Ang Batas sa Mata ng Batang Anak OFW

Bago ako umuwi noong 2010, namasyal muna ako sa kaibigan ko sa Tel-Aviv.  At siyempre, inuman, pulutan, at kuwentuhan. 

Sa aming kuwentuhan ay nabanggit namin ang tungkol sa buhay Pilipinas.  Magmula sa klase ng buhay, trabaho, kurapsyon sa gobyerno, at klase ng batas sa Pilipinas na kung saan medyo tumagal ang mga palitan namin ng mga kuro-kuro kagaya ng disiplina ng mga tao pagdating sa pagpapatupad at pagtupad sa batas.

Habang pinag-uusapan namin ang batas ng Pilipinas, di naiwasan na maikumpara namin sa batas sa Israel at kung papaano ito itinuturo sa eskwelahan, at kung papaano ito sinusunod ng mga mamamayan.

Syempre pagdating sa ugaling Pilipino tungkol sa pagsunod ng mga tao sa batas para sa ikabubuti ng lahat ay puro batikos ang inabot sa amin.  Pero hindi naman lahat ay masama ang sinabi namin. Natutuwa nga kami na pinagkuwentuhan kung papaano nakakalusot ang mga mamamayan sa kanilang katigasan ng ulo, at kawalang hiyaan, na dahil makatao daw ang mga nagpapatupad ng batas ay pikit mata na lamang na pinababayaan na yurakan at ipagwalang bahala ng mga tao ang mga nakasulat na batas pantao.

Pero ng ikumpara namin sa batas ng Israel – kung papaanong ipinapatupad nito ang mga alituntunin na walang pinipili, kahit sino pang mataas na tao sa kanilang gobyerno, ay abot langit ang aming pagsaludo at respeto sa bansa.  Na kahit maliit ay malakas siya at kinatatakutan ng malalaking bansang Muslim. 

Dito naikuwento sa amin ni Pareng Noel ang tungkol sa apat na taong gulang na anak na babae ng kumpare niya.

Isang hapon ng biyernes na kung saan nag-umpisa na ang araw ng Shabat o Sabado sa mga Hudyo ay naganap ang isang pangyayari, kung saan talaga namang nakakabilib ika nga para sa isang batang apat na taong gulang lamang na alam sundin ang batas.  

 Ayon sa kuwento ni pareng Noel, umuwi daw ang mag-anak galing yata isang kasiyahan sa parke o sa isang apartment ng kapwa Pilipino din.  Sila ay nagmamadali sa paglalakad dahil may mga bitbit at kargadang medyo mabigat na kaldero at lamisa na ginamit. Narating nila ang krosing na may mga ilaw pangtrapiko. Sa kabila ng kalsada ay ang kanilang flat.  Tamang-tama na pagdating nila sa krosing ay pumula ang ilaw.

Pero dahil nag-umpisa na ang Shabbat, halos wala ng sasakyan na dumadaan. Kung meron man, ay mga sasakyan na lamang ng mga hindi relihiyoso, o mga palestiniyan, at ibang lahi na may sasakyan.  Dahil bakante ang kalsada at walang sasakyan na dumadaan pagdating nila doon, ang ginawa ng mag-asawa ay dumaan sila kahit nakapula ang ilaw.  Sa pagmamadali, di nila napansin na nagpaiwan pala ang kanilang anak na sumusunod sa kanila sa gilid ng krosing.

Dahil sa kabila lang naman ng krosing ang kanilang apartment ay madali silang nakarating.  Pero medyo hiningal sa pag-akyat sa ikalawang palapag na flat nila.  Pag-upo nila napansin nila na wala pa yong kanilang anak.  Kaya nagtanungan sila kung nasaan ang kanilang anak.

Habang sila ay nasa ganoong situwasyon na nagtatanungan, bumukas ang pintuan at saka biglang bumalibag sa pagsara.  Imbes na matuwa silang mag-asawa dahil dumating ang kanilang anak at wala na silang pagtatalunan, sila ay natulala at natahimik na parang mga bata na pinagsasabihan ng mas matanda sa kanila.

Kasi daw, sabay sa pabalibag na pagsara ng kanilang anak sa pintuan ay galit na galit itong nagsesermon, sabay nakapamaywang ang isang kamay at umaaksyon ang isang kamay, at ang sabi ay, “Lama, lama ima, aba? Lama? Si adom….adom…!”(Bakit, bakit nanay, tatay?  Bakit? Pula, pula…!”) ang sigaw daw sa pautal-utal niyang hebro na salita.   Kahit hindi nakumpleto ng anak nila ang mga sinasabi ay naintindihan nila na siya ay nagalit dahil lumiban sila sa krosing kahit pula ang ilaw.  Ito kasi ay itinuturo sa mga bata sa kanilang pinapasukan na Gan Yeladim o Daycare Center. At dahil alam nilang sila ay mali ay tumahimik na lang sila at nangako na hindi na nila iyon uulitin.

Natawa kaming mga nakikinig, pero alam namin na iyon talaga ang dapat gawin.  Ang sumunod sa batas.  Lalo na sa ating mga magulang dahil tayo ang mga tinutularan ng ating mga anak.

Talking to a Drug Mule

The news about our countryman executed in China for the crime of drug trafficking greeted most of us early in the  morning of December 9, 2011, when we clicked our yahoo messenger.

The man was calmed according to our vice-president, V-president Jejomar Binay, though his family was crying. 

The fact that he was calmed implies that he accepted his upshot because of what he did.  He knows long time ago that this is the extreme result of what he did if he was caught – the price he would pay for gambling with his life. On the other hand, he knew that if he were not caught, it would have been a long time financial freedom – not only for him, but also for his family. 

However, the question left with us is to marvel “How” they became involved with such kind of work because the “Why” question is obvious with us that money is the end point of it.

Luckily, about a few months ago, I was able to speak with a person involved in such a kind of work one time when I chanced to sit with him in a bus going up to Baguio city.  That conversation gave me little knowledge on how these drug mules as they are called, got into the business whether knowingly or not.

I do not remember how we started to talk, but I remember that in the middle of our conversation the topic went from a casual to about how hard to find a decent job here in the Philippines that could pay enough to about life abroad. 

He said he was an x-abroad. First, he worked in Africa in a tunnel, but when the company’s contract was finished in two years, same goes with their contract, and were sent home.  They were told to be ready for a call when the company find another work for them.  However, the waiting was long that his savings dwindled. 

