LAW AND ORDER IN THE STRONG REPUBLIC

Maybe what Sir Dennis Barcelona quoted below, will help explain WHY criminals are having a big day and no one catches them? Similarly, the Paras case, which also is criminal in nature (Plagiarism), remains unsolved to this day, because the Manila HQs of the Knights of Rizal is headed by men (any dissenting opinion?) like the policemen described by Paul Abellera in his holdup story!

Mga Kababayan, so long as we act like Picasso (Indifference), those PNP officers and the Knights of Rizal (SHAMEFUL to even mention the national hero's name because Dr Jose Rizal was not indifferent!) officials, the Philippines will never attain the description "strong republic"!

Too bad I have but one body! If I were one PNP officer getting the holdup complaint, I'd try to catch those criminals!, if I were Picasso, I'd be interested in the moon landing!, if I were a Knight of Rizal official, Paras won't pass the nomination phase! If he did, he'd be kicked out faster than he got the appointment! Because plagiarism is a CRIME!

Shame on those PNP officials! (they get paid NOT to sit around and give victims the run-around, right?) Shame on Picasso!, despite his "expensive paintings! (luckily am not interested in his paintings! my little son could paint better!) Shame on the Knights of Rizal officials in Manila IHQ, headed by Quiambao!

They promised a solution when formal complaints were filed last year. Does it take that long to read/act upon a complaint?

Easier said than done? Too bad I'm not the KOR "Supreme Commander"! I'll clean up the mess in less than 3-6 months! Pls don't misunderstand me. I have nothing personal against Paras nor Quiambao! I don't know them. All these time I was just a quiet KOR member.

Paras was invited but refused to DEFEND himself before concerned Knights in Bonn and Belgium! One meeting purportedly to solve this was called by him in his own turf, Brussels, 24 Mar 07. Lots of Blah-blah-blah on many nimportant matters were discussed. By the time the topic was on THE ACCUSATIONS, the meeting was abruptly ended for reasons that he had another appointment!

A sincere person/official, devotes an ENTIRE day, plus night! (if need be) to finish the case and RESOLVE the problem! Trusting the 24 Mar 2007 was a trap, having no AGENDA beforehand, I didn't go! I pitied those who attended, because the meeting ended, when the MEAT of contention was about to be discussed!

Paras could be tricky! But he got EXPOSED, CAUGHT! A real Shame for the Filipinos in Brussels and in Europe!

A single case like this could have been resolved in 15-30 days, last 2006 still! ...if there is RIGHTEOUSNESS in one's (those concerned) heart!

For Dr Jose Rizal...!

:)
Lazir
Rizal Victoria
(my name never hides!)

==============================

CORRUPTION
“The accomplice to the crime of corruption is frequently our own indifference.” Bess Myerson (b. 1924), U.S. government official, columnist. Quoted in: Claire Safran, “Impeachment?” (published in Redbook, New York, April 1974).

AUTHORITY
“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970), French general, president. Quoted in: André Maurois, The Art of Living,“The Art of Leadership” (1940).

INDIFFERENCE
“It means nothing to me. I have no opinion about it, and I don’t care.” Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), Spanish artist. Quoted in: New York Times (21 July 1969), reacting to the first moon-landing.


Dennis Barcelona
www.ivatan.de

Equality of Men
"Men are born equal, naked and without chains, They were not created by God to be enslaved, neither were they endowed with intelligence in order to be misled, nor adorned with reason to be fooled by others, It is not pride to refuse to worship a fellow man, to enlighten the mind, and to reason out everything. The arrogant one is he who wants to be worshipped, who misleads others, and who wants his will to prevail over reason and justice." (Jose Rizal - Message to the Women of Malolos, Europe, February 1889)

==============================

Hello,

Do you ever wonder why and how our beloved country , the Philippines is what is it today? read very well the story, that is HOW OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS (PNP) WORK TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF ORDINARY FILIPINOS. PLEASE PASS AROUND ,YOU COULD BE THE NEXT VICTIM. PUBLIC CONCIOUSNESS IS IMPORTANT TO CHANGE AN OLD BUREAUCRATIC MALPRACTICES OF OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS AND PEOPLE with AUTHORITIES (in uniform).

concerned Pinoy Belgium
____________

From: A1.Moonglow@shaw.ca
Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:31:14 -0700
Subject: [elagda-be] Law & Order in the Strong Republic

Law and order under the strong republic

Forwarded message
From: paul_abellera@abs-cbn.com <http://abs-cbn.com/>
<paul_abellera@abs-cbn.com <http://abs-cbn.com/> >

Last June 21, 2007 at around 10:30 PM, I rode an orange and white air-conditioned bus (I think it was a JMK bus.) at EDSA cor. Aurora Blvd. It was on its way to Muntinlupa via Skyway.

I was asleep during the entire ride until two men announced a hold-up when we reached Guadalupe. It was between 11:00-11:30 PM. Holding a revolver each, the two suspects told me and the other six passengers (two men and four women) to surrender our wallets and cell phones. When I refused to give them my gray bag, the two men pointed their guns at me and snatched my bag. They ordered the driver to pass through the Ayala underpass to avoid the traffic lights.

This is how the suspects looked like:

Suspect A Mid-40's to mid-50's 5'6" to 5'8" tall Heavy build Has dark complexion Has short, thick black and gray hair (bunot-style) Has thick black and gray moustache Was wearing clear eyeglasses Was wearing a faded pink and gray (in horizontal stripes) short-sleeved shirt with collar Was wearing blue jeans

Suspect B Mid-30's to early 40's 5'4" to 5'6" tall Medium build Has dark complexion Has prominent cheekbones with sunken cheeks Has short, thin black hair (almost crew cut) Was wearing a yellow T-shirt with black stripes on the shoulders Was wearing maong shorts

The Weapons Both men used similar guns. The gun was silver with brown handle and old-type barrel (similar to toy revolvers).

(According to the conductor, the two men got on the bus at Shaw Blvd.)

When we reached the Magallanes Interchange, the two men jumped off the bus. Everyone was in a state of shock. The driver seemed to be in autopilot mode as he guided the bus into the SLE. I told him to take the Bicutan Exit and look for the nearest police station to report the incident. When we failed to find one, we returned to the SLE and took the Sucat Exit instead. Along Sucat Road, we finally saw a group of police officers (mobile
patrol).

When we reported the incident to them, they told us that it was outside of their jurisdiction and that we have to report the incident to the Ayala Ave. police station incident. I asked if they have two-way radios so that they can contact the police officers in Makati and apprehend the suspects. Apparently, they had none. The other passengers were already feeling tired and helpless. They did not want to return to Makati so soon after what happened. Therefore, the driver and conductor dropped us at Alabang. I even had to ask the conductor for 10 pesos so that I could at least pay for the jeepney fare to Las Pinas.

