AN OPEN LETTER TO MR. HARVEY KEH

Dear Mr. Keh,

We are thanklful for your genuine service to your fellow filipinos through your various civic works. However, your letter of appeal to filipinos citing 7 reasons that would make you leave the Philippines is short of shallow, if I am allowed my opinion.
Yes, for the record, you sited the following 7 scenarios that would make you think of leaving our beloved motherland, to wit:

1.) If former COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano of HelloGarci fame wins in his bid to become Congressman ofBukidnon...seeking to replace a good man no less in incumbentCong. Neric Acosta... We would really be the laughing stock ofthe whole world if we allow a man with the reputation of Garcito be one of our so called "Honorable Gentlemen".

2.) If Dancing Queen Tessie Aquino Oreta reclaims her seat at theSenate... I hope that all of us would still remember that dancethat she did during the 2001 impeachment hearings after theyvoted to overrule the decision of then Chief Justice Davide...let us make sure that people like her never make it to the Senateagain.

3.) If Richard Gomez becomes a senator... what does he know aboutmaking laws? We already have the likes of Bong Revilla and LitoLapid in the Senate and their performance or lack of it would bereason enough not to elect another actor who has no priorexperience in government to the distinguished halls of theSenate.

4.) If Gringo Honasan wins again.... have we not learned ourlesson? I cannot believe that just because someone is charismaticthen we will just elect him to become one of our senators despitethe fact that he has time and again caused so much instability inour country... if we want a military junta similar to that ofThailand ... then lets all vote for this guy....

5.) If Manny Pacquiao becomes Congressman of General SantosCity... everybody loves Manny the Boxing Champ but Manny theLawmaker? Lets be realistic here, Manny is our Hero alright but Ithink it takes more than just great boxing skills and a desire toserve to be able to make appropriate laws that would help upliftthe lives of the many Filipinos who live in Poverty.

6.) If Lito Lapid wins for Mayor of Makati City... I don't likeJojo Binay as well but Lito Lapid as city mayor of the country'sfinance and business center?!?! And do you really think he isfrom Makati and has good plans for the city? The Arroyos askingsomeone like him to run just goes to show you how much love andconcern this government has for our country.

7.) If Chavit Singson becomes a Senator, Illegal Gambling =Chavit... enough said.

Wouldn't it be more patriotic for you to remain in this country should these seven scenarios happen? You mean to say that you are willing to abandon the Philippines just because of 7 people? Is that patriotism? Sure, your achievements count for something, but if you threaten to leave because of these 7 people, what does that make you? Our heroes Rizal and Ninoy, exiled though they were, chose to return home to face danger while you threaten to do the opposite! Your intention is commendable, inspiring and calling on the voting public not to vote for these people (I certainly won't vote for these 7 people, trust me).

We are still a free country. People can vote for whomever they please. We cannot blame the masang pilipino for voting for these 7 people, much less teach them to vote wisely by threatening to abandon them. I said this before, it takes time to educate voters. It will take generations before we can come up with true intelligent electorates. This, i think, is all the more reason for you to stay if the 7 people are elected. It is up to people like you and me to set the stage for a thinking electorate. Trust me, we won't even live to see that day come, but at least we know we have done the right thing and stayed when others chose to leave.

Do not abandon the country because of these 7 people. They are only 7 reasons for you to leave, as opposed to millions of reasons to stay.

If by May, heaven forbid, these 7 people do get elected and you decide to abandon ship, so to say, then good luck. There will be many more willing to pick up where you left off. Those who chose to stay against apparent insurmountable odds. These are the true patriots of the motherland.

RODEL BANARES

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Here is the complete text of Mr. Keh's letter:
Dear Fellow Filipino,Good day to all of you! Before I begin my letter... just adisclaimer, for people who know me they know that I love thePhilippines very much and I am not really one who rants andcomplaints to high heavens about what is happening to our countryand does nothing about it, in fact, I feel that at my relativelyyoung age of 27, I have done much service to the Philippines bysetting up Pathways to Higher Education which has sent more than500 poor but deserving students to college and AHON Foundationwhich has already built two public elementary school librariesthat have benefitted more than 3,500 students. Yet, after seeinghow events in our nation have transpired the past few weeks andtalking with some friends, I feel the urge to share with you myown thoughts and feelings.Over the weekend, we saw the completion of two major politicalalliances for this coming Senate Elections that has just beganhere in the Philippines . Now we have two political forces withfamiliar faces nonetheless on opposite sides of the fences. Onone end, you have Tito Sotto and Tessie Aquino-Oreta who were twomajor stalwarts of the opposition and the FPJ Campaign in 2004hobnobbing with the woman (Pres. GMA) whom they claimed to havecheated FPJ in the last Presidential Elections.On the other sideof the fence, you see Manny Villar, the former house speaker whowas actually responsible for impeaching Erap now part of theUnited Opposition who is led by no less than... Erap himself. Nowif you don't see anything wrong with this picture then you mustbe one of the many Filipinos who have accepted this very sadreality that there is indeed no permanent ideals that our government leaders stand up for but rather they just go wherethere self-interests can best be served. It is this kind ofpolitics why I no longer wonder why good people like RamonMagsaysay Awardee Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City or outstandingBulacan Governor Josie Dela Cruz will find it hard or worse,never be elected to national positions.It is with these in mind that I'd like to share with you what areevents this coming May elections that will make me considerleaving the Philippines :

1.) If former COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano of HelloGarci fame wins in his bid to become Congressman ofBukidnon...seeking to replace a good man no less in incumbentCong. Neric Acosta... We would really be the laughing stock ofthe whole world if we allow a man with the reputation of Garcito be one of our so called "Honorable Gentlemen".

2.) If Dancing Queen Tessie Aquino Oreta reclaims her seat at theSenate... I hope that all of us would still remember that dancethat she did during the 2001 impeachment hearings after theyvoted to overrule the decision of then Chief Justice Davide...let us make sure that people like her never make it to the Senateagain.

3.) If Richard Gomez becomes a senator... what does he know aboutmaking laws? We already have the likes of Bong Revilla and LitoLapid in the Senate and their performance or lack of it would bereason enough not to elect another actor who has no priorexperience in government to the distinguished halls of theSenate.

4.) If Gringo Honasan wins again.... have we not learned ourlesson? I cannot believe that just because someone is charismaticthen we will just elect him to become one of our senators despitethe fact that he has time and again caused so much instability inour country... if we want a military junta similar to that ofThailand ... then lets all vote for this guy....

5.) If Manny Pacquiao becomes Congressman of General SantosCity... everybody loves Manny the Boxing Champ but Manny theLawmaker? Lets be realistic here, Manny is our Hero alright but Ithink it takes more than just great boxing skills and a desire toserve to be able to make appropriate laws that would help upliftthe lives of the many Filipinos who live in Poverty.

6.) If Lito Lapid wins for Mayor of Makati City... I don't likeJojo Binay as well but Lito Lapid as city mayor of the country'sfinance and business center?!?! And do you really think he isfrom Makati and has good plans for the city? The Arroyos askingsomeone like him to run just goes to show you how much love andconcern this government has for our country.

7.) If Chavit Singson becomes a Senator, Illegal Gambling =Chavit... enough said.

Now if all of these 7 things happen during this coming electionsthen don't be surprised if I decide to leave this country that Ilove dearly. Like I said during the first part of my letter, Ifeel that I have done much for this country but I think its timethat Filipinos become more vigilant and critical in selectingour leaders for the sake of our future and the generations thatwill go beyond us. So I appeal to every Filipino who asks whatcan I actually do for my country... Choose and vote for the rightpeople this coming elections, huwag na tayong magpaloko sa mgakandidatong maganda lang ang jingle o gwapo lang sa mga poster.Let us choose leaders who have a good track record for serviceand who are genuinely committed towards serving our country.Manindigan naman tayong lahat para sa ating Kinabukasan at parasa Kapakanan ng ating Bayan!Thank you very much for your time in reading this letter.Sincerely,Harvey S. Keh

My Global Village

I've recently opened my new blog site, www.myglobalvillage.bravelog.com (or alternately, you can use the URL www.rodelbanares.bravejournal.com). You can view my other musings there, as well as other features as well. There'll soon be a forum for those visiting my web log. Of course, this service is hosted by Bravenet.

