Oscar and Alice, seasoned journalists and keen political analysts, describe the twin books as "our modest effort to disseminate what is happening in our country today." Actually, the books were sent to me sometime ago, but their subject will always be relevant – indeed, when did corruption in our country ever cease to be relevant?
A companion book to the foregoing is that written by former Executive Secretary Aprodicio Lacquian entitled The Erap Tragedy: Tales from the Snake Pit (Anvil). The publisher tells the would-be reader that Lacquian reveals he was present at the meeting during which former President Joseph Estrada signed a loan document with the now-famous "Jose Velarde" signature, an act witnessed by Clarissa Ocampo. Lacquian further narrates that the meeting concerned a guarantee for a P500 million loan to Wellex Corporation owned by William Gatchalian, a Chinoy friend of the former President.
The publisher continues: "In this book, Lacquian offers a startling view of life inside Malacañang (then). Using the snake pit as a symbol, he writes about the vicious infighting among Malacañang top officials – possibly one of the main factors behind the tragic downfall of the Estrada administration.
George Sison, appropriately called "A Man for All Seasons", is engaged simultaneously in business (he is a restaurateur), multi-media and the arts. After appearances as a stage actor, he became a painter-poet with three one-man shows and three poetry books to his credit.
In 1983, George founded the Temple of Prayers, Peace and Prosperity (the TOPPP) now affiliated with the New Though Alliance (INTA) as a result of an endorsement from Dr. Catherine Ponder, New Thought exponent and author of several books on prosperity.
A Miracle Awaits You has a foreword by Catherine Ponder. Letty Jimenez Magsanoc, who has read A Miracle, warmly endorses it with these words: "Everything you’ve always known to be true but were too afraid to say and do because of the high-tech temper of the times is re-affirmed and celebrated in the book; the healing blessings of forgiving seventy times seven, the endlessly rewarding joys of tithing, the loving, caring and sharing that makes everyday Christmas, the belief in God that is in you, etc.
"The best part is that the book shows you how to do it. How? The spirit will move you as it did me toward the appropriate pages for your delectation and application. So soar higher against the winds of life where the miracle is . . ."
If George’s book makes the reader a better person, then by all means, he should obtain a copy from Megabooks Company.
The latest book to come my way is From This Day Forward (Anvil) which is jointly authored by widows and widowers who share their thoughts and experiences on losing their respective spouses and on re-marrying.
The authors are Bambina L. Buenaventura, Cesar A. Buenaventura, Eric S. Caruncho, Doreen G. Fernandez (who is now re-united with Willy), Lanelle Abueva Fernando, Rafael A. Gonzalez, Hilarion M. Henares, Jr., Lorna Patajo Kapunan, Jaime C. Laya, Victor A. Lim, Maribel G. Ongpin, Jose S. Orosa, Marily Y. Orosa, Erlinda E. Panlilio (who edited the book), Agnes Prieto, Beth Day Romulo, Bienvenido A. Tan, Jr., Isabel C. Wilson, Marilen P. Yaptangco and Nina Lim Yuson.
Certain widows and widowers don’t re-marry; other widows and widowers marry each other; still others are twice-widowed. Experiences become more interesting if the widow or widower is personally known to the reader. A few authors are "instant" writers; consequently, one finds occasional lapses.
Published by Anvil, From This Day was designed by Studio 5 headed by Marily Y. Orosa.
Also published by Anvil is Armando Malay: The Life and Times of a Filipino Journalist. Co-authored by Maritess N. Sison and Yvonne Chua, the book was launched at the Executive House, UP, Diliman.
According to the publisher, the biography was based on Malay’s own detailed memoirs and countless interviews with family, friends and colleagues. The prodigious notes of the feisty journalist, educator and activist called The Rushing Years contain many vignettes which capture the highlights of Philippine history from the 1940s to the 1990s. It was in the 70s, during the martial law period, that his courage and integrity was put to the harshest test. Malay was among the thousands detained by the Marcos regime. Of his detention, he writes, "I would have been ashamed if Marcos, who is a fellow Upsilonian, had exempted me from the case. It was happening all over the country, why should I be an exception? I am glad that Marcos made no exemption. We were all imprisoned for writing what was seen as subversive journalism."
Incidentally, I do not have time to review books; thus, authors must content themselves with a mere acknowledgement of receipt.