"EXOTIC" FIREARMS....

Before I share what's on my mind, let me first say something about the picture posted here. To those who are in the know, that's barrett sniper rifle and it's a long distance rifle that should only be in the hands of elite units in the Armed Forces or the Philippine National Police. Gun dealers refer to this kind as "exotic" firearms because of precision and sophistication. Sama na ang price tag siyempre.

The PNP's Special Action Forces procured several pieces of this kind for anti-terrorism purposes.

But guess what? The Ampatuans bought one like this and one powerful mayor in Southern Philippines knew this and I hope he confirms this information because the barrett model seen in this picture was first offered to him at a price of P1.2-million pesos. Namahalan si mayor. And gun dealers knew just where to offer it next, the one person in Mindanao who would not even ask for a discount on buying this kind of firearms.

Binili ang barrett sa halagang inalok, walang tawad-tawad, paid not in check---but in CASH!

Where did I get this story? Sa mga mismong nakakaalam ng transaksiyong naganap.

Now---aside from the "surrender" of Andal Ampatuan Jr. and the "arrest" of policemen involved in the carnage of 57 last Monday in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao---the other photos you'll probably see in all newspapers are the firearms surrendered or confiscated from the Civilian Auxiliary Forces in Maguindanao---all 357 firearms issued accounted for. Wala akong problema sa impormasyong iyon, di ko nga pagdududahan sa katunayan...eh kasi...tignan ang mga tipo ng baril na nakumpiska o isinuko ng mga civilian forces...di ba GARAND lang?

May nag-do-drawing na naman yata.

Now---this is what happens when media unites and when the constitutionally mandated role and function of media in a democratic society is attacked with total disregard and with the highest form of brutality and barbarism: WE DIG MORE. WE INQUIRE MORE. WE INVESTIGATE MORE. WE EXPOSE MORE.

If the intention was to cow the messengers, then the opposite was achieved.

The give justice to November 23-Maguindanao carnage victims --- civilians, lawyers and journalists --- is to continue unearthing everything that they have desperately concealed in the last few years.

Bigla---naalala ko muli si Lintang Bidol (Bedol)...asan na nga kaya siya?

May dapat kayang HUKAYIN kung nasaan na siya ngayon? O baka IBINAON na nga siya sa limot?

No doubt that Maguindanao carnage placed the country on the world map again---recognized for something that placed our ranking on top of Iraq as the most dangerous place on earth for journalists.

The massacre of 57 individuals, relatives of a political clan in the province of Maguindanao, their lawyers and supporters and journalists covering their intention to file for Certificate of Candidacy in next year's election exposed the ugly truth about the country's political system especially in a province like Maguindanao, where warlords are considered allies and partners of government for "peace" and "security". I qualified the statement...especially in Maguindanao because the other ugly truth here is that warlords do not only enjoy demi-god status in that part of the country, in every region, there exists one.

There were many inhuman acts that journalists like myself have witnessed in the last 20-years but nothing compared to this and this I say not because journalists are among those who were brutally killed with no reason at all! The very act itself is beyond any human comprehension. Minsan sa dami ng mga karahasang nakita ng isang mamamahayag, akala niya, hindi na siya magugulat pa. Akala lang pala namin...hanggang sa dumating ang araw na maging ang buong mundo ay nagulantang. Nangyayari pa pala ang ganito sa lugar na tulad ng Pilipinas? Teka, mali ang hanay ng salita: Puwede palang mangyari ang ganitong uri ng kahayupan sa lugar na tulad ng Pilipinas? Teka, ayusin uli natin ang kamada ng mga salita: Pinapayagan palang mangyari ang karumaldumal na krimeng tulad nito sa Pilipinas?

What was shattered in the Maguindanao incident is the very essence of law and order and of governance in this country. Hindi lang sa panahon ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nagsimula ang mga private armies at kalakaran ng warlordism sa bansa. Hindi lang ito kahapon nangyari. Dati na, meron na, marami pa.

Huwag na tayong maglokohan, hindi lang sa Maguindanao may private army ang mga pulitiko. Huwag na tayong lumayo, sa Kamaynilaan, meron din, ang tawag nga lang minsan, private security.

Kung sasabihin sa atin na nabuwag na ang armadong suporta ng mga Ampatuans---tignang mabuti ang mga ihaharap na mga armas na umanoy nakuha sa kanilang mga taga-sunod.

Alam na alam ng mga gun dealers kung anong mga uri ng armas ang naibenta nila sa mga Ampatuans at wala sa mga naibenta nila ang garand. Dati nang nasa Mindanao yan...please lang, do not insult our capacity to comprehend.

Kung sa presentasyon ng mga armas na nakumpiska---may nakita kayong mataas at makabagong uri ng armas na tulad ng nasa larawan---may chance na maniwala akong binubuwag na nga ang puwersa ng mga Ampatuans. Pero hanggang garand pa lang ang ipinapakita....walang maniniwala.

