The “Other Side” of Divisoria (Manila, Philippines)

The “Other Side” of Divisoria (Manila, Philippines)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

While Divisoria has always been known as the shoppers’ Mecca, especially, during Christmas, there is” another side” of it which I do not want to present as an image of poverty but that of perseverance, patience, and honest endeavor. This is the “other Divisoria” which many people just refuse to see as it might cause them to puke! The accompanying photos show how these honest Filipinos contentedly strive to live in sheer honesty.

 

The skeptics always say, “it is their fault for going to Manila and suffer deprivation”. These hypocrite skeptics have  TV, radio, and occasionally read newspapers, so they should know that the provinces from where these people who are eking out an honest living on the “other side” of Divisoria, are infested with NPAs, Abu Sayyaf, opportunistic landlords, and loan sharks. For the arrogant, the world is just for those who can afford to live decently. On the other hand, as these skeptics have not endured days of hunger, they may not understand how it is to make a difficult decision to live a hand-to-mouth life in Manila by scavenging in garbage dumps, rather than die of hunger and be in constant fear for dear life in the province.

 

It is true that the slums have been in existence for many decades now, but there would be no slums had the government ever since the time the nation has become independent, did not get infested with corrupt lawmakers and officials. The slums have been around since the time that deprivation and exploitation have been propagated by learned Filipinos who found their way in the halls of Congress and Senate, as well as, agencies, even at the helm of the government. Unfortunately, the seed of exploitation has grown into an uncontrollable proportion today, making corruption as wrongly and unfairly viewed to be always a part of the Filipino culture.

 

The striving people from the slums near Divisoria, and other districts of Manila, in this regard, may be viewed by the arrogant as akin to dogs and cats, because of their many children, oftentimes making them utter unsavory remark, such as, “they know they are poor, yet, they keep on having children”.

 

How I wish these skeptics can also openly, make biting remarks –

• to the corrupt politicians and government officials, such as, “they graduated from prestigious universities and colleges, yet, they do not know what is right or wrong”

 

• to the filthy rich, such as, “they have plenty of money, yet they can’t even throw a piece of bread to a beggar”

 

• to the stiff-necked Catholic priests, pastors, and other religious ministers such as, “they are supposed to be representatives of the Lord, but they can’t afford to take a look at the spiritually hungry”

 

Finally, compared to the disgusting hypocrites, loan sharks, corrupt government officials, arrogant “religious ministers” and conscienceless rich, who are supposed to be learned and intelligent, the people who honestly make a living such as those who belong to the “other side” of Divisoria, are worthy to be called creatures of God – true human beings…slum denizens who are viewed by aforementioned with utter repugnance.

 

(This blog will definitely, not hurt those who do not belong to the mentioned “classes” of loathsome Filipinos.)

 

 

Bernard Fetalvero-de la Cruz at Ian Paredes-Atrero…naghuhubog ng mga kabataan ng Barangay Real Dos (Bacoor City)

Bernard Fetalvero- de la Cruz at Ian Paredes -Atrero

…naghuhubog ng mga kabataan ng Real Dos (Bacoor City)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Kabataan pa lang niya ay nakitaan na si Bernard de la Cruz, 26 taong gulang ngayon, ng pagkahilig sa basketball, kaya hindi nakapagtataka ng naglaro siya sa koponan ng SFACS high school at sa college naman ay naging varsity player ng kanilang paaralan, ang Emilio Aguinaldo College. Nasa lahi nila ang pagiging basketbolista dahil ang kanyang tatay ay naging PBA player. Mapalad si Bernard dahil noong kabataan niya ay hindi pa uso ang computer at internet café kaya ang panahon niya ay nagugol sa paglaro ng basketball. Malaki ang pasasalamat niya kay Wilson “Bong” de Jesus sa paghubog sa kanya pati na ang iba pa niyang kababata sa paglaro ng basketball. Hindi naging maramot si Bong sa pagbahagi ng mga nalalaman niya sa larong ito, kaya maraming natutuhan si Bernard at ang iba pang mga kabataan. Natanim sa pagkatao ni Bernard ang disiplina kaya madali niyang natutunan ang iba’t ibang teknik sa paglaro tulad ng pag-“grind”.

