The Makiav3llian Enchantment…

People keep testing the religious tolerance of the United Arab Emirates particularly in Dubai. We know of the underground things that is happening there and the not so underground things have also shown up and is now being taken notice off. It actually is a blessing that this place does not have the strict regulations of Saudi Arabia where mingling with females is strictly forbidden and punishable by law. Unfortunately, many people have crossed the boundary of indecency (for them). We couldwallow in our own countries and enjoy leg revealing shorts, plunging necklines, arm over the shoulders, sweet kisses on the cheek and so on, but this isn’t our country. For the past year though, this system has been abused and now, the system is fighting back. Below is an article in Al Arabiya about this issue. So it is best to make sure to keeps your lips to yourselves and hands inside your pockets.

Dubai issues list of prohibited public behavior

Playing loud music, wearing short shirts, dancing, nudity, kissing and even holding hands in public are all considered inappropriate behavior under new guidelines laid down by the authorities of Dubai, according to a press report on Saturday.
The Dubai Executive Council issued a list of special standards governing public behavior that requires Dubai residents and visitors to respect the customs of the Muslim country and avoid what the council considers inappropriate behavior, the Arabic-language Emarat al-Youm reported.
The rules, which apply to all public places, include a ban on all forms of nudity, playing music loudly, dancing, kissing between men and women and unmarried couples holding hands. In addition, the council ordered that anyone caught under the influence of alcohol—even a small amount—outside designated drinking areas would be fined or imprisoned. Any breach of the guidelines, by nationals or expatriates, carries a possible prison penalty or deportation, the paper said, adding that the guideline have been distributed to governmental departments and private companies. The order also requires all visitors of public places, such as government buildings, shopping malls, streets and restaurants to dress in “appropriate” clothing, otherwise they would be denied entrance. “Pants and skirts have to be of appropriate length and outside clothing should not expose body parts indecently and should not be transparent,” the guidelines stipulate under section “public behavior.” Slogans or pictures considered “insulting” to any group or religion were also prohibited.

Conflicting reports

Nasser al-Hamali, the council spokesperson, refused to comment on the report. “We are not authorized to give any interview now and do not have any comment on this issue. We don’t care what is published in newspapers,” he told AlArabiya.net. “Let the press and the people talk.” But an official government source familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter denied that such guidelines had been issued and said that if the report were true other newspapers would have received a copy of it.
Dubai, a member of the seven-emirate United Arab Emirates, has a diverse culture as it is home to a foreign population made up mainly of low-skilled workers from Asia and white-collar, mainly Western, professionals. Unlike most of its neighbors in the conservative Gulf region, the emirate tolerates a relatively relaxed dress code and hosts dozens of hotels that have bars and clubs, where alcohol is legally served. However, a series of incidents, including crackdowns on cross dressers and the expulsion of two British expats found guilty of having sex on the beach, has thrown the clash of local and foreign cultures in the limelight.

Despite not having a single tear drop from my eye, a heart streaming with grievous agony is calling and crying out. Within the past two days, March 6 2009 and March 7, 2009 will be both remember for one reason for two distinct individuals that have changed the lives of many. March 6, 2009, at twelve noon, Francis Magalona, the King of Pinoy Rap, Kiko, The Man from Manila, The Master Rapper succumbed to complications from a very life threatening form of leukemia. The Philippines has lost a national icon and a man who has spoken to the youth and the people of the Philippines through his nationalistic and thought provoking lyrics. I honestly could not believe it and it was difficult for me to believe because I really never paid attention with his batle with leukemia. A person, who in more ways than most politician have, tried to spread the message of oneness and better change for the land of the Three Stars and a Sun. It is so ironic that a person who has been so instrumental to change and nationalism be taken away from us while there are so many people who have no morals, with greedy intent that waste their lives away. It really is a sad day not just for the music industry but for the Philippines as the Pearl of the Orient has lost a true son!
I just want to also take time for everyone to view an Eat Bulaga tribute to Francis M. G-Loc 9 , singing the last verse to the song “Lando” brought so much emotion to this song. I couldn’t help but feel really sad. The song itself also had the rough touch of reality about losing someone which made it even more powerful knowing that my grandfather also passed away.

