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Ode to Mother Earth

by Apolinario Villalobos

Looking back when time began

God said the words

Giving life to all

That He desired,

The endless expanse of the void

Was filled with motley specks

That moved with harmony -

A prodigious task

Of the Almighty.

A tiny dot in the universe

Mother Earth throbbed with life

As God made her a living sphere

Covered with green and blue

All part of God’s grandiose plan

Done in a few days of divine toil,

Though, He rested finally,

Being satisfied at last

On the seventh day.

Out of a handful dust from her womb

God made Adam, by such name he was called

And with God’s breathe of life

What was once a lump with limbs

Has become like Him in image

And let to roam the Garden of Eden.

But then, loneliness soon had its toll

Which when God has perceived -

From Adam’s rib, He made Eve.

Alas! Mother Earth now nurtured

Not only lesser creatures

But the pair that God made

In His own image;

A paradise, Eden was supposed to be

But to it, a serpent found its way

Tempting Eve to have a taste of ecstasy

And, no sooner than she did have a bite

She made Adam commit the same apostasy!

The blunder made by Adam and Eve

Instigated the misery of Mother Earth

As they opened the floodgate of afflictions

That soon blemished her once pristine face;

Greed and selfishness, for long led lives -

Cain putting to death his own brother Abel

And many others whose names are written

On the sacred pages of the age-old Book

And all it needs is for us is to take a serious look.

And it is so sad,

As warnings that Mother Earth belched

In her effort to wake man up with a jolt

Did not budge him even just a bit…

EVERYTHING MOVES WITH TIME

By Apolinario Villalobos

Nothing stays in its place permanently as Time carries everything along its current. However, beings with consciousness and with deciding ability may metamorphose into a higher or better state. Some may just be contented with what they already are…it is a choice. Along this line, ambition can push a person to strive.

While some are in a hurry to move on or up, others who have not learned their lesson take their time which they later regret because they realized, though, too late, that indeed, they cannot move back the hands of time. With regret and envy, they gawk at others who enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice and labor. In this particular situation, I am referring to people who need to struggle in order to survive, not those who were born with silver spoon in their mouth, and who could live more than comfortably even without lifting a finger…they are not concerned in this dissertation.

Some people thought that they can forever be strutting around with a pretty face and physically fit body. They thought that they can invest those physical attributes in gaining friends, even if they will show abhorrent attitude. They forgot that in time, as leaves and flowers wilt, so do the face that gets crinkled with furrows and the body that gets to shrink become humped. Gluta treatments may help but only for as long the physical make up of a person can take them. Meanwhile, the face and some parts of the body have limited elasticity for stretching, and the Viagra can be of help only up to a certain level of ageing. 

Finally, the tenacity of man is such that he practically makes use of science to virtually “perpetuate” life with the use of cloning. From a minute piece of man’s body, another of his kind is given life in a laboratory, and so are plants.  But, even if man and other creatures may live for thousands of years, the big question is, will Earth do?...considering the rate man is practically doing some kind of self-destruction due to pride, selfishness and wickedness?

ANG MUNDO, TAO, AT DIYOS

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Babala:  Ang blog na ito ay para lamang sa mga naniniwalang may Diyos…

Ang mga bagay sa ating paligid, pati na ang tao, at ang maayos na pamumuhay ng lahat ang patunay na may Diyos….yan ang paniniwala ko na hindi pwedeng kontrahin ng iba. Hindi naging “aksidente” o basta na lang nagkaroon ng mga bagay, may buhay man o wala sa kalawakang ginagawalan ng mundo, na ginagalawan naman ng tao. Hindi aksidente ang pagkaroon ng kabuluhan ang lahat ng bagay na umangkop sa pangangailangan ng mga hayop, halaman, at taong nagkaroon ng mga ito.

Halimbawa sa tao: ang buhok sa ulo ay pangharang sa init ng araw; ang kilay ay pangharang sa tutulong pawis upang hindi dumiretso sa mata; ang ilong ay para sa paghinga at ang mga balahibo sa loob nito ay pangharang sa dumi upang hindi pumasok habang humihinga ang tao; ang labi ay pangtakip ng bunganga upang hindi pasukin ng langaw o lamok at iba pang kulisap; ang ngipin ay pang-nguya ng kakainin; ang palaypay ng tenga ay pang-ipon ng tunog upang dumiretso sa butas, kaya para itong “bulsa”; ang mga kamay ay panghawak at panuntok, samantalang ang mga paa ay panglakad naman at pangsipa; ang buhok sa kili-kili ay proteksyon upang hindi magkaroon ng friction at magdikit ang balat ng braso at tagiliran sa bahaging yon, etc.

