Pres. Arroyo Visits South Korea

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has announced that Pres. Arroyo’s forthcoming visit to South Korea from May 30 to June 2 is an occasion for the two countries to “discuss mutual concerns, especially in the economic field.” It is wise for Mrs. Arroyo and Pres. Lee Myung Bak to tackle security concerns in the region in the aftermath of the recent and successful underground nuclear and atomic tests of North Korea.

Since March 3, 1949, the Philippines and South Korea enjoy diplomatic relations and cooperation. It is interesting to note that during the Korean War the Philippines sent 7,500 Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) under the United Nations Command to help defend the beleaguered country from the threats of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China. At that time, Philippine democracy and way of life were facing the challenge of Communist rebellion but a friend in need is a friend indeed. Filipino soldiers left their home and families and went to battle in a foreign country with a totally different culture, climate and language 1,500 miles away.

Fifteen years later:

The Philippines was second to Japan in Asia in terms of economic growth. That distinction slowly eroded when the sly Ferdinand Marcos became president in 1965; turned fascist dictator in 1972 after declaring Martial Law. Since then till the impoverished Filipino people ousted him from power in 1986, the government coffers were ransacked as if it were a private piggy bank. Today, the Philippines still enjoys some distinctions. It is perceived as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It is one of the poorest countries in the Far East although in terms of natural resources, it is the richest in the region. (By all means based from facts, South Korea is now second to Japan in economic prosperity while Singapore is not far behind.)

South Korea on the other hand, despite its internal problems and fears of North's invasion has silently transformed its economy from weak to much stronger. Today, it produces and exports cars and electronic products. And yes, we are recipient of South Korea's magnanimity. They donated to us some of their decommissioned fighter planes and ships. Korea continues to prosper while our economic heartbeat continues to falter.

My point here is not about the healthy relations between South Korea and the Philippines or to compare the two. It is more on what the President brings home from his learning visit. (May the healthy relations of the two countries last and prosper, anyway. Cheers!)

When Pres. Arroyo comes back after all the pomp, glory, spectacular reception and experience in S. Korea, what good do we expect from her visit?

South Korea, like the Philippines had its own dose of student activism in the 70s and 80s protesting unpopular regimes. South Korea has also corruption problems but not as "garapal" as ours. The only difference between the two countries is Korea’s boldness in refusing to spare its former presidents convicted of corruption and treason from jail terms or even death sentence as in the case of Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo. Here in the country, despite mounting evidence, government officials accused of graft and corruption are scot-free while whistleblowers are in jail or face grueling legal scrutiny. To cite concrete examples, Lieutenant Senior Grade Mary Nancy P. Gadian of the Philippine Navy has said that the military issued a shoot-to-kill order against her for exposing an alleged misuse of PHP46-million fund intended for the Balikatan exercises of Filipino and American soldiers. Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., another whistleblower of the alleged overprice of the government botched $329-million contract with China’s ZTE Corporation for the national broadband project prefers to live under the protection of the nuns for fear of assassination.

Sometimes, truth is damaging especially when it targets those who are upstairs. Yet, truth cannot be suppressed. Sooner or later, it comes out to set us free.

Hopefully, Pres. Arroyo learns something good from a country devastated by war and constantly under the threat of the neighboring North. Mrs. Arroyo, a Doctor of Economics can decipher how Korea’s economy is transformed into one of the best in the region and how they handle graft and corruption as well. Last but not least, together with her aides, she can concoct a blueprint on how to handle a.k.a. eradicate the protracted Communist insurgency and secessionist movement in the South. Collaterally, we Filipinos are reminded how cohesive our South Korean friends are in standing behind their government against North Korea’s ill-intents. In the home front, we must also be united in fighting the endemic graft and corruption in our Filipino DNA. The truth is; we as a people are more concerned with personal aggrandizement, welfare and interests rather than for the common good. “Kanya-kanya” system --- a house divided cannot stand.

Pres. Arroyo should also learn from the example of former Pres. Roh Moo-hyung who after allegations of corruption surfaced this year against him, his family and aides had a change of heart and soul when he said:

"I have lost my moral cause just with the facts I have so far admitted. The only thing left is the legal procedure . . . what I have to do now is bow to the nation and apologize. From now on, the name Roh cannot be a symbol of the values you pursue. I'm no longer qualified to speak about democracy and justice . . . You should abandon me." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roh_Moo-hyun)

After that inner and sincere conversion and repentance, Roh left a touching message which goes: “I have owed to too many people. The amount of burden I have caused to them is too great. I can't begin to fathom the countless agonies down the road. The rest of my life would only be a burden for others. I am unable to do anything because of poor health. I can't read books, nor can I write. Do not be too sad. Isn't life and death all part of nature? Do not be sorry. Do not feel resentment toward anyone. It is fate. Cremate me. And leave only a small tombstone near home. I've thought this for a while.”

