Emerson is the one on the left wearing Cavaliers T-shirt while Elmer is the one on the right in gray T-shirt. Emerson is with Gwen while Elmer is with Del. Yvonne is the one in black blouse.
Former Navy officers Elmer Cruz and Emerson Rosales, authors of the bestselling cookbook, “Pulutan – From the Soldiers’ Kitchen,” kept their promise to Yvonne Chua and me to treat us to dinner at a “dampa” when they are out of detention.
Last Friday, a day after they were set free, we had dinner at the Cuzina, one of the ‘dampa” restaurants along Diosdado Macapagal avenue. It was a sumptuous dinner of seafoods.
After four years of being in detention (at Fort San Felipe in Cavite), the two said they are happy being free again but reality has yet “to sink in”.
The first thing that Emerson did was go to Oakwood (now Ascott Hotel) in Glorietta, where “it” all started in July 27 2003. Asked what he felt, stepping into the lobby of Oakwood again, he replied, “Wala lang.” (Nothing).
Elmer, 31, and Emerson, 28, (PMA Class 2000) are two of the 54 officers involved in the 2003 so-called Oakwood mutiny who entered into a plea bargain early last April. They pleaded guilty to violation of Articles of War 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) in exchange for the dropping of other charges against them: AW 63 (disrespect toward the President, Vice President, members of Congress and the Secretary of National Defense); 64 (disrespect toward a superior officer); AW 67 (mutiny or sedition); and AW 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman).
The charges against them stemmed from the July 27, 2003 takeover of Oakwood Hotel at the Makati Commercial Center from where they declared their withdrawal of support from Gloria Arroyo whom they accused of tolerating rampant corruption in the military and manipulating hostilities in Mindanao for her and her officials’ personal interest.
During the negotiations for the plea bargain agreement, the officers’ lawyers wanted that they be set free immediately upon approval of the accord but the prosecution insisted on additional six months in detention. They were supposed to be set free Jan. 27, 2008.
Then the Nov. 29 incident happened. Magdalo (as what the Oakwood group had become known) leader Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and more than a dozen detained officers, together with Brig. Gen. Danny Lim of the Philippine Army Scout Rangers (in prison for a different mutiny case) walked out from a coup d’etat hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court and declared a withdrawal of support at the Manila Peninsula.
Although Trillanes and Lim’s “rebellion” didn’t succeed, it underscored the vulnerability of Arroyo’s illegitimate presidency, which is primarily propped up by the military faced with a problem of its own with many of its members disgusted with reported unbridled corruption in the highest levels of government.
In what is seen as a public relations act, AFP chief Hermogenes Esperon decided to release the 53 (1st Lt. Patricio Bumidang, whom the military will use as state witness was not released) a month ahead of schedule. But the ‘boys” know better than be taken by Esperon’s maneuver.
The early release upset the officers’ plan to have their last Christmas and New Year together. In fact, some, especially those who were to go home to the Visayas and Mindanao, did stay for the last Christmas together in the place, which had been their home the last four years.
Emerson, who is from Tarlac, said he didn’t want to go home yet but his parents called him up the moment they got the news of their early release. Elmer said saying farewell to fellow officers with whom they have spent four years of their lives and shared struggles together was emotional.
He related that their Girl Friday, the one who cooks and does errands for them, cried.
What are their plans? But before that, do they regret having joined what is now referred as the “Magdalo” and what they did in Oakwood in July 2003?
Elmer said he was asked that during their physical exam second week of December. His reply was, “Magdalo has a lot to do with what I am now.”
The two, like the rest of the Magdalo officers, have not been idle during their detention. They have come up with a cookbook that has become a national bestseller and chosen by Gourmand International, an organization of food experts worldwide that gives yearly awards to the best cookbooks, as “most innovative” in the country category.
The duo are not inclined to go back to military service. Both want to take their own sweet time enjoying their “freedom.” Emerson wants to go around the country and gather more recipes, probably for another cookbook. Both are thinking of going into business. Emerson has set up his business “Great Outdoor Hammocks” while in detention.
