October 2016

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The Worldly Differences and their Compromise

Posted on Monday, 31 October 2016

THE WORLDLY DIFFERENCES AND THEIR COMPROMISE
By Apolinario Villalobos

In this world, there are only differences that may not be right or wrong, as there is no “ultimate judge” who can decide, not even the respective Supreme Courts of nations, and not even the guiding book of whatever religion. For those who believe in God, to them I may come out blasphemous if I say based on my observation, that not even He is the ultimate judge as being preached by religions that cling to Him, for how can they say that He is the One when others do not believe in Him?

Islamic rules are different from those of Christian religions’ that sprouted even later than others, and which also have their own norms. There is a popular belief that traditional religions have been deceiving people in their effort to expand their respective following. In this regard, those who have been enlightened came up with their own Ministries that eventually attracted hordes of adherents that, fortunately, did not totally turn their back on the teachings of their former churches, such that, there are Catholics who trek to the temple of El Shaddai in Paraἧaque, as well as, there are New Christians who still attend Catholic service. The mushrooming, however, all over the world of these new Ministries is proof that something is wrong with the Catholic Church from which newly-enlightened Christians came from. But then, nobody has the right to condemn Catholicism because of the erring few priests…as again, in this world, nothing is perfect. On the other hand, the “Balik-Islam” in the Philippines is, likewise, gaining ground. In its totality, the movement of modern-day conversions should be viewed with fairness on the part of the converts. What is important is the change in their spirituality that made them better persons, and most especially, they worship the same God, anyway. We should worry about former God-fearing brothers who became heretics, instead!

What is happening to the fate of religions is happening among nations with differences that lie in their ideologies polarized by democracy and socialism. The same competitive expansion brought forth hideous annihilation of races which is the essence of the effort in such desire. And, to top it all, to date, many nations are subtly disregarding the authority of the United Nations. In the case of the West Philippine Sea for instance, it made pronouncements that favored the Philippines but it cannot enforce what it has “summarized” based on proofs…while China consistently and loudly shows her defiance.

Somehow, the innate compromising characteristic of man came into the picture, resulting to the “ironing out of differences” among conflicting nations which does not necessarily declare which is right or wrong. In other words, there is no clear decision, just a compromise for some kind of a conditional understanding to avoid further conflicts between the victor and the vanquished.

Along this compromise, what each one can do to maintain relative peace is, perhaps, to be good based on the Golden Rule which is the essence of all religions, an adage that says, “Do Not Hurt Others if You Do Not Want Them to Hurt You”. It is a simple give and take principle that can apply to all peoples and nations.

Finally and most importantly, one should cling more tightly to whatever congregation he has chosen, be the spiritual bonding is done in cavernous basilicas or cathedrals, or a humble space that used to see good old days as an air-conditioner repair shop.

My humble belief is that, spirituality is not measured by an impressive concrete structure, but by sincerity that throbs in one’s heart! One can even venerate manifestations of God under a tree!...and, who can stop somebody from praying for the smooth expurgation of his guts while seated on a toilet bowl?



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No Virtuous Leader of a Nation can Stand Against a Corrupted Democracy

No Virtuous Leader of a Nation Can Stand
Against a Corrupted Democracy
By Apolinario Villalobos

Democracy was conceived with a noble purpose of providing a comfortable life for its adherents, and was given substance by freedom, free will, liberty, equality, and many other principles that stand for anything “free”. It is unfortunate, however, that the looseness brought forth by freedom has caused its decadence today. The systems of all democratic nations are practically loop-holed with omissions and defects giving corrupt government officials the chance to commit frauds at will. Democracy has been so abused lately, that its image has been deformed beyond recognition.

America which is considered by other nations as the cradle of world democracy is showing signs of decadence as abusive acts have practically become part of its citizens’ daily life. Guns can be easily purchased and even youngsters can carry them around. Muggings are prevalent making stringent laws seem useless. Parents are humbled by their children who talk back at them every time their attention is called for committed faults, and the former cannot do anything, as they will be reported to the police. These undisciplined children later grow up to become young single moms, muggers, gun-toting students, rapists, etc. It is true that similar crimes are committed in any democratic nation, but the degree of incidence in America is beyond expectation.

Nations that are internationally-acknowledged as strictly disciplined like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore are not free from the abuse committed by their supposedly, equally well-disciplined constituents, at the first sign of opportunity. Corruption in their government is also a ubiquitous happening just like in other countries of their level. Along this line, the onslaught of corruption is such that not even a spiritual nation like Vatican is free from it. No less than the new pope himself, Francis, has called the attention of the erring clerics to mend their ways. In other words, no amount of discipline and spirituality can match the evil of corruption that has become deeply-rooted in the midst of humanity.

It must be noted, however, that the uncontrollability of corruption even by a virtuous leader does not free him from the liability for any commission by his officials. On the contrary, as a leader, he is expected to exhaust all means and exert an extra effort in preventing the fraudulent acts, or make necessary corrective moves, and not just look the other way every time they are committed. Tolerance on his part makes him liable or a party to the act.  Not even his assertion of purported ignorance makes him innocent. Somehow, the preventive or corrective effort of the virtuous leader, though how futile they may seem, can at least, minimize the incidence or effect of corruption…a consolation that can appease the victims.


As for the seemingly “unblemished” constituents of the corrupted democratic nations, perhaps, they can exert an extra effort in persisting to be consistent in acting as expected of them… law-abiding citizens, whose collective effort can somehow resuscitate the ailing Democracy.

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Ang Mga Pagkakaiba-iba ng Kaisipan ng mga Tao ay Hindi Dapat Gawing Batayan ng Pagtatalo

Ang mga Pagkakaiba-iba ng Kaisipan ng mga Tao
Ay Hindi Dapat Gawing Batayan ng Pagtatalo
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Sa pagrerespetuhan ng mga ideya, hindi dapat sabihin ng isang tao na mali ang sinasabi ng iba batay sa kanyang iniisip, maliban na lang kung ang tinutumbok nito ay pamiminsala ng hindi dapat pinsalain o sirain. At, kung nasa kalagayang may mga nakikinig, nagmamasid o nagbabasa, tulad ng debate o balitaktakan sa publiko, at mga pino-post sa facebook, dapat ay magkanya-kanya sa paglahad ng mga ideya upang mapagpilian kung alin ang papanigan.

Ang antas ng dunong ng mga tao ay magkakaiba, kaya nagkakaroon din ng kaibahan sa paniniwala depende sa kinalakhang tahanan o kumunidad, at lalong higit, sa kultura ng bansa. Dahil diyan, kung ano ang tama, halimbawa, kay Juan na lumaki sa iskwater ay maaaring hindi katanggap-tanggap kay Richard na lumaki sa isang marangyang tahanan sa high-end na subdivision, kaya magpatayan man sila ay talagang walang pagkakaunawaang matatamo. Ang isa pang halimbawa ay, kung ano ang tama sa mga taga-Africa ay maaaring mali sa mga taga-Asya kaya magkaubusan man ng lahi, hindi rin malalaman kung sino ang tama o mali.

Ang mga halimbawa ay pagputol ng ari ng isang lalaking nanggahasa sa isang bansa sa Gitnang Silangan, na para sa mga Kristiyanong bansa ay mali. Sa ibang bansa sa Silangan ay napapalampas ng pamahalaan ang paghitit ng opium, subalit napakamali naman sa nakararaming bansa. Ganoon din ang paghitit ng marijuana na napakaluwag naman sa ibang bansa sa Yuropa (Europe), kaya naglipana pati mga party drugs na kumalat hanggang sa Pilipinas.

Pang-unawa sa isa’t isa, sa kabila ng mga pagkakaiba ang kailangan upang magkaroon ng kapayapaan. At, kung ang pang-unawa ay sasamahan pa ng pagbibigayan ay lalong matiwasay sana ang buhay sa mundo.


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Ang Buhay at ang Karapatang Mabuhay

ANG BUHAY AT ANG KARAPATANG MABUHAY
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Sa ibabaw ng mundo lahat ng nilalang ay may karapatang mabuhay, subalit hindi lahat ng kabuluhan nila ay naangkop sa pangangailangan ng iba.  May kanya-kanya din silang talino at lakas upang magamit sa pagtanggol ng sarili. Ang prolema lang ay ang mga taong sadyang gahaman o makasarili, kaya hindi nila isinasaalang-alang ang karapatan ng iba. 

