TIME and again, a name comes to mind. And the man behind the name becomes alive in the memory of all those who came to know him. The simplicity of his life and the profundity of his understanding. The plain statements he made and the great influence he wielded. The little jokes he cracked and the national impact he had. These are some of the thoughts his name evokes, his person awakens, his deeds inspire. Result: Jaime L. Cardinal Sin is a glorious part of Philippine History. As there is now a “Jaime Cardinal Sin Street” in Metro-Manila, it would be interesting to reveal some simple yet distinct realities about him that many might not know, nor has history recorded—such as:
The paucity of his needs. The clothes he wore were clean but usually old. His house was big but his room was small. When there were no visitors, he ate left-over food.
The lightness of his heart. He received visitors with delight. After meeting with him, they left with smiles, clear faces. He loved saying “Yes” to many requests. He said “No” with a heavy heart.
The profundity of his insights. While remaining a mortal, an ordinary man he was not. He saw much more than what appeared, read much more that what were written. Fooling was not easy.
The propensity he had to pray. He prayed in the chapel and prayed in the car going somewhere. He prayed anytime he had the time. In today’s language, he was a 24/7 praying man.
The tenacity in his convictions. He received contradicting information. He welcomed different opinions. He listened to opposing advisories. But when he became convinced of something, that was it.
The comfort he had when meeting with the mighty and when in the company of the weak. He was at home in the presence of powerful individuals. And he was also at ease when finding himself among the poor.
The charismatic leadership he held. He not only spoke but also acted accordingly. Truth to tell, he was leadership incarnate in the hearts and minds of ordinary mortals, bishops and archbishops included.
No. This is not a campaign for his sainthood. This is not even a drive to make him a hero of one kind or another. This is simply to tell truth about a special man God then gave to His people.
OVCRUZ, JCD
7 September 2011
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Monday, September 05, 2011
“Mr. Casino Filipino”
CONSIDERING that gambling—be this legal or illegal—can be anything but noble and ennobling, it is sad that PAGCOR would now even go to the extent of exploiting the innocence and enthusiasm of young people in order to promote its long since questionable management as well as dubious operations. Lately, it is trying hard to laundry its much tarnished name and covetous agenda by loud and sustained publicity about its concern and generosity in the education of children. Now, it is going to the extent of staging a “Ms. Casino Filipino” contest allegedly to promote this or that salutary program.
With malice towards none, with good towards all, it could be both relevant and significant to bring to mind even but the following “minor” matters—all in conjunction with PAGCOR:
Where is Bentain? What happened to him? How come there is still great silence about him as if he disappeared into thin air? If he were still alive and allowed to talk, what would he say?
Who really killed Nida Blanca? Why was she in fact killed? How is it that to this date, the reason as well as the mastermind behind her killing remains mysteriously unsaid and unknown, respectively?
Where are the gambling addicts brought to existence by the Government Corporation? Where are the families that were destroyed—courtesy of the same gambling Institution? Up to when will the same entity bring about addicts, cause the separation of families and other personal maladies?
With but the above questions—and there are many more worth asking as more and more serious and disturbing issues are being raised on the use of Pagcor funds—there is enough reason to question the continuous operation and even aggressive promotion of the said gambling GOCC.
There is one fundamental ethical principle that PAGCOR cannot deny, much less nullify: “The end does not justify the means.” Gambling remains a social cancer—notwithstanding all its pretences at presenting a figure of dignity and a source of charity. The money it claims to have is in fact yanked out of the pockets of misled individuals. The funds it trumpets to give away, in reality belong to unfortunate people who indulge in gambling—undermining their own human dignity and relational responsibilities.
It is so very hard to claim the “matuid na daan” while at the same time considering gambling as a straight way of life. In this case, somebody is either an ignoramus or simply callous. Would that it were otherwise.
OVCRUZ, JCD
5 September 2011
With malice towards none, with good towards all, it could be both relevant and significant to bring to mind even but the following “minor” matters—all in conjunction with PAGCOR:
Where is Bentain? What happened to him? How come there is still great silence about him as if he disappeared into thin air? If he were still alive and allowed to talk, what would he say?
Who really killed Nida Blanca? Why was she in fact killed? How is it that to this date, the reason as well as the mastermind behind her killing remains mysteriously unsaid and unknown, respectively?
Where are the gambling addicts brought to existence by the Government Corporation? Where are the families that were destroyed—courtesy of the same gambling Institution? Up to when will the same entity bring about addicts, cause the separation of families and other personal maladies?
With but the above questions—and there are many more worth asking as more and more serious and disturbing issues are being raised on the use of Pagcor funds—there is enough reason to question the continuous operation and even aggressive promotion of the said gambling GOCC.
