PamagCUSA Blog

The Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government in partnership with Radio Veritas runs Lider Totoo!, a weekly radio program, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. where leaders from different fields of expertise share their personal experiences and views on matters concerning Servant Leadership. Last Saturday, Fr. Albert Alejo, S.J. thoughtfully shared challenging yet inspiring views on the issues of corruption and others that continue to perturb Philippine society.

Tagapanayam: Maaari ninyo po bang isa-isahin sa amin at sa mga tagapakinig kung anuano ang mga pinag-kakaabalahan ninyo?

Fr. Albert Alejo: Ang karaniwang tawag sa akin pala ay Pareng Bert kung saan magakasama na ang pare at ang pagiging pari ko. Bago ako nagpari, naging konsehal ako sa Obando, Bulacan ng apat na taon.

Ngayon ay nagtuturo ako sa Ateneo de Davao University. Maliban diro, ako rin ang pinuno sa Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue (MICD) na isang organisasyong naglalayong magkaroon ng diyalogo o pag-uunawaan sa pagitan ng pagkakaiba-iba ng mga nahihirahan sa Mindanao. Isa rin ako sa mga namumuno sa Ehem! Anti-corruption Movement. Itinatag ko ang Amuma Cancer Support (Amuma = kalinga) na tumutulong sa mga taong may kanser at sa kanilang mga pamilya upang malabanan ang sakit na ito.

Tagapanayam: Anu-ano ang mga kasalukuyang proyektong isinasagawa ng MICD? Ano ang kahalagahan nito sa mga taga-Mindanao?

Fr. Albert Alejo: Naitatag ang MICD mula sa karanasan ko mula sa pag-aaral ko ng antropolohiya sa Mindanao.Noong pumunta ako sa Mt. Apo upang makita ang sitawsyon doon, nakilala ko ang tribo ng mga Lumad. Mula sa pakikisalamuha ko sa kanila, nabatid ko ang kanilang malaking suliranin sa lugar. May tatlong tinig na makikita sa Mindanao at dalawa lang dito ang naririnig sa buong kalupaan. Naisasantabi ang tinig na mula sa mga katutubo at hindi sila nabibigyan ng oportunidad na katulad sa ibang tao. Kaya naitayo ang organisayong ito. Ang layunin namin ay maipakilala ang mga hindi napapansing tinig sa buong mindanao. Upang mgkaroon ng unawaan ang iba’t ibang tribo, napakaimportante ang magkakilalalanan muna.

Kabilang sa mga sinusulusyunan namin ay ang problema ng mga tribo sa lupa. Ang lugar na kanilang kinalalagyan ay lugar ng mga alaala, ng mga espiritu, at kuwento mula sa kanilang mga ninuno. Narito rin ang kanilang mga pangarap sa hinaharap. Ang mga lupaing ito ay sinasamsamsam na ng mga pribadong kompaniya at nais nilang gamitin para sa komersiyo. Kung aalisan sila ng lupa, mawawalan ng daigdig ang kahulugan na nakakabit sa daigdig na kanilang nakikita, nahahawakan, nalalakaran, natutuntungan, at nasasayawan.

Bahagi rin ng programa namin ang makilala sila bilang isang bayang may dignidad. Inaalis namin ang kaisipan na pagtawag sa kanila bilang indigenous people na kailangang kaawaan ng bawat isa. Hindi sapat ang awa kundi ang nararapat sa kanila ay pagkilala. Tinutulungan din namin sila sa Kikilalanin pag-alam ng kanilang kasaysayan kasaysayan upang mapatunayan na sila talaga ang tunay na may-ari ng mga lupang kinalalagakan nila, kaagapay ang batas na Indigenous People Rights Act (IPRA).

Ngayon, pinag-iisipan namin kung paano maipapasok ang konsepto ng social entrepreneurship para sa mga latutubo. Magbibigay kami ng scholarships upang mapag-aral ang mga magagaling na katutubo upang baling-araw ay magamit nila ang kanilang natutuhan sa paaralan sa pagpapaunlad ng kanilang komunidad.

