Enjoying LIFE in Rural Philippines

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Appeal to conscience... from YOUNGBLOOD of INQUIRER.net

YOUNGBLOOD
Appeal to conscience
By Reinna Maraya I. Bien
Inquirer
Last updated 01:25am (Mla time) 04/14/2007

This letter is addressed to celebrities running for public office:

What are you doing? Ego and lust for power aside, do you honestly believe you can significantly contribute to the well-being of the country? I mean, really?

If you want to help the poor, then start a non-governmental organization that will help them help themselves. Don't let them forever bank on the screen hero's promise of salvation.

You say you want to improve the condition of the Philippine film industry? Then make good movies, don't run for Senate.

Your heart feels for the Filipino sportsmen? Then impart your knowledge and skills to kids who have great athletic potential. Don't attempt to write laws when you don't even have a high-school diploma under your belt.

I'm sure somebody has said this to you before, but in case you weren't listening, let me repeat it: You don't have to be a congressman or a senator to accomplish all those things you claim as your reasons for running. Consider Bono, the lead singer of U2 and humanitarian extraordinaire. Over the years, the Irishman, who was recently knighted, successfully spearheaded a movement that erased the debts of some of the world's poorest countries. He has campaigned against world poverty, promoted fair trade, raised money for victims of hurricane "Katrina." He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice. And he has accomplished all these without holding public office. Why can't you be smart enough to follow his example?

Let me clarify that I didn't write this to belittle actors in general. I know there are those who took great lengths to prepare themselves before running for office (and by prepare I don't mean memorizing the "If you vote for me…" speech your assistant made for you, but actually studying and familiarizing yourself with at least the basics of public office). This open letter is an appeal to the conscience of celebrities running for high positions in the government who have no experience in public office or knowledge of the basics of legislation or public administration. Yes, you may have the purest of intentions, but be wise enough to realize that sometimes the desire to do something good isn't enough; you have to back it up with experience and solid knowledge, too.

I know that we are in charge of making our own destiny, but we can't escape the fact that the laws and policies our leaders make have a significant effect on our future. And as much as I admire your movies and respect your achievements as athletes, I do not want you running my country and my future for me.

P.S. I don't know if you came to the decision to run for office on your own or if you had people making the decision for you, but it's not yet too late to back out.

Reinna Maraya I. Bien, 23, is a writer for a PR agency.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Is there a bright side to surgery? ... from YOUNGBLOOD of INQUIRER.net

YOUNGBLOOD
Is there a bright side to surgery?
By Kenneth Raymond Diaz
Inquirer
Last updated 00:59am (Mla time) 04/12/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- For the second time in my short life, i have to undergo surgery. Thinking about it depresses me greatly. So to pump my optimism, I'm trying to figure out if there is a bright side to surgery.

My doctor calls the procedure a "radical neck dissection." They'll be making a cut starting from below my left ear and curving down to the base of my neck then back up to the other ear. Then they'll lift the skin off my neck and remove any bad lymph nodes they come across.

It has occurred to me that the procedure would make me look like a biology class experiment. I would be like the poor unsuspecting frog we plucked out from his happy corner of the marsh back in high school for the education of future doctors and surgeons. That experiment was an eye-opener for me. It convinced me once and for all that I could never be a surgeon. (I wonder now how my surgeon did with his frog. I pray he did well.)

To cheer me up, I try to convince myself that the procedure would be simple and straightforward. But when I first talked to my surgeon, he said it would actually take twice as long (about four hours) and be more extensive than my first surgery. The word that caught my attention was "extensive." Until then, I didn't know how an ordinary word could sound so scary. Four hours is a long time! And the chances of things getting screwed up I don't even want to contemplate.

After going back to my surgeon for a final talk before surgery, I received a real shock about the risks involved. I had heard that one side effect would be that the skin around my neck will lose sensation -- maybe for the rest of my life. When I asked him if this was true, he said that was "part and parcel" of the risks because some nerves will be severed when they lift the skin off my neck.

That was already bad, but when I asked if there were any other risks, he said that there was also the possibility -- though uncommon -- that the nerve that allows me to move my shoulders would also be severed. So what am I getting into? If numbness was bad, this is a lot worse.

Am I scared? No, I'm not scared. Terrified? No, not terrified. "Terrified" only half describes how I feel. (Maybe, terrified times two?)

But what options do I have? There are only two right now: (1) go through with the surgery and accept the risks, or (2) drop the whole thing and face the possibility of getting more seriously ill.

