PROLOGUE

Please bear the errors. I rarely edit the articles. Thanks!

S'il vous plaît garder les erreurs. J'ai rarement modifier mes articles. Merci!

Bitte beachten Sie die Fehler. Ich habe selten meine Artikel zu bearbeiten. Vielen Dank!

Por favor, tenga los errores. No tengo mucho tiempo limpiar a los artículos. Gracias!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

The Media In The Hostage Drama

Before everything break into hell, the fury of the agitated Mendoza worsened when he saw his police brother manhandled like a “pig” from the bus TV. The exchange of dialogues between hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza and the press represented by Michael Rogas and Erwin Tulfo confirms that.

Already enraged in the impossibility of his reinstatement to the police force, he is believed to have started shooting his hostages when his brother “who has nothing to do with the incident” was in police custody. Mendoza, the transcript says, also saw SWATs and snipers surrounding the bus. Felt threatened, he asked that they move back. In many instances we read that he threatened to kill his hostages if . . . and a lot of ifs.

The enemy, able to see the location of snipers going after him implies poor training of the officers. Nothing is simpler than that.

What was wrong when all of the demands were granted instead of the horror and death of the foreigners who were here for a visit? Mendoza could have come to his senses, calmed down and end the story of the day. That does not necessarily mean that had he survived, he would not be charged with hostage taking or endangering the lives of the innocent. The probability of his conviction on that ground was very probable, anyway. Other charges such as illegal possession of firearms, insubordination and usurpation of power were also possible.

The police say that they arrested the other Mendoza believing that he was in cahoots with his brother inside the bus. But how could that be proven on the spot? What if Gregorio was there to pacify his brother? Rolando said many times that they have to release his brother or else --- again the threat; he would finish all of his hostages.

In that fiasco, is the press totally to be blamed?

I don’t think so.

Note how Rogas and Tulfo did their best to appease the deranged former police captain. The two radio personalities, one on the scene and the other in the studio played the role of a negotiator between Mendoza and the police by relaying the messages of the former to the latter and possibly vice versa. Take note the times when the broadcast journalists cajoled Mendoza to “take it easy”.

What was entirely wrong was the live TV and radio broadcast of the drama where Mendoza was tracking everything: SWAT, police and sniper movements right before his very eyes. The police should have ordered the media to stop their live coverage or as I said before, they should have scrambled the TV and radio signals of the bus. Gregorio who might have been a peace maker should have been sequestered beyond the camera range for questioning.

Some media advocates say that informing the public is their primary job. I agree with that but they should have exercised prudence when at stake were the lives of innocent foreigners. Could the police have stopped their coverage? I believe so after invoking the police power of the state in safeguarding the security and protection of lives and properties.

Now there are moves in restructuring media protocol when covering between life and death events. After the police is exposed as poorly trained and meagerly equipped, the government is in haste to look for solutions.

Why did the government wait for a disaster before doing its job? -30-

Saturday, August 28, 2010

“Flag On Casket Irks China”

Thus runs a headline from one of the major dailies. The Chinese government protested:

“Television reports showed that Rolando Mendoza, the cold-blooded hostage-taker, was laid in his house in a coffin draped in the Philippine national flag. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines condemns the brutality of the criminal and expresses its strong indignation over this irritating act . . . The person who deserves a national flag at the funeral should be someone of heroism, decency and integrity, not someone who inflicts atrocity on innocent lives. This is nothing but a smear on the dignity of the Philippine national flag.”

The Chinese official statement is candid and true that the draping of a flag on a casket is reserved for heroes and citizens who lived an exemplary and honorable life.

(At this point, may I remember my hero Muelmar Magallanes, an 18 year-old boy. At the height of typhoon Ondoy he went out from his modest home and patrolled the flooded streets of Manila and saved 30 lives. He died while working in the flood waters doing his search and rescue effort but I am frustrated that his casket was not draped with a Philippine flag. He was interred somewhere instead of the Libingan ng Mga Bayani [Hero’s Cemetery]).


The news story tells instances of finger pointing and rationalizations about the flag-draping issue. Mendoza, a decorated but sacked police officer is believed to be responsible for the killing of eight Chinese tourists in the now famous massacre at the park. In fairness to Mendoza before falling from grace, his feats are commended. Adulations and decorations that made him the talk of his department turned instantly into dust when he hijacked a tourist bus loaded with foreign nationals that ended in tragedy. How could a police officer do the unthinkable?

As a result of the crime of one man, our diplomatic relations with China is deteriorating rapidly but I am optimistic that when heads cool off, everything will be back to normal. All of a sudden as of this writing, our high profile delegation to mainland China and its Hongkong territory is momentarily unwelcome. Five hundred Chinese flights coming to the country were canceled; a high ranking Chinese premiere’s visit is put on hold indefinitely; our consulate in the former British territory is bombarded with protests. Two Chinese Magsaysay awardees from the mainland are not coming for the ceremony.  Hongkong authorities want to participate in the hostage-taking investigation while the Philippines invoked its right of sovereignty. Here and around the world, questions and condemnations are rife on our police capabilities and government efficiency. Without pun intended, the world is laughing at us.

Everything is falling apart between us and the Chinese.

The root of all of these is caused by a single person and certainly, he does not deserve a flag on his casket or any farewell honor. His remains do not even deserve a police uniform. He did evil to his country, compatriots and the innocent who happen to be foreign nationals who came and pay a visit to our country and us.

It is time that we review our knowledge in observing flag protocol. The flag, we were taught when we were in the elementary grades, is the symbol of our country and her people. In it rests the history of the country and our struggles etched with our sweat, blood and tears.

What an insult to our heroes and our dignity as a nation to see a flag draped on the coffin of a man who put this country into shame and now the subject of hatred!

We are in a difficult time. The country must quickly recover from where it fell. It’s time to set aside political differences, join hands even for a moment and rally behind our president and the government. Each of us has a role to play to make this government stronger in this time of need. We must not forget that we are a people under one flag which all of us must honor and respect. -30-

St. Monica: Thank You!



For almost two years, I petitioned daily for your intercession for my personal needs. Three days after the Feast of Mary’s Assumption, Christ, through the first reading of that day (August 18) said :

“My sheep were scattered and wandered over all the mountains and high hills; my sheep were scattered over the whole earth, with no one to look after them or to search for them . . . I myself will look after and tend my sheep.” (Ez 34:1-11)

On that day, I was surprised when a soiled sheep gone astray came knocking not because of my call but YOUR call. For too long, I have waited for that sheep I love too much to come back!

I welcomed the sheep with open arms and heart.

I know the pains and frustrations you had as a mother and a widow in bringing up your pagan son Augustine whose gods were pleasure, materialism and debauchery. You remained steadfast in praying for the conversion of your recalcitrant son until he came to realize that we need God in our lives when he said . . .

