Showing posts with label death. Show all posts

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Understanding Death

Posted on Sunday, 4 March 2018

Understanding Death
By Apolinario Villalobos

For some groups, death is a passage to another life. Others aver that it is a state of just being asleep. The rest, maintains that it is nothing but just the “return of the body to dust”. Rather than be confused as to what it really is,as I might be branded as a heretic, I would rather dwell on its effects.

Death checks the population explosion. Can you imagine if nothing on earth dies? Can you imagine if predators will not prey on animals belonging to the lower strata of wild life? Can you imagine if trees in the forests are left to creep towards all directions? Can you imagine if people of different races do not die of hunger, disease or war? Death, aside from natural calamities is an important segment of a cycle that regulates the “balance” of life on earth.

Death creates heroes. One has to die to become a hero. If Jesus had not died on the cross, would he be considered a hero and redeemer among Christians? Even the early Jews were divided as to how to treat him. The messiah expected by some of them was a warrior who will deliver them from the hands of their oppressors, and not a preacher. He was not even popular in his birthplace, so he decided to go to other places to be able to preach. But, it’s a good thing that he had his disciples who later spread his teachings. Just like Jesus, Muhammad, the founder of Islamic faith faced great odds before his teachings were accepted. His tribe even rejected him, forcing him to go Madinah (known as Yathrib, later, Medina), after 13 years of persecution. It was after he died that his teachings were appreciated. Both died not only as heroes but spiritual leaders whose acts are sincerely emulated by their adherents.

If Ninoy Aquino is living today, would he be considered a hero by Filipinos? Among those that his detractors used against him when he was alive was his being a staunch supporter of Communism in the Philippines. Then, there’s the Hacienda Luisita that haunted even his wife, Cory, up to her deathbed. With the kind of politics that the Philippines has, Ninoy Aquino could have become just like any other politicians trying to survive the squabble in the political arena and thrashes of opponents, in his case, the issues on his ideology and Hacienda Luisita. His death was caused by a “persecution”, because just like Jesus, he was a threat to the one in power. And, because of that, he became a hero among Filipinos who got tired of dictatorship.

Some Filipinos today who are traumatized by the scandals in the government, are wishing for the “resurrection” of Marcos whose administration is now being compared to those who assumed the presidency after his death. They say, though, with a tinge of joke, that during the time of Marcos, corruption was “regulated”, unlike today that those in the government, down to the drivers and messengers, can freely dip their hand in the coffer of the government, even for a flimsy excuse. Some groups are in fact, considering Marcos a hero, because, without him, there would have been no cultural center complex, the Philippine General Hospital would still be the same dilapidated and cramped building that survived WWII, there would have been no kidney, lung and heart centers, etc., etc. etc.

There are still living political icons with significant accomplishments, but they are relegated on the sidelines. They have authored books, pages of which are regularly flipped by students, professionals, and government officials for important information. There are many Filipinos who excel in the fields of literary, arts, science, sports , architecture and technology. Some of them are referred to as “living heroes”, but the reference is with quotation marks which only death can erase.

Death unites families and friends. Members of families whose homes have been broken by misunderstandings that only they know, come together when one of them dies, usually during the wake. Classmates who for decades have no idea how to get in touch with each other suddenly find themselves having a reunion at the wake of a classmate who passed away. Long lost friends and relatives surface during a wake. A morbid joke about the need for a loved one to die before another reunion can be had, oftentimes draws laughs during this occasion.

A death in the family is hard to accept. That is the traditional fact. Sorrow should permeate the air while wake is being held. Those who come are expected to shed a tear. But today, there are bereaved families who even rent a videoke unit to lend a festive air to the occasion. Reason given is that, it is the last wish of the departed.

For some, death is not easy to accept , especially, by those who have amassed wealth. They cannot just take the idea of leaving behind the fruit of their labor. On the other hand, death means financial opportunity for some people – those who work conscientiously long hours in funeral parlors.


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Kabuluhan ng Buhay (para kay Teddy Lapuz)

Posted on Tuesday, 14 November 2017

Kabuluhan ng Buhay
(…para kay Teddy Lapuz)
Ni Apolinario B. Villalobos

Nang tayo ay ginawa ng Diyos
Mula sa lupang kanyang hinubog
Sa palad nati’y ginuhit ang kapalaran –
Nakatalagang tuparin, mula sa sinapupunan.

Landas ng buhay, ating tinatahak
Batbat ng pagsubok, Kanyang itinadhana
Dahil  Kanyang layunin at gustong makita
Kung bawa’t  isa, karapat-dapat sa Kanyang biyaya.

Bawa’t buhay ay may kabuluhan
May landas na tinatahak at sinusundan
Habang binabagtas, nakatuon tayo sa layunin –
Layuning bigay Niya, kailangang nating tuparin.

Lahat tayong nilalang, dapat sumunod
Ano mang sa atin, itinadhana dito sa mundo
Iyan ang kabuluhan ng buhay, guhit sa ating palad -
Na buong mapagpakumbaba, dapat nating matupad.

Kasiyahan ang dapat nating madama
Kung bago natin marating ang dulo ng landas
Marami tayong nagawa, kabutihan sa ating kapwa -
Kaya sa mga pagkakataon, magpasalamat tayo sa Kanya.

Tayo’y dapat maging handa sa paglisan -
Sa mundong ginagalawan, sa ano mang panahon
Kung narating na natin ang dulo, landas ng ating buhay
Malugod na harapin, lalo’t sa mundo’y nagkaroon ng saysay.



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Hazing...an eye-opener

Posted on Tuesday, 19 September 2017

Hazing
…an eye-opener 
By Apolinario Villalobos

Now and then, front pages of newspapers scream expositions on deaths that result from hazing. Investigations are conducted. Parents and concerned organizations hold rallies to put an end to the fatal ritual…and most often, they bark at the wrong tree.

