On women's day

Yesterday was Women's Day (in fact the whole month of March is Women's month in Negros) so this column wishes all of them the best of luck. Sometime ago, the women were not given adequate responsibility in running the affairs of mankind. Now, but not completely, our women are on the cutting edge of social movements, oftentimes more often than men. When I see Gabriela and like organizations march and shout slogans, I say to myself that, as long as there still groups that give a damn as to what is happening in this country, maybe not all is lost.

So let's let the women assume the levers of power --- in government and other aspects of society. Maybe they could do a better job than the "macho" males. I suspect that girls have more balls than boys. Let's keep that a secret. Again, more power to you gals. May your tribe increase.

* * *

Death does not cease wielding his scythe. I see that Pare Angel Lobaton died in the U.S. as per pages of this paper. Pare "Ange" is certainly the oldest member of the Negros Press Club. He died at 88. He was a president of the N.P.C. I remember the celebrated quarrel between Pare "Ange" and Alfio Locsin. They were in the verge of pummeling each other. Cooler heads intervened. Ange had a colorful life. He was a detective during the time my father was mayor. He became a publisher of a news weekly. He wrote a book entitled: "Bacolod, I love you." For years, Ange lived in California where he was active in Christian work.

To the family of Angel Fernandez Lobaton, the condolence of the writer.

* * *

I wrote a letter of appeal to my good friend Atty. Lorendo Dilag, City Adminstrator requesting his help in repairing the street passing by the back of the St. John's new building. The road goes on to the 10th and 11th Street.

I have provided my friend with a sketch of the area which becomes a swimming pool every time it rains. I confess I am including this matter for selfish reasons. I run the Pension Bacolod at the 11th Street. The Red Cross is also located at the 11th Street. When St. John closed the main road leading to the 10th and 11th Street, the problem was aggravated because vehicles are forced to traverse the problem area, on their way to the 10th and 11th Streets. This road has become a main artery used by lots of vehicles.

INDIA DIARY: If your go to Delhi, sooner or later, they'll bring you to Jama Masjid, India's biggest mosque. The experience is a neck-straining exercise, looking at those tall minarets reaching to the skies. The size of the courtyard produces awe --- the area could easily accommodate many thousands. As usual, you have to leave your shoes at the entrance (for a fee of course). But if you're a tight-wad, you can bring it inside. (The problem here is that your picture will show you holding your shoes, which is a bad reflection on your finances).

Anyway there we were, Fe, the guide and I, inside the monstrous mosque. There were Hindus praying before the altar. It difficult to sort out the Hindu gods but the major trinity is Brahman, Vishnu and Shiva. Every temple is supposed to be dedicated to one god and probably Jama Masjid (masjid is Arabic for temple) is dedicated to Brahma.

The Northern gate of the mosque looks into Chandni Chowk, once an imperial avenue where Emperor Shahjahan rode at the head of lavish cavalcades. This guy Shahjahan is a fantastic figure who built Taj Mahal, aside from Jama Masjid, The Red Fort, and other mind-boggling buildings. It's curious that tourists go to India to see its past glories although India now is famous for its industrial growth. (Correction: The India Gate was erected to the Indian dead so British dead need not apply.)

On the list of our guide was Raj Ghat, the place where Mahatma Gandhi was also buried amidst the flowers of a vast gorgeous garden. Gandhi was killed by assassins in 1948. The assassins were Hindu fanatics who disapproved of Gandhi's leniency to the Moslems. Gandhi was trying to integrate the two peoples with different religions. Some people will remember the book and also the movie "Five Hours to Rama" about the Gandhi assassination.

The tremendous regard of the Indians for their leader for Indian Independence from the British is reflected in their currency. I haven't seen anything like it but it appears that all the Indian money, 100 rupees, 50 rupees, 25 rupees carry the picture of Gandhi.

After the Gandhi visit, we went to the one of the most unusual temples of the Bahai religion. The temple was shaped like a lotus and from afar you would think that a giant planted a similar gigantic lotus flower that glinted under the afternoon sun. Fe suggested we go inside the temple but I said I'd like to have a memory of it from afar.

The other sights are Humayan's tomb, Qutub Minar, a perfect tower of the Persian world and other eye-stretching marvels. Of course we were brought to carpet shops, also selling souvenirs. This is where the salesmanship of the Indian is displayed in full flower. You are first shown how carpets are made, the pain-staking process, etc. Later the offer of sale which is bit difficult to refuse after a great cup of tea. If I didn't love my dollars more than the Indian carpet, I would be now be stepping on one.

In the afternoon, after lunch, we left, for Agra, site of the Taj Mahal, about 200 kilometers and six-hours away from Delhi.It will be dark when we arrive at Agra. I was hoping for a bright moon.*

back to top