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Thursday, December 30, 2004
Serna: Better to be cautious than be sorry
By Roger Serna
Sounds & images
There are no human spare parts in the market. That is what we usually hear at this time of the year when vendors of pyrotechnics of all sizes and types experience brisk sales everywhere these are sold.
Some people who cannot do away with this holiday item content themselves with the visual types, those that produce different colors when lighted on the ground, perched on a wall or held by the hand or those that shoot up to a certain altitude producing multi-colored glittering lights when they explode.
At least, it’s a little safer compared to those that produce deafening sounds that can put both life and limbs in danger anytime. Of course, the danger there is the fire it may cause but if exploded in an open space, the risk is a little bit minimized.
With the tradition of making so much noise to welcome the coming of the new year, the Department of Health and other agencies and non-government organizations are encouraging the use of horns, whistles, even spoons and forks and other implements and instruments that produce varied sounds but don’t put anybody in danger.
Again, there are no human spare parts available in the market. It’s better to be cautious than be sorry.
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Movie queen Susan Roces was a picture of courage and strength of spirit when she appeared on television for interviews while her husband Fernando Poe Jr. lay in state not far from where the interview was conducted.
She exuded preparedness for the eventuality of the death of a loved one. She narrated the things she’s going to miss now that her husband has passed away and managed to smile every now and then.
I just hope she’ll stop making statements that have something to do with politics. More often than not, the death of a loved one or somebody of high stature, such as Da King, serves as a strong unifying force among enemies and warring parties, including friends, neighbors and relatives.
Presumably, FPJ will be smiling from above as he looks down at his fans and supporters as they make friends with everybody, including those whom they believe had cheated their idol in the last election.
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A planned early evening bedtime last Dec. 15, to prepare for the first day dawn mass, had to be reverted to the old schedule. A call from a friend who extended the invitation from Emarie Lollipop Dizon to grace the launch of the Pasko sa Mandaue 2004 celebration was the culprit.
The night started off at 7:30 with a dinner at Yo! Latino, where not only palatable dishes were the treats for the guests, the carefully chosen repertoire of Suburbia also made us gobble up our food with gusto (well, that’s part of the holiday list, I guess).
Of course, swirling the goblet that contained red wine, followed by sniffing the bouquet before finally savoring its taste, was strictly observed. Our drinking etiquette guru was also there, keeping an eye on us very keenly.
Yummy of the Mandaue City info office, Orly Cajegas of Sun.Star Weekend, Ma. Regina Aguilar of Cebu Daily News, Jonji and Paolo Gonzales of JYGonzales and Partners were also there.
An hour before midnight, the group was already at the Heritage Plaza in front of the city hall. A program soon started with the drum corps from four schools converging in the area straight from their pamukaw task.
Mayor Teddy Ouano, the city councilors and some barangay captains were onstage. Vice Mayor Ading Seno joined a little later. Gov. Gwen Garcia and Cordova Mayor Arleigh Sitoy delivered Christmas messages.
Msgr. Adelino Abella led a prayer that ushered the lighting of the big candle onstage and the little ones in the hands of the spectators. Gov. Gwen led the lighting of the giant Christmas tree.
A 10-minute fireworks display (courtesy of the Cebu Provincial Government) followed. Our group joined the VIPs in partaking of the tasty Mandaue delicacies composed of bibingka, budbud, puto maya, lugaw, tagaktak, sikwate and others. Goodbye dieting!
What a solemn and fun way of ushering in the nine-day countdown to Christmas!
(December 30, 2004 issue)
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