Ang Barangay Real Dos…ng Bacoor City, Cavite

Ang Barangay Real Dos
…ng Bacoor City, Cavite
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Hindi madali ang mamuno dahil kailangan ang paninimbang upang walang masaktan o magsabing sila ay pinabayaan. Sa isang barangay, halos lahat ay magkakilala, kaya ang turingan ay magkakapamilya, lalo na sa isang maliit na barangay tulad ng Real Dos ng Bacoor, Cavite City.

Ang Barangay Real Dos, ay pinamumunuan ng pinakabatang Chairman sa buong lunsod, si BJ Aganus, at inaalalayan ng may kabataan ding mga Kagawad. Sa kabila ng maliit nilang pondo mula sa buwis na binabahagi ng pamahalaang lunsod ay nagawa pa rin nilang magpatupad ng mga proyekto. Maganda ang nagkaisa nilang panuntunan na hindi dapat patagalin ang paghawak ng pondo hangga’t maaari dahil maraming dapat paggagastusan na kailangan ng mga ka-barangay nila.

Inumpisahan ng bagong grupo ang kanilang mga proyekto sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan sa homeowners’ association ng Perpetual Village 5 kung saan matatagpuan ang Barangay Hall, sa paglunsad ng mga proyektong pang-kabataan upang magamit ang bagong gawang basketball court. Ibinalik din ang regular na schedule sa paghakot ng basura.

Bumili sila ng bankang gawa sa fiberglass upang magamit sa pag-rescue tuwing may baha; dinagdagan ang bilang ng radio units na mag-uugnay sa mga tanod at opisyal ng barangay; pinalitan ang mga ilaw-kalye na ordinaryong bombilya, ng makabagong LED lights, upang makatipid sa konsumo ng kuryente, at inasahan ding tatagal ang mga ito; nagkaroon din ng libreng gamutan.

Ang mga plastik na mesa na pinapahiram sa mga ka-barangay kung may okasyon ay pinalitan ng gawa sa matibay na stainless steel sheets. Kaya, hindi man sinasadyang maulanan, ang mga mesa ay sigurado nang tatagal. Dinagdagan din nila ang mga trapal na ginagamit lalo na kung may pinaglalamayan.

Ang pinakahuli nilang ginawa ay ang pagpabubong ng nakatiwangwang na lote sa magkabilang gilid ng Barangay Hall. Ang nasa kanlurang bahagi ay nagagamit na ngayon kung may pagpupulong kahit na umuulan at tirik ang araw. Ang silangang bahagi naman ay lalagyan ng mga upuan upang may mapagpahingahan ang mga taong pumipila para sa serbisyo ng barangay health center.

Kinakausap din ni Barangay Chairman Aganus ng personal ang mga pasaway sa barangay, lalo pa at ang iba sa kanila ay halos kasinggulang lamang niya…na epektibo naman, dahil na rin sa pakisama. Walang masamang tinapay para sa Barangay Chairman dahil lahat ay gusto niyang bigyan ng pagkakataon upang magbago, magkaroon ng kabuluhan at respeto sa sarili. Hindi man niya sabihin, makikita sa ginagawa niya na mangyayari lamang ang pagkakaroon ng respeto sa sarili ang isang tao, kung siya ay bibigyan ng pagkakataon at halaga.

Nakakatuwa ring malaman na kahit kapos kung ituring ang allowance ng mga Barangay tanod ay hindi sila naaapektuhan nito. Nakikita kasi nila na lahat silang nasa pamamahala ni Chairman Aganus ay parehong nagsasakripisyo, maipatupad lang ang sinumpaan at itinalagang responsibilidad sa kanila.

