You are now swamped with suggestions and advice, but just the same, I hope you’ll have time to read what this octogenarian has to say.
You were not my choice in the last election but since our people have spoken, we must now support you and pray that you prevail. But first, I must remind you of the stern reality that your drumbeaters ignore: you have no noble legacy from your forbears. It is now your arduous job to create one yourself in the six years that you will be the single most powerful Filipino. Six years is too short a time — the experience in our part of the world is that it takes at least one generation — 25 years — for a sick nation to recover and prosper. But you can begin that happy process of healing.
Bear in mind that the past weighs heavily on all of us because of the many contradictions in it that we have not resolved, whose resolutions would strengthen us as a nation. This past is now your burden, too. Let us start with the fact that your grandfather collaborated with the Japanese. Your father was deeply aware of this, its stigma, its possibilities. He did not leave any legacy because he did not become president. He was a brilliant and courageous politician. He was an enterprising journalist; he had friends in journalism who can attest to his effulgent vision, who did not profit from his friendship, among them Nestor Mata, Gregorio Brillantes — you may consult them. I cannot say I did not profit — he bought many books from my shop and when he was in Marcos’s prison, your mother brought books from my shop to him.
Forgive me for giving you this unsolicited advice. First, beware of hubris; you are surrounded by panderers who will tell you what is nice to hear. You need to be humble always and heed your conscience. When Caesar was paraded in ancient Rome before the cheering multitudes, there was always a man chanting behind him: “Remember, you are mortal.”
I say to you, remember, the poor — some of them in your own hacienda — will be your ultimate judge.
From your comfortable and privileged cocoon, you know so little of our country and people. Seek the help of the best — and the best do not normally want to work in government and neither will they approach you. You have to seek them.
Be the revolutionary your father wanted to be and don’t be scared or wary of the word “revolution.” It need not be always bloody. EDSA I was not. Your father wanted to destroy the most formidable obstacle to our progress — the Oligarchy to which you and your family belong. To succeed, you have to betray your class. If you cannot smash the oligarchy, at least strive to have their wealth develop this country, that they bring back the billions they stashed abroad. You cannot do this in six years, but you can begin.
Prosecute the crooks. It is difficult, thankless and even dangerous to do this. Your mother did not do it — she did not jail Imelda who was the partner in that conjugal dictatorship that plundered this nation. Watch her children — they were much too young to have participated in that looting but they are heirs to the billions which their parents stashed abroad. Now the Marcoses are on the high road to power, gloating, snickering at our credulity and despicable amnesia.
You know the biggest crooks in and out of government, those powerful smugglers, thieves, tax cheats — all you really need is guts to clobber them. Your father had lots of it — I hope he passed on to you most of it.
And most of all, now that you have the muscle to do it, go after your father’s killers. Blood and duty compel you to do so. Cory was only his wife — you are the anointed and only son. Your regime will be measured by how you resolve this most blatant crime that robbed us of a true leader.
And, finally, your mother. We loved her — she united us in ousting an abominable dictator. But she, too, did not leave a shining legacy for her presidency was a disaster. She announced a revolutionary government but did nothing revolutionary. She promised land reform but did not do it. And most grievous of all — she transformed the EDSA I revolution into a restoration of the oligarchy.
She became president only because her husband was murdered and you became president elect only because your mother died. Still, you are your father’s son and may you now — for the good of this country and people — scale the heights he and your mother never reached.
I am 85 and how I despair over how three generations of our leaders failed! Before I go, please let me see this unhappy country begin to be a much better place than the garbage dump our leaders and people have made it. You can be this long awaited messiah but only if you are brave enough and wise enough to redeem your father’s aborted promise.
Hopefully yours,
F. Sionil Jose
Quite a respected individual and intellectual. That said, I’m disappointed with his use of this quote in the past tense “Your regime will be measured by how you resolve this most blatant crime that robbed us of a true leader”. The use of REGIME was inappropriate while Noynoy is not even seated yet and performed his sworn duties.
Also, wasn’t the renaming of Manila Int’l Airport not enough LEGACY in favor of his famous father regardless if he never became a president?
It is however, a well-intended and meaningful admonishment from an 85 year old who apparently (like most of us) have seen it all; the country’s despicable socio-economic demise and mental state. Next question is, will Noynoy listen?
Hayaan na lang muna natin ang litanya ni Padre Jose.
Sakaling matuloy, matyagan natin at huwag tatantanan ang kapal-pakan ng mga senador na gustong ibalik si Villar bilang Senate President.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may2310/news03.htm
jose Sionil is a wise nationalist whose opinion definitely is worth listening and considering , his interest doubtless is for the good of Noynoy and the Phil.
