RAIN OF FIRE

Presidential race
CESAR G. BONILLA

LAOAG CITY -- The French Revolution was the first major revolution of modern times. It overthrew the most famous monarchy in Europe, executed the royal family, ended the privileged position of the nobility and replaced the traditional institutions of France with new ones based upon popular sovereignty and democratic rights.

Subsequently, through its wars, the revolution spread the explosive ideas of the sovereignty of the people and liberty of the individual equality before the law throughout Europe. Although the immediate sequel to the revolution was the establishment of the Napoleonic Empire, its impact survived the Napoleonic interlude, and inaugurated the liberal and democratic movement of the 19th century.

Before the establishment of Parliament in France, the French people were divided into three Estates. The First Estate was made up of clergy, and the Second Estate of the nobility. Everyone e3lse in France belonged to the Third Estate. The First Estate composed of the Church who owned perhaps 10 percent of the land. It provided not only religious services but operated schools and gave relief to the poor.

The Church censored books it considered dangerous to religion. French citizens paid a tax to the Church. Instead of paying taxes on its property, the Church made a “free gift” to the government. The upper clergy like the archbishops, bishops, and abbots usually lived in luxury, spending huge sums on hunting dogs, horses, carriages, entertainment, fine furniture, and servants. This emphasis on aristocratic ways often led the upper clergy to neglect their religious duties.

It was ironic the way of Jesus Christ and His twelve apostles had proclaimed the words of God unseen of any sort of extravagance and kingly appearance. The Second Estate composed of the nobles who were privileged. Nobles owned 15 to 20 percent of the land. They held the highest offices in the Church, government, and army.

The Third Estate made up of peasants, city workers, and the middle class. Peasants owned nearly half the land in France. The peasants paid burdensome taxes to Church, king, and nobility. In some regions, taxes took almost 60 percent of the peasants income. Every time the state needed money, it raised the peasant’s taxes. An army of government tax collectors terrorized peasants into paying by threatening them with loss of their homes, whipping, imprisonment, or force labor. ***
The significance of EDSA People Power Revolution awakened the Filipino people to be united and counted to fight the gigantic forces of a powerful regime. In our present dispensation, the rule of darkness reigns due to ignorance, pretension and hypocrisy of the people and officials. Change from within could be the beginning of the struggle against the legions of the devil.

Even Satan pretends as if he is pure and right, using much of his charisma to deceive the world and be worshipped as the head of a corrupt body of nations. There is no tyrant if there is no slave. We are cowed by the oppressor because we have no political will to end to his excesses and never-ending thirst for power.

Every country needs morally strong men, who cannot be bought and who are loyal to an oath rather than to seek public welfare for selfish interests. Graft and corruption comes from weaknesses. The problem in this country is that too many of us seek personal advancement without due regard to the means of attaining it.

The Machiavellian dictum of using force is necessary to keep oneself in power. The use of goons, guns and gold including secret mercenaries of death to overpower political rivals can be a ticket to the innermost chamber of Hell. You may be the richest and most influential leader or politician in the world but your soul had already been bartered to a huge sleeping dragon in the deepest pit. The cries of your victims asking for justice could be the purveyance of death that could stop your pride and immoralities.

Possible contenders to the Presidency in the year 2010 are moving to and fro to be recognized and be called, the champion of the common people. Adequate financial resources, a nationwide party organization, popularity, impressive academic and service credentials and a respected personality and character are basic requirements and attributes needed by a presidential candidate to be considered a serious candidate with good chances of winning.

Some way have more of one or two of the requirements but short in other assets. But the most important necessity is money. A candidate with ample finances can easily set up a nationwide campaign machinery and promote a sustained and impressive public relations effort. He can easily win over established political leaders who are short of funds.

Other factors, such as the support of a foreign government; the backing of a monolithic and disciplined religious, labor or business organization, collective vote-getting capacity of the senatorial ticket and even some fortuitous events, may provide the winning edge for any presidentiable. On the basis of these, we can assess the chances for victory of the major candidates for the presidency. Let us pray that a good leader is chosen by God to lead us. ***
The alumni homecoming of Sta. Rosa Academy was a memorable one considering the arrival of Judge Gloria Butay Aglugob, RTC Judge of Las Pinas, who delivered a speech dedicated to the Alma Mater. The wrong conception of some about the gathering of alumni was their sense of importance. Some felt insecure and underrated themselves because of the success of others in terms of education, economic condition and professional advancement.

They wanted to celebrate a reunion of their own batch alone so they could easily identify with them their aspirations, failures and strivings. However, the alumni homecoming was not only for the rich or for the poor as others described it to be but for the whole institution advocating for fraternity, service and loyalty to the alma mater.

We must be grateful to God for being a part of this gathering. SRA is thankful to Mrs. SRA Golden Jubilarian 2007 in the person of Claire Guillermo-Cruz, Lourdes Bonoan-Meregillano (Mrs. SRA Sapphire Jubilarian 2008) and Eufemia Luis-Reserreccion (Mrs. SRA Pearl Jubilarian 2008). The endeavor of Dr. Visitacion Mamuad and cooperation of faculty and officers of SRA alumni of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Inc. made this occasion possible. Long Live, SRA!