Simbang Gabi as a tradition

By the time this article gets published, it would be 10 days before Christmas. As Catholic tradition would put it, it is now time for the Simbang Gabi. I am sure that by the mere mention of the term, some readers would be filled with vivid memories of having attended even a single day of mass right before the break of dawn.

According to the Roman Catholic Church, Simbang Gabi is one of the longest and most popular among Filipino traditions in the country. It is actually a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins on December 16 as early as 3:30am and culminates with the Misa de Gallo (literally meaning Rooster’s Mass) on Christmas Eve. In some churches, the panuluyan is even reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.

The Simbang Gabi tradition could be traced to Mexico, way back in 1587. It is said that the Pope had granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass. Farmers as well as fishermen would wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work, and ask for the grace of good harvest. In most Spanish speaking countries, Simbang Gabi entails a typical midnight mass starting at around 12 midnight.

The custom in the Philippines started during the Spanish colonial period when priests held early dawn masses for the farmers who would want to attend Christmas mass but could not leave their fields. It is an expression of devotion. A commonly-held belief is that if an individual completes the nine consecutive days of Simbang Gabi, the act would merit a wish made by the devotee being granted.

But Simbang Gabi would not be complete without the traditional delicacies that await churchgoers shortly after mass. The most popular is, of course, the puto bungbong, puto (rice cakes) and bibingka. I am not sure whether there are stalls that still sell salabat (ginger tea) or common green tea because most Filipino nowadays prefer coffee hot choco. Also, with convenient stores such as 7-11 and fastfood outlets just around the corner, some would rather choose to dine-in and eat donuts or burgers.

In some urban areas, the Misa de Gallo is celebrated around 8-9 in the evening to accommodate the needs of members of the community who have different work schedules. Here in San Pablo City, many kubol (make-shift chapels) in barangays celebrate Simbang Gabi the same way, or during the night.

The Church declared that majority of those who attend Simbang Gabi come from the youth sector. While many elders retort that it is now being used as a dating place, the former optimistically looks at it as a way to reach out to teen-agers. But it is not only the plaza or the churches which are filled with people during and after mass. Visit Sampaloc Lake this time of year and from the park to around the lake, it is littered with church-goers.

Majority of Filipinos are religious, if not devout. The importance of the church has been debated over-and-over again. Even the separation of the church and state has been elucidated in political affairs. Its clout, however, could not be denied. It is closely related to tradition. While Winston Churchill proclaimed that, “A love for tradition has never weakened a nation, but strengthened nations in the hour of their peril,” Woody Allen said that, “Tradition is the illusion of permanence.”

But there is a compromise I see in these two opinions. Traditions are used to strengthen an institution, a tool or something to look forward to. As a practice, its continuation is its survival. The illusion of permanence has always been there for nothing is constant except change. Indeed, tradition is changing in the way we look at it, the way it is being celebrated, and the way society accepts it as a whole.

The Archdiocese of Manila said that Simbang Gabi is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members but also because it is a time where faith is intensified. They even added that it does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart. The blessing does not depend on the number of mass attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receive the Lord’s blessing. This is a more liberal approach as compared to the old days when the prayle is said to knock on doors of people to compel them to attend and complete the nine-day period.

Simbang Gabi, as any other tradition, is an event where memories are collected and collated. Waking-up early; feeling the very cold morning breeze; the aromatic greetings of kakanin; and meeting with friends or family members.

Christmas is indeed just around the corner.

Credibility

It seems that everything that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo does is bound to be criticized. Except for press releases issued by Malacañang and government owned TV stations, media outfits seem to be at one in disagreeing with the present administration. Her approval rating, according to the Social Weather Station, is at a negative 38 rating. And the current issues do not help in uplifting her popularity.

Today, she is being criticized for her declaration of martial law in Maguindanao. Her handling of the Ampatuan’s is perceived to be with that of using kid’s gloves. Some even blame her administration for allegedly arming warlords and letting private armies reign.

Her intention to run for Congress is much more damned, if not rebuked. Many see it as a play of greed and lust for power. Some takes it as a way to escape liability, a fact which she had shown finesse in avoiding several impeachment cases.