There is already a law against it. Some schools ban fraternities. The police is doing its part. Meanwhile, concerned parents and organizations forgot to call the attention of other parents, especially, the students, themselves. The fact is that, most students who join fraternities to have a feeling of security and belongingness, are already of age, and know what they are doing, yet they do it.  They read news about death resulting from hazing, yet, they take the risk by still joining.

With all those mentioned circumstances, why should parents blame the school?...and the police who cannot solve the crime immediately? Some parents blame the world, but themselves and their sons and daughters who upon entering the portal of colleges and universities become ambitious and arrogant. These sons and daughters thought that they can have a share of prominence in the campus by joining fraternities, and have their fingers or knuckles bear the mark of affiliation.

Some parents of hazing victims, on the other hand, insist that they did their part by warning their sons about joining such kind of organization. Really?... It has been found out that parents of some students who died from hazing belong to the fraternity that the departed tried to be part of! Some parents are even known to remind their sons and daughters to see to it that the fraternity that they will join, also has government officials as members, so that the latter can be approached for help in times of need. The price of selfishness is too expensive, indeed!

Some schools are doing the right thing by letting their students sign a release waiver, so that they will not be blamed if the latter would insist on joining a fraternity. The police is not in the position to pass on the blame, in view of the existing law, because it is their duty to solve a crime. Besides, passing on the blame will not solve the problems on hazing that is pestering the campuses. Many cases of hazing that result to the death of neophytes are left unsolved, hence, relegated to the sidelines, with their folders turning yellow and accumulating dust in filing cabinets of courts.

Doubts are floating if hazing can be possibly put to a stop, as officers of the fraternities involved are entrenched in the different nooks and corners of the government, with some even staff of schools, and who just remain silent every time a new case hits the pages of newspapers and aired over TVs and radios. Helplessness and futility of the effort is very evident.

The hazing victims have been given the opportunity to enjoy a much coveted, but expensive education, but they wasted it because of their arrogant social climbing attitude and desire to be part of the elite crowd in the campus. And, most unfortunately, many students who were known to be shy, have learned to smoke and imbibe alcoholic drinks after joining fraternities.

Before viewers who are members of fraternities will misjudge me, I would like to make it clear that I am not referring to all students as being arrogant with social climbing attitudes that push them to join fraternities. Most, especially, I am not contending that all parents are selfish enough as to encourage their children to join fraternities known for their members who are government officials. I know that there are still many students who are sane enough to make use of the hard-earned money of their benefactors – parents, elder brothers or sisters, by focusing their mind to their studies.


A student need not join a fraternity to shine in the school campus. The school is intended for learning and not for negative socializing.

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From Birth to His Death, Money Reigns Supreme in the Life of Man

Posted on Saturday, 1 July 2017

From Birth to His Death, Money Reigns Supreme
In the Life of Man
By Apolinario Villalobos

Since the time he was born and while cruising the avenue of life, up to the time he is buried in the ground, man is either gripped by financial pressure or wallowing in riches. Man did not choose to be born. He is the result of copulating couples as they vent out their lust in the name of love or maniacal desire. Man has no choice when he begins his journey on Earth, making do with what may be on hand – either the cold sidewalk to sleep on while writhing with pangs of hunger if he belongs to a homeless poor family…or the sweet luxurious life if he is born to a filthy rich family!

If somebody will tell me that money is not everything in this world, I challenge him to go out without a single coin in his pocket and sleep on sidewalks for several nights without dinner. And, it is not right also to say that money is the root of all evils. It is the abusive exploitation resulting to the deprivation of others that makes money viewed as evil.  If there is only fairness in this world, there will be no problem on the issue of wage and the constant soaring of prices of basic commodities, as everything would be affordably fair.

Civilization brought about pollution, so that there is a need for money to counter its effect – medicines, protective clothing, hospitals, healthy food, even the simple surgical mask to somehow block the dirty air from entering our body in vast quantity as we breathe. Civilization created many desires and wants for man. While there was no need for flavor enhancers before, today, for food to taste savory, it must be enhanced with chemicals. While there was no need to travel somewhere before, today, it has become a necessity to satisfy the curiosity about a certain white beach, for instance. While there was no need for frivolous trappings, as simple cotton garments were enough before, today, man has developed a conceited desire to look better than the rest, in his expensive wardrobe and glittering jewelries.

In high-tech first-world countries, governments slap their citizens with sky-high taxes and almost nothing is left with them when they receive their wage, but in exchange for such, there are hospitalization benefit, medical care, etc. , although, controlled by the system. While working hard for the money, the citizens of these nations cannot enjoy its benefit on his free will. In some countries, big savings are questioned and if you are found to be carrying around big amounts, you become suspect of illegal activities. Citizens are forced to use “plastic money” for their “convenience” – the credit cards. In these countries, working parents deposit their children in Day Care centers while they work for the money, a big slice of which goes to the government.

Civilization brought havoc to the once docile life of man. Its onset created competition for food that affected even the so-called “uncivilized” humans living in the vastness of African deserts. Animals that they used to hunt occasionally for food have become scarce and brought to the brink of extinction due to drought that resulted from the destruction of the ozone layer…all because of unabated pollution. Animals hunted for food have become targets for “game hunting” and left to rot after they are felled by bullets from high-powered long-arms intended for such purpose. Big preys have become targets of bounty hunters for medicine and amulets. Those are just a few of the acts of exploitation committed by the moneyed for which the exploited poor persevere.

In the Philippines, there is a custom that calls for the throwing of coins on the path of the mourners as they bring the remains of the departed to the cemetery. Some archaeological diggings brought to light mummified remains with gold coins that cover their eyes. The practice of “changing money” has its roots from the brisk business of the shrewd money changers at the gate of the temples during the Biblical time. These money changers converted various foreign coins into the local tender that could be used as temple offering. Jesus died on the cross because of betrayal by Judas in exchange of several pieces of silver coins.

