THE FIL-AM PERSPECTIVE

How Sendong Stole Christmas for Many Kababayans in the Philippines

By Gel Santos Relos

 

 

Our hearts go out to our kababayans in the southern part of the Philippines, especially those from Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan in Mindanao. Just days before Christmas,  Typhoon Sendong has claimed the lives of almost one thousand people, and counting.  As of Tuesday morning, PHL time, National Disaster Risk Management Council reported that 957 bodies were recovered while 49 people were reported missing. The number of injured persons reached 1,582 with authorities rescuing 432 persons.

 

 Sendong has proven to be the deadliest typhoon in the world for 2011.  It has surpassed even Ondoy and Pepeng that ravaged Luzon in 2009 -- claiming 464 and 465 lives respectively, and costed the nation some Php 38 billion in damages to home, infrastructure and farm production. Meantime, the Department of Agriculture has estimated the damage of  Sendong to the Visayas and Mindanao areas be at least Php 8.1 Billion.

 

 

Images of families mourning, children’s lifeless bodies and communities almost wiped out by the floods almost shatter the joy of the the holidays that we, who are spared of this tragedy, feel in our hearts.  Meanwhile, the stench of the problem of how to dispose of the hundreds of unclaimed decomposing bodies properly continue to haunt us, causing health havoc  to those who have survived the storm.

 

 

 Have We Not Leaned From Ondoy and Pepeng?

 

 Are the lessons of Ondoy and Peping, and many more typhoons not enough for us to learn and be better prepared to effectively and proactively do something minimize the losses and damages inflicted by these natural disasters?  

 

 After all, the archipelago sits astride the typhoon belt, with around  19 tropical cyclones or storms entering the Philippine Area Of Responsibility in a typical year. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) says of these typhoons,  usually six to nine make landfall every year.

 

 We have seen and experienced time and time again how the warning system employed by PAG-ASA has not been doing a good job to enable local government units to adequately help their constituents prepare for these imminent calamities. 

 

 PAG-ASA gave warnings of Public Storm Signal Numbers 1 and 2 for Mindanao as Sendong traversed its path toward the Philippine area of responsibility.  Signals Number 1 & 2 might have sounded so benign, but history has proven that such warning system had not forewarned the government and the people of the amount of rainfall that comes with the storm.

                                                         Photo credit: Interaksyon

 We would remember how America has been forewarned by the National Weather Service and the media about storms Irene and Lee last August and September . We watched how meteorologists explained and visually demonstrated the path of the storm, how strong and widespread it could be, the estimated rainfall in inches for different areas of the Northeast, how the speed of the storm could affect the amount of water it could pump in, and the areas that could really be affected by severe flooding.

 

 Through this kind of advisory, local government units were able to prepare for the worst case scenario, and media deluged the public with information on evacuation centers and processes, how to prepare the home and the family even before the storm made landfall, etc. 

 

 But even with these warnings and preparation, there were still a lot of casualties and damages because of the innate variability in the course storms would take. But imagine how much more casualties and damages could have resulted if no well planned preparation were implemented?

 

 

 I know how behind the Philippines is when it comes to technology but maybe the Philippine government should have made investing in this kind of weather forecasting equipment that measures rainfall should have been made top priority after Ondoy. Moreover, our national and local government units should have learned from the examples of more developed countries when it comes to disaster management. 

 

 

Unfortunately, the blame game just began. Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) Mayor Vicente Emano said they were not warned of the strength of Sendong. PAG-ASA, however, claimed that they gave storm warnings and updates.

 

 ABS-CBN news reported that according to Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)  Director Engr. Leo Jasanero, as early as 2007, the MGB had distributed geo-hazard maps to all Cagayan de Oro City officials which identified the river bank areas at high risk for flooding.

 

 Jasanero said further that even in the first quarter of the 2011, they met with CDO officials to warn them that the river bank areas, where many of the "Sendong" victims lived, are not suitable for habitation. Unfortunately, he lamented, residents and local officials did not heed their warning, resulting in the massive loss of lives.

 

 Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection Neric Acosta said deforestation is the main cause of the Sendong tragedy. “All the logs coming down from the uplands, easily from 30k hectares, we're down to 3k forest cover” Acosta told ABS-CBN News Channel.

 

But the question remains: what has the government, both past and present,  done to avoid this tragedy?

