“Let’s Legalize Jueteng”: Sen. Jinggoy Estrada

The latest in the Senate on the  jueteng craze is a bill seeking to legalize the game of numbers.

I cannot get the senator why he went straight to that point instead of finding ways no matter how stringent to stop the illegal game. In other words, Mr. Estrada is saying that there’s no way to stop the game and so it is better to make it legal.

The reality which the senator missed (or did he?) is the lack of political will and determination on the part of the government to implement the law; i.e. jueteng is illegal. Jinggoy should have filed a bill imposing heavier penalty to anyone convicted involved in the game depending on their interests in it. He should have also muscled up enough Senate strength to prosecute all whose names were mentioned by Archbishop Cruz and Sen. Miriam Santiago. I think that there’s nothing wrong if those in the list are investigated. After all, investigation does not suggest guilt. Only a court of law can tell who is guilty and who is not.

As we know, not one from the list has admitted any wrongdoing but that does not necessarily mean that they really have nothing to do with jueteng. Thus, a believable investigation must take place.

I am not saying that the president should send the military throughout the country and weed out jueteng. What we are looking for is an assurance from the government that it means business in stopping the game by using all legal means so that at the end of the day, the people will be surprised to know that some powerful, influential government, military and police personnel have been locked up in jail.

Is the government dead serious in stopping the game? I don’t believe so otherwise, investigations should have been initiated. To make everything simple, what’s wrong with what Archbishop Cruz said that it is easy to stop the game if local political and police officials really want to stop jueteng. If they don’t or are out of their senses that “they have no evidence that the illegal game is in their jurisdiction,” then nothing really happens.

Legalizing jueteng at this time is senseless. What makes sense is the government and the president to use political will and determination to really stop the game.

It is as simple as that. -30-

When Artificial Contraception is Okayed in the Philippines . . .

Condom.

This is enough to spark a series of protests and debates. It is a hot and controversial issue in the religious and political spheres of our time.  If and when the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill becomes a law, will our society be better off? Is the government sure in achieving the goals embodied in the controversial bill such as the slowing of population growth and thereby poverty will be alleviated? When condoms, pills and IUDs are available to the poor, there is no reason for the rich not to have access with them too. The intent of the government is to distribute artificial contraception paraphernalia to “poor and married couples.”

Majority of 100 million Filipinos are poor. Let us just say, 60 million of them. So the government must have a fund to procure contraceptives. We must not forget that the government rationale in controlling the population growth is to alleviate poverty. If economists are believed, they say that the government has not enough resources to be able to take care the huge population to live a decent life.

The government should know that even without promoting artificial contraception, our population slowly thins out because of starvation, scarcity of jobs, government neglect; and sky-rocketing medical and commodity expenses that contribute to the death of some of  the population in the countryside especially among the urban poor.

Now, here are the issues I want to be pondered upon:

If a 20-year old unmarried lady goes to a public health center and asks for condoms and pills, does the counter ask if she is married or not? If she is indeed married, is she required to present her marriage certificate before she can bring home what she needs? If she is single, by law, she is not entitled to such benefits. How believable that a single or even the minors cannot get condoms fraudulently from somewhere?  Can any one stop a single woman, refused to have a condom, not to have sex and probably get pregnant as a result?

If a married poor gentleman in his mid to late 60s asks for condoms, is he required to prove that he is poor by bringing supporting papers like tax papers? What if he is jobless? Worse, he might not be given condoms because of  already “loose knees”. But what further if his wife is in her 30s?

For married couples using contraceptives, is there any guarantee that their children, adult or minor, will not use some of the condoms recklessly left on the desk? If their children know that their parents are using contraceptives, who can stop the kids not to follow the example of their parents whether they are married or not?

Condoms are available in bigger drug stores; I know that. Who can stop anyone to buy them --- ladies or gentlemen; married or single; adult or minor? If millions use condom; prostitution will flourish, many families will be broken and our already decaying morality will crumble further and faster. At this point in time, we perceive the prophecies of Paul VI as already plaguing our society.  Make no mistake that the situation gets worse when the government plan is pushed through.

Well, there is nothing wrong about sex. The ever-loving God gifted it to us  to perpetuate His creation bearing His image but we must remember that every sexual act is twinned with sets of responsibility. That makes us different from lower forms of animals. As rational being, it is wise to hear the counsel of the learned for it is not true that what one believes as right is always correct otherwise, there would no longer be mistakes if we strictly depend on our uninformed mind. -30-

"Aquino Quit Smoking"

There’s a “news” item in a daily paper saying that the president was forced to keep his lighter in his pocket and his favorite Marlboro menthol sealed during his recent back and forth trip to the US. Thirteen hours per each.

The “news” mentions that P-Noy  on his way home read the books he purchased to neutralize his nicotine addiction. Nothing is said how the president temporarily forgot his cigarette indulgence on his way to New York. An audiophile, he probably listened to his favorite music form his iPod.

Upon his return, we came to know his chocolate "pasalubong"  for his sisters which they have to share with his nephews and nieces. There is also a secret pasalubong for his girl friend Shalani Soledad but sorry to Baby James --- the toy he wants is not available in the US.

(Pasalubong is a “gift from one after arriving from a long trip”. It is a Filipino custom to give one to close relatives or friends.)

I enclosed the word news with open and close quotation marks because any serious journalism student doubts if the story is indeed news in the real sense or not. What business does the public have when the president smokes or not? What business do we have about the pasalubong? The stories are not even of human interest. In fairness to the dailies, they should have put their stories on their showbiz section where the audience longs to know everything about the personal lives of actors.

Not all pieces of information are called news. Some are stinking garbage. -30-

Aquino to the Bishops on Contraceptives: “Let’s Talk”

As Catholic lay groups backed by bishops crank up to go to the streets to protest the presidential stand on artificial contraception that it should be available to all, President Aquino said that he is willing to meet with Catholic bishops to explain his position on the controversial reproductive bill rotting in Congress.

What will P-Noy explain and how?

I can only assume that the president will convince the bishops that changing the gear of population growth  to a lower gear is a big factor in alleviating poverty. Other ingredients worth threshing out could be on the table but no matter how Mr. Aquino explains his side; the bishops will never change their stand after politely listening the president’s argument.

Once again, just like my in previous pronouncement, I believe that the population issue is not the cause of poverty in this country but massive graft and corruption, government mismanagement, the unabated widening gap of the rich and the poor and the abuse of our environment and natural resources.

The Church has indicated many times that artificial contraception, euthanasia and anything that deals with  the moral issue of life is non-negotiable. Some bishops may have a different opinion on artificial contraception. That is their personal view. Yet, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), a collegial body acts as one and not individually in the person of its members. Its declarations are final and they reflect the official stand of the Catholic Church. Even if the bishops, so to speak, are willing to give their blessing  to the use of artificial contraception, they cannot and never will --- not even the Pope for using such method in spacing a family goes against the Magisterium.

