Faith.

  What is faith ? People have numerous definition and interpretation of faith. Faith to some is religion,faith to others is simply hope. Ideally, faith is what we need in times of tribulations and misfortunes. But, the reality is that, we need more than faith. Faith is relative and not absolute. Depending on your life's circumstances and conditions.There's a degree of faith in each one's life. The crisis confronting the world today, people needed faith and other virtues such as patience, charity, courage, compassion, wisdom, temperance and many others. 

Love.

Recently I watched a movie, about a revolutionary figure noted for his charisma, dedication and courage. In that movie he was asked if he believes in God, instead of answering the question, he said, " I believe in love." and I quote.
I donot agree with violence to attain political objectives, just to make it clear where I stand.I believe in fighting a cause to liberate many people from the bondage of ignorance and poverty. I believe in using my pen and intellect to pursue my objectives.
I believe in love just like the folk hero in a movie.I donot agree with what hollywood movies do, glorifying violence and gangsterism...etc.
We have good movies. But most of our "hollywood movies" are trashy. "morodiotic" (moron-idiotic), and good for nothing...it is all about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. There is nothing wrong with money, there is something wrong with some people that prioritize money before others.

rp1/25/09
Allrightsreserved.

Continuing tribute to my bestfriend, Tatay (Father)

My father was a critic, and not really a people person but he helped a number of people and relatives in crisis. Not many knows my father as much as I knew him. Despite of his busy schedule, occasionally he would take me to his farm in one of the Philippine Islands. We would talk for hours, he would share his aspirations and dreams etc.. That was a privilege I got from him considering most of my siblings were afraid of him. He had a lousy temper and a no "nonsense" person. He is often misunderstood by everyone except me and my mother. He would label people, and I was not an exception. He would yell at anyone, I was not an exception. He would embarass you, I was not an exception. I did not only tolerated him, but understood him where he was coming from. He shared to me many times his life's struggles and challenges.
My father was born in a rural/farm of Panay, Philippines. A place where every last name begins with "P". They were not really rich neither poor.He had a lot of brothers (5?) and a sister.
My father was a school valedictorian from grade till high school. His education was interrupted by World War II. Then after the war, he continued his education and completed his Bachelor of Science in Commerce. He majored in Finance and Banking. Built his business from the ground up. In ten years he was able to make it. I witnessed when I was a child people visiting my father at home, from government officials and politicians and some "Godfathers" from our province. My father was not intimidated by anyone.He was tough and outspoken. I had the privileged to become the "godson" of one prominent Philippine politician. He was my father's best friend and I was named after him. They were very close till the death of my politician godfather in 2004. My father had another close friend (became my godfather) but was assasinated in 1995. I was not informed till 2002 when I came back home to visit my sick mother, who later died in September 9, 2003 ( My only brother died in 1998 that further devastated my parents, perhaps contributed to the early death of my mother in 2003.)
My father emphasized family. Never let your family down. Always help them if you can. Attend to their needs. He was upset with me when I missed my brother's funeral in 1998. He was elated and very "happy" when I came back home, to bury my mother in 2003. I missed my best friend, "Tatay" and I am coming home to bury him. I know he will be proud of me because I only did not achieved his dreams and aspirations but living it.

rp1/25/2009

Intellectualizing and Reality

Working with the grassroots for many years can change your depth and understanding of realities and myths in our society today. Poverty is one. Why many people are poor; Are they lazy and complacent ? How come they are poor and others are rich ? Why is it so many people are poor ? Why is it poverty a reality in highly developed nations ? Why is it more people are poor in less developed and colonized nations ? Why is it
America as a colony thrived and became developed ? What happened to the indigenous people in America before the establishment of the English colonies ? Is there really a backward civilization ? Besides from guns, germs and technology, what is the truth behind poverty ? The good and the bad. Is it a myth ? Moral reasonings, is it subjective ? What is truth ? Absolute vs. Relative. What is the myth about it ? Science vs. Faith and Religion.God and the "Infidels".Is religion a myth or science ? Why religion was both used as a tool to liberate and subjugate people ? Is there an end to war ? Is peace possible ? What is peace ? Is peace possible when there is injustice ? What is social justice ? What is economic justice ? What is the relationship of political justice to socio-economic justice ? Is communism and capitalism detrimental to human survival ? What is more important in life ideals or survival ? Why sacrifice when you can survive ? Why sacrifice is a myth ? Is sacrifice necessary ? How can we change things without violating human dignity ? What is human dignity ? What is money ? What is the origin of money ? Why people worship money ? What's wrong with us ? Is there anything wrong about how we live ? Really special people help me with the questions and answers. Really special people, intellectualization or reality ?

rp
jd.phd.2togo@gmail.com

Too poor to live in a rich country like America.....and my paradoxical life.

