TRUTH WON'T MAKE US RICH; IT WILL SET US FREE

Humans are gifted with potentials. We are capacitated to utilize reason in order to comprehend situations and occurrences, and to unearth unrecognized existing things.

Parallel to this, man is always inquisitive; hence he tends to question and investigate. This itch that tickles his mind drives him to always want to know... to know what is there - whether they be real or unreal. Eventually, it leads him to the point where he would crave to know what is truly real, and yearn to possess knowledge of what is the truth.

When man comes to know the truth, then he is freed from his prison. He is now released from the bondage of ignorance, and let loose from the shackles of wanting to know the truth. Then, I'd say that the truth sets us free.

But inasmuch as the truth is also "information," truth is also a commodity... It may be hoarded; it may be made available for purchase. As it is said, "information is power."

Therefore, the truth can both make us rich and set us free. But in the end, freedom is the essence of being rich!

SAXOPHONE CHRISTMAS

At around 7:25PM, I was heading to the bundy clock area to punch out already when the yuletide music flew into the air with soothing gentleness. The cold breeze that sweeps the place gave rise to a feeling of coziness that made me enjoy the calming sound the more.

I could not help but utter the lyrics as the soprano saxophone produced the melodious tunes of Christmas...

"Do you hear what I hear? A star, a star..."
"Silent night.. Holy night... All is calm, all is bright..."
"Go to sleep, do not cry..."
"I'll be home for Christmas..."

Hmmm, it brings back memories of childhood. Longing... Longing...

The Korean Diaspora: a 21st Century Demographic Phenomenon

From the Kingdom of Jumong....
To the rest of the world...
The Koreans are conspicuously present in the world's capitals...

Efren Peñaflorida: CNN Hero of the Year

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute
Hosted by Anderson Cooper. Kodak Theater, Hollywood, California.

2009 TOP 10 HEROES:
(Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/11/16/cnnheroes.tribute.show/index.html)

1. Brad Blauser
Brad Blauser is providing hope and mobility to disabled children and their families in Iraq. Since 2005, his Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids program has distributed nearly 650 free pediatric wheelchairs to children in need.

2. Roy Foster
Army veteran Roy Foster started Stand Down House to help veterans struggling with addiction and homelessness in Florida. Since 2000, his program has provided life-changing services to nearly 900 veterans.

3. Doc Hendley
Bartender Doc Hendley is providing clean water to communities worldwide. Through creative fundraising, his nonprofit Wine to Water has brought sustainable water systems to 25,000 people in five countries.

4. Andrea Ivory
Breast cancer survivor Andrea Ivory is bringing early detection to the doorsteps of uninsured women. With mobile mammography vans, her group has provided more than 500 free screenings in Miami, Florida.

5. Betty Makoni
Zimbabwe native Betty Makoni founded the Girl Child Network to provide a haven for young victims of sexual abuse. The organization has rescued more than 35,000 girls since 2001.

6. Jorge Munoz
School bus driver Jorge Munoz is helping hungry New Yorkers make it through tough times. Since 2004, he has handed out more than 70,000 meals from his mobile soup kitchen in Queens -- for free.

7. Efren Peñaflorida
Efren Peñaflorida gives Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. His Dynamic Teen Company's 10,000 members have taught basic reading and writing to 1,500 kids living in the slums.

8. Budi Soehardi
Budi Soehardi founded a children's home in one of the poorest areas of Indonesia. Today, Roslin Orphanage in West Timor provides food, shelter and education to more than 45 children.

9. Derrick Tabb
Derrick Tabb started The Roots of Music to give young people an alternative to New Orleans' streets. His music education program provides free tutoring, instruments and music instruction to more than 100 students.

10. Jordan Thomas
Jordan Thomas, 20, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, lost both of his legs in a boating accident in 2005. Since then, his Jordan Thomas Foundation has raised more than $400,000 to provide prosthetics for children in need.

