Tuesday, November 4, 2008

THE COMPASSIONATE PRIEST

The church, by refusing to degrade you, had place in doubt the crime has been imputed to you; the Government, by surrounding the trials with mystery and shadows cause the belief that there was some error committed in the fatal moment; and see the Philippines, by workshipping your money and calling you martyrs , in no sense recognizes your culpability.Insofar, therefore, as your complicity in Cavite mutiny is not clearly proved and as you may not cherish sentiments for justice and liberty, I have the right to dedicate my work to you as victims of the evil that I undertake the combat. And while we admit expectantly for: Spain someday to restore your good name and cease to be answerable for your death, let these pages serve as tardy wreath of dried leaves over your unknown tombs and let it understood that everyone who without clear proofs attacks your memory stains his hands with your blood.A great tribute to three great patriots from an equally great hero.

Bacoor, Cavite, likewise, honors its patriots-priests with a monument. It is here where Father Mariano Gomez, a native of Sta. Cruz, Manila, work for fourty-eight years.


Sunday, June 15, 2008

It's not Fair

Lots of things in life are not fair. Maybe your parents marriage has fallen apart. Or one of them is living away from the family in order to earn more money. Maybe you've lost a parent through death.

Is there alcoholism or some other addiction in your home? Has someone you love been victimized by the corruption and greed of others?

Circumstances like these leave you feeling like there's no way out and no one to understand you're hurts and confusion. But the fact is, God cares. He sent Jesus to show you His love and He sent His holy spirit to be wise counselor, your constant companion, and our source of comfort.

Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was able to reassure his followers that no matter what happened he would always be with them and see them through any difficulty-clear up to the end! He makes the same promise to you.

Fatigue

Maybe you think you too much living to do, so your adding hours to your day by cutting out on sleep. But does it really work?

Here's what a habit of short nights will get you (less than6 hours).
  • Difficulty waking up in the morning
  • Inability to concentrate and impaired memory
  • Falling asleep in class
  • Moodiness, irritability, depression, or anxiety

Establishing a consistent sleep routine is one of the best ways to improve our mental, physical, and emotional health.

You probably already know what caffeine( a stimulant) can do to keep you from getting the rest you need, but what about the effects of nicotine and alcohol? Both of these substances prevent you from being able to fall into a deep sleep, the kind of sleep that fuels and repairs your body for the next day....

Friday, June 13, 2008

Future Hope

Having a hard time feeling hopeful about the future?
With all this violence , craziness, and uncertainty in the world today that's understandable. If we have been placed on this earth and left to work it all out on our own we would be in for some serious trouble!

But we're not here on our own. That's why Jesus came. He came to offer us hope , both in this world and the world to come.

The place he talks about there is heaven, which is being with God after we die here in earth. Our life in heaven with him will last forever- free from tears and anything that causes fear or pain. Now that's something to look forward to! That's great, but what about right now?What about tomorrow ?

Jesus said that only people who don't know God worry about their future. On the other hand, he promised that for those who get to know him, God himself would see to it that all their needs are met!

When we put our hope ion him, God promised to live with you today on earth and one day in heaven as well. All you need to do to get this kind of hope is to put your trust in him. You take the first step- God will do the rest. Want to know how? Study the bible......

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Ohh ! Life

In the presence of others. We must know by now that each one of us cannot survive in this world alone. Our success, our happiness, our well-being, depend on others. Someone said that for excellence, the presence of others is always required. Not talent, not genius, not brilliance-but others. We need the Supreme Being. We need family, neighbors and community. We need to belong, to get involved, to keep communication lines open.

Sometimes through others we are learn to share ideas and experiences, think critically, and creatively, and express our self in clear appropriate. We are know and learn about family life , about friendship, and about getting involved in the community through sports to enable us to develop insights about others. Through others we got a better understanding not only of our self but also of others too. In other words we become a person of others.

All this learning experiences enable us to express my ideas creatively in writing like a personal narrative, and an essay. hehehehe only a bit just start learning.........

