By Josephine B. Miranda

(Media and Communication Team)

One heart, one soul. A catchy theme for His Holiness’ visit to Cyprus. I am trying to absorb the implication of this phrase, especially when you have to note its indicative plurality. Between the Pope and the entire Christian community, what does that mean? What is its relevance? One heart, one soul. How can it be? How can be the Pope and the people be one at heart and one at soul? Peace. That’s the ready answer. Yet again, are we ready to claim that illusive peace when disorder is commonplace?

As the news of his visit to Cyprus was confirmed, media reports had it that there are fanatical orthodox groups planning for a protest rally at the Ayio Kyriaki Church in Paphos. Another report said that an organization called the Pancyprian Orthodox Christian Movement (PAHOC) had distributed an anti- Pope leaflets written in Greek, in oppose to the up-coming visit to the island, “and harshly criticising Cypriot Bishops and President Christofias for remaining quiet about recent paedophilia scandals within the Catholic Church,” Politis paper reports.

In His Holiness’ visit to Portugal on May 14, 2010, Pope Benedict admitted that the greatest burden the catholic church is facing is not the sin outside, but from within the church itself. In a press release, he said that,

“This we have always known, but today we see it in a really terrifying way. The biggest weight on the church doesn’t come from the enemies outside but is born from sin inside the church…and so the church has a profound need to relearn penance, to accept purification, to learn on the one hand forgiveness but also the necessity of justice, because forgiveness does not substitute justice.”With this statement, it is crystal clear that the top leader of the Catholic Church is no blind to what is happening around and exhausting all the possibilities of a peaceful dialogue aimed at combatting the most pressing problem of unfaithfulness amongst the few church leaders and personalities. Further in Portugal, Pope reminded the Portuguese faithfuls that “Christ’s resurrection was an assurance that no adverse power would be able to destroy the Church. With this assurance, he said, faith was well founded,” “but this faith needs to come alive in each one of us.” The Pope reiterated that “A vast effort at every level is required if every Christian is to be transformed into a witness capable of rendering account to all and at all times of the hope that inspires him. Only Christ can fully satisfy the profound longings of every human heart and give answers to its most pressing questions concerning suffering, injustice and evil, concerning death and the life hereafter.”

The idea that there are quite a number of people who try to point out the negative aspect, that most have only singled out the mistakes of the limited few and blaming the Pope for his inaction is indeed enivitable, thus opposing this visit. Yet the majority of the Catholic Communities, the Maronites, Latin and expatriate Catholics are welcoming not just His Holiness presence but the chance of showing solidarity in the Church founded by the faith on Christ. Let us give way to an article below as published in the Holy Cross Newsletter.:

Good News in the Catholic Church

We are accustomed in our day and age to hearing the scandals, failures and sins of our leaders blasted across the leading news stories of the media. The Catholic Church is no exception to this, especially in these last weeks and months. Our Pope has publicly denounced the scandals and sins of certain priests and pastors of the Church, has vowed that justice will be brought to bear, and has promised that the Catholic Church will do penance for their sins, that have hurt and wounded persons and caused others to lose faith in Christ’s “One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church” on earth. During his recent visit to malta, the Pope met with victims of abuse, and wept with them.

However what the media does not say is that this very small percentage of unfaithful, unworthy pastors does not represent the whole Catholic Church. The media does not mention the thousands of good, faithful priests, who devote their lives to the Church and in fine service to God’s people, local communities and the world at large. It is no small thing that many priests, beloved and highly esteemed, celebrate their 5oth, 60th and even 70th Anniversaries of Priesthood, long years of self-sacrificial giving to the Church and the people, as good pastors and shepherds of the flock of Christ, under Jesus, the True and Good Shepherd of His Church. There are countless servants of the Lord, who have laboured faithfully for many years in distant Missions of the Church, often unknown and unrecognized, who have left their homes, countries, families and positions to follow the call of the Lord, some of whom have been laid down their lives in the footsteps of their Master. Yes, there is a lot of good news in the Catholic Church today, which we seldom hear.

