HUMIDITY

Taken at La Paz, San Narciso Town, Zambales, Philippines

In my 47 years, this year so far is for me the most humid and hottest summer season the Philippines has ever had. 

Perhaps, we owe the humidity to the worsening climate change due to increased emission of carbon due to global warming, rising sea level and pollution that continue to destroy the earth's surface.

This worsening condition of the environment is also being exacerbated by the continued deforestation not only in the metropolis but also in the provinces and far-flung places in the country. Worse, the government is not taking concrete actions to replace those trees that were either cut legally and illegally logged. 

This was amongst the reasons why some of our people living at the tail of the mountains have been experiencing landslides and erosion. If these practices could not be prevented, in 10 years or so years the coastal towns and regions will eventually lose their land base. 

I hope that the Filipinos and the future leaders of this once great nation will not lose sight and truly protect the interest and safety of its people, environment and constitution amidst the political chaos due to the national and local elections. 

Thus, I call on our  presidential aspirants @bongbongmarcos, @iskomoreno, @MannyPacquiao, @Ka Leody De Guzman, @PingLacson2022 and @lenirobredo, whoever will win in this coming May 9, 2022 electoral exercise, I pray that please include in your priority programs the protection of our ecology and ecosystem while we still have time. I am among the more than 112 million Filipinos whose existence and living is largely dependent on this archipelagic country called Philippines. 

LEFT OUT

Photo credit to We The Future PH 

My heart goes to the indigenous people of the Manobo-Pulangiyon in Quezon, Bukidnon province. 

Recently, some members of the tribal communities were assaulted as they aired their concern about the land grabbing issue to presidential candidate, also labor activist Leody de Guzman.

The Manobo tribe of Mindanao were said to have originated from the early Malay inhabitants that came from the surrounding Southeast Asia islands whose primary source of living is agriculture. Despite the changes in the life, ecological landscape and interiors of Mindanao the Manobo communities have continued to adapt. But while these IP communities remain adaptable to changes they are also susceptible to advances.

Sadly, the local government of the province which was supposed to protect them was being alleged to be a party in assaulting them. On Tuesday, April 19, a shooting incident that lasted about 16-minutes has transpired at the group's ancestral land hurting at least five people as they discussed the land grabbing protest to Ka Leody.

Perhaps, it's about time that the government also include our indigenous people to what they call "inclusive governance" because they can also help in pushing the country's economy forward.

Maybe it is now necessary that we in the mainland should also consider electing someone in the national position who will not only recognize the indigenous tribe but will also protect them such as the likes of Teddy Baguilat Jr.

VOTE WISELY

The Philippines as a nation will once again show the world how far we have grown as a democratic nation. 

Photo credit to Inquirer.Net

With only 21-days before the national and local elections, Filipinos are once more divided due to partisan politics, disenfranchisement, poverty issue, education, religious belief, and hope to move forward our economy. Always, the question thrown at us is who is the better candidate?

If the majority of the Filipinos will choose a wrong leader, the roughly P13-trillion debt that the current administration has incurred for the country will surely plunge deeper. Thus, it will pull the economy into a slump which has a  domino effect in the prices of basic commodities, crude oil and gasoline, and electricity rates, among others.

The debt free cycle that the Department of Finance declared in 2016, as the borrowings of the national government were contained to domestic debts, which eventually resulted to credit upgrade as the end of the term of President Aquino will again be reversed, and will result in more and more foreign borrowings. While the Filipino people will take the responsibility of paying for the loans incurred by the outgoing and incoming government administrations.

I hope Filipinos would eventually learn to see beyond affinity, regional ties, and idolatry, and instead look closely at who will work sincerely for the betterment of the nation. I have been voting since I was in my teens from the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in the late 80s to the national and local elections in the 90s. Therefore, Filipinos of my age must have seen the characteristics of those candidates who are willing to serve versus those who want to be in power for personal gain.

Gising Filipino. Gising bayan. Let us work together and join hands to stop this kind of people who are always in the guise of servant leadership in "local and national leadership"  but in truth, they only continue to inflict harm on us by using our votes to further their interest. Let us choose wisely and stop putting wrong people in the government because in the end, we are all being forced to pay for their wrong doings because the majority of our people voted for them. 

