Speckles n Spectrum

 

Who do you think is the catalyst of corruption?

If you are going to ask Filipinos who is to blame for widespread corruption in the Philippines, you’ll eventually get the common answer: the politicians. But let me enlighten you—corruption did not just spring up overnight; it happened gradually. Let me open your mind to the root cause of this problem. It’s not a politician who started it. Ready to be awakened? Here we go.

Remember that small favor you asked—maybe a case of beer because it was your birthday? A few cents for your merienda? Or those uniforms for your basketball league? Do these things ring a bell? Of course they do. Your small favors during the campaign sessions, taken out of a running candidate’s own pocket, are the true triggers of corruption. Who would spend millions out of their own pocket during an election and not retrieve it back from the government’s vault once they are already in position?

You think 500 pesos is enough to sell your vote? Yes, 500 is enough for a day’s meal, but what will happen in the coming days? If you think a politician started the culture of corruption in the Philippines, I kid you not, because they didn't. It was the citizens who started it all. Small favors in exchange for big ones—like your dignity, your entire family tree's descendants' freedom from debt, and your overall quality of life.

Your loyalty to a personality won’t do any good for you when all they want is to gain back what they spent during the election period. 500 pesos in exchange for the whole country’s suffering. It’s ironic that when you watch your K-Dramas or teleseryes, you know exactly which side to take—of course, you side with the protagonist because they fight for what is right and moral. But why can’t you see that the politicians you are worshiping aren't the protagonists in this decades-long story of corruption? Why is it that in beauty pageants we hold the highest standards for the winner, but you are all blindsided when it comes to your public servants? Why are you just brushing off the reality that you started this culture of corruption? Until you keep ignoring the red flags and change your ways, we will forever be stuck in this black hole.

Stop soliciting from politicians; your birthday celebration is not their obligation. Stick to what is right. The only thing that we should ask from people in power is good governance and the proper use of our tax money for services, infrastructure, and the vital needs of the citizens—like education, healthcare, and public safety. Your personal needs, like birthday parties and any other personal occasions in your life, do not require tax money. It's personal, so stop asking government officials for your whims and start working your ass off to fulfill your wants.

As a citizen of this country, we have a duty to the Philippines to act as responsible members. We are here to help our country progress, not add to its burden. When we all change our ways and start acting like responsible citizens, we will be able to eliminate corruption and other illegal activities. Start by voting with dignity, then clean up your act. We are no longer kids, so act like a mature adult with accountability. This isn't a blame game. This is an awakening. Gising, Pilipinas, Gising!

 101 Truths About Me: Why I moved to Pasig?

In 2025, November 15 to be exact at 3pm I suddenly had the urge and decided to move to Pasig for good. Why? Because I want to marry their Mayor haha. Kidding aside with no bias, I moved to Pasig City from staying for more than 4 years in Mandaluyong because of an experiment. I wanted to know for myself if the policies, projects, good governance, etc are true and not just hyped by social media and the media in general. 

Let’s have a back story. It was the year of 1992 when I first heard the song “Anak ng Pasig" and since then that reality was inculcated in my 7 year old brain. I somehow promised myself I will never live in Pasig. The song gave me a notion how environmentally fucked up is Pasig. But then here comes 2025 and I’ve found myself relocating for the mere purpose of validating all claims about good governance. Wanting to prove that it’s not just good on paper and in social media. I’ve been here for almost 7 months and boy, I can attest that everything is legit. Don’t get me wrong, Pasig is far from perfect but when it comes to public service it’s a frakkin’ gold standard. We have politicians here that work and truly deliver. They define public service in a whole new level and to the truest of its essence. In the Republic of Pasig (people are joking that we’re not part of the Philippines here because our politicians here are in a different ballgame) there is no such thing as corruption. Maybe there’s a bit but the city government is slowly eliminating it one step at a time. 

