Ambuscades!

Cabinet members of President Benigno Aquino III are reported to undergo training on how to properly deal with the media. This announcement by no less than the president himself came after his spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, had a heated exchange with some Palace reporters over the delayed conduct of press briefing. In another incident, Education Secretary Armin Luistro told the media not to ask too many questions on the controversial sex education issue.

First, a disclaimer from me. I have never been a media relation officer for a particular organization or a spokesperson for a certain public figure. Aside from answering some queries from my friends from the national media, I’ve never been into a lengthy and important appearance as a resource person on a radio or television show. I have never been ambush-interviewed ever. All I am sure is I watch a lot of ambush interviews over CNN, BBC, ANC and GMA-7, to name a few TV network. To reiterate, I am not an expert on dealings with the media. But I have read some materials on the subject and the most helpful, as far as this blog entry is concerned, is the book written by Archbishop Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz, JCD, DD entitled “Media in our Midst”. My other writing tool for this one is my childhood memory of a television series called “Combat!” starring Vic Morrow and Rick Jason. Specially the scenes how my favorite G.I.s survived ambuscades.

There are three general ways for a public official to land into the news : through pre-arranged interviews like press conferences; written statements or press statements, and,- the kind that we are about to discuss : ambush interviews.

Just like the real “ambush” in military parlance, ambush interview is a game or war of quick decision. The potential target of such tactical offensive have to decide as fast as a piercing bullet if you want to be ambushed or not. And if your answer is on the positive, learn to “fire back”. Meaning make the most of it (the interview). The two things to remember is, one, public office is a public trust and a public figure is a public property. Second, the people has the right to know or the basic right to information. But everybody, including you, the resource person or the interviewee, have also the right not to accept the invitation for an interview under certain circumstances. We will discuss it later.

This is the fundamental rule of the thumb : “No one can force or coerce us to be interviewed.” It lies in out own creative way how to convey this to your perceived interviewer if you turn her/him down. On the other hand, if we want to be ambushed and willingly be part of the information-giving process, it is but important to know (his/her company and personal) and understand your “ambusher” and be patient with her or him. Keep in mind that all journalists are trained to have a “nose for the news” and they are out in the field look for stories (or preys!). That’s their job and reason for existence. In “firing back” and in saying that we must make the most of it, I just would like to emphasize that there is no substitute for objective and healthy exchanges that are aimed to unearth a news story together. The story or the truth that been denied and buried by powerful individual newsmakers or groups for their vested personal interests and survival. Including unscrupulous media practitioners or extortionists.

Speaking of such misdeeds of erring media people with checkered personal and professional background, try also to be patient and understanding. Including those who have unshakable ideological, religious or personal biases. Just answer their questions in direct, candid and brief manner.

To both the good and the bad media practitioner, show them respect. After your first interview with the good ones, try be a true friend to him or her but stay away from the bad people of the media. The unscrupulous and the extortionists.

In whatever circumstances, be clear as your canteen water on the messages you wish to convey because the moment when the news come out, you are figuratively out of the picture already. You can do nothing about it like a rocket-propelled grenade going to you direction. The saddest this is this : any rejoinder or disclaimer or correction is discretionary to the same media outlet where the interview came out.

There are at least three valid reasons to turn down a request for a interview : One, if you may put yourself in difficult or losing end or adverse position. Or be led into the landmine of embarrassment and/or imminent danger; Second, if you are not at the liberty to discuss matters that would put in danger other people’s (read : whistle blowers’ and witnesses’) life and limb or if you are tied to the promise to confidentiality or to a classified or top secret information; Third, common sense dictates that if you do not have the grasp of the nature and consequences of the subject matter, simply keep your mouth shut.

Allow me to add these. You are a dead meat if you engaged in an ambush if you carry a heavy mental or physical backpack or any baggage. In such encounter, you had a great chance of being riddled with bullets for you cannot move carrying that burden! Instead of a backpack, wear a bulletproof vest.

During the ambush, make sure that your visions are clear to have at least a view where the enemies and the booby traps are. Be precise in hitting your target. Clarity and precision require counter clarification on issues that are not clear to you when you are being interviewed. Let your interviewer define particulars and details that are unclear to you.

Do not ever use the much used and abused usual “No comment” reply to any ambush interview question, including facial expressions like a smile or a frown, for like your “No comment” they are all subject to millions of interpretation and may backfire on you! The easier and safest way to survive an ambush is to lower or bow your head down, cover it with you helmet or any hard material and move away from the site.

Just like those scenes from “Combat!”…

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(Photo softlinked from Crazyabouttv.com)

The Laity According to Congar

On the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose last Wednesday, Bishop Antonio P. Palang, SVD,DD officially declared July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 as Year of the Laity. The circular letter was read by our Chancellor, Msgr. Mario Ronquillo during our Mass held that day.

The term “laity” is understood to mean ALL the faithful except those in Holy Orders and those who belong to a religious state approved by the Catholic Church. That is, the faithful who by Baptism are incorporated into Christ, and are placed in the People of God, and their own way share the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ, and to the best of their ability, carry on the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the world (Lumen Gentium, 31).

Therefore, everyone,- man or woman, sinner or saint, young or old, here or abroad,- by virtue of baptism, has a mission to accomplish and a service to fulfill within the Church : humble service to others remembering that the whole life of Christ was such a ministering to others. Our every action is an act of evangelization.

Paul VI, the pope during my childhood years, said it beautifully : “Evangelization, specially in the wide and complex arena of politics, sociology and economics as well as other fields such as human love …the practice of various professions and relief of human suffering … are areas where the laity are called to build up the Kingdom of God and to bring salvation in Jesus Christ.” (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 70)

This reminded me of another great mind from France named Yves- Marie Congar. Cardinal Congar published an impressive number of theological books and his contributions influenced the drafts of two main social documents of the Church, Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes. We consider these teachings as two hidden springs of knowledge and inspiration to us workers of the social action arm of our local Church.

Congar foresaw, years before Vatican II, the importance of the laity in Church’s mission. In his classic work published in France in 1953 entitled “Lay People in the Church” he wrote : “Lay people are not solely the object of hierarchal ministry; they have each according to his state, an active function of bringing the world of History to God in Christ.” Congar, by the way, wrote this during the time when lay participation and cooperation are considered by some conservative sectors as “intrusion” if not “invasion” to offices and functions “exclusive” to the clergy. Today in almost all of the Churches in the world these became a big shift from clerical dominance to active involvement of the laity in the apostolic and pastoral works of the Church.

The final point which I wish to recall regarding the prophetic insights of Congar is his view of community where members united and at peace with each, other aside from sharing our life and mediating on the affairs of society. Here’s Congar again : “When the Church is no longer considered as formed by the faithful but is seen chiefly as a mediating institution, then the mission and the motherhood of the Church find their locus in external legal acts, instead of being drawn from her Christian existence of love and prayer by which her members live” (Theological Burning Points : Volume II).

I just would like to emphasize that both the clergy and the laity are called NOT to compete but to complement each other. We the laity need to be constantly and religiously inspired and spiritually nourished by our pastors in order for us to share the one Priesthood of Christ according to our distinct identity and role in the Church and society (cf. PCP-II; 418). Keeping in mind our limitations, when our priests are busy, the laity must have the initiative to take charge. And let us not forget that mediocre following of Jesus is out of the picture!

If I were only to draw two major themes for the Year of the Priest in our Vicariate, the two words are DEDICATION and CONVERSION. In our work and career, we are motivated by our desire to constantly advance our profession through personal skills-enhancing trainings, placing ourselves under processes for promotion, hard work, honesty, etc. Are we as lay ministers, catechists, lectors, parish officers, leaders of religious organizations, pastoral workers, community leaders and members, altar servers, commentators, choir members, Catholic school teachers, sacristans, etc.,- are also that serious in building a Christian community in Occidental Mindoro united in worship, in service and in witness of Christ? Are we that dedicated?

And I do not want to speak of conversion anymore for this kind of topic or theme and conversion itself is best reserved for priests! Seriously, my most simple and direct definition of conversion can be summed up into three words : conversion refers to a moral change, turning or returning to God and avoidance of sin. I just do not know if Congar would agree with me on this if he is still alive.

Therefore, I, Norman A. Novio, do solemnly swear to do my duty of rendering a specific service done on a sufficiently stable basis (though being compensated in accordance to the existing minimum wage ordinance of the Labor Department of the Philippines) and do my best for this work and vocation, in working in the name of our local Church and the pursuit of her mission. So help me out…

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(Photo of Congar from Google)

Book Reading Compared to Love-Making

Book reading is like meeting and exploring the very depth of a person. When an author writes, s/he spreads himself or herself over the pages and the reader gets to know him or her with intimacy. Both the reader and the author are lovers,- lovers of wisdom, lovers of knowledge. With this, reading can be compared to a foreplay!

