CHINESE BRUSHSTROKES

My sister and her group from Ayala Museum's Chinese Brushstrokes recently participated in the Reposo Arts Festival held along Reposo St. Makati last May 28-29. Her group also went on Exhibit at the GSIS Museum on the eve of the Chinese New Year. Here are some of her pictures.



Clockwise, from top left: My Sister (ASVP of Customer Service, MERALCO) with her painting at the RCBC Tower in Makati; Her painting framed in a silk scroll; 2 variation of landscape chinese paintings.

FLAG DAY

In recognition of National Flag Day, mapangurirat.blogspot.com salutes the philippine flag! MABUHAY ANG BANDILA NG MALAYANG REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS!

WHO IS SANDRA CAM?

While most of the media are having a field day with the allegations of whistle-blower Sandra Cam, the Philippine Daily Inquirer's issue today included a small backgrounder on this so-called heroine from Bicolandia. Cam is a native of the little-known town of Batuan inMasbate. She is the 9th in a brood of 10, was schooled at the Batauan Elementary School, Alindogan High School and took up journalism at ta university in Manila, based on reports from Camp Simeon Ola in LEgaspi City.

This woman, who is so self-righteous as to appear so untainted after the fact that she is the bag woman of jueteng in Bicol is not only, in my opinion, sa nut case but a serious threat to the stability of the nation. No amount could ever equal this woman's desire to be placd in the pedestal of people's admiration. A brave fighter, they say? I dare say NOT. This woman, for all her alleged high-level knowledge is nothing more than a woman who is after recognition and nothing else.
Her statement is no different from so many alleged jueteng brokers or bag-persons since the time of Cory Aquino. These are all rehashed by some disgruntled political entity whose cling to power slowly eroded by the legal and constitutional mandate received by GMA. Sure, GMA is not perfect, she has her flaws, but that is the nature of a human being. After all that has been said and done, GMS, despite her shortcomings and despite all the coups and rebellions and revolutions thrown against her still remains standing --- a proof hat her mandate is founded solidly on the people whose sole wish it is for her to stay on until her term expires. As for Cam, go home. You are no more than a patsy in this political game. What will you have gained after everything you have done? nothing. You will lose your friends, your family will abandon you, no one will dare hire you --- and all because you tried to peddle a lie and tried to destroy the president. BY the way, don't accuse Mike Arroyo of being a jueteng lord. If you have done research, you would've found out that the Tuazons and Arroyos are already rich --- landed rich. They belong to the old rich. The areas of Ateneo, Loyola Heights and some parts of Marikina used to be part of Hacienda Tuazon. They have lots of money... they don't need to engage in jueteng. Some, on the other hand, would peddle lies and untruths just to get a few million pesos. tsk. For shame!

NEVER-ENDING COUP PLOTS

It's getting to be outrageous the way some people are ganging up on the present administration. What else can you say about scandals that spring up simultaneously, allegedly involving the president to some jueteng scandal or an audio recording instructing who-knows-what of who-knows-where to cheat in the presidential elections? It's getting to be so obviously orchestrated that people are already shaking their heads in dismay at the way some politicians and opposition people can't accept that their time to shine has come and gone. Now, rumors abound that there's a coup-de-etat in the offing, and it is allegedly being led by a has-been general who would have a hard time wearing a kevlar suit. I think the only reason that this general has not yet been arrested is probably due to the fact that the geriatrics ward of the bilibid isn't ready for him yet. Abat is one general who really wants to be leader of the nation but the position has elluded him and disillusioned him. These never-ending coup plots, destabilization talks and other habalabishpala about ousting La Gloria is doing the nation and the economy a great disservice.

One Last Story: TIME OF THE GREAT JUBILLEE

By Orly Punzalan
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Rodel's note: I was searching the web for a picture of our tatang orly when i stumbled upon this article from kerygma. I hope you like it. It was written by Tatang himself.
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The Year 2000. The Great Jubilee Year. For the Catholic Church, it is a time of great blessing, a time for "abundant remission and pardon of sin," a time of forgiveness.

