HARPED THINKING

I have always dreamed of playing a musical instrument. Any musical instrument. But my day-dreams always zero-in on a harp. Yes, a harp - that contraption attributed to angels mounted on clouds floating endlessly above our heads. Silly you say? Methinks it takes a real man to be seen playing a harp considering the rarity of finding man and harp playing beautiful music together.

The harp is the national symbol of Ireland. Its romantic charms were first enjoyed by the Celts in the 7th Century A.D. The remains of several Celtic harps have been unearthed from the buried ship Sutton Hoo near Suffolk, England. The harp's mesmerizing sound did much to spread its popularity. One Celtic legend proclaimed that there were but three things necessary for a happy home - a virtuous wife, a chair cushion, and a harp.

Some harps were found in an archaeological dig at Ur in Sumer, dating its origins to some 3,000 B.C. The Ur harps, whose shapes are thought to have been formed to copy a hunter's bow, were curved instruments with 12 to 15 strings that apparently did not sound at all different from the later Celtic versions. And, for reasons yet to be satisfactorily explained, the harp seems to have been exclusively played by women. Still today, most harps can be found as orchestral instruments, played mostly by women.

I think my next musical instrument day-dream will be centered on a nose flute. It could at least help clear my sinus.

(Image from http://www.bible-history.com/)

IDIOT BOX REDEFINED

Former world heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali (a.k.a. Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.) must be painfully asking himself if the fame and fortune he had reaped in the many years as a prized boxer are worth the condition he is in now.

Ali is a broken man afflicted with strong uncontrollable body tremors, blurred speech and lack of coordination of body functions. He has what is known as Parkinson's Disease.

A medical report had said that, as shown in a cat scan, powerful blows to Ali's head from powerful boxers like Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes and George Foreman had caused neurons in his brain to "drop out." A radiologist said that the same condition afflicts more than 50 percent of boxers with over 20 bouts.

Ali's sad case gives support to critics of the sport of boxing who have urged that it be scrapped especially among the youth since it is barbaric, degrading to human dignity and encourages violence. A good example here is Chavit Singson, a widely-known supporter and patron of Manny Pacquiao, the former beating up his girlfriend black and blue. But this was a mis-match.

I recall the case of another black heavyweight champion Joe Louis who attained fame and fortune like Ali did, but died a poor man in a flea-infested flop-house after he was fired from his post as a bouncer in some honky-tonk joint. These poor boxers, mostly blacks and latinos, are exploited by mostly white promoters and agents who luxuriate in posh retirement in Miami and Mexico while their wards end up punch-drunk in charity homes. Better we keep a tight watch on Freddie Roach. He could be living up to his surname.

In our country, boxing is big business. It even sends a mob of our congressmen to fight venues like Las Vegas, all expenses paid for by Filipino taxpayers. Time for re-examination of our values.

(Image from http://www.moviemake-out.com/)

TELL THAT TO THE MARINES

A jihad is a war against the enemies of Islam. Muslim fighters are asked to take an oath (juramentar in Spanish). Jihad is a venerable institution sanctioned by the Qur'an and the Hadith. It arose in the Philippines during the Moro wars, notably among the Tausugs and the Maguindanaoans as a patriotic action against the Spanish invaders.

A mujahid goes to war against enemies of Islam and actually desires to be killed to ensure immediate entrance into paradise.

Jihad constituted one of the most effective and terrifying weapons by the Muslims against the Spanish and American colonialists. Because of this, the Americans had to develop the Colt .45 and the Krag-Jorgensen rifle to stop the frenzied, attacking mujahid dead in their tracks.

Haven't the Muslim rebels declared a jihad yet against the government forces? And how many times have we heard AFP spokesmen and fattened generals say that the Abu Sayyaf will be history soon? Is our AFP scared of a jihad on them? Is there some secret negotiation here between the Abu and the AFP? Time and again, our military brass have declared that the Abu Sayyaf's days are numbered. This I have heard countless times before, just like a broken record. Our generals should just "tell that to the marines."

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

EQ

SLEEPLESS IN MY SHUTTLE. A prominent Manila society matron was sitting next to President Quirino at a smart party.

"Oh, Mister President," she said gushingly, "you are so silent. I made a bet today that I could get more than two words out of you."

"You lose," the President replied.

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

THE BARBER OF ALABANG

Meet Mang Terry, barber, 71, married with 5 kids. He cuts hair all day long at the Alabang Public Market. His mind is as sharp as his scissors and razor when it comes to politics. He knows the heroes and the heels in government. And much more.

I must admit that I look forward to my haircut day with him every 12 days. The moment I sit on his swinging chair is the same moment he starts telling me stories like a storyteller would to a 7-year old kid. Amazingly and astonishingly accurate this Mang Terry. His stories almost always confirm things I had previously heard from another source. It always keeps me guessing where he would get these news. From other customers perhaps? From the radio? From palengkeras? Whatever his source, it must be from an unimpeachable one. The only time Mang Terry would stop blabbering is when my haircut was over and I would step down from his chair. He would then continue with the next customer I suppose. I never fail to reward him with a generous tip for his 'breaking news.' He should be employed at the Office of the Press Secretary where I am quite sure he would be a threat to all the fibbers in that department, I thought. He knows his politics like a true scholar of the subject. They only know how to juggle them.

On the other hand -

Meet King Archelaus, perpetrator of that ancient joke about replying "in silence," to the barber who asked him how he should cut his hair, and how he would be pleased to know that his tradition is occasionally carried on in the modern era.

A man, who might well stem from this kingly line, handed the barber a coin and then climbed into the chair.

"Why, sir, thank you," said the astonished barber, "never before have I been tipped in advance."

"That is not a tip," snarled the customer. "It's hush money."

