end of another Sunday

SUNDAY, SWEET SUNDAY

Sunday mornings are always the busiest ones in my weekly calendar..And each Sunday is quite different from the one that has just passed by..

Today, all my 5 singers spent the afternoon in my house...Patricia, the new kid in our choir finished her school project in my PC..Last night, she took some shots in a DVCamera and this afternoon, they edited the footage into a 4-minute mini - documentary..

I gave them open access to my PC and they made use of the movie maker..a free amazing software that could produce a short documentary..something unheard of a few years back..Since my PC has no DVD burner yet, I had to make a final DVD-R copy of the  school project in my DVD-Recorder..

While Caitlin was typing in the names under the credit titles, Emma was asking: "How about me?..How about me?

So Caitlin typed in "Emma Forbes..Moral support consultant.." It was just a school project, all in the spirit of fun!

Before ending this entry, I want to share a few quotes I heard from Emma this morning..

There are several copies of our  Church hymnal here in our house which we need in order to practice the songs..Emma opened one of them and read on the first page: PLEASE LEAVE THIS BOOK IN CHURCH..Then she asked me: "What is this book doing in our house?"

Then while exchanging the usual knock-knock jokes, she said:

"I know the meaning of dude.." Yeah?", I said, noting that dude means man or a male person. "What?" I asked..

" A dude is a pimple on a donkey's butt.."

I almost spilled my coffee all over my Sunday attire.---#

Sen Shahani's Speech on Peace ( pt. 1 )

