Mga manash baklesh itis, feel n’yo?

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend. I understand it happened about 2 weeks ago when the poll body finally gave the go-signal for the Ang Ladlad and other partylist groups to be part of the forthcoming polls. Suddenly I saw pink all over the place. And thus today’s title.

It’s the same title of my column which appeared in the August 22, 2008 edition of this paper. It’s not that I was feeling kinda nostalgic about my days in U.P. wherein among the memorable moments I’ve got (read: opposite to the memories of the dreaded anatomy and microbiology classes) was one article in the Philippine Collegian entitled just that (I mean today’s title). Do I hear someone telling gays to rejoice? Let’s face it, for most people pink lingo is more often than not referred to as just that – gay – and therefore should remain in the pink world which most people would refer to as nothing different to a world characterized by being unconventional which many simply refer to as abnormal. But on the other hand, pink is all over the place. And let us not even start discussing about the pink peso. Don’t worry, I am not in the mood to promote the pink world today.

As I stated earlier, I just remembered this article upon reading about the poll body approving Danton Remoto’s group. I met Danton Remoto a few years ago when we were guests at Jullie Yap Daza’s late night talk-show in ABS-CBN. Surely, the guy can talk and not to mention having the brains. Back to the issue on the Ang Ladlad, I would like to believe that the poll body got the flak from a good number of quarters. The issue is all over the place and you ought to know, otherwise, you must have over-extended your fishing expedition.

But then you can’t help it if people are homophobic. Do we blame it on their upbringing? Or maybe some unpleasant experience in the past. Or simply because they prefer to see gays as nothing but a bunch of noisy cross-dressing loonies. Suddenly I remember the Sabio and De Borja issue about two years ago.

Do you remember the CA investigating CA Justice Jose Sabio and businessman Francis De Borja? I forgot what the issue was about. Anyway, both had to be in one place. And then and there the word “dedma” was uttered by the justice, referring to the snobbery on the part of Mr. De Borja. I suppose the good justice said the word in jest so as to lighten up what was some kinda tense situation. Alas, came the news that his attention was called and that he was reprimanded for uttering the word.

Well, I did not take my time to listen to the reason as to why the justice was reprimanded. I suppose ‘twas for the plain and simple reason that it (the term “dedma”) is so gay, and thus it has no place in such an honorable place and for honorable people. Be that as it may, I believe that pink peso spenders are rejoicing! From gay lingo (or at least a word from its colorful collection of vocabulary) hitting the headlines; to having a chance to show strength in the coming polls. Now, another wish, if only shrieking gays can do way with the shrieking. (Smile! It’s a weekend!)

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While we are into the pink world, I might as well leave you with something that’s not exactly pink. It’s the fight of the sexes again. Let me give you something I got from a fellow blogger. Let’s refer to it as something to make us smile as we end yet another week. Oops, let me warn you, it might be offending.

Male of Female: You might not have known this, but a lot of non-living objects are actually either male or female. Here are some examples:

• FREEZER BAGS: They are male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.
• PHOTOCOPIERS: These are female, because once turned off, it takes a while to warm them up again. They are an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong buttons.
• TIRES: Tires are male, because they go bald easily and are often over-inflated.
• HOT AIR BALLOONS: Also a male object, because to get them to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under their bottom.
• SPONGES: These are female, because they are soft, squeezable and retain water!
• WEB PAGES: Female, because they're constantly being looked at and frequently getting hit on.
• TRAINS: Definitely male, because they always use the same old lines for picking up people.
• EGG TIMERS: Egg timers are female because, over time, all the weight shifts to the bottom.
• HAMMERS: Male, because in the last 5000 years, they've hardly changed at all, and are occasionally handy to have around.
• THE REMOTE CONTROL: Female. Ha! You probably thought it would be male, but consider this: it easily gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know which buttons to push, he just keeps trying.

* * *

Belated Birthday greetings. Fr. Toto Vivas and Mr. Vir Tomnob (January 25) and Fr. Intoy Piczon and Fr. Erwin Rodriguez (January 26).

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

Lamentations (2)

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend. So sorry to miss you (again) last Monday. I still do not have my TV back, and am I missing anything? Yup, it’s the news, Discovery and National Geographic channels. To look at it from a different angle, my TV conking out made me appreciate something that I have been missing for quite sometime, the feel and smell of newspaper.