Ang iba’t ibang lahi at uri ng mga hayop at halaman ay may kanya-kanyang magkakaparehong katangian, at hindi pwedeng sabihing nagkataon lang ang pagkakapareho nila. Kung sasabihing “nagkataon” lang, pwedeng may ipapanganak na Amerikano ang isang nanay na Pilipino (pwera dito ang “albino” na naging puti lang ang balat)…o di kaya ay maaaring magkaanak ang elepante ng tigre.

Noong panahon ni Noah, nagkaroon ng malawakang baha na ayon sa Bibliya ay paraan upang mawala ang masasamang lahi sa mundo. Ang hindi lang naitala sa Bibliya ay ang iba pang mga kalamidad na tumama sa mundo upang mabawasan ang dami ng mga may buhay, at tuloy ay magkaroon ng balanse ang dami ng may buhay at pagkaing makukuha o available nang panahong yon. Kung nagawa ng Diyos na magpabaha, ay kaya rin niyang gumamit ng iba pang paraan upang mamintina ang kaayusan at balanse sa mundo.

Sa palagay ko, kaya binigyan ng Diyos ng “free will” ang tao, ay upang ito na ang gumawa ng paraan sa pagkontrol ng balanse sa mundo, nang lingid sa kanyang kaalaman. Dahil sa “free will”, ang tao ay nagkaroon ng ugaling pagkagahaman, kriminal, kabaitan, pagiging maka-Diyos, at iba pa. Dinagdag sa “free will” ang dunong o karunungan dahil ito ang ginamit ng tao upang gumawa ng mga kagamitang pamuksa sa kapwa-tao sa pamamagitan ng digmaan, terorismo at iba pa, na ang resulta ay paghihirap at kagutuman. Ang mga patayang nangyayari sa mundo ay nakatulong upang mabawasan ang dami ng tao, dahil kung hindi nagkaroon ng mga digmaan at kung asahan lang ang mga kalamidad, noon pa lang ay maaaring umapaw na ang sangkatauhan sa mundo!

Lahat ng tao at hayop, pati mga halaman ay may mga sakit na nananalaytay sa kanilang mga ugat (tao at hayop) at hibla (halaman). Ang dunong na ibinigay sa tao ang siyang gumagawa ng paraan kung paanong mapigilan ang “paglabas” ng mga sakit, sa pamamagitan ng pag-imbento ng mga gamot at ibang kaalaman tulad ng pag-opera. Subalit dahil sa kapabayaan ng tao, hindi niya nakontrol ang sarili upang magpakasasa sa pagkain at bisyo. Dahil diyan naglabasan ang mga sakit na ulcer, kanser, diabetes, high blood, high cholesterol, etc. Hindi nagamit ng maayos ang “free will” kaya naghihirap ngayon ang sangkatauhan dahil sa iba’t ibang sakit….masarap kasing humitit ng sigarilyo at marijuana, suminghot ng cocaine at shabu, lumaklak nang walang patumangga ng alak, lumamon ng maski pagkaing sinabi nang bawal, pagpuyat, etc.

Ang mga kalamidad tulad ng bagyo at baha ay resulta ng pagkagahaman ng tao na sumira sa kalikasan, kaya hindi dapat isisi sa Diyos kung bakit madalas na nagkakaroon ng mga ito.  Samantala, ang pagsisisi naman ng tao ay palaging nasa huli na….

THE APPALLING HYPOCRISY THAT CLOAKS HUMANKIND

By Apolinario Villalobos

When China initiated a bold expansion of her maritime territory that practically encroached into other nations’ own, the United Nations looked the other way…the United States did not give a damn, not even Russia, Great Britain. When realization about the imminent danger to the international community was finally perceived, affected nations reacted, the United States issued warnings, but with crossed fingers behind her. The Philippines has been left with her lonely struggle to assert her rights. Big nations of the world became noisy and issued their own warnings. Despite those, China went ahead and today, is almost finished with her grand design for the West Philippine Sea. The world has been entertained by a collective hypocritical concern for a struggling nation, the Philippines who buoyantly thinks, she will succeed in her lone quixotic effort!

Despite the fact that the internet is flooded with information about the corruption of leaders of big nations, no other leader of other nations ever attempted to call their attention because it would be unbecoming and undiplomatic. So while corrupt leaders suck the life out of their suffering constituents, other leaders look on because to lift a finger is unethical, especially, if the nations concerned are almost their equal. But when leaders of third-world nations become controversial in their leadership style, their counterparts from giant nations croak their “concern”.

