Constitution in Peril

May 11, 1992 was a memorable date for the Philippines because it was the first synchronized national and local elections under the 1987 Constitution. Although unable to vote - I was a few days shy of turning 18 then - I was involved in the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPC-RV). I was stationed at Lakan Dula High School along Juan Street. As far as Gagalangin was concerned, the elections were peaceful. The following month, Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada were inaugurated as President and Vice President respectively.

The Constitution has been the guiding principle of our land. Such framework is necessary for a nation to thrive. A few months before the 1992 elections, the Senate has rejected the Philippine-US Bases Agreement in spite of Cory Aquino's campaign to have it approved. The Upper Chamber has done so because it has been empowered by the Constitution as the sole treaty-ratifying body (Article VII Section 21). The Charter also empowers the Senate as the sole impeachment trial court for officials such as president, vice president, chief justice, ombudsman, etc (Article XI sections 2 and 3).

May 11, 2018 was a day of infamy for our country because, on a vote of 8-6,  the Supreme Court has booted out one of its members - Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno - on a quo warranto petition against her by the Solicitor General. This, in utter ignorance of what the Constitution has stipulated. It is a shame that the Supreme Court - the last resort of Mang Juan de la Cruz - has gone to this unconstitutional route because of bad blood against a neophyte colleague who was chosen over them as chief magistrate. It felt like the majority of justices behaved like kids who don't want a newbie to join in their circle. That weak spot became a way for the administration to get rid of its nemesis and gain control of what should be an independent and co-equal branch of government. No need for Martial Law, right?

Six of those justices who voted against Chief Justice Sereno were asked by her to recuse from the hearing because of their obvious bias (Accuser and judge at the same time? What is that?). Strangely, these men and woman in robes didn't yield to the request. Have they done the honorable thing, according to Professor Winnie Monsod, "[the] quo warranto petition would be in the trash can now, where it belongs."

Indeed, a precedent has been created because of this ghastly ruling: any judge or other constitutional official can be ousted though a quo warranto petition. No need for an impeachment trial, isn't it? This breeds a sycophant culture in government where no one will have the balls to defy the powers-that-be. This puts off our youth from serving the public through the government. This reduces government as a domain of the few than a forum for all.

I find it strange that the Senate, through its President, only made a statement hours after the ruling was made. They should have made noise about this earlier on. What remains to be seen is if Congress will proceed with the impeachment of Mrs Sereno or not.

I don't know what the next May 11 of the years to come would bring, but I hope it would be something good for the country. For now, let these events be a lesson for all. Left to our own devices (and that includes the grudges we nurse or our loyalties to so and so), there would be mayhem. But with the Constitution we have order. Hence, it has to be upheld. The Supreme Court failed to do so. It's high time to unite and fight!

Starting Off on the Wrong Foot

The only time I voted for a president and vice president in the Philippines was in 1998.  By the next presidential election in 2004, I was already in the UK. A few years later, I have become a British citizen.  In spite of my inability to vote, I have my own choice from among the presidential candidates.  If I were to cast my vote in the recent election, I would end up undecided until the last minute. At this point, whoever my last minute choice is would be irrelevant. Rodrigo Duterte is the president in waiting. Leni Robredo, thank goodness, is the vice president in waiting!

 

During the presidential debates, candidates were asked if they would allow Ferdinand Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Only one said no - Mar Roxas. I felt uneasy with the response of his contenders such as Duterte and Binay. And I imagined them being true to their promise once they get elected. Duterte has announced his intention to do so which caused some quarters to be up in arms such as the victims and survivors of Martial Law.

Six years ago, I expressed concerns because President Noynoy Aquino was reportedly considering a proposal to have the late dictator interred at the Libingan.  With a new regime in the horizon, these concerns have lurked anew.

When Cory was president she didn't allow her predecessor's remains to be buried in Philippine soil. When Fidel Ramos was elected, he allowed the remains to be flown home, but on several conditions which, Imelda and her children have not yet fulfilled. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the conditions are:  "that the body would be given the honors of a junior officer, that it would be buried immediately, and that the burial place would be in Marcos’ home province of Ilocos Norte."