Sen Shahani urges peace within and without    (Editor's Note: Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani of the Phillippines delivered this keynote speech at the "Breaking Down Barriers & Building Bridges of Peace" Conference on April 29, sponsored by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson's office, the Dallas Peace Center, Peacemakers Inc. and the DFW International Community Alliance. Sen. Shahani is the co-chair of the Third International Women's Peace Conference to be held in Dallas July 10-15, 2007.) It is a great honor for me to be invited by the World of Women for World Peace, an organization founded by the dynamic Congresswoman from Dallas, Eddie Bernice Johnson, as well as by the Peacemakers, Inc., the DFW International Community Alliance and the Dallas Peace Center to speak before you today on the theme of “Breaking Down Barriers and Building Bridges of Peace”.  I have come all the way from the Philippines to come to the beautiful city of Dallas for this happy and memorable occasion.  Although this is only my second visit to Texas, I am not a stranger to the United States.  I lived for many years in New York and Washington, D.C., went to college in Wellesley and finished graduate work at Columbia University.  I spent nine years in the United Nations Secretariat about four of which were spent in New York City.  As you can see, my stay in your country was spent in the Eastern seaboard, facing the Atlantic Ocean and Europe.  I am, indeed, looking forward during this visit of mine to learn more about the mothers and women of the Lone Star State of the USA, which is also the native state of your President, George W. Bush.  Dallas, Texas is also the venue of the forthcoming International Women’s Peace Conference which will be held in July 2007.  It is a privilege to have been invited by the President of the Conference, Carol Crabtree Donovan, to serve as her Co-chair for the conference.  Carol and I have been working together for the past few months and I certainly look forward to collaborating with her closely in putting together such a worthwhile project.  At the end of this talk, I hope, together, we shall have planted several seeds of peace. Peace Begins With the Self I shall start with something very obvious and because it is so obvious it is easily overlooked and taken for granted, that is, peace begins with us,, thus, the subtitle of my talk: “Peace Within and Peace Without”.  This is a truth which mothers, who are the number one peace-makers and peace advocates in the world, instinctively understand.  This is because they want to raise happy children whom they want to live in a peaceful world.  Mothers instinctively shun violence and avoid hurting others in the same manner that they would treat their own children. The Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) opens with this moving statement: “Since wars begin in the   minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” There is no escape from the fact that the beginnings of war and violence originate in the dark recesses of the human mind and heart, in the same way that hopes for a better tomorrow begin with an inner radiant vision.   We, who are advocates of peace, must be peaceful within and, more than that, we should manifest our inner state of peace in our daily behavior and lifestyle if we are to live in peace with our families and with the outside world.  This is what I mean by the phrase “peace without” which is part of the title of my speech.  This meeting today is an indication of that universal longing for peace inside and outside ourselves, the origin of which is a spiritual insight signaling to us that peace and harmony are the basic conditions of life without which we cannot hope to evolve as human beings nor progress as families, communities and nations.  My long-time guide in combining the inner and outer worlds of peace is Mahatma Gandhi, the great spiritual and political leader and the father of the Indian nation.  He was single-minded in his quest for God and truth but social reform and the struggle for the independence of his country were his chosen playingfields; he did not follow the monastic and isolated path.  Gandhi once said: “I could not be leading a religious life unless I identified myself with the whole of mankind and that I could not do unless I took part in politics.”   But why is peace, all the same, so elusive and fragile? Because, as Gandhi found out through his own life, there has to be a deep personal commitment to be peaceful, that is, not to be angry or violent in thought, word and deed.  As peace advocates, we must be at peace with ourselves and with others, even in thought which does not necessarily manifest itself in action.  This is not easy to do but we should strive to achieve this stage. Yet, the perfect peace we desire, that is, peace within and peace without, cannot   be completely achieved and sustained because many events are beyond our control, in terms of time and space.  The beginnings of the Arab-Israeli conflict, for example, go back to Biblical times.  The seeds of the Cuban-American enmity, in the same way, were already planted during the discovery of the Americas by two ethnic groups with different cultures, the Anglo-Saxons and the Spaniards who came from Europe.  Years of misunderstanding and inequality have led to deep-rooted conflicts which cannot be resolved nor transcended by concerned groups or even by entire nations.  As a result, many of the proponents of peace become angry, vindictive and blinded by hatred because they discover that events are beyond their control or influence.  With this frame of mind and heart, there can be no peace, only increased oppression and renewed violence.  Peace does not only mean the absence of violence.  It requires mutually accepted virtues such as truthfulness, respect for the human rights of others, objectivity and, yes, gentleness.  Peace among Nations What we are interested at this gathering dedicated to honoring mothers and also in preparation for the International Women’s Peace Conference in 2007 is to help achieve peace among nations as well to foster friendly relations and understanding among women from different countries and cultures.  I firmly believe that a first step which women peace advocates should take in our confused and troubled times is to acquire accurate knowledge of the geography, history and foreign policiesof our respective countries.  If I may be allowed to say so, this is particularly important for Americans.  I say this not only as a former diplomat of the Philippines but as a functioning NGO at present.  You might be tempted to say: “But we have nothing to do with the State Department or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of my country.  We don’t care about Government.  We just want to help create peaceful conditions and friendly relations.”   I suppose for many of you the careers of ambassadors or diplomats are something that is far too removed from your daily lives.  But what diplomats do is important for they implement their countries’ foreign policies in their respective posts.  What the American Ambassador in Iraq does everyday can advance the cause of war or peace; what the Chinese Ambassador decides in Washington, D.C. about his priorities in relation to the trade deficit of this country can affect the lives of many Americans; what the Philippine Ambassador does in Saudi Arabia to protect the human rights of Filipino women workers in the country of his assignment affects the  record  of the Philippine Government at the United Nations in the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. We should be ambassadors of peace in our own way; but more than that we are peace volunteers because we our hearts tell us to be so, not because it is just another official job to do.  