500-peso noche buena challenge

When the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) dared to put a price tag of 500 pesos on Noche Buena, the uproar was deafening. Politicians and ordinary citizens alike cried foul, branding it an insult to Filipino tradition. But beneath the surface of this outrage lies a deeper, more uncomfortable truth about our values, our economy, and our capacity for collective introspection.

The DTI, in its advisory, likely sought to establish a baseline—a minimum threshold for a Christmas Eve meal accessible to even the most financially strapped families. To twist this into an intentional affront is not only a misreading of the DTI's mandate but also a disservice to their role in navigating the complex intersection of commerce and consumer welfare.

Our visceral reaction speaks volumes about what we hold sacred. Noche Buena is not just a meal; it's a tapestry woven with threads of family, unity, and abundance. The mere suggestion that this cherished tradition could be distilled into a 500-peso package strikes at the heart of our cultural identity. It challenges the idyllic image we've carefully constructed, forcing us to confront a less palatable reality.

This uproar also serves as a stark reminder of the economic anxieties that plague our nation. In an era of relentless inflation and stagnant wages, the specter of a meager Noche Buena looms large, casting a shadow on our collective aspirations. The DTI, in this context, becomes a convenient scapegoat—a lightning rod for our pent-up frustrations and economic insecurities.

But what if, instead of succumbing to knee-jerk outrage, we chose to channel our emotions into meaningful action? What if we demanded bold economic reforms that address the root causes of income inequality? What if we rallied behind local businesses and sustainable food initiatives that offer affordable alternatives?

The DTI's announcement, however clumsy or ill-timed, was not an act of malice. It was a mirror reflecting the economic disparities that continue to divide our nation. Let us not allow our emotions to blind us, but rather use them as fuel to ignite a movement for lasting change. Let us transform our outrage into a call for a more just and equitable society, where every Filipino family can celebrate Noche Buena with dignity and abundance.

flashback 2010: locos por el cine

unlike the japanese, french and european film fests- spanish filmfest wasn't shown for free
(but it was given at a price a third of the usual in the posh greenbelt cinema 3)

with my usual filmfest buddy ate irene, we tried catching one movie after attending the sunday mass...
as we waited for the screening we saw the oh-still-so-pretty-former-ms-universe-gloria diaz
with her (i guess) siblings waiting for the screening too :)

tickets! (@ 65 pesoses each, that's about a dollar and a half)

and this is a glimpse of the main character...
the movie - Los Condenados (The Condemned).
It somewhat explores history--- an exiled Argentinean returns home after living in Spain for
 many years to help a friend find the remains of a political activist who
disappeared during the Junta dictatorship...
[AMP! INTRIGUINGLY BROUGHT BACK WEIRD MEMORIES]

ECON 101. Happiness by Curly Tops.

The Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility Simplified.

The first curly tops I ate (after weeks of fasting from it) is good. 

On a scale of ten, I'd give it a 10. 

Then, "my happiness by curly tops" has been somewhat tamed, 

but they gave me another, so I took it.

Since I already had one, my "happiness" rates at a 6.5 at best. 

Maybe others will stop before utility ("happiness") drops even more, 

I wanted to stop too, 

but they gave me a third (let's just say it scored to 2.5). 

If I keep getting and eating, eventually, 

I'd reach a point at which my eating more would make me puke/sick, 

providing dissatisfaction, or dis-utility or, "unhappiness". 

Yes, at some point, 

I have reached the saturation, 

the "saturation point". 

ENOUGH.

NOT JUST ABOUT JOB; IT IS ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY

Ever borrow a friend's awesome camera? 

You don't pay them a salary, right? 

You borrow it with the understanding you'll treat it with care, 

take amazing photos, and return it safe and sound. 
Our elected officials are similar.
We "lend" them the power of their office – a powerful tool –
with the expectation they'll use it responsibly
for the benefit
of everyone.
It's not just about checking off boxes on a to-do list;
it's about making the community thrive. 
Sometimes that means making tough decisions,
even unpopular ones. 
So, let's secondthink saying, "Do your job!" and start asking,
"Are you using the power we've entrusted you
with to create a better community for all of us?" 
It's about more than just a job; it's about responsibility.

