Bag-ong Bidlisiw

Pecojon Training

2007-09-28T15:23:00.000+08:00

The Pecojon announced recently a call for application to its sponsored Conflict Journalism Seminar slated 12-15 october 2007 in Davao City.

I faxed to Pecojon office my application days before the 28 September 2007 deadline. I hope I will be accepted in this training. Pecojon will announce the result on 3 October 2007.

A summit for peace

2007-07-26T08:28:00.000+08:00

Here’s a piece I sent to City Forum, a monthly newsmagazine published by Airpinoy Media Communications, Advertising and Entertainment Ventures, Inc.:

A summit for peace

By RAUL G. MOLDEZ
Staff Writer

CAGAYAN DE ORO—NATIONAL security officials and local government executives from various parts of Mindanao converged in this City recently for the two-day Mindanao Peace and Security Summit, July 9-10, 2007, held at the posh Pryce Plaza Hotel. The hastily-called conclave was held five days before the nationwide implementation of the anti-terror law.

Critics despised the holding of the summit, saying it was only for Mindanao as there was no announcement of similar summit for Luzon and Visayas. They also hit the government for disguising it as a public consultation of the ant-terror law as there was no wide participation of the general public in that two-day summit.

Instead, military division commanders and regional police chiefs around Mindanao were present during the summit. A check made by MindaNews, an online publication, revealed that the Summit had a token participation from the non-government sector. From a guest list of 239 participants, MindaNews reported that only 11 were invited—two from the religious sector, a Catholic archbishop and a Protestant pastor; two from the business sector; two from the academe and five from non-governmental organizations.

Curiously, the Commission on Human Rights, a vital agency that would ensure the protection of human rights in the implementation of the Human Security Act, was not in the list of invited agencies. In contrast, the National Security Council listed a 41-person secretariat, the MindaNews reported.

During the summit, the participants were divided into five groups for the workshops: Upholding Human Rights and the Rule of Law; Culture of Peace; Denying Support to Terrorists; Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Drive; and Enhancing Crisis Management Structures and Institutions.

At the culmination of the Summit which centered on the theme “Peace and Security: Our Legacy to the Filipino People”, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo rallied Mindanaoans to become active partners of government in fighting criminality, terrorism and poverty to ensure the continuous development of the war-torn island of Mindanao.

"From this summit, let us strive to create a mass movement of Mindanaoans actively engaged in fighting crimes, terrorism, and poverty," the President said.

Before the President delivered her address, a five-point resolution aimed at combating criminality and terrorism was presented to her, containing the participants' consensus to uphold human rights and the rule of law, promote the culture of peace, deny support to terrorists, strengthen counter-terrorism drive, and enhance crisis management mechanisms and institutions. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the City’s 2nd District presented the five-point resolution to the President. “The reason why I was asked to present the results of the summit workshop is because the President is a Mindanaoan. We are from Mindanao. We are her children. I am her prodigal son. And the prodigal son is very eager to go home,” Congressman Rodriguez said, eliciting a pleasing smile from the President.

“It is our profound conviction that the national peace policy should be made permanent regardless of the leadership in the Administration and Congress and that the priority of development programs in conflict-affected areas will create a positive investment climate and create equal opportunities for Mindanaoans,” Rodriguez who read the MDPS, said.

In response to the five-point resolution, the President ordered the increased security of vital power and transport facilities in Mindanao.

"Let us begin the implementation of the Human Security Act by using it as a tool to prevent all these multibillion-peso hydroelectric dams and power grids from being whacked by terrorists," the President pointed out.

The President said she also ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to find ways to grant the wish of summit participants to increase to 30-percent the share of Mindanao from the national budget.

For a start, the President said she would ask Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to pour in 30 percent of DA’s budget for farm-to-market roads in Mindanao. The President has also directed the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) to provide its property in Davao City as the new home of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

On the five-point resolution, the President said she would task Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza to ensure that the objectives of the resolution are carried out.

President Arroyo said he administration will invest in peace and order, conduct economic and political reforms, and strengthen the institutions of government to ensure that civil rights and social justice are also available to all Filipinos.

"We must weed out corruption, stop political violence and build a strong system of justice that people can trust," the President stressed.

She added: "We must all band together as a people and as public servants to stop this violence once and for all."

"If you are armed and kill innocent civilians, you will be tracked down and prosecuted. If you are a communist terrorist, we will stop you. If you are a religious terrorist, we will stop you. If you are a rogue element of our own police or military, we will stop you," the President warned.

The President said her administration would not stop working until lasting peace in Mindanao is achieved, adding that the country’s model for reconciliation is built on the construction of roads, bridges and schools, investments to shore up the local economy, and interfaith dialogue. *

MARKINGS IN THE DUST

2007-06-07T13:58:00.000+08:00

MY poem ‘Markings in the Dust’ appeared in the May 2007 issue of Red River Review. This is a fully electronic literary journal edited by Bob McCranie, one of the founding members of the Dallas Poets Community. Bob is the former editor of both The Dallas Review and the UT-Dallas student journal, Sojourn. In January of 1994, Bob received his Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Vermont College. He has recently published poetry in New Texas 2002 and has work forthcoming in Bay Windowsand the anthology "New Dudes - Gents, Badboys, and Barbarians II" (Windstorm Creative Press). He has previously published work in A&U -America's AIDS Magazine, RFD, Bay Windows, MindPurge, Nightfire, Contexas, the University of Southwestern Louisiana Chapbook, PIF Magazine, CleanSheets and The James White Review. Bob won the 1992 John Z. Bennett Award for Poetry from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and was a finalist in the 2002 Inkwell Press poetry prize.

