audio blog: city of garbage

^ Imagine living and playing here as an 8-year-old with little possibility of a better future. More in-depth videos (in 5 parts) about the "city of garbage", reported by a young Scandinavian man visiting Manila. Countries in Scandinavia, particularly Sweden, boast some of the world's very best health care systems (arguably better than the U.S.) and generally excellent quality of life for all its citizens.

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Postscript:

The video above was presented by United Methodist Communications. I understand that there are many Christian organizations helping impoverished people in third world countries around the globe and I salute their noble efforts. However, I vehemently oppose some of them in their influencing governments (including the U.S. government under the Bush administration) to stop planned parenthood programs. This is because such programs advocate abortion, contraception, condom use, and education on safe sex practices, which many Christians oppose, especially the Vatican.

This is moronic, I say, and is completely at odds with the ugly reality these poor people deal with day to day. As a result of such Christian influences families keep growing under festering circumstances, thus more children are born into poverty and disease. People who are well educated about safe sex, contraception, and the burden of familial responsibilities while in poverty are more likely to think twice before having another child.

angelina jolie asks for justice, then peace

^ Jolie argues that "there is no peace without justice" and crimes against humanity must be prosecuted.

This is what most of us have actually forgotten as we have our countries send food and supplies to victims and refugees in places like Darfur or Sierra Leone. Often mothers and their daughters who had been raped, or whose children and fathers had been massacred are soon after sent back to their villages where their rapists and murderers live and were allowed to walk away from the crimes. What does that say about justice in those parts of the world where it's most desperately needed?

It's always when I'm aware of these atrocities that I again and again thank my parents for bringing me and my siblings over from a third world country. Even if the Philippines has a better judicial system than Darfur, it's still very spotty and very dangerously inconsistent compared to the American system or most nations in Europe or other more politically and ideologically advanced countries. It's humbling for me, and more importantly, reminds me to never, ever take my freedom for granted.

Related: Angelina Jolie's humanitarian work outlined.