Hello ! RenxKyoko Iglesias here !
I’ve been staring at a white, blank screen for hours now. I am still deciding whether I will post something about my job – hunting, or go ahead and write about my 2014 vacation in the Philippines. I have tons of pictures all ready to be posted here, but I don’t feel like writing about a country,( it does not matter that this is where I was born, and came from) that tolerates, approves of , and seemingly delights in extra-judicial killings of ” ALLEGED” drug pushers. I’m sure my Filipino blogger friends would tell me I have no right to criticize the country because 1. I am not a Filipino 2. I have no idea what they are going through living in a country with acute drug problem.
I do understand that. I know the country has become the dumping ground of all sorts of drugs ( they call one drug shabu )……. Why is the Philippines the dumping ground , you ask ? Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and other South East Asian countries have extremely strict laws against possession. It’s death penalty . The Philippines, on the other hand, is less strict, not to mention law enforcers are extremely corrupt. I’m sure the authorities know exactly who the drug lords are . They are untouchable, and, obviously we know why.
I always write about the Philippines and its people in glowing terms. They are naturally gentle, generous, happy, smiling people, and this is true. But not at this time, and unfortunately, not for 6 years. They just elected a rogue president who disrespects just about anybody… President Obama, the Pope, and Jesus Christ Himself. And I am not making this up.
Random photo. ( just because I mentioned The Pope ,and there has to be a picture, right ?)
Above is just a random pic of myself at the Vatican Museum. I think its one of the best pic ever taken during our tour. I am exactly in the middle of the museum hallway, and equidistant from the 2 walls. It’s true. I checked it. Maybe there was divine intervention when my Mom took the pic.
To continue……
Oh, we are not entirely disconnected from the country. My family still own more properties in the Philippines than the average Filipino, and we pay taxes , without fail. We therefore have a reason to pay close attention to what’s going on there.
To my Filipino blogger friends who have declared their heartfelt approval of this president’s behavior…. I am sorry to have a different opinion. I just hope and pray this does not become the standard by which the country elects its officials.
I am sad and a bit demoralized.
This is all for now. Thank you for reading.
Please check out my manga/anime blogsite HERE http://2megaworthitwordpresscomblog.wordpress.com/
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Am a Molecular Microbiology student, love to read books, and I play the violin. 
dreamsending
renxkyoko
renxkyoko's space 
Posted by John W. Howell on September 12, 2016 at 12:34 am
Tha US will join you in getting a disrespectful President in November no matter who is elected
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 1:20 am
No head of state can beat that one from the Philippines. When the Pope was in the Philippines, he called him an SOB and should just go home ….. due to traffic.
Posted by Jim on September 12, 2016 at 12:39 am
loved the pic.
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 12:59 am
Thank you. I love it, as well.
Posted by Jim on September 12, 2016 at 1:10 am
did you post pics on your Vatican tour?
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 1:22 am
Yes, I did ! !
I think I’m going to post ” the best pics ” of the places we visited.
Posted by Jim on September 12, 2016 at 1:26 am
that would be good. I haven’t made it to Italy yet and would love to see. where you’ve been.
Posted by mihrank on September 12, 2016 at 1:14 am
Indeed, amazing post and journey – good point!
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 1:22 am
Thanks, mihrank. Just a bit sad here.
Posted by disperser on September 12, 2016 at 1:46 am
I got even more bad news . . . there’s no way you’re equidistant from both walls if the floor pattern is symmetrical.
But, it is a nice photo.
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 3:45 am
Aaargh ! @disperser… T.T…..
Posted by disperser on September 12, 2016 at 4:03 am
T.T . . . so, like, that must mean something. I checked the great repository of knowledge, The Internet, and I’m informed that it might be a crying emoticon.
I hope not . . . I prefer to make people laugh, and I don’t really need another super-power.
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 5:23 pm
Ha ha That’s a crying emoticon.
Posted by arlene on September 12, 2016 at 2:02 am
…and that’s not even the tip of the iceberg Ren. Nice shot by the way 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 3:49 am
I know, Ms. Arlene ! You won’t believe the news that we get here. He even disrespects women. He’s got a dirty mouth. * shivers * He’s an embarrassment to us here in the US. My dad, my siblings and I . we’ve been asked about him so many times.
Posted by Gronda Morin on September 12, 2016 at 3:24 am
Dear Renxkyoko, I love your picture at the Vatican Museum. Your President Duarte has a reputation which sounds somewhat like Donald Trump. I would be embarrassed for my country if he became president. I’m sad that he was even nominated as a candidate, Gronda
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 5:06 pm
President Duterte……. Yes, he sounds like Trump, but Duterte is worse. He’s institutionalizing extra – judicial executions. I highly doubt a Pres. Trump can do that.
Posted by Gronda Morin on September 14, 2016 at 8:30 pm
You are so right. Gronda
Posted by Jay on September 12, 2016 at 4:25 am
Voices of dissent are important. Criticism of countries and elected officials is how we make the
Posted by Jay on September 12, 2016 at 4:25 am
Them better.
