Friday, March 18, 2011

Philippine Labor Laws

The Philippine government continues to protect the Filipino workers like spoiled children with the passing of bill regularizing the contractuals or those employed in manpower agencies.

It is very easy to paint the employers like scheming stooges, out to enrich themselves at the expense of the sorry plight of the common workers.   The workers on the other hand are great at exaggerating their contribution and exemplary behavior while taking the 6-month job like a bitter pill.  Our telenovela-crazed country would easily feel sorry for this poor workers.  I am not surprised.  I gathered 4 of my best buddies who are UP graduates and they too feel the same sympathy for the workers like the rest of the nation  It seems that the only people who can really take a birds' eye view are those that actually have dealt and managed company workers.

Our labor laws are not fair.  They are more inclined to be biased towards the employees.  And this is not an opinion.  Anybody who experienced attending negotiations with DOLE can attest to this.  Just like that the Philippine laws favor husbands rather than wives in cases of adultery.

But does over protecting the Philippine workers doing them any good?  The typical filipino workers are known to be lazy, seek opportunities to steal products/money and would file for unnecessary overtime to get more from their salary.   In contrast, the OFW's are known to be hardworking, efficient, flexible and reliant.  Now , what accounts for the difference in the attitudes of the filipino workers?  It seems that the stricter labor laws outside the country make them more vigilant and conscious of the quality of work they provide their foreign employers. While the protection our government provides our workers causes them to be laid back, negligent and sluggish.  This is like the very picture of workers in a communist state.

It is also surprising that the government is not alarmed when seeing manufacturing companies leaving the Philippines and transferring to neighboring countries.  Other governments would encourage, provide enticements for the manufacturing companies to stay, to provide jobs to its people.  But our government leaders remain to be lethargic to the continuing flight of companies.  Is it because they do not understand the economic implications of this?  If it is, then it is sad when the government officials who are supposed to be the servants of the filipino people and who should serve the interests of the masses would not lift a finger to stop the closing down of factories and corporations, leaving many people jobless and poorer.
The common workers, unable to find job in this country, would then apply to be an OFW.    Thus, the number of OFW 's keep on increasing in number.  It is a pity when our OFW's earn praise abroad and yet they remain to be the bane of the employer's existence in their own motherland.

So the next time we hear our government leaders giving praise to the OFW's , we are reminded that the growing number of OFW's is a sign of our government's negligence in providing sufficient jobs to our people.   IT is because the government is not doing its job that the filipinos are forced to leave their family and earn money abroad to help their loved ones.  It is a constant reminder of our government's failure to pass and implement laws to ensure the protection of a growing family.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

 There are some days when hours are slow.  And you are trapped in the same old routine of your life.  A good Tv series can liven up your day.  IT can hardly give meaning to your life, but it can make your days more interesting... more tolerable.

Im not a TV addict.  There are only a handful of shows that can sustain my interest.  Supernatural is one such TV series.

The show revolves around the life of Sam and Dean Winchester, two brothers belonging to a family of hunters.  They lost their parents to demons and they follow their path to hunting and killing demons.  As the show progresses to 2nd,3rd and now 6th season, the brothers tackle angels, the 4 horsemen and even Satan himself.   They had their days in Hell and Heaven.  And they expanded their circle of friends and hunters to angels and even demons.

If you are religious fanatic, you may not readily accept the portrayal of angels in the 4th or 5th season.  It shows that Heaven suffers the same politicking just like our corrupt governments.   And some angels can be working against the interests of people too.  So, if you are a conservative Christian, I would not suggest this TV show for you.  Or if you faint at the sight of blood , better choose another TV show. Otherwise, this is one of the most entertaining TV series I have encountered.  They don't need to sweeten the pot by showing some sexual scenes or super gory pictures of murdered men.  The story line itself is well written and characters are multi-dimensional.   You find yourself growing with the characters as each season unfolds.

It does not hurt too that the 2 brothers are really nice to look at.  And the music they play are alternative rock, my kind of music.  

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Burlesque

Burlesque - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

To escape boredom, I went to Greenhills to watch the new movie in town , titled Burlesque.  I was alone. I was ready with my popcorn and drinks.  I took my seat and bam! Was I in for a big surprise!

The movie Burlesque starring Cher and Christina Aguilera is such a feast on the eyes with its nonstop choreography and dazzling stage.  

From the moment the movie starts, you are riveted to your seats and hoping you are not missing anything on screen.  You will definitely NOT go on a bathroom break watching this movie.  I almost forgot I have popcorn on my left hand.

Cher is definitely not a has-been.  She looks amazingly good given that she is of the same age as my mom.  I cannot imagine my mom looking half as hot as Cher.   She played her role as a strict but caring owner of the bar to the hilt.  One can almost believe she is mean until she slowly unravels her sensitive and caring nature by giving chance to the newcomer played by Christina Aguilera.

Christina Aguilera is a revelation in this movie.  I never considered Christina Aguilera as pretty as Britney Spears.   But her youthful looks really shone in this movie.  She just looks so young and innocent and driven.

Burlesque is a type of dance that reminds us women of the bygone times when a woman enjoys her curves, revels in her vulnerability and finds strength in her sexuality.  In this note, this movie definitely delivered.