This is the “Year of the Priest,” Let us respect and affirm and pray for our priests, pastors and teachers, as they seek to lead and guide us, as St. Francis admonished us to do. Let us pray for the unfaithful priests, who are now suffering for their past sins and failures, that the Lord will have mercy on them. Let us pray for the victims of abuse, that they may know the gentle, healing touch of Jesus in their lives. May we support and remain loyal to our Church, which is the Body of Christ in the world today. And when the Pope comes to visit us in Cyprus this coming June, may he shed tears of JOY, to be here among us. (A parishioner of the Holy Cross)

Peace in the midst of world’s disorder is cynically entertaining, and yet, challenging. The Pope being the head of the Roman Catholic church and the Sovereign of the Vatican City has carried this most challenging task of upholding peace under any circumstance. This is never an easy task, but in my own understanding, there is a way to make it happen, there is hope to make the church whole again. In this particular pastoral visit, Pope Benedict XVI continues to deliver the message of Christ’ love and encourages the dialogue amongst all the Christians and non Christians for the attainment of peace and reconciliation…to be One Heart, One Soul.

Hello folks! It has been half a year that I did not post anything here. Well, aside from taking a great holiday to Philippines (50 days!) last Christmas until the new year, I have decided to really relax my mind from blogging and concentrate on savouring the moments with family and friends back home. I did enjoy a lot despite the many unwanted happenings here in Cyprus like the signature campaign to stop the publication of Tinig Pinoy. Soon as I came back to Cyprus, I right away reported to Politis to discuss the matter together with my staff. The meeting went well, as the Boss signified further his trust and confidence to yours truly. 

Let me thank you for standing by, my mailbox has been receiving “new user registration” notice, meaning more and more are visiting this site. With that, I feel I should get back posting materials again so as not to waste your time in browsing it. Never the less, I may have missed few months of posting, but this writer in me is just around the corner, and now ready to render service to everyone again! Enjoy browsing!

Just plain respect

My late father used to tell me, “put yourself on other people’s shoe, and you’ll stay out of trouble”, or, the opposite version, “never step on other people’s shoe, otherwise, you will be in trouble”. 

Last month’s headline (Cargo Box Business, Inireklamo) has drawn different reactions from readers. Some sent us a thumb’s up praises for exposing the anomaly, and some were just plain upset especially of course, Dong. Sometimes it is really surprising to one day find our name in the news, much more shocking to see it in the headline. For the writer, any reaction is highly anticipated. But, did we ever ask ourselves once, “Why I am on the news- headline? What have I done (right or wrong) to get the writer’s attention?” Many still do not understand the duty of Tinig Pinoy or are simply ignorant of what a media person’s duty is. Right after we published the cargo box which was sent to La Union, Philippines 7 months after pick up even if it was already paid after two months, and worst, it contained rubbish items like worn out shoes, clothes, delapidated bags and expired dry goods, Tinig Pinoy staff then received angry text messages from Dong. As he could not reach me, Dong sent out nasty messages especially to Ester Beatty. Below in full text, are Dong’s messages.

1. “Wala kayo panalo sa akin kahit headline nyo ako dahil kayo corrupt, ako d ako katulad w. union at wala ka ‘k’ dahil aso ka lang ugok.”

2. “Abangan nyo news para sa inyo bumili ka soon ng Cyprus weekly d kayo recognize na association gumagawa kayo ng pera illegal hehehe humanda kayo sa akin.”

3. “Gago ka nalaman ko ikaw pres. ng wala kwenta association corrupt tandaan m lintek lang ang wala ganti magsasama ako ng lawyer.”

4. “Nalaman ko na ilegal yan c Joy Miranda ngayon magharap tayo at kung cno pres. ng Tinig Pinoy malaki babayaran nyo d nyo alam punot dulo magkaroon lang kayo ng issue manira na kayo ng tao. inumpisahan nyo tatapusin natin. kahit maubos bahay at lupa ko dito wala ako pakialam ipapadampot ko yan editor mo. Pinaalam ko na ito sa abogado ko at accountant malaki paninira yan gnawa nyo.

