UAAP Update: A Tale of Two Wins

In the past four days, the Ateneo Blue Eagles played and won two games, maintaining their 1-game lead over 2^nd place Far Eastern University (FEU). However, the wins against National University (NU) and Adamson University came in very different ways.

Last Thursday, Ateneo came out with a virtual repeat of its first game with NU, and pummeled the Bulldogs into submission with a 21-point victory which could have been a bigger blowout had Ateneo coach Norman Black kept his starters in until the very end. But, recognizing the double opportunity of resting his starters and letting his bench get some needed experience, Black pulled out his starters early in the fourth, letting such little-used players such as Vince Burke and Frank Golla play against NU’s first-stringers. While the Bulldogs came roaring back in the face of weak opposition, Ateneo’s third stringers didn’t completely buckle down, and managed to hold their own; this was shown by the fact that Ateneo’s starting lineup didn’t enter the game after being pulled out.

Some dubious records were either set or tied, as the Blue Eagles, led by a breakout performance by last year’s Rookie of the Year Ryan Buenafe, held the Bulldogs to only three points in the first quarter; ironically, it was the very first score of the game, a three-pointer by NU guard Joseph Hermosisima at the 9:41 mark. It would be the last score of NU for over ten minutes, and the Bulldogs ended the first half with a measly 10 points.

At one point, the Bulldogs were actually tied at 21 points … with Buenafe alone sometime in the third quarter. NU was never a threat in this game, playing sloppy basketball in the first half, and playing hard only when the game was out of reach.

It appears that the Eagles needed that much-needed pick-up game, because Sunday’s game with their fellow raptor school Adamson wasn’t a walk in the park.

The Blue Falcons struck early, racing to as many as 11 points to lead the game. The Eagles seemed to be shocked by the onslaught, but recovered enough to cut the lead down to 2 the end of the first half.

The second half seesawed most of the way, with neither team able to break away. Both teams played good defense and shot adequately, making it an exciting game to watch.

Ateneo finally took control with less than two minutes to go, as Adamson seemed to fall apart in the end game, while the Blue Eagles’ championship experience kicked in at just the right moment. Ateneo won its 25^th straight win over Adamson, winning 61-52, an almost mirror image of its first win over Adamson this season.

Elsewhere in the UAAP, the La Salle Green Archers continue their downward spiral, losing its fifth straight game, and in real danger of missing the Final Four for the first time during coach Franz Pumaren’s tenure, the ban notwithstanding. Its chances no longer in its hands, La Salle must now win all of its three last games, against UST, FEU and NU, and hope that 3^rd place UE loses its last three games, or 4^th place UST loses two of its last three games in order to gain a playoff for the final slot. Should La Salle lose, or UE and UST continue to win, then that’s it for the Archers’ playoff hopes.

As for the Blue Eagles, only two games remain on their schedule, one being a rematch with the University of the Philippines’ Fighting Maroons, who gave the Ateneans their only loss of the season, and second-placer FEU Tamaraws, who lost to Ateneo in the first round, but have become more dangerous since then. The Blue Eagles are going to have to dig deep and prepare for these two teams in order for Ateneo to maintain the top spot in the UAAP basketball tournament.

UAAP Update: Twists and Upsets

The rough season for La Salle continues, as coach Franz Pumaren enters uncharted regions with his fourth straight loss, this time to erstwhile cellar-dweller University of the Philippines last Saturday. The loss marks another first in Pumaren’s storied career as coach of the Green Archers; it is the first time such a streak has happened.

It’s ironic that the one doing most of the damage was a La Salle product. Rookie Mikee Reyes, who led the Fighting Maroons with 25 points, hailed from La Salle-Greenhills, and, if I read the papers right, was supposed to have joined the Green Archers, but, apparently, things turned out a little differently.

With the loss, La Salle drops to 4-6, and its chances of getting into the Final Four hinge on the top four teams playing badly the rest of the way. For UP, things appear to be looking up a tad, as the Maroons manage to match their win total from last season, and have proven to be a viable threat for the rest of the season.