 

 Sendong and the PNoy Leadership

 

  Four days after Sendong ravaged CDO and Iligan, President Aquino finally declared a state of national calamity. He also delivered a long overdue statement to the people of Cagayan de Oro during his visit there on Tuesday-- a speech many people had hoped he delivered a day, if not hours after the storm.

 

Many kababayans have criticized Aquino for allegedly been “missing in action”, for not even going on television to reassure people that his administration is coordinating all efforts to help the victims of Sendong. We heard such words of empathy and compassion from US Pres. Obama and Sec. of State Hillary Clinton ahead of the Philippine president.

 

 

What even appalled many of our kababayans more was when they found out from a tweet of actress Valerie Concepcion that PNoy was enjoying himself in the Christmas party of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) while people from CDO and Iligan were fighting for their lives. PNoy’s sisters defended the President and said he was just fulfilling a commitment to the men who protect him everyday, and that he just stayed in the party for only 30 minutes.

 

 Contrary to allegations that the president prioritized partying instead of attending to the urgent needs of the flood victims, his surrogates explained that PNoy, in fact, had been busy working behind the cameras, hands-on in coordinating with different agencies of the government to expedite delivery of help to the flood victims.

 

“Wala pong duda, babangon ang Cagayan de Oro at Iligan at ang iba pang tinamaan ni Sendong..” are words of reassurance for the victims of Typhoon Sendong that I hope have not come too late. 

 

While I do not agree that PNoy has to micromanage his governance of the nation, and that a good leader knows how to effectively delegate tasks to able and responsible people to get things done, the President plays a very important role in lifting the morale of the people. Aquino talking to the people hours after the storm sends a strong reassuring message-- “I am in charge. I will make sure that help is on the way. Hold me accountable”.

 

 This is particularly important when some factions of society accuse him of being too obsessed about prosecuting Arroyo over and above the other problems that the country faces. We know PNoy cares. He just has to project the same fire and sense of urgency in fighting against corruption to his disaster and crisis management , his professed support for programs like job creation, human rights, education, health, etc. 

 

 They say in politics, perception is everything.

 

How Pinoy New Yorkers Almost Lost Their Traditional Simbang Gabi

 By Gel Santos Relos

 

The Christmas season is, perhaps, one of those moments when Filipinos living away from the motherland feel homesick and pine for the joy, warmth and happiness of Pasko, as we know it back home. This is why many Filipino-American communities have been coming together to relive the joys of the Christmas past by celebrating the same traditions we came to know, growing up in the Philippines. This includes the Simbang Gabi.

For 25 years, kababayans in New York City have been celebrating the nine novena masses leading up to Christmas in the Philippine Consulate in Midtown, Manhattan. But this year, Filipinos thought the “Grinch” almost stole the Pinoy Christmas.“Grinch” is a moniker referring to those who tried to stop the celebration of the Simbang Gabi sa Consulado. 

According to information gathered by our Balitang America Correspondent Don Tagala, there was a person who filed the complaint before the New York Archbishop, questioning the legitimacy of holding masses there. 

The Archbishop reportedly referred this matter to Fr. Joseph Marabe, the new Filipino parish priest of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel in Lower Manhattan, New York. It also turned out that the one who questioned the celebration of Simbang Gabi masses in the Philippine Consulate’s Office was a parishoner of Fr. Marabe. 

Our kababayans  could not believe the decision handed down by New York Archbishop Timothy Nolan, just a few days before the start of Simbang Gabi. The Archbishop ordered the Filipino-American community not to push through with any more masses in the Consulate, upon the recommendation of Fr. Marabe himself.Marabe explained his decision to Balitang America, stating that it is a violation of Canon Law to hold masses in unconsecrated places like the Philippine Consulate’s Office. Strictly abiding with the Canon law, masses should only be celebrated in a church or chapel.

Kababayans questioned Fr. Marabe’s true motive in wanting to stop the 25-year-old Simbang Gabi sa Consulado tradition, especially when Fr. Marabe himself had  celebrated masses for Simbang Gabi in the Consulate, until he became parish priest of San Lorenzo.

They accused Fr. Marabe of playing the "Grinch," only because he wants Filipinos to go to his Church, instead of the Consulate. Some even alleged that the parish priest was going after donations from faithful followers. 

