Perusing the mail

If I have issued apologies in this space, it was almost always for not tending to my mail, to my loyal even devout readers who never tire of writing this columnist, come hell or high water. So without further ado, I give way today to them, rather a portion of them since the mail has mounted this high. Those whose letters are not mentioned will just have to forgive me, it’s just not possible to include all. I have chosen to drastically reduce the huge pile of congratulary missives about Freedom Force, they have had so many airings already in this column. So tempus fugit, and we must to begin.

Lovell C. Natabio (57-B Sto. Rosario, Baguio City) writes some very nasty things about Kris Aquino, the printable ones being: "Her ha, ha, ha in celebrity tsismis and promise of instant cash in some stupid game quiz show makes her a very effective agent in pacifying and stupefying the miserable masses. Her father wanted nothing less than a revolution…to tear down the pyramid of social inequity. She buries her father in the pyramid of obscurity."

Benjamin Villaluz (2572 Conchu St., Singalong) predicts GMA will lose in the 2004 elections, among other reasons because "the economy is fast deteriorating," and the president is "mataray, egoistic, plastic and the like." He adds: "I am no fan of Raul Roco but I’ll take the chance and go for him…He’s doing well in the surveys." As to Sen. Edgar Angara, Villaluz advises him to "stay away from Lacson, Oreta, Jaworski and Sotto, who are all professional trapos."

Emigdio L. Lingad (Lubao, Pampanga) bears an illustrious name, that of Pampanga governor Jose Lingad who was killed by the dictator’s goons Dec. 16, 1980. He is looking for that still invisible person, "the one leader who can rally our people behind the great cause of leading this country towards progress." He adheres to the view "that in a few years’ time the social explosion shall finally occur once peaceful means shall not bring forth that leader. Then from that situation shall inevitably emerge a leader. God help us!"

Edgardo de Aliento (Aguirre St., Pilar Village, Las Pinas) wants Freedom Force to move now "and not wait for that social volcano to erupt." He adds: "Many more will join bandwagon, Mr. Benigno, if you could spell out clearly and as soon as possible how you intend to implement your plan." Kiddo, that I cannot do. The moment I plot out the next moves of Freedom Force, however innocent and law-abiding they might be, the propaganda plug-uglies of Malacañang led by that certified dimwit Dody Limcaoco will scream again we are plotting another coup. Arrests could follow. And then, as you said, FF can be accused of "fomenting some kind of civil unrest." So patience, that they will come.

Serapio Camarino Camposano (Knight of Columbus, Sta. Monica, Oton, Iloilo), writes he has lost hope, "the situation is hopeless" and he is willing to contribute his share to Freedom Force, "a brilliant strategem of a spiritual coup to resolve."

Rudy Vreilla (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) contends this writer pulled a boo-boo when I wrote that great ideas that move the world forward never come from the masses but from creators, builders and heroes, who look at the future and gamble their lives." Calling this "irresponsible journalism", he asked me to look at "the late President Ramon Magsaysay, the late Mother Teresa, a movie star named Ronald Reagan. These are and were world shakers."

Kiddo, these three were never poor or masa. Whatever their achievements, they came from the elite. The educated elite, the spiritual elite, the professional elite, the political elite. Get it? Read anew the manuals of political science. You mistake elite for the high and mighty.

Teodorico Omar (112 Jhocson St., Sampaloc, Manila) pours an angry torrent against the US. He considers America "the No. 1 terrorist nation in the world". Any country, he continues, "that has the authority to declare unilaterally that a certain country is a rough state, terrorist state, or a certain legitimate group, is terrorist." The Americans, he adds, "deliberately refuse to differentiate between a freedom fighter as against a pure and simple terrorist." Yep, I agree, that word terrorist will haunt the US no end.

Deity U. Manampan (Senior Accts. Specialist, GSIS, General Santos City Branch Office), like a legion of others, just encountered Ninoy Aquino on TV (Ninoy: The Heart and the Soul) during his 19th birthday anniversary. The result was predictable. She became an instant admirer, and "fell in love with him". She said only then did she fully realize "the meaning of The Filipino is worth Dying For. As for the tapes you seek, Deity, write to the Aquino Foundation in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac.