This leads us to say that she would go into the annals of history as one of the most unpopular president of our country.

But she is unique.

She would complete a nine year presidency. She is the only one who succeeded a legitimately constituted president who was ousted at the middle of a six year term. And for a fact, she is the only president who have tasted, if not tried, every available power that the office had to offer. No other president had declared a state of emergency, foiled a coup de etat, and declared martial law all in the same term.

So far, she is the most traveled president. She’s the only the one who had to say “I am sorry” in national television during the heat of the Garcillano issue. Her family is involved in so many charges of graft and corruption that it is hard to make count. From the ZTE-NBN scandal to the luscious dinners at New York, all speaks of how her every move is being watched.

Indeed she had experienced almost everything, except being loved by the people.

And this reminds me of the sagely advise of Pilosopo Tasio in Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel, Noli Me Tangere. He said that sometimes, it is not the idea which is being vehemently opposed to, but the giver of the idea itself. Thus, in pushing for a proposal to celebrate a local fiesta, the liberal characters of Noli suggested to the conservatives the opposite of what they wanted, and it got approved.

According to Eliot Spitzer, “I don’t care about motivation. I care about credibility.” Credibility, taking its literal meaning, is the quality of being believable or trustworthy. It only means that when a person loses credibility, the motivation of what he does is no longer important as his personality is already tainted. It’s like the boy who cried “wolf” and no one believed him.

When GMA is alone in her room or during those times when she could not sleep, does she cry because of the people’s impression upon her? So far, could we say that she have shown strength in the face of her adversaries? Whatever. There is a big difference between having strength and having a stone face.

Power and tragedy

We commemorate Dr. Jose Rizal’s death anniversary every December 30. In Laguna, June 19 is a provincial holiday, pertaining to our national hero’s birth. In the case of Andres Bonifacio, founder of the Katipunan, we memorialize his birth – November 30. Bonifacio was killed on May 10, 1897 at Mt. Buntis, Cavite by members of the organization he himself had organized. Some historians say it was legal murder fueled by politics. But no matter how we look at it, unlike our other heroes, we commemorate his birth and not his death because his life was taken away by fellow Filipinos.

This is the tragedy of the Philippine Revolution. And though arguments still persist on the greatness of Bonifacio and his contribution to freedom, or on the inanity of what had transpired; it had left scars on our history. Even before the birth of the First Republic, a power struggle ensued. Emilio Aguinaldo was later betrayed into America’s hand by disloyal troops…

According to the latest report of the AFP, at least 57 people were murdered into what is now dubbed as the Maguindanao massacre. Amongst them were women, journalists, and civilians who just happen to pass by. As of writing, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. had been charged with 25 counts of murder. On the premise of attempting to prevent violence, Buluan town vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu sent his relatives and unarmed supporters accompanied by journalists to file his Certificate of Candidacy for Governor of Maguindanao. At least 100 armed men blocked their convoy. It evolved into one of the most brutal killings in history.

This is the tragedy of Maguindanao, in the Land of Promise where political warlords exists. For years, the government had allowed (if not cuddled), private armies and armed political groups. “It’s a choice between lesser evils,” a UP professor revealed. The choice is between powerful clans and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). But this is a game-play between the elite – those who have guns, goons and gold. The real victims are the citizens of Mindanao. The poorest provinces in the country are found not only on the hinterlands of the islands in the south, but on places where hospitals, schools and electricity is a luxury and not a commodity. It is a place made poor by those who hold power…

And yes, incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo filed her CoC to run for a congressional seat at the Second District of Pampanga. In spite of her very unpopular reign and amidst all the negative approval ratings, she still has the gall to declare that her decision to run was the “product of both her desire to pursue public service and heed what she called ‘clamor’ by her province mates.” The burden now lies within the citizens of said district. Would they vindicate her reign by voting for her? Whatever. The votes they make would resonate into the annals of history.