Knowing that I needed a police report to have all my ID's replaced, I went to the Ayala Ave. police station (the one in the car park beside SM) last June 23 to report the incident. Police Officer Valila refused to make the report. Since the passengers jumped off at Magallanes, it was out of their jurisdiction. He told me to report the incident to Precinct 3 (the one along Evangelista St.) instead.

I went to Precinct 3 and reported the incident to Police Officer Ramile. He also refused to make the report. Since the suspects announced the hold-up at Guadalupe, I should report the incident to the Guadalupe police station instead. My patience was wearing thin at that point, and I asked him to check with the Guadalupe police station first so that I would not waste my time and money going there. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the phone at the Guadalupe police station was not working. Ramile then called Valila to question the latter's decision of sending me over to Precinct 3. After a heated debate, Ramile grudgingly wrote the report on his logbook. He only asked for a summary of the incident and a list of the items I lost. He did not even ask me to describe the suspects. Afterwards, he told me to return on June 25 during office hours to get the typewritten report.

I returned to Precinct 3 at 8:30 this morning to get the typewritten report. Unfortunately, Ramile was not the desk officer on duty. Police Officer Zaratan, the desk officer on duty, told me that I had to wait for Ramile to get the report. When he told me that Ramile was on night shift, I nearly lost my temper. I explained to him that I needed the report today; otherwise, I will not be able to return to the police station during office hours on weekdays. Still, he refused to do the report. He said that his shift ended at 8:00 AM, and I had to wait for the next desk officer, Police Officer Avila, who called to say that he was coming in late. In addition, he claimed that he did not have any papers with PNP letterhead and carbon papers, which he needed to do the report.

At 10:00 AM, Police Officer Avila finally arrived. While he typed out the report, he told me to go to the Makati City Hall to pay for the police blotter. When I got to the Makati City Hall, the cashier at the Office of the Treasurer told me that payments for police blotters are only accepted at the Makati Central Police Station. I asked her why the police officers at Precinct 3 do not know this, and she replied, "Ay, di pa nga talaga nila alam 'yun!" So, I headed off to the Makati Central Police Station, paid P50 for the police blotter and returned to Precinct 3. At 12:00 NN, I finally got the typewritten police report, which was typed on an ordinary bond paper (without a PNP letterhead) and full of spelling and grammatical errors.

My exasperating experience in obtaining the police report is more traumatic, more shocking, than the hold-up incident itself. First, it shocks me to learn that the PNP does not have a communications network to apprehend suspects on the run. If the mobile patrol officers in Sucat were able to contact their counterparts in Makati, I am sure the suspects would have been easily apprehended. Second, it shocks me to learn that the PNP does not have an IT network. An operational IT network will answer issues regarding jurisdiction over crimes done in transit. Anyone can go to any police station (In other words, all police stations should be computerized.) to report a crime, and the desk officer can simply send the report via email to the appropriate police station. The computerization of all police stations would also mean that payments for police blotters could also be accepted at these police stations. There will be no need to centralize payments in a particular police station. Third, it shocks me to learn that some police officers are not updated about changes in procedures. There should be regular update meetings between the local government and local police stations so that correct information would be disseminated to the police officers.

I do not understand why reporting a crime to the PNP has to be so arduous and exasperating. A crime is traumatic enough. There is no need to torture further the crime victims by forcing them to deal with inept, inefficient police officers. I hope that this message will eventually reach the PNP, and I hope that they will address all the issues I raised.

JOHN PAUL E. ABELLERA
Training Associate
ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. (Star Cinema)
(63917) 660-4410
(632) 415-2272 local 3932
http://kaftig.multiply.com <http://kaftig.multiply.com/>

FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE

Freedom of Conscience
An Important Legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal

by Rolando V. de la Rosa, OP

The word conscience has, perhaps, never been as popular as it is today in the Philippines. In the mass media, it is almost synonymous with integrity, honesty, and credibility. Protagonists on both sides of the ongoing impeachment trial invoke their conscience as they testify in court. "My conscience is clean", both the accuser and the accused would say.

There is reason to fear, however, that the word conscience, even if it is often invoked, has somehow suffered a depreciation of meaning and value. We live at a time when many words have been watered down to the point of meaninglessness. For instance, hope used to be a theological virtue. Now it is the name of a cigarette. Charity is invariably associated with sweepstakes. Redemption is applied to centers where one claims a lottery prize. A miracle is anything unusual, like miracle rice and miracle drug. During weddings, I used to tell the groom: "Put your trust in her". Not anymore. Trust is now the name of a contraceptive. When words are devalued, the power and influence of the reality they symbolize are also diminished, at least, in our consciousness.

What conscience is

Our catechism tells us that conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of an action that he will perform, that he is performing, or has already done. If an act is good, conscience motivates him to do it, affirms him while he does it, and gives him the feeling of satisfaction or achievement after he has done it. If an act is bad, conscience warns him to avoid it; disturbs him while he is doing it; and gives him the feeling of guilt after he has done it.

Conscience gives rise to a sense of responsibility. But it is possible to mute its voice, or we may refuse to listen to it. As John Henry Newman wrote: "Conscience has rights because it has duties. But in this age, conscience has been superseded by a counterfeit: the right of self-will".

Newman's words remind us that we often underestimate our capacity to deceive ourselves. We tend to equate what we want with the urgings of conscience. This tendency is somehow worsened by the media's reliance on surveys as the sole standard of right and wrong and modern psychology's absolutization of choice.

Surveys condition our minds into believing that number determines what is good and bad. All you have to do when you break a law or commit a sin is to look at the statistics to know how many are doing what you are doing. Kidnapers look for other kidnapers, thieves for other thieves. Perverts unite with other perverts to create the illusion of strength, and because of their overwhelming number, they make people believe that it is the normal people who are abnormal.

Psychologists, on the other hand, want us to believe that a sin or a crime is a mere mistake or deviancy owing to wrong choices occasioned by external forces. This somehow shifts responsibility from personal human decision to other exigencies. As a result, although there is a deafening clamor for respect for individual choice, very few would like to take personal and collective accountability when such a choice proves to be wrong.

Conscience needs to be educated

A well-formed conscience tells us that right is right even if nobody is right; wrong is wrong even if everybody is wrong. But before conscience can speak, it must have been informed by a moral conviction arising from our natural capacity to know right from wrong, or from instruction by competent moral authority. The proper education of conscience is therefore a must. When moral education is lacking, it is naïve to assume that when faced with two options, one requiring sacrifice, and the other coinciding with his personal inclinations, a person will decide objectively. Only a person with a mature conscience can decide in difficult situations with integrity. But the proper formation of conscience does not happen in a vacuum. It develops through our experience, through our reading of the signs of the times, by our prudent application of self-evident moral principles, the teachings of competent authorities, and God's inspiration.

