WHY THE YOUNGER GENERATION MUST TAKE THE ISSUE TO THE STREETS

The state of affairs here in the Philippines should not really be far from what is periodically being broadcast by media, what with the advancement now enjoyed in communications.

But really, mankind looks at the same object based on individual perspectives. What can be perceived as loyalty by one can be interpreted as infidelity by another. Sadly, others also offer different meanings, like indifference or downright apathy. And pseudo philosophers can only shake their heads.

The country has successfully booted out two rulers by means of people power. A strongman who ruled for two decades was clipped of his muscles and thereafter replaced by a dainty feminine whose rise to fame was anchored only on the fact that she was the wife of a martyr.

Fifteen years alter, the President whose rise to fame was catapulted via the silver screen, in addition of course to being a macho-looking lady killer, was similarly booted out ironically for enriching himself through a lowly poor man’s vice what in local parlance is simply called “hweteng”.

And what happened to the descendants of these two deposed rulers? Nothing, they even are highly respected not only in social circles but also in the arena of power politics.

Let this writer now turn his sights to current events.

Much surprisingly, the country’s rut may now be called “hi-tech.” Graft and corruption have reached the floor of what was previously considered a bottomless pit one may well wonder if another form of thievery can ever match it. The once-tested ways of stealing money from the government coffers like being employed at the BIR and the customs bureau are no longer as preferred over being hired at the education or the health departments, and even in the lowliest job at being a “basurero” or trash collector can be as lucrative a grafter if he can find a way.

But all of these tricks pale in comparison to what the current rulers do to rob the government. The scheme no longer involves raiding the nation’s treasury, a plot that, in the first place, requires that one should accumulate the revenue first before he can steal. The trick now is simply to borrow money from other sources outside of the country on whatever guise and pretext with the guarantee that the country’s future generations will pay for it.

This trick is really no different from what the former strongman did when he consummated the never-utilized nuclear power plant that was built in the seventies that was never used, but the country paid the entire obligation without ever benefiting from it!

This chronicler can but philosophically lament. No sooner than it will be later, his footprints will be but a memory but his two sons and one daughter, and their own offspring will in their own times roam their own jungles and expectedly life will be a lot tougher for them. Their only consolation is that comparatively, they are educationally better prepared to face life’s struggles so that whatever perils they meet, they hopefully can face them squarely as did their dad during his checkered days.

This philosophical diatribe should now end. It’s not good for his health. And this email also is being made available to those whomsoever would want to read it. Especially the younger generation who surely will have to shoulder the gargantuan loans that the present administration imposed upon them..

But the bugging question remains. Is the nation once again on the way for another people power to change its ruler? Or should it now look at graft with apathy and complete disinterest?!

Email Exchange on “The Vagaries of Various (Ir)Religious Views”

Brethren:
Below is an interesting exchange of ideas on the subject. Understandably, the email sender could not be named.
Leon
----
Email Exchange on “The Vagaries of Various (Ir)Religious Views”
Leon:
Nice comprehensive article. I have a short reaction. While Freemasonry can set its own rules as to which persons they will accept, I think atheism alone should not be isolated as a barring characteristic.
One can declare himself easily as believing in God, but it is his own concept of God. Each person eventually develops his own religion, his own set of tenets that he believes in. Thus, finally and eventually, his own personal God is one that he believes will reward him (with something) or punish him (with something). One's God is ultimately self-serving (through the promise of salvation or the threat of eternal damnation), even though in the course of one person's life he can be a benefit to or persecutor of society. Ultimately, it is the morals and ethics that should be the gauge of acceptance, and not the mere declaration of theistic belief. Good Atheists, Naturalists, Agnostics, Christians, Hindus, Muslims essentially share a common theme, which is the promotion of the common good, a better life for every one, and tolerance for differences. It is often the deeply religious that blow themselves up as suicide bombers or execute genocide in the gas chambers.
Non Believer

Dear Non Believer:

That was a very good reaction, unfortunately, it is off tangent.

The only reason atheists are not welcome to join Freemasonry (and I guess even agnostics and naturalists would also not qualify if they would not expressly declare belief in God), despite the many virtues atheism possesses, is the fact that they could not be made to swear to certain obligations which the Masonic Fraternity deemed mandatory for joining.