Milestones

Today marks the 50th Wedding Anniversary of my dearly departed parents Onesimo and Edita Banares. They were married on Feb. 29, a leap year, so we celebrate their anniversary on the 28th during non-leap years. My parents were so looking forward to this milestone in their lives, but unfortunately they were called early to that big ballroom in the sky. Two dys from now, our family will also be marking the 3rd death anniversary of my father Onesimo, and tomorrow we will be marking my neice Karla's 17th birthday.

My Reaction to the Korean Essay

Mabuti pa ang Koreano, may pagmamahal sa Pilipinas.

Truly a wonderful essay. It is true that Korea once looked upon the Philippines as its model nation. Now, Korea has overtaken us. It is sad to note, but true, that we filipinos lack love for our country. We have become too jaded. I have been active in various organizations involved with uplifiting the plight of our citizens, but the sad fact, which was so aptly said in that essay is that filipinos have long lost interest in its country and its fellow filipinos. We have built walls around us and we became concerned only with ourselves. The past decades, we have battled foreign aggresors, fought dictators, fought corrpution... but we have lost. We lost because we became complacent with the fact that we filipinos have the power within us to remove people who do not serve our needs. This is the bad side of what we came to know as people power. We ourselves have become to drunk with power (whether we'd like to admit it or not) that we have lost focus... we have lost sight of our true objective. We believed that everything began and ended with EDSA. But the revolution is far from over. I am not talking about ousting the government, but a true revolution.. the one that Korea did, the one that elevated them to the status they now enjoy... the status we once enjoyed... The Koreans didn't stop with just achieving their ideal status. they went far beyond their target. They have a vision. They have true patriotism. They were willing to receive paltry salaries in exchange for a better Korea. who among us can say that we too can do the same? I truly admire our batchmates who, inspite of the big salaries they earn abroad, have decided to return home and help the country.

A Korean Essay about the Philippines

MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption inthe Philippines . Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines ? I do notthink so. I strongly believe that the problem isthe lack of love for the Philippines .Let me first talk about my country, Korea . It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was oneof the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country wasdestroyed after the Korean War, and we had nonatural resources.Koreans used to talk about the Philippines , forFilipinos were very rich in Asia . We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off likeFilipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father & brother also died because of famine. Korean government was very corrupt and is still verycorrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea wasable to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heartburning with patriotism.Koreans did not work just for themselves but alsofor their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism. 40 years ago, President Park took over thegovernment to reform Korea . He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get aloan and attract a foreign investment because theeconomic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so thatthey could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through horrible experience.In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrowmoney. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they sawthe President Park . They asked to him, "President,when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried withthem and promised them that Korea would be welloff if everyone works hard for Korea , and the President of Germany got the strong impression on themand lent money to Korea . So, President Park wasable to build many factories in Korea . He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart.Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USAcame back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received very small salary, they did theirbest for Korea . They always hoped that their children would live in well off country.My parents always brought me to the places wherepoor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that wehave to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood. Have you cried for thePhilippines ? I have cried for my country severaltimes. I also cried for the Philippines because of so manypoor people. I have been to the New Bilibidprison. What made me sad in the prison were theprisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They prayeveryday. However, they do not love the Philippines . Italked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound, and both of them said that they would leave thePhilippines right after they are released from theprison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines .Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so thatwe were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees couldbuy what they needed and saved money for thefuture and their children.When I was in Korea , I had a very strong faith andwanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines ,I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievablesituations in the Philippines . Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia , but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing hasbeen changed.My parents came to the Philippines last week andsaw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when theywere young. They are so sorry that there are somany beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat becauseit would fun. However, they were not happy aftertaking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat
again because they were sympathized theboatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had asmall frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it.But, my parents did not enjoy it because of lovefor them.My mother who has been working for Catholic Churchsince I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are notCatholic indeed. Faith should come with action.She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love theirneighborhood and country as much as they love Godso that the Philippines will be well off.I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinosshould remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a s mall scale and have to grow. A lot ofthings happen if we open up to love. Let's put awayour prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes.I discover that every person is worthy to beloved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships. It changes the world. Please love yourneighborhood and country.Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others wedo to Him. In the Philippines , there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines . Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country. You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

The smell of burning palay

I don't know about you, but whenever my family and i travel to bicol by car, there's a certain place near iriga that i really look forward to. It's a big rice field by the highway, and every time we pass by (usually about 4 pm, because we usually leave manila around 4 am) i cannot help but feel a certain kind of tranquility. The field itself is quite big, with a clear backdrop of a hill, and lots and lots of trees. But i really look forward to the smell of burning palay. It's a semll i really really love. Every time i get a whiff of that particular smell, it reminds of that field. It brings me peace and tranquility beyond imagination. I really look forward to it when we visit this Holy Week.

IS PEOPLE POWER STILL RELEVANT TODAY?

Many public affairs programs on television and radio today have been discussing the relevance of people power in today's generation. we have been subjected to two such outward expression of unity and show of force (Edsa 1 and Edsa 2). I thought i'd throw my hat into the ring adn give my two cents worth on the subject.

People power (for me, that is) has lost its mystic, its magic, its relevance to today's generation. The tendency of pinoys to abuse what they think is a good thing has caused our culture some serious damage. This scenario is prevalent in almost all aspects of pinoy life. In music and television, there is over-exposure. Look at tha song Hawak Kamay. Initially, the song really was good, but pinoys over-exposed the song and now some, if not most people find themselves close to puking whenver they hear the song. This goes with tv (look at the phenomenon pinoy big brother). Sadly, this cultural flaw has been seen in people power as well. People no longer see "people power" as a force for good, but an instrument of politics that is sadly overused by those in the opposition. They tried it many times. Edsa Tres, the Malacanang Siege, and even in the failed Oakwood Mutiny where they tried to muster people to rally behind coup plotters. It is no wonder that people are fed up with the so-called people power.

there is no dictator to oust now. Freedoms are still protected (even if Allan peter Cayetano and the rest of the opposition believe otherwise). The opposition claim that people pwoer is needed because freedom is being threatened. But the mere fact that they can say this out load in the tri-media is a perfect example that no freedom or right has been curtailed. Sadly, people are fed up by false or imagined scenarios by the opposition. Before 2004, Erap's cohorts have already been "warning" the people that Gloria will declare Martial Law. Aba! Its been 3 years since 2004, nasaan na ang martial law?

Let's face it. No decent filipino in their right mind would join another call for people power. The personalities, for one, are long gone or forgotten. Cardinal Sin is dead and no one seems to even take a backward glance at his contributions to society, Ramos is not the power broker he used to be or protray to be, Cory has lost the support of the people who once elevated her to the presidency. In fact, People power proved to be a failure for most filipinos. Why? The people we ousted are still weilding their Marcoses are back in politics, Erap and his family are still around as well, and most of Marocs' cronies are still weilding power in the corporate world. So people power must be a failure. There was no real change from Marcos to Aquino. The tenant farmers are still tenant farmers, regardless of the so-called Comprehensive Agrarian reform program of Cory. Hacienda Luisita is still Hacienda Luisita. These oligarchial family once argued that if we give the tenant farmers land, they won't have money to maintain the land. Sure, but at least the land is still theirs. They enjoy the fruits of their hardwork and not some paltry token of thanks from the oligarchy.

People power is not only irrelevant now, but is plain dead. We have overused people power, and now people power is being shunned as a political tool -- lacking in sincerity and lacking in genuine unity.

This blog also appears on my column "Random thoughts of a Mapangurirat" at

www.banares.bravehost.com/opinion.html

Until next week. Happy Panadbenga!

Random Thoughts

This blog also appears on my weekly opinion column in our Clan Website entitled "Random Thoughts of a Mapangurirat". Visit it at www.banares.bravehost.com/opinion.html.


It's funny how the world works. What is true now may not be true in the future. Take for example the two battling political camps: The Administration and the Opposition. During the impeachment of deposed president Erap, Loren Legarda was one of those who displayed true animosity towards then administration cohorts Tessie Aquino Oretta et al who refused to allow the opening of the second envelope. Now, Loren is aligned with the Erap camp (whether they like to admit it or not, the United Opposition or Genuine Opposition is still an Erap-controlled group). The former crying lady of the senate is now a happy, smiling buddy of the former actor-turned-president-turned-arrestee. Then there is Tito Sotto who used to bash La Gloria with all his night, as if all his hatred has been channeled towards one person alone. Now, he is with the president's camp! The same goes for Tessie Aquino Oretta. Manny villar, on the other hand, who was the main player in the transmission of the complaint of the impeachment of Erap to the Senate, is now an ally of the very person he tried to impeach! What a strange world we live in.

