Del Sur : Chapter 1 -Recuerdos -Martial Law

It was a dreary night.
To remember what has gone before.
What was lost.
Lives and their presence.

Along the road, you met them, and suddenly they left you.

To be loyal to the Faith, to protect the innocents, and to uphold Justice.
Fe, defender y justicia

When the tyrant and his family ruled the land, many died in the ignominious way, away from those who love them. Alone, without the knowledge of hope.

We are not supposed to get entangled in any power struggle. We only rise if it endangers the Church or its faithful and Her priests.

Why should these clerics always embark in dangerous missions – where it is more likely they will die in the hands of their persecutors.

“I need to inform the group”
how to make the rescue as fluid as possible
And as inconspicuous as possible.
We cannot be seen or remembered by the NEW SOCIETY’s intelligence.

Trying to smuggle colegios branded by the regime as communists towards the provinces of Laguna, Cavite or Quezon.

Then I heard a shout:
“Don Rodrigo , we must hurry, we are too few to face the Metrocom this way.”

‘Yes Father Luis, we need to train the next generation or we will be all gone from the cara de la tierra”

Boys , come with us – we must ride this Tamaraw to safe place , before leaving.

As we are riding the vehicle …
Two police cars passed us …not suspecting we have 4 youth activist inside us …

That is a close one.

Del Sur -Guardia Civil

They were sons of Spaniards to Filipina women. It makes them half-breed.

Not indios nor full bloodied Spaniards.

They are mestizos and fluent in the Castillan language. But it does not give them any advantage with respect to the Spaniards nor to their Filipino countrymen.

They were taught to love their Catholic heritage by Spanish friars -most Masonic Filipinos patriots learn to hate.

But some of them has a secret that flows from hundred years in the past -in a different land.

Why I still speak

Some told me why I keep warning people about DUxxx – and this is my answer – I lived during the Martial Law years believing that the NPAs was our most feared enemies and that if we grow weak – they will immediately take advantage of the situation and turn our country into a ‘killing fields’.

And so my elders of my generation – let Marcos be. They let him destroy our democratic institutions, ravaged our natural resources and decimated a generation of youth leaders with torture, rape and summary executions and branded all his enemies – that are principled – either as oligarchs or communists.

Marcos and his generals

Mao and Stalin

Only when the Lord called me out of H-fever at UST Hospital that He started changing my perspective , and though I did not watched Ninoy when he passed by España in 1983 – I realized that Marcos and his family is a crook, a liar and the real enemy of our society. He sow fear amongst our hearts, and the nation reaped years of economic devastation and cultural morass.

And someone similar sits in Malacañang now – he just added drug addicts and terrorists to his scarecrows.

And like then – churches are either collaborating with him – by being silent , or supporting him out of a wrong biblical interpretation of the word ‘submission’ – i think more so for fear – that he will use the police to imprison them -;if they wake their members to the truth – that he is a form of the beast of Revelations 13 and they are supporting the archenemy – the dragon who lied and killed since the beginning.

I cannot be silent , like my elders did. Nor like the other pastors who thought only of their numbers.

Old man telling stories

We all die , but it is how we live that we make the difference in the lives of others especially of the next generations after us.

For me – i just need to tell stories…my story and then of that past when a government brainwashed its citizens with songs of ‘ Bagong Lipunan’, nutribun and big infrastructures – paid for in blood by a whole generation.

I just need to tell stories. It is up to you to open your eyes and ears.

Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Future Donatist Situation – Evangelical Pastors for Duterte

I posted the original at Facebook- I will expand some of my thoughts here:

I am really shocked by Christians and even pastors who are still in favor or tolerate the EJKs being done by this government ( this is already 2020 – 3+ years has passed since D30 assumed the presidency) either thru its policemen or thru ex-NPAs or just paid-by-quota professional hitmen – as it was done at Davao City when D30 was still its mayor.

These pastors cannot even distinguish between plain drug users to the street peddlers , then to the area drug pushers and then to the local drug lords, and then to the regional drug lords and lastly to the foreign drug cartel based at China or other countries.

