Historian’s Nook

I personally think that it’s high time we move the Rizal Day celebrations from the usual (and oftentimes boring) December 30, the day of his martyrdom, to June 19, his birth anniversary.  Because if we insist to keep it that way, why not hold Bonifacio Day on May 10 instead of the standard November 30? 

Well, we know very well that Jose Rizal was martyred by the Spaniards on December 30, 1896 in Bagumbayan (now Luneta); thus, our Rizal Day commemoration.  Meanwhile, Bonifacio was killed (‘salvaged’ perhaps?) by the Filipinos on May 10, 1897 in Maragondon, Cavite; thus, a very tragic end for the ‘Supremo’.  Again, makes you wonder: why not declare May 10 as Andres Bonifacio Day?  Well, that could mean the entire Filipino nation actually (and annually) observing that same tragedy over and over again as orchestrated by Filipinos themselves.  Regrettably, this is what we had done to the ‘Father of Philippine Democracy’ so to speak.

Nevertheless, how painful that episode may be, we should always keep in mind the lessons of history.

Four southern cities in two succeeding weekends, not bad…  November 21-23, Kidapawan and Davao; November 28-30, Cebu and Mandaue…  Makes you think: so many Philippine cities but hardly enough time to see and visit these wonderful (and bustling) places.  If only I have time – and lots of money, of course.  I always remember whenever my students shudder at the thought of locating in maps (and memorizing, unfortunately) the many cities (and capital of each province) throughout the entire archipelago.  In the long run, what you’ll hear are wild uproars and violent reactions from the class.  Cities, provinces, and capitals – anyone?  Oh please, spare me.  What the $*#^@?! 

But in the end, I guess we all have to familiarize ourselves with our land.  This is definitely Geography 131 at work, Philippine geography at its finest…  Oh my, kill me…

Oh by gas!  Tapos na ang seryeng ‘Kahit Isang Saglit’ ng Kapamilya Dos.  Malulungkot pihado ang mga fans nina Rocky at Garie – kasama na rito siyempre ang aking butihing ina.  Mabisa ang plot (though not necessarily mahusay), hindi mo nga naman inaasahan ang takbo ng mga pangyayari (o ganito na lang ba palagi ang kuwento?): anak pala ni ganito si ganyan; aba, eh ama pala ni gan’un si ganito?  Pagkatapos, magkapatid pala si ano at si ano; na nag-aagawan naman sila kay gan’un.  At hindi pala anak ni ganito si ganyan?  Tapos ulit, pinatay ni ganun si ganyan, not knowing na ano pala ito ni ano.  Teka, paano naging pulis si Empoy?  Naman…

Hay.  Sumasakit na naman ang ulo ko.  Buti na lang eh ang haba-haba ng mga commercials (samahan pa ng mga papuri ng mga sikat na artista) at kinakantahan pa tayo ni Sharon in between the show…  Hala, bakit kailangan pang kantahin ang pamagat ng palabas?  Hayan, pati nanay ko nabwisit na rin tuloy sa kanya…

Muli, paalala: hindi ako fan ng dalawang karakter ng nasabing drama.  Tulad ng dati, nanay ko lang…  Pero nakyu-kyutan ako kay Garie kapag lagi niyang sinasambit ang salitang tanging ‘yun lang yata ang alam niya: “Tatay…”  Hehehe.  Peace out.

Kapag salot ka ng lipunan, huwag ka ng umasang aasenso ka.  Kung sa araw-araw na ginawa ng Diyos ay walang kang ibang ginawa kundi ang mamerwisyo ng kapwa mo, asahan mo na lang ang balik ng karma sa ‘yo lintik ka.  Mga isnatser, holdaper, magnanakaw, durugista – ito ang mga mukha ng kahirapang pati ang mga mamamayang disente ay apektado ng kanilang mga gawain.  Kapag magtatangka kang manlaban sa kanila, sa huli ay ikaw pa ang dehado at talunan.  Kadalasan eh bulagta at patay ang isang kaawa-awang nilalang na ang tanging naging kasalanan ay ipaglaban ang kanyang prinsipyo laban sa mga walang kwentang taong ito.  Ang mga walang silbing kriminal na ito ay nananatiling pagala-gala sa lansangan upang ipagpatuloy ang kanilang gawain.  Sige, sirain ang kinabukasan ng mga ordinaryong tao. At sige, ipagpatuloy ang pagpapaliit ng inyong mundo.

Sana lamang eh lagi tayong mag-ingat paglabas ng ating mga kabahayan, lalo ngayong Kapaskuhan.  Ang mga lintik na ito ay patuloy na nakaantabay at nag-aabang sa paligid upang muling makapangbiktima ng mga tulad nating walang kamuang-muang.  Minsan talaga mapapaisip ka na lang ng mga katagang tulad nito: ‘punyetang mundo ito’.

One of my closest kinakapatid/kababata got married last Tuesday, finally.  The wedding ceremony was beautiful – and I think this is one of the most beautiful rites I ever attended in recent memory.  It was very solemn – and the number of guests was kept at a minimal.  Doing this is quite sensible nowadays, especially if one wants to ease the pain in the pocket.  In addition, the reception place was also nice – and the foods were definitely superb.  To the new couple, all the best in life.  Congrats bro!

Here’s the thing: most of my friends/relatives have tied their respective knots this year, and at long last – especially for those who belong to that batch of 30-plus something.  I’m very happy for them, certainly.  Now, the question is who’s next?  We all eagerly wait…