May 21 Judgment Day Believers: Bon Voyage

To those who believe that Judgment Day is on the 21st, it is around 72 hours before zero hour. I am not sure if they continue to broadcast electronically or by “foot” the Judgment Day. Believing that the end is just a matter of hours from now, they should have made up their mind where to wait for the coming of Christ. I don’t think that they will converge in the A’s stadium in Oakland, California --- there’s a game against the San Francisco Giants. Perhaps they can go to the vacant football field of the Oakland Raiders.

I can imagine these believers converged with no food, water, iPods, cell phones or other electronic equipment, not even tents. The scene would be hundreds if not thousands praying together and repenting for their sins for their salvation as they believe is at hand.

Believers from other countries have their sports stadiums as meeting places to wait for Christ coming down from heaven. Here in the Philippines in Manila, the best place is at the Quirino Grandstand and Luneta Park. Forget the pamaypay (weaved palm handy fan) and water. Enduring the tropical heat and thirst are good for penance.

Anyway, additional information I came across about the Judgment Day says that the duration of this apocalyptic event lasts till October. I believe that God can judge the whole world population instantly and fairly but I am okay for five months. After all during creation, God could have created everything instantly but took him a week to finish his work.

Till now, there are still no news or internet report saying that crates of cash, jewelry or property titles from May 21 Judgment Day believers have been donated to poor and needy countries or communities. You might not have time to donate your riches which you don’t need after this life.

When you are in front of the Lord face to face, please pray for world peace, prosperity and that we who are still in the valley of sorrow will not give in to false prophets.

Till we meet again!

Pacquiao Spars With Lagman

The time I was eagerly waiting for arrived when Rep. Manny Pacquiao took the podium and squabbled with Rep. Edcel Lagman, his colleague in Congress.

Issue: RH Bill.

Too bad, I was not able to follow up the details of the live exchange of ideas. I was doing something at that time that required me to exert full concentration.

The following day, some daily papers headlined that the representative of Saranggani province has been knocked out in the debate.

Did Rep. Pacquiao volunteer to take the floor and debate Atty. Lagman, a UP alumnus or some pushed him to oppose the RH Bill in the august hall of congress?

Congressman Pacquiao was obviously coached and rehearsed by a ghost aide by furnishing him important facts about the bill. Unfortunately, as the exchange of ideas developed, former Pres. Fidel Ramos noted Pacquiao’s argument as “fallacious or very weak”.

Inside the ring, Manny is full of courage; not scared to fight bigger and taller opponents. The same courage did not work for him in the congressional floor. Debating in the senate, Rep. Pacquiao gave his best; sometimes speaking in English to drive his point but his best was not enough.

I appreciate congressman Paquiao in opposing the controversial RH Bill but he should have taken the courage not to engage in a fistfight of words against a lawyer.

If some quarters pushed Pacquiao in the lopsided fight, it was a disastrous decision. I am not familiar with the rules of congress but I assume that any one can be invited to deliver a talk (lecture?) about pressing issues.

Bishop Luis “Chito” Tagle could have been an excellent resource person. The bishop is not a lawyer but his academic record tells that he is very competent to clearly spell out the opposing position of the Catholic Church vis-à-vis the RH Bill. To say the least, Bishop Chito can argue with any member of the House.

Well, come on; since the government and the Catholic Church are both determined to fight for what they believe, probably it is better to cool down and relax and see what comes next. Will the bill be enacted into law or thrashed?

One way or the other, so long as graft and corruption is not controlled, if it cannot be eliminated, poverty stays even if our population is drastically reduced. So long as the government does not care to find ways to create jobs for the many, even if our number is much lesser, poverty remains. So long as greed, unequal distribution of wealth and lawlessness remain, so does poverty.

Pacman to Fans: Oppose RH Bill; Sen. Santiago: "Pacman, Back Off!”

I am not a fan of Manny Pacquiao the boxer or the congressman but I appreciate his fundamental understanding on a Genesis verse “Be fertile and multiply, fill the earth. . .” (cf. Gen. 1:28)

The passage is a command, not a request and not in the subjunctive mood.