In yesterday’s games, Ateneo and Far Eastern University (FEU) parted ways at the top, with Ateneo grabbing the solo lead after managing to get past a feisty University of Santo Tomas (UST) squad, 80-70, and FEU falling to second after being thrashed by third placer University of the East (UE).

In the first game, it seemed like the Eagles would wind up in second, since the Growling Tigers held a slim lead going into the fourth quarter, and reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Rabeh al-Hussaini was in foul trouble early. But Kirk Long had a breakout game, scoring 21 points, including a long (pun intended) 3-pointer with around 2 minutes to go. That was the back-breaker for UST, as they were forced to attempt quick 3s to catch up, to no avail. The Tigers’ scoring went cold down the stretch, and Eagles padded their lead thanks to all the free throws made as UST vainly tried to stop the clock.

I wasn’t able to watch much of the FEU-UE match, but apparently, the Red Warriors took control in the second quarter with a hot 82% shooting clip to lead at the half by 4. When I turned on the TV again, it was late in the fourth quarter, and UE was leading by 11, and went on to win by 13.

With a quick look at the schedules, the Blue Eagles will have to battle complacency as their next three games are against the bottom teams, namely, NU, Adamson, and UP, before their final match-up with erstwhile co-leader FEU. However, all three teams have proven that they can fight, and so, Ateneo can’t take any of them lightly. UP, in fact, having handed Ateneo its only loss so far, is probably itching to sweep its Katipunan rival.

La Salle has a tough road ahead, as UE and FEU are still on its schedule, making the Archers entry into the Final Four an iffy proposition.FEU, in particular, will probably dust itself off after the UE loss, and woe betide the next team the Tamaraws will face. UE, on the other hand, looks to continue its winning ways, and may even battle for second, if FEU runs into trouble. As for UST, the Tigers have to continue shooting well. Since they give up more than 80 points a game, they’ll run into trouble if Ababou, Mirza and Teng go cold, which might open the door for any of the low four.

It’s been an exciting season so far, as all of the teams have game, and it’ll be a wild run-up to the Final Four.

UAAP Basketball: Ateneo Upends La Salle

This time, Ateneo left nothing to chance, it seems.

In a sharp contrast to the first game, the Blue Eagles came out with guns blazing, and smothered archrival La Salle, 81-65, to continue their winning ways in the UAAP men’s basketball championship.

In their first match-up, the Blue Eagles and the Green Archers fought a tight match, with Ateneo literally escaping by the skin of its teeth with a 76-72 overtime win. It appears that, this time around, the Blue Eagles displayed their veteran’s experience to the hilt, and made sure the Archers would not threaten.

It seems that the Green Archers inexperience has finally caught up with them, as they shot terribly from the get-go, shackled by the Blue Eagles’ tenacious defense. While La Salle managed a rally of sorts in the third quarter, it wasn’t enough to stop the determined Blue Eagles.

King Eagle and reigning Most Valuable Player Rabeh al-Hussaini finally shook off his slump, and was virtually unstoppable en route to 26 points, with three blocks thrown in. He was ably supported by his teammates, as Nico Salva, Eric Salamat, Kurt Long, Jai Reyes, and Nonoy Baclao all played quality minutes as they sent La Salle to its third straight loss, a first for the Taft team under the coaching leadership of Franz Pumaren.

With the win, Ateneo moves a half-game ahead of erstwhile co-leader Far Eastern University (FEU), and is well-primed for a run at a back-to-back championship.

If there’s one that I’m rather disappointed with, it’s that the scheduling happened the way it did. The rivalry games between Ateneo and La Salle are the big games of the UAAP season, and, with both over, the remaining schedule of games seems almost humdrum. While Ateneo still has some big games left, particularly with FEU, University of Santo Tomas, and University of the Philippines, which handed Ateneo its only loss so far, they won’t have the same electric intensity that the Rivalry always generates. The sad thing is that, with the way La Salle is going, it’s possible that we’ve seen the last game between the two archrivals for this season.

Side note: With this post, I've now reached 900 posts. It would've been earlier, but I realized that the counter on the Blogger dashboard also counted drafts.

Thanks to everyone who's followed this blog. Now, on to post #1000!