In simple language, when you swear, you hold yourself responsible to somebody Omnipotent but when you affirm, you simply assures that you will make good your word.
You mentioned that “One can declare himself easily as believing in God, but it is his own concept of God”, and this is fine for as long as he has faith in his own God. Faith, after all, is what differentiates the believers from the non-believers. But if he lied because he in reality does not have a concept of God whatever that may be, then that would be another story as all liars can always do!

This may be a matter of semantics, but those who do not believe in God can only affirm but not swear (those who believe in God are obligated to do so) to certain obligations. Thus, a President, for example, will be made to swear to the book of faith he believes in(the Holy Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, the Guru Granth Sahib, etc.), but can only be made to affirm to his responsibilities if he has no concept of a God to swear his obligations to. And that is where the hairline distinction sets in.

You also mentioned about acceptance – by whom? Believers, I’m sure, would want acceptance from God, non-believers, I guess, would want acceptance from history and mankind, and there lies the difference.

You are right, suicide bombers and genocide experts often cause mass destruction to humanity. But this does not exclude eccentric atheists, agnostics and naturalists either. And have you ever considered those who invented the gas chambers and even the hydrogen bomb are the scientists who are most likely atheists or agnostics who don’t believe in God?!

Thanks for your reaction.

Leon
-------
Leon,
I guess this is where I distinctly disagree with: that a person must be made to swear and be accountable to a "higher entity" as opposed to having true personal integrity and committing to one's own word. I personally believe that one's own principles should be the basis of one's character, and these principles should hold up to any test, be it religious, scientific, or ethical. Thus, it is unfortunate that I can not be a Freemason on the basis of this logic, but other persons can become Freemasons yet have beliefs and principles as firm as nata-de-coco.
I pity those who can sleep soundly at night thinking shallowly that their god will save them, and I emphatize with all those who turn around in their sleep, challenging their beliefs and principles and the purpose and meaning of their lives. As for some atheists and some theists, I despise those whose use their lack of belief or strong belief of god for their intolerance.
Regards,
Non Believer
Dear Non Believer:

That’s well said. But the Masonic Fraternity has its own rules. Women, children and atheists are barred from joining for distinctly separate reasons. One can pity their members, spit on them, curse them, despise them. do anything, say anything, but that is all there is to it.

The Royal Society, the organization that explores the frontiers of science, an organization where but a handful can join because of its own unique standards of admission, is a creation of the Masonic Fraternity. Many its members are atheists and therefore could not become members of the latter because of that peculiar rule. But that is how it is and if that is not tolerance, I don’t know what is, although perhaps, it is but a matter of semantics.

One of the most important tenets of the Fraternity is “those who best work and best agree”, and if you cannot agree with it, it’s alright, There is another thing, it does not invite outsiders to become members. A person may even be holier, may be the most intelligent creature alive, or may have beliefs more outstanding and more admirable than those who profess belief in an Omnipotent Being but sadly, that is how the cookie crumbles- he still does not qualify, and that’s it.

I guess that is about there is to be said.

Leon

EMAIL EXCHANGES WITH A NEW ACQUAINTANCE

Brethren:

The following exchanges of email with a new acquaintance started with the impending appearance of Virgilio Garcilliano to the public scene. The starting email is no longer included but from the reply itself, the reader can well guess what the gist of the topic was all about.

The aging lion apologizes to those who are not conversant with dialect as no translation is being appended. Suffice it to say that he deemed it proper to present the exchanges as is to preserve its originality and also to refresh his almost-dormant use of the local dialect in time to for his projected visit to his grandchildren.

The aging lion also hereby declares a recess tinkering with the computer keys to be resumed only one day before the year officially ends.

Happy reading

Jun.


Dong:

What else can the nation derive from Garci?

GMA has already said “She’s sorry” and beyond that there is no way she will vacate Malacanang except if someone is able to lodge a bullet right between her eyes. But then that would be assassination and only an unseen hand from the Presidential Guard Battalion can do that and save the country from the rut that it is in right now.

And Garci, if his lawyers are allowed , would even want the nation to sing “Hossana” before he submits himself to public scrutiny.

