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)

Almost All About Love*

It is the subject of the million topics from all countries and cultures all over the world as well as of poetry, telenovelas, homilies, commercials, advertisement, television talk shows and books. Especially during the so-called Love Month and especially tomorrow, Valentine's Day.

I do not intend to exhaust the topic of love but I just would like to openly emphasize that : “The purpose of life is to learn how to love”. However good or troublesome, love and life are very private things to confess or to discuss, others may say.

First of all, everybody needs love regardless of profession, belief, race, age, nationality or creed : newborns (including those who are still in their mothers’ womb), politicians (including their supporters and publicists), the priest who solemnized our marriage, the Mangyans and the land grabbers, the farmers and the loan sharks, the fishermen and the pirates, those working in the flesh trade and their pimps, herbalists and health professionals, beggars and almsgivers near the cathedral’s main door and even those who sell flowers at Dangwa and their clients, including the room boy of the hotel where we spent the night with our loved ones on V-Day. Including the waiters in the restaurants where we are having a date.

On a personal note, now I can comprehend why my wife is still madly in love with me. She loves me despite the awful, stupid, mean, crazy, bad and selfish things that I do. She loves me even when we fight over not brushing my teeth when I go to sleep. To tell you, I do not exactly wish to compare my wife to God but like God, her love for me is unconditional. And because of this, now I already learn how brush my teeth three times a day and even floss at least twice every month. Like my God, my wife does not love me because I am handsome (truly I am!) neither because I am good or nice but simply because I do love her too. She somehow made many changes in my life. Like my God, my wife does not need those positive qualities of me (especially my being handsome, if I may repeat) in order to love me. Not even when I lie (repeatedly) about my looks!

Seriously, like our beloved wives, God loves us no matter what. “The purpose of life is to learn how to love” , according to one writer on spirituality named Thomas Hart, author of “Hidden Spring : The Spiritual Dimension of Therapy”. Loving is not a skill we are born with even if you are as cute as mine when you are a toddler. Loving is a skill we must learn,… like,- you’ve guessed it right, lying about your (self-proclaimed) handsomeness. No matter how we lie sometimes, we must learn how to love.

We learn love by being loved. None of us has been or is loved perfectly. Like all of us, my family is not perfect, my friends are not perfect,- so do my bosses, my children, my neighbors, my community, etc. That is why after three years of being engaged, I immediately (during our time it was!) married my wife because I do not want to waste my youth and time or my whole life finding and waiting for a perfect woman or a perfect love. I was thirty then but we didn’t let loose the still imperfect love that me and wife are sharing for more than eighteen years now.

From “being loved” let us go to “by loving”. Like blogging, loving takes time and practice. Mistakes (in my case it’s my grammar and my speling) naturally come our way. But I did not give up on loving (read : blogging) just because of those errors. Up to now, only few relatives, friends and co-workers read my blog. Well, that is based only on the lack of on-line comments from my posts. But I would not give up as long as there are people who would tell me they are my readers but finding it hard to post a comment. As in blogging or writing and in loving as well, mistakes or frustrations are to be expected. And not unlike blogging (at least for a trying hard blogger like me), loving is so important to human life. Loving is life’s essence. Love is so wonderful and well worth the effort and time, troubles and mistakes in order for us to learn and do it well.

“Love one another” is Jesus’ supreme command. He said it over and over again like a broken record in a variety of stories and images because He knew how hard it was.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all, even if loving is most of the time a “dis-ease”…

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(*With apologies to the musical program over Bambi-FM with (almost) the same title. Photo from www.gadget4all.com)

Punished With AIDS?

ABS-CBN been showing news reports and even did series of stories on HIV/AIDS for almost a week now. The message is this : the number of Aids patients in the Philippines is increasing at an alarming rate. Since the newly appointed Secretary of Health Esperanza Cabral went public with the recent information on said virus, as expected, media sensationalized it. I was horrified not because a was in a high risk situation but because when a news or a social concern is sensationalized such this,- chances are, our attention to such issue would not last long. Long enough to encourage authorities to push for better or alternative prevention programs.