Talking about the news. So he wanted to be king again. At least that’s what Erap supposedly said after wining his first round at the COMELEC. The acerbic in me tells me to keep my mouth shut and signal no comment.

I never met him, certainly he was not aware of my existence, but Serge Remonde is someone
that one can’t easily forget. I suppose his name also spells c-o-o-l. Grace under pressure, I think that’s one virtue that the late secretary would have wanted us in government service to imbue in our persons.

Ahh, Jason Ivler; and yes, Marlene. What a mother’s love can do. Suddenly I remember one line which more or less went this way: Mothers do not have to build monuments of glory, their sons have built it for them. I suppose the person who said (or wrote) that was referring to mothers of great, or at least good sons. Otherwise, let’s go back to the Ivler case.

* * *

Let me now give you the continuation of that article I left you with last week. I referred to it as lamentations of an OFW. If you have been following the news; and if you have relatives working in Dubai, you must have taken notice of the news about the near economic flimflam of the said emirate. It’s that news which led me a blog post (I forgot the name of the blog site) of an OFW expressing sadness over his plight in that area of the U.A.E. I first didn’t know if I had to take it seriously, smile at it or take it with a grain of salt. I decided that I would like to share it with you. I call the article ‘lamentations of an OFW”. I guess the same thing can be said about our OFWs who are working in other parts of the world, especially those who were not able to make it land in lucrative jobs like others we know. Here’s the second part of that article:

“Akala nila masaya ka kase nagpadala ka ng picture mo sa Burj Al Arab, Desert Safari, mall of emirates, Atlantis, Al Mamzar Beach, at iba pang attractions. Ang totoo, kailangan mo ngumiti kase minsan minsan ka lang makakapicture para mapadala mo sa mga mahal mo sa buhay.
Akala nila malaki na ang kinikita mo kase dirham na sweldo mo. Ang totoo, medyo malaki pag pinalit mo ng peso, pero dirham din ang gastos mo sa Dubai. Ibig sabihin ang dirham mong kinita sa presyong dirham mo din gagastusin. Ang P15.00 na sardinas sa Pilipinas AED3.00 sa Dubai , ang isang pakete ng sigarilyo sa pilipinas P40.00, sa Dubai AED 6.50, alangan namang puro cafeteria food ang kakainin mo aba mamatay ka sa highblood o heap nyan kasi nga umaapaw na sa mantika madumi pa! Mga kadiri, kaya lang pag naubusan ka ng pera no choice you have to take the risk.

Akala nila buhay milyonaryo ka na kase ang ganda ng bahay at kotse mo, nag pa-lypo kay Calayan at nagparetoke kay Vicky Belo, Ang totoo nag loan ka lang sa Mashreq, HSBC o CITIbank na huhulugan mo ng limang taon. Ibig sabihin, alipin ka ng bahay at kotse mo at ng luho mo at ng bansang ito!! Kasi nga mag-loan ba naman dahil sa luho bwahahaha!

Madaming naghahangad na makarating sa Dubai. Lalo na mga nurses at mga medsec at eto pa pati cleaners, mahirap maging normal na manggagawa sa Pilipinas. Madalas pagod ka sa trabaho. Pag dating ng sweldo mo, kulang pa sa pagkain mo. Pero ganun din sa ibang bansa katulad lalo na kaya sa Dubai madaming outlet ng stress mo! kasi walang bawal!!! Hindi ibig sabihin dirham na ang sweldo mo, yayaman ka na, kailangan mo ding magbanat ng buto para mabuhay ka sa ibang bansa.

Isang malaking sakripisyo ang pag alis mo sa bansang pinagsilangan at malungkot iwanan ang mga mahal mo sa buhay. Hindi pinupulot ang pera dito o pinipitas o iniigib. Hindi ako naninira ng pangarap, gusto ko lang buksan ang bintana ng katotohanan.

Mahirap mangibang bayan…sino ba ang may kasalanan na iwan sariling bayan? Manilbihan sa dayuhan at malayo sa pamilya ay may kahirapan. Hangga’t may pinay DH na nangingibang-bayan na simbolo ng ating kahirapan, kawawang bayan ni Juan patuloy na mapag-iiwanan. Kaya Juan iwan ka ng pera para sayo, para sa kinabukasan mo!”

* * *

Belated Birthday greetings to Fr. Bernard Comilan (January 18) and Berna Cañada (January 14).

