Instrusions. December. Must be the air of the season or the rites and traditions of Christmas. See, this is when many things suddenly intrude in my mind. Things, people, I'd say vignettes that I haven't thought of in as many years. Take for instance Desert Flower. This was a cologne (well, eau de toilette was the more popular variety) that always reminds me of boarding school days with the German nuns. Most of the girls used it. I can still smell it in my memory. But, I can't remember that I bought one ever. Now, I want one. And the only ones available are vintage e-bay and marked sold. So, for the last two days like an obssessed missionary I have been searching the net and finding that it was launched in 1960 by the Shulton House under the brand Leigh. Okay, it is no longer in the market, but believe me I still smell it in my mind. I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places... That sounds very Christmassy to me. My Mom used to hum it. With a half-smile that seems to remember yet finds something amusing. More than a photograph, my mental intrusion is sharper. I see it; I feel it; I can hold the moment. Perfectly seared leg-of-ham, hard cheese, sliced bread, fruitcake, chicken-asparagus soup. Midnight Mass. Wind chill. Family picture that got bigger through the years and then got smaller. All there intruding in my mind. I could go on if not for mundane tasks. Of the now, of course. It's been said that only the present, the now is of importance. There is no past and future; just the eternity of the now. Point taken. Except for a parade of intrusions.

I am Catholic. Having said that, I also try to keep things simple. The torrent of hatred (fed by media fire and Catholic-haters) against the Pope and the Church is nothing short of a concerted effort to (1) get the Pope to say and do things that others want to hear and believe and (2) to get some headlines at the expense of a favorite punching bag -- the Catholic Church. I mean, it's always been easier to spew hatred against the Catholic Church. Try that with other religions and you get people SHOCKED because you are (1) politically incorrect (2) you have no religious tolerance and (3) well, you are risking life and limb. But those docile Catholics are taught to bear with slings and arrows.

I am not blogging to defend what we Catholics believe in and hopefully practice daily. I am thoroughly convinced by my faith or I'd be with another religion. Some thoughts that I'd like to share, though.

Priests, cardinals, the Pope are not saints.

They do know, however, what they were getting into before they professed their vows. They are responsible for and SHOULD practice their vows.

If one, two, three, four( whatever the numbers ) of our priests commit crimes (the horrendous crime of pedophilia for one) they should be prosecuted. No ifs, no buts.

If priests commit other crimes such as those defined by society and state, they should face the consequences of prosecution. Because they are also citizens of a state, even if they are priests. Charity or love is the maximum demanded of every Christian. But the minimum is justice.

My point? The state has a right to prosecute. Even priests, pastors, whatever religious group they represent. AND, parents of the abused carry the weight of initiating prosecution (as soon as they find out). Did anyone prosecute these priests-pedophiles in earnest? Tell me if cases were filed.

If (and this is a BIG if), there is an attempted cover-up, why should state and victims (especially their parents) be cowed into silence? By the Catholic Church? By the Pope? To remain silent makes them part of the cover-up.

Like any institution, the Catholic Church goes through its own process of dealing with offenders. The wheels of justice can grind slowly. Even in recent years, those responsible for deaths of Jews during WWII were still being hunted down and prosecuted. The Pope has acknowledged and stated this acknowledgment publicly. He is not sitting back and waiting.

Have we done enough to prosecute and prevent recurrence? Or as part of a general public, we just relished the headlines and the attacks on the Pope? Remember that he did not commit the alledged crimes. At best, he is empowered to strengthen the Church's checks and balances, rules, policies, and internal sanctions and penalties. He cannot send offenders to jail on his own. The laws covering this crime lie with the courts of a state. Prosecution needs the complainants, the witnesses, etc. What makes people think that due process lies solely with the Pope and the Catholic Church?

I don't know how it feels to be 83. My Dad will celebrate this milestone on March 5. I imagine there's much to be thankful for. I also imagine the memories of such a lifetime to be poignant.

I toast to a good father. A good man!

Have been remiss with my blog. Either too much on my mind or too much noise out there it's difficult to think. Everyone is competing for airtime, print space, all sorts of gaps to fill in. For the rather pathetic 15 minutes of fame or for a shot at longer term positions. Is this productive? Anyways, I hope to fill up more space in my blog. Meanwhile, if you're a voter in the Philippines, try following the series on presidential candidates of the newspaper Philippine Star. It's got to be the most unbiased, straight out data I've read so far. Tell me, too, who among the candidates convince you the most.

Believe that the world is just going through a cycle. Calamities, financial disasters, war, hunger, environmental degradation...


Hope that the cycle will bring us gradually to better times ahead...


Love life, love the world we're in, love the person next to you...

Believe that the world is just going through a cycle. Calamities, financial disasters, war, hunger, environmental degradation...

Hope that the cycle will bring us gradually to better times ahead...

Love life, love the world we're in, love the person next to you...

May your Christmas be filled with faith, hope, and love. May the New Year be brighter for all of us!

Cynthia J. Gruet is empathizing with the Aquino-Cojuangco's grief. To lose a loved one is never trivial, never cheap on the emotions, never shallow in content, never truly public. The best and deepest memories are kept in the collective recesses of the heart and the soul. Thumbs up for Noynoy, Ballsy, Pinky, Viel, Jiggy Cruz and media people who were ever so professional and respectful of dignity.

She fought the good fight. She kept the faith. In the end, she will always be part of what makes Filipino and world history stand tall. Not the same thing that anyone can say against power grabbers and hangers-on to power no matter what.

More then a century after his death, Jose Rizal's words ring true in many circumstances of our national life. Relevant still, I am not sure if we should be happy given that not much seemed to have changed.


MANIFESTO TO CERTAIN FILIPINOS
by José Rizal

Fellow countrymen: Upon my return from Spain I learned that my name was being used as a rallying cry by some who had taken up arms. This information surprised and grieved me but thinking that the whole affair was finished, I refrained from commenting on something that could no longer be remedied. Now, rumors reach me that the disturbances have not ceased. It may be that persons continue to use my name in good or in bad faith; if so, wishing to put a stop to this abuse and to undeceive the gullible, I hasten to address these lines to you that the truth may be known. From the very beginning, when I first received information of what was being planned, I opposed it, I fought against it, and I made clear that it was absolutely impossible. This is the truth, and they are still alive who can bear witness to my words. I was convinced that the very idea was wholly absurd -- worse than absurd -- it was disastrous. I did more than this. When later on, in spite of my urgings, the uprising broke out, I came forward voluntarily to offer not only my services but my life and even my good name in order that they may use me in any manner they may think opportune to smother the rebellion. For I was convinced of the evils which that rebellion would bring in its train, and so I considered it a privilege if at whatever sacrifice I could ward off so much useless suffering. This is also of record.

Fellow countrymen: I have given many proofs that I desire as much as the next man liberties for our country; I continue to desire them. But I laid down as a prerequisite the education of the people in order that by means of such instruction, and by hard work, they may acquire a personality of their own and so become worthy of such liberties. In my writings I have recommended study and the civic virtues, without which no redemption is possible. I have also written (and my words have been repeated by others) that reforms, if they are to bear fruit, must come from above, for reforms that come from below are upheavals both violent and transitory.

Thoroughly imbued with these ideas, I cannot do less than condemn, as I do condemn, this ridiculous and barbarous uprising, plotted behind my back, which both dishonors us Filipinos and discredits those who might have taken our part. I abominate the crimes for which it is responsible and I will have no part in it. With all my heart I am sorry for those who have rashly allowed themselves to be deceived. Let them, then, return to their homes, and may God pardon those who have acted in bad faith.