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

I am very thankful for your intercessions in helping a wandering sheep return to its shepherd. I am confident that the sheep will never be lost again. The once-lost but now found can now recognize the “tambuli” ( A shepherd's horn to call the herd.) of the Lord that said, “Come, I give you rest!”

Gratias tibi Domina.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Maria Venus Raj's Famous Answer

I am not a fan of beauty pageants like the Miss Universe although I must say that the recently crowned Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete in her red gown looks very pretty and alluring. Some say she looks like Vanessa Hudgens but I see in her the face of KC Concepcion.

There is a lot of fuss about our representative’s answer when questioned “What is one big mistake that you did in your life, and what did you do to make it right?”

Maria Venus Raj nervously responded:

"You know what, Sir, in my 22 years of existence, I can say that there's nothing major, major, I mean, problem that I've done in my life because I'm very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me. So, thank you so much that I'm here. Thank you, thank you so much!"

Coming to her quick defense upon arriving at the airport is former Miss International Melanie Marquez, asking the people to stop the “crab mentality".

We understand that contestants have no idea on what the questions are in the "tambiolo" and thus they  anticipated the unexpected. Answers are hit or miss and it is here to my belief that Maria Venus fell short in her response. Had she given a better answer, most probably, the Philippines is now gifted with the third Miss Universe title-holder. In fairness to Venus, she answered the question instantly in a fluent American English accent while Misses Ukraine and Mexico needed translators. While the interpreter was translating into Spanish the question, Jimena had a somewhat advantage, although minimal, in thinking for a better answer.    That minimal advantage if indeed an advantage did not give Miss Mexico a sure ticket for the crown but her answer in stressing the need of values. Not to be forgotten is the atmosphere at that time that the last five were under the cauldron of pressure each wanting to win the crown in honor of their countries and peoples they represent.

Mania Venus might be honest in her answer that “there is no major, major problem in her life” but it is unbelievable that she does not have a “major problem in her (very young) life” or simply said, a problem in her life.

That’s the way it turned out and we appreciate Venus in representing our country and we congratulate her place as a fourth runner-up.

For the “crab mentality” issue of Ms. Marquez, she must understand the frustration of Filipinos in losing a good chance in winning the pageantry. I am sure that the beauteous lady from Pampanga knows that no one can stop any one in expressing thoughts in a democratic country --- frustrations included.

Individuals gifted with a good IQ don't disparage others saying what they have in mind. -30-

Thursday, August 26, 2010

After the Hostage Drama: Time to Move On

The country is suffering from embarrassment and condemnation from the international community especially from the Chinese in Hongkong because of the botched hostage rescue attempt. We read how angry the Hongkong people are and we understand. Nevertheless, it is my personal opinion that our authorities  had great courage; did their best in ending the crisis successfully but their best was not enough due to lack of training and equipments.

The police knew that at the time of the crisis, through CNN and BBC hook up, the world was watching them. There is no reason to believe that they were there to stage a show but to restore order. But again, their efforts were not enough simply because of training deficiency, lack of modern weapons, communications and other equipments. Again, make no mistake that they did their best although that was not enough.

As the country is humiliated, I believe that it is time for us to rally behind the president and the Filipino nation. We bond together, stand up and move on without condoning the manner of the rescue operation. Under pressure from all sides, Pres. Noynoy Aquino is doing his best to iron out soured diplomatic issues with China brewed by the recent tragedy. The ruing Philippines has admitted the blunders and China knows that. In their moments of grief and anger, may God and Buddha grant them peace and heal their hearts.

We are so sorry.

Believing that good can spring up from bad, the pointless lose of lives at the Park gives the police force the necessary time to reinvent itself and ponder where they failed and what must be overhauled.

It is too bad that our country cannot match the police equipments of our neighbors here in Asia. Now that we learned a lesson the hard way, hopefully the government finds money to purchase top of the line gadgets. Take note that the raiding police had no tear gas masks. Their bulletproof vests and helmet looked obsolete. Even with M-16 and automatic guns, the assaulting SWAT team compared with foreign SWATs was lightly armed. They did not have a ladder --- they used a vehicle in opening the emergency exit. Despite all of these, Filipinos, known for their bravery in time of war, did the best they can afford.

Now is the time for our police to undergo extensive training in rescue operations. They badly need training from the experts perhaps from the Israelis who are famous with their assault and defense capabilities vis-à-vis terrorist activities. And yes, our cops must be re-indoctrinated with the ideals of protecting the nation, its citizens and foreign visitors.

The Chinese, here in the country as early as pre-Spanish times, knows our hospitality. We have co-existed with them for centuries and there is no reason that we coexist now with tantrums because of an isolated case.

It’s time to move on and a time to act! -30-

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Philippine Hostage Drama Part II

The Philippine hostage drama that ended in tragedy has caught the attention of the world. My fears that the government forces have problems with their assault capabilities and tactics as mentioned in the previous entry of this blog came true.  Now, let met include modern weapons and communications equipment they lacked.  I hit the bull's eye!

As the hostage crisis developed, the media put on live broadcast via television and radio what was going on in the scene. That gave Mendoza, the hostage-taker, a somewhat upper hand in momentarily evading the hale of bullets or surprise assault as he was watching the unfolding of events from the internal TV of the bus.

My previous entry in this blog failed to mention that the stage I was talking about was the time frame when the SWAT team started to do their job after efforts to end the stand off  peacefully were futile. The operation could have lasted from 10 to 15 minutes after roughly 11 hours and 45 minutes since the stand off started.

In that span of time, what happened?

Behind the scene we don’t know what really happened although I believe that the Department of Foreign Affairs was in contact with their Chinese counterpart.  I wonder if the police sent a psychiatrist-negotiator  to deal with Mendoza and since the crisis ended in tragedy,  their tactical know how is doubted. What is gray is the length of time the police needed before they were convinced that the belligerent Mendoza did not like to be appeased and looked determined to finish off his hostages one at a time.

An hour of negotiation or even less could have been enough before the raiding team stormed the bus. Casualties might have been lesser although nothing is sure in a critical situation like that.

The media is partly to be blamed for the unhappy ending. We understand their role to inform the public with current events but the electronic gadgets of the bus should have been scrambled to keep the suspect guessing  and let the police operation go uncompromized.  The live broadcast  which the police did not stop endangered more the lives of the hostages.

Did Mendoza act alone? If not, did somebody order him to do it after he was given ample amount of money? But why the Chinese from Hongkong were the target? Where and how did he get his weapon?

We’ll wait and see the result of the investigation. Although somewhere, there were blunders, I still believe that the police did the right thing for “a number of dead is a lot better than “all dead”. -30-

(See Part I of the blog entry below.  -COR INVICTUS)

Philippine Hostage Drama Part I

The Chinese from Hongkong came over as friends to see  us and the country. It is too bad that some of them cannot go back home alive and share their travel logs to their loved ones.  I regret sincerely for that. A lot of my friends flooded my e-mail with questions on how I assess the incident. With one reply to them all I said that  my opinion is here in QUOD DIXIT DIXIT.