By the way, when I posted this note in my Facebook account on my 48th birthday, somebody accused me of entertaining Freudian thoughts instead of him wishing me luck on my natal day. Today is the 27th anniversary of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose but instead of writing something about our local Church, I insisted on posting about sex and reading. Maybe my friend is right about me now being a Freudian. Or about me getting old.

As we ponder on love-making or carnal union in general, I remember what our Judicial Vicar, Msgr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza, SVD, wrote in his book entitled “Psychological Incapacity : A Gift From Heaven?”. Bacareza informed his readers that two ancient scholars,- Johannes Gratian (1140) and St. Thomas of Aquinas (1256) have two different views on sexual intercourse in marriage. Gratian, considered as Father of Canon Law, asked : “Let us ask ourselves this question : what kind of consent constitute marriage? Is it a consent to intercourse or cohabitation or both?” For Gratian, the essence of marriage is the mutual transfer of power over each other’s body.

Aquinas on the other hand took up the same question and answered that what makes marriage is the consent to marriage itself, not just the carnal part of it, but the whole of marriage.

Allow me now to lead you again to Jean Guitton’s “A Student’s Handbook to Intellectual Work”, the book I just finished reading yesterday : “Nothing is more touching that to see a book lying open at a page someone is reading attentively and to wait for the sound of the leaf that will not be turned.” But I am putting it this way : “Nothing is more touching to see your lover’s body lying naked ready to be discovered or rediscovered,- its every single detail, and wait for the sound of her last moan.” This intimate moment bring excitement and utmost anticipation to the ultimate expression of love between them.

To singles out there, keep in mind that the books (read : partner) you should keep by your bedside are the ones that can, no matter what happened, give you guidance or helpful stimulus not only in bed but especially in life. Me and my wife knows that.

Incidentally, my wife and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary last Sunday. Nothing special. We didn’t go out. We just read the whole night. Honest. And we read aloud!

Speaking of oral reading (no pun intended!) or reading aloud, one of my instructress in Early Philippine Literature had this advise to her students : “In order for you to completely understand the contents of a book, it is advisable that you lend it voice. Practice oral reading…” She further stressed that our ancestors are said to have read aloud even when they are alone. The rapid and silent reading,- meaning with eyes and not making a sound, is an invention of a modern man. This kind of reading (and yes,.. love-making) makes you unresponsive and untruthful to that basic human need or act (Disclaimer : words in bold letters has nothing to do with my former English teacher. It’s mine alone!).

“Read” aloud but please avoid immoral and scandalous action or situation. Going back to the title of this post,- between the two and under normal situation, only book reading is allowed inside the library...

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(Photo of a painting called “Woman Reading A Book” (1845) by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot (1796-1875), a French painter)

Learning According to Guitton

Around a hundred of neophyte congressmen who will be part of the House of Representatives for the first time will be having an actual experience of what is going on in the session hall on July 8, 2010. It will be an initial learning process for them for they would learn about the protocol in the plenary, the proceedings during session and the behavior expected from a member of the Lower House in the coming 15th congress. Of course boxing champ Manny Pacquiao of Saranggani and TV host Lucy Torres-Gomez are expected to join other greenhorn solons.

In Occidental Mindoro, the only first-time politician who won for a seat in the Provincial Board is Marilou C. Ignacio coming from the province’s second district composed of northern towns of Lubang, Looc, Paluan, Abra de Ilog, Mamburao, Sta. Cruz and Sablayan. Ignacio is the wife of former board member Randy Ignacio now detained at the Mamburao Provincial Jail. Randy and I are friends and we worked as community organizers for a national environmental project years before he entered politics. But that is another story. Mrs. Ignacio do not have any background whatsoever in politics much more in legislation. But I am sure he will be around sooner or later to lend her a helping hand.

And as I write this piece, around thirteen young boys from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro today joined the ABS-CBN’s controversial morning show over Channel 2 called “Showtime”. The group called “Road Boyz” performed a dance number inspired by a ballgame Sepak Takraw or “Sipa”. Road Boyz is headed by certain Rolex Tolentino, Jr. who hailed from Brgy. San Roque. It is their first time to perform outside of their home province and on a national telecast. But the Pandurucan boys did not make it to qualify for the weekly finals. Anyway, my congratulations for our homegrown kids for a nice try and effort. Certainly it was a learning experience.

I was only two years old when the book “A Student’s Guide to Intellectual Work” by Jean Guitton was published where the author expounded on,- among other human endeavors, learning. Poor me for I haven’t read this book when I was in college, when I was young. Anyway, on pages 44 and 45, I came across with these words : “The flair of genius consists in detecting and keeping an eye on particular things that contain a potential universal and which through accumulated analogies can greatly enlarge our knowledge.” There are two ways of learning according to said French author and Catholic philosopher : the one, the way of temptation, sends you scurrying over the surface in endless agitation, and disorients you by making you believe that everything is different from everything else; the other, on the contrary, leads you back to the circle and makes you realize with serene delight what resemblances the varied elements of experience possesses among them.

And ultimately, no matter how we fared or whatever is the result, feel glad to every fruit of our good deeds. The ultimate thing to do is what the God-inspired author of Ecclesiastes taught us : “Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice his own works; for that is his portion”…

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(Photo of Jean Guitton softlinked from 3.bp.blogspot.com)

When Jetmatics Rained

Hundreds and thousands of jetmatic water pumps engraved with surname of the two most powerful political couple rained all over Occidental Mindoro just days before the elections and majority of my province-mates sees nothing wrong with that. Is this in a way connected to something called water politics or hydropolitics coined by John Waterbury is his book “Hydropolitics of the Nile Valley” published in 1979? .

Hydropolitics is politics affected by the availability of water and water resources, a necessity for all life forms and human development. As we all know, fresh water is a fundamental requirement of all living organisms, crops, livestock and humanity included. The access to water is a basic human right and a prerequisite for peace. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated in 2001, “Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right. Contaminated water jeopardizes both the physical and social health of all people. It is an affront to human dignity.” Now, tell me,- is this the same motivation behind the distribution of those water pumps last elections?

According to the World Health Organization or WHO, each human being requires a bare minimum of 20 litres of fresh water per day for basic hygiene; this equals 7.3 cubic meters (about 255 ft3) per person, per year. Based on the availability, access and development of water supplies, the specific usage figures vary widely from country to country, with developed nations having existing systems to treat water for human consumption, and deliver it to every home. Here in our place, the island villages of Iling and Ambulong in San Jose town are in dire need of potable drinking water that the in-coming municipal administration have promised to address.

When I first saw a jetmatic pump engraved with such a family name, I cannot help but remember these words from St. Bernard of Clairvaux : “Every one must drink from his own well.” Or to paraphrase it, “from our own jetmatics.” So, we do have to rely much on politicians for our individual need for potable water. Speaking of that observation of St. Bernard, the Peruvian theologian and regarded as founder of Theology Of Liberation, Gustavo Gutierrez wrote a book called “We Drink From Our Own Wells”. According to Gutierrez, “Spirituality is like living water that springs up in the very depth of the experience of faith.” We, as true Christians, are the wells and jetmatics that are always connected to our water source which is the Lord. Not the political lords,- mind you, but Yahweh.

You may ask : “So, let's get rid of politics and politicians and make our own well and drink from it?” Not exactly. I am not saying that the development of our province or community depends only in our own hands as ordinary citizens. Or the world’s salvation depends on our efforts where world leaders (political, business, religious, etc.) are excluded. I am not saying that we must change everything all by ourselves. We cannot do alone that gargantuan task. Simply because governance and democracy are always about participation. A work both for the governors and those who are being governed. A poor farmer proudly told me while watching him minding his newly-bought jetmatic water pump : “At least, the money I used came from my pocket. This is a product of my labor…” So, why not drink from our own (not given by somebody else) jetmatic,- err, wells?

Yes, let us drink from our own wells (or jetmatics) because God’s love that is revealed in Jesus sets us FREE,- meaning without any pressure, to work in the service of His kingdom…

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(Photo from SSC File)

Breakfast, Revolution and Jesus

I was invited by Mr. Dominciano "Par Doms" Bagatsolon and Hector Aragones to attend a Breakfast Meeting and the Brotherhood Christian Life Program (BCLP) at the Sikatuna Beach Hotel in San Jose last Saturday,- May 29, 2010. The BCLP is an initial formation series given to prospective members of the Brotherhood Christian Businessmen and Professionals or BCBP whose mission is to be “committed to living out Christian values and being change agents in the marketplace…through a process of on-going personal conversion, a commitment to professional excellence, community and nation-building, practice of justice and integrity and responsible care…”

Before his talk, our guest speaker told us that having been into the BCLP, we, the participants, are advised to pray for spiritual guidance and make every session a “happy event”. And he emphasized two main things : “Be an empty vessel” and “Be your self.”

