Unique gathering

Nothing is really objectionable in putting up awards that recognize outstanding achievements or excellence in particular fields. They are good incentives that inspire people to soar to greater heights and realize impossible dreams. Unless they are abused and become cheap dime a dozen gimmicks that feed on the vanities of people. Or have been reduced to money making ventures where the "awardees" shell out a fortune in exchange for a glittering plaque or an attractive trophy and a few minutes of fame. These are the current crop of most awards being handed out year in and year out in this country. They produce instant celebrities rather than acclaim real heroes.

But last Sunday, my wife and I were fortunate enough to witness a different and unique kind of awarding ceremonies. We wouldn’t have been there had I not shed off my seemingly irrepressible bias against such functions. One singular feature that pushed me to attend was the name appended to the affair: parangal para sa mararangal. The invitation said that some 70 government officials would be recognized for their gallant stand against jueteng by just saying "no" to it. Curiosity drove me to witness the ceremony and find out why they would be considered mararangal just by saying no to jueteng when it was expected of them not only to say no but to put a stop to this illegal gambling that has been called a "moral and social cancer".

Immediately noticeable at the unique gathering was the absence of well known and powerful politicians who usually make a lot of noise in the media on their anti-gambling stance. Also conspicuous by their absence were top law enforcement officers who have been making press releases about their crusade against jueteng. The highest official around was DILG Secretary Joey Lina who has been relentless in his campaign against jueteng even when he was governor of Laguna backing up his words with bold and decisive actions. He aptly described those five Congressmen, nine provincial governors, five city mayors, fifty municipal mayors and one provincial board member in attendance as a "marginalized" group that do not belong to the mainstream of society because they have made a stand that may be politically incorrect but morally upright. By just saying no to jueteng and no to jueteng payola, they have made the first step in the fight against illegal gambling in their respective localities. They also manifested an unflinching stand against corruption in government perpetrated by gambling lords that was the cause of disgrace and downfall of a president.

Quite inspiring indeed was the sight of small town mayors, city mayors and provincial governors in far-flung places dignifiedly stepping up with heads held up high to receive a citation saying in effect: "I refused to be corrupted by the gambling lords in my place". The aura of honor somehow pervades the gathering. It gave a resurgent sense of pride and feeling of hope to those who came.

The parangal has indeed drawn a line between the mararangal and those who are not, as far as the crusade against jueteng goes. This simple formula is the brainchild of Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz of Dagupan City who organized the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng. It may appear quixotic to the skeptics but somehow it demonstrates that jueteng is stoppable and the key to fight it is simple rejection, to say no to its advances. As the Archbishop added,the work continues until we have a jueteng free Philippines, when the mararangal or the few good men and women who received citations will no longer be at the fringes of this "unholy nation" but will be in the mainstream of our society rid of illegal gambling.

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