Money cannot be done away with even by all churches. How can edifices for worship be built without money? How can the evangelists preach on empty stomach? How can they go on shepherding their flocks if they get sick and got no money for medicine? How can a Mass be held early in the morning or evening if the lights are out because of unpaid electric bill?...etc.


There is nothing wrong with money for as long as it is respected and not abused. Most importantly, it should be acknowledged as payment for earthly necessities. Hypocrisy should be done away with in the treatment of money, because it is clearly the fair payment to the priest, for instance, who blessed the remains of the dead person or when he did other acts as required by his vocation, and again…nothing is wrong with that. My unsolicited advice in this regard is…RESPECT MONEY BY USING IT THE PROPER WAY. MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO NOT BE SELFISH BY GRABBING FROM OTHERS WHAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THEIRS!

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Emma (tula para kay Emma P. Jamorabon)

Posted on Monday, 10 April 2017

EMMA
(para kay Emma P. Jamorabon)
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Sa mga mata niyang animo ay nangungusap
Walang katapat na kasiyahan ang mababanaag
At sa matinis niyang boses, ang kausap na nagagalit
Huhupa, sa damdami’y nag-uumapaw na pagngangalit.

Mapagmahal na kabiyak, inang walang katulad
Sa mga kaibigan ay mapagbigay, kahit siya’y kapos
At handang magsakripisyo sa abot ng makakaya niya
Kapalit na pagtitiis ay buong puso niyang hindi alintana.

Mga huling yugto ng kanyang buhay na nauupos
Inalay sa mapagmahal na Inang Mariang sinandalan
Kaya kahit sa pagkaratay, hirap man siya sa paghinga
Katiwasayan ay maaaninag sa mala-birhen niyang mukha. 

Sa kanyang maaliwalas na pamamaalam sa mundo
Ipinahiwatig niyang sa Diyos tayo ay dapat magtiwala
Dahil sa buhay nati’y Siya lang ang nakakaalam ng lahat
Lalo na ang mitsa nito’t sinding may taning ….
Kung hanggang kaylan lamang sapat.

(Alay ng nagmamahal na pamilya, mga kaibigan at naging estudyante, lalo na ang NDTC Boys’ High School Batch ’70.)



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Respect for Time, Discipline and Death

Posted on Thursday, 23 February 2017

Respect for Time, Discipline and Death
By Apolinario Villalobos

Practically, everybody is familiar with the adage, “we cannot turn back the hands of time”. But still, many do not have a full understanding of what it means and its effect to our life. They may also appreciate such adage that serves as a reminder, but they are not serious about it.

Time is the most important factor that can affect life as the world is at its mercy. Regretting for the lost time is like crying over spilled milk or precious water. We may cry our eyes dry and punch our chest with clinched fist while uttering hundreds of mea culpa, but what have been spilled can no longer be recovered. We cry over lost opportunities because we were late for appointments. We lost a prospective job because we were late for the interview. We missed our flight because we did not wake up early, etc.

Anything that is not respected is disregarded or taken for granted, and that is what many people do to time most often. Many forgot that time is used to reckon our physical and mental development, how we fare as we trudge along the road of life, and in giving us a chance to change for the better. We always say, “…give me time” which simply means, “…give me a chance”.

Time is so much a part of our life that many people become uneasy if they do not glance at a watch every hour of the day. Everything that we do is controlled by time, from waking up until we go back to bed. Time controls our job, our meals, even our use of the toilet. We even use it to warn others about their misdoings by telling them, “how many times did I tell you….”. Even our pulse and heartbeat are timed to check if we are physically fit.

If time controls us, discipline compels us to abide by its ticking, such that husbands must be home before midnight, employees must be at their post at certain designated time, minors must be home not later than ten in the evening, meals should be taken at certain times of the day till evening, medicines should be taken at certain times, etc. Respect for time and utmost discipline cannot be separated as without the other, our life and the world will be in a topsy-turvy state.

We should also be thankful to the guy who discovered time and those who invented gadgets that we need to measure the extent of our life in this world. Time tells us when we should “depart” from this world, unless it is cut short by unexpected events resulting to what we call as as “untimely” death.


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The Commercial and Destructive Aspects of Inventions

Posted on Thursday, 16 February 2017

The Commercial and Destructive Aspects of Inventions
By Apolinario Villalobos

It is all for the comfort and money that man has created “wants” in this world, hence, the various inventions. The “wants” are not necessarily the “needs”, as there are things that we can forego as they are not necessary. But, before the onset of what the modern man views as “civilization”, our ancestors were a satisfied lot. During the time, it was enough for a community of five families, for instance, to share a felled beast using spears, throwing sticks, and rocks. Our ancestors’ feet were also enough to bring them to where they wanted.

In time, however, the wizards among our ancestors thought of making mobility more comfortable and due to the growth of communities, competition for survival ensued. The need for security was conceived giving rise to more lethal, though, primitive tools. Instead of the simple tree barks to cover their private parts, they thought of using the skin of their prey. Wheels were invented and used not only to transport heavy goods but also in destructive chariots and later, in armored cars, etc., but most especially, for the comfortable mobility.

While the legendary Icarus thought of flying with the use of feathers, the Wright Brothers went further by using metals and woods assembled to harness the power of the wind to keep their contrived apparatus to glide and take on speed. The “standards” in quality of the contraption improved the invention until it went further, such as its other uses were conceived….based on what the time required in transporting people and goods, and later, totally become tools of destruction because of greed!

Telephone units before, had to have a component that must be cranked before it could be used while connected to each other with miles of long copper wire. Today, wireless telephones are inter-connected by satellites that hover above the earth. But, since people want more sophistications in such instrument, other features are added – camera, voice recorder, music player….and later on, used by evil-minded to set off bombs! On the other hand, who would have ever thought that drugs that were originally conceived to prolong life could become deadly, the same as with the chemicals that are supposed to preserve food?