 

Ngayon, maliban sa pag-alaga ng nanay niyang na-stroke, full time din siyang Church worker na nagtitiyaga sa pagtuturo ng pag-unawa sa Bibliya sa mga kabataan ng barangay. Ayon sa kanya,

“…masaya na ako na gumagaling ang mga kabataan sa paglaro ng basketball at nalalayo sila sa masamang bisyo…nagiging responsible at disiplinado. At, naisi-share ko din yung faith ko kay Jesus Christ sa kanila….si Ian ang team mate ko na super solid brother ko in this life and the next ay nandiyan din na palagi kong katuwang.” Malaking bagay din ang pagiging magka-tandem nila ni Ian. Naging matatag ang spiritual foundation nito dahil sa naibabahagi niyang mga ispiritwal na bagay, lalo na ang pananalig sa Diyos.  Dahil sa tiwala nila sa isa’t isa, nabuo nila ang team ng mga kabataan ng Real Dos. Dagdag pa niya, “ang main goal talaga namin ni Ian sa pagtuturo ng basketball is to honor God, and to share our faith with the youth…guide them to become better persons on and off the court…kaya, lahat ng ginagawa namin is to honor God dahil sa paniniwala kong all glory belongs to Jesus, at lahat ng ginagawa namin ay in His name.”

 

Tulad ni Bernard, si Ian Atrero, na ngayon ay 25 taong gulang na, ay unang natutong maglaro ng basketball sa Perpetual Village 5 noong kabataan niya. Malaking bagay sa kanya ang mga natutunan niya dahil napasama siya sa Adamson Junior Falcons sa loob ng dalawang taon – 1969 at 1970. Napasama din siya sa coaching staff para sa “Camp and Play Basketball”  na pinangunahan noon ni Coach Dayong Mendoza, na coach din niya noong siya ay nasa high school. Si Mendoza ang naging inspirasyon ni Ian sa adbokasiyang paghubog ng mga kabataan ng Real Dos. Dahil sa inspirasyong nabigay ni coach Mendoza sa kanya, sumidhi ang pagpursige niya na lalong matuto sa larong ito.

 

Naging MVP siya ng BPO Classics, major league ng mga BPO companies. Nakamit niya ang karangalan sa murang gulang, kaya nasabi niyang, “… pag gusto mo ang isang bagay, magagawan mo ng paraan upang makamitt ito…minsan kasi choice lang lahat yan…kung choice mong mag-excel, eh, di sipagan mo…kung gusto mong maging tamad, eh, di choice mo pa rin yon”. Dagdag pa niya, “the choices we make today will determine our future…in personal matters, and in sports…I am a simple kid lang before na mahilig maglaro ng basketball sa village court kahit tanghaling tapat…nangarap at nagsipag para makasama din sa isang varsity team na natupad naman…nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong nagturo sa akin noong bata pa ako…una, dahil wala silang bayad at ang goal nila ay may matutunan ako at mga kababata ko, kasama ang pag-enhance ng skills na meron na kami…at, ang isa pang masasabi ko ay natuto ako dahil sa pagtitiyaga at pagsisipag ko na rin…naniniwala ako na kaya kong makipag-compete sa iba…I am not born talented but I am born with determination to work hard coupled with determination.” Nagtatrabaho si Ian ngayon bilang Learning and Development Analyst or e-Learning Developer, ngunit, ang talagang balak niya noon ay maging propesor.

 

Dahil magkasama na mula noong bata pa sila, nag-usap sina Bernard at Ian tungkol sa kaya nilang gawin upang makatulong sa mga kabataan ng barangay Real Dos, at tulad ng inaasahan, sumentro ang usapan sa basketball na pareho nilang hilig. Ang unang pangarap ni Ian na maging propesor ay magagamit sa “pagturo” na animo ay titser, ng mga kabataan sa larangan ng basketball, na tatapatan naman ng pagiging maka-Diyos ni Bernard isang full-time Church worker ngayon, upang ang matutunan ng mga kabataan ay hindi “magaspang” na uri ng paglaro.