They found that note after jumping to his tragic death from a cliff. Roh believes that it is better to die than to live a debased life --- a philosophy I cannot support.

Instead of jumping into the cliff, Pres. Arroyo should work hard to fill the cliff in her government with sensible insights on how to eradicate massive graft and corruption plaguing her government. A famous activist once said. “Kung walang kikilos, sino ang kikilos? Kung hindi ngayon, kailian pa?”

If it is still possible, before the president leaves office, she must work hard to do house-cleaning and disinfecting assuming that there are elections next year.-30-

Israeli-Iranian Chess Game

In pace, ut sapiens, aptarit idonea bello.

“In peace, like a wise man, he appropriately prepares for war.”

Minus the protracted skirmishes between Israeli forces and Palestinian protestors, considered as part of day to day life in the area, the State of Israel is not presently at war although there are strong indications that they are training their guns for a possible armed conflict with Iran. The oracle on the wall provokes us to ponder if future Israeli-Iranian war breaks out or not. The progenies of the two ancient cultures and civilizations know what war is as proven by their histories and epic battles centuries if not millennia ago. That was an era where primitive but reliable weapons like an arrow or spear were used in the battlefield.

Today, 21^st century, it is a totally different thing. John F. Kennedy warned: “The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms . . . of human life.” That was roughly half century ago since delivering his famous inaugural address. Since then, warfare technology tremendously developed while researchers work 24/7 on how to make weapons in arsenals more lethal, accurate and devastating.

Israel, a tiny country, is surrounded by its perennial foes since its establishment as a State. From its independence in 1948, Israel has fought dozens of epic battles against neighboring bigger Arab countries that always suffered tremendous defeat as in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Time and again, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a Holocaust skeptic has called for the destruction of Israel or its transfer to other location as a protest to the plight of the Palestinians in the occupied territories. The State of Israel, constantly on the look out for its survival, cannot ill-afford to lower its guards from a possible Iranian attack prologued by innuendos of its president.

The recent test-firing of a new Iranian medium-range surface to surface missile Sejil-2 with a range of at least 1,200 miles seems to be a message intended for Israel. That test was quickly condemned by the United States and some European countries as well.

Strong Israeli and American diplomatic statements indicate that Iran must never be tolerated to possess nuclear weapons. A nuclear-weapon-quipped Iran can start nuclear arms race in the region and pose as a threat to the existence of Israel. Adm. Mike Mullen, speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said that if Iran is successful in its nuclear quest it would be "calamitous for the region and for the world." Iran on the other hand is consistent in its claim that its nuclear program has no military dimension --- purely civil.

Israel, long believed to possess stockpiles of nuclear weapon in its arsenal is impatient with the status quo distrusting Iran’s intentions and unhopeful that Iran like Saul on his way to Damascus will find conversion of intent. In what looks to be an ultimatum, Israel gives Pres. Obama till the end of the year to compel Iran to go to the negotiating table or engage in diplomatic solutions in halting its nuclear quest. When everything fails, both the United States and Israel say that all options are on the roadmap to discourage Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In the recent US trip of PM Netanyahu, Pres. Obama warned that should Israel attack Iran, the US must be informed beforehand.

Wire reports say that Israel is training hard for a possible Iranian attack by staging massive military exercise and simulating war scenarios where Israel defends from an all out war with rogue Arab countries with the possible exception of Egypt and Jordan that have peace treaties with the Jewish State.

All indications suggest that concerned parties show no intention to blink. If an eye-blink is possible, that is translated into a “war”! Iran is determined to pursue its nuclear program while Israel is also steadfast in defending its existence.

In the event of an all out war between Iran and Israel, other countries might be involved assuming that Israel acts alone without the help of the United States. Syria and Lebanon are possible to join the fray and side Iran, their patron and supplier of arms. Saudi Arabia and other gulf countries may clandestinely help Iran in a way or the other while crippled Iraq cannot promise any aid. Jordan and Egypt cannot be on the sidelines. As friends of the Jewish State, they will be instrument of peace in appeasing the warring factions to observe détente.

If war breaks (I pray hard, it will not.), Iran possibly closes the Strait of Hormuz. Any attempt of the US to reopen it could be answered by a missile attack on their bases in Diego Garcia and/or to their troops in Iraq. If and when the US is involved, their response to Iran will be devastating and decisive.

