By Joffre Balce Would like to examine Jose Rizal as an intellectual more closely. He was not so much a journalist or philosopher like Karl Marx but shared his  belief in the equality of people in rights . His social philosophy was more guided by Robert Owen and  Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen, based on his co-op endeavours in Dapitan. Politically, he is unlike the nationalists like fellow Latinos Simon Bolivar and Jose Marti but adopts a position where Filipinos are equal in rights with Spaniards under a federation of states or a Commonwealth of nations. As a literateur, Rizal put in Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo elements of Victor Hugo's reflections on social justice and the moral struggles of humanity in Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. Crisostomo Ibarra and  his persona of Simon even resembled Emily Brontë's Heathcliffe in Wuthering Heights. As a visual artist and sculptor, he was a scientist in his approach, concerned with capturing the substance, form and  func...

EDITOR/COLUMNIST By Caloy Bueno  🔰👓📚📰📂💻 Note  The death of... has divided the nation again. "...beliefs form the framework and operate the interstitial elements that inform and compose an individual's character and behavior in life." Yet, on the author's final analysis, he writes: "Our beliefs either fuck up our ability to think, or enable us to more clearly see and discern what is true, or noble, or worthy, or real." #PagMayTime ~  By Caloy Bueno The thing about beliefs is that no one can fault nor assail anyone else for having such beliefs ~ beliefs are personal and, more often than not, beyond the power of reason (particularly from anyone else) to dislodge or shake from the individual's grasp and dedication. Religion, politics, economic (business) practices, social norms and values, etc. ~ these are the stuff that beliefs are made of, and these beliefs form the framework and operate the interstitial elements that inform and compose an individual...

Note: Bold, fearless, brave and daring. The author was a former DDS vocal defender of the current national government Administration and often  crosses borders with his sharp weapon: keyboard and truth. His ultimate desire is to awaken the people from a prolonged stupor of national injustices and continued nonchalance over the course of the state of the country.  ✻ღ♥*✿*•♥ღ✻ Ever since we are pitted against each other.. The seeming aristocratisation of the Tagalogs and the downgrading of the Visayans, and other ethnicity. Our Muslim brothers were demonized, are allegedly barbaric, because they are the only tribe that were never dominated and until today whishes not to yield. We fought them as Christian against Muslim, not realizing that we are all Filipinos. Religion widened the rift, and today we are an extremely divided nation. If such foreign religion is really of God, then it should have united the people. Funny that even Christianity is so divided that there ought to be C...

Tula ni Rado Gatchalian May Akda Darling Square Library  Haymarket NSW November 6, 2019 (Para Kay Gat Jose Rizal) Kung mabubuhay ngang muli  Ang ating pambansang bayani - Yayakapin ba ng sariling lahi  At iibigin nang walang pagkukunwari? Makisig na susuriin ang bayang pinaglaban  May bunga ba ang kanyang kamatayan?  Sa kanya muling paglalakbay  Hahanapin ang kalayaang tunay - Ang bawat Pilipino may ligaya sa puso,  Matatag, at taas-noo bilang isang tao.  Hindi kailangang maging bayaning muli  Para ipakita na ikaw ay katangi-tangi. Hanapin mo lang ang iyong halaga At ialay ito sa ating pinakamamagal na bansa.  Source : FB/RG February 9, 2018

Paunang bungad ng makatang KU RIS Tapos na Ang Araw ng Kalayaan ngunit hayaan niyo akong ibahagi ang piyesa kong Ito. Panlulupig nga’y lumipas Panlulupig nga’y lumipas Sa hawla’y nakaalpas Malaya nang maipagaspas Pakpak ma’y punit at gasgas Ilang táong nakipagduwelo Sa mga dayuha’y nakipagpatintero Hanggang tuluyang tumalilis  Sa paniniil at hinagpis Anong galak sa puso’y namugad Mga sisiw hinanap, kaparanga’y ginalugad Ngunit bakit, pagtangis ang siyang bumungad? Inakay’ nakapiit, sa kasamaang palad. Inahing lanta, sa hilahil ‘di pa nakahinga Dalit ng kahapon pilit pang iniinda Umaaligid, lakas inihahanda Upang inakay, masagip— makawala. Ngunit sa paglibot kaniyang napaghulo Mangangaso’y kayumanggi, kakulay pa‘t kadugo  Waring isang balaraw, gumuhit sa yaring puso Bakit sa pag-uwi, sugat ang natamo? Sa dayuhan ma‘y nakaalpas, natuwa‘t nagwagi Ngunit sa sariling parang mga inakay’ nasawiKalayaan!  Kalayaan! hiyaw nitong labi Umaasang may makarinig— nagbabakasakali. Ngunit...

