Second Chance (Inquirer Read-Along Experience)

Jeric smiled at me when I sat beside him.  I smiled  back and waited for my turn in the book-reading session. He began asking questions. "Where do I live?" "What will I be reading?" "How old am I?"  I was cautious about my answers. To make me relaxed, I asked him one question. "Why are you here?"  Ironically,  he became the story teller. 

Early 1998, Mrs. Margot Osmeña, wife of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, saw juvenile prisoners at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center (BBRC) and she wanted to separate these kids from the adult criminals. With this in mind,  she initiated in building a separate juvenile detention center, which was named Cebu City’s Operation Second Chance Center, located at Kalunasan Hills,

Jeric, not his real name by the way,  is only16 years old. He murdered his eight-month pregnant mother and 5-year-old half-sister. He shot his sister in the forehead while he stabbed his mother several times along with another 19-year old accomplice. He was also accused of stealing P600 and a cell phone worth P800 from his mother. Robbery with homicide charges were filed by the Naga City Prosecutor’s Office against him. The case is non-bailable.

I was blown away by his story. I don't know if I can still drag myself and carry the task of reading in front of this young people - this young people who committed crime against the law at their early age. 

Grace Neilly S. Querickiol, owner of Gracie Q Creative Designs, a fashion accessory enterprise who exports products abroad, is one of the proponents of the activity. She has been a long supporter of the Second Chance Center. She is the first reader before me.  

And so I heard my name. I am the second reader of Philippine Daily Inquirer's Read Along session held at Operation Second Chance Center, Brgy. Kalunasan,Cebu City. Partnered with Starbucks-Philippines and Gracie-Q,  the activity was the first of its kind in Inquirer's Read-along program history as we will be reading to children in conflict with the law.  With this program, it hopes to spread the love for reading to the younger generation. 

Cris Evert Lato, giving an overview of what Inquirer Read Along is all about. Cris is a correspondent of Philippine Daily Inquirer. Connecting the dots, she is a friend of Kathleen Cacho, my classmate who works in Sunstar News.

Recommended by my classmate who works in Sunstar Cebu, I gave the invitation a "Yes!" with no hesitations. It was just reading anyway. I have been reading all my life. I have been reading everything- books, articles, newspapers, novels,etc- all my life. And beside that, it's Christmas season. It would not hurt to spare a time of service, I thought. 

And so I went up in front of a big crowd- hundreds of young guys and about less the ten girls beside the pack. It was not easy. I am a stage performer and I underwent Public Speaking trainings but I admit that it was an unexplainable "stage fright" I felt at that very moment. 

The God Mercury and the Woodcutter- an Aesop Fable, was the material I was asked to read. The story tells about the encounter of a woodman to the God Mercury. It is a cautionary tale on the need for cultivating honesty, even at the price of self interest. 

The young men of the Second Chance Center lining up to get their share of Starbucks.

I went on the reading. I tried to translate my words to Bisaya and Tagalog as I was conscious of understanding issues. I crack corny jokes which some managed to laugh. I ask questions and bring them in front to hear their thoughts.  I can see them enjoying because they are eager to participate. Their faces animate whenever you move the story forward. I watch their eyes one by one to make sure that I delivered the message across. 

The activity culminated with a series of intermission numbers prepared by the center themselves. Starbucks Staff, dressed liked angels, gave refreshments to the attendees later on. 

Starbucks Angels prepared mouthful of beverages and pastries for the attendees. Yes, I must say - Sosyal!

 Inside the Center, they are taught of many things. That includes honing their talents. Dancing is just one of them.

I bid goodbye to everyone. While the Inquirer team is busy packing, I watched Jeric from a far. While busy chatting with his friends, he suddenly looked back at me, wave his hand, and smiled. From there, I was relieved. Because I know, deep in his heart, that smile is a sign of hope from the values that he learned on that day.