Our speaker is a former seminarian and a 19-year BCBP veteran, a well-traveled and experienced executive from a globally-known business establishment. Our main man from Cavite rendered the topic : “Who is Jesus” and made mention about the impact of Jesus on man’s salvific history and many more. I learned new insights from him and he is brilliant in almost all aspects of public speaking. He delivered his lecture nice and clean, except for his failure to broaden a certain term,- that to me, has a larger meaning thus needs further reflection and elaboration.

I have no problem when he,- during his talk, said that Jesus is the only person ever pre-announced, whose coming split history; the only person whose reason for coming is to die, the one who is no ordinary “good man”; and so on. But he said that one of the misconceptions about Jesus is his being a socio-political revolutionary. With due respect to our speaker, defining a “revolutionary” as the one who fights the government, a militant, a rebel or an insurgent; the one causing, bringing and favoring violent changes,- is a short-sighted if not one-sided definition of the word. Pardon me again but I am just trying to be honest with my self. For me, a revolutionary is the one with dynamic vision, an active participant for social transformation, the one who aspire for a complete change through entirely different cause. Through peaceful or other means. The one who is in no way indiffrent in thoughts and in deeds.

Jesus was an initiator of active non-violent struggle during his time. In fact, he even “revolutionized” that old concept of “revolution”. He taught us that revolutions need to be bloodless and a sacrifice (or doing something sacred)like our very own EDSA revolt. With my definition of the word “revolutionary”, I firmly believe that,- contrary to our speaker’s view, Jesus is also a socio-political revolutionary during his time. And let us remember, Jesus clearly died or was killed on political ground(s) because the powers,- both civil and religious, feared him, his teachings, his values and influence. Also, during his time, crucifixion was the punishment for political activities specially rebellion.

Some say that Jesus was killed because he disappointed people’s hopes of a political-military messiah. Maybe. But based from all appearances, it was his conflictive or revolutionary activity which paved the way towards Calvary. This what I’ve learned from the book that changed many of my perspectives in life. A book written by the late Filipino liberation theologian named Fr. Carlos H. Abesamis entitled “Third Look At Jesus”. I am sorry for not being an “empty vessel” or tabula rasa this time.

I do not have formal study on Christology but I think it is almost impossible to examine Jesus objectively. Our perception of Jesus has a lot to do with our own hidden agenda, our political stance whether we are activists or reactionaries or otherwise. Even the corrupt and greedy politicians in our midst have their own perception of Jesus in accordance with their subjective views and vested interests. Myself included. But we all agree, regardless of our political affiliation and beliefs, that the dominant model for the Christian is that of the mission and the actual experience of Jesus himself in the world.

Jesus, no doubt, was a disturber of the status quo of every person and every community or society. He is a question mark by his words and lifestyle of the existing religious, social and political order of his time and ours, in almost every aspect. In sum, a true Christian has a sense of political responsibility and obligation to responsibly participate in the election processes, be fully and reliably informed concerning political issues. He/she has the responsibility to criticize the government,- its policies and its agents, in the light of the gospel and Law of God including to support just and humane policies and to oppose those policies and particular decisions which are unjust or inhumane.

So, whenever we are having a bountiful breakfast (lunch, dinner or brunch) let us always remember that not only food can also be part of our spiritual salvation but food is a life-and-death issue in a world,- the Philippines and the other impoverished Third World countries, where millions of children, men and women are malnourished and hungry while in the Holy Eucharist, we believe that Christ is present under the appearances of foods like bread and wine.

This reminded me of the controversial Fr. Tissa Balasuriya, author of “The Eucharist and Human Liberation” when he said that in Third World countries “the central act of Christian liberation is the celebration of the political act of liberation by God”. For Balasuriya, every repetition of the Eucharist should signify a new commitment to the struggle for justice. He said that many of us tamed the Eucharist, distorting its revolutionary implications into a time for re-affirming the status quo. There are people indeed like Balasuriya who believe that the true celebration of the Eucharist is an act of revolutionary politics. People that are moved by love of God and of neighbor.

By the way, next Saturday, our BCLP topic is about Spirituality after having of course our breakfast on that same table…

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(Photo from Reuters)

Ah, Motorcycles!

I got from the news last night that Michelle Yeoh,- my long-time crush, of “Tomorrow Never Dies” fame came to Manila for her global campaign for road safety and warned my fellow Filipinos that deaths and injuries from road accidents, specifically those involving motorcycles, were reaching epidemic levels. Ms. Yeoh, a Malaysian-born actress is an ambassador for the “Make Roads Safe” campaign. In her speech to international transport forum sponsored by Asian Development Bank (ADB), the “Silver Hawk” said, “There is so much we can do to save lives on our roads." My “amen” on that.

I cannot help but remember a catch phrase from female members of a US-based motorcycle club : “Put something exciting between your legs.” And the statistics on motorcycle accidents do not bring excitement but horror in many ways.

As early as 2007, the World Health Organization or WHO considered deaths and injuries from motorcycle accidents as a "public health epidemic" in many countries in Asia, including in the Philippines. WHO Healthy Settings and Environment regional adviser Hisashi Ogawa reported that, "most motorcycle deaths are a result of head injuries. While wearing a helmet correctly can cut the risk of death by almost 40 percent...many countries do not strictly enforce laws covering the use of helmets," he pointed out. The WHO said that young men were more likely to figure in road accidents than young women : "Males account for 75 percent of all road traffic fatalities among those under 25 years of age. Young males under the age of 25 are almost three times as likely to be killed as female counterparts."

Here in Occidental Mindoro, people belonging to low- and medium-income families use motorcycles not only as a family vehicle but the most common means of private transportation. Those from affluent or wealthy families,- especially teenagers, use expensive motorcycles to show off to their friends and some of them are involved in illegal drag racing. "Young motorcyclists make up a significant percentage of injuries and fatalities among road users in many Asian countries. Factors such as speed, no helmets, risk-taking behavior, and drunk-driving contribute to the rising trend," the report said.

To solve this, there is a dire need not only for infrastructure development, but also for behavioral change. It would be helpful if, for example here in San Jose,- motorcycles and bicycles would be provided separate lanes, instead of motorcyclists fighting for space with tricycles, power tillers, cars, trucks, and buses,- exposing them to danger. But people should also be encouraged to strictly obey traffic rules and road safety precautions.

A friend of mine also tremendously suffered such tragic accident sometime last February 22, 2010, but he is now almost back in shape. He even sipped a little alcohol and tried a small puff of nicotine and always burst into laughter will all his heart when we visited him. “This man came to life again”, I told my self when we came by surprise to his parish yesterday. Yes, Fr, Giovanni “Jojo” M. Gatdula is now back to his priestly function since Tuesday. Not taking medicines anymore but still doing some self-help therapy. With all our prayers he survived.

So, what else can I say : “We are glad you are back, Fr. Jojo!”

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(Photo softlinked from ABCNews)

Meeting of Two Artists

“I know him and I know his place. It is my pleasure and honor to get you there.” I told our guest,- a bespectacled man with gray hair, inquiring about Ruben “Nonoy” Casuncad where he could buy Mangyan products and other souvenir item. Nonoy, my compadre, is one of most brilliant visual artists in our place.

Our guest is one of the facilitators who conducted the three-day seminar on what they call Subtle Attack Against Family Explained (SAFE) program which is the main pro-family and pro-life program of St. Michael Retreat House of the Diocese of Antipolo. The SAFE training was conducted last Wednesday and Thursday,- May 19 to 20, 2010. The man, I think, in his late ‘50s dwelled on the topic “Pornography and Violence in the Media”. His name is Jess Abrera, my favorite editorial cartoonist. Creator of characters “A. Lipin” and “Guyito”. Right at the pages of the Philippine Daily Inquirer or PDI.

I introduced the master cartoonist to my Pareng Nonoy and while they shook hands, I suddenly felt out of place for I know nothing about their art. Nonoy gladly showed him his crafts and allowed him to take pictures of his drawings and woodcarvings while Mr. Abrera,- father of equally-talented young artist Manuel "Manix" Abrera, giving him some tips on packaging or marketing his products. They talked about arts and life for more than forty five minutes. Nonoy giving him a “lightning seminar” on Mangyan calligraphy and culture while Mang Jess is all praise to the handiwork of Yobhel’s godfather.