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When Efren Peñaflorida came home to the Philippines, the whole nation was in jubilation. Two success stories in a row have captured Filipinos but also international onlookers. Should not the Filipino be proud? There's Manny Pacman Pacquiao the here comes Efren Peñaflorida! Both heroes in their own right!

Riding on the tide of a chanting population, President Gloria Arroyo awarded Efren the Order of Sikatuna. With wide smiles, many appreciated the gesture of the President to reward Efren's heroism. Thereafter, Efren also received a hero's welcome in his home province, Cavite.

Noteworthy. Inspiring. Heroic. These are but some of the adjectives we can draw to characterize Efren's feat as a "push-cart" teacher. I, for one, am hands down towards Kuya Ef's benevolence and kindheartedness. May the good Lord bless him a thousand fold; may Jesus enlarge his coast; may the merciful Heaven have mercy on his dear soul. Sana may mga umusbong pang katulad ni Kuya Efren.

However, this Filipino achievement brings out many issues that this blogger thinks need immediate action. Think of me as postmodernist if you want, perhaps a skeptic even, but I am convinced that beneath the surface of all these, lie a plethora of dilemmas that drag the Filipino consciousness down to unthinkable levels...

SHOULD GLORIA ARROYO BE HAPPY OR SHOULD SHE BE APOLOGETIC?

IS THE "CNN HERO" AWARD A RECOGNITION OF UNPARALLELLED FEAT OR IT IS A CONDEMNATION FOR THE POOR STATE OF PHILIPPINE EDUCATION?

IS EFREN PEÑAFLORIDA THE HERO OF THE COUNTRY OR IS HE THE HERO ONLY FOR THE KIDS HE AND HIS CO-VOLUNTEERS TEACH?

OBSERVATIONS:
1. Foreigners recognize Filipino achievements first; the Philippine government just echoes by also awarding merits thereafter. (Magaling talagang gumaya ang mga Pinoy, ganun ba yun?)

2. Palaging huli sa action ang gobyerno at nangunguna ang private sector. Tigilan na ang mga salita. Lumakad at gumawa para ang mga tao'y maniwala!

Korean Concert at SM City Baguio: A Showcase of Musicality and Youthfulness

Right after I dismissed my class at 5:30PM last friday (November 27, 2009), one of my Korean students approached me. He showed me a text message from their Korean classmate who was absent (for the 1st time) that day. The text was asking him to tell me that the texter is absent because he had a concert at 7PM that night at SM City Baguio. He was asking me to have him be excused and that he will present his excuse letter the following meeting. The last part of the message was an invitation for me to go and watch him perform in the concert.

After my last class (5:30-6:30PM), i went to the faculty room to ready my things and go. With a co-teacher, I headed to the bundy area to punch out.

We walked to SM through Assumption Road and then up along Session Road. We arrived early at the venue; to let time pass, we watched the fashion show for a while and then we went to the activity area and sat down...

After a short while, i saw approaching my classmate in the graduate school... He is the owner of Remnant International School, Campt 7, Baguio City. He sat on the chair beside me and we had a lively chat about the concert that is about to begin.

Then four Korean guys came out and took the stage quietly... I can barely recognize their faces... But when the spotlight was lit, it came clear... One of them was my student in the College of Dentistry, and another one is my student this semester. They are going to play the piano and the saxophone respectively.

I thought... "Wow, these guys must be musically gifted!" The first piece was like a birthday gift for me! It was my birthday on the 22nd of november, hehehehe... "Seng il chuk ha hamnida.... Seng il chuk ha hamnida..." (played on piano by Kim Kwang Rok).

Then "Kenny G" played his sax in a way that made the audience feel that they are in a fine dining environment.. Even my co-teacher said... "Sana may mga pagkain na dito." We could not but exclaim, "Ang galing naman ng mga ito."

The music was really great... It was soothing for a tired body; rejuvenating for a weary heart; inspiring for fallen soldier; comforting to a distressed soul. Especially the saxophone sound... Produced by the able and dexterous young musician, Kim Jiwon.

