Same Old Same Old

For fear of being misunderstood, or perhaps akin to going against the flow, I hesitated writing about this topic.  I'm a little fed-up by the constant promo of taking the "straight path" (matuwid na daan) not because I'm against it but because it's just a slogan, not something tangible.  It's just lip service, I'm afraid.  But it's the same old story.

It's good to prosecute erring officials but I guess the process is not ideal; I want it to be more legal than political, and nothing personal.  There should be fairness and equal protection under the law, not skewed or selective.

One issue at hand is the not so subtle attempt to purge officials of important offices whose only sin is being appointed by the previous dispensation.  There are many areas in constitutional bodies but let's focus on the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court (SC).  The administration is sending mixed signals, saying one thing and doing another.  One time they say they are hands-off to possible impeachment of justices, some other time hints otherwise.  We always hear them say the present SC is beholden to the previous president, so they want them replaced.  But unless it's not yet obvious, when they appoint new justices, aren't they beholden to the present leader if we follow the logic?  They in effect are replacing the Arroyo SC with the new Aquino SC.  That is if we follow their way of thinking.  So the SC spokesman is correct is his pronouncements; I don't agree with the palace's assessment (see http://bit.ly/igS65j if anybody is interested).  They want to have their cake and eat it too!

The case of the Ombudsman is similar but more obvious this time.  It's clear the executive wants her out.  By this time, she's already impeached by the lower house of Congress, save for a final vote by plenary.  Unfortunately for the ombudsman, the process is political rather than legal as voiced out by the Justice Committee chairman himself—at least he's honest.  Again the question may be asked, "are they removing her to give way to a friendlier ombudsman?"  Do they have friends and relatives with pending cases at her office?  They can't think differently for different circumstances.  And to add injury to this, the final judge will be the Senate—I don't know if they are fair and independent enough to give a just judgment.

But that is not my thinking.  No matter who appointed the officials (if proper procedures are met), we should let them be independent as can be, and let them finish their terms of office, unless there is real evidence of wrongdoing.

As I see the old faces in the Executive and Legislature who now are members of the majority block, I scratch my head in awe at the tyranny of the majority.  When they speak on moral grounds, I ask silently, "look, who's talking!"

This opinion is written in a positive light, pointing to some issues that need change.  I remain hopeful of having a responsive government, and as a good citizen, I am supportive of our present leaders.  But our leaders should do concrete positive service to the people, not just superficial motions that only divide the nation.  We need someone who works diligently outside of the media focus.  Leadership is not just about reading speeches, it's making the right and timely decisions that are generally fair, unitive and beneficial to all people.  Have a sense of urgency and fulfill your responsibilities and do your jobs.  Above all, the good leader is a servant, and both terms are interchangeable.

"Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations.

He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law." (Isaiah 42.1-4 RSV)

Good Works and Media

The Philippines, particularly Luzon was recently devastated by two powerful typhoons--Ketsana (Ondoy) and Parma (Pepeng)--leaving behind a lot of miserable people, needing humongous relief, mainly food, clothing, medical care, and shelter.  The image on the right shows typhoon Parma almost stationary above North Luzon, soaking it, being followed by supertyphoon Melor (went to Japan).  Obviously there is a need to give relief packages to them, and people who actually do the handing of the items.  Some popular personalities however said things on air that prompted this writing.  One says that people, particularly politicians and actors, ought not to show their faces while handing the packages, or perhaps not to give their names when donating.  Please, let's not criticize people for doing good!  Let's not put malice where there is none.  The faint of heart might lose interest in the whole thing just because of such idle talk.  They somehow remind us of the following biblical passage:

"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6.1-4 RSV)

They do seem to have a point, right?  But then turn one chapter back and read...

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5.14-16 RSV)

Now this is the reason why private interpretation of scripture does not always work.  The two passages seem to be contradictory at first glance; note that both came from St. Matthew's gospel.  But there is no contradiction!  It boils down to the real intent of the person.  If the real intention was to be seen doing good, then the act of gift-giving is hypocritical--there'll be no reward from God.  For politicians, it is indirect vote-buying at the least.  But if the person goes to the aid stations with pure intentions, then the presence of cameras is incidental only.  So folks who condemn these people need to shut up; nobody can really read minds, nobody can see the intent of people.  In conclusion, I leave this passage for our own meditation:

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you." (Matthew 7.1-6 RSV)

Let's continue being neighbors to everyone; let's rise again after this fall. Think positive, walang iwanan!

