L.C. Clark's Blog, page 18

No Logic

   An old friend in my younger days called me “non-conformist” as a pet name because I always had an opinion contrary to all.  When I vigorously defended my non-conformist opinion he said I “have the courage of my conviction”.  Now I see he was being kind.
   My daughter in grade school said to me “Mom, how come you have no logic?”  She’s a bit of ‘know it all’ so I just laughed.  Two of my ex-husbands, although they never met, both said in two different languages that I could be brilliant one moment then crazy senseless the next.  
   An incident recently sort of described what some people fondly dismissed as a ‘senior moment’ and laughed.  I leave it to the reader to define my train of thought on that morning.  Here’s how it went down.
   It’s often cold in San Francisco even in the summer so I had been waiting for a warm day to wash my car in the street parking.  I finally got a warm day.  I came out of the apartment carrying a small step stool and two buckets.  One has a sponge, soap and water while the other contained rinsing water and a dipper.  
   I found my dark gray Toyota Matrix parked right in front of our gate.  I started washing, the roof first using the step stool.  Then I did the passenger side.  I ran out of water so I thought of leaving the stool inside the car.  I was afraid someone passing might swipe it if I left it on the sidewalk.  I tried my key on the passenger side door but it didn’t work.  I thought maybe because the key hole is wet with soap.  I dried the keyhole.  I realized it’s so black with dirt.  That could also be the reason why the key didn’t work.  I detailed the keyhole and tried the key again.  No luck, I might have to get it fixed.  I gave up and continued cleaning.  
   I reached the back and found a couple of dents I haven’t seen before.  I knew dents could affect door locks.  I realized this might be the reason why my keys didn’t work.  I continued cleaning then after rinsing took shots of the dents to send to my car insurance.  I got more upset thinking about $500 deductible it would cost.  So upset that I washed the back car plate without much attention.  
   I moved on to the driver side of the car and found scrapes so light it might wash off.  This time I took photos before washing.  When I got to the front of the car I noticed more scratches.  I was so angry by then.  Who could have done this to my car?  Was this done on purpose?  Then I saw the plate has been changed!  Someone stole my personalized plate and replaced it with a regular plate.  Here I got angry and in a panic.  Someone drove my car.  It might have been used in a crime.  Or they might have used my missing plates in a crime.  
   I finished washing and carried my cleaning items back home.  I told my daughter "Someone has vandalized my car and stole my plate.  I am getting ready to call the police."  My daughter ran out to check and when I got to her she was laughing her head off.  I thought that was insensitive of her to laugh at my misfortune.
   “Mom, this is not your car!  That one is!” She said as she pointed to another gray Toyota Matrix with my plate on it, parked just two cars away.  
See also:
A Filipina Moves to San FranciscoThe Beetle

A Proof of Genesis

   “A 113-million-year-old fossil from Brazil is the first four-legged snake that scientists have ever seen.” (BBC News) The significance of this find is that it proves the Book of Genesis’ description of paradise.  
   “Then Jehovah God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are the cursed one out of all the domestic animals and out of all the wild animals of the field. On your belly you will go…(Genesis 3:14)  Apparently the serpent had legs before the fall of Adam and Eve.  
   We, on the other hand, are the living proofs of Adam and Eve.  “To the woman he said: “I will greatly increase the pain of your pregnancy; in pain you will give birth to children, and your longing will be for your husband, and he will dominate you.” (Genesis 3:16)  To this date no woman has given birth without pain and men has dominated women. 
   “And to Adam he said: “…cursed is the ground on your account. In pain you will eat its produce all the days of your life.  It will grow thorns and thistles for you, and you must eat the vegetation of the field.   In the sweat of your face you will eat bread”  (Genesis 3:17-19)   Except for the desert and sandy shores any piece of land left untouched will grow thorns and thistles.  Eating vegetables became a ‘must’ which isn’t so bad.  True enough man has been tasked with providing food for himself and his family.  Women have learned to earn a living and most are good at it.  However, even in this time of ‘liberated women’ the house husband or supported men have been a lucky few.  
   “Until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken.  For dust you are and to dust you will return.”  Aren’t we all bound for the grave?  
   Genesis is just the first book of the Bible.  God’s love did not end there.  In the Book of Isaiah, He promised a return to paradise where women can have children without pain.  “They will build houses and live in them, and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage.  They will not build for someone else to inhabit, nor will they plant for others to eat.  For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, and the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full.  They will not toil for nothing nor will they bear children for distress” (Isaiah 65:21-22)
   The Revelation, the last book says there will be no more death “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” 

