W A R

Grabbed from their Facebook Page

"The law of war is to kill the enemy"
- Ruben, HUKBALAHAP member
Sundalong Kanin
Cinemalaya 2014

Nobody wins in a war.  As history has taught us, particularly in the 2nd world war, 

"The Philippines had suffered great loss of life and tremendous physical destruction by the time the war was over. An estimated one million Filipinos had been killed from all causes; of these 131,028 were listed as killed in seventy-two war crime events. U.S. casualties were 10,380 dead and 36,550 wounded; Japanese dead were 255,795.
- Wikipedia

America did claim victory for the Philippines by the return of General Douglas McArthur, but beyond the casualties and the destruction is the painful memory for each and every Filipino, not only of those who lived during those days, but up to this very day, when the story is told, the hurt is still lived and somehow lingers. The only consolation is that it is the PAST and we can only be thankful that we did not have to endure what our parents and grandparents went through.

That's what Sundalong Kanin did. It vividly depicted what went on in our country during the 2nd world war in a smaller scale - in the lives of four (4) Filipino young boys just entering their adolescence. Nitoy, Benny, Carding and Badong witnessed and went through the brutality of not only the Japanese forces but also from the Filipino guerrillas, the HUKBALAHAP.  A bulk of the story showed the travails of the comfort women in which these 4 boys suffered as well as they beheld how the women in their lives were perverted. They also went through the humiliation their fathers went through, bullied by the Japanese. Their families were torn and the worst part of it all was how their friendship crumbled.

The depiction of the 2nd world war in the story was brilliant and that's the reason I brought my 12 year old son with me, to educate him with history. He was, of course, able to relate with the characters being his age.  I suddenly missed my Dad, with his animated ways in telling us the story of his experience of this war. The film brought that to life.

There is even a smaller scale than the portrayal of the 4 boys. As my son was educated with history, I learned a bit about the war of unforgivingness.  Tonyo's anger towards Tomas, Carding's father was magnified by the war and has turned him merciless and brutal as the Japanese. It made matters worst for all the characters in the story.  In Tonyo's heart, there was war and the law was to kill Tomas.  It took over him and devoured his heart.  He became a victim of his own war.

In its entirety, the film was absolutely engaging from start to finish.  If you are fond of history, this will be a treat as all the elements, like the acting, the screenplay, the cinematography, etc will make you feel like you are in a time machine brought back to 1941. You will feel like you were actually there.

Elijah Canlas as Badong and
Rania Delamar as Alice

I would also like to commend Elijah Canlas, "Jelo", as he is fondly called, for his stunning performance in the role of Badong. This is his first exposure in show business and he acted like a pro.  He is a classmate of my daughter, Biel, in the Philippine High School for the Arts.  He is a Theater Arts major. Kudos to the school for the training as well.

Lyn, beside me, Rommel, behind
and another co-parent, Pie

To Lyn and Rommel, Jelo's Mom and Dad, congratulations!

Me and my son Alonzo

CINEMALAYA...... Quality Filipino films, right here!

The "Hip" Mom and Dad

I listen to "Good Times in the Morning" over Magic 89.9 with Mo Twister, Mikey Bustos and Sam Oh as I drive my son to school. I got stuck to it because at one time, my car radio could not access my favorite station, 105.1 Crossover and for some tech reason, only 89.9 was coming in clear.  So I had no choice.  Well, yeah, I started liking the show.

It's just that I do not have the time and the ability to call in during those hours .  The interesting part of the show and its lifeblood is actually on its callers when the hosts throw in a topic.  One of this morning's topic hit me to the core of my heart - "parents trying to be hip and making you uncomfortable".  

I am the parent.

There were about 2 or 3 callers for that and one mentioned that her Mom was around the age of 45. Bullseye. That's me. I wanted to call in to air the other side of the issue.  So, I am taking this shot through my blog in handing my piece to the topic:

When I was young, it was the 1980's.  It was the era of punk rock and new wave.  In Manila, we had Tia Maria, Jalisco, Stargazer, Where Else that evolved to Euphoria, Mars, Rumors.... please someone stop me from completing the list!  We did not have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Blogger...  Heck, we did not have internet. We partied, I mean really partied without gadgets in our hands.  It was awesome.  Oh my goodness, the fun gimmicks we had.