Of Manny Pacquiao And Mar Roxas

Two weeks ago, the country was glued to the TV waiting for the Dela Hoya-Pacquiao Dream Fight. Incidentally, the crime rate was zero--the criminals are also watching! Manny who is fondly called Pacman didn't disappoint his countrymen. He did what he said he'll do, and I think had he lost, nobody would have been disappointed. His training regimen is sometimes shown on prime-time news, and he's really doing his best to turn his body into a rock, and no beating from Oscar would affect him. The maxim "no pain no gain" really is true. Oscar is now definitely retired after that 8-round punishment, and I respect him for standing opposite a respectable boxer.

Congratulations Pacman!

A few days later, a large political rally (called "interfaith" rally) was held at the financial district of Makati. I would like to please the participants in saying that there was a "massive" crowd as reported by a news channel, but just a few went there (I'm speaking in relative terms). Just to make the story short, Mar Roxas, a "respected" senator, had his 15-minutes of fame on stage delivering a speech on the many ills of the country caused by the government. That's alright--we all respect the people's right to speak freely in a democracy. I was horrified--he cursed in no vague terms! I can't even mention what he said; we were trained from childhood to refrain from saying bad words. There goes that "good boy" image to the trash bin.

Worse, he refused to apologize to the people. How can he present himself for a higher office later? No congratulations for you...

Wherever we are placed, at home, work, on the street, or others, we must always do the right thing, big or small. People always cried that we have corruption all over; if we all become faithful in small things, we'll be faithful in larger things, ergo, no corruption. We all like to hear our divine master tell us one day, "...Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master (Matthew 25.21 RSV)."

Robert James Fischer, 1943-2008

The great legend, Grandmaster Bobby Fischer passed away yesterday, sending shock waves all over the chess world. He was 64 years old, symbolically representing all the 64 squares of the chessboard. He might have been a controversial figure, but that should not take away his legacy of brilliant chess play. I don't judge the man—I'm not worthy. Let history do that; it's not my job.

Requiescat in pace, Bobby...

A game was taken from a large database of games, played in 1955 between Bobby Fischer who was only 12 years old and Ames (see diagram). Although it ended in a draw, it showcased the brilliant mind of this boy. His 5. Bxf7+ was a good way of getting the pawn back and at the same time destroying his opponent's position. Black has the slight advantage (bishop pair) but perhaps out of respect (or fear) for the future grandmaster, draw was agreed.

Naïveté

In our present culture, politicians and media people victimize common folk for their credulity. It seems that anyone who claims to be a whistle-blower should be believed no matter what! Without naming names, the testimony today will be different or padded tomorrow. And evidence hangs on saliva, not anything concrete. We have to use our brains, and not fall to the usual naïveté. It may not be accurate but the body language and facial expressions demonstrates the lies, half-lies... and some kind of vendetta, using words instead of bullets. The maligned people would have preferred real guns than the vicious tongue as written by St. James...

"So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no human being can tame the tongue -- a restless evil, full of deadly poison." ~ James 3.5-8 RSV

We will be judged by the words we thoughtlessly spew...

Desperate Housewives Faux Pas

The following is the protest letter of Ambassador Willy C. Gaa on the racial slur against Filipino and Philippine Medical School graduates made on the ABC show Desperate Housewives. Let the Filipino community be one in protest against this insult to our people.


PASUGUAN NG PILIPINAS (EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES)
Washington, D.C.

03 October 2007

Ms. ANNE SWEENEY
C-Chair, Disney Media Networks
President, Disney-ABC Television Group
The Walt Disney Company, Corporate
500 S Buena Vista St.,
Burbank, CA 91521-6369 (Fax: 816-560-1000)

Dear Madame:

I wish to express our grave disappointment and displeasure over a scene in the episode of the ABC television series Desperate Housewives which aired last Sunday, 30 September 2007. In that scene, the character named Susan (played by Teri Hatcher) told her gynecologist, "Before we go any further, can I check those diplomas because I would just like to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines."

It is a surprise that such an unfounded and disrespectful remark would even be allowed to be aired on US television. Such insensitivity betrays a complete ignorance of the fact that through the years, Filipinos and Filipino Americans have made quite a mark in the medical field across the entire United States.

In fact, many US hospitals employ a large number of Philippine-trained doctors, nurses, and medical technologists, and some hospitals in major cities would in fact not be able to operate to full efficiency without the considerable presence of their Filipino and Filipino-American medical staff.

This kind of message, coming from such a popular TV show, would tend to damage the credibility and hard-earned reputation of these medical professionals, all of whom passed stringent US requirements to be allowed to practice their profession in this country. It could also damage the credibility of all other professionals of Filipino descent, which is most distressing given the fact that Filipinos now constitute the second largest group of legal migrants to the United States.

