HAVE A GOOD LAUGH BEFORE YOU FORGET IT!

Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement center were sitting on a bench under a tree when one turns to the other and says: "Slim, I'm 83 years old now and I'm just full of aches and pains. I know you're about my age. How do you feel?"
Slim says, "I feel just like a newborn baby."
"Really!? Like a new born baby!?"
"Yep. No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants."

An elderly couple had dinner at another couple's house, and after eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen. The two gentlemen were talking, and one said, "Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly."
The other man said, "What is the name of the restaurant?"
The first man thought and thought and finally said, "What is the name of that flower you give to someone you love? You know... The one that's red and has thorns."
"Do you mean a rose?"
"Yes, that's the one," replied the man. He then turned towards the kitchen and yelled, "Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?"

Hospital regulations require a wheel chair for patients being discharged. However, while working as a student nurse, I found one elderly gentleman already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet, who insisted he didn't need my help to leave the hospital.
After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let me wheel him to the elevator. On the way down I asked him if his wife was meeting him.
"I don't know," he said. "She's still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown."

Couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they're physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember.
Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. "Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?" he asks. "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream ?"
"Sure."
"Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?" she asks.
"No, I can remember it."
"Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so's not to forget it?"
He says, "I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries."
"I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it down?" she asks.
Irritated, he says, "I don't need to write it down, I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for goodness sake!"
Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment.
"Where's my toast?"

A senior citizen said to his eighty-year old buddy:
"So I hear you're getting married?"
"Yep!"
"Do I know her?"
"Nope!"
"This woman, is she good looking?"
"Not really."
"Is she a good cook?"
"Naw, she can't cook too well."
"Does she have lots of money?"
"Nope! Poor as a church mouse."
"Well, then, is she good in bed?"
"I don't know."
"Why in the world do you want to marry her then?"
"Because she can still drive!"

Three old guys are out walking.
First one says, "Windy, isn't it?"
Second one says, "No, it's Thursday!"
Third one says, "So am I. Let's go get a beer."

A man was telling his neighbor, "I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it's state of the art. It's perfect."
"Really," answered the neighbor . "What kind is it?"
"Twelve thirty."

Morris, an 82 year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical.
A few days later, the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm. A couple of days later, the doctor spoke to Morris and said, "You're really doing great, aren't you?"
Morris replied, "Just doing what you said, Doc: 'Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.'"
The doctor said, "I didn't say that. I said, 'You've got a heart murmur; be careful."

One more. . !

A little old man shuffled slowly into an ice cream parlor and pulled himself slowly, painfully, up onto a stool. After catching his breath, he ordered a banana split.
The waitress asked kindly, "Crushed nuts?"
"No," he replied, "Arthritis."

Like those? Now, before you 'forget', send them on to some other folks you know who could use a good laff !

BEWARE - ATM SCAM

Bank ATM's Converted to Steal IDs of Bank Customers

A team of organized criminals are installing equipment on legitimate bank ATM's in at least 2 regions to steal both the ATM card number and the PIN. The team sits nearby in a car receiving the information transmitted wirelessly over weekends and evenings from equipment they install on the front of the ATM (see photos). If you see an attachment like this, do not use the ATM and report it immediately to the bank using the phone on the front of the ATM.

The equipment used to capture your ATM card number and PIN are cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment. A 'skimmer' is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the ATM card number and transmits it to the criminals sitting in a nearby car.

At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view ATM PIN entries.

The thieves copy the cards and use the PIN numbers to withdraw thousands from many accounts in a very short time directly from the bank ATM.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.

The equipment as it appears installed over the normal ATM bank slot.

The PIN reading camera being installed on the ATM is housed in an innocent looking leaflet enclosure.

The camera shown installed and ready to capture PIN's by looking down on the keypad as you enter your PIN

Tell more people

ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS

Very Important - "No Confirmation - No Entry." - by Sir Lino Wy Paras, whose Motto is: "Action Speaks Louder than words"

How ACTION could indeed SPEAK much LOUDER than Words!

==================================================================================
Code of Ethics of the Knights of Rizal

A Rizalist:
Ø Loves his country and people
Ø Promotes international understanding among peoples and nation
Ø Venerates the memory of the nation's heroes by making their ideals his own
Ø Values honor as he values his life
Ø Strives to do justice to all his fellow men
Ø Finds meaning and purpose in life
Ø Upholds freedom at all costs
Ø Maintains a tolerant and understanding attitude towards his fellow men
Ø Believes in the value of education essential to the formation of the character of man
Ø Promotes social justice and general welfare
Ø Is industrious, self-reliant, persevering and conscious of the plight of the less-fortunate
Ø Is thruthful and honest in thoughts, words and in deeds.

Courtesy of Sir Lino Paras, KGOR
Regional Commander Europe

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

With due respect to TRUE Rizalists, here's my observations on Sir Lino Paras, KGOR, and his "code of ethics":

1. Sir Lino Paras loves himself more! PLAGIARIZING Jose Baron Fernandez's book (to get KGOR?) is CRIMINAL! ...such a Criminal ACT is definitely NOT love of country and people!

2. Per Sir Dr Fritz Hack-Ullmer, Sir Lino Paras uttered RACISTIC remarks during an assembly in the German Black Forest!
Racistic remarks against anyone DOES NOT PROMOTE international understanding! On the contrary...!

3. Dr Jose Rizal was NEVER Racistic nor self-serving! By plagiarizing Andres Bonifacio's "Huling Paalam", Sir Lino certainly DID NOT venerate the memory of the hero, founder of the Katipunan!

4. Lying is NOT honorable! By claiming to have donated P2M worth of donation to the needy in the Philippines, which came from the hard work of Sir Francois Ooms, his Chapter officers/members, their spouses and families, Sir Lino Paras valued himself far below his own Honor and his Life!

5. How can Sir Lino Paras strive to do Justice to his fellowmen, when as a passenger in Sir Lucien's car on a Leitmeritz Trip, Sir Lino Paras claimed this to have been his work and his labor? Sir Lucien organized and coordinated everything. To accompany Sir Lucien as a passenger is not organizing nor coordinating work!

6. To lie, manipulate facts/details, claim the work of others to be one's own, etc. etc. is NOT finding meaning and purpose in life, in the right sense! The more appropriate term applicable to Sir Lino Paras' "finding" would be, "Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang...!"