My mother has been urging me to take "herbal" supplements in the hope that it would cure my ailment. But let's face it, we really can't put our faith on such stuff, especially when their manufacturers claim they can cure all deadly diseases known to man. That is a lot of bull, and to me that makes their products no better than money-making schemes cleverly designed to give us hope and take us for a ride -- straight to perdition. To put one's trust completely on such things is to gamble with one's health. And since I am not a gambler, it has to be surgery then.

Then I asked my surgeon if any other possible complications could arise. He gave me a curious smile, and said no.

I had the sinking feeling that he was hiding something. Maybe he just didn't think it wise to tell me lest I get too much worried and call off the operation. Or was I just being paranoid?

As I sat there listening to my surgeon explain things, I wasn't even sure if I was hearing everything correctly. Part of me wanted to shout, to curse the world and to break everything in the clinic. Another part was slowly tugging me to a more passive yet curious state. I wondered what it would be like to shave with the numbness on my neck. (No more sting after putting on after shave lotion! Yehey!) How would I carry my backpack if I no longer have full control of my shoulders? Would it affect my basketball or ping-pong? It's a defense mechanism, I think, a mental anaesthetic to numb our feelings lest the pain cause us to lose our sanity.

Times like this make me evaluate the status of my faith, or can I really call it faith? I'm not even sure if I actually believe in what I say, how much more in the Object of my faith. So now that my circumstances call for me to re-ignite my faith, I'm not even sure if it is the right thing to do.

My motivations are suspect. Is it right to believe for the sake of my own sanity instead of believing purely for the sake of believing? Is it right to believe because it feels good to believe instead of believing because you are convinced of its truth? Is it right to believe simply because you fear the possible consequences of not believing, especially going to hell?

That's what makes faith such a tricky thing. The Bible defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This definition has an element of irrationality. You can believe (or say you believe) in something and either be considered a saint (if they agree with you) or a lunatic (if they disagree with you). Hmmm ... saints and lunatics, they could be the same really.

I've successfully kept the surgery a secret for some time now. Only a few people know of it. After hearing that I am taking a two-week leave of absence, my officemates have been asking what I am planning to do. Speculations range from the benign ("You're going on vacation? Bring us 'pasalubong' ha!") to the imprudent ("You're resigning? When's the 'despedida'?") and the ridiculous if highly imaginative ("You're getting married? Where will you be spending your honeymoon?"). Truly, man's imagination knows no bounds.

Upon hearing the truth, the inevitable question is bound to be, why? But I hate answering all the questions, which usually leads to even more questions, and so on and so forth. That would make me feel some more like some specimen placed under a microscope for analysis.

And there's always the chance that people will look at me differently, like I'm some freak show. The scar on my neck could define who I am for them.

But now that I think about it, what's the use keeping the operation secret? Assuming I come out of it alive, people will eventually notice the scar. I can't hide it forever, and I can't hide from it forever.

That's why, amid the depression, fear, paranoia, doubt and confusion, I need to find out if there really is a bright side to surgery, the proverbial silver lining in every cloud. Or if there is even a higher purpose to all this, real or imagined. I need to find a way to get through it intact. But up to now, I'm still trying to figure it out.

Kenneth Raymond G. Diaz, 24, is a software developer for an IT company in Cebu City.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Preaching... from YOUNGBLOOD of INQUIRER.net

YOUNG BLOOD
Preaching
By Mandy Malijan
Inquirer
Last updated 00:24am (Mla time) 04/10/2007

I AM a young religious and i belong to the Order of Preachers, more popularly known as Dominicans. I am studying at the Institute of Preaching at the Sto. Domingo Convent in Quezon City. What is interesting about this institute is it teaches students how to preach in the Philippine context. We took up both theoretical and practical applications in the first year of this masteral course.

During my high school years, I was awed by the preaching of Fr. Sonny Ramirez, OP and Fr. Larry Faraon, OP. But it was only when I entered the Dominican order, that I realized that they were Dominicans.

Although each of us has a unique way of proclaiming the Gospel, we need to discover in ourselves what it is to be a preacher. Not all people are called to the religious life, but we are all invited to be communicators of God's love and goodness in our own way.

While aspiring for the priesthood, I have this vision of becoming a good, effective, efficient and happy preaching priest. I hope that I will preach not only to the young but to all kinds of people, speaking words that will make a difference in their lives. Simple words but with an impact or, as we say in Tagalog, "Simple pero may dating."

Whenever I hear of persons who make a difference in their neighbors' lives, I am always amazed and I wonder if I would be able to do the same. Well, I have realized that it is quite possible but it entails a lot of effort.

