Lost in Transit (or my 2GO experience)

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s a new week. And if I may borrow a line from Mayor Reynaldo Uy’s speech last Friday, thank God it’s over, I mean the EVRAA meet in Calbayog. Delegates were treated to a party last Friday with the Aegis concert, dancing, free dinner and the grand fireworks display.

So far so good, no acerbic comments from the visitors or delegates. But there should be some snide remarks somewhere. Yup, as expected it came from, (drum rolls) some noisy Calbayogonons who happen to be not in the know as to how things were prepared. Well, as I always say it, es la vida. But one thing though, what Calbayog lacked in medals, the City compensated with the best (EVRAA) hosting and of course the good performance of the local schools during national exams.

* * *

I’ll take a break from EVRAA. I’ll be featuring texts of speeches and other details of the events in my upcoming columns. In the meantime, I would like to share my not-so-good experience with a cargo forwarding company (I hope I’m using the right term).

During the third week of January I bought books from a Cebu-based ebay seller. It was around the same time that I bought book from two Manila-based ebay sellers. To make it short, I did the payments and arranged for shipment. All sellers informed me that they were sending it via 2GO ‘coz it’s cheaper, and that there is only a two-day leadtime (or something to that effect). Well, the low rate was good news to a stingy person like me. The books sent from Manila arrived the day after I made payments. Indeed that was great. Well, not with the ones sent from Cebu.

Like the other credible cargo forwarder, 2GO has got a website with a feature which enables a customer to track his package. And as of February 1, 2011, this is the info I got about my package:

• 1/24/2011 11:33:25 PM, ACCEPTED SHIPMENT FROM CUSTOMER
• 1/25/2011 3:59:40 AM, LOADED SCAT
• 1/31/2011 10:00:00 AM, ARRIVAL TACLOBAN
• 1/31/2011 11:00:00 AM, IN-TRANSIT

A two-day lead time? Let me see, maybe two days travel from Cebu to Ormoc via super cat. Two days stay in Ormoc. Two days travel from Ormoc to Tacloban and I suppose another two days travel from Tacloban to Calbayog.

I checked on January 25, 26 and 30, and the advice I got was “Sir kay waray flight, tingali buwas.” And on Wednesday last week, I was advised “nga narubat an truck nga nag-deliver”. I finally got my books on February 2, 2011 at 4:35 pm. (that’s a few hours after I was told “narubat an truck nga nag-deliver”).

I’m not saying that 2GO is bad, it charges much lower that the other cargo forwarding companies. At 70 pesos, who would have second thoughts about sending stuff through another forwarder? Or maybe it was for the simple reason that they were not going to earn anything from a cargo which paid a paltry 70 pesos. Well, I learned my lesson again and it’s that paying cheap can have its setbacks. But for the headaches it caused me, I think I’d settle for LBC. Nope, let me rephrase that line. 2GO is one of the better companies in the country, no question about it. But their Visayas hub (in my case it reads: Cebu to Calbayog route or sector) is something else. And yes, I have no complains with 2GO Calbayog. They did try to answer my questions. I just don’t know if they made follow-ups.

So you think that the boat trip from Cebu to Calbayog is too long at 10 hours? Well, what would you call the delivery of two pieces of hardbound books from Cebu to Calbayog that took more than a week (that’s January 24, 2011 to February 2, 2011)

Ok, it happens. But even if one is on a vacation, it doesn’t take nine days to travel from Cebu to Calbayog, does it? Well, on foot maybe.

* * *

This is it for now. Let me leave you with a few lines from Mayor Uy’s speech as he thanked the Calbayognons for a successful EVRAA 2011 meet: “I believe that the challenge of hosting EVRAA 2011 brought about the spirit of unity, cooperation and resourcefulness among all Calbayognons. And we hope to see the same spirit as we all move forward to put in place more programs for a more progressive Calbayog.”

Have nice week everyone! Ciao!

(Failed) Relationships (or That Jerk!)

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s a new week and we are days away to sweldo time. First things first, my apologies for not writing the past - I counted the days – month. Blame it on my day job (Smile!). And after that “long” break, I have decided to do away (for the nth time) with my acerbic comments about the world around me. I have copied some articles I got from some fellow bloggers, which explains today’s title. And yes, my column should read: The Crazy Me as there is nothing about Calbayog, at least for today. (Smile, it’s a new week)

Bitter? Hmmm. Don’t ask why such a title. It’s for the purpose of being able to do away (like closure? :-) ) with bad endings that came after happy beginnings that some people (of not-so-happy memory) have brought upon – hmmm (you don’t have to guess); and in a way explains why this column took some hibernation. (Smile! It adds to your face value!)

