Third Week of February 2009

February as a special month for me seems to be a month full of variety of activities particluarly this third week. Although I have no external celebration during my ...thieth birthday and valentine's day, looking and moving forward made me stand to keep with my vision and mission.

Last Monday, I went to my conversation class and until 7:30 in the evening. Japanese professionals like to sharpen and twist their tounge to English conversation. Moreover, last Wednesday I was inivited to speak to two Japanese learning groups. One is headed to go to Oregon, USA for a city sisterhood activity. They asked me to check their basic English they studied in preparation for their US travel. After that activity, immediately I have to speak in another group lead by a city councilor of Tomi City, about Philippine Culture in front of more than a dozen of Japanese citizens. Some are retired ones while others were still ontheir late 20's or early 30's.

To share the brief history of Philippines to non-Filipinos or foreigners give me a pride as there are many hidden beauty about Philippines which were over-shadowed by the bad or sad image they know about my country. Eventually, they raised questions about tourism, food, transportaion about Philippines. But they were also surprised about the sufferings of Philippines during the colonialization and world wars as they can see how a country could go over the pains if it was attacked and dominated by other countries like Japan and Spain.

Although it was a nice and opportunity to share something about Philippines free of charge, it offers me joy to serve my country in an indirect way.

Yesterday, an old Filipina friend invited Nagano Core group to share some lecture presentations and internal guidance. Ronie together with his family, Eddie and his two boys and I went to Yamanashi, about 3-hour ride from our place. Thanks to Ronie Delos Santos family who offered their van for us.

It was Jenjen Eslopor married to a Japanese who hosted the event in Ichikawa City, Yamanashi ken. It was also the birthday of her husband that day. So, it was a double purpose to gather her Filipina frieds with their families to listen to some presentations too. After the birthday lunch, Jenjen explained the next activity which was the presentaiton of Family Values by Ronie delos Santos. He presented topics based from Divine Principles emphasizing on the idelas of a family unit, the root cause of family chaos, the different kinds of love as family is a school of love. The participants were interactive to the presentation while desert and coffee and tea were served. Others continued lsitening while also having some picks from the foods nicely prepared by Jenjen and a few of her close friends. Her husband said, it was the first time in is life to have a birthday cleebration with lots of visitors and dynamic celebration including the fellowhip and lecture presentations. There were Japanese husbands too who listened to the presentations as one of htem can even speak Tagalog.

My part wasto supplement the mian presentation of Ronie. Yet, as I found a little much time, I also gave an Internal Guidance to the Filipina wives on family affairs and their role to the Filipino and Japanese communities, to Philippines as their native country and on how to keep a broad vision aside from their own family. There was a spark on their eyes to listen that there are Filipino children who still go to school with unmatched slippers and having recycled plastic bags as their school bags while chidlren here in Japan used their ransel worth Y50,000 yen or P25,0000 pesos in their country. Many needs help and Filipina mothers here can offer great help by collecting their unused clothes and offer it to Filipinos who are victims of typhoons and calamities in Philippines. That can offer joy to many instead of just throwing them to Japan garbagge. We noticed too that some listeners even took some notes from the presentaitons as we envision that a planted seed of truth and love will grow in one's heart.

The presentations were intorductory but we target to have the listeners eyes open to many things that they can do to make their family a happy and loving family and to look onto others who also need their love and do something to offer happiness to the needy. The compassion to serve and offer to others make them true sons and daughters of God. Jenjen and her husband were to thankful to the Nagano core team making her desire to educate their friends is hit at this time.

We went home passing Suwa City of Nagano ken where the wife of Eddie san, Mrs Keko Panuncia prepared a dinner for us the core team of Nagano. After that quality fellowhip with the Panuncia family Ronnie with his family and I continued to travel back to our Nagano City saying we made a day and a closing night of minus 6 degrees celsius but so warm in our heart.

