BAI HAYVI…nagpatunay na may kasiyahan sa pagtulong sa mga mahal sa buhay

BAI HAYVI…nagpatunay na may kasiyahan

sa pagtulong sa mga mahal sa buhay

ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Panganay si Bai Hayvi Antilino Montaner sa kanilang apat na magkapatid. At sa kagustuhang makatulong sa mga magulang ay nakipagsapalaran sa Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, sa Madina at pinalad namang maging Supervisor sa saloon ng Queen’s Palace. Maganda ang kanyang pinakitang pagganap sa trabahong iniatang sa kanya kaya bawa’t taon sa loob ng anim na kanyang itinagal ay nakakapagbakasyon siya.

 

Isang malaking pagsubok ang dumating sa kanyang buhay habang nasa ibang bansa siya, at ito ay ang pagkamatay ng kanyang ina. Huli na nang malaman niya ang nangyari kaya hindi siya nakauwi bago ito namatay. Mabuti na lamang at kahit papaano, noong buhay pa ito ay palaging nagbibilin sa kanya ang kanyang ina na huwag niyang pabayaan ang kanyang mga kapatid, kaya hindi man siya nakauwi nang ito ay mamatay, ang tagubilin na lamang niya ang nagpawi ng kanyang lungkot at pagdaramdam.

 

Retired na guro ang kanyang ama kaya’t lalo pang pinagsikapan ni Bai Hayvi ang pagtulong sa kanyang mga kapatid, dahil lumilitaw na siya na rin ang umaaktong ama at ina ng kanilang pamilya. Napagsabay niya sa paggastos sa pag-aaral ng kanyang mga kapatid ang pagbili ng bahay sa isang subdivision sa Davao City.

 

Ngayon, ang kanyang ama at mga kapatid ay doon na nakatira samantalang napatapos naman niya ang kapatid na babae ng BS Criminology, ang isang kapatid naman ay kursong HRM, at ang bunsong kapatid ay sa elementary pa.

 

Pinalad si Bai Hayvi na matanggap sa Capitol ng Sultan Kudarat at malaki ang kanyang pasasalamat sa tiwalang ibinigay sa kanya ng gobernador ng probinsiya na si Sultan Pax Mangudadatu. Malaking bagay sa kanya ang pagkakataon dahil hindi na niya kailangan pang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa, lalo pa at retired na ang kanyang ama na gusto niyang maalagaan, pati ang bunsong kapatid.

 

Una kaming nagkita sa facebook si Bai Hayvi nang mabasa niya ang mga blogs ko tungkol sa probinsiya at ang sumunod na pagkakataon ay sa isang okasyon sa provincial Capitol. Kapansin-pansin ang masaya niyang ngiti na hindi nawawala sa kanyang mukha, palatandaan na madali siyang makapalagayang-loob. Oras na ng tanghalian noon subalit abala pa rin siya at kanyang mga kasama sa pag-asikaso ng mga bisita…obvious na ini-enjoy niya ang kanyang trabaho. Inisip ko rin na ang nagbibigay sa kanya ng lakas upang maging masigasig sa trabaho ay ang likas niyang pagmamahal sa kanyang ama at mga kapatid , maliban pa sa tagubilin ng kanyang namayapang ina. At, higit sa lahat, ay nais niyang ipakita na karapat-dapat siya sa ibinigay na pagkakataong makapagtrabahong hindi na lalayo pa sa kanyang pamilya – sa “ama” ng Sultan Kudarat, si Governor Pax Mangudadatu.

 

BULUAN (tula or Filipino poem)

BULUAN

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Sinapupunan ng kulturang Magindanaw

Emperyong maharlika na malawak ang saklaw

Kutabato na sa kasaysayan ay malalim ang tatak

Dahil katapangan ng mga ninuno ay ‘di mahahamak.

 

Magandang buhay, bigay ng lawa at ilog

Mga dalag, tilapia, bagtis, taruk na malulusog

Mga biyaya na bigay ni Allah, hindi ipinagdamot

Pinapasalamatan kahit minsan, huli’y kakarampot.

 

Mayamang kulturang sa INAUL ay ipinakita

‘Di lang ang bansang Pilipinas dito’y humanga

Kahit sa ibang sulok ng mundo ito ay napansin din

Napagtagumpayan na sa katagalan ay isang hangarin.

