Bicol Blossoms (Part 1)

The country is home to thousands of species of flowers. Each bloom is distinct from the rest, in color, texture and size. The blossoms featured here were photographed in Lerma Street (Legazpi City); near the Bicol University football field; Brgy. Taysan overlooking Legazpi and on a beach in Sto. Domingo, Albay. They are quite a bunch of beauties. (All photos by J. Garalde)

More Bicol Blossoms soon!

Chance to Change

The conclusion of the annual Magayon Festival in the province of Albay is just around the corner. This celebration of one of the region’s enduring legends is a true expression of the cultural pride of Bikolanos. The full participation of the various sectors from around the province is what makes this affair truly vibrant. It started from the helm of the provincial government all the way to the citizens, all of whom had a definitive role to perform. Without hesitation, we could state at this point that the Magayon Festival is indeed an occasion that lives up to its name: a beautiful celebration indeed.
All things however are not perfect. That is a universal law by which all forms of thought adhere to. Undoubtedly blemishes appear once in a while on even the smoothest of surfaces. The Magayon Festival and its events are not exempt from this. The following are just reflections of this column on the matter. This is not in anyway meant to criticize any person or group but rather share what has been seen, heard and felt with the hope that it could in its own little way enrich the wisdom of those concerned.
One glaring event is the ‘beer plaza’ (for lack of a suitable and familiar term). The maze of ‘cubicle-bars’ lining both sides of a main thoroughfare does not only impede an already worsening traffic in the city but also chokes the public’s right of way. Market goers, for instance, have to maneuver through obstacles of tents with stacked-up tables and chairs in the daytime not mentioning the stench of beer-piss left from the night before.
The night party is worse. Sad to say, it is not the best place to relax and unwind. It is a ‘triple-your-stress’ site! Passers-by and customers alike complain of the noise. You heard it right: noise! The searing sound is not caused by the loud band on the make-shift stage in the middle of the jumble. The noise-pollutants come from the establishments surrounding the live performers each with their own earsplitting stereo system. Imagine the havoc when all of them are playing simultaneously. A resident nearby has no choice but to condition himself to sleep late and wake up early as required by his profession. The stench unfortunately is not disguised by the screams.
Just a few meters from this mayhem are three carnival rides: a Ferris’ Wheel, a merry-go-round and a feeble imitation of the roller-coaster they call the Moon Rocket. Some parents are apprehensive to allow their siblings on board because the rides look unsafe at first glance. First, they do not contain any safety harnesses. Second, the pipes and bolts look like they have been acquired from a neighborhood junkshop. Third, the rides are insecure in a way that their entrails are exposed. Any dangerous prankster could sneak under the railings and loosen some nuts and bolts the consequence of which is too dreadful to imagine.
Right beside these rides are ‘gambling stalls.’ The mere existence of these booths during the festival is erroneous. To place it near a place of worship and the amusements frequented by children is immoral.
All of the above-mentioned concerns has been happening for quite some time now not only during the Magayon Festival but in every town and city as part of their festivities. Nevertheless, there are already bold moves that are presumably being done by officials to alter the situation. The solutions are quite simple that it would not require a nuclear physicist to create them. As mentioned earlier this is not in anyway meant to criticize any person or group but rather share what has been seen, heard and felt with the hope that it could in its own little way enrich the wisdom of those concerned.
There are other matters about this festivity that should be illuminated to the community but it would require a more thorough scrutiny, proper documentation and an adversarial approach all of which are not available for this column(at the moment) because of time and editorial constraints.
No doubt, the Magayon Festival is a smash hit but it definitely needs change for the better. There is always a chance. John Stuart Mill once said, “No great improvements in the lot of mankind are possible until a great change takes place in the fundamental constitution of their modes of thought.” (Photo courtesy of skyscrapercity.com)

Waking Up (Fom A Bad Dream)

It was a quarter past midnight
When something disturbed my reading by the lamplight
Probably a rat or the trees’ branches
Or a cat or a thousand other hunches
I see shadows move across the open window
Best guess was the summer wind as I grabbed and held my pillow

Sleepy thoughts can rock the brain
Even the imagination strain
Was not sure of what I heard
The chime soon struck a third
This time there was this faint distinctive sound
What fiendish creature have my senses found?

