Hi there! It’s another week. If I may repeat what I always write on a Monday like this (read: holiday), nothing beats waking up on a Monday knowing that you are not expected to report to work. And today is one of those days. It’s all over the place, today we honor Andres Bonifacio. Yup, it’s a day that is often referred to as National Heroes Day. So, what’s with today being a holiday? You don’t have to answer that question. Surely many are into extended sleeps, cleaning, lazing around, and yes, a long night last night.
First things first. This item has been announced in Calbayog via the local radio stations: it’s the COMELEC decision on the protest case against Mayor Mel Sarmiento. I recently got hold of a copy of the said decision and here are some details:
The 2,777-page resolution had to do with the Tuazon vs. Sarmiento EPC Case No. 2007-32. With 32,259 votes for Sarmiento against 28,530 votes for protestant Tuazon, or a margin of 3,729 votes. The Commission (on Elections) resolved to deny the instant petition. The resolution was signed COMELEC Chairperson Jose A. R. Melo, Commissioners Rene V. Sarmiento, Armando C. Velasco, Elais R. Yusoph and Gregorio Y. Larrazabal. Commissioners Nicodemo T. Ferrer and Lucenito N. Tagle did not sign the resolution.
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Back to Andres Bonifacio. Instead of my usual acerbic comments about the world around me, today I have decided to give you something about Bonifacio. Sorry, it’s the history buff and yes, the teacher in me. It’s something I found while googling Bonifacio Day.
Let me give an excerpt from an article by Ambeth Ocampo explaining why commemorate Bonifacio not on the day of his death, but on his birthday, yes his birthday (source: Nov. 27, 2002 www.inq7.net):
“. . . If my faulty memory serves me right there was once a move to contract our list of national holidays, and one of the casualties was Bonifacio Day that was renamed National Heroes Day. Naturally, the move was perceived by some as an official downgrading of Bonifacio by making him share the limelight with all national heroes. That has since been settled when National Heroes Day was set on the last Sunday of August. Now Andres Bonifacio rightly has a national holiday all to himself on Nov. 30.
Bonifacio Day is also odd, because heroes -- like saints -- are often remembered more for their death than their birth. Rizal's birthday, June 19, is a holiday in Laguna province, and the date of his execution, Dec. 30, is a national holiday known as Rizal Day.
Anyone who knows Philippine history will understand why Bonifacio is remembered on his birthday, Nov. 30, rather than the date of his death, May 10, 1897. Unlike Rizal who was executed by the enemy, and other heroes who died in battle, Bonifacio was executed by fellow Filipinos.
The circumstances surrounding the death of Bonifacio have been debated for decades, and it remains unsolved, a skeleton in our closet. One would hope that more material on Bonifacio would come to light, but then we know of him mainly from the accounts of people who knew him. Unlike other heroes like Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, etc., he left very little of his own writings, making the task of the historian difficult.” (read the complete article)
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The CKC - Jose Gomez Orchestra is off to Manila for a series of concerts. Originally scheduled last October, it was postponed due to typhoon Ondoy. From the original three, the orchestra will have five engagements to be highlighted by a performance at the Manila Cathedral. The said performance will be among the activities of Pondong Pinoy. The orchestra will be performing upon the invitation of Manila Archbishop, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
Here’s their schedule:
- December 7, 2009: Sanctuario de San Antonio (Forbes Park)
- December 8, 2009: Mall of Asia (Atrium)
- December 9, 2009: Saint Anthony Shrine (Manrique Street, Sampaloc, Manila)
- December 10, 2009: Santuario De San Pedro Bautista Church (San Pedro Bautista Street, San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City)
- December 11, 2009: Manila Cathedral
Except for the performance at the Manila Cathedral, all engagements are set at 7:30 in the evening. Proceeds of the concerts will be for the scholarship of the orchestra members and for the procurement of additional instruments. For other details / inquiries, please contact Arthur at: +63 915-215-6548
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Parokya ni Edgar will be performing at the Calbayog Calbayog City Sports Center on December 21, 2009. For tickets you may call (055) 209-1646.
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This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!
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