Tell you what? Only the press will benefit from this charade and nobody else. And the nation? Well, at least it has a soap opera to watch and two midgets, one male and the other female, smirks behind contentedly although last June both were acting quite nervously!

Jun Galarosa

Jun:
Sala'am at salamat sa iyong kuro-kuro. Andap ang major networks na gumawa ng teleserye batay sa "Hello, Garci" kahit talagang makatas at kagimbal-gimbal ang mga mahihiwatigang pihit ng pangyayari sa usapan ng dalawang pandak at iba pang tauhan.
Totoong kami lang sa media ang makikinabang sakaling kumanta na naman si Garci. Pero talagang bantad na rin kaming nasa news desk sa mga pakulo ng mga kampon ng Malacañang-- iyon at iyon ding lumang tugtugin ang maririnig.
Huwag naman sanang marahas na pagpalit-Pangulo ang maganap--- mas nanghihinawa na ako sa karahasan. Matagal na rin akong combat fatigue. I wish to God all of 'em tyrants and their minions just die laughing.
They've been laughing all the way to the bank and not one had a case of lockjaw.
Muli, sala'am at salamat po!
DONG A.D.
Dong:

Pasensiya ka na kung makakatanggap ka ng mga pabuntot. Pero sana huwag mong mamasamain, sa ngayon, ang kalahati ng palimbagan na lang ang pwedeng kilingan ng mamamayan, ang nalalabing kalahati ay wala ka na ring maaasahan. Suhulan na rin sila. O, baka hindi mo rin alam?!

Medyo malayo nang masyado ang nasa isip mo. Pagpapalit na ng pangulo. Ako, hindi! Ang tanging panalangin ko ay sana kalbuhin si GMA ng Panginoon, at sabihing : Oy, pandak! Binigyan kita ng pagkakataon na maging huwaran ng bayan mo sa mundo. At ano na nga ba itong ginagawa mo (hindi ikaw Dong, kundi si GMA) ?!

Pero talagang may kabigatan yang propesyong palimbagan. Mas mabigat pa yan sa adhikain ng makakaliwa dahil mas maraming mamamayan ang nasasaklaw ng lipad ng utak ninyo, na pagka itinuon ninyo sa masamang paraan ay lalong magbubulid sa ikakapariwara ng sambayanang Pilipino.

If you can get something out of this pesos’ piece of advice (the centavo, even in this far-off place is not worth anything anymore) just say your piece on the editorial board. And tell the others exactly what and how feel. It might console you to note that there are more who die from sickness because of abundance of food than the want of it. Simply stated, hunger and famine are not the worst of maladies, but enjoying more of life recklessly especially if the money that you use came from dishonest sources.

And the last word, God, in His Infinite Wisdom, will have a viable solution to all these!

jungalarosa

P. S.

Henceforth other recipients of similar mails coming from this email address will no longer be mentioned to preserve their anonymity. They are of course welcome to send in their own rejoinders to the undersigned’s reactions if need be.
P'reng Jun:

Labis kong ikinagagalak ang mga pabuntot, 'yung tinatawag nilang pahuling kabit. May nadaragdag sa aking pananaw. Aaminin kong hindi gaanong malawak ang masasaklaw ng aking pananaw.

Tama ka pa rin sa binanggit mo na kalahati na lang sa mga kabilang sa aming hanay ang mapagkakatiwalaan. I'll live by Mohandas K. Gandhi's two-bit counsel: "Be the change you want in the world."

Isa sa mga paborito kong kabungguan ng bote ang patuloy na naghahagilap ng dagdag na trabaho para sa akin-- spin doctor. Wala pa ring mahagilap na sa kanyang palagay ay akma sa kanyang nadarama mula sa aking gawi at ikinikilos. Binanggit na kailangan ni Eduardo Ermita ng ganoong alalay. Spin doctor. Para sumalag na mahusay sa santambak na ibinabalibag sa kanyang mga panginoon sa Palasyo.

Tiniyak sa akin ng kabungguang-bote na hindi ko maiibigan ang gawain kahit maganda ang bayad. Pero hindi naman talaga kami naghihirap para magdagdag ng sakit ng kukote. Kaya pa ring uminom at makapagbayad ng 3-4 bote matapos ang pakikipagbuno sa mga kuwentong ilalaman sa diyaryo.