If it was danger I had to meet

I struggled to get on my feet
The door latch was suddenly shaking
Immobile I remained lying
Better be brave than stuck in a gloomy corner
On coarse cotton sheets of the bed cover

Down the tunnel of sleep I run
Seeking solace where there was none
What could it be… coming for me?
Something cold suddenly held my knee
Door unlocked and squeaking open in the dark
In the distance came a scream and a dog’s bark

I half-opened my eyes to take a peek
Sunlight suddenly poured like a leak
A lapping sound soon found my face
My puppy’s tongue as he scratched the lace
I was now awake all fear had gone astray
My open eyes have driven the nightmare away

(Photo courtesy of myspace.com)

Conjured Conjectures

Why can’t they get along? This is probably the main question being posed by those following the story about the kidnapping of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers in Sulu. The rift between various personalities probably started before the incident happened. By and large, the gap is between Sen. Richard Gordon, chairperson of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and the government’s Joint Task Force Comet (JTFC) now headed by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
At the onset, ICRC workers started doing projects in Mindanao for quite some time now. Their work ultimately took them well within the boundaries of what are officially called “conflict areas.” There is no clear information whether ICRC superiors or the government warned these volunteers about the risks involved. One fact is apparent though and that is: these workers were cautioned by local village leaders not to be “too trusting.” This warning however was reportedly brushed aside and the rest is history.
The task force came into the picture the moment the military got hold of the news. According to insiders, more experienced unit commanders like Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban immediately dispatched intelligence teams to monitor the movements of the kidnappers. This group of course was to be supervised by the Department of Defense (DND). The first disagreement was: Who was going to handle the negotiations? Will it be the JTFC or the ICRC / PNRC? Sabban’s strategy was to pursue and pressure while that of Gordon’s was to talk and convince. Later, Sabban went on leave and one could only speculate why. Observers guess that the kidnappers were able to use this crack to their advantage. Teodoro immediately took over from Sabban but the squabble did not end there. Bit and pieces of fiery remarks have been reportedly hurled from both sides far from the prying eyes of the covering journalists.
In addition, it must be stated that it was not only Gordon and Sabban who were at odds with each other. Reports from the media and some “appointed” negotiators also gave inconsistent versions on whether or not the kidnappers were asking for ransom. Press interviews showed that the captors didn’t want money but a troop pullout. Meanwhile local leaders who were “in touch” with the hostage-takers said a payoff was being demanded.
The unanticipated release of one of the victims surprisingly solicited a common statement from both of them: No ransom was paid. Researchers and locals however are trying to piece together a logical reason why Mary Jean Lacaba was released. It has been long established that the Abu Sayaff only released captives only if a ransom has been given. Later, Sulu vice-governor Lady Ann Sahidullah (one of those “in contact” with the abductors) distanced herself and again, one could only speculate why.
The appearance of the second ICRC kidnap victim, Andreas Notter, as a freed man again revived a public word war between ‘Schylla and Charybdis.” The latest issue: rescued or released? (Watch out for whoever goes on leave.) This again puts the public where they don’t want to be: in limbo.
Having stated quite a number of facts about the incident coupled with information collected from various sources, the following conjectures can be conjured. First, there is clearly a scramble as to who is going to be judged as being better in resolving the crisis. The PNRC and the JTFC do not want to humiliate themselves with the ICRC and the world respectively. At the very least, these entities must set aside individual differences and move as one to guarantee that the country as a whole would not be embarrassed.
Second, the clash is further being muddled by ‘self-appointed’ negotiators like local government officials who are supposed to be looking out for the welfare of their constituents and not those of the kidnap victims or, worse, maybe even that of the kidnappers’. These theatrical third parties should be literally eliminated as participants in any and all manners of talks however strong claimed connections they have.
The third and last suggestion has something to do with the over-all picture. These roving bands of armed groups which have interwoven themselves with legitimate diplomatic organizations have been a very painful thorn on the government’s flank. They have been bleeding the country for decades already. It’s about time that groups like the MILF police their ranks and rid themselves of these individuals. It would be a very good way to show the authenticity of their noble intentions. Most important of all, the government must do exactly the same. (Photo courtesy of bayanihanpost.com)