Thousands of inventions have been initially intended for man’s comfort, convenience and survival, but his shrewdness and selfishness made him conceive their lethal uses…that at the end practically led him to his self-destruction! 

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A Person's Right to Life Ends where the Right of Others Begins...

Posted on Wednesday, 12 October 2016

A PERSON’S RIGHT TO LIFE
ENDS WHERE THE RIGHT OF OTHERS BEGINS…
By Apolinario Villalobos

DRUG PUSHERS WHO DESTROY THE LIFE OF OTHERS CLEARLY SHOW THAT THEY ARE GOING BEYOND THE DEMARCATION LINE OR INTRUDE INTO THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS TO HAVE A SERENE LIFE. IN THIS REGARD, WHAT RIGHT TO LIFE THE HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES ARE TALKING ABOUT, FOR CRIMINALS WHO HAVE BREACHED THE RIGHT OF OTHERS THAT EVEN RESULT AT TIMES TO THEIR DEATH?

HOW CAN A DRUG PUSHER OR A DRUG ADDICT WHO HAS RAPED AND KILLED A GIRL BE JUST PENALIZED WITH A “REHABILITATION” FOR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL EVEN HAVE TO SPEND, AFTER THE VIOLATOR HAS TAKEN AWAY THE LIFE OF HIS VICTIM? WHERE IS THE LOGIC IN REHABILITATING A PERSON WHO CHOSE TO BE A CRIMINAL AND IN THE PROCESS TOOK AWAY THE LIFE OF OTHERS, OR TO PUT IT LIGHTLY, DESTROYED THEIR FUTURE? ARE THE VICTIMS OF DRUG PUSHERS AND ADDICTS NOT ENTITLED TO JUSTICE AND RIGHT TO LIFE?

HOW CAN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH LOOK THE OTHER WAY, AFTER A DERANGED DRUG ADDICT HAS CAUSED THE BURNING DOWN OF A DEPRESSED COMMUNITY OR CAUSED LONG HOURS OF TENSION AFTER HOLDING A HOSTAGE? HOW CAN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH LAMBAST PRESIDENT DUTERTE FOR HIS EFFORT IN CHECKING THE FURTHER PROLIFERATION OF DRUG MENACE THAT INVOLVES MANY MANY MANY  CATHOLICS?


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On Life, Love, Faith, and Death

Posted on Monday, 1 August 2016

On Life, Love, Faith, and Death
By Apolinario Villalobos

Nobody chose to be born. The new life developed in the womb of the woman is the result of her copulation with a man, done either with love or just plain lust. That is why there are so-called “bundle of love or joy” of married couple some of whom sign divorce papers after five years or a little more of companionship, or “unwanted child” of a rape victim. When the fetus is delivered into the world as an infant, its innocence and fragility make it helpless in the hands of the people who take care of it. Lucky are those who are born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouth, but, woe to those born of impoverished mother whose dry and wrinkled breast cannot provide even a single drop of milk.

There is a very popular counsel from the religious conscience groups which says, “…thank the Lord for the life He gave, and that He alone can also take back…” which implies that He is responsible for all the life on earth. They add that man should do the rest to survive as God also gave him intelligence. If this is so, can man be blamed if he decides to do the easiest-to-do crimes?  If a criminal committed rape and murder resulting to the distress of the victim’s loved ones, why can’t he be penalized justly, instead of being “rehabilitated”  which the God-fearing human rights groups are insisting, when there is no guarantee that he will not repeat such vicious acts and eventually claim more victims? As the choice to commit crimes is man’s decision, God has nothing to do with it, hence, His will is not being violated, so that whatever corporal penalty imposed on the criminal is just appropriate. On the other hand, if man is pre-destined, why work hard, if everybody is destined for his or her place in this world as willed by God?

I have heard stories of people struggling for a better life and even witnessed some of them doing all the best they can to provide decent meals to their families three times a day. The desperate are pushed by circumstances to commit crime. The weak who cannot bear the suffering commit suicide. Along this line, many valedictorians and summa cum laudes are beaten to better and best opportunities by those who have barely earned passing grades in college…proof that “being at the right place, at the right time” really works and not the “God-given intelligence”. In other words, shall we go back again to the presumption that God willed man to live according to His plan?

On the other hand, many disease-ridden patients who are suffering for long are not given the choice to “rest” for good. It is against the law of the land, governments would say. It is against God’s will, the religious groups would say. In the first place, if it is not the choice of man to be born, why not give him the option to end his life if he finds that the world is not for him or if he feels that he is already exhausted or burned out…having done everything even for the sake of others? Most especially, why burden for instance, the family of a dying man with mounting hospital and drug bills just because choosing to die translates to committing a sin? Why wait until the hopelessly sick man has become comatose before a doctor may give consent to the family to unplug the machine that makes his heart beat, as he is already brain-dead?


I would like to make it clear that I am thankful for my life, though I did not choose to be born, and this dissertation is not meant to influence others to leave their religious communities. I know that so many humans have the same confusing questions that I have stated earlier. I am just being loud about them, while they may have chosen to be quiet. What I ask is of them at this juncture, is to do what is universally accepted as good, based especially, on the simple Golden Rule…be they, are atheist or religiously zealot human beings who believe every word uttered by their preacher. Just do good and nothing shall definitely go awry…

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Masarap Sana, Subalit Nakakalito ang Buhay sa Mundo

Posted on Monday, 15 February 2016

Masarap Sana,  Subali’t Nakakalito ang Buhay sa Mundo
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Masarap sana ang mabuhay sa mundo, kung hindi magulo at walang mga kalituhan. Dahil ito sa likas na ugali ng taong mapanlamang, mapag-imbot, at maramot na kadalasang  tumatalo sa mga mabubuting ugali na mapagpakumbaba, mapagbigay, at bukas-palad. Kung mapagpakumbaba ka, siguradong yayapakan ang iyong mga karapatan. Kung mapagbigay ka, siguradong itutulak ka lang sa tabi ng mga mapag-imbot. Kung bukas-palad ka kaya maluwag sa loob ang pagtulong sa kapwa, aabusuhin ka naman.