By the way, in the late 80s, there was a rumor that the first ever Filipino to have admitted to have contacted with Aids but later have given face to the disease, previously came to San Jose as sex worker and some of our politicians became her clients. But the truth behind this rumor is not established. It's just a whole damn lie. I mean, about the lady working here in San Jose, but not the truth that some of our politicians frequently visit our red light districts or the place in Brgy. Pag-Asa commonly called as “Gitna”. “Then”, I should have added.

The recent the news on TV reminds me of an elderly churchgoer who once remarked, “That (Aids) is God’s punishment!” Such remark is to say that there is a causal connection between the sickness and the sinful sexual act. But that is not so. I mean, the cause-effect model, because there are individuals with Aids who did nothing sexual to acquire it. Like hemophiliacs and small children. Our thinking that Aids is God’s punishment is contrary to the gospel’s image of God and the message of joy.

True, in Jesus’ time, sickness and suffering were seen as God’s punishment but Jesus unmasked this kind of notion by saying : "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” (Jn. 9:3). And remember, His resurrection crumpled down, like deck of cards, the so-called cause-effect relationship between suffering and God’s punishment. The suffering of Jesus is in no way His Father’s punishment.

In the biblical times, the “responsibility to inform” is being advocated, similar to what public figures advocate today with respect to Aids. Leprosy in Jesus time is what Aids is today. If leprosy was suspected, a person went to the priest and seven days later a judgment was given. Such illness resulted in economic isolation, neglect and despair. Luckily, Aids is not as detectable as leprosy if we only use our naked eye. The Gospels, by the way, tell us that the Son of Man associated with lepers. And what would Jesus would say to Filipino Christians today? This is just a wild guess : “If you are informed that someone from your community has Aids,- go to his apartment, play, chat and dine with him or her and be his/her friend and neighbor.”

I was not able to explain this to that old woman : “Aids is a natural occurrence and not God’s punishment.” Not only Aids. Every human suffering confronts us with the question of the meaning of our existence and presents us with an opportunity for self-examination. And consequently we will realize that all God’s commandments are meant for joy and liberation.

Yes, including the sixth commandment…

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(Photo from www.unaids.org)

Santino and Generativity

My youngest child Sophia, 5, will surely miss Santino, the “miracle boy” from the television series entitled “May Bukas Pa” (lit. “There Is Still Tomorrow”) for the show will be going to end this Friday. I have no choice but to follow said telenovela since my wife and I decided to cut our cable TV subscription last year due to some household austerity measures. Since then, I kissed CNN, HBO and Basketball Channel goodbye. Pipay (as we fondly call her), her elder sister Anawim and myself have been following (I do not have any other choice for ABS-CBN is the only available channel here in San Jose) the show since day one. We watch "Santino" together, except of course when I am out for meetings, trainings and other advocacy and job-related works during its airing time. Well, that is “Santino” for you.

"Generativity" is a term coined by the psychoanalyst Erik Erikson in 1950 to denote "a concern for establishing and guiding the next generation." Generativity can be expressed in literally hundreds of ways, specially when you try to "make a difference" with your life, to "give back," to "take care" of your community and your planet.

There was a time when the show lost focus on the miracle boy’s story, his eargerness to find his biological parents, and instead lump together stories of other people, that obviously made just to parade the network’s “galaxy of big stars”. At first, I was turned off but as every sub-plot goes on, I began to realize something. This is what I re-learned from the story of Santino : To move beyond ourselves and our own concern, to become involved in the crucial issues of the day, to have an impact of the wider community in which we live. Forget about its poor cinematic effects especially the animation, the excessive portrayal of violence and evil deeds, poor acting by some of the supporting casts and incredible scenes. Let us just focus our lenses on Santino’s sense of mission : the call to self surrender. Self surrender is a state of being called “love” by us, Christians.

In short, Santino reminded me and hopefully taught my teenage Anawim that faith is not a private matter. That it makes sense in life to trust and rely on her and other people’s experience in order to help our needy neighbor. For me, this is generativity in its simplest form. This “Faith is not a private matter” lesson we have (re-) learned from Santino reminds me of Adi Maronilla, Jr, the 7 year old “boy wonder” from Victoria, Oriental Mindoro who said : “Faith is an action word.”. Maronilla is said to have an IQ of 144. But let us now go to Santino’s Bro, AKA Jesus.