He applied again for an offer to work abroad, but quit after more than a month. By the time we talked, he was trying to find another opportunity to go abroad again.

Out of curiosity, I asked what was wrong with his last work. He said nothing was wrong, but he felt it was dangerous.  I don’t know what was that mean, so I pressed him to tell me more by asking more questions, while telling him stories about the adversities of being an OFW, hoping that would make him comfortable to tell me his story – which he did.

He applied with one of the agencies in Manila, which was recommended by a friend.  When he went to inquire about what job have they got to offer, he was told to just submit his bio-data, Xerox copy of his passport, NBI, and of course a few cash for processing his papers and to pay the agency.  He didn’t have to worry about his plane ticket because it was paid by the hiring company.   However, he did not know what was the job, but he was told he will know it when he will arrive at the place because they will be trained and be assigned to the work they are most effective.  In addition, there was no particular place or country was given because the hiring company has many contracts in different countries, so they will know it when they will be there.

In just barely a month passed by, he was informed to be ready and was given the date of his flight.  Furthermore, the agency told him not to carry so many clothes because the company will provide it to him.

At the NAIA airport, he was told he has a suitcase in his name, and that he doesn’t have to worry because everything is okay, he only have to enjoy the travel.

He took a PAL flight from Manila to Hongkong, and in Hongkong, he transferred to another plane.  The next thing he knew, he was in Turkey.  He really had no idea what was going on, so he just went on with what was coming next, anyway he was not doing anything and he was enjoying the travel, the food at the hotels, and new places he saw. 

He said from Turkey, he had two more stops in Europe, then to China, back to Hongkong then Philippines.  He was like a tourist; however, he said it was scary, and did not do it again. 

According to him, he did not see the luggage and didn’t really know what was it, but he was not dumb to not know and suspect he was used to do something illegal. He said he met two people who were doing the travels many times already, and learned from them that there were more involved with the trade.  Sometimes, they go alone and other times two or three of them.


The money involved is enticing, because if you did it three times or more in few months, you can stop and have enough money.  The pot money he said ranged from P150K – P240K/travel or trip.  That is why some are really taking the chance, even though they know their life is at stake.

I asked him why he didn’t give another shot, and he shook his head, and said, “While the pot money is real money, I won’t take the chance because I love my family, and I want to enjoy life.  I’d rather find a job knowing I am alive tomorrow, than playing Russian roulette where in you do not know if you’re still alive the next day!”

I asked if he knew the one that was just executed in China a month before - he said, “No, but that one scared me,” he said.   

Utak OFW

Isang bagay ang laging bumabalik sa aking isip tuwing naaalala ko ang buhay ng isang OFW – kung bakit karamihan ay walang magandang nangyayari sa buhay kahit ba tumagal sila ng ilang taon sa ibang bansa.

Noong panahon na ako’y naroon, lagi kong iniisip, “Ano ang gagawin ko para sa madaling panahon ay makauwi na ako,” at syempre, na sana sa aking pag-uwi ay meron akong uuwian na panggagalingan ng ikabubuhay ng pamilya ko - na hindi ko na uli iisipin ang magbalik abroad. Lahat kasi ng kilala kong nag-abroad sa aking lugar, ay bumalik ulit kahit na gusto na sanang manatili sa piling ng pamilya. Pero dala ng walang pagkakakitaan at lumalawak na pagkagastusan, ay pikit mata at kagat ang labi na muling lumayo para sa “komon-rason” – kinabukasan ng mga anak!

Noong ako’y nasa lupain ng mga hudyo, sinubukan kong ilabas ang aking nasa isip sa mga kasamahan doon. 

Una, ay sa organisasyon na aking sinalihan.  Sinabi ko na ang organisasyon namin ay katulad ng isang higante na kapag gumalaw at gagamitin ang lakas, malaki ang magagawa niyang ikabubuti ng lahat ng miyembro. Inilahad ko ang isang plano – kami ay magkontribusyon ng pera at magpapatayo ng isang kooperatiba sa aming lugar sa Pilipinas para magtayo ng negosyo na ang bawat miyembro ay magkakaroon ng dibidendo.  Subalit sa una pa lang ay sinalubong agad ng malakas na hindi pagsang-ayon mula sa mga inaasahan ko na lider.  At karamihan sa mga miyembro ay sumunod sa kanila.  Inilahad ang lahat ng negatibong rason at wala man lang nagtanong kung papaano ang gagawin sana para mapag-aralan kung may pag-asang magtatagumpay.

Pangalawa, ay binanggit ko sa mga kabarkada ko habang kami ay nag-uusap tungkol sa buhay ng Pilipinas, pero kaagad ang sagot ay bakit daw yon ang pinag-uusapan namin.  Ang importante maayos ang trabaho namin at nagpapadala ng pera ay ayos na.  Kasunod ng mga negatibong rason at halimbawa ng mga sumubok na lahat ay walang nangyari.  Nariyan ka na walang pag-asa ang negosyo sa Pilipinas, at mga pera ng miyembro na itinakbo ng mga nagtatag. Sa ganoong sagot ay napailing ako at dismayado na gaya noong una ay walang makikinig sa akin.  Sabagay sino nga ba naman ako, at totoo naman ang mga rason nila, eh.

Subalit ako’y di  pinapatulog ng isipin ko – ganoon na lang ba kami habang buhay - isang OFW. Laging sumisiksik sa isipan ko ang mga nakita kong ex-abroad na sana ay gusto ng manatili sa piling ng mga anak, pero bumalik ulit at iniwanan ang kanilang pamilya.  At ang totoo ay meron din akong mga pinsan na maliliit ang mga anak ng iwanan, at ngayon may mga apo na - pero naroon pa rin sila.  Ako nga apat na taon lang yong aking panganay ng iniwan ko at ang bunso ko na pangatlo ay isang taon lamang!

Kaya minsan na may mga kakilala akong kababayan nag-iinuman sa ibaba ng apartment na tinitirahan namin, nakiupo rin ako at tumagay, para makipagkuwentuhan at makibalita kung anong isyu. 

