Kulturang Pinoy: Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, walang kamatayang Debosyon



Inaalay ko ang akdang ito sa Mahal na Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.

Bukas, ika-9 ng Enero, muli na namang tutungo ang masang Kristiyanong Pilipino sa Quiapo upang ipagdiwang ang banal na kapistahan ng Mahal na Poong Nazareno.  Taun-taon, kahit na may napapabalitaang may mga naaksidente at namatay , di pa rin nito napipigilan  ang matinding debosyon ng masa sa Mahal na Senor. 




Ang Mahal na Poon ng Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno

  Ang tradisyong ito ay nagmula pa noong ika-17 siglo.  Ang imahen ng Poon ng Nazreno ay nililok ng isang di kilalang Mexicano at ito ay dinala sa Pilipinas lulan ng mga galleon. Ayon sa kasaysayan, nagkaroon ng sunog sa galleon kung saan ito nakalulan at bahagyang nasunog ang imahen kaya’t ang mukha at kamay nito ay naging itim.  Ang imaheng ito ay unang nanahan sa simbahan ng mga Recoletos sa Bagumbayan bago ito nailipat sa simbahan ng Recoletos ni San Nicolas de Tolentino sa loob ng Intramuros. Noong ika-18 siglo, batay sa utos ng dating Arsobispo ng Maynila na si Basilio Justa, ang imahen ay inilipat sa kasalukuyang dambana nito sa lokal ng Quiapo sa ilalim ng patnubay ni San Juan Bautista. Mula noon, narinig na natin ang iba’t ibang pagpapatibay ng mga milagro at biyayang ibinigay bunga ng debosyon ng mga mananampalataya sa Mahal na Poon ng Itim na Nazareno.

Ako mismo ay isang buhay na testigo sa mga biyayang ito. Noong ako ay sanggol pa lamang ako daw ay nagkaroon ng depekto sa aking ulo at utak na ang tanging solusyon daw ay operasyon .  At ang operasyong ito ay maaaring makapagdulot ng matagalang komplikasyon na maaaring humantong sa aking pagiging imbalido. Ngunit dahil sa pagdarasal ng aking ina sa Mahal na poong Nazareno, nang ako ay masuri mula ng mga espesyalista, di na daw ako kailangang sumailalaim sa maselang operasyon na iyon. Mula noon ay naging deboto na ang aking ina sa Quiapo at kinalakihan ko na rin ang pagpunta sa Quiapo upang magdasal at magpasalamat.

Walang kamatayng debosyon

Gaya ng nabanggit ko, taun-taon ay may mga napapabalitaan tayong mg a namamatay at nasasaktan sa gitna ng pakikiisa sa prusisiyon ng Mahal na Poon. Ngunit di pa rin natitinag ang pananamplataya ng taon sa poon.  Para sa hindi Katolliko at sa mga skeptiko na rin, madali nilang binabatikos ang pagsamba ng tao sa isang rebulto na gawa lamang ng tao mula sa kahoy.  Iginagalang naming ang kanilang pananaw at paniniwala. Subalit kailangan din nating isipin na iba’t iba ang antas ng pananampalataya ng tao.  Totoo, may mga tao na sumasamba talaga sa rebulto at naniniwalang ang simpleng pagdarasal at pagpunas sa kanilang imahen ang magbibigay sa kabnila ng kanilang hinihiling. Ito ang mga taong kelangan magising sa katotohanan at hanapin ang tunay na kabuluhan ng kanilang debosyon.  Pero sa kabilang banda, may mga mananamplataya na tulad namin na nagdarasal hindi lamang sa imahen ngunit sa tunay na kabanalan na ikinakatawan ng mga ito.  Ang imahen ay simbolo lamang ng mas mataas na kapangyarihan na aming dinadasalan  at ang pagkilala namin sa imahen ay bilang paggalang sa kanilang ikinakatawan.  Maihahalintulad ko ang pagdarasal sa mga imahen sa pagbisita sa puntod ng isang mahal sa buhay na pinupuntahan natin upang magbigay galang at sariwain ang alaala. At ang pagprurusisyon dito ay para ipaalala lamang sa tao ang kadakilaan ng kinakatawan nito. 

Pagbisita ng Mahal na Poon sa Marikina

Samakatuwid, ano’t ano pa man, hindi pa rin natin dapat usisain ang tunay na layunin ng mga taong nakikiisa sa prusisyon ng Nazareno.  Sa mga nakalipas na taon, masasabi nating hindi na maganda ang imahen ng Quiapo. Ito ay napapabalitaang nagiging pugad ng mga snatcher, holdaper, mga kawatan, manunuba, at mga “pirata”ng DVD.  Sadyang mas delikado ngang pumunta ng Quiapo sa ngayon hindi tulad dati.  Ngunit, patuloy pa rin itong sinasadya ng masang Kristyanong Piilpino.  Dahil sa gitna ng kaguluhang ito, ay isang dambana, na sisikaping sadyain ng mga namimintuho upang magdasal, humiling, pagpasalamat at magbigay pugay sa Mahal na poon ng Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno, na pinaniwalaan nilang magdudulot sa kanila ng biyaya, ginhawa at katiwaasayan sa buhay, ano man ang kanilang antas sa lipunan.   Ito ang mas mahalaga, ang PANANAMPALATAYA.

VIVA Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno!

80s Retro: Pinoy Wrestling

Back in the 80s, we only had 1 wrestling show per week, and that was WWF All-Star wrestling, which aired on Wednesdays at 10 PM.  Wrestling fans like me, struggled to get more of this kind of action.  So aside from being contented with All-Star wrestling and at times, Betamax rentals of WWF main events like Wrestlemania, Survivor Series and Royal Rumble, we tried to find other ways of satisfying our urge for wrestling.  Kinda funny but we appreciated Pinoy Wrestling, which aired Saturdays from 5-6 PM on the former PTV4.  I remember being able to watch this show live at the carpark of SM City North EDSA back then.  See how Jologs it was!!!


Pinoy Wrestling is a local rip-off of the former WWF.  It had a roster of wrestlers with both fictitious and funny monickers which initially tickled your fantasies but on second-look would be ridiculous-looking because of all the irony and sarcasm between them and the charcaters they play. Here are some of the wrestlers and characters I remember:

1) Lawin, the Birdman - you would expect him to be like Jimmy the Superfly Snuka, but dream on!  Despite his high flying monicker, he rarely displayed acrobatic and aerial movers
2) Turko Turero - dressed like Andres Bonifacio, portraying a farmer.  He could lift a sack of rice with  his teeth.  One of his memorable match was versus Max Buwaya
3) Max Buwaya - one of the most popular villains in this show but never showed any semblance to a crocodile  After his stint in Pinoy wrestling, he was seen playing the role of a goon in local action movies.
4) Joe Pogi - Always escorted by sexy ladies who could have worked for Maalikaya.  But who the hell gave this monicker?! He ain't pogi. My foot looks better than his face.
5) Mikrobyos - Max Buwaya's midget accomplices
6) Turreritos - Turko Turero's midget accomplices.  A freak show this was!
7.) Facifica Falayfay - dressed as a Las Vegas showgirl and portraying a gay.  But later in the show's existence, he changed image and transformed into a more manly Macho Franco.

Macho Franco

8) King Cobra - would have been a rip-off Jake the Snake Roberts but not again.  He didn't bring any reptiles in the ring.  And he's fat to portray a serpent.  A more apt monicker would be King Toad.  But he's a champion.
9) Sultan Bato - he's a real deal. Dressed as a Muslim warrior, he is one of the more legit fighters in this show.  He was my favorite.
10) The Bakal Boys (Caloy and Boy) - would have passed as a rip-off of WWF's The Killer Bees.  They were one of the most prolific tag teams in the show.  But eventually, Caloy's ego grew and left Boy to fight on his own. 
11) The Smokey Mountain Brothers (Big Boy and Ting)- Dressed like Hillbilly Jim of the WWF.  And yes, they look dirty and nasty.  they were the arch-rivals of the Bakal Boys.
12) Iggy Igorot - aside from Sultan Bato, he also represented an ethnic minority. But unlike Sultan Bato, he is  more of a whipping boy.
13) Juan Duwag - as the name implied, he was a coward whipping boy of a wrestler.
14) Zorro - Need I say more! Why not throw in Leon Guerrero, Geronimo and Julio Valiente as well.  He dressed like a Luchador.
15) Pinoy Ranger - if there was a Zorro, why not a Lone Ranger Pinoy version
16) Waway the Wildman - Pinoy version of George the Animal Steele
17) Kamikaze Kid - too chubby to be a legit martial artist.
18) Roboto - with an entrance music of "Roboto" by Styx.  More funny-looking than intimadating dressed in metallic costume which even a kid would laugh at. 
19) Dr. Q - he is the Chinese-looking manager of Roboto and Kamikaze Kid.  Could have been derived from WWF's Mr. Fuji or Mr. Slick with the attitude of Bobby Heenan. He is Johnny Revilla's partner in the commentary booth.
20) Johnny Revilla as himself - the ringside commentator.  Whenever i think of Pinoy Wrestling I think of him, and whenever I saw him, I thought of Pinoy Wrestling. 