Let me give you something which I got from www. heavenpurgatoryandhell.blogspot.com:

“One of the most difficult situations to fathom is that of a relationship. Whether you're just beginning or already tied down, whether you're teenagers or already a senior citizen - there are many occasions in your relationship that posed, pose or will pose a challenge.”

“Every relation is a work in progress. I believe that happy beginnings are the rule. It's why we get into a relation in the first place. But happy endings, ah, that's the hard part. Only we can make a happy ending. Which means that in between the stories of our lives are the hardships that entail us to make each and every relationship work.”

“Sometimes, when there is trouble in paradise, we need to remember why we even ended up with our significant other the first time around. Was it for fun, for convenience, or for love?”

“It will always take two to tango. There should be honor and respect for one another and most of all, we need to keep each others dignity intact. Each of us provides the pillar of strength for the other. It's really about - for better or worse.”

“We just need to remember that in a relationship, there is no more I. It is all about US.”

And here’s another one which explains the other title of today’s column. It’s from a fellow blogger (my apologies, I got carried away by the contents I forgot to tale note of the source). I dunnow who that friend of his is, but it’s the setting which is so familiar, so familiar especially with all those failed relationships. (The newspaper version of this column contains the sanitized version of the following paragraph)

"A friend recently got entangled in a pseudo-relationship: he didn't know that he was dating a guy who is already attached. Thanks to my loud mouth quite accidentally, he discovered early on. He was, how do you say that again? Devastated. Because the guy is hot, charming, handsome, smart and, uh, hot. And he was beginning to love the jerk, beyond the late-night sex and the amorous text messages. Later, my friend, during comfort episodes, would reveal that the Mr. Jerk was inconsistent and mercurial at times. Tell-tale signs of something amiss in the calculus of Mr. Jerk's so-called affections for my poor friend. Which got me thinking - what is it about jerks anyways that make them so appealing sometimes? Do we get attracted at some point in our lonely lives to the self-destructive skunks? But how?"

“In the article The Mystery of Jerks by Katz and Holmes, the conclusion reads: Admittedly, there are a few people who probably enjoy the histrionics and the moods and the make-up sex that come with dating drama kings and queens. But I'd bet that most are just willing to tolerate the drama, because, thus far, that drama comes attached to the "best" person they could find. Essentially, they're saying, "Yeah, he's inconsistent, selfish, and distant, but he's all mine." Just realize that every second you're spending with the wrong guy is a second that you're not out looking for the right one, the guy who gives, the guy who listens, the guy who learns. Darn, this is all so true. Are you reading this, Honey? (err, Mr. Jerk?)”

* * *

Sarah Geronimo in Live in Calbayog! This concert for a cause will be held on September 7, 2010 at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

* * *

This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!

the ordinary Juan

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s another weekend. As I wrote this column, there was much argument, no ‘twas more of flimflam as to when the non-working day observance of Ninoy Aquino Day is - today or this coming Monday. By the time you read this it’s either you are already having a long weekend or looking forward to having one. Anyway, I hope most of our countrymen are aware as to why and/or who we commemorate on August 21.

Some national news muna. So much is being said about the now-notorious New York and Washington dinners. Reporters and TV talk show hosts (and guests) are indeed having a field day. Amidst the endless chattering of ideas and what have you, something stood above the rest. It’s the comments made by Jun Yasay, the former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (better known as the tamaan-ka-sana-ng-kidalat guy during Erap’s time) who said that if there is one thing that we should be giving focus about, it’s not the dinners of PGMA but the stocks or their investments in the stock market. Put it there, I don’t want have any idea of the complexities of the stock market.

And Manny Pacquiao as peace negotiator? C’mon guys, get real. Yun lang po!

Talking about the people’s champ. So we have another Filipino to win a boxing bout. Mr. Donaire in a way makes me proud, boxing being a bloody sport notwithstanding. Anyway, what about that fight? It’s not how he own. It’s the national anthem again. Somebody did it again. Yup, it’s that singer named Dessa. Like what I said with Martin’s Lupang Hinirang flimflam – how could you?

