From the Desk of Jeric Peña (Manila, Philippines)

Dear UP Diliman Carillonneur,

I love carillons.

In fact, I want one for myself.

I love the fact the UP Diliman has one (a functional/working one). When I first heard the UP Diliman Carillon being played in 2008 (I was a freshman then), I almost cried. No kidding. Who would have thought that the lifeless odd structure beside the University Theater is actually alive? I was so amazed. I was so moved by that indescribable sound from the Carillon that can be heard all over the campus. It’s not a set of bells cling-clanging. It’s different. It’s wonderful. It’s simply sublime.

I know that there are only few carillonneurs in the country. And I also know that there are also few carillons in the metro. So I am wishing, hoping, and prayer that you grant this simple wish of a carillon lover.

All I want for Christmas is for you to play a Lady Gaga song, preferably Bad Romance, on the UP Diliman Carillon. Please, please, please, and please. Pretty please with cherries on top.

I will forever be grateful if you grant this wish of mine to hear a Lady Gaga song being played on the UP Diliman Carillon. If you can play a Beatles song on the carillon, why not play a Lady Gaga song? Sige na, please?

I just want this thing to happen in UP Diliman. I promise to sing and dance while you play Bad Romance on the carillon. Promise.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you.

Respectfully,

(sgd) Jeric

PS: Please inform me when you’re going to play a Lady Gaga song so that I’ll know when to cut class. Thanks!

PPS: I’m so tempted to write you a formal letter requesting that you play a Lady Gaga song on the UPD Carillon. Maybe I should ask the Carillon guard give it to you. Hmmm… Good idea? Yes? But I hope this open letter will reach you. I hope this would suffice.

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The Roman Catholic Church (or at least the Roman Catholic Church here in the Philippines) is not the enemy in this Reproductive Health bill thingamajig. They’re not lawmakers. They have no ‘say’ in Congress.

Catholics including the bishops and the rest of the clergy can say all they want against the reproductive health bill. They can even have their own definitions of contraception, abortion, abortifacient or whatever (Hey, language is arbitrary). But in the end, it is still up to our legislators whether to pass the bill into law or not. The last time I checked, the Roman Catholic Church is not involved in the law making process of this country.

So again, if the reproductive health bill fails to become a law, I strongly believe that it is not the fault of the Roman Catholic Church.

If the reproductive health bill fails to become a law, I strong believe that our legislators (including the president if ever he vetoes it) are the only ones to be blamed.

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