Don't Settle for Scrap, We Deserve Better

My view on this issue was tempered a bit by a taxi driver who was a passionate Binay supporter because according to him, his son got free education, free books and free uniforms in a Makati public school and his mother, free movie passes and cake. "Lahat naman mam nangongorrupt, buti si Binay maraminng nagawa". However this article instantly angered me again. 

Doesn't this show how pathetic and disgusting our political system is? Tayong mga Pilipino sobra sobrang magpasalamat at magpatronize kay Mayor o Gov o Congressman kapag nakatanggap tayo ng serbisyo NA KARAPATAN naman talaga NATIN. Kaya nga sila niluklok diyan at pinapasweldo ng pera ng bayan TO DELIVER BASIC SERVICES. Education is a right, libre talaga pagaaral sa public school kuya, pati libro. Yung senior citizens cake ayan may ebidensya na, pinagkakakitaan ng anak ni Binay na senador mo na ngayon. (Read the link below) Yung free movie? Pustahan mas malaki kickback nila dyan.

Former Makati Official Witnesses Receiving 200k/month from VP Binay to Rig Makati Bidding

Para tayong pulubi na sobrang grateful sa limos hindi mo narerealize na marami pang ninakaw sayo sa bawat bigay. Tapos leading contender pa si VP Binay for President sa 2016. 

AYAN NA SA HARAP NIYO EBIDENSYA NG SYSTEMATIC CORRUPTION, huwag kayo mag dahilan ng baluktot. You deserve better. Filipinos deserve better. #WeDeserveBetter

The Philippines Tax System Hasn't Been Updated for Over 40 years - Ridiculous

Did you know that the Philippines hasn't updated and indexed its tax system to inflation since - wait for it - the 1970s?? That was 40 years ago! People who earn 500k then are rich and taxed at 32%. That amount when adjusted to inflation 500k(in the 70s)=10million at the present. So 500k earners now are middle class and still taxed at 32%. If you don't find that ridiculous, then clearly, you aren't a wage earner/taxpayer.

Source: http://opinion.inquirer.net/77762/overtaxing-working-middle-classes

Also, did you know that people earning 250,000pesos (US$5,000) a year are exempted from taxes in Singapore, taxed at 15% in Indonesia BUT are taxed at a WHOPPING 25% in the Philippines? Clearly the tax systems of other countries acknowledge the struggles of a middle class family who needs to be empowered and given leeway to save for their families.

Help advocate for a change on our outdated and inequitable tax system! Adjust income tax brackets! I support the Tax Reform Bill and Tax Deductible on Education Bill. Support Senate Bill S.B. 2149! ‪#‎SupportTheMiddleClass‬ ‪#‎LetsHaveAProgressiveTaxSystem‬

Source: http://opinion.inquirer.net/77762/overtaxing-working-middle-classes

Thanks Senator Sonny Angara please make this push through!

Watch the video below to be more informed

Support the Middle Class: Tax Reform Bill and Tax Deductible on Education Bill

Iskolar ng Bayan Act (S.B. 2275) approved in the Senate

See? Good legislation is so powerful as it can change the lives of so many. That's why WE SHOULD CHOOSE WHO WE VOTE as CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS, because the laws they pass can immensely impact our lives and of generations to come. You want poverty alleviation? Start and invest in education!

 Photo taken from: https://www.facebook.com/alanpetercayetano?fref=photo

 I don't patronize political dynasties, but kudos to the Cayetanos for authoring this bill both at the HOR (Cong Lino Cayetano) and the Senate (Sen Pia Cayetano and Sen Alan Peter Cayetano). #IskolarNgBayanAct #beinformed #education

"Senator Pia Cayetano explained that the top 10 public school students of their graduating class would be accorded automatic admission to SUCs of their choice within their provinces or nearby provinces, depending on the size of he SUCs and their course offerings.

However, she said that the state-owned University of the Philippines (UP) is excluded from the list of SUCs because of its institutional autonomy unless UP would come up with its own scholarship program for the top 10 public high school graduates."

