One More Movement

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported on 08/31/09 that the Moral Force Movement was launched by Chief Justice Reynato Puno and others at the Far Eastern University. Calling for moral transformation Justice Puno said that the movement seeks to solve the country's moral decay and to respond to the need to elect transformational leaders. In their speeches, other conveners said that the movement would guide the public in choosing a transformation leader and called on them to join and work together and nurture the values that our parents have taught us.

For an idealist like myself, it is good to know that there are others out there who are pushing for a moral transformation in our country. The reason I founded Lambat Ministries is to work toward the realization of a vision: A morally transformed and prosperous Philippines by 2026. For this cause, my wife and I have pledged our time, abilities and resources - coram Deo.

Earlier this year, I received a text from one of our participating pastors urging me to submit Lambat's proposal for values formation ASAP to Assistant Secretary Tobias at the Malacanang Palace. I did that and my proposal which includes the what, how and how much of values formation in the Philippines has been sitting (I am told) on her desk since then. In that proposal, I quoted President Arroyo as saying, We must teach the values that Jesus brought into this world. That was five months ago.

I do not know how deeply President Arroyo understands and believes the values that Jesus brought into this world but I could not agree with her more. It is a paradigm shift that we need in this country, a shift in our life and world view. I do not know what philosophy of life this latest movement for moral transformation headed by Chief Justice Puno is embracing but I certainly hope it teaches the values that Jesus brought into this world. Because if it does not, like FDR's moral recovery program and Joey Lina's movement for righteous leadership, Moral Force Movement will fail.

Lambat's values formation program is founded on the triad of the True, Good and Right. We define True (not Fact) as that which is in accordance to the Word of God. Good is what is pleasing to God. Right is that which is in line with the will of God. Teachers of values owe it to our people to define these three things before they are asked to believe and join the movement.

Living On Borrowed Money

GMA News.TV on 8/26/09 reported that President Arroyo submitted to the House of Representatives a budget for P1.54 trillion. This means more jobs, more roads, more school buildings, more, more, more. But the question is, From where will the funding come?

If, while on a crossroads, my wife and I did not agree to cut up all our credit cards, we would never have enjoyed a save-first-spend-later life style. The Bible tells us that the borrower is servant to the lender. I do not want to be a slave to anyone, do you?

One foolish thing I found out to be true while living on borrowed money was the more I borrowed the more I spent on things I never needed. My wife and I spent a lot of our hard earned money on useless things.

Maybe former Senator Ralph Recto is right. It's time for zero-based budgeting. Although it is indeed very cumbersome, maybe it is time to justify every allocation included in a proposed budget. Otherwise, this borrow-more-spend-even-more cycle is never going to end. This culture is going to push even more of our people into virtual economic slavery.

I wonder how much of the 1.54 trillion 2010 budget that President Arroyo submitted to Congress is fat. My guess would be a lot. If you do not believe me, all you have to do is walk around any government agency and see how many employees are doing nothing but push their pens. The government bureaucracy in our country is so inefficient. Just try to get an NBI clearance. You inch your way toward a window for three hours only to be told to return in ten days after a same name verification is done, which was done a year ago, and the year before that.

But, I think fiscal waste due to bureaucratic inefficiency is nothing compared to the awarding of government contracts. One has to wonder, How much of the P235 billion earmarked for education and manpower is allotted for the "awarding ceremony?" You know what I mean. The same goes for the P72 billion for roads and bridges, P5.8 billion on new school buildings, P27.6 billion for farm infrastructure and so on down the line.

Is there really something wrong with the system, or is the system's operator the one at fault? Or maybe both need to be replaced. There is only one way to find out: Zero-based budgeting. The process may cost a lot at the front-end in terms of time, talent and treasure but the benefits will last for a very long time.

When Filipino Children View Pornography

I got a good glimpse of the piracy industry in the Philippines the other night when I was watching CNN Talk Asia's feature on director Brillante Mendoza. In one segment, Mendoza was shown walking along a flee market of pirated CDs and DVDs near the Quiapo church now popularly known as "pirate street."

The image reminded me of how easy Filipinos specially children can see and get their hands on pornographic video. I myself got my first glimpse of pornography through bootleg betamax copies of adult movies. But its not only videos, a friend complained to me recently the growing number of sexualized billboard ads featuring underwear models mushrooming along main thoroughfares like EDSA.

Unfortunately, exposure to pornography and other sexualized media can adversely affect children (both boys and girls) and often lead to significant damage in their ability to form healthy relationships as an adult.

Focus on the Family's Rob Jackson tells parents the best solution to the problem. He said, the ultimate goal for our children's sexuality is that they will be able to see the dynamic interplay between sexuality and spirituality. As Christians, we want to help them understand, for example, that sexual intercourse is an act of love shared between a husband and wife. This sacred act symbolizes the spiritual union that will occur between Christ and His bride, the Church, upon His return to earth. We hope our sons will see themselves as a type of Christ as they relate to their wives, and that our daughters will see themselves as a type of the church as they relate to their husbands. What we model today in our marriages will likely reproduce itself in our children's marriages.

In conclusion, by helping our children see the big picture and God's design for the sanctity of sex, we are better prepared to confront the problem of pornography when and if it occurs in our children's lives.

(image from Outoftown blog)

Noynoy Aquino: The Next President

In Old Testament times, when a prophesy turns out to be not totally accurate, a foreteller is considered a false prophet and stoned to death. It is for this reason that church leaders of today ought to be very careful in making predictions. Those who prophesied a De Venecia presidency are fortunate to still have a following. This is not to say that prophets from God no longer exists. They still do. But, the nature of their job is more on telling forth instead of forth telling. After all, the Bible has already revealed everything we need to know - not what we want to know - about the future until the second coming of Christ so that we may be able to live godly, peaceful and abundant lives.

I do not consider myself a prophet but I am an observer. My read on current events is that Noynoy will follow in the footsteps of his Mom and get drafted to run for president.

Philippine Daily Inquirer on 8/27/09 reported that the group that convinced Corazon Aquino to run for president in the 1986 snap election called by dictator Ferdinand Marcos has embarked on a similar campaign. The group is seeking to gather more than a million signatures to encourage the late former President's only son, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, to also run for president.

Noynoy will receive support from significant players and personalities.

ABS-CBN News on 8/28/09 reported that . . . if ever Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III runs for higher office in 2010, he would find an ally in the most unlikely person: former Ilocos Norte representative Imee Marcos . . . Kaya Natin! lead convenor Harvey Keh said Monday that Panlilio would withdraw his bid for the presidency in 2010 if Aquino plans to run.

We live in as desperate times as in the days immediately following the assassination of Ninoy. It will be deja vu all over again for most of our people. Emotion will run high for a clamor for an Aquino presidency.

So, if I were a betting man (fortunately I'm not), I would bet that:

• Roxas will be Noynoy's running mate.
• FDR and Erap will endorse Noynoy.
• Escudero and Legarda will aspire for VP.
• Velarde and Villanueva will withdraw and endorse Noynoy.
• Fernando will quietly withdraw as well.
• De Castro will go back to newscasting.
• Madrigal will not go away and contribute to Villar's defeat.

Just to be perfectly clear, I am not a prophet but a mere current events observer. So, do not stone me if I am completely wrong in my predictions.

Hold the Government Accountable

Everyone in government must be held accountable. Congress must ensure that the Commission on Audit is carrying out its constitutional mandate. We need to know how taxes collected and borrowed monies were used, and that they were spent appropriately. We need to know that current financial statements being prepared by government agencies are being presented fairly in accordance with generally accounting principles.

Pero kung tutuusin, it is only the people who can effectively hold elected or appointed public officials accountable. The Filipino people have only themselves to blame for the current political and financial mess that we are in. Wala nang ibang dapat sisihin.

We have a recurring corrupt government because voters who elect those in positions of power keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Dapat madala na tayo. Our current situation demands that the voting public undergo a self-examination. As a first step, we need to ask ourselves questions like:

• Am I intelligently supporting a qualified person with a proven record or am I foolishly thinking of voting for a celebrity who has no idea what governance means?

• Am I intelligently supporting a candidate who is God-fearing and has integrity or am I foolishly thinking of voting for someone from whom I can benefit somewhere down the road?

• Am I intelligently supporting a candidate who possesses the political will to do what is right for the sake of the country or am I foolishly thinking of voting for someone because he or she is a friend or a relative, or a relative of a friend, or a friend of a relative?