Wedding Bells: Anthony Din (of Rosario, Northern Samar) will get married to Flor Jaropojop (of Trinidad, Calbayog city). Msgr. Leonardo Guadalquiver will preside over their wedding mass at the San Damiano Chapel at Christ the King College. Reception will be held at the Cardinal Rosales Hall of the Centennial Pastoral Center.

Manuel “Noling” Lebario and Segundina “Gunding” (Merencillo) Lebario clebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last Sunday (January 17). Fr. Dennis Espiritu presided over their wedding mass at the San Roque Chapel in Dagum, Calbayog City. Reception was held at The Venue in Payahan, Calbayog City

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

lamentations

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend, ngan patrun yana sa Oquendo. Today is the big day of the Santo Niño de Hibatang Festival which opened 11 days ago. The festival was held to highlight the 125th year of the commemoration of the Holy Infant Jesus as the patron saint of Oquendo; and along that line, to underscore the importance that Hibatang river played in the ancient settlement which we now call Calbayog City. Sa mga igkasi ko Oquendohanon, maupay nga patrun sa iyo ngatanan!

* * *

A cabinet secretary was in an early morning TV show and there he said that 3 out of every 10 government employee are sick, specifically may sakit sa pag-iisip. Hmmm, what’s the best reaction to that? (Should I call it lamentation #1?)

Lamentation # 2. Two people died as 2 million joined the Nazareno procession. It’s not that I’m against such show of faith. But it seems like it already borders on fanaticism. Do you really have to physically torture yourself to deserve the blessings of the Lord? On the other hand, can’t blame them, we all have our own way of reaching out to the almighty.

Talking about the Nazareno. Heard from a sermon during a local celebration of the feast. My source told me that the priest was trying to center on concern for the poor. And how did he do it? Among his examples were Noynoy and Villar. That Villar will be a better president than Noynoy because he (Villar) is (or used to be) poor. Then he narrowed the scope and touched on provincial politics. Si gobernor bisan nanu kuno pakaraut ada la guihapon kay makitawo damo an proyekto pareho san panhatag bugas, an iba ada la san pangawat. My source was waiting for the priest to touch the homebase (read: local politics), sadly he did not. So what about this sermon? Wala lang, I just didn’t see the connection between the Nazareno and Noynoy becoming a bad President because he is rich and the other Samar officials becoming mga kawatan because they did not give rice. Yun lang. Seriously, it’s a weekend, let’s take time to smile. Magulo ba? (That’s another lamentation)

* * *

Lamentations of an OFW. If you have been following the news; and if you have relatives working in Dubai, you must have taken notice of the news about the near economic flimflam of the said emirate. It’s that news which led me a blog post (I forgot the name of the blog site) of an OFW expressing sadness over his plight in that area of the U.A.E. I first didn’t know if I had to take it seriously, smile at it or take it with a grain of salt. I decided that I would like to share it with you. I call the article ‘lamentations of an OFW”. I guess the same thing can be said about our OFWs who are working in other parts of the world, especially those who were not able to make it land in lucrative jobs like others we know. Here’s the first part of that article:

“Akala ng mga tao na nasa Pilipinas kapag nasa DUBAI ka akala nila madami ka ng pera ng langis. Ang totoo, madami kang utang, dahil credit card lahat ang gamit mo sa pagbili mo ng mga gamit mo. Kailangan mo gumamit ng credit card Kasi naubus na ang cash pinadala sa pinas, kase pag hindi ka nagpadala, iisipin nila nakalimutan mo na sila. Akala nila mayaman ka at marami kang pera kasi buwan-buwan libo-libo padala mo walang palya at kapag pumalya iisipin nila baka nagbisyo ka na o may sinusustentuhang iba. Hindi nila alam food allowance na lang ang natitira sayo at pag kinulang pa umuutang pa at lista muna sa malapit na bakala. Pag may okasyon sa pinas birthday, fiesta, anniversary, pasko, new year, at iba pa, padala ka agad panghanda sarap ng kainan nila, di nila alam ikaw tiyaga sa budget meal, kapsa, noodles o de lata at itlog na nakakabutlig na ng balat, hay naku! Akala ni Tatay, Nanay, Ate, Kuya, anak, mga pamangkin at iba pa namumulot ka ng pera sa Dubai kada may problema text kaagad, kumusta sa una sa bandang huli kelangan ng ng pera! Hay naku…nakaka-alergic na ang text sa roaming puro gastos…minsan padala ka pa ng load! Load mo nga utang pa Pala! Hay naku bakit ba nauso pa yan dagdag gastos lang talaga at pag di ka pa reply aawayin ka pa! Akala nila masarap maging OFW at tinatawag na bagong bayani…. naku mas masarap pa yong nasa pinas na sa katas ni bagong bayani ay syang umaani! Utang sa DUBAI lalong dumarami. Akala nila masarap sa DUBAI di nila alam di ka na nga makauwi kasi roundtrip tiket kina-cash pa mapadala lang at ibayad sa utang. Akala nila sosyal ka na kulay ng buhok mo uso pa at naka-highlight pa, di nila alam buhok mo namumuti na sa stress at problema at pag minalas pa nalalagas pa! Akala nila masarap sa DUBAI kasi pag-uwi mo mestiso ka, maputi at mamula-mula ang balat mo, di nila alam babad ka sa opisina at kulong sa bahay mo dahil no choice ka, mga kapit-bahay mo di mo kaano-ano, walang paki-alaman at kung lalabas ka sunog ang balat mo, init ng araw sobra! Akala nila mayaman ka na kase may kotse ka na. Di nila alam hulugan pa ito! Ang totoo, kapag hindi ka bumili ng kotse sa dubai maglalakad ka ng milya-milya sa ilalim ng init ng araw o kaya sa winter na kasama ang asawa mo dito sa dubai.. O kaya naman tiyaga kang mag -abang ng RTA Bus or Coaster na ubod ng babaho ng mga pasahero at pagbaba mo amoy putok ka na rin, grabe! Walang jeepney, tricycle o padyak sa dubai .. madami mga indiano, Bangladesh na driver na ubod ng baho. Pag minalas ka paskitani na taxi driver na rapist pa!” (to be continued…)

* * *

Wedding Bells. Joper Conarco (who is connected with the Social Action Center of the Calbayog diocese) and Terry Salino (who is with WESADEF) will get married tomorrow. Their wedding mass will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Reception will be at the Centennial Pastoral Center.

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

My New Year’s Resolution (2)

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

Hi there! It’s a new week. Bad habits die hard – it happened last week when I failed to do my column (again). What a way to start the year. So what’s with today’s title? Nothing really except that I forgot to mention in my column more than a week ago that I also intend to loose weight and trim a few inches from my waistline – two things which I have always wanted to do the past so many years.

My TV conked out and how am I coping? I ended playing CDs and for news, the old-fashioned newspaper. Surely nothing beats the feel (and smell) of newspaper paper (parang may redundancy sa last line ko.) Talking about the news, or the remnants of it. Two things stuck in my mind: Manny and Maguindanao; and the acerbic in me is getting restless. So the Manny and Mayweather fight is off? All those accusations because there will be no olympic-style (blood) testing for the Pacman? Some quarters were quick to say that that was due to some superstitious belief, and that needles make Manny uneasy. I’d like to comment on that but I’d rather not. Well, with the big bucks involved, surely those around the two fighters will do something about the fight of the century, bloody fight if I may add.

And the Maguindanao massacre. I thought I was not gonna give a comment about the issue, simply put it’s too gruesome for me. That is until the CHR slammed journalists for attacking Andal Ampatuan, Jr. It’s not that I do not like the CHR Chairperson, I am one of her fans (clearly she has the brains, I admire her for that, and her accent too). But I would like to share with you what I got from a fellow blogger (www.heavenpurgatoryandhell.blogspot.com): “CHR slams journalists for attack - Innocent until proven guilty. That's what Leila de Lima, chair, Commission on Human Rights said regarding the unruly behavior of the journalists towards Andal Ampatuan, Jr last week. According to her, even suspected mass murderers have rights, too. De Lima wants the journalists investigated. Come on...they're just venting out their anger. Even ordinary people have feelings too. You need to make them grieve and express their anger. It's human nature to do so. We go through stages of anger, depression, bargaining, before acceptance. No matter how trivial or tragic the event, it is a human process we go through. I guess next time, _______. (I had to delete the last line, I understand my editor’s will not allow it for my column, you may check this link)

* * *

Let me give you the second part of that money management stuff I left you with two Fridays ago. It’s an article written by Ann-Marie Murphy for Quizzle.com. Why should I take time to have it in my column? It has something to do with money, managing it, that is – something I definitely need for 2010 and beyond.

