PROSPERITY WITH A DARK PURPOSE - PART VI
"Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery." - Matthew 5:32

A Mormon friend once inveigled me into an argument on the issue of polygamy. After I had been beaten about the ears with long and tedious expositions justifying the Mormonic practice, the climax was capped by my friend's demand that I cite any passage in Scripture expressly forbidding polygamy, to which I simply replied, "Matthew 6:24 . . . No man can serve two masters." I have not heard from him ever since.

Three major types of extra-marital affairs are probably common to us all. The first would be the 'one-night stand,' which is made possible if a perfect mix of circumstances, hormones, secrecy and of course a consenting partner is included. This encounter is in essence a simple one-time experience, but can sometimes elevate into repeated moments, depending on the willingness of both parties. If it takes two to tango, it certainly takes two to dirty dancing. But of course, one can be held liable for such, especially if the person or persons at fault are married. And being unhappily shackled to one's spouse does not justify the felony a bit. If you believe that marriage for you is not a word but a sentence, why not try putting a period in your gallivanting lifestyle to lessen the load? Having more than one woman never makes a man more of a man. Don't jump from one's comma and then dash to another! Your reputation could lead to a big question mark, affecting further your usual problems with your digestive system which could eventually destroy your colon. An example in Scripture reminds us a kind of repentance through a single confrontation when Nathan exclaimed against David, "Thou art the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7). A second type of affair starts with a simple acquaintance, then friendship, and then elevates into a sexual level later on, based on mutual attraction and can have several emotional factors. But even if this affair can only be platonic and never sexual in nature, it is always wrong and should never be tolerated because it steals the marital relationship of strength and foundation needed for intimacy between husband and wife. This type of an affair is often operated through secrecy, deceit and lies, and the separation of this type requires a grieving time similar to that of a divorce or an annulment. When this type of a relationship shifts to a sexual level, the bonding is so close that the consenting, 'dirty dancing parties' involved will risk everything they have - families (spouse and children), careers, wealth, and even health and life just to maintain the affair. In this case, the very life of a congregation was in jeopardy, even to the extent that a death-wish to the church was confided by this individual to a very close associate. "For death and life are in the power of the tongue." (Proverbs 18:21). Again, the most appropriate Scriptural example of this type and the risks involved is the one involving Samson and Delilah. A repentance following this affair is necessary but not sufficient for recovery. Here, time is very important for healing to take place. As a pattern would now dictate, this type is always prone to repetition. And this person has repeatedly repeated this sin of his, at the expense of several individuals involved in his ministry. Statistically speaking, the chances of recurrence is very high, that therapy is needed to find out why the attraction occured in the first place. This explains now why our 'faux-bonhomme' keeps on going back to his sin, just like an askal returns to his retch. When will this end? Only he holds the answer. There must first be a willingness on his part for genuine admission and then repentance, otherwise he continues to live a life of a male harlot, a gigolo in disguise as a 'messenger of prosperity' as one who knows it, believes it and speaks it. The big question now is: Does he live it? Well, to answer that question, have chickens stop crossing streets? If a second or third or even a fourth affair follows, its duration may be short-lived and the person could very well embark on a journey towards sexual addiction which has many forms in sexual expression. This is perhaps the third type, and now becomes less fulfilling emotionally. He now jumps from paramour to paramour, house to house, subdivision to subdivision, looking for more and more fulfillment for the flesh. A walking, talking bottomless pit, his cup never overfloweth. There is now no emotional attachment in these, putting his behavior at high risk to the extent of contracting a sexually-transmitted disease whether he puts on a prophylactic on his upper head or lower head, in which case doesn't really make any distinct difference. Again, in Scripture, we are shown a type of this sexual behavior which happened in the description of Eli's sons sleeping with women involved in temple ministry (1 Samuel 2:12-25, especially verses 22-25). In this, a necessary public confession and repentance is the only start of a long journey towards self-repair. But, the individual involved in this type of extra-marital affair should never again be placed in a position of ministry. To do so would be much like permitting a paedophile teach Sunday School, allowing a compulsive gambler to work as a card-dealer in a Las Vegas casino, or tolerating a drunkard to work as a bartender in a Las Pinas cabaret, if only to prove that he is already sober, in the same way that some have allowed him to return to preaching even without cleaning him up first from his addictions. His return to ministry would definitely be a set-up for continued failure. As it is, he could be moonlighting now as a salesman for a pastor-businessman-friend of his involved in the selling of bogus body-strengthening, life-enhancing, prosperity-boosting products. Sad, but if that is true, is that his version of prosperity? You will know him by the smell of the chico fruit he bears. It reminds me of those poor teachers who even with such a noble profession, sell tocino or e-load on the side. Now we have pastors who sell 'new-age' paraphernalia on the side. May omniscient God spare them from their appointed lightning bolts.

(Image from http://www.evangelicalright.com/)

"IM MARRIED TO THE COUNTRY"

A few years ago, deep into the start of her stolen presidency, halfway through all the scandals that would tarnish her and her administration's image, from out of her usual lie-filled rhetoric, President Arroyo made a public declaration a la Queen Elizabeth saying, "I'm married to the country."

Now we know why she keeps screwing the Filipino people.

(Image from http://ctv.ca/)

IF YOU BUMP, YOU GET LUMP

Not to be outdone, Henry Sy's SM Group has shown keen interest in taking over the entire operations of PhilAm Life in the near future if negotiations turn out as planned. One SM executive said that if and when that happens, and upon assuming operations of PhilAm Life, they will start right away with the launching of a brand new insurance policy for clumsy accident victims, and its name will be announced later. But here's the deal - If you bump your head, Banco de Oro will immediately pay you LUMP SUM.

(Image from http://www.fujitsu.com/)

DRINK BEER AND BE COVERED

Good news to all members of the clergy, pastors and priests especially (yes you know who you are). Are you still looking for that special no-nonsense insurance coverage for you and your family or 'extended' family, and at the same time still find it hard to kick that brewsky habit of yours? Well, you can now jump for joy! Food and beverage giant San Miguel Corpration will soon be venturing in the insurance business. SMC aims to be a major player in the insurance industry in the country, with the noble promise every insurance policy brings in the event of the inevitable. It will soon be launching its new life insurance plan for all beer-loving, insurance-conscious Filipinos and will appropriately be called, 'SAN MIG LIFE'

(Image from http://alibaba.com/)

POTUS AND POTA

I think it was some members of the US Secret Service who were responsible for inventing the acronyms POTUS to mean 'President Of The United States,' and FLOTUS, 'First Lady Of The United States.' May I suggest then for the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to coin the acronym POTA for their current boss to mean 'President Of The Archipelago.' So, if Barack Obama is the incoming POTUS, then what do you think, will they approve it? - that our current chief-executive is the POTA?