Dalawa na ang kulay ng buhok ko-- may halo nang abo. Pero mas marami yata akong reporters na naunang lumusong sa libingan-- tama ka na naman sa nabanggit mo. Nakaugnay sa maluhong pamumuhay ang mga karamdamang umutas sa kanila. Masakit ding aminin na mas marami sa kanila ang nasilaw sa Mammon, talagang maraming pusong Mammon.

Hindi man ako Muslim, bumabakas pa rin ako sa kanilang pag-aayuno tuwing Ramadhan. May ilang dasal-Islam akong alam na hindi mabibigkas kung hindi hindi mag-aayuno ng, halimbawa'y 3 araw. Hindi rin ako Katoliko pero salimpusa pa rin ako sa Lenten fast, na 'yung talagang Catolico verdadero (hindi cerrado) lang yata ang gumagawa. Kaya siguro maganda pa ang muscle tone ng aking katawan at wala pa ring hindi magandang nararamdaman sa kalooban.

Payak lang ang aming pamumuhay ng aking mag-anak. Medyo matayog lang yata ang ilandang ng aming utak. At pagkain sa isipan ang mga paliwanag na mula sa ganitong pakikipagtalastasan.

Sala'am at salamat po muli!

DONG A. D.

P’reng Dong:

Merong isang lumang akda akong nadaanan na may titulong “The Yogi and the Commissar” na isinulat ng isang Arthur Koestler (1905-83) na hanggang nayon ay hindi ko pa makita ang buong akda ngunit ang buod ay nagsasabi sa ingles na:

“there are two psychological types: the ‘Commissar’ who believes that the world is changed by influencing others, and the “Yogi’ that to change the world one must first change himself.”

Sa dalawang sistemang nabanggit sa itaas, hindi mahirap arukin na sa ngayon ikaw ay isang Commissar na may kapangyarihang makahikayat sa pananaw ng iba sa pamamagitan ng iyong pluma, samantalang ang iyong abang lingkod ay isa na lamang retiradong Yogi na kahit ang kanyang kombinasyong tagapagalaga-nanay-lola-at-asawa na kasama-sama niya sa bahay ay siya pa ang nakakapag-impluwensiya sa kanya.

Isa rin sa mga idolo ko si Mahatma Gandhi. Nabasa ko minsan na matatawag na disipulo rin siya ni Hesukristo, yon nga lang, gaya ng ibang sekta ng Kristiyano, hindi rin siya naniniwala na si Hesus ay Diyos lalo na’t siya’y Hindu..

Hindi dapat pag-aksayahan ng panahon ang pagputi ng buhok dahil dalawang posibilidad lang naman ang kahihinatnan niyan; kung hindi pumuti ay mahulog sa lupa. Mga sitenta porsyento na rin ang puting buhok sa ulo ko, pero hindi ako nag-aalala, total sisenta y singko anos na ako. O, di halos patas lang kung porsyento lang naman ang pag-uusapan. Sabi nga ng barbero minsan, “Sir, itina’ natin!” Sagot ko naman, “Sigi, gawin mo na puti na lahat, para mas maganda.” (Idolo kasi si Ill. Rey Banaag, ah!) Biglang umaskad ang mukha. Mabuti nga hindi ginupit nga tenga ko.

Bagong talata yang nabanggit mong “spin doctor.” Kung ang ibig sabihin niyan ay aplohista, ay medyo masalimuot na gawain iyan na ang mga klase ni Toting Bunyi at ni Mike Defensor ang matatawag nating eksperto na kayang-kaya nilang gampanan.. Pero dapat malaki ang kikitain at magagawang gawin na maluwag sa kalooban!!

