Sunday, September 16, 2012

TO KILL the RH BILL



Sep 13, '12 12:58 AM
for everyone
To kill the RH Bill   
 Some friends who are aware of my seminary training (Christ the King-QC, SVD, as in Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD, or the late Fr. Jose Vicente Braganza, Edicio de la Torre, Charlie Avila, Conrado Balweg), have tried to taunt me into expressing my own view on the RH Bill.  They themselves have evidently become so emotional and all worked up on the issue that they will not allow any fence-sitters.  My stock reply has always been: “Please, don’t bother me now with such a trivial matter.  I’m busy still trying to solve the mystery of the Blessed Trinity.” No kidding aside (sic), the debate over the bill is simply too big for my britches.  It is best left in the care of people who like to play God.  And you know what they say, “whom the gods wish to destroy…they turn into congressmen.”
The thing I hate most about the bill is it’s a big lie.  It really has nothing to do with reproduction and very little about health.  It’s really more about reducing, not reproducing, the population.  It’s merely your typical publicist’s slogan.  It’s really the old “population control” program with a fancy name coined by the rich countries. They are mortally afraid about their precious world being overrun by poor, lazy, ignorant American blacks, Latinos, Africans, Asians, Catholics and, of course, fanatical muslims.  It is a massive, well-funded, worldwide campaign run by the G8 countries WHO (no pun intended) control the United Nations through its so-called World Health Organization which in turn invented the term.  If you think our local legislators concocted the term, you have another think coming. Our solons may be smart but they are not that clever.  When even the term “reproductive health” became overworked, they were advised to refer to it simply as the innocuous-sounding “RH Bill.”
Sometime in the early 1970s, Marcos established the so-called “POPCOM” or Commission on Population to direct a national population program. This was followed by the Population Act (RA 6365) in 1971.  Presidents Cory and Ramos doubtless also under foreign prodding, devised their own family planning and population management programs until our policymakers and politicians eventually began to focus on “reproductive health” (2001-2004). Condoms evidently supplied by our foreign funders were freely distributed all over the country.  Since our Filipino menfolk found it rather unmanly to use the contraceptive device, condoms were used as balloons at birthday parties. One might say that at least it was one way of getting the population control program off the ground. 
But governments and political leaders never seem to learn. It is hazardous to mess around with peoples’ lives, morals, customs, traditions.  Whether it’s condoms, safety belts, driving lights, smoking, morals, buying habits or sexual preferences, people seem to have finally realized that they were endowed with some basic and inalienable rights.  They will refuse to obey any laws that attempt to unduly infringe on these rights.
On the other hand, history has shown that highly ambitious and successful peoples and nations have always tried to impose their will on others.  Whether it was the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Crusaders, the Chinese emperors or the Japanese Co-prosperity Sphere, Alexander the Great, Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, they all had one thing in common:  their immense success seemed to have convinced them that they must own and rule the world – to their eternal regret.  Never mind that in the process they managed to slaughter millions of Jews, pagans, heretics, Christians, Protestants, Apaches, Mohicans, starving Africans, etc. Never mind that they have to spend billions of dollars inventing and producing atomic bombs, intercontinental ballistic missiles, chemical and other weapons of mass destruction, money that could easily feed and educate all the starving peoples all over the world – till kingdom come.
Neither is the RH Bill a political nor religious issue.  It’s really more about sovereignty and independence.  We thought that when Aguinaldo declared our independence from the Spain in 1898, we were freed from the shackles of colonialism.  Alas, it was not to be.  It turned out to be illusory at best, merely a changing of the guard, no thanks to Admiral Dewey.  When the Americans gave us our “independence” in 1946, again we thought we were free – free to run this country, “like hell,” as promised. Finally, we thought that when we drove out the Americans from Clark and Subic, the country was ours, at last.  Sadly, we seem to have overlooked the so-called “Golden Rule” – who holds the gold, rules.
