Hanggang sa Huling Hibla ng T’nalak

by Leo V. 

Sining…mula sa kislap ng mga mumunting bituin sa kalawakan, sa paghimbing at panaginip na inihabi ng mga matatandang kababaihan sa isang telang ibinuo mula sa puno ng abaka, ito, ang tunay at autentikong sining ng mga Pilipino. Lahat ay sining, magmula sa pananamit, pagsasalita, at pag-uugali, lahat ay may kauukulang pamantayan ng kagandahan. Ito ang tradisyon ng mga Pilipino, pinong pag-aasal, at purong puso ang iginugugol sa bawat gawain.

Ang sining, ayon kay Webster ay “the production, expression, or realm of what is beautiful”. Kung ang tradisyunal na sining ay nakikiisa sa kultura at gawi ng mga Pilipino, at kung ito’y ihahalintulad sa deskripsyon ni Webster sa sining, marahil nangangahulugan rin ito na sa kagandahan ng ating kultura noon, maihahalintulad rin ba ito sa isang awtentikong sining?

Ang Pilipinas ay kilala ‘di lang sa Asya ngunit sa buong mundo bilang tahanan ng mga magagaling na artists at bansa ng mga taong mahilig sa arts.  Kahit saang dako ka man mapunta sa Pilipinas ay tiyak na may ilan silang maipagyayabang na produkto ng mga malilikahaing kamay ng mga lokal na eksperto sa sining.

Tunay na maipagmamalaki ang tradisyunal na sining at kadalubhasaan ng mga mamamayan ng Pilipinas. Magandang isipin na ang mga dalubhasang ito ay hinasa na sa kani-kanilang sining mula pa pagkabata at hinubog na ang kani-kanilang mga kamay at kaluluwa sa paglikha at pagtatanggol ng sining hanggang sa kamatayan.

Ilang ulap na ang dumaan, ilang pagsubok ang lumipas, ilang tela na ang hinabi, at sa kasalukuyang panahon, nakalulungkot lang, tila lahat ng mga itinuring na gawain ng purong puso at pinong kumpas ng mga kamay ay tila isang larawan sa panginorin na unti-unting lumalabo at kumukupas.

Dati-rati’y umaabot ng higit-kumulang apat na buwan ang paghahabi ng isang T’nalak, itoy isang telang inihabi na nagpapakita ng pagkakasunod-sunod na pangyayari sa isang panaginip ng mismong manghahabi. Mula sa pagkuha ng hinimay-himay na habla ng abaka hanggang sa mismong paghabi gamit lamang ang kamay at paa,, lahat ng proseso sa paggawa ay nangangailangan ng ingat at naayon sa tradisyon.

 Itinuturing na isang mahalagang kasangkapan ang T’nalak sa tribu ng T’boli, ito ay nagsisilbing simbolo ng pag-iisang dibdib ng lalaki at babae, at nagsisilbi ring pamana o “heirloom” ng magulang sa anak. Ngunit sa ngayon, ang dati’y sagradong T’nalak ay ngayo’y ibinebenta na at itinuturing bilang isang simpleng produkto ng komersyalismo.

 Kung dati’y inaabot ng halos apat na buwan ang paggawa ng isang T’nalak, ngayo;y minamadali na ng mga “dream weavers” ang produksyon upang umabot sa deadline na  ipinapataw ng kani-kanilang industriyalisadong amo. Nasaan na ang kultura? Ni hindi na nga pinapatawan ng naka akmang ritual o orasyon ang dapat sanang isang mahalagang instrumentoat simbolo ng isang buong tribu.

Ang pagbabago ay hindi nakasasama kung ang pagbabago mismo ay dumidinig sa mga pangangailangan at kabutihan ng pangkalahatan. Diba’t kailan lang umusbong ang balitang tumaginting sa tenga ng mga pari’t Obispo, madre at iba pang miyembro ng konserbatibong Iglesia Katolika? Nilagyan ng condom ang krus, ginuhitan ng kung anu-anong bandalismo at nakakaasiwang marka ang imahe ni Hesu Kristo, ito ba ay isang sining? Kailan nga ba maitatawag na sining ang sining? Dahil ba sa gawa ito ng isang dalubhasa? Gawa ng artist?