7. How can Sir Lino Paras "Uphold Freedom at all costs" when his Invitation to his 26 April 2008 Consultative Meeting says: "No Confirmation - No Entry." Sir Lino Paras wants to enjoy his FREEDOM to LIMIT OTHERS' FREEDOM! What he wants is to LIMIT who attends his meeting/s!

8. When Sir Lino Paras claims he "maintains a tolerant and understanding attitude towards his fellow men", he might be referring to his work to get KGOR rank to his UNDESERVING boys! Never mind if Sir Lino Paras CUT the March 2007 Brussels meeting SHORT as he claimed to have an important appointment! Never mind if other attendees came from as FAR as Ireland!

9. Sir Lino Paras "believes in the value of education essential to the formation of the character of man". This is "lip service" as he seemed to have NOT completed his Education. Example: If he indeed completed a 3-year Belgian University education, how come he abhorrs putting an AGENDA to his meetings? Which western education teaches MANIPULATION of FACTS to one's advantage? Or, how come he claims to have authored "Born to be a Hero", yet he CANNOT WRITE coherently, nor PRESIDE a meeting he calls?

10. Sir Lino Paras promotes a myopic social justice and general welfare style. He seems to believe that being the "highest" Filipino Knight in Europe (at all costs!) promotes social justice and general welfare!

11. Sir Lino Paras is "industrious, self-reliant, persevering and conscious" of his OWN plight! In his view, he seems to see only HIMSELF as the "less-fortunate!" (Why have a photo-op holding a box for a container, then leave, WITHOUT really HELPING fill the container? Why grab CREDIT for something OTHERS worked hard to do?)

12. A true Rizalist is thruthful and honest in thoughts, words and in deeds, while AWAKE!, not while ASLEEP. These words may ring TRUE about Sir Lino Paras sleeps!


Sir Lino Paras indeed ACTS LOUDER THAN WORDS!

Sir Lino Paras, BACKed-UP by Sir Rogelio Quiambao, 5x Supreme Commander, and Sir Virgilio Esguerra, the weak acting Supreme Commander..., all three are BAD

For Country and People!

:)
Lazir

WHY IS THE PHILIPPINES POOR?

Why Is The Philippines Poor?
by Dr. Arsenio Martin, Fort Arthur, Texas

THE DIFFERENCE

The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country:

This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt, that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor.

On the other hand, Canada , Australia & New Zealand, that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich.

The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.

Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture & cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.

Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order & labor, which made it the world's strongest, safest place.

Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.

Race or skin color are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.

What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition.

On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives:

1. Ethics, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. Respect to the laws & rules.
5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.
6. Work loving.
7. Strive for savings & investment.
8. Will of super action.
9. Punctuality.
10. and of course... Discipline

In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.

The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources.

We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich & developed societies.

If you do not forward this message nothing will happen to you. Your pet will not die, you will not be fired, you will not have bad luck for seven years, and also, you will not get sick or go hungry.

But those may happen because of your lack of discipline & laziness, your love for intrigue and politics, your indifference to saving for the future, your stubborn attitude.

If you love your country, let this message circulate so that many Filipinos could reflect about this, & CHANGE, ACT!

FILIPINO SHEPARDESS RETURNS HOME

Filipino shepardess returns home!

Monday, March 10, 2008

THE 66-year-old Filipino shepherdess, Leonora Somera, who was stranded in Saudi Arabia for 18 years is finally back in the Philippines, according to this Arab News story.

I interviewed her last year at the Philippine Consulate shelter in Jeddah, and my resulting story in Arab News helped make her a cause celebre.

The poor woman told me that she was owed SR63,000 ($16,800) in back wages after her employer Misfer Al-Ghamdi moved her from Riyadh to the remote mountain region of Al-Baha, where she spent her days alone tending to the family's herd of goats. Ghamdi and his family lived in Makkah so that their children could go to school, and only visited Somera during holidays. She was paid irregularly, thus racking up the big amount that her sponsor owed her.

Somera ended up in the Jeddah deportation center despite her sponsor's son having signed papers allowing her to leave the country, and after giving her only the pittance of SR2,000--pleading that his father was too ill to cough up the rest of the money!

After two weeks in a notoriously hellish place, Somera landed in Manila on Friday and is only today being reunited with her daughter in Nueva Ecija.

A bank account was opened in her name last year to collect donations for her. I have asked for an update on the total amount. I just hope it's enough to help Somera live out the rest of her life in relative comfort at home with her loved ones.

Source: http://www.rasheedsworld.blogspot.com/

WOMEN OVER 40

THIS IS PRICELESS!

In case you missed it on 60 Minutes, this is what Andy Rooney (photo) thinks about women over 40:

As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think. If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting. Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it. Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her. Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?', here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

Andy Rooney is a really smart guy!

Femmes & Fellas,
forward to five fine, fun, fabulous, fancy-free female friends over 40 or who have female friends over 40!

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.

EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Crisis of Public Education in the Philippines
By Ronald Meinardus


According to the human capital theory, the economic development of a nation is a function of the quality of its education. In other words: the more and better educated a people, the greater the chances of economic development.

The modern world in which we live is often termed a "knowledge society"; education and information have become production factors potentially more valuable than labor and capital. Thus, in a globalized setting, investment in human capital has become a condition for international competitiveness.

In the Philippines, I often hear harsh criticism against the politics of globalization. At the same time, regarding the labor markets, I can hardly think of another nation that is so much a part of a globalized economy than the Philippines with nearly ten per cent of the overall population working beyond the shores of the native land.

Brain drain. Apart from the much debated political, social and psychological aspects, this ongoing mass emigration constitutes an unparalleled brain drain with serious economic implications.

Arguably, the phenomenon also has an educational dimension, as the Philippine society is footing the bill for the education of millions of people, who then spend the better part of their productive years abroad. In effect, the poor Philippine educational system is indirectly subsidizing the affluent economies hosting the OFWs.

With 95 per cent of all elementary students attending public schools, the educational crisis in the Philippines is basically a crisis of public education. The wealthy can easily send their offspring to private schools, many of which offer first-class education to the privileged class of pupils.

Social divide. Still, the distinct social cleavage regarding educational opportunities remains problematic for more than one reason. Historically, in most modern societies, education has had an equalizing effect. In Germany, for instance, the educational system has helped overcome the gender gap, and later also the social divide. Today, the major challenge confronting the educational system in the country I come from is the integration of millions of mostly non-European, in most cases Muslim, immigrants. Importantly, this leveling out in the context of schooling has not occurred in this part of the world. On the contrary, as one Filipino columnist wrote a while ago, "Education has become part of the institutional mechanism that divides the poor and the rich."

