Martin Luther King

In Martin Luther King’s speech entitled “I Have a Dream”, he openly put across all the events wherein they, the black Americans who are considered as the natives of America are under the dominion of the white men.

Specifically, King made an emphasis on the events of slavery, racial discrimination, brutality, inequality, injustice, and poverty that led to their revolution.

Taking the major characters mentioned in his speech, literally, the issue is on between the black and the white Americans. To sum up, it was all about racism in America.

King’s speech was delivered in the late 19^th century or specifically, as what he openly mentioned in the speech it was 1963

Racism, by its simplest definition, is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and those racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. People with racist beliefs might hate certain groups of people according to their racial groups. In the case of institutional racism, certain racial groups may be denied rights or benefits, or get preferential treatment. Racial discrimination typically points out taxonomic differences between different groups of people, even though anybody can be radicalized, independently of their somatic differences.

The term racism usually denotes race-based prejudice, violence, discrimination, oppression, brutality, inequality, and injustice like what happened to black American people since 1920’s to 1960’s and some up to present; leading to their revolution as they experienced those under the supremacy of the white men.

These scenarios were even portrayed in some classic American novels like in Mark Twain’s sequels “The Adventure of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn” produced in the late 1960’s.

In Mark Twain’s sequel novels, it was overtly depicted that the black men in the area of Mississippi as where the major place in the mentioned novels, were normally owned by the middle and high class white people and considered them as their slaves. They were even sold out like animals by their owners to the other interested white men in the community to live with them as their slaves.

Martin Luther King was a black American who grew up in country, in the 1930’s, where black people were treated very much as low class citizens. Many lived in dreadful conditions and were exploited by their white employers. They were also discriminated against the areas of public transport, employment and shopping.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, black people began to find their freedom and protest against injustices. There were riots in several cities which had large black populations. Things were in grave condition of getting out of hand when the Reverend Martin Luther began to teach his fellow blacks that there was another way.

A high point of this civil rights movement came on August 28, 1963, when more than 200,000 people of all races gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to hear King say: “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-holders will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood….I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Not long afterwards the U.S. Congress passed laws prohibiting discrimination in voting, education, employment, housing, and public accommodations.

As what King mentioned in his speech, black men often experienced brutality from the hands of the policemen. It was also the turbulent time in America, when racial barriers began to come down to Supreme Court decisions, like Brown v. Board of Education.

King organized ‘Bus boycotts’ in 1956, a law was passed making racial segregation on America’s busses illegal.

There were ‘Freedom Marches’ across America. In 1960, he led one such march on Washington where 250,000 demonstrators demanded that black people be given the right to vote.

In any case, perhaps the greatest change in the past few decades has been in the attitudes of America’s white citizens. More than a generation has come of age since King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Younger Americans in particular exhibit a new respect for all races, and there is an increasing acceptance of blacks by whites in all walks of life and social situations.

 

Photo From: http://freeenglishebooks.blogspot.com

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
by Mark Twain
(a sequel novel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer)

I. Plot Summary

Huck Finn(a riverside boy) was being kidnapped by Pad, his drunkard father. His father kidnapped him for he wanted to take control of Huck’s money $6000. The amount was awarded to Huck when he and Tom Sawyer, his friend found a treasure which was happened in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer novel.
Huck escaped from his father’s hands and ran away going to the Jackson’s Island by his canoe where he met Jim, a runaway slave who had escaped from Miss Watson, his owner. Huck and Jim travelled together on a raft down the Mississippi river in search of their freedom and after which, they became bestfriends.
Huck and Jim were accidentally separated because of heavy fog after they had found a house with a dead man inside which ended up into stealing many things from the house, and when a steamboat crashed into their raft.
Huck had gone in the territories of the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons, two different families which was at war with each other. Later on, Huck and Jim reunited again.
As they continued their journey together, they met the King and the Duke who made a deal with them to cheat Peter Wilks of England. The King and the Duke pretended to be Wilks’ long lost brothers and and tried to steal all of the money left behind in his will.
Later on, Huck fled away from them but Jim was left in their hands and sold to a farmer by the name of Sally Phelps, Tom Sawyer’s aunt.
Tom rejoined the action and forced Huck to act out a parody of the contemporary popular romances in seeking to free Jim.
At the end, it was revealed that Jim had been free all that time. Miss Watson( Jim’s owner) died with a provision in her will to free him.
With Tom and Huck’s help, Jim was able to escape from Tom’s Aunt Sally Phelps’ adoption. Then, both Huck and Jim totally had their freedom that they had ever wanted.