And while I'm at it...kung seryoso talaga ang pamahalaan na buwagin ang mga private armies---bakit kaya di tignan din ang mga malalaking personalidad na may koleksiyon na rin ng mga matataas na kalibre ng armas? Yan ay kung SERYOSO nga ha. Sabi ng isang retired general na kausap ko kanina, "(Blank) is the next big warlord in Mindanao...lalo na kapag nanalo...and no doubt he will win."

Papangalanan ko pa ba? Wag na, baka mabigwasan pa ako ng isang malakas na KALIWA.

The point here is, to fully salvage the shatterred credibility of governance and law enforcement in a place like Maguindanao, the reactionary campaign against private armies should not stop with the Ampatuans alone.

For years, the system of warlordism in this country has been tolerated, patronized and re-engineered and re-invigorated to conform and to comply with political agendas and interests.

Nakatingin na ang buong mundo. In this day and age, why are we allowing this kind of political patronage to exist?

After the condemnation, call for justice, what comes next?

Tignan na natin ang mas malaking larawan na naipamukha at nailantad ng naganap sa Maguindanao. Doon tayo tunay na makapagsisimula.

Teaching was his passion and vocation in life...

Every victim has a face. It is with deep pain that I share the picture of this man, respected and loved by many in an island province down South.

The one you see on this blog entry is that of Gabriel "Bong" Canizares, the school principal in Jolo, Sulu beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

When I arrived home this evening, it took me a while before I opened my computer to join the rest of the ON-LINE world.I did not open my Gmail account at once and instead stayed a few minutes on Facebook before opening my Gmail--and among the messages in my INBOX was from a staff in the Department of Education who e-mailed this picture. I remember inquiring about this, to DepED Secretary Jesli Lapus mid-morning but completely forgotten about it as I went on with my day's schedule.

When I saw his face--I thought he is someone I may have met in the past in the many years that I covered Sulu beginning in the early 90s. I made a mental note to ask my other friends in Sulu like Ed General, Ed Gambali...if he was among those whom we met in some coverage about consultation meetings related to a crisis in Sulu---usually---another case of kidnapping.

But even if he's a total stranger to me---to you---to all of us---the face here that smiles back at us in this picture gives us an idea on how he labored his time and effort in his profession as educator in Sulu.

Lapus in a statement said: The entire DepED family is shocked and grieves with the family of one of our best performing principals, Mr. Gabriel Canizares.A key catalyst in teacher trainings with Synergia in Sulu, he is a great loss to efforts to improve the quality of education of our children in the area. We condemn this heinous act committed against the people of ARMM. Violence creates more sufferings and sabotaging education by harming tachers will have dire consequences in the attainment of peace and progress."

The severed head of 36-year old school principal was recovered at a gas station in Jolo town at around 5 a.m., said Major David Hontiveros, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command. Canizares was abducted by armed men suspected to be Abu Sayyaf bandits last October 19, eight days after Irish priest Michael Sinnot in Pagadian City last October 11 by armed men suspected to be allied with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

According to AFP spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr. Canizares’ case was “not a simple kidnap for ransom” incident."Prior to his (Canizares) kidnapping, marami ng threats sa buhay niya. And dun sa sasakyan, siya lang ang dinukot ng mga bandido (there have been a lot of threats to his life. He was the only one taken by the bandits in the vehicle)," Brawner said.

The people of Sulu are used to news of violence but this one shocked and angered many according to Jolo municipal mayor Hussin Amin. Who would not be?

It was reported that the non-payment of ransom amounting to P2-million pesos was the reason Canizares was beheaded. That maybe true as far as the parameters of the ASG or other bandits in the area is concerned. But having covered conflict related stories in Mindanao, Sulu in particular for nearly two-decades now--I did not take that reasoning pointblank.

The Philippine National Police too said in a statement that the beheading maybe linked with the arrest of a top MILF commander. The MILF as an organization has long been suspected of providing sanctuary to the ASG, something that they always deny and belie in media. You must have heard Ed Kabalu's statement about this a hundred times. The intelligence report gathered by the PNP about the arrest of an MILF commander and the beheading may also be true given the fact that the ASG has indeed sought protection in areas known to be lairs of the MNLF in the past.

But as I ponder the sad news about the beheading of Canizares---my mind brought me to another possible angle on this story. Just last week, I received an e-mail from a source in Sulu and with that email are attachments of pictures from the swearing in of some 2,000 Civilian Volunteers or CVOs in Sulu, all armed,ready to wage battle side by side with government troops anytime.

In Sulu, these CVOs have another name, unofficial, uttered in whispers:"private army."

They underwent rigorous training on the art of modern and jungle warfare and have been trained to use modern rifles--a bush rifle type, one source told me--a weapon that has yet to see action in the battled tested grounds of Sulu.

