REFORMATORY OR ANNIHILISTIC?

Societies have a justice system to put order in them. The system provides a vehicle whereby everyone can lodge a complaint, a petition, a charge to make the culprit pay. It also rights wrongdoings of public officials. 

When Chief Justice Corona died after having been impeached, I began to reflect on the method of righting the wrongs of officials. 

What happened then was that there was too much bruhaha to get him out -- a hatred for the fake president misplaced on him as he was very loyal to her. 

On second thought, I think we should have been more humane in conducting that impeachment complaint. 

In our country the justice system can be manipulated in such a way that it will not result in a more humane society. Here are the reasons: 

I think that impeachment proceedings should not be videorecorded at all, except when the decision is already final. The wounds inflicted -- not only on the person being charged but his/her kith and kin-  by day-to-day scouring for facts, calling on witnesses to testify, displaying all evidences, and many others, could wreak havoc, not only on the psyche of the person being charged but also the public. It could scare away people from serving the government. People would say, "Ganun pala ang magsilbi sa gubyerno. Ilaladlad lahat ng butu-buto mo."

And so the reputation that has been built through many years of government service, could readily be overturned in one snap. There could be callous government servants who just really want a fast buck. And so dip their fingers into the pie, so-called, here and there, and who are not scared of being exposed at all. But neither they should be subjected to harsh methods. 

But really now, I think that impeachment proceedings should not proceed in the current manner. We must always think that the justice system must have reformatory not annihilistic results, at all. 

Though we inherited the American system of dealing with civil offenses and crimes, let us create a method which would not be very harsh and if so, could lead the victim to die of depression and shame. Let us maintain our humane character

WANTED: MAGNA CARTA FOR PEDESTRIANS AND COMMUTERS

Here is a definition of public works: 

Construction or development projects for public use, such as bridges, roads, and schools.Governments usually initiate several such programs in periods of economic decline to inject money in the economy (called pump priming) as wages to raise public spending power.

In a simpler explanation, public works are supposed to help society ease the way of life. A bridge is built to help us cross to the other side. A road is built for easier negotiation of vehicles moving about. A building is built to house people. So the results are supposed to give us a pleasing aesthetic view of our surroundings, as well, aside from the practical uses of public works. 

However, let me talk about the process of implementing public works. 

Usually construction companies just dig and dig deep without regard if the hoes hit the sewage system. Hence in our community, you would find that the roads are wet: why? Because there is continual overflowing of sewage water. They are smelly, bad for the health and could make people very sick. This is the Skyway 3 project which I campaigned heavily against last year but lost to a nearsighted bunch of political leaders. Please scan this blog for the Petition I wrote the Supreme Court. 

How come, the construction company does not do anything about it? They don't because all they worry about is the payment on the project. The sooner it gets finished, the better. 

Moreover, many companies do not bother to provide a decent sidewalk for pedestrians to pass through the streets affected by their activities. So we have to walk on the streets, or endanger our lives by walking beside the construction site, without any protection at all. 

There ought to be a Magna Carta for Pedestrians and Commuters. When will that happen? 

ON DYING: THROUGH TERROR OR ALCOHOL

It is highly terrifying to note that the places I had visited abroad like those in London: Times Square, Westminster Bridge, Finsbury Park and London Bridge, and then in the NY state: iconic tourist places like Lower Manhattan and Times Square have been targets terrorists.

Why has terrorism reared its ugly head in this era, in this planet? Why are these discontented people venting their ire even on innocent civilians? There must be something to look at in the religion of these people.

Are the imams divided on how to deal with terrorists? Maybe it is high time that they unite altogether and try to solve this problem by pressuring banking institutions to cut off the delivery of sums of money to finance the attacks of these people. We could also ask all the Muslim women to make their voices be heard in unison to condemn such terror attacks which affect us, even if we are far away, psychologically, emotionally, and mentally. How could anyone sleep when we know that there are people being killed in other parts of the globe because of some misguided people?

Here in our country, many young people are dying early, why because of drinking. They drink and drive their motorcycles and thus meet fatal accidents along the way. We could solve that by curbing the sale of liquor and alcohol only on weekends. Then ask each buyer to produce a card that would indicate how many he or she have bought for the week -- don't allow anyone to buy more than two to stop alcoholism. Let us also limit the liquor and alcohol ads on radio, TV and print in order to reduce a hankering form them. It is high time that we put our feed down.

The Department of Trade and Industry should acquire a greater sense of social responsibility by curbing the power of these lethal industries to propagandize their products.

So dying either through terrorism or through vehicular accidents are scary and should be given a lasting solution right away. We should be able to live life in peace and should anyone want to curb that desire, let him or her suffer the highest penalties, short of death penalty.

DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN AND AMONG THEM

Not this way of talking, never. 

LET THE PEOPLE BE THE ARBITERS. 

President Duterte is very articulate when talking in English. In fact, sometimes I have to sift through the dictionary about certain words that he uses. 

I think he wants to emphasize a point why he wants to scuttle the peace talks with the CPP-NDF.

