BLOGS & THE WEATHER

----- Original Message -----
From: Geminiano Galarosa Jr.
To: chibuuson
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 2:32 PM
Subject: Lionroar Website

Bro. Chibu:

After an almost endless try at clicking the buttons, I was finally able to create the fifth and final blog titled “Piercing Arrows”. But the credit (not the lion’s though for that is especially reserved for the undersigned, ha, ha, hah!) goes to you and I am eternally grateful for your guiding hand for without your very kind assistance and encouragement, the lionroar website would not have made itself possible.

I have no idea if Bro. Raffy has already migrated, Bro. Bong Leano, I learn is buried at Wallmart and may no longer see both of them again. You, of course, mentioned we already met in the past at Capitol City Lodge No. 174 and skeptically, that first may be the last.

But only in this present time frame. Who knows? In the Hindu philosophy of almost eternal reincarnation, there may still be another chance that in future lives, we hay have the opportunity to rub elbows once again.

I urge you to visit my website again. Without you, that would not have existed.

With the lion’s kindest fraternal regards!

Bro. Jun

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Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 00:09:34 -0600
From: "Chibu Uson"
Subject: Re: Lionroar Website
To: "VWB Jun (Geminiano) Galarosa Jr"


Hi, VWB Jun

Sabi ko sa 'yo na kaya mong i-decipher ang blogs. Tiyaga lang. And we do learn patience in the Craft, right?

Well, the credit goes to you for persisting and staying focused on your objective of sharing your thoughts and ideas with others, and not only the brethren.

I haven't heard again from Bro. Raffy but I'll send him a short note to ask.
I think you're right about Bro Bong. They're having a break from the cold in Edmonton, Alberta. I think they had way above 0 C for the past few days. They call it schnook - warm winds from the Rocky Mountains or something like that.

Kami rito sa Winterpeg, medyo nagkaroon ng konting respite from the bone-chilling temps of the past month or so. The current temp is minus 7 C and it's supposed to go up to minus 2 C tomorrow but will go down to minus 21 C in the night. Tapos noon, palamig na naman. Well, at least we didn't have 25 or so inches of snow which the East Coast (both Canada and U.S.) got over the weekend.

Nahalata mo ba na medyo conscious ako sa weather conditions. It's because, here in North America, specially in Canada and more so here in Winnipeg, it's important to know what the weather will be so you'll be prepared. When the temp goes down to below minus 30 C, some vehicles are hard to or cannot start or run. As children walk to school, even for just a few blocks, they have to be properly clothed to protect them from the windchill temps. They might have frostbite without being aware of it. Children like to play in the snow and cold. My son always argues with my wife about having to bundle up and wear his touque (headgear to protect his head and ears), gloves and boots (which he has never worn and never will).

Here, the weather is a conversation opener with a purpose. Almost everybody is conscious about the weather conditions.
Here, also, a vehicle is not a luxury, but rather a necessity - specially during winter. But that's another topic.
So it's great that you're enjoying blogging. I enjoy your blogs. Keep it up. You're a very good writer and can now reach almost the whole world as your readers. I'll continue to promote your blogs.

BTW, I'm saddened by the news that VW Ill Bro Roger Flores dropped his working tools on January 20th. I was honored and privileged to have him meet me at the 3rd gate during my raising at Capitol Lodge No. 174.

Also, the DeMolay will have its first meeting next month. We'll have at least 8 or at most 15 young men attending. They'll be meeting as a club until they have more than 15 members. Then we'll bring in some DeMolays, most probably from North Dakota to confer the degree.

This is all for now. Keep in touch.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Chibu

THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION AS VIEWED FROM THE US

The following exchange of emails may be of interest to the brethren

Bro. Jun


From: "Constante Pacis" (email address deleted)
To: "Geminiano Galarosa Jr."
Subject: Philippine Situation as viewed from the United States
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 23:31:34 -0500


Jun,

Very disturbing news from here. Philippines now is second poorest and the second most corrupt in Asia base on the Survey of Asia Development Bank. Corrupt in any level of Government in almost any kind - from bribery, public contract taxes etc. It is sad that growth is so anemic that recovery is not possible. The survey was based on 120 countries and 800 industries.

How is the constant killing in Cebu City of these supposed robbers. The last time I seen the report was last week. It appeared like it became more open since the Mayor offer 20 G's for every robbery that is prevented, the vigilante type. I do not see follow ups anymore.

Tante
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Reply
Tante:

How can an object sink any further if it has already reached rock bottom? You yourself said that the Philippines is now the second poorest and the second most corrupt country in Asia, so all we need a little push to reach the gutter so that it can’t sink any further!!

