The Buck Stops Here

The late US president Harry S Truman used to keep a sign with this phrase while holding office at the White House. For him, it served as a constant reminder that as president he has to make the decisions and accept full responsibility for those decisions.

Since that day of infamy when the Philippine Supreme Court (SC) allowed the burial of Ferdinand Marcos' remains at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB), mass protests, commentaries, statements, etc have been made denouncing the decision and vilifying the 9 associate justices who were in favour of such burial, the heirs of the former dictator for their deviousness in having the remains buried secretly at the LNMB, and Ferdinand Marcos himself for his 20-year rule of oppression and plunder.

There have been some commentators who were quick to point out that the blame for such an unthinkable burial shouldn't be put on the SC nor the Marcoses. The blame or the buck stops at President Rodrigo Duterte.  I totally agree. For wasn't Duterte the one who promised during the presidential campaign to have Marcos' remains interred at the LNMB? And when he won the elections, didn't he give orders to his subordinates to implement his promise? By the looks of it, the SC, Marcos Family, AFP, PNP, etc just took the cue from the President!

I think protests actions should not only highlight that the late strongman is not a hero. Protests should not only underscore the SC's failure to look beyond the letter of the law. Protests should not only bring to the fore the Marcoses' notoriety for using subterfuge on many, many occasions (when they were still in power and now that they feel entitled to such power, thanks to the President). 

The protests that are being organised across the country and beyond should also condemn Duterte's callousness for letting Marcos be buried in a cemetery reserved for heroes and for dismissing the atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship as though they were kuwentong kutsero. 

Had Duterte steered clear of the Marcoses, had he been more aware and sensitive of the plight of the Martial Law victims, had he acted more as a statesman rather than a politician our country would not be in this mess! I find it strange that Duterte seemed to have forgotten that his late mother fought against the dictatorship. And that his rise to power began when Cory Aquino appointed him OIC Vice Mayor of Davao.

Duterte should be called to task for showing his real colour: a tuta (lapdog) of the Marcoses.

Now that's one sign we should see unfurled during these mass protests!

***

It's the start of the Advent season this Sunday! Let this season be a moment for us to rethink of our past, of our values, of all our gains and losses. Let Advent be an opportunity for us to realize where we are going to. Is it back to the manger of Bethlehem or nowhere? Let this holy season be a time for us to rediscover that only in Jesus could we find the light which will defeat in the darkness our country is in. From November 29 to December 7, let us say at least a decade of the Rosary, asking Mary Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (our country's patroness) to lead us to Jesus, to yearn for the Promised Messiah: O come, O come Emmanuel and ransom captive Orient's Pearl!

Reduced to Clear

A few days ago, while buying my lunch in the nearby convenience store, a shelf in one corner was loaded with various items. Each one was labelled "Reduced to Clear" - their prices were reduced to give way to new products for Christmas.  And if you go through these items, you might be lucky to find something at a lower price.

Last weekend, we started a new liturgical year via the season of Advent.  For the next 4 weeks, we turn our gaze at the Advent wreath, lighting the candles one by one each week, asking the Lord to come.

And yet, asking someone to come to our place or our very lives isn't that easy. You have to make sure that the home is tidy, that provisions such as food, clothing, transportation, toiletries, etc. are available, that you have time to be with this someone. Relationship-wise, you have to be committed to this person.

To ask someone to come means to identify those things or aspects in our lives that need reducing.  Is it our pagpapaimportante? Take for example an appeal for help in our community. We know very well that we can assist, but why can't we? Are we waiting for the band to serenade and fetch us? 

How about our sense of entitlement? We sometimes want people to respect us because perhaps of our age or position, even if we are wrong.

How about our Pharisaical tendencies?  We may be devout, learned or better off and yet look down at others. I remember Msgr Albert Salonga (currently Rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy in Mandaluyong City) discouraging people from saying "Hindi ako bababa sa level niya" (I am not going down to his level.).

And our backstabbing moments? In a religious organization's gathering, a priest told his audience "Kapag may putok ang kapatid mo, pagsabihan mo" (If your brother/sister has a body odor, call his attention). Body odor or not, we indulge in telling other people about someone else's defects. Sadly, the person concerned is the last person to know.

Whatever it is that hinders us from welcoming Jesus into our lives this Christmas, Advent is the opportune time for us to reduce these hindrances to nothing so that our lives would become clear for the Lord.  I suggest we read and reflect on St John the Baptist's call for people to prepare the way for the Lord. The coming weeks' Gospel readings would feature him and his crusade.

Furthermore, a renewed devotion to Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, is recommended. She, who was conceived without sin, became the Mother of our Savior.  She who received and nurtured Him will lead us to the Lord.