Pres. Aquino has the option in not listening to the bishops but he cannot stop protesters flooding the streets. Such protests, Church officials say, are not confrontational with the president. They just vent strong opposition on a moral issue that regulates the reproductive system through artificial  contraception. If protests crop up like mushroom which the president or the government has no power to stop, he has a valid reason to scratch his balding head and ask, “Do these protests tarnish if not erode the people’s trust in my government?"  Mr. Aquino knows that Catholics are the majority of Christians in the country with 100 million population scattered through the archipelago.

There is nothing wrong if the president and the bishops sit together and talk about artificial contraception. The bishops are willing to lecture Mr. Aquino on the Ethics of Life and the meaning of Magisterium. At the end of the day, I am sure that the bishops will never be coaxed to agree with the chief executive that artificial contraception is okay. 

As they say, "abangan ang susunod na kabanata". (Let’s see what’s next.) -30-

Sen. Lito Lapid's Senate Bill

Yes, there is Sen. Lito Lapid in the Philippine Senate. He looks cranky these days though because Education Sec. Armin Luistro ignored the former action star’s bill that would stop the overloading of school bags.

The macho-looking senator whose feat in the senate is only heard once in a blue moon said that there is a study saying that a growing number of pupils had developed back deformities from carrying heavy school backpacks.

Probably, the study the good senator is saying is not scientific. When we were pupils, our teachers required us to bring books everyday for each subject aside from crayons, loaded pencil case, pad papers, erasers, lunch, trowel, assorted projects, note books and instruments. Toys such as top, bamboo gun, marbles and pail included. Not to be overlooked are the stuff done at home like preparing and carrying firewood or carrying a load full of grass for the working animals or crops from the field strapped at the back. Despite these, I have not seen one with a deformed back.

With God’s grace, when we were in the sixth grade, we were able to stand straight like a pole during flag ceremony. Some from our batch even joined the military.

Well, bill is a bill and we tip our cap to Sen. Lapid. His bill may be funny but his intention in helping the kids is as serious as he is. We should not expect the senator from Pampanga to craft complicated bills. He is honest in saying that he has humble beginnings that deprived him to pursue a good education.  There is no problem with that.  His rise to fame and power inspires us all that when there is a will there is a way.  In fairness to Mr. Lapid, all would agree that he is one of the busiest legislators in the senate.  He is always there to raise his hand to vote and is always armed with a pen to sign official papers.  A wag told me that all he needs in the senate for the rest of his term is just a set of three good ball pens.

A dismayed Mr. Lapid is not surprised with Sec. Luistro’s snub on his  schoolbag bill for in the past, the Education Department scoffed his other bill advocating the supply of school desks for left-handed students.

If I can suggest, Mr. Lapid’s next bill should compel schools and universities to provide pupils and students  with comfortable chairs for their long hours inside the classroom.  If that is too expensive to implement, probably, a bill that prohibits pupils and students from chewing gum in school campuses to stop  eye sore melting litters on walkways that mess up the shoes.  That bill makes campuses more sanitary and gives school grounds a better look.-30-

Humanae Vitae vs. Filipino Politicians

“The Philippine government will provide contraceptives to poor couples who request them despite strong opposition from the dominant Roman Catholic Church,” President Benigno Aquino said while quizzed by Fil-Ams during a satellite television interview from the United States at the Silicon Valley.

From the very start of his presidency, Noynoy Aquino is firm in saying that he is a fair and square president and that the law is applied equally to all although that is open to questions and scrutiny these days.

Mr. Aquino and his subalterns might get a dosage of fairness when the Catholic Church declares  them excommunicated Latae Sententiae. That means an automatic excommunication by force of the law when the law is transgressed (Canon 1314). Excommunicated persons are barred from receiving the sacraments until they admit their errors and recant them before Church authorities who have the power  to put them back to the fold of believers. Excommunication does  not  intend to punish but rather helps  compassionately  the gravely erring faithful from committing further acts that risk his spiritual well-being.

What is wrong with artificial contraception?

Former senator and Opus Dei member Francisco Tatad explains:

1. Contraception goes against the conjugal moral order established by the Creator; and

2. State-sponsored contraception goes against the Constitution, which proclaims “the sanctity of family life” and obliges the State to “protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution” and “to equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.” The Constitution recognizes marriage as the foundation of the Filipino family, and the family as the foundation of the nation.

Pope Paul VI’s prophetic encyclical Humanae Vitae's first sentence teaches that “The transmission of human life is a most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with God the Creator".  In other words, every sexual act must be open to the possibility of the transmission of a new life.

If Mr. Aquino is serious in saying that artificial contraception paraphernalia will be available (not only) to the poor (but to all), we must  be prepared to bitterly accept the following prophecies of Paul VI in his encyclical that have become a reality long infecting our society.  Make no mistake that our communities and cities will be contaminated with an even more potent "virus" of social disintegration when condoms and IUD's are available to all.  We pray that our society will not suffer unimaginable destruction if we still believe that the family is its foundation.

Infidelity and Moral Decline

The Pope first noted that the widespread use of contraception would "lead to conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality." That there has been a widespread decline in morality, especially sexual morality, in the last 25 years, is very difficult to deny. The increase in the number of divorces, abortion, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and venereal diseases should convince any skeptic that sexual morality is not the strong suit of our age.

There is no question that contraception is behind much of this trouble. Contraception has made sexual activity a much more popular option that it was when the fear of pregnancy deterred a great number of young men and women from engaging in premarital sexual intercourse. The availability of contraception has led them to believe that they can engage in premarital sexual activity "responsibly." But teenagers are about as responsible in their use of contraception as they are in all other phases of their lives--such as making their beds, cleaning their rooms and getting their homework done on time. 

Lost Respect for Women

Paul VI also argued that "the man" will lose respect for "the woman" and "no longer (care) for her physical and psychological equilibrium" and will come to "the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment and no longer as his respected and beloved companion." This concern reflects what has come to be known as a "personalist" understanding of morality. The personalist understanding of wrongdoing is based upon respect for the dignity of the human person. The Pope realized that the Church's teaching on contraception is designed to protect the good of conjugal love. When spouses violate this good, they do not act in accord with their innate dignity and thus they endanger their own happiness. Treating their bodies as mechanical instruments to be manipulated for their own purposes, they risk treating each other as objects of pleasure.

Abuse of Power

Paul VI also observed that the widespread acceptance of contraception would place a "dangerous weapon in the hands of those public authorities who take no heed of moral exigencies." The history of the family-planning programs in the Third World is a sobering testimony to this reality. In Third World countries many people undergo sterilization unaware of what they are doing. The forced abortion program in China shows the stark extreme toward which governments will take population programs. Moreover, few people are willing to recognize the growing evidence that many parts of the world face not overpopulation, but underpopulation. It will take years to reverse the "anti-child" mentality now entrenched in many societies.

If and when the Church decides to declare officials excommunicated laetae sententiae, the president included, Mr. Aquino is not considered as a head of State but simply a gravely erring Catholic playing the hands of God on life issues.

