Para sa 1 Lola sa aming Simbahan

Written in JULY 2009.

Dear Wish Ko Lang,

Sana basahin niyo po ito dahil para isa ito sa isang Senior Citizen na di ko nga po alam kung hanggang kelan na lang mabubuhay sa mundong ito. When I'm just at home on a Saturday, I would diligently watch your show and 'torture' myself because each episode would make me cry. Thus, I write. 

My sister's morning ritual is to pass by the church (the Christ the King church), 2 blocks away from our house before going to work. She would pray first before anything else.  Since I started working full time again, I ride with her every morning and I see, just like she does,  this old lady beggar, named LOLA CEVERA ABUAN, sitting near the side entrance of the church. 

Since we started living in this area around 3 years ago and hear mass at Christ the King on Sundays, we have seen this old lady. I think it was only this year that we found out she goes to the church everyday to beg.  A few times, when I was still working freelance and usually on a weekend, I would see her walk from the main street of C5, pushing her "kariton"  to get to church. Minsan po, may kasama syang bata, I guess apo nya, minsan din sya lang mag isa. Naisip ko na din, san kaya sya nakatira at bakit binabaybay nya pa ito araw-araw?  Lalo na pag maulan dahil wala atang payong si Lola, pano yun?

I am very fond of older people. Both my parents were working parents so I really grew up and was raised by my grandparents. I have this great affinity for them and believe at their age, they really shouldn't be working as hard as when they used to be when they were still in their 30s-50s. Mas prone po silang magkasakit dahil matanda na sila kaya kung magtatrabaho man lang sana sila, sana yung di sila gaanong mapapagod. 

Ang araw-araw na pag upo at paglimos ni Lola sa gilid ng aming simbahan ay nakakapagod at kitang kita ko ang pagod at hirap sa kanyang katawan at mata. Payat si lola, buto po talaga. At ang baon nya, ng sinilip ko ang kariton nya, ay tubig at minsan may biscuit lamang. Minsan din binigyan ko sya ng biscuit at tuwang tuwa na sya sa dagdag na pagkain. Nagbibigay araw-araw ang ate ko kanya ng kaunting pera pero alam namin pareho na di iyon sapat para tunay na matulungan sya.

May kasama po syang naglalakad madalas at umuupo lang malayo kay Lola kapag sya ay nanlilimos. Para siguro mas kaawa awa si lola. That's why we believe she has a family. I am writing your show to hopefully seek help for lola. Perhaps we can aid her child/children or her grandchildren who walk with her to providing a small livelihood for her which she can probably just do at home? Nakikita ko naman nagbibigay kayo ng simpleng negosyo, baka pwedeng matulungan si Lola sa ganung paraan. Para di na nya kailangan maglakad at manlimos araw-araw. Sana matulungan nating makapag aral ang mga apo o kahit ilan lang sa mga apo nya para man lang may pag-asa silang maiahon ang pamilya in the future. 

Kami ng ate ko po ay di naman mayaman para maibigay ito kay lola. Ako sa isang government agency nagtatrabaho kaya maliit din lang ang sweldo. Tumutulong din kami sa mga magulang namin at sa lolo at lola namin in their maintenance medicines. Kaya kami sumusulat sa inyo kasi alam namin, your show has the capacity to help them in a more sustainable way. 

We really hope to hear a positive response from you. Nasa Christ the King church po araw-araw si lola, sa may parking space. Kada umaga, around 730-9AM, kung gusto niyo syang makita.

Presents! Presents!

  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

The breeze is cool here in Malaybalay, Bukidnon today. My work is still getting the best out of me but I feel the Holiday season coming and can't wait for my most awaited long break during Christmas. And as a tradition, I am here to make the lives of lovely friends and relatives easy - making my wishlist so buying presents  for me will be a breeze. ahahaha 

- - - 

1. A New Pair of Rubber Shoes. I was going to buy one last month but the one I wanted was out of the stock and it really wasn't on Sale. :( This is a recycled desire but I hope to get a new one soon. And while I love Nike, Adidas has proven itself as a better running/walking shoes brand for me. 