Tagapanayam: Ano naman po ang layunin ng organisasyon na Ehem! Anti-corruption?

Fr. Albert Alejo: Itinatag ng mga Heswita ito noong 2004 upang tumalakay sa kultura ng korapsiyon sa bansa at sa pag-aabuso na nagagawa nito sa mga tao. Ito ang pang-aabuso ng pagtitiwalang publiko para sa panasariling kapakanan. Ipinapamulat namin na lahat tayo ay bahagi rito. Ang basura ng kalooban ng tao ay nagdudulot ng basura ng lipunan. Hinihikayat namin ang lahat na maging mapagmatyag sa kanilang kapaligiran, pati sa kanilang sarili. Sana lahat ay makuha sa tingin kahit walang nakatingin, dahil sa katunayan nito, may nakatingin.

Sa kasalukuyan, marami-rami nang institusyon kabilang ang Ombudsman at CEAP na nagpapalaganap nito sa kanilang mga opisina at sangay.

Tagapanayam: Paano maikokonekta ang korapsyon sa eucharist?

Fr. Albert Alejo: Bago pa namatay si Hesus ay naitatag na ang eucharist. Noong Huwebes Santo, may isang apostol na nagngangalang Judas na tumanggap ng suhol na 30 piraso ng pilak upang ipagkalulo si Jesus. Mismong sa oras ng komuniyon, may isang naghudas ang ipinagpalit ang pagkakaibigan at pagsasamahan nila ni Jesus para sa material na bagay. Mula rito, malinaw na mismong si Hesus ay nakaranas ng korapsyon na nagdulot sa kanyang kamatayan. Kung gumagawa ng korapsiyon ang isang tao, par among sinasampal ang Diyos at tinatalikuran ang anumang ugnayan mo sa kanya.

Ayon din kay San Pablo , kinakailangang suriin muna ang kalooban ng isang tao bago ito tumanggap ng komunyon. Kapag may korapsyon sa kalooban, ang kinakain na komunyon ay nagsisilbing lason sa halip na magdulot ito ng kaligtasan sa tao.

Tagapanayam: Para sa inyo, ano ang servant leadership? Anu-ano ang mga kailangang maging katangian ng isang tao upang maging isang servant leader?

Fr. Albert Alejo: Noong boy scount pa lang ako at mula sa mga leadership seminara na nadaluhan ko, natutuhan ko na ang lider ay isang taong kayang gawin ang isang bagay para sa iba. Nagkakaroon ng pagkakaunawaan at pagkakaisa sa isang grupo dahil sa kanya. Siya ang nakakakita ng sitwasyon, ng problema, at ng iba pang bagay na maaaring gawin upang masolusyunan ito. Kabilang rin sa kanyang mga katangian ay ang pagkakaroon ng isang salita at ng kapangyarihan na gumanyak ng ibang tao at sumunod sa nais niyang patunghuhan habang nananatili pa rin sa kanya ang pagiging tagapaglingkod.

Makikita natin ang halimbawa ng servant leader sa bibliya nang mapagaling ni Hesus ang isang paralitiko dahil sa tulong ng mga kaibigan nito. Ang kanyang apat na kaibigan ay mga lider. Una, ito ay dahil sila ang malapit sa ngangailangan. Naririnig nila ang pakiusap ng maysakit. Pangalawa, kahit na sa kabila ng imposibilidad ay hindi sila nawalan ng pag-asa na idulog ang maysakit sa panginoon. Pangatlo, sa pagbutas nila ng bubong ay napatunayan nilang kaya nilang bumutas ng istruktura sa nakatataas, hindi para sirain ang bahay at guluhin ang sistema, kundi sapat lang para ang maysakit ay mailagay sa bukal ng kanyang pag-asa.