In the first place, peace means starting with those who are conferencing. They are the leaders and hence the power to stop all forms of violence in the cities, the farms, the rural areas, the mountains, the high seas and everywhere else. 

When this is not followed, it is like stabbing the other in the back. The fact that the CPP-NDF has not made a firm stand about stopping the killings, means that it condones them. And that is indeed very sad. 

We must have six months of moratorium on killings before any of the party should start firing again. That should be the main provision -- all hostilities must stop as soon as everybody sits down to talk. 

Secondly, a public TV should air the discussions so that we can follow what is being discussed. It is highly unfair that only the representatives of the government can hear everything that is being said by the other side. 

The problem with the parties is that they are talking on different levels: the government is trying to stop the CPP-NDF from ambushing and killing policemen and the military, while the other party is using ad hominem arguments, meaning attacking the character and personal traits of Duterte to show that he is the villain. I think talks would surely stall in this manner.

We must have intelligent discussions between and among gentlemen and gentlewomen. 

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

This morning from 2:30 am, I spent the night at Nursia Women's Center of St Scholastica's University, which was started

by the Benedictine sisters under the leadership of Sr. Mary John Mananzan. The reason ? I lost my keys to the flat where I live in, and other places. 

Calling Up Camp Karingal first, I was directed to the Manila Police Department, the phone in which was not readily released to me, as it was being denied by the responder to my call. The MPD directed me to the Quiapo police team (another phone call), who then told me to call up Plaza Miranda. A plice officer told me to go there to Plaza Miranda. I did, at 2100, and I faced a certain Jass (de Mesa) who told me with all braggadocio that he would surely find it. He was gone for a few minutes with his motorcycle but came back empty-handed and smiling enigmatically. 

My insistence on the return of my keys did not produce anything. Jass brought me to the scene of the crime in a tricycle, at Avenida Rizal, then left with his girlfriend leaving me behind saying that he would return but never did. 

While sitting on a chair provided by a sidewalk corner, I called up 8888 and reported the matter, but they could not do anything. Wait for 72 hours, the operator told me. I called up 911, with one operator even asking me to phoneconference with Jass, who then said that he would bring a policeman over.  A few minutes after, a police officer did, but then left again without saying when he would be back. 

I called up 911 several times after that and had told them to go higher, ask General Bato to counsel the PNP Intel Group to release my keys. But nothing happened. 

 Earlier, I asked Jass if the CIA was behind this, and he looked afar. Is Trump behind this, I ask myself now. 

Where else will I seek recourse to my problems?

 Finally, I asked 911 operator to refer the matter to President Duterte. "Hindi kami basta-basta puwedeng magdala ng problema sa kanya."

The loss of my keys all these I consider physical and mental torture due to my writings and outspokenness.

Thanksgiving Day in the United  States is being celebrated soon. What have I to be thankful for? Contributing ideas to the US Democratic Party so that Obama would get elected, helping the American people see through the mirage of Trump's fake presidency? Obama's group has not paid me a single cent, nor donated to my concerns through all these years.

I am a senior citizen and have not many years to live on this earth. Is this the way to be protected by the State? Tell me. 
 

Thank God for Nursia and the Sisters. Nursia is a prophetic creation.

MIGHT MAKES RIGHT?

Folks, one aspect that breeds corruption is cronyism. It is defined as 

"the practice of partiality in awarding jobs and other advantages to friends or trusted colleagues, especially in politics and between politicians and supportive organizations.^[1] For instance, this includes appointing "cronies" to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications.^[2]

Cronyism exists when the appointer and the beneficiary such as an appointee are in social or business contact. Often, the appointer needs support in his or her own proposal, job or position of authority, and for this reason the appointer appoints individuals who will not try to weaken his or her proposals, vote against issues, or express views contrary to those of the appointer. Politically, "cronyism" is derogatorily used to imply buying and selling favors, such as: votes in legislative bodies, as doing favors to organizations, giving desirable ambassadorships to exotic places, etc.^[3]"

A simpler definition: cro·ny·ism

ˈkrōnēˌizəm/

noun

derogatory

1. the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications.

And so when an official announces ( a subtle appointment)  the names of would-be legislator-candidates in the next election whence it is not yet the election period, isn't he practicing cronyism?

Isn't he using his position to exercise his clout and influence the opinions of the people?

Isn't he saying that the positions should not be applied for but handed over on a silver platter to their favored people?

Isn't he saying, "I don't care about the civil service nor the Comelec rules. She\He is whom I want for the position."

Isn't he saying, "I don't respect our institutions. It is I who will make the decisions."

Isn't he showing that "might makes right" and not the other way around?

Isn't he telling us, "What are we in power for?"

I think, Folks, it is high time that our officials be more guarded about electoral matters.

Election is an important event in our national and local lives. It is that time when we are selecting and electing the leaders who will show us the way to a better future that is humane, kind, equitable, and prosperous. To do otherwise is to forget that one has been elected and/appointed to perform a role: that of leading the people to such a future, apart from taking care that each day that passes contributes to enhancing the dignity of our people  

Only we can break the chains that bind us to poverty and underdevelopment by electing people who are sensitive to our needs and wants. 