If the Marcoses have not been fair with the conditions set by a president (during that time) and a relative at that, why should they have the gall of insisting for a hero's burial for the deceased strongman? Many years ago, I was in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte (Marcos' birthplace) and had a chat with Manong Conrado, the katiwala in our family home there who has passed away a few years back. Asked where he would prefer the Apo to be buried, he quipped, "Dito na lang (sa Sarrat). Maalagaan pa namin yung libingan niya."

Why and how the Marcoses have thrived and behaved all these years post-EDSA Uno, is due to our short memory as a people. And now the president in waiting seems hell bent to honor a former president-turned-dictator/human rights violator/plunderer with a hero's burial, dismissing concerns from Marcos' victims as purely for monetary gain. (Wasn't this the same argument Bongbong Marcos once said regarding the victims of his father's dictatorial rule? Imagine if this guy was elected vice president!)  This is beyond me. At a time when we should be full of hope for our country because of a new leader, I fear that the new dispensation is starting off on the wrong foot.

Let's be vigilant, mga kababayan! There is an online petition urging Duterte to abandon his plan (https://www.change.org/p/rodrigo-duterte-no-to-burying-marcos-in-heroes-cemetery). Please sign it!

No to FM Burial at the Libingan!



 

Domesticated Truth

Being a Martial Law baby, everything that I could see on TV, read on the newspapers, or hear from the radio were good - the economy was doing well, there was peace and order, everyone  seemed happy. Ferdinand Marcos was our champion. He was the country's savior.

That mindset was shattered that fateful 21st day of August 1983.  It was a Sunday and as I watching TV, there was this scene of a lifeless man clad in white on the tarmac of what was then the Manila International Airport.  I heard from the newscaster that the man was assassinated (that word was new to me then!).   Who was this man I slowly found out as the days went by.

Angelicum School (now College), where my brother, cousins, and I were studying at that time suddenly became encircled by a rosary of people making their way to neighboring Sto. Domingo Church where this man's remains lied in state.

I read in the papers that he was Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr, a senator of the Philippines until Martial Law abolished Congress, gagged media, and trampled on human rights.  But what made my eyes really open were accounts I heard from Manong Teddyboy, my first cousin who was older than me. 

Manong Teddyboy, being the eldest among the magpipinsan, would discuss with us (while riding our grandparents' Ford Fiera to and from school) who Ninoy was and his struggles. If I remember it correctly, my cousin didn't mince words to say that the dictator was the one responsible for Ninoy's assassination.  At first, I was shocked. Could Marcos, the country's champion, do it?  

In spite of that shock, I gradually started to look at our country with a different pair of eyes.  The truth that was domesticated by the dictatorship, the kind of truth that is in favor of Marcos' Bagong Lipunan has been replaced by the real truth embodied Ninoy's bloodied corpse. Doña Aurora Aquino, Ninoy's mother, when asked why she didn't have the remains cleansed and dressed up, said she wanted people to see what Ninoy's adversaries did to him.

Distressing as it may be to the beholder, people viewing Ninoy took away with them a true sense of the nation's situation, a nation that was in tatters not the one that Imelda tried to portray via her fine terno, jewelry, and signature umbrella.  That fateful day in August 30 years ago sparked the need for change. It took three more years for that to happen when Marcos fled and Cory assumed the presidency.

Through Ninoy's death, democracy was restored. And so, since 1986 we have been enjoying freedom of the press, check and balance of the three branches of government, our right to elect, etc.  It is annoying to hear people say "Walang nangyayaring ganyan noong panahon ni Marcos" (Nothing of that sort happened during Marcos' time.). Well, our media was gagged during his time and so only the domesticated truths are known. To say that nothing vile happened during the dictatorship is 100% non-sense!

We complain about the corruption and callousness of our leaders, the PDAF scam, etc.  Who said that the truth will all be pleasant and favorable?  Even Jesus told His disciples that the road to salvation isn't easy.  Didn't John the Baptist forewarn his audience that the Promised Messiah will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire (ouch!)?

Let's face it. Democracy has its defects. It may not cure graft and corruption. Investigations may go on ad nauseam.  The truth it promotes or aspires to uphold may be ugly, painful, or divisive.  Still, it is the truth. Live with it! 

