New Year's Resolution

I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions.  It’s a recipe for disappointment, frustration, and regression.  A year is just too long for a one-time reversal of ingrained habits. I believe the Jesuits had it right when, instead of a new year, they had a twice-daily examen: an assessment of the day’s events and also an opportunity to resolve to be better next time. 

But even I have to admit of this tradition’s allure. It’s nice to face the New Year with a hopeful resolution to change, unburdened by the past’s weight. Plus, I might as well leave it in the open if only to pressure myself to be more committed to change:

1.)    Look at other people’s eyes when they talk to you
2.)    Sleep better and exercise harder
3.)    Do at least one household chore when you’re visiting the family abode
4.)    Visit Lola Alice at least twice a month
5.)    Be angry but don’t be obvious
6.)    Be more fiscally responsible
7.)    Do the examen every day
8.)    Don’t waste time
9.)    Be more caring (I don’t know how to do that but I’m going to write it down anyway)
10.)    Write

PDA

Old and obviously married couples doing public displays of affection are nice to marvel at. Teen couples doing the same thing are not cute at all.

Forgive me for the double standard but there’s just something about young lovers doing stuff in public that makes me want to exclaim “Pwede ba?” while whacking their heads.

I remember one time I was in church and I was for awhile distracted at a couple in front of me. The guy was hopelessly enamored of his girlfriend because, for the entire duration of the mass, his hand kept massaging the girl’s upper arm (In Bisaya, that’s called “ginalugod ang libag”). One other time, this guy kept stroking his girlfriend’s hair. And the funny thing is, the girls love it or at least tolerate being treated like a puppy in public.

It’s disturbing though because my assumption is that, for boys, refraining from overt public displays of affection shows one’s discipline and one’s respect for the woman. That’s because the guy who doesn’t pet his girlfriend in public knows how to hold back and also knows that a woman’s reputation might be smeared in our polite society by a careless touch or an impatient grope.

For a married couple, I could not care less if they kiss each other in front of the masses. I guess having your wedding rings on is a kind of license for such acts. Plus, it’s sweet.

T-Mac

Last Thursday, we had dinner with the near-legendary Doctor Macario Tiu. I was with Faith, Mel, and Clari and Sir Mac spent almost the entire evening regaling us with his research exploits.

It wasn't supposed to happen but it did. On December 13, Mel texted me if I was the one she saw crossing the street to catch a jeep. I replied back that, no, that wasn't me and asked if she wanted to meet up. Then the ball rolled on. Mel said that we could meet up this Christmas, a mini-reunion so to speak, and invite Sir Mac and have dinner at his house. After that, Mel took care of everything and, as the cliche goes, the rest was history.

So there we were: listening to Sir Mac over a humble dinner in his house in Catalunan Pequeno.

As for Sir Mac, he's now a research consultant for Philippine Women's College and is quite busy with his recent research effort: documenting lumad cooking. He is also delving into indigenous knowledge systems, still under lumad studies (this should be an academic term if only to better recognize it as a legitimate branch of knowledge).

For that night, we went into flashback. We were simply students again listening to a professor's lecture. Sir Mac first talked about the many techniques that he had discovered about lumad cooking (which you'll know as soon as you buy his book when it gets published). Then, he went into why he left Ateneo (retirement and one other thing), his adventures trying to search for Mangulayon, Tumaros, and, lately, Datu Dabao, and the B'laan (the indios blancos).

In the end, he asked us what we were doing, whether we were still into writing and were interested in trying to answer the question: Who is Datu Dabao? It was as if he was trying to see if he had a protege among us, someone who could take up the fictitious cudgels that he had borne throughout his academic career.

Unfortunately for him, I think no one could ever replace a Macario Tiu, at least not among us. The one thing about Sir Mac is, despite the soft-spoken voice, every time he spoke, it always reverberated of passion for the forgotten history of the lumad. And, sadly, that's something that I, Mel, Clari, and Faith do not share with him.

But, perhaps, I do not share this passion with him just yet. Maybe in due time I will.

Year Of Travel

Last year, Boracay and Mount Apo.

This year, Marbel, Surallah, Lake Sebu.

Baganga, San Victor, Aliwagwag Falls.

Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Underground River.

Bunawan, Enchanted River, Tinuy-An Falls, Britannia.

