From Dr. George Sheehan
- a philosopher, a medical doctor and a runner
"If you are doing something you would do for nothing - then you are on your way to salvation. And if you could drop it in a minute and forget the outcome, you are even further along. And if while you are doing it you are transported into another existence, there is no need for you to worry about the future..."
I hope and pray that you, whoever you are reading this now, find that "something that you would do for nothing..." and put your piece in making this world something we could be proud of showing my niece, your niece, my nephew, your nephew or even, God-willing, my kids, and your kids.
Father, Your will be done.
Tuesday
U23D
I have Jeremiah to thank for introducing me to the rock virtousity and lyrical genius of U2.
What did me in first was the melodic howling and longing of Bono's voice in With or Without You. Try listening to that around 2am, on earphones, and you'll have an experience, a moment.
After that, I was hooked. Went from Joshua Tree to their earlier album, Boy, and the love affair blossomed that is in How to Dismantle an Automic Bomb right now.
That's why to be in an IMAX theater and experience U2 in 3D is lovely jolt to this fan. I am smiling from ear to ear.
I hope the October concert really happens.
I hope all rock stars is like Bono. A man with a roguish grin and a heart that epitomizes, "... and you give yourself away."
U23D is a moment I went thru in every iota = )
What did me in first was the melodic howling and longing of Bono's voice in With or Without You. Try listening to that around 2am, on earphones, and you'll have an experience, a moment.
After that, I was hooked. Went from Joshua Tree to their earlier album, Boy, and the love affair blossomed that is in How to Dismantle an Automic Bomb right now.
That's why to be in an IMAX theater and experience U2 in 3D is lovely jolt to this fan. I am smiling from ear to ear.
I hope the October concert really happens.
I hope all rock stars is like Bono. A man with a roguish grin and a heart that epitomizes, "... and you give yourself away."
U23D is a moment I went thru in every iota = )
Saturday
the gift of a crisis to the academicians
If there's one thing about a crisis that makes us academicians smile is the fact that it makes our jobs easier. For one, we are "teaching" an audience eager to know what happened and interested in how are we going to proceed with the situation at hand.
But let me also be the one to tell the "still open" academicians out there, that if we did a better job in teaching - this crisis would not be upon us.
We are part of the problem. We are part of the solution.
But let me also be the one to tell the "still open" academicians out there, that if we did a better job in teaching - this crisis would not be upon us.
We are part of the problem. We are part of the solution.
Friday
... because we are Asians
Is it possible for us, Filipinos or Asians, to have a different view than what the West, US and EU, tells us?
I am a self-enrolled student of history. And from what I have read so far, the first 18 century (that's the first 1,800 years) of the world was economically led by India and by China. And it seems that these last 200 years that we are in is actually, in that context, a blip. For the world as we know it now was from the pages of Western thought.
It's interesting to note that when you read through the pages of western history, war have always been part of it. Maybe it is because they really started with so little natural resources. Maybe that's even the reason why law was created, as a tool, to mediate between two parties that are having issues with a scarce resource. Maybe that explains why lawsuits are prevalent in the US = )
For us Asians, we do things differently. As much as possible, we talk. Nakikipag-kapwa tao muna tayo. Dinadaan natin sa mabuting usapan. We do not go out and sue everybody. We talk first. Maybe the reason behind this behavior is because we have so much natural resources that could support life within the midst of Asia. I do not know. That's only a maybe.
But even if that is a maybe, we have a situation that will test this hypothesis on cultural behavior in a big and critical way.
Believe it or not, we ALL own the "wealth" of the world. By ALL I mean those who lived before, those who are alive today and those who will still live in the future. If we are to believe the signs that Mother Earth is showing, we are now at the maximum capacity of the world to support the life that we dearly love. If we just go on with our merry way and not reflect, well - I am glad I am saved = )
The issue here is this, how are we going to proceed with sharing this common wealth, the ability of Mother Earth to support life?
