Ang Mga Tsinelas ni JONATHAN PADRONES

ANG MGA TSINELAS NI JONATHAN
ni Apolinario Villalobos

Una akong bumilib kay Jonathan Padrones nang makita ko siya sa kanyang lypsinch act at lalong bumilib pa nang malaman kong marami siyang mga advocacies sa abot ng kanyang makakaya, at ang pinaka-popular ay ang pamimigay ng tsinelas sa mga kinakapos na mga kabataan.

Siguro ang nasa isip niya ay upang hindi masaktan ang talampakan ng mga batang nagsusumikap sa buhay habang tinatahak ang mabatong landasin patungo sa kanilang pangarap….HINDI TULAD NIYA NONG KABATAAN NIYA NA SA KAGUSTUHANG MAKATULONG SA MGA MAHAL SA BUHAY AY MATINDING HIRAP ANG DINANAS SA PAGTAHAK SA LANDAS NA NABANGGIT UPANG MATUPAD ANG KANYANG PANGARAP.

Thoughts in Loneliness

Thoughts in Loneliness

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Alone with just the whisper of the wind that breaks the silence,

the moment of bliss keeps me afloat me on the ocean of happiness.

 

Mind void of frenzy, becomes filled with thoughts…overpowering

and just like in a forest, they all become jovial birds…singing, chirping.

 

Meandering thoughts bump each other in my once empty mind

And, though puzzling, got to contemplate on them one at a time:

 

On the world that seems to shatter…is there hope

for even at the last moment

whatever remains of its innards

be spared to weld its fragments

long-molested without diffidence?

 

On man’s greed, selfishness…will he still survive

despite never-ending quest for more

that stacks up hatred from disquieted

who hesitate to act for the sake of unity

but now feeling abused due to disparity?

 

On man’s blatant arrogance…to where does it lead

when his reason for being, he questions

thinking that a Force alone has made him

into what he is now, assuming all the while

that he’s wise, so to no one he’ll reconcile?

 

On the children’s gleeful prancing…will this go on

when the air they breathe, stained with death

fill their aching lungs, makes their head spin

and the river they wade in is grossly infected

but sadly, makes only a few sincerely worried?

 

On vast seas and forests…how long can they hold on

for the sake of the fishes and others on ocean floor

the birds that seek shelter in the lush, cool foliage

and many other creatures that call them their home

as dynamites and chainsaws spell their doom?

 

Alas! All I can do is shiver in anger and helplessness

With those thoughts in my abject state of loneliness!

Ang Mag-anak na Nangangalakal sa Luneta

ANG MAG-ANAK NA NANGANGALAKAL SA LUNETA

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Nang dumaan ako sa Luneta mula sa Pandacan isang umaga ay napansin ko ang mag-asawa na nagpapasuso ng anak sa tsupon subalit ang laman ng bote ay malabnaw na gatas. Tumigil sila upang ayusin ang mga nakasabit na mga boteng plastic sa likod ng stroller kaya nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong makausap sila. Bunso pala nila ang nasa stroller dahil ilang sandali pa ay may lumapit na tin-edyer sa amin na panganay pala nila. Nang malaman kong galing pa sila sa Tondo ay hindi na ako nagtanong pa kung kumain na silaa dahil mag-iikapito na noon ng umaga. Malamang, dahil wala pa silang naibebentang kalakal, kahit kape ay hindi man lang sila nakahigop.

 

Halata kong hindi naging maganda ang buhay ng mag-asawa dahil nakita ko ang mga braso ng misis na may mga gurlis o natuyong hiwa ng blade, na ginagawa ng mga bangag sa rugby o glue. Ang mister naman ay walang gurlis subalit may mga tattoo. Malinis ang ayos nila, at dahil malayo ang agwat ng panganay sa bunso, ay napagtanto kong matagal din siguro bago nila naisipang magbago, lalo na ngayong si Duterte na ang presidente. Tinanong ko kung kilala nila si Gerry o si Long Hair na na-blog ko na rin, yong gumagawa ng sirang payong sa Roxas Boulevard pero tumatambay din sa Luneta, at sinabi nilang kaibigan daw nila ito.