Jess Abrera was born in 1945 and finished Art Studies at the University of the Philippines (UP). He grabbed Catholic Mass Media Award in 1986 and the National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle in 1997 because of his “Pinoy Nga” collection.

I met Nonoy in 1989 while he was working as an artist in the Vicariate-owned Verbo Tuo Printing Press while I was with the Human Development Office or HDO erstwhile name of the Social Services Commission (SSC). We were still bachelors then. Beer, gin and discussion about politics made us friends. In 1998, he decided to pursue with his craft and he started an art shop called Ligad. Ligad, if my memory serves me right, according to Nonoy, stands for “Likhang Guni-guni at Diwa”. Ligad has an accreditation with our provincial Department of Trade and Industry Office or DTI. At present he is more involved in wood carving and many of his clients are tourists,-both local and international, and some wholesalers from Manila. His works always find place in trade fairs and art shows here in our locality.

Mr. Abrera came home with memorable work of arts from San Jose specially the "sagwan" (paddle) and some wooden fishes which passed by the creative hands of my Pareng Nonoy.

But for me this is the most important thing : I acted as bridge to a short but memorable and wonderful meeting of two great artists that I know...

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(Jess Abrera's photo softlinked from PaoloRuiz.com)

Remembering My Captain

He was just an ordinary laborer,- a mechanic, at the Salt Industry of the Philippines or SaltPhil way back in the late ‘50s. I am referring to Pantaleon S. Novio, Jr.,- my uncle who served as Barangay Captain of Brgy. Bubog for more than 20 years during the entire administration of Pres.Ferdinand E. Marcos. But he was more of a look alike of Constabulary chief Fidel V. Ramos. Those were the days when the Local Government Code is unheard of. The days when our village officials do not have allowances and perks but despite of this, they work selflessly and dedicated most of their time to public service. He gave me my very first taste of public service when I was just in the elementary grade.

We, his nieces and nephews, call him Tito or Papa Addie. Strict, disciplinarian but full of heart and compassion for the poor specially the needy. I remember him carrying his "buntot-page" whip imposing discipline to vagabonds and justice to their victims. I remember him being a chainsmoker and a lover of suspense-thriller pocketbooks and Hollywood war movies.

Though he never finished any college degree, unlike those who administered after him, he gained respect not only because of his power and authority but for his morally upright examples, both in private and public life. And I cannot help but remember him today. I will tell you why later.

Today, May 15, 2010 is also feast day of our patron saint Saint Isidore, the Worker also known as San Isidro Labrador. You know, in 1930, a group of farmers from Camiling, Tarlac, headed by Pedro Luis came to my place and later convinced his fellow farmers and all the barrio residents then to make San Isidro Labrador our patron saint. Luis, in 1949, when then San Jose Mayor Isabelo Abeleda, Sr. approved the petition making Bubog as one of the barrios of said town,- was appointed as the first barrio lieutenant.

When I was young, I had a feeling that the story I’ve read from the books about the life of San Isidro Labrador was just a fairy tale. It never happened. It’s just a product of fancy imagination. Imagine, the angels went down from heaven to help him plow the field and all those sort of things? Isn't it a fairy tale material?

But I am (hopefully) a mature man now and I came to realize that those stories really happened in real life in Madrid. And today, the message behind the life of Isidore,- for me, is much clearer now : Even a simple laborer can achieve sainthood. Also, physical labor has dignity and sainthood does not stem from status. The life of Isidore and living during my childhood days in Brgy. Bubog taught me that contemplation does not depend on learning and the simple life is conducive to holiness and happiness. Legends about angel helpers and mysterious oxen indicate that Isidore's work was not neglected and his duties did not go unfulfilled. The life of Isidore constantly reminded me this: “If you have your spiritual self in order, your earthly commitments will fall into order also.”

I was informed that there will be a big thanksgiving celebration tonight and I am just wondering if St. Isidore will be given equal respect and adoration by the jubilant residents and officials in my home barrio viz-a-viz their victorious political patron. Nevertheless, happy fiesta to all of you!

By the way, my uncle succumbed to heart attack and died on the eve of the Feast day of Saint Isidore, the Patron Saint of our beloved barangay some six years ago. I do not wish to elaborate but he died on the road while extending a helping hand to neighbors in need. And I am saying a little prayer for him today.

Papa Addie was firm in his decisions without being arrogant. He did not amass wealth despite of many opportunities that came his way as a public servant, for his only wealth and most cherished possessions are his family, friends, an out-modelled Yamaha motorcycle and an old toolbox.

Isidore was totally unselfish. He was a loving and compassionate human being, not unlike my beloved Papa Addie…

Reviewing “Of Missions and Destinies”

Call me a gatecrasher if you wish. I came uninvited to the book launching of “Of Missions and Destinies” last April 21, 2010 at the main lobby of the Sablayan Convention Center. The book is a collaborative endeavor of the out-going mayor of Sablayan, Godofredo B. Mintu and Marian Regina M. Layug. It was published by Mintu Rice Mill only this year. Ms. Layug is not a resident of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro but a freelance writer. She is a Journalism graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas and a former Assistant Information Officer of the British Embassy in Manila.

Around one hundred people from all walks of life attended the book launching headed by Governor Josephine R. Sato and Vice-Governor Mario Gene J. Mendiola, Mintu’s political allies in the local political scene. In the book’s foreword, Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel has this to say : “Even without the benefit of past political experience, Godofredo Mintu was able to achieve the transformation of a community, a transformation that is evident in the confidence, the energy and the love for the community that distinguishes the people of Sablayan. This book is also a homage to these beautiful people as well as the fascinating account of their beloved mayor.” The book talks a little about Sablayan but a lot about Mayor Mintu. Mintu by the way is about to retire from politics after a lengthy tenure as the town’s chief executive and the province’s vice governor. His wife, Mrs. Edna N. Mintu at present Barangay Chair , is vying for the mayoralty post of said municipality this coming election. While their son, Edwin, is seeking for his third and final term in the Sangguniang Bayan.

The book “Of Missions and Destinies” is divided into eleven chapters : A Day in the Life of the Mayor, Introducing Sablayan : The Dormant Municipality, The Mintu’s of Cavite, The Man and the Municipality Meet, Enter the Mayor, Six Times A Mayor : Sablayan Awakens, Power to the People, The Builder of the Future, Caring for the People : Social Services, Man of Action; Man of Peace, and Recognition and Legacy. Around fifty photographs can be seen in the book featuring mayor Mintu's achievements and personal photos. Nowhere in the book dwelled with Mintu’s stories about his former wife but filled with stories being told by his close friends and allies. According to Norma Ordenes, former Election Officer of Sablayan : “In the early ‘60s, when I try to recall the kind of politics that existed in Sablayan, all I know is this – the local leaders were product of homegrown “politicos” of the then undivided province of Mindoro : clannish, traditional and parochial.” The book likewise failed to magnify the main author’s personal view on the issue of political dynasty.

Mintu before transferring to Sablayan in 1975 is already financially capable and infact he had business in Mindanao and the Visayas. According to the book, he had a ranch in Bukidnon and was engaged in tobacco business, travelling all over the two regions as official market distributor of US tobacco imported cigarettes. In 1988 he ran for mayor under UNIDO's gubernatorial bet Pedro Medalla, Jr.

I remember the late homegrown political scientist, Prof. Remegio Agpalo in one of his books on the political realities in Occidental Mindoro saying that a new social force ("Big Money"), which has its basis in industry and commerce, challenged the traditional one ("Big Family"). The best example according to Agpalo is the victory of Pedro Medalla, Sr, in the congressional elections of 1965. Pedro Sr. is the father of Mintu's political ally, Pedro, Jr. commonly known as Peter Medalla.

The book also present many historical facts about said town. I came to know that in 1902 Sablayan was separated from Mamburao and the municipality was legally born. It was said that the Visayan root of its name is “Sablay”, which, according to the book, politically means “where the waves” meet. That the Sablayan Penal Colony was erected under the Pres. Ramon Magsaysay’s administration in 1956 under then Mayor Loreto Urieta. “Of Missions and Destinies” is a must-acquire material for our students, local historians and academicians. A well-written book about a developing town of Occidental Mindoro and the man who claimed that he started it all.

Here is a worth-reflecting quotation from Mayor Mintu himself : “Usually the greatest men are not the politicians but the nonconformist. I think it is true that to be good is to be misunderstood.” Though I think that Gen. Douglas Mc.Arthur also said something to that effect, this “nugget of wisdom” is still relevant specially in our political situation today.

