Mar

I first met Marvin, or Mar as we fondly call him,  when I would pay Bro Totoy Manlises a visit in their former home and shop along Juan Luna Street many years ago. As President of the Apostleship of Prayer-Youth then, I coordinated our group's activities with Bro Totoy who was the Parish Pastoral Council's Worship Committee Chair at that time. Mar was working in the shop's office downstairs and would often be the point of reference if one would look for his employer.

I worked with him in the parish the first time when Mike Flores, who was President of the Parish Youth Council, asked us to be part of the choir to represent the parish in the Vicariate's Christmas Concert in Gagalangin in 1993. We sung Halina sa Belen.  We had a great time in that event meeting fellow parishioners and representatives from various parishes. That event paved the way for us working side-by-side.

As Editor-in-Chief of Anluwage at that time, I worked closely with some members, one of which was Mar. As the newsletter was relying solely on donations, we have to look for sponsors and donors to help us publish the newsletter. Mar looked after this in coordination with Vlad Reyes, the newsletter's Treasurer.

Holy Week 1994 saw Anluwage taking charge of the annual Stations of the Cross held every Good Friday, as part of its agreement with the Silent Arms of St Joseph (SASJ). The SASJ used to organize this event in the past. A week before Holy Week, after the 9:30am Sunday Mass, Mar and I (along with the 14 pictures of the Stations of the Cross) rode a sidecar throughout the parish. We knocked at some doors and asked residents if their home could represent one of the stations. The residents, some of which we do not know personally, agreed. We then handed to them a picture of the station of the Cross they would represent come Good Friday. Good Friday came and there was a considerable number of parishioners who joined. Mar was busy with the sound system on a side car, Aye Balla was in-charge of the songs, Mike Flores looked after the flow of the procession, etc.

I worked again with Mar when Anluwage staged Pitong Hapis, Pitong Tuwa (Ang Dula ng Buhay ni San Jose) in Gagalangin in 1997 and 1998. Mar, in his jolly self, told me how he has to switch roles from shepherd in one scene to a priest in another, from a parent in one scene to a townsfolk in another. No matter how various roles he played there (as well as in other events organized by the group), Mar did not complain. He joyfully carried out whatever role he was entrusted with. He generously lent a hand where he is needed.

We worked together again when I served as a lector/commentator for the Children's Mass in Gagalangin in 1997 and later at the Manila Cathedral in 1998. He was a member of the Spiritus Domini Choir. The choir and I served in the same Mass. After Mass, we would congregate at what used to be the Cathedral lounge for breakfast and would usually go home together riding 2 jeepneys - one from Intramuros to Blumentritt and another from Blumentritt to Gagalangin.

The last time I saw Mar, as well as his daughter Cyrene (RIP), was in 2006 during Anluwage's reunion in our house. Still, we kept in touch through social media.

A few days ago, I was shocked to hear the sad news of his untimely demise. A husband, a worker, a church and community volunteer was suddenly snatched by a gunman's bullet. Thirty years ago, I lost another friend from a shooting incident. I feel that this is a wake-up call for our society to rethink, revisit, and thrash out gun culture.

Our hearts go out to Connie and family in this time of sorrow and bereavement. Hindi natutulog ang Diyos. He hears Mar's blood crying from the ground (cf. Gen 4:10) and will see to it that justice is done to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night (Lk 18:7).

Mar, thank you for your friendship and support. May the angels bring your kind soul before God where there is peace, forgiveness, and healing.

Move On?

"Move on," goes an advice - solicited or not - we hear from people. At times, it sounds sensible, but there are occasions when it is downright rubbish. Take for example the recent pronouncement of Imee Marcos during a press conference, on those who keep on criticizing her family: "The millennials have moved on, and I think people at my age should also move on as well".

It seems easy for the late dictator's eldest daughter to say such things. Imagine being ensconced in Malacanan for two decades, not worrying what to eat or what to wear or where to study. Imagine enjoying political clout in the Kabataang Barangay, all because her father has seized control of everyone and everything in the land. Imagine having a good life while the populace suffer and shoulder her family's (and cronies') excesses. 

Imee's remarks are callous, dismissive, and irresponsible.

Their ouster and exile in Hawaii in 1986 should have been a wake up call for them to make amends. Their return to the Philippines in the early 90s (followed by that of Ferdinand Marcos' remains) showed the opposite. They came back as though they did not commit anything wrong. Gradually, they have returned to power with Imelda, Imee, and Bongbong having their version of rigodon de honor in select government positions in Ilocos Norte. (Bongbong is currently contesting Leni Robredo's election as Vice-President.)Their strong grip to power and court rulings in their favor - including the burial of the former strongman at the Libingan ng mga Bayani - would not be possible without the blessings of the current dispensation. 

Unless justice is rendered to the many Filipinos who suffered in the hands of the Marcos dictatorship (some of which have never been found up to this day), unless all that the Marcoses stole from the nation's coffers are recovered, unless Marcos' Presidential Decree No. 1177 (a.k.a. Automatic Appropriation Law) is repealed, unless the Marcoses get out of their ivory tower and do concrete actions to repair the damage they have caused, the Philippines will never move on.