Here are the qualities we need to develop: 

discerning, shrewd, perceptive, astute, penetrating, observant, percipient, sharp-witted, sharp, smart, alert, clear-sighted, farsighted, acute, clever, canny, intelligent, insightful, wise, sage, sensitive, intuitive, understanding, aware, discriminating

BRAWL VS. SPORTS

BRAWL VERSUS SPORTS

Wilhelmina S. Orozco

What happens when gangsters meet? Wounds, injuries, deaths could occur. What kinds of members do gangs have? Domineering, macho guys whose idea of manhood rests on being able to defeat others, to be on top of the crowd, to be adored by the lesser vulnerable crowd, whether gangmembers or public.

It is fearsome living in a neighborhood where there are gangs. They are bound to take over the streets and create havoc when they want to. They are not there to protect the weak who could be passing by, nor apt to help the elderly and women. They are just there to be seen, to rule with impunity. Usually, they are “malakas” with the authorities.

They may brandish weapons of all sorts – guns, knives, stones, icepicks, and the like. The point is that they come prepared for any and by anyone's dare to question their domination of the place. They are ready to confront anyone who would challenge their authority.

Amid such a scenario, how could we create gentlemen? Is being a gentleman passe already? Or is there hope at all in creating a humane, benign society where men are ready to bow and greet every woman, “good morning” or “good evening, Ma'am” to assist the elderly cross the street, to help a mother carry her goods home, or to show strangers where the street is they are looking for.

How are gangster-machos bred? At home, their ways are ignored by their parents, as if the problem would be solved by keeping quiet or dismissing their acts as “naturalmente. Ganyan talaga yan.” As if the gangster-machos would/could never change. And so the family becomes the nesting place that would breed the machos.

When these machos confront society, they could find that there are rules to follow, certain ways that are expected of men, such as being gallant, being a gentleman. However, they view those traits as weakness which could not propel them to power in society.

And so they also ignore society's pressure for them to conform to the ideal image of the man. They ride roughshod on anyone who shows up a mirror to them so that they could see their real selves.

But changing a macho is not easy. It cannot be done overnight nor by confronting him. Some machos would nod in agreement now but later on would be hitting back at them when the ripe moment comes that the mirror-holder cannot strike back.

What could curb the injurious behavior of the macho is sports. From early childhood, people should already be encouraged to join sports, where there are rules to follow, where teamwork is a must, where they have to be good members so that the team would win at competitions.

I think that the very poor discipline we have in sports has bred machos and gangsterism. Our sports are highly commerce-oriented. Look at the basketball courts – full of advertising billboards. Read the names of the teams – these are names of products. Look at the uniforms of the players – they sport the names of products. Look at their shoes, their tee-shirts, their shorts, everything makes them a seller of the product, not a player of the game, especially of basketball.

Amid such a dismal picture of sports, we can see now that manhood is not properly built nor shaped by it. Manhood in sports connotes fighting to win, for the company, not for themselves as sports champions or sports players as such; with regard to achieving the integrity of a player steeped in: full knowledge of the sport, full understanding of and obedience to the rules of the game, having that knowledge that a good sports individual acquires a physique, attitude and mental alertness so necessary for getting into the game, for staying in the game, for building a code of honor that a healthy body produces a healthy mind, (Mens sana in corpore sano is a Latin phrase, usually translated as "a healthy mind in a healthy body".quote by pre-Socratic Thales)

Ang sport sa Pilipinas ay itinuro sa atin ng mga Amerikano. Natatandaan ko pa na noong nasa elementarya pa ako, ang damit naman sa aming Physical Education ay bloomers, na siyang gamit ng mga American students sa Estados Unidos. Ang musikang ginagamit para mag-ehersisyo kami ay kanluranin. Ang pagbibilang ay Ingles. Pati ang mga idolo sa sports ay banyaga. Hindi tayo nakapaghubog ng isang kamalayang maka-Pilipino sa sports.

Yung mga nagwagi nating mga kababayan sa Olympics ay ating hinahangaan dahil sa kanilang kakayahang mapangimbabawan ang mga paghihirap sa pakikipagtunggali sa mga taga ibang bansa. Subali't hanggang sa pagpalakpak, pag – congratulate, pagbibigay ng pabuya o reward na lang ang ginagawa natin. Dapat ay isa-aklat ang kanilang talambuhay para babasahin sa mga kursong Physical Education, at ating maging idolo ang mga kababayan natin. Sa ganyang paraan, ang ating ideya ng isang tao ay may disiplina sa katawan, sa pag-iisip, at lumalaban ng patas, hindi ng patayan, kundi ng pagalingan ng paggamit ng mga katawan, ng mga masel, at matalas ng isipan.

