DEMOCRACY A GOVERNMENT OF THE MOBS

I can remember it very well when one of my uncles, Uncle Bing2—a retired Human Rights Regional Director of Region XII and a retired Judge—uttered this idea: “Democracy is a government of the mobs.”

Noon, napakunot-noo ako. Paano naging “mob” ang mamamayan? Hindi ba’t ang demokrasya ang pinakamataas na anyo ng pamamahala—boses ng bayan, kapangyarihan ng nakararami? Bata pa ako noon, kaya tinabi ko muna ang ideyang iyon sa isang sulok ng isipan. Pero hindi ito tuluyang nawala. Tahimik lang itong naghintay.

Hanggang sa sumabog ang flood control fiasco.

Doon ko muling naalala si Uncle Bing2.

Sa gitna ng baha, ng sirang proyekto, ng bilyong pisong pondo na tila inanod ng putik at palusot, ang mas nakakagulat ay hindi lamang ang kapalpakan ng sistema—kundi ang reaksyon ng publiko. May galit, oo. Ngunit mas malakas ang ingay kaysa isip. Mas mabilis ang sisi kaysa pagsusuri. Mas uso ang viral kaysa beripikasyon.

At doon pumasok ang tanong:
Ito ba ang demokrasya? O ito na ba ang mob rule na tinutukoy ni Uncle Bing2?

Sa teorya, ang demokrasya ay pamahalaan ng mamamayan—may partisipasyon, may pananagutan, may talino sa pagpili. Ngunit sa praktika, nagiging mapanganib ito kapag ang mga desisyon ay hinuhubog ng emosyon, disimpormasyon, at popularidad. Kapag mas pinakikinggan ang pinakamalakas sumigaw kaysa sa may malinaw na paliwanag. Kapag ang “likes” at “shares” ang nagiging sukatan ng katotohanan.

Hindi lahat ng galit ay mali. Hindi lahat ng protesta ay masama. Ngunit kapag ang galit ay hindi na ginagabayan ng pag-unawa, at ang protesta ay walang malinaw na layunin, nagiging ingay ito—at ang ingay, kapag pinagsama-sama, ay nagiging mob.

Ang masakit na katotohanan:
Hindi awtomatikong matalino ang nakararami.
Ang demokrasya ay umaasa hindi lamang sa dami ng bumoboto, kundi sa kalidad ng pag-iisip ng bumoboto.

Kaya mahalaga ang mga institusyon—batas, korte, malayang midya, at edukasyon. Ito ang mga preno ng demokrasya. Kapag sinira natin ang mga ito sa ngalan ng “kami ang mayorya,” unti-unti nating tinatanggal ang proteksyon laban sa mob rule.

Sa flood control fiasco, malinaw ang aral: hindi sapat ang sisihan. Hindi sapat ang trending na galit. Ang kailangan ay kolektibong pag-iisip, hindi kolektibong pagwawala.

Ngayon, mas nauunawaan ko na si Uncle Bing2.

Hindi niya sinasabing masama ang demokrasya. Ang babala niya ay mas malalim:

Ang demokrasya, kapag iniwan sa kamay ng emosyon at kamangmangan, ay kayang maging pamahalaan ng mga nagkakagulo.

Ang tunay na hamon sa atin ay ito:
Paano tayo magiging mamamayan, hindi mob?
Paano tayo magiging mapanuri, hindi padalos-dalos?
Paano natin ipagtatanggol ang demokrasya—hindi lamang laban sa mga tiwaling opisyal, kundi laban din sa sarili nating kapabayaan bilang mamamayan?

Dahil sa huli, ang demokrasya ay salamin.
Kung ano ang kalidad ng mamamayan, iyon din ang kalidad ng pamahalaan.

At marahil, ito ang aral na matagal nang sinasabi ni Uncle Bing2—na ngayon ko lang tunay na naintindihan.

PAGBALIGYA UG CARABAO GRASS

Pagbaligya ug Carabao Grass: Simple nga Negosyo, Dako ug Potensyal

Pasiuna

Sa daghang komunidad sa Mindanao ug uban pang kabukiran sa Pilipinas, ang carabao grass (Paspalum conjugatum) usa ka kasaligan ug praktikal nga tanom—dili lang para sa hayupan, kundili usab isip usa ka lig-on nga panginabuhian. Kung husto ang pag-atiman ug pagbaligya, ang carabao grass mahimong regular nga tinubdan sa kita sa mag-uuma ug small entrepreneurs.