Ang mga makasariling tao ay nanggaling sa mga pamilya na bahagi ng lipunan. Sa isang pamilya, hindi maiwasang magkaroon ng sutil o “black sheep”. Marami sila kapag naipon na, at ang dami ay depende rin sa laki ng lipunan na kinabibilangan ng mga pamilya. Sila ay mga problema na kung hindi masawata ay aalagwa o lalabas sa tahanan at mamiminsala na rin sa kabuuhan ng lipunan, kaya madadamay ang ibang miyembro. Ang katalinuhan ng tao ay nagdikta sa kanya upang gumawa ng mga kaparaanan upang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga sutil sa lipunan- isang pagbabakasakaling sila ay magbago dahil sila ay may karapatan din sa buhay. At, ito ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan.

Samantala, ang karapatan ng isang tao sa isang bagay ay may hangganan at dapat na ginagamit sa mga makabuluhang bagay na nakakatulong sa lipunan sa halip na makapanira. Kung ipipilit na gamitin ng isang tao ang karapatang yan upang makapaminsala ng buhay ng kanyang kapwa o makapanira sa lipunan, lalabas na sinaklawan niya ang karapatan ng ibang taong may karapatang mabuhay ng matiwasay. Sa madaling sabi, ang karapatan ng isang tao ay nagwawakas sa hangganan kung saan ay nagsisimula ang karapatan ng iba.

Ang simpleng nakikitaan ng kalagayan tungkol sa usaping ito ay ang taniman ng gulay, kung saan ay may tumubong mga damo. At dahil damo, itinuturing silang salot na magdudulot ng pinsala sa mga itinanim na gulay. At dahil sila ay salot….dapat silang puksain upang hindi na makapanira pa...at ang katumbas nila sa lipunan ng tao ay mga kriminal!


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My dear, little ones...

Posted on Saturday, 29 October 2016

My dear, little ones…
by Apolinario Villalobos

It pains me to see how the world
Crumbles under the weight of greed
How life buckles with the pain of despair
I am so sad that what will be left for all of you
Will be a world shrouded with the bleak sorrow.

Gone will all the birds that fly
Grass and flowers in the meadows
Fish in the oceans, rivers, and creeks
The butterflies and bees that seek nectar
And, so will the wind…stilled by the dire war.

All those are due to man’s greed
So ravenous are his appalling desires
But let’s not lose hope…pray, pray, pray
As the kindly Lord, to us, may again take pity
That tomorrow’s world, be blessed with His mercy!
 


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See with our Heart...Feel with our Kindness

See with Our Heart,
Feel with Our Kindness
By Apolinario Villalobos

Our eyes perceive the world
That’s all that they can do;
But there’s more beneath
The surface of everything
That only the heart can see –
If strengthened with fidelity.

Touching the lives of others
Some do with false charity
They, who think, food is enough
They, who think, money is fine
But given devoid of kindness
All effort becomes worthless.

Look around with our heart
Touch others with kindness
Those are what we should do
To realize our purposes in life –
Live and share, love sincerely
And thank the Lord as we pray!


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Thoughts in Loneliness

Thoughts in Loneliness
By Apolinario Villalobos

Alone with just the whisper of the wind that breaks the silence,
the moment of bliss keeps me afloat me on the ocean of happiness.

Mind void of frenzy, becomes filled with thoughts…overpowering
and just like in a forest, they all become jovial birds…singing, chirping.

Meandering thoughts bump each other in my once empty mind
And, though puzzling, got to contemplate on them one at a time:

On the world that seems to shatter…is there hope
 for even at the last moment
 whatever remains of its innards
 be spared to weld its fragments
 long-molested without diffidence?
     
On man’s greed, selfishness…will he still survive
 despite never-ending quest for more
 that stacks up hatred from disquieted
 who hesitate to act for the sake of unity
 but now feeling abused due to disparity?

On man’s blatant arrogance…to where does it lead
  when his reason for being, he questions
  thinking that a Force alone has made him
  into what he is now, assuming all the while
  that he’s wise, so to no one he’ll reconcile?

On the children’s gleeful prancing…will this go on
  when the air they breathe, stained with death
  fill their aching lungs, makes their head spin
  and the river they wade in is grossly infected
  but sadly, makes only a few sincerely worried?

On vast seas and forests…how long can they hold on
  for the sake of the fishes and others on ocean floor
  the birds that seek shelter in the lush, cool foliage
  and many other creatures that call them their home
  as dynamites and chainsaws spell their doom?

Alas! All I can do is shiver in anger and helplessness

With those thoughts in my abject state of loneliness!     

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Ang "Blogger", "Basher", at "Nakawan" sa Internet

Posted on Friday, 28 October 2016

ANG “BLOGGER”,  “BASHER”
AT “NAKAWAN” SA INTERNET
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang “blog” ay maaaring ituring na “noun” o “verb”. Kaugnay niyan, kapag “noun” ay pwedeng sabihing “the blog”, kapag “verb” ay masasabing, “to blog”. Subali’t kung tutuusin ay tungkol lang ito sa “pagsusulat” o “pagpo-post” ng buong sanaysay o komento man lang o di kaya ay ng larawan sa sariling facebook o sa facebook ng iba pero may pahintulot nila, at iba pang sites sa internet, lalo na ang mga pag-aari ng blogger.

Ang “basher” naman ay mga nagbabasa ng mga blogs at dahil kampon yata ng demonyo, sa halip na tumulong sa pagpapalinaw sa isinulat ng blogger, ay umiikot sa mga personal na bagay ang isinusulat bilang komento. Ibig sabihin ng “personal” ay tungkol sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa blogger kaya nade-derail ang mensahe ng blog. Sila yong mga kung tawagin ay “viewers” o nagbabasa ng blogs na hindi nagpaparamdam at tumatayming ng blog na pwede nilang sirain o bulabugin kaya nagagalit rin ang ibang mga seryosong nagbabasa. Kalimitan ay gusto nilang palabasin na mas magaling sila sa blogger sa paggamit ng Tagalog o English, o di kaya ay palabasing mas maganda ang kanilang pananaw. Kung ganoon sana ang paniniwala at pananaw nila, sumulat na lang sila ng sarili nilang blog upang mai-post sa kanilang fb.

Sa isang banda, maraming taong matatalino sa larangan ng teknolohiya ang nakakakita ng “ginto” sa internet…mga oportunidad na pwede nilang pagkitaan sa anumang paraan, kahit masama. Ang isang paraan ay ang illegal na pag-hack ng mga sites, gawaing itinuturing ng mga hacker na isang prestihiyosong kaalaman. May mga hantaran pang umaamin na sila ay hacker dahil maraming tao at kumpanya ang umuupa sa kanila upang makapanira ng kalaban o kakumpetensiya sa negosyo. Yong ibang hacker naman ay pumapasok sa sites ng iba bilang katuwaan lang o para patunayan na sila ay magaling. Sa ganitong gawain ay may mga sinuswerte rin, tulad ng Pilipinong nag-hack ng IT system ng Pentagon. Sa simula ay kinastigo siya, pero kalaunan ay kinuha na lang ng Pentagon upang mapakinabangan ang kanyang katalinuhan.

Ang iba namang “magagaling” ay gustong kumita sa pamamagitan ng panloloko. Ang mga paraan ay, ang paggamit ng email kung saan ay magpapadala sila ng mga nakakaiyak na kuwento ng kanilang buhay upang makapag-solicit ng tulong; pakikipagkaibigan upang mapagamit sila ng bank account ng kinakaibigan na paglalagakan kuno ng perang minana nila; pagpapadala ng email message tungkol sa isang pasyente sa ospital na kailangang operahan kaya nakikiusap sa pinadalhan na ikalat ang message dahil kapag ginawa ito, bawat isang message na ipinadala sa isang kaibigan ay may katumbas na pisong didiretso sa isang account, kaya kung mag-viral ang message dahil sa dugtung-dugtong na koneksiyon ng mga may-ari ng emails, siguradong hindi lang 1 milyong piso ang malilikom; pagbebenta sa internet ng mga kalakal lalo na gadgets, subalit kapag nakapaglagak na ng bayad sa ibinigay na bank account ang niloko ay parang bulang mawawala ang on-line seller.