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 5:13 pm
A presidential candidate promised the streets would be filled with blood , and was elected for that, Filipinos must be that desperate .
Posted by andy1076 on September 12, 2016 at 10:32 am
I agree with you, I too hope this ‘solution’ won’t be a permanent to the drug problem, There has to be a better alternative.
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 5:17 pm
They have to get rid of law enforcers who protect the big guys. That’s the only way. These ” alleged ” drug dealers should have the right to defend themselves if they are innocent. They are innocent until proven guilty. The Filipinos have taken a very dangerous route . I hope they can get out of this.
Posted by weekendotaku on September 12, 2016 at 3:23 pm
Being from another country myself, I can understand the struggle of being so far away from what is happening, but concerned all the same.
Making a country safer is a lot of hard work, and sometimes taking the easy way means losing fairness in the judicial system. Let’s hope the Phillipines can achieve its goals, no matter how difficult, without sacrificing the rights of the people.
Posted by renxkyoko on September 12, 2016 at 5:22 pm
A wrong woman can just ” alert ” authorities secretly that her cheating ex boyfriend is a drug dealer.
Posted by weekendotaku on September 12, 2016 at 5:43 pm
I agree, these kinds of practices need to stop. It’s not helping the drug situation and just making people scared and ultimately less safe by damaging their faith in authorities.
Posted by Mick Canning on September 12, 2016 at 5:59 pm
Of course you have a right to criticize – we are all human beings and when anyone’s human rights are trampled on, we all have a right to have our say!
Posted by renxkyoko on September 15, 2016 at 8:58 pm
That’s right. The news we hear about the situation there is just jaw-dropping. * shaking head ” 6 years to go.
Posted by Mick Canning on September 16, 2016 at 8:36 am
It’s not looking good.
Posted by Wendell A. Brown on September 14, 2016 at 5:27 pm
am feeling you, and I pray things will get better over there. Do not like you being sad, and demoralized, Here is a poem that might bring your wonderful smile alive. Show us your vacation and keep moving forward…hugs and blessings dear sister.
Be the reason someone smiles today!!!!!
A Touch
Wake up in smiles
Because you are alive
As God permits you
To see another day
And welcome the sun
Into your life
As it brings a special
Peace that stays
Greet all that you meet
With a pleasant hello
And you will find that
Today you are blessed
As you see each one
That you did meet
Become alive with the
Touch of God’s eternal
Bliss.
Have a beautiful day!!!!
Posted by renxkyoko on September 14, 2016 at 6:50 pm
O_O
Oh, my, word ! ! This is wonderful ! A poem for a comment ! Thank you ! !
Posted by Raffy Pekson II on September 15, 2016 at 11:57 am
It is a good thing that your heart still goes out to us guys and gals stuck with a electorally-popular President who now has succumbed to disrespect and prejudice. Many who voted for him are now either quiet or slowly resenting their choice. Others (who voted for him) continue to troll the web and social media world, looking to pounce at the very mention of anything against their (beloved?) hero. Still others (who voted for him) defend his negative verbose and actions as “strategy.” In all, just #PrayForThePhilippines that the very faint glimmer of light at the end of this dark tunnel becomes bigger and brighter sooner than (six years) later.
Go and speak your mind and heart out, for you are and will always be “one of us.” 😊
Posted by renxkyoko on September 15, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Thank you for the kind words.
I hope people who oppose still have the freedom to speak up. Over here, there was news here that when he was asked by a reporter about his health, his response was ” do you know how your wife’s xxxxx smell like ? ” or something like that. He represents 100 million Filipinos, Mr. Pekson. I really don’t know how that kind of answer will improve the country’s situation.
Posted by Raffy Pekson II on September 16, 2016 at 4:42 am
It won’t, Ms. Iglesias. But let us believe that we are all better in democracy today than we were in the ’60s and ’70s, that there are still two other branches of government that will protect the people against any abuse from the executive branch, and social media and the internet redistributes the power of media in the hands of individuals (regretfully, both capable hands and abusive ones, too).
“Love your country even if you don’t love your government.” Did Mark Twain say this? LOL! 😊
Posted by brianitus on September 15, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Sigh, indeed.
Good to know you care about what happens here in the islands. When are you coming over for a visit?
Posted by renxkyoko on September 15, 2016 at 8:32 pm
Maybe next year ? Depends on my new job. How are you, Brian ? Peace to all of you. But , man, your president…… he’s popular, I hear, but I don’t think people realize the long term repercussions of his methods….. I’m sure some were innocent…. but they’re dead, and were not given the right to prove their innocence.
Posted by brianitus on September 17, 2016 at 6:25 am
He is popular. You got that right.
As for me, I am doing okay. See you next year. We’ll roll out the carpet for you. LOL
Posted by Rebecca Dawn on September 16, 2016 at 3:42 am
Lovely picture Ren!😆
It is sad that government officials think it’s ok to go such extreme measures to ensure a drug free country. Yet nothing is being done about corruption.