Next year, it's going to be Cagayan De Oro, Manolo Fortich, Camiguin. Then Mount Apo and another plane trip to somewhere if I save some more.

Who knows? Maybe this year my passport's going to get stamped for the first time.

Writing Projects 2013

I never did finish what I set out to achieve in the years past.

So this time I'm writing it down. Again.

144 blog posts for the year. Same as last year.

Then, it's about time I make headway with that leaflet campaign against backyard burning.

After that, I better churn out a story or poem before year ends.

These are modest goals, I know. Let's hope it works.

Looking Back at 2012

Physically, I've added more weight. I'm also borderline hypertensive. But the waistline is still 31 inches so that's something to be grateful for.

Spiritually, I'm more reflective but the occasional outbursts still betray a lack of self-awareness or self-mastery.

Emotionally, I've become more indifferent, which is not a bad thing after all. I'm speaking like a Zen Master now or an aloof observer. Take your pick. And acting like one too.

I've moved out of the house. Enrolled in law school. In the office, Leo, Ramy, and Ma'am Q had resigned (I might be the next). Ate got married. Rayray has a girlfriend. I'm being mentored kunuhay by Bulec on programming stuff.

Life's good. Thank God.

Reunion

I'm in one of the classrooms in Saint Peter's College in Toril. I'm technically attending a reunion of the Evangelio clan and the reason it's "technically" is because I'm in the reunion venue but I'm not in the reunion.

This reunion was an idea by the elders and, every four years, the members of the clan gather together and meet up (like the Olympics, except that ours isn't an athletic meet by any reach).

This reunion is definitely for the benefit of the earlier generation. It's a chance to meet and see old faces. As for the new generation, including me, we could be forgiven if we are at best indifferent to the idea of meeting strangers posing as relatives every four years or so.

Claiming Back The Sacred

In rare occasions, Papa knew how to put me down from my proud pedestal.

Sometime ago, in Nabunturan, Papa coaxed me into dressing up for the New Year's Mass. I had insisted that I can go to church in my slippers and shorts and the Lord won't mind because He's got a sculpture of Himself only draped in a loincloth in front of the entire congregation.

He replied that that's precisely the point why I should dress up for mass. The guy in front is embarrassingly half-naked because He had given away all His clothes to His Church, so people like me could dress up decently to receive Him during the Eucharist. Looking back, Papa's statement was probably "un-theological" but it was true in so many ways.

My attitude then reflects a gradual erosion of our respect and recognition of the Sacred. We are starting to lose sight of what it means to be in the presence of the Holy One.

I now believe that the church is right every time it requests that everyone attend mass dressed in the proper attire. The presumption is that the exterior appearance one chooses to don, as exemplified by one's choice of clothing, is indicative of one's spiritual disposition, one's readiness to encounter the Divine, and, ultimately, one's regard for the One we call Most Holy.

Modern-Day Parables

A funny piece by Rev. James Martin of a Society of Jesus. Got it from here:

The Smart Samaritan

1. Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 2. Jesus said to him, "What is written in the Law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 3. And Jesus said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." 4. But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 

5. Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers. Fortunately, the man from Jerusalem was no fool and was carrying a big wooden club. So he beat the robbers senseless. Just then, a Samaritan came by to help him. 6. The man said to the Samaritan, "Don't worry. They got what they deserved." Later, though, the robbers' friends waylaid the man. Together they had four clubs, so they beat up the man from Jerusalem. 7. Immediately the Samaritan, who had now learned a lesson, ran away, and sold his field, and with the money he purchased ten clubs. 8. The Samaritan armed his entire family, including his wives, his sons, his slaves and all his cattle and sheep. Among his heavily armed family was his elder son, who was angry at his father for not treating him as well his younger brother, who had spent all his money on loose living and had returned and was given a feast." 9. "Lord, I'm getting confused," said the lawyer. "Weren't we talking about being a good neighbor?"