See also:Google ItWhat It Means

The Gunman’s Son

   When Becky and the Gunman decided to break up in 1971, it was to give their son a normal life the boy couldn’t have on the run.  Becky at that moment promised the Gunman if he should ever decide to stop running and want to come home she would take him back even if she has remarried.  She said she’d dump anyone she was with to put their family back together again.  And she meant that promise.  
   When the Gunman’s son turned twenty Becky got a windfall from her grandfather’s estate.  A whopping half million pesos that was big in 1989.  She searched for the Gunman and found him.  After all those years apart they both looked as good as they did when they parted.  She was still slim and firm from working out in a gym and he was still a hunk of action star magnitude.  He still had longish hair, still had the mustache and beard that she loved.  
   The Gunman’s son met his father for the first time since they lost him when he was two years old.  He thought the Gunman had come to finally take them away with him.  He was aching to have the legendary father teach him manhood as no one else can.  
   Becky made the Gunman an offer.  She opened the Bible to him using the verse, Proverbs 5:18, “May your own fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice with the wife of your youth.”  She told him “that’s me, the wife of your youth.”
   She told him if he could stay this time they won’t have money problems.  He could hide at home and paint artwork.  In their teens he went to College of Fine Arts.  The Gunman declined the offer.  His situation for which they split up has remained unchanged.  He gave his son a diamond ring and a gold watch.  He gave Becky a gold nugget from a distant mine befitting a mysterious man who’s been all over the land.  It was her reward for raising their son well.  That was the last time they saw the Gunman.
   In 2010, the Gunman’s son woke up from a dream that his father has died.  He believed it was the Gunman’s way of saying goodbye.  He had waited all his life for the Gunman to claim him back.  He cried to mourn the father he barely knew but loved.  When he stopped crying he decided to move on.  He sold his motorcycle and bought a car without a dime from his mom.  After that he felt good about himself.  He has come into his own.  The Gunman has taught him in death what he didn’t have time to teach him in this life.


See also:
Life Lessons from the Gunman
The Words of the Gunman
The Gypsy Earrings

Keep Knocking

   It used to be that there was safety in number.  That was when sectors unionized, communities organized and people socialized.  Now a neighbor could be a registered sex offender.   Internet hackers and identity thieves are hovering in the clouds.  A doctor could be doing health-care fraud, prescription drug abuse or worse intentionally misdiagnosing patients for profit.  There is no way of knowing who we should open our doors to or trust with our life and possession. "But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures..." (2 Timothy 3:1-4)
   Thus people are all hiding.  If you do find them it’s hard to connect.  In America doors of homes are always locked.  Most have a sign of a security system in front.  You can knock but the homeowner has no obligation to come to the door.  You can call the phone number but get the voicemail.  You can write or send a text message and not get a reply back.  The world has become so conflicted that there’s more safety in isolation.  
   However, there is one door we can knock and be sure to find an answer and it doesn’t take a long ride or calling customer service for an appointment.  It doesn’t take money or credentials to be heard.  
“Keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you…For everyone asking receives… and to everyone knocking, it will be opened.” Jesus guaranteed.  
   He didn’t say sometimes or by chance.  He didn’t say if you’re good.  He said everyone.  Everyone means regardless of gender, nationality, religious affiliation or political leaning.  The requisite is only that the person keep knocking at his father’s door and he guarantees Jehovah will answer.  
   I have knocked and asked so many times in my life.  I have received undeserved favors just for the asking.  The next time you feel in dire need, when all the doors have closed on you, try that one and see what happens.  
See also:
Google It
On Theories
Greatest Love Story