Samakatuwid, kung malakas ang ating sports consciousness, palagay ko walang magiging macho, o macha. Ang lahat ay magkakaroon ng pagtanaw na ang mararahas na labanan, kung saan may mga nasasaktan ay hindi makataong gawain, at hindi dapat tularan. Sports can defeat brawl-minded individuals. Matatalo ng sports ang mga taong mahilig sa pagbababag.

Kung kaya't para makapaghubog tayo ng mga lalaking maginoo, gawin nating requirement na mula pagkabata, sa elementary grades pa lamang, ang kabataan, hindi lamang mga lalaki, ay mahuhubog sa isang makataong lipunang may pagpapahalaga sa buhay ng lahat ng tao, at ang paggamit ng lakas at talas ng isipan ay isang paraan para humaba ang buhay at maharap ito ng buong sigasig katuwang ang lahat ng sangkatauhan.

Siya nawa.

TRUMP FOOLING AROUND

Are we Asians really polite to all our visitors, regardless of whether they come in as officials with dubious backgrounds or not-- for example, having cheated in the elections?

I don't think so. Our stoic personality in facing such disgusting characters only shows that we have a high regard for humanity: that we respect the capability of those villains to change themselves, to be sensitive enough to know that what they had done to run up to the highest position of the land was a big political flaw that should be resolved legally. 

But you see, Folks, there are really some characters who are thick-skinned and would continue pretending that they really had won squarely in the elections. 

I think it does not augur well when we are just quiet about the destruction and/or bastardization of democratic processes in the election of the highest officials or even the lower officials of the land, and in our case, the barangay levels. 

By being quiet, we sound like we are condoning the cheating, and that we don't want any conflict especially during a very regal event as the coming together of leaders of the ten countries in the ASEAN.

That could also be considered hypocritical, as we know the real character yet we refuse to say something. 

I think right now, the villain is using smooth talks, fooling around, to pretend that he is legitimate, when he is not. 

Anyway, I really find it difficult understanding and accepting diplomacy. In that field, there are many compromises that are being made which in the long run could ruin the image of the other leaders, and or destroy the faith of the people on them. 

Perhaps it is high time to know that there are really political characters who would use other people to legitimize themselves in the eyes of the world; they would smooth-talk their way to power, in order to deaden all kinds of moves that could make them look like a laughing stock. 

But who really has the final laugh, Folks? I expect that to come from the American people, really, especially the women. 

BREAKDANCING, ASIAN?

I don't know if I should cry or wail at the breakdancing at the end of the opening of the ASEAN Summit at CCP. The themes were - pagkakaisa, moving as one, forward. 

But breakdancing is very far from being a symbolic presentation of the need to unite ASEAN countries. In the first place, breakdancing is not rooted in any Asian country's history of dancing. 2. The dance originated from Puerto Rico and AfroAmerican youths; 3, The almost all black and white costumes of young people breakdancing does not seem Asian at all. 4. The music was the same all throughout the dancing, signifying that the youths have to have one voice but whose voice? Repetitive drumming, and tones produced a kind of rhythm that is not Asian at all. 5. The dance is supposed to showcase the ten countries of Asean but hardly was there any country represented, except for the angular steps of the Thais, if I remember right. 

Wow, whoever thought of presenting that dance to produce an ASEAN cultural experience certainly did not get his or her history, geography and politics, correctly. Wanted: a cultural connoisseur with deep historical consciousness to advice the dancing groups of CCP or all connected with presenting the cultural events of ASEAN. It seems they are in the dark as to what is truly ASEAN, a way of mocking the intents of having a grouping of the countries of this region. 

HELP! 

SINS FROM MARTIAL LAW TO THE PRESENT

Have we really fathomed why we conducted the People Power Movement in the 80s? It's hard to imagine that after these decades, we are still not in the best of health, especially economically for our many, many kababayan. People would rather walk than ride a jeepney, they eat at tusuktusuk snacking kariton  rather than at restaurants, they would rather watch movies on their celfones than read newspapers or listen to the radio news. Apathetic, that is what or rather how I view our kababayan. They may know the names of our officials, but with regard to the nitty-gritty of knowing what their politics are is lost in the air. 

Maybe we should examine what lessons we have gained from the conduct of martial law in our country. 
1. Greed became blurred as a sin. It looked normal for Marcos and his cohorts to amass millions of property, and even export or hide them abroad, In fact, it even looked as if, to have wealth abroad was the penultimate achievement economically. 

Hence, even today, greed is everywhere -- we see it in the way small sarisari stores charge so much for a packet of milk -- its price ranges from 12 to 13 and up to 15 on the sidewalk. We see it in the way the jeepney drivers and their conductors they don't give exact change, and would even toss and turn the passengers with their reckless driving once the change is mentioned as lacking or kulang. 

We see that in these men who would overtake the elderly at public escalators, or are they being programmed to do it when I am around? 

Greed is seen among hospitals that try to keep patients confined even though they could already go home simply because they need greater income. We have not really researched on this but I think researchers and organizations should examine if the hospital deaths are valid or induced by over-medication, and the like. 