Hindi ba’t ang kahulugan ng art ay isang ekspresyon ng kadalubhasaan sa paggawa ng bagay na naayon sa pamantayan ng kagandahan? Ako’y nagulat sa balita sa telebisyon nang nabenta ang isang larawan ng toothpick na iginuhit ng isang tanyag na artist sa Estados Unidos sa halagang 3000 dollars, o tumataginting na 138 000 pesos. Isang toothpick na kahit isang bata ay kayang kopyahin.

Ang pagkawala ng kalaliman ng tradisyunal na sining Pilipino ay epekto nang pagbabago ng panahon at dala na rin nang matindig impluwensya ng komersyalismo at globalisasyon, kung saan ang lahat ng mga nakaugalian ay unti-unting nagbabago. Tama bang makibagay tayo sa kung anu ang nauuso at bago at isasawalang bahala ang isang maganda at maipagmamalaking kultura? Kung ako ang tatanungin ay hindi. Bakit natin babaguhin ang isang bagay na hindi naman kailangang baguhin?

Kung sana’y nalalaman lang ng lahat ng Pilipino ang tunay na kahulugan ng isang kultura at tradisyunal na sining, marahil isa na tayo sa mga tao sa mundo na malaki ang respeto sa sariling bansa at kultura nito. Mayaman ang ating kultura, huwag nating hayaang mawala ang kahalagahan nito.

Isipin at isa puso natin lahat ng iniambag na dugo at pawis ng ating mga ninuno upang mabuo ang isang magandang kulturang nagbigay daan sa pag usbong ng magandang sining. Pangalagaan natin kung ano ang natitira at huwag nating hayaang masayang lang ang huling hibla ng T’nalak.

Dota Pa? (Published in UIC Roots)

 Dota pa?

By: Leo Vincent A. Villanueva

June 28, 2011, maliban sa petsang July 2, 2011 kung s’an sinapak at biniyayaan ng “smokey eyes” ni Mayor Sara Duterte ang isang aroganteng sheriff ng RTC 11, marahil ay ‘di ko rin makakalimuan ang petsang ‘to sa buong buhay ko. Oo, isa ako sa iilan at piling-piling kasama sa isang pangyayaring paminsan-minsan lang naman nangyayari sa kasaysayan ng Davao City.

 Tulad ng ibang trahedyang nangyari, mayroong nakalakip na kuwentong tiyak na makakaantig sa inyong mga puso’t makakapagbukas sa inyong mga isipan.

Kung ‘di ako nagkakamali, nangyari ‘to sa araw ng martes. 7pm nang natapos ang klase ko, tumambay ng konti sa labas, at naglaro ng isang round ng dota. Walang kamalay malay sa paparating na unos…ay hayahay!

Nang biglang bumagsak ang ulan. Sinaklot ng matinding takot at poot ang aking loob, nababalisa at nanginginig ang aking katawan, nakisabay sa bagsik ng panahon ang takot na aking naramdaman. Sa kabila ng matinding buhos ng ulan, ako’y lumusob, hindi ko sinawalang bahala ang aking mga naramdamang hindi ko maipaliwanag. ‘di ko na ininda ang mabasa, basta’t ako’y sumugod nalang, at sumakay ng jeep.

Bangkal, Matina. Dito kami lumipat ng pamilya ko pagkatapos kaming palayasin sa dati naming tinitir’han, wala na talagang perang mailabas ang nanay ko noon, baon sa utang at samut-sari pang mga karaniwang problema ng mga mahihirap na mamamayang Pilipino, at sa sobrang pagiging “karaniwan” tila wala na yatang pag-asa.