The Unmarried Filipina

Below are some words one could hear from the unmarried Filipina:


   “If I like being controlled like a child, I’d still be married.”   “If I don’t mind sharing my hard earned money and resources, I’d still be married.”   “If I can forgive a man for cheating on me, I’d still be married.”     “If I enjoy arguments like it’s some kind of sports, I’d still be married.”   “If I like being ignored and unappreciated, I’d still be married.”   “If I didn’t need independence and freedom to be me, I’d still be married.”   “Spinsters and widows get sympathy, I don’t.”   “If I thought emotional abuse is not cruelty, I’d still be married.”   “If I could take physical abuse as normal, I’d still be married.”   “If I find insults, name calling and foul language acceptable, I’d still be married.”   “If I can love someone beyond the third offense, I’d still be married.”   “My children think my life has been easy.”   “If I saw love in his eyes when he looked at me, I’d still be married.”   “If I hadn’t given up so easily, I’d still be married.”   “If I didn’t get sick, I’d still be married.”   “If I didn’t mind waiting, I’d still be married.”   “If I didn’t lose my business, I’d still be married.”   “If he wasn’t on drugs, I’d still be married.”    “If he wasn’t hiding from the law, I’d still be married.”   “If we could talk, I’d still be married.”   “If he stayed, I’d still be married.”   “If I had been rich, I’d still be married.”   “If I didn’t go abroad, I’d still be married.”   “If my parents had been supportive, I’d still be married.”   “If I could turn back time, I’d still be married.”   “If I could take back all I’ve said and done, I’d still be married.”   “If he hadn’t met her, I’d still be married.”   “If I hadn’t met him, I’d still be married.”   “Married people are some of the loneliest people in the world.”   “If I had studied the Bible, I’d still be married.”


See also:
Widow of the Living
Divorce For Filipinos

The Beetle

My Beetle with my daughter
and a Makati Film Society poster   My first car was a red 1966 Volkswagen Beetle I bought in 1979.  It was so old that it had those small tail lights.  I was 26 years old.  I paid 300. pesos bribe to pass my driving test, a standard procedure at that time. Since I was new at driving I had several fender benders.  We had just moved into our new home in Cavite which I built from a SSS housing loan.  Life was good and the Beetle was icing on the cake.  
   It made the commute to my job in Makati City more convenient.  I was holding two jobs to earn two basic salaries.  One was in advertising, selling television shows to direct clients and advertising agencies.  Reporting time was at 8:00 am.  The other job was selling water proofing for brand new cars at car dealers.  This job reports at 5:00 pm.  Needless to say I was running around like crazy to meet my quotas.  On top of those jobs I had film showing projects for Makati Film Society, an organization I co-founded with friends.  The society met at night after office hours because we all had a day job.  The Beetle brought me where I got to be and took me home to Cavite sometimes at midnight or early morning.  Now, that is workaholic.
   On weekends I wanted quality time with my family.  We took the Beetle to Tagaytay for the sites and to eat bulalo, a specialty of the area.  We often went to Cuyab hot springs of Laguna where I get a massage while soaking in hot water.  Whenever there was a kiddie movie showing we went to the Malls in Makati and Araneta Center, Quezon City, then the kids can play video games.  If I didn’t have money we drove to Luneta Park so the kids could run around in the grass or to the park at the Cultural Center where they can rent a bike.  We used to drive over to my parents in Taguig so the children could spend time with their grandparents.  None of those would have been possible without the Beetle.
   When there was an opportunity for some girls night out, I took the Beetle to meet up with friends for a few drinks at some disco or music lounge or Shakey’s Pizza, whichever the budget allows.  Somehow that always included drinking.  I used to down 10 orders of Stolichnaya and tonic and still drive the Beetle home to Cavite in the wee hours of the morning.  That Beetle was a part of my growth in my career, my assertiveness as a woman and my daughter's conception.
See also:

Colonial Mentality

   The Philippine colonial mentality is a residual mindset of inferiority inculcated during the years of colonialism by the Caucasian race, specifically Spanish and Americans.  It started with the introduction of religious idols that are modeled after the white race, teaching that the god of the Bible is white (while Jesus, himself, said "God is a Spirit..." John 4:24).  Then came the Hollywood movie stars that became the pattern for the Philippine movie industry, making it impossible for a non-mestiza to qualify for a role.  
   Colonial mentality was, through a great part of history and for most of the population, an unconscious propensity.  The political activism of the 60’s brought the term into the consciousness of the masses through a sector by sector reeducation for social and political reform.  
Gloria Diaz
From www.oocities.org   As a result, the colonial mentality, that had been unconsciously absorbed, was subconsciously tempered.  A short, dark skinned, provincial talent became a ‘superstar’ of unparalleled magnitude in the entertainment industry.   More tanned beauty queens rose to power i.e.  Gloria Diaz - Miss Universe 1969, Miriam Quiambao - the 1st Runner Up, Miss Universe 1999, Maria Isabel Lopez - Bb. Pilipinas 1982, etc.  Spanish subject in high school was discontinued in the 70s, and became a subject only in college course then was totally cancelled in the 90s.  Original Philippine Music (OPM) competed with foreign bands with pop songs and ballads. The pop music artists were Nora Aunor, Rico Puno, Celeste Legaspi, Basil Valdez, Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera, Freddie Aguilar, Imelda Papin, Nonoy Zuniga, etc.  Consumer demand for skin bleaching products fell as sale of bronzer make up increased.  
Taliba, Mayo 30, 1960
from http://pelikulaatbp.blogspot.com   While major broadsheet news were all in English, Taliba, a new Tagalog paper emerged.  Followed by Pilipino Star NGAYON, in 1986 and Abante started publication in 1988.    

   Television arrived in the Philippines with old cowboy series and movies like The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Laramie, The Roy Rogers Show.  In the 1960s, Tagalog shows replaced those such as The Nida-Nestor Show, Buhay Artista, and Pancho Loves Tita and Tawag ng Tanghalan, a popular radio amateur singing contest.  
   As the revolutionaries, armed with nationalist slogans, competed against Martial Law government programs to capture the nation’s allegiance, colonial mentality diminished.  A newly awakened Filipino pride surged.  The expat Filipino workers from Europe to the Middle East took up the charge of proving to the rest of the world that the Philippines is a colony no more.

See also:A Breakout NationA Filipina’s View of 2015 SOTU

Reshaping the Philippines

Macapagal Boulevard   Macapagal Boulevard, an eight-lane road parallel to Roxas Boulevard located in the reclamation area spans from CCP Complex, Pasay City to Asia World City, Parañaque in Metro Manila, Philippines.  The Government Service Insurance System complex which houses the Philippine Senate, the Department of Foreign Affairs–Office of Consular Affairs Building as well as a number of luxury condominiums can be found in the area.  Macapagal Boulevard is now used to relieve the traffic around Epifanio Delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) en route to SM Mall of Asia, Entertainment City which has Solaire Resort & Casino and City of Dreams Casino all the way to the Manila-Cavite Expressway.  

