Boracay Send-Off

Last Holy Week, I was supposed to go to Bohol with Laida and her sister, Kaye. I arrived at the domestic airport 30 minutes late and missed my flight. Although Laida came in later than I did, Kaye was there on time. Apparently, though, Cebu Pacific overbooked the flight (or prematurely gave away the seats to chance passengers). As a result, Laida and Kaye got left behind, too, but they managed to secure seats in the next flight (as well as one-way ticket to any destination in the Visayas. Dang! Kainggit!). Meanwhile, I was left alone to risk getting on as a chance passenger for the same 11AM flight. And even if I succeeded in doing so, I would've had to pay an additional P3000. That was just outside my budget, so I grudgingly gave up my long anticipated R&R in Bohol.

On my way home, I kept thinking about how to salvage my Holy Week plans. It was going to be one of the longest holidays ever (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the weekend, plus the Bataan Day/Day of Valor celebration = FIVE FREAKIN' DAYS!), and I didn't want to spend it quietly in my Quezon City home.

I started contacting friends who might have alternative plans to offer me. Norman was going home to Gapan, Nueva Ecija. While I'm sure he would've welcomed me, I didn't want to be a burdensome houseguest who needed looking after when he intended to go home and relax. Skeeter and some of her friends were going to Caramoan in Bicol, but she wasn't sure there are available tickets for the bus commute. They booked theirs much earlier. I knew that was going to be my biggest obstacle. It was Thursday morning, and everyone with plans to get out of Manila are now flooding the bus stations and airports.

My last chance for escape relied on Sherlyn who was scheduled to go to Boracay that same day. She was going to take a Negros Navigation ship to Caticlan. She wasn't going there for vacation, though. She was moving there for good. Good for three months, at least. I wasn't too excited about Boracay because I've been there countless times before. Then, I thought, the ship was a much cheaper alternative. There's also bound to be room in it. And I remember loving the experience the first time I went on one. More importantly, I'd be spending it with Sherlyn who'll be gone for at least three months. Spending the long vacation with her would at least compensate for her long absence.

I called Sherlyn up and asked for Negros Navigation's number. I hastily made arrangements to reroute my Tagbilaran-Manila return ticket to Kalibo-Manila instead (it was a miracle I succeeded considering the circumstances). Once done, I headed for the Manila North Harbor, met up with Sherlyn, and was soon on my way to a long vacation in Boracay.

Although the novelty of my trip to Boracay had worn off, the fact that it was Sherlyn's first time made it interesting. We had a blast roaming around the ship during our 13-hour sail. Once we got to Boracay, my first order of business was to find considerably cheap and decent accommodations. It was Holy Week, after all. The peak of the peak season. The worst time to be going to Boracay without prior arrangements. Nevertheless, thanks to a newly-met acquaintance named Kuya Bong, I was able to find a room at the Boracay Peninsula. It was quite expensive for the quality of room and service they offered that I ended up transferring to La Carmela the following day.

Sherlyn hoped to spend her first few days going around the island as a tourist, but her boss asked her to work immediately. Hers was a 9 to 9 job, with attendant meal breaks. Left alone, I spent most hours of the day in the hotel. I wasn't too keen on roaming around the island in the day. It was just too hot and I've seen almost everything there is to see anyway. It rained occasionally, but getting caught in a downpour while having a stroll didn't make going out any more enticing for me.

Sherlyn decided to sleep in my hotel room after getting off work to keep me company. She'd wake me up early in the morning so we can avail of our complimentary breakfast. Then, she'd go to work while I went back to my room to sleep or channel surf. She'd return around noon so we can eat lunch. She'd then go back to work while I went back to my room to sleep or channel surf. Finally, she'd return after work. After sleeping the entire day, I'd have enough energy to get my ass of the bed and experience Bora. We went around, had dinner, coffee, dessert, and partied around enough to keep us contented. I also visited the Mandala Spa for the first time.

We got on the ship on Thursday afternoon and arrived at Boracay Friday morning. I left Boracay on Tuesday morning. It was one of the longest vacations I had in recent years. All in all, it was the holiday I had wished for. Rest and relaxation with the right amount of partying to spice it up. Compared to my other trips, it was quite uneventful, until I remembered what made me decide to go there in the first place.

As Sherlyn was sending me off at the Cagban port in Boracay the morning I was leaving, she welled up and unabashedly said she was sad. She realized she wouldn't have a friend there anymore. I suddenly felt for her. Unlike her, I was going back to my normal life. With my departure, her last link to her former life would be gone. I was going back home, she had just officially left it. We had another picture taken. I promised her I'd be back, wished her well, and finally locked in a tight embrace.

That's when it hit me that I was sending her off much as she was sending me off.