10. "Let me finish," said Jesus. "The father knew that his son was angry, and potentially dangerous, so the father purchased an even bigger club that he hid under his bed. 11. That night, when father was asleep, the son came to father to apologize for being envious. The father, thinking it was a robber, hit him over the head. 12. Now which of these three, do you think, was a wise person?" said Jesus. 13. The lawyer said, "Actually, none of them. If the father hadn't brought those weapons into his house, then no one would have gotten hurt." Jesus was grieved at the lawyer's blindness. 14. "You're missing the point." Jesus said. "It's a violent world out there, and my advice is to purchase as many clubs as you can." The lawyer was sad, for he was a peaceful man. 15. "Lord," he said, "are you saying I should be like the Samaritan who has a houseful of weapons?" "Yes," said Jesus. "Go and do likewise. And while you're at it, buy me a club too."

The New Sermon on the Mount

1. When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 2. "Blessed are those who know how to defend themselves, for they will be secure. Blessed are those who arm themselves, for they will not be sorry. Blessed are those with one club, for they will be safe. 3. How much more blessed are those with two clubs, for they will be able to win a fight with those with one club. 4. Let the one who has two clubs buy four, and the one who has four buy ten. Let them increase clubs a hundredfold and a thousandfold." 4. "But woe to you with no clubs, for you are asking for trouble. Woe to you who don't arm yourselves heavily, for you're just begging for people to steal your stuff. And I say, woe to you peacemakers, for you are wasting your time." 5. The disciples were amazed. "Lord," said Nathaniel, "Did you just say 'Woe to the peacemakers?' The last time you spoke on the Mount, you said they were blessed." 6. "I changed my mind," said Jesus. "Trying to make peace is impossible. Consider the world around you. Look at the beasts of the field. Do they not fight? Do they not tear each other apart with their sharp teeth? 7. It's super dangerous. Do you think anyone can make peace? It's a waste of time." 8. The disciple whom Jesus loved said, "Lord, did you not tell us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us?" 9. "I'm re-evaluating that too," said Jesus. 10. The crowd began to murmur. 

"Quiet!" said Jesus, rebuking them with a word. "Look," said Jesus, "talking about peace and nonviolence is fine until someone asks for your cloak, which is exactly what happened to me yesterday. 11. A beggar tried to take my cloak." The disciples waited on his word. "Do you know what I did when he tried to take my cloak?" said Jesus. 13. James answered, "Lord, did you give him your cloak and some food as well?" "Are you kidding?" said Jesus, who was angry. "How long must I be with you? I beat him with my club. 14. That will teach people to try to take my clothes. That cloak cost five talents." The disciples were filled with confusion and wondered what sort of teaching this was. 15. "Lord, how can we accept this teaching? It seems a violent way to live." they said. "What about turning the other cheek?" Jesus looked at them with pity. 16. "Accept it or not," he said. "All I can say is: Don't be a wimp."

Jesus Takes Care of Business in Gethsemane

1. While Jesus was speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 2. Now, the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him." At once he came up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." 3. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 4. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 5. Then Jesus said, "Good job! Cut off his other ear, too." The disciples were amazed. But Jesus only repeated more loudly, "Cut off his other ear!" The disciples were shocked. 6. "Lord, didn't you say, 'All who take the sword will perish by the sword'? 

7. Jesus said, "That was before I noticed that everybody else was armed to the teeth. How else will we be able to protect ourselves? Now I think that everyone needs free access to clubs, knives, swords, pretty much anything to defend themselves. 8. It's a dangerous world out there. Even this garden isn't safe." Jesus looked at the disciples with pity, for they still did not understand. 9. "Wake up," said Jesus. "Rome is corrupt and is likely to invade your houses. There are lots of brigands around too. Plus, the end of the world is coming, at least some time. That means every disciple for himself." 10. "Lord," said Peter, "you don't sound like yourself." "Well, maybe I've gotten smarter," said Jesus. "I'm tired of being a sucker." Judas smiled. 11. Jesus said, "Now, cut off his other ear." So Peter took out his sword and cut the man's ear off. Jesus said, "Finally. 12. Where can I buy more swords?"

The Roman Catholic Church And The RH Bill

So the bill has passed. Congress has approved it and the President is going to sign it after certifying it as urgent.

I haven't read yet the amended form of the bill, the one reconciled by the bicameral committee so I won't comment about that first. Needless to say, the Roman Catholic Church isn't done with its campaign. The one remaining option is to challenge the constitutionality of the newly drafted law, something that will be decided upon by the Supreme Court. The Court might render either the whole law not constitutional, or some parts not constitutional, or the entire thing valid.

