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For the past few months I’ve been using BWI airport in my travel because of the best deal on airline ticket. I usually take the early morning flight in order to avoid the morning rush hour traffic at 495 Beltway and Interstate 95. In booking my return flight, I love the last flight because the airport is almost empty and that Highway 95 and the Beltway are free from traffic jam.

Two weeks ago, I decided to explore the Southern States of Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana because of my special interest on the history of the Civil War especially the Confederate Movement in the South. Although I have not thoroughly read the Civil War history but the monuments and museums that I’ve seen in the States of Virginia, Mississippi, Georgia, West Virginia and North Carolina are tangible proofs on how Democracy has really evolved in this country.

In most of the twenty-seven States that I have visited, there are three things that I always consider before booking a ticket. First, the history of the State and/or the City; second, academic symposia and conferences during the time of my visit; and third, political component of the State legislature and population of the area. Let me explain myself.

When the organizing committee of the International Society of Political Psychology (ISPP) had finally e-mailed me of the approval of my paper abstract, which I intend to present at the society’s 30th international conference in Portland, Oregon, I was quite elated but a little bit anxious. My excitement is due to the fact that my academic plans for the future are coming into their respective places. Although I have had presented two other papers in international gatherings of researchers and academicians in Hawaii and Utah, yet there is always that feeling of race inferiority and the fear of Visayan accent. In all the gatherings of professionals in the U.S. including the annual meeting of American Philosophical Association and the International Association of Philosophy Teachers, I have always struggled the inferior image of my country of origin. Although I am always consoled by the fact that I can represent the country with pride and dignity so this opportunity should not cause any apprehension but a counter proof against the skeptics.

It has become an undeniable fact that the Genuine Opposition (GO) had won majority in the 2007 senatorial election. Why is that so? When I tried to express inner thoughts to answer this query I found many possibilities. A series of election education program was launched to educate the voters even before the height of the election period. Therefore, most Filipinos today can not be deceived by traditional type of campaigning. Perhaps they won because Filipino voting populace, in general, as proved by our history, remains to get along with the side of underdogs compounded with culturally effective campaign strategies of the opposition. Aside from that, the GO electoral campaign strategy focused on the old saying“kill a tree by the root, not by the branch," thus, the GO concentrated generally against the national leadership of President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo ( PGMA ), and least against PGMA’s administration senatorial candidates.

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When I left the portals of Recoletos Seminary in Baguio City, never did it occur in my mind that I would see my classmates again. I personally cut my communications with them because I totally lost control of my spirituality. I started reading pure philosophy and left my spiritual books in the shelves to accumulate dust. Farther, I almost got into the summit of desperation and frustration when my mother died of brain tumor. I isolated myself from the practice of religion and hated the idea of being alone. I am too angry and afraid to confront my "being" and the core of my existence. While doing my doctorate and law at the same time (although I did not finish both because I decided to immigrate to the U.S.), I became the master of vice and promiscuity. Many sleepless nights have been wasted in drinking, bar mania and smoking until the lust of the flesh and worldly attractions has come to the peak of its saturation where the "kiss of death" was almost inevitable.

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Several accusations about cheating and vote buying during the May 14 national and local elections are regular “hors d'oeu-vres” of the day. I am never surprised about the ”dirt” and irregularities during and every Philippine election because they have always been the “mantra” and “menu” of almost all elections. But what consoles me in last Monday’s election is the fact that those “Hollywood” stars never got into the Senate and House of Representatives. The truth of the matter is, they don’t deserve to be in the “Hall of Legislation”. Some of them may have the intellectual capacity to legislate but they are better off in the movie industry. I’m sorry to hear about the catastrophic defeat of Manny Pacquiao but that should serve him a lesson.

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As Spring Season approaches, I spent several nights of isolation and reflection in order to process an objective approach to the idea of Lent. As much as I want to be detached and non-romantic to the story of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I could not help but be rational and spiritual. I clearly understand that America is a country of freedom and to declare the Holy Week as a holiday is contrary to the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States which provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances", and to impose it on business establishments in general and to the people in particular is a blatant disregard of the said Amendment, hence sue able within the framework of American justice system.