Ang nakakatawag ng pansin ay ang pinapairal ng grupo ni Chairman Aganus na “bayanihan spirit”. Sa pamamagitan nito, basta may lumapit sa kanila upang humingi ng tulong, kahit hindi ka-barangay, ay agad nilang inaaksyunan. Maraming beses na ring nahingan ng tulong si Chairman Aganus ng mga hindi taga-Real Dos, upang gumawa ng follow up sa City Hall. Maganda ang patakaran nila dahil hindi naman ito pakikialam sa ibang barangay. Kung hindi kasi sila umaksyon sa mga request ng hindi taga-Real Dos ay lalabas na tinataboy nila ang mga ito…isang impresyon na ayaw nilang mangyari. Ganoon din ang paliwanag ni Chairman Aganus na nagsabing, pinakikiusapan lang naman daw siya, at isinasabay na niya ang mga follow-up sa mga gagawin kung nasa City Hall siya. Kung tutuusin nga naman, magkakasama ang mga magkakatabing barangay sa iisang administrasyon ng Bacoor, kaya hindi magandang nagkakanya-kanya sila sa pagkilos…sa halip ay dapat magtulungan.

Kung ihahambing sa malalaking barangay, masasabing napakaliit ng mga proyekto ng grupo ni Chairman Aganus, subalit, para sa mga taga-Barangay Real Dos, ang mga ito ay napakahalaga. Wala rin naman silang magagawa dahil pinagkakasya lamang nila ang pondong itinatalaga ng pamahalaang lunsod. At, ang pinakamahalaga, ay nagpupursige sila sa abot ng kanilang makakaya.

Pinatunayan ng Barangay Real Dos, na ang matatag na samahan ng mga bumubuo sa isang barangay ang nagsisilbing pinakapundasyon ng isang barangay kahit maliit ang pondo. Malaking tulong nga ang pondo, subalit aanhin naman ito kung pagtatalunan lamang na maaaring humantong pa sa siraan? Ang nagsisilbi namang “pandilig” sa pundasyong ito upang lalo pag tumatag at lumago ay ang katatagan din ng namumuno at mga nakakaganang pagpuna ng ibang tao, lalo na ng mga nasasakupan. Sa huling nabanggit, tanggap naman nila na hindi lahat ay nabibigyan nila ng kasiyahan, subalit wala silang magagawa dahil sa limitasyon ng kanilang kakayahan at pondo.

Yan ang Real Dos….maliit nga siksik naman sa samahan…kapos nga sa budget, mayaman naman sa pagkukusa… mga kabataan nga ang namumuno, puno naman ang mga puso ng pagmamalasakit sa kapwa!

Ang Tungkulin at Responsibilidad

Ang Tungkulin at Responsibilidad
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang tungkulin ay hindi na dapat inuutos pa at ang responsibilidad ay may kaakibat na pananagutan sa lahat ng ginagawa ng isang tao. Bilang isang matalinong nilalang, alam ng bawa’t tao na kasama ang dalawa sa anumang pinasukan at inako niya.

Sa isang trabahong pinasukan halimbawa, alam ng isang tao kung ano ang mga dapat asahan sa kanya kaya may tungkulin siyang tuparin ang mga ito. Nakapatong sa kanyang balikat ang pagpapatupad ng mga ito sa abot ng kanyang makakaya, subalit kung siya ay mabigo, dapat siyang managot – yan ang responsibilidad.

Sa ibang bansang Asyano tulad ng Korea at Japan, ang dalawang nabanggit ay itinuturing na mitsa ng buhay at ang katumbas ay kahihiyan. Kapag nabigo sa mga ito ang mga tao doon, itinutulak sila ng kahihiyan upang wakasan na ang kanilang buhay. Para sa kanila, ang kabiguan sa mga ganoong bagay ay duming didikit sa kanilang pagkatao habang buhay at ang makakapaghugas lamang ay kamatayan.

Sa Pilipinas, iba ang kalakaran at nangyayari, lalo na sa gobyerno. Kung may mga palpak na pangyayari, lahat ng sangkot ay nagtuturuan. Mayroon pang mga walang takot sa pagbanggit sa Diyos na saksi daw nila sa pagsabi nilang wala silang kasalanan. Pati ang kalikasan ay binabanggit, kaya tamaan man daw sila ng kidlat, talagang wala silang bahid ng kasalanan. Mabuti na lang at wala sa mga “matatalinong” ito ang nagdidiin ng kanilang sinabi ng, “peks man”!