Without doubt, “Of Missions and Destinies” is indeed one of the legacies of Mayor Godofredo B. Mintu of Sablayan. So far, Mintu is the only political figure in my province who have written a full length book as good as this.

Will Edna N. Mintu will be able to continue her husband’s legacy in case she win? Nobody can tell …

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(Photo from ilovemindoro.blogspot.com)

Voices From All Over

We have been hearing different voices coming from different people now that May 10 is near. Voices from the loudspeakers of a mobile propaganda team of a certain politician or a political party that roam around our streets. Voices coming from the media amplifying political advertisements. Voices from political sorties be it proclamation rally or miting de avance.
These are voices that made us deaf as a nation and as a people of God.

Last week, we have conducted a series of Candidates'Forum dubbed, "Kaunlaran ng Kanlurang Mindoro, Dangal ng Mamamayan", but as usual, most of the things we got are pointless words and voices.

Sadly because of this earthly voices, we somehow forgotten the voice of Jesus that hardly finds attention in our present situation, specially today that election time is just a few sleeps away. The clearest voice we hear and understand, it seems, are the ones coming not from the Risen Lord but from the political lords in our midst.

We have forgotten Mary Magdalene, a woman of ill repute, fearlessly went to the tomb with her oils to show once more her love for Jesus who loved her and showed what real love meant. After her frustrating search, Mary was called twice by name and she recognized the Risen Lord’s voice. In this encounter, what Christ said about the shepherd and the sheep is fulfilled. Remember what Jesus said : “I am the good shepherd. My sheep know thy voice.” With this encounter, Mary Magdalene is considered "apostle of the apostles".

It seems that the staunch supporters of our two local political titans in Occidental Mindoro follow other voices rather than the voice of the shepherd. By the way, the Good Shepherd is the Risen Lord that is why we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday (and that is today!) within Easter. Indeed Mary is a good member of Jesus’ flock so she recognized her Good Shepherd.

By the way, happy fiesta today to Fr. Rod Salazar, SVD and his parishioners in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro!

From Mary Magdalene, let us go to Peter. Peter as introduced to us by the evangelists is the apostle who denied the Good Shepherd in order for him to save his (Peter’s) life. But Peter ultimately became a changed person. Unlike most of the politicians we hear a lot today. They never changed their old bad ways and becoming worse each year. Many of them remained corrupt and self-centered.

Three times Jesus told Peter : “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep”, thus Peter became a new person with a new mission. On the contrary, the traditional politicians here in my place of birth just became “same dogs with new collars”, they say. They shift loyalties from one patron to another. They slander each other like pagans of yore. They treat people like cattle they have to own.

Peter is tasked to start a new history,- not unlike what we expect from our future political leaders, for the Good Shepherd will be no longer be around physically. What the Good Shepherd is saying is this, I presume : “You Peter will now be in-charge of my sheep but I want emphasize that they are MY sheep. I am not giving you a sheep of your own. They are mine.”

This insight on Mary Magdalene and Peter is supplied by Imus Bishop Luis "Chito" Tagle in one of his books but its title skipped my memory.

But my favorite is the image depicting Jesus carrying lost lamb over his shoulders for it conveys that leaders must also impose punishment against an erring black sheep (?). Somebody told me that during those times, shepherd break a leg of any member of his flock who go astray in order to give the animal a lesson. If that is so, the Good Shepherd is telling us that as a leader, it is imperative that we appropriately employ discipline to anyone who commit serious misdeed. After this punishment, I am certain that the Good Shepherd took extra care of his “prodigal sheep” until it’s back to normal life again,- walking and rejoining the rest of the flock.

In a way, the Good Shepherd is calling all the political leaders,- including political aspirants, of today to die for the sheep but they will not own anything and anyone. In short,- for me, here’s Jesus’ timely call : “Do the task of the shepherd out of pure service!”

The Risen Lord-Good Shepherd, as I see it is telling us,- voters and politicians including election officials, the words he told Peter, "Follow me"...

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(Photo from Edith Escalante's collection)

Candidates I'm Supporting

I am supporting the candidacy of eight leaders from our Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) who are vying for local political positions, as town councilors, for three southern municipalities of Occidental Mindoro. From the Good Shepherd Parish in Magsaysay Conchita Soriano, Eddie Wagan, Ben Arroza, Gorio Rosete and Geraldine Mendez. All of them are endorsed by the BECs from the Good Shepherd Parish in Magsaysay. They are known as “Swarm” in their locality, the group’s acronym. Among the aspirants are Rogelio “Boy” Fallorina and Jose “Joe” Vidal from Saint Joseph Parish in Brgy. Central of San Jose town, likewise Noel Callanta from St. Peter Parish in Rizal. They are members of their respective Parish Pastoral Councils (PPCs) assigned as lay ministers and community leaders. Eddie Wagan is a Mangyan leader from Brgy. Purnaga in Magsaysay. Though they filed their Certificate of Candidacy (COCs) as independent candidates, they call themselves “Lakas ng Pamayanang Kristiyano” (Christian Communities’ Power).

The role of the church as a hierarchy is indeed to hold up moral values and not to provide specific blueprint for translating those values into political choices. Pope Benedict XVI in his trip to Brazil said, “The church is the advocate of justice and of the poor, precisely because she does not identify with politicians nor with partisan interests,” Benedict continued. “Only by remaining independent can she teach the criteria and inalienable values, guide consciences and offer a life choice that goes beyond political sphere.” Clerics and religious are prohibited to join (partisan) political activity but not the laity like you and me. Like those candidates I just mentioned above.

In times like this, the church calls on the laity to take its prophetic role for change and nation building for change is the call of the time and different social forces are moving to effect the changes they perceive are necessary. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in their pastoral letter last July 2009, called for the lay participation in politics and peace. According to the Filipino bishops : “ …indeed our present situation poses a great and urgent challenge for active lay participation in principled partisan politics.” In one of the Vatican II document it is stated : “Those (laity) with the talent and noble art of politics … should prepare themselves for it, and forgetting their own convenience and material interests, they should engage in partisan political activity” (Gaudium Et Spes, 75). Because politics, being a human activity, has a religious and moral dimension which Christianity cannot ignore. In short, as faith and life cannot be separated from each other. Same true with politics and religion. How we live mirrors our convictions and our convictions should guide our every action. Our political role is key for the evangelization of society.

Yes, I openly campaign for these honorable men and women of Occidental Mindoro. To campaign for them, personally for me, is a Christian obligation. The church,- especially the laity, must be involved in politics. Karl Barth, a Swiss theologian once said : “the Church ceases to be the Church if it shrinks the political problems of the time. All this requires a completely new attitude towards the relationship of religion with politics… As for the saying that religion and politics do not mix, Church critics are overlooking the fact that the Gospels are full of accounts of Jesus’ ministry, championing the poor and standing up for the rights of the underpriviledged and marginalized in the community. This cannot be characterized in any way a being apolitical.” What can you say about it?

Remember their names : Conchita Soriano, Eddie Wagan, Ben Arroza, Gorio Rosete and Geraldine Mendez (Magsaysay); Boy Fallorina and Joe Vidal (San Jose) and Noel Callanta (Rizal).

Good luck to all of you…

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(Photo from www.jewish.com)

Lecturing Sophia

You’re in a way already a media practitioner when you were born at Mt. Carmel Maternity and Lying-In Clinic near the San Jose Public Market. Because it was then when you first cried to your parents and to Dr. Rosendo Nueve and his assistants and communicated to us that you were alive. Your mother can be considered as a media practitioner too. Right after recovering from birth pangs and pains, she communicated to her co-teachers at Mabini I Elementary School about the good news of our dear newborn babe.

So I was not amazed anymore when you told me last night that you want to be a TV reporter or journalist. My dear, you would not be able to land on such prestigious network if you do not enroll or take any media-related courses. And when you do this, Sophia, you do not intend to follow your father’s (earlier) footstep with that silly dream of yours.

Remember, my dear, that I,- your father, is not a true blooded media practitioner since I do not have any formal schooling on journalism or mass communication unlike the rest of the anchors and DJs you love to listen to over the radio. Besides, I do not want to be remembered as a local radio announcer because I don’t possess a quality voice. I want to be remembered as a social communicator as a whole. Media is but a vehicle, a means or an instrumentality or a means of communication. But to tell you the truth, I don’t want to be closely and completely identified with the known media personalities I am telling you a while ago who are used by powerful elites, specifically politicians, for their selfish political purposes and agenda. Because to my mind and contrary to what I see from them, media is to communicate informational data, convey formational factors and promote transformational values. As simple as that, Sophia.