 

Ibinili ko sila ng “lugaw with egg” sa isang puwesto sa Luneta sa halagang 30pesos isa at tatlong pandesal para tig-isa sila. Tuwang-tuwa sila at noon nila inamin na hindi pa nga sila kumain nang umalis sila sa Tondo. Noon ko naisipang sa susunod naming pagkikita ay  sasamahan ko sila sa pag-uwi nila upang malaman kung malapit lang sila sa Baseco compound na madalas kong pasyalan. Pero nang sandaling yon ay hindi ko muna binaggit upang hindi sila maasiwa sa akin. Ni hindi ko tinanong ang pangalan nila. Pagkatapos mag-iwan ng kaunting cash  sa misis na galing sa  natirang bigay ni “Ms. Di” para pambayad sa paggamit ng CR sa Luneta, pambili ng tanghalian nila, at gatas para sa bunso, iniwan ko na sila, pero pinakiusapan kong doon sila uli tumambay sa bahagi ng Luneta kung saan ko sila nakita dahil may ibibigay pa ako sa kanila kinabukasan. Nag-iwan din ako sa kanila ng trapal at payong, at sa panganay naman ay libro na padala ni “Perla”…kaya biniro ko sila na dahil may payong sila at trapal, rain or shine magkikita kami. Bago ako tuluyang nakalayo ay narinig ko ang nanay na kumanta ng “happy birthday”, hindi ko lang alam kong sino ang tinutukoy niya….baka ang sanggol na kalong niya.

Rose

Rose

(para kay Rosita Segala)

Ni Apolinario B Villalobos

 

Kung siya’y iyong pagmasdan

Mababanaag mo sa mga mata niyang malamlam

Bigat ng pinapasang katungkulan

Hindi lang para sa mga mahal sa buhay

Kung hindi, pati na rin sa malalapit na kaibigan.

 

Mayroon man siyang kinikimkim

Hindi kayang isiwalat ng maninipis na labi

Ang matagal nang pinipigil na damdamin

Nakapaloob sa nagpupumiglas na tanong

“May kaligayahan kaya para sa akin sa dako pa roon”?

 

Marami na rin siyang inasam sa buhay

Nguni’t maramot ang kapalaran at pagkakataon

Kabutihang kanyang pinamamahagi sa iba

Kalimitan ay palaging may katumbas na luha

Pati na pag-abuso na nagbibigay ng matinding pagdurusa.

 

Sa kabila ng lahat, marubdob pa rin ang paniniwala niya sa Diyos

Na siyang tanging nakakabatid ng lahat ng kanyang paghihirap

At alam niyang darating ang panahon na kanyang makakamit

Pagmamahal at katiwasayan ng kalooban na sa kanya’y pinagkait

Samantala, kanya na lang iindahin, mga darating na siphayo at pasakit.

 

(Si Rose ay taga-Quezon at nang mapadpad sa Maynila noong 1972 ay kumuha ng maliit na puwesto sa Recto, sa bahaging kung tagurian ay “Arranque”. Sa bahaging ito ng Maynila makakakita ng mga alahas na binebenta ng mura dahil karamihan ay nabili ng bultuhan o maramihan sa mga bahay-sanglaan o pawnshop. At, sa ganitong uri ng negosyo sumabak si Rose, subalit hindi sa pagbenta, kundi sa paglinis na kasama ang pagtubog upang lalong tumingkad mga alahas. Ang puwesto niya ay nasa ilalim ng hagdan patungo sa ikalawang palapag ng lumang gusali, kung saan ay may inuupahan siyang kuwarto, kasama ang kanyang pamangkin na si Marivic.

