Pass the RH Bill now!

Yep. You heard me right. Pass that damned bill right now. As in RIGHT NOW. Anyway, it’s gonna end up like that laughable Clean Air Act — it will join the company of Alf and Mikey Macapagal Arroyo’s horrible showbiz career in the long list of “forgotten memories”. In a few month’s time, nobody’s even gonna give a hoot that it divided this I-just-love-smoochin’-Uncle-Sam’s-candy-a$s-24-hours-a-day-seven-days-a-week banana republic for the past couple ‘o years. Just give it a few months, and those funny internet trolls and haters who have been commenting in defense of the R(oad to) H(ell) Bill in various online articles all over the web will soon discuss the economic merits of breast  implantation, the tantric effects of sex change, and the philosophical satisfaction of mutual masturbation. But the RH Bill?

“F that one, man. It’s a law now. We havin’ a good time with Ragnarok and Bang Bros! Woot woot!”

Oh, yes. The RH Bill will do yet another Clean Air ACT. Like this sorry 1999 law as well as countless other legislative disappointments, the RH Bill will never bear fruit. We see ’em violators every day: plastics burning in backyards and vacant lots lookin’ more like jamboree campsites; buses and jeepneys competing  against each other as to who are the best highway smoke belchers there are; smoke stacks from factories and power plants spewing the blackest smoke all year round, as if hell itself has an entrance from within their edifices.

Anybody been sanctioned?

In the Philippines, laws —not promises— are made to be broken. 😀 So believe me when I say this: the RH Bill will never be implemented “correctly” nor will it bear fruit the way pro-RH kiddos wanted it to prosper. It will NEVER save our economy, much less help the poor.

Can’t wait to see the look on their faces… so to our beloved congress homies, will ya PUH-LEAZE PASS THAT DARNED BILL ASAP?!!!

Whoa?! Why THIS?! LOL!!! Go figure! ;p

Oh, and one more thing… the only true beneficiaries here would be the authors of the bill. Oooooooooooohh, fat paychecks are comin’ at ya! So don’t say that I didn’t say NO TO RH BILL! I said YES! So please, share me summa da loot!!!

*******

The Promises Have Not Come True

The arrival of oral contraception in the early 1960s and of ‘liberal’ abortion (1967) ushered in the ‘sexual revolution’. Enthusiasts promised this would mean:

—    every child would be a wanted child;

—    illegitimacy and unwanted pregnancy would almost disappear;

—    abortion rates would be low and soon decline;

—    families would be happier and marriages stronger, and;

—    we’d all —especially women— be happier and healthier.

Instead, we have had:

—    ever more unplanned pregnancies;

—    4 million abortions; soaring abortion rates and ever more post-abortion trauma;

—    an unparalleled rise in single motherhood and one-parent families;

—    a surge in sexually transmitted diseases — some of them passed on to babies;

—    women’s bodies having to cope with increasingly powerful chemicals and a serious rise in female infertility;

—    more sex-related crime against women and children;

—    more domestic violence, especially against women, and more teenage crime and violence;

—    rampant pornography, and;

—    declining marriage rates and now 40% of marriages breaking down.

Increased abortion and contraception have been the direct cause of some of these and are related to the others.

Faced with them, the government wants yet more contraception and more abortion — which is like trying to put out fire with petrol?

The truth is that a social experiment, launched in the 1960s, has failed.

(From the book Conspiracy Against Life, 1996, Two Hearts Media Organization, p. 248)

Decline in morals

We have, in fact, two kinds of morality side by side; one which we preach but do not practice, and another which we practice but seldom preach.
—Bertrand Russell—

Last October, the whole world was shocked when a surveillance video in Foshan, China caught a van recklessly and mercilessly running over a two-year-old girl. And for a harrowing ten minutes or so, several passersby didn’t bother to help the severely injured toddler. She died in a hospital a few days later.