Since the Iranian Revolution, Iran develops and manufactures its military hardware that include tanks, armored personnel carriers, submarines and fighter planes while Israel has one of the most advanced weaponry today. Iran cannot rely on its American-made obsolete fighter jets to match Israel’s F-15s and F-16s. Iran would heavily depend on its missile system which Israel’ anti-missile defense system has the capability to thwart. Iran on the other hand has no clear answer on how to defend itself from an Israeli ballistic missile attack.

When Iranian radars will be scrambled by Israel, the Jewish State would pound Iran’s known nuclear facility locations using its accurate bunker-buster missiles possibly from the land, sea and air. Since it is war, casualties are expected from both sides.

When the smoke of war clears, there will be no victors --- all vanquished. History cannot prove that war is an effective weapon toward the achievement of peace. If the war breaks, Iran cannot be stopped to pursue a more vigorous nuclear program. War only postpones the day when there will be nuclear Iran and there is no guarantee that Israel will just sit down waiting for its destruction. An Iranian-Israeli war ignites a protracted cycle of war between them if not between the Arabs and Israel.

In the meantime “In pace, ut sapiens, aptarit idonea bello.” But like a wise man, Iran and Israel must know that the problem is not so much today but the future when the result means disaster.

Once again, let there be peace in the Middle East and around the world.-30-

Theism and Communism: A Personal View

There are interesting readers’ remarks about the Reds in some Filipino websites that need further clarification. The observation that goes “dagitay Komunista isut’ pudno a "maka-Dios!” (The Communists are the true Christians.) is a hasty conclusion sans meticulously scrutinizing the quiddity of Communism and practical theology. Here, we mean the Judeo-Christian God. There are also remarks about Frs. Conrado Balweg and Zacarias Agatep, regular and diocesan priests, who left their ministry and joined the ranks of the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Although I disagree with their expressed idea, I respect their say. François-Marie Arouet’s (a.k.a. Voltaire) says “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.”

Communism as a whole pie of ideology is too complex to zero-in here from its infancy to its quantum development up to the 21st century. Karl Marx, a German political theorist and father of Communism says that "Die Religion ist das Opium des Volkes" (Religion is the opiate of the masses.) Since the invention of Communism, history books and archives are replete with stories --- not myths --- of bloody human annihilation in the name of revolution and “isms” that disregard human dignity. True peace is not known to exist in places where hammer and sickle thrives. The prophet Isaiah says that peace resides in Christ (c.f.: 9:6). This suggests that in conflict-ravaged places, “Christ is not there”. In denouncing Communism, nothing is more explicit than the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In full, the statement reads:

“The Church has rejected the totalitarian and atheistic ideologies associated in modern times with "communism" or "socialism." She has likewise refused to accept, in the practice of "capitalism," individualism and the absolute primacy of the law of the marketplace over human labor. Regulating the economy solely by centralized planning perverts the basis of social bonds; regulating it solely by the law of the marketplace fails social justice, for "there are many human needs which cannot be satisfied by the market." Reasonable regulation of the marketplace and economic initiatives, in keeping with a just hierarchy of values and a view to the common good, is to be commended.” (2425)

The catch-word is “atheistic” from the Greek “atheos” meaning [G]odless. It is inconceivable therefore to construe the Reds as the real “maka-Dios” (Christian) for a maka-Dios is one who loves a neighbor as s/he loves him/herself. That neighbor is not just a relative or a stranger across the street or next door but those who are called blessed in the Beatitudes and other victims of social injustice.

Frs. Balweg and Agatep went underground not simply because they wanted to but because of circumstances and disenchantment in a cruel and barbaric regime. Something pushed them to go literally to the boondocks and lived a life of a bandit and not a monastic life.

As priests, they preached John’s words that “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.” (c.f.: 15:13). However, I really don’t understand why resorting into violence is their option when Christ, the role-model of Christians did not opt violence even at the point of a horrible crucifixion. A priest or anyone who slings an Armalite or AK-47 to defend the oppressed takes for granted the Decalogue and Christ’s admonition that those who kill by the sword will be killed by the sword. (c.f.: Mt. 26:52) Christ is correct. The two defrocked priests were felled by a bullet.

Christ came to give us life and not death. “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (c.f.: Jn. 10:10)

We know the sanctity of human life. No one has the capability to create life except God. Further, as theologians, Frs. Balweg and Agatep fully know that only God has also the sole power and authority to end life. He is the Alpha and the Omega. (c.f.: Rev. 22:13)

In fairness to them, their intention to side and defend the oppressed and terrified victims of a regime not far from the savagery of Godless despots is noble but NOT the means. The end justifies the means and not the mean justifies the end.