I agree completely with Sionil’s : “You know the biggest crooks in and out of government, those powerful smugglers, thieves, tax cheats — all you really need is guts to clobber them. Your father had lots of it — I hope he passed on to you most of it.”
the biggest crook for the last 9 years were the illegal tenant in malacanang, they were the biggest tax cheats, thieves and smugglers……
“..he had friends in journalism who can attest to his effulgent vision, who did not profit from his friendship, among them Nestor Mata,..”
But Mr Mata could have profited from Money Villar because he was very defensive of him,from his Malaya commentaries, for example:
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03092010/edmata.html
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03162010/edmata.html
I wish we can finally put our acts together and try to make this work the best we can, if after six years we’re still not satisfied, we look to improvements. Its tiring to see people weave controversy after controversy, issue after issue, we haven’t even started yet…local Filipinos have a loser mentality, we can’t seem to whip up a cohesive team, there are so many experts, primadonnas, wise guys, anti-everything…of course anything constructive is good…
Is it at all possible to try to make it work, show some loyalty to this new administration for at least six years before we break it down to bits? Or are we really this impossible to manage? The people have expressed their desire for something new, most of them silent…its the noisy minority thats troublesome…for those who are capable of speaking out, lets be responsible for at least six short years…and as I said try to make it work this time…
Will Erap be the statesman many hope he would be?
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/columns/columns/view/20100523-271577/Eraps-chance-to-salvage-his-ex-presidency
best thing for Erap to do now is concede defeat to Noynoy, Erap should stop listening to bad advise from his advisers with hidden agendas and stop acting like a puppet of vested interest group …….
Wow! I’ve been an admirer of F Sionel Jose’s writings. This one blew me away…direct with simplicity, truthful to the core. Isa pa nga. 🙂
“From your comfortable and privileged cocoon, you know so little of our country and people. Seek the help of the best — and the best do not normally want to work in government and neither will they approach you. You have to seek them.”
They all are. I was disappointed with Noynoy’s choice of Dinky Soliman and his plan of retaining one or two of Gloria’s cabinet. I didn’t also like his solicitation of the retired SCJ Puno’s services, buti na lang tinanggihan. Iba naman. Yes, “seek ‘them'” please….
Ang sabi ng ka-text ko nang mabasa itong sulat ni F. Sionel Jose, ‘pre, tindi ng arrive!
“Seek the help of the best — and the best do not normally want to work in government and neither will they approach you. You have to seek them.”
No need to seek them elsewhere, they’re here @Ellenville and other blogs. Noynoy just have to assign somebody to read and monitor, because he can’t do it himself, and relay to him what the bloggers are saying, the pros and cons.
As usual, I will go against the grain.
Literary style is very good. The message of hope is well taken. “Degrading” Cory and her role in the restoration of the shattered democratic institution may not be the best way to persuade Noynoy to conquer new heights.
Makikiusap na nga lang, nang insulto pa. Tsk, tsk. 😛
RE: best thing for Erap to do now is concede defeat to Noynoy, Erap should stop listening to bad advise from his advisers with hidden agendas and stop acting like a puppet of vested interest group …….
A simple arithmitic Igan Synchitpin…e bakit pinahihirap natin ang isyu? ONLY the Congress ang siyang authorize at legal na pwedeng mag proklama ng nanalong Pangulo at VP?
Ang hirap sa mga intelehente sa ating lipunan mapasa Pinas o cybermedia…ang hirap espilengin, hindi makaintindi sa simpleng kataga…ANG KONGRESO LAMANG ANG MAY KAPANGYARIHANG MAG PROKLAMA NG PANGULO at VP!
Ngayon ibabalik nýo sa Pangulong Erap ang sisi…at sa kanyang mga advisers o Eraptians. Mag-antay kayo or else magsitamik kasi lalo lang nýong pinagugulo ng isyu.
Wait darating tayo diyan!
Buhay nga naman ang hirap intindihin ng mga Noypi na masyadong marunong pa sa final arbiter kung sino ba talaga ang panalo.
If Noynoy received an OPEN LETTER from somebody like F Sionil Jose…dapat never siyang kokontra sa open Hocus-PCOS na ngayon e isinisiwalat ng mga kinauukulang Noypi upang tuldukan kung nagkaroon nga ba ng electronic Garci?
Hayan na…everyday e mayroong nadaragdag na ibidensya about this Hocus-PCOS, sige gawa kayo ng listahan NOT kagaya ng kay Sabit Singson…kailangan maging patas sa sa pagpapataw ng hustisya.