Then at different points in our lives, we got married and had kids.  Some just had kids. Whatever it is, we became parents.  Parenting is hard in all its stages - from pregnancy to the teenage years, even to adulthood.  But I'm not complaining. I love my kids and as long as I live, I will beat the lights out on anyone who tries to get in the way of their happiness.

Now, beyond this parent role is the kid of the 80's.  I don't think the essence of being young or "hip", as it's called in this day and age, escapes anyone.  So kids, excuse Mom when I am just trying to be my real self. If I neglect any of my duties toward you then that's when you complain. I can be understanding of you when you are bothered when I try to be "hip" while you are a teenager, maybe, but I hope you get out of that narrow mindset soon.  Do not typecast us as the lady in her apron in the kitchen all day or the man in his corporate suit in the office everyday. We are also human with our own identity.  Deal with it.

Would I have had the chance to say all that if I called in.

Not MARCOS Again, Please

Discussions are going around about Bongbong MARCOS running in the next PRESIDENTIAL elections.

WATDAHEK???

So, is this going to be a hate blog about their family? Or do I have something to share about the facts of history particularly what really went on during the Marcos era?  There are plenty of other writers and bloggers already doing that and they are doing a great job.  It is quite bothersome seeing posts in Facebook picturing Marcos as a "hero, actually".  It is a clear indication that they are already starting to campaign.  It seems there are already some getting swayed.

I'm no historian and I never had good grades in that subject back in school.  I would just like to share how it was being a "martial law baby".

I was born in 1968 and when I reached the "age of reason" as they call it, Marcos was already the president until he was ousted in 1986.  That's a good 18 years, not counting the years before I was born. Well, everyone knows that he was in power for 20 years. As I can recall, my parents were staunchly against him.  My Dad, the late Atty. Francisco A. Villa was serving the government - in the NBI and he was Chief of Police in Pasay.  When Marcos took over, he chose to do private practice. If any of my sisters and one and only brother is reading this, please correct me if it was Dad's choice or if Marcos just did not qualify him anymore.  My Mom, the late Lilia S. Villa was annoyed with Imelda's flamboyance.

In St. Scho Manila (St. Scholastica's College, Manila), where I went for elementary and high school, I remember a class in 3rd grade (I was about 9), when the teacher asked for a raise of hands for KBL or LABAN. (KBL was the party of Ferdinand Marcos and LABAN, of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, the opposition) Almost everyone raised their hands for LABAN and just one or two for KBL. Clearly, a lot of other parents were also against Marcos. Then there was a noise barrage to show support for LABAN.  That joy ride with my Dad in his car was so much fun while he honked his horn along with so many other cars joining the cause.

In 1983, my Dad came home one day from work sad.  He said, "Ninoy was shot dead".  Later, I found myself with my sister Cordi joining the millions for Ninoy Aquino's funeral march. We found a spot to sit in the garden of the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque no matter how far it was from the burial site. We were there to express our family's sadness over the death of that one brave man who opposed the power of Marcos. It was a prelude to the People Power march in 1986.

1986.  The clamor against the power of Marcos was reaching its boiling point.  Back in St. Scho Manila, I was graduating from high school and in one of our CAT (Citizens Army Training) sessions, our batch made a movement to boycott the class.  In our notebooks, the name under the Commander in Chief was Ferdinand Marcos whom most of us were going against.  We were supposed to change to our CAT uniforms and head on to the school field for training.  Instead, we refused to change and headed away from the field where we were lead by our batch leader - if I remember it right, it was Gianna Rodriguez. Our cause for doing that was to refuse recognizing Marcos as our chief. The teachers did not admonish us for that move.

Then, the rest as they say is history.  It was during my 4th year in high school when the People Power march in EDSA took place.

Back to this day, almost 30 years after, there are talks about Bongbong Marcos, the son of Ferdinand, running for presidency.  He is already senator!  The Marcoses are back in the political arena where they were ousted, where, under the rule of their patriarch, our country fell to where it is now - economically and politically suffering.  While their full return to power is imminent, I am attempting to curb that through this blog, like what the others are doing.

In case this blog reaches Bongbong.... Sir, I am not condemning you and your family. I do not wish you dead.  I wish for you to redeem yourself away from politics.  You can still serve the country and do it even better far from the political arena.  You might be different from your father, yes, but history has marked your entire family as a political bane.

