Venancio Ancheta, Soldier; Muelmar Magallanes, 18: My Heroes

Sometimes, Filipinos have a twisted understanding on what a hero is. Skillful sports personalities reaping honors for the country are considered heroes although in the real sense, a hero is one who has exceptional courage and nobility to fight or work for what is right even at the cause of death.

I find Venancio Ancheta, a Private First Class of the Philippine Army and the unsung to have lived up by that definition.

When Ondoy’s flood that brought disaster to Manila was at its crest, Mr. Ancheta was able to rescue 20 souls before he was swept away by the raging floodwater. He lost his life but twenty others lived.

This blog condoles with the family of this courageous soldier and Muelmar Magallanes'. I understand the pain of losing a loved one, a son, a father, a husband, a brother or a boyfriend but they did not die in vain. They left a footprint larger than life inspiring or challenging us to do something good to others.

“There is no greater love than to give one’s life so that others may live.”

Venancio and Muelmar you are heroes; shining stars to us and shame on those who are capable to do more but prefer to be stingy in their wealth, resources, time and even power.

oOo

Muelmar Magallanes, an 18 years old construction worker and a gifted swimmer is another hero. He saved 30 people including a mother and her baby before he was lost in the murky water. Muelmar died at a very tender age but also lived a heroic and selfless life.

He could have been playing with his friends in the floodwater just like the other boys but he preferred to rescue those in danger relying on his skills and youth. He was a "one-man team" without equipment --- only his strength honed by his manual job. And yes, it is difficult to explain how a teenager probably with a small built was able to rescue 30 individuals. Make no mistake that Muelmar did it. The account of his heroism is a fact and not fiction!

My heart and prayers in these difficult times go to all of the victims of the catastrophe and for the entire nation. Venancio and Muelmar have a special place in my heart and my family for their heroism and selfless love for fellow humans in need.

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan composed a beautiful prayer in the aftermath of Ondoy's devastation. All we can do now is to pray for the dead, the heroes, victims, our nation and us alive and leave everything into the hands of God. Life must move on.

To the heroes, sung and unsung, receive your rewards personally from the hands of God!-30-

Ondoy (Ketsana) Shuts Manila Down

Nothing is more dramatic and heartbreaking than the footage and pictures from foreign sources in the internet on the unexpected flood that ravaged Manila.

The weather bureau was accurate in forecasting that tropical storm Ondoy hits the country but failed to say that a one-month rainfall would be dumped in just six hours. Unexpected as it was, thousands were stranded and displaced. Trapped by raging water after a day's work, some were not able to go home or chose to spend the night in their office because of the tracherous water in the submerged streets. Concern grew between families and loved ones when they were not able to contact one another and inform what situation they were in and their location when cell phones' battery died.

Crippled by Ondoy (Ketsana), the nation’s capital and some 23 provinces are declared as in the state of calamity. Ondoy's onslaught, worst in 40 years, paralyzed Manila which is reduced into a city of dirt and debris. The national toll of the calamity is yet to be known but heavy damage of properties is anticipated.

As a third world country, the Philippines lacks high-tech rescue equipments and highly skilled rescue teams that can operate in an all-weather situation. Filipinos, always instinctive to survive have to use available gears like ropes, improvised water vessel and whatever is thought that can be used to save the life of a loved one, a friend, a neighbor or a stranger.

When Ondoy submerged some Manila districts, the country was in the middle of political extravaganza, mud-slinging in the Senate and deadly conflict in Mindanao. Then rain came and spared no one even three storey mansions in gated communities. Rich and poor alike were struck. The streets usually clogged with pedestrians, commuters and vehicles virtually turned into a sea with strong current. Not withstanding the heavy downpour, some found rooftops as the only safe place. We saw how the children and women received help and we also saw footage where floating cars are swept in a courtyard bumping each other like toys. There was also a young man probably with a child fighting for dear life standing on floating dirt being rescued as they pass under a bridge.

In the aftermath, hundreds if not thousands are hungry, cold, thirsty and in need of temporary shelter, domestic needs and even financial help. On the move to do what they can to reach out the victims are some religious, civic and government groups. Regrettably, when help at the height of the disaster was needed, the government was nowhere to be found.

