A Crisp Salute to a Maverick Marine

One can never get enough of the many principled men in this world. Lately, we just have been introduced to one of them. We have been introduced to one honest man and dedicated officer who courageously busted high society drug dealers infamously known as Alabang Boys.

Major Ferdinand Marcelino is a young marine from a modest family in Hagonoy, Bulacan. His humble beginnings included toiling as a construction worker, striving as a working student, and knuckling down as a police beat reporter. Eventually, his destiny brought him to the doors of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and became part of PMA Bantay-Laya Class of 1994.

He was commissioned as a Marine officer in the war-torn Mindanao during the early years of his military career. He waged war against the hostile group Abu Sayyaf. He was cited for his intelligence undertakings in capturing Abu Sayyaf Commander Abu Sabaya who staged the unforgettable Dos Palmas kidnapping in 2001. He also met head-on death threats from refusing bribes to rig the elections in Basilan.

In 2003, he turned down the recruitment from the core group of Magdalo officers who launched a mutiny against the Arroyo Administration. He said and I quote, “people did not send us to the PMA so that we would have nice combats or clothes or a nice life. We are trained to endure all kinds of hardships.”

At present, Marine Major Ferdinand Marcelino is the special unit head of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Few days ago, he and his team conducted the buy-bust operation in Ayala Alabang which led to the arrest of young elite scions, namely: Richard Brodett, Joseph Ramirez Tecson, and Jorge Jordana.

The PDEA conducted a pre-arrest investigation. They cased the suspects. In the end, they were able to entrap them thru a tactical operation in which they seized ecstacy tablets and considerable grams of cocaine. They followed procedures.

And so they thought.

Surprisingly (and irritatingly) though, the prosecutors trashed the legitimate arrest and even made an order (with the approval of no less Secretary Raul Gonzales of DOJ) to release the drug pushers on the ground of technicalities.

As of this moment, this case is still undergoing probe at House Committee on Drugs and pending on review by Department of Justice. If you happen to watch its live coverage on ANC, you will surely admire the courage Maj. Marcelino has mustered. He made Sec. Gonzalez turned red as tomato!

I am so disgusted to these scoundrels – families of the peddlers as well as some persons holding high government positions – who tried to bribe the agents to kill this case. Shame on you bad people!

On the other hand, I highly commend Major Macelino for living up to the maxim of his Alma Mater - Courage, Integrity, and Loyalty. It is nice to know that there are still people in the ranks that can keep their honor to serve God, Country and People. I am indeed proud of you, Sir. Please continue to do the good work for and on behalf of the Filipino People. Let the revolution continue and fight these evil menaces that inflict our nation.

Kudos and carry on!

(Reference & Reference)

Don't Ever Give Up Your Dreams

This goes to all innocent children who are victims of conflicts, indifference, and poverty. Remember to hold on to your dreams even when situations around you seem hopeless. Don't give up. Live, walk, and savor life. Read on..

There are rainbows and pots of gold waiting for you over the horizon, surprises and gifts and wonders just around every corner. Look forward to them. Love them. Catch these pieces of life as they come, and hold them close to you. Savor every moment, every triumph, and even every failure. Don’t be afraid to be too passionate to enjoy the ride, chase every quest, and praise every hint of answers to your questions. Dream big. Work hard. Enjoy your play time. Deal with all the challenges in life like the true champ you are. You may not always get what you want, but you’re never a failure if you give it your all and do the best you can.

You don’t have to be perfect or the smartest person in the world to dream. You don’t have to have all the answers or know everything to make your dream come true. Dreams are free, but they belong to the dreamer who’ll take a chance.

So let your imagination takes you to that perfect place where there is nothing to be afraid of and you can have anything you want. Prepare yourself. Knock on the door of opportunity, and be ready when it answers. Celebrate all the possibilities. Your future is full of hope and happy times, fantasies, and lessons to learn. Learn them well. Enjoy each one. Be good. Believe in miracles. Believe that all things are possible. Love and allow yourself to be loved. Reach for the stars and go for your dreams. (Source)

What's Going On in Gaza Strip?