Sa gitna ng kuwentuhan na ang paksa ay buhay Pilipinas na, nailabas ko uli yong aking nasa isip, at napatanong ako tungkol sa kung ano mga plano nila at ano na ang mga proyektong naumpisahan. Subalit, biglang binago ang usapin na ang sabi bakit daw yon ang pinag-uusapan namin. Mga pagod sa trabaho at minsan lang makalabas kaya inuman na lang at magpulutan.  Total kahit ano gawin daw ay wala naman talagang pag-asang magtatagumpay ang negosyo sa Pilipinas dahil pinapatay ng mga malalaking negosyante, at mga kababayan na ugaling “Talangka!”  Kaya tuloy ang inuman, at gaya ng lahat ng mga kuwentuhan ay napunta sa payabangan. 

Ang isa nagkuwento tungkol sa ilang kababayan na babae ang natikman at kung sino ang mga babaeng gusto pang “Tuhugin” kong magkaroon siya ng pagkakataon na maangkin.  Meron naman ipinagyabang na may natikman na babaeng banyaga.  Yong iba naman ay ipinagyabang yong mga binugbog na Thailander, at yong isang kababayan na hinusgahang traidor dahil umawat siya at mistulang yong Thailander pa ang kinakampihan.  Meron din ipinagyabang, na kahit di na siya magtrabaho ay binubuhay naman siya ng mga babaeng "koleksyon" niya at inaanakan lang.  


Pakiramdam ko noon ay "Out-of-place" ako.  Mabuti na lang marami na akong mahangin na naging kasama noong kapanahunang ako'y wala rin sa landas kaya tumahimik na lang ako - sabay tungga sa bote ng beer at pulot sa pulutang hita ng manok na niluto sa oven, at higop sabaw ng "papaitan" karne ng kambing!

Marami pang beses na tinangka kong buksan ang paksa at plano sa mga kababayan at mga kaibigan, pero iisa ang payo sa akin – “Walang mangyayari diyan kabayan/kaibigan, dahil corrupt ang gobyerno natin at alam naman natin ang utak talangka na mga kababayan natin.”

Hindi naman ako lubusan na bigo, dahil may mga kababayan pa rin na naniwala sa aking adhikain at meron kaming itinayo na grupo na ang bisyon ay kalayaang pinansyal sa bawat miyembro, lalo na sa mga OFW.  Ang misyon ay makauwi sana ang lahat ng miyembrong OFW, at dina sana iiwanan uli ang pamilya.   




At totoo nga ang mga narinig kong kinatatakutan ng mga kababayan na una kong pinagsabihan ng aking plano – katakot-takot na pagsubok ang pinagdaraanan ng grupo mula sa umpisa hanggang ngayon.  Isa na riyan na lokohin ka ng pinagkatiwalaan mo, at mga mapanirang nasama sa grupo.  Idagdag pa ang personal na pagkabigo sa mga plano mong pangkabuhayan dahil sa mga mapagsamantalang kababayan.  Minsan panghinaan ka ng loob at matatakot dahil parang ang hirap abutin ang “kaitaasan ng matarik na bundok.”

Pero, kahit ano man ang mangyari, alam ko naririyan ang Poong Maykapal na gumagabay sa mga naniniwala sa kanya, at gaya ng ginawa niya sa Lupaing Banal(Israel) matutupad din ang pangarap ng aming grupo at makikita ng lahat na ang tagumpay natin ay nasa pagtitiwala sa Kanya, at “PAGKAKAISA’’ natin lahat na ibahin ang takbo at paniniwala sa ating utak.   Alam kong magtatagumpay kami, dahil sa ilang beses na halos mawala na ang grupo ay nakatayo pa rin at lalong lumakas.

Kailan ba may "Kuwentong-tagumpay" na hindi muna dumaan sa maraming pagsubok bago natupad ang pangarap?  Dahil kong madali sana ang lahat, alam ko, wala na sanang nangarap o sumubok na maging OFW kapalit ng pait ng luha, at sakit sa dibdib na malayo ka sa mga minamahal mo sa buhay!

Reina Emotera's World: Last One Hundred Days

Reina Emotera's World: Last One Hundred Days

The largest 10 Commandments Edifice

Baguio City had just increased an attraction to its array of tourists' spots, making it for tourists worthwhile to visit the place.  A month ago, the city witnessed the inauguration of the Largest 10 Commandments edifice found at Dominican Hill, Baguio City, Philippines. 

It is about 5 miles away from Kennon road where I stay, or 15 minutes away by a car without the troublesome traffic caused by the road renovations, they are doing in the main road going out from the city.  

                  Fig. 1  The 10 commandments building

                                 

               Fig.  2  The 10 commandments

                Fig.  3  Olive tree of peace planted in front of the building

The edifice was inaugurated last October 25, 2011. It was donated by the Kingdom of Jerusalem Halleluyah Foundation International founded by Grace Galindez Gupana.

The Ten Commandments tablet has earned the Guinness Book of World  Records for its size of 1,645 square feet or 152.90 square meters.

The city will gain a lot from this gesture.   While the place is dedicated primarily to become the “Prayer Mountain” like Mt. Zion in Jerusalem Israel, the place could also attract more tourists to come to see the place and pray at the same time. 

A big plus factor is you will pass by the Lourdes Grotto which is also a tourists attraction for the city. It is only about 500 meters away and you’ll reach the place where the 10 commandments’ edifice. So, it is worth to plan ahead in order to make the best of your time on how you go about the visit.

Itay, Inay Nasaan Ka?

 This is a song/poem I penned three months ago. About the loneliness of a child because parents went abroad leaving the child in the care of someone else.  It pictures the feeling felt by the child:


Nasaan na ang tinatawag na ilaw ng tahanan

Nasa malayo nagsisilbing magulang nang

Mga anak ng kanyang among pinagsisilbihan.

Hindi alam kung kailan muling mabigyan



Ng pagkakataon na Makita Ang anak na naghihintay

Nasaan na ang tinatawag na haligi ng tahanan

Nasa malayo nagsisilbing utusan nang

Kanyang among gustong-gusto niyang tularan

Hindi alam kung kailan muling mabigyan

Ng pagkakataon na makita

Ang anak na naghihintay


KORO

Itay, inay nasaanka?

Init ng inyong yakap ay lumamig na

Pinalitan ng perang pinapadala

Pambili ng Ice cream para malimutan ka. Itay, inay nasaan kayo?

Kailangan ko ang mga yakap nyo

H’wag nyo sanang bayaran

Ang hinihiling ko Kailangan ko ay kayo

Nasaan na ang mga ilaw at haligi ng tahanan

Nasa malayo naghahanap buhay para

Sa kinabukasan ng anak na minamahal daw

Ngunit ang hindi ko maintindihan

Taon-taon na ang nakaraan di pa

Umuuwi mga apo na ang binubuhay

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: Bayani ba o Hindi?