 

 

Marami siyang kakumpetensiya sa uri ng kanyang trabaho – mga lalaki, kaya napabilib ako sa kanya nang malaman ko ang kanyang trabaho. Ayon sa kanya, pinipilit niyang makaipon upang may magamit sa mga emergency na pangangailangan kaya alas- siyete pa lamang ng umaga ay nag-aabang na siya ng mga kostumer na gustong magpalinis ng alahas, at inaabot siya ng gabi dahil sa kanyang pagtitiyaga.

 

Sa probinsiya pa lang nila ay marami nang natulungan si Rose, subalit hindi siya naghangad ng kapalit. Nakakaramdam siya ng kasiyahan sa pagtulong sa iba upang hindi sila makaranas ng mga kahirapang napagdaanan niya. Ayaw niyang umasa sa mga kamag-anak, kahit na yong mga natulungan niya, kaya nagsisikap, at pinapasa-Diyos na lamang niya kung ano man ang mangyari sa kanya, subalit kahit papaano ay nag-iingat pa rin siya.)

 

 

Cristina Toledo Cabanayan Packs Food for Prison Inmates

Cristina Toledo Cabanayan

Packs Food for Prison Inmates

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

I came to learn of the advocacy of Cristina Toledo Cabanayan when I took my brunch in their roadside food stall along Camba St. in Divisoria….she packs food for some inmates in Manila City Jail. It all started when her son (name withheld upon request) who was detained asked her to include his newly found friends, in the lunch pack that she prepares for him during visitation days. Her son found out that his friends have not been receiving visitors for a very long time, hence, depended on the meager and strictly- budgeted meals served by the jail administration.

Div Cristina Bermudo OK

 

Soonest as she heard their stories, she did not hesitate to pack meals taken from what she sells along Camba St. of Divisoria district for her son and his friends. The pack meals are brought by her grandsons to their father who is thirty six years old. The day I took my brunch, a Saturday, was a visitation day for the Manila City Jail inmates.

 

I learned, too, that Cristina’s altruism also benefited Lagring, who was adopted by her family when she found her living in the area alone, after having been abandoned by her family. Cristina nurtured Lagring back to her health, and today she helps in the operation of the roadside eatery by taking charge of everything that needs to be washed – eating utensils, pots, pans, etc. Though she is still noticeably skinny, she is back to her former spritely self. I found her washing pots and plates when I dropped by the food stall.

Div Cristina Bermudo 1 OK

The husband of Cristina is a retiree with a frail health, making it necessary for him to stay at home, where he does the easy chores while the rest of the members are doing their share in the food stall. Miracle, Cristina’s daughter, though with a family of her own, helps her mother run the small business. The cooperation among the family members spared Cristina from hiring extra hands which is what food stall owners normally do.

Div Cristina Bermudo 2 OK

The food stall is the source of the family’s livelihood, the blessing from which they also share with others in the best way that they can afford, but despite such, they are able to make both ends meet, as a proverb goes. They do not even know for how long they can hold on to their roadside space that accommodates their pushcart laden with foods. Despite such apprehension, Cristina, a typical Filipino, is fatalistic though in a positive way. She grew up in the same area and had her own share of ordeals that made her tough as a person.

The Spirited Anna….with sightless left eye and dimming right one

The Spirited Anna…with sightless left eye

and dimming right one

by Apolinario Villalobos

 

I thought the woman whose name I learned was Anna,  and who was sitting on the pushcart was just too trusting by not counting the money that I gave her for the items that I chose from among her “buraot” items, until she told me that her right eye can barely see while her left eye was totally useless. Her sight had been defective since she was a girl. While growing up, she was desperate and a loner because of her deficiency until she met her husband who took good care of her.

 

Anna and her husband had been selling junk items for more than five years. They would spread their items on a piece of tarpaulin as early as six in the morning along the old railroad track now covered with pavement as early as six in the morning, just when the vegetable wholesalers are packing up. An hour later they would transfer to the corner of the Sto. Cristo St. where I found her. With their four children in tow, her husband would leave her to clean their other “buraot” items in the railroad track.

