Think about it
‘PNP invades AFP’
By Jun Velasco
“For as he thinks within himself, so he is,” Proverbs 23:7
THOSE who visit Roheim Resort on the mountain peak of Barangay Colisao in San Fabian for the first time couldn’t help wonder at the creative enterprise the builders did it!
Credit belongs largely to Dra. Lita Carvajal-Navarro for the resort-idea, the giant faith of Dr. Robin Buhain-Navarro, and the construction management skill of their son, Roland, Roheim manager, for the rise of the idyllic mountain resort.
A lot of people who attended Litz’ birthday bash there were surprised how they put things together, the social hall, the huge Ten Commandments stones, the temples, rows of cottages, swimming pool and many more. The place is ideal for spiritual retreat and meaningful partying.
It was inspired by Dr. Navarro’s rejuvenation therapy.
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We had a memorable evening with former enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Retired Veterans Association Inc. (AFPREVA) at Camp Aguinaldo last Saturday evening. It was AFPREVA’s 59th founding anniversary, with Col. Simplicio Duque, a native of Alcala, as president, and director of the show.
The affair could be mistaken for a Pangasinenses’ with Cong. Pol Bataoil as guest of honor/speaker, and this columnist, inspirational speaker.
We whispered to Director Tony Hombrebueno that the evening should be captioned “PNP invades AFP,” what with General Bataoil, a former national police deputy director, lording it over on AFP grounds!
At least for one night.
The military element was not evident amidst a friendly and cordial atmosphere.
Congressman Bataoil brought the house down when, departing from the podium, he walked up front and spoke of his life as a former PMA cadet, PNP official and finally, Congressman of Pangasinan’s 2nd district. He talked with authority of servant hood which, surprisingly was shaped by austere military life.
After his speech, Pol was “toured” around by president Duque, and was being addressed “Governor.” His charm with people could very well explain how Governor Spines would take the “governor” moniker in jest.
We suggested to him to come up with a book on his life as a man of service. It would be a best seller!
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The Napoles-corrupt government officials’ saga is taking its toll in the public’s relationship with those in government.
Social media has been aggravating the already negative image of Philippine “lawmakers as law breakers.” There is even a movement now for the abolition of the Senate and Congress in like manner some quarters are calling for the abolition of the SK. All this because of the general public’s hatred of injustice and wanton stealing in government.
It will take more that a physical top-to-bottom peeling out of the corrupted governmental structure to restore public faith in constituted authority.
The sad part of this put-down syndrome which is fast engulfing the nation is that those who are crying for blood are themselves unclean.
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There was a time in our youthful activism days when then neophyte Congressman Joe de Venecia would calm us down with our makibaka and anti imperialist rhetoric.
The ever-sober JdV would say “focus on what is doable and practical”—words to that effect. He’d give us a gory post-revolution scenario with dead bodies’ strewn all around and the establishment crushed to the ground.
“Who will put them back?” he snapped.
JdV must have been in his 30’s, while we were in our 20’s. He always won on “ double” points, but the romantic in us would stay. Anyway, we thought Archibald McLeish said, “Poets are the unsung builders of the universe.”
We view the clamor to do away with the system as more risky at this time when those sponsoring it are not even fit to put up a new one. We’d rather do it in a gradual manner, step-by-step inspired by a common goal of stamping out the bad.
This must begin somewhere in our conscience steeped in God’s blessings.
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