Let's be expectant hosts this Christmas and not cold strangers to the King who is to come!

'Tis the Season to be Thankful!

As I write this piece, family and friends across the pond are celebrating Thanksgiving Day, an annual national holiday to give thanks for the harvest and for the preceding year.  The Albanos in Staten Island, New York have been holding a football game during this celebration since 2007. 

Apart from the harvest and the blessings of the previous year, the gifts of life and love are to be remembered, celebrated, and be grateful for.  Just a day after this year's Thanksgiving, 2 members of our clan are celebrating their birthday.

First on the list is my uncle and godfather, Dr Paulino "Sonny" V Albano Jr.  Ninong Sonny (picture here on the left with his youngest son Manong Paul and grandson Christopher Paul) is the eldest in his brood.  A successful cardiologist in New York, there is no dull moment with him.  I remember the happy times we've spent during our vacations in Ilocos Norte.  Christmas 1998 was really memorable.  After having breakfast, we were supposed to go straight to Bacarra where then Mayor Pacing Velasco was expecting us. He suddenly decided to change the itinerary as he wanted to see relative who was not in speaking terms with our family.  I felt rather nervous at the prospect of going to their place, but was surprised that we were graciously welcomed for lunch.  After exchanging some pleasantries, Ninong Sonny (who was sat between me and this relative) went straight to the point: he wanted to mend the fence.  I felt relieved - not because of the food (Yes, there were lots of them!), but because of the peace that came forth from that event.

With Lolo Paul and Lola Piling now gone, Ninong Sonny has assumed the patriarchate of the clan.  As he once told me, he is the takbuhan (center) of his siblings as well as his nephews and nieces. Personally, there have been instances in the past when he became our kasangga (protector), standing up for our defence.  

It was nice to see him again during my visit to the States last year.  He expressed satisfaction with how Nidz and I are doing.  Before we bid adieu, he told me how the clan has kept itself together, the way his parents have wanted it.

Many happy returns on your 74th birthday, Ninong Sonny!  Thank you for all your kindness.  Keep up the good work of nurturing our clan.  May the good Lord bless you!  We love you!

Next on the list is my cousin, Alexis Albano (pictured here on the left with her sisters Pinky and Ate  Ritzie and cousins Ate Dia and Ate Mia). Ate Leli, as I would call her, is the second daughter of Tito Alex and Tita Peachie Albano.  When we were kids way back in the early 80s, they were our next door neighbors.  We often played and sometimes fight (Kids that we were then!).  Later they moved back to the States, however we kept in touch with them every now and then. I heard that she studied at the West Point in the mid 90s.  Knowing how prestigious this institution is, I felt proud of my cousin!  The last time I saw her was in 1999. It's a shame that we didn't see each other last year.  

Ate Leli got married this 24th (same day as her Dad's birthday).  I'm sure this event gives more reason for celebration on her natal day.

Wishing you all the best on your birthday, Ate Leli!  Congratulations to you and Jessica as you begin a new life together.  God bless you both! See you soon! 

***

Kudos to Representative Manny Pacquiao for winning the match against Brandon Rios!  There have been many moments when the Philippines is at its low and then you'll hear news of a Pinoy boxer winning!  What a saving moment indeed for Pinoys! This is something to be thankful for!

But what if you hear things such as those politicizing the relief operations for Typhoon Yolanda victims?  Remember those bags with the seal of the Vice President of the Philippines on it?  The VP's excuse: it was his friends' doing. Tell it to the Marines!

Or how about the allegation that the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD) has left relief goods to rot?

Or how about these men, disguised as airport staff at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), who would help tourists and balikbayans move their baggage only to extort money on their hapless victims? I heard that they are protected by airport police.

To these and other people of the same ilk, you deserve our kutos (a knuckle blow on the head)!

***

The Virgin Mary, under the title of Immaculate Conception, is the Patroness of the Philippines. In preparation for her feast day on Monday December 9 (the actual feast is December 8, but because it fell on a Sunday, it's moved on the following day), I would like to invite all Catholic Pinoys to recite at least a decade of the Rosary from Saturday November 30 up to Sunday December 8.  Let's ask her help that our country would rise again from the many challenges it has faced or is currently facing this year.

Jesus Christ is Coming to Town

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception today gives us a feel of how Christmas is fast approaching. Not because on this day we celebrate Mary conceiving Jesus in her womb – a misconception that I have discovered in a recent survey held by Tanghalang Anluwage on its Facebook page – but because Mary, the future Mother of Jesus, was conceived without sin in her mother’s womb!