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PISO

Adunay usa ka bata
Nangandoy ug PISO
Mupalit daw siya ug kendi
ug tungod kay pasko man
nakahuna-huna manaygon
Nagkuha ug duha ka bato
gigamit nga musiko
ug nagsugod sa kanto…

“jinggol bels, jinggol bels
jinggol od da wi, olwis pan
darestorayn en d wanders open sli.”
Kanta sa bata sa unang higayon
Apan gisirad-an kani sa balay
ug gipahawa ang bata…

“jinggol bels, jinggol bels
jinggol od da wi, olwis pan
darestorayn en d wanders open sli.”
Kanta sa bata sa ikaduhang higayon
Apan gikasab an sa tag-iya sa balay
ug gipagukod ug iro…

“jinggol bels, jinggol bels
jinggol od da wi, olwis pan
darestorayn en d wanders open sli.”
Kanta sa bata sa ikatulong higayon
Apan gipalungan ug suga
ug dali siyang mibiya…

“jinggol bels, jinggol bels
jinggol od da wi, olwis pan
darestorayn en d wanders open sli.”
Kanta sa bata sa ikaupat nga higayon

Apan wala gipaminaw
ug dali siyang hinglakaw…
 Hinglakaw ug naglakaw lakaw
sa dalan..
wala kabalo asa paingon..
kahilakon…
kadaganun…
kasiyagiton…
ug hing tan aw sa siga kaayo nga bituon…
ug sa sarili hing-ingon
” PISO LANG GANI AKONG
GIHANGYO, DILI PA GYUD MAHATAG,
UNSA NA LANG KAHA
AKONG LIBUNG PANGANDOY ”

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SISTER ACT MUSICAL sa CEBU

Inimbitahan ako kasama ang aking mga katrabaho na manood ng SISTER ACT MUSICAL sa University of San Carlos noong Linggo.

Aaminin ko. Hindi ko siya masyadong nagustuhan.

Siguro nga dahil mahal na mahal ko ang pelikulang SISTER ACT at hinding hindi ko maipagpapalit si Whoopi Goldberg bilang isa sa aking mga pinakapabaritong artista sa Holywood. Malaki ang utang na loob ko kay Deloris van Cartier o Sister Mary Clarence. Dahil sa kanya, natuto kong mahalin ang sining ng pagkanta at teatro. Dahil sa kanya, inibig ko ang entablado. Dahil sa pelikulang ito ay naging bahagi ako ng Lorena ang Monologo, Babayi at iilang dulaang bayan, naging pangulo ng Teatro Atenista at naging tagapangasiwa ng Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (Karatula).  

Nakakapangkamot-ulo sa tuwing manonood ka ng palabas na hindi mo maintindihan. Peligro kapag hindi mo naiintindihan dahil wala kang marinig o mahina ang dinig ng musika at mga nagsasalita. Ang teknikal na aspeto pa naman ang maituturing na pinakaimportanteng kasangkapan ng isang produksyon. Kung sira ito ay sira ang lahat.

Sa kabilang banda,  OO. Aaminin ko. Magagaling ang mga artistang gumanap sa palabas. At hindi madali ang kanilang ginawa. Ikaw kaya ang umarte at kumanta ng LIVE! Daig mo pa si Leah Salonga sa Miss Saigon diba? Di maipagkakailang, Cebuanos are born Singers.

Hindi ko man siya nagustuhan, ay pumalakpak pa rin ako pagkatapos ng palabas.

Nakakatuwang isipin na buhay na buhay pa rin pala ang ganitong klaseng sining. Madalang na lang kasi akong nakakakita ng mga ganito. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa Direktor ng Sister Act Musical sa pagtaguyod ng ganitong sining at pagdiskubre ng di matatawarang talento. Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga batang nagsipagganap dahil ipinamalas nila sa kabataang kasama kong nanood na may mas magandang maidudulot ang pagsali ng mga ganitong gawain kaysa sa "pumarty" sa Mango Avenue. Higit sa lahat, nagpapasalamat ako kay Sister Mary Clarence sa pagbigay ng inspirasyon sa lahat ng bumubuo ng produksiyon.

Sa Young Thespians Cebu na bumuo ng produksiyon, ang aking palakpak ay para sa inyong pagtaguyod ng dulaang pilipino. Mabuhay kayo mga anak ng sining!

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Byente Kwatro!