As the debate heats and gets more interesting, we astray further and further from the basic rationale of the bill which is to reduce poverty via population control. This even results into name-calling and ad hominems.

As I always say, the Philippines is a rich country blessed with natural resources some of which are still to be developed. We are a poor nation because of unchecked graft and corruption, mismanagement, greed and the fascist dictatorship we suffered.

Had the country developed side by side with Japan or Singapore and became rich, would there still be an RH bill despite the current population density? If not, then there is no other way of understanding the bill other than “to reduce our population”.

To do that is to regulate birth either through the use of contraceptives or through natural family planning.

Mr. Pacquiao is correct in saying that the Bible does not set a limit on the size of the family for the command is absolute. --- no condition whatsoever is laid down.

It remains to be seen if the countless fans of the boxer-congressman support their idol in his fight outside the ring and how.

Now comes Sen. Miriam Santiago, a legal luminary and my favorite senator who I understand is working for a Theology-related Masteral degree at the Maryhill College.

Explaining the same verse, the senator says:

“The Bible does not say, 'Go out to the world.' It sounds very much like God is encouraging us to go out and copulate in public. . . . God said in the Bible, 'Go forth and multiply.' That meant that God wanted man, not necessarily to literally multiply, but to go out to work with the rest of the human beings of this planet and to apply the stewardship theory. Meaning to say, taking care of each other, who are all in the planet living together.” *

I really don’t know where the senator picked that idea up. For me, God is encouraging us indeed to copulate. There is no other way to multiply other than to copulate. Sense of decency prohibits human to have sex in public like what lower forms of animals do. The Genesis narrative of creation when he commanded “be fertile and multiply, fill the earth,”  the idea is to literally multiply in number and not the idea of Sen. Santiago.

The senator goes further that the Bible is not written by God or by eye witnesses for the Bible is written 70 years after His crucifixion.

Again, I disagree with the senator. She is correct though in saying (if that what she means) that God did not use his hand to write something but to say that He is not the author of the Bible is wrong. I don’t believe that her catechism teacher when she was a girl did not tell Miriam that God inspired people to write the Bible but still, He is the author of the Bible. If Sen. Santiago means the whole Bible was written on that span of (70) years after Christ’s death, she is totally mistaken or just kidding. If I remember what I learned, Genesis was written around 1500 before Christ. The Book of Revelation, around a century after Christ --- after the death of the last Apostle.

The Book of Revelation has no narrative about “go and multiply”.

We see two famous persons with different educational backgrounds expressing views about population which is one of the cores of the RH Bill. The congressman tells a more accurate understanding of the story of creation while Sen. Santiago, has a twisted if not false understanding of the Scriptures.

Not all, me included, have a clear and enlightened understanding of the moral and theological implication of the RH Bill. At best, we leave the theologians who specifically went to school to lecture and enlighten us on the issue. The question is: “How important is what they say when we think from the very start that their opinion is wrong and that we have a better understanding on the issue than theirs or our opinion  is correct while theirs is wrong?"

If we don’t believe what theologians say, do we have a reason to believe what lawyers, doctors, engineers and teachers say?

For me, I want my favorite senator Santiago to back off in the RH Bill fight and let Manny Pacquiao do the rumble. He is more easily understood.

RH Bill Opinions Get Nastier

The fight between pro and anti RH Bill proponents is getting nastier.  At least  in the press. The Catholic Church threatens civil disobedience by urging her followers not to pay tax should the controversial bill is approved. The president counters that he will jail those who don't pay their due to Juan de la Cruz. Sen. Miriam Santiago, a top caliber lawyer as far as I'm concerned says that civil disobedience is a legitimate avenue to protest.

If one only goes through discussion fora in the internet about the Reproductive Bill, some of us have funny, irresponsible if not simply stupid reasoning.

