From the Barrel of My Pen

2009-07-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

“AMERICA IS GREAT BECAUSE SHE IS GOOD”

As we have been celebrating the founding of America on July 4th every year since her Declaration of Independence from England in 1776, let us always look back as to why the “founding fathers” came here. IT’S FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

All the signers of the American Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were religious persons whose families were persecuted in their home countries in Europe. Examine every official document related to the founding of the American nation and you will find references to God or Divine Providence and the value of freedom of worship.

It was a French historian named Alexis de Tocqueville who in his book , Democracy in America, written in 1835, said that “America is great because she is good… if America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” Here’s Tocqueville’s full quote:

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her fertile fields and boundless forests, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her public school system and her institutions of learning, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good America will cease to be great.

During one of last year’s congressional candidates’ forum I attended in Bayside, Queens, I raised this historical quotation without mentioning the author. And I was surprised when New York State Senator Toby Stavisky volunteered to shout the name of Alexis de Tocqueville. That simple gesture made me think later that although she belongs to another political party, she deserved to be reelected.

It is indeed in America’s religious convictions, not in her material wealth, where America’s greatness lies.”

Now we see history repeating itself with the influx of persecuted Christians and other religious groups in our shores who fled China, India, and Russia

As long as America remains faithful to the ideals of liberty and equality, America will always be great. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

End

2009-06-18T16:01:00.000-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

GET THE MESSAGE OUT QUICKLY!

Driven by a need to put more pressure to U.S. Congress to pass the comprehensive immigration reform bill initiated by Senators McCain and Kennedy some years ago, I bought the idea of Art Zamora, the leading Filipino visual artist now based in the United States. He believed the emblem of a passenger jumbo jet hoisted by a parade float, to participate in the 2009 Philippine Independence Parade in Manhattan, would be just right to fit into the celebration theme: Filipino American as a modern day hero.

American history tells us that the persecuted pilgrims of old came to America via a sailboat they called Mayflower in search of freedom and a better life in the New World.

Now Filipino Americans came to New York by air and landed at JFK Airport also in quest of freedom and hope for the American Dream. We are the modern-day pilgrims and hero given the millions and millions of dollars we remit to the Filipino people every year.

After a meeting of the minds of the float designer, Art Zamora, and the builder, former Philippine military officer Romuel Aguila, I confirmed to the parade officials that my float was ready to go for the June 7th parade.

To highlight the purpose of the float’s emblem, David Temprante, a professional sign maker, wrapped several streamers urging the U.S. Congress to pass the Immigration Reform bill this year. Nap, a Filipino CPA waiting for the bill, was assigned to drive the float.

It’s too sad to say that my fellow Republicans killed the bill last year. They also killed my political ambition to represent New York in the Washington Capitol. I am now tempted to switch parties if the Democratic Congress would pass the bill very soon. It’s long overdue.

Anyway, I think most of the spectators got the message of the parade float and hopefully this will reverberate in the mainstream media and several political forums.

And to add luster to my cause-oriented float, my granddaughter, Sophia Raffaella, proudly and joyfully rode on the front bearing her 2008 beauty title as Little Miss Ilocana. Being a third generation American born to my son, Jason who is a Giorgio Armani executive and his doctor-wife Mariliz who competed for Miss America in 1994, she did enjoy her majestic ride unmindful of the political message.

2009-06-12T12:04:00.001-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

MONEY TALKS AND KILLS!

Consider these similar situations:

I recently watched a television program beamed via satellite from the Philippines showing several leading presidential candidates for the upcoming 2010 Philippine elections answered questions from a panel of journalists. I got a big surprise when they all agreed to support a criminal investigation of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her family after she leaves office next year. As a kid on the block would remark, that’s a no-no. Never let a power-crazed individual know what happens next after he or she gives up power. Because the result would be: All hell would break loose.

A factory manager suspected of stealing money from his employer went berserk and massacred his co-workers as well as his employer’s family after learning that he was about to be reported to the Police.

Roman Emperor Nero decided to burn Rome when he was about to see his downfall.

The Japanese soldiers during the Second World War launched a large-scale series of massacres and rapes of women in their captive countries a few months before their imminent surrender to the Allies.

However, I do not foresee the Philippine President turning into a “juramentado” before the end of her term. Just remember what her billions and billions of the people’s money at her disposal could do to maintain herself in power.

As a scoundrel would always say: Money talks and kills.

End

2009-06-05T05:20:00.001-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

“SOON AND VERY SOON”

Filipinos are truly God-loving people and God will not allow that nation to perish despite the persistent wickedness of its government. As long as the Filipino people remain firm on faith in the Almighty Creator, like Job of the Old Testament who remained faithful despite the extreme sufferings and hardships that Satan manifested on him, the nation will finally rise from poverty and corruption to greatness and strength upon God’s command.

Try to look back at the history of powerful leaders of nations with evil minds and hearts some of which would even use the name of God hypocritically in a prayer or politically controlled legislative actions to cling to their despicable rule. They were the ones who perished.

