Foot and Fire

Every law student is not a happy reader of the Supreme Court Reports Annotated or simply called SCRA. Deep inside the law student's psyche, the SCRA is already associated with the voluminous pages to read and recite in class.  As a law student I read SCRA because I should prepare for a quiz or long examination. There is no pleasure in reading the cases decided by the Supreme Court because they are either lengthy or because they are part of an examination. I only get to be hooked with SCRA every time I chanced to pass upon the annotation which discusses some fine points of the decision vis-a-vis established principles in law. I often heard my professors sigh over the fact that most of the SCRA cases are of rape, murder and other heinous crime. This is of course the case because these heinous crimes bear the heaviest penalty and given the nature of the penalty, there is of course a need to closely review the findings of the lower courts.  I heard former justices...

I read this book in 1992 when I was in college trying to break-free from home, seeking independence and understand the love-hate relationship with my parents. I know this book had taught me something important that changed the way I look at things although I could not define it now. But what I can recall right now is that, after reading this book, I was a changed person. I learned to be responsible over my circumstances and was determined to influence other people around me with good values rather that be affected of the negativity in other people. The book I read was a mere photocopy and just borrowed from a housemate, and now it is so amazing that there is a version for teens that came out as well as the 8th habit as sequel to this book. I remember the book, and though I don't remember the exact contents, I dearly hold the memory of its influence. I know I was empowered by this book or by the realizations I had while reading this book. Whichever way, i know...

8 heads of Chinese cabbage, halved and washed rock salt brown sugar chili powder or whatever preserved chili available ginger, chopped garlic, chopped bottled vinegared onion (optional) bottled vinegared cucumber (optional) Dry the washed halved cabbage head.  Mix the rest of the ingredients in a bowl starting from chili powder. Rub layer after layers of leaves with salt and brown sugar and then mixture until done. Arrange in a plastic container and let stand for 24 hours in a dry cool place. The next day, transfer in glass container and discard remaining water. Let stand again for another day or two.  The Kimchi is done when the cabbage and the spices are already fermented. Refrigerate to lengthen shelf life. Enjoy as appetizer. (When I made my first kimchi out of native pechay, I first rubbed the salt and let the pechay spurt its water within  24 hours before adding spices. I suggest same thing with this kind too but at any rate, this shortcut method is a success. Dont ...

Blanch kamote tops and drain well. Add sliced tomatoes, onions and grated green mangoes. Toss in apple cider vinegar, a dash of salt and black pepper. Chill and serve as appetizer.

Behind me is Bacolod City's New Government Center. *** On my ninth year as a poor-man's lawyer, I fancy a scenario that the senate will call on me to testify in aid of legislation. Well, they often do that, don't they? So to prepare for the ocassion, I listed some important points that I believe I should throw at our senators when the time comes. If ever it won't come, I can gladly forward it at once to them. 1. Allotment for support from OFWs should be compulsory. Contracts with foreign employers should contain provision on sending the required allotment to the legal family and/or illegitimate children who have court order of support or even just a notarized agreement on support. POEA and OWWA should be given the enforcement roles on this aspect. 2. An accused in jail for more than 5 years should be given compensation regardless of the exceptions in the speedy trial law. This will alert the prosecution as to their roles in securing their witnesses an...

The Legend of Isla Gigantes in Carles, Iloilo* In a place called Punta Bulakawe in the town of Carles, there was a childless couple who endlessly asked for a child. They were blessed with a son who grew up too fast. Too fast he grew that he can no longer enter thier house when he was one and all men were only as tall as his knees. The giant child grew up and spent his adolescence in a mountain known as the Beheya Hill. Everytime this giant walked, the surroundings shook. Each of his step meant earthquake for everyone. This made everyone fear him. Because of his steps, he was called Higante Tay-og -- literally means Giant Quake. Higante Tay-og decided to remain in Beheya Hill which he could access by two or three steps only. To entertain himself, he learned to smoke cigars. Each time he exhale smoke from his cigar, the surroundings dim. When he accidentally inhaled the smoke, he coughed; the folks feared it like thunder that shook the surro...

There are many reasons to love the menu offering of JD Bakeshop in Iloilo City. From its student-friendly price to its delightfully classic such as mongo ensaymada, chicken roll, chicken cordon bleu, chicken ala king open-face sandwich, baked macaroni and pine-orange juice.  *** As for me, I always liked and went for their ensaladang langka, a unique side dish not always available somewhere but only here. I also love their fried and crispy cornstarch-laden chicken rubbed with ginger.  ***   Now that I tasted their Mushroom soup, a new in their menu, I decided to make it my staple in the table each time I visit this memorable student hang-out in Iloilo City. ***

Not that I really expected to take this small book seriously from first read up to last, I was just so amused as well as too embarrassed to know more about how lawyers behaved or displayed their strategy in court hearings in the past and to feel ridiculous to discover that in the history of lawyering, someone has to defend a sow and a mouse among others! This and more serious stories from this little big book of trials!