CAPTURED BY ARLYN DELA CRUZ

A HOSTAGE CRISIS PUTS US ON THE WORLD SPOTLIGHT---AGAIN!

2010-08-23T19:33:00.009+08:00

It was shocking to say the least.

We thought we have seen it before. A hostage crisis that inevitably attracts international media attention. Oh yes---the world saw us again very clearly on the map! SIKAT!!!NAKS!!!

In 2007, we had one. The world took notice. We were on the headlines again as CNN, BBC and the rest of the international TV networks flashed the events unfolding at the center of Metro Manila.

It was also a tensed situation but ended especially so since it involved 30-pre-school children held hostage by a troubled civil engineer who owns the school where the kids are enrolled in kindergarten.

It took 10 hours of negotiation to end that hostage crisis. While it involved pre-school children, it was clear from the very beginning that there was no threat on the part of the hostage taker to kill any of the hostages.

This one was clearly a different case.

I was at the Office of the Chief of the Philippine National Police this morning when the news broke about a hostage taking happening at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

Immediately, the Chief of the PNP was informed about it and instructions were relayed down the line, command responsibilities, an unwritten code in the service.

The hostage-taker:Former Senior Police Inspector Rolando Mendoza, 55 years old and the victims included 20 Hongkong nationals, including children, traveling as a group on tour in the Philippines.

Joseph Tung, executive director of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, said the tourists on the bus were aged between four and 72. They were on a three-day tour and were scheduled to return to Hong Kong today on a night flight.

An entire nation was glued to their TV sets, internet TV and radio to monitor the events unfolding, the drama, the action---scenes that eclipsed all running tele-dramas on primetime television.

But it's not just any drama or action. It's real life and we all witnessed it live!

Mendoza boarded the bus in Manila’s historic tourist district in the morning and then released nine people throughout the day as he demanded that he get his job back and be allowed to speak to the media.

Around 5:20 p.m. Philippine time, a shot was heard from inside the hijacked bus. And more shots were heard after that especially towards past 7:30 in the evening.

But it took some more time before the assault was ordered and the Special Action Forces made their move. Should I even care make a commentary on that when any tom, dick and harry saw what happened and what never happened? What actions were taken and what action were not taken?

Mendoza was a decorated police officer and was even awarded as one of the Top 10 Police Officers in the country in 1986.

He was discharged in 2008 for his alleged involvement in drug-related crimes and extortion, according to his police records because of the virtue of command responsibility. His dismissal was a case that underwent hearing at the Office of the Ombudsman.

“He wants to be reinstated in the service,” Manila district police chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay said but can any officer of government just decide on that especially so if the means he did to call attention to his case was something that was not only illegal but placed the entire nation in shame.

He knew he would never be reinstated. He knew that the brown envelope from Manila Vice Mayor Iskho Moreno meant nothing. He was never really on a mind-set to negotiate. He meant to kill and cause damage that will have a lasting effect on the country that he thought abandoned and betrayed him.

His intention to kill, be killed and even end his own life was very clear and was in fact reiterated by the bus driver that he freed.

In one of the messages that he posted on the bus, it read:“Big mistake for big wrong decision”, apparently in reference to his sacking.

And so he thought---the country he served must pay!

In the end---hostages killed. Foreign nationals, tourists who chose the Philippines as the place to visit and unwind. Many of these tourists---at least four of them as of latest unofficial count---will be coming home in boxes---dead. All their cherished memories of the three days past gone in oblivion, replaced by a tragic ending that appeared unimaginable.

This one act spoke volumes about real stories about the police and those who served past and present and even those wanting to be police officers. Ironic as it sounds, it's really true that some police officers who retired end up victims of the very law and order and the justice system that they pledged to serve and uphold as law enforces.

But this was something internal to the Philippines.

What is even more frightening is how the world sees us after this tragic incident.

Tourism for one is now in limbo. What tourism slogan and campaign program can salvage the image that was created by this incident? WOW Philippines RELOADED?

But you know what?

I am worried about something else, something that is more lasting and bigger in terms of problems, scenarios that can be considered an after effect of this incident.

Hongkong is now under China again---that we must all remember and we knew China's positioning now in terms of world power and influence.

I suddenly felt the urge to check again on the last report on the force and military build-up in the Spratley Group of Islands by the Chinese Military Forces. I maybe watching too many movies of these kinds, I should stop before other scenarios crop up.

Or maybe I am just paranoid, I suddenly felt worried about the many Filipinos working in Hongkong right now. Can they still go to that public park that serves as their home away from home after this incident? Maybe I am just paranoid. Maybe I should erase all the scenarios that are cropping up as I place this entry in my blog site.

But who am I kidding? Who are we kidding?

What just happened was not one of those hostage-taking gone wrong.

It was something else.

It will take a lot of effort and political will on the part of the administration to unshake the international impact of the incident that just shocked us all.

Former Senior Police Inspector Rolando Mendoza was ready to die today and he made sure he will be remembered for eternity.#

A REAL LOVE STORY...

2010-02-13T16:30:00.005+08:00

It's not that he doesn't want to, in fact every day is hearts day for this man. But on Valentines Day this Marine Officer wishes he could give his wife more than just kisses, flowers and chocolates.

What Major Stephen Cabanlet, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 96 wishes he could give her is the assurance of a longer and fuller life ahead and while he accepts that life is a gift from God that can just go away in a snap, he is hoping and praying that while he still can, he would do anything to add more years to the life of his beloved wife, Ella.

And by anything includes, this public appeal on behalf of his wife, 36 years old and mother of three still very young children.

In September 19 of 2009, Cabanlet’s wife was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), a condition that is described as a “cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized bya rapid growth of abnormal while blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere in the production of normal blood cells.” AML is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults.

In the Philippines, many succumbed to the disease not being able to survive because of the costly procedure of chemotherapy.

“It was as unexpected as a typhoon in summer as she never had any signs that she was harboring these killer cells while doing service around the mountains of Cordillera with the mental health team from the hospital. It was a shock as she was very athletic, easy going and has a very positive outlook in life," Cabanlet told this reporter in an exclusive interview.

Ella has already undergone a series of chemotherapy, the first one in October last year, the most painful as she succumbed to sepsis and bleeding.

“I witnessed all of Ella’s strength zapped away by the drugs that supposed to kill the cancer cells. I was told that 80% of those who succumbed to sepsis and bleeding ended up dead but by God’s grace and mercy, she came out of it only after 10-days of being in and out of her wits” Cabanlet said.

The second cycle of chemotherapy yielded encouraging results and Ella got her determination back. The next treatment also yielded positive results that doctors said now she’s ready for Bone Marrow Transplant.

Mentally and emotionally, the promise of the procedure giving her the best chance to live longer revived all the determination and will-power in Ella to fight and survive. There’s one major obstacle though, the costly procedure, one that a soldier’s salary, a Major like him cannot afford: P4,208,100.00 to be exact, as quoted by the Head, blood and marrow transplant center of the St. Lukes Medical Center under Dr. Honorata G. Baylon, M.D.

“With her renewed and closer relationship to our Maker and the promise of the Bone Marrow Transplant she became more determined to fight back. I now hear her talk about the future again, “ Cabanlet said.

As a Marine Officer, Cabanlet survived many battles in Central and Southern Mindanao, against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILG) but even his lessons in the Art of Warfare in the military academy did not prepare him for what he refers to as the real battle of his life--a battle for family, a battle for love.

Thus, from a soldier fighting for the love of his life, he airs this public appeal for anyone who wishes to help them financially in shouldering the costly procedure of Bone Marrow Transplant. “With all humility, I am making this appeal. Please help me keep the hope burning in my wife’s heart. I need your help. My phone numbers are: 09236505499 and 09088649468.”

Cabanlet’s devotion to his wife may not be the greatest love story ever told, but this one certainly touches the heart, for it is very real and true, selfless and unconditional love. (end)

"EXOTIC" FIREARMS....

2009-11-26T09:31:00.004+08:00

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...

2009-11-09T22:49:00.004+08:00

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...

2009-11-03T23:43:00.005+08:00

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...

2009-09-27T21:43:00.002+08:00

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

2009-09-03T15:25:00.006+08:00

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....

2009-08-10T22:57:00.005+08:00

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...

2009-08-02T13:10:00.004+08:00

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)

TANGLAW MULA SA KAIBUTURAN

2009-08-01T21:56:00.002+08:00

ANG MGA SUMUSUNOD NA MGA KATAGA AY HINDI MULA SA AKIN, KUNDI HALAW SA PANGULONG TUDLING NG PAHAYAGANG The Philippine Daily Inquirer NA KUNG SAAN ISA RIN SA NAGSUSULAT BILANG MAMAHAYAG ANG INYONG LINGKOD.

LABIS AKONG NAPUKAW NG MGA SALITANG NARITO NA AKO AY NAGKUSANG ITO AY ISALIN SA WIKANG FILIPINO PARA PAG-ALABIN PA ANG KABULUHAN AT KAHULUGAN PARA SA MAS MARAMI NG ILAW NA PINATUTUNGKULAN SA EDITORYAL NA ITO NG PDI.

ITO MUNA BAGO ANG AKING PERSONAL NA PANANAW SA KUNG SINO NGA BA SI DATING PANGULO CORAZON AQUINO PARA SA ATING MGA FILIPINO.

Nang tuluyang maupos ang kandila ng ilaw sa buhay ni Cory Aquino, sa huli at mapait na yugto sa pagamutan kung saan siya nakaratay, ang buong bansa, ang sambayanan, sa isang banda, ay inaasahan na ito. Gayunman, ang balita ng kanyang tuluyan nang pagpanaw ay tinanggap pa rin na may pagkabigla at labis na kalungkutan na naramdaman sa buong bansa, kalungkutan na muling naglapit sa mahirap at mayaman, bata at matanda, partisano at mga walang pakialam, babae at lalake, sundalo at mga sibilyan.
Ang pagkakaisa ay bibihira sa ating bansa, ngayon, nasumpungan natin ito at nakapanlulumong mapagtano na ang kamatayan ni Cory ang siyang nagbuklod sa isang watak-watak na bansa.

Sa kanyang nanginginig na tinig noong 1948, sinabi ni Jawaharlal Nehru sa kanyang mga kababayan ang pagpanaw ni Mahatma Gandhi, at tumatak ang mga katagang ito, “Ang ilaw ay wala na sa ating buhay at ang kadiliman ay laganap.” Walang ibang pambansang personalidad sa kasalukuyan ang gumanap sa papel ng paghahatid ng mapait na balita ng kamatayan ni Cory, sa halip, ito ay nalaman ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng kanyang labis na nagdadalamhating anak na lalake, at mula doon, kumalat na ang balita at ang simula ng pagbabahagi ng mga magagandang alaala.

Nararapat lamang na ihalintulad ang kawalan na isinatinig noon ni Nehru sa pagkawala ng isang Filipina na sinikap ang kanyang kakayanan na gawing isang institusyon ang pagkakaroon ng pulitikang walang bahid ng karahasan sa ating bansa. Si Gandhi ay nagsilbing inspirasyon ng kabiyak ni Cory, at anumang binalak na gawin ni Ninoy, si Cory ang nagpatuloy kasunod ng malagim na pagpaslay sa kanya. Ang kawalan ng karahasan, mula noon, ang naging nangibabaw na kalakaran ng pagpapatupad ng pagbabago sa ating bansa, isang rebolusyon sa kaisipan, na nabigyang buhay sa pamamagitan ng mga panalangin, martsa at mga pagtitirik ng kandila.

Sabi pa ni Nehru, “Ang ilaw na tumanglaw sa bansang ito sa loob ng maraming taon ay patuloy pang magbibigay liwanag sa bansang ito sa mas mahaba pang mga taon,” pagpapatuloy pa nito, “at sa susunod na sanlibong taon, ang ilaw nay an ay makikita hindi lamang sa bansang ito kundi sa buong mundo at magbibigay ito ng kakaibang kapayapaan sa hindi mabilang mga puso.”

Ano nga ba ang ilaw na ito? Ito ay ang munti ngunit matatag na ilaw ng personal na paninindigan at kunsiyensiya na hindi natinag kahit na ang bansa at kahit pa ang mga itinuring niyang pinakamalapit at pinakamahal sa kanya ay lumayo, tumalikod---nakalimot, at bumatikos pa nga, dahil sa ang kanyang asawa ay piniling makulong kaysa sa yumukod sa isang diktador.

Ang ilaw na yan ay nagmumula sa isa pananampalaya na laging nagdadala sa kanya sa dalanginan, hindi upang sumuko o umayon sa brutal na pamamayagpag ng isang diktador, kundi para hingin ang pagkakataong malinis ang selda ng kanyang nakakulong na asawa sa bibihirang pagkakataon na siya ay napahintulutang ito ay bisitahin, na laging nagdala sa kanya sa pagluhod at malalim na panalangin, hanggang sa siya at ang kanyang asawa ay nabuhay sa ibang bansa, sa mga panahon pagkatapos ng pagkamatay ng kanyang asawa, nang ang kanyang mga kosa ay naging kanya na para isulong at ipatupad.

Ito ay ang ilaw ng kasarinlan, ang hindi matatapakang siga ng demokrasya, ang ilaw ng pag-asam at paniniwala sa Filipino, na nagising mula sa imahe ng kanyang asawang nasa loob ng isang kabaong, buhay na kinitil ng bala ng isang bayarang mamamatay tao, na ilaw na siya ring nagsindi sa iba pang maliliit na siga, hanggang sa unti-unti, ang kadiliman na sumaklob sa bansa mula noong 1972 ay unti-unting napawi.

Ito ang ilaw na hindi kayang gupuin ng anumang kudeta o ng anumang unos hatid ng kalikasan, lalo na ng mga panunuya ng mga taong ang nakita lamang sa kanya ay ang babae, isang balo lang, isang tao lang na ang tanging hinangad ay ibalik ang kapangyarihan sa tunay na nagmamay-ari nito---sa kamay ng taongbayan, para muli, gawin nila ang naisin nila.

Ang ilaw na mula sa kaibuturan ni Cory Aquino ay muling nakita ng lahat nang siya ay bumaba sa puwesto, ang tanging pangulo sa ating kasaysayan na hindi nagpakita ng anumang pagnanasang makamit ang kapangyarihan ngunit naging masigasig sa pagnanais na bitiwan ang kapangyarihang ito, ganap at sa takdang panahon. Ang ilaw na ito ay nagpatindig sa kanya sa tuwing ang demokrasya ay nasa balag ng alanganin, pinalakpakan siya dito, meron namang hindi dumating sa pagkaunawa kung ano nga ba ang mga bagay na mahalaga sa kanya. Ang di pagkaunawang ito ay mula sa mga kritikong hindi inabot ng kislap ng ilaw na ito, ilaw mula sa kanyang kaibuturan, na hindi kailanman naghangad ng anumang kasikatan na tatak ng isang pulitiko.

Ang ilaw na ito ay nakuha natin mula kay Ninoy at Cory, ilaw na ipinasa natin mula sa isa, hanggang sa isa, at sa sumunod pa, hanggang sa sinabi natin sa ating mga sarili na mas maiman ang magsindi ng kandila kaysa kasuklaman ang kadiliman. Ito ang ilaw na ipinagdiriwang sa natatanging yugto ng pagkatubos at pagwawagi ng ating bansa.

Ngunit sa ngayon, ang mga puso ay mabigat, at ang magaganap ay pagpapaalam, mula sa kahamak-hamakan hanggang sa kagitigan ng parangal ng Estado, ngunit sa kabuuan, lahat tayo---tulad niya---mga humawak at natanglawan ng ilaw, ilaw na hindi mapapanglaw, hanggat ang pag-ibig sa kalayaan at kasarinlan ay nananahan sa ating mga puso---na umiiral ngayon, panghabambuhay na tanglaw—sa puso nina Cory at Ninoy.

At para sa mga nalalabi pa----sa gitna ng seremonya at pagkilala sa pagpanaw ng isang dating naging lider ng estado---ang kanyang huling habilin na ipinabot sa kanyang pamilya ay tiyak at detalyado:Ang mga kanyon ng militar ay nagsipag-ingay para sa kanilang pagpupugay, ang mga watawat at ibababa sa kalagitnaan, isang sundalo ang magbabantay sa kanyang labi. Ang lahat ng mga karangyaan ng parangal na inasam-asam ni Ferdinand Marcos, sa kanyang likas na kapayakan, lahat ng iba pa ay tinanggihan ni Cory. Ang tanging saliw at kasama niya sa kanyang huling himlayan, sa tabi ng kanyang pinakamamamahal na si Ninoy, ay dili’t walang iba kundi ang dahilan kung bakit namatay si Ninoy at dahilan kung bakit siya nabuhay at nagpatuloy, tayo, ang sambayanan, na walang paguuri sa kung ano ang kalagayan sa buhay o kung saan tayo nagmula.

Katulad noong 1983, ganun din nga ngayong 2009: Si Cory, at ang sambayanan, magkasama para ipamalas na ang tunay na kapangyarihan, ang kaluwalhatian at ang kagitingan ay wala sa puwestong ibinigay ng mga nasa puwesto kundi mula sa mga taong malayang nagbigay sa iyo nito. At tulad nga noong 1986, nangyayari ngayon, tayo ay muling nagkaisa, sa mga lansangan, sa alaala at sa pagmamahal sa ating walang pagmamaliw na ilaw, si Cory. Hayaang ang mga araw na ito n gating pagluluksa ay mga araw din ng paggunita, ng muling paglasap, kahit sandali lamang, ng napakailap na pagkakaisa ng bansa na labis nating hinahangad.

At muli, tayo ay muling lumakad, mag-martsa, tulad ng ginawa natin noon----hindi lamang para mamamaalam, ngunit para ipagpatuloy ang pagtahak sa daang marami na ang nakalimot: ang daan ng isang hindi matatawaran, hindi nasusukat at hindi maglalahong dedikasyon na ipaglaban an gating kasarinlan. (wakas)

Why the DRUG AGENT reacted that way....

2009-07-22T08:03:00.005+08:00

The question is why?

In journalism lingo and understood by ordinary laymen nowadays, what happened was indeed a "kuryente" story. But a "kuryente" only in a sense that the source of the news interpreted an incident or reacted to an incident in a way that sent shock waves---or let's say more like electric waves to those who learned of the incident.

The newspaper who reported it was not charged with high voltage---in the way we understand "kuryente"---for the story was written based on an official source, recorded---just so we are clear in putting context to what happened to the story.

Yes---this piece is about the story that shocked us all---including Malacanang---but turned out to be something else, different, devastating still, but of a different kind.

But before rushing to condemn the agent in the center of the controversy here...let me offer some insights about the present situation in life of this agent. It's easy to simply conclude that he should at least be reprimanded for coming up with a scenario that jolted every senses of even the most insensitive person there is.

He will not speak this time---not yet. And with all good intent, I am hoping he would not rush to talking before the media to defend himself or what he did or why he concluded the way he did.

Yes, I know him. The truth is, he's a good friend of mine. Our friendship dates back from the time I was in the thick of coverage of kidnapping and military operation in Muslim Mindanao.

Let me make it clear that this piece does not seek to defend him. I will simply try to put context to what happened and why---taking off from the point of view of a father.

I was not the one who wrote the story for the Inquirer. It was a colleague who based the report on an on-record interview with an official source, in this case, the head of the agency which the agent is attached to, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency or PDEA. But I did a follow-up, based on an interview with Representative Roquito Ablan Jr. who heads the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs and who also knows the agent personally and also because, Ablan was among those contacted by the agent in the hours of confusion and uncertainty last Saturday when his only daughter went missing...or the be exact, failed to come home on schedule or at the expected time.