Narito ang additional latest news from concerned tabloids:
Nanindigan kahapon si retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, na totoong may naganap na dayaan sa nakalipas na May 10 national election.
Source: http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may2310/news_story2.htm
An Open Letter concerning Hocus-PCOS…Comelec, DOJ eentra sa PCOS card ng lady solon?
Kaugnay nito, maging ang Department of Justice (DOJ) ay handang magsagawa ng imbestigasyon kung paano nagkaroon ng CF card si Susano gayundin ang insidente ng pagkakumpiska ng 60 PCOS machines sa Antipolo na sinasabing ginamit sa pandaraya noong eleksyon.
Source: http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may2310/news05.htm
reply to tru blue:
“your regime will be measured…”
grammatically, “will be” is an indication of a future event not past as you mentioned. sionil jose is a literary man so he meant the term regime to be encompassing as in the age of the romans or the era of napoleon, so the word regime is appropriate.
by legacy, sionil jose meant something more of a non-material contribution of a person to society and country, not a building, not a school, and certainly not an airport. the naia was not ninoy’s legacy, rather it’s the filipino people’s way of honoring his memory.
“Cory was only his wife — you are the anointed and only son.” -spoken lke a true ilocano. hahaha!
An Open Letter about Hocus-PCOS…akala ni F hionil Jose e siya lang ang may close-open letter, tayo rin mga Igan…sige sipagan natin na mangulekta ng DATOS upang mapagtagni-tagni natin ang electronic Garci?
Dumarami ang contributors ah…
The PPCRV has practically ruled out the possibility of systematic cheating in the last polls. The Comelec says that all these vague revelations on alleged cheating serve only to discredit the Philippines’ first automated elections. Smartmatic-TIM, for its part, says cheating with the PCOS machines is “technically” impossible as the machines, which apparently have specific digital signatures, “cannot transmit false results to the consolidation and canvassing system.” The accused parties have denied the allegations, while some of the “victims” of shaved voted have asked the man to unmask himself.
Source: PCOS ruckus http://www.tribune.net.ph/
Re: 60 PCOS machines at CF cards
It’s possibly an inside job. The commissionaires should focus on the Mafia inside the Comelec. Huwag ng ilayo ang imbestigastion.
Pader, baka mahalikan ka nyan ni Jamby at ni Carmen Pedrosa.
Bihira lang ang taong naniniwala na dinaya ang election para kay Noynoy. Mas interesado ang mga tao ngayon kung kailan sya ma poproclaim.
Dapat siguro kay Mr. Jose mag brainstorming na lang sila ni Mr. Mata.
“Prosecute the crooks. It is difficult, thankless and even dangerous to do this. Your mother did not do it — she did not jail Imelda who was the partner in that conjugal dictatorship that plundered this nation. Watch her children — they were much too young to have participated in that looting but they are heirs to the billions which their parents stashed abroad. Now the Marcoses are on the high road to power, gloating, snickering at our credulity and despicable amnesia.” Senator, use your utmost judgement finding a person in DOJ and Ombudsman, because it will resolved poverty, and human violation in our country. The absence of justice desist the progress of our country.
“You were not my choice in the last election but since our people have spoken, we must now support you and pray that you prevail.” – F. Sionil Jose
I wonder who he voted for president? Pareho ba manok nila ni Mr. Nestor Mata? 😛
#12 Joeseg, baka tayo baligrarin ng taga-monitor, j3j3j3!
“Cory was only his wife — you are the anointed and only son.”
Talaga naman dahil si Noynoy ang may dugo ni Ninoy, hindi ang asawa na Cory. Nagkakahiwalay at nagkakalimutan ang mag-asawa pero hindi ang parents at mga anak kahit dysfunctional pa ang relasyon nila dahil sa dugo na nananalaytay sa kanila.
RE # 15: kaibigang balweg, alam mo naman kung anong klase ang kongreso ngayon, hindi ko naman nilalahat pero karamihan sa kongreso ay masahol pa sa puta ………..
F Sionil Jose… ” You know the biggest crooks in and out of government, those powerful smugglers, thieves, tax cheats — all you really need is guts to clobber them. Your father had lots of it — I hope he passed on to you most of it.”
No, they’re not the biggest crooks in and out the government. They were just an extension of POLITICIANS who run for office for a career change. THE BIGGEST CROOKS IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE POLITICIANS. Sino ba ang naghihirap na politiko? Dito lang sa QC, konsehal lang nagkaka-mansyon na sa isang exclusive na subdivision. Ngayon na sya ay naging congressman na, hindi lang isang mansyon ang mananakaw nya, baka mismong subdivision na ang maari nya.