I believe that the government did the right thing in eliminating the multi-awarded former cop Rolando Mendoza although there might have been some problems on the capabilities of the assaulting team and  their tactics.  As a decorated officer, he has all the necessary training including marksmanship. Armed with an M-16 an a seemingly bladed weapon,  his threat “I shot two Chinese. I will finish them all if . . .” must not be taken lightly. In fact, per the bus driver, the dismissed cop killed most of his hostages. It would be stupid to assume that he was just kidding in his threat that he would kill them all. He already started killing to start with.

What if Mendoza killed all of the Chinese in the bus before he was finally taken down? I am glad that the situation did not end like that.

Although I agree with the government decision in using its resources to end the hostage crisis, I  am so sorry that there are collateral damages in the process of restoring order.

Mendoza was surrounded by a 30-60 strong SWAT team and  snipers. As a former cop, he knew what his former comrades, now his enemies, can do. Despite that, as proven by the events,  he was determined to execute his saber-rattling plan. When the police was pushed back to the wall after a 30-minute negotiation extension was refused, the police did not have much time to reconstruct their plans on how to end the  stand off and they might have even run out of option other than to use force. The drama ended when Mendoza was hit in the head by an able sniper.

If asked what could have been done better based from what I saw  from live TV broadcast, the police  had the option to position their top snipers several meters directly from the bus door and from all sides of the bus for any eventuality. They could have used tactics to persuade the hostage-taker to release one more hostages bearing his notes of demand before the  available sniper squeezed the trigger.  Better still if possible, police negotiators should have tried to persuade Mendoza to receive a "special" cell phone from them equipped with a powerful explosive  with a remote control so that "he can talk directly to whoever he wanted to; the President included."  But again,  the situation could have been very critical that looking for "better" options  was not an option. Mendoza was not an ordinary hostage-taker.  He was one of the best officers and understandably had a SWAT training.  Last but not least, how I wish that the police officers had modern weapons and communication system for a more lethal and simultaneous assault from every direction of the bus to disorient the suspect and give him less time to react defensively or offensively.

I hope that the media did not air the incident live to give Mendoza a bird's eye view on what was going on outside.  The tourist bus might been equipped with TV screens and a radio.

I know that such recommendations are easier to say than to be done. What must be noted are the sequences of the events and how critical they were. 

It is not fair to presume that the police maneuver was not precise because I was not at the scene. Based from footages, chronology of events and the accuracy of what actually went on were impossible to determine.   If there was a mistake, it could have been in the execution of the plan to end the hostage crisis.  However, there was no option better than what was done could have been chosen. It was not possible for their sniper to aim his rifle when the sight of the target  had poor visibility.  The bus is equipped with drapes.

Let the experts do the investigation and reconstruct how the crime unfolded; what could have been done better; where the mistakes were and what lessons were learned if similar situations are encountered again.

In a thriller like that as in the “Raid on Entebbe”, officers arrive at a split-second decision to save hostages. In the case of Mendoza that put the Philippines in global headlines, I am sure the hostages  were  not the target of the police but in their race against time before a disaster happens; they took their chance and thus the drama ended that way.

It is unfortunate that the Chinese government has warned its citizens to refrain from coming over to our country because of the incident and I don’t blame them for that. Other nationalities familiar with the  news planning to come over should have started asking for their ticket refund. We lose some income from the tourism industry but we should live by it.  If the same incident happened in the US, Britain or Russia and even in China, I am quite positive that their security forces would have done what we did.

A number of dead is a lot better than “all dead”. -30-

(This was written immediately after the hostage fiasco. See Part II of the blog entry on top.  -COR INVICTUS)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Chavit: Ronald May Have Been Framed

News says that Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson is free on bail but he cannot leave the former British colony of Hong Kong. He has to report to the police daily until he is clear to fly back home.

The elder Singson, Gov. Chavit, believes that his son may have been framed by political enemies and/or business partners so he was caught with the illegal drugs.

Any reader with a keen sense of analysis cannot figure out how true the claim of Gov. Singson is. How could somebody have put the cocaine and Valium in the pocket of the younger Singson? Of course not inside his luggage for how possible that the unscrupulous is brave enough to secretly put the contraband in the luggage of a politically prominent person? Assuming it's done that way, where and how was it done when Singson is always protected by his security?

If somebody put something in his pants’ pocket, he would have noticed it. If that was indeed true, did the security conscious congressman disregard what was put into his pocket? Did his security staff fail to notice it? Same is true when they were put into his shirt pocket. He should have scrutinized what was placed there.

Assuming that Singson was framed as claimed by Chavit, he was framed inside the airport in Manila and not in Hong Kong.

Can the legal team of Singson convince the Hong Kong court that their client was framed? May I say again that I am not a lawyer but whether he was framed or not, they found the illegal drugs in his possession and that is the crux of the case which all of us are eager to follow up. -30-


Marriage: Church vs. Civil

There is a big difference between a Church marriage and a civil marriage although each institution recognizes the legitimacy of any validly contracted marriage within their jurisdictions.

The existing marital blues of Kris Aquino and James Yap indicate that legal separation is allowed in civil law. (Aquino and Yap did not marry in the Church.) Had they been married in the Catholic rite, to my knowledge, they cannot file for annulment if they don’t file for legal separation (or divorce) first. Although Kris and James have a civil marriage, in the eyes of the Catholic Church, they are just live-in partners. This does not mean to say that the Church does not recognize the validity of their civil marriage which in essence is similar with a Church wedding. Civil marriage is simply a contract while a Church wedding is something else.

Church wedding is different in substance. It is a sacrament and a covenant that the two enter into that binds them to live as husband and wife till death put them asunder. Since there is no divorce in this country, if there have been issues that invalidate the marriage ab initio, like force, threat or deceit that undermines the expression of a consenting will to name a few from the provisions of the Code of Canon Law, an approved annulment erases the effects of marriage. If a child is born while the marriage was in effect,  his/her status is a legitimate child.  Annulment restores the single status of the former husband and wife as if they did not contract marriage.

In both cases, Church and civil, when a court approves legal separation and the Church decrees that a marriage is annulled, each party is free to remarry. The Catholic Church does not use “remarry” but simply “marry”. -30-

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wrong Advice on Condom Use

There is a famous advice-giver (I call him Mr. Yuso.) I caught while in the process of giving a counsel on the radio telling his client that it is all right for a husband to wear a condom when his wife is fertile; obviously, to avoid pregnancy.

Although he claims to be religious, that particular advice does not square with the teachings of the Catholic Church which he belongs to. Sanctioned by the Church as the only accepted way to space children is the rhythm method or natural family planning which conforms with the Church’s teaching that every marital act must be open to the possibility of the transmission of a new life.