These Filipinos, who have been going to the Simbang Gabi sa Consulado, said they developed a sense of belongingness with the community, who come together during Christmas time in the Philippine Consulate. They feel they can freely celebrate their faith and the warm Filipino tradition of sharing Filipino food, kuwentuhan, tawanan after the mass. 

They also say the midtown location of the Consulado is very convenient for Filipino Catholics, coming from different parts of the New York City, making it possible for them to complete the nine days of novena masses, as they prepare for the birth of Christ they celebrate on Christmas day.

Such move from Fr. Marabe did not stop our kababayans from writing to the Archbishop Nolan, requesting for him to reconsider his decision. Even the New York Times picked up our Balitang America story and this helped even generate more awareness about the plight of our kababayans, who just wanted to continue their 25 year Filipino Christmas tradition.

Pending the decision of the New York Archbishop, our kababayans have resolved to continue to gather together in the Consulate and just pray the novena. However, on December 7, Archbishop Timothy Dolan informed New York Consul General Mario de Leon that they can now continue with their Simbang Gabi sa Consulado, with a full mass at the Kalayaan Hall. 

Balitang America also reported that a committee will now be formed to explore the possibility of continuing this tradition at the Philippine Consulate permanently,  or if the masses should be celebrated in Church.

The Archbishop also mentioned his intentions of possibly hosting the nine-day Simang Gabi at the historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral, instead of the usual one-night only Simbang Gabi sa Katedral.Filipinos were very happy about this development, and said their prayers were answered. 

While the “Grinch” failed to steal Christmas, this issue raises several questions and discussions among faithful Catholics.  

How come other parishes in the United States and in the Philippines celebrate masses not only in Churches and Chapels? In the Philippines, masses are held even in the malls, community centers, even in the streets! Are these all in violation of the Canon Law?

How can the Archbishop of New York meddle with the affairs of the Philippine Consulate? Isn’t that the Philippines' jurisdiction? According to Don Tagala’s research, the Canon Law, being universal, applies to all Catholic nations and knows no jurisdiction in as far as Church practices are concerned.

Finally, whose argument embodies the spirit of our faith? Is it that of Father Marabe and his flock, who insist that the Canon Law should be followed, no matter how inconvenient it may be to the Filipino Catholics in New York, and even if it goes against our traditions as a people?

Or is it the stand  of many of our kababayans in New York, who believe that the venue does not matter, what is important is the faith of the people coming together to praise God and share his message of love and faith? Are they right in saying that the holding masses where the people are brings the Catholic faith closer to the people? What do you think?

Maligaya at makabuluhang simbang gabi, mga kababayan!

Photo credit: Dennis Villegas

My Asian Journal Column, December 14, 15, 16, 2011

 

“Aquino Criticized Corona to His Face: Right or Wrong?” and What This Says About Us

By Gel Santos Relos

 

 

 

Another heated debate among Filipinos around the world ensued President Benigno Aquino III’s open criticism of  the Supreme Court in the presence of Chief Justice Renato Corona and several members of the judiciary during the First National Criminal Justice Summit held at the Manila Hotel. 

 

As ABS-CBN reported, Aquino  lambasted the High Court for coming out with decisions that have become stumbling blocks to good government, and questioned the impartiality of the Chief Justice Corona during his speech. 

 

"Kung may isang lingkod-bayan na tumatanaw ng utang ng loob, hindi sa taumbayan na siyang dapat na bukal ng aming kapangyarihan, kundi sa isang padron na isiniksik siya sa puwesto, maaasahan po kaya natin siyang intindihin ang interes ng Filipino?”-- which people believe was an allusion to Corona’s appointment to the position of Chief Justice,  despite the ban on midnight appointments.

 

The Supreme Court found this “disturbing”, according to SC Spokesperson Midas Marquez. “It is not at all unusual for the Executive Branch to disagree with the Judicial Branch.  But what is considerably unusual is for the Chief Executive to look down on the members of the Judiciary in public at a Justice Sector Coordinating Council session, and to their faces denounce the Court’s independent actions, as the Chief Justice sat speechless, motionless and expressionless because of the requirements of protocol.” 

 

This contentious issue divided even legal luminaries in the academe. As ABS-CBN news reported, the dean of San Beda College Graduate School of Law Fr. Ranhillo Aquino believed President Aquino was in no position to advise or direct the Supreme Court on what it must do, citing the independence of the three branches of government from each other.

