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Manila Memories of the Martyr In my pre-American stage, as a youngster of about seven or eight years of age, I vividly recall the Procession of the Black Nazarene through the streets of Manila. My dad took part in a number of the annual processions. I remember thousands of Filipinos lining the procession route, many intent on trying to touch the icon as it passed. Those who were able to touch the image believed that miracles would occur in their lives. Earlier this January, I watched the procession from a hotel window, not from the streets, and the memories washed over me. Once again I saw the image of Jesus of Nazareth lurching through the tightly crowded, jam-packed streets. The Black Nazarene In the year of our lord, 1606, a Spanish priest in Mexico had an icon put aboard a Spanish galleon bound for Manila. The statue was a life-sized, carved-wood image of Christ bearing The Cross. En route to the Philippines, a fire broke out on the huge ship and the image was seared by fire and became blackened. Because of its survival it became a totem for miracles. Its name reflects the hometown of Jesus: Nazareth. Since 1787 the icon has been enshrined at Saint John the Baptist Church in Quiapo, a division of Manila. For more than 200 years the church clergy have been putting the revered statue on a gilded carriage which is pulled by penitents in bare feet through the streets of metro Manila. November ninth marks the first novena of the statue being ensconced in its present basilica. Questions About the Procession The procession is a twenty-four-hour-plus event. It starts early on the ninth and rolls over into the next morning. Vehicle traffic is paralysed throughout Manila as literally millions of fervent Catholics from across the nation gather to at least see, if not touch, the holy image. Many of the celebrants are barefoot in acknowledgement of how Christ walked to his earthly death. Life and limb are often at risk as people surge toward the wooden image for a touch. Some throw towels at the stewards on the carriage, hoping they will wipe the image and throw the towel back for at least a second-hand blessing. (The Philippine Red Cross recorded over 600 injuries this year.) As I watch the procession from my hotel room, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of people can show such passion, such devotion. I must remind myself that I too am a Filipino, that these are my people. Then more questions start rolling across my mind. What effect does this ritual have on the lives of the masses? Is this good for the nation? Good for the people? What does this amazing spectacle of humanity-swept-away say about them, about me, about us? Answers in the Streets and the Churches of Manila
As I toured the old city and its surrounds in the aftermath of the procession, I still saw extreme poverty. People were still sleeping on cardboard beds in the alleys and other somewhat secure spaces. I still saw many street kids who are homeless. The Philippines has been a “developing” country for ages. Yes, there is a growing middle class, affluence is visible. Despite this economic progress, it is still a country where there is much suffering. The Sunday after the procession, I attended mass and the priest laid out the elements behind the spirit and the devotion of the people. Everyday people identify with the suffering of the Black Nazarene. The wounds, the blood, the crown of thorns, the bare feet, the burden of the heavy cross, all point to a divinity who knows the extremes of human suffering. Since the Black Nazarene knows of this earthly suffering, he provides an answer to a pleading humanity – that they too can ascend to a rich heaven after their bitterly poor, earthly toil. And perhaps they may experience a miracle while they are still here. Many swear that they or loved ones have been cured of disease; others speak of economic progress because of their devotion. Daily Struggles Often I wonder if Filipinos are used to suffering – that struggle is the only reality for them. A single Filipino mother gets up at 5 a.m. to push a huge cart of vegetables for miles in hopes of earning a measly ten bucks to feed her family. The taxi driver who struggles to stay awake during his 14-hour shift earns twenty dollars at the end of the day and considers himself lucky and blessed by the divine. Despite their grinding lives, the folk seem to have a respect for each other and for the dignity of life in a hostile environment. Every time I visit the Philippines as part of my law practice, I am always in awe of the fact that just about everywhere I look people are stalwart and often thrive. Though they may be selling newspapers in the middle of a dusty street, working menial jobs in fast-food joints, or struggling with unemployment (a heart-wrenching number), the Pinoys are trying to live decent lives. Perhaps it is their faith that serves them so well. Faith Doesn't Kill the Will of the People Some holier-than-thou types have accused the Filipinos of being idol worshippers, fanatics, overly superstitious, and the like. I contend that their faith has had a very positive effect on the lives of the population. It has kept them strong and able to endure all sorts of hardships and calamities. Tyrant leaders of the last three decades of the last century squashed reform to improve the plight of the people. The island nation gets whipped by horrendous typhoons on a regular basis. Corruption puts the cramp on business growth. The relentless economic hardship has beat many down; but the Pinoy still have their will. When I return stateside, I will listen to the common complaints of American workers. Monday is the start of a horrible week at work. Or the Starbucks ran out of their favorite grind. I can no longer sympathize after watching the procession of the Black Nazarene and the ever-hopeful who acknowledge him. I have great comfort in realising that my fellow Pinoy have high hopes. Like a job. Or a good cup of coffee. Author Note: The Black Nazarene was carved in Mexico back when the oceans were the Spanish Main. The United States held the archipelago nation as a protectorate for awhile. Seems the Philippines and North America are linked in history – perhaps in spirit and in faith as well.