The letter writer is brutally frank. And quite frankly I admire his guts for saying in an open letter what may just pass on in whispers; about the granddad and the “legacies” of parents Cory and Ninoy.
Saying what is true is not an insult. It might even help. It just depends on how one reacts to it.
And maybe it hurts but there’s no other way to call spade a spade.
Hindi ako bilib sa parteng “go after your father’s killers.” The victim’s wife had all the time, the power, in her hands, the judiciary, the fiscals, the military. She wasn’t able to prove anything except accept that the fall guys were it. Or did she find the real killers but had to keep her silence to perpetuate the blame brutally on the Marcoses? Almost all known evidence point to her own blood as the mastermind.
The best thing is to allow the Marcoses to bury their dead. The Marcos bogey must come to an end. The sins of Marcos are nothing compared to the evils of the oligarchy to which Noynoy belongs and we have suffered this for 24 years now -far longer than all of Marcos’ bad years. This should be Noynoy’s priority instead of another futile ghost hunt.
F. Sionil Jose is an old man. Let him enjoy his last days looking at the trees, without seeing the forest.
i’m more than eager to know what he can do about the graft and corruption in all the government’s institutions.
at #18 Isaganigatmaitan:
Aaah the beauty of grammar and composition. Rest assured I have an idea what present, past, and future tenses are. I backed up that past tense remark by saying further that “Noynoy wasn’t even seated yet” and that F Sionil Jose already called the incoming president’s form of gov’t a Regime. It’s subjective, and you can of course disagree.
Personally for me, Regimes are those governments who are dictatorial and oppressive in nature. That’s also subjective.
With regards to Legacy, you’re surmising this 85 y/old’s thinking. So if Ninoy don’t have a legacy since he had no valuable contribution to the motherland…he comes back from exile, got shot by a patsy but for sentimal reason/s, the gov’t renamed the MIA to NAIA to honor him. Just for being shot dead? Why can’t we rename the airport Aquino/Galman Int’l Airport to honor the innocent Galman also. Just my take.
correction….”but for sentimental reason/s”.
Wala namang insulto kay Cory. He was just saying that Noy is the blood relative, while Cory “was just the wife” – meaning not blood related. Here is the full context.
SNV, hindi lang naman yung part na yun. Kung pagsasamahin mo yung 4th to the 2nd of the last paragraph ng letter, hindi yata magandang pakinggan nang isang anak yun.
Parang kasalanan ni Cory na kahambalang sya sa sambayanan nung mamatay si Ninoy kaya sya naging President. Pagdating kay Noynoy, ganun din. Alam nating lahat ang epekto ng pagkamatay ni NInoy kay Cory at ni Cory kay Noynoy kaya lang hindi hiniling ni Cory at Noynoy na maging presidente sila. In short, it would appear that Cory took advantage/exploited Ninoy’s death to become President and the same with Noynoy in relation to Cory’s death.
Mr. Jose is respectable in his field but it doesn’t follow that people would just accept what he is saying now.
You may not agree with Frankie Sionil’s views but as always with Frankie, it’s brilliant writing.
Ms. Ellen, no question about it. He writes well. Masyadong malalim nga lang yung mga nobela nya nang nabasa ko noong nag aaral pa ako kaya alam kong malapit sa puso nya sa land emancipation.
Ito ba?
I still see nothing wrong in it. Totoo namang, accidente lang ang kanilang presidency, both Cory and Noy. In the words of Shakespeare, “some are born great (I don’t know who), some achieve greatness (Lorenzo Tañada) and some have greatness thrust upon them”(Cory). I don’t see anything there that insinuates Cory taking advantage of the situation. In fact, people took advantage of Cory’s rise to power. Ganyan din si Noy, people egged him on, to take advantage of the sympathy for Cory. Ayan na, dividing the spoils, hindi pa na-pro-proclaim.
What I read from the piece, is the desire for Noy to rise to the occasion (step up to the plate, sabi ng mga baseball crazy Kano) and score a homerun (good government).
In recent history, somebody did just that. Rudy Giuliani had greatness thrust on him, and he rose to the occasion. In the few days after 9/11, kami dito sa East, and maybe the whole USA, looked up to Giuliani as the father of the country. Nasaan ang mga draft-evading war freaks (Bush and Cheney)? Nagtatago.
So it is the piece’s hope that Noy would rise to the occasion. His mother did, when Macoy was swept off power. But in the daily grind that was governance, she was less than impressive.
I join the author’s hope and prayer.
reply to tru blue #32
you really need to review your grammar:
“Noynoy wasn’t even seated yet” is incorrect and anyway that’s different from your original post #2.
