Congress Blast

I was shocked when my wife told me about the blast in the Batasan Pambansa after 9PM. Gene Arcena, the manager of MTS, tried several calls to my cellphone which I left in the office before I went to my film class. When I finally got hold of him, he informed me also about the news.

I was a bit worried because Rep. Luzviminda Calolot-Ilagan of Gabriela was injured in the blast. Her driver was killed instantly, according to confirmed messages I received from close friends. I knew Ma'am Luz for almost 15 years, she was the President of the College Faculty Club when I was elected as Secretary-General of the club way back 1995. She and her human rights lawyer were my consultants when I was the President of the College Faculty Club in 1999 onwards.

When I got married, she was one of our primary sponsors. She gave a speech in the reception, ending with a Hindu prayer (I still have these on tapes - Thanks to Manong E and Devi). My prayers for Ma'am Luz's fast recovery .... and I pray for the peaceful rest of those who died in and after the blast.

Pilipinas, where are we heading?

Salutation to the Dawn

Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life,
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence:
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendor of beauty,
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow only a vision,
But today well lived makes every yesterday
a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day!
Such is the salutation of the dawn.

by Kalidasa, Indian Dramatist