The journal’s masthead says: The purpose of this journal is to publish quality poetry using the latest technology. Red River Review is a journal for poets serious enough to have studied the craft of writing and for readers who enjoy being stirred and moved by language.

Here’s my poem:

Markings In The Dust

Nothing provides him shade. So
the scorching heat of April sun
tans his skins he looks like
a dressed life-size bronze statue.
Sweat marinates his body
and soaks his red t-shirt.

He smells of the sun.
At the roadside,
getting dustier each day
due to the absence of rain,
he peddles Sweepstakes tickets.
Leaning against the concrete fence

of the school run by nuns,
he repeatedly announces
that the draw will be on Sunday,
as if reciting a litany of praise.
But it seems his voice
is just a whisper no passersby

dares looking at him.
The booklet is still intact.
At late afternoon,
his foot trembles, his leg hardens
due to the pressure of his weight.
It’s good enough the two shafts

suspended under his armpits
are made of hardwood.
By sunset, he goes home
leaving in the dust
a single trace of slipper mark
and a hole on each side.

Poetry reading

2007-03-13T10:59:00.000+08:00

NINDOT ang reaksyon sa katawhan--kadaghanan nga tinun-an ug magtutudlo sa Xavier University--sa gihimong Balaki ko Day/Dong, usa ka poetry reading didto sa XU Little Theater niadtong Pebrero 13, 2007, bisperas gayod sa Adlaw sa Kasingkasing. Nakaingon kong nindot tungod kay moukyab man sila kon balak nang binisaya ang pagabasahon.

Usa ako sa mingbasa og balak. Ang akong gibasa mao ang akong kaugalingong obra nga "Sa karaang casa". Kini nga balak kabahin sa pungpong sa mga balak nga nahukmang mananaog sa Ikatulong Ganti sa 2006 Bathalad-Cebu Literary Awards.

Akong mainitong pasalamat kang Arlene J. Yandug sa iyang pagdapit kanako aron mahimong kabahin sa maong halandomong kalihokan.

Hinaot lain pang susamang kalihokan ang pasiugdahan ni Arlene ug mga kauban.

Tuod, si Arlene usa usab ka creative writer ug napatikan nag balak sa mga nasodnong magasin. Nagtudlo siyag creative writing ug literature subjects sa Xavier University.

Dads back bail for Erap

2007-01-04T14:31:00.000+08:00

Here's a story I filed for The Manila Newsweek:

Dads back bail for Erap

By RAUL G. MOLDEZ
Correspondent

CAGAYAN DE ORO.--THE City Council here had joined other civil society groups in calling on the government to release detained former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada or allow him to post bail while awaiting the verdict of the Sandiganbayan on plunder charges that remained unproven after almost six years of trial.

During its regular session on Dec. 27, 2006 presided by Acting Vice Mayor Juan Sia, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 8333-2006, expressing its support for the release of Estrada or for him to be allowed to post bail pending verdict on the plunder charges filed against the former President.

Estrada “has shown unswerving adherence to the rule of law and he has show no indication whatsoever of fleeing the country to escape justice”, the resolution read in part.

Sia said the release of Estrada from prison may unify the nation and end the raging climate of hate engulfing the country.

“The national leadership has been time and again espousing national reconciliation among various political units and former President Estrada’s freedom may be the medicine to heal the wounds of the nation,” read one of the whereases of the resolution.

Sia said copies of the resolution will be furnished to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez and Sandiganbayan executive clerk of court Emma Rosario Lorbes for their appropriate and favorable action.

Earlier, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said he was spearheading the signing of the Covenant of Unity among top government officials, business and religious leaders who have consistently pressed the government to release Estrada from prison for the sake of national reconciliation.

He said Estrada’s release “appears to be the missing link in the journey toward national reconciliation.”

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it is strongly supporting the Covenant of Unity, saying that the release of Estrada from detention pending court resolution “is a giant step in the path toward political peace and national reconciliation especially at the onset of the New Year.”

Lawyer Miguel Varela, PCCI chairman, pointed out the Covenant of Unity “is seen to lift a huge barrier to national unity and reconciliation.”

He said releasing Estrada “would be a top-drawer in the Philippine political cauldron that is being swept by hate and political squabbling that pulls all plugs stopping the inflow of both foreign and local investments.”

New fair market values, building permit fees

2006-11-24T16:15:00.000+08:00

I ATTENDED the public hearing regarding the proposed fair market values and new building permit fees and other charges Thursday morning held at the Cagayan de Oro City Tourism Hall. Below is the story I filed for our daily newsflyer, The Power:

It’s fair enough, Kagay-anons
say of new fair market values
By Raul G. Moldez

THE City Council assured Kagay-anons it will take note and consider their reactions, suggestions and comments on the proposed new schedule of fair market values and building permit fees and other charges.

At the public hearing Thursday morning at the City Tourism Hall, Vice Mayor Michelle Tagarda-Spiers said the adoption of both schedules is long overdue, even as she thanked civic groups, nongovernment organizations, landowners, developers, barangay officials, regional offices and other sectors for attending the public consultation.

