Papa's Post: State Of The Nation '77

-



























All things dark and booty-full
        All rackets great and small
All things rank and plunder-full
        "The politician's made them all!"

 "We needed a 're-structuring'
        Of our unjust society."
The clamor "Change!" was echoed
        Re-echoed to satiety.

 "We faced the gravest danger---
        The Republic's impending fall!
A 'democratic revolution'
        Was launched to save us all!"

 The top-most politician
        Then ruled us by decrees
Behind him, martial power
        "So as to keep the peace!"

 "A rule 'authoritarian'
        A crisis government'"
A plain dictatorship
        Until his power's spent!

 He got a Constitution
        "Approved." By a show of hands!
By voters and non-voters
        In parks and grandstands!

 "A change from presidential
        To parliamentary."
With a period of "transition"
        As certain as uncertainty!

 This was since Seventy-Two.
        And that was long ago!
And how's the nation now?
        Today? Why, don't you know?

 Another "Referendum!"
        The alternatives they weave?
If "Yes," he'll stay. But even
        If "No," he cannot leave!

 The government's still run
        By casuals, high and low.
The test of tenure's whether
        You're Marcos' friend or foe!"

 The people still are silenced
        And feed on "guided news."
The press still has "freedom"
        Of tolerated views!

 For truth is still "subversive!"
        And dissent --- "sabotage!"
And normalcy remains ---
        A promised dream. A mirage!







To: My child, MariVic
      on her 16th birthday
      17 November 1977


photo credit: Manila Bay via photopin (license)
License: (license)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Inspiring In-depth Interview with George Nasr

-
Image
( Mister George Nasr, farthest left ) Currently, parts of the nation are still suffering the destruction brought about by the Super Typhoon Gaemi, and that is just during storm season. Even on ordinary days, in June of this year 2024, the Head of the Maronites On Mission from Australia, Mister George Nasr, conducted a special charity endeavour. Tell me something more about this mission. How is it different from the regular charity work of the Maronites? Mr. Nasr, “The regular work I do with Maronites On Mission (MOM) usually targets and helps the masses. Larger groups of people whom benefit from large scale humanitarian aid. This mission was different, very specific, targeted to help individual needs of people.” When did you arrive in Naga and when was the mission accomplished? Mr. Nasr, “ I’ve been in the Philippines since June 17 through to June the 29th.” You mentioned that you and your three-member-team booked accommodations at a local hotel, this showed your dedication to help the...
Continue reading...»

We are The Carpios | How our legacy began and continues...

-
Image
The Holy Family Carpio assumes top NBI post Carpio was appointed the 10th director of the National Bureau of Investigation. Carpio, 54, was an active human rights lawyer under the Marcos regime, the reason why he was detained when martial law was declared in 1972, and again in 1981, while seeking justice for victims of the Daet Massacre of June 14, 1981. Born on October 25, 1931, in Naga City, he finished his high school at the Camarines Norte High School in 1949 and his pre-law degree, at the Ateneo de Naga in 1951. After completing his second year in law at the University of the Philippines in 1953 as a scholar, he was called to active service into the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a member of the 8th and 10th Battalion Combat Team (BCT). He was transferred to the Philippine Constabulary in 1959, during which he completed his last two years in law at the San Beda College in 1962 where he placed 14th in the 1962 bar examinations. Then, h...
Continue reading...»

Katekismo Corner: On Sponsors of Baptism: No. 33

-
Image
  On Sponsors of Baptism We are always delighted when our Ninong or Ninang gives us a gift during Christmas. And so often, parents would choose Sponsors who are well-to-do and are known to be generous. They, the Ninong and Ninang, usually volunteer to “sponsor” or take care of the fees, give gifts, and even shoulder the expenses for the celebration. Sometimes too, parents would choose Sponsors as a reward for friendship. But more than that, the spiritual bond created should be given a priority. This is why, the Code of Canon Law devotes a whole chapter on the Sponsors of Baptism that specifies the qualifications, duties and obligations of a Sponsor, to guide the Parents, with the help of the Pastor, in choosing a Sponsor. It is good to review them here. The primary function of a Sponsor is to stand witness to the conferral of the Sacrament of Baptism. This finds special importance since Baptism is conferred only once and if records are lost, the testimony under oath by the sponso...
Continue reading...»