And indeed, countless accounts on forgiveness have been going around, some of them used by our priest-friends during their homilies. A favorite recount was that of Fr. Basilio David, the Rector of the Our Lady of Counsel Seminary in Apalit, Pampanga. Fr. David was a personal friend. I first met him when I entered this seminary way back in 1954, and for the three years I was with him, he has taught us the real essence of forgiveness. This man was known to breathe, walk, and eat forgiveness.

Three years ago, Fr. David was asked to go to the United States in order to solicit funds for the seminary. While there, he was assigned as Parish priest of the St. Bonaventure Parish in Ohio. One evening, as he was closing the church doors up, a black man came and pointed a gun at him, demanding that he hand over all of the church's money.

"But I don't have money in here," Fr. David said, as he tried to keep a straight face despite the danger. With that remark, the hijacker got upset. Sensing that the robber had been agitated, Fr. David prayed not for personal protection but for the Lord to forgive his marauder.

As the kind priest was praying, the thief staunchly aimed his weapon on the seemingly helpless Fr. David and pulled the trigger. Click! He pulled the trigger a second time. Click! On his third try, the gun still wouldn't go off. The man just stood there perplexed. Suddenly, he found himself handing his gun over to Fr. David, and between uncontrollable sobs, the would-be perpetrator ended up asking for forgiveness and telling Fr. David his problems.

Recognizing sincere remorse on the part of the black man, Fr. David offered to pray for the thief. After that, he called 911, and handed the man over to the authorities, appealing to them not to book the man, but rather assist him so he would stay off the streets.

This story may not have happened during the time of the Great Jubilee. But then again, should forgiveness be conferred only every fifty years?

BACACAY

here are some pictures of my hometown bacacay, albay, where the Banares Clan hail from. hope you like them. The next time you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila, don't go flying off to Boracay or Bohol... Luzon has something better to offer. Wow Albay!


Luzon's newest tourist destination: MISIBIS ISLAND BACACAY


Misibis island with view of Mayon Volcano (photo by Wow PHilippines)


Bacacay's Cagraray Island (one of many islands in the Town of Bacacay)


(Top: Photo of the Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados of Bacacay)
(Bottom: The remnants of the Spanish Watch Tower "Roca Baluarte")

SBN 21

Whoever it was that said time flies fast wasn't kidding. Only a week ago, i was in Bataan and then Baguio with a group of friends. The 4 days spent outside Manila did wonders for me. As you know, i recently resigned from angelicum college. I submitted my resume to SBN 21 before i left for Baguio, and while i was in Baguio, i got the call for an interview. So i went to the interview this monday not knowing what to expect, and a day later, i found myself starting work here at the Southern Broadcasting Network. I must admit that the task at hand is daunting, but i also have to admit that it is challenging. Re-learning marketing techniques and developing models and frameworks for marketing strategies almost sounds ominous, but hey, i love a good challenge. I was told i will be assigned to our tarlac station, but so far, it's all training ang re-learning everything i learned and decided to forget in college. Until my next misadventure, adios.

hehehehehehe wala lang. tagal na ko di nag-blog kaya nagpaparamdam lang ako sa inyo.

ITS HARD TO SAY GOODBYE

As i was preparing my stuff to take home from the office, i realized that Angelicum has been my second home for more than half my life and that leaving it means leaving my second family behind-- the angelicum family. But as they say, we all have to move out sometime and that time is NOW for me.
I will miss all the wonderful people who made my stay in Angelicum the most memorable. Don't worry, i will still be the "doting father of the alumni" as one student called me. For now, this is just farewell, and not goodbye. When we see each other again, i hope that we are better off than when we last parted.
So long, Angelicum, until we meet again.

PRAYERS FOR THE HOLY FATHER

Catholics around the world are waiting and praying for Pope John Paul II, but Vatican officials concede he is nearing the end of his long, illustrious life. During a Mass for the pope's health, the vicar of Rome, said John Paul had "abandoned himself to the hands of Christ." In Poland, thousands gathered, many holding candles, in Krakow to honor their countryman.