 

She smilingly told me that she and her husband have been setting aside money for their children from the meager daily earnings. Just like most of the hardworking scavengers of Divisoria, they live on the pushcart…or rather, beside their pushcart that are heaped with their junks at the end of the day. Their children are aged nine, seven, four and three years. Just before noon, she told me that they, already with lunch bought from a makeshift sidewalk eatery, would join her.

 

Our amiable conversation was cut short by a sudden and steady drizzle. I had to help Anna gather her items on their pushcart and cover them with two pieces of tarp that I brought with me, intended to be given to the vendors like her. We stayed on the covered sidewalk, and it was at this time that Anna got worried for her husband and children.  Not long afterward, a guy carrying two children, and two girls huffily came running and joined us.

 

As the pushcart was securely covered, I invited Anna and her family to the Jollibee outlet a few steps away. The eldest girl jumped and gleefully shouted when she heard the name. When we entered, other customers threw us inquisitive stares as the husband of Anna and the kids were dripping wet. It was their first time to enter the establishment and even taste its cheapest Yummy sandwich, but for such a happy occasion, I ordered the regular burger and spaghetti for each of them. While they were enjoying their sandwich, spaghetti, and Coke, they strike a picture of a happy family…of contentment, a far cry from many families that are virtually swimming in affluence, yet, not satisfied a bit. As a practice, I did not take their picture while enjoying their Jollibee meal, for I do not want the photo opportunity to come out as one done in exchange for something. So as not to instigate Anna and her husband to ask questions about me, I stopped asking more questions about their life….that way, I was happy not to be asked for my name, though, before we parted ways, I told them that the snacks were courtesy of a certain “Perla”. I was resolved, however, to see them again.

 

Divisoria Anna 1

Sharing Need Not Be a “Big Time” Effort

Sharing Need Not Be a “Big Time” Effort

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

I ask from friends and collect myself, what others consider as “trash” – empty rice bags, used shopping plastic bags, brown paper bags, net bags, used tarpaulins, empty jars, lengths of straw rope, etc. – to be distributed among my friends who sell recyclable junks and vegetables by the pile on sidewalks. They are called “buraot” vendors and the “buraot” refers to the junks and wilting vegetables that they sell. Some of them keep the brown paper bags to be used by their children as book covers, and the sturdy plastic grocery bags as “school bags”. On the other hand, the rice bags have many uses, one of which is safekeeping of things in the absence of decent bags that are sold in department stores.

 

It takes me about two weeks to be able to collect a sizeable volume of these various “treasures”, classify the plastic bags according to size, carefully fold them and finally apportion them together with the rest of the items among the pre-identified recipients for easy distribution. I am most glad if I am able to collect big plastic cover of refs and washing machines because they can be used as extended roof for “kariton (pushcart) home” of my friends. I taught them to fold big plastic bags in such a way that they can be used as “rain coat”. I used to do that when I was in elementary during which I would scavenge the garbage dump of a bakery in our town for recyclable junks especially plastic bags.

 

One time, a friend in California, “Perla” sent plenty of blue tarps that went straight to sidewalk and “kariton” dwellers. But I told her to stop sending such kind of item because I met a couple who sell “tinseled” bags of condiments that when spread by slicing open the two sides can serve the purpose of a mat, as well as, protection against the rain – for just Php20.00 apiece.

 

Every time I come home from shopping, I see to it that the bags, both made of plastic and brown paper are properly folded and set aside instead of tossing them into the garbage basket. The brown bag can also be used in keeping extra portions of vegetables before storing them in the ref. Also, I am not ashamed in picking up lengths of straw ropes from the ground while shopping in outdoor shopping areas such as Baclaran and Quiapo, as they are also needed by my friends in tying things that they always bring along with them. As a recycling advocate, I had been doing this for more than thirty years now.