 

Nagtugma ang kanilang mga adhikain dahil para sa kanila, napapanahon na ang pagpasa ng mga natutunan nila…kung baga ay, “it’s payback time”, ayon na rin sa kanila. Hindi nila pwedeng bayaran ang mga nagturo sa kanila noon, kaya ang utang na loob ay ipapasa na lang nila sa iba. Naantig ang damdamin nila habang  pinapanood noon ang mga kabataan na nagpipilit na matutong mag-shoot ng bola at kumilos ayon sa hinihingi ng larong nabanggit. Walang technicalities at systematic organization. Umiral siguro ang mental telepathy sa pagitan nilang dalawa kaya sandal lang ay nakabuo agad sila ng mga plano. Inuna nila ang “inspirational stage” kaya nag-share sila ng mga karanasan nila sa mga kabataan upang matanim sa kanilang isipan na ang laro ay hindi lang pag-shoot o pagpasa ng bola. Ibinahagi nila ang dinanas nilang hirap at sarap upang matuto. Sumunod ay ang paggawa ng iskedyul – tuwing Sabado habang may pasukan sa eskwela, pero babaguhin pagdating ng bakasyon.

 

Sa ngayon, lahat ng gastos ay hinuhugot nina Bernard at Ian sa kani-kanilang bulsa, kasama na ang para sa paminsan-minsang snacks na kapalit ng magandang performance ng mga tinuturuan nila sa pag-practice. Hindi kasubuan ang turing nina Bernard at Ian sa pinasok nilang adhikain kaya handa sila sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa kanilang sinimulan, tulad ng mga pinangarap na cones, bola, uniporme at iba pa. Hindi madaling sabihing pag-iipunan nila ang mga ito, na nakatanim sa kanilang isipan dahil sa laki ng halagang kakailanganin. Subalit tulad ng sinabi ni Ian sa unang bahagi nitong sanaysay, “kung gugustuhin ay talagang magagawan ng paraan”.

 

Naniniwala ako sa  “milagro” dahil isa ito sa mga ginagamit ng Diyos na paraan upang makapagbukas ng isipan ng tao upang siya magbago. At ang “milagro” ay nangyayari nang hindi inaasahan kung minsan, kahit hindi hinihingi ang isang bagay. Malay natin….may matanggap na “grasya” sina Bernard at Ian, ang dalawang taga-hubog ng kabataan ng Real Dos, na pondo upang magamit sa pagbili ng mga pangunahing pangangailangan, at susundan pa ng magagamit naman sa pagbili ng iba pa? Manalig lang sa kapangyarihan ng Diyos, wika nga ni Bernard!…at magsikap din, wika naman ni Ian!

 

Sa pamamagitan nitong isinulat ko, nanawagan ako sa mga may gintong puso at gustong tumulong sa adhikain nina Bernard at Ian.

 

rnard Fetalvero- de la Cruz at Ian Paredes -Atrero

…naghuh

 

Allan: Taho Vendor na Nag-aruga at Nagmahal ng Batang Anak sa Pagkakasala ng Misis

Allan: Taho Vendor na Nag-aruga at Nagmahal

Ng Batang Anak sa Pagkakasala ng Misis

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Madaling araw nang makasakay ko si Allan Recato sa jeep papuntang Baclaran.  Masuwerte siya at pinasakay siya ng drayber ng jeep dahil ang iba ay ayaw sa mga magtataho na ang dalawang timbẳ ay kumakain ng malaking espasyo na ayaw ng ibang pasahero. Galing Cavite ang jeep na iilan lang ang sakay. Dahil magkaharap kami, naramdaman ko ang ang mainit na singaw ng taho mula sa timbẳ nitong stainless na ang bigat ay mahigit 30 kilo.

 

Payat si Allan kaya hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong magtanong kung okey lang siya. Nakangiti siyang sumagot na okey lang naman dahil mahigit 18 taon na niyang pinagtitiyagaan ang pinagkikitaan niyang ito. Sa kabubusisi ko ay nalaman kong apat ang anak niya pero nang tanungin ko kung ano ang trabaho ng misis niya, hindi agad siya sumagot. Bandang huli ay sinabi niyang “inabandona” sila ng misis niya dahil nakakita na ng bagong asawa sa abroad…sa Gitnang Silangan. Wala na silang kontak sa isa’t isa.

 

Naging palagay yata ang loob niya sa akin kaya tuluy-tuloy lang ang pagbigay niya ng impormasyon tungkol sa pamilya niya kaya nalaman ko rin na ang panganay niya ay 17 taong gulang na at ang gusto ay maging nurse. Ang sumunod na dalawa, 13 at 12 taong gulang ay inabot ng K-12 program kaya pinag-iipunan naman niya ang pang-matrikula. At, ang bunsong 6 na taong gulang ay nasa elementarya pa. Habang nagsasalita siya ay kinunan ko siya ng litrato dahil pumayag naman, pero bago yon ay talagang inamin kong balak kong isulat ang makulay niyang buhay. Naputol ang usapan namin nang bumaba ako sa kanto ng MIA Road.