Ang mga halimbawa ng mga problema na idinaan sa turuan ay ang Mamasapano Massacre, usad-pagong na pag-rehabilitate ng mga biktima ng typhoon Yolanda, nakawan sa kaban ng bayan, ang pinagkakaguluhang West Philippine Sea, ang nawawalang pondo ng Malampaya, ang mga problema sa LRT at MRT, at mga sunog na ang pinakahuli ay nangyari sa Valenzuela (Bulacan), sa Gentex na pagawaan ng tsinelas. Lahat ng mga sangkot na tao at ahensiya ay ayaw umamin ng kasalanan. Matindi talaga ang sakit ng Pilipino na “feeling linis syndrome” o FLD!

Sa mga pangyayaring nabanggit, malinaw na walang maayos na koordinasyon na pinapatupad. Ang mga ahensiya at mga tao sa likod nila ay nagkukumahog upang makakuha ng credit kung sakaling tagumpay ang mga ginagawa nila, subalit, mabilis ding mambato ng sisi sa iba kung sila ay nabigo.

Sa isang banda naman, ang presidente ng Pilipinas ngayon ay walang humpay ang pagbato ng sisi sa nakaraang administrasyon dahil sa mga kapalpakang dinadanas ng kanyang pamumuno, ganoong ang problema niya ay ang mga taong itinalaga niya sa puwesto, na ang iba ay matagal nang dapat niyang tinanggal subalit hindi niya ginawa.

Sa panahon ngayon, maraming mga magulang ang hindi nakakatupad ng kanilang mga tungkulin sa kanilang mga anak na lumalaking suwail. Ang sinisisi nila ay ang mga makabagong teknolohiya kaya nagkaroon ng internet, at mga barkada ng kanilang mga anak. Yong ibang magulang naman, taon-taon ay naglilipat ng anak sa iba’t ibang eskwelahan dahil palpak daw ang mga titser. Kung tumingin lamang sa salamin ang mga magulang, makikita nila ang kanilang pagkakamali dahil dapat ay sa tahanan nagsisimula ang paghubog ng kabataan. Ang eskwelahan at mga titser ay tumutulong lamang.

Marami na kasing magulang ngayon na mas gusto pang makipagsosyalan sa mga kumare o umatend ng ballroom dancing, makipag-inuman sa mga kabarkada, makipag-shooting, makipag-weekend motoring, atbp., kaysa makipag-bonding sa mga anak. Ang dinadahilan nila ay ang kapaguran sa paglilinis ng bahay, pagluluto, paglalaba, pagpasok sa trabaho, overtime sa office, atbp – kaya kailangan nilang magpahinga naman! Kung hindi ba naman sila nuknok ng ka…ngahan!… papasok-pasok sila sa ganoong sitwasyon, pagkatapos ay sisisihin ang pagod! Kung honest sila, dapat ay sisihin din nila ang libog ng katawan! Sa ginagawa nila, mga anak nila ang kawawa!

Dapat isipin ng isang tao kung kaya niya ang mga tungkulin at responsibilidad sa papasukan niyang sitwasyon. Ang kailangan niya ay katapatan sa sarili, hindi ang nagpapalakas ng loob na, “bahala na”.

Trust

Trust
By Apolinario Villalobos

Trust is faith. I wholeheartedly let go of this word from my mind when a viewer of my blogs expressed that he is always looking forward to them. I believed his appreciation for the blogs without doubting his sincerity. In return, I told him that I trust him…because somehow he understood my sentiments and even make connection through his comments to enhance my views. Another viewer added his inspiring comment that further enhanced my view. My trust in them is such, that it is not tainted with even a speck of doubt to their sincerity.

We cannot live in this world if we cannot trust our fellowman even a bit. For instance, we entrust our teeth to our dentist whose expertise has been patiently tested, our general health to our family doctor whose prescription for just the best medicine has been proven, the security of our home to our house help every time we leave for work, the manufacturers as we buy their products in securely sealed packaging, and many more. Practically, even the air that we breathe is trusted to be still tolerably clean despite what we already knew how polluted it is. In other words, we have no choice. Risk is also involved at all times, of being exploited by the shrewd, for which all we can do is just be doubly cautious.