Mr. Yuso was precise, in fairness to him, when he said that condom is not used to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) for how could a husband or a wife suffer from an STD when each is exclusively for the other? “Fidelity” between the couple is the catchword. To say it differently, if one of the couple has an STD, infidelity must have been done otherwise how one between the two could contract the disease if there was no extra-marital affair?

As an ordinary individual, I believe that paraphernalia and methods for artificial family planning are designed to promote promiscuity, immorality, disrespect to the dignity of a woman and finally, an attack to the dignity of life. Why indulge in hedonism but shun from the responsibilities it demand?

Hopefully, Mr. Yuso finds time to realize where he faltered while giving an advice and also finds time to rectify it. -30-

Amending the Constitution for Muslim Mindanao

Although there is nothing definite, Pres. Noynoy Aquino has expressed his willingness on the idea that the Constitution be amended to finally achieve peace in Muslim Mindanao.

Leaders in that part of the country stress that they have abandoned pushing the idea of secession. Instead, they favor that some regions of Mindanao be given the right to self-rule. One of the dailies remembers that:

“Nearly nine years of negotiations under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had led to the drafting of a landmark accord that would have given expanded autonomy to a Moro homeland in 2008. The deal required constitutional amendments, and was scuttled by fierce opposition from Christian politicians, who feared losing land and clout to minority Muslims. . . . The Supreme Court later declared the deal unconstitutional.”

Should there be a Constitutional amendment to accommodate our Muslim countrymen’s dream for a self-rule or autonomy, how is “self-rule” or “autonomy” defined? Does it mean that they have to impose Islamic Law like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan or Pakistan? 

Filipinos with different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds still live under one Flag and again, depending on the provisions of the proposed blueprint of the self-rule clause, if approved and goes well, will Christians in the Moro land be subjected to Islamic rule? Will there still be freedom of religion, movement and conscience? Does it also mean that the Muslims will get back their lands, by force if necessary, now owned and developed mostly by Christians? 

Since secession is not what they are looking for, common sense assures that they will still be dependent to the government of the republic and that they will have no armed forces of their own. In simpler terms, they would be in a “federal” Muslim region.

It is unfair for me to speculate whether the government’s stand in giving way to amending the Constitution is the panacea of all the problems besetting Mindanao and the country in general. The first step in reaching peace is for the government and Muslim representatives to go back to the negotiating table after the Ramadan, thresh out their differences and find common interests to resolve their differences. Both must act in good faith otherwise, the much publicized forthcoming negotiations will again be worthless.

Amending the Constitution is a process. It starts from Congress and ends to the hands of the citizenry through plebiscite. In case of a plebiscite, where does the government get the resources when it is cash strapped by the spendthrift Arroyo government?

If the Muslim demand is accommodated, who can stop other indigenous and tribal groups to go to the government and ask the same “self-rule” given to the Muslims? -30-

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Kris Aquino and James Yap Fight: Baby James

The presidential Fourth Sister is again in the headlines. This time, Kris wants sole custody of her child with basketball star James Yap, Baby James. To make matters worse, there is a move to drop the Yap as the child’s last name in favor of Aquino.

Beforehand let me say that I am not a lawyer nor intend to be one but since the couple contracted a civil marriage that produced a child, how in this world be lawful to erase the last name of the father attached to the child’s name when at the time of his birth, the marriage is legal? Should Baby James have been born out of wedlock; he can have Aquino as his last name. Ms. Aquino’s legal team stresses that “it is just a consequence of law”. But what if Baby James, at the age of reason, will change his name and put back the “Yap”?  Will that invalidate his inheritance rights from Ms. Aquino's assets depending on court ruling?

Lorna Kapunan, Mr. Yap’s lawyer further said that “the most significant and disastrous effect” of Kris’ suit to nullify the marriage, if granted, would be to render Baby James illegitimate”.

Based from what I said earlier, how could a child be called illegitimate when the time the baby is born, the effects of the (civil) marriage was valid and in effect? Does Atty. Kapunan imply that a child born from parents living together without the blessing of marriage, civil or church, is in the same shoes with Baby James?

Kris also wants sole custody of their child but okays the father’s visiting rights. Is that right limited or unlimited?

I believe that it is only the Family Court that can render the decision on custody  and visiting rights if out of court  or amicable settlement is impossible and not  by the petitioners. I cannot see any justification that sole custody is given to Kris. Whatever Kris has for Baby James, Mr. Yap can also provide him.

The only reason why Kris is doing this based from my observation which could be wrong is because of arrogance. What a pity! She should learn from her humble brother. -30-

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Mary's Assumption Into Heaven

"On November 1, 1950, referring to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Immaculate and his dogmatic authority, Pope Pius XII defined the dogma:

By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory."*

In honor of Mary's assumption into heaven, we pray:

MAGNIFICAT 

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 remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.


SALVE REGINA

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy!
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished
children of Eve, to thee do we send
up our sighs, mourning and weeping
in this valley, of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us; and
after this our exile show unto us the
blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus;
O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God

That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.

May Mary, our Mother, intercede for all our daily spiritual and material needs. May she help us in our daily struggles and needs. -30-

Original Pilipino Music (OPM)

Pres. Noynoy Aquino recently “directed the Department of Transportation and Communications and the National Telecommunications Commission to strictly implement Executive Order (EO) No. 255 requiring all radio stations to play at least four original Pilipino music (OPM) every hour.” The said EO issued in July 1987 by the president’s mother, Pres. Cory Aquino, “requires all radio stations with musical format programs to broadcast a minimum of four original Pilipino musical compositions in every clock hour and for other purposes.”

As a music lover although focused to classical, soft rock and oldies, the EO and the president’s move to invigorate OPM is much appreciated. As a radio anchor and disc jockey, executing the EO is easy but I believe in some instances, OPM spoils the quality of a musical program.

As observed by one reader, “What if the station’s format is classical or jazz?”

From 11:00 at night to 2:00 in the morning, for instance, while playing Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven and Bach in an hour slot, every quarter, OPM has to be played. Imagine that you are enjoying Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, then Grieg’s Morning from “Peer Gynt”. All of a sudden, Charice Pempengco’s or Regine Velasquez’ shouting song follows. In that case, there is an abrupt transition of everything from the genre, beat, tempo and quality. It sure follows that a listener bonding with his wife is irked for “oil and water do not mix” so they say.

I have nothing against OPM. Performed by talented Filipino artists, they are worth listening although I must confess that not all stimulate my listening pleasure. If the rationale of EO 255 is to showcase Filipino music and talents, is it not enough for radio stations to air OPMs weaved in the duration of their broadcast? I suggest that classical and jazz formatted stations should be exempted from the provisions of EO 255.

