Think about it
Picturesque wedding
By Jun Velasco
“Other’s faults and errors are so plain, But our own are difficult to see,” Dhammapada 252
TIME’S latest cover story on President Obama Part 2 recalls the detailed election campaign preparations made by his staff dominated by young eggheads that ensured his landslide victory.
The reinvigorated President, the special article shows, is in full grasp of his new responsibilities as the undisputed leader of the free world.
We expect a sagging US image going on the rebound. China’s breast thumping having led everyone in economic performance will have to rethink its bullying attitude especially to small neighbours like the Philippines, which is also leading in the recovery charts.
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No matter how you look at it, the bullet that strayed at the height of the New Year revelry killing 7-year old Stephanie Nicole Ella was senseless, tragic and criminal.
Many unabashedly wept on account of it. Our military authorities should fire the culprit immediately and craft a directive against military officers or reservists or cops playing with people’s lives. The whole nation, nay, the entire humanity is outraged.
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A touch of immortality. That’s what we thought happened to us while enjoying a bottle of Hennessy with city high school classmates on the eve of Dec. 28 at the city plaza.
We were in festive mood as our dear classmate Ope Reyna, Alumni ass’n president, was acknowledging on stage kind-hearted supporters like the De Venecia couple, former Speaker Joe and wife, Rep. Gina de Venecia, for chipping in much needed funds that resulted in the completion of Abong na Alumni. Gina has caused the release of P5 millions for the project.
Brods Dante and Norman and two others did not waste a minute to pull us from our seat and rushed us to Nazareth Hospital aboard a standby ambulance assigned by Mayor Benjie Lim.
Our thanks to Mayor Lim and wife Celia, who, we were told, were our first visitors, along with PopCom head Alex de Venecia at the wee hours of December 29.
Of course, dutiful wife Cathy and our family were at the bedside all through Dec. 28-29, 2012. We couldn’t thank them enough.
These impromptu gestures proved the truism that we are all brothers and sisters in the final analysis.
When we woke up the following morning, we found our cellphone full of missed calls and text messages inquiring about whatever happened. Not remembering anything, we got an idea of how it felt when one blacks out.
Salamat ed panangaro tan dasal, karakkel manayay manangaro!
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When she was still in the US, our sister-in-Christ balikbayan, Dr. Irene Bataoil-Taburnal (sister of Congressman Pol Bataoil) – sent this eye-opening text message: “Know what? When Cong. Manny Pacquiao lost, I saw the strength of his faith in God. He accepted his defeat smiling at once. I texted him to let him know that he won God’s heart. He is truly a great man. His loss was a great message to all Filipinos. He is a man with God’s heart. God is always there in every fall. But more in every prayer.”
Amen.
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PICTURESQUE. Yesterday, John C. “Jimboy” Navarro and his bride, Bet Lim, were married on top of a mountain resort in Barangay Colisao, San Fabian.
Wedding sponsors were led by former Speaker Joe de Venecia and Rep. Gina P. De Venecia.
The groom is the son of Dr. Robin B. Navarro, while the bride, the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Romeo Lim.
The picturesque event reminded us of our own wedding atop a hill in a Laguit resort in Bugallon town in 1973. During the rites, our sister Mita sang . . . “is this the little girl I carried… is this the little boy I played?”
The Roheim Resort together with the Roman Catholic Seminary that’s being constructed by Bishop Soc Villegas at the adjacent Barangay Palapad have been attracting tourists and pilgrims to the place.
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Gov. Amado Espino’s beloved mother, Victoriana Totaan, 92, suffered a massive stroke and was rushed to the hospital early morning of December 31.
She has been comatose and in critical condition. Doctors said her condition must have been due to prolonged mental anguish and intense psychological stress…deeply affected by the prolonged false accusations hurled against her son Gov. Espino.
Let’s pray for her soonest recovery.
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NOTES: Our heart sank following the demise of our friend, Mayor Hermie Romero of Mangaldan town. He was among the best mayors this great municipality has produced. Rest in peace, Kuya Hermie.
From an ubiquitous start, the Wilson de Vera – Ferdinand Galang mayoral team in Calalsiao town has zoomed forward that threatens to outstrip the entrenched father-and-son re-electionist Mayor Mark Macanlalay and Vice Mayor Roy Macanlalay team.
The Macanlalays started many good projects in the town. The new team aspires to do better.
It’s a political rivalry that means well for local governance and development.
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