by Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
My Days of the Week
My date with dyTR radio is Monday to Friday from 6 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. My morning starts with Ted Ayeng for the local news. Listening to all the newscast, I can say that what’s happening around us is very disturbing: people getting killed, apprehension of people involved in drug-related cases, vehicular accidents, robbery, etc.
But that’s the reality nowadays. And my way of escape from all these realities is my sticking it out with the tv series of Tanggol, lavender Fields and Familia Sagrado. And we hear news of women being raped. Apan nganong dili man pud mapahimudsan ang atong mga kababayen-an nga ato man nga makita sa ilang sinina-an nga hapit wala na silay gitaguan? They are exposing themselves and they seem to be prepared for the wolves to be devoured. Pardon me, but this is another reality.
The good thing is: Bishop Abet’s nuggets of gold are good motivations to start the day. Most often, I miss the 5:30 mass at ABS-CBN with Reverend Father Tito Caluag. However, Valerie Yap (Bobong and Daya Lim-Yap’s daughter) never fails to send me the message of the gospel of the day. That’s Daya’s legacy to us. Girlie (Valerie’s sister) is the central processing unit of any update and whereabouts of classmates.
The editorial of last Sunday’s Bohol Tribune by Atty. Greg Austral is another written piece worthy to be read. The reality exposed in the said article is not just disturbing, but a dream of the power that be. Atty Austral wrote: “While it is a legitimate concern for the Philippines to be on track with the AI bandwagon, the job skills of the current labor force still need to be improved to address the needs of the companies investing in AI. With the current state of education, it may be too much to expect AI-ready graduates in the next 5 to 10 years without substantially investing in education and training.”
One day in September or October this year, I forgot that it was a Saturday. As a matter of habit, what I do from Monday to Friday (listening to dyTR), was done by me on that Saturday. I only wanted to listen to the news. But I went on listening to satisfy my curiosity as to what is broadcast on Saturdays. There was a new program after the news: “Hinigugma kong Catigbian”. I got so attracted to the program that starting that Saturday and all the Saturdays after, I kept on tuning in to the program,, I never missed any of its episodes.
What made me curious? Well, I learned that the lady mayor of the town of Catigbian, opted not to run for her 3rd term as mayor. I am surprised because I noticed that she is a popular mayor. She serves her constituents well and knows the meaning of true public service. Her financial success has not changed her decorum. You can feel the sweetness of her voice as she converses and associates with ordinary people. This must be the added asset to the person.
Moreover, despite the rough roads in life, she has persevered because of her steadfastness to her Catholic Faith and her Spirituality. She never spoke ill of her husband even if they don’t share the same vision.
I can’t do live streaming because I don’t know how. Hence, I only see the Catigbian lady mayor on radio during the live streamed broadcast. Meeting her face to face is what I wish for. I wish to see in person the woman who never ceases to work no matter how menial the recognition would be; or even if there is no recognition at all.