A few days before the above incident, Apple Inc. co-founder and chairman Steve Jobs passed away after a long bout with pancreatic cancer. The internet community all over the world wept and heaped tons of praise and eulogy to this pioneer of the personal computer revolution. Many of these people didn’t even know who he really was until after he died. But for many, many years, the whole world has been cognizant of the famine and hunger that is going on for decades in various parts of the African continent.

On 29 October 2011, local Philippine showbiz was rattled with the murder of young character actor Ram Revilla. What made this more sensational was that Ram was no ordinary actor — he was the son of former Senator Ramón Revilla, himself a legend in Philippine Cinema. Ram is also the half-brother of current Senator Ramón “Bong” Revilla, Jr. But what shocked the nation even more was when the motive behind the killings was exposed: Ram was killed because of sibling rivalry. Results of the investigation revealed that at least three of Ram’s siblings (RJ, Ramona, and Gail) were involved. And all this bloodbath because they were fighting over the monthly allowance they were receiving from their ailing father.

Ram and his siblings RJ and Ramona. Both his siblings were accused of masterminding his murder.

The police were adamant and mighty confident with the results of their investigation: Ram was indeed ordered to be killed by his siblings.

Two days later, international singing sensation Charice Pempengco’s father was stabbed to death in San Pedro, La Laguna. The YouTube sensation’s dad was estranged from her since she was three years old. She then went on to become one of the greatest singers discovered from the internet. But at the height of her fame, not once did she try to visit her dad. And just when the father died did she pay him a visit: but already a lifeless shell inside a coffin. She then went on to tell the local press how she loved her dad so much, singing here and there in every interview, hoping that her hymns would be heard by her dad. And last November, she paid the ultimate tribute to him in Mandalay Bay. For all intents and purposes, it was mere gimmick, perhaps wittingly or unwittingly from her part. But the result remains the same: to garner sympathy to add up to her stardom’s poignancy, reminiscent of many other attention-starved celebrities who came before her.

And speaking of celebrities, we have another revelation on moral issues, this time from the not-so-moral Mo Twister:

This confession (if true) reveals a dirty truth behind the local mass media and how they wants to portray their up-and-coming starlets: seductive yet virginal at all costs. And contractually, they should remain that way. Otherwise, their careers would have to join the breadlines. For Rhian Ramos’ part, as per Mo Twister, their baby’s life had to go to in exchange for the mother’s blossoming TV/film career.

In local politics, President Noynoy Aquino‘s relentless pursuit for his predecessor‘s alleged crimes as well as the current Supreme Court Justice’s “crown” is a classic example of misplaced priorities. Running after them for their past (and current) crimes is OK. But that shouldn’t be the number one priority, something that seems to be the obvious in the current administration’s activities. And so the million-dollar-question is: will this pursuit even uplift our economy?

In the video below, Noynoy made no qualms in attacking Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona for his being a midnight appointee (which is true anyway) as well as other iniquities done in collaboration with allies in the legislature. However, these attacks were not done in a proper forum.

Indeed, the other is thick-faced. But the other one is rude.

And do we even have to mention the rude one’s clamor for the passing of the RH Bill, the controversial bill that has divided our nation?

Finally, Lady Gaga’s music video, a post-apocalyptic orgy entitled “Judas” —released just in time for the Holy Week—, needs no further description:

The sacrilegious video, by the way, was directed by a self-professed “Christian”. And Lady Gaga fans all over the world even enjoyed this visual-aural “art” without minding the profanities nor the religious sensitivities of many people involved.

*******

These are but some of the moral issues that hit the headlines last year. We have asked for too much liberty. Now that we are enjoying an excess of liberalization, are the above examples the price that we have to pay?

What does 2012 has in store for us?

Nothing. It is us who fill up the events of an empty calendar year. Our destiny is ours to make. And it is up to us if we allow or disallow morality to guide our actions.

On The Tridentine Mass

Papal Basilica of Saint Peter

Two nights ago, I was chatting with a young chap from UPLB. He was practising his Spanish with me. Our conversation then shifted to Catholicism. And this young man impressed with me with his knowledge of the Catholic Church.