Book Review: "Percy Jackson and the Olympians"

With the success of the “Harry Potter” series, it’s inevitable that a number of book series will attempt to cash in on the phenomenon, but, as is the case, most of these will fall by the wayside, because they are invariably poor copies.

However, in the case of the five-part “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”, writer Rick Riordan accomplishes two things: one, he creates a character as appealing and as unique as Harry Potter, and two, he revitalizes the rather old-fashioned topic of Greek mythology, making relevant once more to our consciousness.

The whole story is told from the point of view of Percy Jackson, a young boy who discovers that he is much more than human. He is a demigod, a son of one of the Greek gods, and, he later discovers that he is a son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and one of the Big Three, the sons of the Titan Kronos, the other two being Zeus, the ruler of the gods, and Hades, the god of the underworld. However, since the three major gods had made a pact after World War II not to father any children, due to a prophecy that foretold the destruction of the Olympians, Percy’s existence is in question, being the product of a union that broke the pact. Worse, in the first book, Percy is accused of stealing the master bolt of Zeus, and must go on a quest both to recover the bolt and redeem himself.

While he manages to accomplish this, Percy has little chance to rest, as he is tested again and again both by the gods, and by the main adversary, Kronos, who is attempting to re-form himself and take his revenge on his wayward children. What happens is something I won’t spoil; it’s something you have to find out for yourself.

What I like about the series is that it’s fairly easy reading, and the language is contemporary and uncomplicated, as if to whisk you right into the story. Also, the story is a treat for those knowledgeable in Greek mythology, as it seems that writer Riordan explored every nook and cranny of Edith Hamilton’s classic work “Mythology”, and, in doing so, managed to bring the various gods, demigods, heroes and monsters to life. For those not too familiar with Greek mythology, the series presents an easy stepping stone into the genre.

At the same time, the story is a classing coming of age tale, which is appealing to those who are in the process of finding themselves. In Percy Jackson, we find another character forced to make some hard decisions, and growing up in the process.

With the movie of “The Lightning Thief” the first book due out next year, it’s likely that the popularity of the series will considerably spike, and hopefully, more will be introduced to the world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and enjoy their stay as much as those of us who already read the series have.

President Arroyo to Her Critics - Screw You!

Somehow, I get the feeling that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is in a “screw you” sort of mode, considering the number of controversies she has been involved in, in the wake of President Cory Aquino’s passing. From her indelicate “no comment” about a personal message for Aquino after going to Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, to the controversy surrounding her selection of the National Artists, to her $20,000 anniversary dinner at Le Cirque, to the revelations about the almost exponential growth of her wealth over the nine years of her Presidency, it appears that Arroyo has thrown caution to the wind, and has thrown down the gauntlet to her foes, as if to say, “What are you going to do about it?”

What can we do about it? The President is immune from suit, so cases of corruption cannot be filed against her. Besides, the Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, the top graftbuster, is Arroyo’s political appointee and classmate of her husband, and has demonstrated that she is not inclined to go after the big fish, especially those allied to the President. Impeachment is also out of the question, as her lapdogs in the House of Representatives have been well-rewarded (paid off) to block any attempt to raise the complaint to the Senate. Even looking to another individual, a la Cory Aquino, is futile, as her political foes are as corrupt as she is.

A co-teacher of mine speculated about the possibility that the motive behind Arroyo’s actions is to provoke violent protest in order for her to declare martial law. If such is truly the case, then Arroyo is playing with very dangerous fire. The Filipino people have been very patient with her, given the fact that there is no one whom we can look to for relief. If Arroyo forces the issue and continues to be embroiled in controversy after controversy, having no one to turn to may not matter anymore, as the powder keg of discontent will simply explode from saturation.

Quick Bites

According to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde and Atty. Romy Macalintal, if the morality of the $20,000 dinner President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had to celebrate her and her husband’s 41^st wedding anniversary is being questioned, the media is also equally guilty, having received millions from airing thinly-veiled campaign advertisements from presidential candidates. Since, according to Macalintal, these ads are clearly signs of early campaigning, shouldn’t the media be blamed from profiting from this, when the money could be better spent helping the poor?

