HEAVEN, NAIA MESS, EASY WAY OUT

ReniMV Valenzuela

renimvalenzuela@gmail.com

Who wants the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to remain one of the worst airports in the world? Nobody.  But who sells or disowns his child just because the child is problematic? Nobody either - except the loveless and crazy.  

The Marcos Jr. administration has just formally kicked off the sale of NAIA to private sector. But for unknown, real/deeper sense and repercussion, what does this mean?

Letting one's knee touch the canvas during a boxing match up means surrender. Alas, this is exactly what the government tries to do in pushing its knee hard to the floor. Or in doggedly pushing to privatize the "helplessly" beleaguered NAIA. It is the way to "solve" the mess at the country's premiere airport, so they thought. 

But what is the use of government if government can't compete with the private sector in efficiency or governance, and modernization? What can private people do that public officials can't, with all the yearly budget (in trillions of pesos) at their disposal?  Cryptic. 

Hindi ba gobyerno pa nga ang dapat magpakita ng pinakamagaling, pinakamoderno at pinakamagandang halimbawa para sa lahat sa bansa?  If a government can't set a right example for everyone, then how can its people expect something good to come out from such a government? 

There is more than meets the eye to all of these NAIA brouhahas/shenanigans. The issue is more a challenge for our officials to be capable, effective and wise than it is a matter of solving any of the persisting problems at NAIA?  That's the puzzle pieces, assembled and complete. 

For what sane reason does the Department of Transportation and Communication (or Malacanang) want to privatize NAIA?  Are they admitting that the private sector or business people are better off than them in the area of managing and administering? But if that's the case, then Filipinos would do well to have these private people take over every single office in the government. Or, could there be something behind the "privatization" move that only those behind it know so well?

Given the ever escalating prices of rice and other agricultural/local products, the needless importations, the unabated smuggling, and the hoarding that causes artificial shortages of rice, sugar, salt, onion, meat products, etc., in the market, would it be bad to suggest that we privatize the Department of Agriculture, following the government's touted line of thinking in wanting to privatize NAIA? Easy way out. 

Time to break the cycle, this vicious cycle of "privatization," lest Filipinos would someday find the entire country privatized, "wisely." 

I just had a wonderful experience of government efficiency yesterday (August 30, 2023) when I went to the central office of Philippine Statistics Authority on East Avenue to get an authenticated birth certificate.  I thought I wouldn't be able to do my purpose anymore because I came very late due to rains and heavy traffic.  

But I got the surprise of my life, having found the PSA staffs (including the guards) very accommodating and friendly, quick to respond. The processing of papers was highly systematic, cogent, instantaneous and ingenious. The counters and machines, and the whole big, wide people area were well arranged and ventilated. Admirable.  I arrived at 4:30 pm and I left at 4:50 pm, with my authenticated birth certificate.  Wonderful. No delays, hassles and inconvenience. And no exaggeration. 

For the first in my life, I felt like I was in heaven - inside a government office, unbelievably. 

P.S.

True to its motto, the PSA is "Solid. Responsive. World-class." You can do it at NAIA and elsewhere, dear government. But do away with it (privatization). 

MY FATHER: WHY I DID NOT TAKE UP LAW IN COLLEGE?

A Father's Day Reflection  

By ReniMV Valenzuela

He took up Bachelor of Law, but ended up disillusioned, even as a bright student, for a reason/s unknown to me. This was my father. What follows are great, personal learnings from him (R.I.P. in Libingan ng Mga Bayani) which I would cherish till next life.

My father would fondly introduce me to anyone as "grandmaster" from the time I was accorded the title by winning the grand prize in a nationwide, telecast on-the-spot painting contest for students at the age of fourteen. He had big dreams for me. I miss Dad. 

Daddy was open for me to take up any course in college except Bachelor of Law.  I then did not understand why, though he was far from forcing his wishes on me. But many years had passed and I realized he was right and I was wrong. Fathers are meant to guide their children, young or old. 