Most of those killed are just the users, ex- users and peddlers and sometimes even mere young bystanders or just killed because of mistaken identities.

Rare are drug lords taken to justice or killed during legal operations. They are protected by their connections or their drug money.

If ever, they are just sacrificed by their competitors or by their drug protectors amongst the police or the drug lords in the national level.

So next time – a Christian or a pastor showed delight or approval in this drug war – ask them if they can make these distinctions.

Stop the impunity. Stop the moral confusion.

Read your bible. Think deeply of Christian moral ethics. Being shallow is leading us to a dangerous path.

Jesus is the only Lord.

Caesar is just an idol. An antichrist. An agent of Satan.

Idolatries

Some were offended by this picture.

I am not sure if it is because of me using the DU30 and his minions as symbol of idolatries or it is because they are devotees of the Black Nazarene.

My friends -both are idolatries and does not refer to the proper worship of the Triune God and esp the Son of God who is already sitting as Man in the right hand of the Father in Heaven, who will again come as Judge.

One is an idol of wood ( Black Nazarene) the other an idol of flesh and idea( DU30 and Statism).

Roman Catholic priests and leaders should educate their members on this and discourage this folk religion debasing the Catholic faith found in their catechisms and the writings of the church fathers.

Since Vatican 2 -the Roman Catholic church – their scholars and their bishops are warning of the misguided devotions to this folk Catholic piety. It does not represent true biblical potrait of the Lord Jesus, nor does it cultivate Christian virtues and the fruit of the Spirit in their daily lives.

As millions joined in this parades – many are joining it without understanding the Christ of faith and of history. Our Lord Jesus in fact in the Gospel avoided such mindless rituals and chasing after miracles – without knowing who He truly is.

If you dont like what I post -unfriend me in FB-it will not affect my friendship with you.

If you disagree – disagree and state your position here in public so that others may react and understand your position .Don’t send me private message.

In the same way if I found out you are really an enabler of the fascist DU30, even after reasoning with you and after his 3 years of misleadership – I will unfriend and block you.

Don’t say that this method is not effective or it is unloving.

Define first what love is to you and ask why you are silent about these sins until now.Don’t disconnect Truth from Love. Or it is mere sentimentality.

The devil and his minions are not passive nor silent.
And his human cohorts are mobilizing their misappropriated money to deceive Filipinos -here and abroad.

An Essay on World War 2 Memories

Narrated to and written by Russel Michael Cu Rodriguez

Panayam tungkol sa mga Karanasan noong Pananakop ng mga Hapon Panayam kay: Theresita V. Rodriguez

NOTE: I will make my translation into English later.

Ako ay lubos na nagpapasalamat na nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong makapanayam ang aking lola tungkol sa mga karanasan niya noong panahong sinakop ang Pilipinas ng mga Hapon. Ang aking mga pangunahing katananungan sa kanya ay papaano ang pamumuhay noon, anu-ano ang mga kinakain nila, anu-ano ang mga nangyari sa mga iba pa niyang kamag-anak, at papaano nila nalagpasan ang mga kalupitan ng mga Hapon.

Isinilang ang aking lola noong 1937 kaya mga apat na taong gulang pa lamang siya nang dumating ang mga Hapon. Bago pa man mangyari ang pananakop, takot lang ang tanging nadama niya nang sinabihan siyang lulusob ang mga Hapon. Ayon sa kanyang kuwento, kapag narinig na raw ang sirena, paparating na raw ang mga eroplanong pandigma ng mga Hapon at maglalaglag na ng mga bomba. Magtatakbuhan na raw ang mga tao papunta sa kani-kanilang mga bahay. Siya at ang kanyang pamilya ay magtatago na raw sa ilalim ng bahay na tinatawag nilang “silong.” Karamihan ng mga bahay noon ay mayroon nito. Minsan daw ay may mga naghuhukay nang malalim sa lupa at pagkatapos ay gagawing “air raid shelter” na. Napakalakas ang mga bombahan at damang-dama niya ang pagyanig ng lupa dahil sa mga pagsabog. Hindi ligtas ang buong pamilya nila noon. Ang kapatid ng kanyang lolo ay namatay dahil natamaan ng shrapnel shell. Tiniis nila ang bombahan mula 1941 hanggang sa sumunod na taon.

