Why Do We Fall?

Sometimes, inspite of our resolutions to do better, we fall and metaphorically become the prodigal son in the gospel. But what makes it worthwhile? As the bible says, "for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity" (Proverbs 24.16), even the saints fall. But the important thing here is that we rise again. Perhaps one reason why we fall is that God wants to teach us a lesson. Perhaps he wants us to become understanding and merciful toward others when we see their failings and sins. We are reminded not to judge them because we ourselves fall likewise. How can we notice the plank in their eyes without seeing the beem in our own eyes? Really, everything has a purpose, even what seems evil in our sight. The evil of sin is allowed to happen so as to enjoy the happiness of mercy and forgiveness subsequently, and solidarity with all of humanity.


Don't Be a Crybaby (10/24/06)

I'm a little intrigued by the so-called pressure that the executive and legislature is putting on the Supreme Court. This is nothing new, and yet these mainly opposition politicians are suggesting that they're surprised. You are condemning the administration for pressuring the High Court to legalize or allow the amendment of the constitution through people's initiative. Okay, the government may be pressuring the Court, but is the opposition (some quarters) not pressuring it? The mere fact that they are warning the Justices to do what is right is actually putting pressure! They are pressuring the Court to go their way! The opposition is hypocritical in this regard. Enough of this nonsense. If the Court is really doing its job, Justices should not talk about this matter at all.

Pressure is two-way. The Supreme Court should not be a crybaby.


The Marine Uniform (10/19/06)

The following article speaks for itself; it was sent to two major Philippine Newspapers (2006.10.19), and I'm posting it here in its entirety. The article (edited) was subsequently published on Page A12 of the November 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Reaction To Binay's Use of the Marine Uniform

Dear Sir/Madam:

I would just like to make a reaction on the picture of [Makati City] Mayor Binay that was published in your paper today, wherein he was wearing a Philippine Marine uniform, unbuttoned, orange civilian shirt inside is displayed, without any HBT (the PMC cap that should be worn with it), with long and unkempt hair, the pair of pants that goes with it is not worn and not to mention the boots! He even flaunted his rank of Colonel in the process of doing this. Tsk tsk tsk... That picture paints a thousand words! To put it simply, Mayor Binay disrespected and defiled our uniform.

As a Marine officer, we were taught from the very first day that we entered the Corps to respect our uniform (second only to our flag) and wear it proudly. You will notice this even if you go to the farthest baranggay [village], the highest mountain or the remotest island of our country where a Marine (even the lowest trainee and private) is stationed; that even in the thick of battle, he wears his uniform proudly! He will not wear it if he has long hair (especially if it is unkempt, 'yung ibang Marino naming barbero, kasama namin sila wherever we go), or if he is unshaved. He will not dare wear it if it is un-ironed; he will not wear it if his boots are unshined (even in the muddiest of all situations in the field); he will not wear it if the pair of pants is absent; if he wears it, all the buttons are properly buttoned. In short we wear the uniform properly! Otherwise, we will not wear it at all, or bear the brunt of the rage of our seniors. In other words, hindi namin binabastos ang uniform namin, rinerespeto at minamahal po namin ito. This uniform carries with it the proud martial tradition of the Philippine Marine Corps.

A long time ago, while I was still in the field with a Marine Batallion Landing Team in Basilan (or maybe Jolo), I heard our former Commandant, Brig. Gen. (now Senator) Pong Biazon, answer a question from a journalist. He was asked what makes a Marine stand-out from other soldiers (meaning the Army soldiers, the Navy sailors, and the Air Force airmen); he said that it is the uniform. As a young officer then, I thought that was a dumb answer coming from the Commandant of the Corps. He could have given a more substantial reason, I thought... But later on in my career, I realized Biazon was correct. The Marine is different when he wears his uniform; he becomes more disciplined, more proud, and makes him a better warrior. The uniform is a source of pride; as such, it makes the Marine work harder, fight harder and become more disciplined... Similar to Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne.

I realized this, more, now because it was highlighted by a reserve Marine Colonel defiling our uniform with the whole world as the audience! Tsk tsk tsk...

Going back to the interview of Gen. Biazon: In the said interview, the Commandant rationalized his answer by saying that even generals and officers of other branches of service are ashamed to stand near or beside an ordinary Marine because the Marine wears his uniform more smartly and with more spic-and-span than the officers of the other branches of service... Proof: When the Marines were called to support the police in securing Metro Manila during the time of President Estrada, nahiya ang mga pulis to work side-by-side with the Marines because the Marines carried themselves snappily than their counterpart policemen. Why? This is because we respect and honor our uniform! Hindi namin binabastos ito, minamahal namin at ginagalang. Bago kami lumabas ng campo sinisigurado na plantyado ang uniforme, shined ang sapatos at mga buckles, etc.

I hope "Colonel" Binay and other reservists will realize this and respect our uniform as a true Marine. I'd rather be with an ordinary Marine wearing the uniform with respect and pride than a Mayor/Colonel who wears it shabbily.

When I was a young lieutenant based in Jolo, I saw a civilian wearing a Marine top (just like Mayor Binay did in the said picture). I asked him respectfully if he was a Marine (if he said yes, I would surely have whacked him for such shabby appearance and disrespect for the uniform) and he said no. At that point, I told him to remove it and surrender it to us, which he did. I told him never to wear a Marine uniform and asked him where he got it, but he couldn't answer; we just let him go for humanitarian purposes. My point is, we love and respect our uniform; we do not defile it!

This Marine uniform (the unique PMC camouflage) has gained fame and notoriety that civilians, and even rebels want to have it and wear it. They also feel the pride that such uniform brings or carries with it. I cannot blame them. It makes them feel like a Marine. But that will not make them a Marine, it takes more than wearing a Marine uniform to make you a proud Marine warrior. That uniform will not save them in times of trouble because, unlike true-blue Marines, they do not know the essence and history behind the uniform.

With all due respect to Mayor/Colonel Binay, please wear our uniform properly and with honor, dignity and respect next time, sir. And, please understand that this reaction has no political intonation to it; I just felt offended by how you wore our uniform. I don't even know what issues you are fighting for. I hope you will understand. Sir.

Lastly, I hope this reaction will be published in your newspaper so that it will reach Mayor Binay and the other Philippine Marine reservists of our country, as well as the regular Marine officers and enlisted men deployed all over the country.

More power to all of you sirs/mesdames.

Shalom!

Plaridel Mercado
Camp Aguinaldo, Q.C.


Wonders of Life (10/18/06)

Cousins Joy and Joji (back) at the Butterfly Haven in Bulacan, PH. Even as adults, we should maintain this sense of wonder in everything and perhaps even more with nature. I see this in my nephews and nieces, the way their eyes sparkle while they are looking at insects and some other bugs. They ask me, "What kind of skin do they have?" or perhaps, "which is the largest beetle in the world?" (I hope I was right when I said they don't have skin but they have an exoskeleton; and that the biggest beetle and insect is the Goliath Beetle.) And then their eyes enlarged when I explain their life cycles and the concept of metamorphosis.

It's at this point that we should teach the children several concepts on life. I remember in my childhood when I catch a dragonfly, I remove its legs to get amused seeing that the poor thing flies continuously because it can't land! I think someone told me not to do it because it hurts the dragonfly. People who torture other people perhaps started their childhood torturing animals, and no one prevented them.

Let's give focus to life, and find the time to teach our children well.