“It is not only mandated by law. It is long overdue,” she said, stressing that under the 1991 Local Government Code, local government units are mandated to revise fair market values every three years. “Since 1997, there were no changes. We should have done three revisions already.”

“If you compare Cagayan de Oro City between 1997 and 2006, there is a world of difference. Cagayan de Oro has boomed, bloomed and blossomed so much,” the vice mayor pointed out.

Vice Mayor Spiers said the adoption of the new fair market values is necessary to enable the city to “keep pace with the changes” of time.

“We will consider your proposals before we will finally approve the schedule,” she added.

City Assessor Atinodoro Asequia pointed out that under Sections 219 and 212 of RA 7160, also known as the 1991 Local Government Code, each LGU is authorized to revise fair market value schedule every three years.

In the proposed schedule, the City Assessor claimed that the increase is very minimal.

Based on the figures presented by the City Assessor, the increase is pegged at the average of 20-percent from the existing rates, except in posh housing subdivisions.

“The increase is arrived at after making consultations with the realtors and other sectors. It is fair, just and reasonable,” Asequia said, adding that the valuation is based on the actual use.

Assessment officials said the city’s assessment level is lower than Cebu’s and Iligan’s.

Barangay kagawad Camilo Sario of Bugo said the new valuation is fair enough. “It means 2 percent a year,” he said, referring to the number of years the city had not effected changes in the fair market value.

After the presentation of the fair market values by the City Assessor, officials of the City Building Office presented the new schedule of building permit fees and other charges based on the new provisions of the IRR of the National Building Code.

The public hearing was presided by Councilor Juan Sia, chair of the City Council committee on finance, and attended by Vice Mayor Spiers, Councilors Maryanne Enteria, Reynaldo Advincula, Ian Mark Nacaya, Alexander Dacer, Caesar Ian Acenas and Alfonso Goking.*

THE THRILL

2006-11-18T23:16:00.000+08:00

(For Raul Joshua)

I toss you into the air. And,
for a second, you dwell at the
highest level of my throwing.

The air though
mild as Standard’s No. 1
is strong enough for you.

It lifts up the edge of your
white Hanes T-shirt given by
Ninong Noli on your birthday.

The entire family
sees your protruding navel,
hears the swell of your giggle.

On your way down
into my arms,
your Mama photographs us.

The photo captures all
the elements of thrill—
your chuckle bares a tooth.

Your breath moves the air.
And I remember Papa.
He once told me

I was a hyper-active child, always
seeking to be up in the air.
Now, I realize this:

The thrill is not in the air.
It’s in the arms down below
functioning like safety nets.

(Published in Ani 31 Literary Journal)

Memoirs Of a Bogus President

2006-11-06T23:08:00.000+08:00

One day
somewhere
I put into words
my grievances
against myself
hoping
in the squatters area
the people will read them
and discover
through the aid of streetlights
and in the midst of commotion
between policemen and hold-uppers
between policemen and protesters
between policemen and nationalists
between policemen and activists
between policemen and oppositionists
that I grabbed the power
one day
somewhere
so I can repeat
my country’s history.

No I.D., No Entry

2006-11-06T23:01:00.000+08:00

-in memory of my Uncle Rudy, a security guard

He is the most respectful man in the building.
He politely greets every man and woman,
either in camisa de chino or in Armani suits.
He opens the door for them. He does not sport
a moustache or ponytail. In his job, they are a taboo.
On the chest of his blue uniform, there are insignias.
On the right, his agency; on the left, his name,
which is at times covered by a walkie-talkie.
He is neither a soldier nor a police officer.
Yet he has a sidearm, with dozens of reserved bullets
on his belt. His .38 caliber pistol is silvery shiny.
But I have not yet pulled its trigger off, he says.
He does not even know whether it is functional,
enough for him to tell me it is made by Smith and Wiggle.

MGA BANGAW SA BAG-ONG PANAHON

2006-11-02T14:28:00.000+08:00

Nga ayha ra ka makaaninaw og bangaw
human sa dakong lunop, ayawg tuo.
Hinuon, kaniadtong lunhaw pa
ang kalibotan, ang maong tinuohan
naghambin og kamatuoran. Kahinumdom
ka sa sugilanon ni Noah? Apan karon

nga ang mga gaway sa globalisasyon
nagkawaykaway, uyon sa ritmo
sa presyong gidikta sa OPEC, GATT
ug WTO, makakitag kag bangaw
bisan unsang taknaa. Motuo ka?
Unsaon man? Sayon ra. Pagpalit

og gasolina maski usa ka kutsara,
apan ayaw imna basin mokirig ka.
Pagkuhag planggana, sudlig tubig
ayaw pun-a. Ihuwad ang gasolina.
Tan-awa unsay molakra? Tutoki
sa imong kalimutaw. Di ba bangaw?

Ug kini ang di matuis nga kamatuoran:
Ang mga buslot sa oil depots wa gipilot.
Busa may nakalusot, midagayday. Karon,
ang kasubaan ug kadagatan sa mga bangaw
gikuninitan. Way duda, ang kinaiyahan
napanamastamasan. Hahay Pastilan!

_____
First Prize winner, 2006 Bathalad-Mindanao Literary Awards-Cebuano Poetry Category

COMMON SCENE WHEN DIAPERS AND URINE BAGS WERE NOT YET INVENTED

2006-10-29T15:21:00.000+08:00

When the clock’s short
and long hands aligned at twelve
the second time around in a day,
the man with a catheter
roused his wife, telling her
he wanted to move his bowels.