While Macalintal may have a point, he is still skirting the issue of the President’s dinner. By using squid tactics, he continues the ploy of avoiding discussing the issue.

Unfortunately, another report of another lavish dinner, a $15,000 shebang in Washington, DC, belies the supposed lack of controversy surrounding the New York dinner. It makes me question how much the President is spending on dinners during her trips abroad, and, if she isn’t spending, who are footing the bill, and who benefits from sucking up to the President.

* * *

“Wowowee” host Willie Revillame has taken an indefinite leave of absence from his show, mainly due to the furor created by his inappropriate comments about the network decision to simultaneously air the transfer of the late President Cory Aquino from the La Salle Greenhills campus to Manila Cathedral alongside “Wowowee”. In addition, the Movie and Television Classification and Review Board (MTCRB) is planning to investigate Revillame for his comments on the issue.

While I am elated at this turn of events, considering that Revillame was unbelievably arrogant and insensitive in making his ill-conceived statements, I can’t help but feel that Revillame is a scapegoat in this mess, and that ABS-CBN, whose production staff made the call to air the two events simultaneously, doesn’t look like it’s going to take any heat from this issue.

* * *

The controversy surrounding the President’s selection of National Artists, particularly director and komiks creator Carlo Caparas and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) director Cecilia Guidote Alvarez continues to create ripples of discussion.

For me, the question that should be answered is why nominee Dr. Ramon Santos, a noted musician and composer, was dropped from the list when he was part of the official list of nominees of the NCCA and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), while Caparas and Alvarez were named, apparently as a result of executive privilege, despite the fact that neither went through the selection process.

I am not sure as to what Caparas’ credentials are to be named a National Artist, considering that he didn’t illustrate the komiks that he created (he’s a National Artist for Visual Arts and Film), and his body of work in film is punctuated by his infamous “massacre movies”.

In Alvarez’s case, there is the matter of delicadeza, considering that she is both NCCA head and a presidential adviser to boot.

While it is clear now that the President does have the authority to name the National Artists even without the vetting of the NCCA and the CCP, it is something that she shouldn’t wield on a whim. But then again, there appears to be nothing that President Arroyo considers sacred, given her recent actions. This controversy will just become one of many during her term.

Presidential Excess: A $20,000 Dinner

Is it right for our President to spend $20,000 on a sumptuous dinner while the country is mourning the passing of an icon? Is it right for our President to act so extravagantly when majority of Filipinos are living in poverty? Apparently so, because that’s just what President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her lackeys did just before heading back here.

According to a New York newspaper, the President and her companions were reported to have dined on caviar and champagne at Le Cirque, a posh New York restaurant, shortly before returning to the Philippines.

The sheer extravagance of the meal boggles the mind. Even if the tab was allegedly picked up by one of her lapdogs, Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez, it appears that the Arroyos are learning the wrong lessons from the Marcoses, who acted in the same way before they got ousted in 1986 in the EDSA I People Power Revolution led by the late President Aquino.

No matter how the Presidential mouthpieces try to put a positive spin on it, the President’s dinner leaves a bad taste in the mouth to many Filipinos who are experiencing hunger on a daily basis. With the current exchange rate, the tab for the dinner almost reaches a staggering P1 million, which is enough to feed a lot of people.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde tried to pass off the dinner as a "simple" dinner, but Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez belied Remonde's claims when Suarez claimed that P1 million was normal for a dinner in New York. Normal, perhaps, for people like Suarez or Romualdez, but unreachable for the regular Filipino diner.

The bad taste is worsened by the fact that the Arroyos and their companions celebrated this extravagant dinner while the rest of the country mourned the passing of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino. It seems, then, that President Arroyo might not have been so saddened by Cory’s death, considering that the former President had called for Arroyo’s resignation after the 2004 “Hello, Garci” scandal, and had continued opposing Arroyo up to just before she passed away.

Given the current mood of the Filipino people, grieving over the passing of a beloved leader, Arroyo has to tread lightly, as any new scandal by her or her government could ignite the powder keg of discontent, and set off a wave of protests that she might not survive this time around.

