There’s good news from my old school. It is official. The S.Sp.S (Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit) and the CHSAF (our alumnae foundation) have agreed to partner in the management of the College of the Holy Spirit Manila.
Our latest newsletter carries the details and also announces that Felina Co Young, our first lay president, has stepped down after doing the almost miraculous feat of turning the school around from financial straits to a healthy and robust status on the plus side of the ledgers. She will be a hard act to follow.
This will be reason for a grand celebration when we all “come home” to the Mendiola campus in February.
We had our own minireunion for Class ’49 yesterday. I love that we are blessed with the time and opportunity to tell and retell old stories, cheat on our diets, compare symptoms and just celebrate being alive.
Unfunny clowns
Our political circus continues. Clowns are supposed to be funny. Why am I not laughing? Instead I find myself shaking my head, sometimes even my fists, in disbelief and frustration.
Just when the debates were getting a little more interesting, when it seemed that we were giving the candidates a fair opportunity to weigh in on worthwhile issues like reproductive health, our taxes,
the ills of poverty and traffic and ill-gotten wealth, suddenly we have to deal with gutter-speak.
Do you feel like I do? I sometimes wonder how they grew up without any qualms about using the foulest language. I watch the video grabs and think: “I can’t believe he said that.” Sadly however, yes, he did.
To make matters worse, these distasteful remarks are greeted with raucous laughter. I am embarrassed and deeply mortified. I feel like hiding my face in shame. It is an affront to any code of decency, un-statesman-like, totally offensive. There oughta be a law!
Time was when we looked up to the leaders of the land and those who aspired to represent our nation and our people here and abroad. We taught our youth to emulate them. We held their principles up to the light, were inspired by their words, admired them for their values and dreamed that our children would learn from them and someday follow their example. No more?
Marked improvement
The other day, someone said that there has not just been a marked improvement in our gross national economic indexes, but also that a definite rise was noted in the standards held by our young people. They have raised the bar, she said, and this soon will be seen and felt in every aspect of our lives; in our choice of lifestyle, our business ethics, in the way we treat one another, in how we choose our leaders.
The standard has been set up high, and it’s all to the good. Encouraging news to be sure.
And now this?
I was raised in a world where good solid values were essential, during a time when principles held true, when nationalism and patriotism were not just empty words to get someone elected.
The parameters were defined. The rules were clear, and stepping out of line was not tolerated.
But slowly, it all began to change. We saw the birth of a more “liberated” and soon permissive generation. Before we knew it, what used to be out of line in the good old days quickly became A-OK, acceptable and even politically correct.
How did that happen? When did we slide down the slippery slope? Was it the fault of my generation? I look back and cannot help but wonder how I personally may have contributed to the decline.
What has happened to us? Someone shouts out curses and we respond with laughter. Obscenities receive our applause. We are no longer affected by deliberate rudeness or disrespect. An official behaves like a hooligan and we call it his macho swagger. When he threatens to paint the streets red with the blood of the bad guys we can’t wait for the spectacle. I find myself saying, OMG!
How do we explain it to the children? What to do? We can’t sit this one out. We are part of the scenario. Are you worried? I am.
Been there
My friend asked if I had seen P-Noy lately.
“Have you noticed that despite the rigors of office, he has an aura of peace and calm? He exudes an air of excitement and anticipation as well.”
She continued: “I hear he is looking forward to June next year when he can finally hang up his political gloves and surround himself with family, his favorite music, and live a normal life.”
Can anyone blame him? All I know is that when it’s over, I will miss his honest face. He’s a good boy. God bless him.
Early Christmas
On the first of December we were home at The Theatre at Solaire in the company of close family and numerous friends. What a night!
Those in the know of what it took to stage the show will forgive me if I gush at how splendidly successful it all turned out. I am amazed at the goodness of God.
From my heart I thank all who stayed on board to make it happen. You showed us what family is all about.
Christmas is the time to come together in friendship and peace. It is the season of love, and it starts with you and me.