So what exactly happened? How did the Church lose this battle?  Many have opinions as to what turned the tide in favor of the RH Bill. Let me share you mine, borne out of the benefit of hindsight.

Questionable Anti-RH Advocates

Let's face it. Between Tito Sotto being charged of plagiarism, Juan Enrile's attempt at whitewashing history with his memoir, and the clergy elite's irresponsible statements, the anti-RH party didn't have a good-enough poster boy (or girl) for the campaign. What they have instead are backers of questionable virtue, whose moral righteousness only came off to the public as unfounded arrogance hiding behind the face of God. 

No Women

This was a mortal sin, at least in the eyes of public opinion. What we generally saw was a male-dominated clergy lashing out at the evils of the bill through news statements. There were apparently no women involved and the nuns were frequently in the background during rallies. In a bill that purported to help women, the silence among the female laity against it was deafening.

The Bully Perception

Ultimately, what worked against the RH Bill was the perception of the Catholic Church as the bully. In this case, everything it did was confrontational, under the pretense that it was fighting the Lord's battle. The ultimate weapon was, of course, the Catholic vote which majority of Congress considered as merely a bluff. For a church which has proven to be a political force in our history, it lacked the political savvy that went along with it. The Church went solo, never augmenting its forces by reaching out to other religious organizations for support and alliance, or to intellectual heavyweights who can bolster its claims. It never did find a way to connect to the many solons who support the bill, choosing instead to burn bridges by intimidation.

The reason why these blunders must be raised and reflected upon is because the Church has tougher battles ahead of it. There's the pending divorce bill and the other bills which it must fight. Surely, the Church must be more prepared for these if it wishes to sew back whatever moral fabric is left or whatever political clout it has remaining.

Uncle Paolo

I know it's too early; my sister is just recently married. But I'm already thinking forward to what my new status in life will be once the nephew or niece comes into the picture.

I was shopping with my sister, Mrs. Eula Marie Evangelio-Te, looking for a Christmas gift,  when I noticed the bilbil (she insists it's her pus-on) she's been carrying. The first image that went to my mind was her being pregnant at that very moment (which wasn't the case however; turned out everything I saw was just fat). 

But the thought lingered on though. If I'm going to be a good uncle, then who are the role models I can pattern myself into? So I went back to memory lane and asked myself:  who among my uncles played a big part in my life? Or perhaps, who among them, gave me the best example of how to live a life? Right now, I'm still pondering on those questions.

The Christmas Party: A Post-Event Critique

Okay. Let me just take stock of whatever happened to our Business Center Christmas Party so that, in the event that I'm still here by next year, we'll do better.

Just a few observations will suffice, for now:

1.) The food was great and we didn't miss Ma'am Ellen's lechon (By the way, the lechon was a gift from her client, not from her, and it wasn't for her to withdraw it. Just saying). But we didn't take into equation that there were Muslims among us (We only had beef and chicken, no fish).

2.) The venue was okay. It did help that the Credit Card Department spruced it up quite nicely, given how little budget they had. Our estimate was correct regarding the size of the function room; it did hold all of us without appearing cramped.

3.) The theme was nice. Many dressed up for it.

Now we go to the ugly, the program:

4.) We didn't have a freakin' program director (that was supposed to be Sam's job by the way). If there was, we wouldn't have to endure minutes of mind-numbing gaps between the segments, with Ana and Beth, our dearly beloved emcees, trying to ad lib their way with a figurative "HELP!" sign on their foreheads.

5.) Really, Sar? Emo songs for your acoustic segment? Emo songs on a Christmas party? And what kind of gag show was that?

6.) As observed by Sir Ramy, the games had to be more inclusive and group-oriented. And the props need to be there even before the programs starts. And games need to be more imaginative, not the variety you commonly see in your children's party. Vine could have done better as the game director.

7.) And since I'm already pointing fingers, I'm pointing at myself. Why didn't I take a more active role? Why did I resort to my exams as an excuse to not be part of the committee? Why did I assume that all will be fine?

As it turned out, it didn't.

Anyway, enough of the self-loathing. Merry Christmas everyone.

Pablo

The trend is here. Sendong. Cagayan De Oro. Pablo. Compostela Valley. Davao Oriental. Next year? Davao City?

Welcome to the climate change era. Soon. Ocean rise. More powerful typhoons. Flash floods. Hotter summers. Crazier weather.