I'm 8 & a half and want a SuperNova Glide3 in Blue,White&Silver or maybe an Adistar Ride2 in Black and Pink not like the Black and Violet in photo (seems Black and Violet is a bit loud). 

2. HUNGER GAMES Series (It's a book, or books for that matter). While I have already received in my inbox the e-copy of the 1st book, I haven't read it. Plus I really am not a big e-books person (unless someone gives me an iPAD soon, ehem,ehem). 

When I'm interested in a book, I read it fast so please just give me the whole set, para di ako bitin. (Or for cousins/aunts, you can share the books as 1present, hihihi)

3. A Hoodie/Jumper - I still haven't found the perfect blue ateneo hoodie. I wonder if it already exists. But I'd like a blue or Red hoodie. I have too much green&purple in my closet and yellow is "takaw-dumi."

4. A nice new watch  (Unless my eldest sister finally purchases me the looooonngggggg .... delayed..... bday present she promised me)

5. A New iPhone (siri!!!) - I do need a new phone (I'm willing but can't buy Angry Birds on my current phone, so sad coz this generation of phone cannot handle the application yet ) and since I started to use an iPhone I don't think I'll ever go back to using another type of phone... Yeah, yeah - Taas ng Pangarap. Bakit ba!?! Or what's cheaper is actually an iPAD, which will also solve my AngryBirds and other application problems. :p 

6. Mountain Slippers - A nice Teva one would be perfect but there are rarely any teva around here in Philippines.A sturdy pair of Mojos siguro. Sandugo and Tribu hurt my feet :( Unless they've managed to change their material in the last 5 years and you can assure me of comfort. 

7. Capri Pants (dark colored - Brown/Black/DarkGreen/Mustard pwede din) - As a NGO worker, one can never have too many of it. And since I basically have a small set of clothes here in Malaybalay, they wear off (wear off ba ang English ng LUMA?) easily. 

8. A Manansala! - While I'm a bigger Malang Fan, I definitely want to own a Manansala painting. If only I can. I am not a fan of freeway, I don't have any freeway clothing in any of my closets (I mean, in Manila, in Davao or here in Malaybalay). I was set to want to own a shirt but I found out, they also had bag in their collection.Winner! This might just be MY ONLY chance to own a manansala (pathetic, I know. ahaha) 

9. Affordables - 2012 Planner (I'm a writer&a scheduler. And Yes! I accept Starbucks Planner - you know who you are powerful person/friend of starbucks. ) Stephen King's "On Writing." Boxer/Pambahay Shorts. Pilot GTech Pen (Black, .4 or .3 please). Staedler Sketch/Lumograph Pencils (4B,HB or 3H). Notebooks/Journals (need not be a moleskin).

10. Realization of my Education Plans for 2012 dubbed as Project 2012! So help me God! Help me Pray 

When the HONEYMOON is Over

How do you keep the romance going?

First off, I admit that there it’s a bit pathetic that I speak of work in the context of “romance” – but yes this is about work, much as a part of me would have probably wanted this to be about my “wishful” thinking relationship with a certain TV personality/childhood crush. ahahaha

This time last year, without even needing to look at archives – I know that my status on social networking sites, musings and blogs would only speak highly and greatly of the work that I do for the IP (Indigenous Peoples) Youth here in Mindanao. In September 2010, we held workshops for the youth in Upper Pulangi, mainly focusing on the development of mother tongue-multilingual education being given to children in Sitio Bendum, Bukidnon and how their story and the school is being looked at as a model for MLE in Asia by SEAMEO and UNESCO. It was also an opportune time to discuss their contribution to the environment, being in “Upper Pulangi” and the river being the source of power for the Maramag Dam (amongst other services it provides). On October 3-5, 2010, I brought 30 youth to CARAGA to look at the mining situation and have a short engagement with the Mamanwa community directly affected by “mining.” No judgements during the visit, we just wanted them to think and judge for themselves. It was an eye opener – for them and even for myself.  (Incidentally, the exact area was bombed and attacked by rebel groups exactly a year October 4-5, 2011)

Around this time last year, the first batch of our youth trainees, were finishing their 2month modular training with us. It was such a busy first 3 months being back with ESSC – and quite honestly, it has never really been not busy ever since. But the point is, everything was on a roll: Spirits and Hopes were high and Passion was as overflowing as the dam/s that caused flooding in Bulacan and Thailand.  While I semi-suffered from missing the big, urban city life filled with friends, food and leisure choices – my work always kept me going and going and going, like an “energizer” bunny.

