Signs of the (digital) times

"You don't adapt to injustice; you oppose it"

That statement above is probably the most necessary and most striking statement people need to hear during these times. During these times of what? Well, in an era where it is easy to forget that all persons are to be protected from harm, and that a tiny baby's being inside his mother's womb since he's not due to be born yet does not wipe out his personhood (in the same way, personhood is not magically bestowed the moment a baby makes it to the "outside world" -- he is a person from day 1, and by "day 1" I am referring to conception).

Justice in all forms and in all aspects of daily life is what we ought to be striving for, and yet we know that for one reason or another, things are done -- sometimes on a grand scale -- which show that some people's sense of fairness seems to be based on extra-terrestrial standards. Who knows what their motivations are? It's only God who ultimately knows -- and knows completely -- what is in their heart. Still, we do what we can so that fairness prevails as much as possible.

Right now there is so much going on pertaining to the birth control mandate in the US; in fact, developments are happening so fast that it's hard to keep up. Plus, there's the wealth of information one has to sift through to know what's going on and to make sure you're getting the facts and sound analyses. So, I've gathered some of the (I believe) most factual accounts and analyses of the issue, from sources I trust. But first, something which should make you think, no matter what part of the culture of life/culture of death spectrum you're on right now:

"Think about this: the pro-abortion side has always cried for Christians to 'keep your rosaries off my ovaries,' yet they want Churches and religious organizations to fund their sex lives. Do you see the irony in this?

Imagine if the President mandated that all companies pay for every employee’s Bible, religious supplies and gas money to get to church. It is ludicrous to think we can force anyone to pay for this, so why is it ok to force companies to fund its employees’ bedroom activities?"

You'll find that in one of the articles I'm sharing below.

To start off, here's a graphic that illustrates the situation concisely:

This post from Mommy Life has an article dated Jan. 24 containing a statement from a US bishop about Obamacare's violence against Americans' First Amendment rights (for those who are still catching up on what the entire issue is all about, there's a bit of basic summary here).

Here's a piece from The Wall Street Journal that analyzes the situation, pre-"compromise". There's quite a bit of background information here as well. Dated. February 8.

Pro-life leader Bryan Kemper weighs in on the contraception mandate, too, and shares the official statement issued by Priests for Life National Director Fr. Frank Pavone about the lawsuit the organization is filing against the US government. If you'd like to go directly to the statement, it's here.

EWTN Global Catholic Network has also filed a lawsuit to stop the contraception mandate.

Though it has been mostly Catholics expressing their opposition to the trampling of constitutional rights, Evangelical Christians have begun to voice out their rejection of the mandate as well -- a most welcome and edifying development! Know more about it from here and here.

Then came the "accommodation" or "compromise" from the government as a result of the firm resistance from the people a couple of days ago. Is it any better? Judging from the response, it indicates a disdain for religious liberty even more.

Why abortion groups opposed the religious exemption but support the "compromise" (Jill Stanek)

Unacceptable -- former Vatican ambassador, Prof. Robert George, others respond (CatholicVote)

Update: President Obama's FALSE accommodation on birth control mandate -- it is actually worse. (Bryan Kemper)

"Adjustment" to HHS mandate nothing but a shell game (Pro-Life Action League)


Fr. Frank Pavone's statements should really be some kind of road map in these exciting times:

"The rule is unjust. You don't adapt to injustice; you oppose it."

On our own shores, the Philippines, the same thing is happening.

So, since Filipinos are basically great imitators, I rejoice over the vigorous opposition that defenders of life and liberty are carrying out against the tyrannical policies of the leader of the "Land of the free."

Let the tiny ones speak...

... even though in reality, they need us born ones to be their voice.

* Translation of Tagalog text: I AM PRO-LIFE! Hopefully you are, too. The RH Bill is one step toward legalized abortion in our country.

* February is PRO-LIFE MONTH in the Philippines!! Information about the different events can be found here (update: the Eucharistic celebration on Feb. 26 will be held at the main church in Antipolo instead of the Manila Cathedral). International speakers Michael Voris of RealCatholicTV.com and Luana Stoltenberg and Kay Painter of Operation Outcry are flying in for a series of speaking engagements, the schedule of which is here.

How's life around the planet?

A lot has been going on in the crusade to uphold the culture of life. Some of the news has been rather disappointing, and I'd like to highlight the positive developments and tidbits in this post. Here they are in five headlines:

Council of Europe votes against euthanasia
January 27, 2012. (Romereports.com) For the first time in decades, euthanasia has been directly rejected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

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Largest crowd ever for TeenSpeak 2012
- Posted by John (Jan. 31, 2012 at 11:48 am)

“Phenomenal!” “Absolutely fantastic!” “I loved it!”

These are just some of the comments that sum up the reaction of the more than 140 teens and adults who attended TeenSpeak 2012 on January 28 at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois—the largest crowd we’ve ever had at a TeenSpeak conference!