I didn't vote last election. Because of this, some argue that i forfeited my right to be active in politics by not voting. I countered that part of my rights as a Filipino citizen is not just being able to vote (or the right to suffrage), but also by exercising my right NOT to vote as a form of expression. I stand by my contention: Choosing not to exercise one's right is not an encompassing act of forfeiture of my other rights. Not exercising one's right to suffrage does not diminish one's enjoyment of his OTHER rights. I liken this scenario to the flag law of the US. In the United states of America, people are fiercely protective of their rights under their Constitution's Bill of Rights. To burn the flag is illegal, according to the Flag Law. However, each American is empowered by the Right to Freedom of Expression. The contention of the Civil Rights Activists is that the Flag of America should not just be a symbol of the nation, but a symbol to be used by its citizens in protest, meaning, burning the flag as a sign of protest should be covered by the Bill of Rights, which is higher than the Flag Law, for the Constitution is the foundation of American legal jurisprudence. So it is with voting: Voting should not just be an exercise of choosing officials. Refusing to vote is also an exercise in freedom of expression, which does not limit, stunt, diminish or impugn his other rights. This is the TRUE essence of democracy. Exercising one's right to vote OR exercising one's right NOT to vote. Both are rights which are protected by the very constitution we all uphold and revere.

I have been following the senatorial line up of both the opposition and administration (they go by the names Team Unity and Genuine Opposition now). Sadly for the administration line-up, it is a poorly thought-of line-up. I mean, Cesar Montano for senator? What the hell were they thinking??? I'm not too dandy about the other candidates as well, like Chavit, Ed Angara, Tito Sotto and Tessie Aquino Oretta, for the obvious reason that they were all once so rock-hard anti-Gloria.

Nursing Leakage Backlash

I said this before in my previous blogs, here and in my other sites. Those opposing the retake of the nursing licensure examinations last year will suffer the penalty of not being able to take the foreign licensure exams and other gateway examinations to work in other countries. This is exactly what happened with the CGFNS. If you were the US, you'd do the same thing. Sure, not all the takers of the exams cheated, but let's face it. The tests have been tainted, and everyone who took it, cheater or not, will have to deal with the same tainted image as all of the other takers. Now that the shit has hit the fan, these people who are still adamant about refusing to retake the exams are actually blaming the PRC for one reason or another (the best reason i can think of is "shit, i made a mistake! i must blame the goverment for it!" -- common pinoy escapeist reasoning). O, ano na ngayon? What will happen to your stance? You think the president will help you? Of course not! That's stupid thinking. And if she doesn't help you, i'm sure you'll blame her as well. Might as well blame her for everyting, including why we still haven't inhabitted the moon, while you're at it! Serves you right for playing hardball. You should have taken the retake exams!

The Queen

I recently saw the critically-acclamied movie "The Queen" starring Helen Mirren. At first i thought it was a boring bio-flick about the Queen of England, but it turned out to be a more interesting look at the Queen, particularly during the death of Princess Diana. The guy portraying Tony Blair gets my two thumbs up for being very "Blair-like". If you have time, do watch it. It'll give you a new perspective on the royal family and the house of windsor.

Sims 1

I recently got re-acquainted with The Sims 1, a game i learned from Jackie and Poppo's computer shop in Project 6 a few years back. I used to play The Sims 1 a lot, but whe my old PC went "kerplunk" i never got the chance to re-install it. I recently tried to install it in the laptop i'm using, and, lo and behold, it worked! And now i'm hooked again! If you're into designing houses and garden plots, then The Sims 1 is for you. Sure, there's a lot of hype about The Sims 2 and how realistic the characters are, and they've got great objects downlaods, i'm sure, but i'm still with The Sims 1. I just love to design houses there. There's a forum i recently joined which concur with the assesment that though the new sims game is more realistic in terms of character interphases and all that techie hulabaloo, the Sims 1 gets Top A rating for great designer usage and easy-to-install items. Hey, i might even try the transmogrifier sometime!

check out the Sims it www.thesims.com or www.thesimsresource.com.

Friendster Hoax

I've received so many forwarded messages on my friendster account saying that a certain Allen Smith from Friendster says that friendster is congested and that it is closing soon. I checked with the FAQs section of Friendster recently and this supposed Allen Smith turns out to be a fictional character, and that message that friendster is closing is actually a hoax perpetrated by some people a few years back. According to friendster, friendster is not closing soon, as is the contention of the hoax. So guys, let's stop passing this message around.

Impressive Photos

I was surfing the net when i stumbled upon my friend's photos at http://www.photo.net/photos/LizMateo. I know for a fact that she's an avid photo buff, but she takes unbelievably stunning pictures! Words aren't good enough to describe the intensity of her photos, and i don't say this because she's my friend, but because the photos are truly beautiful. I didn't think it would be fair to copy the pics and show them here, so just click on the link i mentioned above. Believe me, it's worth your time to see her photos. Liz, like i said in my offline message, truly impressive! More Power!

Bataan Fiesta

This is long overdue. I was supposed to write about our recent trip to Hermosa in Bataan, upon the invitation of our friend of seven years, Poppo and wife-to-be Jhackie, but never got around to writing it here on Blogger. We left Manila January 29 right after lunch. We were fetched by Philip (he's more than a driver, but also a trusted confidante of our hosts and a very entertaining guy to boot!). We arrived in Hermosa after about and hour and a half. The 29th was the eve of the Fiesta in Hermosa (technically, it's the fiesta of the Barangay where our hosts live). When we arrived at Poppo's family residence in Hermosa, the place was buzzing with people, preparing for the big feast the next day. Tia Teri, their over-all cook-in-charge of the fiesta was busy directing the people on how to cut, dice or slice the different meat parts, vegetables and other condiments that will go into the feast on the morrow. That night, our hosts served us with truly exotic fare, and everything was delicious! The adobong Sawa (native Reticulated Python), the inihaw na itlog ng sawa, and the adobong itik tasted fanstastic! Of course, it wouldn't be a bisperas without the singing. Poppo, Ater Rose, Jhackie, yours truly, Jesse, Philip and Joel got around to belting out a few songs over three cases of Sann Mig Light and a big bottle of tequila.

The next day, we got to help with the preparations by stuffing the relyenong bangus. You wouldn't believe the effort that goes into that particular piece of savory dish. All in all, with all the preparations that went into the fiesta, the guests of the fiesta were served with an unending array of dishes: fired-chicken in gata marinade, crabs, shrimp, lechon, relyenong bangus, morcon, menudo, igadillo, dinuguan, lots of talaba and many, many more! Truly, the fiesta in Hermosa is one that you will want keep going back to, if only for the food. But it isnt just the food that makes this particular fiesta an enjoyable event. It is the warmth and friendly gait of the people of Hermosa and the family of our gracious hosts that made this trip truly a remarkable one.

By the way, you can also read the alter-ego of this blog (random thoughts of a mapangurirat) at our clan website. The URL is www.banares.bravehost.com/opinion.html . It's my personal column in the clan website.

Also, watch out for the Cacanindin family website. More to come next mapangurirat! Adios muchachos y muchachas! ariba!

Arcade Games

I remember the days when i used to go to a small house near our hosue to play arcade games like Pacman. Hey, i'm not that old. But i do remember those great arcade games and there are times when i really miss them. When my brother gave us the dvd player with the built-in arcade games, i was in heaven! But i found out a way to share these games with my readers of mapangurirat. Well, its not the original.. its actually a clone of the original, but im sure you'll enjoy this game as well! More games to share with you soon!

Bataan Fiesta

The fiesta of Hermosa, Bataan was an enjoyable one. Like last year, we were invited to this year's fiesta by our friend Poppo and Jhackie. My sister and i left with Poppo and Jhackie on the 29th of January and we arrived right at the heart of preparations for the feast on the 30th. Poppo's mom and sister were already there, supervising the preparations. Their cook, Tiang Teri, prepared a sumptuous cavalcade of food that could satisfy even the most satisfying of palates. Relyenong Bangus, Morcon Hamonado, Igadillo, Menudo, Fried Chicken in coconut milk marinade, lechon baboy, lots and lots of talaba and shrimp, dinuguan, putong galapong and other succulent delicacies were laid out before the guests. We were happy to have been asked to help with the stuffing of the relyenong bangus. Mind you, if you think stuffing relyenong bangus is easy, think again! It's a daunting task that takes a lot of getting used to. Thanks to Poppo and Jhackie and Poppo's wonderful family for an enjoyable fiesta!