It would therefore be most appreciated if your company could issue a public apology to those Filipino-American groups who are even now raising their voices in protest over this development, with the affirmation that no harm was intended and that your distinguished network would henceforth refrain from featuring such unfounded statements in your regular programming.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Sincerely yours,
WILLY C. GAA
Ambassador

Assault on Reason

In the past few days, Al Gore came out in two talk shows (Larry King and David Letterman) to draw attention to his recently published book Assault On Reason. He has a point, but I suspect it'll be lacking. He tells the viewers that Iraq should not have been invaded at all. Their leaders are not using reason in their decision making. The problems in the environment are likewise coming from the same flawed use of reason. As a liberal, I suspect Al is pro-choice, allowing abortion to take place if the mother wishes it. Well, Al, you're assaulting reason by allowing abortions to happen! If you use reason you'll realize that that piece of bloody tissue is a human being, or at least a body part, perhaps a piece of hand, or an eye, or perhaps the primitive brain. Why not use reason in such situations.

As with most of us, we choose which things to believe in and which things to discard. It is through reason that we know that if we have two opposing views, both can't be true; one can be true and the other false, or that both arguments are false. But they can't be both true! Al, I hope you read your own book and apply what is written there.

Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ~1 Corinthians 1.20 RSV

Political Rip-off

The upright man is so hard to find these days. If you're not careful, even your friends will rip you off. How much more your enemies? In the just concluded elections, the candidates of the opposition (national seats for senate and party list) are elated because they are front runners! Their cohorts are very silent, contented with the results. As the administration's candidates are beginning to catch up (exit polls project 4 will make it), they suddenly changed tactics and are crying foul. They are planning a big protest rally in the following days saying that there was massive cheating. If that's the case, then why are their candidates winning? Are they admitting they are cheating their way to victory? Are they crying now because their adversaries are catching up? Why not accept the results?

Yes, there is this allegation of cheating in a southern province, but is it not right to investigate this first? The Commission on Elections is very busy these days and the delays are understandable. It is very palpable that they are poisoning the minds of the people. All of them are sure to win as long as no cheating occurs. Upright people know how to give credit where credit is due. They are stealing victories from the candidates who won; the joy of winning is not given to them.

Please grow up people!

Democracy's Dark Side

This is a reaction of mine taken from an email-reply to a cousin regarding the sad state of politics in the Philippines.

We have to be pragmatic... that is democracy... the candidate who gets the highest number of votes wins the post, no matter how disgusting he is. There are these candidates who cry to heaven against crime and corruption, and yet we have here Erap (their leader) who I believe is guilty of the same and I'm just wondering why the Sandiganbayan takes so long to release the verdict! (From reliable sources whom I know personally: do you remember those midnight cabinet meetings where they gamble and drink and who knows what else?... they are true!). I'm not necessarily rooting for the administration, but I hate the hypocrisy of these people. The church leaders are also dipping their dirty fingers in politics! Endorsements by people like Mike Velarde, folks in INC, Eddie Villanueva, etc. give the wrong precedent. How can we be sure that they don't receive money or favors for their endorsements? I can go on and on and on... Sometimes it becomes worse if the losers cry foul and say they were cheated. The good people don't run for office, and if they run they lose! Maybe let's move to change the constitution, requiring candidates to be at least college graduates, or perhaps requiring them to go to a special school for politicians.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov 14.34 RSV). Perhaps each individual should examine his conscience and maybe we can change things for the better, beginning from within.

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.

Spoon And Fork

Three days ago I received an email from Ate Edith about a racist controversy in Canada, about the eating habits of Filipinos, and the way it was handled by Canadian authorities, especifically by the school system. It happened when a grade school student named Luc Cagadoc ate a meal using both spoon and fork. A school supervisor insulted the child and said that it was disgusting to eat using two utensils at the same time. Where did that come from?

It's absurd. I can eat with fork only if the food was spaghetti or noodles, and spoon only if it's soup. Why can't we eat with both? Why does such stupidity occur in Canada of all places? And that's not even the traditional way of eating in the Philippines as was mentioned; Filipinos (and perhaps other ethnic groups as well) use both bare hands for eating (after washing of course). This we call kamayan (using hands). Try to eat crab (freshly boiled and unshelled) with spoon or fork (or even both). To better savor the taste, it's best to eat using hands (without any utensils). Luc Cagadoc's behavior in eating is very normal, nothing to be ashamed about. Westerners should not be shocked to see people eating with hands (kamayan). If you watch a cooking show, a lot of times the chef handles the food (or ingredients)! It's okay to handle food directly as long as strict hand washing is done.

Now, because of the risk of disease, eating using spoon and fork is recommended. Since these utensils are readily available (folks in remote rural areas don't even see such utensils), why not use them? Hygiene is one factor, but from experience and observation, people who eat using no utensils come out stronger and healthier than people who used utensils. Perhaps the immune system is challenged in such cases. But that's beside the point here.

Let's learn about the cultures of other people and then at least try to respect them. God bless the Philippines!