Evil flourishes only if…

We have all the reasons to be happy in Bacolod. Our people are volunteering themselves to be of help to the community.

I was viewing over television the program of Bantay Baha and have been impressed by their advocacy. If we have people of this kind, we can have a better city.

There are two other groups, the Bantay Banwa and the Christian Businessman. They are all self-effacing. And I don’t see political agenda in them. Very clearly, they are all of help to Bacolod.

I don’t want to mention names because I do not want to miss some. I know they are there, not for publicity but for pure service. And they are spending their own money.

Let me stand in attention and salute you people. Like Abou Ben Adhem, may your tribe increase.

In this world, evil flourishes, only because good men do nothing.

* * *

I am not excluding the civic clubs, Rotary, Lions, Jaycees and many others. They have their own groups that do something, too.

And individuals who do their share for the people. We fight corruption in government? We all must rally in that fight. But, on ourselves, let us do our share, to make our community a beautiful place to live in. That way, we fight corruption.

One example, I was listening over the radio of complaints that at the Silay airport, tricycles charge P100 from the airport to the city proper. A short distance. That’s too much. Taxis charge P500 to Bacolod. Too much also. That’s “international standard”? Costs are in dollars.

And I got a written complaint of the lack of push carts.

There is corruption here by officials of the airport.

Taxis and tricycles charge high because there is exclusivity. And exclusivity means they are paying fees.

And we cannot rely on our politicians to lead that fight because of the involvement of many of them in some corruption, they have lost their moral authority.

* * *

I call on our Christian businessmen to put up a big billboard at the Silay airport. The billboard says, “Be Honest. Even if others are not. Even if others cannot. And even if others will not.”

Well, of course, Bantay Banwa is already very popular. But what impressed me with Bantay Baha is that they are not just fighting floods but also promoting environmental issues.

You people should be loved by God because you love your fellowmen.

Abou Ben Adhem, a poem by Leigh Hunt, speaks of a Muslim Abou who woke up one night in a great dream of peace. He saw an angel writing in a book of gold. Abou asked what was she writing and the angel answered, the names of those who love the Lord.

Is mine one? asks Abou. “Nay, not so,” said the angel. But Abou said, he loves his fellow men. Then the angel vanished and came back the next night.

Is mine there now? he asks. Yes, his name leads all the rest.

* * *

Wednesday, we were guests in the poetry reading at La Salle on the invitation of Ms Christina Navarro, head of the English department.

We were with our fellow media man Modi Sa-onoy. It was very interesting. Eight students led by English teacher Arnel Cristales read English poems. Six students led by another English teacher Jonathan Davila read Ilonggo poems, written by them.

The Ilonggo poems were very popular that both Modi and myself also read our own Ilonggo poems. Ilonggos have a poetic heart and mind. Years ago, there was “lo a” or short four-liner poem about anything that is funny.

These were during the wake to entertain the bereaved family. Dr. Amorita Rabuco of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo has a book on this.

Jonathan Davila recited one, “Didto sa amon sa Ilog,/ May kapri ga katulog,/ Pinitik  ko ang iya itlog,/ Daw lingganay katunog.” (In our place in Ilog, there was a sleeping ogre,/ I struck his balls/ And they rang like bells.)

I contributed two, recited in the “belasyon”. Says a girl, “Rosas nga rosas, rosas nga kamantigue,/ Soltero nga wala nobya, agi.” (Rose of kamantigue, a boy without a girl friend is gay.)

And the boy answers, “Rosas nga rosas, rosas nga kamantolan,/ Ang dalaga wala nobyo,/ Ga mantinir sang ulonan.” (Rose of kamantolan/ A girl without a boy friend satisfies herself only with a pillow.)

Jonathan Davila promoted this project when in Iloilo he witnessed a contest of the binalaybay (Ilonggo poems).

We used to have a Sumakwelan. There’s none now.

Two well known Ilonggo writers, novelists, and poets were the late Gov. Conrado Norada of Miagao, Iloilo and Atty. Ramon Muzones of Lambunao. When they were alive and especially Norada, when he came to Bacolod, he always came to the house.

Norada is good, not just in the written Ilonggo. He was very fluent and eloquent in the language, too. You should hear him proclaim a muse.

We have been losing our own heritage, the Ilonggo poetry.*

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