the hall, it planned me to stay outside the windows sitting on the cement. That was even better to escape myself from the tight space inside the hall. The silence of the environment makes me think to take a nap that time but given no clear seat to sit on, I was still able to please myself in regenerating energy after being hackneyed. Later on, Sir Nival, our Philosophy instructor in the university began to talk with one of my classmates seated near to me outside which caught my interest to listen as well. One question was about whether or not we have freedom which can be immediately followed up by asking on whether we believe in God or not. To discuss this is something which I believe to leave it to some philosophical matter. Anyway, there were a lot of intellectual discussions bombarded to us who listened in him until we had our sumptuous lunch.

Then afternoon came when we first armed ourselves to be ready to our respective barangays for an interview given our different topics. We had San Antonio as the barangay next to Trinidad, the barangay where we stayed in. It was a matter of sacrificing walk from the slippery stones that embossed on the pathways. It took us almost an hour to arrive at the barangay hall. We had a tricky experience as where to confront their Kapitana. Anyway, their barangay captain was good enough to answer the questions that we offered even if it looks like she lack the confidence of giving conviction to her every words in related to her governance. Finally we had this snack time with her. Just some sip of coke and pieces of biscuit is enough. That was even funnier when I accidentally spilled my little remaining soft drink.

Feeling what we have done was all right, we finally head our way back to Brgy. Trinidad. We were actually the first group who arrived. It was in the elementary school that we stayed. So the set up was about arranging the chairs with our own little ways of effort to come out an arrangement that will suit ourselves for the sleep. Everyone from the room, who were all my group mates, all boys, was noisy that moment. I never took a notice about what detailed happened since I automatically fell on my brain child connected elementary chairs that will serve as my bed. Then heavy rain poured.

As evening arrived, we went on our way back to the barangay hall for the dinner. Happy dinner it was when we had sharing about our experiences to the respective barangays that we had visited. After we had the dinner, it was expected that some of us were about to take some casual drink of liquor. I was invited but I neglected and choose to sleep early that night.

An interview to one of the residents of Brgy. San Juan

Day 2 came. It was Saturday for our remaining two barangays that awaits our presence for an interview. We had San Juan to visit first together with the other group from our class. We decided to take the “lantsa” for 20.00 for the convenience from trekking the slippery road.

When we ended our interview session with the barangay captain and with some of the residence of their area, we made a consensus to take a walk way back to Trinidad instead of riding again on the “lantsa”. We just enjoyed our long walk along the green environment with entertaining talks and songs. The next barangay we crossed was San Antonio which we decided to take some rest right on their basketball court. We had this experience when one person draws nearer to where we rested. He kept on insisting to make us go to his house for him to get interviewed after he asked why we were there in their barangay. After all the moment of dragging us towards his house, he left, and which we also left startled by that man as we started the long walk in going back to Trinidad.

The final barangay assigned for us is Trinidad, a little effort though since we had already enough knowledge to the barangay. So everything was all done for the data gathering of the research! It was all fun that comes right after that afternoon. We enjoyed ourselves right at the shed located at the end of their port. We had this long moment of taking pictures against each other. We had enjoyed about different poses even doing the well-known planking. We had fun in targeting different jelly fish. Finally we had discovered a snake under water which terrified most of us. No more attempt this time to target that snake. That was already almost completely evening when we marched our way again to the barangay hall for a dinner. It was completely fun to all of us as we forget our hassle walks between barangays in data gathering. We all gathered in one room playing different stuffs. Some get drunk; others turned fun matters to serious discussion, etc. But what matters all the most was that turning point of transforming our weariness to happiness.

The Pearl Island together with the pearly white dog! 

The following day, Day 3 was all about recreation. Bagonbanua was the name of the island next from Tobabao. It is surrounded by mangroves and one thing which I regretted the most, and that is when I failed to watch those giant clams under water. Some of my classmates experienced to watch it with full of awesome. Anyway, when we had that trip to Pearl Island was all the more refreshing, probably the best islet I ever had.

Packing up all the experiences was something more than beautiful words can explain. Almost everything I encountered that 3 days were new thus forever will treasure in my memory. This is what I appreciate too in political science. This is also what I am very thankful of.