In Pasig overpricing has a consequence, moreso corruption, redtape, even bullying of PWDs or catcalling will make you accountable for your actions. They say “malayo pa, pero malayo na.” Here the citizens are protected and well served. Almost everything is digitalized to avoid the “trapo” way of helping citizens. Less falling in line more of a house to house approach or online commitments. Here people of all classes are respected. The government thinks they owe the constituents better services and programs not having the mindset of “trapos” that we people owe them, not the other way around. Taxes are used innovatively and not sparingly to address everyone’s needs. Projects are created with the people in mind and for the people’s better well being. No big tarpaulins or names and faces indicated in every project. No claims that they did this or did that in building infrastructure because they believe in Magokoro and taxes aren't politicians money they came from the people so they benefit the people less the public glory. 

Pasig is gold. I’ve never imagined that my childhood promise not to settle in this place had been voided because of the city’s good governance. Somehow they truly say promises are meant to be broken and I’m proud of this promise I broke for myself. Truly, giving yourself a chance to change your mind is a blessing too. You’ll never know what awaits at the end of the tunnel, sometimes there is light indeed and it restored my faith in Philippine governance. There is hope, Pilipinas if we just unite and vote for the right people we will turn this dark decades of politics  into something worth living for. Long live, Philippines. May we find the light and prosperity in this lifetime of misery caused by greedy officials. May God bless us all. Mabuhay!

I woke up this Monday morning at 6:30 am in the calendar year of May 25, 2026 to a facebook notification regarding the Camarines Sur’s Kaogma Festival clash of ideologies through the comment of Klasik Titos and Titas of Manila in Joy Barcoma's page against the post of Jeriel Agua. Honestly, I don’t know these people but I’ve done my checking so here’s the gist and my unbiased but well aware of the situation point of view being a native of Naga City, so yes I'm a Bicolana currently residing in Pasig City. (Screenshots taken from their FB.)

Bang! Gun shots echoing through the Senate walls, just like that, all of them wanting sympathy. Like they have families waiting at home that may never see them again. Guns in the Senate suddenly flip the narrative. Now you hate the masses because we are mocking you for acting so cowardly towards a few gun shots in your sheltered lifestyle of luxury. They’re angry because the ordinary people can’t find the heart to empathize with these corrupt crocodiles dressed in barongs and branded fashion. You want sympathy for a once in a lifetime experience of an almost daily experience of the ordinary. You can call me heartless but honestly where were your hearts when tons of our fellow kababayans were raided, forced evicted, and shot dead in broad daylight? Weren’t you all partying, exchanging chickas, clinking wine glasses in your air-conditioned walls when the rest of us were treated like animals chased in our cages? 

You just heard the shots, most of our fellows felt it sipping through their skins. You felt unsafe, most are not safe. Your loved ones might not see you again, most of us will never see ours ever again. There’s a big difference between them. You got the movie experience, we have it as our reality, yes, most of us live in  that reality. Not just for a day, but for the rest of their waking life. I don’t want to invalidate your experience but I chose to in exchange for you invalidating the harsh reality most of us are experiencing. This isn’t just about those gun shots. This is about the taxes you robbed us, the dignity you stripped from our skins, the respect you deny us, the security and safety you are supposed to fulfill but just went to drain. We cried decades ago but it went to deaf ears and now just because of gun shots just once in  your life you suddenly felt we owe you sympathy? 

Sympathy begets sympathy. Respect begets respect. I ain’t see any reason giving those things to your entitled asses. If you think you are all so privileged then let go of your positions, why do you keep holding on to our tax money. We don’t need you, you are simply there because of us. Let go of our treasure if you are really so wealthy on your own why need to rob us more? Decades have passed haven’t you amassed wealth enough to fund your next of kin retirement and travel plans? Ain’t it enough? Do you still want more? Your antics make us laugh now loudly. It isn't of happiness but sarcasm that the narrative’s been flipped and here you go all crybabies whining that no one even said “kumusta” after those dreaded gun shots? Have you ever said “kumusta” to our kababayans who went worse than that? You just heard it, most of us felt it deep in our skin yet we never obliged you to check on us because it is not our duty to tell you what should be done, it’s yours. At least you know “na dapat pala kinukumusta kapag may mga ganyang pangyayari di ba?” 

So kumusta? Happy?