Seriously now. History in almost all parts of the world has shown governments explode when the situation becomes unbearable, or comparing it to a cord, it will snap once its strength has reached breaking point.

Take the case of Thailand for example. It was, in the mid-eighties, one of the weakest nations in Asia. Coup-de-etats were so common. But look at it now!

I am not a doomsday soothsayer but the government that we have now is not tailored for us; the Filipinos are too bright for our own good. We enact pretty good laws only to look for the fine prints that will give the exceptions later on.

Washington SyCip, that Filipino-Chinese accounting genius with an American passport has already echoed the advisability of military rule despite reeking corruption in the military. This may prove a sensible solution for despite its weakness, there is still a chance for the military to cleanse itself. I can be wrong, but with young bloods in the military, and I personally knew a number of them, there is a good chance it can succeed.

And I trust this will come soon.

I will no longer touch your question on the killings. That’s too ordinary a situation it no longer needs elaboration. Davao had it first, and now Cebu follows suit.

I like your narration of the snow although I don’t think I will miss it at all. It’s like dreaming of owning a Mercedes Benz. Which makes me feel I’d rather not. Imagine the cost in keeping the Benz in tip-top condition!!

Do extend my regards to Sol. Lorma is busy cleaning the house. It’s her therapy nowadays!

Jun

Insights on the Catholic’s stand against Freemasonry

The Editor
Damayan-Buluseno Gazette

This refers to the positive comment made by Rev. (Maj.) Salvador G. Gacias on the Catholic Church's stand against Freemasonry that was written in the September-October 2003 issue of the Damayan Buluseno Gazette.

His comments may, however, be likened to the description of St. John the Baptist as that of "a voice crying in the wilderness." In this predominantly Catholic country, the Freemasons are still regarded as those who allegedly worship the devil called Baphomet, spit on the cross and deny Christ, and such absurd charges that can be leveled against members of the Masonic Fraternity. St. John the Baptist, incidentally, is one of the two patrons of Masonry, the other being St. John the Evangelist.

These absurd charges notwithstanding, Freemasons do subscribe to the dictum that it is in his work that the true worth of a man is judge; and the legacies left behind by Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Manuel L. Quezon, Rafael Palma and currently Justice Reynato S. Puno and Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. to name a but few, can stand critical evaluation.

In this far-off scenic island called Bohol, I, too, stand on my firm conviction that a mass that will be officiated by a Catholic priest would be totally irrelevant when I am finally called by my Maker. The good that I did, and even the bad, can no longer be altered by a Catholic Mass, the rank of the officiating priest notwithstanding.

Interested readers who have access to the Internet are encouraged to visit the Grand Lodge of the Philippines Website by double-clicking http://www.glphils.org/ for relevant Masonic information.

Geminiano V. Galarosa, Jr.
Guindulman, Bohol

Exchange of Letters with a brother Migrating to Canada

Bro. Raffy:

You may not be aware of this but the lion has been receiving emails lately about brethren who are or who have already left for abroad, either to the States, Canada, New Zealand, etc. There are always two sides of the coin in every issue and quite frankly, should any of the lion’s three offspring ask for his blessing to permanently leave for abroad for good, they will immediately receive a positive reply. Not only for their own sake but more so for their children and their children’s children without batting an eyelash!

You probably heard of the word diaspora. There are two nations who coined this word; the Jews who were driven out of their homeland after the fall of Israel to Babylon in the 6th century BC, and the Chinese who are now scattered in almost all parts of the globe for one reason or another. Those of the former went back to reestablish their own nation the last century but those of the latter did not do so and opted to live and raise their own children in their adopted places. They of course can be spotted easily because of their chinky eyes. In fine, however, they have retained their language, culture and traditions in the confines of their houses and select communities.

Those of you who can still leave the country in search for a bright future should do so. . . . before the country hits rock bottom and sink to the depths of the seas. The likes of the aging lion can but watch. When you are already there, do keep in touch!

With my kindest fraternal regards!

Sincerely,

Bro. Jun
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Comments from another brother about Bro. Raffy’s Migration to Canada

Hi, Bro Jun

It's great to learn that Bro. Raffy and his family are migrating to Canada. Congratulations, Bro. Raffy, and good luck in Toronto. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help/info from Winnipeg. It'll be Toronto Cabletow's gain but Winnipeg Cabletow's loss. I first communicated with Bro. Raffy about 7 years ago when I was with Unisys Canada. I saw his email address on the company website as he was/is with Unisys Philippines. I've communicated with him from time to time since and gave him some info about immigration to Canada. I guess that the situation there has prompted him and his wife to take their children to a better place.