As St John XXIII once said "Justice comes before charity."

A Thief

The Year of Mercy will be formally closed on Sunday November 20, the feast of Christ the King.  Looking back, this holy year was an opportune time to rediscover God's mercy and make it felt especially by everyone, especially those in need. It is unfortunate though that in the Philippines, this holy year closes with a low note, thanks (or no thanks) to the infamous ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) allowing the remains of dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).

By looking more at the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the same, the 9 associate justices have washed their hands from any responsibility to clarify and put to rest such an issue. By looking more at the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law, our magistrates have shown the typical forgetfulness of Filipinos on the sins of their oppressors. By looking more at the letter rather than the spirit of the law, the Court has lost the opportunity to administer what is too obvious: justice for the Martial Law victims, justice for the whole Philippines.

I don't know where these justices were while Marcos and his minions pillaged the country left and right and trampled the rights of its people with impunity. Have our justices become subservient to the Palace the way the Legislative branch has done? One thing is for sure: allowing Marcos to be buried at the LNMB won't bring any closure, healing, or unity.

Just a few hours ago, we've seen video footage and photos of Marcos' remains secretly being buried at the LNMB. Without waiting for the petitioners to challenge the SC's decision, the Marcoses have pushed through with the burial. Why in secret? (And please, Malacanan, don't give us that flimsy excuse that you are not aware of the interment!) Did Marcos die of cholera or any infectious disease?  Is there a war that the body needs to be buried hastily? What's there to hide? I suddenly remembered what my mother used to say; that no matter how deep you bury a jar of bagoong (anchovy sauce), it will still smell! No matter how the Marcoses hide their sins, the people will still smell the stench of their deeds. So be vigilant, people!

And why only family and few supporters in attendance? Shouldn't the country celebrate a hero's burial? For that's what the Court ruling tells us. At any rate, the burial just reveals who he really is: a thief.

I note that the Gospel for the 20th is about a thief who, in his final hours, repented and humbly asked Jesus to remember him when the Lord comes into His kingdom. So much different to the thief whose remains are now interred at the LNMB: unrepentant, arrogant, and pathetic.

A Martyr, Finally!

I am pleased that Pope Francis has confirmed the late Archbishop Oscar Romero as a martyr of the Church, as someone who was killed because of hatred of the faith. With this development, his road to sainthood is unblocked. (I'm sure my fellow writer Fr Shay Cullen is also delighted.)

Romero was archbishop of San Salvador (El Salvador) from 1977 to 1980.  Initially considered as a conservative and was therefore seen as a contravida by progressive priests in the archdiocese, he became outspoken following the murder of his friend Fr Rutilio Grande SJ (Grande's cause for sainthood is under way.).  He said "When I looked at Rutilio lying there dead I thought, 'If they have killed him for doing what he did, then I too have to walk the same path". 

Ignoring his calls for the government to investigate the killings of Fr Grande and companions, Archbishop Romero cancelled all Sunday Masses in his archdiocese a week after their deaths. There was only one Mass celebrated and it was at the cathedral. It was a well attended liturgy where this courageous prelate called for an end to violence.  Romero, though supported by the common tao, was opposed by his brother bishops in El Salvador as well as the Vatican. Almost three months after Grande's death, he was gunned down while saying Mass.

If you haven't yet watched the movie "Romero", a film on the life of the Archbishop produced in 1989, I suggest you watch it!

Living the faith 24/7 , in and out of the church, is a call for all.  Dying for the faith is for a privileged few.  Romero trod that path and by doing so, woke up a Church from its deep slumber of apathy to become once more a community working for justice and peace (Acts 2:44-45), a people who, like their founder, have been anointed to bring the Good News to the poor (Lk 4:18).  Indeed, as Tertulian once said "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church".

Romero's declaration as a martyr is good news not only to our brothers and sisters in South America; it is also a good news to all parts of the world where there is poverty, injustice, and oppression. As our own country celebrates the Year of the Poor, may we all see in Romero a champion, an inspiration, a heavenly intercessor.

Arzobispo Oscar Romero, Martir, ruega por nosotros!

Nipping Evil at its Bud

Just a few days after the Holy Father's visit in the Philippines, when the country felt blessed with mercy and compassion, the Supreme Court has surprisingly extended these theological attributes to Joseph Estrada, deposed Philippine president and incumbent mayor of Manila. The High Court, voting 11-3, dismissed the disqualification case against him.  Supreme Court Spokesman Theodore Te says: "The majority characterized the pardon extended by Mrs. Arroyo to Mr. Estrada (in 2007) as absolute, thereby restoring Mr. Estrada's qualifications to stand as candidate in the last Mayoralty elections".

Voting for the dismissal were Justices Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Presbitero Velasco Jr., Arturo Brion, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano Del Castillo, Martin Villarama Jr. , Jose Perez, Jose Mendoza, Bienvenido Reyes, and Estela Perlas-Bernabe. With the exception of Reyes and Perlas-Bernabe, the others are Arroyo appointees.  It seems to me that the first nine justices have remembered their patron, with help of the other two Aquino appointees.  One cannot fail to surmise that this court acted as an Arroyo court!