Let me add an ideological note to the educational debate: Liberals are often accused of standing in the way of reforms that help overcome social inequalities. While, indeed, liberals value personal freedom higher than social equality, they actively promote equality of opportunities in two distinct policy areas: education and basic heath care.

For this reason, educational reform tends to have a high ranking on the agenda of most liberal political parties in many parts of the world.

This said, it is probably no coincidence that the National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS), liberal think-tank of the Philippines, invited me the other day to a public forum on the "Challenges on Educational Reform." With the school year having just started and the media filled with reports on the all but happy state of public education in the country, this was a very timely and welcome event. I was impressed by the inputs from Representative Edmundo O. Reyes, Jr, the Chairman of the Committee on Education of the House of Representatives, and DepEd Undersecretary Juan Miguel Luz. Both gave imposing presentations on the state of Philippine education.

Although I have been in this country for over a year now, I am still astonished again and again by the frankness and directness with which people here address problems in public debates. "The quality of Philippine education has been declining continuously for roughly 25 years," said the Undersecretary -- and no one in the audience disagreed. This, I may add, is a devastating report card for the politicians who governed this nation in the said period. From a liberal and democratic angle, it is particularly depressing as this has been the period that coincides with democratic rule that was so triumphantly and impressively reinstalled after the dark years of dictatorship in 1986! Describing the quality of Philippine school education today, the senior DepEd official stated the following: "Our schools are failing to teach the competence the average citizen needs to become responsible, productive and self-fulfilling. We are graduating people who are learning less and less."

While at the said forum, more than one speaker observed that the educational problems are structural in nature, I missed propositions for reform that are so far-reaching to merit the attribute structural.

Gargantuan problems. While the Undersecretary very patiently and impressively charted out the four policy directions of the political leadership of his ministry (taking teachers out of elections, establishing a nationwide testing system, preserving private schools, raising subsidies for a voucher system), to me -- as a foreign observer -- these remedies sound technocratic considering, what one writer in this paper has recently termed, "the gargantuan magnitude of the problems besetting Philippine basic education."

Let me highlight two figures: Reportedly, at last count more than 17 million students are enrolled in this country's public schools.

At an annual population growth rate of 2.3 per cent, some 1.7 million babies are born every year. In a short time, these individuals will claim their share of the limited educational provisions.

"We can't build classrooms fast enough to accommodate" all these people, said the DepEd Undersecretary, who also recalled the much lamented lack of teachers, furniture and teaching materials.

In short, there are too little resources for too many students.

Two alternatives. In this situation, logically, there exist only two strategic alternatives: either, one increases the resources, which is easier said than done considering the dramatic state of public finances, or one reduces the number of students.

This second alternative presupposes a systematic population policy, aimed at reducing the number of births considerably.

But this, too, is easier said than done, considering the politics in this country -- or to quote Congressman Reyes: "Given the very aggressive and active intervention of the Church addressing the population problem is very hard to tackle."

Dr. Ronald Meinardus was the former Resident Representative of the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation in the Philippines and a commentator on Asian affairs. E-mail comments to liberal@philippines.fnst.org

Business World Internet Edition: June 30, 2003
© All rights reserved

For more information on the crisis of public education in the Philippines, please refer to: Liberal Perspectives on Philippine Education.

Source: http://www.fnf. org.ph/liberalop inion/crisis- public-education -philippines. htm

FACT OR FICTION?

THE RESEARCHER-AUTHOR-PUBLISHER

In the middle of 1995, when I called by long distance my brother Perfecto in Washington, D.C., telling him that I am doing a research about the Philippines, the life of our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the first Filipino and the Brussels history. I had a lengthy conversation touching on all the details pertinent to my works, including the manner in which the publication of the book could be expeditiously carried out.

My brother "Perfecto" admired my ideas, courage, and God given talents. Indeed he was so very supportive of my research and he even invites me to come to the US. In the same year I stayed 3-week in the United States, but most of my time were consumed visiting libraries in Washington D.C.

When I wrote "Born to be a Hero, the history of the Philippines, the national heroes, and the Brussels history. I had in mind the Filipinos in Europe. The Filipino organization leaders suggested to me that I write this book. They said many Filipino children born in Europe have never come to the Philippines and are studying the European history and the lives of European heroes but have no knowledge of the Philippine history and the Filipino heroes. Of course, I realize the great necessity of this, so I decided to write this book which would be beneficial not only to them, but also to our countrymen in the Philippines. I wrote this book in English and some introduction in French language so that the reader will find no difficulty in understanding it. It is my aim and hope that this will enlighten our people and foreigners as well.

This book was written from the point of view of the Filipinos and not of the Spaniards and the Americans. Even so, facts are not twisted to accommodate national prejudices. The facts are allowed to stand as facts, but their interpretations are my responsibility. Consequently, while l discussed the evils of the Spanish administration, I also discussed the good that Spain had done in the Philippines. The same may be said of my treatment of the American period: the good as well as the bad are placed side by side for all to see. This is the essence of impartiality in history. There is no deliberate twisting of facts in order to accommodate friends or to drag down enemies.

I am aware that some aspects of Rizal's biography will prove to be controversial; it is not a hagiography but the story of a human being who, being human, was afflicted with "the headache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to". Rizal was not perfect, he was not always right, but I trust that those who read this story of his life will perceive that his humanity is precisely the secret of his greatness.

Sir Lino Wy Paras, KGO

Preface

This book is intended for the readers who treasures achievements, love of liberty and freedom. Why not? Born to be a Hero", the Philippines and Dr. José Protacio Rizal. True he was not Napoleon, Stalin or Hitler, like those three brought death to so many, yet is glorified by an otherwise rational people. He was not Lincoln – but only in the sense that he acted on a much smaller stage, a country of little importance to the world because it does little harm. He, too, would set a people free – by bringing light to them and their oppressors. (Lincoln was not too zealous about setting the Negro slaves free at the start.) Rizal faced the problem of human iniquities, injustices committed by the Dominicans and Governor General against his people. Whether he acted rightly or wrongly, his life illumines the problem and obtained respect of people everywhere.

Now comes this book "born to be a hero" by Sir Lino Paras a Belgian-Filipino in Brussels who revered Rizal a Universal man, whose life and death continue to haunt the minds and imaginations of foreigners as well as his countrymen. As tribute to the Philippine National Hero, the researcher-author-publisher mentioned extraordinary human courage, goodness and virtues that a man could have.