 

Naging tahanan ng mga Ilokano at Bisaya

Sinundan ng ibang may hangaring guminhawa

Hindi naman pinagkaitan ng mga ninunong datu

Pagkakataon na nakita rin ng mga dumayong Tsino.

 

“Ina” na maituturing ng Tacurong at Quirino

Malawak na bayang nagbigay-buhay sa mga ito

Katotohanang kinikilala ng mga mamayan ngayon

Hindi kalilimutan sa lahat ng pagkakataon at panahon.

 

Oh, Buluan, sa iyo kami ay nagbibigay-pugay

Ang masambit ka, nagpapasigla sa aming buhay

Napadako man kami sa iba’t ibang lunsod at bayan

Ugat ka pa ring maituturing na aming pinanggalingan!

 

The floats of INAUL FESTIVAL 2018 of the Maguindanao Province held in Buluan (Mindanao, Philippines) on February 14, 2018.

Two Incidents that Made Me Have an Utmost Respect to Governor Pax Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat

Two Incidents that Made Me Have an Utmost Respect

To Governor Pax Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat Province

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

I do not know the guy personally, except as  being a well-loved governor of Sultan Kudarat based on the stories that I have heard. But two incidents that I personally encountered confirmed the stories about his benevolence and fatherly character.

 

During the Kalimudan Festival 2017, I attended the Rural Health Workers’ Day at the Capitol Gym after missing the Children’s Day, the day before. I needed to have something to blog about the festival that I have missed for several years. I took photos of the different groups that took turns in showing their patiently-rehearsed numbers at the center of the basketball court. On the stage was the presidential table where officials including the honorable Pax Mangudadatu were seated. Later, I sat two paces away from him and had a chance to observe him.

 

When lunch was served, he did not touch his food while the rest were enjoying theirs. He was looking at the Rural Workers from the different municipalities of the province, and who were occupying the bleachers and it dawned on me that he was also observing the Jollibee reps who were distributing packed lunches. After awhile, he stood up and took the microphone through which he asked the Jollibee reps to say, “please, pakibigyan ang lahat ng mga tao ng pagkain… at baka pwedeng bilisan lang…”. He did not return to his seat, until everybody had their lunch in styro box.

 

Just recently, I dropped by his office but found him surrounded with staff and visitors. His secretary made take a seat not far from him, so that we could immediately talk after the last staff with documents for signature would have left. What caught my attention was his softly- spoken remark to a staff who explained to him about a project that was intended for Muslims. He said, “ayaw ko ng ganyan….gusto ko para sa Christians at Muslims….hindi lang Muslims”. The staff withdrew the documents. When he noticed me, he smiled and shook my hands and before he stood up for a meeting in another room, we had a comparably lengthy talk.

 

For those who are not familiar with the province of Sultan Kudarat, Muslims and Christians inhabit its lowlands and the highlands are by the Lumads. The province used to be part of North Cotabato when the original Cotabato Province was divided into two – North and South. Later, North Cotabato was further divided resulting to the creation of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. Isulan is the capital town of Sultan Kudarat.

Buluan (Maguindanao)…taking leaps and bounds towards progress

Buluan (Maguindanao)…taking leaps and bounds towards progress

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Buluan is cruising the fast lane towards progress. Practically, development is in full swing. The first to be developed are the once grassy depressions on both sides of the highway. The once grassy lands have been converted into beautifully landscaped walkways or “boulevard”. The highway is literally swept clean of debris as early as 6AM. A sidewalk café outside a business establishment has also added sophistication to the once rock-littered sidewalk.

 

A little further up northeast is the Buluan bridge from which a refreshing view of the chocolate-colored swift Buluan river can be had. The river was the major commercial artery then, of the town used by the Visayans, Ilocanos and Tagalogs when they came as early as the 1930s to settle in Sambolawan (today, President Quirino), Mangelen, San Emmanuel, and Tacurong.

 

Buluan could very well be tagged as the most sliced municipality of the Philippines as it used to be an enormous piece of land surrounding Lake Buluan, also among those that comprised “old” Cotabato province. It became a town when President Manuel Roxas signed the Executive Order 82 on August 8, 1947. The first to get “weaned” from her is Tacurong which became a separate town on August 3, 1951. Columbio followed suit, as it became a town in 1961, and then, by Lutayan.