Kung pumanaw si GMA, nararapat ba siyang ilibing sa Libingan Ng Mga Bayani?

“Sa ilalim ng AFP Regulations G 161-373 o The Allocation of Cemetery Plots at the LNMB, bukod sa mga beterano ng digmaan at mga dakilang sundalo, ilan pa sa mga maaaring ihimlay sa LNMB ay ang mga naging pangulo ng bansa, secretary ng national defense, AFP Chief of Staff, at mga dignitaryo, statesmen, national artists at iba pang pumanaw na personalidad na binigyan ng pahintulot ng pangulo ng bansa, ng Kongreso o ng defense secretary na mailibing dito. -- FRJimenez, GMA News …. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/236929/odds-and-ends/dating-tawag-sa-libingan-ng-mga-bayani”">http://www.gmanews.tv/story/236929/odds-and-ends/dating-tawag-sa-libingan-ng-mga-bayani”

Sa nangyayari ngayon, kay Ginang Glorya Macapagal Aroyo, mukhang meron uling isang naging president na magiging kontrobersyal ang kanyang huling hantungan!

Oooopppsss, masyado bang maaga? Hmmmm, sa tingin ko ganoon ka-advance mag-isip ang mga tao, eh. Kung ito’y aking naiisip, naniniwala ako na marami din ang nakakaisip sa tanong na ito. At mabuting mapag-usap-usapan na ng mas maaga para mapaghandaan na ng gobyerno ang mga dapat na hakbang para hindi na naman sila malilito pagdating ng oras, at para mapaghandaan na rin ng mga mamamayan.

Kung ang kanyang pagpunta sa ibang bansa sana para magpagamot ay hindi pinaunlakan “despite those pitiful look effect with matching wheelchair” at kahit ang korte suprema ay nagmistulang walang silbi, naiisip ko na “Ano kaya ang mangyayari kay Ginang GMA kung siya ay kukunin na para doon na sa kabilang buhay gagamutin?”

Hindi ako manghuhula, pero bilang caregiver ng sampung taon, ang epekto ng mga nagyayari sa kanya, gaya ng ulcer like na karamdaman, matamlay na pagkain, at stress na kalauna’y nagiging depresyon, idagdag pa riyan ang masamang epekto mga gamot na iniinom, nakikita kong bilang na ang araw ng dating pangulo kung hindi pa siya tantanan sa mga ikinakaso sa kanya - unless na pang-Famas ung mga nakikita natin sa TV at mga media.

Kung ako’y tatanungin, baka matagal ang dalawang taon. Pero sana naman ay malusutan niya ito, dahil alam kong mas gugustuhin ng mga mamamayan na nakikita siyang naghihirap kaysa mamayapa kaagad(Well, ganyan katindi magtanim ng galit ang mga Pinoy, eh)

At sa matinding galit sa kanya ng pamahalaan at ng mga ibang taong bayan, na halos isisi sa kanya ang lahat ng kasalanan sa mundo, “Ililibing kaya siya sa libingan ng mga bayani?”

Sa aking hinuha, ay malaking “HINDI” ang sagot. Nasisiguro kong ito ay ipagkakait din sa minsan ay naging lider ng bansang Pilipinas.

Bakit?


Kung ating pagmamasdan ng mabuti ang reaksyon ng mga mamamayan, ang tingin kay Ginang Macapagal-Arroyo ngayon ay siya ang dahilan ng paghihirap ng buong Pilipinas – “halimaw” ang tingin sa kanya ngayon. At bilang isang tao na gumawa ng hindi karapatdapat sa bansang mahal ay hindi nararapat na ilibing sa Libingan ng mga Bayani, dahil ang mga inililibing lamang doon ay mga mabubuting tao lamang.

Malaki ang posibilidad na ito ay manyayari, at magiging isang malaking dagok-insulto sa dignidad ng mga Arroyo.  Sa mga gaya kong mahilig sa pelikula, alam na natin ang susunod na drama, ipaglalaban na walang ginawang kasalanan si GMA - na siya ay biktima lamang ng maruming pulitika.

Hold your breathe mga kabayan, isang suspense at true story is in the making. Nasasaksihan natin ang isang tunay na storya ng buhay.  At ang maganda nito, kasama tayong lahat na mamamayan sa sotrya, at hindi lang ekstra, dahil kung ano man ang katapusan ng drama ay apektado rin ang ating buhay!

Ano kaya ang mangyayari? Paglalabanan na naman kaya ito sa hukuman? Ngayon pa lang ay alam na natin na siguradong ito ay aabot sa katas-taasang hukuman ng ating bansa - ang Korte Suprema? Pagdating sa korte suprema, ano kaya ang magiging desisyon? Ang suspens dito Kabayan ay alam naman natin na hindi pwedeng pagkatiwalaan ang anuman na desisyon ng Korte suprema.  Ano kaya ang desisyon ni DOJ de Lima at Pangulong Noynoy?  At bilang kasama sa drama, siguradong may gagawin na pagsusuri sa ating mga mamamayan kung ano ang ating opinyon - at nasisiguro ko na doon ibabatay ng administrasyon ang husga kay GMA! Mababaliwala na naman ba ang ating batas konstitusyon?

Ngayon, kung ikaw ang tatanungin, ano ang sagot mo sa tanong na ito, “Bilang naging isang presidente ng bansang Pilipinas, payag ka bang ilibing si Ginang Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa libingan ng mga bayani?”

Sagada: New Summer Capital of the Philippines

If, in case, Baguio City will lost its title as the summer capital of the Philippines, Sagada is very much ready to take-over!

We went home to Sagada last week to show our respect to a dead relative of my wife. I was so amazed by the cold weather temperature of the place. It was so cold that I call it the new summer capital of the Philippines.  If I guessed it right, it was on the 10 degrees centigrade to 12 degrees centigrade.

When I first arrived to Baguio in 1986, it was also cold, and you have to pray the sun comes out to warm up the air, but now, even with the sun is way beyond the dark clouds, you would feel like you’re inside a bakery.  Because Baguio city had lost a lot of its trees due to the establishment of new buildings, its title as the Summer Capital of the Philippines is also weakening. And anyone who have gone to Sagada will agree, that Sagada is now the best destination for people who wants to cool off.