Ninong Leony

My first impression with Leonardo "Ninong Leony" Lejano was that he was a friendly, easy-to-get-along-with person. Kowboy, as the Pinoy slang would put it.  I have experienced this first hand when we had a family reunion with the Valdeses (he was the husband of Ninang Baby Valdes-Lejano, my Dad's first cousin) in Cambridge, Cubao many summers ago. While he was having a drink with other uncles, I either approached them or someone from them called me.  He showed fondness and interest in me, asking me questions about my studies, etc.  

Almost a decade later, we saw each other again in the same house.  We had a few drinks with other uncles (I can drink by this time!) and, to make up for the time we haven't seen each other, recalled on the many events that happened in the family: stories that we're passed on to me (e.g. How Ferdinand Marcos made promises to Lolo Susing Valdes - Ninong Leony's father-in-law - only to break it in favour of the former dictator's uncle Simeon Valdez, a distant relative), stories that I have been an active part of, etc.  Ninong Leony kept on telling me "You have a good memory!". For his part, he reminisced those precious moments he had with his grandkids and how he regarded his wife with love and in high esteem.

A few years later, he and Ninang Baby stood as one of the principal sponsors when I got married.  And even when I migrated to Europe, we kept in touch by e-mail and Facebook.  When I had queries on the family, how we are related to So and So, etc. he was one of my resource persons. I once told them that the first house where Nidz and I lived in the UK was located on Leonard Avenue!

Apart from being such a wonderful family man, I was also fascinated with how he and Ninang Baby would join other kababayans on what was called "the parliament of the streets" to fight for what is right. I still have a vivid memory when I saw both of them on TV wearing black and raising their clenched fists in defiance of then President Joseph Estrada (when he was impeached in 2001).  I guess he was unhappy when this ex-convict plunderer won as mayor of the capital city.

I told him how amazed I was looking at his photos in Facebook when he joined the throng of mourners for the late President Cory Aquino's burial in 2009.  He mentioned to me how people like Cory and the late Cardinal Jaime Sin made a difference in the country.

Yesterday,  as I was having dinner I got a message from my Dad informing me of Ninong Leony's sudden death.  Chiara was observing me and she became disturbed.  She asked "Daddy, why are you sad?". I never thought that she read sadness on my face. "Your Lolo Leony died," I told her.  It was the first time my daughter and I spoke of death in the family.  She has lost a grandfather who once described her to the rest of the Valdes clan as beautiful.  I have lost an uncle and godfather whose affirmative friendship, strong sense of justice,  infectious jolliness, and abiding gentleness will be surely missed.

Ninong Leony, thank you for being such a good person!  You will be sorely missed.  May the angels bring your kind soul to our Father, whose compassion and love you have mirrored while you were with us.

To Ninang Baby, cousins, nephews, and nieces my heartfelt commiserations.  Rest assured that you are all thought of at this time of sorrow.

Yes, Daddy!

At this point, Chiara is learning how to say those words and, hopefully veer away from saying “No”. I could now understand why kids could easily pick up this word. More often than not, we parents give them instructions in the negative form – “No, it’s hot outside!”; “Don’t do that!” etc.

Hearing my daughter say “Yes, Daddy!” makes me feel that she is going to do what I told her and that she fully trusts me. Obedience and confidence are two things we expect from our children, right?

Speaking about these two fine qualities, I’m suddenly reminded of how one son obeyed and trusted his father in spite of the many hardships he has to face in order to fulfil his father’s wishes. In the desert without food or drink for 40 days and nights, he became too weak making him an easy target for the devil. What did he do? He confronted the devil head-on, upholding the importance of God.

His ministry seemed full of happiness – the sick were healed, the loaves multiplied, the dead came back to life. Yet towards the end of that three-year ministry, he was betrayed by a close friend. While praying in the garden, he would have imagined what kind of suffering he would be enduring. He was in anguish; an opportunity which the devil didn’t want to miss. And yet, what did he tell his Dad? “Your will be done!”

Having been arrested by the Jews and then sentenced to death by a kangaroo court, he was led to Calvary. Nailed to the cross, exposed to the scorching heat, hungry, writhing in pain his detractors asked him to come down from the cross. I bet the devil too was there, waiting eagerly for this man to be swayed by the crowd. To his enemies’ dismay, before he breathed his last, he said to his father “Into your hands, I commend my spirit”.

Unfortunately, not all would want to travel the path that Jesus took. Take for example Pontius Pilate who found Jesus not guilty of any crime, but feared the mob if he would side with him. Instead, he delegated that power to that hakot crowd.