Johnny Revilla : The face of Pinoy Wrestling

They indeed had funny names, crazy choreography and a freakin plot.  But way back when wrestling shows were scarce, unlike today when you have internet and cable TV where you can watch them anytime, it filled a void in every enthusiast's longing for action.  And despite being short-lived, it was one of the Pinoy shows to remember during the 80s. 

Joe Pogi/Zorro versus Smokey Mountain Brothers

Zorro versus Pinoy Ranger

Politics: RIP Angelo Reyes..... Screw You Mr. President

We have this mentality of condemning publicly a person who was associated with the former government.  But if you would think of it, we have yet to see credible evidence against them.  Furthermore, we also have yet to see solid evidence against GMA. It is this perception of association with GMA which clouds our judgment.  More often than not, our emotions take over our rationality in seeing things.  The same rule applies to the late Angelo Reyes.  The man has served the country well, both in the military and in the executive branch.  And all of a sudden these whistleblowers surface, and because they are again pointing to an anomaly of the GMA government, we take their word as if it were gospel truth.  And we again start to condemn people.  But then again, where is the evidence? Angelo Reyes was just a sacrificial lamb in this government's futile effort to investigate anomalies of the previous government which is just a way of covering up for their own non-performance.  It's so sad a good man had to die this way, tried publicly, not even given a chance to prove himself. 

Good man down...Who will be next?

I am quite puzzled by the way Filipinos think nowadays.  We seem to have a double standard, a crazy one.  We hate a corrupt official but we tend to embrace someone who has a clean slate, so clean that he has not accomplished anything during his previous term as a lawmaker.  We also hate military people who receive perks but we condone military adventurists, to the point of even electing them to the highest positions in our govrnment.  We hated someone who is too intelligent, we hated Marcos and GMA, and loved the incompetent ones, say Cory and his son NoyNoy.  I know we love underdogs but surely incompetent officials and military adventurists do not fit into the category of underdogs.  Or have we degenerated into proto-humans, often identifying with the same inferior kind.  Emotions really take a big part in our opiions regarding politics to the point that we fail to weigh evidence to achieve rationality.

Now going back to this government.  Our situation has never been this worse before.  Almost every commodities prices are rising, criminality is taking its peak, our international reputation is being laughed upon due to recent blunders by this government.  It's very easy to point fingers to the past government but after everything else has been settled, what's next?  Isn't it more prudent instead to use government funds for more postive and forward undertakings rather than use them in these hapless investigations which drag for years to months without even reaching closure.  This is the real waste of funds.  Why not act instead rather than blame the past government.  The ball is now in their hands, but sadly they don't even know how to dribble it.

The Lynch Mob
(picture taken  from the Philstar.com)

This government is turning into a lynch mob, out to lynch people who benefitted a lot from the past government.  But as previous events have turned out, thie efforts have been put to naught because of issues of constitutionality and merit. It seems this government had not thought of their steps very well.  They were not able to provide evidence against the "Queen" during her term, still groping for evidence in this government.  Maybe they do not have evidence at all.  While their intentions may be upright, their methods seem to be faulty, which makes everything all messed up.  Lots of time and public funds used up for these useless investigations.  It is time to quit all of these and do steps necessary to move forward.  Putting the past government behind bars is not much of a legacy, but to be able to turn around people's lives is. 