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Miss Delaware: "Life is beautiful, and life begins at conception"
By Jessica Ferraro, Pubished Jan. 31st, 2012

Maria Cahill is not your typical Miss Delaware. Underneath the glittery dresses, and dazzling smile is a girl who is down-to- earth, motivated, and courageous.

* * * * * * * * * *

Spain's new government to eliminate homosexualist indoctrination
BY MATTHEW CULLINAN HOFFMAN

February 1, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Spain’s new government, swept into power in November after seven years of socialist rule, has announced the elimination of a controversial program to indoctrinate students with homosexualist and socialist ideology.

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Breaking news: Honduras court rules against morning-after pill
Posted on Feb. 2, 2012 by Wendy Wright

The Supreme Court of Honduras has ruled against the morning-after pill by one vote. This ruling covers the concept of morning-after pill, not just one brand. The decision isn’t available yet. The president of the supreme court was the deciding vote.

Which fork is used for what?

That question expresses a dilemma many diners wrestle with at some point when faced with the dozen or so utensils in a restaurant that's not of the kitchenette kind. The contents of the plate later on may be the same -- sustenance -- but the difference lies primarily in the care with which the chow... er, the food is presented and consumed. The whole table set-up in a fine dining restaurant may spell sophistication, luxury or opulence, but what can really be said of it is that the setup is well-thought-out and carefully prepared and not haphazardly done.

That last part can also be said of the whole affair that a dad executed in "Fine Dining," a short film conceptualized and directed by Lance Katigbak, a Broadcast Communication major at the University of the Philippines. Instead of expensive dinner plates, silverware and wine goblets, there is plastic tableware. Even the food is as basic as a meal in a poor neighborhood can get. But sans fine china and elegant linen, there is the care that goes into preparing the whole setup; it is, after all, a gift to a loved one. And just as Lance stated in an interview for an article earlier this year, "poverty doesn’t have to be a hindrance to be able to do loving acts. "

One wonderful recent development is that this 18-year-old student was recognized for "Fine Dining" at the Manhattan International Film Festival in January, winning the People's Choice Award over 14 other entries from different countries (more details here). What? A movie with no sex, blood, gore and exaggerations of socio-political conditions of any sort was applauded and given recognition? There is hope in the world after all.

Anyone who is not from the Philippines and who has not had a chance to spend more than a day or two in this country will be unable to fully appreciate the details of this film. watch it just the same -- it may yet serve another purpose besides inspiration in the technical sense. Who knows? It may afford you a deeper (or initial) insight into the lives of people who make do with extremely less than what you're accustomed to and yet give of themselves amid the poverty. Even if it's merely through carefully prepared meal of instant noodles done with love and devotion.

Slipping in unnoticed

Now that the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona has started, and a good part of the Philippine population is fixated on the issue, I can't help but remember this. After all, it's easier to slip in when no one's looking --







Vigilance is key.

(Not) Easy like Sunday morning

It was an early Sunday morning like no other. Yahoo and Perdita, the pups we had acquired just four days earlier, were beginning to warm up to their new home, and at around 6:30 a.m. I peered through the window to check up on the little pooches -- they were quietly horsing around.

I went back to my room and emerged again about half an hour later. Wanting to play with the two, I walked over to the area that was their temporary corner. Seeing that the gate was ajar, I made a mental note to bolt it the next time and to tell the others in the house to do the same.

"Yahoo! Perdita!" I called out in sing-song, anticipating some hide-and-seek game, which I didn't really expect to take up that much time as our house doesn't have many hiding spots.

As I passed the garage, I saw that one of the wooden planks which had been used to cover the narrow opening under the main gate was not in place. At this I semi-panicked, for the puppies could have easily slipped through the opening without much effort and wandered around the neighborhood. So I made my way quickly around the rest of the house, still calling out their names. Behind closed cabinet doors, underneath the car, inside every nook and cranny I could find around the yard and heaps of plywood and old chairs -- no sign of the pooches.

My heart sank as I concluded that they made their way out the gate and must be roaming the streets by then. Quickly I ran out the gate and walked to the nearest corner. No sight of any puppies.

"Yahoo and Perdita are missing," I told my mom quietly back at the house as I got the car keys and drove out of the garage. I went slowly down the street, hoping they hadn't been nabbed, run over or attacked by bigger dogs that were common sightings on these parts.

"Diyan lang po kami nakatira," I told a woman who was sweeping the pavement outside her home, gesturing toward our house. "Nakawala ho yung dalawang tuta namin ngayon-ngayon lang. May nakita ho ba kayong umaaligid dito?"