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Rizal 's famous travels

Rizal sold many copies of books, and also sent some to both friends and enemies. "This is the first impartial and daring book", he wrote to Dr. Fernand Blumentrit of Bohemia, "on the life of the Tagalogs. Filipinos will find in it their history during the fast decades. I hope you will notice how different my descriptions are from those of other writers of our time.

In a short time, Rizal became famous. However, the publications of Noli Mangered the Spanish authorities. The university of Sto. Tomas, upon prodding of Father Salvador Font, banned Rizal's novel. One of Rizal's close friends, Dr. Felipe Zamora advised him to assume another citizenship. Paciano, his elder brother was outraged and wrote to him in anger: "You decide on your departure; now let me decide the time of your return.

Inspite of the warnings of his brother and close friends, Rizal left the EUROPE and returned to the Philippines. After staying in the country for a year, Rizal packed his personal belongings, and again left for Europe by way of NORTH AMERICA.

Rizal proved to be a success in EUROPE . In 1886,he followed his early literary success by publishing in Ghent, BELGIUM, EL Filibusterismo, a sequel to the Noli. He dedicated it to the martyrs of Bagumbayan: Fathers Burgos, Gomez and Zamora. The hero got as far as ENGLAND to gather important historical materials. It was there when he discovered the invaluable work of Don Antonio de Morga, an early SPANISH historian. Rizal rush to a printer shop in PARIS, and ordered the printing of the historical records there. In 1890, Morga's Sucesos de las islas FILIPINAS came out. In 1892, Rizal decided to return to the Philippines for the second time despite the fact that he had many influential and powerful enemies thjere. Rizal was accompanied by his sister Saturnina when he left for HONKONG to ask permission from Governor Eulogio Despujol for the peaceful resettlement of his family and relatives. What Rizal got was banishment to Dapitan in Mindanao where he live for four years. He made good use of his stay in the far-flung island by teaching young boys, improving the lot of the people through numerous projects, and continuing his medical practice. He also met and married Josephine Brachen, and Irish-Chinese in Dapitan.

Governor-General Blanco agreed, on July 1, 1896, to let him leave the country on a medical mission to Cuba. He was, however, arrested in SPAIN before he even got to Cuba, and was shortly transferred to another ship bound to MANILA where charges of sedition and treason were already prepared by his enemies.

In a mock trial, Rizal was soon found guilty of high crime; treason and rebellion. Governor-General Camilo Polavieja, who succeeded Governor-General Blanco, at once decreed the execution of Rizal on DEC. 30, 1896. The night before his death, the hero wrote ''Mi Ultimo Adios'' in his cell of fort Santiago. The poem remains to be one of the greatest poems of our time.

In Bagumbayan, DR. Jose P. Rizal shed his blood, his supreme sacrifice in testimony of the profoundness and dept of his love for his suffering country and people.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Earning extra money

Hey friends and visitors! do you have a blog and want to earn extra income ?Then bloggerwave can gives you the oppurtunity. This Bloggerwave website is aiming to be the Europes biggest advertising media on blogs. You can earn and can also help them grow . What are you waiting for click their website to make money now.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

POET AND PATRIOT OF THE FIRST ORDER

Fernando Ma. Guerrero stands above his contemporaries. Born on May 30, 1873 in Ermita, Manila, he was the greatest lyric poet of his generation. Spanish speaking people regarded him as a literary genius and lyricist of superior order. As well taken by Fernando M. Maramag, "Guerrero, poet and patriot of the first order, had touched the life of his people at many points."

Guerrero's parents were Don Lorenzo Guerrero, a noted painter and Doña Clemencia Ramirez, a highly educated woman. He is known a chiefly as a poet, but his talent does not lie there alone. A musician, a journalist, a politician, a painter, Fernando Ma. Guerrero above all was a patriot. His poetry in Spanish sang glorious deeds of our heroes and the fine beauty of our ladies.

Guerrero was blessed with a good education. He was given good books on many subjects such as music and art. The Ateneo de Manila gave him a Bachelor of Arts Degree; the University of Santo Tomas his law degree.