Tinanggal ko ang aking sapatos para hindi mabasa, ang aking nag-iisang balat na sapatos na punong-puno na ng bakas ng iba’t-ibang klaseng landas na tinahak, binalot q sa plastic at maingat na ibinitbit. Lampas tuhod na ang inabot ng maruming tubig pagbaba ko sa jeep, malakas ang agos, para akong tinutulak nang sangkatutak na maliliit na tao sa lakas ng agos ng tubig.

Natatanaw ko na ang aming payak na bahay, maingat akong tumawid at lumangoy sa malasapang baha. Alam kong hindi na ako nalalayo sa aming bahay, ngunit parang langit at lupa pa rin ang pagitan ko sa aking tahanan. Inisip ko ang nanay ko, ang kapatid ko, at ang aking pamangkin na sanggol pa lamang, silang palaging nasa bahay, wala namang dahilan upang lumabas, wala namang pera.

Ilang beses silang pumasok sa isipan ko, at alam kong sila rin ang dahilan ng aking matinding pangamba.

Sa aking pagtawid, ako’y sumuko, mga paa ko’y nanghina at ako’y inagos ng tubig. Sinubukan ko muling bumangon at bumalanse, Kailangan kong bumalik sa aking pamilya, at alam kong Kailangan nila ako.

Dumating din ko sa bahay namin, ako’y natakot, wala na roon ang pamilyang aking inaasam-asam. Marahil sa matinding pagod at kawalan ng loob, bigla akong napatumba at nahimatay sa sahig.

Kinabukasan na nang ako’y nagising, huni ng sirena ang gumising sa akin. Kaagad ko silang hinanap, “Nay! Te! Asa na mo?” walang sumagot…”Nay! Te! Asa na mo??” wala pa ring sumagot…

Umabot ako sa evacuation center sa kakahanap sa kanila, doon umasa akong makita sila. Nakita ko ang aking mga pinsan, at iba pang kamag-anak, ngunit walang nanay, ate at pamangkin. May narinig akong mga hiyaw ng mga pusong naghihinagpis sa isang silid. Mga ilang hanay ng nakarolyong banig ang aking nakita, hinila ako ng aking pinsan at binuksan niya ang isa sa mga banig.

Tumakbo ako papalayo, sa ‘sang tabi ako’y umupo’t napayuko, at sa matagal na panahon, ako’y nanalangin, pangalawang buhay para sa aking mahal na pamangkin.

Blind Filipina with world class talent

Blind Filipina sings like Karen Carpenter in Pasig Market...wow!

 GOOD PUBLICITY for Dan Brown...

MMDA worries about the bad image that

Manila, gates of hell? MMDA fumes

By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star) | Updated May 24, 2013 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino yesterday joined the bandwagon of critics slamming Dan Brown for his latest novel “Inferno,” in which the author describes Manila as the “gates of hell.”

Tolentino said he wrote Brown a letter telling him that his description of Manila was “inaccurate.”
“We write to you with much concern regarding your recently published novel ‘Inferno’ and its mention of Manila being defined by a number of terrible descriptions of poverty and pollution, among others, having ‘suffocating pollution, and a horrifying sex trade’ and worse, being alluded to as ‘gates of hell’,” Tolentino said in his letter.

“While we are aware that yours is a work of fiction, we are greatly disappointed by your inaccurate portrayal of our beloved metropolis. We are displeased with how you have used Manila as a venue and source of a character’s breakdown and trauma, much more her disillusionment in humanity,” Tolentino added.

Tolentino defended Metro Manila as a “center of Filipino spirit, faith and hope.”
“Our faith in God binds us as a nation and we believe that Manila citizens are more than capable of exemplifying good character and compassion towards each other, something that your novel has failed to acknowledge. Truly, our place is an entry to heaven,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino invited the bestselling author to visit Manila.

The End of Filipino Time

 Finally, Philippine Standard Time, Institutionalized...why it took so long???

From an article :

Aquino signs law setting Philippine Standard Time

 @http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/05/23/aquino-signs-law-setting-philippine-standard-time-283808

Thursday, May 23, 2013

MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law a consolidated bill setting the Philippine Standard Time (PST) and institutionalizing the first week of the year as the "National Time Consciousness Week."