UAAP Update: Ateneo Beats La Salle in Overtime

Yesterday’s game between archrivals Ateneo and La Salle was a classic match-up, with Ateneo getting the better of La Salle in overtime, 76-72, for a share of the lead with Far Eastern University (FEU) in the men’s basketball championship.

The Araneta Coliseum was, for once, awash in a sea of yellow instead of the traditional colors of Ateneo’s royal blue and La Salle’s emerald green, as a show of respect for the death of former President and icon Corazon “Cory” Aquino. Even coaches from both teams sported yellow shirts for the occasion.

What I liked about the pre-game events was the opening prayer, which was co-led by Fr. Nemy Que, SJ, from the Ateneo, and Bro. Bernie Oca of La Salle, reminding us that, despite the often bitter rivalry, we are all Filipinos, and shouldn’t let petty disputes keep us apart.

As soon as the game started, it was electric from the get-go. Both teams obviously came prepared, and the lead seesawed until La Salle pulled ahead in the second quarter, and did not relinquish the lead until the fourth, where Ateneo came storming back, finally retaking the lead with about three minutes to play.

With time winding down, and Ateneo up by three, Hyram Bagatsing forced the overtime extra period by draining a quick three to tie the game at 67.

In overtime, the Blue Eagles struggled to reassert themselves, but La Salle kept the game close until Ateneo surged to a five-point lead with less than a minute to go. However, it still wasn’t the end, as Archer Bader Malabes shot a 3-pointer to bring La Salle within 2 points of Ateneo. Unfortunately, on the next possession, as La Salle came back from an Ateneo missed shot, Ateneo’s Ryan Buenafe managed a steal, and was promptly fouled with about 3 seconds to go. Buenafe, last year’s Rookie of the Year, made both free throws to put the game out of reach, and Ateneo prevailed over their archnemesis.

It was a game with a lot of passion and high emotion. La Salle’s Joshua Webb, who scored a career-high 26 points, probably sparked Ateneo’s fourth quarter comeback with an ill-conceived kick at Ateneo’s Bacon Austria, who had just fouled him. Archer guard Simon Atkins drew a technical for his taunting, and that enabled Ateneo to get back into the game.

The win, however, came at a rather steep price, as top Eagle and reigning MVP Rabeh al-Hussaini suffered a sprained ankle late in the fourth quarter after stepping on Malabes’ foot. I’m not sure how bad it was, although Rabeh did manage to stand, albeit rather gingerly, for the post-game singing of the Ateneo alma mater. Center Nonoy Baclao also suffered an injury, his left hand as he attempted to disrupt a La Salle pass, but he managed to return in overtime with his hand taped up. Since Ateneo’s next match is this Thursday against University of the East, hopefully both players will be up and running by then.

With the first round of eliminations over, at 6-1, Ateneo is co-leader with FEU, with UE, La Salle and UST tied at second, all sporting 4-3 records. With any luck, Ateneo can continue its winning ways en route to another crown. It’s most likely, however, that, given the intensity of all of the teams, even those at the bottom of the standings, the road to the finals is going to be a rough one.

Stupidity of Some People

As the country mourns the passing of an icon, there have been a number of issues that have cropped up, all of which have been of interest to me. Unfortunately, I have not had the time to write about them, due to the increasing demand of my workload. So, before these issues are overtaken by newer issues, as they so often are, I’d like to give some quick thoughts about each.

* * *

In the wake of former President Cory Aquino’s death, a number of prominent Filipinos have done some incredibly stupid and insensitive acts. I’ve already mentioned the curt refusal of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to give a personal message of condolence, after having gone to Mass, no less, but others are also guilty of stupidity.

Wowowee’s host Willie Revillame has been involved in a number of controversies in the past; key among these is the tragic stampede at the ULTRA in 2005, resulting in death and numerous injuries. But his actions during the transfer of Cory’s remains from La Salle to the Manila Cathedral take the cake.

To be fair, the production team of ABS-CBN is equally to blame for showing the live feed of the procession during the showing of Wowowee; if they wanted to serve the public interest, they should’ve just continued showing the procession exclusively, and cut the popular show. Since they didn’t, Revillame spoke up after a segment, and asked that the feed be removed, since it was difficult to run the show with it playing.

