Christ’s passion and sacrifice

By Gonzalo Duque

ON the celebration of Lent, it is my hope that the country will finally find solace in Christ’s passion and sacrifice.

How humbling that the Saviour chose to die in order to save mankind. Alas, many of our brethen couldn’t say goodbye to their wicked ways, or at least mend their ways.

Let this weekend’s spiritual immersion cause a change in our minds and hearts, that we find forgiveness, compassion, reconciliation, love and brotherly and sisterly peace to everyone.

I wish to reach out to those I must have caused pain however unintended, and say peace and love to you. In the same manner, those who have wished me ill but unsuccessfully have my forgiveness and understanding. I am doing all these in the spirit of God’s love to us. It would be the height of arrogance if after all these blessings from the Lord, we continue to be unheeding and doing unchristian acts. The least we can do to the Lord is to love one another.

Peace to all of you!

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 Mayor Benjie Lim’s recent visit to the Lyceum Northwestern University was a refreshing renewal of the old Jaycee spirit. He came to ink with the university a memo of understanding concerning sanitation and improving the quality of water research, another proof that our mayor is doing great things for our city.

Of course, center of our banters and shop talk was the forthcoming Bangus Festival, and you can see around the city surroundings tarpaulins, streamers, colorful faces and letters and bold faces with the handsome and pretty faces of local politicians greetings visitors.

I feel uneasy with all those papogi faces staring at visitors. Nakaka… but, its dirty politics, you ought to have thick hides if you do this sort of thing. In fact, I had a visitor from Manila who complained about the riot of politicians’ faces on the city’s streets. It has gotten out of hand in Dagupan because every political persona has given up all delicadeza just to show off their faces to the public. See what indignities politics does to our lives!

If our politicos do not see this cheapening exercise, they must be callous. They should ask their teenage children, the brighter ones with some sophistication what they think about all those tarpaulin propaganda? They will tell them “cheap shot.”

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 I reminded Benjie Lim about his promise to draft me as a candidate for mayor in the event he would finally decide to run for congressman. I had to remind him because sila sila lang ang nagpapogi sa mga tarpaulin. Ako, nakalimutan na ni Bosing Benjie.

I thought Benjie has become just like the typical politico who makes promises and breaks them without a pang of conscience. If that’s the case, then he has adjusted to what is “normal” in the industry where promises are made to be broken.

Seriously, I’m not keen on running for mayor. Besides, if Alvin Fernandez is gunning for it, what nerve would I have to fight him? Ano na lang sasabihin ni manong Al? Ang may kasalanan nito kasi si Mayor Benjie, dinangle-dangle pa yong mayorship sa akin e. Kiliti naman ako.

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Here’s one classic case of unbrotherly love against a fellowman. Some opposition stalwarts displayed their coarse manners when PGMA celebrated her birthday.

The least they could have done was wish her “happy birthday” even for only a token or gesture, but they, especially Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, went to town calling Ate Glo “taksil!” But Fate has a way of giving everyone his countenance or due.

 A couple of days after Jinggoy badmouthed Ate Glo, nagkastroke siya.  

 

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