Ka-Blog!

Downtown

Metro Manila has become unbelievably huge and swamped with malls.  But however big it has become and how many would claim to be its new center, there remains to be one and only downtown—Quiapo.

            I hated tagging along my mom whenever she made her regular trips to Quiapo.  It was a crowded, hot, chaotic and filthy place.  (Still is.)  I could never imagine it as the country’s best shopping destination once, complete with the first airconditioned department stores and cinemas.

            But I’ve grown to love Quiapo these past years.

            It all started when I was given my first SLR camera by my Uncle Ben.  And when one talks of cameras there is only one place to go—Hidalgo street.  At first, I went there to have my black and white pictures developed.  The best professional film developers are there.  And because my first camera was a Petri, Hidalgo was the only place where they could clean and repair it or where I could buy accessories.  I even have a buddy-camera technician in Quiapo.

          I’ve had a succession of cameras after my first—especially after it got dunked several times on Sinundungan River on a human rights fact-finding mission.  I had Yashicas because of two things: they’re cheap and are compatible with Carl Zeiss lenses.  While my camera bodies may be crappy, my lenses were top grade.  I even influenced Gilbert Mendoza, Erel Cabatbat and Angel Tesorero into becoming Quiapo denizens.  Hidalgo was also where I wold buy lots of second hand camera magazines.  Ten pesos each!

            Then there is Raon.  I can no longer remember all the things I bought from there. My wife and I even bought a juicer there once.  If I am in need of any electrical appliance, Raon comes to mind first. 

            When I need eyeglasses, I go to Paterno.  I buy new ones there or have my old ones fixed.  I used to buy sunglasses on this street behind the Catholic church but the Muslims around the Golden Mosque now sell them for 35 pops a pair.  Saan pa ako?

            And, of course, Quiapo is the pirated CD (audio CD, VCD, and DVD) capital of the universe.  I once brought two Ilonggo barangay chairpersons there to buy karaoke CDs.  They were so afraid of the Muslims they hardly spoke and looked at the merchandise.  Funny.

            Since my sister in law converted to Islamism, Quiapo is also where I would buy her and her family halal meat.  Chicken, beef and veal are sold in a Pakistani-owned shop there.  For haram eating carnivores, there’s Excellente Ham store near the Quinta Market.

            My wife frequents the bead shops on the street connecting Quinta and Plaza Miranda.

            Last month, I was introduced to Mojd Halal restaurant.  Their rottiserrie chicken is to die for.  It’s Mindanaon-Middle Easter fusion.  It’s spicy but the lemon grass tang is strong. 

            Do not expect much from this restaurant on the looks department.  It is always teeming with people; it is a hole in the wall.  It's got creaky ceiling fans and I dared not use its bathroom.  It's located very near the mosque and the DVD shops.

            For the second time, I had lunch at Mojd Halal today.  I was actually invited to a free lunch at Barbara’s inside The Orchidarium at Rizal Park and I would have loved to park my buns on its antique chairs.  But my mind was set on eating at Mojd Halal since morning, I refused.

            I ordered a chicken quarter and the Mojd Halal rice—red and spicy.  I also ordered a vegetable salad and a soda.

            Driving back to Quezon City, my mouth is still assaulted with the richness of flavors.  And having had two hefty servings of rice, I felt sleepy.

            I think I am becoming like my mother.  I now love the crowded, hot, chaotic and dirty downtown.  Try visiting it once in a while.  I am sure you will find some things to love in Quiapo.

Romeo T. Capulong: descendant of Kings, defender of the people

I once wrote about Justice Romeo Capulong as one of my favorite lawyers. (Ka-Blog! April 2006) I also remember writing I was not really close to him; I just admired him from afar. Serving him coffee or bringing him papers while I was NDF-JS PIO do not count, do they?

     Today, I finally got to know him up close. We are making a tribute video documentary about him and we spent some hours with him and his family.

