Sometimes, I don’t want to read news anymore — online or offline. It’s the same story, over and over again. Everyday. Until of course, a more interesting, explosive and intriguing story comes along. The “Tale of VAT and Its Woes” has been a never-ending soap opera. Occupying higher seat in the “ratings” division if it were to be compared with our current soaps. It is a blockbuster!
So, imagine how my jaw dropped at this new (if you can even call it that) issue regarding VAT and “system loss”. Yes, you read that right. “System Loss” and VAT now work together. As if we don’t know that already. Anyway, this news says that lawmakers are actually trying to lower prices of power by removing VAT on system loss. Impressive, you say? Maybe, but not quite.
Well, yeah, this sounds good and all, but the question that should be answered here is why VAT on system loss was even approved in the first place? This act of removing VAT on system loss is rather too little and too late, don’t you think? If these lawmakers cared enough, they would evaluate suggested policies and not just sign on every bill that gets thrown to them. So, what’s this then? Another way of distracting us all? Get outta here. Tsk.
Honestly, I too no longer want to watch local news. Before I often watch before I sleep but now, I prefer using my free time in front of my computer. The news is always the same, nothing new. The lawmakers are not doing their jobs, they are more on talks without the deeds.
I’m RJ Marmol — writer, musician, and independent creator based in Manila.
I write songs, essays, and books about the messy overlap between money, overwhelm, creativity, identity, and rebuilding. Much of my work circles around what happens when life stops feeling manageable — and how we try to think clearly, make decisions, and keep moving anyway.
On the music side, I release work as HeyRJ. On the writing side, this site is where I gather my books, essays, notes, and whatever I’m building next.
Music
HeyRJ is my sonic soul project. I create raw, minimalist-style and deeply personal music interpretations that feel like a late-night conversation with your truest self.
By blending lo-fi acoustic textures with poetic honesty, my work explores love, loss, grief, healing, and the quiet in-betweens of life. Each song is a letter — a journal entry — a gentle companion for when the world feels too loud or too quiet.
While my catalogue began with intimate cover renditions, my work is increasingly being shaped by original writing, drawing from years of poems, lived questions, and emotional survival.
“Stuck Home Syndrome”released on March 20, 2026 is my first original 20-track album written during a period when time felt compressed and days began to blur into each other. The songs came from sitting with thoughts that had nowhere else to go — unfiltered, repetitive, and sometimes uncomfortable. It’s a concept album that isn’t built around singles or polish. It’s closer to a continuous inner monologue, recorded with minimal production and very little ornamentation and meant to be listened to as one cohesive body of work. The goal wasn’t to resolve anything, only to document how it felt while it was happening.
On May 29, 2026 I released new original singles – “Rapturous”, “Uh Huh”, “Look At You”, “All That” and “Blew Print”. I continue to release both original and cover songs and intend to so for as long as I can so check back every once in a while — you might. just find something you’ll like.
For business inquiries relating to music, email me at: heyrjmusic[at]gmail[dot]com or my personal email at: rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com.
A nonfiction book about what debt does to the mind — and how to begin functioning again when financial stress has made everything feel blurred, urgent, and overwhelming.
Rather than treating debt only as a financial math problem, the book explores the emotional and cognitive realities of financial distress: shame, decision fatigue, avoidance, panic, relationship strain, and the difficulty of making sound decisions while mentally depleted.
Published under Steady Hand Press. It’s available worldwide in ebook and paperback formats on Amazon. Bookstores and libraries can also be order it wholesale via Ingram.
Contact
For book-related inquiries, media requests, bookstore questions, or discussion-group invitations, you can reach me through the contact page on this site or send me an email to rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com or hello[at]steadyhandpress.com
RJMarmol.com 
2 responses to “Let’s Talk VAT. Again.”
Honestly, I too no longer want to watch local news. Before I often watch before I sleep but now, I prefer using my free time in front of my computer. The news is always the same, nothing new. The lawmakers are not doing their jobs, they are more on talks without the deeds.
Hye Munars last blog post..iPhone 3G Philippines Price + Globe Release Date on August 22
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@hye munar,
i couldn’t agree more…
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