tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21065406585976335492024-03-14T13:15:33.940+08:00the radicalA personal blog about my crazy views on life, love and anything else that caught my interest.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-38934884408080149152013-08-10T16:58:00.001+08:002013-08-10T16:58:33.449+08:00Sayonara, Blogspot<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just finished transferring my blogs here to <a href="http://iamradical.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">my renovated wordpress site</a>. It's a bit sad and nostalgic, yet at the same time I feel excited and energized.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will always be grateful to this platform, Blogspot, where I trained my (pro)verb(i)al wings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That said, this will be my last blog entry (for now) here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep in touch and hope you'll continue reading my blogs at the new site!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God bless you, and thank you so much!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Share/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></span></a><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-17160836420146668562013-07-23T19:16:00.000+08:002013-07-23T19:17:35.942+08:00The Tragic Dilemma Called "Two Free Tickets for a Single Guy"<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yeah, I love getting free movie tickets from Ayala Cinema's Sureseats. Being a loyal movie patron (and site/promo stalker), I often am a recipient of their freebies. As one of my favorite quotes go: <i>"Chance favors the prepared mind."</i> (Louis Pasteur) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, but with great gifts come great responsibility — and having two free tickets to an awesome movie is a difficult challenge for a single guy like me. What should I do with the other ticket??? And what will others think about what I did with the other ticket???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the cycle of thought-choices that run through my head each time:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Option 1: Find a safe, same-gender movie buddy.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pros:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Enjoy the movie for movie's sake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• <i>Walang tampuhan</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cons:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Getting labeled as a couple. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Get a life — you free-ticket-jealous, green-eyed, rumor-mongering monsters.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, my movie buddies aren't always available. So...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * *</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Option 2: Share ticket with random friend.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pros:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Free ticket not wasted. Yay!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cons:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• If you give the ticket to someone whom you're not that really close with, you risk having some other friends feel disappointed (<i>tampo</i>) with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Most (if not all) of the time, solitude is a more preferable companion than an annoying movie buddy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Seriously, I don't want to just randomly give away my precious (<i>hahahah precioussssss</i>) ticket to someone whom I actually hesitate sharing my prized loot with! I "worked" hard for it!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * *</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Option 3: Give both tickets away.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pros:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Free tickets not wasted?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cons:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? THOSE ARE MY TICKETS! MINE!!!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * *</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Option 4: Give to an opposite-gender friend/acquaintance/stranger.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pros:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Free ticket not wasted...?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cons:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Might send wrong message/signal to and/or about girl.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Might send wrong ideas about girl TO <b>EVERYONE</b> IN MY <i>AND</i> HER SOCIAL NETWORK (both online and offline).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * *</div>
<br />
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OR...</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Option 5: Return extra ticket at the gate.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pros:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• No issues. No gossips. AND <i>walang tampuhan</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cons:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• <i>Sayang</i> ng free ticket... sigh.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• And yeah, it sucks when I'm alone and stuck in between groups of annoying people in the cinema... which is more noticeable/observable simply because I am alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* * *</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CONCLUSION:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Promo prizes, particularly where free movie tickets are concerned, should not be limited to two pieces — or at least they should ask if the winner is single or not, and offer THREE tickets instead to all SINGLE GUYS/GIRLS hahaha!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But hey, who cares? MORE FREE TICKETS DILEMMAS for the SINGLE GUY!</span><br />
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<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Share/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></span></a><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-71294551244571422352013-07-15T18:37:00.001+08:002013-07-15T18:37:14.821+08:00Though-Prints of a Dangerous Mind<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