* * *

Local News The Calbayog City Sports Center is almost ready. Finishing touches are being put in place in the center in time for its soft opening on August 31, 2009. The center which is located in Barangay Capoocan will be the venue of all activities slated during the Calbayog City Fiesta. Three concerts have been booked: Noel Cabangon (September 3), Ladine Roxas Voice of Asia 2001 Champ (September 5) and MYMP (September 6). The annual search for Ms. Anyag will also have the center as its new home. Ms. Anyag 2009 will be held on September 4.

* * *

DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro was in Calbayog City last week. She made a brief stopover at the Calbayog Techno Gabay Center. On hand for the simple program were the staff of the City Agriculture Office and some officers of the CAFC.

* * *

Mayor Mel Sarmiento was invited to deliver a welcome speech during the 2nd Children’s Caucus, an event spearheaded by the SOS Calbayog Village. The one-day workshop is aimed at putting emphasis / promoting the rights of children. It will be held tomorrow at the LMA auditorium.
400 guests and participants are expected from the SK, Church - Youth Ministry, CSWDO / Out-of-School Youth, WESADEF, 16 youth from the SOS Youth Facility, 60 kids from the Children’s Village and 102 FSP.

The first Children’s Caucus was held last week in Tinambacan and Oquendo districts with 200 participants.

* * *

And what am I up to this time? Let give you some rant, but my apologies it has nothing to do with my favorite priest. I have reserved it for my columns for the coming week just in time for the fiesta. This has something to do with my recent not-so-memorable experience with Cebu Pacific.

At around 12:00 noon last Monday, I got a text message from a friend who works at the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. She took Cebu Pacific Calbayog - Manila flight earlier that day. The text said, "Haay Cebu Pacific did not fly my bag from CALBAYOG. I really had a feeling that they would miss it when I checked in this morning. Great Service". I guess we have to let that go. I believe that that situation is not an exclusive domain of Calbayog, Cebu Pacific or any airline and any airport for that matter. Years ago an article ridiculed the lousy service that airlines - international if I may ads - do in handling baggage. And then I remember something which I was supposed to give you many days ago. And this is it:

Cebu Pacific's daily Manila-Calbayog-Manila flights commenced last Sunday. This is a nice development. On my own little way, I would like to welcome this service of Cebu Pacific with this rant!

Just when I thought I was no longer doing my earlier intention to write something about how Cebu Pacific sucks (the first time I read that line was from the blog of ace videographer Jason Magbanua when he ranted about his flight to Boracay). Yes, that's until I booked a ticket for my aunt and opted to pay via megalink or ATM - something novel for me after paying my earlier internet bookings via credit card. So, in case you intend to book your Cebu Pacific tickets online and pay via ATM, think again.

I did my booking more than a week ago. It was for two tickets for a flight from Tacloban to Cebu on August 12, 2009 (Wednesday). I was pleased to find low-fare tickets available considering the time between booking and the flight itself. I was also pleased to find out about payments via ATM. After entering the necessary booking details, I got the instructions which stated, "You have until tonight (August 9), 23:59H PH Time to pay for your booking through various payment centers. Please see complete list of payment centers by visiting our website at http://www.cebupacificair.com/." After the payment has been made, the passenger will receive a text message from Cebu Pacific confirming the reservation, something which the passenger has to present at the airport together with the e-ticket (or so the instruction said). I did the booking at around 10:00 am, and went to the local UCPB ATM to pay in less than 30 minutes. And in an hour's time, I received the e-ticket via email with the reservation noted: on hold.
So, end of story and welcome to a smooth flight? Nope, it took me four phone calls and a 3-day waiting period before I got the booking confirmation. And yes, we never received a text confirmation from Cebu Pacific.

Let's do some math here. The ticket price was 1,888.32 pesos. Since I opted for ATM payment, 15 pesos was added making the total amount due at 1,903.32 pesos. Still a small amount to pay for the mode of payment. Or so I thought.

24 hours after payment was made, still no text confirmation and no e-ticket with the confirmed reservation. I had to call the airline. I thought it was only one phone call, I ended up doing three more phone calls after being promised that something will be done about it. Yes, they promised to do something about it 4 times (yup, when I called them 4 times) in three days. Finally, on Tuesday afternoon at around 4:30 pm, about 13 hours away from the scheduled flight, only then did we receive the email with the e-ticket and the confirmed reservation; and yes, still no confirmation via text message.

Let's do the math again. My phone calls totaled approximately 25 minutes, give or take a few seconds. And that will cost me approximately 200 pesos in my phone bill next month ('coz suncellular charges 8 pesos/ minute for landline calls). I ended up shelling approximately 2,100 pesos plus for a supposedly low-fare ticket. And yes, what's the amount one had to add for the worry or anxiety about being denied boarding or entrance at the airport? And the waiting one had to do before receiving a final booking confirmation?