 

Every time I hit the road for my random acts of sharing my backpack is full of these “treasures”, aside from Skyflakes crackers and home-cooked pudding for sharing. I just want to show that sharing blessings need not be a “big time” effort that involves a lot of money. If I can do it, I am sure others can do it, too. Those interested to do the same can start with the plastic bags that can be collected and given to their favorite vendor in the market….by doing so, we also help Mother Nature as the plastic bags that we recycle are prevented from clogging esteros or canals.

Maawain, Maunawain, Mahiyain, at Mapagmalasakit ang Wikang Pilipino

Maawain, Maunawain, Mahiyain, at Mapagmalasakit

ang Wikang Filipino

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Ang wikang Filipino ay mayroong mga katagang “medyo” (it seems), “hindi gaano” (not much of…), at “siguro” (sort of, maybe). Ang mga katagang yan ang nagpapalambot ng kahulugan ng nga pantukoy na kataga, tulad ng “pangit”, “mapait”, “mabaho”, “masama”, atbp. Hindi maunawaan kung bakit nahihiya ang Pilipino sa diretsahang pagbigkas ng mga pantukoy na kahit masamang pakinggan ay totoo naman.

 

Kawalan ng katapatan para sa isang tao ang hindi pagsasabi ng totoo na dapat sana ay nakakatulong sa pinagsasabihan upang matutong tumanggap ng katotohanan kung napatunayan naman, at upang magbago siya kung kailangan. Sa isyu ng kagandahan o kapangitan batay sa mapagkunwaring batayan, alam naman ng lahat kung ano ang “kagandahan ng kalooban” at “panlabas na kagandahan”. Upang hindi lumabas na nagsisinungaling, huwag na lang magbanggit ng katagang “ganda” o “gwapo” kung may mga nakikinig na mga taong hindi naman talaga guwapo o maganda…huwag rin magbanggit ng katagang “pangit”, kung dudugtungan din lang ng “medyo”, at pampalubag ng kalooban na “nasa kalooban ang kagandahan ng tao”.

 

Kung talagang korap ang isang pulitiko, diretsahan nang sabihin ito. Huwang nang magpaikot-ikot pa dahil lamang nakikinabang din pala ang nagsasalita pagdating ng panahong nagkakabentahan ng boto. (Pareho lang pala sila!) Kung talagang maganda ang isang babae, sabihin din ito ng buong katapatan upang hindi mapagsabihang naiinggit lang ang nagsasalita kaya nag-aalangan siya sa pagpuri.

 

Maraming taga- media ang mahilig din sa paggamit ng “medyo” kung sila ay bumabatikos ng ibang tao, lalo na mga pulitiko. Ang nakalimutan nila ay walang “medyo” sa kasong libel, kaya gumamit man sila o hindi nito sa hindi nila mapatunayang bintang, kakasuhan pa rin sila, kaya, lubus-lubusin na nila kung matapang sila. Ang mga harap-harapan namang pinupuri na matalino, subalit mahiyain, ay namumula pang sasagot ng: “medyo lang po”. Kung sabihan namang pagbutihin pa ang ipinapakitang galing, sumasama naman ang loob dahil mahirap daw i-satisfy ang naghuhusga.

 

Kahit walang patumangga ang kurakutan sa gobyerno na nagresulta sa kahirapan ay lumalabas pa rin ang  “ medyo” tuwing may iniinterbyu. Tulad nang interbyuhin sa radyo ang isang nanay na tinanong kung nahihirapan sila sa buhay. Sinagot niya ito ng matamis na “medyo”. Ayaw niya sigurong marinig sya ng mga kapitbahay nila at malaman na talagang naghihirap ang kanyang pamilya, dahil hindi naman ito ang pinapakita niya kahit tadtad na sila ng utang. Dahil “siguro” dito, ang mga wala namang budhing pulitiko at opisyal ng gobyerno ay talagang nilubos na ang pagnanakaw…with true feelings pa…talagang wagas sa kalooban! Samantala, ang mga kinukunan naman ng retrato na mga taga- iskwater, ay pabebe pang nagpo-pose!