There is also such a thing as political greed. When the guards jam the ATM that I am using so that it would not release funds, or would mark my transaction as "prohibited" is that not a form of political greed - as someone up there has told them to conduct their nefarious ways?

Political greed was also apparent when the Commission on Elections labeled candidates who were stopped from running, told to defend themselves, but before labeling them as "nuisance candidates." Yes, that is a form of political greed and am I very happy to say that I gloat over the dismissal of the chairman who did not see anything wrong in that procedure at all. 

But the worst greed is when the government funds are not being distributed for use of the people, even as loans. Stringent requirements are put up -- like those aged 60 and above are eased out as deserving of being borrowers. In the last administration of the son of Cory, so much funds were kept in the treasury coffers. Only a special few were able to enjoy borrowing. 

I tried several times to get funding for my artistic projects at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission on Cultural and the Arts and yet I did not get a single centavo, except for one time when I had a show at the NPDC sponsored Paco Park presents. (National Parks Development Committee). But then the money was not even enough for me to pay myself for performing. I shelled out the meager funds of P5,000 to the artists, a singer., dance interpreter, and others. 

Meager funds for artistic projects that require creative thinking and execution. 

2. Elitism - or the uplifting of certain individuals and groups as more privileged than others. Imelda really sharpened our sense of elitism. She moved and acted like a queen who could not be questioned, whose convoluted ideas of governance were silently absorbed by the public. 

The ML brought in the idea that Marcos and his family were the elite, the special few who had deserved to be treated with "respect' no matter if they were undeserving. 

Until now, we still have elitism. Our officials enjoy first class transportation. But look at the transport of the people on the barangay level - extremely unattainable or terribly expensive. Imagine just going out of our barangay which is less than 3 minutes, I would be shelling out P20 already, which could buy me a banana cake and a rootbeer, atctually. 

Who are enjoying good transport? The barangay tanod jeepney passed by and I hailed it to hitch a ride up to a corner where I could take a jeepney. But it refused to stop. Several times I had done that - why is that jeepney used as if it were a vehicle only for the barangay use? I was not even going to ask to be taken to my destination, but just that point where I could take public transport. 

Another thing, our garbage is not being collected regularly. The MMDA hardly passes by our street. And so the waste stays in the streets for a long, long time. Does the MMDA care? Not at all. In fact, it makes sure that when I pass by through the big avenues, the huge trucks would be passing by also, scattering the waste fumes of their haul. 

3. During ML,  Christianity had two faces - one for the governing rulers and the other for the poor. I saw priests holding masses for Marcos and his family seated at special podiums while the hakot public of government workers and employees stayed on the lower grounds. 

4. PEOPLE POWER, GENUINE AND FAKE 

When Ninoy died, peaceful rallies became the norm for asking for social change. I guess Cory could not be an NPA in the mountains, and so she made use of the streets of MetroManila to launch her campaign to make Marcos move out and democratic rights be restored. Hence People Power was born then. 

But then  that movement was distorted when Erap was dislodged unceremoniously. And so the lesson we learn here is that the People Power Movement could be turned upside down to make anyone leader of the country. Fake movement happened then which brought about a fake presidency, too. 

Do we really recognize what situations merit having a movement about? The only one I can think of now it to campaign for abolition of the EPIRA law and restore regulation of the prices of fuel. But the jeepney associations seem to be mum about this: either their leaders have been bribed or are ignorant about the process to abolish the law. 

5. We need to stop armed struggle. But until now, it exists. Luckily the armed soldiers were able to boot out the terrorists from Marawi. Otherwise we would have been drawn to also arm ourselves to fight them. 

Yet the armed struggle of the NPA looks uncalled for; I wish that the NPA would work with the AFP to fight in those places where environmental degradation is being committed by greedy mining corporations. Using armed struggle regularly is rather terrifying. I dont feel like moving about too much in our country because of that. 

How do we make armed struggle a thing of the past? The composition of the Peace group is not really remarkable. I don't know how they conduct their discussions. But I think that those discussions should be filmed, shown to the public as they go meticulously into every item where peace should reign Only in this manner can we extract a commitment to really fulfill the demands of a peaceful country when we could see the faces of the leaders of dissident groups, we could see how they speak and explain their side; we could then decide if they are worthwhile having as leaders to show us the way to a future that should be beneficial to the majority of the people. 

I could write and write about the many ills that have been carried over from the martial law days to the present. But what is the purpose? For us to be guarded about our actions, to see if we are improving, if we are working our way to a really peaceful, humanistic society.  

Gala Éluard Artist: Max Ernst (French (born Germany), Brühl 1891–1976 Paris) 1924

ON PONDERING IMMORTALITY

Perhaps the United Nations could ask its member-countries to create places where everyone could congregate as one people, regardless of religion, a kind of ECUMENICAL CENTER.

This Center shall be open to everyone, even the Muslims because we want to make everyone feel human, feel sensitive to each other's cultural diversity yet open to being friends with each other.

This Center could be placed even inside the Arabic countries especially where exclusivity is highly prevalent.