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a press briefing on Thursday, said Aquino signed last May 15 Republic Act 10535 or "An Act to set the Philippine Standard Time in All Official Sources throughout the country, to provide funds for the installation, operation and maintenance of synchronized time devices to be displayed in key public places and to declare the first week of every year as National Time Consciousness Week."

The new law otherwise known as The Philippine Standard Time (PST) Act of 2013 is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3284 and House Bill No. 164 that was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on February 4, 2013.

The Act mandates all national and local government offices to display Philippine Standard Time on their official time devices, including bundy clocks, in accordance with the official time provided by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) using its network time protocol.

All of these offices shall coordinate, at least once a month, with the Pagasa to synchronize their official timepieces and devices.

The Pagasa's Time Service Unit, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (Dost), shall be tasked to monitor, maintain and disseminate the PST throughout the country. The Pagasa shall operate and maintain a timekeeping system to perform these functions and shall endeavor to install and maintain sufficiently large and prominently displayed synchronized time devices in all their field stations and in key public places.

The procurement of equipment necessary for the automatic dissemination of time with global positioning system (GPS) shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act). The DOST shall be the procurement overseer of the said equipment. 

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will also require the participation of all government and private television and radio stations to ensure synchronization of timekeeping devices even in the most remote parts of the country.

Owners of private television and radio stations who shall fail to calibrate and synchronize their time devices with the Philippine Standard Time during their broadcast shall, upon hearing and due proceedings, be penalized with a fine of not less than P30,000 but not more than P50,000 in the first offense. A subsequent offense will merit a revocation and cancellation of their franchises to operate.

The fine to be collected as penalty for the violation of this Act shall be deposited in the general fund of the National Treasury.

The law also institutionalizes the first week of the year as "National Time Consciousness Week."

The Pagasa, in coordination with the Dost, the NTC, the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of National Defense, Department of Health, the Department of Education, and the Commission on Higher Education (Ched), shall promulgate the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the calibration and synchronization of the timekeeping devices and implementation of this Act within 90 days from the effectivity of this Act. 

This Act shall take effect after 15 days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in two 2 newspapers of general circulation. (SDR/Sunnex)

Nick Vujicik

No Arms, No legs, No problem

"Being unstoppable is about believing and achieving. It’s about having faith in yourself, your talents and your purpose and, most of all, in God’s great love and His divine plan for your life."

Millions around the world recognize the smiling face and inspirational message of Nick Vujicic.  Despite being born without arms or legs, Nick’s challenges have not kept him from enjoying great adventures, a fulfilling and meaningful career, and loving relationships.  Nick has overcome trials and hardships by focusing on the promises that he was created for a unique and specific purpose, that his life has value and is a gift to others, and that no matter the despair and hard times in life, God is always present. Nick credits his success in life to the power that is unleashed when faith takes action.

But how does that happen?  In Unstoppable Nick addresses adversity and difficult circumstances that many people face today, including:

·         Personal crises
·         Relationship issues
·         Career and job challenges
·         Health and disability concerns
·         Self-destructive thoughts, emotions, and addictions
·         Bullying, persecution, cruelty, and intolerance
·         Balance in body, mind, heart, and spirit
·         Service to others
From:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13414984-unstoppable

Adamantine Myers: High School Notes - INTRODUCTION

After all these years, after a thousand goodbyes, here I am still fighting for the very reason I died...to keep believing.

First book to be out in June 2013 by The Half Blood Prince.

image on http://browse.deviantart.com/art/MC-Princes-of-Peace-186467873

Pork Barrel - PDAF

Pork Barrel, by definition, is a slang term used when politicians or governments "unofficially" undertake projects that benefit a group of citizens in return for that group's support or campaign donations. This spending mostly benefits the needs of a small select group despite the fact that the entire community's funds are being used. Also referred to as "patronage".