Valentine's day of the lonely

Getting older calls for a transformation on cultural and social affairs in life. Unlike the teens and the early adult-life that during Valentine's day particularly in the Philippines is full of surprises.

There were times that students would just leave their hand-made card on the teacher's table. And you found out htat some students are heartistic to you as children. Some would surprise you to offer roses even if you are a man. And in thecard of it, you found some students wanting to offer you joy as well.

At home, Valentine7s day is joyous as there is always kisses and greetings! That was common onthe modern Philippines already.

But in Japan, aside that they dont celebrate Valentine's day, there are malls displaying hearts and banners of Valentine's day calling for a better markei from the public. Nothing more!

At home in Japan, there is no Valentine's day too. I made a hand-made card made of recycle paper cut-outs. I gave it to my eldest son yet, it is for all of them. I got no response. My wife is only a woman in the house. She mothers the kids and blinds herself on her husband. Maybe, there is no more attraction between.

Love has to go beyond age. I hope to discover more the culture of love in the twilight zone. This is a new challnege and learning for me too.

To the lonely and "home alone" persons, happy valentine's day!

Father, Son and the Spirit Between

This is a set of father-son stories of a few families. They vary but it has one common denominator.

An OFW-father wrote to me on his sadness. He could not see nor touch his son when after few months from birth, the baby ascended to the other world. There was no chance for the father to see his baby directly or personally. This is because of the yearly month-long vacation provided to OFW's by most of the companies. Ans as the father just have a few chance to visit and be with his wife, then the wife is left again pregnant while the husband goes back to the other country to work. The baby was born without the father. Unfortunately, the baby died while the father is still under a contract outside the country.

Another story was from a son, shared to me by the mother. His father is also an OFW. Incidentally, the son have seen a friendster homepage where he saw a picture of his father with another woman. He showed it to his mother and asked who was that woman beside his father? I got a chance to communicate with the father of the son. He told me he will solve the problem very soon.

It is one essential problem of OFW's, the breakdown of a family unit. Called as hero by the Philippine government but known as family provider by the son and not as a loving father.

The third story was from a father who discovered just recently that his three-year old son who still could not speak, is autistic. The case of the autistic son was referred to specialist and the baby boy was recommended to a rehabilitation program of autistic children. Each session for the rehabilitation costs P2,500. It means, that if there will be once a week session, that will cost P10,000 per month for the working father. P20,000 if there will be two sessions per week for the baby's rehabilitation.

The father brought his emotion to me and asked me, "why his son? why that way?"

Moreover, there is a father who truly aim to have a son with his wife. After several medical consultation and technological trials, they could not make it. Until one day, a couple offered them a baby to be adopted without any cost. They were so happy to accept the baby. Rumors spread about the baby in the neighborhood. They are bothered if the time comes when the baby will discover his real life.

I also have my story being an epileptic son. I was already 18 years old when I discover that I am epileptic. It happened when I got a seizure and I fall to a concrete wall which made my two front-teeth broken. I was brought to the doctor due to my broken teeth. But only my sister helped me to have a neurological check-up to diagnose why that seizure happen. She even paid for my check up and EEG as I remember. And the neurologist told me about my case. It was positive.

Should I blame my father or mother why I was born with epilepsy?

I never blame anybody on my case. I tried researching where I inherited that genes but not to blame my ancestor.

There were many opportunities in my life that I could not enjoy because of my case. To have a girlfriend is difficult if she will know that the man courting her is epileptic. Even to get a driver's license is so difficult. Even to apply for an international marriage is questioned on my health case. To get a driver's license and a job abroad too is almost impossible because of the E case. The daily reliever-tablet is getting expensive year after year and I have to use it in my lifetime. It affects one's memory as well. What shall I do?

I have to live my life. No blames. I have to move forward and disregard the seizures. It is part of my life anyway.

The common denominator in the story is the relationship between the father and son. Both have to be good, understand and relate to each other. If there is a problem with one, both can talk to make their spirit supportive to one another. No one should blame the other. History is history. Past is past. But there is a long road still to venture in the future. It is time to move forward and not to be hindered by health, stories or any social problem.