In the meantime, I wonder what I can do, as a voter, to get the right people in power.  I need to do more than vote wisely, to be more selective of the candidates.  I guess this blog is one attempt.  Friends, let's not just campaign for people.  Let's go for qualification and most of all SINCERITY.  Let's do away with popularity, please.

Thanks for reading and I hope you spread this word I have for the world - a better PHILIPPINES.

The Old, The New and the LAST TESTAMENT

"WHAT THE HECK?!" The Jews said when Jesus Christ told them, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."  "How do we eat and drink him?!" They were shocked. Today, every Christian knows this is not to be taken literally.  We know that what Jesus meant is that we should be one with Him and live our lives the way He did.

TO LIVE OUR LIVES THE WAY JESUS CHRIST DID. This is more than prayer. This is more than coming to church. This is more than reading the Bible everyday.  This is more than literally raising our arms and waving our hands and shouting "Praise the Lord!" This is beyond any religious ritual.  It's actually -

• feeding the hungry
• giving a drink to the thirsty
• sharing your home to the homeless
• sharing your clothes to those who have none
• cheering up the weary
• assuring those who are afraid
• giving hope to the imprisoned
• taking care of the sick
• defending the mocked
• sharing with the joy of others

That's living the real Christian life. That's living the LAST TESTAMENT of the Holy Bible.

I liked the homily of Fr. Eric in today's Sunday Mass at the Seminary of Holy Mary Immaculate (SHMI).  He said that other than the Old and New Testament, there is the Last Testament which Christ left His Body and Blood for - when He died on the cross and went back to life on the third day.  While the Old Testament tells us why Jesus Christ had to come to our world and how it was prepared and the New Testament tells His life and teachings, the continuation is in the Last Testament and it is up to us Christians to write its content. Today, in observance of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, I move forward with this thought:

I will contribute to the Last Testament by:

• strengthening my role as a mom, a sister, a friend
• honing my God-given skills and talents in writing
• loving and making myself happy by not hesitating to pursue my passion in music, in dancing, in the performing arts
• doing my best to do what I enumerated above to other people

I hope this got you thinking too.  What's your LAST TESTAMENT?

My Daughter Hates Me

My daughter Ann Gabrielle (2nd from left)
 with her  classmates

My daughter hates me because I sent her to the school where I wish my parents had at least tried me in.
This school is where a high school kid can gain his education and start honing and pursuing his talent and passion for the Arts like drawing, painting, acting, dancing, singing, playing the piano, guitar, violin and just have fun fun fun while growing and learning.  My daughter is not enjoying her spot in this school located on a mountain where she is mingling with her peers who share the same passion with her.  She does not like having to stay in a dorm for a whole week and being away from her crazy Mom who prods her, pressures her, pushes her to learn how to be neat and organized and to be a bit more attentive to her surroundings because this wifi era is putting her in a trance already. She does not appreciate the people who have been taking over my role in nurturing her day to day at her age, 13 going 14 - the lean and mean faculty and staff, a friendly nurse, a genius guidance counsellor, lead by a great Artist himself named Vim Nadera.

Photo by PHSA 

A heartwarming show
that evening

Her hatred for me was aggravated because I attended the first ever celebration of this school's Foundation Day yesterday since its inception on June 11, 1977.  It was a day long celebration of its 37th Anniversary with the theme, "Inang Kalikasan, Inang Bayan and Inang Paaralan" (Mother Nature, Mother Nation and Alma Mater).  It started with a tree-planting activity where I didn't make it.  I arrived at noon time, had my lunch there and in the afternoon, I got the chance to listen to the Alumni guests who shared their unforgettable experience from this unconventional school.  I also had the privilege to watch the show in the evening, after dinner, of the Alumni as well.  They have not only ended up in the country's top universities and schools, some of them made it to the world, getting more training abroad like the US, Russia, Europe.  I took particular note on Mr. Greg Zuñiga, a Piano major who set out to Moscow to get more piano lessons and to London to study Economics. He played 2 pieces that evening.  It was so smooth and moving without the aid of notes in front of him.  They also had terrific personalities while they performed on stage with witty and funny quips on the side.  I don't know if it's just my age, but I think this is the kind of Art that should be out there commercially not movies like My Little ---- (never mind).

