Tax Remittances: Lead By Example

 "Bago mo punahin ang uling ng ibang tao, punahin mo muna ang sarili mong uling."

 

The recent advocacy of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has again earned the ire of many of our countrymen, particularly the doctors, in whom was portrayed as professionals who earn a lot, but does not remit any taxes to the Government.

I, for one, am not a physician, however, being one of the million taxpayers in this country, I do not feel even the slightest bit of confidence that the taxes that I pay goes to where it should be. I feel frustrated knowing that many of our elected officials siphon our hard earned money, only to satisfy their own selfishness and greed. And truth be told, aside from my personal belief that taxes should be deducted as a percentage, rather than by a bracketing system, if I was only given a chance, I would opt not to remit taxes myself!

We all know the story. We've seen it in the news, heard it over the radio, read it in the papers, and it has even been broadcasted all over the world. If the Government wishes to improve tax collection, the people in power should first improve their services to the people. You, who are in public service, owe the citizens for getting elected. You, the people in the government should not betray the the trust of the public. You, the people in the government should lead by example and also pay what is due. And just a gentle reminder, that You, the people in power are no stronger than the power of the people. After all, 'di ba nga kami ang boss niyo?

As the local saying goes: "Bago mo punahin ang uling ng ibang tao, punahin mo muna ang sarili mong uling."

~ City Boy Tripper

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Giving is the Best Communication

"Giving is the best Communication" This is what the video is trying to get across to its viewers.

The video is an advertisement from a TELCO in Thailand called True Move H. It may be a simple ad to further enhance the company's brand marketing and sales but never the less, the video has touched so many hearts in different countries.

The video was aired sometime in October of 2013. All credits of the video goes to its rightful owner.

I cannot help but relate such scenario to the crisis our country is experiencing. With goods being sold instead of being given to the ones in need, claims of overpriced bunk houses, overpricing of basic needs and the like, why can't we find it in our hearts to give? Has our morale standards gone so low to the point that we now capitalize on other people's misfortune?

Think about it, if today we let the blame-game stop, and start being accountable in everything that we do, and if we acknowledge and learn from our past, wouldn't it prepare us in making the right choices for our future?

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. 

- Oscar Wilde

~ City Boy Tripper

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On Love and Heartaches

This post is a written anecdote of a girl with a genuine love for her country and its people. A girl who hopelessly devoted so many years trying to make a change in a capitalistic country plagued with corruption and inequality.

Just like any other person I had my fair share of love and heartaches. But mine is not a typical story of love and break up. I was in high school when I learn to love selflessly. Not to one particular person but to the causes towards social change. I have joined the movement and shared the dream that one day, somehow somewhere, our dream society will be put in place.

After college I devoted myself as a full time volunteer educating the young people, engaging in different campaigns and organizing my generation to be part of the so called greatest cause. Just like our national hero Jose Rizal once said, the young people are the hope of our motherland. They are the catalyst of change because of their new ideas, their uncorrupted minds and their ideals.

I've devoted so many years, so as to say, most of my younger years fighting for the greatest cause. While most of my colleagues are busy with their careers, love life and other normal routine that the young people should do based on the standards of our society. I've done this because I believe that we all should live a life where equality and equity should be enjoyed by the people, that we all have the same rights, therefore we should have an opportunity to practice and celebrate these rights. While the reality contradicts, while some have so many, the rest of the population bears and suffer in a very unfair way of living called poverty.

I have never been in love like this, I have never been so passionate and selfless that’s why I decided to spend my life for this cause, for the people, for their empowerment, for system change, for our dream society.

But circumstances are not on my side. Just like the rest who have put themselves selflessly to their first loves, I've also experienced heart aches. I got lost. Lost in the world where I thought I knew like the back of my hand. I have cried. I have shed so many tears. I never had been broken like this. I was torn into pieces. I even came to a point that even my comrades, my once so called brothers and sisters became complete strangers to me. I didn't know them anymore. I am completely lost.

I've hated myself for not fulfilling the tasks that were given to me. I've failed my comrades, I've failed the movement and most especially I've lost the fire that once been so bright and alive that pushes me and keeps me going. I've lost myself…

Now, I have moved on but the great and strong feelings for my first love and extreme heartaches will be forever part of me, it is part of who I am today. Yes, I have been in love, the highest form of love that any human can give to himself/ herself, to her people, to her motherland. And I have never been broken, the most painful kind of heartache that I have experienced when I decided to leave the movement, my once so called family, my once so called world… my once so called ME.

Liana

12/26/2013

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Happy Christmas, Will Our Wars Be Over?

With Christmas just around the corner, people from all around the world are eager to shop, and prepare for this festive season. Unfortunately for some, things won't be as festive as it was a year ago. For this, I take this moment to reflect and to thank what I have, and also to continue on believing that life will take it's turn to a better tomorrow. As the late John F. Kennedy said:

"Mankind must put an end to war, before war puts an end to mankind."

John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Note: I do not own this video

Our country has it's own share of wars. Power struggles, injustice, corruption, and poverty just to name a few. Perhaps, I will not even see these wars to be over in my lifetime, but at least in my own little way, I can be a seed that could grow a certain awareness, even to at least a handful of souls.

~ City Boy Tripper

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