As evident in his writings, Rizal did not swallow everything that the philosophes' taught. He sifted through their ideas, appropriating those which he considered valid, and discarding those which he found outrageous or unreasonable. It is unfortunate that his Spanish critics viewed his link with the philosophes from their peculiar idea of Catholic apologetics which seemed to be premised on the paranoid fear of the autonomy of reason, the dangers posed by the rejection of Church's authority, and the damage caused by human pride. They failed to see in Rizal a human being sincerely searching for ways to affirm the dialectical unity of faith and reason, grace and free will, man's misery and God's mercy.

Also, his Spanish critics still valued the post-Reformation belief in cuius regio, eius religio which made it incumbent on the Church to insure religious unity within its territorial jurisdiction by promoting Catholic doctrine and discipline, eradicating all errors, and persecuting its proponents. This belief tended to identify God's salvific work with the visible Catholic Church. Rizal rightly saw (even before Vatican II expressed it in no uncertain terms) that God's grace extends beyond the visible manifestations of the Church. He had to see it that way, because the Catholic Church that he grew up with did not seem to measure up with his conscientious search for truth.

If ever Rizal emphasized freedom of conscience, it was because he was impelled by his intellectual honesty to look beyond what the visible Catholic Church could offer him as ways to truth and salvation. Freedom of conscience is not the license to believe what one wants to believe. For Rizal, it is the deep conviction that both faith and reason are at the service of a higher value, which is truth. In one of his letters to Pastells, he wrote: "I believe that I am in the hands of God, that everything that I have and everything that happens to me is his holy will. Someone would say it is the devil's will, but I do not think so, for it has been my custom since I was a child to ask that his will be done. So I am content and resigned". What better words to describe the journey which Rizal took in search for truth? For him, the object of his quest was not an idea. For Rizal, truth is a Person whose will he always tried to discern and obey.

Freedom of Conscience

One controversial issue related to Rizal's character and conviction is his idea of freedom of conscience. It is often said that Rizal invoked this freedom to justify his break with the Catholic Church. Simply put, he seemed to have said: "I would rather follow my conscience, rather than the teachings of the Catholic Church".

We have to recognize the fact that, if ever Rizal questioned and even parodied many Catholic beliefs and doctrines, this was in connection with his political and reformist pursuits. When he embarked on the socio-political and cultural transformation of the Filipino people, he found what he believed was a solid ideological basis in the ideas of the 19th century philosophes. As Fr. Raul Bonoan, S.J. aptly puts it: "Rizal's incursions into religious questions were impelled by his preoccupation with the dignity of the individual, the progress and redemption of his people, the need to foster the sentimiento nacional or the sense of nationhood, the task of forming the whole archipelago into a compact body, vigorous and homogeneous" .

In other words, the philosophes' ideas gave him sufficient intellectual basis for his fight for reforms and his own personal search for truth. Here we see a sublime feature of Rizal's character: his intellectual honesty. He knew that reformist sentiments, without any firm rational basis, would simply melt into sentimentality. He therefore studied and analyzed the philosophes' ideas, not in a manner by which politicians or ideologues shop for ideas to justify their crackpot policies, but in a manner befitting a philosopher: a lover of truth. Rizal firmly believed that fidelity to truth gives a person a certain invincibility. This made him fearless in fighting for his convictions.

In his letter to his mother, he somehow affirms what many theologians always taught, namely,reason and faith need not be seen as contradictory: "What I believe now, I believe through reason because my conscience can admit only what is compatible with the principles of thought . . . For me, religion is most sacred, most pure, most sublime, which shuns all human adulterations; and I believe that I would fail in my duty as a rational being were I to prostitute my reason and accept an absurdity. I believe that God would not punish me if in approaching him, I were to use his most precious gift of reason and intelligence. I believe that the best way for me to honor him is to present myself before him making use of the best things that he has given me . . ."

Rizal's idea of conscience

It is unfortunate that Rizal's character and belief have often been judged in terms of how the Spaniards and nationalists looked at him. His person, convictions, and even his heroism, appear to have been presented to modern Filipinos in terms of such conflicting views.Our idea of Rizal and his work is either based on what the Spaniards wished to correct or destroy, or what nationalists think are Rizal's patriotic sentiments or views. The result is, our knowledge of Rizal is often a caricature: either he is a free thinker and a stubborn proponent of the absolute autonomy of reason, or a firm believer who never wavered in his faith.

Like other heroes, Rizal does not possess a one-dimensional character. Besides, it is a mistake to look at heroes in this way. They are not flawless characters. A hero is a product of his circumstances, the challenges he faced, the principles and convictions that molded his unique response to such challenges. A hero does not cease to be a hero simply because he is not the saint we want him to be. He is a creature of time, of piece-meal intellectual and emotional progression.

For Dr. Rizal, conscience is consequent to his belief in God. He wrote in one of his letters: "How can I doubt God's existence when I am so convinced of my own? Whoever recognizes the effect recognizes the cause. To doubt God's existence would be to doubt one's own conscience and consequently everything else. But then, would life have any meaning at all?"

This remark is significant, considering what many historians often call as Rizal's "wreckage of faith". If we sift through what is often labeled as Rizal's rationalist rhetoric, we see elements that are unmistakably Catholic: the primacy of conscience, firm belief in God, boundless trust in divine providence, the profound experience of God as loving father, sense of mission, strength of conviction, daily recourse to prayer, and an openness to dialogue.

Conclusion

While Rizal might have reflected the Enlightenment' s boundless confidence in reason, it was not to be seen as detrimental to development of his mature faith in God. In fact, with his firm belief that the truth of reason cannot contradict the truth of faith, he gave us a model of a man who lives according to his conscience. It is often said that a just man is a law unto himself. Or, as St. Augustine puts it: "Love and do what you will". A well-informed conscience, like that of Dr. Jose Rizal, sees that the divine and moral law have one common element: respect, or better yet, reverence. Justice and love, the basic virtues that regulate human relationship and society, are basically founded on respect. While justice demands that we respect the other as other, love requires that we respect the other as one like us. Justice makes us aware of the necessary distance which we must not trespass lest we violate the rights of others; love or charity allows us to see such distance, far from being alienating, as creating the space which makes possible human communication and friendship.

