|
Monday, April 21, 2003
Mongaya: Cebuanos haven’t forgotten Christ during Holy Week
By ANOL MONGAYA
ONLY a few vehicles went around Metro Cebu on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday after many commuters either went to their hometowns or left the city to some resort somewhere. It seems President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s domestic tourism plan worked. I learned that some resorts in Mactan, Talisay and Minglanilla were already fully booked for the holy days since two weeks ago.
Despite fears by some that the Holy Week might be wet because of super typhoon Amang, the last few days proved to be the hottest in weeks. Thus, I was not surprised that thousands flocked to Cebu’s beaches and other resorts to cool themselves.
Yet, judging from the number of people who flocked to Metro Cebu churches for the various church services, Cebuanos have not forgotten Christ as we observed the Holy Week.
In his Lenten message, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal called for “peace that is worth the war just waged and won and battles being fought here and there.” I hope people, especially those who are pro-war, would internalize the Christian call for peace. After all, peace should start with each one of us.
***
One would get confused as to the exact temperature if one glances at the electronic boards in some Cebu City street corners. When I passed by the Osmeña Blvd. and P. del Rosario St. junction last Saturday afternoon, one board showed the temperature to be 30 degrees centigrade. The one across said the temperature was 35 degrees. A third one across the two said it was 33 degrees.
***
When the big fire hit and razed over 300 houses in Barangay Suba, Cebu City, the barangay’s chief reportedly was in a resort somewhere, clueless about the tragedy that befell his constituents.
***
A revamp reportedly would affect the regional police office within the month with the promotion of PRO 7 Chief Rolando Garcia to acting director for research and development in Camp Crame. Chief Supt. Rey Varilla will assume as the new PRO 7 chief this month.
I hope the revamp would result in the reduction of crime in Cebu and the arrest of criminals like the perpetrators of the series of thefts of church images. The latest incident happened in Oslob town last Maundy Thursday. And I thought the police had already acted to check the string of burglaries of church icons.
***
After I wrote about video carrera and police protection in Talisay City, Anthony Flores of Looc, Mandaue City, sent a text message asking why illegal drugs and video carrera are rampant in his city, yet nobody gets arrested nor are machines confiscated.
Mandaue City is not just a haven for illegal gambling and drugs. A couple, who used to operate a sleazy bar on V. Rama Ave. but was closed after it was raided, had transferred their operations to Mandaue. The bar they now manage is located across a big company on A.C. Cortes St. Since the couple took over, the bar now offers striptease numbers that reportedly shame others in this city.
The place used to be the hangout of some NBI agents and assets. However, they reportedly transferred to another haunt in a plush hotel months back.
***
We still have to get confirmation from Lapu-Lapu City officials on the participation of big stars in the April 27 reenactment of Lapulapu’s victory over the forces of Ferdinand Magellan, as the city is already starting its build-up activities for the affair. I hope the actors and actresses will come to add glitter to the activity. After all, the Battle of Mactan is one Philippine victory that is known all over the world.
***
After crowing about the crowd, though sparse, that pulled down a statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, American officials are now facing growing protests among ordinary Iraqis against a long American occupation. The longer it will take for Americans to come up with a credible democratic alternative to Saddam’s regime, expect more and bigger protests.
Note that the latest protests were instigated by imams suggesting the return of religious fundamentalists that Saddam had managed to check during his dictatorial reign.
Another concern is the need to keep the country united in the face of ethnic tensions that divide the Shiite and Sunni Muslims as well as the Kurds minority, or Iraq might plunge into a civil war like what happened to the former Yugoslavia.
(Send your reactions to superbalita@ sunstar.com.ph or anol_cebu@hotmail.com or text to 09179761193) |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