As I was listening to the smooth decibel from the instruments, i could not help but think... "Once in a while, man needs to immerse himself into the world of art... into music.. into the appreciation of aesthetics..." This would enable him to appreciate life more... This would allow him to find an additional dimension of existence... This would lead him to utter words of praise to the Great I AM... This would put him into an environment of calm and peace...peace both with himself, and with his God.

HOLOCAUST IN MINDANAO: IS ANDAL TO BLAME?

As per report by the late night newscast BANDILA of ABS-CBN (November 25, 2009), the number of bodies retrieved in Maguindanao has already reached 57. As the bodies were taken out of the hole one after another, this blogger cannot but be outraged by this barbaric act against humanity!

When the news reports have identified a buckhoe in the crime scene being owned by the provincial government, it becomes very difficult not to connect this loathsome scenario to the ruling clan in Maguindanao. In this view, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (including former Senator Rene Saguisag) suggested that there is sufficient basis for the immediate arrest of Datu Andal Ampatuan, Jr.

However, the DOJ Secretary gave a dissenting view when she said that there is not yet enough basis to consider the Andals as suspects.

Hmmm, whatever the truth may be, tingnan natin ang susunod na kabanata.

This terrifying event in the political history of the Philippines effectively cancels out in the pages of time the record of the province of Abra as the most dangerous place for politicians. In addition, it also merits Maguindanao to be branded as the new "most dangerous place for journalists" in the Philippines.

GLOWING LOLLIPOP IN SESSION ROAD

Trendy? or Just fad....
"IN"? or baka "jologs" naman! :)

While walking down session road in Baguio City last weekend after watching the UC-BCF marching band concert at SM, one item of merchandise caught my attention instantly. Though my ears were absorbing what companion was telling me (it was about what she has watched just minutes ago), my eyes were magneted to the sort of a glow-in-the-dark thing being paraded by young (mga bata talaga sila) vendors. Echoing in the noisy sidewalk were their calls for passersby to stop shortly and have a look at their items on sale. "Lolipap! Sampu langggg!!! Bili na po kayo!"

I inspected closely (with my eyeglasses on) lollipop met gayam, hehehehe! My companion wanted to buy but she felt awkward to get one. I had the same feeling too, hehehehe..

PANAGPAKADA... PANAGPALUBUS...

Ti kuna dagiti mamanakem, "adda panagpatingga ti amin." Kuna met daydi amak, "Awan ti tao a bimmato!"

Dagitoy a sasao ket isu da ti mangipasimudaag nga ti amin nga adda ket dumteng dan to iti pangpatengga... Nairamanen dita ti biag ti tao.

Idi napan a Sabado (16 ti mabilang iti daytoy a bulan ti Uktubre 2009), napanak dimmanggay a nanglinglingay ken nakipagladingit iti pamilya ti maysa a gayyem ko gapwen ta ti ingunguten da nga ina ket isu ti pimmusay. Ti karabiiyan daytoy nga aldaw ket isu met laengen ti kunada nga maudin a rabii ti pannakaimassayag ti bangkay nga banbantayan da gapu ta maitanemen daytoy iti sumarunu nga agsapa.

Nagbiyahe ak ngarud nga napan idiay Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya iti agarup alas once y media iti bigat; nagluganak iti maysa nga van idiay Dangwa terminal iti likod ti Center Mall. Nagluwas kami iti tingnga ti aldaw ket adda nga inkam tinurng ti Magsaysay Road sa kami nagpakannigid nga nagpa-Bokawkan Road idi makadanun kamin idiay Magsaysay flyover.

Iti apagdarikmat addan nga sursursuren mi ti Marcos Highway. Napintas ti mulagat ti init iti agkukuterter pay laeng nga siyudad maigapu iti kapalpalabas nga didigra nga isangpet ni Pepeng. Numanpay kasta, ti pudot nga itintinnag ti law-ang ket umanayen nga mangited iti namnama ken tured ti pakinakem para kadagiti nadangranan ken naawanan..