Let’s face it.  Filipinos don’t own this country any more than the farmers own Hacienda Luisita.  Despite the nationalistic provisions in our Constitution, this country has always been effectively owned and run by foreigners, Chinese, Spaniards, Americans, Japanese, Arabs, Koreans, Indians (and their mini or pseudo-Grameen banks), and of late the G8 countries.  No thanks to our current restrictive laws on mining and environment, these foreigners now literally hold all the gold.
Indeed, since the time of Marcos, every Filipino is now hocked up to his neck in all kinds of foreign loans.  Since the time of Marcos, our country is committed and obligated by law (Sec. 26 [2], Adm. Code of 1987) to provide for “automatic appropriation” for public debt servicing.  It means that every year 40% to 60% of our total budget is automatically set aside to pay off our creditors.  Hence, whether we realize it or not, we are now at the mercy of our creditor countries.  They dictate how this country is run, particularly in the field of finance and taxation.  Nobody in his right mind, not even our honorable congressmen, likes the idea of the 12% VAT.  But our creditor-countries said “no VAT, no more foreign loans.”  In the simplest terms, that means no foreign loans, no money to run the country. No money means no pork barrel to divvy up. 
So, why do you think there are so many solons zealously falling all over each other trying to get the RH Bill passed as if their very lives or lifestyles depended on it. By the way, whatever happened to the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill that’s been languishing in Congress since 2008?  The what bill?  Oh, that bill.  Not to worry, it’s enshrined, nay, entombed in the Constitution.
But shouldn’t we worry that the RH Bill will be passed? For heaven’s sake, who’s afraid of another “world class” law?  If our congressmen cannot pass an Anti-Dynasty Law, why should we take them seriously?  Besides, we have arguably the best statutes any country would be proud of.  Indeed, no less than the UN special envoy Margareta Wahlstrom , a “Special DRR Representative” of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, complimented the Philippines  for having the “world’s best” climate change laws, the Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729) and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121). Thanks, we needed that, Master Ban Ki-moon.
Last Saturday I spent the whole afternoon at the huge Trinoma Mall.  It was packed with people - all smiles, happy, eager, and ready to splurge on their remittances from their OFW relatives abroad.  The sight would be the envy of any mall tycoon.  Now, you might say, therein lies the wealth of this nation.  Our own people, in the hundreds of millions, hardworking, God-fearing, willing to take on any job, suffer any pain or humiliation (like the Jews of old) all for the sake of their family and children. Our churches are packed to the rafters on Sundays, grandparents, parents and noisy, carefree children in tow and at play, praying to and thanking the Lord for all their blessings and good fortune.
Now, you don’t really need impressive statistics and surveys, fancy algorithms to realize that indeed “it’s more fun in the Philippines.”  I believe that’s it.  The global elite who would impose population control must fear and envy us.  We have no right to be so happy and to live free like the birds of the air and lilies of the field. Mt. 6:26. We do not deserve a God who counts every hair on our heads. Mt. 10:30.  What kind of people are we whose every breath we take is followed by a sigh of gratitude to an almighty God? May awa ang Diyos! PTL.
So what if the UN and its grossly-overpaid consultants consider us a heavily-indebted and highly impoverished country whose finances – and population -have to be closely monitored by creditor countries.  So what if the Filipinos are an oppressed people, meek, humbled and abused.  “Weder-weder lang.” So were the Jews of old. Look at them now.  They are in charge of the world financial centers in New York, Amsterdam, London.  Not that they are necessarily happy.
Time was when a fledgling people loosely called “Americans” felt so helpless, abused, and miserable against a formidable Great Britain.  It was a time when a man named Patrick Henry felt that his only recourse, before uttering the immortal words “Give me liberty, or give me death,” was to invoke the name of the Almighty in the same breath.  So, go ahead, pass the RH Bill.    But beware, “There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who…will fight our battles for us.”  Atty. JAMES D. LANSANGjeemsdee@yahoo.com