Have I told you about their refund procedure? Don't ever contemplate on having to apply for one, saying that the experience is unpleasant is an understatement.

Will I still take Cebu Pacific? Of course I will. It's not that I don't have a choice. It's my way of thanking Mr. Gokongwei for giving every ordinary Juan (like me) the chance to fly, you know with their "Every Juan Must Fly" credo. Sadly for some of their ground crew and flight attendants, with their non-smiling faces which are more of blank stares and the manner some of them give instruction or reminders to some passengers checking in, it seems like the Cebu Pacific credo has been changed to "Every Ordinary Juan Must Stop Flying".

Ah, if only PAL does not live up to what its name stands for: Plane Always Late. The same thing with Zest Air and its erratic flight schedule. Thanks goodness they did away with their old name. I took a good number of their flights, I mean Asian Spirit, I can't help but worry about landing as spirit each time my flight took off.

* * *

Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!

Congratulations Mrs. Lourdes Lauderes - Matan

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s another weekend, a sweldo weekend at that. First things first. Congratulations to Mrs. Lourdes Lauderes – Matan. She made it as one of the 10 winners in the Metrobank Foundation’s Search for Outstanding Teachers 2009.

As one of the youngest awardees in this year’s roster (34 yrs. old), Mrs. Matan was instrumental in her school’s being able to offer a complete elementary education program from grades 1 through sixth by implementing multi-grade classrooms where she taught two or more grades simultaneously. And while this setting presented a number of challenges such as lack of teaching and learning materials, Mrs. Matan was undaunted and instead developed workbooks for the different subjects she was handling. Consequently, these instructional materials were adopted by schools in Calbayog City. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Matan is active in community work, crusading against forced and early marriages, which are still being practiced in some remote areas in the province where minors, some as young as 13, are being married off to older men in exchange for some goods and small amount of money (i.e. a sack of rice, a pig, and P3,000). By educating the young girls on their rights and their parents on the harmful effects of early marriages on their daughters and convincing them to keep the latter in school, Mrs. Matan was able to prevent forced and early marriages in neighboring barangays. Mrs. Matan also serves as a member of the Lupong Tagapamayapa – a group engaged in settling disputes at the barangay level – in her barangay, an affirmation of the teachers’ status in the community.

Mrs. Matan specializes in Filipino and is assigned at the Mag-Ubay Elementary School in Oquendo District, Calbayog City. Now on her 13th year in the teaching profession, she holds the position as Elementary Grade Teacher III.

Last year, during the 60th Calbayog Charter Day celebration, Ms. Matan was cited as one of the Ten Outstanding Calbayognons (in the field of education).

The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies chaired by Dr. George S.K. Ty. Over the last 30 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and College Scholarship Program. The Foundation also has a grants program that assists NGOs and government in the fields of education, healthcare, and the arts. Metrobank Foundation celebrates Filipino excellence and presents wellsprings of hope in the future of our nation.

* * *

So, what’s up for today? Please don’t ask me to comment on the 20-thousand dollar dinner of PGMA’s entourage. Oops, make it $35,000.00 to include the latest Washington Post feature. It’s not that I like the idea about our officials spending too much for a fancy dinner, but I think I agree with what Chito Beltran wrote in his column last Wednesday. The simplistic in me summed it up as something which says, “Look who’s talking.”


* * *

Talking about talks or talking (Ano ba yan? Redundant!). Early this week, the city was rife with talks (okey, rumors) about a local priest, err, some priests. Word has it that something went not-so-right (okey let use the word wrong) during a meeting of the clergy in our locality. Details in my next column.

* * *

During a recent feast day celebration in Calbayog, my bubuwits (aka sources) told me that the homilist mentioned something about the clergy being here to serve and not to be served. And that they are also human, ergo they are not perfect, and thus to the local faithful was said this line: “please bear with us” and “please pray for us”.

Indeed, some clergy members are human. They can commit mistakes. They are human, so they tend to forget that they are here to serve and not to be served. So, does that explain why a clergy member just can’t say yes to a parishioner who went out of her way to request (or beg?) for a discounted rate of 500 pesos for a funeral mass because her family can’t afford the 1,000 pesos being charged by the parish?