(Image from http://2.bp.blogspot.com/)

QUID PRO QUOJUANGCO

Chiz bolts the NPC. Danding remains silent as usual, living up with the role that of an eminence grise. An invisible political hand conducting matters from the top at the giant SMC offices with Ramon Ang as the human ATM.

There has always been a Cojuangco hand in government affairs since the revolution against the Spaniards at the turn of the century, and then successively in all Philippine governments from the American Period to the Japanese Occupation and the post-Liberation years, and after independence under different presidents.

However, the Cojuangcos were dissapointed when Fidel Ramos began to buck their demands and decided the family had to come together again to operate as a single efficient unit to preserve the clan and their prominence in the country's life.

Do you remember that September 21 rally in 1997 when Cardinal Jaime Sin had been quoted as saying that that rally was really the idea of the Cory Aquino clan and he (Sin) did not even have a hand in organizing it? It was only after it was finalized that he was informed about it and readily agreed to help because it gave a chance to hit two birds with one stone: continue the hatred against Ferdinand Marcos (who declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972), and stop Fidel Ramos dead on his tracks from continuing as president after his term ended.

As to the Cojuangco influence under the Ramos administration, it was said all had diminished when FVR ceased to become a marionette of the clan. Only former Senator Francisco Sumulong retained some sort of influence on Malacanang, but even he had become remote from the center of power.

No need to cry over spoiled cheese. Danding has no regrets on Escudero's departure. He still has two nephews in the presidential race - Gibo and Noynoy. Forget party loyalty. Forget family feuds. Forget past political atrasos.

Blood is thicker than - beer.

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

CHAMP WITH CHIZ

SLEEPLESS IN MY SHUTTLE. I've been contemplating on this idea for many months now - and then just recently, a breakthrough! If I had it my way, and now that Francis 'Chiz' Escudero has bolted the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), I would perhaps broker a new presidential-vice presidential tandem of Manny Pacquiao and Chiz Escudero, and then try to lure food empire Jollibee Foods Corporation to fully support their candidacies. This is hitting two birds with one stone so to speak, further promoting an already excellent and mouth-watering Jollibee burger called 'Champ with Cheese,' and since their campaign slogan would simply be: "VOTE CHAMP WITH CHIZ !" What do you think? Will it fly, or fly out the window? Of course I'm only kidding.

(Image from http://www.jollibee.com.ph/)

DYNASTIC DUO

SLEEPLESS IN MY SHUTTLE. Filipinos have become the largest Asian immigrant population. In the US alone, it is a fact that every state has at least one Pinoy family cooking adobo and pancit.

But this is not at all flattering. During the Marcos years, Pinoys fled mostly to the US as political refugees. Many came back after Aquino came to power. But soon, they started leaving again because of extreme economic difficulties and government incompetence. During the Aquino years, Pinoys swarmed to other countries to look for employment since they had no job opportunities in the Philippines. When a vengeful, inutile government comes to power, the citizens are the first ones to suffer. Such was the case during the Aquino years.

People leave their homeland when things become desperate and when they can no longer feed their families, very much like the Irish who fled Ireland in the thousands during the potato famine.

With Noynoy Aquino and his runningmate what's his name topping surveys for now, having no clear plataporma but all puro porma, this dynastic duo may have an excellent chance at greatness, that is - solving the country's over-population problem.

(Image from http://zamoracartoons.blogspot.com/)

PEPE OR ANDY?

SLEEPLESS IN MY SHUTTLE. Some of the country's historians are engaged in a debate. It centers over a proposal to name revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio as the national hero vice Jose Rizal. Many claim Rizal was chosen by the Americans to be our national hero because he was a pacifist and fitted the American campaign to subdue us.

Rizal was known to have been against the revolt mounted by the Katipuneros led by Bonifacio against Spain. Rizal even threatened to go into exile so as not to join the "Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipuanan ng mga Anak ng Bayan" (KKK).

The pro-Bonifacio drive is expected to revive bitter memories of the revolution, especially circumstances around his death which could smear the reputation of a few well-known families.

It may also rekindle stories about where the money of the revolution went and about how its alleged disappearance led to the rise of a well-known landed aristocracy whose descendants remain popular in politics and business to this day.

(Image from http://lunaticg.blogspot.com/)

EXEUNT

The Carmen Guerrero Nakpil - Cafe Havana group lunch I regularly attend which meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month is a mixture of interesting people. Writers and poets, journalists and pundits, generals and putschists, artists and con-artists (pun intended). But all well-meaning and honorable in their craft.

Last October 14 was a treat for me, after receiving a copy of Chitang Nakpil's latest book Exeunt. Well, it wasn't really for me. It was, as Chitang would warmly write on the first page of her book a dedication for my father: "For Ariel, Best Friend Forever, Chitang."

It took me a few more days until I had personally delivered the book to my father, not to mention the joy of reading a few pages, part of which was a personal account of Mrs. Nakpil of the EDSA 1 revolt. I too have my own, a sort of mental account as well having witnessed many undocumented facts as I had been closely identified then with the Enrile family for many years. But that shall be for a future post. For now, let's go back to the book.

I sat right next to my father as I handed him the book, and I immediately saw a teary smile as he read portions of it, including the chapter where he was mentioned by the author.

He handed me back the book. I turned to the last page and read with much interest to him its entire passage: "And Ermita (Ah, my Ermita! My home-town with the snob appeal, the long gone citadel of urban civility) is now only the anachronistic surname of the recycled general in the Arroyo cabinet, who finagles with an inescapable Batangas accent.

I tremble at the thought of what monstrosities lurk ahead.