As a president or as a prime minister or as whatevergoddamnpositionyougot, one MUST always be “good mannered, kindly, apologetic, Godly, etc.”. To utter one brash word, a president becomes unfit to the office to which he is elected. How sure can the whole world be that leaders of other nations, big or small, don’t ever mumble the equivalent of “Shit”, “God damn you”, “To hell with you”, and othershits in their language when they are within the confines of their office and confronted with a head-breaking situation? If the goodmannereds say it is okey so long as the public does not hear them….is that not a shitty hypocrisy?

Looking back to the time of Jesus, when Herod sentenced him to die on the cross, the latter washed his hands…a blatant show of hypocrisy. Still looking back at the earlier chapters of the Old Testament, the god of the Israelites told them to kill those who would block their way to the Promised Land… is there no hypocrisy in such instruction as humans are supposed to lover each other? If their god was a powerful one, why didn’t he just strike the pagans with enlightening lightning to jolt them into a compassionate state to make them share their land with the Israelites whom he made to roam the desert for forty years?

Splinters of the Mosaic/Sinaic faith fight to death for the sake of their supposedly right teaching but act differently which led even Jesus to brand them all as hypocrites. Today, it is still happening within the so many established churches resulting to the sprouting of various new and enlightened Christian communities to which dissenting members found solace as they could no longer stand the obnoxious air of hypocrisy within the walls of their former cathedrals and chapels.

Plagiarism is a common word that has become as common as the expression, “shit”. Writers of politicians plagiarize essays to be transformed into remarkable speeches for their bosses. Students of reputable universities and colleges copy/paste uploads of authors- known and unknown… word for word, chapter for chapter, from the internet to be submitted as thesis which their professors accept trustfully. Identification cards, personal documents, land titles, etc. are forged. Enterprising people come up with fake food, fake brands of commodities, and many others. Laws are passed against them, but how many are slapped with appropriate penalties? We hate these acts, yet, the attitude is one of hypocritical and selfishness….looking the other way while hoping that they do not get worse or affect us. While the pretense prevails, the commission of such malevolent acts venture beyond control and gets worst!

At this juncture, I dare say, humanity dwells on hypocrisy….so each of us should stop asking why we are living in such a “cruel world”!

Ang Epekto ng Mga Ginagawa Natin

Sa  Ating Kapwẳ at Kalikasan

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang mga ginagawa natin araw-araw ay nakaka-apekto sa ating kapwa, sa loob man ng tahanan o pinagtatrabahuhan, at sa labas ng mga ito. At, hindi lang sa ating kapwa-tao ang epekto kundi pati na rin sa ating kapaligaran at kalikasan.

Nakakatawa, subalit ang mistulang pag-utot natin ay nakaka-apekto sa ating kapwa lalo na kung tayo ay nasa loob ng isang lugar na kulob o saradong-sarado kaya naka-aircon, at lalong matindi kung sira ang aircon. Hindi rin ito nakakatawa dahil may nabasa akong balita sa internet na dahil sa sobrang amoy ng utot na pinakawalan ng katabi niya ay may buntis na hinimatay at nakunan. At, mayroon pang na-heart attack dahil sa sobrang katatawa. Nakakasira din ito sa tahimik na bulwagan kung saan ay may nagko- konsiyerto. Ang utot ay humahalo sa hangin na pumapailanlang sa kalawakan kaya nakakadagdag sa pagkasira ng ozone layer. Yan ang dahilan kung bakit may mga bansang nagbawas ng inaalagaang baka (cow) dahil sa madalas nilang pag-utot, kaya lumalabas na malaki ang naaambag nila sa pagkasira ng ozone layer.  Tanggap ng siyensiya o agham ang katotohanang ito.

May mga taong nagkaroon lang bigla ng maraming pera sa hindi ko na sasabihing dahilan kaya nakayanang bumili ng ilang sasakyan ay nakalimutan nang mag-commute. Mamamalengke lang ang misis sa palengkeng malapit lang naman ay naka-kotse pa. Maghahatid lang ng anak sa barkada niya sa katabing subdivision ay naka-kotse pa. Pupunta lang sa assembly area ng jogging ay naka-kotse pa…etc. Nakapag-aral naman ang mga ito at nakakabasa ng mga balita sa internet, kaya nakapagtatakang hindi nila alam na ang napakasimple nga lang na pagwa-warm up ng sasakyan ay nagreresulta na sa pagbuga ng carbon dioxide na sumisira ng ozone layer. Dahil sa madalas na paggamit ng mga sasakyan na gusto lang yatang i-display sa mga kapitbahay ay obvious na guilty rin sila sa pagkasira ng ozone layer.