 

Buluan was made part of Maguindanao on November 22, 1973, during which President Quirino was sliced off the western coast of the lake, with the latter made part of the province of Sultan Kudarat. On April 7, 1991, Buluan’s northern portion was further sliced, out of which the municipality of Gen. S. K. Pendatun was formed. On December 30, 2006, the municipalities of Mangudadatu and Pandag were formed out of the 16 barangays…the two new towns getting 8 barangays each.

 

Buluan became the capital of the province of Maguindanao necessitating the building of a capitol which is still under construction as of this writing. The current municipal mayor, Lorena D.  Mangudadatu holds office at the Municipal Hall, while the governor, Toto Mangudadatu holds his own temporarily at the Rajah Buayan Silongan Peace Center.

 

Buluan, together with Lutayan, supplies the neighboring towns and the city of Tacurong with fresh water fishes such as mudfish, tilapia, gourami, taruk, bagtis, and shrimp. The excess of these fishes, especially, mudfish are filleted and dried under the sun. As for delicacies, Buluan is known for its “tinagtag” and “panyalam”.

 

From Davao City  and Cotabato City, Buluan can be reached on buses and aircon vans, while those coming from General Santos city can take similar conveyances for Tacurong city from which they could transfer to tricycles for the 15-minute ride.

The Charisma of Sultan Kudarat Gov. Pax Mangudadatu and the Inspiring Message in His Speech During the BHW Day (November 9, 2017)

The Charisma of Sultan Kudarat Gov. Pax Mangudadatu

And the Inspiring Message in His Speech During the BHW Day (November 9, 2017)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

I almost missed my chance to meet Sultan Kudarat Governor, Pax Mangudadatu when my schedule on November 9 got mixed up. Had Lotlot Espinosa, not called me about my promise to join her for the Barangay Health Workers’ (BHW) Day at the Capitol Gym, I could have opted for  two other appointments. The celebration was among those lined up for the more than one month celebration of the Kalimudan Festival 2017…the 19^th year.

 

Inside the imposing Capitol Gym, the BHWs of the different municipalities including those of Tacurong City represented by the Baras Sanctuary, were already jam-packed on the lower level of the bleachers. The groups were colorfully distinguished by the color of their t-shirts. The honorable governor was already almost halfway from finishing his speech when we entered and considered myself lucky to have caught up with his speech filled with historic details about the province. The portion of his speech that first caught my attention was his declaration of utmost GRATITUDE to the Christians for coming during the 1900’s and helped a lot in educating the indigenous inhabitants, especially, the Muslims.

 

He called on the Sultan Kudaratnons to be TOLERANT in view of the multi-cultured character of the populace. He was practically appealing for UNITY despite differences in religion. He unabashedly mentioned his humble beginnings, practically, struggling to be where he is now, but adding that what he is today, including the political mandates, he owed to God. He underlined his hatred of illegal drugs, thankful that the nation has Duterte as President. But what made his speech very remarkable was his emphasis on the Oneness of God, whatever He is called in various religions which practically struck me. Later, when I sat beside him at the presidential table on stage, I noticed his Masonic ring.

 

While those seated at the presidential table started to enjoy their lunch, the governor kept on looking around until he stood up, went to the lectern and over the microphone, asked the Jollibee representatives to see to it that everybody was given a packed lunch. I heard a story about his giving his portion of lunch to the guy seated not far from him when he noticed that he has not gotten enough on his plate. With what I have personally witnessed that lunchtime inside the gym, the story about his benevolence has been confirmed.

 

Before he left the building, he approached the different groups, and that was when I saw how close he is to his constituents. Despite his little more than 70 years of age, he spritely shook hands and gamely allowed himself to be photographed in their company…the sight was overwhelming! For me, he should be appropriately called, the “Bapa of the Masses” (uncle of the masses).

 

The smile never left his serene face which made him more close to his Rural Health Workers. While looking at him obviously enjoying their company, his soft voice as we conversed a few minutes back, lingered in my mind. I contented myself taking occasional photos and from a short distance, let ecstatic health workers/volunteers savor the special moment with him as for the others to come are for his other constituents…the elders and PWEDs, the artists, etc.