For straight four days, my husband and I pay attention to CNN’s latest updates on the Gaza conflict. He has already shed light on me about Gaza’s geography, present political state, and military organization. So more or less, I can assess the ongoing war that has killed, at last count, 550 people; half of those were women and children.

Yet, after dinner, my sister nonchalantly asked, “Is Gaza in Saudi Arabia?”

This makes me wonder how many are not yet aware of what’s going on in our neighborhood, more so where the conflict is happening.

To those who are oblivious of the crisis, this post is for you. I will try to reiterate what my husband has informed me about Gaza. And for those who keep abreast with the news, please help me pray for the innocent children and women who are being made as pawns in the damaging war.

During the reign of Hitler, he killed millions of Jews. Most leaders around the world were helpless, if not indifferent, during that time. So when the United Nations was born, they tried to make amends to the Jews by bringing them back to Israel, their homeland. But Israel was already occupied by immigrants (non-Jews, mostly Palestinians) when they were resettled there. I guess (as my little brain could digest) that’s when the conflict began.

The UN supported the Israelis on their quest. And they slowly painfully thrived. They occupied and progressed all around the Land of Jesus EXCEPT the 41 kilometers long coastal strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea that is now popularly known as the Gaza Strip.

Gaza’s residents are mostly Palestinian Arabs, 100 or more of them are Filipino women married to their men. They are controlled by a de facto government called Hamas.

From 1967 up to now (roughly 41 years), Hamas strongly opposes the Israel’s control over their airspace, territorial waters, offshore maritime access, the Gaza-Israel border and most of all, the Israel’s control over the inflow and outflow of Gaza’s essential resources, including food. Whenever food is in short supply, Gazans have had little choice but to take in food supplied by World Food Programme workers in the area.

The Hamas wants independence. But Israel and other powerful nations (including US) are reluctant to give it to them because they think Hamas might make Gaza another Afghanistan, another would-be training ground to suicidal terrorists.

The name Gaza comes from the Arabic verb ‘azaz meaning to be strong. How strong could it stand the war? Only heaven knows.

I’m more concerned of the children (on both sides) who are caught in the middle of it all. They are innocents! They are acquainted to violence at a very young age. Aren’t they the future of our generation? What future are they molded to? A future of war and chaos? Those children deserve to live not to die. They deserve better.

PEACE!

Reaching Out

My mother used to tell me and my siblings to always start our year right by showing kindness to other people. Thus, it has become our family tradition to give out clothes and shoes that we’ve grown out of, old bags and other things in our closets.

This year, my sister and I chose a woman who has an admirable strength and unwavering faith in God.

Here's her story..

She is a midwife by profession but she preferred to just stay at home taking care of her four children (the eldest is still in high school while the youngest is about seven years old) when her husband was working abroad. They were doing well until two years ago, he got sick and came home with paralysis.

She worried of her family's future but she gathered all her strength as she knew she had to be strong for her family. She then decided to volunteer as a nurse aide in a government hospital earning only an honorarium fee. As sideline, she would accept laundry after work and on weekends. (They also live in the slums with no decent access to clean water and proper sanitation.)

In spite of everything, this woman remains collected, patient, and prayerful. She is also fun to be around. She laughs and laughs as if she's not carrying the world on her shoulders.

I definitely admire her and so we gave her our bundle of joy.

As the old adage goes: Kindness spreads happiness. I totally agree.

Go Green!

I'm fully aware of the global warming and i'm rightly consumed in doing my share to fight against it. So, i proudly use the "green bag" every time i go shopping at the mall and at marketplaces. I just put my purchases right inside it and by doing so, i avoid using the plastic bags that shops usually provide nowadays. By saving a bag, i'm saving the world as well!