Maihahambing din ang servant leadership sa pagtilaok ng manok sa umaga. “Kapag araw ay nasilip, titindig yaring manok. Dadagukan ang dibdib, saka lang titilaok.” Sa dilim ay naghihintay ang manok ng liwanag. Kapag nakakita ito ng liwanag, titindig ito at maninindigan kahit walang iba na nakakakita ng katulad sa kanya. Dadagukan ang sarili upang matiyak na ito mismo ay gising bago manggising ng iba. Puno ng pag-asa. Kahit sa dilim ay naghihintay ng liwanag. Patuloy niyang gagawin ito hanggang sa makagising ng iba. Matutuwa siya dahil sa hindi kalayuan, may mga sasagot at sasabay. Malalaman niyang hindi lang pala siya ang naghihintay ng liwanag sa dilim kundi marami pala. “Kay rami na ngayong gising. Aba at may sumasabay, dumadagok, at sumisigaw. Hindi lahat pala’y himbing, kayrami na ngayong gising.”

Tagapanayam: Ano po ang mensaheng maiiwan ninyo sa mga tagapakinig?

Fr. Albert Alejo: Hindi mawawala para sa akin ang pag-asa sa ating kababayan. Ang isang katangian ng lider ay may pag-asa. Tulad sa dyip, nagbabayad pa rin ang mga pasahero kahit nakatalikod ang driver. Ipakita nating hindi tayo masasamang tao at masamanag lahi. Kaya pa nating baguhin itong bansa natin. Magtiwala lang tayo sa kakayahan natin at sa biyaya ng Diyos. Kaya natin ito.

Posted by pamagcusa at 11:26 PM | Permalink

Dear Mr. Tony Abaya,

None of the better choices that is presented will halt the worsening state of corruption. You may include CJ Puno or Panlilio or a team-up between this two will still not be able to stop corruption no matter how honest they could be, and if ever, at the most 1%.

My question is: How can any of the better choices stop corruption by EVERY corrupt "Honorable" senators, congressmen in spending their fat pork barrels, Honorable corrupt justice secretaries and other secretaries, corrupt high ranking army and police officers, governors, city and municipal mayors, corrupt managers of government corporations or gaming commissions or corrupt judges and prosecutors WHO IS NOT WITHIN HIS SIGHT all the time at the same time and in all places all over the country? Impossible, CORRECT?

This is why I am batting that we adopt the Grand Jury and Trial Juries because these devices will be manned by all the people in the private sector all the time and in all places and in all communities where all people of different "breeds" or creeds, color, and wealth are likewise present or residing to serve as sentinels over every government crook in their respective localities.

Of course, government corruption will not stop. Every day, a corrupt government official is born but if every day, 2 or 3 or 4 corrupt high official once discovered is indicted and sent to prison, at least finally, those would-be-grafters will think 2 o 3 times before they attempt to self-enrich themselves in office and find something they will be forced to respect. If we establish the Grand Jury and Trial Jury systems, the people in the private sector will not be scared to decide to send powerful government grafters because the people's employment with their private employers cannot be easily sabotaged by such grafters. If a juror is unemployed, and there are millions of them now, the more he would willingly have fun to indict or convict those arrogant powerful government grafters. This is the way, poor and legal ignoramus Americans in the private sector have been doing to keep government grafters in the minimum level.

Juries are made for the legal ignoramuses - not for lawyers who cannot decide as a jury like our prototype Estrada impeachment proceeding where the impeachment was decided instead by the legal ignoramuses in the streets. SO, WHAT'S THE OBJECTION IN CREATING JURIES? There are millions of potential participants in it, the poor people. It is the fundamental solution to stop government corruption after all. The people have the right to participate in justice because sovereignty and authority belong to them according to Article II, Section 1, of the Constitution.

Government appointees such as prosecutors, judges, and other high rank officials, are scared to decide against the wishes of their political godfathers/mothers and that's the reason government corruption all over the country is escalating because none of high rank grafters born every day could not be investigated, much less indicted or convicted.

