And the Excitement Continues!

The tell-all tale of Brian Gorrell is getting pretty exciting with the alleged "Gucci Gang" fighting back in their own "turfs". Tim Yap wrote a column in response to Brian's juicy blogs, and io heard, so did Celine Lopez (but many are discouraging me from reading it as it is pretty long a boring, according to some).

I really feel sorry for Brian. He is a sick man who had his heart and his bank book broken. True or not, the allegations versus Mr. Montano should be answered by him directly. If the allegations of Brian are true, then DJ should pay up.

You should read the comments of pinoys here and abroad against Tim Yap and the Gucci gang. I mean, these are supposed to be "respectable" members of society, not the coke-snorting group depicted in the now-popular blog of Brian.

The blog now has copies of receipts sent by Brian (or members of his family) to DJ via western Union. True, unless these are taken to court, they are inadmissible, but let's face it. The court of public opinion is a far better venue for Brian that any Philippine Court ever will be.

Many are now obsessed with the blog, which has all the elements of a pinoy telenovela: love, heartache, deceit, addiction, and more, and everyone is awaiting Brian's next juicy installment.

Glimpse of Zen (2)

for those who missed our Glimpse of Zen (introduction to zen meditation) on March 8, there will be another glimpse on march 29, 2 to 5 pm at the zen center for oriental spirituality philippines at 31 st. claire st. cor. st. catherine st., rpovident village, marikina city.

pls. call me at 9331796 (rodel) for details or visit our website at

www.zencenterphil.org

The Lifestyles of the Obscenely Rich and Famous (the High-Society Scandal of the year!)

People who go online are all agog about the latest and juiciest scandal to rock the Metro! The DJ Montano Scandal is hitting the blog community like a tsunami, with big-name personalities being dragged into shocking revelations.

The controversial blog, http://www.delfindjmontano.blogspot.com/, authored by Brian Gorell, has received a million hits, according to one blogger's estimate. Although the claims are primarily unsubstantiated, the promise of the blogger to reveal all documents and even Western Union receipts to back his claim is throwing people into a frenzy.

That ever popular and ultra-controversial venue of yuppie high society, Embassy, has been dragged into the fray with accusations of cocaine snorting inside Embassy itself. Of course, this is merely a one-sided accusation, but tsizmosos are already having a field day.

With so many high-society people mentione din the very revealing blog (i think the author calls them the Gucci Gang), more and more people will be attracted to his site.

I am not saying everything written there is gospel truth, but i have to admit it makes for one intersting, and provocative read.

Introduction to Zen

The Zen Center for Oriental Spirituality in the Philippines (Zen Center Phil.) will be holding an introduction to Zen at the Marikina Zendo, 31 St. Claire corner St. Katherine St., Provident Village, Marikina City) this Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

For a copy of the map, please visit www.zencenterphil.org or call rodel at 933-17-96.

We hope to see you there.

Somebody Give Her some Duct Tape!

Warning: I am not very mean, but the following blog is chock-full of meanness. Reader Discretion is Advised.

I thought my friends were joking when they said Gretchen Baretto has an album coming out. Then this afternoon, i heard her sing (poor me was blogging while my niece was watching Wowowee). Where she got the notion that she can sing is beyond me. She's got the singing prowess of a hippo (no offense to the hippo). Her love song (I think the title is "Please Don't Ask Me") really made me cry (well, cringe is the more appropriate verb). To top off her performance, Willie Revillame came out and praised her singing to high heavens! My God! They should have a mutual admiration club for all the praises they bestowed on her, and vice versa. I hate to be mean, but i heard the neighbor's cat sing better than her. Gretchen, forget about singing. I mean, when Frank Sinatra sings ahead of the orchestra, that's his style. When Gretchen sings ahead of the pre-recorded background music, that's just plain lack of talent. Leave the singing to those that have talent, sweetheart. I am no Simon Cowell, but i think we have another Reynaldo Lapuz in the making. Oooops. Sorry Rey. I didn't mean to insult you by comparing you to her. :)

If you hate someone so badly, send him or her the gift of nausea. Send him/her a Gretchen Baretto Album Today. Oh how unbecoming of me... :)

Disregard for the Safety of Others

The crew of Maalala Mo Kaya has been at it since 6:00 am setting up and getting ready for this afternoon's shoot. They chose the house of one of my neighbors as the setting for one of their episodes. I can understand the need for huge generator trucks and everything, and that's okay. What really got me reeling was how they parked these big bulky vehicles. One of them chose to park diagonally at the corner of St. Therese and St. Rita. Now all cars going out of St. Rita don't know if a speeding car is on a head-on collission since the truck is blocking the view and, more importantly, half the street. I am concerned since this is the usual route of 3 school buses. I asked for the driver so he can move it, but no one seemed to care. I am disappointed that this show -- produced by ABS-CBN who claims to be on the up-and-up when it comes to following rules-- has shown little respect for the safety of others.

