46664= forgivess and selflesnesss

Wake-uppers:

Scene: From Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Bohol: PHIVOLCS Dir. Renato Solidum Jr. clarified that there is no truth to allegations that Bohol will sink if the aftershocks will reach more than 6,000 as circulated thru text messages.

Scene: Mexican pop star Thalia received her star on Hollywood Walk of Fame on Dec. 5. Thalía's five-pointed terrazzo and brass star would be number 2,514 and be located at 6262 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the W Hollywood Hotel, near Shakira's star.

Scene: All roads lead to Sevilla and Booy District, Tagbilaran City on Dec. 12 for the fiesta, in honor of its patron saint Our Lady of Guadalupe. Different activities are held in barangay lead by re-elected barangay captain Jun Telmo. Dec 12 is also a nationwide celebration in Mexico in honor of Virgin of Guadalupe.

***

2013: Your best moment

What was your Best Moment of 2013?  As 2013 draws to a close, many of us will be looking back to our most memorable, extraordinary moments of the year.

VRS want to hear from you: What’s the one picture that truly captures your 2013 highlight? What will you remember most? 

Share it with VRS, alongside a short description why it was so special for you. E-mail leoudtohan@yahoo.com.  The most compelling stories will be featured in VRS.

.

***

I have to say, a lot of people (especially girls) were very upset at his death. While I wasn't a die-hard fan, I was a fan of his. He was incredibly a great actor.

Paul Walker/Getty Images

Tragically, Paul Walker will no longer be part of Fast & Furious films. The 40-year-old US actor was killed in a car crash, while leaving a charity event in Los Angeles, California.

As soon as news of his death broke, Facebook and Twitter lit up with remembrances of the actor.

“My world stopped when I learned of his death,” said Jocelyn Pilayre. “I really admired him. Nabiyuda nako ani.”

Paul Walker had a deep impact on the cast, crew and fans during his 14 years as part of the 'Fast & Furious' franchise.

***

The world is mourning the loss of Nelson Mandela, who died at the age of 95.

Even netizens are expressing sadness over this bit of news.

“Thank You for teaching us humility and compassion,” said Vassil Romanillos of Loon, Bohol.

“Nelson Mandela was the real deal. The world will never be the same without him,” Meljun Daniel of Tagbilaran City Science High School posted on Facebook.   “If you don't know Nelson Mandela, make an effort to get to know him... And you'll know why the world is saddened by his passing..”

“Rest in peace Nelson Mandela. Thank you for teaching the world equality, acceptance and compassion,” said another fan.

Miko Cañares who is currently in Cape Town, South Africa also witnessed the deep, piercing sadness of the people. He posted on Facebook: “We joined the South Africans in hoisting and lowering the flag today. Mourning for the man I have only read about. The sadness and grief here is overwhelming.”

I once attended a general info competition and was thrilled when the quizmaster asked: What was Nelson Mandela’s prison number? Only one person got the correct answer: 46664.

The quizmaster further explained that Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island in 1964, and was the 466th prisoner to arrive that year. The prison administration's scheme of numbering prisoners was to follow the sequence number of the prisoner (466 in his case), with the last two digits of the year (64).

That was in 1993. But that number “46664” stuck with me because reading his life story, Mandela was one of history's last great statesmen, and a moral paragon comparable with Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

I learned more of Mandela when I was majoring history in college.  When he was elected president, he said: "Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another ... the sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign. God bless Africa!"

Mandela visited the Philippines in 1997.

He was last seen in public at the final of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg.  Early in 2011, he was taken to hospital and was visited by Michelle Obama.

I didn’t meet Mandela personally but his impact to the world was amazing.

Nelson Mandela set an example for all to follow and was an inspiration of the world. The horrors he endured while in one of the worst prisons on earth would harden the heart of an average man.  Many people ruin their health and their lives by taking the poison of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness, but Mandela was able to forgive the people who hurt him and lead his country as president for two terms.

When I was asked by CNN last Friday on Nelson Mandela, I answered: “The death of Mandela will send the whole world into mourning and self-reflection after heled the country from racial prejudice to inclusive democracy. He was a great man. Another thing I admired Mandela is he had not poisoned his heart; he learned to forgive despite the horror he experienced while in prison."

Let us remember Mandela’s personal example with regard to the value of forgiveness and selflessness.

That’s 46664.

Hamba Kahle Madiba!

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.