"Prosperity, Happiness, and Long Life: Celebrating a festive year of good luck at Binondo"

"Prosperity, Happiness, and Long Life:

Celebrating a festive year of good luck at Binondo"

(Or "Notes after yours truly celebrated the Lunar Year of the Pig at Binondo")

Ever since it became a non-working holiday some few years ago, Chinese New Year was more than just a celebration of luck, but also a commemoration of Filipino-Chinese friendship if a recognition of Chinese culture and community which remained influential in the Philippines for centuries.

And Chinese Filipinos, although do not make the majority of the population of the country, have been a prominent member of the Filipino community, especially through their influence in the business, particularly in the commercio-mercantile sector. Its culture been embedded alongside Hispanic and American ones, especially those of food, language, and even family affairs that binds Filipino families closer.

And also to think that admist the present stormy relations brought about by the recent events like the Panatag and Kalayaan group of isles, of illegal migrants trying to takeover Filipino jobs, and Duterte's preference towards the Chinese despite these problems, this didn't interrupt the occasion, its dragon and lion dances, what more of the sumptuos food that makes the event remembering.

Traversing Ongpin, entering its temple, and venerating the cross

Given the Filipino's perchance for Chinese food, consulting Feng Shui experts for good luck, as well as reading their Chinese horoscope for good prospects, Chinese New Year is itself the ideal day to engage these things.

And with this writer traversed Chinatown district at Binondo through Ongpin st. there lies a festive mood with its dragon and lion dances, restaurants filled with people, and others selling trinkets of various sorts, all with one desire: good luck, wealth, wealth, and long life.

So is the temple, where Chinese and even Filipinos alike offered joss sticks and offerings to Guan Yu and other Chinese deities for a blessing, of burning Joss paper money and lighting candles for their deceased loved ones, followed by drinking ginger tea at the corner to quench their thirst. Yet some would rather enter the site just for a picture spree to be posted in social media sites like Facebook or Instagram afterwards. 

But the occasion itself, what more of the district, isn't limited to Daoists or Buddhists alike; the Longos cross for instance, known as Binondo's watchful companion for Christians, hath honoured and served the lord Jesus Christ all in a fusion of Filipino-Chinese customs and traditions. 

So strange to some that with its fusion of customs, if not an appropriation of Chinese worship to a Christian figure, emphasises respect, love, and devotion to the Lord, whose Cross, bearing heart-like figure alluded to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and covered with gold plated covering, is always adorned with sampaguita garlands, offered by its devotees lit joss sticks all alongside prayers and petitions. Local folks always say that one should need to drop by Binondo's Miraculous Cross to pay respect and for good luck whenever in that district. True enough, for the Cross also gained devotees, and miracles were also attributed through the veneration of this Cross. 

Expect more trinkets

And as Ongpin's corners been sprawled with trinkets and statuettes bearing good luck to its buyers, it is expected to say that people started to converge, buying if not asking about its prices. And most would say they would buy either the statue of the laughing buddha or the money-bearing tree harnessing good luck at the corner of their houses or their offices, or the tantric deities at the nearby store either for worship or for the sake of curiosity.

But since the year marks with its signature animal, there are statues of pigs whose appearances are those of happiness and hope, making those who born of that year feel the luck in it what more of buying it and be displayed showing that the buyer was born on that year and therefore enjoy its good luck thereof.

"Not just Chinese, but also Filipino"

As this person traversed, would say that these events shown at Ongpin or even Binondo aren't limited to things Chinese. Some portions of the street did carried features likely to be shown in a Filipino Fiesta such as crossdressers spewing fire, of drummers commonly played their tunes during ati-atihan, or even Muslims peddling their own wares like brass, ceramics, anything that can be sold knowing  that said occasion is also considered a time to market their wares at Ongpin's sidewalks.

What more that there are street kids performing their own version of Dragon and Lion dances especially those near the bridge and at Ongpin cor. Salazar and at Alonso, creating makeshift heads out of sacks and plastic box containers, much better if brought from a nearby prosperity store or painted boxes, glued cartons and styrofoam cups to look more like a dragon and danced away through the beat of the plastic container-turned-drum, all at the amusement of others willing to throw coins for them.

***

Anyway, as this person sought the festive mood, enjoyed the meal, and took pictures bearing everyone feeling the desire for good luck, would say that amidst all the challenges surrounding Filipino-Chinese relations, it is indeniable that in that occasion that the spirit of Filipino-Chinese amity continues to flourish, to the extent that generations of Filipino-Chinese thrives, carrying Chinese traditions yet bearing the aspirations every Filipino wanted to realise such as a just, strong, and prosperous country that is, the Philippines.