When I delivered my speech during the 2nd anniversary of Tinig Pinoy (November 2007), I have quoted fellow media person who said, “Journalists or media practitioners are messengers who bring in the necessary information and this is a point that most of the people missed to understand. Instead of listening and doing something about the message, they are shooting or attacking the messengers. They make possible attempts to curtail the freedom of expression, that media have become easy targets of attacks. They fail to see that media persons are carrying out the role as a watchdog of democracy.” This is exactly what this person is doing to us. Here are my answers Dong: First of all, I do not know you nor your costumer Imelda Cendana. She came and told us her bad experience against your cargo box company complete with pictures as proof. For fairness’ sake, I interviewed you over the phone about the matter. You admitted that you have instructed your relative (nephew) to open the box and changed its contents. Why? Prior to it, you instructed your broker to deliver a wrong box or a box which belonged to another person. Why? Was it right? I have mentioned to you that our conversation was for Tinig Pinoy, yet obviously you were carried away by your sudden anger that you thought I or the person talking to you that time was just a nobody. So when you saw it in the news, you right away threw stones on us instead of contemplating on the reason why we published it! Your costumer Imelda Cendana has a message to express to you which she believed that only Tinig Pinoy can deliver, telling you that what you did to her box was wrong, and a message to all to make them aware about it as there might be a possibility that it could happen to anyone as well. You did it to Imelda, you can do it to others, too, unless, there is something that could stop you from doing it again, and that something is Tinig Pinoy. Hindi po istupida ang editor ng Tinig Pinoy na basta na lang magpublish ng walang katibayang maipresenta. Ang manira ng reputasyon is not my cup of tea, excuse me. So stop saying that I have caused damaged to your business because it is not our fault why somebody has aired to us her sentiments against you. Imelda went to Philippines early this month for her to see the box. She will take photos again to give to us. A duty to carry out Imelda’s message is what I did, but it’s a pity you did not understand what this duty is. Bakit hindi mo harapin ang totoong problema mo sa costumer, ayusin ang gulo, kung may mali, aminin na may pagpapakumbaba, instead na kung sino-sino ang pinagbabalingan mo at kung anu-anong kahambugan ang pinagsasabi mo? Bakit sa amin ka nagagalit gayong hindi naman magpapadiyaryo ang costumer kung hindi naagrabyado? Kung ikaw kaya ang nasa lugar ni Imelda, matutuwa ka bang palitan ng mga basura ang box mo? Try to put yourself in your costumer’s shoe, Dong. It’s not funny, right? Malamang hindi lang padiyaryo ang gagawin mo, baka ipakain mo pa sa buwaya! Two weeks ago, you went to pick up another box from a new costumer who asked about you being headlined. You answered, “Dinemanda ko na si Joy Miranda pati ang Politis.” Hay, Diyos ko nimo Dong!… Hanip talaga sa yabang yang balat mo, hindi hamak na mas matindi pa sa super bagyong Pepeng. Tinig Pinoy is not an association therefore there is no president, ok? It does not produce a single cent so we cant be corrupt, ok? and Joy Miranda is not stupid to be doing this publication if she is illegal, ok? at yaman din lang na uubusin mo ang bahay at lupa mo, eh idonate mo na lang sa mga biktima ng bagyo, ok? at kung gusto mong ipadampot ang editor ni Ester, halika translator din naman ako sa immigration office so ikaw na escort ko punta tayong dalawa, deal? and excuse me, I do not write false news because I deliver only the facts. My writing style is sometimes quite harsh especially when being challenged, yet I never write anything which is unreal. Lastly, Tinig Pinoy is fair, so if you want to air your side, you can email me and I will publish it. Imelda Cendana’s niece showing off the worn out shoe and flip-flops

Thank you

I have many times featured her here, and I will do it again now. October 1st was supposed to be her birthday but when we teased her for a party, she cried. She cried because she said her house was drowned by the rushing flood water and she could not reach nor contact her children. The next day, she texted Ester and me urging us to do something about the catasthropic calamity which happened in Luzon. I could not help but wonder how big the heart this lady has. With her persistence, Ester then called all the leaders for the meeting, hence, the fund raising took place. She actively involved herself in the aim to help the typhoon victims. Tirelessly prepared the foods to sell outside the church, and many times sacrificing her time at work.The lady I am talking to here is none other than Scarlet. Selfless Scarlet