The ultimate solution to prevent or reduce government graft is empowerment of the poor (they comprise the greater majority in our democracy) to have a deciding voice in justice through the jury systems so that they will be able to remove at will any discovered government grafter and other serious crime offenders and sent to jail wherever they may be WITHOUT THE NEED of relying on the supervision or control by a so-called best choice TRAPO in the 2010 election.

Marlowe Camello
Homeland, California
Email: mcamello299@gmail.com

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What Better Choices?

By Antonio C. Abaya

Written on Jan. 28, 2009

For the Standard Today,

January 29 issue

There is an item going around in the domestic cyberspace with the provocative assertion that we deserve better choices in presidential candidates in 2010. In fact, readers are encouraged to submit their nominations to the email address:

The short message goes as follows:

"Why should we settle with Noli de Castro (refutedly [sic] attack collect/defend collect and a GMA stooge)?

"Why should we believe Manny Villar (behind Capitol Bank failure/double titling/titling of watersheds/C-5 insertions etc etc)?

"Why should we accept Loren (wife of a convicted murderer/will do anything to get elected/no proven executive experience)?

"Why believe in fast talking Chiz Escudero (Danding Cojuangco and Lucio Tan boy)?

"Should we limit our choices to these questionable characters?

"WE DESERVE BETTER CHOICES IN 2010

"PLEASE PASS so we can have a better Philippines !!!!! Let's look for the right choices. Email us who you think should lead us beyond 2010.

"God Save the Philippines !"

I have no idea who is or who are behind this campaign. I sent them an email asking for the results of this survey, so that they can be discussed in this space. The unsigned reply promised to do so, "around the end of this month.."

It could be that those floating this survey are supporting one of the other presidential wannabes who are not mentioned in its hate list: Mar Roxas, Panfilo Lacson, Joseph Estrada, Richard Gordon, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Jejomar Binay, Bayani Fernando, or the latest Flavor of the Month, Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno. Or it could be a support group for our President-for-Life/Would-be Prime Minister Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as part of the Kampi efforts to emphasize that no one, but no one, can replace the Irreplaceable One

It is a common lament among the middle-class that there is no one among the presidential contenders whom they would trust to do a better job than Gloria has done. Most of the would-be presidents have been in the public eye for decades, and suffer from that over-exposure. Rightly or wrongly, people tend to think that since they have not done anything significant in the years and decades that they have been public officials, there is no reason to believe that they will do anything significant if and when they occupy higher positions.

Many concerned Filipinos, whether they will admit it or not, are really looking for fresh new faces with fresh new ideas of governance. This survey on what better choices we can have for 2010 is a manifestation of this frantic search for new leaders. But it is not the only one.

Two or three years ago, Jaro Archbishop Amado Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a call for "a new breed of leaders". Our Thursday group met with him and eight other bishops at the Pius XII Center on United Nations Ave. to find out what methodologies the bishops had in mind for looking for and finding "a new breed of leaders."

The bishops had no such methodology. We suggested that the Church use its Radio Veritas and its network of Catholic schools to provide a platform from which this "new breed of leaders" can be seen and heard, but the suggestion was received coldly and unenthusiastically by the bishops.

In fact, when Jun Lozada emerged as a new folk hero, in the wake of the ZTE scandal, and was treated like a rock star by thousands of young people in the school campuses that he visited, it was the bishops who poured cold water on the incipient prairie fire by forbidding Catholic schools from further inviting Lozada to their campuses.

So how the hell can "a new breed of leaders" get an airing in this country where the meaningless and personalistic party system – captive as it is by a cannibalistic political culture - is monopolized by feudal political dynasts, and media is interested largely only in trapos, coup plotters and Communists?

The Kaya Natin movement being nurtured by Harvey Keh in the Ateneo de Manila University is focused on credible local executives such as Naga City Mayor Jess Robredo, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca and Pampanga Governor Fr. Ed Among Panlilio, whom Kaya Natin wants to support for the Senate.

The Ang Kapatiran party founded by Nandy Pacheco has initiated a nationwide search for municipal councilors to add to the solitary party member whom they have managed to get elected: a municipal councilor in Olongapo City .

