Get out the ashes and put on the sackcloth – cut down on the food and milk?  Lent is here to purify the body and the soul.

Ashes were given here at the start of Lent.  Emphasis was placed on not only giving up something but also on positive actions such as going to church, helping the neighbor and being kind to those who drive you crazy (that’s a tough one).

Dumaguete was called the ‘City of Gentle People’ but no more.  It’s become the city of unsolved multiple murders.  Two of my friends (one a pediatrician) have been shot and killed there.  Both by hired killers.

Seems that the police are unable to capture any of the killers or masterminds.  I’ve been to Dumaguete hundreds of times and seldom see a cop around.  The only law persons evident are traffic enforcers who usually stand in the shade and watch the pretty girls go by.  My advice: stay away from Dumaguete unless you have a death wish.

A month ago we had heavy rains here for two days straight.  The water rushed down the deforested mountains killing and wiping out homes and businesses in the Dumaguete area and beyond.  Here in Balugo the road down by the river was washed out but fortunately no one was killed or injured.  The positive result was that sooner or later a steel bridge will be built across the river.

When will we ever learn to respect the forest instead of raping them?

The barangay council and captain recently approved changing a portion of land from agricultural to residential use.  Maybe we’ll get a decent road out of the deal.

Soon school will be out for the summer.  It’s always nice to hear the laughter of kids free to enjoy the summer season.

Had the wood checked in my house the other day.  Seems the bugs were hungry (somebody has to feed them) and I have to replace some of the wood.  The bugs feast on coconut lumber so I’ll use some other kind of wood.

Until next month, Fr. Tom Welu, MI.