     He and his partner welcomed us into a humble house they are staying at present. I noticed the many antique furniture inside the house they obviously like to collect. This was confirmed when we were taken to their real home. The house is nowhere near as big as one would be excused to assume a top notch lawyer like Ka Romy would own. But therein are many furniture (mostly second-hand and acquired cheap) that are as beautiful and tasteful as those that could be seen in a palace. (Atty. Capulong had to leave his house because of threats against his life by gloria’s dogs of war.) Molave, apitong, narra, yakal—name all treasured Philippine hardwoods, Ka Romy and wife have them as cabinets, chairs, floors and chests. How I wish we both had time to talk about all of them but we had a video to produce.

     This day is one of the most enjoyable times I have spent with a real celebrity. He took us where he does his morning walks. He prepared us capuccino. He instructed us on his health regimen, including the benefits of drinking wild yellow ginger tea. There is so much to this man than just being the best human rights lawyer this country ever had.

      Two things I like most about being with Ka Romy today.

     For breakfast, the couple took us to the nearest wet market where they do their regular shopping. He said the market is where he feels most acutely the people’s pulse. The market is where he can easily belie the government’s rosy economic forecasts. Atty. Capulong treated us to goto or rice gruel (ten pesos) and lumpia or deep fried veggie wrap (five pesos each). His easy repartee with their suki carinderia, suki fish vendor, suki vegetable vendor and the jueteng kobrador or collector (not suki) say so much about Ka Romy’s humility. They all consider him their friend though they often see him on TV. “Lagi naming napapanood si sir. Sikat na, mabait pa!” they said.

     We talked about Ka Romy’s roots extensively. A shared tenant farmer’s son, he narrated his humble beginnings. But he is aware of his family’s noble history. “Muslim kami, galing sa Tondo. Ninuno namin si Lakan Dula.” (Lakan is a Tagalog and Pampango word for “king.”)

     As my personal tribute to Ka Romy, I researched the following (okey, cribbed from the book “Manila, My Manila”):

Before the palefaces arrived in these shores, Metro Manila was of two kingdoms—Maynila and Namayan. The former is where Fort Santiago is now; the latter had its capital where Sta. Ana is now. Namayan’s territories include familiar places—Quiapo, San Miguel, Sampaloc, Santa Mesa, Paco, Pandacan, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Pasay, Pateros, Taguig and Parañaque.

     According to Manila historian and National Artist for Literature and Journalism Nick Joaquin, the high point of Namayan history was the marriage, sometime in the 13th century, of Namayan princess (later Empress) Sasaban to Madjapahit Empire crown prince (later Emperor) Soledan (orAnka Widyaya). They ruled Indonesia.

     The imperial couple had a son, Prince Balagtas. Because he was to become King of Namayan, he married Lady Banginoan. Banginoan was the daughter of Lord Lontok and Lady Kalangitan, princess of Pasig. Her grandfather was Archduke Araw.

     One of King Balagtas’ descendants was Lakan Takhan who had a bastard son named Pasay. Takhan bequeathed to his son the kingdom we now know as Pasay City.

     After Takhan, Namayan was ruled by his son Palaba, who was in turn succeeded by his son Laboy. Laboy was succeeded on the throne by his son Kalamayin. It was Kalamayin’s sad fortune to be the sovereign when the palefaces arrived. When Kalamayin’s son was baptized a Christian, prince Martin, the Kingdom of Namayan was no more.

     The Kings of Maynila, Tondo, Namayan and others were originally Borneans. It was therefore natural for them to embrace Islam as their religion.

    As an aside, Joaquin wrote about El Kapitan Juan de Salcedo falling in love with a local Princess—the Lady Candarapa. Salcedo was Legazpi’s nephew while Candarapa was Lakan Dula’s niece. Both Legazpi and Lakan Dula frustrated the love affair. Salcedo was sent to conquer Ilocandia; Candarapa died three months after her lover sailed north. Salcedo christianized the Ilocos and the Cagayan Valley regions; Candarapa gave us the word that means “hopeslessly in love.” (Shades of Captain Smith and Pocahontas and Romeo and Juliet.)