That Saturday night---I was not among those whom he called. I cannot say I am relieved that he chose not to contact me that night for I may end up writing the story myself. In retrospect, I thought, he should have called me so that I could offer him some advise. I could perhaps told him to halt, don't panic and to evaluate the situation first before making calls---that eventually led to the attention of the president of the Republic. But of course---that's easier said than done.

Any parent would panic. Any mother. Any father. And certainly, I am not the authority to advise him at that time not to panic had he called me that Saturday night, knowing fully well how I react when it comes to the safety of my kids.

That night, my friend contacted other reporters, some of whom, also covered him in Mindanao some years back. All his text messages were saved and recorded, providing the basis that the flow of information came from him directly, raising the alarm, suspecting that something bad may have happen to his kid, and then later when his kid finally showed up at the main gate of the compound where their house is located, the physical state they found her bolstered their fears, he and his wife, that something bad happened to his daughter.

He told me that one TV reporter whom he contacted apologized to him for using the text messages he sent him in his broadcast report. It was private communication to a friend who just happened to be a reporter he told me, but I tried to defend that reporter, colleague of a TV network, saying that he was not identified and that the reporter was left with no choice but to put into context and lay the basis of the earlier report he aired especially so that the information made it as a banner headline in the Inquirer last Monday.

The agent's fear about the safety of his daughter was without basis. It was not just a product of a wild imagination. In the past, he too reported to his superiors that some group tried to abduct his kid, the same 13-year old daughter, in the center of this story--or as others have referred to it---a "non-story".

But come to think of it. Is it really a non-story minus the sensational angle of a drug syndicate kidnapping the daughter of an anti-narcotics agent, drugged her, raped her and then dumped her to send the strongest message to the agent to "BACK OFF!"?

In the landscape of human relationship, parent to kids, kids to parents, mother to daughter, daughter to mother, father to daughter, daughter to father---considering that we all see the signs of a decaying moral foundation in our own society that is supposed to be founded and grounded on the strength of the family as a basic unit of society, this to my mind is still a big story---a real big story that speaks volumes about the truth that reflects what exists in our society right now.

I had a very long conversation with him yesterday on the phone and just like the common friend who passed the cellular phone to me, one of the advises I gave him was to take a breather with his family, relax for a while and reconnect with his loved ones---his children in particular and his only 13-year old daughter most especially.

"Talk to her, hug her, tell her you love her and that she's very important to you," these words I told him, hoping that somehow this will allow him to open up more, break-away from his defenses as a man in uniform and be just one person -- a father this time, present and willing to listen to whatever his daughter wanted to say.

On the phone, his voice sounded low, sad and confused. The truth is---he has yet to have a heart to heart talk with his daughter whom he said, is still in the state of shock, crying most of the time.

He told me he believes something bad really happened to his daughter even if the PNP Cordillera already released the medical findings on his daughter, declaring no sexual abuse took place, in line with the official statement that no abduction and no drug syndicate involved in this case, stressing that what happened was the agent's kid was with some friends, on a drinking spree of GSM-blue.

On the phone he told me, "May mga kaibigan akong nakita siya nang ipa-check-up namin sa ospital, at nakita nila na hindi lasing ang bata, at nakita nila ang shock sa kanya, kaya hindi nila matanggap ang sinabi ng PNP-Cordillera na sa inuman galing ang bata...si (name of his daughter)."

He wanted to prove his suspicion. He wanted to investigate further. He wanted to raise a point.

I listened to every word he said, allowing him to expand his thoughts, his fears and his leads ---sensing that at the back of his mind, he is worried on how this incident will impact on his professional career. Without telling him, I was crying on the other end of the line. I feel the unspoken and the real fear that he continue to conceal and shield up to this time.

For how can any person accept that in his dedication and passion to serve his country and people, flag and nation, he neglected his family? Not seeing them for 2, 3, sometimes even 6 months because he was so engaged and so focused on the mission assigned to him as a man in uniform?

How can a father easily accept that perhaps what the incident really means is that his own daughter is crying for help, attention and fatherly love?

As I write these last few paragraphs, I am reminded about the speech that Michael Jackson delivered at Oxford University in 2001, the one posted by colleague and fellow journalist-blogger Ding Gagelonia, wherein in he said, that in the world today, there exists a crisis, the missing link and the long forgotten relationship between parent and child.

In essence what MJ said was---"it's time to reinforce that bond. It's time to go back to basics and the basics dictate that parents nurture and love their kids with the highest priority and to allow them to be kids, to be loved without any condition, so that when their time comes as parents, they too would continue the cycle of parent and kid bond, so that finally, finally, the world will heal."

A non-story?

Yes when taken into consideration the parameters by which headlines are weighed and evaluated in every newsroom or editorial room.

But in the confines of human relations, in the seclusion and in the privacy of ones home---this is the biggest story we could all learn from.

To my friend and his family, I repeat my advise, uncalled for and unsolicited--"take time out to be with each other. Hold each other. Feel each other. Listen and speak your heart out. Let go of the shields and free yourself, say the words---I LOVE YOU MY CHILD." (end)

ONE LAST TIME....thank you Michael Jackson!!!!

2009-07-08T06:49:00.003+08:00

One last time, tears and farewell for the one person who have touched the lives of many generations.

We need not know him the way Brooke Shields knew him. They were childhood friends whose celebrity status bonded them together as icons of their generation.

They were so close then that many thought it was a fitting progression in their relationship that they end us as husband and wife. What could be more ideal than marrying your best friend?

But forever friends they are---they were...

In her eulogy at the Memorial Service at the Staples Center Brooke said, "To the outside world, Michael was a genius with unchallenged ability. To the people who were lucky enough to know him personally--he was caring and funny, honest,pure, non-jaded and he was a lover of life. He cared so deeply for his family and his friends and to his fans."

What Brooke probably did not know is that while many fans loved Michael Jackson from a distance, miles and miles of distance for millions---the millions who loved him knew in their hearts that he is one caring and funny individual. One who radiates and love life.

The songs he gave his fans told us so. His music became our window to his soul, he allowed us into his private world through the music he shared with his millions of fans.

"Wacko Jacko"--this was one of the many ugly titles attached to his name, unsolicited and very undeserving. He never defended himself, he allowed it, because the truth was---even though millions now realized how deeply hurt Michael Jackson was for most part of his life, he decided to keep it to himself.

His journey into life was something that is inspiring to say the least. He went through pain like millions of ordinary individuals---but with dignity and with a very brave face, one that smiles, one that radiates, one that tells you, life is beautiful and that life is a gift from God.

Brooke also said something about her best friend's favorite song. She said, "Michael's favorite song was not one of the countless masterpieces that he gave us, but was a piece that Charlie Chaplin wrote, for the movie Modern Times, it's called SMILE---there's a line in the song that says, smile though your heart is aching, smile what's the use in crying...Today although our hearts are aching...we need to smile..."

Born January 4, 1970--I am one of the millions of Michael Jackson fans who grew up loving and learning lessons of life through his music.

One of the songs I memorized as an aspiring child singer was his song "BEN". "I'LL BE THERE" was also a song of my youth, one that talks about a very vital human relationship: the value of friendship.

Family, friends and millions of fans paid tribute. This one is mine.

We maybe outsiders, not family, not in his circle of friends, not part of the privilege few, but Michael Jackson will stay in our hearts because he was part of us.

For those who cried buckets of tears watching the memorial, it was not because the world lost a music icon for as the final curtain call in his life came, Michael Jackson thought us one great lesson that would inspire many to journey into life the way he did.

With a smile...for life is ours to cherish, a gift that we must protect and treasure everyday of our lives, for as long as we have it.

Let the child in all of us journey life with a caring and pure heart...then it would not be hard to simply do just that---SMILE.

The song lingers on my mind...

"Smile, what's the use of crying/You'll find that life is still worthwhile/If you just smile." (END)

BOMBINGS AND THE ON-GOING SUFFERING OF MANY IN MAGUINDANAO

2009-07-06T14:32:00.005+08:00

This may sound a little insensitive---questions that maybe misinterpreted as a justification of a violent action. But just the same---these questions were raised in the midst of the recent bloody bombing in Cotabato City yesterday.

What about the attacks on civilians in evacuation center? Is that not a cause of alarm for government? Who will investigate these attacks?

The one who raised these questions was Eid Kabalu, spokesperson of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reacting to the bloodiest bomb attack that hit Mindanao in recent weeks killing 5 people and wounding 45 others last Sunday at a lechon store outside the Cotabato Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral.

According to police investigators the bomb that exploded was homemade and that the explosion was triggered by a cellular phone. Immediately after the bombing, two people were taken in for questioning and is now still under tactical interrogation.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines had pinpointed to the Special Operations Group of the MILF as the perpetrator of the Sunday bomb blast in Cotabato.

“We condemn the bombing and we are confident that if only police investigators will stick to the evidence they gather on site, they will come to the conclusion that the MILF is not behind the bombing.There is a bigger agenda here and Mindanao is just a take off of that plan, designed by others and not the MILF” said Kabalu and even referred to a statement made in the media by former House Speaker Jose De Venecia that the recent bombings could be the handiwork of government itself, as a preliminary scenario to the declaration of an emergency rule or Martial Law.

“Si De Venecia nga yun ang sinabi, pero kami, hihintayin namin ang resulta ng opisyal na imbestigasyon and we are confident we will be vindicated in the very irresponsible allegations made by the AFP that the MILF are the ones behind the bombings in our own area.”

It doesn’t make sense explains Kabalu and raised the question What they will gain from launching a bomb attack?

In an interview with this reporter adding that the unfortunate incident near a Catholic Church in a way eclipsed another issue of atrocities directed towards the civilian population of many provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao especially in the province of Maguindanao.

“Nobody seemed to take notice about the fact that civilians in evacuation centers are crying for help, complaining that they are now direct targets of the military,” Kabalu lamented.

In one evacuation center in Maguindanao last June 30, in the remote part of Libutan town to be exact, journalists from Metro Manila and various cities in Mindanao discovered the case of 7-year old Fahidza Kajar, who according to her family and the evacuees was a victim of a shrapnel of a 105 Howitzer Bomb of the Philippine Army.

According to Fahidza’s brother Mario, her sister was sleeping at around 8 in the evening, tucked in bed in a makeshift shelter they occupy at the Libutan Evacuation Center when the bomb exploded just a few meters away from the camp itself, shrapnel hitting the girl in an instant.

With her right leg and foot bandaged, Fahidza was carried by her elder brother Mario who was visibly surprised and thankful when he saw two elf-trucks full of members of the media and some human rights workers from various non-governmental organizations numbering to almost 60 arrived in their remote evacuation site.

In Filipino Mario said,” Mabuti nakarating kayo para makita ng gobyerno ang kalagayan namin dito, lalo na yung nangyari sa kapatid ko. Sana maipagamot man lang siya ng tama, hindi na kami umaasa ng hustisya, magamot lang ng tama para maligtas sa impeksiyon, okey na sa amin.”

The incident according to Mario took place eleven days prior to the media visit in their evacuation camp in Libutan.

On the verge of tears, Mario clutching Fahidza on his arms asked the military if they have now become the targets and not the MILF. “Bakit nasa evacuation na kami, binobomba pa rin kami?” Not used to seeing strangers and her first time to see cameras focused on her, Fahidza did not say a word and hid her face most of the time by burying it on her brother’s chest.

On the same day, June 30, a media briefing to the media by the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army provided the answer as to why the civilians in evacuation centers feel they now have become direct targets of the military.

In a briefing recorded by the NGO workers and media, the 6th ID through its spokesperson Col. Jonathan Ponce said they “consider and look at the civilians in the evacuation centers as reserve forces of the MILF, in other words, part of the MILF itself.” Ponce during the briefing even said that some MILF fighters pretend to be evacuees.

Evacuees in various parts of Central Mindanao still number to more than 300,000 individuals have been living in makeshift camps, schools turned into a mini-community for more almost a year now when the encounters between the MILF and the military erupted beginning in August of last year following the Supreme Court’s rejection of the legitimacy of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain signed by representatives from the Government of the Philippines and the MILF.

In the last quarter of 2008, the number of internally displaced persons in the Philippines at 600,000 plus individuals, many in the Central Mindanao provinces like Maguindanao even surpassed the number of evacuees in countries like Sudan and Kenya based on the April 2009 Report of the Geneva-based INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT MONITORING CENTRE (IDMC).

Amina Anuka, one of the elderly women evacuees in Datu Gumbang in Piang Center told this reporter doesn’t know how old she is but thinks she’s probably 70 years old plus and that most of her years were spent running away from war.

Her greatest fear she said in her native dialect in Maguindanao, translated by another evacuee in Filipino, was that she would breathe her last in the evacuation center, not seeing the end to the conflict she experienced all her life.

While fear remains in her eyes, there is also that look in Anuka's eyes that conveys the reality that she has embraced everything as her fate, her life--her destiny.(end)

(end)

Praying for Tita Cory in these times....

2009-07-04T05:33:00.003+08:00

Just a short note before I go to my Saturday radio program on RMN-Manila-DZXL today, a thought that was bursting since last night.

A note about the country's Tita.

She's the only president whom everybody called Tita, Tita Cory to be exact, a term of endearment that symbolizes how the nation looks up to her, not just the country's leader in those very interesting and trying times in our history as a nation, but also as an extended member of the Filipino family's home, an aunt, a Tita, whom everyone can rely on for love and inspiration.

Former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino was the widow who emerged from her cocoon to lead a nation in gaining the grounds of democracy. But as the nation prays for her recovery, it is also acknowledged that she was more than a symbol of leader to us. She was part of our homes, our lives, proof of the Filipino's commitment to the preservation of the family as the basic unit of society.

I was still a high school campus journalist when Tita Cory was President.It was time of a battle between yellow and red or red and yellow. The Laban sign and the Victory sign.

It was also a time when Press Freedom in the country was slowly regaining its strength, functioning the key role of exposing the truth amidst many lies hidden through the years.

When I became a reporter professionally, she was two years away from the end of her term but I also had the opportunity of covering some of her official events as Chief Executive then. It was a thrill to cover the Tita for she would always have that demure smile, one that will definitely caught you off-guard, specially when that smile was directed to you. She was charming in person and she probably doesn't even know how powerful that charm was for there were even times, she would come across as shy--a shadow of the simple housewife that she was before she became the leader of a nation wanting CHANGE in those trying times.

CHANGE is a word we embraced then with Tita Cory as the symbol.

SOBRA NA TAMA NA---that was the clamor of an aching nation wanting so much to be healed from the political, economic, social and even cultural illness.

CHANGE is a word we long to claim these days.

It's interesting to note that in the midst of our common clamor for CHANGE, Tita Cory is in our hearts and in our minds again---a subconscious reminder that it is indeed time for the Filipino people to come out and do their part in effecting that change.

In her sickbed, Tita Cory is once again the one person who is leading us to take seriously the task of building a nation through meaningful reforms and genuine CHANGES.

Just like in '86, when the time comes, when no one is expecting, when the experts are saying, the Filipino people will not find it in them to rally again for truthful CHANGE--I trust that they will---WE WILL.

As we pray for the recovery of the Filipino people's TITA CORY---let us again reflect and ponder on what it really takes for a nation to CHANGE its course in history. (end)

BYE PO TITO JULIUS FORTUNA...

2009-06-23T10:37:00.007+08:00

Sometime last year, Ding Gagelonia invited me to a get-together with former Vice President Teofisto Guingona in his Quezon City residence days before the launching of his book.

A handful of members of the media were present at that simple get together, among them, veteran journalist Julius Fortuna, whom I address in person as Tito Julius.

In the book of Guingona, a chapter dealt on his time in jail at a military camp under Martial Law. Tito Julius was his prison/block mate according to the former Vice President. It was a delight and an honor at the same time to hear straight from two former political detainees that exceptional common experience they had during Martial Law.

I say exceptional because in those days, to be placed in incarceration because of your political and democratic pursuits and beliefs were indeed marks of great men and women. For a good four hours sometime last year, I was among those who listened with undivided attention and awe with the stories told by both Guingona and Fortuna.

This morning over the radio, a sad breaking news was aired. Tito Julius has passed away due to cardiac arrest at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City early this morning.

I called up Ding at once, knowing how close the two are---only to be placed in that uncomfortable position of the bearer of the sad news.

Ding, was apparently not tuned in to the AM radio when I made the call this morning. Quickly, I sensed and felt the sadness in his voice. I regret that I was the one who told him about it. I thought, it would be I who would be getting more information from Ding.

It was Ding and Richard Rivera who influenced Tito Julius to sail on to the world of new media, to be a journalist-blogger in this day and age of citizen and global blogging.

Tito Julius complied and opened his blog-site last January, but with no entry except the ones that were already published on line in the Manila Times where he wrote regular columns on various national and international issues. His column in the Manila Times is called, EAST WEST. The blog he created last January was also called EAST-WEST--ON LINE.

The reason why there's no real new entry in Tito Julius' Blog Site is best explained by the introduction he made in his blog spot.

Here's what he wrote: "It is my pleasure to join the new force in the field of information known as the blogging community. I must confess that I am not that familiar with computers and blogs, hence, I am glad to be inducted into this group, courtesy of my friends Ding Gagelonia and Richard Rivera. Like many of you, I am busy with other affairs. But I shall try to share with you some of my views on political and foreign affairs. We are faced with many issues like charter change and now, the pressure being exerted on the Supreme Court chief justice. But the biggest issue shall be the forthcoming presidential and local elections of 2010. This is all for the moment."

Tito Julius belongs to a generation of journalists who really know how it was to defend Democracy and Freedom of the Press.

Vēnī, vīdī, vīcī -- "I came, I saw, I conquered"---Julius Ceasar (47 BC)said in describing his recent victory over Pharnaces II of Pontus in the Battle of Zela in Zile, a town of Tokat city in contemporary Turkey, a laconic remark that represented the totality of his victory and military prowess.

It was no accident that Tito Julius was named after Julius Ceasar who was a Roman military and political leader who played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

Journalist from his era contributed much to the rebirth of Press Freedom and Democracy in this part of the world.

In honoring the death of a colleague, one who came, saw and conquered, let us commit to the preservation of our rights to Press Freedom.

Bye Tito Julius---we shall carry on. (end)

Joc-Joc's Careless Whisper...

2009-06-18T09:21:00.003+08:00

A careless whisper can ruin a love life, shatter trust, throw one into the lion's den of the what could be the biggest scandal of the decade.

But a careless whisper too can ruin a career and result into tha axing of one government official, without any announcement, without any explanation.

Just---go, bye---get the hell out of your office.

That could happen in one click, especially so, if the one who relayed the juicy information about that government official--I mean ex-government official--is someone by the name of Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante, also an ex-government official, but not necessarily, someone who is out of grace of the powers that be in the present administration.

No, the careless whisper was not about another fertilizer procurement---at least, not yet.

It was about a political opponent in the coming 2010 local elections in the province of Capiz.

Everyone in Capiz are now aware of Joc-Joc's big plan in next year's elections: Run for governor. Don't look now, but according to my sources in the province, there's a real big chance that with Joc-Joc's vast resources and influence, he might just win as the next chief executive of Capiz.

Joc-Joc is so confident of winning in next year's elections that his guns are not pointed directly towards his main opponent in the same position but in other aspiring candidates in other position, such as the 2nd District of Capiz whose incumbent representative in the Lower House, Congressman Fredinel Castro is a known ally of Joc-Joc, and also allied to the administration party.

Now--here's an interesting part, challenging the position of Castro, whose actually on his third and last term as congressman, but has already announced, he is fielding his wife, Jane Castro also known as "Baby Jane", is someone who is supposed to be an ally of the administration like Joc-Joc.

Running for congressman in the 2nd District of Capiz in next year's elections is former Assistant Secretary for Transportation and Communication and General Manager of the Metro Rail Transit Authority Roberto "Bobby" Lastimoso.