And still, people ask: why?

Simbang Gabi

The last time I completed nine mornings was when I was still in college.

After that, I think I lost interest in this particular Catholic tradition knowing I've already accomplished it. I had a lot of excuses then: a thesis to finish, then a day job, then the need to make up for sleep lost during the weekdays.

This year, I'm still not feeling up to it. My excuse is that I have exams to take care of and going to mass early in the morning would "cramp my style".

Simbang Gabi is an oxymoron. Its name, which literally translates to "evening mass" in English, refers to a mass held in the early hours of the morning. It's also not just one mass but nine masses spread out across nine mornings, thus negating the singular word "Simbang Gabi" ("Mga Simbang Umaga" is more grammatically apt).

But, then again, you have to hand it over to us Filipinos for observing this tradition. Despite these shallow observations, nothing could be more appropriate for the time of advent. The scene of hundreds of people emerging from the darkness of the streets to the well-lit chambers of a church or a humble chapel echoes the initial, haphazard, yet purposeful embrace of humanity of this once little-known religion called Christianity. From the darkest time of the night, the people gather and celebrate the coming as the morning sun breaks out of the horizon.

It is a scene wrapped in poetic metaphor and it is reminiscent of a passage in the Bible which remains true to this day:

"The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in the land of the shadow of death, a light has shone." - Matthew 4,16
 
Merry Christmas.

A Tip For Marital Bliss

Sir Kokok offered me a nugget of wisdom last night.

During our conversation, he shared that he and his wife have made it a point never to divulge their respective salaries nor even draw out a family budget.

What they do instead is list down the expenditures of the household and decide who among them gets to shoulder each one.

Should there be excess money, it doesn't go to the household but is kept as personal savings by each party (and the spouse need not know).

I asked him if it could be unfair at times, considering that the other might be shouldering a disproportionate amount of the family's expenses. Ever the fatalist sage, Sir Kokok went on explaining that, should this be the case, then if one of them dies, at least the surviving spouse will get more in the form of the deceased' bigger savings.

 The beauty of this arrangement, as Sir Kokok would put it, is the flexibility to use one's own money without the other's interference. Say, one has to give or lend money to a relative on one's side of the family; one can do so as long as the household's finances are not compromised.

In short, there are no fights over money because nothing is common.

Pretty neat, isn't it?

Ang Evangelio Ni Paolo

I'm feeling ambivalent about this blog.

Last month, my boss got wind of this through a colleague of mine and I was stunned for a few seconds, my mind furiously racing through the past asking my present if I had placed anything here that would jeopardize my relationship with my boss.

The incident left me thinking again about what this blog really is. On one hand, I want to lend some permanence into my thoughts by writing them down in this very public medium. On the other, I want these writings to be accessible only to a select group of people: strangers who don't know me and friends who don't care about what I write. I'm contradicting myself but, there you go, that's my dilemma.

The fact is that, whether I've written down something bad, gooey, or good, all of it, all of the writings on the wall, is me. There's no escaping this and whatever repercussions there be stemming from what I've written down are to be confronted and accepted (being the responsible adult that everyone thinks I am).

Better screen my stuff from now on. My boss may be glancing this blog from time to time. Peace out.

100

In the game Sims, you have this overall game objective, the lifetime wish, which your sim pursues. Your sim might find fulfillment in being a millionaire, or become a spy, and so on. In exchange for accomplishing these, you get to enjoy some perks along the way. It's nice to know that, in this sense, the game manages to capture the essence of our living: we are animated by one overriding desire or goal, without which our life would cease to have meaning.

As for me, I think I stumbled upon it already. The realization didn't come as an instant epiphany though but was a gradual unveiling through the years, like piecing together the various jigsaw puzzle pieces of my life to make a coherent picture.

However, unlike the Sims, mine aims to help others but is, in the first place, predicated on my own financial success. And it's not original too since many before me have done similar things in their lives and have watched the results.

I want to have a hundred of my scholars graduate college.

That's it.

And if, at the twilight of my years, I will have achieved this then I'll see to it that another hundred will graduate before I die. As to how I'm going to do it, I still don't know (that's the hard part actually). Yet I'm still happy that I think I know now what I'm supposed to do and what will make my life worthwhile: I want to support a hundred scholars and I want to see them march on graduation day. 