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 Millions of Lawsuits, Billions of Dollars As we settle into this new year, numbers are falling down around our heads again. 2020 has been kicked aside. We've somewhat avoided the fiscal cliff; now we'll be jumping up against the debt ceiling. Added to all that are the numbers telling us that more than 15 million lawsuits will be filed in our state courts as this new year begins to grow old. People will sue and our courts will once again be flooded with the tides of human conflict. Ours is a nation and a society that seems to thrive on conflicts and animosity. As a result, Americans will spend record-breaking billions on legal fees and court costs during the year 2021.  Courts Become Weapons of Vengeance Vengeance sometimes gets the best of us. No one is immune to anger. Humans are emotional beings and when we get offended, we tend to lash out. Anger is a destructive emotion. Lawsuits are triggered by anger. When we get pissed, we sue. We use the courts and legal system to vent our anger. There are even those whose sole mission in life seems to be destroying others. This mindset will continue to wreak havoc on our lives and on our society. The good news: With a New Year, we can resolve to change, to have a new attitude about the way our lives are spent. Making the Right Choices One of the most powerful realizations in life is the fact that we have choices regarding how we feel. We do not have to react in a specific way to any given event or situation. When a reckless driver cuts us off, we have the power to let it go. We have the choice to not get angry, ensuring that we arrive safely at our destinations. If a customer becomes unreasonable or disruptive, we can choose to remain calm and collected, ensuring more business in the future. When our spouses or significant others start an argument, we can choose a positive response. Many disputes can usually be negotiated and settled without having to set foot in court. Cooler heads can prevail. Really, it's not that hard.  Tolerance, Kindness, Serenity Should Accompany Any Age As the years pass, where do we want our minds to be? The practice of tolerance does require some discipline. Our hopes should embrace the serenity brought about by tolerance and kindness. Road rage at age 70, or any age, is a ridiculous sight. With serenity is how elders should live; cultivating serenity at any age is worth doing. With tolerance and kindness, we can move away from being a litigious society. Imagine how many billions we can save in attorney fees and court costs by simply letting go of the trivial. Aren't there other more needy venues to which our nation should funnel all that treasure, all that time? Physical Health and Mental Health Just the mention of a lawsuit puts stress on a body. Stress has been linked to cancer, heart disease, and even the common cold. Put in some meditation or prayer time on a daily basis. To treat stress or depression, I understand that exercise, even just a daily brisk walk, does better than any expensive pill concoction dreamed up by giant pharmaceutical manufacturers. Combine your stress management and exercise needs with tai chi, yoga, or similar regimens. Diets high in sugars or carbohydrates can actually cause stress or depression. Don't wind up in a courtroom just because you have a poor diet or don't exercise. That's not the way you want to live; is it?  Professional Curse As a lawyer, of course I make money from conflict, but at least I can help prevent high-noon shoot-outs in the public square. Yes, without conflict, I’d be out of a job. The curse of this profession is obvious. Animosity and intolerance drive the legal system and keep lawyers employed. But I see what we can become as a people if we choose to be more understanding and less confrontational. I see how we can evolve and tolerate diversity. And I can see the innate goodness in others. I also see how we can elevate and challenge ourselves to become better than last year. Not Trite, Very True
Let’s start fresh this New Year. Let’s resolve to become better than we are. Many time-worn resolutions crop up this time each year, so many and so often repeated that they even seem trite. But, they are time-worn because they have proven to be true down through the ages. We can’t get rid of conflicts; anger has always been a part of the human experience; but we can remember that we have a choice. We can choose to improve or we can choose to stay basically the same. If staying basically the same made you happy last year, so be it. But if you can imagine a better self, a better society, then resolve to change. If a massive change should happen in our society, I'd gladly give up my job. Perhaps I could teach.   Everyone has a Christmas wish. In my homeland the Philippines, many people wish to escape the tenacious grasp of poverty, especially once the Christmas celebration begins in September. For many people hindered by poverty and despair, each Christmas season heightens and renews their longing for the day when they will finally lead a better life. My folks often include this wish for prosperity in their Christmas prayer.