She held the catheter, helped him
maneuver his bony thighs
into a sitting position on the bowl.
His penis wedged straight up,
releasing into the tube crimson
fluid out of its engorged head,
like a maya feeding between his legs.

He punctuated each bowel movement
by burying his face in her chest,
shutting down his eyes in pain.

_________
(Published in Ani 31 Literary Journal)

TALIDHAY SA TING-ULAN

2006-10-29T14:47:00.000+08:00

Ang panahon sa kwaresma
Maoy akong kapungtan
Kay bation kog kainit sa lawas
Singot way puas
Sa akong panit manggawas.

Apan kon panahon
Gani sa ting-ulan
Ako mokiat, motalidhay
Maglipay buntagay
Bahala nag masuko
Mga silingan kong hingatulgon.

Hinuon, kinahanglan kong magbantay
Kay dunay mga tawo
Nagtinguha kanako pagpatay.
Lamian kuno kog karne kay sa manok.
Aw, tan-awon lang nato
Kon kinsang mga mata ang mosulikat
Human makatilaw sa akong unod.
Wala sila masayod nga makahilo kong dako.

American Frog ko do!

(First published in Sun.StarCebu Weekend, June 8, 2003)

MY BEDROOM MATE

2006-10-29T14:44:00.000+08:00

MY WIFE GLO AND SON RAUL ZURIEL

2006-10-29T14:40:00.000+08:00

CLASS REUNION AT THE BEACH

2006-10-27T11:38:00.000+08:00

The silver year arrives at last,
appears past us like the wind.
Its coming is marked with lines
tattooed in our faces by time.

Survivors of squalls in life,
we splinter into smaller groups.
Then each of us recites a litany
of mysteries that go with ages.

At the corner, under the shade
of Talisay trees, whose twigs
bop to the whip of Habagat,
five tables stand, heavily laden

with good stuffs ready to cure
the cramping of our hunger.
The murmur of the waves kissing
the shore is like our wild defiance

when our teacher ordered us
to memorize Panatang Makabayan.
Here the space of time is warm
yet only the jars of punch juice sweat.

(Note: First published in Philippine Panorama, January 1, 2006)

A SHORT POEM FOR JOSHUA

2006-10-27T10:11:00.000+08:00

(My eldest son Raul Joshua was born on July 17, 1999)

I thought of gifting you kites
on your birthday. Three kites—
small, medium, large.

All in red—the color of love.
But it seems kites are unfit
For you are still three:

Lilliputian yet to hold the cords.
So what must I give you?
Paper boats with matching tag

M/V Happy Birthday my son?
Color or animal charts, Nintendo
or a small mountain bike?

I am undecided yet, Joshua.

(Note: This poem is part of my first poetry collection, A DAY IN A POET'S LIFE AND OTHER POEMS, published by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts through its Ubod: New Authors Series)

37TH U. P. NATIONAL WRITERS WORKSHOP

2006-10-27T09:57:00.000+08:00

SEARCHLIGHT

2006-10-27T09:46:00.000+08:00

I cast safety over the quadrangle. And
flash away light to assist watchmen
in crippling inmates from going out.

I scan every nook and cranny, sweep
the horizon to extinguish the dark
that solicits blueprint for an escape.

Every night, I elongate my leg.
But I cannot stretch it far enough.
I have not kicked a barbwire yet.

(First appeared in Philippine Panorama, August 28, 2005)

TWO POEMS

2006-10-27T09:39:00.000+08:00

A KITE’S FATE

Above me, the sun.
Beneath me, the trees.
Birds give way to me
as I savor the wind.

Here, hot and cold mix.
The atmosphere is lukewarm.
My shirt is cellophane.
I feel sweltering here.

I’m a jet. I’m a plane.
I’m a bird out of cage.
But I am not free.
Below, a kid controls me.

OLD DINING TABLE

We should replace it now, honey.
Look, it is too small for us.
[Our children are no more kids.
They want their own chairs, places.]

Its legs are tired battling with scars
of wounds inflicted by cribs, strollers,
and of unscrupulous shoes, boots.
“What do you think, honey?”

(Note: These two poems are forthcoming in Homelife Magazine)

TAKING MY OATH AS BATHALAD MEMBER

2006-10-27T09:25:00.000+08:00

OUR HOUSE

2006-10-27T08:17:00.000+08:00

Our house is the smallest
in the village under the bridge.
It’s a unique house
because it has no roof,
only walls, which is made

of cartons and rice sacks.
At night we see the stars.
And see them disappear
each time morning light comes
and the sun enters the horizon.

Our house has no windows,
only sills where I, my brothers
and sisters, sip bowls of hot soup
with few curly strands of noodles.
Our house has no doors.

Yet roosters, hens and chicks
come every morning for breakfast:
Corn I spread for them.
This is our house. We live here,
we eat here, we sleep here.

Papa told us that if he won
the lotto jackpot someday
we will leave the village
and build a new house—bigger
enough for the ten of us—

somewhere.

*First published in Philippines Free Press, May 27, 2006

BAG-ONG HAGIT (Sugilanon)

2006-10-26T19:31:00.000+08:00

NAKAHUKOM si Nestor nga mopahulay. Gibati na ug kakapoy ang iyang mga tiil. Taas-taas na man god ang iyang nabaklay.

