February 16 - 28 , 2018 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY BUSINESS NEWS 13
Life etc .
by Jun Cordero
Bulong Pulungan
By Deedee Siytangco
Reprinted from Manila Bulletin
ANGEL THOUGHTS
Learning does not mean acquiring information but expanding ability to produce the results we truly want . — Dr . Peter Senge ****** Meet 27-year old Fil-Canadian who is a Constable in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ( RCMP ) and who serves with complete dedication to God and country .
He is tall and goodlooking Mark Dominic Macapinlac who was born in Tarlac City , migrated to Canada when he was a young boy and went to Catholic schools there . He was a normal happy youngster there but his vision was already more mature than the rest and he felt he had to do more to “ give back .” Why , because he felt his family was very blessed .
I met this police officer when we had merienda with his aunt , my BFF from Vancouver , topnotch immigration consultant Edna Macapinlac Corrales . I was totally unprepared for Mark who turned out to be solidly Catholic with morals and values any parent would be happy to have in their brood . I had expected someone else , I guess . After all , a police officer in one of the toughestto-get-into forces in the world ? He had to be tough-talking , know-it all crime buster , right ?
Truth to tell , Mark is the antithesis of the typical gruff and brusco police officer . He is pleasantly clean cut , no tattoos , crew cut to conform to RCMP regulations , and doesn ’ t mind wearing clothes his more fashionable younger brother Miguel hands down to him . In the time we chatted I also found out that this young man wanted to be a priest since childhood ! He revealed his deep desire to “ give back ” to God everything given to him , his siblings , and his parents . He feels very grateful towards his home country Canada now and wants to serve it well .
Mark ’ s idol is his dad , Tonet Macapinlac . He speaks about him with reverence and love , acknowledging the many sacrifices and hardships
IN THE U . S . students from the school where 17 fellow students were gunned down rallied in their state capitol to urge their leaders to finally ban assault rifles , same as the one used in the shooting . Sadly , in a dismal display of political obstinacy , their legislators simply shrugged the issue by quickly blocking the demand to ban them .
Accordingly , Florida is a state where a vast majority of the population own guns . And of course , it ’ s a wellknown fact that the American National Rifle Association ( NRA ) is a huge benefactor of U . S . politicians that
Fil-Canadian police officer shines in the RCMP
he endured to keep his family in Canada . Tonet migrated first and his wife Aida Bernardo and two boys followed a year later . Aida got pregnant with her third child months after landing which put a heavier burden on Tonet ’ s shoulders . He was challenged and worked at three jobs as a janitor in three schools .
These days Tonet can retire , as he has graduated to be a maintenance man but he genuinely loves his job and the kids in school love him back , Mark proudly relates . He happily lives the values of his parents , cherishes his integrity , and works hard . But most of all , he says , what keeps him going is his absolute faith in the Almighty .
Mark entered two seminaries , but was told twice by his formators that they did not think he belonged to that life . Disappointed , he left and finished a criminology course . Then he applied to the RCMP and underwent rigorous training ( imagine training in minus 30 degree weather !) He was one of the youngest there and when they finished the course , he was class valedictorian ! His parents did not know beforehand that Mark would deliver the valedictory speech so they were dumfounded when their eldest son went up the stage and addressed his classmates and their parents eloquently !
His articulateness and gregariousness make Mark a popular motivational speaker to students and communities . He lives in the town of St . George , B . C , in its cathedral on the invitation of the bishop there . Mark also serves at masses during his off hours and mentors children and youngsters in the close-knit community .
He related his hair-raising encounters with thieves , gangsters , drug-addicts , and pushers , and other criminal elements . Which is why he has to be physically fit and mentally and emotionally sound too he told us laughing at his own exploits . “ I have to save the citizens from criminals , save my co-workers , and myself too . “ And no , he does not tell his mom the dangers he faces daily in his police duties . He does get two days off from work weekly .
anybody who champions gun control is practically committing political suicide .
So , whatever , let the shooting continue !
IN VANCOUVER drug advocates rallied to push for the decriminalizing of drug use . Can ’ t find the right word to describe these people but stupid seems enough . It seems that their solution to the alarming death by opioid overdose is to remove the drugs law , thus allowing users to feast themselves - and to prevent the risk of dying .
What a contrast - in countries like Singapore and Malaysia drug use is punishable by death , here it ’ s
I noticed he wears a rosary ring and I asked him about it . Oh , yes , he prays the rosary daily and under his heavy bullet-proof vest when he wears his blue uniform at work is hi St . Benedict medal — always . He carries two firearms , one small and one long firearm . He wants to be in the anti-terrorist unit of the police force , but right now , after a year and a half , he feels he has plenty more to learn .
He says , “ I trust God very much and live the best life that I can in His and my country ’ s service .” After all RSMP officers take their oath with their left hand on the Bible ! “ I am not shy about my work or my faith .”
At the end of a long hard day , how does Mark unwind from all or any traumatic stresses from his work ? Believe it or not , this constable kneels in front of the altar in the cathedral , gives thanks , and reaffirms his faith .
He sometimes misses the quiet seminary life he briefly knew , but he loves being a police constable now as it gives him the opportunities to help others . Mark shudders at some of the evil elements he has encountered and their impact on people ’ s lives . At the end of the day he gives thanks for having been able to help as a police officer .
Still a bachelor , he leaves his future to the Almighty . He had a near brush with getting married , but it didn ’ t work out , Mark smiles . On vacation here to see the countryside , Mark was a “ host ” at the Singles for Christ International Conference last Thursday to Saturday , * * * While the internet and social media can be an invaluable tool for learning , it still retains a fundamental aspect that all tools share : it is up to the wielder how they want to use it .
rewardable by life ! Doesn ’ t anyone wonder why those countries don ’ t have such problems and we do ?
IN THE PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS the Koreans once again demonstrated how a small country like theirs could become a worldclass leader not only technologically but culturally . The use of computer technology in the opening and closing ceremonies alone is so stupefying that one wonders how do these people do it ?
After experiencing even a brief stay in the country , international media members and commentators were quick to note how the Koreans were an amazing people , always helpful
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Constable Mark Dominic Macapinlac of the RCMP of Canada in their red ‘ gala ’ uniform ( right ). And in his daily get-up as constable .
What a wonderful world ... I wish
Alas , the recent ( and alarming ) rise of fake news , cynicism , and hatemongering that happens online is a testament to this reality .
There is bitter irony in the fact that something that is meant to interconnect the world has also been used to create so much divisiveness . So , if the internet has allowed us to learn faster , it has also allowed us to use this information for whatever agenda we may have even more quickly .
All of this brings me to the thought-provoking ( and very insightful ) quote above . Dr . Peter Senge — who was named by the Financial Times as “ one of the world ’ s top management gurus ,” and by the Journal of Business Strategy as the “ Strategist of the Century ”— points out that learning is not the end goal , but a means to acquire the results we want . This is especially important today in these turbulent times .
Accordingly , more than learning itself , we need to develop a “ learning culture .” Senge defines this as one with “ values , systems , and practices that support and encourage both individuals and the whole , to increase knowledge , competence , and performance levels on an ongoing basis .”
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and so very respectful , even if most people cannot even communicate in English .
I watched a documentary before about Korea and one thing that impressed me most was the people ’ s resolute determination to be independent , hence the hard work and discipline . It was said there are no pickpockets there as Koreans would rather die of hunger than commit such a shameful act .
Wow , I won ’ t even dream of our Philippines hosting a complicated event such as the Olympics , but I would settle for no pickpockets ! I wish ...