Just a comment about immigrants and culture preservation. I find that the ability of immigrants' children and their children to converse in Pilipino or a Philippine dialect is at risk after the 1st generation. And it's not for lack of trying on the parents' part. In our case, for instance, our son, Mikey, already spoke very little Pilipino when we arrived in '97 (he was 6 then) as we conversed with him in English in Manila. He was confused as to why we were now "forcing" him to talk to us in Pilipino. Our daughter, Anna, (she was 13 in '97) still speaks Pilipino but with a very strong accent. Even with her Filipino friends, they end up speaking in English.

Only lately did I find out about a course in Pilipino for children. I take the blame for not looking for one earlier to ensure that our children would not lose their knowledge of Pilipino.

I think most Filipino parents here in North America do not find preserving the Pilipino tongue of high priority. The main difference between us and Chinese is that all (say 95%) of us know how to speak English but the Chinese, specially the older generation, do not. Hence, the need for children to communicate in the mother tongue is stronger for the Chinese. I know of Chinese born, raised and educated here whose children can converse with them in Chinese. Maybe because these children had to converse in Chinese with Grandma and Grandpa who never really learned English.

It's unfortunate that there are a lot of reasons for Filipino children to lose sight of our mother tongue. And with that also go some of our beloved traditions. I'd say that we Filipinos assimilate really very well, wherever we go. I've met Filipinos who've learned to speak fluent Canadian French. They didn't have a choice as they had to live in Quebec.

Hopefully, the children of Bro. Raffy do not lose their ability to converse in Pilipino and keep the Filipino culture.

I hope that my children will be able to pass on to their children some of our cherished customs and traditions. My wife and I are trying our best to maintain some of these in our home. But it's quite a struggle.

What we've been quite successful at, thus far, is to impart to our children the importance of good education, work/study ethic and integrity, among others. And the Craft and the appendant bodies have helped in this regard.

Well, I'm rambling ...

BTW, about more Filipinos joining the Craft. As I mentioned to you in one of my last emails, there are 2 Filipino petitioners for initiation here in Winnipeg; and the petitions have been received at my lodge, Capitol No. 136. There's a third petition which will be presented at my lodge's meeting on Friday. There is one PM from San Jose City Lodge 309 who migrated to Winnipeg last Dec 28th. His brother will also be migrating to Winnipeg on Feb 3rd. Within 2 years, we should have a good number of Filipino masons here in Winnipeg. In the long term, I'm sure that there'll be some of the incoming DeMolays who are of sons of Filipino masons who might themselves be petitioning for lodge membership. So it really looks good for the Craft. But we still have to do a lot of work. Thank goodness that my wife understands and believes in what I'm doing for the Craft. I'm in meetings almost half of the weeknights and some weekends. I might have to reduce some of my involvement in the appendant bodies. We'll see ...

Regards,

Chibu
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Bro. Raffy’s reply to Chibu:

Bro. Chibu,

I must share with all that you were the first one to make me think of applying for migration to Canada. I remember you saying that you've already reached perhaps the pinnacle of your career in Pepsi, but still felt a sense of instability about the job, the company, the country, and hence fear for the kids' future.

My wife and I started experiencing that same feeling of instability in 1999, both from our respective careers/jobs as well as the deteriorating political environment at that time, but it was in 2000 when we formalized the application. For "planting the seed" in me, I thank you.

About retaining our kids ability to speak Pilipino, we find no problems. They are aged 19, 16 and 12, and we brought them up speaking Tagalog in the house. As a native of Davao Oriental, how I wish I could have taught them to speak Cebuano. If there is a concern for us, Its in their ability to adjust in English speaking environment. Our educational system made sure they became poor English speakers, and on occasion that we hear them speak English, I sometimes cringe with embarrassment.

I am sure that there is a strong possibility that our grandchildren will lose the ability to speak, but I we are taking steps that they don't lose their link to the Motherland. We are bringing most of our kids' Philippine History books, Alamats, Pamanhiins, Filipino Heroes, etc.

Sincerest fraternal regards to all,

Raffy
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The lion’s side remarks to Bro Chibu on language.

Bro. Chibu:

Ha, ha, hah! What you just said on language was a mouthful. Downward transmission of the Bicol dialect to our three children was lost in the process because I failed to communicate that to them. But that does not mean that they don’t cherish their Bicolano roots.

I can see you are quite active in Masonic activities, but a word of caution, the twenty four inch gauge reminds us to equitably devote our time, never sacrifice time for the GAOTU, work and family.

My constant prayers are with you and do assist Bro. Raffy once he sets forth in Canadian soil.

With my kindest fraternal regards!

Bro. Jun