We are running the 4th batch of Youth Training this year. Part of our training is the daily psycho-spiritual sharing in the evening. We seek to develop sense of reflection and gratitude amongst the trainees. One night, we were simply sharing recent “happiest and saddest moments” in life. I was listening to the stories of 3-4 participants when my mind flew to thinking about my own “happy moment” – a recent one at that (meaning work related because everything has been work, work, work). I was stuck! I tried harder to think of joyous moments and occasions, particularly at work but I couldn’t think of any – nothing came into mind.

The evening sharing finished and I still couldn’t recall any happy moment at work. It was a sad realization. The romance, the high – it was all over. I couldn’t think of a recent “Aha!”Moment or a new inspirational story. I thought to myself – “Uh,oh. Not good.”

So what happens now that it seems like work has been just about “work” itself – about completing one task and one event after the other? Buried in the numerous reports and articles to write, along with new writings to conceptualize – how does one swim leisurely? How does one thread the salty waters of continuous waves; waves that are strong at times but mostly mellow and boring? How can one keep the fire burning when the “honeymoon” is over and it’s no longer “romantic”: it’s just… Life?

I then start to go back to the “privilege” I once noted as an element I saw in my accepting this job based in Bukidnon. I still see my work as privilege, more than anything else, to be an instrument of opportunity for the marginalized IP Youth. My continued engagement to the tribal community/ies in Upper Pulangi, whom I first met 10 years ago- when I was truly young (at 19 years old), very idealistic, hopeful and unafraid to make a mistake, still is one of the most beautiful blessings in my life. I should still be filled with a great sense of gratitude and joy – I should be, even if at first glance I am not.

Every night, during the sharing sessions with our youth trainees, Gratitude is given importance. Even when we speak of unfortunate and sad moments or share about our innermost struggles and desires, we (the facilitators) try to find a way to bring it to a level of appreciation: even in our deepest sorrows, there is a learning we ought to be thankful for; even in pain there was once joy which we should be grateful for and even in the most mundane of days, the simple fact that we are alive needs to be celebrated. Fully reflecting on my own words to my trainees, it’s poignant to realize how much I needed for somebody else to tell me that – for me to hear that and be reminded of simple happiness. I heard it well and in my own voice. What was surprising was that the voice wasn’t hypocrite at all, in fact while it did not sound like a preacher, it sounded quite convinced and hopeful.

When it is "LIFE" already, what can I do? (I was asking myself this on the short walk home to my apartment). It dawned on me that it hasn't been a question of What Can I Do rather What have I been Doing?... When the waves are too moderate and boring, I make my own GIANT New Waves (acknowledging the fact that I'll be blaming, and cursing, myself along the way for creating such) of challenges to reignite the passion. When work seems to simply be one task after the other, I break the monotony of things (yes, admittedly even to the point of deliberately missing non-crucial deadline -P.S. Do not tell the boss) by re-arranging schedules and adding crazy ideas to the safe and trusted plans and modules. I unleash the "Magis" taught in me and "try" to bring out the 19yr old risk taker once in awhile, even though it gets harder each day with my age and all that. Lastly, I seek the well-behaved, Jesuit brainwashed person in me and do the most Ignatian thing - Find God in All Things. Then, AHA! The joyful and gratitude moments kick in. 

So what happens when the “romance” mellows down – life happens… And (this, especially to those who know me well, will not sound like me) there is still so much to be joyous and thankful for because “Life is Beautiful!”... Now let’s make it sound more like ME: Life is Beautiful, MOST of the TIME

The PAL Response (The "best" they can do)

I wish writing - BLOGGING "negatively" about product or companies didn't work but sadly it does. It apparently works faster than actual and face-face complaint. This is evident with my PAL complaint, my previous entry. 