Until now we could still see people who, although in power, could not make a decision on vital issues. The proposal to bury the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani should have been shot down by President Aquino from the day it reared its ugly head. Instead, he asked Vice President Binay to study the matter. Now Binay (dubbed as Pontius Binay in an editorial of Philippine Daily Inquirer) has asked the public to send his office their views on Marcos burial through e-mail or text messages. I actually sent him an e-mail message expressing my negative vote. I would encourage you to do the same. Send him a e-mail message in: blog@ovp.gov.ph or text through 0926-7468212 (for Globe subscribers) and 0949-6295575 (for Smart subscribers).

It’s very obvious that Marcos ruled the country with untold injustice and corruption. That his regime was evil and burying his remains at the Libingan would be tantamount to say that EDSA Uno is a farce and the likes of Ninoy and Cory Aquino (the President’s parents), Jovito Salonga, Rene Saguisag, Jejomar Binay (the Vice President himself who used to be a human rights lawyer) and the many Martial Law victims are fools (Saguisag, in an interview, was saying that if Marcos is buried there, his grandchildren would brand him a fool for fighting a hero.).

The President admitted he was partial to the issue. The Vice President confessed that if his personal answer were to be sought, there is no more need for any discussion on the matter. Being partial to an issue shouldn’t bar us from making a decision. At the end of the day, we have to make an option. If leaders can’t do it then there is no reason for them to stay in authority. If my heroine Cory Aquino were still alive, she would lead in protesting our leaders’ indecision.

This vacillation is not found in Jesus whose conviction was made clear to his followers. He may at times speak in veiled languages, but people around him know where he was coming from, that he would call a spade a spade even if it would cost him his life.

This is the challenge for us Christians especially as we enter the Holy Week. From being disobedient and doubtful, let us put on Christ’s obedience and trust. For the many times we said “No” to God, let Christ’s “Yes” to his Father be ours from now on!

Historical Amnesia

I shared in the jubilation of our country when Noynoy Aquino won in the presidential elections in May 2010. Amidst that victory, I didn’t fail to notice that Imelda Marcos got a seat in the House of Representatives, her son Bongbong was elected a senator, and her daughter Imee was voted governor. I just shook my head in disbelief. In a way I kept my silence as though I was perfectly resigned to our countrymen’s historical amnesia. As I was being overcome by this amnesia (due in part to the fact that I am abroad), it suddenly occurred to me that EDSA 1 celebrated its 25th anniversary.

I almost thought that it was “just another day” had it not for the news that the Marcoses have resurrected their insistence that Ferdinand Marcos be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Isn’t it that the late dictator’s family had plans of burying him in one of their properties in Ilocos Norte? Why does the family now want his remains to be interred in that cemetery? Is it because now that they are back in power they feel as though they have been vindicated (and thus a Marcos burial is in the offing)? Perhaps burying Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani would be an icing to their (return to power) cake, wouldn’t it?

What annoys me is how unrepentant these Marcoses have been and how forgiving we are as a nation. We idolize them, we invite them to our community celebrations, and we vote them to public office! Don’t we have had enough of them? Perhaps those who have known them today may have been deprived of who these Marcoses really are, how they have abused their authority, and how they treated the country’s coffers with impunity. Perhaps those who once fought against the Marcoses are either dead or have been fed up with our political system.

It annoys me too that P-Noy, instead of putting his foot down on the issue, has delegated such responsibility to someone else. He felt that someone neutral would be able to make objective recommendations which he will implement. I agree with Emil Jurado who pointed out that P-Noy is not only the president of the "Yellow horde", but of the entire nation.

With all due respect, Mr President, can I just remind you that your mother faced a similar issue when she was president. However, she was (wo)man enough to make a decision of not allowing Marcos’ remains flown home. Like you, your mother was seen as being partial to the burial issue because of what her deceased husband (your father) went through under the Marcos dictatorship. Yet, she was aware that she was not only Cory the Martyr’s Widow. Over and above that, she was Cory the President. Some people say that she was vindictive, but I’m one of those who would say she acted out of prudence and care for the country. Her decision was even challenged up to the Supreme Court with it eventually voting in her favour.