I love walking, but I easily get bored — so I make it a point to bring my FM radio-capable mobile phone [because I don't have a smart phone or mp3 player] whenever I would go out to exercise. It also helps keep me updated with what's new and trendy with the music industry, or to stumble across some obscure sounds that a wayward radio jock happens to appreciate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
This morning, I got audibly waylaid by Ice-T's "Lethal Weapon".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/MYrNCT8FLjM?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/MYrNCT8FLjM?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Can our minds really be that dangerous?</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the way, I am not a rap fanatic — I prefer pop, RnB, jazz, slow rock and alternative music. But while most of the lyrics of this song sounded like the usual rap lingo, my mind was hooked on one line:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>"The lethal weapon is my mind."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
A common phrase goes, <i>"If looks could kill..."</i> But what if thoughts could do so as well?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">More bodies than John Gotti, the Lethal Weapon is slaying</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Just open any book, that's ammo to the brain</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What really matters, is how well is your weapon trained</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Some would say genius, while others would say insane</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Weapon power has been witnessed upon my page</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">From Martin Luther's "dream", to Hitler's psycho rage</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What's more powerful, the brain or a twelve gauge?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The words I speak have scared many people to this stage</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But promote violence, I really have to disagree</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's entertainment, like "Terminator" on TV</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But some'll never see, you're stupid ignorant and blind</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Lethal Weapon's the mind!</span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
I am not talking about getting homicidal with our brain like some wayward telekinetic. There are a lot of things we need to start killing inside our own minds (and hearts): selfish thoughts, impatient desires, greed, lust, apathy, discontent, rage, envy, mediocrity...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>But noooooo, I'm a Christian... killing is wrong... killing is a bad word...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[Factoid: Bacon is a by-product of a deliciously murdered and seasoned pig, one of God's own created creatures. And plants are living organisms, too — vegetarians massacre their species on a daily basis. So if you don't like killing, you're free to nibble on some rocks.]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I admit though: talking about 'killing off our own thoughts' is easier said than done. I myself regularly face random waves of depression; sudden attacks of melancholy; indescribable panic from memories, dreams and uncharted mental drifts. Even more difficult is the persistent barrage of temptation and sinful thoughts — from the seemingly innnocent to the outrightly horrible. This mind-wrenching tug-of-war reminds me of Paul's own admission:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In fact, I don’t understand why I act the way I do. I don’t do what I know is right. I do the things I hate. Although I don’t do what I know is right, I agree that the Law is good. So I am not the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know that my selfish desires won’t let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot. Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong. And so, if I don’t do what I know is right, I am no longer the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them.</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Law has shown me that something in me keeps me from doing what I know is right. With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God. But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do. What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die?</i> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>— Romans 7:15-24 CEV</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It may sound psychotic to some, but for many people – it is a daily [almost normal] struggle. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our bodies respond to our every thought. Our words, both written and vocal, resonate the state of our minds.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Yet, it is a battle that must be fought: the mind is a dangerous weapon. With the wrong thoughts, it can hurt not only our own self, but other people as well. But with the right mindset, we not only help ourselves but others as well. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I guess, with the right mindset — we should also let Christ and other people help us as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us be a danger to the moral status quo of this world — by threatening society with God's message of unfailing love, unwavering hope and uncompromising truth. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing is more dangerous than becoming a weapon of mass diffraction for His light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<br />
<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img alt="Share/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a></span><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-24968762088665109522013-07-05T17:31:00.001+08:002013-07-05T17:31:35.344+08:00Defining Internet Freedom: a crowd-sourced Magna CartaThis is a good read on a better alternative than the controversial CyberCrime Bill (RA 10175).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.taopo.org/defining-internet-freedom-a-crowd-sourced-magna-carta/">Defining Internet Freedom: a crowd-sourced Magna Carta</a>
