The Obama Speech - a must read (and view)

I have lumps in my throat while reading the text of the speech of Barack Obama. And later I had tears in my eyes when I watched the video. On the amusing side: my family and I counted 30 "thank you's" from Obama before he could go on to his speed.

Will the Philippines ever have a Filipino Obama? Ninoy Aquino could have been one. Except that unlike Obama, Ninoy had the pedigree for politics. So Obama's story is more astounding.

I am optimistic. Since I plan to live for 30 more years, I know the Philippines will have decent leaders before I die. And I hope to see my grandchildren enthusiastic to vote for one. That will be the day that I will cast my ballot again. Just like those old Americans who went back to the primaries and will vote again on November 4 just because they see hope in Obama.

First, a transformation in our society should come before we can elect a Filipino Obama. That is what happened to America. Paul Krugman says America has been transformed that is why it is now possible for a Black (or a woman I should add) to be elected to the highest office.

I believe transformation comes with the creation of a strong working middle class with enough voting clout to counter the tendency of the masses to vote for a populist politician and the bias of the elite to choose from among their own.

Periodically I get to lecture to group of students who come to the office as part of their class requirements. I always make it a point to show them the need for upright politicians, honest government bureaucrats and hardworking entrepreneurs to get this county out of the rut it is in.

The hope of the Philippines are in these young students. Those of us who have been in politics, in government bureaucracies or in business for more than two decades and still have not done anything, our time is up. Let's give way to the young, nurture their idealism and provide them with the opportunities for the sake of our grandchildren.

My thoughts on the Mindanao conflict

This is only a draft. I hope I have enough time this weekend to complete this blog.

(I am introducing my out-of-school son to Visual C++ this weekend. He stumbled on Java a week ago. But I think Visual C++ would be better since he is interested in game programming.)

My outline for this piece:
1. I have a stake in Mindanao. The first casualty in our family was an uncle who was killed (early 1950s) in Zamboanga del Norte by bandits.
2. I spent my early childhood up until my grade 1 (1958) in Zamboanga del Sur. From Grade 2 until my high school I stayed with my grandparents in Cebu.
3. For college I went back to Mindanao and studied fisheries hoping to spend the rest of my years tending to our family fishpond.
4. My father was murdered by his political opponent (a fellow Bisaya) in 1971. My mother moved the family back to Cebu. My father's kins stuck it out. A little later the "Muslim-Christian" conflict erupted. Our town was razed to the ground.
5. My uncle and his second wife and children were killed by the rebels presumably Maguindanaos. My cousin and his family were killed also by rebels.
6. I think the Maranaos and the Maguindanaos and other natives of Mindanao have plenty of reasons for feeling aggrieved.
7. Peace and progress can only be achieved if these grievances are properly resolved. Some kind of closure, of restitution, is needed because of the past injustice the natives of Mindanao suffered at the hands of those not from Mindanao.