Please Lang

Dear Fr. Pabillo,

First of all, let me just say that I, as a trying-hard Catholic, is utterly dismayed over the series of shenanigans done by the clergy in its opposition to the RH Bill. 

Don't get me wrong; I am against the RH Bill for reasons I've disclosed in my past posts. 

But to compel or bully the Congress to not vote for it by playing on their fears of losing in the coming elections is nothing short of appalling. To campaign against the bill is acceptable but to openly hoodwink politicos into submission by suggestions of political sabotage is sheer manipulation. Truly, this is not the church that I know.

Now you add to my misery. Let me repeat to you what you've said.

In an article by Christine Herrera, you commented on Typhoon Pablo and its possible insinuation:

“I don’t know if that’s a coincidence or if God has a message for us that if we discuss this (RH Bill), much suffering will be brought down upon us."

You further added that tragedies happen whenever lawmakers push for the RH bill.

Oh. My. Gosh.

What kind of irresponsible statement is this? Aside from the fact that it is logically flawed, your words reek of arrogance and confidence at having triumphantly discerned God's so-called "Will": that the deliberations on the RH Bill are intimately tied with Typhoon Pablo, God's "tool for vengeance" against the enemies of the Church. 

Well then, how do you explain your statement to the thousands who are now stranded across the flooded plains of Compostela Valley? To the many theologians who are now shaking their heads at your naivety? To the many Catholics disappointingly crushed at such insolent and self-defeating remarks?

Please lang.

Shobi And Wiggles

 

Here are pictures of the family’s two dogs. Both females, the big, black one (yes, she's big) is Shobi and the small, hairy one is Wiggles. Both remind me of one 9gag post which says that all pets suffer from Stockholm syndrome. I cannot argue about that; these dogs have been locked up in the house for so long and yet they haven’t gotten around to biting us out of vengeance.

Of Political Dynasties

The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law. (Section 26, Article II, The Philippine 1987 Constitution)

Senator Enrile should have known better. But I wasn't expecting him to say anything differently, given his reputation as a trapo (traditional politician). When quizzed some more about his son's bid for the senate, he had this to say: "As I told you, I do not decide the fate of my son. It’s going to be decided by the people but it’s my duty as his father to believe in him, and go out and campaign for him".

He is, after all, a politician. 

In contrast, a statesman would have none of this (excuse me for the word) "bullshit".

Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay, son of Ramon Magsaysay, also had this to say about his father in an article featuring the book launch of the late president's new biography:

IF president Ramon Magsaysay Sr., is alive today, he would be pushing anti-political dynasty bill that is pending in Congress, according to his son, former senator Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay.

Magsaysay said that his father never encouraged the establishment of political dynasties during his seven years in public office.

“He was a two term congressman, secretary of the Defense Department and president of the Philippines, and during his seven years in public service none of his relatives dared to run for public office,” the former senator said during the launch of a book about the Philippines' most loved president on Wednesday.

Magsaysay said that his father ordered all his relatives and even the kin of his wife Luz not to seek public office.

“He was a very tough leader, very dogmatic against nepotism, against dynasty. That is the kind of leader he was,” he added.

Magsaysay shares his father’s position against political dynasties.

“It is not democratic, it distorts the inclusiveness of our democracy, so personally I think the late president would have wanted that nepotism is not granted and dynasty is not encouraged,” he said.

In fact, according to the columnist Jose Sison in his piece, one of the late president's first moves was to issue an executive order effectively banning his family from taking government posts:

Hence, this issue of political dynasty is really more of a moral than a legal issue as Senator Ramon B. Magsaysay Jr. recently pointed out. It can only be solved or answered by reforming “the moral values of the family,” the clannish culture prevalent in most Filipino families. Indeed even without any law prohibiting political dynasty, the practice can be eliminated by our political leaders and heads of political families themselves if they set the example.

And such example has already been previously set by Senator Magsaysay Jr.’s late father, President Ramon Magsaysay Sr. (RM), whose first move upon assumption into office in 1955 was to issue an Executive Order prohibiting the appointment of relatives to any government post. Apparently the prohibition had also been considered by his relatives as a restraint on them to run for any elective office during his term. Thus no relative of RM occupied any government position during his short tenure that was aborted by a plane crash in 1957. Even RM Jr., who had no political inclination at all, became a Senator only in 2001, obviously because people already missed RM and his kind of good governance.

