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.

Ang mga Kapabayaan sa Pilipinas

…kabulukang nakakasulasok at nakakasuka!

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Napakaraming kapabayaan ang maibabato sa pamahalaan na nagresulta sa pagkawala ng respeto ng mga mananamantala sa gobyerno. Dahil dito, nadadamay ang kabuuhang pagkatao ng mga Pilipino na nawalan na dignidad o dangal.

Ang isang halimbawa ay ang pagpipilit ng DMCI, developer ng Torre de Manila na  ituloy ang pagpapagawa kahit may TRO na noon pa man. Mula sa apat ay naging pito, hanggang nabisto na ang gusto palang ipatayo ay isang high-rise condo na may 49 palapag. Tinagurian itong “national photo bummer” dahil kapag nagpakuha ang mga namamasyal sa Luneta ng litrato sa harap ng rebulto ni Rizal, litaw na litaw ang ginagawang gusali. Ngayon, gusto pa ng Supreme Court na bayaran ang DMCI kung mahihinto ang proyekto nila, ganoong sa simula pa lang ay alam na ng kumpanyang mali sila, at nagpapalusot lamang sa tulong ng mga tiwaling opisyal ng pamahalaan, lalo pa at nagsimula na pala silang magpre-selling maraming buwan na ang nakaraan. Walang ginawa ang administrasyon ni Aquino ganoong ang usapin ay isang national issue.

Dahil naman sa walang humpay na nangyayaring korapsyon sa gobyerno, ang tingin sa ating bansa ay basura na. Kahit sa kapit-bansang Malaysia ay may mga adverstisement na hindi ligtas ang manirahan at magnegosyo sa Pilipinas. Sa larangan naman ng turismo, kung ilang beses nang napasama sa listahan ng mga bansang dapat iwasan ang Pilipinas. Nasundan pa ito ng pagdagsa ng halos isandaang malalaking container vans na puno ng basura mula sa Canada. Hindi na nirerespeto ang Pilipinas dahil ang mismong namumuno ay walang political will.

Ang nasa isip ng mga banyagang gustong manamantala sa Pilipinas ay makakalusot sila basta may nakahandang milyones na panlagay sa mga opisyal. Hindi maiwasang isipin nila ito dahil may mga pruweba nang ginagaya naman ng iba, hanggang umabot sa halos wala nang katapusang pang-aabuso ang lahat. Lumalaki ang problemang kinakaharap  ng mga Pilipino dahil malalim na ang inabot ng ugat ng korapsyon sa gobyerno. Paano pang mabubunot ang ugat sa ngayon, kung mismong namumuno ay walang pakialam sa mga nangyayari sa kanyang paligid?

Mismong sa loob ng bakuran ng bansa, nagkalat ang mga basura – sa kalye at mga estero, bukod pa sa paligid ng mga slum areas. May mga ahensiya ngang itinalaga pero wala namang ginagawa. Sa mga estero o daluyan ng tubig nga lang, hinahayaang kumapal ang mga basura at water liliy, kaya kapag inabutan ng malakas na ulan umaapaw ang mga ito na nagdudulot ng matinding baha. Oo nga’t may kasalanan din ang mga tao, subali’t ano ang gagawin nila kung ang basurang inilagay naman nila ng maayos sa mga pick-up points ay hindi hinahakot ng mga trak ng basura sa tamang oras?

Maliliit na mga isla at kalat-kalat na nga lang ang Pilipinas, tatambakan pa ng basura ng ibang bansa at mismong mga naninirahan, ano pa ang aasahang mangyari?...ang sagot ay dusa na idudulot ng sakit mula sa amoy ng basura, at lason na tatagas sa mga daluyan ng tubig sa ilalim ng lupa o bukal, na iniinom ng mga tao! 