Non-Performing, Finger-pointing President



And so another one bites the dust....so unfortunate and sad.  For some, they might think he is guity enough to commit suicide but still some other think otherwise.  He could have been a victim of trial by publicity.  But the man who is behind all these investigations have yet to prove his worth as a President.  Eight months into office and we have yet to see even a tiny bit of substantial improvement in the nation.  Maybe he should also put a bullet into his head, or maybe he's too apathetic to notice this.  Like mother like son. 

UST at 400 : Feels Good to be Home!

The happiest and most meaningful years of my life were my years spent at UST.  My dreams were built and realized in this hallowed ground in Espana Ave.  Who I am and what I am today I owe a lot to my parents, and to my education at the Royal, Pontifical, and Catholic University of Santo Tomas.  And as a fitting tribute and gratitude to my Alma Mater, I “went home” last night as its celebrated its 400^th year.  Memories were re-lived and old acquaintances were encountered.  I used “went home” since for 9 years UST had been my second home and I had no regrets being a part of UST, with all its rich history, tradition and track record of excellence.

Arch of the Centuries: The Gateway to the Greatest Breed of Individuals

Unending Grace

 I was never elated for a long time until I set foot once again at the UST Campus last night.  It was really like coming home more than visiting a loved one.  And as I walked through the fields, grounds, sheds and hallways of my Alma Mater, I can’t help but remember how I used to exist in this vast space along Espana Ave.  I traced back old routines, visited the places I used to spend my breaks on,  and met people who had been part of my years at UST.  From my former mentors, to previous casual acquaintances, to my old classmates, and to my former colleagues at the UST Hospital.   It was also a delight to see Thomasians from all walks of life and from different generations gather to celebrate this special period in UST’s and every Thomasian’s history.  I also appreciate the new developments this campus had undergone. The traffic I encountered  and all the anxiety of going there was really worth it.   Not everyone gets to experience a Quadricentennial in their lifetime. And I was fortunate that I am still alive when UST celebrated it.

Thomasian Physician

I will forever be in gratitude to this institution.  I would not have been a physician today if not for the educational grant I received from no less than the premiere medical school in the country, the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.  During those times, just as when I thought the dreams I built was in danger of being shattered for good, the kind hearts of UST and Thomasian alumni gave me hope.  And through hardwork and determination, I was able to become the Thomasian physician I dreamed to be.  For that, I vowed to myself to give back to my Alma Mater someday, to the best of my capabilities.   That promise is one of my motivations to get through my present endeavour.

In Beauty, and Truth, and Virtues

UST has taught me to appreciate the BEAUTY of every endeavour of the soul.  It had shown to me the TRUTH behind the different sciences which I got involved in.  And most especially, it had instilled in me the VIRTUES of a truly holistic and Christian education.  Its UNENDING GRACE drives every Thomasian to achieve and to excel, and to accept defeat with honor.   I really hope other Thomasian alumni,  new Thomasians, and even transferee Thomasians, would be as proud as I am of our beloved UST.  There’s nothing not to be proud of.  Our rich history and tradition, our excellence in the different professional fields, our distinguished alumni, our most beautiful campus, and yes even our dominance in the UAAP are enough reasons for us to be proud of being a Thomasian.  UST has done, is doing and will be doing its part, but it’s also our responsibility to make UST proud of us.



UST @ 400



VIVA SANTO TOMAS!

GO USTE!   GO USTE!  GO USTE!  GO GO GO GO!

UST Hymn: In Beauty, And Truth, And Virtues.....Imbued with Unending Grace

"Keep us in Beauty, and Truth, and Virtues Impassioned Embrace.
Ever your Valiant Legions, Imbued with Unending Grace."

These are my favorite lines from my beloved Alma Mater's hymn, the Hymn of the Royal, Pontifical, and Catholic University of the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas.  For these lines define what UST envisions its students and alumni to be. Enlightened in the Beauty of the Arts, In the Truth of the Sciences, and in the Virtues of a truly Catholic Education.  Forever showered with Grace, in every triumph and achievement, and the same Grace to accept every defeat or debacle. 