<br />
<br />
As a blogger-wannabe and an active social media user, I fully support Senator Miriam's bill.<br />
<br />
I hope we who thrive and survive through the Internet will be able to truly unite in backing up this proposed legislation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img alt="Share/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-72511132248297563252013-06-27T00:10:00.001+08:002013-06-27T00:10:59.636+08:00Tao Lang Po... Ba? (Are We Really "Just" Human?)<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
I just read this article about a </span><a href="http://www.interaksyon.com/article/64936/inhumanity-of-indifference--padyak-driver-dies-in-front-of-passing-pedestrians-near-dlsu-taft" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">padjak driver who died</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and just like the writer - trying to find blame is so tempting, so easy, so... natural.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interaksyon.com/assets/images/articles/interphoto_1372215830.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.interaksyon.com/assets/images/articles/interphoto_1372215830.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Source: www.interaskyon.com</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes it's so easy to fall into a trap of prejudice, hiding behind 'protocols', 'precautions', and other social/bureaucratic red tape to avoid taking responsibility or simply show concern to someone in need - dubious or sincere.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yes - I'm not talking about the guards (who actually had more heart in this story) or those who were around the scene. I'm talking about us: you and me - wouldn't we have acted with the same indifference?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure, the world is full of posers and fakers and advantage takers - I've met a lot of them during my leisurely walks around Makati (some I've chosen to help and others I simply ignored): from young peddlers of sampaguita-on-strings, to madonna-and-child beggar pilgrims, to the all-too-familiar old guy I always meet around Salcedo village who carried a plastic envelope and suddenly clutches his belly as if in pain whenever someone walks near him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Has compassion become limited to massive tragedies and calamities?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are we simply practicing 'social contemporary street wisdom' or are we just creating justified excuses?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />What does it really mean to be humane?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img border="0" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" /></a></span><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-88783322695972537232013-06-15T09:00:00.000+08:002013-06-15T19:37:08.587+08:00For Tatay - on Fathers Day<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be turning 32 soon— but no matter how old(er) I get, I always feel like a kid when I'm around my father. Not that every memory of him is rosy - he is as faulty as any ordinary father. But I guess it is his very imperfection that makes me proud of him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Admittedly, I have more childhood memories of my mom than my dad (yea, yea - I was a mama's boy. Shadap.) - my sister Alyn was closer to him (so yea, Oedipus and Elektra complex = present). </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He used to smoke, and drink a lot with his buddies — he seemed to be a popular person back in my childhood. He was a civil engineer from the DPWH, and both my parents had lots of trophies for winning championships on the Lion's Club Bowling tourneys (something I never had a chance to inherit haha).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the craziest memories of my dad was during the time he was so obsessed with a video game (I think I wrote about this in a previous blog), to the point that he literally used his engineering skills to actually create a blueprint of the dungeon labyrinths. I guess that fanatical attention to detail rubbed off on me as I grew older, but his casual "basic engineering lessons" when I was a kid helped give me an edge during high school when we took up drafting (which later on helped build the foundations for my understanding of graphic design). And of course, there's always that hellish summer chess torture camp of 1997. Gaaah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Communicating with my father wasn't always easy. The only things we could happily talk about was spiritual stuff, church stories, ministry experiences. He never talked to me about what happened to my sisters, or even about my mother's mental struggles. He never asked me about my studies, my friends, or just about me. There was a time when, after summoning as much courage as needed as to jump down from a two-storey building, I asked him: <i>"How did you meet Mama?"</i> He just gave me an awkward smile, then changed the topic.</span></div>
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(Of course, I already knew some parts of the story from relatives, but I wanted to hear it from him directly)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet, for all his shortcomings, I am proud of him. I am proud of how he did his best to help me at least finish high school, despite the then-prospect of me stopping my education. I am proud of how he to sacrifice his own reputation and pride - borrowing money from people, just so we can have a decent meal despite his unemployment. I am proud that he did not held back on punishing me when I did wrong things - painful, yet it helped mold my character. I am proud </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm too big (literally) now to snuggle on my father's tummy, or to puppy-bite his arm for the sheer fun/heck of it — but those were the most precious memories I ever had about my dad (next to the time he bought me a Lego police station set), because those were the moments where I could just be a kid and worry about nothing despite the fact that our family was beset by crises on every side.</span><br />