Are we going to use the carbon cap road map of the West and use the market? Or are we going to use our Asian head and look for a different way?
(Before anything, I am thankful that the Americans institutionalized free education in the Philippines during the 20th century. I am able to think because of what they have done.)
I am a self-enrolled student of history. And from what I have read so far, the first 18 century (that's the first 1,800 years) of the world was economically led by India and by China. And it seems that these last 200 years that we are in is actually, in that context, a blip. For the world as we know it now was from the pages of Western thought.
It's interesting to note that when you read through the pages of western history, war have always been part of it. Maybe it is because they really started with so little natural resources. Maybe that's even the reason why law was created, as a tool, to mediate between two parties that are having issues with a scarce resource. Maybe that explains why lawsuits are prevalent in the US = )
For us Asians, we do things differently. As much as possible, we talk. Nakikipag-kapwa tao muna tayo. Dinadaan natin sa mabuting usapan. We do not go out and sue everybody. We talk first. Maybe the reason behind this behavior is because we have so much natural resources that could support life within the midst of Asia. I do not know. That's only a maybe.
But even if that is a maybe, we have a situation that will test this hypothesis on cultural behavior in a big and critical way.
Believe it or not, we ALL own the "wealth" of the world. By ALL I mean those who lived before, those who are alive today and those who will still live in the future. If we are to believe the signs that Mother Earth is showing, we are now at the maximum capacity of the world to support the life that we dearly love. If we just go on with our merry way and not reflect, well - I am glad I am saved = )
The issue here is this, how are we going to proceed with sharing this common wealth, the ability of Mother Earth to support life?
Are we going to use the carbon cap road map of the West and use the market? Or are we going to use our Asian head and look for a different way?
(Before anything, I am thankful that the Americans institutionalized free education in the Philippines during the 20th century. I am able to think because of what they have done.)
on rice and on price
The issue is not a shortage of rice per se but a shortage of rice that the poor can afford...
Monday
on passing and on learning
"I really believe that all students really want to pass their subjects but I doubt it if they really want to learn in the process..."
Tuesday
on rice and irrigation
For a country whose domestic product is mostly from agriculture, apathy and greed is the reason why only less than 40% of our farm lands is irrigated.
Irrigation is only one of the problems of our agricultural situation. Irrigation is highlighted anew because, believe or not, most of our farmers depend on rain and its clockwork seasonality.
And because of this dependence, when the seasons change due to global warming, our agricultural produce is affected. Why? Our farming process depends on rain and the quantity of it coming in on certain months. (I mean, have you ever ask why our classes opens on June? It is because by this time, we are done with the harvest, thus the children of the farmers who helped in the harvest can now go back to school.) When the rain comes in an unexpected time and in an unexpected volume, it directly affects agricultural outputs in economic terms. But really, what it means to the farmer is that they get poorer. Easier prey for vile people. And to us who buys and eats, complain of the price increase and offer well meant armchair insights on the solution = )
In the past, this fundamental problem of the Philippines could be hidden by importation. Thanks to free trade = )
But that solution assumes that this "apathy and greed induced rice shortage" is only local to the Philippines. That it would not spill to other countries.
But now, of course, we know that "the apathy and greed induced rice shortage" is fundamentally flawed, thus we are now in a period of recalibration and in asking the fundamental questions that will hopefully lead to structural changes in how we treat, manage and farm our very fertile lands.
I hope, we really go down to the bottom of it and not use the situation for grandstanding and scoring political points. I hope we really help our neighbor and not take advantage of them.
Lord, You are the God of the impossible. Please awaken the noble, the courageous and the strong side of our decision-makers and our implementers.
Irrigation is only one of the problems of our agricultural situation. Irrigation is highlighted anew because, believe or not, most of our farmers depend on rain and its clockwork seasonality.