The UST Hymn is not merely a hymn to exalt an institution; if you would notice, unlike other college hymns, it does not mention the name of the school or even the word Alma Mater on its words.  It is universal and it would like Thomasians to share the message to non-Thomasians.  Furthermore, it is a prayer asking our Almighty God for guidance and enlightenment in our quest for academic, personal, professional and spiritual excellence.  The lines of this hymn and prayer should be the driving force of every Thomasian in  every endeavor.  Like our national anthem, our UST Hymn is part of our identity as Thomasians.  And it should be inherent in every Thomasian to sing the UST Hymn with gusto. 

                          

Sadly, the truth is not all Thomasians know the lyrics of the hymn, some even not aware of the melody, and worse some don't even bother knowing the message of the hymn.  A great proportion does not even bother singing it at all during events and even at the UAAP Games.  It is quite disappointing that some Thomasians, despite their 4 or more years of stay at the university were not able to at least memorize the melody and lyrics of the UST Hymn.  I've encountered quite several people who have graduated already from UST without even knowing how to sing our hymn.  I may forgive those who have spent quite a number of years at another institution but "through and through" Thomasians have no excuse not knowing this.  But let me lambast those who have memorized their other school hymns but did not bother singing the UST hymn during their stay at the University.  I just simply don't get it.

The hymn is as easy to pick-up as the national anthem and yet the same people were not able to at least know the melody.  And yet these people can memorize and sing Justin Bieber, Akon and Taylor Swift songs with ease.  More shameful are people who don't even stay during the singing of the hymn.  These are evident during UAAP Games as I have noticed.  When the Growling Tigers win, many sing it but a few people leave before the hymn is sung.  When the Tigers lose, only a few people sing and a great majority leave before the hymn is sung.  If they don't know how to sing it, them they might as well could have stayed as a sign of respect and honor to the University. 

It;s not too late to learn the UST Hymn.  Especially now that our beloved UST will be celebrating its Quadricentennial.  The lyrics are provided below and I embedded a video too.  Isn't it embarassing when you consider yourself a Thomasian and  when other people ask you to sing your school hymn , you don't even know the melody?!

The UST Hymn

God of All Nations

Merciful Lord, of our restless being

Sweep with your golden lilies,

This fountain of purest light.

Trace with the sails of the galleons,

The dream beyond our seeing.

Touch with the Flame of your kindness,

The gloom of our darkest night.

Keep us in beauty, and truth, and virtues,

Impassioned embrace

Ever your valiant legions,

Imbued with Unending Grace

VIVA SANTO TOMAS!  VIVA LA LIGA EL TOMASINO!

90s Flashback: Sarsi TV ad (Angat sa Iba!)

True to its tagline, this TV ad is really "Angat sa Iba." This is indeed one of the best TV ads ever-produced not only in the 90s but in Philippine Advertising history.  It combined a truly Filipino sophisticated melody with a storyline which was well ahead of its period.  This is really Filipino advertising at its finest.  And if I remembered it right, it was the Maestro, Ryan Cayabyab who composed the jinge for this ad.  So definitely, this ad is not your ordinary, cheesy, annoying  everyday TV ad.  Bright minds collaborated to craft this masterpiece of an ad, which is unrivaled up to this date.

Sarsi, Angat sa Iba!

Hindi ka ba natatawa o kaya'y nagtataka
Ganun nga ba talaga pare-pareho na lang ba
Minsan ako nagtatanong bakit nagkakaganoon
Umurong man o sumulong
Ang nasa harapan mo'y iyon at yun.

Uulan, aaraw
Lulubog, lilitaw
Isipin mo mang maiba, yun pala'y katulad rin nila
Huwag na nating piliting tumulad sa ating katabi
Pwede namang maiiba, paminsan-minsan ay baguhin

Mag-Sarsi ka para maiba
Pagkakataong umangat sa iba
Mag-Sarsi ka para maiba
Dahil may pagpipilian ka
Di ba magandang isipin
and di mo pagsasawaan
Di ba magandang isipin na di ka pipilitin

Mag-Sarsi ka para maiba
Pagkakataong umangat sa iba
Mag-Sarsi ka para maiiba
Dahil may pagpipilian ka
Sarsi, angat sa iba

