I f you are reading–or even just simply staring at– this column this very moment, you must rejoice; you are alive. You survived the cataclysmic end.
May 21 came to pass and we are still here with the world intact around us except for a few dents from the havoc in several places caused either by nature like typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, or other man-made disasters that caused damage to human lives and properties. We are all alive and continue to live looking ahead to what is in store notwithstanding the ranting of prophets, real or otherwise.
Not that people really paid much attention to Harold Camping’s apocalyptic prediction that was supposed to happen on May 21, the Victoria Day weekend for Canadians. Despite the gloomy weather that weekend, people enjoyed the three-day respite from the humdrum of the daily grind.
Well, he made a miscalculation, Harold Camping that is. Realizing his failed prophesy he said that the world actually will end on October 21 as he miscalculated the calendar. Well, if we will survive this one again then Harold can permanently go to camping forever.
From now until the next predicted doomsday in October people like Harold Camping will continue to exploit others’ fear to rake in more money to enrich their religious coffers. The antidote is for all to be educated and not to be fooled by charlatans. No human being can predict the future not even the Mayans. Only the One who knows all things can actually tell what is to come.
My bet, however, is we would still be around even after October 21. The sun will be up in the heavens to shine. We will then all be able to celebrate together the Philippine Press Club-Ontario’s tenth anniversary bash on December 2 at the Rembrandt.
Plans are already in the works toward this celebration. PPCO VP Rose Tijam and PPCO charter member Melinda Rustia are spearheading the committee. Tess Cusipag, my managing editor, will be helping in a huge way. And although this group is dead serious in its preparation, a touch of humour is also put into it. At ten years old we are allowed to make frolic, aren’t we?
Just to mention one: Ontario wine, preferably ten year-olds, will be made available to the public for sale as part of marking PPCO’s milestone on December 2. The wine bottles will be distinctively labelled perhaps, with words like “in vino veritas” beside the PPCO logo.
Obviously, the phrase is meant to be pun for both the wine and the media as both get the blame when things don’t go right. Alcohol gets blame for someone’s mischief while media gets blame for misquotes, bias or untruth. Put media and wine tog ether in a bottle and what have you?
In Latin, the phrase means “in wine (there is the) truth”. The Greeks also has an equivalent saying with the same meaning. In Cebuano, it translates to “inum pa pre para mosulti sa tinood”. The Tagalog equivalence is “inum pa pare para lumabas ang tutoo”. The author of the Latin phrase is Pliny the Elder but it was the Roman historian Tacitus who ascribed it to the Germanic peoples. According to him, the Germans always drank wine while holding council because they believed that no one could tell a lie effectively when drunk.
You may want to try it for yourselves but don’t drive.
The phrase according to Wikipedia is often expanded as “in vino veritas, in aqua sanitas”, meaning “in wine there is truth, in water there is health”. But that’s another story. Now, I’m not sure how we got to this point. I think the talk of wine has made me drunk.
So okay, while I sober up let me just remind you of some exciting events coming our way. On June 10, the Philippine Independence Day Council will host a gala to celebrate the 113th anniversary of Philippine Independence from Spain.
Also in June following the gala, a gargantuan public picnic dubbed the Salu-Salo will be held at Earl Bales Park in North York, bailiwick of Filipinos. It is in the same park where a bust statue of the Philippine’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal could be found.
Then the following month in July is Mabuhay Festival and Trade Show at the Metro Convention Centre in downtown Toronto. Big name movie stars from the Manila will be there to entertain in the evening.
We’ll see you there in June, July and beyond as our world is here to stay. (For comments, email