Yes--in case you did not notice, Lastimoso was axed from his position, replaced by DOTC Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroya, without the usual and the normal announcement of reorganization or revamp in cabinet posts.

Lastimoso was the last to know of his forced departure from his position, which in his own timetable, as promised to him, he would vacate and turn-over to Berroya in November of this year. But the turn-over came much earlier and without courtesy that is perhaps due to someone who positioned himself on the side of the Administration in critical times of its existence.

The truth is, there's nothing wrong or unusual with another administration ally challenging the position of another palace follower especially in the local political arena. Such was the case of the 2007 Elections, proving the volatility and fragile nature of the Administration's coalition party.

As far as local politics is concerned, the arena is usually declared as ZONA LIBRE.

But Lastimoso courted the ire of the powers that be, when he began to discreetly ally himself with the camp of senator Mar Roxas who is not exactly Malacañang's favorite senator these days. In local politics, there's no such thing as secret alliances, sooner or later, it will be exposed.

Lastimoso's foray into enemy territory, that is Mar Roxas' camp reached the powers behind the powers, through Joc-Joc first and according to my source, Joc-Joc took it upon himself to personally inform the person on top that needed to be informed, and that person, is not necessarily the president herself, but just as powerful, maybe even more.

And just like that, a decision was made. You have to go Bobby. End of the line.

The fate of Lastimoso proves only one thing, that under this administration, there can be no other loyalty, no other alliances, and no other dreams made possible, outside of their wings.

From a larger perspective, loyalty is indeed is a valued virtue.

From a larger perspective, yes, it's true, one cannot serve several masters.

Had somebody else whispered the information that exposed Lastimoso's rendezvous with Mar Roxas and company, the situation could perhaps be met with a lesser drastic decision. It would not have been that swift. Perhaps, Lastimoso's political move in the local front could be justified considering the fact that Capiz after all, is an acknowledged Roxas country.

But---the messenger, the one that gave that careless whisper, was not just somebody else:It was Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante.

Can they say No to Joc-Joc?

That I doubt very much. (end)

HIGIT PA SA KARUMALDUMAL....

2009-06-15T11:53:00.002+08:00

Huwag nating bitiwan ang kasong ito. Bantayan natin. Tunay na maimpluwensiya ang kalaban. At kung ang abogado ng pamilya ng inaakusahan sa karumdaldumal na krimeng ito ang pakikinggan natin, madaling makita kung anong klaseng utak mayroon ang kanyang mga kinakatawan.

Ang tinutukoy ko ay ang pagpatay kay Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez. Kung mas may masahol pa sa salitang karumaldumal, yun ang katapat nito.

Sa isang panayam ni Arnold Clavio, sinabi ng abogado ni Manuel Jimenez, biyenan ni Ruby Rose, na kung ang kliyente daw niya ang nasa likod ng pagpatay sa manugang nito, maano man lang daw ba na itapon na lang sa dagat ang bangkay o kaya ang drum na kinalalagyan nito dahil marami naman daw barko ang kanyang kliyente.

Nakapaninindig balahibo. Ni wala kang maramdamang awa o simpatiya man lang mula sa mismong abogado. Na para bang napaka-normal ang magtapon ng bangkay sa karagatan.

Pero sabi nga, saan ba nahuhuli ang isda?

Maanong itapon na lang daw sana sa dagat kung ang kliyente niya ang talagang nag-utos...

Yun pala---may mga ganitong kaso mismo--eksakto----di na natagpuan---dahil itinapon nga sa dagat.

Nilubos-lubos na ni Manuel Montero ang kanyang paglalahad ng katotohanan at nalalaman laban sa mga Jimenez, may-ari ng Buena Suerte Jimenez-Fishing sa Navotas Fish Port.

Ang kunsiyensiya kapag umusig, iba. Ganito ang nangyari kay Montero. Natagalan man ang kanyang paglalahad, hindi pa naman ganap na huli ang lahat para mapanagot ang mga dapat managot sa krimeng ito...na hindi lamang pala isa.

May iba pa palang biktima. Tulad ni Ruby Rose, pinatay at isinilid din sa drum. Ang iba, itinapon ang drum na pinagtaguan sa kanilang bangkay sa dagat. Isa sa mga ipinapatay umano ng mga Jimenez sa kanya ayon kay Montero ay si Alberto Orsolino noong 2006, halos kasunod lamang o nauna sa panahong iniulat na nawawala si Ruby Rose.

Hindi matatawaran ang kredibilidad ni Montero bilang witness sa kasong ito. Oo, siya ang umaming pumatay kay Ruby Rose at sa iba pa. Pero kung gawa-gawa lamang ito---hindi niya maituturo kung nasaan ang drum, nasaan ang bangkay, at ni hindi maisasalarwan ang posisyon ng bangkay sa loob ng drum.

Walang motibo si Montero para patayin ng kusa lamang si Ruby Rose o ang iba pang biktima. Ang motibo lang dito--pera, binayaran siya. Trabaho, walang personalan, may mga assassin talaga, may mga sikmurang kayang gawin ito. Nagawa na nga.

Pero may umusig. May puso ang bawat tao. May takot ang bawat tao. May kunsiyensiya. Yun ang umiral.

Humahanga ako sa pamilya Barrameda, lalo na sa aktres na si Rochelle. Alam niyang higante ang kalaban nila. Pero di siya nawawalan ng puso. Sa tingin ko ay lalo pa siyang tumapang at mas naging determinado ngayon na makapamit ang hustisya para sa kanyang kapatid.

At kung susundan ang kuwento rito---ang mga taong kayang magpapatay, hindi lang dahil sa may pera sila, kundi dahil sa may kuneksiyon sila.

Sa kuwento---maraming ilegal na negosyong dapat na ipaliwanag ang mga Jimenez ng Navotas.

Paihi ng langis---oil smuggling sa madaling salita. Dati nang bulong-bulungan ito na ang ilang barkong pangisda kuno ay front lamang ng illegal oil smuggling sa bansa. Ito ang magandang pagkakataon para sa mga otoridad para patunayan nang walang pasubali ang ilegal na aktibidad na ito at papanagutin ang mga tinatawag na economic saboteurs ng bansa.

Naisip ko lang, magulat kaya tayo kung sa psgsasaliksik sa kuwentong ito, may matisod na impormasyon na ang linya ng proteksiyon sa ilegal na gawaing ito ay papataas na naman? Di ba, minsan na nating narinig na pati sa ganitong gawain, abot ng impluwensiya ng isang makapangyarihang tao sa gobyerno?

Pero wag na muna nating dagdagan ng detalye o patabain ito ng sanga-sangang akusasyon bagaman malinaw na puwedeng may kinalaman ito sa motibo. Pinatahimik na mga bikttima dahil sa kanilang nalalaman.

Doon muna sa krimen mismo. Sa ginawang pagpaslang kay Ruby Rose at iba pa.

Huwag natin itong bitiwan. Pahiram ng linya ni Mike Enriquez---huwag natin itong tantanan!

Bibihira ang pagkakataong kumanta nang ganito kalakas ang isang napakahalagang saksi laban sa isang krimen.

Samantalahin natin ang pagusbong ng takot at pagiral ng kunsiyensiya ni Montero.

Abot-kamay ang hustisya, huwag tayong kakalas. Kailangan ng mga Barrameda ang tulong natin---lalo na tayong nasa hanay ng Pamamahayag. (wakas)

A GROUP CALLED "BROTHERHOOD"

2009-06-08T07:56:00.004+08:00

While we are not looking, this alleged coup plotter finally launched one, a coup but of a "different kind".

Discharged officer Lt. Colonel Oscarlito Mapalo of the Philippine Army accused just last year of plotting to commit a coup d’ etat against the Arroyo Administration has finally gathered enough supporters, numbering to close to a thousand, a potent force on its own enough to give life to the ideals he adheres to as a “rebel” military officer.

Through a new group called the United Brotherhood of Uniformed Personnel Incorporated, Mapalo, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979 was able to finally launch what he considers the biggest crusade of his life as a soldier.

“It’s a coup alright, but of another kind,” explains Mapalo who along with Colonels Ernie Amboy, Cesar dela Peña and police Supt. Rafael Cardeno and lawyer Atty. Homobono Adaza were accused just last year of being the brains behind the plot to topple the government, an accusation where they were eventually arrested and charged in court.

Months has passed since they were released in jail, bail paid, Mapalo and the rest, discharged from the service.

Interestingly, except for Cardeño who is still detained at Camp Crame because another charge, that of allegedly masterminding the killing of Lt. Baron Cervantes, former spokesperson of the Young Officers Union (YOU), Mapalo and the others charged are involved in the organization of this new group called UBUPI simply called BROTHERHOOD.

The group is registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-profit, non-stock, non-government organization--but least he gains the ire of the government again, Mapalo stressed that this is not an anti-government group.

This newly created group has its First Organizational Meeting last May 30 at the Ricarte Hall of the Philippine Army Officers Clubhouse in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig with more than 800 members in attendance mostly retired members of the AFP, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and other units and agencies attached to the AFP and the PNP to include the Reservists.

A handful of active members of the AFP are also among those in attendance.

Mapalo explained that BROTHERHOOD was organized not to commit any form of rebellion or acts against the government or any institution. He stressed that BROTHERHOOD has one simple and very basic objective: TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN. “The fact that we held our First Organizational Meeting inside the premises of the Philippine Army Headquarters is a proof that this group is not out to threaten anyone in power,” Mapalo said.

Taking care of their own according to Mapalo is translated to initiating and coordinating projects and programs that would enhance, preserve and uplift the welfare, dignity and self-respect of the members. One key project is related to economic and livelihood opportunities focusing on the collective strength and non on the individual member.

Aside from livelihood projects, BROTHERHOOD also promises to give job opportunities, scholarship for qualified beneficiaries, legal, social, moral and spiritual support and hospitalization and medical assistance to their members.

“Pera, hindi giyera, ito ang goal ni Colonel Mapalo. Ang nangyayari kasi, lalo na kapag wala na sa serbisyo, wala nang umaasikaso sa mga sundalo, dating pulis, dating jailguards. Yun bang ang pakiramdam, parang wala silang ipinasilbi at ipinaglingkod sa bayan,” explains another officer, an active member of the Philippine Army who refused to be named but part of the steering committee of BROTHERHOOD because as an active member of the AFP, he should not be part of another group such as this one. He wears a ring like Mapalo, also a graduate of the PMA.

The active officer explained to this reporter that not all retired officers in the armed service would be as lucky as the likes of former Chief of Staff Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon who succeeded in transforming himself into another arena of public service as senator of the Republic. “Hindi lahat puwedeng maging Pong Biazon. Iisa lang ang Biazon sa amin. Destiny yun, but the rest, sad to say, after the service in the military, were left on their own, without a strong organization to back them up. This is where we are coming in.”

But while the group BROTHERHOOD positions itself as a group that is non against the government, the brains of this group remains critical of the present administration.

Adaza for one, who was among those who spoke during the First Organizational Meeting believes the Administration of President Arroyo will do anything to stay in power---even to the extent of declaring Martial Law. Adaza who remains the legal counsel of Cardeño and several other officers facing court martial says “Gloria will try to declare Martial Law but she will fail because she doesn’t have the support of majority of the armed forces and the police and that include the ranks of those retired and out of service.”

Does this view represent the collective stance of the new group BROTHERHOOD?

“Let’s just say I am expressing an intelligent assessment of someone who had seen leaders from Marcos to Arroyo. What I expressed are my personal beliefs but you know, I never lack followers,” Adaza adds in jest.

Now this is the other thing I found out about this group. That most of its members are based in Taguig City and that one retired but still powerful ex-general is really the "godfather" of this group. I got the information from one of the members of this newly formed group, who holds an official ID of BROTHERHOOD.

I wonder if the ex-general's reported plan to run as mayor of Taguig has something to do with the creation of this group?

Whether the creation of this group has something to do with his political plans in Taguig, it's also very clear here that he has associated himself with personalities that are--or at least---were once very openly critical about the present government.

Does his president knew about this? Is he trying to consolidate a force of his own?

Let me stretch more your imagination...

This retired general but still very powerful public official was among the key personalities that clinched the ouster of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

With warnings of an impending Martial Rule and No-Election come 2010, one wonders what this general is really up to?

I asked that question because this general is never comfortable with the word loyalty.

The other question is which side is he really supporting this time?

If and when the Filipino people will once again manifest their power as one---say at EDSA again---which side will he go to?(end)

Ping's decision

2009-06-06T11:13:00.003+08:00

He himself called it a reality check.

Without the billions of pesos to fund his campaign and with a relatively low rating as compared to other presidential aspirants, he reached a decision and announced it straightforward: Count him out, he is no longer in the running for the 2010 Presidential Race, senator Panfilo Lacson announced to the nation last night, a bombshell of an announcement carried as banner headlines in most of the major newspapers today.

It's inevitable that Lacson's decision is linked to the arrival of his former aide in the defunct Presidential Anti-Organize Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) Sr. Superintendent Cezar Mancao II who is expected to formally and officially linked the senator in the twin murder case of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.

The timing of the announcement is open for suspicion of what really prompted the announcement since Lacson bared his decision a day after Mancao's arrival in the country.

But while there may be valid reasons to link the two, Lacson's backing out of the presidential race and Mancao's testimony linking him to one of the most celebrated and controversial cases of murder, there can be no doubt about the genuine acknowledgment of his standing and chances in the 2010 polls.

For a man to admit that he can't sustain a presidential campaign and for him to acknowledge his standing in the public pulse as reflected in various results of political surveys, that definitely requires courage and humility.

A window has opened because of Lacson's decision to quit aiming for the presidency.

In backing out of the presidential race, Lacson gave the stimulus for the Opposition to really unite and decide as one and among them, field the most competent and winnable presidential candidate to go head-on with whoever it is that would be fielded by the administration.

The challenge for all other aspirants especially on the side of the opposition is to muster enough courage and strength to do a similar reality check.

Who among the opposition camp would follow what Lacson did?

If the opposition want to beat the administration candidate next year who is expected to enjoy the obvious edge in machinery, resources and yes even in the dirty tricks game---they should view Lacson's decision as a chance to really unite their ranks and do a deep and honest to goodness assessment right now, ASAP.

The most influential personality in the opposition stable is expected to initiate moves along that line---unite, strengthen and fight.

Is that personality the former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada? If he's the one---then he should make the ultimate sacrifice too and declare he is also throwing his intention to become president again.

But if Estrada does that, who is the next most likely to succeed in acceding to power in Malacañang?

There's also the factor of weighing who is the most likely to win among them. In determining who--popularity and charisma ought to be considered as well and there's no denying that Estrada still has a lot of supporters and loyalists among the electorate. There's still the legal question on whether he is still eligible to run for president the second time around but minus that consideration, hypothetically speaking, Estrada could still pull a surprise and win again and be sworn in as president again.

Regardless of who they decide to field as candidate, the challenge to the political opposition now is for them to really solidify and unify their ranks and come up with a flawless maneuver to victory come 2010.

Let Lacson's decision be the stimulus.

On their own, aspiring candidates must do their own self-assessment and soul searching as well.

Nararapat ba sila? Mananalo ba sila? Kaya ba nila? O magpapagulo lang sila?

In her speech before the members of the LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD merged parties at the Manila Hotel, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said, "LET US WIN NOT BECAUSE WE ARE POWERFUL. LET US WIN BECAUSE WE ARE UNITED."

If she can say that and own that statement, why can't the opposition do the same? Say it, declare it, own it, mean it and implement it.

In achieving unity, sacrifices have to me made.

The window is open. A fresh air has breath in.

Who will capture the moment and follow in Lacson's footsteps for the sake of unity?(end)

AND NOW A WORD FROM BONO

2009-06-05T08:00:00.005+08:00

And now a word from someone who had been there...done that...

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will do everything to accomplish what Ferdinand Marcos did as president: declare Martial Law and stay in power.

This is how feisty and controversial lawyer Atty. Homobono Adaza views the agenda from Malacañang."It's very clear, Gloria wants to stay in power for as long as she lives but I tell you what? She will fail miserably because she's no Marcos. Marcos is brilliant. She's simply greedy and doesn't even have a clear vision for the country."

One of those jailed during Martial Law, Adaza said, Marcos did everything within the law because he knew the law. Marcos was ahead of his game plan according to Adaza because he said, "when there was no law to justify his acts and decisions, Marcos created the laws to legitimize everything."

President Arroyo in comparison according to Adaza, "operates outside the law".

But while Adaza is saying that he sees a failure in the administration's attempt to stay in power, there are clear indicators that the president and her allies will declare Martial Law. Adaza pointed to three indicators which he said directly comes from the president:

1. She does not care about any opposition.
2. She believes the people will not stand up and revolt.
3. She has very low regard for the political opposition in general and knew the fact that she can divide them and even "buy" the loyalty of some.

But while Adaza sees a possibility that the president may actually passed the stage of declaring Martial Law, he expressed confidence that "it will not last."

The reason: the president doesn't have full control of the military.

"Gloria is probably the least popular among the presidents especially among the ranks of the military. But she succeeded in staying in power by corrupting a few not so good men in the military, men blinded not by loyalty to her but loyalty to what she has to offer them in exchange for their cooperation," Adaza said.

If Adaza comes across as someone who seemed to knew the pulse of the military like the palm of his hand, that is because he does. His colorful career as lawyer is marked with many years representing military officers involved in coup attempts starting from 1987 up to present. As a journalist, this is how I came to know him---Bono!

Not only did Adaza represent rebel military officers, past and present.

In fact he was even accused of plotting a coup himself together with a group of retired officers from the Philippine Army, Marines and the Philippine National Police.

Just last year, Adaza along with retired Colonels Oscarlito Mapalo,Ernie Amboy, Cesar dela Peña and police superintendent Rafael Cardeño were arrested and charged with "plot to commit coup d' etat." All names charged with Adaza were associated with attempts to topple the government, from Aquino to Arroyo. The case against them, not yet resolved in court.

Is there a coup in the air? Of course who would announce it? None! But for a seasoned "coup-associated-personality" like Adaza, he sees no movement this time, even when he says there exists very valid reasons for the military to make a stand and defend the Filipino people, as mandated by the Constitution, he insists.

"There's no movement. Take my word. You know why? Because right now, there's no determined force within the active service to lead any armed uprising or take-over through a Constitutional Coup. There's no leader."

If and when a revolution starts, Adaza said, it will have to start not from the military but from the civilian sector.

"The challenge is for a civilian leader to emerge amongst the Filipino people. Someone who has a vision and with unquestionable integrity. We want change? Let's find that man or woman. Let's find the courage from among our people," Adaza stressed.

COURAGE--a very strong word.

CHANGE--that's an even bigger word.

But dwarfing these words is the word PEOPLE.

Let us qualify the word and make it more powerful: THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.

The Filipino people want change and with courage, the Filipino can! (end)

THE ONLY EXPECTATION ...

2009-06-04T07:08:00.006+08:00

Now that former police Sr. Superintendent Cezar Mancao is back in the Philippines, currently under tight security inside the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), there is only one expectation from him: To tell nothing but---the truth.

Coming home would be naught if he would just be a tool against any political persecution. What he will say and what he will be representing in the coming days would determine how history will view his role in the resolution of one of the most celebrated and controversial cases of unresolved murders--that of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.

Even before his arrival, a copy of his affidavit was already printed in the Philippine Daily Inquirer in full and in that affidavit, the names of former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada and senator Panfilo Lacson are among those mentioned as the key figures that allegedly played parts in the twin-murder case.

Another name is prominently mentioned, former police Sr. Superintendent Michael Ray "Ninoy" Aquino who is linked both to Lacson and Estrada.