Deeply honored

I was browsing through the google search engine when i encountered my name in another blog. Here is what i encountered (i have copied and pasted it here so you'll see what i read verbatim):

Fender Santos rendered eloquently a Tagalog poem written by Rodel Banares entitled Manong Max. Bobby Reyes recited a poem written by Max in 1947. Lawyers, Linda Sarno and Edmund Anciano read touching messages from fans of Max's By the ...International Trade & Market - http://marketrade.blogspot.com/index.html

I was deeply touched that my poem "Manong Max" was among those read at a tribute for the late great publisher Maximo Soliven by FilAms in Los Angeles. I am humbled and yet at the same time proud that a poem as simple as "Manong Max" was among those picked to be read at the solemn ceremony in LA. Too bad that when i tried the URL link, i encountered a page error. I hope i can read the blog in full.

Here is the short poem i wrote fas tribute Max Soliven:

Manong Max
By Rodel C. Banares

Armas Mong Hawak Ay Pluma
Katotohanan ang iyong tinta
Na isinulat sa pahina ng Kasaysayan
At nakauikit sa aming kamalayan.

Sa iyong pagkawala
Hindi matutuyo ang pluma!
Ipagpapatuloy ng bawat Pilipino
Ang sinimulan mong kabanata.

Katotohanan ang pinuhunan
Katotohanan siyang patuloy na ipaglalaban
Sapagkat ang aral ng iyong paglisan
Ang katotohanan ang siyang nakapagpapalaya!

College Days

Though i went to Adamson University to take up AB Political Arts in the 90's, it was my college days in Angelicum that were the most memorable. On my first day in Angelicum, i was stopped by the guard (i wasn't wearing the prescribed uniform then) and was asked if i was a father of a student thee. "no", i replied. Still, he didn't let me in. "Are you a professor?", he asked. "No. Im a student." Needless to saqy he gave me a very hard look as if i were a lunatic or something. Luckily he let me in. Then came the acquaintance party. It was held at the gym and my new-found friends and i decided to skip the boring party and go to a resort in antipolo instead to "unwind". So we left angelicum without anyone knowing where we were. When we arrived home, i was shocked to learn my car (which i left at home) was carnapped. No one knew it was carnapped because they simply assumed i took the car to school. To be on the safe side, my dad and sister went to school to verify, only to find out i didn't attend the acquaintance party! Boy, i never realized my father knew so many sear words.Then came our "drinking days". One time we decided to sneak a drink inside the gym. My friend Nigel brought some rice wine from Ifugao which we drank at the back of the gym. Needless to say, we were drunk silly when we went to english class. Another one of those drinking sessions ended up with my friend giving a report on economics (which he wrote on the board as "ENOMICS"). He wnet on and on with his report which was cut short by our professor, Sir Ed. He told my friend that there was a minor mistake in the report. My friend answered back "Eh galing sa hand-outs niyo tong report ko eh! (hic)". "Kaya nga", replied my prof, "kino-correct ko kasi may mali." My friend, probably because of the "spirit" inside him yelled "EH BAKIT KASI MALI HAND-OUT NIYO!". I never saw a grown man cry until that day. My prof soon tried a different approach. He bribed us with chocolates or our favorite books if we did good in our reports. Sadly, no one took the bait.Yes, those were just some of our adventures in college, and until today, when we have the chance to meet up, we never fail to reminisce about the good ol' days. (More to come next blog).

Sinulog na, Todo na `to! Senor Santo Nino, Thank you

Cebuanos and devotees of the Santo Nino of Cebu are thankful once again to the Child Jesus for keeping the ASEAN summit safe from terrorist attacks. The cebuanos have been known to be downright religious when it comes to their patron, the image of the child Christ.

Incidentally, with the closing of the ASEAN Leaders' Summit comes another reason for Cebu to celebrate: The Sinulog Festival, which features the devotion of cebuanos to the Senor Santo Nino. Foreigners have already started to arrive in the Cebu Capital to join in the festivities, oblivious to the warnings of several embassies regarding travel to the Philippines. Germans, Americans, Australians and others have already staked out the places they want to visit in Cebu and are excited over the fesitivites. 2 ASEAN leaders have also been reported to have extended their stay in the country to join the festivities. Cebu's Sinulog Festival is one of the biggest celebrations in the country.VIVA SANTO NINO!

new website

my new website is up and running and i will soon add new pages for you. :)

hope you like it. visit it at:

www.rodelbanares.bravehost.com

rodel :)

New year greetings!

Happy new year, everyone. We hope you had a great 2006 and an even greater 2007. With the start of the new year comes new and exciting updates from your mapangurirat. Firs,t my official website is now up and running. You can view my old comic strip "Kukay's World" in the Kukay's World Page of the website. Also, the Banares Clan website will soon be up and running as well, incorporating the banares news and info blog hosted by blogger.

Christmas party with my mother's friends

This year we attended the annual christmas party of my mother's friends (parents of my classmates since playhouse in Angelicum) without my mother. It was only last year when we attended the same party at the very same house with my mother. Little did we know that a year later, we would not be attending the party with her. My tito Rudy (the husband of our host Tita Net Munar) went to our table and fondly recalled his craving for my mother's staple "toka" for the party -- Laing. He told us (me, my brother-in-law and sister Rose) that it was his favorite dish and that he looked forward to these parties for a taste of mama's laing. Of course, we didn;t bring laing this year. My mother's friends are still the same, although a little older. Tito rudy munar still gave money as gifts, and tita net prepared her specialty paksiw lechon and dinuguan. It was fun, but we all knew there was something missing. We missed our mother at that party -- although im sure she was there in spirit.

Prayer for Christmas Day By Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father,Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Christmas Eve at Home

This is our first time to celebrate Christmas Eve at our new home in Marikina. Though we miss our parents greatly, their absence (for the first time in my life) this christmas eve made this season a bit gloomy. That is, until my 2 cousins and 2 nieces decided to join us for Christmas eve dinner and Noche Buena. Ricky and Bobby Banares arrived with Bobby's 2 beautiful kids, Lyca and Bea. They brought with them chicken curry, lecon manok, liempo and fruit salad. I prepared some roast chicken in tamarind marinade and pansit canton with oyster sauce. Some would call our dinner a chicken overload, but no one's complaining. After dinner, my sister Ruth arrived with her husband Vic and kids Miel, Dan and Lee. they brought us honeycured ham from Santis, a can of broas, tuyo with capers and some gift giveaways from Meralco. My brother Ben arrived a few minutes later with a bag full of Kowloon Special Siopao. After dinner, we had a couple of bottles of brandy with some Cola chasers. My friend from College, Nigel, arrived later in the evening for a few drinks as well. What turned out to be aq gloomy christmas eve turned into an instant fun family party, not just for me, but for all of us present.

Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

L-R: Cousins Bobby and Ricky, Brod-inLaw Vic. Dan, Lee, Lyka and Bea, Ate Ruth, Karla and MielBack: Ate Rose and Kuya Ben (Bentot)

Additional Artwork

Hi guys. I'm posting 2 new additions to my powerpoint artwork. The first one (in blue) is entitled "Misa de Gallo" and the one on the bottom is entitled "Simbang Gabi". They were done entirely from scratch using Microsoft Powerpoint. Hope you like them. :)

Inspiration at our xmas party

I was looking at our host poppo's framed paintings of old philippine Churches and i was inspired to make a powerpoint art myself with the theme "Old Philippine Churches". Here's a sample of my work.

"Altar" -- inspired by the altar of our old church in Aringay, La Uni

FWPPi Induction of Officers at the Penn

The Filipinos Worldwide for Progressive Philippines Inc. (FWPPi) of which i am a proud member of will be holding their induction of officers at the Manila Penninusla this saturday at 6pm. I just finished chatting with fellow FWPPi member Joe Smith and i was informed that no less than our president Gloria Macacapagal-Arroyo will be attending. Good job, guys! I'm not sure if our fellow member Tita Merlie will be coming home srom the US to attend but i know that our Hong-Kong and Dubai-based members will be attending. I'm looking forward to meeting with you guys very soon. More power to FWPPi!

