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The Banana Man

February 10, 2005

Politicians and businessmen have something in common, underlying agenda. They always seek change in a manner to suit their personal needs. Reading the paper, I saw a prominent industrialist trying to advocate lower oil prices, heralds himself as the voice of the consumers and maintains that he is for the Filipino people.
He touches on several issues grandstanding his opposition to the various move of the government. High oil prices, high commodity prices, high electric bills, VAT increase etc. Placing him as the teammate of Juan Dela Cruz.
Is he really for the Filipino or is he trying to protect his business interest? I always looked at this fellow and ask myself why is he always fighting big corporations and even questioning the government regarding high oil prices, high electricity rates and high taxes.
Then if you look beyond the 4 fingers, you will see what I mean. Ironically he is fighting high oil prices and high taxes because this can affect electricity charges. He tells the Filipinos that the oil companies are in some sort of a collusion to make Juan Pedro suffer. Well in fact, he advocates lower electricity rates because he is in the business of manufacturing airconditioning units. Of course with lower taxes, lower oil prices will yield lower electricity prices. Lower electricity rates would mean people will buy more cooling units considering that we are a tropical country therefore generating more sales. This is the reason why he wanted to fight the PPA thing. But lets look at it at my perspective, it is not always on the action, but sometimes you are being judged on your intention.
If you are really advocating change and I also know somehow there is sincerity in his part, then move into the system and change it. Why do we all advocate change but at the same time do nothing?
We always complain, high taxes, high oil prices, high this, high that, why can’t we stimulate ourselves to move. WIth the age of modern telecommunication, the presence of the internet and Filipino blogging sites, instead of talking why don’t we do something about.
We always fight our leaders, question their motives and advocate change. Yet we don’t even practice our right to sufferage. What was the turnout of young voices in the May 2004 Elections, less than 20% of people who just turned 18.
We yell, no to high taxes. How the hell do you guys think our government can create revenues? If you don’t want high taxes, then don’t complain regarding fireman with no trucks, hospitals with no beds and a social security pension comparable to the allowance of a grade 5 brent student.
I mean lets all be reasonable. Let us not become like the banana man. Talking about change so that we can put forth our agenda. Wants to have more money by doing nothing or lesser work.
Lets move guy! Lets move the nation!

Posted by johnpaulaclan at 10:19 am | permalink | View this entry

In the news . . . .

Getting up in the morning is a momentous occasion for me. I always say, “Thank you Lord for the life that you have given me”. Every dawn is an opportunity for me, and every sunrise is a signal to be happy.
After doing some stretching exercises, taking a shower, performing my morning rituals, I came down from my room and had breakfast with my mom and sister. Then I called my girl telling her good moring and I love you, afterwards, I’m off to another day at work. I make it a point to listen to a geek station, 98.7 that play nothing but instrumental classical music because it clears my mind out and relaxes every muscle in my body.
As I drive along EDSA, I saw a paperstand that has various newspapers containing the latest publications being sold to motorists and people going by. I can’t help but see in bold letters the headlines of today, written in Arial Fonts, Marcos Loot has already been used . . . .
God that has made my day right!!!!! I tell you I have only heard of the former president from history classes and testimonials of people who were present during his regimes, but as I have said, I cannot be mad at someone over a cup of coffee.
Cursing him for the things that I did not witness for myself. But the only impression I had with this fellow was that his corrupted billions upon billions upon billions. And they are the living proof of the real wealthy individuals. Why? Because they don’t know how rich they are. They don’t even know how much money they have. And frankly, I couldn’t care less. The only reason I was caught with the news is because my generation will be the one to suffer and pay the debts incurred by the past administration.
And ironically, after achieving democracy, after being able to bring back freedom in the land, here we are again, with same issues facing our lives.
It is the same banana all over again. Corruption begets corruption. The money has been recovered, now it has been stolen again.
Then I opened my PC at work, log on to the internet, try to get more news from the story, getting the headlines,
there it was, in bold letters:
IN THE NEWS: Recovered Marcos wealth believed to be stolen . . . now that my friends is called irony. A bunch of idiots who recovered stolen loot for it to be stolen again.
Give us a break please . . . .