But unless the affidavit is sworn by Mancao himself in court---the one that got printed in the largest and most read newspaper in the country---is not yer considered official. Reacting to that scoop of the PDI then, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales refused to say with certainty that it's indeed the exact copy of Mancao's affidavit. However, Gonzales said, "majority of the content printed in the paper was true."

Will Mancao pull a surprise and declare something else different from what was already printed in the media as early as the March of this year?

There are talks that he would but that remains nothing but a speculation unless we hear it straight from Mancao himself. That's why we all want to hear him say his piece now and declare nothing but the truth.

On his arrival statement, still visibly worried but somehow relieved indicative of that tentative smile on his face caught on camera, Mancao said, "It's about time that I speak up."

Yes Cezar, it's about time and in saying it's about time, the only consideration you must weigh the most is the truth that not only the families of Dacer and Corbito deserves but the whole nation as well.

Every story needs a closure. This one needs it with clarity and finality.(end)

Mancao and Ninoy...

2009-06-03T22:14:00.003+08:00

The scheduled arrival of former police Sr. Superintendent Cezar Mancao reminded me of Ninoy. No, I do not mean Ninoy, or former Police Sr. Superintendent Michael Ray Aquino who is also known as Ninoy Aquino since his cadet days in the Philippine Military Academy.

I am referring to the other "Ninoy", Kris and Noynoy's father, Tita Cory's husband, the late senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. I do not mean to compare the police colonel to the former senator in terms of acts of heroism.

I only mean to point out to what appears to be a striking similarity in the way people in government is handling the security aspect of Mancao's arrival.

The former senator wore a bullet proof vest when he came home in August of 1983. He knew something really bad may happen and that it could cause him his life and something did happen.

We all know what happened at Tarmac of the then Manila International Airport, a date that shall forever be remembered as a day when the nation found a rallying point, s source of strength to really confront the powers that be and in the process pursued actions that eventually led to the toppling of the Marcos regime.

With a bullet proof vest brought by his wife, Mancao is now bound back to the Philippines, en route on air via a commercial flight from the United States and guarded by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), his images flashed on television the entire day projects someone who is worried, uncertain and yes--frightened of what may happen to him once he sets foot out of that airplane at the Ninoy Aquino International Air Port.

It should be noted that in interviews with reporters and radio anchors, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales was quick to point out that "there's no threat to Mancao's life...none that they knew of" , he said.

But on his own insistence and part of the condition of his coming home to testify on the Dacer-Corvito double murder case, Mancao will be wearing a bullet proof vest, a clear indication that he is afraid of something---or maybe--even anticipating something.

There are members of the media who are with Mancao in his flight back to the Philippines---the same is true in the case of Ninoy back in 1983. The media escort was also part of Mancao's conditions according to the DOJ. Perhaps on hindsight, Mancao knew that media is a potent ally on his side to record and tell the truth of what transpired or what he clearly feels may happen to him on his journey back home to the Philippines.

Just like in Ninoy's homecoming in 1983---government also announced in the case of Mancao's homecoming that there will be no press conference, no press briefing or press statement of any kind that will be done at the airport on Mancao'a arrival. Only those that have something to do with securing Mancao would be allowed to get near him.

Just like in 83 when Ninoy Aquino came home, it was very clear who had the control to protect his precious life and it was even clearer who had the capability to end that life when we all saw the lifeless body of the former senator at the airport's Tarmac.

As a former police officer, not just an ordinary police officer for that matter, with a controversial and celebrated career, Mancao have been exposed enough to be able to gauge and evaluate scenarios of his homecoming. In other words, he knew the rules of the game.

His fears are not superficial but in fact founded on solid grounds.

It may be a wild idea to point out to specific similarities in the way Ninoy came home then and the way Mancao is coming home now back to the country of his birth--happening just hours away in fact.

But with the country in the midst of a possible political and social chaos brought about by the shameless maneuver of majority members of the House of Representatives via House Resolution 1109, one that opened the gates of possibilities of changing the 1987 Constitution, can you blame me for wandering into the realm of scenarios and possibilities?

It's not hard to connect possibilities and timings--especially so when all that seems to be lacking in this grand plot to stay in power is one that would be so damning and so scary that would push government, based on the grand script, to declare Martial Law and impose authoritarian rule.

I hope that I am wrong. I pray that I am wrong. (end)

LIKE THIEVES IN THE NIGHT...

2009-06-03T09:31:00.006+08:00

They did it at a time when almost the rest of the archipelago was asleep. The maneuver was dragged towards midnight. Many valiant voices tried to crash it. But how can they when the other party simply has the numbers?

It's like watching the TV game show 1 VS 100.

It's the number's game and that's how they pulled the biggest robbery of our constitutional rights as citizens of this country. Using their massive numbers,without shame and with total disregard to the very reason why they occupy their respective seats in Congress, they eventually did what many dreaded they would do to protect their selfish interests.

At exactly 11:20 in the evening last night members of the majority block at the House of Representatives passed House Resolution #1109 empowering themselves to convene into a Constituent Assembly (CON-ASS).

But unlike thieves in the night, they did not pull the act totally under the cover of darkness which made the act more sinister than an ordinary act of robbery.

The motives are not even hidden. The possibilities are open under a congress acting into a constituent assembly and that includes a possible move for term extension for the present Administration.

Representative Teddy Casiño said that under HR 1109, the entire 1987 Constitution is open to amendments putting into center stage the Malacañang agenda. "This will allow the politicians to keep themselves in power," Casiño stressed.

"It's just a resolution," this is how some lawmakers' justification of why they approved HR 1109 clearly downplaying the impact of their decision. But if it was but a mere resolution why did they act in absolute rush?

ANO ANG HINAHABOL NILA? BAKIT SILA NAGMAMADALI? MAY KARERA BA? MAY DEADLINE BA?

On the floor, Congressman Teofisto Guingona III asked, "Have we no shame? Let us stop this farce immediately." That fell on deft ears.

211 lawmakers were present---a rare record in the Lower House, an indicator as early as 4 in the afternoon yesterday that something really big will happen. HR 1109 was not even part of the priority agenda. At the gallery of Batasang Pambansa, various groups representing farmers and the agricultural sector were in attendance anticipating something else: the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law.

They thought it was their night. But as House speaker Prospero Nograles made his move on the floor, approaching his allies one by one, it was evident that the show of numbers was for something else---not for the sector whose rights they should be protecting through legislation, but for their own interpretation of what is good for this country.

Defender of the Constitution Catholic priest Joaquin Bernas see in no other way. The act he said is a threat to democracy. "Nakakagalit. Pinaglalaruan nila ang Saligang Batas. Pinaglalaruan nila ang taongbayan."

But now that the controlled mob in Congress did their part on this grand plot to perpetuate themselves in power, the question here is what is the next move?

Who will really emerge as the true defender of democracy in this critical period directly threatening the Constitution and Democracy?

It is ironic that this blatant move to "gang-rape" the constitution comes just days before the country commemorates again the birth of our Independence as a nation.

This time, the very forces that threaten our democracy are not even outsiders, but our own, fellow Filipinos, sons and daughters of the victory of the Revolution of 1898.

One wonders how and why a nation can collectively express anger in a porn video directed and produced by one Hayden Kho and not stand up in anger and rage against a shameless display of tyranny and deception.

One wonders if there's really a scarcity of Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, Del Pilar, Silang amongst us.

Then as I ponder on these thoughts, a congressman offered an insight, saying that last night's act of majority members of Congress triggers the restlessness of the country's "social volcano".

Eruption imminent.(end)

FLIRTING WITH ENEMIES OF THE STATE

2009-05-28T14:36:00.006+08:00

Tell me it's just me. Tell me I am just paranoid. Tell me I am just imagining things.

But hey--did you guys catch that portion in the Speech of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Manila Hotel in today's official merger of LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD?

Of course the big story there is the official marriage of not two but three major political parties to ensure their victory in the 2010 elections. Yes, the other big story is that the president herself assures that elections will push through and that the No-Election scenarios are nothing but speculations. "Let this merger me a tangible proof of our readiness to help ensure that the elections will push through," this is what PGMA said.

You can also add that part that based on her assessment, siting performance and qualification, the next president of the Republic would definitely come from the newly merged political party of three. "Let us win not because we are powerful. Let us win because we are united," the president told her party-mates at the Manila Hotel who once again placed her on top of this political merger.

Allow me to direct your attention to something else the president said, in passing, a paragraph within her speech, her delivery of that portion was nothing extraordinary that it seemed as if it is just an ordinary thing to do.

The portion of PGMA's speech which I want to highlight, a story within a story I think, something I believe would be big and will cause real uproar in the coming days, is that portion where she is encouraging the alliance of local governments with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) then connecting the encouraged formation of alliance as a message against local government officials "flirting with enemies of the state" in the 2010 elections.

"Let us not allow it," the president stressed.

This portion of the president's speech gives credence to an information this journalist received that the AFP, the military will definitely flex their muscles and make their presence felt directly by local government units through various acts of "cooperation" which is synonymous to the "alliance" guidance mentioned by the president in her capacity as party-head and chairperson of the newly united three political parties of LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD.

When was the last time this kind of "alliance" and "cooperation" was experienced and felt in both urban and rural areas of this country? I believe this was observed during the time or during an era known in recent history as Martial Law.

I do not want to add fuel to grim scenarios of NO-EL but I would be remiss in my duty as a journalist if I will not share an information relayed to me by a very reliable source which may connect this seemingly innocent act of alliance between AFP and LGUs.

My source told me that come August of September, this personality heading one very important agency of government would be asked to retire early and ahead of the end of his term. That personality would be replaced by someone "closer", a real "ally" and someone who will "comply" and "implement" in the name of "victory in unity."

Someone went ahead of him. That person and this other one, I was told were both asked the same question by one very powerful person in government, not the president, but just the same, in a position of power and influence. And what was the question asked?

According to my source the question asked was: "Are you willing to implement Martial Law?"

It was easy to say "YES" to that question given the fact that they owe their position of power, their appointment to the administration. But my source told me, the two personalities responded with a resounding "NO."

Thus, the other personality is no longer in his former post, but rewarded an equally juicy post somewhere else, offshore.

The other one, while still in position, is ready to go, amenable to his fate, because he took a position and declared that the Filipino people will no longer allow any similar act of military rule.

This is one of the reasons, why many--especially us in media, are awaiting the political developments come August and September.

With this seemingly innocent statement of alliance between the AFP and LGUs, instead of feeling assured that the NO-EL scenario is nothing but a mere speculation, a grim and baseless scenario as what the president said, the opposite effect was achieved as far as I am concerned. As a journalist I am more inclined to be on that cautious position of vigilance.

There are signs.

Tracks are not fully covered and concealed.

All we have to do is keep our eyes open and do our respective parts guaranteed by the constitution in ensuring that our democracy remains protected---especially in the coming months. (end)

APPARENTLY DR. VICKY WAS NOT SPARED...

2009-05-23T11:04:00.004+08:00

To those of you who missed the episode of SNN (SHOWBIZ NEWS NGAYON) last night, the new lawyer of Dr. Vicky Belo, Atty. Adel Tamano confirmed the suspicion of many that yes--the controversial doctor to the stars and the rich and famous was also part of the now infamous Hayden Kho sex video diary.

The man she love and trusted, probably her greatest and most passionate love, has apparently not spared her from shame. Any woman would feel the emotional pain of Belo. How deep is the pain this controversy has caused her, we could only imagine.

However, there is a big difference in her case. A big "BUT!" so to speak.

While the other women were unsuspecting, totally unaware that everything intimate and personal that they did with Kho was recorded on a digital camera, in the case of the very famous doctor, there was consent. She knew!

Tamano said that his client knew that the her intimate encounter with Hayden was recorded. "Two consenting adults, with the agreement that it would be erased after the fact, a request from Hayden," according to Tamano, quoting his client, Dr. Belo.

SNN airs late in the evening and that direct confirmation from Belo's lawyer was the latest in this saga of love, lust and betrayal.

Earlier yesterday, I managed to get a similar confirmation from an independent source that in fact Belo's part of the Hayden sex-video file that included actress Katrina Halili and several others.

To date only Halili has come out in the open to file a formal complaint against Kho.

The truth is, if you also caught the daily segment of veteran showbiz reporter and talent manager Lolit Solis in Arnold Clavio and Lala Roque's radio program over DZBB also yesterday morning, you would have probably heard that the very feisty and straightforward Manay Lolit of Philippine Showbiz hinted that Belo was also part of the video file.

This is not actually a shocking confirmation considering that many suspected this all along.

Now---the other question here is, in fact, the very urgent question that needed real answer is the question on who leaked the video file and had it distributed igniting the hate and shame associated with that video-file, still the fastest selling DVD in Quiapo and other sidewalk vendors.

Who has the motive?

The truth is---even the rich and famous---those living in posh and exclusive subdivisions have already seen the video too. The controversy has fueled the interest of all sectors in society that in a way it has become a social equalizer. A very ugly statement of how society, this society in particular views and weighs the value of what is good and bad, of what is correct and what is wrong. --That is another point of course and a whole lot bigger issue that the macro-attention generated by this controversy.

Agencies in government like the Optical Media Board has flexed their muscles to really stop the proliferation of this Kho-sex video but can they really stop it? Can they really apprehend those responsible for this illegal act in the first place? Let us not forget that before Katrina et al, there were others who suffered the same fate, nameless, nobodies...but victims all just the same.

My source, that independent source I mentioned earlier, has in fact shared more information that could provide leads to how the video leaked and distributed in the first place. Like the rest of us---he is an outsider in the Belo-Kho affair--but whose name is mentioned in the controversy because of circumstantial ties with the other players in this very private turned very public saga of real human relationship involving real emotions of real people.

I am tempted to mention his name in this blog entry but that would be pre-empting the article on this one, probably, coming out tomorrow, not really up to me, but up to the editors. But with the Belo-Kho story still the hottest item in the news these days, chances are, it will see print considering the identity of that source who agreed to talk on this very controversial topic.

But let me give a clue, a hint.

That source was approached by Belo to convince the person suspected to possess a copy of the video, not to do upload or distribute it. The "plot" tickens...

As to the matter on whether the authorities can really prevent the spread of the scandalous Kho-sex diary file, that I strongly doubt.

Just about half an hour ago, I was on the phone with a government official. I was following up a separate story, almost at the tail-end of my phone interview with that public official, he said, "have you seen the tape with Vicky in it?" I said "No".

"Well, I have one," he said, "someone gave it to me". The insinuation of the other person on the line is that, the Belo-tape is separate and totally independent of the Kho-sex-diary.

Who gave it to him and who gave the copy to that person who gave it him, we need not anymore inquire. The point is clear---it's there. Out. Mass produced. How many copies? No one knew for sure. But it's there, passed from one person to another, regardless of social status in life.

Now, how can anyone say with certainty that the illegal distribution of this Kho-sex video would stop or would be dealt with accordingly, legally, and with swift disposition, when in reality, it's out there--long before the bruhaha over the video exploded in public.

The continued distribution via email or any other means of this Kho-sex diary is now a matter that is for the individual to decide, depending on a person's sense and sensibilities---values for that matter.

To be able to comment on the issue, one has to see the controversial tape. That is in fact, a sad reality attached to this job. Validation is a must. Proof is essential.

One need not stay glued on the scandalous material for a whole 40-minutes to see that someone played with the lives and reputation of many women who fell for him, love and trust, the whole package!

That's why when he came out in the media to say "SORRY" and insist there was "NO MALICE" in what he did, many reacted with deeper hate to the one person who thought he could get away with it.

A claim of no malice from the man who was seen on video arranging and zooming in the angle of the digital camera---just to make sure he captured everything the way he wanted to, the way he planned it.

How the authorities will put a conclusion on this controversy will be the one true determining factor as to whether acts of this kind would be stopped altogether.

That's why it's really very admirable for someone like Katrina Halili to own up and act with determination to pursue legal options to defend her right and honor, as a woman, as a person, as a human being.

We may judge her for other things, oh sure, we may, the field is open. But let it not be said, that she did not stand up for her right. (end)

LABAN KATRINA, LABAN!

2009-05-21T10:06:00.004+08:00

Hindi si Katrina Halili ang unang artista o celebrity na nadawit sa isang sex-video scandal. Marami ang nauna sa kanya. Kailan lang. Ilang taon na ang nakalipas. Dekada pa nga ang ilan. Hindi na ito bago. Huwag na nating pangalanan pang muli ang mga babaeng ito. Igalang na lamang natin ang punto na nalampasan nila ang unos na iyon sa kanilang buhay sa paraang kaya nilang harapin.

Sa karamihan sa kanila---ito ang pananahimik, ang ipagpatuloy ang buhay, at ibangon ang dignidad, unti-unti, dahan-dahan. Wala namang sugat na hindi naghihilom, hindi ba?

Pero may bago dito!

Ang desisyon ni Katrina Halili na tumayo para sa kanyang karapatan bilang babae, ang desisyon niya na hindi lang basta umiyak, magmukmok sa sulok, magtago sa mapanuring mata ng mundo, ang desisyon niyang harapin ang isyu, ang desisyon niyang lumaban. Yun, yun ang bago dito!

Sa aking libro, ang pagharap ni Katrina sa kanyang problema sa gitna ng tunay na gahiganteng kahihiyan ang siyang isa sa nagpapakinang ng usaping ito. Kung tutuusin, ang madla ay madaling humusga sa isang tulad ni Katrina ngunit hindi sa pagkakataong ito dahil malinaw ang pinagmumulan ng kanyang paninindigan.

Isang karapatan ang nalabag. Nabastos. Nabalahura. Nasalaula. Nayurakan. Nababoy!

Iba rin ito dahil sa tayo ay nasa gitna na ng mundo ng cyber-space.Ito ang kapalit ng pag-unlad ng teknolohiya.

Pero teka---wag nating ilihis ang isyu. Madaling lumusot na kasalanan ng teknolohiya yan, ang internet kasi, ang YOU TUBE kasi! Ang dali, hindi ba?

Ang isyu ay ang paglabag na ginawa ng isang indibidwal sa kanyang kapwa na nagtiwala sa kanya. Di lang basta nagtiwala, nagmahal. Yung unang YOU TUBE video, nung pinunasan ni Katrina ang noo ni Hadeen Kho---wag na nating ikabit ang titulong Doktor, kahit di pa ito pormal na inaalis sa kanya---sa ganang akin ay batid niyang wala na siyang mundo pang gagalawan sa propesyong Medikal pagkatapos ng iskandalong ito---ang puntong iyon sa video ay nagpapakita ng pagmamahal sa panig ni Katrina, ng tiwala.

Alam nating higit na nakapanlulumo ang mga naglabasang video di lamang pala sa panig ni Katrina Halili, kundi sa panig ng iba pa. Oo, marami sila. Mahaba ang listahan.
Hindi ba --yun pa lamang ay nakagagalit na? Anong akala ni Haydeen sa sarili niya?

Sabi ng isang psychiatrist na nakapanayam ni Mike Enriquez kaninang umaga sa kanyang programa, ang akto ng pagvi-video ng sekswal na gawain, pagniniig, ay maaaring manipestasyon ng isang medikal na kundisyon na tinatawag na "Paraphilia".

Sabi sa MedicineNET.com, ang mga taong may ganitong kundisyon, o yung tinatawag na Paraphilias ay yung mga indibidwal na may hindi makontrol na sexual behavior o fantasy o mundo ng ilusyon na hindi niya mapanghawakan o malagpasan.

Ayon pa sa naturang website, ito raw ay mas madalas na makikita sa hanay ng mga kalalakihan kaysa sa mga kababaihan. 20:1 male to female ratio, yun ang sabi sa website.

Wag na nating gawing kumplikado pa ang deskripsiyon. Sakit ito. Sakit sa utak. Period.