These efforts are both commendable and worthy of support. But the Need of the Hour is for a visionary president who will lead a social, moral and cultural revolution, not necessarily a violent one, to transform this country and release the long dormant and wasted creative potential of the Filipinos. In other words, we really need and deserve better choices in 2010. Any volunteers? Any suggestions? *****

Reactions to tonyabaya@gmail.com. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and in acabaya.blogspot.com.

Posted by pamagcusa at 11:24 PM | Permalink

26 January 2009

Dear Friends:

I am very far away but through the wonders of computer I am very much updated on what is happening in our beloved province and country.

The present controversies surrounding the Ordinance 261 (that regulates the hauling and transporting of quarry materials) strike my attention very much. The move to enact this local law actually originated from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) for the purpose of preventing overloading of dump trucks in order to protect roads and bridges in the province. It unanimously approved by SP and signed by the Governor.

For its part, the Provincial Government subsequently formulated, as commonly practiced, an accompanying Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that includes among others a provision cutting the height of sidewalls of all modified dump trucks and made a requirement for accreditation.

But prior to its effectivity in January, controversies happened: A small faction in the federation of truckers surreptitiously ousted their present president and replaced him with their own chosen one that will represent them in the Accreditation Committee and Technical Working Group. This faction opposes the inclusion in the IRR of the cutting of the sidewalls.

In a sudden twist, the SP changed its stand and after only one week in operation repealed the Ordinance on January 21.

I fully agree and support the cutting the height of truck sidewalls because this will ensure these trucks will never can be loaded in excess of its maximum allowable payload and this will save government tens of millions pesos rather than purchasing weighing bridges for every quarry site. Contrary to the belief that raising sidewalls will reduce number of trips and thus cost efficient, overloading leads to more bad roads that subsequently leads to more strain, wear and tear on trucks and eventually leads to higher maintenance and operating costs (including fuel), and even early retirement of trucks. High and overloaded trucks are very hard to maneuver that may cause accidents, destruction of properties and injury or death to drivers and pedestrians. Trucks with heaping loads are also the sources of scattered sand, gravel, earth, water and mud on roads.

If only if all trucks are strictly loaded within its permissible Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), we will see if DPWH is really strictly performing its mandate in ensuring roads and bridges are constructed within internationally accepted standards.

And if only if the Land Transportation Office is strictly performing its mandate in ensuring that vehicles registered conform to standards, a REDUNDANT ORDINANCE like this could not have been enacted in the first place because there is already an existing national law (RA-8794) that prohibits overloading. The illegal practice of modifying (alteration of original specs) dump trucks in raising their heights is common not only in Pampanga but throughout the country.

I would therefore conclude that the Ordinance is rather a wake up call and even a slap on the napes of the two government agencies for them to JUST DO their mandates. And the federation’s intramurals and the sudden change of heart of the SP could simply be parts and parcels of the continuing brazen scheme to sabotage the programs of Governor Eddie Panlilio. This is dirty politics, a dirty tactics, pure and simple.

FRANK MANGULABNAN

Posted by pamagcusa at 08:01 PM | Permalink

KURALDAL Book Launching Speech
January 10, 2009; 3:00 p.m.
Sasmuan Parish Church, Sasmuan, Pampanga
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I am deeply humbled by the presence of movers in the church, the government and the academe today. I am honored to see many of Apung Iru and Apung Lucia’s devotees, family and friends who came from various places to celebrate faith and culture.

What we are launching today is a book that explores the Kuraldal and Libad Bangka as rituals rather than folk festivals - to find a wealth of meanings in these…from the symbols to the historico-cultural roots and the psycho-spiritual aspects. It was an attempt on my part to look deeply into our faith and our culture – as Kapampangans and Filipinos.

Some people might be wondering why someone like me – an Inland Fisheries and Creative Writing graduate of the University of the Philippines would attempt to write about rituals, spirituality and psychology. I knew next to nothing about the Kuraldal and Libad Bangka. I did not attend Theology and Sociology classes. I only had three units of Anthropology. Neither was I a devotee of Apung Lucia or Apung Iru nor of any particular saint for that matter. At most, these rituals aroused curiosity in me.