Kulturang Pinoy: Santo Nino

Kaninang umaga ay na-"trap" ako sa kahabaan ng Rosario Ave. sa lungsod ng Pasig. Pangkaraniwan ay mag-iinit ang ulo ko dahil malamang dahil ito sa trapik o di kaya may nasairaan o may nagbangaan lalo na't mahuhuli na ako sa pagpasok sa ospital. Ngunit matapos ko usisain ang puno't dulo nito, ang pagkainis ko ay biglang napalitan ng pagkagalak, sapagkat may mahabang prusisyon pala ng mga Santo Nino sa daang ito. Andaming tao bitbit-bitbit ang kani-kanilang mga imahen ng Santo Nino. Doon ko lamang napagtanto na pista nga pala ng mahal na poon ng Santo Nino.





Santo Nino de Cebu

Ang imahen ng Santo Nino ay marahil pinakaunang imaheng Katolika dito sa Pilipinas. Ayon sa kasaysayan, ang mananakop na si Ferdinand Magellan ay may dala nito nung sya ay dumating dito noong 1521 nang ipinalaganap nila ang Kristyanismo dito sa Pilipinas. Ang imaheng ito ay iniregalo niya kay Reyna Juana ng Mactan nang ang huli ay binyagan bilang Kristyano. Noong 1565, sinadyang sunugin ng mga Kastila ang malaking bahagi ng Cebu. Ngunit may isang sundalo na himalang nakakita sa imahen ng Santo Nino na naligtas mula sa apoy. Ang imaheng iyon ay kasalukuyang nakalagak sa Katedral ng Cebu. Ito ay dinadayo ng mga deboto at tuwing Enero ay idinadaos ang makulay na Sinulog bilang pagpupugay sa Poong Santo Nino.

Ang debosyon at pagkilala sa Santo Nino ay laganap sa Pilipinas. Bawat tahanan, mga establisimyento at maging sa sasakyan ng mga Katolikong Pilipino ay may Santo Nino sa altar. Marahil ang pagiging kabataan ng hitsura nito ay lalong nagpapalapit sa kanya sa puso ng mga Pilipino. At bagaman mukhang bata at inosente, hindi nalilimutan ng mga deboto ang kapangyarihan at pagbibigay biyaya ng mahal na poon.



  

Santo Nino Sapatero

Ang kanyang kapistahan ay ipinagdiriwang sa maraming bahagi ng Pilipinas tulad ng Cebu, sa isla ng Panay, sa Pandacan at sa Tondo. Ngunit di rin pahuhuli ang "Adik sa Santo Capital of the Philippines" na Marikina City. Bagaman hindi kasing-bongga, kasing-kulay at kasing-sagana ng pagdiriwang ng mga  nabanggit, taun-taon ay ipinagdiriwang din sa iba't ibang parokya at kapilya dito sa Marikina ang pista ng Poong Santo Nino. Dito sa aming barangay na Calumpang ay nagkakaroon pa noong mga nakaraang panahon ng Ati-atihan at pagpaaagaw ng mga kendi at mga kukutin sa daan. Naaalala ko ang mga panahon na matino pa ang pag-iisip ng aking lola. Madalas syang magpa-aagaw ng mga kendi mula sa balkonahe ng kanyang bahay. Tapos dun din kami magtatago dahil takot kami sa uling ng mga nag aAti-atihan.

Ngayong taong ito, walang Ati-atihan ngunit meron pa ring pagtatambol, pagpapaagaw ng kendi (at oo, pati pansit na naka-plastic pinapaagaw) at prusisyon ng kay dami-daming imahen ng Santo Nino. Maliit man o malaki, nakadamit magara man o hindi, de-gulong man o wala, may naka-damit prinsipe, may nakapanglaboy, may naka-Spiderman, may naka-pambahay, may nakapang-karnabal....Andami nila. Napa-"anak ng Tinapay" nga ang pari nang makita ang iba't iba at maraming uri ng Santo Nino. Hindi nawala ang pagkilala ng aming mga ka-baranggay kay Santo Nino. Isa ito sa pinakamasayang prusisyon na naganap dito sa amin sa nakalipas na mga taon. At kahit na mas inaabangan ko ang prusisyong pang-Mahal na Araw, ako ay naniniwala na ang tradisyong ito ay di dapat mawala sa mga susunod na panahon.



Ang mga Deboto