If we cannot trust others, it means that we better lead a lonely life. But this is impossible, even those with vows such as the monks. In the eyes of those outside the monastic walls, they live a solitary life, but they talk to each other. Their life together under the cloak of silence is still permeated with trust due to their need for each other, although as a group, they have somehow detached themselves from the material world.

Dangerous shows such as trapeze and acrobatics for instance, are not possible without the performers trusting each other. Even members of the orchestra and dance groups will not be able to perform their best if they will not trust each other for their complementary support. Stage performers also trust their directors and stage hands to do their best, so that their acts will come out right and appropriately supported with the best props.

Trust, on the other hand, should not be abused to the point, that the trusting party is exploited. Once trust in a person has been eroded due to his exploitive overtures, his crumbled image will be very difficult to reconstruct as the fissures or the flaws will always show. A “paint-over” which means pretensions, perhaps, may help to cover the fine lines, but for how long?

An instance of trust abuse is the case of Mary Jane Veloso. She trusted her recruiter so much that she had no inkling, the small suitcase given to her by the former, contained illegal drug. Now she is languishing in jail after having been spared from execution, although, temporarily. Another case is that of the Filipinos who trusted the officials they voted into office, but later on proved to be inept, some yet, are with bottomless dishonest yearning – corrupt to the highest degree!

Trust should be likened to the fragile crystal. A clear and unscratched crystal that gleams and sparkles under the light, in the same way that a person known for his trustworthy image can standout even in a crowd, no matter what.

Philosophies in Life

Philosophies in Life
By Apolinario Villalobos

Due to differing beliefs and advocacies of mankind, it is best to know to which “school” or group of thought we belong:

1. Absolutism is the belief in an ultimate reality in which all differences are reconciled.
2. Agnosticism is the belief that the ultimate answer to all fundamental inquiries is that we do not know.
3. Altruism is the way of living and acting in the interest of others rather than oneself.
4. Asceticism is the belief that the highest point in life can be achieved by withdrawing oneself from the physical world into the inner world of the spirit.
5. Atheism is the rejection of God.
6. Atomism is the belief that the universe is composed of distinct units that are detachable or isolatable.
7. Critical Idealism is the belief that man cannot establish anything beyond his own experience.
8. Critical Realism is the belief that aside from physical and mental aspects of reality, there is also another aspect called essences.
9. Determination theorizes that the universe is following a fixed or pre-determined design.
10. Dialectical Materialism is the belief that the materialistic character of reality is based on the struggle between two opposing forces, with occasional intercession of harmony.
11. Dogmatism is the assertion of a belief without support of authoritative basis.
12. Criticism is the belief that the way to knowledge is between dogmatism and skepticism.
13. Dualism is the theory that there are always two radical and independent elements that compose the world, such as bad and good, material and spiritual, etc.
14. Egoism is the belief that the highest point in life is serving one’s own interests.
15. Evolutionism is the theory that the universe is the result of progression of inter-related phenomena.
16. Hedonism is the belief that pleasure is the highest point in life.
17. Humanism teaches that in this world, human interest and human mind are supreme.
18. Idealism regards the idea as the basis of existence and knowledge, and the search for the best or highest, is ethics.
19. Intuitionalism is the philosophy that truth can be perceived by instinct, and not by analysis.
20. Materialism is the belief that physical well-being is the most important in life.
21. Meliorism is the belief situated between optimism and pessimism; that the world has the capacity to improve with the help of man.
22. Monism is the belief in only one and ultimate reality.
23. Mysticim teaches that it is only in the direct contact of the divine that ultimate reality is achieved.
24. Naturalism believes that all phenomena occur naturally.
25. Optimism asserts that all will work out for the best.
26. Pantheism is the belief that the universe is identical with God.
27. Personalism is the belief in the spiritual beings or independent persons.
28. Pessimism is the belief that everything is doomed.
29. Pluralism is the theory that there are more than two components of reality that cannot be reduced.
30. Positivisim is the belief that the knowledge of phenomena is not absolute but relative, or that man cannot gain knowledge except from the occurrence of phenomena.
31. Pragmatism teaches that the test of truth results to practical consequences.
32. Rationalism is the belief that even by reason alone, without any experience, the basic reality of the universe can be achieved.
33. Relativism is the total rejection of the concept of absolute.
34. Skepticism asserts the uncertainty of any fact.
35. Theism believes in the concept of God as a practical assumption.
36. Transcendentalism is the belief in a vital reality that can surpass human experience.
37. Voluntarism believes in the will as the defining element in the universe.