Ano pa nga ba’t ang magandang layunin sana ng teknolohiya ay sinira ng mga taong may mala-demonyong pag-iisip. Dahil sa mga nangyayari ngayon, nagkaroon ng agam-agam o takot ang mga internet users sa pagpadala ng mga mahahalagang impormasyon sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay tulad ng numero ng passport, mga kopya ng dokumento, bank account number, numero ng telepono, at pati address ng bahay o negosyo. Yong isa ngang mayabang, nag-post lang ng kopya ng kanyang First Class plane ticket at boarding pass sa facebook ay nakuhanan na ng mga personal na detalye tulad ng contact number at address ng bahay na nakapaloob pala sa “bar code” ng boarding pass gamit ang isang skimming device na gawa sa China! Kaya habang nagliliwaliw ang mayabang at ang pamilya niya, inakyat-bahay sila! Nangyayari ito kapag ang pasahero ay miyembro ng promo program na nangangailangan ng mga personal niyang impormasyon, kaya ang pangalan niya ay naka-connect sa information archive ng information system ng airline.

Ang epekto ng teknolohiya sa tao ay hindi nalalayo sa epekto ng mga inimbentong bagay na magdudulot sana ng kaginhawaan sa buhay ng tao. Ang gamot halimbawa, ay inimbento upang makapagpahaba ng buhay, subalit inabuso, kaya may namamatay dahil sa overdose o maling paggamit. Ang baril ay inimbento sana upang maging proteksiyon subalit ginamit sa katarantaduhan. Ang dinamita na gagamitin lang sana sa pagpasabog lang ng malalaking tipak ng bato upang hind maging hadlang sa ginagawang kalsada sa gilid ng bundok ay ginamit sa maling pangingisda at terorismo. Ganon din ang ginawa sa marami pang inimbentong ginamit na pagpuksa ng kapwa-tao at kalikasan. At, lahat ng iyan ay nangyayari dahil sa pagkagahaman ng tao  na umiiral sa mundo!



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The Impressive Staff of Jollibee Buendia/LRT Branch

The Impressive Staff of Jollibee Buendia/LRT Branch
By Apolinario Villalobos

I will never tire of writing about inspiring people out there whose diligence in their job is just remarkable, as I keep on encountering them. One of them was MS. JHENNY AVILA, cashier of the Jollibee Buendia/LRT Branch. I was impressed by how she was able to convince me to take breakfast despite my intention to just have a cup of coffee on the morning I dropped by the said burger outlet. Smiling her sweetest, she practically, insisted that I try any of their breakfast offerings, so I opted for the double pancake and coffee. She just showed how an aggressive sales talk can win over a hesitant customer.

I was further surprised by the presence of MR. VINCENT MACHADO behind me who was waiting for my move to proceed to my chosen seat…and, without much ado, he asked that he carry my tray for me. Again, another trademark of Jolibee surfaced. His act was followed by the efficiently smooth move of MS. MAYLENE ORONGAN to clear the table to give way to my tray. I knew that what they did were routine and also being done by the crew of any burger joint, especially, their competitor. But there was something in how they smiled to customers that made the difference.

My good impression about the Jolibee service did not end there, as I had an opportunity to talk to one of the duty supervisors for the shift, MR. AYZON HERNANDEZ, working in tandem with MS. JENNICA TOLEDO, another supervisor. Both were a standout in their distinct striped light blue uniform. Mr. Hernandez, confided that he, too, worked his way up since he joined Jollibee as a struggling crew and who had to attend classes after his duty, that is why he felt so much for the new generation of working students Today, the branch according to him has five “scholars”, with Maylene as one of them. Jollibee accordingly, is known for this education-bound advocacy, one of the reasons perhaps, why the joint is so blessed!

Practically, the whole staff of Jollibee seemed to be well-rounded in their job as I observed that everybody knew how to handle the job of a colleague, so that the whole operation looked well-orchestrated. For instance, Mr. Machado and Ms. Orongan opened the door for customers if they were not busy carrying trays and cleaning tables. Both supervisors, Mr. Hernandez and Ms. Toledo also did cashiering, and even the guard pitched in …it was a show of a smooth spontaneous cooperation that ensued as if on unspoken cue. If only other service-oriented outlets could be like Jollibee, I don’t think that there would be an unsatisfied customer, at all!








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The Dynamic Streak of Asia United Bank (AUB) Reaches Buendia Avenue Extension (Pasay City)

The Dynamic Streak of ASIA UNITED BANK (AUB)
Reaches Buendia Avenue Extension (Pasay City)
By Apolinario Villalobos

The first time I was impressed by the service of the Asia United Bank (AUB) was when it took over my former depository bank at Rotonda, Bacoor City in Cavite. I almost decided to cancel my accounts but I changed my mind when I met its first branch manager. A few months later, another branch manager took over, Ms. Nanette Quincena whose typically aggressive salesmanship further bolstered my trust.

When the AUB decided to expand its operation to cover the Pasay area, it opened a branch along the Buendia Avenue extension, between Harrison and Leveriza Streets, on September 20, 2016, with the deployment of Ms. Quincena as the first Branch Manager tasked to lay down the foundation. She has been expecting a tough job as along the stretch of Buendia are also other reputable banks. Nevertheless, she considers the situation as a challenge which she can hurdle, together with equally aggressive, Ms. Gemmalou Ortega, the Field Sales Officer, with whom she confers every morning before the latter starts her sales calls.

Interesting to note is the fact that AUB pioneered the paperless transaction in the country with the use of the Virtual Teller Kiosk (VTK) which resulted to a resounding success. At the Buendia branch, the VTK occupies a prominent space which easily catches the attention of the customers. The transaction via the VTK, has likewise, reduced the queuing time considerably.

What impressed me most is how the bank starts the day with a heartfelt prayer, in which everybody joins – the guard, Utility/Messenger, the Operations staff, such as Richard Dumayas, the Service Manager; Gemmalou Ortega, the Field Sales Officer; Jowell Agaban, Counter Teller; and Jean Marie Padua who handles the New Accounts Section. I found out too, that the youthful staffs are all from prestigious schools known for their scholars – Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila (PLM), University of Makati (UMak), and New Era University (NEU).

According to Ms. Quincena, the bank maintains its high standards with the support of its consistent utilization of every available banking technology and young recruits who are willing to learn the intricacies of the industry and most especially, are willing to grow with their chosen benefactor. The bank’s investment in human capital so far has been successful, as consistent show of diligence on their part has been very prominent.

On October 31, 2016, Asia United Bank is celebrating its 19th year of success. By then, and onward, Ms. Quincena is expecting more challenges that she aims to clear, to significantly improve the steady growth of the Branch… but of course, with the cohesive co-operation of the whole Buendia Branch Team!


By the way, Asia United Bank is proudly 100% Filipino!






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On the Filipino Dignity and Self-Respect

ON THE FILIPINO DIGNITY AND SELF-RESPECT
By Apolinario Villalobos


President Rodrigo Duterte, with animated emotion, declared that he does not want his country to be trampled on just like a doormat by America. His declaration is very timely as, since the Spanish colonization, the Filipinos have been treated like slaves. And, when the Americans took over, they did the same - treating the Philippine archipelago as their “garden” where they can reap the produce anytime they want for their dinner table. During the Spanish regime, vast areas of the country, except Mindanao, were divided among the friars and the Spanish immigrants as “encomiendas”. When America took over, and in time, supposedly gave the long-overdue liberty to the Filipinos, they tainted their act with deceit by inserting the disgusting “parity rights” in the Philippine Constitution. In short, while the Spanish colonization was grossly masked with religion, that of the Americans was with “freedom and rights”.

Ever since, the Philippines became “independent”, nobody among the presidents until the time of Benigno Aquino III, ever noticed that the Filipinos have been suffering from the trauma that resulted from trampled dignity which practically shattered their self-respect. Unfortunately, SOME of those who enjoy the “blessings” via US visa and Green Card cannot accept this fact. The enforced influence is so ingrained in the consciousness of the Filipinos that it has brought forth the word, “stateside”, which means “nice things from America”…which further means, that nothing is better than “stateside”.