The Chase

The ninja moon stalks the lone figure on the road
Soft wind hushed by the croak of a toad
Sinister shadows are cast between the banyan trees
The croaking in cadence with the murmuring breeze

She stumbles weakly through the dark of the night
With the resolve mustered with all her might
Scraping boned knees on crystalline rocks
The cursed soul slowly pushes towards the docks

A safe vessel will surely sail at the strike of two
Across the water to a life that is new
There is one thing that scares her still
And that is the hunter she last saw at the mill

A third of a distance from where she was
The seeker pursues her with a looking glass
Equally emboldened by a strong decision
To make sure to complete his only sworn mission

Weapon in his grip and bonnet over face
This hunt would be another landmark case
Whatever it takes he must see this through
For it would really prove who is who

He speeds up his stride with his well worn shoes
Soon he would be home and it will be in the news
The woman in red, white and blue
An ultimate game too good to be true

The prey looks up then turns her head
She’d better double time or turn up dead
For the predator won’t ever give up she knows
He catching her would be the least of her woes

The sooner she must think of a plan
The better for her and her love for her man
Across the water he waits not
Nor is he in a place forgot

The tracker sees the approaching form of her back
It won’t be long now for him to attack
Just the right moment is all he needs
Still the target ahead of him leads

Again he takes a careful aim
This time he won’t shoot to maim
He tries to draw his line of sight
But cautious that she might turn and fight

She knows she is within his range
Too late now for her direction to change
Go fast or stop dead in her tracks
Either way she’ll just turn to wax

Just one shot he prays to heaven
There is one move for her to get even
A falling leaf makes him shift his eyes
It was all she needed to spring a surprise

In a split second she was out of his vision
He felt in his back a stinging sensation
Her venom found a vital part
And found its way into his heart

The contest is over she looks down on him
He searches the stars as his sight grows dim
She circles the ground on which he fell
Spiders cannot beat scorpions now he knows that well.

Stormy Situation

A storm brings the wind from all directions. The news hit the unwary public like a hurricane. Undoubtedly no one ever imagined that Ted Failon, a popular TV newscaster, would himself be the news. This is not the first time that celebrities have been dragged into stormy situations like this. Mr. Failon however is not just a celebrity. This community-awarded status was attained primarily because of his being a broadcast journalist. To put it bluntly, his prominence comes from his viewers. This recent event would again put journalism ethics under the lens.
According to Prof. Danny Arao of the UP College of Mass Communication, “Media ethics becomes an issue with regard to a person's right to privacy.” The issue is not whether the media should cover the story or not because Mr. Failon’s position does not grant him any exemption from his “kindred spirits.” He himself of all people must accept this. Meanwhile, those on the heels of the story should be able to distinguish or discern which details are to be published. A private matter is exactly that unless it is needed to make the news objective and factual beyond reasonable doubt.
Other perceived ethical issues involve that of objectivity and fair play. This propped up because of the conflicting details from the various media outlets that are obviously having a field day. A critical audience may detect how a story is put on a certain angle but not the general public. A photograph of a media executive or a high profile public official consorting with Mr. Failon may brew up a wrong impression from an unknowing reader or viewer. How far would these giant media would networks stoop down to get high or fly high to get low? At the moment, the issue is definitely causing a lot of damage, one way or another. This would need the expertise of a very good and credible publicist, if ever there is one.
In the end, it must not be forgotten that it will be the public who will definitely have the last-say in this. It is them who will decide what to see and hear then determine what the truth is. Moreover, all these would depend on the judgment-call of the writer or reporter and it would reflect whatever boot-camp he came from. (Photo courtesy of bantay-media.iwarp.com)

Music: Transcending Time & Space

Music can indeed breach distances and ages. During the Retro-Music Festival held Easter Sunday (in Legazpi City, Philippines), local musicians, young and old and from around the province of Albay reunited and performed music spanning for almost half a century. (All photos by Miker Garalde)

Music 'running in the family.' Even mom has to do her part.

A niece sings back-up for her uncles of the 'The Crunchers,' a hit band in 1969 .

A 17 year old plays lead guitar for his godfather.

Reunited after being 'scattered by the winds' for 20 years.