I started to loosen up with life after I decided to join the print media because of the freedom that comes along with my job. I want to think "freely in the sky" and be more liberal in my approach to the phenomenon of life. Although I started identifying my values with the liberals but I have not assimilated the activism of the extreme right movement because it is not healthy for the society as a whole. I have also been exposed to the ideas of the conservatives and have practiced them for a while but as I begin to define myself and establish my own style and legacy, I get more and more uncomfortable with conservatism.

I have watched O’Reilly Factor for quite sometime (in fact I have his book on The No Spin Zone) and tune in to Fox News channel every night but I get sick and tired with too much Republicanism. I get along fine with the “most trusted news” and am more at home with CNN channel.

Another comic show is scheduled to dominate the Philippine election this coming May 2007. As the Election Day gets closer, I could see more "clowns" joining the show. This election is one of the funniest and idiotic in Philippine history because we got candidates who are not only mal-educated showbiz personalities but also a boxer who thought that being the boxing world champion is enough credentials for a seat in Congress.

There is no doubt that Manny Pacquiao will win a congressional seat in Mindanao but the question is, what is he going to do in the legislature. He could not even speak one straight sentence in English during media interviews so how much more the complications of sponsoring a bill and the parliamentary protocol attached to its reading before the highest lawmaking body of the country. Manny's political ambition, I believe, would be the beginning of his downfall, both in sports and personal credibility.

While my travel to the South is exhausting and expensive, I never for a second regretted my decision to go Deep South because I have learned so much about its people, culture and history. For months, I’ve been preoccupied with research on which cities in the South should I go to. From hotel, airline and bus reservations, I have to be more patient and diligent in order to get the best deal and also be able to maximize every minute of my travel. I have to do the reservations several months ahead and tediously research the area and points of interest.

It took me a couple of years to realize that celebrating Christmas in America is no joke. As I get closer to Christmas day, the more physical and psychological pressure there is to get things done before the final moment. Christmas shopping is tremendously exhausting not only because of the difficulty in choosing the right gift for the right person but the financial strain to stay within budget. After those gifts have been bought, I found myself staying late at night trying to wrap them so they’re ready for the post office or that during the most awaited Christmas party on Christmas day, they are all set to go under the Christmas tree.

People often equate liberalism with the Democratic Party so I cannot blame them for labeling me as one among them. I am not a liberal advocate neither do I intend to become one. But let me elaborate my thoughts so that I would not be mistaken as liberal activist. Being a Democrat does not necessarily mean being liberal in the same manner as being a Republican does not necessarily mean being conservative. Democratic idealism is entirely different from realism. I am inclined to believe the latter rather than live the world of idealism. Ideas are concepts within the level of the intellect and would remain so unless processed into reality. The real world is a complex interplay of empirical phenomenon hence the real test of leadership principles and management.

As we get closer to the November 7 election, I am compelled by conscience to make this appeal to all Filipino-Americans in the Metro Washington,DC area and as far as this message could go – to all Filipino-Americans voters. I am in particular making a personal appeal to my fellow Virginians because we need to vindicate macaca whose color of the skin is my (our) semblance.

Towards the last quarter of the month of September, the early wave of Fall breeze has reminded me of another winter depression. Although I look forward to the beauty of Fall colors and the challenge of ice skating and mountain skiing but generally winter makes my soul sink into the closet of gym exercise vis-à-vis outdoor sports such as biking and running.

I agree with some Senators that convening Congress into a Constituent Assembly requires the concession of both the Senate and House of Representatives. There should be a dialogue between the leadership of both houses in order to avoid further legal disputes. The Lower House cannot brush aside the Senate because the 1987 Constitution is very explicit as to the composition of Congress, i.e., the Senate and House of Representatives. Senate President Manny Villar and two other influential senators, Senate Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Sen. Edgardo Angara have expressed openness and willingness for a Charter Change. This is a good sign for the country both politically and economically. If the Charter Change materializes, we’ll definitely have a new form of government hence abolishing the Senate. This is probably the whole reason why some Senators have been reluctant for a Cha-Cha (no more honorary titles and pork barrel privileges for them).