It is ironic that the very people who wanted to make Rizal "listen to his conscience" seemed to be the very ones who deprived him the respect he deserved. As Fr. Bonoan writes: "Distracted by Rizal's unorthodox remarks, (Fr. Pablo) Pastells (S.J.) was blind to the basic catholicity of Rizal's view on conscience and paid, at most, scant attention to Rizal's own testimonies of admirable inner disposition, fidelity to conscience, and honest desire to do what was right in God's eyes". He adds: "In lieu of Pastells' society where repression was the rule, the Church today urges the usages of freedom, which `require that the freedom of man be respected as far as possible and curtailed only when and insofar as necessary'".

In fairness to Pastells and those who share his position, we can say that just as Rizal's thoughts on conscience cannot be divorced from his reformist's stance, the unrelenting desire of Pastells to "convert" Rizal is inseparable from his pro-Spanish bias. As Fr. Bonoan himself admits: "Their strong belief, shared by the rest of the Spanish clergy was that the good of the Philippine colony would best be served by the indefinite prolongation of Spanish rule in an alliance of throne and altar. For all his kindness and pastoral concern, Pastells could not appreciate the politics of this Jesuit alumnus, who was now struggling to lay the foundations of the emergent nation. The failure of Pastells' apologetics must be blamed, ultimately, on the closedness of Pastells, the Jesuits, and in fact the Church, to the legitimate aspiration of Rizal and his people".

Viewed in the light of Rizal's idea of freedom of conscience and his unrelenting struggle to defend this, his retraction could perhaps be best understood the way Nick Joaquin did when he writes: "It seems clear now that he did retract, that he went to confession, heard mass, received communion, and was married to Josephine, on the eve of his death - but our minds resist the picture of so principled a man as Rizal renouncing the liberal and libertarian ideas by which he lived. The fact is: he did not renounce them, and he did not have to renounce them, to make a retraction. . . . In short, a retraction in no way demanded a surrender of the intellect, only a renewal of the heart".

In our age of compromise, dishonesty, and deterioration of our moral and religious values, contemporary Filipinos, especially government leaders, would do well to learn from Rizal's sublime example of intellectual honesty and freedom of conscience.

Suggested Readings

Bonoan, Raul, S.J., The Rizal-Pastells Correspondence, Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994.

Joaquin, Nick, Rizal in Saga, Philippine National Centennial Commission, 1996.

Villaroel, Fidel, O.P., Jose Rizal and the University of Santo Tomas, UST Press, 1984.

Rizal, Jose, One Hundred Letters of Jose Rizal to his Parents, Brother, Sisters, and Relatives, Philippine National Historical Society, 1959.

Kalaw, Teodoro, Epistolario Rizalino, 5 vols. Bureau of Printing, 1930-1938.

RENEWED FAITH

In this time of great turmoil and self indulgence,
We are shown images that are very biased to make it look like
we are losing ourselves and our, faith in others.

As time goes by the stories that go along with the images we see,
Are almost always stories that provoke a feeling of dread in our society,
That is unrelenting but for a few stories.

In today’s society our faith is constantly tested and re-tested in many ways.
Our faith is tested sometimes in ways that we do not understand until we
See the aftereffects of the test of faith.

When we are down on ourselves and faith is hard to come by,
It isn’t easy to see those things that could or would renew our faith.
It is also the one time that our faith shows what it teaches,
Humility to those who had none.

Faith is renewed in many ways, sometimes it’s as simple as a helping hand or
Seeing the unwavering faith that a child has in their parents and the parents faith
To do what they believe is right for their children.

Renewed faith for people who have religious beliefs, may come when they open their
Eyes and see others in their belief structure doing things that many others may
Not want to do to help others regardless of the deeds or beliefs of the person
That they are helping.

Sometimes renewed faith comes around holidays regardless of the individual’s beliefs
Country of origin or chosen nationality.

In the end renewed faith comes when we find the strength to stand up for what we
Believe in, regardless of the personal costs and then feeling satisfied knowing
That you made a difference that could benefit someone who needs help or needs their
Own faith renewed by someone who’s been there.

Through the kind courtesy of Sean Davis
http://seanspoemsandstories.blogspot.com/

BATO BATO SA LANGIT, ANG TAMAAN, SANA AY MAGALIT!

Dear Sir Alexcs, Dear Sir Jürgen,

My subject above is for the corrupt in the KOR!

Thank you for the kind words Sir Alexcs! Now I can go back to Sir Jürgen's questions...

The difference between us is relative, Sir Jürgen. You have your style of writing. I have mine. You're a journalist, I'm not. Writing is your job. I write to profess my beliefs, opinions, principles...for country and people!

Mine is not flowery prose, not written to please, but intended to provoke kindred spirits (in the KOR or out) and harken them to action! Mine is the type called, "Bato bato sa langit, ang tamaan, sana ay magalit!", in Pilipino.

Things that are certain: I didn't start trouble in the KOR! ...the things I write will do the KOR good, long-term! I've begun the anti-corruption campaign...it will keep going! The subject matters I picked is not for everyone!

The Philippines is on the brink of a revolution. Not Germany. [It pains me to see the problems over there multiply. And IHQ even adding to it by the wrongful Paras appointment is truly SHAMEFUL! The problems are there, not here in Germany. Hence, in retirement (voluntary) years, the desire to go back home to do what good I acquired here in Germany is ever-present.]

I say it because majority of the people are losing hope! When hope is there, things could improve. Without hope, people cling even to knives' sharp edges! They need a lot more help over there, less here.

Germany doesn't hold the title of "most corrupt" (in Asia). For the corrupt, that's OK. But abhorring to those who worked hard all their lives, from childhood till old age, to keep a good name. You haven't lost a brother to corruption Sir Jürgen. I did. Upon his grave and his good name, upon his innocent children, I promised to carry the fight.

How do we spread the teachings of Dr Jose Rizal if we simply gather and party happily? When corrupt practices transpire, right from the top hierarchy of this organization, do we nod in silent approval or shouldn't we attempt to STOP it? For me, it's now or never. Like what you said, there's no in-between!

One way Dr Jose Rizal awakened the Filipino masses about Spanish abuse was through his writings! My exposing the wrongs in the present KOR is not my invention, kind Sir. The path has been cut... for all of us! I picked the challenge!

Dr Jose Rizal wrote that life without a purpose is meaningless. In my e-mails, I attempt to put purpose in my life.

I was quiet for sometime. The idea was to give IHQ a breather, hoping they'd correct the wrong! They did nothing. I wasn't disappointed. Somehow, it was expected of them.