OPM to my understanding is not limited to the composition of local artists. It can also be interpreted as music performed by a Filipino artist. I consider Journey’s “Open Arms” sung by Arnel Pineda, the group’s Filipino lead singer as an OPM although the song was composed and popularized by an American band. The Lettermen’s “Dahil Sa Iyo” is an OPM --- a Filipino song performed by a foreign group.  In both cases, something Filipino is put to the fore: a talent and a composition.

Is OPM limited to the works of popular composers and artists we know or the compositions or performances of the unknown Juan de la Cruzes and Juana de la Cruzes are also called OPM. OPMs should include all Filipino compositions be they Kapangpangan, Cebuano, Ilonggo, Igorot, Tingguian, Ilocano and  other ethnic groups. I find it discriminatory if  indigenous music and  songs performed with their native musical instruments like gong, flute and gansa to say the least are not called OPM.  OPM  also engulfs traditional music like harana, kundiman and kulintang.

Sadly, we rarely hear if ever "O Ilaw". "Sampaguita" or "No Duduaem Pay" (An Ilocano love song categorized as harana.) as OPM.  It is my conviction that religious composition like "Sino Ako", "Pananagutan", "God Bless Our Land" and Fatima Soriano selections are also OPMs.  After all, whether these songs are composed by Jim Paredes, George Canseco or Rey Valera or not, they are composed by Filipinos.  I don't care if they are not sung by Jose Mari Chan, Ogie Alcasid, APO Hiking Society or Rico Puno.  They are sung by Filipinos.

If blessed to have these materials, I don't hesitate to play them in my musical programs with pride even if they are in different Philippine languages --- indigenous music and artists included.

Next time you listen to your favorite (rock) station playing Led Zeppelin, Queen, Aerosmith, Kiss and Black Sabbath; Mike Hanopol’s “Laki sa Layaw Jeproks” or Yoyoy Villame's "Mag-exercise Tayo" will make your day. -30-

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Improve Your English, Dude!

It is ironic that this month of Linggo ng Wika (National Language Week) we read a story that  spells out the need of improving our English capability. Although it is one of our national languages, there is no such thing as “English Week” that promotes the use of English unlike its Tagalog counterpart in the months of August. Obviously, nationalistic sentiments dramatically favor Filipino from English unlike in Canada where English and French are co-equal. Sometimes, our misguided sense of nationalism leads us to reap the unsavory fruits of our follies.

The news simply says that the better your English is, the more opportunities you have in the Philippines as well.

We see the idiocy of the government in encouraging if not imposing Filipino as the medium of instruction in the universities. My friend and college contemporary, now a professor in Ilocos Norte says that he is tri-lingual (English, Tagalog and Ilocano) in delivering lectures stressing that if in English alone, his students cannot follow or worse, cannot understand the lecture.

Whether we acknowledge or not; believe or not, our English has dramatically deteriorated. A number of Filipino college graduates or professionals working in English-speaking countries like the US have some difficulties at times expressing themselves. Differences in accent, sentence construction, colloquialism and pronunciation understandably vary but the problem lies in expressing what is meant because of halting knowledge of the language.

Did anyone come across news stories in the past about text books peppered with grammatical and factual errors? For sure, those were written by Ph.D or M.A. holders.

That means that some professors too have undependable skills in English.   How did they obtain their doctoral and masteral degrees and hoe competent are they in discharging their duties?

Exacerbating the issue is the common use of “jejemon”. It hints that is all right to write something un-grammatical or misspelled even to the point of incoherence. The government cannot ban its use in personal needs but it can restrict its popularity by making it clear that it is not acceptable in schools at all levels and in public.

If our English capability continues to deteriorate, time will come when we send our students to traditionally non-English speaking countries like China, Japan, Korea and even Vietnman to learn English. By that time we realize that some of them came here to learn English from our schools. -30-

Friday, August 13, 2010

Friday the 13th and Filipinos

Filipinos, although predominantly Catholic, have a culture rich with superstition and belief of the paranormal. It is not clear when ghost and evil spirit stories started to thrill us although I believe that some are offshoots of tales before the Christianization of the Philippines and passed orally from generation to generation.

Or it may not!

When I was a boy, there was no electricity yet in our place. Family bonding was after dinner when the table is already cleared. On new moon or while listening the rhythm of the torrential rain smashing our roof, my Dad, a good story-teller finds time to entertain us with his paranormal stories. I exactly remember him saying that his stories were true for some were witnessed by his father who was born during the Spanish regime.

The story goes that in the middle of the day for no apparent reason, a neighbor’s tongue grew large reaching his chest. Another; one’s head face his back although not permanent. Still another story says that after sunset, the road was blocked with white linen all the way but at both sides, there is a space to get through. If one tries to escape on either side, the linen moves to make the road impassable. Unafraid, a pious man, just retired from work, tired of the “game” drew his bolo and drew the sign of the cross on the ground ejaculating “En el Nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Spirito Santo” (In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Hole Spirit)  then he stabbed the linen which immediately disappeared. There was also an elderly woman going to the church early for the first Sunday Mass when she was met by a hog with a burning mouth and biting eyes. The hog ready to devour followed the woman several meters but could not get close to her because its would-be victim was praying the rosary. The story narrates that the woman was not afraid and the moment she reached the churchyard, the beast disappeared.

My Dad insisted several times that his stories were true. For the skeptics, a cavernous room of doubt is always there --- me, included.

Stories like these and countless superstitious beliefs and practices abound in the country up to now. If there is a solid basis for them to be true, it is only in the mind. If there is truth in them, coincidence is the answer. As Christians, it is about time that these be called “history” and never again confront our faith.

It is Friday the 13th. The general belief, although unfounded, is that; it is a bad or even an evil day as portrayed by movies and tales, concocted or otherwise.

For me, there is nothing wrong with such tales and legends. They are entertaining and of human interests but I don’t believe that God created anything bad. Besides, Christ died on a Friday afternoon. His death, for us Christians, redeemed us from eternal damnation. On the last supper, Christ was the 13th man at the center with his disciples. On that night, He instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist.

If we look around, there are innumerable signs suggesting that we are athirst in knowing the Truth who is the Omnipotent. We can search for the Truth better and perhaps even faster if we set aside beliefs and tales that are un-Christian like Friday the 13th. -30-

Thursday, August 12, 2010

After Ramadan: Diplomacy or War?

First, may our Filipino Muslim brethren (and all followers of Allah around the world) truly experience a fruitful Ramadan. In the name of Allah, the Merciful, peace and blessings!

As Ramadan starts, the entire nation is surprised with the veiled threat of Moro Islamic Federation Front (MILF) chair Ebrahim Murad bragging that his troops are ready with 60,000 weapons if peace talk negotiations with the government fail.

On the government side, the Armed Forces says that it is “’tired of fighting’ and would want to end its three-decades-old war with the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through the resumption of peace negotiations”.