I have nothing against America and anything American. What I am disgusted at is how the leadership of America and even many Americans, themselves, continue to have a negative impression about the Philippines and her people who, for them are overly- dependent on their “big white brothers”. I am also disgusted at SOME Filipinos who suddenly became “American” upon setting foot on American soil. SOME of them pretend to have forgotten their dialect, the taste of saluyot, alugbate, ginamos, tuyo, etc. SOME even ask, “why is YOUR president (Duterte) like that?”, as if their skin is not brown or that it transformed into a sickly paleness only after quaffing skin whitening drugs. There is nothing wrong with those of course, FOR AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT FORGET THAT THEY ARE FILIPINOS DESPITE THEIR U.S. VISA AND GREEN CARD, AND MOST ESPECIALLY, THEY DO NOT DESPISE THE COUNTRY OF THEIR BIRTH, JUST BECAUSE THE NEW PRESIDENT CUSSES!

Those who deny their being a Filipino are losing their dignity and self-respect. THE U.S. VISA AND THE GREEN CARD CANNOT SUPPLANT THE FILIPINO BLOOD THAT FLOWS IN THEIR VEINS….THEY SHOULD REMEMBER THAT, IF THEY ARE WISE ENOUGH. They forgot that foremost among their plans when they went to America was to earn dollars to be sent back home to their family, for which they toil hard night and day by maintaining many jobs, and losing sleep in the process. The problem with SOME of them is that they deny this fact. How can those back home, understand their sacrifice if they keep this information from them which results to their family’s assuming that they are just picking up dollars in America, as if they are picking up shells on the seashore?

The impressive diligence and dependability of the Filipinos in America have not totally erased the bad impression about the country as demeaning comments can still be found in the internet, especially, with the emergence of Rodrigo Duterte as the new President…and all because of his cussing and brashness. His guts did not spare the American president, Obama, and the European Union because they dipped their fingers into what Duterte is doing to eradicate the illegal drug problem in the country. All of a sudden, Filipinos in America became apprehensive because they might be affected which shows their lack of self-confidence. The two governments are involved in the issue, and not the business sector, although, the bosses of Filipinos who may be dishonest and not diligent enough in their job will now have a reason to kick them out.


Duterte should be admired for his courage and aggressive desire to restore the dignity of the Filipinos that has long been trampled by their colonizers. Instead of lambasting him with unfair judgments, his detractors should wake up and face the reality that what the country needs today is a paramount cooperation among the Filipinos, for which the detractors should extend their hand. If they cannot do it…the big question is WHY?

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Ang "Cremation"

ANG “CREMATION”
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Nahahati ngayon ang mga Katoliko dahil sa isyu ng “cremation” na ang kautusan ay galing sa Vatican. Bawal nang i-cremate ang bangkay ng Katoliko upang ang abo ay maiuwi sa bahay o mapaghati-hatian ng mga naiwang mahal sa buhay at gawing pendant o palawit ng kuwintas. Dapat ay ilagak sa sementeryo o sa columbarium na pinapagawa ng mga simbahan ngayon. Panibagong negosyo kaya ito ng simbahang Katoliko? Sa mga sementeryo namang pampubliko ang mga patung-patong na mga “apartment” ay umaabot na sa sampung palapag kaya kailangang maghagdan pa ang mga namatayan upang makapagtirik ng kandila. Ang lalong masaklap ay ang maaaring pagkaroon nila ng “stiff neck” dahil sa katitingala sa “apartment” ng kanilang patay  na nasa bandang itaas, upang masigurong hindi mahipan ng hangin ang kandila!
  
Walang sinasabi ang Bibliya tungkol sa cremation o pagsunog sa bangkay. Ang pinaniniwalaan ng mga Katoliko ay tungkol sa “resurrection of the body” kaya dapat buo ang bangkay kung ilibing. Pero, ang tanong: mabubuo ba uli o mare-“resurrect” ang naagnas nang bangkay pagdating ng “araw ng paghukom”, kung totoo mang meron nito? Hindi kaya magkakagulo dahil ang mga bangkay na naging lupa na ay magkakapormang katawan na naman at maglalakad sa ibabaw ng mundo?

Sa panahon ngayon, ang magagastos sa “disenteng” pagpapalibing ay halos umaabot na sa 100 thousand pesos. Samantala, kung ipa-cremate lang ang bangkay, hindi pa aabot sa 50 thousand pesos ang magagastos, at dahil maiuuwi ang abo ay araw-araw pang madadasalan. Ang mga kaanak na nakatira sa malalayong lugar ay maaari pang makapag-uwi ng ilang kurot ng abo upang magamit na pendant kaya kahit hindi na sila mag-uuwian kung araw ng mga patay ay okey lang. Ano ngayon ang praktikal?

Ang nakasaad sa Lumang Tipan (Old Testament) ng Bibliya ay ang paglibing agad ng bangkay bago lumubog ang araw na sinusunod ng mga Muslim dahil nakalagay din ito sa Koran. Subalit sa kapanahunan ni Abraham, nauso ang pagburol ng bangkay upang paglamayan na ang tagal ay depende sa yaman ng namatayan. Ibig sabihin, nagkakasalungat ang nakalagay sa Bibliya. Noon ay malawak pa ang mga bakanteng lupa na pwedeng paglibingan ng mga patay at kahit sa kuweba ay pwede na, subalit ngayon ay hindi na dahil kahit ang taong buhay ay nakikitulog na rin sa ibabaw ng mga nitso!

Batay sa kasaysayan ay talagang ginagawa ang pagsunog sa bangkay, subalit ito ay gawain ng mga pagano. Para consistent ang simbahang Katoliko, dahil halos lahat naman ng ginagawa nito ay hango sa tradisyong pagano, sana ay hayaang magdesisyon ang namatayan kung iuuwi sa bahay ang abo o ilalagak sa columbarium ng simbahan. Wala naman daw kaparusahang kaakibat ang utos ng Vatican dahil wala naman itong paraan upang malaman kung sinunod o sinuway ang kautusan. Kung ganoon ay bakit pa naglabas nito kung inaasahan din lang na masusuway ng maraming Katoliko na may praktikal na pananaw sa buhay? Kung ang kasagraduhan nga ng kasal ay nasisira, ang tungkol sa cremation pa kaya? Pati mga dokumento ng kasal at binyag ay napepeke na rin dahil sa kagalingan ng makabagong teknolohiya, kaya ano pa ang silbi ng pag-iingay na ito ng Vatican tungkol sa kung ano ang dapat gawin sa bangkay na wala nang silbi dahil ang sinasabing kaluluwa na bigay ng Diyos ay nakawala na mula dito?

Ang may pinakamakabuluhang magagawa ng Vatican ay ang pagbigay ng pansin sa “day off” ng mga pari tuwing Lunes kaya bawal ang pagpabendesyun ng patay sa simbahan sa araw na yan, at ang ginamit na dahilan ay upang makapagpahinga kuno ang staff ng kumbento, ganoong silang mga pari mismo ang may gusto nito. Ilang staff ba ng kumbento ang magsusulat sa record book o maghahanda ng mga forms para pirmahan ng namatayan? Ilang pari ba ang magmimisa at magbabasbas ng patay? Kung isa lang naman, ay bakit hindi gumawa ng magkahiwalay na iskedyul ng day- off para sa parish priest at assistant niya, pati sa mga staff ng kumbento upang sa loob ng isang buong linggo ay palaging may nagbabantay sa kumbento at may pari din? Dahil sa “day-off” na yan, para na ring pinapatigil ng simbahang Katoliko ang pag-inog ng mundo ng mga miyembro nila ng isang araw sa loob ng isang linggo!

Hindi pwedeng sabihing “tao lang sila at kailangan ng pahinga”, dahil dapat ay alam nilang ang pinasok nilang propesyon ay “spiritual” kaya nangangailangan ng sakripisyo. Kung mahina ang katawan nila sa ganitong uri ng propesyon, maghubad sila ng sotana at pumasok sa ordinaryong trabaho sa opisina o kung saan man….lalo na ngayong naglilipana ang mga Call Centers!


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Ang Pagkagusto sa Bagay o Tao

Posted on Tuesday, 25 October 2016

ANG PAGKAGUSTO SA BAGAY O TAO
Ni Apolinario Villalobos


Hindi lahat ng tungkol sa isang bagay o tao ay nagugustuhan natin. Sa mga prutas at gulay ay may mga bahagi silang hindi natin kinakain, ganoon din sa isda at karne. May mga ugali rin ang ating asawa na hindi natin gusto subalit pinagtitiyagaan na lang ang pakikisama sa kanila kahit may kaakibat na dusa dahil sa sinumpaang pangako at pinirmahang kontrata. May mga ugali ang ating mga anak na hindi rin natin gusto, no choice tayo, kundi tanggapin na lang ang buo nilang pagkatao dahil inilabas na sila ng kanilang ina,….alangan namang ibalik pa sila sa sinapupunan nito. Maski sa ating sariling pagkatao ay may mga characteristics din tayong hindi natin gusto kaya naiinggit tayo sa iba. Halimbawa, ayaw natin ng ilong nating pango kaya naiinggit tayo sa ibang may matangos na ilong, ang ating pagkapandak kaya naiinggit tayo sa matatangkad, etc.

