AN OPEN PLEA TO THE GOVERNMENT FROM A GRIEVING MINDANAO DAUGHTER

I'm tired of broken promises. When will the land stop being tainted crimson by useless bloodshed?

I'm tired of all the red alerts. When will the people find the security they need to find in the harmony of living together?

I love Basilan and all of Mindanao because I was born and raised here. Many times have I felt like the Virgin Mary as all the terrorism and acts of unnecessary evil that happen in the land I so loved are knives that pierced my heart cruelly.

Yes, I am young and you may disregard this voice of mine because of the distance of our ages. But I still beg you, try to look the situation in my eyes, the viewpoint of a child longing for peace. Do not just look at the statistics of the events, go straight to the feelings that we - the people who are suffering from them - are feeling.

It's more than the laws, more than the regulations, and even more than the rules that you can impose in our land just as you, elders of mine, are responsible for. You are responsible for more than fulfilling the social contract that was made effective the moment the people here elected you to your posts.

You are responsible for caring for our situation here because we are Filipino citizens as much as you are. Do not be so insensitive as to give a slight glance to our problems here in Mindanao then turn your backs again to focus on the North.

More than all the publicity the news of the fatal acts of violence are receiving, show us the COMPASSION and CARE of a family. We are all brothers and sisters here, no matter how we differ in religion, color, tribe or language. CARE FOR US HERE!

Do not simply make the historical narrative of the grieving Mindanao forgotten through the course of all the legislation, policy-making, and programs that the government is doing and revolving around its administrations.

Do not forget all the lives that were torn from this world due to the battle for a land that was meant to be shared in harmony by peace-loving people. Every day, we Mindanawons CRY FOR JUSTICE. I cry for all the cases and events of sadistic violence that were left unsolved until now.

Desaparesido el Hustisya! Mindanao cries for all its people who died senselessly - the Maguindanao Massacre where 54 people were sent to the afterlife in a brutal and inhumane manner and so much more similar cases such as these.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET ABOUT US HERE!

Forget not the soldiers who died in the countless battles and wars that littered blood all over the land. Forget them not for their sacrifice is priceless.

Forget not the priests, the religious men and women whose heads and bodies lost breaths and life because of the grave suffering they endured under the violence of a land that should have been an open ground for discourse and religious freedom. Forget them not for their souls brim with the purity of love for this land and the Almighty God.

Forget not the teachers whose lives are often wrought in fear for kidnapping, rape and other heinous acts which is the ingratitude for all the sacrifices they made in order for Mindanawons to have a brighter future through education. Forget them not for the lessons they imparted to the children of Mindanao are treasures that cannot be contained in a bottle.

Forget not the businessmen and businesswomen whose lives were tainted by the violence, costing them their lifeblood and livelihood. Forget them not for their sacrifices for the progress of the land is immeasurable by even the best technological counting devices.

Forget not all the nameless people who suffered from the terror and fear of being in their own homeland. Forget them not for their lives are etched in the land forever. Their immeasurable sacrifices is etched in the very fabric of existence in Mindanao.

FORGET NOT MINDANAO!

Greeting cards? Make them a little bit eccentric and out-of-the-box with the use of the eCards! They are video greetings of all occasions you might want to celebrate with all styles. Best of all, they are only FREE and you can send them to anyone you want!

For the ones who like the fun and quirks in their celebrations, here are 5 animated eCards perfect for the season of Christmas:

1. Red Nose Rap's Free Video eCard - Santa and his reindeers rapping are a perfect treat to those who want rhythm and colorful beats in their greetings!
https://gramz.com/cartoon/animate/red-nose-rap#jenny18

2. Christmas Season Greetings's Free Video eCard - Funny short video of rabbits trying to get the carrot nose from a snowman. It gets with the wish that "You get everything you want for Christmas this year!"
https://gramz.com/hush2k/jungle/christmas-season-greetings#jenny18

3. Christmas Hottie's Free Video eCard - Funny animated short video of a snowman and snowman together!
https://gramz.com/cartoon/animate/christmas-hottie#jenny18

Stay Out Of The Trap

Stay out of the Trap

It is a known fact that even though money is circulated widely worldwide, many people still do not have enough money for their wants or needs and have to resort to loans.

However, while it is good to have someone to turn to in your need, it’s bad to make a habit of borrowing again and again until you bury yourself in unpaid debts. Debts sacrifice your family budget’s stability as well as the endurance of your income.

Why do people go to borrow?

While it is very reasonably seen that most borrowers go because of desperate emergencies and needs, it has been also known that some loan for the gratification of their desires and luxuries. The famed novel, “Confessions of A Shopaholic” wisely depicts this situation. Credit is not a good way to purchase materials because while you aim to get something, you are being charged for more than your purchase. Credit cards can also lead you to overindulgence and hasty decisions (i.e. picking everything that you might fancy around).