If peace talks are botched, the possibility of an all our war is possible if threats are hatched.

Enough is enough with wars please! Mindanao, the Land of Promise and its people suffered a lot and continue to suffer because of spiraling conflicts. Mindanao, blessed with vast resources of tapped and untapped minerals and natural resources is the richest among the primary group of islands. Yet, in terms of development it is the poorest. The perennial bloody conflict shoos tourists, investors and even government projects to flow into Mindanao to their disadvantage. That adds misery to their economy and development.

We understand that Muslims in the South want to secede parts of Mindanao from the Republic and establish their own Muslim State. The Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, ruled by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional, would empower the MILF to set up self-rule in parts of Mindanao.

Why do they want to secede?

Some claim that they are discriminated against by the government because of their religion and that government graces are slow or acute in their respective provinces.

My friends from that part of the country have a different perspective. They say that all government projects ranging from infrastructure and name-them-they-have-them ventures from the national government intended to improve their livelihood and quality of life are there. “You can easily tell the difference between a Muslim village from a Christian village,” my friends continued. “The latter are more developed than the former”.

Why?

My acquaintances in Davao and Cotabato said in whisper, “differences in values”.

During the presidency of Ramon Magsaysay, there was the so-called Homestead Act. Explained in simple words, that government initiative encouraged those eager to go to Mindanao to clear the vast fertile and virgin lands as the first step of development and growth. Many Ilocanos responded and throughout the years, some were  able to acquire dozens of hectares of land. Now that Mindanao is developed, some Muslims want  to take back their now–developed lands from the hands of Ilocanos.

The problem is not that simple.  Till now, solution of the problems in Mindanao is very illusive but I am sure that it can be found.--- only if the negotiating parties are sincere and honest.

oOo

The country, weakened by the Arroyo administration because of mismanagement, graft and corruption, is wobbling on its feet. Now, we hear saber rattling from the MILF. History tells that war, international or homegrown has not yet solved anything. If it seems to have solved one, other problems, perhaps more deadly, reappear.

Thus, we strongly suggest that the government and the MILF must go to the negotiating table and thresh out their differences, find solutions and cooperate to lay out the blue print of peace and nay, development.

In case of an all out war, we have to consider the collateral damages like the displacement of people from the war zone and the destruction of life and property.

Our MILF friends may have 60,000 weapons and thousands of fighters but they do not have tanks, fighter jets, radars, navy, logistics and necessary training to engage in a war with the AFP.  The government, tired of fighting, looks determined to end the war.  That can be translated into a "devastating and convincing annihilation of the MILF".

So, what is next after the Ramadan? Diplomacy or war? -30-


St. Philomena



O FAITHFUL VIRGIN, and glorious martyr, St. Philomena, who works so many miracles on behalf of the poor and sorrowing, have pity on me. Thou know the multitude and diversity of my needs. Behold me at your feet, full of misery, but full of hope. I entreat your charity, O Great Saint! Graciously hear me and obtain from God a favorable answer to the request which I now humbly lay before you . . .  (Here specify your petition). I am firmly convinced that through your merits, through the scorn, the sufferings and death of Jesus, your Spouse, I shall obtain what I ask of you, and in the joy of my heart I will bless God, Who is admirable in His Saints. Amen.

(Look upon us with pity and intercede for our daily spiritual and material needs.  You were a human like us and you know what suffering is.)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Filipino Extincts Other Filipino Languages

As August breezes, the country remembers Manuel Quezon, the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth and father of our national language. Not to be forgotten on the same month are the passing away of the most loved president Cory Aquino and the martyrdom of her husband Ninoy.

When I was in school, during the Linggo ng Pambansang Wika (National Language Week), we set aside Ilocano and English and switch to Tagalog inside the classroom. Our teachers encouraged us to use the language even when we are at play although to be honest, we were more fluent in English. There were also programs --- all in Tagalog --- honoring Pres. Quezon.

That was more than half a century ago.

You bet that Pres. Quezon is very happy wherever he is. Aside from his famous came-true-quote that he prefers a government run like hell by Filipinos rather than a government run like heaven by the Americans, Tagalog (later known as Filipino) is now widely spoken throughout the archipelago.

If I remember it right, Pres. Quezon instituted a national language so that in a country like ours with more than 100 languages, citizens can understand each other and better.

The intention is good but the result needs to be re-evaluated.

Probably, Quezon chose Tagalog because he came from a Tagalog-speaking region and not because it is the easiest language among Philippine languages to be learned.

Everybody can speak Filipino although Cebuano speaking Filipinos are somewhat reluctant to learn Filipino or if they are fluent, they prefer to use their native Bisaya unless it is extremely important for them to speak in Filipino. We remember the time when they “rebelled” and started to translate the Constitution and the National Anthem into Cebuano. Why? According to them, they don’t need Tagalog in Central and Southern Philippines.

To the Cebuano speaking Filipinos, I appreciate your determination in clinging and propagating your native language.  All ethno-linguistic groups should follow suit!

Filipino is bastardizing other languages because of the inclusion of Tagalog words to Ilocano and other languages. The Ilocano that I knew is different from the Ilocano spoken in Ilocos now. It is a mixture of Tagalog and Ilocano or aptly called Tagilo or Ilotag. In that case, is it still called Ilocano?

To exacerbate the issue, kids or school children fluent in Ilocano when asked something in their native language answer in Filipino possibly believing that Filipino is better than Ilocano. In groups, in the mall or elsewhere, Filipino is their dominant language most likely to feign an upper caste. Ilocanos and other ethno-linguistic groups must remember that speaking Filipino does not suggest patriotism or those that speak in another language are less patriotic. Patriotism has nothing to do with language. Filipinos speaking Chinese in Binondo; English in Baguio or Spanish in Manila or Arabic in Sultan Kudarat equally love the country with fervor although sometimes; misgivings cannot be evaded.

If the trend continues, all Philippine languages will one day lose their genuineness and innate quality as Hiligaynon, Ivatan, Gaddang, Ilonggo, etc.

No thanks to Filipino intrusion.

While I agree that a language is not stagnant and  thus, it is fluid; it develops and mutates.  I cannot help but conclude that the dozens of languages we have  which we are proud of are constantly mutating towards bastardization if not extinction. The equation is simple. If no one speaks a language like Latin, it cannot thrive or survive. The less people speak a language, as in the case of Panggalatok, the greater that it will not continue to exist. Today, the Pangasinense language is on the verge of extinction.

Something must be done.

The slow but sure demise of Philippine languages can only be stopped if Filipinos take pride in their mother languages by speaking and writing them everyday otherwise, if no one does, how can our languages survive the test of time?

To use Filipino or English is common sense when others do not understand your language which could be Kinaray-a, Maranao, Chavacano, Zambal, Kankanaey, Tagalog, Panggalatok or Ilocano but it does not mean that one has to turn his back on his mother tongue by preferring other languages as his lingua franca. There is nothing wrong either in learning a second of third language. In fact it is recommended if we want to be productive and ready to compete as individuals, as a people or as a nation in local or international parlance.