Sometimes, money is needed to cross a bridge along the way. But money should not stop one to move forward. If there is a will there is a way. When there is an end, it is best if one met his end with all his efforts to move forward but never surrender on the road of life.

Isang Sanaysay: Si Tatay

Si Tatay…: an Essay-Writing Contest Winner



1980 ako ipinanganak. Tatlong taon bago pinatay si

Ninoy Aquino at anim na taon bago ang EDSA uprising.

Taon ding ito nang nagkaroon ng malaking krisis sa

langis ang buong mundo. P24.00 ang palitan ng dolyar

sa piso at 48 milyon na ang populasyon ng Pilipinas.

Ito rin ang taong unang pumunta

ng Middle East ang tatay ko para magtrabaho.

Isang karpintero ang Tatay. Isang skilled worker.

Malaki ang pangangailangan ng bansang pupuntahan ni

Tatay sa mga katulad niya. Sabi ng Nanay mahirap daw

ang buhay noong mga panahong iyon. Inabot na raw ang

bansa ng economic depression na galing sa Europa at

Amerika. Kaya minabuti ng Tatay na mag-abroad. Anupa’t

dalawa ang pinag-aaral niya at may bago na naman

siyang bibig na pakakainin.

Parating pinapaalala sa amin ng Nanay na “nagtiis

kaming magkahiwalay ng tatay ninyo para magkaroon tayo

ng maginhawang buhay.” Palibhasa’y parehas galing sa

hirap, kaya siguro ganoon na lamang ang pananaw nila.

Uuwi kada dalawang taon, tapos aalis na ulit

pagkalipas ng dalawang buwan. Ganyan ang

pattern ng buhay ng tatay ko.

Pumutok ang giyera sa Middle East noong 1989. Doon ko

unang narinig ang mga salitang Operation: Desert Storm

at Third Anti-Christ. Nandoon din si Tatay. Isang

beses lamang siya nakatawag sa loob ng tatlong taon

niyang pagkaka-stranded sa bansang iyon. Mabuti naman

daw ang lagay niya. May tirahan naman daw sila at

husto sa lahat ng pangangailangan. Hindi naman daw

sila gagalawin sa giyera sabi ng embahada ng Pilipinas

dahil hindi naman daw sila kasali sa awayan ng

dalawang bansa at ng pakialamerong Amerika. Iyon naman

pala eh, bakit ka pa rin nandyan?! Na-imagine ko na

lang tuloy ang Tatay na parang isa sa mga sibilyan na

dumadaan habang nakikipagbarilan ako sa larong

Operation: Wolf sa SM City. Nang mahawi ang mga usok

ng giyera umuwi na ang Tatay. Wala pang isang taon ay

nakita ko na naman ang aking sarili na nakasakay sa

arkiladong dyip para ihatid ang Tatay sa Airport

papuntang Middle East . Ikaw ba naman ang magkaroon ng

pinag-aaral na nurse, isang seminarista at tatlo pa sa

elementarya. Kailangang kumayod, kailangang kumita.