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The only time I remember him crying was back in our old home in Polangui, Albay before I went to Metro Manila. He was praying with us and for us. My mom could still move around then, and my brother was still skeptic about faith. And I was confused about life. But my father kept believing through our hardships. I guess he is my rolemodel in terms of my attitude about Christ and the church ministry (except the part where he would smash our relatives' religious statues and objects). When he left public service, he was very passionate about church; he used to join evangelistic crusades and mission exposures around Bicol. He even joined a Bible School for a while. He was a generous supporter of our rural churches, to the point that I was wondering if he was already being taken advantage of. Yet he pressed on, even when my mom had a terrible stroke in 2006 which left her paralyzed until today - he just kept on loving God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeeaaaa, my dad and I are still awkward about each other on cheesy stuff like this (I guess most men are) - and my confidence in writing this is because I know there's only a 7% chance of him reading this at all (HAHAHA).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But more than my dad, I challenge you - fathers and fathers-to-be: Don't just be there for your kids. Create a memory. Instill a legacy. And like the old song goes, let us desire to be like our Father in Heaven, too - "a mirror of His heart", so that we can pass on Christ's heritage of righteousness to our own children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>All I want for others to see</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Is a reflection of You inside of me</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Like the sun on the still water</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Let me be a mirror of Your heart</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I want to walk in the image of You</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Like a child imitating</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What his Father would do</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A mirror of Your heart</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, I want to be You disciple</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>An example the way You are to me</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And I as see Your humble perfection</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Let me be a mirror of Your heart</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I want to walk in the image of You</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Like a child imitating</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What her Father would do</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A mirror of Your heart</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>All I want to be is a mirror of Your heart</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Just an example of a mirror of Your heart</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A mirror of Your heart</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(You're the example for me all that I want to be)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Is a mirror of Your heart</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(Reflecting all that I am so that they may see You)<br />Oh an example</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(You're the example for me all that I want to be)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Oh just an example</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(Reflecting all that I am so that they may see You)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Just a mirror of Your heart</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(You're the example for me all that I want to be)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Is a mirror of Your heart</i><br /><br />Happy Fathers Day to all! May we always delight in our Father's love!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-70479153944225808192013-05-26T01:41:00.002+08:002013-05-26T01:58:03.695+08:00Why I Love The Rain<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong: I love summers as much as everyone else - and share its angst as much as others do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But rainy days hold so many memories for me, some of which I am grateful to still remember. And it also holds so much meaning to me, probably a by products of all those sweet, melancholic collective of introspective moments I spent out in the rain.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember someone (not sure if it was my mom, my aunts, or my siblings) who told me that it was a rainy Thursday night when I was born. Hmm, Freudian or Jungian? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among my happiest childhood memories were rainy days where I and my siblings would go out in the rain and play. They would dare to go up the roof (via a slippery wall which I was too young and scared to climb) and go wild there while I resign myself to enjoy in safety the rivulets from the roof gutters (we had to make sure the rain had washed off the dirt AND unmentionables off the roof first, though). In several occasions, we had the privilege and opportunity to bond with the neighborhood kids under a really heavy downpour. Some would chase and catch frogs then chase girls with it; we would create water forts, ports and boats using whatever material was around; or simply have a game of tag.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whenever it rained hard, my alma mater - University of Nueva Caceres - would easily get flooded (which was why a lot of students refer to our campus as "the swamp"). And yes, I recall one incident in elementary where we played a game of tag and I slipped big time on the wet grass - and got sent home to clean up.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the last year of my elementary education, I was taught a harsh lesson when we experienced our first city-wide flood (we lived near the Bicol River in Penafrancia Avenue, so the flood waters reached to almost 3 feet). We lost our family photo albums, and I only realized how important they were as I grew up and our family slowly drifted apart physically and emotionally.