What are the circumstances of debts and loans?

In debts and loans, you are accountable to your debtor by legalities and contract, so it isn’t a good picture when you can’t pay your debt on time. Especially if you haven’t paid after a long time, there will be court proceedings (my mother’s personal experience as a debtor to her borrower) and some nights in jail because you haven’t kept your oath of payment.

Even if you can pay it slowly, it still isn’t good…

The prospects are low family budgets due to the deducted salaries of parents due to many debts needed to be paid. My family suffer from this on time to time due to constrict finances. We have to content ourselves with simple living and take extra care with our purchases.

So the better way is…

Be frugal in living. Do not spend more than what’s necessary for your family. “What use is money but to buy bread?” is Isaiah’s advice for everyone who holds money in their hands.

Pay your debts as fast as you can. You should be endowed by money, not burdened by it.

Sana Hindi na Maulit Pa (I Wish This will never happen again)

We left Zamboanga City on the evening of September 5 for Davao City where we will be competing for the 28^th Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Championship. Little did we know that we will go back to a Zamboanga with a shockingly dangerous situation.

September 10, 2013, 5:30 AM.

 “Jenny! C’mon, wake up, girl!” I was rolling wonderfully in my sleep when I was shaken hard by two hands. I unwillingly and forcefully opened my still sleep-worn eyes. “Hoy, ba’t naman ––” Before I was able to finish a cutting retort fitting to my mood, I looked up and saw Ate Sheena turn her back to me and frantically shaking the others off their sleep.

 "It’s only 5 o’clock, too early, Sheena. What’s the matter?" Kuya Fitz groggily sat up on his bed and blinked repeatedly to fight off unconsciousness.

"May masamang nangyari sa Zamboanga! Open the TV, quick!" ordered Ate Judean who sat beside him.

"Impossible!" Andre cried.

"Get your cell phones, look at the messages there right now!" The five of us quickly did and were stunned to read every one of the texts telling us about the unexpected attack of the MNLF rebels in our city. Burning houses, hostages, dead people... It was all too much for us to take in. As we saw the horrifying truth on the television, we were overwhelmed by fear and foreboding that the day that we were meant to go back to  Zamboanga is the worst one there.

Just one thought flashed through that moment – the most bloody day I witnessed in my life: April 13, 2010. Abu Sayyaf broke into Isabela City, Basilan where I lived with my family. I desperately hid in my room, while I was hearing gunshots and the boom! of the bombs. My best friend Karen’s apartment trembled like a high-magnitude earthquake because of their short distance from our bombed Cathedral. The next day, all Basileños cried for the twenty people who died by the rebels’ hands. My sister sobbed for her dear favorite Professor who was among those who were killed.

The TV flashed open to reveal families scampering away from their houses, mga soldiers shooting everywhere as they counter bullets from different corners (i.e. rebel snipers). Darren cried upon learning that his house in Sta. Barbara was directly in the ravaging of the enemy. We anxiously called our families, asking about their situation, if they were safe and all.

We (the Ateneo Debate Union (AdZU)) were stranded in Davao City for almost three weeks due to the Zamboanga Crisis and by each day that passed there, we grew afraid for the conflict in Zambonga and prayed unceasingly that it will be over soon so we could be able to go home already. While we were there, we are very thankful that there are some people who graciously helped with our daily food and other needs - the Tower Inn, Ateneo de Davao University, and University of Mindanao. They allowed us to stay in the hotel we had during the 28th Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Championship, shouldering all the expenses themselves. They even joking dubbed us “First-class refugees”.

But we know how much worse the people in Zamboanga were faring. Over 100,000 families cramped themselves in the evacuation centers, on very dire conditions. It broke our young hearts to see that a very beautiful place that is meant to be shared by all people is being ravaged by a group who claims it for themselves only. In this crisis, I can't help but think about my beloved hometown, Basilan where everyday is on Red Alert status. And now this in Zamboanga? Why can't be peace in the places I call my home? Why must they go and destroy everything that I have cherished and loved again and again? I DON'T WANT THIS ANYMORE! Oh God, please help us. Eternal Father, please protect all your children... Change the hearts of our enemies so that they will stop inflicting harm upon us and cease the unnecessary bloodshed in our own land.

We know to ourselves that our experience in the 28th MPDC was a very memorable one, so worth doing it again as I learned so much from it. But violent events such as wars are heavy and difficult tragedies that should never had happened. Bringing an everlasting hatred accompanied by a pain that can never be healed – THAT IS WAR. Many suffered much during this ordeal so I pray earnestly to God for peace in the whole world, especially my beloved homeland.

***Sana hindi na maulit pa ang gulong ito.