 

Habang naglalakad ako papunta sa bahay ng kaibigan kong nakaratay upag hatiran ng mga pagkain at diaper, ay naalala kong hindi pala kami nagpalitan ng celfon number, lalo pa at naramdaman kong parang may gusto pa akong dapat malaman.

 

Kagustuhan yata ng Diyos na maisulat ko talaga ng maayos ang buhay ni Allan dahil pagkagaling ko sa kaibigan ko at sumakay ng jeep papuntang Baclaran, nadatnan ko siyang nakatayo malapit sa LRT station. Upang hindi na magkalimutan, nagpalitan agad kami ng numero, at noon ko nalaman na hindi pala talaga siya taga-Las Piἧas, kundi taga-Pasay. Pumupunta lang pala siya sa Las Piἧas tuwing madaling araw upang humango ng taho upang ibenta, at ginagawa niya ito dalawang beses sa maghapon. Pagbaba niya ng Baclaran ay naglalakad na siya papuntang Taft Avenue sa Pasay hanggang makarating sa Vito Cruz, sa Malate na bahagi na ng Maynila.

 

Sa pag-uusap namin uli, humingi siya ng tulong kung paanong matunton ang misis niya na ang pagkaalam niya ay kung ilang beses na nagpalit ng pangalan. Ipinakita niya sa akin ang larawan ng misis niya at lalaking kinakasama nito. Walang kagatul-gatol ding inamin niyang ang bunso niyang anak ay hindi niya talagang tunay na anak kundi anak ng misis niya sa bagong lalaking kinakasama. Umuwi lang pala ito noon nang mabuntis at upang sa Pilipinas isilang ang anak niya sa pagkakasala. Akala ni Allan ay magbabago ang misis niya pagkatapos maisilang ang bata, subalit, nang mailuwal ay iniwan na silang tuluyan. Masakit man, ay tinanggap na lang niya ang kanyang kapalaran. Pinipilit na lamang niyang igapang ang pangangailangan nilang mag-aama, pero para sa kursong nursing ng kanyang panganay, hihingi daw siya ng tulong sa kanyang dalawang kapatid.

 

Kaya pala noong sa jeep pa lang kami nag-uusap, parang may gusto pang sasabihin si Allan sa akin subalit bigla akong bumaba. Mabuti na lang din at parang may lakas na tumugaygay sa akin patungo sa LRT kung saan siya nakapuwesto na parang hinintay lang ako, dahil pagkatapos naming mag-usap ay umalis na rin siya upang ituloy ang paglako ng taho. Sa Ingles, ang tawag yata sa ganoong uri ng lakas  ay “Divine Providence”.

 

Sa gulang na 41 taon, bakas sa mukha ni Allan ang mga hagupit ng kapalaran kaya sa biglang tingin ay mukha siyang mahigit nang 60 taong gulang, lalo pa’t halos puti na rin ang kanyang buhok. Nang maghiwalay kami uli ay pinalakas ko ang kanyang loob at nangakong magkikita uli kami upang makilala rin ang kanyang mga anak. Habang naglalakad akong palayo ay pinagdasal ko na lang na sana ay huwag siyang magkasakit dahil ang tingin ko ay parang bumabagsak na ang kanyang katawan na nakikita sa sobra niyang kapayatan.

 

 

 

Fr. Eric I. Santos of the Eastern Catholic Church Preaches Where He is Needed Most

Fr. Eric I. Santos of the Eastern Catholic Church

Preaches Where He is Needed Most

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Fr. Eric is “Fr. Ericson I. Santos, D.D.”, an Eastern Catholic priest who established an “oasis of faith” in the heart of Malumot, a depressed area of Panapaan 7 in Bacoor City. The young priest has gone through trials that saw him start his spiritual career as an Aglipayan priest.

 

He finished his studies in Batac, Ilocos Norte, and in 1999 was ordained as an Aglipayan priest. His first assignment brought him to Olongapo, particularly, the Sta. Rita parish where he preached until 2004. On that same year until 2008, he covered the whole of Zambales and Cavite. In October of 2008, he was elected as Bishop for southern Tagalog diocese. For his consecration, no less than, Bayani Fernando, the popular head of the Metro Manila Development Authority stood as his sponsor, with Bishop Romualdo Badni officiating. The following year, 2009, he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Zambales.

