Moving forward
The country has been through significant as well as tumultuous last days of summer, which closed with a proverbial bang on the 44th day conclusion of the historic impeachment proceedings against e Chief Justice Renato Corona.
But first of all, our thanks for the blessings brought about in May, with our children offering floral tributes to the Blessed Virgin in the traditional Flores de Mayo of roses, chrysanthemums and other blooms surviving the unusual summer heat, among others. While the hardy multicolored bougainvillea and a few flaming fire trees were abloom around town, I did miss the sampaguita, the rosal and the ilang-ilang of yore.
May being the month of Mary was also a month of religious festivals. May 20th was the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord and last Sunday, Pentecost Sunday when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles with tongues of fire. Yesterday we celebrated the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin, meeting with her cousin Elizabeth who was in her third month of pregnancy with John.
On historical and cultural events, Cebu’s now more extensive Gabii sa Kabilin involved a nighttime tour to 22 museums and seven historical sites in the city. It gave tourists, visitors as well as local residents a rare opportunity to appreciate Cebu as a city of culture and history. I look forward to visiting other Cebu museums I haven’t experienced yet like the Museo Sugbo in the old Cebu provincial jail.
May 28th, the Jesuit’s Sacred Heart Church on D. Jakosalem Street, was declared by the Pope as a Shrine. Liloan town celebrated their Rosquillos Festival in honor of the Cebuano delicacy townsfolk are known for making. The day was also the Philippines’ 114th National Flag Day, while May 30th was American Memorial Day, especially solemnly observed in the American-Philippine Military cemeteries in Luzon.
In this year’s Memorial Day ceremonies in Washington, D. C, the current pop rave, Mexican-Filipino Jessica Sanchez, second prize winner in the American Idol finals, solemnly sang the American national anthem.
Back here in the country, problems continue to trouble us. Fires broke out, aggravating an unusually hot summer, to involve now, not only congested areas of the poor, but also the more affluent residences in gated communities! In the wake of these, demolitions and relocations continue to plague us in our cities. Add to this, early pre-election movements and campaigns.
The 44-day Corona Impeachment trial that has held the nation in thrall for four months finally concluded with the rare impeachment of the Chief Justice with 20 voting him guilty, even as three voted not guilty. Thankfully Corona has calmly accepted the verdict. I shall not add my opinion anymore to this thoroughly covered and reported historic event and will pray for peace for Corona in the life ahead for him.
I want to report on two positive events now. First, the Pistaym exhibit of original photographs from the American Period in the Philippines from the Uytingchua family held last May 26th at the Marco Polo Plaza. Featured were a selection of World War II black and white postcard photographs of buildings and places I remember having seen and visited and reported about.
Then, last Wednesday, we of the Cebu Council of the Girl Scouts held the 11th Executive Committee Meeting to evaluate our accomplishments under president Amy de Pio whose term ends midyear this year. Our culminating activity was held in Boljoon town, which I unfortunately missed since it was a two-day activity held in an uphill resort that I was not physically fit to ascend.
We heard encouraging reports about our overall membership and the results of our Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme regional Evaluation. We then deliberated on administrative concerns regarding council board orientation, and courtesy visits to the Department of Education in Central Visayas Regional Director and schools division superintendents in the city and province to drum up increased Girl Scout membership.
Future activities include regional evaluation of our Medal Scheme on June 5th, and the basic course in Training and Skills Enhancement on June 8th, among others. It will will be continuing busy Girl Scout Activity through the next president’s term starting this mid-year. As I have often repeated, “A woman’s work is never done.”
With classes opening on Monday, even as the community Brigada Eskwela activities continue in repair and preparation of clean schools and schoolrooms, private organizations are helpfully providing funding for more schools and classrooms, DepEd concerns continue regarding curricula and teachers and parents contend with finances for school needs. We hope to continue with more next week.
Until then, as always, may God continue to bless us, one and all!