Ngano Carabao Grass?

• Kusgan ug dali motubo – Bisan walay mahal nga abono.
• Paborito sa hayupan – Kalabaw, baka, kanding, ug kabayo.
• Dako ang demand – Gikan sa gagmay’ng mag-uuma hangtod sa commercial livestock farms.
• Low maintenance – Angay sa abtik nga negosyo nga gamay ang kapital.

Mga Paagi sa Pagbaligya

1. Fresh Cut (Berde nga Carabao Grass)

• Ibaligya per kilo o per sako.
• Target buyers: backyard raisers, dairy farms, ug fattening farms.

2. Sod o Turok (Roots with soil)

• Para sa mga gusto magtanom ug padaghan.
• Mas taas ang presyo tungod kay naay ugat ug dali motubo.

3. Contract Supply

• Kasabutan sa regular nga delivery (weekly o bi-weekly).
• Stable nga kita, mas gamay ang risgo.

Presyo ug Kita (Sample lamang)

• Fresh cut: PHP XX–XX / kilo
• Sod/turok: PHP XX–XX / bundle
• Monthly income magdepende sa area, ani, ug kasabutan sa buyer.

Tips sa Kalampusan

• Husto nga timing sa anihan – Ayaw pabaya-i nga magulang kaayo.
• Limpyo ug presko – Mas dali mabaligya ang hayag ug humok nga balili.
• Network sa buyers – Livestock owners, cooperatives, ug LGU programs.
• Simple branding – Ngalan sa uma, contact number, ug klaro nga presyo.

Marketing nga Sayon ug Barato

• Facebook Marketplace ug local FB groups.
• Text ug tawag sa suki nga buyers.
• Word of mouth sa merkado ug barangay.

Panapos

Ang pagbaligya ug carabao grass dili komplikado, apan kung seryosohon ug tarongon, mahimo kini nga lig-on ug pangdugay nga negosyo. Sa yuta nga nagamit na daan ug sa kusog nga panginahanglan sa hayupan, klaro kaayo ang potensyal niini.

Kung nangita ka ug negosyo nga praktikal, dali sugdan, ug naa gyud merkado—carabao grass is a smart move.

---

Gusto ka bang mopalit o makig-partner? Kontaka mi ug magtinabangay ta sa pagpalambo sa atong agrikultura.

Mobile Number: 09350744098

Email: ictcrd12247elem@gmail.com / fodibaj@yahoo.com

MAYBE THOSE IN THE 1% OF THE ELITE IN THE PHILIPPINES WOULD SHOUT AT THE TOP OF THEIR VOICE!!! HAVE I HEARD THAT RIGHT!!! 

GOOD THINGS ABOUT FAILURES

In a world obsessed with success, we often forget that failure is the real teacher. For many of us—especially in a culture where saving face is so important—the thought of failure is a source of intense anxiety. But what if our biggest setbacks are actually our greatest opportunities? What if they aren't the opposite of success, but an essential part of it?

Most parents are not aware that the more their child fears
committing failures, the more they are dragged into this pit.
Their fear even results in a worst scenario - suicide!

In my own journey, I’ve faced failures that, at first, felt humiliating and discouraging. "Yet, looking back, those very failures became the foundation of my purpose and success.

Failures as Turning Points

My first assignment as a principal seemed like a dead end. Placed in a far-flung school with no ICT equipment and a nonexistent budget, I was handed a problem with no clear solution. Most people saw a lost cause—and I admit, I felt the same way. But this setback became my breakthrough.

Due to "the better-than-no" equipment, I encouraged myself to reach out to generous stakeholders. Mr. Jose "Dodoy" Agreda, a classmate in elementary school, solicited a used computer set from Congressman Dinand Hernadez, who didn't give a second thought to providing us the equipment. "Oh, I can see the glitter in the eyes of my teachers, who, most of them, might have made their first encounter with ICT equipment in their entire lives! With that overwhelming enthusiasm from my teachers, I was inspired to innovate. I personally guided teachers who were afraid of computers. Yes, there were many mistakes at first, but failure turned out to be the best teacher.

I can't forget 1 of the best comments from one of them, "Ka hulas man lang gali!"