Guerrero was at heart a poet, not a lawyer. His days were filled with poetry, writing, painting, piano and flute playing.
He fought for Filipino cause with his pen during the Revolution. His writing published in the newpapers inspired the people to seek liberty. Together with General Antonio Luna, Guerrero edited La Independecia (Indepence), the organ of the Revolution. Two of his poems, "Mi Patricia" (My Country) and "Gladiator" were printed in La Independecia. He used the pen names Fulvis Gil and Gil and Gil Rosas.

Guerrero was editor of two newspapers, El Renacimiento (Rebirth) and La Opinion (The Opinion). After the Revolution, Spain honored him by making him member of the Real Acadamia de Lengua Español (Royal Academy of the Spanish Language) of Madrid. He tried writing English poems. Some of them were "Come to Me", "Forevermore", "Where Is May?" and "Far for Thee".

His important poems were collected in 1914 in a volume, Crisalidas. The poems which expresses best Guerrero's ardent love for the Philppines are "La Bandera", "El Dolor de las Cuartillas Virgenes", and "Mi Patria". His "Marcha Funebra de Chopin" and "Maria Clara" were given excellent sound, color and image.

Wanting to serve his countrymen, he ran for public office and became councilor of Manila, General Secretary of the Philippines Independence Commision, Secretary of the Philippine Assembly in 1907. After a glorious stint in government service he died on June 12, 1929 in his ancestral home in Ermita, Manila-a fulfilled man.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Thank You So Much CuteRose13 for this tag


1.Copy and Paste the entire page comeback to me and asked me your number. HERE. [link]
2.Its not necessary to erase once you’ve done the post already. Just add them in your post. Leave one space at a time.
3.Add title “Tagged Updated” Benefits that will get by playing this game is
4.Your
Technorati will gain more Authorities and gain more links, inlinks, backinks too.
5. I will read and survey every links posted and joined this game. Because i know some links is not a good one. Remember i am the moderator, i want all the links is good and not a bad one. Promoting bad exposure this is not the game for you.Thanks and God bless.

1.Filipino-Life-Abroad 2.Random Thoughts 3. Proudly Filipina 4. Everyday LivesBestfriend Blogs 6.Thoughts and Rambling 7. In my Kitchen 8. In the Life Of..Mine 9. Everything Has A Reason 10.Filipina In Hawaii 11.My Daily Ramblings RendevousPuzzle of my heart13. Mommy’s Little Corner 14. Blessed Chic 15. Dancing With Butterflies 16. Just Let Go 17. Pieces of Me 18. Momiespace 19. All about Mye Life 20. Katelove's 21. Science And Technology 22. Philippine Heroes

And now I'm passing this tag to

Chy Masterpieces and More, Great Quotes, & My World in My Own World.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Ten Things About Me

Got this Tag from Mama .

RULES:

1. Each blogger starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves.

2. Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their ten things and post these rules.

3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 10 people to get tagged and list their breads.

4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here goes ...

1. I used to play computer games when I was little

2. I love watching and collecting Koreanovelas

3. I love Adobo, Menudo and Sinigang

4. I can cry easily

5. I used to be an avid fan of Jose Mari Chan.

6. I can swim

7. I have a parents who teach me a good manner and right conduct. My parents name are Rosalita Moreno and Roberto Moreno

8. I have 2 siblings. Her name is Rosiebelle Moreno. (thank God!)

9. I have a 2 siblings who was dead. They name are Albert Moreno & Robert Moreno.

10.I Love My Family so much. Thank You God you gave me a Happy Family

and now I'm passing this tag to my friends namely,

Bloggers Recollection, & My World in My Own Word

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Friendship Around The World Tag

I have been tagged by CuteRose13. Thank you friend for this tag. I appreciate it. Here are the rules:

1. Copy from ::Start Copy Here:: through ::End Copy Here::.


2. Add your blog to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs. Just make sure to post this to each of the blog you added in the list.

3. Tag other online friends you know.You don’t need to be tag in order to join. If you want to join just post this one in your blog.

4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list.That way, everyone is happy and can meet new friends too!