Without our knowing it, the way we live manifests one or more of the philosophies, regardless of our religion and culture. However, oftentimes, there is no consistency in our acts and the way we think. Seldom do we find people who can maintain at least one philosophy in his life. Even saints cannot claim such consistency. As we live, we are supposed to act out what are in our mind. Sometimes though, there is hesitance in acting out some of these. Worst, even though they are good, if these are learned, they may just be forgotten in time.

Our philosophy could be innate, hence, manifested without much effort, such as being “naturally” helpful to others to the point of being altruistic. Some, who in the beginning had strong faith in God, become agnostic because of doubts that developed later due to accidental “discoveries” and nagging questions on imposed doctrines. This is the reason why, we find former priests who have made a total 360-degree turnaround in their life by discarding their priestly garb and decided to raise a family. There are also some people who do not belong to any religion, but have strong faith in God….manifesting the idea that belief in God does not necessarily mean belonging to any religious group. Still, there are some who do not believe in God but are more like Christ in their action.

Whatever is the philosophy of others, it is important that they be respected for it, for as long as they don’t use it in hurting others. We should not force our belief to others, especially, verbally. “Good” and “bad” are self-explanatory and universal. If we believe that we are doing the good thing, we should SHOW it through our actions and just hope that others will notice and emulate us. What is bad, we should avoid doing. I don’t think that is hard to do.

War is one grave result of clashing philosophies….

Christlike People Around Us

Christlike People Around Us

by Apolinario Villalobos

Without their knowing it, some people around us are Christlike – they who act like Christ but do not belong to the Christian fold. Some do not even belong to any religion. The Christlike way is my own gauge in measuring the extent of kindness one extends to others, while being Christian is belonging to the group that is supposed to advocate the teachings of Christ. Unfortunately, some or most members are only Christian in name but not in action.

When the typhoon Yolanda devastated Leyte and its neighboring Visayan provinces, some Aeta tribes in Zambales went down with bunches of bananas and sweet potatoes in answer to the call for donations. A girl donated her month’s savings that amounted to a little more than a hundred pesos. Two cigarette vendors I met in Sta. Cruz, Manila, donated the money each of them saved. While one vendor’s savings was supposed to be for his wife who was to give birth within the month, the other one’s savings was supposed to be for the purchase of tarpaulin for the pushcart which he considered as his family’s home.

In our neighborhood, “Ester”, a housewife who operates a beauty parlor sponsors free haircut at least once a month in depressed areas. A retired couple in a nearby neighborhood, “Gene” and “Maggie”, crams their old van with goodies for deserving street children who they would encounter every time they hit the road, aside from doing weekend visit to depressed areas with a small group. Still, a couple in another neighborhood, “Sam” and “Ness”, regularly visit on weekends a shelter for elderlies where they spend their whole day as volunteers. A retired couple in their 80’s, “Lando” and “Cora” are foster parents to a former child prostitute who will graduate from high school next year.

Even distance does not hinder others to act like Christ. “Perla” who lives in the United States regularly calls friends, schools, and stores for books to be discarded, even tarpaulins and emergency home tools which she patiently packs to be sent to the Philippines for street children. “Doring”, brought out her carefully saved money, an extra amount during her last visit to the Philippines, and which she sent to be spent for a needy person and street children.