Aggressive and Violent islamic Expansionism Poses Threat to World Peace…a caution to the Philippines

Aggressive and Violent Islamic Expansionism

Poses Threat to World Peace

…a caution to the Philippines

By Apolinario Villalobos

There is nothing wrong with all kinds of religion or cults, for as long as tolerance and respect among the faithful are observed. If there is no violent or aggressive attempt of conversion, I do not think that animosity shall be developed among the parties concerned. Conversion should be done “indirectly” – through convincing actions by the advocates, to show others that indeed, their religion is worth embracing. People should be given a liberal option as to what faith they should follow. They should not be intimidated by force, or threatened with the nozzle of a gun.

Special reference is being made to the religious polarization of the world between Christian and Islamic faiths. Tension between the two has slackened after the Crusade era. But, it seems that even religion is following a cycle or giving truth to the adage that history repeats itself, as lately, an aggressive Islamic expansionism is on the rise, spearheaded by its extremist advocates. There is a global attempt today for the “restoration” of Islam as supposedly the world religion, and even an aggressive “expansion”, which to the layman could mean “mass conversion”.

Hugging cyber news pages are European countries that are under the pressure exerted by the influx of Muslim immigrants, purportedly victims of persecution in their countries of origin, particularly, Syria. And, there is even an appeal by the United Nations to the far-off Asian countries to “adopt” some of them. Some European countries, being nearest to the origin of these evacuees were the first to offer succor and accommodated the refugees. Unfortunately, these generous countries are now being rocked with unrest by the same beneficiary of sympathy, in the name of the latter’s Islamic faith. There is even a bold threat by a group of Muslims in Denmark that their host shall become the “first Muslim country in Europe”.

The extremist ISIS group has done more than enough destruction to the historic and Biblical countries that they occupied and fear to the rest that they plan to overrun. Will Europe suffer the same fate, as there could be Islamic terrorists who may have successfully melded with the so-called “refugees” who have been accommodated by sympathetic European countries? From Europe, will masquerading terrorists who may have successfully blended with authentic refugees creep their way towards Southeast Asia to muddle the harmonious and peaceful co-existence of Christians and Muslims?

While the Muslims are aggressive in their attempt to convert others, none of such drive can be observed among the Christians, especially, the Roman Catholics. The publicities being enjoyed by the Vatican because of the controversial new pope, Francis, should not be taken as an attempt to convert. In fact, there is an ongoing cleansing within the Roman Catholic community, as shown by the purging of erring church leaders, as well as, vehement reminders of the pope for his flock to follow the “Christian way”. Nothing about converting Muslims, Protestants, etc. is being done in any way. On the other hand, if the effort of the new pope is viewed by skeptics as a convincing “Christian act” of a Roman Catholic, it is up to them to decide if they want to jump over the fence and join the flock of Jesus.

In the Philippines, particularly, Mindanao, the Muslims and Christians are enjoying a harmonious and peaceful co-existence. The call for autonomy which many Filipinos deemed long overdue is more political and not a matter of religion. In fact, it is expected that the same clamor for political autonomy shall be raised by the rest of the regions as the system has been proved to be effective in the Cordillera Region, although, deemed necessary in the first place, due to the archipelagic make up of the country.

The Philippines is a clear manifestation of harmony if tolerance and respect among people with diverse culture and faith, are observed. In view of the threat that is now rocking some European countries due to aggressive religious assertion by Islamic fundamentalists, Filipinos should be more vigilant and help each other in maintaining a steadfast resistance against any religiously-hooded incursion that could be tainted with evil intent. Filipinos have stood united on a foundation of strongly- welded brotherhood that not even the corrupted political system failed to shake. This fervent show of steadfast conviction should send a warning to the evil-minded around the world, that the Philippines is not a breeding ground for  unrest under the cloak of religion that the misguided extremists plan to foment…as such attempt shall never and ever be tolerated!