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">High school rainy memories were a jumble of romance, sentimentality, melancholy, and depression. It was four long bittersweet years where I would hide behind a tree under the rain just to "stalk" my crush; where some students were calling me 'papansin' (yea, in a way, I guess I was) because I would often casually walk in the rain while everyone else huddled and hurried in raincoats and umbrellas - simply because I enjoyed the cool, refreshing feeling of the raindrops, and how it made me forget about my own personal problems at home; where I would practiced (and failed) to master the art of ninja-dash on wet puddles (I was trying to find a perfect running technique where my school uniform would not get the up-splashes from my shoes, like what happens with bikes).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rainy days have always been a source of inspiration to me: for ideas, for thinking, for writing, for crying, for laughing, for just being... me.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was during college that I first felt totally helpless and alone when I was forced to take refuge during another city-wide flood. I was living alone then, unable to contact my relatives (because mobile phones and wifi did not exist yet), and almost without resources. Technically, it was a storm - but this was one of my life's major turning points because it was the time I really had time to reflect and pray to God.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />It's been 31 years since that rainy Thursday night when the last child was born to my parents. And though lightnings still flash and thunders continue to roll within this rain-drenched soul of mine, I confidently and casually walk under time's relentless raindrops - smiling at the heavens despite a vision blurred by teardrops, not because of silver linings or golden opportunities - but simply because I love how beautiful God made the rain.</span><br />
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<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Share/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></span></a><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-85654252033556680762013-04-10T00:34:00.000+08:002013-04-10T00:34:43.718+08:00F.A.C.E. to WIN! (CampTalk for FIT to WIN 2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our <a href="http://winmakati.com/" target="_blank">church</a> had its first <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/576143589064737/" target="_blank">Family Camp</a> (with a youth camp extension), and I had the honor of being one of youth's speakers (though I honestly, I suck at plenary talks). </span><br />
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Our camp's theme was "Fit to WIN". It's so easy to talk about fitness nowadays, with all the health and wellness focus of our society and generation. Physical, emotional, relational, intellectual, moral and spiritual fitness. It's everywhere. </span><br />
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But, what does it really mean to be <i>fit to win</i>?</span><br />
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What are we trying to win at all?</span><br />
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To be <i>fit to win</i>, I believe we need to have the <b>FACE</b> to WIN. <i>"FACE"</i> stands for '<b>Focus</b> [to win]', '<b>Aim</b> [to win]', '<b>Commit</b> [to win]' and '<b>Engage</b> [to win]'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Focus to Win!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before we start training, we need to know what we're training for first. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A runner does not need punching bags or do weight lifting. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are in a science quiz bee, why study on politics and current issues? Amusingly, most people make that elementary mistake — we start doing stuff because it looks easy, fun, or simply because other people are doing it.</span><br />
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Why are you doing something?</span><br />
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Understanding our own basic motivations lead us to what we call <i>core values</i>. This can be ideals that we have subconsciously ingrained, or personal principles that we have consciously and purposely set for our selves. For example: If I say that my core values are God, food, family — this pretty much shows the rank and order of what I value most. When there's a conflict, I automatically base my decision on this ranking without having to think hard about it. In the same way, it's also easier for me to give up things that are not included in this ranking.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is most important and/or urgent for what you want to achieve?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Core values help us determine our priorities. It makes us discard the distractions, and forces us to concentrate on the essentials. It no longer becomes a battle between what's difficult and what's easy; it becomes a conflict between what's important to you and what's irrelevant. Consequently, as we grow in Christ — we start to choose between what's right against what's wrong. This is turn becomes our moral set of values.</span><br />
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But just having a clear idea of what you want is not enough to win.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. Aim to Win!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's one thing to see a target. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's another to hit it.</span><br />
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But you need to aim at something.</span><br />
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Sure, we can hit <i>something </i>even if we don't aim at<i> anything</i>. An old, popular quote goes:</span><br />
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<i>“Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">— W. Clement Stone</span><br />
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But serendipity or luck is not what make us winners.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aiming for something isn't just wishful thinking. Throwing balls in baseball or basketball isn't just happy accidents. It takes focus and skill to make score a goal or hit a strike.</span><br />