Posted by johnpaulaclan at 9:52 am | permalink | View this entry

Blogging

February 9, 2005

I have been an internet surfer for quite sometime but I have never seen any site similar to a blog site. At first, the email seemed to be a great way to start using the internet, but from my perspective, it is actually blogging. Blogging opens up your mind to numerous things. Opinions are more than a subjective cue, they are pillars of learning because they can tell something about how the human spirit deals with life. It is very youthful and mature. It gives you a new way of expressing yourself without the need of talking to somebody.
To be perfectly honest, if you are a young professional, a corporate executive, a top management personnel, this is the best therapeutic regimen to control your stress. I have to agree 100% to this proposition. It even cost lower than a shrink because you post what you feel and people will comment on your feelings which is nice to see.
It is like friendster without the need of talking and looking for somebody to talk about. Anyone who has a sense of self preservation must try to blog yourself.
I enjoy blogging. I enjoy the artistry of blogging. I enjoy expressing my opinion. I enjoy reading blogs. What can I say, I am a blog man!

Posted by johnpaulaclan at 10:22 am | permalink | View this entry

Introduce yourself . . . . .

Out of college, the first thing that came into my mind was working. Making money was a distant second considering the fact that even when I was a student, I was already engaging myself in numerous business ventures. I have always believed that if you want security, you get a job, but if you want prosperity, you sell.
Given this mindset, I still embarked on a journey towards the tumultous world of corporate management. From the start, I never considered myself inferior to anyone even if I finished my BS in a not so prestigous school. I have always believed that I could assert myself and get any position I like in any company for that matter. Straight out of college, I was given an opportunity to work for a great company. It was a multibillion dollar company and I applied for a marketing position. It was an entry level therefore it was a rank and file position. Fortunately for me, from the beginning, the company saw my potential and immediately offered me a management post, a supervisor for that matter. I was so happy, very excited and flattered because even if I didn’t graduate from a top university or finish with a business course, I was given the chance to prove my worth in the organization, that enough was a blessing and a signal that the company trusted me.
When day 1 came, an orientation program was to be held for two weeks. There I was together with the other supervisors, management personnel that were also recently hired.
8 am we all came together and prepared ourselves for the said orientation. Everyone was talking, chatting about business stuff, what company they were from, how long they were working and stuff like that.
From the looks of it, they were from the age of 30-40 years old. We were all engaged in a conversation wherein we were talking about the hiring process, how long they called and other stuff about recruitment. After some time, the HR specialist came in and told us to sit down for we were to begin in a few minutes. I was sitted at the end of the table (because that was were my name was) where I got a pen, the schedule for the day and a cup of coffee.
Then, the HR specialist said okay, first agenda, introduce yourself. I was very confident and very excited to speak but unfortunately the other end must start. Blah, Blah, Blah, Business Management Graduate, De La Salle University with an MBA in Marketing Management, Blah, Blah, Blah, Management Engineering Graduate, Ateneo University, Go Blue Eagles!, with an MBA in Business Administration, Blah, Blah, Blah, Ateneo, La Salle, then came to me, immediately after I introduced myself and where I graduated from, with no experience, no MBA, no business degree, I remembered the look on their faces and clearly heard their comments, “What school is that? What the Hell is That?” It was a mixed feeling. But I confidently breezed through and told myself, I will earn your respect, I will earn the company’s respect.
Then again, it was a chapter of realization in my life and I really loved it. I challenged myself with that experience and told myself the only way for you to be known and respected is through your performance.
The universal language in any business corporation is performance and output. I delivered, I brought home the bacon, it was what mattered, it was whats important not the things that will beautify your resume. After some time, I was also able finish my MBA in a very prestigous school and I am very happy where I am right.
Sometimes you just got to take certain stones in your life and turn it into gold. Don’t be discourage by other people nor be bothered by them. Work your way towards your happines. You’ll be amazed by what you can accomplish.

Posted by johnpaulaclan at 10:10 am | permalink | View this entry

i.ph

February 7, 2005

Opinionated people needs an avenue for their ideas. An “itch” is what describes an idea that cannot wait. It is the needle that keeps poking our heart, a ringing sensation that keeps on bothering our ears, a pain that won’t go away. The only medication for that is to be able to express it.
Nothing is more perfect than bluntly stating your feelings. Acknowledging your fears, asserting your conviction and strenghtening your decision. In order to enhance self preservation, it is very healthy to express your opinion.
Try i.ph. Then look into the web by typing yourname.i.ph/ and find out what I am saying . . . .
Go, BLog yourself!!!!!!!!

Posted by johnpaulaclan at 4:54 pm | permalink | View this entry
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