 

I am praying for your health, Bapa Gov Pax!…More power to you!

Understanding the Muslim Filipinos

Understanding the Muslim Filipinos

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Christian Filipinos should not abhor their brother Muslims in view of the turmoil in Marawi perpetrated by the terroristic Maute Group. A terroristic group or any group with an intention of sowing destruction may arise from among the Christians, too. Unfortunately, many Christian Filipinos have yet to understand their brother Muslims beyond their porkless diet. By culture and religion, there are differences between the two, but they emanated from the same Malayan race, and by geography, they both belong to Asia.

 

Centuries before the Spanish arrival, Islam was well-entrenched in strategic islands of the archipelago, having been introduced in Sulu by Sharif Makdum, a Muslim missionary from Malacca. The first mosque which he built could still be found at Tubig-Indagan, on the island of Simunul. He died in Sibutu where a simple shrine was built in his honor. Makdum was followed by Raha Baginda who arrived in Sulu in 1390, and in 1450, Abu Bkr arrived from Johore who married Princess Paramisuli, daughter of Raha Baginda. Their marriage marked the founding of the Sulu Sultanate.

 

In Mindanao, the first Muslim leader to arrive was Sharif Kabungsuwan, who reached Cotabato (today, part of Maguindanao province) in 1475. He converted the natives into Islam and married the local princess, Putri Tuῆina. Eventually, he became the first Sultan of Maguindanao and his wife, the first Sultana.

 

At the time of the Spanish arrival, many parts of the archipelago were inhabited by Muslims, such as Batangas, Pampanga, Mindoro, Catanduanes and part of what is today, Metro Manila, particularly those along the Pasig River. When Legazpi arrived in 1571, the recognized Muslim “king” of Manila by the natives was Raha Sulayman, while in Tondo, it was Lakan Dula.

 

The Spaniards used the word “Moros” to refer to the fierce inhabitants who resisted their intrusion. The word is derived from the “Moors” who were their primary adversaries in Spain. It was the “fierceness” albeit, intended for the Spanish intruders, that unfortunately, had a negative impression in the mind of Filipino Christians. But, thanks to the later generations of Muslim Filipinos, for today, the reference which has been shortened to “Moro” connotes respectability. Contrary to what many non-Muslims believe, “Mohammedanism” is not a religion because Muhammad, himself, did not claim to have founded a religion. The counterpart of the Bible in Islam is the Koran or Qu’ran.

 

The Five Pillars of the Islamic Faith are: the profession of Faith; praying five times a day facing Mecca; giving alms called “zakah” to the poor; fasting during the month of Ramadan; and pilgrimage to Mecca. Polygamy is allowed, hence, a Muslim may have 4 wives for as long as he can afford to support them and divorce is also permitted.

 

Pigs are considered unclean, hence, pork is detested by Muslims. Alcoholic drinks are also not allowed. It is for this reason that prior to the arrival of Christians in Mindanao, vinegar was concocted from banana. When migrants from the Visayas and Luzon came, tuba (coconut wine) and basi (sugarcane wine) were introduced but only the Christian settlers imbibed them.

 

Many Biblical personages are also mentioned in Koran, the most popular of which are Jesus, Abraham and the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is interesting to note that during Christmastime, some Muslim stalls in Quiapo display Christmas lanterns and Christmas trees. They also practice gift giving to live up with the season.

 

Finally, in the Philippines, politics laced with greed ruined the good relationship between the Christians and Muslims to some extent…

Ang Kuwento ng Buhay ni Mariam

Ang Kuwento ng Buhay ni Mariam

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Una kong nakilala ang kapatid ni Mariam na si Den dahil traysikel niya ang ginamit ko nang bumili ako ng kahoy panggatong sa Datu Paglas. Silang dalawa ay lubusang naulila sa murang edad na parehong wala pang sampung taon. Palipat-lipat sila sa iba’t ibang kamag-anak na ang iba ay napilitang umampon sa kanila kahit sa maikling panahon. May narinig pa silang kuwentuhan ng matatanda nilang kamag-anak na huwag na silang pag-aralin, at sa halip ay gawing utusan na lamang. Habang si Den ay pinag-araro ng bukid kahit wala pang sampung taong gulang, ang kanyang ate na si Mariam ay bugbog naman sa gawaing bahay, at talagang bugbog literally kaya nagkaroon siya ng peklat sa mukha na hindi nawala hanggang ngayon dahil sa sobrang pagmamalupit ng tinirhang kamag-anak.