Milingkod siya ibabaw sa batong bantilis. Sa iyang nahimutangan, maaninag na niya ang kampanaryo sa simbahan ni Sr. San Roque, timailhan nga hapit na siya moabot sa sentro sa lungsod. Si Padre Roberto ang iyang tuyo. Gusto niyang magpatabang sa pari sa iyang tinguha pagbalik sa sabakan sa balaod.

“Hapit na gyod ko moabot,” niya pa sa hilom. May gikuot siya sa ilang dalang bag—ang plastic bottle nga may sulod nga tubig. Mitungab siya aron matambalan ang iyang kauhaw. Naumog ang iyang kamisin sa singot. Busa iya kining gihukas ug gilubagan. Kon gisalod pa ang pinuga nga singot, seguro moabot kinig tulo ka baso. Mikuha siya ug laing t-shirt sa iyang bag ug nag-ilis. Dayon gianinaw niya ang palibot. Mingaw. Walay nagtikawtikaw.

Dili unta si Nestor mobalik sa sabakan sa balaod. Apan daw gikapoy na siya sa pagtago-tago sa kalasangan ug kabukiran. Wala silay saktong pinuy-anan ug pagkaon. Sa kanunay, sa ilalom lang sa kakahoyan sila mopahulay panahon sa gabii. Ug usahay, sigarilyo lang ug tubig ang ilang ipaniudto. Busa kutoy kanunay ang ilang mga tiyan. Ingon niana kapait ang ilang pakigbisog batok sa kagamhanan. May koleksiyon unta sila gikan sa revolutionary tax apan wala silay mapalit sa lasang! Lud-on na usab siyang mopatay ug tawo. Dili na maihap ang gipangtiklo ni Nestor nga mga sundalo, pulis ug mga tawong nakasala sa katilingban. Oo, dili na gyod maihap tungod kay sa wala pa siya nahimong Kumander Nestor, usa man siya ka sinaligan sa Liquidation Squad sa Central Committee sa kalihokan. Lakip sa iyang gipangpatay mao ang mga politiko nga nagdumili paghatag og revolutionary tax.

“Kon moampo ka Komander, ikaw lang seguro. Amo lang ipadayon ang atong kawsa,” matod ni Ka Bruno, ang iyang tuong kamot nga maoy iyang gibinlan sa kaakohan pagdumala sa ilang panon, sa dihang gisugilon niya ang iyang nakab-ot nga hukom.

“Salamat nga hisabtan ko ninyo, mga kauban,” tubag ni Nestor, bugnaw ug tulukibon.
Busa nag-inusara lamang si Nestor karon sa iyang pagtugbong sa lungsod.

Klasmeyt sa kolehiyo sila si Nestor ug Padre Roberto. Kauban sila sa debating team sa unibersidad diin sila nagtungha. Human sa gradwasyon, mipadayon si Roberto sa seminaryo. Apan si Nestor kalit lang nahanaw. Diay nagpabukid, miipon sa mga tawong nakig-away sa gobyerno.

Bug-at ang rason sa iyang pag-abin sa mga rebelde ug pagsagop sa idolohiyang komunista. Gipatay man god sa mga sundalo ang iyang igsoong lalaki.

Nagsingabot ang pista sa ilang baryo niadtong tungora. May bayle matag Sabado sa gabii. Ang iyang manghod nga si Arnel ug ang opisyal sa army detachment sa ilang dapit nagkaabot sa pagpadayag sa ilang gugma sa usa ka babaye. Apan si Arnel ang gipalabi sa dalaga hinungdan nga nasuko kaniya ang hepe sa mga sundalo ug gipapatay sa iyang mga kauban. Dili makataronganon ang resulta sa imbestigasyon nga gihimo sa kapolisan. Ilang gipagawas nga ang iyang manghod maoy misulong sa mga sundalo ug igo lang sila sa pagpanalipod.

Nasayod si Nestor kon unsa ang tinuod. Busa gisakitan siya sa resulta sa maong imbestigasyon nga maoy nagtukmod kaniya pagpabukid. Gipugngan siya sa iyang mga gikinakan, apan wala na gayod siya magpahawid. “Bugtian nilag kinabuhi ang imong kamatayon, Dodong Arnel.” Kini ang saad ni Nestor ibabaw sa lubnganan sa iyang manghod.

Sa bukid, pulos malamposon ang mga misyon nga gisangon sa kalihokan kang Nestor. Busa wala madugay nahimo siyang Komander.

Ug tungod sa kadaghan sa iyang napatay, dili gayod kapugngan nga usahay hasolon ang iyang tanlag. Dihay panahon nga sa iyang pagpahulay sa gabii, mokalit lang siyag timbakuwas. Diay iyang madamgohan ang iyang gipangpatay. Nakita niya ang kalag sa iyang mga biktima nga nagtulisok kaniya.

Maayo segurog mo-surrender nalang ko, nakahukom siya. Ug wala mobabag ang iyang mga kauban.

Sa iyang pagpanamilit kaganiha, pulos luhaan ang ilang mga mata. Nahisama na man god sila ingon nga managsoon. Apan wala silay mahimo. Nakahukom na si Nestor nga mobalik sa sabakan sa balaod. Sa wala pa siya mobiya, gitagsa-tagsa niyag gakos ang iyang mga kauban.