• Am I intelligently supporting a candidate who can actually articulate his or her political philosophy and has a concrete plan on how to make things better for our people or am I foolishly thinking of voting for someone who keeps saying that he will cross the bridge when he gets there?

Remember, true People Power is when politicians actually care about public opinion.

Amendment to the Constitution

Lord Acton said that power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I agree. That is why in government there must be separation of powers and there must be sytems of checks and balances. The belief in a benevolent dictator is foolishness. We cannot afford to simply trust our national leaders that they will do good. The Bible tells us that the human heart is deceitful and desperately sick. Meaning, any dictator can actually make himself believe that he is doing good when, in fact, he is being wicked.

With this regard, any initiative in favor of convening the House of Representatives as a constituent assembly or of a constitutional convention must be stopped immediately. Amendments to our 1987 Constitution must go through the process one amendment at a time - - as in the matter of shifting from a bicameral to a unicameral legislative body. This way there won't be any extra expense to the taxpayers while providing ample time for deliberation. If this happens, there must be sufficient and intelligent media coverage of any such deliberation so that the Filipino people may be properly informed and be given the opportunity to weigh in on any amendment proposal before a vote by Congress is taken. Before anything else, as to whether the House of Representatives and the Senate are to vote jointly or separately must be cleared up. Congress must put this ambiguity to the test by proposing an amendment of lesser consequence than the abolishment of the Senate, and letting it run its course.

I suggest that we, the people, tackle these issues right now. So please comment.

1. Are you in favor of abolishing the Senate?

2. Should both houses of Congress vote jointly or separately with regards to making amendments to our Constitution?

I do not want the Senate to be abolished because of the Action argument. Some members of Congress say that the present legislative set-up prevents the passing of more bills. Some are concerned that GMA is behind the current Cha-Cha initiative in order to perpetuate her powers.

True People Power is when politicians actually care about public opinion.

What do you think? Please weigh in now.

Pamana

The only pamana that most of us can hand down to our children and grandchildren is our name and what it stands for. When asked once how I would wish to be remembered, my reply was deeply influenced by my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I said, ". . . as a faithful servant." My wife is one, and I also see this Christ-like attitude in my children. I know I will die a happy man.

When the name Aquino is mentioned, two people will, no doubt, come to mind - Ninoy and Cory. Then certain phrases will automatically get associated with that name. People Power. Sacrifice. Democracy. Senator Noynoy's refusal of a state funeral and a national monument for his beloved mother says a lot about his character. He will, I am confident, pass his parents' legacy on to the next generation of Aquinos.

When the name Marcos is uttered, two people will, no doubt, come to mind as well - Ferdinand and Imelda. Then certain phrases will automatically get associated with that name. Martial Law. Dictatorship. Golden Buddha. How Representatives Bongbong and Imee live out their respective political careers will determine whether the phrases accompanying the name Marcos will remain or change. Pressure? Opportunity? I think, both.

How about our national legacy? Will Filipinos be perennially known as corrupt, servile, mimics? I certainly hope not. The ball is on the next generation's court. Pressure? Opportunity? All I can say is, Guys, please do a better job.

Proverbs 22:1 says, A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Are You Busy?

Filipino Unity is an oxymoron as in pretty ugly.

So, expect Erap to run on wounded knee.

It's too early for Chiz.

It's too late for Loren or Noli.

For Jamby, it is an impossibility.

Bayani is a hero, but people are saying,

We need a superhero.

The Father is greater than the brothers.

Mar has money. Manny has more money.

But, Noynoy has the people's sympathy.

If you're not busy, why not seek the presidency?

Bad News, Good News

May kasabihan na, "No news is good news." Sa Buhay Pinoy ngayong taong 2009, except sa larangan ng boxing, puro sad and bad ang nasasagap nating balita. Too many of our soldiers are dying in the jungles of Mindanao sa pakikipaglaban nila sa mga terrorista at rebelde dito sa ating bansa. At ang pinakamasakit, of course, ay ang pagpanaw ni Mrs. Aquino.

Sa larangan ng politica, bad to worst na - - puro iskandalo at controbersya. Wala nang ibabaho pa ang Philippine Congress. Ang boto ng Pilipino is for sale - sa local or national election at pati na sa Congress. May mga laws nga tayo, pero yung mga lawmakers natin ay lawbreakers din, at kulang na kulang tayo sa law enforcement. Traffic rules are habitually ignored.