TATANG ORLY: A TRIBUTE ON HIS 3RD DEATH ANNIVERSARY

I am writing this as tribute to Orly Punzalan, mentor, friend, veteran broadcaster and second father, who marked his 3rd Death Anniversary on January 7, 2008. Photos by Lourdes Valerie Handumon

In our lives, there are people who will definitely leave a mark in our hearts and minds. One such person is Orly Punzalan.

I will never forget the first time I met Orly Punzalan. Our Dean, Doctor Amelita Gaerlan told us that our Broadcasting Professor was waiting for us at the conference hall. Being a member of She told us to be very nice because our professor was the famous Orly Punzalan. Of course i knew who Orly was, but my classmates didn't. They only know him as the father of actress Princess Punzalan. Orly Punzalan, or Tatang, as we fondly call him, was more than that.

Tatang was one of the original Radyo Patrol reporters during a time when radio was more popular than television. He was a trained radio man, he has one of the most sought-after voices on radio at the time, and he was the manager of Radio Veritas Asia as well as the domestic news director of Radio Vertias Philippines during the pre- and post- Martial law era. He was also the first person to broadcast freely over Channel 4 during the EDSA revolution. He had a calm but solid voice and he talked very clearly during our lessons with him. He directed our first news program at the newly constructed Television Studio of Angelicum College.

Tatang was very encouraging as well. When i was offered by the Rector of Angelicum to be acting head of their PR office (I was in second or third year college then), I asked him if i should take on such a big responsibility. He told me to go for it. He said that, after all, i practically ran the office when my former boss went AWOL. He was the one who told me not to be afraid of taking on big responsibilities. Because of his encouragement, i became head of the PR Office of Angelicum and remained so for 8 years. From then on, it was in my office where we held most of our classes (we were a small class and my office's conference table was big enough to accommodate us).

For the rest of the school year, we got to know Tatang's family as well. We used to have lunch at their cantina near Siena College in Quezon City. and it was there that we met his wife Tita Baby and daughter Meg. Meg was then studying at the Collegio de Santa Rosa in Makati. Tatang's family was very accommodating, so we didin't pass up on his invitation to visit their home in Cavite. It was well worth the trip. We were received very warmly and we stayed until the wee hours. This, I think, solidified our friendship and admiration for Tatang and his family.

Tatang also had a radio program on Radyo Vertias then. Some of his students, including myself, were fortunate to have been "regular guests" of his show "Touching Lives". I remember that during the Edsa Tres march towards Malacanang, my friend Nigel and I were reporting for Veritas over the phone about the happenings in Mendiola. This was a couple of hours before the mayhem began.

Years passed, and our ties with Tatang and his family remained strong. The time he had a heart attack came as a shock to us. I had lost my father to lung cancer just months before Tatang passed away on January 7, 2005. Both Tatang and my father died at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. We went to his wake and we delivered our eulogies. Tatang was like a second father to most of our barkada, and his passing has left us with a void in our hearts.

To this day, I cannot forget the day Tatang came and touched our lives. He was more than just a great professor, but he was more importantly a good father to his children, a loving husband to his wife, and a patient mentor to all of us. I remain in touch with his family because they are now a part of mine. Tatang, wherever you are, Salamat, Maraming Salamat.

>Click here< for sa feature on Tatang Orly in "The Lance" (Letran Publications)

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Orly Punzalan signs off; 70.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Marinel R. Cruz

VETERAN broadcast journalist Orlando "Orly" Punzalan, father of dramatic actress Princess, died of cardiac arrest on Friday at the National Kidney Institute. He was 70.

Punzalan was brought to the hospital on Jan. 6 after he complained of severe chest pains the night before, according to his son Paolo.