Norman's Housewarming

Norman had a belated housewarming party at his condo. It was more than half-a-year late.

I almost didn't make it as I came from another party with my barkada.

Norman revealed that the reason he's having this party despite the fact that he was planning on eventually moving to a cheaper place is because he just got a roommate. It was sort of imposed on him by his neighbors. This guy, who used to rent a room above Norman's, got evicted and was in urgent need of a new place to stay. The neighbors volunteered Norman, knowing full well that he had his place all to himself.

In a last ditch effort to lay claim to his personal space, Norms threw a party. He may not be able to host one once his roommate moves in, after all.

Interesting how we require certain stimuli before doing what needs to be done. It's not like we don't know what must be done. We just love procrastinating until we're backed into a corner with all other choices eliminated. So now, Norman's place is clean, livable, and broken in... as if prepped solely for the purpose of welcoming his new roommate. At least he got to own it for one night :)

Lemonade, Anyone?

In my circle of friends, a lot has been said about my good friend Sherlyn's recent decision to relocate to Boracay.

I'm not really that sure about what prompted her to make that decision. When I tell of her story to other friends, I tell them it was actually I who felt the urge to relocate and lead a relatively gypcyan life. My contract with Star Cinema was to end last January. I was then still involved with "You Got Me!" which was to be released by the end of February. Though I was just a signature away from a 3-picture deal with Star, that still meant that starting March, I'd be without a day job, and off a monthly salary.

Since I've always wanted to gallivant all over the country (around the globe, if resources allowed it), I thought this was the best time for me to do so. However, it would've been irresponsible of me to just get up and leave without careful regard for my finances. So in trying to reconcile my bohemian urges and my sense of accountability, I hatched a plan to become a responsible drifter.

It was simple. I was to move to a particular locale, take up a job that was more transitory in nature, fly back to Manila for occasional meetings with Star Cinema, then move on to another place when I've had my fill. It didn't matter to me the kind of job I'd land. That was, in fact, what made the plan most alluring. The element of surprise. Each stop meant a chance to start on a clean slate, learn a new skill, get acquainted with a new place, and meet new people. I may have to part with certain luxuries staying in Manila would've guaranteed, like my house, my car, a potentially bigger salary... But in my head, this was me walking the talk. The uncertainty the end of my contract with Star Cinema brought ushered in the break to do something I've always longed to do. This was me making lemonade out of lemons.

I shared this inspired plan with Sherlyn, who was then taking haircutting classes from the Center of Aesthetic Arts. She immediately caught on and was soon conspiring in my grand plan. Her classes were to end in March, which meant she'd be a competent and qualified stylist by then. She would work in salons (as there's never a dearth of beauty centers wherever you go) while I worked as a waiter, a University instructor, a bell hop, an English tutor or whatever job opportunity was presented. Sherlyn thought this would be to her advantage anyway since struggling to be a stylist in Manila would've only relegated her to a junior stylists' job, with little opportunity to hone her skills in hair cutting. She upped her chances of actually cutting hair by going with me to the provinces. What, with her experience and education? On top of all that, we'd be together. We planned on sharing a room so we can split the rent. We thought about the adventures that lay ahead of us. We talked about how the hardships would be easier to bear, and the experiences more exciting, with a friend sharing the journey.

And so it was agreed.

Sherlyn asked a friend of hers who had an uncle working as a divemaster in Boracay to ask if there were any openings in a salon. She had almost forgotten about it when her friend broke to her news that his uncle had already found a job for her. Things happened so fast. By the end of March, Sherlyn was already making plans to relocate to Boracay for at least three months.

Meanwhile, I was stuck in Manila. I who deemed himself the progenitor of the idea in the first place. It wasn't as bad as it sounds. I was actually assigned to a new film project as part of my 3-picture contract, sooner than most fledging writers might expect. Of course I'm thankful for the opportunity to write again. Still, I'm somehow disappointed that my grand plan had to be postponed yet again, while Sherlyn is now in Boracay, carrying out the plan we dreamed up together.

Many of my friends dream of dropping everything and traveling aimlessly. And at least once, we all thought of just disappearing from our life and getting the chance to start anew. A writer-friend of mine told me once that it's particularly common among writers. Perhaps it's the desire for new, authentic experiences untarnished and unburdened by connections we keep and backgrounds we have. It's not as easy as one might think, as Sherlyn would attest. Sherlyn had thought of cutting her trip short after finding out she may have been hasty in her decision to work in Boracay. But she rallied on, and soon found that giving up would've been the easy way out. Now, everything's starting to work out for the better. She's found a new job and a new place in which to stay. She's earning a decent wage, and she's met new friends.

Sherlyn deserves a lot of credit for even trying this out, what more sticking to it? I just hope I'd have the courage to hold on resolutely when my turn to live out this dream comes.