And because of this dependence, when the seasons change due to global warming, our agricultural produce is affected. Why? Our farming process depends on rain and the quantity of it coming in on certain months. (I mean, have you ever ask why our classes opens on June? It is because by this time, we are done with the harvest, thus the children of the farmers who helped in the harvest can now go back to school.) When the rain comes in an unexpected time and in an unexpected volume, it directly affects agricultural outputs in economic terms. But really, what it means to the farmer is that they get poorer. Easier prey for vile people. And to us who buys and eats, complain of the price increase and offer well meant armchair insights on the solution = )
In the past, this fundamental problem of the Philippines could be hidden by importation. Thanks to free trade = )
But that solution assumes that this "apathy and greed induced rice shortage" is only local to the Philippines. That it would not spill to other countries.
But now, of course, we know that "the apathy and greed induced rice shortage" is fundamentally flawed, thus we are now in a period of recalibration and in asking the fundamental questions that will hopefully lead to structural changes in how we treat, manage and farm our very fertile lands.
I hope, we really go down to the bottom of it and not use the situation for grandstanding and scoring political points. I hope we really help our neighbor and not take advantage of them.
Lord, You are the God of the impossible. Please awaken the noble, the courageous and the strong side of our decision-makers and our implementers.
Thursday
"Milking" the Rice Crisis news
I know that journalists are trained to tell the truth as they see it. They can not write or tell a story that they think is about to happen for that will not be "news".
Sana, who ever tells the field reporters to take a look or "chase" a certain angle of a story add this angle of seeking and asking a supply chain specialist to explain to them the processes, the players and the underlying relationships that happens as rice seedlings turns to palay and then to rice and then to kanin finally.
Kasi, puro na lang raid dito, raid dyan. Tapos kausapin natin ang mga taong nakapila para sabihin nila sa atin na nahihirapan sila. Eh, alam natin yon! Tapos puro "Let's help the farmers." Ang tagal na natin sinasabi yan. Sana lang totoo na this time.
Sana, the media can come up with a visual and a computer simulation showing how the government subsidy will happen and help the whole situation kasi ang alam ko that billion dollar subsidy came from all our taxes and I pay my taxes.
Now, you probably be asking why should I ask that from the media? Why not from my Representative in the House of Congress? Well, simple lang ang dahilan - the quality of talent and of hearts that one institution attracts.
I mean, how many talented, gifted and passionate individuals have we met that belong to a staff of Congress? They probably exist but I can't easily associate the "talented-passionate-gifted" attributes to a Congress' staff.
Well, I am writing because I know things will get worse. Worse in a sense the prices of rice will still increase and the other food we eat like bread and our pandesal will join the bandwagon, too. Of course, our government will try its very best to appease our fears because if the fear goes to overdrive, then God help us all.
And as I observe it, the current media practice of news telling follows this line of thinking called the corrective and preventive events and all follow a "logical flow".
Let's take the "corrective stories" - go after the bad guys who are taking advantage of the situation. Raid dito, Raid dyan which leads to rice holiday which leads to local government executives saying "if you do that, we will imprison you!"
And for the "preventive stories", the news will take a look at the actions taken by the government and what are the plans to ensure that this rice situation will not happen in the future - How much rice are we importing? And of course, our billion dollar rice subsidy! (Where my taxes is included.)
Have you ever wondered how come the scientists and the rice experts only had limited airtime? I guess, and this is only a hypothesis, it's because they are considered "boring" by whoever decides and can't get advertisers money because in the end - media is still a business that needs revenues, profits. And police raiding warehouses of vile and evil people is exciting stuff. Good versus evil. And dishonest politicos, top rater! How about the human drama of the plight of the poor? Even better!
The news today are really old news. Serious. Sad. A start of Filipino's finest moment.
What if this way of simplistic news telling is the real evil? For it does not tell the much larger truth that needs to be told because we are limiting our version "truth" in the framework of profits = )
What if the people who watches the TV and read the broadsheets are tired of the news because it only tells the biases or the limited view of the two newsrooms?
