August storms

August 2013 will be forever etched in the memory of many media workers for the sheer hectic pace of numerous events happening almost simultaneously. While the pork barrel scam riveted national attention for the past weeks, torrential monsoon rains and storm Maring pummeled Metro Manila and surrounding areas from August 17 to 21. In the middle of the weather disturbance and welling political storm, people received, yet again, news of another calamity.

The sinking of MV St. Thomas Aquinas of 2Go Shipping after it collided with a cargo vessel underscores the many problems besetting the country’s maritime industry. The sea collision which resulted in the deaths of 80 people as of press time is a major calamity because as an archipelagic country, our maritime industry should be at par with the best. We are grappling with another sea disaster that, if not for the loss of many lives, makes us a laughing stock in the seafaring world.

Today, as we lend one ear to the investigation conducted by the Special Board of Marine Inquiry on the Aug. 16 sea mishap, the other ear will listen to updates of nationwide protests against pork barrel funds. As people march today to call for its abolition, they should know that the P10-billion pork scam ascribed to Janet Lim Napoles is the proverbial lull before the storm. Pork disbursements from 2007 to 2009 go as high as P116 billion, according to a report by the Commission on Audit.

President Noynoy Aquino cleverly preempted the impact of today’s nationwide mass protest by announcing, “It’s time to abolish the PDAF”. The strategy fell flat because PNoy has yet to prosecute the “PDAFilias.” Moreover, he does not project the same rage that ordinary people feel when they talk of the legislative pork. As commander of daang matuwid the President should be in fighting form, not mouthing doublespeak that only arouses the public.

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Fortunately, the eighth month also brought many positive vibes.

August 17 and 18 was marked in my personal calendar for the statutory training of co-operative officers under the aegis of the Cooperative Development Authority and the Cebu City Cooperative Development Council.

At the conclusion of the 2-day seminar, I went to the St. Joseph Parish (SJP) of Tabunok, Talisay City to attend the launch of two projects related to the Golden Jubilee celebration of the parish.

The SJP was created in Aug. 17, 1962 and parishioners marked its 50th anniversary last year with intense devotion coupled with social projects and documentation articles. To mark the end of the celebration, the parish had a three-day celebration that began on August 16.

On day two (August 17), Msgr. Ruben Labajo, who heads the parish together with fellow pastors Arturo Bornia, Alex Apigo, Jun Mahinay and the Parish Pastoral Council, previewed the video documentation entitled, “The Workers’ Church”.

I wrote the script based on the writings of Fr. Ranulfo Iway, who served the parish in the 1970s. The challenge to document the journey of 50 years lies in making the past segue to the present and I’m glad to have commissioned the skilled videographer and editor Marc Real in completing the whole story.

The movie premiere of sorts also saw the unveiling of the coffee table book project entitled, “The Workers’ Church, Finding God in Everyday Life”. The historical documentation has Prof. Laila Labajo of the University of San Carlos as main writer. Barring unforeseen obstacles, the book will see print this year or early next year.

At the end of the evening program, Parish Pastoral Council president Ruben Legaspi said he was overwhelmed by the significance of the documentation, implying that he did not realize that ordinary parishioners like him could make a difference in the lives of Talisaynons.

A documentary always strives for objectivity and I think Brod Ruben was gladdened that we saw their astounding work as parishioners. Indeed, the parish thrives because of people who offer their time, talent and treasure without counting the cost or expecting to be heaped with honors. Sometimes they are even met with criticism which is all part of human dynamics.

The guidance of the parish priests cannot be overstated. Ma’am Yoly Daan, PPC vice chairperson, said as much when she congratulated, Monsignor Labajo. I heard he is set to leave the parish for another assignment on orders of Archbishop Jose S. Palma and the inevitability of his leaving SJP is beginning to sink in among parishioners. PPC members will be sad to let him go because they see in the good monsignor a dedicated and determined church worker.

Summing it up, Mingawon gyud sila nimo ’Nyor!