Failures that Humble the Ego

Not every plan succeeds. I’ve had proposals rejected and projects dismissed. It hurt. But in time, I realized that failure doesn’t mean your efforts are worthless. Sometimes, it simply means that the path you’re taking is not the one meant for you. That’s when I discovered my true calling—advocating ICT and AI education.

Failures that Grow Empathy

If I had only experienced victories, I might have believed life was always easy. But through failures, I learned to understand others who struggle. Failure plants empathy in the heart and makes us more capable of lifting others up.

Failures as Seeds of Success

Every setback carried lessons I now bring with me in my work as a supervisor and ICT advocate. Failures aren’t dead ends—they’re stepping stones toward higher levels of growth.

Failure is not the opposite of success; it's rather a part of success.

Ultimately, my failures didn't define me; they built me. They taught me humility, gave me empathy, and pointed me toward my true calling. Failure isn't the opposite of success; it's the very foundation of it. So the next time you face a setback, ask yourself: 'What is this failure trying to teach me?

ANIA NA ANG KATUMANAN SA ATONG MGA PANGANDOY - THE FULFILLMENT OF OUR ASPIRATIONS

by: Francis Rodney Jabido, MAEM

        Manolito Jabido & Brian Bingil

Reviewed and Updated:  September 15, 2025

October 27, 2019

Photo of Jabido Brothers: from left to right - Gregorio Bengil Jabido, Fausto Bengil Jabido (sitting) & Lupe Bengil Jabido

It seems that the voice of my late grandfather, Lolo Jacoy (Ciriaco Jabido, Sr.) rang into my ear “Ani-a na ang katumanan sa atong mga pangandoy,” which means this is the fulfillment of our aspirations. This was the first word he uttered when saw the island of Mindanao, he uttered these words aboard a ship approaching Bukana a Delta of Rio Grande de Mindanao, in Cotabato City.

He was brought to Mindanao by her Aunt, Insi Valentina Catulong (Unmarried) the elder sister of Manay Martina, his deceased mother the wife of Gregorio Jabido (his father). He was with his 4 four siblings and other relatives. His siblings were Marcelina, the eldest, Raymunda,  Anatolia, and Simplicia, their youngest, who was blinded because of typhoid fever when she was still a child.

He was only a teenager then, Marcelina was their eldest, and Simplicia was the youngest. They were among the Cebuano settlers who sought greener pastures in the second-largest island of the Philippines. He and his siblings migrated to the island popularly known as the Land of Promise because their land in Ginatilan, Cebu, is unproductive. From their stories, I’ve heard that their land is a rocky hill and below is the seaside. In other words, one of the primary reasons for their migration was the better opportunity Mindanao has to offer a better life.

THE CHALLENGES

Back then, the Empire Cotabato was not yet divided; it comprised the Provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato Gen. Santos City, and Sarangani, the last to be separated from the Mother Province South Cotabato.  They first settled in Bual, Midsayap, Cotabato, now known as Cotabato Province (North Cotabato), Bual is a barangay near Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato, where people from Luzon.

Map of SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) including Maguindanao was once the structure of Empire Cotabato Province Photo Credit: https://kapuluanngpilipinas.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/region-xii-soccsksargen

In the initial stage of their settlement, they encountered hardship since they had no land or livelihood at that time. Until the generous -- DATU MANTIL DILANGALEN lent a five-hectare rice field for them to cultivate. Insi Valentina taught them to plow the farm, all of them, including their cousins who came with them from Cebu.

Life did not go easily, especially since the schools are too far from Bual. Most of them went to college, and they encountered more challenges, because they had to walk mile after mile since the transportation at that time was very scarce. Collaboratively, those who did not go to school were the ones tilling the land to support those who were studying.

Some of them opted to be working students to defray the expenses of the family. Their allowances and other consumption, such as rice and other basic needs, have to be brought on foot from Bual to Cotabato City via trail along the banks of the Rio Grande de Mindanao. 

CALVIN THE REBORN DUO: TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL" - A TALE OF TIMELESS HARMONY

Google Adsense

Follow the journey of a remarkable duo, Calvin and his partner, as they weave a melodic narrative that spans decades. From their humble beginnings as teenage singers to the pinnacle of their lives, their love for music endures. Join them as they breathe new life into the classic song "Teach Your Children" with timeless harmonies and unwavering passion. Experience the nostalgia of their era as they sing the songs that have shaped their lives, and witness the enduring power of music that transcends time.