They were told not to open the Pandora’s box
NOW they know the wrath of the balikbayan box! In an allegorical manner, the Balikbayan box is the Philippines’ modern-day representation of ancient history’s Pandora’ Box, though, in a reverse sense. The former enticing adversities, the latter spewing afflictions.as told in history books.
In Greek mythology, everyone was warned not to open Pandora’s Box for by so doing it would have dire consequences on any person who opened it. In the same manner that a governmentfinance agency and its tax collecting arm were asked not to lay their hands on the 500-kilo cartoon box for by doing so it would only entice fierce criticisms.
Look what it has done to the image of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Customs Commissioner Bert Lina.
President Aquino, last Monday, told the two officials not to proceed with their proposal to open balikbayan boxes for inspection, to appease the growing resentment from various sectors of the populace. If they had only listened to public opinion they would have been spared from the massive public ire!
But the presidential directive did not end the anger of the OFWs. Today they will suspend for one day their sending of money remittances to their family members and friends here. It will mean millions of dollars lost to the country’s economy. Think that the boycotting OFWs are from North America and Canada, as well as Southeast Asia and the Pacific regions.
True, the opening of the incoming gift boxes by customs officials has been shelved by PNoy, but he has not ordered the putting aside of the DOF-BOC scheme of charging the gift box senders $25 each. And, likewise, charging P100 each recipient in the country.
And to tell all and sundry that the Balikbayan box wrath is not over yet, the Senate and the House will conduct separately committee probes into the contentious DOF-BOC proposals any day next week.
Earlier those who vehemently opposed the government imposition of new sanctions on the Balikbayan box were a Catholic bishop, five senators, scores of congressmen, and Filipino organizations in virtually all major cities of the world. While the tempest was boiling, Malacanang avoided issuing any statement.
The balikbayan box is a symbolic accomplishment of every OFW in the world. It is painstakingly filled little by little with grocery items, hygiene products, coffee, candies, casual wear, towels by an OFW over a period of time. It is sent to his family in the country mainly during the Christmas holidays, and on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and school graduation days.
It is said that once a gift box arrives in its provincial destination, it would only be opened by the addressee in the presence of all members of the family. Reports of some cartoons being stuffed with contraband items are isolated.
*** NINE-DAY NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
Calbayog City natives who are now permanent residents in Metro Manila and nearby provinces will start their daily nine-day novena prayers and masses in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, their patroness, on Sunday, August 30, at 4:00 p.m., at Our Mother of Divine Grace chapel, Camp Aguinaldo (use Gate 6 on Col. Boni Serrano), Quezon City.
The daily sponsors: August 30 High School alumni of La Milagrosa Academy, the former TiburcioTancinco Memorial Vocational School, and Christ the King College; August 31 – Querol Family; September 1 – Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Perez and Family; September 2 – Dr. Beda & Dr. Paz Espineda (nee Mabini); September 3 – Mr. & Mrs. Fred Camina (nee Barandino); September 4 – Mrs. Aning Mesedilla and Mrs. Lucy Ortiz Rapirap; September 5 – Gomez Family; September 6 – SUBIRAN; September 7 – Mrs. Sylvia Zarate-Santos, Mrs. Glenda Rosales-Barreto, Mrs. Waylee Rosales, and Dodong and Terry Rosales; September 8 – Reynaldo Chan and Merlie Jimenez. Ms. Paring Pagunsan and Mrs. Miriam Jordan Cruz are the coordinators.
The feast day of Our Lady of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of Calbayog, is celebrated on September 8.
This year’s hosts, Hermano Reynaldo Chan and Hermana Merlie Jimenez, as part of their continuing devotion to the patroness, will host a fiesta get-together at the Quezon City Sports Club on E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, on Friday, September 11, at 6:00 p.m.
The husband-and-wife Calbayog Doers Club will sponsor a formal dinner-dance event at the Manila Hotel on Sunday, September 13, at 6:30 p.m. Music will be provided by the Bedroom Boys Band. For tickets and reservation, call 428-2164 and 0916-4987753 (Ligaya M. Cinco); 825-8791 and 0916-7167931 (Erlie Domingo).