BUDDHA FACE
1/4 Illustration Board
Pencil and Charcoal
by Ann Gabrielle Domingo
as commissioned by Bong Geolin

My daughter really hates me because someday, if she does well in this school and finally gets the full title of being called an "Ibarang"**, she will be among the well-rounded alumni who not only ended up in the Arts but have also become Architects, Accountants, IT Professionals, Doctors, etc.  She will continue to get annoyed by me supporting her in this scholarship, majoring in Visual Arts. I will be forever honoured to have an Ibarang child from batch Jarmonya (Jose Joya and Severino Montano)*.

I am talking about the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) located at Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna.  And if you have reached this part of this article, my daughter does not really hate me.  We have our share of mother-daughter issues but generally, we are fine. I just used that title to get your attention.

Did it work?  Thanks for reading.

What the PHSA Scholars are surrounded with
A Blend of Nature and Art

MABUHAY ANG MGA PILIPINONG ALAGAD NG SINING!
(LONG LIVE FILIPINO DISCIPLES OF THE ARTS)

*Each batch of scholars is named after National Artists.  A batch consists of 30 students on the average so the school population is not as big as regular schools

**Nickname of the students and alumni of PHSA coined by Nick Pichay, Batch Tolentino* (1979-the first batch of graduates)

The Kids of Makiling

Taxes have become a burden to the Filipino.  All the political controversies and poor government services have weighed him down.  Is it really that bad?

Somewhere in Laguna, up in the mountain, in the mystical place called Mt. Makiling in Los Baños, is a group of young Filipino artists getting their high school education through a scholarship program - The Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA).  Established in 1977, the PHSA integrates high school education with a special curriculum for the arts - Creative Writing, Folk Dance, Ballet, Music, Theater Arts and Visual Arts.  Through all these years, up to this very day, what sustains this scholarship?  The Filipino taxpayers.  

We have seen, in the news, how our taxes have been scammed.  We also feel that they never really work for our health, education in general, infrastructure, etc.  While the country struggles to correct this malady, it might be refreshing to know that some of our taxes are supporting these gifted young Filipino artists.  Is this to say that this is some kind of perk for the scholars’ families enjoying the free stuff?  

While these kids are up there in the mountain and their parents and guardians have no payments to worry about, they are studying hard, working passionately to hone their craft through the help of the mystical spirit surrounding Mt. Makiling.  At the end of each school year, since it was established, they present what they have worked hard for through a series of recitals, exhibits and launches.  When the months of February-March come around, we can catch them up there at the National Arts Center (NAC) in Mt Makiling, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and in museums and galleries in the metro.

For this school year, 2013-2014, they have the SIMBUYO, Pistang Sining 2014 (Ibarang* Arts Festival). I was privileged to catch “Daloy”, the Ballet recital, last night at the CCP Little Theater.  I am writing this blog in the middle of SIMBUYO when some of the shows and exhibits have been staged.  We can still catch the Theater Arts performances at the CCP and maybe the Creative Writing book launch at the Boston Art Gallery, Quezon City, today at 4:00 PM.

While the remaining good men in the Philippine government are working hard to correct the maladies in our taxes, feel your taxes work for you enjoying the offerings of our very own gifted young Filipino artists.  The Arts have something bewildering.  It can be a good break from all the heavy stuff hounding our country and even our personal lives.  I might be late in this blog post but I hope it can be a starting point for the coming offerings in the following years.

I am attempting to introduce positive information about our country and to spark the good light in the Filipinos’ heart through the Arts.  This might be a tall order for the kids in Mt. Makiling, but they may just be a precipitator for the change we are aiming for in our beloved Philippines. My daughter is one of them, a student of the Visual Arts.

*Ibarang - what the students and alumni of PHSA call themselves

Sticker Mania in Parañaque

Parañaque is my hometown.  I've lived here since 1972 when my family moved to Merville.  When I married, we purchased a house in Betterliving.  Now my son goes to the Sacred Heart School in Multinational Village, I attend exercise class in Moonwalk every morning and our house in Merville, where I stay from time to time, is still there.  I am a freelance writer/artist and a stay-at-home Mom and my life pretty much revolves in these villages in this part of Parañaque - Betterliving, Mutlinational, Moonwalk, Merville, South Green Park.  There's also a Korean Mart in Multinational where I check out Korean stuff, a Japanese restaurant in Moonwalk where I enjoy the dish at an economy, I have friends who live in South Green Park, etc etc etc.  I am blessed with a car to be able to move around my hometown.  It's just that I need to get a car sticker for almost each of these villages. The cost of each is not lower that PhP500.00.  The Multinational sticker is at PhP1,600.00.  I have to get them every year.

