Thank You, Cory. And Goodbye

I was less than 10 years old when the dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted from power via the historic 1986 EDSA Revolution that put Corazon 'Cory' Aquino to Malacañang palace.

As such, I have not, due to my being young, had the best idea how she did being president.

All I remember was that she was the lady in yellow, the wife of Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino, an opposition leader, who was killed in Tarmac in 1983.

Cory's term as Philippine president was marred with coup d'etats, brown out, and an unstable political landscape, mainly because of the country's transition from Marcos' dictatorship.

And what could the people have expected? Even her husband, Ninoy, once said,

"I pity the next president after Marcos"

Never, of course, did he realize that it was his wife, Cory, who would have that broad responsibility of being the next president.

But in all, what I know and what I am thankful for, is Cory's sincere determination to become the opposition's icon or figure that would try to restore the democracy of our nation.

And she succeeded, together with the Filipino people.

To Cory, Thank You. And Goodbye.

News Tidbits 2009

(Medyo) Tahimik ang Pilipinas ngayon. Walang masyadong ingay, maliban sa Right of Reply Bill ni Senator Nene Pimentel (na hindi ko masyadong naiintindihan at hindi ko na rin pinagtiyagaang intindihin) at sa pagkapasa ng Automation Budget para sa 2010 elections (na patuloy pa ring pag-aawayan dahil kabi-kabila ang siguradong magsasabing may dayaang mangyayari. Tingnan natin, kung magagamit na ang automation sa 2010 elections, panigurado na yung matatalong kandidato eh magsasabing "nadaya ako!").

Sikat si Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. Aba'y big-time siya! Kung dati-rati eh Pangulo lang ng Pilipinas ang gustong i-impeach, ngayon, naka-file na ang impeachment complaint niya sa Kamara. Ang problema lang, katulad din ng complaints laban kay GMA, may pag-asa ba namang umusad ang kaso? Kilalang kaalyado ng First Couple si Gutierrez, dahil classmate siya ni FG Mike Arroyo sa Ateneo De Manila College of Law. In fact, hindi pa nga napag-aaralan ang kaso eh nagsabi na si Mikey Arroyo na hindi siya tututulan niya ang Impeachment. Pati si DOJ Secretary Raul Gonsalez eh nagpahiwatig na mahirap lumusot ang kaso.

Other than the above news, wala nang masyadong matunog. Magtataka ka na lang, ano na ang nangyari doon sa mga naunang issues, katulad nang Alabang Boys Drug Case, WB Corruption Charges, Euro Generals (sabi sa news, hindi na raw kakasuhan si General Dela Paz kasi ibabalik na daw yung kinuhang pera-pwede pala yun?), Fertilizer Scam, etc.

Para tuloy gusto kong sabihin sa sarili ko: "Hindi ka pa ba nasanay?".

Kung nasusulusyonan lang ang mga nakikitang iregularidad. Kung napaparusahan lang sana ang mga dapat maparusahan. Kung kahit paano sana ay nagkakaroon ng pagbabago at kaunti mang pag-unlad ng bansa. Siguro ay tataas kahit paano ang Trust Rating ng Pangulo. Subalit dahil dito, patuloy na hindi maganda ang resulta ng surveys. Ayon sa pinakahuling tala ng Pulse Asia, halos kalahati ng mga Pinoy ang walang tiwala kay Pangulong Arroyo.

Kung wala na talagang pag-asang magbago ang patakbo ng gobyerno, sana naman ay magkaroon ng pagbabago sa susunod na mga lider ng bansa.

Glory Days of EDSA

For three days, men, women and children filled the streets of EDSA holding on frail hope. For those brief moments, they feared for their security, their lives, their future.

Rumors were spreading all over that the forces from the loyalists were coming in from the north to silence the cry of the people through bullets and shells. The prayers grew louder; anxiety filled the air.

From above, the citizens of Manila resembled ants swarming on the entire stretch of EDSA. Most of the streets were blockaded and trees were cut down to serve as makeshift anti-tank barricades. Curious civilians climbed the 25-ft. light posts to have a glimpse over the crowd. Along the curbs, women attended to the thirsty, hungry and the weary. Men stood vigilant and served as perimeter guards just in case loyalist troops decided to attack. Priests and nuns prayed and comforted people as they made their way through the population with rosaries at hand.

Tanks were on the other edge of EDSA, and the people had no hesitation to meet them with bare hands and prayers. Soldiers aboard the vehicles climbed out and were ordered to shoot. Most either shot in the air or were simply shocked at the amount of sacrifice ordinary people are willing to gamble. Tears rolled down their eyes as they were greeted with food and comfort from the rebels.