Filipinos known to coalesce in times of adversity have shown again that they can unite for a common cause. Whatever help they can give no matter how mean or small, as long as they can, they are a Good Samaritan in times of catastrophe or upheaval.

This is the kind of spirit we Filipinos are looking for: unity/teamwork. Many times, it is proven that we can do that. We can be together for a common cause and this we must now if we are willing to reinvent the political structures of the country and our disposition as Filipinos.

In a very limited capacity, ordinary Filipinos are willing to share what they can to help one another in this difficult time. Those in the government should do their part by shouldering the bigger slice of the pie. I believe that 98% of the members of the bicameral Congress are multi-millionaire if not billionaire. It is time for them and other mega-rich politicians and ordinary citizens as well to manifest their concern and love by sharing their wealth to their suffering fellow Filipinos.

We are grateful for the financial assistance of the United States, China, Japan and other magnanimous countries willing to pitch in; institutions and even individuals who are touched with the effects of the calamity in our midst. We need help. We cannot do it alone. Since we have a corrupt government, we hope against hope that all international and local aid will be funneled to the intended parties and never to be pocketed by the rascals and vultures in the government.

This unexpected flood is a warning that we must take care of our environment (forests) or else the environment will take care of us in full revenge. And yes, God can shake the country not in six hours but in six minutes or even less.-30-

"Kay sarap pala maging Filipino!" (Proud to be a Filipino)

- Jim Paredes
APO Hiking Society

Martial Law Was Declared Today in 1972

Thirty seven years ago today, the Republic of the Philippines we dearly love was put under Martial Law through Proclamation 1081. Once earned the sobriquet as the Oldest Democracy in Asia, with a single stroke of a pen, the country’s democratic institutions were mercilessly butchered by Ferdinand E. Marcos. On September 21, 1972, the seeds of political avarice, manipulation, persecution, human rights violation and looting of the government coffer were planted in the humus soil of cruelty and apathy.

These truths are immutable and cannot be changed. Veritas numquam perit --- truth never dies.

The victims of that unpopular regime are not forgotten. They may be totally silenced but their courage and what they stood for fighting a dictator remain fresh in our hearts.

Some were luckier. These were some Senators and journalists dumped into prison without charges and due process. Most of them survived witnessing the fall of the seemingly invincible dictatorship.

To all who were crushed but not defeated; to those who gave up their lives but unconquered, the survivors and all with indefatigable spirit fighting for democracy and freedom, the following poem by William Ernest Henley (1849-1903) is for you.

INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

"From the Philippines to the World"

Tomorrow, the Philippines commemorates the 37th anniversary of the imposition of Martial Law. It was one of the darkest eras of our history. We have been colonized by a number of foreign powers that imposed us their will wittingly or unwittingly through the use of force and domination.

Under Martial Law, the country was raped by a fellow Filipino.

I am attaching the lyrics of the "national anthem" of the People’s Power Revolution of '86 composed by Jim Paredes, of the Filipino pop group APO Hiking Society. Jim said that he penned the song in less than five minutes. While he was jotting down the lyrics, he was simultaneously writing the notes. He claims that he was inspired by the Spirit when he wrote it.

Today, "Handog ng Filipino sa Mundo" (From the Philippines to the World) is still popular --- its luster and message did not fade as it continues to inspire Filipinos in their quest for a better government. It dares the Filipino spirit to say NO to another unwanted regime. Its significance is ageless and is fitting to be played and contemplated upon on the eve of the declaration of Martial Law.-30-

HANDOG NG FILIPINO SA MUNDO

'Di na 'ko papayag mawala ka muli.

'Di na 'ko papayag na muli mabawi,
Ating kalayaan kay tagal natin mithi.
'Di na papayagang mabawi muli.

Magkakapit-bisig libo-libong tao.
Kay sarap palang maging Pilipino.
Sama-sama iisa ang adhikain.
Kelan man 'di na paalipin.

Refrain:

Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat.

Masdan ang nagaganap sa aming bayan.
Nagkasama ng mahirap at mayaman.
Kapit-bisig madre, pari, at sundalo.
Naging Langit itong bahagi ng mundo.

Huwag muling payagang umiral ang dilim.
Tinig ng bawat tao'y bigyan ng pansin.
Magkakapatid lahat sa Panginoon.
Ito'y lagi nating tatandaan.
(repeat refrain two times)

Coda:

Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan.
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat!