 

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances that brought about some enlightenment, Fr. Eric made a crucial decision to join the Holy Eastern Catholic Church, particularly, the Metropolitan See of the Philippines and All Asia. From then on, what he started in Malumot began to prosper as he found the community deserving of such spiritual attention.

 

A young spiritual shepherd at the age of 36, Fr. Eric, has been consistent in his advocacy by attending to the needs of the Catholics around the area, reaching out to them, using a motorcycle. He confides that the spiritual offerings of the faithful are in a way “returned” to them through the affordable improvements of the chapel. He derives his personal financial support from being the chaplain of Bacoor city which makes the government then, afford to extend not only the temporal assistance for the constituents, but the spiritual as well. He became known among the people of Bacoor as the priest who dispenses spiritual help with much ease, in spite of distance and time.

 

When I visited Fr. Eric, it was a Holy Thursday during which I witnessed a “pabasa” in their humble chapel. He was a picture of a “true shepherd” who melds with the faithful around him, in his shorts and t-shirt. While we were conversing, groups of children would stop by to kiss his hand or put it on their forehead as a sign of respect. We had an iced chocolate that he bought in the food stall nearby to counter the terrible heat of the early afternoon sun. Just like any Catholic “father” of the parish, he dreams of having the present chapel renovated for the necessary second floor.

 

Malumot is “catch basin” during flood days since time immemorial as it is situated beside a river that easily gets overflowed. Fr. Eric experienced the waist-deep flood since the first day he lived among the people of this area but his resolve was never deterred. He could have just lived comfortably in any subdivision near the area and just conduct regular service in the chapel, but such decision never entered his mind.

Without saying, his act implies that he should suffer with his flock according to his vow of poverty…indeed, an act of a true Catholic priest or Christian shepherd for that matter. May other Christian leaders emulate your ways, Fr. Eric..or, Bishop Eric!…Bacoor City is fortunate to have you!

 

Erlando Almaez-Ayuste Finds Solace and Strength in His Volunteered Spiritual Undertakings

Erlando Almaez- Ayuste Finds Solace and Strength

In His Volunteered Spiritual Undertakings

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Orly, as his friends call him has been living along F. Torres in Sta. Cruz district of Manila for more than 50 years. He used to occupy a small studio-type apartment on the second floor of an old building that unfortunately got razed more than 20 years ago. The incident made him sleep on the sidewalk for several months until a friend took him in temporarily while waiting for the vacancy in another old building. He moved on to the new studio room and with a found makeshift table, sold coffee and costume jewelries that he assembled out of beads from broken ones that friends give him or he buys from junk collectors. The owner of the small building allowed him the use of the studio room for free but the electricity and water are on his account.

 

The portion of the street along which he lives is where one can find sellers and buyers of second-hand cellphones, watches and jewelries. F. Torres is stretched parallel to Arranque St, the famous “thieve’s market”. At five in the afternoon a short portion of the street teems with the curious and ambulant “merchants”. To them, Orly sells coffee, and from some of them he buys broken jewelries. The earning is meager, just enough to buy him three meals a day and replenishment for sachets of coffee and small bags of sugar for his business.

 

The first time I saw him, I thought he was some kind of an office worker who just dropped by the place to buy cheap jewelry or cellphone. He was then attired in a collared shirt which was neatly tucked giving him a sleek countenance. The next time I saw him, he was in walking shorts that exposed the varicose veins in his legs. And, as it was early in the morning, before 8AM, he was washing a couple of shirts in the makeshift lavatory in front of the slim table where his coffee mugs and some plates were stacked. As he was aloof, I did not bother to talk to him while ordering a mug of coffee.

 

As I felt that his life could be colorful, I kept on observing him, until after several mugs of coffee and days of dropping by, he sort of trusted me with a modest smile. That broke the ice. During our talks, I led him to open up and share his experiences when he was just a stranger in Manila. According to him, he arrived in Manila from Tacloban during the 60’s when Ramon Magsaysay was the president of the country. He initially worked as a houseboy. He did his best to save out of his earnings so that in no time, he was able to get a small room and supported himself by selling snacks and coffee on the sidewalk.