But how does one measure the performance of those 2,000 plus armed CVOs or auxiliary force when there's no on going and actual war happening to begin with?

Create one? Is this the answer here?

What incident would be condemnable enough to wage an active war in the field again?--Something like this one? The beheading of Canizares? ---I sure hope the answer is NO!Certainly NOT.

But then again...my mind took me again to another time---stories of the MAGIC-8, civilian forces armed figting side by side with government troops against the Moro National Liberation Front in the early 70s, of the burning of Jolo in 1973---a period referred to in history as Martial Rule.

And then there's this twin bombing again this morning adding to the other two last week in Metro Manila. Some dots connect---and I hope these "dots" do not.

In the meantime--let me set aside these thoughts that popped out of nowhere and instead end by adding my voice in honoring the man---this man,Gabriel "Bong" Canizares, for the service he extended to the students of Sulu.

When I was a hostage for 98-days in Sulu, at least two of those who guarded me begged me to teach them how to read using that old woman's magazine cover (MOD-old size) with Patricia Javier on the cover. When I was released on the morning of April 27, 2002---one of my guards, NOUPAL said, "Magsukol, Kaingatan na ako Magbasa." He said, thank you, I know now how to read.

This thing I knew as TRUTH: In the hearts of many youngsters in Sulu, many yearn for real education. Many of them believe that education is the way to free them from the pains of poverty, violence and discrimination.

We honor the memory of Gabriel "Bong: Canizares because he responded to the yearning of many and showed them that yes---education opens doors and that it is possible and not just something they imagine or dream of acquiring.

This face you see on this page lived a life that was meaningful and selfless in service of other, a true hero every Filipino can be proud of. (END)

A reason revealed in the movie PUNTOD...

Let me begin this piece by uttering the lines "Everything happens for a reason"---probably the most abused lines to describe or to justify an occurrence or a non-occurrence. But I cannot help but fall prey to these lines again for it is the law of nature--again, everything really happens for a reason--good or bad, there is always something that explains why it happened or did not happen.

As a first time producer of an independent film, my intention of course is to show the movie at once and showcase the final product, a result of a magical and unforgettable collaboration of hearts and minds of men and women involved in the making of this film. Our aim was to enter the film in different international film festivals and we did the rounds, inexperienced and with a vague idea on how things work in the world of independent films and international film festivals, we simply did what anybody else in the same shoes as ours would do: send entries, wait for the next big opportunity for the film to be noticed in one of the many international film festivals happening all year round in various parts of the world, one after the other, sometimes almost simultaneously. DHL must have made a "small fortune" from me if I would be counting the many entries that I sent.

Every time I would hear a report about a Filipino film being selected or having won in this and that award---I would be filled with joy and excitement for the recognition of a Filipino work of art. When the movie KINATAY won the top awards in this year's CANNES FILM FESTIVAL, I was among those who literally jumped with happiness and pride for I am part of the casts of the film, portraying the role of a reporter along with fellow journalist turned filmmaker Jim Libiran for a brief scene that establishes the kind of life the central character in the film, sees and confronts on his day to day existence.

But to be totally frank about it, while I was genuinely happy with that recognition, there was this nagging thought, restless question begging to be answered: Why was our film not selected? Why is it that no one seemed to be noticing the film we submitted even for exhibition purposes?

We have an award winning director in the person of Cesar Apolinario, a good friend of mine and a fellow journalist who is as passionate and as committed as I am and other journalists turned filmmakers too in translating the realities of life that we witnessed and experienced as journalists in the big screen via independent and small budgeted film productions; the script was very realistic and penned by someone who actually experienced life in that part of Tondo, Melchor Encabo; we have very competent casts of actors and actresses in our film led by the very talented and multi-awarded actor Mark Gil, the Mark Gil of Philippine Cinema; we have a gem in the person of our discovery and central character, Baby, portrayed by Barbie Forteza; the original music was handled by an Urian veteran;---I could go on listing plus factors about the film that only left me to ask that same question over and over again---why? Why does it seem that no one noticed our film?

And then last month, we were finally included as one of the exhibition films for the recently concluded Cinemanila Film Festival and it was there that I got the answers to my questions---in the company local viewers, in the perspective of fellow Filipinos who watched the films with us and voluntarily approached me and Melchor to share their views about the film, PUNTOD.

One comment came from Ms. Liza B. Martinez, Ph.D.Director of the Philippine Deaf Resource Center who said, "you guys had me fooled. I thought that your character Baby is really deaf!" --And then she encouraged us to present our film during the Deaf Awareness Month this November and the next thing I knew, there's this invitation for the exhibition of our film PUNTOD, described by the recognized authority in deaf related studies as "the most realistic portrayal" she has even seen in movies.

And then another unsolicited review, most welcomed and very much appreciated, from a member of the entertainment press, columnist Eric Borromeo who said, "it's not usual to end a movie on a sad note, but that's life, not all have happy endings, what happens is that we simply go on and move on after a seemingly insurmountable pain."

