Ten lessons learned in 2008

1. That the dream of an Eraserheads concert was not only possible but realizable.

August 30, 2008 will go down as a major milestone in Pinoy rock music history. What many thought would never happen again…happened. For the first time in six years, members of the band Eraserheads reunited to perform before an ecstatic crowd at the open grounds of the Bonifacio Global City.

My two older kids and I who all grew up on their music in the 90’s weren’t so lucky to have been there at that historic moment. I had to settle for the CD of the concert which eventually was released to the public. The way they played, sang and performed that night, made me feel they never really left at all.

Too bad, the physical and emotional condition of Ely Buendia took its toll on the band’s former vocalist who was rushed to the hospital that night, abruptly ending the reunion concert. Raymund Marasigan promised fans another E-heads show “as soon as possible”.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed on this one.



2. As always in traditional politics, no one has permanent friends, only permanent interests (the coup on the Senate presidency of Manny Villar and the ouster of Jose De Venecia from the House speakership).

I learned this one even when I was still a “revolutionary” college student activist from De La Salle University fighting the Marcos regime often at the streets of Manila and at the foot of the bridge at Mendiola.



3. Polar caps are melting and global warming and climate change are REAL!

I felt a strong sense of urgency regarding the protection of the environment after watching a VCD of Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” last year. It’s not too late but this generation will likely determine the irreversibility of what we have done to Mother Nature.

I’ve tried to do my part, small things really like segregating our household waste and selling off recyclable materials or pulling the plug of unused electrical appliances. We’ve tried to grow vegetable plants in our small plot of land using organic fertilizer like the used coffee grounds I get for free from the local Starbucks Coffee outlet.

We have to preserve, conserve and protect what God has given us as His stewards. Unless He graciously gives us another habitable planet to go to and start anew (the nearest star system to us I believe is the Alpha Centauri – approx. 4.5 light years away), it’s the only one we got!



4. UBUNTU - Zulu maxim umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (“a person is a person through (other) persons”)

A traditional African concept is a humanist philosophy that defines an individual in terms of his or her several relationships with other people.

I first heard about ubuntu as promoted by Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers to his players. The Celtics, champions of the 2008 NBA Finals, have been trying to live out its philosophy, even chanting the term whenever they break huddles since the start of the 2007-2008 season.



5. If you’re diabetic, take your medicines.

I was actually prescribed Metformin as early as in 2007 for my diabetes but it was last year that I really took my medicine quite seriously, taking another prescribed drug Glimepiride more regularly. At first, it was just a question of economics, not buying the medicines because of its high cost. Later, over and above the medical reimbursements provided by our office, I realized that there was really no going around it. I had to take my medicines if only to delay if not prevent the complications it unfortunately carries with it. Hopefully, there may still come a time that I can simply rely on a good diet and exercise to manage such ailment. Until that time or the doctor changes my prescription, it’s a 2 milligram tablet per day for me.



6. God works in mysterious ways.

Mid-year, I was asked to serve as acting Chapter Head of North B-1 C (Sta. Lucia chapter). For how long does He want me there? At present, I really don’t know…but some leaders have a coined term for it – “pansamantagal” (temporary for an indefinite long period of time)

In the end I try to follow God’s will, not mine.



7. The global financial crisis is basically due to greed.

From my point of view a number of people tried to get more and more money from “nothing” (not from essential products but from unwise and “too good to be true investments) – then the bubble burst.



8. While we’re at the subject matter of greed, don’t just moderate it (ZTE-NBN 16 billion peso scam) but avoid occasions of sin by proactively building foundations for good governance (improvement of quarrying operations in Pampanga under Gov. Ed Panlilio’s administration).




9. Not everything cheaper is better. (From melamine tainted products and substandard items from China)

Darn! I used to eat those Snicker caramel nougat bars I bought from a Shell Select mini-grocery in Mindanao Ave. And it wasn’t even cheap to start with! The Bureau of Food and Drug I think eventually cleared the product as melamine-free though it doesn’t really provide enough comfort.



10.……and yes, breast milk is still best for babies.

It’s a rainy New Year’s Eve

This is a first.

I don’t remember ever having a rainy New Year’s Eve.....ever.

So you could just imagine the dread and the anticipated frustration of many Filipinos of welcoming the New Year, silent of the noisy revelry and dazzling sparkle of a fireworks-lit sky. Of course, Davao City way down south, for years now, has been devoid of such boisterous celebrations with their mayor’s prohibition on firecrackers. However, I surmise much of the rest of the country doesn’t quite sympathize with the mayor’s view on the subject.

Rains in January shouldn’t really surprise Filipinos with the way people have been treating the environment. Climates have been changing dramatically worldwide. This month, temperatures have been dropping to records lows of 18-19 degrees Celsius for Metro Manila and 9 degrees Celsius for Baguio. Nine degrees! The last and probably only time I experienced such cold temperatures was in 1999 as I slept shivering with my Levi’s® denim pants on in Crescent City, California.

My family attended the 9pm evening Holy Mass at the Holy Family Quasi-Parish in GSIS Village, Project 8. Not surprisingly, attendees were not in the numbers present during Christmas Eve probably opting for the Mass the morning after either to avoid the rains and/or the firecrackers.

As many people presumably prayed for good weather, the earlier heavy downpour subsided to a negligible drizzle giving renewed hope to a nation of revelers.

My fascination with firecrackers has been tempered by the annual warnings of the Department of Health against them, much covered with images of bloodied children and drunkards losing a finger or two. Apparently, such Yakuza-like consequences have not deterred a considerable number of thrill seekers every year who either by destiny or more likely because of stupidity and arrogance were not meant to be great piano players.

My reduced appetite for exploding things and the country’s floundering economy had actually made me budget zero for firecrackers this 2009. That was just fine as I even had “leftovers” brought to Project 8 from last year’s celebration. Besides, spending New Year’s Eve at my parents’ home had its built-in advantages like being neighbors to people who just love to blow up things! You enjoy the sight and the sounds but don’t suffer the damage to the wallet.

We lit a few firecrackers, Sonny Boy and I, while Joshua and Faith held a few sparklers enough to welcome the new year. But not even enough to use up all the leftovers of last year. Junior watched the fireworks while Odette, my wife was content to observe from a distance. By around one in the morning, everyone seemed to have gone back inside their respective homes sharing their family meals. The firecrackers and fireworks seemed to have been lesser this year than before, a perception I’ve had for several years now. If this was to be made an indicator of economic prosperity, the country should be ready for tough times ahead.

I’m particularly optimistic about this year despite the global crisis. What is important is that my family is together no matter what.

The global crisis? Filipinos have been known for their resiliency, and we’ll weather through this storm as a family, as a community and as a people and nation.

I don’t remember ever having a rainy New Year’s Eve…ever.

Hope the rains translate into blessings the whole year round. Besides, like in the movie “The Crow”, the main character played by actor Brandon Lee declares “…it can’t rain all the time.”


Happy New Year to everyone!