There are more of these Christlike people around us, who do not even know that they are manifesting the image of Christ through their acts. Some do not even know how to pray the Rosary and Novena. Some do not kneel in front of the altar and implore God for blessings. Some have not tried joining a religious procession. Some do not say repetitive prayers akin to pagan chanting. Some do not offer flowers and candles to the images of saints. But these Christlike people, do what are supposed to be done right away for others, acts which are along what Christ said: “what you do to others, you do to me”, and “love they neighbor”…which could mean, who they may be.

The Act of Kindness…a message to parents

The Act of Kindness

…a message to parents

By Apolinario Villalobos

The act of kindness should not be a means to an end, but the reason, in itself. In other words, we should not be kind to others, just because we want to go to heaven, but because we want to do it to for the sake of others. Acting kindly should be spontaneous. The act should form part of our habit. By acting this way, we will forget to count our indulgences which others are prone in doing. The act of kindness should end when the action is done, so that any return for such act is not considered.

In this regard, parents should stop telling their kids to be kind to others so that Jesus will love them. Children should be told to be kind, because by being so they are helping others. Of course, there is always Jesus or God or heaven as reasons every time we do kind acts. But, foremost, as our reason to be kind should be the expectation of us, as human beings, intelligent creatures, who should be kind to others. The clever guys may ask, what happens then to the Ten Commandments?

For the question above, I also ask, how about the aborigines who do not know God?… those in the hinterlands and jungles who have not seen a missionary, much more a Bible or a cross? Don’t they have the right to go to heaven even if they have done acts of kindness, just because nobody told them about such an eternal paradise? The unconscious dispensing of kind acts by these people who, in the eyes of others are uncivilized, deserve more heavenly recognition that what some evil-minded, though, college or university-educated and church-going humans are doing!

Parents should tell their children that they should be kind to others because the latter deserve respect due them as human beings. And, blessings should be shared with them because they need the help to be able to survive. We should do only those, and just leave to God the judgment if our acts are worthy of a place in heaven. Again, we should not count our acts of kindness.

Every Christmas, some parents are even going farther, by warning their kids not to be bad because Santa Claus will not give them gifts. Christianity or any religion that observes Christmas never teaches that! Santa Claus is not even mentioned in the Bible or whatever book of any religion. Santa Claus just like the Christmas tree, is just a symbol of the pagan way of celebrating Christmas, to have a semblance of festivity. Christmas is all about the humble birth of Jesus Christ. And, what has been originally celebrated was the baptism of Jesus Christ. It was only one of the early popes who thought of giving importance to the birthday of Jesus Christ, with the exact date not yet even officially established, and to give it a facade of joyful celebration for the sake of the converted pagans, used their early practices that are still being observed today.

A mother confided to me that when she told her child that Santa Claus is a missionary, the child in all innocence, asked her mother why he does not wear a cross, or carry a Bible! The mother was caught flat-footed, and she told me that she felt so ashamed of what she told her child, vowing never to tell her lies again.

The erroneous way of developing kindness in the personality of a child has done its toll. The wrong notion about kindness has become an integral part of the obnoxious attitude of some children which they will pass on to their own children when they become parents, themselves. The world is so full of children with this kind of attitude, with the parents themselves, to be blamed for their “spoiled” upbringing. This is a general observation. If some parents are doing the right thing, they need not react defensively. Unfortunately, I may be pessimistic, by sharing that I see no end to this vicious cycle. Only voluntary contrition of parents may help. But how many parents are willing?

Temperance

Temperance

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

The hardest thing to do is to hold on to one’s temper, thus, preventing it to erupt. Not even Jesus was able to hold on to his temper when he drove away the money changers from the temple, nor when he cursed the fig tree that failed to bear fruits. The fact, however, is that there is a way, though with difficulty, to lessen its outbreak.

 

For the frail of heart, the alibi in flaring up is to release the tension from their system, which according to health experts is necessary. Pent up emotions when accumulated can cause death as the resulting excitement could overburden the heart. That is the health-related side of temperance.