Two (2) days after I blog and asked a few friends and acquaintances to share my dismay, PAL replies to me - in a not so Generic way. Still disappointing though because they obviously did not backtrack and read my previous letters of complaint (handwritten ones and emailed ones). I knew it because I have already responded to some of the points he raised in the non-generic email. The most annoying of which was about their email to me re:change in aircraft and not in schedule. 

The staff's reply to me was quite proud as it highlighted the fact that in a way I shouldn't have really complained because they emailed me, noting of the date and time they sent their email about the change. And so I replied again to them and raised some of the following points which they were not able to answer in their first "personalized" email to me.

1. Standard for replying to complaints as it took them almost a month to reply to me. Imagine a passenger not as 'aggressive' as I am, I wonder when s/he will be heard. I asked for like a service timeline, a week, 3weeks? What's the standard?

2. For the 3rd time, I copied and pasted the email they sent me of Change in Aircraft and not sched (because again, quite obviously he didn't read my previous emails, perhaps just went through my complaint or blog fast and composed a semi-generic email response). I noted the same time and date as he did, so he'd see that He/They were wrong about their email. 

3. Told about how efficient Cebu Pacific is in handling change of schedule of flights. They not only email, they text and even call the day before the flight to make sure passengers know of the change. I know this based on personal experience. And since PAL claim to be the BEST - I asked what they pursue on doing now with regard to this. They owe it to our FLAG to redefine best as they carry it in the skies.  

I am still dissatisfied with their last reply. But I am ending this because it takes so much energy to be angry. What a pity really that this is the best that PAL can do, oh well. I just hope this doesn't happen to any of you in the future... I will invest my energies to something more productive now. 

One last time --- see my SIDE COMMENTS on PAL's Letter. 

-----

18 August 2011

MNL/CPN/290711/37347

 

MS. MARIA KRISHNA JENNIFER SONZA

  

Dear Ms. Sonza,

We refer to your August 17th email. 

Please allow us to explain, that we do respond to all the complaints that are brought to our attention. Anent to the complaint you raised, we havenoted that your email was sent July 26th, which we acknowledged (take note just ACKNOWLEDGED) July 29th.The case was assigned to the handling officer last August 1st. We do have astandard response time for complaints received which we do the soonest (napaka-RELATIVE naman kasi ng "soon" sana may timeframe if BEST kayo di ba. One week, 2weeks?) time we have completed our inquests. 

With regard to the email that you received, we conducted a further investigation on the subject concern and we learned that due to the confusion caused by the migration of Philippine Airlines flights to Air Philippines, the emails sent at that time which were supposed to be for schedule changes merely indicated a change in the carrier. We do apologize for the apparent oversight in our initial response to you. (Ganun lang SORRY sa OVERSIGHT, TANGA kami eh, HINDI TALAGA NAMIN BINABASA ang mga COMPLAINT niyo ng maayos kasi sinabi mo yun, 2 beses sa email mo tapos sa blog din pero pinaulit pa din namin tinanong sayo, pasensya na.) 

Ms. Sonza, thank you for bringing the matter to our attention. Although we are aware of instances wherein our service seems not to meet expectations, we believe that we are not lacking in our efforts to correct these shortcomings, perceived or otherwise. (haay, ang baba ng standards ng Asia's Shining Through. Kawawa naman tayo. ) Contrary to the turn of events, we hope that we will continue to enjoy your valued support and patronage. (wala naman kasing ibang masyadong choice di ba? Kung meron, hindi kayo ang choice ko, sa totoo lang)

 

Very truly yours,

 (original signed)

REMIGIO C. ALINA

Customer Management Officer

Customer Relations

(Angry) PAL DOES NOT Really Care!

Customer Care? WeCare@PAL?! Check your system and your emails to your “valued” customer and respond to a complaint more than in a form of a generic “we are looking into your complaint” and I will believe you.