About a month before the Paris event in July 2007, I dare forecast:

1. That Sir Hilario won't grace the occasion! That even if time permits, he would say no to stay away!

2. That Quiambao, the Padrino himself, will be here -- to soothe the psyche of a g--son!

3. That the event won't solve the Regional Commander question in Europe!


For a Democratic Order
For Pride in the Order
For the Good of the Order

Yours sincerely,

:)
Lazir
Rizal P. Victoria
Wilhelmsfeld-Heidelberg Chapter

"The arrogant one is he who wants to be worshipped, who misleads others, and who wants his will to prevail over reason and justice." - Dr Jose P. Rizal - Message to the Women of Malolos, February 1889

"My ambition is not to win honors or hold positions, but to see what is just, exact and suitable, is done in political matters." - Dr Jose P. Rizal

"No one will be corrupt if we don't let them." - Tony Meloto in his speech before Davao University graduates, 2007

"...Dare to cross boundaries in your minds and hearts! In your strength and courage! In the space inside and around you! Dare to be different! Dare what you never dared before! The highest thing that obliges you is your conscience. Act whatever good forces dictate! Then you are closer to Rizal's ideals than any policy or philosophy could ever be. What he can teach you, you will not understand without Kant's lessons..." - An excerpt of the speech Christoph S. Eberle delivered on Rizal Day in Hamburg, Dec. 2006.

"Be the Change you want to see in the World!" - Mahatma Gandhi

IN GAY PARIS...!

Dear Ladies and Brothers in Dr Jose Rizal,

Thanks very much to Sir Jürgen Sprenger for obliging me with these (subject) information. Lucky him for getting invited! (ha!)

Not having been to Paris (not once, in my 25 yrs in GE!) would have been indeed a good reason to go! But allow me to explain...

In high school, I remember the word Paris as a whole chapter titled, "In Gay Paris". Other famous EU cities carried the title: "The Grandeur that was Rome", "The Glory that was Greece", "In Sunny Spain", etc. I can't remember how Bonn, Brussels, The Hague nor Lisbon, Dublin and London were depicted in the same book. Europe is big.

The invitation looks nice, well-prepared! but empty! (no offense upon anyone attending on their own free volition!, we're all Free women and men, Ladies and Sirs! -- FREE to act what we deem right, correct, responsible!) owing to the absence of a European Commander who, in my opinion, could stand the test of Time, Character, Integrity, Leadership!

It is both sad and bad, that Europe starts to mirror Manila IHQ, somehow, in terms of the latter's INDECISION to do right once and for all, APATHY towards valid complaints, NEGLECT of what RIZALISM really stands for, SELF-PROMOTION of narrow-minded goals/self-serving interests by individuals who unabashedly call themselves leaders (???), DISPLAY of worthless/undeserved titles, ranks and medals!!! Fun! Fun! Fun! no end without substance! What for? In the name of Dr Jose Rizal? The question boils down to the basic: Where's the beef??

Once more, the undersigned is reminded of William Tell being told to bow before a wooden post holding the cap of the Swiss tyrant, Gessler!

And once more, the picture of ostentatious wealth surrounded by abject poverty in Metro Manila, well-maintained lawns in Forbes Park and polluted Pasig as well as tributaries in the capital, magnificent trees at Arroceros Park and hundreds if not thousands of discarded batteries along distant sea shores on many of our 7,100 islands, corruption/corrupt practices in government as well as in the IHQ/KOR we know -- exemplefied by no other than the exhaltation/promotion of Paras in Europe by his "Padrino(s)" Quiambao & Co back home!

Just this month, we commemorated the 146th birth anniversary of a good man, Dr Jose Rizal. And next month we are to gather in Paris for "friendship, camaraderie, FUN! FUN! FUN!" while ignoring the very reason for why the Knights of Rizal was established and founded long, long time ago! deflecting complaints with the raising of wine/beer glasses, toasting the abuse (exhalting/promoting an accused plagiarist by an incompetent IHQ is ABUSE, mind you!) to high heavens!

To go to Paris, to name Paris the venue, to even just organize the said event, is already a Shame! Why? Because the event carries the name of a good person, the national hero! Yet, those who go, organize said event seem not to mind this glaring fact! When will the abuse of the good name of Dr Jose Rizal come to an end? No amount of excuse can wipe this Shame! Thanks and No Thanks! to this 27-29 July 2007 event planners/organizers/supporters/visitors!

It's like toasting San Miguel beer for its excellent taste/quality! in a tall glass, while throwing the same liquid into the sink, or worse, into the toilet bowl!

I don't believe Sir Hilario will attend. Even if his post were located at the UN-Geneva, Switzerland, HQs, I don't think he would attend. Having been "by-passed/sidetracked/half-informed" by ommission or commission, intentionally or unintentionally on this Paras imbroglio, would any "man of honor" like Sir Hilario still stand straight in such a gathering where we honor the national hero's name for unswerving character, good morals and integrity? If Dr Jose Rizal were alive, I think he would also excuse himself and speak frankly! I see the same thing of Sir Hilario. I wish his good name and that of the national hero were not dragged into this SHAMEFUL event!

(Sir Peter Ristig, could you please confirm if Sir Hilario will go to Paris in next month's event? Being from Cebu, you sure have better information sources than us here. Thanks kind Sir!)

Doing the opposite of what Dr Jose Rizal lived and died for is no honor. I speak for myself and I dare say that my attendance next month in Paris is tantamount to bowing to a corrupt IHQ practice and recognition of an accused plagiarist as its appointed european caretaker. Hence I chose to stay away and rather watch God's wonderful creations, the funny gorillas at the Heidelberg Zoo. A Paris trip is just like having a good aromatic banana! It's not the cost (Parisian 5* hotel, meals, airfare and zoo!), but observant persons can always learn something from those gorillas!

I reckon, if Paras were still holding the same post Quiambao & Co gave him, till 2010, he might just always travel between Brussels and Paris! (For Christmas, perhaps someone gifts him a GPS!)

Last year, he had a meeting held in Paris, then Brussels this year, 24 Mar 07! Europe is quite BIG to just move south, then north! Don't you think dear Ladies? Or his vision for Europe is up and down, Brussels and Paris, then back? ...not afraid of his own shadow, I hope! The only creation afraid of his shadow I know was Alexander the Great's horse! (with kind apologies to Alexander's horse!)

