TO BE OR NOT TO BE TRANSCENDENT?

“Nothing has meaning except the meaning you give it”. 1/

In this material realm, in Manila, Philippines, on or before August 24, 2012, it is indubitable that President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, by constitutional authority duly evidenced by proofs beyond reasonable doubt, signed the appointment papers of new Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Punzalan Aranal-Sereno. 

So who really appointed the new Chief Justice? And what’s the point of asking this question?

It is asked in reference to a few articles, columns and reports given prominent positioning in some of our newspapers and the blogosphere that in effect poke fun at, are dismissive of, or otherwise denigrate CJ Sereno’s sharing of her view (belief) that God had something to do with her appointment as Chief Justice. It’s point is to express an opinion that is not a put down.  

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” 2/ 

It looks like both the CJ’s expressed view and the articulated criticisms against it are manifestations of two dominant world views and thought systems, which are the belief or assumption clusters of: (a) those who believe there is a transcendent power in this universe or God, and (b) those who do not believe so.   

These differing views appear to have presuppositions behind their respective beliefs:

(a)   that God created man and this world, and can shape, alter or arrange events here, even as He allows and respects the workings of human free will and natural physical laws; that man is, in essence, spirit and made in the image of God; that objective moral standards exist and ought to be followed; that, ultimately, God rules; and

(b)   that man, just like the rest of this world, is but a mere accidental combination of atoms not made by any god or transcendent being but resulting only from chance and unplanned collisions of cosmic dust, now evolved with a capacity to reason through eons of selection by survival of the fittest; that, man has no spirit but has reasoning power residing in the purely material composition of his/her body; that moral standards are relative and you can do “whatever floats your boat”; that, no matter what, reason and logic should rule.

There is reason to believe that the main principle from which the critical reactions seem to come from and/or zero in on, is the “value” that nothing spiritual should be used to describe an event or to make any decision; only reason and reason alone can and should be invoked. Because, for every effect, there is a cause; except the First and Uncaused Cause which can neither be proven nor disproven with incontrovertible evidence. 

And it might not be far-fetched to say that it seems this “value” is another way of expressing the intent of those who wish to drive one principal thrust of the dictatorship of political correctness, that is, to do away with everything that has to do with spirit and religion, specifically the Judeo-Christian type.

Reason, then, can be viewed as a wonderful gift from God or a highly valued evolutionary outcome of one’s accidental atomic blend. However we may view them, reason and logic are fundamental for judicial rulings. These are needed for discerning and apprehending what the true facts are from the opposing and necessarily biased claims of the contending parties and for winnowing which law and jurisprudence ought to be applied to the findings of facts. Constitutionally, it is mandated that “No decision shall be rendered by any court without expressing therein clearly and distinctly the facts and the law on which it is based.” “No petition for review or motion for reconsideration of a decision of the court shall be refused due course or denied without stating the legal basis therefor.” 3/ Of course, reason and logic are recognized in virtually all jurisdictions as indispensables to resolving appellate cases. 4/ 

  

Still, there are those who would invoke the saying, in regard to human interactions and to faith and reason, that “the heart has its reasons that reason cannot know”. The original French of this Blaise Pascal quote, says: “Le cœur a ses raisons, que la raison ne connaît point. On le sent en mille choses. C'est le cœur qui sent Dieu, et non la raison. Voilà ce que c'est que la foi parfaite, Dieu sensible au cœur.” It is translated to English by the Project Gutenberg, as: "The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know. We feel it in a thousand things. It is the heart which experiences God, and not the reason. This, then, is faith: God felt by the heart, not by the reason." 5/ So then, it turns out that God is a matter of the heart, not really of reason.

The heart is the seat of love as well as enlightened action and compassion, or of ruthless ego, concupiscence and covetousness, depending on our preferences. Thus, we are advised, “With all vigilance guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life.” 6/ And it could also be a source of abomination and defilement, as “…the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy. These are what defile a person…” 7/

Surely, one is as equally entitled to express one’s heart as one’s reason. Freedom of thought and of expression go together.

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” (Underlining supplied) 8/

Freedom of thought allows us to entertain opposing ideas like the contrast between ‘moral action is subject to objective moral standards’ and ‘morality is very relative’. Also, one can hold that ‘corruption is bad, regardless,’ or that ‘corruption is relatively good or bad depending on circumstances’.

But there are views holding that, “Moral relativism will only lead to problems and conflict in one’s life and in society.”  9/ and that, “Relativism will certainly damn our souls and end our species.” 10/

The range of views, notwithstanding, it can be gleaned that the attempts at publicity from all sides are designed to influence us, the sovereign Filipino citizens. These are done in the hope that we would buy into the surface ideas as well as the underlying presuppositions of the originators.