Meanwhile, a Tagalog version of “Pulutan” is in the works. We will invite you for the book launching. This time, the authors will be on hand for the autographs.
Note:
For those who are not familiar with the story of Pulutan, Yvonne and I edited the cookbook.
Thanks for the reminder, Ellen. I’m going to look for a copy of the book around here, and order some copies for me and my sisters.
I actually was hoping the publisher would want to supply me with the copies to sell at my store in Japan, but there was no follow-up to the one email I received from one of their staff.
Anyway, may God bless these two young gentlemen. They have earned the respect and admiration of many for what majority of their fellow soldiers should have done—refused to bow down to a criminal and be loyal ONLY to country and people!
Belated Merry Christmas, and may the New Year (of the Rat) bring joy and peace sans the crooks who run the Philippines like hell!!!
Yuko: is it the year of the Rat? Where is that big rat again…Rats..baka ma confirm and promotion niya:
The best to the two soldiers…
Yes, Rose, it should be the Year of the Rat. 2007 is the year of the Pig (Boar), and next to it is the Rat in the Chinese Zodiac Year.
Hopefully, it will not be a year of the Rat government of the Philippines!!! 😛
I’m in California right now, but will go home to Tokyo before the year ends to spend New Year there. Nag-order na nga ako ng O-sechi ryori (New Year’s delicatessen) para wala na akong gagawin except a little more cleaning of my house and office to welcome 2008 or the 20th year of Heisei.
Ellen:
The 53 were released, and thank God for that. But lets not forget that the early release was paid for in no small part by the group that walked to Manila Penn.
However, have you noticed that this is the first time it has been publicly acknowledged that Bumidang will be a state witness? At the anniversary of the Oakwood incident this year, Probe Team did a special on them and Bumidang’s statement was that he was being subjected to much deprivation (i.e. his salary has been withheld) because he refused to rat on his co-accused.
Ituloy na iyang Soldiers’ Kitchen Resto diyan sa the Fort! A monument to the struggle of the Magdalo Group to bring about meaningful change in the military and the government.
53 soldiers are now unemployed. A restaurant run by ex-soldiers working as cooks, waiters, and staff donning the famous Magdalo armbands would be a great idea.
Klingon, are you sure it was Lt. Bumidang that Probe featured? I remember it was Lt. Sonny Sarmiento.
Lt. Sarmiento and Lt. Aldrin Baldonado are detained at the ISG compound in Fort Bonifacio. For many months they were in solitary confinement. Their salaries have been cut off. (I understand Lt. Lawrence San Juan continues to receive his salary)
Yes, Sarmiento and Baldonado have been and continue to be subjected to pressures but they continue to hold on to their principles. They are admirable.
With these men, you are right Tongue, we can sleep with the thought that there will not be lack of men who will continue the fight for truth and justice.
I’m sure it was Lt. Sarmiento. It was the wife, Venus Sarmiento, who was interviewed.
The other one who was featured was Ensign Filmore Rull. Filmore is one of the 53 released. Filmore is taking up Masters in Public Administration (I’m not sure of this) at UP.
Klingon, re:
Pen.”
Korek ka dito. And the “boys” know that. In fact, the very first thing that many of them did the moment they were released last Thursday was go to Camp Crame to visit Sen. Trillanes and company. I was told they were allowed only up to the gate of the detention quarters. Sen. Trillanes and the other officers, Capt. Garry Alejano, Ltsg James Layug, Ltsg Eugene Gonzales, Ltsg Andy Torrato, Ensign Armand Pontejos ,etc. were able to see them through the prison bars.
It’s touching.
Yuko, re Pulutan. You have to ask somebody to buy for you here in the Philippines. Anvil won’t ship to you the copies because it’s impractical. The shipping cost would be more than the cost of the book.
BTW, the bookprint version is already out. It sells for P225 at the National Book Store.