WITH PENANCE COMES HOPE

Photo taken at St. Pacratius Chapel, Paco Manila

As the global Catholic community rejoice and celerate the Easter season as Jesus resurrected after He was crufied for the sins of mankind, may we also learn to appreciate the simple things around us that God allows each of us to enjoy. 

Keep your communication with God and remain hopeful that He will grant your prayer in own His perfect time.

Be appreciative and thankful.

MANUEL SR.

Today, I would like to pay tribute to a good man, Manuel Mediavilla Sr. "Tatay '' as we call him, and like any father, Tatay was far from being perfect. However, as a person he was truly a good man and a friend. 

Manuel Mediavilla Sr., January 1, 1949 - April 3, 2000.

To his five legitimate children, tatay was a disciplinarian, with high regard on conduct and ethical behavior. He did not finish elementary education, but was determined to have a good life. The main reason why he went to Manila all by himself. 

Despite his inability to speak Tagalog/Filipino language as he was a native of Alegre, Oton, Iloilo, and the only thing he can write about then was his full name. But tatay never undermines his own potential.

In fact, Tatay used his skills in sports to find a decent and permanent job at the Society of Jesus (SJ). Tatay Manuel played as one of the practice players for the Ateneo Basketball Team in the early 70s, after which he entered the Xavier House Office as a driver-utility staff that he served for roughly 25 years until his early retirement in 1995.

Tatay met Nanay in Road 2 Fabie Estate also in Sta. Ana. A native of Bantayan, Mangaldan, Pangasinan, Nanay Grace came to Manila to study chemical engineering at the Feati University. Nanay was then staying with her oldest sister Norma, a registered midwife at the Philippine General Hospital. Incidentally, Tatay and Nanay were neighbors, and my dear father became a passipnate suitor who would frequently visit Nanay from the gate of the school and accompany her home. Tatay was then staying with his uncle and cousins who were also from Iloilo Province.

Nanay was fortunate to have a good family background, as Lola Esperanza Edic was a former elementary school principal and Lolo Eulalio de Vera, a farmer. On Tatay's side Lolo Nicasio was said to be a Spanish-Filipino fisherman who married the native Lola Amada, my lola.

When Nanay Grace married Tatay Manuel in 1972, Nanay became Tatay's tutor. She patiently taught him how to write and read and do a little arithmetic. Later on Tatay learned to speak English well because of his exposure to foreign members of the Jesuit community.

Manuel Sr. with his young daighter Asumpcion, at their Road 2 house in
Fabie, Sta. Ana, Manila

Tatay died of cardiac arrest following his second stroke on April 3, 2000. I remember it was also lenten season when he bid us goodbye. While so many things had happened that almost tore our familiy apart back then, but hearing the people talk highly of him during the necrological service that these people organized for him, and the outpouring of donations was indeed an awakening for all of us.

Tatay may have introduced to us his strict and disciplinarian side as a father, but outside our house he was a compassionate friend, a good adviser and a listener, and always a helping hand.

And as I once more remember the sacrifices of Jesus for mankind this  lenten season, I also can't help but reminisce the love for me, my siblings and my mother of my earthly father, Manuel to whom my skills in sports, artistry and discipline, I owe him so much.

Remembering you always, Tatay Manny.

PALM SUNDAY

 

Photo taken at the @Holy Cross Parish, JP Rizal, Makati during the Palm Sunday mass.

The last two years that we are engulfed by the COVID-19 pandemic, not only our jobs and regular day-to-day life have been displaced and rearranged but also the people's way of observing our traditions.

During the first year of the pandemic, the 45-days of the lenten season which the Catholics all over the globe observed annually were suddenly put to a halt. Without warning nor signs, instantly no more observations of "Ash Wednesday, no Palm Sunday mass, no stations of the cross, no visita iglesia, and no more Easter Sunday festivities including the easter egg hunt", among others. 

Last March 2, the "Ash Wednesday '' mass was a testament on how we as Catholics really missed attending to our religious tradition. Technically, the churches were eventually overwhelmed by its parishioners who flocked to hear  masses, particularly this season of penance as this celebration reminds everyone that we come from dust, and to dust we will all return. 

Today, Palm Sunday, we gather once more to exercise our faith and be reminded how Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem that signals the people's willingness to follow Christ as they waved palm branches to Him. Thus, the lent is a good opportunity not only to renew our faith, to get closer to the almighty but also to be more open to Him whatever your status and conditions in life you are right now. 