No Historic Landmark or Development

can stay for a Lifetime in the Philippines

by Apolinario Villalobos

The politics in the Philippines is one of a kind. It is destructive, as well as, breeds very hideous corruption, that devastates even the foundation of the people’s culture. Greed is the very core of political system in the Philippines. Worst, is that despite the glaring manifestations of committed corruption, those involved keep on denying it.

Every administration of all government units, from the top executive down to the lowest level is fanatically obsessed with political slogans and colors that serve as their stamp. Even long-standing structures which have been budgeted significantly for their construction are not spared. It is expected always, that every time an election for the sets of government officials has been concluded, practically everything is washed over with new colors that stand for the passion of the winners. Along with this, what have been put up by the past administration, are unsparingly destroyed to give way to new ones that shall stand for the “accomplishments” of the sitting set of officials. On the other hand, the sitting government officials may not be totally blamed because unless they broadcast their accomplishments, the people will not know.

As to the historic landmarks that for centuries gave a grandiose image to the country, these are pitifully neglected. Some are renovated to assume a modernistic façade to serve the purpose of the mindless government officials. A sister of the president was even quoted as having indiscreetly remarked that the centuries-old Post Office building at the Bonifacio Park (formerly, Lawton Plaza), can be converted into a hotel. And, just a stone’s throw away from the said landmark is the deteriorating Manila Metropolitan Theater with its peeling walls and crumbling statues.

My heart cringes every time I browse the cyberspace and view the posts of bloggers – photos of the historic landmarks of neighboring Asian countries, all well-maintained and not overshadowed by mushrooming and towering modern edifices. Even the triangular and minuscule “tourist spot”, Intramuros is in a sorry state with its stinking nooks. Perhaps, it will remain as such, a stinking “spot”. It is a shame that we Filipinos always say, that we are proud of our race and country, but these are just verbal declarations without substance.

Yes, we have world-class singers and we have Manny Pacquiao, but it seems that our pride stops there. Our president is even touted as a lame duck, one reason why corruption in the government has worsened. But, as the saying goes, while we live, there is always hope…and as hoping is free, it’s all that the Filipinos can do…hope and pray for the better!

Sa Pilipinas, Pakapalan ng Mukha

ang Labanan sa Pulitika

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kung hindi matapang ang hiya ng isang tao, hindi siya pwedeng pumasok sa larangan ng pulitika sa Pilipinas kung saan ang labanan ay pakapalan ng mukha. Nakakatulong din ang pagkakaroon ng pangalan na kilala na sa larangang ito, kaya sumibol ang “political dynasty”. Ang palaging sinasabi kahit kahiyaan na ay, “nandito na rin lang sa pulitika, lubusin na”…kaya nagkakanya-kanya ng hakot ng kapamilya ang mga walang hiyang pulitiko upang maipasok sa larangang ito.

Para sa baguhan at hindi kilala, nagsisimula ang pakapalan ng mukha sa araw na magpilit siyang kaya niyang tumakbo sa isang posisyon at wala siyang pakialam kung pagtawanan man siya o laitin kahit na ng mga kaibigan niya. Hindi rin ligtas sa mga panglalait ang mga kilala na sa pulitika na gustong tumakbo sa mas mataas na puwesto o di kaya ay tumakbo uli para sa dating posisyon hangga’t pasok pa sa alituntunin, subali’t bistado namang walang ginawa o nagawa kundi mangurakot lang. Talagang makakapal ang mukha!

Sa kaso ng mag-amang Binay, nang tanungin daw ang nakakatandang Binay kung ii-endorso niya ang kanyang junior kung tatakbo ito sa pagka-senador, ang sagot niya: “siyempre, dahil anak ko yan”. Ganoon sila kakapal sa garapalang pagpapakita ng mga tunay nilang layunin sa pulitika – ang magkaroon ng dinastiya o dynasty. Kung ang Makati ay literal na tinatakan nila ng letrang “B”, ang buong  Pilipinas pa kaya na sa tingin nila ay malaking oportunidad para sa isang malaking negosyo?