Making a decision to change is just the first step, however. If you want to see results, you have to know what moves to make to ensure those changes actually happen. After all, saying, “I’d like to lose 10 pounds,” doesn’t mean much if you don’t learn how to eat healthier and establish a new workout routine.

As part of your planning for 2010, consider taking action to improve your personal finances. With the economy beginning to regain its footing, there's no time like the present to add some dollars to your bottom line. To get started, here are 10 goals for 2010, plus tips on how to achieve them:

5. Improve your credit score. If you’re managing your credit properly (see #4), you’ll know whether you could stand to improve your credit score. It’s important to make strides to improve your credit score before you need to, because boosting your score takes time.

6) Pay yourself first. Save, save, save! Paying yourself first simply means that you need to save before you spend. The best way to do this is by setting up direct deposit from your paycheck into a savings account — whether it be plain vanilla savings or a CD. By making it automatic, you remove the temptation to spend.

7) Save more. Let’s say you’re putting $200 per paycheck toward your savings. Great work! Now, find a way to increase your savings contribution to $300 per paycheck. Cut unnecessary expenses. Look for bargains on big-ticket items that you need. Sell the clothes you’ve been storing in your attic on eBay. You can find (legitimate) ways to save more if you look for them.

8) Save for retirement. Here’s another case where direct deposit makes it easy and painless to save for your future. And if you’re lucky enough to work for a company that matches your retirement contributions, take advantage to the max! If you don’t, you’re basically saying no to free money.

9) Get the right insurance. For instance, if you have kids, life insurance is important. However, if you don’t have anyone who relies on you to support them financially, there’s no need to spend your hard-earned money on a life insurance policy just yet.

10) Protect your identity. Don’t leave yourself open to identity theft. Monitor your credit on a regular basis and check your other financial accounts to make sure they look the way they’re supposed to look. Need help? Look into identity protection services on the web and get the pros to watch your back.

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Wedding Bells. Basilio Villanueva and Leda Testor got married last Saturday. Their wedding mass was held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral with Fr. Armando Cagomoc as mass presider. Concelebrating with him are Fr. Pedro Peñaranda, Fr. Lito Capeding, Fr. Tito Voz and Fr. Bartolome Dumalag. The reception was at the Cardinal Rosales Hall of the Centennial Pastoral Center.

Larry Jumaday and Glady Galamiton got married last Wednesday. Their wedding mass and reception were held at the Centennial Pastoral Center.

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Onstage tonight at the Oquendo Park: The Search for Ms. Hibatang 2010. The pageant is part of the Santo Niño de Hibatang Festival which is being held in line with the 125th Fiesta celebration of Oquendo.

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

My New Year’s Resolution

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

Hi there! Happy New Year everyone! It happens every time (or should I say every year?), I mean these new year’s resolutions. Among my memories of my elementary school years are about just that – New Year’s resolution. It was always the first business when classes resumed after the Christmas break. Needless to say, I always had a hard time coming up with a composition enumerating things I promise to resolve in the next twelve months. Well, it was hard for me until I realized that a new year’s resolution is nothing but a list of (empty) promises that one does not intend to keep.

So, what’s my New Year’s resolution? After failing to make good the good number of resolutions I made many ‘New Years’ ago, I have decided that my new year’s resolution is not to make new year’s resolutions anymore (redundant ano?). Seriously, does it always have to take a new year for us to mend our ways? The not-so-good ways, if I may add.

Talking about not-so-good behavior. Do we need to discuss (again) the recent sea tragedies? Well, what else is new? My apologies for that comment.

It’s more than a month away yet, but feng shui experts (both the real and fly-by-night types) are all over the place doing the forecasts for the Chinese New Year. Suddenly I’m lost on which animal they are celebrating next year. So what about it? I just can’t understand why many among us should get gaga over it. I’m still having a hard time looking at the connection between Filipino belief and tradition (or should I say Catholic faith?) and that of the Chinese. Well, the food of course is a different story. And yes, while we are into the topic, I’m sure many among us will end up with rotten fruits days from now. Thanks (again) to that belief of collecting fruits in time for the New Year. I’m wondering how the vendors came up with fruits that were out of season.

* * *

The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Calbayog will hold their first session for 2010 in Oquendo. That will be on Monday next week. Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento is expected to deliver his annual State of the City Address during that session.