Don't you think that it is high time for the scholars from the best universities in the country  to do a scientific study on the negative side of the national language in relation with the preservation of other languages?

Fifty years or a century from now, will your language still exist? If so, I am sure that it will be severely bastardized because of Filipino, the national language. -30-

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Walden Bello Scores Gloria Arroyo

The once mighty Gloria Arroyo, now a representative of Pampanga was reproached without mercy and respect by Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello. It’s good that the controversial former president was not present when Bello was speaking otherwise if she were not in the pink of health, she might have been put into a stretcher bound for a medical help.

Piecing together the salient points of Bello’s speech, he said that:

“[H]e shared the public’s disgust with the Arroyo administration’s orgiastic compensation, brazen manipulation of government agencies and funds for political purposes, and massive waste of the people’s money. . . If the subordinates of the GMA administration behaved like pigs, if the people there behaved like crocodiles, this is because they had a good example of corruption on top . . . They had a good model at the top, and this was a model not only in corruption and plunder but a model on how to behave with impunity and subvert democratic institutions.”

The honest words from Bello’s mouth are so biting that a pig cooling off in the mud or rubbished dog cannot eat. If Filipinos are given a chance to vent their views like Bello on the kind of president Arroyo was, some are even more lethal and down to earth than Bello’s.

Widespread agreement among local and foreign political observers says that Arroyo is the most unpopular president since Marcos. Comparing the former dictator with then Pres. Arroyo, former Sen. Jovito Salonga, one of the few respected politicians said that he saw Marcos in her. As on what grounds, Salonga could have mean the face of graft and corruption, patronage politics, political manipulation, disrespect of human rights, misgovernment and abuse of power. Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile sees differently. He believes that the scandals blighting the Arroyo government were rooted from wrong or miscalculated advice the president received.

Once the most powerful person in the country, it is very sad that she is now treated like a scum bag even inside the sacred halls of Congress. If she does not deserve such treatment, his colleagues would not be that short-tempered at her. On the other end, Arroyo may self-appease in believing that she only did her best to serve.

Reality is not on her side.

Hopefully, Arroyo is the last president to be ridiculed, jeered and sneered. She should  be the last head of state who took for granted her constituents, the dignity of the presidency and the rule of law. Her refusal to be interviewed by the press should be a sign of regret on what were done while in office but silence can also be a sign of defiance. Whatever the real case may be, Mrs. Arroyo is a defeated person down on her knees for her recklessness and arrogance while in power. Should she want to be free from the torments of remorse if she reaches that point, she must find courage to tell the truth when asked. Truth will set her free.

While Bello is eager to wait for that day “so that she can be transported from (the) august chamber (Congress) to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, where she belongs,” Mrs. Arroyo must acknowledge that power and prestige come and go.

Her turn is up. -30-

Presidential Spiritual Adviser

Before the formal takeover of Noynoy Aquino as the 15th president, a lot of names for cabinet posts popped up. From that time, I was keeping an eye on who his spiritual adviser would be. Till now, I haven’t read any if there is. If P-Noy has one, I guess it is the Jesuit Theologian Fr. Catalino Arevalo, an Aquino Family friend. He was the man in black holding the Bible when P-Noy was sworn in.

Not all have the opportunity to have a spiritual adviser. Having one is a priceless religious asset and thence, as a person in the society. I said “asset” because a spiritual adviser cannot transform his disciple into a living saint. Not to be forgotten is a fact that there are bad spiritual advisers too. Strange but true.

Consider what Pres. Marcos’ spiritual adviser advised him. Whoever he was, I am sure that he reminded Marcos the widespread evils in his administration such as massive graft and corruption, summary killing, political assassinations (of critics) and rampant violation of human rights. That all of these must stop. Obviously, Marcos did not care.

In fairness to Mr. Marcos, when he pays a visit to places like Vigan, he goes first to the cathedral. He kneels and prays with a saintly posture. His usual prayers? That is a mystery --- probably to be in power forever. (Does anyone remember his last inauguration when Handel’s Alleluia was sung “And he shall reign forever and ever?”) But if one asks me if Marcos listened to his spiritual adviser, my answer is “no”. He preferred the advice of Satan. The savagery of his dictatorship attests so.

I am not familiar with Pres. Cory’s and Pres. Ramos’ spiritual advisers although many times, I believe, both presidents somewhat listened to their spiritual guide.

Now come Pres. Erap and Pres. Arroyo who were under the spiritual care of Bro. Mike Velarde of the El Shaddai movement.

To the best of my knowledge, Bro. Mike has no formal background in Theology. To me, he is not even a good speaker or preacher but has thousands of followers if they are not called fanatics. On why he was the favorite, only the two former presidents can give a definitive answer.

With the same question, what did Bro. Mike advice to Erap and Arroyo? Well, Bro. Mike probably gave his best in leading the two presidents to the path of righteousness as individuals and heads of state but he was not able to stop them in winking with broad smile to the call of the nether world otherwise the last two presidents should have been in good standing. That is, Erap would have not been kicked out from the Palace and Arroyo could have not garnered -53 at her worst and -33 at her best rating.

Fr. Arevalo is just my guess although Archbishop Soc Villegas is another possibility. At this point, P-Noy (Pres. Noynoy Aquino) might not have a spiritual adviser as president although he may have one as a citizen. If P-Noy has an official one, he may have advised him to do what he is doing now in fighting graft and corruption, searching for truth and transforming the country into a better place. These are not easy tasks but they cannot be done if there is no political will on the part of the president.

If there are issues in which the president needs sufficient and intellectual advice, one is sex education in schools and two, the Reproductive Bill.

May our president be gifted with wisdom and courage to lead our nation and us with or without the aid of a spiritual adviser.

Amen to that. -30-

ROTC To Be Mandatory Again?

The proposed plan of senior government officials to revive Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) as mandatory in schools deserves to be scrutinized. While we agree that discipline should be instilled in the citizenry with emphasis on government officials, we disagree that ROTC is the only venue in infusing discipline among the youth or citizenry.

In high school, I had CAT (Citizen’s Auxiliary Training). In college, an ROTC. What did I learn from them?

In CAT, I was a cadet major but before receiving my name tag as an officer, I underwent foolish initiation. I had to roll scaling around 500 meters. I gave three rose flowers to the one of the prettiest in school. With  a blindfold, after turning me around 20 times, an initiating officer walked me around. As to where, who cares?

Did I learn anything from CAT? Of course I did learn to march with precision, execute a brisk military salute, how to dismantle and assemble the ancient Garand rifle and how to "stomach in, breast out". To my recollection, that was it but we were also lectured on the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in times of war and of peace.

