SHOOTING STRAIGHT
By Bobit S. Avila
The Philippine Star
By Bobit S. Avila
The Philippine Star
Few people, except those who are spirit-filled, believe that since the whole Philippines was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) … this consecration by all the Catholic Bishops and priests last June 8, 2013 had a direct and profound impact on what is happening to our nation today because we are now under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In just two months after this consecration, the pork barrel scam exploded into the national scene. But way back in August 1996, the Pork Barrel was already headline news, but then the Filipino people didn’t seem indignant about it.
But today, the Filipino people are indignant about the pork barrel. This week the media circus in the Senate resumed with a salvo from Sen. Bong Revilla who openly admitted that President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III invited him to the Bahay Pangarap in order to plead with him to change his vote and convict CJ Corona. Nearly all pundits that I have read believe that in meeting with Sen. Revilla two days before the Senate vote, P-Noy committed an impeachable act. This is what we call, “Caught in the act!”
Only the President’s trolls insist that there was nothing wrong with the President meeting with Senators. But the great majority believes that this was no ordinary meeting, which was in fact and in truth done in complete secrecy because the President knew that Sen. Revilla was not just a Senator, but also a Senator/Judge who was in the midst of a Senate trial against CJ Corona. This Presidential admission will be the downfall of P-Noy.
Also this week Malacañang’s Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma publicly acknowledged what we’ve been saying all along… that despite the Philippines having a strong economy, poor Filipinos have been left out and their poverty have worsened. Wow! For the first time Malacañang was telling the truth about the poverty of our poor Filipinos!
In my book, this is the clearest proof of the total failure of the Aquino Presidency whose slogan is “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap!” Logic tells us that if there are still many poor amongst us Filipinos, it is due to the reality that corruption has never been really put in check… and all that bull about fighting corruption was nothing but mere rhetoric or at best Nazi style propaganda. Clearly the Palace Rasputins are totally confused whether to continue with lying to the Filipino people or telling them the truth. Somehow the truth has prevailed, because the Lord has confused Malacañang!
Last Wednesday was the 27th anniversary of the infamous Mendiola Massacre that happened during the reign of President Cory Aquino, where 13 innocent farmers were killed and their killers never brought to justice. 27 years later, those militant groups are now carryi placards and posters declaring “Oust Aquino!” A few months ago, we had that million man march against the pork barrel in Luneta…and we can only predict that the disgruntled Filipino nation would continue with their street marches until a breaking point will be reached… then all hell will break loose! Abangan!
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Last Thursday evening, we attended the formal inauguration of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Library and the launching of SALAPI, a Numismatic Heritage of the Philippines book on the history of Philippine currency from the pre-colonial period, to the Spanish era and up to the present.
It’s a great historical book on commerce in the Philippines from the days when barter was practiced in this ancient archipelago until the Chinese brought in their “Caz” square holed coins. Salapi is the Cebuano word for money and the book’s authors Prof. Jose Eleazar Bersales and Carlos Apuhin gave me a historical lesson that the English word for “Cash” was taken from the Chinese Caz coins. Indeed, this coffee table book should be a must-have for Executives in Business and Industry.
The BPI Library is a very welcome addition to the BPI Museum on the ground floor, which was opened a couple of years ago. But this is no ordinary library as it doesn’t only have important books on history or business, it also has a row of computers that students can use for research. The BPI Library is also a historic edifice, which was built in 1940 beside the Sto. Niño Basilica del Minore and survived the American bombing of Cebu City in 1944.
It was also a great way to catch up with Ayala Group Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (JAZA) where we not only talked about history, but our motorcycle travels. In his speech, JAZA pointed out “The Ayala Group has a responsibility in promoting education mixed with lessons in history. That BPI’s history is intertwined with the economic history of the Philippines is the reason for our commitment to culture and heritage, through this book Salapi as we move forward into the future.” The BPI Museum and Library is a few meters away from the iconic Magellan’s Cross and a boost to Cebu City’s Tourism.
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For email responses to this article, write to vsbobita@mozcom.com or vsbobita@gmail.com. His columns can be accessed through www.philstar.com.
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