'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.

The Best and the Worst in Us

"When everything else is taken away, broken, battered, soaked, raw, stripped, bare, you see things, you see people as they really are. This week in Tacloban, Samar and Cebu, amidst the hunger and thirst, the chaos and confusion, we've seen the best in the Filipino people, their strength, and their courage. I can't get it out of my mind. Imagine the strength it takes for a mother to search alone for her missing kids, the strength to sleep on the street near the body of her child. We've seen people with every reason to despair, every right to be angry, (but) instead find ways to laugh, to love, to stand up, to move forward.  A storm breaks wood and bone, brings hurt and heartbreak. In the end, the wind, the water, the horror it brings is not the end of the story. With aid and assistance, compassion and care, this place, these people...they will make it through. They already survived the worst." 

These were the words of CNN Anchorman Anderson Cooper who was in Tacloban following the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda.  Indeed, the help coming from the 4 corners of the world has been overwhelming.  At the Closing Mass for the Year of Faith this Sunday, a special collection will be held for the typhoon victims. According to the Vatican, this is the first of its kind in a papal Mass.  Grazie, Papa Francesco! For me, this is ending the holy year in style!

Apart from the help the country has received or will be receiving from other countries and charities, we've all witnessed that indomitable spirit of the Filipino.  I was watching BBC News a few days after typhoon Yolanda made a landfall.  A woman was being interviewed.  Devastation was all over the place and yet there she was smiling.  Just a while ago, I saw on Facebook photos of young men playing basketball amidst the rubble.  

These are our best moments!

However, the typhoon has sadly become an occasion for some quarters to be, well, repulsive. Cooper, as many netizens would know by now, crossed swords with ABS-CBN Anchorwoman Korina Sanchez.  Sanchez, who is the wife of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, mentioned in a blind item a blonde CNN reporter who doesn't know what he was saying.  Cooper challenged her to go to Tacloban.  Sanchez got the ire of netizens for her arrogance.  As of this writing, she took a week's leave of absence although rumor has it that she was actually suspended.  

Sanchez's husband came under fire too for allegedly bullying Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez. There were reports that Roxas wanted Romualdez to write a letter to President Aquino informing him that he can no longer act as hizzoner of the ravaged city.  A mere political appointee trying to unseat someone who got his mandate from the people?  My favorite Inquirer Columnist Conrado de Quiros wrote an article entitled "Get him (Roxas) out of there".

Apart from politicizing at the wrong place and at the wrong time, we've heard too that aid that should have gone to the victims were intercepted by insurgents.  There was also looting of groceries.  I could, in a way, understand the fight for survival, but what surprised me was that even policemen joined in the fray.

Trials and tribulations could make or break us.  They can be occasions for us to shine or to stink.  They can bring the best or the worst in us.

***

Meanwhile, in Manila, the Supreme Court has declared the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) unconstitutional last Tuesday November 19.  I'm glad that the High Court has gave its verdict on this. Furthermore, that this third branch of our country's government has lived to its true self as the people's last resort.  As Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago puts it "There is a God, after all".  

Legal expert Fr Joaquin Bernas, SJ, in his latest column in the Inquirer, wrote "The decision Tuesday of the Supreme Court restores the normal constitutional order of handling public money. The first destination of money coming in for the public, either as taxes or other forms of income, is the public treasury. And such money stays in the treasury until Congress determines how it is to be used. As the Constitution says, “No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law.” The appropriation can be either through the general appropriations law or through special appropriations. This provision prevents members of Congress, and the President, from indiscriminately spending unappropriated money."

With this ruling, politicians and political wannabes alike should think twice: Is government service really for me? Will running for the presidency be my right move?  How can I work with Congress if I don't have any pork barrel to dangle them with? Will a position in government be an opportunity for me to serve or an occasion of sin?

***

At the House of Representatives, the anti-dynasty bill has been approved - at committee level.  How this will make its way to the plenary session of both houses of Congress (fully packed by  legislators belonging to same affinity) is something that remains to be seen.  Senator Nancy Binay has already criticized such bill - for very obvious reasons.    Abangan ang susunod na kabanata!