Sa ating lipunan, parami nang parami ang mga bata sa kalye at sa mga dumpsites. Isang tingin lang halata agad na malnourished sila. Maraming teen pregnancies. Illegal use of drugs, prostitution, jueteng, robberies and kidnapping are rampant. Ang overcrowding ay hindi lamang sa MRT at LRT o sa mga public schools at hospitals, pati ang mga provincial, municipal at city jails ay apaw na rin. At patuloy ang exodus ng ating mga professionals at skilled laborers.

Sa economiya, hindi lang tayo lubog sa utang, lunod na pati ating mga apo. Ang mga mayayaman ay lalong yumayaman at ang mga mahihirap ay hikahos na. Pati malalawak na hati ng ating agricultural land ay pinarerentahan na lamang sa mga banyaga. Tuloy, sila ang tunay na makikinabang ng ating natural resources.

Mabuti na lang, mayroong good news:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Jesus Christ

To all who receive Christ, to those who believe in His name, God gives the right to become children of God. The Apostle John

When one hears and receives the words of Christ, one begins to view life and this world in a different perspective. One begins to understand why bad things happen to good people and why there is so much suffering in this world although God is good.

The good news in a nutshell is this:

Chris has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Up, Up and Away

Ayon sa 8/20/09 issue ng Manila Bulletin, ang sabi ni Senator Escudero ay ipinakita ng statistics galing sa Bureau of Treasury na P612.7 billion of the total national government budget was allotted for debt servicing; P340.5 billion is allotted to cover the principal, while P272.2 billion is for interest payments.

Ang sabi pa niya, ang nadagdag daw sa total debt natin during this administration is "far bigger than the debts of the previous three administrations."

Balita pa raw ni Senator Escudero na kinumpirma ni National Treasurer Roberto Tan ang planong mangutang pa ng $2 billion - humigit kumulang yon sa P96 billion - sa mga foreign commercial banks next year dahil sa bigger-than-expected budget deficit.

Naibalita rin na inamin ni Deputy Executive Secretary for Administration and Finance na si Ching Vargas na from 2001 up to this year, the government has already spent almost P2.5 billion for Mrs. Arroyo's travels which is P1 billion overbudget na.

At meron pa . . . naibalita pa rin na bibili sana si GMA ng presidential jet na nagkakahalaga ng P1.2 billion.

Sa pagpapatuloy ni Senator Escudero, matutunghayan daw sa BSP website na ang total domestic and foreign borrowings from 2001 to 2005 totaled to P2.439 trillion, kaya ang national debt natin ngayon ay P4.8 trillion.

Bakit ganoon? Isang bundok na salapi ang inutang ng gobyerno subalit napakarami pa rin ang ginugutom at nagkakandahirap-hirap sa ating bayan. Kaya ba ang mga mayayaman ay lalong yumayaman?

No wonder sobrang dami ang gustong umalis sa Pilipinas para maging construction workers sa Middle East, dh sa Hong Kong, waiters sa mga cruise ships, caregivers sa US o UK, and so on and on. Kapalaran ba ng mga Pilipino na manilbihan sa ibang lahi? Ang sabi ng iba, mas mabuti na siguro yun kaysa naman kapwa Pilipino at kapwa Christiano mo pa ang mang-abuso at mang-api sa iyo.

What do you think? Applicable ba sa Buhay Pinoy ngayon ang sinabi ni Cristo na we cannot serve two masters? Na we cannot serve both God and Money? At ang sinabi ni St. Paul that the love of money is the root of all evil?

"True Love Waits" is Growing in the Philippines

The website wagmuna.com caught my attention the other day because of its catchy name. Composed of young adults committed in remaining pure before marriage, the site is dedicated to promote the value of waiting through the "True Love Waits" (TLW) program taught in many churches in the Philippines. My friend Kuya Kevin also made it a mission to bring the message of sexual integrity to young Filipinos through his blog, podcast and preaching.

As someone who dealt with sexual brokenness, I could have needed or used the message they bring when I was going through my own problems. But God had a different way of addressing this issue in my life. I couldn't be more proud of my kababayans and co-believers in Christ for their commitment and team work to bring the Biblical message of love and sex to many Pinoys. As I said on a blog post last March, I hope and pray more churches and Christian groups will not wait but rather act now to develop more programs like TLW in the Philippines.