Emerson Rosales, with the help of his relatives, has put up a business while he was in detention: Great Outdoor Hammocks. Check out the website: http://www.freewebs.com/beachhammocks/
tongue, teka. i think i missed something…, if these 53 freed gentlemen-soldiers choose not to rejoin the force, that would mean 53 less men of honor in the soldiery, no?
does the deal that was forced on them (blackmailed, sounds like it), dictates that their names are stricken off from the rolls and automatically considered resigned from the service?
Yes, since Dec. 20 (Thursday), they were already considered civilians. Terminated from the military but not dishonorably discharged.
They are given the chance to reconsider rejoining the service. Some, I understand, may avail of it.
Many of these young officers are single and of course, starting a family is one of their priorities.
It’s very far from what my fiancee and his comrades had expected.. SEPARATION FROM THE SERVICE WITHOUT PREJUDICE FROM ANY MILITARY BENEFITS.. I don’t know what should i feel.. GOD is GOOD is the right word for me to express the gratitude.
I look forward to dining at the Magdalo Restaurant at the Fort. I hope and pray that all those that are still in detention now will be released as well…and that includes Sen. Trillanes and all..That really would be a sign of katarungan being a reality…And the entire Phil. and not only Antique “will be a home for the peaceful and free”(this is a line from the song Fair Lands of Antique Province).
ellen, forgive my ignorance.
is there a significant difference between the trillanes group and the “elmer-emerson et al” group?
if there is, what would it be?
The Trillanes group seems hold on to their vision (non-negotiable ika nga!), while those who entered into a plea bargain betrayed the “Magdalo” cause.
No, those who entered into plea bargain did not betray the Magdalo cause. They talked about it and it was approved by the leaders. it was a “strategic” decision.
Elmer and Emerson remain true to the ideals of magdalo of truth and justice. As another officer said, “”Being a free man is just the continuation of all the cause that we are fighting for…”
Although I know there are some who have strayed away and joined the group of gambala, maestrocampo, san juan. They are no longer with the Magdalo.
For the “53”, Security Agency business could also be a very good venture. The “53” should not be thinking of being employed, but to be an entrepreneur instead.
Regarding the plea bargains, its a classic leadership decision, to cut your losses. It is probably the height of selflessness, to have as many as possible of your men spared, and take the brunt of the responsibility yourself. If we look at war stories this happens in POW camps, this even happens in the corporate setting. If you ever lead people and cared as much for them as you do yourself – you’ll see this in others. Don’t look at it as a loss but as a sign, a sign that somewhere in this country are true leaders…
Tongue,this is a good idea:
Paging investors!
thanks for the info, Ellen.
this should be a cause for grave concern, though.
if Esperon and Gloria’s cabal of willing generals under the prevailing culture of impunity, are allowed to continuously make travesties of justice and sense of decency, what is going to be left of the AFP?
i realized that AFP has dramatically transformed itself into one, Armed Forces of the Pidals, to everybody’s chagrin and horror, but if the recently freed soldiers opts to remain civilians forever, who is going to hold the rein when certified thugs and liars such as say, self-proclaimed-Gen. Martir worms its way into sensitive positions?
i would definitely discourage these men of honor FROM toying the idea of totally abandoning the service, as this will all the more encourage spineless, and coopted officers become a future Palparan or Esperon or Martir.
Thanks, Jug. I remember that early this year, while the negotiations for the plea bargain was ongoing, Col. Pedro Davila asked Lt(sg) James Layug when they met on the hallway of the Camp Aguinaldo Officers Club (where the court martial is being held) to the men’s room, if he would also enter into a plea bargain. James challenged him, “Free my men now.”
Imagine the next day, it was in the newspapers. Davila told reporters that Layug offered to plead guilty without saying James’ condition.
talaga naman si Davila!
Ellen;
Paging investors!
Sali ako bibili ako ng share dyan.Baka magiging Victoria’s chicken iyan at good investment lalo na kapag isasali sa menu ang pinosasang manok,tinirgas na baka at liver ala gloria,pinigang medyas na kape.