In the two Sundays of fund-raising activities, organizers have collected an amount of 8,856.66 euros. I thought to myself, mangyayari kayang makapagpadala tayo ng ganito kalaking halaga sa mga flood victims kung walang Scarlet na unang nangulit kay Ester na gumawa ng aksyon? Scarlet will once again raise funds for her kababayans in Quezon through food-selling at the Rainbow Festival both in Nicosia and Limassol. Spontaneous. Selfless. She acts, she does, she helps. Why I feature her again? Because she was being humiliated on the day the cash donations was endorsed to the honorary consul. Thank you, Bernadette. You know that Scarlet is one of the initiators and she went there to cover the turn over but was insulted in the end. More evidence? Of course! She is one of the organizers, and for record purposes, there is nothing wrong to cover it. Thanks to you again, Bernadette, sa pagmamaniobra mo. If pag eendorse lang ng pera ang sadya mo doon, hindi na mangyayaring mapahiya pa si Scarlet. She deleted the video record. I know you have put a lot of efforts to the fund raising yourself, but with your insensitive and careless cross over, you have no idea kung ilang tao ang nainsulto mo. So stop wondering why Ester has not returned your calls. Sana naisip mo yan. We gave in to your desire to submit the money to the consul for the sake of unity, but then again at the PHC’s office nigara na pud ka sa imong pagpalapad. Tomorrow, Sunday, before sa gawain ninyo, magdasal ka muna ng kapatawaran. Sabi mo pa hindi ka banal, nagsisimula ka pa lang magpakabanal. I dont know kung ano ang koneksyon nun sa fund raising, but isa lang masasabi ko, hindi ka magiging banal kung puno ng pagkukunwari ang puso mo. Sa bawat gawain mo, isipin mo na maraming hindi natuwa sa inyo ni Fr. Zach. Oh, thanks to him also, for helping the Filipino Community. It would have been appreciated well kung nagkaroon kayo ng konting courtesy sa mga organizers, The fact that as far as this matter is concerned, ang dapat na tanging role lang ng pari ay mag announce. Next time, please do not step on other people’s shoe para maiwasan ang misunderstanding. Matuto tayong lumugar ng maayos. Just plain respect for others. and thank you. Scarlet, mabuhay ka. Thank you for your big heart. if not for you, Filipino Community in Cyprus will not be able to start sending help. God bless you Ading and I am always hats off on you!. Nuggets of wisdom for today dedicated to Dong and Bernadette: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” (Abraham Lincoln)    

 

(Tinig Pinoy- Pinay Sense September 2009 issue)

I received an email again from one of our avid readers Mr. Pambos Kourtoulos and I was honestly touched by its content. As we dont have space for the “Letters from the readers section in this issue, I would just answer it here, sharing my own personal view. The email below, viz:

Dear Joy, I hope you had a good summer break. I read your article regarding Cory Aquino (Pinay Sense – August 2009 Issue), and I agree with everything you say. I am sure I was not the only one who watched the TFC channel everyday, watching the daily news leading to the vidual and the final rest of Cory. The people liked her as a president because of her honesty and her willingness to get things done. With the up coming elections in 2010, I can only say to the pinoys here and the rest of the world that just because someone can sing, or someone is a great actor or even can punch an opponent into the ground in a boxing ring, does NOT give them full knowledge of how to run a country. Cory Aquino was a diamond, the filipino people should accept no less next year. Regards, Pambos Kourtoulos

To Pambos, unfortunately, Filipinos are generally soft-hearted people, and this soft-heartedness sometimes leads to being naively stubborn or worst, unknowingly stupids. First, by electing actors, entertainers and candidates with less academic background or no political experience, into government offices. Second, by refusing to take lessons from the past, the mistakes of choosing incompetent, holy corrupt and greedily ambitious candidates. Third, by simply having short memories, forgetting in one day the years of exploitations done by manipulative elected officials that we reelect them again. Fourth, Majority of Filipinos, sad to say, are just like that, blinded martyrs and unwise willing victims. On the contrary, however, Filipinos are non-judgemental and natural forgivers, and as we forgive, we also believe. Like we forgive a less- educated or less experienced candidate who aspires for a government seat. Apparently, Filipinos believe that one’s lacked of education is pardonable, and that everyone should be given a chance. There are people who are successful in this category. Take for instance the multi-awarded actress Vilma Santos. She has no college degree. She was criticized, under-estimated and even laughed at that most people said she is only good in acting and dancing. Yet, where is this woman tagged as “the star for all seasons” in Philippine show-business now? Three terms as Lipa City Mayor and currently Batangas Governor and recently been wooed to run for vice – presidential post in 2010 elections. I have a list of people like Vilma Santos who were not born politicians, yet destined to be true public servants. This, I believe, is what the rest of Filipino people, especially the majority of the poor people, the most vulnerable and most taken advantaged sector,  hope to see in every candidate, educated or not, experienced or not, moneyed or not, just be a true public servant. In my early years as a media practitioner, I got the chance to brush elbows with a lot of local and national politicians, but I stopped participating in any election after Cory Aquino. Suffice it to say but my country, Philippines, is a very rich, beautiful country. I already lost count on how many articles about politics that I wrote in the past, yet in all those times of featuring politicians, I have not so far known anyone who is as honest as Cory, and it is a shameful truth indeed, that we keep on repeating history, re-installing those that are opportunists and only after their personal gains. If you try to study the presidentiables, they are all the same, highly educated, well-experienced politicians, but, do we see a better change for the rest of Filipinos? Why are we here digging other people’s dirt for a living? Why should we be separated from our families just to support, feed and educate our children? Why local workers are receiving very low wages while rich people become even more richer? Corruption is one of the oldest issues and believe me, it is there and will be in the future, unless, there is another Cory Aquino or the people will finally be wise enough to put a halt to this never-ending sad, boring story of Philippine politics. I guess, Filipinos just continue to hope. I may not vote, still, I continue to hope, that we shall have one day a kind of government that is honest in serving its people. I know it is not easy running a government office, but what makes it even more difficult is not the previous occupation nor social standing of an elected official, but the inability to act, justify and meet the demands of the office they chose to be elected upon.