The Church is also fair and square. -30-

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Supplemental reading material:

http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20100928-294680

Top 10 OPM

My  10 favorite OPM (Original Pilipino Music) for the month of September

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Panakip Butas – Hajji Alejandro

Kung Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko – Rey Valera

Pers Lab – Hotdogs

Ngayon at Kailanman – Basil Valdez

Never Ever Say Goodbye – Nonoy Zuniga

Kapaligiran – Asin

The Way We Were – Rico Puno

Dahil Mahal Kita – Boyfriends 
Saan Ako Nagkamali – Leah Navarro

Mamang Sorbetero – Celeste Legazpi

It is nostalgic to remember the golden years of OPM when it was fun and addictive to listen to these music that graced the airwaves for many years.  Compared with the local current artists and their songs, I prefer the late 70s and 80s.  

It was only lately that I rediscovered Nora Aunor whom I didn't pay much attention in the mid-60s. She hits the notes from the tummy and not from the diaphragm.  I like her voice in those years --- golden, indeed.

Top 10 Classical Music for September

My 10 favorite Classical Music for the month of September

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Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel

Hallelujah Chorus – George Frideric Handel

Moonlight Sonata – Ludwig von Beethoven

Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 – Edvard Grieg

Bolero – Maurice Ravel

Theme on Paganini – Sergei Rachmaninoff

Symphony No. 5 – Ludwig von Beethoven

Piano Concerto in Bbm - Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky

Piano Sonata No. 2 – Frederic Chopin

Piano Concerto No. 21 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

I was introduced to Classical Music at a very early age.  Schubert's Ave Maria, facinated me well that  after arriving home from a funeral, I bugged  my Dad to find music "like that" from our  battery-operated  short wave radio.  Today Classical remains my favorite.

The soothing music of  Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and Chopin  to name a few create in me a magical world that in listening to their compositions, my being is transported  somewhere to a peaceful and fulfilling place.  I am mystified with the genius of my favorite composers in writing music that last forever.

Americans Singing Paru-Parong Bukid the Filipino Way

The Northwest Missouri State University Madraliers sing Paru-parong Bukid, (A Field Butterfly) an old Filipino folk song at the Liberty United Methodist Church in Kansas City, MO.

They sing the Filipino favorite with authentic Filipino pronunciation and style of presentation.  Indeed music has a universal spirit.

Unbelievable and amazingly perfect!

PARU-PARONG BUKID

Paruparong bukid na lilipad-lipad
Sa gitna ng daan papagapagaspas
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad

May payneta pa siya -- uy!
May suklay pa mandin -- uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad na pakendeng-kendeng

For the English translation please visit:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_history_of_paruparong_bukid

Visit the YouTube video at this URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aCinWb0-ks

Is Bannawag Still Relevant?

Ilocanos in Northern Luzon and around the world are surely familiar with Bannawag (Sunrise), a local Ilocano magazine founded in 1934 that continues to circulate up to these days. All of its staff and contributors, tagged as mannurat (Iluko writers) are believed to know the grammar and the intricacies of the language. Their articles, replete with vocabularies not heard on a day to day basis are often times not understood by the younger generation.

Bannawag, considered as an Ilocano treasure is often referred to as the Ilocano Bible. That is another way of saying with exaggeration that all households used to have their copy. The magazine, tasks to preserve the language has entertained and informed Ilocanos for 76 years since before the outbreak of World War II. It caters mostly essays, news, short stories, novels, variety of  columns, "salad bar" issues, and comic-illustrated stories positioned to its target audiences’ (C and D) educational and cultural background. Some say that they learned their ABC’s from Bannawag. I must admit that while I was basically instructed with English in the elementary and used English and Ilocano at home, the magazine enriched my vocabulary and challenged me to write my mother language the way it is supposed to be --- without foreign and Ilocanized words.

The question is “Is Bannawag still relevant today?”

I don’t think so.

In Vigan alone, especially the young, they prefer to speak in Tagalog instead of their mother tongue. And if one is familiar with the internet’s Face Book, majority of Ilocanos in the social network use Tagalog and a  morsel of Ilocano even if they communicate with a fellow Ilocano. It is now rare to hear straight Ilocano spoken along Quezon Avenue, in the market and in the malls. In other words, as I said in another entry of my blog, there will come a time when Ilocano will become extinct or will evolve into another language probably into "Ilogalog" or "Tagailo".

One time I was asked to give a short talk in a wedding reception. While delivering my piece spiced with humor; some wryly smiling guests (teens and young adults) looked uncomfortable although  it was a “clean” and inspiring message. I thought it was a sort of applause and impatience as the table full of Ilocano delicacies was ready. One brave relative shouted,  "Saanmi maawatan ti Ilocanom; nauneg unay."  ("We don’t understand your Ilocano; it’s too classical.")

It is very disappointing that perfect Ilocano is no longer understood.

Part of my message was:

"Daytoy panaglantip dagiti pusoyo NN ken NN ita nga aldaw ket isu koma ti punganay iti napnuan gasat ken tarumpingay a biagyo bayat ti panagbinnuligyo a mangsaranget kadagiti amin a karit a sumangbay. Ammok a kalpasan daytoy nga intay’ panagtatalla-ong ken kalsapan payen ti inkay panagidlep iti rabaw iti maymaysa a pungan, saanto mapakadaan ti irurising dagiti pagparikutan . . ."

("May this, your wedding day NN and NN, be the key of a blessed life full of happiness as you prepare to share and work together to face the tests that come along. After this reception and the honeymoon, challenges will come through . . .")

At the backdoor, the bride and my niece said that I should have used Tagalog and Ilocano.  That is another indication that my mother tongue is indeed dying.

Back to the language issue, may I stress that Spanish is no longer Spanish when its vocabulary is a mixture of Spanish and French. It must be called another language.  "Taglish" (combination of Tagalog and English) is neither English or Tagalog.  It is simply Taglish.

Bannawag has also metamorphosed. Writers come and go. Unlike in my salad years, writers of the beloved magazine these days use foreign words from Tagalog, Ilocanized English and invented words making the  readers believe that the words are genuinely Ilocano that eventually fool us and them. Be it so, how believable is its task in preserving the language for future generations when it is debasing the language?

Take note of the paragraph lifted from the magazine written by a renowned and respected mannurat.

"Nangnangngegko kadagiti empleado a kasla kinse wenno duapulo a ribu a pisos.  Kunkuna kano pay dagiti konsehal a no dadduma, agkurkurang pay ti sueldoda a maitedda a donasion kadagiti bario nga agpiesta."

 (As if I overheard the employees saying 15 to PHP20,000.  The councilors also said that oftentimes, their paycheck is short for their donation to barrio fiestas.)

The bold italics in the paragraph are Spanish  reduced into Ilocano orthography.  If I were to write it in 100% Ilocano, it should be:

"Nangnangngegko kadagiti mangmangged a kasla sangapulo ket lima wenno duapulo a ribu a pisos.  Kunkuna kano pay dagiti turayen iti ili a no dadduma, agkurkurang pay ti mateggedanda a maited nga abuloy kadagiti purok nga agparambak."

So, what's the logic in telling "This is the kind of Ilocano we call authentic and want to preserve." when Spanish words are weaved although real Ilocano words are available?