More than four years ago, when my mother died, I have to borrow money for my plane ticket to travel and attend my mother's funeral. This story is not unique or unusual, what makes this story, a paradox.... America is a very rich country, many people from parts of the world, had dubbed America as a country of milk and honey.My personal experience dictated otherwise. I have been in America for almost nineteen years, I am still broke.

My employers would concur with my self-evaluation, I am a good employee and hard working. I received a lot of commendations and endorsement from them. When the economic crisis hit our office, I volunteered to resign, in order to save a few workers ( I have two jobs then, till January, 2009, the agency where, I am employed, lost the client I am assigned to. Till today, though I am not fired, I donot have any assignments and "no pay") What makes make my case interesting is, I work with people, either physically or mentally challenged. Most of us workers, makes between $10.00 to $16.00 an hour. Most of us, have second jobs to survive.Many of my fellow workers are committed to their work, we just don't make the decent money we needed.We are underpaid and ignored.

I believed in hardwork and creativity, from 2001 till now, I have made attempts to start my small business, and yet has to succeed. My usual challenges were lack of capitalization and time constraints ( From 2001 to 2008 I had two jobs. I have to work at least sixteen or more hours each day; In short, I am struggling and juggling my "24" hours each day.).

Last Tuesday, I received an email from my nephew in the Philippines, my father had passed away.I was "numbed" till now, I wanted to attend my father's funeral, but I am too broke and poor, to buy an airline ticket, "dejavu" I sigh.

Perhaps, many of you have similar experiences. Write to me.

We were successful in our career back home and we were affluent. But as the saying goes,

"it is greenier outside our fence."

My parents were happy, after my whole family migrated to the U.S.A in 1991.We left our comfortable lives, in search of a more stable and comfortable life in America.

Till today, I could still hear my four year old daughter's question, nineteen years ago; Daddy, why is it our house, in the Philippines bigger (and nicer) ? Are we poor dad ? Yes. Then, I murmured to myself "In the U.S. we are poor." As of writing time, I still ponder about the same question, over and over.But, I am happy, despite I am poor, and broke. My only regret, I wished I have extra money, to travel and say, "goodbye father, till the green,green grass of our final home, we will meet again and we will be a family, only this time, it is forever."

Rodolfo

jd.phd.2togo@gmail.com

Writing my father's obituary, remembering my mother...

A different and life altering experience, death. When I was a child, I would experience occasional nightmares, of losing both my parents. Today, I am living those nightmares. People experience losing love ones everyday, but each experiences are unique and personal. The emotion is difficult to explain, and the feeling of emptiness, difficult to fill, if not impossible.

Each moments I spent, remembering my father, is difficult. I cherished the beautiful memories, I had with my parents. My father was not emotional or expressive, but he makes you feel loved. He was very protective, and a very good provider. My mother was the opposite. She was very charming, warm and expressive with her affections.They were married for more than sixty years, till my mother's passing four years ago. I know my father never recovered from my mother's death, because he never "smiled" again.

Really a memorable day..........

   Today is truly a memorable day. My father passed away few hours ago. He was really a special person.

I am what I am, because he gave me the education, and choices in life.He taught me to be tough, and strong in adversity.He taught me to value hardwork and honesty. He taught me to treasure family.He taught me a lot about life and its struggles.I will always honor his memories, and I want him to remember that, I will always be his son.

I am his son.

     January 10th was my father's birthday. January 20, 2009, he passed away. While America is celebrating, I will forever honor this day, in the memory of my father and the new dawn of freedom and democracy in America.My father was, "a really special person to me."He taught me a lot, about life and its struggles.He always reminded me, the value of education.He always emphasized pride, in hardwork and honesty.He endured a lot of challenges in life, including losing my mother four years ago, and prior to my mom's passing, my only brother died at the age of 56, it was difficult for my parents to accept. My father was not expressive or emotional. He was very quite and reserved. My opposite. Despite our differences, my father and I, always exchanged ideas. Oftentimes, we have discussion about societal issues like poverty.He believed that family, matters most in life; He would admonished, "blood is thicker than water." My father was very responsible, and caring.He was a very good provider. He paid for my legal education.He supported me, as much as he could. He was quite disappointed, when I didn't became a lawyer. He was quite worried with my political activism.He was  pragmatic, I strongly believed in ideals.I admired, respected, and cherished him, he was my father, and I am his son. 

     Where ever you are father, I want you to remember that, I will always be your son. Goodbye, father.

Rodolfo