Author Archives: DON J. PAGUSARA

11 years ago

Pagtataksil

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Pagtataksil

Such would be the terrible consequences of this grand treachery by this unFilipino government of Noynoy Aquino. And all the world will know that ang pagtataksil sa sariling wika can be a cause for people’s war.

11 years ago

A Clubhouse of Movie Idiots and Clowns

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A Clubhouse of Movie Idiots and Clowns

At this juncture of our country’s political history we wonder why and how our Congress has gone to the dogs! We are appalled by the magnitude of the scandal this institution is now going through.

11 years ago

KABAYANIHAN. . .ANYONE?

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KABAYANIHAN. . .ANYONE?

It would seem there is good reason to believe the Filipinos are now constantly conscious of their patriotic concerns for their country. And there is good reason to appreciate the passion of most everyone in trying to excel in the field of endeavor she finds herself in. In the arena of this world’s dog-eat-dog competitiveness, it is heartening to note how Filipinos individually shines—be it in sports or in performance activities. And even in beauty pageants!

11 years ago

Kapalpakan

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Kapalpakan

Late in afternoon yesterday, as I went out to buy some RTE (ready-to-eat) viand for my dinner in the little Coop Eatery in my purok, I overheard this conversation among village folks –

11 years ago

Pathways to Cultural Alienation

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Pathways to Cultural Alienation

Nobody wants to be dominated. The natural disposition of anyone is to be free—free to steer the direction of one’s own life, free to seek one’s own well-being and happiness. But the other side of this mold of thought is the desire to control—to control everything that figures in one’s drive for freedom. It is as much an irony as a mystery. But it is an undeniable fact of human existence and history.

11 years ago

A Step Closer to the Dream?

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A Step Closer to the Dream?

Damgo sa matag Pilipino ang makalingkawas gikan sa kuko sa kawad-on, ug edukasyon ang labing halangdong agianan padulong sa maong damgo.

[It is every Filipino’s dream to extricate ones’ self from the clutches of poverty and education is the most honorable way towards that dream.]

11 years ago

The Stark Contrast

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The Stark Contrast

Again my former student and friend from the Davao School for the Blind, Willie G, gave me a surprise visit the other day. This time he brought along a short but interesting anecdote about animals— a fable, we call it— purportedly to prick my mind into a critical discussion about its allegorical meaning. Immediately after he finished retelling the fable, he asked, “Sir Don, unsa may pagtulun-ang atong makuha aning istoryaha?” [Sir Don what lesson can we get from this story?]

11 years ago

The Dauntless Heart

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The Dauntless Heart

The usual question asked to someone who is in the midst of an unspeakably trying situation but who has somehow admirably survived the tribulation or ordeal sounds like this: “Where do you draw strength during this fateful moment in your life?”.

11 years ago

A Shameless Act of Charlatanry

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A Shameless Act of Charlatanry

It has come! There’s no question about it! What has been feared would happen is now happening. And happening fast! It’s like the US and Philippine authorities are making up for lost time. And so we witness a scenario akin to “a scampering for space” in military camps all over the country! Here and there, this and that AFP officer is offering a space within a military camp for use as military base for American soldiers. There’s no feeling of restraint or hesitation—or shame!— no different from an offer of a booth space in a carnival fair!

11 years ago

A Charming Puppet Show

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A Charming Puppet Show

What happened in Malacanang the other night couldn’t have escaped the impressionable mind of my good friend Lito. He commented, “Bai, mura mag naa sa libro sa history tong nahitabo kagabii sa Malacanang?” [Bai, what occurred in Malacanang last night seemed to be in the history books?”]