Si Mar Roxas ay ehemplo ng pinakamatinding pakapalan ng mukha dahil sa layuning tumagal sa larangan ng pulitika, kesehodang sa tingin ng mga kritiko niya ay nagmumukha siyang tuta ng kanyang iniidolo. Dahil sa ginagawa ni Roxas, nawalan na siya ng “self-respect”, isang palatandaan ng kahinaan kaya lalong nawawalan siya ng pag-asang manalo. Sino ba naman kasi ang boboto sa isang tao na walang sariling disposisyon at umaasa lang sa iba?...ang pagkakamali niya ay ang sumandal sa isang taong ampaw pala! Kung gusto niyang mabawi ang kanyang “self-respect” dapat ay mag-resign siya bilang Secretary ng DILG ngayon na, at tumigil sa kaaasta na parang loud speaker ni Pnoy sa pagsabi ng “tuwid na daan” at “reporma” na puro kathang isip lamang!

Kahit hindi tumakbo uli sa pagka-presidente, kinakapalan din ni Pnoy ang mukha sa pangungulit ng pakikipag-usap kay Grace Poe na sa tingin ng mga Pilipino ay may malaking potensiyal na maging presidente. Natataranta si Pnoy dahil kung hindi niya makukuha ang isang pangako mula sa isang tingin niya ay magiging presidente, siguradong makakasuhan siya at madadagdag sa listahan ng mga babatikusan dahil sa maling paggamit ng pondo ng bayan. Hindi nakakalimutan ng taong bayan ang sinabi ni Grace Poe bilang konklusyon ng imbestigasyon sa Mamasapano massacre, na dapat ay managot si Pnoy dahil sa kapabayaan. Hindi ito pwedeng bawiin ni Poe dahil siya naman ang malalagay sa kahihiyan.

May mga tumatakbo rin na ang habol lang ay makalikom ng mga “donation” na pera para sa pangangampanya, subalit tinitipid naman upang malaki ang matirang pambulsa. Diyan nagkaroon ng malaking bahay at iba pang ari-arian ang isang kilalang pulitiko na tumakbo sa pagka-presidente pero natalo. Inamin niya sa isang interbyu na galing sa natirang donasyon daw ang kanyang pera upang palabasing hindi siya nangurakot sa kaban ng bayan. Wala siyang choice kundi aminin ang nakakahiyang ginawa kaysa naman madiin sa mga akusasyong may kinalaman sa pangungurakot, subali’t dahil sa kamalasan ay hindi pa rin natanggal ang akusasyon dahil malinaw naman na isa siya sa mga ginamit ni Napoles.

Ang iba naman ay buong kayabangan at katapatang nagsasabi na ang pagpasok nila sa pulitika ay isang “investment” kaya walang problema kung gumastos man sila ng malaki dahil inaasahan naman nila na sa loob lamang ng isang taong pangugurakot ay apat na doble ang maibabalik sa kanila!...at yan ay napatunayan na!

Pat’s Journey in Life

(for Pat Sulleza Pelletero)

By Apolinario Villalobos

The gauge of the person’s desire to succeed in life is the degree of his or her enthusiasm in achieving such at all cost. A couple of years ago, I met a girl who at a very young age became a discreet prostitute along Avenida so that she could pursue her studies until she was adopted by a retired couple who treated her like their own. Children in depressed areas that surround Divisoria, a bustling center for wholesaling of local produce, derive earnings by waking up as early as two in the morning to gather vegetable trimmings to be cleaned and sold along the sidewalk. Only when they have sold enough to earn a little for their allowance, do they prepare themselves for school.

There are more inspiring stories that can pinch one’s heart, not for pity but for admiration. One of these is that of Pat’s. Upon graduating from high school, she decided to work for her college studies to lessen the burden of her parents whose income could barely suffice for the needs of their family. When she applied as a Student Assistant in the convent of the Oblates of Notre Dame (OND), she was readily accepted because of her outstanding academic record and remarkable character.