5. Come back once in a while to get the master list! Let’s see how this makes our Technorati and PR goes up! :D

6. DO NOT REMOVE THIS: scrap page made by Yen. Using alphas and tapes from Kate H., flowers from Ida,paper by Catrine.


1.me and mine 2.creative in me 3.Little Peanut 4.Pea in a Pod 5.Sugar Magnolias 6.Because Life is Fun 7.Piece O' Kaje 8.Mon a Bric 9.Celebrate Life 10.My Journey 11.Deeply in love 12.Pink and Brown Diaries 13.HappyHeart 14.wilstop 15.FunFierceFab 16.Just Me.. Eds 17.Mommyhood and Me 18.My Charmed Life 19.Sassy Finds 20.SuperNova and SweetPain 21.My Life in this Wonderful World! 22.Denz Techtronics 23.Denz Recreational 24.PinayWAHM 25.Teacher’s Corner 26..My Quiet Zone 27.Yums 28. GreenRose 29. Science and Technology 30. Philippine Heroes


End Copy Here:

I am tagging this friendship blog to:


Sabel, Hideout Getaway, & Cecil


Thursday, May 22, 2008

Friendship Tag

Got this tag from Dhaqueen. I never like linky tag because it's really hard for me copy all of the names and url but now that I know how it's just too easy. I tried it before but it didn't work so I tried it again this time hmm..it works..I don't what happened before but anyway just copy and paste it guys that is so easy..

Rule:

1. Copy from ::Start Copy Here:: through ::End Copy Here::.2. Add your blog to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs. Just make sure to post this to each of the blog you added in the list3. Tag other online friends you know.You don’t need to be tag in order to join. If you want to join just post this one in your blog.4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list.That way, everyone is happy and can meet new friends too!5. Come back once in a while to get the master list! Let’s see how this makes our Technorati and PR goes up! 6. DO NOT REMOVE THIS: scrap page made by Yen. Using alphas and tapes from Kate H., flowers from Ida,paper by Catrine.

1. Me and Mine 2.Creative In Me 3.Little Peanut 4. Pea in a Pod 5. Sugar Magnolias 6. Chez Francine 7. Le bric à brac de Cherie 8. La Place de Cherie 9. SuperNova and SweetPain 10. Avee's Adventures 11. Fil-Am Stories 12. Air Sick 13. Essay of Life 14. All About Reviews 15. From PI With Love 16.Beauty Kikay 17. Everyday Life 18. Fil-Oz Blog 19. More on Health 20. Ozlife Begins 21. Rants and Ramblings 22.Taurian’s Bible 23. What A World 24. Jcelyn's Journal25.Dhaqueen's Blog 26. Philippine Heroes, 27. Science and Technology, 28. YOUR LINK HERE

Let us now continue the link to my other friends online to: Donia Soir, Hukalilile, Petit Mal, Pieces of me , This is what I called my Life,In the Corner with Mrs. B, Blogger's Recollections , Pengenbangan Diri, Hakimtea