There seem to be two forces which motivate and push individuals as well as nations as they interact with each other.  On the one hand, there is the desire to live in peace with one’s neighbors and with the rest of the world; on the other, there is the drive to compete with each other, to the extent of wanting to dominate the weaker ones, and be acknowledged as the superior presence in the neighborhood or geographic region.  These two contradictory forces can also be complimentary and, I believe, it is in coming to terms with these two tendencies for sustained harmony and for intense competition, that we can create the conditions for peace in the world, a “win-win” situation as modern managers calls it. I realize this particular aspect of international relations is too vast and complex to be covered at this meeting but let me, for the sake of illustration, confine myself, using broad strokes, to the Spanish American War (l898).  This event is close enough in time and space to those of you from Texas and the other states of the Southwest region of the USA to have affected your lives, even up to the present.  It is also this event which brought the Philippines under the political control of the United States and assured the presence of the United States in the Western Pacific and East Asia, an event which made it a major world power.  Philippine-American relations continue to affect today the daily lives and fortunes of the Filipino people.  I am aware I am treading on controversial waters but peace advocates, like ourselves, if we are to be effective, must be intellectually courageous and emotionally strong, to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and understand the origins of causes to which we commit ourselves. . In addition, the passage of time since the Spanish-American War, has tempered the heat and passion of the day.  Americans and Filipinos can look at the matter, I hope, in a more detached and constructive way.  I might also add that the analysis of this example can be used for similar events the world over. The Spanish-American War (l898) You will recall that the oppressive and despotic rule of Spain as a colonial power caused resistance in two of their colonies far away from each other – Cuba and the Philippines.  The demands of the Cuban patriots swayed the US Congress to intervene in Cuba.  The expansionists in the US Government saw an opportunity for  the emerging colossus of the North to get a foothold in Asia through the Philippines, Spain’s colony in that part of the world.  I might also add that there was organized at this time the Anti-Imperialistic League whose members were the writers Mark Twain and William James. The sinking of the USS Maine with the loss of 260 American lives exacerbated the situation. To cut a long story short, President William McKinley on April 20, l898 signed the Joint Resolution of Congress to declare war on Spain.  It was at the same time that the Philippine revolution against Spain was gathering momentum after more than three centuries of oppressive colonial rule. The efforts of great Filipino heroes like Dr. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio culminated in the establishment by General Emilio Aguinaldo of the Malolos Republic in l898, the first Republic in Asia to be successfully established against Western colonial rule. The Filipinos would have succeeded in their revolution against Spain had not a stronger power, America, appeared onthe scene and made the Philippines suffer colonial rule, a second time around. By the Treaty of Paris of December l0, l898, Spain renounced all rights to Cuba, allowed an independent Cuba, ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States, bought the Philippines from Spain for $20 million dollars and imposed over the islands American sovereignty. The Filipinos continued their struggle for their fledgling independence this time against the Americans and thus began the Philippine-American war, a bitter three-year war which claimed the lives of 4,200 American soldiers, 20,000 Filipino soldiers and 200,000 Filipino civilians.  Think of all the Filipino and American mothers of that period grieving over the loss of their sons in a war (the Philippine-American War) whose origins were based on chance and accident.  It is my considered opinion that loss of lives and property could have been avoided if Americans understood the Filipinos’ long and frustrating struggle for national independence and granted them, instead, greater autonomy.  Memories of the Filipino-American War persist even until today, the most vivid of them pertaining to the bells of Balingiga, a town in Eastern Samar, Philippines.  Allow me to relate the story not to rub salt on old wounds or to re-stir a hornet’s nest but to show how peace was lost and how it could be won again. In l899 during the Filipino-American war, Filipino insurgents surprised and killed a contingent of about fifty American soldiers stationed in Balingiga. According to plan, the church bells were rung to alert the Filipino soldiers to begin their assault on the Americans. It was a well-coordinated and successful operation. The victory of the Filipinos, however, was short-lived.  In a few days, the Americans, angry and humiliated, returned with a plan to burn the town and reduce it, to use the language of their American general, to a “wilderness”. They did just that, destroyed the whole town, killed civilians and Filipino soldiers and brought back with them to the USA two big bells of the church tower of Balingiga as their war trophy. This is not surprising for after all to the victors belong the spoils of victory.  Also, let us not forget – history is written by the victors. Over the past years the town of Balingiga tried to recover the bells, claiming that under the Articles of War church property cannot be taken as war souvenirs or war trophies. Nothing moved for many years until the appeal finally reached the highest levels when President Fidel V. Ramos, in l996, transmitted the request to then President Bill Clinton; to recover the bells.  After both sides tried to find a solution, a Solomonic decision was reached whereby the US would retain one bell and the Philippines could keep the other.  Just when President Clinton was going to sign the appropriate Executive Order, a Senator from Wyoming (whose name I have yet to verify) objected to the arrangement on behalf of his veteran constituents who wanted to keep both bells which, they felt, belonged to the USA.  The bells remain in Wyoming until now.  Don’t you think it would do so much for peaceful relations between our two peoples and countries, now good friends and tested allies over the years, if both sides kept a bell each?  The Philippines and the USA had their reasons to want the two bells but since this was not possible why not settle for less?  In the pursuit of peace, it is sometimes necessary to compromise or to be content with what one gets.  Perhaps the saying: “Half a loaf is better than none.” applies in this case.  I have related this episode because it illustrates how superior power can obstruct justice.  Perhaps there will be some women in this audience, real peace activists, who will help bring one bell back to Balingiga while the other remains in Wyoming.