I was born a Catholic, but wasn’t really a devout one. But my father is. He comes from a very religious family. Anyway, my dad is from a generation whose elders were brought under a strict Spanish Catholic environment. I was what you’d consider a Catholic by affiliation, and that is all. I was nonchalant about my religion, and even ignorant about most of its teachings.

When I stepped into the world of college life, I was exposed to a myriad of ideas, precepts, beliefs: Iglesia Ni Cristo, Marxism, Freemasonry, atheism, born-again peeps, etc. Since I’m a person who reads a lot, I explored and researched about other creeds. In the end, this (mis)led me to believe that the religion I grew up with is a false one. =(

After brief stints with other groups, the funny thing was I ended up as an atheist for the next two years or so!

But as they say, God works in mysterious ways.

I was brought back to the Catholic fold last 2003 due mainly to personal researches about my country’s Spanish past. Along the way, I was able to discover and realize the leyenda negra (black legend) being hurled against the Spanish clergy. Ironically, I ended up defending the Spanish friars against everyone attacking them although I was still an atheist! Little by little, my “reconversion” was on its way. I soon became an agnostic. And one September night of that year, as I was pondering whether to have my wife abort our second child or not, God gave me a sign.

You see, 2003 was the worst and arguably one of the best and memorable years of my life. I was jobless, disowned by my folks and various relatives, living in a decrepit bodega, penniless, you name it. It was during this year when I did nothing but read, write, ponder, steal books, ponder some more, dream. And since I was (surprisingly) having difficulty in getting employed, I thought that having another baby was too much (I was already then an agnostic during this time). I was goading my wife for days to give up the baby. I was giving her horrible scenarios of what might happen to us if she doesn’t accept abortion as a solution: poverty, poverty, and lotsa poverty. Finally, I was able to make her say yes. We planned of going to Quiapò to buy an infamous pill (Cytotec) to kill the fetus.

I admit, however, that I felt uncertain and very afraid of doing it. So before committing the crime, I prayed to God for the very first time in years. While walking desolately along Chino Roces Avenue one night on my way home, I muttered, “Lord, if you are indeed real, show me a sign —any sign— that you disapprove of this abortion”.

The sign came that very night. Upon arriving home, I talked again to my wife (without telling her that I prayed). I told her that we have to abort the fetus soon, the next day, while the it is not yet in human form (an infamous argument by “pro-choice” advocates). Quietly, she agreed. And as we slept together, I thought of my prayer – I had no idea what kind of sign I would receive… if God were ever real. After a few minutes, we drifted to sleep.

But moments later, my wife woke me up. I was surprised — she was crying! In between sobs, she said she’d rather not have an abortion. She said she’s willing to face anything —EVERYTHING— just to keep the baby. I embraced her, and broke into tears as well.

It was no coincidence or anything like that. It couldn’t have been any clearer: that was the sign I’ve been waiting for…

GOD IS REAL.

And so a few months later, a very handsome José Mario Guillermo II P. Alas —Momay— was born. And my stupid fear of poverty-ridden-days-ahead was just that: plain stupid. Because now our kids are four, and we’ve never been better than before!

José Mario Guillermo II Alas y Perey

 ***

Fast forward to today. Me and my wife will have been married for a decade this coming September 13 (our anniversary). Although we’ve been married civilly, we haven’t had a church wedding yet.

It’s every Filipina’s dream of being walked down the aisle. As a Catholic husband, it’s everything for me as well. The rite of marriage for devout Catholics is very sacred. And so we’ve decided to be wed under Church ceremonies. It is never enough to remain married only in pen and paper or in the eyes of the law.

And since it’s going to be our tenth year together, we decided to marry under Church ceremonies. And my wife even went a step further by suggesting that it should be a Latin/Tridentine Mass wedding.

Great idea!

 ***

A Latin Mass wedding in Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje, Bohol

My wife has always known my passion for everything Catholic. In fact, she learned about the Tridentine Mass only from me. But although it was I who taught her about the Latin Mass, I’ve never even thought of marrying under that rite!