Due to the not so pleasant reputation of lawyers, a joke about them is circulating in social media. The jest proposes that lawyers will not be accepted neither in heaven nor hell not because they are too good or too bad, but because they have no soul. But that's just a joke, a joke though that elicits soul-searching among the concerned group of people. In fairness, I know of a lawyer who is not only a good person. He has a soul too, I discovered. 

Pero papaano nga naman masasabing may kaluluwa ang mga abogado at husgado na kayang maatim at tiisin na mabulok sa kulungan ang mga inosente nang dahil sa kanilang kagagawan (o kaalaman sa "batas") at biktima lamang ang mga ito ng kawalan ng katarungan sa bansa? 

A case in point is the 85 year-old lola (grandmother) I interviewed who has been languishing in jail for several years simply because a drug pusher made her a "courier" of a small paper bag that contained shabu without her knowledge. "Dura lex sed lex" (the law may be harsh but it is the law). Diabolic!

Several similar situations like this (with different cases) in prison camps, notably the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) where I preached Christ and ministered longer to the inmates, for nineteen years. Oddly, the guilty and real bad people, big people (well-connected/protected and well-entrenched) are out there, even in the halls of power, roaming/roaring around circles freely - swaggering and enjoying life, lavishing on their loots/spoils. Moronic!

With so many unwise, cruel and unjust laws and official "skewness" in the land, we need lawyers, judges and justices who have souls; those who don't only interpret the law but administer discretion as well and bring to bear wisdom, chastity, compassion and the Sovereign in their works/profession. 

Heart, reason and conscience that lie beneath every law are what unearth truth and open the eyes of the blind to adjudge cases correctly, fairly, justly. Proverbs 28:5, Psalms 37:27-29, Proverbs 21:15, Isaiah 61:8, Isaiah 30:18-19, Psalm 82:3, Micah 6:8, Amos 5:24. Wake up!

A land may not have laws to govern it but if its inhabitants have heart, reason and conscience, that land may still experience peace and order and could well achieve progress for its citizenry. 

Contrarily, a country may be overflowing with laws (like the Philippines), but if its people, much less its leaders (executive officials, lawmakers, magistrates, police, military, etc.), are tricksters and rogues, that country will ever be besieged by troubles of every sort and be/remain impoverished (in physical and/or spirit), even plunged into chaos/bottomless pit/everlasting darkness. "Sobs and gnashing of teeth."

The reason why I did not take up law in college, aside from the advice of my father, was because I shudder losing my soul from the moment I pass the bar, not to mention the possibility of me as a law student getting lured into entering a senseless fraternity organization, barbarous as it could be and soulless as it could have transformed me to be. 

Finally, and true enough, from all indications and with what has been happening in the country, given the deluge of lawyers (notwithstanding or despicably) in our government who occupy positions of power, it is not surprising that, after all, I made the right decision. 

Thank God. And Thank You Dad.

PS

My father had impacted my life, so much so that I get teary-eyed each time I remember him.  Happy Father's Day! 

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com

THE DEVIL IN GADGETS AND THE REAL BIBLE

(A Post-Lenten Reflection)

By 

ReniMV Valenzuela

Have we ever wondered why fake news, trolls, distortions, deceptions, falsehoods, shams, scams, abuses, crookedness, murders, suicides, criminalities, immoralities, lawlessness, boorishness, ungodliness etc., abound and thrive in the internet and social media (through computers) like they never have in civilized, physical societies? 

God moved mightily in our 5-day "Galatians 2:20" discipleship group Lenten Retreat in Baguio, with the theme "Follow Jesus" (Matthew 16:24). There were many fresh testimonies of answered prayers and miracles upon (literally) everyone's lives as everyone testified in the retreat. 

