I begin to wonder just how many atheists there are in a Christian country like the Philippines...where it is difficult to be one, and even more difficult to admit that you are one.
I suspect that 80-90% of atheists in the Philippines are in the closet. I sometimes envy those in the art fields - it is socially acceptable that they are different. I do not mean anything bad about it, in fact I am really jealous. I am from IT and comes from your traditional Catholic family.
Every December, it was really weird to be greeted Merry Christmas. And I know it feels weirder if I don't respond. When someone says, Have a Merry Christmas, I would tell them I have other plans. But would then laugh as if it is a joke.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Losing
I started to lose my religion when I saw Vatican. Ironically, I was flabbergasted with the garishness of the church. I couldn't help but recall the number of Filipinos who suffered daily during the Spanish regime to build this church. Every gold in every frame represented Filipino lives lost in false adulation and in a pretentious promise of progress.
Catholicism and Poverty
Would the Philippines be more progressive had it not been Catholic?
From a geographic perspective, the list of Catholic countries in 2009 builds a strong case for the argument. Only 2 countries in G7 are Catholic countries. Spain claims to be 76% Catholic, but forward Catholic - supporting divorce and has progressive view on prostitution. Italians identified themselves as 87.8% Catholic. Outside G7, the long list of Catholic Countries are concentrated in in South and North America and a sprinkle across Africa and Asia. Around 80% of these countries are poor.
In an online forum, one good argument states that:
"Many of the impovershed countries are impovershed because of corrupt governments, not because of an adoption of religion. The two are mutually exclusive in the fact that they did not breed from each other. In fact, Christianity (specifically the Catholic faith) is based on the spread of religions to those countries from richer first world societies."
Is poverty and religion, really mutually exclusive? Other countries may have different realities, but let's look at the case for the Philippines.
- One of the primary reasons for poverty in the Philippines is overpopulation. And the powerful Catholic Church continues to discourage the use of condoms and pills, firmly backing the highly unreliable rhythm method. What happens is the uneducated poor continues to follow the rhythm and average 5-6 children per household. As the number of children in an impoverished household increases, the cycle of poverty increases. Until the poor are empowered by the right to choose how to procreate or just how to have sex.
- The irony of poverty is showcased during town fiestas. Even the poor family who eats only twice daily would lavishly serve a month's worth budget for relatives and unknown visitors in honor of the patron saint of that town. They would resort to borrowing money from friends, or from the friendly neighborhood "5-6", just to partake in this annual feast.
From a geographic perspective, the list of Catholic countries in 2009 builds a strong case for the argument. Only 2 countries in G7 are Catholic countries. Spain claims to be 76% Catholic, but forward Catholic - supporting divorce and has progressive view on prostitution. Italians identified themselves as 87.8% Catholic. Outside G7, the long list of Catholic Countries are concentrated in in South and North America and a sprinkle across Africa and Asia. Around 80% of these countries are poor.
In an online forum, one good argument states that:
"Many of the impovershed countries are impovershed because of corrupt governments, not because of an adoption of religion. The two are mutually exclusive in the fact that they did not breed from each other. In fact, Christianity (specifically the Catholic faith) is based on the spread of religions to those countries from richer first world societies."
Is poverty and religion, really mutually exclusive? Other countries may have different realities, but let's look at the case for the Philippines.
- One of the primary reasons for poverty in the Philippines is overpopulation. And the powerful Catholic Church continues to discourage the use of condoms and pills, firmly backing the highly unreliable rhythm method. What happens is the uneducated poor continues to follow the rhythm and average 5-6 children per household. As the number of children in an impoverished household increases, the cycle of poverty increases. Until the poor are empowered by the right to choose how to procreate or just how to have sex.
- The irony of poverty is showcased during town fiestas. Even the poor family who eats only twice daily would lavishly serve a month's worth budget for relatives and unknown visitors in honor of the patron saint of that town. They would resort to borrowing money from friends, or from the friendly neighborhood "5-6", just to partake in this annual feast.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Nihilist
Nihilism is the philosophical position that values do not exist but rather are falsely invented. Most commonly, nihilism is presented in the form of existential nihilism which argues that life[2] is without meaning, purpose or intrinsic value. Moral nihilists assert that morality does not exist, and subsequently there are no moral values with which to uphold a rule or to logically prefer one action over another. Nihilism can also take the form of epistemological, metaphysical or mereological nihilism.
The term nihilism is sometimes used synonymously with anomie to denote the general mood of despair at the pointlessness of existence that one has when they realize there are no necessary norms, rules, or laws.[3] Movements such as Futurism and deconstructionism,[4] among others, have been identified by commentators as "nihilistic" at various times in various contexts. Often this means or is meant to imply that the beliefs of the accuser are more substantial or truthful, whereas the beliefs of the accused are nihilistic, and thereby comparatively amount to nothing (or are simply claimed to be destructively amoralistic).
