A TALE OF TWO CENTURIONS

A TALE OF TWO CENTURIONS

IMMORTALIZED IN SOUND BITES AND FIGHTING WORDS

“History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it

illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in

daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity” Cicero, Roman politician

“No great man lives in vain. The history of the world is but a

biography of great men.” Thomas Carlyle, British writer

With quotes from Cicero and Carlyle, the curtain unfolds a panorama of interesting and climactic episodes in the history of war, conquest, occupation, brutalities and sufferings. You will be entertained with the historical accounts of the men of Rome responsible in preserving and disseminating the spread of western thought, science, arts, philosophy, architecture, law and government.

Here is your TOUR GUIDE,

There was a village nearby Alba Longa of present-day Italy that was once a rural farmland but strategically located on the seven hills. Its early history is interwoven by myth and legend. As we go back in the closing chapter of Homer’s the ILIAD, the Trojans with their leader Aeneas and his father fleeing Troy that was burned down earlier by the victorious Greeks. Then their trek finally brought them to Latium after long days and nights of seemingly endless travel.

In writing the AENEID, Virgil picked up where Homer left off to chronicle the plight of fleeing Trojans, who now assumed a new identity as Romans and their rendezvous with destiny as masters of the world.

The story of Aeneas, the She-Wolf and Rumulus are now part of the legend and folklore to give semblance of legitimacy that the legendary founders of Imperial Rome were real people whose ancestors, created the Eternal City known for military superiority to govern an empire stretching as far as Damascus and the British Isles and whose subjects owed their loyalty, allegiance and obedience to ONE emperor, ONE language, ONE currency, ONE law, and ONE government.

Conferment of the prestigious Roman citizenship to conquered subjects and vassal states was something to aspire. “Veritas” and “patria” became interchangeable words to the citizens where personal accomplishment and fame are motivated for the greater glory of Rome!

For 200 years of domination, the ETERNAL CITY can be reached thru VIA APPIA as Rome was then the epicenter where the saying “ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME” was not an idle expression but a direction and assurance from getting lost, robbed or hijacked.

Today, we see highway sign in metal plate markers that read EISENHOWER INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM that dotted the major expressways, turnpikes in the United States. And when you are driving in the direction going to the US capital, Washington DC, think of VIA APPIA where history witnessed the Roman Legions, their booty and wheat supply when it was the main road en route to Rome.

ROMA when spelled backward is AMOR! Edgar Allan Poe could not be wrong with his poetic expression “the beauty that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome!”

Among the noble Romans enshrined in the pantheon of greatness is Julius Caesar, an astute politician who never ran out of cash to entertain the Romans in the Coliseum. He owned at least twenty gladiators who before the start of the fight will shout in unison, “HAIL CAESAR! WE ARE HERE READY TO DIE TO ENTERTAIN YOU!

Elected pro-consul for several terms, he was a genius both in the use of the quill and sword. He wrote the history of the Gallic campaigns based on his accounts and Civil War where he waged against Pompey to show to the world who was the master of Rome.

If there is one fault in Caesar’s career, is his failure to describe in his “Commentaries” how his brave, loyal and well disciplined Legionnaires trained primarily for battles were also engineers, architects, designers, masons and carpenters skilled in the construction of roads, aqueducts, bridges, baths, temples and amphitheaters many of which are still visibly around as relics of antiquity.

Julius Caesar a Roman patrician who loved the poor, was responsible for Rome’s territorial expansion that brought wealth, bounty, grain supplies, colonies and slaves to Rome.

Among conquerors we learned from ancient history Julius Caesar ranked the first to use sound bites such as his “VENI VIDI VICI”. Without Shakespeare, the literate world will be deprived of catch phrase like “Etu Brutus”. The inclusion of the words “brute, brutal or brutality” in the dictionary enriched the dictionary. The same treatment goes to “THE DIE IS CAST” attributed to Caesar when he crossed the Rubicon disobeying the order of the Senate to leave his legions behind when returning to Rome. It gained as a popular expression of raw courage, determination and defiance.

Those who watched “The True Story of Alexander the Great” will notice the young Macedonian general was more pre-occupied with his conquest that he has no time to visit his Macedonian capital once in a while to model in front of artists, painters and sculptors. No wonder he has only one known statue left for mankind to remember the curly hair and his boyish look. Unlike Caesar’s easy access via The APPIAN WAY his statues are found in most temples and amphitheaters in conquered cities.