I hope and pray that Vice President Jojo Binay who was tasked to study this burial issue, would consider the impact if Marcos is allowed to be buried in that place where the remains of personalities likes Carlos P. Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal, Salvador Laurel, Carlos P. Romulo, and Haydee Yorac are interred.

To allow his burial in such a venerable site would be tantamount to accepting him as a hero; a dictator who was an angel (Is there one at all?). Obviously it would be a slap on the face of the many victims of Martial Law. Mr Binay should be aware of that since he used to provide legal assistance for the victims of Martial Law abuses.

It would be making fun of whatever is left of the EDSA 1 spirit, i.e. our united front to drive Marcos and his minions out power and bring that kind of change which the country badly needs. It would also serve as a cue for the likes of Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo (and their scions) to further make a fool out of the electorate – they have done already with the former running as second place in the presidential race while the latter winning a congressional seat.

Unless we rise up from our historical amnesia, our country will always see the same politicians, the same selfish people taking the lead. It’s high time we make these remorseless people understand that forgiveness should be done in the context of justice. The Marcoses may have been back, but that doesn’t mean they are free from any legal obligations to the victims of their excesses.

It’s high time we wake up! It’s high time we make others, especially the young, aware of what really happened in the past lest they be condemned to repeat where we have failed.

***

Words that every Filipino should ponder and live (in the hope of recovering from historical amnesia):

I will hate the ways of the crooked; they shall not be my friends. The false-hearted must keep far away; the wicked I disown...No man who practices deceit shall live in my house. No man who utters lies shall stand before my eyes.(Psalm 100)

Ninoy forever! Marcos NEVER!!!!!(Anti-Marcos protest slogan, 1983)

Losing A Loved One

"I Fell In Love With The Same Woman Three Times"
Words by Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.
Music by Jose Marie Chan
Uploaded by: iadorenewscasters

It was about 5pm last Saturday when I switched on to TFC after almost finishing my ironing chores. What suddenly flashed on our screen was this photo of President Cory Aquino on a black background with the words “Salamat, President Cory”. Nidz and I suddenly wondered what those words meant so we kept our eyes glued on the flat screen. There were news of flowers and cards being left by people on the Aquino Residence in Times Street. There were features of Ninoy’s poem for Cory which has now become a song thanks to Jose Marie Chan. There were interviews from people praising Cory. Still no clear answer to our wonder. My wife went back to the kitchen while I stayed and carried Chiara who was already getting tired standing on her cot. Later, I finally heard what I feared: Cory was dead.

I couldn’t help but fight my tears from falling. I rubbed my eyes and Chiara seemed to mimic me. My other half asked me why was I crying. I cried as though I have lost a loved one. Indeed, I have lost someone I have admired for ages. Have I been in the Philippines I would have queued to pay my last respects to her.

An aunt once told me that I only became an admirer of Cory because of the late Cardinal Jaime Sin. Wrong, dear auntie! I admired her for being her and not because someone told me to. You won’t have a crush on someone due to other’s prodding, right?

And so with pride and admiration (and when I got myself together after that crying experience) I told Chiara, “That’s Cory Aquino, the Philippines’ first woman president, the president when your Dad was 12 years old.” I’m pretty sure my baby doesn’t understand a thing I said, but we’ll get there. Promise!

At Mass the following day, I lit a candle for Cory. Strangely the candle failed to light! Suddenly I remembered what great St Augustine said that candles melt while flowers wilt, but the prayers for the dead will be brought to God. St Monica (St Augustine’s mother) reminded me of what she once told Augustine: to remember her soul at the Lord’s table. I kept Cory in mind in that Mass where I did the Second Reading and the Prayer of the Faithful.

The final hymn for that Eucharistic celebration (particularly the second stanza) captures the very essence of Cory:

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks for He has given Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now let the weak say I am strong,
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give thanks.

Cory, you have shown us how it is to be strong in spite of sickness, despair, opposition, and sorrow. You have taught us the richness in siding with the poor and oppressed. You have made us realize that God is with us especially when the going gets tough.

May the Lord who called you to lead His people out of bondage open wide His arms to welcome you to the reward He has prepared for you.

You will forever be enshrined in my heart, your diehard fan.

