Libya on the Edge



2011 Libyan Revolution Poster



For the past two weeks I have been following the Libyan events. Like with Tunisia and Egypt and the other countries of Northern Africa and the Middle East, the revolution in Libya is much more violent as the days go by. The last time I heard from the news there were more than a dozen people killed by Moammar Ghadafi's army and upon writing this blog there has been reportedly hundreds more killed. The Libyan people are tired of his socialist style government - the people need change, enough is enough and they like to get rid of dictatorship.

Like any other dictator Ghadafi has been in power for a very long time. That is 41 years of rule. He ruled this Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab country with terror and fear. Ghadafi staged a coup d'etat in 1969 overthrowing King Idris and putting Crown Prince Hassan under house arrest. He abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the new Libyan Arab Republic. Unfortunately his reign is synonymous with terrorism and corruption. His government is not only involved in local terrorism but also in international terrorism, one of which his name was involved with is the Lockerbie bombing of PanAm flight 103 wherein 270 people were killed.

At this point we are hoping that democracy will prevail. It will be a long and difficult struggle to depose a ruler who rooted himself and his legion for 41 years but I believe with people power things might just be possible to topple this dictatorship. Us in the free world wish the Libyan people find the freedom they are searching for. Good luck Libya and may your people find the true, honest and clean leadership soon.

Photo: 2011 Libyan Revolution Poster
Photographer: Yusuf Muhammad
Photo Link:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/scape14897/

1986 Philippine People's Power Revolution

Millions of people at EDSA Highway calling for Marcos to step down

The resignation of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak is victory to the Egyptian people, I truly believe that the Egyptian revolution showed us democracy at work. It did force the end of the 30 year authoritarian rule.

This event in Egypt reminded me of the same revolution that happened in the Philippines 25 years ago. I was there when it happened and it was an event that shook Philippine politics (for awhile) and made Filipinos proud. This event as most people know is the People's Power Revolution which ended 21 years of the Marcos regime. The administration of President Marcos (together with his wife Imelda Marcos) was marred with corruption, nepotism, despotism and human rights violation. The regime saw the development of infrastructure and construction of great highways throughout the Philippines but amidst all of this the lavish lifestyle and corruption of the political elite was getting too much whilst the country's poverty and economy is sinking. This aggravated the Filipinos and most especially the assasination of the late Senator Benigno Aquino nailed its toll on the Marcos administration. Aquino was considered by the Filipinos to be the best politician to replace Marcos. The people's revolution was also set in motion when the president's Defense Secretary Juan Enrile and General Fidel Ramos started a coup d'etat to overthrow the Marcos government.

It was a great revolution. It lasted from Feb. 22-25, 1986 and is still considered to be one of the most peaceful and bloodless revolution. The military, the Catholic church, and the Filipino people, rich or poor were all united in their objective - to end the 21 years of Marcos dictatorship. In the end Marcos and his family fled and left the country through the help of the United States. The country hailed their new president, in fact the Philippine's first female president and her name is Corazon Aquino...and the rest is history.

Tunisian Revolution 2010-2011



Tunisians demanding the ouster of President Ben Ali

 The revolution of the Tunisian people is also one of the major events that happened end of 2010 and ended when its president, President Ben Ali who ruled the country for 24 years was finally ousted mid January 2011. It was good news that the revolution ended just over a month. Again as it is with all types of government whose presidents had ruled for more than 15-20 plus years, the people of these countries will come to a point when they will protest "enough is enough." They will demand for a new president and a new administration. Unfortunately most presidents who rule a country for a long period of time are usually intoxicated by their power and eventually that is when corruption within their administration starts.

In Tunisia the people's demonstration is about government corruption, the lavish lifestyle and illicit business deals of the presidency including the president's wife and family, unemployment, food inflation, freedom of speech and poor living conditions. The incident that greatly instigated the revolution was the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi (dousing himself with flammable liquid and setting himself on fire). He did this because a policewoman who confiscated his unlicensed vegetable cart fined him a day's wage. The policewoman also slapped and spit on his face and insulted his deceased father. Humiliated he went to the provincial headquarters in Sidi Bouzid to complain only to find out he was to be ignored by local officials. After an hour Mohamed Bouazizi came back to the provincial headquarters and set himself on fire. This incident outraged the Tunisian people (even more) who in the first place are really unhappy with their government. The coming days and weeks to come saw an intense Tunisian Revolution. The revolution demanding the ouster of its president, a change of administration and a better Tunisia. Sadly some people committed suicide to protest against the government, violent clashes between the Tunisian military and civilians occurred, looting and some civil unrest amongst the Tunisians. Finally on Jan. 14th, President Ben Ali fled the country to Malta. Presently, the government of Tunisia is slowly rebuilding their government. We must all hope for a better future for Tunisia and its people.