Three generations of musicians (The Southern Band and the Renegades) relaxing backstage.

A 65 year old plays drums in "I Can't Get No Satisfaction."

The Southern Band : solo perfromers aged 20 to 50 banded together. (From left: Charles Hemady, first lead guitar; Jun Imperial, bass; Audi Barrela, vocals & rhythm; Dan Jocom, vocals & rhythm; Joey Garalde, keyboards & vocals. Hidden are: Bert Basco, drums ; Graham Jocom, 2nd lead guitar)

Visible Values

Although there are new ones, most of these 'caros'have been maintained by individual Bikolano clans for generations. These objects of veneration during Holy Week in Legazpi City, Philippines not only shows the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Filipinos but also their values of faith and self-sacrifice.

Grounded Guitar

If a talent is suppressed, it would be like a guitar in prison. Soon it will be out of tune, then lose its strings and that's the end of it. NO TO CENSORSHIP!

The Isles of Summer

(Published in the Regional Weekly Digest, March 2, 2008
Legazpi City, Philippines)

Tiny jewels below the red dragon’s shadow
Sparkle gone and shelled in a burrow
Countless souls in the lioness’ jaws caught
In reckless greed for a gathering going naught

Long shores of the kingdom blackened with muck
Adding foliage to vile deeds that each time struck
Then voices wail in the mute of the night
For fallen kin and the right to fight

Dark crimson drapes long hills and mountains
As the ground bleeds the assembly talk behind curtains
Atoms disperse where merchants meet
Shaking and sweeping the earth from its feet

Projectiles whose objectives cannot be achieved
Turn loyal knights from what they first believed
When lords of light with the dark dances
The adversary from both flanks pounces

While obscurity and absurdity haunts the head
Young hunger twinges for books and for bread
Then sages cannot discern night from day
The flowery leaves their wisdom sway

While chains unbounded is dreamt in the end
The eagle’s talons they can never bend
Its king with a hatchet has a firm resolve
In his hand the world must revolve

Again the endless path of time comes across sorrow
Hearts and minds decide if it will be till tomorrow
While down in the quagmire of filth and pain
The feeble suffer and the royalty gain

A long coveted treasure lies missing in the isles of summer
Precious pieces of gold, diamonds and silver
Hopeful brown men cannot lose it forever
Maybe it can still be found… maybe never.

Coerced Culture?

There is no doubt that the Philippines has been greatly influenced by a previously dominant culture. It has been widely accepted by scholars that the culture of a more powerful country would dominate that of a less powerful territory. By power, we mean economic and military supremacy.
At the height of its rule, the Greek empire’s culture dominated that of their subdued lands. It is one of the main reasons why the Greek philosophers were able to impress their way of thought and behavior over what already existed in controlled territories. The same thing happened at the time of Rome. When gladiatorial combat for instance was created as a form of entertainment sport in the capital, arenas of the same sort propped up all throughout the Roman Empire. Archeological data suggests that these kinds of stadiums, although smaller, existed to as far as Great Britain to the north and Palestine to the south. Togas and tunics were the fashion of the day. Roman baths and aqueducts were also built. All these influenced and eventually took over an already existing way of life in the acquired states at least up until the empire crumbled and another more dominant culture took its place.
The same occurrences happened to the Philippines at the arrival of the Spanish and the Americans. These countries, which we now call the “colonialists,” imposed their culture on the Filipinos who had already painstakingly shaped and developed their own way of life, customs and traditions. It would be safe therefore to conclude that what ancient Filipinos have labored for ages were just wiped away by an oppressive foreign power in just three centuries. After all, isn’t it oppression if they enforce their sophistication and intrude into another’s ethnicity?
There are traditional myths about Philippine civilization shaped by colonialists and mimicked by the Filipinos themselves. Everyone must agree that these long-established fictions should be carefully analyzed and scrutinized by Filipinos.