There’s not much difference in ROTC. Marching drills were always there but again, to the best of my recollection, the basics of military tactics and operations were not taught to us. Probably, that is exclusively for Philippine Military Academy cadets and cadettes.

To sum it all, my military training as a high school and college student is 85% marching. The remaining 15% were lectures mostly theoretical and has no place in one’s civilian life except those who pursue a military career to say the least.

Another point brought out: ROTC is a good breeding ground for future members of the AFP. That claim has no solid ground.

How many military personnel today who had ROTC are good and faithful soldier of the republic? Most of the officers are millionaires if not billionaires living in gated subdivisions and driving luxury cars. How did they procure such properties? If soldiering is one of the best paying jobs, thousands would have already joined the AFP annually.  There is also a perceived corruption among the ranks and file of the military. Remember that most of them had their ROTC.

National Defense spokesman Batac is correct is saying that new enlistments from a reintroduced ROTC augment the AFP force. Can these neophytes survive in the battlefield?

At some point during the Marcos dictatorship, armed conflict in Mindanao was heavy. Mr. Marcos sent new AFP recruits from the ROTC and as a result, the government forces were massacred.

In the elementary grades, there is a Good Manners and Right Conduct subject that orients the children the basics of discipline. Children are taught to be polite, helpful, honest, obedient etc. Then there is the Boy Scout movement that molds the kids to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

In the secondary and collegiate levels, there are subjects such as ethics and related subjects. Private schools teach their students religion and basic theology. (I am not familiar in  Muslim Mindanao if  their faith , a religion of peace, is in their curriculum.) All of these, when taught and learned religiously can bring out the best discipline possible for a person to achieve and live by.

ROTC must remain as an elective. As a nation, we have no external enemies except the insurgency and Mindanao issues.

If the government is really serious in instilling discipline, government officials from top to bottom must serve as our model. How could this be when most of them are perceived to be corrupt and scalawag?

AFP personnel, elected and appointed officials please clean first your backyard.  We just elected a president who is not corrupt nor will be corrupt or corrupted, God willing.

Will you? -30-

Monday, August 2, 2010

An Advice to Kris Aquino; An Advice to Politicians

On the first passing away anniversary of Pres. Cory Aquino, Archbishop Soc Villegas, an Aquino Family friend turned his face to presidential sister Kris saying:

“Kris, as you continue to stay in the limelight of show business and go up higher in your career on television, remember---all of these things will pass. Your beauty and talents are not yours; they are God’s. You will find your real happiness . . . not in being in the limelight, but by being the spotlight lighting the face of Jesus.”

The good Fr. Soc (his preferred name of endearment) could have also aimed his words to politicians especially the dirty ones by reminding them:

“As you continue to stay in the political limelight and go up higher in your careers, remember---all of these things will pass. Your position and talents are not yours; they are God’s. You will find your real happiness . . . not in being in the limelight, but by being the spotlight lighting the face of Jesus.”

In the Philippines, politicians embody power and wealth that when they rub elbows with the people, they draw unimaginable respect, awe and yes, fear. Fear for a number of Pilate politicians possess vast capabilities that can decide one to be free or a slave of hopelessness and total defeat or to live or  die the slow death of poverty, deprivation, dehumanization, marginalization or neglect.

If Robin Hood Filipino politicians have a Damascus experience and reflect on Fr. Soc’s words, they  are compelled to put into action the maxim that a public office is indeed a public trust. Like the new Paul, these politicians should fearlessly work for the welfare of the country and the people whom they once persecuted.

The problem is that most of our politicians are the Biblical tax collectors or Judas Iscariot that they betray the trust of the citizenry accorded to them. 

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet loses his soul?”  -Jesus

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Mendicant Religious Order's Way?

In the mid 60s and early 70s the effects of Vatican II were at their prime. One of these was the transition of Mass from Latin to the vernacular and its form. In those bygone  years priests on big feasts and holidays offered Misa Cantada (Sung Mass) or High Mass where censer’s billowing smoke was offered for adoration --- holy water sprinkling included.

Liturgical hymns were a mixture of Gregorian chants, pop and locally written songs of worship accompanied mostly by the old but reliable pedal organ, violin or guitar. It’s nostalgic to recall the peace-inducing Kyrie, Gloria, Agnus Dei, Pater Noster or the “modern” Morning Has Broken, Today, Simon Garfunkel selections and others. Songs in Ilocano, I believe, especially Marian songs were from tradition while others like the Amami (Our Father) were locally composed.

Who can forget priests chanting the prayers with notes delivered for centuries?

A few days ago, my friend and a contemporary altar server e-mailed me “complaining” about the practices done in a cathedral manned by a mendicant religious order where he worships. 

“Sunday vigil and Sunday Masses are always in Misa Cantada. The Creed is also chanted. Everything is chanted by the new rector except the readings and the preaching but if the trend continues, it is quite possible that from the first sign of the cross to the final, everything will be chanted including the announcements,” he believes.

If that happens, most probably, some parishioners will go to other Churches on Sundays to  have more time spent in family bonding, recreation and fun for there is no difference between a high Mass and a regular Mass.

There is nothing wrong with that but what we are accustomed with is that a high Mass as I said is only offered on red-lettered days otherwise there would no longer be Misa Rezada (Recited Mass).

He continues, “It is only now that I hear the chanting of the Divine praises during benediction.”  He said more surprises  when one of his acquaintances had a wedding  and were asked to “donate” $2,000. Wow! That’s around P100,000. “What”, he asked “if I don’t have that amount? Will I be refused to receive the sacrament? I cannot afford that much; I have a simple job and I don’t live in Beverly Hills.”

If it is a donation, why the given amount?

He said too that the vigil Mass in another language was discontinued because collections in the Mass cannot defray “the cost of electricity (during the Mass) and the priest’s stipend”. He continues, “But lighting is not important for the Mass. During the last supper, there were only torches and surely, the room was dim. And why are they too much concerned for the stipend since they have a vow of poverty?”

My friend brought out valid points which I am not competent to answer. Probably those are the ways of that  religious order or are they?  Can a reader like you leave an opinion? -30-

Tita Cory, Thank You!

On your first death anniversary, I remember you as the one who restored democracy and civil rights to our country. You are also a woman with great faith. Much have been written about you as president and as a private citizen. What I remember most was a time when in a house dress, you knocked at the door of your neighbor asking her to let your grandson use the swimming pool. Your surprised neighbor can’t believe that in front of her was a former president without a bodyguard who looked simple but bigger than life. Who too can forget your last days when you instructed your children to help one another in life?

Indeed they do. They pitched in for the election of your only son Noynoy to be our president. Thank you for giving us P-Noy who understands our concerns and aspirations.

Please continue to pray for our president. Continue also to pray for our country and people. You are gone but you live forever in our heart.

I have selected this poem written by Mary Elizabeth Frye for you.

DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!)