Yes, they too are human, so we have to excuse them when one them says such words as pasasakit, napo-o and gaba in his homily when referring to some parishioners whom they have locked horns with or those whom he perceives do not like him.

Yes, they are imperfect, let us bear it when one of them says, “I don’t care” when asked about calling for an assembly to explain or make clear to the people some changes in the policies and fees of the parish.

Yes, they too are human, they forgot to put provisions for the indigent parishioners in the arancel of stole fees posted in the parish bulletin boards.

And as requested by the homlist, I do pray for the clergy. But forgive me, not for all of them.

And yes, by the way, these words about them being human and imperfect came or were heard at the same time when … (see the preceding paragraph).

* * *

Local news. The Calbayog City Sports Center (aka the Gymn) is being rushed in time for the Fiesta activities. As of the moment, opening day is set on September 1. Among the activities slated are the concerts of MYMP and Noel Cabangon.

* * *

Concert. The CKC – Jose Gomez Orchestra will have a post-fiesta Concert in Calbayog City. This will be held on September 9, 2009 at the Frs. David and Leopold Auditorium in Christ the King College

* * *

Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!

Who will guard the guardians themselves?

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s a new week and we are 35 days away to the Calbayog City Fiesta. So finally PGMA and Obama have met. I’ll reserve my comments about the visit (both favorable and acerbic) for my next column.

I thought I was not going to mention anything about the SONA aside from the fashion show that precedes it (oops, me and my mouth!). Last week I mentioned about the SONA being the bitchiest speech (thanks to the description by Rina Jimenez David); and yes that I looked at is as a you’ve-been-castigating-me-for-so-long-it’s-time-that-I-get-back-on-you kind of thing.

And it occurred to me, Tita Cory, Manong Eddie and Erap all delivered their SONAs and all of them received cheers and jeers, praise and flak. I guess all leaders had to live with one reality (a bitter one should I say?) that criticisms go hand in hand with the perks and the pomp and circumstance of power. And comments of all forms flooded in on the last SONA. That the speech was well-crafted all right, but form cannot hide the facts. Many expected to see or hear something like tita Cory’s “thank you and paalam”. Alas they were frustrated. And more speculations abound on the President extending her stay in power. And then a secretary came to the defense of his chief saying that the state of Arroyo is not the state of the nation. Well, Mr. Secretary, it’s not that I don’t like PGMA, it’s just that the President is not a private citizen, at least until her term ends next year.

So, has any Philippine President ever delivered a SONA with the real state of the nation? Let me answer that with a line from Cheche Lazaro: The state of the nation will always depend on who is telling the story.

* * *

And today’s title? It stemmed from the recent spree of shooting incidents in Calbayog (details of victims and suspects I have featured in my column last Friday). As many Calbayognons must have known by now (at least those who still go to church on Sundays) that these incidents were the subject of the homilies of some priests. One castigated the PNP for doing nothing; another calling for the people to speak for the truth; another reminding us of the justice system and that we are bound by the rule of law and not of men; and another calling on the officials to put in place cameras and stuff to catch the criminals. Yup, many Sundays now.

The Pastoral Statement (I hope I’m using the correct term) has been read. The security cluster has met and put in place measures to help minimize crime. The regional PNP has sent it’s men to man checkpoints in the city. And yes, one gets to see police patrol the streets of Calbayog. I hope these actions will stay and not just for ningas cogon.

Needless to say, these measures were put in place after noise was made condemning the series of killings. Thanks to the guardians of our faith, the guardians of our morals, the guardians of our souls.

I hope I am correct in saying that it is not only in Calbayog where you hear or see people being killed by any means there is. And yes, notice that you don’t hear any report about killing through stabbing or hacking, yup thanks to the proliferation of loose firearms. Now that is another story. Yes, and it is not an exclusive problem of Calbayog.

Time and again have we proclaimed with pride that we are the only Catholic country in the Far East. The simplistic in me says that a Catholic believes in God. A person who believes in God, is God-fearing, ergo, he considers the gift of life the most precious gift there is. When the killings start, we questioned the police, we questioned the officials. It is correct as it is our right to do that. On the other hand, those actions - of killing - are not in line with the morals or the teaching given to us as children of God. For the sake of argument, let us put aside the police and the officials, because they are doing nothing, or they do tool little too late - as the usual accusations go.

