Lozada ‘kidnap' –
déjà vu of Ninoy Aquino le

The disappearance of Rodolfo Lozada Jr. at the Terminal I of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila fills most of us with a sense of déjà vu. That was the same thing that had happened to Ninoy when he was gunned down at the NAIA on his arrival from Taipei . Then, as now, nobody saw what actually happened although thousands witnessed the incident.

That confirms the reason for the US Federal Aviation Administration's downgrading of the country's airports and airlines. The most secure facility of the country again has become the scene of a kidnapping and disappearance. An unimaginable incident, considering the reportedly tight security at the airport.

Lozada could not have engineered it himself. Otherwise, he would not have sent that cryptic message – “I have been kidnapped” – to his brother and then abruptly cut off after saying that he had been taken out of town.

Until now, the Aquino assassination has remained unsolved. The mastermind remains unknown. And that was a killing that was witnessed by thousands of well wishers.

Only in the Philippines !!

* * *

Yesterday, we, Filipino Catholics, celebrated Ash Wednesday. This ushers in the 40-day Lenten Season.

For most of us, what is important is that we have our foreheads imposed the ashes of the Palm Sunday palms. That means that we enter into the period of sacrifices, mortification and repentance. The ashes usually remained emblazoned on our foreheads to remind all and sundry that we have done what we were supposed to do.

But the ashes do not remind us solely that we die and return to the soil or dust, as most call it. But it is merely an external symbol of our commitment to repentance our past misdeeds and a change of life.

But the real essence of the entire exercise for us to do the things that we often neglected in the past. To change our lives and live according to the tenets of Christ. And what do these mean?

God does not demand from us a dramatic 180 degrees turnover of our lives. He knows that is impossible without His help.

We often remember during the Lenten period about the poor. In short, giving alms to the needy. As if that were the only thing that matters. No, the Beatitudes speak of the poor in spirit. In short, even the materially poor can also be spiritually so. And the very rich can also be spiritually full.

So what do we do? Simple, if we feel like it, give to the poor and the needy. There are so many of them. But, at the same time, do not neglect the more important thing – evangelize them. No, not give them lectures on how they should comport themselves. Rather, just share with them the love of God. Give them the comforting awareness that no matter what their sins, God loves them and will save them if they just repent of the misdeeds that they have done.

But who am I to discuss these religious things? We should devote ourselves to listen to the Gospel messages and the Epistles for the next 40 days. Perhaps, we might find ourselves helped into changing our lives to something better – the way Christ would have wanted us to do.

Or, as pointed out by one mystic writer, view the world through the eyes of Christ. A tall order. But, with God's grace, not impossible.

* * *

Kung Hei Fat Choi. Today we join the Tsinoys celebrate the Chinese New Year. A testimonial to the fact that we have assimilated as well as the Fil-Chinese integrated Chinese and Filipino cultures and values.

But while we are rejoicing with our Filipino-Chinese brothers, yesterday, there was a major uproar among residents and office goers along Sixth Street going to MacDonald's.

This was the establishment of red-colored tents, purportedly to serve as vendors' tents, along the parking areas. And there was the prohibition against parking along the street.

Of course, later there was grudging admission by Diotay Lopue that there was a failure to transmit the letters to the officers and residents about that reported ordinance. But the problem was that the office-goers and the residents just found about it when they were confronted by a fait accompli.

The city government reportedly had passed the ordinance which included closing the street except as one-day. But then, the city government should have gone out of its way to inform the residents and the offices therein and should have consulted them beforehand about the project.

Just shows us how the city officials disregard the ordinary people when trying to please a section of the community.

And that reminds me also of an ugly sight. Narra extension going toward the Chinese Temple was supposed to have been declared off-limits to Escalante-bound minibuses. But every day since two weeks ago, I still see several of them parked there. Not only that, jeepneys also congregate in the area to pick up passengers.*

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