Media would always say that they only report reality. But what if the reality they present is a reality that will only fit in a 30-minute news program because airtime is way too expensive? Ma'ams and Sirs do you know that you affect us as we affect you? Don't you know that we are both in this together? Can you please tell the "broader truth"? A truth that will set us free!
Hmmm, maybe this type of news telling could be profitable? I mean this is a classic definition of a "blue ocean"... = )
Or maybe, I am just being old and romantic in a sense that I am still hopeful that we can still make our situation better.
Lord, thy will be done!
Sana, who ever tells the field reporters to take a look or "chase" a certain angle of a story add this angle of seeking and asking a supply chain specialist to explain to them the processes, the players and the underlying relationships that happens as rice seedlings turns to palay and then to rice and then to kanin finally.
Kasi, puro na lang raid dito, raid dyan. Tapos kausapin natin ang mga taong nakapila para sabihin nila sa atin na nahihirapan sila. Eh, alam natin yon! Tapos puro "Let's help the farmers." Ang tagal na natin sinasabi yan. Sana lang totoo na this time.
Sana, the media can come up with a visual and a computer simulation showing how the government subsidy will happen and help the whole situation kasi ang alam ko that billion dollar subsidy came from all our taxes and I pay my taxes.
Now, you probably be asking why should I ask that from the media? Why not from my Representative in the House of Congress? Well, simple lang ang dahilan - the quality of talent and of hearts that one institution attracts.
I mean, how many talented, gifted and passionate individuals have we met that belong to a staff of Congress? They probably exist but I can't easily associate the "talented-passionate-gifted" attributes to a Congress' staff.
Well, I am writing because I know things will get worse. Worse in a sense the prices of rice will still increase and the other food we eat like bread and our pandesal will join the bandwagon, too. Of course, our government will try its very best to appease our fears because if the fear goes to overdrive, then God help us all.
And as I observe it, the current media practice of news telling follows this line of thinking called the corrective and preventive events and all follow a "logical flow".
Let's take the "corrective stories" - go after the bad guys who are taking advantage of the situation. Raid dito, Raid dyan which leads to rice holiday which leads to local government executives saying "if you do that, we will imprison you!"
And for the "preventive stories", the news will take a look at the actions taken by the government and what are the plans to ensure that this rice situation will not happen in the future - How much rice are we importing? And of course, our billion dollar rice subsidy! (Where my taxes is included.)
Have you ever wondered how come the scientists and the rice experts only had limited airtime? I guess, and this is only a hypothesis, it's because they are considered "boring" by whoever decides and can't get advertisers money because in the end - media is still a business that needs revenues, profits. And police raiding warehouses of vile and evil people is exciting stuff. Good versus evil. And dishonest politicos, top rater! How about the human drama of the plight of the poor? Even better!
The news today are really old news. Serious. Sad. A start of Filipino's finest moment.
What if this way of simplistic news telling is the real evil? For it does not tell the much larger truth that needs to be told because we are limiting our version "truth" in the framework of profits = )
What if the people who watches the TV and read the broadsheets are tired of the news because it only tells the biases or the limited view of the two newsrooms?
Media would always say that they only report reality. But what if the reality they present is a reality that will only fit in a 30-minute news program because airtime is way too expensive? Ma'ams and Sirs do you know that you affect us as we affect you? Don't you know that we are both in this together? Can you please tell the "broader truth"? A truth that will set us free!
Hmmm, maybe this type of news telling could be profitable? I mean this is a classic definition of a "blue ocean"... = )
Or maybe, I am just being old and romantic in a sense that I am still hopeful that we can still make our situation better.
Lord, thy will be done!
Monday
Intel-Philippines closing down in 2 years?
I heard it from the grapevine.
If this is true, yes, jobs will be lost. Families will have to "evolve" their lifestyles. I see pain. I see a chance for a rebirth. I see an opportunity to be a better Filipino. I see a chance to become a better version of ourselves.
I have to look at it that way for the other one does not help me move forward.