Once again it shows us that presidents are public servants of their country. Any ruling party should be fair and should only stay in power for the duration mandated by their constitution. Yes I know...i know it is wishful thinking but that is what we can hope for, unfortunately not all governments and ruling parties are the same.

Photo Credit: Tunisian Protest
Photographer: Khaled Abdelmoumen
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rais58/

Egyptian Revolution 2011 - In Progress



Egyptian men praying for a peaceful revolution

It has been two months since I last posted, it is not always easy to post and blog but I figured that people, though they may not be regular followers of this blogsite are checking it every now and then and I owe it to them or to you the readers (especially to some journalists from India who encouraged me to keep blogging)to keep this blog active for as long as I have the means to write.

Anyway the latest issue that I am following is the Egyptian revolution of 2011. I am not a political type of person (in fact, in my opinion politics is one of the boring subjects ever) but I am closely following the development of events presently happening in Egypt. Personally, I like the idea that the Egyptian people are standing up and are voicing their dislike to the authoritarian-type government that has been ruling the country for thirty-years, aside from the very long regime reports of corruption and nepotism are also allegedly happening.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been in power this long and in fairness to him he has done great things for his country and has played a big role in Arab-Israeli peace relations but sometimes there comes a time when all good things should come to an end and I think this is it...the people are tired of his government and they need change. A change for a better Egypt for the 21st century. Perhaps a new leader will be better than Mubarak, (besides Mubarak has done enough for the country so he should now move on and give others parties a chance), what angers the people is that Mubarak is reportedly grooming his son to be the next president and this is not right at all. If the allegations are true then this is nepotism or maybe he would just like to make a dynasty just like the Egyptian pharaos of long ago. Other complaints about his administration is the economy of the country, corruption and jailing of his political opponents.

Sign says: No negotiations, No talks, until Mubarak Leaves!

Hopefully, Mubarak will concede to the wishes of the people and set up a fair-and-square election. I hope this mess ends up peacefully without any bloodshed or civil war amongst the people and most of all I hope no element of radical Islamic ideals will be able to penetrate and influence the good ideals of the Egyptian people. In the meantime let us pray and wait.

Photo Credits: Egyptian Men Praying for Peaceful Revolution and No Negotiations
Photographer: Iman Mosaad
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/imosaad/

Italian Festivals: IL Palio di Siena

One of the most popular Italian festivals is Il Palio di Siena. This medieval race has its roots from medieval times and is celebrated twice a year in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The first one is held July 2nd in honor of the Madonna of Provenzano and the second one on August 16th a day after the Feast of the Assumption, in honor of Madonna dell'Assunta. The festival is so famous that even foreigners would visit Siena just to witness this horse race and all the pageantry that goes with it.

The Palio culminates the ongoing rivalry between Siena's 17 contrades or neighborhoods. The contrades have their horse riders or jockeys. The ten contrades will be selected by a drawing twenty days before the race. The ten contrades will participate for the July race and the other seven contrades (who were not picked up for the July race) will compete for the August race with three other contrades from the first race held in July. Horses are assigned to the riders by a draw three days before the race. The horses should be of mixed breed and no purebred horses are allowed.

The event takes place in Piazza del Campo, it starts with a mass, a trial run and blessing of the horses. The race starts with the marching of the Corteo Storico all dressed in medieval costumes playing medieval music and bearing and waving flags. At about 7PM the race is set to begin, the riders will race around the Piazza del Campo for three laps. The racetrack is covered with dirt, tuff and padded crash barriers. The line-up of horses is decided by lottery and when the starting rope is dropped the race officially starts. The race is usually finished in 90 seconds. Surprisingly the winner of the race is not the jockey but the horse who first crossed the finish line, regardless if it finished with or without its jockey.

The winning horse and jockey of the contrade is awarded the palio or victory flag, it is a banner of handpainted silk. Winning the palio gives pride to the contrade for which the horse and its jockey belong too. This festival is the pride of Italy's Tuscan region and the medieval town of Siena.