She said no, and after describing the two and asking if she could keep her eyes peeled for them, I hopped back into the car and proceeded to make my way around the neighboring streets. My thoughts raced: They're not at the kitchenette at the corner... where else could they have gone? They're bound to be hungry by now... Could they have been dognapped so fast? God, please keep them safe... oh, how could this happen?!

After circling the block and asking several more people -- including a dog-walker in the next street -- for help, I went back home, dejected. It was now about 30 minutes after I first discovered that the two were missing. Could there still be hope of finding them? How far away were they by then?

Breakfast was one sad affair. My mom was worried, too, and had a hard time coming to terms with the loss. We tried to comfort one another in some way, discussing how excruciatingly tough it must be if the situation involved children and not animals.

"Sana hindi sila gawing pulutan," I said, feeling hopeful that fellows who fancied canines for their "beer accompaniment" figured out that full-grown dogs would make for a full platter while pups would fall short of that.

While going through almost the entire range of emotions (denial, self-blame, pity...) in the next few minutes, my sister -- who tends to say the most inappropriate if not the most irrelevant things in many instances -- said, "Baka nagtago sila dun sa kwarto ni....!" (referring to our house helper).

Smiling gently, I said the door was closed and dismissed the idea, but to at least show that her idea counted, I got up to check the maid's room just the same.

As I made my way, I thought, This early I'm already resorting to wishful thinking... because I thought I could hear some very faint whimpering.

I stopped and simply listened. Nothing. Gosh, I'm already hallucinating or whatever you call the auditory kind of hallucination... I told myself.

A few seconds later, I thought I heard another whimper. I pressed my ear to the wall. Wait a minute! What am I doing?? This is a wall! How could a puppy be inside a wall? I reprimanded myself, half-amused by what I was doing.

I called my mom and asked her to come out and check something. I told her what I thought I heard. We kept still and waited.

We stood there, alert for any sound, then... it came.

A soft whimper from somewhere and we couldn't figure out where it was coming from! Beside us was solid wall, beneath us the pavement. Looking down, I saw a drain -- too small for a puppy to enter. I removed the cover just the same, puzzled that the sound seemed to be coming from there -- at the same time overjoyed with a renewed hope since, after all, it wasn't only me hearing those puppy sounds! They must be alive then!

Can you imagine how it must feel to hear the whimpering of your beloved tiny pets and yet not know where it was coming from? Well, to make a long story short, we searched and searched and figured out that Yahoo and Perdita were trapped underground. And we somehow had to free them.

After giving my brother a call and explaining what happened, my mom and I nervously kept calling the little ones' names, as if telling them not to give up, that we were going to get them to safety soon (how, I had no idea, but I had visions of miners trapped underground and being dug out and rescued).

Within minutes, my brother arrived -- and with three other men in tow, each carrying some tool or contraption. (They reminded me of the Ghostbusters and the A-Team for a moment there). Boy, was I relieved to see them! They came equipped and looked like they were ready to handle anything!

Okay, so I don't end up dragging you through every detail of this story about my precious pooches and their rescue, we discovered that the two came upon a hole and -- like any curious young ones -- decided to explore it.







They were small enough to fit in, and in they went, one after the other. Then they realized they couldn't get out and their only course of action was to express their fear and discomfort -- hence, the whimpering.






The guys estimated the location of the pups based on their whimpers (plus the guidance of a flashlight which illumined the little tunnel enough to show their position) and we decided that hammering the cement was the only way to get them out.





A few minutes later, this was the opening through which Yahoo and then Perdita were pulled out -- hind legs first! Needless to say, I looked away for a few moments as the sight of their tiny bodies being pulled out (and the possibility of serious injury) was unbearable. *shudder*





I heard one cry as her body was apparently being pulled out, then I saw Yahoo scampering away fearfully after being rescued. She took refuge beside the garbage bin which was next to a heap of stones, visibly shaking from the experience.







Then came Perdita, who showed the same tail-tucked-in, ears-down, eyes-wide-open and body-shaking demeanor after being pulled out. I scooped her up and held her close for a few minutes. No words can describe how I felt during those moments! All I can say is that I have a new respect for mothers who hold it together when their children are temporarily missing (wandered off at the supermarket or mall, kidnapped by some unscrupulous characters, got lost in a crowd... and other such scenarios before being brought back to their parents)!

I brought Perdita and Yahoo back to their designated quarters, held them for a few more minutes, "talked" with them with the most affectionate (and devoid of scolding) tone I could muster. They were, after all, scared by what they had just experienced.

In about five minutes, the two were horsing around again as if nothing happened, with no idea what they put us adults through! They're just like children...






After the incident, the hole was temporarily covered using a hollow block, then a few days later sealed with a wire covering nailed in place. No more adventures for the little ones!

By now anyway, they've grown big -- too big to even squeeze their heads into that hole. But their horsing around -- more like wrestling -- with each other will seem to be a lifetime preoccupation. And I wouldn't have it any other way :-)