It’s been 3 weeks and I hear nothing – absolutely NOTHING of value from PAL or its customer care. I’ve even been probably talked about and ridiculed by their ground staff in Cebu and they still haven’t acted on my complaint. I tweet them, they tweet back but no real action has been done.

 

The Complaint

On July 24 my company and I leave Boracay at the forsaken hour of 500AM to be able to catch our 7AM flight to Cebu. You see we were flying all the way back to Cagayan de Oro and the Cebu-CdO flight we have booked leaves at 120PM. Everyone who knows me know that I VALUE TIME, I try as best as I can not to be late. I’d rather be early than late. 

Since the next flight out of Boracay to Cebu was at 11(1120 to be more exact, I believe) and taking into consideration that there might be delays in flight (let’s get real, chances of delayed flights are higher than on time ones), we made sure to book the 7AM flight so as not to miss our 120PM flight.  Slightly expected but still annoying, our 7AM flight was delayed by 40mins. We arrived in Cebu about 830ish and I proceed directly to the Air Philippines desk for early check in. With computerized systems, I’m sure it was fine to check in early.

Upon handing her our eTickets I tell her to give us nearest seats coz we had a child with us and the bumpy ride going to Boracay few days before that scared her. She tells me ok but that the flight is at 210PM not 120PM. I looked at the ticket and tell her

ME: No that’s the arrival right, ETA = Estimated Time of Arrival

SHE: No mam look (points to the time 1410 below ETA), that’s our flight. Our flight to CdO leaves at 2PM po talaga.

ME: No, that’s arrival what is the purpose of the ETD 1320 if what you’re pointing at is the departure time.

SHE: Ay basta mam isa lang po ang flight namin, 210PM po talaga.

ME: Is there anybody I can speak with regarding this because to me this ticket is clearly stating ETD at 120PM not 210PM

SHE: Mam, you can go to booking of PAL office, we are just a carrier.

ME: Who’s here in your floor now, I want to speak to him or her. AirPhil or PAL. Give me someone to talk to. (I am not a morning person, I left at 5AM and still have not had my coffee but I swear at this point my voice was still calm but firm)

They then passed me from one person to another (from one airline to another, AirPhil then PAL) none could help me and one even answered me with a TONE (Mam, Operations kami sa Booking kayo magtanong!). My other companion also came to the desk with me but since I booked the flight, I insisted on looking into it. Finally they allowed me to enter the PAL “Customer Service” area to hear my complaint – for the 4^th time.

(My friend told me that while I was inside, he could hear and see them ridicule me that I was causing a scene – mind you I was not but yes my voice was a bit higher than usual and I was speaking in English. They even laughed a bit so he approached them and asked them to stop – Where is Professionalism in that?)

Finally someone had “an answer” (but not really). They insisted they emailed me a CHANGE of SCHEDULE – I insisted back that I didn’t. They show me a list of all email addresses they have sent and true enough my email was there. My phone allows me to check my email and I recheck – no they did not email me a Change in Schedule – they emailed me a CHANGE in AIRCRAFT –that we were flying through airphil. No other email or text came after that email.

 In the change in aircraft email, the ETD and ETA were even highlighted and a legend was written below to make sure people understand the difference between DEPARTURE and ARRIVAL. 

 

I asked if there is anything better they can do given the inconvenience it has caused us. I saw a Cebu Pacific Flight departing at 12nn, I asked that they try to rebook us to that flight – after only 1minute (I swear it was a minute, even less) he comes back to me and tells me there are no available seats. Really, in a minute?! That’s the EFFORT you are giving me 1 Freaking Minute?!

It was 920AM, I was hungry and sleep deprived so fine, I took the names of necessary people and filled up a generic COMPLAINT FORM. I wrote my complaint for the last time and handed the form.

 

The Tweets and Emails

I was still angry so I rant to my sister and she tells me PAL supposedly has a twitter account. I tweet PAL, they ‘apologized’ and asked me to EMAIL my complaint. I just wrote it and now they want me to email again? In some generic customer care email?! I am even angrier and I asked for a more direct and specific email. They DIDN’T Reply to the tweet.