(Image from http://bbc.co.uk/)

DISTURBING SM MALL POSTERS AND BILLBOARDS

Okay, so he's the wealthiest Chinese-Filipino according to Forbes magazine, with $3.1 billion in total assets and 30 mega-malls all over the country. But in my book, Henry Sy (and Co.) is also the most un-patriotic and the most un-nationalistic among the other taipans and tycoons in the country. Why do I say this? Just look at the posters and billboards displayed all over his SM Malls, and you will see that all if not most of the pictures of models or endorsers of his in-house products are Caucasian people. The products and apparel they are endorsing are locally manufactued but carry imported brands. Is that why their talents are "imported" as well? We are in the Philippines. These malls are not in some western countries like the US and the UK, but come to think of it even western countries use non-Caucasian models like African -Americans and Asian-Americans. So why can't SM stick to some good old home-grown talent? And why am I making a big deal out of this, many have asked? Well, first of all, Henry Sy owes the Philippines big time for granting his ancestors from mainland China Filipino citizenship and recognition. He shouldn't forget his humble beginnings when he started what was originally called Shoe Mart. In short, admirable as he is since his days of selling shoes and slippers, he must never forget that as his malls are spread all over the country, it wouldn't hurt him a bit if he promotes his stores and his products with Filipino values and culture and with our very own heritage, and by doing so, he could start by using Filipino models to appear on his posters and billboards. At 83, the sting of colonial mentality has never left him. Proof of this is the name of an in-house drugstore located in all SM malls called Watson's. Now, how much western can you be more than that? If I were them, I'd use a little Filipino ingenuity and wit and call it 'SM Megamot.' Okay, so it's not him. It's probably his executives who have decided on this. But doesn't he see them? After all, he and his children are known to do the rounds on their malls on a regular basis inspecting every operations and management styles of each. His fellow-taipans and tycoons are not so guilty of this insult on all Filipinos. SM malls are anti-Filipino then, and we must lodge a protest to this. No wonder whitening creams are selling like hotcakes these days, and right in SM malls! They promote a big lie that to be white-skinned is to be beautiful and acceptable and even successful. Look how these creams have now creeped into every kayumangging-Filipina's shopping list. It gives a wrong message that a brown-skinned person is less desirable and less likely to land a good job and promote or sell a product compared to a white-skinned person or persons who just happen to make it as talents and models for Henry Sy's SM products. The US just had its first non-white president. Time to change our false beliefs. If white is beautiful as it connotes cleanliness, black or even brown are too as they connote completeness and presence of all colors. Love your country like it's the only one you've got. After all, its inhabitants have given you so much wealth making you a true SM - Super Mayaman, but Sobrang Maka-dayuhan.

(Image from http://www.pcij.org/)

CHECK OUR SCHOOL-BUILDINGS

Just outside Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince is a not-so-sleepy town of Petionville. Everyone was awakened eyes wide-open with the reality of death when just recently, a three-storey school-building there collapsed just like a house of cards without any warning, crushing some 700 people mostly school-children inside. As of last count, 84 kids have perished from this tragedy, and the culprit - poor engineering. With this sad news, one can't help but wonder about our school-buildings back here at home, and of the condition they must be in. Fact is, we always act too late everytime a tragedy occurs, by creating inutile task forces to investigate on something that could have been prevented in the first place. Be it a collapse of a building, a sinking of a ship, a plane crash or even a stampede of people, we always just act too late. Look at the poor state of many of our buildings in the university belt, not to mention the hole-in-the-wall dormitories and makeshift rooms for bed-spacers, catering mostly to our co-ed students. The existing building code is never given due importance and obeyance that all, and all it takes is just another tragedy of lethal proportions that's waiting to happen for our authorities to 'look into the matter' again, and then they end with the usual practice of finger-pointing. I've been to a few of these buildings and have often wondered why these edifices have not been condemed, adding to the fear is the fact that many of these buildings have fire exits that are either impassable or even padlocked. When will we ever learn? How many more lives must be snuffed-out before we really put our act together ? There must be a sensible and an aggressive common effort between government agencies concerned like the DPWH and the MMDA and the local government unit where the building is located, and of course the willingness of the building owner to conduct a regualr no-nonsense check on all the respective school-buildings. And while they're at it, might as well include all buildings for that matter, and especially the ones older than our grandparents. It would certainly be 'pogi points' for Bayani Fernando's presidential dream if he conducts a personal check on these buildings as MMDA chief, and then render an unbiased verdict on the state and condition of these stuctures. After all, if he claims to be an engineer, then he must be qualified to give his two-cents worth of an opinion. He should then act swiftly on erring building owners and slap them with the corresponding penalties and closure if necessary. Just an unsolicited advice to Mr. Fernando: Please do not instruct your MMDA men to put BAYANI stickers on the buildings after they have been inspected. Don't hard-sell yourself again. It's enough that we already have to see your face all over the metropolis on a daily basis. Act now to save lives, and be a real bayani for a change.

(Image from http://www.i-baguio.com/)

LIFESTYLE CHECKS AND PINOY LIFESTYLES

Lifestyle checks conducted by a government agency must never be selective. It must apply to all government personnel, top to bottom. Our leaders most especially must always be conscious of the people's trust, and what better way to earn that constantly from them than by living a simple way of life. In a society of rampant materialism as gauge for success, one cannot help but be lured into that very web. And so, a top government official must be seen riding in the latest SUV, wearing the most expensive Italian haute-couture, wearing a Rolex or an IWC, and of course his spouse and offspring must follow suit, not to mention the in-laws that live with him and his immediate family under the same imported Italian roof. He must be seen eating at the best fine-dining restaurants and seldom only in fastfood joints like Burger Machine or Goto King. He definitely must be seen eating in expensive Japanese restaurants like Sugi, and never in cheap Jap restos like Tokyo-Tokyo. If he's in a Chinese restaurant, never should it be in Ling-Nam or Luk-Yuen, but only in authentic Chinese eating places like Tin-Hau, or the ones located only in five-star hotels. His children must be enrolled in schools like the Ateneo or De la Salle, Assumption or Woodrose, Brent or U A & P. His servants or maids must always be seen with them wearing maids' uniforms making them look like private nurses in white, with matching aprons to announce their domestication. His address must sound expensive like "# so and so Acacia Lane," or "one majestic mile," and must have authentic numerals like #2 or #1002, and never an address like 'Block 15, Lot 32,' or 'Kampupot Extension.' When driving along the SLEx, he must be with a driver and a 'driver's alalay,' and must always use the Skyway and enter and exit only via the e-pass lanes, otherwise, what would his neighbors think? He must always be seen in high-class supermarkets like Rustan's, but never in places like Hi-Top or Liana's, or his neighbors will surely have sudden fainting spells. His mobile cellphone number must be postpaid from Globe, particularly starting with the first four numbers '0917,' otherwise, he's not in the creme de la creme crowd. If his number starts with a pre-paid '0919,' he's immediately regarded as an outcast and on welfare. He must be seen in churches like the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, or the St. James Church in Alabang, and never should he be seen with the hoi-polloi crowd in gatherings like the El Shaddai overnight services, unless only invited to be on stage with no less than Bro. Mike Velarde himself. He must be seen in expensive spas and salons, and never in Ricky Reyes parlors, otherwise, he could be mistaken as a returning OFW or a Hosto with a taxi business of not more than two units. His laptop must be the latest Mac and never a Dell or a Neo. Wine is a must for him, but never the vinegar-like Novellino. It must be authentic Chilean or French, but never pseudo-Italian or Sioktong. His pets at home must be pure-bred dogs complete with papers, and not the ones issued by the BID, and exotic birds like the American Bald Eagle and rare fish like the Coelacanth. In addition, his birds at home should never be the spray-painted ones and his fish never a Tilapia, Sapsap or Butete in an aquarium. And never should these pets at home be the domestic lizards, termites, cockroaches and the occasional Singsing Pare. You see, it really is diffcult for a government official not to have all these luxuries in life. If he must, then a private life he must keep, for a public official is public property, and everything he owns must pass public scrutiny. For in the end, the more gold he carries with him, the harder the trip will be for him to his final destination.