If you remember, a few months after Oakwood, the core leaders that include Trillanes, Gambala, Mestrocampo, Layug, Alejano, Gonzales apologized to GMA.
That was in exchange for the freedom of the more than 200 enlisted men.
As Jug said, “Don’t look at it as a loss but as a sign, a sign that somewhere in this country are true leaders…”
Even their decision to end the Manila Pen standoff was done for others and not to save themselves.
cocoy,
Bilib na talaga ako sayo, sa edad mong yan nanonood ka pa rin ng Wowowee, sa totoo lang nakipag-away pa ako one time sa isang Joey de Leon fan, at naawa talaga ako kay Mitos, grabe siya magmahal, lamang lang ng dalawang paligo sa akin yung si Derek Ramsey, hehehe…
pare coy ,nakakagutom naman yang mga specialties na yan. maparami ang kain ko nyaan.. he he he.. sana mag open na ng isang resto… tapos kapag nag click na.. at magkaroon na ng franchise.
juggernaut;
Mahirap kasi ang OFW dito sa merica,lalo na kapag naiiwan sa bahay kaya sa TFC na lang naglilibang.Hindi nakukuha sa edad iyan,ang pinagbabasihan kung ano pa ang ibubuga,nauna lang siguro akong ipinanganak sa iyo at lamang ng tatlong paligo.Iyung dalawang kuya ko ay umuwi na ng pinas at kinuha ang early retirement at tapos ng mag-aral ang mga anak nila kaya wala na silang problema.Panay ang bida nila sa akin kung ano ang buhay nila,maghintay lang sila pag makatapos ang lahat ng anak ko sa pag-aaral at uuwi ako ng pinas baka naka wheel chair na silang dalawa at itinutulak ng nurse sa luneta at magpapakain ng kalapati,nauna lang kasi iyung dalawang kuya kong ipinanganak sa akin,baka isang san miguel beer ay hindi na nila maubos pag mag-inuman kaming tatlo.Hehehe!
ellen,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you pala! Its raining cats and dogs here I decided to stay in the house all morning, we go back to work tomorrow pa.
newsphillipines;
Aba pare ko ay specialty pa kami ni Tongue,kung matikman mo pa siguro ang Minartir na Daga ay lalo kang gaganahan,Sa umaga pang-almusal Binatong itlog ni Esperon at kinapon na barako ni Barias.
ellen,
Its a shame the new batch of officers who’ll graduate next year will only have the likes of Esperon and Martir as role models of professional soldiers.
Ellen, checked the Probe video and you’re right re: Sarmiento. To this date there are three who are not receiving salaries. Sarmiento, Baldonado and Nick Faeldon.
We are all very happy about the release of the 53. But we also should not allow GMA or Esperon to gain any mileage out of it. We remember that these men, should not have been in jail at all, not in a world where honor still counts.
This is still all a part of GMA and Esperon’s plan to humiliate and demoralize the honorable men intent on regaining our country’s lost freedoms.
Baguhin natin iyong menu sa itaas,gawin nating kinapong langgoniza ni baryas.
I’m with you there, Klingon.
Meanwhile, there’s confusion going on the transfer of Brig. gen. Lim to Tanay. I’ll make a separate post on it.
mga bok,
Mag pop out naman kayo paminsan minsan to show all is well. Kumusta pasko nyo? Hinay hinay lang sa Tanduay. Meron ako ditong mga special edition (blue) bigay pa ni Mr. Tan (cliente ko). Ano menu nyo sa noon mess?
Semfer Fidelis is the motto of Marines “Always Faithful”It is more than just a motto for Marines,it is a way of life.It is a commitment they all share to their country,to the corps and to each other.There are no ex-Marines,only former Marines.
Here’s The Marine Corps Prayer
Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold. If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me the wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.
This prayer is for Esperon and Martir, hope they still remember it…(with proper t bar)
Grant us, O God, that we may worship Thee to the utmost of faith and the limits of truth and suffer us not to fail to see the light of our true religion.