And thus, no wonder why this person's friend said that:

"Why not instead of 'Long Life, Prosperity and Happiness' should be 'Prosperity, Happiness, and Long Life'? For to cut it short, this meant the Philippines itself in its shortened form, PHL."

That's all for now, Gong Xi Fa Cai!

"Still, the struggle to reclaim lost charm over goddamned Manila"

"Still, the struggle to reclaim lost charm over goddamned Manila"

(Or the desire for a rooted future against the delusions of a continuing past)

At first, it is worth believing that Manila can be considered as a reflection of the Filipino's state of mind, given its surroundings, of idealistic visions side by side with inconvenient truths, it seems that the Philippines' capital city, and its extension the surrounding cities that composes the metropolitan region, is itself a city of extreme contrasts, and thus can become an intense personal experience: for it can be chaotic and at the same time orderly, dirty and at the same time divine, these contrasts creates a view that one of which is that "if you can't find beauty and poetry in Manila, you will never find it anywhere" paraphrasing Carlos Celdran.

However, to some people, this kind of Manila, including those of its neighbouring cities is plain simple chaotic area that meant to be "cleansed" that is, purged including those of its old charm in favour of modern delusion. For in recent years, seeing old structures, no matter it tries to retain its old charm and relevance, been facing threats two and fro by those who treated those as mere prime lots for structures that according to them as monuments to modernity.

The recently-demolished House of Precast in Escolta 

Sorry for the thoughts for as any other concerned, there are places in Manila that can't just be removed and reduced to memories; and ideally, those who churn thoughts of nostalgia should have the will to express concern than letting it go those that meant to be revitalised in the name of heritage and of bridging both past and present for the future.
And to think that there are dreamers that took seriously in making an idea into reality, this isn't enough: for they need to encourage people from all walks of life to rekindle not just memories, but to help hand in hand in reclaiming lost charms for the years to come.

Obviously it may take years, decades, even centuries to entice people to rekindle and to join in that said quest; for as most rather letting it go for an illusory future, it becomes difficult to encourage people. There may be pages of various sorts spewing out nostalgia, but are they serious in rekindling? Perhaps a few of those who talk about their childhood express hopes that the Manila of theirs, what more of its neighbouring cities should revive their almost lost heritages than letting it forgo in favour of a continuing chaos everyone endures. 


Forgo? Never! Preserve? Better!

Speaking of the quest to rekindle memories of the past, the idea of conserving past edifices has been marred various problems, and most of which hath been engulfed Manila- especially after the recent demolition of the old Meralco building in San Marcelino, the Admiral apartments in Roxas Boulevard, the Arguelles-designed Philippine National Bank at Escolta, and even the Locsin-designed Mandarin Oriental and the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati, to name a few, just to give way to new developments particularly those of high-rise residential buildings.
And because of this, this kind of concern has made some individuals, such as heritage advocate Ivan Man Dy, dare to question authorities esprcially those actions fail to address problems of heritage conservation despite recognising it: Quo Vadis Manila?

For with this kind of expression both shows lament and angst, to tell what the city or even the entire capital region is going to shows how the order, whose idea deals about development, is increasingly becoming rootless cosmopolitan in its perspective. That same order may express some semblance of identitarianism, yet knowing that developers whom the system rubbing elbows to quietly trying to evade if not circumvent orders for their interest-seeking ventures, these made heritage conservationists and others concerned vent aloud their concerns as much as possible in order to make these authorities aware that these prewar or even postwar edifices aren't just structures for chrissakes, but witnesses from a distant past that's full of idealism whilst keeping its rooted charm.
And to think that well-known Mr. Ivan Man Dy, known for conducting regular heritage and history tours in Binondo through his Old Manila Walks, saidth that there are structures that have been constructed such as during the Commonwealth period like the recently-closed "Uy Su Bin Building"; this and more are made it presumed as an Important Cultural Property under Republic Act 10066, that is the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

Uy Su Bin and the recently demolished Philippines Free Press Building
Source: Ivan Man Dy, Google

But despite that said act not all would have saved by its provisions knowing that there are no safeguards to justify its existence, let's just say how about tax incentives, or even tax exceptions alongside substantial funds for its rehabilitation and revival of districts known for its ages-old architecture? Remember,  especially after the case of the old Free Press Building in Avenida Rizal which was built during the American period, that shows no law could ever stop a demolition permit that was issued by the Manila City Hall last October 2018.