Lubos na kahirapan ang natamasa nila noon. Ang isa sa mga pinakanatatandaan niya ay may mga lumubog na barko na nagdadala ng maraming bigas. Nang wala nang mahanap na kanin ang mga tao, marami ang sumisisid para kunin ang mga bigas sa ilalim ng look ng Maynila. Ang bigas na ito ay tinaguriang “Sisid Rice” sapagkat ito ay sinisid. Mabaho na raw ang mga ganito dahil medyo matagal nang nakalubog sa ilalim ng tubig. Napilitan siyang kainin ito kahit nangangamoy na kaya hindi niya raw ito malilimutan. Sa katunayan, nagkasakit pa siya ng beri-beri dahil sa pagkain nito. Kangkong ang madalas din nilang kainin noon. Kapag karne naman ang gusto nila, nagluluto rin sila ng aso. Isa naman sa mga iniinom nila ay ang salabat. Nagpuputol sila ng mga tubo para may pagkukunan ng asukal. Hinahalo ito sa tubig bago nila pinapakulo. Kapag natapos na ay nilalagyan nila ng luya at pwede na itong inumin. “Ang salabat ang pamalit namin sa kape sapagkat wala nang kape noong digmaan,” ang sabi ng aking lola. Naalala rin niya na nang malaman nilang halos wala nang makain sa Maynila, pumunta pa sila sa Polilan, Bulacan dahil maraming gulay dito. Gumamit lang sila ng kariton sa paglalakbay.

Labis ang kalupitan ng mga Hapon nang bumagsak ang Pilipinas sa mga kamay nila. Ang tiyo niya na si Alfredo Alcantara ay isang sundalong kasama sa Death March. Hindi na raw siya nakabalik dahil dito. Dahil kasapi siya sa USAFFE, nabalitaan niya na mabibigyan siya ng pensyong dolyar ngunit hindi ito natuloy. Buhay pa kasi ang kapatid ng kanyang tiyo kaya sa kanya ito napunta. Ang lolo ko naman ay kasali sa guerrilla noon. Nakikita ko nga ang peklat sa paa ng aking lolo dahil nataga siya ng bayoneta. Nanghihinayang ako na hindi ko na siya nakapanayam sapagkat pumanaw na siya noong 2009. Balikan ko naman ang mga iba pang kwento ng aking lola. Tumira rin sila noon sa Legarda. Ang bahay nila ay malapit sa ilog. Minsan daw ay nang dumungaw siya sa bintana para makita ang San Beda College na nasa kabila ng ilog ay napansin niyang may mga Hapon na maraming mga dalang sanggol. Nagulat siya nang makitang hinahagis papataas ang mga sanggol at kapag pababa na sa lupa ay tinutusok ang mga ito. Tuwang-tuwa pa raw ang mga Hapon kapag sumasabog ang mga dugo. Ginawa lang nilang laruan ang mga sanggol. Dinagdag pa niya sa akin na kahit sinong babae raw na magustuhan ng mga Hapon ay ginagahasa. Pabiro namang sinabi sa akin na mapalad pa rin siya sapagkat ang mga batang nasa edad niya noon ay hindi masyadong pinapansin ng mga Hapon. Nang tanungin ko siya kung ano ang masasabi niya sa mga ugali ng mga Hapon noon, sinabi lang niya na walang hiya ang mga iyon. “Napakabilis nating malimutan ang mga ginawa nilang pang-aabuso sa atin,” ang sabi niya. Halos puro kasamaan lang ang nangyari sa Pilipinas sa pamumuno nila.