* * *

Wedding bells. Congratulations and Best Wishes to Sean Marie Rojas and Leslie Dimakiling. They got married last Sunday. Fr. Dondon Paulino presided over their wedding mass at the Chapel of the Centennial Pastoral Center. The reception was held at the Julio Cardinal Rosales Hall of the CPC

* * *

Let me leave you with something I got from yahoo. It’s an article written by Ann-Marie Murphy for Quizzle.com. Why should I take time to have it in my column? It has something to do with money, managing it that is – something I definitely need for 2010 and beyond; and something worth adding to our New Year’s resolutions:

As we count down to the end of 2009, it’s a good time to reflect back on the year and think about all the things you’d like to do better or differently in 2010.

Making a decision to change is just the first step, however. If you want to see results, you have to know what moves to make to ensure those changes actually happen. After all, saying, “I’d like to lose 10 pounds,” doesn’t mean much if you don’t learn how to eat healthier and establish a new workout routine.

As part of your planning for 2010, consider taking action to improve your personal finances. With the economy beginning to regain its footing, there's no time like the present to add some dollars to your bottom line. To get started, here are 10 goals for 2010, plus tips on how to achieve them:

1. Stop overspending. Credit cards are super convenient, but their ease of use can also lead you to overspend. Need a trick to help you stop the credit card madness? Freeze your credit card. That’s right. Try dropping your card in a plastic bag, add water and stick the baggy in the freezer. You’ll still have access to it if you need it, but having to wait until your card thaws will give you some time to get over the impulse of buying things you don’t need.
2. Stick to a budget. You should know exactly where your money’s going and where you might make improvements. With all the free budgeting tools available online, it’s simple to get started. What’s not so simple for some? Sticking with it. But if you want to break out of the cycle of living paycheck-to-paycheck and learn how to spend within your means, keeping a budget is a smart first step. Schedule “bill time” in your calendar at least monthly to evaluate your budget, pay your bills and figure out if there are places you can cut costs.
3. Pay off debt. There are many strategies out there to help you make a dent in your debt. You can start by paying down the debt that has the highest interest rate first and then work your way down the ladder. Just make sure you’re still making at least the minimum payments on your other credit cards and loans. Or if you feel like you need to experience small wins along the way to keep you motivated, the Debt Snowball might be the way to go. What’s important isn’t what method you use, rather that you get started… now.
4. Manage your credit. Your credit is more important than ever - it’s absolutely key to unlocking the best interest rates and terms for credit cards, home loans and auto loans. Heck, forget the rates - If you have bad credit, you may not be able to qualify for credit at all in this economy. The first step to managing your credit is to check your credit report at least every six months to make sure what’s there is accurate. Staying on top of your credit doesn’t have to cost you a thing either. Sites like Quizzle.com will give you a free credit report, no strings attached. Quizzle will even kick in a free credit score so you can make sense of what’s on your report. (…to be continued)

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This is it for now. Have a Happy New Year everyone! Ciao!

What’s ahead?

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

Hi there! It’s a new week. And yes, it’s the feast of the Holy Innocents. I can still recall some old folks say that it’s not nice to lend money on this day (whatever that means). Well, if it’s bad debt that you are talking about, we do not need to have this day to have just that – bad debts. Is it the economic crunch? Or force of habit? Anyway, I’m not going to rant about bad or good debts today. For the past so many years, I have been ranting about how the capitalists raked it in at Christmas. Well, can I call it a respite? I mean it seems like they have ran out of ideas as to how make more money out of this day of the niños inocentes.

We’re a few days away to the New Year. As always, a question is asked: what’s in store for us in the coming year? Whew, this early our enterprising friends are into this and that trinkets and what have you for the Chinese New Year! (Whew!) Don’t you see conflict of interest, err beliefs in this? Oh well . . .

Back to the question on what’s in store for 2010. Certainly, nothing could be more exciting (pardon my term) with 2010 being an election year. This early I can hear a good number of people singing “Happy Days Are Here Again” (hmm, I love Barbra Striesand’s version) Nope, I’m not talking about classic songs or divas here. Of course it’s about the national pastime which happens every three years, aka the elections. And I don’t have to elaborate my on use of happy days, do I?

Again, what’s in store for us in 2010? The answers will be varied. I believe it will depend upon your main concerns in life. Let’s talk about economics. Bernanke just made it as TIME Person of the Year, and if that (citation) should be any consolation, we can sit back (a little) assured that the U.S. recession is about to go. Okey, economics is boring. Let’s have politics then. Again, what could be in store for us in 2010? Now this is where the answers will be as colorful and varied thanks to the various political parties trying to slug it in come May 2010. The election may be only five months away, but as it has been said time and again, action for the next election starts after each election. Meaning the campaigning or politicking never stops, and let’s not even start discussing on the political addition and subtraction and mixed marriages called coalitions or alliances of political parties, thanks to the omnipresent political butterflies.