Example is our guest, the unbelieving mother who spoke on the second day saying she hated her son abroad and wished him dead for squandering their family's wealth in vices and wanton, sinful living. In tears, she sobbed uncontrollably, testifying, "I felt a warm sensation all over my body and had a great relief inside of me. I love my son." She repented and invited Jesus Christ into her heart that day. 

However, the devil moved too in our midst as we sensed he hated all of us for bringing our Bibles and using them in the entire duration of the retreat, in teaching and break out sessions. Satan prevented us from using our projector for 3 days as the gadget failed to function. But, oh, not until we prayed hard and rebuked him upon seeing him captured in one of our event photos, his image reflected on the wide screen - at the time when the projector was still broken for a mysterious reason. (See attached photos).

But God Almighty prevailed and so the absence of the gadgets during the whole retreat program was never felt and missed. Things even got better, greater and more wondrous for the glory of God and for all of us to experience awakening and be endued with power from on high. 

Then the following day (Sunday), after we attended the evangelical church that invited our group to become a part of their Easter/Sunrise Service, back in our hotel venue, God has spoken through the fiery, thundering, hot sermon (delivered by yours truly) that brought earth-shaking revival among us and in the hotel. The message: "Godget Idolatry: Exposing the Wiles and Modern Schemes of Satan to Deceive churches and Christians." 

Any so-called "Bible" that bears materials or ungodly contents other than the Word of God is not a Bible because the Bible contains only the pure, unadulterated Word of God. But why do we treat and call our phone/gadget as Bible or our Bible? Technology is good and beneficial, but it may metamorphose to evil anytime by the way we treat it and make use of it.

The ancient Bible made on papyrus, developing from scroll to printed pages until its latest version in its most modern form today may be called Bible evolution. But claiming the Bible as having evolved into a gadget or gadgets (notwithstanding Bible app) is devil deception.

Writing the Bible on paper and reading that paper to a congregation is alright. But reading Scriptures in pulpit (without a Bible), just using "godgets" inside a supposedly sacred temple is detestable, diabolic. No, you don't look cute to God and to real Christians, using just your gadgets behind the pulpit, preaching the Bible without a Bible. Why let Christian cults appear more Christian than you in this regard? Are you discipling the world for Jesus or for Satan? 

There is more than meets the eye to all of these. The devil is extremely busy these days as the people the world over are addicted to social media - to have his mark (666) on everyone's forehead or forearm, using "chips" or highly advanced, never before seen tools and equipments, courtesy of "technology." I cannot believe pastors, ministers and priests going bananas, telling their people , "We are eternally thankful for technology.  Now we got the "Bible" at the tip of our fingers." God, have mercy! "Who can understand his error? Cleanse me, Lord, from hidden sins." - Psalm 19:12

OUR PHONE / GADGET has a Bible app, but it is not a Bible and can never be a replacement for the Bible. The Bible is holy. Our phone/gadget is not. The Bible is God-breathed and Holy Spirit-inspired. Our phone/gadget is not. God's Word is God (John 1:1, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Matthew 4:4), while gadgets can become devils overtime by the way we treat and use them, disguised as cutting-edge, modern "technology."

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com

CRUCIFIXION, LIZA SOBERANO AND YOU

By 

ReniMV Valenzuela

Except for people who detest being themselves for how God created them, I believe nobody else sees there is something offensive with actress Liza Soberano’s controversial vlog, "This is Me." 

Liza, 25, is grateful, humble and meek in the face of the barrage of false accusations against her. She apologized though she did nothing wrong. But what’s wrong with her wanting to be real about herself by breaking free from the chains that bind her?

Do entertainers really have to live a double life in order to succeed? The "King of Pop" Michael Jackson was deprived of his childhood.  He had no liberty of his own and no normal life to speak of for himself until he died. Things were dictated upon him which badly affected his person. He was taught and trained to be sham and mythical on and off camera. Life for him was tumultuous all throughout, and it is no secret. 