I understand that these villages have their own associations and they are doing this car sticker thing for security purposes, or for profit?  It's their right.  Now, here's the thing.  These car stickers feel like a ball and chain in my foot.  It's difficult to purchase these stickers in one blow and I have to deal with more than one security guard almost daily.  It can be stressful too.

This car sticker system also feels as if each of this place is exclusive.  Multinational is Multinational, Moonwalk is Moonwalk, Betterliving is Betterliving, and so on and so forth.  So, I am in Betterliving, so ideally, I should just be moving around Betterliving.  In other villages, I am a stranger, even if my son's school is there, even if I patronize the businesses there, even if I have a house there.... even if I am from Parañaque.

Here's my wish: an ASSOCIATION of associations that will grant ONE (1) car sticker for all these villages and entitled only to its residents.  Now, will this one association be just for the purpose of the car sticker?  How about working together and uniting for the common good of our beloved Parañaque as a whole?  As each of the association per village have their own turf to look after, this one association will look after the bigger picture - for a better Parañaque.  That is precisely what is missing in this management - one that will take care not just of Merville, of South Green Park, of Multinational but another one that will take care of the whole. We can't rely on the Mayor alone.

While I wish and write this blog and sending it to the concerned, I am now studying my budget on how I can purchase all these stickers for this year alone.

Responsible Journalism Evolving

Back in the day before the internet, the public audience can be accessed only by the mass media - print and broadcast.  They were (and still are) bound by the laws of LIBEL.  So they were expected to observe RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM amidst the privilege of freedom of expression.  

Today, the public audience has become accessible to you and me, to my kids, to my sister, my friends.  Thanks to the internet, everyone has been given a share of the world's attention. RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM is taking on a wider stance and is evolving to RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL NETWORKING.

While you and I now have the freedom to say anything we want over the worldwide web, we have the responsibility over its effects.  If we want to tell the world how terrible Tom is, how ugly Dick is and that Harry is a criminal, we are responsible for our intentions for saying so. If we only mean to defame them, to destroy their reputation, can we just go on with our lives, and form this habit of attacking anyone's name like drinking coffee regularly in the morning?

The recent development at the Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of the controversial online libel provision in Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act gives RESPONSIBLE NETWORKING a stronger grip on all of us.  While we enjoy freedom of expression, we should observe RESPONSIBILITY.

Every veteran mass media practitioner is abreast with this ethic. It's nothing new.  It has just taken wider coverage, and it now covers you and me.  You and I don't have to be a mass media professional now to live this moral value.  

Vhong is a Criminal

Thank you for clicking and reading amidst the media and social networking overkill on this controversy.  Before I get to my point, let me state that I believe Vhong Navarro’s story and Cedric Lee’s account is complete fabrication.  Now, I want to be careful here from sounding biased.  Yes, I am a fan for Vhong’s dancing and humor and that’s it.  I also do not want to harbour contempt on Cedric, et al.  It’s just that, as an official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), has said it, the evidence is glaring that the attempted rape was impossible.

So now my point: VHONG IS A CRIMINAL, but not as a rapist but as a PHILANDERER.  Let me present an angle:  Deniece has fallen for him but she knows he is never going to be serious with her with him having a long-time girlfriend.  Thus, the text “bad boy ka” after the January 17 make-out. She then cries on her friend’s shoulder: Cedric Lee.  Of course, every friend, brother, sister will be upset about this.  My late Dad, who was a lawyer, once handled a rape case on the side of the defendant.  His married client was charged with rape by the victim’s brothers.  My Dad won the case because it was proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that they were indeed having an affair and the brothers were just really trying to be protective. So, if there is anything true from Cedric’s story, they were coming from the thought that Vhong “raped” her. There are even speculations that, although they have denied it, Cedric and Deniece are in a relationship.