"It turned out he had minor heart attacks days before," Paolo told the Inquirer in a phone interview. "He probably didn't notice, or just ignored them. The doctor said a blockage in his arteries had caused the attacks."

One such attack on Thursday was particularly damaging, said Paolo. "This enlarged his heart, and caused two-thirds of it to stop functioning."

The last one, yesterday at 11:55 a.m., killed Punzalan.

Paolo and Princess were Punzalan's children with the late broadcaster and actress Helen Vela.

Punzalan's remains lie at the Loyola Chapel in Guadalupe, Makati.

Interment will be on Tuesday at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City.

Unfair provision in cheaper medicines bill

I am not anti-poor. I am all for this cheaper medicines bill. I am all for cheaper medicines. What i object to, and what the PMA objects to, is the provision that prevents doctors from prescribing particular brands of medicine to patients.. This last-minute provision to the Cheaper Medicine Bills is playing with the health of millions of Filipinos. Generics may be okay for simple coughs. But in cases like pneumonia which is not easy to cure, simple generics might not be the solution, according to Dr. Jose Sabili, president of the Philippine Medical Association.
Branded medicines from the USA undergo numerous testings before they even get the nod of the US FDA. To simply come up with generic equivalents of these medicines and say this is good enough without the needed research is reckless. Doctors should have a say on what they think will be the best medicine for their patients. Sure, they can include the generic name of the said medicine so the patient has the option to choose, but let us not prvent them from recommending brands that have been tried and tested. We cannot play God with the lives of our citizens just so some activist congresswoman can look good on television 2 years before elections. I feel that if this bill is not properly reviewed, this will cause more harm than good. Again, let me make it clear that i am not against the Bill, just the provision that prohibits doctors from prescribing paritcular brands.

I join the Phil. Medical Association against proviison to CMB

I am not anti-poor. I am all for this cheaper medicines bill. I am all for cheaper medicines. What i object to, and what the PMA objects to, is the provision that prevents doctors from prescribing particular brands of medicine, as the new provision to the Cheaper Medicine Bills state, is playing with the health of millions of Filipinos. Generics may be okay for simple coughs. But in cases like pneumonia which is not easy to cure, simple generics might not be the solution, according to Dr. Jose Sabili, president of the Philippine Medical Association.
Branded medicines have underwent and passed numerous testing. To simply come up with generic equivalents of these medicines without the needed research is reckless. Doctors should have a say on what they think will be the best medicine for their patients. Sure, they can include the generic name of the said medicine so the patient has the option to choose, but let us not prvent them from recommending rbands that have been tried and tested. We cannot play God with the lives of our citizens just so some congressmen can look good on Television 2 years before elections. I feel that if this bill is not properly reviewed, this will cause more harm than good. Again, let me make it clear that i am not against the Bill, just the provision that prohibits doctors from prescribing paritcular brands.

CLOVERFIELD: A MUST SEE MOVIE

This is one movie you definitely have to see.

Missing Person

I was told by my niece about this story and i am reposting it here on mapangurirat to help the family of Mackoy who has been missing since Jan. 3. If you have seen this person (photo can be found below), please send me a message or contact 0920 4185353.

Here is the blog from Kat, Mackoy's friend, in full:

Mackoy’s parents and uncles were here during the weekend. Jang and I met with them last Saturday. They told us that the SM Baguio security group allowed them to see the surveillance tape recordings taken last January 3, at the time when Mackoy supposedly withdrawed from his ATM account.

They saw Mackoy in one of the tapes.

It was him.

He was in SM Baguio last January 3.

This gives us hope that he is okay here somewhere. They say he had a haircut (so it’s not anymore wavy), was wearing a new shirt (grey) and shoes, faded denim pants, and watch (presumably new also, because he doesn’t usually wear one), he was carrying a small black bag, and he had a red folder tucked beneath an arm. They say he looked like he was looking for a job.

This narrows down our search, but at the same time we are confused all the more.

Why isn’t he contacting his family and friends? His parents just want to know if he is okay, why all of a sudden he goes missing. As of January 3, Mackoy is alive and well. His parents said that it didn’t look like he was in any trouble.

This Jan 23 was supposed to be his final interview for a promotion at Starbucks. We are puzzled why he would throw away an opportunity which he worked hard for. As of now, Starbucks says that if he doesn’t show up soon, he will lose his job. But if he does, and if he has a valid reason for disappearing, then he will retain his job.