Diehard Corysta

I came from a Marcos loyalist family. Both my late paternal grandfather and the former dictator were related through the Edralin side and, were both born in the serene town of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. It wasn’t surprising how I dismissed as ‘silly’ the TV ad of a bespectacled widow clad in yellow citing how exorbitant the price of galunggong is and calling the people to put an end to the Marcos regime (which is causing the poor not to afford even a mere type of fish). However as the snap election and the People Power in 1986 unravelled, I found myself hating my admired strongman and being enchanted with what is called then and even now the Cory Magic.

With the downfall and expulsion of the Marcoses to Hawaii, Cory restored democracy in the country. Having gained that, freedom of expression and of the press followed suit, not to mention the re-establishment of structures like the legislature, etc.

Having that free press made me more aware of where the nation is – its coffers bled to death by the conjugal thieves, its people (including the babies) having to shoulder the payment of debts made by Marcos which actually only he and his minions benefited from, the number of human rights violations committed by the dictatorship, etc. Stories that were not revealed under Marcos’ watch.

Cory came across as a transparent, straightforward president who will say what has to be said without any fanfare. She was an icon of strength when the infant democracy was being besieged by a number of coup d’etats and the country facing a handful of calamities. She was a simple president who didn’t even dare to live in Malacañan, but in a Guest House in Arlegui. For indeed presidents are only guests in the Palace owned by the Filipino people.

When Marcos died, some quarters labelled Cory as vindictive for not allowing her predecessor’s remains to be flown to the Philippines. For me, she only acted with prudence as loyalists might use the dead to destabilize the government and the country. It’s also a time to teach the nation not to forget what the dictator has done. Indeed, “Sobra na. Tama na.” (Enough is enough).

I must admit that not everything that Cory did made me at ease. There’s the continued payment of bad debts incurred by Marcos (which until now takes a lion’s share of the national budget), her support for the extension of the US Bases in Olongapo, and her endorsement of a presidential candidate, let alone her husband’s ex-jailer Fidel Ramos. However, these do not in anyway affect my high regard for her.

Having graciously left public office in 1992, I thought that her magic would disappear. Yet in 1997, during a prayer rally against Charter Change in Luneta called for by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, Cory gave a speech reminding then President Ramos and those aspiring for the presidency: “Power intoxicates.” The applause that Sunday afternoon was thunderous. Fr Bhong Guerrero told me later that Cory was a better president that her successor. That gathering was enough to drive the nail on Charter Change’s coffin at that time.

I saw her again in 2000, this time in Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City, where she led in the Act of Consecration to Our Lady of La Naval. As Fr Larry Faraon called her to the lectern, people clapped their hands as though she was being inaugurated as the country’s president. Nidz and I were just a few meters from where she stood.

“People still have a high regard for Cory,” I told my would-be-wife then as we left the church.

Upon hearing news of Cory’s sickness I feel that the country is losing again another great citizen and leader. At a time when Gloria is hell -bent to change the Constitution and the Marcoses being regarded as gods, I keep on asking “Where is Cory?”

In the midst of uncertainty, I hope and pray that the Lord would make her well. I wish too that we who have been touched by Cory would do our share in ensuring that democracy and its gains would continue to flourish in our country.

Devotion Come True

I never thought that it’s also The Year of the Two Hearts in our country. This brought to mind a devotion which the Apostleship of Prayer – Youth (AP-Youth) in St Joseph de Gagalangin Parish has promoted 19 years ago.

As the first set of officers of the group was about to be inducted – strangely we were elected in January 1989 but were only sworn in on the 2nd June 1989- I intimated with Jonathan de la Llana, Vice President-elect, my dream of bringing the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to the many Catholic houses in the parish. He liked the idea. It took another year though for this dream to come true – we officers and members of the group need to ‘settle in’ first before coming up with events such as these.

January/February of the following year came and that dream resurfaced. After months of making representation with our elders, the Pastoral Council, and the Parish Priest our project was approved. We wasted no time looking for the images in Tayuman (amidst the typhoon and flood that hit Manila that feast day of the Sacred Heart) and subsequently purchasing them, photocopying the prayers and hymns that will be used, and organizing the houses where the images would be brought.

It was about this month 19 years ago that we gathered to hear Mass one Saturday evening and have the images blessed. Jonathan’s family was blessed to have been the first home where the images stayed for a week.