Maski sa bayan kung saan tayo ipinanganak, may mga bagay doon na ayaw natin kaya ayaw nating balikan, pero dahil required na ilagay ito sa mga application form at bio-data ay wala tayong magagawa kundi talagang isulat na lang. Sa relihiyon ay ganoon din dahil may mga Katolikong ayaw magsimba sa mismong simbahan nila… ayaw kasi nila ang style ng pari sa pag-sermon, pero dahil Katoliko nga, no choice kundi tanggapin na lang si Father, dahil baka magalit si God. Sa trabaho ay ganoon din…ang workplace halimbawa ay ayaw natin dahil maraming lamok, at ang boss ay ubod na nga ng pangit ang ugali ay pangit pa ang mukha!...pero no choice pa rin tayo dahil mahirap maghanap ng trabaho ngayon.

GANYAN DIN DAPAT ANG TURING NATIN KAY DUTERTE. AYAW NATIN ANG KANYANG PAGMUMURA PERO DAHIL GUSTO NIYANG MAWALA ANG BISYO NG DROGA SA PILIPINAS O KAHIT MABAWASAN MAN LANG NG MALAKI AY I-LIKE NA LANG NATIN SIYA. KAHIT MUKHA SIYANG SANGGANO O BUTANGERO, SIGE NA LANG, DAHIL ANG KATAPANGAN NIYANG ITO ANG KINATATAKUTAN NG MGA HINAYUPAK NA MGA RAPIST, DRUG PUSHERS, DRUG LORD AT IBA PANG KRIMINAL.

Habang nabubuhay tayo sa ibabaw ng mundo, wala tayong magugustuhan na 100%. Kung minsan nga pati Diyos na gumawa ng lahat-lahat ay pinagkakatampuhan natin dahil sa mga nangyayaring kalamidad….at lalo tayong nagagalit sa kanya kapag nagsunud-sunod ang kamalasan sa ating buhay, sabay tanong ng, “WHY ME, LORD”?

Sino ngayon ang unfair?...ang Diyos na hindi patas sa pagbigay ng mga biyaya?...si Duterte na sinisisi dahil sa pagkamatay ng mga drug pushers na nang-estapa ng pambayad na kinuha sa drug pusher kaya sila ay binalutan ng packing tape sa mukha at tinadtad ng saksak o pinaulanan ng bala?


Para walang problema, iwasang magkagusto sa mga bagay-bagay o mga tao nang buong todo!...upang kung maging disappointed ay hindi rin todo-todo ang sakit na mararamdaman.

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Peter Mercado and Ms. Dudz Espejo...carrying on the traditional "PAL TPC" with other Ex-PALers at Sky Logistics-Philippines

PETER MERCADO AND MS. DUDZ ESPEJO…
CARRYING ON THE TRADITIONAL “PAL TPC”
WITH OTHER EX-PALers AT SKY LOGISTICS-Philippines
By Apolinario Villalobos

Many former employees of Philippine Airlines and patrons of the airline will never forget the company’s catchphrase, “Total Passenger Care” or simply, “TPC”. It was the spirit of the airline’s total operations that bound the employees into one cohesive “family” with one goal – to satisfy the customers. In time, however, as dictated by the trend that prevails in the airline industry, turnovers become inevitable, one of which affected the airport operation. Check-in counters that were used to be manned by PAL employees are now taken over by young men and women of the Sky Logistics. Fortunately, many former employees were taken in by the company, and among them were Peter Mercado and Ms. Dudz Espejo, Duty Manager and Supervisor, respectively at the NAIA Terminal 2.

Peter spent a good 20 years of his life with Philippine Airlines while Ms. Dudz spent 25 years of her own. Interestingly, Ms. Dudz is also the better half of Palomo, who used to be among the trusted supervisors of Philippine Airlines. Just like the rest of those who were fortunate to have been part of the “Golden Years” of the airline, their persona is imbibed with the “TPC” tradition that made the airline well-known in the industry both in the Philippines and abroad. The said service trademark has helped in attracting tourists to the country in the 1980’s, during which competition among exotic destinations in Asia was at its peak. Those were the years when the Department of Tourism was in close alliance with the airline, thanks to the late Ricardo Paloma, RVP for Philippines and Guam, who was known in the local airline industry as “Mr. Tourism” due to his ardent effort to promote local touristic destinations.

I personally experienced the TPC touch from Peter when I was on standby for an available space in my chosen flight. He did not know me personally, though like him, I also had a precious opportunity to work for the airline. I failed to make a booking for my ticket 24 hours before my flight, hoping that there would be no problem which proved to be a wrong assumption. It was only when he glanced at my ticket and my short self- introduction that he came to know about my former job. Smilingly, he put me at ease and promised to be back after attending to other passengers. He was practically covering the whole ground of the check-in area, being the Duty Manager during that shift.


As regards Ms. Dudz Espejo, I was touched by her coolness when she attended to a lady passenger who almost missed her flight in the morning of October 24, 2016 during which I was at the same counter trying to check in for my flight to Davao. As the Supervisor on duty during the time, she was monitoring the check-in operations via her computer, but despite the pressure, she attended to the lady whose voice was trembling due to her apprehension that she might miss her flight. She picked up the phone and called up several parties until finally giving instruction to the lady passenger to proceed inside the Pre-departure area…all done in a very assuring demeanor and a soothing smile. That incident brought back to my mind, the day she also assisted me, due to the critical load of the flight that I was going to take. 



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A Glance at the Passenger Handling of the Sky Logistics-Philippines at the Manila NAIA Terminal 2 and its Ex-PALers

A Glance at the Passenger Handling
of the Sky Logistics-Philippines at the Manila NAIA Terminal 2
and its Ex-PALers
By Apolinario Villalobos

Anybody who is observant will never miss the stylish women of Sky Logistics in their midi chic dark blue, red-bordered and short-sleeved uniform. The color of the figure-hugging dress, tastefully designed, complements those of Philippine Airlines. The company’s men are in white shirt and dark blue slacks, with the Duty Managers and Supervisors in their long-sleeved shirts or Barong Tagalog. The lady supervisors on the other hand, don an off-brown uniform but with similar figure-hugging cut.

The grace in the purposeful strides of the women who move with ease and promptness despite their semi-high heeled shoes is simply impressive. As the counters open at 2AM, the now-famous “Mabuhay!” greeting resonates at the right wing of the check-in area from those assigned at the Business counters led by the Duty Manager. The routine has been captured by many cell phone cameras and posted on facebook, both by local and foreign passengers of Philippine Airlines. Each shift is also preceded by a briefing of all the concerned staff, conducted by the Duty Manager inside the Operations Office that used to be the office/lounge of the PAL Customer Relations Office-NAIA.

At the east end of the Check-in Area is the Waitlist or Standby Counter which is always attended by several staff even before the Check-in counters open. A door beside the counter leads to the offices of the General Manager-Manila and President, minimally furnished, though with a truly business ambience that can be felt by the visitor as he enters.

The Boarding counter at the Pre-Departure Area comes to life at least two hours, as I observed, before the boarding time. By then, passengers can have all the opportunities for clarifications that they wish to ask regarding their flight. The ever-attentive staff on the other hand, never gets tired of answering questions with a smile.  Still observably, those who have attended to the checking in passengers are also the ones who assist them on the boarding of their plane. It is bi-tasking at its best. I also saw a trim and pretty lady staff at the Check-in counter expertly pull a heavy luggage towards the moving conveyor without losing a bit of her balance while teetering on  her  semi-high heeled shoes!...a show of elegance with muscle!

The most acidic test for the nerve and patience of the Sky Logistics staff was experienced when the Terminal 2 suffered from a “system breakdown” many months back, that forced them to check-in the passengers manually – virtually, a tedious and exhaustive task. With few hitches that were expected due to the domino effect of delayed flights, the team was able to endure the technical storm.