Ngem ti kinaranyag ti silnag ti init ket saan nga umanay tapno puraren na dagiti mata nga siririing iti kinapudno nga ti daga ket sugat sugat ket adda nga umar-arungaing iti sangkata'wan.

Riggaay ti daga iti ngatuen ti sementado nga kalsada to kumablaaw kenka apaman a sumrek ka iti sungadan ti Marcos Highway nga bumaba iti prubinsiya ti La Union. Bassit laeng ti napisang nga bakras iti umuna... ngen bayat nga pumarpartak ti taray ti lugan nga mangitunda kenka iti mapanam, ad-adda met nga mangngeg mo ti ikkis ti aglawlaw babaen kadagiti pitak ken bato nga naipenpen iti igid ti kalsada. Nakaal-alinggaget nga panunuten nu anya ken kasanu ti namsaakan ti napigsa nga sangit ti langit kadagiti napalabas nga al-aldaw.

Saan met nga mailisi iti panunot ti kasasaad ti maysa nga gayyem nga adda nga naulilan iti ipapanaw ti dungdungwen na nga ina. Kabayatan na nga innak matmatmatan dagiti bakras ti bantay a nasugatan, diak maikkat iti panunot ko nu kasanu na nga sarsarangeten iti agdama ti nasaem unay a pasamak iti biag na.

Ti dalan ket nawatiwat... Adda nga agikkis ti ubet iti napudut nga tugawan.. Ahehehehe! Ngem uray nu kasta, masapul nga anduran. Di tay dumteng iti pagturungan nu di tay sangwen ti karit ti ipapan.

Dimteng ti malem, dimteng ti rabii... Di napupuutan, dimteng kamin idiay Solano. Bimmabaak ngarud iti sangu ti McDonald's ta kunak nga mapanak agbiruk iti mabalin nga pangalaan iti pamedped iti nabisinan a tiyan.

Padaanan tayo ti tuloy na...

TUTORING

July 2009... Rainy season... A text message startled the hibernating screen of my mobile phone which was lying coldly on the desk...

"Sir, do you have tym for tutor?"
Typical Korean way of asking for help in English studies in the Philippines... What the....

With the busy schedule that I have, tutoring a Korean would be next to impossible. I paused for a while.... Thought of the proposal... Made a decision...

"Sorry, I got no time. Find another one." I made it really straightforward because this person was my student during the previous semester.

But the phone kept receiving follow-up messages. Eventually, because of the persistence of the sender, I replied. I asked for info. "Who is the tutee?"

"Not me, one korean professor wants to study with you, she live in our house, even me study sometym with you hehe"

I really took my time to think over this one! Hmmm, "professor"...? "Wants to study with me?" Could this be an opportunity for new learning experiences to take place?

Then another text message came in... "Sir, if you dont want its ok for me, i dont want you and my relationship is not good"

I realized that I've forgotten to reply.. It's already around 20 minutes past the last text I received.. Hmmm, what shall I say?

I eventually agreed to teach the Korean professor. I learned that she is a professor in Busan City, South Korea. She just came to the Philippines to hone her English communication skills.

When the UB suspended classes due to the threats of AH1N1, I took the chance to visit her and talk to her about the details of our tutorial sessions.

Her name is Mrs. Kim Mi Ra. She is a professor of recreational therapy. She is from Daegu City.

Note: The italicized texts are lifted verbatim from the SMS messages received by this blogger.

3:18 AM, August 1, 2009. CORY LEFT.

Early dawn. Snoring time for some, going-home time for others, mourning begins for the Aquino family...

In Baguio City, the sky is gloomy. As the day broke, the sun was never allowed by the persistently gloomy clouds to have even just short sight of the land below..

Cory magic coming to an end? Or it is the start of a sequel that would perpetuate the legacy of Asia's icon of democracy?

Pondering...

Noynoy Aquino... Gunning for the Presidency of the Republic of the Philippines.