But had the people who truly loved and cared for Michael allowed him the chance to be himself, he would have not had a miserable life and tragic end at a young age of 50. And, alack, that occurred when there was no maddening, deceptive, destructive social media (during his time) that we have today. In the midst of all his achievements and accolades, until his final moments, the "King of Pop" missed living. Pitiful. 

Jesus Christ came to save the world (John 3:16), but the world misunderstood Him. Hence, He was condemned to die on the cross. Liza came to herself to redeem her true self. She is Hope in real life and there is indeed hope for people like her.  But why crucify Hope? 

Everything seems good to a person who treks on the wrong route unless he sees the end. Only in darkness you get to enjoy the misleading entrapments of momentary “bliss” the world offers as you stray from the Path because only in the Light will you get to see the Way - to bring you back on track. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death” – Proverb 16:25. “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy” – Psalm 16:11.

Like it or not, you are what you are because you made your life as such being the man or woman you emerged to be by deliberately choosing the way and traveling the road towards that direction/destination. It was your own choosing, not necessarily God`s. You did not evolve to be a human being. But you evolved to be the person that you are and it was you who re-created yourself. God has a wonderful plan for you, but you are mainly the one responsible for your future (and eternity). 

You are the best as far as God`s ordained destiny for your very life is concerned. No other created being can be better than you in that regard. You have been uniquely fashioned in accordance with God`s infinite goodness and wisdom, gifted with free will. There is only one you, and God has certain designated purposes for you in this world that only you can accomplish - to bless mankind and bring glory to His name. 

Look at the limbless man, the great Nick Vujicic. Google search him if you don’t know him yet to be challenged to discover yourself and win in life despite insurmountable odds.  You are who you are because of God’s design and you have no option but be thankful to Him. “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well”- Psalm 139:14.

No one reaches a place who does not take the road and travel the required distance going there just as nobody goes to Heaven or hell on account of other people’s decision and action. God is most powerful and sovereign but He does not control/force anyone. Otherwise, there would have been no need for Christ to come down and save sinners. 

The Lord did His part and did it all. With Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, the Gospel of redemption is complete. There is nothing we can add to complement His atoning sacrifice on the Cross. Truly, as He lamented, gasping for His last breath, “IT IS FINISHED”. Yet He has given man the will to choose and decide. Now it’s up to you. Your salvation hangs on Calvary to this day and it hinges on your own volition whether or not it can be fully yours any moment you decide. Accept Christ or reject Him!

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, THIS IS THE WAY; WALK IN IT.” - Isaiah 30:21

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com

WHY JEEPNEYS WILL REMAIN

 

By ReniMV Valenzuela

A jeepney without a jeepney-look is jeepney no longer.  Oddly, the "modern jeepney" the government is usually showing us in the news is far from being a jeepney. It is equal to expunging the Filipino from Filipinos, partly. 

Modernize our public utility transport, but please don't do it by dumping our cherished culture, custom, identity, selfhood, peculiarity and historical heritage. Jeepney is a part of the Filipino diary. 

My personal attachment to our jeepneys is beyond my school, innocent days despite driving a car for most of my life. The link goes joyously from sentimental to historical as jeepneys bring nostalgia and wonderful memories to me of the years gone by as a young person, even as I sometimes still ride jeepneys and MRT/LRT going to an appointment when I get stuck in heavy traffic. I remember one of the very first songs that I've composed was written and done when I was riding a jeepney, awestruck by the disarming beauty of a smiling, shy-looking girl in front of me. 

I wonder if the way the government wants to modernize and progress our country was how visionary Jose Rizal saw the Philippines in his dream would one day become, apropos to his aspirations for the motherland, to which he offered his life willingly, heroically. Were all these the sense of our national hero bravely turning backwards to face his executioners to be shot in the heart on 30 December 1896? 