Mahirap ipaliwanag kung ano ang relihiyon ng iyong abang lingkod.Naghalo-halo na ang mga doktrina ng halos lahat ng mga relihiyon sa kukote niya at natanto niya na kung susuriin mo ng husto ay halos wala namang seryosong pagkakaiba Pero ang kanyang tagapag-alaga ay saradong katoliko na nakakandado pa at talagang aktibo sa simbahan at mahilig mag-rosaryo. Katatapos nga lang ng grupo niya ang pagpapalit ng bubong ng simbahan na nagkahalaga ng mahigit na isang milyon na nakalap nila sa pamamagitan ng donasyon. Malimit na mabanggit ko nga sa kanya na malamang hindi kami magkikita doon sa ibayo dahil ako, medyo mabawasan lang ang init sa balat ko pag andoon na ako sa kabila ay kuntento na ako.

At sanay na rin siyang magigising ng hating gabi na nakikita niya akong nakaupo sa tabi niya sa kama na halos hindi kumikilos at akala niya walang ginagawa. Minsan nagtanong siya kung bakit at ang sagot ko naman ay walang interruption ang linya papunta sa itaas pag hatinggabi. Hindi na siya nagtanong uli.

Sa ngayon ay halos wala na akong ginagawa. Kung ano man ang pinagkakaabalahan naming mag-asawa dito sa liblib na lugar na ito ay ang aking tagapag-alaga na lang ang talagang aktibo, ang iyong abang lingkod ay tagapayo na lamang sa kanya.

Ipagpaumanhin mo pala kung wala kang matanggap na reaksyon sa mga susunod na araw. May pupuntahan kami simula bukas at pansamantala ay mawawalan ako ng computer sa harap ko. Ibig sabihin nito ay hindi ako makakapadala ng kahit kaunti man lang talata ng mga apat na linggo. Pero sisikapin ko pa ring makakita ng kapihan ng Internet para makasagot ng mga madaliang sulat kung talagang kinakailangan.

Maraming salamat din sa kuru-kurong ipinapadala mo. Kahit sa takip-silim ng buhay, ay meron pa ring magagandang bagay na natatanaw.

P’reng jun

EMAIL EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE AGING LION & BRO. ERNIE RIVERA

Bro. Ernie’s mail

Brethren,

This is my second draft, on my first draft, had deleted Dad Jun and Dad Tante's e-mail exchange.. thinking that its not our business to know.... on second thought.. I felt I have known my two dads (Jun and Tante) Loooong time ago.. though have not meet them both personally...and para ngang leaving the delicious taste of that monstrous lobster in my tongue that Dad Tante had talked about...he-he-he... quite an imagination...

The first two books we read by Knight & Lomas, which were gift I received mailed to me by Brother Ollie Olano, were shared amongst brother of Diego Garcia Square and Compass Club.. Brother Oscar Salazar, Brother Ernie Castro and Brother Fidel Reyes were overwhelmed, fascinated by their books.. since I am not familiar with the issue, is "The Book of Hiram" their 3rd one? am probably kinna lost...
SO TAKING THE PLEASURE, SHARING THIS TO YOU...ENJOY READING.. (article no longer included but may be accessed in Masonically Inspired Essays)

Fraternally yours,

D Lion Fananatic
------
Bro. Ernie:

Glad you liked the exchange between Tante and the aging lion..

“The Book of Hiram “ says it is their fourth; the third is “Uriel’s Machine” although I haven’t seen a copy of that book yet.

Robert Lomas has a separate book
titled: “Freemasonry and the Birth of Modern Science” that is definitely worth reading. My copy was among the four books that was gifted to me by Tante last month. He, by the way, is not a member of the Craft but has more Masonic blood than many fraternal brothers I know. No doubt, both his biological Dad and Dad by affinity are (were) members of the Craft. He told me he almost joined before he left for the States in the mid-sixties but migration nipped it right at the bud.

It’s been quite a long time I’ve seen your name on the Net. I’m sure glad to know your still kicking up and about although I have that sneaky feeling you are no longer at Diego Garcia. Are you still there? And where is Diego Garcia in the part of the globe anyway? The last time I was looking at a globe map and could not figure out where it is.

Regards!

Bro. Jun

Bro. Ernie’s reply

Thanks Dad,

Your right, left Diego Garcia last May and migrated here in Brisbane, Australia last June 2005.
Starting a new life..at the age of 47..should have planning retirement by this age...