For a Democratic Order
For Pride in the Order
For the Good of the Order

Yours sincerely,

:)
Lazir
Rizal P. Victoria
Wilhelmsfeld-Heidelberg Chapter


"The arrogant one is he who wants to be worshipped, who misleads others, and who wants his will to prevail over reason and justice." - Dr Jose P. Rizal - Message to the women of Malolos, February 1889

"My ambition is not to win honors or hold positions, but to see what is just, exact and suitable, is done in political matters." - Dr Jose P. Rizal

"No one will be corrupt if we don't let them." - Tony Meloto in his speech before Davao University graduates, 2007

"...Dare to cross boundaries in your minds and hearts! In your strength and courage! In the space inside and around you! Dare to be different! Dare what you never dared before! The highest thing that obliges you is your conscience. Act whatever good forces dictate! Then you are closer to Rizal's ideals than any policy or philosophy could ever be. What he can teach you, you will not understand without Kant's lessons..." - An excerpt of the speech Christoph S. Eberle delivered on Rizal Day in Hamburg, Dec. 2006.

"Be the Change you want to see in the World!" - Mahatma Gandhi

P.S. - Even if I see no European Commander who leads us honorably, I still wish those attending a memorable Paris trip, tour and stay! I don't think I'll miss a thing if I decide to simply spend Quality Time with my kids going to the zoo. Your Paris trip and my zoo visit can be a good time to contemplate over Corruption and Corrupt practices that prevail in the KOR, especially in the IHQ. We need less of them and more GOOD ideas for country and people!

Bon Voyage!
Au Revoir...!

-same-

(The grapevine spotted on 19 Jun 07 Sir Klaus Hartung gracing an event in Stuttgart, "using" the title "European Commander"!? Do we now have two caretakers for Europe? I'm just asking please, wanting clarification. A lowly freeman like me cannot be in all places with just one body!)

FREEDOM'S ETERNAL FLAME

Freedom is the ability to stand up for what you believe in no matter
What anyone else says or does to dissuade you.

Freedom is the right to live with dignity without being
Forced to live in fear of discourse.

Freedom almost never comes without a high price
That sometimes gets forgotten over time.

We cannot begin to fathom what some people have gone through to give
Or preserve the freedom in which we take for granted.

If we lose sight of our freedoms we lose sight of why we paid the price we did
And in doing so we turn our backs on the people who paid the
Ultimate price for our freedom.

If we turn our backs on our freedoms and those things that we hold
Sacred we lose who we are and who we hope to become.

Those of us who through a selfless act gave us the freedoms we share,
Should be revered, remembered and shown that for the price they paid is the fuel
That fuels an eternal flame that we call freedom that can never be
Extinguished ever.

Through the kind courtesy of Sean Davis
http://seanspoemsandstories.blogspot.com/

AWIT NI MARIA CLARA

AWIT NI MARIA CLARA
Dr. Jose P. Rizal
(1887)

Tamis mabuhay sa sariling bayan
Magiliw ang lahat sa halik ng araw
Ang hangin may samyo na nagbibigay buhay
Kamataya'y langit pag-ibig ay banal.

Magiliw na halik sa tuwing umaga
Sa bunso'y pamukol ng irog na ina
Ang bisig ng bunsong mayroong ngiti sa mata
Sa leeg ng ina'y ikakapit niya.

Tamis ng mamatay ng dahil sa bayan
Magiliw ang lahat sa halik ng araw
Ang hangin may samyo ng kamatayan
Sa wala ng bayan, ina at kasintahan


CANTO DE MARIA CLARA

Dulces las horas en la propia patria
Donde es amigo cuanto alumbre el sol
Vida es la brisa en sus campos vuela
Grata la muerte y mas tierno el amor.

Ardientos besos en los labios juegan
De una madre en else no al despetar
Buscan los brasos a cenir al cuelo,
Y los ojos sonriense al mirar.

Dulce es la muerte por la propia patria,
Donde es amigo cuanto alumbra el sol.
Muerte es la brisa para quien no tiene
Una Patria, una madre y un amor!


THE SONG OF MARIA CLARA

Sweet are the hours in one's own Native Land,
All there is friendly o'er which the sun shines above;
Vivifying is the breeze that wafts over her fields;
Even death is gratifying and more tender is love.

Ardent kissed on a mother's lips are at play,
On her lap, upon the infant child's awakening,
The extended arms do seek her neck to entwine,
And the eyes at each other's glimpse are smiling.

It is sweet to die for one's Native Land,
All there is friendly o'er which the sun shines above;
And deathly is the breeze for one without
A country, without a mother and without love.


DAS LIED VAN MARIA CLARA

Süß sind die Stunden in deiner Heimat,
wo die Sonne freundlich vom Himmel scheint;
Der Hauch des Lebens streicht durch die Fluren,
ruhig ist der Tod, noch zarter die Liebe.

Warme Küsse spielen auf den Lippen
wenn wir erwachen an Mutters Gesicht;
die Arme versuchen sie zu umfangen,
die Augen lächeln mit liebevollem Blick.

Süß ist es, für ein Land zu sterben,
wo die Sonne freundlich vom Himmel scheint;
Der Tod ist nur ein Hauch für den
ohne Mutter, ohne Heimat und ohne Liebe!

MY KIND OF WOMAN

By: Poch Suzara

My kind of woman has long ago ceased wasting time searching for her identity; she has been, instead, utilizing her energies by cultivating for herself and for others – human dignity. She has examined her own life and found it worth living. She has done away with fears and superstitions by developing for herself the capacity for critical thinking. My kind of woman is in love, always in love with the power of simple thought.

My kind of woman has already accomplished great wealth; she has found it in mental health. She is no longer pre-occupied with material possessions by amassing more riches on a daily basis. She would rather be creative for her own family and her own life with human consciousness. She embraces the values of her own thoughts and those of others who enjoy the power to think. She is not afraid of change; neither does she fear making mistakes. She knows that we are all entitled to make mistakes anyway. But as she is always on the side of flexibility, which encourages the growth of her own personality, she values ends, not means. She knows where she came from; she knows where she is at present; and more important, she knows where she is going. In the meantime, she does not care to believe. She wants to know. Aside from being transformed, my kind of woman would rather be more informed. She is not a woman of childish and silly prayer; on the contrary, she is an intelligent and an avid reader.

My kind of woman is, indeed, a rarity. She thinks it quite dreary to meet bright young men and women wasting away their precious talents and abilities struggling only to achieve financial stability at the expense of intellectual maturity. She has duly recognized the fact that, in the end, no matter how much money one has amassed, no amount of money can buy intelligence for the fool, or buy admiration for the coward, or even buy love for the loveless. Indeed, my kind of woman considers it quite pathetic for moneyed individuals not to be involved in the business of scientific knowledge and its diffusion. She appreciates deeply that the good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

My kind of woman thinks it impossible to love or be loved while one is living in fear. In the contrary, love has a basis in courage as love promotes the growth and stability of one’s identity. Love has nothing to do with childish dependency, nor has it anything to do with abandoning self-reliance. Indeed, my kind of woman thinks that there is nothing admirable about being poor in spirit. On the contrary, she says, we should all strive to become rich in spirit. Those who are rich in spirit are always eager to learn, to explore, and to discover the power of knowledge. Those who are rich spirit need not be blessed; for theirs is the kingdom of love, beauty, knowledge, and the joys of life. My kind of woman therefore has set aside the prospect of gaining eternal happiness after death. She would rather share constructive ideas and hard work needed to improve the human conditions right here and now on this earth. The only miracle she recognizes as worthy of believing is the miracle that comes from the power of the human mind and human heart.