May mga mayayabang din na talagang sinasadya ang pagpabago ng tambutso ng mumurahin nilang single na motorcycle na second hand pa, upang magkaroon ng epek na animo ay dambuhalang motorcycle kung paandarin nila dahil sa ingay….noise pollution naman ito maliban pa sa carbon dioxide pa ring binubuga ng todo dahil tinanggalan ng filter ang tambutso. At hindi lang ozone layer ang apektado dito, kundi pati mga kapitbahay lalo na kung umuwi sa hatinggabi o madaling araw  ang mayabang. At dahil sa ingay, pati na rin ang ibang tao sa kalye ay apektado kung magpaharurot ang mayabang ng kanyang lumang single motorcycle.

May mga taong walang pakundangan kung magtapon ng pinagbalutan ng kinakain nila habang naglalakad. Kawawa ang mga bahay na madaanan nila dahil kung saan naubos ang banana cue ay doon din nila itatapon ang stick – kahit sa tapat ng gate mismo. Yong ibang tinatapon ay paper cups na nilagyan ng sauce ng fish ball at stick din, pinagbalutan ng ice cream- in- stick, boteng plastik ng tubig at softdrink, etc. Matindi naman ang mga nakasakay sa dyip o bus na nagtatapon ng basura sa labas ng bintana kaya naikakalat ito, sa halip na iuwi o ilagay sa ilalim ng upuan ng bus, o kung dyip ay sa basurahang inilaan ng drayber.

Yong ibang garapal ay inilalagay ang basurang naipon nila sa bahay sa napakagandang shopping bag, bibitbitin palabas at tityempo sa pagtapon sa ilog kung merong malapit sa kanilang tinitirhan, o di kaya ay isasakay sa maganda nilang kotse sa pagluwas nila ng Maynila at itatapon sa tabi ng highway o mismong Cavitex, SLEX o NLEX, kung malayo na sila sa patrol o toll booth….alam ko yan dahil may nakita na ako!

Maraming nagagalit kapag may naririnig na balita tungkol sa mga basurang nakatambak sa tabi ng dagat, sa ilog mismo, at kung saan-saan pang bahagi ng lunsod. Sumasali din sila sa mga clean up drive at nakasuot pa ng t-shirt, pero halata namang karamihan sa kanila ay gusto lang magpakodak upang may mailagay sa facebook. Galit sila sa mga nagkakalat ng basura, subalit hindi nila “naalala” ang pagtapon nila ng candy wrapper o upos ng sigarilyo sa kalsada!

At, ang pinakamatindi ay ang epekto ng pagpasok ng iba sa larangan ng pulitika upang magpayaman. Dahil natanim sa isip nila ang nasabing layunin, lahat ay gagawin upang manalo sa eleksiyon kaya mamimili ng boto at kung mananalo nga ay mangungurakot upang mabawi ang ginastos. Dahil diyan apektado ang badyet ng bayan dahil sa pagnanakaw nila kaya ang taong bayan naman ang nawalan ng mga project na pakikinabangan sana nila. Bukod pa diyan, ang iba ay papasok sa mga illegal na gawain tulad ng logging at pagmimina, pati na droga. Dahil sa mga illegal na gawain, nasira ang kalikasan, naudlot ang pag-unlad ng bayan, at nasira ang moralidad ng mga tao.

Ang Mga Karahasan, Kalamidad

At ang Kapangahasan ng Tao

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Dahil sa paghihirap at kamatayang dulot sa sangkatauhan at mundo sa kabuuhan, ang mga karahasan at kalamidad ay itinuturing na mga parusa ng Manlilikha sa tao. Kung tutuusin, tama rin dahil kung hindi umabuso ang tao sa paggamit ng biyayang bigay ng kalikasan at hindi naging mapag-imbot ay naiwasan sanang masira ang kapaligiran at ang mga tao ay hindi nagpapatayan.

Sa isang banda naman, kung hihintayin lang ang itinakdang gulang kung kaylan mamatay ang mga tao… ibig sabihin ay walang sakit, walang epidemya, walang disgrasya, walang giyera, at iba pang sanhi ng maagang kamatayan, malamang ay wala na halos natirang lupang titirhan sa panahong ito dahil sa dami ng mga tao. Ganoon din ang mangyayari kung naging halos paraiso ang mundo dahil walang gubat na nakakalbo, walang mga hayop na magpapatayan, malinis ang karagatan, malinis ang hangin….siguradong aapaw na rin ang mga hayop sa kagubatan at gagala na sa mga bahaging tinitirhan ng mga tao.

