Think About It
‘Damaso!’
By Jun Velasco
THAT flamboyant tour guide, Carlos Celdran, who insulted the high priests of the Catholic Church at the Manila Cathedral for its alleged interference on government policy, is either a punk or a genius.
Judging from the church’s obstinate position against the reproductive health bill and threats to excommunicate President Aquino and possibly, Speaker Sonny Belmonte, for allowing couples to use their free will on reproductions, Celdran could turn out to be a big newsmaker these days and a hero.
His use of the Noli Me Tangere’s character Father Damaso, a caricature of an abusive Spanish friar, is a masterstroke in bringing the interventionist church to ridicule in these days when freedom has become a cult. His bold attack on the church should be a wake-up call to its ancient attitude.
Threats of “people power” against Aquino could be a whistle in the dark because we’re sure, millions of Filipino couples out there do not agree with the church’s unrealistic stand.
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Did you know that our grandparents – Felix Martinez and his wife, Maria Pilar Montero-Martinez, now deceased of Barangay Malued in Dagupan City – were born on the same day, October 12, l901. For a long time, we have taken as gospel a story that their names were listed in baptism registry one after the other.
Laki Peles, as he is fondly addressed, died ahead of Bae Elang in 1977, leaving his beloved in utter loneliness until the late 80’s. She was comforted no end, however, by their children and hundreds of apos who never tire retelling their enviable love story.
Their love story could easily pass the criterion for the Guinness Book of Lists, but our macho uncle Guillermo who could have so easily sought Guinness Record maker Benjie Lim’s advice has long been philosophizing about it.
Surviving siblings led by Paz Llamas, nanay Aurora, Guillermo, Alodea, Celerina and Estrella, their children, grand children and great grandchildren are holding a grand reunion on October 30-31 at the Lingayen Capitol Resort to celebrate the couple’s birthday anniversary.
A reunion committee headed by Ms. Mina Llamas-Urmaza has come up with the theme, “A love bound-family through the years.”
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Joe Fabia, the former Binmaley mayor who rose to Philippine Information Agency director general, is a fast learner in media affairs. He is also an overnight environment expert.
Yesterday, he addressed a climate change convention and sounded like the subject is his cup of tea.
We learned that he is at the helm of an ASEAN climate change group that is arming the region against environment reverses. He says it’s not only we, Filipinos, who have been badly bruised by Nature’s Fury; people all over the world were.
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Stop wondering why people would resort to violent methods even in small town or village elections. The idea of newly elected Pangasinan Councilors League president Dong Perez to abolish the positions of kagawad in the Sangguniang Kabataan has high merit. Makakaaral la ray corruption amta man moteg ni ra, he said. Amen… The Malued folk should give former City Accountant Bernardo “Ado” Tamondong a chance in barangay leadership. In spite of his credentials, Ado, who graduated cum laude at the University of the East, would rather retire as a village leader than stay with the big league in some big corporations in Manila.
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NOTES: San Carlenians will miss Councilor Manuel “Idol” Resuello, 55, in gov’t functions. The brother of the late Mayor Jolly Resuello succumbed to lingering diabetes. May he rest in peace.