Pagtatakda ng Pananampalataya na may Bagong Pananaw sa Mundo ng mga Dukha

Pagtatakda ng Pananampalataya

na may Bagong Pananaw Sa Mundo ng mga Dukha

ni Felizardo “Ding” Lazado

ANG mundo ay kubo ng mga dukha at palasyo ng mga mayayaman. Ang kubo ay napapaligiran ng maraming pananim…mga butil ng kahirapan at ang palasyo ay nababakuran ng bitui’t perlas ng karangyaan. Dalawang mukha ng buhay – mukha ng dukha at maskara ng may pera…………….

SA kabilang dako , bigyan natin ng pansin ang liriko ng awiting “Dukha”….”Kami’y anak mahirap. Mababa ang aming pinag-aralan. Grade 1 lang ang inabot ko, no read, no write pa ako, Paano na ngayon ang buhay ko. Isang Kahig, isang tuka …Ganyan kaming mga dukha” Tama ba si Freddie Aguilar sa kanyang awiting “Dukha’ ? Tama ba ang ama ng “Anak” na sabihin : isang kahig, isang tuka,,,ganyan kaming mga dukha. ? Tama ang mensahe, isang realidad ngunit mali ang pagkasabi sapagkat pinupuri ni Freddie ang ganoong kalagayan ng tao at lubos pa niyang tinatanggap na parang “birthday gift o kaya’y Christmas gift” ang KAHIRAPAN. Sa halip na isang kahig, isang tuka bakit hindi sinabing sampung kahig sampung tuka para marami na rin ang mapakain sa isang dukha.. Tayong mga Filipino ay talagang mahilig sa mga salitang matalinghaga, na para bagang napakatamis pakinggan itong pariralang “isang kahig isang tuka”……….

SA ating pagtanggap , pagpapuri at pagpapasikat sa akay ng kahirapan ay isang masakit na pagtanggap ng katotohanan na tayo ay walang kakayahan na umiwas o lumaban sa karukhaan. Isang kahig , isang tuka isang awit na naging mantra ng mga dukha na isinulat ng isang makatang dukha…………………

NGAYONG gabi, mga kaibigan, dito sa bulwagan ng NDEA ay sumambulat na naman ang panawagan ng NOTRE DAME EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION sa PAGTAKDA NG PANANAMPALATAYA NA MAY BAGONG PANANAW SA MUNDO NG MGA DUKHA.

SA usaping karukhaan o kahirapan, minabuti ng NDEA na mag-ambag ng ideya o bagong pananaw. At sino ang makapagsabi na baka ang ideya ng NDEA ay siyang katanggap-tanggap na solusyon sa problemang kahirapan? ARAW-ARAW ang radyo’t telebisyon , mga pahayagan at mga bunganga ng taumbayan ay hitik sa malagim na mga balitang kamatayan at karukhaan: Patay ang isang tatay dahil sa pagnanakaw. Patay ang isang binatilyo dahil sumungkit ng isang pirasong tinapay. Patay ang isang nanay na nagnakaw dahil tumalon upang iwasan ang mga pulis. Patay ang isang bata matapos masagasaan at tumilapon pa ang ninakaw na pagkain. Mga kaibigan ito ay ilan lamang sa mga tagpo…mga tagpo ng kamatayan sa lansangan na itinulak ng karukhaan. Silayan mo ang isang mundo sa ilalim ng tulay-  ayan nakaluray ang mga inakay na walang pagkaing iniwan ang tatay at nanay.. Sundan mo sa mabahong estero si Juan at si Pedro sa isang ektaryang sementeryo ang kanyang pamilya ay nasa loob ng nitso. Malagim na buhay . At marami pa diyan hanggang sa kanayunan. Hindi sila mabibilang ngunit kung bilangin mo ulit ang 7,100 na isla ng Pilipinas doblehin mo ang bilang at doblehin uli ang bilang – ganyan karami ang mga dukha…………….NGAYON anong bagong pananaw ang itutuon natin sa mundo ng mga dukha? Itatakda na lang ba natin sa pananampalataya ang mga dukha? Hanggang saan? Hanggang kaylan? ………….ANO ang itinuturo ng paaralan hinggil sa kahirapan,? Ano ang sinesermon ng simbahan tungkol sa karukhaan? At anu-ano ang mga dekrito ng pamahalaan para tugunan ang kahirapan?