Hindi lamang kababaihan ang nagpupuyos ang damdamin sa isyung ito. Maging mga hanay ng kalalakihan. Ang totoo, nakadidismaya nga na isang lalakeng senador ang unang nanindigan para kay Katrina. Naunahan ang mga kababaihang senador o kababaihang mambabatas sa mababang kapulungan. Naka-iskor dito si Senador Bong Revilla, kahit pa nga may nagsasabing ..."look who's talking.."

Oo na, umaamin naman ang senador, pilyo rin siya, pero di naman yun ang isyu. Nagkataon lang.Ibang kembot lang, sabi nga.Pero nagbukas siya ng pinto, ng isang pagkakataon para magdesisyon si Katrina Halili na gawin ang desisyong sinimulan niya agad: ang lumaban.

Malinaw na may legal na opsiyon ang labang ito ni Katrina. Nagsampa na siya ng reklamo sa National Bureau of Investigation. Ang reklamo ay pinag-aaralan na at sa unang pagtaya sa detalye at sirkumstansiya ng reklamo ni Katrina, ang kaso ay pumapasok sa Republic Act 9262 o Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004.

Kapag napatunayang may kasalanan si Hayden Kho---6 hanggang 12 taong pagkakabilanggo ang puwedeng maging hatol.

Dito masusubukan ang batas na ito. Dito mapapatunayan ang saysay ng labang ito ni Katrina Halili.

Pero maliban sa legal na laban, may isang nandudumilat na katotohanan na nasa ating harapan ngayon.

Isang katotohanang dapat na tugunan ng mga karampatang institusyon. Ito ay ang pagpapahalaga sa katatagan ng pamilya na siyang magiging armas ng mga kabataan sa kanilang pagharap sa mundo na punong-puno ng pagsubok, tukso at iba't ibang uri ng kalituhan, kalaswaan.

Hindi ito sermon. Sino naman ako para ma-nermon?

Ang gusto ko lang sabihin. Malinaw na may mas malaking bagay sa lipunan na dapat tayong tugunan. Ang usapin ng moralidad. Ang pagpili at paglaban sa kung ano ang tama at ang pagiwas at paglayo sa kung ano ang mali.

Suportahan natin ang laban ni Katrina Halili. Ngunit huwag tayong huminto doon. Ipinakita lamang ng insidenteng ito ang mas malalang sakit sa lipunan.

Panahon na para balikan natin ang katatagan ng pamilya.

Sa laban ni Katrina Halili, isabay natin ang pakikipaglaban sa mga bagay na tunay na mahalaga sa ating pagka-bansa, sa ating pagka-Filipino...sa ating pagkatao. (wakas)

WHAT MEDIA IS DEFENDING ...

2009-05-18T20:11:00.006+08:00

Representative Walden Bello sums up media's sentiment against the Right of Reply Bill pending in Congress. "This is a threat to the Freedom of the Press. It certainly has a chilling effect," Bello said, who is also a media practitioner himself as a writer/columnists for two on-line major news organizations.

Bello was among those who participated in a Round Table Discussion on the Right of Reply Bill initiated by the House Committee on Human Rights headed by Rep. Lorenzo R. Tañada.

The controversial bill is one of the priority measures of the House of Representatives, clearly suggesting that despite the strong opposition of various media organizations, the bill will ultimately be subject to a voting by the plenary and in the House of Congress, the bottom line in passing any piece of legislation, is not the essence, not even the principle and not even the justification, but always and always, the battle of the minority and the majority, a number's game. A matter of how many legislators say yes or no to a proposed piece of legislation.

I participated in the RTD held at the Ramon Mitra Building on the invitation of officers of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, to which I am a member and a one time, Committee Officer on Justice when the late Press Undersecretary Jose Capadocia consolidated the NUJP chapters nationwide and placed the organization in the forefront of defending press freedom in the country.

It's disturbing to even have to explain to lawmakers how and why media works and exists as it is. The role of media as the Fourth Estate need not be explained at all. How and why we select the stories and dispense with editorial and content prerogative every single day, is something that should not be defended at all.

Under a democratic country, this sacred right of media to freely exists is guaranteed by the Constitution. We have not changed the form of government, right? We are still in a Democracy, right? --- or are we just assuming we still are?

The long list of media killings and harassment points to the glaring truth that confronts us in our faces---that slowly, this sacred right, sacred duty as members of the Fourth Estate, is being taken away from us, that the time has come for media organizations in the Philippines to unite and fight for our common survival.

The sad reality is, the very institutions like the House of Congress, that should be with us in upholding our rights, are the very ones crippling and wanting so much to control it through proposed measures like the Right of Reply Bill citing a seemingly innocent reason and justification that the bill assures fair play and balance reportage.

Many of those in favor of the proposed bill were open in admitting that once in their careers as politicians, they were "victimized" by media by not airing their sides, attacking them, exposing them and not giving them "enough space" and "opportunity" to defend themselves.

Many cite "suffering" from what they refer to as baseless and unfair attack of local media, referring to reporters, announcers/commentators in the provinces. This could really be true, some local media in the provinces maybe taking advantage of his position to unfairly attack a public official without giving him the chance to answer. But if one will really investigate and unmask what goes on in the operation of some local media, those in the provinces, one would see the fact that the ones behind these so called "media-attack dogs" in the local media, are also created by POLITICIANS themselves!

Many local politicians, congressmen for that matter either own, operate or pay block-time slots to attack their political nemesis. Most of the "media" practitioners they are complaining are actually, those "created" "engaged" "commissioned" by the politicians themselves.

Let me stress the point from the example given by Representative Elpidio Bargaza of the 2nd District of Cavite, and who said during the RTD, that some of his barangay tanods/ kagawads suddenly showed up in his office, with a huge MEDIA/PRESS ID, from tanods to reporters, he stressed, insinuating that after the interview, something else follows. To those of us present in the RTD, this question he raised, "Do you not have a mechanism of disciplining your ranks?"

Oh we do! We have! And this works independently in every media organization. This yields results. Media is not perfect but we do watch our own backyard, for the bottom line will always be the very essence and purpose of our existence.

Bargaza claimed he too was "victimized", his side not taken even after one report of the PCIJ on him came out in NEWSBREAK some years back. He demanded a public apology and was told, that's not the policy of the media outfit.

He was advised by the editors to write his side of the story and he was assured, the letter will be printed in full. But did he take that option? No he did not.

Did he even write that letter to defend himself in what he claims to be a false story, a total lie, as he insisted? No he did not.

There was another point too. If he chose not to answer through the same media outfit, he could have called for a press conference. I am certain, he has, as member of his official staff, a Public Information Officer or a Public Relations Officer, who could arrange and initiate this, and in some cases, could in fact speak on his behalf.

Now, guess again, he nor his official staff did any of these options available at any given time, at their disposal even.

Now what right of reply, are they talking about?

The congressman from the 2nd district of Cavite explained that he "easily forgives" and in fact is supportive of media. But can he too forget, easily? Apparently not, for he is still more inclined to support the bill once it goes to Plenary for the Division of the House, the voting process, the bottom line of the fate of this proposed piece of legislation.

Tañada said he will definitely raise the point that no committee hearing took place before the drafting of the proposed bill. Except for that dialogue outside Congress, at Melos Restaurant in Quezon City, there was no formal committee hearing held that should have been the venue for interested and affected sectors to ventilate their points and issues before any legislation of this kind is drafted.

But Tañada stressed, it will always be decided through votes in the plenary session."Even if we want to refer it back to the committee level, baka matalo kami, mas marami sila" said Tañada.

Also, this point also deserves some space.

Weng, who was seated besides me told me that one congressman present in that dialogue said that the proposed Right of Reply Bill will determine the fate of another bill---decriminalizing Libel Cases in the Philippines. Weng quoted the congressman to have bluntly uttered this statement "Walang passage ng decriminalization ng libel kung walang right of reply bill" or simply said, no right of reply bill, no decriminalization of libel.

Ano yun---BARTER TRADE?

To date, NUJP's signature campaign has gathered 700 signatories. Related activities initiated by NUJP and other media organizations continue to sustain the campaign against the approval of the Right of Reply Bill into an actual piece of legislation.

By all means media wants to air all sides. The truth is, it's not even wanting to air all sides. It's SOP, a must!

However, in cases where stories lack the side or even sides of one party or other parties involved in an issue or a story, say, a controversial and really earthshaking story or expose, and the story gets printed or aired, standing on its own.

The question here is WHY?

Because the information gathered was factual and can be verified and and validated.

The most simple, bare yet most sacred definition of news is that it is synonymous to one word: TRUTH.

NEWS IS TRUTH.

That's why instead of the Right or Reply Bill, we insist that the Right to Information Bill, now pending in the senate for more than a year, be given priority.

Media in the Philippines is not perfect. Never was and probably never will.

But at the end of the day, we all strive and seek for that common goal: to report the TRUTH.

This is the very essence of our existence, guaranteed by the Constitution, our sacred duty to the Filipino people, protecting their right to be informed--especially when the information that should be available to them is shielded by people who should be accountable only and only to the people who elected them in public offices.

Take away accountability, you take away the Truth. (end)

SWEET AND FABULOUS AT 60!

2009-05-16T23:45:00.004+08:00

She too could have danced all night, but she chose not to.

She had all the reasons to have a grand birthday celebration with all the glitz and the glamor befitting a personality like her but she opted not to. Oh yes, she's a celebrity in her own right, very influential too and with proven track record of mobilizing thousands of people to join her for a cause or for simply, gathering together out of sheer admiration, loyalty and love.

But at 60 years old, this woman chose to celebrate this new chapter in her life with family members, her children on her side and most especially, all her grandchildren ---all 12 of them!

Some friends were there too, a handful.

Cherry Cobarrubias is no stranger to anything grand. She's also not a stranger to anything subtle and subdued. But now that she's officially on the bracket of a very strong and potent force in our society called Senior Citizen's she looked back at all the 60 years that passed with nothing but gratitude in her heart.

Her message to her family, children, grandchildren and friends gathered to share the moment with her was simple but very very meaningful, encapsulating what life's journey is about.

"Sa inyo mga anak ko, sa inyo mga apo ko, huwag na huwag ninyong kalilimutan na bumuo ng magagandang alaala. Ito ang magtatawid sa inyo sa inyong pagtanda. Kapag inabot ninyo ang idad ko, kapag binalikan ninyo ang nakaraan sa inyong buhay,masusumpungan ninyo ang kakaibang kalakasan sa paggunita sa lahat ng mga bagay na magaganda at masasaya kasama ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Magmahalan kayong magkakapatid hanggang sa inyong pagtanda, sa habang panahon ng inyong buhay," in Filipino this is what she said. ("To my children, my grandchildren, do not ever forget to build good memories. These memories will see you through when you grow old. If you reach my age, if you look back at the years that passed you by, you will find a different kind of strength in remembering everything that's beautiful and happy. Love one another until your reach old age, love one another, every day of your lives.")

I could list 60 reasons that make this woman's journey, remarkable and meaningful.

But I will state only one. Her unwavering faith in God's power over her life. "Magtiwala kayo sa Diyos ng walang pag-aalinlangan, ang buhay ninyo ay galing sa KANYA, bakit NIYA kayo pababayaan?" ("Trust in the Lord God with all your heart and with no doubt. Your life came from HIM, why will HE forsake you?"

Cherry Cobarrubia's story is one exceptional journey if only hers will be turned into a book for everyone to read, there's no doubt in my mind that she will inspire others to take life's journey the way she did.

One day, that book will come out.

That's my fervent wish as a friend and as her "inaanak" ("godchild") who is just one of the many lives she touched and inspired.(end)

SHOULD WE FULLY TRUST POLL AUTOMATION?

2009-05-15T09:15:00.008+08:00

My answer to the question above is: I wanted to, fully, completely, no ifs and buts, hook line and sinker.

I am a believer. I am a dreamer. I see possibilities.

But maintaining that state of mind is one thing. The reality staring at me face to face makes me wary and scared of what lies ahead.

What's ahead is not just bumpy. It's frightening. We may be in for the greatest poll disaster in the history of this country that could eclipse even the previous two elections of 2007 and 2004. How scary could that be?

For sure we all wanted to experience a remarkable change in the conduct of our elections and the logical step is to certainly go the way from manual to automated. Automation is the only way to go. It's about time.

90% of the Filipino people wanted automation and the law mandates that the next election be fully automated. This is something that we should not only aim to do, but something we ought to do--the right way.

But with the shadow of doubt cast on the the road to automation beginning from the bidding process itself, projected as irregular and anomalous, how can we even trust automation, if and when it comes on election day?

The "Garcis" are out in the COMELEC, right? Why do we remain suspicious?

Maybe because even without the "Garcis" we see problems inside and outside of the poll body that may just tamper anew the very sacred political act of a supposedly democratic nation.

It doesn't help that COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo while begging everyone to trust the automation, "Magkaroon sila ng kumpiyansiya sa automation," that's what he said in one interview, also pictures a scenario of a no-election come 2010 pointing the possibility of a legal maneuver of critics of automation and from the ranks of the loosing bidders that could reach the highest court of the land.

This is how Melo puts the NO-EL scenario in plain and simple words:"We will not have time to go manual. Di gulo. Di rebolusyon," that's how Melo sees the possibilities ahead.

By Monday, the lowest bidder among the four recalled, will do an actual demonstration of their machine. Then if there's a technical problem, then the second lowest bidder will also be given the opportunity to demonstrate their machine, then the third and the fourth.

But as in any other bidding process in the country---there will always be those who will cry foul!

Actually, from the four recalled, INDRA SISTEMAS, Strategic Alliance Holdings Inc., Smartmatic International/Total Information Management Corporation, AMA Group Holdings Corporatuon Election Software and Intel. Inc. and Gilat Satellite Network Ltd./F.F. Cruz and Co., Inc/Filipinas Systems Incorporated, only three will continue on with the process of bidding, even on a Saturday, as per my sources in the COMELEC.

ES&S is out of the bidding race I was told. Of the remaining three, Smartmatic's system was already tried in the ARMM Elections. However, it's Gilat who is getting the headlines and the attention because of the YOU TUBE video that showed F.F. Cruz signing documents inside one of the comfort rooms in the COMELEC Building itself.

Could those be documents related to the bidding? Does the uploaded YOU TUBE video gives us all a clue as to what company will grab the contract to automate the country's 2010 elections that is worth P11.3 Billion Pesos?

The process is still in progress. Whether this YOU TUBE video has any bearing on the final decision of the Bids and Awards Committee of the COMELEC remains to be seen and determined with very convincing proofs.

But you know what, as a journalist who has covered elections, both local and national beginning from 1992, this much I know, for a determined cheater, it's not about the system, manual or automated, it's about the stakes being the same.

There will always be human intervention and there will always be people controlling the system, manual or automated, from all channels of the electoral process, there will always be that window of opportunity to influence, coerce, sway, and yes---corrupt people who are in control to change the results of the elections in favor of those who are the most desperate of all to hold power.

We all know how dirty elections are in the country under a manual system. Dirty is not even the right word to describe what we all experienced in previous elections. It's not even rotten. It's almost evil! But like everything else evil, it will have it's end. It's the natural course, the only ending in this cycle of life. That much I believe.

Henrietta De Villa of NAMFREL and PPCRV also gave her reaction to the NO-El scenario and very firmly and with conviction she said, "Di puwede ang NO-EL". We will never allow NO-EL, she said. And while she says that there's no perfect system and that cheating could still be done under an automated system, she appealed to everyone to "try automation" to "try another system" pointing out that election cheating in the past was "very terrible".

In Filipino she said, "Lumalalim ang pagkasira ng ating kultura habang nananatili ang pagbili ng boto at ang pagbebenta ng boto." Indeed vote buying and vote selling has become part of our culture that it seemed almost impossible and unimaginable to untangle many of our people from the chains of that corrupt practice.

There's always the opposite of the words impossible and unimaginable. And these words I believe: possible and imaginable.

While we remain pragmatic about the automation of the polls, we remain hopeful and we continue to think positive that political change in this country could happen.

We should start somewhere. Take the step now. All great changes in any country involve the highest amount of risks.

However, vigilance should never be thrown out of the window. It's our call---everyone's call to remain watchful of everything that's happening. For all we know, there could be something else more frightening than the NO-EL scenario alarm raised by Melo.

But least I sound like a broken record, let's take the road to change the country's electoral system. Go the way to automation but do our part in maintaining the highest form of citizen's vigilance.

With the number of young voters ruling the electorate, there's enough reason to hope that we can and we shall all experience a new dawn in the country's electoral history: peaceful, honest and credible.

I dream and I believe---that road is just awaiting for the Filipino people to take.(end)

CAUGHT TAG-ULAN SA TAG-ARAW ON GPC

2009-05-14T20:10:00.007+08:00

You're probably not expecting this entry on this blog.

But for those who truly knows me in person, I would not pass a chance to write a piece on Philippine Movies, especially, if it concerns one of my favorite actresses of all time--Vilma Santos, now governor of Batangas and if projections and insinuations are correct, she could provide the biggest competition for the vice presidential race come 2010.

But this is not about Vilma, the politician. This is about Vilma, the actress.

I was in the middle of completing a power point presentation for an upcoming lecture engagement when I suddenly felt this dizzy. It was almost 8 in the evening and I realized I have not eaten lunch. Yes lunch. Just cups of coffee, lots of them.

But I did not proceed to eat at once. That would usually make me sick. I will rest my back first and give some more time before I take something solid.

So what I did was to shut down my computer in my office at home, went to get a glass of water and drank it, a full glass just to keep my stomach filled with liquid. Then I proceeded down to our basement bedroom to lie down besides my husband who was already asleep when I took the space besides him. He's not feeling well. After the afternoon's church service, he felt nauseated and announced he would take a rest and sleep.

The TV was open, he was watching the newscast when he dozed off to sleep. I took the liberty of taking over the TV's remote control and began to channel surf.

My intention really was to go straight to HBO to catch the movie feature of the hour. But on the way to Channel 38 of Destiny Cable, I passed by Global Pinoy Channel, GPC, that cable channel that shows old Filipino movies, mostly in black and white. I saw that scene, Vilma Santos crying but still, I went straight to HBO. But in just seconds, I went two channels down, and gave in to the allure of that scene I saw, Vilma Santos crying.

Then the next scene was -- someone was trying to open the door, locked from the inside, it was Vilma's room and all the viewer could see was just half of the body of the one trying to open the door. Then suddenly, the man decided to abandon the door. Close up of Vilma's face, with bruises and scars, still crying.

Then she heard a noise coming from the window and she rushed to open the door towards the room's terrace and there she saw, Christopher de Leon climbing up and looking at her lovingly, a moment of unspoken words between them passed by, then Christopher climbed some more and the two embraced. It was only then that I learned about the names of Vilma and Christopher's character: Nanette and Rod.

The two are desperately in love, it was clear from that scene that I caught, not realizing, it was almost near the end of the film.

I caught this lines uttered by Nanette, Vilma's character: " Kuya Rod…ayokong magsisi ka…nasasaktan ako…basta’t mahal kita, mahal na mahal kita, basta’t mahal mo ako, hindi tayo dapat magsisi, hindi tayo dapat mahiya!”

So young, so in love, loves knows no age boundaries right, but in their case, it's not just about boundaries. It was about something that was taboo then and still is now in the Philippines and in most societies.
Nanette and Rod are first degree cousins!

Vilma's father in the film was Eddie Garcia and her mother, one of the great actresses we have, Lorli Villanueva. The role of Christopher's parents were essayed by the great Joonee Gamboa and Odette Khan. In the brief scenes that I saw them, they were remarkable.

The confrontation scene between brothers played by Eddie and Joonee is a must see.

Eddie said, "Ang ginawang kalapastanganan ng anak mo ay hindi katulad ng mainit na salabat na puwede mong ibuga kapag napasok ka."

Then Joonee said, "Kung nabubuhay ang ating mga magulang, hindi ganyan ang magiging desisyon nila. Tayo'y magkapatid."

