Ilonggo turncoats ‘under watch’ in new party

 

“Either move or be moved.”

—Ezra Pound

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE surge of turncoats or those who quickly discard their political party for the ruling party once a new administration takes over, has been a normal occurrence or aberration in Philippine politics, especially after the EDSA uprising.

The balimbings (star fruit) are always quick to jump ship for political survival and convenience.

Thus when Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) national president and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Sucayan Tamayo Jr. recently announced the first batch of governors, town mayors, councilors, and even barangay captains and kagawads (deputies) that took their oaths to the PFP over the weekend, some of those being watched were the “drifters” from Western Visayas, particularly in the city and province of Iloilo, which are known political landscapes of the opposition and the bulwarks of check and balance.

PFP is the political party of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., chief rival of former Vice President Leni Robredo, who beat the current president in Iloilo in the 2022 presidential election.

Even before the bug of turncoatism has officially bitten the local chief executives who didn’t support Marcos Jr., several of them have already shifted allegiance in principle as early as months after the May 2022 election, when Robredo opted to silently “fade away” and allowed the political apparatuses of the Marcos hegemony to take full command of the national government amid some imperceptible allegations of poll fraud.    

 

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Tamayo boasted that 60 governors and mayors have taken their oaths and more are expected to join them to become the ruling party in the coming years, or until the end of Mr. Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028.

Among them were Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib, Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Anne Hoferga, Batanes Gov. Malou Cayco and Laguna Vice Gov. Karen Agapay; Mahatao, Batanes Mayor Pedro Poncio; Uyugan, Batanes Mayor Jonathan Enrique Nanud Jr.; Sabtang, Batanes Mayor Prescila Babalo; Itbayat, Batanes Mayor Sabas de Sagon; Ivana, Batanes Mayor Celso Batallones; and Basco, Batanes Mayor German Caccam.

The new members reportedly vowed to support Marcos’ economic and food security agenda to enable the administration improve the lives of the people, especially in the countryside.

“We particularly welcome the President’s decision not to relinquish his post as agriculture chief as he knows what to do and has the solutions needed to address problems in that sector,” said Tamayo as quoted in a national paper.

“He also wants to improve the poverty line from 18 percent down to a single digit of nine or even eight percent to ensure food security.”

It’s interesting to know who will stay in the old political party of the current opposition and who will be included in the next batch of Tamayo’s golden list.

 

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HE WHO DOESN’T ‘LIKE’ SHOULDN’T BE DISLIKED. If a friend, a relative, or a classmate and officemate in our friends list have stopped “liking” our social media posts regularly like they used to do, we shouldn’t go ballistic and think they are already scornful or aloof, and have developed hard feelings toward us; or they are now “jealous” of our success and achievements; or “they have changed a lot”, among other negative, toxic and irrational suspicions and allusions. 

In the first place, most of the friends and relatives we suspected of acting indifferently don’t have idea about our outrageous, abnormal, malicious, and bizarre thoughts. The paranoia must stop.

They don’t “like” or have stopped “liking” our posts in the Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, etcetera not because of what we wrongly and absurdly think. It’s because some of our posts don’t really appear on their pages or timelines. 

Because of the growing number of users, social media platforms may have sort of “sanitized” their internal ecology. Thus if we have 3,000 “friends” on our list, for instance, our posts might be visible only to a little over than 200 to 300 “friends”. 

The cascading and simultaneous posts of millions of social media users all over the world may have caused the heavy traffic and, thus, we can no longer see the running posts of those we expect to always read and countenance our posts. 

Grown ups should stop whining and getting jittery. Life is good.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

Treñas-Manikan tiff and a shattered relationship

“Never above you. Never below you. Always beside you.”

—Walter Winchell

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

MANY Ilonggos have viewed the conflict between Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” P. Treñas and former City Civil Registrar Romeo Caesar “Juncae” Manikan Jr. to be “unnecessary” and a “waste of talent and friendship.”

For many astute observers, they should be the most unlikely foes in a petty and unwarranted city hall intramural based on their affable personalities and characters.

Treñas claimed that the “truth prevailed” when the Office of the Ombudsman recently dismissed the criminal and administrative cases filed by Manikan and former City Health Officer Dr. Bernard Caspe against the city mayor.

He said: “I am very happy. Para sa akon ang mga kaso daw gin-file para mag-harass sa akon but just the same, the Ombudsman found out that these were not substantiated.”