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Your aim gives your focus direction. The question is: which direction do you intend to go?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among the most common personal assessment or life coaching questions we'll encounter is — <i>"What/where do you see yourself in five to ten years from now?"</i> Being able to visualize what you want not only requires concentration, but intention as well. This is what we often refer to as "vision".<br /><br />
When I was being trained as a CAT Officer in high school, two of the most unforgettable lessons I've learned to apply in every aspect of my life are <i>presence of mind</i> and <i>reference point</i>.<br />
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<i>Presence of mind</i> is controlling and focusing one's consciousness against and amidst distraction and/or adversity. With presence of mind, we could be tickled endlessly without laughing, be alert for commands, keep marching even when our bodies are tired, keep track of several orders simultaneously, and a lot of other crazy stuff. Presence of mind allows us to automatically filter information and make quick decisions.</span><br />
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<i>Reference point</i>, on the other hand, is most important during marches. It's one thing to listen and execute a command flawlessly; it's another thing to keep the right direction, or even stay aligned as a squad, platoon, company, battalion and/or regiment. Reference points allows not only a person to keep going straight; it helps everyone else keep the same direction. Reference points aren't just on the front; the person on our sides are also our reference points.<br />
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It's hard to keep a reference point that you can't see — just try walking on a line on the floor with your eyes closed! In the same way, our 'vision' serves as both guide and motivation.<br />
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But let's admit it: we don't feel motivated every day.<br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. Commit to Win!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like all skills and talents, practice makes "perfect" (actually, it should be 'excellent' - but oh well, that's the popular quote). Hitting targets can be a God-given gift for some, but nonetheless it requires training.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I learned about training: If you give up half-way, it's a good as going back to square one.</span><br />
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Quitting takes practice too — and the more practice it, the more you get good at it.</span><br />
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To focus and aim for something, you need to make a continuous commitment. We're easy to forget, easy to make excuses, easy to procrastinate and delay. To commit means fighting back against these instinctive urges, battering not just our bodies but our very mind, spirit and will as well into obedience. Commitment makes us push harder, farther. Commitment keeps us going despite fatigue, hunger, pain, angst, distractions, and obstacles.</span><br />
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Commitment is what makes a mission<i> a mission</i>. If something is simple and easy and poses no risk or opposition, it's not a mission — it's just a simple routine chore. The term "mission" itself is mostly used in military to indicate something really important and dangerous. Feeding puppies is not a mission; turning puppies into ninja dogs is a mission. Doing laundry is not a mission; providing clean clothing for every street child is a mission.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />People are prone to waver in our commitments. It's not just about giving up on something; it can also be about sneakily "adjusting" our commitments — toning them down so we can cheat our way to an easier sense of accomplishment. While there are times that we do need to adjust our commitment — like when we realize we're going the wrong direction — other than a corrective purpose, <i>fixing</i> a commitment to make ourselves comfortable is no different than quitting.
<br />While commitment is most often focused on passive or minor hindrances, there comes a point when a major problem blocks the way.
<br />Should we then take it as a sign from God and give up? Or is it an opportune challenge?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>4. Engage to Win!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've seen it in movies. But we may have also experienced it in our own simple lives: The greatest victory of a mission is always preceded by the most difficult dilemma or obstacle.</span><br />
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Just like when the Avengers were about to lose all hope when alien enemies kept coming, and the city was about to be nuked.</span><br />
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Just like when William Wallace (BraveHeart) was given a choice to surrender and live, or refuse and die.</span><br />
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Just like when Jesus struggled with tears and blood in Gethsemane — and was tempted to step away from the most pivotal heroic sacrifice of all time.</span><br />
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Just like when you're about to give up from your most heart (and brain) wrenching school thesis / final project, or when the team you're supporting is in a tight match within the last few seconds of the game. Or when you're at your lowest point in your life, and you just want to hate all or end all because of all the problems life is overwhelming you with.</span><br />
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At those times, you just need to make a stand. And face it with faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Engage the enemy. Don't turn around. Don't look back.</span><br />
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Focus reminds us.</span><br />
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Aim pushes us.</span><br />
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Commitment prepares us.</span><br />
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Engagement readies us.</span><br />