(Image from http://pcij.org/)

LET HIM DREAM

Bayani Fernando is stealthily encroaching on the whole archipelago with his silly new term - Metro Philippines. Whatever that means, soon, his MMDA engineers will be constructing slippery, elderly-unfriendly pink and blue steel foot-bridges right from the door of his MMDA office to the door of the presidential palace. After all, he now boasts that no less than former president Fidel Ramos has hinted that an engineer could be the next president of the Philippines. Fernando was quick to claim that FVR was alluding to him (Fernando) because he is an engineer. Now we see what goes on in BF's so-called mind these days. Endorsements, silly slogans and the presidency. And what better way to spin this lust of his than to take advantage of his position as MMDA chairman, to put his face on posters bigger than the message. We should all be enraged at the behavior of this engineer who promotes 'kaayusan' and 'disiplina,' and yet he himself doesn't have those two in his character. He says that "engineering technology" is the answer to boost livelihood for many Filipinos in the south, Mindanao in particular. He says that the country's inadequate housing program and the dismal economy is in dire need of his technology to solve the many problems there. Well, more than the poor economy, it's the economist, stupid! - his lady-boss who to this day unlawfully occupies the very office he salivates for. Naglalaway na siya maging presidente! To be more 'street-legal,' atat na atat na siya maging presidente ng 'Pinas! Fernando says that being an engineer, his solution to the Mindanao conflict is really simple: through "technology warfare," he will solve it, and with this Mindanaoans will protect their infrastructures instead of doing other things. I think he's on drugs or on something. Talk about dreaming. He further stressed that based on the statement of FVR about him, he has a big chance of becoming the next Philippine president. Remember when the same FVR endorsed former Speaker Jose de Venecia to be the ruling party Lakas' official presidential bet against former President Joseph Estrada? Well, JDV lost a poor second after Erap won the presidency by a huge margin. The Ramos endoresement is really nothing for BF to jump about and announce to his whole Metro Philippines. It's more of an empty recommendation from a not-so-clean-himself ex-president. It would bring more damage to BF than good, not to mention his 1% acceptable rating among Pinoys. Well, on that note, the reason probably why Fernando wants to bring infrastructure to Mindanao is the fact that there's really nothing else that he knows except that - a disguised "engineering technology" which would really just boost his steel business when they start building steel bridges, pink fences, concrete barriers and all those ghastly MMDA contraptions which to me are the silliest pink ideas for any urban area. His plan to reach the south and possibly the whole archipelago is a selfish motive aimed at enlarging his territorial clout needed to feed his insatiable ambition, kasi, sirang-sira na siya dito sa Metro-Manila. But that's really not the answer. The wiser answer to the problems are food production, job creation, peace and order, and respect to other faiths such as Islam. And speaking of respect, Fernando needs to have that within his people. People like those sixteen MMDA employees assigned to the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG) who were arrested recently for stealing PhP 5 million worth of LRTA vertical clearance posts which they eventually sold for scrap. These are the same people who see and salute his pictures more than absorbing his 'fine-printed' messages on a daily basis, simply because of the sheer size of the former, and instead of the more important message which isn't really the MMDA's priority. The same people who have been found guilty of running away with the goods of sidewalk vendors - vegetables, fruits, chickens, fish, DVDs, slippers, socks, umbrellas, ballpens, combs, briefs, and even dentures of vendors, etc. You name it, they stole it and took them to their homes! Geesh. They should all be wrapped with BF's posters, re-painted with black and yellow stripes and then use them as humps along EDSA to slow down all those killer buses with their 'shabu-head' drivers sporting BAYANI stickers. So, what really is Metro Philippines? Sounds oxymoronic to me. I've heard of Metro Cebu and Metro Davao and of course Metro Manila, but Metro Philippines? What is that? Perhaps to Bayani Fernando, since he thinks that the MMDA programs and projects he has instituted have been the best thing that ever happened to our urban cities, he probably wants now to take the whole country by his Metro-Gago, Tao-Ginago/ Urbanidad pero que barbaridad slogans. And since he has openly announced his intention to run for president in 2010, he now realizes that Metro Manila is just not big enough in terms of the electoral populace to usher him to Malacanang. And so, the solution is to simply transform the whole country's perception from the public mind with just two words: Metro Philippines. Of course, this is all just strategy and spin, and it stinks. Building steel bridges to connect the whole archipelago is a positive move - for his steel business. Then, transforming the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) into the Metro Philippines Development Authority (MPDA) under the Office of the President (OP) is also positive - for the the successor (if any), since all the secret and unbidded-out deals will still continue. Imagine, if the whole country is transformed into Metro Philippines, then that would mean 7,100 plus more small Metro Manilas in terms of voting strength, budget and political clout, enought to kick one upstairs straight to Malacanang Palace. But with his 1% rating conducted by the SWS just recently, Bayani Fernando still has a good chance to be just a 'nuisance candidate,' joining the ranks of Ely Pamatong, Eddie Gil and Co.

(Image from http://daylife.com/)

OH, BAMA!

Barack Obama wins the US presidency and the hearts of all peoples of the world. It was an emotional moment for many of us when CNN finally declared Senator Barack Obama as the 44th US president-elect. In my mind I thought this to be the beginning of a new era for the world's most powerful nation, and one with the most diverse nationalities and cultures. The presidency is a destiny made in heaven. The US presidency in particular is a responsibility and an undertaking unlike any other. With it must come wisdom which must be given from above. Not man-made, but God-given. Obama is a man of God and a man of peace. His victory is a victory for all freedom-loving peoples of the world. It is proof that America can evolve, and will do so for the better in an Obama era. Gone are the days when a black man's job was simply to be a slave. When all he had to do was to pick cotton from the cottonfields of the deep south. To serve the white man his coffee or tea and bring him his mail. To drive him to the county fair or to tend his garden and wash his dishes. Or simply be his hired hand. He has since become the living spirit behind the US presidency, and his victory ushers the unshackling of all racism and bigotry against all black peoples of the world - and of course of America. It is a liberating win not only for black Africa, but also for all African-Americans. With Obama's victory comes God's will, and with God's will comes the blessings for a greater America.

