Yasay as principal actor - From The Stands

As predicted, Perfecto "Jun" Yasay Jr. would be the center of attention at a press con put up by Cosmopolitan Church yesterday. Media men and women hovered around him hungrily, their ears cocked for what he had to say about the Philippine Stock Exchange report on the manipulation of the stock market. You must have seen him on television last night, his language safe about the issue, but his tone serious about his decision to leave the PSE.

After answering questions, Yasay walked towards the altar, to join a group of dignitaries, including his legal counsel, former Senator Jovito Salonga (whom the media had interviewed earlier). The media did not follow him, but stayed in the foyer of the airconditioned edifice along Taft Avenue. They were not interested in the press con whose topic was the staging of a musical on March 7 on the occasion of the 67th year of the church's founding. Yasay, a member of the church since he was a law student at the UP College of Law just a block away, is vice chair of the fund-raising project. He said that in times of crisis such as the one he is at present undergoing, he looks to God, his "refuge and strength."

The musical, though, excites everyone at Cosmopolitan, whose congregation includes the rich and famous, ambassadors, legislators, justices and professionals. It retells the colorful history of the church, which during the Second World War served as a refuge for Filipinos who had been freed by the Japanese, and provided sanctuary to those in hiding.

(No wonder the musical is titled "Cosmopolitan Church, Refuge and Strength.") A number of church people were tortured and killed by the Kempetai, while three of its missionaries, including its first woman pastor, Mary Boyd, were beheaded for defending truth and freedom.

During martial law, the church was among the strongest voice of opposition and protest, pioneering as it did the ecumenical protest movement known as the Wednesday Forum, the precursor of what is known today as Kilosbayan under the leadership of Senator Salonga. After the EDSA Revolution two church leaders -- Salonga and Gen. Fidel V. Ramos -- ran for the presidency, and the latter became the 12th president of the republic.

The play should be worth watching. Play dates are March 11, with a 2 o'clock matinee, and a 7:30 performance at the sanctuary. No less than multi-awarded Behn Cervantes directs it. Featured artists are Joey Aracama, Jeff Arcilla, Pinky Marquez, Julien Mendoza, Lisa Cabahug, Mengging Cobarubbias, Dulce, Jerry Araos, Audie Gemora, Efrem Malaki, Cynthia Patag, Jo Ramos, Jai Sabas Aracama, Three of a Kind, and Cosmopolitan Church members.

Executive producer is Marlene Suarez; scriptwriter, Behn Cervantes; musical director, Jai Sabas-Aracama; librettist/arranger, Nick Pacis; multimedia director, Bing Villegas, and set designer, Vee Geroso Torrevillas.

Remember the big scare about contracting lung diseases and even cancer from the use of friable insulation materials and amphiboles, also known as blue and brown asbestos? The fear was well-founded; governments abroad banned the use of asbestos in many products, even closed down asbestos mines.

But times have changed. Technology and safety measures have vastly improved. As it was found that substitute materials like silica was unsuitable and even more dangerous when inhaled, new dust-control technology and the encapsulation of the chrysotile fiber, which is asbestos, in a matrix of cement or resin, prevents the release of any fiber by drilling, cutting, etc. Now, the world recognizes that asbestos, strictly-controlled and manufactured, poses no risks to people. In fact, World Health Organization experts have declared asbestos as safe, even as construction materials.

The US environmental protection agency has also withdrawn asbestos materials from its banned list, and now allows the use of asbestos-cement pipes in sewerage and water systems. Other products using asbestos the agency has approved are: fire-proof clothing, roofing felts or related products, cement roofing, cement flat sheets, friction materials, high-temperature textile products, gaskets, mechanical packing materials, high-grade electrical paper, battery separators and other high-density products.

However, asbestos still cannot be used in the manufacture of certain products like toys, spray paints or insulation and insulation for hair-dryers. But asbestos can be used for brake linings of vehicles -- because there has been no substitute found.

How does an herb garden grow? Herb Society of the Philippines will show how, at a whole-day seminar on February 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Magallanes Weekend Market. Herb enthusiasts, housewives, horticulturists, hotel and restaurant management students are welcome. Topics to be covered are growing herbs, food preparation using herbs, ideal plants to start a herb garden, maintaining, propagating, harvesting and preserving herbs and the organic way of planting and growing herbs. A cooking demo featuring herbs, a herb plant sample as a starter for a herb garden, and a primer. An additional fee of P500 is required for those who want to become members of HESOP, which turns one year old today. The Society, according to its president, Roberto G. Clemena, is committed to the propagation, use and preservation of herbs in their most natural way. It is linking up with the International Herb Society of the United States for technology exchange and information sharing. For particulars, call 851-1125.