In this information age, who cares to read Bannawag when there is an ocean of reading materials in the internet with even more interesting subjects? Who cares to read Ilocano when the preferred language now is Tagalog? Who cares to read the quality of the contents of the magazine when "telenovelas" and other materials from other sources are more interesting and appealing to current fancies?

Others say that they want to learn Ilocano in its purity from Bannawag.

Hello! They must be kidding! -30-

"Ondoy" One Year Ago

(One year ago, the country was plunged into a disaster with apocalyptic magnitude.  We read  heart-breaking stories on how the victims survive and how gallant heroes were made risking and giving their lives unselfishly so that others may live.  In those difficult times, we manifested our authentic concern to our neighbors and once again, united for a common purpose.  I am re-posting my blog entry in September last year when Ondoy reminded us the fury of nature and the existence of an ever-loving God who saved the country from further destruction. The entry is a tribute to my heroes Ondoy made.  -COR INVICTUS)

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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-

Aquino to Jail the Corrupt

In an address to American businessmen in New York, Pres. Noynoy Aquino was emphatic in telling them “We will jail the corrupt”.

Oh well, I admit that I am one of the millions who believe that P-Noy is the X-Factor in eradicating graft and corruption in the country or at least in trimming them down to an acceptable level if the first is not possible.

The president is explicit and stern in telling us his intent in fighting corruption in his famed inaugural speech and occasional official statements --- the latest of which was delivered in the Big Apple.

While Mr. Aquino is in the US, jueteng-issue outburst started by the exposé of Archbishop Cruz followed up by Sen. Miriam Santiago’s conflagrated the nation. Tagged in the revelation are influential persons, high ranking active and retired government and military officials raking millions and receiving payolas from the illegal game. One of the accused is Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno, a target-shooting buddy of the president. When questioned by the Blue Ribbon Committee in the Senate, Puno looked to be “high” if not retarded in giving stupid answers that he cannot remember his friends and even relatives. To be kinder to him, he has to get a professional help from his selective Alzheimer disease.

When he comes back it is believed that he deals with the issue extensively and we curiously wait what he has to tell us.

All of the named allegedly involved in jueteng denied that they have a hand in it. That is another way of saying that Archbishop Cruz and Sen. Santiago; “the liars” were just spreading lies. Smarter butts demand evidence proving that they are indeed in jueteng. Some say that they have done nothing illegal since they are in Small Town Lottery (STL), a legal front of gambling.

Of course no one admits guilt. However, the non-acceptance of guilt does not automatically exonerate the accused or prove that he is indeed innocent. How many who were put on trial and eventually to death said before the judge that they are innocent and only to be convicted for their crimes?

Now, how can P-Noy send to jail corrupt officials if they too reason out “What evidence you have?” If there is no evidence does the story stop there? Since there is “no evidence” in the jueteng issue, we just let the illegal game exist and when more scandals are dug up, another useless hearing or commission will be set up? Come on, give us a break!

Would it not be better if the government extensively investigates the named? What is wrong in investigating to know the truth?

The accused has nothing to fear if they indeed have nothing to do with jueteng.

It’s time for Mr. Aquino to show his fang and political will in fighting corruption if he is really serious with his campaign promise.

I don't want Pres. Noynoy to be ridiculed. -30-

Philippine Literacy and English

Education Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano says:

“The use of a secondary language in classroom instruction inhibits learning among young students, eventually leading to poor literacy skills when they become adults.”

This is the most stupid news item I recently read.

I don’t disregard the findings or argue with Ms. Quijano. Although I have some units in Education, they cannot guarantee that I am absolutely right in what I am about to say.

In Vigan, the Rosary College (now, St. Paul College) run by nuns of St. Paul de Chartes used English as medium of instruction from kinder, preparatory and up. In their campus, everyone was forced to speak in English otherwise (if my memory is accurate) every Ilocano word spoken is fined by a nickel or whatever was the amount. At that time, no one speaks Tagalog in town except visitors. Compared to these days, full-blooded Ilocanos prefer to speak in Tagalog. I cannot really explain why so.

Anyway, students from the Rosary who pursued college degrees in Manila or elsewhere are successful in their chosen fields not only in the country but overseas as well. If I can give some examples, here are some who were educated with English on their first day in school and up:

Former Interior Undersecretary Marius Corpuz, Atty. Jessie Averia, former Vigan Vice Mayor Franz Ranches, Dr. Charles Rabara, Vice Gov. Jerry Singson, Sr. Norma Que, SPC; Fr. Nemesio Que, SJ; Dr. Florecita Quitoriano, Dr. Marilyn Rotor, and Atty. Norma Singson to name a few.  They are all alumni/alumnae of the old and famed Rosary College of Vigan. (I apologize.  I don’t know the married names of the alumnae if there are.) Atty. Corpuz and Fr. Que were also educated with Spanish and Latin.

So, how convincing are the words of U-Sec. Quijano? If one example is not enough, if my reading is correct, the elementary department of St. Louis University in Baguio used English. I don’t have an official data but I believe that a good number of their pupils who possibly used Tagalog, Ilocano, Kankanaey, Panggalatok or Bontoc at home are successful.

Catholic schools in Metro Manila also used English in their elementary grades. A lot of their products must be big shots now.

In Hong Kong, as a British colony, some schools used English in the elementary grades instead of Cantonese. Despite that, they have 93% literacy. Some Latin American countries whose medium of instruction in the elementary grades is Spanish, their national and dominant language have 60%+ literacy.

How can the discrepancies be explained scientifically?

Back to Vigan, although there are many who are successful  instructed  in Ilocano  in the elementary grades, English instructed pupils show a great difference. I have no scientific findings on this --- my evidence is purely empirical.

Is the medium of instruction the problem or the quality and method of teachers in teaching? Give a closer look. -30-

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Recommended reading:  http://indexmundi.com/g/r.aspx?c=hk&v=39

P-Noy Eats Hotdog In NY

Our minds are still fresh on the extravagance of Gloria Arroyo and party in their eating spree in the Big Apple when they were in power spending thousands of dollars. Back here at home, many survive on rice porridge, dried fish or fish sauce for their daily nutrient.

Now comes P-Noy.

Photos show him in New York at the Avenue of the Americas and 45th St. ordering the famous New York hotdog on the sidewalk. News says that his party spent just $54.00 or roughly P2,430.00.

My opinion?

There is nothing wrong with our president doing that. He is fond of fast foods like hamburger, fries, soda and indeed hotdog. During the campaign he said that lunch for him is a burger and a soda. He feels comfortable with that.

Filipino concept of lunch is totally different from “lunch” understood in the States. Lunch for us means kare-kare, rice,  pancit, adobo, pinakbet, fried chicken or lechon. In the States, lunch means salad, French fries, hamburger, hotdog, muffins, burritos or chips --- things we call “snacks”.

Eating in US while walking, in the park, in the mall or anywhere allowed is all right; just don’t litter. No one minds even if they are celebrities or government officials.  In contrast, imagine the "osyuso" (curious eyes) staring at Majah Salvador or Chavit Singson while eating under the shade or while sauntering in a Makati mall.