 

Different reactions have been shown by household workers following the news published in another Cyprus paper regarding the salary increase of domestic workers. The news brought initial jubilation to the majority though most of them are doubtful if it will be followed by the employers. One girl reportedly gave a copy of it to her employer but the employer only said to her “Silly!�. Financial Mirror, 7/9 April, 2009 reports: The Civil Registry and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior announced that as from January 1, Housemaids’ minimum gross salary will be adjusted on the contracts every January, in line with the increase of the cost of living index on the basis of this year’s automatic cost of living adjustment, the minimum gross salary has been increased from 410 Euro to 422 Euro on all existing and new contracts. A guy went to the immigration office and enquired about it, and the officer answered that the amount of 422 Euro will effect on the new contracts of employment only, which means that the published report was contradictory.

It has been published in both English and Greek newspapers but it was not explained well to the public how much really is the increase, not in gross but in the net pay, as not every employer as well as every worker understood it. I have learned about few girls receiving more than 282 Euros a month because luckily their employers have a good heart and giving their workers some cash allowances every day off. On the other hand, there is one girl who is not staying in her employer’s house. She receives only 350 euros a month, but then she has to pay her house rent of more than a hundred Euros, buys her daily food and spend for the transport (bus card). This makes it difficult for her to make both ends meet as she of course has to send money home too, and more often than not, month by month, she eventually drowns herself to debts. For a worker to receive a salary more than the amount stated in the contract is up to the generous heart of the employer. And for the generous employer to reward a worker is up to the employee, on how he / she makes the master pleased at his / her performance. Nevertheless, there are employers who are not kind enough to appreciate the workers, and remained stiff and stingy when it comes to the wages of their workers. In this sense, it is up to the Cyprus’ proper department to push these employers to follow the salary increase, specifically the Labor Department and Social Insurance office. To the OFWs, let us just pray that everything in the said increase will materialize. 

Hail Ye Thee, Mama!
There are times that you feel you wanted to do more and yet you can only do less and it is kind of frustrating, especially if what you wanted to do is extremely important and valuable to you. This kind of situation always occurs to parents, especially to Moms. In this Mother’s Day Month, I will shy away my pen from other matters to write because for this issue, I want to give my own little tribute to all the mothers out there. It is just an ordinary thing to be a woman, but to be a mom in any sort (biological, surrogate or otherwise) is what makes every woman extra-ordinary! The greatest tolerance comes from a loving mom, and the greatest patience comes from an expectant mom who joyfully awaits nine sleepless months for the arrival of her child in this world! To be able to carry a child inside a woman’s body is the greatest gift God has bestowed to a woman and to be able to nurture the child until he / she becomes a responsible adult through all the life’s difficulties is one achievement of a lifetime for every mother. Though overseas workers like us maybe away from our children, yet, with all the sacrifices and pains, defeats and triumphs, tears and laughters, ofw mothers are still and always a part and parcel of all these moments. So congratulations and Happy Mother’s Day! Love you Mama Terry!