Once more, the tactlessness of Revillame reared its head; instead of saying it on air, he could’ve ordered to cutting of the feed during a break. As a result, it appeared to the viewers that he was acting arrogant and self-important; it should be noted that, while he argued that the network either airs his show or the feed but not at the same time, he called for the removal of the feed first, which goes to show what he considers to be more important.

While Revillame is clearly at fault, and should probably be reprimanded for his insensitive comments, the production staff of ABS-CBN is also to blame. Given the importance of the event, perhaps Wowowee should’ve given way. But ABS-CBN officials were probably loath to give up so much advertising money that they decided to show both, and, in doing so, did a great disservice to the former President, considering that, if it weren’t for Cory and EDSA I, the network wouldn’t have gone back on air in the first place.

So far, ABS-CBN officials have been silent on the matter, apparently preferring Revillame to take the heat. But they themselves are not blameless in this issue, and should answer for their insensitive actions.

* * *

Another stupid move is that of Senator Jamby Madrigal, who seems intent on capitalizing on Aquino’s popularity to push her own bid for the Presidency, which she had just recently announced.

During the procession and the burial, yellow-beaded bracelets with Madrigal’s face were distributed, a clearly blatant attempt to exploit the moment, and increase awareness of Madrigal and her presidential bid.

I’m sure that, if confronted, the Senator will likely deny that she is the source of the bracelets, and claim that it’s part of a demolition job to destroy her chances (meager as they might be) of winning in next year’s elections. Given Madrigal’s checkered political career, I’ll find that hard to believe; the administration doesn’t really need to go after Madrigal, because she’s doing an excellent job of self-destruction anyway.

* * *

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, another presidential contender, blundered when he surmised that the former President’s passing will ignite stronger moves to oust President Arroyo. It’s clear that he’s also capitalizing on the death of Aquino, and hoping that it will galvanize the people against Arroyo, just as Ninoy’s assassination in 1983 awakened the Filipino people against the tyranny of the Marcos dictatorship.

There’s one big difference about the two deaths, though. Ninoy was felled by an assassin’s bullet, and, up to now, it’s suspected (but not proven) that Marcos was behind it, while Cory died of a lingering illness, and, although the Arroyo administration is suspected to be guilty of many crimes, I really doubt that it can be held responsible for Cory’s death.

However, if Arroyo does anything really stupid between now and the May 2010 elections, Binay’s prediction just might come true.

* * *

Hm, this post is going longer than I figured; I had hoped to comment on the controversies surrounding the selection of this year’s National Artists and the Judicial and Bar Council’s list of candidates for the Supreme Court, but it’ll be too long to write about it in this post, so that’ll be the subject of my next post(s), unless overtaken by more current events.

Musings on the Funeral Mass and Burial of President Corazon Aquino

I wasn’t able to put my thoughts down into writing after the funeral mass and burial of former President Cory Aquino, as my backlog just seemed to threaten to overwhelm me when we returned to work the next day. So, it is Saturday, the third day after the burial, that I write this.

Last Wednesday, I joined up with the Ateneo contingent to go to Manila to attend the funeral Mass for Cory Aquino. Originally, the plan apparently was to station the contingent in front of the Manila Cathedral, where the remains of the former President were being kept. However, while an advance party went to the area at around 4 in the morning, they were apparently asked to relocate. So, when we arrived in the Manila area, we found ourselves stationed at Anda Circle, just a hundred meters or so away from the Cathedral.

Fortunately, ABS-CBN had set up a video screen at the circle, so we were able to watch the whole event unfold.

The Mass was a solemn and grand affair, with a bevy of priests concelebrating the Mass. Bishop Soc Villegas was the main celebrant, while Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ, the longtime spiritual adviser of the Aquino family, said the homily. The choir was made up of various music ministries and choirs, including Bukas Palad, Hangad, and the Ateneo Chamber Singers, while the music was provided by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

The cream of the Philippine music industry came to sing the solo parts of the Mass, including Dulce, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Erik Santos, Piolo Pascual, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Lea Salonga. Lea’s stirring rendition of “Bayan Ko”, the anthem of the EDSA I revolution, brought tears to my eyes, as I recalled those halcyon days when we mustered the courage to stand up to a brutal dictator.