For the next Saturdays of 1990 and the years thereafter, come rain or shine, we gathered to pray the rosary and reflect on the Sunday’s Gospel. Through this devotion dubbed as Twin Hearts Crusade, we gathered to touch base with fellow members/parishioners and their families. We were indeed brought together by these two hearts that were one in loving us and in following the Father’s will.

I’d like to thank those who have supported us in this project especially Msgr. Mario Enriquez (Parish Priest of Gagalangin during that time), Bro. Rodolfo Segovia (Parish Pastoral Council President), Bro. Eddie Jayo (ex-Worship Committee Chairman), Sis. Cely Tortosa (ex-AP-Elders President), Sis. Angie Manlutac, Sis. Mely Co and Sis. Mery Isla (our advisers then). Kudos too to Teck and Pauline Bungay for coordinating the devotion during its infancy.

I am not sure if this devotion is still on-going, but I hope it still does especially because of the significance of this year dedicated to the Two Hearts and, at the same time, dedicated to our priests. This is an opportune time for the group to be one in prayer for our priests’ sanctification as well as peace building and social change as enjoined by our bishops.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary reign in all hearts. Amen.

***

Speaking about hearts, there is another 'heart' to which we should pray for - former President Corazon Aquino. Mrs. Aquino represents the heart of every Filipino - ever yearning for peace and justice, always in search for God who alone could satisfy our needs.

Let us entrust her well-being and speedy recovery to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Let us also pray for her family that they will be strengthened during these trying times.

***

Just want to greet my college batchmates who would be getting together on Sunday 5th July at Chili's Greenbelt 1. Kudos to Benjamin "Bubong" Antonio III along with Herbie and Chi Cruz for organising this. Hope you guys enjoy the dinner! Looking forward to be reunited with you soon.

Our Lady of Fatima

It's the feast of Our Lady of Fatima on the 13th of May. Of all Marian apparitions accepted by the Church as true, Mary's apparition in Fatima, Portugal is considered our contemporary; it occured at the beginning of the 20th century.

Mary appeared to these humble children six times beginning the 13th May 1917 and every 13th of the succeeding months. Her final apparition in October featured the miracle of the sun.

There have been a number of messages of Our Lady like the devotion to the Rosary, doing sacrifices, etc, but what struck me were: "Stop offending God for He is already much offended."

It was a mother's plea to her Son's enemies to put a halt to what would hurt her beloved. It was a mother's plea to her other children to make peace with their wounded brother.

The beautiful image of Mary immaculately garbed in white, with a crown on her head a rosary on her arms, and with hands clasped in prayer has been one of the popular iconography in most homes and churches - the St Rita Hospital Chapel where I once served used to have a large image which is venerated especially in May and in October. Her message has been kept alive through the weekly praying of the Rosary in various homes via the Block Rosary groups in many parishes in the Philippines and elsewhere as well as the pilgrim image being brought to all parts of the world.

When we visited the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome last year, we saw the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima being venerated in one of the side chapels. As we went out of this famous basilica, we met a Filipina nun who was distributing a religious magazine published by her congregation. She noticed Nidz to be pregnant then and suggested that we name our baby Fatima. We simply smiled as we have already made up our minds of what our baby would be called.

As we went back to the UK and got ourselves ready for Chiara's arrival, we were hoping and praying that she be born on the 8th September, Our Lady's birthday. The 8th came and went, but no signs of the baby being delivered. Chiara was actually delivered on the 13th. I suddenly remembered that Filipina nun we met in Rome. I suddenly remembered Our Lady of Fatima. For the 13th of September marked her penultimate apparition. Apart from the date, our baby saw the first light on a Saturday, a day very special to Mary.

We have a picture of Our Lady of Fatima in our study and everytime I bring Chiara to that room, I don't fail to bring her to that picture. More often than not, she smiles and coos before that heavenly photo.

We may not have named our daughter Fatima or Maria, but I am pretty much sure of one thing: Mary, our beloved mother, never forgets us.

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I'm very pleased to hear that former President Cory Aquino has already been discharged from hospital after being under the knife. I'm upset though that this revered icon of Philippine democracy, has been used as a showbiz item in talk shows particularly in the shows that Kris, her youngest daughter, hosts.

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Maligayang pista to all our kababayans in Gagalangin on the 17th of May! May St Joseph continuously pray for you.