Now, that I'm alone most of the time, waiting for what we Catholics invoke as "the hour of our death", I have begun to understand many things, both small and huge, fripperies and profundities, like the nature of our compassionate God, the steadfast qualities of the Christian religion, the peace that sustains all believers. Also, why the millions of sweat-stained driven men on the streets of Quiapo, or the flagellants of Good Friday, maim each other to touch the hem of the Nazarene or to draw blood from their backs, and why God must love them more than He does the learned clergymen and theologians with their Bibles and their ornate vestments.

We Filipinos draw our endless patience, our good nature and our trust in God's master plan from a simple unshakeable faith. I surprise myself by quoting to a distraught son, daughter or friend, Teresa of Avila's comforting lines which I learned when I was 9, "Nada de turbe. Nada de espante." Let nothing disturb or frighten you. Everything passes. God never changes. Solo Dios Basta. God alone suffices.

Exeunt.

No longer restless or fractured, rid at last of all strange gods, this very old heart withdraws into peace.

In the very end, after all is said and done, we need only God. Everything else is Vanity of Vanities. All is Vanity."

We were both speechless after.

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

A CITY-STATE TO EMULATE

Facebook friend Micaela Fransesca T. Rodriguez today announced to all her Facebook friends, including myself that she loved being in Singapore. But why not? Singapore is paradise on Earth.

Remember when former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew kicked up a national debate after he criticized the way the Philippines had been mismanaged by its leaders and observed that American-style democracy wasn't exactly the best form of government for us?

"The Philippines needs a competent and determined leadership that will instill discipline in the people," Lee said, even as he bluntly told our leaders that they had to improve the infrastructure, the energy capability and the communications system.

Some people hailed the tough PM for giving us some wise advice and urged our leaders to follow it. Still, others criticized Lee for meddling in Philippine affairs and dismissed his advice as irrelevant because it was based on the experience in Singapore - which is smaller in size than Quezon City and has a population under 5 million people.

Still, the way Lee transformed Singapore into one of the world's most stable and prosperous countries should make our leaders cock an ear to what he says.

Why, everything works in Singapore. There is no poverty, the government is run efficiently and honestly, and the key element is discipline.

Pinoys who visit Singapore come back with glowing praise for that city-state. They also talk about the stiff fines for traffic violations, littering, spitting in public, and even failure to flush a public toilet.

I recall a staff member of our embassy there mentioned that he had been fined once by a health inspector who found a puddle of water in his garage. The inspector said the puddle could become a breeding place for mosquitoes.

Lee Kuan Yew has come and gone, but he has left behind words of wisdom that our leaders and people should ponder on.

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

"TAPGAN"

I had the pleasure of a chance meeting with Roberto 'Bobby' Lim recently, a former pilot for Philippine Air Lines (PAL), who went on to be a top executive of the same firm. Captain Lim, now an octogenarian, is a son of the great General Vicente Lim, a distinguished World War II officer and Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army.

After shaking his hand as a farewell gesture, I had wondered after about the brave pilots who fought gallantly against the Japanese forces. One of them was the late General Godofredo Juliano who came from a handful of Philippine fighter pilots under Colonel Jesus Antonio Villamor. He dared to engage the entire Japanese air force when the Japanese invaded the Philippines.

Juliano, along with Cesar Fernando 'Tarzan' Basa was said to have been always the first to be up in the air whenever Japanese planes appeared in Philippine skies and was able to down no less than 10 Japanese Zeros in those dogfights seen and cheered by Pinoys during the early days of the Pacific War. Two other great Filipino pilots were Antonio Bautista and Danilo Atienza.

The ace pilot rose to become vice-commander of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and, just like Captain Lim, a top executive of Philippine Air Lines.

He was, indeed, a real top gun then.

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

CREMARE

Just a week from now, the nation will mark yet another All Saints' Day and with more chaos, bedlam and pandemonium than in previous years. Untold miseries will be experienced again by those who will be going to cemeteries to visit their dead. This yearly ordeal has given rise to demands that this time-honored tradition be given up altogether.

Even the church hierarchy has been asked to endorse this proposal. Some church leaders are seriously studying the demand. After all, the solemnity of the yearly celebration to honor the dead has vanished entirely, giving way to materialism, frivolity and revelry.

Due to the prohibitive cost of burials and the lack of burial space, many Filipinos continue to opt for cremation. The meddlesome Catholic Church, which banned the practice for a long time, is now allowing it.

If cremation becomes a widespread practice, All Saints' Day will be celebrated differently. The urn containing the ashes of the departed can be kept at home and be accorded reverence each day of the year instead of only once every first day of November.

Among the early Greeks and Romans, cremation was closely associated with valor, manly virtue, patriotism and military glory. It was regarded by many as the only fitting end to an epic life.

Cremation was introduced to the western world by the Greeks in 1000 B.C., although it was practiced long before then by northern tribes. The Romans adopted it. The word cremation comes from the Latin cremare, meaning "to burn up."

In the United States, cremation is more popular than burial because of lack of space for cemeteries. An average of 5,000 individuals die every day in the US. In Japan, cremation is way ahead of burial and we soon have to follow suit. Here in the Philippines, a baby is born every 3 minutes, and the runaway population increase demands more living space, which include those wide memorial parks which can be turned into badly-needed housing projects.

The costs of burial in memorial parks are now so high that only the rich can afford such. It costs up to PhP200,000 for a small burial plot and additional thousands more to entertain friends and relatives during the wake.

In contrast, cremation can be as cheap as PhP1,500 at the San Lazaro Crematory and up to PhP7,500 at those memorial parks which have crematories.

Advocates of cremation argue that they are spared the horror of knowing that their loved ones would be eaten by worms. They also say that cremation will kill the germs that caused death.

It is good that the Catholic Church now allows this practice. Protestant churches actively promote cremation, and among the Masons, cremation is compulsory.

Image above is a Viking cremation.

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

POSED OR RE-ENACTMENT?