 

I was surprised to learn that despite his meager formal education, as he finished only Grade Five, he is able to speak a sprinkling of German, though with fluency of Spanish and English. He told me that he is a fast learner and a voracious reader. Another surprise is that he can read musical scores despite the lack of a basic music education.  He plays the piano and organ but admits that he needs musical sheets to guide him. He learned to read music during the early years of his membership in the Sta. Cruz parish choir, as he was then, fond of observing their pianist. In this regard, he has been singing with the Sta. Cruz parish choir for more than twenty years now.

Orly’s sister, Lydia lives in Masangkay with her own family, and which is not far from F. Torres where he lives. Today at 77, he dreams of owning a piano so that he can put to life the melodies that have been bugging his mind. He dreams of translating them into musical scores. I told him to go on dreaming for this blessing, as it is free anyway…for who knows, some day, we might meet a musician who got tired of his Weinstein that needs just a simple retuning of strings.

 

Every time I drink at least two mugs of Orly’s coffee, I wonder if others can muster life just like he does sans bank account or just a few pesos stashed away, and only with a few decent shirts and pair of pants to wear on Sundays for his scheduled singing with the choir in honor of the Nuestra Seἧora del Pilar. That’s Orly …strong and gutsy guy, who at 77 sings and plays the piano for the glory of the Blessed Mother!

 

 

Virgie Sapitola-Sapera Pushes a Cartful of Young Coconuts for More than 5 Kilometers Everyday

Virgie Sapitola-Sapera Pushes a Cartful

Of Young Coconuts for More than 5 Kilometers Everyday

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

At a little past 50 years of age, Virgie Sapitola-Sapera pushes a cartful of young coconut from Blumentritt to Quiapo, a distance of more than 5 kilometers one way. Of course, she hopes that along the way, her load will be lessened if she could dispose of some which she sells at 30 pesos apiece. The terminus of such trek is the P. Paterno St. in Quaipo. Asked about her husband, she told me that he leaves ahead, at dawn to be at the area in Quiapo before the rush hour. Their youngest son leaves their home after his quick breakfast to take over the cart of his father who immediately takes a jeepney back to their home in Blumentritt to take a much needed rest. Virgie’s husband has had a stroke but somehow tries his best to contribute to the family’s collective effort to earn.

 

I met Virgie along Oroquieta St. when she stopped for a mug of coffee at the sidewalk carinderia where I was enjoying my own. That coffee was her breakfast. Her real meal would be at noon in Quaipo. Despite the long trek with a heavy cart full of young coconut yet to push, she was still smiling while conversing with me. She confided that she is from Pangasinan, a province in the north but met her husband in Manila. Their companionship blessed them with five children. While the elder three have families of their own, the two younger ones are left with them, with the youngest in the junior high school or Grade 10. She told me that whatever happens, her youngest son shall finish high school.

 

I found out that they sell young coconuts for their juice when in season, but for other months, they sell other stuff such as vegetables and other fruits. They cannot afford to miss any single day of the week in making the trek to their post at Quiapo, except when there is a really bad weather and flood. During those unproductive days, they take all measures to scrimp so that their savings can be stretched to the maximum. Her only problem is the medication of her husband who is on maintenance drugs.

 

Before she left me, I reminded her to be very extra careful in crossing the busy Recto Ave. where early that morning, a motorcycle got bumped by a rushing jeepney. In response, she smilingly pointed her forefinger towards the sky, implying perhaps, that Somebody up there is watching over her…

 

 

 

 

Ang Dalawang Uri ng Problema

Ang Dalawang Uri ng Problema

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Problema ng iba’y kung anong ihahalo

Sa isang kilong karne

Samantalang ang iba…hapon na subalit

Hindi man lang nakainom ng kape.

 

Problema ng iba’y kung saan kakain

Sa Jollibee ba o MacDo

Samantalang ang iba…hanggang tanghod

ang magagawa’t laway ay tumutulo.

 

Problema ng iba’y ‘di bago ang celfon

Nahihiya sa mga kaibigan

Samantalang ang iba…isang pares na tsinelas

Ay naituturing nang isang karangyaan.

 

Problema ng iba’y saan magbabakasyon

Sa Hongkong ba o Amerika

Samantalang ang iba…malaking problema na

Ang baon at pamasahe patungo sa opisina.

 

Problema ng iba’y luma na raw ang kotse

Dapat palitan, at nakakahiya

Samantalang ang iba…wala man lang sapatos

Na magagamit sa pagpasok sa eskwela.

 

Problema ng iba’y wala daw laptop o tablet

Kailangan daw sa school nila

Nguni’t ang iba …ballpen man lang at papel

Pati notebook ay punit, ni textbook ay wala.

