RAIN OF FIRE

Prostitution
CESAR G. BONILLA

LAOAG CITY – The baroque style was the preference then of our great builders during the Spanish regime in their quest for colonization through the cross and sword. All the features of the other baroque churches in Ilocos whether in Laoag, Bacarra or Sta. Maria are found in the Paoay church.

But here, they are relatively crude and massive since the builders used blocks of corals and bricks. They had to make the walls extra massive, particularly the buttresses, to keep the walls from collapsing. Paoay church being one of the earliest erected in this country by the Spaniards with lime, molasses and tree sap for plaster and mortar, the native workers ingeniously made the buttresses pinnacles thicker, thus giving it slight resemblance to Buddhist stupas.

The photographer’s favorite is the Sta. Maria Church in Ilocos Sur because of its scenic hilltop setting. A wide brick staircase leads to a patio. But the student of arts with their critical evaluation of antiquity and uniqueness, their exotic viewpoint even regards Paoay church as “more like an Aztec monument than a Catholic temple.” Paoay Church was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1993 to give full recognition to the legacy of the Ilocanos who for centuries remained steadfast despite horrible natural and man-made calamities.
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Respect for women is obedience to the divine scripture mandating proper treatment to the fairer sex. This is an aspect of a civilized and orderly society. Love and compassion for women as partners of men in nation-building are enshrined in the Constitution.

But why is it that poverty oftentimes bedevil the chastity and moral foundation of our women? Prostitution and corruption of minors have led to moral decay and efforts must be done to stop these. I don’t know if this is true but this writer was told of the practice of some students in need of money who indulge in prostitution to pay their tuition and sustain their capricious standard of living. While their rich clients revitalize their virility through carnal intercourse, these student prostitutes become the victims. This is shameful since t he end does not always justify the means.

The modern world offers a lot of growth and development that apparently impairs the system of discipline amongst us. The video camera installed on mobile phones has sensual effect as others maliciously display their actual performance on bed then pass it on from one unit to another that makes the original actors a purveyor of pornography.

This idiotic and perverse reenactment of lewd shows and pornographic materials are detrimental to the younger generation who should be taught values education rather than worldly education. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit but how come the evil impersonate exploits the poverty of innocent people just to amass wealth and satisfy lust?

I am not a moralist but for the sake of minors who are easy prey by the dregs of society including those wolves in sheep’s clothing, we must institute strict rules to stop prostitution in our area of responsibility.
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The modern military mind should not be confined to military thought. It should be broadened to economics, human relations, civil affairs and international happenings. Like loyalty, learning is multidirectional. One learns from superiors, subordinates and equals. There is no substitute for experience, sincerity of purpose, hard work and continuous learning.

The service is confined enough that eventually a number of others get to know you so always place your best foot forward – strive for idealism. Take interest in other jobs. It helps the military profession. Work as there were no tomorrow and spice it with humor and love.

The old provides wisdom, and the young provides vigor. One can go without the others but will work better as a team. Staff officers should be motivated to stand by their personal convictions and principles but must be conditioned to execute decisions without question or equivocation. Being the vanguard of peace and protector of civilian populace, they should uphold the rule of law and the mandate of the Constitution to eliminate division among Filipinos. This Spartan concept of discipline can move our country to a higher level of progress.
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The bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan were episodes of world history that gave us a clear a clear picture of the dehumanizing effects of war. A uranium-based atomic bomb fell for the first time over Hiroshima and eventually destroyed 140,000 lives in the city. Three days later, on August 9, 1945 in Nagasaki, a plutonium-based atomic bomb claimed 74,000 lives in one day.

At that time, President Harry S. Truman and his advisers felt that the use of the bombs, still in an experimental stage of development, was necessary to cut short the war, make the invasion planned for November 1 unnecessary, and in the process save not only thousands of American lives but also the Japanese from further destruction and death.

This was intended to cut short the war for battle-weary America and to send a clear message to Russia of the might of the United States for the Cold War at that time was about to begin. The Non-Proliferation Treaty put an end to nuclear testing and eventually the decommissioning of nuclear weapons all over the globe for the sake of mankind.