SLEEPLESS IN MY SHUTTLE. A reader sent me via e-mail a protest on a previous comment I had written saying that the famous flag-raising by US Marines on Iwo Jima was "posed."

That great photo won a Pulitzer prize for photographer Joe Rosenthal. However, reference materials say that the flag-raising was a "re-enactment" for Rosenthal who had not taken the photo as it actually happened.

Isn't "re-enactment" also "posed?"

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

MERCI

In times of calamities, much is mentioned and written about the help of the United States, Japan, Australia and Taiwan to the Philippines, and we are most grateful to their progressive governments. But little is known about the aid coming from France.

A few years ago, the former French ambassador to the Philippines Oliver Gaussot delivered a speech before Filipino Rotarians on Franco-Philippines relations, which do not get much media attention. In his speech, Gaussot stressed that France has been active in helping the Philippines face its difficulties, whether from devastation from natural calamities or from the foreign debt burden, since France first established its consulate in Manila in 1837. The ambassador said that France had pledged $200 million to the Philippine Assistance Plan, cancelled a Philippine debt amounting to 20 million Francs, instructing that the amount be used instead for Mount Pinatubo victims, and accepted a debt-for-equity swap of $20 million to facilitate investments of French firms in the Philippines.

The French ambassador also asked the Philippine government to be more active in establishing contacts with the European Community. He said the French embassy, in cooperation with the European Commission in Manila, is acting to give more exposure to the Philippines in the European nations and to arouse more economic and political interest in the Philippines.

Gaussot quoted then French President Francois Mitterand who said that after the Filipinos had been visited by natural calamities, "The courage constantly shown by Filipinos, too often the victims of natural calamities, has won the admiration of France."

Today, France continues with its pledge to help the Philippines during natural calamities in many positive ways.

So, who says France is only excellent for its Peugeot and Renault, Guerlain and Givenchy, Bordeaux and Margaux, Beaufort and Roquefort?

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

THE POWER OF APPOINTMENTS

SLEEPLESS IN MY SHUTTLE. The Supreme Court may be asked to settle an old feud between Malacanang and Congress over the power of appointments by the President and Congress' right to confirm or reject such appointments.

Both sides insist on their own interpretation of the Constitution's provisions on the powers of appointment. If we are to follow the Palace reasoning, all Malacanang will have to do is wait for Saturdays and Sundays to sneak in appointments and bypass Congress, don't you think?

The Palace insists it has the power to issue appointments when Congress is in voluntary or compulsory recess.

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

DIVAGATING DIPLOMATS AND POMPOUS POLITICIANS

As I write this, my heart goes out to OFW Dondon Lanuza who, after nine years in a Saudi jail, is still awaiting the day he shall walk out of prison as a free man. Dondon needs all the help we can give him. He could be beheaded, but I am believing such will never happen. That If indeed he acted in self-defense killing another individual, our foreign affairs department must act swiftly too to try to save a Filipino. A human being.

And many of our diplomats abroad simply refuse to help our OFWs in trouble, in particular those who serve as domestic helpers. Hence, Pinoy diplomats who go out of their way to serve our OFWs are as rare as hen's teeth. From what I have gathered, the following could be reasons why our OFWs continue to be treated obnoxiously by our diplomats.

- A whopping majority of these diplomats are relatives and friends of powerful politicians and government officials, a relationship which assures them of continuity in office even if they ignore OFWs and their woes;

- These diplomats are too busy serving as tourist guides, pimps and shopping companions to visiting and junketing Pinoy VIPs, notably from their patrons back home;

- Most OFWs come from impoverished families, in contrast to the diplomats who come from the social and political elite;

- The diplomats are mostly out of their offices, following up papers of Philippine-based business firms which shell out big bucks just so these diplomats could be their errand boys abroad;

- They are too busy attending to night-long diplomatic parties and other social functions, and have to skip going to office the next day or so;

- Most of these diplomats have foreign mistresses;

- They don't help domestic helpers in trouble, especially the pretty ones who do not give in to their sexual demands;

- They extort money from countrymen who need their help badly, and turn their backs on OFWs who cannot shell out the cash demanded of them;

- Most OFWs did not finish college, and are an abomination to members of the diplomatic office who all have college degrees from elite institutions;

- OFWs are generally looked down upon by embassy people as pests;

- Embassy people dislike the accents of OFWs;

- Diplomats are modern-day caciques;

- They are in cahoots with illegal labor recruiters.

But of course there are still many true diplomat heroes, and we know who they are. Those who really do their best in helping OFWs in trouble. OFW Dondon Lanuza is just one of many who need help. He is not a leper. He is a Filipino who cries out to be heard by politicians as well who need to stop collecting tutuli in their ears, just in case the need for it arises, such as a desperate appeal from an OFW.

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

FOUND OR NOT FOUND

SLEEPLESS IN MY SHUTTLE. The decision by shipowners of ill-fated vessels to pay insurance only to the families of victims whose bodies can be accounted for must be immediately jettisoned.

In the case of Filipino boy scouts who all perished in a plane crash many years ago on their way to a jamboree and whose bodies were never found, insurance payments were issued to their respective families.

All those who had perished in past ship tragedies at sea, regardless of whether their bodies were found or not, should be paid insurance in full as this is an obligation of shipowners.

(Image from http://photos.mg.co.za/)

BORLOLOY

SLEEPLESS IN MY SHUTTLE. Whenever people discuss how Mrs. Imelda Marcos was convicted of graft for the "illegal transfer of funds" from one government project to another, we should be reminded that the same yardstick be applied to the Aquino regime for the construction of the infamous Borloloy Building in Malacanang.

Imelda used funds of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) to rehabilitate the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). The Sandiganbayan ruled that she had broken the law. The money used to erect the Borloloy Building came from calamity funds. Release of these funds were approved by President Corazon Aquino.