One familiar example of such a ruler is Marcos, the Filipino dictator who stole the wealth of the Filipino people, to satisfy his own vanity and that of his wife. God had to intervene to stop him from launching a massacre against the people during the EDSA revolution, a massive popular protest demonstration against Marcos despotic rule during the mid 80s.

Like a devil’s child, Marcos escaped from the manifestation of God’s power during the peaceful revolt never to come back alive. And Democracy was restored in the Philippines.

Any ruler or leader of a nation who failed to learn from the lesson of EDSA I must have gone mad. But I believe a similar situation would not happen again. There is the Will of God calling for justice and truth.

Ask any Filipino on the streets of Manila or any other locality in the whole country how problems of escalating poverty and persistent government corruption could be solved, he or she relies on one ray of hope: IT WILL COME IN GOD’S TIMING SOON AND VERY SOON.

End

2009-05-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

A DAY OF “WOWOWEE” AT THE SENATE

It is said that former Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos got caught on tape while making love accompanied by groans and careless musical whispers “Ilocano” style with a planted American sexy model named Dobie Beams. Who did the recording and who disseminated it in the media during the pre-people power days? It’s still a mystery today.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo some years ago also got caught on tape talking to former election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano to do something to increase her votes during the 2004 presidential elections. Who did the recording and disseminated it to the press? It’s still a mystery today.

Now we have an interesting case of a sex video of a famous doctor and a famous actress in the Philippines being flooded in the internet and CD outlets all over the country. Who did the recording and the initial dissemination of the sex videos to the public. Still nobody knows who did it. It’s still a mystery.

My point in this article is that indeed mysteries are still around us waiting to be solved. But what can we do about it. Nothing but leave it to posterity until the day of reckoning so to speak. That is what the Bible says: there is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed.

What is getting interesting about the doctor-actress sex video in the Philippines is its questionable significance that would warrant a Senate investigation.

I would say that the Marcos-Dobie Beams sex tape should have warranted a Senate investigation except that it happened during Martial Law. It was a matter of national security considering suspicion that the American sexy model was perceived to be a CIA spy. Marcos’ wife, Imelda, opted instead to instruct the Immigration Commisssioner to deport the sexy spy back to California. What a pre-emptied strike against any escalation of the scandal.

The Gloria-Garcillano tapes somehow came under the curious and suspicious eyes of the senators and congresssmen. It was indeed a matter of national security or a violation of law. Bu nothing happened to punish the culprits. Perhaps Philippine justice succumbed to the glitter of gold.

So what is interesting about the Dr.Hayden Kho-Sexy Actress Katrina Halili sex video? It warranted much to my surprise a formal Senate investigation! Definitely it was not a case of government corruption or national security.

Consider the number of Philippine senators who are former movie actors and entertainment personalities. I may say this that the recent Senate hearing of the sex video of two famous personalities was just for the sake of entertainment. However, it was indeed a good show nonetheless.

End

2009-05-22T16:11:00.001-07:00

ROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

WISDOM OF A LEADER

This much I can say now about who would be the next mayor of New York City. He is none other than the incumbent, Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

This much I can say who would be the next president of the Philippines. He is none other than Senator Manny Villar.

The ball is now in your court to tell me why I am bold enough to make these two predictions.

I believe that the best leader of any association or group is one who can lead, who can inspire, and most of all who can provide.

The one who can help provide for the needs of the people, starting with the basic human needs - food, shelter, clothing - deserve to be the leader.

Who can live or survive with empty promises and impossible dreams that a scammer or swindler does best? How much worse is one who lies, cheats, and steals.

Remember Joseph of the Old Testament.

God gave Joseph, a former slave, the wisdom to interpret the dreams of the Egyptian Pharoah about what would happen in the future as to the financial state of the country.
Equipped with such foreknowledge, the Egyptian Pharaoh was able to prepare his county and people to the onset of imminent shortages of food.

It was Joseph, God’s chosen leader, who saved the people from famine and starvation that finally led to a life of plenty and prosperity. He was finally selected to be the ruler of Egypt where he kept the people under his regime with bountiful blessings from God.

Yet he never became vindictive against his brothers who sold him while he was young to the slave traders. He even saved them from sure death and starvation. And God truly blessed Joseph thereafter.

I just hope that both Mayor Bloomberg and Senator Villar have the leadership calibre of Joseph to make my predictions true.

End

2009-05-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

PHILIPPINES: A NATION OF CHAMPIONS, NOT SERVANTS

I watched the Pacquiao-Hatton boxing match over the weekend and I never saw Hatton, the British opponent, even for a second gestured a prayer. But Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino champion, did so many times. It helps to show you worship God in Heaven before the worldly crowd and television audience. God likes it very much. Yet I can’t say for sure whether God helped Pacquiao to win. I believe his prayer to God helped himself. And he demolished the British “Hitman” to pieces.

Talking about the same boxing event at Las Vegas, Nevada, a controversy emerged revolving around the way Martin Nievera, a Filipino pop vocalist, sang the Philippine National Anthem. According to officials of the Philippine Historical Society, Nievera violated a certain law that prohibits changing the tempo as composed by Julian Felipe, a Filipino patriot, from the early days of the Philippine Revolution. I did listen to the “polluted” tempo that Nievera used in singing a la cabaret. Perchance because of his ignorance of the history of the Philippine Revolution, his singing styled failed to emit any patriotic Filipino sentiment. Now Filipino singers should learn from that mistake.

