We shouldn't embrace un-Filipino practices

I’m glad that Gov. Gwen F. Garcia has put her foot down against the “Lingam” issue where Korean tourists supposedly come to Cebu to have a “Yoni” massage, the women’s version of “Lingam” massage which a woman’s genitals get a massage from male masseurs. It’s about time that our government officials defend our morals and values. So far, it has always been the church that has been fighting this; we are so blessed that Gov. Garcia has finally put her foot down on this very un-Filipino culture.

Speaking of Gov. Gwen, I heard certain pundits criticize the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo as a mere copycat of our Sinulog Festival. Far from it! This observation obviously comes from one who hasn’t seen the Pasigarbo Festival. The Sinulog is centered on the Feast of the Señor Sto. Niño and thus, its beat has never changed from the first time we celebrated the Sinulog. Some people even find the Sinulog boring because year after year, it is the same beat. Personally, I don’t find the Sinulog boring at all as that would be saying that singing Christmas songs every December is boring.

The Pasigarbo Festival (unfortunately, this year I didn’t get to see it due to my 3-day retreat in Bukidnon) on the other hand depicts that different cultures and beliefs of each town in Cebu Province, complete with a different beat for their music, which makes it very un-Sinulog! This year, Bantayan’s Palawod won for the 3rd time. My wife Jessica comes from Bantayan Island and that the people of Bantayan were able to depict its life story into song and dance.

The Pasigarbo Festival has grown by leaps and bounds year after year, making it indeed the Festival of Festivals. We Cebuanos should be happy that in this country, Cebu now leads in celebrating our fiestas with pomp and pageantry that many tourists would love to come and see. But as always, there are those Filipinos with crab mentality who can only think of the negative rather than what is good for Cebu. The Sinulog and the Pasigarbo Festival is very good for Cebu!

In another issue, I never thought that writing about the proposed Divorce bill would elicit a lot of responses from my readers, not just here in Cebu, but also from Davao all the way to Ilocos Sur, because I also wrote a similar article in The Philippine Star. Most of the comments I got were very positive, agreeing with my observation that Divorce has never been embraced as a Pinoy culture. Sure, there have been many failed marriages here; we won’t deny that, but they are the minority, rather than the rule.

In America, where Divorce has been around for decades, failed marriages have become common and a happily married couple seems to be the minority there. I have a cousin who lives in Las Vegas, acknowledged as “Sin City” by many pundits. In one of my visits, we passed by the many small chapels where one can get married for a fee, complete with a rented tuxedo and wedding gown as part of the service. Then a Pastor legalizes your wedding vows. It’s done so quickly there is no pre-Cana or any preparation for marriage. Of course we know that all this is merely to legitimize the sex act. The next day, when the attraction wears off, the couple huffs off to find a divorce lawyer!

What is clear in this example is that, when Divorce is allowed in this country, it diminishes the sanctity of marriage and more people would jump into the wedding bandwagon, anyway they can avail of divorce as their escape chute. Is this the kind of culture that we want for the Philippines? I dare say, no way! Divorce is very un-Filipino!

I have seen many of my Filipinos friends and relatives in the US who tell me that Pinoy culture is still better than the American way of the family. For instance, for Americans, it is expected that by the time you get to the age of 18 years old, you are expected to find a place of your own, regardless whether you got married or not. So the American kid who left home when he was 18 years old has become so detached from his parents that when they get so old, he puts them in a retirement home, rather than take care of them. Then they visit their old folks once a year at most. This is the American way; not the Filipino way.

But as Edmund Burke once quipped, “For evil to flourish, it is enough that good men do nothing!” It is the time for us Catholics to battle against those who seek to destroy the Filipino way of life. The only way that a Divorce bill can prosper is when we Catholics do not do anything. So it is time to write your Congressman and Senator and tell them that Divorce is anti-Filipino and if they support this bill, they won’t be counting on your support in the next elections.

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