17 March 2013

Daddy’s legacy


When I learned that my mother was planning to sell Daddy’s land in San Fernando, I was furious.  My father was a farmer and for a farmer, selling his own land is the worst thing that could ever happen to a farmer.  I based my decision on what would Dad feel if we sell his land and so I really refused the proposal. 

My mother has actually sent the deed of sale to my sister Bam in Manila so she and I could sign the papers.  I initially told my sister not to sign the document so they could not sell the land.  The parcel of land was priced higher since the Province relocated the town proper adjacent to where my father’s land is situated.  The property developer is willing to pay Php.2 M for Dad’s land.  It would have been easy to sign and let go if my mother would buy another land to compensate for the one that they intend to sell.  However, she has told my other siblings that as a wife, she is entitled to half of the amount which is Php. 1 M.  She also said that she is also entitled to the 1/6 of the remaining Php. 1 M.  That leaves us with Php. 167K each.  My mother will walk away with Php. 1,167,000 with the sale of Daddy’s land while we will get to receive Php. 167K each.  Believe me, it was not all about money.  I’m earning good money right now and I just felt that selling Daddy’s land will put his legacy into waste.
What can we buy with Php. 167K?  Nothing.  That’s almost the same amount I splurged during my annual vacation.  What I’m saying is that the money will be put to nothing.

Our eldest brother Toto however thinks that nobody could stop our mother.  She’ll insist on selling the land and the story would not end there.  Tam-an na kasabad so he gave up.  Let the old woman have her way.  I am not really interested with the money but in the end, I did agree with my eldest brother to have the old woman have her way.  I asked my sister Bam to sign the deed of sale and also to sign on my behalf.  I told her to forge my signature if she has to.  If she sends the document here, it’ll cost her money.  So, she did everything and even had the document notarized. 

I still thought about how Dad would feel but there’s no use really.  If selling of that land would make my mother happy, I’ll let her.  Her offspring should not stop her.  At least I now have an excuse not to send money to her.  With that money that she can get from the sale of Dad’s property, I think she’ll be able to provide for herself.  I just hope though that she’ll make good use of the money.  It’s about time that I save for my future.  I’ve started saving but what’s wrong with saving more, right?  I’ve been thinking recently of purchasing a property in Iloilo City where I’ll spend my retirement days.  Away from distractions, away from those who are masabad.

Pope Francis I

Pope Francis I


I label myself as a returning Catholic.  There was a point in my life that I just don’t want anything to do with the faith where I was brought up.  However, I’ve realized that you can’t get away with who you are and you just have to accept that, I guess.  My near death experience from the past changed everything including my perspective on faith and life.  I however believe that there’s only one God, and to some, that’s a cafeteria Catholicism where you just choose whatever you like on your faith.

The 2013 conclave to elect a new Pope was not as emotional as it was during the 2005 conclave.  I think it’s partly because the Pope Emeritus did not die, he just retired.  I was so looking forward to see the ceremony, the smoke on the chimney and all.  I was not disappointed because despite how wired our current world is, the Vatican did not fail us in staging the biggest pageantry of the year, the proclamation of its new pope.

I wasn’t disappointed when Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio was selected by the College of Cardinals.  He’s the first Jesuits and the first Pope from the Americas.  It would have been nice if they selected an African or an Asian Pope but I was happy nevertheless that he didn’t come from the powerful Roman Curia (or Italian).  The new pope is a humble man who has compassion to serve his people. 

I pray to God that He will help Pope Francis in dispensing his duties to his religious flock.