Somebody should have recommended the hotdog stand for the president. Often times, the best tasting hotdog in the US is not found in franchised locations.  It can be on sidewalk stands.

Did P-Noy demean the office of the president in eating at the hotdog stand? I don’t think so. Anybody can eat hotdog there.  They may  be poor, homeless, beggar or resident of Beverly Hills. After all, there is no food for the rich and food for the poor in that country. He showed how simple  and humble he is.  Aquino is aware that he spends the people's money in his trip and unlike his predecessor, he has the decency not to insult us by feasting like a king.

Last but not least, the president is aware of our poverty.  Eating on the kalye (sidewalk) is his small way of identifying himself with his suffering people instead of going to the favorite restaurant of Gloria Arroyo. -30-

Arrests in Jueteng

Philippine National Police Director General Raul Bacalzo deserves kudos.

In his first week as police director, 110 involved in jueteng were arrested from raids carried out in Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon), Cordillera and Metro Manila areas. One of the dailies says that 87 raids were conducted around the country.

We don’t know exactly how many are involved in jueteng. It should be in the thousands. That makes the number of arrests looks insignificant but arrests are arrests. Exerted police effort is much appreciated but we need more. A dozen of catch is better than three catches. Our police can do more. All they must have are determination and will to conduct authentic arrests and entrapments.   Not scripted.

Although no names of the arrested are mentioned, I presume that they are the fingerlings of the illegal game --- just tip of the iceberg so to speak.

Is the Philippine National Police really serious in stopping jueteng?

I can only answer that in the affirmative when some influential politicians, big shots, ranking members of the military and the police are arrested and undergo trial.

Hopefully, our Filipino ningas kugon trait is not the spoiler in the drive against the illegal game. -30-

Puno Should Resign Irrevocably

Local news services say that Pres. Aquino, currently in New York City, is not interested in accepting the courtesy resignation of beleaguered Interior Secretary Rico Puno. Puno has said that once the president, his target-shooting buddy, arrives, he tenders his resignation from office.

Is Mr. Aquino serious that he will not accept the resignation of a man suspected as inefficient and corrupt probably because he is his close friend? 

Puno faltered in the August 23 botched hostage rescue attempt and now accused of receiving illegal millions of payola. If the president is not kidding us and himself, Puno has become a black eye of his presidency. We have not forgotten that the campaign of Noynoy was based from a reformist government but how could Mr. Aquino fruitfully institute necessary changes when a deemed inefficient and corrupt is in his official household?

Puno is innocent. He is not convicted of any wrongdoing. However, again, if the president is indeed serious to be the total opposite of his predecessors, he must see to it that all of the accused in the jueteng scandal must be scrutinized and have their day in court if necessary.

Any unfavorable action on the part of the president strongly suggests even at this early of his presidency that he is a weak leader and not the one Filipinos are looking for to lead them.

For the sake of the country, it is better for Under-secretary Puno to tender his “irrevocable” resignation if he is really serious in not being a burden to anybody --- his tarnished image bothers us  isn't it? In that way, he also saves the face of the president and his government from further mockery.

He also saves his face especially!-30-
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Photo Courtesy: Manila Bulletin Online Edition

Scandals and Exposés Weaken the Country

The country has yet to fully recover from the embarrassment and humiliation it suffered from the world-famous hostage drama at the park when jueteng, an illegal game, and its masquerades hit the headlines. It is the burning issue of the hour. After retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz dropped his bombshell in a Senate hearing, Sen. Miriam Santiago in a privilege speech added insult to an injury by naming more names involved in the game. Some of them are high ranking government, military and police officials. The feisty senator even mentioned jaw-dropping figures involved in the ancient game.

Whether we admit or not, there is something wrong in the government that needs to be addressed at by no less than the President. If Mr. Aquino is indeed serious with his political campaign mantra that “when there is no corruption there is no poverty”, once he comes home from the United States, the Filipino nation is eager to hear what he has to say about jueteng which by no mistake is a serious trunk of graft and corruption.

In the meantime, let me share a patriotic song I learned in the elementary grades with a hope that it knocks hard at the hardened hearts who once in a while forget to love this country bequeathed to us by our heroes and heroines.  They suffered too much for us. Let us remember that we have only ONE country and it is our duty to love her and make it better by being parts of the team to improve it. May all of us share what we can no matter how small and no matter how big.

PHILIPPINES MY PHILIPPINES

I love my own my native land

Philippines my Philippines

To thee I give my heart and hands

Philippines my Philippines

The trees that crown thy mountain grand

The seas that beat upon thy strand

Awake my heart to thy command

Philippines my Philippines

Ye islands of the Eastern sea

Philippines my Philippines

Thy people we shall ever be

Philippines my Philippines

Our fathers lived and died in thee

And soon shall come the day when we

Lie down with them at God's decree

Philippines my Philippines

Yet beneath thy ardent sky

Philippines my Philippines

More numerous sons shall live and die

Philippines my Philippines

In them shall breathe the purpose high

The glorious day to bring more nigh

When all may sing without a sigh

Philippine my Philippines

U-Sec. Rico Puno Roasted in the Senate

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III roasted Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno in the ongoing  jueteng  hearing. Puno and retired National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa were accused by Archbishop emeritus Oscar Cruz as recipients of the illegal game’s payola to which the two vehemently denied.

Others mentioned by Cruz as receiving payola are Pampanga Gov. Baby Pineda, Paul Dy of Isabela, retired General Eugene Martin and Mayor Mauricio Domogan of Baguio City, Danny Soriano of Cagayan, Governor Amado Espino in Pangasinan, and Boy Jalandoni of Bacolod.

Puno, evasive and rattled when pressed to name the identities of alleged jueteng operators currently under government surveillance, was reproached by Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile. Urging him to come out clean on what he knows about jueteng operations and his involvement in the illegal game, Puno gave unbelievable answers like he was not able to remember the names of friends and family members who came to his office because of the high volume of people visiting his office.

Citing a Senate rule, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada reminded the embattled Puno that he could be cited with contempt if he lies before the Senate.

Pressed further to name names, the Interior Undersecretary had a tight lip saying that since there is an ongoing investigation of the case which put some government officials under surveillance, Puno preferred to keep silent so as not to influence the ongoing investigation.

Enrile also warned Puno that as a lawyer, the Senate president said that he is trained to catch one lying when cross-examined.

One does not need a Law or a Psychology degree to appraise Mr. Puno’s appearance and answers in the hearing before saying that he was lying to protect himself and others involved in jueteng.

Some of the senators voiced frustration on the inability of the government to totally eradicate the illegal game. Sen. Enrile asked why jueteng should not be legalized instead to finally end discussions on the issue. Cruz said that it is easy to stop the game. The retired prelate underscored that all that is needed is a political will on the part of a provincial officials and the provincial police to say “NO” to the illegal game in their jurisdictions.