Sen. L. Shahani's Speech on Peace ( pt 2 )

Power and its role in the relations among nations Henry Kissinger once said: “Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.”  Lord Acton was more explicit; you may have heard his famous observation: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  It is the desire for power which drives individuals and nations to seek to dominate others.  The weaker, less efficient states suffer in a world where only power and wealth dominate. It will be said that some nations are wealthier than others, more endowed with natural resources and better equipped through its history, leadership and sense of national identity to provide for its people and preserve its national patrimony.  There is, indeed, a disparity among nations, also caused by an unequal international economic and political system.  We need to understand the complex reasons for this,.  It must be admitted that part of the poverty of many countries is the fact that they have been robbed of their resources by the stronger ones; this is why colonialism, whether political or economic, should be condemned and prevented.  On the other hand, many countries remain poor because of their own choice of corrupt leaders, and their impoverished citizenry who lack access to opportunities of education, employment and health.  It is this disparity among nations and peoples, the great divide between rich and poor nations which cause regional conflicts, such as we see in the Middle East, or World Wars as we have witnessed in Europe, America and Asia.  This is why legitimate power and authority exercised with justice and fairness is a “must” for world peace. Power when wielded with justice and respect for human rights can create conditions for peace and prosperity.  Where there was confrontation and polarization, a democratic process mandated by a just authority can lead to real progress.  This is why the United Nations system symbolizes the best hopes for mankind.  The Charter of the world organization begin: “We the peoples of the United Nations… reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights between men and women and of nations large and small…”  This ideal is easier said than done as the U.S. position, demanding for more accountability and transparency, is correct.  But the UN is a topic for another talk.  I will just say that for smaller nations a multi-polar world, because more democratic, is safer to live in than a uni-polar world. So the world progresses and regresses.  The world is a mixed bag of forward and backward movements, of progress and stagnation, of hope and despair.  But there is much that can be done, even if situations remain fluid.  Those who want to help in the cause of peace, whether they come from rich or poor nations must be determined, as I have said, to fight for justice, truth and fairness.  This is why there is a natural solidarity among just-minded citizens, whether they come from rich or poor nations, if they are determined as we are in this room, to bring about respect for human rights, and to enable the deprived to have access to opportunities to satisfy their basic needs. The Role of Women How about the role of women in the search for peace?  That role, in my view is becoming increasingly important.  One of the undisputed achievements of the United Nations is its contribution in enabling the women’s movement to emerge as a global-wide force in the majority of its Member States.  The growth of the women’s movement is perhaps one of the few undertakings of the world organization which has directly affected the lives of millions of individuals and their families in a tangible and positive way.  The theme of the United Nations Decade for Women (l976-l985), “Equality, Development and Peace”, demonstrates the wide range of influence and the indispensable role women play in their countries.  Women were represented at the founding of the United Nations in l945 by a small sub-commission on the status of women.  At that time, its members came mainly from Western European and the already independent Latin-American countries.  It took someone with the stature of Eleanor Roosevelt, who was loved and respected not only in this country but also throughout the world, to insist on the creation of a full-scale commission to work for the rights of women within the United Nations.  Her vision was realized.  Today, the Commission on the Status of Women has served as the engine of growth which has pushed forward ideas, concepts, programs and policies within the UnitedNations system on women’s rights.  This is not to say that the NGO’s have not done their pioneering work in this area for they certainly have; indeed, there has been a real partnership at the United Nations, between Governments and the NGO’s.  In the time that is left, I should like to talk about a major achievement of the United Nations which I believe will interest mothers and women in the audience.  This is the preparation, adoption and ratification by l8l Member States of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).  Described as the International Bill of Rights for Women, CEDAW is the first and only international treaty that comprehensively addresses women’s rights not only within civil and political spheres but also within economic, social, cultural and family life.  Adopted in l979 and ratified in l981, CEDAW is the second most highly ratified treaty after the Convention on the Rights of the Child with l8l States Parties out of l9l Member States as Signatories. The United States signed the Convention in l980 but it has not yet been ratified by the US Senate. Ratification is important because the Convention carries with it the principle of State Obligation. In other words, the State has responsibilities to women from which it cannot withdraw. It is unfortunate that, with the exception of a few cultures, we live in a man’s world where women do not as yet enjoy equal rights with men.   Discrimination against women definitely exists, in both rich and poor countries.  Discrimination has been defined in the Convention as “any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”  This, indeed, is a mouthful but I hope that the women of Texas will not be put off by the legal and technical language of the Convention and will study this very important convention which concerns the rights to which they are entitled.  This can stimulate discussion; debate and dialogue among women of the many nationalities such as are found in Texas and also promote solidarity among them.  Let us not forget the slogan much used at the l985 United Nations World Conference on Women, held in Nairobi, Kenya, of which I served as Secretary-General – “Sisterhood is global.” Article 5 of the convention focuses primarily on family education and recognizes maternity as a “social function”, the recognition of which is so important for the protection of the mother, child and family, and, indeed, for the survival of the human race.  Article 5 is worth quoting as we honor mothers today:  “States Parties shall take all appropriate measures: a)      To modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women, with a view to achieving the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of inferiority or superiority of either of the sexes or on stereotyped roles for men and women; b)      To ensure that family education includes a proper understanding of maternity as a social function and the recognition of the common responsibility of men and women in the upbringing and development of their children, it being understood that the interest of the children is the primordial consideration in all cases.” It is obvious that the Convention could serve as a major vehicle for women in Texas as well as in all parts of the world to help achieve peace within the family, community and nation through upholding the human rights of women and their equality with men in terms of social and family practices and norms. We live in dangerous, troubled and uncertain times.  No country or, for that matter, no individual, no matter how powerful or wealthy, seems to be safe from danger or harm.  Our globalizing society freely exchanges goods and services in the same breath as it does dangerous drugs, nuclear bombs and all forms of terrorism.  We all have also experienced nature’s fury from which there is no protection, nor refuge. But we should not despair. Let us have faith in ourselves and listen to that still small voice of universal peace which will give us the strength to overcome all difficulties and obstacles, even when the going seems impossible.  Our individual experiences has shown that what matters in daily living is the acceptance of others on a basis of mutual trust and equitable sharing, not hatred or rejection.  The history of nations has likewise shown that in the end what triumphs is power tempered with justice and respect for the rights of others.  Women, especially mothers, with their talent for nurturing and giving, understand these truths instinctively, and can show how to administer power with justice, as they do in their families.  It is about time they step forward in public life and participate actively in the affairs of their communities and countries instilling the message of peace within and peace without.  Let the women now ring the bells of equality and justice, of freedom and fair play.  Together, with the men, let us build together the foundations of a lasting peace!