The determination to finish her studies boosted her strength as she faced the task that lay ahead. Though a little shock was felt during the early days of her stay in the convent, she got used to waking up at 4:30AM to start doing the household chores, one of which was braving the early breaking of dawn to buy pan de sal, popular local bread for breakfast. Other things had to be done until before 11:AM as during the time, she had to teach catechism at Tacurong Pilot School until 11:45AM. The remaining fifteen minutes till noon was spent walking her way back to the convent. From noon until two in the afternoon, she had to do other chores, after which she was left with thirty minutes to prepare herself for her classes which started at 2:30PM, until 8:00PM. That was her typical weekdays and weeknights. Saturdays were for laundry and weeding of the garden and doing research. Sundays were of course for the Mass and whatever were left of the chores, and the evenings were for studies.

Hectic was not enough to describe the life of Pat as a Student Assistant, but it prepared her for more pressure when she worked at Ramie Corporation (RamCor) when she graduated. She topped the qualifying exam given by the company for applicants. During the early days of Tacurong, ramie fiber was one of the products that it proudly produced. Another company, Kenram, cultivated the fibrous plant together with kenap. As with the abaca fiber of Albay province, ramie and kenap were among the top exported products of the Philippines, until the plantations in Tacurong were supplanted with African palm.

The time of Pat’s employment at RamCor was also the height of the unrest in the area due to the Muslim-Christian conflict which necessitated the stationing of a contingent of the 12^th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. Call it fate, but due to the unrest which caused the arrival of the men in fatigue, Pat met Ed (Eustaquio Edmundo Pellero), a Cebuano, and who was a member of the said contingent. As love can move mountains, so did theirs that also moved aside mountains of apprehensions because of financial limitations.

After her stint at RamCor, Pat taught for a while at the Sultan Kudarat National High School, now a Polytechnic University extension in the province. When the situation in Mindanao improved, the couple went to Manila and finally settled in Cavite. Pat still did her part as a working mother with her employment at the Philippine National Bank, until she finally decided to quit so that she could spend her time attending to the needs of their growing family. The couple is blessed with three offspring, Brendo Amor, Satea Mae, and Jonah Maureen, as well as, grandchildren, Lourdess Gem, Lorcan Gyo and Vaugn Eric Zain.

Pat grew up in a closely-knit family that espoused discipline and fear of God which molded her character as she was growing up. The traits could have been what the OND nuns perceived when she applied for a job as Student Assistant, and by her husband when he wooed her. She tried her best to imbue the same traits to her children who became successful in their chosen careers.

Pat is a town mate and our path crossed through the facebook after more than thirty years. I knew her as a chatty gal when she was in high school and college, making her easy to go along with. She could easily set the mood of conversation into something lively to put everyone at ease. Her satisfaction in life, proved that success is not spelled by money. She was successful in her hard-earned college degree, well-thought conjugal partnership with an equally hardworking guy, having equally well-disciplined offspring and healthy grandchildren, and today, contented as a retiree. All of these, of course, she owes to the only One whom she trusted ever since in her life when she embarked on a journey along its perilous corridor, beset with challenges.

Rantings on Gay Issue should be Stopped

…the Hypocrite Preachers should instead Think

of How to Feed the Hungry

By Apolinario Villalobos

One popular American preacher, lately, keeps on telling his followers that nowhere in the Bible is “homosexuality” mentioned. Of course! There is no such word in the language of the Biblical people of long ago, but the act is clearly implied. The Bible uses instead, the word “dog” as reference to the male prostitute. Are the hypocrites who keep on denying the reality of such preference so dumb that they forgot how the word “sodomy” was coined? When an “angel” went to Lot who lived in Sodom, to warn him about the wrath of God that was about to befall the city, the male populace forced him to surrender to them his good looking visitor, and it was only at this time that the “angel” used his power against the throng when he felt the danger, as they were already banging at the door. Why were the males of Sodom interested in the good looking visitor of Lot? Must I say, that clearly, they want to “sodomize” him? Also, how about the intimate relationship of King David to Jonathan? Now, those are Bible stories that I am throwing back to the hypocrites who still cannot accept the fact that the homosexual acts aside from other heathen practices of the Sodomites caused the downfall of their city, together with that of Gomorrah. They should eat their Bible to have a better understanding of what are inside!