“if Ninoy don’t have a legacy” is again incorrect and anyway what are you really trying to convey in your last paragraph??? read your original post#2,my reply and see if your post #32 makes any real sense.
“She became president only because her husband was murdered and you became president elect only because your mother died”.
No doubt about it!
If and when Noynoy dies (huwag naman muna), maybe Kris will become president and after Kris maybe Joshua and then Baby James.
Maybe in the future someone in the Aquino family will write a memoir about their “adventures and exploits” during the war and in their political battles.
I would like to suggest a title: “For Every Death, A Presidency”
That is a paraphrase of “For Every Tear, A Victory”
@Isaganigatmaitan:
This was your quote:
by legacy, sionil jose meant something more of a non-material contribution of a person to society and country, not a building, not a school, and certainly not an airport. the naia was not ninoy’s legacy, rather it’s the filipino people’s way of honoring his memory.
This was my reply. Let me know what you don’t understand.
With regards to Legacy, you’re surmising this 85 y/old’s thinking. So if Ninoy don’t have a legacy since he had no valuable contribution to the motherland…he comes back from exile, got shot by a patsy but for sentimal reason/s, the gov’t renamed the MIA to NAIA to honor him. Just for being shot dead? Why can’t we rename the airport Aquino/Galman Int’l Airport to honor the innocent Galman also. Just my take.
You present yourself as very proficient in the English Language, which is admirable BUT you need to improve your usage of when to capitalize a Letter, use of a space and a comma, etc…
“…you need to improve your usage of when to capitalize a Letter, use of a space and a comma,etc…”
he he he, you quibble about bits and pieces and yet you murdered the language of shakespeare with your bad tenses, incorrect word usage, and fractured sentences.
A Shakesperean who can’t get his nouns and pronouns in order, what a joker. Must be another chameleon from the breed of Bitchevil or Fartsee. (Gigil ka na sigurong maghiganti ulit).
You can, however, follow me at CNN, PBS, and MSNBC blogs to correct my murderous attacks of Shakepeare’s words, look for some of my comments there.
Tru Blue, Isagani, please let’s end this not-so-pleasant exchanges between you. You have said enough on that particular issue.
Touche…
If we tell the truth, we don’t have have to remember anything – Mark Twain
Please write an open letter to the Filipino people instead
Ang mahirap sa atin, pagkatapos na may ma-elect, puro na naman lang tayo dakdak. Hanggang ngayon di pa rin natin natututunan na tayo ang may problema, hindi si Noynoy o si Villar or si Gibo (ang natalong kandidato ni Mr. Jose) o si Gordon. Katulad ni Mr. Jose, magaling lang tayo mang-puna (at manira).
It will really be more admirable for Mr. Jose, who as Ellen says writes brilliantly, and whom many people listen to, to use such brilliance and write an open letter to all Filipinos to help in the clean-up of the mess. We can start by doing what a defeated senatorial candidate do – http://www.alexlacson.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39&Itemid=4.
Hindi si Noynoy lang ang kasagutan sa mga hinaing natin. There’s really no point in Mr. Jose’s dissertation on Noynoy’s class origin or the legacy or absence of it of his parents. As a brilliant writer, Mr. Jose only succeeds in brilliantly hurling insults in the guise of making a suggestion. Buti na lang at may edad na siya. It would be very disrespectful to insult him.
Wow! Mga grammar mongerers na pala dito, este grammar genius pala sila.
Ma’am, may I go out?
‘Yun pala si Frankie Sinile, este Sionil. Akala ko, si Alfie Lorenzo.
it’s enough that i savoured reading this article and some of the posts that made sense. of course you need to differentiate the grain from the chaff. to those who want some more of sionil’s essays, he is a frequent contributor to philippine star.
There’s no such thing as philippine star, it’s incorrect.
And there is no such thing as Philippine Air Lines.
Only commenter Juggernaut gets it right in his comments as far as I can remember; he spells it properly and correctly, Philippines!!! There is no such country named Philippine at least for me.
The NATIONAL HEROES mentioned in this poem include past and present heroes, including Benigno Aquino, Jr., father of the President-elect.
DISBAND THE AFP, ALSO THE PNP,
CLOSE THE ACADEMY OF THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY,
REPLACE WITH A FORCE for PUBLIC SECURITY,
PLUS A COAST GUARD to SECURE OUR SOVEREIGNTY.
– a poem by Dr. X Castillo
Good soldiers, there may be, in the Philippine military,
Dismantle the PMA, the AFP, and PNP,
“Very extreme !”, “Radical !”, you’ll see, on the contrary,
Idea is sensible, reasonable, plain, simple, ordinary.