Then Eddie countered, "Isinaalang-alang ba ng anak mo ang relasyon niya sa anak ko? Mula ngayon, kalilimutan kong tayo ay magkapatid."

Then came that long scene, where Christopher ran as fast as he could to get to Vilma and to save their baby she's carrying in her womb. Eddie, was determined to have the baby aborted to save his family from total shame, he said.

Vilma was crying, hysterically crying, tried so hard to free herself as she was dragged downstairs unto the waiting car. Then at their gate, there was Christopher's character Rod. "Kuya Rod, kuya Rod!!!" Vilma's character Nanette shouted.

And from there began the long chase and that unforgettable scene where you see Christopher's character with bandage on his head, desperately hanging at the back of the car with plate number GF-771, kissing the glass, touching it, with Vilma's character still shouting "Kuya Rod" and trying just as desperate to kiss and touch the same mirror.

Then finally, Eddie's driving maneuvers separated the ill-fated lovers as Christopher was thrown into the street and Vilma, still inside the car, drove towards that direction where it's almost certain, not only her heart but her spirits will be crashed as well. That scene was never shown. It was implied as the car moved ahead and faded in the scene.

While Christopher's character continued to run and run and run and run like a mad mad. Crying shamelessly, not giving up, a scene that implies, that probably, the lovers, doomed as they are, will soon find a way to be in each others' arms.

I could not wait to see the credits. I love the theme song! It was very Pinoy, the kind that touches your soul, the kind that moves, the kind that tells a story of true human emotions.

Then the credits roll---it was the movie Tag-Ulan sa Tag-Araw, one of Celso Ad Castillo's masterpieces, the first team-up of Vilma and Christopher, the year 1975, a year when I was just 5 years old. Back in those days, as a young kid, that age I believe or maybe even younger, I posted a picture of Ate Vi in my closet when she was still the image model and endorser of LUX. As I close my eyes, I can still vividly remember her long curly hair in and white gown in that print advertisement for the very famous beauty product then. I kiss that picture of Ate Vi everyday and tell her that I love her and that I am her biggest fan, the youngest and most ardent fan maybe at that time.

Guess what, in my nearly two decades as a reporter, news anchor and host of several radio and TV shows, having interviewed almost everyone who is in the news, even if Ate Vi has already made the successful transition to the world of politics, I still have yet to have a one-on-one interview with her.

I am a Vilma-Christopher fan and it was heartwarming to have finally caught the film that started their beautiful and magical on-screen chemistry.

Where is Director Castillo now, then called the KID if I'm not mistaken and at one point referred to as the Messiah of Philippine Cinema?

To think that it was 1975, under Martial Law, the mark of Bagong Lipunan, very visible in the last portion of the movie, through the LTO sticker "Isang bansa, Isang diwa" one of the slogans of the era of former President Ferdinand Marcos, a movie of this topic, sensitive and very controversial was made is something that is very admirable.

You see this kind of Pinoy classic films and you realize, Filipinos don't make films like they used to before.

The 50s to the 70's and yes---a large portion of the 80's still remain the glorious years of Philippine Cinema.

We have the greatest filmmakers in our midst and all we have to do is find our calling again and make movies that move, touch lives, inspire, influence not just lives but changes we so badly need as a nation.

That day will come again, again, believe, for it is our destiny. (end)

IN SEARCH OF A NEW LEADER

2009-05-11T18:46:00.010+08:00

Five presidential aspirants faced the nation today via a live telecast of ABS-CBN's ANC Leadership Forum: Countdown to 2010. It's a very timely initiative even though the elections is still a year from now. The exercise provided a glimpse on the aspiring next occupant in that palace by the river.

To date, there are actually 16 presidential aspirants---that is if you count the new names in the list of presidential wannabes, two Manny, Pacquiao the boxer, and Pangilinan, the top business mogul.

One-by-one I will review their responses and at the end of this post, I will play judge and rank their performance based on content, straightforwardness, vision and yes---appeal to the audience. The last part plays a great factor in judging the how the aspirants came across in a live broadcast such as the one aired over ANC.

Oh yes---in a medium like television, it's all about performance and projection and how you connect to the audience or the viewers. It's not a talent show, it's a serious academic and political exercise of getting to know the aspirants for the presidency but then again, in the Philippines, a political exercise could also be one huge entertainment spectacle, ain't that so?

With a 20-year experience in the broadcast industry, having covered local and national elections from 1992, having interviewed and came face to face with all types of candidates, I believe I earn the right to say, when one comes off truthfully on cam, on live television and whether one comes across as a mere product of packaging and PR coaching.

Five came, senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, senator Richard "Dick" Gordon, Pampanga governor Ed "Among" Panlilio, senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. For the first part, each was given a 10-minute airtime to answer questions from Tina Monson-Palma and Ricky Carandang.

The youngest of the aspirants, Escudero was grilled first by Tina, TMP to us who had the privilege of working under her as subordinates in the newsroom. TMP was the perfect choice to throw all those questions.

The youngest senator at 39 years old was his usual charming self. Speaking in Filipino, Escudero gave one-sentence, one thought answers that usually work in most of his interviews with media. Short, precise, what we refer to as soundbyte-perfect.

But Escudero's charm did not seemed to work wonders on TMP in a sense that she did not simply let him get away with his response to the question on what is his greatest weakness, vis-a-vis his greatest strength. His youth, according to Escudero is his greatest strength and also his greatest weakness as a possible candidate for president not according to him though, but according to his critics he stressed.

But TMP was persisted, "Leave what your critics say---what do you think is your greatest weakness?" In other words, what does Escudero think of Escudero?

It was easy to see, as television is a a very transparent medium especially if the broadcast is aired live, that Escudero did not expect that follow-up question. The "soundbyte-perfect" answers would have placed a period on that issue and TMP would have moved quickly to the next question, but TMP knew she needed to pursue the point and the answer Escudero gave was something that is unexpected, nice one really, but to me, not the right and truthful answer. I am not saying Escudero lied. What I am saying is that, I believe the suddenness of the follow-up question caught him off-guard and led him to answer the question this way, in Filipino he said, "Ang aking kahinaan ay hindi ako ipinanganak na mayaman." ("My weakness is that I was not born rich.")

This specific reason was the reason why I believe Escudero was a bit taken aback by that follow up question from TMP.

Maybe what Escudero wanted to say was that all his life, he lived a modest life, not wanting anything that is beyond the basic necessities and even the basics of human enjoyment and fulfillment. He could have lived extravagantly, but he chose not to. Maybe that's what he meant.

In saying that he's not born rich, Escudero maybe unwittingly channeling the message that he does not have a full appreciation of how poor really many Filipinos are.

Then it stuck me, maybe all he wanted to say was that, he was not born as rich and as affluent as the other presidential aspirants are. In Filipino he could have said, "Ang aking kahinaaan ay hindi ako ipinanganak na KASING-YAMAN ng ibang nais na maglingkod sa bansa bilang pangulo." ("My weakness is that I was not born as rich and as affluent as the other presidential aspirants.")

If he had said that, it would have put more weight on his argument that he doesn't need P2-3 Billion pesos to fund his campaign on 2010, if and when he pursues the take on the presidency. Citing what the law says, each candidate he explained is only allowed to spend P10-pesos per voter or roughly P400-million nationwide. The maximum election expenses, Escudero estimated should not exceed the amount of P600-million pesos.

In Filipino he said, "Ang sinumang nagsasabing kailangan nila ng P2-3 bilyung piso para tumakbong pangulo ay malinaw na may intensiyong lumabag sa batas." ("Anyone who says that he needs P2-3 billion pesos to run for the presidency clearly has all the intentions of violating the law.")

But while Escudero may have faltered a bit on this point, from my point of view, as it was channeled to my consciousness as a journalist he managed to redeem that minor lapse and proved the fact that youth is really his greatest strength when he answered, "Ang kabataan ngayon ay gusto nang angkinin ang pamahalaan", ("The youth of today wanted to seize government now.")--in reference to the many ills and corruption issues identified with the present administration.

The greatest display of his evident edge, his youth, among the four other aspirants present in the forum held in Ateneo de Manila was when his response to the question on what was the last movie he watched. His response:"Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo" of Juday and Ryan was the last movie he watched, in DVD, (not pirated he stressed for effect) in the comfort of his home.

That simple answer represented the generation representing the biggest number in the present electorate in the 2010 elections. Escudero has exposed himself as an ordinary movie fan just like anybody else, a movie fan who may just be the next president of the Republic. What could be more "masa" than that?

Escudero's most memorable quote during the forum: "Hiling ko ang mas malawak na partisipasyon ng kabataan. Sabihin natin na inaangkin na natin ang pamahalaan, inaangkin na natin ang halalang ito." ("I appeal for the youth sector to make their presence felt in the coming elections. Let us claim the government, let us claim this election.")

Now we review Gordon's performance in the Ateneo Forum.

Gordon was his usual self. Confident, vibrant, engaging, inspiring. His responses to the questions always lead to things that inspire, that encourage and invoke change, "not of men but in men".

For Gordon, "nothing is impossible". For Gordon, "Filipinos should find their future in the Philippines and not in foreign country".

For Gordon, this could be a nation of people who "Aim High", a race who believes "Bawal ang Tamad" and "Bawal ang Tanga".

For Gordon, solving the countries problems is all about "changing mindsets and changing values."

Big words. And the truth is, he lives by these words. You have to know the man personally to be able to say, he lived by everything that he said in the Leadership Forum. I can say that for I have known the man since I was 11 years old, back in 1981 when he first became mayor of Olongapo City where I grew up.

Oh yes, you can say that what I just said is a biased statement but actually I am just stating a fact. The man really walk the talk. He was a dreamer then and he remains a dreamer now and dreamers are passionate and are naturally driven to higher purpose in life.

But the way I see it, Gordon's big talk may also be his greatest Achilles.

The big talk needs another ingredient to get all his points across. The specifics, the hows, the actual to do list.

Generally, Filipinos nowadays are awed by anything that points to changing visions and changing mindsets. They wanted all these to happen, believe you me. Who doesn't want to be inspired and to be swayed by a leader to aspire the highest and to dream the greatest?

But the sad reality of life of millions of ordinary Filipinos is that they live in poverty...extreme poverty. Social injustice and lack of opportunities are all around them. Perhaps what they need to hear first is how an aspiring president like Gordon intends to help them by articulating concrete moves and specific targets if and when he gets elected as president.

To be inspired to change hearts and minds is one thing, but to be informed as to how to get there is another bigger step that needs to be expressed and articulated by Gordon next time he faces the public to speak about his plan of governance.

The most memorable point of Gordon's airtime on the ANC forum was when he said, his father, the late James Gordon, an American by birth but elected to be a Filipino, is his greatest hero. Gordon is always soft and sentimental when it comes to anything about his father who was assassinated while in position as mayor of Olongapo. With tears in his eyes, about to fall, Gordon said, "You have to live your heroism. I hold my father in the highest respect."

Panlilio's message was simple. He doesn't want to be president he said, but "if the people want me to run, they I will run."

The same thing happened to him in Pampanga he said. There was no plan to run for governor, then the clamor came, and so he did run and won.

There was one question though that I expected Panlilio to say "yes, I would". But instead of a yes or a no, he did give an ambivalent answer. The question was: "Will you pursue investigation of anomalies and corruption allegedly committed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the first Gentleman, Atty. Mike Arroyo and her cabinet, when you become her successor?

I was sure I would hear a resounding "Yes" from Panlilio but I was wrong. Panlilio had a very long response to that question, explaining that evidence is primordial in pursuing any case against the outgoing president and her cabinet. "We should be a country of law. We should prosecute based on evidence," Panlilio said. Nothing wrong with that response, except, I was expecting, he would be the first to respond he will pursue the investigation, for the sake of the truth and for the sake of justice.

I was wrong in expecting I would be right in expecting Panlilio would give a positive response.I forgot, he's a Cabalen. I forgot he's a priest, a priest and a politician at the same time, a union that in the first place should not have happened in the first place. But what can I say--he was elected.

There's also irony in the way he seized up Pacquiao's political ambition. "Gusto siya ng tao bilang boksingero, bilang pulitiko, ayaw sa kanya," ("The people wanted him as a boxer, but not as a politician"), he said in response to the question, "Will you form a coalition with Manny Pacquiao's political party?" A priest can be a politician and a boxer cannot?

If you ask me, while there seems to be an avalanche of opposition on Pacquiao's political ambitions, I say, let us not stop the man from fulfilling another personal goal. Pacquiao has proven his decisiveness and determination to attain excellence in his chosen craft. From the boxing ring to the political arena, why not for the Pacman? Well, this is not about Pacman, although it was clear that his inclusion in the questionnaire only proves that Pacman is not a potent force in Philippine politics.

Now, next, we examine Teodoro's answers during the ANC Leadership Forum.

Now Teodoro took a gamble when he practically defended the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He said, "History will be the final judge" as far as the Arroyo-Administration is concerned.

It was clear that Teodoro, in his presidential bid for 2010 is aspiring for the support and machinery of the present administration. A very risky answer considering the fact that the president, now just a year shy on the end of her term, remains very unpopular as shown by the results of various survey groups.

Teodoro made it clear he doesn't need the backing of Danding Cojuangco's NPC but clearly, he cannot say the same as far as the present administration is concerned. This could backfire, but then again, maybe not. The success of a presidential candidate is largely dependent on the resources and pool of machinery available and right now, Teodoro has that.

Let us not forget however, the fact that the resources and machinery we point here are actually out of the people's fund. One glaring example is the on-going, now showing Disaster Preparedness Advertisement Teodoro headlines, a production funded by government.

Now, will you really bite the hand of the person who allows you to enjoy this kind of advantage?

Teodoro gave a truthful answer when he said, "Hindi ko ikinahihiya ang bahay na sinisilungan ko. Naniniwala ako sa bahay na sinisilungan ko."

He was also truthful when he said he would pursue charter change via constitutional convention (CON-CON) and not through Consitituent Assembly (CON-ASS). "Ayaw yan ng taongbayan," he acknowledged.

If and when he becomes president, he offers a change in the system of government which he believes would be acceptable to the majority of the Filipino people: PRESIDENTIAL UNICAM.

"Ang Filipino, hindi talaga papayag na ang presidente, hindi nila halal," Teodoro said.

The other thing that I noticed about the Defense Secretary during the forum was his aura, a face that seems to smile all the time, a face that conveys positivity, answering the most difficult and intriguing questions with an almost permanent smile on his face.

I find it charming and at the same time disturbing. Charming the first few minutes, but disturbing and almost annoying in the next minutes that followed. It was like watching a poker face reversed. It's very clear that Teodoro is following an image-consultant or a PR consultant, since his projection on air as I saw it, comes off as something that was rehearsed and acquired.

Whoever is handling his public-image should learn from the very successful campaign of US president Barrack Obama who went through the campaign exposing very real human emotions, reacting differently to every situation, every question, smiling, frowning, angry sometimes, and sometimes, even made fun of himself, at his own expense just to prove and relay a message across.

The point is, Teodoro must understand that he cannot project charm in public all the time. But then again, I would not be surprised if someone points to me that, that Teodoro's natural aura, charming and full of positivity.

Now, what about Roxas?

I like the symbolism used by Roxas in describing the present leadership in the country, like a house built on sand and not on the rock. In Filipino Roxas said, "Ang plataporma ng pamahalaan ngayon ay nakatayo sa buhangin na dapat ay sa bato. Hindi matibay na bato ang moralidad at katarungan sa bansa" ("The government's platform sits on sand and not on solid rock. The morality and justice in the country is not founded on solid rock").

The senator hit it bulls eye when he said, many of the countries problems are internal and nature and that the off-shore economic and geo-political problems only magnify the ones we have from within, as one country, as one nation, as one people.

The question about his advertisement, the "PADYAK-LALABAN TAYO" campaign was a given considering that nowadays, you won't miss it, not a single day without it, not once, not twice, but many times. The money spent on ad placement for precious airtime spots gives us an idea that this man, just like the other presidential wanna be, the LUMUWA ang BUWA ad, is prepared to spend their millions just to remain in the public's consciousness and to maintain exposure, early and long enough until the very day of the 2010-presidential elections.

To be president really could cost one aspirants billions of pesos to dispose.

It's a good thing that the Filipino people are aware of the inherent status in society of the Roxas-Araneta clan.

From Mr. Palengke, Roxas took his image and political pitch to the streets, choosing the padyak boys, the trisikad drivers as representatives of the sector he wanted to help if and when he becomes president. Of course, that's not mentioned in the ad itself but we all know, it's all about the presidency. I am not comfortable though with the choice of padyak as representatives of the poorest of the poor and in reacting to the question about his advocacy ad, Roxas failed to expound on why he chose the padyak boys as his symbol for those in dire poverty. The choice of padyak boys to represent those in poverty could also be interpreted as a misguided take on how to help the poorest of the poor.

If you ask me---Korina Sanchez' TSINELAS CAMPAIGN in her program Rated K on ABS-CBN is more representative and more responsive in portraying how poor many Filipinos are in this day and age. I will never forget one episode when one girl uses a slipper that was already so old and over-used that it only covers half of her feet! She cried and gave real emotions of gratitude when she finally received that gift, a new set of ordinary slippers from Korina. There was magic in that episode, one for the ratings, but undeniably, one that truly touch the issue, solve the problem and through a simple act, provide hope.

Maybe in their private moments together, Mar should listen more to Ate Koring's ideas for they truly work magic on air and in the ratings game.

Now that Korina's name is mentioned, no doubt that it was the highlight and most memorable answer that came from Roxas. True he said, he will pursue investigations on PGMA, her husband and members of her cabinet, if and when he becomes the next occupant in Malacanang. True he said, he believes, the senate committee of the whole should pursue investigating fellow senator Manny Villar, also a clear aspirant to the presidency.

But the one answer that was retained in the public's mind and hearts was that answer he gave to the comment, "Ginagamit mo lang daw si Korina..." ("They say you;re just using Korina...")

To this he responded, "Laking tuwa ko na tinanggap ni Korina ang aking proposal na kami ay ikinasal. Mahal ko si Korina, 5 taon na kaming magkasama, may pangarap kami sa isa't isa. Sa mga nagsasabing ginagamit ko lang si Korina---INGGIT LANG SILA!" ("I was so happy when Korina accepted my proposal for her to marry me. I love Korina. We've been together for 5 years now, we have dreams for each other. To those who say, I am just using Korina, they are only envious!")

The "kilig" reaction from the audience elicited by that remark alone proved that it's a major issue about Mar that is part and parcel of how the public sees him.

A personal note on this one, you cannot fake a relationship with the Korina Sanchez, either you're an enemy or you're a friend. Either you're in or out. How much more when it comes to the affairs of her heart?

Now---my verdict based on the criteria I mentioned above, on that Leadership Forum alone and not necessarily my personal choice---let's make that clear here: ROXAS, GORDON, ESCUDERO, TEODORO AND PANLILIO---Roxas on top because of the audience impact of his response on his love life and soon to be marriage to one of the most popular broadcasters in the Philippines.

If only the support for their love story translates into actual votes by May of 2010---I say, Roxas, with Korina on his side is just a few steps shy of possibly winning the presidency. (end)

Bakit bayani natin si Pacman ngayon...

2009-05-11T11:35:00.002+08:00

Isang simpleng kataga na lamang ba ngayon ang bayani? Ganun na lamang ba ito kadaling ikabit sa isang personalidad? Para ba sa lahat ito o para sa tunay na natatangi ang naging ambag sa mga pahina ng kasaysayan ng bansa?

Ang totoo, ang pagkabit ng bansag na bayani lalo na ngayon ay puwede namang ikabit kahit kanino.