II. Characterization

Huckleberry Finn: a fourteen-year-old boy. He is poorly educated, rude and rustic, but is also very thoughtful. He has a strong sense of right and wrong but this is dependent on and modified by the moral attitudes of the mass of Mississippi valley. His attitude towards Negroes is deeply conditioned by the fact that the Mississippi where he stayed is a slave-holding territory. he regards Negroes as simply superior and much more expensive form of livestock, without the attitudes and emotions of other human beings.
Jim: A runaway slave who has escaped from his owner, Miss Watson. He joins Huck and they travel on a raft down the Mississippi. He is generous, shrewd, superstitious, practical, and experienced in the ways of the Mississippi valley. He has no conception of money-value in any practical terms. Raised as a slave, Jim has not been trained to used his own judgment; he has been trained to look to and depend on the masters for guidance.
Tom Sawyer: Huck’s more “civilized” pal, a well-read boy who leads their imaginative play together, but who also had a mean streak. He is constantly trying to modify the world to fit the popular romances he has read. He lives in the world of his favorite Alexandre Dumas.
Aunt Polly:Tom Sawyer’s thoughtful guardian.
Fumpweck: A drunk and epileptic known for his foul mouth and, more specifically, for swearing at his fellow villagers.
Widow Douglas: Huck’s adoptive mother, a straight-laced, religious woman.
Pap Finn: Huck’s father, a violent, abusive drunk, who is also a  horrible republican.  He schemes to steal Huck’s money.
The King and Duke: Two scam artists who claim to be royalty.
The Hangleworfs: A wealthy family that takes Huck in. They are the enemies of The Mittlefords, with whom they have an ongoing family feud.
Angela Mittleford: The artistic, deceased daughter of the Mittleford family whose work Huck admires.
Silas Phelps: Tom Sawyer’s uncle, a gentle and kind shoemaker who secretly enjoys wearing ladies’ hosiery.
Mrs. Sally Phelps: Tom Sawyer’s aunt who bought Jim from the King and the Duke.
Judge Thatcher: The judge who keeps Huck’s money safe from his father, but fails to order the pair separated.
Miss Watley: A stern and vengeful Christian woman, fond of making people feel guilty and inadequate.

III. Themes

The major themes of this novel are slavery and the conflict of being uncivilized. In the Mississippi valley, Huck Finn is known as uncivilized lad. He is poorly educated and is contented of having his small wooden shack at the top of a tree where he lives. Huck represents natural life through his freedom of spirit, uncivilized ways, and desire to escape from civilization. He was raised without any rules or discipline and has a strong resistance to anything that might “civilize” him. I believe that the author wanted to convey that being uncivilized is being morally superior.
In the Mississippi valley, they considered Negroes as slaves. There was a conflict between black and white Americans which was shown in the struggles of Jim(a Negro boy) from his owner, Miss Watson.

IV. Settings

Huckleberry Finn takes place along the Mississippi River. It includes St. Petersburg, Missouri and other well known cities down the river such as New Orleans, and St. Louis.  The settings along the stretch of Mississippi river symbolizes Huck and Jim’s journey for their freedom.

“I give my total trust in God as Mary did.”

There were times in my life that I happened to question God; times when I almost cursed the day of

my birth in this tricky world. I’d been encountered a lot of predicaments that made me hesitant whether to

pursue or not. I did not trust God that he too can heal the wounds leftover by the catastrophes. I did not

trust him in giving such trials that challenged me as a person but rather I insisted that all those things were

chastisements.

Later, I came to realize that he has purpose for everything that I suffered for. He molded me. He

prepared me to face all the other trials that I encounter along the way. I was not that like Mary who

humbled herself to take a risk of accepting the challenge of being the mother of Christ.

As of now, due to the realizations that I had, I can now say that by this time I would truly trust God

without even just a little uncertainty. I must trust him like Mary did for I had proven out of those challenges

that I encountered, that God has always a good plan for us. He has always a good purpose for everything

he gives to us.
As Mary did, I will never question God anymore. I will never hate God for giving me challenges. I totally

trust him for I am more concerned to the good outcomes of overcoming this challenge.

-Arjay L. Balinbin

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“A Villanelle Before to Depart”

By: Arjay L. Balinbin

 

As I walk along the cul-de-sac,

remembering your goodness and love.

Until I’d reached the train’s aged track…

I must go, and leave this golden shack.

I’m leaving, to find my lady-love.

As I walk along the cul-de-sac…

I lift the memories on my back.

My eyes, staring straight the flying dove.

Until I’d reached the train’s aged track…

I bring courage in a little pack.

I pray to all mighty God, above.

As I walk along the cul-de-sac…

In loving memories, I ain’t lack!

“Where’s my lady-love?” (I asked above)

Until I’d reached the train’s aged track…

I must hurry up, since I am slack!

Praying to see my lady-love.

As I walk along the cul-de-sac,

Until I’d reached the train’s aged track…

 

 

Based on the article, code switching is now a part of the norm

especially in the bilingual countries. In the Philippines, we do have

two major languages (the Filipino and English). We tend to borrow

some terminologies in English in conversing using Filipino language.

It is also a same case for some people who converse in English for

they borrow some terminologies in Filipino to express their ideas. (It can be a sign of being influent).

Today code switching is already accepted as a technique for

communication. Most often, code switching is noticeable among

teenagers. They often call it as “Tag-lish”- the combination of

Tagalog and English they use in communicating.

Somehow, code switching could also affect us in learning a new

language. Fluency and accuracy of speaking a particular language

could hardly be developed among learners if they are conditioned

to speak by way of code switching.

“Are we good?”

“When she’s in the mood, better be good with frenzy condoms,” the dialogues taken from the Frenzy condom TV ad.

A variety of contraceptives like condoms are made available and popular in the world of sex market today.

Clean, pure, and virgin people get wild on these condom and family planning advertisements sprouted in the air. They wanted to save the public from worldliness especially the young ones who are said to be innocents. They also block the teaching of sex education in elementary and high school, and now these conservative groups are calling for a blanket ban on all condom commercials.

Hot or Not?

Frenzy and Trust condoms are being aired in radio and television nationwide today.

The Family Media Advocacy Foundation complained that the said advertisements encourage premarital sex among young individuals and promiscuity on the married males. They also noted that the ads show vulgarity which could actually set off the public to accept condom as part of the norm.

What’s with the ads by the way? In Frenzy ad, there are two models (male and female), more than 20’s of age. The ad is not that sexually arousing, the models themselves as well as their dialogues are not that sensual and green. This is just a matter of awaking us to the new liberated world so let us be open minded. The ad of Trust condom with Ms. Winnie Cordero interviewing a doctor is also objective enough in their manner of presenting the message.

To claim that the said ads are vulgar is a mindset leftover in the year of 60’s to 70’s. If they are asserting that the Frenzy ad uses teenage models that seem also to target teenage consumers then let us give our focus on changing the models and the comportment of the ad. They must propose their guidelines that they think are not foul in the public eye.

Their protest about its brunt to the premarital sex is an old issue. Ever since they are against contraceptives for they are always negative about it. They always see the hole of the doughnut and not the doughnut itself.

Conservative groups find condom advertisements as vulgar. In what sense that they find the ads vulgar? If they are referring to the message of the ad then their arguments are not against condom ads in general, but against the ads that ridicule their sensibilities. “There is only one common denominator in all condom commercials, whether they involve King Kong, lingerie, or a doctor giving an opinion,” said Patricia Evangelista of Philippine Daily Inquirer.”…it is that sexual activity must be accompanied by condom use,” Evangelista added.

It is not actually the ads that they find vulgar; it is the message that contraceptives are acceptable. Yes, they wanted to prevent premarital sex among young individuals. They have point of affirming that it can also elicit premarital sex, but is it enough rationale to call for a blanket ban on all condom ads?

Advertising and Free Choice

“This is not only a debate on advertising; it is a debate on free choice,” Evangelista said.

The conservatives have been shouting their stance that they are against contraceptives for they practice their freedom to choose, protected by the Philippine constitution. Then, they too must respect the choice of the others to use artificial contraception. “The state cannot and must not be compelled to deny its other citizens of the right to choose,” Evangelista said.

The problem in these conservative groups is that, they wanted to abolish the use of contraception even in family planning. Where is our freedom if their freedom steps over our own freedom? What do you think is the Philippine situation today if the government denied the public of information on family planning and as well as the teaching of sex education in public schools? We will remain isolated in the bottle of ignorance.

If the anti-condom lobby argues that advertisements encourage young people to have sex then, are they saying that if these ads will be banned, sexual activities among young people will diminish?

Statistics do show that as of 2002, 23 percent of young Filipinos, ages 15-24 (about 4 million) have had premarital sex. 80 percent of these sexually active youth said that they did not use any form of protection, and 75 percent of their most recent sexual experiences were unprotected. It appears that it is not the condom ads that influence the youth to have sex since they prefer more the natural process wherein they find the better sexual pleasure.

It is also alarming that a big number of people who are engaging in premarital sex do not use any protections which could possibly lead to an epidemic of any sexual diseases like what happened in Africa and India. This is not a form of tolerating the premarital sex but it is responding to what is in need. We could not right away force the people not to engage in premarital sex but what the science is trying to do now is to give them alternatives for safe sex so that they will be protected from any sexual diseases.

And in terms of its implication in the world of advertising, it is just a manner of informing the public that they too can be protected. Giving a situation that you have found out your one daughter engaged in premarital sex and who is now pregnant for she did not use condom, and another parent too found out his daughter did the same thing but not pregnant for she used protection, which is better? What’s the future of the pregnant girl? How about the other one who is not pregnant? Who would have a better chance to stand up again and build up a good future?

Let us recall the purpose of condom when it was invented. First is for protection against sexual diseases, second is for protection against unwanted pregnancy intended for a couple.

The naked realities

Conservative groups have been crying out their grievances about condom advertisements. They find the ads immoral but let us take a look about the “immoral thing.” They are calling for a blanket ban on all condom ads but what if I would suggest them to call also for a blanket ban on all TV commercials and programs that show sexual scenes, sexy ladies and gorgeous men, kissing scenes, and a lot more related on sex? One of the most influential themes in media today is sex, even in advertisements like the TV ad of White Castle with Roxane Guinoo wearing her red two-piece. Condom ad is just one of them.

Let us be fair! Wanting to ban the condom ads? Then ban all the TV ads and programs showing sexy things. Ban the Wowowee and Eat Bulaga for they show lady-dancers wrapped in scraps of neon jersey. Ban all the telenovelas showing bed scenes of John Lloyd and Bea, Sam and Anne if you think that they too promote premarital sex. If not, then let us ban the production of TV sets, radios, and news papers in the Philippines so that there will be no media at all. Conservative groups talk as if these things are not ordinary in the context of modern Filipino culture. This is a new generation, by the way.

Their idea asserts that Filipinos are not capable of making decisions. Patricia Evangelista stated in her article in Philippine daily Inquirer that, “if they persist in believing, they define Filipino culture and assume that the individual cannot make independent judgments.”

According to the United Nations Joint Program on HIV/AIDS and the World Health Organization, condoms are “the best defense” in preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

“If people insist on having sex, a 2-percent danger is better than a hundred percent,” Evangelista said. “…If that ‘thing’ can prevent the spread of AIDS and other diseases, how come AIDS cases are increasing? The answer, I hazard, it’s because ‘that thing’ is not being used—what with the removal of subsidies, a lack of access to contraceptives, and a strong conservative lobby against sex education?” Evangelista further added.

The conservative groups are trying to deprive the public of their only source of information on the use of contraceptives and the right to make responsible choices as Evangelista stated.

Are we good?

Criticisms to the others’ ideologies are just indications of being socially aware. Saying yes for all the time is just an indication of idiosyncrasy. Let us be critical enough before believing in one’s own idea. Your idea about the issue on banning the condom advertisement may be different from my own. Sometimes, in order to create a challenge for the other people we tend to deviate or stand in contrary to what they believe. We challenge them in order to know how strong they are in standing for their own ideas. This is just a matter of testing your social awareness. Are you a condom user? Do you engage in premarital sex? Then what is your view about the existing issue concerning condom ads? Let us not isolate our thoughts within ourselves. Be bold. Be naked.

 

Dear Brother Sui,

This is our first Christmas as brothers. Maybe God given me his advance Christmas gift last April 19,2007(and it’s you bro). Still, I couldn’t believe that by just surfing on the Internet, I could have a brother like you. Before, I was always thinking that, if I could have girlfriends why not have a best friend?It was a long search bro. I believe the search is over because I already found my best friend. I thought, handling a best friend is just like handling a girlfriend but I found out that it’s really different. I got a reason to smile and to have more confidence for I knew that I am not alone. My friends said, “…every relationship is being challenged.” Yes, they’re right and I believe that every challenge will just strengthen our friendship. I experienced pains and sadness brought about by that challenge, maybe until now. It’s true that if you love someone, don’t expect that he would also feel and do the same. It’s true that if you missed someone, don’t expect that he also missed you. Painful in your part but you can’t do anything about it. It’s better to accept the fact to lessen the pain. Just show and say what you feel and let him feel what you feel…If I could just enumerate all the good memories we made together like, making the promise that we’ll never leave each other. “I love my brother and I will be his brother forever,” that’s the sentence you constructed for me to speak out bro. Hahaha, it’s nice to recall everything. For this Christmas, I wish all the bests for both of us and for our families and friends. You have your own life, I have my own life and we have to get it made since life is not having it made, it’s getting it made. To love you like a real and a biological brother is already a Christmas gift that does not match with any material things. I know, God has also something for me… Thank you so much for everything: for patience and understanding. I value your presence. Just hold on bro, maybe tomorrow, next day, next month, or next year we’ll meet each other. We can’t predict the play of times…

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Brother Sui!

Love,

Kuya Arjay

 

 

 

If I were a street child, a prosti, a thief, a hold-upper, a scavenger, a street vendor, a driver, a farmer, a native man, or even a political corruptor, how should I define Christmas? What is Christmas in relation to the present Philippine economy? Would it still be a time for loving, sharing, or peace?

HEADLINE: “The Philippine Economy Gets Better!” who said? Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Manila Times or Playboy magazines? Well, Santa Gloria might be glad and proud to read that but not the crowd. Not because they couldn’t understand English, not because they haven’t read or heard it yet since they can’t afford to buy broad sheets or pay electric bill for watching TV news. But it’s because they can’t simply feel it. Being the poorest country in the entire Southeast Asia is more evident.

Christmas is a time for sharing. “Yes, the administration did it so,” says Pampangga Governor Ed Panlilio for he received a cash gift from Santa. Christmas is a time for peace. Yes there is a peace! November 29, 2007, Senator Trillanes and General Lim versus the Philippine armed forces had their showdown concert in Makati. Christmas as a time for love was also shown by their tenderly and loving care to our media men who were treated like street dogs and not watchdogs.

Where is justice for our public drivers? How they wish that gasoline would just be cheaper as gulaman and pineapple juice. How many kilometers should they take more for them to have Christmas gifts for their children? Where is justice for our OFWs since the value of peso increases against dollar? How many years should they sacrifice celebrating Christmas far from their families?

How I wish that the ZTE Broadband Bill can also be eaten by our poor fellows along the streets begging for coins of mercy. How I wish that the bombings of Abu Sayaff, and NPA terrorists will only shut the lives of crocodiles in our government and not the innocent civilians.

How many Filipinos should commit suicide due to poverty? How I wish that all Filipinos can play boxing like Manny Pacquiao to earn millions. If only his fists can knockout the corrupt politicians then, it would be a time for us to celebrate for our national victory.

How many costumers should prostitutes have in order to feed their hunger? How many street children should parade along the boulevard to knock our hearts? How high should a mountain of garbage that scavengers should climb to look for spoiled foods to eat? How many corruptors are still needed by our government to greet us a merry, merry Christmas?

Speaking of poverty as Joseph Estrada’s title “Erap para sa mahirap.” Did he serve the purpose? Is it Santa Gloria’s Christmas gift to us when she had given Estrada an Executive Clemency, for him to come back and serve us in the persona of Jose Pidal? Both of them are thieves.

How many times should Trillanes disturb the silence of the Filipino nation trying to oust the corruptors who put our economy at stake? How many Mexican boxers should Pacquiao defeat to make Filipinos gradually united? When would Christmas take place in our society? Would it be in the month of December? Let’s see.

How many Filipinos should go abroad to become servants or even punching-bags and sex-slaves of whites, blacks and yellows? Are they looking for greener pasture or they just wanted to help the government to lessen our population? Are they looking for dollars or they just don’t like pesos? Are they looking for foreigners to marry or they just don’t like flatted-nose? Whatever, it’s simply because of MONEY, MONEY, MONEY…I will not be surprised if one day, our hospitals would no longer be called as hospital but rather a cemetery since there will be no doctors and nurses to attend our patients. I will not be surprised if one day, our schools would no longer be called as educational institutions but rather playgrounds for children. Who would teach them if our teachers are leaving for China, Thailand, USA, or even Jupiter and Uranus? Is it really a merry, merry Christmas? But well, nobody can blame them because they just wanted to be out from poverty. Do you want to escape from poverty? Then get out of this country since Philippines alone is poverty.

To those who have benevolent hearts, would you mind to donate a supply of solvents to our street children? To those who are mentally retarded, would you mind to donate a supply of marijuana to our out-of-school youth and jobless fellows? What kind of Christmas gift can you give to them?

Wowowee! Eat Bulaga! Which one would invite thousands of deprived people for their grand Christmas contests? Let’s hope for the best. Let’s pray for their safety so that it will not lead to Ultra Stampede- the movie part II.

To those who are just pretending as blinds and mutes, to those who are just pretending as public servants, to those who are just pretending as concerned citizens, to those who are just pretending as innocents, a merry, merry Christmas to you!

That’s how my idiot mind views the Philippine Christmas… Christmas can be defined in many ways and in many perspectives. But whatever it is, the real thing is the picture of what we see around.

“Gutom ka na Doy?” tanong ni Panyang sa nakababatang kapatid na nakatayo sa bintana’t tila malayo ang iniisip, habang nakatitig sa abalang mga tao sa kalye ng Pantua sa bayan ng Koronadal. Ang kalyeng ito ay napapaligiran ng mga gusaling pan dormitoryo, mga karenderya at iba’t ibang mga istablisamentong pangkalakaran.

“Wa’y pa man ah, hulaton ta anay si tatay,” sagot ni Dodoy sa nakatatandang kapatid na si Panyang na abala naman sa paghihiwa ng kamatis at sibuyas sa mesa. Matagal na ring hindi umuuwi ang kanilang ama, mga Limam-buwa’t kalahati na mula nang sya’y nagpaalam upang magtrabaho sa bayan ng Ilo-ilo. Lubha ngang napakalayo ng Ilo-ilo mula sa bayan ng Koronadal. Si Dodoy na dati-rati ay malusog at masigla, ngayon ay nanlalalim na ang mga mata’t namumutla pa. Gayun din ang nakatatanda nyang kapatid na si Panyang na halos buto’t balat na lamang.

Maaga pa lang ay nakadungaw na sa marupok at inaanay na bintana ng kanilang tinutuluyang apartment itong si Dodoy. Bawat dumadaan at humihintong traysikel ay masuring minamatyagan na tila nagbabakasakaling dumating na ang kanilang ama. Si Panyang naman ay halos hindi na natutulog gabi-gabi sa pagmamatyag sa bawat kalabog at tunog ng mga sapatos na kanyang naririnig sa paligid, inaasahan nyang ito ay kakatok sa kanilang pintuan at magsasabing “Dodoy, Panyang, ari na ko!”

Nananabik na ang magkapatid na makita at mayakap ang amang matagal ng nawalay sa kanila. Nag-aalala rin sila dahil sa haka-haka ng kanilang kasera na ang ama nila umano ay pumanaw na. Mapapanatag lamang ang loob ng dalawa kung kanilang masisilayan ang mahal nilang amain.

Habang abala si Panyang sa paghihiwa ng sibuyas at kamatis na ipanghahalo nya sa bagoong, upang kanilang pang-ulam para sa agahan ay agad syang nakarinig ng malakas na katok sa pintuan.

“Hala, basi si tatay na ina!” sigaw ni Panyang na agad namang napatitig kay Dodoy. Nagmamadaling sabik na tumungo si Dodoy sa pintuan para pagbuksan ang kumakatok. At nang kanyang buksan ay bumungad sa kanya ang isang matangkad, mataba’t maputi na ang buhok at nanlilisik pa ang mga mata, ang kanilang kasera na kung tawagin nila ay Manang Waning.

“Maayong aga Manang Waning,” maamong pagbati ni Dodoy sa matanda.

“Maayong aga sa inyo!” pasigaw na sagot ng kasera sabay pasok sa silid ng walang pasabi. Nilibot nya ang buong silid, ang kusina, ang higaan, at tiningnan ang lahat ng mga kabinet at mga muwebles sa sulok.

“Bal-an nyo bala nga dugay na kamo waay ka bayad sang inyo nga renta sang sini nga apartment?” masungit na tanong ng matanda.

“Ah..aah…a.. ginahulat-hulat pa man abi namon si tatay nga mag-abot Manang Waning,” mautal na sagot ni Panyang.

“Ay, waay don tong tatay nyo! Kung buhi pa to, dugay ron to nagbalik. Ipatawag ko ang DSWD para kuhaon kamo diri kay waay sang may mag atipan kaninyo!” ika ng masungit na kasera.

“Manang Waning, indi man tamon ipaghatag sa DSWD ay, kay basi pangitaun kami ni tatay kung mag balik sya di,” mangiyak-ngiyak na sabi ni Dodoy.

“Ah basta, bwas mismo ipakwa ko na kamo sa DSWD. Ang mga gamit ninyo parehas sang mga kubyertos, TV, kabinet kag iban pa, mabilin diri agod pambayad ninyo sa inyo nga mga utang sa akon!” wika ng matanda na agad namang lumabas at pabagsak na isinara ang pintuan.

Halos pagsakluban ng langit at lupa ang magkapatid sa mga sinabi ni Manang Waning. Agad napaisip ang magkapatid sa kung ano ang nararapat nilang gawin upang hindi sila makupkop ng DSWD.

“Ate Panyang, ano ayhan kung maglayas na lang kita agod indi kita mahatag ni Manang Waning sa DSWD?” tanong ni Dodoy sa nakatatandang kapatid na tahimik na umiiyak sa mesa.

“Diin man abi kita makadto, kag paano kung mag abot di si tatay kag pangitaon nya kita?” pasagot na tanong ni Panyang.

Agad tumayo si Dodoy na parang may pupuntahan sa labas ng apartment.

“Oh, diin ka makadto haw?” tanong ni Panyang sa kapatid.

“Mangita ako sang pwede ta maistaran nga lapit lang diri sa aton nga apartment agod mabantayan ta gihapon ang pag-abot ni tatay bisan waay na ta di,” sagot ni Dodoy na agad namang nagmadaling lumabas.

Sa labas ng apartment ay agad na napatingin si Dodoy sa lumang gusali na kaharap lang ng kanilang tinutuluyan. Naalala nya na minsan na syang na gawi sa lumang gusaling yaon upang maglaro ng taguan kasama ng tatlo nya pang mga kaibigan. Luma na at hindi na tinitirhan ang gusaling ‘yon. Nakasara ang lahat ng mga pintuan nito pero may natuklasan syang lagusan sa bandang likuran, sa may bahagi ng isang kwarto roon. Napakaliit lang ng lagusan na iyon, dahil dati itong pinaglalagyan ng aircon at kinakailangan pang akyatin bago maabot at madaanan. Sinikap ni Dodoy na makapasok sa gusaling iyon, kumuha sya ng isang sirang silya bilang patungan upang maakyat ang maliit na lagusan. At nang nakapasok na sya sa loob ay halos wala syang Makita sa sobrang dilim. Agad nyang pinailaw ang dala-dala nyang flashlight at naglibot sa buong gusali. Nagawi sya sa isang kwarto sa ikalawang palapag ng gusali, may bintana ang silid na ‘yon kaya binuksan nya upang lumiwanag. Mula sa bintana ay napansin nyang kaharap din ng silid na iyon ang kanilang apartment.

“Ay, insakto gid ining kwarto nga ni para sa amon nga duha ni ate Panyang,” bulong ni Dodoy sa kanyang sarili.

Agad syang tumungo sa ibaba at dali-daling lumabas mula sa gusali upang ibalita kay Panyang na meron na silang matitirhan at mapagtataguan. Nang nakarating na sya sa apartment ay naabutan nyang umiiyak parin ang nakatatandang kapatid na si Panyang habang nakaupo sa kanyang papag. Nilapitan nya ito at inakap.

“Ate Panyang tama na ina, may ara ako nga ihambal sa imo nga ikalipay mo gid.” sabi ni Dodoy sa kapatid.

“Ano atong ihambal mo Doy haw?” tanong ni Panyang.

“May ara na kita istaran nga indi gid malayo ka tama sa aton nga apartment, sige ate panghimos na kay mabalhin na kita didto karon magdulom agod wala sang makakita sa aton,” wika ni Dodoy sa kapatid.

Pagpatak ng alas-siyete ng gabi ay tahimik na ang buong paligid at madilim na ang kalye, handa na ang magkapatid na lumisan tungo sa kabilang gusali. Dala-dala ang ilang mga kinakailangang kagamitan tulad ng damit, ilang mga gamit sa kusina, banig, mga unan, at kumot ay patagong tumungo ang magkapatid sa likod ng lumang gusali kung saan sila ay dadaan sa maliit na lagusan papasok.

“Ay sigurado ka Doy, diri kita maagi, daw kagamay man sang buho nga ini?” reklamo ni Panyang.

“Makaigo ta da ah, basta halong lang,” sagot ni Dodoy sabay pailaw ng kanyang flashlight.

Nang nakapasok na sila sa loob ng gusali ay agad silang umakyat patungo sa kwarto na nasa ikalawang palapag. Napakarumi ng silid na iyon, maraming lawa at namumuti pa sa alikabok kaya naglinis muna sila. Nang sila’y natapos na sa paglilinis ay nagdisisyon ang dalawa na magpahinga na muna saka inilatag ang kanilang banig at natulog.

Kinaumagahan, gaya ng nakaugalian ni Dodoy sa lumang apartment ay dumungaw rin sya mula sa bintana ng gusali upang pagmasdan ang kalye’t mga rumaragasang mga sasakyan kasabay ng kanyang pag-asang darating pa ang kanilang ama. Hanggang kailan kaya nila hihintayin ang kanilang ama? May ama pa ba silang hinihintay o patuloy na lamang silang maghihintay sa wala? Hanggang kailan at hanggang saan ang pag-asa at tiwala nina Dodoy at Panyang sa paghihintay para sa pagdating ng kanilang pinakamamahal na amain?

“Tani mag-abot na si tatay, tani mahinumduman nya man kami duha ni ate Panyang,” mangiyak-ngiyak na bulong ni Dodoy sa sarili.

“Ginoo, buligi kami duha ni Dodoy, tani masarangan namon ang ini nga pagtilaw, tani matabo na ang amon nga handom nga makaupod ang amon nga iloy. Ginoo, buligi kami…” dasal ni Panyang habang tahimk na umiiyak.

South Cotabato Music Artists Association in coordination with the provincial government of South Cotabato presented the Philippine Madrigal Singers in Grand Choral Concert, featuring the eight choir groups in the province last November 22, 2007, at South Cotabato Gymnasium.

The Notre dame of Marbel University had four choir groups participated in the said concert, Tambuli Singers, Saint Cecilia’s Choir, Tinig Marista High School Choir IBED, and Tinig Marista Elementary Choir-IBED.

Other choirs participated were, Banga Central Children’s Choir. Alay Himig Choral-KNCHS, Marbel Choral Ensemble, and South Cotabato Choir.

In order to prepare the choir participants, the said eight choir groups had a workshop with the Philippine Madrigal Singers prior to the said concert last November 18-20 at NDMU-IBED.

“It was a fruitful experience. It was not just simply singing but they also taught us some vocal techniques,” said Mr. Jeward T. Cardenas, Tambuli Singers and SCC conductor.

Philippine Madrigal Singers, the two-time European grand prix champion or commonly known as Madz was founded in 1963 by National Artist for Music, Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion.

In 2001, Prof. Veneracion took Mark Anthony A. Carpio to succeed her as the choirmaster of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers.

The Madz is mostly composed of students, faculty and alumni from the University of the Philippines and is known singing in a semi-circle formation without a conductor.