(Image from http://www.toonpool.com/)

STANLEY HO AND GLO THE HOE

There should be no objection to the plan to privatize Pagcor. Neither should there be any objection if Stanley Ho, the gambling lord of Macau would buy into the operations of Pagcor, reportedly with some big-time operators from Las Vegas. However, Mr. Ho has such a terrible and questionable management style bordering on the criminal when it comes to running his businesses that we are better off without him. Privatization will stop powerful people close to Malacanang from dipping their hands into the coffers of Pagcor. President Arroyo will be deprived of hundreds of millions of Pesos from the so-called "special fund" from Pagcor, and as far as we are concerned, there should be no objection to that either. We never know how the money is spent anyway, because disbursemens are not audited. So what else is there to do? Make sure that the sale or the privatization process is transparent. With that, government should get the right price for it. And because Pagcor is government-owned, its privatization must be done thru public bidding to avoid suspicions of large sums of money changing hands as a result of a negotiated sale. Lastly, the state should never be involved in gambling. Gloria's government refuses to legalize jueteng, but its gambling tentacles have spread all over the country. The fact that Pagcor is legal and jueteng is not hardly makes any difference. It is still gambling by whatever name one would like to call it.

(Image from http://www.pagcor.ph/)

GENUINO'S GAMBLING + GARCIA'S GSIS + GLORIA'S GOVERNMENT = GRAFT

Webster's dictionary defines graft as "the use of dishonest means and political influence or position to acquire personal gain." Jueteng, smuggling, gambling. These three words ending with a G are part and parcel of this government's legacy, and incidentally, three prominent names starting with a G make it to the news on a regular basis - Genuino, Garcia, Gloria. And what's the controversy all about? G for Graft. When Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz revealed to the public that four (4) national officials and six (6) local officials were receiving bribes from the PhP 30 billion jueteng bonanza, the palace just shrugged off its shoulders. As usual, palace apologists were quick to dare Archbishop Cruz to name names, with the usual motherhood statement that "President Arroyo is fully committed to stamp out all forms of gambling in the country." Now that's garbage with a capital G! Archbishop Cruz retorts that it is "appaling and highly unbelievable" for Malacanang to not know the identities of the persons involved. Cruz is correct. Malacanang knows. Cruz is even generous, again with a capital G. He should have said forty (40) national officials and six hundred (600) local officials instead of four and six. Sticking to four and six, it's easy to guess who these people are. The two of them are seen almost daily in Malacanang, while the other two could be seen in two separate offices on EDSA. As to the six, choose your wild from Bulacan to Pampanga, to Pangasinan and the Ilocos region, all four places as the home turf of "the lady in jueteng."

(Image from http://www.bicolmail.com/

UNJUST JUSTICES

At the shameful rate many of our judges and justices in the Supreme Court, including our present justice secretary have been playing partisan politics to protect their own interests and the interests of their benefactors, I am reminded of of what former Senator Kit Tatad wrote some years back. He said, "Injustice, not poverty, is the gravest social evil. We have too many laws but not enough justice. Too many justices, but not enough just men." - Francisco S. Tatad, 'A Nation on Fire: The unmaking of Joseph Ejercito Estrada and the remaking of justice in the Philippines.' Our Supreme Court justices have cheapened their positions by selling off decisions and cases, sometimes even to the highest bidders. In this country, justice is only for the rich and the powerful. Many criminals have now been given freedom from their heinous crimes, and many petty thieves so to speak are languishing in jail, sometimes for crimes they have never committed, and then to add insult to injury, we have a justice secretary who commits a crime too each time he opens his mouth.

(Image from http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/ & http://www.ilsdole.gov.ph/)

THE LRTA IS SENIOR CITIZEN - UNFRIENDLY

I always enjoy my LRT ride from the EDSA/Taft Avenue station up until my usual destination where I always get off at Blumentritt to take a jeepney to Del Monte, Quezon City. The trip takes me to a few minutes ride back to the past whereupon I see old historic buildings of Manila like the Post Office building, the Knox United Methodist Church, the National Press Club building, the Philippine General Hospital, the Philippine Women's University, the Metropolitan Theatre, the Scottish Rite Temple, Cosmopolitan Church, Sta. Isabel College and the Philippine Normal University, to name a few. But when I took that same route today, my attention on the wonderful trip down historic lane was cut short when I noticed a sign inside the train posted by the public affairs office of the LRTA which read: "Mahigit na ipinagbabawal sa Special Boarding Area ang mga sumusunod: hindi matanda, walang kapansanan, senior citizen na hindi nakasuot ng OSCA ID, hindi buntis, mga magulang na may dalang bata na lampas sa 4ft., at hindi kawani ng LRTA." Now, the notice seemed normal to me, but I thought I'd read it again, and sure enough, the item about senior citizens wearing OSCA IDs got my undivided attention. What the LRTA here is saying is that if you are an elderly person riding the LRT and happen not be wearing your OSCA ID, or worse have forgotten to bring it with you, then you simply cannot occupy the Special Boarding Area. Since when does it take an ID to distinguish whether one is an elderly person or not? In the same way, does a pre-elementary pupil have to wear his kindergarten school ID to show he's just a small, young kid? Surely, people like LRTA Administrator Mel Robles is unaware of this silly notice, otherwise it wouldn't pass at all. Or does he? Pity the elderly who have to show OSCA IDs to prove he's - well, a senior citizen. It's enough that they are subjected to a regular punishing flight of steps to the top just to reach the ticket booths because many times, escalator and elevator services are not available for their use, not to mention the many establishments that do not honor the 20% discount required to be given for all senior citizens. If I were Mel Robles, I would offer free rides to our elderly kababayans. It's one small way of showing our appreciation and respect for them. After all, cruel and morbid as it may seem, they won't be around anymore that long to contribute to income loss on transport systems like the LRTA. In addition, Mel's boss Mike Velarde has way too much cash on hand already, and the irony of it is that many senior citizens are faithful tithers in his El Shaddai church. And to think that I'd gladly ride the LRT any day of the week contrary to my usual hesitation and bias when it comes to riding the much-neglected MRT system. And if you think that the punishment for our old-timers ends there, they have to see huge tarpaulin posters of Gloria Arroyo on the LRT stations with the misleading message: "Ramdam ang Kaunlaran."

(Image from http://virtualtourist.com/)

LATEST SWS SURVEY - BAYANI FERNANDO: 1%

Bayani Fernando's political machinery is on cruise control for now. Nowadays, one can easily spot tricycles carrying his stickers which says, 'Bayani 2010 For President Movement,' or his 'new and improved' posters which has a confusing new name for our country - Metro Philippines. What that exactly means is still a puzzle to me to this day. I'm sure he's also clueless as to what it means. Is he trying to put the whole country under his jurisdiction, for obvious reason? In the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) from the dates September 24-27, 2008, the following results show Noli de Castro 19% from 28%, Joseph Estrada 17% (not included last March), Manny Villar 17% from 10%, Chiz Escudero 13% from 16%, Loren Legarda 8% from 20%, Ping Lacson 8% from 10%, Mar Roxas 6% from 12%, Gloria Arroyo 3%, Dick Gordon 1%, Jojo Binay 1%, and Bayani Fernando 1%. It's obvious that legions of Filipinos believe that Bayani Fernando (contrary to what many people think), just doesn't have even the faintest qualities to make president, and one outstanding reason among several is that they simply don't trust him at all, not forgetting how he has and continues to abuse his position as MMDA chairman. It is also my personal opinion that Mr. Fernando's foot simply doesn't fit the presidential shoe, even if that shoe is hand-made especially for him by a reputable shoe maker from Marikina. The presidential shoe will always be too big for his parochial foot.