Just like in a soap opera, the story of jueteng is getting more interesting. Let us see how it will end. -30-
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Recommended reading material:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=614009&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Ilocos Sur Hymn Now a Requirement

In the province of Ilocos Sur, all schools and government establishments are now required to sing the Ilocos Sur Hymn every time there is a flag ceremony or special occasion. Provincial radio and TV stations are also mandated to play the hymn in their sign on and off programs after airing the Philippine national anthem.

Provincial Board member Christian Purisima’s resolution on the  almost-forgotten hymn dated 14 September was approved by the provincial legislature. In a similar move, Vice Gov. DV Savellano’s proposal that every government applicant must know how to sing the hymn as a requirement for a possible job was also thumbed up by the same law-making body.  It sounds weird if not funny that one has to sing the hymn during a job interview.  I hope that the resolution has a provision exempting the deaf-mute in singing and that a sign language rendition suffices as equivalent.

(I don't understand about the requirement issue since a resolution remains as a resolution and not a law.)

The hymn’s lyrics was written by Ms. Natividad Buenavista, former provincial English supervisor and put into notes by then provincial Music supervisor Mr. Anselmo Pelayre, a musician-composer from San Vicente, Ilocos Sur.  It was sung daily during flag ceremonies in the elementary schools starting in the mid-60s when the province was struggling to make over its reputation.

I believe that provincial officials should further mine other noble means to motivate citizens to love the province if the purpose  of the resolutions is to instill pride among Ilocos Surians. One of these I believe is the re-introduction of the Ilocano language. It is felt that Ilocano is slowly dying in Ilocos Sur; right in the heart of Vigan City because of the preferred Tagalog among the younger generation.  Officials, to be credible in infusing provincial patriotism should also educate their constituents the evil of electoral terrorism, vote-buying, electoral fraud, illegal gambling, graft and corruption, smuggling, political dynasty, warlordism and Mafia-style business transactions  --- issues that are all in consonant with  the administration's goal to eradicate for a believable and trusted government.

I attach the hymn quoting strictly from my faded memory and therefore, it is not official.  I stand corrected on where I falter.  It is in a marching tempo at 4/4 or 2/2 time signatures.

ILOCOS SUR HYMN

Where the brave heroes fought for freedom

And her men and women bring her fame

That’s the province we cherish forever

Whose glory we will treasure and proclaim

There is peace o’ver the hills and the valleys

There is joy amidst the verdant plains

That’s the place we call our own

Ilocos Sur beloved home

Ever ours wherever we may roam

Ilocos Sur the land of the free

Home of men strong in faith and unity

With a people courageous bright and fair

Dedicated to strive with toil and care

Ilocos Sur Ilocos Sur

With your guide and light we will never fail 

(Repeat)

Additional reading material from the same author:

http://sapientiaaedificat.blogspot.com/2010/10/ilocos-sur-hymn-will-it-help.html

___________________

Note: If you want to share the lyrics, you can do so.  I will be more than happy  and appreciative if you cite my blog as the source.   I want to put the hymn into the composition of Mr. Pelayre but I am illiterate in notes.  

I believe that a copy of the hymn and its notes are available at:

                               Pudoc Community School

                               Pudoc, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur 2726

                                                              and/or

                               San Vicente Central School

                               San Vicente, Ilocos Sur 2726

                                          
Thanks a lot.   -COR INVICTUS

Hostage Fiasco "Culprits" to be Charged

The Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) findings on the bloody August 23 hostage-taking that caused the death of eight Chinese and a former cop hostage-taker is out.

IIRC recommended the filing of appropriate charged against the following:

1. Police Chief Jesus Versoza (Ret.)

2. Alfredo Lim – Manila Mayor

3. Isko Moreno – Manila Vice Mayor

4. Rico Puno – Interior Undersecretary

5. Merceditas Gutierrez – Ombudsman

6. Leocadio Santiago – Director, National Capital Region Police

7. Rodolfo Magtibay – Manila Police District Chief

8. Orlando Yebra, Jr. – Police Superintendent

9. Chief negotiator, the head of SWAT among others
10. Jake Maderazo - Radio Station Manager

Charges are also recommended against TV anchors Erwin Tulfo, Mike Rogas and “three of the networks” probably ABS-CBN, GMA-7 and TV-5.

Again, writing as a non-lawyer, what appropriate charges will be slapped against the individuals mentioned? How can the court prove beyond reasonable doubt that the high government and police personalities; journalists and TV stations are guilty?  Guilty of what?

On the other hand, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) says in protest “To equate these (journalists’ and media’s) lapses in judgment with criminal liability and haling journalists to court and threatening them with imprisonment, are making media the scapegoat for what essentially was government incompetence on all levels.”

They are not scapegoats. Their lapses contributed immensely in the failure of the hostage rescue attempt.   That cannot be discounted. From the very start the press's and journalists'  irresponsibility and recklessness in covering the drama  are partly to be blamed as factors of the bloodbath. Since members of the fourth estate admitted their lapses, they know better than us that they too are not indispensable in the current government. It is inappropriate to assume, if the charges prosper, that freedom of the press is at stake or that media practitioners are harassed when the government is simply doing its job. 

If charges in court prosper against the mentioned, do we believe that there will be a fair trial? I am not saying that the courts are not fair but how many big fishes were convicted and ordered to pay for their crimes?

Your answer is as good as mine. -30-

Never Again to Martial Law

Thirty eight years ago, Martial Law was declared throughout the Philippines “to save the Republic and to build a New Society” according to Pres. Ferdinand Marcos.

On that momentous day, however, democracy was murdered. Right there and then, Marcos metamorphosed into a dictator. Not just an ordinary dictator but a brutal one!

We remember today and forever the victims of Martial Law: senators, lawyers, the intellectuals, members of the academe, students, activists, farmers, tribal leaders, the clergy, the religious and ordinary citizens regardless of sex, young and old; widows and orphans.

To those who survived and had the courage, strength, determination and will to fight an evil regime amidst the constant threat of imprisonment and death; “a job well done”! To those who did not survive the long and dark night of oppression and brutality; you who gave the ultimate sacrifice, your blood, sweat, tears and suffering fueled and inspired us in 1986 to say enough is enough to an unwanted and evil regime.

For some of us who literally hand in hand faced the tanks and the forces of the dictator ready to shed our blood for the country we love, let us never forget the critical days when we truly experienced the meaning of Filipino spirit and brotherhood. At the top of our voice, we asked for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law without resorting into violence. Oh yes, we cried together and we prayed together in a sea of people where there was no rich or poor. "Walang iwanan" (No one left the company of the other.) till we found victory.

We must not forget Martial Law and its brutality. Never again that we allow ourselves to be subjected to a dictator and never again that we will live in fear and be imprisoned in our country by a despot!-30-

Rep. Eric Owen Singson's Bill on Tobacco: An Observation

There is a strong anti-smoking sentiment in some parts of the society especially in the province of health. I don’t know the latest about the proposal of another solon(?) requiring cigarette manufacturers to put a graphic picture on cigarette boxes depicting the health hazard smoking gives. In other words, they want the country to have a breathing-air with lesser tobacco smoke contamination.