Nihilism is also a characteristic that has been ascribed to time periods: for example, Jean Baudrillard and others have called postmodernity a nihilistic epoch,[5] and some Christian theologians and figures of religious authority have asserted that postmodernity[6] and many aspects of modernity[4] represent a rejection of theism, and that such a rejection entails some form of nihilism.
The term nihilism is sometimes used synonymously with anomie to denote the general mood of despair at the pointlessness of existence that one has when they realize there are no necessary norms, rules, or laws.[3] Movements such as Futurism and deconstructionism,[4] among others, have been identified by commentators as "nihilistic" at various times in various contexts. Often this means or is meant to imply that the beliefs of the accuser are more substantial or truthful, whereas the beliefs of the accused are nihilistic, and thereby comparatively amount to nothing (or are simply claimed to be destructively amoralistic).
Nihilism is also a characteristic that has been ascribed to time periods: for example, Jean Baudrillard and others have called postmodernity a nihilistic epoch,[5] and some Christian theologians and figures of religious authority have asserted that postmodernity[6] and many aspects of modernity[4] represent a rejection of theism, and that such a rejection entails some form of nihilism.
Random
from Randomness Rules our Lives
If a woman has two children and one is a girl, what are the chances that the other child is also female? 50-50, right? But it’s not. The possibilities are girl-girl, girl-boy and boy-girl. So the chance that both children are girls is 33 percent. Once we are told that one child is female, this extra information constrains the odds.
If a woman has two children and one is a girl, what are the chances that the other child is also female? 50-50, right? But it’s not. The possibilities are girl-girl, girl-boy and boy-girl. So the chance that both children are girls is 33 percent. Once we are told that one child is female, this extra information constrains the odds.
in the Closet
Obama's victory is indeed a diversity milestone for US and for the world. My prediction is that a female President or Veep will be inducted in the US in my lifetime.
In the Philippines, we've already have 2 female presidents, which is great. What is not great is that I don't think there will ever be a non-Christian President or VP in my lifetime, or in children's liftime. FVR was the only non-catholic.
Why I like a lot of things about my country, I abhor marginalization based on religion. Many of socio-political problems in the country are due to religion. While women can enjoy equal opporunities in the government or even in the corporate world, there is unwritten discrimination against religion.
Case in point: would a succesful manager still be respected if the people realize that he is atheist?
In the Philippines, leadership presentations are delivered with generous reference to Jesus Christ. Something that would not be common in the US or Europe, or maybe even other countries in Asia. When John Maxwell, a pastor, speaks about many of his books, he would have a post-speaking session on his religious leadership principles.
Even the most professionally qualified and well-respected leader could lose his followers once people know that he is agnostic.
This is probably why I am still in the closet.
In the Philippines, we've already have 2 female presidents, which is great. What is not great is that I don't think there will ever be a non-Christian President or VP in my lifetime, or in children's liftime. FVR was the only non-catholic.
Why I like a lot of things about my country, I abhor marginalization based on religion. Many of socio-political problems in the country are due to religion. While women can enjoy equal opporunities in the government or even in the corporate world, there is unwritten discrimination against religion.
Case in point: would a succesful manager still be respected if the people realize that he is atheist?
In the Philippines, leadership presentations are delivered with generous reference to Jesus Christ. Something that would not be common in the US or Europe, or maybe even other countries in Asia. When John Maxwell, a pastor, speaks about many of his books, he would have a post-speaking session on his religious leadership principles.
Even the most professionally qualified and well-respected leader could lose his followers once people know that he is agnostic.
This is probably why I am still in the closet.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
+ and -
The Last Temptation of Christ (- -) was a great piece of literature. Contrary to what many people thought, it strengthened my faith at a time when I was on the brink of losing it.
It was Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ(+) on the other hand that started to plant questions on my mind. I did not agree with the statement that no one can be a hero in his own land. I thought that is absurd.
Visiting the Mona Lisa at the Louvre(+++) was an eye opener for me, more from convention and societal affirmation kind of way. I thought it was a waste of time, even if millions of people said it is a must see.
St. Peter's Basilica (+++++) at the Vatican City probably sealed the deal for me. I thought it was the worst edifice I have ever visited. It was a complete disrespect for people of my country and many others who funded that. A chip of the golden statue or one slab of the marbled floor could feed a whole town. The garishness I never understood. I probably never will.
It was Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ(+) on the other hand that started to plant questions on my mind. I did not agree with the statement that no one can be a hero in his own land. I thought that is absurd.
Visiting the Mona Lisa at the Louvre(+++) was an eye opener for me, more from convention and societal affirmation kind of way. I thought it was a waste of time, even if millions of people said it is a must see.
