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by Philipina A. Marcelo
Yeah, I went on a terrible shock as I watched my post from last Monday disappear "in an unfortunate click". Just my "clicky" luck! Oh well... whatever, let me just re-write (ow!). :)
So, just what did I mean by "Super Mondays"? I'm talking about the 9th and 16th of January, which were both great days...
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...in terms of faith.
Last January 9, we celebrated here in Manila the Feast of the Black Nazarene. About 2 million devotees flocked to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila to participate in celebrating the Holy Mass, and joining the Black Nazarene procession around the Quiapo area. The procession lasted for 22 gruelling hours within which, all 2 million devotees pushed their way through a thick sea of humanity just to feel the hem of the Black Nazarene's clothing, or to touch the carriage on which the darkened image of the Nazarene was hoisted! All this amidst alledged threats of violence from extremist groups associated with terrorism, as reported by the Philippine National Police. Imagine?
This is one of the things I usually miss most when living away from this country: the awesome devotion to God among Roman Catholic faithfuls. These people go to such length to express their faith peacefully in ways that defy their human vulnerabilities and frailties. While these practices are often criticized by many as blind adherence to church traditions that, as a matter of fact, bordered fanaticism, to most - myself included - these traditions are ways to check that their lives remained revolving around a Center... that One True Mighty Power whose love for all humanity is eternal. And this gives hope to us amidst all sorts of adversaries... and gives deeper meaning to our relentless pursuits of happiness and love - every single day.
Yep, it's a "Pinoy thing". :)
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...in terms of joyful awesomeness in the 'beautiful game'.
Ah... so, did you actually believe that Lionel Messi would pick up his third Ballon d'Or - three years in a row - without me hyperventilating and sommersaulting like a fan-gone-mad over it? If you did, then you must have too much respect for me... or, none at all! Haha...
And so, on January 9, 2012, the little Argentine phenomenon of the beautiful game in this generation elevated himself to the 'pedestal of the greats' by taking home his third
The little Phenomenon, Lionel Messi, on top of
the heap of this generation's football greats.Ballon d'Or - the most coveted Prize in the world of football, which honors the Best Player in the World. Before Messi, only three players won the Ballon three times: Johann Cruyff of The Netherlands (1971, 1973 and 1974) - who later became the coach and manager of Barça's famed "Dream Team", which included the current Barça head coach and manager, Pep Guardiola, as team captain; Michel Platini of France (1983, 1984 and 1985) - UEFA's current president, and the only one who won the award in three consecutive years before Messi accomplished the same feat this year; and Marco van Basten, one of the most illustrious strikers the world has seen, also from the Netherlands (1988, 1989 and 1992).
Last year, the traditional Ballon d'Or - the award given to the best player in Europe - was merged with FIFA's best player in the world award to what is now the prestigious "FIFA Ballon d'Or". Currently, the winner of this award is chosen through votation among National Team coaches and captains, together with a number of sports journalists from all around the world. Lionel Messi won the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or last year, finishing just ahead of two other Barça greats: the midfield guru, Xavi Hernández, and the other midfield genius who slotted in the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup, Andrés Iniesta, for their incredible 2010 season. With the three Blaugranes occupying the top 3 spots in the inaugural FIFA Ballon D'Or honor roll, the Catalan Giant was hailed as the admirable home for football's cream of the crop.
For 2011, Messi finished ahead of the 2008 Ballon winner, Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF, and Xavi once again, who finished second last year
Greatness in the beautiful game... an all-Barça affair.
(L to R: Pep Guardiola, Leo Messi, and Xavi.) when Messi picked up his second Ballon. Messi dedicated his third Ballon to his teammate, Xavi. This is a gesture that I appreciate very much because I, too, believe that Xavi deserves the award. Xavi on his part praised Messi for his historical win and predicted that the little genius's name will be written in the history of football as one of its all-time greats.
This year, the Award Gala in Zurich still looked a bit like an all-Barça affair with Pep Guardiola winning the other most coveted award in the world of football, the "FIFA World Coach of the Year" for his yet another prolific five-win haul with Barça, which included the Spanish La Liga Primera Division, the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish Supercopa, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Their victory over Brazil's Santos FC in Japan to win the FIFA Club World Cup was viewed by many as a confirmation of their status as the best Club in the World in this generation. While today's Barça is arguably the best squad of incredible talents ever assembled in the history of the 'beautiful game', Pep
South American greats... yesterday and today.
(L to R: Dani Alves, Leo Messi, Pelé and Neymar.Guardiola is widely credited for making each one perfect his game on the pitch via tactical prowess... that largely and courageously adhere to the unique Barça tiki-taka attacking football style. Guardiola instill discipline, which provides the platform on which his incredibly talented men joyfully accentuate tiki-taka with grace and teamwork on the pitch.