However, for many people in my former neighborhood in the Philippines, the slum, dirt, and scarcity they are familiar with is their everyday reality and no amount of yearning can change that. I recently reflected on this unfortunate truth when an email arrived from a potential client from the Philippines. I'll call him Jimmy. In response to our law firm’s ad on immigration services, Jimmy responded with an email that sarcastically asked, "Why go to America when it's so difficult to get there? Why even try?" My sense from Jimmy's email was that he was perturbed our ad was disseminating false hopes of immigrating to America. The Difficulties of Immigration Jimmy may be wondering why advertise immigration services when the chances of getting a US visa is slim. And he's right – obtaining a visa to come to the U. S. is not a cake walk. I know this first hand. During a discussion with a consular officer in Manila several years ago, the officer revealed that the denial rate of tourist visas is up to 70%, because of the overwhelming number of non-immigrants who don’t leave the US when they are supposed to. The estimated number of undocumented immigrants in the United States is now over 11 million. Many of these immigrants were suppose to return, but don’t. Instead, they choose to stay in the U. S. and become illegal immigrants. “Why Even Try?” I’ve realized that around this time of year, frustration and even depression can set in for people struggling with poverty. Jimmy's email reflects this same desperation, though I'm intrigued by his question of "why even try?” Does he ask why because he doesn't think he has a chance? Or is it just a fear of failure? A fear of uncertainty? Or maybe Jimmy is one of those people who simply believes that their condition in life is their destiny. And why fight fate? Our ad offers a free consultation for anyone interested in immigrating to the US. Naturally, I hoped that people would at least consider a free consultation and we do get inquiries. But Jimmy's email resonates with me because it speaks to the feebleness of the human spirit. We know that the grass is greener on the other side, but out of fear, complacency, or uncertainty, many people refuse to take a peek at the greener grass. For people like Jimmy who have grown accustomed to poverty and hardship, there is no other life but the one they have now. One wonders, how do you begin to break out of poverty if you can't even imagine a life of prosperity? Poverty in the Philippines The Philippines is a developing country where almost a third of the population lives below the poverty line. There are many areas in the country where the living conditions are unbearable: many families lack adequate water, housing, and sanitation. One such place is called the "Smokey Mountain," located north of Manila. It's named that because the “Smokey Mountain” is actually a mountain of garbage that emits smoke due to toxic chemical reactions in the garbage. There was a time when about 30,000 people lived there - over 7000 families. Every day, garbage trucks dump their trash and many people, including children, pick through the garbage for recyclables, junk, plastics, collectibles, and anything else they can sell. Unfortunately, my homeland is riddled with scenes like this one. Some psychologists or self-development guru may label Jimmy’s sentiment – “Why even try?” – as the "scarcity mindset:” when a person internalizes their life's condition and makes it a part of who they are. If you are living in poverty, you begin to see yourself as poor and helpless and you lose the motivation to lift a finger to help yourself. Your world out there is internalized. It becomes you. This mindset is prevalent in my country and even, I would guess, in other parts of the world. The government and its leaders contribute to this problem. A Tradition of Corruption In the Philippines, we have chronic graft and corruption in the government. We keep electing politicians who continually rob the country's treasury. We vote political family dynasties into office only to see repeated abuses of power. For instance, the president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986 was a brutal dictator named Ferdinand Marcos who was accused of looting the Philippine treasury of billions of dollars. For years, he ruled with an iron hand, executing those that opposed him and causing great harm to many families. Recently, his son Ferdinand Jr., referred to as Bongbong, was almost elected Vice President, despite the many accounts that he knew and participated in his father's abuse of power. But Bongbong and his father aren’t the only corrupt politicians in the Philippines. In 1998, we voted for an actor named Joseph Estrada as President; later, he was found guilty of plunder and corruption and sent to prison. However, Estrada now serves as Mayor of Manila. In 2001 when Estrada was ousted, we voted a politician named Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to replace him as President. She too was charged with corruption after leaving office and has been detained for years. Perhaps the Philippines continues to struggle because, when you surrender to fate, you lose the motivation to improve your life. We fail to learn from history because, like Jimmy says, "why even try?" And now the Philippines has elected President Duterte who is being accused of endorsing the killings of thousands of suspected drug addicts and traffickers. The latest count of extrajudicial killings brings the total to over 5000 deaths. Christmas Message of Hope In the Philippines, a nation with close to 80 million devout Catholics, Christmas is the biggest holiday of the year and celebrating Christmas should mean inspiration, hope, change, and improvement. Christmas tells us that life is not stagnant: it is full of hope. Contrary to what Jimmy believes, we should at least give ourselves a chance to improve our lives. Though there are things beyond our control – like being born into poverty – poverty is not in us. So my Christmas wish is for Jimmy to give us a call and let me explain how it is possible to immigrate to America. ShareShare A Christmas Wish For Jimmy
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