     Tinanong ako minsan kung ano ang pinaka-honest na nasagot ko sa isang tanong?  Sagot ko- EDAD ko!  Kaya nga hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ang iba ay nagsisinungaling pa kung tatanungin tungkol dito. 24 Years Old na ako ngayong July 3.  Kaya naman gumawa ako ng 24 wishlist ko. Sana naman ma-achieve ko ito lahat bago ako sumakabilang buhay!

1. Sana hindi na bumaha ang Davao at iba pang lugar
2. Dumami pa ang aking kaibigan
3. Magkaroon ng Blackberry o di kaya’y IPAD o di kaya’y Galaxy Tab
4. Makapagsulat uli ng mga tula
5. Makapbakasyon sa malayong lugar and by that, I mean sa ibang bansa
6. Magkaroon uli ng LOVELIFE
7. Makauwi ng Davao
8. Matapos na ang bulding ng Aegis People Support
9. Tumigil na sa trabaho si Mama at Papa
10. Maaprobahan ang RH Bill
11. World Peace and Harmony
12. Magkaroon ng sariling DSLR
13. Maipasa ang Anti-Discrimination Bill
14. WIFI kahit saan
15. Lumiit ang tiyan ko
16. Tumangkad
17. Magagarang damit at sapatos
18. Healthy Living
19. Gusto ko ng Tsokolate. Maraming Tsokolate!
20. Makakain ng Red Ribbon Leche Flan Cake o Leche Flan mismo
21. Pumuti
22. Makapagbasa ng marami pang libro
23. Magtagal sa trabaho
24. Makatulong sa kapwa

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SIQUIJOR: Sun, Sea, Sand and a bit of Supernatural!

Aside from the fact that the name of the island starts with a letter S, I have 4 S-words more to describe when I visited the mystic island of Siquijor for the 1^st time.

Sun, Sea, Sand and a bit of Supernatural!

A travel of approximately 3 hours from Cebu City to Lilo-an, 30-minute boat ride to Dumaguete and another 45-minute boat ride to Siquijor, would be enough for you to crave on an island they dubbed as “Island of the Sorcerers”, “The Mystic Island”, “The Island of Fire”, “Island of faith and Mystique” and so on. 

It was barely afternoon when we arrived. (I swear I could have kissed the ground upon landing but I can’t maybe because I am mortified). The contrast between the coastal areas and the mountainous regions seemed more barefaced at that very moment. The island, I would say, was mystifying rather than mystic. The deafening SILENCE, the angry waves walloping the seashore, the 3 kite-size birds that looked like vultures waiting for its prey-  would make you feel anxious. I do not know if that was already the Supernaturalism that they call, but ironically, I can feel that something exciting will about to happen.

From the Siquijor dock, locals fervently offer motorcycle ride going to the different tourist spots. In our case, we commissioned 7 friendly drivers right away who will take 12 of our pack to the resort where we will be staying. Luckily, they also agreed to be our tourist guides as they vowed to take us anywhere in the island for our 2-day getaway.  

As we travel along, I could sense a growing uneasiness mixed with exhilaration among my travel cohorts as we approach the inner island.

Encountering OBESE dogs (four of them I saw)  is a very unusual site for me. It makes me wonder what the hell are these dogs eating?

Entering the island’s capital, the St. Francis de Assisi Church and Bell Tower welcomes you first.  Its aged facade is an emblem that the Siquijodnons are religious and devout catholic. 

St. Francis de Assisi Church and Bell Tower

The island's terrain varies between flat and leveled in the main road and craggy and hilly in the upland areas. - a clear sign that the island itself is still struggling for its development. 

I sigh when our motorcycle turned left. We passed through a moderately dirty road and forested grove like of that trees in the Lord of the Rings movie. It’s dark and you can’t help but imagine the tree branches silhouetted in the evening dusk, transform into beast patterns. But I was relieved when I saw the sign of the resort’s name: SALAGDOONG BEACH.   

A very scary forest on the way to Salagdoong Beach

The resort that I expected tranquil was in a festive atmosphere that night. Since it’s the month of May (which is considered in the Philippine calendar a Fiesta Month), we were lucky to witness and celebrate a resort event sponsored by their town’s Governor- A Dance Competition.

The resort was jam-packed. While people started to flock the event, we were very busy setting things up.  We went to our hotel room to deposit our luggage. We soon after situated our tents-up, prepared our dinner and the rest as they say is history.   

