Can we really solve the current societal problems today?

Summing up the issues raised in this country, the main problem is the weak social and economic where the grand design is that high percentage of poverty is inevitable so the rich and powerful stays where they are and further improve their standing. 

Currently, “solving” the “main problem” is far from reality given the kind of attitude of most of the Filipinos where their main priority is only self interest. 

In the practical side, who will give up their current standing in the society just to make a change? 

There may be few individuals who are truly (because most of them are just giving sentiments but not taking action) willing, but the majority will never take an action. 

Unfortunately, few actions will not make any impact. It should be a collective action by at least more than majority, if not everyone.

I am not in the position to said that they are bad persons because it may be considered somehow as self preservation. 

So what’s the current solution to somehow attain a better, if not ideal, society?

In my opinion, no one knows.

Existential Angst and Law Practice

It has been almost four years since I last posted in this blog. I graduated from law school, passed the bar exam, became a paralegal in a midsize and refutable law firm and presently, a partner in a small law office.

Now that I'm already a lawyer, I'm still contemplating why do I want to became a lawyer in the first place. Honestly, I do not like court litigation, drafting of pleadings, preparing contracts and other documents, corporate law practice and other things which they say that "you are not a real lawyer if you don't do these."

Yes I know, most lawyers and aspiring lawyers dream of litigating in court and feel the "prestige" of being a "true and full pledged lawyer." However, I think that there is absolutely nothing wrong about that because it is really their passion. 

After taking the bar, I worked as paralegal in a refutable law firm in Makati. I thought that I would feel very contented and fulfilled by the time I was accepted to work in the law firm. But it's the other way around. Most people tell me that those are the job of a lawyer and it's inevitable. They said that I need to do all those things to became a good lawyer. I need to defend a big corporations and big personalities whether they are doing right or wrong. I call that mainstream lawyering.

People keep on asking me on why did I take up law if I don't like to do those things knowing that most lawyers do those things. I looked for answers why. Suddenly, I realized that I love the laws. I love how it works. I love studying the laws. But in practice, the law don't work as it supposed to work in theory. Theoretically the law is beautiful but in real life, it is not that simple. 

The main problem is that I do not feel any fulfillment in doing those things. I'm not the type of person who finds joy and excitement every time I go to court and make a good pleading for the regular courts. I'm not even excited to work for big time clients. 

I realized that it's not my goal to be that "true and full pledged lawyer." I decided to resign and tendered my resignation. That was the longest 30 days of my life. But I'm very happy that my former boss understood my insights and told me that the law has many areas and what that law firm practices is just a small area which most law firms in Makati practice.

The world of law practice is a very big world to explore. There are parts of it that only few had discovered. It just so happened that many lawyers decided to be safe and stayed where many lawyers are -  the mainstream lawyering.  

There is nothing wrong to be in the mainstream because it's the safest and the most stable area of law practice. However, I decided to leave the mainstream to explore and start new adventure.

I wen't back to my former employer and became a partner of that small law firm practicing maritime labor law that helps seafarers to get their disability claims for a reasonable terms. That gives me more flexibility and opportunity to explore more possibilities. Unlike in my former job, I can leave the office way more earlier and with that, I can do many things most lawyers can't do because they are stocked at work. I have time to help my friends who are taking the bar this year by preparing tips and sometime, personally explain the subjects they want to clarify. I can hang out with my friends without any hassle of any work related reasons. I can even handle small time cases which most lawyers under the employment of law firms can't because of work restraint.

However, my adventure does not end here, I'm also considering to be a member of the academe by teaching or if there's an opportunity, to have further my further studies abroad not necessarily law related.

We all know that the world is not perfect. If the world is perfect, lawyers are not necessary to exist. I challenge my fellow lawyers that together, we will do our best to contribute in making the world, if not perfect, a better place to live.