Manikan, a former city councilor like Treñas, on the other hand,  averred in an official statement that “the Lord knows who is telling the truth” as he vowed to bring about legal remedies to reverse the Ombudsman decision.

Manikan explained in an official statement: “This is not the end. We have various options as legal remedies. My lawyers agreed with my decision to file the necessary legal response like Motion for Recon or Appeal or a similar pleading. The Lord knows who is telling the truth. I am just an ordinary employee, someone who doesn't possess any immense power or influence.”

 

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He added: “I am in fact a victim of injustice and have to protect my rights. Mayor Treñas will remain a chief executive who I hold in high regard, being a godfather of my only son and I pray when time permits, will be working with together again in public service. Meanwhile, Thank you to all those who send their love and support constantly." 

Amid their paradoxical assertions, many Ilonggos who have followed the colorful political careers of both Treñas and Manikan have also felt a sense of loss and sorrow for their shattered relationship.

Their falling-out has baffled many city hall employees who admire both hard-working city leaders. 

If politics didn’t poison their good relationship, their combined talents and experiences in public service would have been a potent force for the progress and development of Iloilo City.

Sadly, politics can sometimes lead to subtraction and distraction of quality public service. 

 

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EVEN without the directives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) hierarchy in 2020 prohibiting PNP personnel from uploading TikTok videos and the likes while wearing the police uniform and on duty, it’s inconceivable for any cop to degrade his uniform just for this unproductive social media fun.

It’s crystal clear this is something they would abscond outrightly. 

Policemen and women are professionals and not kindergarten pupils to be chided it’s not proper to use a TikTok or Youtube platform to record or upload activities not related to their job as law enforcement officers.

If the cops were aware they would be subjected to investigation and disciplinary action, they would, of course, nix this type of amusement.

Thus many Western Visayas cops probably thought the “warning” Police Regional Office (PRO-6) acting regional director Police Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor reportedly gave them recently against making content on TikTok, YouTube and other social media platforms, didn’t anymore send shivers down their spines.

It was like warning flight stewardesses not to dance “otso-otso” while on board the commercial planes, or telling bus conductors not to play “lato-lato” inside the buses.

Villaflor reportedly warned the cops during a recent visit to the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO): “Dapat pagkanaka-uniform means nakaduty, walang TikTok dapat. Walang magiging vlogger dahil they will be consuming the government time. Hindi dapat inuubos ang government time sa mga gawain na hindi connected sa trabaho.”

Okay, General.

 

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UNDER FIRE. Twitter is being sued for $250 million by music publishers who allege that the social media platform "breeds massive copyright infringement that harms music creators." Twitter's alleged permissiveness around users sharing copyrighted songs has unlawfully helped fuel the company's growth, according to the National Music Publishers' Association, whose members include Universal, Sony and Warner Music Group.

DOGS AND OWNERS. When dogs misbehave, the problem is with the owners or their failure to take care of them, not with the dogs. Therefore, we shouldn't be cruel to man's most loyal friend.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

With her P800-M ‘intel’ fund, I agree with Sara

 

“National security always matters, obviously. But the reality is that if you have an open door in your software for the good guys, the bad guys get in there, too.”

—Tim Cook

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE Marcos Jr. administration should give Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio the benefit of the doubt when she recently opposed the proposed deployment of some 50,000 Afghan refugees to the Philippines prior to their relocation to the United States, as confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Duterte-Carpio must have monitored something essential to the security of the country in advance that many of us didn’t and would never know.

If it does not concern or affect the Philippine sovereignty and threatens national security, the vice president wouldn’t make that noise and criticize something that was already reportedly approved in principle by the President. 

Even if it would embarrass her political partner, President Bongbong Marcos, Jr., who had already discussed the matter with US Vice President Kamala Harris during Mr. Marcos Jr.’s recent visit in the White House, Mrs. Duterte-Carpio didn’t hesitate to express her sentiments, which, in effect,  “gave justice” to her exorbitant intel fund.

With her P800-million (P500 million from the Department of Education and P300 from the Office of the Vice President) intelligence fund, Mrs. Duterte-Carpio knows what she is saying.

In her letter dated April 20, 2023 to the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), Mrs. Duterte-Carpio had reportedly raised “vehement objection and opposition to the proposal in its entirety.”