Part of the confusion perhaps was due to the Gospel reading (see our God-speak special edition on this feast day) where the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary her selection to be God’s mother and her conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit’s power. We have been used to Gospel readings which are directly related to the event such what is proclaimed during the Midnight Mass at Christmas or that of Easter Sunday. There is, unfortunately, no direct story in the Gospels about Mary’s immaculate conception. As one priest would have put it, the Gospel for this great feast is actually the end of the story of the Immaculate Conception.






***

Before Nidz and I moved to our present home, we lived next to May Wyer, an octogenarian widow who lives by herself. We call her ‘Lola’ (Grandmother) without her knowing it. Although advanced in age, she would frequent the Bingo centre (a few steps from our place) or do shopping in town. She would also do some gardening and likes to have a chat with people (sometimes unaware of how the time has passed). One summer, Nidz and I spent a few days away and when we came back, she told us to let her know so that she could keep an eye on the house. She may sound nosy, but it’s heart-warming to know that someone has that ‘malasakit’ (concern) for you. Indeed, when we moved house, she would still contact me to pick up from her some letters that arrived at our old home. She even called us just to vent her frustration at her new neighbour. We invited her to attend Chiara’s christening, but due to a bad cold, she was unable to do so. Instead, I went to see her for she has a gift to our daughter - a pink teddy bear!

We thought of paying her a visit this Christmas, the first time she will be seeing Chiara. The previous weekend, I heard from a former neighbour that she passed away six months ago - alone.

Lola May, thank you for your concern and care. You will be sorely missed. God bless your kind soul!




***

Prayerful wishes to His Excellency Luis Antonio G Tagle, Archbishop-elect of Manila, who will be installed at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception this Monday, 12th December. This date marks his 10th ordination anniversary as a bishop. I haven’t met the guy, but from what I gathered from people, he is the right person for the job. I have hoped then, when rumours that Benedict XVI has accepted Cardinal Rosales’ resignation, that Tagle would succeed Rosales. Although there have been some quarters mentioning a different name, I felt that it would be a good break from Tagle to be appointed.

Although Imus is Imus and Manila is Manila, I hope that he would effect changes necessary for the growth of the Archdiocese and, in effect, the whole country through his preaching and his living. One of the changes I look forward to is a regular reshuffle of parish priests which has not been felt in the old administration.

There have already been hints that he can be a ‘papabile’ (a candidate for the papacy). I hope he becomes one as the Church deserves to be represented and led by those from continents having great numbers of Catholics.




***

We should be thankful too for Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales who has led the Archdiocese for 8 years. His simple life, as told by his private secretary on the Archdiocese’s website, is something that should be emulated by everyone, especially our leaders. I think this simplicity has made him dear to the poor. Living simply is a much powerful message than slogans such as “ ______ para sa mahirap”.




***

By Sunday, we are mid-way of our Advent journey. Purple vestments are set aside for pink ones. The pink candle (or its equivalent) on our Advent wreath is lit. The readings invite us to rejoice. Indeed that should be our attitude. I thought of a famous song which Chiara loves to sing – especially after seeing this jolly man with white beard and in red coat in his grotto this weekend. I have rejigged it and although it may sound corny, I hope you’ll keep this in mind as celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent (a.k.a. Gaudete Sunday):






You better watch out

You better not cry

You better not pout

I’m telling you why:

Jesus Christ is coming to town!



He’s making His way

Don’t get caught by surprise

He’s gonna find out

Who’s naughty or nice.

Jesus Christ is coming to town!



He sees you when you’re sleeping

He knows when you’re awake

He knows if you’ve been bad or good

So be good for goodness’ sake!



You better watch out

You better not cry

You better not pout

I’m telling you why:

Jesus Christ is coming to town!

Being Responsible Like Mary

Blaming others has been as old as when man first disobeyed God. Check the first few chapters of Genesis when God discovered that Adam ate of the forbidden fruit. What did Adam do? He pointed his fingers at Eve who, in turn passed the buck to the serpent!

Pointing fingers takes its roots from being irresponsible. Our first parents didn’t want to take the blame for their own faults. It is not surprising that their first-born Cain once retorted “Am I my brother’s keeper?” when God asked him where his brother Abel was.

From then on, we have witnessed people washing hands (Pontius Pilate wasn’t the first one!), avoiding any involvement on any issue. The recent hostage taking in Manila is a classic example. The rather arrogant and appalling behaviour of Sen. Panfilo Lacson who is still at large and won’t turn himself up to the authorities is another.