Before the Revolutionary Forces were defeated,
Filipino Scouts were hired, before officially created,
The AFP, from Scouts; the PNP, Constabulary,
De facto foreign entities, out of another’s military.
The purpose they were established, by American Imperialists,
“assisting in combating the remnants of the revolutionaries”,
Became accessories, in MASSACRES and the GENOCIDE,
Subsequent occupation, and we were colonized.
Native American Scouts, they collaborated, participated,
Over 95%, have been decimated,
Collaboration, participation, led to massacres and genocide,
NOT THE PATH WE WANT, it is not hard to decide.
Having both the AFP, and the PNP,
Unsound practically, and economically,
World peace relatively, no neighboring country,
No external threat to national security.
Redundant in duties, 2 enormous budgets,
No need for 2 entities, with too many gadgets,
In time of difficulties, of pain and of suffering,
Excess military spending, it too needs some cutting.
Additional personnel, unnecessary and costly,
Not only are they non-productive economically,
The idle soldiers of the bloated military,
They prey on the hard-working citizenry.
Money wasted has led to an enormous debt,
New money we get, for service till our death,
The principal is a test, don’t forget the interest,
Can not pay for the rest, although we do our best.
Disbanding and replacing the Philippine military,
The money saved could, instead feed the hungry,
Take care of the street, and abandoned children,
Programs for society, ailing sisters and brethren.
Not just double, honey, it is an octuple WHAMMY,
The other saved money, we can stimulate the economy,
The displaced personnel of the Philippine military,
Could be soldiers instead, of the Philippine economy,
Acts inimical to interest of people and country,
They jeopardized the sovereignty of our territory,
Some members of the AFP, and PNP, you see,
They lack civility. No common courtesy.
Renegade forces in the AFP,
As well as those of the PNP,
With all their ability, and their artillery,
They pose a threat to government stability.
CORRUPTION by, and in the Philippine military,
Officers, rank-and-file of the AFP, PNP,
GOOGLE Search, research, all over for results,
Showed 194, 000 insults.
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES by the Philippine military,
Over 1 million insults, clearly added to injury,
Idle soldiers that prey, on the citizenry,
They must Face the jury, to relieve the fury, of my beloved country.
Our NATIONAL HEROES, captured, jailed, assassinated,
Philippine military, participated and collaborated,
Summarily killed by their own flesh and blood,
Incomprehensible, Unconscionable, Unfathomable, it’s sad.
With the history of abuses by the Philippine military,
Of corruption, of collaboration, of treachery and debauchery,
If this were the story, of a more enlightened country,
They would be disbanded, dismantled through eternity.
No sign of Red Coats, collaborators of Brit Regiments,
They were considered undesirable elements,
No Confederate Army here, no statue of Benedict there,
They’re neither here, nor there, nor anywhere.
The Philippine Scouts, and the Constabulary,
Predecessors of AFP, PNP, our own military,
VESTIGES of the Philippines’ colonial past,
Because of that, I just know they wouldn’t, shouldn’t last.
Close the Philippine Military Academy,
Make it into a, BAYANIHAN UNIVERSITY,
Close the colonial, neo-colonial chapters of history,
With a Colonial Heritage, Museum and Library.
Disband the AFP, also the PNP,
Dismantle the arbitrary, Philippine Military,
Replace with a FORCE , for PUBLIC SECURITY,
A COAST GUARD to secure, our sovereignty.
They are LEAN, they are MEAN, NATIONAL in origin,
Responsible, accountable, to ALL the Filipino people.
It’s High time, Right time, for truth, freedom, and excellence,
IF, AND ONLY IF, this is our time, of genuine independence.
EXPEDITO HERRERA CASTILLO, M.D.
The newspaper is actually “The Philippine Star”, as is evident in the website:
http://www.philstar.com/
The company is also “The Philippine Airlines”, as evident in the website:
http://www.philippineairlines.com/home/home.jsp
The term “Philippine”, in those names, is used as an adjective, as in, the Philippine Islands. The term “Philippines” is a noun.
In the phrase-names, the noun is Star, or Airlines, so it is proper to use the adjective “Philippine”, instead of another noun.
Below, are dictionaries defining the term “Philippine” as an adjective.
http://www.yourdictionary.com/philippine
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Philippine
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Philippine
The newspaper is actually “The Philippine Star”, as is evident in the website:
http://www.philstar.com/
The company is also “The Philippine Airlines”, as evident in the website:
www(dot)philippineairlines.com/home/home.jsp
The term “Philippine”, in those names, is used as an adjective, as in, the Philippine Islands. The term “Philippines” is a noun.
