Barangay Election 07 - A Sad Scenario

Being a public school teacher. I was assigned as Chairman of Board or Election Tellers. The electoral process was ideally peaceful in Golden Acres National High School, where residents of Talon 5, Las Pinas/MM were designated to cast their votes. Some voters did not bring any identification card. I did not allow them to cast their vote. I requested the voter to get approval from the Principal, who, then issued a verbal order that voters should be allowed to vote as long as their names appear on the list of voters.

In my precinct, 577-C, only 45 out of 195 voters, made it to the polling place. So the appreciation of votes was completed in less than an hour. After all the post election procedures were undertaken, we lined up for the pick up service to transport us to the City Hall of Las Pinas where we are supposed to surrender the ballot boxes. It was drizzling, some tummies were rumbling and only one unit fetched the BETs. Our faculty president drove his motorbike to the City Hall. When he came back, we were still in the school ground where he left us. Feeling our anguish, he burst his temper, saying "Only Talon 5 ballot boxes have not been returned. COMELEC allows the BETs to return the ballot boxes on their own. To this, 2 sectors reacted. Comelec reps, and candidates' watchmen. A familiar face was offering his private vehicle. Just in time, the pick up vehicle arrived. We shoved ourselves to the vehicle eager to do away with the ballot box which was a life threat to us. And off we go.....

No, we're not taking the route to City Hall! The private car behind us made sure we will be brought to Moonwalk Elem. What for? Heated confrontations ensued. A man in military uniform introduced himself as a Colonel ordered us to surrender our ballot boxes. A wife of candidate, a teacher in that school, introduced herself as Mrs. Dinorog, also demanded that we bring the ballot boxes to the principal's office. Hey, what's the fuss! The election returns are not inside the ballot boxes. We surrendered them to our Principal! How ignorant can they be! Harassing us to the point of delaying the turn over of ballot boxes which are inutile for their ulterior motives! Mrs. Elvira Victoria, our spokesman, talked to the SWAT Team and identified the self-promoted Colonel while Ranie talked to the school principal. Soon, our own principal came with the election returns. It was only then that the driveway was cleared and we were allowed to proceed to City Hall. In our drive to the City Hall, the private car UPG-991 tailed us together with dozens of motorbike-riding supporters of candidates.

From this day on, I will never serve in the Barangay Election.

Accepting Responsibility - A Bitter Pill

Prophet Jonah was sent to places where religion is not known and naturally Jonah was reluctant so he boards a ship to run away from God. But a great storm came and he realized that he had endangered all passengers because he rejected God. When the passengers found Jonah, they threw him overboard and a large fish swallows him for three days and three nights. The fish spews him out on the shore.

This gospel reminds us that if ever we are given a responsibility, we are to fulfill the duty. Running away is not the answer. Jesus makes it clear that loving starts outside one's kin and nation - one's enemy and the one's that we despise and fear - the one's that we do not consider "Good". "Love your enemies" is a bite of gall. But if we do, we have heeded Jesus when he said "Do this and live."

Love Vs. Vengeance

I have proven so many times that vengeance is not the answer for somebody who does injustice to me. People who really know me find me honestly frank. I'm candidly frank using figurative language that I have developed as a "poetess". My students find my "poetry" penetrating the bones. That's all I really am. But I don't play dirty.

I have started to operate a preschool in a Springville subdivision. I have trusted people who had ulterior motives. They asked to share with electrical, water installations and promised to pay the bills. I let them sleep in the building to safeguard the structure. I would find my plants dry and wilting during surprise visits. When I brought a television set, that, too didn't escape their invasion. When the classes begun, I offered scholarship to the grandson. He was a fast learner. My teacher found a problem, though. He was rude. He got involved in breaking my dvd tape of Daddy Day Care. He did not admit his part and worse the mother was not even apologetic. The other boy's parent humbly offered to pay half for the destroyed dvd tape. But the tape could not be replaced. No copy is availabe in local outlets. I have given my teacher custody of the building key. But they insisted that the son sleep to" secure" the premises. They got the key and invaded the building without my knowledge. My husband caught them and passed the information to me. When I inquired about the matter, they were furious. They bragged they will cut the electrical, water connections; pull out the grandson in the enrolment. They were not satisfied at all. They would text harsh messages; shout on the phone. To all these, I did not do anything to get even. I treated the matter as non existent; as if it did not happen. They did not stop, though. They talked to parents of pupils to pull out enrolment for reasons they have concocted.