Jesus is a life giver. Like Santino, the real-life Bro, wherever He go, He generated life. Jesus listened to stories told by all the people who crossed His path. He healed them of their illnesses, entrusted them with responsibility, suffered with them, encouraged them to love and offered them hope. The beautiful parable of the vine and the branches (Jn. 15:1-10) is a call to generativity. One of my favorite authors and a theologian named Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ once said : “God will have the last word in our lives as indeed God had the first, and it is the same word : ‘LET THERE BE LIFE.’” If we are united with Santino’s Bro, we will continue to generate new life.

Even when Santino is gone and Zaijan Jaranilla become a grown up man …

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(Photo from ABS-CBN Website)

Just Talk

Aside from hand-outs, the secretariat are giving message pins and buttons inscribed with these words : “Just Talk”. They maybe pertaining to the office's commitment to the way of peace and resolution of conflict in the country : talking or negotiating in the manner that is just. But I, being an ordinary province boy, was just bothered by the word “just” in their slogan or catch word.

According to the invitation letter we received from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said office is calling this gathering to give us update on the status of the implementation of the National Peace Plan (NPP) and the current thrusts and directions of the comprehensive peace process and to orient us on the so-called “Projects for Peace” as a comprehensive programs between government and civil society especially at the community level in support of the peace process. But why only now that election fever is on? Is the issue of peace being pushed only during this politically-crucial period? In Occidental Mindoro, OPAPP became visible only in 2004 when it initiated, with the help of the vicariate, a province-wide consultation with our basic sectors in order for them to feel the pulse of the people, especially the masses, on peace-related local social issues then. Including some efforts in the documentation and facilitation of series of dialogues between the Mangyan leaders and Army Officers operating that time here in our province. But it stopped there. No concrete actions followed. When I was asked by my boss to attend this forum in his behalf, I immediately told my self, “Is this part of one big election brouhaha? ”

Yes, I was in Metro-Manila last Wednesday,- that was January 27, 2010 to participate in the Luzon Peace Partners’ Forum held at Astoria Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The gathering was called by OPAPP and attended by around two hundred peace advocates from different regions and provinces in Luzon. The religious and tribal leaders, members of the academe, some military men, media people and personalities from various peace organizations were there. Except peace worker and advocates from the ranks of the Catholic clergy for it coincides with the Second National Clergy Conference at the World Trade Center in Manila. I, together with Rey San Jose, came to represent our director as delegates from Occidental Mindoro.

We were “star-struck” seeing those prominent people whose faces and stories we often see only on television and read about in broadsheets. Among those who took part in the workshops include Bishop Efraim M. Tendero of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC). Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer of the Sulong CARHRIHL was also there. We shared table with Atty. Eric F. Mallonga of the Child Justice League along with NGO representative from Baguio and the National Capital Region or NCR. It was indeed “star-studded”.

But I was moved by the opening remarks of Sec. Annabelle T. Abaya, the current Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process or PAPP. Prof. Abaya was appointed PAPP only last November 3, 2009. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo named her as her peace adviser after Sec. Avelino I. Razon, Jr. resigned last October to run for the mayoralty post in Manila for the coming 2010 elections. Abaya is from the academe. She is a consultant to various international and local agencies such as the USAID and the World Bank. She is a professor at the De La Salle University and the current president of the Conflict Resolution Group Foundation, Inc. She had also been a spokesperson for former president Fidel V. Ramos.

Abaya admitted that due to various factors, though she did not elaborate, OPAPP suffered a lot of drawbacks especially in their coordinating efforts with its peace partners nation-wide. In short, we, peace advocates and organizations who are in the forefront have been neglected in the last couple of (no election?) years. But Abaya, in her conversation (she prefer “conversation” instead of “speech” or “talk”) with us pointed out that there politics has no place in her current major move at OPAPP which is to give financial and logistical support to their partners in the provinces through the so-called “Projects for Peace CY 2010”. She reiterated that, “peace go beyond politics”. Abaya will stay as government’s chief peace negotiator only until June 2010 but she said that after her term, she will still be into NGO peace building advocacy work. With such short period of time as PAPP, she will be doing all what she can so that OPAPP’s resources will be used by their peace partners for their endeavors, projects and programs. “Peace is timeless.”, she added. “Put on the lens of peace and see what we can share.” Abaya concluded.