I  Kapagka ang baya'y sadyang umiibig  Sa kanyang salitang kaloob ng langit, Sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapit  Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid.  Mula sa mesa ni Dex Amaroso

EDITOR/COLUMNIST By Caloy Bueno  🔰👓📚📰📂💻  NB.   From the pen of Caloy Bueno and his sentiments about the Filipino People.  ~•✿•~ ~•✿•~ #PagMayTime ~  Filipinos can never be united (whether politically, economically, socially, spiritually, philosophically, etc.) because we can only function on the self-centered basis of whether or not we can benefit and can take advantage of any event or development, idea or proposition, situation or condition ~ and then seek out those who are like-minded, to reinforce or ensure that chance of achieving or attaining whatever it is that we think and want or believe to be beneficial and advantageous to us.   That shaky 'alliance' (of shared aims and goals) however is based on the potentials or likelihood of realizing the anticipated mutual or shared benefit and advantage ~ not whether or not such aims or goals are absolutely right or correct. And since our perspectives and sensibilities are compromised by our self-ce...

Inang Bayan Ko, Malaya Ka By Don M. Luman-ag,  June 12, 2021 Perlas ng Silangan, kung ika'y tagurian Ganda mo'y natatangi at nakabibighani Mahigit pitong libong isla tigib ng sagana Bundok, parang, ilog, dagat --  tunay kang pinagpala Anak mo'y magigiting, matatalino't matatapang Mayroong malasakit sa kapwa't kababayan Saan man sa mundo tiyak na hahangaan Ang galing at talento, kinikilala't pinararangalan Likas na yaman mong angkin, nais na agawin Ng mga manlulupig, mga banyagang sakim Sila'y nagpapakasasa, mga anak mo kinawawa Naging dayuhan, sa sariling bansa Subalit Ina, kami ay di papayag Na makita't hayaan na sila'y mamayagpag Kaming mga anak mo ang tanging nararapat Magtamasa at magmana Bigay sa'yo ni Bathala Buhay naming taglay, sa'yo lang iaalay Alab sa  aming puso, dugong nananalaytay Lahing Maharlika sa'yo ay nagpupugay Ipanatag ang dibdib Inang Bayan ko, malaya ka Inay!

NB .  " Would be the calling of our passion also be a part of uniting nations?" ~Author  Pens and keyboards (in the age digital and social media) have become the silent warriors clamouring for unity. And who is listening?  My pen cries to utter what my heart silently murmurs. Would it cover what my thoughts wished to speak for? Would there be an ending to this abyss of distress  that somehow would change to unity and happiness? Would be the writer's inks have enough power  to transform the dusk into love and light vastness? Nothing impossible...that's the believers are standing for Would the little ink left in our pens show its own essence? Would be the calling of our passion also be a part of uniting nations? Can we speak out not to bash but access to peace? Why can't we pray for every race, culture, and belief? That we aren't here to fight and towards each principle, we do have respect That whenever we talk softly and not harshly, we can mellow down hatred...

EDITOR/COLUMNIST By Caloy Bueno  🔰👓📚📰📂💻 The recent 123rd celebration of the  Philippines Independence Day of my Motherland has raised eyebrows from defenders scattered around the globe. The social media is inundated with ONE VOICE: The Voice of Freedom. Each one asked including myself,  "are we really free? " The history itself is not even in harmony with time, facts and records of events. They're not the recordings of  the unlearned Insurrectus as our brave heroes were hurled by this insulting part of speech by the banyagas. One invader after the other,  oppression after oppression,  those who trampled our sacred shores beautifully known as The Pearl of the  Orient Sea became the masters of our forefathers who never knew the ways of taga Kanluran. Their subservience to the human gods with all their innocence made them vulnerable that for five centuries of being  plundered and their spoils were divided,  poor Motherland was stripped off...