(Image from http://img5.imageshack.us/)

BAYANI FERNANDO, MAGULANG NG METRO MANILA

Allow me to christen MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando with a new label - 'Father of Metro Manila.' In the vernacular, that would mean 'Ama ng Metro Manila' or magulang. For magulang indeed is he. Imagine, together with his wife-accomplice Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando, they have flooded the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City with Bayani Fernando tarpaulins and posters. One can only imagine what other places including several other cemeteries are filled with his tarpaulins. As a matter of fact, they were so plenty that they probably outnumbered the dead buried in that final resting place. They simply have no respect at all for both the living and the dead. With Bayani's 'magulang' schemes and tactics, I won't be surprised if the names of the dead will be listed as registered voters in Marikina and then would be voting for him in 2010, if and when he runs for president. But for now, let us zero in on his silly slogans and his idiotic innuendos like the new 'Bayani 2010' stickers now seen on Tamaraw FX taxis, and his new photos on 'improved' posters. I think they're simply a different picture with the same bull. I've said it before, if he can't play fair while he's still a local executive, how fair do you think will he be if he becomes a national executive? God forbid. Bayani Fernando is so 'bilib sa sarili,' he thinks he's God's gift to Metro Manila and the country, which explains his lust for the presidency. But, what he and his mindless supporters will soon find out is that 'BF' is one gift we Metro Manilenos would rather not have at all. Thanks but no thanks. Ang taong ginagago'y 'di boboto sayo.

(Image from http://otopphilippines.gov.ph/)

BOLANTE BY DAY, JOCELYN BY NIGHT

Joc-Joc: "Miguel, Miguel I am sick, call mam Gloria very quick! Gloria, Gloria, shall I die?" (GMA) "No my Joc-Joc, lie and lie!"


Official announcement from St. Luke's Medical Center on Joc-Joc Bolante's health condition:

"Mild recurring headache, slight cough, diarrhea, (he's full of it!), bloodsugar normal, blood pressure: 120/ (over) acting.

(Image from http://pcij.org/)

PET PEEVES 2

As mentioned, UNDERTOW will list its top ten pet peeves on an occasional basis, a first-hand experience of them, many as they come, right within the heart of Bayani Fernando's Metro-Gago, Tao-Ginago / "urbanidad pero que barbaridad" metropolis.

My top ten pet peeves for this post are as follows:

1. Bayani Fernando's posters. (katas ng flood control project for Metro Manila?)
2. Subdivision security guards who won't accept your ID and insist on your driver's license. (duh!)
3. SM malls featuring caucasian models on their billboards and posters promoting locally-made clothing and items. (don't you like brown people, Mr. Sy?)
4. Movie-goers sitting near you who (still) talk on their cellphones while the film is on. (are you telling him the story, 'cause I bet your abusing your Sun cellular?!)
5. Cashiers who always ask you for coins before giving you your change. ("may dalawang piso nalang kayo?")
6. Out of order MRT escalators. (MRT=Massive Respiratory Tension)
7. Out of order LRT elevators. (LRT=Lacking Repairs Today)
8. Internet cafe customers who play on-line games, screaming and cursing. ("hey boy, this your house too?")
9. Idiotic noontime shows like 'Wowowee' that promote mendicancy to its contestants both young and old. ("hello papi, ang pogi pogi mo talaga! pa-kiss! penge pera!")
10. Idiotic noontime show hosts like Willie Revillame who openly displays his sexual immorality while exploting young girls on his show. (attention: MTRCB ... again.)

(Image from http://www.mmda.gov.ph/)

DEAD MAN WALKING?

Well, it will be Halloween once again tomorrow night. Time for children to put on their best costumes and go "trick or treat" in their respective communities. In another neighborhood across the Pasig, there was once a Halloween party a few years ago in Malacanang hosted by no less than President Arroyo herself. Carefully chosen guests were required to come in their best costumes. The cabinet was in attendance. GMA was of course wearing a dwarf's costume while FG Mike came as a Warthog. Donald Dee as a blood-sucking leech, Ronnie Puno came as Pinnochio, Ed Ermita as Methuselah, Butch Pichay as a 1-week old Pechay vegetable, Joey Salceda as the Guyabano man, Cerge Remonde as a dumb donkey, Jun Esperon as another dumb donkey (a bigger ass), Mikey and Luli as a cockroach and a flea respectively (with sincere apologies to cockroaches and fleas for the association). As the invitation required everyone to wear a costume and possibly win the first prize, everyone in attendance hoped to bag it except for one person - Raul Gonzalez. He came as himself wearing his usual everyday 'Americana' attire, and to the surprise of everyone, won the 'best in costume' award.

(Image from http://mukamo.com/)

PROSPERITY WITH A DARK PURPOSE - PART V
"Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?" - Ezekiel 34:2