I’ve learned about the “reality” of the Latin Mass during those bleak days of 2003 when I was deep into Philippine history. Although renowned Philippine historian Fernando Ziálcita will not agree with me (he once told me that one shouldn’t interrelate Christianity to Philippine history), one cannot help studying Philippine history vis-à-vis Philippine Christianity (because I firmly believe that the Philippines is a Christian creation; Spain was but a tool). One particular book which really grabbed my attention was Till The End of Time With the Mass of All Time written by the late Atty. Teodoro R. Domínguez (A.A., L.L., B.), himself an ex-atheist who converted to Catholicism. Funds for the publication of this controversial book was from a certain Therese Villanueva de Vargas.

It was from this book where I learned about the brief history of the Tridentine Mass, the alleged “Lefebvre schism”, the crisis within the Vatican, the Society of St. Pius X, even Canon Law (I wasn’t really familiar with it before). In this book I was also introduced to then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now known as Pope Benedict XVI; he was then Prefect of the highly important Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (now headed by William Cardinal Levada). And through this book, I instantly became a fan of Cardinal Ratzinger (that’s why when our beloved Pope John Paul II passed away, I was rooting for Cardinal Ratzinger to take his post — and my prayers were answered!).

I got this book from my mentor, the eminent Filipino scholar, linguist, and historian Señor Guillermo Gómez Rivera. And I was even intrigued when Señor Gómez told me that he once contacted Atty. Domínguez for a telephone interview. Señor Gómez said he had a hard time in doing so because he had to go through a lot of people and a tedious verification process before finally being able to speak to the erudite lawyer. Señor Gómez also mentioned to me that Villanueva de Vargas’ various businesses were ruined, and that she went bankrupt.

The reason behind this? Señor Gómez had an accusing finger on Freemasonry, the nemesis of our religion (but that’s another story). I am not so sure if all this information is correct. Well, I’m not saying that Señor Gómez was exaggerating or something to that effect (he’s not that kind of person). It’s just that I’m surprised about the intriguing nature and controversiality of this issue (I just hope I could contact Ms. Villanueva de Vargas).

Atty. and Mrs. Teodoro R. Domínguez, known defenders of the TRUE Catholic Church in the Philippines

I tried contacting Atty. Domínguez myself (I think it was also 2003 or early 2004). I found his number in the phone directory (because Señor Gómez lost his contact number) and dialled him. The person who answered the phone was Mrs. Domínguez herself! She was a very polite lady (quite young if you ask me), but I could easily tell from the suspicion from her voice. She asked me how I got their number, what my agenda was, and all that verification stuff. I simply told her that I had the opportune chance of reading her husband’s book and had wanted to attend a Latin Mass. She said that her husband was already too old and weak to accept calls (by then, he was already receiving the Holy Communion privately at their house), but politely told me that I can attend one of their services in a church somewhere in Quezon City (Our Lady of Victories Church in New Manila). I didn’t ask anymore, but apparently she’s hiding her husband against some form of “threat”. She also told me briefly about her husband’s tiff against the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin who was the first to oppose the Society of St. Pius X, calling the members schismatic (the Domínguez couple were members of this Catholic Traditionalist group).

Although I wasn’t allowed to speak with Atty. Domínguez, I learned a lot from his nice spouse.

Then a few years later, as I was searching his name in the internet, I found out that he already passed away… =(

I won’t go into details of the book lest this blog post becomes a book review. But all I can say is that it opened my eyes to the crisis —the current crisis— that the Holy Catholic Church is currently facing. And that is one major reason why I no longer attend Sunday masses in churches near us (although I stop by to pray and pay my respect). Because such masses are orchestrated by the “Conciliar Church”.

In a jiffy, here are sixty-two reasons why, in conscience, I cannot attend the New Mass of the Conciliar Church.

Let me add a sixty-third reason: Facebook and the internet!

That was a joke.