It sounds impossible that we can totally kick the habit out.

Ironically, Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Eric Owen Singson authored House Bill 170 “requiring cigar and cigarette manufacturers to use at least 75% of locally grown tobacco in the manufacture of cigarettes in the country to help the economy grow”.

That means that if enacted into law, Filipinos are encouraged to smoke to help the economy grow. Sounds weird!

Ilocos Sur is one of the major Virginia tobacco producing provinces in the country and large percentage of its economy depends on it.

From what we read, smoking is bad to health but good to the economy. There's no question that the sale of tobacco products  immensely help our anemic economy.

If anti-smoking proponents are successful in reducing the number of smokers to a minimal level after Singson’s bill becomes a law, Ilocos Sur’s coffers surely suffer and time comes when they have to discover tobacco’s alternate crop to generate income lost from their industry.

Smoking may be bad but don’t the smokers have also the right to smoke? If they want to continue the bad habit, why not? Plans in the shelf to prohibitively increase the price of a pack of cigarette not to mention its ballooned tax should not be implemented.  Smoking is not a crime --- just a habit, bad if you will.

Should tobacco manufacturers be compelled to use only 25% of imported ingredients, what if their patented flavor is not met or below their quality and their customers dwindle to a dangerous level? Probably  it is wiser if they padlock their businesses before they go bankrupt.  Should that happen, Singson's bill turned into law greatly helps in weakening economic gains.

Oh well, there are a lot of interesting bills in Congress these days. What is next? Selling pork will be outlawed because cholesterol is a health hazard? Pasig river and the "esteros" (filthy or polluted creeks) should be land-filled because they are health hazard?-30-

House Bill 465: “Sing The National Anthem Correctly or Else . . .”

Now on its second reading in the House, Bill 465 prescribes that the singing or playing of the anthem “[S]hall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe, in 2/4 beat when played; and within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 4/4 beat when sung.”

Aside from the National Anthem, the bill — a consolation of House Bills 603 and 465 — also seeks to protect the Philippine flag and other heraldic items of the country.

Whoever are the authors of the bills deserve kudos. They indeed challenge us to be patriotic in spirit and in deed by giving due respect to the symbol of the country and by singing the national anthem strictly in accordance to its author’s composition.

When our top singers like Arnel Pineda, Sarah Geronimo and Martin Nievera gave their  "Bayang Magiliw" rendition as a prelude to the boxing fights of Manny Pacquiao, now a Congressman, a number of government officials and history buffs complained that the beat is not right.

After reading news stories about the bill, if one takes time to analyze its implications, how sure are we that when the national anthem is sung “improperly”, the singer does not respect and love his/her country anymore or that the “improperly” sung anthem disrespects the country? If the bill becomes a law, and Rico J Puno sings it publicly abroad (of course, without his patented “baby”) in the tempo of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, how can Rico Puno be charged with a crime violating the law when the locus of the “crime” is not in the Philippine territory? Do our legislators mean that when Philippine laws are broken abroad, once the suspect comes home, he will be charged? What if a Filipino files her divorce in Las Vegas and contracted a civil marriage there? Does it mean that her marriage  and divorce are illegal here in the Philippines even if she has no divorce papers and marriage contract in our official files? When back in the Philippine territory, can she be charged with concubinage and/or bigamy?

What is next when the singer is an American of Filipino descent singing the national anthem  in California in the beat of a James Taylor’s song? How could an American citizen violate Philippine laws when his allegiance rests in the United States and not in the Philippines?

For sure, Pineda, Nievera and Geronimo were artistic in their rendition. It is their own way of expressing their love to our country. If Julian Felipe were alive today, I am very sure that he would be happy listening different creative renditions of his composition by our top of the line artists. Although sung differently, Felipe knows that nothing is added or subtracted from his composition. What he wrote is what he wrote --- intact!

With respect to flag protocol, we learned them in the elementary grades. It would be enough for the government to re-issue the guidelines.

Stop when in motion when the national anthem is sung. When walking, stand still and erect and press your right hand on your chest where the heart is. Take off the hat/cap or headgear during the singing and hold it unto the chest.  When in a military, Boy Scout or Girl Scout uniform, execute a hand salute.

Those are just few among the many.

Another point; can we force our Jehovah’s Witnesses friends to give respect to our Flag? They don’t  care!  According to them, they only give homage to Jehovah.   Well, the flag has no religious significance at all!  But didn't Jehovah say  "Give what is due to Caesar and  what is due to Jehovah."?

In 1993, the Philippine Supreme Court issued a ruling granting an exemption to the Jehovah's cult in giving respect to our emblem.  That law makes the cult members less patriotic.   I don't understand why the High Tribunal made the ruling giving preferential treatment to the cult.  If some invoke religious freedom in disrespecting the flag as "against their religion", who can stop them then?

If one is constrained by a law to freely exercise his right of expression, free speech and freedom of religion the constitutionality of that law must be scrutinized or even be challenged.  One of these is the singing of the national anthem in any beat or time signature.  The core is on the lyrics and not the tempo.

Our legislators should be our model in respecting our country, the government and its laws by putting the people’s need and welfare first before their own. They took their oath raising their hand before our Flag. They must accept that they are not above any law of the land  and that they are indispensable.  We must come to our senses that it is totally unpatriotic and  even “Judaistic”  to use the law as a shield in doing transgressions. 

That is worse than singing the national anthem with a different beat.

If our Emblem can speak, what would it be saying as it looks at our legislators in the august halls of Congress? -30-

Aquino Government Struggles; Jueteng Scandal Thrives

From the time he announced his intent to run for the presidency, even when he has yet to announce his government programs, I leaned on and supported Noynoy Aquino on the premise that he could be a good president. Without taking seriously the ungracious comments of some journalists and guys from the other side of the fence, I believed and I still do that as president, he does not  mire his good last name bequeathed by his parents who left heroic and  indelible marks in our history.

As the campaign went into full gear, Noynoy, to say in general terms, unleashed his reformist vision of government and added that the people’s involvement in his crusade to establish a credible and responsible government is a must for he cannot do it alone.

I believe that Mr. Aquino was doing well until the fateful day when a disgruntled cop hostaged Hong Kong nationals that ended in a bloodbath. Not long after, valid negative criticisms on the debacle flooded the media on the way the government handled it. Lapses; imagined or not, exposed a number of ineptness on the part of  the government and some presidential advisers that resulted in demanding the president, members of the Malacanang information office, Local Government secretary Robredo and some members of the security force to resign.

Hot in the news these days is Archbishop emeritus’ bombshell accusing some government officials close to the president as receiving "jueteng" (an illegal game of chance) payola. Brewing right now is the on-going hearing of the Maguindanao massacre where the accused is perceived as a GMA (Pres. Arroyo) ally and the mercy Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez received when the Supreme Court halted her impeachment proceeding.  Gutierrez, an Arroyo appointee is believed to be covering up the worms of the past administration.  While the Supreme Court, also perceived as an Arroyo ally, gave its green light for the Truth Commission to proceed in unearthing the scandals and corruption issues of the past administration, the High Court's credibility suffers by stopping the impeachment charge which according to the House, sufficient in form and substance.