At the airport, the Sky Logistics women, imposing in their elegant and chic uniform, as well as, the smartly- groomed men,   virtually carry the name and logo of Philippine Airlines, a tough and heavy responsibility, as it entails the projection of the shining image of the country’s flag carrier. Fortunately, Sky Logistics made the best decision in hiring the airline’s former executive, managers, supervisors, and counter handling staff.

The ex-PALers who serve as the moving spirit behind the operations are, Francisco V. Yngente, who used to be PAL’s Vice-President for Airport Operations and is now its President; Marcial (Bunny) T. Gamalinda,  Executive Assistant of the President; Analyn Castro;  Marc Erik T. Lim; Jose Javier; Peter Mercado; Dudz Espejo; Aileen Valero; Danny Baniqued; Jose Javier; Farah David; Tony Palencia; George Sarmiento; Fred Torre; Gerry Aquino; Victoria Guevarra; Loly Pancho- Moreno; Marianne Bringas; Adrialen Navarra; Madonna Gantuangco; Tina Lopez; Louvelle Capati; Alexandra Gonzales; Solleza Francisco; Pedro Oreta; Chinkee Maballo; Noel Corsino; Pat Manongson; Jan Gonzales; Rico Marquez; Alfred Abian; Cherrie Silverstre; Ambo Estrella; Federico Peἧalosa; Jhonas Nambio; Vladimir Buenaventura; Fe Oliver; Reynario Ledesma; Lemmuel Reboya; Bong Lazaga; and, Ramon Alonzo (there could be names that I have inadvertently missed, but will be added later).

The aforementioned ex-PALers developed their expertise spontaneously while on duty and when they underwent regular seminars when they were still with the flag carrier. Such hard-earned skill made them more than qualified for the various jobs entrusted to them by Sky Logistics. And, on their daily bonding with the fresh recruits, they are able to unselfishly share their precious airline operations knowledge with them.

According to Mr. Yngente, Sky Logistics President, they dispense their jobs in accordance with the high service standards of Philippine Airlines. Further to this, he mentioned about the desire of the airline’s current President, Mr. Jimmy Bautista to really have some kind of a melding of their service, in such a way that customers will not feel or notice that while at the ticket office, PAL employees serve them, at the airport, the Sky Logistics staff check them in for their flight. In this regard, all employees of Sky Logistics start by having chic and smart personality followed by a distinctive service that smack of total care for passengers, to deeply impress an image in their mind, to ensure their coming back.  As what the flag carrier would want to happen, it should be one that could “shine through”… just outstanding all the way! It must be, because at the airport, for the ordinary passenger, they are known simply, as “PAL”. I personally learned about this impression when I heard a passenger tell his companion, “kausapin mo yong babaeng taga-PAL na naka-blue at may hawak na radio” (talk to the PAL lady in blue holding a radio).

Finally, there is no other better and remarkable way to give this impression on the spot, than initiating each shift with a resonant welcome of “Mabuhay!” from their heart!
















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Ang Iba't Ibang Uri ng "Relasyon", si Duterte, at ang Pilipinas

Posted on Sunday, 23 October 2016

ANG IBA’T IBANG URI NG “RELASYON”, SI DUTERTE
AT ANG PILIPINAS
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Maraming uri ng relasyon. May mga relasyon na hindi dapat bigyan ng masamang kahulugan dahil “magkakaibigan” lang..walang malisya. Meron namang relasyon na nagsimula sa pagiging magkaibigan hanggang nagkahulugan ng loob kaya nabahiran ng karnal na pagnanasa sa isa’t isa…kaya “nagka-ibigan”.  May mga relasyon din na umusbong dahil sa pagka-manyak ng babae o lalaki, kaya ang pinaglaruang pagparaos ng kalibugan ay naging bisyo, at ang masama ay nakaperhuwisyo pa ng iba, tulad ng ginawa ng isang kilalang babaeng deny to death pa rin ng kanyang kakatihan sa katawan kaya nagkaweng-kaweng ang mga epekto, lalo na sa pagkalat ng droga!

Sa relasyon ng mga bansa, ang palaging isinasaalang-alang ay ang kinakatigang ideyolohiya na kung hindi malayang Demokrasya ay mapanupil na Komunismo. Ang isa pang kinokonsidera ay ang pananampalataya ng mga mamamayan na kung hindi nakaugat sa Kristiyanismo (Christianity) ay sa Islamika (Islamic Faith) naman.

Ang Pilipinas ay may makulay at mayamang kulturang nabahiran ng iba’t ibang kalinangan ng ibang bansa, at sa ugat naman ng mga mamamayan ay nananalaytay ang dugo ng iba’t ibang lahi. Subalit dahil matagal ang pagkasakop ng mga Kastila at Amerikano sa Pilipinas,  sila ang tumatak sa kaisipan ng mundo na may malakas na impluwensiya sa bansa at mga Pilipino. May isang libro tungkol sa mga bansa na nagsabing ang “spoken language” ng mga Pilipino noong 1950’s ay Kastila maliban sa Tagalog. Sa pag-usad ng panahon sa ilalim ng Amerika, napalitan ang Espanyol ng Ingles at pilit pang sinapawan ang Tagalog, dahil sa mga eskwelahan, pinilit ang mga mag-aaral na magsalita ng Ingles lamang sa loob ng paaralan.

Sa tagal ng relasyon ng Pilipinas sa Espanya, naging Katoliko ang karamihan ng mga Pilipino. Nang makipagrelasyon naman sa Amerika, ang ibang Katoliko ay naging Protestante. Pagdating sa pagpapatakbo ng bansa, naging “palaasa” o “dependent” ang Pilipinas sa Amerika dahil mismong ang halos kabuuan ng Saligang Batas nito ay kinopya sa ginagamit ng Amerika. Maliban diyan, mismong Amerika ang nagpanukala ng ganitong “dependence” o pagpaasa sa mga Pilipino sa kanya. Ang tingin kasi ng mga Amerikano sa mga Pilipino ay “helpless little brown brothers” na kailangang diktahan, o kaya ay bulyawan at paluin kung nagkamali, at kailangan pang hawakan ang mga kamay upang matugaygayan (guided properly).

Dahil sa matagal na relasyon ng Pilipinas sa dalawang bansa, ang  naging kaisipan ng Pilipino ay para bang wala nang ibang magaling na relihiyon kundi Katolisismo. At, sa pagpapatakbo naman ng gobyerno, wala nang pinakamagaling kundi ang itinuro ng Amerika. Subali’t ngayon, sa buong Timog Silangang Asya, napapag-iwanan ang Pilipinas kahit sa simpleng agrikultura na ang pagpapakadalubhasa sa pagtanim ng palay ay itinuturo sa International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) sa Pilipinas. Ang mga kalapit-bansa ng Pilipinas ay mabilis ang pag-usad sa kabila ng kanilang dalisay na kulturang walang bahid o impluwensiya ng nakaraang mananakop nila tulad ng Inglatera (Great Britain) at Pransiya (France).  Ang mga kalapit-bansang ito ng Pilipinas, na Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, at Vietnam ay hindi Kristiyano at ang isa ay Komunista.

Ngayon, dahil sa ginagawa ni Duterte na putulin ang nakasanayang relasyon sa bansang Amerika na animo ay naging tanikalang pumipigil sa pag-usad ng Pilipinas, tinawag siyang “bobo”, madaldal, “tactless”, at kung anu-ano pa. Dahil sa adhikain niyang magkaroon ng sariling kapita-pitagang imahe ang Pilipinas sa harap ng ibang bansa, marami ang bumatikos sa kanya. Ang malaking katanungan ay: sino ba sa mga pinalitan niyang presidente ang may ganitong maka-Pilipino o makabayang adhikain at panuntunan? Ang inakala noong maganda ang layunin ni Marcos para sa “Bagong Lipunan” ng Pilipino ay naging diktador naman.

Malimit banggitin ng mga bumabatikos sa kanya ang Call Centers o BPO ng mga Amerikano na kapag nagsarahan ay magdudulot ng kagutuman sa mga Pilipino. Paano silang aalis sa Pilipinas ganoong kumikita sila ng malaki sa mga negosyong ito,  at ang suweldong kinikita ng mga Pilipino ay may katumbas ding hirap nila at tiyaga kaya walang dapat ituring na utang na loob sa isa’t isa…kung baga ay, “give and take” ang sistema. Ang hindi napansin ng mga bumabatikos na ito ay ang matagal nang pagsara ng maraming kumpanyang Amerikano, subalit ang kanilang pagkawala ay hindi naramdaman at hindi nakaapekta sa ekonomiya ng bansa.