Source Senate OKs Iskolar ng Bayan Act (Manila Bulletin)
 

Kiss my ass 2013 \m/

2013, by far, had been the most difficult year of my life. During the whole of last year I found myself hanging on to survive through sudden unemployment, promises made in bad faith, a-hole bosses, major career changes, incessant financial woes, law school setbacks and intense self doubt & low morale.. This year I fought like I never did my whole life, but failed and that broke me. It was also thi...s year that I realized how much I lost myself in circumstances and relationships that I didn’t know who I was when all hell broke loose.

But I’m grateful for all that shit that happened, because it was in 2013 when I found myself again - why I’m doing what I’m doing, what makes me happy, what I’m really passionate about, what I want in life, who are the people that will really stick around, who I can run to and rely on and who are those who truly matters. Blessings, answered prayers, affirmation, wisdom and strength came when most needed. If there’s one thing I’m most thankful for in 2013, it would be God bringing the machobaby Bughaw to our lives. MORE pamangkins please!

Thank God my December became EPIC: (despite being unproductive) I loved that I get to play ball again, loved the chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones, the get-togethers& walang kamatayang gimiks, the bonding, the amazing family time. Thank you to my family, my life-savers, my closest friends and barkadas, for keeping me sane! You know who you are.

I thought I had life all figured out, 2013 taught me that I still have a long way to go. So thanks for breaking and humbling me 2013, thanks for making me damn stronger. Thanks for making me feel alive. \m/

Let’s have a rocking 2014! I’m excited for how awesome it will be!

 

 

Oh I don't even have the will for that

Have you ever had that time, when you feel so down and sad, and all weighed down, but you have no idea why exactly? I'm having that feeling today; been having that feeling for some time really. It doesn't make sense up in your head, because things are going well (or at least they seem to be); you've been blessed and was given something you've been praying for for the longest time; you're surrounded by awesome friends who you became closer with and are genuinely fun to be with; law school is, well excruciatingly challenging as always, but at least you still have that to motivate you.

Then why the fuck am I feeling this way?

Maybe I'm missing someone.. or maybe I'm missing several someones (HAHA).. maybe this god-forsaken typhoon really affected me.. maybe negativity reflected by A LOT of people, evidenced by their posts irate me too much.. or maybe I'm just making an excuse to be melodramatic.. or maybe I'm just not as happy with myself as I should be. People say being happy is a choice. But sometimes circumstances won't even let you have that choice. 

You know what sucks more? I'm sure I won't even know the answer to this question. This feeling, its one of those that'll wear you down, go away, and then come back. It'll recur. 

Perspective, perspective. Oh I don't even have the will for that.

Ditto

"Unfortunately, although I had a lot of outward self-identity, I didn't have the inner kind, I hadn't built that up," she explains. "My self-worth was in someone else's hands, which is never a good idea, because it can be taken from you at any time. And it was, and it was shattered." - Katy Perry on Russel Brand

Ditto Katy. As pathetic as admitting that sounds. It will break you down and destroy. Reminds me of the lyrics of a song 

"Wake me up when its all over, 
when I'm wiser and I'm older, 
all this time I was finding myself, 
I didn't know I was lost."
- Wake Me Up by Avicii

 Thank God we get up and learn from these things. But that doesn't mean we won't let ourselves end up in that situation back again, because we will. Just in a less stupid way this time. Perhaps that's good enough by then. Perhaps that will work.

Some kind of heartache, Darlin give it a try

"Could you cry a little

Lie just a little

Pretend that your're feeling a little more pain.." 

"Give it up baby 

I hear you're doin' fine

Nothins goin save me

I can see it it your eyes

Some kind of heartache

Darlin give it a try

I dont want pity

I just want what is mine" 

- Cry by Faith Hill 

I love the lyrics! It's selfish yes, but it's just being real. I bet, we all wanted this at some point. 

SEGUE: The above was a random thought as I was watching the Voice.

Watch Cassadee Pope's (The Voice Season 4 winner) rendition of this song: 

Oh I so love this show. Still waiting for Cassadee Pope to rock the world! I love her renditions of country songs like "Over You"(below) which started her unstoppable #1 Hits in iTunes but I miss her pop-rock hits! That started me as a fan anyway.

Here's my favorite (since I'm such an Avril Lavigne fan) - "I'm With You" originally by Avril.