Hindi sa hinihingi kong magkaroon palagi ng karahasan at kalamidad upang makontrol ang pagdami ng mga tao sa mundo. Subali’t kung ating papansinin, malaki din ang naitutulong ng siyensiya sa pagpahaba ng buhay ng tao dahil sa mga naiimbentong makabagong gamot at paraan sa pag-opera ng katawan, at pagpapaigsi naman dahil sa mga makabagong gamit pandigma. Ibig sabihin, kung may likas na pangkontrol sa buhay ng tao tulad ng mga kalamidad, nasasabayan ito ngayon ng mga kayang gawin ng tao sa pamamagitan ng kanyang karunungan.

Dahil sa mga nabanggit, kung may mga mangyayari man sa ating buhay, huwag nating isisi lahat sa Diyos, dahil ang tao ngayon ay “kumikilos at nag-iisip” na rin na parang Diyos kaya pati ang “pagbuo” (cloning) ng isa pang tao gamit lang ang kapirasong bahagi ng isang katawan ay kaya na rin niyang gawin. Ang ibang hindi magandang pangyayari sa mundo ay dapat  ding isisi sa taong may sakim na pagnanasang malampasan pa ang Manlilikha!

The World is a Maze of Confusion

And Conflict

By Apolinario Villalobos

Here are some of my personal observations:

The confusion is compounded by greed that has muddled man’s mind making the upshots of his intellect become tools for his self-annihilation!

There is no Permanent Status in this World

By Apolinario Villalobos

Good or bad fortune is not the same for all men. Some are born rich, while some are born poor. In some cases, some who were born rich become poor due to extravagance and negative circumstances beyond their control. On the other hand, some who were born poor have become rich by dint of hard work and frugality, still some, by virtue of “resourcefulness”, especially, those who entered politics.

Nobody wants to suffer from poverty. It is just that some people have a very low level of satisfaction that what appears to some people as poverty, is to the former, already a satisfactory life. Meanwhile, other aspects of life such as poverty and satisfaction have different degrees and rungs.

There is one thing, however, that most of us already know, as an important factor that can affect life – exploitation of the weak by the strong. Since time immemorial, this has been going on. For the lesser creatures, it is just for mere survival, as in the case of the animals in the jungle that kill for food. But for the civilized man, the ultimate reason is subjugation of the weak.

Nevertheless, as man by nature, is a struggling creature, along the way, there could be a reversal of fortune. Along the corridor of time, the vanquished sometimes become the victor and vice versa. There are also cases wherein dominating rich families encounter financial catastrophe and find themselves without a single centavo. Also, countries that used to be prosperous suddenly become impoverished due to badly managed national coffer and topsy-turvy financial system resulting from corruption.

Back to man, there are stories about rags-to-riches success. One is about Nora Aunor, touted as the “Filipina with a Golden Voice”, who as a teen-age girl, sold cold drinking water in a train station in Naga City. Another successful show business personality is German Moreno, the comedian turned broadcaster who used to be a cigarette vendor and janitor at Grand Opera House. There is also the story of Vice-President Binay who used to augment their family income by raising hogs in their backyard…but, now – just looking great with “hard and wisely-earned” money! Another story is about a guy, a former neighbor, who was the janitor-messenger of their office, but due to his business acumen and right connections, amassed millions from his real estate ventures. I am not saying here, that all ventures to earn riches are done the “right way”.

As for the downfall of the once great men, there are a lot of stories that can be told. One is that of the former Shah of Iran, who although, not very impoverished, is said to have no permanent residence today. A former Filipino world champion boxer, suddenly found himself without friends and money after squandering painfully- earned dollars. He is said to be begging in the wet market of General Santos City today. Many Filipino movie actors and actresses who used to be famous, failed to invest their talent fee and died paupers, while some are languishing with terminal diseases, surviving on daily financial dole-out from friends for their medicine.

The world is replete with success and downfall stories, giving substance to the adage: “what goes up, must come down”. These are lessons that should be learned as they are written in books or told, but only few are taking note, for as what a line in the song, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” says: “when will we ever learn?...yes, when will we ever learn?”. 

The very positive-minded have the answer: “que sera sera…whatever will be, will be”...which may be okay, for as long as no regret will be felt at the end!...and for as long as they do not blame others and God!

We should not forget that “regrets always come at the end”….