As we were leaving Baguio City in our way to Sagada, it was so warm that you think you are in the lowlands.  The temperature was humid and the smell of the air is not fresh anymore because of so much smoke coming out from cars, and jitneys running on the road – add to it the slow traffic caused by road repairs being done by the DPWH(Department of Public Works and Highways)

I am not a resident of Sagada but it is the place, where my father was born; it was the place his ancestors’ were born and dead.   

Sagada was full of ghost stories and, according to my father, many were true.  This was due to the people's of the old times strong belief of "Anito" or spirit of the dead.  One story my father always told was a person could be carried out literally by ghosts and brought out of the dap-ay (it’s like a nipa hut where men sleeps during the night in the old days, and serves as the justice hall/barangay hall of the community to settle disputes) Aside from the ghost stories, there were also many stories of events that shaped the life of the people of Sagada.

Going there is very exciting.  You travel passing by the Mountain trail where most vegetables that supplies Manila are coming from, like, cabbages, carrots, lettuces, baguio beans, and more.  Aside from the gardens, you will see thick forests of Pine trees, and occasional waterfalls, and thick fogs, which make you think, “Am I in the first level of heaven?”

When you go to Sagada, be sure to bring with you thick jackets if your skin is too thin for the cold weather.  Traveling Mountain trail or now known as the Halsema highway could make you shiver to the bone with cold.  But, don’t you worry, if you came from the polluted parts of the country, be sure that the clean air will recharge you with pure energy, thus it is worth the adventure.

If you do not believe me, here is a story of one of the people I saw,  a cousin of my wife who told me his story when I wrongly assumed  he still resides in Baguio city.  He said, he had a bypass operation in 2002, and he had trouble breathing when he walks even for a short distance.  In fact, even when he is at home, he feels like being choked and his breathing becomes heavy.

One time, when there was a wedding in Sagada where they were invited, he went home to attend the wedding.  Once he was there, he already noticed a difference in his energy.  He said, he walked without the feeling of being out of breathe, and don’t have to stop to regain his strength.  Right on that moment he told his wife, “Sagada is my home, let us stay here” which his wife happily accepted.

Aside from the cold weather, most of their culture is still preserved which shows you are in a real vacation, especially when you want to forget about the hassles of life in the city. 

Places you can see in Sagada:  Sumaguing cave, hanging coffins, green mountains, old houses, and most of all you could learn firsthand their traditions and culture on how they conduct weddings, which is done after the couple already have a child or more.* How they attend to their dead, and many more unbelievable practices that makes your thinking travel back on the old days of Philippines history.

The people of Sagada are the most friendly, and peaceful people of the cordillera, even during the time of the uncivilized generation of head hunting.  It’s only the people who have fear of their god Kabunyan.  They are the only people who have the word “Inayan” which has no exact translation in English; however, it means, “it is not nice to do bad” especially against your fellow men.

The following images are just some of the views and things you will see and learn when you come to visit.  When you get here, you can ask for tourist guides who will be very much happy to take you around with a minimal fee.

Fig. 1 = This is one of the common scene you'll see as you go up the mountains on your way to Sagada.

Fig. 2 = The Highest Point

Fig. 3

Fig. 4 = The houses you can see at the entrance of Sagada

Fig. 5 = One of the forests of Sagada

Fig. 6 = The century hanging coffins(pointed by the arrows)

Fig. 7 = The traditional way we cook meat, we call it "anger"(a-nger like in apple) or boiled meat with only salt added

Fig. 8 = The "Apag" or serving of wine to those who wants drink to fight the cold weather; This was usually a rice wine(Tapey) in the old,old days.

Fig. 9 = A collection of urinary bladder of pigs butchered during the wake

Fig 10 = Meat being chopped to be cooked

Fig. 11 = It was raining, and Two kids taking advantage of a shade provided by the side of the mountain

Fig. 12 = A foreigner just arrived at the poblacion Sagada or Sagada main center where the police station, market, and business area

Fig. 13 = A man doing his job. Home based wood works is one of the source of income

Fig. 14 = A woman from visayas region selling sweet oranges on the side of the road.

Fig. 15 = Hotel is one of the thriving business in Sagada, so don't worry of a place where to stay

Fig. 16 = Bugang one of the barangays of Sagada

Fig. 17 = The rocks where the dead of the old days were brought up; either the folks hang the coffins with the dead, or make a hole on the side of the rocks and push in the coffin with the dead, or find a cave to put down the dead.

These and more are the excitements you can see when you visit Sagada - the new summer capital of the Philippines!

HINAGPIS SA ABROAD (CAREGIVER’S WOES)

Being away with our family could bring out the best of us, especially, in writing.  One of which is to compose poems, and songs where we tell our feelings when no one is there to listen and give us a shoulder to cry on.   "Hinagpis sa abroad(Caregiver's Woes)" was composed by me when I was thinking how hard was it to be away from our love ones sacrificing almost everything just to give them the best we can give as a parent, a child, and as a brother or a sister, 

I hope this can give an idea to those who's love ones are away, that life abroad is not the best, but one of the worst experience any family would have. 

I hope that thru this song something must be changed and that OFWs not be promoted again as the unsung heroes just to ease the pains they feel, and continue sacrificing to save the country from the corruptions, and selfishness of people who were assigned by the Lord to lead the country from the rot its in.

              1

Kapag amo’y masungit                                                                            

Inis mo’y di masambit                                        

Iyo na lang kinikimkim

Hinagpis sa iyong dibdib

‘Pag s’ya naman ay makulit

‘Di ka pwedeng magalit

Dahil iyong iniisip

Na s’ya ay may sakit

      Iyo na lang tinitiis

     Iyo na lang tinitiis

     Iyo na lang tinitiis

Koro 1

T’yaga lang kabayan

Ang iyong kailangan

Yan ay puhunan

Sa pag-unlad ng buhay

O, kay hirap nitong buhay Pilipino

Kailangan pang lumayo

Para umasenso

Magsilbi sa hindi kadugo.

              11

Sa gabi’y puyat ka

Dahil tinatawag ka

Kahit ikaw ay hirap na

Wala kang magawa

Ang mahirap pa nito

Minsan ay inaabuso

Amo mong matino

Lalong pahirap sa ‘yo

    Sa sobrang pagod mo

    Sa maghapon

    Tuliro na ang utak mo.

Repeat Koro….