3days after, I emailed them my complaint; Fine they want it documented online, I shall do so. And they reply to me the next day with same Bullshit of a generic reply – and guess what up to today 15AUGUST2011, I have not heard from them.

 

They haven’t even given me a Complaint Case Number and their darn twitter account (today coz I tagged it that I still hate PAL) is asking to have one so they can follow up? Gago! Kahit case number nga wala kaya ako Bwisit na Bwisit.

This is not caring! This is not handling a complaint well.  You say you are the best airline in the country – that’s because WE DON’T HAVE MUCH OF A CHOICE! But your Best is not at par with any of the best airlines out there. Not even your international flights, no you do not Shine Through with such poor service.  Granted you rarely are delayed now and you atleast serve coffee and lousy biscuits – but that is not BEST, that is not SHINING THROUGH and how you’ve been handling my complaint is far from actually CARING.

When you use words like Best, Care, Current, Handling the Situation, Shining Through – atleast have some decency and respect to check what the words mean. And if you can’t deliver, just don’t use it anymore. It irks us passengers even more.

P.S. – If there’s anybody out there who can give me a more direct email (to Lucio Tan) to CEO or head, kindly give it to me. I kept some names of the ground staff who could not help me. Or heck, just forward this post.

 

 

 

 

Cheap Junkie!

I’m really cheap (ask my friends and family – kuripot ako, nagpapanggap akong sosyal, gusto kong maging social climber/mountaineer pero di ko kaya dahil cheap ako.lol – I get that from my grandfather and from Rizal - I'm thrifty not cheap) and a junkfood person.  

I’m a “cheap junkie!” wehehehe. Chips are like my “kryptonite” and one of those things I can and will never give up (who needs other vices when you've got junkfood addiction). That’s why I never go into diets coz chips are like a No-No in diets. Besides, I  consider potato chips a very healthy snack (potatoes=healthy). 

My love for junkfood started when I was a kid. Chips and crisps were usual “pasalubong” from mom at night – that or those small goya chocolates. Weekends were and still are grocery days and we’ve always been given freedom to choose 1 or 2 bags of junkfood that day. I love my mom for this – the line “Oh pili ka na ng junkfood mo” is one of my favorite childhood lines.  And up to today, Mom would still say that line every time we hit the grocery - the best mom talaga!  So yes, the junkfood section was/is my favorite isle in JSGaisano/Gaisano Mall (Davao) and now SM Davao. 

I’m so addicted to junkfood I remember some of my usual lunch meals in the big urban city always had either chips or chocolates with them. My usual meal -  Sandwich+Chips wSoda and/or Coffee and a chocolate bar (sounds quite pretentiously Western I know, but I love it).

 

If I were to choose my REAL favorites, List would include: 

CHIPS/CRISPS (or of similar form) - Ruffles: cheddar and sour cream, LAYS Sour Cream and Onion, Cheetos Puffs (don’t like crunch), PICNIC, Pringles: Cheese, ORVILLE Butter pour over Microwaveable Popcorn, Combos, and Chippy:Red/original (my highschool favorite ask my classmates) 

CHOCOLATES – Maltesers, Mars, Ferrero Rocher, Reese Peanut Butter Cups, Cadburry Timeout, M&M Crisps and Ricoa Flattops (not curly tops, i want them flat). 

SOFTDRINKS – Coke Light, Sarsi Light (not that I’m trying to be health conscious just that I swear it tastes better. Love love love sarsi) and Real Leaf (so good, so real!). And yes they are all Coca-Cola products –Loyal! :p 

The problem with my favorite snacks is they are not exactly 'social development worker' salary friendly. They are quite pricey so I’ve always tried to find some cheaper alternative to satisfy my tastebuds. Living by myself, in Bukidnon, with very limited choices, has made this search quite difficult but very important (to be able to save –financially and emotionally - sanity.)

 

I am glad to have found some of these CHEAP THRILLS!