When we last saw each other (around September), he told me that if ever he decides to visit Baguio, that he will contact me. So far, nada. I don’t know if he knows any one else here. When I was still working at the coffee shop, and was telling him of my plans to move here, he said (repeatedly) that he also wants to transfer here. He is also fascinated by the place, though he said that he might also move to Sagada eventually.

I worked with Mackoy for seven months at Starbucks Metrowalk (Pasig City). He was one of those whom I spent a considerable amount of time with (during and after work), so he was one of the few Metrowalk baristas who I got to know quite well.

Mackoy is the eldest of three boys. We know him to be a very responsible son and brother. He’s an easy-going guy who can also be serious when you need him to be. He is a loyal friend, fiercely protective especially to us girls.

If he has a problem, you will easily notice it as he becomes quiet and pensive, but surely there were more times when he used his being “kenkoy” to mask his real feelings. So, right now we are also considering the possibility that we can’t find him because he simply doesn’t want to be found.

But we are puzzled as to why he isn’t contacting his parents yet, Mackoy is not the type who would make his parents worry to this extent.

We don’t exactly know where he is now (we hope he is still here in Baguio), why he is missing, and who would think of doing something bad to him.

The police advised us to check the morgues, worst case scenario, they said. And so I asked Jang to call the morgues, and we found out that there are NO unidentified bodies in either of the two Baguio morgues. But there are still many what ifs.

We are still to check the hospitals, and it’s going to be scary, but we (Mackoy’s family and his friends) are going to do whatever it takes to find a lead on where he is right now. His parents say that photos of him are already plastered in the Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Manila areas. We posted a missing person notice in the most prominent Baguio newspaper, and we also posted blotters at the Baguio, San Fernando (La Union), and Isabela police. ABS-CBN is helping out the family, and we are working the radio circuits. A number of friends had also volunteered to help.

We are asking for your prayers. Thank you.

This is how he looks like with short hair, and the other photo shows the red hat he usually wears.

Jose P. Laurel Sr.

When one hears the name Jose P. Laurel Sr., one thinks of the puppet president of the Philippines during the japanese occupation. I feel sorry that former President Laurel is such a misunderstood figure in philippine history. I read the late President Laurel's memoirs which he wrote while encarcerated in Tokyo after the surrender of the empire of Japan. Laurel was no such person. He was a witty, intelligent and loving person. If I may summarize:

Prior to his entry into government service, Jose P. Laurel was a professor at the University of the Philippines. He was Secretary to the Interior under the cabinet of Leonard Wood, the american governor-general of the philippines, and during the administration of Manuel Quezon he served as Secretary of Justice and acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

When the threat of invasion from Japan was imminent, McArthur convinced Quezon to move his government to Corregidor Island where they would be better protected. Among the people Quezon wanted to go with him to the former Spanish island fortress was Laurel. When they were already at the pier, Quezon changed his mind and said that Laurel must stay behind to act as the representative of the government once the Japanese enter the City. This way, there will be a peaceful transfer of administration. What Quezon said Laurel must not ever do under any circumstance was to colaborate with the Japanese forces. This was a task easier said than done. When one faced with the might of General Homma and the entire imperial force of Japan, one must wigh his options carefully. Laurel placed the interest of the people before his own. He could have escaped with the guerillas when the Japanese entered the City of Manila, but he chose to face them, if only to save the peopl from unwarranted acts of violence.

Laurel was forced, along with the father of Ninoy Auqino, to set up a government structure. This was the Japanese's way of trying to give normalcy to an abnormal situation. In the end, Laurel was nominated as President and he had no choice but to accept.

Laurel made most of his "power" as president to extend help to the people, although the people saw him as nothing but a traitor. One time when he was playing golf at WacWac, an unidentified man shot him. Laurel forgave the man later on. As the war continued in the country, Laurel felt more and more like a prisoner of the Japanese forces.

At the end of the war, Laurel and his family were forced to move at night from the Malacanang to the Mansion House in Baguio City. It took them several days to reach the summer capital. Laurel and his family spent sleepless nights in Baguio, for the Americans bombed the City day and night. The Mansion's sprawling lawn looked like collander when seen feom above. Shortly before Japan surrendered, Laurel and his family were flown to Japan, where they awaited their arrest by McArthur's soldiers.