Many persons are believed to have made dirty money from the overpricing of materials for that building.

Now, shouldn't the courts run after these people - just as it went after Imelda Marcos for her LRT-PGH project?

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

THE 'ILOCANIZED' BENGAL TIGER IN HIM

Chavit Singson is alive and well as he is - like a cat, or more specifically like his giant feline, a Bengal Tiger deemed to have nine lives. He has cheated death many times, the not so recent of which was when he escaped with non-life threatening injuries from a helicopter crash while campaigning in the Mountain Province. Before that, he defied death when he courageously plucked out a pin-less, live grenade from the trembling hands of a hostage-taker in a gripping drama right in the heart of Manila just a spit away from Fred Lim's City Hall. Before that, he survived an aneurysm attack. Still further back, he had bucked ambuscades, sustaining wounds in different parts of his body. The former governor-turned-deputy-national-security-adviser walked out unscathed some years back from would-be assassins masquerading as checkpoint personnel in the dead of night. As Manong Chavit approached the purported checkpoint-botched ambush, cat-like instincts told him here was danger waiting for him. He was to expose jueteng anomalies the very next day. Killers could be out to get him to prevent him from blowing his rusty whistle. As if on cue, Chavit stopped his convoy and sounded out authorities of a road accident. The timely arrival of the police and several town mayors from his Republic of Ilocos Sur aborted what could have been a bloody encounter between Chavit's boys and heavily-armed "checkpoint" men that night. Chavit went on to say his jueteng piece in the Senate against President Joseph Estrada who was kicked out of Malacanang - and is contemplating a grand comeback. Well, Chavit is alive and kicking, eight years now since being instrumental in instigating Erap's banishment from the Palace by the Pasig, and was the man who would usher Gloria Arroyo to an insatiable greed for power. Many say that this was his biggest disservice to the Filipino nation, and I agree. And oh, did I mention he had a heart bypass?

(Image from http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2104/2085481931_e0882242a7.jpg/)

"THE CHURCH OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION"

There seems to be a deliberate attempt by the Catholic Church in the Philippines to ignore year after year the important role played by the Philippine Independent Church of the late great General Gregorio Aglipay, who helped spark the revolt agaist "Madre Espana." The Independent Church, more popularly known as the Aglipay Church, was referred to in historical reports, including those in foreign documents as "the church of the Philippine revolution," and praised for playing a major role in the Philippine Revolution against the Spaniards, which had been described as "the first revolt against colonialism in Asia," and was a model for other revolutions in other Asian countries.

Some blamed the "distortion" of Philippine history on the "continuing meddling" by the Catholic Church in government affairs in the Philippines and on a systematic campaign to hide the truth about the revolution against Spanish Rule and the friars, especially in history books taught in Philippine schools, particularly those colleges run by the church.

Some historians have reportedly brought up this perversion of the role of the Aglipay church in the revolution, to make the necessary corrections to the continuing mammoth historical injustice.

Many leaders of the revolution were given protection and sanctuary in Aglipayan churches and safehouses, which contributed greatly to the success of the uprising against the colonialists. To ignore such a role, and even to ridicule them, as sought by those out to blot their heroic efforts is an unforgivable crime against our heroes who shed their blood and laid down their lives for our beloved country.

(Image from http://stpauls-medina.org/)

"WHO ARE YOU?"

SLEEPLESS IN MY SHUTTLE. At a chance encounter some years ago, former Customs Commissioner Rolando Geotina congratulated former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr., who had been keeping watch over the Bureau of Customs.

"Who are you?" Revilla shot back at Geotina. Obviously, the senator had forgotten he was once a Customs policeman under Geotina. The former commissioner could only manage a forced smile.

(Image from http://www.malaya.com.ph/)

TOOTHLESS

During one of the many ribbon-cutting ceremonies attended by former President Fidel Valdez Ramos where he happened to be a guest of honor at an inauguration of a toothpaste factory, the owners proudly proclaimed to the media that their product assures strong and pearly-white teeth.

When FVR was at the ground-breaking rites, he noticed that his porcelain front tooth was missing, but he gamely said that the proceedings must go through. He even flashed a wide grin for the photographers to record for posterity a presidential smile with one tooth missing.

And that's the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth.

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

WALK YOUR TALK

Perhaps Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III should initiate talks with the Cojuangco family to ask for the immediate opening of their sprawling 6,400 - hectare Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City, Tarlac for the thousands of flood victims in neighboring Pangasinan province. After all, during President Corazon Aquino's term, much government funds were reported to have been utilized to build protective dikes and other forms of infrastructure to save the hacienda from being buried in lahar once upon a time right after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

The flood victims need not stay in the hacienda permanently. The place could serve as a temporary halfway house until the homeless folks from Pangasinan can return to their devastated areas or to some allocated government land.

This should be one of several true tests for Noynoy's sincerity in his desire to help his kababayans. This should prove to be a chance at greatness for Noynoy. Otherwise, it could be another campaign promise meant to be broken, just like an old promise to bring down the price of - galunggong.

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

GUN THE BAN?

With elections just a few months away, Congress must now repeal the authority conferred on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to grant exemptions from the gun ban provided by Republic Act 7165. In addition, the same Congress must also repeal another provision under that law authorizing Comelec to provide security to a candidate for public office who has a threat to his life for the duration of the elected period.

A total gun ban during the election period is a prerequisite to clean and honest elections. Exemptions will only create problems for everyone, and we should instead avoid creating situations that give rise to problems especially when granting exemptions to the gun ban.

Candidates who receive threats during the campaign period and thereafter must withdraw from the race since these candidates become security risks and a financial burden to the government which has to provide protection for him. The more bodyguards a candidate has doesn't necessarily mean the more important he is. It simply means the lesser he is loved by the people, otherwise he would not even fear for his life even when he is in the midst of them. A candidate who is afraid to die is not fit to serve.