Keep up the good work guys!

The Living Rice Welcomes a New Filipino Christian Blogger

I'm pleased to welcome Conrad Jun Tolosa as regular blogger for The Living Rice. Conrad is an avid writer and teacher and has a true heart for the Filipinos. He is founder of Lambat Ministries whose main mission is to bring values education to all Filipinos. Conrad and his wife are based in Cavite, Philippines.

Learn more about Lambat Ministries here.

Elvis, Michael and Jesus

The kingmakers of the world of entertainment had brought us two larger than life icons: Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. Surely, they will be remembered for a very long time.

The problem is that the world never delivers. At the end of the day, it always fails to make sense of a life it had birthed and orchestrated. Elvis and Michael shared the same "fame and fortune" fate. Lisa Marie who knew them both testifies to that. Some of us who became fans of either or both, are left with this hollow feeling inside of us that demands a reason for our being.

It is recorded in John 6:14-15 that after the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

There is indeed a void inside the human soul that only God can fill. Jesus rejected the promise of power, fame and fortune when He was tempted in the wilderness. We would do well to follow in the footsteps of one who is truly King.

Pinoy See, Pinoy Do... Monkey See, Monkey Do?

The whole “monkey see, monkey do” issue fueled by Freddie Aquilar’s publicly expressed opinion that Filipinos are the world’s best imitators or mimics smacks right into the Filipino psyche.

The heart of this controversy points not to Charice or Arnel Pineda singing Celine Dion’s or Journey’s songs. It is about the Filipino mindset that foreign is better than indigenous.

Here’s my take on this whole “brown monkey thing.”

If you watched the afternoon musical show following the Donaire-Concepcion boxing match, you would have witnessed Pinoy see, Pinoy do performances at their worst. The entire show was an imitation of an American theme park musical extravaganza. Am I saying that monkey-ing is a sin? Of course not. But is the constant showcasing of modern American or western secular values through musical mimicry harmful to the mind of the Filipino youth? I say, it robs them of the opportunity to be exposed to the richness of Filipino music and its cultural value - since such Broadwayish numbers dominate Filipino television variety shows.

Exposing a people repetitively to a culture foreign to them as being the standard of what is good and right is a form of values brainwashing. Filipinos, since becoming known as the inhabitants of a group of islands later to be named Philippine Islands, had been conditioned to believe by their colonial masters as inferior to them, being Indios or Little Brown Brothers. Such musical shows that mimic American productions reinforce our people’s colonial mentality.

The message I get from Ka Freddie’s remarks made sour by media reporting is this: Let us stop monkey-ing around and become lovers of the Philippines. Loving the Philippines means loving her heritage, her culture (which includes her music and her languages), and her people just as they truly are and not some copy of another race.

(Written by Conrad Tolosa for The Living Rice)

Who Cares About the 2009 National Artist of the Philippines?

Does this present generation of Filipinos, or even those who are the next in line, really care about who gets proclaimed as National Artists? I doubt it.

If I have to choose one from amongst our national artists, my choice would be Levi Celerio, our greatest composer/lyricist with over 4,000 love, folk and Christmas songs to his credit. I doubt, though, if our people even know who he is and how gifted he was. But for the young-at-heart Pinoy art lovers in our land, many of his songs, like Sapagkat Kami Ay Tao Lamang, Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit, Waray-Waray, Basta’t Mahal Kita and Pitong Gatang, still ring in our ears.

I would not have learned to like Journey’s songs if not for Arnel Pineda. My admiration for the Filipino talent may not have been reawakened if not for Charice. Like Freddie Aguilar, I consider Arnel and Charice as artists in their own rights. And I would be lying if I say that I do not goose bump feel a sense of national pride as I watch different international audiences give them a standing ovation.

The reason why I think that eventually, it will be the artist Levi Celerio who will be most remembered by future generations of Filipinos, is because of this suspicious beating or perhaps longing in my heart that Filipino patriotism is making a comeback.

If I were Mariah Carey, I, too, will be threatened by “brown monkey” Regine Velasquez. But should we care what other people think of us Filipinos? Perhaps. But what matters is what we think of ourselves. Are we now comfortable within our own skin, or are we still trying to prove ourselves to the world?