Speaking of Philippine historical bits and pieces once again put me into a recollection mode.

Former Mayor Ed Koch of New York in the early 80s once attended a Filipino function held at the Silver Palace Restaurant in lower Manhattan in honor the birthday anniversary of Jose Rizal, the Filipino National Hero. In attendance that night were former Senator Ernesto Maceda, former Senator Heherson Alvarez and his wife, and former journalist Alejandro Roces . They were in the United States as political refugees from the Marcos regime.

At the gala reception, the former New York City Mayor Koch received a gift of two famous revolutionary books written by Jose Rizal, the NOLI ME TANGERE and the EL FILIBUSTERISMO. Remember that Rizal’s authorship of these two novels caused his death by firing squad . I just wondered whether the former mayor has bothered to read the books. I never had a chance to ask that question .

A sense of Filipino patriotism as symbolized by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem or a sense of respect for Jose Rizal, who died in the fight for freedom and justice for the Filipino people, would be best captured in an honest and effective rendition of anthem’s message and effective portrayal of the Filipino hero’s sacrifice for his country. Commercializing these two Filipino values should forever be shunned.

Anyway, a Filipino won in a contest against a non-Filipino for the glory of the Philippines. That ’s good enough nowadays since some crazy journalists are branding the Philippines as a “a nation of servants.”

2009-04-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

ALWAYS TAKE A SECOND LOOK

Wise men say “don’t judge the book by its cover.”

The judges at a British singing contest a la American Idol style seemed to have committed this mistake in their minds as shown in their facial expressions when an ugly-looking shapeless middle-aged contestant sang the Les Miserables theme song, “I Dreamed a Dream” like world-famous Broadway singer Lea Salonga and stunned the whole world. International press is now calling the “believe it or not” singer, Susan Boyle as an upcoming superstar.

I have also been guilty of ignoring what the wise men say in so many situations in the past.

I once thought of a mild-mannered, smiling well-dressed gentleman to be a man of compassion and honesty. He turned out to be a scammer and a swindler. He finally got arrested, convicted, and sentenced in court.

A friend told me of his experience with an exquisitely alluring female date. She turned out to be a guy dressed in sexy women’s clothing.

I know of many so-called spiritual or religious persons who always speak of the value of becoming holy and prophesy about the end of the world. Some of them are nothing less than “false prophets” whose main focus is your wallet or a beautiful innocent young girl.

Somebody told me that she once saw a regular looking matured gentleman with a worn-out wallet driving an old model car and wearing a very cheap suit. He turned out to be the richest person in the world, Warren Buffet.

Thought for today: During the Vietnam War, our American generals thought the Vietnamese irregular forces known as the Vietcong were no match with our well-trained soldiers. What happened?

End

2009-04-24T20:43:00.000-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN

By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

A TALE OF TWO RAPE VICTIMS

Whenever a victim in a rape case changes her story and acquit the alleged rapist, there is no more case. That’s the storyline of the Daniel Smith-Nicole Rape Story.

Rape is a crime against the human being, not against the state unless it‘s a state-sponsored rape. I believe the Philippine government this time is not to blame for the sudden turn around of the Filipina accuser.

This incident as usual as time goes by reminds of me of an incident at Harlem Hospital in Manhattan during the early 80s when I was a department adminstrator of the medical/surgical units. One of the newly-hired batch of Filipino nurses was found one morning in a secluded area of the hospital premises lying unconscious. She was brought to emergency where initial findings apparently showed possible rape.

A very concerned Filipino nurse asked me to do something about it since the natural reaction of hospital management and security was a cover-up. A top hospital security approached one morning and warned me not to interfere with security matters.

Still I asked this concerned Filipino nurse (who I heard still works at the hospital) to give me copies of the well-kept hidden medical notes of the victim’s injuries on her private parts.

Then I talked to the victim and persuaded her to report the incident to the nearby police station in Harlem. She did make the report after I accompanied her to the station but later on decided not to proceed with filing a case of rape that happened in a city hospital premises. Her reason: She needed the nursing job very badly and she was scared of being deported if she fought the hospital management and security.

Now, tell me the moral lesson of the two similar rape stories.

End

2009-04-17T11:49:00.001-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

AMERICA'S COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AND LIBERTY

In the Philippines, I heard of certain Christians being converted to Islam, especially among celebrities. But I have been hearing of famous Filipino movie stars and entertainers who have dedicated their talents to give glory to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Top of the list is singer Gary Valenciano.

When an exceedingly beautiful movie actress and beauty queen named Ruffa Gutierrez stumbled from her Christian faith to marry a Muslim and later return to her Christian Church after a failed marriage, she did the right thing. Such cases always remind us of the story of the Prodigal Son: the door to Christ will always open to those who faithfully knock in order to enter into His heart.