Millions of Catholics around the world paused Friday to offer prayers for Pope John Paul II in hopes the ailing pontiff will recover.
As dusk fell, thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, where officials held a rosary service under the spotlights.
Lights burned in the papal apartments, high above the square.
At St. John Lateran Church in Rome, a special Mass was said for the pope's health. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar of Rome, said John Paul II had "abandoned himself to the hands of Christ, with whom he has always lived, worked, suffered and had joy."
"We are taken over by an immense gratitude toward the man and toward God," Ruini said. "And now, as we pray for him, we hold on the will of God."
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I enjoin my fellow roman catholics to pray for the Holy Father John Paul II during this time of hardship. The Holy Father has come to symbolize spiritual strength amid physical weakness. He has become, in the truest sense, the light of the world.

pls contact me

will the ff. people, if you ever do visit my site, get in touch with me? thanks! :)

PEARLY LASAM
MARK AQUINO
CASTER BACLIG
OLIVER AREOLA
YANCY AQUINO

remembering papa

ONESIMO SALAZAR (LIM) BAÑARES - 1929 - 2004

Today, March 2, 2005 is the first death anniversary of my father, Atty. Onesimo Salazar (Lim) Bañares. He was born February 16, 1929 in Tinocauan, Albay. He studied elementary in Tabaco City and Bacacay. He then went to Manila to study at the Cosmopolitan College in Sta. Cruz. He took pre-law and law at the Manuel L. Quezon University and Quiapo. He worked as legal Officer of Mantrade Philippines before transferring to First United Bank under Don Jose "Pepe" Cojuangco. He later went on to become the head of the legal department of United Coconut Planters Bank. When he retired in 1983, he put up his own private law practice, specializing in labor and land law. For a time, he partnered with two brilliant lawyers namely former Judge David Libongco and former Senator Francisco "Comong" Sumulong. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2003. He was in and out of the hospital bewtween November to Febraury of 2004. He passed away March 2, 2004, less than a month after his 75th and last birthday.

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What i remember most about my father are our conversations inside the family car. That thirty or so minutes from the house to the office was enough time for us to share each other's ideas of the latest events in politics, the family and any other topic of our choosing. Our conversations became longer when he had water from his lungs removed, which meant i had to drive him from the house to the courts and back again. It was inside the car during our drives that we bonded, and we were able to discuss things about life and the future. In October of 2003, during one of the last hearings he would be able to attend, he talked to me about how he was content about his life and that one thing i should never have are regrets. He told me that the past is the past and that instead of lookking back frequently, we should set our eyes to the future. This were his words of wisdom to me. I think he knew he was dying, for i am sure he felt his body growing weaker as days progressed. My father and i don't often agree on anything, but the precious conversation time inside the car got me to know my father better than most of my siblings. Things are not the same without my father, for as i drive myself to work, i long for our conversations, the witty repartee, the eschange of ideas, the anecdotes about family members and any topic under the sun. I console myself with the fact that though it may seem that i have an empty void in my heart because he is gone, he is never truly gone from my heart. Papa, I miss you and i love you.

Renewing old ties

I was in my office, going over some files, when the head of our security entered the office and told me that last week, a former classmate dropped by and was looking for me. Since i did not report for work last week, he left a contact number. It turned out that my visitor was no less than my old high school classmate and "dance of joy" partner Rommel Cabalu. It was a pleasant surprise, especially since we haven't seen each other for about fifteen years. I was able to talk to him on the phone and i encouraged him to join our e-group. I must admit that high school wasn't exactly memorable for some of our classmates. Some were the butt of jokes and still some were the object of continuous bullying and other "harmless" pranks. In hindsight, i think this is the reason why our batch can never truly asseble together as one group. SOme don't feel comfortable with the fact that they might still be the butt of jokes and others simply harbor ill feelings. In fact, the strain is evident if you look at our grouping system. I belonged to the lowest group (Group 4) while my elementary buddies belonged to the top two groups. I think it is important for us to reach out to our batchmates, especially those we may have done wrong to, in order for old wounds to heal. Only then can we truly be one solid group, when we learn to reach out and bridge the differences that once kept us apart.

my resignation

For everybody's information, yesterday, march 1, I submitted my formal letter of resignation as head of the Office of Public Relations of Angelicum College effective end of March. However, I was asked to stay on until the end of May, enough time, they told me, to get my affairs at work settled and enough time to train my replacement before i leave. As courtesy to my boss and alma mater, i acceeded to their request. So officially, i will remain head of the PR Dept. until the end of May. To the Angelicum community, thank you for all your support! :)