Personally, there have been moments when I ran from my responsibilities. I remember hiding behind my Manong Cocoy when an angry group of kids wanted a redress for a mistake I did. My older (and smaller at that time) cousin took the blows for my own irresponsibility (Bless him!).

Through sin, our ability to respond, to take things upon ourselves, to own the problem staring us in the face has been blighted.

Yet one woman – a daughter of Eve – was spared from this defect. Through her immaculate conception, Mary was excluded from our sorry state. Hence, the angel addressed her during the Annunciation as “full of grace”. By being free from sin, Mary accepted generously what God invites her to be. By living in the state of (abundant) grace, she said her “Fiat” without any reservation. Had she refused, had she begged off the Christmas story would never be complete! The Christmas that we’re due to celebrate soon would be a “Failure to Launch”.

We may have avoided responsibilities in many instances. Perhaps pointed fingers at others. For some, blame culture has been in vogue. Yet the Solemnity of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception calls us to be like Mary, to live like Mary, to act like Mary. We may not have been as blessed like her, but if we strive to be more responsible, to remove the speck in our eyes before that of others, to recognize that we are indeed our brothers' keeper, to live each day as a steward of the earth then we can be sure that our hearts and homes would be ready to welcome Christ, the reason for our Christmas season.

***

Birthday greetings to my sister Ma Gisela (7th December; her 33rd) and my father Mario (8th December; his 60th)!

Best wishes to Fr Edwin Bravo who's celebrating his 17th sacerdotal ordination anniversary (7th December) and to Ninang Joji and Tito Paul Pablo who are celebrating their 27th wedding anniversary (8th December)!

God bless you all through the Virgin Mary's intercession!

Clean

I was thinking of an article in honor of the Immaculate Conception when I found myself in the clinic with Nidz and Chiara a few weeks ago. Chiara, now about 15 months old, was due for her booster vaccine shot. During her first few months, we were regularly in the clinic for various injections: BCG, whooping cough, etc. The baby is a brave girl though, parang walang nangyari (as though nothing happened to her).

Mary’s immaculate conception in her mother’s womb has been a dogma defined by the Church for 155 years already. Ages before that though Catholics from across the globe have already believed that Mary was conceived without original sin, that tendency to commit faults which we have inherited from our first parents. The Archdiocese of Manila is a good example – it has been established under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception centuries before the dogma was defined!

Not everyone though believed in this grace that God bestowed on Mary. St Thomas Aquinas himself did not subscribe to it, according to Bishop Ted Bacani, saying that if Mary was conceived without original sin, then Jesus would not be the Redeemer of mankind!

If kids are given a vaccine to prevent them from catching certain diseases, the Immaculate Conception of Mary, I think, is God’s preventive measure so that His Son’s would-be Mother would not be a ‘carrier’ of that disease called sin which the Son has come to defeat and conquer. I read in one article that, in this ‘singular grace of God’ Jesus has shown how great a great Redeemer He is that He prevented one of His creatures, Mary, from owing that debt (i.e. sin) from Him.

What does this feast tell us then? At a time when we’re getting ready for Christmas, we are called to be clean and to come clean.

Jesus once said “Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God.” True enough the Blessed Virgin not only saw Him, but bore Him in her womb “with love beyond telling” as mentioned in one of the Advent Prefaces said at Mass. We too in a way bear the Lord in our hearts through the Word proclaimed and the Bread partaken at Mass. If we are to bear Him, then we need to keep ourselves clean like tidying up the house for an expected guest.

Elections in the Philippines are going into full swing soon and voters have to be on the watch on how clean these presidentiables and other candidates are in terms of lifestyle and platform of governance. Of course, most if not all of them will say they want to serve the country. Yet we need to see how pure their intentions are. I’m glad that Senator Noynoy Aquino has been making his stand known on many issues like the perennial debt servicing, the Hacienda Luisita, population control, etc. By letting his voice heard, he is slowly moving away from the shadow of his revered parents and proving that he is his own man. On the other hand, I was amused upon hearing that if Senator Jamby Madrigal would be elected president she would hale into court her relatives for allegedly having a hand in disinheriting her from her late aunt’s will. Next candidate please!

Coming clean can sometimes be hard especially when we thought we could get away with our wrongdoings. And then the moment of truth just slapped us on the face. We hit rock bottom, but we should rise up again. I am saying these not on ideal words, but from someone who has experienced the pain of the truth revealing itself at a time least expected. I managed to rise up though, thanks to God who has implanted in my poor soul that hope for recovery. Thanks too to the Blessed Mother who has never turned her back on me.

