Tag: March 15, 2013

Manny Pacquiao and UST’s sports program have something in common—their sudden fall from supremacy.

There will always be an instance wherein champions are pulled back to the ground to remind them that they are mere mortals.

Pacquiao fell prey in the hands of long-time nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez last December. UST has just stepped down as UAAP’s overall champion, a post it held dearly for 14 consecutive years.

Pundits said the Filipino boxing superstar might have been too distracted. Apart from being a fighter, he is also a politician, not to mention a bible preacher. Some said he is not getting any younger, as he was unable to anticipate Marquez’s right counterpunch that knocked him unconscious on the ring.

NOTORIOUS kingpins are squaring off in this country’s twisted carnival that comes to town every three years.

Former president and action star Joseph “Erap” Estrada, a convicted plunderer, is taking on “Dirty Harry” Alfredo Lim, incumbent mayor of the nation’s capital. This is some sort of a rematch of the 1998 presidential election that Estrada won by a landslide.

Estrada, a resident (and former mayor) of San Juan who recently bought a house in Manila, surprised analysts by announcing his candidacy for Manila mayor. With his popular appeal, he might just repeat his 1998 victory over Lim and other presidential bets who all ended up biting the dust.

Like other Thomasian students my age, it’s my first time to vote in this year’s mid-term elections. Coalitions such as President Aquno’s Team Pnoy; the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Joseph Estrada, Jejomar Binay, and Juan Ponce Enrile; the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan; Ang Kapatiran; and Bangon Pilipinas will slug it out for 12 senatorial seats.

“Who should I vote for?” is a difficult question to answer. It will be much easier to answer: “Who should I NOT vote for?”

Political dynasties have been ruling the country for decades, though their very existence defies the democratic nature of the republic. Politics, unfortunately, has become a family business, with power concentrated in a few people.

RESPECT is rightfully given to someone who deserves it, not to just to anyone who asks for it.

On the Feb. 28 episode of TV5’s noontime show “Wowowillie,” the notoriously egotistical host Willie Revillame dressed down two of his co-hosts, causing yet another uproar.

Revillame cut the broadcast midway just so he could lecture comedians Ethel Booba and Ate Gay for having the guts to complain over their loss in the show’s singing and costume contest. He lambasted them on air, calling them unprofessional and ungrateful, and daring them to resign.

“Hindi sila professional. Sinigawan ko sila para malaman ninyo,” he told the audience.

ARE Filipinos trapped in a vicious cycle of voting for political dynasties?

The Philippines has been ruled by “familial” politicians—such as the Aquino-Cojuancos of Tarlac, the Marcoses of Ilocos, the Binays of Makati, the Ejercitos of San Juan, the Macapagals of Pampanga—for generations.

Political scientist Dante Simbulan, in his study of elites of Philippine politics, listed 169 powerful clans in 1963.

In 2007, the Citizens Anti-Dynasty Movement lowered the number to 119, indicating how politics is being monopolized by fewer, condensed dynasties.

OLD AND new voters alike won't be surprised with the list of candidates in this year's elections, as most are familiar names from well-entrenched political dynasties.

Family members running for government positions have been considered a norm in Philippine politics despite constitutional prohibition. Article II Sec. 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service , and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

Part of heritage

ENDLESS chatter over glasses of wine, women caught tugging at the hems of their gowns as they swept across the floor, friends recalling memories under the moonwashed canopy of Sofitel—it was yet another memorable night as the Varsitarian turned 85.

The homecoming, better known as “Valik Varsi” among the campus paper’s alumni, symbolized its enduring legacy, bringing together a motley crew of former and current members from across eight decades.

Indeed, it was a display of loyalty and gratitude as more than 300 Amihans (our term of endearment for alumni) attended the event at the Harbor Tent, Sofitel Plaza in Pasay City last January 26.

The tie that binds

The teachings of the Second Vatican Council compel the Church to play a greater role in public life.

In the St. Thomas Aquinas Forum at the Civil Law Auditorium last Feb. 1, former Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., cited Vatican 2 in justifying the Church’s active participation in matters of State.

“We should be afraid that because of our inaction and love for restraint, the Church would drift towards something worse than mediocrity, that is absolute indifference and intolerance,” said De la Rosa.

He recalled the role of the Church in the EDSA Revolution, which he called “EDSA revelation.” In 1986, Jaime Cardinal Sin encouraged Filipinos to join the peaceful uprising against the Marcos dictatorship.

AN AMERICAN broadcaster encouraged the Thomasian community to stay firm with the pro-life teachings of the Catholic Church in a Valentine’s Day talk at the UST Central Seminary.

Michael Voris described the newly enacted Reproductive Health (RH) law as “a lie” meant to “screw” Filipinos’ minds.

The RH law was passed last December by the House of Representatives and the Senate, following intense lobbying by Malacañang.

“A couple of months ago, your leaders passed a law called the RH law which is a lie. There’s nothing about reproduction in there, it’s about stopping reproduction. They lied to get this bill passed and turn into a law,” Voris said.

THOMASIAN priests were honored during the 78th alumni homecoming of the Alumni Priests’ Association (ALPA) at the UST Central Seminary.

Fifteen golden and 19 silver jubilarians who have served the Church for 50 years and 25 years, respectively, were recognized.

“UST has so much to offer us, that’s why I came to thank UST,” said Tarlac Bishop Florentino Cinense, D.D, in his homily during the thanksgiving mass.

A total of 244 ALPA members attended the event hosted by members of the Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB) Class of 1988.

The homecoming, which had the theme “Celebrating Life and Ministry with Steadfast Faith” was held last Jan. 28-30.