Kung tutuusin maraming na-miss ang Tatay sa buhay

naming magkakapatid, lalo na sa akin. Wala siya nang

una akong magtalumpati sa entablado. Wala din siya

nang grumadweyt ako ng elementarya at hayskul. Wala

siya nang una akong nakipagsuntukan sa kaklase ko nang

inasar ako nito habang binibigay ko ang libreng

plastic na singsing na galing sa cheese curls sa

kaklase kong babae. Wala din siya para turuan akong

magbasketbol tulad ng ginagawa ng mga kapitbahay ko sa

kanilang anak. Wala rin siya para panoorin si Kuya na

contestant sa Student Canteen at ako naman para

sabitan niya ng medalya para sa mga math competition

na sinalihan ko. Wala siya nang dumating ako sa punto

ng aking buhay, na siya ring kinakatakutan ng lahat ng

katulad kong nagbibinata- -ang magpatuli. Wala rin siya

para turuan akong maglanggas. Wala siya nang

kauna-unahang lumabas ang pangalan ko sa dyaryong

pang-estudyante bilang isang editor. Ipinagtabi ko

siya ng mga kopya para maipagmalaki sa kanyang

pagdating. Wala siya nang una akong tumikim ng alak

dahil binasted ako ng dinidigahan kong babae. Wala rin

siya nang sumubok akong manigarilyo at itapon ito

pagkatapos ng dalawang hithit pa lang.

Wala siya, wala siya parati.

Napansin ko na lamang na mas naiibuhos naming

magkakapatid ang oras naming sa labas ng bahay at sa

eskwelahan. Ang Ate ay kagawad ng Sangguniang

Kabataan, ang Kuya naman ay matagal nang kinuha ng

seminaryo, ang dalawa kong kapatid ay may mga sarili

nang kina-career at ako naman ay natutuon sa aking

pagsusulat.

Dumating ang isa sa pinakamasayang araw ng buhay ko,

ang pagdating ng Tatay at sabihing ito na ang huli

niyang uwi dahil hindi na siya babalik ulit sa abroad.

Makalipas ang ilang buwan, trinangkaso ang Tatay. Sabi

ng doktor ay overfatigue lang daw at kailangan niyang

magpahinga. Pagkaraan nang ilang buwan, na-diagnose na

may tumubong tumor sa utak ng Tatay at malignant na

ito. Minsan naitanong sa akin ng uncle kong doktor

kung nauntog ba ang Tatay o nabagsakan ng mabigat na

bagay sa ulo. Nahihiyang ngiti, kamot sa ulo at isang

“hindi ko po alam” lang ang naisagot ko.

Kung gaano kabilis na nadiskubre ang tumor niya sa

utak ay ganun din kabilis na binawi sa amin ng Diyos

ang Tatay. Habang pinagmamasdan ko ang Tatay habang

mapayapa itong nakahimlay noong

burol niya, nahihirapang tumulo ang luha ko. Kung

tutuusin, hindi ko kilala ang taong ito. Siya ang

tatay ko. Kalahati ng pagkatao ko ay galing sa kanya.

Pero kung tatanungin mo ako kung anong gusto niyang

timpla ng kape, kung allergic ba siya sa hipon na

paborito ko, kung San Miguel o Purefoods ba ang team

niya sa PBA–isang malaking EWAN lang ang maisasagot

ko sa iyo. Noong bata pa ako, nasa abroad ang Tatay.

Kapag nandito naman siya para magbakasyon, mas

malaking oras ang nagugol niya sa pag-aasikaso ng mga

papeles niya para sa susunod niyang pag-alis. Nang

tumigil na siya sa pagtatrabaho, ako naman ang abala

sa mga reports, periodical examinations at mga

research works. Nang nasa ospital na siya, kahit

makipagkuwentuhan ay mahirap nang gawin dahil halos

hindi na siya maintindihang magsalita dulot ng

chemotherapy.

Matagal nang patay ang Tatay. Minsan nabalitaan kong

dumating na ang seaman na tatay ng boss ko, pilit ko

siyang pinauuwi nang maaga. Minsan ding buong

kawilihan kong pinagmamasdan ang isang kaibigan ko na

nagmamadali dahil baka masaraduhan na siya ng grocery.

Kailangan niyang makabili ng

ingredients ng spaghetti dahil ‘yun daw ang bilin ng

tatay niyang na-stroke. Minsan rin nang makainuman ko

ang matalik kong kaibigan habang binubuhos niya sa

akin ang sama ng loob niya sa pagbabalik ng tatay niya

na malupit sa kanila nang mahabang panahon at

ipinagpalit sila sa ibang babae. Sa tingin ko lang,

“Buti ka pa nga may Tatay pa.” Syempre hindi ko sinabi

iyon sa kanya. Baka mamaya tanungin pa niya ako kung

kanino ako kampi, kami pa ang mag-away. Minsan din

sinamahan ko ang kababata ko nang dinalhan niya ng

pansit ang tatay niya sa City Jail. Hindi naman sila

nagtatanong kung bakit ako ganun. Wala naman silang

alam kay Tatay.