There is one fundamental ethical principle that PAGCOR cannot deny, much less nullify: “The end does not justify the means.” Gambling remains a social cancer—notwithstanding all its pretences at presenting a figure of dignity and a source of charity. The money it claims to have is in fact yanked out of the pockets of misled individuals. The funds it trumpets to give away, in reality belong to unfortunate people who indulge in gambling—undermining their own human dignity and relational responsibilities.
It is so very hard to claim the “matuid na daan” while at the same time considering gambling as a straight way of life. In this case, somebody is either an ignoramus or simply callous. Would that it were otherwise.
OVCRUZ, JCD
5 September 2011
Friday, September 02, 2011
Charity
COMPASSION brings about preoccupation which in turn brings benefaction to fore—this is charity in nature and implication. Its opposite is exploitation that takes advantage of frustration caused by destitution. The realities behind these thoughts are not that complicated to perceive, much less are they that profound to understand. The core of the matter is that charity is synonymous with altruistic love—whose opposite is self-service caused by self-love. This is why the triad of faith, hope and love considered as the cornerstone of all Christian virtues.
This brings to mind the now infamous “Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office” (PCSO) which has slowly but surely metamorphosed into a gambling Government Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC). It is a “Philippine” entity, alright. But there seems to be no more “Sweepstakes” really and much less does it stand for “Charity”. Just like the notorious Philippine Amusing and Gambling Corporation (PAGCOR), PCSO is now the symbol of exploitation instanced by frustration on account of the destitution of millions of Filipinos.
Let it be clearly said that in addition to LOTTO, there is the SMALL TOWN LOTTERY to be changed into “LOTERIA NG BAYAN” this month. And all these downright gambling concoctions are geared for the exploitation of the frustrated people on account of their poverty. The thought of easy money or a “fast buck”, the dependence on chance or a “perhaps stance”, the gambit of instant wealth or “quick get rich”—all these non-rational postures are the basic premises of gambling officially promoted not only by PAGCOR but also by PCSO.
With the feigned intention of getting rid of Jueteng which in fact became even more intensive in operation and more extensive in coverage, after the emergence of STL, there is this other dubious venture of LOTERIA allegedly to eradicate JUETENG—again. It is both strange and dubious that PCSO would not know the futility of such a professed honorable finality: Do away with JUETENG through LOTERIA. Reason: Most of the corporations with the franchises to operate STL then and LOTERIA now, are owned by Jueteng Lords themselves!
Just as Jueteng Lords used STL as a cover-up for the illegal numbers game of JUETENG, the same well known characters are now poised to handle LOTERIA operation for exactly the same objective, i.e. exactly as another cover-up for their JUETENG activities. If PCSO does not know this, then it must be managed either by holy innocents or by illegal gambling beneficiaries themselves. This is not only a big pity but also a big shame!
GAMBLING-GRAFT-CORRUPTION; This is an inseparable trio! This is an empirical reality! This is long standing Philippine history!
OVCRUZ, JCD
2 September 2011
This brings to mind the now infamous “Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office” (PCSO) which has slowly but surely metamorphosed into a gambling Government Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC). It is a “Philippine” entity, alright. But there seems to be no more “Sweepstakes” really and much less does it stand for “Charity”. Just like the notorious Philippine Amusing and Gambling Corporation (PAGCOR), PCSO is now the symbol of exploitation instanced by frustration on account of the destitution of millions of Filipinos.
Let it be clearly said that in addition to LOTTO, there is the SMALL TOWN LOTTERY to be changed into “LOTERIA NG BAYAN” this month. And all these downright gambling concoctions are geared for the exploitation of the frustrated people on account of their poverty. The thought of easy money or a “fast buck”, the dependence on chance or a “perhaps stance”, the gambit of instant wealth or “quick get rich”—all these non-rational postures are the basic premises of gambling officially promoted not only by PAGCOR but also by PCSO.
With the feigned intention of getting rid of Jueteng which in fact became even more intensive in operation and more extensive in coverage, after the emergence of STL, there is this other dubious venture of LOTERIA allegedly to eradicate JUETENG—again. It is both strange and dubious that PCSO would not know the futility of such a professed honorable finality: Do away with JUETENG through LOTERIA. Reason: Most of the corporations with the franchises to operate STL then and LOTERIA now, are owned by Jueteng Lords themselves!
Just as Jueteng Lords used STL as a cover-up for the illegal numbers game of JUETENG, the same well known characters are now poised to handle LOTERIA operation for exactly the same objective, i.e. exactly as another cover-up for their JUETENG activities. If PCSO does not know this, then it must be managed either by holy innocents or by illegal gambling beneficiaries themselves. This is not only a big pity but also a big shame!
GAMBLING-GRAFT-CORRUPTION; This is an inseparable trio! This is an empirical reality! This is long standing Philippine history!
OVCRUZ, JCD
2 September 2011
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