Alms-giving is a virtue, priest says

The peso continues to dive, I told a friend. So what? He said. No matter what the peso does, rise or fall, is of no moment for us anymore, he added. Because we’re in deep shi_t.

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Indeed it doesn’t matter anymore whether the peso rises or falls. When the peso showed strength, my friend Iyo Antoy observed: “Lig-on na ang peso pero mahal ra man gihapon ang tamatis, sibuyas, ahos ug luy-a.”

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A priest said in a homily: “Let us share our blessings with the poor... let’s share our income with those poor kids scavenging for food in the garbage cans... Ang paglimos sa makikilimos usa ka birtud nga gisangyaw sa Kristiyanismo.”

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When the priest looked at me, I nodded, meaning to say “Husto ka Padre.” But then don’t let any government agent catch you doling out “limos” to a beggar. For in this so-called Christian country of ours it is a crime to give alms to a beggar.

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As I write this (Saturday, Oct.10) news about Joavan Fenandez continue to dominate the stories in the news media. Said one reader in a phone call: “Kanus-a pa man ni mahunong ang hisgut-hisgot bahin ning makalagot nga sinagop sa mayor sa Talisay? Hunongon na unta sa media aron mahunong sab ang pagsurok sa akong dugo inigkadungog ko sa ngan Joavan.”

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Before I run out of space, let me say this. Some people, even those perceived to be highly informed, who live in my barangay (Punta Princesa) do not know the name of the place live in. They call Punta Princesa, where they live, Labangon. Punta Princesa and Labangon are separate barangays.

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The formation of the Cebu Tourist Police is a welcome move. Fact is, it’s a move long overdue. We need to maintain our No. 1 position as tourist destination in the country and this can be achieved by making our place tourist-friendly which can be done by giving full protection to foreign and domestic tourists, many of whom have had sad experiences with bad elements on the streets.

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 Bohol has beaten us to the draw on this issue. While we’re still finalizing a plan to create this Cebu Tourist Police, Bohol has already organized its own. Which belies some Cebuanos’ claim that what we do, Boholanos follow.

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