Posted by renxkyoko on September 16, 2016 at 4:19 am
BULLSEYE ! ! Got it in one , Rebecca !
Posted by Rebecca Dawn on September 16, 2016 at 11:15 pm
He should go after the officials protecting the drug cartels, and make an example of them
Posted by renxkyoko on September 17, 2016 at 7:42 pm
Nailed it again, Rebecca ! !
Posted by Moushmi Radhanpara on September 16, 2016 at 7:52 am
It was a great post and I really loved this picture, equidistant or not!
Posted by renxkyoko on September 18, 2016 at 9:09 am
Thank you, Moushini Radhanpara .
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Posted by renxkyoko on September 18, 2016 at 9:08 am
Thanks for the shout-out, Universe Unexplored ! !
Posted by Ste J on September 18, 2016 at 8:35 am
That is a very nicely shot photo. If nothing else Duterte creates debate and allows us to look at what a leader should be and how far our own fall short of the public’s expected standard. It would be nice if that would translate into something meaningful in so far as how politicians are viewed and elected, though I highly doubt it.
Posted by renxkyoko on September 18, 2016 at 9:12 am
I like that photo, as well. I wish the lady behind me wasn’t there. It would have been perfect….. yours truly and the ancients.
they’re now experiencing ” Buyers Beware syndrome.
Posted by karenicanix on September 18, 2016 at 5:53 pm
Hi, Ren! I am so sorry to hear your thoughts about the new President of the Philippines. If you have been watching news from abs cbn… I wouldn’t be surprised you have that opinion. The network delivers lies. Anyway, President Duterte did not disrepect women, the Pope, or Pres. Obama. He may not be as scholarly or as elite as other officials and businessmen, but I am proud to say this country has a real President. I won’t go on and explain more, but kindly do more research on the things that he has done so far so u will somehow see the other side of the picture. 😃
Posted by Don on September 20, 2016 at 9:30 am
So sad about the state of your country. I can see it’s deeply perturbing for you. It seems to be happening everywhere. Keep well and strength to you.
Posted by renxkyoko on September 20, 2016 at 9:50 am
Thank you. It does seem to be happening everywhere, even here in the US.
And you, too. Be well.
Posted by Ompong on September 20, 2016 at 10:46 am
I share the same sentiment like yours… Remember my “Three Monkeys” blog?
Posted by renxkyoko on September 20, 2016 at 11:06 am
Thank you.
I don’t remember, but I can guess what its all about… can’t speak, can’t see, can’t hear.
Posted by Ompong on September 20, 2016 at 11:07 am
You actually made a very good comment there… That our country is now a “rogue nation”. 😃
Posted by renxkyoko on September 20, 2016 at 11:30 am
O_O
Right ! I remember that ! ! ! ” shakes head ”
I hope the Philippines can go through this without getting pulled down the gutter. He can get rid of bad folks without violating human rights. Start with those who let this happen for monetary gains. And prosecute them , legally. They are innocent, until proven guilty.
He represents 100 M Filipinos, Mr. Ompong.
Posted by Ompong on September 20, 2016 at 11:30 am
Rightly said… 👏👏👏
Posted by A. Blake on September 21, 2016 at 8:15 pm
Gurl you are too funny, I can only imagine the jokes when President and First Lady Obama first occupied the White House…watermelon and collards on the front lawn
Posted by renxkyoko on October 3, 2016 at 9:33 pm
Not to mention the fried chicken ! Ha ha Yummy !
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Posted by The Twentysomething Social Recluse on September 27, 2016 at 12:36 pm
Thank you for sharing this – I feel like I learn a lot about the Philippines from your blog. Also, awesome photo!
Posted by renxkyoko on October 3, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Thanks ! ! These are but a few Philippine quirks. I hope to share more soon.
Posted by artedbc on September 28, 2016 at 12:05 am
Nice post! 🙂
https://m.facebook.com/artedbc/
Posted by renxkyoko on September 28, 2016 at 3:02 am
Thank you. Cheers !
Posted by Wm. Allen on October 3, 2016 at 8:15 pm
Thanks for posting that photo of you in the Vatican Museum and my compliments to whom ever took it.
Posted by renxkyoko on October 3, 2016 at 8:45 pm
My mother took the photo .
Posted by D K Powell on October 5, 2016 at 8:44 am
I have nothing I comment on the politics but just have to say I’m desperate to go to the Philippines – I have several very dear friends living there and want to meet with them. At the moment it is just cost that is the issue or I’d go straightaway!
Posted by renxkyoko on October 5, 2016 at 3:28 pm
It’s cheap in the Philippines, DK Powell. You can eat a mountain of food for a dollar fifty.
Outwardly, it’s not bad. You’d be surprised how modern and westernized the country is. It’s regrettable they just elected a thug.
Posted by D K Powell on October 6, 2016 at 6:39 pm
Yes I’ve heard much about it. I have to go very soon 🙂
Posted by kelleysdiy on December 3, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Stunning!!!