In the case of the legendary Robin Hood, his escapades can be dissected into two. He is a thief and a lover of the poor. As a thief, his actions are condemned but his affection to the poor is appreciated. Simply said, the priests’ one-moment-in-time decision to identify themselves with the oppressed is commendable but their resorting into violence must be strongly condemned sans ifs and buts. I believe that there were possible peaceful avenues for them to disentangle the people’s suffering and disenfranchisement which they failed to see or not bothered to consider.

In the Gospel, Christ identifies Himself with the poor. For this reason, the Church developed a theology called “preferential option for the poor”. Christ said “The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me”. (c.f.: Mt. 26:11) The poor are always struggling in our midst since the start of civilization.

Contemplating that line and the “greatest” love one has to give to a friend, some clergy in Latin America after Vatican II put into pieces the foundation of the so-called Liberation Theology that has shades of Marxism.

Some countries in Latin America and the Philippines share a striking common history and reality. Both were under the Spanish colonial rule. They are a third-world country and last but not least, they were sledge-hammered by ruthless dictators.

Wikipedia defines in part:

“Liberation theology is a school of theology within Christianity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church. It emphasizes the Christian mission to bring justice to the poor and oppressed, particularly through political activism. Its theologians consider sin the root source of poverty, recognizing sin as exploitative capitalism and class war by the rich against the poor.”

Dom Hélder Pessoa Câmara, a Brazilian former Archbishop of Olinda and Recife famously said "When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a Communist."

What makes the Archbishop contentious is his interest in asking why the poor have no food. He was referring to the people devastated with unbelievable poverty in South and Central America.

The same question can be re-phrased “Why do the Filipino poor have no food?” Better, “Why do the Filipinos in a very rich country have no food?”

There is no other viable explanation than to point an accusing finger to those who were/are in power who immensely contributed to the deterioration of the country. In the long run, Filipinos are to be blamed because of their stubborn refusal to move on. The first step could have been the world-famous 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. That should have been the cue. Not only that, they had another EDSA. As a result, in vain were the authentic aspirations of the people to move forward not to mention the efforts and dangers they faced.

Some corners expect or rather believe that the influential Catholic Church of the Philippines has the capability to make things better. In my personal view, the Church is no longer interested as an asset to depose the sitting and incompetent government not because she cannot do it but the futility of such an act is almost certain because of strong recidivism of the Filipino psyche. Thanks but no thanks to “ningas kugon”.

Filipinos, as I just mentioned, had all the chance to do house cleaning and sanitation in 1986. In fairness to them, they started with a bang but somewhere, somehow, the enthusiasm wilted. Now, the country is back where it used to be.

There is no way for me to say if Frs. Balweg and Agatep were proponents of Liberation Theology or if the movement still flourishes in the country. They might have joined the underground movement just like that or in response to the flawed Latin American paradigm, they traded their convent to the wilderness. I am sure, however, that the Catholic clergy sees the suffering of the people. I am also sure that they see the face of Christ in these agonizing people. That does not stop the Church to work for their well-being.

But one might argue that there are some who are good Communists or even Christian Communists. In either way, that is a misnomer. Is it still a chess game if you move the bishop as if it were a horse?

Communism totally disregards the Christian teaching on what the greatest commandment is. Matthew 22:36-40 goes "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

I am interested to read stories from Communist countries before the crumbing of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of the USSR that narrate the practicing of the greatest and the second commandments. Obviously, there are but strictly limited to acts of charity in response to cruelty and atheism. During those forgettable times, Christians were persecuted. The same is true today. Mainland Chinese Christians especially the Catholics practice their faith in secret. They celebrate the Mass and other sacraments in the middle of the night or clandestine places. One is in the middle of the forest. Similar stories of persecution in Vietnam are also read.

After all, anyone interested in seeking for the truth can still be called “maka-Dios” for He is the “truth, the way and the life”. (c.f.: Jn. 14:6) I don’t mean to include seekers who use violence and other means contrary to Christian ethics as tools in searching for the truth as “maka-Dios”. Sincere truth-seekers who employ humility are “maka-Dios” even if what they find is flawed because of fault not their own like ignorance and acuteness of understanding.

Once the truth is found, it sets us free. That truth must be shared and proclaimed fearlessly.-30-

Peace In the Holy Land

The recently concluded visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Holy Land has refreshed our awareness on the lingering Arab-Israeli conflict which is too complex a problem. However, by definition, when there is a problem, there should be a solution. Where heads of states and diplomats failed so far, it is not my intention to write a prescription on how the conflict is worked out. The loss of lives, properties, resources and collateral damages are enormous in a seemingly perpetual clash between two peoples of different faiths, cultures and histories. Yet, it should not be forgotten that the Jews and Muslims (Christians too) came from one family. These great religions consider Abraham as their founding patriarch.