The weather was schizophrenic, at times, pouring hard, and at times, not, but we at the Anda Circle stood our ground, and continued to participate in the proceedings, as our way of honoring Cory’s great sacrifice for our nation.

When the procession from the Manila Cathedral started, we all flocked to the streets, to catch a last glimpse of an icon heading to her final resting place. It was only when the procession passed us by, and, as we made our way back to our buses, that we felt the fatigue from having stood for about five hours. But it was totally worth it, as we managed to go and see the spiritual leader of our country’s democracy one last time, and honor her with our participation in her funeral Mass.
The procession would move slowly towards the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, and, after I got home, slept, and woke up at 5 pm, I found that it was still making its way to the cemetery, as the movement was slowed down by the multitudes who wanted to pay their last respects. I was amazed at the fortitude of her four escorts, as they had remained at stiff and strict attention throughout the nine hours of the procession.

It was close to seven pm when the procession arrived at the cemetery, and full military honors were accorded the former leader. I felt a chill as the members of Cory’s Presidential Security Group (PSG), now grey and grizzled, escorted the leader they once protected to mausoleum wherein she would be reunited with her beloved husband, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino.

A blessing was said, and, afterwards, the former President’s remains were solemnly placed in her tomb. Then followed a long line of friends and family wanting to pay their last respects, standing prayerfully in front of the tomb, or placing a yellow flower inside. Then the cemetery workers placed the slab on the tomb, and sealed it, and then, the ceremony was over. President Aquino’s remains were finally at rest.

Once more, I find myself thankful for living in these times, as Philippine history unfolds before my eyes. I am thankful to have been a part of this unfolding, and I hope that the lessons that we learn from this experience will continue to guide us as a people.

President Arroyo's Lack of Grace

Even in a time of national mourning, it appears that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can manage to screw things up.

The first instance was the issue of the late President Cory Aquino’s security detail, which was apparently withdrawn recently. Cory’s youngest daughter Kris revealed this, and expressed her great hurt at this apparent insult to her mother.

This caused the government mouthpieces to scramble and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde had to issue a hasty apology, and tried to stress that he and Arroyo had no knowledge of what had happened; Remonde then said that an investigation was underway to determine what had happened. Military and police officials tried to reason out that it was just a miscommunication regarding the assignment of the two soldiers in the security detail. However, Senator Noynoy Aquino, the eldest Aquino child, surmised that, since the Presidential Security Group (PSG) was involved, the order to withdraw the details could only have come from someone higher up, ergo, the President.

Since the late Cory had opposed Arroyo, and even called for Arroyo to step down after the ‘Hello, Garci’ scandal, Senator Aquino’s line of thinking is not so farfetched, given President Arroyo’s propensity to get back at her political opponents. While we wait for the official results of the ongoing investigation, it’s still yet another black mark for an administration riddled with scandal.

Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story, as President Arroyo herself has shown her own personal ungraciousness in front of the camera. After attending Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, President Arroyo faced the media, and she was asked if she could give a personal message of condolence. She answered, rather curtly, that she had already given her message; her controversial husband, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, also echoed the same sentiment.

At least United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, when confronted with the same question, managed to give a message of condolence. I guess it’s possible that the Arroyos were already tired from their trip, but that does not excuse their behavior. In an opportunity to appear gracious and, well, Presidential, Arroyo has shown only pettiness and vindictiveness, cementing in the people’s minds evils of her government.

Now, given all this, I wonder if President Arroyo will have the gumption to show up at the funeral, and, if she does, what will the reaction to her be?

Requiem, Tita Cory

It was a shock to learn of the death of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, just before the beginning of the basketball game between Ateneo and National University; while Mrs. Aquino passed away in the wee hours of Saturday morning, I only learned about it in the afternoon due the lack of internet access.

I was in Grade 7 when Cory’s husband, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was assassinated on the tarmac of the then-Manila International Airport. I remember the waves of protest that Aquino’s death set off, but, being young, I really didn’t understand the issues back then.