One opinion says that sex is not only a right of married couples but also a responsibility and that in every marital act; the Catholic Church teaches that it must always be open for the possibility of the transmission of new life.

A John Doe says that in Italy where Vatican City is, there are abortions, artificial contraception, red district, divorce and the like which the Church teaches as morally wrong if not evil. Then s/he says that the Church should respect the people's right of conscience and not impose anything --- that priests should only shepherd their flock in the church.

But why do the crime from other places in your backyard when you know that they are already crime? If one goes to hell, why follow him?

The Catholic Church does not impose anything to anyone. There is an absolute freedom of conscience. The Church simply fights unceasingly for what is right

Christ could have stopped Peter in denying Him for the second time. Christ could have stopped Judas Iscariot in betraying Him. Christ could have told His disciples not to leave Him when He was crucified. Christ did not force doubting Thomas to believe or not to believe that He is the risen Christ. Jesus only explained by showing His wounds.

The Church simply tells what is right and what is wrong and it is up to the individual to decide. There is no such thing as absolute freedom of conscience for the decision of the will is based on what one knows. A well-informed conscience is not arrogant and is willing to be enlightened.

The Church is not only understood as a physical structure but the faithful as well believing in Christ professing one faith as in the case of Catholics. Thus, it is the role of the clergy to “evangelize” not only inside a basilica or shrine but also their beyond, in the communities or society itself.

It is sad and scandalizing to know that some priests are really bad. This is a Church setback in her mission to evangelize. Bad as they are, why are we bothered with their bad deeds or examples? Just like all of us, they are answerable to God. Do something holy not because of a priest or anyone else but do it out of love to the Almighty. No matter how bad or evil a priest is, the sacraments he performs are always valid.

Another opinion asks how could an impotent or septuagenarians “do” their obligation in having sex and in transforming the possibility of a new life?

Impotency is a valid ground for annulment although I am not competent at this time in discussing the complexity of the issue. Was there an impotency before marriage? Did impotency occur after marriage?

For the second point, how could an old, fragile and dried up couple be still capable in transmitting a new life although sex could still be possible?

So, this is the kind of reasoning we Filipinos sometimes have that we bring out of sync, funny if not stupid ideas just to say or insist that our opinion is correct instead of taking sufficient time to study, ponder and reflect on what one tries to convey especially when what is on the plate are issues that cannot be decided by a majority or minority vote.

Truth is objective and not subjective.

"May 21 Judgment Day"

That day is getting closer. Repent and believe the Gospel (Mk. 1:15)

Billboards and vans guarantee that May 21 this year is the Judgment Day. The familyradio.com tells that the Bible guarantees that.

I would be very thankful if the website  cites where in the Bible regardless of edition or translation tells the date, “May 21, 2011”.

To those who believe that Judgment Day is indeed a matter of a week, I hope that they have already donated all their properties and riches to charities or destroyed them.  After all money (property) is the root of all evil. (cf: 1Tim. 6:10) That includes bank accounts; belongings such as  houses, jewelries, investments and cars.

What good still are these for when the end of time (if that is what they mean) is at hand? If you prefer to keep these or cannot detach yourselves form your possessions despite believing the Bible, the word of God guaranteeing it;  it's either you are false prophets or simply make God a liar.  At worst, hypocrite.

To me, the word “guarantee” means the occurrence of truth beyond reasonable doubt. One plus one has a guaranteed total of two. After Sunday, the next day is a guaranteed Monday.

In truth, the Bible says that “[B]ut of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." [Emphasis mine] (Mt. 24:36) Thus, not even Christ knows.

It is absolutely correct that what the Bible says as signs of end times like wars, earthquake, famines; nations will rise against nations (Mk. 13:8) are happening right now including the prevalence of false prophets (2Peter 2:1) but Matthew is firm and clear in saying that no one knows when but the Father alone.

I am not saying that the end of time doctrine is false. It is true. The Bible tells so but the exact month, day and year is not revealed by God nor will it be revealed by God because He cannot contradict Himself.