,br />

           111

Kay hirap talaga

Nasa ibang bansa

Nagsasakripisyo ka

Para sa pamilya

Kahit oras ng pahinga

Ay kumakayod ka

Para madagdagan pa

Dolyar na maipadala

    Makaahon ka lang sa hirap

    Wala nang pahinga

     Ang iyong katawan.

Koro 11

O, kay hirap nitong

Buhay Pilipino

Kailangang lumayo

Para umasenso

Pamilya mo’y iniwan mo

Lupa’y isinangla mo

Magpakahirap ng todo

At magsakripisyo

Baka sakaling buhay ay

    umasenso!!!

Hanggang Kailan Kabayan?

Hanggang kailan Kabayan?
Hanggang kailan ka magpapa-alipin sa ibang bayan?
Hanggang kailan mo titiisin ang insulto sa iyong kakayahan?
Na pagkatapos mong mag-aral sa unibersidad
Ikaw ay mangingibang bansa para maging alipin lamang!

Hanggang kailan kabayan?
Hanggang kailan mo titiisin na malayo ka sa mga mahal mo sa buhay?
Hanggang kailan ka hihintayin ng iyong mga anak?
Na sa katagalan, hindi na matandaan o maalala ang araw
        na sila’y iyong yakapin at halikan
Habang ikaw ay luhaang nagpapaalam
      para makipagsapalaran sa malayong lugar!

Hanggang kailan kabayan?
Hanggang kailan sarili mo ay dadamutan?
Dahil iyong iniisip na maraming nangangailangan,
At umaasa ng iyong ipapadalang dolyar!
Hanggang kailan mo rin maiiwasan
Ang maraming tukso sa iyong kapaligiran?
Na dahil sa pangungulila at problema
       ay nagiging marupok kung minsan!

Hanggang kailan kabayan?
Hanggang kailan ka aalipinin ng iyong kahirapan?
Kahirapan na bunga ng kasakiman
Ng mga kapatid nating iniluklok sa upuan ng kapangyarihan!
Kahirapan- na bunga ng kawalanghiyaan
Ng mga kapatid nating salot sa bayan!
Kahirapan- na sanhi ng hindi natin pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan!  

Ahhh…… Kabayan….
Napakabigat ng dinadala mong responsabilidad!
Hanggang kailan ka magsasakripisyo?
At kailan kaya ito magwawakas?

(This was published in different my blogs in the internet, but was all removed when the websites
upgraded due to competitions. This is now found in Definitely Filipino as my guest entry,
but I wanted to share it here for the others who would like to read about it.)

Pilipinas: Tatak Ng Alipin

Ang pangalan ng ating bansa ay simbolo ng isang alipin. Ito ay parang tatak na tayo ay pagmamay-ari ng isang amo na pinagsisilbihan natin. Bagaman masasabi natin na tayo ay malaya na sa kamay ng amo na ito, ang tatak ay hindi pa rin nabura sa ating katawan.

May kasabihan ang mga matatanda na ang marka sa katawan ng tao ay pwedeng marka na malas o marka ng pagiging swerte. At kung ating iisipin, bakit kug totoo na tayo ay malaya na, bakit kahit sa ayaw o gusto natin ay lumalayo tayo at pilit na nagpapaalipin sa ibang bansa? Bakit kailangan natin na magsakripisyo ng dugo at buhay para lamang guminhawa ang ating pamumuhay?

Bakit sa kabila ng kayamanan ng ating mahal na bansa ay hindi natin ito mapakinabangan? Bakit hindi tayo nagkakaroon ng magandang buhay, samantalang kumpara sa ibang bansa na sinakop ng mga dayuhan ay nauna pa tayong lumaya, pero bakit sila ngayon ay mas mayaman na?

Dapat maging buo ang ating kalayaan. Burahin na natin ang pangalan ng dayuhan na umalipin sa atin. Oo, palitan na natin ang pangalan na Pilipinas! Dahil ito ay ang pangalan ng hari noon ng bansang umalipin sa ating mahal na bansa ng 300 daan na taon. Naniniwala ako na bago nila tayo inalipin ay may sariling pangalan ang ating mahal na inang bayan. Yon nga lamang at nawala ito kasabay ng pagkawala, at pagkabago ng sarili natin na titik, kultura, at tradisyon.

Kung papalitan natin ang pangalan ng ating bansa, ano ngayon ang magandang pangalan nya? Ito ay matagal ng pinagpapalitan ng galing sa mataas na sangay ng gobyerno natin subalit hindi sila nagkaunawaan dahil wala silang mapagkaisahan na pangalan, gaya ng pangalan na Maharlika, at Manila. Kaya nanatili ang tatak na Pilipinas sa atin.

Pero ang pagkabigo nila noon na magkaisa sa pagpapalit ng pangalan ng bansa natin ay hindi ibig sabihin na tapos na ang usapin. Dahil, kung hindi man tayo ang magkaayos ngayon, alam ko na sa mga susunod na henerasyon ay mayroon maipapanganak na makakaisip na hindi dapat na Pilipinas ang pangalan ng bansa natin at siguradong ilalabas pa rin ang usapin na ito para pag-usapan.

Isa tayo sa henerasyon na iyan, at aking tatanungin sa inyo kung ano ang magandang pangalan na ipapalit natin sa pangalan ng ating bansa?

At kung ako ang inyong tatanungin mga mahal kong kababayan ay, PERLAS NG SILANGAN (puwede rin na PERLAS lang) sa sarili natin na wika at sa englis ay PEARL OF THE ORIENT(or simply PEARL). Ito ay batay sa pambansang awit natin na Bayang Magiliw, at saka nabanggit din ng ating GAT Jose Rizal sa kanyang mga sulat. Ang mga ibang bansa ay kumbinasyon din na naglalarawan sa kanilang bansa, gaya halimbawa ng: United States o Estados Unidos, United Kingdom o Britanya.

Kabayan, ano ang iyong palagay/opinion sa bagay na ito?

1. Gusto nyo ba na palitan ang pangalan na Pilipinas?

2. Boto ka basa pangalan na PERLAS NG SILANGAN O PEARL OF THE ORIENT?(Kung Payag ka sa pangalan na ito, ano ang dapat na itawag sa atin na mga mamamayan?)

3. Mayron ka bang maimumungkahi na pangalan na mas nababagay sa ating inang Bansa?

The Fear of Going Home

In my ten years of stay abroad, it was disheartening to know that almost all of the Kababayans* who are there are afraid to go home - for good.  No one will admit it face blank, but that is what his or her words are saying.  The common words will be, "In two more years,” “In four more years,” or, “I'll go home once I could saved enough to put up a little business."  On my part, I said, “In four years, I should be home!”