 

Dahil umabot sa puntong halos wala nang kamag-anak na mag-aampon sa kanila, nagkahiwalay silang dalawa. Naiwan si Mariam sa Buluan at si Den naman, sa murgang edad na halos tin-edyer pa lang ay nakipagsapalaran na sa iba’t ibang bayan. Nagkita lamang silang dalawa nang si Den ay may asawa na at umuwi sa sinilangang bayan kung saan siya ay nagtatraysikel at si Marian naman ay domestic help sa Qatar.

 

Naiwan sa pangangalaga ng kanyang pinsan ang 15 years old na panganay ni Mariam at nag-aaral sa isang pampublikong high school sa katabing bayan ng Buluan, ang President Quirino. Ayon kay Mariam na nakausap ko sa cellphone dahil nasa Qatar siya, matalino ang kanyang anak na lalaki, lalo na sa Mathematics kaya ang pangarap niya para dito ay maging engineer. Sa pag-uusap namin nabanggit niyang ang gross niyang kinikita sa Qatar ay hindi lumalampas sa Php16,000 kada buwan at binabawas niya ng budget para sa pagkain niya. Siya kasi ay empleyado ng isang agency na nangongontrata ng paglilinis ng bahay at per hour ang bayad.

 

Ang pinsang nag-aalaga sa kanyang panganay ay binibigyan niya ng Php1,000 kada buwan para sa pagkain nito. Nagpapadala din siya ng pera para sa kanyang anak na babae na nasa pangangalaga ng asawang hiniwalayan niya. Ang allowance ng kanyang anak na panganay ay Php2,000 kada buwan, at sa halagang iyan kinukuha ang pamasahe at tanghalian kung lunch break sa eskwela. Nagbabaon ang bata ng kanin upang makatipid at dahil maliit lang budget para sa pagkain, bumibili siya ng ginisang alamang na bagoong sa halagang Php5 na pang-ulam.

 

Parehong matalino ang dalawang anak ni Mariam. Kung ang panganay na lalaki ay magaling sa mathematics, ang pangalawa naman na babae ay magaling sa English at Science, at consistent honor student mula pa noong nagsimula itong mag-aral kaya ang pangarap niya para dito ay maging Nurse. Walang hilig makipagbarkada ang dalawa dahil pagkatapos ng klase, diretso daw sila sa bahay upang mag-aral. Nakakarating kay Mariam ang magandang feedback tungkol sa kanyang mga anak sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pinsan. Dahil sa kabaitan ng kanyang mga anak, nagsilbi silang inspirasyon sa kanya.

 

Binanggit ni Mariam na noong bata pa siya,  kahit once a week lang ang pag-aral niya ng Arabic sa Madrasa o Islamic school, at sa loob lang ng isang buwan, pinilit niya ang sariling matuto kaya panay ang self-study niya kapag nasa bahay na. Ang English naman ay sa regular na public school niya natutuhan. Ngayon, parehong magaling na siyang magbasa at magsulat ng English, ganoon din sa Arabic.

 

Tulad ni Den, sinabi sa akin ni Mariam na ayaw niyang matulad sa kanya ang kanyang mga anak kaya hangga’t maaari ay ayaw niyang magkasakit o umabsent sa trabaho dahil ang patakaran ng agency nila “no work, no pay”. Nang huli silang mag-usap ng kanyang panganay, humihingi ito ng dagdag na pera para magamit sa project sa eskwela dahil ang natitirang perang hawak niya ay Php400 na lang. Masakit man sa kalooban niya ay napakiusapan ni Mariam ang anak na pagkasyahin ang pera hanggang sa second week ng July kung kaylan siya makakakuha pa lang ng sahod. Habang sinusulat ko itong blog, hindi ko alam kung nakagawa ng paraan ang anak niya.