No military general of recent history depicted with almost the same admiration like Alexander, Julius Caesar or Napoleon in war strategy and tactics and whose drama for words like “I SHALL RETURN” sound bites, his fashion setting uniform jacket, the “Pershing hat” and corn cob pipe he designed, Ray Ban sun glasses, temperament and pomposity that were the subject of interesting articles and books covering his 39 years of military services as Douglas Mac Arthur. Look at the title given by William Manchester to the general’s biography shown below.

AS noted: INQ7 columnist and historian Ambeth Ocampo,

”MacArthur gave the famous "Rally to me" speech he broadcast to the people of the Philippines from Leyte. Reading the same text today makes people cringe because it sounds melodramatic-and to some, downright corny-yet few know about a letter MacArthur scribbled and sent to US President Roosevelt. Again the text is from his memoirs”

October 20, 1944

"Dear Mr. President:

"This note is written from the beach near Tacloban [capital of Leyte] where we have just landed. It will be the first letter from the freed Philippines. I thought you might like it for your philatelic collection. I hope it gets through.

"The operation is going smoothly and if successful will strategically as well as tactically cut the enemy forces in two. Strategically it will pierce the center of his defensive line extending along the coast of Asia from the Japanese homeland to the tip of Singapore, and will enable us to envelop to the north or south as we desire. It severs completely the Japanese from their infamous propaganda slogan of the 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.' Tactically it divides his forces in the Philippines in two and by bypassing the southern half of the Philippines will result in the saving of possibly fifty thousand American casualties. He had expected us and prepared on Mindanao.

"The Filipinos are reacting splendidly and I feel that a successful campaign of liberation if promptly followed by a dramatic granting to them of independence will place American prestige in the Far East as the highest pinnacle of all times.

"Once more, on the highest plane of statesmanship, I venture to urge that this great ceremony be presided over by you in person. Such a step will electrify the world and redound immeasurable to the credit and honor of the United States for a thousand years.

"Please excuse this scribble but at this moment I am on the combat line with no facilities except this filed message pad."

Douglas MacArthur

In 1945, aboard the USS Missouri, Japan formally surrendered to the Allies. After the terms of surrender were signed by the Japanese generals and admirals, it was followed by victorious handshakes, toasts, dinner, and dancing. One joke circulated reported that the American “Caesar” (above, standing on the left) ate too much that he excused himself with a promise "I shall return." There is one more joke you must have heard many times wherein an inquisitive war correspondent asked the general why it took him three years to fulfill his promise, MacArthur shrugged his shoulders and wryly remarked “IT’S BETTER LEYTE THAN NEVER”.

Thank you for spending minutes with me as we scour the pages of history for events and happenings that are still relevant, timeless, and entertaining to waste our time. Until then this is Jose Sison Luzadas, your guide to “The MODERN TIMES AND THE LIVING PAST”.

The End

SC BLASTS RP LEADERS

By Dona Pazzibugan, Daxim Lucas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:25:00 01/30/2010

AS THE WHOLE COUNTRY seems to be engulfed in debate over the appointment of his successor, Chief Justice Reynato Puno swung from making jokes about his impending retirement and lecturing on the kind of leaders that the country needs.

Puno's retirement on May 17 has ignited a fierce legal and political debate over whether President Macapagal-Arroyo can legally appoint his successor despite the ban against presidential appointments two months before the May 10 elections.

"I shall be bowing out of office in a few months' time. I'm the only chief justice whose birthday is announced in the media," he said jokingly at a leadership forum organized by the Philippine-Australian Alumni Association.

Blow-out party

Given the Filipino penchant for hospitality, he said he just might end up spending his entire retirement pay on "blow-out parties."

On a more serious note, he noted that the hullaballoo over his retirement has turned the spotlight on "greater constitutional issues and has brought about so many born-again constitutionalists."

In his speech, Puno said the country needed "transformational leaders" who will "awaken the moral values of their followers" and warned against those who lead as if they were "transacting business."

He blamed the country's present and past leaders for their "self-interest" and "self-centeredness" which he said continued to propagate economic inequality, social discrimination, poor governance, environmental degradation and apathy.

"A transformational leader focuses first in transforming self to become selfless, to look out for each other, to promote unity and harmony and to give more importance to the interest of the whole more than its parts," he said, citing the late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as an example of a transformational leader.