more on FVR

Last time I saw FVR

The only time I had a close hand look at FVR ( Fidel Valdez Ramos ) was during that town fiesta when he came to Asingan to promote was called TARAY TI ASINGAN ( Asingan's Run ) ..It was a gimmick to encourage the laid back Asinganians whose only exercise might just be bending elbows for a swig of basi, or maybe to swat a fly while resting under a shady tree in the  backyard during the lazy, hazy days of summer.

So his arrival was announced by the roar of a helicopter crossing over head and landing on the Asingan town plaza. I was ready for him, a video camera in my hand and I posted myself in front of our house. My nephews and nieces were already there with me, jostling about waiting for FVR to appear from Macalong, one of our barrios. Macalong is sometimes the last barangay to visit, and from there, they would proceed straight to the town plaza..

In anout 30 minutes, a boisterous mobile van with a PA system showed up a the corner where the Suratos residence is and unmistakably, we saw the man who would be the President.

He was surrounded by body guards left and right and they were doing a nice gait, not too fast, not too slow..I switched on my video camera and started shooting, zooming the lens on him and pulling the zoom away as he approached our house..As he passed by, I said: "What's going on?..Why is he jogging with a cigar on his mouth? Whats he doing, mixing nicotine with his intake of fresh Asingan air?"

Only after I examined the videocam stills that I found out the cigar was not lighted. It was just a prop. A security blanket like Linus' in the comic strip Charlie Brown..

***

A few days later, Ester my sister, her family and I went to Lingayen to visit the beach. On my way home, we dropped by a furniture shop owned by a retired teacher, Mrs. Villanueva. All her children are already in the US and the furniture shop is her way of keeping herself busy and her mind away from Alzeimers..A big signboard that says VILLANUEVA FURNITURE is on top of her building which houses a number of exquisitely carved tables, chairs, etc.As we chatted, I found out that one of her pupils before was the very young Master Fidel Ramos..

"He was very smart in class, " she said.." and whats more, when there was fighting, he tried to pacify the protagonists. He is a good pacifier, a peacemaker..He has good leadership..I am confident he will win this election.." She predicted when we asked her about FVR's chances in the upcoming Presidential battle...

And so he won, as I have read it in the Globe and Mail newspaper, one of Canada's periodicals which is published coast-to-coast, via sattelite during the Presidential election...I was elated knowing at last an Asinganian became the President of the Philippines..

Annie C. Cano gave me a link to FVRs accomplishments, and it is quite a long list..

http://www.answers.com/topic/fidel-v-ramos

Anyway, he is still working hard, promoting the country in various meetings, conferences etc. both locally and internationally..

Indeed he is one of Asingan's finest...

a little story about FVR

The Real Last name of the Ramos Clan in Poblacion West Asingan ( and why Fidel Ramos born in Lingayen) -by Arsenio Macanas

The FOLLOWING story is related by my mom  Andrea C. Macanas.  She said she also heard it from my grand father Ilas Cisnero the great storyteller. Laki Ilas was a very close friend of Narciso Ramos. They were like brothers.

The Ramos clan in Asingan have politics is in their blood from the time of ex-Mayor Placido Apellido..(1901-1905). After he was elected as  Mayor of Asingan, his last name was not still not  Ramos until the government officials from Lingayen visited our town.

During that time traveling was the most difficult task to everybody except the government officials. They had their own service : a 4 - Horse Wagon. The officials were Spanish-Pangasinanese "mistisong pang-galatok" . They noticed the last name of the Mayor was confusing in our dialect and in the other  language too, so they decided  to change it. From that day,  the "governador de Pangasinan " officially changed Apellido. into  Ramos.

(If your last name is Apellido. and you’re from Asingan or anywhere in Pangasinan, maybe you are a very close relative of the Ramos clan in Asingan)

Placido Apellido. had four sons, one was  Narciso Ramos who married  Angela Valdez Ramos (the aunt of the late President Marcos). They have two children:  Ex-President Fidel V. Ramos and Ex-Senator Leticia Ramos Shajani,  both were born in Lingayen. Narciso graduated as "Abogado de Campanella" and he practiced his profession in Lingayen Pangasinan, where he resided since it was too far from Asingan and it was hard for him to commute back and forth . He won the a congressman seat three times as (1934-?) and served as a Minister of the Philippines to Washington D.C. U.S.A. (1945-?). After his service in Washington D.C. he come back home to the Philippines and he became ambassador to Taipei (1960-?). The last position he had was the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He died around the '70s His remains were displayed in the Catholic Church to be seen by the people of Asingan.