And this is the tragedy of political greed, which led me to remember a Chinese proverb that states, “Love is blind, and greed insatiable.” Often, politicians mistake greed for love – or at least they announce to the whole world that their intention to “serve” is for love of country. But what is their real intention? Snow White should have been taught not to accept a shiny apple from a witch…

In the words of political scientists, politics is nothing but a mere preservation of, or of the struggle to gain power. It is an accepted fact that the government is the largest corporation in any state, and it is also its biggest employer. With it comes the inherent right to exercise taxation, police power and eminent domain. And any public seat has privileges not granted to ordinary citizens. Power resides on those who govern. Though sovereignty resides within the people, it is an accepted fact that our country is run more like a business rather than a public service.

The three instances I have mentioned are but mere display of struggle for power. Bonifacio’s fate, the Maguindanao incident, and Arroyo’s filing of her CoC are but manifestations of how political struggles could turn into a tragedy; the first two being brutal, the last one being moral. English historian John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton said, “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It is when you have absolute and direct control of the life of an individual – whether it be literally, economically or politically – that you have power to control another person’s fate.

Some end in tragedy, like the loss of life and of dignity. Some end tragically, like faces made prominent by acts of infamy. Some has an insatiable desire to stay in power. Fact is, those who are eager for power are the ones who do not deserve the same.

Sentimental Basura # 1

Everyday we are falling apart

Everyday it is breaking my heart

And everyday I must try to move on

Put a face that I should be strong.

And though I know there is nothing I could do

It doesn't change the fact on what I feel for you

You would always be a part of me

And only your love could set my heart free.

Not surprising

Why am I, along with most of my colleagues, not surprised by the testimony of Election Commissioner Ressureccion Borra at a recent Senate hearing? It could have made a big impact – with nonetheless a high-ranking official from Comelec admitting ‘massive’ irregularities in the 2004 polls. Yet, as the sound of how things are, it is being shrugged off as another dissenting ‘opinion’ against an already battered Malacañang.

It was the first time that a Commission Elections official acknowledged the fact that cheating had taken place during the balloting. As if adding insult to injury, Borra stressed that, “It was not done by one party or one candidate alone. It was endemic.”

Endemic is a word used to mean a disease that is constantly present to a greater or lesser degree in people of a certain class or in people living in a particular location. Used figuratively, it means the same thing. Fraud, dupery, cheating and sham are undesirable traits in a civilized society. To admit that cheating is endemic, by no less than a commissioner tasked with ensuring a clean and honest election, is and admittance of their failure to safeguard the integrity of the ballot boxes.

"Whether in the Comelec or political parties or candidates, even in our own citizens' arm, there are Judases," Borra further added at the hearing.

With this, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon countered, “If we follow that standard, do we have enough ropes?”

By which Borra retorted, “They can jump from tall buildings and drown themselves in the river.”

By following said line of thought, it seems that both are admitting that running after the culprits would not be that easy. If the perpetrators have some sort of conscience, the advice from the two is to just commit suicide for the arm of the law is not that long.

And these lead us again to the question of legitimacy by the present administration – or of Comelec for that matter. But as events have unfolded, fraud rested not solely at the hands of the commission of Malacañang but involved a web of graft, corruption and subversion. Several members of the armed forces were said to be involved, and so does other dirty hands eager and greedy to have their share of the dagdag-bawas pie.

With this at hand, it is safe to say that electoral reforms are indeed needed. It could be surmised, however, that even with the latest technology we have at hand, this would not prevent cheating. State-of-the-art tools for election is equal to state-of-the-art rigging of electoral results. Reform then, must be centered on the morals of those who are involved.

And why am I also not convinced with the announcement of Department of Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr. stating that one of the changes that would take place would be the non-involvement of the military in the elections? Apolitical is such a common word nowadays. The truth of the matter is, the AFP would always belong to the upper echelons of power. Their influence, no matter how unsolicited, would still be a persuasive force albeit at the point of a gun. The president appoints generals, and allegiance to the republic sometimes runs contrary to the call of conscience and the mandate of the Constitution.

I would have loved to write down here that we are progressing no matter how slowpoke it may be. Comelec admitting its negligence or fault; the AFP training to be apolitical. But one sees all these empty promises of reform all the time. That is the reason why a ‘promising’ political figure is just that, full of promises. Hope is a word for the hoping, while indifference is a word for the tired, for the false expectations, and for false hope even.