It was in second year high school, that the 1986 snap elections were announced. I remember how it took a simple housewife to unite a fractured opposition and compel it to rally behind her against the dictator, the late President Ferdinand Marcos. I also remember the nastiness of the campaign against her, with the dictator’s media machine cranking out ad after ad, portraying her as unfit for the presidency. Lastly, I remember the outright and blatant cheating that took place, as the dictator tried to steal the vote by intimidation and pressure. Unfortunately, for Marcos, the people had had enough, and the iron control he commanded broke apart at the seams.

When Marcos’ Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Lt. General Fidel Ramos broke away and withdrew support for Marcos, and holed up in Camps Aguinaldo and Crame, it was Cory Aquino and the late Jaime Cardinal Sin who rallied the people to protect them. Without the people’s support, it’s likely that Ramos and Enrile’s revolt would have been crushed. Instead, it sparked the EDSA I People Power Revolution, which led to the ouster of the dictator Marcos and the installation of Cory Aquino as President of the Republic of the Philippines.

From the onset, it was clear that Aquino was never prepared to take on the reins of leadership, and her rule was tested by no less than seven coup attempts, some of which were supported by Enrile. While she managed to dismantle much of signs and symbols of the Marcos’ dictatorship, she also brought back the pre-Marcos ruling oligarchy, and established new dynasties; Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay’s control of that city began with his appointment as officer-in-charge by the Aquino government. Despite all this, she managed to reestablish democratic rule in our country, and restored Filipino’s sense of freedom. For that, we, the Filipino people, have much to be thankful.

When Mrs. Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in May of last year, she received an outpouring of support from a grateful Filipino people. Prayers, masses and novenas were said in her name, hoping against hope that she would be able to fight this off, as she had fought the dictatorship. And, for a while, it was hoped that she would win this battle, as last May, her daughter Kris announced that the procedure to remove cancer cells from her colon was successful.

Last June, when she was hospitalized due to lack of appetite, the prayers and novenas increased in frequency and intensity. But, it was not meant to be, as the cancer had already spread. God had higher plans for His servant, and, last Saturday, He called her home.

With Cory Aquino’s passing, the Filipino people are poorer spiritually. While she may not have been the most effective of leaders, of the four Presidents in the post-Marcos era, she is the least corrupt, and probably, Erap notwithstanding, the most popular and most beloved.

Rest in peace, Tita Cory. Your long journey is at an end.

UAAP Basketball: Ateneo Shellacks NU

It looks like the Ateneo Blue Eagles are back on track.

What started out as a tense, close-fought battle in the first quarter turned into a massive blowout by game-end, as Ateneo whipped the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 75-47, claim a share of first place in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball action.

Before the game started, the announcer asked for a moment of silence to honor the passing of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino. As a sign of respect, the Blue Eagles wore yellow ribbons, it being Tita Cory’s campaign color, and the Bulldogs wore black ribbons, to honor the dead.

At first, it seemed that the Bulldogs would manage to shackle the Eagles, as both teams ended the first quarter tied at 8 points apiece, one of the lowest, if not the lowest, total output in a quarter that I’d seen in a while.
Then, in the second quarter, Ateneo, led by MVP Rabeh al-Hussaini, exploded for 22 points while a tenacious defense held NU to only 4 points. At halftime, the score was 30-12 in favor of the Eagles.

In the third quarter, Ateneo continued to pour it on, while NU, hampered by numerous turnovers and a stifling Ateneo defense, couldn’t find the basket until late in the quarter. I found myself wondering if the Bulldogs would break 20 points in the game. But, as Ateneo coach Norman Black began rotating in the second-stringers, the Bulldogs managed to put in 11 points in the third, with two 3-point shots which ended the Bulldogs’ drought from that area.
It was only in the fourth quarter that NU managed to score a bevy of points, but, by then, the outcome of the game was no longer in doubt, as the Blue Eagles won their fifth game, their second after being bushwhacked by the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons.

With the win, Ateneo currently holds solo first place, which puts them in great position to face its archrival La Salle to close out the first round of eliminations. Here’s hoping that the Blue Eagles continue to wax hot and remain strong in their quest for a back-to-back championship.