"AS THE 'ENDO KING' ENDS CONTRACT WITH LIFE"

"AS THE 'ENDO KING'
ENDS CONTRACT WITH LIFE"

(Or: "Remembering Henry Sy Sr., 

his contributions, 'Endo', and exploitation")

As news reports mourned about his passing days ago, Henry Sy Sr. known as the man behind the largest chain of shopping malls in the Philippines, hath again became a major feature as papers been busy dealing about his contribution in the Philippine economy and society, what more about his life dealing with hard work, perseverance, and wit that brought success as a magnate.

However, for those who looked realistically about him, that man being praised about is the same man whom described as the "hallmark of Endo", if not titled as "Endo King" which apologists described as "labour optimisation" even it carrieth a lot of negative weight due to that shortened term itself: renewing workers’ contracts every five months, a scheme of hiring and firing workers, obviously to skip labor laws which provide a six-month minimum contract to entitle the workers to certain monetary benefits, including leaves with pay, and the right to form or join unions.

From this, undoubtedly make Sy, the nation's richest businessman, as the nation’s undisputed king of contractualization, lending credence to widely-held beliefs that for every great wealth, there’s a great crime behind as he personifies sheer capitalist greed coupled with a freeloading mindset, hence casting doubts on his often-told rags-to-riches story.

***

But come to think of this, for as some commentators, hearing both his "good" and "bad" sides of this known compradore, rather settled to provoke their reader's conscience by not necessary to discuss a known merchant's sins and instead praising his feats during his lifetime; sometimes they would say about his life as one of the best examples, and everyone did benefited from going to his mall buying or simply looking around and feeling its air-conditioned hallways, enjoying fastfood in every stall, anything that made Henry Sy's "ShoeMart" contemporarically known for. 

After all, there's nothing wrong in being rich. Unlike the Ayalas, Sorianos, and Cojuangcos who somehow started their wealth depending on the vast land tracts supported with privileges since the Spanish and American periods, Henry Sy Sr. started his wealth only in the 1950s after the Second World War, selling U.S.- made boots and supported by his relatives for quite some time as any other Chinese engaging trade. And from his first store (SM Carriedo) was built in 1958, followeth by his first supermall (SM North Edsa) was built in 1985, many huge malls carrying the SM brand sprouted around Metro Manila and in big cities in the provinces.
Quite nice isn't it? But what's wrong is when one became rich because one is either corrupt or took advantage of cheap labor, paying contractual workers three hundred pesos a day while earning billions half-a-day marketing, promoting, and enticing people to buy stuff; what more that he himself as one of those whom promoted crass consumerism for Filipinos- making the contemporary Filipino as short-term, material-driven, in making goals.

Yet there's no point in glorifying one's greedy life. The accumulation of wealth well beyond any practical need or any human capacity to truly appreciate is not to be admired. The compulsive hoarding of wealth hath becoming a mental disease that's shared by corrupt politicians and business magnates alike, trying to maintain prestige as possible by any means, while apologists, on the other hand, would refute such negatives through and through as would say that it can easily be surpassed by "positives" in the form of "ever-expanding job creation" and "business expansion by partner entrepreneurs".
But the question is: did it truly uplifted the working folk with those five-month contracts? At what cost did Henry Sy Sr., like all the privileged others who created pseudo-stories achieve so-called successes enough to hid the facts? Fine that malls been built and shaped the fates of those communities, but how about others such as how many trees did cut down, hills bulldozed, tenants evicted, and corrupt politicians enriched with payoffs? The scholarship programs and other acts called social responsibility are itself crumbs being thrown, a measure meant to skip taxes and duties as Filipinos.

***

Ideally, to employ thousands of people is itself admirable since the people employed enjoyed job security, proper wages, and better benefits, that allowed them to uplift their lives and prosper their communities; as one kid said:

"...well-like minded, compassionate businessmen and capitalists among the ruling elite in this country and I hope they can conscience their fellow to give something back to the poor and to help the country economically and to donate some of their riches to the Government in financing its programs..."

But reality says otherwise: for the order is itself a parasite, enriching its own off through the exploitation of other people's labor. The crumbs isn't enough for a suffering many, they will demand more than the cake but the kitchen itself.

All in all, the contract hath been expired. He hath just left the office called "life", but the question is, is his fame still riddled with his spooks?

Quiapo @ Night

Quiapo @ Night

Or "notes all after life around Quiapo and Jesus Nazareno at night"

For over four centuries, this historical and iconic miraculous statue of the Lord Jesus Christ carrying his cross, has become and emblem of passion, struggle, and faith for Catholics in the Philippines.