To the students and alumni, continue to seek the truth, stand for what is right, live for justice and grow in love. We, the alumni, are ambassadors of the Angelicum Non-Graded System of Education to the world. We are living proof that the system works. Mabuhay kayong lahat!

more bataan pics

here are more pics from our bataan trip with the gang. Hope you guys like it! :)


L-R: Pooh, Jaypee, Des, Liz, yours truly (Rodel) and Zach


The drunken master meets the Diva of Palanan


The Guy and Pip revival -- Jackie and Popo

trip

Ewan ko ba kung ano ang pumasok sa utak ko at ito pa ang naisip ko isulat, pero diba it’s good to reminisce about the good old days talaga. I remember, madalas kami mag trip nila Jackie, Pooh, Nigel, Andrei, Shirly and Anton (in the next few months we were joined by Des, Luwi, Nikki, Cherry, TJ and Ferdz). This was during the time na hindi pa uso ang cellphone pero kami ni Jack and Pooh naka cell na. Islacom pa ang uso non and instead of SMS, we had built-in pagers sa phone. Lahat kami sa barkada love to eat. Pag lunch, we would go to our favorite Chinese resto, Han Pao along Banawe. Later on, may theme na ang lunch namin… we would go out in search of the best lugao, dimsum, halo-halo etc. At syempre, di nawawala ang inuman (after all, mga nasa edad na kami no’n). We had a favorite watering hole called “Saella” and during our breaks, we would go to Saella to drink and sing (I think that was the first time I saw a videoke machine hehehe). Most of the time we would


picture taken during the barkada xmas party (dec. 22 2005)

attend our last class “tipsy” (o di ba, hindi drunk). Pag walang pang-Saella, we would make do with Jojo’s pushcart (yung tindero ng softdrinks at yosi sa harap ng Angelicum). We would buy Tanduay at iinom kami ng patago (madalas tanghaling tapat kami kung uminom). As the years progressed, nagbago ang trip ng tropa… balik sa pagkain… di na masyadong malakas uminom (ows!). Naalala ko pa nga, minsan may pinag-awayan pang isang lalaki si Cherry and Nikki that ended in a cat fight outside the Biak-na-Bato gate. Maraming issues na dumaan, pero andito pa rin kami. Marami na ring nadagdag sa barkada, at may mga nawala rin sa sirkulasyon, pero may mga pagkakataong nabubuo rin kami, though not as often as we would have wanted. We still go out, we still travel out-of-town, and we still meet regularly. So pwede talagang sabihin na what is constant sa Lahat ng pangyayari is the barkada. Until now, kami kami pa rin ang nagkikita, nagkwekwentuhan, nag aasaran, nag tatampuhan, gumugimik at kung ano-ano pa. Yan ang tunay na trip namin, ang isa’t isa… And if, as the saying goes, we are judged by the friends we keep, then I can say with pride that I am a very lucky guy.

cutie piggies!

wala lang. di ba kayo natutuwa sa aking dancing piggies??? aren't they adorable??? :) They were given to my sister by our former neighbor Joy and pinarami ko sila... :) hehehehehe wala lang... aliw!

all i can offer

There comes a point in someone’s life when he feels completely and utterly helpless-- the feeling that your hands are tied and cannot do anything to help a friend. You know who you are and I really feel for you. I can understand how painful it must be but I think only you can say how much it actually truly hurts. I know the feeling when you think about a problem and your heart feels like it is being squeezed of all its life and all you can do is accept it. You find it hard to breathe, and you feel like you're going to die. I know that feeling for i have been through that, too. Honestly, it pains me to see you in pain, and it hurts me to see and hear you cry, but I will never shy away from my responsibility of being there for you when you need someone to listen or when you need someone to cry with. I have nothing to offer you, my friend, except a guarantee that I will always be by your side, always ready to hold your hand and give you my shoulder to cry on. I will be there when evening comes and loneliness sets in. I will be there when you want to shout out loud, or when you just want to stare silently into the void. I will be there when you feel like talking or if you need someone to just listen. I will be there with you long after you heal, and I will be there even after you’ve been given the peace you so richly deserve. I will gladly take your place and carry your burden if only to see you truly happy. This is all I can offer you, my friend. I hope that is enough.

mahal kita

pssssst!