TRUE NATIONALIST

Jose Panganiban lived a short life. He was a victim of tuberculosis and died on August 19, 1890. However, Panganiban proved his immense love for his country albeit his short life on earth. Patriotism, after all, is not measured in the length of service alone.
Panganiban used his pen to fight for the rights of our people. He wrote well and bravely, too. When he was in Spain, he wrote against spaniards who talked ill of Filipinos.
Panganiban was a very bright student. He studied first in a seminary in Naga. Then he went to manila and studied at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Later, he went to the University of Sto. Tomas to become a doctor. During his studies, he had very high grades. He also won prizes in writing and science contests.
Panganiban went to spain to continue his studies in Medicine. There he met Rizal,Marcelo H. del Pilar. and Lopez-Jaena. Like them. he wrote about the injustices committed by the Spanish rulers in our country. He became a contributor to the La Solidaridad.
He read and wrote without much rest. He studies till very late at night. He studied other languages too. So he was able to speak Chinese, English, German and Latin. Soon he fell very ill.
''You should rest, Jose", his Filipino friends advised him. "I cannot rest until I have written down my thoughts. I want to tell the whole world about our country, I want everyone to know how our people are suffering", he answered.
And so, he went on writing till he died in Madrid at the young age 25 on August 19 1890, far from the country he loved.
He was a dedicated writer. He wrote EL Gobierno entre Dos Tendencias, Anatomia de Regimen, EL Pensamiento and La Universidad de Manila y su Plan de Estudio. He also contibuted some poems, among which were Noche de Mambulao, Bahia de Mambulao, A Nuestra Obrero, Ang Tinubuan , and Sa Aking Buhay! His stories were Clarita Perez and Kading.
As a writer,Panganiban believed in the necessity of reform for the Philippines, including academic freedom, freedom of the press and humane treatment of the Filipinos. Although not trained as an educator, he toyed with the ideas of founding an ideal university in Manila.
Jose P. Rizal paid Jose Panganiban the highest tribute when the former said, that what Panganiban grieved most was he died without accomplishing the highest mission he had hoped for and was able to dedicate his energies and interest to the noble cause of fighting for freedom for the Filipino people.

Friday, May 16, 2008

TONDO'S PRIZED SON


Tondo has been the cradle of heroes from the early days of Philippine history. It has produced the likes of Lakan Dula, Rajah Soliman, Emilio Jacinto, and Andres Bonifacio. It was also where Dr. Rafael Palma, a very good writer in Spanish, lawyer, high public official and one-time president of the University of th Philippines, first saw the light of day.

Palma who was born in 1874, started literary writing early. He worked for La Indepencia, the Propaganda newspaper of General Antonio Luna. Later on, he joined other Filipino nationalist, notably Sergio Osmeña, Sr. and Jaime C. de Veyra, in Publishing and editing El Nuevo Dia in Cebu. He used the pen names, "Hapon", Dapit Hapon", and "Robert Paul".

Palma, as a literary man, was one of the editors of La Indepencia, El Nuevo Dia and El Renaciemiento. He was author of Voces de Aliento, Nuestra Campaña por Indepencia Desde Taft Hasta Harrison, Alma mater and Apolinario Mabini (Estudio Biografico). He was wrote also several biographies of contemporary men.

His Biografia de Rizal, the best work yet written on the subject, earned for him a Commonwealth Literary Awards a few years before his death 1939. Because of its literary and factual merits, this biography was translated ito English by former Justice Roman Ozaeta under the title, Pride of the Malay Race, and published by Prentice Hall, Inc. in the United States in 1949. Palma's biography of Apolinario Mabini, likewise, is the most complete andauthoritative life story to date of the "Sublime Paralytic".

Among Palmaa's separately published works are "New Mentality", "Our Age", "Our Country", "Our History", "The Revolt of Youth", "Tghe University and the People", "Hero-Hero Workship", "Rizal: The Man", and "The Woman and the Right to Vote".

Credits should also be given to Palma for having upgraded instruction in the University of the Philippines. It was during his tenure that he prestige of the institution began to flourish.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Its Mother's Day everyday and it's time to tell the world how grateful we are of our mothers who gave us life and love. Thanks to Sabel for this wonderful tag, I wanna pass this tag to my blogger friends namely; Joemadel-2 , HAKIMTEA , MAMA and A Woman's Perspective blogger. Friends its your turn to make this opportunity to tell everybody in the blogosphere why we have the best Mom in the World.Please copy the link below and add yours then pass also to other mommies.
1. Bregie- her love for us is endless!
2. Bing - for us she is more than perfect!
3. Francine - of the life she gave me in this world!
4. Cherie - of her undying love, understanding and support in everything that I do
5. Le bric à brac de Cherie -she's always there to give my spirit a lift when I am really down and she never gets tired of loving me and the entire family. I wanna be like her!
6. Gen - for being my mom forever...
7. Lara- she understands me and fill my needs.
8. Laradee - she loves me and cares for me no matter what.
9. Byaheng Pinay - she gave the best for me.
10. Eds - for her unconditional love to us.
11.thata-for the life that she gave me and the cares.
12. Rose - Thank you for passing this mom... Love You for too. For caring me...
13. 12Rose - Just saying love god and love your parents too..