Guide us that we may live this life to the fullest in devotion to Thee, in service to humanity and country, and in the realization of our true self. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct us to a firm resolve to live up at all times to the creeds of our institution and teach us never to fail to measure up to the ideals of the profession we have chosen through life to follow.
Make us do, or think or say of others that which we want done, or thought or said of us. Help us to live each day in the passing years in useful effort that our lives may be spent in accord with the pattern of our creeds – the true, the noble, and the high.
Give us that honest purpose in life which seeks fair deal with everyone and spurns all forms of hypocrisy that will enkindle our fighting faith, and smother all seeds of cowardice and fear in our hearts; the loyalty to our principles that place all issues above personal considerations, and shuns compromise with vice and injustice.
Strengthen our hearts with fortitude that we may discipline our lives to trail the difficult paths rather than stray on the easier ways. Teach us to aspire above the level of common lives. Help us to see all things in their true light that we may guard against frivolity in the sacred things of life even as we may enjoy in clean laughter its many delights.
Teach us to make our play in every game, whether in mere sports or life’s mightier struggles, one where our desire to win is second only to our love of the game itself, where we triumph as considerate victors or lose with grace and determined will to win.
Endow our hearts with kindness that we may sympathize with those who sorrow and suffer; unite us in friendhsip with all and help us to share the merriment of those with cheerful countenance that we may partake of their joy. All of which we ask with faith in the everlastingness of Thine fount of grace to all men. Amen.
Juggernaut;
Johnnie Walker ba iyang blue label mo? ano pa ang hinihintay mo kumpare,tagayan mo na si Sulbatz at mga ibang kasamahan natin.Nakabili ako ng dalawang bote niyan ng nag sale $185 plus tax ang isang bote itinago ko at ipapainom ko Pareng Mrivera,Ka Enchong,Ka Emil at sa mga katsokaran natin dito pag-uwi ko ng pinas mas maganda sana kung magiging sampu siguro ang maiuwi ko,buksan mo na iyan at bigyan na kita ng isa sa 2008 christmas pamasko ko sa iyo.hehehe!
Tongue: To put up the resto is a great idea and I am sure there are many who would invest..some bloggers dito.. Can someone make a study of the amount needed to put up..in other words incorporate..and put it public..stocks…I am sure sa Magdalo someone can make a study and present it to the bloggers here…marami ang mag invest..this is one way of helping and sharing…let us do it…it is very feasible and we can make it possible.. Let this be our New Year’s resolution…
rose,
Good idea the restaurant!
On another note.Check out this site http://www.stc.edu.ph/about.htm , brings back memories ba? A long time ago I knew someone from there, she was the daughter of a PC general, one of the reasons I was able to get in the ‘cademy.
jug: the prayer that you posted above..is that the one you were taught at PMA?..army is Esperon at si Martir, are they not..I am sure they still know the words..but I doubt it if they still pray it..kung nakalimutan let’s remind them..email..mail…pd reminder sa newspapers..
yon namang Marine Corps prayer..sa nakakalimot na officers let us also remind them…hang gang magsawa sila…sa kakalulitan natin…
rose,
Yes, its the cadet’s prayer, I believe its a prayer that sets your mind and heart to whatever branch of service you are in, and if you internalize it, it serves as a guide in whatever career you choose.
cocoy, thanks for your post, but a minor correction in spelling: semper fideles. Let me comment of the importance and implications of this semper fideles as the core value of the marines.
In the prayer of the marines, loyalty and faithfulness to the superiors and tradition are constitutive elements of being a marine. Thus, the famous “tell it to the marines” where marines are said to simply FOLLOW ORDERS, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, period. Whatever is added after the period is a grieve violation to this prayer. Indeed, they are more loyal to their organization more than anything else; even the common good is of secondary importance compared to it.
In a sense, the formation of critical minds is an anathema to the marine corps. This is the most vivid inevitable implication of the semper fidelis.