For centuries, Jews are persecuted and in our times, anti-Semitism is on the rise. A lot do not recognize the State of Israel while others want it to be erased from the map. Others, out of hatred or twisted religious belief think that it is right to kill Jews although they were nearly exterminated as a people.

The Jews and the world will never forget the horrors of the Holocaust wherein six million of them in concentration camps were sent to their death in the gas chambers. Their crimes? They were Jews, an “inferior race”. As an adherent of equality, I do not believe that one race is better than the other. What is not equal is the degree of opportunity bestowed to each race or group of people to develop and contribute whatever asset they have in the family of nations and humanity. Some also deny or refuse to believe that the Holocaust indeed happen despite irrefutable historical evidence. (One Franciscan priest says that in Auszwitch, from top of the ground down 25 feet below, there is evidence of charred human remains till now.) An established fact is impossible to be denied!

From the ashes, the Jews are determined never to allow another Holocaust. For this reason, the priority of Israel is for the security of its citizens and its survival as a State.

The Palestinians also suffered a lot and continue to suffer in a conflict where an outsider like me sees it as a fight to the end. When Israel received its independence in May 14, 1948, after 2,000 years of exile and diasporas, the Jews started to return to their land they claim given by God. That was the start of the disenfranchisement and marginalization of the Palestinians. Some were exiled and never to return home. Families were separated. Left behind homes and properties were bulldozed. Their villages were obliterated. Today, the Palestinians are trapped and as if they do not have human rights and freedoms as defined by the International Declaration of Human Rights.

A Palestinian cab driver I met in Detroit but married to a Filipino when asked about the conflict responds with eyes looking afar with low voice, “As if in the middle of the night, a bandit hollering ‘This is our Land’ comes ordering us to leave our land, properties and homes as family members cry helplessly and right and then, families are separated and never to see each other again.”

Each side has reams and volumes of non-fiction horror stories to share. No one is determined to blink first. It does not matter if mere AK-47s, rocket launchers, ancient weapons of slingshot and stones fight one of the most modern and powerful armies of the world.

These cousins have suffered a lot from the hand of one another. Too much blood has been spilled. A lot of lives have been sacrificed. A lot of families have been dismantled. A lot of dreams, hope and aspirations have been shattered. Too much properties and resources have literally gone to smoke.

We must not forget that the Palestinians and the Israelis are just like us in the free world who long to be free and live a normal life the Americans, English, French, German, Italians and Canadians enjoy.

Each of them must live a day to day life without fear. Each of their children must be able to play in the streets or backyards without fear. It is time for the Palestinians to stop giving their children toys that suggest violence and a time for the Israelis to stop their unjust and appalling treatment. With same emphasis, Israeli children should not play in the bunkers. They should play in their homes and backyards without fear of raining rockets and stones from slingshots or thrown. Israelis must not be targeted to be killed.

“The word Islam means "submission" or the total surrender of oneself to God (Arabic: الله‎, Allāh).” the Wikipedia defines. Total surrender to Allah means to do his will so that all may live as brothers and sisters. To the Jews, I know your struggles as a people from the time of Moses. I have no answer or explanation why you suffer a lot. Despite the tragedies, I do not see “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” as the answer. As a Christian, Jesus whom you consider as a Great Teacher taught and still teaches us to practice reconciliation and love. Adonai is a God of shalom.

I earnestly join the prayers of Pope Benedict XVI and all peace-loving people that finally, peace and reconciliation come between the Palestinians and the Israelis and throughout the Middle East, the cradle of our Islamic, Jewish and Christian faiths so that Israelis, Muslims or Christians can coexist in love and harmony. We look forward to the day when the conflict in the Middle East is permanently extinguished and thereby everyone in the region and the world experience the sweetness if not the sacredness of brotherhood and peace.

Peace, Shalom, Al Hub aAs-Salam (Love and Peace) is possible because in Allah, Adonai, God; nothing is impossible.-30-

A Reminder From Jordan (Op-Ed)

The Great Power of Religion
(Jordan Times Editorial)

With Pope Benedict XVI on a tour of the region, it is good to remember what is so important about the visit.

The Pope is first and foremost on a religious pilgrimage, a visit through the history of Christianity. But he is also a statesman, and his message is one of peace and coexistence.
These are important messages today - they are always important messages, but in today’s Middle East they are critical - and must be heeded.