The Struggle of Man to Survive

…a personal view

By Apolinario Villalobos

Man has for long, exploited the earth’s fossil residues – oil, coal, and natural gas. As estimated by experts, their years are numbered, so that there is a scramble now in finding ways to utilize the sources of renewable energy, such as water, wind, and sun. Even motion will eventually be harnessed for this purpose, as it has been used successfully in small gadgets like flashlight and wristwatch. Many years from now, the battery with different capacity for storage, forms and sizes shall take the center stage in this endeavor. As of now, there are efforts being exerted to make the battery with stored solar energy as an acceptable option, but unfortunately, with few takers.

Moving contraptions such as cars, ships, aircrafts, etc. may later be operated by batteries that shall store energy from wind and motion, as the one from the sun is being used now, though, on a small scale. Homes may utilize batteries that shall store energy from the sun and wind. The batteries for cellphones and cameras may be recharged by motion and body heat. Such batteries may form part of the gadget’s structure, hence, cannot be detached for replacement.

Nature cannot take so much abuse such as denuding of forests, unscrupulous mining, slash and burn farming, fishing with the use of poison, dynamites, and fine meshed trawls. It yields to such onslaught by way of floods, erosions, landslides, and depletion of marine life.  With its loss of balance, deprivations, especially, hunger shall definitely get worst.

In this view, time will come that even leaves of trees may be made edible through a meticulous process in which, their fibers shall be softened and flavored to make them palatable. So there may come a time when future generations shall be munching biscuits made from coconut leaves or fill their sandwich with jam made from grape leaves or delight in crunchies made from twigs and tree barks, or wafers made from wood shavings and dust. Practically, the whole tree may become edible! We are leading to that, as in virtual preparation, we are partaking today of “ground” or “powdered” cinnamon bark and other “woody” spices, even powdered roots as herbal drug.

With high-tech process, even poisonous fruits may already be safe to eat, after their deadly substance has been removed. It should be noted that some of the drugs that are used today come from poisonous plants, such as the “tuba-tuba” that yields castor oil. Some poisonous tubers become safe to eat after having been soaked in the running water of river for several days. Further to this, antidotes against some poison come from the same source such as cobra. Even the potent poisonous saliva of komodo lizard is being developed as a powerful drug.

The crossbreeding of vegetables to make them resistant to long drought and flood are being done now. In this regard, new varieties of rice and corn are being developed for the aforementioned situations. Presently, genetically-modified vegetables with remarkable increase in size and slight change in appearance and taste are already in the market, although, opposed by the conservatives who fear their effect to the human genes. But how can that be, when genes of animals are already used today in therapies to prolong the life of man?

Insects as part of exotic cuisine are becoming a fad in many countries. So, now there are pizzas topped with crickets and grasshoppers, sandwiches filled with wormburger, jellies made from giant black ants, baby scorpions as appetizer, etc. Even some kind of starfish may be made into crunchy barbecues. To avert extreme hunger, all kinds of insects may eventually find their way to the dining table. Even crocodile and elephant skin as with all other animals may become crunchy snacks, just like the water buffalo and pig skin which in the Philippines is called “chicharon”.

Subdivision and condo developers may be required in the future to have recycling facilities to make their projects self-sufficient in water. They may also be required to install facilities for the harnessing of sources of renewable energy. The same requirements may also be imposed on factories, commercial buildings and supermarkets, as well as, restaurants. The keyword here is “require”, because to date, what prevails is just the option.

In many years to come, homes, entire subdivisions, and clustered villages may be covered with protective green fiberglass to minimize the deadly effect of long exposure to sun rays. New cities may be developed in this manner. High-end and exclusive subdivisions may even be totally covered to protect the occupants from the excessive polluted air. Such green cover may eventually become part of political promises for a healthy and better life during electoral campaigns. Governments may set aside budgets for this, too.

Though morbid as it may sound, some remote villages in poor countries may revive the practice of cannibalism due to extreme poverty, though, discreetly this time. As a last resort, warring neighboring states may forget their differences and instead, merge to pool their effort in fighting hunger. Water may become the most important and expensive commodity on earth, more expensive than life, as in some remote villages, parents may trade their children for jugs of water. This is actually done now, though indirectly, through adoption of children by foreigners, whereby, parents of adopted children are given monetary consolation.

Politics may be replaced by religion as a driving force and unifying factor of humanity. The struggle could be between the united Islamic States and progressive Christians which had ever been since the Biblical time. It should be noted that politics came into the picture only centuries later, with the spread of the Greek philosophies that somehow classified the different schools of thought. The classification that eventually defined the different thoughts gave man an option to deviate from the path laid down by Godly faith.