I woke up with the sound of breeze. I roamed around the vicinity while my mates were still asleep.  This secluded beach resort has a bit of a commercial beauty but nevertheless naturally preserved. The shore is not at its longest strip but breathtakingly enticing.  I noticed a structure placed on top of the huge rock lies in the middle of the shore, a stairway leading to a mini-gazebo offers an excellent view of the entire beach. The canopy of trees also offers an inviting treat to just loaf around and enjoy the cool morning zephyr. 

 

As time is precious for a two-day island getaway trip, we did not waste our time and immediately pack up. Ready with our gears such as cameras, water and food, together with our motorcycle drivers, we stopped by first to an old church of Santa Maria. This 1880 erected foundation is made of stone. On the right side of the Church is a hexagonal belfry, which probably doubled as a watch tower during olden times, used to warn the locals of impending attacks from the sea by Moro raiders.

The Maria Church housed the controversial Sta. Rita of Cascia statue or the Black Mary who holds a skull and an inverted cross. But it is no longer there when we visited.  

So much for history, we went over to something serene and natural. Highlighting our trip included a visit to Cantabon Cave. Famed for its impressive group of stalactites and stalagmites among 45 other caves in the island, the trail from the start to its very end was difficult. It was indeed a rocky travel along those slopes and areas where you have to bend over to avoid bumping into the formations. A quick tip would be to equip yourself with durable shoes that can endure rocks and secure your helmet in place. Our guides said that it takes about two (2) hours to explore the whole place to and fro and that it wouldn’t be complete without taking shots of the beauty the cave beholds. Experiencing the unexploited grandeur, however, is surely worth the take.

Cantabon Cave

On a lighter note, we took a side trip to Cambugahay Falls.  This body of water is more of actually a series of cascades.  To add it to the S-list of my Siquijor’s description,  I would say that it’s beauty lies on simplicity, serenity, and sobriety. It has no sense of majesty, like the one we imagine of a strong and tall waterfall, but what it has is something more divine – mystery.  It is like coming home to the source of life itself – free, fluid, and abundant.

Cambugahay Falls

It was a long and very physical day but we still have 2 hours before the darkness envelopes the entirety of the island. I know that wandering to a place not known to you is not a good idea especially at night and not to mention, in Siquijor. But excitingly, we proceeded to a town called Lazi – a halcyon place full of history and mystery. One structure that is noticeable is the rectangular-shaped Convent. In front of it is the old St. Isidore Parish Church. Both are musty with of course a smell of history or, if you want, the odor of sanctity. St. Isidore Parish Church was completed in 1884 and the huge Convento was last 1891. Both have been declared National Historical Monuments.

Now here comes the supernatural part. Before we decided to go home, we asked our drivers if they knew someone who performs Tarot reading or Palm reading just to experience what Siquijor is known for. I was surprised when they refer it as Black Tourism.  We went to a town named Maria to visit an old lady who performs both palm and tarot reading.  It was already dark when we got there. We found a small typical hut with no electricity. We were welcomed by a smiling lady who obviously knew our intentions for coming. She was not like a familiar image of a gypsy woman decorated with exaggerated accessories but true enough that she has cards with different images. She lit a small used candle and began her oration. She spoke interestingly that it beguiled us. The session took around 3 hours for us to listen of everything she has to say. Overall, the divination experience taught us many things. It gave us hope and excitement. While my companions believed in the soothsaying that they heard from the lady, I stil relied and trusted on what God has prepared for me.

The island of Siquijor is an interesting mix of the mystical and traditional Catholic beliefs. But it is no different from any other province, especially in rural areas, where religion asserts a big influence in people's lives. The real mystery, though, lies in the island's magnificent beaches waiting to be discovered by those who are bold enough to visit it. 

A very old Bible with Latin scriptures.

If I foretell the future of this island, I would say that Tourism is yet to be a major industry in Siquijor.

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Nakausap ko si Hesus (Orasyon ng Pinabayaan)

photo courtesy of http://thevoiceofbreakthrough.com/

(para sa isang kaibigang lulong)

tanging ang kulisap lamang
ang nasisiyahan sa liwanag
na nagmumula sa lampara.
Habang ang bawat galaw
ng guhit ng relo
ay malakas na naririnig,
ang dilim naman ay nagbabanta
ng matinding kalungkutan.

