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(This space will be reserved for literary contributions from readers. The PUNCH encourages readers to write and email to us their thoughts about their impressions and ideas about life in and outside of Pangasinan, whether social or economic or cultural. No politics, please. Thank you. - Publisher). 

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The Way of the Cross

By   Nida Alumbro Rofe

It is a good thing to get out into the fresh air, to walk in about our neighborhood and display publicly, even if in a small enough way, and once a year at that, our belief in, and love for, Christ our Redeemer.

Our little dried palm leaves, or sprigs of fresh green stuff, remind us of the fleeting nature of the welcome that Jesus got on that first Palm Sunday, so many years ago in the hot Palestine sun. Just so, the enthusiasm of the crown on Palm Sunday as they surrounded and cheered the Lord, seated meekly on a donkey, the sign of peace not war, changed and faded. On Good Friday he was crucified, and many of the same people were anthem crowds that mocked and insulted him.

So many similar rising, always brutally crushed, had happened in the past. Was it not simple political sense that one man should die for one people? Public opinion was turned round by propaganda, by smears, by judicious threats and bribes also, no doubt. But would that have been enough? No, there must have been a genuine popular revulsion to make such violent alteration in so short a time. What happened? Read more

Jeremias A. Carrera
jac007@ite.net
11 April 2006

To The PCE:

Thank you for another display of your word creation capability this week. Your “PROFOUNDEST” feelings really tell us of the depth of your sincerity to hold on to your title as the one and only PCE in the entire world.

Eduardo Pontaoe
datdosapang@yahoo.com
11 April 2006

On Purisima returns as police prov’l director:

 If politics always poked its nose with the enforcement of the law and justice, then why there’s a need for a provincial enforcer when the governor can bypass anything that’s being done for a change.

 To get rid of the derelicts and incompetents in government service, Agbayani did what he is not supposed to do. He went against what he was sworn to uphold. It is a disservice to the people of Pangasinan when he protected those who don’t belong in government.

 That’s why no big fish in government, who kowtow to the establishment, will ever get prosecuted. Pangasinan will always be at the bottom of uncontrolled malfeasance.

 Agbayani protects his own kind.

And to the governor, he can go to hell.

Eduardo Pontaoe
datdosapang@yahoo.com
11 April 2006

 

 On Think about it:

 This new graduate and a lawyer, Joan de Venecia should read her history with your help, Jun Velasco.

 Her words; “Don’t take shortcuts in life”, is wishful thinking.

 Jun Velasco, you are one hell of a writer who don’t check his facts right. How can you allow yourself to be taken into confidence when your credibility would be in question?

 Douglas MacArthur took shortcuts in life. His plan of strategy in dislodging the Japanese in the Southwest Pacific was a brilliant example of taking the easy out to his advantage.

 I can’t believe why Ermin Garcia allows you to continue writing for his paper. Everything you’d written so far is full of holes.

Edwin
Pangasinan
felys@pngusa.net
11 April 2006

 
Mr. Delphin;

I believe you took the context of my comment wrong. What I stated is that considering the past record of the NY Times, their comment about President Arroyo should bode well for Mrs. Arroyo.  The NY Times has never gotten anything right. They have ALWAYS been against the ruling party (except communists and anti-democratic forces) no matter what the country.

What I have noticed as an outsider looking at Philippine politics is that there is no cooperation between the the opposing parties. This can only be detrimental to the hard working Filipinos, especially in the provinces.

Many years ago, we belonged to the Northern California Dagupan City Society. We had large dinners and dances. The kababayans from the different towns would gather for a memorable evening of fun. Then a funny thing happened. There was an election and the loser decided to start his own Dagupan City Society. This split up the club in half and soon there was no more big get-to-geathers. All because the loser didn’t know how to be gracious in losing. This is what I see happening to the Philippines. Instead of putting the good of the country first, the losers are putting their interests ahead of the Philippines.

Although, I can never be a citizen of my birthplace because I was born a U.S. citizen, this does not mean that my love for this country is less. The Philippines is one of the most educated countries in the world, yet its citizens must go abroad to earn a living. If democracy is to survive here the Filipinos,i.e., the politicians, have to start thinking about the average citizen and not themselves.

 

Eduardo Pontaoe
Chicago, IL
ed.pontaoe@eurorscg.com
11 April 2006

What’s going on about these top enforcers of the law? The provincial PNP and cities PNP chiefs like Urdaneta, Bautista, Alcala and now San Carlos are being relieved of responsibilities and get transferred to other cities to do further damage?

It’s a shell game manipulated by those powers that be. Why get rid of these incompetent fools in the first place when other jobs are available to them?

Why not just replace them with others who are eligible and qualified to such positions? Why not start fresh than hold to these Neanderthals?

What we are seeing here, is the contamination of the whole process, the corruption that is so blatant, calculating and cold in complete disregard of the people of Pangasinan.

The people be damned.

 

Bernard Diaz
bmd7091@aol.com
11 April 2006

 

On Business Log:

Cruelty to animals, for eating the monitor lizard, they protect our environment. Time will come the bayawak (monitor lizard) will be endangered including the bird name palikpik (Ibong bato). The rat population will increase due to killing of monitor lizards.

Courting chaos

By +Oscar V. Cruz

The Socio-Political situation in the country is already boiling hot. More and more anti-administration organizations and movements are being formed. There are also many counter administration moves being actually staged or still undergoing some planning. The future is not promising for Malacañang and its known allies, no matter what happy songs they sing or big smile they sport.

There are progressively more citizens unsatisfied and whereof alienated by the present government survey after survey by different entities come up with the same substantive conclusion: they want to change especially in the one holding the highest office in the land. The times are anything but pleasant endearing to the occupant of the presidential office inspite of encouraging and soothing voices from its admirers and supporters. Read more