Why copy others to dash ourselves for who we are? Retain the jeepney look and let our jeepneys, modernized as we want it to become, to be the jeepneys of tomorrow.  The Filipino jeepney is iconic and artistic, variant in colors to represent our multi-shaded complexion as a people/nation. It is a symbol of liberty for all of us, historically. Bring the jeepneys back to be among the tourist experiences that foreigners can look forward to and enjoy when they come/visit our beloved, beautiful, "colorful" country - with all the great stories down memory lane behind the chronicled, world famous "Filipino Smile." 

But solve widespread criminality first, including government corruption and misdemeanors even in our premiere airport, alas!. But why propose in Congress to privatize the airport or change its name, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, when there is no other name that can be better than it (NAIA or naiyak na bayan) in significance? It is one way to declare to the whole world our vastness (in spirit) as a people. And it is in being ourselves that only we can rise, shine and emerge best as a nation - as Filipinos. 

May I suggest that we restore our calesa or karitela in certain historical places/spots of our country like Intramuros, Rizal Park, Mactan Shrine, Sandugo Shrine, Corregidor Island, Baguio City, Biak na Bato, Banaue Rice Terraces and some others, not just in Calle Vigan - for better tourist endearment and exploit, and better appreciation of our hollowed, treasured, rich, forgotten past - by both foreign and local tourists. Let the universe have a glimpse of our roots, heroes and great Creator not just in places we promote, but in all of us, Filipinos of today, more importantly. Shape up. 

"Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart." - Psalm 119:111

Sell the Philippines to boost tourism and economic development, but don't sell our soul.

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com

THE ROOT OF "EDSA": NINOY AND BBM

ReniMV Valenzuela

Edsa is a street symbolic of something great for Filipinos.

The Edsa revolution of1986 did not happen because Juan Ponce Enrile
and Fidel Ramos, together with the members of Reform the Armed Forces
Movement (RAM), rebelled against their Commander-in-Chief, Ferdinand
Edralin Marcos. Neither did "Edsa" occur because Jaime Cardinal Sin
summoned the Filipino people to go out and gather at Edsa.

Nobody among the living then, including Cory Aquino and the people who
flocked to Edsa, can take credit for the miracle. No, it was not
"people power." It was God's power manifested and bestowed upon the
oppressed/abused citizenry and exploited/used country.

However, if there is one person worth honoring every time we
commemorate "Edsa," it is Ninoy Aquino. "... Render honor to whom
honor is due." - Romans 13:7. It was Ninoy's selflessness as a public
servant and his death/martyrdom three years prior to that
momentous1986 resurrection for Filipinos that is the root of "Edsa" -
in the same manner as Jesus Christ rose from the dead after being in
the tomb for three days as a crucified/dead Son of God - to save the
world from thereon.

"Edsa" commenced the very moment Ninoy was assassinated on the tarmac
of Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983. The whole nation
stopped and grieved, got awakened and stirred. Millions of Filipinos
joined the funeral procession for the fallen hero - in the streets,
everywhere, and on TV and radio. There was massive groaning. "Edsa"
was just the culmination.

Our liberation from the Spaniards is no different. It was a result of
the heroism of Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora (Gomburza) and the
gallantry, sacrifices and patriotism of Gomburza-inspired Jose Rizal,
Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, together with my great, great
grandfather, Pio Valenzuela, and a host of other Filipino heroes
(excluding killer Aguinaldo) two decades later during the 19th
century.

The way to commemorate and celebrate "Edsa" is to hail Benigno "Ninoy"
 Simeon Aquino Jr., not any rebellious opportunists and those who've
taken advantage of the miracle; those abusive and corrupt that have
occupied positions of power in the government after the deposed
president/dictator fled Malacanang - until now.

Politics aside, if Marcos Jr. will do right as President of our
country now, he can well be a part (a good part) of the continuing
"Edsa" revolution - to make Ninoy's dream come true - for all of us.

P.S.
BBM did it right in declaring February 24 as a special non-working
holiday in solemn and somber remembrance of the great 1986 Edsa
Revolution. It is an act big and admirable of him.