“Hinaot unta nga molampos kamo, mga kauban, sa inyong mga tinguha. Adto na ko. Sige lang kay kon magkinaunsa, mobalik ko dinhi sa bukid.” Mao kadto ang kataposang mga pulong nga nalitok ni Nestor sa dayon niyang biya sa iyang panon.

MAY kisaw nga nabati si Nestor didto sa daplin sa bato nga iyang gilingkoran. Nakurat siya. Iya kining gilili. Ug maoy iyang nakita ang baki nga nag-ayam sa mga talapan ug alindanaw.
Gitan-aw ni Nestor ang iyang relo de pulso. Alas singko y medya na sa kabuntagon. Banagbanag na. “Morag panahon na nga moaginod ko.” Ug mipadayon siya. Nagpunay siyag taghoy-taghoy ug kanta-kanta samtang naglakaw.

Apan kalit lang nga nahitalunong si Nestor. Didto sa unahan, may nakita siyang checkpoint. Oo, checkpoint sa military. Moatras unta siya ug mobalik sa agi apan ulahi na ang tanan. Nakit-an na siya sa mga sundalo. Busa mipadayon na lamang siya. Gibati siyag kakulba, apan wala kini niya ipakita. Nagpabiling kalma ang iyang bayhon. Pag-abot niya sa checkpoint, gisita dayon siya sa mga sundalo.

“Asa man ka paingon, Brod?,” gipangutana si Nestor sa usa sa mga sundalo, isog ang tingog niini.
“Diha ras kombento, Sir. May tuyo ko ni Padre Roberto,” tubag ni Nestor.

“Mao ba. Seguro rebelde ka, kay rebelde man sad na si Padre Roberto,” midason ang laing sundalo.

“Ha...dili uy! Bahin sa akong amahan nga himalatyon ang akong tuyo. Gusto man god siyang mangumpisal,” namakak si Nestor.

“Ayna'g pamakak diha,” matod sa mga sundalo, dalang bunlot sa iyang bag.
Ilang gikuling ang bag ni Nestor ug didto ilang nakita ang plastic bottle sa tubig, pipila ka t-shirt ug ang iyang armas nga kalibre 45.

“Unya, unsa man ni?,” matod sa mga sundalo, nga naggunit sa iyang pistola.

“Kuan, Sir, kanang...” Wala na matiwas ni Nestor ang iyang tubag.
Mao na lay iyang nabatyagan ang mga kumo nga naglumba paghagsa sa iyang nawong ug kalawasan.

Nakasinggit si Nestor sa kasakit. Ug nagpanawag ug panabang. Apan walay nakadungog. Ug walay mitabang kaniya. Dili tiaw ang kasakit nga iyang gibati. Nag-agulo siya sa kasakit sa mga bug-og nga iyang nahiagoman.

Human nilag kulata kang Nestor, namalik pagsulod sa ilang detachment ang mga sundalo. Mikamang si Nestor paghinay paingon sa daplin ug misandig sa gamot sa dakong kahoy nga nag-igdal kilid sa dalan.

Didto sa silangan, nakita ni Nestor ang Adlaw nga bag-o lang misubang, puno sa daghang paglaom ug nagdala sa bag-ong hagit.

Nakatulo ang iyang mga luha.....sa kasakit. Midilaab ang iyang kahiladman sa kalagot. Ug mibalik sa iyang panumdoman ang nahitabo ang iyang manghod. Bisan sa kasakit nga gibati sa iyang kalawasan, naningkamot gihapon si Nestor pagtindog.

Ug hinay-hinay, mibaklay siya. Apan lahi na ang iyang girumbo, dili na kadtong kampanaryo sa simbahan ni Sr. San Roque.
____
*This story first appeared in Bisaya, the long-running weekly magazine in Cebuano published by Liwayway Publishing, Inc.

BUILDING A PERSONAL IDENTITY: The Practical Importance of Mastering One's Native Language

2006-10-26T16:28:00.000+08:00

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/23 Aug) -- Many Filipino parents want their children to speak the English language in that they enroll them in exclusive schools. Without them knowing it, they have become easy preys of the highly commercialized Philippine educational system. But becoming themselves gullible to the demands of these exclusive schools they do not mind. It’s because they feel a certain degree of pride seeing and hearing their kids speaking like birds!

In Cagayan de Oro City where I live, there are a number of exclusive pre-schools run either by religious groups or enterprising educators.

And while in a public utility jeepney, I seldom hear these children of well-to-do families speaking these lines: “Where man ta mag-watch og movie?” or “Mommy, when man diay si Daddy mouli?” or “Mommy, ingon si teacher, bad baya ang mangaway og baby.”

From those who are in exclusive colleges and universities, these lines are quite familiar: “Mag-faster ta oy kay hapit na baya ang time!” or “Pa-borrow og money, please. Mo-pay ko tomorrow” or “Nag-eat naka?” or “Mag-buy tag food.”

What language is that? Certainly, it is neither English nor Cebuano.

Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada, of UP in the Visayas, said: “The greatest evil in the Philippine educational system is the use of English as the language of instruction in the classroom. The greatness of the Filipino is preserved in the various languages of the country.”

“We must teach in the language of the learner,” he urged writers, teachers and educators in his keynote speech during the 2005 National Conference of the Philippine Center for International PEN held in Iloilo City on December 3, even as he challenged them to master their own languages before they master another’s.

For his part, former UP President Francisco Nemenzo Jr. said: “Filipinos should not abandon their regional tongue but must also develop it.”