Finally, because both Islam and Christianity are God-centered, eventually, they may reach a compromise which shall mark another stage of man’s struggle for survival…the beginning of a new cycle of life on earth. 

Ang Lason sa Pagkain ng Tao at iba pang

Nagkokontrol sa pagdami niya sa Mundo

ni Apolinario Villalobos

Nang minsang mamalengke ako nang maaga, nadaanan ko ang mga sariwang isda na nasa banyera at balde – galunggong, dalagang bukid, isdang lapad, belong-belong, karpa, tilapia at dilis. Ang iba sa kanila ay frozen, subalit ang nakatawag sa aking pansin ay ang kulay ng tubig na pinagbababaran nila. Tulad ng sa galunggong na kulay dark blue, at sa dalagang bukid na kulay pula. Nakita ko naman ang isang tindera na may pulbong inilagay sa balde na binababaran ng belong-belong at karpa. Nang tanungin ko ang tinderang may-ari ng mga isda, ang sagot niya ay kulay daw talaga yon ng mga isda. Hindi na ako nakipagtalo pa dahil ayaw kong masira ang araw ko. Alam ko naman talagang may ginagawa ang mga tindera at tinderong ito sa mga binebentang mga isda upang magmukhang sariwa at matigas sa buong maghapon.

Napabalita noon pa man na gumagamit pa nga raw sila ng formalin o yong gamot na ginagamit sa bangkay ng tao upang hindi ito maagnas agad. Pati tuyộ ay hindi pinalampas dahil ginamitan din ng formalin upang maging makintab at magmukhang malinis ang kaliskis. Mabibisto lang na may formalin dahil, kapag pinirito na ay may amoy at sumasabog ang laman. May nagsabi sa akin, na dyubos (pangkulay ng sapatos) naman daw ang ginagamit upang mapanatili ang sariwang kulay ng mga isda, kaya iba’t iba ang kulay depende sa natural na kulay ng isda.

Kamakailan lang napabalitang dahil sa katusuhan ng ibang nag-aalaga ng mga baboy, hinahaluan daw nila ang pagkain ng mga nito ng gamot ng tao para sa asthma upang hindi kumapal ang taba nila at magandang tingnan ang karne sa kabuuan nito. Ang masama lang, kapag nakain ng tao ang karne ng baboy na ginamitan ng gamot, hindi na siya tatablan nito sa panahong kailangan na niyang uminom dahil sa sakit na asthma.

Ang mga gulay ay “ini-embalsamo” na rin ng mga nagtitinda. Ang langka na panggulay, talong, kalabasa, kamatis, patola, at sitaw ay binababad na rin nila sa isang klase ng gamot na magpapasariwa sa mga ito nang kung ilang araw, kaya ang talong na tinapyasan ng bulok na bahagi kaya na-expose ang laman at langkang nahiwa o tinadtad na ay hindi nangingitim, ganoon din ang kalabasang nahiwa na at binabalot sa plastic bag kasama ng iba pang gulay na pang-pinakbet; ang kamatis ay hindi lalambot agad; ang patola ay hindi mangungulubot sa loob ng ilang araw, pati na ang sitaw. Natuklasan ko itong masamang gawain nang minsang magluto ako ng langka na mapait ang lasa at kahit mahigit isang oras na ay hindi pa rin lumalambot, ganoon din ang talong na kahit nadurog na ang ibang gulay na kasama sa tagal ng pagkakagisa, ito ay matigas at amoy sariwa pa rin. Ang sabi ng ilang nakausap ko, tawas daw ang ginagamit na “gamot” para sa gulay.

Noon, napabalitang walang pakundangan ang pag-spray sa mga NFA rice na iniimbak sa mga bodega, ng gamot na panlaban sa bukbok, bigas kuto, at iba pang kulisap na sumisira dito. Subalit, ang masamang epekto naman ay napupunta sa tao – masama na ang lasa, may amoy pa. Kawawa naman ang mga mahihirap na Pilipino dahil nakakakain nga maski paano ng murang bigas, may lason naman pala! Bandang huli, dahil sa pagkabulgar nitong hindi magandang gawain, ay siniguro na yata ng ahensiyang responsable na ang bigas ay talagang ligtas na makakain ng mga Pilipino. Subalit hindi man NFA ang bigas, kahit ang mga pangkaraniwang lokal na klase ay hindi rin ligtas dahil upang masiguro na hindi sila mapeste, ini-espreyhan din sila ng insecticide, kaya hindi maaaring wala silang nasipsip upang mapasama sa mga butil.