Pauna : Mahigit na dalawampung manunula ang lumahok sa "One Day Poetry Contest" sa pamamahala ni Eureka Cambonga Bianzon Robey sa ilalim ng Filipino Poets in Blossoms (FPB) Facebook Group kahapon June 11, 2021. Ang tema ay Kalayaan. "Tulang Tagalog Tayo" "Mag alay para sa Kalayaan"  Pakisulat ang inyong  tula sa komento.Maraming salamat #onedaypoetrycontest Contest ends @ 11 midnight Philippines time. Awarding of winners June 15,2021 Sa paghudyat ng oras para isara ang paligsahan, siya'y nagbibigay pugay agad sa mga bayaning manunulat bilang pasasalamat. [Blog Admin.] Ni Eureka Cambonga Bianzon Robey  May Akda  Larawan ay pagmamay ari ng FB Salamat Mga Bayaning Manunulat" ©️eurekarobey Bawat pusong nagtitimpi  May mga tulang ambag puno ng sidhi Makabayan ang sinasalamin Iisa ang bawat mithiin Pag ibig sa bayan puno ng paggiliw Kailan man hindi nagmamaliw Bakas ang pagsinta sa bawat salita Pagmamahal hindi maikakaila Salamat sa mga bayani ng ating...

FOREWORD: A woman of high intellect and substance thinks carefully, studies diligently, plans thoughtfully, and executes her decision once her final judgement is reached. It takes time to process that decision with due care and consideration when children are involved in the equation. Haste is waste. Precision involves time. Any woman who went through  the same travails in a relationship, is the only one who can understand. Clarity, conviction and commitment are the three main factors that impel a strong woman to becoming "phenomenal", to borrow Maya Angelou's famous word from her poem PHENOMENAL WOMAN (Blog Admin.)  🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀 Author "When a woman decides to take her power back, no army in the world can prevent such a choice, especially when her kids are involved, and it meant a better, more peaceful life for them.  More than this cliched form of women empowerment, women whose ability to move, make decisions, and even to speak their minds and think their own tho...

Authored by Yours Truly,  this piece of work is my attempt to reconnect me to my mother tongue in this particular vernacular that I grew up with. Though at home, we really didn't have a set of  language used as both my parents speak different dialects respective of their regional origin. I did write one poem  before but I lost it in one poetry forum that I left. Sadly all my works I saved in my files were corrupted and I have no way to recover them. Thanks to Filipino Poets in Blossoms that my poetry writing is revived even if I am on my snail pace mode. Thank you Helen Sarita, the Founder of the group, for letting me in. And another warm thanks to Yesu Ben for his invitation to join this group. So finally, from a dusty shelf my KISDOM took off where I lifted it off... My mind is slowly coming out from a long hibernation... Blog Administrator  Ang kalanggaman nangitag kapasilungan  sa ulan nga umaabot. Ug sa kalit, mikisdom ang langit; Mihasmag ang mahait nga k...

NOTE : Catalysts are substances that speed up reactions in the parlance of chemistry. They're added as fuel to get the desired result between compounds fused together. Well, in our society we get them too which I need not elaborate.  The cause of troubles from petty jealousy to greed can escalate into war. Then there are agents that catalyse the situation. Best be reminded by this verse:  Matthew 24:7,  NIV : "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places." The story below that I lifted from Jon T Hermosisima from some undisclosed sources speaks volume. (Blog Admin)  If you collect 100 black ants and 100 red ants then put them in a glass jar nothing will happen... but if you take the jar, shake it violently and leave it on the table, the ants will start killing each other. Reds believe that black is the enemy while black believes that red is the enemy when the real enemy is the person who shook t...

Note: The author identity and  analyse the landscape of Filipino habits. Some of them are still  practised to where they migrated.  Some habits die hard. In the eyes of the foreigners, Filos are the best people in the world ... easy to get along with: kind, generous and hospitable, etc. That's only part of their humanitarian social traits seen on the outer skin. But not so with their fellowmen especially their own kins.  Read on... #TheFILOsopher Special Series  By Rado Gatchalian  (FREE TO SHARE) The word mentality derives from the root word mental, from Latin ‘mens’ which means ‘mind’. The mind is a process in our brain such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, reflecting, and all other cognitive activities.  Culturally and sociologically, certain groups of people or race have specific “collective thinking” or “social consciousness”. Through this dynamic and complex social evolution – the people have developed a mental habit in their subconsciousnes...

