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!

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! 

Alay sa Mahal na Poong San Jose

Looking at this stampita-like photo above, one is by the glorious and fatherly gaze of St Joseph. This is actually the photo of the statue of St Joseph and the Holy Child which is located at the main altar of Gagalangin Church.

A few weeks ago, as we did our family shopping, I saw a little boy with long curly brown hair and blue eyes.  He was staring at me and later at Chiara.  I suddenly remembered the Holy Child in that church where I was baptized. I told this to Allan Dabu during one of our chats in Facebook. He told me that the Holy Child wants me to go home and visit Him.

Allan later recalled his visit to Manila this March.  The statue is in a sad state.  Ensconced ("Nakakulong" was Allan's exact description) in an urn made of glass, it has not been brought down for ages - even during town fiesta for the traditional prusisyon.   The statue has been damaged and parish leaders thought it best not to taken it down lest the damage gets worse.  Allan told Mang Mandy Cabarloc, the Sacristan Mayor, that the statue would deteriorate further because of the heat (I call it glasshouse effect!).  For Allan, proper restoration is needed asap.  Unfortunately,  as my good friend wrote "it seems that nobody is paying attention".

Just to give you an idea, here's a photo taken in last year's Fiesta celebration.  To your right you'll partially see a replica statue of St Joseph - this is now being used during processions.  The original is on the retablo just above the tabernacle and beneath the huge crucifix (partially seen).

Since its early beginnings, perhaps when Gagalangin was still a visita, our community already had this statue.  One priest once jokingly asked why our St Joseph was punggok (midget).  Small as the statue may be, it is a precious gem, a silent witness to Gagalangin's highs and lows.  So much so that when the parish had a bigger church in the late 50s, the statue was never changed!

To hear that this treasure is endangered is quite disturbing.  The desecration of La Muerte de San Jose (Death of St Joseph) statue way back in 1997 was something that cut a number of parishioners to the heart.  Ditto what happened to the statue of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in 2003.  Although it would be impossible for thieves to lay their hands on the original statue, still the need to look after it is very important.  I add my voice to that of Allan's.  Restore the statue to its former glory!

Preserving or, in the case of our Patron's statue, restoring it and other similar valuable objects ensures that we have something to pass on to our children and our children's children.  Othewise, our claim as parishioners/members of mandated organizations/devotees of St Joseph/etc. would be a farce. We are not far from the Israelites of old who live in beautiful houses while the Ark of the Covenant resided in a tent during the time of King David!

The Parish really needs to take the statue's condition seriously.  A fund raising to restore the statue is a step forward.  Another that comes to my mind, again and again, is the setting up a Cultural Heritage Committee which will spearhead activities that aims at preserving and enriching events, customs and traditions, and protects treasures (e.g. buildings, statues, etc.). This Committee can be complemented by a Gagalangin Historical Society which encompasses other aspects of our town outside the confines of religion.

During fiestas, we traditionally decorate streets with arches and banderitas. On these arches, there's an inscription which states Alay sa Mahal na Poong San Jose (This is offered to St Joseph).  Let's have a heart for our Patron, to whom we frequently pray "kami nawa'y laging kupkupin ng langit" (May we always be protected by heaven).

Maligayang pista, Gagalangin! Mabuhay si San Jose!

***  



Words couldn't express my disgust at how Erap got elected as Mayor of the (once) ever loyal and distinguished City of Manila.  (Fellow Gagalanginenos in Facebook were cursing!)It wasn't that long ago when he was booted out of power, tried, and found guilty.  Although I respect the voice of the people - badly informed as it may be- I just feel how people never learn from the past. That we have lost the sense of sin or the sense of justice.   That we have settled with the Puwede na yan mentality. 

I am also aghast with the likes of the unrepentant Marcoses being back into power as well as those candidates who don't have the qualification to be elected in a particular post. Take for example Nancy Binay, a 20 year old OJT, who obviously rode on the political cloud, I meant clout of her politician parents. Look too at the Ejercito half-brothers having seats at the upper chamber.  Has public service become a family business?

George Santayana once said "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it".  History and heritage go hand-in-hand.  If we don't value both, we'll surely lose the soul of the nation.  We'll go to the dogs!

 

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)