At the height of this controversy and while the outcry of the crowd is on Vhong’s side, there are bits of discussions going on at the side about other women Vhong has “raped” in the past.  There is Kat  Alano who suddenly tweets about the topic on rape and that she was also a victim 9 years ago.  People are asking her directly if she is Vhong's victim too but she would not answer the question.  Cedric has claimed that there are about 6 or 7 other women who have contacted him and said they are coming out.  I am just wondering if one has already charged him with at least acts of lasciviousness, like the way Baron Geisler was maybe one or two times.  I find it hard to believe that he has been raping or harassing a number of women in the past without one of them making some noise.

Vhong is not a rapist.  He does not need to rape.  He is Mr. Suave, smooth on women. He is not the only one.  Look at Dolphy (with all due respect).  I like Vhong on TV when he dances and when he is funny.  I am disappointed that he is a PHILANDERER.  While people have had enough of the stories of this controversy, I want it bombarded on every PHILANDERER.  I want Vhong to detail how he was beaten up especially his delicate one and I hope it serves as a strong and clear warning on how KARMA works.

it’s a tall order to wish this world PHILANDERER-free with the acceptance of the “nature” of men by the society.  “Lalaki eh!” (He’s a guy!) Well, let nature also continue to let KARMA pour.

Mother Empowerment via VMobile

In an interview with financial guru, Suze Orman by the ANC channel, the topic on "allowances" given to children was discussed.  I am not sure if this is an exclusive Filipino trait but nevertheless, Orman said that she is not for this.  She believes that children should be taught the value of working for money.  Giving them "allowances" will make them get used to getting money without having to work for it.  This will not help them at all as they grow up.  Working for money will become a burden for them.



Suze Orman suggested that parents should give them "duties" like PhP5.00 for every plate washed or PhP100.00 for cleaning the car, etc etc.  Then the host brought up the fact that most Filipino households have help to do that around the house.  From that question, I had to turn off the TV to do something else.  I do not know what Orman answered to that question.

In my household, I have 2 children - my 11 year old daughter and my 9 year old son.  Both of them, especially my 11 year old daughter is a computer and internet freak.  Since she hugs the computer almost all day, I get her to help me with my cell phone loading business.  The online system is so easy to do that I did not really have to teach her.  She figured it out herself. 

Then came December, the month of Christmas.  My daughter received about PhP3,000.00 from "aguinaldos" (money given to children as a gift).  I suggested that she use some of it to start her own loading business under my account.  She was hesitant but being an obedient child, she gave in and invested PhP300.00 to start the business.  As it got sold out, she realized around 10% profit.  Then it was time for her to replenish her load wallet.  Then she said, "Mommy make it PhP500.00"

So there she was doing the business - around the neighborhood and her classmates.  Then came summer.  Being a pre-teen, this was the year she had her first day out at the mall with her friends.  I did not have to give her money for this.  She enjoyed her day from the money she earned from the loading business.

To this day, she continues to conduct the business and I guide her all the way.  I made an agreement with her to go on with the business so we do not have to give her "allowances" when school starts.  Although she still feels "forced" to do it, she enjoys the profit she gets all the time.  So this is my answer to Suze Orman's opinion on "allowances" given to children.

VMobile - Empowering a Mother. 

Christmas in my Country

I like that this music video portrayed the unique festivities of Christmas in the Philippines.  That, as the title says it, it is the best place to celebrate the season in the world.  It is also relevant in the sense that a lot of our countrymen have to go elsewhere around the globe just to be able to provide a good life for themselves and their families.

This reminds me of the "Where will happiness strike next?" of Coke.  They have the same message about families being far from each other in this very important time of the year.  This is when we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  We are supposed to be with our loved ones to feel this immense love of God.  Then again, as reality is a mystery and we have to spend the holidays without our loved ones, let's love the ones we are with.  As the song goes, "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with".

I wish for every heart to feel the coming of our Lord this Christmas.... Happy Holidays!

OPERATION: Goodbye Inday!

Ophelia, Merlyn, Amy, Ludy, Lenny, Gina, Marissa, Marietta, Mylene, Rowena,Wilma

 The "kasambahays" (household helpers) I have had in a span of 11 years

THANK YOU to each of you for the invaluable help you have provided and being a part of our home.  But it's time to say GOODBYE.  We can manage from here on.  We can cook our own food, clean our own house, wash our own clothes.  What a shame if we cannot do this for ourselves- especially my growing children.  I am not going to send them to the world without them knowing how to do these things.  Really, it's too basic for anyone not to know how to take care of themselves.