My kind of woman is strong in character and quite independent in her ways of thinking. She is sensible because she has learned to embrace within the orbit of her concerns the interest of her own society in particular and those of mankind in general. Human poverty moves here, human suffering affects her, and human squalor bothers her – deeply. Indeed, my kind of woman is no longer a superstitious primitive; she embraces as she cares for the happiness of the human race! In the meantime, she recognizes the fact that there is no such thing as security in this life. To believe otherwise is nothing but superstition.

My kind of woman is a humanist. She cherishes the cultural and intellectual viewpoint that affirms, not denies, the power of the human spirit to determine, to express, and to attain what is truly great of human beings: to be creative, joyous, and free. To have confidence in fellow-human beings which is the foundation of civilization.

My kind of woman believes that the greatest tragedy in life is not the truth that we are poor; on the contrary, we are poor because we are not searching for the truth. Indeed, she says, the greatest failures in life are those who have been living with the wrong answers to questions that they themselves have not even asked. The worst kind of poverty is the poverty of the mind. And heart. And so, my kind of woman enjoy the best of wealth, the wealth that comes from mental health for in them contains treasures far beyond the human imagination.

I love and respect my kind of woman. She has freed herself from the tyranny of prejudice and distortions due to a narrow view. She is a lovely woman. She shines with femininity as she radiates with rationality as she is always at home with veracity. My kind of woman is happy because she cares about this world. Our world. She is a great woman – one who has the courage to create human beauty in this world where nature has only put divine stupidity.

MAGSAYA MUNA TAYO!

What is the difference between a girlfriend, a call girl and a wife?
Sagot: Post paid, pre paid, unlimited.

Do you know INNER ROW?
What is INNER ROW?
Inner Row is that which comes before Pibrerow, Marsow, Abril, Mayow...

Different prayers of single women...
At Age 15: Lord, give me SuperMAN.
At Age 18: Lord, give me a cute MAN.
At Age 20: Lord, give me the best MAN.
At Age 30: Lord, give me a good MAN.
At Age 40: Lord, give me a MAN.
At Age 50: Lord, give me sinoMAN.
At Age 60: Lord, maawa ka naMAN.
At Age 70: Lord, kaya ko pa naMAN.
At Age 80: Lord, kahit hipo MAN lang.

Usapan ng dalawang mayabang...
Tomas: Ang galing ng aso ko! Tuwing umaga, dala niya ang dyaryo sa akin.
Diego: Alam ko.
Tomas: Ha? Paano mo nalaman?
Diego: Ikinukuwento sa akin ng aso ko.

Josh: Kumusta ang assignment?
Ricardo: Masama. Wala akong nasagutan. Blank paper ang ipinasa ko.
Josh: Naku, ako rin! Paano 'yan? Baka isipin nila, nagkopyahan tayo?!

Dok: May taning na ang buhay mo.
Juan: Wala na bang pag-asa? Ano po ba ang dapat kong gawin?
Dok: Mag-asawa ka na lang ng pangit at bungangera.
Juan: Bakit, gagaling po ba ako ru'n?
Dok: Hindi, pero mas gugustuhin mo pang mamatay kesa mabuhay!

Gustong malaman ng magkaibigan kung may basketbolan sa langit.
Nagkasundo sila na kung sino ang unang mamatay ay babalik upang sabihin
kung may basketbol sa langit.
Naunang namatay si Dado.
Isang gabi, may narinig na boses si Rodel na parang kay Dado.
'Ikaw ba 'yan, Dado?' usisa ni Rodel.
'Oo naman!' tugon ni Dado.
'Parang hindi totoo!' bulalas ni Rodel. 'O, ano, meron bang basketbol sa langit?'
Sagot ni Dado, 'May maganda at masama akong balita sa 'yo. Ang maganda, may basketbol doon. Ang masama... kasali ka sa makakalaban namin bukas!'

Misis: Hindi ko na kaya 'to! Araw-araw na lang tayong nag-aaway Mabuti pa, umalis na ako sa bahay na 'to!
Mister: Ako rin, sawang-sawa na! Away rito, away roon! Mabuti pa siguro, sumama na ako sa 'yo!

Advantage at disadvantage ng may-asawa...
ADVANTAGE: 'Pag kailangan mo, nandiyan agad.
DISADVANTAGE: 'Pag ayaw mo na, andiyan pa rin!

Sa isang classroom...
Titser: Class, what is ETHICS?
Pilo: Etiks are smaller than ducks.
Titser: Okey, that duck will lay an egg in your card.

Juan: Pare, noong mayaman pa kami, nagkakamay kaming kumain. Ngayong mahirap na kami, nakakutsara na.
Pedro: Baligtad yata?
Juan: Mahirap kamayin ang lugaw, pare!

Anak: Itay, nagpapatanong si ma'am kung ano raw ang propesyon mo.
Itay: Sabihin mo, cardiologist.
Anak: Ano po ba ang cardiologist, Itay?
Itay: 'Yung tagaayos ng radio sa car!

Umuwi si mister nang 4:00 AM at nakita niya ang kanyang misis na may katalik na lalaki sa kama .
Misis: (sumigaw) SAAN KA GALING?!
Mister: Sino 'yang katabi mo?
Misis: GRABE KA! HUWAG MONG IBAHIN ANG USAPAN!

Rodrigo: Bakit bad trip ka?
Harry: Nagtampo sa 'kin ang utol ko.
Rodrigo: Bakit naman?
Harry: Nakalimutan ko kasi ang birthday niya.
Rodrigo: 'Yun lang? Anong masama ru'n?
Harry: Ang masama ru'n... twins kami! Twins!

LET'S LOVE, NOT HATE, THE ATHEIST

Dear Edgar,

Thank you for writing. I enjoyed reading your letter. I will publish it in - Thoughts to Provoke Your Thoughts – blog. No need to furnish our newspaper editors a copy. They too hate to face the reality that the killers of our Jose Rizal are still pretty much alive today still killing Filipino minds and hearts. Indeed, in the Philippines, still killing the good and decent life - one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

You asked: what kind of hatred motivates me to have made it my personal quest to continue bashing our countrymen’s religious views?

