America’s reawakening

Last September 11, the American balloon burst. America thought it would remain on top of the world for a long, long time. Which explains why it was smug and complacent. America thought that on its own, it could isolate itself from the woes of the world. That it could remain indifferent to the plight of other nations, big and small.

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Engrossed with its acknowledged economic supremacy in almost all fronts of human endeavor, the United States never ever thought that a small but well-trained and committed band of terrorists could wreak havoc to the heartland of the powerful country. By carrying out that horrible, horrific, awesome and audacious attack long-known American landmarks in New York and Washington, the insane terrorists demonstrated that America is not, after all, invulnerable and invincible.

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There are several big lessons that America can learn from the attack on the World Trade Center on Lower Manhattan and on the Pentagon in Washington. One is that the United States must, somehow, learn how to return to prayer, despite its economic boom. That not everything in human society is made up of modern machines or the most sophisticated technology. That every now and then, there must be a time for prayer and reflection – as a means of linking hands with humankind and the rest of the world.

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The second lesson is that America must learn how to share its resources and wealth of talent with other nations and people from all over the globe. In particular, America’s superiority in intelligence and in anti-terrorism work must be shared with countries that are beset with various forms of terrorism. Yes, the United States should realize that international terrorism is a common enemy of all peace-loving nations – and that America must share its wealth with other nations in pulverizing the terrorist groups.

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The third lesson is that time is of the essence in the task of eradicating the terrorist problem. The highest priority must be given to going after terrorist groups, wherever they are in different parts of the world, whether it be in the Middle East or in Basilan and Jolo.

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For some still unquantified period of time, the American people will have to sacrifice, to go through inconveniences and hassles, as a means of coping with what has been the biggest challenge to America’s supremacy. Somehow, their freedom of movement and other freedoms associated with a democratic society will have to be regulated. Hopefully, this period of reawakening will enable America to resurrect from another, more devastating version of Pearl Harbor that has snuffed out thousands of human lives and pricked the American balloon.

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"God bless America," sang the American congressmen who gathered together in the stairs of Capitol Hill in a moment of unity, a day after the terrorist attack in New York and Washington. The scene was poignant, and at the same time inspiring, as it underscored that Americans have, after a long season of materialism, realized once more the need to return to prayer and to be united as a people.

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Critics of the NAIA 3 airport terminal project claim that the DOTC-PIATCO concession agreement was secretly amended three or four times. And they are now calling upon the authorities concerned to correct the provisions unfavorable to the government. For instance, critics denounce that provision banning other airports in Luzon from serving international passengers until NAIA 3 shall have generated ten million international passengers every year for three consecutive years.

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There seems to be basis for critics to denounce this particular provision. For incorporating it in the concession agreement is going to take away the status of Clark International Airport and Laoag International Airport as international airports. This, critics argue, is going to delay the economic development of Central and Northern Luzon.

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Critics also say that in the concession agreement, PIATCO will have full autonomy to dictate fees and charges, thus effectively nullifying the MIAA’s regulatory powers over NAIA 3. And another argument is that PIATCO is going to have the right to postpone its guaranteed payments to the government if it cannot pay its foreign lenders. Worse, the government will be obliged to assume PIATCO’s financial obligations if PIATCO defaults in its payment to its lenders. This, critics of the agreement point out, is contrary to the Build-Operate-Transfer Law.

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Dr. Conrad Javier, writing from Cleveland, Ohio, USA, where he has been practicing his medical profession for the past many years, felt elated that his friend Dr. Raul Fores, the noted surgeon and director of the Makati Medical Center, volunteered to handle the surgical separation of the Dulay twins from Binalonan, Pangasinan. "That’s the type of very caring human being that Dr. Fores has always been," Dr. Javier said.

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Dr. Javier recalled how Dr. Fores also handled the case of a young boy from Guimbal, Iloilo, with brain and facial deformities, a process that involved two major surgeries and lasted for three months, sometime in 1996. Dr. Fores volunteered his and Makati Med’s services for UST College of Medicine Class ’57 to which he and Dr. Javier belonged. By the way, Dr. Fores and Dr. Javier were among the topnotchers in the medical board exams that they took that year.

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From across the seas, thousands of miles away from his land of birth, Dr. Javier has not forgotten his countrymen. For the past many years, he has been regularly visiting his homeland, bringing with him donations of costly and modern medical equipments that are being used for the poor indigent patients in hospitals like Makati Med and Medical City.

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Dr. Javier and his wife Aleli, who is also a medical doctor, are also philantropists. They have been helping the St. Catherine de Siena Church in Samal, Bataan, with a regular financial assistance of P50,000 every six months, for the upkeep and repair of the church and the convent and school rooms. The parish priest of the church is Fr. Joel Jimenez who, upon the request of Conrad and Aleli, has been including me in his daily Mass prayers. Thanks, and God bless!

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PULSEBEAT: RFM is on a counter-offensive against Rep. Augusto Syjuco in connection with the Cosmos transaction. Recently, through the initiative of the hardworking and credible Elmer Yanga, a press briefing was held for business reporters where RFM showed, through documents and logic, that Syjuco’s case against Cosmos was "pure harassment". The briefing paper said that Syjuco was personally after getting his business back and hope to sell to SMC at a higher price. If not, Syjuco probably wants a cash settlement from RFM or SMC... There is a retreat for widows sponsored by PIETA, a spiritual organization of widows. It will be held at the Assumption Retreat House, Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City, on October 26-28 with Fr. Francis Hubilla, OSB, as retreat master. For particulars, please contact Crescing de Jesus at Tel. No. 531-7267, Aleli Ambrosio at 638-8400, Josie Dajac at 927-8819, Ellen Pamplona at 522-8858, Rose Cruz at 922-0428, or Estela B. Cerdenia at 435-5482.

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THOUGHTS FOR TODAY:

God never gives a cross
larger than we can carry.
No matter what, He wants us
to be happy, not sad.
Birds sing after a storm,
why can’t we?

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Faith lets us know
that the darkness of night
is followed each morning
by the dawn’s glowing light.
Hold on, be strong,
keep that passion alive in you.

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My e-mail address: <[email protected]> and <[email protected]>