 

On the other hand, unrestrained temper of man’s desire is expressed in many ways, such as lust which is emotional in nature, and greed which is material in character. So many families and lives have been devastated by the two frailties. News about fathers raping their own daughters sometimes occupy big spaces in tabloids and dailies. Siblings killing each other due to unsettled cases of fair sharing of inheritance also merit prominent pages of the print media and air time of newscasts.

 

The worst manifestation of uncontrolled greed is corruption that affects not only a family or a clan, but also communities and entire countries. Countries of peoples with strong moral character are lucky because their leaders immediately take the responsibility of misdeeds committed even by their subordinates. Worth mentioning here are Japan and Korea. In contrast, leaders of some countries deny to death their involvement in an anomaly despite glaring evidences, albeit, no formal cases have been filed in court, yet. This is now happening in the Philippines.

 

The greed for financial gain in the person of many Filipino politicians is such that no opportunity to exploit is allowed to pass. They practically lean on the norm, that unless proven in court, they are not guilty. That is why, it is important that a Filipino who plans to enter politics must at least have even just several units in Law, or be a lawyer…the better for him to know how to circumvent laws and policies of the government in committing crimes. One head of an agency who has been neck-deep in the mire of corrupt-related controversies even arrogantly said on TV that, being a lawyer, he knows what he is doing!

 

Even the religious folks are not spared from the weakness of uncontrolled desire. A Roman Catholic archbishop in Europe is being accused of accumulating wealth and living a life of luxury that prompted the new Pope to call his attention. Some priests are found to be diverting church funds into questionable projects. Some priests take off their religious trapping after realizing that to have a wife and children is more comfortable for them.

 

Temperance is a virtue. Earlier it is mentioned that it is not easy to put it into practice. However, it should be remembered that man is also equipped with “effort” that could somehow lessen whatever effects the unrestrained acts will result to. Whatever man does, even the simple breathing affects others… the world. Man lives in an open space where other creatures also dwell. We need not aspire to become saints after death, but at least, we should speak and act in terms of others’ sake.

 

 

Fortitude

Fortitude

By   Apolinario    Villalobos

 

Fortitude    as     a    virtue     is      about        endurance,      courage,    flexibility,   strength,      perseverance,       and     determination   which    are    necessary     ingredients      of      success.     But,    a     necessary     enhancement      is     patience. 

 

This    virtue    usually    manifests    among    self-made     achievers.     We    read    stories    about    people    who   succeed    despite    being    orphans ,    impoverished    as     growing    children,    or    even    without  having     earned    a college     or    university      degree.      We   also    read    stories    about    people    who    keep    on    working     and    eventually,      still     succeed    despite    advancing   age     which    should    have     made     them      retire.       The   latest   Filipino   who   manifested   this   virtue    is    Rose    Fontanes   or    Osang,      an    overseas    Filipino    worker    who   tried    her   luck    in   Israel   as   a    caregiver,     but    captured    the   heart    of    both    the    natives    of    that    country    and   fellow   migrant    workers     when    she    won    the   first    “X  Factor  Israel”.      With    just    her    untrained     natural    singing    voice     and     style,    she    determinedly    pursued    her    dream    of    becoming    a    recognized     singer,   despite    ridicules     because    of   her    short    physique,       looks    and    age.

 

Billionaires    who     have      firmly      established     their     icons      in    the    field    of   communications       technology,      after      persisting       while     enduring    years    of    rejection      are    still    humbly    clad    in    simple    denims    and    faded    t-shirts,    perhaps    to    show    the    world     that   a    signature    attire    is    not    synonymous    to    success.    The    latest     Filipino    Cardinal,   Archbishop Orlando   Quevedo,  O.M.I.      of      Cotabato    City  diocese   in    southern    Mindanao,    is    said    to   have    persevered    in   selling     the    Mindanao    Cross,    a   popular    provincial    daily,    as    a    student,    to     show    that     poverty    should    never    hinder    the    path    of    one    who    has    success   in    his    mind    as    goal    in   life.