Given that our understanding of an event, word or action depends on the meaning we give it, we want to be conscious in our considerations and perceptions, avoid knee-jerk reactions in terms of aping what seems to be fashionable at the moment, and reject anybody who tries to bamboozle us, particularly through the shaming technique, on what meaning we should accept (whoever may do it, whether clerics or leftists or rightists or activists or media people or public officials or bloggers or whoever-s/he-claims-to-be).

Let us use our free will, freely. Beyond ratiocinations of reason, let us strive for wisdom and justice in our society. Perhaps, instead of just being circumscribed by ‘either-or’ issues from time to time, as in “to be or not to be transcendent”, we can choose to be both, equally embracing the material and the transcendent, and powered by both heart and mind in oneness of spirit.

We can also choose to show the world how we are as good citizens, which in the words of Dr. Jose Rizal, might be indicated – among others - by some capabilities, such as: “Los problemas de ciencias exactas, de la patria la historia estudiamos, tres y cuatro lenguajes hablamos, acordando la fe y la razón.” “We study the problems of exact sciences, and the history of our country; we talk in three and four languages, and make both faith and reason agree.” (Underlining supplied). 11/

           

Our societal choices of which thoughts to dwell on, do matter, now and hereafter. For, “What you attract into your life is in harmony with your dominant thoughts.” 12/

_____________

1/   T. Harve Eker, The Millionaire Mind

2/   Art. 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

3/   Section 14, Art. VIII, 1987 Philippine Constitution

4/   Cf: http://www.alwd.org/LC&R/Archives/2006/
       Ross_1.html and http://www.alwd.org/LC&R/
       Archives/2006/Ross_2.html

5/   http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Talk:Blaise_Pascal

6/   Proverbs 4:23, NABRE

7/    Matthew 15:18-20, NABRE

8/   Art. 18, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

9/   Johnson, Do Objective Moral Standards 
        Exist In the World Today? http://www.
        quodlibet.net/articles/johnson-
        morality.shtml) 

10/ C.S. Lewis quoted in Horner, D.A., 
       Some Problems with Moral Relativism, 
       Introduction to Philosophy

11/ 5^th Stanza, Hymn to Talisay  

12/ Brian Tracy

TEAM ROWING CHAMPS

This reminds us of the last lines of the 4^th stanza of Dr. Rizal’s “Hymn to Talisay” (Oct.1895):

“y remando no hay banca en el mundo  
  que un momento nos pueda pasar” - Spanish

“and rowing, the world has no outrigger 
  that instantly can pass us” - English

“sa pagsasagwan, ang daigdig walang bangka 
  na sa iglap ay sa amin makalampas”  - Tagalog

“sa pagbugsay, ang kalibutan walay bangka 
  nga sa usa ka gutlo kanamo maka-una” - Cebuano

PH paddlers seize six golds 
in world dragon boat meet

Philippine Daily Inquirer; 
10:07 pm | Monday, September 3rd, 2012

The Philippines stole the thunder from powerhouses Russia and the United States by nailing three gold medals Sunday in the Open category of the 200-meter events of the World Dragon Boat Championships organized by the International Canoe Federation in Milan.

The sensational effort boosted the Filipinos to top spot among the 14 countries with a total haul of six gold medals and one silver with only the 500-meter mixed 20 escaping from their clutches.

The Filipinos relegated Russia to second in all three races Sunday while the US, Germany and Poland settled for a bronze each.

Cheered on by a crowd of Overseas Filipino Workers based in Italy, the Filipinos opened their campaign with a victory in the 10-paddler, all-men race, clocking 50.07 seconds, ahead of Russia’s 51.12 and Poland’s 52.76.

A few hours later, the mixed 20 team of 12 men and eight women triumphed, registering a time of 44.486 to edge Russia (45.33) and Germany (46.13).

The Filipinos also ruled the mixed 10 race (six men, four women) in 52.42. Russia again placed second in 53.74.

The Filipinos’ other victories came in the 10 mixed, 500m; the 10-men 2,000m and the 10-men 500m. Their only silver came in the 20 mixed 500m race won by Russia. Cedelf P. Tupas

TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON

As the nation commemorates the 29^th anniversary of Sen. Ninoy Aquino’s assassination at the hands of government agents (whose mastermind has not yet been uncovered until now), we find ourselves bereaved by reports of the morning undersea finding of the remains of DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and of the two pilots inside their overturned Piper Seneca at the bottom of Masbate Bay, which curiously, as a substitute plane, suffered mechanical problems in mid-flight. 