 

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The daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte was reportedly concerned about the possibility that students would be caught in a crossfire should local terrorists supporting the Taliban launch attacks against the Afghans brought into the country.

This was confirmed by Education Undersecretary Michael Wesley Poa, who reportedly told senators on June 16 at the opening of an inquiry into the controversial plan.

“We feel that this might have the risk of further exacerbating an already unstable situation as regards the local terrorist groups in some areas in the country,” Poa said as quoted by Philippine newspapers.

She may be losing her credibility as a public servant owing to her recent ugly spat with House Speaker Martin Romualdez, but many independent-thinking Filipinos appear to be supportive of Vice President Duterte-Carpio in this issue.

For his part, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said he had asked the Department of Justice for a legal opinion to address the immigration issues and other legal aspects of bringing in foreigners without the mandated travel documents.

He shared Senator Imee Marcos’ concerns about the lack of capabilities of Philippine law enforcement authorities to conduct their own security check and vetting of the Afghans who would be entering the country.

 

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REACTING to reports that the Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the criminal and administrative complaints filed against Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas, a retired Ilonggo lawyer said the complainants may have filed the complaints in the wrong office if they were for illegal dismissal.

The two criminal and administrative complaints were filed by former City Civil Registrar’s Office (CCRO) head Romeo Cesar Manikan and another filed by former City Health Office (CHO) chief Bernard Caspe.

“Woe to the complainants,” said the retired lawyer, formerly based in the United States, who requested this writer not to name him.

“Had they filed their appeal with Civil Service Commission for their illegal dismissal or suspension, the results would have been different.”

The retired lawyer, who formerly resided in Aklan and is now staying in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, said, “Once, CSC ruled that their dismissal were illegal, then they have cause of action against the City Mayor before the Ombudsman. CSC decision itself becomes a proof of abuse  of authority on the part of the Mayor in dismissing them.“

He cited the case of Antique Provincial General Services Office chief Antonio Dela Vega, who was reassigned by Governor Rhodora Cadiao in 2016 to a satellite office in Ajuy town, around 100 kilometers north of the provincial capital town of San Jose.

 

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“In the case of Dela Vega of the Province of Antique where he was re-assigned from Provincial Capitol to Culasi, he appealed his transfer before Civil Service Commission where it ruled that his transfer constitutes constructive dismissal thereby ordering the Governor to re-instate him to his position and pay him his back salaries,” explained the 85-year-old former lawyer.

“But, the Governor refused to implement the Order, thus, he filed a complaint before Ombudsman where she was found guilty of oppression and meted a penalty of fine equivalent to one year salary. Moreover, a criminal case of violation of Section 3(e) RA No. 3019 was filed against her before the Sandiganbayan where warrant of arrest was issued to the Governor.”

He said, “if the report is indeed true that there were pending motions for reconsideration filed by dismissed employees before the Office of the Mayor but were not acted until now, they should demand for actions thereon, otherwise, they should file a case against him for violation of Section 3(f) of RA. No. 3019. Read and study the case of People of the Philippines vs. Abalos, SB-16-CRM-0252, July 18, 2022. According to the retired lawyer, “for failure of the Municipal Mayor to act on his motion for reconsideration of an employee on his transfer to another unit upon demand, he was found guilty thereof and meted a penalty of six years to eight years of imprisonment.”

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

Drilon finally speaks— against ‘lousy’ lawmakers

“I hate tests. It's a really lousy way to judge a person's ability.”

—Bill Paxton

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WEEKS ago, we lamented the deplorable and embarrassing actuations of some senators and representatives participating in the most recent legislative committee investigations in the Philippines.

Either these senators verbally harassed the invited resource persons if they didn’t like the way they answered questions, or they displayed some shocking degree of irritation and arrogance while giving the resource persons the dressing down.

The “culprits” were the same characters known to be lacking the proper training and qualifications in the legislative works before being elected in the Senate and the House of Representatives owing to their obscure backgrounds.

Like the movie action stars, overrated media personalities, half-baked celebrities, and those endorsed by the religious cults, etcetera.

It’s evident they didn’t have the skills to participate in a formal committee investigation and, thus, have put the image and prestige of the Philippine legislature in a very dismal situation.

This happened during the Senate and House inquiries on the murder of a Pinay OFW in Kuwait, the Pamplona massacre, and the PNP cover-up of the P6.7-billion worth of shabu seized from a police sergeant, to mention only a few. 

