Filipino customs and tradition dictate na ang isang patay ay dapat na binibigyan ng katahimikan, paggalang at dignidad.                                              

Sadly, sa kaso ng yumaong si Negros Occidental Rep. Iggy Arroyo, taliwas dito ang nangyayari. Parang ang gulo-gulo ng mundo niya. Parang mas magulo pa kesa nu’ng nabubuhay pa siya.                                                      

Notably, it would seem that his death had been topsy-turvy from the start. ’Di nga ba at kuryente ang unang naglabasang balita na namatay na daw siya? I myself was shocked when I read it on Yahoo news, only to find out later on that it was not true. 

Even Congress was a victim as it flew its flag at half-mast pero nu’ng malaman na kuryente, ibinalik sa itaas ang bandera. Although namatay din later on the same day si Arroyo, the fact remains na nagkaroon pa rin ng kuryente news.                                                                                                       

Then came the media appearances of Aleli Arroyo, the estranged legal wife of Rep. Iggy with matching lawyer by her side, where she stated plans to assert her right to Arroyo’s remains, decide on the details of his wake, burial and certain documents and that she will sue Grace Ibuna, who happens to be Iggy’s partner at the time of his death, etcetera.                 

Then came the issue that brothers Mike and Iggy have P2 billion each to their names and that the Jose Pidal case  may be revived.       

Before anybody gets me wrong, hindi ko kilala ang Arroyo brothers moreso si former President Gloria.  Nakakadismaya lang kasi na nangyayari ang mga ito sa isang taong namayapa na ni hindi pa naibuburol.              

My heart goes out to Ms. Bianca Arroyo, Iggy’s daughter from his first marriage, when she sort of asked for a ceasefire and said na ni hindi nga siya makaiyak nang matino.

I hope these issues, valid or not, will be put aside in the meantime. There is a proper time and place for everything.  At the rate things are going on right now or are expected to go on after his interment, I doubt if Rep. Arroyo will ever rest in peace. Sadly, he is no longer around to say his piece.                

I am among the many who frown on certain issues surrounding the Arroyos pero sa kultura ng Pilipino, kapag patay na ang isa tao ay tinitigilan na ito o kung may isyu man tungkol sa hatian ng anumang naiwan, at least pinalilipas muna ang libing bago ito pag-usapan. Moreso, things like this are better discussed within the family at hindi sa media, unless gusto mong pagpiyestahan kayo or ’yung patay.                                                                               

Kung talagang mahal mo ang isang tao, di mo gugustuhin na pagtsismisan pa siya sa kanyang kamatayan and most of all, susundin mo kung ano ang tunay na wishes nito.  I’m sure Iggy had told a soul or two kung ano ang gusto niyang mangyari in case he goes, dahil hindi naman biglaan ang kanyang pagpanaw.                                                                   

’Di man matigil ang kontrobersya at kung ano-anong isyu tungkol kay Rep. Arroyo, sana ay mabigyan man lang ng pagkakataon ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay na magluksa at mabigyan ito ng matahimik at may dignidad na burol.  Mahirap bang ibigay ang konting paggalang sa patay?                                                    

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PAGING, LTO -- Motorists and pedestrians complain about how buses coming from Quirino Avenue go full speed as they turn left to Taft Avenue, in complete disregard of pedestrians crossing the street. I myself saw how a bunch of people scampered for safety as two buses raced while turning left.Nangyari ito last Saturday at around 2:30 p.m. Akala mo hinagisan ng granada at biglang na-disperse.  

Nagkakarera kasi ang mga kumag na driver ng San Agustin Bus (body no. 9937 and plate no. TYS-956) at St. Anthony of Padua (body no. 88014 and plate no. PYZ-805) sa pagkuha ng pasahero, kesehodang sa gitna ng kalsada huminto. Pagsakay ng pasahero, karera naman sila sa daan, kabig dito, kabig dun.  Kaya ang ingay ng Taft nung araw na ‘yun. Akala mo may noise barrage. Kakabusina sa mga hayup na drivers na ‘yan.                                     

I hope LTO will do something about these drivers.  ’Wag nang intayin na may madisgrasya na naman bago pansinin ang problema. Pleaaasseeee…

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Beauty tip: When brushing the scalp hair, use a soft natural bristle brush. Firmly brush the hair from scalp outward. This will distribute the oil along the hair shaft keeping it shiny and healthy rather than letting the oil remain on the scalp where it will only become a good medium for yeast to multiply.   (Source: Dr. RosaryMay Canay-Diaz of the Le Californian Beau Medical Spa/410-8424/450-1388)        

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Jokjok (from Mr. Al Pedroche/Editor,Pilipino Star Ngayon)—Pedro (in-interview isa-isa ang tatlong lalaki na kamamatay lang): Ano nangyari sa ’yo?/Guy 1: Pag-uwi ko, nakita ko nakahiga misis ko, me sapatos ng lalaki sa tabi ng kama. Nagwala ako, tinulak ko aparador sa bintana at inatake ako sa puso./Pedro: Ikaw, ano nangyari sa ’yo?/Guy 2: Naglalakad po ako nang mabagsakan ako ng aparador./Pedro: Ikaw naman, ano nangyari sa ’yo?/Guy 3: Ako po ’yung lalaki sa loob ng aparador!                                                                                             

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