Why is it that these killings are going on? Money? Morals? Or simply to tell the world that God is nowhere to be found so let us not be afraid of Him? A far cry from what I remember getting from my Sunday school that God is everywhere. God is watching us, so went a line from a song. In a way it sums up the lessons I got from my catechism class many summers ago. What happened to our morals? What happened to our basic belief or at least fear in God? What happened to our catechism telling us to respect life? So, to whom do we turn to in matters or actions aimed at instilling moral values, or at least the re-orientation of/on values, belief in God, care for precious life, fear of God? And yes, let’s include love for our fellowmen. I’ll try to ask the PNP and the city officials.

Many times in the recent past, news reports told us of the debate about population control. And along with the ballooning population is the rise in criminality. As to the former, some clergy members (not from Calbayog, let me assure you) were quoted in some national daily saying that they failed to catechize the faithful. As to the latter, can we say the same line? Making babies is certainly a safer choice - an enjoyable one at that - compared to killing people.

There is one thing that I remember most about Cory Aquino. Focus was given on values re-orientation early on her presidency. In my own simplistic mindset, I believe that one side of the issue boils down to the values we hold dear and that of the people in society and that of our own families.

Speak for the truth, fine. But you don’t speak, much less argue, with people who have no fear for God, do you?

In Thailand, when things go wrong, the King speaks, and all his subjects listen. At home, when things get shaky, the guardians speak, and (I think) the people (still) listen, especially if they do it at the pulpit, at the moment when we still have to receive our communion and the blessing that concludes the mass. Now, who speaks to the guardians when the world they are in get shaky? Who will guard the guardians themselves?

* * *

Local news. The City Nutrition Council concluded the 2009 Nutrition Month celebration by offering various health and nutrition services at the Julio Cardinal Rosales Plaza.

* * *

Late last month, the LGU thru the City Veterinary Services Office and the City Agriculture Office spearheaded the Characterization of Rural Enterprise Development (RED) Project Partners and Focus Group Discussion with Stakeholders.

The activity was held at the conference Hall of the Old Barracks Building. The RED project under the auspices of Department of Agriculture RFU 8, and of which Calbayog City is a part is aimed at providing business opportunities to rural farm households by transforming goat raising from a subsistence type of farm activity to viable goat-based rural enterprise.

* * *

Wedding Bells. Congratulations and Best Wishes to John Nuñez (of Brgy. Trinidad) and Pong Dolera (of Sta. Margarita). They got married last Saturday. Fr. Jun Jungco, ofm presided over the wedding mass at the St. James the Great Parish Church in Sta. Margarita. Reception was held at the Cardinal Rosales Hall of the Centennial Pastoral Center.

* * *

The CKC – Jose Gomez Orchestra will have a post-fiesta Concert in Calbayog City. This will be held on September 9, 2009 at the Frs. David and Leopold Auditorium in Christ the King College

* * *

Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!

S O N A

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s another weekend. I think I’m into smorgasbord today but first the good news. Calbayog SDS Edita Paculan informed me of the score which the Calbayog City Division got in the recent National Achievement Test (NAT).

The division fared among the divisions in the region by achieving the highest in terms of gains in the last NAT. For the Elementary level, Calbayog ranked 4, that’s six notches above the previous 10th ranked. For the High School level, Calbayog ranked 2 from the previous rank of 4.

* * *

So what about the smorgasbord? Well, I think I’d like to pause a while and talk about movies (or the world of fantasy), the world of reality and some of the people that affect our existence in this world.

The big-earners to hit the screens lately are the 6th installment of the Harry Potter series and the Transformers sequel. I think it is safe to say that both are fiction and/or fantasy movies; and needless to say, both made it big at the box office. If the way we watch movies or the kind of movies that most of people are into is an indication, then truly, there is nothing inspiring about the real world, yup to include the world characterized by the people who are supposed to care for our souls. Oops, sorry I got carried away. Am I talking about hometown? Could be. Back to the movies. One film critic had it that movie sequels more often than not are either bad or worse than the previous movie. And transformer was one such movie. That’s a from a critic’s mind. For the simple folks, I heard somebody say something like this, “kun an imo karuyag sini nga puro gud aragway, paghiling san transformers.” Again, that movie raked it in at the box office. Violence for entertainment? No need to explain how it affects the way we live.

* * *

And yes, SONA is in the air. A few nights ago in her TV segment, Mareng Winnie tackled the topic by giving President Arroyo a grade of 47% (where the passing score is 50). Already a good number of Congressmen and Senators have expressed their desire which is to be absent in the SONA. As expected, a good number of PGMA’s critics are already criticizing the speech (which still has to be delivered at that). And as tradition would have it, the police and the militants are already practicing the means by which they can outdo (oops sorry for the term) each other.