Again, the desire to bridge the past and present for the future

As a "ContemporAntiquitarian", seeing a sordid state of heritage especially in a heavily urbanised area reflects the country that "moves on" without any roots. With the fast-changing landscape now dominated by skyscrapers and residential buildings, what more of inherent values that been replaced by crass commercialism and the likes, the issue on heritage has becoming a topic secondarily, if not less-discussed even by those who seriously take interest in social circles be it as actual as a forum or in social media.

the Angela apartments: reduced into a mere fragment of a memory
(source: Ivan Man Dy)

But to think that each and every Filipino hath been studied history, Filipino language and culture, humanities, yet remain aloof in what goes in its surrounding as it favours own consumerist fantasies and for officials, whims coming from those who treat heritage as a doormat if not the desire to fill their pockets with kickbacks, this kind of indifference towards urban renewal is driven by the idea that there are things that are meant to be unnecessary to keep an image especially in the changing times.
And at times they would say that edifices, no matter how significant, can be costly if maintained, and not all would opted to go to an old structure as most chose to look something's new. They would even describe that the structure be bereft of significance as opposed to the so-called "boxed-type, glassy" edifice that according to theirs as "modern", "sleek", "futuristic", anything that outweighs the grandeur of the past and its remarkable structures like El Hogar Filipino.

Urban renewal necessitates decisiveness and clear vision, two things which the present political order in the Philippines obviously lacks off, or worse, opted to disregard thinking that there are assistants who can able to do those duties- and be turned down by the same elected officials thinking about their pockets.
But come to think of this: that in an era when the majority of 'new additions' to every community are parasitic glass boxes, seeing an old edifice is itself a welcome sight indeed. Be it because of its age-old endurance or its sleek style featured, it seems that seeing, what more of entering an old edifice is itself entering history for these edifices witnessed the storms of time, and no matter how its walls collected dirt or grime of years, chances are a concerned would have express the need to revive, bring hope, make it future-proof as any other structure that wishes to be part of the future than letting it wallow on its past till condemned. London did that, so is Paris, Madrid, Shanghai, even Singapore whose old portions of the city been kept well-preserved as part of its identity. So how about Metro Manila then?


"not all dealt seriously that damned word heritage"

However, as said earlier not all dealt seriously that damned word heritage. Of course they studied history and humanities, but did these people from the order treat heritage seriously? Their assistants would have since they are paid to study and offer suggestions to their elected higher-ups; but these higher-ups treated the issue on heritage on the backburner unless they are being pressured by a heritage group especially if an old yet remarkable structure been threatened by demolition.

But come to think of this: as the buildings which surround every community and created memories for its inhabitants created a sense of belonging. And ideally, this matter which became a major issue on heritage should been treated proactively rather than reactive especially if being threatened by demolition and the likes within that affected district.
And from these structures it made architecture as the backdrop to everyone's lives as well as those of communities in a way Perez-Samanillo, Regina, Roman Santos, Monte de Piedad, Calvo, or even the abandoned Plaza Fair created memories over Escolta-Sta Cruz area in Manila. But as time goes by, no matter how remarkable they are this didn't stop from facing threats of unbridled developmental aggression as others favour money over heritage, of being succumbed to the delusions of so-called "modernity" than clinging on identity; perhaps no matter how significant or structurally sound it stood for decades, these rather ended as pile of rubble for another glassy nonsense- and from this, no wonder why these so-called "faceless boxes of modernism" are considered "alienating" and therefore "belong nowhere" all because they exist everywhere.

Anyway, tradition and beauty are fundamentally important to architecture and even urban planning, but not all observed that kind of dictum as there are those who chose to create something that disrupts the orderliness of a district. The beauty that brought about by Locsin, Luna de San Pedro, Arguelles, and others may be recognised, but despite its recognition there are frustrated ones that desired to just simply making them irrelevant, condemned, and thus demolished in order for faceless ones to take place;
and the system? Sadly to say, are the ones who tolerate unless slapped by those whose desire for uphelding heritage forces them to reconsider. Metro Manila may still continue as a reflection of the Filipino mind, and with this kind of existence, sadly to say, that Filipino mind be like confused, if not marred by its delusions. 

"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.