For example, let's say a city has a large number of potholes, spread evenly throughout its communities. If the mayor took campaign contributions from a group of wealthy residents in exchange for a promise to fix the potholes in their neighborhood first, this would be pork-barrel politics.

One possible derivation for the phrase comes from the practice of country stores keeping a barrel of salted pork open and available to the public. Certain high-ranking citizens would come by daily to dip into this common fund.

From an article by Angela Casauay entitled :Senatorial Bets want to abolish pork barrel “A senator gets about P200 million in pork barrel funds each year, an amount that makes up a substantial amount of congressional allocations that lawmakers receive each year.”

Llasos, a lawyer, said the PDAF, or the Priority Development Assistance Fund, and other discretionary funds are the root of graft and corruption and should therefore be abolished.

According to Marwil Llasos  , "I know the function of a senator. The function is legislation, to create laws, investigations in aid of legislation and education on issues. There is no mention of being a contractor,"

Hontiveros said PDAF allocations must be subjected to “the system of ordinary people” so that they can dictate the kind of projects that the pork barrel will subsidize, while Christian Señeres said it should be “scrutinized up to the last peso."

Bayan Muna Rep Teddy Casiño cited a concrete use of the pork barrel: collect all and give to state colleges. In outlining his platform on education, Casiño acknowledged the need to provide more funding for universities, which can be sourced from the PDAF and by re-aligning funds used to pay for the country’s P5-T debt.

Why can’t the PDAF be distributed directly to local government units? For years,  national and local oligarchs have been benefiting millions from this “unofficial fund”. We do not even know for sure if these supposed to be millions of development funds are being used for development projects, or being corrupted. All we know, is that people who  gets into positions gets even richer and richer.

“Every right involves a corresponding responsibility to others and to society?” an assesment.

There is an old argument about rights that has enjoyed resurgent popularity in these days of “spreading the wealth around.” It is the assertion that while human beings undoubtedly have rights, they also have responsibilities. “For every right there is a corresponding responsibility that is its complement.” One should not be surprised that this line of reasoning appeals to statists of all varieties, because they see in it a way to undercut rights and dress up their schemes of plunder and domination as “responsibilities.” However, it does not take the clear-thinking mind long to see through these principle, for they fail to hold up to a moment’s analysis.

What are the characteristics of a right? A right is an absolute and exclusive claim to something. “Absolute” because you cannot partially have a right to something. You either have a right to it wholly or not at all. “Exclusive” because that which you have a right to no one else can claim a right to. A right defines something that you are entitled to. You do not need anyone’s permission to exercise a right. No one can charge you a fee for exercising it. No government can regulate it. You are entitled to exercise rights without interference by or permission from anyone.

Consider the right to life. Is your right to life absolute or do you only have a right to live under certain conditions? Do you have an exclusive right to live your own life or do others have some partial right to your life? Are you entitled to live, or do other people have a right to charge you a fee in return for allowing you to live? Can any government pass a law or regulation qualifying your right to life?

There are different kinds of rights, based upon their origins. Legal rights derive from a contract. While these rights originate with the consent of others, such as your right to a house that you have purchased, that right nevertheless takes on all of the characteristics described above once you have acquired it. The corresponding responsibility to the right of ownership of the house is the obligation to pay for the house. Your responsibility to pay derives from the contract you entered into. You are obliged to pay because you have consented to pay in exchange for the right to the property previously owned by the seller.

Natural rights are inherent in each person. These do not originate with the consent of others, but are part of and inseparable from our humanity. They cannot be taken away. Even if they are violated, they nevertheless remain. When we recognize something to be “wrong,” it is usually the violation of some kind of right. However, when we recognize something as “evil,” it is invariably the violation of a natural, inalienable right.

A responsibility is something that you are obliged to do. It is an obligation that you must fulfill in order to comply with a moral or legal code. Responsibilities do not always conform to our wishes. We may prefer to do one thing, but have the responsibility to do another. Responsibilities are actions that we are compelled to do, either by religious doctrine, our own consciences, or other people.