Being a proud Barasenio
Posted on June 27, 2008 by Herbert Joseph Carigma under Proudly Barasenian
For any first time visitor of this website, one would notice that almost all the comments are political in nature. Whether the post is about suggestions to improve the municipal gymnasium or ways to lighten up the traffic, or even a simple grammatically wrong signage, people from at least two opposing camps will always find a way to insert political undertones on the posts.
I find nothing wrong with it. This is a free country, and having studied in the University of the Philippines (Happy 100th Anniversary!), I know how valuable freedom of expression is. Baras Rizal Online is currently a blog, so it’s supposed to attract comments. This is an avenue for the anonymous to air what they feel about the town, whether they are here or outside of the country.
But being a venue for political war never came in my hindsight when I registered this website. I was a correspondent for Manila East Watch, a weekly newspaper published by Avelino Zapanta (former president of Philippine Airlines). When it folded up, I was asked by several municipal officials to produce Baras Balita as a development communication medium. People are uninformed, or worst, misinformed on what’s happening around them, and being an activist by heart, I have to take action. I make Baras Balita apolitical as much as possible. Baras Balita sets the record straight.
What I find odd, however in this website is that people have been pushing for changes and avoid politics, yet, their comments are geared towards politicking. I would not say who they are because their comments are very much accessible.
My original plan in this website is to make Barasenios proud of themselves. How often do encounter people asking, “Saan yung Baras?” when you tell them where you live, or where your roots are. It’s near Antipolo, or beside Tanay, I often tell my classmates then. Most people in Metro Manila only know Cainta, Taytay, Angono and Antipolo, but not Baras.
It is, basically a search for the Barasenian identity.Who we are as a community? In the first place, does the community even exists? What can be proud of? If there’s really nothing that we can boast to other people, we need at least suggestions on how we can improve our lives, and that’s why I need inputs from the visitors of this site.
In the 16 months of existence of this blog, I think we are slowly achieving that goal. Municipal officers, particularly councilors Mario Mendoza and Ramon Matignas Jr. frequently visit this site and read the comments. Even Fr. Rico Hilario, when I covered the arrival of the image of Antipolo, knows about this website. My brother who’s in Canada knows this website, and so as others in Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, and United States. Even my relatives whom I do not know is aware of this site and asks my parents if they know Herbert Carigma.
I want to end this post with the famous “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country” by Alexander Lacson.
1. Follow traffic laws. Follow the law.
2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.
3. Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino.
4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country.
5. Respect your traffic officers, policemen and soldiers.
6. Do not litter, dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.
7. Support your church.
8. During elections, do your solemn duty.
9. Pay your employees well.
10. Pay your taxes.
11. Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and to love our country.
4 Responses to “Being a proud Barasenio”
Comment by MANANAMBOL.
That’s right Barasubas. Masyadong binibigyang kulay and politika dito sa site na to. Parang kamapanya ah? Matagal na na wala si Dindo eh pinapatulan pa rin. Why don’t we just highlight the acheivements of Mayor Willie? Or his councilors? Rather than us reading about the interior designs of the Munisipyo. =)
Comment by Florante.
Thanks Mr. Admninistrator for a job well done. The comments will always have political hue, and most especially that the current issues involve those in power (past & present), as their positions came from a political mandate. Who voted for them? The PROUD BARASENIOS who are consistently craving for drastic changes in our town. And added to this: we are democratically residing in a very free country. Like in U.P. as the administrator would cite, INDEPENDENCE and FREEDOM among Upians are deeply honored.
Comment by nadroj.
yes, it’s true, most of my classmates in Manila are not aware about Baras…they thought, for those who are living also in Rizal, that Baras is just a barangay of Tanay or Morong.
It’s so sad that I need to tell first that this tiny town is between that town or just 51 km from luneta…neigboring town of tanay, near antipolo, etc… It is denigrating on my part because I know where their towns or cities are (since I am a quiz bee delegate on Philippine history and society during my hs times in the sj)on the other hand, they do not know where i came from…i’m very sad!!!
It is fitting and proper for us to make Baras a known town. We have lot of things to be proud of… this is the birthplace of sikaran, the first organic town in the philippines, the soil where the first people power occured (as an account states), and many,many more.
i’m proud to be a barasenian…
Comment by barasubas.
Amen to that. But then, hindi rin maiiwasan ang magkaroon nang mga comments dito, na may polical biases, especially parang mga spokesperson ng two political parties ang some of the bloggers. But I found it interesting, for us who live far away from Baras, because now we are knowing more of some political issues that hounded these political personalities. I encourage visitors of this website especially from Baras to share their thoughts and feelings about our town. Here in the US, I knew someone from Morong, that when she found out that i am from Baras, she said, ” aba eh ‘di magaling ka sa Math”. Apparently that’s her impression about Barasenians, and that’s positive.