Dahil sa nabanggit na mga kalituhan, yong isa kong kaibigan, ay halos ayaw nang lumabas ng bahay upang makaiwas sa mga hindi magandang mangyayari sa kanya. Dahil sa ginawa niya, itinuring siya ng mga ungas niyang kapitbahay na “makasarili”. Sabi niya minsan sa akin, kung magpapaputok siya ng baril sa kalye siguradong sasabihin ng mga kapitbahay niyang “siga” siya. Sinabihan ko na lang na madaling araw pa lang ay umalis na siya at umatend ng misa sa Baclaran o Quiapo, pagkatapos ay mamigay ng tulong sa squatter’s area at kapag padilim na ay saka na lang siya umuwi – walang mga ungas na kapitbahay ang makakakita sa kanya. Sabi ko nga sa kanya ay maswerte siya at ungas lang ang mga kapitbahay niya…hindi mapagkunwari at mainggitin.

Hind lang sa pakikipagkapwa-tao ang may kalituhan, kundi kahit na rin sa mga bagay na kailangan upang mabuhay tulad ng pagkain. Kailangan daw ay kumain ng gulay at isda dahil masustansiya ang mga ito. Subali’t sa palengke, hindi lang isda ang nilulublob sa “formalin”,  ang kemikal na ginagamit sa pag-embalsamo, kundi pati na rin mga gulay upang hindi malanta agad. Ang karagatan at mga ilog na tinitirhan ng mga isda ay marumi na rin. Ang mga nahiwang gulay ay nilulublob sa tawas upang hindi mangitim tulad ng hiniwang langkang nakagawiang iluto sa gata at talong na tinanggalan ng bulok na bahagi, pati binalatang gabi, kamote, at patatas. Ang mga gulay sa pataniman ay alaga din sa mga chemical na pamatay-peste habang lumalago. Yong sinasabing mga “organic” daw ay hindi rin sigurado dahil maraming mga nagtitindang mahilig magsinungaling, makabenta lang. Kung totoo man, ay nakakakuha naman ang mga ito ng lason mula sa hangin.

Ang mga karne ay may mga anti-biotic, kaya ang akala ng isang kumpanyang nagdede-lata ng produktong karne ay bobo lahat ng mamimili dahil sinasabi ng ads nila na walang sakit ang mga baboy at manok nila – siyempre, dahil alaga sa antibiotic!...talaga din namang kumita lang, lahat ay gagawin upang makapanlinlang. At, yong mga batang lumaki sa gatas at karne ng hayop, ngayon ay may ugaling hayop na rin…dahil kung hindi man bastos ay lapastangan at suwail pa!

Ang mga softdrink lalo na ang “Cokes” (tawag yan ng Bisaya sa Coke”), na pampagana sa pagkain kahit bagoong, toyo, o patis lang ulam ay nakakasira ng kidney at atay. Kung mag-ulam naman palagi ng instant noodles na pinakamura at pinakamadaling iluto, subalit ginamitan ng kemikal upand hindi magdikit-dikit, ay lalo namang sisira ng kidney. Mismong bigas na sinasaing ay may mga chemical din upang hindi kainin ng uod at kuto habang nakaimbak sa bodega, kung saan ay iniispreyhan pa sila upang hindi upakan ng mga daga at ipis.

Ang instant na kape ay dumaan din daw sa mga paraan o process na nangailangan ng mga kemikal na hindi maganda sa katawan kahit pa sabihing nakakatulong ang inuming ito sa paglusaw ng cholesterol at bara sa daluyan ng dugo patungo sa puso. Ang asukal na puti ay mayroong bleaching chemical na nagpaputi sa dating manilaw-nilaw na katas na ito ng tubo. Naka-imbento ng artipisyal na asukal upang makaiwas sa diabetes, subalit nakakasira naman din daw ng kidney.

Pati mga bitamina na ginagawa sa mga laboratoryo ay pinagdududahan na rin. Kahit maliit lang ang sumobra sa naimon ay magsasanhi na ng overdose na maaari pang maging sanhi ng sakit. Sa puntong ito, ang mga gamot na akala natin ay nakakapandugtong ng buhay ay hindi rin pala magandang basta na lang iinumin, kaya mismong anti-biotic ay hindi na rin ligtas.

Ano pa nga ba at, animo ay nag-uunahan ang mga bahagi ng katawan natin kung alin sa kanila ang unang manghihina hanggang bumigay  dahil sa mga pagkaing akala natin ay pampahaba ng buhay, yon pala ay may mga lasong unti-unting nakakamatay. Kaya siguro, madalas na payo ng doctor sa pamilya ng pasyente na may taning na ang buhay, ay pagbigyan na lang ito sa lahat ng hihilingin niyang pagkain dahil wala na rin namang mangyayari bunsod ng lasong nagkakaiba lang ang dami sa bawat pagkain.  Ang maratay dahil sa sukdulang epekto ng lason na nakukuha natin sa mga pagkain at hangin ang ultimate na sitwasyon kung saan ay talagang angkop ang kasabihang, “no choice” at “…no turning back”.  Ang kalagayan ring ito ang nagpapakita na ang tao ay nagsi-self destruct!





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Posted on Sunday, 14 February 2016

Farewell…Eboy
(for Eboy Jovida)
By Apolinario Villalobos

In this world you’ve ceased to live
But in our heart and mind
You shall linger with a smile -
And, it shall never fade in time.

You’ve tried to be the best you could -
Husband, father… friend
In songs you have crooned
Even the calm you well feigned.

Farewell…to the best father, farewell!
Friend, you’re a delight
Ride on the glory of our love
As you journey towards that Light! 