Among the thematic focus of OPAPP under Abaya today is Peace, Conflict and the Environment. This involves activities that address the issue of environmental degradation and climate change as they impact on local peace and conflict situation. To my mind, in the whole Mindoro island, mining and oil exploration, are the biggest threat to peace. We cannot talk of environmental protection without questioning the national goverment policies and laws on mining.

I was drowned by the intellectual discussion at the open forum so I grabbed the “Just Talk” button from the table, put it in my bag and smiled inside…

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(Photo from the anti-Intex hunger strike at DENR)

Heavenly Memoir

Where am I? This is not Taikia, South Shandong and certainly this is not heaven. I guess, I am somewhere in Asia and not in my native South Tyrol in Germany, the country I left for more than fifty years. Over there, I see bamboo and banana trees. Where on earth I am? Those men at the gate are wearing funny looking white and blue clothes with wooden and rounded swords hanging on their waists. The place is crowded with students of various age. There are chariots attached to motorized horses that conveyed people coming out of the area. Behind me are vendors selling multi-colored water and foods, writing materials and other things that I am not familiar with.

Oh Lord, am I alive again or my spirit simply sent back to earth? All I can remember about my mortal life was, like many others in China, I fell victim to a typhus epidemic. It was the cause of my death and I died January 28, 1908. I was 55 then and it is my 102nd death anniversary today. In my previous life, I was not an obvious leader. I did not found a religious order and I never became a bishop. I did not write a significant theological treatise, nor did I develop any new mission methods. I was an ordinary priest. But I am a saint now, they say.

It's almost noon and I am still in this crowded street fronting an arch sign which reads : “Divine Word College of San Jose”. Its name coincides with the official name of our missionary order, the ‘Society of the Divine Word’ or perhaps this is one of our own and run by my brothers and sisters. Thanks God, I’m home, somehow. Surely, if this is our learning institution, majority of the students here do the daily spiritual reading and are trying to imitate Christ and reject everything that is against God’s will. People who are responding to a call to mission, especially in foreign land like what I, together with John Anzer did in March 1879 when we both go out from Steyl.

But wait, people cannot see me. I cannot touch them too. They cannot hear me no matter how I scream or shout, just like what I’ve tried a while ago. I’ll follow them wherever they go and see how they fare beyond the campus. I will also go to their homes and hang-outs and I am more than excited to see if the ladies and gentlemen, the college students of this,.. I mean our, school named after our order are worthy calling themselves Christians,- specially in off campus activities, like what I feel when I wrote my piece, “The Missionary’s Joy” : “If ever there was a great work on earth, great because of its sublime goal, admirable because of the quantity and quality of its means and successes, it is the religion of the Crucified and the apostolate inseparably connected with it… In this light everything takes on a new, quite unique hue; what is small and unimportant becomes singularly attractive, what is bitter gains a peculiar sweetness.” Here I am taking now a closer look how the students care for their community and the society as a whole!

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Our spirit visitor stayed in the outskirts of San Jose for more than a week observing how the DWCSJ students live outside of their home and school. How they intermingle with their relatives and friends, the marginalized and the needy of society. How they fare in their academic and spiritual quest.

Catholic schools have a long tradition of fostering character through service. Service begins in the school and then extends outward to the Church and to the whole human family. In order to have an effect on students' personal character, service ideally should involve students in face-to-face helping relationships so they can experience the fulfillment of touching another's life.

To our spirit visitor, every single second of his vocation was very important. When he was still alive, he explained to his confreres the purpose of his one month temporary stay to the new central house in Takia : “Our life is too short, our time too precious to lose even a tiny second of it! This month, too, belongs to God, and God will place each of its 720 hours, each of its 43,200 minutes, each of its 2,595,000 seconds on the scale of his justice, and demand an accounting from us.” Are we dedicating the important moments of our lives to God like our heavenly visitor especially now that the year 2010 mark the DWCSJ's 50th founding anniversary? It was May 1960 when the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) bought the DWCSJ (formely Southern Mindoro Academy or SMA) from its former owners, remember? There will also be a grand alumni homecoming next month.