Nonetheless, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, NABRE)

By the way he lived his life, Secretary Robledo was a man of courage; he acted in spite of fears, doubts, worries and anxieties. The following words of King David must have been part of his being: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4, NABRE)

We might think he has been taken prematurely. But, maybe, ours is not to complain. “For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:53-58, NABRE, underlining supplied) And Secretary Robledo, in his firmness, steadfastness and devotedness to the work of the Lord (through his love of neighbor), has simply been sent ahead, for his labors have not been in vain.

In his devotion to honor, country and family, Secretary Jesse lived in the love of God. For nothing separates us from the love of Jesus. “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?” … “No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35, 37-39, NABRE, underlining supplied).

We might want to consider the perspective that in this earth realm - dominated by powers and principalities - apparently random events of evil do happen, by accident or by human agency. We might presume, as we are wont in our human presumption, that God - The Creator – gets affected when these things happen. But he has equipped mankind with a sovereign free will; so God cannot force and micromanage man or spirit agents to do things His way. He has also set natural physical laws to operate on their own. The Lord, then, has to allow events to transpire, let innocents undergo evil, have evil-doers suffer the consequences of their actions sooner or later, and let the workings of physical laws take effect. But God always has a reason or arrangement for good in the long run, as He had with Joseph and his brothers: “It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.” (Genesis 45:5; Read Genesis Chapters 37 then 39 to 45). In that sense, “everything happens for a reason” and that reason is there to assist us. 

And we can say, all things work together for good… as: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8:28, NABRE)

On our part, given that “nothing has meaning except the meaning we give it” (Eker, The Millionaire Mind), we could choose to understand the events that took the life of Secretary Robledo (and brought out tremendous national and international cooperation for search, rescue and recovery) as a turn of happenings that calls for more political engagement on the part of the citizenry.  

This nation of close to a 100 million people have more than enough qualified and competent citizens who can effectively assume the responsibilities of Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.  But probably some of these capable citizens are not within the immediate range of the President’s attention or those of his close advisers. We, the sovereign citizens, should help by submitting names we know to be eligible and skilled, and let the President know we demand that he choose the best in terms of caliber and expertise not in terms of connections to those with connection.

Things happen and we move on. A strong load-bearing pillar has been taken away from us. Perhaps, we the people are now expected to effectively carry the load of good governance (as it ought to be in a dynamic democracy) by using our popular, democratic instruments (internet, social network sites, all types of active participation) to ensure transparency and accountability of public officials, which no one person alone - no matter how moral and effective - can really accomplish; because good governance is essentially, in the words of Dr. Jose Rizal, a correlation of people and government.  In "The Indolence of the Filipinos", La Solidaridad, 15 Sept 1890, p. 202, Dr. Rizal wrote: "People and government are correlated and complementary. A stupid government is an anomaly among a righteous people, just as a corrupt people cannot exist under just rulers and wise laws." (Underlining supplied).

I submit meaningful societal change in our country has a better hope of realization in the democratic engagement of our citizenry in the ways of righteousness, than in the chance that our political classes (who have no qualms about using all legal, extra-legal and illegal means to win and stay in power) will become just rulers and pass wise laws. Secretary Robledo was an exception.

OF FELLOW FILIPINOS

“Pilipino kasi, eh!” & “Pilipino yata ‘yan!”

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” 1/ “What we think we become.” 2/ “Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.” 3/

Habit, they say, is but a set of TEAs (thoughts, emotions, actions) repeated over time (at least 21 days, we are told) that then becomes a pattern our body-mind gets accustomed to; the longer this TEA-set is done again and again, the more it becomes somewhat of a second nature to us, sometimes even to the extent of making us say 'this is our nature', 'this is what we really are...'

There is a mental habit and habitual expression that many of us, perhaps unconsciously, say of our fellow Filipinos when something ‘newsworthy’ (translation: bad) happens in the Philippines or to Filipinos. It is: "Pilipino kasi, eh!" This is an utterly disparaging remark that most probably originated in colonial times, connoting someone unworthy, clumsy, 'walang kaya' (poor and/or without capability), incompetent, ignorant, 'tinimbang ngunit kulang' (weighed but found wanting) and whatever other word that would try to put the Filipino down. It is a negative judgmental evaluation that we, in effect, stamp on the forehead of every Filipino, including ourselves, when we utter it. By force of habit, reiterated and replicated over centuries, many of us repeat and reinforce it, without thinking.

This need not be so. We can change it.