Sa kabila ng mga paghihirap, masasabi naman niyang napakasimple rin ang buhay noon. Nabuhay ang kanyang pamilya sapagkat nagtitinda siya ng niyog na inihaw na patok na patok noong mga araw na iyon. Marami siyang mga kapatid at siya ang panganay kaya malaki ang naging responsibilidad niya noon sa pag-aalaga sa kanila. Nagkaroon din siya ng oportunidad na makapag-aral sa Sta. Catalina College na pinatatakbo ng mga madre. Mayroon kasing grade school ito at dito siya tinuruan ng mga Hapon ng mga simpleng aralin tungkol sa wika nila. Ang naaalala lang niya ay tinuruan sila ng mga simpleng pangungusap katulad ng “Koriwa o koringgodes” na ang ibig sabihin ay “Ito ay isang malaking mansanas.” Ang sumunod naman na itinuro ay ang pangungusap na “Koriwa chichay ringgodes” na ang ibig sabihin naman ay “Ito ay isang maliit na mansanas.”

Naging mayaman sa mga impormasyon ang pagtatalakay niya sa mga naging karanasan niya noon. Napakarami kong natutunan at naunawaan tungkol sa pamumuhay noong panahon ng Hapon sa pamamagitan lang ng pagtingin sa nakaraan ng aking lola. Kahit sabihin ko mang simple lang ang pag-uusap namin, napakahalaga pa rin ang naging talakayan sapagkat pangunahing sanggunian ito ng mga kaalaman tungkol sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa. Dahil naging detalyado ang panayam, nagawa kong mailarawan sa aking sarili kung papaano maranasan ang mga paghihirap kung nabuhay man ako sa panahong iyon. Lubos akong humahanga sa aking lola dahil natuklasan ko kung paano niya nalagpasan ang ganitong uri ng pamumuhay

Wolves amongst the sheepfold – why Christians –even Reformed pastors chose, endorsed and still support Duterte for President.

1. They did not research his bloody past – the death squads as reported by CBCP and Human Rights Watch, even by BBC and the Guardian and Deustche Welle – dismissing reports as liberal media meddling or bias and yellow media lies.

2. They read Romans 13 without regard to its literary, historical and theological context.

They espoused that the Nero being pointed by Paul there is the madman –the one who killed his family and enemies and burned Rome. But that portion of Scripture refers to the time when Nero was still in the tutelage of Seneca and still under control. He is not yet the Beast of Revelation.

They also ignore that it is written after the presentation of the Gospel and its attendant lifestyle that should arises from it. It seeks peace within the civil area –so as to give no hindrance to its progress in the Empire and be not considered revolutionary –just what happened to the Zealots in AD 70 and Masada. It seeks the welfare and peace of society thus it supports the paying of taxes and the like since it is the local governments that maintain the peace in such volatile era and society. Submission is mandated but adulation nor is support of unjust laws and punishments within the purview of such command. The cross is eventually banned in Christian society.
Theologically –it is naiveté not to consider the whole witness of Scriptures wrt state governments and relative obedience to any human authority, From Babel to Sodom and Gomorrah –to the oppressive kings of Israel and Judah and the Babylonian Empire. It is not total submission which is being commanded to – It can ve easily seen that submission is easily expressed in the payment of taxes and tariff in the subsequent verses.

3. The rise of Neo-Pentecostalism/ Charismatics and Word Faith movement –which discounted the place of the study of Scriptures and its applications –by listening to voices and visions and prophets and self-appointed apostles. Clearly if only they study Scriptures as good Bereans do –they will easily hear the voice of a wolf in their pastors and leaders.

4. Biblical illiteracy –many just listen to the message on Sundays and not read their bible on their own, If they ever read –they either use a devotional guide or read it haphazardly. There is famine of the Word amongst our churches and the pastors are the culprit. Majoring in them minors and preaching prosperity gospel throughout the year. No book-by-book exposition nor a catechetical instruction on primary and essential doctrines of the Christian Faith.

5. Many so-called Christians are under the domination of church pastors and leaders that penalizes critical thinking or the priesthood of all believers. G12 cult and the rise of INC, Quiboloy’s KOG and Word-Faith apostles and prophets. They just vote what their leaders commended.

6. Sometimes –insisting on the primacy Scriptures is taken as command to neglect history and systematic theology. No one knows the Protestant resistance to the Catholic monarchs or the Puritan and Scottish Covenanters nor the American Revolution –as oppose to that of the French Chinese and Russian anti-theistic revolutions.