 

Bakit hindi muna tumingin ang iba sa paligid –

Silang nagsasabing kapos daw sa pera?

Bulag ba sila o manhid…walang pakiramdam?

O talagang sagad sa buto ang pagkaganid nila!

Sinisira ng mga Panatiko ang Tunay na Kahulugan ng Pananalig at Pananampalataya

Sinisira ng mga Panatiko Ang Tunay na Kahulugan

Ng Pananalig at Pagsasampalataya

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Kung ang mga taong nagkakaiba ang pananampalataya ay nagpapakatotoo, maiiwasan sana ang kalituhan o kaguluhan sa ibabaw ng mundo, pagdating sa ganitong bagay.

 

May mga sekta ng relihiyon na pinagpipilitan ng mga kasapi na sila ang tama at ang iba ay mali, kaya sila lang daw ang may karapatang makaligtas pagdating ng araw ng paghukom, kaya pati ang mga namatay nilang kasapi ay babangon muli. Ang  mga namumuno lang naman nila ang nagsasabi niyan sa kanila, na ang batayan ay binagong Bibliya  upang umangkop sa kanilang layunin. Sigurado ba ang mga kasapi ng mga sektang ito na tunay na banal ang mga namumuno sa kanila, kaya karapat-dapat na paniwalaan?

 

May isang relihiyon naman na pinasama ng isang sekta nito nang gamitin ang kanilang pananampalataya upang makasakop ng mga teritoryo, na dinadaan pa sa walang patumanggang  pagpatay ng mga tao. Pati pandadamay ng mga inosente sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng mga nagpapatiwakal nilang kasapi ay ginagawa din. Kaylan pa naging maka-Diyos ang pagpatay at pagpatiwakal?

 

Ang mga panatiko naman ng isang relihiyon ay pasayaw-sayaw pa sa labas ng kanilang simbahan, o di kaya ay “naglalakad” na paluhod patungong altar. Ang masama pa sa mga ginagawang ito, ang mga gumagawa ay binabayaran ng mga tamad na gumawa ng mga nabanggit na penitensiya! Pati ang pagsunog ng mga kandilang hugis tao upang makapaminsala ng kapwa ay ginagawa din nila, sa labas mismo ng mga simbahan.  Kaya marami ang yumaman sa pagbenta ng mga kandilang may sumpa! Mga dasal din mula sa iba’t ibang pampleto ang kanilang inuusal nang wala sa kanilang kalooban, kaya para na silang loro o parrot na nagsasalita nang hindi naiintindihan ang mga sinasabi.

 

Mabuti na lang at kung may mga panatiko, ay higit na nakararami naman ang mga talagang taos sa puso ang pagsampalataya, ano man ang kinaaaniban nilang relihiyon. Ang mga taong ito na may busilak na damdamin ang nagwawagayway ng mga  sagisag ng iba’t ibang pananampalataya upang patuloy na mamayagpag ang pananalig ng sangkatauhan sa Nag-iisang Makapangyarihan!

 

The First Time I Got Shocked in the Course of Doing My Random Acts of Sharing

The First Time I Got Shocked

In the Course of Doing My Random Acts of Sharing

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

When I made a short stop in Luneta where I planned to take a late lunch one Sunday after I finished my rounds in Divisoria and Tondo, I met Aileen, a young woman who sells tinsel ground tarps. She was wearing a hooded jacket and who gave me her sweet smile to entice me to buy. A few steps away was a child who I learned was Tokong, her “daughter”. I bought her five tarps and began a conversation. I learned that at her young age of 23, the father of her 3-year child abandoned them. She consented when I asked to take a photo, so she removed the hood off her head.

 

After buying them snacks, I continued my queries about her life which led me to learn that she came from Samar almost five years ago to try her luck in Manila. Luck, however, did not smile at her as she transferred from one job to another until she met the father of her child. When she gave birth to Tokong, they were abandoned by the man she thought would be her lifetime partner. She lived with her relatives who ran out of compassion, forcing them to sleep on sidewalk, and thrived on junks that she collected from garbage bins, until a new-found friend, also a vagrant in Luneta told her to sell tinsel tarps to park strollers.

 

The child was barefooted so I told her that when I come back I would bring a pair of slipper or sandals, aside from clothes for them. After bidding them goodbye and started to walk away, the child shouted to bring toys, too. The shout made me look back in time to see “her” lift up and bit the seam of “her” dress, as a gesture of embarrassment. I was shocked to find out that “she” was a boy, as the nakedness down there showed the glowing evidence – a male organ!