These recent times are shrouded with fears and uncertainty. The author said and I quote: "Call it dread. Call it anxiety. Whatever one may call, the shadow falls on everyone." ~RB Between the restless nights and the clean fresh air For some Between the first cough  And the doctor's visit Between the swab test And the results      Falls the shadow Between the check-in And tube insertion Between the final breath And the cremation      Falls the shadow Their world ends Not with a bang  But with a whimper. Between the first dose And the second dose Between the headache And the nausea Between the restless nights  And the clear fresh air      Falls the shadow We may be spared To die another way Another day Yet our world ends Just the same Not with a bang But with a whimper (With apologies to T. S. Eliot) Author: Romeo Balingcongan May 7, 2021 Source: FB 

Paunang Salita: Ang mga talinhagang nakabalot sa bawat tula ay hindi kayang arukin ng lahat ng mambabasa.  Ito ay may mga katangian na may dulot aral at aliw. May  pumapasailalim ding mga kahulugan na nakatago sa puso ng  mga katagang gamit ng manunulat siya man ay makata o hindi. Karamihan sa mga tula na aking nabasa ay bunga ng isang panimdim ng may akda. (Blog Administrator) ➖💠➖💠➖ Pamungad Bati Ng May Akda Alay po para sa lahat nang naghahanap ng kasagutan sa pamamagitan ng tula. Samahan niyo po ako sa paglalakbay patungo sa kakaibang mundo ng mga nagsusumigaw na taludtod at kataga. (Isang Pagninilay sa Mundo at Alamat ng Tula) Ni Rado Gatchalian   1. Ang bawat isa ay makata. May nakatagong agimat gamit ang salita. Maging sa ating paggalaw ng katawan: may sukat ito. Sa ating pag-iisip at pananalita: mayroon itong taglay na tugma. Hindi man natin nakikita o naririnig, kusang lumalabas ang pagkamakata sa ating isip, galaw, at salita.   2. Ang ating pagkatao...

Foreword  I have known Caloy through Facebook via Elsie. He is an eloquent communicator - clear and precise in his  communication skills. Something you can expect from someone with a Communication Degree in Journalism. He was involved in broadcast editorial management. He once served under the Yellow Ribbon government. Experience has broadened his horizon and his columnist style of opinions are much appreciated and highly respected by social media community.  by Caloy Bueno #PagMayTime ~ June 9, 2021 Leadership is not about having intelligence alone. Nor is it about having wealth and influence alone. Or even less, stupid good looks and a glamorous personality. Actual experience in governance is a good thing ~ but IF AND ONLY IF such government experience is irreproachable and proven to be really beneficial to the constituents, who could readily vouch for the effectiveness and faithfulness of such public service experience. Why? because the top leadership position is very ...

About the Poet I've known him in person since 2017. He founded DDS Sydney group and became an instant global phenomenon. Surprisingly, he's more than meets the eye when I came to get to know him more. Below is just a tip of the iceberg.  Enjoy!  By Rado Gatchalian (Free to share) He writes to impress. Self-centred. I write to express. He writes for a celebration. For his own victory. I write for a cause. For a purpose. For me to learn. And for others to learn. He writes believing that his poems are exemplary.  I write with humility. He writes using the most exuberant words. Yet, he loses the beauty. I write simple and most basic words — but strive to make simple words experience beauty. All words deserve Beauty. He writes wanting his readers to congratulate him. I write without caring whether I get comments or feedbacks at all.  He writes hoping to get hundred likes and hearts. I write hoping to win someone’s heart. He teaches other people on how to become good poets...

 A Memory Going back to childhood, even before I was introduced to my first school, I had already noted how people paid respect to our flag each time it was unfurled and hoisted into the air with a long rope on a long pole.  When our National Anthem was played, people would stop, placed their right hand across their chest over their breasts and attentively unmoved and proud to watch the flag flying.  We did that at school each morning during the Flag Ceremony in the morning and Flag Retreat in the afternoon. That would conclude our day at school throughout the year.  Both public and private schools observed such patriotic rules imposed by the law of the land. Government service offices did the same including the military posts for they are the protectors of our  sacred flag.  Added to that, we also recited our  Pledge of  Allegiance to our Filipino Flag of Red, White and Blue representing the 3 main islands of my birth country with a big Yellow su...