 

The   Leyteῆos,   Samareῆos,   and      the       Ilonggos       who    were    displaced     by    the   typhoon    Yolanda,    though    momentarily    got    affected     by    the    sudden     blow,    immediately     stood    up    to    show    their     resilience.     The    catastrophic     misfortune,    though     shocking,     did     not    faze     them.     On    TV,    some    of    them    are    shown     still    smiling   while    building    makeshift     “homes”     out    of     lumber    and    plastic    sheets      salvaged     from    heaps      by   the     roadsides.    Children    with      pieces    of    biscuit    in    their    hand,    obviously    from   relief    bags,        smile    at    cameras    while    shouting    “thank    you”.      Families     eating    boiled    sweet    potatoes    and    bananas  smilingly     offer    some     to    relief    volunteers     from    other    countries.     Except    for    the    blame    that    few     of    the    affected      hurled    at    the    slow-footed    government    officials,    nothing    else,    much    less    grumbling,     is    heard.    They    are    one    in    saying    that    life    must    go    on.

 

A    retired  airline    executive    whose    love    for   dancing   persistently   went    on   making    television   viewers    happy   by   patiently    reporting    for   tapings     despite    his   airline     sales    obligation    that    required    him    to   fly    to   Bangkok,   Thailand   at   least    twice    a   week,    way    back    in    the    70’s.      The    lean      Archie    Lacson    of    the Penthouse   7   fame,   known    for    his    seemingly    gliding    tango    and   cha-cha    struts,    fortified    his   endurance    with       unselfish    desire    to   make   others    happy   as    they    see    him   do    his    signature    flounces.     He     maintained    this    attitude    even      beyond      his   retirement   from    Philippine    Airlines    as     Vice-President    for   Philippines    and   Guam    (marketing   and   sales    region),    by      gladly    dispensing     his     responsibilities  as   a     currently       elected   Village   (Barangay)    Council    member   (kagawad)    of    Barangay    Ayala-Alabang.        Feeling     that     he    could      still     do    more,      he    is     also    at     the    helm     of        the     prestigious   Alabang   Country   Club,  as   president,   where    local    golf     champions    hone    their   skill .     He    epitomizes    the   enduring    patience    of   a    person    who    looks    at     age    as    just    a    number.   He    could   have    just    retired    for    good,    but   defied    nature     with     his     strong   resolve   to    go    on    with    his     active    life,   further    showing    that     fulfillment    is    not   spelled    by    monetary     gain    but    by   unselfish    service    as   well.

 

Along    this    line,    the    likes    of    Manny    Pacquiao    and    Bata    Reyes    who   put    the   Philippines    on   the   international    map    of    sports   should   not   be   forgotten,    as   well    as,      Nora   Aunor,     Regine      Velasquez,     and   Charisse    Pempengco    for    music,    to   name     a   few  –   they    who    patiently     refined     their    respective    craft       to    achieve     unquestionable    recognition.      

 

Ferdinand    Marcos,    who    earned    the   ire    of    the   Filipinos    for    transforming    his   ways    into   that   of   a   dictator    should    somehow ,    be   given   credit    for     earning      a    high    esteem       for    the   Filipinos      during   his time.      With     nationalistic     fervor,      he      told    the   world    through   his   eloquent    speeches    that     the    Filipinos     are    a   people    who   deserve    respect,    having   earned     their     long-coveted     freedom   by   dints   of   bravery    and    self-reliance.     He   was    considered    as   a    strong    leader        among     those   of     the   rest    of    Southeast    Asian    countries.     Although    his   long    administration    was    never     without     a   taint    of     corruption,     he    was    still    able    to   elevate    the   culture    of    the    Filipinos    by    erecting    landmarks    such    as   the   Cultural    Center   Complex,    wellness    facilities    such   as    the    Philippine     Heart   Center,     Kidney     Institute,   and   Lung   Center.     Add    to   these    the   honest-to-goodness   sturdy    highway   complexes   and   bridges,    far    from   the    sub-standard       quality    of     similar       facilities   purportedly     built    for   commission    by    congressmen    and   senators    today,   and    which    crumble      with     the    passing     of    just     a    couple   of   rainy   season.