But nothing was heard of from our spirit visitor up to the moment that he was sent back to heaven the other day. I just presume that he wrote such a wonderful memoir about the young people who, in one way of another, bear the name of his' and St. Arnold's congregation. A journal of sort where words of wisdom for young Christians can be found.

A memoir where long laid words of wisdom are written but very difficult for us,- humans, to comprehend and thus to follow …

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(Photo from wikipdedia and reference from http://www.nlvn.net)

Of Paradox and Big Winners

Last week, Jason Veron Francisco received negative label from his fellow housemates in Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Double Up, the most popular reality television show in the country today aired over ABS-CBN. You may click here for PBB’s website. He lied most, they say. So, he’s the liar in the house.

Jason, an avid fan of Robin Padilla, born October 11, 1987 in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro is one of the strong contenders so far for the current edition of the show’s “Big Winner”. We are both born in this island called Mindoro. I cannot imagine what would happen if I declare this philosophical paradox : “All Mindoreños are liars.” ?

Before I get the ire of my fellow Mindoreños and Jason’s million of fans and followers (including his Argonauts) and the PBB in general, allow me to share you a story behind the above-mentioned paradox. This is known as the “Paradox of the Liar” usually attributed to Epimenides although it was actually devised by Eubilides. Epimenides, who was a Cretan, was supposed to have said, “All Cretans are liars.”

The problem is : Is he telling the truth or not? It seems that if the sentence is true, then it is false. But if it is false, then it is true. A tempting way out is to suppose that the problem is to do with the notion of self-reference, that Epimenides was referring to himself when he said “All Cretans are liars”. After all, the most favorite interpretation of the paradox is, “This sentence is false!” But if we try to analyze, we would find out that the sentence is not true or false but meaningless. It proves nothing for it is void of any meaning. On its surface, it may appear to make sense but in reality it is something of no use so better not said at all. Forget about of philosophy and showbiz, let us go to local politics.

Honesty in politics is something you will rarely find, they say. Elections are just few sleeps away so lies are, more than ever, occupies every spaces of our social life as fatal as an airborne virus. But sad thing is,- at least on the outset, lies are accepted by the majority of the people here in our province. Do our people really like to be willing victims of liars with their lies? According to Hannah Arendt, author of the book “Lying in Politics” : “Lies are often much more plausible, more appealing to reason, than reality, since the liar has the great advantage of knowing beforehand what the audience wishes or expects to hear.” From what I have observed, I think there’s a widespread acceptance of political lying and deceit here in Occidental Mindoro where truth is falsified or misrepresented.

When truthfulness is no longer among political virtues and lies have been regarded as justifiable tools in political dealings, then we are all in deep shi.., err,- septic tank. Because when society loses sight of the distinction between fact and fiction, truth-telling and lying, all of the conditions of democracy are rendered trivial and reduced to a collection of dull or nonsensical remarks, which in turn breed moral indifference and political meaninglessness. And the rest is by and large, a moral disaster.

Our politicians are sending a message to our youth that any lie is okay or permissible as long as it accomplishes our province’s “progress” and “development” (read : infrastructures and other social services) and all that conditions that the liars set. So, lie by saying you respect life and then applaud your boss even he’s the co-author the Reproductive Health bill. Lie about being a pro-environment advocate and then allow the company you manage to promote mining operations. Lie about being friendly to your critics in the media and badmouth them at any opportune time and place. Lie about the information you feed to your patron about your fellow journalists and then agitate him to lambast them. There are too many cases I wish to cite but because of lack of space, and I am just presenting four particular issues or incidents. With these, what messages are we sending to young Mindoreños from this west coast side when we lie to the gums?

Majority of the people accept and love to hear lies, but they do not believe them. They believe in the opposite of what the liars say. That is what I believe.

And at the end of the day, they will hail the most truthful politician (or housemate?) and declare him or her as their “Big Winner” …

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(Photo of housemate Jason Francisco from PBB Double Up Website)