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The Indefatigable Esperanza (Inday) Hilado...friend, sister, mother, secretary, Sales Executive

Posted on Sunday, 17 January 2016

The Indefatigable Esperanza (Inday) Hilado
…friend, sister, mother, secretary, Sales Executive
By Apolinario Villalobos

For most people who know her, she was “Inday”, although, her other nickname was “Pancing”. She was a centenarian, having reached the age of 100 years last July 22, 2015, for which she was honored with a certificate given by the Quezon City government.  She died peacefully just when 2015 was bidding 2016 goodbye, particularly on January 14, at exactly, 11:15 AM. The tragic information that I received came from Gel Lagman and Mona Caburian-Pecson, former colleagues in Philippine Airlines.

Inday came from the well-to-do clans of Fontanilla and Hilado of Negros Occidental in the Visayas region of the Philippines. Her parents were Paz Fontanillla and Ignacio Hilado, and she came third in a brood of seven, such as, Clarita, Florita, Hermenia, Gloria, Enrique and Godofredo. Inday chose to stay single her whole life.

According to Tessie, Inday’s niece, who at 74, looks more like a little more than 50, she immediately came home when informed about the demise of her aunt, as she knew that with her were only her trusted caretakers, Rudy Lopez and his wife,  Muding (Modesta). Rudy was her loyal driver since 1975, and got married in 1992 to Muding who in no time treated the former like her own mother. Since the first day of her arrival, Tessie practically did everything with the help of her assistants that she brought from America, as well as, Rudy and Muding.

My fondest memory of Inday was our working together as part of the International Sales-Philippines (ISP) Team of Philippine Airlines (PAL) based at the S&L Building along Roxas Boulevard, in Ermita, Manila. We were under Rene Ocampo and later, Archie Lacson, as the Regional Vice-President of the Philippines and Guam Region. However, due to our well-defined function as members of the Sales Team, we were directly under Dave Lim, Assistant Vice-President of the ISP. Inday was handling the special account of manning agencies for seafarers and despite her age, being the most senior in the team, she proved to be just very effective. She reported to the office before eight in the morning, prepared her itinerary for the day and persistently made follow ups on previously requested bookings for her clients. I also used to help her with her weekly and monthly sales reports by typing them for her. She even stayed late when there were social functions to fete our clients, particularly, the travel agents and manning agencies.

The job of Inday was very critical as PAL fares were comparably higher than those offered by the other airlines for the seafaring segment of the airline industry. But motherly insistence and affectionate cajoling of travel agents worked almost all the time. To show her gratitude to her clients, during Christmas she would give them her own personally-purchased gifts, aside from the standard “give-away” items from our office that included calendars. Being in-charge of the Region’s administration, I would give her extra calendars and “give-away” items.

We were close to each other, such that we sat side by side during most of our Monday Sales Meeting. It was this literal closeness that gave her the opportunity to offer me her share of snacks served during the meeting. She was also very conscious about her health, as she ate only small portions of food during mealtime at the canteen. One time, however, during a party, I admonished her for eating plenty of “lechon” (roasted pig).

A terpsichorean in her own right, she would sashay with graceful cha-cha and tango moves around the dance floor during our parties. She admitted to me though, that she was really fond of ballroom dancing, and even confided the information about the pre-war public dances that she attended at Luneta (Rizal Park) every December, when she was young. Her love for life could have given her the vigor that kept her going even at an age beyond seventy which was the last time I saw her when I left Philippine Airlines.

Inday may no longer be around, but she left a legacy founded on love, as well as, diligence and dedication to job. She was unquestionably unselfish and indefatigable in many ways. She also proved that goodwill indeed works, as her staying “single” did not deprive her of families because of her altruistic ways. She had her colleagues in PAL, and who gave her love in return for her motherly and sisterly affection….they, who have become her family until she left the company. Rudy Kong whom she served with utmost loyalty as secretary in PAL, took her in as part of his own company when she finally left the airline. She also had Rudy Lopez, her loyal driver, and his wife, Muding, who stood by her side till she drew her last breathe. She loved them all, and they all loved her… and, just as what the popular adage says… love begets love.


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Hurt Feelings and Grief

Posted on Saturday, 21 November 2015

Hurt Feelings and Grief
By Apolinario Villalobos

Several times, I have proven that “mind over matter” really works. I found out that some friends also had the same experience. Pain can be managed – both the emotional and physical. All it needs is mental discipline. Unfortunately, instead of overcoming pain in any way possible, some people even fake illness and grief to be used as alibi in evading responsibilities.

Pampering illness and grief results to self-pity that further results to the deterioration of personality and health. The body has its own way of counteracting the malfunction of any organ, the most noticeable sign being the fever. Instead of feeling miserable, the mind should help the body by controlling the negative emotion. The same mind-driven control should be applied when somebody is grief-stricken.

If a person becomes used to the “mind over matter” routine, emotional maturity sets in which is very important in coming up with sound decisions and having a healthy outlook in life, despite the occurrence of tragedy. Also, if a person gets used to pain, no amount of threat or weight on his shoulder can buckle him down. This is the reason why recruits of the police and military forces had to go through painful trainings to prepare them for any unexpected perilous situation later on, especially, torture to be inflicted by enemies when captured while dispensing of their responsibilities in the field.

Grief is more painful than wound. Uncontrolled grief can drive some people to the verge of committing suicide. Grief can cause depression to set in which affects the emotion. If a person is psychology weak, it will be a downslide all the way for him. Not only will he be angry at himself, family, and other loved ones, but the whole world, as well. It also, takes a very long time for some people to get over grief, especially, due to the death of a loved one. Queen Victoria of England for instance, wore black dress to grieve the death of her husband, until the time of her death. Some need a year or a little more before they can move on. During the mentioned long period of grief, the affected just let their troubled emotion flow through a normal course until it has finally calmed down.