 

On the other hand, University of the East Dean Amado Valdez argued that President Aquino’s action was a practice of the “check and balance” principle between the two co-equal branches. “The Supreme Court has the responsibility to reflect the collective intuition of the people. The Supreme Court is not just a decision-making body, it has to capture the conscience of the people,”  Valdez said on ANC’s program “Headstart”.

 

The third co-equal branch of government--the Legislature-- was divided on the issue as well. As ABS-CBN  News reported, House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said, “That is completely uncalled for. That was a Justice Summit to get the cooperation of all sectors.”

 

Senator Lacson agreed with PNoy’s message, he asserted it was delivered in the wrong occasion. He feared anarchy may follow because of this rift between the Executive and the Judiciary.

 

Senator Francis Escudero said the Senate and the House should move ahead to convene a Judicial- Executive-Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council, while Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile advocated for the Church to intervene and act as a mediator to resolve the problem.

 

On the other hand, Senator Francis Pangilinan earlier stated a more positive perspective on the conflict among the three branches of government. “ No, this is not anarchy. This is democracy at work.”

 

Pangilinan also cited the principle of checks and balances, and stressed  that “it is the sworn duty of the Executive and the Legislative departments to act as a check on a wayward Judiciary.”

 

Pangilinan added, “Whether it is the Legislative or the Executive branch, to stand up and oppose the Supreme Court is to fulfill our constitutional duty to serve as a check on a co-equal branch.” 

 

Maybe the way many kababayans judge PNoy’s action is very much a function of who they voted for in past election. Those who supported the President agree with the argument of Dean Amado Valdez and Senator Francis Pangilinan. Some even expressed their approval of Aquino’s demonstration of strong will and pragmatism in fulfilling his promised good government or “tuwid na daan” to the people.

 

Supporters of Former President Arroyo lambast  Aquino’s combative position against his predecessor. They characterize Aquino as a vindictive person who prioritizes persecuting his predecessor over doing his job to solve the more basic problems of hunger, poverty and joblessness in the country. They allege that this is Aquino’s “diversionary tactic” so people will focus more on the political drama instead of his incompetence as President.

 

But even those who are not big fans of Arroyo and Corona said they were offended by Aquino’s action. They pointed out that it was disrespectful of the President of the Philippines to openly express his criticisms against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to his face. They also think it was hypocritical of Aquino to shake Corona’s hand after his open tirade of the Chief Justice.

 

Right message, wrong occasion? If you think about it-- President Aquino was asked to speak in the National Criminal Justice Summit. His message was his assessment as President of what has been the biggest impediment to justice in the country-- a prerequisite to the fulfillment of the good government he campaigned on.  

 

Right message, wrong occasion? Was the fact that Corona and other members of the Judiciary were there in that summit? Would it have been better if Aquino sugarcoated his message? If Corona et al were not present, would Aquino’s message be received in a different light? Did we feel embarrassed and offended for Corona? 

 

We see this kind of reaction among us Filipinos in different aspects of our lives-- in our homes, at work, among friends. What is it about our culture that makes direct confrontation offensive and even unbearable? Why can’t we feel comfortable seeing a person say criticisms against another to his face and then shake his hand?  

 

Are we a people who value a semblance and image of peace and unity, and would rather have dissents, anger, objections expressed and channeled indirectly through other fora, and in many times behind the back of people we criticize? 

 

What does this debate say about us, Filipinos? Is this a manifestation of our nature as peace loving people or of a passive-aggressive personality disorder? (To be continued)

 

 Photo by Rem Zamora for abs-cbnNEWS.com

 

(My Asian Journal Article, December 7, 8, 9, 2011)

 

VIDEO: Sana'y Magkakasama ang Pamilya Ngayong Pasko

By Gel Santos Relos

 

What a touching video. This speaks to the heart of many OFWs. Go grab some tissues before watching this. Ito po ay para sa lahat ng mga kababayan nating nangangarap na dumating din ang araw na magkasama-samang muli ang kanilang pamilya, lalo na sa araw ng Pasko! Sana po ay matupad ang inyong pangarap! Kudos to Coca-Cola for making these families happy! Hope there will be many more...Huwag po kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa, mga kababayan! Maligayang Pasko!