Once a marine will always be a marine. There’s no EX-MARINE but only FORMER-MARINES, as if the distinction is that of EX-FORMER. The distinction is whether a marine is ALWAYS LOYAL/FAITHFUL to his superiors or not. The disloyal and unfaithful marines are not called FORMER MARINES but can be aptly described as SCALAWAGS.
deepcaring,
The prayer starts with an acclamation and then this…
Marines, like any other soldier are not mindless automatons and are bound to the principle of following lawful orders from superiors. If you are “ordered” to shoot innocent civilians for instance, will you? And SCALAWAGS is more appropriately used to describe THIEVES in uniform. Following orders is vital to preserve discipline and most certainly come in handy in combat situations where there is no time for hesitation, but in areas where the soldiers themselves are used to manipulate the ballot this is whole different story altogether.
The first time I heard SCALAWAGS used in a speech was that of Fidel V. Ramos’ SCALAWAGS IN UNIFORM.
Historically the word Scalawags is a derogatory term (originally describing worthless livestock) applied to native white Southerners who supported the federal reconstruction plan and cooperated with the blacks in order to achieve their ends. Some of the scalawags were entirely above board, having opposed the Confederacy in earlier times and later wanted a new South to emerge from the rubble. Others cooperated with or served in the Republican governments in order to avail themselves of money-making opportunities. So basically the word originated somewnere around the American civil war era.
Still another different story, but I will tell it anyway:
I still cannot forget the marines who killed a farmer in one of my assignments. Civilian, no weapon, a father of three children, age 3, 5 and 8yrs old. He was killed inside his house, while the brave and brilliant marines were in pursuit of NPAs. Call it collateral damage. But there’s no need for them to enter his hut and their arrogance is indeed beyond contempt.
Are you saying then that the whole MARINE CORPS today under GMA-Esperon leadership is corrupted. The prayer has not protected the integrity of the corps? The prayer is only lip-service, no value at all, not lived by the marine corps?
deepcaring,
I understand. You are not alone in this. I agree with you that the military has been used as an instrument of injustice so many times already. I even believe that the NPAs’ ranks grow because of people who experienced these injustices not because of the “doctine.”
The reality is that only a few soldiers dare question these acts, and these few are mostly officers and the officers who dared are in jail. Its ironic really, those who do not tolerate these injustices and corruption are the ones being punished…
deepcaring,
Check this out, a promising career nipped in the bud by these extrajudicial killings.
http://www.bulatlat.com/news/6-30/6-30-pma.htm
Welcome to the civilian world mga mistah. Hope you will be able to adjust to your new life. I wish you good luck an I hope we will meet again to have some chat on anything under the sun. I’m happy that you’re free now……
Yes, welcome to the civies life mga bok. No amount ‘yan, attitude lang…Its nothing compared to the population of China.
mga bok,
Talo yang mga pulutan ni elmer at emerson sa pulutan namin dito. Araw-araw pulutan namin si esperon, martir at gloria sa mga inuman dito.
ate ellen,
Paki-recommend na lang na idagdag ni elmer at emerson itong special menu namin sa cookbook nila….PINIKPIKANG ESPERON NA PINAUPO SA ASIN.
Ingredients:
1. Esperon (preferably fat and ugly)
2. 1 sack salt
3. 2 sacks kalamansi
4. 1 drum vinegar
5. 2 apples (really big ones)
6. 1 box thumb tacks
7. 1 baseball bat
How to Cook:
1. Tie Esperon in a post full of ants.
2. Get the baseball bat and start the pinikpikan ritual. Make sure he is black and blue.
3. Stick the thumb tacks in his ass.
4. Pour vinegar in boiling water, then drop Esperon inside the vat.
5. Wait till water evaporates.
6. Lift Esperon from the vat and transfer to a big “kawali” with 1 sack of salt. Let him sit on the salt.
7. Cook in narra wood at 100 degrees temperature.
8. Drop kalamansi in his eyes 5 minutes before he becomes well-done.
9. Chop off his nose and serve separately with two apples plugged to the nosetrils.
10. When cooked, serve with a background music coming from the AFP band.
11. Oh by the way, it should be “on the house”….he is not worth anything anyway.
naka-log in ako pero lahat ng posts ko di lumalabas. bakit kaya?