 

Why spend 120pesos for RUFFLES when there’s JackNJill POTATO CHIPS Cheddar and Sour Cream? The Best! I can have 3bags at 75+Php only. The problem is, in Malaybalay, it’s only available in Mercury Drug Convenience Store and is often out of stock. So I often hoard a bag or 2 when I come back from CdO or Davao. Sometimes, it surprises me that I think I love it more now than ruffles.

Did you know that MARS has apparently 1000+calories per bar!? I just learned that 2wks ago on a bus from Dvo-Bkdn. Gaisano Malaybalay doesn’t sell Mars– they only sell Snickers (I like snickers too) which has 450+calories. But Cloud9 created a piece of heaven in this ChocoFudge product! Not only is it cheap at 8.50-10Php each, it only has 140calories - I can have 2pcs of it for dessert. LoL. Again though, Gaisano Mby rarely has stock of this.

Just this lunchtime, in Gaisano Mby, I went to purchase some sugar for my Batangas Coffee from mom. I had this AMAZING Discovery. Thank you OISHI for creating a snack that combines my love for LAYS and PICNIC in one.  Oishi Strip Fries – where have you been all my life?! And it only costs 25 pesos. Wohoo. 

There is however no alternative to my choice of softdrinks/ flavored drink - but I’m glad that they are priced well. I can have all the Real Leaf I want coz it’s just 22Php/liter. And to be quite honest – for a junkie like me, I LOVE WATER the MOST! I drink lots of water which I believe "trumps" all the junk I put in my body. 

But the water has to be SAFE and CLEAN (only WILKINS or VIVA if purchased outside, distilled  or filtered at home) or the pets in my tummy will act up and create a crash diet  (which friends envy but I tell you is No  Fun!) that can make me lose 5lbs in 2days. 

15 Imitations of Rizal

I just really wanted to get your attention with the title but it should really be, 15 things to imitate from Rizal (but its too long and too straightforward).

Fifteen days to Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s 150 birthday, while trying my best (bearing) to listen to mostly nonsense and repetitive homily this morning (Diocesan priests seriously need lessons on writing and delivering homilies), my thoughts flew and started to list the most notable and admirable traits of our national hero.  Last March, I was given the opportunity to learn more about Rizal, write and share about him and the life he has lived with an objective of fully introducing him to a group of young Indigenous People. For most of the group I brought to Dapitan (where Rizal was exiled for 4 years), Rizal was merely a name they needed to memorize for history class.  In that exercise I renewed my “love” and admiration for this man.. And now can easily list 15 (or more) things about him worth idolizing and emulating.

--- 

1.His Love of Language

I’ve already said this in a previous blog post but I will say it again. Everybody ought to emulate Rizal’s love of language. He stressed in his writings the importance of loving our OWN language: to use it and be proud of it. But he also didn’t just use our language, he had this desire and drive to learn more languages to be able to engage with people outside the Philippines. Rizal had knowledge in 22 languages: Tagalog, Ilocano, Bisayan, Subanun, Spanish, Latin, Greek, English, French, German, Arabic, Malayan, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan, Italian, Chinese, Japanes, Portuguese, Swedish and Russian. Heck that’s sense of “globalization” in the 1890s!

 

2.The Environmentalist in Rizal

In Dapitan alone Rizal gave importance to planting various types of trees, including endemic ones that could help biodiversity. He knew the benefits of trees, of bamboos particularly to giving more water for his home in Talisay and to most of the city.

 

3.His Love of Family

While we all know he loved the country, his life also showed how much he valued his family. Rizal’s admiration for his brother Paciano and his closeness to his mother alone are noteworthy. As he was the “baby” brother of most of his sisters, he was also pampered and well loved but Rizal never fell short of giving back the love. His chosen medical specialty was to cure his mom and in his last days on earth, he made sure to communicate with his sisters.

And did you see his letters to his family? 

4.His Business Sense

Rizal was adventurous and tried his luck in business particularly in fishing, hemp and copra industries. He once wrote one of his brother-in-laws that Dapitan province has great potential for a fishing industry (and Dapitan and Dipolog now are well-known for their Sardine Industry – talk about vision). He became succesful in hemp, shipping the said product to a foreign firm in Manila.