The bottom line is this: There will be another Levi Celerio if the goal of our artistic pursuit once again becomes individual excellence and not personal glory or riches.

(Posted by Conrad Tolosa)

10 Most Attended Funerals in the Philippines

According to Spot.ph the following are the 10 most attended funerals in the Philippines.

(1) Corazon “Cory” Aquino; (2) Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.; (3) Ramon Magsaysay; (4) Fernando Poe Jr.; (5) Julie Vega; (6) Rico Yan; (7) Francis Magalona; (8) Cardinal Sin; (9) Nida Blanca; (10) Rudy Fernandez

Interesting to note that 6 are from showbiz, 4 from politics and half were unexpected deaths.

Its a good reminder that life is short and fragile. But in our lives death does not have the final word. Christ triumphed over death on the cross; He will give eternal life to all who have faith in Him and in the end, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Is Original Pilipino Music (OPM) a Lost Art?

The controversy over the 2009 National Artists awardees which blames President Arroyo’s corruption and dirty politics for spoiling the selection process made me think of popular Filipino music and arts.

No doubt, the Philippines is blessed with talented artists. Music alone produces fine Filipino singers and choral groups that are recognized as one of the best around the world. But is original Filipino music becoming a lost art?

I love Filipino music and I miss listening to it. My friend Kristan and I always gets a good laugh every time we talk about the pinoy songs we used to listen on the radio during the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately, I can't find anything in this current or even in my generation of singers new songs worth listening to because all they play are covers and revivals. Pakiramdam ko hihinto lang ang pagrerevival at pagiging popular ng foreign songs kapag hindi na baluktot mag-Tagalog is Martin Nievera (my shameless attempt to be funny).

Same thing with TV, I don't watch soap operas but I read about them online and noticed remakes of old movies and foreign series fills up the afternoon and primetime TV schedule.

The idea on the article I read recently and blogged on The Point can be related to the decline of OPM and TV. It says the decline of the quality of contemporary music, literature and other forms of art is a reflection of the change in the very thought process and concentration levels of a culture.

Pinoy's inclination that Western culture is better, superior and beautiful is the culprit why local adaptations and remakes are always popular. Mahirap na yatang tangalin and mindset na ito. The current generation's use of media and technology is also blamed for shaping the way people think: superficial, less to ponder and emotion-driven. Bumababaw daw ang tao ngayon dahil sa internet at text. Whatever feels good and simple impressions is preferred over logical and well-reasoned thought, affecting the songs and shows Filipinos want to see and make.

It's hard to blame Freddie Aguilar's harsh criticism of Filipino artists and music. May basis naman kasi sya, mali lang ang kanyang delivery. To prove Ka Freddie's assertion will never be right, Filipinos need to change the way we think. To start, develop the right values and worldview. A worldview similar to the Creator that strives for excellence and craves to create beauty from the unattractive and the empty. Then develop critical thinking skills and art appreciation by reading more and exposing one-self to original works of arts and literature.

As for entertainment industry executives who decides what songs or shows to produce, I hope you give Filipinos more what we need and not always what we want to see or hear.

Corazon Aquino, Destined to be Loved and Remembered by Her People

By Conrad Tolosa

Corazon Aquino was destined to be loved and remembered by her people. She was an instrument of intervention made by a compassionate and merciful God. I also believe that Cory will be the first to say that it is really her husband, Ninoy, who deserves to be remembered by a people so loved and believed to be worth dying for by a great man who could have accomplished much and made a meaningful difference in the lives of millions.

When sold to the Midianites, Joseph’s brothers meant it for evil; but we learn later on that God meant it for good. When Ninoy was assassinated upon his return from exile, the masterminds of this atrocious and scornful crime meant it for evil, but God - who continues to work in mysterious ways – meant it for good. The success of the consequential People Power revolution remains to be the Filipino People’s one moment in time. Those needing encouragement in keeping the faith in common people’s struggle against tyranny and for self-determination and democracy, that it can succeed, can look back to this glorious event of a peaceful and courageous quick response to the call of national duty. A blood bath was avoided because there were enough who were willing to die for the good of their country.

When the need arises again (which I think is just a matter of time) when someone is asked to be the sacrificial lamb for the sake of our people’s well-being, I believe that many will follow in the footsteps of Corazon Aquino.

Ninoy and Cory Aquino will grace our history books for always.