 

When I went back to Aileen to ask if there was a problem with Tokong, she was at the verge of crying as she told me that she could not afford to buy appropriate clothes for him. That day, he was wearing a dress that was given the day before.  I found out that he gets a change of clothes only if new clothes were given. The impression that one gets by looking at the child is that he is a girl, as the hair is cut with bangs on the forehead.

 

I asked more questions till she told me that they are spending the night on the park sidewalk, as the gates are closed at midnight. After hearing this, I gave back the tarps that I bought and told her to sell them to others, and handed her some cash courtesy of Perla who is an avid supporter of my effort. I left them with a heavy heart, but with a resolve to be back soonest…..

 

Isang Kending Hinati, at iba pang Kuwento

Isang Kending Hinati, at iba pang Kuwento

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Malaking bagay ang pag-uusap kung minsan ng magkakaibigan upang sumariwa ng mga nakaraan. Nangyari ito nang magkita kami nina Del Merano, mag-asawang Mona at Reuben Pecson na isinama ang tinuturing kong “miracle baby” nila noon, at ngayon ay binata na, si JR. Ibinuntis ni Mona si JR nang panahong mayroon siyang malaking cyst sa sinapupunan, subalit sa awa ng Diyos, nakaraos siya sa pagbuo nito hanggang maipanganak bilang isang malusog na sanggol. Ngayon si JR ay isa nang piloto. Pananalig sa Diyos ang naging kasangkapan ni Mona sa pagkakaroon ng isang matagumpay na ngayong anak na Piloto.

 

Sa mga kuwentuhan namin, lumabas ang pinakatago-tago sigurong kuwento ni Del tungkol sa kending hinahati pa niya upang magkasya sa maghapon niyang pagsi-sales call noong kami ay nagtatrabaho pa sa Philippine Airlines (PAL). Isa si Del sa mga pinagkakatiwalaang Account Officers ng PAL. At, dahil sa kanyang pagka-single mom, tipid na tipid ang ganyang gastos. Nagulat daw ang kasama naming kasabay niya sa pag-sales call nang ilabas niya ang kalahati ng isang kendi at isinubo bilang miryenda. Ang natirang kalahati ay kanyang itinabi para sa hapon naman.

 

Ikinuwento rin niya na sa pagpipilit na makapasok sa PAL ay halos nanikluhod sa nagbibigay ng typing test na bigyan siya ng ilang pagkakataon na umabot sa pang-apat hanggang abutin niya ang standard na bilis sa pagmamanikilya. Mangiyak –ngiyak siya nang makalusot sa test. Ang unang trabaho niya ay sa Accounting Office subalit napansin siya ng namumuno ng Internationals Sales Department na si Manny Relova, kaya on the spot ay sinabihan siyang mag-report sa opisina nito upang mag-issue ng mga tiket na pang-international. Dumaan siya sa masusing pag-aaral ng iba’t ibang pamasahe sa eroplano, kasama na ang sa iba pang airlines. Dahil sa kagalingan niya, mabilis ang kanyang promotion hanggang sa ma-assign sa iba’t ibang international station bilang District Sales Manager.

 

Naalala ko noon ang kuwento niya nang ma-assign sa San Franciso (USA). Ang tinirhan niya ay walang kagamit-gamit kaya sa sahig siya natutulog nang kung ilang araw. Kahit bago sa America ay malakas ang loob sa paglibot kaya sandali lang ay dumami na ang kanyang kontak at mga kaibigan na nakatulong ng malaki sa kanya bilang District Sales Manager.

 

Nag-resign siya nang bilhin ng San Miguel ang PAL, subalit nang bilhin uli ito ni Lucio Tan ay inimbita siyang bumalik na malugod naman niyang tinanggap dahil iba daw na challenge ang nararamdaman niya bilang kawani ng nasabing airline. Iniwan niya ang isang managerial job at ang malaking suweldo mula dito. Bumalik siya sa kumpanyang nagbigay sa kanya ng magandang pagkakataon upang mabago ang kanyang buhay, lalo pa at siya ay single mom. Ipinakita ni Del na ang pagtanaw ng utang na loob ay nakakagaan ng damdamin. Ngayon si Del ay District Sales Manager na uli ng San Franciso (USA).