I just heard a day ago about “Loyalty Tester.” I kind of got the hint but just to be sure I googled it and found out that I’ve been doing it already since I was in high school, not paid though. My being a loyalty tester started because of goodwill. I used to be a tomboy having more male friends than girls. My female friends, knowing that fact, kept on begging me to introduce them to my male friends so I did. Out of being protective I started testing my male friends if they are loyal or they're just going to make my female friends cry. Since I know the holy grail of male traits because of being one of the boys I have the advantage of knowing how to make them fall. I started operating in a subtle way. Befriend them more, luring them if ever they are going to take the bait and cheat with my female friends through other girls or even through me.

I started teasing them and building up other girls that I think they might be interested with and sometimes I kind of put myself on the line. Eventually they are all loyal but they ended up liking me rather than my girl friends which is kind of weird. I’m cupid, supposed to be the matchmaker and yet they fell for me instead of the girl I’m trying to match with them. The rule is: you are not supposed to fall for Cupid. You're always going to lose and they all did. Anyway, I’ve continued being a loyalty tester secretly amongst my friends and family. Checking whether my sister’s boyfriends are loyal or not. Turns out they all are and the plot twist is that my sister is the cheater. I spent sleeping in one room with my sister’s boyfriends, all alone with them but nothing happened. They all passed my test. But my sister didn’t, shocking, ain’t it?

With the years of secretly testing, I’ve realized I’ve got more male friends that are truly loyal than my female friends. It is maddening and kinda surprising when people think males are prolific cheaters. Turns out when we were in school most girls were cheaters not men. Is it still true up to now or in the real world it’s the men not the girls or it’s both now?

I’d like to share my 2 cents about Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales’ movie: The Loved One. People might be confused why this lovely aesthetically pleasing piece of a story ended up in a lonely but peaceful separation. Things were going so well. It seemed that both parties were perfect for each other. No heavy physical arguments yet they started drifting apart throughout the end. 

Here’s my take on it. This movie is a fool proof of mentality differences. Ellie was part of the elite class and Eric came from the working class. Ellie grew up in an environment of affluence where she was well aware about the reality of life and social responsibility while Eric grew up in a kind of survival mode where the only goal is about gaining success to alleviate his family from suffering again. Always about family responsibility. There goes the clash. 

Eric thought having a nice job, getting married, having kids and providing everything for his family is all there is in life. That’s fulfillment for him. On the other end here goes Ellie wanting a family too and all what Eric wants yet she has something more in her: that nagging feeling of social responsibility. Fulfillment for her does not only ends in family responsibility but also includes a world view that she has a mission and a purpose to help others in her community and the world. The conflict started when Eric thought that the volunteering acts done by Ellie are only about superficiality cuz he can’t comprehend why there is a need to be of service to the world when for him his little family is all enough for the both of them.

If I were in Ellie’s shoes I would decline marrying Eric too. Choosing a partner with the same core values, morality and level of thinking is very important. Marrying someone that doesn’t align with your views even though they are kind will end up in a disastrous marriage.You will experience everyday for real having to explain every decision you are making, every choice will be questioned and that would be a misery especially for a freespirited purposeful soul.

In the end the smartest choice is to partways because that’s the right thing to do and it’s the decision that can give them serenity rather than staying together but gradually drifting apart because of their ideologies. I love happy endings but sometimes the best ending for lovers is to be apart. Love is not enough. It can’t give you peace of mind if it’s the only thing left holding you together. May you all find the love that’s aligned in all ways than one. Shalom.

 

Here we go again… remember when people started chanting in the streets “BLACK LIVES MATTER” and I went “ALL LIVES MATTER?”

 

Perhaps my subconscious had felt this coming and it is really very possible since we like dwelling in hate and instead of digging deeper addressing the problem from its root cause we like dealing with it when it is popular just hopping on the bandwagon because it seems pretty cool yeah?

 

Notice that I don’t even want to use the race because that alone creates division. Why are we hating so much? Where is it coming from? Someone who has a lot of hatred in his or her heart grew up miserable they say. The rudest people need the most love.