My final assessment of the May 2010 Elections

The Prediction:

I didn’t vote for the leading candidates Aquino and Binay but it does not necessarily mean that I don’t like them and actually, I expect these candidates to win based on my prediction. Here is simple explanation why those two candidates are leading. Based on my research and observation, three of the most popular voting trend are Aquino – Roxas, Estrada – Binay, and Aquno – Binay. More than 60% of the voting population voted for these tandems. Less than 60% of the voters voted for these tandems: Gordon – Bayani, Teodoro – Roxas, Villar – Legarda, and Teodoro – Binay. Less than 10 percent of the voters voted for the other tandems. Here are my rough estimates of the percentages of the tandems: (Note: This is just an estimate and not accurate)

Aquino and Roxas - 30%

Estrada and Binay – 26%

Aquino and Binay – 10%

Villar and Legarda – 15%

Teodoro and Roxas – 6%

Teodoro and Binay – 2%

Gordon and Bayani – 3%

Villanueva and Yasay – 2%

Other Tandems – 7%

If we will observe the tandem votes, it appears that the preference of Aquino and Binay tandem is the main turning point of the election and I think that it is self-explanatory. However, it is not yet sure win for Binay because the margin of votes is less than 1 million.

The Strategy:

- - - Presidential and VP race:

In the past surveys, Roxas was leading very high against other candidates that made him complacent and lessen his campaign. The LP focused more on Aquino in that time. It was too late for Roxas to recover his big lead because of Binay’s good strategy and political marketing. I think that if Roxas did better in his campaign, he shall maintain the big lead against Binay and the rest. It is just a matter of strategy.

The fall of Nacionalista tandem in votes is not surprising because their TV ads do not anymore appeal to the most of the voters. Villar even used his mother and some celebrities like Willie and Dolphy, which I believe, pulled him down. Those kinds of TV ads will not translate into votes. It is the same with Legarda; her TV ads are obviously insincere. Binay’s TV ads are more believable than hers. The lead of Estrada against Villar is not surprising. Many of the Nacionalista supporters shifted to Estrada. They have the same platforms but Estrada’s TV ads are more believable than Villar’s in the point of view of the ordinary people. In fact, the parents of the child who endorsed Villar in Tondo voted for Erap.

Teodoro’s positive campaign is impressive but not enough to gather massive votes. He has the qualifications and good platform but those are not enough. Two main reasons why Teodoro did not win are: (1) his link with PGMA and (2) unpopularity. I know that it appears that he is very popular among the students and faculties of high class institutions and those who are active in the internet. Most of the people in that class, including us, only talk and discussed among themselves/ourselves that gives us the illusion that Teodoro is very popular. We forgot that more than 50% of the Filipinos are not in this class and even don’t know who Teodoro is. All they know about Teodoro is his link to PGMA. Complicated platforms do not appeal to the ordinary people unlike Aquino’s “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” which is very clear.

The remaining candidates' TV ads especially Madrigal and Fernando’s can only be described by one word: FAIL. Their lost is self-explanatory.

--- In the Senatorial Race

In the senatorial race, the most important key of winning is image and name recall. Most senatorial candidates who are leading have good advertisements and their names are easy to recall. I'm pretty sure that those senators who are leading are not included on the top 6 list of those who voted them. Different voters has different top senators that's why, most of our preferred senators are not winning. If the voters have already chosen their top senators but they still lack some slots to fill the 12 slots, the voters will just vote those who they remember popular and credible particularly those old names we saw on the leading top 12.

In my case, my top senatorial candidates are Tamano, Hontiveros, Lacson and Bello. All of them did not enter the top 12. Hontiveros ranked 13 because his advertisement is good and she is quite popular but the top 12 (I'm not sure of Guingona) are more popular than Hontiveros. I also voted Palparan for the reason that really don't like Satur Ocampo. That's 5 all in all. The other 7 candidates who I voted entered the top 12. Those candidates belong to the class of candidates I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Another 5 candidates who are Drillon, Recto, Osmena, Enrille and Sotto are just my secondary choices which I believe to be competent enough to be on the Senate in spite of old names. Two slots are still unfilled. I have the option of not filling those but I decided to vote for Bong Revilla and Lapid just for an experiment. I just like to test if they will still win this election. Then, I was just surprised the Bong Revilla acquired the top spot and that proves my theory.

For the record: my 7 out of 12 senatorial candidates are currently on the Top 12. If Hontiveros luckily entered, it will be 8. :)

In my Political Science years in La Salle, the very basic thing that I learned - that in Politics, there is no good and bad... it’s all about strategy and marketing.