Familia de la Torre

I'm posting this for my cousins who've been requesting a copy of our pictures.

For better-resolution copies, download and view it from the "La Vie Boheme" set of my Flickr account:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/70478183@N00/sets/

Hope you like it!

Panalo Na Naman!

Yesterday was the fourth Pacquiao fight I've followed, at panalo na naman!

I watched the fight in Batangas, during the blessing of our house in Lipa. The celebration was interrupted when the male attendees and a handful of the females flocked in front of the television to watch Manny bring down Jorge Solis. Another Mexican thrown in the heap of Pacman's conquests.

At first, Solis's unbeaten record intimidated me. But after the first round, I was confident enough to bet on which round Manny might knock out Solis. Jean bet on the seventh after I gambled on the sixth. We agreed that the winner was to be treated to an ice cream from Cold Rock.

None of us won, as Manny ended the fight on the eigth round.

I'm not one to sour grape over losing out on a Cold Rock cup, but what really irked me was the outcome's preemption. Like Manny's second bout against Morales, I received news of his victory even before the fight was over (on television, as I was watching it on free TV). Unlike before though, none of my friends sent the spoiler over text. I guess they've learned courtesy and restrained themselves. This time, it my mom's friend's driver who eagerly told me and Jean that the fight was to end on the eighth.

Jean rolled her eyes and I gritted my teeth in frustration.

It didn't help that Pacquiao wasn't the showman he usually is. The first few rounds were spent leisurely as he sized up the much taller Solis. Pacquiao obviously struggled in getting through Solis's far reach. It kept him at bay effectively that even I thought a knock out might be improbable. Pacquiao waited until a headbutt on the sixth round filled his eyes with blood before turning up the heat. Soon, the Manny we knew checked in, sending Solis down on the canvass for the first time on the eighth round. More than a minute before the bell rang, Solis was down on the floor once again and the fight was officially over.

Despite the disappointments, it was still a hearty victory for Manny and the rest of his Kabayans. He remains to be one of the best Boxing icons the world. More importantly, he continues to be among the most inspiring Filipinos of this generation.

Congratulations Manny! Mabuhay ka! Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

Biyaheng Langit

A bus I saw along Tomas Morato Avenue. When traveling, Dominion is the bus line to beat. You can't possibly find a better means of transportation than this. Heaven sent na, guarded by angel pa.

Justice At Inupacan

This article was written by my dear friend, Jean. Actually, 1Lt Jean Alia Yasin Robles. She works as Operations Chief of the the AFP Public Information Office.

I edited it for her (precariously delaying me from my own deadline). I rarely write anything about current affairs, so I'm posting it here. I thought it refreshing to read an article like this about the Satur Ocampo incident. Maybe you'd see what I mean and think so, too.

*****

JUSTICE AT INUPACAN

Aling Rosa (not her real name) had lost hope in ever seeing her son again. She was proven wrong one Sunday morning when they had their unexpected reunion in Inopacan, Leyte. Only this time, it was not the lively fifteen-year old Pedro who greeted her, but his skeletal remains. She immediately knew it was Pedro. She could still remember the shirt and trousers he wore the last time she saw him twenty-one years ago, before he disappeared with his friends, accused by the CPP- NPA of being government spies. She was near hysteria when the PNP forensics showed her the broken skull and ribs of her son. It only implied the pain he experienced in the hands of the insurgents. Her Pedro would have been a father to her grandchildren by now.

Pedro’s disappearance in the late 1980’s happened at the time when the Communist Party of the Philippines was conducting a massive campaign to get rid of suspected infiltrators in their ranks. They were then experiencing tactical losses due to the government’s intensified drive against insurgency. Kampanyang Ahos in Mindanao resulted to the death of 800 suspected deep penetration agents (DPAs) and the arrest of 1,500 others. In Southern Tagalog, around 100 CPP-NPA elements were killed by their comrades. In Leyte, “Operation Linis” was implemented, resulting to the death of more than 400 persons. All in all, more than 1,500 people were brutally murdered by the CPP-NPA. This operation did not only include party members but also innocent civilians who were uncooperative with the movement.

Aling Rosa suspects that her son had been recruited by the CPP-NPA, later becoming a casualty of their purging operations following accusations of being a government spy. Former members of the CPP-NPA who have surrendered to the AFP corroborate her suspicion, citing the communist party’s continuing recruitment of minors as young as twelve years old, in complete disregard of International Humanitarian Laws. Apparently, these children are brainwashed to hate the government and taught to fire guns and kill soldiers and policemen.