Busy ka? Naku, mukha nga...Tagal na nating di nagkikita ah... Tagal mo na akong di dinadalaw...Alam mo miss na kita... O, sino yang nagtext sa iyo?... Buti pa sa kanya nakakapag-reply ka kaagad...Napansin ko na ang dami mong ginagawa talaga... Ang dami mo ring things-to-do diyan sa filofax mo ah! Mapangarap ka talaga noh?...Ang dami mong plano... Nakakatuwa naman na malaman yan. Kasama ba ako sa plano mo? Ano? Naku di ka agad makasagot... Sige okay lang alam ko naman kung ano talaga sagot mo..Nakita kita nung Friday, aga natapos ng trabajo mo. Alam mo ba, ang akala ko pupuntahan mo ako. Ooppss! Hindi pala! Gigimik pala kayo ng mga officemates mo. Late ka ng nakauwi ah? Naghintay ako sa'yo. Pagpasok mo sa kuwarto mo, di mo ako napansin... Haaay! Kawawa ka naman...Siguradong kinabukasan masakit ang ulo mo at tanghali ka na gigising... Ang dami mong lakad, naghihintay ako na tayo naman ang maging magkasama kaya lang sa dami ng schedules mo sa labas parang malabo talaga... O sige na, balik ka na sa work mo. May ginagawa ka pa yatang importante at magche-check ka pa ng iba mong e-mails. I might be eating too much of your time. Maging dahilan pa ako para masira ang plano mo sa araw na ito... Gusto ko lang sabihin sa'yo na nandito lang ako kapag kailangan mo ako...Paghindi ka na busy. Totoo yon! Walang biro!Ayaw mong maniwala? Ganon kita kamahal kasi! Ayaw mo pa ring maniwala? Remember this, kahi singit lang ako lagi sa buhay mo, kahit biglaan molang na natatawag ako dahil nagulat ka, nasaktan ka,nauntog ka o dahil part ang pangalan ko nungbinabasa mo sa text, YOU will be in my heart always... Trial after trial isipin mo kasama mo ako na lumalakad, hindi man sa buhangin, kasama mo pa rin ako... Sa lahat plano mo, kahit hindi mo ako kasama I would like you to know that I am the one perfecting it... Para mas maging masaya ka... Minsan tayo naman ang mag-usap ha? Minsan ako naman ang dalawin mo...Miss natalaga kita eh... Sa akin hindi ka singit lang...

nagmamahal,

JESUS

P.S.

Paki post uli ha para naman malaman ng iba kung gaano ako nanabik sa kanila... pero hindi kita pinipilit... at tsaka gusto ko lang sabihin sayo na MAHAL NA MAHAL KITA!!!"

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sa orihinal na gumawa nito, thanks! mejo binago ko lang ng kaunti ksi di na kmi estudyante. :)

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bataan trip

This weekend will forever be etched in my memory as one of the most unforgettable trips out of town with my friends. The fiesta in Hermosa, Bataan was, to say the least, amazing. We left manila at around 6 am of the 29th and stayed til after lunch of the 30th. The hospitality of our hosts (the family of Cong. Ronnie Zamora) was overflowing and so was the food. Their place is great, and so are the people who attended to our needs. Special thanks to Mrs. Zamora


sunset over bataan (photo from virtual tourist)

who showed us that filipino hospitality is alive and well in this part of luzon. The girls, of course, will never forget the trip for another reason which i will not state in this blog. This must be said of the people of hermosa: they know what having a fiesta is all about! alimasag, fish, chicken, pork, veggies, the works! Siempre, di nawala ang kantahan and the barkada got to sing to their heart's content. We stayed up til around 1 or 2 in the morning. the thing i really enjoyed most, of course, was spending quality time with my friends, which we no longer have the luxury of doing as often as we want to. Pooh was ever the songster, while the jackie was the official photographer. Popo supervised the cooking of food, des was the diva of the fiesta, and liz... well, liz proved to be real good company. Cowboy (or cowgirl) ituh. I am really looking forward to next year's fiesta in Hermosa!