St. Peter's Basilica (+++++) at the Vatican City probably sealed the deal for me. I thought it was the worst edifice I have ever visited. It was a complete disrespect for people of my country and many others who funded that. A chip of the golden statue or one slab of the marbled floor could feed a whole town. The garishness I never understood. I probably never will.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, October 17, 2008
209000 Wilyonaryo
More than a year after, DTI has finally decided to file administrative charges to the show and producers of Wilyonaryo. Interestingly, the show was not accused of cheating or having the deliberate intention of mispresenting the rules. Rather it was due to "a reasonable likelihood of error and provided the host and organizers significant latitude in controlling the outcome of the contest".
Pretty safe if you ask me. Well at least DTI had the courage to file charges no matter how petty.
So how did they come up with 209,000? I have no idea. I looked at Consumers Act or R.A. 7394. To my surprise, majority of the fines is worth a staggering 10,000 pesos. Actually only one was worth 20,000, in Article 95.
This means the show should have violated the clauses 20.1 times. Hmmm, didn't the scandal happen on the game portion's maiden broadcast? I was expecting the fine to be 2M honestly, wasn't that the source of controversy? Actually, I am surprised that ABS did not just give the jackpot to the contestant, to save them from yet another big controversy.
So, for Willie whose alleged vehicle tax has 7-digits, 209k is nothing. Who gets the money? DTI? I hope the contestant who got cheated, because for that person 209k is a lot of things.
Pretty safe if you ask me. Well at least DTI had the courage to file charges no matter how petty.
So how did they come up with 209,000? I have no idea. I looked at Consumers Act or R.A. 7394. To my surprise, majority of the fines is worth a staggering 10,000 pesos. Actually only one was worth 20,000, in Article 95.
This means the show should have violated the clauses 20.1 times. Hmmm, didn't the scandal happen on the game portion's maiden broadcast? I was expecting the fine to be 2M honestly, wasn't that the source of controversy? Actually, I am surprised that ABS did not just give the jackpot to the contestant, to save them from yet another big controversy.
So, for Willie whose alleged vehicle tax has 7-digits, 209k is nothing. Who gets the money? DTI? I hope the contestant who got cheated, because for that person 209k is a lot of things.
105000 Euros Series #2 - What to Purchase
Even in Eat Bulaga's Taktak or in a school's formal theme assignment, we are often asked how we plan to spend a million. Obviously, 95% of the answers will be related to helping the family.
But if you have 7Million Pesos or 105000 Euros, what can you buy?
Assuming you are traveling to Europe, and that you intend to consume the entire amount, then the web has a lot of options for you:
1) Why not live in the lap of luxury and join the circle of the rich and famous and purchase a nice sailboat? Very few things are more relaxing than sailing the Baltic Sea. Not sure if you can do the same in Volga in Russia. Check the link below.
A nice 1978 Sailboat
http://mvpalma1.com/contactme.html
2) Why not invest in European real-estate. Many say it is a bad time. But I am an advocate of Buffet and actually believe that this is the right time to invest on land properties. Why not...
A 3-room apartment in Germany
http://www.west-real.at/website/websitemodul/upload/179889503_basicdatawr.pdf
3) If it is a potentially-rewarding business that is culinary-related you want, then join the exciting night-life in Spain. Visit any major streets in any of Spain's major cities at 10pm, then you know what I'm taking about. While in spain, never be without wine, so...
A bar-restaurant in Spain
http://www.spanishbars.com/property/10962
4) Of course if you have debts, then I understand you have to pay for it first. For example, you definitely need to liquidate credit-line especially if it is against a military supplier. You don't want to mess with the mafia, especially if it is the Russian lot. Just as an example of course.
Especially if controversy is clouding a pre-approved Military Official Agreement, and ammunitions and weapons have been distributed to constituents way before hand. The ammunitions are well-working as you probably saw in the news - deaths and fear across the big island. So you can't return nor exchange - time to pay-up.
But sorry, I do not have a link for that.
But if you have 7Million Pesos or 105000 Euros, what can you buy?
Assuming you are traveling to Europe, and that you intend to consume the entire amount, then the web has a lot of options for you:
1) Why not live in the lap of luxury and join the circle of the rich and famous and purchase a nice sailboat? Very few things are more relaxing than sailing the Baltic Sea. Not sure if you can do the same in Volga in Russia. Check the link below.
A nice 1978 Sailboat
http://mvpalma1.com/contactme.html
2) Why not invest in European real-estate. Many say it is a bad time. But I am an advocate of Buffet and actually believe that this is the right time to invest on land properties. Why not...
A 3-room apartment in Germany
http://www.west-real.at/website/websitemodul/upload/179889503_basicdatawr.pdf
3) If it is a potentially-rewarding business that is culinary-related you want, then join the exciting night-life in Spain. Visit any major streets in any of Spain's major cities at 10pm, then you know what I'm taking about. While in spain, never be without wine, so...