Actress Sheree who essayed the role of Sarah, told me, "Ate Arlyn, salamat po talaga sa pagpili ninyo sa akin ni Direk Cesar at ngayong nakita ko ang kabuuan, masasabi kong ito na ang pinakamakabuluhang pelikulang nagawa ko. Ipagmamalaki ko ang pelikulang ito."

And then there's this stranger, who shook my hand as she spoke to me, "please show this film commercially, it's a very powerful film. Akala mo tungkol lang sa isang pipi at bingi, pero ang totoo, tungkol sa kuwento nating mga Filipino na sa katagalan na ng panahon ng pagkukuwento ng kuwentong ito, ayaw na nating marinig at makita, dahil kinasanayan na natin, kahirapan, pagwawalang bahala, pang-aabuso sa kalikasan. You are depicting the story of many in one film. Sana mapanood ng mga gustong pamunuan tayo." She said a lot, she left me with a calling card and I realized we attracted someone from the academe to watch the film in wide screen, and the delight was strengthened by the fact that she's also teaching aspiring filmmakers.

And then it hit me. While we strive so much to have our film get noticed outside, in the international arena, the audience of the film is really inside the very shores where the movie is set----the Philippines, seen in the eyes of Filipinos looking at themselves, examining the horizon of the immediate future that awaits their decision or indecision, hoping for the one direction that would eventually affirm the dignity and the bravery of Filipinos.

In the movies, you would often hear this, "ang buhay ay parang pelikula", and as journalists and filmmakers, we say this with a twist, "ang pelikula ay parang totoong buhay nga!"---truth in journalism translated to films.

And just as I was convinced that the film is really meant for the local audience, I got a confirmation from organizers of an upcoming festival in San Fransisco, USA, that the film will be among those chosen for film-showing as exhibit films.

Then another surprise came---another international film festival, by invitation only---is asking for a trailer copy of the movie. No final decision yet but the mere fact that they asked for a copy spoke volumes on how thrilling this piece of news was---so thrilling and so exciting that I am still awake at this wee hour of the morning, exhaling and unloading my thoughts and emotions about the film PUNTOD.

Puntod or tomb symbolizes and end but in many ways, as we labored to promote this film in months, we were rewarded with the virtue and lessons learned of having to wait in line with patience, tired, wounded, but never giving up.

Everything happens for a reason I said at the beginning, and now all of us involved in this humble production are delighted in the opening of not just a window, but many doors for our film PUNTOD. (end)

Nang ibinuhos ni ONDOY ang lahat-lahat...

Nakatitiyak akong hindi ako nag-iisa sa ganitong karanasan. Marami ang sumailalim sa kakaibang damdamin at kalagayan kahapon. Yun bang makakatanggap ka ng text message na humihingi ng saklolo at tulong at gustong-gusto mo mang tumulong, wala kang magawa dahil sa ikaw ay nasa gitna din ng baha at sa hindi na gumagalaw na usad ng trapiko?

I felt so helpless...useless...I am certain many felt the same.

Halos mabiyak ang puso ko sa mga text messages na natanggap ko kahapon. Puputok na ang INBOX ng message ko sa cellular phone sa dami ng text messages. May nasasagot ako, may hindi.

I was worried. Two of my teams were deployed in the field. Yung una, pauwi na from Subic pero stranded na agad pagpasok pa lamang ng papalapit na sa Valenzuela sa NLEX. Yung isa, madaling araw umalis ---4:30 in the morning---umuulan na, pero signal number one lang sabi ng PAG-ASA...parang ambon-ambon pa lang nung madaling araw...lumarga ang team.

Ako naman---may maagang programa sa radyo sa RMN with DEP-ED Secretary Jesli Lapus. Naitakda ko pa nga that morning after the program yung first leg of interview ng mga cadet-reporters ng Net-25 with the secretary. Nauna na akong umalis, susunod sana ako sa Team 2 papuntang Anilao, Batangas. Si Secretary Jesli, naiwan pa sa RMN studio sa Guadalupe sa Makati. May kausap pang mga naghihintay sa kanya na humihingi ng tulong.

Di pa ako nag-almusal---kumain muna sa carenderia sa mismong Guadalupe Market na nasa ibaba. Wala pa ang baha, past 9:30 na. Mabilis akong kumain, saglit lang, sakay na sa service---then go---fly na.

Nang nasa daan na...parang malikmata lang, parang isang kurap lang, agad ang taas na ng tubig baha.

I dialed the land line at home and made sure the kids are okey. Thank God they were in good condition. Nakikinig ng radyo. Trained na ang mga anak ko, kapag may bagyo, AM radio dapat na tumutok. Sabi ng mga anak ko, "Be careful mom...bilisan mong lumampas sa baha, di ka marunong lumangoy!"

