An insight from ‘Kelguy’s’ samarnews.com comments

By CHITO DELA TORRE
December 10, 2009

This Thursday, I was amazed to find out that “Kelguy” or “Kelly Guy” [very obviously an American long residing in the Philippines and based in Tanauan, Leyte although married to a Samarnon, I would suppose (based on his reactions), and an avid reader and reactor-contributor to the feedback section of www.samarnews.com that is maintained by now world-famous webmaster Engr. Ray P. Gaspay, president of Catbalogan Cable Television Media Advocates Nucleus (CCATMAN)] does read and study a lot about the Philippines, in addition to his own personal observations about what is happening in  the Philippines, including the New People’s Army activities in Samar.  When the United States of America got a blow from critic “Domingo de Ramos” of Catarman, capital town of Northern Samar, Kelguy came out with a severe lecture, citing Philippine “protectional” Constitutions and provisions in the past and present fundamental laws of the Philippines.  My astonishment extended to a find that this Kelguy also reads the website www.chanrobles.com which is very particular with laws and Supreme Court decisions.  Both the aspect of constitutional law and www.chanrobles.com’s world are my favourite research itineraries, that’s why I can relate to Kelguy’s basis of logical thinking.

“Please don't take this as any form of verbal / text abuse. I just disagree with your logic. I could go through all of the Constitutions and demonstrate where it is our Government, elected or appointed officials, along with the Laws that have been generated and enacted that have us in the position we are in today. As long as people are willing to vote with their wallets vs. their educated minds, the whole viscious cycle is destined to repeat. When everyone realizes our problems start and end at the ballot box, then and only then will things get better.” – Kelguy

Our own people in the Philippines, especially Leytenhon and Samarnon, should aspire to become like Kelguy – one who reads a lot about the Philippines.  From readings about our own country, every Filipino could articulate strongly, accurately, emphatically, convincingly, and effectively.  Since the internet is far inexpensive than renting old books or buying new ones, or borrowing at the risk of returning the borrowed books already with pages missing from careless skimming, I would advise – when other resources are not possible and feasible – a reach-out through the internet.

Additionally, I found out that Kelguy appears to be very conversant, not only with the goings-on and idiosyncrasies in his own native country that is America but also with history even where America has not been an actor.  To be adept in historical research and reasoning is to equip one ready with reliable information.  Kelguy, if he is across a table in a conversation with anyone or a group, could just be likened to a walking encyclopedia, an attribute of a wide reader and at the same time one who has a deeply reliable and working memory power.

Yes, I do remember that I once was described or referred to as a “walking encyclopedia” and a “walking dictionary” during my college activism years within the then most prestigious academic institution in Cebu City – the Southwestern University (where many fellow Basaynon and Leytenhon studied and graduated between 1966 and 1974 [1974 was the last year that I spent in Cebu] – but, after having been “de-briefed” by the military (during my detention in Lahug, and during my release-under-surveillance [which continued until 1981), and during my employment years under the martial rule of President Ferdinand E. Marcos), I soon found out I was losing a lot of what past years of study siphoned into my brain.

Kelguy’s comments – no matter how truly harsh they often seem to Filipinos who are averse to Americans and American interventions in the Philippines and in the lives of Filipinos, whether in the Philippines or anywhere abroad!! – could help enrich one’s own repository of knowledge and enlighten Filipinos on many things about history.  I surmise his working memory power does it.

A good memory builds confidence even for those who can learn new information and new knowledge when dished out from that memory bank.  I remember now, some students, even from such schools in Cebu City as Colegio de San Jose Recoletos, San Carlos University, University of Southern Philippines, Cebu Institute of Technology and especially the University of the Visayas (where most learners enroled from Leyte and Samar!! even up to today for quick master’s degree conferment!!) used to come to me especially between 1968 and 1972, either at the SWU student publications office or the office of dean Ricardo Gabuya or at 9-C Maples Apartment on Ascencion street where a famous two Rama families lived, to seek for information most of which could actually be found in history books, encyclopedia and dictionaries (English, Tagalog, Spanish, Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Waray).  Among those who came became a lawyer and an undefeated lawyer while another became a successful American citizen.