THE ART OF APOLOGY

Does President Noynoy Aquino’s refusal to apologize to relatives of the eight Chinese victims who died in the infamous Luneta hostage taking incident a sign of arrogance or lack of sensitivity?
Trekking to Manila to remember the first anniversary of the tragic August 23, 2010, the Chinese kins presented four demands from the President among them the issuance of a formal apology.
The president rejected such call saying the government itself had already on many instances expressed regret over the incident.
He added it is incorrect for the government or the Filipino people
to come out with such formal apology on grounds that it may “connote that the state did them grievous harm “.
He said the Filipino people should not be blamed for the act of one deranged hostage taker but declared “the Filipino people continue to sympathize with the victims and families “.
Public opinions however, are divided. One school of thought is that as President, P-noy should exercise humility instead of being indifferent to the plight of the victims. Others described his action as that of a man with a “heart of stone “.
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In Japan, it is a time honored tradition to offer an apology as an expression of compassion. They also believe doing so does not necessarily mean an admission of any guilt or wrong doing.
Saying sorry is of course being practiced in many parts of the world but among Japanese it is a “ cultural must “ and is “non-negotiable “ meaning it is a way of life. It is also considered a virtue, an act that gives dignity and strength of character to a person.
It is called as “Shanzai “and the practice of apologizing is often expressed in a form of “bowing “at a right angle.
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Matter of fact, the art of apology, it is said, is ingrained in most Asian cultures including the Philippines, but the problem is,
ours is also derived from the our Iberian conquistadors, the Spaniards and that is where we have learned the “ Amor propio “ or self pride which is sometimes referred to as false or misdirected pride.
And President Aquino, him of the landed gentry but with that Chinese lineage, should have been made aware of that virtue but
perhaps, the gun-loving or gunslinger macho spirit in him requires him to be obstinate and unmoved to such calls.
The simple act of at least alleviating through comforting words to
those who have suffered the immeasurable loss of their loved ones, whether by a president or an ordinary citizen do not even
require great effort or losing one’s face.
Whether Pnoy’s decision is the “matuwid na daan” (the rightful path ) or a “faux pas “, only history will tell.
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AUGUST HEROES: Is it pure coincidence ? Ninoy Aquino was killed by an assassin’s bullet August 21. Well-loved opposition leader Jack Layton succumbed to cancer on August 22. Days apart in historical greatness although in different times and era but the parallelism between these two great men are perhaps, uncanny.
Ninoy would have been president..matter of fact, former senator Jovito Salonga said he “was the best president we never had “.
Layton came close to being Prime Minister and like Ninoy was a great opposition leader.
They both were brimming with a profound sense of hope for their compatriots and country.
Both knew death awaited them. Ninoy said “ the Filipino is worth dying for “ while Layton, two days before his demise, wrote a letter addressed to Canadians asking them to make this great country “ a better one..a country of great equality, justice and opportunity “
“:My friends, let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic and we’ll change the world “ he said.
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OTHER AUGUST TRANSITIONS: Our dear friend and colleague
in the media, RAUL BELTRAN, veteran journalist who covered President Aquino in congress, died August 23, Tuesday after months of battle with lung cancer. Beltran, of Nasugbo, Batangas,
during his long career as journalist, wrote for the Atlanta Constitution (a US based newspaper), Channel 4, Asahi Shimbun, People’s Tonight and many other media outlets.
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MILESTONE: Another media colleague, EVA AGPAOA, also president of the Isabella association of Canada will walk the aisle
with Peter Cole on September 4 at the Rembrandt Hall in Scarborough. Congratulations!
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NEW OFFICERS: a NEW SET OF OFFICERS OF THE Tanza, Cavite association of Canada was elected last August 27 at its annual Tata Usteng fiesta held at the Earl Bales Park.
Raffy Cesa is the new president while others were Herminia Terrano-vice president; Baby Lyn Blancaflor-treasurer; Soledad Quesada-secretary and Cristy Hernandino-auditor .