21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE FACING LIFE REALITIES

 December 2011 - Chief Justice Renato Corona  Social realities happen in our life. We have
was impeached by the Philippine Senate (16 different experiences
senators voted to impeach him and 3 senators  Morning- Beginning New life
voted for acquittal).  Afternoon – Ending rest finish
 He was impeached because he did not declare  Stages of Life
183 million pesos in his SALN (public document
required for all government officials). MARIA ALETA TOLENTINO’S AFTERNOON OF MY
 SALN- Statement of Assets, Liabilities and LIFE
Networth I woke up not long ago
 Declaration of assets and liabilities in the SALN I opened my window and saw
ensures that the public officials do not accept An impatient sun trying to sneak a peek. . .
bribes or not prone to corruption. It is the morning of my life
 Corona's non-declaration of assets close to 200
million pesos hinted suspicion regarding the I quickly dressed up
source of these funds and that these may be In my rush to eke out a living.
considered ill-gotten wealth. That is why I did not realize
 Declaration of assets and liabilities in the SALN How quickly afternoon came
ensures that the public officials do not accept
bribes or not prone to corruption. It seems just yesterday
 Corona's non-declaration of assets close to 200 We were playing hopscotch.
million pesos hinted suspicion regarding the We laughed at every joke.
source of these funds and that these may be We applauded at anything.
considered ill-gotten wealth. (Persona: Reminiscing on childhood)
 DELSA FLORES, a court interpreter, was fired
after she had failed to declare a market stall in Why is it so different now?
her SALN. It is an effort just to get up.
 LAW SHOULD APPLY TO ALL. Smiles are too far in between.
Afternoon of my life is really here!
RALPH SEMINO GALAN'S JUSTICE (Question of Persona)
These are the accoutrements of her office:
The blindfold symbolizing impartiality: It was not long ago
A golden pair of scales measuring the validity We took day trips with Father
And now he’s gone.
Of evidence given, both pro and con; His wit and wisdom are all that remain.
The double-edged sword that pierces through
The thick fabric of lies; Thoth's feather Our hair has turned grey.
We have wrinkles on our faces
Of truth which ultimately determines whether How quickly time has flied,
The defendant's life is worth saving. How quickly afternoon came. . .
In J. Elizalde Navarro's oil painting titled: (Afternoon of Life)
 Poem is about comparing life today and
Is this Philippine Justice? before.
The figure of the Roman goddess Justitia slowly
fades POVERTY
Into thin air, swallowed by pigments  Is a postion on lacking for something.
Intellectual, monetary,emotional and health
Cloudy as doubts. In my uncertain country poverty.
Where right and wrong are cards
That can be shuffled like a pile of money bills, BINAY: INFORMAL SETTLERS TO HAVE NEW
HOMES
Even the land's Chief Magistrate Jose Rodel Clapano - The Philippine Star Article
Is not immune from culpability; found guilty July 13, 2013 | 12:00am
He has to face the music of derision.
MANILA, Philippines - Vice President
Jejomar Binay assured yesterday the 8,000
informal settler families living in danger zones that
they will have new and safer homes through the Binay said the HDH adopts a community-
high-density housing (HDH) program this year. driven approach to guarantee that informal settlers
Speaking during an ocular inspection at the are involved in the planning and implementation of
Imelda HDH project in Quezon City, the chairman their housing and shelter facilities.
of the Housing and Urban Development This approach provides security of housing
Coordinating Council (HUDCC) said informal settlers tenure to the informal settler families and at the
will not be taken away from their livelihood same time, ensure that their livelihood will not be
because the five-storey buildings are to be affected once they transfer to their new, decent
constructed near a city or near-site. and safe homes,he said.
Around 8,000 informal settler families are
expected to benefit from this project within the  APHORISM: Instead of giving them fish teach
year,he said. them how to fish.
RALPH SEMINO GALAN'S JUSTICE SYMBOL & MEANING
SYMBOL MEANING
BLINDFOLD Impartiality
GOLDEN PAIR OF SCALES Measuring the validity
DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD Pierces through the thick fabric of lies
THOTH'S FEATHER OF TRUTH In order to find out whether the defendant is guilty
or not one must find out the truth and give the right
verdict.
ROMAN GODDESS JUSTITIA Slowly fades to the thin air fading into the thin air as
cloudy as doubts means justice is weakening
RIGHT AND WRONG CARDS Right and wrong are cards that can be shuffled like a
pile of money bills it means justice is uncertain
LAND'S CHIEF MAGISTRATE Even big people with high position if found guilty will
Is not immune from culpability; found guilty also be reprimanded.
He has to face the music of derision.