I submit the principle of duality can help us here. This principle says: “Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled.” 4/ It explains that in everything there are two poles, or opposite aspects, and that “opposites” are really only the two extremes of the same thing, with many varying degrees between them. 5/

So in regard to expressions of perspectives on fellow Filipinos, we must be conscious that every time some internal urge surges within us to use the "kasi, eh" phrase, there is always its pair, its other pole, its identical opposite, which is: "Pilipino yata 'yan!" This statement is a positive judgmental evaluation indicating pride in the accomplishments of the fellow Filipino, showing acceptance of his/her being one of us, ipinag-wawagayway (waved like a flag to show honor and joy), and whatever other expression of acknowledgment, approval, esteem, glory, gratitude, respect and support for being Filipino.

Both expressions can only be translated into a neutral English phrase - unspoiled by valuation verbiage as good or bad, or by level of self-inflation as source of pride or humiliation – and the translation is: "Because he is Filipino!" Of course, this English phrase could have either shameful or prideful meaning depending on one's intonation and facial expression at the moment of utterance. But that would be unduly adding body language to the equation.

There are then sound and strong indications that from the principle of duality, the phrases "Pilipino kasi, eh!" and "Pilipino yata 'yan" both translated into English as "Because he is Filipino!" are simply the two extremes of the same thing: the range of attitudes on Filipino to Filipino relationship. 

And since, in the final analysis “nothing has meaning except the meaning we give it” 6/, we can always choose to embrace the meaning and the phrase that: (a) build up our own self-esteem as well as that of our “kapwa” (fellow, neighbor, equal, partner, comrade); and (b) mutually elevate the respect and regard of Filipinos for each other.

"Pilipino yata 'yan!" Marunong tayong pumili ng tama, ng nakakatulong at ng mabisa. (We know how to choose the right, the supportive and the effective) Talaga! (Truly!)   Remember, "Thought is action in rehearsal." 7/

Why don't we watch our TEAs as regards fellow Filipinos in the next 21 days, and every time our wayward minds and hearts start searching for reasons to say "Pilipino kasi, eh", we deliberately and consciously stop that stream of thought, and immediately start a search for reasons to say "Pilipino yata 'yan!" and then, with feeling and conviction in the belief that the Filipino is truly worthy of esteem, honor, regard, and respect, say: "Pilipino yata 'yan!"

Kung wala tayong sinasabi o sinusulat kundi panlalait lamang ng kapwa Pilipino, ang pupuwede lang mai-tawag sa atin ay “manlalait”. (If we have nothing to say or write but the denigration of fellow Filipinos, the only descriptive that can be used to call us is “denigrator”). The Tagalog term “lait”, in English, refers to such attempted provocations as: affront, belittling, blasphemy, causing offense, condescension, condemnation, contempt, contumely, criticism, curse, decrial, denigration, denunciation, deprecation, derision, derogation, disapproval, disdain, dislike, disparagement, disregard, disrespect, disruption, execration, frowning on, gibe, hatred, imprecation, injury, insult, lack of respect, letdown, loathing, looking down on, malediction, mocking, offense, outrage, ridicule, saddening/troubling comment, scorning, shocking, showing contempt, slighting, slurring, sneering at, spurning, taunting, tirade, wounding. 8/

If perchance we find ourselves doing any of these against fellow Filipinos, then we might as well be classed among those whom Dr. Rizal described as the “tyrants of tomorrow” – who are already present now – being so taken up with the erroneous presumption of superiority over fellow Filipinos that the words flowing out of our mouths and pens are nothing but tyrannous, like a despotic martinet decreeing that everyone else should follow; because we have entertained the wrong idea and have come to think, as the condescending colonizers did, that fellow Filipinos are devoid of the capacities to think and to act for themselves.

But we can change. We each have the God-given and God-respected power to choose, which makes us responsible for the consequences of our choices.

“… For from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. A good person brings forth good out of a store of goodness, but an evil person brings forth evil out of a store of evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” 9/

“An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.” 10/ We should consider this particularly applicable to any one claiming to be “kapwa” who deprecates the Filipino.

“Among a man's many good possessions, a good command of speech has no equal. Prosperity and ruin issue from the power of the tongue. Therefore, guard yourself against thoughtless speech.” 11/

When we each assume responsibility for the ideas and the thought-emotion clusters we broadcast about our people and our country, then we do some constructive part in helping to realize Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Dream of my life, my ardent, living, passion and rallying cry” [Ensueño de mi vida, mi ardiente vivo anhelo],  which was to see his “jewel of the sea of the orient, the dark eyes dry, the smooth forehead held high unbent: without frown, without wrinkles, without stains of high color” [joya del mar de oriente, secos los negros ojos, alta la tersa frente, sin ceño, sin arrugas, sin manchas de rubor]. 12/ For we would, in effect, help build Filipino self-respect, Filipino mutual respect, and respect by others.