I absolutely don’t have any business sense in my blood though I really hope to have some. I think I really need an additional source of income for the many things I want to do and the many places I want to travel to.

 

5.His Sense of Wonder

He was a scientist first and foremost and his sense of wonder and questioning led him to the discovery of some insects, which was named after him. It was also this childlike discovering that made his life exciting and happy despite the many tragedies and challenges he faced.

 

6.His Vocation as a Teacher

At a time and place where a teacher was needed, he never backed out of the challenge. When there was no opportunity for the children of Dapitan to pursue high school, he gave them a venue in his home and prepared a curriculum that not only taught them how to read and write but gave the youth an advantage of learning foreign languages and advanced science subjects. His school in Talisay was also the first “leadership” school as he gave them a holistic kind of education that dealt with values and character.

 

7.That Rizal Studied Well in School (Geeks Rule!)

Well he graduated college (with honors) at the age of 16 you know. Genius! There’s a tip for you just starting off college, try your best to finish on time – tuition and miscellaneous fees are not cheap you know. Graduating on time or early is a great gift to your parents.

 

8.His Faith (that was more than his Religion)

Yes he defied the friars, wrote about them and their mischievous conducts; they excommunicated him but he never lost his faith in God. In fact, every Sunday in Dapitan, despite being the “topic” of homilies, he heard mass  (listened to the word of God). And he “married” Josephine Bracken as a sign of belief in a relationship that is ought to be blessed by the Lord. 

 

9.The Inventor in Rizal

Did you know that he invented his own water system and he did it mostly through reading engineering books? It is also said that while in Dapitan, he invented a wooden brick-maker that can manufacture about 6,000 bricks a day.

 

10.Rizal’s Generosity

He was generous of time and talent. Like that has not been evident in the previous skills I have mentioned above. Rizal also contributed his talent to the Sisters of Charity who were preparing for the arrival of the image of the Holy Virgin (in Dapitan). He modeled the image's right foot and other details. He also conceptualized its curtain, which was oil-painted by a Sister under his instruction.

Generosity isn’t just about money and almsgiving – sharing of time and talent is even more generous.

 

11.The “student” in Rizal

Rizal loved books and he mostly learned by reading. He was a constant student, learning things he needed to survive and to make his life happier. He never allowed himself to be tied by “courses” or formal education – his thirst for education and knowledge is definitely admirable.

 

12.Rizal Felt Things (he wa cried)

Despite giving out a vibe that is confident and strong, he never hid his feelings. When he was angry he showed it; when he lacked trust he didn’t pretend; when he felt homesickness, pain and misery – he cried. Now that’s “a man.”

 

13.Varied Styles in Writing

He wrote poems, short stories, news articles and ofcourse the novels. He wrote in different languages and of different topics and themes. Sure he evoked our ancestors emotions to yearn and work for freedom – but he also wrote love poems and simple descriptive essays. And even in his novels, you could sense some humor – it wasn’t All Serious.

 

14.Rizal as a Global Citizen

Well it has to be attributed to the travel and education opportunities he was given abroad. But there, Rizal was an amazing global citizen who had friends all over the world. He knew details of what was happening abroad much as he was working for the liberation of the country. That’s a citizen of the world for you! And at this day and age, being a global citizen is a must – not just for personal reasons but for development of the country and survival fo the earth (environment wise!)

 

15.The “Lover” in Rizal

You had to expect this in my list!  The guy was a “ladies” man who captured more than a dozen hearts – and of different races pa. Well he was brilliant, a linguist and can write, so even though he wasn’t exactly Tall-Dark and Handsome – the girls adored him. Never underestimate the power of WORDS – a poem is much lovelier than a dozen flowers. I’d take a well written love letter over a dozen of flowers any day (although pwede ding kasama yun ng flowers, hahaha).  And its not like he had many women at the same time, he had long relationships with his women. That’s a fine man there, don’t you think?

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It is quite impossible to find a Rizal like person nowadays. I bet if he was still alive now, he probably would be a heartthrob – in 15 or more ways. :)

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Special thanks to joserizal.ph for the research I did last March