Sa hinaba-haba ng pagiging reporter ko, wala pa akong na-cover o nakita kaya na ganito kabilis na pag-akyat ng tubig baha. Ngayon din lang ako nakaranas na ako ay naipit sa baha, na ang dapat na isa sa mga naguulat---ayun at kasama sa mga naipit sa baha. Sa AM radio---marami sa mga kasama sa hanapbuhay ang ganun din ang kapalaran. Mabuti nga't nakapag-report pa sila.

Nagtatawag ako sa phone. Hindi rin matahimik ang phone ko. Isa sa mga tawag na di makalimutan, mula kay Richard na media officer ni Mayor Mon Ilagan ng Cainta, "Arlyn tulong, please, magtawag na kayo ng rubber boats, ang bilis tumaas ng tubig!!!" Tapos agad na nawala. Kasunod text na mula mismo kay Mayor Mon na dating reporter din at malapit na kaibigan. "Friend, tulungan ninyo kami, please."

Tumawag ako kasunod kay Senator Richard Gordon na siya ring Chairman ng Philippine National Red Cross. Busy ang linya niya pero nakalusot ako. "We are doing our best...we are doing our best," sabi ni Gordon. I know that he is really doing just that. Sanay sa disaster management si Gordon, pero sa boses niya, parang dun ko lang narinig sa kanya ang himig na parang wala siyang magawa kahit ano pang pagsisikap niya.

Isa pang text message, mula naman kay Lani na stranded sa Valenzuela, "Ate, rescue...kawawa kami, lalo na mga kasama ko, nakakaawa."

Isa pang text...mula kay Roel naman, " Hindi na kami gumagalaw dito, ano na ba ang nangyayari sa Metro Manila ateng?"

At maya-maya---isang tawag pa sa cellular ko na siya nang tuluyang nagpatulo ng luha ko. "Ate, I am so scared. Please help me. Ngayon lang nangyari sa subdivision namin ito. Tapos naalala ko si Mama, wala ang mga kapatid ko, yung kasama ko sa bahay, inanod ng baha....I am so scared. Wala bang rubber boat? Please keep on calling me ate..."

The person on the other line calls me ate, or older sister. But he's not really my brother in real life. "Ate" is his term of endearment, a mark of our many years of friendship. Parang kapatid ko na siya, sa madaling salita. Kay Joee Guilas galing ang tawag na nagpatulo ng aking luha. " I love you ate..."

"I love you too," I said, "huwag kang mawawalan ng pag-asa, pray ka ha. Pray and remind yourself that you are strong," yun ang sinabi ko, pilit na pinalalakas ang loob niya, sa kabila ng garalgal ko na ring tinig.

Ilan ang kuwentong ganito ang takbo kahapon? Lahat ng tulong gustong ibigay, lahat na kinalampag, binulabog pero walang halos galawan. May mga gumalaw man, di nakararing, ang iba, sila pa nga ang mismong nadisgrasya rin.

Maraming kuwento ang ganito----nangyari sa nakalipas na mahigit na 36 oras mula nang humagupit si Ondoy.

Hanggang ngayon---hindi napuputol ang kuwento ng mga paghihirap na dinaanan ng marami.

Patuloy na tumataas ang bilang ng mga kumpirmadong namatay dahil sa mabigat at napakaraming buhos ng ulang taglay ni Ondoy. Mas marami pa kumpara sa typhoon Katrina, sabi pa ng PAG-ASA at ng NDCC.

Habang nadaragdagan ang mga kuwento ng pinsala at pighati dahil sa iniwang latay ni Ondoy----hindi ko malimutan ang maikling palakpakan na nakita sa briefing ng National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) sa Kampo Aguinaldo kasama ng pangulo at ang mga miyembro ng gabinete.

Ang aga nilang magsabi na naging maagap sila sa pagtugon, na naging mas mabilis pa sila sa responde kumpara sa nangyari sa typhoon Katrina na humagupit sa Estados Unidos....na in not so many words, "mas magaling sila, mas handa sila, mas tama ang ginawa nila." Palakpakan--yehey!!!

Sana nag-briefing na lang sila ng normal.

Sana nagbigay na lang sila ng datos.

Sana yung kung anong tulong na lang ang ibinigay o ibibigay pa at aasahan ang sinaysay.

Hindi yung ah mas mabilis sila, ah mas handa sila...SABI NILA.

Dahil habang tumatambad ang kabuuang pinsala na iniwan ni Ondoy. Lalong lumilinaw ang tunay na kuwento. Hindi napaghandaan ang bagyong ito.

Nang araw na ibinuhos ni ONDOY ang lahat-lahat --- marami ang nagulantang. Kalikasan ang nagsalita. Mahaba pa ang itatakbo ng kuwentong ito. Pero please lang----wag nang sabihin pa ng mga namumuno na ang bagyong ito---ang pagdating ni Ondoy ay pinaghandaan. That is not clearly the story here.