As Marcos proclaimed his presidency atop the balcony of the Malacañang, little did the remaining supporters realize that their would-be president was already arranging his plans for Hawaii.

This is the EDSA revolution – the peaceful cry for freedom.

(Narration credits: The EDSA Revolution Website)

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Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo

Apo Hiking Society

'Di na 'ko papayag mawala ka muli.

'Di na 'ko papayag na muli mabawi,

Ating kalayaan kay tagal natin mithi.

'Di na papayagang mabawi muli.

Magkakapit-bisig libo-libong tao.

Kay sarap palang maging Pilipino.

Sama-sama iisa ang adhikain.

Kelan man 'di na paalipin.

Ref:

Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,

Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.

Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan

Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.

Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat.

Masdan ang nagaganap sa aming bayan.

Nagkasama ng mahirap at mayaman.

Kapit-bisig madre, pari, at sundalo.

Naging Langit itong bahagi ng mundo.

Huwag muling payagang umiral ang dilim.

Tinig ng bawat tao'y bigyan ng pansin.

Magkakapatid lahat sa Panginoon.

Ito'y lagi nating tatandaan.

(repeat refrain two times)

Coda:

Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.

Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan.

Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.

Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat!

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On that glorious year of 1986 in EDSA, the world witnessed the triumph of the Filipino.

Fast-forward to the present year, though, the country remained in its old self.

Or is it even worse?

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EDSA People Power proved the reality of God's words in 2 Chronicles 7:14:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

We have, as a nation, humbled and prayed and searched for God's face. We have exposed corruption and evil in the society, and God heard from heaven. He forgave the sins of the nation. He removed the kings and rulers and have set up new ones. And He healed the pains and gave us a brand new beginning for the Nation.

But somewhere along the way, we lost-track and returned to our old-self.

Can we blame God? By no means! There is no way we can say, 'God! You didn't help us. God! you were wrong in choosing our new rulers!' No way, we can say that.

We have asked forgiveness and healing, and restoration in the land. But seems that we have not totally turned to God and asked Him to 'totally' rule among us. But rather, after seeing God do the changes, we have stopped and let the new leaders reign over us. Men and women who hunger for money, power, and still more power have started to penetrate the leadership of our nation. And since then, as a nation, we have never really returned to God.

As I see the situation today, I believe that there is so much hunger and thrist for change. Such was in the days of Marcos and Ninoy. The people are ready. And God is always ready and willing to give us another brand new start- but we've got to pray and ask Him to install the righteous rulers of this land.

Moral Ascendency: Righteous leaders who fear and obey the word of God. This is what the people clamor for. Again, the people are ready. And God's eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9).


May He finally install the right rulers.
May He finally bring back the glory days of EDSA.
May He finally bring glory to the Philippines.

Villar Out; Enrile In

On Monday, November 17, Senator Manny Villar formally tendered his resignation as Senate President of the Philippines.


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“The tenure of the Senate president, as everyone knows, depends on the number of members that supports him or her. I've been informed this afternoon that I no longer have the support of the majority members. I now, therefore tender my resignation.”

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Inquirer.net reports:

The plot to oust Villar, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said, had been “a work in progress since the C-5 controversy,” was said to have been hatched over the weekend and was finalized at noon Monday, with 13 senators signing a resolution to oust Villar.

The C-5 controversy refers to Lacson’s accusation that Villar had initiated the double entry in the national budget for the extension of the C-5 road in the cities of Parañaque and Las Piñas.
Villar has been accused of benefiting from the C-5 extension project as this passed through property owned by his real estate firms.




Immediately after Villar's speech, Lacson moved to declare the top senate post vacant and nominated Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who garnered 14 votes to become the next Senate President. Senator Gregorio Honasan stood up and swore Enrile into his new office.


[I find it noteworthy to say that Enrile was one of Ferdinand Marcos' allies when Marcos declared the Martial in 1972. Thereafter, Enrile became one of the leaders of a military revolt in 1986 that led to the Edsa People Power Revolution and the ouster of Marcos. During the revolt, Enrile gathered much support from Honasan, then a young military officer.]


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“With sincere gratitude and in all humility, I accept the responsibility and trust that the majority of you, my peers, has entrusted and reposed upon me today.




Allow me this opportunity to ask you, my colleagues, to forgive my shortcomings.


I am an old man who has acquired some bad habits of sometimes being arrogant, rude, harsh with my words, insensitive and impatient.