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

LYRICIST'S OFFERING


Love for nature and country inspired Jose Palma y Velasquez to write the famous lyrics for the Philippine national anthem. The lyrics were originally written in Spanish and sung during the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. It brought out the intense longing of the people to defend the country against oppresors. It was a son's noble offering to his Motherland.


Jose, the lyricist, was the younger brother of Rafael Palma, another great man. Jose was born in 1876. He was educated at the Ateneo de Manila where he showed early his love for Spanish poetry. Many times on his way home from school, he would stop and admire the beauty of the sunset. He never ceased to be awed by the loveliness of his country and nature's bounty.

Palma worked during the Philippine-American War for Antonio Luna's newspaper, La Independencia, and wrote poetry on varying subjects. He also saw military action in Central Luzon. The hardships of war weakened Palma's health. He died in 1903 at the age of 27.

Palma's poems, scattered in may publications, were collected by his older brother, Rafael, into Melancolicas in 1912. Although the collection contained very beautiful poems, none can compare to the depth of emotion expressed in the poet's masterpiece, the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The Heart of an Artist

Cecilio Apostol has the heart of an artist. He carves, writes, and sings. Unlike most artist though,, and died in Caloocan in 1938. he does so with a noble purpose. He intended to use his art to obtain reform for his people.

Apostol was born in 1877. He got his formal education at the Ateneo de Manila and at the University of Sto. Tomas. He finally qualified himself as a lawyer but hardly practised his law profession. Instead, he worked for the government. He became a member of the Academia Filipina in 1924,and died in Caloocan in 1938.

Apostol's love for poetry was shown as early as 1895 when ''El Terror de los Mares IOndices'', appeared in El Comercio. Later, wrote for La Independencia, General Antonio Luna's revolutionary newspaper. For about twenty years, he wrote poetry, principally addressed to Filipino heroes and international celebrities, to celebrate important events.In some instances, Apostol would burst into song to celebrate Philippine scenes complied in 1950 contains some thirty-nine nationalistic poems.

Apostol likes to be alone most of the time. In a quite corner, he would carve out statues of heroes and reliefs of historic scenes. As an artist, Apostol favored the classics. In his poem in honor of Rizal, entitle, Al Heroe Nacional,Ap[ostol poured out his heart strongly. This poem is recognized today as the finest ever written in honor of the national hero.

Monday, May 12, 2008

A Man Of Many Talents

Because of conditions obtaining at that time, the Spanish regime saw the Filipino flourished writing in Spanish. The talented Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera was one of the important prose writes of this period.

Dr. Pardo de Tavera was born in 1857. He took his degree in medicine from the Sorbonne in Parish, and later, undertook serious research work in medicine and in linguistics in Europe.

Being a well-travelled man, he was assigned by General Emilio Aguinaldo as the secretary of diplomacy of the First Philippine Republic. Later on, he drifted into the world of journalism and politics and, finally, into public service and letters.

The works of Paro de Tavera were quite plenty. As historian, he had to his credit the following: Reseña Historica de Filipinas Desdu Su Descubrimiento Hasta 1903,. Las Costumbres de los Tagalos de Filipinas, El Sanscrito en la Lengua Tagalog, El Mapa de Filipinas del P. Murillo Velarde aand Consideraciones Sobre el Origen del Nombre de Los Numeros en Tagalog. He also edited published Una Memoria de Anda y Salazar.

Among Padro de Tavera's distinguished essays were: "The Heritage of Ignorance", "The Filipino Soul", "The Character of Rizal", and "The Conversation of the National Type". These serious essays, originally written in Spanish, gained for him wide acclaim and respect throughout the country.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Tireless Biographer


Unlike most of his friends in the Reform Movement in Madrid, Mariano Ponce chose to indulge in literary writing rather than in direct propaganda. Shy and retiring by nature he stayed in the background and let the others take the limelight. In fact he even wrote about them. He believed that he could serve the country by using his pen to inspire his fellow Filipinos to carry on the fight for freedom.