Continuing their domination of the honor roll slots, this year, five of the FIFPro World XI are blaugranes: Gerard Piqué (defense), Dani Alves (defense), Iniesta (midfield), Xavi (midfield), and Messi (forward). The honor roll was completed by Real Madrid CF's Iker Casillas (goal keeper), Sergio Ramos (defense), Xabi Alonso (midfield), and Ronaldo (forward); and Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic (defense) and Wayne Rooney (forward). Interestingly, all eleven were from three Clubs only, England's Manchester United, and Spain's FC Barcelona and Real Madrid... and
Lionel Messi... Ballon d'Or, three in a row.that six of them play for the Spanish National Team.
South America's local boy, the superstar from Brazil, Santos FC's Neymar, took home the other important award in men's football, the "FIFA Puskas Award" for the best goal of the year, with Leo Messi's following closely behind. The two young South American greats were joined by one of the game's legends, Pelé, in the gala... and it was quite a sight to behold! If one could forget how Pelé is Messi's biggest critic, that is! :)
So, yeah... awesome Monday! :)
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... in terms of politics.
And so, January 16, 2012 marked the historical impeachment of the Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. The Impeachment trial gets underway at the Philippine Senate where the senators act as judges in the special impeachment tribunal. With the highest among all the robed custodians of the justice system of the land himself being put on trial, the exercise is indeed historical, as well as a source of joy for a Filipino... at least for me. If anything, the exercise seems to show that no one is above the law indeed!
So, with the 'most powerful of the robed men and women' in the country's pantheon of justice being impeached, is our democracy finally maturing?
Maybe. Hmmm, wait... not too fast!!
We need to look back because the road to the impeachment trial was one strewn with controversy, too. It all started from the former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's (GMA) "midnight appointment" of Corona to occupy the highest seat in the country's pantheon of justice just a few weeks
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the woman who
changed the fabric of modern Philippine
politics... for better or worse? History is
about to judge... unless she petitions history
for a TRO.before the end of her term. GMA's political rivals and independent political analysts viewed the appointment as her ploy to protect herself from getting the full brunt of the law when she faces charges of wrongdoings during her term under a new administration... and there were many as promised by her political rivals who were then set to take over the reigns of power in the country. With the presidential election just finished, and GMA's term winding down to its last month, Corona's acceptance of the appointment by his former boss in Malacañang was, in turn, viewed by many as politically motivated as well. This, following more senior justices' decline of the appointment citing the "in-bad-taste" nature of the appointment - inconsistent with what the Supreme Court stands for.
As expected, charges were set to be filed against the former president, who now sits as congresswoman for a district in the province of Pampanga (Yeah, she's prepared to do that to stay in power after her 9-year presidency. And for what reason? Well, your guess is as good as mine!). Meanwhile, dissatisfied by the performance of GMA-appointed ombudsman, Merceditas Gutierrez, who also faced impeachment before she resigned from her post last year, Malacañang formed the "Truth Commission" to investigate alleged wrongdoings of the Arroyos and their allies while GMA was in power. However, the Commission's existence, in principle, was nullified by the Supreme Court citing the formation of the Commission being unconstitutional. While
Sec. Leila de Lima, DOJ's top dog:
a tough woman 'with balls'...
and brains - together!Malacañang accepted the Supreme Court ruling, the "rift" between the Executive and the Judiciary branches started to erupt. However, as President Noynoy Aquino promised in his presidential campaign, Malacañang did not stop its pursuit of the "truth" in the reported anomalies in the Arroyo administration. A fact-finding panel comprised of representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Commission on Election (Comelec) was formed and tasked by Malacañang to investigate election-related anomalies during GMA's term. Following investigations of GMA's alleged wrongdoings by the DOJ, including electoral sabotage and corruption charges, both of which unbailable offenses, she 'became seriously ill' and 'all of a sudden' needed medical attention - abroad. This compelled the DOJ to put GMA on travel watchlist together with her husband, Mike Arroyo, who was also facing investigations on alleged wrongdoings during his wife's term.
To make the long and tumultuous story short, the Arroyos petitioned the Supreme Court for temporary restraining order (TRO) against the watchlist order by the DOJ... and then, late last year saw a tug-of-war between the Executive Office and the Supreme Court, with DOJ Secretary Atty. Leila De Lima and Chief Justice Corona pulling the strings for the two equal branches of our democratic government... with GMA in the receiving end. President Aquino was insistent in his offer to provide whatever medical attention needed by Mrs. Arroyo with all the medical resources available in the country, or to bring in specialists to care over her if needed, and therefore, she did not need to leave the country. No one from the medical team that was responsible in alleviating Mrs.