Laurel, although branded a traitor by many, including the Americans, believed that if he had the opportunity to do the things he did, he will do it all over again, for the greater good of his fellow men.

In a letter to his son Sotero Laurel, Manuel Quezon (shortly before his death) said that he believed that JP Laurel was not a traitor and was merely acting upon his (Quezon's) wishes, and was saddened that things turned out the way they did.

Laurel was given amnesty under the Amnesty Proclamation of President Manuel Roxas. Laurel went on to serve under Ramon Magsaysay as The Guy's Chief Negotiator, Senator of the Philippines from 1951-1953 and 1954-1957. He was also named Chairman of the Economic Mission to the United States in 1954 and the foudner of the Lyceum of the Philippines


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The writer's mother, Edita, is related to Jose P. Laurel Sr.'s wife from the Hidalgo Side.

On IBP's "objection" to the "Culture of Corruption" of this Administration

My apologies to my lawyer relatives, friends and contacts.

My father was a lawyer, God rest his soul. I have been brought up following the wheelings and dealings of a filipino lawyer practicing the law profession in this country. My father was an honest lawyer, to a point. He knew which strings to pull to get positive response for his clients. He knew, as we say, how to grease the wheels of justice. So for the IBP to say that they are aghast over the "Culture of Corruption" is a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black. The practice is so filled with this so called culutre that it is often joked that an honest lawyer is a dead one. I guess this is hypocrisy at its finest. Sure, there may be honest lawyers out there, in some backward province where the practice of law comprise of notarization and petty cases. A lawyer who pratices religiously by the rules ends up in the losing side of the case. Lawyers may find this staement "objectionable", but let us face facts. Four of my uncles are lawyers, one of them was once managing partner to a very big law firm in Makati. They knew how to play the game -- calling in favors here, slipping a little "grease" there. Lawyers will deny that this practice is done, much like the way they might deny that they rehearse their witnesses before calling them to the stand, but that is the way things work. After all, if they don't do it, the other side will. And in a court case, no one wants to be on the losing team. The culture of corruption so vehemently objected to by the IBP of this administration is the very culture that keeps their practice succesful.

to anjela, tatang orly's niece

Hello Anjela. I only got achance to read your comment about my article on Tatang today. I am so sorry for the very, very, very late reply. You are most welcome to link my blog to your multiply site. You can also add me up in multiply (www.rodelbanares.multiply.com). Take care always.

My Faith Restored

I have been verbal about my disappointment with the actions of several bishops, priests and nuns the past few days and I finally did something to help me release my sentiments. I wrote Monsignor Pepe Quitorio of the CBCP. I was glad I did because I tend to generalize when i air my sentiments. Here is the mosnignor's reply in full:

dear rodel,

thanks for your email. i understand your sentiments. on social issues each one should be able to express his opinion--it is our inherent right. you will pehaps agree that to suppress one's opinion or individual stand on issues is not very wholesome.

perhaps it is good to correct some generalizations:

1. there are presently 7,800 plus catholic priests in the philippines. only three (2 bishops and 1 priest) were in makati. to say that "priests and bishops are modern day pharisees persecuting the president" is not very accurate. are we to condemn the remaining 7,797 priests who does nothing but celebrate the sacraments and minister to their parishes or schools?

2. bishop labayen is retired and fr robert is on leave from his diocese. only bishop tobias is active. to tag them as church leaders is not also accurate.

i hope the above figures will somehow situate your disappointment with the church which, incidentally does not belong to the priests cited above but to the composite of millions of lay people and thousands of priests, nuns and bishops.

have a nice day.

msgr quitorio

This reply has puit my views to better perspective and i have been somewhat calmed by his assurance and remark that indeed, the church does not belong to the bishops I am disappointed with, but to the "composite of millions of lay people and thousands of priests, nuns and bishops". With this caliming reassurance, My faith in the catholic religion has been restored. I only wish there are more people like Monsignor Quiterio who bother to talk to the millions of faithful who wish to express themselves fully.

