Long Weekend

Son of the Founder of the Iglesia ni Kristo, Ka “Erdy” Manalo, was buried today and it has been declared a non-working public holiday.  TV footage of the burial rites reveal a solemnity that signifies respect for the depth of grief felt over the loss of a beloved leader.   And the inevitable comparison is then made between two faiths peacefully co-existing in this country.

I wonder if, when plotted on a chart, how a comparison of the INK’s rate of increase in terms of churches built worldwide during the 40 year term of Ka Erdy…would fare compared to the lifetime’s work of John Paul II when a notable increase in Catholic converts was documented in South Africa.

Comparison will also inevitably be made with the Muslim Faith which will be marked by the nation on Eid Al Fit’r September 21…for another long weekend.  This weekend economics of our President (like it or not, she is our president and how we treat her reflects on all of us) is very popular with the working class who are in dire need of de-compressing their lifestyles from making ends meet, keeping their children well-educated, keeping in touch with family and friends, etc. etc.

President Arroyo is currently in boiling hot water for her son Mickey’s monstrous faux pas on prime time discussing their family wealth plotted on a chart from the day he was voted into office.

A faux pas (pronounced /ˌfoʊˈpɑː/, plural: faux pas /ˌfoʊˈpɑː(z)) is, according to wikipedia “a violation of accepted social rules (for example, standard customs or etiquette rules).  Faux pas vary widely from culture to culture, and what is considered good manners in one culture can be considered a faux pas in another. The term comes originally from the french and literally means “false step”.

Peaceful co-existence between divergent faiths require only GENUINE MUTUAL RESPECT.  A violation of ACCEPTED SOCIAL RULES, which vary from culture to culture, is FAUX PAS.  When Mickey smiles as if he got the cream and was given a nice pat in the head for it…there was CULTURAL OUTRAGE but the death of Ka Erdy Manalo gives the nation a pause to reflect deeply on life at the time of great loss or, as in the case of other cultures…to mark a passage to the afterlife; as is the proper function of all death rituals.

These are what we did two years ago..learn to read in 100 easy lessons; and today’s rainy afternoon artwork to prepare for tomorrow’s papier mâché painting (Can’t wait for it to dry, Ma…).

Mikey’s interview reflects what we all, like it or not, are teaching our children.