Final Message:

Yes, I did not vote for Aquino (I voted for Teodoro and Roxas) but as I said earlier, it does not necessarily mean that I don’t like him as president. The main criticism against him is not having any law legislated while others have good track records in making laws. But the presidency is not law-making and therefore, it is irrelevant. Aquino may appoint good advisers and cabinet members to supplement his lack of experience. I don’t like the attitude of many people saying that Filipinos are stupid for voting those kinds of candidates including Lapid, Revilla, Estrada and Sotto in the senate. Remember, Vox populi, vox dei. We are in a democracy. We have different opinions. Our opinions are equal with one another. We cannot say that our votes are more superior to the other votes just because we are students of law or studying in La Salle, Ateneo, UP and other prestigious universities. All we have to do is to accept and believe to those who won because the people have chosen them. The Constitution did not mention of any track record requirement in electing our officials. Let’s give chance to our newly (probably) elected president and be unattached to your extreme fanaticism on your own candidates. Let us move on and help the government.

Something to think about

It's been a while after my last entry.

My life has changed a lot - from a complex life to a more complex one. All I want is just a simple life but I really do not know why life is getting more complicated. Maybe, a simple life does not really exist; it is just a ideal fantasy of most people. Everyday, I never stop thinking. I never stop hypothesizing. I never stop wondering. I never stop worrying. No more peace of mind on my part. Now, it is only one month before the final exams. I don't have any idea.

Kahit ngayon, hindi pa rin nawawala sa isip ko na swerte lang kung bakit ko naipasa ang mga subjects ko noong 1st year. Hindi naman talaga ako magaling. Swerte lang talaga. Mauubos din ang swerte ko. Nararamdaman ko na.

I lost all the confidence. I starting to lose hope.

Kung swerte man yun, masasabi ko din na malas din ang nangyari sapagkat kung 'di man ako para sa pag-aaral ng law, sana hindi na lang pinatagal.

One big question is: It is a choice or destiny?

Honestly, I do not know the answer. Nauubusan na ako ng mga sagot.

I'm just hoping that none of my theories are correct.

The only reason for me to keep holding on is the support. The support of my friends. Thank you Superfriends for all your support. I really appreciate those.

The Island of Santo Tomas

Photo c/o The Varsitarian

Famous lines from Squall Leonhart

During the Dollet mission
Squall: I stand by the captain's decision.
Seifer: ... Captain's decision? You want to wreak some havoc too, don't you?
Squall: It's a good opportunity to test my training. Thanks to you, I feel like I can take on anyone. Even if they do fight dirty, like you.

In the "secret spot", discussing Quistis's demotion
Squall: Are you done yet...? I don't wanna talk about it. What am I supposed to say about other people's problems?
Quistis: I'm not asking you to say anything. I just want you to listen.
Squall: Then go talk to a wall.

Following the first Laguna vision
Selphie: What a relief! Everything's cool with me! Hee! I had such a nice dream!
Squall: (I had a dream, too. It wasn't nice though... I dreamt I was a moron...)

Talking to Rinoa about wishes
Squall: (Think what you want... Reality isn't so kind. Everything doesn't work out the way you want it to. That's why...) As long as you don't get your hopes up, you can take anything... You feel less pain. Anyway, whatever wish you have is none of my business.


Thinking about Seifer, believing he has been executed
Squall: (I liked him... wasn't really a bad guy... He was one of us... Seifer... You've just become just a memory. Will they... Will they talk about me this way if I die, too? Squall was this and that. Using past tense, saying whatever they want? So this is what death is all about... Not for me. I won't have it!!!) ... I'm not having anyone talk about me in the past tense!

Before the sorceress assassination mission
Squall: (Right and wrong are not what separate us and our enemies. It's our different standpoints, our perspectives that separate us. Both sides blame one another. There's no good or bad side. Just 2 sides holding different views.)

Following Irvine's blocked shot at Edea
Irvine: ... I'm sorry.
Squall: It's ok. Your aim was perfect. Just leave the rest up to me. I'm goin' in for the sorceress. Irvine, Rinoa, just be ready to back me up. Take care of Rinoa.

During Seifer's interrogation concerning the real purpose of SeeD
Squall: SeeD... (... A code name for Balamb Garden's elite mercenary force... SeeD... Combat specialists......???) ...Don't you already know?
Seifer: I'm not a SeeD. There must be some kind of secret you're given when you become a SeeD!
Squall: There's nothing. Even if there were, you think I'd tell you?
Seifer: You're on my 'tough-nut-to-crack' list. Didn't think you'd talk that easily.
Squall: ... Geez, I'm honored.