Photo Credit: The Race of the Palio
Photographer: Jakried
Photo Stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53769668@N06/

Photo Credit: The Corteo
Photographer: Sylvain Boursot
Photo Stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26600187@N08/with/4738866372/

Italian Festivals: The Ardia di San Constantino in Sardinia

The Italians love life. They celebrate life and their Roman Catholic faith with festivals. One of these events is the Ardia di San Constantino which is celebrated in the town of Sedilo in Sardinia. This festival and religious feast honors Saint Constantine (the first Christian Roman Emperor). The Ardia is a competition and devotion all wrapped in one. In the Ardia the local horsemen of Sedilo will be the "defenders of Christianity and the guardians of the Sanctuary." Three men will play horsemen and will be escorted by three men who will also be riding horses. Each three horsemen will be given a flag they would carry as they ride their horses. One will receive a white flag, the other one a red flag and the last one a yellow flag. The other three men acting as escorts will be provided with lances and banners to protect the yellow flag bearer from the red and white flag bearers. The escort's job is to prevent the other horsemen from moving beyond the flags.

The three horsemen will then prepare themselves to race once they reach the steep slope in the area of the sanctuary. The horseman carrying the yellow flag will be the one to abruptly decide when the race must start without giving any warning to the other two horsemen. The two horsemen carrying the white and red flag will do their best to win the race and prevent the yellow flag bearer.

The horsemen will race for the Arch and will do the ritual rotations around the church for about three to seven times for which the yellow flag bearer will again abruptly decide without warning the race towards the rotunda with an iron cross. Then again the whole ritual will be repeated from the start. The spectators may simply watch the event and some will do their the ritual turn by foot or on their knees around the Sanctuary showing devotion to St. Constantine.

Photo Credit: Ardia di San Constantino Festival
Photographer: Cristiano Cani
Photo Stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cristianocani/

Italian Cuisine

Saltimbocca

 As famous as Italy is known for their wine they are also famous for their contribution to international cuisine. Most people basically think that Italian food is all about tomatoes, olive oil and pasta but there are a lot more to these. We should always remember that Italy has many regions and each region (like any other countries) have certain food that is distinctive to another. Trying to make this blog short we will just go through quickly on the regional cuisine of Italy in general.

In the northern region, the people use less olive oil, tomato sauce and pasta but more butter, rice, chesse. Meat would be from rabbit, quail or grouse and shellfish from the coast and carp and trouts from streams. Some of the North's cuisine are: Prosciutto di San Daniele - a sweet cured ham, Boreto Graesano - a fish and white polenta soup, Tomaxelle - veal rolls and Coniglio in Umbido - rabbit stew, Costoletta alla Valdostana - a veal chop covered in Fontina, Minestrone alla Milanese - made with vegetables, rice and bacon, Risi e Bisi - rice and peas), Fegato alla Veneziana - calf's liver fried with onions, Cardi alla Bagna Cauda - dish of locally grown chard served with hot sauce, anchovies, garlic and white truffles. These are only some of North Italy's delicious cuisine.

In central Italy comes the olive oil, cheese, rich tomatoe sauces and cured meats. Meat would be from wild boar and beef and assorted shellfish and seafood from the coasts. Some of Central Italy's cuisine are: Fagioli all'uccelletto - beans sauted in garlic and sage with tomatoes, Cacciucco alla Livornese - fish soup, Panforte - a cake containing almonds, honey and candied fruit, Brodetto - fish stew with oil, garlic and saffron, Spaghetti alIa Carbonara with creamy egg and cheese sauce dusted with black pepper, Saltimbocca - a fillet of veal rolled in ham and flavored and served in a Marsala sauce and a lot, lot more.

Finally the southern region for rich and spicy tomatoe sauces and the best olive oil, pasta, wheat and rich seafood variety. Some of South Italy's famous cuisine are: Capretto Ripieno al Forno - a roast kid stuffed with herbs, Nduja - a soft spicy salami that can be spread on bread, Orecchiette and Bucatini pasta - both served with tomato sauce or with olive oil, garlic and cauliflower, Caponata - an antipasto made with eggplant, olives, capers and celery, Spaghetti con Bottarga with dried gray mullet roe shaved on top, Culingiones - round ravioli stuffed with spinach and cheese and Porceddu - suckling pig or suckling goat roasted outdoors over aromatic woods, and that is only to name a few.

Italians are really very passionate about their food and knowing some of them is a good start to learn more about their lifestyle. I would say I like the cuisine of the southern region but since seafood is my favorite I am open to tasting any seafood from all regions of Italy. How about you?

Photo Credit: Saltimbocca
Photographer: Celeste "Little Waltz"
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bankevair/