Only, peace and coexistence are more than concepts, they are actions. Peace cannot come about because we wish for it. Peace must be sought and worked for.

Without peace, there is no coexistence. But peace, too, cannot arise without justice.

Many in this region have suffered from injustice, whether from the tyranny of the powerful or the greed of others. In some cases, there has been no recourse to law. In other cases, laws were set aside and ignored. In all cases, the weak have suffered and the innocent have been dispossessed, exiled, killed or simply silenced.

Monday, Pope Benedict will go to Israel and Palestine. This Holy Land, so central to the three monotheistic religions, is also critical for peace in this region. But only justice will secure peace there.

That message needs to be repeated over and over. Justice demands action, consistency and the ability to transcend political obstacles. Justice demands freedom and rule of law. Peace demands justice. Coexistence is the prize at the end of a long road.

Religion has for long been an excuse here to preach hatred rather than tolerance, assert exceptionality rather than commonality, set apart rather than unite. But the great power of religion, surely, is the ability to inspire hope, for a better world and a fairer future.

To that end, we can hope that the visit of Pope Benedict to our neighbours will focus minds on what is necessary in order to achieve peace. An understanding of and tolerance for the other, and that justice cannot be exclusive nor can it be avoided if we are to see peace.

(The editorial challenges us to ponder religious circumstances in our midst.)

Of War and Heroes Among Us

These days, tales of heroism inundate the Philippines from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi. Thanks to the feat of Manny Pacquiao considered by many as a hero. (With due respect to him, I do not see any iota of heroism in Manny for he has never experienced a between-life-and-death situation wherein he showed great courage and willingness to do self-sacrifice to the point of giving his life for a greater good. He is an excellent and famous boxer!)

A month ago, the Philippines commemorated the annual infamous Bataan Death March partly depicted in a 2005 movie Great Raid. The intensity of the scenes and the adrenalin of the viewers attest the historical significance of the movie beautifully directed.

Anyway, during the Japanese Occupation, Americans and Filipinos were at the peak of brotherhood. The former enjoyed the latter’s hospitality. They both experienced untold brutality. They fought side by side against a common enemy and indeed, they died as comrades in the battlefield. In that Death March, I lost my uncle who was enlisted in the US Army of the Philippine Commonwealth. He died decades before I was born and I greatly appreciate his effort in trying to help free a raped and mangled nation.

Not to be outdone, my Dad, my Mom and my Aunt were active in the guerilla movement risking their lives just like the rest of the guerillas helping the Americans. They worked for Col. Russell W. Volckmann who was under Gen. Douglas McArthur. My grandparents shared their roof and whatever viand and “basi” (Ilocano liquor) they have to the Americans and guerillas.

As a young boy, I heard bedtime nonfiction horror stories about the war done in our town. There was a man whose ears were cut off by a Japanese officer and fed to the victim. That man who was about to be murdered was in front of his wife and townspeople who were ordered not to shed any tear or show any sign of emotion. Any infringement is punishable by death. When the hogtied man refused to eat his ears, he was finished with a bayonet. Everyone was terrified to their soul in witnessing a barbaric execution.

It is painful and devastating to remember how our parents and Filipinos gone ahead of us suffered. I have no intention to blame or demonize the Japanese. The present Japan has nothing to do with the crime and atrocities committed by their forefathers. If I have an intention, that is to pray that peace ferments, brews and permeates in the Philippines and in all hot spots of the world.

Those whose lives were sacrificed in World War II did not see the dawn of freedom. For those who survived and we the living, how many have realized the futility of war as an instrument in achieving peace? War has not solved anything in human history. If it seems to have solved something, other bad pops up from the ravages of that “good” war.

Although Great Raid is a good movie in the eyes of a movie critic, I did not see a footage showing Filipinos fighting in the front lines. They were just “supporting actors”. That is contrary to the accounts of my parents and their contemporaries.

Filipinos were in the front lines out of deep patriotism and valor. They took the risk and stood on their ground. They expected casualties. It was war! This is the reason why Filipinos have more than a million deaths compared to America’s 60,000 plus. (http://www.ualberta.ca/~vmitchel/fw6.html) Inferiorly trained and armed, Filipinos nonetheless manifested the same brand of bravery and heroism the Katipuneros possessed.

Those were the heroes, heroines; sung or unsung. Although they knew the risk, they made the decision to rise up in arms and end once for all the savageries. They wanted to give their offspring and future generations a better government and a better country without counting the cost.

In our midst, heroes and heroines are still around for their tribe is inextinguishable. This country has millions of them. They were those facing the tanks and evil minions of a brutal and God-less dictator in 1986. Filipinos were together as one and ready to shed their blood. They took another risk. Filipinos have suffered too much under the fascist dictatorship of a fellow Filipino.

