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.