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com

"CUPID" IS ABOUT LOVE: EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

ReniMV Valenzuela

Not all earthquakes are acts of God. Some are triggered by man's abuse

of nature and environment, and of his gift of liberty and free will.

What better way for the world to think about love this month of

February than to think of multiple thousands of victims of the 7.8

magnitude earthquake that has just hit Turkey and Syria and ruminate

over their great losses, griefs and agonies at this moment. What if it

happened to us, in our country?

May we all be moved in compassion to pray intense prayers and plead

Heaven that those who still breathe under the rubbles of buildings,

houses and structures that crumbled down would be rescued alive

(miraculously), and that those whose loved ones were among the many

thousands of fatalities would be comforted and find strength in the

midst of the tragedy. Thousands more dead bodies are believed still

trapped and yet to be taken out from the equally numerous buildings

that collapsed.

Dozens of countries had their respective rescue teams immediately

flown to help in the search and retrieval operations and to alleviate

the plight of the injured and badly affected by the beastly temblor.

Such is love in action and such, as the song says, is "what makes the

world go round." Colossians 3:12-14

No person or nation is too poor to be unable to help others in times

of great need. It is refreshing that our government sent help to

Turkey without second thoughts and later (a day after) decided to do

the same for Syria as both nations were jolted by the massive temblor,

notwithstanding our own nation being battered and bombarded left and

right by problems/issues like never before - from onion, inflation,

corruption to China invasion. Proverbs 11:25.

Do we often/usually do this as a nation? Nope. What is common is our

country being a recipient of kindness/charity/generosity and various

types of help and assistance from other governments when natural

calamities and catastrophes hit our land.

President Bongbong Marcos was prompt in his decision/offer to help

(beyond reciprocal) as he appeared genuine, having a heart for the

victims of the massive earthquake that resulted in several thousands

of confirmed deaths, and the figure climbs each day which may top up

to over 40,000 fatalities in the days to come.

BBM is showing some signs that he's different from most of his

predecessors in this aspect and in some other areas that he can be

lauded, notably his seemingly openness/receptiveness to criticisms

and/or public outcry, vis-a-vis his policies, programs and actions.

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth

unto counsel is wise." - Proverbs 12:15 

Having the victims of the earthquake in our hearts (and those of wars

and government atrocities) could make this year's Valentine's Day the

most meaningful and most joyous - for, after all, mythology's Cupid is

an ancient Roman god of love. And the one and only true God of the

Bible is a God of love (undefiled and unselfish). The occasion is

about love, not pleasure,.

"But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." - 1 John 4:8

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com

TURKEY-SYRIA AND THE FILIPINO HEART

ReniMV Valenzuela

No person or nation is too poor to be unable to help others in times
of great need.

It is refreshing that our government immediately sent help to Turkey
and Syria as both nations were jolted by 7.8 magnitude temblor,
notwithstanding our own nation being battered by problems/issues left
and right like never before - from onion, inflation, corruption to
China invasion. Proverbs 11:25.

Do we often/usually do this as a country? Nope. What is common is our
nation being a recipient of compassion and all types of help and
assistance from other governments when natural calamities and
catastrophes hit our land.

President Bongbong Marcos was prompt in his action as he appears
genuine, having a heart for the victims of the massive earthquake that
caused and tallied 12,000 confirmed deaths as of this writing. BBM is
showing some signs that he's different from most of his predecessors
in this aspect and in some other areas that he can be lauded (thus
far), much less in his seemingly openness/receptivity to criticisms.

Kudos.

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com

ONION "SOLUTION"

By: ReniMV Valenzuela

We don't need onions like we need oxygen without which we can't survive.

Other than some screwy logic and the argument that, "the government

has no option but to import onions,"  President Bongbong Marcos must

have some real legitimate reasons why he finally approved the

Department of Agriculture's plan/proposal to import 5,775 metric tons

of onion.