Although this country and us are suffering again, I do not lose my fervent hope and belief in the Filipino spirit that sooner; not later, we, Filipinos of valor and goodwill will be ONE again in rewriting a better chapter of our history. When the long nights of wailing and grinding of teeth are over, sweet salvation will descend upon us through our collective effort and determination and not from outside.

That can only be done if heroes in the real sense are made and take a chance. They can make the difference just like us ordinary mortals if we do our share no matter how small or humble.

Peace, Shalom and Al Hub aAs-Salam (Love and Peace) is possible for there is nothing impossible in Allah, Adonai, God!-30-

¿Habla Usted Castellano?

No digo que mi Español es perfecto. Es que lo dice que tengo muchas faltas escribiendo y planticando la lengua de Señor Miguel de Cervantes por la sencilla razon que no es mi la idioma de nacimiento. Lo aprendi en la sala de clase y en las calles y por medio de hablar con amigos y amigas en España y America Latina al internet ademas de gastando tiempo leyendo libros en Español.

Cuando hablamos cerca de idioma en Filipinas, que viene en seguida es el espiritu de nacionalismo o patriotismo. Varias opiniones y razones inunda la prensa cuando este sujeto es discutirse.

En el mercado de muchas ideas, bien o mal, oimos o leemos puntos de vistas diferentes por que ya no se necesita Español en Filipinas o sea por que es necesario ponerla otra vez en las universidades.

En palabras cortas, mi bajo opinion; amar el propio pais quiere decir que no robamos el dinero del gobierno porque lo es para todo de los ciudadanos y la patria. Si amo mi patria, no hago corrupcion y voy a trabajar  por el bienestar para todo. Y por supuesto, con la inspiracion de la fe y temer de Dios.

Idioma, ciertamente, es un parte (pero no todo) en monstrando amor a la patria pero es razonable decir que otros filipinos que no hablan tagalog no aman el pais con igual proporcion que ellos que lo hablan?

La verdadera que admitimos es Español es parte de nuestra historia y herencia.  Cientos años antes de llegar de America, Español estaba el idioma oficial del pais, comercio, diplomacia y en la academia. Todos fueron escribido en ese idioma. Para mi, es importante saber el pasado cuando sufrimos en las manos de los Conquistadores y la sangre y  la vida de nuestros heroes nos daban.  Es bueno si podemos leer libros y documentos originales que hay en la biblioteca nacional y otros publicaciones  aqui o internacional. Pienso que despues de saber como nos trataron por tres cientos años, el fuego del patriotismo es mas enriquecido nos dando razon a trabajar y pedir un gobierno por el pueblo y para pueblo.

Segundo, estos tiempos de globalizacion; gracias por la tecnologia, si queremos competir con otros paises, otro segundo idioma internacional ademas de Ingles es necesario. Favor de considerar que hay mas que hablan Español que Ingles aunque no quiero decir que la primera es mas importante que la segunda en mundo.

Mucho de nosotros buscan trabajos en paises extranjeros. Ahora, miliones de filipinos estan en España y Estados Unidos. De veras que Ingles es el idioma de mayoria en America pero su segundaoidioma (no oficial) es Español.

Por eso, necesitamos nosotros Español en Filipinas or nunca mas? Pienso que si! El problema es: vamos a decir que el gobierno va ponerlo por la vuelta en las escuelas; quienes van enseñar en los colegios? La pregunta es: Cuanto hay mas maestros y maestras que pueden enseñar Español? Si hay, es posible que los estudiantes pueden ver las inportancias del idioma? En 1986, por una ley, el idioma de Jose Rizal y los heroes se murio y tal vez, no mas que se resusitara.

Esperamos la proxima accion del gobierno cerca del dicho punto con atencion especial al Presidente Arroyo que dijo cuando visito España que hay planos a poner otra vez Castellano en las escuelas.-30-

El Idea de Metro Vigan

Al presente, el plan de Ciudad de Vigan a fundar Metro Vigan se amerito mucho apreciacion por un intento ayudar los pueblos proximos de la cabezera de la provincia de Ilocos Sur en el norte parte de las Islas Filipinas. "Ayudar" se dice que los pueblos de San Vicente, Sta. Catalina, Bantay, San Ildefonso, Caoayan y Santa vayan a llevarse con unos y otros no solas las frutas de una economica sana y otras cosas para la bienestar de los pueblos dichos y la ciudad sino tambiem para realizar una coperacion entre estos pueblos y la ciudad en los tiempos de nececidades. El Senor Vice Mayor, Franz Ranches dice que se debe que hay compartirse de los responsibilidades y los recursos tambien.