Your father in no way claims to be holier than those people, Sophia. As a person and as an accidental radio personality, I also have horns like a sinful devil. But these horns keep my halo,- like that of an angel, in proper place above my head!

Okay, okay, so you really want to be a media practitioner? Clarity before else is the most important thing whenever you face the microphone or a camera. Whenever we present issues over the air, what is said should be intelligible. Also, you must express everything in a light manner. You may sometimes inject some humor and rumor or be naughty at times, but over and above, those must be accompanied with meekness. It would indeed be a disgrace if our words were marked by arrogance, the use of bare words or offensive bitterness. Remember, when you are already a TV or radio personality, that what gives you opinion its authority is the fact that it affirms the truth,- an example of virtue, avoids peremptory language and makes no demands. Unlike words some politicians are using over the radio, specially nowadays.

You must also be peaceful without using extreme hurtful tactics and methods. Just be patient under contradiction and incline towards generosity. I am sure you want to ask this : “Why are those who talk over the local radio do not promote friendship and intimacy instead of hostility and divisiveness?” Yes, Sophia, what is to be aspired is,- and I won’t get tired of saying this again and again, what should unite us, journalists of Occidental Mindoro, our mutual adherence to common good and thus shun all self-seeking things.

When you are already in the “big league”, my dear, please do not be a social liability and an enemy of truth. Do not be a big shame to your father and a big discredit to this noble profession and sublime vocation.

Allow me to put everything in a capsule. Please turn to page 90 of the book “Media in Our Midst” by +O.V. Cruz, JCD,DD : “Let it be here explicitly and categorically stated that media’s fundamental allegiance is to truth – to nobody and to nothing else. In fact, media is at its best when it adores no “sacred cows”, it bows to no “superior humans”, it is blind to the “glitter of gold” and deaf to the “sound of silver”. Media practitioners themselves know this only too well. The moment media becomes the purveyor of part truths if not downright lies, this would be the height of the social liability it acquires, such as being an enemy of truth, it also becomes the enemy of the people, the cancer of society, the shame of its practitioners.”

This is what exactly happened to us in Occidental Mindoro, my dear. But they (the local media practitioners) are not alone to be blame. They are just corrupted by the selfish politicians in our midst. They are willing victims of this bad political system and culture. This I would not be tired of repeating.

But Sophia before taking up Mass Communication, get rid of you milk bottle first for in June, you are already in Grade One…

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(Photo from wikiwak.com)

Empty Talk, Empty Tomb

A badmouthed local political patron keeps on insinuating that three of his political opponents are homosexuals : two incumbent members of our legislative board and an aspiring candidate for Congress.

Attitude towards homosexuality have began to change in recent decades with the birth of modern psychiatry, social theories, including sociological and biological studies. In 1960’s, gay activism became a civil rights movement who asserted their rights and took pride of their sexual orientation. While some attitude change, prejudice against gays (men or women) or homosexuals still exists.

In the United States, gay political candidates had been elected to office, ranging from city councils to the House of Representatives. Here in Occidental Mindoro, I do not think that the issue of homosexuality should be treated as such. In the first place, is the political patron sure that there is no homosexual (open or not) in his ticket? So, it is nothing but an empty talk. No more, no less. It does not prove anything. Like the empty tomb of Jesus.

Regarding the empty tomb, a theologian named Walter Kasper author of the book, “Jesus the Christ” has this to say : “The important point is not primarily the emptiness of the tomb; it is rather the proclaiming of the resurrection, and the reference to the tomb is intended as a symbol of this faith to resurrection. This ancient tradition is not a historical account of the discovery of the empty tomb, but evidence of faith.”

The faith of the disciples, needless to say, is faith in the raising of Jesus, not in an empty tomb. Let me add that Jesus’ first appearance was to Mary of Magdala. It is the women who followed him, unlike his male disciples, to his very death. Women provide the element of continuity between death and the discovery of the empty tomb. Their conviction must have been very crucial and influential in nurturing the infantile stage of the early Christian movement. But these contributions were downplayed because of the still prevailing patriarchal status of the Church.

When will we, as a Church, truly acknowledge the role of women in the ministry of Jesus and the contribution they made to the post-Easter proclamation? We, as Jesus’ disciples, must not only simply state what Easter means, we must incarnate it.

Politician or not, gay or straight…

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(Photo from www.brokenman)

Holy Thursday and the Call to Service

Occidental Mindoro politicians who are aspiring for different local positions are on the road for their campaign sorties even during the Holy Week. I am not only referring to the so-called Performance and Dream teams but even the “independent” candidates.

The whole province has 226, 971 total registered voters and San Jose has biggest number at 60,552 voters as of January 15, 2010. Second is Sablayan with 35,367 and Mamburao ranks third at 20,344. Looc has the lowest number of voters at 7,121. And here are the numbers for the rest of the municipalities : Abra De Ilog – 14,446; Calintaan – 12,085; Lubang – 15,126; Magsaysay – 16,788; Paluan – 8,899; Rizal – 17,426; and Sta Cruz – 18,817. These are not just statistics but a group of unique individuals with body and soul who are willing not only to be served but to serve. If properly motivated.

Today, Holy or Maundy Thursday, is the day of commemorating the institution of the Eucharist. However, today’s gospel is about Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Both the institution of the Eucharist and Service (the washing of the feet) indicate the vocation of the Catholic,- as voters and politicians. Thus, we need to understand our call in light of the two readings we just mentioned. These are the intensive summation of his whole ministry, his pro-existence. His death, which faces him as a direct consequence of his life of service, will itself be freely accepted by him as an act of loving service on behalf of all.

Unlike many of the politicians in our province who only think of personal gains including their lapdogs or barkers who are willing to betray the integrity of their profession (as media practitioners) in exchange of thirty pieces of silver (read : perks, prestige and other gains) from modern day authorities.

After the Holy Week, a multi-sectoral group specifically from my hometown San Jose will hold an initial conveners meeting to iron out plans for a non-partisan and independent post-election phase activities aimed at credible, honest, accountable, meaningful and peaceful or CHAMP elections.

In his text message to us, Msgr. Ruben S. Villanueva, my boss, sums it all : "Sa krus sinukat ang lalim at tatag ng pag-ibig ni Kristo. Maraming mga hamon ang pananampalataya. Patuloy ang paanyaya ng krus ni Hesus sa isang ganap na pagtataya ng ating mga sarili bilang lingkod ng kanyang inibig na sambayanan."

Holy Thursday is challenging us to seek always a deeper participation in the Church’s liturgy. This participation to which the Second Vatican Council referred when it called us to a full, active, conscious participation in the liturgy is an invitation into which we all must enter each time we celebrate the sacred mysteries. The action happens at the altar but must find a resonance in our hearts and minds, in our family, community and society.

Also in the realm of politics and during election time…

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(Photo from www.york.com)

Pitkin Suspended?

Governor Josephine Ramirez-Sato of Occidental Mindoro last Tuesday,- March 23, 2010, issued two letters addressed to Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes and Pitkin Petroleum PLC thru its representative, Ms. Tessa Agravante. How I really wish to share you a copy of said communication but all I can do now is to re-type it and post it here :

"Anent to my telephone conversation with Ms. Tessa Agravante, we reiterate our concern and dismay in the conduct of your oil/natural gas exploration in Sablayan. Reports have reached us that some of our Mangyans were hurt in the violent confrontation between opposing groups. We are likewise informed that you have not been granted any clearance/certification by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) that the Mangyans concerned have given their consent to your activities in the area.

At the onset of your activities, we made it clear that the interests of our Mangyans should be primordial concern and their rights are respected by you at all times.

In view thereof, you are hereby enjoined to suspend your/exploration in the area until all the issues are settled and the requisite clearances/permit are secured.

For your prompt compliance." Signed Josephine Y. Ramirez-Sato, Provincial Governor.

Yesterday, after the Chrism Mass where almost all of the priests of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose gathered, Bishop Antonio P. Palang, SVD,DD read his Circular No. 3 Series of 2010 re : Our Anti Mining Advocacy. Bishop Palang has this to say on Sato's request: "This will give us temporary lull. The ways of mining companies are deceiving which therefore demand that we continuously keep watch. I encourage our Basic Ecclesial Communities, alongside our tribal communities, to still be continously vigilant despite this break."

Indeed, the ball is in the hands of the people and not only on DOE and even our local governments. The call remains the same : Onward with our struggle against Pitkin!

Least we forget, in less that twenty four hours, the official campaign period for local officials is officially on...