Judgment Day is tricky but I understand that they mean as the end of the world. In all that we do, think or plan, we are judged. If that is the message, i.e. "to be judged" per se the billboards and vans want to convey, they are just wasting their resources and time.  In fact the familyradio.com knows that they are judged in what they are telling that the Bible guarantees the exact judgment day, month and year.

If it is really judgment day --- end of the world --- on the specified date, Catholics have no reason to fear. Every time during Mass the priest prays “Deliver us O Lord from every evil and grant us peace is our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in JOYFUL hope for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.” [Emphasis mine]

Catholics believe that no one knows the time except the Father. Those who make God a liar have all the reason to fear for His judgment.

God willing if we are still around on May 22, the implication is that God made a mistake.  But how can God who said that He is the Truth (cf. Jn. 14:6) say something that is false?  Through God's grace and love, starting May 22 if we are still around, I'm sure that there are a lot who continue to study what the Bible says as to when will be the end of the world and try to give another exact date.  I did not only learn Aesop's fable when I was a kid about a boy crying wolf! wolf! wolf! but I also learned in my catechism class that false prophets are agents of Satan who is the father of all lies.

To those who believe that the end of the world is May 21 this year, in case you have not yet given for free --- not for sale --- (Money has no use after death.) all of your properties and wealth; please remember us in the Philippines. We are a poor country and you can give your millions or in kind to:

CARITAS MANILA

2002 Jesus St.

Pandacan, Manila

Philippines

Tel: (632) 563-9311; (632) 563-9308; (632) 563-9309; (632) 563-9298; (632) 564-02-05

Fax: (632) 563-93-06; (632) 564-6678

E-mail: cm@caritasmanila.org.ph , segundamana@caritasmanila.org.ph

Thank you in advance for your donations. 

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Photo Credit:

http://agabus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Family-Radio-Judgment-Day-May-21.jpg

Manny Pacquiao to End Philippine Poverty: How?

Before entering the ring in his recent fight with Shane Mosley, the representative from Saranggani province mentioned that the fight of his life is to end poverty in this country.

That sounds good. Majority of Filipinos must be very happy to hear their favorite boxing champ launching a fight outside the ring. Hopefully, Rep. Pacquiao wins.

The $35,000 question is “paano” --- how?

Since Pacman was elected into office, thanks to his constituents, I am sorry but I haven’t heard anything from him that directly aims to fight poverty. When he goes back to Congress, hopefully, he presents one. Most that are heard is his persona as a boxer where all praises are heard and read mostly in the streets, coffee and barber shops.

How can a billionaire congressman execute his plan in knock outing poverty is a mystery to me unless like one of the great saints, he distributes his wealth to the poor and the needy. Most of us in the 21st century where gold and money seem to have salvific importance if not insurance; to live as poor by choice is easier said than done.

Or else, he runs for the presidency. Even if he gives his wealth and embraces a life of simplicity, his billions really helps but cannot end poverty. “The poor,” the Scriptures say, “are always in our midst.”

Some political observers believe that Rep. Pacquiao is building his formidable machinery for the next presidential elections. If he is secretly planning for that, it is high time for him to help the current government in its fight against graft and corruption. The first Pacman can do is to disassociate himself from perceived corrupt officials. “Tell me who your friends are and I tell you who you are.” Manny Pacquiao did not steal any centavo from the government but his being with perceived crook and corrupt officials drops the jaw of the cynics. We are all human that can easily fall from grace and embrace sin.

This sounds somewhat nonsense but the Chinese say that a thousand miles journey starts with a single step.

Since I am not from Saranggani, I have no way of saying if Rep. Pacquiao sponsors feeding programs for the indigents or has projects that shoulder complete medical bills for the needy or other outlets that greatly help the fishermen, farmers, the outcast and victims of social injustice.

We don’t know if Rep. Pacquiao is helping a lot behind the scene and we hope so. If the congressman from Saranggani is successful in ending the grinding poverty of this country, he will be remembered in history as someone who has done what any other president of the Philippines was not able to accomplish or for any other third world country leader failed to do.

