Thank you for participating, one way or another, to the Blog Action Day 2008 Philippines held yesterday Oct. 15.

We in Bloggers Kapihan are both humbled and made proud that Filipino bloggers responded to our belated call to action.  This site was put up Sunday night and we only started popularizing it Monday. Some of us texted and emailed all our personal friends, in a last-ditch effort to drum up interest in this cause. It is thus our joy to see many responded to our call and that of the US-based network which led the global effort.

We mentioned last Monday that the Philippines leads many Asian countries in blogging and in social networking. We cannot underestimate its effects if and when we redirect our energies towards aiding the poor and the marginalized, to championing their legitimate causes, and, of course, to offer ourselves and our blogs to having their lives and struggles featured.

What we hoped to achieve is rather modest. We wanted to veer the discussions and conversations in the Philippine blogosphere towards poverty — the causes, directions, solutions, etc. We also knew it would be difficult for many bloggers to do so simply because there are plenty of other topics that are more popular and more likable. Others may be hampered by the deadly academic schedules for both students and teachers. But bloggers delivered and they posted their views on poverty.

For that, for taking time out to think and express yourselves on poverty, we thank you.

Now the question is, what’s next. What’s next for the advocacy on poverty? What should we do now?

To be completely honest, we in Bloggers Kapihan have not discovered or agreed on a “final solution” to poverty. But our openness to discussing this social problem is already a step in the right direction. Yes, let’s discuss it further. Our continued discussion and our new discoveries about poverty may surprise us, debunk the “truths” that we have long believed, wake us from our oftentimes dismissive attitude towards the poor, and hopefully bring us out there — yes out there — to the poor who have not been heard ironically on the Blog Action Day that was devoted to the plague that afflicts them.

In that vein, the Blog Action Day 2008 can be considered a success. A success in opening our minds and hearts to the practical and urgent task of offering ourelves and our blogs to national and social concerns.

He then issues this call:

Now, it’s up to me and to everyone else who sees injustice, pain, and suffering, to make the whole world aware that Filipinos are one with the world, the human race, in fighting against poverty.

Let’s start with words. And dare turn it into action.

Also, takes the opportunity to explain Imperialism and poverty.

But Jayvee just stops, takes everything back and instead makes an honest observation that is worth thinking over.

Read it here.

A huge fire engulfed the homes of hundreds of families in that area beside the Loyola Memorial Chapels, a little past 2AM on July 5, 2008. We were driving down the opposite EDSA lane and headed for Boni when we saw it happen. Something suddenly hit me: sh*t, fire got the slums!

When huge fires such as this one hit a depressed area, the first thing that comes in my mind is “arson.”

and ends it by expressing hope that the next batch of leaders seriously confront the issue of housing and shelter for poor Filipinos.

Read the whole post here.

Billycoy’s Blasted Brain Blogs called for action against poverty but delivered the message in a funny way.

Better to view the post pronto.

It’s like love and marriage, only malignant.

Poverty and elections are inextricably linked to each other in a perverse sort of equilibrium. Poverty drives people to sell their votes, thereby ensuring that those who buy votes actually have a much greater chance of winning elections. And because those who buy votes are intrinsically corrupt, you can expect that their term as elected officials will probably just worsen the plight of the voters, thereby increasing the number of voters willing to commoditize their right of suffrage, increasing also the number of corrupt politicians in power.

I get dizzy just thinking about it.

Read the whole piece here, from the point of view of some in-the-know of the electoral process.

He writes:

I have nothing against those who opted to leave the country to look for a greener pasture. It’s their families’ welfare and future at stake and it’s their right to secure it. However, immigrant visa application is not cheap and not everybody may qualify to apply. So what happens to the majority who don’t have the education and funds to apply for immigrant visa to countries like Canada, which promises generous government benefits?

Well, we’re stuck with a society governed by the few who owns the majority of the country’s wealth. This I think is what causes poverty – a system that tolerates exploitation, injustice and corruption.

Click here to read his post on Poverty and the Filipino Diaspora.

Dine asked:

International NGOs, development banks, churches, rich countries
Financing firms, charitable organizations, individuals, philanthropists
Have come to the rescue, through loans, technical assistance grants
And direct aid, still poverty is evident despite infusing these funds

Click here to read Dine’s post.

Allow us to start by citing posts by Bloggers Kapihan crew members Shari Cruz and Vencer Crisostomo:

Head over to misteryosa.com for Shari’s piece, and to studentstrike for Vencer’s take.