We are a nation of counterfeits. A fake president a.k.a. 'The Mole of Asia,' fake economic programs for the poor, fake DVDs peddled by the same people involved in the fake Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD), fake presidential announcements like the US$10 billion standby economic package for the ASEAN from the IMF-World Bank, a fake justice secretary who sides with the influential and the opulent, and tells the oppressed to "jump in the lake," fake environmental programs to eradicate air and water pollution, fake transport lines courtesy of LTFRB officials, fake 'nationalistic messages' from an MMDA chairman who wants to be president in 2010 but can't even win the hearts of motorists who succumb to his despicable posters on EDSA each day, a fake presidential spouse who needs to change the first word of his official title from "first" to "farce," fake churches and fake pastors. It would really take a numb and insolent person to not notice the obvious reality. Could it be that all that brew he has been guzzling down like a bottomless and thirsty 8-cylinder SUV caused his numbness? After all, that is his very reason for drinking, to be numb enough to shut off the real world like a leaking faucet and slip into his fantasyland cajoling his Cinderellas. For the moment, let's change the letter 'N' from the word 'Numb' to the letter 'D.' Now that's more appropriate. You see, after this guy was slapped with the disciplinary action he deserved by the legitimate members of the church board, like a wounded puppy ran he to the 'other half' of the church seeking pity and solace, licking his wounds. These wounds are nothing but simple 'galis tuta,' for he has since grown back to become a fierce wolf ready for the next cheap kill. But a mindless one, for how can he still continue using the official church name when he is no longer connected with his former congregation? And what about the leaders of the 'other church' who allow this to be? I'm sure they are aware of such an infraction. Arrogance? Defiance? Nincompoopery perhaps? Guilt -definitely not. As a man of God, and if he still can swallow that label without choking and turning blue, the only pseudonym I can think of befitting him is 'Ichabod,' which simply means "the glory of God has departed." For if indeed they are misrepresenting themselves as a church led by this man, and if true, how can they now exist prosperously and morally if they are now tainted with a blot of illegitimacy? Pity its congregation who are unaware of the 'sinistry in ministry' courtesy of their pastor and a chosen few who are still blind to the truth. So, if it is true that this 'other church' still uses the very same name used by the legitimate church, they are in for some good old-fashioned trouble. Are they that unimaginative and disrespectful as not to take on a new name? So why not 'South Madagascar Church,' a.k.a. SMC with the motto: "Still together, still lost." Methinks the initials SMC fits the pastor well because he's surely at home with it as SMC will always remind him of San Miguel Corporation, brewers of his favorite numbing juice. I have been told by my unimpeachable source that in one occasion, a church member told his associate pastor, "Bridges have been burned. Let's build new ones," to which the latter replied, "If that is so, I will not be the first one to initiate it." Painful words from a pastor, don't you agree? One can only imagine what kind of ministry he has. So the fact is this: There is absolutely nothing now that links the legitimate church name to the illegitimate pastor and his present church and vice-versa, and whatever work he is doing today. Because under this name is only one church. No satellite church nor outreach at the moment, and any other group or groups outside this church are considered copycats and wannabes. And what if this person is caught again with 'his pants down,' so to speak, and then is fingerprinted and blottered and then introduces himself as a pastor belonging to the legitimate church? Further, I was told that the latter's board will not tolerate this for the simple reason that there's a very big chance the former may fall into the same favorite sin of his again, for such is the pattern he has sewn all these years, a tailor-fit scheme of flowery designs for the sole purpose of satisfying his lust, having no genuine repentance and a 'turning away' from the haunting sin that has caused him to hurt many who have trusted him - his close friends and associates, his trainees and members of his congregation and his own wife. To many, this was a trust given to him once and has now been interred, never to resurrect again. And so, what does a lone wolf do next if he is sent away from the pack, crocodile luggage and all? Well, he sharpens first his sense of smell, and when he picks up a scent of fresh meat, he then follows that scent leading him to the next village, now drooling and hungry. There he is met by what seems like a 'welcome reception,' a bacchanalia of sorts, and there he establishes and reinforces new bonds and deals and tells late-night bonfire stories to them of how heartlessly he has been maltreated, how beaten and bruised he has been, though self-inflicted, and how wonderful are the plans he has for them for a prosperous journey in life. He tells them to run their race together with him. What he doesn't tell them is that he wants a piggy-back ride on them towards the finish line, and just a few meters before the finish line, he jumps away from their backs and dashes to make it ahead of the rest. In some dark and evil corner of his mind, his new 'recruits' are just his next victims, and together with all the recycled and plagiarized teachings he brings is the stark and dark reality that the only prosperity he is after is his own prosperity. It's a reminder to all of us that the prophets of old viewed their lives as something to be consumed by God, whereas today's prophets view their lives as something to be enriched by God. And for him to constantly boast and brag about the number of people who attend his church, let me remind this pastor: Our Lord said, "Feed my sheep." He did not say, "Count them."

(Image from http://theugandancitizen.com/)

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH KILL BILL

"Listen to me little fetus, precious homo incompletus.
As you dream your dreams placental, don't grow nothing accidental."


Human life begins long before birth. Much of the debate surrounding reproductive health and abortion concerns the question of when the merger between an egg and a sperm becomes a person. The Bible does not tell us when we start to be humans, but it seems clear that the developing fetus is already human in God's eyes. When Jeremiah was called to serve the Lord God, he heard some strange words: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Apparently, God considered Jeremiah to be a person long before he was born. The same conclusion might be reached about John the Baptist. When his mother Elizabeth was greeted by Mary, the baby "leaped in the womb." It could be argued of course that the child was responding only physically to an adrenaline upsurge in the mother, but Elizabeth assumed that "the baby in my womb leaped for joy!" This seems like a real life that was able to experience joy even before his birthday. Another Bible passage would support this conclusion. The Psalmist David wrote that he was "sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." - Psalm 139:13-16. David praises God who "knit me together in my mother's womb" and "saw my unformed body." The fetus was not considered to be merely some impersonal biological organism. Human life was assumed to start before birth. It must start at some time during the gestation or prenatal development, and most likely it starts at conception.

(Image from http://www.christiananswers.net/)

THROW HIM IN THE CAN

Joc-Joc Bolante arrives at the NAIA:

REPORTER: Sir, any statement?
BOLANTE: Madam President, thanks for the millions ... aaah ... este ... a million thanks pala mam!

(Image from http://gmanews.tv/)

PROSPERITY WITH A DARK PURPOSE - PART IV
"He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter." - Proverbs 7:22

Church leaders who have been told of the immorality of their pastor and still act as if looking forward and moving forward are the only ingredients needed in forgetting the past are in for a big embarrassment and disappointment. Every issue, especially unpleasant, must have an end. A closure. Otherwise, it remains as wide as a gaping wound needing sutures or it will never heal, spreading its gangrene to the rest of the body. It's as simple as someone who is in the know of a crime being committed several times, and then approaches the felon to tell him that he has seen the criminal acts, winks at him in a sinister fashion, and then whispers that he won't tell anyone about it. The former lifts the rug while the latter sweeps the garbage towards it, all at the expense of the unsuspecting congregation. When one is focused on the preacher alone and then ends his vision there, he should soon realize and accept the cruel fact that the preacher has a good chance of being as crooked as scoliosis or as vile as our politicians. But to some, this is simply a tolerable matter. Our subject predator-pastor continues performing his favorite pastime - fooling people, next only to drinking and tinkering with gadgets he calls "the opposite sex." And sure enough, fools are born each day who later in that same day become his instant recruits. It's really so simple to test this person. Just listen carefully to what he says as a broken record plays on an on, and then look closely and you see a whole masquerade and a facade of sorts where it really is the world he lives in, and see the contrasting elements. If you ask me, I'd put my money on the duck in a cockfight rather than bet on a fellow who pretends to be anyone except himself. Freaky as it is, he really is ultimately after your soul, because if he succeeds conquering it, he can command you to do anything. And that is exactly what he has been doing to weak-willed women. After having swept everything under the rug, our predator-pastor is back in fighting form once again, drooling and all, ready to devour his next victim. Just a word of caution to his blind fanatics: when walking with him out in the open, I suggest that you step back several meters behind him. He is a candidate to be struck by lightning at any given time of the day. And yes, if it misses him, it shall defy all logic and rationale by striking at the same spot twice. You see, you could be at the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong person. For God is angry at him and is just being patient with him, But even God runs out of patience, especially if the subject person involved is one who looks at female church members as slabs of steak or pieces of frozen meat he can thaw towards sin, and one who pretends to be an upright man of God. One who looks at you face to face with an angelic smile, and then as you turn your back, paints a mental dartboard of yourself in his lustful mind. I'm just so amazed at how he can manage to hide his tail, or how he can speak in a way that his forked-tongue may not be detected. Now I know why he always wears oversized baseball caps. His horns grow a centimeter longer each time he devours his prey - an inherent character of a ram which coincidentally is the enemy's favorite symbolic animal. So, since his spiritual padrinos and padrinas would rather punch their boy with oversized boxing gloves, applying a mock-up type of disciplinary action instead of addressing the issues point by point, describing the situation may be summed up with these words: Evil is near. Sometimes late at night when the air grows clammy and cold around us as we feel it brushing us. And all that he asks is acquiescence. Not struggle nor conflict, but acquiescence.