In contrast to the ideal are the transactional leaders who buy their followers off, he said.

"Transactional leaders motivate followers by appealing to their self-interest. They approach followers on a quid pro quo basis with an eye to exchanging one thing for another, such as jobs for votes or subsidies for campaign contributions. Leadership to them is more of a transaction, more of business where you get your goal through the bargaining of interests," he said.

"Transformational" leader

"A transactional leader is obsessed with the completion of an objective with little regard to its moral and ethical hazards on his followers," Puno said.

He said the country's social ills are "manifestations of self-interest, the results of self-centeredness and the consequences of self-absorption of those who lead and have led us in the past."

Meanwhile, the AIM Policy Center has added its voice to prevailing opinion that the President is banned from appointing a successor to Puno less than two months before her own term expires.

By insisting on appointing a new Chief Justice before she bows out, Ms Arroyo is undermining the fragile stability of the economy, according to the center, the think tank unit of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

AT LUIGI'S

A group of 40 year old buddies discuss and discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at Luigi’s Restaurant because the waitresses there have low cut blouses and nice breasts.

10 years later, at 50 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss and discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at Luigi’s Restaurant because the food and the wine selection there is very good.

10 years later at 60 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss and discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at Luigi’s Restaurant because they can eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant is smoke free.

10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss and discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at Luigi’s Restaurant because the establishment is wheel chair accessible and they even have an elevator.

10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss and discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at Luigi’s Restaurant since they have never been there before.

RECENTLY REGISTERED CHINESE BABY NAMES BORN IN THE PHILIPPINES

Born during the night = Andy Lim
Born blind = Kenneth Sy
Born being swindled = Lino Co
Born while cooking = Nilo Toh
Born as 10th child = Sam Po
Born while being courted = Lily Gaw
Born fat = Bob Uy
Born little = Kathy Ting
Born different = Eva Yan
Born with porridge = Lino Gaw
Born looking for someone = Allen Sia
Born while counterfeiting = Faye King
Born during Sunday = Lyn Go
Born with malice = Mali Sia
Born angry with someone = Ally Tan
Born with picture = Lara Huan
Born with sweets = Ken Dy
Born undefined = Sam Ting
Born while taking a bath = Lily Go
Born not to take a bath = Dinah Lily Go
Born while buying = Bill Li
Born secretly = Tina Go
Born to pass flatus = Otto Tin
Born ugly = Kaw Yan
Born Normal = Nath Ting Wong
Born Abnormal = Sam Ting Wong
May reklamo ka??? = Nath Ting

THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather..

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)

14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

21. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina, Oregon, California, and Kentucky; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.

________________________________

Protection for you and your home
If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. (I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.)

Wasp Spray
A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection... Thought this was interesting and might be of use..

Wasp And Hornet Spray On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."

Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says, "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades.It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray.

"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."

Maybe even save a life. Please share this with all the people in your life.

LETTING GO AND MOVING ON

EVERYTHING HAPPENED FOR A REASON. Sometimes we would know the reason immediately & other times we would not. Whatever may be the reason, there is always an opportunity to learn from what happened & to grow. Just as a baby learning to walk falling many times, he didn’t question why he was falling but he just kept on trying.

LIVING FORWARD, we must admit IS DIFFICULT. It takes courage, wisdom & determination to let go of the past and learn its lessons. Only upon choosing the path of acceptance can we go beyond our past & in to the present. We cannot hope to fill a filled cup with more water if we do not empty the content first.

THERE ARE TIMES WE WERE BROKEN & thought that we could never love as deeply again. But when we met the person with the ‘right’ chemistry, sparks flew & our heart beating once again at the speed of light. I believe that eventually we will find the ‘right’ person again provided we are willing to let go & move on with an open heart again.

LETTING GO & MOVING ON IS NOT ALWAYS EASY. But it can also be as easy as deciding that we want to move on. Lessons in the past we need to learn but forward we must move on … for that is where our future lies. After all, Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead… that is where your future lies!!”

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARENTS

As I get older, please be lenient and understanding. As my eyesight fails me, I may break some dishes or spill the soup, but please try not to shout and scold me. I am very sensitive and I feel unwanted.

As I lose my hearing and may not hear you well, please do not make fun of me. It hurts. I can’t help it, I am now old.

As my knees start to buckle, have the patience to support me just as I lovingly did when you were making your baby steps.