Bayani ang isang taga-walis ng lansangan na nagtitiis sa init ng araw, pagod at usok ng mga sasakyan at iba pang uri ng polusyon, magampanan lamang ang kanyang tungkulin, makatiyak lamang ng kakarampot na sahod na pantawid na ng gutom ng mga mahal sa buhay na umaasa sa kanya.

Bayani ang mga gurong matapat na naglilinang ng karunungan sa kabila ng sariling pasanin ng pakikipaglaban sa pagtanggap ng dapat sana'y benepisyong nararapat lamang para sa kanila.

Bayani ang mga ama at ina ng tahanan na iniwan ang kani-kanilang pamilya, anak, magulang, kapatid, para magtrabaho sa ibang bansa, lahat ng hirap kayang tiisin, mabigyan lamang ng magandang kinabukasan ang kanilang pamilya.

Bayani rin ang mga anak na iniwan ng mga magulang na ito, lalo pa ang mga nagbibigay pahalaga sa edukasyon kanilang naaabot sa pamamagitan ng pagsisikhay ng kanilang mga magulang.

Bayani ang kawani ng pamahalaan na nananatiling tapat sa kanyang paglilingkod sa bayan.

Bayani ding maituturing sa isang banda ang ilan sa itinuturing na kaaway ng pamahalaan sa kanilang pagtatangkang magkaroon ng pagbabago at magkaroon ng pantay na karapatan at hustisya. Di ba nga't rebelde rin ang turing kina Rizal at Bonifacio bago sila itinanghal na bayani ng Unang Rebolusyon sa Pilipinas?

Ang punto dito ay---oo, kung hihimayin, ordinaryong salita na lamang ang bayani at sa kanya-kanyang pakikibaka sa buhay, kahit sino ay puwedeng maituring na bayani.

Subalit, iba ang pagiging bayani sa ating panahon ngayon ng isang tulad ni Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.

Ang pagkabayani ni Pacquiao ay dumating sa panahong kailangang-kailangan ng sambayanang Filipino ng isang simbolo at kakatawan ng pag-asa at ng pangakong kaya nilang baguhin ang takbo ng kanilang buhay, mula sa kahirapan sa kaunlaran, mula sa kawalan tungo sa kayamanan, mula sa panlilibak papunta sa pagkilala---kung lubos siyang maniniwala sa kanyang kakayanan at maniniwala sa kapangyarihan ng paniwala sa Maykapal.

Sa isang bansa na malakas ang sampalataya sa magagawa ng Maykapal, kakaibang kababaan ng loob ang patuloy na nakikita kay Pacman na siyang dahilan kung bakit lalo siyang nagiging popular sa kanyang mga kababayan.

Nang tanungin nga siya mismo ng pangulo sa one-on-one nila sa Malakanyang, may pagbibirong sinabi ni Pacman na hindi kinaya ni Ricky Hatton ang kaliwa---ang kaliwa ng sambayanang Filipino. Na ang ibig ipahiwatig, ang kanyang bawat suntok sabay ng kanyang bawat tagumpay ay nananatiling alay at katumbas din ng tagumpay ng kanyang kapwa Filipino. Sabi pa niya, "nanatili akong gutom sa tagumpay dahil sa alam ko na milyun-milyon Filipino ang umaasa sa aking tagumpay."

Mga katagang walang dudang mula sa isang kampeyon. Pero higit sa isang kampeyon, mga pahayag ito ng isang Filipinong walang dudang kumatawan sa kabayanihang matagal nang nais na mamamalas ng mga Filipino.

Yung bayaning lumalaban. Yung bayaning handang lumusong sa panganib. Yung bayaning sa gitna ng tagumpay, marunong yumuko, magpasalamat at kilalaning ang lakas na taglay niya ay pisikal lamang, na ang tunay na lakas ay mula sa kapangyarihang pinagmulan ng lahat.

Oo---bayani natin ngayon si Pacman at sa mahaba pang panahon kahit pa hindi na siya kampeyon sapagkat naipakita niya sa kapwa niya Filipino ang mga posibilidad na puwedeng mangyari sa isang taong mula sa kanilang hanay.

Isang araw---titigil din ang tagumpay sa parisukat na lona para kay Pacman. Hindi habangbuhay ang tagumpay at mismong siya rin ang kumikilala nito sa kanyang mga nakaraang pahayag, pagpapatunay din na ang kampeyon at ang bayani natin ngayon ay may angking katalinuhan na kumikilala sa mga bagay na darating at darating. Na kung may tagumpay, may pagkabigo.

Pero dahil sa nanggaling siya sa kabiguan muna bago ang tagumpay, alam nating dumating man iyon sa kanyang buhay, babangon at babangon si Pacquiao--tulad ng isang bayani sa gitna ng labanan, masugatan man, lalaban at lalaban pa rin maipamalas lamang ang kagitingan ng lahing kanyang paulit-ulit na ibinabandila sa buong mundo.

Filipino, Filipino---yan ang lahi niya. Lahing kayumnanggi, lahing hindi mawawalan ng bayani sa mga bahagi ng kasaysayang kailangang-kailangan ng tulad nila. (wakas)

We'll always fight for press freedom

2009-05-10T09:12:00.006+08:00

The anti-wiretapping case against broadcaster Che-Che Lazaro is nothing but pure and outright harassment. A very blunt act of intimidation. It's not hard to figure out the underlying message in the filing of the libel case: Let this be an example. If we could do it to a Che-Che Lazaro, the Che-Che Lazaro, icon of Philippine media, then we could also do it to anyone of you.

Sad to say, this is really the state of media in the Philippines. While we continue and strive to remain free, invoking our constitutional right to freedom of the press, there is this constant and ever present danger post to anyone who dared question, to anyone who dared to inquire and to anyone who dared to expose.

One thing has to be made clear here. Media will always be adversarial. It's the core role of media. This is the essence of the job. While there are what maybe referred to as Developmental Media, there is and will always be the adversarial media, a sector that questions, investigates, exposes and to a larger extent, influence and inspire political and social changes.

To a certain degree, taking the case now confronted by Che-Che, facing not the usual libel case but a wiretapping case could be the safest form of intimidation. Of course all acts of intimidation are not OK, what I am trying to say is, at least if the judge is not influenced and coerced into deciding in conformity of the intimidation attached to the filing of the case itself, one can still be assured of a legal battle.

The other forms of intimidation we know in the Philippines, especially as far as media is concerned, are in fact more violent---say as violent as death itself.

In many cases, if you are not a big name or if you are not someone who is considered an icon in the industry, say, a reporter in a small provincial radio station or a community newspaper, the odds are, if you dared confront someone powerful and influential, you'll end up dead.

The Philippines remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalist to practice their profession.

The added danger lies in the reality that in a country like the Philippines with blatant corruption issues at all levels of government, media plays a role that is beyond the mere practice of their profession. Media has evolved as the link and the credible ally of the public in the delivery of basis services, an original function of government, and the execution of justice, which is again a function of government.

Public trust now rests in the media and not to those who were elected into public office.

The story in question was about a valid complaint of unpaid pension of public school teachers by the Government Service Insurance Service or GSIS. Instead of acting into the complaint of their very own members, the very people that allows those posted at GSIS to enjoy huge salaries and allowances, GSIS evaded the issue by not granting on-camera interview to the Probe Team, accusing it outright of being biased against them.

It is the duty of GSIS Vice President for Public Relations and Communications Ella Valencerina to answers the questions of anyone, Probe Productions and any journalist who inquired on the matter. This is what she is being paid for. Perhaps Ms. Valencerina needs to be reminded that public relations is not just about a good write up or a positive press release but also about the ills and malfunctions in the agency she represents. This is what public service should be. She cannot chose the types of stories and inquiries to answer. The truth is, she doesn't have a choice but to answer. But of course, she insisted she had a choice and interpreted everything as an assault to her right as a private individual. Duh!!

But you know what, other public relations officers in other agencies of government knew that part of their function is to address both the good and the bad news. Ms. Valencerina should perhaps listen to how Press Secretary Cerge Remonde handles bad news, answering it in a style uniquely his own, that at the end of the interview, while the issue is not really addressed, you still want to congratulate the man for having the will-power to confront the issue against the administration he serves.

Like a true and tested warrior and defender of truth, Che-Che Lazaro will weather this storm. Her colleagues are behind her not because we protect our own. We are behind Che-Che because we knew she did her job and responded to the highest call of public service and public trust.

Go on, intimidate media. But know this: Many will continue battling the media's right for freedom of the press. (end)

PDEA's eye on Zambales

2009-05-09T16:56:00.009+08:00

Power and influence protects this drug trafficker. But fortunately, as should be, the long arm of the law caught up with him and that day came last Friday when agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided his house after a successful test-buy operation.

Perhaps this man thought he had it all under control because of the position he held in the community, the Muslim community that is, in the province of Zambales.

Arrested was Ali Omar also known by the alias “Philip”, 37 years old and a resident of # G-1053, Block 1, Lot 22 of St. Joseph Homesville in Sitio Balili, Barangay Palanginan in Iba, Zambales.

Omar is not just an ordinary resident of Iba, not an ordinary Maranao who resettled in the province of Zambales. He in fact represents thousands of Muslims spread in various towns in the entire province in his capacity as the president of the Muslim Federation of Zambales, a position he held in the last 9 years.

By his own admission in an interview with this reporter at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City Saturday, Omar said he was instrumental in the victory of many local politicians in Zambales. “Kapag sinuportahan po namin, siguradong manalo man ang kandidato, “ Omar said.

On the day he was arrested though, not one politician intervened in his behalf.

This is not a surprising discovery after all. In most cases, especially in the Philippines, the illegal drug trade proliferates because of strong backing and protection by organized groups, more often that not, connected one way or the other to the government. In this case, an influential group of Muslim communities with an estimated population of 12,000 in this province, pinpointed by PDEA as one of the biggest consumers of shabu in the country.

Did he name politicians as his protectors? Nope he did not. But mentioned names of those he helped win in previous elections.

Recovered during the PDEA raid, witnessed by barangay officials, State prosecutor Olivia V. Non and one occupant of the house was one sealed big transparent plastic bag containing crystalline substance later tested to be shabu and weighing approximately one kilogram, (1) one sachet of brownish powdery substance, assorted drug paraphernalia, one ISUZU Sportivo with plate number ZTE-913, cash amounting to forty-three thousand and six hundred pesos (P 43, 600.00.00), (1) one caliber .22 rifle and assorted ammunition, five units of cellular phones, one Digital camera, one MP4, three pieces of wallets with pictures and identification cards.

Please note the conscious effort here of PDEA to include the state prosecutor in the inventory of all evidence gathered and all suspects arrested so as to avoid any clash again between PDEA operatives and prosecutors from the Department of Justice.

We all saw how ugly it was when they came face to face in a congressional inquiry on the very controversial case of the Alabang Boys.

Also recovered from Omar’s vehicle was one loaded caliber .45 Taurus semi-automatic pistol which Omar admitted to own, a necessity he said since he claimed to be an action agent of the military.

The president of the Muslim Federation of Zambales was arrested Friday for drug trafficking and maintenance of a shabu-drug den in the capital town of Iba, providing clear leads as to the extent of network of protection that illegal syndicates enjoy in the said province. The arrest of Omar also validates an intelligence information gathered by the agency that the province of Zambales now ranks among the top consumers of illegal drugs, specifically methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, this according to Major Ferdinand Marcelino, head of the PDEA Special Enforcement Service (SES) that lead the operation along with other agents from PDEA’s Complaint and Reaction Unit (CRU) headed by Major Valentino Lopez.

The raid on Omar’s house was done with a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Cielito N. Mindaro-Grulla of the National Capital Judicial Region, RTC Branch 29.

Omar is identified as the most notorious drug trafficker in the town of Iba but at the PDEA headquarters, Omar volunteered said, he is not the most notorious, just one of the manu he says and provided PDEA with more names of others engage in the illegal drugs trade. The information he provided PDEA revealed that his operation actually extended in many parts of Zambales, specifically the town of Subic.

Omar’s illegal drugs operation was discovered following the raids on three drug dens in Barangay Calapacuan in Subic, Zambales last March 13 where three local drug traffickers were arrested. “Omar’s name came up following up that Calapacuan raid and from thenon, we conducted surveillance operations on his illegal drug dealings,” Marcelino said.

During surveillance operation by PDEA agents, several men, coming in groups were seen coming in and out of Omar’s residence with high powered firearms. “We have strong evidence to support the information that he is also involved in gun running, ” said Marcelino adding that they were expecting resistance on the part of Omar’s group that’s why they came in full force, fully armed.

At the surveillance stage before the actual operation that lead to Omar’s arrest, agents of PDEA also found out that Omar used vehicles with non-existent records at the Land Transportation Office or LTO.

Marcelino explained that the agency is now focusing their attention on Zambales because they found a link between the drug trafficking syndicates there and the drug trafficking syndicates in Lanao provinces particularly Marawi City.

“The arrest of Omar is significant in a sense that this validates the informal operational and organizational link the agency has been following up since the discovery in May last year of more than 740 kilograms of shabu from mainland China,” said Marcelino.

The said shipment of shabu, the biggest so far in years was valued at Five Billion Five Hundred Forty Two Million Three Hundred Sixty Two Thousand, a shipment identified with the illegal drug syndicates that included Chinese Businessman Anton Ang, a former locator and investor at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and a certain Robert Lee.

The name to watch here according to PDEA is Robert Lee whose name was also mentioned by their assets in Marawi as the source of the illegal drugs shipped from the Subic Freeport to the Central Mindanao provinces.Marcelino said PDEA assets revealed that Marawi and other Lanao provinces were among the recipients of the biggest shabu-bust in May of 2008.

Omar admitted to PDEA agents, specifically during an interrogation recorded on video, that he met his shabu supplier in Marawi City, whose name he provided to PDEA and identifies him as the link to the “real big guys”. The fellow Maranao he met in Marawi, his source in the shabu-trade also operates in Metro Manila and is based in Alabang.

I cannot help but point to the obvious detail here. The PDEA officer who was introduced to the public as the officer who dared touched one posh subdivision and put into jail the so called Alabang Boys, may find himself in familiar territory again---Alabang because of the revelations made by Omar and witnessed and heard by this reporter.

“This one is talking and we can confidently say that we are climbing up the ladder of this network. Those who are really higher and the highest in the ladder and we have reasons to believe that the syndicates in Zambales and those in Marawi are connected to the real deal, the financiers and operators of shipment of shabu connected to the group of Anton Ang,” Marcelino said.

Ang is the subject of manhunt, a priority order of the president, but has not been arrested. PDEA’s last information on Ang was he is now in mainland China. When will they get him?

In a previous interview with PDEA Director Dionisio Santiago he told me, “Soon, very soon, we will get Anton Ang”.(end)

PACMAN insists, he's healthy, not suffering from any flu...

2009-05-07T08:46:00.009+08:00

Who's afraid of the A-H1-N-1 influenza virus? Apparently a lot of people and for a valid reason but not the man who once again made all Filipinos stand tall and proud around the world.

As of this morning, the man who reigns king in the boxing ring confirmed to DZBB broadcaster Mike Enriquez in a phone interview from Los Angeles, California that his flight back to the country will push through. In fact as they spoke on the phone, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao was doing some last minute packing for hand carried luggage. Pacquiao also said that there were reports that reached him that he is not welcome to come home at this point because of the alert on the A-H1-N1 influenza virus also referred to as the swine flu from Mexico.

"I was told I am not allowed to go home yet but I will go home. My team will go home. What I know is that only those whose health is not well, those suffering from flu or related symptoms that should be placed in quarantine, but if you are healthy and not suffering from any fever or flu, you're OK to go home, " Pacquiao said in Filipino. The interview was briefed as Pacquiao had to really rush to the airport, a signal that the world's champ and the Filipino's "Pambansang Kamao" is really determined to board that flight that will take him back to his country.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque advised Team Pacquiao to stay in Los Angeles and postpone his homecoming as part of the preventive measures against the swine flu in the United States and Mexico. The advise was in fact, just a suggestion from the health secretary because of 10 cases of individuals in the Philippines now under medical observation for the deadly A-H1-N1 influenza virus. Many of those placed under medical observations are foreigners and came from trips abroad specifically from the United States and Great Britain.

Duque's suggestion also implied that the Grand Welcome for the People's Champ set on Friday will not push through. Many reacted of course. Why subject the people's champ to that restriction when millions of adoring fans here in the Philippines are awaiting his homecoming after his very recent victory over British boxer Ricky Hatton?

"The motorcade will push through", insists Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, one of the organizers of Team Pacman's whole day motorcade in Metro Manila.

I will have to agree with Atienza this time. Millions are waiting and it will not look good in the eyes of the world that in his very own country, the Pacman and his team appeared to be not welcome because of fear of the swine flu epidemic. Right after his defeat, Hatton went home to Manchester in London and was not subjected to any medical restriction or quarantine because of a very clear understanding on how the dreaded virus spreads.

While DOH has clear good intentions, it also reflects the limited understanding and appreciation of the swine flu epidemic that has caused the death of more than a thousand people in a number of countries in just a short period of time. The virus mimics the symptoms of the ordinary flu according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the preventive measures advised by world health experts are also ordinary measures, known to many.

But Pacquiao is right, for one to be quarantined, the individual has to have the symptoms first.

He doesn't have any---why quarantine him and his team? A case of over-acting, sorry to say.

Millions are awaiting Pacman's return and his decision to go home as scheduled erases the disappointment felt many after DOH's suggestion was reported yesterday.

It's a sad commentary that the man who brought honors to the country will be coming home faced with a number of issues and not just a plain and fitting red carpet welcome and victory parade for the honor he once again accorded to the Filipino flag through the world of professional boxing.

Aside from the swine flu scare, the Pacman is also faced with criticisms on his move to organize and register to the Commission on Elections his own People's Champ Party, signaling his crystal clear intention of fielding himself as a candidate in the 2010 Local Elections in Saranggani province.

There are also criticisms about his presence in the world of entertainment as an actor and as a TV/host. And we also know the other criticism against him about that supposed "affair" with a very voluptuous actress, an affair that has been denied over and over again, but one that has remained in the public consciousness.

Please, let's give Pacquiao a break and give him a fitting welcome.

The hugs and kisses he gets from his fans may in fact give Manny the ordinary or even the dreaded swine flu. But is he afraid? No! Why should we if the man's knows he's in top shape, and as Atienza puts it, "Manny is very healthy, healthier that most of us and probably, the healthiest Filipino alive today."

Manny, just go home. Millions await you. Do not disappoint them. (end)

"Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo..."

2009-05-04T15:20:00.011+08:00

First and foremost, let me make it clear. I am part of that generation of Martin Nievera fans. I am a huge fan and will always remain one of his biggest fans.

But I must say, while I am a huge fan, there was something about the way he sang the Philippine National Anthem during the Pacquiao-Hatton bout that did not sound right. More than not sounding right, it did not feel right.

Yes, there was something wanting in the rendition that has something to do with emotions and feelings. Martin sang it well. I was not pointing to that. A song is about interpretation and it was his interpretation and he did it well.

But it's not about singing it well or singing it bad, it's about something else. I wanted to know. And so, in the midst of the Pacman fever over his victory over Hatton, I posted a question in my Facebook Account, a simple question that elicited the most number of responses from my FB friends. The question: What can you say about Martin Nievera's rendition of the Philippine National Anthem in lieu of the Pacquiao-Hatton bout?

These are some of the responses of my FB friends:

Atty. Ted Te: "RA 8491, the 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code, sec. 37 provides that the national anthem shall be sung or played in accordance with the arrangement of Julian Felipe and that it's not to be sung for entertainment. I think it should be 2/4, so it's like a march or something. I think it was in poor taste to have Martin Nievera who can barely speak the language, sing the national anthem. But I guess they wanted a Vegas athmosphere to it so they got a showman to do it."