    From the seeds of King Balagtas sprang such Tagalog-Pampango dynasties as the Soliman, the Lakandola, the Gatbonton, the Gatchalian, the Gatmaitan, the Gatdula, the Malang and the Kapulong or today’s Capulong. In fact, in later times, if a person has distinguished himself, his name is preceded by a “Gat” like Rizal and Bonifacio.

     It should be remembered that Rajah Soliman, along with his uncle, Rajah Matanda (Rajah Laya), Lakan Dula, and the great Lakan Macabebe from Pampanga were the brave kings who fought Legazpi in the battle off Bangkusay in Tondo. They lost, Lakan Macabebe killed. But there were lost battles that inspired wars of liberation at some later date (Alamo, Texas; Moncada, Cuba; Tet Offensive, Vietnam).

Five hundred years later, one of these kings’ descendants fights his battles and wars defending the Filipino. His name is Romeo T. Capulong.

Welcome to this end, Niel

I stared at the TV unbelieving—Niel Tupas Jr flying and sprawling to the floor, being mauled by the police. While his body guards tried to protect him, armalite rifles were aimed at him like he was a nobody.

     Niel is Jun-jun to family, friends and constituents. Namesake of his controversial father, Iloilo governor Niel Tupas Sr., he is a provincial board member of Iloilo. He is a lawyer, an Ateneo Law school grad. Had his undergrad at the UP but was a freshman at San Beda. Everyone thinks he is being groomed to carry on their political dynasty. Why not? So what if it’s unconstitutional? In this banana republic, other political families do it all the time. At least, Niel is not another dumb Atenean in the mold of dato arroyo who’s running for congressman of Camarines Sur!

     Back in 1988, San Beda freshman APL class was arranged alphabetically during the first day of school. I found myself seated beside this bearded teenager who wore tight fitting designer shirt, jeans and sneakers. We were college freshmen who had to endure the elementary school “procedure” of introducing ourselves to the entire class. I would never forget how Niel introduced himself. “Niel Tupas JR. Tupas with an ‘s’. From Iloilo.” He expelled the name “Niel Tupas JR” from his chest like it wasn’t his own. I also wondered why he had to emphasize Tupas was spelled with an “s”.

     I came to know why a couple of weeks later. Niel emphasized the “JR” because the “Sr” was and is somebody in Iloilo. Congressman pala noon si Papa. I also found out there is a surname spelled “Tupaz”, with a “z” (presumably not family and not well-known or well-off).

     Although the entire class became tightly knit after some time, it can’t be help that we had closer friends. Mine was fellow Ybanag Gilbert Mendoza who became corps commander of the ROTC in our senior year. I did not know if Niel had any. I did not dare become his. He always had a bodyguard with him. Besides, he really did not mingle much with us. His favorite hang out was the library, making sure he had good grades to be able to transfer to the UP on his sophomore year. (Actually, I do not now understand why transferring to UP was and still is a big deal. I also had a taste of UP and Ateneo [and a sprinkling of Paulinian–gasp!] education and I saw no gaping difference. My wife would say, kasi DLSU-di lumusot sa Upcat-so they took the only route left.)

     Next thing I heard of Niel was when I read his engagement on the papers’ society pages. I also learned he is a lawyer and a budding politician in old Iloilo. When CERV was in the province, I planned on paying him a visit and proposing a partnership with the provincial government. I somehow failed to do it until events overtook us.

     Then the TV clips of the police assault and the subsequent interviews. He told off interior secretary Ronaldo Puno with righteous anger. And being the lawyer and politician he is, Niel’s vitriol was laced with legalese and politicese (is this even a word?).