Although Fidel Ramos was born in Lingayen (1928) his heart is in Asingan every now and then. When he was a kid he loved his relatives and happy with his playmates back in Asingan. He can’t wait until  his parents visited our hometown. He attended elementary School in Lingayen.

some notable names from Asingan

( from the Asingan Corner, Pang.Org)

Rain, Sun_shine- Welcome to our town. It is small town but I am proud to say that this town produced great leaders of our country, Narciso Ramos, Fidel Ramos, Congressman Milla, Congressman Justino Benito, Cong. and former Governor Colet, Sen. Leticia Shahani, Vice Governor Ranjit Shahani, Chief of Staff of Philippines Armed Forces General Hermogenes Esperon, to name a few. -- Ramon Casio Antonio

****

Here are some photos of Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon. One of his older relatives, Rodrigo Esperon was my classmate in Dupac during my Elementary days. Rudy is a rugged, handsome chap with curly hair and an ever ready smile. Plus a devil-may-care attitude that sometimes gave our teachers a high blood pressure when it comes to study habits. But I guess Rudy made good, somehow, somewhere. I lost track of him after graduating from Gr. 6.

Here are two photos of the General for the townmates who might have never seen him yet ( I am one of them ).

Rain ( Sue V. ) also mentioned that FVR ( Fidel Ramos ) would sometimes drop by her house in Manaoag to call on her dad ( may he rest in peace ) and to talk of politics ( among other things ). He is a friend of the de Venencias of Dagupan City.

For the record, FVR was born in Lingayen, went through his elementary school years there. But at present, he has a beautiful  house in Cabinculan, Asingan. So Asinganians usually claim him as their "own.".His uncle, Jose Ramos had served one time as a Mayor of Asingan.---#

Essays from some Asingan students

Manong Vic,

I've been out for some period of time. But it doesn't mean that i am out of circulation. I've been reading your posted messages here and also in your blog. I will be sending you some articles/essays of some students from PSU-Asingan (where Ninang Ester* works). These students are my scholars for this year. Through the power of internet, (and insider from PSU) I was able to screen and pick 2 scholars in the name of my wife, the late Cristita Somera Antonio who passed away 4 years ago. This CSA Memorial Scholarship is actually a brainchild of Ninang Ester. The theme of the essay writing is about the "Ill effects of Smoking". My wife is a victim of lung cancer (she does not smoke). She had a clean and disciplined way of life. I thought of having this project not just in memory of my wife but also to bring awareness of the health issues related to smoking. Also in the same manner that i will be helping some deserving students not only financially but also encourages them to bring out their potential and innate talents for writing. I will keep in touch soon. Please use these articles as you wish.

Sammy

*Mrs. Ester Costes Lomboy, our youngest sister..

___________________________________________________

The following essays were written by students of PSU-Asingan. James Gamazon and Emagelyn Garcia are this years' scholars. The rest were given  monetary rewards.

ILL EFFECTS OF SMOKING

Smoking is one of the bad habits of people all over the world. Smoking causes many diseases that slowly poison and kill life. Some of the diseases that smokers get in smoking are malnutrition, osteoporosis, tooth loss, mouth cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and emphysema. All of these diseases cause "death. It does not matter if you are poor or wealthy, whether you are an American or a Filipino if you’re a smoker, you will be a victim. Do you know that for every stick of cigarette you smoke, you lose one second of your life? Our government is always reminding us and gives warning that cigarette smoking is dangerous to our health. So why smoke if it will shorten our life? Why do people smoke if it is dangerous to their health? Why do people smoke if it causes death? There is only one thing that I want to say – don’t ever try it!!!

EUGENE ALEX B. BERGONIO, Bachelor of Elementary Education 1

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Smoking is the act associated with tobacco as smoked in a cigarette or cigar. Tobacco contains nicotine; an alkaloid that is addictive and can have both stimulating and tranquilizing psychoactive effects.

Allergy patients experience all types of allergic symptoms like stuffy nose, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, coughing and headache. Risk of lung cancer, heart disease, birth defects, asthma in children and adults, ear infections, allergies, lung infections and difficulty in children’ s breathing are the different diseases who has exposure to passive smoking.

Quitting is the only way to combat the ill effects of smoking.

REBECCA P. CARRANZA, Bachelor of Elementary Education IV

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Millions of people died yearly because of smoking throughout the world. Smoking is one of the "favorite habits" of some people. Smoking is a very harmful habit which gives bad effects on the body. It affects not only the smoker but also the people who the smoker socializes.

People often start to smoke because of many reasons they believed. Some people think that smoking can remove their fears and insecurities. They can be like the people they admire. Curiosity is also one of the reasons why people smoke. They are eager to know the feelings of a smoker. Smoking also cause by the influence of peer group, because some people smoke just to get the attention of his peers. Lastly, other people think that smoking is just a passing habit and that they can drop the habit anytime. The truth is smoking is not a habit, it is an addiction that is difficult to stop.