Whenever I am asked why I entered the seminary, I reply that it is God's will and I am just responding to His call. This call began when I wondered if I could become a priest who preaches. My curiosity led me to knock at the door of the seminary.

It has been almost eight years since I entered the religious order, and I think I have become a better person. At the age of 21 it seemed like a dream come true for me when I entered the seminary. The experience was like going to heaven for me.

But this view changed quickly. I realized that seminarians were not angels but boys struggling to become holy. We usually pray in common, play in common, study and enjoy one another's company as part of being a member of a religious community. Struggles developed in one form to another. Sometimes, when I endure the formation, I feel as if I were praying like Jesus and saying, "If it is God's will, may it be done unto me."

The journey continues, despite its challenges. For difficulties are what make a preacher. I am happy I have survived.

As a student at the Institute of Preaching, which is part of our formation for the priesthood, I wonder what is it that makes a good preacher. Can preachers still attract the attention of the youth of today?

Preaching is defined as communicating God's word effectively. We hear a lot of speakers and politicians who would preach regarding their own self or about the common good. But do they really preach the good news?

We are all preachers in one way or another at one time or another. I am amazed by people who speak and become a great inspiration to their listeners. Preaching can either make or break a person. What we say could make others do good or bad. I pray that I will become a preacher who changes people for the better. It would be good to know that I can inspire people to be good.

We are living in a world of fast-changing technology. Communication becomes easier with the development of new gadgets, like the cell phone, Internet and a lot more.

Communication is a necessity. I am sad to know that most of our students lack communication skills, especially in English. Maybe it is because English is not our native language or perhaps the technological advances have made us lazy. Is there some way that we can be educated to become better preachers and speakers, communicating good values and not just knowledge?

We need good preachers, in the person of our parents, teachers, formators, directors, politicians, writers and others who at one time or another influence us and affect us. Politicians can be effective speakers, but do they always communicate the truth?

There are many preachers around us who tell us a lot of things. But are they good and effective preachers?

One survey asked churchgoers why they went to Mass. And one of the most frequent answers was to hear words of inspiration that could help change their lives. A politician promises a lot of things during the election campaign, but we have to ask ourselves if he can deliver on those promises. If he cannot deliver, then he cannot be a good preacher no matter how eloquent he is in his speech.

We need to see good works in order to speak about them. We cannot speak of something unless we know and experience them first. So being a young man, I still have a long way to go before I can become a good preacher. But with prayers and practice, I could get there a little faster. I hope all of us in the institute will turn out to be good preachers. The world cannot have enough of them.

Mandy Malijan, 28, is studying at the Institute of Preaching.

Galapagos Islands 'facing crisis'

Giant Galapagos tortoise (BBC reporter Andrew Marr is in the background - photo from 2002)

Galapagos species inspired Darwin's theory of evolution

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa has declared the Galapagos
Islands, home to dozens of endangered species, at risk and a national
priority for action.

The islands, Ecuador's top tourist draw, were suffering an environmental and social crisis, he said.

Mr Correa's call came as a UN delegation was visiting to see if the islands should be declared "in danger".

The Galapagos Islands were made a World Heritage Site 30 years ago for their unique plant and animal life.

"We are pushing for a series of actions to overcome the
huge institutional, environmental and social crises in the islands," Mr
Correa said, adding that these problems were the result of years of
neglect by previous governments.

He did not detail the measures, but indicated Ecuador
would consider suspending some tourism permits, Reuters news agency
reported.

Outcry

The islands, located some 1,000km (620 miles) off
Ecuador's mainland, are home to an array of species, including giant
tortoises, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas.

Some 20,000 people, working mainly in fishing and tourism, also live there.

The Galapagos Islands inspired naturalist Charles Darwin and helped him develop his theory of evolution.

Last month, several rangers of the ecological reserve in
the islands clashed with members of the Ecuadorean Armed Forces over
what the rangers say was illegal fishing in protected waters.

The incident provoked an outcry in Ecuador as it illustrated for many the practices which are damaging the site.

Mr Correa announced that a number of military officials had been suspended pending an investigation.

However, ecologists say the problems in the Galapagos run much deeper than the government has acknowledged.

They fear that a rapid increase in the human population
and the gradual introduction of external species of flora and fauna are
threatening the entire ecosystem on the islands.

Representatives of the UN's scientific, educational and
cultural body, Unesco, have travelled to their research station on the
Galapagos to inspect the state of conservation there.

Last month, a senior Unesco official warned of threats to the "fragile and delicate" ecology of the Galapagos.