In the phrase-names, the noun is Star, or Airlines, so it is proper to use the adjective “Philippine”, instead of another noun.
Below, are dictionaries defining the term “Philippine” as an adjective.
www(dot)yourdictionary.com/philippine
www(dot)thefreedictionary.com/Philippine
dictionary.reference.com/browse/Philippine
tru blue, wala din naman sigurong country na mexican, african, american, di ba?
he he he, he probably never visits philstar.com. he so busy posting at cnn, pbs, msnbc, all foreign-based websites. i can’t wait to read his posts which must be gems of erudition and witticism that would surely enhance my surfing experience.
Mea culpa Sax. I can learn from you but not Shakepeare Isagani, este chameleon Artsee…it’s good you pointed it out vice the bitchevil, don’t want this Grammar Police scoring points courtesy of me, hehe…
So…how do you explain “Manila Times”, is Manila now an adjective here? Or China Airlines or Japan Airlines? Just curious.
“he so busy posting” – this phrase sounds chinese don’t you think Shakepeare? He so funny! He so shitty! Come on Grammar police, get it right…
My posts here or there are simple english, even the dumbest hick or a stupid White Supremacist will get my point.
You’re only on this thread and not commenting on other topics here cause you found a way to indulge me with your stupidity. Find another hobby.
“tru blue, wala din naman sigurong country na mexican, african, american, di ba?” – mpr
Antayin natin ang sagot ke Sister Sarah Palin. Did she mention Puerto Rico is a country? Even Africa to her is a country…..from someone who came close to being the most powerful woman in the US.
trublue:
You’ve got a point. Compound nouns can be either
1. Noun + noun = Toothpaste or Chicago Bulls;
2. Noun + adjective = Philippine Star
3. Noun + verb = haircut
So both Manila Times and Philippine Airlines are correct, each being a different type of compound noun.
ay salamat. alam na rin niya ang kaibahan ng noun sa adjective. akala ko sa elementarya pa lang alam na yan.
let me add to our grammar lessons:
philippine on its own is a proper noun. airlines on its own is a common noun. in philippine airlines, philippine becomes an adjective that describes airlines.
The fickle Shakespeare eh, nagtagalog na. You so shaky and you so corny. Ubos na bang inglis dyan. Uh oh, you attended elementary? Ciao….
Gentlemen:
Puwede bang mag-truce? Comment 44 pa yan ni Ellen. Isara na natin ito. Doon na tayo na mas makarneng mga sinulid.
OPEN LETTER TO F. SIONIL JOSE
Sa pamamagitan nitong blog ni Ms. Ellen, gusto ko rin sana maiparating ki Mr. Jose ang aking saloobin tungkol sa kanyang bukas na liham kay Noynoy.
Dear Mang Frankie,
Kung masama po ang loob niyo na natalo ang manok nyo, sana po huwag nyo naman ibaling kay Noynoy ang galit niyo. Palagay ko mas mabuti po kung ang isulat nyo na lang ay isang bukas na liham sa manok nyo kung bakit sa palagay nyo natalo siya. Yung pong matalim na pananalita o ang katalasan ng inyong pluma ay sana naman po huwag ninyong gamitin sa panlalait katulad ng panlalait nyo sa mag-asawang Ninoy at Cory. Pati yong yumaong tatay ni Ninoy di nyo man lang binigyan ng respeto bilang isang yumao. Akalain mo namang tawagin niyong traydor ang Lolo ni Noynoy. Ano po kaya ang silbi ng inpormasyon na yun sa pagiging isang halal na pangulo ni Noynoy? Ang aking sariling tatay po ay naging karpintero sa isang kampo ng mga Hapon nung WWII. Kami po ba ay dapat alipustain dahil dun? Napaka-galing nyo po talagang mag-sulat. Akalin niyong nagawa niyong manira ng kapwa pero ang dating ay parang nag-mumungkahi lang kayo? At ano ba naman yung mga magagandang mungkahi niyo? Ipakulong ang pumatay kay Ninoy; ipakulong si Imelda; “betray your class,” atbp.
Mang F. Sionil, mas maigi po sana kung yung mga natutunan nyo sa mahigit na walong dekada nyong pamamalagi sa mundong ito ay gamitin nyo sa pag-papaalala sa mga kababayan natin na ang tunay na landas sa pagbabago ay ang tayong mga mamayan ay mapag-matyag, at aktibong makilahok sa tinatawag na governance o pagpapa-lakad ng ating gobierno. Mang F. Sionil, kayo po ay isang manunulat na pinakikinggan ng maraming tao. Kayo po ay may di pangkaraniwang paraan na pagpapa-abot ng inyong opinion at pag-hubog sa kaisipan ng marami. Huwag naman pong sabihin na “you are just stating your opinion” dahil angat kayo sa nakararami sa galing ng pagsusulat at paraan ng pagpapa-kalat ng inyong opinion.