For the unaffected of a tragedy, it is easy to say, “take it easy” to the victim.  How can everything be taken in stride after a typhoon for instance, has leveled down the victim’s house and even killed some members of his family? How can a widowed jobless wife take it easy, with her husband gone due to illness, as there are still kids to be taken care of? Instead of being vocal with such kind of sympathy, it is suggested that financial or material assistance be extended to the grieving party if the mourner can afford it, otherwise, the latter should better keep his mouth shut, as silence can also imply deeply-felt compassion.

Giving comfort to the grieving is a universal obligation. It is during the moment of grief that extended hands are most needed by them. Even just the thought that a friend is around and ready to give comfort, relieves the grief-stricken of some burden. Comforting need not be verbalized, as earlier mentioned, but manifested in many ways such as taking over some responsibilities in the grieving family’s home or the wake’s venue, which the members of the grieving family cannot do for the duration of the wake. This is a traditional practice in the rural areas of the Philippines.

On the other hand, the Chinese hire “professional crying women” to enhance the depressing atmosphere during the wake of their dead and along the way to the resting ground. Pagan people gash their bodies to show their grief. Meanwhile, in the Old Testament days, the Israelites wore sack clothes and poured ash over their head when a member of the family or a leader died, and completing such show of grief were the beating of chest and pulling of hair while crying to the top of their voice.


Today, among the Filipino Roman Catholics, showing a sad face during the wake is no longer widely practiced. Some families even hire a videoke unit, alleging that it’s the last wish of the deceased – to have singing and merriment during his or her wake. Gambling and heavy drinking are also allowed, aside from butchering of pigs and even cows, in the case of the affluent, for the duration of the wake. This is the family’s way of joyously sending off the spirit of the departed on his journey to another world of supposedly infinite life and happiness. And, on the way to the cemetery, merry tunes are played by the marching band or audio player. Well, that’s life…and, death – only in the Philippines!

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We Can Minimize, Delay, or Prevent the Devastating Effect of Diseases...discipline and patience are the keys

Posted on Friday, 23 October 2015

We Can Minimize, Delay, or Prevent the Devastating Effect of Diseases
…discipline and patience are the keys
By Apolinario Villalobos

Caring for our physical make up is our responsibility in the first place, and not somebody else’s. We can prevent diseases from pestering our body by espousing discipline and patience. We must be disciplined as regards our diet and vices. And, we must be disciplined in being consistent with the preparation of remedies not prescribed by doctors. We must not wait until a disease has set in before we toe the line in clinics for a costly diagnosis. Unfortunately for others, before they know that what they “feel” is a disease, and not just a fatigue or temporary pain, it is already beyond cure, so that the last resort for the doctor is to prescribe pain killing drugs, and loads of antibiotics and other strange sounding-named tablets and capsules.

Drugs are basically sourced from plants and enhanced with chemicals to preserve them as capsules, tables, suspensions, and injectibles. Curative properties of plants are “cloned” in laboratories to come up with their synthetic equivalent. But not all curative properties of plants can be cloned as in the case of guyabano (soursop), the information about which has been suppressed by drug laboratories for so many years. Due to their failure in cloning its curative properties, they finally let go of the information to confirm what have already been circulating anyway, about its anti-cancer substance.

Man since birth is already doomed with diseases that can manifest at certain points of his life. Fortunately, there is now a medical technique of predetermining the diseases that may befall infants by “reading” their genes at the time of birth with the use of their blood. At certain points of their life, diseases are already detected, thus, medications are already prescribed to prevent the onset. This is possible for those who will be born in hospitals and clinics, but for those in villages, this medical effort is not heard of, as in third-world countries like the Philippines. These children then grow without knowing that at a certain point of their life, they are bound to develop diabetes, rheumatism, heart failure, cancer, etc.

There’s again the problem with poor parents in urban areas who are told about the diseases that may befall their newly-born infants, because they cannot afford the prescribed drugs. Consequently, their children, though born in hospitals, grow just like those in the villages, without taking the preventive drugs for the detected diseases that may manifest at a certain age. Prescriptions are just set aside to be thrown later on.

The Philippines and the rest of countries in Asia and South America are profuse in herbal “medicines”.  Long before the western colonizers came, the natives were already thriving on these. The folk medicine men who are unfairly called “quack doctors” have been prescribing leaves, barks and roots of trees, vines and shrubs to dispel diseases. For instance, guyabano or soursop was first used by the South American Indians, particularly, those living in the jungles of the Amazon, while the use of tanglad or lemon grass was first used in Asia. In every country of these regions, there are always nooks and corners occupied by herbal vendors. In Manila, these can be found in Quiapo, while in the provinces, one can find them in public markets. But most of all, these curative plants are found in neighborhoods, or if not, can be planted just anywhere, even in pots.

Discipline is needed if one is really interested in preventing the onset of a disease. A ritual is involved, because every morning, all the necessary leaves, seeds or barks have to be boiled in a kettle dedicated for this purpose, followed by the preparation of the concoction to be drunk with coffee or as is. Most often, this simple effort is abhorred by most, as they would rather take synthetic drugs in capsule or tablet form which is a very convenient way. But then, the danger with such “convenience” is the latest finding that not all components of these drugs are dissolved, thus, turning into sediments that get deposited in the liver and kidney, eventually resulting to a disease that destroy the said organs.

Those without discipline in their diet are also easy victims of diseases. They are not satisfied with having tasted certain unhealthy foods and should have told themselves “enough”. Unfortunately, they want these to be part of their daily fare on the dining table. Parents who have this kind of attitude pass it on to their children, who will later on pass it on to their own, and so forth. And, when members of the family develop and die of diseases, they blame their ancestor!


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Man's Life Revolves around Reasons

Posted on Wednesday, 16 September 2015

Man’s Life Revolves around Reasons
By Apolinario Villalobos

Everything that man does is founded on reason. There is always a reason for everything he does, and the following are just some of them:

For stealing- to save the family from starving to death, or for those in the government, just
for the heck of it because colleagues  do it.

For saving - to purchase a car, house, food, or gun to avenge the death of a loved one,
or hold others up for their money and become rich.