Maraming pagkakataon na nanghihinayang ako dahil

masyadong maaga ang paghihiwalay namin ng Tatay. Gusto

kong sisihin ang Pilipinas dahil napakahirap ng buhay

dito. Sa Amerika ba may tatay na nangingibang- bansa

para makapagtrabaho lang? Naisip ko tuloy na sumama na

lang sa mga nagpipiket na mga migrante dahil alam ko

tulad ko rin sila. Kadalasan rin sinisisi ko si Saddam

Hussein at ang Gulf War dahil kinuha nila ang tatlong

taon sa buhay ng Tatay. Sayang ang tatlong taong iyon.

Nakalaro ko man lang sana ang Tatay ng basketbol o di

kaya’y naturuan niya akong mag-bike. (Beinte anyos na

ko nang matuto mag-bike).

Isa sa mga klase ko sa writing ang nagpasulat sa amin

ng kahit ano tungkol sa aming mga tatay, samahan pa ng

larawan kung maaari. Bigla tuloy akong nalito. Hindi

ko alam kung anong tungkol sa Tatay ang isusulat ko.



Ikuwento ko kaya na isang Overseas Contract Worker si

Tatay. Isang bagong bayani. Nag-aambag ng malaki sa

ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Sabihin ko kayang may larawan

ng tatay kong may suot na hard hat na dilaw,

construction boots at may hawak na drill at kasama

niyang nakangiti ang mga kapwa niyang

Pilipino with matching background na disyerto. O kaya

ang larawan nilang magkakababayan habang pinagdiriwang

nila ang New Year at nag-iiyakan dahil tinutugtog and

Lupang Hinirang. Ang drama no?

Kuwento ko kaya na isang survivor ng Gulf War ang

Tatay. Na natutulog siya at ipinaghehele ng mga

Patriot at Scud Missiles. Pakita ko kaya ang mga

remembrance ng Tatay na mga dull na landmines.

Adventure naman ang dating nito.

Kuwento ko kaya kung paano hindi nagpabaya ang Tatay

sa pagbibigay ng pangangailangan namin. Hindi kami

sumasala sa pagkain, may magagandang damit, maayos na

tirahan at nakakapag-aral. Siya ay naging isang good

provider. Siguro isang malalim na buntong hiningang

“Haaaaaay!” ang ibibigay sa akin ng mga kaklase ko.

O di kaya’y dalhin ko ang picture ni Tatay habang

kini-chemotherapy siya. Ikwento ko din kaya na naging

mabilis ang lahat ng mga pangyayari. Na inoperahan

siya sa loob ng walong oras at binutasan ang ulo niya.

Na nakalabas pa siya ng ospital. Pagkatapos ng isang

linggo, agad siyang namatay. Tragic naman ang approach

ko nito.

Gayahin ko kaya ang kuwento sa telebisyon na tipong

galit na galit sa mundo ang anak dahil hindi ito

nabigyan ng sapat na atensyon dahil inuna ng kanilang

tatay ang pinansyal nilang pangangailangan. Teka,

hindi naman totoo yon eh! Napaka-unfair naman ‘nun kay

Tatay.