Dalai Lama Draws Thousands of Japanese Buddhist Crowd

From www.dalailama.com Yokohama, Japan, 20 November 2007 (Phayul) - Some 5000 Buddhists, mainly Japanese, congregated in the National Convention Hall of Yokohama city, Kanagawa prefecture, to hear His Holiness deliver message of peace and hope. His Holiness was invited by the All Japanese Buddhist Federation (AJBF) and Kanagawa Buddhist Federation (KBF) to speak on the topic Shinzuru Kokoro to Heiwa (Faith and Peace) at the Buddhist Conference commemorating their 50th and 40th anniversaries respectively. Mainly relying on his own experience and from the lessons of the Buddhist Tibetan tradition, The Tibetan spiritual leader spoke on how to create a more peaceful world by reducing gap between human perception and realities in today’s world. His Holiness blamed many of the world’s man-made problems and crisis to lack of “realistic approach”. Pointing out at the problem of “more mental and emotional crisis among younger generation” and increasing global “environmental damages”, His Holiness told the Buddhist conference that “these problems which we are facing are creation of human beings themselves – in some cases (through) mistakes, some cases – negligence, and also some cases out of ignorance”. “The gap between human perception and today’s reality should be reduced. There should be less and less gap between these two for a more sensible approach to reduce many problems,” His Holiness insisted. The Tibetan spiritual leader also did not approve the wide gap between the rich and poor, which he says “exists even in developed nations like United States and Japan”. “That is not only morally wrong … practically also there are problems” he added. His Holiness also called for incorporation of moral lessons in today’s educational system. “Modern education pays more and sufficient attention on brain development only and less or no attention on moral values. I think that is a mistake,” the Dalai Lama said. On the question of “whether the world with six billion people (are) going towards doomsday,” the Dalai Lama said, “It depends entirely on our mental attitude, hope, vision, and our efforts.” Taking the example of Japan, the Dalai Lama said the people of the country “did not give up” after the World War II crisis. “With more hope and determination, Japan is now strong and very much advanced,” the Dalai Lama said. “Because of negative events and negative developments, if we lose our hope and self-confidence, and remain pessimist, then we will not develop,” the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate told the crowd. Describing himself as a “simple Buddhist monk”, the Dalai Lama said promotion of human values and religious harmony are two of his main commitments in life. He, however said, Buddhist concept of interdependency is worth an attention for non-Buddhists and, both believer and non believer of religion. Since the concept is based on reasoning, the Dalai Lama said the concept “can be very much relevant in this 21st century”. Because of its scientific implications, the Dalai Lama also opined that it could be even more useful for non-believers and scientists. To the Japanese Buddhists, the Dalai Lama demanded more serious practice of the Buddha Dharma. For followers of other faiths, he said there was no need of religious conversion to understand the concept of another religion. The President of the All Japanese Buddhist Federation and Yokohama City Mayor were among those dignitaries at the Buddhist Conference in the shell-shaped hall, which is one the largest in the world. After the conference, the Dalai Lama interacted briefly with Mongolian community in Japan at the latter’s request. The Tibetan leader is currently on a 9-day Japan tour beginning November 15. Although he was well received by the religious groups, the Japanese government officials have avoided contact with the exiled Tibetan leader in an obvious effort not to irk China. But the popularity that the Dalai Lama enjoys in Japan, with its considerable Buddhist population, enabled the organisers of the Tuesday’s conference to sell out 5000 tickets within hours. The Dalai Lama earlier described his current visit as part of his effort to promote human values and religious harmony. On Sunday he paid visit of the nation’s most sacred Shinto shrine and participated in an Interfaith Forum at Kogakkan University in Western Japan’s Ise City, Mie Prefecture. While in Yokohama, His Holiness is expected to give lectures in two private schools and visit a Shingon Buddhist temple in Tokyo's Bunkyo-ku before leaving for India on November 23.

Zen -- Harmony for Mother Earth (Takuhatsu)

GASSHO!

It is a tradition among zen monks to periodically embark on takuhatsu or begging bowl exercise. This is a system used by Zen monks who are in training, to beg for their food or for the temples' needs. This is generally done in groups of ten to fifteen.

In keeping with this tradition, the Zen Center for Oriental Spirituality in the Philippines, of which I am a student of, is embarking on its own Takuhatsu. Its friends and members have organized a unique concert entitled "Zen -- Harmony for Mother Earth"December 9, 2007, a Sunday, at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Bro. Donato Center for Perofrming Arts in La Salle Greenhills. The concert will feature Noel Cabangon and Susan Fernandez (as guest performer).

