Imeldific birthday party...

Hasn't PCGG Commissioner Ricardo Abcede heard of the word delicadeza? During his birthday party just last week, he had a rather unforgettable guest. Unforgettable not just to him but to the flabbergasted citizens upon hearing the news. It was no less than the widow of the very reason why his office was created. Yes, it was Madam Imelda indeed. Seems like Abcede got so starstruck that he forgot to realize that he was already sleeping with the enemy.

it was like seeing hubert Webb attending the late Senator Rene Cayetano's diamond birthday party. Or seeing Lucio Tan being a guest-of-honor in Liwayway Chato's. Yes, it was unthinkable. But it did happen.

Whoever invited Imelda Marcos in his party is totally out of his mind. Abcede should put him in solitary confinement, or better, feed him to the lions. Well, that is assuming it was not Abcede himself who invited Imelda to his bitrhday party.

People in highly sensitive positions should learn the value of discernment. The entire nation is watching and for people in these key positions, there is no room for "avoidable" mistakes, nor sheer stupidity.

Da Vinci Hype

It is appalling to hear everyone riding the "Da Vinci Code" controversy. Bishops, Civil leaders, and just now, newspapers say that even the Executive Secretary wants Da Vinci Code banned from local cinemas. It is sometimes disturbing and confusing where the paranoia is coming from.

I have read The Da Vinci Code and I must say that Dan Brown has crafted a literary masterpiece. With its fast-paced, action-packed plot and highly controversial issues, you wouldn't want to stop reading until the end. The book has touched a few sensitive issues on Christianity, the Opus Dei sect, the Gnostic Gospels, and Jesus Christ's human side, irating the faithfuls.

For one, Dan Brown has already cleared it out that his book was fiction, thus beliefs, rituals and facts stated were not true. End of controversy.

Second, being a devout Catholic, I don't think Dan Brown insulted, nor questioned the divinity of Jesus Christ. He just gave Christ a more human nature. Everybody could have made several assumptions on the life of Christ during the hidden years. After all, it was not written in the bible.

I admired Bro. Mike Velarde's statement over the issue, saying that the Filipinos are too secured towards their faith so there is no need to ban the movie. Also, MTRCB Chairperson Consoliza Laguardia was absolutely correct in saying that a simple two-hour video will not change a person's faith overnight.

This is not the first time that a movie has somewhat questioned the facts about the Christian religion. There was the movie Stigmata, which became famous for the line "How's your faith these dyas, Father?" The movie also questioned the validity of the Catholic Church, however, it was never banned by the MTRCB.

Another controversial movie is "The Body," starring Antonio Banderas who played the role of a priest investigating the site where they allegedly found the corpse of Jesus Christ. If I could recall correctly, the movie ended with a scene of Banderas and a bishop, where the bishop weeps and tells Banderas, "A priest is sworn to secrecy" after having found out that the body was indeed Christ.

All these media hype just a) puts the Catholic Church on the defensive, and b) creates interest and enthusiasm in the movie, which would later on convert into ticket sales.

There are more urgent concerns in this country that needs attention.

Pure Shores...

I wasn't supposed to start with this entry until I get the pictures but for lack of anything else to do, I decided to start it with a teaser photo taken from my phone...


Panglao Shores...

Truly exhilarating...