In my twilight years

When you are of a certain age, nothing brings more happiness than seeing the family gathering around once more.

My children try to come home as often as they can but it is usually one child or two at a time. Today, our soprano Austregelina “Nenen”, pianist Ma. Ana Independencia “Mary Ann” and journalist Ma Salvacion “Inday” were around, together with the Bacolod-based Grace, Nonoy, May, Mate and Toto.

That's eight out of 11 children and I'm thankful that they were able to come with another friend, Daphne Jocson, who is like a daughter to me and sisters to my kids. Bern, my daughter Nenen's boyfriend who is visiting from the US also flew to Bacolod to join the celebration.

My brothers, Humbert and Oscar were also around, as were the brother and various kin of my late wife, Nene, Dr. Lourdes Espina, and Lynn Casia, Nene's secretary who is just another member of the family and who now helps my daughter May in her private practice.

It was a simple but sumptuous lunch, with my grandson Gianca contributing home-cooked chicken broth and Grace's daughter, Em-em, a nurse, bringing her hit frozen brazo de Mercedes and mini sans rival pastries.

There was plenty of laughter and political and cultural gossip. Many tales were punctuated by admonitions of “off the record, ha,” a necessity in a family of journalists.

My sister, Yolanda, used Facetime to greet me. I do not even know what that is, not being a technology man, still using the typewriter and trusted fountain pens. But today made me appreciate how technology can bring us together. My youngest son, Jay, a nurse in Canada also used a similar technology. My longing for him was eased a bit seeing how hale he looks these days.

While my two other kids, Rolando “Jun-Jun” who is in Ireland and Malou who is based in Singapore called to send their greetings as well.

Throughout the day, my kids would shout out greetings from family and friends posted on Facebook and I am very touched by it. To all those who remembered and sent their wishes, thank you.

**

Speaking of our kin overseas, the new order on Balikbayan boxes by the Bureau of Customs has raised a storm of rage among Filipinos. Some 10 percent of the 100 million Filipinos work or live abroad.

Many of them bring home these care packages to give their families a little taste of the good life. T-shirts, watches, bags, rubber shoes are always welcome. Some boxes, I remembered those sent by my sister and other relatives would just contain shampoo, soap, Spam but those has stopped since most of these items can easily be bought here.

Now we are being told that these personal effects will be taxed if their value is above $200. Unfortunately, it is the BOC that states the value of these gifts – and the poor OFW, who surely bought these at bargain basement sale prices – will either have to part with hard-earned money or reach home with nothing to give their family.

We are not saying the government should not enforce laws. We are saying it should be more compassionate and prioritize its concerns.

How many tons of rice and sugar come in illegally every month? The agriculture secretary remains untouchable scandal after scandal. How many billions of pesos have been laundered by corrupt officials and their private sector partners? How many billions of pesos does the country lose to the unscrupulous rich taxpayers?

Why is the government picking on small fry? You guess who will enjoy the confiscated fruits of our OFWs' struggle.

The outrage has resulted in the most fast-growing Change.org petition in the Philippines. Daughter Inday, who used to head Change.org in the country before returning to journalism, said more than 66,000 signatures over two days is probably a local record. She also said that many of the petition signers left warnings in the petition box -- warnings about the 2016 elections.

While it is true that voter turnout among migrant Filipinos remains small, the government must not forget that every Filipino out there will have family back here.

Now, Sen. Grace Poe has announced an upcoming probe into the issue, as have the militant Bayan Muna Representatives Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate. All of them are sure to hone in on the government's failure to track down the big-time smugglers while it punishes the weak.

Many are laughing. They wonder, do all these fumbles mean some people in government are out to sabotage Mar Roxas' prospects in 2016. Naughty people; but one can't help mulling over it.*

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