A lonely crusade gaining ground

"Have no fear. Tet is here." This could well be part of the limerick for Bataan Rep. Enrique 'Tet' Garcia who, through the past many years, has been a staunch advocate against the oil price increases foisted upon the nation by the three oil giants operating here in the Philippines. After he read my piece about Petron Chairman and CEO Jose A. Syjuco Jr., Tet rushed to the Tuesday Club at EDSA Shangri-La, to give a point-by-point rebuttal to the matters raised by Joey Syjuco.

What I found noteworthy was Tet Garcia's inclination to be open-minded. When I told him about the criticism that the creation of his proposed Philippine National Oil Exchange could mean the seizure and takeover of the refining facilities of the oil giants, a move that could be described as Marcosian and dictatorial, Tet answered that the bill could be amended to put in safeguards against such eventuality.

Tet also had a ready answer to the issue on the OilEx turning into a monopoly run by the government. "The bill can be amended to make the body similar to a foundation," he answered. "I am willing to debate with them or with anyone, on the validity of my oil exchange proposal," the Bataan lawmaker said. And Tet then recited all the benefits that will come from the establishment of the OilEx.

Tet Garcia handed over to me a copy of his eight-page speech before a joint meeting of Rotary Clubs at the Alabang Country Club. As I pored over Tet's speech, I was struck by the clarity and sharpness of the issues he has raised in support of his OilEx proposal. And I felt that it would be to the nation's benefit if a full-blown, in-depth debate could be conducted to clarify the issues and to ease the minds of those who, up to now, are bothered and bewildered by the endless and oftentimes emotional clashes involving the oil industry.

On Sunday, February 27, at the Boracay Room of EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, starting at 6:30 in the evening, a dinner-dance will be held to commemorate the 75th birthday of retired Commissioner of Audit Silvestre D. Sarmiento, known to his legions of friends as "Silver." The affair is actually a celebration of life, because Silver, wife Florlinda, and his family have always looked at life as a way of giving thanks to God for all the good things that He has showered upon them.

During the past several months, knowing more and more about Silver and his family, I am touched and inspired by the Christian spirit that revolves and hovers above them. It seems that they receive utmost satisfaction from giving and sharing, from showing brotherhood to their fellowmen. This is a rare, admirable trait -- and I hope that it will radiate to many other people.

A final word about Silver and his family. They value their friends who have enriched their lives immensely. Which is why they always echo a phrase that goes this way: "May the hinges of friendship never rust, or the wings of love lose a feather... true friends are gifts from Heaven." To Silver, "life is a gift to be used every day, not to be smothered nor hidden away." Happy birthday, Silver!

One of the ablest people to join the diplomatic corps -- former Ambassador Roy Señeres -- cannot turn his back on what he used to do, at great personal sacrifice, in the Middle East. This is to help the country's overseas Filipino workers. For instance, Señeres, together with some friends and with assistance from the Philippine National Bank, has initiated the formation of AWARE, an NGO in the service of the OFWs.

AWARE, which was launched recently with First Lady Loi Ejercito as guest of honor, will soon start giving pre-departure orientations seminars, free of charge, to departing OFWs. The value of AWARE's seminars is that the people behind the group all have a deep grasp of the laws, culture and traditions existing in the principal places of work of the Filipino OCWs.

Here are excerpts from letters I received recently:

ELENITA BINAY, mayor of Makati City: "Congratulations on the launching of your book entitled Walking Through the Pathways of Life. Your book would surely mirror your humanitarian concern for the sick and the needy, and your inspiring words to heal the spirits of those who are wounded in spirit."

VIRGILIO TULDANES: "Reading your column entitled Lack of Confidence is really awakening. It is true. Even our own kababayan will hesitate to invest if there is no confidence. I'm still proud to be a Filipino, yet sometimes I pity myself looking at the pace of progress we have. We have to go back to the basics and emulate our progressive neighbors. We will never attain prosperity until we rethink what went wrong and what actions we have to do. We have to do our homework in double time otherwise we will be lagging behind Vietnam or even Cambodia next time around."

DEREK H. BORROMEO: "I read from your column about the plight of the 12-year-old daughter of Evelyn Crodua. I would like to help. I know how having diabetes can be expensive since I have an uncle and an aunt who had them before they passed away years ago. I would just like to help the little girl even in a small way."

BONG SALVO, California, USA: "I came from Boac, Marinduque. A kababayan informed me about your article, and we were touched by the story of that couple. After I read it, I sent almost 300 e-mails to Marinduquenos that I know, including the presidents of the seven Marinduque associations here in North America. Hopefully, they will respond positively. Please keep us informed about this couple."

PULSEBEAT: The post-Valentine presentation of "2 Nights of Live" concerts by Saling Lahi and Performing Artists International will be held tonight, and on February 28, at the Captain's Bar, Mandarin Hotel in Makati City. Featured artists are international pianist Raul Sunico, saxophonist Tots Tolentino, Asian diva Dulce, Chinggoy Alonso, Carla Martinez, Carla Guevara, and Rannie Raymundo. For other particulars, call up 890-6123, 807-7412, and 842-5069.... Dr. Tyrone M. Reyes, one of the top medical rehabilitation specialists in our country, has an exhaustive article in a 1,922 -- page book on rehabilitation medicine published by Blackwell Science. The book is considered a "Bible" in the world of medical rehab.... The reported carnapping incident at the Subic Pajero, involving a Pajero owned by Smartnet Philippines, turned out to be an inside job. "It was a scheme set up to embarrass the SBMA leadership, said Subic Freeport exec Pyke Torres. The SBMA's Intelligence and Investigation Office undertook the investigation that led to the unmasking of the fraud.... Maximo B. Galagar, secretary of the Sangguniang Bayan of Medina, Misamis Oriental, thinks that the recent Supreme Court ruling on the licensing of tricycles was erroneous, not based on the realities existing in places where these trikes operate.

Art Borjal's e-mail address: [email protected]