X'mas party pics!!!

Hello everyone. Sorry for the late blog regarding our saturday night's xmas party. I just uploaded the pics of our party. Medyo kaunti lang nga but i hope you like them just the same. :)

Saturday night's party saw the reunion of old friends like Ferdz Lim and wife Aimee, Jackie and our host Poppo, Pooh and Ayds Aguirre, Noel Young and Luwi Balboa. We were joined later in the night by Popp's younger sister Pami. It was fun. 9 good friends partook in a feast of sisig, chicharon bulaklak, 3 crispy patas, pork kaldereta, a yellow cab pizza, 3 yellow cab pastas, Jackie's mouth-watering cheese cake and 2 cases of beer, and lots of softdrinks. BURP! We had a grand time reminsicing about old times, jokes all around about my "political affiliations", Pooh's "gantihan moments", Ayd's new hairdo and playing billards. It was fun and we're definitely looking forward to more! Thanks to Jackie and Poppo, Luwi and Noel for their gifts and Adrian who offered to drive us home. :) Merry Christmas, guys.

Poppo, Ferdz and Aimee, Ate Rose and Noel gathered around the
table at Poppo's residence in Quezon City.

Jhackie G. and our host Poppo

Ferdz Lim with wife Aimee

The future Bata Reyes and Alcano, Adrian Aguirre

Barkada X'mas Party Tonight!

Tonight, our barkada will be holding our annual Christmas Party at our good friend Poppo's house in Quezon City. We've been having our christmas party for the past several years now and I always look forward to seeing old friends. It doesn't really matter where we choose to hold our party, whether it be at a friend's house, a bar, or a restaurant, as long as "kumpleto ang barkada". Maybe it's just me, but i do get sentimental during the holidays. Or maybe i just enjoy my friends' company--or maybe both-- whatever it is, it's really magical when the barkada gets together, especially those you haven't seen in almost a year, and just talk about the good ol' days, the places we've been to, the people we've met, and the places and people we'll get to see and meet in the future. The gang and I have been through a lot. They were there when my father was hospitalized, then later when he passed away. They were there when my mama was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke (They were there at the ER with us an hour after getting the call!). They were there when she was in intensive care, and they were there when she passed away. Some would say (and i know of at least one person who did say) that we are a barkada "sa ginhawa lang", but i know that is not true. I know because they were there through the good and bad times. And it is christmas when i get to think about how lucky i am... how lucky we all are... to have loyal and trustworthy friends to joke with, cry with, travel with and do everythingelse in between.

CARING AND SHARING CARAVAN LEAVES FOR BICOL

I will deviate from my regular rantings to make way for a press release from the Office of the Press Secretary (www.gov.ph) regarding the Bicol Caravan. - rodel

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PGMA sends off "Caring and Sharing Caravan" to Bicol
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2006 GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT

Some 250 trucks and other vehicles laden with relief goods left for the Bicol region this morning in what was aptly called by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the government’s "Caring and Sharing Caravan."The caravan, spontaneously organized by civic-minded groups, is a tribute to the theme of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu that was called off on account of Typhoon Seniang which ravaged most parts of the Visayas over the weekend."I want every Filipino family to know that their government is ready to serve them in times of extreme distress when food, clean water, warm clothing and shelter cannot normally be availed of," the President said in her sendoff statement at the Central Business Park (CBP) along Diosdado Macapagal Ave. in Pasay City."Your President and the entire Cabinet feel your pain and we will do all we can to gather the energies and resources of the nation to help you," she added.It will be recalled that the President agreed that the Summit in Cebu be postponed to January next year despite contrary opinions, as "she doesn’t want to be attending the Summit when the typhoon was ravaging most homes along its path."The President came to the sendoff to check on the schedules and destinations of the trucks in the caravan which was led by the Office of Civil defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).Military and police elements escorted the caravan to secure the relief goods for the victims of the typhoon.The President commended all government officials as well as civic spirited leaders of the private sector who have joined the caravan."As this humanitarian effort traverses the disaster areas, giving aid and comfort to our distressed brethren, we symbolize a nation of one heart and one mind, a nation that derives its strength from unity and compassion, from the spirit of bayanihan and damayan," she said.The President wished the convoy Godspeed, saying "I join the nation in their prayers for the comfort of the distressed, the healing of the families and communities that have lost brethren and loved ones in the wake of misfortunes."

MAU IS THE FIRST EVER PHILIPPINE IDOL!!!

In what to me was a done deal, Mau Marcelo was declared the first ever Philippine Idol this evening at the result night of Philippine Idol at the Araneta Colliseum. ABC 5 did not disappoint its viewers as we were treated to spectacular song and dance numbers from great performers like s Haji Alejandro, Gary Valenciano, Aiza Seguerra, Cueshe, G. Toengi, The Sex Bomb Dancers, Francis Magalona, Ryan Cayabyab, Pilita Corales with no other than the big three and the ex-Miguel, Arms, Pau and the rest.

As I've said before in this blog many times before, Mau will be the first ever Philippine Idol because of her world-class voice. If there will ever be an Asian Idol competition, she's sure to be our best bet to win that, as well. Congratulations Mau, and the ABC 5 Family, for making this happen. More Power andwe'll see you in the next Philippine Idol!

P.S. Ryan Agoncillo's get-up was better than his God-awful get-up last night. It was Dracula meets Austin Powers!

Tonight is the final performance night for Idol Hopefuls

For those keeping track of the Philippine Idol scene, you don't need to be told that tonight is the final performance night before the people choose between the big 3 at the Big Dome. Will it be John, Gian or Mau? Personally, i am rooting for Mau, who i believe to be of world-class calibre. Well, let's see what they've got up their sleeves tonight. I personally heard that stringent preparations are being made for tonight's event, and i am expecting a spectacular performance from all three of them.

To Sheila re Bacacay Query

Hello Sheila. I just finished reading your email regarding your mother's friend in Bacacay, Albay. I will ask my relatives in Bacacay to find out about the Bechayra Family. Please send me your e-mail address at rodel.banares@gmail.com so ican email you any information i may receive.

It is possible that your mom's friend is okay. Bacacay was not hit by the mudslide although it is just a border away from Sto. Domingo. I will also forward your query to the Bacacay Association here in Manila. I think they are planning to go to Bacacay to check on things so i can ask them to check if your mother's family friend is okay.

You may also check on updates via our clan's website at www.banares-clan.blogspot.com. We post updates about bacacay there as well.

Thank you for writing. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

RODEL C. BANARES
Mapangurirat

What's the fuzz about cha-cha?

Honestly, i don't see the point about all the fuzz being made by charter change through a convening of a constituent assembly. America had their constitution changed more tha ten times, for God's sake, and they're supposed to be the bastion of democracy! And now we're crying foul because we believe cha-cha is illegal and unconstituional? Then why bother with a provision that allows for ammendments if we won't allow ammendments to be made in the first place? Kinda stupid, when you think about it. Now, if we're all concerned about the people and how cha-cha will affect them, then let the people decide for themselves when they choose to ratify or not the ammendments. Another funny thing about the people crying foul like the El Shaddai is that, before, they were dead set against a constituional convention, and now that the cha-cha is being fast-tracked in congress, they syuddenly changed their tune and decided that a constitutional convention would be the best alternative to a constituent assembly. Make up your mind, brother mike Velarde! Are you in or out? We can't be half-way in or out on this issue. Take sides. I have! And i've taken the pro-cha-cha side. Does that make me a fascist? Of course not. That is the essence of democracy. It is proof that democracy is alive and well in this country.