     Here is an unsolicited advice to my former classmate:

     Niel, p’re, the entire country already knows your father’s dismissal by the Ombudsman is gloria’s payback for Niel Sr’s support of the 2005 impeachment complaint. Cease being a lawyer all the time when you want bigger public empathy to your cause. Stop belaboring this point. If you keep on blabbering about the legality of your father’s hold on to power, the government will just come out with its own interpretation of the law. In a country like ours, it is never about the law. It is always about who is in power.

     Rather, the bigger and more damning accusation against gloria is her wanton violation of the people’s human rights. The Ombudsman’s order is no longer the bigger issue. The assault is. It is not about who is governor. It is about you and your fellow Ilonggo’s human rights being violated. That’s the issue that will turn you from a being a simple lawyer and politician to a public defender. That’s the issue that will ensure that you do not only have legal power on your side but, more importantly, people power.

       If police brutality and state repression could be perpetrated against a Tupas with an “s”, chances are it can even be more brutal and repressive against a Tupaz with a “z”.

      Welcome to this end of the police stick and gloria’s armalite rifle.

And they're off!

First off the block in the race to submit certificates of candidacy with the Commission on Elections were the usual, uhm, suspects.  Unlike racehorses though, they have rounded the mental bend long before the first day of filing of certificates.

If the elections are held today and I am left with no choice but these “gentlemen”, the first on my ballot would be Daniel Magtira.  He has after all submitted an impressive bio-data.  According to him, he is married to former presidential daughter, actor and talk and game show host Kris Aquino and is nominated by Rep. Imee Marcos and Boy Abunda.  And I guess being an “automative electronic Pinoy rock singer composer” carries a lot of weight in these parts.  He even brought a guitar with him.

Second on my ballot would be Rummel Pinera, a “small businessman” from Laguna who in his interview sounded like he made half a sense.  He said this country is rotting and something must be done with it.  So he runs for the Senate and betrays his mental state.

Theodore Aquino is a waste management engineer based in the US.  His years dealing with American crap may have gotten to his head though.  His candidacy is his way of fulfilling his promise to his uncle Ninoy Aquino, he said.  I am not surprised.  The dead vote in the Philippines, don’t you know?

I would never vote for Atty. Oliver Lozano.  This guy admitted he forestalled the impeachment complaint against gloria in 2005.  He even asked executive secretary Eduardo Ermita to include him in the adminstration’s line-up because of “services” rendered for Malacañang.  Nagkabukuhan na.   The Palace is not beyond using crackpots just to save gloria’s hide!

These early birds may be comic relief to some.  But one thing can be said about them—they sure have the right idea about the Comelec, this country’s electoral system and the institution they want to become members of.

Maling Akala

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQrK2aEYv8U

No to gloria's cha-cha!

“GMA calls for release of Suu Kyi”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=43410

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I would have laughed my tonsils off upon reading this front page news on the Inquirer.  Ordinarily, I would find some sick humor on the headline but for the tragic fact that Aung San Suu kyi has been languishing in a “house arrest" for years.

        Allow me here to quote direct statements attributed to her excellency:

            --(gma said) “dialogue and compromise should be an ongoing process.”

            --“We (Asean leaders) called for the release of those placed under detention and for the effective dialogue with all parties concerned.”

            -- “If the government of Myanmar would let us, we are willing to play a role in alleviating the humanitarian problems faced by Myanmar.”

            Now, back to reality.

            I do not know whether snakes deserve their unpopularity for having forked tounges.  I do know though politicians deserve all the hate they get for having one.

            It stretches my wits to the limit to try to understand this snake cum politician called gloria.  How she can have the cheek to demand Myanmar’s junta release Suu Kyi but she can’t see the glaring fact she is committing exactly the same crime against Congresman Crispin Beltran, I honestly, truly, clearly can not ever know.  (Suu Kyi is kept inside a house; Ka Bel is incarcerated inside a small hospital room.)  From what I read, Suu Kyi’s detention is unjust.  From what I know, Ka Bel’s confinement is inhumane.