Hence, this work requires "enormous labor", as the author-researcher-publisher tediously followed up (for seven years) hundreds of bibliographical references for life, works and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal. The author almost abandoned making this book in 2001, due to the long period of sickness of his wife who died January 21, 2001. His devotion to his subject persists till he found out the unedited documents in archives of Belgium, France, Czech Republic and Spain about Rizal.

Who is this researcher-author-publisher?

He is a Rizalist, named Felino Wy Paras, born on March 15,1944, at the town of Cabiao, Province of Nueva Ecija. A naturalized Belgian with Filipino-Chinese blood born during the year (1944) that the first President of the Philippine Commonwealth, President Manuel L. Quezon, died. According to his father a priest in the town of Arayat, Pampanga, with Tata Ensiong Paras, his godfather, baptized him four months after his birth in complete catholic rites, at the foot of mount Arayat, Pampanga, and this was during the Philippine-Japanese war.

His father was Indolencio Parungao Paras, born May 15,1907 in Cabiao, Province of Nueva Ecija, and his mother was Escolastica Wy, Filipina-Chinese origin and a native of Rosales, Pangasinan, born August 15,1910. Sir Lino Paras has seven (7) brothers, Jose, Perfecto, Alipio, Zoilo, Leonardo, Godofredo, Juanito, and two (2) sisters Corazon and Angelina. He was married to Elsa Aloquina Castor, on September 21,1965 and his wife died after a long period fighting of cancer. They have two (2) sons Fernando and Alberto, both married and have nice family living in Brussels.

Sir Lino Paras immigrated in Belgium in the year 1965 one of the first Filipino established in the heart of Europe. He became the Filipino godfather in the area, not only giving shelter to new Filipino arrivals but extended financial assistance and helped secure job placement most especially for the unemployed Filipinos.

He followed courses at the University Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Graduated in Master of Business Administration.

In 1977 he joined a company whose specialization was Studio-Radio Television lighting equipment. 1980, he was employed at the Bank Brussels Lambert (BBL) in Brussels, and in 1995, he setup his own businesses: The PhilAir Travel International Sprl, and Fibel Trading International LTD. 1979 he joined several Filipino organizations: The "Asbl" Philippine Sports Community of Brussels (PSC), Benelux Filipino Sports Federation (BFSF), The Alliance, Belga Cultura of Belgium, Belgian Chamber on Philippine Economic Relationship, The "Asbl" Philippine Chaplaincy, Belgian-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and The "Asbl" Philippine Tourism Promotion Office in the Benelux. Presently, a Radio Broadcaster of DZXL-RMN Belgium online "Bantay OCW" with Susan K. and Cesar Padilla.

He married Baniza Lasota Seit on January 30, 2002, a lovely young and talented lady of Negros Oriental, born on August 15, 1979 in Sta. Catalina, Dumaguete City. A Foreign Service Graduate at the Lyceum of the Philippines. She passed the civil Service Examination in 2001,with distinction. Decided to write books and look personally their lovely daughter Marie-Christine rather than joining the government service.

What one to say of the book? It is obviously, as the researcher-author-publisher says a labor of love, and this love makes Rizal come vividly to life. No detail of what controversial life is slurred that would provide insight into a reluctant hero - reluctant, but a hero notwithstanding. The highest moments come, of course, when Rizal himself speaks. What a true man, not a blank figure, is revealed! There is no posturing in his letters, only brilliant mind though "perplexed in the extreme" is exposed, and a beating heart. What he wrote as he await death in the morning would melt a heart of stone. There is no pity for him, only thought for others, for those he loved whom he brought so such suffering when he followed his conscience – a reflection of God's will on earth.

Sir Rudy Nollas, KCR

Editor's Note: See excerpts of "Born to be a hero" at:

http://ningaskugonbaga.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html

THE REAL EASTER BUNNY!

He weighs in at 22 pounds and measures a little over 3 feet. A breed of rabbit called German giant (how appropriate!).

This is his owner, Hans Wagner, struggling to hold him up. From the NY Post article: I don't feed him an unusual diet, said Wagner. He goes through more than his brothers and sisters, but he eats the same food mix. His favorite food is actually lettuce. He can never get enough of it.

LOOK AT THOSE FEET!

HAPPY EASTER!

GIANT LEAP FOR KNIGHTS AND LADIES FOR RIZAL

Thank you for asking. Yes, this has been looked into and let me assure you it is not a problem at all.

First of all we are not resigning from the KOR. If anyone does that is his personal prerogative. But for all intents and purposes we continue to pay our dues and thus remain as members of the KOR.

Secondly, IFKOR is not like RSO, La Solidaridad or ISRA. Those are "breakaway" organizations. IFKOR is not! Rather, it is a federation of existing members of Knights of Rizal, a suggested new arrangement of association among Knights if you will. The hope is that someday soon everybody will come together under this concept of a corporate body. A kind of the future face of KOR. Except that that future is here now.

I must admit that it is quite unorthodox. The process that is. What one normally only dreams of - something like "imagine the KOR transforming into an international federation of Knights of Rizal from different countries" - is already unfolding right before his very eyes! The other unorthodox element is the fact that the change is not instigated through traditional means. In other words, the idea did not come from and hence not administered by the traditonal ruling structure that is based in Manila. It originates from members abroad to be eventually transplanted to Manila. From the bottom up instead of from the top down so to speak.

And by the way, one of the rationale for federating is basically the matter of jurisdiction. The charter (RA646) of the KOR is applicable and enforceable only within the shores of the Republic of the Philippines. Canada is a separate and sovereign country that is governed by its own laws. For so long Manila has been ruling the KOR World as if it were an imperial power with colonies in various countries. Within the regions in the Philippines yes, for that was the extent of the membership envisioned by the founders and succeeding leadership. But the world has changed. Filipinos are everywhere. Non-Filipinos too have become members of the organization, people of different color, culture and socio-political orientation. So if the leaders in Manila were realistic and wise enough earlier on they would have gradually taken steps to adapt to the changing circumstances and keep it relevant and effective. Sad thing is, they refuse even to recognize it is now the 21st Century! So, the inevitability of complex and unending unsolveable problems from within and without and the resulting paralysis of the leadeship. So, the inevitability of RSO, La Solidaridad and ISRA. But thank goodness for IFKOR. It will preserve the KOR from further fragmentation and solidify what remains and take it through the next millenium!

Regards.

In Rizal,

Sir Jun

The Real SCANDAL - RACISM tolerated by Sir Virgilio Esguerra and the IHQ?