   In 1979, the way to Cavite was the old Parañaque road.  It has two lanes on each direction starting from Baclaran though Paranaque and Las Piñas to Bacoor, Cavite.  Traffic then was awful and seemed unsolvable.  Street widening was not an option because it would tear down all the homes and businesses along both sides.  I know this by heart because on that year we moved to  our new home in Imus, Cavite and I commuted daily to my job in Makati City.  I used to pick the seat next to the jeepney driver in front so no other passenger could watch me do my make up along the way.   
   While no one could figure out how to fix the road situation, President Marcos got the answer, the very ambitious task of moving the shore of the Manila Bay.  While reclamation was going on his critics said it would be a waste of public funds.  Some said the reclaimed land would only benefit the rich and powerful.  A few years later the Cavite Coastal Road was opened to the public.  Many begrudged paying toll.  Those people could still take the old road and suffer the slow moving traffic home.  
 Las Pinas Salt Farm   The coastal road now called Manila-Cavite Expressway and the reclaimed land brought progress to all the cities it crossed.  The salt farms of Las Piñas and the rice fields of Cavite became housing villages.  The new housing when populated developed the commerce and new recreation centers in those areas such as Covelandia now called Island Cove Resort & Leisure Park.  In the rush of development, people forgot whose big idea it was to move the Manila Bay, forever reshaping the map of the Philippines.
See also: 
Leadership
The Ladies of the Palace

Questions

Below are some questions that need to be asked:
http://www.rappler.comAccording to Huffingtonpost “Even more alarming, an estimated 70 percent -- yes, 70 percent -- of Black young men leave high school before earning their diploma.”  While a 9-year-old in the Philippines studies on the sidewalk because his home has no electricity.  Why?  (“Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, so that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.”  Proverbs 27:11) After the invention of rubber bullet and the taser gun why are lawmen still firing live bullets on unarmed civilians?  Why is it even called “live” when it kills?  Shouldn’t it be called death bullet instead?  (“schemers of what is harmful…they not only keep on doing them but also approve of those practicing them” Romans 1:30-32)A pawnshop sells second hand 9mm glock for $200 and an AK47 rifle for $700.  What makes those weapons so easy to acquire? The Philippines does not have a divorce law.  Couples marry, separate and move on to common law marriage.  America has a divorce law so why do some Americans choose to kill the spouse than file for divorce.  If it’s about money and property, then to save lives, shouldn’t pre-nuptial agreement be made an integral part of the marriage vows?  Marriage licensing could come with a pre-nuptial agreement form to be filled out by the couple which should contain what they own, what they owe and what they expect from each other.  Another common reason for killing a spouse is the child custody.  A pre-agreed child custody arrangement could be attached to the pre-nuptial agreement.  If everything is in black and white, would the couple be compelled to make each other happy to preempt separation?  Since the marriage vow is no longer as tight as it was some decades ago, shouldn’t the exit strategy be given more thought and preparation?  (“‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.  However   everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of sexual immorality…” Matthew 5:31-32)Members of the LGBT community are aching to get married while most heterosexuals are trying to avoid it, postpone it or worse, escape it.  Why?  Now that same sex marriage is legal, would the LGBT in the future have the same custody and property disputes as mentioned above?  

What It Means

From http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/members/...   You prayed to God for financial help to pay for dialysis, you got Philhealth membership which is now free for senior citizens.  It means God used the much maligned President Aquino to make it happen. (“Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God.” Romans 13:1)
   You now go through airports in the comfort of a wheel chair and someone to push you around even if you didn’t pray for it.  It means God saw you are not as strong as you used to be and too proud to do anything about it.  God used someone in the government no one can now remember to provide for the disabled and someone you are traveling with to make you take the wheel chair. (“your Father knows what you need even before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8)
   You prayed to God for money so you can visit your aging father God puts you in the right place at the right time for a fender bender with an unlicensed driver.  God used the insurance company to hand you the money and a brother in your congregation to fix your car like new.  (“Honor your father and your mother” is the first command with a promise: “That it may go well with you and you may remain a long time on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3)
   You ask God to help you with a job you are only half qualified for, God helps you figure out new computer applications not being taught when you were in school and keeps you from making mistakes.  You manage to surpass your boss’ expectations.  (“So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him.” James 1:5)
   You asked God for help to curb your own personality flaws.  A social worker comes with friendship and understanding to walk you through overcoming quirks you were born and raised with.  (“Who can discern mistakes? Pronounce me innocent from sins I am unaware of.” Psalms 19:12)

See also Google It