English free translation (Thanks to the blog owner.)

Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines' Hypocrisy

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) through its head, Msgr. Gerardo Santos files for an exemption to one of the provisions of the Magna Carta on Women which bans the dismissal of unwed mothers from employment or school in any Catholic educational institution of the country. The new law entitles unwed mothers who are dismissed or expelled under such circumstances to file a civil case and sue for damages while government officials who dismiss them can be sanctioned under administrative and civil service laws.

Emmanuel Angeles, chair of the Commission on Higher Education is willing to support the CEAP’s request saying that “It is important that we respect the religious affiliation of these institutions, the schools or company the persons (concerned) belong to.”

Why should one request that an entity should be exempted from a law? Laws enacted by the Philippine Senate are for all Filipinos in spite of any ethno-linguistic, religious and sexual orientation.

I do understand the CEAP’s side but its action is a bad precedent. If their filing for exemption is successful, (which could reach the Supreme Court) who could stop other entities to file for exclusion from provisions of any law that they deem inconsistent with their values or what they stand for?

Some of the Catholic virtues are compassion, mercy and forgiveness. In John 8:1-11, Jesus said to a woman caught in adultery “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” When Cardinal Sin, I remember, was pressed to comment on Kris Aquino’s out of wedlock pregnancy, the good Cardinal did not condemn Kris but emulated what Christ did to the woman who sinned.

Everybody makes mistakes and there are a lot of opportunities for erring souls to right their wrongs via total conversion; forget and amend their past, move on and live a new responsible life. Mary Magdalene was once a prostitute. St. Paul was a chief Christian persecutor. St. Augustine had a rough past before he said, “Our soul is restless until they rest in Thee.” Bingbong Crisologo had also a violent past but now a head servant of the Loved Flock Charismatic Community.

These are just a few who came back from the ashes of sinfulness.

If Mary, the Mother of Jesus was a student in a Catholic school here in the country she would be expelled and be deprived from her right of education or would be hard up with Joseph, a carpenter raising the Redeemer if she was dismissed from employment. Mary was unwed mother.

And what if one is pregnant because she is a victim of rape, incest or other crimes?

She would be kicked out from her employment or studies in a Catholic institution; be deprived from her right to be educated and have a stable life.

What if an employee or student in a Catholic school, a victim of violence or crime, although against her conscience to abort the beating heart in her womb opt to kill the unborn baby as the only way for her to finish her studies or have a paycheck to live a dignified life? If a woman in this situation tells the school that she aborts her baby as the only solution for her to remain in school, I am not aware of any Philippine law that would kick her out from that (Catholic) school. Should that be done, do Catholics prefer to accept a woman who aborts her pregnancy or a mother out of wedlock --- a victim of circumstance?

Why should these unwed mothers be punished from a crime they are not totally responsible of and why can't the CEAP do what it preaches like LOVE, the central message of the Gospel?

The CEAP should reconsider its stand on this issue and shed off its hypocrisy by revisiting the Gospel which is replete of stories of compassion, love and mercy. After all, all of us are sinners who could be saints.-30-

Archbp Soc Villegas: Ad Multos Annos

Congratulations to the new archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan in the person of His Excellency Socrates “Soc” Villegas. Fondly known as Bishop Soc (Now Archbishop Soc), he is the youngest to hold the title in the country. He was the secretary of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin who played a pivotal role in the downfall of the dictatorship. The Cardinal, it is remembered, appealed to the people at Radio Veritas in February 1986 to go out to the streets and support Sec. Juan Ponce Enrile and Gen. Fidel Ramos. That was the start of the famous Filipino People’s Power Revolution or EDSA-1.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Villegas to replace Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, a stern critic of the Arroyo regime, who retired recently.

Archbishop Soc is a great loss of the Diocese of Balanga and the whole of Bataan but a great gift to the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Ad multos annos et fiat.-30-

We Remember --- Let Peace Shine

We remember the 9-11 victims of the terrorist attack on the American soil in 2001. May the victims rest in eternal peace and may their loved ones left behind find peace and consolation.

May all people of every language, creed, race and of goodwill from all nations of the earth work for peace and brotherhood so that we may live as one.