In just a FEW WORDs, you likewise brilliantly PINPOINTED to the WRONG that ails this KOR!

The real SCANDAL is the WEAK "Leadership" of Sir Virgilio R. Esguerra!

He has been informed countless times, provided with EVIDENCE of RACISM and PLAGIARISM, yet did/does nothing! WHY?

In contrast, Sir Hilario ACTED quickly, ordering Sir Lino Paras to EXPLAIN within 24 hours! He told complainants to sign, notarize their written Complaints! That is STRONG LEADERSHIP!

Instead of a DIRECT RESPONSE from Sir Virgilio Esguerra, I get all these e-mails that SERVE MORE to MUDDLE THE ISSUE/S!
(Letters about "subjudice" violation, "hypocritical attitude", "maliscious lies", "NAKAKAHIYA", and the like!)

Did Lazir plagiarize a book? NOT YET!
Did Lazir pronounce anything RACISTIC? NOT YET!
Did Lazir speak CLEARLY? Well, except using foul language, he called a "spade a spade!"

Sir Lino Paras did his RACISTIC remarks reportedly in the Black Forest, Germany, and was quickly CHALLENGED by Sir Dr Fritz Hack-Ullmer, whose great grandfather, Pastor Karl Ullmer, took Dr Rizal hospitably in his Vicarriage, Wilhelmsfeld.

Instead of a REPRIMAND, Sir Lino Paras was PROMOTED to Regional "commander" in 2007!

Granting Sir Hilario APPROVED/DESIGNATED Sir Paras, by MISTAKE, because the former was NOT INFORMED of the latter's RACISTIC remarks.

NOW knowing the WRONG DONE, why NO REPRIMAND coming from Sir Virgilio Esguerra? Until today? In Paris 2007, not a WORD of CAUTION even on RACISM, just lots of "HIGH FIVES", "pats on the back", "good job", "FUN! FUN! FUN!

And Sir Boy Alcoba even WROTE his RACISTIC remarks thru e-mail, coupled with lots of unprintables!

Even Sir Barry Bowman got "attacked"! So were Sir Don Brennock and Sir Lucien Spittael!

WHERE IS THE I H Q PROPER ACTION???

Instead of a REPRIMAND, Sir Boy Alcoba was conferred the 4th highest Degree, to KGOR in Paris 2007!

NOW, Sirs Virgilio Esguerra, Roger Quiambao, Jose Gardoce, Vital, Guzman, Gomez, Navida and others...: IF YOU QUESTION ANYONE, FIRST DO THE RIGHT THING AND EXPELL SIR FELINO PARAS AND SIR BOY ALCOBA, FOR RACISM! (Please DO NOT TELL ME THE IHQ LEGAL DIVISION IS LOOKING INTO THIS!)

ONLY then have you done something GOOD for the KOR and

For Country and People!

:)
Lazir

FUNNY SIGNS

SIR SPITTAEL'S RESEARCH ON RIZAL

ADVANCE AND BE RECOGNIZED!

WHO'S WHO?

(Reprint from http://ningaskugonbaga.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html)

Dear Mr. Nollas,

Congratulations for writing a rather commendable testimonial to the researcher-author-publisher in the preface of the manuscript entitled “Born to be a hero.” I wonder if you are still expecting special favors from him just in the event you’d be stripped off of your “diplomatic immunity” that you have intentionally omitted some particular details of his biography in order to safeguard his image as a successful entrepreneur. As a highly esteemed and responsible functionary at the Philippine Embassy, however, this would likely compromise your integrity and credibility considering the sensitive nature of your position which could subsequently jeopardize the security of the embassy that you grant special preferences and favors to third parties. You must be well aware that this kind of treatment on your own personal initiative is tantamount to professional irregularities that could even be worse than nepotism or corruption. Anyway, who cares if the authorities would finally come to know about it? Perhaps they might even promote you or give you a medal instead of an honorable discharge. Nevertheless, don’t worry and be happy! Just leave everything to Lino to get you out of trouble because he doesn’t only have a very long arm to ingratiate himself easily for a favor or two but he also has an unorthodox modus operandi to have his way around with the authorities.

First of all, you have overlooked to mention about his humble origin as a domestic worker of a former Belgian diplomat, a rich Baron living in the Castle of Kortrijk who had sent for him instead of having him sponsored, when he first arrived to Brussels, thanks to his first wife of course. Somehow, this is the dark and sensitive part of his life that he is neither too keen nor too enthusiastic to talk about in order to enhance his enviable position and save his impeccable image of respectability and success as a self-made man to the eyes of his fellow knights and peers. As a matter of fact, one of his former female boarders named Bette had confided me about a dramatic incident immediately after it happened wherein he slapped her very hard across the face after she told him off in the presence of friends and guests that he was already a domestic back home. Incidentally, this showdown took place as a result of their heated altercation following her complaint that she couldn’t sleep from the uproar and pandemonium that they created intermittently during their mahjong and other gambling sessions which went on non-stop far beyond the unholy hours of the morning and even continued the following day.

I’m so surprised that you only made reference to his masters at ULB which I doubt strongly of its existence and veracity. You know in any European universities or institutions of higher learning, anyone could attend courses as an “auditeur libre” without even being enrolled officially. Perhaps, what he really meant by following courses was when he attended some lectures in between his breaks while he did a part time job of cleaning the rooms and toilets after classes. I believe what’s more important and essential to the readers in general would be to know something about his educational qualification and performance while he was in the Philippines and what he had really accomplished to uphold and promote ideals and teachings of Rizal, as a die-hard follower or fanatic.

With regards to his presumption of being a writer in connection to his speaking and writing expertise, there could be a question that would possibly arise about his educational background as to whether or not he really finished his secondary or university studies just in case he should be subjected to undergo a formal proficiency examination under the supervision of a panel of language experts. Should he pass it with flying colors, this would clear him once and for all from any doubts or speculations about his integrity.

When we’re still intimate and best of friends, I remember pretty well that he was long-time employed by an important local outsourcing security firm, Securitas, as a guard stationed in the compounds of the BBL. This doesn’t mean that he was officially connected to or employed in the bank as a member of the staff or personnel, isn’t he? Please check your records carefully.

What an eloquent tribute you have written on him by citing his membership to different organizations, such as the Belgian Chamber on Philippine Economic Relationship, the Belgian-Philippine Chamber of Commerce, the Philippine Tourism Promotion Office in the Benelux, etc. Incidentally, what was his significant role and personal contribution to the development and enhancement of the Philippine economy and tourism? By the way, what frequency range is the DZXL-RMN Belgium online "Bantay OCW" where everybody interested could tune to eventually? Does the word “online” mean that it has to be downloaded from the Internet or is it one of his make-believe creations that could only be heard within the confines of his kitchen or bathroom?