(Image from http://dailyillusions.com/)

MEMORIES OF PASAY

I am a Pasayeno. 216 Villaruel Street was the address of the family for the longest time. In there was the family compound composed of four houses. Right next to our house stood an imposing tree visible miles away. It probably served as a landmark for travelling pilgrims looking for a place to stay for the night. It was also perhaps a humble abode of a local capre smoking his favorite Churchills. The gate was often manned by Mang Paeng, a stolid yet kind-hearted man who would intercept any one entering the compound - including stray cats attracted with the aroma of tuyo in the frying pan. Our neighbors were good families, to name a few, the Roxas family who lived in front, the Lopez family next door, the Pardo family, the Alfonso family, the Zuluaga family, the Campos family, the Rufino family, and the Gamalinda family who would later on rent our house soon after we left. At the corner of Villaruel and Luna streets stood the beautiful Monterey Apartments, a sprawling coterie of quaint and cozy units for the buena familias. Down the road along Luna was the Nawasa office with a water fountain in the middle. Nearby was the Swanky Motel that had a short-cut passage leading to Taft Avenue. Further down the road towards Manila was the Manila Sanitarium Hospital run by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The street corner on the other side too was Leveriza where Aling Tinay's sari-sari store stood. Trips to her store were always a treat for me for it meant I would be enjoying her Choco-Vim, Choc-Nut, Canada Dry Uva drinks, Bayani, Sunta and Sarsi. Further down the road along Leveriza stood a big house owned by Tomas Cloma, an explorer of sorts who would discover the Spratly Islands years before any foreign soul would set foot on it. Could he have named it Tomas' Site instead? He would go on to establish the Philippine Merchant Marine School (PMMS). SM malls were still a thing of the future, and we didn't care at all for we had the Cartimar Shopping Complex. There, one would find the latest PX goods. Cartimar had it all - Munsingwear, Grand Slam, Bally shoes and not the (Marikina) valley shoes, and the flashiest Banlon shirts, a must wear to be hip in those days. Across the PX department was the Cartimar pet shops where one would find exotic animals like the musang or wild cat, the giant bayawak or monitor lizard, and occasionally, one would see a pilandok or mouse-deer native only to Palawan. Today, those animals are either endangered or extinct. I must admit that I somehow contributed to the animal trade for I frequented the pet shops to buy my favorite turtles and ulupong to make them as house pets. The Pasay I knew then is not the Pasay I know now. It has now evolved into a haven of Karaoke fanatics belting out their favorite OPMs. The streets are now slowly disappearing to give way to the tricycle terminals and the carinderias, and also sometimes if unchecked, video kareras on the bangketas. But whatever the city has now become, Pasay will always be what it is to me, a place of my childhood memories.

(Image from http://virtualtourist.com/)

IMELDA: MOTHERING THE RISING SPIRIT

The Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil/Cafe Havana bi-monthly lunch forum I attend is a wonderful mixture of people mostly from the journalism profession, some in the culture and in the arts, business, and still some former senior officials of past and present regimes. Yesterday October 22 was quite a treat for we had no less than Mrs. Imelda Marcos as guest of honor. She was her usual talkative and optimistic self when it came to the potential of our country to be a progressive nation again. And yes, her magnetism was indeed remarkable. Later that afternoon, I sat beside her and Mrs. Chitang Nakpil and listened more from her as she spoke on the Marcos era and the injustice done to them by the very same people who would be doing worse things to our country today. She remembers well how my father set up the Palace-based Evaluation, Research and Analysis (ERA-4) group which helped conceptualize some of her special projects as First Lady and Metro Manila Governor - to name a few, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Film Center, the Green Revolution, the New Society, the patriotic slogan "Walk Proud, You Are Filipino," and the Metro Manila Commission (now the MMDA). I reminded her of the RP-USSR Friendship Society which my father organized as well. She was its chairperson, and among its members were of course Mrs. Nakpil, Sec. Carmelo Z. Barbero, Rep. Roquito Ablan, Salvador Bigay, Sec. Blas Ople etal. This special cultural bond between the two countries forged good friendship and honor, and most especially recognition by a goliath of a nation to a tiny archipelago. The Philippines was for some time in the minds of the old Kremlin comrades of the former Soviet Union - in a friendly way. And then years after, some sinister cop and party would put our country to shame to the new Russia in an attempt to slip out of Moscow a prohibited amount of cash which to this day, none of the officers including the equally-sinister DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno could explain to the public in a convincing manner. Mrs. Marcos spoke of the Philippine economy then as compared to now and how the Filipino had a sense of pride everywhere he went, whether here and especially in a far away place overseas. Today, our OFWs are favorite victims of cruelty from their foreign masters, and still victimized some more by our very own government-labor embassy officials, not to mention the inutile Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). She spoke further on her current dream and project to eradicate poverty in our country which she aptly calls her 'No Filipino Poor' project. Its ingredients are filled with positive steps towards the betterment of the Filipino life, with his now tarnished image brought about by poor governance by a rotten regime. Now, before you start labeling me as a Marcos Loyalist, just make a comparison of life then and now. If you still think our life is better off today under this kakistocratic government, then let me be the one to tag you as a 'Gloria Fanatic.' But over and above all that, it was really good seeing again old (not literally) family friends Miss International Gemma Cruz-Araneta and her mother Chitang Nakpil. They surely top my list as the classiest ladies of our society together with who else, but the incomparable Mrs. Marcos. Others in attendance were former UAE Ambassador Roy Seneres, Philippine Star columnist Jarius Bondoc, Malaya columnist Dahli Aspillera, Commodore Rex Robles, General Sonny Yan, General Jimmy delos Santos, Vic Macalincag, Consul Lynn Gavino, former National Historical Institute (NHI) chief Dr. Serafin Quiason, spy-master and JCI senator Erick San Juan, UP Prof. Rene Azurin, Jose 'Pepe' Rodriguez of Instituto Cervantes, Ateneo Prof. Alan Paguia, Rep. Roilo Golez etal. We definitely missed Larry Cruz of the LJC Group, operators of Cafe Havana. Larry has left this world much too early, and his restaurant isn't quite the same without him there with us. Anyways, yesterday was indeed a pleasant afternoon. After we had all stood up to adjourn the lunch meeting, it was already past three and we escorted Mrs. Marcos to her waiting black Chrysler 300 limousine, and after a few hugs and 'besos,' off she and her security entourage went to an undisclosed destination.