Please PM me for further inquiries regarding tickets or call me at 933-17-96. which aims to help raise funds for the Zen Center. The concert will be held on

Diabetes, Obesity & Zen

It has been about three months since I was told by my Doctor that I was diabetic. At first, i was so worried about my condition that I underwent a short period of depression. I had this idea that diabetes meant a life of bland food for the rest of my life. To calm my fears, I did a lot of research over the internet regarding diabetes, and was surprised to learn that one can live a nearly normal life even with diabetes. Then an invitation to attend the Glimpse into Zen orientation at the Zen Center for Oriental Spirituality came, and I decided to attend.

We were a small group of attendees, probably less than twelve, and composed of individuals of varying ages and professions. Our hostess, Dr. Lulu Ignacio of Cardinal Santos, gave us a brief introduction on zen meditation and its beginnings here in the Philippines, as well as a backgrounder on the beginning of the Zen Center for Oriental Spirituality in the Philippines.

The talk was a short one which lasted about thirty minutes. We were then taken to the meditation area where we were taught how to "sit" or meditate properly, the potures we should use, the hand positions and everything else in between.

When i walked into the Zen orientation, i had no intention of finishing the entire "course", but i found myself going weekly to attend the orientation. It was then that i discovered that slowly, zen meditation helps me to cope with my diabetes. Being overweight for nearly a third of my life, it also helped me to see clearly the need to revere my body, thus encouraging me to eat foods that are not harmful to my body (which is a good thing since, as a diabetic, i am under strict orders by my doctor to follow a strict dietary regiment).

I and my "peers" have finished the 5th session and we are on our last three sessions before our formal acceptance into the practice. Being able to sit daily for ten to fifteen minutes used to be hard for me, but now has become sort of second nature. It has helped me to become a calmer person, more patient and understanding of others. I have learned to overcome my insecurities regarding my weight and have adjusted to a more tranquil lifestyle.

It got me thinking that Doc Lulu is right: nothing happens by chance. We moved to Provident without knowing that the Zen Center was just three houses away. I found out my sister practices zen when we moved to Provident. Now, I am taking the zen orientation classes.

My 5 weeks experience with zen has led me to believe that it can help others in my situation to try meditation, whether as a form of stress relief, therapy for the insecure or just plain sitting in silence in union with others.

Angelicum Revisited

I just arrived from a long PAASCU accreditation meeting in Angelicum College. I was asked by the new PR Head to be one of the resource persons representing the alumni in the accreditation renewal for the school.

I decided to go an hour and a half early so i can tour the campus before the meeting. I was pleasently surprised at how classy the school grounds has become, compared to when i was still there. The PR Office is no longer the shabby corner office at the second floor of St. Dominic Bldg. It is now a 1 room, 2 cubicle affair at the St. Thomas Ground Floor which formerly housed the school's cyber cafe.

The cyber cafe itself is now a classy hi-tech affair situated right beside cafetorium 2. The grounds no longer looked like alcatraz revisited. The REctor's office, which was once a gaudy mess is now as classy as a corporate CEO's suite, complete with better furnished board room complete with high back swivel leather chairs.

It was a pleasant surprise as well that my friend Boyet San Diego, former president of APO (Angelicum Parents Organization) was also invited to be one of the parent representatives. The meeting lasted about a couple and a half hours at the College Case Room (Thesis Defense Room).

All in all, Angelicum has changed a lot physically. It is yet to be decided if the system too has changed... and if so, we will find out if it changed for the better or for worse.

To Kill A Mockingbird

I've had Harper Lee's classic novel for the longest time but never found it an interesting read. In fact, I found just the cover to be so uninteresting that it never even crossed my mind to read it -- until last month. Last month i decided i would take this critically-acclaimed masterpiece out of my book box and read it for the first time. I was not disappointed. Harper Lee's characters Atticus, Scout and Jem Finch, Aunt Alexandra, Miss Maudie, Miss Rachel, Stephanie Crawford, Dill and the other characters of To Kill A Mockingbird stuck to my mind like glue to paper. The story is set in Maycomb County (I think it is in Alabama) during the time when negroes were segregated and shunned. Atticus, being a lawyer (and a state legislature representative to boot) was asked by the court to represent Tom Robinson, a negro accused of raping a member of the Ewell Clan. The story talks of innocence at a time of unrest. The main character, Jean Louise "Scout" Finch narrates the story from her perspective.

This book is definitely a must read.