Let us give peace a chance.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

(Francis of Assisi)

Noynoy C. Aquino Decides to Run

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” C. Aquino, III has spoken. He is one of the protagonists of the presidential race in May next year representing the Liberal Party.

It should be made clear that “Noynoy” never intended to run for a higher office. He preferred to be in the Philippine Senate to continue his term so as not to displease the people who elected him.

The death of her mother, an icon of democracy, dramatically changed the political atmosphere. Thought as fading if not a thing of the past, the luster of the spirit of the People’s Power Revolution in 1986 flashed anew when a grateful nation bid farewell to Cory Aquino who succumbed to cancer. In letting her go, just like in EDSA 86, the people in yellow flashing the Laban (fight) sign renewed the camaraderie and brotherhood forged during those critical days in February 86. Once more, they believe, it is imperative that there must be unity and even sacrifice to offer to free again the suffering country and its people from the shackles of a bad government.

Those who were not yet born or too young to remember the saga of Cory joined her funeral as well despite the inclement weather for they believe what yellow and “L” stand for --- fight for good government and good governance.

In death, Cory seems to have united again the Filipinos to rediscover if not to reinvent their future. Cause-oriented groups and individuals have pushed Noynoy to run for president, a position he did not desire. Deafened by calls, Noynoy took a retreat for discernment while Sen. Mar Roxas gave up his presidential ambition and supported his friend Sen. Aquino.

Even before he made known today his decision to run for the highest office in response to the call of the citizenry for him to run, many wanted to know if Sen. Aquino is capable to perform the duties of a president.

I believe he can do it.

Noynoy can afford to have a phalanx of advisers and political confidants in running a government that espouses the rule of law and decency. As president, he can apply the break to slow down the massive and endemic graft and corruption plaguing the country. He will not be the best president but it is inconceivable to assume that he will be a corrupt or corruptible president. He is not a fool to tarnish the legacy of his parents who gave too much for this country. I do not see Noynoy as a man to turn his back and totally put into ashes the sacrifice and the good name Ninoy and Cory bequeathed.

Whoever the next president is, s/he must restore the people’s trust in the new government by prosecuting those who broke the law while in office or out. The new president must work extra hard to do house cleaning and sanitizing to show the world that from the rubbles, the Philippines have to move on and start anew. Hopefully, we can win back the respect of the international community they gave us when Mrs. Aquino was president.

To my belief, only Noynoy Aquino can make this country better as president. I do not campaign for him. First, he has yet to divulge his program of government to be studied but character-wise, I hope he is a good president.

This is my initial opinion. Let us see what comes next.-30-

Happy Birthday

It is your Birthday today and how I wished that you would be around physically so that I can see and touch you. But it does not matter. I can feel your presence, love, protection and care.

Through all these years I thank you for all the motherly love you showered me. Thank you for your intercessions.

Thank you. I felt your spiritual presence and your Son’s when one day I went to a cathedral and demanded an answer why my Mom and my Aunt died a brutal death. In my deep agony of grief, when my head started to “swell” and my body turned numb, I saw myself kneeling before your Son as he put his arms around me embracing me tightly patting my back telling me with a smile “Everything will be all right.” You were around smiling saying “They are with us.”

I almost lost my faith because of their death. Again, you were there strengthening and shepherding me.

I do not feel lonely and isolated for you are always here. Trusting in your Son through your unfailing intercession, “I fear no evil even in the shadow of death . . . the Lord is my Shepherd.”

Despite my unworthiness, in difficult times, I feel your presence and when things are not good, I come to you for ask for your help, affection and love.

Mom, please take care of the Philippines whom you love. Intercede for your suffering Filipino children. Intercede for peace in the world so that we may live truly as brothers and sisters in one planet.

Thank you for saying “fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum”. Had you said “NO”, Christ could have not been born and there would be no salvation. I continue to entrust my everything to you.

Let me reprint here what you said when you accepted the invitation of the angel to be the Mother of God and ours.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
My Spirit rejoices in God my Savior
For He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
The Almighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His Name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him
In every generation.

He has shown the strength of His arm,
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
And has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of His servant Israel
For He has remembered His promise of mercy,
The promise He made to our fathers,
To Abraham and his children for ever.