The Wheel and Axle

Photos: http://attitude.co.uk

… and not just mere statistics.

So many lives lost, and we will remember them all.

Our hearts go to the families, friends, and loved ones that they left behind.

And because of their inspiration and sacrifice:

We will not be silenced by fear.

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Less than a week after I wrote about IDAHOT and the continued struggle of the LGBT community around the world against hatred and violence, Omar Mateen massacred fifty people and injured fifty-three others when he stormed the Pulse gay club in Orlando, Florida. It is now the worst mass shooting in the history of the United States and their deadliest terrorist attack since 9/11.

And make no mistake about it: this was a terrorist attack. Omar Mateen had pledged allegiance to ISIS during the attack itself.

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Happy Independence Day, my beloved country!

Yes, nowadays, a lot of things in this country suck.

A lot of things are annoying and frustrating.

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Originally published on my Facebook account last 13 October 2015.

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Mga kababayan,

Kasalukuyan po akong naghahanap ng running mate para maging Bise Presidente ko. Sya ang makakaakibat ko upang isulong ang adbokasya ko ukol sa China, kung saan papalakasin natin ang diplomatic ties sa Saturn at Jupiter para makatulong sa ating Hukbong Sandatahan. Gagawa kami ng VAA (Visiting Aliens Agreement).

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Just in case you happened to pass by, curious and wondering if I were in contact with aliens from outer space and if I had an embassy set up on the planet Tatooine.

I am, however, willing to open up diplomatic relations with the Klingons for so long as you promise to get me enough energon cubes from Cybertron.

Me.

Crazy Alien Guy.

A couple of weeks ago, Pope Francis made history by canonizing two previous popes – Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. Although I am not Catholic, this event fascinated me as it underlined the savvy that Pope Francis has consistently demonstrated since taking over from his less charismatic predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

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I cannot help but sometimes think there is a conspiracy against education. Whether here or in the USA, education is one of the first institutions that tend to take a hit when budget and planning come into play.

In the USA, it seems the budget for the war chest takes precedence over education (which is not surprising, I guess, considering how many enemies the USA has and how many war profiteers there are in that nation). In the Philippines, education keeps on getting budget cuts, straining state universities and causing a deterioration in quality schooling, while the pork barrel of unscrupulous politicians just keeps on growing.

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I have been in the industry I work in for over a decade. Through various companies including the present, I have experienced its various iterations: call center, back office, insourcing, offshoring, global service center, global solutions. In all cases, it has shown me how world-class Filipino talent is.

Thus, it irks me no end when I hear an arrogant moron telling an agent, “Operator ka lang?” or when I hear a sneering ignoramus say, “Fad lang ‘yang offshore-offshore na ‘yan!“

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Social networking is fun. Heck, back before Facebook was alive, I was a Friendster addict. And who remembers mIRC, which is technically not a social network, but a chat place? Of course, Friendster is practically dead, mIRC is as obscure as EDSAmail, and now Facebook has swallowed the world. As long as one knows how to socially-network responsibly and smartly, it can be a pretty powerful tool in the world of today.

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Apparently, there is none.

At least, with some people.

In this day and age, in a place where one’s comfort is thought to have always been secure due to progressive and inclusive ideals being espoused, it is frightening to learn that fear of the different is alive and well.

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