“To see is to believe.”

In the meantime, we wish congressman Pacquiao good luck and may his noble and even Christian plan bear much fruit.

Basic Ilocano Phonological Differences

The Ilocano language spoken in Northern Luzon, some parts of Mindanao and elsewhere are the same except in accent or phonology. The disparity lies on the different dialects of the language where vocabularies from one place could have a different meaning to another or totally not understood.

Native Ilocano speakers from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union and parts of Pangasinan can accurately tell where one is from by merely listening how one speaks (accent and pronunciation) the language.

As I proceed, let me remind that just like in any other Filipino language, there are no long vowels in Ilocano. Although “u” or “o”, “f” or “p”, “v” or “b” are spelled, they have similar Ilocano tone and so with “Ilocanized” Spanish words such as f(p)iesta or V(B)iernes.

In Ilocos Norte, first and last letters are pronounced distinctly and properly although in Batac, “wen” (yes) is sometimes pronounced as “wa” or “owa”. In Laoag they say “Wen met ket.” (True indeed.) All of the letters are pronounced including the vowel “e” as in egg.

In Vigan, it is slightly different. They say “Wen me ke.” The “e’s” in the last two words are not pronounced but with a guttural stoppage. Still the “e” is “e” as in egg. In Bangued, the sentence is pronounced similarly like that in Vigan but the “e’s” are pronounced longer. Some towns of Ilocos Sur pronounce “wen” as “win” (pronounced exactly as “win” in English).

In general, there is an unwritten rule in Laoag that all terminal consonants preceded by "e" (as in egg) are pronounced syllabically.  Example: kammet (to eat using a bare hand), pammaneknek (proof or evidence), dalikepkep (to cross arms on the chest).

In contrast, in Vigan, terminal letters "t", "k", and "p" of the above words are not pronounced.  They are said as kamme, pammanene and delikepke. The "e's" in the first two words and the last syllable of the third word are pronounced as maragsa (^) i.e. Filipino grammar.

In La Union, "r" and "e" are thickly pronounced while in Pangasinan, the "e" sound is pronounced as "i" and vice versa.  They also pronounce "r" and "e" as they are pronounced in San Fernando, La Union.  Example: In La Union, newspaper is "newspapUr."  the terminal syllable is pronounced as "ur" as in "burr".  In Pangasinan, "kenka" (to you) is pronounced as "kingka" while "lingga" (sesame seed) is pronounced a "lengga".

Although words are pronounced differently in different accents, Ilocanos understand each other except in cases of dialectical differences.

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*I don't have enough background in linguistics.  This article is merely based from mere observation.  -COR INVICTUS

P-Noy's Porsche Drives Him "Down"

Just like in some sports, one’s rating cruises up and down depending the input exerted and performance displayed in the tennis court, golf course or on chess board.

The same rule determines how a sitting president is gauged.

In the case of Mr. Aquino, his popularity as head of state plunges after buying a Porsche sports car. Many believes that in these difficult times, acquiring expensive “toys” should be eschewed to show solidarity with the suffering nation.

I have problems with that line of reasoning. Personally, it’s non sequitur that the president’s compassion is no longer focused on the poor and the ills of this country. It’s also unfair to say that other government officials driving a second hand car deserve to be labeled as “pro poor”. The point is; one’s intent is known based from action and not by possessions.

The president did not steal his fund in buying the sports car. Why is the president singled out when there are other high ranking government and military officials perceived as corrupt but are not paid with attention despite their “hidden wealth”?

Sometimes life is not fair. The president can afford a Porsche and is entitled to it.

Ombudsman Merci: Merci et Adieu

When I was busy with other things, embattled Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez unexpectedly quit her post despite her firm words that she won’t quit her post. From nowhere, she personally tendered her resignation to the president.

In her press conference, she reiterated that she was not shielding the Arroyos from a possible barrage of cases filed against them. Out of 10 questioned for their opinion, I doubt if three say that Gutierrez is honest.