He came out with the biographies of Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Graciano Lopez-Jaena. In his Filipinos Celebres, he gave separate biographical accounts of Jose Panganiban, Juan Luna, and Antonio Luna. He likewise, wrote separate biographies of Panday Pira and Sun Yat Sen.

His works published in La Solidaridad and La Oceaña Española. He wrote under the names of "Narning" Tikbalng" and "Kalipulako". He also served as an efficient literary editor of La Solidaridad.

Ponce was also the author of Una Excursion, a travelogue on Spain; El Folklore Bulakeño (Folklore Bulacan); and Ang Pagpugot kay Longhino (The Beheading of Longiness). With the help of Jaime C. de Veyre, he wrote a series of articles dealing with the importants event in the Philippines under the title of Efemerides Filipinas. Finally, he came up with Cartas Sobre la Revolucion. These works form the greater part of the writings of Mariano Ponce. His works are very important as historical and biographical accounts of our heroes. His folklore and legends are the best written on the subject to this day.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

The Hard-Hitting Journalist


Marcelo H. del Pilar could have made a name for himself as a lawyer had he stuck to is law career. Instead, he abandoned it for something he loved more- writing. He didn't had any cause for regret despite the many sacrifices he has to undergo. It has its rewards after all. He rose to become a greatest propaganda writer of his time.


Del Pilar was born on August 30, 1850 in Kupang, Bulacan, Bulacan, to a middle class family. He studied first in his hometown and later at the Collegio de San Jose and then the University of Sto. Tomas. At the age of 30, he qualified as a lawyer. He happened to marry his cousin, Marciana, by whom he bore four sons and two daugthers.


The hero has always been fond in writing and reading European and classic even as a young man. He decided to write instead of building a career in law. As a writer, Del Pilar became famous not only because of his beautiful style but because of his prospective views as well. He criticized the Spanish authorities for the backward condition of his country and people. He wrote under the pen name of Dolores Manapat, Piping Dilat, L. O. Crame, Carmelo, and Plaridel.


He practiced law in Bulacan where he defended the poor and the weak from the cruelty of the Spaniards. Because of these, the Spanish official waned him in prison.


On October 22, 1889, he left hurriedly for Spain. Once in Barcelona, he quickly joined a group of Filipinos who were them publishing La Solidaridad under the direction of Graciano Lopez-Jaena. Fortunately, he was able to own the paper on November 15, 1889 or nine months after its maiden appearance. From then on, La Solidaridad came out regularly.


La Solidaridad became the news paper of the propagandist, who, for reason of security, had to use pen names. Jose Rizal wrote as Laong-Laan and Dimasalang; Mariano Ponce as Narning, Tikbalng, and Kalipulado; Antonio Luna as Tagalog; Jose Maria Panganiban as Jomapa; Dominador Franco as Ramiro Franco; and Clemente J. Zulueta as Juan Tatto; Del Pilar freckquently signed Plaridel or else Kupang.


In the hands of Del Pilar, La Solidaridad not only served as a revolutionary paper but also as a means for education and reform. The paper which came out once every two weeks fought for the following;


1. Reforms in the government and in the judiciary;

2. Representation in the Spanish Cortes;

3. Removal of the friars in the Philippines;

4. Secularization of Parishes;

5. Freedom of speech, pres association, and meetings; and

6. Greater individual and social freedom.


For six years, Del Pilar devoted his time and energy to the publication of La Solidaridad. Financial stress and hunger failed to stop him. Since the publication lacked money and men, the editor had to do most of the writing, copy reading, and asking for contributions himself. It was his first and last love. Del Pilar was able to write about one hundred fifty essays and sixty-s-six editorials. His outstanding essays were: La Soberia Monacal en Filipinas, (1888); El Dios Omnipotente, Essays on Rules of English Syntax, Outlines on International Code, and Cuestiones de Sermo.


His well-known editorials were: LaFilipinas Se Pierden, Asimilacion de Filipinas, Regimen Parliamentaria para Filipinas La Redencion de Filipinas and Autocracia Brutal.