Speaking of the Philippine Sports Community of Brussels (PSC), everyone knows that he still monopolizes it as the absolute “supremo” and the ultimate policy maker which he created in the 70’s and have himself unilaterally appointed as “president-for-life.” It’s surprising that ever since its creation he has hardly taken any effort or initiative to build up second generation Filipinos to become athletes of international caliber, instead he still uses it as his personal platform for his favorite “pissing” contests where he would always come out as the undisputed winner. I remember how all of his followers and those from the embassy who were intimate with him had granted the most-favored treatment to his sons to rank them as first and second in their family-sponsored tennis tournament finals at the expense of other players who performed better as a gesture of gratitude for his hospitality and generosity. If only he had been too clever to get somebody with the caliber of Justine Henin-Hardenne’s coach who wasn’t even a former champion and practically unknown on the international tennis circuit to train them for peanuts, he’d be mighty proud of himself to have turned them into world champions, like Venus and Serena Williams!

However, through his affiliation and connections with the Benelux Filipino Sports Federation (BFSF), why hasn't he considered to send second-generation Filipinos to any of the local sports organizations that would give them a chance to undergo serious and professional training so that they could participate and compete in any international or Olympic tournaments? What a waste of time that he had never thought seriously of taking advantage of the opportunities that his association could easily avail of from the innumerable possibilities offered by the sophisticated high-tech facilities and infrastructure that are locally available for all-round sport activities. Through all the years under his presidency-for-life, he could have had at least accomplished something worthwhile on a professional level that would have put his name and country on the limelight to have produced an athlete or two that could be a testimony to his everlasting glory, n'est-ce pas?

As to the question of money for the formation and training of athletes, I think they could easily get the necessary funding from the membership fees, sponsor donations and profits from the sports award events that are held every year. In return, they could get back several folds from their initial investment if it turns out that their athlete would be worth as much as the South American players, like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Maradona, Pele, etc. I wonder where all those money have gone? Is there’s any transparency in the accounting and auditing procedures of the funds of the sports association. In fairness to the members and sponsors, I believe they’re obliged to post their balance sheet and financial statement on a blog or a web site so that everybody could trace where and how every cent is spent and disbursed.

Modesty aside, if I were a lovely young, talented lady with a college diploma and a civil service qualification, I wouldn’t be too stupid or dumb to marry somebody who could be as old as my grandfather just to “join the navy and see the world!” With such a superbly high-sounding credential, I’d rather be too wise and ambitious to look for a very old Texan millionaire instead, like the one in the sensational case of a popular girlie magazine centerfold model who became filthy rich only after a year of marriage than to sacrifice my exotic charm and hard-earned degree only to be coped up in a pigeon-hole apartment somewhere in a heavily North African immigrant area of the city raising kids until I’d become an old tart and contemplating on what a fabulous and glamorous life I could have had elsewhere otherwise! For your information, there were 946 graduates of Foreign Service alone in Lyceum that was officially communicated to me by its dean when I paid her a courtesy call in March 2002. How do you expect to get them all employed at the Foreign Office or elsewhere? Their only hope would be to follow the usual OFW routes to get any unskilled jobs available anywhere or the last but not the least as an alternative out of desperation, the easy way out to opt for the “vagina visa” as an immediate and rapid exit from the ever-growing poverty and misery in the country!

Financial assistance and job placements didn’t come at all free for Lino, but at a high price with an endless of strings attached, of course! According to his own philosophy on charity and hospitality, nothing is gained from nothing that mustn’t be paid in cash or in kind. What more, he would fully expect a lifetime gratitude and loyalty from those who are indebted to him so that he could manipulate or alienate them on his terms and at his own advantage because he would never hesitate to denigrate them by telling them off that if it weren’t for him they’d be back to the “salt mine” breaking rocks for a miserable existence. How very immoral and pathetic!

As I seem to admire your style of writing as compared to the enclosed short note of Lino, I believe Mr. Nollas that you could have had taken all the credits and responsibilities in the preparation and compilation of the manuscript. Perhaps you thought you’re too clever and shrewd enough to anticipate cunningly that when an official case of “breach of copyright” should ever be filed against him, you could easily “wash your hands clean and get away so fast” in order to free yourself from any involvement or connection thus leaving him bear the cross all by himself and face any possible consequences that would befall on him in due course. Don’t be too over confident, because if he falls, you’re sure to fall faster than him with both his feet on your head in the end down in a stinking cesspool!

Yours very cordially,


-----Original Message-----

Date: Monday, June 11, 2001
Subject: Anong sarap ng buhay, hindi ba Abe?

Thank very much for your messages, I hope that you will recover completely.

Sorry I wan’t able to answer you promptly, due to the hectic schedules of my responsibilities.

I was in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A last month to received the second highest award of the Knights Grand Officer of Rizal, and last week the Supreme Council, Manila, send me to Litomerice, Czech Republic to attend the unveiling of the bust of Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt(friend of Dr. Jose Rizal).

I will be in Manila next month to accompanied Belgian businessman and to promote Tourism in our country. You see my friend, I never forget you, you are one of my best friends and considered you as a brother. With the passing away of my wife I really need to be active, otherwise, mapapadali ang pagsunod natin kung saan man siya ngayon.

Warmest regards,

Lino

ROMANCE MATHEMATICS...

Smart man + smart woman = romance
Smart man + dumb woman = affair
Dumb man + smart woman = marriage
Dumb man + dumb woman = pregnancy
______________________________

OFFICE ARITHMETIC

Smart boss + smart employee = profit
Smart boss + dumb employee = production
Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion
Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime
_____________________________


SHOPPING MATH

A man will pay $20 for a $10 item he needs.
A woman will pay $10 for a $20 item that she doesn't need.
_____________________________


GENERAL EQUATIONS & STATISTICS

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
_____________________________


HAPPINESS

To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little.
To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.
______________________________


LONGEVITY

Married men live longer than single men do, but married men are a lot more willing to die.
______________________________


PROPENSITY TO CHANGE

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.
_____________________________


DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE

A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
_____________________________

HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT GETTING MARRIED
Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

COPY-PASTE AND SEND THIS TO A SMART WOMAN WHO NEEDS A LAUGH AND TO THE SMART GUYS YOU KNOW CAN HANDLE IT.