Pero hindi rin ito ang panahon ng sisihan. Ang punto lang ay wag sabihin ang di naman ginawa dahil lang sa gustong pagtakpan ang kakulangan.

Tandaan natin ang lupit ni Ondoy na naiwan sa atin.

But let us not forget how Ondoy made heroes amongst us.

Ang kahinaan at kawalan ng magagawa ng marami ang siyang nagpalakas naman ng loob ng mas marami.

(wakas)

No Eulogy for Ka Erdy

When a respected and influential man dies, a eulogy is often given at the person's wake. To utter a eulogy is to pay tribute to what that person has done in life, words that laud, praise and commend are expected in eulogies.

A eulogy too is about the love of many to the one who passed away. A eulogy could contain anecdotes and personal experiences shared with the one who died. A eulogy could make people cry more and dwell in deeper grief brought about by the death of a loved one, a eulogy too can make people laugh or sigh or think or in some instances, a eulogy could move people to act, to decide on something that affects their lives and the future.

When Brother Erano "Ka Erdy" Manlo,Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo died, some colleagues in the media asked me when is the schedule of the eulogy?

As a journalist who is a member of the church, I feel the need to write something about this one. But first things first, so to speak.

To begin with, to answer the question, when will the eulogy take place, the response is, No eulogy will take place.

In as much as every member of the church would want to say their piece on how each and everyone of us love and respect Ka Erdy and how he has influenced and guided the INC flock in our spiritual life primarily and most especially---no act of eulogy would give anyone of us the venue to praise the man and the life that he lived in service to the Church.

Modern technology however provided an alternative means for individual members to express their grief, loss and unwavering love to the memory of Ka Erdy as Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo for more than four decades. This blog is one electronic venue and so are the rests of the personal blogs of brethren worldwide everyone wanted to write something, a way of expressing their grief, about one man who labored all his life to teach the words of God and the way to Salvation.

If there's a eulogy, many would volunteer to share one. I would!

But even if we collectively placed all our writings to praise Ka Erdy, even if we erect a wall to write about our love for him and his love for us, it would not be enough.

Since Tuesday afternoon after the official announcement of the death of Ka Erdy last August 31, a Monday in his home at passed 3 in the afternoon due to cardio-pulmonary arrest, the queue or line of brothers and sisters in the Church, tens of thousands, coming from different parts of the country, continue to amaze non-members. One colleague in media asked a member with a physical handicapped why despite his obvious physical disability, he endured the long line of people just to have his few seconds moment glimpse to the mortal remains of Ka Erdy. His response was short but represented every reason in the hearts of individual members of the Church: "It's all about faith," he said in Filipino, "Ito'y ayon sa aming pananampalataya."

The next logical question would be: Why is there no eulogy for someone so loved like Ka Erdy?

I became a member of the Church some 10 years ago, a dwarf 10 years of that gigantic 95 glorious years of the Church since it has reemerged in the Philippines, a country in the Far East and one of the teachings that I learned, one that humbled me in many ways is that in everything that we do in this life, no matter how extraordinary or exemplary your act or your work may appear, it's not about one's personal glory. "WALANG SARILING KAPURIHAN."

I found true honor, comfort and joy to be called "servant".

Until the very end---this was what Ka Erdy lived for, for everyone of us to emulate---that everything we have in life comes from GOD beginning from the air we breath, the next sunrise, the next sunset---the very life we have.

"WALANG SARILING KAPURIHAN". end)

Mula pagkabata'y kasama na ang KOMIKS....

Alam kong marami ang magagawi sa pagbubulalas kong ito tungkol sa usapin ng Komiks dahil sa ito ay nadidikit ngayon sa kontrobersiyal na NATIONAL ARTIST AWARD at lalo pa kapag nabasa ang pangalang Carlo J. Caparas.

Hindi ito pagtatanggol kundi isang paglalahad ng aking saloobin, hindi kay Caparas, kundi sa KOMIKS. Sa mundo ng komiks.

Alam ito ni Ding Gagelonia, hindi naman sa kailangan ko pa ng testigo para lang makapuntos. Bahagi kasi ng kuwento. Nung nag-aplay ako noon sa DZBB-GMA-7, circa 1990, may dala ako clippings ng mga articles ko sa school paper na ako ang patnugot at mga maikling kuwento at kung ano-ano pa. Siyempre, pagka-reporter ang inaaplayan ko, eh bakit may short story folder pa? Ang totoo, may kasamang drawing folder din iyun at kung nahalungkat ang bag ko noon...may minus one din. Oo, kung di ako natanggap ni Ding. may plan B ako, kay ate Helen Vela ko ipapakita ang aking mga short stories para sa Lovingly Yours Helen. At kung di naman nakapasa, abah...mailabas nga ang minus one at mag-audition ng isang song and dance number...Zsa-Zsa Padilla, Point of No Return, contest piece ko noon sa Music Mate Regional Championship, at kung di pa uli nakapasa---ay sa Atlas ako tatakbo, gagawa ng nobela sa komiks at magdedebuho! Ala Carlo J. Caparas!