Enshrined in the famous "Basilica Minore", popularly known as "Quiapo Church", this life-sized statue hath survived the blazing fires that destroyed the church twice, two earthquakes, floods, and bombings during the Second World War.

However, for many, this statue, what more of the district where its shrine situated, is known for its yearly feast day on January 9, where millions of devotees gather from early morning to the next day, celebrating the feast by taking part in its spectacular procession, known locally as "Traslacion".

And like last year, the district shows its sacred yet colorful fervour. As this writer explored the place after work, stalls sprawled in every thoroughfare more than the usual: ranging those of yellow or maroon shirts featuring the face of the suffering Christ, of Religious statuettes to those of the usual herbal oils and rice cakes, the district has transformed into a one-day fair as people from all walks of life, united by devotion, converged to celebrate both in its spiritual and secular aspect that sometimes marred by heat, rain, and occasional drunkenness in the shortcuts.

And to think that with these instances, these challenges devotees face, be it carrying a replica and witness the festive event, or by reaching that centuries-old statue, this strong devotion has brought both praise and criticism, as one would observe the fervour of a devotee, withstanding the heat or the rain just to feel its faith burning. Pardon for some incorrectness occurred in this post, for as this person traversed the path there are devotees who are rather enjoying with each other's company drinking beer im the sidewalk like any other fiesta- and for sure it is quite worrying to some.

And in speaking of that fervour that drives these devotees to take the challenge regardless of the possible pain, as according to Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio, the rector of the shrine, that traslacion is more to do with following the footsteps of the Lord, as well as to commemorate a centuries-old transfer to Quiapo from its old shrine at Bagumbayan, today known as Luneta, in Manila.

“Traslacion” means the transfer of the Image of Black Nazarene. In a way it is imitating the Calvary experience: the sacrifice and suffering that our Lord endured for our salvation like when Jesus was walking barefoot, carrying the cross to Mount Calvary.

The devotees also want to give back to God by participating in the suffering of our Lord and entering into the Paschal mystery of Christ.

It is also commemorating the transfer of the image from Luneta to Quiapo, when we first received the statue in 1868. Since then, because of the many answered prayers, people have been celebrating the feast on January 9.

The barefoot procession of an almost 4.3-mile journey starts from the Quirino Grandstand at Luneta and snakes its way towards the narrow streets. Passing through the city’s winding roads, after 19 hours of spiritual euphoria, the procession eventually reaches Quiapo at the Basilica Minore de Nazareno. The devotees flood by to touch the image and throw cloths to touch the image, before receiving the cloths back.

Our culture is a culture of touch and, significantly, in a way we want to touch heaven."

But for the commoner who hath observed that said feast and its action, their action is but plain, simple "fanaticism" if not a cause for traffic jams and garbage. As shown by recent reports, there are people took time to criticise, much more of assail an adherent all because of their fervour, yet failing to understand the drivel behind their means just to get close to the lord through the Black Nazarene. True that there are instances of fisticuffs, of injuries, or even deaths amongst devotees; if not disregarding the advices of both Church and City officials to focus more on spiritual aspect through prayer what more of emphasising safety precautions during that jampacked event.

But still, it didn't diminish the fact that the devotion as growing for years, as once can see the effect of the devotion that includes bringing out more compassion despite the instances saidth earlier. Both Church and City officials urged adherents to stress discipline and order, and even during the event itself where both adherents and volunteers helping out with the medical team, water, food, safety, and security, so there's a lot of compassion that's growing.

And because of this, all despite the criticism and the slander from various individuals and groups, it is undeniable that the devotion of these adherents to the Black Nazarene is itself a militant action, an organic unity. As expected, the event lasted up to early morning, and some of these devotees chose to go home after their prayers and chances of reaching the Nazarene, whom for them will provide miracles, remove obstacles, and pardon in their atonement for their sins.

However, for reality's sake, people, including devotees themselves, fail to distinguish amongst these marooon-and-gold ranks about their action. For sure some are driven by their faith, while others be like driven by a materialist want- that sometimes created an ire amongst non-practising Catholics and other Christians about their drivel in becoming an adherent of the Black Nazarene. And from there, right was Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who defended these devotees from slander, or even chided those whose desire be less of faith and more of a want, stating that their devotion isn't fanaticism.

"First, real devotees are loving; while on the other hand, a fanatic does not love. A fanatic only clings to something that gives value to him, but a devotee does not share the same reasoning. You are devoted because you love him or her. That is what Jesus showed. That is also the value of devotion."