I believe that the Aquino government is not doing well at this point. The president may indeed have the best plan and intent for the country but just like in any administration, the problem is “implementation and political will”. Mr. Aquino said in response to Archbishop Cruz’s allegation that the prelate have to name names or have to present an evidence no matter how little before the Chief Executive acts.

The president must do something to see if there is truth in such allegation instead of the lame response “Show me first the evidence.”  Rather than a wait-and-see-attitude, the president should rather keep the ball rolling to see if Cruz's allegation merits an investigation.  Cruz, for the sake of truth must name names.  If not, the president should scrutinize the purpose of Cruz  in going to the press.  If found that the prelate's  intention is just to be in the headlines, the president should once for all trash the issue. 

Despite the sloppiness somewhere I still believe that Pres. Aquino and the government have more than enough time to reinvent and recover from the mistakes. The administration is young but is also perceived to be lacking the needed impetus to institute reforms Filipinos long waited for.

The people need the government to act and act decisively before everyone loses faith in this government believed to be the Moses who brings this nation and its people to the Promise Land of government renaissance. -30-

Media VIPs Probed in the Senate

Encouragements from the private and public sectors for us to move on from the tragedy of the bloodbath in the Park seem not enough as the issue refuses to die a natural death.

Recently, media executives from ABS-CBN, GMA-7 and TV-5 were grilled in the Senate on issues about the role of the press when “between life and death” situations happen. It is recalled that many point a finger on the fourth state as part of the cause of the tragedy that severely tarnished the image of the country in the family of nations. CNN’s and BBC’s live video hook up of the incident uncovered how poorly trained and ill-equipped our police officers.

A tough talking human rights lawyer and Sen. Joker Arroyo warned the TV VIPs “Don’t tempt us to use our powers here, to now issue a general broadcast policy—that will be a law.” 

The issue in question primarily revolves from the coverage the press gave to the hostage crisis that resulted in the death of eight Hong Kong nationals and the hostage-taker, a former cop. While the media were busy doing their job, former police officer Rolando Mendoza was also busy inside the tourist bus watching the police movements mounted against him from the bus’ TV monitors. Mendoza clearly saw his police brother manhandled that proved him to be agitated to a point of no return per his interview transcript. Broadcast anchors from a radio station also acted as negotiators although it is believed that they have no training to do that or were they authorized.

So, why did the press not stop covering the crisis when it deteriorated to a dangerous level? Well, we heard a lot of things that they were just doing their job informing the public of a very important on-going event. Some also say that the security officers did not stop them in covering.

In another Senate hearing, one of the broadcasters involved in the incident in the person of Erwin Tulfo, (If I understood correctly what I heard from an internet live broadcast.) as if there was the “out scoop” issue where TV or radio stations compete in their coverage to achieve a better rating than the other.

While it is true that it is the duty of the press to inform the public, that must end when lives are in danger or when the security of the State is in the front line.

They should have stopped their coverage. It is as simple as that. If they did early, some could have survived and we would not be the laughingstock of the world in having an inept police.

For the Senate to enact a law regulating or telling the press how to do their job, that is tantamount to prior restraint that equals to censorship. In the end, who could stop the Senate in doing so if the Philippine press remains truculent? The Senate is fully entitled to safeguard lives, properties and the dignity of the State. -30-

Yes, Tridentine Mass in Reno, Nevada!

My entry in this blog dated 10 September discussed a Latin Mass in Reno which according to the accounts I received from a friend, it didn’t look like the traditional Latin or Tridentine Mass.

I was right.

To correct everything, my friend “Henry” e-mailed me again.

When permission to post parts of his e-mail was granted, I sat down and did a bit of editing for the sake of clarity. His letter was a mixture of English and Spanish.

Here is the final cut:

“Indeed, it was a dressed rehearsal in action as you mentioned in your blog. It was not a Latin Mass. Today, yes, indeed, the traditional Latin Mass or Tridentine Mass was offered in our Cathedral in Reno, Nevada. The invited officiating priest was vested with Roman vestments and the altar was transformed into a 17th century reality.

The number of the faithful in attendance was more than the average. My conservative guess is it looked like a late Sunday Mass. Some were too young to have attended a Latin Mass in their lives before and I am positive that what we had today is their first Latin Mass. For the older ones who have attended regularly the nostalgic Mass before Vatican II, it was obvious that they forgot when to sit, when to stand and when to kneel but how can we blame them when probably the last Latin Mass they participated in was in the early 60s?

It was a solemn High Mass and I noticed the reverent cathedral atmosphere. Personally, from the very start till the end, I was not able to control my tears --- I was touched by the unexplained. The Spirit was upon me. After roughly a half of century, I can’t believe that I was participating again in the same Mass our ancestors partook through the centuries and in which I was privileged to serve as an altar boy. Gregorian chants made the atmosphere even more solemn.

During the Mass, I was filled with awe and spiritually nourished. It was a spiritually fulfilling experience. The temperature inside the cathedral was normal but I was hot and cooling myself with an improvised fan. Isn’t it that the symbol of the Holy Sprit is fire? The Spirit overshadowed me!

I knelt to receive the body of Christ by the tongue. When I was back in the pew, I quivered and breathed very fast with eyes welling with tears. At that time, I offered my personal prayers and petitions praising God “Lord, I can feel your presence. In You I trust and in You lies my fate. How great Thou art, my Savior and my Life!”

Henry observed some women wearing the traditional veil although some in both sexes were not “properly” dressed. “I believe that a dress code must be observed when we go to Mass especially in Latin Mass,” he suggests.

It looks that every first Friday of the month, there is a Latin Mass in their St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral while Fr. Francisco Nahoe, OFM Conv. is the rector.

Finally, Henry believes that the Mass in Latin is better since when it is in English, the words spoken through the public sound system in the cathedral are incoherent. “Something is terribly wrong with the sound system and it looks that the Franciscans manning the cathedral are not interested to upgrade it.” (My friend has a good working knowledge in Latin.)

I mentioned somewhere that there is no difference between the Tridentine Mass and the Mass currently in use in the parishes. Should there be, I believe that the former is more solemn because the priest follows strictly the ancient parts of the Mass, the prayers and gestures as compared to some priests who offer the post Vatican II Mass as if they are in front of a movie camera with lights on and they act like Tom Cruise to please an audience. Said in a stronger term, they cause distraction. Some are also comfortable to ad lib the prayers instead of strictly following the Sacramentary.

How I wish that there is a regular Latin Mass in Nueva Segovia, my Archdiocese here in the Philippines. In case there is, I am ready to dust off my old Latin Missals in my private library. -30-

Nota Bene:  It seems that there is now a regular Sunday Latin Mass at the St. Thomas Cathedral in Reno at 2:00 PM.  Please get in touch at 775.329.2571. -COR INVICTUS 5/15/11.

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See the first part of this entry at:
http://sapientiaaedificat.blogspot.com/2010/09/latin-mass-in-reno-nevada.html