RHBill: A Warning on Philippines Declining Morality

The Supreme Court, according to news, started hearing arguments about the RHBill last July 09, 2013. If you read the arguments from both sides, both have points to defend. Yet, those are not what this article is going to tackle.

This article is about the title as it says that RH Bill is a wake-up call to the Philippines, as a nation, about her deteriorating morality. While the country’s economy has improved, the respect for the elders and veneration for family are greatly losing its value on the younger generation. Unwanted children (aborted, left dead, and abused children) had reached a level that alarmed the government. And like what I have said before in my previous post, the government must do something in order to remedy the problem. Thus, the RHBill is conceived.

Strong oppositions sprung-up for many valid reasons, and as usual the so called morally good people are the majority and strongest challengers to the bill. These are the priests, holy sisters, pastors, and clergymen and other so called “Holy people.” According to them, they know what is moral, ethical, and accepted to the Lord, and unluckily RHBill does not passed the moral standard required to be accepted.

So, to oppose the bill, they call the support of their legions to go in the streets shouting their opposition to what they call as “Evil Act.” And they blame the corruptions of the government administrators as the reason for all the difficulties of the people forcing them to become morally corrupt.

I attended many spiritual gatherings, bible studies, attended different churches to listen to their preaching but I came out dismayed. What I heard were about prophecies, and the one thing being stressed is for members to give more tithes because it is needed to build more church. However, when it comes to spiritual food the most important thing crucial to be stressed to the followers to overcome temptations and bad inclinations is not emphasized.

No wonder the RH bill came up because the people who are supposed to teach people about morality and holiness are not doing their job hard enough. They are more concern about material things their churches supposed to be needed (in order to have reasons to collect more money). Do I sound like accusing them? Well, if they are doing their job well, then the percentage of people doing uncivilized things should be at the minimum.



One argued to me there are more people now than before, so, the consequence is obvious. Yes, but one can see there are more than doubled workers to spread godliness than before. Compare it two decades ago, it was only the Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Iglesia ni Cristo, and a few more were doing the work while today in almost every corner you could see houses of worships. So, why this RHBill suddenly is here ready to rule men and women.

One thing is obvious – the RH bill is a warning from above that morality has declined to a level it needs to be corrected. Thus, if these religious men don’t like the RHBil of the government, they should work double time; instead of going to the streets barking their opposition, they should spend the time preaching to the people the need to mend ways.

Filipino Voices can Easily Capture Israeli Hearts

The winning of a Kababayan and fellow caregiver, Rose “Osang” Fostanes, in X-Factor Israel made me and all Filipinos proud that Filipinos anywhere in the planet can do an impact and is making this country a talk of their towns. From the miss Universe, Miss world, American Idols, and now X-Factor Israel all are making a buzz to the whole world, topping the lonely news of disasters that are besetting the Philippines.

Osang’s winning reminded me one of the memories I can’t forget I had during my 2nd month working as caregiver, for my third employer, in Gilo, Israel, a neighborhood found in Jerusalem and can be passed by when one goes to Bethlehem.

The work required me to stay all the minute next to my ward because of the fear he will stand up and lost his balance. The only time I see outside is when I peeped on the window, or when I go out early in the morning to throw out garbage.

In the 5th day, boredom kicked in which my very nice religious sons(Brother-in-laws) of my employer noticed, so, they brought me a radio with a cassette tape player. I was so happy, because I had with me some cassette tapes to play for the purpose of overcoming the sickness. The cassette tapes I brought with me from the Philippines are country songs, and my favorite local ones, Ilocano and songs from my favorite Igorot singers, Joel Tingbaoen(Sorry Lourdes I can't find any of your tapes that time).

First, I played Eddie Rabbit which they heard and commented I must be happy now that I can listen to music and songs to fight my loneliness. Then they left.

At the following day, the son came in to see how their father was doing. Their father was sleeping so I was inside the laundry room, that was converted as my room, listening to the voice of one of my local favorite singer, Joel Tingbaoen. Joel Tingbaoen is locally well known singer in the cordillera, singing songs from foreign country singers.  He was our most favorite male Igorot singer since we were kids with my playmates.  I remember we used to carry around a cassette tape of him and play it whenever we found a home with cassette player.

I thought my employer's son will just said goodbye as they usually do when their father was not available, but to my amazement, he got inside my room praising the song I was listening to.  And since it was Saturday, he did not stay long because he was going into their synagogue.

I thought he was just trying to be nice to me on that day, but the following day he came again, now, together with his brother-in-law, just to listen to the voice of the singer, which according to them, with a very beautiful voice like Elvis Presley. They don’t understand much English, and don’t understandd what the songs were all about, but they wanted to listen to the voice – back to back.

No kidding, but during that whole week, when they came in the evening, they would let me play the tape first before they go home.

Sad to say, they no longer heard the voice of Joel Tingbaoen the following week, because there was a misunderstanding between their sister who was in-charge of my recruitment and with my agency.  The agency found me another job, so, I left with my precious tape.

And now that Osang wins this competition despite her being a Filipina and in an age everyone gives up, and not having the beauty everyone expects from a Champion, especially, in a career and age where outward looks is the strongest factor to win, I am now convinced and believe, Israel can be easily serenaded by any Filipino singers.

Thank you ISRAEL for giving ALL people the chance to prove themselves regardless of their race, looks, and status in life to show up their talents. Proving you don’t discriminate people and judge them fairly regardless of your ego.

To Rose “Osang” Fostanes, you made our country proud again, but most especially, you’ve taught us and given us, fellow caregivers in Israel and all OFWs around the world, HOPE that success comes at the right time as long as we don’t give up. MABUHAY KA, at Mabuhay ang ating Bansang Pilipinas!

Here is a video share from YoutTube to view Rose "Osang" Fostanes winning moments: