Author's Response to Book Launching

TINGKORAW BOOK LAUNCHING
Author’s Response May 24, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning… After hearing so many good words, for a while I thought we were talking about somebody else’s book. I was tremendously overwhelmed.

I am groping for enough and appropriate words to thank you. I just feel totally stunned and speechless. So, from the shy corner of my heart I thank you all.

Mrs. Aida Leyran for the unaltered National Anthem and the nostalgic Alfonso Hymn;
Rev. Fr. Gani Aviñante for the greatly inspiring Prayers;
Mayor Virgilio Varias for a most pleasant welcome address;
Hon. Cesar E.A. Virata for the interesting review of important historical events in Cavite;
Dr. Emmanuel Caliro for his wise and encouraging words.
Prof. Aquino I. Garcia for everything that you said and Ms. Teresita P. Unabia for the amazing review of the book.

If the introduction by Professor Silverio Baltasar exposed the character of the book and the Foreword by Ms. Felice Sta. Maria captured its deeper and real essence, now the review by Ms. Teresita P. Unabia unveiled completely the mystery of TINGKORW.

Possibly as interesting as the book we are launching this morning is the intriguing story behind its creation.

To begin with, I never intended to write a book. The book coming out this morning is only a result of my own brand of Parochial Patriotism.

After finishing Medicine and taking the Board Examinations in 1961, I returned to my hometown to wait for the release of the results. Since I was not yet legally allowed to practice my profession and being a law-abiding citizen, I didn’t know what to do. All the friends that I left seven years ago were gone and busy with their own individual ventures. I temporarily helped in the clinic of Dr. Rodolfo Poblete under his supervision. That way I had a chance to be with different people during house calls. I was curiously encouraged to jot down notes about interesting events that happened in my town as I heard them fresh from the mouths of old folks.

I began compiling my notes at random as I heard them. My interest was stimulated further every time I heard new important story or legend. So I started entering my compilation into a big record book. It turned out to be a valuable and import ant compilation of Alfonso’s Oral History.

With the permission of then Central School Principal Miss Juliana Stuart I incorporated earlier data gathered by the Elementary School Teachers in 1956. I also included a Tagalog Poem about Alfonso that I wrote in 1951 when I was in Second Year High School.

A Journalist friend of mine, Mrs. Evangelina Ortega Dalusag volunteered to correct my grammar, spelling, word agreement and choice of words without changing or altering the original chronology of my compilation. As it was it turned out pretty popular among students, researchers and other town mates and friends.

With the advent of the computer I was forced to take up a basic computer course to update and upgrade my compilation. It took me a lot of hours and bond papers before I was able to save in the floppy disc my treasured compilation just to realize later that files saved in a floppy disc is not a guarantee of permanency.

When the Cavite Hitorical Commission was created, one of its members, Mr. Napoleon Vidallon, borrowed my compilation, presented it to the Chairman, Prime Minister Cesar Virata for possible publication. After scrutinizing it, the Prime Minister returned it to Mr. Vidallon with valuable comments. I still have the hand written comment by Prime Minister Cesar Virata, sent on June 11, 1998 who said: “I believe the materials cannot be published as is. It will require organization, editing and additional gathering of sources and materials”. It awakened me and inspired me to work further for its improvement but as I said I was not really intending to write a book.

Came Professor Silverio Baltasar, also a member of the Cavite Historical Commission who volunteered to help me organize the book then afterwards he submitted it to the original staff of The Cavite Studies Center. I didn’t hear anything about it from them.

It didn’t bother me at all but then a daughter of mine secretly submitted it to the Ayala Foundation for review and possible publication. It was indeed thoroughly reviewed and many suggestions were offered but following all the suggestions would result to a book very far from my original compilation while I also felt that I was old enough to do more research, so, I just kept my compilation on my desk.

It was very perplexing that so many people were more eager to publish my compilation than I was. One U.P. student offered himself to request the University of the Philippines to publish it. At the same time another Ateneo student also made a similar offer. Again as I said I was not really intending to write a book so I just kept it as it was until Rev. Fr. Nestor Isagani Avinante discussed it with the New Staff of The Cavite Studies Center.

The New Staff composed of Professor Garcia, Professor Lubang and others came one day to see my compilation. They offered their help to do everything to make my compilation worth publishing in the form of a book with the final editing by Prof. Neriza Villanueva and the untiring and endless help of Mylene B. Delatado. When they told me that Ms. Felice Sta. Maria agreed to write the Foreword I knew I got the ‘imprimatur’ for the publication of the book.

The book TINKORAW: Alfonso’s History and Legend which is coming out this morning is not actually my book. It is your book…Prime Minister Cesar Virata, De La Salle Brothers, Staff of Cavite Study Center, Rev. Fr. Isagani Avinante, Mayor Ver Varias, Congeressman Roilo Golez, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrocio Makalintal, Mr. and Mrs. Vic Ortega…
And yes, Ladies and Gentlemen… this is your book…

At this point it is interesting to note how ironic it was that because of my original crude compilation I was awarded as the Town’s Historian during the celebration of Alfonso Day 2007. I felt too shy to accept the award.

Now am offering a truckload of gratitude to all the sponsors who jointly supported t he realization of this Launching:
The De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
The Cavite Studies Center
The Cavite Historical Commission
The Local Government of Alfonso
Thank you all so much.

Before I finish I would like to specially acknowledge the encouragement, support, patience and understanding of my wife, the former Teresita Costa of Indang, Cavite. Allow me to offer to her the first copy of the book as I also share with you the secret of our longevity as partners.

Pag nanaig ang pag –ibig,
Ang ibigi’y sakdal tamis.
At matamis lalo ito
Sa dalawang pilas-dibdib.

Ang dinibdib na pagkasing
Magkatugo’t magkabigkis,
Pag binigkis ng damdami’y
Mahirap ng magkawaglit.

Kung mawaglit yaong isa’y
Hinahanap na masugid,
Ng masugid na kasuyong
Dati-rati ay kaniig.

Magkainiig na pagliyag
Pag tunay na magka-pintig,
Ipipintig ay ligayang
Sa suyua’y walang patid.

Ang pagpatid ng panahon
Sa sumpaa’y di matamis,
Ang matamis ay bayaang
Pag-ibig din ang manaig.

In this tiny book that I am now holding is a little bit of history, a little bit of legend and much about Alfonso that anybody will learn to love after reading TINGKORAW.

With it goes a little bit of my mind, a little bit of my heart, a little bit of my strength and a little bit of my soul. Fifty years in the making. In as far as I am concerned this is unique and this is priceless. I want to offer my first copy to my wife becasue in as far as I am concerned she is also unique and she is also priceless. That is why I love her so much.

At this point I like to intruduce my 5 month old youngest grand daughter, Chiara Veronica together with her mother, my youngest daughter, Madora Joliveth and her husband Raffy Kapunan Ortega. At the moment I think Chiara Veronica is the only patriotic projection of my clan. My other children and grand children are scattered to the different parts of the world. But it is interesting to note that all my absentee Children are now represented by their in-laws . My Son Pau-David, based in Australia is supposed to be represented by her Mother-in-law, Mrs. Angie Almeda Policarpio but her father is seriously ill and she was not able to come; My Daughter, Belina-Judith who is now in Bohol with her family and Mother-in-law, is now represented by her Father–in-law, Congressman Roilo Golez who flew all the way from Bacolod early this morning to catch up this event; My Daughter, Brinna-Zita , who is based in Canada with her family is represened by her Parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrocio Makalintal; My youngest, Peter-Jonathan is also based in Australia and still single. He is represented by so many who love him. Thank You.

Jett e. Avinante, m.d.

LET ME FEEL IT

LET ME FEEL IT

A writer once sent a story manuscript to a popular magazine with a request that it be publish in the coming issue. Then he waited for the magazine expecting that his manuscript was included.

When he did not find his story, he angrily approached the editor to complain: “Why did you not publish my story?” He shouted at the editor. “It is very interesting. It is full of adventures with so many suspense portions before reaching the climax. How could you be so mean? How could you be so insensitive? How could you reject such a valuable article?”

The editor calmly responded: “Please relax and let me explain. Yes, your story maybe true-to-life. Yes, it could be interesting and more than all of what you said. But please don’t tell me. Let me feel it. Honestly I did not feel any of those things you said your story was about. If I did then I could have made it the cover story”.

The incident reminded me of some politicians who are proudly telling things and offering tempting promises. Let us all wait for someone we can feel and let us make him our country’s cover story to inspire all of us. Is there anyone around?

MYCOTIC SMILE

MYCOTIC SMILE

I woke up with a mild mycotic infection near my upper lip. It hurts a little especially when my lips move. In order not to touch the sore I lifted my upper lip a little upwards just enough to avoid the infected portion.

I continued my daily chore including my daily visit to my favorite Netcafe to establish connection with my children and other friends. (My computer at home is not on line or I won’t leave the home and get paralyzed in due time).

On my way many people greeted me good morning or hello just to express something. Meantime I just kept my upper lip a little lifted to prevent the pain brought about by contact with the mycotic infection.

Little did I know that by doing such a stanch I accidentally created a kind of smile that encouraged all those people that I met or encountered to smile back at me. I never in my wildest imagination thought that such a forced smile could do so many people’s morning so bright and enjoyable

HERE IS PARADISE

HERE IS PARADISE

.
During the last three consecutive days there was a generous downpour of rain late in the afternoon ‘till early night. The climate was suddenly converted into a comfortable and refreshing experience for everyone.

The flowers sang, the fields rejoiced and joy was definitely all around. Sleep seemed like a slumber on a bed of roses and dreams were experiences in the fantasy world.

Come morning time with the ground still wet while the sunshine was almost a beatific glow. If it could only be this way everyday, life would have been a paradise. This, of course was only for those like me who need not do anything or go anywhere at night .

For those who need to work or go some where or just do anything at night, there must be some kind of paradise too. Thinking about it I realized that paradise mean different thing to different people. There could never be a true paradise for everyone here on earth at all time. Paradise is a personal creation of each and everyone.

Paradise, after, all is only a state of the mind. Any situation or experience that makes us feel good and contented is our paradise. That way paradise could easily be created even if only in our minds. A mind that thinks positively is a mind that lives in paradise.

Let us create our own paradise by deleting all the negative vibrations and substituting it with positive thoughts. Let us convert negative posters and signs to something positive without necessarily deviating from the intended meaning. Instead of writing “NO Parking on this side”, let us scribble “PARK on the other side PLEASE”. Instead of saying “NO littering” let is say “CLEANLINESS is next to Godliness”. Better than putting a sign, “DON’T throw your garbage here”, is a sign “Please use the garbage can”.

By practicing positive conversion, you’ll find it very easy to love than to hate. It is only when we finally learn to really love that we can really claim paradise here on earth.

TUPIPEL

TUPIPEL

If the word sounds new to the reader it is because it is in fact, new. Coined from Tagalog words, TUPI (fold) and PAPEL (paper), it is simply and literally referring to the act of folding a piece of paper.

Unlike ORIGAMI, the Japanese art of paper-folding, TUPIPEL is not strictly a genuine form of art. It interestingly evolved as a therapeutic hobby when I first used it as an easy substitute for cigarette and something to hold on during the period of withdrawal when I finally quit the habit after having been smoking four packs (80 sticks) daily for about twenty years. Almost as addicting as cigarette smoking I was hooked to it and the results were artistic creations that attracted some art lovers. More than a work of art, however, TUPIPEL serves many useful purposes.

It serves as a good companion during moments of solitude and loneliness. As such it is more comfortable than playing solitaire; a very effective cheerer in time of boredom, an instrument for expressing different emotions; a security blanket during moments of fear and apprehension. As a toy it could be more interesting, more enjoyable if not more challenging as the more expensive and more sophisticated electronically controlled ones. It is safer too. As decorative pieces there are endless possible forms and shapes.

The unique artistic results of TUPIPEL are difficult to duplicate so that each finish item has its own unique characteristics and “personality” that more often reflects that of the TUPIPERO or TUPIPERA.

Yes, TUPIPEL is something new, something good, something useful and something also for you, whoever you are and whatever you are doing. Indulging in it is like being in constant period of honeymoon. Like in honeymoon a lot of common sense is needed plus a good sense of humor and some amount of resourcefulness to enjoy it and for it to be fruitful. The beginning, like during honeymoon is a period of adjustment and interesting discoveries, both pleasant and unpleasant. One has to do a lot of stretching, of pressing, of creasing and careful caressing most of the time while folding and unfolding in every possible directions. All the while, just like during honeymoon, there is a need for utmost care and tenderness in order not to beak it. Even real honeymoons are sometimes spoiled and broken for the simple lack of tender loving care.

There can also be period of boredom at times but boredom that also challenges the wisdom of the TUPIPERO very similar to the challenges encountered by honeymooners that eventually matures the mates. Then the triumphant moment of compatibility when the folder and the paper being folded becomes blissfully adjusted. From then on you are totally married to the hobby and there is no stopping. Every new creation you make shall give birth to more artistic creations unless, of course, you are artistically impotent or infertile.

Give a crying child a fluffing bird and see how his face brightens; offer a Japanese young lady with a paper crane and she will fall in love with you. Create a paper trash disposal container during picnics and notice how other picnickers are amazed at your creativity. Propose your love by offering paper roses or make your prayer request by offering paper rosary to a nun or a catechist.

As therapeutic tool it is more useful. It helps revitalize fingers weakened by arthritis and paralysis. It gives way to one’s destructive tendencies and sadistic leanings by merely breaking it, as it also becomes a vehicle of one’s “hot” temper or “burning” anger by actually burning it. For children it is an endless source of toys. Try TUPIPEL. It could change your entire life style.

I won’t forget what once happened inside an airplane up in the air. A young girl passed-by my side. I gave her a paper tulip. She quickly called her brother whom I offered a paper frog. It was seen by other children and one by one they approached me. I, in turn offered them different folded items. It didn’t take so long when I found myself surrounded by the mothers of the children who were curious why their children were all coming to me. At this point the stewardess commented: “Be careful so that the airplane don’t tilt on that side”. I gave her a small garland of paper 'sampagitas'.

POST HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS

POST HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS

Gone is the Holy Week. Gone are the “Holy Parties”. Gone are the “sacrificial beach funs”. Gone are the “colorful” processions. Gone are they all, leaving behind much confusion in the minds of the new generations.

My grade one grand daughter asked me so many questions during the Holy Week celebrations. Questions I didn’t mind asking during my childhood days and are now giving me some kind of reflective interpretations.

She asked me: “Lolo is St. John a male?” Confidently I said “Yes, he is one of the apostles”. My grand daughter continued: “Why does he look like a woman with long hair and shiny face?” I thought for a while before I replied: “Well, because he is the youngest apostle that is why he doesn’t have beards like St. Peter and St. James”. I don’t know if my answer convinced her but she asked another one: “Why is St. Martha dressed so beautifully, is she not supposed to be cooking? And why is she holding a key, did she lock the cabinets?” Those and many other questions that challenged what I thought before was my ‘encyclopedic’ intelligence.

While my grandchild kept on asking questions and while I continued answering her with childish emphasis, in my mind I myself was stimulated to ask so many queries. After the procession I went around visiting different Saint Owners who were all offering so many foods, never mind the ‘fasting and abstinence’ rule of the Roman Catholic Church.

It was while doing those rounds when a heard another child asked: “Why are they putting plastic flowers?” Casually I said: “To keep them fresh ‘till Sunday morning during the Salubong”. “How can they be fresh if they are plastics?” continued the child. I quickly countered: “For those flowers to look fresh at all time”. The child shake her head while protesting: “They are cheating the Saints?” Another child joined us with her own questions: “Why are the people getting the flowers?” Her brother called her and so the “interview” was ended.

Come to think of it. We are doing this celebration supposedly to perpetuate the story of salvation. But as it is, the correct story is not properly perpetuated. No wonder, many Catholics are already turning to other sects for their spiritual guidance.

Is it not a practice of idolatry to kiss the cross during the Veneration of it? Why are the Apostles included during the “Salubong” when they are supposed to be hiding because the people are mad at them? I think it is very important that things be clearly explained so that the new generation will find it more relevant than going to the computer to play or chat happily even during the Holy Week. Gone really are those days when Holy Week was Holy and people were pious. Come Holy Spirit, enlighten us all…

(Note: The above article was published last year and this year it is good to note that there was an exhibit of the different Saints at the Church Plaza with little explanations about the Saint or image on display. The display was only from 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. Many didn’t have a chance to see it as it was so hot the whole. It would have been better if the exhibit was extended for two days up to around 10:00 pm.)

EASTER SUNDAY (?)

EASTER SUNDAY (?)

After Holy Friday and Black Saturday it will be Easter Sunday again.

It is too unfortunate that Christians are celebrating Easter Sunday without a vague idea of its satanic origin. “Easter” is only one of the many names of a woman who greatly deceived the world. Her religion caused mightily untold suffering and misery during her time and up to now. Many priests seemingly are not aware of this pagan practice that was given a Christian connotation that made Satan very happy.

Nowadays hunt for Easter eggs are practiced even inside the Church. How ironic. There are certainly better ways of celebrating Jesus Christ’s Resurrection as it is the most important of all Christian holy days.

By adopting and Christianizing some pagan celebrations we also adopted Easter (the pronunciation of “ISHTAR”, the name of the pagan Mother Goddess). In other countries she was called Eostre, Astarte, Ostera, and Eastre. She who was also called Semiramis, Wife of Baal, Ashtaroth or Ashtoreth and Queen of Heaven.

Her power started when she married King Nimrod, the great grandson of Noah who rebelled greatly against God. When Nimrod died she turned adulterous and idolatrous and when she gave birth to an illegitimate son she said that her son, Tammuz, was the reincarnation of her husband King Nimrod claiming that he was supernaturally conceived and that he was the promised seed, the ‘savior’.

Tammuz was worshipped with various rites at the spring season. Legend says that after he was slain by a wild boar, he went into the underworld but through the weeping of his mother…he mystically revived in the springing forth of the vegetation – in spring! Each year a spring festival dramatically represented this supposed ‘RESURRECTION’ from the underworld.

The rabbit is a well known symbol of fertility. It also symbolizes the Mother Goddess (Easter).Annual Spring fertility rituals are associated worship of the Mother Goddess and Tammuz, the reincarnation of her husband Nimrod.

The egg on the other hand was a sacred symbol among the Babylonians. They believed on old fable about an egg of wondrous size which was supposed to have fallen from heaven into the Euphrates River. From this marvelous egg – according to the ancient story – the Goddess Astarte (Easter) was hatched. And so the egg came to symbolize the Goddess Easter.

The seductive symbol of ancient ungodly religions inspired by Satan have been incorporated into people’s everyday lives, even to this day – continuing to obscure the truth of God. Jesus has been obscured by painted eggs and bunnies. Attention has been shifted away from the truth. Materialism prevailed (clothing, products and candies with the wrong symbolism). Stores merchandise the name of Easter (not “Resurrection Sunday”) and sell goods that have nothing to do with Christ’s death and resurrection. Christians naively use symbols and practices that unknowingly perpetuate ancient anti-Christ traditions – symbolic customs followed by the same religious cults that inspired the destruction of great numbers of Christians and Jews. Satan is laughing at us. Hahehihohu!!!
-(Quoted from the internet)