Otherwise, it might be construed that the government considers onions

to be equally important as the air we breathe. My wife has discovered

a new art of cooking good dishes without using onion.  Just a bit of

creativity, patience and momentary "sacrifice" (not importation) is

what we need during this time of "onion shortage" in the country. It's

good that we only have a shortage of onions and other food staples,

but not a shortage of sensible people in the government.  And that I

desperately want to believe.

The harvest isn't too far for our farm producers to flood again our

local market with onions.  After this July's harvest, it is expected

as predicted that we will start having more than enough onions

(hopefully so) to bring their prices back to normal.

Hence, why resort to folly which could well put our farmers' interests

at needless risks and at a great disadvantage, not to mention the

other varied repercussions it may create which would be detrimental

not only to our agriculture sector but also to the nation as a whole?

What forced the government to do it or what is forcing some

agriculture officials to convince the President to approve the

importation?

Why not instead use the money to help Filipino farmers develop their

capability to produce, technologically and financially, and by

innovative, equitable ways of marketing their harvests at price levels

that would make them happy, develop our agriculture industry and

ultimately solve the country's food crisis?

Could there be something amiss behind the government's move to import

onions?  We sorely lack onions at this juncture, admittedly, but not

alligators, vultures and wolves in the government.  And the President

must have been aware of it as much as he should have realized by now

that he needs to appoint a fresh, new face as a permanent Secretary of

Agriculture the soonest possible time.

Not in his time.

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com

REAL WINNER IN MMFF 2022

By: ReniMV Valenzuela

The character of a nation cannot be far from the kind of movie it produces, watches and rewards with accolades.

On New Year's Day, I watched the movie Family Matters with my family and we liked it very much as we enjoyed every bit of it. There was no dull moment. It has depth. Everyone in the theater seemed to be in perpetual anticipation of what will happen next, and how might the story end. There were a few laughs in between and sometimes tears in the eyes.

I seldom appreciate a movie for its overall quality, but this one, for me, takes the awards if the awards were to be given based on correct criteria. Though, in fairness to the other Metro Manila Film Festival entries, I haven't seen any one of them. But having said that, it's a huge, huge wonder why Family Matters didn't win a single award except for Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, whatever that award means. Worse, its actors and actresses didn't even get to be nominated when they performed so well and I thought they had very good chances of winning the best acting and best supporting acting awards as they are all natural before the camera, including the children.

Family Matters can be likened to the 1975 movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. It was a light but poetic drama. There were no spectacular scenes and acting in the movie but it was aptly applauded in the Oscars as a runaway winner, having bagged 35 awards, including best picture, best actor and best actress.  The only difference is that Family Matters lost, and lost big, during the MMFF awards night.

It's curious. Could there be manipulation or corruption among the festival's organizers/people?

Family Matters is an excellent drama movie without being excessively dramatic. It has profoundness in its story and script, and in the manner it was directed. The movie is intentional in teaching moral lessons and imbibing good values to its viewers. It is a drama about a fairly big family to which every Filipino family today can relate.

I liked the portions wherein some scenes would have evolved to transform the movie into a heavy drama flick, but each one was prevented from making the heavy drama happen because everyone involved in the squabble/fracas knew how to forgive.

The movie is a rebuke to the children who are uncaring to their elderly parents, to the busy parents who are irresponsible, and to the modern youths who are addicted to gadgets. The plot's heavy drama is left in the imagination of the viewers. Watch well every scene, listen intently to the words of the characters and fathom the message - and thus it is expected that one would leave the movie house a better child, a better father, a better parent, a better husband and wife and a better grandchild.

Actor Noel Trinidad's words rang a bell when he collected the phones and gadgets of every member of his entire family for a three-day special family bonding occasion: "In order to connect, you have to disconnect."

You lost, Family Matters, but cheer up! You won big in much greater aspects/categories, and in Heaven's eyes. You are the real winner.

Congratulations!

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com