... and another thing.
Another thing far more disturbing. The kind that makes my heart go painfully silent . The capacity that Intel-Philippines facility was counted on will now shift to India. Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against India. This is not their fault. That's how the world works when we compete globally = )
Here's the funny thing about high volume manufacturers, which Intel is, most processes on the shop floor are automated. The significance of that statement is if all the raw materials are available and manpower is available to run the machines, the production yield will remain fairly the same. The output variability will be small. And the significance of that statement is if output is almost the same, the cost to produce per piece will remain the same wherever you are in the world. And why is this? If we are to compare manpower cost to the amount of setting up a facility like what Intel sets up, it is so small, one might laugh = )
So why is Intel shifting production to India? Is it because of this "minuscule" increase in manpower cost? Could be.
But if I am to put my money, if this is gambling (but this blog entry is really one for I am only hypothesizing due to limited information), Intel is shifting production to India because we have limited ability to see, to plan, to act and to manage very dynamic variables that can be currently described as "random". And because of this limited ability, the way we see and do our roles and the output that happens because of that is "not optimal" in management science terms. And because of this, it is better to invest in India than in the Philippines.
I think our collective intelligence as a race and as a nation (which have bright spots mind you, like Jose Rizal) and our way to get intelligence is limitedly inspired.
Why do I say that? I think Intel-Philippines employed the most number of Engineering Master degree holders in the Philippines. And these Engineering Masters are from our 1st tier universities and colleges. But, I guess even with that fact - it is still not enough.
I mean, consider the competition - India.
In India, what is required for a citizen, if one has the means to get an education is to get a graduate degree. I mean, finish college then pursue and finish graduate studies before one turns 24. And if you are really gifted, get a PhD before one turns 28.
If we are speaking base on statistics and using simple ratio and proportion, India will definitely have more Master Degree holders and Doctorate degree holders for they number close to 1.2 billion and we, the Filipinos, a little over 80 million.
But this simple numbers crunch is flawed too if we are to use it in comparison to today's Singapore for they only number only a little over 4 million but our economic output is nowhere near their's.
But I rather see today's Philippines like the late 1960s version of South Korea. I say that, because all is not lost. Look at where the South Koreans are now = ) You can hear those "noisy" bunch everywhere in Metro Manila and in our scenic and beautiful tourist spots.
So, am I saying the key is education? Probably. India is where it is now mostly because of decisions made more than 50 years ago regarding their educational system. Those decisions in the past is bearing fruits now and today's Indian generation is reaping the sacrifices of the past.
But is it really about that? Probably. Why do I say that? Well, the answer lies in what we hear when we ask the employees that has a master degree this question - "Why did you take your Masters?"
If the answer is something close to and resembles, "... better career opportunities and more money," then you know where the problem is.
Getting more money out of a Master Degree used to be the gravy and not the goal. A Master Degree used to mean a mark of person in search of something, a life's journey, for the benefit of mankind if I am to push it romantically.
Our present value set has "transactionlized" and commercialized something beautiful and we have perpetuated that watered down version of a Master's Degree.
... and that's the painfully funny thing. So, what do we do now?
Well, for me , I'll affect those who are in my sphere of influence. Will passionately present to them the limitation of our awareness of our reality. I will not tire because there's nothing else to do that holds me like this. That consumes me like this.
Lord, I am invincible until You are done with me. I will hold on to that. Thy will be done!
And for you, I pray that you embrace your call when it comes...
If this is true, yes, jobs will be lost. Families will have to "evolve" their lifestyles. I see pain. I see a chance for a rebirth. I see an opportunity to be a better Filipino. I see a chance to become a better version of ourselves.
I have to look at it that way for the other one does not help me move forward.
... and another thing.