The answer came two days before Christmas of 2008. Tragedy struck and claimed the life of my five-year old son who succumbed to rabies infection. My faith was severely tested as I lay beside him, watching helplessly as his condition deteriorated from bad to worst. My baby, who brightened our lives with his songs, his antics and playfulness lay dying in pain and nobody knew what was ailing him. Blood and laboratory tests pointed to diabetes as probable cause of his illness. Symptoms pointed to allergy that kept him itching and crying all night.

Out of desperation, I consulted a “manawas” who, surprisingly saw a dog with long ears in her divination. Next, I prayed to Apung Lucia and Apung Iru. I knew their intercessions worked as attested to by the thousands of devotees who flock to Sasmuan and Apalit every year. It didn’t work out as well. Kulang namu pu mag-kuraldal kung dili ku king ospital ban yang salese ing anak ku. I pleaded and wept and tried to bargain with God to take my life instead and spare my child. Christmas was just around the corner and my little boy was all agog to open his gifts.

The miracle that I prayed for did not happen. Perhaps, God was busy comforting mothers who have lost their sons and daughters to wars in various parts of the world. He must have been busy listening to the cries of poor families who have been deprived of basic social services because of widespread graft and corruption. I can imagine Him now telling me then, “Nina, I know that your grief and miseries are immense. Let me handle them my way.”

Now I understand that among the purposes of this book was to prepare me for this life-changing event. It taught me to deal with enormous pain. It taught me that miracles do not happen all the time. Miracles happen for a purpose. In my son’s case, the purpose of his death must have been greater than the purpose of bearing witness to a miracle. In fact, he died so that others may live. Cruel and violent though his death may have been, he saved others by creating awareness for responsible pet ownership and awareness on the dangers posed by animal bites, scratches or licks. I believe that Gian Carlo has fulfilled his mission and is now happy and triumphant in the company of angels and our Creator.

As I struggle to comprehend my son’s death, I am beginning to see that rituals like Kuraldal and Libad Bangka are, in reality, invitations to cultivate a child-like faith in a God whose ways are not easy to understand. To keep the faith in times of utmost distress, to keep believing even when the last thread of hope breaks and leaves one suspended in uncertainty. These are the greatest challenges that can confront any mortal. Perhaps, our rituals can serve to remind us that everything is possible with the God whom we may not touch or see but who is alive in our midst. He can turn grief and sorrow into joy and fulfillment, but only in His own time. Until then, we can only continue our devotions and rituals and hold off the restlessness in our hearts.

My joy would have been complete had Gian Carlo been with us today. Perhaps, he’d be walking in and out of the church, expending the amazing amount of energy contained in that little body of his, impatient for me to finish this speech so that he could check out the toys and goodies sold outside. But God did not will it to be so. Gian Carlo is sharing our joy as he looks down from heaven and sings songs of praise to the goodness of the God who showers him with all the love he deserves.

I am equally grateful and joyful for your kind acceptance of our invitation to be here with us today. To the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Archdiocese of San Fernando, the Men of Light, the Parish Communities and Municipal Governments of Sasmuan and Apalit, the Holy Angel University – Center for Kapampangan Studies, the Provincial Government and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pampanga, Sasmuan Rural Bank, Sasmuan Delicacies, St. Lucy’s Parochial School, friends from Civil Society Organizations, Data Access Publishing of Manila, Inc., the Diocese of Tarlac and the Angeles University Foundation. To Fr. Paul Velasco who generously shared his insights and reflections, to friends and family members, my profound gratitude for the gift of friendship and faith.