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(Photo from Sr. Cora Carino, DC)

“Not Oil But Gas” - Pitkin

In his letter to Mr. Froilan A. Tampico, president and Chief Executive Officer of the
National Power Corporation (NPC), Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes revealed that the Pitkin Petroleum discovered natural gas instead of oil in their present exploration in the southern part of Occidental Mindoro.

The Department of Energy or the DOE is a party to Service Contract (SC) No. 53 in onshore Mindoro Island with Pitkin, a United Kingdom-based oil and gas exploration company.

According to a Pitkin report, they have drilled a natural gas discovery whom they call Progreso A1X. The oil company is proposing that NPC lease natural gas generators to replace the leased diesel generators and use the natural gas from the Progreso discovery as fuel. El Progreso, where apparently they discovered natural gas is part of Brgy. San Isidro (Canwaling), San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

In said letter dated 6 March 2010, DOE is endorsing to Pitkin to the NPC to develop the resource through a supply agreement with the NPC-SPUG. The letter further stressed that any arrangement made should be “consistent with the government policy on private sector participation program in missionary areas promulgated by DOE.” The DOE is hoping that Tampico “will prioritize discussing the merits of converting an indigenous resource of natural gas to electrical power for the benefit of the residents of Mindoro Island.”

Pitkin Petroleum PLC believes that there is less 50% carbon emissions from natural gas compared with diesel. Also it claimed that natural gas is indigenous to Mindoro eliminating the need to buy and import diesel from other countries. It would also be much cheaper for NPC to use natural gas compared to diesel thereby reducing generating costs, they say.

With these latest developments, the people of Occidental Mindoro,- the lowlanders and the Mangyans, are opposing still the project due to various moral, economic and environmental reasons. But legally speaking, I would like to point out that the law that regulates the oil industry in the Philippines is a product of the dictatorial regime of Ferdinand E. Marcos : the Presidential Decree (PD) 87 or the “Oil Exploration and Development Act of 1972” also known as the “Service Contract Law”. It is one of the many Marcos laws that needs to be amended.

If we are to scrutinize closely said law governing exploration and utilization of our natural resources, we will find out how accommodating they are to foreign interests justifying that these foreigners have positive and indispensible contributions to make towards our economic development.

On the outset, the government and the oil exploration companies claim that their aim is to develop an indigenous Filipino oil industry but in reality its provisions are extremely favorable to foreign corporations like Pitkin Petroleum PLC. Hold on to your computer seats and here are some of their privileges:

1. The service contracts to explore onshore and offshore,- covering thousands and thousands of hectares, may be done through direct negotiations instead of public bidding;

2. Service contractors are exempted from paying tariff duties on all machinery and materials imported for their oil operations;

3. Service contractors do not pay taxes whatsoever. They are exempted from all taxes except income tax but the latter is in fact shouldered by the government;

4. They are not required to publish data concerning production, exportation, or sale of crude oil or gas discovered or produced in the Philippines;

5. A service contract is for seven years, extendable for three more years. If oil in commercial quantity is discovered, the contract can extend for as long as 25 years;

6. If a service contractor discovers and produces oil in commercial quantity, the government reimburses the company for all its operating costs. This provision has encouraged companies to buy machineries and services mainly from their sister companies at unusually high prices because anyway they will be reimbursed by our government;

7. The receipt from oil sales are divided as follows : first, the contractor gets back all his operating costs, then 60% of the net goes to the government and 40% goes to the service contractor. However, the income tax of the oil company is pais to the government out of the 60% share of the government itself;

8. Although it has no freight or transportation costs for local oil, a contractor is allowed to sell its products at the government price for imported oil. So, our people do not even benefit in terms of reduced prices for oil that is part of the natural wealth of our county;

9. Finally, our government guarantees that all profits of service contractor can be repatriated. This means that we have depleted our dollar reserves to provide them with dollars that they can take out.

In February 12, 2010, in a letter signed by Masli Quilaman, Executive Director of NCIP or the National Commission for the Indigenous Peoples said that there was no Certificate of Pre-condition issued by his office to Pitkin.

Last Thursday,- March 18, 2010, the Sangguniang Bayan of Sablayan headed by its presiding officer, Vice-Mayor Eduardo B. Gadiano, through a committee meeting recommended to Pitkin that it should first secure Certificate of Pre-condition from the NCIP before they could resume their operations within the ancestral domain of the Tau-Buid Mangyans in their municipality. Further legislative actions are expected from the SB are hoped by the Fakasadian Mangagoyang Tau-Buid Daga, Inc. or FAMATODI and Pantribung Samahan sa Kanlurang Mindoro (PASAKAMI), the two Mangyan organizations who are against SC 53.

But Pitkin representatives who were invited in the meeting insisted that the MOA between DOE-Pitkin and the newly-organized groups of Tau-Buids including the latter’s “Pahintulot” (“Permit to Operate’) are sufficient for them to resume their operation. The new group formed by Pitkin itself reportedly received an almost half a million peso worth of community projects from said petroleum company.

Lessons re-learned : The long tested “divide and rule” tactic is effective even in Mangyans communities; and, even a legislative “ghost” from the dark days of our history could still hound us as a nation….

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(Map from Pitkin PLC website)

The Praying Pacquiao

Dionesia Pacquiao once admitted in an interview that she dreamed of her son Manny becoming a priest. Aside from his talent and skills, inside and outside of the boxing ring, the Pacman is being admired by the whole world they say because of his religiosity and deep faith. Whenever he went up the ring, the seven-time world boxing champion is seen bending his knees in prayers and wearing an expensive rosary. For many of us Filipinos and the Pacquiao fans all over the world, - specially Catholics like him, those gestures are just like any other public religious display, a form of evangelism.

What I am not comfortable with this display of Christian faith is when Manny always attribute his every victory to divine intervention. But isn’t Jesus who he is thanking was associated often with people regarded by their contemporaries as losers like thieves, beggars, prostitutes and lepers? Were the people’s champ ‘victims’ forsaken by Jesus during the training and eventually the actual bout? Just asking.

In his book “Onward Christian Athletes,’’ Tom Krattenmaker would welcome, instead, a deeper, less doctrinaire and perhaps quieter injection of traditional Christian values into the world of sports. But Tennessee Titans All-Pro center Kevin Mawae said his Christianity is part of who he is and he can’t separate it from his life as an athlete or anywhere else. He said : “The fact that some people are jaded toward religion or faith shouldn’t stop a player from expressing his faith in public.” But Krattenmaker isn’t asking athletes to stop talking about religion but just to be more sensitive in their tone and timing.

Tone and timing. These reminded me of Manny Pacquiao’s claim that he have seen God face to face in his youth. In his 31st birthday bash in General Santos City last December he said in front of more than one thousand guests, “In my 31 years here on Earth, God appeared to me once and told me to have unconditional faith in him. I was not yet very popular and world champion when our God appeared to me and assured me of strength and power.”

Was it just reflection of the joy of the faith when Manny publicly talked about God this way? Or he just expressed good news with people? That I do not know.

All I know is Manny won over Joshua Clottey via wide decision just some minutes ago in Texas...

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(Photo from www.nike.com)

The Political Betting Is On

Now that local election is fast approaching, gamblers(?) from two opposing political camps in the Occidental Mindoro are now openly placing their bets,- worth million pesos, mind you - on their “political horses”. There is a humor spreading in our locality that the “bet for dough” between the incumbent governor Josephine R. Sato and her closest rival, Father Ronilo M. Omanio is on. According to my source, the “pustahan”, though informally done, was even aired live over a local radio last February 22, 2010 when a SMS-sender dared the political patron of Father Omanio to said contest and the boss reportedly accepted the challenge. They even discussed over the air its details,- how, what bank and when to place the pot money.

“I don’t know why Omanio, being a man of cloth, did not even say a word about such a game. Isn’t it part of the culture of gambling that the Catholic Church is trying to counter?”, my source asked. She expected words of enlightenment from Father Omanio, the station manager, on this but she heard nothing. “He was there present in said radio show”, my source added.

Now, I am the one asking : I thought it is degrading for any human being with dignity to be treated like race rat for a dime or two? Besides, I think betting games such as this is an affront to the sacred expression of the sovereign power of the people. Election involves every element necessary for the ascertainment of the popular will of the people. That is why the process of election, or politics in general, is really holy or Godly. But Father Omanio’s “lips are sealed sometimes”,- to borrow the familiar line of society page columnist Maurice Arcache, especially on controversial but thought-provoking discussions like this one.