For another thing, these economic times call for cutting costs.  I know what we were giving you is a meager percentage of what we are getting from our corporate jobs.  I also wonder how you survive with that small amount.  Some of you have children to support, a future to prepare for - how can you do it with such a small salary?  It's too little compared to what you do.  What you do is hard!  We can't even do it for ourselves!  And when we do it, it's as if the world's burdens are dumped onto our shoulders.

You deserve something better!  There is so much you can do for yourselves and your families.  I'm not saying that what you do as kasambahay is not good.  Of course it is!  You just don't know how it has helped a lot of Filipino families a great, great deal!  Some of you have even given up a "real life" to stay with your "amo" (employer) forever.  You never get  married.  You stay until your last breath with them. You are a hero more than you know it.  That is why I say you deserve something better.

I envision a kasambahay-less Filipino society (I might get mixed reactions with this).  Or better yet, I suggest that this work be elevated to a higher professional level.  If you want one, you have to "afford" it.  Isn't it that way in developed countries - In the US, Canada, Australia, etc.? As my friend in Canada put it, "Here, things are done via push-button. There, it's voice-activated - 'Inday!  Do this! Do that!'".  Maybe that's why developed countries were able to come up with those push-button appliances/gadgets.  Or, maybe that's why they are developed?  I dare ask that if we get rid of the kasambahay and strive to mange these domestic duties on our own, this may be a big step towards our country's progress?

There may be a mix of opinions about what I've just stated.  As for me, I shall stick to mine and move forward without a kasambahay.  The advantages outweigh the disadvantages for me.  While I give up the convenience and undergo a massive adjustment in the house, eventually I will improve myself and the upbringing of my children.  I will improve my cooking, learn how to clean fish, iron clothes, and get to clean the house the way I want to.  My children will grow up knowing how to take care of themselves and not be any burden to anyone, especially to their future partners.  Did I mention my husband?  Well, he already knows how to take care of himself and I should do more for him as his wife.  Furthermore,  we will cut costs - not only with their salaries but having to feed them, spending on their medical needs and a lot more.

So, thank you, my dear Inday.  I know it won't be easy at the start but we will get used to it and end up as better people.  I don't mean to deprive you of a job, but you deserve something better, something more.  I know our Senate has recognized your worth.  I hope they come up with something to elevate your skills into a real profession - like a nurse or a secretary and all those respected professions.  God bless you Inday.  God bless the Philippines.

Forgive and Feel Good

Matthew 18:21-22: Then Peter went up to him and said, 'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?'  Jesus answered, 'Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.

How do we preach this to someone like Mr. Lauro Vizconde?  Convince him to forgive the killer who took the lives of his entire family in one blow. Or to the investors of Mr. Bernard Madoff - tell them to forgive him for defrauding them with their billions of dollars of investments to his ponzi scheme. It's hard. Forgiveness is one difficult virtue to follow towards the completion of living a Christian life.

The verse above is followed by the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.  To summarize, it is about a servant who asked his master to forgive him his debt. The master forgives him and lets him go his way.  Then, a co-servant approaches him and also asks for forgiveness for his debt but the servant had him thrown to jail.  The master heard about what happened and summoned the unforgiving servant and had him tortured until he could pay his debt.  Then the reading ends with And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart (Matthew 18:35).

So, the virtue of forgiveness would be easy to follow if we are humble enough to admit that we also need to be forgiven as well.  But may I add to this tip on how forgiving can be made easy?  I say Forgive and Feel Good.  If they say Forgive and Forget, again, I say Forgive and Feel Good.  More than the humility of knowing we need forgiveness,  forgiving is releasing ourselves from the bondage of anger and bitterness.  Forgiveness benefits the forgiver more than the forgiven.

Forgiveness gives us the power to be happy, stay happy and make others happy.  Do we wonder about God the Father's  power?  It is simply because He is a happy God, and He stays happy no matter how much we sin against Him and then He continues to make us happy.

So let's tell Mr. Vizconde and the Madoff investors, release yourself from the bondage of anger and bitterness, God forgives your sins and go and be happy.

WHOSE SHOW IS IT?