America is founded on Christian values of mercy and justice. But America's door is open only to the true freedom-seekers trying to escape persecution because of their love for liberty. It is close to the fugitives from justice, the kleptocrats, the thieves, and other criminals inasmuch as as Christ's heart is open only to His flock and the lost ones, not to the Devil' disciples.

After the Pilgrims and other European travelers came to America fleeing persecution from their home countries and settled permanently, that marked the foundation of the New World as land of the free. Succeeding waves of refugees and other migrants from other countries followed leading to the establishment of the American colonies and later the United States of America.

So let no so-called “born in America” advocates claim themselves to be real Americans for history will tell where your forefathers came from. They may have been either former slaves from Africa or slave owners from England or just plain refugees from other countries.

As Christianity stands for mercy, equality, and justice so should America and her government be anything less.

End

2009-04-10T06:19:00.000-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

GOD’S DEAL WITH THE SINNERS

Some people with problems think that by killing themselves or committing suicide would be the end of their miserable life. Speaking as a Christian, I believe that is not the case.

Christians believe there’s life after death as we know it. That is the mystery of Christianity: death gives way to life.

This present life as Christians know it is just a preparation to enter another world after our last breath: either to go to Heaven with God, the Creator, or to hell with Satan, the destroyer.

The celebration of the Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, sends out the basic doctrine of Christianity written in the Bible in three-day events about Jesus Christ: His death at the cross, His burial, and His resurrection.

With Christ’s death, the promise of salvation from eternal death is offered to believers.

With Christ’s burial, the promise of Holy Spirit baptism comes to those who accept.

With Christ’s resurrection, the promise of eternal life with God in Heaven makes real the Blessed Hope when Christ returns again to redeem the dead and the living believers to live forever.

Fellow human beings, who would not want that kind of God’s deal in exchange of Faith in his Only Begotten Son, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

End

2009-04-02T21:05:00.001-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

SOME THOUGHTS TO PONDER

I am not a Preacher but I just want to share with you some of my inner thoughts:

A straight stick is stronger than a crooked one. Don’t you know that anything crooked breaks easily? That is according to the law of physics.

The same principle applies to any part of the human body, particularly the mind. The insane has a crooked mind; therefore, the insane is a broken being.

The fastest way from one point to another point is through a straight line because is it is physically the shortest. Follow a crooked way and you go nowhere.

Now let’s talk about crooks in government and business, anywhere in the world. They go nowhere and break easily. And all of them at a certain point became mad.

Look at Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian Emperor, who finally lived like an animal and Adolph Hitler, the mad dictator. Yet there are still plenty of their descendants roaming the earth.

Now let’s turn to spiritual things. Among Christians, the fastest way and the surest way to God’s Kingdom is one straight way through God’s Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

That is what the Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved and thy house.” Isn’t that a very straightforward thing to do, no ifs or buts?

It’s yours for the taking.

End

2009-03-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

PAST AND PRESENT EVENTS PREDICT THE FUTURE

I don’t think God will allow fire and brimstone to rain over the Philippines despite the corrupt ways of her leaders. There are still a few good men and women who can save her from total destruction.

During my recent stay in MetroManila, I received a gift of two books written by Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel and his wife, Bing, that put God first in their life. Sen. Pimentel’s book , “Invoking God in a Secular Senate” and that of Bing’s “True Love Within Our Reach” are both their true life’s experiences testifying about God’s greatness and love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

I believe there are more Filipino national leaders and their families like the Pimentels that would stop a Sodomic disaster to happen in the Philippines. That is what God wants from his creation: praise, worship and adoration. It’s that simple, my fellow beings, isn’t it? And you’ll be blessed and be saved from damnation.

Yet the reality of man’s wickedness seems to be out of control for now. That’s the way it is anywhere in this world. I don’t know why God allows Satan to rule for just a little while. But I really don’t need to reason why. Only God knows what He’s doing. What I can do as a Christian believer is just believe and hold His hand. For in the final conflict, as it is written, Satan will be chained and thrown down to the bottlomless pit. This is the quintessence of Christian Faith.

Not getting younger caused me to reminisce about time past:

After the Americans rescued Marcos from the wrath of the Filipino people during the people power revolution in 1986, Cory, the widow of the assassinated senator, Ninoy Aquino, became the revolutionary president.

Cory later went to Washington, D.C. and spoke at a joint session of the U.S.Congress. Herbert Rickman, then Special Assistant to New York City Mayor Ed Koch, talked to me in my capacity as the Mayor’s liaison to the Filipino community in the city and expressed the Mayor’s interest to invite Cory to New York as a conquering hero. He wanted to give Cory the symbolic key to the City of New York as a recognition of Cory’s restoration of democracy in the Philippines.

The event turned to be one of the most spectacular events in the history of the Filipino community in New York that paved the way for the annual Philippine Independence Day Parade and Street Fair in Manhattan.

Before Cory’s visit to New York City, the Benigno Aquino Triangle was already in place. The New York City council passed the legislation naming a public vacant land after the assassinated senator who died for freedom and liberty. Mayor Ed Koch signed the legislation also to honor the contributions of the Filipino community to the city.