Voting against the dismissal were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Justices Antonio Carpio, and Marvic Mario Victor Leonen.  Carpio is the lone Arroyo appointee among the three.

I have been vocal against Estrada's candidacy for mayor of the city of my birth way back in 2013 due to the plunder case of which he was found guilty of by the Sandiganbayan (anti-graft court). Apart from this case, I didn't buy the idea that Erap would just run for a term before retiring (Is there a retirement age in politics? Come on! Imelda Marcos who's older than Estrada is still in public office).

It is unfortunate that Arroyo has granted presidential pardon to a mandarambong (Tagalog for plunderer) not so much for the good of the country, but more for her political agenda. And because Erap had done these sins with impunity (highlighted word borrowed from the the late Msgr. Nico Bautista who once told me how Estrada behaved as a public servant) and never showed any remorse, the pardon became a ticket for him to run for the presidency in 2010 and then the mayoralty in 2013. With the disqualification case being dismissed, this kapalmuks (thick faced) action star-turned-politician is ready for a come-back to Malacañan (God, forbid it!).

I hope that Alicia Vidal and former Mayor Alfredo Lim, the case's petitioner and intervenor respectively, would file a motion for reconsideration. 

Meanwhile, days before this infamous court decision was made, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago filed Senate Bill 2568 that seeks perpetual disqualification for a public servant convicted of plunder, even if pardoned by the president. Plunder, as defined by Republic Act 7080 as the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth through a combination or series of overt criminal acts in the aggregate amount of P50 million by a public official. According to the feisty solon, the theft of such amount is "is unforgivably criminal, and no person who is capable of such act has a place in public office”.

According to the editorial of the Philippine Daily Inquirer: "Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago’s bill seeking the perpetual disqualification from public office of a government official convicted of plunder—even if pardoned by the president—is a timely corrective to the looming threat posed by Estrada running again for the presidency in a never-ending effort to vindicate his name. The bill deserves wide public support and should be passed by Congress, if it knows any better. A crime is a crime—more so if it’s as heinous as plunder. Popularity does not expunge it; otherwise, we can dispense with the justice system altogether and look to the horde, like the old Romans did, for a thumbs up or a thumbs down on a person’s guilt" (http://opinion.inquirer.net/82095/miriams-measure)

I commend Miriam for filing this bill. In spite of her lung cancer, she continues to serve the people by passing bills such as this. If P-Noy is dead serious in driving the final nail on corruption's coffin, he should mark this bill as urgent. Should the bill finally becomes a law, that would be a sound legacy he could leave his countrymen.

St. Thomas Aquinas, whose feast is celebrated as of this writing, once said "To bear with patience wrongs done to oneself is a mark of perfection, but to bear with patience wrongs done to someone else is a mark of imperfection and even of actual sin".  Filipinos are know to be matiisin (forebearance) to the point that we are being robbed in broad daylight. If we condone the likes of Erap and Arroyo (Politicians scratch each others back!) it won't only be ourselves bearing the brunt of their wickedness.Our children and our children's children would surely suffer, the way they are/will be liable to pay the country's debt servicing thanks to Ferdinand Marcos (and his successors). Enough is enough!

Stupid Proposal

Dear President Aquino,

I vehemently oppose Vice President Binay’s recommendation to accord the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos military honours. Although he proposed that Marcos be buried in Ilocos Norte, his suggestion is flawed because Marcos does not deserve even to be accorded military honours.

The medals that Marcos used to flaunt with have been found a bogus. His despotic rule has demoralized the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines – it only got back to its senses when it abandoned him in February 1986. How could one be honoured when that individual brought shame to that institution? Have we become like the Jews of old who preferred the murderer Barabbas over the innocent Jesus? Do we reward a mediocre student over a hard working one? Do we favour someone who may have started with a sterling performance, but in the end failed miserably? Even in showbiz, these people are thrown into oblivion!

Where is our sense of propriety and justice here? Obviously, Binay’s proposal, which reeks more of political expediency than moral soundness, is incompatible with the ‘daang matuwid’ that has been your battle cry since assuming the presidency.

Nowhere in the world would we be seeing a country honouring a president responsible for its downfall. Needless to say the likes of Hitler and Mussolini where never given military honours let alone interred in graveyard for heroes. Nowhere, except in our country!

When your mother was president, she was fully aware of this issue and did the right thing by denying state burial and military honours for her predecessor. She acted not because she was biased, but because she was the leader of a nation in need of justice. I hope you would also follow the same mind-set, not because Mrs Aquino was your mother, but because it is the only sensible thing to do.

If you intend justice and peace to truly reign in our land, if you endeavour to lead us all in that straight path, if you aim to regain this country’s dignity which has been stolen by the evil designs of Marcos and his minions, if you rise up from being a politician into a statesman, if you assert your role as Father of this nation, I strongly make this appeal to you: No to military honors for Marcos! No to a Marcos burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani!

Yours sincerely,

Pietro S Albano

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)