In fact, when I saw the picture of that bomber of a sidewalk in New York City, shouting Alahu Akbar, I thought why that guy would have a hard time shedding off his violent tendencies. He had already been shot, terribly wounded, and incarcerated, yet he was still very stubborn.

I thought there and then why, this guy should be isolated in a room where he could only see pictures and videos of Nature, of animals and flowers. The sight of humans should be detached from him. He should not be allowed to interact with anyone. And then maybe after 6 months slowly the sight of humans would be revealed to him, a fetus, a baby, a toddler, until the adult figures.

In this manner, maybe his mind and soul could be stirred into asking, what am I doing in this world, why am I here, what should I do with my life?

I think this is the same thing that should be done to drug addicts. No amount of medicines will cure this people unless they regain their humanity again.

Just a thought after All Souls Day. Immortality is a difficult subject. Ahh, life.


************************

Definition:

ec·u·men·i·cal

ˌekyəˈmenək(ə)l/

adjective

1. representing a number of different Christian churches.

   synonyms:

   nondenominational, universal, catholic, latitudinarian, all-embracing, all-inclusive "the local churches are sponsoring an ecumenical service on the green"

   • promoting or relating to unity among the world's Christian churches.

     
     

     "ecumenical dialogue"

   
   

Salvador Dali, The Burning Giraffe

HOPES FOR MARAWI

WHAT MUST BE DONE:

1. In the development of Marawi, after the long battle against the terrorists, the thrust of all programs and projects must bear the importance of healing the psyche, the emotions, the physical and mental make-up of the people. The balancing of the emotions of the people are especially important so that they can carry on their daily activities with renewed strength and feelings of dignity, despite what had happened;

2. Marawi must not only be a showcase of a city that rises up after the siege of terrorists, but a city that is steeped in democratic practices; a city that will no longer tolerate the presence of terrorists; that will stand up against any authoritarian and violent postures of any individual or any group;

3. Marawi City became too malleable to the penetration and manipulation of terrorists because the social structure bred and tolerated the weakness of the populace. The people were dependent upon traditional political power structures which sought their maintenance 
instead of the empowerment of the people. 

4. Hence, Marawi must develop social structures that will be led by the civilians, socio-political and cultural entities, that would be confronting the political structures and authorities who would tend to lean on authoritarianism;

5. These structures shall come in the form of civilian associations -- women's groupings, cooperatives; transport cooperatives; strong parent-teachers' associations; entrepreneurial groupings. All these shall form the new social make-up of Marawi so that the people would learn how to express their thoughts, their needs, and their wants to the political authorities. These groupings shall become the heart of Marawi, always ready and sensitive to what is occurring around them, and serious about the present and future of Marawi. They will be socially aware and helpful to their kababayan, the people of the Philippines and the world. 

6. Most of all the women and girls of Marawi shall share in the shaping of the present and future of the city; no longer the quiet, expressionless women dominated by men, but rather their equal in all facets of life. Ergo, women's groups have to be created-- neighborhood women's groups, girls' arts and crafts; all performing also physical exercises to hone their bodies to greater health and strength. Political exercises like women and girls' debating and speech clubs must be created also in order to train them to speak out. 

7. Marawi must create consumer groups that will be alert to watching the prices of goods and services so that the people would not be in want. Such groups must be given training by relevant government agencies on economics, financing, cooperativism, and the like. 

8. A meditation area, aside from the mosques must be created, preferably near the lake so that the people shall learn how to be sensitive to their feelings, their individual selves, and the need to communicate with God singly, and not always collectively;

9. Ergo, I envision Marawi as composed of circular enclaves that could house these groupings in order to show their unity of purposes -- to live and work for the glory of God and country; to be humane towards each other; to work for the sustainability of the environment; to embrace humanistic ideologies that will propel them to become respected citizens of the Philippines and the world.   

10. Finally, Marawi must build a habit of assembly meetings for all where the people could express their thoughts and feelings about what is happening to them. 

ANO PA ANG MANGYAYARI?

ANO PA ANG MANGYAYARI?

Maikling kuwento ni Emma S. Orozco

Nag-iisang nagpunta sa puntod ng kanyang mga kamag-anak si Merla. Nagdala siya ng mga kandila, isang posporo, halamang oregano, sampaguita na paborito ng kanyang inang, at ang abaloryong bola na bagong negosyo niya. Hindi naman siya nahirapan sa paghahanap ng puntod dahil mula sa gate ng Norte Cementeryo ng Maynila, ay may libreng sakay si Mayor, na talaga namang ang damdamin at isipan ay para sa mga naghihirap. Kalimutan mo na lang ang kanyang pagiging mahilig sa babae.

Wala siyang maibibigay na pera sa mga taga-linis, kasi yung umuupa sa unit niyang condo ay nagpunta sa Singapore para uma-tend ng isang kumbension. Wala pa raw yung suweldo niya, pero kaya niyang mangibang-bansa kung saan dolyares ang kakailanganin niyang panggastos sa lakad duon. Hay, naku, hirap na hirap talagang maningil si Merla sa guro na yun. Guro ha, at dapat may tinatawag na moral ascendancy. Pero hindi yata alam ang kahulugan noon.