Before the Council approved the legislation, I and the late Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations had to justify before the Committee on Parks and Recreation the importance of granting recognition to the Filipino martyr who used to stay in Queens, New York before he returned to the Philippines n 1983.

By the way, I must say that remembering the past helps a person prepare for the future. And past events normally cannot be erased from the mind.

End

2009-03-20T20:57:00.001-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

CHANGE IN THE WAY FILIPINOS SPEAK?

The Pilipino language based on the Tagalog dialect as spoken by majority of Filipinos in the Philippines nowadays has turned out to be a hodgepodge of words from other Filipino dialects, foreign languages, and coined words.

Here’s a sampling:

The English word “every” such as in everyday translated into Tagalog as “bawa’t” is now translated as “kada” from the Spanish word cada.

The English word “evacuate” translated into Tagalog as “ilipat” is now translated as “ilikas” borrowed from the Kapampangan dialect.

The English word “homosexual” translated into Tagalog as “bakla or binabae” is now translated as “bading” perhaps a shortened combination of words.

The English word “impression” translated into Tagalog as “palagay” is now translated as “dating” used to mean arrival.

The English word “outing” translated into Tagalog as “pasyal” is now translated as gimmick borrowed from English that means a deal or a ploy.

The English word “business” translated into Tagalog as “pinagkakakitaan” is now translated as “racket” borrowed from English that commonly means criminal activity.

I have no idea whether these changes in the way today’s Filipinos speak is a sign of progress or otherwise. But what has so grammatically changed based on the BALARILA, the Filipino national language manual is the common use of the Tagalog pronoun “siya” to refer to all kinds of persons, objects, and things. The pronoun “siya” originally pertains only to people and the pronouns “ito” or “iyan” refer to animals, objects or things.

In so doing, there is no more distinction among people, animals and things in the universal use of the pronoun “siya” .Is this the way Philippine culture goes?

End

2009-03-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

JUSTICE STILL PREVAILS

I just watched President Barack Obama on Jay Leno’s late night talk show at Channel 4. He seems to be a regular open-minded American guy devoid of any pretensions despite the awesomeness of his presidential office.

I believe it is not right to judge the newly-elected president’s performance at this time whether it’s good or bad. Let’s give him some more time to adjust to his new role as President of the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America.

I can’t wait knowing how he plans to do with millions and millions of undocumented aliens especially those who came to the United States when they were still minors. This special group of aliens known as “refugee children” has grown up in American education and culture in thought and in deed. How can America, land of the free, deport these Americans whose only deficiency is lack of immigration documents?

Anyway, what caught my attention during President Obama’s appearance on the famous late night show was when he went to pick up Jay Leno’s coffee mug a few seconds before the first commercial break. Jay Leno signaled and pointed to his mug he put on the other coffee table. Well, he’s just like me and any other person who makes silly mistakes.

Now, do you believe God put Barack Obama at the Oval Office to rule over the American people? I believe so. As the Bible says, the first shall be the last, and the last shall be the first. For I think Obama was the last person thought by most Americans before last year’s elections to win the presidency.

In the Philippines, who do you think God will put in Malacanang Palace in 2010 to reign over the Filipino people? President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo believes God put her there in 2001. That’s why she refused to give up power despite her high public disapproval rating.

I think what we can do in this imperfect world is just to live or cope with things and events that an individual cannot control. That leaves to the Almighty God full control to see to it that justice ultimately prevails.

End

2009-03-05T15:12:00.000-08:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

A QUICK TRIP TO CABANATUAN CITY, NUEVA ECIJA

The Bible says “all things work together for good to them that love God…”

Well, I’ll say emphatically I do love God, my Creator. So my losing in the last congressional elections for the second time was good for me. God knows best.

It was good because I found time to take care of the land I inherited from my late father, Gonzalo J. Policarpio, Sr. of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. As a footnote to my father’s first government job, he was the Civil Registrar of Cabanatuan City when the Japanese invaded the Philippines during the second world war. I was only a few months old. To add color to his shortened stint at that job, he officiated at the emergency wedding of the late Sen. Hermogenes Concepcion, Sr. to his second wife.

For almost a month away back home in the Philippines, I spent my time with my only living brother, Conrado, nephews and nieces from my deceased siblings examining land titles some of which apparently have been mysteriously transferred from my father’s name to that of another person. We also agreed to develop more than a hectare of land in Sumacab and turn it into a Policarpio Manor as a tribute to my late father Gonzalo and late grandfather Julio. We still have to petition the Department of Education to rename the Talipapa Elementary School after my grandfather Julio who donated the land.

I visited the mausoleum of my late brother-in-law, Cecilio T. Marcelo, who was married to my eldest sister Felicisima. My sister passed away long time ago. It was located at the spacious Baliwag Memorial Park in Bulacan that he owned. He also left to his second wife and children an educational legacy - the St. Joseph Academy of Candaba, Pampanga that he founded. He is an example of a Filipino who accumulated lots of assets and wealth through hard work and sound investments and not through corruption.

On Valentine’s Day, I hosted a get-together party held at Aberdeen Court in Makati to assemble most of my nephews and grandnephews and nieces and grandnieces to meet and know each other. I learned that they have never met since their childhood days. I never thought MetroManila is too big for them.