Posted by pamagcusa at 09:51 PM | Permalink

KURALDAL ATLUNG ARI AND LIBAD BANGKA NANG APUNG IRU: BEYOND THE REVELRY by Nina L.B. Tomen
A Book Review by Fr. Paul T. Velasco

Twenty years ago, during my college years at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary, every year, around this time – the Kuraldal season in Sasmuan – I would engage in a conversation with my late grandfather, Apung Nasyo Tamayo, about the Kuraldal and our devotion to Apu Lucia. I was fond of asking him these questions: “Tata, ‘ot kukuraldal tamu baling fiesta nang Apu Lucia neng Atlung Ari? Kapilan ya wari megumpisa ing kuraldal?” Usually, I did not get any satisfactory answer from my late grandfather. He would just say: “Akagisingan kuna mu ‘yan!”

If we will ask the same questions to our kabalen from Apalit about the reasons for celebrating the Libad Bangka nang Apung Iru, and inquire about its origin and history, most likely, they will give the same response as my grandfather gave namely, “Akagisingan mi na mu yan!”

Nina Tomen had asked the same questions after going through the rituals of Kuraldal here in Sasmuan. Her personal experience of that religious ritual called Kuraldal had awakened in her the interest and passion in studying, understanding, and exploring two religious practices in Pampanga namely, the Kuraldal Atlung Ari and Libad Bangka nang Apung Iru.

This book, “Kuraldal ATlung Ari and Libad BAngka nang Apung Iru: Beyond the Revelry” is an attempt to appreciate the historical and cultural origins of these two popular Kapampangan religious rituals. Moreover, in this book, Nina tried to articulate the meanings that devotees, scholars and members of the clergy find out of these popular religious practices.

Nina’s work is an invitation for Filipinos especially for us Kapampangans to appreciate the richness of our religious, cultural, and historical heritage. There is so much to learn about ourselves as a people by looking into our personal and collective stories attached to these rituals. For rituals, especially those religious in nature are vehicles in expressing our deepest sentiments, and desires such as the longing of couples to bear a child, the need to be healed of a lingering sickness, and the aspiration for a better life. In and through these deepest desires, we encounter in a profound way the Divine. The God who is present in the world and in our lives is what Nina is trying to help us notice and pay attention to as we shout – Viva Apu Lucia! Puera Sakit; as we try to touch the images of Sts. Peter and Lucy, as we splash water to one another during libads in Apalit, and jump and shout for hours in the streets of Brgy. Sta. Lucia on the night of the 10th of January. Kuraldal and Libad mediate the Divine for us. They are encounters with God. They connect us with the Divine in us and around us. This is what the devotees whom the author interviewed are trying to communicate to us.

Where do these two Pampango Religious Rituals lead us? What internal change do they bring about? What is the potential in these rituals that will help us facilitate the process of effecting social change and communal transformation in the province and in the country? This is the challenge that Nina is trying to present to us in the subtitle of the book and on the last chapter of her work – Beyond the Revelry. “Kayari na ning Kuraldal at Libad, nanu?” As participants of Kuraldal and Libad, we are looking for the fruits of our religious festivities and expressions. For Nina, beyond the revelry is the renewed faith of the Kapampangans. This is the fruit of these celebrations. Now, what is the emerging face and thrust of the faith of the Kapampangans in the 21st century? Answer: “It is personal and a communal faith that is committed to social change. This faith is translated in social concern – empowering the poor to become agents of political change, fighting graft and corruption, addressing the ills of gambling like jueteng and poverty alleviation.”

This book will be of great help for people who want to follow the path that Sts. Peter and Lucy have tread – the call to bear witness and to give one’s life to the kind of life that Jesus had lived and died for – a life od committed love and service. After reading this book, you will be convinced that there are a lot of potentials in our religious rituals that can help us build a better society. This is our common task to discover. Thanks to Nina Tomen for bringing this urgent concern to our attention.

Posted by pamagcusa at 09:48 PM | Permalink

I never had a liking for partisan politics. Priesthood and pastoral ministry has always been my life for 28 years. And I love this life.

On the evening of May 18, 2007, I was proclaimed governor of Pampanga. On that same night I said I would only be in public service for 3 years. That was my promise and I intend to keep it.