For committing suicide - to end the agony of depression and bid goodbye to the cruel world.

For making love - to consummate marriage or close relationship (even of same sex),
or sometimes to procreate, or more simply, to enjoy life.

For killing- to defend life and property, or just for fun, while under the influence of illegal drugs and liquor.

For drinking liquor- to drown sorrow and float on euphoric bliss.

For indulging in Bacchanalian splurges (uncontrolled eating and drinking)- to divert attention from loneliness, and for those in the government, while there is money left in the coffer.

For becoming a religious evangelist- to achieve a triple indulgence, such as money, spiritual fulfillment and fame, the better to attract candidates who want sure votes during elections in the Philippines.

For becoming a teacher- to show the world that even an average or below average guy can mold a future president, congressman, senator, lawyer, physician, priest, dictators, robbers, drug dealers, etc.

For becoming a Certified Public Accountant- to manifest love for numbers that can be juggled when keeping the book of earnings of businessmen, and of course, earn more numbers with monetary sign for keeping their two books – sure way to get rich quick.

For becoming a policeman- to arrest criminals, thefts, as well as, drug dealers, and confiscate their “goods” for “safekeeping” and “appropriate action” later on. Not all does the last reason…many are still straight.


Finally, the reasons why man is born are: LOVE that binds honest, sincere, and faithful couples; and LUST…of the rapist, adventurous teen-aged sweethearts, and irresponsible parents.

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Karma as Principle...and how Filipinos perceive it

Posted on Wednesday, 22 July 2015

Karma as Principle
…and how Filipinos perceive it
By Apolinario Villalobos

The followers of Hinduism believe that karma as a principle is about the positive or negative consequence for the action of a person on his soul in his next life. This principle has become so popular that even non-believers of Hinduism use it as part of their daily expression in warning wrongdoers for the consequence of their actions. Noticeably, however, the user dwells more on the karma’s negative result. It has beaten the Golden Rule which has a more universal character in this aspect. More often, one easily would say, “be careful or you might suffer the karma for what you did”, rather than “be careful or others might do to you what you did to them”. Among the Filipinos, the easy statement is “baka makarma ka”, which fuses the principle in the language, using it as a verb. In English it literally means, “you might suffer the karma”, in which the principle this time, is used as a noun.

Nevertheless, karma is a very significant enhancement of the Hindu religion which promotes kindness and non-violence. It has even become more popular than the religion itself, in which the said principle serves as the substance. Many people use the term without knowing that it is part of the Hindu religion. Still some Filipinos thought that it is a word found in their vocabulary.

While in Hinduism, the effect of the bad deed is expected in the next life of a person yet, for the Filipinos, it is expected to happen even while a person is still alive. That is why when a former president is found to be suffering from a seemingly incurable illness, the nation is almost one in uttering, "good for her!”.  The former president is under detention due to her plundering of people’s money, particularly, that of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes (PCSO). When another detained woman  accused for masterminding the plunder of “pork barrel” fund is found to be also suffering from an ailment, hence, the operation that she just underwent, the nation is again almost one in uttering, “good for her”.

Karma is supposed to have a good side, such that there is a so-called “good karma”. Unfortunately, among the Filipinos, its bad connotation is overwhelming, that even just its mere mention could send chills down the spine of one who hears it. A small group of cultists even uses the word in their incantation. I happen to come across this group right in front of the Quiapo Church. A free round of coffee to the seven members was enough to for them to give me their trust. Their short incantation goes this way: makarma ka…makarma ka…sana’y lagi kang madapa…iwasan ka ng pera…iwanan ka ng asawa (nobyo o nobya)…makarma ka…makarma ka…mga buto mo ay lumambot…sakit sa iyo habambuhay ay manuot! (translation: bad karma be yours…bad karma be yours…may you always fall…may money evade you…may your loved ones desert you…bad karma be yours…bad karma be yours…may your bones crumble…may disease be yours forever!)

I asked the cult’s leader if they have ever been invited by organizers of protest rallies to join them when they hold these near Malacaῆan Palace, or outside the gates of Congress and Senate. The leader replied in negative but expressed their willingness as echoed by the nods of the members. I failed to ask another question as one woman member suddenly went into a “trance”, so I just thanked the leader and approached another group.


Well, karma or no karma, our salvation is spelled by our wholehearted love of God and our fellowmen. Such love for fellowmen can be manifested by the sharing of our blessings without regard to their religious affiliation or perception of life. And, belief in God should be without any taint of doubt.

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The Passage to the Other Life...if indeed, there is one

Posted on Tuesday, 14 July 2015

The Passage to the Other Life
…if indeed, there is one
By Apolinario Villalobos

My experience of a “near- death” was when I rolled down Mt. Hibok-hibok resulting to a series of bumps that my head suffered from the boulders. What I felt was a floating sensation while I was enveloped by a blinding light. I did not see the light at the end of a tunnel as other near-dead claim. When I came to, I found out that it happened in split second…so fast that I did not feel so much physical pain. What pained was my pride.

There are stories about spirits of those who encountered sudden death that still linger at the site of accident. There are also stories of those whose spirits still cling to their worldly wealth. Still, there are stories of those who died without taking the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, so that their spirit kept roaming around to seek help by way of prayers. And, finally, the spirit of those who died without talking to their adversaries to seek forgiveness, are said to be lingering in limbo, waiting for dispensation.

The belief in the afterlife is not universal. Some religions do not advocate such, while some even claim rebirth in another body, or reincarnation. Some religions do not believe in hell, hence, for them there is no heaven, too. But some believe in such two eternal destinations of spirits.

Whatever is our belief, it should be noted that there are just two things that we can do in this world: to do good or to do bad. The universal view is that if we do good, we make others happy, and if we do bad things, we make others suffer. It is important therefore, that we leave the world with a clean record, by seeking clemency for our wrong deeds while we are still gasping for breath, so that others will not remember us for our bad deeds.