 

Yes. I am Asian and I felt the biased and harassment while working as a Call Center agent for almost 10 years of my waking hours in the BPO industry. I am not oblivious neither claiming that I know nothing about this discrimination. Racism does exist long before the internet did. Now, I’m not so sure whether the internet lessens it or made it worse?

 

If we are going to deal with it let’s ask those high almighty creatures what made them hate? Differences perhaps? But if you are in an advanced country should you be more understanding since you have all the benefits of better lifestyle and you are most likely to be educated enough to understand those differences?

 

What’s there to hate?

 

Because we are getting all your jobs from you? Someone said.

 

Without us most countries’ economy would collapse and we are only doing most jobs you don’t want to handle yourself for the most part.

 

What about Covid?

 

No one wanted covid-19. It was an accident and you don’t blame anyone for fate.

 

I know we all have different point of views and circumstances in life but no reason is good enough to excuse you from acting like a real HUMAN BEING and humans do care!

 

 

Mt. Isarog, Southern Luzon's highest forested peak, is a stratovolcano which is 1, 966 meters above sea level and located in Camarines Sur, Philippines. The mountain spreads out within Naga City and six municipalities namely Tinambac, Calabanga, Tigaon, Pili, Goa and Ocampo. (see Mt. Isarog National Park)

Mt. Isarog National Park actually caters for adventure junkie, environmentalist or just anybody who wants to enjoy the environment with luscious forest, wild life, beautiful scenery of natural falls and springs.

Mt. Isarog is actually a favorite destination of mountain hikers and trekkers or environmental folks for it has both the offering for thrill seekers and science studies for the different floras and faunas that can be found within the mountain.

My friends and I during high school frequented the Malabsay Falls which is very accessible since it's only  a few minutes jeepney ride from downtown Naga City and about an hour walk to reach the falls. I've been there quite so many times even during my college days just for the mere fun of hiking.

The last time I went there has been a long time ago and the last time I went mountain hiking was December of 2008 in Tarlac for my previous company's outreach program that's why when Ateneo Eagles, Inc. an environmental organization decided to have a Nature Trip & Clean-up Drive and chose Consocep I was actually hesitant at first.

Consocep is a barangay in the town of Tigaon, Camarines Sur hence the name Consocep Mountain Resort. I've been there quite a few times too and I must say it's always been a difficult hike for me compare to Malabsay, Nabuntulan and other falls. There's actually a pavement but what makes it difficult for me I guess is its steepness. But then I always come back and give it a go because of the waterfalls.

If you want to visit Consocep Falls from Manila  you can go by bus or by plane. Bus will take you 8 hours so I assumed you'll prefer to fly, right? You can book a flight to Pili Airport (the nearest one) or via Legazpi City Airport and that will only take less than an hour, more specifically 45-minutes for the former. From either of the two you need to have your own vehicle or rent a jeepney, van or taxi to get you to Consocep and fetch you right back.

This is the drop-off and pick-up point.

The Entrance Fee is only PHP 15.00 per person.

The hike is composed of minutes of walking up and down of these narrow almost 2000 steps.

Kawa-Kawa is derived from kawali or wok because of its shape.

This is also the best spot to conduct group activities  and picnics for the whole group or even families with little kids.  It is just sad that with all the good things nature is giving us some people just don't care about caring back and doing more harm than good to the environment. We found all these trash all over the place despite the fact that there are available sacks just around the corner that serve as garbage bags or trash cans.  After the group activity and lunch we head on to the next falls and we passed by this stone marking along with the tree house... Climb at your own risk: The tree house is still fine but you have to decide  whether you can handle going up  unstable stairs with missing steps.

Bulalacao Falls: Bulalacao means shooting star.  The falls was called "bulalacao" because of  the great impact and rapid fall of its water. After swimming for a while off we go to the 3rd falls... Tumaguiti Falls is actually my favorite among the three because of the amazing view composed of trees, leaves and beautiful rock formation.

Tumaguiti or taguiti is the bicol term for drizzle  and truly the water coming from the  falls are like droplets of rain.

We went back quarter to 4:00 in the afternoon just right on time for our service and this is my last view from outside the Consocep Mountain Resort.