WHAT ABOUT A BIG KISS TO GRANNY?

WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE, BOY!

Sir Boy Alcoba,

Decency, if you, your name and your family still have it, and PRUDENCE, dictate an ugent response from you.

Take the advice of Sir Virgilio Esguerra, a.k.a. Sir Jose Gardoce, KCR(?):

"Be truthful in your statement! Be gentleman."

Otherwise, if I may again borrow from Sir Virgilio Esguerra, a.k.a. Sir Felipe A. Vital, KCR (?):

"NAKAKAHIYA (nabasa ko sa E-mail)"

Sir Lucien Spittael is the best RESEARCHER the KOR ever had, for all time! To call him "self-pronounced Rizal researcher" is derogatory, an INSULT to his name! His researches could CORRECT erroneous information in Millions of history books written on Dr Jose Rizal in the Philippines! (I wish Mr Ambeth Ocampo would notice...!)

Where Filipino authors harp on the name Suzanne Jacoby as Dr Jose Rizal's Belgian girlfriend, Sir Lucien Spittael found out from his untiring and expensive RESEARCHES of Belgian archives, that Suzanne Thill is the right person! Ms Jacoby was much older (same or older than Dr Rizal himself?) and Dr Rizal knew Ms Thill was about 18 or 19 yrs old, when the National Hero was close by in Belgium! (As Researcher par Excellence, you have the honor to correct me, where I'm wrong, Sir Lucien please!)

Sir Lucien discovered the source from which Dr Jose Rizal copied his "Tinipung karunungan ng kaibigang mga taga Rhin". This is a RARE little book on/from/about the "Friends of the Rhein": intellectuals, full-pledged or would-be astronomers, who observed the universe, the stars, the moon and the planets and wrote them down. Dr Jose Rizal translated part of this work into Pilipino (Tagalog in the vernacular)!

Even Sir Rogelio Quiambao, 5x KOR Supreme Commander, HONORED Sir Lucien in 2002 by fetching him and driving PERSONALLY FOR HIM around Metro Manila and surrounding areas in the former's big, black jeep (voyager?).

Sir Lucien, the man, is unassuming, unpretentious, much honorable, well-respected on his own MERIT, straight-talking, well-respected by intellectual European and Filipino Knights from Ireland to the Czech Republic and beyond!

I am sure many Filipino Knights, prominently Sir Celso Lacuna, Area Commander for Germany, also a recognized avid researcher on Dr Jose Rizal in Germany, can VOUCH for Sir Lucien's SERVICE to the KOR and to the name of the National Hero. His unsurpassed TALENTS precede his name!

I do NOT have to defend Sir Lucien Spittael. He is good at what he does!

The name SIR LUCIEN SPITTAEL ought to be HONORED MORE by the KOR...! He did and is MORE than doing his part!

For Country and People!

:)
Lazir

IN THE END

When you're lost and all alone you feel that you
Will have to face the world standing on your own
With no one there to support you when you have your
Tail between your legs

As the days go by you find that you keep running into people
Who when they see you down and out attempting to help you out
Of that slump that has had you so down in the dumps

With out knowing it you try telling them that in the end you don’t know
How anyone can change your reality where there has been no one there for
So long that has been willing to be there for you

As you are showing how far down in the dumps you are the people who
Have chosen to help you show that those feelings of dread have no basis
Due to showing you that in the end your reality can be changed by their love
And in the end it does their love dose effect your reality enough to lift you
Up out of that world that has you lost and feeling like you are all alone

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

WHAT A GREAT DISGRACE IN THE NAME OF RIZAL AND THE COUNTRY!

Last September 2007 I was in London with my family for a visit and met some of our fellow bro. knights there. They told me SCHOCKING (as the Brits would say) STORIES of their ordeals and resentments to their former Chapter Commander. They told me how they were treated as second class members and how they were played-out of their balance sheets by this former CC. I also met one very prominent Lady who has worked directly under the Queen, she said she never recalls any knight whatsoever being invited in the Palace for a diner with Her Royal Majesty. If there was one, she said, it would surely be documented (photos) as a souvenir for this is a very important and rare opportunity, is it? Futhermore, this bro. knights told me that they are so happy and feels liberated now that the former CC is not there anymore.

Lastly, I wish to re-iterate my full and strong support to all members of our Supreme Council, IHQ. This people are all tried, experienced,very much educated and dedicated members of the Order. If some matters/cases are being delayed, one must remember that this Illustrious Officer's of the Order are also busy in their own businesses, offices, other commitments and their own family matters and that they live in different parts of the country, for them to gather together for a meeting is really quite hectic. I am confident and believe that in due time all this prevailing problems/conflict in our organisation would be resolved for the betterment of the Order.

Having said all that, I have decided not to entertain anymore of this e-mails which are unfounded, fabricated lies. The real intentions of this group is to destabilized and divide the Order for their own personal agendas. I also wish to publicly apologize to the other recipients of this e-mail who are not concerned. Thank you all and God Bless.

Sincerely in Rizal,

Sir Cesar 'bhoy' Alcoba, KGOR
Area Commander for Belgium

THANKS SIR BARRY!

To all concerned:

I would like to confirm that Sir Barry Bowman did have lunch with the Queen and the Duke on the 15th of October, 2003 as he described in an earlier e-mail. He never mentioned the Palace nor that it was hosted by the Queen herself which is an entirely different matter.

I have been quiet this past year just reading the numerous e-mails from all directions but I had to draw the line when a friend's name was sullied. In all sincerity, Barry is a fine man who helped a lot of people when he and his lovely wife, Ana, were still based here. Race and colour were never a consideration as far as he was concerned. He may have ruled the London chapter of the Knights of Rizal with an "iron fist" but he did listen to others when needed. With so many different personalities involved here, it was important that someone like Barry lead it. He may have hit the wrong chords with some but his heart was always in the right place. Proof of this is that the Knights of Rizal here in London has not been able to raise the sums of money that it did during his time. In fact, during his term, the London chapter was one of the top charity fund-raisers here in the UK among the different Filipino organisations along with the Filipino Women's Association UK and the Batangas Association UK.

My only regret is not getting in touch with him sooner as we have not had any contact since he moved to the Philippines. Hopefully, with our line of communication now open, this oversight will be corrected.

At the moment, I consider myself a Knight on leave as all these brouhaha in Europe, America, and headquarters are quite disconcerting. With all sides quite intransigent with their positions, I cannot see an end to the matter soon or even later. This is that one moment that I wish I am wrong.