And to think that their devotion is itself a militant action, then yes it is, for as Catholics, that action is a manifestation of a "Militant Church", which consists of Christians on earth who struggle as soldiers of Christ against sin, the devil, and "the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places".

And from it, alongside those of a Penitant and of a Triumphant Church, shows the three states of the Church according to Catholic ecclesiology; and that view did made Proletkult's Anatoly Lunacharsky adopted its account, and be reinterpeted by distinguishing it between a socialistic culture of the future (Ecclesia triumphans) and the proletarian culture of the proletariat struggling in the present against capitalism (Ecclesia militans).

Pardon for the interpretation, but to think that the militant stance of a devotee, as depicted by its eagerness to reach the Nazarene and feel its religious fervour is itself manifesting an eagerness to struggle against one's own as well as the society's devils assuming themselves as holy warriors engaging in an holy war.

And as an observer, would say that these devotees, mostly coming from the poor and of the needy, are those what Luncharsky stated that they are the working folk whose struggle against the order as driven by the desire to see the future that's just; and as Catholics, that fervour, their drivel to fight against evil and wickedness, is "pushed" by the desire to reach paradise and of God.

"Of 'Fierce Devotion' as prequel to a 'Coming Action'"

"Of 'Fierce Devotion' as prequel to a 'Coming Action'"

(Notes after the yearly procession of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo)

Source: Rappler

Every year on January 9, millions of Filipinos gather in Manila for the procession of the Black Nazarene, a life-sized statue of the suffering Christ, along a long route from Rizal Park to its Basilica Minore in Quiapo.

As any other major religious festivity, attendance hath grown remarkably through the years, and at times the route hath been stretched to accommodate growing crowds: and most of these consider this Black Nazarene to be miraculous, able to heal the sick, grant petitions, and even pardon the sinful (hence, "Lord of Pardon" according to some of the adherent's shirts shown).

However, this event doesn't limit to the procession and it's jampacked setting sometimes marred by minor tragedies and near-fistfights. In every street, it is filled with singing, dancing, and even beer/liquor drinking up to the wee hours of the morning while in the churches inspirational talks encourage the wayward to turn from bad habits and being in one with Christ. Strange isn't it? As this writer seeing both the holy and the sinful side by side in that occasion.

And to think that despite criticism from non-Catholic Christians to those of apathetics alike describing their actions as idolatry to those of littering and disorder, if not hypocrisy, these adherents, no matter how sinful they are as individuals, been trying to seek ways to forgive and be pardoned by the Lord through the Black Nazarene itself, eager to reach the image either by touching or wiping the cross or foot with a cloth, thinking that it saidth to bring healing or luck; while others tend to bring copies of the Nazarene statue-some quite large and venerated, but doesn't draw the same level of frenzy as the statue itself being pulled and reached by many.

Yet citing that criticism made this concerned internally ask: does these adherents changed their ways? That are they really seeking guidance to recover for their misdeeds as Christians? As this person traverse the streets and reading the news what he sought was the adherent's expression of fierce devotion to the faith, and with that expression they end stubborn as they trying to grab the rope or to reach the statue just to touch its foot or hand if not to wipe it with a towel; and from that stubbornness comes almost scuffles; otherwise, like any other occassion some taketh it as an opportunity to "have fun" as any other fiesta- and even intoxicated either with beer or hard liquor, enough to disregard the solemnity of the event as a time to repent, forgive, and reflect.

And in speaking of that fierce devotion, this person, citing an old note from Gerardo Lanuza, stated that there is more than just an expression but also a "training" as one has to endure both body and soul in a coming battle. In fact, from the expression of the image itself shows the Christ who fought the ruling class composed of Roman Empire and the religious oppressors and clerico-fascists; he is also the same Christ who did turned water into wine, multiplied loaves of bread and fishes, healed the sick and revived the dead; and the people, especially those who are the poor and the needy who wished to feel a speck of hope through the Nazarene, feel that the man called Christ leads them in a so-called "fight against the order they consider as "unjust" and "repressive".

Anyway, despite all these, devotion to the Black Nazarene continues to grow strong especially amongst the poor and of the needy. And at some time even politicians, sports, and showbiz personages add flavor that appearth themselves as holier as the commoner; but, come to think of this:  with all its qualities of suffering, patience, and fervor, the ritual of the vigil procession enacts the sufferings and patience of the Filipino people- and History attests that fact that the Nazarene culturally represents the devotion of the Filipinos, the question is: are they for spiritual guidance or for the sake of a stroke of luck?

Again, they have to endure the pain, but for a concerned, that ordeal is a challenge for a faithful, whose devotion is a prequel for a coming action, all for the kingdom come.