And the survey says! Aside from the election (tally) results, I think the figures given by the surveys are the next most important set of number for politicos of all shapes and sizes.

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Now for the sad part. News had it that the Supreme Court reconsidered an earlier decision on the cityhood of 16 municipalities. As I wrote this column, I still had to receive a reply from Mayor Mel Sarmiento regarding his reaction on the said decision. Mayor Sarmiento is the Secretary-General of the League of Cities of the Philippines. And as he has said many times before, the LCP’s opposition to the creation of new cities is not just kapritso on the part of the City Mayors but a case of having all concerned entities follow the law.

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Wedding Bells. Congratulations and Best Wishes to Sean Marie Roxas and Leslie Dimakiling (both of Oquendo, Calbayog City). They got married yesterday. The wedding mass was held at the Chapel of the Centennial Pastoral Center. Reception was held at the Cardinal Rosales Hall of the CPC.

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Let me now leave you with some more Christmas stories which I got from the History Channel.
In the early years of Christianity, Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention date for his birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to Scandinavia . Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced, but gave up the ability to dictate how it was celebrated. By the Middle Ages, Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion. On Christmas, believers attended church, then celebrated raucously in a drunken, carnival-like atmosphere similar to today's Mardi Gras. Each year, a beggar or student would be crowned the "lord of misrule" and eager celebrants played the part of his subjects. The poor would go to the houses of the rich and demand their best food and drink. If owners failed to comply, their visitors would most likely terrorize them with mischief. Christmas became the time of year when the upper classes could repay their real or imagined "debt" to society by entertaining less fortunate citizens.

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

A Mary Christmas

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

Merry Christmas! This is it, the big day when we commemorate the Savior being born among us. By the time you read this (that’s granting that you will find time), kids of all ages, shapes and sizes will be all over the place doing what they do best (and are supposed to do, I guess) – greeting their ninangs and ninongs and everyone in between; and expect to receive their gifts. Ah, the memories of my childhood. As I grew old, I came to believe that Christmas is for kids. Needless to say, I was mistaken.

It has always been like this – Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem thanks to a government directive, and Mary decided to give birth (or was it the Savior decided to come to the world) of all the times - on such a busy season. And the rest as they say is history. How could I miss it, on top of my catechism classes, the first books that I remember my parents gave me was about just that – the first Christmas.

We have heard so many reflections about the Savior’s birth, and many too are the complaints (to some extent, it’s on the verge of lamentations about how the birth of the Savior became reason for money to flow freely (you know buying this and that coz it’s Christmas). Oops, did I say money? We’re not yet talking about election season, if I may remind you. Not yet anyway.

Back to the reflections. There was one homily which I heard a few years back and I got stuck on it – it’s about that other story of Christmas which is the Visitation. It’s what I have always featured in this column each time the Misa de Gallo or Christmas itself comes. Last Sunday it was the topic of the gospel. And in a way, thus explains today’s title.

The subject for that day’s mass was the visit of Mary to Elizabeth (yup, this is the second joyful mystery. It always reminds me of a friend’s and my delusion about royalty that one time a friend leading the rosary said: “the second joyful mystery is the visitation of Mary to her cousin Queen Elizabeth”). Going back to the topic, so what’s the big deal about that visit?

Mary was heavy with a child. According to biblical scholars, the distance she traveled was 90 kilometers and in those days that distance took seven days. We never know if Mary walked or rode a donkey (something akin to private car or trucks of today’s rich people). She ran the risk of her chastity being violated, and not to mention the wild animals and muggers along the way. To make it short, it was not a travel for pleasure.

But there she was, making real the first encounter between the Messiah (Jesus) and the prophet (John). Mary brings Jesus to John, she brings Jesus to all of us Christians. This is why Mary plays a vital role in salvation. In today’s world, the visit tells us that we all have a social concern for others, that we have a social obligation to others. Our human weaknesses trap us to the temptations of being apathetic and callous to the needs of others. We don’t mind others because we are so comfortable with our own selves, with the security of our jobs and the comfort and safety of our homes. Not until we become victims ourselves do we join groups aimed at eliminating that which caused us to be hurt or afflicted.