As time passes, I tend to continuously repeat myself and say the same things over and over. Please just humor me and just listen. Do not belittle me nor lose your patience. Remember the toys you want me to buy you before? You continuously remind me all day, saying the same things over and over again and not stopping until you get what you want. I lovingly remained patient then. Please be patient with me now, too.

As I get older, I may not be as clean as before and may smell soiled and aged. Please do not insist that I bathe. My body no longer readily resists the changes of temperature and I get sick easily. Do not shun me. Just remember, you use to run away too when it is time to take a bath.

As I start getting cranky, be patient. It is just a result of getting old. When you get old yourself, you will understand.

Pass by and share a conversation with me even for a short while. It is so lonely when you are alone with nobody to talk to. I know you are busy but I would like you to know how I miss the little talks we use to have even of nonsense things. When you were a baby, I patiently and lovingly listened to all your baby whispers.

As I get sicker and get bed-ridden, please do not lose your patience. Keep on taking care of me. As I lay there wet and dirty, do not leave me. Clean me. I will not be here for long. Just be with me as long as possible.

As I lose consciousness, hold my hands and provide me the comfort to face my journey. And do not worry. As I face our Lord, I will whisper to Him to grant you all the blessings. You have been good to me, your dad.

Translated by a father for her daughter.

Written by Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles in Tagalog
CWL Spiritual Director
St. Augustine Parish
Baliuag, Bulacan

--------------------

Sa aking pagtanda, unawain mo sana ako at pagpasensiyahan.

Kapag dala ng kalabuan ng mata ay nakabasag ako ng pinggan o nakatapon ng sabaw sa hapag kainan, huwag mo sana akong kagagalitan. Maramdamin ang isang matanda. Nagse-self-pity ako sa tuwing sinisigawan mo ako.

Kapag mahina na ang tenga ko at hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi mo, huwag mo naman sana akong sabihan ng "binge!" paki-ulit nalang ang sinabi mo o pakisulat nalang. Pasensya ka na, anak. Matanda na talaga ako.

Kapag mahina na ang tuhod ko, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong tulungang tumayo, katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo noong nag-aaral ka pa lamang lumakad.

Pagpasensyahan mo sana ako kung ako man ay nagiging makulit at paulit-ulit na parang sirang plaka. Basta pakinggan mo nalang ako. Huwag mo sana akong pagtatawanan o pagsasawaang pakinggan.

Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa? kapag gusto mo ng lobo, paulit-ulit mo 'yong sasabihin, maghapon kang mangungulit hangga't hindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo. Pinagtyagaan ko ang kakulitan mo.

Pagpasensyahan mo na rin sana ang aking amoy. Amoy matanda, amoy lupa. Huwag mo sana akong piliting maligo. Mahina na ang katawan ko. Madaling magkasakit kapag nalamigan, huwag mo sana akong pandirihan. Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa? pinatyagaan kitang habulin sa ilalim ng kama kapag ayaw mong maligo.

Pagpasensyahan mo sana kung madalas, ako'y masungit, dala na marahil ito ng katandaan. Pagtanda mo, maiintindihan mo rin.

Kapag may konti kang panahon, magkwentuhan naman tayo, kahit sandali lang. Inip na ako sa bahay, maghapong nag-iisa. Walang kausap. Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho, subalit nais kong malaman mo na sabik na sabik na akong makakwentuhan ka, kahit alam kong hindi ka interesado sa mga kwento ko.

Natatandaan mo anak, noong bata ka pa? Pinagtyagaan kong pakinggan at intindihin ang pautal-utal mong kwento tungkol sa iyong teddy bear..

At kapag dumating ang sandali na ako'y magkakasakit at maratay sa banig ng karamdaman, huwag mo sana akong pagsawaang alagaan. Pagpasensyahan mo na sana kung ako man ay maihi o madumi sa higaan, pagtyagaan mo sana akong alagaan sa mga huling sandali ng aking buhay. Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.

Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw, hawakan mo sana ang aking kamay at bigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang kamatayan.

At huwag kang mag-alala, kapag kaharap ko na ang Diyos na lumikha, ibubulong ko sa kanya na pagpalain ka sana ... dahil naging mapagmahal ka sa iyong ama't ina...

Written by Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles
CWL Spiritual Director
St. Augustine Parish
Baliuag, Bulacan

Source: http://groups.google.com/group/kor-world/browse_thread/thread/da34e290acb008d0