I also do not like the gesture of said hostile anonymous listener,- presumably a supporter or ally of the incumbent governor and/or San Jose’s present mayor, who texted the anchors and made a child-like but money, fun and ego-centered play out of this noble exercise called right to suffrage. To him (or her) I would like to emphasize that voting it is imperative for elected officials to ensure by just means the security of society and the citizens. That our vote demands them to defend and promote the common good of civil society, its citizens and government offices. So, get rid of such gambler’s antics in this,- if I may repeat, holy and Godly task of electing truly integrity-ridden, full of wisdom, capable and service-oriented leaders.

Indeed, no other event can mobilize public or private funds in such a short or concentrated period of time as elections can. Such gesture is one of the many proofs of superficiality of our local elections. What I am really saying is we must keep on guard against the ploy and antics of traditional politicians (yes, they are all trapo to me!). And let us heed this biblical call : Keep your eyes open! Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod (Mk 8:15).

Only through this we will all become enlightened citizens and Christians. And I’ll bet my last centavo for it. At least, figuratively…

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(Photo from www.gm-volt.com)

Patintero sa EDSA

Nakapagtataka. Noong 1986 sa EDSA, milyong Pilipino ang humugos sa kalsada para magdasal pero bakit hanggang ngayon ay lugmok pa rin sa kahirapan ang ating bayan? Bakit wala pa ring direksyon ang ating buhay-lipunan? Hindi ba dininig ang mga panalanging iyon?

Noong tayo ay bata pa, walang nang sasaya pa sa paglalaro ng patintero sa liwanag ng buwan. At dahil diyan, ito ang una kong personal na dasal na natutunan, kung ito man ay maituturing na isang sinasambit na panalangin : “P’wera tabis, sulod dayon!”

Dasal nga ba ang mga naising katulad nito? Kagaya halimbawa ng mga katagang ito ng mga sugarol sa Las Vegas bago nila ihagis ang dice sa kuyom sa palad : “ Give me a five, to keep me alive!” Oo, hindi ito kabilang sa mga dasal na itunuro sa amin noon ni Ateng Cordia, ang guro namin sa Katekesis (na Religion pa noon ang tawag namin) sa Mababang Paaralang ng Bubog. Pero talaga, para sa akin noon, ang aking bawat “P’wera tabis, sulod dayon” ay isang hiling, isang petisyon, isang panalangin.

Medyo chubby kasi tayo noong tayo ay bata pa at dahil dito ay may kabagalan tayong kumilos. Alam ko na sa aking bawat pagtatangka na pumasok sa loob ng alinman sa apat na parisukat na mga guhit sa lupa,- ang arena sa larong patintero, mas lamang na ako ay matataya dahil nga sa aking pagiging mataba, mabagal o pisikal na kahinaan. Bagama’t alam ko ang kahinaan kong ito, walang sinuman sa aking mga kalaro ang makapipigil sa aking pagsali sa larong patintero.

Sabihin na ninyo hindi tunay na dasal ang aking “P’wera tabis, sulod dayon”, pero alam ko na sa kabila ng aking pisikal na kahinaang ito, may isang puwersang hindi nakikita na tutulong sa akin, sa aking bawat hiling, sa bawat panahon kanyang nanaisin. Basta ang alam ko noon, nagtatakda ako ng isang komplementaryong ugnayan sa isang kung ano na nakakaalam ng lahat ng bagay. Alam ko na bago pa man ako matutong maglaro ng patintero, bago pa man ako pumasok sa klase ni Ateng Cordia, bago pa man ako unang magsimba sa misa ng Amerkanong pari na namimigay ng skimmed milk bago mag-uwian, una nang sinabi ng aking mga magulang na may tinatawag na Diyos na takbuhan natin sa lahat ng bagay. Ayon kay Nanay, ang panalangin ay hindi lamang ginagawa upang makamtan ang ninanais, makamit ang resulta ng bawat kahilingan. Mabuti kung tutugunin niya ang iyong mga kahilingan at kung hindi naman ay binibigyan ka niya ng sapat na panahon upang muling suriin ang iyong sarili, sabi ko nga kanina,- kilalanin ang ating mga kahinaan. At malay natin, hindi pala siya ang solusyon kundi tayo mismo!

Pero ang pagdarasal daw ay hindi lamang pakikipag-usap o pakikipagtalastasan. Ito rin ay panawagan sa isang pansariling pagbabago. Tayo ay nananalangin upang tayo ay maging isang bagong tao, naiibang tao at isang hindi basta-bastang tao. Isang alagad na kumikilala at umuunawa sa kanyang mga plano at kapasyahan, pagbigyan man niya tayo o hindi sa ating mga kahilingan sa ating bawat panalangin. Kung ang pagdarasal ay para sa pagbabago ng ating pagkatao, mula sa mga pansariling kahilingan ay dapat na umiigpaw ito sa lipunan. Sapagkat ang isang hindi basta-bastang tao ay nananalangin at kumikilos hindi lamang para sa pansariling kaligtasan kundi maging sa kaligtasan ng kapwa at ng lipunang kanyang ginagalawan. Kumbaga sa anyong tubig, kung ang mga personal at pampamayanang mga panalangin ay mga ilog at lawa o may pakinabang na tulad ng mga ilog at lawa, dapat ang lahat ng mga ito ay mauuwi sa dagat,- dagat na nagpapahayag ng kanyang pag-ibig at dagat na nagtatatag ng kanyang kaharian. Kung ang diwa ng EDSA sa isang panig ay isa lamang pabalat-bungang pagbabago na ginawang tuntungan ng ilan sa pagsasamantala sa pulitika, ito rin sa hinaharap ay inaasahang maging diwa na magtutulak sa atin sa pagtatatag ng isang lipunang mapayapa at makatarungan. Ito rin ang diwang magtutulak sa ating huwag iboto ang mga sakim sa kapangyarihan sa eleksiyong lokal. Saang barangay man sila nagmula.

Tayo rin ay nananalangin upang maging isang bagong bansa, naiibang bansa at hindi basta-bastang bansa bagama't hindi perpekto. Kagaya sa larong patintero (at maging sa unang EDSA), tumutugon siya hindi lamang sa paraang kagyat, radikal, mapaghimala o dramatiko,- sa mga penomenal na lundag, ilag, iwas, preno at takbo o mapangkumbinsing panalo, kundi tahimik na katulad ng isang dalisay na panalangin, sa unti-unti, dahan-dahan, simple at madalas na hindi napapansing mga hakbang. Saan o kailan man ito ginawa.

Katulad ng mga unang hakbang ng isang musmos sa andador na gawa sa yantok Mindoro…

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(Photo from Anngaleon.blogspot.com)

Morong 43 and Euphemisms

Two priests came to visit their bishop who is suffering from cancer. When they inquire about his illness,- the result of medical tests and other diagnosis, the old prelate said, “I exactly do not know. All I got from my doctors are euphemisms.” As they walk out of the room, one of them unknowing ask the other, “Have you ever heard of cancer of the euphemism before?”

I really do not know if this anecdote really happened but it is indeed “torturous” to imagine that euphemism is part of the human anatomy. Euphemism is a part of every language that as we all know is a substitution of an inoffensive term for one considered offensively explicit. Like “reasonable restraint” and “acceptable mental anguish”, words from the statements of Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato when asked if the Morong 43 were tortured by the men of the 2nd ID of the Philippine Army in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, Jr., stated in a news report that such statements, “...seem to be taken right out of a Guantanamo torture manual.” Reyes also said that blindfolding and handcuffing prisoners for 36 hours are a violation of the recently signed anti-torture law or the RA 9745. In Guantanamo, torture was euphemistically called “enhanced interrogation techniques”.

But even before the Iraqui war, the dreaded Gestapo during the World War II, also employed a thing called “refined interrogation techniques” and became the favorite euphemism of their officers then. They call it “Verschaerfte Vernehmung”, an insidious German phrase. Regardless of the term they use, the Nazi secret police indeed practiced torture in the eyes of the civilized world. Because torture in whatever name degrades the humanity of a person whether he is a rebel or a soldier.

The military must now define “reasonable restraint” and “acceptable mental anguish”. Does it mean, in plain English, being tied and forced to assume stressful bodily position, electric shock, prolonged interrogation, denial of sleep and rest and deliberately prohibiting your detainees from communicating with their relatives?

Since 9/11 torture once again placed at the center stage of international debates. But the first thing we must do is to call it by its proper name. According to Edward Peters, professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania : “Now that torture is visibly and terribly back on a number of agendas, historians and everyone else must call it by its proper name and face it for what it is, for a denial of human rights is now tantamount to a denial of humanity.”

And torture is more lethal than cancer for it denies the dignity of man…

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(Photo from www.bulatlat.com)