The Spanish periodical, La Politica de Espana, paid tribute to Marcelo H. del Pilar when it wrote that he, as propagandist was doubtless the greatest produced by the Filipino people.


The hero died alone and poor in Barcelona on July 4, 1898. Oftentimes, he would sit in the park shivering in the cold without a single peseta to pay for his meals. He also felt the pangs of homesickness. It is said that his dying words to his countrymen were: "Go ahead with the work. Seek the liberty and happiness of our beloved Philippines".

Friday, May 9, 2008

Voice of Nationalism


Father Pedro Pelaez was better-off than the most of the Filipino priest in his time. Through industry, intelligence, and above all leadership. Father Pelaez rose rapidly to a high position in the Church hierarchy. He was Vicar-General of Manila, a magistrate and treasurer of La Sagrada Cathedral, and finally, acting Archbishop and Ecclesiastical Governor of Manila.


Although he had such good fortune, Pelaez found little peace of mind. He was deeply concerned about the poor lot of his own people, and the lack of opportunity for highly qualified Filipino priest. He then became the voice of the Filipino clergy in its crusade for fairness, equality, and truth.


A native of Manila, Father Pelaez was an offspring of Spanish father and a Tagalog mother. He earned a doctorate degree in canon law and theology.


The books that he wrote were: Documentos Sobre los Curatos de Filipinas, Exposicion al Sr. Gobernador Vice Patron Real de Filipinas con Defensas a los Derecho Preperados de Curo Secular (1862), and Collection de Cuestiones Canonicas v Teologicas. The first is nationalistic, presenting evidence against malpracticing Spanish priest. The second is an essay addressed to the governor presenting the rights of Filipino priest. The last is a compilation of church laws and questions.

In addition, Pelaez joined the movement giving Filipino priest a chance to run their own parishes by writing articles in La Verdad, a magazine published in Madrid. He also wrote for La Regeneracion, and founded and edited El Catolico Filipino in Manila. This local publications, apart from their religious content, became for many years the vehicle of nationalistic ideas

Father Pelaez's articles, although well-written and backed with enough evidence failed to induce the Church officials to mend their ways. All he got was respect for his literary ability and a high church position in the La Sagrada Catedral in Intramuros, Manila. Pelaez' nationalistic writings stopped only when he became a victim of Manila's destructive earthquake in 1863. He was inside the Manila Cathedral when the earthquake reduced it to rubbles.

Nine years later, Father Jose A. Burgos, another literary talent nationalist of the same caliber, met his death in the hands of the Spaniards.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

The Incurable Romantic

Jose dela Cruz, better known as Huseng Sisiw, was a romantic person at heart. Two short poems became definitely identified with him: Singsing ng Pag-ibig (The Ring of Love) and Awa sa Pag-ibig (Pity in Love). The first one expressed the poet's futile love likened to a ring that was lost in a sea. The other one is a much longer poem; it consist of four stanzas, with four lines each. It tells of unretuned love.


Dela Cruz was a native of Pandacan, Manila. He was largerly a self-taught poet who gained his second name for accepting young chickens as payments for writing love poems. This many sounds extraordinary but Jose never cared much for money. Hence, even the poor can afford to pay Jose's services since chickens abound and are not hard to find.


It was said that Huseng Sisiw was Balagtas' Teacher in Tagalog poetry. Baltazar, however, was a far better educated writer than Huseng Sisiw. Long before he met dela Cruz, Balagtas was already writing verses while in College and after his graduation.


The extent of dela Cruz's writing is known to us through his original works. We know their titles and often their classification. For instance, he had written a considerable number of metrical stories and moro-moros. Some of the corridos he wrote were: Clarita, Adela at Florante, Teodoro at Clavela, and Segismundo, his masterpiece. His moro-moro plays are La Guerra Civil de Granada, Hernandez at Galisandra, Reyna Encantada o Casamiento por Fuerza, and Rodrigo de Vivar. The greater part of Sisiw's plays were staged in the Tondo Theater.