Ikuwento ko na lang kaya ang isa sa mga magagandang

alaala namin kay Tatay. Apat na taon ako noon. Malinaw

na malinaw pa sa alaala ko ang pangyayari. Kadarating

lamang ng Tatay pagkaraan ng dalawang taon. Nagkaroon

ng simpleng party sa bahay. Kainuman niya ang mga

kumpare niya nang tumayo siya at binuhat ako mula sa

kuna ko habang pinaglalaruan ko ang bagong matchbox na

pasalubong niya sa akin. Inutusan niya ako na ikuha

siya ng beer sa refrigerator. Pagkakuha ko ng beer ay

kinandong niya ako at buong pagmamalaki na ibinida sa

mga kumpare niya na natanggap na raw ako sa local na

Day Care Center dahil abot na ng kanang kamay ko ang

aking kaliwang tenga kahit idaan pa sa ibabaw ng ulo

ko at matatas na ako magsalita at madali raw akong

matuto. Matagal din akong nanatili sa pagkakandong

niya. Mistula siyang bagong dating na hari na

suot-suot ang kanyang korona. Ako ang kanyang korona.

Kapag naaalala ko ito, napapawi ang lahat ng

panghihinayang ko sa mga taong kailangan niyang

magtrabaho at mawala sa piling namin. Mga panahong

kasama ng mga tatay nila ang mga anak nila. Ito na

lang ang isusulat ko. Bago ang lahat, pupunasahan ko

muna ang mga luha ko at ang patulo ko ng sipon. Baka

mapatakan pa ang keyboard ng computer at ang hawak

kong picture. Picture ng isang paslit na may hawak na

bote ng beer habang kandong ng tatay na kitang-kita

ang kasiyahan sa mukha.

Feedback:
Nang mapasali ako sa isang pagtitipon ng mga Pinoy dito sa Nagano, isang Catholic Bishop ang speaker din noon. Sa mensahe nya, ang family breakdown ang isang naging epekto ng programang OFW na di nasasagot ng OWWA at ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan. Eto ang isang punto ng Episcopal Commission for Migrant Workers ng CBPC.
Sa ibang simbahan, basta may donasyon lang ang mga migrante sa kanilang simbahan, ayos na. Sindihan na lang nila ng kandila, at bigyan ng magandang send- off ceremony pag namatay ang isang OFW. Aray ko!
Sana, tayong mga nasa ibang bansa, wag nating kalimutan ang mga bagay na mas importante sa pangangailangan ng ating pamilya at mga anak. Di nabibili ang kaligayahan. Di rin eto natutumbasan ng materyal. Nakayanan naman ni tatay o ni lolo natin na buhayin ang malaking pamilya natin sa di pagpunta sa ibang bansa.

O sige na nga…. kung kailangan ngang mag OFW, dalhin na lang ang mga anak at asawa para walang family breakdown. Hirap namang may asawa nga sa isang taon e minsan ka lang makakasiping ng asawa. May asawa ka nga, pero sa panahon at gabi ng pangangailangan, “gawaing binata” ka pa rin!?!? Ano ba yan! Natitiis mo ba sa isa o dalawang taon? Great saint!!!! o di kaya idaan mo na naman sa dasal sabay sabihing, “Sorry po Lord, tao lang po!”

Aray ko!

Intl Leadership Conference-La Union awards Peace Ambassadors

The recent ILC or Intl Leadership Conference in La Union, Philippines was graced by provincial and local government offficials. Acting Governor Clarence Martin de Guzman III and La Union First Lady and former Mayor of San Fernando City, Madame Mary Jane Ortega, were a few of those who attended the event and were recognized by UPF giving them the Peace Ambassador award. Hundreds of barangay chairmen and officials also attended the conference.Madame Myrna Ligas, the principal of Don Eulogio de Guzman Memorial Natioanl High School was a delegate to GPF Manila and attended the ILC last December. She initiated the ILC La Union calling Peace Ambassador Felix Sanchez to coordinate her with the UPF Philippines.

Dr. Julius Malicdem delivered the Peace Messages of Rev. Moon in his lectures during the whole day event.

Thanks to the efforts of Engr Felix Sanchez and Mr Froilan Matbagan and their staff in making all these events flow smoothly in just a short time of mobilization. Congratulations to the new Peace Ambassadors in La Union!