Grandier Bella: "I was more attracted to his clothes."

Judy Che Sabello: "As I said he is only good in Be My Lady song. Bayang and Kuh could sing that in our right versions not in a burgus way."

Shy Valdez: "In my opinion, Martin sang fairly well. Yun lang alam ko may igaganda pa sana. Also medyo na-off ako nung biglang tumaas. From mababa to biglang taas kasi. Wala yung pa build up."

Roger Pe: "Off-synch pa yata. I would prefer an unknown public grade school teacher from Gen. Santos or Saranggani to have sung it."

Daphne Osena-Paez: "Bad. he should have stuck to a traditional version and no instrumental accompaniment. And his facial expressions were distracting."

Jake Maderazo: "It was great."

Ares Penales-Gutierrez: "Yun ang ayaw ko sa tuwing may laban si Pacquiao.Di kinakanta nang maayos ang Pambansang Awit at akala ng mga singer, Cute sila."

Randy Velasco: " Sa susunod si Manny na lang ang kakanta. Special request. That would be cool."

Karen Santiago: "Dapat si Leah Salonga na lang ulit."

Benji Beljica: "Ha-ha! what a show."

Benjie Escocal: "Sana si Ara Mina na lang kumanta next time."

Norman Sison: "I appreciate how strong we feel about our national anthem. I trust that the feeling is also translated into everyday deeds such as doing the right thing not only when it is convenient."

There are more comments but I cannot put them all here.

But the point is, as my good friend Norman pointed out, the responses attached to that simple question manifest the strong feeling we have for our national anthem. Majority of the responses mentioned that the singing of the national anthem, especially in an international event such as the Pacquiao-Hatton bout in Las Vegas should follow the original, traditional and the common way of singing it. Atty. Te even specified the Republic Act that governs the guidelines on how to sing or play the Philippine National Anthem.

Not content with the responses I got from my FB friends, I called an expert in this field, a real musician, an internationally renowned musical conductor, Professor Ed Manguiat, Choir Director of the UP Singing Ambassadors.

Professor Manguiat said during the interview regarding this topic that the arrangement of the song, the way Martin was made to sing it did not "register his gift as a singer." The professor noted the artistic purpose from the side of Martin's musical arranger. But the one thing that's missing he said on the way it was arranged and performed was the fact that it did not convey "pride and honor" to the flag. In Filipino he said, "Walang giting at pagmamalaki na naipakita. Dapat ang ganda ng boses ng tao o ng umaawit, nagkataon lang. Nasa kanta mismo. Nasa titik. Nasa rendisyon." ("There's no pride and honor conveyed. The good singing voice of the person singing the song should only be incidental. It's the song itself that should register. The words. The rendition.")

After speaking with Manguiat, I finally realized what it was that I thought was missing in the way one of my favorite singers sang the Philippine National Anthem. Walang kilabot. Hindi nakapaninindig balahibo.There was no emotion. I did not feel a single strand of hair in my body reacting emotionally with pride and with honor to the way it was sung. You can see the facial expression of Martin and yet, there was something superficial about it. Perhaps, Ted Te's observation provides us the explanation as to why despite the emotions registered in the facial expression of Martin, there was no emotions of national pride and honor on his rendition.

Maybe--just maybe---he has not fully understood the meaning and more so the history of the song.

To the millions of others around the world who saw it, this did not mean a thing. But for Filipinos, and I trust, majority of the Filipinos share this point, singing the national anthem properly in front of an international audience meant something else that is bigger and far more ideal than hitting the high notes or wearing the right clothes while singing it, or whether a female or a male singer sings it, or whether a famous or a virtual unknown gets to sing it the next time.

The proper rendition rests on the understanding and the appreciation of the words of the song and the history of bravery of the race that fought for its independence.

Imagine Julian Felipe when he was composing this song as our national anthem back in 1898. Imagine the events before the mere act of composing this song for the Declaration of our Independence came.

O.A. na kung O.A. pero yun talaga ang kulang. Ang giting ng pagkakaawit. Wala sa ganda ng boses. Wala sa areglo. Nasa pagkakaunawa sa awitin ang ganda ng rendisyon.

Bayang magiliw, perlas ng silanganan.
Alab ng puso, sa dibdib mo'y buhay.
Lupang hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting
Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok, sa simoy at
sa langit mong bughaw,
may dilag ang tula at awit
sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y
tagumpay na nagniningning.
Ang bituin at araw niya
kailan pa may di magdidilim.

Lupa ng araw, ng lualhati't pagsinta,
buhay ay langit sa piling mo.
Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi,
ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo.

In English, this is the tranlation by Camilio Osias and A.L. Lang

Land of the morning
Child of the sun returning
With fervor burning
Thee do our souls adore.

Land dear and holy,
Cradle of noble heroes,
Ne'er shall invaders
Trample thy sacred shores.

Ever within thy skies and through thy clouds
And o'er thy hills and seas;
Do we behold thy radiance, feel the throb
Of glorious liberty.

Thy banner dear to all hearts
Its sun and stars alight,
Oh, never shall its shining fields
Be dimmed by tyrant's might.

Beautiful land of love, O land of light,
In thine embrace 'tis rapture to lie;
But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged
For us, thy sons to suffer and die

Whoever gets to sing it next time Manny goes to battle again, let him or her appreciate the lyrics of the song first before he/she take that ring and sing our national anthem for all the world to see.(end)

THE GREATEST FIGHTER OF ALL TIME...

2009-05-03T12:01:00.002+08:00

Nakapaninindig balahibo. Ang sarap maging Filipino. Muli salamat Manny Pacquiao!

I opened this post in Filipino, thanking the man who just minutes ago showed the whole world the determination, the courage and the strength of the Filipino boxer.

Nobody expected it. Not even Manny himself. The fight with British boxer Ricky "the Hitman" Hatton, taunted as the greatest challenge in Pacquiao's boxing career ended in just two round...actually 10-seconds shy away from the end of Round 2 or to be exact---359 seconds of boxing! Power, precision, and a lot faith. Tons of it!

A right hook brought Hatton twice during the first round. But while Hitman was watching more of that right hook, it was Pacman's left hook to the chin that ended Hitman's goal to punish the Filipino boxer from General Santos City in Southern Philippines.

A clear victory. Pound per pound, Manny has again affirmed what the world now acknowledge as true: that he is the best in the world. A boxing superstar for the ages working at his peak says one boxing analyst.

Radio broadcaster and boxing commentator Orly Trinidad over DZBB can't help but compare that moment with a rushing PNR train ramming towards Hatton and crushing all his defenses. In Filipino Trinidad said, " parang bumunggo sa panga ni Hitman ang isang tren ng PNR!" Thanks to GMA-7' AM radio--those of us who did not rush to the malls or paid per view for this historic fight were able to get the blow by blow account of the East versus West fight. The truth is--listening to it on radio offers a different thrill. Good job Pareng Orly and the rest of the DZBB men and women who brought us the fight live on air!

I wonder where is Floyd Mayweather Sr. who in the HBO-documentary aired last night at GMA-7 entitled "Pacman/Hitman 24/7", the Sr. Mayweather ridiculed the way Pacquiao executes his punches and described it as "amateur." He even said that after the fight with Hatton, "Pacman would be history. Game over."

Watching that documentary late last night, as a Filipino, I cannot help but feel rage and I am sure those who saw it, felt the same intensity of anger towards that statement. It was all air, arrogance and coming from someone who has no appreciation about the capacity of the human spirit to emerge victorious. For someone who was once a boxer himself, much is expected from Hatton's trainor. He should know. It's not all training. It's not even about all tactics and strategy.
It's the heart of a true champion that defines the outcome of any fight.

I could not wait what the Sr. Mayweather has to say after this fight. The irony here is that his own son, staging a comeback is most likely the next man on the ring to face the boxer he ridiculed so much. They have not spoken for years, the Sr. and the Jr. Mayweather. Would the October bout between the Jr. Mayweather with the Philippines' Pacman result into the reunion of father and son? Well...that's another story worth watching.

It was a good thing that Hatton too showed humility in many instances and left the talking and the heckling to his trainor. More than in Manny's favor, Ricky wanted this fight and he got it. Unfortunately, it did not end the way he wanted it to be.

To the Hitman from Manchester, England, your place in boxing history is secure. You are a damn good fighter too. Am sure it was an honor for our Pacman to have shared the ring with you.

Once again, Manny offered his victory to all Filipinos and to all boxing fans around the world, and that included the thousands of British fans of Hatton who traveled across the continent to cheer for their own. This is your moment too. Another episode entered into the pages of professional boxing history.

Top boxing promoter Bob Arum made a bold statement after Pacquiao's victory and we quote him, "When the full story is told, he will be declared as the greatest fighter that ever lived." Arum said this pointing to the fact that as an athlete, Pacquiao kept on improving his craft, learning and learning and learning some more.

The truth is, Manny's example is not just for athletes like him. The lesson is universal. Anyone could learn from Manny's example. From humble beginnings, he managed to reached the highest point of his boxing career and yet he kept on improving, learning some more and acknowledging the one true thing about life, that each step you take, each day that passes by, is an opportunity to learn, discover and yes---execute the things that are part of the endless possibilities of life.

But by now---all those who remain doubtful of why this man, Pacman, Aling Dionisia's beloved son, emerge victorious fight after fight---I point you to the one statement he said in the HBO 24/7 documentary: "If God doesn't want me to win, I will not win. If he want's me to lose the fight, no matter what I do, even how hard I practice and strategize, I will lose. It's all up to Him."

In an interview in his dug-out after the fight---Manny said it again: That not just in boxing, anyone who believes and truly acknowledges that everything comes from God, can do anything and can win any battle.

Manny, once again, we are overwhelmed and truly proud of the victory you attached to the Filipino flag.

Mayaman, mahirap, nasa taas, nasa baba, nasaan mang kalagayan, --- ipinaalala mong muli sa amin ang nandudumilat na katotohanan na ang lahat ng ito ay may Iisang kapangyarihang pinagmulan.

You showed us. You showed the world. Thank you Manny!

Ang sarap isigaw---lahi ko'y Filipino. Dugong marangal. Dugong magiting. Dugong malaya.(end)

TRULY GRATEFUL

2009-05-02T11:14:00.002+08:00

This one is a story of extremes:A tragic lose and a wonderful gain.

Loren Legarda, senator and former journalist, a colleague in my days with ABS-CBN was pregnant in the first quarter of 2002 when I was waylaid and taken hostage by a group of para-military men, all Tausugs, with insignia's of the Philippine Military's Tabak Division in Barangay Tandiong in Indanan, Sulu.

She waited long to have that third child but unfortunately suffered a miscarriage. Professor Mashur Jundam, first approached him about me during that period. She was in pain, she wasn't ready. That was sometime in February. She left the country for a while and grieved about the lose of a child she wanted to have.

When she came back, she was whole again. Her bold and daring persona, back in no time.Ready and willing to help a colleague who was in dire need of help.

Many doubted the story first. Who would kidnap the reporter known for her legendary connections with the ASG? Nah..baloney! Crap! Some even screamed oh that's a gimmick, "kidnap-me" they said. But that was because they got it wrong. They thought the Abu Sayyaf Group was the one that abducted me. Wrong.

But one reporter of one newspaper got the story correct. The first time he reported it and when my abductors read about it, that got me into trouble. The article came out in the Manila Times; MNLF Integrees behind reporters abduction. Whew--that headline got me into deeper trouble. I was made to account for that one, made to explain how that information leaked.

They thought I was able to contact someone and tell their identities, a stupid suspicion really for they're the ones in control of my cellular phone since the very night they pulled me and threw me into that pumpboat with my hands tied behind my back. (Heller?!!!!)

The truth was--I also cannot accept what was happening to me, the very moment that it did.

I was angry. I was fuming mad. Asking them questions, acting for a moment as if I was in charge and that I have all the right to interrogate."Who is your officer-in-command?" "Don't you know that I know all of your faces? That I covered you during your training in Camp Capinpin in Tanay Rizal?" Stupid me! I got into more trouble for that outrage.

Dragging me into the pump boat that night of January 20, 2002 in Barangay Tandiong in Indanan, Sulu were armed men in military uniform, stressed on Tabak Division insignias, Tausugs, members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who got integrated into the Armed Forces of the Philippines by virtue of the 1996 Peace Agreement.

Having covered Mindanao in 2002 for straight 12 years, having penetrated the most remote area in the jungle of Sulu and Basilan, I had this false sense of protection that I will never be touched, harmed and much less--taken hostage by any group---especially, not those clearly attached with the government forces. Not the MNLF, ... but of course I was wrong!

But alas---colleagues in the media learned the truth and wasted no time in helping me. Fe Zamora and Ma'am Letty Magsanoc of the Philippine Daily Inquirer were there for me.

My friends in the Philippine Marines searched for me and conducted actual foot patrol in the jungles of Indanan. Some of them now amongst those charge with attempting to stage a coup d' etat during the 2006 Marine Stand-Off.

The truth is---and I know this may sound so ironic and so controversial, even Khadaffy Janjalani and his men tried to locate me ---and from what I heard later, even attempted to rescue me. I was on my way to their camp in Sulu when I was waylaid by this other group of armed men who were fed with the wrong information that I was delivering ransom money for the Burnham couple at that time. A sampling of how twisted and how misguided the human intelligence networking of the authorities at that particular hostage crisis.

To those who truly cared in locating me, saving me, I am truly grateful. And I would be amiss in my duty, looking back with gratitude if I will not mention their names: The Vice President Noli De Castro, who was then still a senator and someone I can call my friend, a colleague in the media, and someone who knew me as a person, trusting his instinct that I will never ever resort to anything that is untruthful and staged and that in truth and in fact, my life was in danger at that time.

The list of people to thank is long and let me not forget to stress that on top of this long list is the name of my godmother Ninang Cherry Cobarrubias who was the one person that kept the lines of communications open and managed to turn on her side, Lakandula, one of the leaders of the MNLF renerage forces that kidnapped me, to someone close to being her ally, turning his "No" into "Yes" and his angry and threatening voice to "Opo Ninang" ("Yes Ninang").

It was her love and compassion that sustained the lines of communication, a crucial factor in any hostage situation. It was through my Ninang Cherry that I learned the sacrifice that Loren had to risk just so she could save me. Her role, her participation was pulled with utmost secrecy for as what a colonel in the Armed Forces told them, it's the only way to ensure succeess of the mission to effect my release. The colonel's warning according to my Ninang Cherry: "Never inform the brigade or you'll not ge her." A warning that was also related by Lakandula to my Ninang Cherry.

When Loren finally decided to help me, it was more than just an act of extending a hand to a colleague in a life-threatening ordeal. Her decision to help stems from the fact that she understood why I needed help, fast, urgent, ASAP: A mother has to be reunited with her kids.

“I had just suffered a miscarriage then,” Legarda recalled, “but I felt it was my Christian duty to help Arlyn. We realized that as my unborn child’s life was lost, it was redeemed by the release of Arlyn who has two girls of her own, with the youngest being only two years old when she was abducted. In the process, she got her chance back to be a mother once again." Loren said during an informal and intimate celebration of the 7th year anniversary of my release as a hostage held at the Manila Polo Club in Makati last April 28, Tuesday, a day after the exact date of my release.

Exactly 7 years ago on April 27, 2002, I literally rushed towards freedom, running as fast as I could could at the Jolo Airport and into the arms of Loren. Seven years have passed since that moment and while it feels as if it only happened yesterday, my life has never been the same after that. After that experience, I see life from a different perspective, I live each day at a time, making sure, each day is my best, that I don't fail to say I love you to those I love, my kids most specially, for really, we never know when will we breath our last.

Only a mother like Loren would understand how and why.

If not for her daring move to come to my aid---I would not have been in this stage of my life, happy, complete and fully living life with gratitude every single day.

Truly God's mercy and love works in wondrous ways and on that day, the 27th of April 2002, tapped the right person to facilitate my release.

Seven years have passed. I have long moved on. My kids and I, my family--we have moved on and forward. But in moving on with our lives, we will never ever forget to look back with gratitude.

The fact alone that I am counting the years since that episode in my life is a great blessing from the Lord.

The gift of life and freedom and the chance to be mother again. Salamat po AMA.(end)

RESCUE MISSION, NOTHING BUT A HOLLYWOOD PLOT

2009-05-02T10:57:00.001+08:00

Even before it saw print, the alleged rescue mission by Magdalo soldiers trained by former Special Forces members from New Zealand and Australia, I already received a text message about it from a long time police source.

I did not pursue the story not because I do not trust the source, but because judging from the content of the initial information he forwarded to me which he claimed also came from another unit in the law enforcement agency, my first impulse was it's nothing but a product of one's very fertile imagination.

As I was briefed about the full content of the alleged rescue mission, it dawned to me that what I am hearing is nothing but a juicy story plot perfect for a Hollywood movie. Is Jerry Bruckheimmer in town? I wonder...

But alas--the source of the information was revealed, the Office of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) through Executive Director Mariano Villafuerte.

The PAOCC was once a very powerful agency in government under the previous administration of former President Joseph Estrada but since that time, little is known about the undertakings of this office. The truth is, it's a revelation that it's still existing. As far as I can recall, say in the last 4-6 years, this is the only time again that this agency is mentioned in a news paper article.

The reemergence of this agency into public consciousness is highly suspicious. What have they been doing in the last 4-6 years? And why come out only now and with this fantastic tale of destabilization angle pointing to the usual suspects---the Magdalo, senator Antonio Trillanes and Brig. Gen. Danny Lim?

Would any group especially those critical of the present administration gain anything by pulling this alleged rescue mission of Trillanes and Lim from their detention cell inside Camp Crame, home of the headquarters of the Philippine National Police? Certainly none.

And if the scriptwriter of this scenario only cared to observe, the political trend now points to 2010 and the very personalities they want to drag in this latest destabilization scenario are all pinning their hopes on the next elections.

Take it from me---Danny Lim has no plans of bolting out of jail much less expecting to be extricated from where he is now. I speak from the point of view of someone who has known the man behind the principle of doing what is right, what is good and what is just.

If there's one thing that consumes the general these days, it's that period of contemplation and discernment on what is the next big step that would take his love and service of country to the next level.

Even the former president, Erap, the one this specific scenario points as the most likely financier has been doing the rounds, consulting local leaders, feeling the people's pulse so to speak, if he is still that popular among the electorate. If only the plotters of this scenario care to observe, they would realize, why there are practically no believers of this rescue mission they exposed in the media.

Only one former member of Magdalo was among those allegedly training to rescue Lim and Trillanes. And if we care to dig deeper, we would learn that many of the enlisted personnel who were released ahead of the Magdalo officers, have in fact pursued careers as security guards, consultants, the so called mercenaries, in different military camps in Iraq and Afganistan. This, in essence and in reality, is what this is all about, a personal business interest of someone who wanted to control that shooting range in Clark, Pampanga.

From what I gathered, it's actually Villafuerte who should be investigated for using his position in government to go after a rival business interest, a Blackwater-type of security agency providing consultants and personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Villafuerte by the way is the son of Representative Luis Villafuerte, a known ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. I wonder too if this expose of sort pulled by his son has something to do with the mission impossible to push through with charter change in Congress.

But, hey! Did I just say mission impossible? I almost forgot, newly installed representatives, mostly, administration allies, were already sworn into office just the other day. The numbers game here may in fact make that mission impossible---possible and done via fast break.

It seems to me that this father and son tandem have no qualms in using their connections in Malacanang to pursue their respective and very personal agenda.

If the congressman's son thinks he'll simply get away with this strategy disguised as an expose on an alleged destabilization plot, a rescue mission inside the PNP Custodial Center, wait for the counter move, one that will really expose what should be exposed: a senate investigation on the very expose he revealed. I expect no less than an exciting and truly revealing senate inquiry should this one push through. (end)