Where gays are jailed

Dr. Nilo Ponce of Talamban texted me: "Have you observed that lunch or dinner is always 'sumptuous' to our society writers/columnists?"

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Someone asked me: "Is EDSA People Power Revolution still worth celebrating?" He answered his own question saying: "Not anymore, I think. It's a waste of time and energy."

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I passed the question on to Rev. Fr. Romeo Serra who was not yet a priest then and was one of the young people who fought the war tanks in Edsa and he said shaking his head: "We are not celebrating an anniversary. We are celebrating the spirit of Edsa ... The victory over the evil that made us risk our lives." Well put.

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I thought the world has gotten wiser. I thought the world now respects the rights of gays. That gays are now getting a fair shake in society. But no. By golly, no!

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In Uganda, the President has just signed a bill that is said to be the toughest law the world has known against homosexuals. Under this law, gays or homosexuals are to be jailed for life. It outlaws homosexuality and requires people to denounce gays.

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Loy Jurado, who is called by friends in media as the legendary newsfotog, said the newly formed Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI) Cebu Chapter attended the national PAPI convention in Isabela. PAPI-Cebu Press. Greg Senining and Director Atty. James Lobedica were resource speakers on parliamentary procedures and libel law, respectively.

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I don't know if the PAPI rules have been changed. In my time — during Martial Law when PAPI was first organized — membership was "by publication.” That is, members were publications not individuals. I was a member by virtue of my being on the staff of The FREEMAN. Maybe they have amended the rules?

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Before I run out of space I would like to thank Mr. & Mrs. Albert Leonides of Cagayan de Oro City for the healing prayer booklet they brought home for me from Rome. It's good to be remembered by friends when the chip is down, so to speak.

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OVERHEARD. Opinions varied on the celebration of the 28th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution. A 50-year-old taxi driver was heard saying: "Kadtong wa mohatag bili sa People Power rebolusyon mga tawong wa say bili sa atong kasaysayan."