sjyap60 wrote on Sep 13
Bene dictum et scriptum, as only Kuya James can. We will survive the RH Bill, just as we did with other calamities, man-made and otherwise. Life goes on, despite all the brickbats we throw against each other. We are a happy and resilient race. Yes, it's definitely more fun in da Pilipins!

jeemsdee wrote on Sep 13
Tnx, kuya, as I often advise, there is hardly ever any reason to be overly anxious and fanatical ... it is almost a denial of the existence of a just and loving God...it is unevangelical...

THE HAIL MARY AS MY PRAYERALL


Jan 20, '12 12:50 AM
for everyone
The Hail Mary as my Prayerall
Lately, I have been receiving quite a number of prayer requests, thanks to a rather efficient networking system devised by our Bro. Dante Magdangal mainly for the XVD Association members.  However, since the prayer requests vary from a death of a close relative, a sick child, a worried parent, a financial problem, a pending business deal, a dreaded disease or serious ailment, one is sometimes hard put to find the appropriate prayer to cover each and every situation calling for divine assistance.
After all, while it may be easy and convenient to simply utter “eternal rest grant unto him/her, etc.” it obviously would be inappropriate for any other situation not involving a death in the family.
It’s true the Lord Jesus himself taught us the “Lord’s Prayer” which can cover many situations usually the subject of many requests for divine intervention.  However, there simply is no line item in that prayer that sufficiently pertains to death or the hereafter.
That’s how I learned to appreciate the “HAIL MARY” as a convenient or suitable prayer to utter for most prayer requests.  It is a prayer to our heavenly mother, who is also known as the mediatrix of all graces.  After all, who can know and feel with us in our hour of great need or desperation than our mother?  Remember the little incident at the marriage at Cana?  The wine supply for the poor desperate newly-weds and their guests was running out.  Mama Mary then tells the steward and waiters: “quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite,” or “do whatever he tells you.” (Jn. 2:5) Then, lo and behold, there was wine aplenty and of excellent quality.
Of all things too and almost sacrilegious is that so-called “Hail Mary pass” in American football.  It’s a term used for any long forward pass (a desperation attempt, really) with little chance of success resorted to by a losing football team, such pass usually being batted down or intercepted.  Personally, I find the football term uncannily descriptive of the faith we have with our Mama Mary and the miraculous or intercessory powers she has been known to wield as the Mother of God.
Or, let’s say, you’re in a crazy, stupid, infuriating meeting or situation. You’re about to lose your mind or temper.  There is no time nor are you inclined to recite an entire rosary.  How about a “Hail Mary” instead?  Before you even finish the prayer, a wave of good thoughts will have washed away most of your foul mood or evil thoughts.  It beats counting 1-10 because you can’t be calling on Mama Mary and thinking bad thoughts.
So, how about saying a little “Hail Mary” for me.-Bro. James Lansang 


xvdph wrote on Jan 21
if you pray hard you recall your password.

DANTE MAGDANGAL - THE XVD 1-MAN PRESS CORPS


Dec 5, '11 5:27 AM
for everyone
DANTE MAGDANGAL – The XVD 1-Man Press Corps


Because most of its members are your typical modest and shy characters who loathe trumpeting their talents, good works and good fortune, the XVD Association composed of ex-seminarians from the SVD-run Christ the King Seminary is hardly known outside the seminary walls. It is nevertheless no exaggeration to cite the XVD Association for what has evolved and developed into its own laudable mission-vision: to provide a support group and continued Christian formation for its members and their families, support the plans and programs of the Society of the Divine Word, and provide assistance and care for the retired, elderly and/or disabled SVD priests and brothers now living out their days at the “Villa Cristo Rey” retirement home at CKS-QC.
From its humble beginnings as a motley group of basketball and tennis-addicted ex-seminarians who would hang out at Christ the King Seminary, the XVD Association through the years has become a regular appendage of SVD in the Philippines, now known to and acknowledged by no less than the Filipino Superior General of the SVD in Rome, Fr. Tony Pernia, who recently met with some of the XVD leaders at a recollection in Tagaytay City. As an offshoot of its various activities and projects, the XVD Association was instrumental in organizing the Perpetual Rosary Movement and the Lay Society of St. Arnold Janssen, both of which are now active apostolic endeavors.

However, as with any human institution, a key ingredient for its sustainability is communication. As it has developed, the XVD Association – providentially - found such a man in the person of Bro. DANTE MAGDANGAL. One might say that Bro. Dante is the tie that binds the XVD Association together. Any news, update, prayer request, or important announcement or information about the XVD and any of its members or their families is immediately circulated via the magic of text (sms).
Bro. Dante is the XVD’s 1-Man Press Corps. How Bro. Dante finds the time and money to accomplish this task is a modern-day miracle in itself.
However, Bro. Dante being such a quiet, humble and unassuming character, much of his efforts have apparently gone mostly unnoticed or taken for granted. This little note is a feeble attempt to acknowledge and recognize Bro. DANTE for his valuable and indefatigable efforts to keep the XVD alive and well. Thanks again, Bro. Dante. Indeed, Mama Mary must love you... and vice versa.
Bro. JAMES LANSANG. 

goldencorridor wrote on Dec 6, '11
Alleluia, we have a Dante Magdangal now. May his days be unnumbered, and may his tribe increase amongst us!

elmersarmiento wrote on Dec 9, '11
Thank you, Dante.