Oh, my goodness!

THE Lenten Season has come with this extreme heat. Christians start to celebrate Lent starting with Ash Wednesday. This is a ritual whereby ash is placed on the forehead of the believers to remind them that God created them out of a handful of dust and ultimately, they’ll be returned to dust again when they die. This is just one of the logical facts of life in the grand ceremonial activities of the Catholic Church.

This year, Ash Wednesday last month was particularly underscored in the City of Iloilo. It was highlighted with blood and a dash of fear right beside the Jaro Cathedral.

Now, why is “this day” so different from all the other Ash Wednesdays? It was! At least for those Jaro churchgoers. Why? Because right after the Mass that late afternoon, former Mayor Luis Mondia of Pulupandan, Negros Occidental was shot just outside the Jaro Cathedral. He was, according to some testimonies heard over the radio, sandwiched by the two men, then… BANG! BANG! BANG!

Speculations as to why he was shot at close range soon flooded but as many as there were witnesses, none in Iloilo or Negros Occidental can be definite if the mastermind of the killing will really be apprehended or be let loose for fear. Why, does the culprit have that blinding stature, power or wealth? Only the criminals given the mission to do it knew.

What a fine time to happen. It did as the presidential and local elections are coming close at hand. The former mayor is now at rest, leaving behind a grieving family and friends as investigation and the hunting of the instigator go their natural process – slow and well? Hopefully, justice will be given to the victim.

At that time, those known to be directly or indirectly in touch with the late mayor were interviewed and aired by AM radio stations as people watched out for the updates. Today, the public are kept posted still about the latest bits…

Wait! Did we hear at least a statement from the Archbishop himself? Or any representative may be? Many wondered why no pronouncement has come from that end when Catholics and non-Catholics alike want to hear what they may say.

Many expected to hear strong statements of condemnation about the pervert deed; even words of commendation to the criminals was something but it’s treated with silence that’s so deafening… it hurts. After all, it was an insult to the place of worship. Everyone there seemed to act like nothing happened.

Certainly, those who do not have close interaction with the folks inside the church air their views even if these are mere suppositions and colorful conjectures of course. There are those who defensively argue that their “silence” is within the bounds of the separation of the church and the state. There’s one question I heard and I quote, “If it was an election-related crime which has nothing to do with religion, should it keep them mum to events or should they confine themselves only to their pulpits?”

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About 2:30 in the morning of March 8, 2010, a grenade was thrown at Carlo’s Bakeshop adjacent to the house of the owner – Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas. He was not hurt nor was a member of his family, but the poor security guard. They took him to a hospital nearby for treatment. What was it for? Hahaha! Investigations will be done for sure. Just wait patiently because we are now in the exciting part of the country’s longest festival – election time.

Now, don’t you think it a bit scary, brother? When not so long ago, ordinary folks looked up to the church for strength and enlightenment, now we wonder why the shepherds of the flock keep tight-lipped with not even a hushed, “Children… behave!”

Despite all of these confusions…we all know there is no best person right now running for a position, be it local or national. Oh, my goodness! Each of them contends the other to be evil. So as we vote for the lesser evil, let’s remember to shake the heavens with the power of our prayers for good enough men to come out winners to hold the reigns of governance because with no one to trust in this terrifying world of strife, we can only let go and let God…

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“Thank You” to the following: Atty. Tomas Junco, a congressional candidate in the Province of Guimaras; Ret. Lt. Tirso Lou Osano, in Alberta, Canada, Mr. Jose Agregado in Saudi Arabia, and Miss Ma. Bell Hablan in Bahrain for the inspiring messages ... keep on reading TRIVIA in Panay News website pals. (Reactions and contributions are welcome. Please email to: va_wiley50@yahoo.com.ph)/PN