In the Philippines, there was a scandal about a Christian preacher who was sued by his male lover, and which hugged the limelight for months. The case did not prosper as the preacher was suspected of using the power of money and his influence to silence his former lover. And, to think that the money came from his followers whom he duped into believing his being a “ clean and pure Christian”. On the other hand, Vatican admits the involvement of some Catholic priests in homosexuality. Famous celebrities are coming out of their closets to admit their sexual preference, despite their being married and having families. A famous Holywood actress even admitted her having a transvestite biological father. Despite all these, the hypocrite preachers keep on pretending that on earth, man should always be a “he” and the woman, a “she”…no in-between. Again, these learned hypocrites should go back to their biology books in high school and review the chapters on chromosomes that are the basic factor in the determination of a child’s gender.

Respect, compassion, and tolerance are what the misunderstood gays are asking for. They are not asking for any high government post or millions of lifetime security grants. If hypocrites can’t accept the glaring facts about the gays, they must at least, keep quiet and instead work on ways on how to feed the increasing number of hungry people around the world. Noticeably, nobody among these hypocrites ever mention hunger for food and poverty in their fiery preaches.

Are these hypocrite preachers ( are they really straight?), willing to share with the hungry unfortunate, the “donations” and tithes given to them by their followers whom they keep on shamelessly fooling with their hypocritical preaching? The fact is that they are driving around in expensive cars and leading a luxurious life….now those are more glaring and scandalous facts that these hypocrites should face!

These hypocrites keep on preaching about the love for God and Jesus whom they do not see, yet, they cannot express such for the people around them, who need it, and whose suffering, they see.  

What Osmeῆa, Roxas and Pnoy

Should Do to Help the Country at this Time

By Apolinario Villalobos

On Osmeῆa….he should stop analyzing the presidential capability of Grace Poe, even declaring that she is just good for the vice-presidency. Osmeῆa, himself, has proved nothing as a lawmaker so he is not in the position to judge his fellow politicians. It is a good thing that Grace Poe fought back by saying that many so-called seasoned politicians assumed responsible positions but proved to be just disappointments due to their misdoings. Osmeῆa should open his eyes and ears to understand the message of Poe.

On Roxas….he should stop talking like a puppet echoing the “tuwid na daan” and “reforms” that are the daily mumblings of Pnoy, his boss, to whom he kowtows with all loyalty and sincerity. Roxas is just showing his lack of backbone in all his statements and actions. He should come up with his own platform that may be related to what his boss promised but did not accomplish, if that is what he wants to do – at least he can be original somehow. He should prove that he has his own will power, and not a copycat.

On Pnoy….he should stop talking about his “tuwid na daan” and “reforms” because Filipinos have not seen anything yet that can give substance to those promises. All he showed was insensitivity to the popular clamor of the populace to remove from their positions his inept and questionably performing buddies. Because of his inaction, the country slid miserably more into helplessness. The guy’s promises have been proven to be shams that just became butts of joke. Corruption under his administration got worse, and even assumed a somewhat legal image. He may not be corrupt, himself, but his tolerance of such misdoing makes him one, as he is aware and even becomes a party. If he is not aware of this, it just proves that he is not really listening to his “bosses” as he promised. Unsavory stories about his attitude never fail to fill to pages of tabloid and broadsheets, even the airwaves.

Of late, it has been discovered that the much and perpetually questioned pork barrel is again inserted in the 2016 budget. Is this what Pnoy is saying about his “reforms”? What reform is he talking about when he is obviously tolerating the commission of corruption? He must stop talking about his two trademarks to give relief to the Filipinos who are getting tired of his mumblings!