The posters are new on the walls, their faces pulled into courteous smiles and words reciting vows—”matatapuran,” “ubos nga surugu-on,” “tangkod.” But once they get elected into office, their titles change into: “talahuron,” “harangdon,” “honorable.” It’s a high-stakes sleight of hand, a switcheroo of words designed to leave the rest of us agog on the stage, not a whit wiser to the trick. Call it what it is—foolishness dressed up in the patois of wonder.

During the run-up to election time, candidates strut their humility like buskers, genuflecting and patting the poor and the weary on the head. They present us with their unbending servitude, their lips running with self-abasing jargon. “Ubos nga surugu-on,” they declare, swearing loyalty not to power or money, but to the fingers stained with the soil of tillers and the backs bent with wares of market vendors. They employ this jargon because it is salable—the modesty of a servant is the armor of a politician seeking votes.

Humility is a facade, discarded after the last ballot has been cast. Now they stand taller, their voices deeper, their blazers crisp. Those are days gone by when individuals carried the burdens of the masses; now, it is the masses carrying the burdens of their own egos. Being referred to as “harangdon” is no longer a title but a wall, a barrier that distances the formerly amiable candidate from the masses that they woo. Language in such a context is a statement of distance.

And we’re guilty, aren’t we? We adapt our tongues to their new grandeur. The same man who clasped hands in the plaza and grinned through roadside pancit canton lunches now enters rooms where people stand in respect. He is no longer ‘Manoy Juan’ but ‘Honorable Juan,’ and to criticize him is to commit a sacrilege. The terms we once used to draw him near now drive him beyond our reach.

Words are not just noise, anyway. They map how we see the world, and in which we make it work. When the leader positions himself as a servant, it encourages responsibility—a reminder that their throne of power rests on our shoulders. But when they go “harangdon,” something strange reverses. Their mistakes are right, and their decisions are beyond questioning. The title becomes heavier than the expectations that once held them to the earth.

Others would argue that titles such as ‘honorable’ or ‘talahuron’ are mere traditions, leftovers of colonial systems, or misplaced respectability. But decisions are actions, and actions tell volumes about intentions. Our leaders choose to surround themselves with words that ask for surrender. They can claim respect is necessary to have order, but respect is not a lapel badge—it is earned, like trust, through action.

But truly the foolishness is not so much in what they say. It is in how easily we accept it. We berate the foolishness and then lower our heads. We clench our fists and yet continue to put our “Hon.” before their names. Political change will never emanate from politicians themselves; it will emanate from us—from the moment we stop accepting imitative words that take away the power of the people. As of the day when we no longer believe that a word, however beautiful, can conceal the truth.

Let them title themselves whatever they please. But let us not forget that the greatest title that any leader can have is one that we give freely, without pretense or fanfare. And that is simply: “Tangkod.” Honest, true, and loyal to the people’s beliefs. No ribbon needs to be added.

Because we all live under the same sun
We all walk under the same moon
Then why, why can’t we live as one.
-Scorpions
The Mercury Years Album

Historically, the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 16th century introduced Christianity to the Philippines, leading to the marginalization of Muslim communities, known as Moros, in the southern regions. This division was further exacerbated by land policies and governance structures during both Spanish and American colonial periods, which often displaced Muslim populations. The Moros or Muslim are already entrenched in Mindanao even before the Christians in the Spaniards.

Centuries prior the Holy Land of Israel were bustling with wars in the Crusade having prominent heroes Richard the Lion Hearted and Prince Balian (Valiant) and Saladin for Christian Crusaders and Muslim Warriors.

In the Philippines and in modern times, the conflict has been marked by struggles for autonomy and self-determination by Muslim groups, such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). These groups have sought greater control over their ancestral lands and resources, leading to clashes with the predominantly Christian-led government.

Now the Bangsa Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and the Israel Jew are the status quo of the Israel and Mindanao flash points. A reign of peace came and perhaps , a peaceful co-existence is in place, this in spite the packets of wars in the Philippines and the on-going Hamas, Hezbollah war against Israel.

But looking closely, we can v catch a common ground in the two faiths;
At their core, both Islam and Christianity are rooted in the worship of one God—an omniscient, omnipotent Creator who commands justice, love, and mercy. The essence of monotheism—unwavering faith in one divine source—serves as a bridge between these two traditions. The Qur’an and the Bible, sacred texts of Islam and Christianity respectively, illuminate this shared foundation, calling followers to live lives marked by integrity, compassion, and reverence.

Furthermore, both faiths uphold the principles of charity and service to humanity. Islamic teachings emphasize Zakat (almsgiving), a pillar of the faith that fosters social responsibility and equality. Similarly, Christian doctrine champions acts of kindness and altruism, exemplified through the teachings of Jesus Christ about loving one’s neighbor. In the heart of both religions lies a commitment to uplifting the oppressed and mending the fractures of society.