Sadly yours,
Peps Villanueva
London

THE FALSEHOODS OF SIR CESAR ALCOBA

Dear Illustrious Gentlemen,

Many of you have read the falsehoods that Sir Cesar Alcoba KGOR, has written in his e.mails to various members myself included.

One of the lies he said was that I did not dine with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

At no time did I say I was at Buckingham Palace. I was at a private lunch with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and her husband His Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. This was arranged for me by the London Borough of Enfield and the Mayor. He said he had info from London which was a pack of lies again.

A quirk from the Duke of Edinburgh when he saw me in full Scottish Highland Dress was, I see they have imported you down to London as well from Scotland. Knowing he is the Duke of Edinburgh which is the capitol of Scotland.

I am pleased to give you the Invitation dated Wednesday 15th. October 2003.which is attached

Yours in Rizal

IS IT NOT A CORRUPT PRACTICE SIR VER ESGUERRA TO APPROVE UNDESERVING PROMOTIONS...???!

Dr Jose Rizal was also told, warned (even threatened!) to STOP his REFORM campaign/s! Did he stop? We know the answer...

The Philippine tragedy is not KOR, but IS IT WISE to tell the Filipino nation to now forget CORRUPTION (ZTE/NBN, "Hello Garci", the Spratlys, North/South Rail, the Fertilizer Scam, the Election counting machines, to name a few), STOP washing dirty LINEN in public and all just go on living our/their lives?

OK for the moneyed(!), with Swissbank accounts, TOUGH LUCK for those who scratch the ground for scraps to feed an empty stomach! No kind Sir, NOTHING WRONG in seeking CLOSURE to the nation's SCANDALS and ILLS?

The same is TRUE with the KOR! The Search is for TRUTH, JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY!

Whether KOR members like it or not, KOR affairs do have BEARING upon the Filipino nation! KOR with its Flag and Dr Jose Rizal on its EMBLEM should be the CONSCIENCE of the nation and MUST set the EXAMPLE for the citizenry, in the same manner Dr Jose Rizal would have so wanted to see it happen, if he were still ALIVE today!

Yet, KOR's IHQ keeps its SILENCE! (The KOR has no independent media to scrutinize its affairs!) But KOR Members do HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW!

IHQ is SILENT, yes! Yet Sir Jose Gardoce and Sir Felipe Vital show up SUDDENLY in IHQ's defense!

Will STOPping this, Lazir's Search for TRUTH, JUSTICE and ACCOUNTABILITY in the KOR, help

- heal the (KOR) country,
- feed the hungry,
- pay for tuition, school fees,
- provide medical care,
- build homes, shelter, housing,
- give jobs, etc. ???

We in the KOR claim to be Illustrious adherents of the National Hero! And then what? Fun! Fun! Fun! Promote the UNDESERVING, STOP looking for WRONGDOINGs, or CLOSE our eyes on ABUSE? Just give up?

There is ONLY ONE Philippines and, like many other Filipinos and foreigners alike, I do care!

Alright, we do good (in the name of Dr Jose Rizal!):

- raise funds for projects back home!
- support poor kids to school!
- educate the masses!
- hold yearly contests! (Who is Dr Jose Rizal Contest?, National Search for Outstanding Youth Contest, and the like)

Is that all? Is that RIZALISM? Is that not SHALLOW and HOLLOW?

Last I heard and from what I knew, RIZALISM was ACTIVISM!

And yet, we are told to SIMPLY CLOSE OUR EYES TO CORRUPT I H Q PRACTICES and tell others to STOP complaining/whining and move on?

Shouldn't it be that we tell the ABUSERS in the IHQ to STOP their ABUSE and do right instead? Shouldn't we ask Sir Ver Esguerra, who is SUPPOSED TO BE in control (is he really?) to do his job? And if the acting Supreme Commander (or Sir Rogelio Quiambao and Sir Joey Lina of the Supreme Council ARE) is "ASHAMED" of Lazir's "Bato-bato sa Langit", isn't it HIGH TIME they ACT in ACCORDANCE with the known CHARACTER, INTEGRITY, AND TRAITS of Dr Jose Rizal?

Let's TURN AROUND...

Shall we now BLAME Dr Jose Rizal for FIGHTING for REFORMS??? Shall we now BLAME him for his early demise? Can we rightfully say, Dr Rizal should have STOPPED so he could have lived to be 100 years!

To tell Lazir to STOP is BARKING at the wrong TREE! IHQ is the tree to bark at! (Aragorn and Gandalf, the White, in JRR Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" warned King Theoden of the Rohirrm, whether the King likes it or not, "WAR IS UPON HIM!")

CORRUPTION AND CORRUPT PRACTICES ARE IN THE IHQ! THESE things, NOT Lazir's COMPLAINING, kind Sir, "is bringing no good to OKOR." The COrrupt MUST STOP, not Lazir!

If Sir Rogelio Quiambao served 5x as Supreme Commander, did HE BRING CORRUPT PRACTICES to the KOR, or did he FIGHT CORRUPTION during his time? Did he bring HONOR to the KOR or SHAME upon it?

Is the Council of Elders HELPING FIGHT CORRUPT PRACTICES/CORRUPTION by its GAG ORDER or PREVENTIVE SUSPENSION ORDER imposed upon Sir Carmelo Gempesaw? Or is it CONDONING CORRUPTION/CORRUPT PRACTICES when it promulgated such order/s? (I asked for IHQ documents from both Sir Ver Esguerra..., since November 2007, and from Sir Carmelo Gempesaw, last January 2008, to see How the IHQ functions/works! NOTHING WRONG with that! Lazir only WANTED to know HOW THE IHQ WORKS! Is Sir Ver Esguerra hiding SOMETHING? Apparently YES! I THANK Sir Carmelo for granting my request! Sir Carmelo did the RIGHT thing! TRANSPARENCY is good for the KOR and its Members!)

Which is RIGHT, ETHICAL or RIZALIAN:

1. To ask Lazir (or Sir Jun) to STOP what he/they are doing? or
2. To STOP the WRONGDOERS at the TOP from their ABUSE of the KOR?
3. To help the media, police? or
4. To help the thieves?

Lazir and the REFORMERS came to view because of the IHQ CORRUPTION! CORRUPTION did not appear because of Lazir and the REFORMERS!)

YOU ALL will ALWAYS do RIGHT when you WORK honestly, with integrity, just like Dr Jose Rizal...

For Country and People!

:)
Lazir