En el dia que Metro Vigan sera fundada, nadie se va cambiar que cada pueblo tiene autonomia y los leyes de gobierno local deben que seguirse.

Se recuerda que los pueblos invitados a unirse al Metro Vigan estaban barrios de la Ciudad Fernandina (Ciudad de Vigan hoy) en los anos que Filipinas fue debajo de Espana. Entonces, hay una relacion intima entre las gentes de esos pueblos y la ciudad ademas de una historia rica que todos provecharon.

En mi opinion, ya no podiamos esperar cuando por segundo tiempo en epoca diferente, se nacio el sueno de los oficiales de Vigan para vivir por la vuelta el pasado antes de la independecia de los seis barrios como pueblos.

Ranches y los oficiales de Vigan tienen razon para invitar los pueblos proximos o que hay tienen fronteras a la cabezera. Poco a poco despues de la conversion de Vigan desde pueblo a la ciudad, Vigan ya es una zona de comercio en el norte y todavia va mejorarse no solo en el rincon de economia pero en el lado de turismo tambien.

Muchos edificios de Vigan hechos en el siglo 17 han sobrevivieron muchos terremotos, ciclones y fuego a decir algunos por cientos anos. Dicen que solo en Vigan en toda Asia que el rostro de Espana se puede ver en el siglo 21. Al presente, la gente de la ciudad esta enropada con custombres mas o menos igual de Espana y la idioma (Ilocano) que se habla tiene algunas 80% palabras Castellanas.

Por lo tanto, quien sabe si en el futuro (de Metro Vigan), en vez de edificar edificios comerciales o de turismo solamente en el centro de Vigan, los oficiales se piensaran poner atencion a los pueblos que se juntaron.-30-


(Publicado en mi otro Blog que ya no puedo abrir hace un año.)

Manny Pacquiao and Philippine Reality

The world has witnessed the prowess of Filipino pugilist Manny Pacquiao in a devastating second round knock out win over Englishman Hatton. The stunning end of Hatton goes to the books as one of the most brutal KOs in boxing history.

Whenever the venerable Manny has a fight, the Philippines keeps still. Cease fire between warring factions is enforced. Criminal activities in the streets run low if not nil. Filipinos converge in the malls, makeshift viewing nooks or plazas to watch their favorite son reap honor for the Philippines. More than half of the issues in the national dailies are about Manny. Patriotic comments flood the internet. Indeed, Manny is a Filipino god.

Beyond these insane euphoria and sheer patriotism, things in the Philippines do not change. It is still one of the most corrupt countries in the world with officials whose performance I hate to zero-in and spell out.

I don’t want to spoil the party. It is not good to switch horses in the middle of the river but looking at the Pacquiao phenomenon, if we are in our right senses, we must answer the question “Does Pacquiao’s feat has something to do with the Filipino welfare?”

I am not taking away an inch from Manny’s genius inside the ring. He is one of the best boxers in history but what has this to do with the Filipino welfare aside from his generosity?

The right-on-the-pocket answer is the Filipino pride. After defying grinding poverty in Gen. Santos City, Manny, now a self-made billionaire, has shown the Philippine map and flag to the remote villages in the world. We bark at the top of our voice that Filipinos can be excellent. Indeed we can be; both in goodness or in bad.

Every time Manny enters the ring, Filipinos are one in cheering and cranking up the Filipino patriotism. Can we do the same to fight and free our country possessed with social evils from A to Z?

When the heat of patriotism cools down and back to normal, our country is still the same gaining nothing from Pacquiao’s victory. Here and there, deafening exultation on Manny’s par excellence ring performance cannot assuage the suffering of the Filipino people nor could it alter the status quo. That does not ease poverty or minimize corruption. It does not promise constructive change in our lives as a people and as a nation. What if we have a god when in reality we live in hell with increasing fire intensity? Thanks to those whom we voted to power who, instead of making things better, they make them worse at a rapid pace.

I do not understand why we are satisfied to limit ourselves in deifying sports and entertainment personalities when more influential persons capable in changing the roadmap of Philippine government, ordained to be responsive to he needs of the citizenry, are there. Why can’t Filipinos unite to support real-to-goodness personalities determined to keep the country moving forward and not back? The fact that Filipinos can unite in idolizing Manny, I don’t see any reason why Filipinos cannot unite to make the country better and not worse.

While we congratulate Manny, let us examine our conscience as a nation and reinvent ourselves as citizens of this suffering nation.-30-