The figure of Abraham serves as a luminous symbol of unity, revered by both Islam and Christianity as the patriarch of faith. Known as Ibrahim in Islam, Abraham embodies the virtues of obedience, courage, and unwavering devotion to God. His narrative, chronicled in both the Qur’an and the Bible, is a poignant reminder that the roots of spiritual tradition are intertwined—a testament to the shared ancestry of believers.

Lastly, as Ramadan ends and a new and refreshed era after the fasting and sacrifice comes for our brother Muslims , we pray that the intertwined realities are cemented in unity. No need to condemn and fight each other, as Scorpion says, we are live under the same Sun, we are looking at the same Moon, then why, why can’t we live as one!

Unthinking loyal fans turned fanatics are begging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to free their idol from his hotel-like accommodation and let them bring him home. Their main argument is that their idol is too old to stay in an airconditioned cell with amenities and ready medical response in case of emergency. That reason is unreasonable because their idol, in his old age, had committed crimes against humanity chiefly by ordering the police and military to kill those who had been tagged as users and pushers of illegal drugs. The police and military under his command when he was president were too willing to do his orders that led to the killing of innocent people, over six thousands by police estimation but over twenty thousands according to human rights groups.

The mayhem broke like wildfire, spreading in communities whose officials were required under duress or upon promise of rewards to those who follow what he says. Sidewalks and alleys were splattered with dead bodies of those who were in the narco-list as well as those who were caught in the line of fire for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. With strong backing from no less than the former and now detained president foe doing what are clearly wrong and unlawful orders, the police would get monetary reward which was bared only very lately during the investigation in aid of legislation conducted by the senate and the house of representatives.

The bloody drug war emanated from the city of Davao where the former and now detained president was mayor for so long. It was there where he implemented a campaign against illegal drugs through trusted law enforcers who were loyal to him. The law enforcers were too willing to carry-out a clandestine operation against users and pushers of illegal drugs who were causing fear among peace and law-abiding citizens. Reports of crimes perpetrated by drug addicts were well highlighted by a cooperative media with the aim of informing the people about the unsafe situation of their neighborhood as drug addicts are freely roaming the city streets. The situation conditioned the public mind that there is a need to confront the drug problem with an iron hand.

When the then city mayor of Davao launched an anti-drug campaign to clean the city streets of drug of drug addicts, users, pushers and businessmen involved in the illegal drug trade, the city was reportedly peaceful as people lived in shivers that they might be among the targets of the anti-illegal drugs of the police units in the city. Indeed, the peace and order situation reportedly improved. It was a source of pride that the then mayor who is became a former and now detained president could brag, claiming that his city is a model in quelling the drug menace.

As the ICC had taken custody of the former and now detained president, his fans turned fanatics of the former and now detained president who had the gall to call God stupid appears to be in high trance that people think he is in karma and is the one who is daft.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com

THIS somehow is the lesson we can draw from that gospel episode about the woman caught in adultery and dragged to Christ to see if she should be stoned to death according to some Mosaic law. (cfr. Jn 8,1-11)

As the story unfolds, Christ simply kept quiet, knowing that those who dragged the woman to him was simply trying to test him. After a while, he stood up and told them that he who had no sin could cast the first stone.

We know what happened after that. No one dared to do so. Instead, the accusers started to leave one by one, until it was only the woman left with Christ. That was when Christ asked the woman if anyone stoned her. When she answered, “No one,” Christ simply dismissed her with the advice to sin no more.

This story is full of meaning that reflects how deep and so entrenched and ingrained in our human condition our weaknesses are. Despite our best efforts, we know that sooner or later we would succumb to them. This reminds us of what St. Paul once lamented about himself:

“In my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom 7,22-25).

In our relation with others, let’s see to it that we channel the same attitude of compassion and mercy Christ had and continues to have towards all of us, sinners. We know that when a baby makes a mess, we don’t mind it so much. We are even eager to clean it up. That’s because we love the baby, and we understand that the baby cannot help but make some mess.

When we are dealing with the defects, mistakes and sins of older persons, we should even show greater compassion and mercy, because even if they are supposed to know better, we also know that their weaknesses can overpower them.

Nowadays, with the rise of cases of addiction, obsession and mental and psychological illnesses, we should really be ready to show more compassion and to offer mercy to those involved.

Even more, with those who appear normal in the different aspects of their health and yet can still fall into some mess, and even a graver mess, we should show greater compassion and mercy, since they would need it more than what babies and those older persons with some health issues would need.

Yes, we may apply a little of the Mosaic law, clarifying the issues involved, rendering justice and some punitive action, but in the end, we should apply greater compassion and mercy to those involved. This was the way Christ dealt with sinners. This is also how we should deal with anyone who causes some messes in our life.

We need to be always reminded that we are truly helpless without God. There is no other way but for us to fall into some sin. We just have to understand each other, and strengthen our conviction of what St. Paul once articulated: “Where sin abounded, grace much more abound.” (Rom 5,20)

Of course, we should try our best to avoid sin and making a mess. But we know that we can only go so far. Let’s just be consoled by what a psalm once expressed: “God’s anger is for a moment, but his mercy is forever.” (30,5) And let’s also live this wonderful truth of our faith ourselves.