Ang turo ng paaralan, ang sermon ng simbahan, at mga dekrito ng pamahalaan ay nag-umpisa pa sa kapanahunan ni Magellan na hanggang ngayon ay wala pang solusyon. Lalo pang lumalala……………ANG pananampalataya na walang kaakibat na gawa ay patay na tupa, iyan ay ayon sa Banal na Bibliya. Call me crazy ngunit ito ang masasabi ko: ang leksyon sa paaralan, ang sermon sa simbahan at dekrito sa pamahalaan ay pawang mga retorika lamang. BAKIT hindi natin bigyan ng daan ang makabuluhang ugnayan ng simbahan, paaralan at pamahalaan upang lumikha o magtatag ng BAGONG PAMAYANAN para sa mga dukha? Imposible ba na magkaroon ng SIMBAHAN, PAARALAN at PAMAHALAAN “PARTNERSHIP” sa diwa’t sigla ng kahirapan? The church, the educational institution and the government shall give way for the creation of a new human settlement for the poor………….

KUNG gustuhin pwedeng gawin ng simbahan na maglaan ng 10% mula sa lingguhang koleksyon. Kung gustuhin pwedeng gawin ng paaralan na maglaan ng 10% galing sa koleksyon sa magtrikula. Kung gustuhin pwedeng gawin ng pamahalaan na maglaan ng 10% koleksyon sa buwis. Sa isang taon mahigit sa isang milyon ang mailaan sa isang bayan sa bawat lalawigan ng Pilipinas. Magtatag ng superbody na mamahala nito. Labag sa batas? Tanungin ang Economous Council ng simbahan, ang Board of Trustees at Board of Regents ng paaralan, Department of the Budget and Management, Commission on Audit at Department of Finance ng pamahalaan upang talakayin ito. Ipaalam sa kongreso at senado upang magtatag o maglikha ng proseso. Makipag-ugnayan sa mga kritiko’t cause-oriented na mga grupo laban sa DAP at PDAF kung mayroon mang ganito upang mapalaganap ang transparency ng mga ito……………

HINDI ako naniniwala na ang simbahan ay poor. Sila ay may mga palasyo…Hindi ako naniniwala na ang paaralan ay poor. Sila ay may mga hotel at condo…Hindi ako naniniwala na ang pamahalaan ay poor. Sila ay may barko, eroplano yate, banko at palasyo. Ngunit ako ay lubos na naniniwala na ang sambayanan ay very poor…………..HUWAG nating sabihin na ipagdasal na lang at sambitin sa pananampalataya ang mundo ng mga dukha……………SANA walang FOREVER sa mga DUKHA.

(Note: Ito ay isang talumpati. Ang mga patlang na nilagyan ng mga tuldok at pinalaking mga titik ay pananda ng mga pagdiin na gagawin ng magsasalita. Itong talumpati ay gagamitin ni Bb. Vhon Padernal ng Notre Dame of Tacurong College, sa Oratorical Contest na gaganapin sa Notre Dame of Midsayap, sa darating na Notre Dame Educational Association (NDEA) Socio-Cultural Contest, sa Ika-22 ng October, 2015. Ang may-akda ay dating professor ng Notre Dame of Tacurong College, naging unang curator ng museum at event organizer ng nasabing kolehiyo, at “Ama” ng Talakudong Festival ng Tacurong City. Nagsimula siyang magsulat ng mga tula at sanaysay noong siya nasa elementarya pa lamang.)