Innovating Student Governance

Belles du Jour

I apologize for the lack of recent posts. It's been a long time, I know. Do you realize how busy(busyhan) I am these days? Gosh. the pressures of school and peers.

to make it up to you guys(anyone?) I'm posting this pic of Blake Lively and Leighton Meester from Paris on the set of Gossip Girl. So tres chic, eh? I'm so excited for Season 4. Bonjour!

The Curious Case of Automated Fraud

Never have I imagined that the recent election would be epic, historic and the constant subject of debate in my conversations. The hype seemed ecstatic and was everywhere, from rubber ballers to catchy political songs to a leaked mental disorder form, etc. The list could go on and on.

It all started when former President of the Philippines Cory Aquino passed away from cancer which led the country asking if her son Noynoy would pursue presidential candidacy. I never tuned in for the latest news regarding politics before but this was news that was making its place in history as days passed by. People waited in deep breaths on Noynoy’s decision which caused quite the popularity he was never given before being a brother to famous TV personality Kris Aquino.

The announcement was officially made and the color yellow was everywhere. Even former Presidential candidate Mar Roxas stepped down to run instead for Vice Presidency in favor for his fellow Atenista.

The country was divided in choice for the next leader but united in hopes and dreams for a better Philippines. The surveys were up, the frenzy was crazy and people couldn’t wait for the 10th of May to arrive.

One of the great things about this election though are not only the smart and eligible candidates, the youth speaking out but also the innovation of an automated election through Smartmatic machines. It was easier, safer and arguably more efficient than the usual type of voting people were used to since the country elected its public officials. It caused a debate though as it, people claimed, was easier to manipulate the votes through computer hacking. The makers of Smartmatic rejects those allegations insuring that it was safe as simply put by the president of Smartmatic—shade, open, close and transmit. Voila! Now go get that thumb inked.

Cool right?

But the heat turned up to the highest degree when the winners were announced. Noynoy Aquino became President with Jejomar Binay with his side as Vice President. It would turn out to be one of the most peaceful elections ever with losing candidates conceding but some were not contented with the result. They demanded recount and accused Smartmatic of manipulating votes. They also claim of being cheated without proof.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) started gathering evidence for the investigation while the Nationl Bureau of Investigation (NBI) addressed the complaints with their own investigation bringing in people from Smartmatic for questioning and checking the tampered memory cards.

Apparently, The Commission of Elections (Comelec) are looking into the source of yet another tape scandal called “Hello, Nico” allegedly between Interior and Local Government Sectary Ronaldo Puno and Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer discussin poll fraud.

Even though the amount to purchase the PCOS machines—7 Billion Pesos—the government has leased them after the 2010 election, it is still looking forward to using it this upcoming 2013 election. But Smartmatic might not be paid in full regarding the circumstances.

The Thai Sauce Wars

Unexpectedly, I took a bite into a subject I hardly touch which is politics but then I took the necessary chewing and then swallowed into the delicious scandal of the civil war in Thailand.

Let me enlighten you, Thailand is on the brink of a civil war due to the ousting of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006 who was appointed by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The country then divided into colors you might familiarly find in cheeseburgers: Ketchup(Red) and Mustard(Yellow).

The Red wearing population rallied and caused enormous damages across Bangkok in protest to the ousting of Shinawatra in terms of corruption and absentia while traveling abroad in favor of the Thai King’s elected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva which the red protesters claimed unjust and a biased decision from the royal leader which led to almost two dozen deaths according to CNN.com when the military was needed. But that whirlwind decision was supported by the pro-government Yellow wearing patriots who counterclaim that Shinawatra’s win in the election was fraud.

According to CNN.com this is a classic case of power struggle between the rich and poor. Apparently, Thaksin became a threat to the bourgeois class when he enacted populist policies which was popularly supported by the rural class that led to concerned billionaires who were afraid to be cast away in their position. The army, supported by the sour billionaire mustards successfully ousted Shinawatra.

Even though the taste of ketchup and mustard compete in flavor it still doesn’t seem to wane the interest of tourists to visit the beautiful country filled with legendary tourist spots, cuisine and a very rich culture. However divided the country maybe in terms of politics, the tourism is booming especially after the disastrous Tsunami six years ago. The smell of Thailand is definitely worth the bite which will remain indigested in memory and experience.

First Video Posting(How Epic)

My first attempt to post a video. I know right, LOSER.

Eenie Meenie: Devon or Tricia?

It wasn't even the full show itself but the previews already made Tricia Santos of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Clash 2010 a trending topic not only to major websites but also through conversations and text messages. She won more fans due to the lack of Villa housemates and an incomplete set of Apartment housemates who made a decision on which party to attend, hers or Devon's.

Personally, I would've picked Tricia's soiree because ever since from the start of the show I never despised her. I never really got the hatred the other housemates felt because I understood Tricia to the bone. There were times when she was a bit annoying but she worked those negative comments about her but the other housemates could not be impressed or contented.

Poor Tricia Santos was a human target.

The viewers of the show however were feeling the exact opposite as been proven through her weekly votes rank and that party episode would no doubt increase public adoration.

That particular episode really hit me because I could relate to Tricia. She was being ganged up on, stabbed behind her back and been shown cruelty in public. Yes, I have been through all that. It's safe to say that I didn't have the perfect childhood where everybody from school to the neighborhood bullied me throughout those years, even still today.

I know how she feels where you don't know who to trust and you have no one to talk to about the torment but Tricia is luckier than me because she has supportive parents. Not that I don't have supportive parents because they are but they just weren't there always as they are abroad working. But I got through it without nobody holding my hand or making me feel good about myself because I'm a fighter which obviously Tricia also is too.

Watching her sob listening to the fun that was happening at the next house made me even hate the Filipino housemates even more because that was what exactly the Pinoy youth is, a team. I had a hard time fitting in(until today) because everybody ganged up on me like the housemates did. They were influenced by other housemates and made little things bigger by talking about it as a group. It's very dysfunctional and cruel and the worst part is they are being watched by millions of people. The least they could do is to show some respect to each other and lay off the back stabbing on national television.

That episode should be a lesson to everyone especially the teens that it is not okay to gang up on others, to give others a chance to prove themselves that they are not what they seem and try to understand and be open minded because nobody deserves to be treated like an outsider or they don't belong.

I'm sure Tricia is a strong girl and that she can still change what others are bothered of because she's young. She deserves my vote and I'm sure yours too.

Ahoy, There Matey!

Sun. Yachts. Fedora hats. Stripes. Celebrities. And Coco Chanel.

Those are a few words to how I would describe my dream destination Saint Tropez next to Paris, j'adore! Though I may not know exactly where it's located but a short trip to my online encyclopedia, Google.com, and I know not only its location on the map but also it's land mass, population and language!

But none of those really matter because all I know is that pretty soon I am flying there jet setting with the elite in Madamoiselle Coco Chanel's signature sailor stripe shirt, white shorts that end above the knee and their famous leathor goods pride, Rondini sandals.

I maybe dreaming out loud but you know what they say, if you're gonna dream might as well dream big, right?