Mary braved the dangers of travel just to visit and assist Elizabeth . We are called to do same to others. Mary was sensitive to the needs of others. Let us not be apathetic and callous to the needs of others. Let us take Mary as our model. And let us remember that this is not really a very heavy obligation because God does not demand beyond our capacity.

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Let me give you some more stories of Christmas (which I got from the History Channel).
An ancient holiday. The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.

In Scandinavia , the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.

The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe . At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.

In Germany , people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.

Saturnalia: In Rome , where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnalia - a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture - was celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For a month, slaves would become masters. Peasants were in command of the city. Business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun.

Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome . In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra's birthday was the most sacred day of the year. (More in my next column)

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This is it for now. Have a Merry Christmas everyone! Ciao!

Seasonal Charity

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

Hi there! It’s another week. It’s nice to note that President Obama was able to strike some sort of Climate agreement in Copenhagen, the protest of some quarters notwithstanding. My glee ends there. Considering what most Filipinos are into right now, we can kiss Copehagen goodbye (at least for now). How can I say that? Well, we or most of our fellow Filipinos need food for the noche buena and the media noche and the days (and nights) in between. There’s no need to elaborate on that, or is there?

It has been told to us since we were able to write our names (either in pre-school, kindergarten or grade one) that Christmas is the season of peace, love and joy. And, if I may say, count in reconciliation and friendship (take your pick: either it’s creating one, rekindling one, or repairing one) - all in the name of commemorating the birth of the Savior. Did I mention this season also being the season of charity? Or maybe it’s the season of seasonal charity (parang redundant ano?)

I have always wondered why is it that most of us are charitable each time Christmas comes. Let me guess, ‘coz it’s only during Christmas that many of us can afford to be charitable, like say salamat sa bonus and the like. Why is it that many of us remember the old people, the prisoners, the sick at some hospitals only during Christmas? (Do I have to count in the street children?) Don’t ask me for answers. To look at it on a positive note, it’s nice that we have at least one day, or week every year when we are able to take time to observe just that – our seasonal charity.

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Still with Christmas. I have always wondered why most Nativity scenes or belens that I have observed (at least the ones that come in some kinda big images) have only the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph AND the three wise men garbed in their finery. Is it the cost of adding more characters or cast (pardon the term)? Ahh, that would be bias against the poor shepherds. Seriously, my question was partly answered by the column of Alejandro Roces, if I may quote:

“… we have many old Christmas symbols. Probably the oldest is the Nativity scene, known by its Spanish name belen, or Bethlehem. This is a tradition that is believed to have originated way back in 1223 when St. Francis celebrated Christmas by depicting the Nativity scene complete with live donkey, sheep and ox. By the 17th century, the custom reached Spain, and a century later it was introduced in Mexico from where it was brought to the Philippines. Originally, the only human figures in the belen were the Holy Couple and the Holy Infant. The Three Kings were added during the Epiphany…”

That’s one question answered. Needless to say, the Savior’s birth in a manger symbolized simplicity (let’s forget the term humility). That’s based on my simplistic mind and very limited theology. And what am I up to this time? Wala lang, certainly simplicity is not the word or the virtue that guides SOME of our friends (or otherwise) in the church. Peace brother! It’s Christmas.

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We are four days away to Christmas. Let me give you some Christmas facts which I got form the history channel (again sorry, it’s the history buff in me):

• Each year, 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States alone. There are 21,000 Christmas tree growers in the United States, and trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.
• Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.
• In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous - a lot like today's Mardi Gras parties.
• From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings.
• Christmas wasn't a holiday in early America - in fact Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the country's first Christmas under the new constitution.
• Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870.
• The first eggnog made in the United States was consumed in Captain John Smith's 1607 Jamestown settlement.
• Poinsettia plants are named after Joel R. Poinsett, an American minister to Mexico, who brought the red-and-green plant from Mexico to America in 1828.
• The Salvation Army has been sending Santa Claus-clad donation collectors into the streets since the 1890s.
• Rudolph, "the most famous reindeer of all," was the product of Robert L. May's imagination in 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem about the reindeer to help lure customers into the Montgomery Ward department store.
• Construction workers started the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition in 1931.

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Parokya ni Edgar will be onstage at 7:00 pm tonight at the Calbayog City Sports Center. For tickets you may call (055) 209-1646.

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Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!