Trying to figure out how to save Balamb Garden from missiles
Squall: Sir, I'd like to handle whatever it is that you're planning.
Headmaster Cid: And why is that?
Squall: (... I don't know... Because you might screw up... Because I want to do more than announce the evacuation. Because this place is important to me, too. Because I want to find out your plan. Because this is my home. I have too many reasons. I don't know why... Who cares?) My feelings have nothing to do with it, sir.
Headmaster Cid: Heh heh, Quistis was right. You do have a hard time expressing your feelings.
Squall: (Why bother. And what is this? Why am I being judged?) Sir! Please tell us your plan!

Following the battle with NORG
Squall: Forget about it for now.
Rinoa: I can't believe you said that. I think what just happened is really serious.
Squall: What's the point of talking about it now!? You don't know what's going on, either! This is crazy. I don't know what's goin' on anymore. I feel like a helpless puppet being manipulated in some major scheme.
Immediately after Ellone is taken by the White SeeD
Squall: (Why do people depend on each other? In the end, you're on your own. I've made it this far by myself. Sure, I couldn't do a thing when I was a kid... I've depended on others, but... I'll be the first one to admit that I'm here because of other people. I'm fine by myself now. I have all the skills I need to survive. I'm not a child anymore. That's a lie. I don't know anything. I'm confused. I don't want to depend on anyone. How can I do that? Someone tell me... Someone? So I'll end up depending on others after all.

Speaking to Mayor Dobe and his wife Flo in Fisherman's Horizon
Flo: We believe that any problem can be settled by discussion. If you reach a mutual understanding there is no need to fight.
Squall: (No argument there. Trite, and dull as hell, though.)

Trying to console Selphie about the loss of the Spring Festival
Squall: (Man, she's really down.) Come on. I'm sure you can still do something.
Selphie: ... Squall... being sensitive? That's weird. You're the last person I expected to cheer me up. I must really look depressed.
Squall: (What's so weird? I care just like everybody else. It's just that there are too many things that can't be helped. So why bother talking about everything.)
Selphie: Uh-oh! There you go again into your own little world. And you're not gonna share anything, huh?
Squall: ... Yeah, whatever... (Why is she teasing me? I was just trying to help.)

While reminiscing about time spent in the orphanage as children
Squall: I was always waiting for 'Sis' to come back.
Young Squall: I'm... all alone. But I'm doing my best... I'll be ok without you, Sis. I'll be able to take care of myself.
Squall: (... I didn't turn out ok at all.)

In Trabia, discussing what must be done next
Squall: I guess that's it... We're fighting.
Rinoa: ... You guys are fearless.
Squall: (Fearless? I don't think that's quite right. If you think too hard, you become lost... I think that's what everyone's afraid of...) I wish we didn't have to fight, either.

Speaking to everyone during the battle with Galbadia Garden
Squall: ...... Everybody. This is Squall. How's everyone doing? You're all probably too tired to even stand up after all the fighting. But I want everyone to listen to me... We still have a chance to win, and I need your help. This is going to be our final battle. We're going to attack them before they come in again. To do that, we're going to head straight into their Garden. So I want everyone to prepare for a major collision. Take care of all the junior classmen. Irvine, Quistis, Zell, and Selphie will lead the attack into their Garden. As for everyone else, please support them if you can. SeeD was formed to fight the sorceress; at least, that's what I heard. And Garden was created to train SeeDs. So this battle is Garden's destiny and also our destiny. It's a grueling battle, and I'm sure you guys are all exhausted. But I don't want to have any regrets. I don't want anyone to look back and regret this day. So just this once, I want you guys to give everything you've got! For yourselves and for me!

While walking with comatose Rinoa from Fisherman's Horizon
Squall: (I wonder what everyone's doing...? They're probably laughing at me. Or maybe they're angry...?) What do you think? To tell you the truth... I worry too much about what others think of me. I hate that side of me... That's why I didn't want anyone to get to know me. I wanted to hide that side of myself. I hate it. Squall is an unfriendly, introverted guy. It made it easy for me when people perceived me that way. That's a secret between you and me. Got that?

can't think of anything

My mind is empty.
My heart is empty.

Things are getting vague.
Darkness construes.

I can't think.
I don't believe.

Uncertainty and illusion conspire.
Confusion litigates.

Too much ideas.
Energy is lacking.

Everything is absurd.
I need to discover the proper direction.