Sometimes when I play smart aleck, I later realize that I deserve a pull on the sideburns. I cannot forget the day when I asked my Literary Criticism instructor why we "criticized criticisms."

We read the works of Plato, Aristotle and Alexander Pope. And she said we were just to choose to agree or disagree and justify why so. Then almost every meeting she did all the talking and I stayed mum. All those dead people’s works were great! During their times, they were almost always sabotaged. But they stood firm on their ideas and beliefs. They continued to write. And then almost always labeled as drunkards and madmen who were to be thrown in the loony bin. Their sole felicity butchered.

The people who write today, who may not be as genius as Plato and Aristotle, are sneered at, because they write the truth. These people are not after perfection. They are after improvement and progress. Yes, this type of specie still exists. I still know some people who cannot be paid to shut up! Because of this, lives are endangered, and loved ones are being put on the line. To the butchers: It does not end here, for whether you believe in God or not, time will come when you will see Him pointing at you.

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At this point, I am reminded of a story about Ninoy Aquino, one of the known conveyors of truth. In Concepcion, children then remembered him as an angel coming down from heaven. He was known to be fond of wearing white. His chopper used to land on the fields from his meetings outside the town. The kids then would run to him excited about the angel who brought them yummy candies.

I wonder, would there be another Tarlaqueño who would fight like him? If there is one, I tell you, he is yet to be born.

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About Peniel, Part II.

As much as I want to share with you my experience at Mt. Peniel, I cannot do so at the moment. I’ve been through a lot of aggravations lately, and our schedules did not jive. Anyway, I promise to find another time to visit the site. But I doubt it if I could still interview Mr. And Mrs. Deang. I received this message via e-mail from Mr. Romeo Deang:

"Praise God for choosing you to feature ‘Peniel’ in your widely read publication. We are truly appreciative of your desire …(for us to) be able to share with you the ‘vision’ about this very unique place that God has chosen. In fact, we were all waiting for you last Aug. 3 and we believe that it is the Lord’s will for you not to come because a small portion of the road going to Peniel was not passable just for that day due to continuous rain. God knows what is best at all times. Anyway, we look forward to meet you anytime soon if possible or at your convenience before August 25 as we are scheduled to depart for the US on the 27th."— Romeo Deang

I’m truly sorry about that, but then I will still write about it as soon as I get there.

In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy our feature article this week.

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E-mail me at chepangilinan@columnist.com