And my take on the SONA? Forgive me but it’s the SONA red carpet moments that excite me more. You know, seeing all those celebrities and the pa-celebrity, the powerful and powers-that-be, the VIPs (read: Very Important People or Very Ignorant People, as the case maybe) do their thing as they strut on the red carpet leading to the august hall of congress.

The Philippines (or at least the lawmakers) have been criticized a good number of times for making a fashion show out of the opening of congress. C’mon guys, it’s exactly that which makes the (SONA) event exciting. (Smile! It’s a weekend!)

* * *

Mayor Mel Sarmiento yesterday called for a meeting which tackled among other issues the issues, the series of killings in Calbayog. It would be recalled that it was the subject of a statement signed by the Bishop and read in the Sunday masses in Calbayog and Gandara a few Sundays ago. (I have featured the complete text of that letter in my column for the July 13, 2009 issue of this paper.)

During yesterday’s meeting, Calbayog PNP Chief PSupt Lito Bigoy presented data and updates on the investigation regarding the killings in Calbayog from January to July 2009. The figure as of yesterday is at 27. The figures presented confirmed my earlier report (featured in my column on July 10, 2009) that the majority of the crimes committed were not politically-motivated by rather due to personal grudges. If I may repeat what I wrote in my column, it was learned that generally the killings were results of personal grudges. Some of these already have the suspects identified, witnesses came forward and cases have been filed. However, a good number of these cases remained “unsolved”. Meaning, no witnesses were willing to cooperate; and in some cases, there were witnesses, the suspects identified, still the victims’ kin were not interested in filing the appropriate cases.

I will give you the figures concerning these crimes in my column this coming Monday.

* * *

Greetings. Gilbert Davis and Tin-tin De Guia will get married tomorrow. The wedding mass will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Reception will be at the La Milagrosa Academy Auditorium.

Birthday greetings to my cousin Pheona Ladrero - Robinson who will turn a year older today.

Belated birthday greetings to Mrs. Emelie Isidro - Andrada (July 20) and Dr. Mary Basco - Fulgencio (July 22).

Mrs. Lydia Divinagracia - Mancol turned 75 years old on July 15. Her kids gave her a surprise party last Saturday at the Centennial Pastoral Center.

* * *

This is it for now. Let me leave you with something to ponder upon this weekend. Let’s call it some inspiring lines from the representative of Christ in our local Christian community. I understand he is the one who has castigated (in at least two masses) the local PNP for supposedly doing nothing on the series of killings in Calbayog. I do not question his call for a solution to the killings, I think that’s what every Calbayognon would want to do. On the other hand, what he did served as an inspiration (or maybe reminder) for me to give you some inspiring line from him, or supposedly coming from him. Supposedly.

Easter Sunday while delivering a sermon: “… samtang si Kristo nagsasakit, ini nga mga pasasakit (referring to a group of ladies who are into community service a member of which he supposedly locked horns with) . . .”

That lady happened to be Chinese. In another mass, the priest supposedly said “… Ini nga mga intsik dire gud angay tapuran san simbahan…” (or something to that effect).

And when told about some of his flock going to church less often, he supposedly said, “… pabay-i kay mamamalik man la sira guihapon…” To this one was a quick reply, “Oo pag-iwas nimo sa parokya...”

He said all these? Again, supposedly.

Have I mentioned about ginamos, napo-o, bugkot and gaba? Let’s have that next time.

* * *

Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!

Father (part 1)

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s another weekend. And yes, today’s column is not about fathers or fathers’ day, coz I’m the last person who believes in that celebration. I see that celebration as another chance for the capitalists in the U.S. of A. (where it first started) and the rest of the world to rake in more money from the public (the Americans especially) who needs every reason in this world to spend their money on. Oops, I suppose we have a different landscape now with the economic downturn and what have you. Anyway, put it there. I’ll reserve my rant about fathers’ day for next year.

Finally PGMA will get to see Mr. Obama. Yun lang po ang take ko on the issue. Well, the (news about the) mad scramble to be part of the presidential entourage is understandable. Many of them scrambled for the other trips to countries whose leaders pale in comparison to the celebrity that is of Obama (I’m tempted to refer to these world leaders who as children of the lesser gods. Smile, it’s a weekend!); and it’s not everyday that one gets to receive an invitation to the White House. Let me re-word that, it’s not everyday that one gets the chance to be a part of the entourage of an official invited to the White House. Anyway, magulo ba? Ako rin naguguluhan, sa pag-uunahan.

