Your Daily Word: Philippines

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A Dad's Letter to his Son

LIHAM NI NINOY KAY NOYNOY

August 25, 1973

Fort Bonifacio

11:30pm

Mr. Benigno S. Aquino III

P E R S O N A L

My dearest Son:

One of these days , when you have completed your studies I am sure you will have the opportunity to visit many countries. And in your travels you will witness a bullfight.

In Spanish bullfighting as you know, a man – the matador – is pitted against an angry bull.

The man goads the bull to extreme anger and madness. Then a moment comes when the bull, maddened, bleeding and covered with darts, feeling his last moment has come, stops rushing about and grimly turns his face on the man with the scarlet “muleta” and sword. The Spaniards call this “the moment of truth.” This is the climax of the bullfight.

This afternoon, I have arrived at my own moment of truth. After a lengthy conference with my lawyers, Senators Jovito R. Salonga and Lorenzo M. Tanada I made a very crucial and vital decision that will surely affect all our lives: mommie’s, your sisters’, yours and all our loved ones as well as mine.

I have decided not to participate in the proceedings of the Military Commission assigned to try the charges filed against me by the army prosecution staff. As you know, I’ve been charged with illegal possession of firearms, violation of RA 1700 otherwise known as the “Anti-Subversion Act” and murder.

You are still too young to grasp the full impact of my decision. Briefly: by not participating in the proceedings, I will not be represented by counsel, the prosecution will present its witnesses without any cross examinations, I will not put up any defense, I will remain passive and quiet through the entire trial and I will merely await the verdict. Inasmuch as it will be a completely one-sided affair, I suppose it is reasonable to expect the maximum penalty will be given to me. I expect to be sentenced to imprisonment the rest of my natural life, or possibly be sent to stand before a firing squad. By adopting the course of action I decided upon this afternoon, I have literally decided to walk into the very jaws of death.

You may ask: why did you do it?

Son, my decision is an act of conscience. It is an act of protest against the structures of injustice that have been imposed upon our hapless countrymen. Futile and puny, as it will surely appear to many, it is my last act of defiance against tyranny and dictatorship.

You are my only son. You carry my name and the name of my father. I have no material wealth to leave you. I never had time to make money while I was in the hire of our people.

For this I am very sorry. I had hopes of building a little nest egg for you. I bought a ranch in Masbate in the hope that after ten or fifteen years, the coconut trees I planted there would be yielding enough to assure you a modest but comfortable existence.

Unfortunately, I had to sell all our properties as I fought battle after political battle as a beleaguered member of the opposition. And after the last battle, I had more obligations than assets.

The only valuable asset I can bequeath to you now is the name you carry. I have tried my best during my years of public service to keep that name untarnished and respected, unmarked by sorry compromises for expediency. I now pass it on to you, as good, I pray, as when my father, your grandfather passed it on to me.

I prepared a statement which I intend to read before the military commission on Monday at the opening of my trial. I hope the commission members will be understanding and kind enough to allow me to read my statement into the record. This may well be my first and only participation in the entire proceedings.

In this statement, I said: Some people suggested that I beg for mercy from the present powers that be. Son, this I cannot do in conscience. I would rather die on my feet with honor, than live on bended knees in shame.

Your great grandfather, Gen. Servilliano Aquino was twice condemned to death by both the Spaniards and the American colonizers. Fortunately, he survived both by a twist of fate.

Your grandfather, my father was also imprisoned by the Americans because he loved his people more than the Americans who colonized us. He was finally vindicated. Our ancestors have shared the pains, the sorrows and the anguish of Mother Filipinas when she was in bondage.

It is a rare privilege for me to join the Motherland in the dark dungeon where she was led back by one of her own sons whom she lavished with love and glory.

I ended my statement thus: I have chosen to follow my conscience and accept the tyrant’s revenge.

It takes little effort to stop a tyrant. I have no doubt in the ultimate victory of right over wrong, of evil over good, in the awakening of the Filipino.

Forgive me for passing unto your young shoulders the great responsibility for our family. I trust you will love your mother and your sisters and lavish them with the care and protection I would have given them.

I was barely fifteen years old when my father died. His death was my most traumatic experience. I loved and hero-worshipped him so much, I wanted to join him in his grave when he passed away. But as in all sorrows, eventually they are washed away by the rains of time.

In the coming years, I hope you will study very hard so that you will have a solid foundation on which to build your future. I may no longer be around to give you my fatherly advice. I have asked many of your uncles to help you along should the need arise and I pray you will have the humility to drink from their fountain of experiences.

