Today is Philippines’ Flag Day.

This flag was designed by Emilio Aguinaldo and was secretly sewn in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herbosa.

Did you know that its official Pantone colors are 286 (blue), 186 (red), and 116 (yellow)?

Our flag signifies our democracy which our ancestors gave up their lives for. Therefore, we should respect it and value our independence in whatever way we can especially during these trying times. I’m so saddened by the state of our country especially how we are lagging behind our neighbors when a few decades ago, they were the ones looking up to us. I really don’t know how was as a nation can reclaim our former glory but I’m sure there is a way…

Good thing I love bread, sometimes even more than rice. Well, I couldn’t resist not posting this photo. Thanks to Chuvaness for allowing me to use this.

I seldom talk politics here. It’s not because I am not interested in politics. I read Philippine Daily Inquirer regularly and listen to news on the AM frequency. I think I can say that I am up to that to the goings on of Philippine politics. I don’t blog about my opinion on current affairs because I choose to keep my opinions to myself. I just want to be informed.

I am breaking my silence today because of recent incidents involving Jun Lozada, the star witness of senate investigation on the ZTE-NBN deal. When Mr. Lozada returned from Hong Kong and was taken by the military, I became frightened for him. It was a relief when news broke that he was in the custody of the nuns and brothers in La Salle Greenhills. I felt pride when he finally appeared in the senate and revealed the anomalies of the NBN deal. I even wanted to go to Greenhills when him, Cory Aquino, and his other supporters held a mass for peace. Unfortunately, I was out of town on that day if I remember correctly.

His actions these past few weeks, I found annoying. It’s fine with me that he goes from school to school to urge students to protest the credibility of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. What I don’t like is how he is being treated right now. Jun Lozada is not a celebrity. I call him the catalyst because that’s what he did. Because of him, the testimonies of JDV III gained credibility. It is also because of him that the Senate actually has a case against those involved in the ZTE-NBN deal. I just hate the blind adoration of some of the populace. There’s even a news report that his life story will be turned into a movie. Some Filipinos let themselves get carried away by emotions and I find it sad. They insist on having their photos taken with Mr. Lozada, etc. I feel that the adulation for him has overshadowed the real issue which the Filipinos should focus on.

In case readers misread what I just wrote, I am not against Jun Lozada. In fact, I admire his courage in coming out and exposing the anomalies of the deal. But please, for the love of our country, do not turn him into a celebrity. Focus on the real issues we are facing like the legitimacy of the President, the Spratleys issue, and especially the accountability of the NBN deal.

Monopoly will be launching a new edition called “Here & Now World Edition” and we can vote for Manila to be included in the game. It’s not on the list at the moment but you can still nominate for our city by typing it in. Go to www.monopolyworldvote.com/en_US/world and vote for Manila! Spread the word, fellow pinoy bloggers

I recommend that my fellow Filipino bloggers (and readers) read this blog post by Gary about Filipino migration. It alarmed me at first to be called the modern version of Jews and Chinese but his outsider perspective is refreshing. Hopeful even, if I may say. I hope he doesn’t mind me quoting a portion of the entry.

Filipinos have become the modern day versions of Jews and Chinese. In every European and Middle Eastern country you used find a population of Jews who filled an economic niche. Likewise, Chinese and Chinatowns can be found all over Asia which they often owned many businesses and were brought in originally as laborers. The same was also true of Indians during the British Empire who went to work in Guyana, Fiji, or Africa. Filipinos are filling that role today. Not only can you find Filipinos in Hong Kong, but also in Saudi Arabia, and throughout Asia. If I were a betting man, based on what I saw in the Philippines, I would bet that you see Filipinos follow the same course in these countries over the next several decades. They come in as laborers and end up owning businesses and having a higher standard of living than the local population. And, like the Jews and Chinese before them, they will probably end up getting the short end of the stick by locals if they become too successful.

I hope this does happen, even if we get “the short end of the stick”. There are so many Filipinos suffering outside the country but if it would mean that a better future awaits due to their  toil, I’m sure having a good business, even if would mean discrimination which they are getting now anyway, is a beneficial return.