To the Albay Tsunami Scare Texter

The recent tsunami scare in Bicol following the mudslide that killed hundreds and flattened at least three municipalities in Albay show how Filipinos can be so inconsiderate of others and how text messaging can become a tool for mischief. These idiot initiators of this tsunami scare should burn in hell for their acts! The scare revived the fears that our town mates in Bacacay experienced during the height of Reming and the mudslides. Kung ikaw ang tarantadong nagpadala ng text message na iyon, mahiya ka sa balat mo, Gago ka! Yung mga matatandang kababayan ko na hindi na kaya tumakbo, nagpaiwan at handa na mamatay! Ang auntie ko na may sakit at bed-ridden had to be taken out of her house and carried on a folding bed just to be saved from your malicious and fictitious lies. If the NTC ever finds out where this message originated, you can be sure I will be the first to skin you alive, you heartless son-of-a-bitch! You have no idea how much anxiety and stress you caused. You didn’t even think of the children! When my relatives finally reached the small hill in the barrio of Gubat, the whole hill was packed with people. Are you happy? You are probably laughing your heart out at that prank you pulled, you gutless sadist! When others are out helping the people trapped in mudslides all over Albay, you have nothing better to do than play your little practical joke. Cargo de Consiensya mo ang mga hindi nailigtas dahilan sa kagaguhan mong siraulo ka! Dakol ang nagadan dahil sa ginibo mo! Nasa kamot mo ang buhay kan mga nagadan! Ultimo mga rescuers, tumakbo dahil sa walang kakuwenta-kuwenta mong kalokohan! Kung bicolano ka, makinig ka! Garo ka gamadya! No, i take it back. You’re worse than a dog. At least a dog knows loyalty. You, you’re cow poo. Caipohan sa imo, idarang ki buhay! Dai kang puso! Pati mga gurang asin mga aqui, pig atake kan nerbiyos dahil sa pig-gibo mo! Ano? Siguro muya mo sana takutin su mga tawo para makapag-habas ka ki mga gamit kan mga nasalanta? Dai ka bang pamilya na nabiktima ki mga pag-arog-arog mo!? Maray ngani kung ngunyan, uminabot sa talingug-ngog mo ang ngislo mo, ta baka dai ka na abutin ki aga, animal ka! This example of blatant disrespect for one’s fellow man is inexcusable and unforgivable. Kung ako sa iyo, kung ikaw man nagkalat ng balitang yan, mabuti pa magpatiwakal ka na, tutal sa impyerno din ang bagsak mo. Masaya ka na? Namatay na ang isa sa mga tinakot mo! Gago!

World AIDS Day

FROM THE GOOGLE BLOG:

You might have noticed from the Google homepage that today is World AIDS Day. We want to remember all those who have suffered from HIV/AIDS in the 25 years since it was first identified, and we want to support everyone working to eradicate this scourge: Today, there are about 40 million people living with HIV worldwide, and it is increasing in every region in the world. In Africa, it is the leading cause of death -- 5,500 Africans die each day from this insidious disease.One effort that is making a difference is (RED), a company founded this year by Bono and Bobby Shriver. A percentage of the profits from each (RED) product sold is given to The Global Fund. We are supporting the (RED) effort by offering promotional support to (RED) and (RED) products on Google properties throughout the holiday season.We hope you choose to support them with your purchases. Companies offering (RED) products have committed to contribute a portion of profits from the sales of that product into Global Fund-financed AIDS programmes in Africa.Together, let's make a big difference. Read more at JoinRED.com or visit the (RED) blog.

On the Subic Rape Case Judgment

For me, in my personal capacity as a citizen of this Republic, a grave injustice has occurred in the Subic Rape Case Promulgation of Judgment this afternoon because not all American servicemen were acquitted. I have always contended that the alleged rape could not have happened primarily because the alleged victim Nicole accepted the invitation of Smith to go to Subic from their province in the Visayas. She willingly went to Subic to meet with Smith without the knowledge of her American boyfriend. She willingly went back to the Neptune Club after her sister asked her to leave with them. This decision of the Makati Court is a grave travesty of justice especially when it denied the motion of the defense to place Smith in the custody of US Military authorities according to the conditions of the Visiting Forces agreement.

It is not that I am being a male chauvinist. I would easily defend any woman I know from people who would do harm to them, it’s just that I am not thoroughly convinced of Nicole’s hole-riddled story. To punish someone with reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment, one must be proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt, and with due respect to the court, I believe that Smith has not been proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. When reasonable doubt is absent, an accused must be acquitted. I have spent enough time with my father, a trial lawyer, to know some of these basic tennets of the law. Let us hope that the Court of Appeals will overturn the decision of the lower court on this issue.

For a more detailed discourse on the reasonable doubt clause in American jurisprudence, you can visit this link:

Questia Online:
http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=5000317264&er=deny

BACACAY UPDATE: HOUSE OF HENRY BANARES AND FAMILY DESTROYED BY TYPHOON REMING

Our cousin Emily Banares-Basbas was able to contact her sister Lisa Banares-Eusebio later today to report that their house in Bacacay was destroyed by Typhoon Reming. The only part of the house livable now is the kitchen, were the family has established temporary living quarters. No reports on the condition of ailing clan elder Virginia Banares vda de Dado who lives a few distance behind the destroyed house.

The BCIS wishes to call on members of the Banares Clan to send any help they can. BCIS will be establishing a plan to help our relatives in Bacacay. For now, you may send any help you can by calling Lisa Banares-Eusebio at (02) 646-95-61.

We appeal to ALL BANARES CLAN MEMBERS to extend any and all help possible. Bacacay was also hit heavily by Typhoon “Reming”. Many of the old houses have been destroyed. By tomorrow morning, BCIS will post a disaster relief plan for our relatives in Bacacay

If you have any news regarding other members of the clan in Bacacay, please call us at (02) 933-17-96.

LET US HELP OUR RELATIVES IN THEIR HOUR OF NEED.

Send us your messages and pledges at rodel.banares@gmail.com, banares_feedback@yahoo.com, and theprman_ph@yahoo.com.

We will be posting your pledges along with the corresponding amount in the Banares Clan blogsite at www.banares-clan.blogspot.com.


RODEL C. BANARES
Founder / Administrator
Banares Clan Information Service

Video Clips from our recent Bataan Trip

December 1, 2006 -- my friend Poppo and fiance Jhackie invited me to go to Bataan for some R&R in the former's home in Bataan. Though I've been to their place several times now, it is always an exciting adventure when I am invited. We arrived in Bataan under overcast skies brought about by tphoon "Reming". It was very windy and gloomy when we first arrived. We rested a bit and went to Balanga and Orani to find some fish and talaba, only to find out that no fishermen went out to fish due to the storm. So we ended up buying candies and imported corned beef instead.

As we were heading back to our host's place, rain started to pour and we were worried that Noel and Aubrey (who took the bus to the place) might not be able to make it. We were wrong. They left Manila at around 4 and arrived shortly before 6pm. Come dinner time, the weather was already clear and we were treated by our gracious host to a sumptuous dinner of roasted chicken, Adobong Talaba, Inihaw na Tilapia and steaming white rice. After the sumptuous feast we had a few bottles of San Mig Light to cap the night.

The next morning, we were taken by Poppo to their homestead in the mountains of Bataan. The trip was an adventure in itself. We took their APV to the farm and along the way we experienced adventure 1: Traversing the muddy and rocky road towards the farm. We got stuck in some mud but it was nothing we couldn't handle.



We arrived at the farm a couple of hours before lunch. Everyone was excited, especially the guys who were looking forward to doing some rifle firing. At the entrance to the farm, we could see the cows roaming freely in the grass. At the far end of the farm is the caretaker's cottage and to its left is a quaint little hut were we ate our lunch "army" style. 2 native chickens were prepared and we had a simple but delicious lunch of sinigang na labuyong manok, salted eggs and tomatoes and steamed salted shrimp-fry or bagoong alamang.







After lunch, the guys tried their hand at rifle shooting. A modified .22 rifle with silencer was used and the guys had a fun time taking turns shooting at an imaginary enemy (a tin can).



There were horses on the farm and we just couldn't resist asking poppo and the caretakers for a ride. Noel, Aubrey, Pooh and Jack had a grand time riding "Madonna", the name of the horse.



All in all it was a very exciting weekend.

More Photos from our Recent Bataan Trip

Here are some photos from our recent Bataan trip. Hope you guys like it.




Dinner time at Poppo's two-storey kubo



At the "kubo"



Our gracious host's guest house in their family property in Bataan



The porch of the guest house



One of the many beautiful orchids at our host's place in Bataan



A hearty breakfast before setting off for a drive to our host's farm in the mountains



Our host with Pooh walking along the farm trail leading to the caretaker's cottage



Pooh getting soem shut-eye on the way to the mountains



Jack, Aubz and Noel on the trail



A view of the sprawling farm in the mountains



Our host Poppo at the farm's "multi-purpose" hut



Aubrey posing before the farm's natural spring well



Mapangurirat with Noel and Aubrey at the farm's hut



The mapangurirat taking a picture after leaving the farm

SUPER TYPHOON REMING TO HIT METRO MANILA

Mga Kapwa Mapangurirat, another Super Typhoon is predicted to hit Metro Manila this Friday. Catanduanes Province will be hit first tomorrow morning and Signal no. 4 has already been raised over the entire island.