In his visit to Romblon, the first and only place he knew, NVM Gonzalez asked a faculty from the English department whether she enjoyed teaching English. The teacher replied: “I have no regrets, even though it’s a second language.”

Gonzalez retorted: “You have an English department and a Filipino department. But Tagalog is a second language and English a third. Don’t you want a Romblon department? Your language defines your world, including the history of our enslavement by the English.”

On one hand, Gonzalez had regrets that English became the official language of the Philippines. “The learning process could hardly be called slight; we had to do everything in a received language, every single word truly an alien presence,” he said, describing his difficult foray as a young writer using the “borrowed language.”

On the other hand, Dr. Macario Tiu, of Ateneo de Davao University, castigated those self-proclaimed pundits when they insist that students’ poor English is the culprit why most of the college graduates are jobless.

The solution to unemployment problem, according to Tiu and which I fully agree, is not to improve the ability of the students and graduates to speaking English but the opening of more businesses and industrial plants that will provide them jobs.

Speak English
I grew up in a remote village of Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte whose name rendered it more bucolic -- Lungsodaan. The word “daan” means old in Cebuano. [Until now, as its name goes, our place remains “daan.”]

There, I studied in a public school for my elementary education and was forced to enroll in a private school for my secondary education because our place had -- and until now, has -- no public high school. Though I am 33 years old now, the order of our teachers directing us to speak in English is still very fresh in my memory. During those years, I, together with some of my classmates coming from poor families, religiously obeyed the order because we had no money to pay for the fine. Yes, our teachers would impose fines upon those caught speaking “Bisaya.” The result, many of us got the “Most Behaved” awards every closing of a school year!

In part, I can say that my teachers must have been good motivators because I have become an addict to English subjects in that I would listen to them attentively telling us the stories of Rip Van Winkle, King Arthur, Perseus, etc. or explaining when to use comma, semi colon and other punctuation marks.

Through their motivations, I learned to love the language, romanced it more deeply, and gave it the respect it richly deserves.

Truly, I can speak the English language but always stammer no matter how hard I have practiced it. And all along, I only mastered this line: “Ma’am, may I go out.” It was my favorite sentence in English while in high school.

Intelligence, progress
As I am a son of poor parents, I worked hard to earn a college degree -- I finished a BA degree from a school in Cagayan de Oro, majoring in, accidentally, English.

In the campus, my classmates looked up to those who spoke English inside the classroom. But when I transcribed what they said, I found out that their English grammar was bad.

And I was much surprised later when I learned that those brandishing their supposed English-speaking expertise would always get the low scores during quizzes and examinations.

Yes, man’s intelligence is not measured through his ability to speak the English language fluently, much more his success in life.

Yes, our country’s progress is not measured through the people’s fluency to speak English.

Language of my birth
In my case, I love the language of my birth -- Cebuano. The reason is simple: It is rich in words and terms that most appropriately describe certain events, occasions or activities.

For one, the Cebuano language has many terms for the English word “carry.” When you carry a thing using your hand, it is “bitbit”; pas-an, when using your shoulder; lukdo, when using your head; sung-ay, when using your nape.

So with the word “harvest.” When you harvest rice, it is ani; sanggi, when you harvest corn; tuba, when you harvest banana; guno, when you harvest mangoes; dugnas, when your harvest coconuts.

And so with the word “wash.” It is hunaw when you are washing your hands; himasa, when you are washing your feet; hilam-os when you are washing your face; ilo, when you are washing your anus!

And so on.

For another thing, I considered the Cebuano language as the foundation of my culture and existence. I will not abandon it wherever I may be. And because I am proud of it, I speak it most of the time in my daily routine.

As Prof. Madrileña dela Serna of UP Cebu bluntly puts it: “If we are good in Cebuano, we can be good in English.”

Mastering the native tongue
In the long list of Nobel Prize winners for literature, literary laureates coming from non-English speaking countries are writing in their own languages. So why concentrate on a borrowed tongue?

Once, an elementary grader schooled in an exclusive school asked in English her playmate enrolled in a public school. The playmate understood the question but answered in Cebuano. But the student from the exclusive school did not understand the answer and had to request the poor student to do some explaining. Now, the question: Between the two, who has appeared smart and intelligent? And who has appeared dull and brainless?

To me, learning, studying, speaking and writing in the English language is not bad. It helps. It’s a good decoration of our own being!

But, first thing first: We have to master our own language. Now!

It is an assurance that we will not get lost in the abyss of cultural diversity. Otherwise, we will exist without identity, like a gypsy in the ocean of uncertainties, floating aimlessly.