And cheaper medicines? (for the masa, if I may add?) I’m tempted to say dream on, but, it’s almost election season, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Talking about election, este the E-season. Suddenly we have a swamp of ADs from a good number of government departments. Hmm, just wondering, or should I say, observing?

* * *

Local Events. On top of Mayor Sarmiento’s schedule for today is the 2nd Barangay Summit for Education and LIGA Meeting. That’s today at 8:00 am at the DepEd Conference Hall. All 157 Punong Barnagay of Calbayog are expected to attend. The event was organized by the LGU, DILG Calbayog and DepEd Calbayog City Division.

* * *

Last Wednesday, Mayor Mel Sarmiento received PInsp Karlou Caesar Capmosano and PInsp Vicente Bullecer, Jr. The two PNP officers paid a courtesy call on the City Mayor. The two police officers are part of the two platoons of police troops from the Police Regional Mobile Group (PRMG) which the PNP Regional Office deployed to Samar to immediately stop the criminalities in the area. With the police officers in the courtesy call was Calbayog PNP Chief, PSupt Lito Bigoy.

* * *

And finally, what’s with today’s title? A friend of mine who writes under the pen name Eunice Ji wrote an article about fathers, in time for the Fathers’ Day edition of the Samar Sunday Star, a local publication in Calbayog. I thought it was just another piece about fathers, you know tatay, papa, amay, daddy, until I realized that it had to do with fathers of a different kind, fathers who are supposed to care for our souls. Yes, fathers as in padre and / or padi. With the permission form the author and the publisher, I am featuring that piece in two parts in my column. Here’s the first part:

FATHER by Eunice Ji

The month of June is here again. It is with great excitement that I enter into my world of grateful reminiscence once again every time we celebrate Father’s Day. Fond memories with the “great men of my life” always make me wish I am a little girl once more. As I wrote this I felt very emotional in praising God for giving me them. Ain’t I lucky?

It is very ironic though that at the very same time I also felt immeasurable sadness for the youth of today. Leo J. Trese, in his book MANY ARE ONE, exposed that “…in the primitive times, the father of the family was also the priest”. Eureka! I finally found the final piece to complete the puzzle I was so long trying to piece together to somehow find the answers to my innumerable whys – the causes of our ever increasing number of lost souls, both of this world and those in the other locations.

Like St. Thomas Moore, I think the most of us are also dreaming his dream for utopia. For who wouldn’t be? The killings that happened for the past few weeks are very disconcerting. It is a glaring truth that we have totally lost our reverence for life. I cry inside for every un-fateful eventuality, look up to the heavens and offer prayer, for that is all I can do. Literally, I sigh, where have all our fathers gone? What have they done when their kids were young? Where were they when their children needed them? What are they doing now? And I cry some more. Every time I feel the frustration I still shed tears of pain and loneliness maybe in realization that the dream will remain but a dream. What with the way things are.

As if this is not enough yet. The not-so-recent reshuffling of assignments (please correct me if I’m wrong) of our beloved priests in our most loved Diocese – in the words of Bishop Singzon, “the religiosity of the Calbayognon is second to none” – has stirred up and effected malicious controversy upon its flock and parishioners, as if adding insult to injury. Figuratively then, I ask, what happened to you “Fathers”? What is it in Theology that made you Theomaniacs? What exactly are you doing that for? Satisfy your hunger for money which you did not have, or had not enough of, when you were growing up because you associated it with power? How on earth can you make me believe what you preach when your actions do not make me? Aren’t you a little too confused maybe about service and income? In the words of my good friend: income in the guise of service? You are supposed to have stipend la because your chosen field is for the betterment and most especially salvation of the people’s soul – because it is what is eternal – you are not there for profit. Kaya nga po tinawag kayong Vicars for Christ, e.

Two (2) weeks ago, my dearest friend – a nun – sent me this text message: “it is not what we have but what we give; not what we say but how we live.” That is what service is all about, dear “Fathers”! “Without love, everything that we say is but an empty sound” (maski nano pa niyo kaupay magyinakan), according to Leo J. Trese, to which I add, and everything that we do is but a mere action. Only Love gives meaning to everything.

This nun-friend of mine, by the way, did not even finish college because when she was barely there, her heart was achingly longing to serve God through His people. So, off she went inside a nunnery despite objections from her father, since she is his only daughter. (to be continued…)

* * *

Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!