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The Various "Relationships", Duterte, and the Philippines

THE VARIOUS “RELATIONSHIPS”, DUTERTE, AND THE PHILIPPINES
By Apolinario Villalobos

There are various kinds of relationship. One of these is based on simple friendship devoid of malice. Another is that which, though, started with the simple friendship, has developed into one with carnal desire for each other. There is also a relationship that started with flings for sexual release by those who are innately maniacal in their desire, but which could unfortunately affect others, just like what a woman, supposedly of respectable repute did, and whose nymphomanic desire resulted to scandalous and uncontrolled spread of illegal drugs.

As regards the relationship among nations, given foremost consideration is their kind of ideology that could be founded on the liberal Democracy or oppressive Communism. Another consideration is the people’s Faith, which could either be rooted in Christianity or Islam.

The Philippines has a varicolored and rich culture for having been tainted with those of other nations in the past that made the blood of other races flow through the veins of the Filipinos. In view, however, of the considerably long domination of Spain and America over the Philippines, their respective influence has left a deep impression on the image of the country, as viewed by the rest of the world. In this regard, a book on the spoken international language of different nations, listed the Philippines in the 1950’s as Spanish-speaking nation. When the Americans took over as colonizers, the Iberian language was supplanted with English which even attempted to dominate Tagalog, as it was forced on students while inside the school campus.

In view of the considerable length of domination by Spain, Catholicism was predominantly observed in the Philippines. When the Americans took over, many were converted into the different Protestant sects. As regards the government, the Philippines’s Constitution has been almost totally copied from that of America, except the form of governance. With that, America practically developed in the Philippines a seemingly total dependence toward her. This is how the nauseating referral to the Filipinos as “helpless little brown brothers” of the white Americans developed, with the latter viewing the former as helpless people who needed to be prevailed upon, reprimanded at all times, and if need be, disciplined with the rod…practically, held by the hand for proper guidance.

Further to the aforementioned long oppression of the Philippines, what has been culled in the mind of the Filipinos is the consciousness that no other religion is better than Catholicism, and no other government is better than what is copied from America. Ironically, the Philippines is lagging behind some of her Southeast Asian neighbors, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam , especially, on rice production despite the fact that their rice scientists and technologists developed their knowledge at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) which is in the Philippines! These nations admirably and successfully made leaps and bounds despite their having remained untainted by their colonizers, Great Britain and France. It should be noted, too, that these nations are not Christian, and one has even become a Communist!

Hecklers of Duterte call him “idiot”, blabber-mouthed, tactless, and many more, just because he wants to free the Philippines from the image of being shackled by America. His avowed advocacy to give the Philippines a new image in the eyes of the world, one that shows her standing on her two feet and free from the influence of any other nation has made Duterte the subject of contempt from all sides. But the big question now is: who among the past presidents has ever showed pro-Filipino or sincere nationalism that he is manifesting? Filipinos thought that Marcos was the right guy with his “New Society”, but he, unfortunately, got derailed when he became a dictator.

The vision of Duterte’s detractors seemed to be just limited to the American-owned Call Centers or BPO’s as they express their apprehension of virtual “famine” in the country if these would eventually pack up because of his anti-American pronouncements. On the contrary, how can these American investors leave the country where they are reaping financial returns beyond their expectation? Their relationship with the Filipinos who work for them, and who show sincerity in their job can be viewed as one which is symbiotic or an unwritten “give and take” system. What the detractors failed to notice still, is that, although, many American firms have already left the country in quest for cheaper labor in China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, their exodus did not affect the economy of the Philippines, or to the very least…felt, as the Filipinos are known for their pliant flexibility and endurance.


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Tungkol pa rin sa Impractical na K-12 Program

Posted on Thursday, 20 October 2016

TUNGKOL PA RIN SA IMPRACTICAL NA K-12 PROGRAM
Ni Apolinario Villalobos


KUNG TALAGANG SERYOSO ANG GOBYERNO SA PAGTULONG SA MGA MAHIHIRAP NA MAGKAROON NG TRABAHO AGAD, POSIBLE NAMAN ITO KAHIT HINDI NA NAGKAROON NG K-12 PROGRAM. SA DATING SISTEMA, PAGKATAPOS NG 4 NA TAON AY “HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE” NA AT MAY DIPLOMA PA, PERO SA KI-12, MAY KARAGDAGAN PANG 2 TAON BAGO MASABING “HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE” , YON NGA LANG AY MAY PANTUKOY NA “SENIOR”.

NAKAKATAWA ANG PINAPALABAS NG K-12 PROGRAM NA KAILANGAN ANG 2 TAON BAGO MAKAGAWA NG DESISYON ANG ESTUDYANTE KUNG ANONG LARANGAN ANG ANGKOP SA KANYANG TALINO AT KAKAYAHAN SA PAGGASTOS NG KANYANG MAGULANG. ANG 2 TAON AY SOBRA-SOBRA KUNG ANG MGA ITO AY GAGAMITIN SA ANIMO AY “TRIAL AND ERROR” NA PAGPILI.  KUNG SA TESDA O IBA PANG VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS NA BUMABAHA SA MAYNILA MAG-AARAL AGAD ANG ISANG 4-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE, SA LOOB NG ILANG BUWAN LANG, SIYA AY MASASABI NANG DALUBHASA AT MAY CERTIFICATE NA BILANG PATUNAY, AT MALIIT ANG BAYAD. KUNG SA KOLEHIYO NAMAN MAGSE-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, HINDI BABABA 25 THOUSAND ANG BABAYARAN KADA TAON, AT SIYEMPRE IDAGDAG PA DIYAN ANG SASAYANGING 2 TAON!

KUNG MAGTATRABAHO SA IBANG BANSA ANG ISANG PILIPINO, ANG TINI-CHECK AY ANG KANYANG KARANASAN AT MGA CERTIFICATE NG TRAINING DAHIL ANG MADALAS NA INAAPLAYAN AY MGA TRABAHO SA HOTEL, RESTAURANT, OSPITAL, AT BAHAY BILANG DOMESTIC HELPER AT HINDI MGA POSITION NA PANG-MANAGER, KAYA BAKIT PA MAG-EENROL SA UNIBERSIDAD O KOLEHIYO PARA LANG “MAKAPIMILI MUNA” SA LOOB NG 2 TAON, GANOONG ANG AVAILABLE LANG NAMAN AY TUNGKOL SA PAGLULUTO, PAGMEMEKANIKO, PAGLILINIS AT PAG-AAYOS NG BAHAY, PAGKUMPUNI NG COMPUTER, PAG-ASIKASO NG MGA TURISTA – MGA VOCATIONAL COURSES NA PWEDENG MAKUKUHA SA NAPAKAMURANG SEMINAR AT SA LOOB LANG NG ILANG BUWAN?

BULAG YATA ANG GOBYERNO SA KATOTOHANANG NAGPAPALIGSAHAN ANG MGA KOLEHIYO AT UNIBERSIDAD SA PAG-IMBENTO NG KUNG ANU-ANONG KURSO UPANG LALO PANG MAKAPANLOKO NG MGA MAGULANG AT KABATAAN. HALIMBAWA LANG AY ANG KURSO SA LARANGAN NG TURISMO….SA KABILA NG IISANG URI LANG NAMANG TRABAHO NA MAY KINALAMAN SA PAG-ASIKASO SA TURISTA, AY KUNG BAKIT NAPAKADAMING KURSONG DAPAT PAGPIPILIAN SAMANTALANG PARE-PAREHO LANG NAMAN ANG MGA SUBJECTS NA ITINUTURO!

SA K-12, ANG MGA MAY KAKAYAHANG KUMUHA NG MEDISINA, NURSING ABOGASYA, AT IBA PA HALIMBAWA, AY KAILANGAN NANG DUMAAN SA  2 PANG TAONG IDINAGDAG SA SENIOR HIGH, BAGO TULUYANG MAKATAPAK SA COLLEGE LEVEL. KAYA HUMABA NG 2 TAON ANG PANAHONG GUGUGULIN UPANG MAKATAPOS NG MGA NABANGGIT NG KURSO….MAHABANG PANAHONG GAGASUTUSAN NG MGA MAHIHIRAP NA MAGULANG!