Well, we are not alone in our observations and those of some netizens. 

 

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Even Ilonggo former senator Frank Drilon has expressed alarm that the “lack of decorum’’ of some of his former colleagues during those committee hearings “could inadvertently erode the chambers’ credibility and prestige.”

In fact, the damage has been done, if we ask some keen political observers equally upset by the embarrassing performances of these lawmakers during the committee hearings. 

Drilon’s fears only confirmed what we have been worrying about these past months.

Drilon pointed out how some of the current senators, “out of rage or frustration” when grilling resource persons during committee hearings, would openly blurt out expletives and “unparliamentary” language.

“I do not wish to comment on the individual conduct of senators but I am more concerned about the image of the Senate as an institution… and undeniably, the perception of the Senate by the public has been eroded by what we observed as a lack of proper decorum,” Drilon said, quoted by a Philippine national broadsheet on June 16.

“How effective one branch is would depend on the support that they have from the people. If the Senate loses its prestige, it weakens (as an institution) in so far as checking the Executive is concerned,” he added.

“The Senate leadership should make sure that the concept of checks and balances can be maintained. If you weaken the Senate, the Executive will run roughshod on other branches.”

We are excited to hear Drilon next lash at those responsible for the defective P680-million Ungka flyover project.

The alleged incompetence and graft and corruption by some DPWH bigwigs and their contractors are more alarming and sickening than the use of unparliamentary words by the lousy lawmakers.  

 

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A “FATHER’S DAY” also temporarily liberates neglectful fathers and philandering husbands from the shackles of guilt and enmity.

It briefly releases them from the cocoon of shame and embarrassment. Even if they have caused a boundless stigma and devastation to their families, their “angry” and “distressed” children, wives, mothers, sisters, including their inamoratas, will always remember and celebrate their good qualities and greet them even for one fleeting moment.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

The best father

“I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.”

—Alexander the Great

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE best father is one who continues to adore and love his wife even if she has gained weight, wrinkles, and is “no longer sexually attractive.” He is best who, despite having cavorted with a 20-something nymphet, does not abandon his children and obligation to his family. 

It’s much better, of course, if he doesn’t have that 20-something skeleton in the closet. 

A  “good father” should also be a “good husband.” As much as possible, no man should claim that “l may be a bad husband, but I am a good father.” Meaning he (admitted to having) betrayed his wife but was never remiss of his duties and obligations to his children. 

It should be, “I am doing my best to be both a good husband and a good father.” 

Relationship with our family isn’t a 5-6; it’s not an eat-all-you-can meal; not a study-now-pay-later plan; not a chicken and egg debate; not a choice between wholesale and retail. 

Family is a home, the altar of concrete union and fountain of unconditional love, not a plate of pizza that can be sliced according to our appetite.

Happy Father’s Day.

 

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RP’S FIRST AND ONLY CHESS FEMALE NATIONAL MASTER. In a report recently shared to this writer by US Master Marlon Bernardino, a young chess prodigy named Nika Juris Nicolas from Pasig City was granted the title of National Master by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) on June 9, 2023. 

“Despite being the only female participant in the Boys Under 11 Division of the National Youth and Schools Chess Championships Grand Finals, held in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte from June 2 to 9, Nika managed to win medals in all categories, including a silver in Standard, a silver in Blitz, and a bronze in Rapid,” Bernardino, who also dabbles as coach of Filipino international chessers.

“This is not the first time Nika has achieved remarkable success in chess. Previously, she emerged as the champion in the Under 11 Boys Division of the NCFP National Eliminations for the same event held in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental from March 24 to 27, 2023,” added Bernardino. 

“Her exceptional performance in the boys' division is truly noteworthy, and she has now secured her place in Philippine chess history as the country's first and only National Master who is female.”

He added: “It is quite uncommon for women to compete in Open Divisions since it is usually preferred that they join the separate division for women. In fact, the World Chess Federation (FIDE) maintains separate titles for boys/open categories, such as Grandmaster, International Master, FIDE Master, and Candidate Master, all of which require higher FIDE rating thresholds compared to their female equivalents.” 

Bernardino stressed that “these facts expose the existing gender disparities in the field of chess.  Nika's historic accomplishment as the first and only female National Master in the Philippines breaks societal  barriers and challenges the notion of male dominance in chess.”