We've already learned our lesson from “Milenyo”, thank God. Billboard owners have already volunteered to take down existing billboards so as not to cause undue injuries to motorists and pedestrians. Meralco is already prepared for power interruptions, fallen posts and the like.

Have you prepared for the super typhoon? Prepare for the worst. Store two days worth of food, preferably canned, ready your flashlights, batteries, a portable radio, extra cellphone batteries (if possible), bottled drinking water, and candles. Let us not be caught unaware.

PAGASA will be issuing advisories and you can monitor the big TV and Radio networks for these updates.

Ok. Handa na tayo! Ingat and God Bless us All!

Blogger Beta

To the viewers of Mapangurirat, a few minutes ago i switched from the original Blogger format to the new Blogger Beta. As part of the new Blogger Beta, i have a new e-mail address. You can now get in touch with me through rodel.banares@gmail.com. However, You can still reach me through my theprman_ph@yahoo.com account. Thanks and keep on supporting mapangurirat.

Miguel is OUT!

Finally, tonight's Idol on ABC 5 fulfilled the dreams of many Philippine Idol viewers. Miguel Mendoza was finally booted out of the Philippine Idol after a prolonged stay. Many viewers were on the edge of their seats as Mau and Jan were left standing on center stage, giving the impression that either of them will be eliminated. But that didn't happen, thank God! Finally, 3 deserving Idol hopefuls will make it to the Araneta Colliseum on the December 9 for the Finals. I heard tickets to that event are selling like hotcakes. By the way, Philippine Idol digressed a bit from the usual 2 finalists showdown. Philippine Idol will have three candidates who will vie for the coveted title of Philippine Idol. These are Jan, Gian and Mau who have proven themselves worthy to be in the finals. Let's face it. Miguel is still young and has a lot of years to hone his talents. He may even be a Philippine Idol in the not-so-distant future, but not this time. So far, the first Philippine Idol search has proven to be interesting. Sure, Pinoy Dream Academy may be putting up a very good fight in terms of sponsorship and viewership, but like it or not, winning PDA is not as exciting as being called THE FIRST PHILIPPINE IDOL. More power, Freemantle and ABC 5!

Philippine Idol's Mau is my bet as 1st Philippine Idol

If you've been following the progress of ABC 5 and Freemantle's Philippine Idol as I have, you'd be as surprised as I was when Pow was voted off last week. Pow was one of my bets for the title of Philippine Idol. I am sorry to say that I am not at all pleased that Miguel is still in the running after showing poor performance for the past few weeks. Now that Pow is out of the running, my bet would be Mau. Mau's performance tonight was excellent! Her rendition of My Funny Valentine was very, very impressive, and so was her version of Waray Waray although for me, Ertha Kitt's version remains to be the best. That being said, Mau has consistently showed us week after week of great singing prowess. She definitely has a future as the Anita Baker of the Philippines. Definitely, tonight's performance was her best. I also like her performance of Ako ang Nagwagi was also very good. I wish that Filipino viewers go for talent and not just popularity or looks. I mean, Ryan Cayabyab has said it before. If the votes weere cast according to talent, Ken and Miguel would have been out of Philippine Idol a long, long time ago. Sadly, my crush Apple was also eliminated. Oh well, that's life, and nobody said life was fair. It's down to the final four and if you're a regular voter of Philippine Idol, do vote for Mau. She deserves the title.

Party!!!! Party!!! Yehey!!!

Yesterday we celebrated the birthday of my sister Rose at our residence in Marikina. Earlier in the day, my sister Ruth and Brother-in-law Vic arrived to bring some cake, wasabe nuts, an indian version of "belekoy", some licorice candy and wine for my sister. My brother Ruben arrived later with some groceries and lechon manok followed by friends Noel and Aubrey who brought hotdogs and french fries. Poppo and Jhackie, Nigel, Pooh, and Ferdz arrived soon thereafter. They braved the hellish traffic of yesterday to be with my sister on this occassion. Thanks, guys. Poppo and Jhackie brought chicken wings, cheesecake and and lamb chops while Noel and Ferdz bought 3 cases of San Mig Light, while I prepared some pulutan favorites such as tokwa't baboy, menudo ala banares, my version of cream of corn soup and ate rose's special pesto pasta. It was a reunion of sorts which ended up in reminiscing about the good ol' college days. They Everyone had a grand old time. Here are some of the pics last night.

Ate Rose preparing her famous Pesto Pasta

Noel, Aubz, Poppo, Ferdz, Pooh, Jack and Nigel (Ate Rose hidden behind Ferdz)

Inuurirat si Mapangurirat. Pants-pulling is still a hit among drunken masters
Raise Da Roof! Ferdz and my niece Karla Alexis
Mga walang pakialam sa camera: Isang laughing trip, isang napaluha,
isang tsibog ng tsibog, at yung dalawa parang nasa luneta

Angelicum College schoolmates

The celebrant with Ferdz "Razorback" Lim

MANONG MAX, PAALAM

Philippine Star Publisher and columnist Maximo "Max" Soliven passed away today, November 24, 2006 after suffering a massive stroke at the Narita International Airport in Japan as he was preparing to fly back to his beloved motherland. I best remember Manong Max for his hard-hitting, no nonsense style of writing. He was neither pro-government nor anti-government. He calls a spade a spade and his witty articles and narratives truly capture the essence of his chosen topics. His trademark sanamagan will sorely be missed by his daily readers. I myself prefer to read Manong Max because of the way he sends and manages to get his messages across. As a fellow Filipino, it makes me very proud to know that someone as patently Filipino as Manong Max is well respected by his international peers.

I will always remember him best as a cellmate of the late great Benigno Aquino Jr. in Fort Bonifacio during the dark days of martial law. Max Soliven was imprisoned because he spoke the truth, and that the truth, media men know as gospel truth, is the most dangerous thing one can possess during the dark days of martial law.

After the fall of the dictatorship, he continued on with his mission of truth through information: first with the Inquirer, and then through The Philippine Star. Like it or not, he is well respected by his fellow publishers and columnists, no matter how much his opinions may differ from theirs.

As they say, and as I like to quote every now and then, if one has done something worthy of remembrance, that deed will be his monument. If not, no monument can ever preserve his memeory. I wish now to paraphrase and dedicate the last line of Manong Max's biographical essay Goodbye, Superboy (a Fond Farewell to the Last Romantic) to his memory: Goodbye, Manong Max. I am proud to have known you. And happy to have known you well.


Manong Max
By Rodel C. Banares

Armas Mong Hawak Ay Pluma
Katotohanan ang iyong tinta
Na isinulat sa pahina ng Kasaysayan
At nakauikit sa aming kamalayan.

Sa iyong pagkawala
Hindi matutuyo ang pluma!
Ipagpapatuloy ng bawat Pilipino
Ang sinimulan mong kabanata.

Katotohanan ang pinuhunan
Katotohanan siyang patuloy na ipaglalaban
Sapagkat ang aral ng iyong paglisan
Ang katotohanan ang siyang nakapagpapalaya!

Santa Collection

I recently opened my box of Santa Claus figurines. I collect Santa Claus items as a hobby. It started when i found a unique bottle-top in the form of a smiling, half-bodied santa. I found it a novel way to cover bottles and double as a christmas decor. So one October afternoon a few years back, while on my home from work, i passed by Dapitan street in Quezon City. I decided to stop by and see if they have any santa figurines i can buy. It was on one of the sidewalk vendors' stands that i saw my second santa. It was a hooded santa (much like little red riding hood) carrying a bag of toys with both hands. It was a bargain for 15 pesos! I bought my other santas in different locations. It's funny that when I was a kid, i thought that there was only one kind of santa -- a white, fat guy in a red suit with white beard. But my collection shattered that image. I have a black, thin santa wearing a tattered red coat, a santa dressed in a london beef-eater costume carrying a small pine tree, a santa dressed like a catholic bishop with a star-of-david miter, a pirate santa carrying a doll and a basket of toys. A cute little santa sitting on top of an old nintendo family computer and playing a santa video game, a carpenter santa making toys (courtesy of Lizzie), A thin, white santa, a fat, fat santa with toys, a santa paper-weight desinged like a carousel, a santa hiker, a ceramic santa bell, a thin bald santa with a dog, a sailor santa and a sleeping santa.

