coffee break

So here’s the deal. BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) have recently reversed its ruling on companies and its employees on ROHQ (Regional Head Quarters) status. The new circular RMC 41-2009 states that the flat 15% preferential tax rate will only be applicable to employees doing both managerial and highly technical roles. As opposed to its previous ruling that all employees of an ROHQ company will enjoy the 15%.  For whatever reason, the BIR have changed its mind and it affected a lot of employees, including me.

The COMELEC rejected Ang Ladlad’s bid for a party list accreditation for the May 2010 election. From the definition of the party list, these organization should represent the minority. They represent the voice of the small people in the congress were congressmen represents the majority of the people that elected them. COMELEC have sited that the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender community that Ladlad represents promotes immorality. I being openly gay is affected by this blind judgment that my government have cast upon me.
Just recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) ruled to clear the Ampatuans. Seeing 57 dead bodies in a dugout mass grave who wanted to bring change in the Autonomous Region of the country breaks my heart and spirit. My government not doing anything with this blatant display of arrogance and power affects me.

How can I in good conscience root for this government? A government who discriminates me because of my sexuality instead of protecting me. A government that calls me immoral yet takes my ‘immoral’ tax. A government who turns a blind eye on the arrogance of its official for favors and wealth.

My countrymen, I beg you this election to grab your concerns and your worries. Put it in your heart and mind. Take control of you future. I will not persuade you who to vote, but I implore you to vote according to your conscience. The future is upon us now, this May. Own it.

for me, the measure of a good government is not gnp, or increased export or number of jobs created. it’s simply how much trust its citizen has in the government, and right now i have too little respect more so trust to this government. i used to say better gma nd fpj. now i wonder how it would be if fpj won.

listening to:
The Soul Sessions – Joss Stone : Dirty Man (Live)

i have always been inspired by people who follow their dream. sticking to their principle even if it means swimming upstream. pink is of of those artist who’s not only gutsy but stands against objectification of women, specially in video music when they are portrayed as play things and nice to have of men. her stand stand against the midst of rap, r&b and pop videos were scantily clad women washing cars, soaping each other is nothing short of being ballsy.

but it doesn’t take away from the celebration of a woman; her sexuality, body, mind and spirit. i guess it’s all about how you portray a woman. a woman in skin tight clothes in the arms of a burly man is different from a woman in skin tight clothes running a multi-million company.

pink’s performance  in the recently concluded 2010 grammys is amazing. the purity of the song, its artistic articulation in aerial acrobatic and carefully selected costume. in the sea of artistic compromises, this is art.

you can download this track here.

listening to:
Funhouse – Pink : Glitter In The Air

i am a coke fanatic. i am one of those people who can differentiate the taste of soda. pepsi doesn’t taste like coke, coke zero doesn’t taste like coke. coke in can is the best. although coke in vendo is better, i find that the taste not consistent, depending who does the tweaking of the carbonated water and syrup. and it’s not only the taste, coke has this certain feel, a certain ‘culture’ that seems to be inviting and appealing. coke seems to be very accessible and dependable, from the the first ahhh moment when you take a big gulp of this ice cold drink, to the last drop of its refreshing goodness.

and their commercials help too. the marketing is genius if you ask me. the appeal is universal and simplistic, very relatable. its strong presence and character stands out. so here’s to a product that is not only enjoyable but also is an icon on its own.

listening to:
The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books – Ella Fitzgerald : Get Happy

a new decade. i have been been asking myself what 2009 is all about. it seemed to have come and gone without anything significant happening to me. discounting the ampatuans, tita cory’s death and ondoy of course.

the year seemed to be my stand still moment, a time to reflect. that in hindsight seemed over done. who in their right mind would need a year to reflect? yes, i’m one big crazy. the question is am i that big of a crazy. but who cares, supposedly as long as i have learned something from it. that’s all that matters. between you and me, i haven’t learned anything at all. that’s life for me. it’s a short life, i rather live it.

it’s 2010, supposedly a fresh start. it’s not just a new year but a new decade. in retrospect, i am proud of my career. 9 years in the making to be where i am right now. that in fact is what the decade is all about for me, career building. that is what i have for show kids, an untarnished, shinning and dare say enviable career.

but through it all, all the hardships, pain, travels, employers, vacations that i should have taken, 3 hospitalizations, paranoia, weddings, living alone, deals and pursuits, the years have been good to me. benjamin franklin might be a great man but i beg to disagree. it’s not only death and taxes that are constant in this world, also good friends. to the tsongers, we may not be related by blood, but you are my family. you have put up with this crazy, as i have put up with yours. and it’s no easy feat but it’s something we all have helped to build. so dahon stop your whining and sudden bouts of migration plans, we are here to stay.

I’m old fashioned
I love the moonlight
I love the old fashioned things

The sound of rain
Upon a window pane
The starry song that April sings

This year’s fancies
Are passing fancies
But sighing sighs holding hands
These my heart understands

I know I’m old fashioned
But I don’t mind it
That’s how I want to be
As long as you agree
To stay old fashioned with me

I’m old fashioned
But I don’t mind it
That’s how I want to be
As long as you agree

To stay old fashioned with me
Oh won’t you stay old fashioned with me
Oh please stay old fashioned with me