An hour or two with God is only a small sacrifice compared to the many blessings that He bestows upon us, to your loved ones, and to humanity. Take a moment with Him this lenten week to unite with God through prayers, a little sacrifice and penance.

NERITIC

Photo taken at Sabangan, San Narciso town in Zambales, Philippines

Hope all is well. Today, I would like to talk about the things that you can offer or give freely as a person regardless of your status, whether you are a partner, a parent, a child or a friend.  

It must be clear and fair to everyone that you should not expect something that you, yourself cannot offer or willing to give to others. If you are a partner, you don't impose a on your other half that you are not willing to sacrifice. If you are a parent, it would not be good to set a curfew to a child that any parent is not willing to honor even for themselves. 

This goes also to friendships. It is easier to claim you are a friend, but can you really reciprocate and give deeper sense to the word?  

Like in any relationship, friendship must be looked at with depth, responsibility and risks involved, depending on the level of your so-called "friendship." If what you can commit is only shallow, accept that those around you will also reciprocate the neritic bond that you are willing to extend. 

One of the best lessons in life is to allow any seed to grow naturally. Let them go and as they progress just be there, and make sure that the stems you are growing are according to your liking. Also, it is good to accept that there are people better than you. Each person is made distinct from one another based on our individual purpose in life. 

Even to the standards of ordinary men, humility is much more appreciated than haughtiness and arrogance. And as we enter the lenten season, it is also good to reflect, to analyze your character, values and priorities because you might already be over stepping? It is better to live in harmony than to  be challenged by others, much by yourself. So while you still have the chance, make a moment with God and be the child that you are. 

CROWD MENTALITY

Photo credit to Pinterest.ph

Have you heard about "crowd mentality" which is tantamount to a crab mentality?

As human beings the natural instinct of a man is either to retaliate or respond to the issue or issues being allude to him/her. Why? Because it is part of man's natural tendency to act negatively against the perceived "instigators" of negative comments as crab mentality is part of acculturation and survival.

But has anyone ever considered what God might be saying to you, to us, everytime we make a crowd mentality action?

The truth is not about the veracity of the propaganda. Perhaps it would be better that rather than speaking to espouse the interest of your affilitiation, you allow the truth to speak for itself. 

As Fr. Jerry Orbos. Jerry Orbos said in his homily earlier this Sunday, men should not just waste his life checking on what is happening to the world but also make a time with God.

As the lenten season begins, it is also good that you filter every information that you would react to, so as not to fall into the crowd mentality group. I believe that as we all value our names and credibility, we should equally value and promote "just me and God moment" to be able to stand by and for the truth.

Remember, in everything that is happening with, and around us, lies a reason and a mission.

BODY SHAMING

Photo credit to @Pinteresst.ph

I'm sure you all have heard people from all around the globe talking about body shaming this days. By the way, what is your stand on the issue? 

We are in 2022 now, and I am one with the group calling for a stop to any form of body shaming. As the world becomes diverse, people should be more open-minded and learn to respect if they cannot appreciate and understand that we all have different needs and characteristics, and so are our physique. 

Recently, I read and heard the news about the actress, singer, and model Alexa Ilacad being compared to a gas tank because apparently, she has no curves. Whoever was this social media user who bashed a very beautiful and intelligent lady inside and out, is truly pitiful. I pity the basher rather than Alexa because what she has done was only a reflection of her personality–shallow. 

Imagine, of the many adjectives you can describe a very talented lady such as Alexa, you opted to look beyond the goodness and zoom in on a tiny negative, if indeed it was a negative trait?

Also, few days ago the world once again witnessed another Hollywood celebrity making a scene before officially receiving his first acting trophy at the Oscars. Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock after the latter made a pitch on Will's wife's hair, who incidentally has been suffering from Alopecia. 

Some may assume that the baldness of @Jada Pinkett Smith may just be one of her fashion trends being in the US entertainment industry. However, Jada's battle with alopecia has been going on since 2018.  According to a 2016 survey in the US about 5,594 black women are experiencing hair loss but refused to seek medical help. 

Thus, as human beings we should all avoid making fun of others because don't know the struggles each one of us is going through. While I do not agree with the violence inflicted by Will Smith but the incident must serve as a wake-up call for everyone to e careful and sensitive. 

Remember, we are all made unique by God so let us learn to respect our differences rather than mock them. And let us advocate peace and harmony rather than building walls and fences. 

Happy 1st Friday of April!