Life there is not a joke.  It is a real struggle day by day.  As I watch my friends and the others, I saw how much they value their time.  On days they were supposed to rest, they will use that to go to part time jobs to earn more dollars to send home.  I myself had to go in different places to give massage treatment, massage relaxation, to customers who called me for my service.

In my first year, I thought it was peanuts, that in a couple of years, all my dreams will be achieved, but, like the others who went there first, I was dead wrong. Ten years gone and I was still struggling to earn more. 

Because Israel allows only a limited years of stay for foreign workers, in the 3rd year, most if not all kababayan start to worry about looking for a place or another country to go into before their time is up.  The reason was that they had not achieved their dreams yet. Their savings, if they have, was not enough to carry them through, especially when they have children in college.

Thinking about all the unachieved goals and stream of unending expenses ahead, makes each one of us cringe to think about going home yet. 

The scream of being with our children and families is being overcome by the fear of not being able to give them their needs, and the fear that we do not have a business or any other source of income to sustain us. 

Add to that the news brought by kabayans(countrymen) who just arrived from a vacation to our beloved country-Philippines.  That life in there is terrible.  Business is not doing well.  The prices of goods now doubled compared to the prices when you left two or three years ago.  The government officials are all corrupt.  There are no jobs, and if there is one, the pay is not even enough to pay for your bills, and pay for the travel from home to work. These news and more negative things about our beloved country always make us think, not twice, but a thousand and one times about going home.

Fear gripped us, because we know for a fact that most ex- abroad who tried to settle home after long years of being away, went back abroad just after a year of staying home because of one or all of the reasons stated above.  In fact, I am contemplating to do the same and break my words of not going away from home again.

Every OFW wants to go home. But the dilemma of where to find the next source of income is too much to think about, so they rather make the most of their time while they have the chance and health to work for “a few” more years.  

Tatak na Malas!

TATAK NA MALAS! 

By: C’ZAR 


 
Kabayan, totoo yata ang kasabihan
Na kung minsa ang kapalaran ng tao ay sadya ng nakatatak
Tatak na dito mo makikita kung s’ya’y swerte o malas!


Baka nga totoo!
Dahil ng aking suriin kung mayroon akong tatak
Ako’y nagulat sa aking natuklasan
Mayroon nga akong tatak!
Tatak na sa pakiwari ko’y hindi swerte kundi malas!


At hindi lang ako kabayan
Ikaw ay mayroon din nito!
At kahit saan man tayo magpunta
Dito nila tayo nakikilala kung sino tayo.


Noon taas noo kong sinasabi
At ipinagmamalaki ang aking tatak sa lahat!
Subalit ngayon ay nanlulumo ako na ito’y sabihin!
Oo, ngayong alam ko na ang sinisimbolo nito
Hindi ko alam kung ito’y aking ipagmamalaki pa rin, o, ikakahiya!


Kabayan, alam nating lahat
Na ang tatak na inilagay sa atin ay parangal
Sa hari ng dayuhang sumakop sa atin!
Ito’y simbolo na tayo’y inari at parang hayop na inalipin!


At ako ngayon ay naniniwala
Na ito ang sanhi ng malas natin!
Dahil sa mahigit isang-daang taon na sinasabing kalayaan natin
Wala tayong asenso kung hindi tayo magpapaalipin!!!


Sa aking pagmumunimuni, kabayan
Ito ang nalaman kong katotohanan!
TAYO’Y ALIPIN PA RIN!!!
Dahil dalawa lamang ang gating pagpipilian
Kakapit ka sa patalim, o, mamatay ka sa kahirapan!
At ang sinsabi nilang ating kalayaan
Ay kalayaan lamang na mamili ng among ating pagsisilbihan!!!


Ngayon ang tanong ko sayo kabayan
Kailan tayo kikilos para burahin na ang sanhi ng malas natin?
Kailan tayo kikilos para gumawa ng tatak na sariling atin,
Baka sakaling matanggal na ang malas natin!!!


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Philippines RH Bill: Needed or Not?

RH BILL is dividing the people, not because it is a bad idea but because the people arguing about it seems do not understand their stand. Worst, confused people are drag into it even though they do not clearly understand what it is all about. The only thing they understood is it is good for the economy of the country for the pro, and it is against the law of the Holy book for those who are against it.

 Both reasons are correct; however, the leaders whom we trust to resolve the problem cannot come into agreement or into terms, and decide what to do. Worst, because of their ineffectiveness to resolve their differences, people are being allowed to commit actions for the detrimental of our economy - resulting into more problems.

How I cringed when I am thinking how foolish it is to make such foolish actions when the problem or issue is not that big. It angers me that those learned people could not solve the problem without involving the common people. They are sowing bitterness and creating misunderstanding among the people; dividing them instead of uniting them.

If I am to be asked this is what I will advice to these honorable leaders.

Yes, the church is right on its reason; on the other hand, the government also is justified in its action of creating the bill - and is obligated to implement it.

Let us understand that the church and the government are two separate entities as written and defined in our constitution. Each one has to govern its own people according to their books – The church is its followers, and the government is its citizens. They are responsible to make their people well disciplined. Failure on their part to instill discipline to their people will result into problems, and chaos in the country where they both resides. Therefore, both parties have to do their job diligently.

So, what are their obligations to their people? And how does each ones’ failure affects the other?

Discipline I think is supposed to be coming first from the teachings of the churches, or religious groups to which the people belong. They teach good moral behavior to their people according to the teachings of their religion. Now, if the churches are successful in making their people to practice good moral behavior, and then the government will not have any reasons creating policies, bills, or laws to control the people or for the people to abide with.

However, since, the church failed miserably in its obligations, the government had no choice but to find a solution for the result of such failure. In this case, is illicit sex, and illegal abortions?

Instead, therefore of wasting their time arguing, they should both think on how they focus on their own obligations, especially for the church leaders, who are supposed to teach the people about good behaviors and to fear G-D. Teach their people what are the moral implications, and bad effects of not following a good moral behavior.

If they can do that, the RH BILL will become useless. It will just be there waiting for people who do not want to become responsible enough by following the guidelines of living morally.

Now, since there is a wide practice of immorality among us (as a result of failure from the church leaders) the government has no choice but to create a solution, in that matter, to protect its own interest; because for not doing anything, then it is an irresponsibility in its part.