She is also set to compete in the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships in Bangkok, Thailand on June 17-27,2023.  

Bernardino considers Nika Juris Nicolas as “the brightest future of Philippine chess.” 

“The fact she demonstrated her talent with amazing performances in her several achievements, then the country can hope for a world class athlete if not a would be renowned and astounding Chess Grandmaster in the making,” added Bernardino.

Nika Juris will also lead the VCIS- Homeschool Global Chess Team to the 1st Professional Chess Association of the Philippines National Inter School Championship to be held July 8, 9, 15 and 16.

Apart from Nika Juris, the team was made up of Woman National Master Antonella Berthe Racasa, Gabriel Ryan Paradero, Andrew and Aron Toledo. Team coach is Robert Racasa.

Atty. Nikki De Vega and Atty. Krisanto Karlo Nicolas is proud of these latest achievements of their daughter.

"Thank you to our growing village of supporters and prayer warriors, Nika's coaches Lourecel Ecot, Raul Damuy, MJ Ladrona, Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence led by GM Jayson Gonzales and WGM Janelle Frayna, Pasig City Government, NCFP and the chess parents," said proud mother Atty. Nikki De Vega, who is also the NCFP's legal counsel. 

 

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In one of my most recent trips to Washington DC, the first imposing monument that greeted me from the Union Station was the newly refurbished golden U.S. Capitol Dome.

I used to only see from afar the fifty-two miles of metal scaffolding pipe like a wiry cage surrounding the dome's interior with functional but symmetrical lighting.

A five-layer doughnut made of rope and fabric was also installed in the Rotunda to catch any falling debris during the repair in 2017. It was not a good sight for tourists. 

The historic landmark was back to its former glory before President Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017, or after two years of meticulous repairs led by Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers, FIFA, along with architect-of-record Hoffman Architects.

The ellipsoidal cast-iron edifice, completed in 1866, had undergone serious deterioration and suffered from water infiltration through pin holes in the Statue of Freedom.

Its exposure to rain, snow, sleet and sun reportedly caused damage to it exterior shell including: the tholos balustrade, the base of the cupola and the boilerplate balcony level.

Its last significant renovation occurred more than half a century ago and the project had improved the quality of the Capitol Dome and provided protection from the elements for the next 50 years to preserve one of the United States' most iconic structures.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

‘Eat Bulaga’ spat reminds me of Iloilo’s News Express

 

“A brainy person does not abuse copyright; instead they respect it and uphold it.”

— Maximillian Degenerez

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IN June 1988 or 35 years ago, the late publisher Inocencio “Pops” Malones decided to temporarily change the name of our Iloilo weekly publication from News Express to Fortune News because of a conflict in the paper’s trademark.

Our former editor, the late Ben Palma, bolted from the management and formed his own version of “News Express”. 

Palma sought a court injunction claiming he owned the paper’s trademark and asked Malones to “cease and desist” from using the name News Express.

The original and intact News Express first rolled off the press in February 1988 with Malones (publisher), Palma (editor and columnist), Agnes Españo (managing editor), Femia Pedregosa and Jing Torres (editorial staff), Monching Vego (business manager), Giovannie Va-ay (circulation manager). Then Maasin vice mayor and future mayor Mariano Malones, Pops’ nephew, was the operation manager. 

Pet (now Atty. Teopisto Melliza), the paper’s second editor, and I joined the paper in March 1988.

 

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After only several issues in April and May, Palma and the paper’s management had a disagreement that resulted in Palma jumping off the fence to publish his own version of News Express. 

Unlike in the Eat Bulaga imbroglio where Tito Vic and Joey continued to use the noontime show’s trademark name after they left GMA Network and transferred to TV5, it was publisher Pops Malones who agreed to take two steps backward by temporarily changing the paper’s name to Fortune News (from the name of Fortune Printing Press, the Malones clan’s crown glory in Davao and Iloilo).

We had to temporarily change our press ID and calling cards. Ninety percent of advertisers stayed with the new kid in town, Fortune News.

Palma only managed to maneuver and transfer the bulk of Land Transportation Office (LTO) public notice publication advertisements from the original 14-paged “News Express, the Best Alternative” to his new anemic six-paged “News Express.” 

The court battle for the rightful ownership of News Express as a trademark became inevitable.   