There are actually a lot of things Camarines Sur or Bicol in general has to offer not just wakeboarding or CWC (Camarines Sur Watersports Complex.) I know I sounded like a travel ad there but well I'm just saying the truth and if you're a nature lover I'm pretty sure Mt. Isarog won't fail you.

Btw since I lack exercise for quite sometime now the hike had hurt my legs so bad that I wasn't able to walk perfectly again for about 4 days but it was worth it. I'm definitely going back whenever there's a chance and I know I badly needed to stretch out these limbs hehe

When was the last time you went into a nature trip or just stop for a while and smell the roses? (cheesy) I just meant to ask when was the last time you took the time to appreciate nature?

P.S.
For more photos check out Speckles n Spectrum Facebook Page


Consocep Mountain Resort
Mount Isarog, Tigaon, Camarines Sur
Tel (c/o Provincial Tourism Office) (054)4773172
Cellular (0919)4227009

Much has been said about it and like any other hot topics in the Philippines of course this one has its pros and cons. You may wonder if every Filipinos agree? Obviously not really and most people that are against the petition are...

Guess who?

... the locals.

If you were to look at the blog of Dr. Ortega's colleague you'll be enlightened on how some people repulse on the harm that mining brought to our environment particularly in Palawan. They said it had better their lives. Mining had been their families' source of income and no damaged had been done in their place because they are doing responsible mining.

First and foremost What is Mining? 

Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or (coal) seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. 

Mining of stone and metal has been done since pre-historic times. Modern mining processes involve prospecting for ore bodies, analysis of the profit potential of a proposed mine, extraction of the desired materials and finally reclamation of the land to prepare it for other uses once the mine is closed.

The nature of mining processes creates a potential negative impact on the environment both during the mining operations and for years after the mine is closed. This impact has led to most of the world's nations adopting regulations to moderate the negative effects of mining operations. Safety has long been a concern as well, though modern practices have improved safety in mines significantly.

I know mining is also important for us because they give us essential things we use everyday. I'm also for responsible mining but in the case of Palawan...

According to Hagedorn, the ecosystem in Palawan, though, is fragile with the island's narrow shape and thin layer of topsoil that makes it prone to erosion, and this is one good reason why mining should be banned.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

People should stop being selfish once and for all in this case. Mining has a long term effect in the environment and if we were only to think about the now maybe we will never reach tomorrow if everything will be destroyed by today.

For the people who work in the mining industries specifically in Palawan I know it's hard to find jobs now but it's not impossible to venture into something else that won't include mining for a living.

Please open your eyes and just this once don't just live at the moment, look up and envision the future, the future which will may not include you but surely will include your children and your children's children. You may need to feed your children now but you can always feed them some other ways.

Filipinos are ingenious and smart enough that I know we can always survive and thrive in shaky grounds but not that too literal if you know what I mean.

Hence I support the signature campaign that was launched after Dr. Gerardo "Doc Gerry" Ortega (a civic leader, environmentalist and broadcaster) had been shot in the head and killed in January 24, 2011.

No to Mining in Palawan needs 10 million signatures to make it feasible for the government to hear the cry of the people to stop mining activities in Palawan and help protect its natural resources. As of now there are already 1,343,116 signatories and still counting. So if you haven't signed the petition yet please go check their website for more info:  http://no2mininginpalawan.com

My university organization that I will be forever part of supports it too and even had a booth inside the campus dedicated solely for getting signatures.



Now I will leave you with this video and I hope it makes you ponder and realize why we should all go sign the campaign: 

If you happen to go at the second floor of SM, you'll pass by with this booth just in front of the escalator going to the food court with the sign WWF.

I've known this in May 2009 when someone approached me and ask for a few minutes of my time when I was loitering (lol) at Greenbelt, my hang out then when I was still staying in Makati. (see Do I look like a million buck$?)

What is WWF?
WWF or World Wildlife Fund is an independent foundation registered under Swiss law and conceived on April 29, 1961. It is also one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations.

What is WWF's mission?

• conserving the world’s biological diversity
• ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
• promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

What issues does WWF work on?