Alam nyo po Mang F. Sionil, kung wala kayong magandang sasabihin, puede din naman po kayong manahimik. Opinion din naman po ang pananahimik, di po ba? Ibalato nyo na lang po ang pang-iinsulto sa mga kapos o mababaw sa pag-iisip.
Marami pong salamat.
PS
Salamat din po kay Ma’am Ellen.
“Kung masama po ang loob niyo na natalo ang manok nyo, sana po huwag nyo naman ibaling kay Noynoy ang galit niyo.”
“Alam nyo po Mang F. Sionil, kung wala kayong magandang sasabihin, puede din naman po kayong manahimik. Opinion din naman po ang pananahimik, di po ba? Ibalato nyo na lang po ang pang-iinsulto sa mga kapos o mababaw sa pag-iisip.” mmmqx
Re-read F. Sionil’s letter one more time; and how “mmmqw” came to the conclusion F. Sionil was angry, insulted Noynoy is just beyond me.
@ tru blue
Kung ang Lolo ko tinawag na traydor, mai-insulto ako. Kung ang nanay ko ay naging presidente at sinabing disastro ang administrasyon niya, mai-insulto ako. Lolo at Nanay ko ‘ata yun. Kung ikaw okay lang sayo insultuhin ang Nanay at Lolo mo, bahala ka sa buhay mo. By the way, please focus na lang on your grammar war (mas may kabuluhan yata yun sayo). Huwag ka nang pumatol dito. Mas entertaining ka pa pag ganun ka.
mmqx MABUHAY KA!!!Saludo ako sayo.Pagpasensyahan nalang natin si LOLO,sa totoo lang simple ang tirada nya pero ROCK, ang sakit at nakakagigil pag ang nakabasa ay full-blooded maka NINOY at Corista na gaya ko,salamat ka LO’ kasi 80 yrs old na Inang ko at lab ko sya kaya di na ako galit sayo…
tru blue at isaganigatmaitan salamat sa inyong 2 pinasaya nyo ang hapon ko…likas na mahuhusay ang Pinoy…madami akong natutunan sa inyo…salamat!!!
Hah! Bat di mo balikan ang mga previous posts dito at ang daming batikos ki Cory and let me know why you’re only focused on F. Sionil’s good advise to Noy. There are more worst remarks posted here about the Aquino’s if you’ve paying attention or had been reading. Or better yet, let Ellen know bloggers and commenters alike are not allowed to say something about your Open Letter….tsl..tsk.
reply to babyluouie:
salamat at nasiyahan ka kahit paano. di tulad noong naaltapresyon sa akin, kung anu-ano na hula kung sino ako. naroong bitchevil, naroong fartsee, chameleon, white supremacist. tuliro na yata. hawak kasi sa kanan, diksiyunaryong amerikano at sa kaliwa libro ng gramatika. hehehe.
Me…..hi blood??? Just checked a few minutes ago……it’s 116/64.
That’s your usual antics, create kuno a new commenter and agrees with it…lumang tugtugin na yan. Commenters here are not that stupid….there’s maybe 10 or more of yourself lurking around in this blog, it’s not that difficult to figure out chameleons like you…tsk….tsk…..tsk. What a pathetic loony way to draw in a twisted happiness. Buhay nga naman….Pahinga ka na to lower your blood pressure.
Hahahaha…entertaining talaga. Ini-isip ko lang natatawa na ako, i.e. may hawak na diksyunaryong Amerikano sa kanang kamay, may libro ng gramatika sa kaliwa, tapos, tsini-tsek yung blood-pressure, sa harap ng computer habang nagke-key-in at nag research tungkol sa kung sino ba talaga si isaganigatmaitanat, the same time going back to the previous posts para lang may mai-dagdag na argumento sa komento. Nakakatawa talaga. Tulad ni babyluouie, pinasaya na naman ako ng comment ng isa dito. Pero nakaka-awa din.
Abah, buhay pa ang isang chameleon….paiyak-iyak lang kanina about sionil’s insulting writing daw, ngayon tuwang tuwa na naman sa sulat ng kapwa niya ahas, tsk..tsk..tsk. My BP is still normal, what’s yours? Haaay tung mga chameleons talaga…down to the basement na naman to stir the boiling pot…relax lang baka kayo masunog.