 

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Pops Malones was represented in court by future Antique judge Neri Duremdes and the late lawyer Oligario “Oling” Santisteban. Palma was represented by an Atty. Palomado.

As a successful major player in the printing press industry, Pops Malones could afford to let go of the struggling publication, which wasn’t yet profitable if he wanted to avoid a headache and a collision course with the putschist.

But the well-loved publisher, then in his 90s, didn’t want us to lose our jobs. Thus Pops Malones dug deep into his pockets and soldiered on.

To make the long story short, Palma’s usurpation of the name News Express became short-lived. 

The court ruled in Pops Malones’ favor and the original News Express family managed to regain the invaluable trademark, including the publication of the controversial LTO ads.

Palma was forced to abolish his paper and moved to the now defunct The Sentinel with his original pals the late Dean Art Jimenez, Manuel “Boy” Mejorada, and fellow chess champion Romeo “Butch” Paloma IV. 

The saga in Eat Bulaga is more complicated. Joey de Leon claims ownership of the copy write, but the Jalosjos-controlled TAPE Inc. claims ownership of the trademark through registration.

Their battle has shifted to ownership of entertainment rights, etcetera.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

We not me

 

“Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those whom God has so joined together, let no man put asunder.”

—John F. Kennedy

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

MOST recent global catastrophic events: Mayon volcano spewing lava in the Philippines; flash floods in the United Kingdom; wild fires in Canada and California; poisonous smoke in New York (that’s also “sinking”); drought in Somalia; earthquakes in Hokkaido, Japan and Bay Area, San Francisco; super typhoon in Guam.

Melting snow in Yosemite National Park; gas leak in Suffolk, Virginia; tornado in Pennsylvania and Colorado; landslides in Northern Italy and San Clemente, California; fish kill in Quintana Beach, Texas; alleged UFO spacecraft crash in Las Vegas; brownouts in Panay Island and Ninoy Aquino Manila Airport.

From volcanic eruption, floods and wildfires to hurricanes, high temperatures and drought, the devastations of climate change have left no human habituation untouched. 

Humans may have created today’s global climate crisis. Yet we are not the first humans to grapple with its challenges.

What’s really happening to the universe? Global warming? Signs of the times? The “end” is near (God forbid)? Or both? Is humanity in real deep trouble? 

Is prayer—lots of it—not enough to save mankind?

“We not me” is the battlecry of my first (and now inactive) Twitter account. It’s about time we take seriously our environmental science, which has shifted toward a more collaborative approach, one that emphasizes cross-disciplinary teamwork.

We think such a framework is necessary in today’s universe, where many variables can come together to impact the planet’s harmony.

 

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WE’RE JUST A LITTLE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE. We are nothing but mere polka dots in this material world, so let’s love and respect one another regardless of sex, age, economic status, profession, religion, race, educational attainment, political affiliation. 

Let’s be kind—and extend our patience and understanding—to those who have mental and emotional issues in life, and those embroiled in marital and familial dilemmas. 

Let’s dismantle our excessive pride and arrogance; let’s deflate our ego and empty it with toxic air; let’s always give way and sacrifice for our parents, the seniors, the children, and those with physical deformities. Let’s keep our cool all the time especially when provoked, and when truckloads of problems and challenges ransack our life.

Let’s co-exist with nature, respect human and animal rights, and read good books. We not me. Let’s meditate and pray. 

 

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SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDE. If there were no “unfriend” and “block” settings, the social media, particularly Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook and Elon Musk’s Twitter, would be a veritable Pearl Harbor, a Marawi City siege, or an inter-galactic space battlefield.

We “unfriend” people when we feel their presence is already inimical to our interest. 

We “block” them if we think their existence will hamper our happiness and growth—and when they have become annoying and vexatious to our life. 

We decide what kind of food to place inside our body. If the food provides nutrients, we grow and become healthy. If it is toxic, we release it in the toilet before it can poison our digestive system.

Social media “friends” and “followers” should represent our daily bread or the food we partake. 

To avoid a diarrhea or LBM, let’s eat only quality and good food. So as not to belabor ourselves clicking the “unfriend” and “block” settings each time a lunatic will run berserk and terrorize our wall, let’s carefully choose and scrutinize the “friends” we accept. 

There is no pesky and constant trip to the toilet room if there is no virulent item inside our stomach. There is no hysterical clicking of “unfriend” and/or “block” in the setting if there are no venomous characters in our friends’ list.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)