            And Ka Bel is only one of hundreds of political prisoners in this hard luck country.  From the time gloria became president, hundreds have been summarily executed; hundreds have disappeared forcibly; and the 86 odd millions of us Pinoys have been cheated by gloria in the last elections.

            To these, I say:  If the government of gloria arroyo would let us (the people), we are willing to play a role in alleviating the humanitarian problems faced by the Philippines.

             We could just arrest her, keep her in the slammer and throw away the key.

Mondays should always start this way!

This morning, while waiting for the slow internet connection to do its work, I checked Friendster and started reading bulletins.  I saw this:

Date: Friday, 12 January, 2007 (;52 PM

Subject:  blogs to read

‘if, like in the premiere nights of FPJ (or any other movie star) films, i get asked what i think of these blogs, i would also say what the movie fans usually say: "maganda! punung-puno ng aksyon! at may aral pang mapupulot!" and i would also add the familiar: "ang galing talaga ni idol!"’

http://bukaneg.blogs.friendster.com/my_blog/

-writer/journalist atbp. Raymund Villanueva

http://cparaullo.blogspot.com/
-BAYAN Chair Carol Araullo, to Music and Theater friends, more popularly known as Atom's mom.

Two things: First, I was listed with THE Carol Pagaduan Araullo—my seatmate’s mom.  Second, it was THE Rica Nepomuceno who made the list.

Ano ba ‘yan?  Bakit ang gwapo ko yata ngayon?

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http://www.friendster.com/bulletin.php?bid=108570285&uid=4858150

http://www.friendster.com/ricanepo

Eggheads!

I willed myself not to post new blogs since Christmas. First, I wanted to take the edge off because I was getting angry with my blogs and it is not really me.  Second, year ends and the first weeks of January are usually spent on assessment and planning sessions.  Besides, I wanted to hit 2007 running with old and new tasks accomplished so I really had no time to waste writing about my angsts.

            But I already can’t help myself.  There simply are things I have to write about to prevent my chest from bursting with pent-up anger.

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Walanghiya talaga itong itong si labor and employment secretary Brion.  Imagine an official in his position totally taking the capitalists’ side saying a legislated wage increase is bad for labor.    His justification is that small and medium scale industries may be forced to close down because they can’t afford to give 125 pesos more to their abominally underpaid and overworked workers.

            First, the workers do not only want the increase, they need it.  In fact, it is not even enough.  They clamored for the bill’s passage for seven years already.  How the hell can Brion say labor does not want the increase?

            Second, when will this government admit that the small and medium scale industries’ bigger problem are the dumping of imports (sanctioned and smuggled) and the arrival of multinational corporations that take away their business?  How can small local businesses compete with foreign corporate giants the government keeps wooing with tax holidays and nefarious deals?

            Whoever believes that globalization is good for the country is dumb.

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Don’t look now but comediennes Pokwang and Tiya Pusit may be given a run for their money by Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

            I heard on the radio the other night she has given Carmelite nuns trays of eggs and bags of groceries to help her pray for good weather in Cebu during the ASEAN Summit.  This is one of the reasons why I relish being an erehe sometimes.  I always find it funny to hear or see practices like this.

            I know that this is a custom among Filipino catholics but, por Dios por santo, I thought simony has been chucked out the window since the Second Vatican Council.

            Why she is deathly afraid of rains in January, I don’t know.  All of Southeast Asia and their respective heads of state (the players of the Summit) know rains do come at this time of the year all over the region.  Something to do with this thing called Intertropical Convergence Zone.

            I suspect Garcia is afraid the rains would bring on the leaks in the overpriced and hastily constructed Cebu International Convention Center.  But instead of raising the poor nuns’ cholesterol count to stratospheric proportions due to eating way too many eggs, Garcia should instead crack the eggs and use their shells in covering the leaks on CICC’s roof.  And she can cook the eggs and feed Cebu’s poor who are denied services because of the government’s profligate stupidity.

            That’s proactive solution