Apathy for instance may not have originated from the effects of how the Filipinos are geographically divided. It could have been a result of a brilliant diplomatic manipulation using the principle of “divide and conquer.” At the onset of the Spanish colonization, the Philippines were divided into several enclaves each with rulers of their own. We will note that that Magellan was able to convert Rajah Homabon and his followers to the Christian faith while the island of Mactan had to be taken by force. When the conquistadors landed in Cebu, why did not the rajah resist while the warriors of their neighboring small island, although presumably more inferior and lesser in number withstood the might of the foreigners? Why? Was there a rift between Homabon and Lapu-lapu? No record of conflict between the two native rulers has ever been recorded. Military strategists could have assessed that Cebu, which was the bigger realm, could have easily repulsed the invaders. As a “good” neighbor, Lapu-lapu could have sent reinforcements to the big island had the need arose. Why did Homabon help the Spanish in their attempt to subdue Mactan? Meanwhile the people of Mactan just stood by and waited until Magellan directly assaulted them. At this point, we can safely assume that Magellan may not have only been a daring explorer but also a sly and cunning political tactician as well. What else could be the explanation of the chasm between Homabon and Lapu-lapu?
The perceived submissiveness of the Filipinos is not innate. It is a result of very severe and often violent events during the early decades of the Spanish rule. When the survivors of the Battle of Mactan reported back their kingdom about the death of their leader and the discovery of the Philippines, the Spanish court wasted no time in assembling another expedition with objectives to: first, avenge the death of Magellan and second, be at the forefront of a full scale invasion (under the guise of exploration) and stake their claim on the archipelago before the Dutch and the Portuguese beat them to it. From then on, wave after wave of Spanish arrived in the Philippines. There are supposed to be records showing that Spain’s refuse were among those sent. To name some: cold-blooded cutthroats, deserters, bandits and even noblemen who fell from grace. After all, the islands were supposed to be the Spanish empire’s farthest outpost. Lands were freely given to these individuals who lost no time in savoring their newfound affluence. But there was a problem: the lands were already inhabited. Force was used to solve this setback! The authorities would never know anyway because the colony was thousands of miles away from them. Facing a seemingly invincible race, natives were forcibly driven from their settlements. Those who stayed became servants. Most of the former settlers fearing for their safety, simply submitted themselves to their new masters. It wasn’t long before others followed suit. It was a better option than bloodshed.
The bayanihan spirit was forced on these settlers-turned-servants. If they had concerns and problems, they only had each other to turn to. Their lands were no longer theirs now. The new landlords could have them evicted anytime. The natives’ ingenuity took over. Instead of building permanent structures like they used to, they designed new architecture wherein their dwelling could be transferred from one location to another. So, if the landowner had of some use for the land you were living in, there was no need to dismantle the structure and assemble it somewhere else. All you had to do was seek assistance from all of your able-bodied neighbors, servants all.
Again, the early Filipinos were not exactly democratic. Remember that different leaders like rajahs, and datus all of whom were not popularly selected by their constituents ruled the islands before the mestizos arrived. These leaders were chosen according to their own traditions: by birthright, divine selection and even by mortal combat. None of these systems were close to being democratic. A legislative assembly chosen by the inhabitants did not pen the notorious Code of Kalantiaw. Laws were based according to what was customary not to equality. There were tribes who immediately meted out severe penalties depending on the nature of the offense. Those in charge, be they high priests or chieftains, were the judge, jury and sometimes executioner. Laws were not taught by lectures but by actual examples. Justice was meted out not in some enclosed edifice but in public or in front of the whole tribe.
There is no question about the Filipino value of respect for women. It is a divine and universal law. But in the early Filipino culture, the role of women in society was already defined like that of today. In the early Philippines, there were already certain traditions about do’s and don’ts for women. The division of labor for example was already being implemented in the household. If the males came back with game from a hunt, it was the females who prepared it for storage. In other words, house management was the primary role of the women seconded by assisting their husbands in their work whatever it may be: hunting, fishing or building. Running of the home included taking care of the farm’s produce. The wives took care of the domesticated animals and the garden. Skeptics even say that the early Filipino women were greatly involved in farming itself. At present, there are still areas in the Philippines where this practice is still prevalent.
All these logical misunderstandings of our socio-economic-political life should be taken into consideration, documented and explained thoroughly to the Filipinos if we are to come up with a true mirror of Philippine culture . There is a saying that, “The past is a lesson for the present and a guide for the future.”
We were and still are a culturally influenced country. But at least, we still can manage to call ourselves a country. That’s what counts the most because history tells us that it has always been a very good start.