Commissioner Borra was right in his rhetoric regarding our society being plagued an endemic. It is a question of honesty. The truth is equivalent to being legitimate and legitimacy equals lawfulness by virtue. Surprise! Surprise! One thing that may shock me at this time is for the truth to come out.

The way things are, and should be

If one is writing a column or simply posting his thoughts on the internet, there are several topics which are readily available. However, the writing part is always the hardest. In fact, the drawing of opinion is not an easy task. It entails a lot of research and data gathering to formulate a decent, if not a sensible conclusion. It is always subjective as journalists would argue. From the opinion itself to the topic chosen – and even on the sources gathered – objectivity is reduced to the factuality of well, facts. If there is one thing which is true about opinion writing, it is the reality that we are bounded by such in formulating our judgment.

Which leads to the fact, the reality and the truth: writing is subjective. No ifs, no buts.

Amongst the hottest topics nowadays is the charter change, the ‘hidden’ martial law, the detention of the Batasan Five, the economy, and even the destabilization plots against the government. Never mind that it all revolves around a central topic which is politics. It has been proven that aside from “tsismis,” politics sells like hotcakes. How we Filipinos love politics. From shows like “Unang Hirit” to the late-night documentaries, the central theme would always be about it.

Having said so, it reminds me of what a friend said over a cup of coffee. He complained of too much politicking on our society, particularly on media. I take it that this is a normal phase on any developing country. Democracy, having been enjoyed by Filipinos for less than a century, we are still “testing” the limits of this ideology. How far could freedom of the press and of speech go? What is exactly the boundary between inciting to sedition and criticizing the administration? The law limits such rights but each circumstance and each case may bring-up a different interpretation as to what the law prescribes.

Because of this, the administration should not be onion-skinned in dealing with the criticism it gets from media. So long as we have not yet attained that amount of political maturity, politics and governance would always be a staple. Sure, there are other aspects of life such as the arts, culture and even fine cuisine. But no matter how we look at it, these things are only secondary. Tell Congress and Malacañang to concentrate more on other matters and the media would follow suit. News organizations are but a reflection of the current system we have.

Which leads me to say that there is no fool-proof way in “controlling” the media. The media owes itself to safeguard its ranks against scalawags and abusive personnel. In fact, no amount of government regulation or standard may be set-up without crossing the line of free speech. It is not the administration’s duty, neither is it mandated by law, to watch over the watchers. In the task of disseminating information, one does not need interference in fulfilling such task.

What’s wrong with the media being responsible? What’s wrong with developmental journalism and promotion of the economy? Media’s responsibility is being true to their calling. It should be unbiased, factual and fair. The concept of being responsible is something that must be left to the news organization itself. The people are not fools when it comes to what they should believe in and what they should not. A fine example would be ABS-CBN and its ties with Meralco. Its rating dropped because of alleged protection of the interests of its owners.

Developmental journalism, on the other hand, is quite a different thing. Remove the “D” and you have “envelopmental” journalism. For those who do not know, these are journalists who are on the list of pay-roll by politicians and by those in power. All praises could be seen on this kind of work, evidently blinded by the glitter of money to portray a good image to his patron. Developmental journalism, in its strictest sense, is watching over the development of a project, of highlighting its importance, and of criticizing – if necessary – of activities and projects of the government. It is still adversarial. The tone may have been cut-down, but the essence still remains the same.

To put things simply, this article is about how politics would continue to be the main topic of media organizations. As said earlier, we have not yet attained that degree of political maturity to concentrate more on other things. This is the reason why Gloria and her staff would remain to be the center of attention. This is also the reason why she must not restrict its movement instead of allowing a free flow of debates and arguments. Presidente kasi ‘sya. Part ‘yun ng job description.

It was Victor Hugo who said, “I may not agree with what you say but I’ll fight to the end your right to say it.” This is the essence of democracy. Would you rather prefer a silent media over a noisy one? Baka patay na o nakakulong na kaya tahimik. The real scary part is: if the government could issue orders against media and its inherent freedom, what more could it do to ordinary citizens? Abusadong media o abusadong gobyerno? Mamili ka.