I am against political dynasties. Our Constitution even prohibits it vehemently. But still, we cannot assert this political principle if we continue electing politicians who embrace dynasties like long-lost sons.

Gay

(Inside the office pantry)
Ma'am Alav: "Bayot ka Pao (Pao, are you gay)?"
Me: "Unfortunately, no."

It still humbles and amazes me how my perception of homosexuals has morphed over the years. I can still remember my FYCF (First Year Christian Formation) class in college when I perceived homosexuality as a deficiency in self-esteem and vigorously argued this point against my classmate, Pamela Bitang.

My argument then was that gay people were ironically unhappy about their bodies and must learn to accept their sex and the gender requirements attached to it. In hindsight, it was a classic mistake of mine, equating homosexuality with transsexualism but back then, nobody ever rebutted me about this.

Then I entered the Cheer Dance competition. Almost all of the male dancers were gay guys. Perhaps, that was the threshold that changed my opinion on homosexuality. I practiced almost every night with people I presumed to be "unhappy" and, in turn, was surprised to find out they weren't.

After my college years, I worked in Manila for a year and a month while living with, viola!, two gay guys. By then, I had already accepted homosexuality as it is, a peculiar but valid sexual orientation.

Now, I can hear my sister sometimes exclaiming out loud, "Ngano naa may mga bayot uy (Why are there gay people)?", in a frustrated, intolerant tone reminiscent of my earlier voice against "gay-ness".

My response? Well, I just smile and let her vent out. She'll learn eventually. Just as I have learned my lesson over the years.  

Thesis Library

Wouldn't it be nice if we had an online compilation of all the theses and dissertations across all universities in the Philippines? This would make all the research effort in the Philippines accessible to all.

The problem nowadays is that you have all these universities and their respective libraries. The university library, however, limits access to only those bona fide students of the university and its alumni association. As such, you only have a disparate conglomeration of isolated silos of information.

Undergraduate and post-graduate students would be the first to tell you that this situation is frustrating. Imagine trying to research on your references and related literature only to be stymied by a lack of access to the works of other people from other universities. Or second-guessing oneself, never knowing if yours is an original research or one has already done it a long time ago.

Creating an online database eliminates these barriers. But then again, we ask: are our universities capable enough to imagine this dream into reality? 

Morning Prayer

This is I usually pray during the morning. I'm sharing this because my future self might forget how it was for me when I was 25 and might be curious to know why. 

I usually start when I am already walking the length of Bonifacio Street to Quimpo Boulevard to catch a jeep. I'm a person of habits so my morning prayer always starts with this:

Morning Offering

Oh Jesus, through the immaculate heart of Mary, I offer you all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings (with the emphasis) of this day in union with the holy sacrifice of the mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, for the salvation of souls (more specifically mine), reparations for our sins (again, mine), the reunion of all Christians (ahhh... ecumenism. But, honestly, I prefer we don't join under one umbrella. The differences in Christian doctrines across denominations make for a more interesting search for the Truth). I offer them for all the intentions of our bishops, and all the apostles of prayer (Their intentions only? Why not include the rest of the Church?), and in particular, for the intentions of our Holy Father the Pope (Whatever those are. An end to the scandals perhaps) for this month of...(Here's the clincher. This is the part where I get to find out if I'm really paying attention to what I'm doing or not because if I'm just simply parroting the prayer in my mind, I would stop and think what month it was). 

The Lord's Prayer

Our father, who art in heaven (I prefer "who is everywhere". Makes it more personal), holy is your name ("be" sounds like you're wishfully thinking His name is holy as compared to "is" where you're confirming a fact). Your kingdom come. Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread (or money) and forgive us our sins as we try (forgiving is hard, you know) to forgive those who sinned against us (and are better off in hell). Do not bring us to the test (please don't) but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is always with you. Blessed are you among all mankind (because "women" is too exclusive) and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God (Amazing. This phrase "mother of God" transcends all the other adulations, most of them nonsensical, people heave to Mary), pray for us sinners now and at the moment of our death. Amen.

Glory

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning and now and ever shall be world without end. Amen

After which, I proceed to my more personal and intimate petitions which, of course, I cannot share here.