The Ombudsman is gone. She should have done it as early as after the inauguration of Pres. Aquino out of propriety and to give the new president a chance to appoint another capable for the post.

How did she have a change of heart?

During Lent, so the story goes, Gutierrez in her self-retreat acknowledged that it is in the interest of the nation for her to go rather than to undergo an expensive and protracted impeachment trial that may polarize the country.

We appreciate that but again; she should have done it much earlier. But is it possible that she quit because she can no longer rely on the support of un-named influential persons of the past administration? In plain words, was she dumped like a dirty and wet rag?

Now that she is gone, individuals from all corners want her charged in court for her perceived misdeeds while in office.

Ombudsman Gutierrez is now a history. In exchange, Filipinos want justice done to those involved in corruption activities during the Arroyo administration.

That can only be done if the next Ombudsman is really serious in putting a close to stories where millions if not billions of government money disappeared like a smoke.

Fiesta Season

May is also known as the Fiesta month. Many towns and barangays throughout the province celebrate their feasts in honor of their patron saints.

It is interesting that although barangays are clustered in short distances, per each in a town holds a fiesta celebration with pomp and fun.

Nothing is wrong in celebrations made up of sports competition, stage presentations and the like. Remembering and contemplating the life of a patron saint by honoring him/her on his/her feast day should be given more weight. Fiestas are essentially religious and not secular events.

Upon reflecting their heroic lives full of faith and trust in God, we are challenged to emulate what they did to their neighbors.  They teach us to trust and love God in good times and bad.  Despite facing martyrdom they did not recant their faith or wavered to do good and holy.

For me, the latter is the essence in celebrating feasts; to appreciate and follow the footsteps of extraordinary men and women in history and eras --- and not by holding expensive parties or drinking sprees.

Anyway, we have been doing those since Spanish times. What else is new?

Los Angeles Lakers Melt Down

Heaped adulation for Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s victory over the ageing Shane Mosley is here to stay till days after his return home. Repeating over and over and over in the news how the congressman from Saranggani province out-pointed Mosley makes no sense.

Basketball is the most popular sports in this country although not our national sports. So far, I have not seen any “breaking news” from Manila papers internet editions saying that the Los Angeles Lakers were swept into the dustpan by the Dallas Mavericks in a stunning fashion.

When the Lakers suffered their third defeat, I knew that they were finished.

What went wrong with the mighty Lakers? They were a worse team than the Mavericks of course. For the dazed Lakers fans, who of them expected the result of the series?

I am not a Lakers fan but in fairness to them, they were a powerhouse under Phil Jackson until they melted down in the post-season conference. If I were a Lakers fan, I say that things could be different if Kobe Bryant is not a selfish player. He makes a lot of shots that don’t count. Bryant is not the same Bryant of five years ago. Unfortunately, Kobe has a hard time accepting that fact.

Frustrated for the team’s sure embarrassing defeat, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom were ejected after committing flagrant fouls.  Resulting into such dirty tricks is a clear sign of unsportsmanlike the young must not emulate.

That made the Lakers performance worse. However, the team, during regular course of the season when the Lakers are winning, they appear to be the best players that they can easily defeat their opponents at will. I understand the pride exuding from the back to back champions. The luster of that pride was totally shut off by the Mavericks with unbelievable result.

If it is true that Phil Jackson now goes into retirement, it’s heavy for him to bring along his first and last career sweep out defeat. He is one of the greatest coaches in the NBA history if he is not the best. I wonder though why he left the Chicago Bulls when Jordan was no longer there. Probably Jackson knew that the Bulls were no longer championship contenders.

Years later, Jackson came back to coach the formidable Los Angeles Lakers of Kobe Bryant and Shaquile O’Neal where they won five championships.

Probably Jackson also sees the deterioration of the Los Angeles Lakers --- they are no longer a threat to other teams next year.

If there is a coaching vacancy on what Jackson perceives as a strong team, I'm sure that he ends his retirement and be on the floor again directing games.