Shameful? Shameless?
Whatever it is, it's a shame!Arroyo's medical condition - parahypothyrodism and bone diseases - confirmed a legitimate and justifiable need for GMA to seek medical help abroad.
And then, on one fateful day that left the whole country openmouthed in incredulous disbelief, the Supreme Court issued a TRO on the Arroyos' watchlist order citing GMA's human right to seek the best medical help available for her, and that the absence of actual charges in the court of law on the Arroyos does not justify the watchlist order. While I believe that the reasons for the issuance of the TRO was acceptable, it did not include an order for the Arroyos to return to the country as soon as GMA's medical treatment was over to face charges against them, which was the very premise of the watchlist order. As soon as the TRO was out on November 15, 2011, in the same breath, the Arroyos trouped to the airport to fly out on the first available flight to Hong Kong en route to Singapore for a supposed appointment with a specialist in her medical condition (but HK and then S'pore - and from Manila, too? Who does that?)... and then ultimately to Spain, Italy, and then Germany. De Lima's office stopped the Arroyos from flying out at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport... and then a lengthy legal discussion among scholars of law on whether or not de Lima violated the law by defying the Supreme Court's TRO followed, which appeared to have reached a deadlock. In the meantime, GMA and her husband went back to the hospital. Three days later, GMA was served a warrant of arrest from her hospital bed following charges of election sabotage filed by the Comelec at the Pasay Regional Trial Court.
Following the tumultuous turn of events in GMA's hospital room and a lengthy discussion on whether the Supreme Court's issuance of TRO was politically motivated
President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III,
and his "daang matuwid"... ay, short-cut pala! or not, in the House of Representatives, an impeachment charge against Chief Justice Corona was put on a vote. And, in an unprecendented speed, a decision that elicited mixed feelings in the 7,100 islands of the Philippine archipelago was made in the House of Representatives - 188 out of 285 members of the House signed the eight-article impeachment complaint against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. It was alleged by many of the solons who voted not in favor of Corona's impeachment that the move was politically motivated and was unconstitutional - an orchestration of the Aquino political machinery. Many of the 188 solons allegedly voted in favor of the Impeachment without going over the written articles of impeachment, and signed it merely in support of the ruling party's - President Aquino's party - and its allies' cause to oust Corona, who has been perceived of bias for GMA and her allies on critical decisions by the Supreme Court, which have been preventing the Aquino administration from pinning down the Arroyos and their allies on their alleged wrongdoings during GMA's administration. And before the House went on Christmas break, the Impeachment Complaint was passed on to the Philippine Senate - an event that was decried by the many faithful servants of Philippine Justice System as a blatant disrespect for the independence of the Supreme Court as a branch of government that is co-equal to the Executive Office and the Legislative branch of our democratic government. Corona, while insisting his innocence, criticised the exercise as the Executive Office's ploy to clip the wings of the Judiciary - an indication of the Noynoy Aquino presidency moving towards dictatorship.
Whew! Incredible, I tell ya!
And so, on Monday, January 16, 2012, the Chief Justice, Renato Corona - he, with the scholarly mind, which perhaps, is one of the very best in the country... he who could have retired after a sterling career in the practice of law, contented with his achievements, was put on trial following his impeachment by the House of Representatives... all because of his association with the woman who has lost all grains of shame in her being just to be able to bask in the glory of boundless power and wealth. Totally incredible - seriously! *sigh*
Personally, I welcome the Impeachment trial as a show of the full force of law... that no one is and should be above it, and that partisan politics has no place in the Highest Court of the land. The mandate of the people must be respected and upheld with all honesty and integrity - nothing less. While
The embattled Chief Justice Renato Corona
in a historical impeachment trial.
A "sinner" by association... or by choice?it was truly painful and stomach-churning to watch how the Impeachment complaint was passed in the House of Representatives, no matter how justifiable the reason for it was, I welcome the seriousness of this country's Executive leadership to go after government officials who shamelessly rape this wonderful country of great people over and over again... and then insulting its citizens intellect through sarswela-like ploys that are incredibly despicable of their utter untruthfulness! We are tired of it all! We want change! And we want this country's rapists to be thrown in the dungeons among the slithering creeps that their souls resemble - where they most certainly belong - vanished forever! Yes, I am a Roman Catholic - sagrado catolico even - and I believe in compassion, love and forgiveness. But I do believe in justice, too! And that's Catholic, too!