X-OFW: The Reason Of My Coming Home (For Good)

Before I went abroad to work as a caregiver, I had a plan of using the opportunity to be my stepping-stone of going to another country, like, UK, U.S., Canada, or Italy where I will have the chance of becoming a citizen and ensure that my life and my family will become prosperous.

While I was there, SOMEONE showed me the other way; I should go home and try to make a difference that might influence the others to do the same.

Before becoming an X-OFW, I have been in the dilemma of deciding whether I go home or jump off to another country. Like the others, I went abroad to prepare for my children.  However, things changed when I was there; all of a sudden, I decided to go home against all the negative comments from my friends and Kababayans who were telling me, “I will regret it!”  “What will you do in the Philippines?” Nevertheless, I did not listen. I believed my reason for going home is strong enough and it is the right thing to do.

Few things influenced my decision.

During my first few months in Israel, I learned the thinking of my fellow OFWs.  Of the 20 people I spoke with, there was only one person who talked about going home for her family; all the rests were talking on going to another country. But, what jolted me was many of them had their parents worked or still working abroad!

What? Is this mean there is an abroad syndrome – I mean – a cycle had been created that children of OFW parents are sure to follow their parents' footsteps?  Wow, that was not my dream when I went there.  I went abroad thinking my children should not be thinking about abroad; I want them to stay with their family, and when they think of going overseas, it should be as tourists and not as someone like me going there begging for work.

Another thing was many of us OFWs were crying because we were treated like not humans. Because of this, some were forced to forget the good moral values instilled by the parents by answering back - a no, no in the Filipino culture. Some of us just cry and let the tears wash off the pains in our hearts.  For me I used my pen to jot down the pains which resulted for my first song “Hinagpis sa Abroad” or “Care-givers’ Woes.”

More things forced me to think on what I should do to not end up a “Yes sir, yes ma’m” the rest of my life without seeing my children growing up.  That was the time I went to the book stores scheming books thinking I could find the formula to solve my problem.  There I found Poor dad, Rich dad book by Robert Kiyosaki.

The book influenced me to think differently in order to be with my family.  I thought to myself, that if I would go to another country, that means I have to sacrifice my family.  I have to be like the others who watched their children growing up in pictures. (Yup, the song growing up in Pictures by the Alabama also made me think about how hard it was to be away from your children) I did not follow exactly what the book advised about going into business, but there were lessons the book talked about which made me to decide to stop sacrificing too much just to get what I wanted in life.

Before finding the book of Kiyosaki, I witnessed the family closeness of my employers. 

During Sabbath, when I was invited to the table of my employer, I envied the happiness they have every time they were in front of their table eating together as a family.  The father telling stories about their cultures, and the lessons they could learn, and the children telling their ideas and opinions. During those times, how I wished I could go home immediately and do the same.

Another person who influenced me to decide to go home was my best friend Izzy -the last person whom the Lord made me to take care of for a few years to learn more about the reality of life. 

I saw the closeness of his family: The real essence of having a family; the importance of being together; the importance of a father being there with his children; they need him when they are afraid, and they need him as their hero to emulate.

 I had thought, “Should I leave my children to chance that they will emulate Jose Rizal (My country’s national hero) or Robin Padilla of the Philippine movies, or the bad boys (“Mandurukot -pickpockets, robbers, and addicts) on the streets of my place, Baguio City?"

Izzy (as most people knew him) told me how his parents mold them to become self-reliant and to work hard while at the same time to be religious.  Their parents started from nothing, and only the good parenting they received was the only thing they inherited.  With that, all of them ended up successful in their endeavors.  When he got married, he was still a poor boy, and he told me how much he worked as a teacher, and then switched to become a real estate broker.  He did not leave his family(wife and children)to become successful.

These things made me think, that it is not the money that I am going to make will make my children become well off in life, but the good parenting they will receive from me as their father.

I learned, that Jose Rizal’s belief that the young ones are the future of a country will never be true if the parents are not there to teach them how to become the future.  In my opinion, “The parents are the future of the country” because they are the ones to teach the children all the knowledge and wisdom to become good human beings and citizens of the country. The parents are the examples the children have to imitate.  The good lessons they will learn from their parents will make them the future of the country, but how will that be when parents are not there for them – physically?

When I got married, I thought I would better my father - at least – as father to my children.  I will do my best to teach my children the things I did not learn from my father.  Because I knew that if only my father worked harder in doing his job as a father to me, I might be somebody up there now, and who knows, the next president of my country. 

On the contrary, when the good Lord given me the chance to do what I was thinking to do, where was I?  Ten years went by like only ten Christmas days in successions. My children are already in their teens, and in few years, I will be a grandfather!

Wow, a grandfather!  Without even knowing how it feels like a father?
 

My children, too, will grow up without even knowing how it felt having a father!  Accordingly, will they know to become parents when their time comes?

With all these things bothered me, I decided to come home and become a real father as I wished. 

While we need material things, I believed it is not worth the sacrifices we do away from our family.  No matter how much we do to try to communicate with them (Thanks to the advancement of technology. We can see them now in the internet and talk to them like we are next to each other – if we are lucky they want to communicate with us – the games in FB are too much a competition) still, the emotion and affection are not completely felt by both parents and the child. 

I saw how much these Kababayans working very hard to earn dollars.  Day and night, days off, and holidays, they go find a part time just to have more dollars to send to their beloved children, and extended families to show they are good sisters or brothers to them – or else…! 

I saw how much loneliness is driving many Kababayans to become lost off the way, and how many families were broken?

I saw how many died without seeing their beloved ones because they believed they could overcome the disease that took their energy.

I saw how many of them did not go home to see their husband, child, father, or mother who died because of fear they would lost their job, or for other reasons, and for “Practicality’s” sake.

I saw how many of us stayed there for years, but life stayed the same.   Okay, the house is no longer made up of cogon and now looks like a palace, but where are the occupants?  That’s the problem the house will never become a home, because the families are not complete, and will never be.

Yeah, I saw them going to churches, but seems, some churches are not filled up with the Lord’s Spirit that is why many of their flocks are going astray; anyway, the LORD IS LOVE, so they will be forgiven!

There is so much to sacrifice Kabayan, yet, no one is doing something to stop the cycle; in the contrary, it is being encouraged (by calling us the unsung heroes and super maids)  that we leave our family, never mind the children, as long as we can send home more dollars.