We wish Phil Jackson and the Lakers well. Hopefully the famed Lakers can regroup and reinvent themselves under a new coach.

_______________
Photo Credit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LA_Lakers_logo.svg

Pacquiao Won But . . .

Days before the fight, my prediction to friends was a “close fight”.

I was right.

Many believed that Rep. Manny Pacquiao would score a (devastating?) knock out against the aging former champion. If not, a defeated Mosley would have a disfigured face like Cotto’s and Margarito’s.

Contrary to the lofty expectation of most Filipinos, Shane Mosley gave Pacman a good fight. And to borrow the words of the great Muhammad Ali, Mosley’s face was still "pretty".

I am not a boxing expert but Rep. Pacquiao’s knock down in the 10th round looks like not a knock down to me. I leave that to the experts to discuss.

What I don’t understand is why did Rep. Pacquiao unable to score a knock out against his seven year senor. Mosley showed his age in the fight but flashes of his defensive skills shone but not enough to dethrone the Filipino boxing icon.

If Pacquiao were fighting a Mosley in his prime, I believe that the representative from Saranggani would have been knocked out in the later rounds.

Manny’s speed and footwork were there but the exchange of blows that downed Mosley could not finish him. He was dazed but back on his feet.

I’m not taking away any credit Rep. Pacquiao reaped in defeating the aging Mosley but like his other opponents he turned into punching bags, Mosley was an exception.

Rep. Manny Pacquiao should go home as soon as possible and resume his duties as an elected official.

Congratulations congressman!

Pacquiao Mostly

Once again, Filipinos everywhere and the nation are euphoric in anticipating the much talked-about Pacquiao-Mosley fight. Filipinos are indeed tireless in searching for their modern heroes. It looks that the search is over. They believe that the congressman from Sarangani province, Manny Pacquiao who doubles as a boxer is a hero.

From the very start, I know that he is not a hero for he has not done so far anything that is noble for the country risking or giving his life. And well --- he is still alive.

I don’t buy either the idea that his victories reap honors for the country. While it cannot be denied that Pacquiao is an excellent boxer, he was the “best promoter” of the corrupt and inefficient government of Gloria Arroyo. Boxing fans of different nationalities not familiar with the Philippines can familiarize themselves about the country by going to the internet. Of course, they don’t say anything out of respect and diplomatic courtesy but every time Pacquiao demolishes his opponent in the ring, this country is “unmasked”.

Is it better now under Pres. Aquino? I am not shy to say that P-Noy, the son of a distinguished couple who did so much for the country in dismantling dictatorship reminds all that the country, no matter how slow, is getting its feet together as his fight against corruption rages.

I have not heard anyone who is a member of a congress that also boxes. Americans precisely know that congress people are elected to enact laws. Period. If a US congress person does not do the job or does other things not in consonant with the definition of the job, Americans cry foul saying “Rep. N.N. is elected to enact laws and not to . . .”

In this country, we don’t care as long as Rep. Pacquiao is seen my millions of Filipinos box on television. It is better as far as I’m concerned if we watch his performance in Congress. Of course, it is not expected that he engages a debate with any of his colleagues but it is interesting to know how he fares in nursing the needs of his constituents and for the entire nation as well.

But who cares? Majority of Filipinos prefer to watch Rep. Paquiao in the ring and know everything about him as a boxer instead of tracking his achievement in Congress.

Sometimes, priorities don't make sense in this country mostly inhabited by Pacquiao fanatics.

Airing of Seven Last Words Controversy

I prefer Bach or Chopin instead of listening to any radio station in Vigan but during Lent, while monitoring for lectio (The sorrows of the Virgin Mary traditionally sung in a crying or wailing tempo.) one commentator has gone reckless.

Piecing the ropes together, I understand that Fr. Roque Reyes of the St. Paul Cathedral refused permission to a radio station for them to air the "Siete Palabras". If my understanding is accurate, the priest said “no” because the station has been attacking the Church and the clergy unfairly. (I stand corrected for this.)