Now they know that one of them owns a fleet of 250 taxicabs called EFE. Now they know that they have an Uncle who ran for the U.S. Congress and lost twice and another Uncle who is retiring from the Court of Appeals this coming May at age 70. His name is Edgardo P. Cruz, said by the media to belong to the group of four Court of Appeals justices who are not corrupt.

In another occasion at Serendra I where my son Jason and his wife Mariliz took over the condo unit they bought, a relative of Mariliz who teaches piano in Quezon City proudly posed with me in a picture taking. She said she will tell her friends that she met the father-in-law of Rowena Arrieta who is married to Jason’s elder brother Jonathan. I never thought that Weenie is still a big star in the Philippines. It’s time to hold another concert in Manila.

End

2009-01-21T20:46:00.001-08:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

GREED: A DEADLY SIN

Bernard Madoff, former chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange, who pulled the biggest Ponzi Scheme of all times victimizing stupid and greedy multi-millionanaires worth $50 billion dollars, used one of the Devil’s temptations against Christ: I will give you the wealth of this world if you believe in me. According to the New Testament account, the Son of God rebuked the Evil One and stopped him for good.

According to current press accounts, Madoff’s believers succumbed to his lies and lost their fortune in a fraudulent investment scheme. That makes the notorious financial scammer a direct scion of the father of lies. A lesson that we can learn from this story is never to believe the Devil or his children.

Greed has always been a vulnerability to some people. It has been said, according to a Filipino whistleblower, that one greedy Filipino bureaucrat once admonished his fellow cronies to “moderate their greed” in stealing money from unscrupulous government transactions. The culprits however were not able put their greed under control and finally were exposed.

So many crimes have been committed because of greed. No doubt the Christian
Church classifies it as one of the “seven deadly sins.”

Greed in essence is the uncontrollable desire to amass wealth even those that do not belong to you. How then can a poor human being free himself or herself from that kind of slavery?

Christ was able to withstand Satan’s temptations despite his poor and hungry physical condition. He knows the Devil cannot deliver because he is a liar. He, being the Son of God, knows that only God can provide because He is the Divine Providence.

Remember as history of mankind will tell us, God never allows one man or woman to amass the wealth of this world for He is the God of Justice and Reason. So the answer on how to free oneself from greed is true faith in God the Provider.

End

2009-01-08T13:53:00.000-08:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

MEMORIES TO ENJOY

After spending relatively a longer time in this world, I feel the urge to reminisce certain peculiar episodes hard to forget.

I once worked as a Security Officer for one year in the mid70s at the former WNEW Channel 5 television station in Manhattan then owned by billionaire John Kluge. That was one of the odd jobs I had to grab after arriving in New York city as a professional immigrant with outstanding qualifications.

Lately somebody told me that a movie was shown about the late comedian Andy Kaufman. Naturally my memorable encounter with this comedian came to mind in the station’s hallway.

The late comedian went crazy after being informed that he was off the program one midday. He ran across the hallway yelling and banging the office door of the producer. Other guards were not able to subdue him. So I had to threaten him with my wooden club to calm him down. It’s just too bad this incident was not mentioned in his biography and in the movie where Jim Carrey played Andy Kaufman.

I believe I already wrote in another paper about my encounter with the late Old Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra during the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon still being sponsored by Channel 5 as a tradition. I had the surprise of my life when I found out later that famous crooner was a target of assassination. My supervisor assigned me, a short regularly built Asian man, to guard him from the time he stepped out of his limo, stayed in the dressing room, and back to his limo with his friend Jilly Rizzo.

Other celebrities whom I engaged in idle talk during my security desk job as far I would recollect were Rita Moreno, Peggy Lee, former Mayor Ed Koch then a Congressman, and sexy Monique Van Buren, and many others. Yet some celebrities ignored me with a look of disdain.

Keeping true with the life of an immigrant in America whose goal is to reach the American Dream, from the lowly job of a Security Officer/Guard, I took on the job of a department hospital administrator after graduating with a Master’s degree from New York University in 1980.

And there are memorable episodes to worth recollecting during those times perhaps in my next column.

---------------------------------------------------
I mourn the passing away last week of my brother-in-law, Cecilio T. Marcelo of Baliuag, Bulacan and Candaba, Pampanga. He acted like a real brother to me after the death of my eldest sister Felicisima in the early 50s. His eldest son, Jose, was the former Chief of Police of Valenzuela, Bulacan. He belonged to the Marcelo and Trinidad families of Bulacan and Pampanga.

End

2008-12-27T07:46:00.000-08:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo "Jun" Policarpio

"RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU"

We'll have a New Year and a new president in America next year, 2009. Is it really true what somebody said that normally we like anything new? Like a new car, a new house, a new pair of shoes, or a new suit.

Well, I think it depends on the quality of the new item. Let's talk about Barack Obama, the incoming new president of the United States.
Obama is new but has not been tested before as a chief executive of a large entity such as a country, a state, or a city. It remains to be seen what would his new approach in governance of the richest country in the world, the United States of America.