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O.OO

Education authorities should look closely (and perhaps padlock) schools and colleges which have not produced a single licensing examinee.

A shocking discovery here is from a report by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) of a zero performance in the different licensure examinations covering 40 professions and disciplines. The PRC can make public the names of these schools and spare the parents who have been duped into sending their children there.

For example, there are 85 accountancy schools with 0.00 percent passing average. The same failures had been recorded in examinations for architecture, chemistry, nursing, medicine, medical technology, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy and civil engineering licences.

The public should be protected against such nuisance and sub-standard schools or departments of certain schools. Again, parents should be told the names of such schools. The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) should come out with a comprehensive list of non-performing educational institutions to abort speculations that a number of CHEd officials receive retainers from such schools.

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KIMCHIS AND KALASHNIKOVS

The cat is out of the bag. One of the suppliers of arms for local communists is North Korea. This country had not been mentioned among the insurgents' armorers until quite recently, with a disclosure from government authorities - that North Korea and mainland China had been pinpointed as among the main suppliers of arms of Philippine insurgents.

Pyongyang has become an international center for terrorist and guerilla training and there are hundreds of North Korean instructors in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

The North Korean intelligence center in this part of the globe is located in Macau where, behind the facade of various commercial covers, agents are engaged in arranging logistics and banking facilities for arms deals and intelligence-gathering functions. In the words of one international military observer: "The sale of terrorist and military training is one way Pyongyang can earn hard currencies to help offset the extravagance of spending 25 percent of its gross national product to maintain the 5th largest army in the world."

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AN OLD CIRCULAR

A ranking tourism official reminded us about a past circular which made the rounds of three departments. It called for the phase-out of foreign nationals in the hotel and resort industry.

The three offices concerned were the Department of Tourism (DoT), The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID).

The circular contained guidelines on the entry and employment of foreigners in hotels and resorts. It sought to curb the unlimited employment of foreigners, promote the careers of Filipinos, and ensure the development and protection of local manpower.

Affected by this circular would be foreigners who have been hired as general managers, resident managers, food and beverage managers, chefs and butchers. The circular states that hotels may hire only two (2) foreigners for the post of general manager and food and beverage manager. The three departments supported the circular, but I think it still remains to be followed to the letter. Pretty hotel employees may not relish this circular. There will be less foreign hotel executives they can possibly tie the knot with. Competition will be keener for these Caucasians. Pinoy hotel executives don't have to contend with blonde and blue-eyed rivals any longer - which remains a favorite choice for Pinays looking for greener pastures elsewhere. Methinks that on this matter, the local variety carabao grass is still green enough to relish.

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KA DOROY

Leafing through some old files recently, I came across a copy of a personally-written letter by former (and late) President Marcos to the late Teodoro 'Ka Doroy' Valencia, the dean of Philippine journalists, who was then critically ill at a hospital in 1987. The copy was furnished by newsman Floro Mercene, who was then arranging a birthday celebration for Ka Doroy.

I quote the note verbatim by Marcos:

"To Doroy, intuitive social philosopher whose wisdom is equalled only by wit of his writings and observations, whose comments may keep the journalistic profession tolerable, if not credible, and whose patriotism has greatly helped the moulding of a militant, committed new breed of Filipinos who are like their forebears willing to offer not only health, blood and life as well as their sacred honor. Your memorials are in the hearts of the Filipino people."

The deposed President said, "We will meet again, friend and comrade, and God, I am confident, will bless that day. May God be with you always."

A few days later, on May 4, 1987, Ka Doroy slipped away into eternity.

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PAEDOPHILIPPINES?

We are rankled by reports from the United Nations that the Philippines is now No. 2 in the world for child prostitution, coming second only to India. And, if things worsen, we may soon be No. 1.

Government efforts to remedy the situation are far from satisfactory which is the reason we continue to be the favorite destination of paedophiles and other forms of sex perverts from the US and Europe. Pictures of innocent young children from the Philippines are circulated all over Europe as come-ons for travel to the country for sexual pleasures. These periodicals point to the fact that Philippine authorities are lax and many may be easily bribed for sex perverts to escape being hauled before local courts. These periodicals also mention that parents here are lured with only a few dollars to consent to having their children go out with foreigners.

Pagsanjan, Laguna has been pictured as an example where parents welcome with open arms foreigners who arrive with gifts and who offer money to cavort with the young kids there. We know for a fact that quite a number of such foreigners in Pagsanjan live in homes they had built for the families of children who are objects of their desire.

The perplexing thing is that even town officials tolerate the presence of these vultures. Let's kick them out before they outnumber Koreans here 2-1.

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DESALINATION, ANYONE?

At the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy, floodwaters were extremely everywhere in several hard-hit places. No high ground was assured of safety as the water levels were rising rapidly. But the irony of it all was that there was also no safe drinking water around. For this reason, perhaps the government's technical advisers would consider desalination as a solution to a serious (drinking) water shortage, especially in times of calamity.

This process, the removal of salt from sea water, is practiced routinely in many countries like Israel, which has turned many deserts into lush fruit and vegetable farms. Distillation is the most widely-used desalination process today. A simple form of distillation apparatus is used in countries with salt water and intense sunlight - like the Philippines. Salt water is placed under a transparent cover and the sun's rays partially vaporize the water. The water vapor is caught in the transparent cover and, when it condenses into liquid form, water flows into a collectiong through. Other processes make use of the fact that when salt water is frozen, the ice crystals contain no salt. There are already proposals for large-scale nuclear desalination which our government can make inquiries. But other more affordable desalination processes include freezing, reverse osmosis, ionic processes, electrodialysis and techniques that change the physical and chemical properties of salt water.