Kung kaya't pinatong ni Merla ang mga kandila sa gilid ng mga nitso na patung-patong. Sa pinakaitaas ay ang nitso ng Nanay, ang pangalawa ay sa kapatid niyang namatay sa isang kwestionableng motorcycle accident at ang pinakailalim ay ang sa Tatay. Matagal nang namatay si Itay, 1953 pa a Iss n 41. Dahil sa nephritis, isang sakit na dulot ng pag-inom ng alak. Wala pang dialysis noon kung kaya't naghirap talaga siya sa ospital. Ang bilin ng kanyang ama, alagaan daw ang Nanay.

Oo, dahil sa bilin na yun. Tumimo sa isipan ni Merla na nakataatang sa kanya ang pag-aalaga sa Nanay niya. Namatay si Inay sa idad na 92, pinanganak noong 1915, samantalang si Itay naman ay 1912. Pareho silang nagbinata at nagdalaga sa panahon ng mga Kano.

Maluwag sa pamilya ang pagdidisiplina ni Inay, na nabyuda sa idad na 37 pero nag-asawang muli. Masalimuot ang kanyang pangalawang pakikibaka sa pangalawang kasal, at dumistansiya si Merla at ang mga kapatid niya sa mag-asawa para hindi na mahirapan pang mabuti si Inay.

Pero noong nagkakasakit na si Inay, siya ang tinatawag parati ng Tiyo niya dahil, ewan ba, gumagaling kaagad si Inay kapag nakikita siya. Hindi niya alam kung anong meron siya pero kapag kausap niya si Inay ay nawawala ang sakit nito. Kahit na noong nasa ospital si Inay, dahil sa marahil sa katandaan na rin, siya ang hinahanap parati.

Galit na galit siya sa mga kapatid niya dahil dinala sa ospital si Inay. Parang may higing na siya na yun na ang huling pag-alis ni Inay sa tahanan nila, noong nadala sa ospital.

Sa ospital, kung anu-anong mga eksaminasyon ang ginawa kay Inay. Gusto nang umuwi ni Inay pero ayaw siyang pauwiin ng mga duktor, para bang gustong mamatay na siya duon. At tapos, noong lalagyan ng tubo ang kanyang lalamuna, dumating yung x-ray man at gusto siyang dalhin sa x-ray room. “Ano ang i-e-xray?” Yung dibdib daw. Mga sampung duktor ang pumalibot kay Inay upang ilagay ang tubo sa lalamunan niya. Pinaalis siya kahit na ayaw niya. Pero noong bumalik siya, dineklara na siyang patay. Wala na ang mga duktor. Pilit niyang gustong ibalik ang buhay ni Inay, minasahe niya ng Goji juice ang buong katawan, ang mga paa.

Ang Goji juice ay napakagaling na herbal supplement. Galing ito sa bulubundukin ng Nepal, sa Himalayas at preskong hangin, malinis na tubig ang nagpapatubo ruon at kung kaya't mayaman sa minerals at bitamina ito. Alam ni Merla na miracle juice yuon.

Tapos, tinapat niya ang laser light na imbensyon ni Panfilo Rieta,  (sumalangit nawa ang kanyang kaluluwa) isang inhinyero na nagsaliksik kung paano niyang mapalalawig ang kanyang buhay dahil muntik na siyang pumanaw dahil sa lung cancer. At nalaman nga niya ang laser light sa isang magasing laboratoryo sa Taiwan na kaya raw pumasok hanggang sa cellular level ng mga organo at binubuhay itong muli.

Itinapat ni Merla sa dibdib ni Inay ang laser light. At may narinig siyang pintig ng buhay.

Buhay! Buhay si Inay, ang sigaw Merla sa mga duktor at nars sa hallway pero walang dumating. May nagdaang janitor, “Mrs. patay na ho ang nanay nyo.” Hindi siya makapaniwala. Sinabihan niya si Marita, “Tulungan mo akong masahehin ang katawan ni Inay. Lagyan mo ng Goji juice.” Mabait si Marita, ang katulong nila na nag-alaga din kay Inay.

Ito ang ginagawa nilang dalawa hanggang sa dumating ang anak niya na sinabihan siyang itigil na ang ginagawa niya. Napasigaw si Merla, “Hindi, hindi, buhay pa ang Nanay. Buhay pa.” Itinaas ni Merla ang talukap ng kanyang ina, at talagang buhay pa, tumingin sa kanya. At nangingiti pa. Malambot pa ang katawan ng Nanay niya.

Pero matigas ang loob ng anak ni Merla, hinihila siya palayo sa katawan ng kanyang ina. At pagkatapos ay tinakpan ito ng puting kumot ng mga nars. 

Nanlumo si Merla. Maya-maya ay umalis na ang anak niya at pagsasabihan pa ang ibang mga kamag-anak. Tumanaw sa bintana si Merla, parang binibilang ang mga bituin. Naroroon na kaya si Inay. At napatingin siya sa nakatalukbong na katawan ni Inay. Niyakap niya ito. Mainit-init pa rin at malambot.