The multi-ethnic profile of Obama's cabinet based on the racial origin of his announced nominees, some Blacks, some Latinos, and some Asians, is a good sign. I would say that his admiration for Abraham Lincoln as his model president has something to do with it.

Obama's decision to retain President Bush's secretary of defense is also a reflection of his good judgment. His selection of former Army General Eric Shinseki to head the Veterans Affairs department is another thing worth to be appreciated to indicate his fairness and sensitivity to a most qualified leader.

Now comes the scandal involving Governor Blagogevich of Illinois, ardent political supporter in his home state. He is accused of selling Obama's Senate seat, perhaps to the highest bidder.

How well or bad President-elect Obama would handle this sticky problem is anybody's guess.

I welcome Obama's choice of Pastor Rick Warren, author of the book, PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE, considered the biggest best seller of all time, to give the invocation during his inauguration next month.

He really needs the prayer of a man of faith to help his infant presidency guide the fate of the American people in these troubled times when the Devil seems to be very active in sowing evil.
End

2008-12-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN

By Gonzalo "Jun" Policarpio

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Christmas always brings memories to me , especially my child hood days. It must the gifts being showered to children by parents, brothers and sisters, other relatives and friends every Christmas season I know because I was once a child.

Why are the children the most favored recipient of Christmas gifts?

It was Baby Jesus, the Child King, who received the most precious gifts ever from the Three Wise Men from the East, as told in the New Testament. Guided by a beautiful shining star in the evening, the Three Kings finally found the object of their long search, a baby in a manger who was born King of Kings to a virgin maiden, Mary, especially chosen by the Holy Spirit.

So we see Baby Jesus on the faces of those beautiful children with pure faith who received our gifts. And we Christians do it in celebration of Almighty God's greatest gift to sinful mankind doomed to hell – Jesus our Lord and Savior.

During this Christmas Season 2008, let's refocus our sight on the poor children living on the dirty streets of Manila, and other impoverished cities of the world and showered them with things they need to survive for " they are the Kingdom of Heaven."

End

2008-12-12T12:39:00.000-08:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

VICTORY IS THE REWARD OF HUMILITY

True champions of this world give glory to God in Heaven for their victories. Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing champion, who technically knocked out Oscar de la Hoya from East Los Angeles, one of the greatest boxers of all time, now belong to that special class of champions. He told the media after the fight that he owes his victory to God his Creator.

Arrogance is never the hallmark of a Christian. Humility is the sign of Christianity - Christ crucified at the cross after being extremely humiliated by His enemies. Victory is the reward of humility - Christ Resurrection that defeated the power of Death. Truly it is hard to be a Christian but the gift of being such is fulfilling.

Majority of Filipinos are Christians, yet they are suffering from poverty, sickness, and humiliation. Despite their extreme hardships, they can still smile and even offer help of any kind to anybody in distress. What an exemplary national trait of a people that seem to be doomed. Do you know of another class of people who underwent a series of struggles to survive as a nation saved from becoming obliterated from the face of the earth at the hands of a mad dictator?

There are reasons to wonder at the mysterious way God loves His people. The philosophical mind definitely will question God’s master plan. But who are these hapless mortals to spew doubt about God’s love to His creation? They will surely die without any hope of any kind such as the hope of eternal life for God’s believers.

The incoming Obama Administration that campaigned primarily on offering material goods to the American people and freedom to kill an unborn baby, recognize homosexuality and lesbianism as legitimate lifestyle, and to totally ban God in public schools is worth watching. Is it another example of God’s permissive Will demonstrated in the Old Testament when He let Satan do harm to Job, a faithful servant of God? However, it may be a big challenge to so-called conservative Christians and Jews to raise their moral standards like doing what they preach so to speak .

Remember what my former Muslim classmate at the University of the Philippines once told me: Show me a good Christian and I’ll be one.

End

2008-12-04T20:35:00.001-08:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio

TACTICAL IN CHESS, POLITICS, AND ROMANCE?

Boxing may be compared to chess rather than to politics. In politics, the politician needs money and support from a major political party machine to promote his candidacy to win votes. A boxer needs to be strong physically and mentally, skillful with boxing techniques, and exceptionally fast with his whole body using a great deal of reflexes in order to knock out his opponent. Comparing the Pacquiao – De la Hoya fight on Dec. 6th to the recent presidential contest between Obama and McCain is ridiculous.

A boxer may apply some of the mating techniques of famous chess masters to win by knockout. Some world heavyweight boxing champions like Dr. Vitaly Klitschko of Ukraine and Britiain’s Lennox Lewis study chess strategy and tactics and use them during championship fights.

As a Filipino American born in the Philippines, I want Manny Pacquiao to win this fight with the greatest Mexican American boxer, Oscar De la Hoya. However, from an objective assessment of their different fighting skills and other assets, De la Hoya has a definite advantage due to his height(4 inches over), length of his fighting arms(six inches over), and his methodical fighting techniques.