With or without diploma

As I was looking over some of the things I have written in the past few years, I was reminded again of the reason why I finished college and why I pursued higher education for that matter. In fact, some people I admire were not college graduates. They merely stood above the rest in the chosen fields they have ventured.

But this is not to say that I have any regret on finally having that diploma. In a society that equates such to education – to what a person actually knows – this is an achievement in itself. For one, you are not alone in going through all that college crap. On my case, I knew that it was my parents and my relatives who were gladdened that I finally could be called a graduate. For others, the same thing is a symbol of a better future; a hope and a dream rolled-out on a piece of paper; a chance to increase one’s status and stature in life.

I am compelled to say – by which I am doing this in all humility – that I became speaker for numerous events absent the diploma. Then, I reasoned that I was always the speaker but never the graduate. Having been a media practitioner since I was 16, I could confidently say that my training was enough. Having passed through numerous editors and mentors, real life offered me more than what any journalism class could offer. The actuality of being in the thick of things provided me with the know-how of publication and the inside-and-outs of the profession. But despite of this, there are some people who would not accept me in their academic circle.

I remember distinctly how Vergel Santos of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) argued that a diploma is not necessary in media. All that was needed, he said, is a mastery of the language and a week of training. Or how one engineer from a prestigious company boasted on having trained a mason into becoming an effective construction supervisor. He said, kulang na lang sa diploma, ang piyon niya ay engineer na. The truth of the matter is, given the proper training and exposure, anyone could become what he had always dreamt to be. A grain of truth that escapes us nowadays is that real education and knowledge could not be monopolized by those who went to school.

But as I also experienced, the reality of things would always be such. Undergraduates are found way below the level of those who have a diploma. A quick glance at the resume is already a deciding factor to get hired or to get fired. Never mind what he knows, mind what is written on his bio-data.

It has always been a state policy that education be instilled among its citizens. A sound mind in a strong body; a Greek philosophy emulated by every democratic country. But democracy requires equality. This, I fear, is absent in the educational system we have.

If only education were not capitalized into becoming a gross business venture. Even graduates have problems finding a job because they did not come from a prestigious university. And the trend nowadays is that one must have at least have earned a Master’s degree to be preferred over everyone else. I personally know of stories of smart, young people who have finished college on time – who are responsible and hard-working – but are having problems finding a decent job. Some became policemen while others worked in factories and other odd jobs enduring problems of contractualization and poor working conditions.

The blatant display of inequity inside and outside school is mirrored by the college graduates we produce. A graduate of a small-town college is no match for a university graduate. Enrollment and other school fees are exorbitant to the point that many are forced to quit school. More than this, even the allotment for the gains of the Reformed Value Added Tax (RVAT) is grossly laid-out. While 70% would go to debt services, only the remaining 30% would go to infrastructure and education. Even state colleges are hard-pressed for money that they could no longer amply support their students and faculty.

Why inequity? Inequity in its strictest sense means unfairness. It is unfair that some people can’t go to school and it is also unfair that the government should care more for paying debts than educating its youth. Again, should we blame the economy and all the hardships it produces? It’s called priority. Put education down your list of priorities and expect that in the near future, the same problems of the government would crop-up all over again.

But this is not to discourage people from going to school. In fact, I encourage everyone who has a chance to do so. But let us be reminded that real education could not be found only at the four-corners of a classroom. Strive hard to learn everything that you can inside the school and be wary on how time swiftly flies. And when you do get that diploma, do not solely rely on such. It has been proven that though it is quite valuable, the same may not be enough for the real world.

I finished college in order to get that diploma. Now, I know that it is just a piece of paper and a bit of word that I could write on my resume. But I did learn things at college that I would not find elsewhere. It is the realization that education is not education if it is confined, inhibited from learning newer things. It is the knowledge that a diploma is but a small piece on proving your real worth. I also learned that unless we become vigilant with the priorities of the government, college is worthless both before and after graduation.
In the end, education would teach us that it is our duty to constantly remind the government on how lowly our education system had come to be. That education may be found with or without a diploma. For those who have not finished college, do not despair. Those who did also experience the same problems as you do. And for those who did, let us all be reminded that real education does not stop during graduation time. Let society be our teacher and let its lessons be our driving force.