Despite their loss, there is consolation for the relatives of these victims. Last March 6, 2007, Judge Ephrem Abando of the Regional Trial Court of Hilongos, Leyte issued a warrant of arrest to Jose Maria Sison, Satur Ocampo, et. al. for charges of multiple murder of the fifteen people identified among the 67 skeletal remains unearthed at Mt. Sapang Dako, Kaulisihan, Inopacan, Leyte. Finallly, Aling Rosa can look forward to finding justice for the death of her beloved Pedro.

The defendants raised two major issues in their counter-affidavit. First, Satur Ocampo denied that he was in Leyte at that time of the killings, saying that he was then being held in maximum security detention. However, testimonies from witnesses were submitted to the court alleging Ocampo’s presence in Leyte. He was supposedly there to oversee the implementation of OPLAN Venereal Disease, which the killings of suspected DPAs) and to directly order the execution of at least one of the victims. One of the witnesses even said that Central Committee member Satur Ocampo personally came to Southern Leyte sometime in 1985 to meet with CPP Regional Committee members on the implementation of the CPP directive. The witness maintains that he saw Satur Ocampo give orders to Exusperado Lloren in 1985 to execute in his presence a certain Juanita Aviola, one of the identified bodies from the mass grave in Leyte.

Furthermore, a review of newspaper archives from that year in fact shows that Ocampo escaped from government custody during the National Press Club elections on May 5, 1985, and that he was a fugitive of the law until 1987, when he was finally taken back in custody. It was during this period of flight between 1985 and 1987 that the time of killings was established.

In their counter-affidavit, the defendants also invoked the prescription period for murder cases since the crime happened more than 20 years ago. Jose Ma. Sison even went as far as accusing Judge Abando of ignorance of Philippine laws in his article, “Charge of Multiple Murder in Leyte Is A Patent Lie.” However, the Article 91 of the Revised Penal Code provides that the period of prescription of an offense commences from the day on which the crime is discovered by the offended party, the authorities and their agents. Furthermore, the term prescription shall not run when the offender is absent from the Philippines as in the case of Sison who has resided in the Netherlands since 1986. As such, the court found that prescription as grounds for dismissal of the case is unavailing to the accused since the gravesite at Inopacan, Leyte was discovered and unearthed only on August 26, 2006.

In his interviews to the media, Ocampo accused the government of fabricating the mass grave, claiming that the military dug up the graves and planted the skeletal remains. However, material evidences submitted by PNP forensic experts disprove his contention. Combined with sworn testimonies executed by relatives of the victims, former ranking members of the CPP-NPA in Southern Leyte who participated in the abduction of the victims, and former ranking members of the CPP-NPA Regional Committee of Leyte who attested to the Central Committee directive for the investigation and execution of suspected infiltrators and informers within CPP-NPA ranks, Judge Abando found enough probable cause in the murder charges, resulting in the issuance of the aforementioned arrest warrant.

In a video uploaded in a public internet site, Ocampo claimed that the charge was merely employed to derail the electoral campaign of progressive party list groups. In response, the State prosecutor pointed out that the charge had been under the court’s consideration for six months since the third quarter of 2006. After the discovery of the gravesite, the case was initiated via a complaint filed by the relatives of the victims in September 2006, which was later filed before the Leyte Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on October 17, 2006. Hence, the allegation of the case being politically motivated is unfounded.

Ocampo also supplements their defense by saying that they can no longer be charged with crimes connected with rebellion occurring before 1986, invoking the general amnesty issued by the Aquino Administration. However, Sison and Ocampo never expressed intention to avail of such amnesty, having failed the filing appropriate applications required by the said presidential order.

Pursuant to the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, the various defendants in the case, including Sison and Ocampo, were issued and served subpoenas asking for their counter-affidavits and including those from their witnesses. Satur Ocampo submitted his counter-affidavit denying his involvement in the alleged series of killings. Thus, their right to due process and the rule of law, as guaranteed by our Constitution, was respected and upheld, contrary to allegations coming from the accused.

It has been more than twenty years since relatives and loved ones lost the victims found in the Inupacan mass grave. But with the issuance of these arrest warrants, hope may not be lost. Aling Rosa finally has reason to believe there may be no prescription for justice after all.

Seasons Of Love

It's been five years since I attended the SIF-ASEAN Student Fellowship. Along with 56 other participants from all over Southeast Asia, we spent five months studying, attending seminars, organizing activities, bonding, fighting, having fun together. Mostly having fun together. Writing about it will require a new entry altogether.

This is the video I edited using footage I took during the entire fellowship. I set it against the musical backdrop of "Seasons of Love" from RENT, one of my all-time favorite musicals. I premiered the video during the fellowship's send off program.

I unearthed the footage and recaptured it in honor of our pact to have a reunion on 20/07/2007. Hopefully, these guys will be inspired to make good on that promise.



Looking forward to seeing these guys again.