Both Pacquiao and De la Hoya have shown to be equally strong. But they use different moves during the first rounds. Pacquiao seems to be more of a tactical fighter going for the jugular a la Mike Tyson. He is more of a brawler letting off with his lightning fast punches all over his opponent. One good solid hit with a Pacquiao punch would knock out his opponent. If he misses a lot of such punches, then he would be the one under attack. Such is a tactical player like Pacquiao.

De la Hoya, on the other hand, makes use of his equally lightning fast jabs in the early rounds against his opponent. The intent is to weaken his opponent’s defenses in the same manner a chess champion would deploy his pawns. He waits for the right position to hit his opponent hard for a knockout or to mate the king as in a chess game.

At any rate, I will choose not to bet on either boxer though my heart goes to my “kababayan” Pacquiao. Also, I, too, am a tactical fighter in chess or in politics or even in romance.

End

2008-12-02T14:25:00.000-08:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo "Jun" Policarpio

WHO ARE THE TRAITORS?

Looking at the frowning former Philippine Speaker of the House of Representatives Joe de Venecia during the methodical slaughter of the Gloria Arroyo Impeachment Complaint filed by his son, Joey, is a perfect case of a role reversal. When de Venecia was Speaker, he was credited to have led the killing of previous impeachment complaints against the same respondent by the notoriously well-financed legislative hacks, presumably including himself. He should be familiar with the character of his colleagues in the majority that no amount of appeal to conscience can work. Anyway the hearing was worth the publicity to wake up the "no hear, no tell, no talk" Filipino people. But as history will tell us, money or gold, the god of this world, still reigns supreme.

With the impending financial collapse of major businesses and banking institutions worldwide caused by greed and corruption , he or she who has the money controls the world regardless whether the money belongs to the people. If the government which is the agency entrusted by the people to use their money for the benefit of the many such as in a representative system of government, steal or misappropriate public funds to benefit the public officers for their selfish interest, then the time for change is the solution. What must be changed are the violators the public trust, and not the constitution. That is usually done through honest and clean elections in order to avoid a resort to a violent revolution. It's just that simple and it's applicable to the Philippine situation in the wake of the recent American presidential elections.
Democracy is still the best form of government where there exists a mechanism of check and balance among the three branches of power: executive, legislative, and judicial. The reason for such provision is to prevent dictatorship of anyone or combination of two of the three power centers. If such mechanism fails, greed and corruption follows. And the people's sovereignty is in danger. When the people asserts its sovereignty, a bloody revolution is inevitable at the expense of precious human lives. Nobody wants this kind of situation but the "desperados."
The only solution I see that has worked in several political settings worldwide is the role of clean and honest elections to preserve democracy in the Philippines. That time is scheduled to happen in 2010 in the Philippines. So any attempt to disrupt the schedule is treasonous in substance. Let's now watch out for the traitors.
End
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2008-11-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

A BIG THANK YOU FROM MY HEART

My dear friends, classmates, and relatives:

What is so gracious in your exceptional support to my candidacy for Congress '08 is your cheerful gift despite all the odds against winning as a third party candidate in a two-party system in American politics. You are my true friends, not my fairweathered friends. I can still remember my son cautioning me to run as such whether I'm willing to be like Ralph Nader. Yet I did it twice. Why?

I must be crazy. I can't blame my wife for threatening to divorce me when she learned from somebody else that I had announced my candidacy for Congress '08. Yet she did not. I'm lucky still. But still crazy. Why?

Because when I failed to get the Republican Party endorsement, I decided again against all odds to continue fighting under the Conservative endorsement. Tell me now. Am I crazy or I just want to prove to my "political enemies" that the Filipino is no longer timid, subservient, weak. To show to those fools that the days of the Filipino coolies are over.

I would rather lose in any competition than to be branded as a coward, a weakling, and easy to be bullied.

Yet there's indeed pain in losing. But it's better to lose than to get lost. That's what my enemies tried to do to me twice. And they failed. Yes I lost twice but did not get lost.

Through my campaign, I always say that if God wants me to win, I'll win nevertheless. It's between God and myself talking. Now I know He does not, perhaps not according to His timing or else, it's really not my calling to be a politician. I therefore submit to His Will.

Before I dump my boxing gloves permanently, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for expressing your help and support in your own particular ways. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. AMEN.

Your brother in Christ,

Jun Policarpio

2008-08-21T19:48:00.001-07:00

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Jun Policarpio

GOD OF JUSTICE

The mother of all sins, I may say, is the sin of covetousness. It is the sin that drove Satan to covet God’s throne in Heaven.

Covetousness is defined by dictionary as the unreasonable desire for what we do not possess. The Roman Catholic Church considers it as a capital sin that means a sin that leads to other sins.

When King David coveted his soldier’s wife, Bathsheba, his kingdom broke into pieces and God punished his chosen king one with severe remorse that almost killed him.

Evil man Adolf Hitler coveted a land that did not belong to him. It started the second world war and the Holocaust that slaughtered millions and millions of people.

Now back to politics. What will happen to a candidate who brags to be without sin and who tried to covet another candidate’s political party ballot through unlawful means?

Consider this truth. God is not dead. He’s alive. And He’s a God of Justice.

End

junpolicarpio@gmail.com