Smoking does not give any good or beneficial effects on our body as well as in the environment. These effects are dangerous to hundreds of smoker. It leads us to several kinds of diseases. One of the ill effects of smoking is cancer of the kidneys. It could also cause breast cancer to women. It decreases the body’s absorption of insulin that causes diabetes. Smoking causes cancer of the bladder. It also causes heart diseases because of the carbon monoxide and otherpoison gases in tobacco who affect the oxygen in the heart. Smokers tend to have poorer nutrition. All of these diseases is mainly caused by a chemical substance found in cigars called nicotine. It affects the heart, blood vessels, digestive tract, kidneys and nervous system.

There is only one thing to do so that we cannot encounter all of this diseases mentioned. It is to avoid smoking. As goes by the warning "Smoking is dangerous to your health…"

RONALYN M. DUATIN, Bachelor in Secondary Education 1

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In the early times, many people smoked because they know that it was harmless. They enjoyed smoking because they believed that it can relieve tension. But later, based on the different studies, scientists discovered that smoking was not good to people’s health and there are many sickness caused by smoking that could eventually lead to death. It can damage important organs of the body which has important functions to the body.

Smoke that comes from tobacco in the forms of cigarettes or cigars contains active chemical that can damage body organs because of its toxic elements. It includes nicotine, tar, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, radioactive compounds and other toxic metals. These substances are very harmful to the body. This will make the body suffer from sickness. Nicotine is a very poisonous substance that causes burning sensation in the mouth. The carbon monoxide deprives the tissues of the smoker’s body of much-needed oxygen. Harmful substances found in tobacco can also elevate the blood pressure of a smoker’s body. These are some of the dangerous effects of smoking which may cause death.

Smoking can also cause different respiratory diseases like lung cancer and emphysema. People who suffer from lung cancer experience difficulty in breathing because it attacks the lungs which are one of the major organs in the respiratory system. While heavy smokers suffer from chronic lung disease called emphysema which causes the narrowing and clogging of the airway passages in the lungs. It can also cause oral and laryngeal cancer which is commonly seen to those smokers. These are harmful diseases that cause death of a person. Smoking can also cause serious problems for unborn babies. If a pregnant woman smokes, it can affect the weight and body resistance of the baby. It can cause low birth weights.

Smoking is the cause of dearth of many people in the world. Through smoking we can get many diseases that are hard to cure and if it is not cure within the short period of time it can lead to death. Smokers should realize that they can live without smoking. They should use their free time for recreational activities like sports. This will help their body to become healthy, strong and physically fit. They could also read during their free time. This could help them increase their knowledge.

- ROMMEL G. ESTEBAN, Bachelor in Secondary Education III

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Smoking is major health problem among people today. There are many risks involved with smoking and with those risks come effects. The most common effects include a variety of disabling and fatal conditions including lung disease, heart disease, several forms of cancer and hormonal problems.

For teenagers, there are many consequences from smoking which include Addiction to nicotine, respiratory and non-respiratory infections. Also, faster heart rate than nonsmokers. Shorter life span, poor physical fitness regardless of exercise habits, lower level of function, increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, shortness of breath and twice the amount of phlegm than smokers.

Have you ever waked up feeling short of breath? Cigarettes completely destroy the minute hairs known as cilia that line upper airways which protect against infection. It destroys the alveoli or air sacs, which absorb oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. Smoking irritates the lungs, creating phlegm and narrows the airways making it much more difficult to breathe. Smoking destroys lung tissue, not allowing the lungs to provide enough oxygen into your blood. Carbon monoxide is forced into your blood, causing shortness of breath and coughing. It can also cause chronic bronchitis and repeated chest infections. Smoking not only affects smokers but also everyone around them. Children are also at risk of death due to fires caused by cigarettes.

The bad habit of smoking can be very harmful to your body. Smoking can be a cause for many physical ailments, both internal and externaland it can even lead you to mental agonies. Smoking is the reason behind most cases of lung cancer. Smoking is also responsible for other ailments of the lung like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking is the mother of all cancers. Cancer of the mouth, stomach, lungs, kidneys, cervix, esophagus, larynx, rectum, colon and certain other organs are results of lung habits of smoking. Smoking even causes certain cases of leukemia.

Smoking is an enemy to the natural process of reproduction. Smoking can make you infertile. Also, smoking is responsible for miscarriages in females and impotence among males. Smoking can mar your physical appearance and bearing to a great extent. This habit is responsible for wrinkles on your face and discoloration to your teeth and fingers. Smoking can kill your appetite and your sense of taste and smell. It can prove disastrous in the long run. Smoking can make you an insomniac. Many chain smokers suffer from severe cases of insomnia. The ingredients of tobacco smoke are chemically active; they can start dramatic and fatal changes in the body. There are chemicals which can be damaging to the smoker’s body like tar, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, and radioactive compounds. Smoking also increases the chance of heart disease. Several ingredients of tobacco narrow the blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of a blockage and thus, a heart attack or stroke.