Discourse, Facts, Emotions, and Governance: Time to Level Up - 040225

 When we talk about politics, especially something as heated as the Duterte-Aquino ICC issue, we need to think more deeply. It's easy to get caught up in the drama, like when people say Aquino "trapped" Duterte. That story, full of strong feelings and accusations, needs a closer look. Sure, Aquino couldn't have known exactly what Duterte would do, but big political moves always have long-term effects. Joining the ICC set the stage for future problems. It's fair to look back and see how past choices affect today, even if it wasn't planned. People change their minds in politics, like how Roque did, and that makes you wonder about their honesty. Plus, even if those Hong Kong money stories seem random, they can make people suspicious about what's really going on. We have to ask why people do what they do, and if they're being consistent. 

Also, remember, emotions are a big part of politics. 

They show how people truly feel. When someone says "poetic justice," they're expressing real hurt. All political words carry weight, and we need to figure out what's behind them.

To really understand what's happening, we can't just stick to simple stories. The drug war was messy, and the ICC situation is confusing. Yes, Duterte's tough approach appealed to people who felt unsafe, but we can't ignore the terrible harm it caused. We also need to admit that past governments didn't solve the drug problem, which made people angry. The ICC rules are complex, and politicians can use that to their advantage. Even though the Philippines left the ICC, there's still a chance Duterte could face legal trouble. The rules are tricky, and that's important to understand. 

In the end, we need to think more carefully about politics. We need to look at the facts, understand the emotions, and see how it all affects how our country is run. We need to learn to think critically, not just believe what we hear.

FLAWED ECON; MISREADING TRADE - 040425

 The Trump administration's approach to calculating reciprocal tariffs presents a significant economic challenge. Their method relies on a country's trade surplus, rather than actual tariff data. This approach is fundamentally flawed and lacks support from established economic theory.

A trade surplus, which represents the difference between a country's exports and imports, is not a direct measure of tariff rates. It is a broader indicator of trade balance, influenced by numerous factors beyond tariffs. To use the trade surplus as a proxy for tariff rates is akin to attempting to measure temperature with a ruler—an inappropriate and inaccurate method.

This flawed formula ignores the complexities of international trade and the diverse factors that influence tariff rates. Basing trade policy on such a methodology can lead to significant consequences, potentially harming both domestic and international economies.

Now, consider the potential impact of a 17% tariff imposed by the United States on Philippine exports. Given that the US accounts for approximately 15-16% of the Philippines' export market, this could result in a 3-5% reduction in total Philippine exports annually.

Further, the increased cost of imported goods could contribute to inflation, potentially adding 0.3 to 0.6 percentage points within 6 to 9 months. The electronics manufacturing sector, which comprises roughly 60% of Philippine exports to the US, might experience production declines of 7-10%, potentially affecting 30,000 to 50,000 jobs. Additional economic consequences could include a 0.5 to 0.8 percentage point slowdown in GDP growth during the first year, a 10-15% decrease in foreign direct investment inflows, and a 3-5% depreciation of the Philippine peso against the US dollar.

In response, the Philippine government might implement expansionary fiscal policies to stimulate domestic demand, potentially leading to demand-pull inflation in certain sectors. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas could face a policy dilemma, balancing the need to support economic growth with the imperative to control inflation.

This might necessitate raising interest rates by 25-50 basis points to stabilize the currency and manage inflation expectations.

It is crucial to remember that these are projections. The actual impacts will depend on various factors, including the adaptation strategies employed by businesses, the government's policy responses, and potential exemptions for specific products or sectors.

OB rocks

It’s when students have tried their very best 

to prove they actually learned something and that 

their exit paper is worth your 5 to 10 minutes... 

Afterwards, they recall all your discussions in class and 

see if they make sense when answering your questions 

or sometimes ask questions related to a concept discussed. 

All those hours of talks, arguments, 

sharing moments sprinkled with laughter and tears, 

and multitasking gone wrong. 

Oh well, last day of the semester... and they're still there. 

 

What an honor to be part
of their academic journey. 🔥