7. The drug problem is really serious . They may have relatives or friends who were drug addicts or harmed by them. They see its parasitic effect on their community and thought that this war can be won by immoral methods.

8. Many christians are no longer idealist or at least chastened realist. They become pragmatic -whatever works -even by methods that are evil and will have ling-term degrading effects. The evil will be no longer outside of them-they just invited it within themselves. Selling their souls because they thought they can gain the whole world.

Repent now or be dragged down later as a traitor to your calling

This was my response to someone’s unbelievable position – even until now :

“I do support the govt – out of conscience’s sake and as a Christian submission to the governing authorities – plural- because of the Lord Himself.

But to say we still support DU30 inspite of empirical data – then ( Human Rights Watch’s data) and 2 year hence ?

Better reconsider this – remember Nazi Germany and what the German Confessing Church of Barth and Bonhoeffer did against Hitler or the capitulation of the other Protestants and even Catholics to the Fuhrer .

Or worse- the irrelevance of Orthodox Churches during Tsarist Russia – which was the boon for the October Revolution of Lenin and Stalin.

Supporting a bloody immoral leader is not a matter of faith. Following a lawful civil order- yes – but this ?

Please reconsider – or your ministries or apologetics or theologies will be dragged down by this ethical position. Your voice will be ignored when the unveiling happens.

Remember – it was the Magisterial Reformers and the Protestants who resisted Emperors and Kings (Puritan Revolt and American’s Wars of Independence) when the governing authorities are no longer acting as Ministers of God.

As with husband and pastors acting independent and especially against God’s boundaries – so are we no longer bound to our political leaders. Our ultimate allegiance is to God only. Better to obey God than men.

When i voted for Marcos in the snap election of 1986 – due to the fears of Communists taking over after Marcos – which is true then – my eyes were opened when the ‘lesser magistrates’ ( Enrile and Ramos and Cory) revolted against him.

You must reconsider now – not later – and raise up your voice for God and His Word – in this situation. Or be tainted by this wrong choice and lose your moral ascendancy forever.”

What Romans 13 really said about Submission to the Civil Government

Romans 13 is :
1. A defense against anarchy but not for dictatorship

2. About multiple authorities,not the rule of one tyrant or an emperor.

3. Submitting to legal authorities in order to avert leading a society to anarchism like what happened during the French Revolution and the Jewish Tribulation of AD 70.

4. Obedience to them means supporting them with taxes and legal revenues. But it does not mean runaway taxation or deficit spending

5. Paul is not condoning Nero’s immoral acts in the future. Nor is Peter in his epistle.

6. Submission is not the same as adulation or idolatry.

You can submit to your commanding officer to fight the enemy’s soldiers but not to terrorize the common masses or citizenry. Those are crimes against humanity.

In analogy a child can submit to his parents to goto school but not to be his runner for drugs.

7. Is not making one form of government as a norm -monarchial and dictatorial.

8. Governing authority is a minister of God -for good.Not evil. Especially evil men.

9. A minister is under a higher law – not merely what is legal. He is under God’s moral law – which reflects His character.

10.It does not say that a violent or strongman rule is the qualification for a governing authority. He must possess the qualifications of a minister of God. He must know the Law and upheld it – substantively and procedurably. Sometimes he must take the sword to prevent violence, punish evildoers or defend the citizenry from hostile nations or elements of society.

11. Luke’s Acts of the Apostles portrays the Roman Law and governance as a defense against the lawlessness of the Judaizers and their Zealots.

12. At the time when Apostle John wrote the Revelation – about 10 -30 years after Paul, Nero is already called the Beast -the proto-antiChrist.

13. Jesus and the Apostles taught of turning the other cheek and praying for God’s enemies. And in time of persecution -is to flee from one town to another.

They did not taught them to meekly submit their necks to the oppressor. The Gospel must be spread -as it is now.

Raising an army against the Roman Empire is a foolhardy enterprise. Only a Zealot with Maccabean visions did that. And they got Masada and the Bar- Kokhba revolt

These are my preliminary thoughts on this. I will add some more in the future.