Extracted from my friendster blog.  Written on July 11, 2006

Ariel Ureta and Cheche Lazaro are 2 of the Philippine TV Personalities that I highly respect.  Both have gone way beyond their accomplishments and are still at it - Mr. Ureta in the field of Entertainment and Ms. Lazaro in the field of Broadcast Journalism.  It was interesting to find them combined in Ariel Ureta’s show, "My Favorite Show" over at the ANC channel.  It was Ariel’s show so he was expected to ask the questions.

 I caught them discussing the difference between producing a movie and producing a news program.  Of course this was the topic as Cheche Lazaro was the guest.  At one point, they touched on the issue of advertising.  Right before my very eyes, I found a reversal of roles take place.  Cheche Lazaro, being the natural investigative journalist that she is, places her knuckles on her chin then asked all of a sudden, "Does this make you wary of advertisements?"  Ariel Ureta answers the question and right there, "My Favorite Show" was transformed into the "Probe Team".  Cheche got carried away and started asking the questions!  I was not sure if Ariel was noticing this and I was laughing and laughing.  I shouted at him, "Hey!  She’s taking over your show!"  My God, if only I was part of the production and was at the studio!

While I was rolling over my bed in laughter, I heard Ariel throw a joke, "Teka muna!  Show ko ito ha!"…. Ha!  You see, these 2 equally accomplished personalities each made their own star shine in the right way.  Well, Cheche almost over-did herself.

These are the people that are worth my attention and a space in my blog. 

I am Water

by Veronica Jean P. Hizon

 WATER – maybe God is WATER. Just imagine our lives without water. Impossible. Life will be impossible. Without God, life is not possible. I say this for the sake of a good friend who has remarkably personified water as herself. I am giving her space in this blog for this wonderful piece she has written to face life's challenges in the way water flows and splashes in this world. My further comments are at the end of the piece.

 With no definite shape or form,

Adjusting

I go with the flow, continuously
Running, moving, willing to go-
Everywhere.

I am refreshing on a hot summer day
Soothing weary hearts
Told to be intimidating, I scare
Yet my mystery
Invites those who dare

Dare to discover the depths of my person
As they go deep down, they find me there
Filling up space
The big wide gaps

I am Water,
I fit so well, following the form
Of that which contains me -
God's Earth
My givens.

Nature makes me slowly build up
And then I strike in anger, I attack
At times I warn
But mostly I rage
Showing force, scaring people away.

And after sometime
I invite them back, teasing.
When all is well, water will always reconcile.

I am so deep and difficult it would take
A person of faith and strength
To come with and try to
Fathom me

Only my creator
Can tell my boundaries
My depth
My coming and going

I am water
I am overwhelming
I stun, I more than amaze
I impress, give pride
I don't even have to try hard

I am an ocean
Always there, ready
Waiting, Willing.
Thrilling. Exciting

I am blessed to reflect the image
Of my Master's creations.
When still, I reflect
The light of day
The sky so blue
The dark of night

Above me, as I watch,
Clouds pass and change form
I am blessed to see them change
So beautifully.

Following its own destinies.

I am hardly still, for
I am always with people
And people stay with me

When agitated, though
A distorted image I reflect
Or none at all.

I ripple, I use my power

I lash out.
Only Jesus can calm me down

Anger is my right
Though I would rather be serene.

Some people find my rage
Good? Amusing? A relief?
Perhaps people want me
Tough.

I am water
I relax and comfort.
Moved by the wind.

By nature, by the Spirit.

When the tide is high,
I am full and rich

When it is low,
I am withdrawn

You will tire
Before you reach my depths
You will have to wait
But in my shallow waters

You will still find peace and joy

In my depths
I am somewhere
Working out my own
Sorrows.

They say I have a reservoir of tears
Indeed
For my depths hold all sorrows

Congratulations Jeannie for being WATER! May I be one too? Just like you, I would like to be flexible, taking the form of what contains me. I would like to emulate how you refresh and heal others. On the other hand, I also admire your mystery – when you are in rage all of a sudden as you do not allow abuse. Most of all, I am in awe in the way you bow to our Creator, the way you obeyed Jesus to be calm and still! As a friend, you have indeed been refreshing to my life. Thank you water, thank you Jeannie, THANK YOU GOD!