(Image from http://pcij.org/)

REMEMBERING LOLO

Today, October 19 is my grandfather's 122nd birth anniversary. Jorge C. Bocobo was born in Gerona, Tarlac of hardy Ilocano parents this day in 1886. He was a man who wore many hats, so to speak, and among them were that of a lay preacher who was instrumental in the building of the Central United Methodist Church along T.M. Kalaw in Ermita, Manila. He was a law professor at the UP College of Law and thereafter became its Dean of the College of Law, and further on became the 5th president of the University of the Philippines. He served under President Manuel L. Quezon's administration as Secretary of Education, was Chairman of the Code Commission which drafted the Civil Code of the Philippines of which he has written most of its statutes. He was a moral crusader, a poet and an essayist, and translaled from Spanish to English Dr. Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. His translations were the unexpurgated versions and thus were censored by the Roman Catholic Church. He wrote many poems and short stories, and among them the first Filipino novel written in English entitled, 'Henry and Loleng.' He served in the Judiciary as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and most of all, he was a patriot who loved his country with a burning passion, and together with that he always looked to the Holy Scriptures as the Living Word of Almighty God. He was a man who lived what he preached. A man who loved the law of the land and the law of God. In Article 19 of the Civil Code, he wrote: "Every person must, in the exercise of his duties, (1) act with justice, (2) give everyone his due, and (3) observe honesty and good faith." This is known to be the golden rule of Philippine laws. Today, many have probably forgotten the man and what he has given to his beloved country. His memory lives on in my heart and in my love for Scriptures the same way he loved it. In the way he loved humanity and how he fought for righteousness and justice, especially for the oppressed. His spirit of patriotism lives on in the hearts of all the brave men and women who dare not bow down to the enemy among us. I salute the man as I toast his contributions to our country.

(Image from http://filam.si.edu/)

PINOYCCHIO

When talking to each other face to face, Gloria Arroyo and Ed Ermita have to step back a few inches, otherwise their noses would be touching each other. I say this because just like Pinnochio whose nose grows longer whenever he tells a lie, so do the noses of Gloria and Ed each time they go fibbing the public. And they did it again recently. First, GMA boasted of an available US$10 billion standby fund for the Asean region of which the Philippines would be one of its beneficiaries, in the event of another paralyzing Asian economic crisis. Gloria made public this alleged assistance courtesy of the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), during the recent oath-taking of the newly-elected officers of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) right at the Heroes Hall in Malacanang Palace, hoping to strike a hero's pose herself as she made the announcement. But soon after, World Bank executive Jim Adams denied Gloria's boast and said that "committments for such funds were never discussed at the regional level," and that the discussions touched only on the manner of which the World Bank may help the country if and when the crisis spreads throughout the region. No such thing as US$10 billion. Perhaps, only Gloria's elongated ilong could have smelled the green backs even miles away? Then comes Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, reacting (anticipating?) to the Supreme Court's decision of the botched Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) as unconstitutional. Ermita announced that it was a good thing that Gloria wasn't caught in the mess since there were items discussed by the GRP Panel and the MILF of which GMA wasn't in the know, sometimes even in disagreement. It was actually a washing of the hands on behalf of Gloria. It's hard to believe that GMA didn't know every intricate detail of the MoA-AD. I would even imagine that she wanted to be informed of the day-to-day, hour-by-hour developments of the discussions. And of course, as expected, the sour-graping arrogance of General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the brainless brains behind the MoA-AD, co-conspirator of General Rodolfo Garcia, co-architect of the MoA-AD, declared on nationwide TV that the Supreme Court was wrong to rule that he committed grave abuse of discretion. This guy should be sent to the jungles of Malaysia instead and just hang out with an orangutan, but even that beautiful monkey will surely be bored with Esperon's intellect. He is a disgrace to the nation and to each country-loving patriotic Filipino.

(Image from http://farm2.static.flickr.com/)

IMPEACHMENT AND ILLEGITIMACY DON'T JIBE

There are many ways to remove a sitting (squatting) president, and impeaching one applies only if the subject was legitimately installed. That's why I don't buy the impeachment process. It's a way of recognizing GMA as the legitimate president, and that the power grab of 2001 was a constitutional process. At some point in our lives, we all thought it was. But the truth always comes out sooner or later. We have learned through the course of educating ourselves and the intricate legal factors involving GMA's ascending to the throne to be a plain and simple conspiracy between former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. for the Supreme Court and General Angelo Reyes Jr. for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and several members of the so-called civil society who are now the usual suspects impeaching Mrs. Arroyo. Are these the lessons we want to pass on to our children? That conspiracy amongst the so-called guardians of the constitution and the defenders of the people shall be forgotten and just be written in our history books for our next generation to read and relish? These are the very same faces we now see trying to remove Gloria from office, after conspiring with each other to remove Joseph Estrada from the same. If Gloria Arroyo grabbed power from a legitimate head of state in 2001, then the same power must also be grabbed from her in the same manner. Give them a dose of their own medicine, however bitter you would like it to be for the swallowing to be most unpleasant, for it only serves them right. The impeachment exercise is futile unless one has the numbers in the Lower House. Period. It's not so much a judicial process as it is a political one. In short, if Gloria has the major support of the pro-administration congressmen in the house, then, another failed impeachment is in the offing. The opposition should make up its mind first as to what course to take. They must choose wisely first and not be cry-babies just like Michael Jackson who once cried racism to his detractors. But shouldn't Michael pick a race first before complaining? Same with the opposition. Speak in one voice first before going to battle. There are many ways to skin a cat. We can start something preliminary by boycotting the products and services of the many business entities and firms known to be close to the present administration, as a percentage of their income somehow find their way into some open hands waiting in Malacanang, or to some noisy General to shut him up, or to some one-track minded journalist to encourage him further to praise even the most absurd programs of this administration. Remember the time when then President Cory Aquino called for the collective boycott of San Miguel Corporation and its various products? Well, it didn't exactly put a dent on SMC, but a strong and clear message was delivered. Today, it is common knowledge that the Pagcor is a milking cow of many VIPs in the administration and in the Media. As gambling is an outright evil, Pagcor sends a very dark message to the youth that community-based gambling is alright, since Pagcor operates a gambling joint almost always somewhere in one's neighborhood. Sad to say, even some priests and bishops support and defend gambling, as evidenced in a recent ground-breaking ceremony of one of Pagcor's future projects in Paranaque City. Even local parishes tolerate such, joining forces everytime they sponsor a bingo social. We need a change of heart to fight the immorality all around us. Government-sponsored immorality is the evil that smiles in front of you and then screws you when your back is turned. Maybe if we politely ask Gloria to resign, she may since her popularity rating is still in the negative. Maybe she will still hear the cries of the people for her to step down peacefully. But for a president who claims that she talks to God, and then does so in front of a mirror, well, even one's own reflection can be deceiving sometimes.

(Image from http://ctv.ca/)