SAMANTALA, KUNG ANG HINAHABOL LANG NAMAN NG GOBYERNO AY UPANG MAKAPASOK AGAD SA TRABAHO ANG MGA KABATAANG PILIPINO KAHIT SA LOOB NG PILIPINAS, ANO NGAYON ANG PAKIALAM NG EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM NG IBANG BANSA, NA PILIT NATING GINAGAYA? 

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Speech of Ramonito Pernato, President - Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Posted on Wednesday, 19 October 2016

(RAMONITO PERNATO belongs to the Batch’70 of NDTC Boys High School (Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines). His family popularized the chicken barbecue in Tacurong way back in early days of the 1960s, and which became known as “Mauring’s Barbecue”. He literally worked his way up the social ladder to be where he is now, the 2016-2017 NATIONAL PRESIDENT of the PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTS (PICPA). He is among the “golden products” of Notre Dame that I am personally proud of.)


MESSAGE DELIVERED DURING
THE 71ST PICPA ANNUAL CONVENTION IN DAVAO CITY


Time is running so fast, only to find out that we are all gathered today in Davao City, the venue and the home of the co-host, the PICPA Davao Chapter to celebrate our 71st PICPA Annual National Convention. We have chosen Davao City as the venue over a place in Sultan Kudarat Province, the home of the co-host, the PICPA Sultan Kudarat Chapter because the City has adequate facilities, resources, and various tourist destinations to offer around the Southern Mindanao Region.

The 71st Annual National Convention, as always been said in any annual convention, is a time for us to renew our acquaintances and friendship, share our concerns and issues, our joys and sadness, and to work out on the challenges we are now facing in the volatile and complex business and economic environment.

Despite some hitches as we are moving forward to achieve our goals, this Annual National Convention is also an occasion for all PICPANs as a family to establish or re-invigorate affected relationship so that we can put aside our personal differences and move forward to become more humane and professional.

Also, the 71st Annual National Convention Committee has worked hard and came-out with technical sessions and fellowships which will meet the needs of each PICPAN to “LEVEL UP” and go beyond our comfort zones, and be ready to face the challenges of the times with confidence and competitive spirit.

Daghang Salamat!


Mabuhay ang PICPA!

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Sa Pag-spoil ng Anak, Dusa ang Matatamo

Posted on Monday, 17 October 2016

SA PAG-SPOIL NG ANAK, DUSA ANG MATATAMO
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Mali ang panuntunan ng ilang mga magulang ng mahirap na pamilya na gustong gumawa ng lahat ng paraan upang hindi madanasan ng anak ang hirap na dinanas nila. Dahil diyan, habang lumalaki ang anak ay ni hindi man lang ito nakadanas na mautusang maghugas ng pinggan o magligpit ng pinagkainan o magwalis ng sahig. May mga magulang ding ayaw magpakain sa anak ng gulay o tuyo, kaya di bale nang mangutang basta makabili lang ng hotdog o di kaya ay madala palagi sa Jolibee ang anak upang makakain ng hamburger at ispageti.

Habang lumalaki ang anak, lalong tumitindi ang pag-spoil ng mga magulang na may maling panuntunan. Kahit halos wala nang pamalengke, may mga magulang na sa kagustuhang hindi kuno magmumukhang kawawa ang anak kapag kasama ang mga kalaro ay ibibili ito ng mamahaling laruan kahit nakatambak lang ang mga naipong iba. Sa pagpasok sa eskwela, dapat ay naka-aircon van na school service sa halip na tricycle upang class ang dating dahil mahal nila ang anak. Ayaw ding pakainin ng kaning lamig o sinangag na tawag ng spoiled na anak ay “lumang kanin”. 

Tungkol sa bagay na ito, may isa akong kaibigan na pinagyayabang pa sa pagkuwento ang tungkol sa nagagalit na anak kapag nakita siyang nagsasapaw ng kaning lamig sa sinaing. Kapag ganoon ang ginawa niya, natatawa pang sinasabi ng kaibigan kong ayaw nang kumain ng anak kung hindi ipag-oorder ng pizza-for-delivery. Minsan namang namasyal ako ng maaga sa kumpare ko, pinakape ako at dahil maliit ang bahay, ang pinaka-sala ay kainan na rin nila. Nakita ko ang nakahaing almusal na sinangag, tuyo at piniritong talong. Nang tawagin na nila ang anak ay nagtanong pa ito kung may bagong sinaing, at nang sabihang, may sinangag naman, ang sagot ng anak ay, “yuck!”.

May isa akong alam na pamilyang naghirap dahil sa pag-spoil ng tatlo nilang anak. Naremata na ang bahay ay nakademanda pa sila ng estapa dahil sa hindi pagbayad ng utang. Resulta ang mga nabanggit dahil sa luho ng mga anak. Kahit ordinaryong empleyado ang tatay, bumili ng kotse at iginapang ang buwanang bayad, upang may “service” na magamit sa pagpasok sa eskwela ang mga anak, kahit hindi naman mahirap ang mag-commute mula sa kanila dahil sa dami ng jeep at bus na dumadaan. Nakatapos ang panganay pero nag-asawa agad at sa kanila pa tumira, at ang masaklap, parehong walang trabaho! Ang pangalawa ay nakatapos pero adik naman kaya tamad maghanap ng trabaho. Ang bunso ay nasa high school pa.

Ang misis ay may kanser sa matris kaya matindi ang gamutan. Nawalan din ang tatay ng trabaho dahil ang pinagtrabahuhang travel agency ay nagsara kaya nagdrive na lang ng Uber car. Isinanla nila sa kaibigan ang bahay subalit dahil sa taas ng interes na 3% kada buwan ay umabot sa puntong hindi na nila ito kayang tubusin kaya na-remata. Nakiusap ang mag-asawang mangungupahan na lang upang hindi mapaalis. Pumayag naman ang kaibigan sa halagang 6thousand kada buwan. Tumigil sa pag-aral ang high school na anak, at nalaman nilang nahatak ng barkada upang mag-call boy kaya pala halos hindi na ito umuuwi, hanggang sa magpaalam na itong magbo-board daw sa Pasay sa barkada niya dahil may mapapasukan daw siya malapit doon.

Kaya ko nalaman ang kuwento ng kaibigan ko ay sa akin niya unang inalok ang bahay nila noong isinasanla pa lang nila ito pero tumanggi ako. Kaylan lang ay nagkita uli kami upang sabihan akong patay na ang misis niya at humihingi ng tulong upang maiuwi sa probinsiya ang bangkay. Hindi na ako nagtanong tungkol sa mga anak niya.


Maraming ganyang kuwento ngayon, subalit ang masaklap ay nagmamaang-maangan ang iba na hindi daw nangyayari sa kanila DAHIL HINDI DAW NILA INI-SPOIL ANG ANAK NILA….kaya?

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Vices and Gainful Destruction are Conceived by the Selfish and Evil-Minded

VICES AND GAINFUL DESTRUCTION
ARE CONCEIVED BY THE SELFISH AND EVIL- MINDED
By Apolinario Villalobos

People travel to places after being told by friends that they are worth visiting, aside from reading about them in magazines, both printed and televised…so they spend for it. Their need to see places have been conceived by other people and various forms of media that practically, entice them to embark on an adventure. Without the encouragement, people will not even think of leaving their home because they have no idea that beautiful places exist somewhere.  It is in this manner that the evil-minded have conceived vices for their unsuspecting victims to enjoy, such that, they will attain a euphoric state of satisfaction when they indulge themselves in them. Later, these vices which could be alcohol, cigarette, gambling, and drugs would develop into some sort of necessities of their victims. At the end, the evil-minded have become successful in creating the needs for their victims.

There has been no need for bombs and guns until such need was created by people who thought of gainful destruction. Along with what have been made to attain a selfish motive, the manner, with which they could be used have been conceived, so there are wars and terrorism. Had the evil-minded not brought forth into the world such instrumentalities of destruction, people would have thought of just reaping the grains in the field as they get ripe, hunt for food needed for a day or two, enjoy the moon when it is in its fullest, and worship Nature as a manifestation of a powerful Force….in other words, just lead a simple life, until today.

The tendency of man to abuse has underlined his evil-mindedness. And, because of that, practically, everything that has got to do with life has been abused, such as, kindness, authority, trust, love, Nature, food, water, medicine, animals, plants, mental faculty, etc. His disdainful selfishness has eventually, led him to a gainful destruction that likewise, leads him along the path of self-destruction!