Mass commemorating Cory turns biblical

It is an address that encapsulated much of the collective character of Philippine society. It is a society where a complex of self-righteous religiosity, pompous displays of seniority, and presumptuousness in the delivery of unsolicited "advise" under a perverse sense of paternalism describes a palpable backwardness that stands out in a region of stoic stolidness and quiet achievement.

Most laughable of all was that it as delivered in a homily by the officiating cleric in a Catholic service commemorating the first death anniversary of President Corazon C. Aquino. Directed at Kris Aquino, described in an Inquirer.net report as "the [Aquino] family's true superstar", who is wracked by an extensive (even by Philippine showbiz standards) track record of scandalous intrigue, the talking-down-to is striking...

[Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas] said, addressing Kris: "Your beauty and talents are not yours; they are God's. Remember, all of these things shall pass. You will find your real happiness, as your mother did, not by being in the limelight, but being the spotlight lighting the face of Jesus."

For the first time, President Benigno "P.Noy" Aquino III gets a taste of what it might be like to be one of his own publicists...

That was certainly not as clear as the message to Kris and one that the President chose to downplay by saying, "Perhaps we're taking that part of the homily too seriously."

He would meet "a little later" with Villegas, P-Noy told reporters after the Mass. "I'll ask him specifically what he meant by that."

Oooooo. Doesn't sound like something coming from a happy-chappy President now, does it?

Perhaps the good bishop is going to get a "visit" from some men in denim jackets arriving in an ohner-type jeep some time soon...