Constancio R. Montera Sr. (resident of America) states, "It is disgusting how some Aquinos related to Ninoy are behaving." He mentions Sen. Tessie Aquino Oreta "who received a million pesos from Erap". He next mentions Butz Aquino who could not be the Filipino Ninoy said was worth dying for since Butz’s idol is Estrada. Next came Kris Aquino, "fleeting and flirting at flickering flames in the darkened corridors of sex." Montero adds he was in service with the Philippine Air Force at Mactan airbase when Marcos declared martial law. Rep. Imee Marcos, Montero says some media are to blame "giving Imee the expose she desires. I think media should lay off the Marcoses like the plague that they are."

Here are extracts from a letter written by a Filipino-American veteran of Gulf War in 1991, Dr. Rolando Navarro, appealing urgently to the US Consulate here for help. Half-body paralyzed, he arrived in Manila from the US several months ago for extra medical assistance here. His appeal is in behalf of his attendant whose services he needs badly until his wife in the US recovers from a recent operation. If denied by the Consulate, Lt. Col. (ret.) Navarro, an American citizen, states he will appeal to California Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and Congressman Henry A. Waxman and Maxine Waters. Maybe it will help to mention Lt. Col. Navarro suffered a severe stroke in Iraq when he rendered military service during the Gulf War.

Nicandro Baluyot (Seoul, Republic of Korea), writes that a "mere changing of the guard" in the Philippines will be "inutile and pitiful like plugging the proverbial break of the dike with our puny thumbs." Nevertheless, he says, "I shed tears of joy thinking that what I see – in this foreign land I call home – may one day be possible through your Freedom Force." His rhetoric rising, Mr. Baluyot concludes "I will be there. My generation will be there and like the mythical army of yore we shall hear your siren song, pull our tattered sails to face the wind, and head back home."

Jonas Macaranas from Vancouver writes he wants to join Freedom Force.

TCB aside: Filipinos residing abroad have more ardor, more insight, more conviction and, it seems, more faith in a rejuvenated Philippines than Filipinos in their homeland. Distance makes the heart grow fonder? Remember most of those who write are first-generation Filipinos, who left recently, still retain vivid memories of home and hearth. They would probably want to come back home if there is something to come back to. They are torn between the comforts of living abroad and the mystical pull of "la patria dorada."

Still, Josie Lim Cruz despite homesickness admits "America has given me more than what the Philippines has, commensurate to my being a law-abiding civic-minded resident." Ms. Cruz (I am missing your other letter) however strongly feels English-based journalists like me, however gifted in language we might be, do not cut enough ice because we fail to reach the huge readership that is the masa. If only, she says, we can write in the vernacular and the masa has access to our writings, we can ignite the poor to a much higher understanding of the issues shaking the Philippines today. Then they would no longer be the ignorant mass they are at present.

Roberto Dinglasan Jr. (Tyco Services Singapore QA engineer) predictably advocates after admitting he lives the good life in Singapore: "We should be following Singapore in terms of running our government." Then comes that plaintive, haunting note: "Kahit maganda ang sitwasyon namin dito as OFW, still masarap pa rin manatili sa sarili mong bayan. Again, my support to FF and GOD BLESS FF."

Catibayan III, Francisco G. writes that our "anything-goes democracy will not work. . . I admire the strong leadership of South Korea’s Park Chung-hee. He was a dictator all right but he was well-loved by the South Koreans and he died a very poor man. Lee Kuan Yew is another great example. He literally turned Singapore upside down. From a poor, Third World country to a super rich First World country in only 30 years. Mahathir Mohamad is another one. Malaysia used to be poorer than the Philippines. Try to visit Kuala Lumpur today and you will weep. Jobs are aplenty, and there are smiles everywhere. And Mahathir did it in only 20 years! Park, Lee, Mahathir, when will we ever have someone like them to lead us!"

Dream, my friend, dream like me. And don’t ever stop dreaming.