However, we have a saying that goes, "Man proposes, God disposes."

Hence, if the Good Lord wills me to run for a second term or a higher office, let His will be done. After all I have stopped living for myself. My agenda has therefore been to be submissive to His design.

I have been approached by a number of groups prodding me to aspire for the presidency. I replied let us make a collective discernment to know whom God really wants for this job. If we find a person or persons that best embody good governance, effective and ethical leadership, let us support such leaders and make them win. I too will support them.

I will not volunteer to run. But if God tells me to run through this collective process, so be it.

I will also come to a personal discernment. Whatever is the decision that brings peace to my heart, then that must be His will.

Posted by pamagcusa at 09:41 PM | Permalink

Kaya Natin! Statement of Support for Gov. Panlilio Against Assault on Provincial Capitol

We, the founding members and leaders of Kaya Natin! a national movement that promotes good governance and ethical leadership, condemn in the strongest possible terms the unlawful and inappropriate actions of rallyists and policemen of the province of Pampanga towards the Office of the Governor last January 5, 2009. We believe that such behavior not only disrespects their governor, the Hon. Eddie Panlilio, and the people of Pampanga, but also unnecessarily endangers the lives of many innocent people.

We are saddened and very disappointed in these turn of events, as the people responsible for upholding the law did nothing while the duly constituted authorities of the province were unjustly threatened. This inaction betrays the partisan manner by which laws are enforced in the locality and contrary to the precepts of good governance.

We support Gov. Panlilio in his call to correct the injustice done. While we recognize the freedom of everyone to peaceably express their views, it must be within the bounds of decency and the rule of law. We appeal to the rallyists not to take the law in their hands and accord due respect to the elected leaders of Pampanga. We appeal to the Sanggunian Panlalawigan to set aside partisan considerations and protect the institutions of government in the province. We appeal to the Pampanga Provincial Command to just simply do their duty and enforce the law. The task of policing should be beyond political considerations.

We also support Gov. Panlilio in his petition to the DILG Secretary, the Chief PNP, and the NAPOLCOM for the relief of Col. Singian, Col. Medina, and their men. They have miserably failed in their responsibility in performing their duties, which endangered the lives of a number of people, including the Governor himself.

Finally, we also appeal to the people of Pampanga to protect the gains of the recent past, advocate good governance, and support Gov. Panlilio in his campaign for accountability and transparency in Pampanga. The Kapampangans deserve more from their public servants than what has been shown in the last few months. The future of Pampanga is in your hands. The kind of Pampanga we will have, is the kind of Pampanga you will make

(Sgd.) Hon. Jesse Robredo

Mayor

Naga City

(Sgd.) Hon. Grace Padaca

Governor

Isabela

(Sgd.) Hon. Teddy Baguilat, Jr.

Governor

Ifugao

(Sgd.) Hon. Sonia Lorenzo

Mayor

San Isidro, Nueva Ecija

Posted by pamagcusa at 09:21 PM | Permalink

http://philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=430255&publicationSubCategoryId=64

Reader Ann Loren writes:

"We don't need loose change; we deserve real change.

"In spite of numerous opportunities to live in greener pastures abroad, I have always decided to stick it out in the Philippines. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung bakit, especially considering that I'm half-Chinese, pero mahal ko e. I prefer to live, raise a family, and die here. This isn't to say I don't want to change the way things are, because at the rate we're going... you fill in the blank. But an opportunity for change is upon us. As the not-so-subtle ads of Noli de Castro, Manny Villar, and Loren Legarda remind us, election time is near. And so, I implore us all:

"Take the campaign seriously. Research the candidates' track records. Dig up dirt. Be not misinformed or under-informed. Vote from conscience. Do not be swept by popular tide. Find a candidate to believe in, regardless of his perceived chances of winning, and vote for him, be him Ed Panlilio, Sonny Belmonte, or whomever is worthy of entrusting our future."

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E-mail: jariusbondoc@workmail.com

Posted by pamagcusa at 09:15 PM | Permalink