In turn, the station informed the audience that the Seven Last Words coverage will emanate from St. Augustine’s Parish in Bantay but also negated by Fr. Magdaleno Ruelos, Jr.

The Lenten religious event is for the public and therefore, I don’t think that seeking permission to air it is necessary in the same way as permission for radio or television coverage for the feast of Christ the King is necessary.

The story does not end there.

Unenlightened remarks poisoned the minds of listeners when it was said that the job of priests is to look for sinners and lead them to conversion “instead of” not catering to their religious needs.

Did the priests ban some faithful in participating the sacraments or tell them that they should not go to Church to fulfill their obligation? I don’t think so.

For years, the seven last words of Christ have been aired on radio but I don’t buy that. Faithful should go to the Church instead of listening from the radio or watching it from TV unless there is a valid reason. To be Christian is a 24/7 business and not just during Christmas, Lent, wedding, funeral or baptism. After all, on Good Friday, how many are busy drinking or preparing food or their trip for the Sabado Gloria festivities?

Priests year in and year out and not only during Lent perform their tasks to nourish the souls of the faithful by offering Mass and performing sacraments. Priests teach moral issues such as the evil of artificial contraception, the evil of the abuse of the environment, greed, graft and corruption and others consistent with the teaching authority of the Church that attack the dignity of human life in whole.

Then the commentator asked the priests “After this life, where shall we meet? In heaven or in hell?”

How did the argument end there?

Well, these days, Philippine clergy is occasionally attacked from all directions because of its consistency in fighting for what is right and what is moral. I agree that there are some priests who are not good or even worse than an ordinary person but they are still priests, sinners like us. Bad priests are better than no priests at all. When there are no priests, there are no sacraments and when there are no sacraments, where is salvation?

Now is Eastertide, a time to rejoice and be glad for Christ has conquered death. One way to rejoice is never to be serious with childish commentaries.

Happy Easter!

Osama bin Laden is Really Dead

It has been a long time since posting my last article and boy; I missed a lot of issues worth discussing. Hopefully so long as time is gracious, I will attempt to share my opinion on stories that hit the headlines lately.

First off, a lot has been read or heard since US Pres. Obama reported to his country and to the world the death of Osama bin Laden by a surgically precise covert operation of the US Navy SEAL. Despite the American president’s pronouncement, less than 24 hours later, the world is skeptic if the number one terrorist has indeed met his end. As of this writing, there is no available proof that bin Laden is really dead aside from what Mr. Obama’s world report.

Here in the Philippines and rightly so elsewhere in the world, millions of doubting Thomases want to see physical evidence such as the remains of the al Qaeda founder. Somewhere, probably there are videos or still pictures of the assault showing the 9/11 mastermind lying on his pool of blood with a bullet wound in the head but authorities look not ready to present gruesome pictures or videos to the public.

Personally, Pres. Obama’s television statement serves as a proof that bin Laden is really dead. How could a US president lie before the world on an issue of global interest? If Mr. Obama is lying not only to his fellow Americans but to the world, what  good does he get out from that? Besides, media outlets are now saying in “details” (if that is an accurate word) how the operation was executed starting from the first stages of the mission.

What makes the news “unbelievable” is how bin Laden is found and killed.

It was just like finding a pin in hay. The United States has spent a good fortune and time in finding its foremost nemesis for a decade. During that time, some quarters even believed that bin Laden has been dead for a long time but only to be resurrected perennially by his recorded video broadcasts.

Bin Laden’s custom-made lair is just a few kilometers away from military installations and Pakistan is a nuclear-powered country with sophisticated radar capabilities. Obviously they were overpowered by American technology. SEAL commandos were able to penetrate the area while “invisible” reinforcements were on standby in international air space and waters just in case.

We don’t know how quick the mission was carried out but the unbelievable that we see in movies sometimes happen in real military operation.

It was a sophisticated job but it is done. And what’s the proof?

The American president said it.