Look after your two younger sisters with understanding and affection. Viel and Krissy will need your umbrella of protection for a long time. Krissy is still very young and fate has been most unkind to both of us. Our parting came too soon. Please make up for me. Take care of her as I would have taken care of her with patience and warm affection.

Finally, stand by your mother as she stood beside me through the buffeting winds of crisis and uncertainties firm and resolute and uncowed. I pray to God, you inherit her indomitable spirit and her rare brand of silent courage.

I had hopes of introducing you to my friends, showing you the world and guide you through the maze of survival. I am afraid, you will now have to go it alone without your guide.

The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience.

There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.

Son, the ball is now in your hands.

Lovingly,

Dad

P-Noy,

My only prayer is for you to live up to your Dad's hopes and expectations. I pray that you live up to the hopes and promises you given the Filipino people. I pray you'd live up to the expectations of the people who voted you.

May God Bless You and May God just use you MIGHTILY for HIS glory!

-Mikes Sumondong

Happy Independence Day Philippines!

I am Proud to be Filipino!

Magkaisa by Virna Lisa

Happy Independence Day Philippines!

Panatang Makabayan | Happy Independence Day 2010

There is now a new version of the Panatang Makabayan but I prefer to post the old version as I think (even though it's longer), it's full of love and patriotism.

Panatang Makabayan ng Pilipinas: old (original) version

Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas.
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan.
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi.
Ako’y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan,
Upang maging malakas, maligaya at kapakipakinabang.

Bilang ganti ay diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang.
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan.
Tutuparin ko ang tungkulin ng isang mamamayang makabayan at masunurin sa batas.

Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan nang walang pag-iimbot at nang buong katapatan.
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino,
sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.

I just came from the Asia Conference and one of the great things I've learned was the teaching of A.R. Bernard about us created in the likeness of God and that we truly are the Image of God. And because of that we become Better Christians, Better People, Better Citizens. In my case, Better Filipinos.

It's almost our Independence Day and I want to take this chance to refresh all of us with our Philippine Patriotic Oath (Panatang Makabayan). Even though there had been several changes with it (e.g. newer version and it being no longer required after the singing of the National Anthem), I think though that we as Citizens of Heavn (being children of God) we ought to be blessings to our Country as well while we're still here on Earth.

Let's all take this time to remember to pray for our nation. With the new president, let us pray that our nation will soon see More Job Opportunities, Improvement in the Economy, Lesser Corruption, Fair Judicial System, Healthy Government, and Happy People. Let us pray that God will remember, heal and bless our nation!

Let the change start from us.

Whoever Wins, I'm Behind Him in Prayer

To be honest I voted for Eddie Villanueva because I think that with the Fear of the Lord, he surely can bring this nation to the change it has been longing to achieve for a long time. But God's Plan is beyond and above my decisions and choices no matter how biblical and logical they may be. Here's my declaration: "I know God is up to something good for this nation. He knows what he's doing."

Right now with votes starting to pile up and returns starting to be counted, we start to see a clearer picture on who will lead this country in the next 6 years. It maybe Eddie Villanueva (honestly a part of me is still hoping even though impossible) or Noynoy who's currently leading or even Erap (even if I really hope not), I will still be behind him in PRAYER!

Romans 13:1-2 (New King James Version)

Submit to Government

¹ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

What can we learn from this?

1. Our government are appointed by GOD himself! The next President has been pre-planned by God himself. And talking about His plan, it will always be GOOD. Yes, even if they allegedly cheated. It doesn't change the fact that ALL these are within God's plan. It's the devil's works, you would say but remember even if the evil would mean it for bad, God can tweak it for Good according to his sovereignty.

2. We are to be subject to our government. Our duty is to support and pray. No, I'm not saying we don't stand up for the wrong things our government might do. My point is as the new President starts his term, we're at his back as one nation pushing him, supporting him towards our development.

3. How easy is it to say bad things about our government. I too am guilty of it especially to the GMA administration. I won't start reasoning why I did it because it can be reasonable. But back to the Bible, if we resist our government we only don't bring judgment on them but to ourselves as well. Which really just makes sense! if we continue to curse our government and be hopeless for them then it's like we're really just talking to ourselves and cursing our very selves.

As this Election ends, let's put this to heart: We may have different colors before the Election, we must be united though after it. Supporting the one who's been chosen not by people but by God himself.

Whoever Wins, I'm Behind Him in Prayer. I hope you too!

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