With the hundreds of millions of pesos used by the water agancies in the country, how come no government expert has been assigned to look into these desalination programs? Preliminary inquiries could be made with embassies of countries which utilize successful desalination projects, and perhaps even our experts can be sent abroad to look for the most suited and economical apparatus which should be immediately purchased and used back here. This is one expense that the public will surely welcome.

But first, these officials should be warned against thinking first of commissions and overpricing, which may sabotage their missions.

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AIRPORT ROBBERY

Government officials have assured our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are returning home for the holidays a warm welcome and a hassle-free treatment at the airport. Here we go again. That's the same old tune they have been singing every Christmas season - and every Christmas season, the poor OFWs are victimized by crooks and grafters both in and out of government. Don't shoot off your mouths. Just do it and those returning workers will be grateful.

At least 100,000 OFWs are expected to come home. Add to these the permanent Pinoy residents from the US and Canada. Unless our officials can really give them protection and courtesies at the airport, these kababayans of ours are going to complain again. Customs officials should crack down on customs examiners who just have the nasty habit of appropriating for themselves items they take a fancy to while going through the luggage of the returnees. Some are even brazen enough to ask for Christman gifts, especially when they see expensive perfume, signature clothing and quality leather goods brought in by the OFWs. Likewise, the immigration officials should also slap the wrists of immigration people at the airport who make things difficult for the OFWs unless they come across with some cold cash.

Our officials even promised that the OFWs can go through customs and immigration clearance in no more than 25 minutes.

This we gotta see.

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"I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE ..."

The Comelec should not accept the candidacies of candidates who are U.S. Green Card holders, a.k.a. resident aliens. There are many of them. I will be furnished a list of these candidates soon and I am sure most if not all of our presidentiables are in that list. Check your candidates of choice, especially the more popular ones. I bet they're doing a disservice to the country by concealing their green cards. I suspect that quite a number must be US citizens too, and have not really bothered to give up their foreign citizenship. So young, and so traitorous. They should not be allowed by the Comelec to file their candidacies. The list should also include candidates who have acquired Canadian immigrant status or citizenship - and other countries for that matter.

Take the classic case of former Sorsogon Governor Juan Frivaldo and Baguio City Mayor Jun Labo who were both disqualified from public office even after they had been elected. Frivaldo fought the citizenship issue for many years when he was accused of being a US citizen, while Labo was accused of being an Australian citizen. There were at least three other provincial and municipal executives who were charged with non-eligibility to possess Philippine elective positions due to their holding foreign passports. One problem here is that some other countries like Spain, Australia, the UK and of course the US allow dual citizenship, a fact which several Filipinos, notably those in the upper echelons of society, have taken advantage of for prestige and convenience.

And one of the reasons why many of our prominent state officials and business leaders go regularly to the US is to renew their green cards while visiting family members abroad. Methinks even most appointive officials including the cabinet, the judiciary and the executive department are all green card holders, while some are 'dual citizens.'

We can determine which of these officials have family members, notably spouses and children, who are green card holders and who have latched on to their foreign papers as some sort of "insurance" in case of trouble in the Philippines. This way, these family members could easily fly to the US and to other countries in case of civil strife here or even economic crises such as a financial crunch or meltdown.

As one cabinet member recently said when asked what he would do in case of trouble here, "no sweat, my family can easily fly to the US," and that he would eventually follow if things grow worse here.

The time is ripe for these people to be exposed for who they truly are, and their much-proclaimed patriotism and so-called love for this country be put to the test.

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SABAH SPIN

The saber-rattling of the administration against Malaysia is really an old ploy used as a last resort by Philippine officials from way back whenever crisis managers meet to devise means to take the heat off from an angry citizenry over government failures as misrule, high prices and lack of essential services.

During a crucial make-or-break meeting of political and propaganda strategists during the height of anger over the martial law regime of President Marcos, declaring war with Malaysia was discussed as a way to divert the people's anger from the military rule.

The proposal was defeated by a narrow vote mostly from peaceniks who said the consequences might become too horrible to handle. Even as far back as the regime of President Garcia, war with Malaysia was also discussed mainly through a former newsman who had become one of Garcia's trusted advisers and who served as a diplomat in that country.

The thorn in the relations between the two countries is the claim to oil-rich Sabah, traditionally a part of the Philippines until ceded to Malaysia by the British when they pulled out of that country. This was bitterly contested by the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, the recognized owners of the island.

There are more than half a million Pinoys in Sabah. This has prompted Kuala Lumpur to beef up its military facilities there to counteract the Pinoy presence. Malaysian officials had admitted that if armed hostilities break out in the island now, it would be a walk away for the Philippines due to the big Filipino group of settlers there. Malaysia has ordered modern air and naval craft and weapons from the United Kingdom, which has caused grave concern in Manila.

War with Malaysia? Why, the AFP can't even annihilate the Abu Sayyaf.

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FROM THE CEO

As your CEO of this company, I have resigned myself to the fact that Noynoy Aquino could be our next president, if elections materialize in 2010, and that our taxes and government fees will increase in a big way. To compensate for these increases, our prices will have to go up by about 10%.

And since we cannot increase our prices right now due to the dismal state of the economy, thanks to the Arroyo administration, we will have to lay-off six of our employees instead. This has really been bothering me, since I firmly believe we are a family here, and couldn't quite determine who among you would have to go.

So, this is what I did. I walked through our parking lot and found six 'AQUINO-ROXAS 2010 FOR CHANGE' bumper stickers on our employees' cars and have decided these are the ones who will have to go. I can't think of a better way to approach this problem.

They were asking for CHANGE. I gave it to them.

I will see the rest of you at the annual company outing.

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FUTURE NOYNOY VS BONGBONG?

Back in the early 90s, when Rep. Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. of Ilocos Norte went to Malacanang to take his oath as a member of the Northern Alliance, Rep. Rodolfo 'Rudy' Albano told everybody there that Bongbong will return to Malacanang someday as President.