HEY, IT'S ME

2006-10-26T16:21:00.000+08:00

KAPALARAN UG UBAN PANG BALAK

2006-10-26T16:00:00.000+08:00

Sa dihang nagpahibalo si higalang magbabalak Michael U. Obenieta, pangulo sa Bathalan-ong Halad sa Dagang (Bathalad)-Cebu, sa 2006 Bathalad-Cebu Tigi Sa Sinulatay, diin usa sa mga kategoriya mao ang Balak, usa ako sa mipadalag tampo. Ug niadtong Oktubre 1, 2006 gihimo ang awarding ceremonies didto sa Mountain View Park Resort, Lahug, Cebu City. Ania ang pungpong sa akong mga balak nga nakadaog sa Ikatulong Ganti nga giulohan og KAPALARAN UG UBAN PANG BALAK

MGA BINUHIANG LANGGAM SA SIYUDAD

pagdason sa kangitngit
kami morag mga kuwaknit
manglugwa sa kuweba
pinintalan among panagway
pulos maanyag tan-awon
labi nag madan-agan
sa kinidlap sa de kolor
nga mga bombelya

sulod sa mga balay-
kalingawan-kahilayan
kami maoy bida
mga kostumer nga nalurong
sa giyarok nga bino ug serbesa
morag makakitag prinsesa—ilang
mga mata mosiga kon kami
mosayaw na atubangan kanila
apan kami ray bida nga tinamay
kay sa katawhan gianggaan
mugbog lupad nga mga langgam
oo, ang katawhan ning kalibotan
sama sa mga langgam:
ang hinawayon,
mga hiniktan

ang tinamay (kaming mga G.R.O.)
mga binuhian

KAPALARAN

May pasas nga mipilit sa abaga ni Nanay.
Ingon sila nagpas-an siyag kasakit nga di
hitupngan. Mao diayng kanunay syang
makatilaw og kulata sa akong ama-ama.

Gikusi akong kasingkasing nga nagsud-ong
karon sa iyang kalawasan kay sa mga punok
gilikosan. Siyay nahungawan sa gahom
sa alak nga sa akong ama-ama gilaklak.

May alom usab ako sa abaga. Apan kon ako
makakwarta, ipatangtang ko kining pasas
nga mipilit sa akong panit. Dili ko buot
mosubay sa dalang giagian ni Nanay

POSTCARD GIKAN SA SUGBO

Matag gabii, gipintalan sa lainlaing bulok
ang dagway sa Sugbo. Yuna, tan-awa ra god ni.
Di ba kini tore nga mipaturatoy pagtubo
paingon sa kawanangan? Paminaw. Di ba
makabungog ang lanog sa live bands, cocktail
lounges ug videoke bars? Samtang sa daplin
sa Fuente Osmena, amang ang mga punoan
sa Acacia nga misaksi sa pangaliya ni Dodong:
Limos mo, Sir, Maam. Maluoy mo, Sir, Maam.

LUYO SA SAAD

Sa imong pagbiya aron mangapkap
og berdeng kapalaran didto sa nasod
ni Ingko Samuel, gikawras sa kukhang
mga tudlo ang imong kasingkasing. Ug
wala mo kapugngi ang mga luha sa kawili
paghalok sa imong mga aping. Sa likod
sa imong mga bakho mituyhakaw bug-os
mong saad kanako: Di ko kalimtan tabunon
kong diwa ni putlon ang pising mitakgos
sa kasaysayan sa atong pagkakabos.
Apan gilumbuwad ngadto sa kawalaan
sa napulak nga mga adlaw, buwan ug tuig
ang imong panumpa nga mobalik sa yutang
pinangga aron mosingo sa lab-as nga hangin,
modimdim sa bag-ong dawat sa sanggotan,
mokaon og mais pinarisan sa ginamos pinaisan.
Minunot kini sa ritmo sa panultihon nga ang saad
gihimo aron pakyason. Ug kini ang labing pait:

Di ka na makasulti sa namat-an mong Binisaya.
Kay misanong kang hilhilon imong dila ug
tingalon imong kaisipan sa hunit nga pinulongan.

SA KARAANG CASA

Ang kausisero sa batan-ong
hunahuna maoy nagtukmod
kanako. Milayat kos bentana.

Busa ania ako ning karaang
casa karon. Wa nay nagpuyo.
Mingaw. Nahanaw ang talinis

nga talidhay sa binuhian apan
di makalupad nga mga langgam.
Maoy nahibilin gubaong katre,
gitungtongan sa nawataswatas

nga kutson. Sa may alkuba,
nahimong bombelya ang
mga lawalawa sa panahon.
Sa may banggira, mikinlaw

nga nakighagwa sa bidlisiw
ang buak nga baso. Nanambo
ko. Ug maoy akong nasugat
ang hinagtik sa mga taligsik.

ANG AGILA KANIADTO NAHIMONG MAYA KARON

May agila sa iyang dughan. Tan-awa.
Naglupad. Nagsiga ang mga mata.
Ang mga pako nanagkapakapa. Nagsuliyaw
sa talinis nga talidhay. Iyang sungo
nagbuka, andam mopahit bisag unsa.
Kon siya magpasopaso sa kanto, kanunay
abli ang iyang dughan, aron ang agila
makit-an sa katawhan. Sa katilingban
siya gikahadlokan, giayran. Dihay kausa
iyang gikulata ang anak sa kapitana
kay sa iyang pagkasiga wala moila.
Apan karon, human gitukob sa kagahapon
ang pito ka dekada, ang iyang kalagsik
napadpad, mikuyog sa langaw nga
way pamahaw. Mga bukton nawad-ag umoy.
Ug sa mga bagang sapot siya nagsapaw
kay nahadlok sa bulhot sa panuhot
ug kupog sa tun-og. Ang iyang likod,
sa osteoporosis gipugos sa pagbawog.
Ug tin-aw ang gitug-an sa panahon:
Ang agila kaniadto nahimong maya karon.

Pasiuna

2006-10-26T15:55:00.000+08:00

Dayon kamo sa akong blog. Dinhi, inyong mabasa ang akong mga obra--balak, sugilanon, uban pa.