Ang mga gulay bukid na itinuturing na ligaw at nabubuhay sa palayan at tabi ng pilapil tulad ng kangkong, lupộ, at apat-apat, na masustansiya sana ay halos hindi na rin ligtas kainin dahil sa mga fertilizer na inii-spray sa mga palay na humahalo sa tubig kaya nasisipsip ng nabanggit na mga gulay. Pati ang kuhol at tulya na nakukuha sa linangan at gilid ng mga kanal ng arigasyon o patubig ay may mga deposito na ring lason sa kanilang laman.

Ang mga prutas tulad ng saging at mangga ay inii-espreyhan na rin, kaya kahit pa sabihing binabalatan muna sila bago kainin, hindi maaaring walang nasipsip na insecticide na humalo sa laman. Ang saging na pinapadala sa ibang bansa ay binababad sa isang klase ng kemikal upang maantala ang paghinog nito. Pati ang mga itinuturing na prutas-gubat tulad ng durian at mangosteen ay tinatanim na sa mga orchard at inii-espreyhan na rin. Ang tubo na pinagmumulan ng asukal ay kailangan din ispreyhan habang lumalaki upang siguradong hindi mapeste o di kaya ay ginagamitan ng abuno upang tumamis ang katas, kaya ito ay may bahid na rin ng lason.

Ang mga halamang gamot ay may bahid na rin ng lason na galing sa hangin dahil sa dumi nito. Kaya maski pa sabihing gamot sila at organic ang sistema ng pag-alaga sa mga green house, may posibilidad pa rin na may lason sila.

Ang ibig kong ipabatid sa isinulat kong ito ay: nagsi-self liquidate o pinapatay ng tao ang sarili, gamit ang mga ginawa o inembento niya. Iyan ang halaga o katumbas ng pag-unlad. Sa madaling salita, sariling karunungan ng tao ang pumapatay sa kanya. Hindi man idaan sa pagkain ang paliwanag, ibig kong sabihin, mismong mga gamit na magpoprotekto sana sa kanya na inimbento niya, tulad ng baril, itak, at bandang huli, granada at mga bomba, ang pumapatay din sa kanya.

Idagdag pa rito ang kasakiman na umaabot sa pag-abuso sa kalikasan tulad ng walang patumanggang pagto-troso at pagmimina na nagiging sanhi ng baha at pagkasira ng normal na takbo ng panahon. Dito lumalabas ang katalinuhan ng Diyos…dahil sa mga ganitong pangyayari, nakokontrol ang “pag-apaw” ng tao sa mundo!

Mother Earth and Man

By Apolinario Villalobos

Looking back when time began

God said the words

Giving life to all

That He desired,

The endless expanse of the void

Was filled with motley specks

That moved with harmony -

A prodigious task

Of  the  Almighty.

A tiny dot in the universe

Mother Earth throbbed with life

As God made her a living sphere

Covered with green and blue

All part of God’s grandiose plan

Done in a few days of divine toil,

Though, He rested finally

Being, at last satisfied -

On the seventh day.

Out of a handful dust from her womb

God made Adam, by such name he was called

And with God’s breathe of life

What was once a lump with limbs

Has become like Him in image

And let to roam the Garden of Eden

But then, loneliness soon had its toll

Which when God has perceived -

From Adam’s rib, He made Eve.

Mother Earth now nurtures

Not only lesser creatures

But the pair that God made

In some aspects, in His own image.

A paradise, Eden was supposed to be

But to it, a serpent found its way

Tempting Eve to have a taste of ecstasy

And, no sooner than she did have a bite

She made Adam commit the same depravity!

The blunder made by Adam and Eve

Instigated the misery of Mother Earth

As they opened the floodgate of afflictions

That soon blemished her once pristine face;

Greed and selfishness, for long led lives -

Cain putting to death his own brother Abel,

And many other stories that are written

On the sacred pages of the age-old Book-

All it needs is for us is to take a serious look.

Warnings that Mother Earth belched

In her effort to wake man up with a jolt

Did not budge him even a single bit

Instead, pride bloated him to the utmost

That into the fetid air, made him float

And, as he breathes in more turpitudes-

It would be no wonder, when he bursts!

That will be the day when not even time

Shall move its hands as they should be,

That will be the day when not even rain

Shall fall with life giving sweet droplets,

That will be the day when not even birds

Shall fill the air with their lilting tweets,

And the cool breeze shall no longer blow-

Leaving Mother Earth cloaked in sorrow!