Another thing far more disturbing. The kind that makes my heart go painfully silent . The capacity that Intel-Philippines facility was counted on will now shift to India. Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against India. This is not their fault. That's how the world works when we compete globally = )
Here's the funny thing about high volume manufacturers, which Intel is, most processes on the shop floor are automated. The significance of that statement is if all the raw materials are available and manpower is available to run the machines, the production yield will remain fairly the same. The output variability will be small. And the significance of that statement is if output is almost the same, the cost to produce per piece will remain the same wherever you are in the world. And why is this? If we are to compare manpower cost to the amount of setting up a facility like what Intel sets up, it is so small, one might laugh = )
So why is Intel shifting production to India? Is it because of this "minuscule" increase in manpower cost? Could be.
But if I am to put my money, if this is gambling (but this blog entry is really one for I am only hypothesizing due to limited information), Intel is shifting production to India because we have limited ability to see, to plan, to act and to manage very dynamic variables that can be currently described as "random". And because of this limited ability, the way we see and do our roles and the output that happens because of that is "not optimal" in management science terms. And because of this, it is better to invest in India than in the Philippines.
I think our collective intelligence as a race and as a nation (which have bright spots mind you, like Jose Rizal) and our way to get intelligence is limitedly inspired.
Why do I say that? I think Intel-Philippines employed the most number of Engineering Master degree holders in the Philippines. And these Engineering Masters are from our 1st tier universities and colleges. But, I guess even with that fact - it is still not enough.
I mean, consider the competition - India.
In India, what is required for a citizen, if one has the means to get an education is to get a graduate degree. I mean, finish college then pursue and finish graduate studies before one turns 24. And if you are really gifted, get a PhD before one turns 28.
If we are speaking base on statistics and using simple ratio and proportion, India will definitely have more Master Degree holders and Doctorate degree holders for they number close to 1.2 billion and we, the Filipinos, a little over 80 million.
But this simple numbers crunch is flawed too if we are to use it in comparison to today's Singapore for they only number only a little over 4 million but our economic output is nowhere near their's.
But I rather see today's Philippines like the late 1960s version of South Korea. I say that, because all is not lost. Look at where the South Koreans are now = ) You can hear those "noisy" bunch everywhere in Metro Manila and in our scenic and beautiful tourist spots.
So, am I saying the key is education? Probably. India is where it is now mostly because of decisions made more than 50 years ago regarding their educational system. Those decisions in the past is bearing fruits now and today's Indian generation is reaping the sacrifices of the past.
But is it really about that? Probably. Why do I say that? Well, the answer lies in what we hear when we ask the employees that has a master degree this question - "Why did you take your Masters?"
If the answer is something close to and resembles, "... better career opportunities and more money," then you know where the problem is.
Getting more money out of a Master Degree used to be the gravy and not the goal. A Master Degree used to mean a mark of person in search of something, a life's journey, for the benefit of mankind if I am to push it romantically.
Our present value set has "transactionlized" and commercialized something beautiful and we have perpetuated that watered down version of a Master's Degree.
... and that's the painfully funny thing. So, what do we do now?
Well, for me , I'll affect those who are in my sphere of influence. Will passionately present to them the limitation of our awareness of our reality. I will not tire because there's nothing else to do that holds me like this. That consumes me like this.
Lord, I am invincible until You are done with me. I will hold on to that. Thy will be done!
And for you, I pray that you embrace your call when it comes...
Wednesday
question and answer
Serious.
The questions one asks are the answers = )
Serious.
So, what are the questions you ask? The questions that moves you?
Interesting? Aflame?
The questions that makes you? The questions that become you?
Serious.
What's your question?
The questions one asks are the answers = )
Serious.
So, what are the questions you ask? The questions that moves you?
Interesting? Aflame?
The questions that makes you? The questions that become you?
Serious.
What's your question?
Tuesday
What's your burning question?
Serious.
What is your burning question?
The question that haunts you everyday?
The one thing, that once answered,
...you will be better off?
Do drop a note or two = )
What is your burning question?
The question that haunts you everyday?
The one thing, that once answered,
...you will be better off?
Do drop a note or two = )
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