This prediction aroused concern among the Cojuangcos and the Aquinos, with some wanting to groom Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino as Ninoy and Cory's political heir. They wanted Noynoy to run for Congress in Tarlac in 1995 - and thwart any attempt by the Marcoses to return to Malacanang.

According to the scenario some political observers envision, the Aquino-Marcos political feud will endure into the next century, with Noynoy and Bongbong running against each other for the presidency.

This may be true, or not, with Bongbong "missing" still. However, it's still premature to count Bongbong out for good. After all, he is only 51 and the so-called 'Solid North' is still behind him 100 percent, not to mention the Eastern Visayas block of Imelda Marcos.

But yes, his silence is deafening, especially after Noynoy had recently mentioned at Club Filipino that if ever he wins the presidency, his administration will look into the ill-gotten wealth issues hurled against the Marcoses. That to me is like testing the waters for future warfare. Bongbong can always retaliate by demanding an accounting of the wealth the Aquino government "sequestered" via the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which I think is a misnomer - the PCGG being known for having officials taking advantage of their positions to enrich themselves as well. A case of "ill-gotten wealth from ill-gotten wealth?"

Including the gold hoard.

Hence, stories from many quarters seem to bolster reports from officials of the PCGG that the Marcoses really possessed gold bullions amounting to some US$ 25 billion, the bulk of which came from the Yamashita treasure.

The late Ambassador Emmanuel Pelaez was reported as having attested to the existence of the gold. He was believed to be privy to efforts by certain relatives of President Aquino to have President Marcos agree to share the gold hoard in exchange for his freedom from prosecution. The relatives allegedly demanded that Marcos turn over 80 percent of the gold to them, and not to the Philippine government.

Let the negative comments on this post begin.

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LOVE IN A TIME OF WAR

65 years ago today, my parents who were so in love with each other decided it was time for them to be solemnized as husband and wife. He was 21. She was 19. That was exactly on September 16, 1944, amidst the turmoil and destruction brought about by the war, two people were planning their future.

In her book 'Myself, Elsewhere,' Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil makes mention of my mother and father's controversial wedding at the Ermita Church. She writes, "The Americans kept to themselves in reverse ghettoes. Those who attended the Episcopalian Cathedral of St. Mary and St. John on Isaac Peral or the small Methodist church on San Luis and went swimming at the YMCA faced a social barrier. Ecumenism was yet to be thought of. There were some exceptions: Nenita Caballero, daughter of Don Felipe Tuason Caballero married Ariel Bocobo, Protestant and Mason, son of Dean Jorge Bocobo of the U.P. Their wedding, solemnized at a side altar of the Ermita Church, as decreed for mixed-marriages, is still recalled half a century later by the groom, now a retired journalist, with tears in his eyes."

My father and I returned to Ermita Church some 2 years ago. Walking to that small room where he married my mother in simple rites witnessed by Father Blas, the church's parish priest, and officiated by a certain Archbishop O'Dougherty courtesy of my mother's cousins on the Monserrat side, he recalls how that day was so special for him. It was the day he would marry his one great love. Today, a widower since 2001, memories of the past may appear not as clear anymore as before. At 87, many things tend to be forgotten. But not this one. Not their wedding day 65 years ago.

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YANQUI GO HOME, COME BACK SOON

Tomorrow, September 16 will be a day of mixed emotions for some people. It was a normal day in 1991 when the Philippine Senate rejected the newly-signed US-RP Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Security which would have maintained the US presence in Philippine territory for many more years.

To those who fought the treaty, September 16 marked the end of almost 100 years of the pervasive American presence. At long last, this country would be completely free and sovereign in the sense that for the first time in 470 years, it would no longer have foreign troops on its soil. Really? Just watch Mindanao and see that this ain't so.

September 16 marked the day the Philippines turned its back on a friend and benefactor, and invited the economic and political difficulties that would result from the loss of US support.

But for both the antis and the pros, September 16 is special in the sense that it marks a watershed in our history. Anti-treaty people say September 16 is Liberation Day, just like when the colonial rule by Spain and the military occupation by Japan were broken. The pro-treaty people say September 16 was the beginning of the day of infamy and betrayal.

President Corazon Aquino had said that the fight was not yet over. She announced she was calling for a referendum three months after (December) to let the people make the final decision. The Constitution provides, however, that this final act be given to the Senate with its treaty-ratifying powers. But President Aquino and her legal advisers said the same Constitution also gives the people the power to review and pass judgment on any act of Congress under the peoples' initiative and referendum system.

The signatures of three million citizens can compel the Commission on Elections to conduct a referendum on any act of government under public scrutiny.

Later on, scores of President Aquino's supporters refused to support her plan to hold a referendum to nullify the Senate's rejection of the treaty. It was a referen-doom.

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COUNTERFEIT MASTERS

The great Pablo Picasso had a friend who was an art collector and dealer. The gentleman asked Picasso to go through his collection and separate out the fakes and the forgeries from the real ones.

Picasso, going through his paintings - "real, real, fake, real .. that's fake .. that one too .. real, fake, real, real ..." - when his friend interrupts him.

"Wait, Pablo! That one's not a fake. I saw you paint it with my own eyes."

Picasso replies, "I can fake a Picasso as well as anyone else."

Back here at home, we do have a law punishing forgery of art works. There have been too many counterfeit paintings appearing in the market, especially from the masters such as Fernando Amorsolo, Juan Luna and Botong Francisco. The syndicates behind the fake masterpieces mean business. They had organized a lobby against this law and have even "silenced" a witness, a forger in their employ who was ready to testify against them. The law is necessary. Most of our courts simply warn that buyers must beware when looking around for collections. Caveat emptor, the courts say.

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