The day came I have to stay in the building to safeguard the equipments installed, especially the computer with Smartbroadband. I would be hypocrite to say that there was no antagonism in me as I look outside my window. They would pass by the road as they used to. I would hear conversations in their guardhouse. I let them be. Live and let live, that's how respectful I am to people - rich or poor, educated or uncivilized. Till one night, I have to borrow my mobile phone from my teacher when I arrived home from school. The said phone was delivered to me with a weird news - that the family was ejected by the husband's employer. Suddenly, after so many years of lording in the Cueva's security barracks, they're deported. Now, I'm so relieved. Can't deny it.

Courting Tragedy

Two of my friends, an elderly and a young adult became disabled simultaneously this month. These two men have been part of my career as public school teacher. The elderly whom we call Lolo Jim loved fatty food plus internal organs specialties. Before the fatal stroke, one Saturday, he feasted on three pieces of balut and a a bottle of beer. He could manage to kid about it saying, "Tomorrow the cholesterol rich food will take effect. He was referring to Sunday. It didn't happen that Sunday. The mild stroke happened Monday. When a younger colleague tried to assist, he proudly bid, "Don't make it obvious. I don't want them (female students) to notice." He admitted it was a mild stroke, even recited a tongue twister to confirm his theory. He went home driving a motorbike with his wife as backrider. Didn't see a doctor that day. Tuesday, he still drove his motorbike until he could not move his leg anymore. Fortunately, he still could use his hand to send text message to his daughter. Too late, after hospital hopping, he was admitted at the intensive care unit. He is now out of danger. Sad, that he can't come back to the teaching profession.
The young adult was my student, called by everyone as Co-rics. He wasn't a brilliant type of student. He had good public relations. He became a very active boyscout official after graduation. He showed much concern for our boy scouts. He helped in controlling the discipline and peace and order in the school in times when teachers are indisposed.
That fatal day, he drove a tricycle with his mother as rider. A careless driver rammed his car on the frail tricyle. He was lucky to be alive. His mother was likewise injured. The spinal column was severely damaged. He is scheduled to have three months rest. He was contemplating to run for the Sangguniang Kabataan election. That would not be necessary at this time.

Makiling Botanical Garden

Makiling is a mountain in Laguna, Philippines. Laguna is rich very rich in natural resources as proven by this wonderful place. The mountain from afar is shaped like a woman lying on its side. Mt. Makiling got its name from a very beautiful maiden named Mariang Makiling. It is said that this maiden does not tolerate visitors who do not appreciate nature. Dreadful things can happen to those who challenge the mythical figure.

Having a supervisory position has benefitted me somehow. After the quarterly test, the last thing that would come into my mind is relaxation. As a teacher, computations of different components is an obstacle to rest and recreation. So on October 20, we visited the Botanical Garden of Makiling. I was not amazed at all. Having been in Dolores, Quezon, to visit another mountain, "Bundok Banahaw" I didn't see any difference. Bundok Banahaw is extremely challenging for mountain climbers. I would say, Mt. Makiling is only a hill. The only "come-on" of the place is the few species of eagles. True, the eagles are considered as near to extinction. We can see more in Mindanao where there are thicker forests.

The plants that abound are similar to what I have seen around Tagaytay, minus the exotic flowers. Being in Makiling is just like strolling in an ordinary garden. I would not even recommend it for picnics. This is one proof that the government is more inclined in politicking, corruption. I could only wish that Maria punish these guilty persons. This is probably the reason why Pagsanjan is the tourism capital of the province.

Desperate Tremendously

Who are the most in demand medical workers in the whole world? Where did they study? Why would an American TV show attempt to change the reality? Reality is, issues about education happen anywhere in the world. They just happen to pick on the Filipinos because they're jealous about Filipino nurses and doctors dominating the hospitals all over the world. How patients love Filipinos as nurses! Do I have to cite statistics? Wake up, WORLD!

Any desperate housewife will confide in ANY Filipino hospital staff. They can be good friends even after discharge. So, who's desperate now?

The production of Desperate Housewives resort to sensationalism. That's below the belt in the arena of journalism. Well, who cares if it's broadcasted worldwide? A Filipino friend is everywhere. They can speak for themselves. Or, do they really need to?