Ang masasabi ko lang, HE-HE-HE! oo---dami ko plan b--may b-1, b-2, b-3....ganun kapag naguumapaw ang pagnanais mo na makaalpas sa kung ano pa man.

Going back to Carlo and to the world of KOMIKS---this medium and the names attached to this form of media are images that accompanied me through my growing up years.

Pag inuutusan akong mamalengke noon---ah kailangan may matirang kahit 50-sentimos. May sa malamig na ako, 15-sentimos, may banana-que pa, 15-sentimos, may arkila pa ng komiks sa kanto, dun ka magbabasa ha, para 15-sentimos din lang!

Di nawala ang pagmamahal ko sa komiks at sa pagdidibuho. Nang makasilip ako ng libreng oras noon, nasa media na ako, reporter na, nag-enrol ako sa klase ni Hal Santiago sa Pasay, si Hal Santiago ay isa rin sa mga higanteng pangalan sa daigdig ng komiks. Isang sakay lang, diretso mula sa Timog kaya dun ako napadpad. Kaso di ko naipagpatuloy kasi baka noon pa lang, natigok na ako, sa pagod, ala una ba naman ng madaling araw ang duty ko sa DZBB? Tapos aral pa sa hapon sa unibersidad dun sa tabi ng riles sa Sta. Mesa, tapos, minsan, ang oras ng pagtulog, di pa makukuha dahil ang kahaliling writer/producer ng newscast---abah..absinero. Ibang kuwento na yun, he-he! Baka mapangalanan ko pa. Teka, Pareng Orly T. absinero pa rin ba ang taong tinutukoy ko? Bwahahaha!!! (O pati tawa, KOMIKS!)

Wakasan man o nobela yan sa komiks---ay talagang inaabangan ko. Pero di tulad ng iba na basta komiks lang, sinabayan ko ng basa naman ng mga libro na donasyon ng mga Kano sa Base Militar noon sa Olongapo. Wala pang internet...TV nga wala sa bahay, silip lang sa kapitbahay. Nung magkaroon, parang cabinet pa, may kandado pa! Ah---komiks na nga lang.

Hindi na ako makikiambag pa sa debate ng kung sino ang nararapat o hindi, kung napulitika ang National Artist Awards o hindi, kung nasunod ang proseso o hindi---dami nang nasabi eh.

Pero sa isang mula sa hanay ng masa na tulad ko, may kirot sa dibdib na marinig na naalipusta ang isang Carlo J. Caparas at nasabihang hindi marunong mag-drawing, gayung, bata pa ako.....at alam naman ng lahat ng nasa komiks ito, lalo na nung ang industriyang ito ay namamayagpag----na marunong mag-dibuho si Carlo J. Caparas. Kung ikukumpara sa ibang dibuhista, sa aking personal na panlasa, may mga mas hihigit kay Carlo J. Caparas...andiyan si Nestor Malgapo Sr. at si Hal Santiago nga...iba ang atake naman ng pag-guhit ng mga ito....pero ang kaibahan ni Carlo J. Caparas, naiangat niya at mas napalawak ang kanyang uri ng sining. Sa salitang ingles---"he continued to evolved as an artist" na nang mamatay ang daigdig ng komiks, nang naghihingalo ito --- siya may iba nang tinatahak na mundo--pelikula.

Kung ang naging mga unang argumento ay hindi nasamahan ng paghamak at natuon lamang sa usapin ng sinasabing proseso --- walang makikitang paghahati o pagbabaha-bahagi ng kampo mo, kampo nila, kampo natin----walang haliging namamagitan----mas naging mataas sana ang uri ng debate tungkol dito.

Si Yoyoy Villame ay tunay na henyo...karapat-dapat siyang maging National Artist at isa ako sa mga unang sumang-ayon nang ang panukalang ito ay lumutang sa Facebook, nasipat ko sa pahina ng kasamang si Ares.

Si Dolphy ay tunay na henyo din at karapat-dapat sa pagkilala---noon pa man. Ano ba ang kuwento ng pelikulang Filipino kung wala ang mga pahina ng brilyo ng karera ng Hari ng Komedya?

Pero alam ninyo, sa tulad ko, sa ka-henerasyon ko, ke makuha ni Carlo Caparas o hindi ang pagkilalang siya ay National Artist, okey lang naman dahil sa tulad nina Yoyoy Villame at Doplhy...sila ay mga pangalang mananatili na sa kamalayan ng marami sa aking ka-henerasyon.

(Ang mga imahe, unang dalawa sa itaas ay akin--halimbawa ng aking pagdidibuho. Matagal na itong kuha, naisipan ko lang na ilagay. Yung dulo sa ibaba, yung babaeng kay rilag, na tila nakatingala, dibuho iyan ni Carlo J. Caparas.)

TOUCHED AND COMFORTED BY CORY...

Cory's death brought back memories of love, kindness, courage and love of country.

Allow me to share with you, one story of one person I know, who in normal circumstances would not share this story for fear of being misinterpreted that he's bragging of a past association. The truth is, he would rather keep mum about it.

But when he heard about Cory's death, he remembered this incident as if it happened just the other day, as he allowed himself to succumbed to grief shared by many.

This is his story...

He was not a former cabinet member, not one of the known personalities in the Administration that came after the toppling of the Marcos regime, but this man will never forget and will forever cherished in his heart that just like the powerful men of that administration, he too was trusted by the lady in yellow.

“Minsan, nakakahiya, kasi siya pa ang laging nagpapasalamat sa amin, na para bang siya pa ang may karangalan na nakasama kami. Lagi pa niya kaming tinatanong kung kumain na kami o kung pagod na ba kami. Ganun siya. Mapagpakumbaba,” says Eduardo De Guzman, 53 years old, retired senior cameraman of TV-5 and one of the selected close-in cameramen of President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino under Radio-TV-Malacanang then spearheaded by Maria Montelibano.

De Guzman, as a news cameraman is known for his mild-mannered demeanor, one of the bests in his field, but not one who will come forward and brag about anything, but upon hearing the news of Cory’s death, he felt a deep sense of loss and grief and remembered instantly how for one unforgettable moment, the former president accorded him the highest honor that humbled him.

It was just a day after the devastating earthquake of July 16, 1990, De Guzman was on duty in Malacanang, he came on time, never the type to go absent without a valid reason, but while he was physically present, his mind was somewhere else, worried for what happened to his relatives and his town mates in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. “Isa sa mga tinamaan ng lindol noon ang Nueva Ecija, tapos ang nababalita lang yung sa Cabanatuan, kako, paano yung mas malalayong lugar na noong mga panahong iyon, mahirap pang maabot, tulad ng bayan namin sa Gabaldon. Duty ako, pero di ako mapakali,” narrates De Guzman.

De Guzman was worried that the roads maybe blocked and that the supply of food for those in the remote parts of Nueva Ecija like Gabaldon would be scarce. He mustered the courage within him and asked his direct superior, Montelibano, if it’s possible that help could also be extended to those in other parts of Nueva Ecija and not only in Cabanatuan City. Montelibano discussed the matter not with the then Defense Secretary Fidel V. Ramos who is also the Chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council NDCC but directly to the president herself.

Montelibano never went back to De Guzman to tell him what happened to his request, not intentionally, De Guzman noted, but due to the hectic schedule that his direct boss had to attend to at that time. That very same day, the president was scheduled to record a statement and he was assigned, as usual to be the studio cameraman.

After President Aquino finished with her statement recorded and for nationwide broadcast related to the earthquake that hit the country in 1990, she walked towards him and smiled. In a motherly way, she placed her hand on his shoulder, tapped it as if to pacify him, “Ed, Huwag ka ng mag-alala, magpapadala tayo ng tulong sa mga kababayan mo. Manalangin ka na walang napinsala sa kanila,” President Aquino told him and then she left the room.

De Guzman recalled that his body shivered and he felt a rush of emotion that humbled him a 100X over. “Akalain mo, nilapitan ako. Hinawakan pa ako sa balikat at tinawag ako sa aking pangalan.” To be called by his first name by the President was a big deal for a production crew like him because De Guzman thought, he probably was just one of the persons in the room, serving at the pleasure of the president. That single gesture validated what they knew all along, that the president they’re serving, trusts them and consider them as part of her family.

Recalling that moment, De Guzman said, it was as if his own mother touched and comforted him.

Later that day, she was called to Montelibano’s office where his direct boss told him, the President has ordered that three truckloads of relief goods be deployed to Gabaldon and nearby remote areas that was also hit by the Earthquake. There was another message for De Guzman, one that really startled and humbled him. “Sabi ni Boss Maria, sabi raw ni presidente, ako na ang magdala ng relief goods sa Gabaldon at sa iba pang bayan na malalayo sa Nueva Ecija.”

And so it was in July of 1990, a cameraman from Malacanang led a relief mission of not just one but three military trucks full of relief goods to the remote towns of Nueva Ecija and it was made possible because the president listened to a plea of someone who thought he was just a face in the crowd, a nobody.

On the day of President Aquino’s burial, De Guzman vowed to serve his president again. “Kahit retired na ako, manghihiram ako ng camera, lalabas uli ako, kukuha uli ako ng video, sasamahan ko ang Sambayang Filipino sa paghahatid sa pangulong tunay na makapangyarihan pero mas matingkad ang pagiging mapagpakumbaba.”

Truly, how can anyone forget and not share this act of kindness that was just one of the many reasons why she is loved by many? (end)