This reminds me of what happened to the former employees of the Japanese Railways when it was privatized. A lot of them were laid off and no longer considered public servants. To alleviate their woes, a lot many enterprises were created to provide them jobs with similar fringe benefits as those they expected to get when they retired from the service.
Restaurants in and around train stations in Japan are in fact run by former employees of the formerly government-run railways.
What I can do, perhaps, to help these discharged soldiers is try to help boost up the reputation and image of enterprises they are getting into like these “dampa” restaurants that I can recommend to Japanese tourists still wanting to visit the Philippines amidst the risks. A good publicity is what they actually need.
“Rebels turned entrepreneurs” would make a good title for an article in a travel magazine no doubt!
ate ellen,
paki-suggest lang kina elmer at emerson na idagdag sa menu nila ang PINIKPIKANG ESPERON NA PINAUPO SA ASIN.
atsaka crispy John Rat tails.
On second thought, hwag na lang buntot ni John Rat….bahag pala ang buntot nun. Baka makahawa.
juggernaut said:
“and these few are mostly officers and the officers who dared are in jail. Its ironic really,”
It also shows a government and its military leaders in panic! They, the military leaders and the administration by jailing these men without charge were also exploring how far the rank and file would allow them to go because it is in the interest of the administration & military leaders survival to ‘take out’ any opposition who oppose their dishonest ways because the moment ‘rank & file’ refuse to ‘toe the line’ but only respond to lawful orders this Arroyo government and military leaders will collapse and be in the fast lane to jail to answer all their evils.
Let us hope that day is not far away before any more good men can be ‘taken out’ for refusing to obay illegal orders.
WWNL and Juggernaut:
“Those who dared are in jail”
Thats why it irritates me to no end that Esperon and GMA are claiming the release of the 53 as some kind of public relations coup, as though they expect the 53 former detainees to be grateful. We should remember that, save for Sen. Trillanes’ group and the others who did not plea bargain, these men have served the longest jail time for mutiny. Those involved in the 1989 coup were incarcerated for two years then given amnesty and many were reinstated into the service. It is particularly galling if we remember that these men were not supposed to be incarcerated in the first place.
“It is particularly galling if we remember that these men were not supposed to be incarcerated in the first place. – klingon”
This is insane I tell you. Is Gen. Lim being interrogated? Why is he treated like an NPA, ASG, MILF prisoner? Are they trying to break him? I don’t trust those intelligence people one bit.
Hi Ellen;
Where can I buy that “Pulutan” Recipe? I want to grab a copy of that when I return there to RP this March, 2008.
Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year ahead to you and your family.
klingon,
Watch those junior officers in the SAF and ISAFP, the experience of maltreating and interrogating a senior officer like Gen. Lim will transform them into monsters, after this they will feel “above” the law or anything else for that matter.
Is this how this government rewards the soldiers who risked their lives in fighting for us?
sulbatz et al,
Be extra careful bok, SINCERELY!
Juggernaut:
That reminds me of what Capt. Langkit (one of those undergoing trial for the 2006 incident) said in one of the hearings, that when he was “captured” in 2006, he was thrown into the back of a van, blindfolded and beaten up. Enlisted men were used to interrogate him.
The resolved spirit of Gen Lim cannot be easily weakened and broken by physical and psychological harm in a place of punishment, as klingon aptly described ISAFP.
Unlike the political prisoners who are considered by the military as their primal enemies, Gen Lim still enjoys their respect. His heroic act of rebellion is considered as a powerful voice articulating their elusive dream of reform.