Yet, you have so kindly overlooked these shortcomings, and generously chose me to be your leader.”

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The rumors behind Villar's ouster (and Enrile's rose to the top post) and other stories:

1. Bayad-utang?
JPE’s rise to senate presidency 'reward' for Transco 'sale'

2. Para sa 2010?
Estrada hand in coup seen


3. Parang artista lang pag sumagot. "We're just friends, you know."
Villar on ouster: It's purely politics

4. Sabagay, yung mga mas matatanda ang nakaka-appreciate sa cha-cha.
Enrile says he won't use post to amend Charter

Tagubilin at Habilin ni Jose "Pete" Lacaba

Sa dami ng tulang nabasa, sa dami ng talatang napakinggan, hindi maiiwasang manghusga kapag makabasa ka at makakita nang bagong komposisyon.

Malimit, kinatatamaran nang mga katulad kong mapagmasid sa lalim ng pananalita ang magbasa ng mga komposisyong sobrang haba.

Hindi ko lubusang kilala si Pete Lacaba. Naririnig ko lang ang ganyang pangalan kapag napag uusapan ang EDSA at ang historyang bumabalat sa panahon ng Martial Law.

Hindi ko sya lubusang kilala. Subalit aaminin kong ang tulang ito ay nagbigay nang mga panibagong rebelasyon nang aking pagiging Pilipino.

Mabuhay ka, Ka Pete, at Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

TAGUBILIN AT HABILIN
Ni Jose F. Lacaba

Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kongTagubilin at habilin:
Mabuhay ka!

Sa edad kong ito, marami akong maibibigay na payo.
Mayaman ako sa payo.

Maghugas ka ng kamay bago kumain.
Maghugas ka ng kamay pagkatapos kumain.
Pero huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay para lang makaiwas sa sisi.
Huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay kung may inaapi
Na kaya mong tulungan.

Paupuin sa bus ang matatanda at ang mga may kalong na sanggol.
Magpasalamat sa nagmamagandang-loob.
Matuto sa karanasan ng matatanda
Pero huwag magpatali sa kaisipang makaluma.

Huwag piliting matulog kung ayaw kang dalawin ng antok.
Huwag pag-aksayahan ng panahon ang walang utang na loob.
Huwag makipagtalo sa bobo at baka ka mapagkamalang bobo.
Huwag bubulong-bulong sa mga panahong kailangang sumigaw.

Huwag kang manalig sa bulung-bulungan.
Huwag kang papatay-patay sa ilalim ng pabitin.
Huwag kang tutulog-tulog sa pansitan.

Umawit ka kung nag-iisa sa banyo.
Umawit ka sa piling ng barkada.
Umawit ka kung nalulungkot.
Umawit ka kung masaya.

Ingat lang.

Huwag kang aawit ng “My Way” sa videoke bar at baka ka mabaril.
Huwag kang magsindi ng sigarilyo sa gasolinahan.
Dahan-dahan sa matatarik na landas.
Dahan-dahan sa malulubak na daan.

Higit sa lahat, inuulit ko:

Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kongTagubilin at habilin:
Mabuhay ka!

Maraming bagay sa mundo na nakakadismaya.
Mabuhay ka.
Maraming problema ang mundo na wala na yatang lunas.
Mabuhay ka.

Sa hirap ng panahon, sa harap ng kabiguan,
Kung minsan ay gusto mo nang mamatay.
Gusto mong maglaslas ng pulso kung sawi sa pag-ibig.
Gusto mong uminom ng lason kung wala nang makain.
Gusto mong magbigti kung napakabigat ng mga pasanin.
Gusto mong pasabugin ang bungo mo kung maraming gumugulo sa utak.

Huwag kang patatalo.

Huwag kang susuko.
Narinig mo ang sinasabi ng awitin:“Gising at magbangon sa pagkagupiling,
Sa pagkakatulog na lubhang mahimbing.”
Gumising ka kung hinaharana ka ng pag-ibig.
Bumangon ka kung nananawagan ang kapuspalad.

Ang sabi ng iba: “Ang matapang ay walang-takot lumaban.”
Ang sabi ko naman: Ang tunay na matapang ay lumalaban
Kahit natatakot.

Lumaban ka kung inginungodngod ang nguso mo sa putik.
Bumalikwas ka kung tinatapak-tapakan ka.
Buong-tapang mong ipaglaban ang iyong mga prinsipyo
Kahit hindi ka sigurado na agad-agad kang mananalo.

Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kongTagubilin at habilin:
Mabuhay ka!