Oh, i also have three santa candle-holders and an egg-shaped santa, a doctor santa, a santa carrying a kid with a star and a xmas tree an a candle santa as well. Grabe na itoh! Imagine seeing them all again after a long, trial-filled year! Whatever feeling i may have had about the christmas season this year vanished as i brought out each santa, enjoying the whimsical designs and styles of their makers. Santa may not be a local christmas figure, but santa will forever be a part of MY christmas.

P.S. I'll be posting pictures of my sanats soon.

Take care and God Bless!

Happy Birthday, Ate Rose!

It's my sister Rose's birthday today, November 22. She's turning 29 this year (naks!) and I wish her all the best. She is the fourth child of our late parents, Oning & Edith Banares. Happy Birthday!

Pictures of Ma & Pa

I recently came across some old pictures of mama and papa when i was hunting for my old christams decorations at our new home in Marikina. It was fun to take a trip down memory lane. I discovered that breaks like this don't come often, and that we are often too busy with our own daily undertakings to just really take the time off and reminisce. So join me for a trip down memory lane.

Mama Edith & Papa Oning at our house in Project 4

At our "garden" in project 4 with mama, ate ruth and ate ruby

At a wedding reception with an unidentified companion

At the children's playground in Luneta (quite obvious, di ba?)

L-R: Nunik, Papa with Miel, Kats, Mama Edith, and yes, that's me, far right

ANGELICUM ILOILO SHINES AT CHRISTMAS

Angelicum School in Jaro, Iloilo is not just an educational institution but an historical monument as well. The school occupies 16,200 square meters along MacArthur Drive, Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo. The school's main building is an old mansion which is considered one of the most bueatiful structure sin Iloilo, noted for its mixed Spanish-y Don American architecture. It was built in 1937 by Don Emiliano Lizares who married Conchita Gamboa.

During World Ward II, the mansion was occupied by the Japanese forces and became the HQ of the japanese kempetai. In 1950, Don Emiliano died and his wife left for Manila. The mansion was leased to a Jaro businessman who convereted it into a casino. The City government later closed down the Casino. In 1962 it was sold by the family of Don Emiliano Lizares to the Dominicans and later became Angelicum School in 1978.

Come Christmas season, the mansion is bedecked with colored light that outline the mansions' popular structure. Residents of JAro look forward to the opening of the lights.

CONGRATULATIONS, MANNY PACQUIAO!

Manny Pacquiao made the Philippines proud when he knocked out worthy opponent (and good friend) Eric "El Terible" Morales in the thrid round of the Grand Finale Showdown at Las Vegas, Nevada yesterday, November 19. The greater manila area was traffic free and crime free for the better part of the morning as people eagerly awaited to see who will finish the thrid installment of the Pacquaio-Morales bout. It is surprising that many if not all sporting analysts predicted the bout to end by the tenth round, and some even speculating that Morales will win by points. Pacquaio proved these naysayeers wrong, however. Filipinos all over the world celebrated this victory of the Pacman. Manny, Congratulations!

Rizal enshrined in Chinaas gift to the Philippines

By Chelo Banal-FormosoInquirer News Service

A NEW YEAR'S gift from the People's Republic of China to the Philippines "is a great symbol of the 1,000-year-old friendship between our two nations," House Speaker Jose de Venecia remarked during the inauguration of the Rizal Park on Jan. 23 in the Siongque village of Jinjiang City, Fujian province in China.De Venecia, who headed the Philippine delegation, further said that, "This Rizal Park in China helps elevate the status of our Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal as a hero for the whole Asian region."The Rizal statue is enshrined in a 5-hectare park built and named in his honor. And the monument made of the world-famous Jinjiang granite stones, stands at 18.61 meters high, taller than the 12-meter high Rizal statue in Luneta, Manila.

Biggest outside RP

Built along a new 10-lane highway in rural Fujian and envisioned to be the biggest Rizal shrine outside the Philippines, the park will be the site of a massive Rizal museum and library. It is expected to be a must-see among the Filipino-Chinese, 80 percent of whom, like the national hero, can trace their roots to the Fujian province.The national hero is the direct descendant of Chinese trader Cua Yi Lam, who immigrated from Siongque ("Zhang-Guo" in Mandarin Chinese) to the Philippines in the latter part of the 17th century. Church records show that Cua Yi Lam was baptized Domingo Lamco at the age of 35 in Manila in 1697 and that his birthplace was Siongque village in China.ProgenyHe eventually moved from the Parian district of Manila to establish his family and his business in Laguna. He married Inez de la Rosa, daughter of another trader who immigrated from China.To spare his progeny from the Spanish regime's anti-Chinese policies, he changed the family name to Mercado. Domingo's son Francisco had a son named Juan, who in turn had a son whom he also named Francisco.One of Francisco's sons, Jose Rizal Mercado, had to drop the family name when he entered the Ateneo because of his elder brother Paciano's close ties with the martyred Fr. Jose Burgos. Rizal turned out to be poet, novelist, physician, linguist, patriot, martyr and hero. The rest is history.FundingTo return Rizal to his roots, the Jinjiang city government put up 10 million yuan (about 62 million pesos) to fund the Rizal Park while Filipino-Chinese business and civic leaders under the coordination of Tulay Foundation chair Manuel Chua, donated 2 million yuan (about 12.4 million pesos).Filipino-Chinese business and civic leaders, notably Philippine Airlines chair Lucio Tan and Chua, spearheaded the fundraising for the Rizal shrine project.The groundbreaking for the Rizal Park in 2000 was led by then President Joseph Estrada and his Cabinet secretaries.Some 56 Rizal clan members and members of the Knights of Rizal were invited to grace the groundbreaking.Filipino delegationDe Venecia led the wreath-laying ceremony honoring the national hero with Chinese officials Gong Qingkai, Jinjiang city mayor and party secretary, and Xue Zuliang, chair of the People's Congress of Jinjiang City.Also in the Philippine delegation were Consul General Corazon Bajin, Rep. Roque Ablan, National Historical Institute chair Ambeth Ocampo, the Tarlac-based descendants of Rizal's sister Soledad, officers of the Knights of Rizal and Filipino-Chinese leaders and businessmen.Warm welcomeCity officials and schoolchildren welcomed the Philippine delegation with festive buntings and music.After the floral offering at the foot of the newly constructed monument, the delegation walked to the inner village to visit the small one-room house with red-tile roofing that Rizal's great, great grandfather once called home. There the descendants of Soledad Mercado-Quintero lighted joss-sticks and paid homage to their Chinese ancestors.Natividad M. Mendoza, granddaughter of Soledad, brought seven members of her family, including her son Genaro, who is currently mayor of Tarlac City, Nereo C. Mendoza, Virlane Sta. Ana Mendoza, Josefina B. Malvar, Stella Nimfa B. Mendoza, Ana Barbara B. Mendoza, Natividad M. Mendoza, Jose Noel Malvar Mendoza, Amelia Digna Malvar Mendoza and Maria Carolina B. Mendoza.

Halloween na naman!

When i was still working in angelicum, i had this little tradition at the office come halloween -- i have this little display of halloween horrors. I miss the times when the teachers (especially my classmates in College) and Miss Mercy (from the playhouse dept.) would bring the kids up to the office to see the ghoulish displays. I miss that part of halloween so much that this halloween, i plan to revive that tradition at our house. Haaay Halloween daw is for the young -- and also for the young at heart like me...

Congratulations, Miel!

My niece Carmella, known to all as Miel, will be graduating from college this October, in La Salle no less, with a degree in International Studies majoring in French. To Miel, Kudos! We are all so proud of you!

MILENYO RAVAGES LUZON

Milenyo, The strongest typhoon to hit the country since Typhoon Rosing, ravaged the enitre Luzon grid last week, causing damage to properties amounting to over a billion pesos. Clansters from all over Luzaon have their own harrowing experience of the typhoon, which destroyed homes and properties where it hit. In cavite, our clansters, the family of Tio Job, were severely affected by the typhoon. Floodwaters destroyed their clothes and properties and have since sought the assistance of the clan for relief. Please coordinate with your relatives on how to contribute to the cavite relief fund.