However, role-reversal is not a remote scenario: the low ranking officers, who are given full blanket authority to interrogate the erring well-medaled general, are susceptible to abuse their power. I personally witnessed the brutality and arrogance of the military. Their lust for power, enhanced by inordinate attachment to their lethal weapons, caused awe and trembling among many innocents civilians accused as NPAs. Awe because their brilliant brains see nothing but the power of the bullets; trembling because these people have no remorse in killing unarmed and powerless pepes and pilars.
Knowing the dehumanizing effects of these time-tested varieties of torture, Ellen and her allies must indeed be vigilant and pro-active.
Krunck, the book is available at the National Book Store. All branches in Metro Manila carry it. When you ask the salesgirl, please give the complete title of the book: “Pulutan- from the soldiers’ kitchen.” Tell them the one by Magdalo officers.
There are two editions: bookprint (sells for P225)
and newsprint (P125).
ellen,
I’ll buy some books tomorrow and give it to my clients.
Thanks, Jug.
Give me your feedback.
Congratulations on your freedom Messrs. Elmer Cruz and Emerson Rosales! I’m so very happy for you!
I got a copy of your bestselling cookbook, “Pulutan – From the Soldiers’ Kitchen,” here with me and cooked Christmas Eve dinner from your recipes. Mom-in-law was so impressed, I know howw to cook daw pala. hehe!
Emerson,
We are also enjoying the “great outdoor hammocks”, 2 are under the deck, 1 is tied between the trees. I call them my Magdalo hammocks. (Thanks to a very good soul that I got them, bless you my friend).
Good luck to you two on your newfound freedom! Cheers!!!
Yuko,
Please check your inbox.
The 53 were released, and thank God for that. But lets not forget that the early release was paid for in no small part by the group that walked to Manila Penn.- Klingon
Absolutely!
It breaks my heart that Sen. Sonny was only allowed to see the released Magdalo through the prison bars.
AT4, you are indeed a brother to them. Mabuhay ka!
Chi, you hit the 69th comment in this thread. Though I am personally partial to the number 69, I can’t help but add more to emerson’s and elmer’s menu…
How about…
Esperon ala King
Gloria ala Queen
Martir ala Hiya
Sulbatz,
Thanks for adding to the Pulutan’s menu, heheh.
Let’s ask Elmer and Emerson for the ingredients and preparation.
Kaya lang baka walang magluto niyan, the names alone are already poison.
on Ellen’s paging the investors:
not sure if the proponents agree to this, but am more inclined to join any undertaking if the enterprise base of stakeholders are spread like a cooperative.
cooperativism allows even the smallest (in terms of capital contribution) stakeholder enjoy the same level of rights and returns to that of large institutional investors.
maganda din kung yung mga orihinal na may ideya, payagang sumali yaong mga pina-alis na ‘without honor’ na enlisted personnel.
maraming pwedeng gawin ang isang kooperatiba; maliban sa negosyong resto, maaring mag-sanga ito sa mga negosyong may kinalaman sa seguridad, transport, at kahit light manufacturing.
kung hindi ituring na abuso ng mga mambabasa, at bisita ni Ellen, puwedeng dito sa kanila magsimula ang seed money na mungkahing magsimula sa 20$ kada share o counterpart. sa mga may kahandaan mag-invest na mas malaki, papayagan ito matapos niyang matanggap na ang kanyang voting rights ay iisa lamang , katulad ng kahit sino.
sali ako, pero sana kooperatiba ang konsepto.
Zen2,
Maganda yung idea mo! call ako dyan. alam ko magiging makabuluhan ito at isa pa makakatulong pa tayo sa ating mga magigiting na kawal. These “men of Honor” don’t deserved to be idle. Sa mata lang naman nila arroyo at esperon sila nawalan ng honor.pero sa atin hindi nabawasan ang paggalang natin sa kanila.Matatalino at disiplinado ang mga taong ito, i believe kaya rin nilang mag excel sa ibang field,like business. Sana mag materialize ito, Zen2 just give us an update. Big thanks!God bless us all.
Shukran…thanks for the info, Ellen. I’ll let you know once I got the copy of this recipe…soon
More power and Happy New Year