"Still, for a new year full of hope despite same persons and yesterday's tasks and mistakes"

""Still, for a new year full of hope
despite same persons and yesterday's tasks and mistakes""

(A new year's message)

At first, this writer, on behalf of this page, wishes the reader a promising new year.

Bluntly speaking, 2019 will be as same as last and other past years. For despite listening to various testaments which are full of colour and of hope, reality goes the contrary: for everyday sees of hunger and despair, of widespread poverty and tricked-down welfare, it is worth to say that this post wishes for their welfare, freedom, justice, and happiness.

There will be numerous feats and shortcomings of various sorts, successes and failures of various kinds, anything gamechanging or continuing, what more that everyone, including this writer will age in that year, some sooner, some later. And for sure that year will bring everyone much labor and worry,  what more that there will be more tasks and prospects and even backlogs meant to be finished.

Sorry for the message being too true unlike the others, and to think that people with various new year's resolutions been promised like past years, most of which are rather likely not to be taken through; what more that there are same old problems that the order failed to address and being passed to another, thus brewing new antagonisms alongside the old.

Hope this 2019, like last year, make everyone answer these questions: 'Do' or 'will' they carry on in their tasks and prospects in every work and life? 'Do' or 'will' they rectify past mistakes and reaffirm some basic principles in life? Sounds political isn't it, but these questions are often faced as one be able to strive for the better if not for the best, struggle in an arduous march of real life, and to live for another day as already an achievement.

Anyway, expect more testaments to come and more events to happen. And like last year, same old faces prevail along with new ones; expect mistakes of various kinds likely to happen, and so are the principles, tasks, prospects, and hopes being carried, passed, and to be realised through especially in this tumultuous times.

Again, have a promising new year. С Новым годом! 

"The need to awaken consciousness in a time of disquiet"

"The need to awaken consciousness in a time of disquiet"

(A Rizal day message)

Several decades ago, on the fields of Bagumbayan in the old province of Manila, the Filipino people witnessed the supreme sacrifice made by a man who soon to become known as the man who forged a lasting influence in the history of the nation. This man, known by many Dr. Jose Rizal, offered his life as he had offered his works, making the cause of freedom and justice, and the dignity of his countrymen be furthered.

That even until today his words resonates through. For like the tragic events in Bagumbayan, or from the prison cells of Fort Santiago and in Intramuros, same events do happen in the present; but instead of a formal execution, an extrajudicial act in the dark thoroughfare, and instead of Fort Santiago and Intramuros, the crampy cells of Bilibid or a safe house will do. In other words- seeing same old devils from an order whose oppression meant upholding interests, and whose victims as crying for change and justice.

Sounds political isn't it? For like Rizal, those who truly concerned about the country would have expressed bluntly. He would had enjoyed his profession and died a natural death, but given the time when darkness, injustice, and tyranny prevailed he had to engage in seeking truth from facts, and with his creativity made people aware that the country of theirs hath to be fought so as to cherish it. 

And because of that, expect the concerned calls for the same calls Rizal desired, what more that there are those who are willing to go beyond the parameters just to realise those lofty goals. However, that same Rizal himself did discouraged the desire to go beyond the parameters of reform like what happened at Dapitan with Pio Valenzuela and the testament discouraged the Filipinos from engaging in that desire; it may sound strange, but to think that with his sacrifice it did became a factor to bring down a coloniser. As according to Miguel de Unamuno:

"Rizal is a soul that dreads the revolution although deep down he desires it".

Indeed, as he made Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo thinking it was any other book to amuse with as Les Miserables and Don Quixote, but the commoner made it more than a book but a guide for action; he also did taught the youth and the old about nation building through mutual aid and cooperation, thinking it meant emancipation and bringing back honor and dignity; he discovered new things using then-scientific breakthroughs, enough to say that the Filipino able to engage in the sciences like those of its neighbours; that made various artworks through sketching and sculpture, showcasing the arts that the Filipino be able to express its talent; and he envisioned a country where people are neither slave nor master but equal in the eyes of god, as he tried his best to counter those who slander his compatriots. 

That even in this present setting his desire continues to rage on those who truly concerned about the country. The system may afford to parrot his statements as any other holiday messages, urging the youth to embody patriotism and to awaken consciousness, but it is the same system that wishes to bury alive those who seek truth from facts and to silence those who dare to question their integrity. Anyway, Quoting from Rizal's "El Filibusterismo":

"Hate never produces anything but monsters and criminals! Love alone realizes wonderful works, virtue alone can save!"