G-Loc 9

March 7, 2009, at around 7:40AM, my grandfather, Juan Martinez passed away with battles arising from complication of prostate and bone cancer. My Gramps fought this out for more than a year, we thought that he got well after his prostate cancer subdued but then it had spread particularly the bone area. It was really difficult for me to see my Gramps in pain. He was always having pain in his leg area and having his care taker stroke his leg, a feeling of helplessness sets in. I also learned that my Gramps was also taking morphine to subdue the pain and it was just difficult communicating with him because the medication was just playing with his senses. He kept mistaking me for my father.
During all this time, my aunts came home to the Philippines because there were indications that my Gramps was giving in. At the end, everybody knew what to expect. Somehow, despite our loss we were relieved because we know that my grandfather is no longer in pain, no more medication, no more injections and trips back and forth of the hospital. I won’t remember how he died, my Gramps tried valiantly to stay till his 90th birthday on May, he kept talking to my dad and my dad said he would come and visit but he told him that he could make it on his birthday. My Gramps tried so hard, unfortunately, fate had other plans.
Despite this, all I can say is that Daddy Pogi has done so much, not just for 11 kids he left behind but for the generations after that. My cousins and their kids, one way or the other have been brought up and instilled with Martinez family values. Raising 11 children is no easy task, I cannot help but take pride at the things he has done. I may not know all of it or may even know my grandfather so well but I see him in the way that my father brought me up. Living with the Martinez family is living in a very big community, we’ve stretched to most parts of the modern world, the seeds of the Martinez virtues have grown and blossomed and although it isn’t perfect, the world did become a better place. To Daddy Pogi; Thanks for everything. I miss you and I love you. I know that you live within me and through my brothers and sister, my parents, my family, through the entire Martinez clan! From your roots we’ve spread like branches with fruits. You’ve done a great job Gramps, now it’s time to rest… =(

So after thirty eight days of vacationing, I am finally on my way back to the place I also call home. Being away again from my wife, daughter, mom and loved ones, I kind oftook this trip back in a less dramatic manner. Was it because I would not miss them that badly?
Thetruth is that my wife and daughter will be back with me within six months time so it isn’t as bad as before where I had to wait for a year or even more at times. As for my mom and my sisters, I guess you can say that we are a bit parted. I will miss mymom and I already miss my dad. However, my mentality is set that he is still in Dubai although we know that he has already moved to Indonesia. I do know that there is still a lot to do particularly with my brother and sister who is back in Dubai. Marlon,with the ideas of entertaining marriage and moving out of the apartment we’ve called home for more than 15 years and Myra, although we can’t see the mess she is in right now, I am hoping that we can help her in getting back on track, she is taking this bachelorette thing a little bit too far and I am very concerned about her. I guess this will be the family projects I will be working on for the first half of 2009. I do have little side missions as well, completing the change of my passport to machine readable as per requirements of the Philippine DFA, I think the deadline for this is set to April. The next thing is to also get UAE National ID which has a deadline by the end of this year.
As for major things coming up ahead, I have to deal with the flights of Angie and Isa this coming July. Priorities first, to get the appointment that Isa needs for her right eye. Unfortunately a small cyst has formed up on the upper eyelid which can be surgically removed within 20 minutes. It isn’t life threatening at all but of course we would like to make sure that Isa gets the best for her health and appearance. I would like to extend my thanks to Fahad, the clerk in Opthalmology in Tawam who has helped me arrange the appointment with the good doctor.
As of right now, I am not really sure if the wait to July would be long. Travel and communication has really made this world a smaller place to live in. Sometimes, I feel that my wife and daughter is a stone throw away from me. It’s so easy to get in touch with them that sometimes I feel that I my wife is watching right behind me. Hehehe. I love my wife. Shesalways been there for me even though I am such a bum when I get back home in the Philippines. If it weren’t for the computer games I play, I could actually pay more attention to Isa and her. Unfortunately, this is how I am as a father. It does suck and when you are put away from the things you take for granted you sometimes realize the chances I’ve screwed up. It almost seems to be a crime but somehow, my wife has understood how I can be such an @$$, for this I love the way my wife cares for me even if sometimes I prefer that she give all her love to Isa who needs it more than I do. I’m a lucky son of a gun, to have a wife life her, in-laws who really don’t hate me for being like that, although I don’t send a lot, I just hope somehow they know that I care.