Earth Day 2008: Call for Climate
Today, April 22, is Earth Day. The focus of activities mirrors the different challenges we are facing right now. Millions of people around the world are rallying behind a Call for Climate, the global warming action theme. The planet is heating up and with the rising temperature comes the problems associated with global warming (food crisis, rice shortage, changing weather patterns, etc.). What started 38 years ago in San Francisco, USA, has now spread to all corners of the globe. In the Philippines, the theme is “Tubig Buhay Natin, Ating Pagyamanin.” Let us do our part in preserving the Integrity of Creation. Make every day, Earth Day.
Parents
This is worth reading … A simple man tells how his booking an air ticket for his father, his first flight, brought emotions and made him realize that how much we all take for granted when it comes to our parents. My parents left for our native place on Thursday and we went to the airport to see them off. In fact, my father had never traveled by air before, so I just took this opportunity to make him experience the same.In spite of being asked to book tickets by train, I got them tickets on Lufthansa. The moment I handed over the tickets to him, he was surprised to see that I had booked them by air. The excitement was very apparent on his face, waiting for the time of travel. Just like a school boy, he was preparing himself on that day and we all went to the airport, right from using the trolley for his luggage, the baggage check-in and asking for window seat and waiting restlessly for the security check-in to happen. He was thoroughly enjoying himself and I, too, was overcome with joy watching him experience all these things.
As they were about to go in for the security check-in, he walked up to me with tears in his eyes and thanked me. He became very emotional and it was not as if I had done something great but the fact that this meant a great deal to him. When he said thanks, I told him there was no need to thank me. But later, thinking about the entire incident, I looked back at my life.
As a child how many dreams our parents have made come true. Without understanding the financial situation, we ask for football, dresses, toys, outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability, they have satisfied to all our needs. Did we ever think about the sacrifices they had to make to accommodate many of our wishes? Did we ever say thanks for all that they have done for us?
Same way, today when it comes to our children, we always think that we should put them in a good school. Regardless of the amount of donation, we will ensure that we will have to give the child the best, theme parks, toys, etc. But we tend to forget that our parents have sacrificed a lot for our sake to see us happy, so it is our responsibility to ensure that their dreams are realized and what they failed to see when they were young, it is our responsibility to ensure that they experience all those and their life is complete.
Many times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I have actually answered back without patience. When my daughter asks me something, I have been very polite in answering. Now I realize how they would have felt at those moments. Let us realize that old age is a second childhood and just as we take care of our children,the same attention and same care need to be given to our parents and elders.
Rather than my dad saying thank you to me, I would want to say sorry for making him wait so long for this small dream. I do realize how much he has sacrificed for my sake and I will do my best to give the best possible attention to all their wishes. Just because they are old does not mean that they will have to give up everything and keep sacrificing for their grandchildren also.
They have wishes, too. Take care of your parents. Pls pass on this mail to every child who loves parents and want to love them more … God bless!!
Government
“In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?” ~ St. Augustine
“The government, which was designed for the people, has got into the hands of the bosses and their employers, the special interests. An invisible empire has been set up above the forms of democracy.” ~ Woodrow Wilson
“Our government… teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.” ~ Louis Brandeis
National Cultural Heritage Act of 2007
Aurora became the 73rd province of the Philippines on August 13, 1979. It is a place that plays a prominent role in the news during the rainy season (June-November) when typhoons and tropical storms frequently visit the country. I’ve never been to Aurora but I’ve friends who’ve been there and have only kind words to describe the place and the people. There’s still lots of pristine spaces in Aurora, a factor that may have inspired Congressman Juan Esdgardo M. Angara (LDP-Lone District, Aurora) to file house bill 00098, the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2007. This bill seeks to protect, preserve, conserve and promote the nation’s cultural heritage, its properties and its histories, and the ethnicity of local communities. It also proposes to establish and strengthen cultural institutions and protect cultural workers.
If this bill gets to become a law, it will be of tremendous help in uplifting our pride and stature as a nation. I hope I’ll get to meet one of these days Congressman Angara, so I can shake the hand of a man who sees the future and believes in the Filipino people, to finally ask him, “Sir, what inspired you to sponsor HB-00098 ?”
Every Filipino is a Champion!
Today as we celebrate National Heroes Day, let us always remember our fallen heroes and heroines, and include in their midst our dearly beloved Overseas Filipino Workers. The OFWs are the real, modern day heroes/heroines.
A few months ago I was in Bangkok conducting a seminar-workshop for development workers. Being a first time visitor of the city I was really amazed by its spanking new airport, the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The numerous skyways traversing the city ensured that the flow of traffic was constantly moving. The airport is quite far from the center of the city but it was never a problem because of the efficient transport system. I was really impressed with the respect and reverence given by the Thai people to their king. In fact they all tried to wear yellow as a sign of love and respect to their king, one day in a week. What is it that our Asian neighbors have that we seem to lack?
On the way back to Manila, I was privileged to sit beside these modern day heroes/heroines. I heard their stories, their jokes, and of course their dreams. Now I know how my father and brothers who were seaman felt when they were coming home.
Welcome back my dear champions!
I lost my holiday
August 19 is Quezon Day in honor of Manuel L. Quezon the first Senate President and second President of the Republic. As a long-time resident of Quezon City, I usually looked forward to this holiday as a time for rest, recreation and reflection. Studying and working in schools within the city added to the bliss of having a free day or what I usually term “a-do-nothing-day.” However, this year it falls on a Sunday. And for the next succeeding years unless the law of moving our holidays is repealed or amended, it will no longer be celebrated on the day itself but on the Monday nearest it. The magic is gone, hopefully not for long.
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In Session: Eyes are on the first bill filed in Congress and the Senate. The first bill filed in the House of Representatives is HB-00001 entitled Cheaper Medicines Act of 2007. This bill seeks to impose price regulation on medicines and amend certain provisions of RA-8290 otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. Congressman Ferjenel G. Biron (Lakas-CMD, 4th District, Iloilo) is a physician by profession. Meanwhile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada filed SB-1, An Act Exempting the Purchase of Medicine by Senior Citizens from the Coverage of VAT. Hopefully this will become a law that will alleviate our situation. This is a good sign that our legislators have recognized how costly it is to get sick!…..Speaking of getting sick, I would like to thank Doctors Abadilla, Antonio, and Bolong of St. Luke’s Medical Center for attending to my youngest son Jacob, even at the height of typhoon Egay. Thanks also to the nurses and staff. It’s been quite some time since I’ve been to this hospital and I’m really impressed by the courtesy and professionalism shown to all patients. They really go the extra mile to make one’s stay as comfortable as possible, maybe to cushion the expenses. As the popular saying of a commercial says “bawal magkasakit.” For which the common answer is “dahil napakamahal magkasakit.” Let’s all pray that HB-00001 and SB-1 will see the light of day!…..I’m a great fan of Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio who has just filed HB-00266, the Gifted Children Act of 2007. It seeks the establishment of the Center for the Gifted Children that shall be responsible for the following: 1. identification and placement of gifted children, 2. scholarship grants and other forms of assistance, 3. training of parents on parenting gifted children, and 4. establishment of linkages and networking with institutions involved with gifted children. In my travel to different parts of our country, I’ve come across children with great potentials for nation-building. Their innate talent and well-being, if only nurtured properly would greatly benefit mankind. I hope this bill will finally become law so that something great can be done for the many children who are truly gifted but lack the necessary connections to make it in life. My salute to the parents of gifted children in the Philippines and all over the world……I guess I didn’t really lose my holiday since I got to talk to you through this blog. Just say yes to peace!