In the intellectual level, I am excited to watch the most brilliant minds in this country to go on an intellectual dog fight - in the Philippine Senate, no less. I can appreciate what might be the nerve-wracking apprehension and anxiety of the prosecution panel as they take a shot at their former professors in the law school, whom they hold in high esteem, but they must go against in the fight for principle and righteousness. Naturally, I expect a great show of intellectual prowess among Corona's defense team - comprised of among the most respected and accomplished law scholars and professors, and the toughest
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, wields the gavel in
the Philippine Senate - the 'Final Frontier of Truth'
in the historical Impeachment Trial. Godspeed!of law practitioners in this country... and yet, I pray that the flare for winning arguments and flourish of words would not shroud the truth - the only thing that will, and should for that matter, tip the scale of justice in favor of the most righteous decision by the special tribunal.
With the Philippine Senate taking charge in the impeachment proceedings, I also expect and welcome the awesome show of unparalled intellectual mileage and mastery of the law by some senators, who are distinguished law scholars themselves, especially old greats and seasoned lawmakers like Juan Ponce Enrile (who stands as the special tribunal's Presiding Officer being the Senate President), Franklin Drilon, Edgardo Angara, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Joker Arroyo. It would also be nice to savour the sharpness of mind of young guns in the Senate like Chiz Escudero, Koko Pimentel and Kiko Pangilinan. Naturally, the hope of this country to know the truth on all the reported anomalies in the Arroyo administration rests on the Philippine Senate - the "Final Frontier of Truth" in this Impeachment Trial. Hopefully, the senators would honor their oath to serve the Filipino people and accord them with the integrity of pursuing and uncovering the Truth in the Impeachment allegations. So help them God. Hopefully, too, the exercise will make more Filipinos realize how important it is to choose wisely and responsibly come election time... and that the truth about our choice is, we get the leaders that we deserve!
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...in terms of 'the other beautiful game'.
January 16 saw the opening of the first Grand Slam in the new season of Professional Tennis tournament, the Australian Open - the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific! Yaay!
Wow, my 'sports calendar' is starting to look interesting... tennis Grand Slam here, El Clásico there, and UEFA Champions League soon -
Game on in Melbourne!sweet! However, my sked is sooooo full this week, not sure if I could find the time to catch the opening matches at the Aussie Open. I'll make time to check out the rising Aussie superstar, the awesome Bernard Tomic though, since the "Big 4" in men's tennis would probably just pretty much sail on to the second week anyway, and the women's draw is not really all that extra-ordinary to obssess about, I'll pretty much skip the first week. Uhm, of course, I hope I'm not speaking too soon, especially about the men's Big 4! :)
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...in terms of the addictive plight of that fictional Girl from Binondo!
January 16 saw the 'start of the end' of this addictive teleserye... and I have mixed feelings. Happy to gain back 30 minutes of my life, which I 'surrendered' to Jandy (Jade + Andy) sometime back (hehe...), but I'm sad to see my reliable source of 'kilig moments' vanish on Primetime TV. Boo!
So last week was horrible! There was a sweetness overload and tear jerker galore, plus a bit of suspense here and there. And then, ugh,
'Jandy'... and now the end is near.
'KimXi'... we've only just begun. :)they showed the preview for this week... Onyx (Jolo Revilla) and Andy (Xian Lim) being shot... and then Jade (Kim Chiu) weeping inconsolably - in mourning clothes! Naturally, I went, "huh? what the heck???" Uhm, ahem, sorry... got a bit carried away there. Hehe...
Yeah, it's a good thing I was extremely busy with a number of things... otherwise, I would have barraged these "My Binondo Girl" people with 'senseless' complaints and demanded a 'plausible' explanation! :) Because what did that preview supposed to mean??? Will Onyx die? NOOO, kulang si Jade kung wala si Onyx, hello! - even Andy admitted that, and in fact, resigned to that fact! How could you guys run the distance (and precious air time, which should have been devoted to more Jandy kilig moments) to convince us, team "Jandy" people, to believe that, too, as a 'fact' with all our Andy-embellished hearts and embrace Onyx like Jade's "twin", and then... uhm, murder Onyx! Are you guys insane??? Please re-think murdering the poor Onyx, and insulting the maturity and depth of the Jandy partnership with the cheapest way to get rid of a "flea"! Uhm... wait, could it be? Was it Andy's death that Jade was actually mourning? Will Andy die??? Aaargh, ABS-CBN, DON'T YOU DARE! Don't you freakin' dare kill our 'Binondo hero'... siya ay kay Jade lamang - not even death could have him! No way! Don't you dare give him to death! I assure you, you would regret it... I'd make sure you would! ;)
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So, what do you think? Super Mondays, right? :)
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Photo credits: Football photos were grabbed from the Zimbio website - thanks!
All other photos are not mine and grabbed in various sites - thanks!
All other photos are not mine and grabbed in various sites - thanks!
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