Had lost 10 years while being an OFW spent it in Diego Garcia.. my two kids are fast growing.. eldest son is now 17 and youngest son is 15.... a very delicate age where a father figure is I believe a must.. our neighbor in Olongapo an almost replica of our family is also an OFW working in Dubai..our kids are in the same age and in the same school.. his eldest son started to take drugs, alcohol and have 7 earings, piercing in the nose and lips and skipped classes..his younger brod..following suit....

for ten years..I can only go home once a year for a month leave..I told my wife, I don't want that when the time comes I can no longer sleep in bed na may katabi or the time that I am more excited to go back to diego garcia (I've learned this from our nakakantadang kadiego worker, some of them had stayed there for 25 years..mang Val delas verges and manoy rey rios were both pass 60 years old...duon na daw nila balak lubugan ng araw.. at di daw nila kikitain sa PI ang 150,000 pesos kada buwan ng naka tunganga lang..)

I have two choices... go to US for "special immigrant" which while serving the US Government as civilian employee entitled me to such privillage, meeting their minimum requirement of 15 years of service or pursue our Australian Independent migrant application which was lodged sometime in 2001.

In U.S., 2 of my brothers and 4 of my sisters were all citizen..but they were all scaterred, one in Chicago, one in new mexico, one in delaware, one in houston, one in minesota, and one in san diego.. they all wanted us to stay there..it took me several long distance telephone conversation explaining why we opted to migrate in Australia...

my sister in-law is here in Brisbane.. my two kids were closed to their aunt and they prepared Australia..in Filipino family, kids were closer to relatives on their mother side..and I don't have regrets over their prepared choice.. my two sons are studying in a private school which defintely I can not afford in U.S.

Bonding between father and sons are growing everyday..and thankful for this blessing....

Diego Garcia is a dot in the map. its 7 degrees northside of the equator in the indian ocean..
its atoll or a very small island and airial view its a footprint shaped.. its a fuel depo, communication site, ammunition site.there are 27 prepositioned ship anchored in the lagoon..each ship carries equipment for US Army, capable of staging portable housing for one army battalion, various vehicle (tanks, armoured personnel tank, jeeps, trucks) for one batallion, arms and ammunition, supplies and fuel..the airfield is capable of launching B1 and B2 bombers.. these war planes were instrumental in levelling the mountains of Afghanistan after the 911 incident..each plane can carry about 1,000 smart bombs.. Diego Garcia airfield is an alternate route landing for NASA Shuttle..there are about 5 to 7 statelite dedicated or stationed in diego garcia...BUT..diego garcia has no defense capability..

and for Dad Tante...an honor to meet you in the internet

Fraternally yours,
Bro Ernie

Bro. Ernie:

That was a very poignant personal story that you just said it will easily become a juicy soap opera material of Tia Dely at DZRH!

The lion tamer also has a male cousin who in the mid-seventies stayed with us for a while where the lion had him employed at Romago, an electrical firm. He subsequently transferred to Meralco and later was hired in the Middle East. Between this time, he got married to a female lawyer and while shuffling to and from work, sired three children, two boys and a girl. His pay as an OFW was real good while his wife managed to join the bench and became a Regional Judge in Iloilo.

The family arrangement in the perception of the public was superb. He was earning much, the wife was professionally successful and the children were being educated in exclusive schools.

But being close to us, he would privately complain that he was no more than a financial provider to his family; the children although polite and respectful, lack the warmth that he expected from children.

Fortunately, he made the very bold move to quit his overseas job and although jobless for about a year, his services was sorely needed by his employer it decided to establish an office in the country and hired him again as manager. He is now in the country and has stayed in his job for about five years with his two children who are already in college. The third, apparently a mama’s boy returned to the South, and there is continuing his studies in the care of his mother. And like you, he has already started to progressively cement the bonding that he feels should be the role of a father.

So much for the sob story, he had a chance to successfully recover anyway. Let the lion now digress.

A philosopher once said that to achieve immortality, one must sire a son, write a book or plant a tree. But that philosopher omitted the important adjectives; the tree must be strong and durable as an oak, the book be readable and the son better than his father who brought him to this world.

At age 17 and 15 of your two young boys, there is still a pretty good time you can catch up on the things and the dreams that you feel you should do.

Kindest fraternal regards. And thanks for that info on Diego Garcia.

Dad Jun

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

---

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