Rizal’s dream, after all, stated plainly, was to see (a) Inang Bayan standing strong with self-esteem and self-confidence, (b) Filipinos treating each other with high regard, and (c) our country and people respected by other peoples and nations because we are able to get our acts together and play as a formidable team.

As Socrates said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is a habit." Let us then, in turn, repeatedly and excellently build each other up, treat each other with high esteem, and play as a true team: trusting in and relying on each other as we choose to make our respective selves trustworthy and reliable.

Pilipino yata ‘yan!

Mabuhay po ang Pilipino! Mabuhay po ang Filipinas!

_______________________

Notes:

1/   Proverbs 23:7, KJV

2/   Buddha

3/   Mahatma Gandhi

4/   The Kybalion 

5/   http://enlightenedawareness.wetpaint.com/
      page/7+The+Principle+of+Duality

6/   T. Harve Eker, The Millionaire Mind

7/   Anonymous

8/   cf http://www.bansa.org/dictionaries/tgl/?dict
      lang=tgl&type=search& amp;type=
      search&am;data=panlalait 
      and Online Thesaurus

9/   Matthew 12:34-37, NABRE

10/ Buddhist Quote

11/ Tirukkural 65: 641-642, Hindu quote

12/ see below: Rizal's Untitled Last Poem 

Farewell Arizona Knights of Rizal

My brother knights, ladies:

This get-together and leave-taking reminds me of Dr. Rizal in 1892, Hongkong. Remember, he was there practicing ophthalmology where he operated on his mother. Yet, the call to do more for Inang Bayan beckoned him to return to the Philippines, even though he had become an enemy to the Spanish colonial government on account of his Noli and Fili. Family and friends, fearful of what the authorities would do to him, counseled him not to go. He went any way, founded La Liga Filipina and ended up an exile in Dapitan. But before he left Hongkong, he wrote two “Letters to My Countrymen“, sealed them and entrusted them to a confidante, a certain Dr. Marquez, with the script: “Make these letters public after my death.”

One of these letters, in part, said: “Always have I loved our unhappy land, and I am sure that I shall continue loving it till my latest moment, in case men prove unjust to me. My career, my life, my happiness, all have I sacrificed for love of it. Whatever my fate, I shall die blessing it and longing for the dawn of its redemption.”

Now, my brothers and sisters, I cite this not to compare myself with Rizal and the circumstances then of his leaving Hongkong, as I am way too insignificant to be of any comparison, but simply because of two phrases that keep ringing and flashing, namely: “our unhappy land” and “dawn of its redemption”. These phrases stand out because our people’s sense: “of misery” and “of their being like valuables in the control of vested interests” remain unabated, that is why “going abroad” is still the dream of many.

Perhaps, together, these two phrases can serve as the guiding north stars, or the grand problems to solve, in the programs and projects this Chapter undertakes.

Let me wind up these short remarks with more positive words from Dr. Rizal, from the last stanza and chorus of “Hymn to Talisay”, a poem-song that he penned in Dapitan and which he made his pupils sing before class; incidentally, the Spanish military prosecutors, at his trial in 1896, used this poem as corroborative proof of Rizal’s being supposedly a subversive. In this poem Rizal allegorically used the name of the Talisay tree to refer to his Inang Bayan. Listen to his words, translated to English, and judge for yourselves:

“Live, live, Talisay rich with verdure! 

In chorus, all our voices thee praise: 

bright star, precious and valued treasure, 

of childhood's true learning and solace. 

In fights and struggles awaiting man, 

subject to sorrow, grief and unease 

 your mem’ry shall be his talisman; 

in the tomb, your name shall be his peace.” 

“Hail, Talisay! 

Firm and constant, 

always forward, 

you shall prosper. 

And, triumphant, 

all elements - 

sea, land and air: 

you shall master!” 

Thank you very much, brother Knights and sister Ladies: generally, for your kindness, warmth, patience and consideration; and particularly, for this quickly yet efficiently organized wonderful despedida for Lady Betty and me.

And now, with your indulgence, as our conclusion, I would like to propose a toast. May I ask everyone to please stand up and raise their glasses.

Ladies and Knights: in light of the historic impeachment and conviction of former CJ Corona:

“Here’s to Dr. Rizal’s magnificent obsession: 

a Morally and Materially Prosperous Philippines! 

Mabuhay!”

 _____________________________________
Remarks at AZKOR INC Despedida Dinner, June 7, 2012, 
World Buffet, 8914 N 91st Ave # 130 Peoria, AZ 85345