The recent massacre in Maguindanao has caught the world’s attention on the often frightening political climate in the south. As of this writing three suspects from the powerful Ampatuan clan, have been brought to jail. They have to come clean and I join the rest of our countrymen in asking the government to let justice be served swiftly, without any consideration for political affinity and debt of gratitude – the Ampatuans are members of the ruling political party.

As we once again celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, let us be strong in our resolve as individuals and as a country to follow the example of our Patroness and Mother. If we do so, then peace would be ours as assured by the angels when they first sang the Gloria in that little town of Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.

Ave Maria purisima sin pecado concebida!

***

This feast is memorable to me, as you would know, because on this date Nidz and I began our relationship 16 years ago. She’s cooking something special tonight! I love you, Mommy!

Talking about relationships, this date also marks the 26th wedding anniversary of Tito Paul and Ninang Joji Pablo. Many happy returns to you two on this great occasion!

Finally, it’s my father Mario’s 59th birthday today. My skill in writing has been honed through correspondence between me and my dad when I was still a little boy. Having migrated to the States to work, the only mode of communication we had then were telephone and snail mail. A friend described him as my ‘Number 1 fan’ in the web. Thank you, Papa. Have a wonderful day!

Piazza della Immacolata

It was almost lunch time when we arrived in Rome from a 20-30 minute train ride from Ciampino Airport. It was warm and sunny - one of the changes that we would be experiencing in our trip. Right after checking-in, we changed to more comfortable clothes and didn't lose any moment to visit places.


One of those places was Piazza Mignanelli where a huge column topped by an image of Mary, the Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception), is located and which dominates the piazza. Pope Pius IX, who promulgated the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, blessed this in 1857.

As soon as we approached this piazza, I suddenly remembered what Fr Pompeyo De Mesa, OP, told us his students in one of our sessions in German language. The priest told us that Italians would congregate in a plaza where this image of the Blessed Mother is situated to offer flowers on her feet and send her their flying kisses! "This is the place!" I told myself.

The Virgin is depicted as crowned with 12 stars. There are still old withered flowers that decorate the statue. On the four corners of the column, which is readily visible to people, are statues of Moses, King David, Isaiah, and Ezekiel - all having a link to the Immaculate Conception. King David, for one, is the ancestor of St Joseph, Mary's husband. The Prophet Isaiah foretold that "A virgin will conceive and bear a son.". There were also some incidents in the life of Mary that placed in between the four statues I mentioned. One of them is the Coronation of Our Lady (see photo).

Like Filipino Catholics, our Roman counterparts observe the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception as one of their great events (a.k.a Festa Romana). As told by Fr de Mesa, this coming 8th December they will congregate in Piazza Mignanelli to pay their homage to the Immacolata Concezione led by no less than the Pope himself.

Personally, the Immaculate Conception has a soft spot in my heart. Nidz and I became steady on that blessed 8th day of December years ago! Also, it was at the Manila Cathedral which is dedicated to the Virgin under that wondrous title where we tied the knot in 2002. And now as we approach Christmas, this mystery where Mary was spared of original sin, comes into fore as a reminder to get ready for the Lord.

I have always said that the Blessed Mother never leaves me. I'm glad that she welcomed and accompanied us in Rome in the numerous shrines dedicated in her honour and in this piazza which,in my book, should have been called Piazza della Immacolata .

***

I wish to express my sincerest condolences to the family of the late Erlinda Abesamis-Mallari, a former colleague in the Department of Chemistry, College of Science, UST, who recently passed away after a lingering illness. Ma'am Linda, as we call her, was also a chemistry teacher in Pres Sergio Osmena High School in Gagalangin. She was such a wonderful person. Credit goes to her for catapulting me into the Philippine Association of Chemistry Teachers Board of Directors that fateful day in July 1999. Having been elected I have filled the void caused by having no representative from the oldest university in the Philippines in that prestigious association.

When we were talking, some people would be intrigued when she would say "Doon sa atin" (In our place)when they know that she lives in Kalookan and I in Tondo. I may be a son of Gagalangin, but this lady (who has served that same locality for years) has deemed to consider the town as her own. No one could rob her of that!

Incidentally, I saw her attending Mass in Gagalangin during the feast of the Immaculate Conception many years ago - I was the commentator in that Eucharistic celebration.

May you now enjoy the unending celebration there in heaven, Ma'am Linda, where no sickness or weariness of any kind exists.

***

Greetings to the community of the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Manila (a.k.a. Manila Cathedral) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the dedication of its present edifice. It has been an honour to be part of this unique community as lector/commentator for five years (1998-2003). The cathedral has a non-parochial status, but it sure does have the distinction of being The Mother church of Manila and of the whole Philippines!

May the Immaculate Virgin continuously intercede for you all!