Saglit kinuha ang isang kahon,
nangangapa man sa dilim
ay huling-huli pa rin.
Buti rin, tahimik na ang lampara,
wala na rin ang kanina’y
naglalarong insekto.
Binudbod ang puting bagay
mula sa supot
at sinimulan ang nakagawiang orasyon.

Lalong tumahimik ang silid,
iginala ang mga tirik na mata
tumigil na ang galaw ng orasan
namatay na rin ang liwanag
lumutang ang katawan
pataas nang pataas…

Saglit pa’y may napansing
mukhang nakaguhit sa may dingding,
nakahihilakbot ang hitsurang tumambad
na minsan sa panaginip ay hindi mawari,
ang bawat patak ng dugong umaagos mula
sa sugat ng kanyang mukha
ay nakatatakot.

Natagpuan ko ang aking
sariling umiiyak sa awa, sa takot, sa galit
Ikaw nga, Hesus!
ang simula, ang hangganan, ang katapusan
ilan pang tulad ko ang magiging ganito?
”Diyos ko, bakit mo ako pinabayaan?”

Published  Sunday, August 24th, 2008

SUNSTAR DAVAO

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Usapang BABOY!

     Cebu’s lechon is famous for its worldclass delicious taste. In fact,  TIME Magazine declared “lechon”, a Philippine pork delicacy, as the “Best Pig” on its  Best of Asia 2009 list.

You could call it the Platonic ideal of a pig, but it’s doubtful if Plato, or even an entire faculty of philosophers, could have imagined anything so exquisite,” said TIME writer Lara Day on the magazine’s write-up.

       The claim was even made more famous by celebrity TV chef Anthony Bourdain when he chose to feature Philippines during the episode of “No Reservations” (American travel and food show on the Travel Channel) - shot in different localities of the country including CEBU.

     On Bourdain’s blog entry titled “The Hierarchy of Pork”, he declared the pork he tried in the Philippines as the “best in the world” followed by Bali, Indonesia and Puerto Rico.

      But since the rise of scam called “Gi-laplapan” – the dishonest and deplorable practice of certain dealers of slicing off a considerable portion of the lechon that they deliver to clients, the delicous picture of the famous Lechon Cebu is at stake.

Here’s the Praxis:

      The newly roasted lechon may looks delish  and whole when delivered but actually with cracks in several portions of the lechon’s crunchy skin. The cracks in the skin are often thought of as resulting from the heat and fire while roasting. However, upon slicing beyond the crispy skin, you will notice that there are portions that appear to have already been skimmed off. The skin apparently has been sliced earlier before the lechon reached the client and the crispy skin “craftily” placed back together to appear whole.

    This Modus is not new to us. This is not only well practiced in CEBU but in some parts of the country as well.

     I can still vividly remember my father’s frustration when he ordered LECHON from a known neighbor nearby our house in Davao Oriental. Same treason had happened.

     The worst thing is he was overcharged unreasonably and unfairly.

      LECHONG BABOY may not be an original Filipino Cuisine as this special culinary masterpiece has been part of the long Filipino history brought by the Spanish Colonizers, hence the name Lechon which is a spanish word for suckling pig, BUT, the fact that it was made famous because of how Filipinos prepare it and made it on the map of world’s best cuisines must be a REASON enough that we should take care of that honor.

As what the essence of LIFE says: Its not WHAT it is. Its HOW it is.

A lechon is not a Lechon because it is a pig. But because how it was

roasted for hours over a fire of open coals, slowly rotated on a bamboo spit, lovingly basted and meticulously supervised until its flesh is so tender, moist and succulent that it can be sliced with the edge of a plate, and its skin so crisp it can be punctured with the tap of a finger. – Lara Day of TIME MAGAZINE

MEANWHILE,

      My Friends and I wanted to make sure that we can still taste the best of Lechon Cebu’s quality before  it’s extinction.

 

LOCATION: Talisay, CEBU CITY

Photo courtesy of: Marlou Talledo

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