Time Together

I wrote this when I was listening to Harry Nilsson’s song – “Without You” and I began to be thankful for all of them:

It is not just one individual -but a list really -starting with God …then my Mommy (Theresita Villena Rodriguez ) and Daddy -and then my brothers (Kuya Rizaldy Rodriguez and Dikong Ross )

-and then my uncles and aunties (both Villenas and Rodriguez – still living and now gone – esp. Auntie Binay and Trining – who ministered to my needs and guide me while studying at UST )

– my friends from high school -until now (Lope Sarreal III, Kennedy Ong and Al Perez ) – my cousins Demetrio Cuaresma , Gemma and Berna Rosete – who were my batch then.

– then those who taught me about the Lord Jesus and His Word – Lolo Enteng – pastors and their wives: Ric Pagarigan , Dick and Anne Kwantes, James and Mary Anne De Young, Pastor Maas and Mom Eloise VanderBilt, even PS Jin Ito.

– my friends at UST – Joel Ong, Mon, Ramon C. Quevedo, Lloyd Ang, Friends from BFHCF -Pastors Rey Domingo and Edwin Puzon. Lynne Asuncion Fister and Gie, Lita, Mae, Doc Norman & Jojo

My office heads thru the years – Engrs Ed Cinco… Sir Jess Cabrera and then now Sir Alex Cabugao .

– and then my work mentors – Sirs Danny Aquillo , Reyo Gavino, Bong Sasotona ,Oman Ortega , Genie Pangilinan, Cesar Dawana. Alex D. Lim & even my kumpare -Joey Mell Alejandro Acejas ,and of course – Sir Julius Vinson and Mam Cecille Mariano Domingo – at Power Services.

My OH Line Design mentors – Alex Adamos, Larry Cruz, Dan Busilan and Noli Eusebio; UG Design mentors -Tonton Torres & Ruel Navaro & Bro Ling Sabalburo– and those who helped me at work thru the minute details -kumareng –Milagros G. Abenales, Nene Taylo, Fides and Grace Rasco-san Jose -my Standards colleagues: Joel Bongga, Robert Lazaro faithful field companion – Joey Benipayo and Harold Banglay,

My MACE Colleagues – Sir Elboy Gonzales, Ray Fabros ,Robert Nery, Joselito Oviedo & Rodel dela Torre.

My Miescor mates – ‘Inaanak’ Ezra Perida and Harold Pactanac.

my Christian Reconstructionist kumpares – IL CPatangan and Fed Dimal -and then my South CBG TS team now (DanT,Borj, Dennis Abustan Salvatus ,Kev Apolinar, Rhys,Pam & Debbie -though much younger than I am -are still teaching me a lot.

My Christian friends from CCRL (the Paredes, Dellotas ), UCM, JLOAPC ( Ps Medic and Romy dela Criz, Vic Ebojo and Sam Mapalad) , SPCRC ( Bro Bong and Gerry and Sis Josie, Perly and Lynne) , Powerhouse and now VCF Alabang ( Brothers Noel, Jimmy, Jun, Rene, Mikee, Peter, Jojo & of course especially Elvin) -and fellow Gideons -San Pedro Camp- especially Dr Roman De Leon – a mentor of sorts and counsellor.

My IIEE buddies and electrical contractor-friends: Rey Licayan, Freddy Rodriguez, & Rodel ‘insan’ Rodriguez.

Our monthly Couples’ fellowship brethren – Ps Abet, Bros Mar and Fred Cabrera and their wives- Myles, Wealthie Dadia & Aida respectively.

and of course my wife and partner-in-life – Maribel Tulay Rodriguez (My Narda and Diana Prince) and my 4Kids -(Rayuel Rodriguez Mariel Rodriguez Raniel Rodriguez & Biyel Rodriguez ) my reason for living and being and enjoying my life now.

I am blessed by the Lord to be with and at your side, one time or another – I wish you all God’s blessing and presence in your life – and still wish to see you more in the future.

I will update this as I remember.

Related Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/RayAntheSilent/posts/10212601886219798?match=aGFycnkgbmlsc3NvbixuaWxzc29uLGhhcnJ5