JAMES D. GAMAZON, Bachelor in Secondary Education III

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Some people think that smoking is just a part of their leisure time. They do not even mind what could be the possible effects of smoking to their health and even to the health of their loved ones. But how and why is smoking really Dangerous to our health?

Most people who smoke regularly said that smoking releases their tensions and they find it as a way of relaxation. Even if they know that smoking really affects their health, they just go on with their habits. As a matter of fact, we all know about the ill effects of cigarette smoke and tobacco used but a smoke really is helpless in front of the menacing addiction. When he has to he will smoke; the underlying psychology is "A fag allows a man." The will is associated with the short term effects. Let us see the quick effects of a cigarettesmoke that makes a man physically and mentally dependent on it. These immediate effects encourage a smoker to take a fag; nervous system and brain activities are quickened for few minutes by the stimulation caused by smoke. One cigarette quickly increases blood pressure and the heart best rate. At the same time blood flowing to the body’s end points is reduced giving numbness to the areas like fingers and toes. Smokers also experience hunger and olfactory senses are weakened. Dizziness is also experienced in many cases. While the smoker enjoys the short term effects, what about the long term effects which are irreversible? Smoke actually increases the risk of suffering from life-threatening diseases even if a person quits in the later years of his life. Of course, quitting would at least help to diminish the veil effects of tobacco. Smoking has a permanent effect on different parts of the human body even if you have smoked for only five years. Such different parts are the following: lungs, heart, eyes, throat, urinary tract, sex organs, women’s fertility zone, men’s sperm production, digestive organs, bones and joints and the skin. The intensity of the irreversible effects of smoke depends on certain factors. The quantity of cigarettes smoked per day, age of the smoker and how old was he when he started smoking, number of years he has smoked and level of resistance to the tobacco chemicals. Nicotine containing in a cigarette or tobacco is a dangerous substance that may cause damage to the lungs. This substance may cause COPD or chronic obstructive diseases and lung cancer.

There are also ill effects of smoking on children. If children are frequently exposed to cigarette smokes, they are at increases risk of developing asthma, respiratory diseases, sudden infant death syndrome and chest infections. As children get older they are nearly three times more likely to become addicted to cigarettes if both parents are smokers. It is inevitable. Smoking doesn’t just affect you. It has ill effects lso on the health of the people around you. Passive smoking – inhaling the smoke from someone else’s cigarettes- can cause headache, cough, sore throat, dizziness, nausea and other symptoms. It may also cause miscarriage, still birth, cot death and other chest problems. Long term exposure to passive smoke puts adults at increased risk of heart disease and a 20 -20% increased risk of lung cancer.

Smoking during pregnancy also has ill effects to babies. Most babies whose mothers smoke during pregnancy are twice as likely to develop sudden infant death syndrome. Babies born to mother who smoke are also more likely to be of lower birth weight and tends to have more chest diseases. Smoking during pregnancy also affects the brain structure of the baby making them more likely to become addicted later in life.

Let’s live our life to the fullest! It’s good to live with a healthy lifestyle!!!

EMAGELYN S. GARCIA, Bachelor in Secondary Education II

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Smoking is the inhalation and exhalation of the fumes of burning tobacco. Leaves of the tobacco plant are smoked in various ways. Cigarettes, the most popular method of smoking consist of finely shredded tobacco rolled in lightweight paper.

Until 1940’s smoking was considered harmless, but laboratory and clinical research has since confirmed that tobacco smoke presents a hazard to health. Nicotine, a major constituent of tobacco smoke is both poisonous and highly addictive.

Some people have acquired different illnesses as effects of smoking. Smoking cigarettes might significantly increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer for some women. Ling cancer is also one illness from smoking. Some people have problems in their lungs because of smoking. The lungs is the mostly affected part of the body. The risks of dying from lung cancer are 23 times higher for male smokers and 13 times higher for female smokers than for nonsmokers. Smoking causes a fivefold increase in the risk of dying from chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In emphysema, the lungs are prevented from working properly, resulting in breathlessness and wheezing.

Mothers who smoke give birth more frequently to premature or underweight babies, because of a decrease in blood flow to the placenta. Babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy are also at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome. Cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, pharynx, coronary heart disease and chronic bronchitis are elevated among cigar and pipe smokers which are also correlated to the amount of smoking and the degree of inhalation. The smoking habit and addiction to nicotine usually begin at an early age. Smoke inhaled from smokers can aggravate asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and impaired blood circulation.

Avoid smoking for a healthy and strong body.

- LOUELLA MARIE O. ILUMIN, bachelor in Elementary Education II

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