Nagising si Merla sa pagmumuni-muni at nakita niyang ang kandila ng kanyang kapatid ay malapit nang matunaw ng buo. Samantala ang mga kandila nina Inay at Itay ay mahahaba pa. Nakakapagtaka dahil nasa itaas at ibaba ang mga kandilang yaon samantalang nasa gitna naman ang kandila para sa kapatid niya. Nahinuha niya, baka nasa paligid lang sila.

Kinuha ni Merla ang kanyang plawta at tumugtog ng “Puso ni Hesus” at “Ina ni Kristo.” Parang ang gaan-gaan ng pakiramdam ni Merla matapos tumugtog. Sinundan niya ito ng pagdarasal sa lahat ng iba pang mga kamg-anak na namatay: ang kanyang anak na si Eugene, isang OFW na nakita na lamang na patay sa kanyang kama sa Singapore. Noong madaling araw ng umaga bago siya namatay, nakatanggap si Merla ng tawag, pero hindi niya mawari kung ano ang sinasabi, parang “Ogr, ogr.” Ibinaba niya ang telepono sa pag-iisip na baka prank call ito. Pero noong umaga na ay naalala niya, baka si Og yun, palayaw ni Eugene, ang anak niya.

At habang siya ay nakikipagdiwang ng kaarawan ng isang kasamahan niya sa koro sa Kenny Rogers sa Diliman ay nakatanggap siya ng tawag mula sa girlfriend nito na pumanaw na nga si Og.

Hanggang ngayon mabigat pa rin sa dibdib ni Merla ang nangyari sa anak, at may appointment pa nga siya sa NBI para alamin talaga kung ano'ng tunay na nangyari kay Eugene. Pero sa pagdarasal ay gumagaan ang loob niya.

Umihip ang hangin at papalamig na. Patay na ang kandila sa nitso ng kapatid niya. At ang mga kandila naman ng kanyang mga magulang ay patuloy pa ring aandap-andap.

Hindi na hinintay ni Merla na maubos ang mga kandila. Sana ay hihintayin niya ang sepulturera pero hindi na bumalik. Wala kasi siyang pambayad? Pero dumating ding muli, kasama ang batang sinabihan niyang hanapin ito.

“Manang, sa iyo na lang itong abaloryong bola at mga aklat ko – Mahilig Ka Ba sa Pulitika, Regalo Magazine, at Pusong Titibuk-tibok. Yan lang ang maibibigay ko sa iyo, pasensiya ka na. Pakitanim na lang ang mga halaman, ha, paborito ang mga yan ni Inay.” Nakatawa na si Manang sa binigay niyang abaloryo at mga aklat. At umalis na ito agad dahil may tawag daw sa kanya.

Masikip ang palabas mula sa lugar ng mga nitso dahil yung ibang mga may-ari mahilig palakihin ang kanilang espasyo. Nilalagyan ng mga upuan, ng mga bubong at bakal na rehas palibot sa kanilang mga nitso. Galit na galit si Merla kasi sarili lamang nila ang iniisip ng mga taong ito.

Mabigat na mabigat ang paglalakad niya kasi parang mas mahalaga pa ang pera para pambayad kesa sa mga aklat na nabigay niya at sa abaloryong bola na likha niya.

Naglakad siya hanggang sa main avenue at naghintay ng E-jeep na libreng sakay. Punuan ang bawat dumaan. Nakita ni Merla na mga teen-ager ang ilang sakay. Kababata pa ng mga ito, tamad nang maglakad, samantalang siya, isang senior citizen, ay maraming dala at hirap pang maglakad.

May nagsabi sa kanyang sumakay na lamang nang pabalit na jeep sa halip na padiretso sa gate ng sementeryo kasi madaling mapuno ito. Pumuwesto tuloy si Merla sa kabila ng kalsada. Maya-maya nakita niya humahangos si Manang, nakangiti, malaking malaking ngiti. Hindi niya dala ang mga binigay ni Merla, pero tinulungan niyang makakuha ng sakayan.

“Salamat, Manang, hanggang sa isang taon muli.”

“Nasaan ang puntod ni FPJ?” ang tanong ni Merla sa drayber na itinuro naman kung saan ito. “E yung kay Magsaysay at Quirino” “A sa bukana ang mga yun”

Mabuti na lang nagpunta sa sementeryo si Merla Oktubre 21, sa halip na Nobyembre uno; kung hindi ay madadala siya ng hugos ng mga tao duon. Nasabi na lang niya sa sarili niya, “Mabuti na ang kalagayan nila, nananahimik na. Ako gagaod pa. Ano pa kayang mangyayari sa buhay ko?” A, marami pa siyang isusulat, at marami pa siyang mga abaloryong bolang gagawin.

Masquerade, Arte-Larawan ni Dave Sanchez

https://www.art.com/gallery/id--b200799/day-of-the-dead-posters.htm