A bar-restaurant in Spain
http://www.spanishbars.com/property/10962
4) Of course if you have debts, then I understand you have to pay for it first. For example, you definitely need to liquidate credit-line especially if it is against a military supplier. You don't want to mess with the mafia, especially if it is the Russian lot. Just as an example of course.
Especially if controversy is clouding a pre-approved Military Official Agreement, and ammunitions and weapons have been distributed to constituents way before hand. The ammunitions are well-working as you probably saw in the news - deaths and fear across the big island. So you can't return nor exchange - time to pay-up.
But sorry, I do not have a link for that.
105000 Euros Series #1 - Carrying Option
The first question is why would you carry 105000 euros cash in your hand-carry? Have you heard of travelers cheques, manager's check or ATM?
Ah! Oh of course, if you don't want paper trail, then that could be difficult. But come to think of it, the decision to carry Euros is the most efficient idea in terms of transporting pieces of banknotes. If it is any consolation, we are assured that a person from an intelligence group has intelligence, at least mathematically.
Hypothetically, say you are traveling to an Eastern European country, then you must know that the currency in Eastern Europe (say Russia) is not Euros. They do accept Euros of course, but practically any other Europen currencies as well.
The trick is knowing that there is a 500 Euro bill. So you only need to carry 210 pieces only. US Dollars will be accepted in Russia, as in any other country in the world. But you know that the Euro is almost twice the value of the US$. Also, there is no 500US$bill. If you were to convert the amount to US$, you would have to carry 210 x 2 x 5 = 2,100 banknotes. Not efficient.
Next best bet is to exchange it to British Pounds, which will be 105000Euros = 81,672.7 GBP. Only issue is that the biggest Pound banknote in terms of value is 100, which means you carry at least 818 pieces of banknotes. Still a lot.
So, in summary, smart decision to carry 210 pieces of Euro banknotes.
What I don't understand is why 1 person would carry all 210 pieces? If you are traveling with a colleague, and your wife, and your colleague's wife, and assuming you are going on a similar mission, wouldn't it be more practical to divide the 210 pieces amongst the 4 of you - roughly 52 pieces of banknotes? Of course, it will still be ~26,000 Euros per person(or 1MPesos), but it still is 52 pieces.
If you are carrying a book, you can easily slip 10 pieces in between pages. Put 5 on your make-up/tooth-brush kit. Some inside your socks, not shoes! Some on the front pocket of your shirt or pants and the others in your wallet/purse of course.
Unless of course, the other people you are traveling with does not know the mission. Maybe you are the only one who knows what you are supposed to do with the money. Well, you and another female official. But that is a different story.
Ah! Oh of course, if you don't want paper trail, then that could be difficult. But come to think of it, the decision to carry Euros is the most efficient idea in terms of transporting pieces of banknotes. If it is any consolation, we are assured that a person from an intelligence group has intelligence, at least mathematically.
Hypothetically, say you are traveling to an Eastern European country, then you must know that the currency in Eastern Europe (say Russia) is not Euros. They do accept Euros of course, but practically any other Europen currencies as well.
The trick is knowing that there is a 500 Euro bill. So you only need to carry 210 pieces only. US Dollars will be accepted in Russia, as in any other country in the world. But you know that the Euro is almost twice the value of the US$. Also, there is no 500US$bill. If you were to convert the amount to US$, you would have to carry 210 x 2 x 5 = 2,100 banknotes. Not efficient.
Next best bet is to exchange it to British Pounds, which will be 105000Euros = 81,672.7 GBP. Only issue is that the biggest Pound banknote in terms of value is 100, which means you carry at least 818 pieces of banknotes. Still a lot.
So, in summary, smart decision to carry 210 pieces of Euro banknotes.
What I don't understand is why 1 person would carry all 210 pieces? If you are traveling with a colleague, and your wife, and your colleague's wife, and assuming you are going on a similar mission, wouldn't it be more practical to divide the 210 pieces amongst the 4 of you - roughly 52 pieces of banknotes? Of course, it will still be ~26,000 Euros per person(or 1MPesos), but it still is 52 pieces.
If you are carrying a book, you can easily slip 10 pieces in between pages. Put 5 on your make-up/tooth-brush kit. Some inside your socks, not shoes! Some on the front pocket of your shirt or pants and the others in your wallet/purse of course.
Unless of course, the other people you are traveling with does not know the mission. Maybe you are the only one who knows what you are supposed to do with the money. Well, you and another female official. But that is a different story.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Please interview Sharon Stone about the US Economy
It would be interesting to hear Sharon Stone's views on the US Economy. Remember that she attributed a natural phenomenon in China to karma.
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