Well, to begin with, my countrymen’s religious views are mostly about hatred of human intelligence. As an atheist, however, what I hate is the opposite. With much passion I hate human stupidity, especially the kind that supports human misery and maintains a sick society.

What about you? Why do you hate the atheists? Were you not yourself, at one time, an atheist? When you came out of mother’s womb, did you believe in the existence of God and Satan? Have you heard of babies born with a religion? As a matter of fact, we are all born free and then indoctrinated to believe in either the religion against Satan, or the Satan in favor of religion.

Sir, you must be a college educated fellow. You have neither qualms nor scruples about certain historical truths. For example, as a humanist-freethinke r-scientist- writer brilliantly attacking religious stupidity in this country, Jose Rizal was arrested, imprisoned, and executed not by atheists like me, but by the faithful believers like you.

Edgar, do you ever wonder about Republic Act 1425, legislation since decades ago, otherwise known as the Rizal Law? It has hardly been implemented to the fullest extent possible. Rizal’s life, character and ideals, and how he lived and thought and died continue to play no major impact whatsoever in the minds and hearts of the millions of Filipino youth acquiring so-called education in our schools, colleges, and universities.

Consider the Supreme Commander of the Knights of Rizal. This famous college educated lawyer, always carry around with him the holy bible. We recently wrote to him about settling, once and for all, the Rizal retraction scandal story as something of a biblical concoction. He dignified us with a response by simply stating that the Rizal retraction story is a non-issue. In other words, it matters not whether Rizal died as a brave heretic or was executed because he was a rebellious Catholic. It is a non-issue!

Let’s cogitate for a moment: What if the foundation of our education have been more about human intelligence serving the kingdom of the Filipino, and less about human stupidity serving the kingdom of heaven? Would that have made the Filipino the healthiest and wealthiest people in Asia in this 21^st century? What do you think? Meantime, even the Knights of Rizal have impressed upon each other that they should be more serious about spreading the teachings of the bible than they should be serious about spreading the teachings of great men like our Jose Rizal - the first humanist-freethinke r-scientist- philosopher this country has ever produced thus far.

Rizal wrote: “We can only serve our country by telling the naked truth, however bitter it may be.” Well, the bitter truth is that we Filipinos are the Sick Man of Asia. Organized religions in this country continue to enjoy great success. Especially in reminding everyone that the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom will only get you what Jose Rizal got – a bullet inside his brain. Consider the confusion and linguistic contortions about what exactly Rizal tried to teach and convey, tried to accomplish, at the expense of his own life, but nevertheless utterly failed to achieve for fellow-Filipinos in his own country? Indeed, even college educated participants of the RP-Rizal Forum do not hesitate to use, abuse, and misuse, not just to confuse each other’s already muddled Christian mind, but also to frighten others, like me, especially as I have no desire to participate in bringing the Philippines back to the Dark Ages.

The RP-Rizal Forum is dedicated to Rizal’s life, work, and writings? Well, may I ask: how many participants in this RP-Rizal Forum have been duly encouraged to stand up and expose courageously, if not to defend vigorously - Rizal’s anti-Catholicism in the Philippines? Indeed, Catholicism and its teachings that have not ceased twisting the Filipino mind and distorting the Filipino heart? Consider the Filipino not as the master, but the victims of religious beliefs and then consider the Filipino standard of living. It is getting lower only because, thanks to our prayers, our standard of thinking has not gotten any higher! Meanwhile, common human decency has yet to be established throughout the land as a major reflection in Philippine history.

The bible teaches: “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3. Well, for heaven’s sake, haven’t we all been already converted to become like little children? In the meantime, unfortunately, religion cannot solve our problem because religion is the problem!

Now what if Jose Rizal have not been executed by his religious enemies in authority? What if those same religious enemies of Rizal never got to be the same religious morons in charge of what should be taught in our schools, colleges, and universities? What if Rizal and men like Rizal have turned out to be our kind of leaders? Do you really think that our society in this 21st century will still be about fellow-Filipinos crippled spiritually, degraded intellectually, sick socially, bleeding economically, inefficient scientifically, and indeed, childlike historically? And to think these sick values were installed in our country for the greater glory of an ancient mystery masquerading as a divinity!

With all good wishes,

Poch Suzara

Chairman

High School Dropout Assn

of the Philippines

8 Zipper St. SLV,

Makati City

ON PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

A friend of mine (a lawyer, educator and urban planner) sent me her thoughts on the changing of the date of Philippine independence from July 4, 1946 to June 12, 1898. She feels that too much weight is put on the date instead of "the nature, scope and meaning of the term."

Is the review and critique of the date of independence more important than deciding on the nature, scope and meaning of this term, and how these in turn impact on the daily lives of not just the decision makers but the majority of the Filipinos?

Independence from what - political and territorial subjugation? does it refer to regaining of sovereignty? liberation from foreign decision-making powers? from lopsided or one-sided international trade and economic agreements?

Interesting...

Is the review and critique of the date of independence more important than deciding on the nature, scope and meaning of this term, and how these in turn impact on the daily lives of not just the decision makers but the majority of the Filipinos?

No it is not. The latter is more important. In making the review and critique of the date, we must not neglect the latter. We must attend to both.

Independence from what - political and territorial subjugation? does it refer to regaining of sovereignty?  liberation from foreign
decision-making powers? from lopsided or one-sided international trade and economic agreements?

Absolutely. It becomes within our power to take advantage of all of the above.

Considering all these dates mentioned -

Did any of the formal and ceremonial formalities that accompanied the changing of the "liberation date" free the Filipinos from the chains of POVERTY (or at least weaken it) which, in turn, has caused their slavery to usurers and loan sharks, to abusive factory and household employers (here and abroad), to child prostitution and drug addiction, mail-order-bride schemes, including marriages for convenience, to political bosses to whom they surrender their ballots and whose bidding they follow blindly?

Absolutely not. That was not the purpose of the former date or the new date.

Among others, Did changing the date improve their quality of life and liberate them from the scourge of malnutrition and life threatening diseases, unwanted pregnancies due to ignorance, street and household violence, joint incarceration of hardened criminals and young offenders, among others...

Absolutely not. That was not the purpose of the former date or the new date.

Did changing the date provide them with more qualified, competent, progressive- minded, honest, altruistic leaders?

Absolutely not. If we did not have these to begin with, we probably did not deserve Independence at the former date or at the new date.

Did changing the dates guarantee (or even just firmly promise) a better future for their children's children?"

Absolutely not. As Rizal said, we need to work to be worthy of independence. And after we achieve it, we have to work to achieve all that we wish to be guaranteed, and then some.

A Filipino

By Roberto Manasan