 

Naisip ko na ang halagang Php400 pesos ay pinapang-Jollibee lang ng iba, pero para sa anak ni Mariam, kayamanan na itong maituturing na kailangang pagkasyahin sa loob ng dalawang linggo.

Taimtim na Dasal (para sa Ied Il Fitr)

Dasal para sa Eid Il Fitr…

 

Taimtim na Dasal

…bukod-tanging natira nating pag-asa

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Sa pabago-bagong panahong dulot ay pinsala

sa halip na biyaya…

Sa harap ng kagutumang ating nararanasan –

walang katapusan…

At, sa harap ng mga kinatatakutang krimen –

‘wag munang tapusin ang dasal ng “amen”.

 

Magdasal pa tayo ng marubdob at taimtim

‘wag maging sakim…

Sa panahong ang patayan ay kalat sa mundo

piliting ‘wag masiphayo…

basta’t  namumutawi ang dasal sa ating bibig –

sa pag-asa, tayo’y nakahilig!

A Call to Keep Mindanao Business Ventures for Filipinos Only

A CALL TO KEEP MINDANAO BUSINESS VENTURES

FOR FILIPINOS ONLY

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

 

IN VIEW OF THE LOOMING FEDERALIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINES , IN MY OPINION, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN MINDANAO SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE FILIPINOS- THE MINDANAOANS, RATHER THAN THE FOREIGNERS. SECURITY AND DIGNITY ARE ASSURED FROM DIRECT AND CONTINUOUS INCOME EARNED BY SMALL FILIPINO ENTREPRENEURS RATHER THAN, FROM CONTRACTUAL JOBS IN ENTITIES OPERATED BY FOREIGNERS.

 

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LEARN A LESSON OR TWO FROM THE “BILAO” ENTERPRISES THAT ARE PROLIFERATING AROUND THE COUNTRY – SMALL BUSINESS VENTURES OF FILIPINOS. ALL THEY NEED IS REGULATION THAT COMES IN THE FORM OF APPROPRIATE SITES AND REASONABLE TAX. INSTEAD OF LETTING FOREIGN-FINANCED STRUCTURES USING FILIPINO DUMMIES, WHY NOT MAKE USE OF THEM AS SITES FOR “BAZAAR” SITES FOR MINDANAOANS?

 

THE SMALL FILIPINO BUSINESSMEN NEED UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSION FROM THE GOVERNMENT….THEY WHO ENDURE THE SEARING HEAT OF THE SUN IN THEIR DESIRE TO EARN HONESTLY, BUT DUE TO LACK OF SPACE AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT, THEY ARE FORCED TO VENTURE INTO SIDEWALKS AND STREETS, ONLY TO BE APPREHENDED BY AUTHORITIES…A PITIFUL AND COMMON HAPPENING IN MANILA. THESE SMALL ENTREPRENEURS ALSO BITE THE BAIT OF LOAN SHARKS BECAUSE OF THE PROHIBITIVE LOAN POLICIES OF THE BANKS. THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI) HAS QUIXOTIC  “PROGRAMS”  DELIVERED IN SEMINARS, BUT WITHOUT REALISTIC SUPPORT AS THE SMALL ENTREPRENEURS ARE THEN LEFT ON THEIR OWN WHEN THEY SECURE FINANCING. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN MINDANAO.

 

WITH THE EFFORT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO OBTAIN A LONG-LASTING PEACE IN MINDANAO FOUNDED ON HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP AMONG MINDANAOANS , THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD OFFER REALISTIC HELP TO THEM, INSTEAD OF OPENING THE REGION TO OUTSIDERS WHICH COULD MEAN ANOTHER PROBLEM ON THE NEVER-ENDING CONTRACTUALIZATION AND THE UNEASY FEELING OF INSECURITY.

 

IF THE GATES OF MINDANAO WILL BE OPENED WIDE FOR THOSE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, HOW SURE ARE WE THAT THE SURGE WILL NOT INCLUDE TERRORISTS, PARTICULARLY, ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND SYRIA (ISIS) ADVOCATES WHICH IS HAPPENING NOW IN EUROPE?  MUST THE DESIRE FOR PROGRESS BE USED TO INVITE SUICIDE BOMBERS TO STEALTHILY CREEP INTO THE MIDST OF THE PEACE-LOVING MINDANAOANS?