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To engage an enemy means not to retreat in the face of a difficult or even hopeless situation. You take it on. You rush forward to meet the big wave. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.</b><br />
— Philippians 3:13-15 NIV<br />
<br />Where are you facing? Are you facing backwards or is your FACE towards God's direction for you? And when we lose sight of everything, God's FACE is there with us, reminding us to focus our eyes on Him — the author and finisher of our faith. We may stumble and fail a lot of times, but we just need to keep going- holding on to His promises and getting up again and again. Wavering, yet unyielding. Scared, but trusting. Confused, but hope-driven. Even when everything in us wants to cry out and just give in, let's keep a steady strong FACE and look the world with courage — and smile in expectance knowing that beyond all these temporary troubles, we can see God's face — saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"<br /><br />
<b>Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!</b><br />
— 1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have FACE to WIN. Set your goals, make them happen and be a WINNER!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>NOTE: </b>This blog is an updated, revised and powered-up version from my camp talk. Bumabawi lang because I really suck at verbal communication haha! Good day! </i></span></div>
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<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img alt="Share/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a></span><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-9494492882373907572013-02-12T00:28:00.001+08:002013-02-12T12:34:55.875+08:00Creating My Own Lessons from GraphikaManila2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9RMY22GVmQ/URkH0E2Yk2I/AAAAAAAAAew/p_IpXmcvSU4/s1600/GraphikaManila2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9RMY22GVmQ/URkH0E2Yk2I/AAAAAAAAAew/p_IpXmcvSU4/s400/GraphikaManila2013.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Attending <a href="http://www.graphikamanila.com/" target="_blank">Graphika Manila 2013</a> wasn't part of my plans — especially budget-wise. I also was hesitant: Why should I bother listening people talk (or brag) about [their] creativity? [insert semi-bitter tone]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But yeah, against financial practicality (and after really praying about it — I'd need some divine intervention to get the funds), I decided to go. Amazingly, a friend provided the much-needed amount for me to afford it... in FULL! I was pumped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I arrived at the venue at roughly 9:30AM, thinking "Hey, delegates are probably mostly artists — they're most likely to be late."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>First Lesson of the day: Be EXTRA early on the next Graphika Manila conference.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After almost one and a half hour (thank God for my Coby Kyros — had something to entertain myself!), we finally managed to get inside the hall. One of the advantages of going solo on a conference is that picking seats was easier – not having to worry about the number of seats or location preference. Unless someone's really an early bird who can sacrifice themselves to reserve your seats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a nutshell, the conference was awesome. I wish I can translate all the talks into a blog, but I'm too lazy for that. Instead, I'll focus on o</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ne of the most interesting (yet underestimated/under-appreciated) talks during the conference was by </span><a href="https://twitter.com/BenjamminSeide" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Benjamin Seide</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of </span><a href="http://www.pixomondo.com/web/home/index.htm" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Piximondo</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lesson 2. Anybody can talk, but learning requires attitude. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt embarrassed. I was starting to yawn as Benjamin Seide labored on some complex-sounding details on how his company works. Part of me wanted to go out, grab some food, or doze off. I was bored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yeah, maybe he wasn't as rocking flambouyant as </span><a href="https://twitter.com/Signalnoise" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">James White</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of SignalNoise, or as fun-crazy as the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dvrb.jp" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Devil Robots</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> duo (still trying to imitate their Naruto-Fu, will post as soon as I succeed), or as titillating... err, imagination-inducing as </span><a href="https://twitter.com/jessicawalsh" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Jessica Walsh</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, or Ryan Honey's chao-psychedelic </span><a href="http://www.buck.tv/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">BUCK</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> presentations (oh God, I still wanna rinse my brains from that video with the UniPegaCow - and that perv Sock Puppet), our very own animator <a href="https://twitter.com/ArmandSerrano" target="_blank">Armand Serrano</a> who now works at Sony Animation, and </span><a href="https://twitter.com/paperform" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Benja Harney</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'s messy paper trail (yeah I wonder who had to pick up all those paper airplanes after the conference).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But hey, I wanted to get my money's worth (or my generous sponsor's money's worth — to be exact). I realized that the problem isn't with the speaker, but with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was easy to ask, "What the heck does all those graphs and charts have to do with creativity? Isn't THOSE exactly what we're trying to avoid on the path to creativity???"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I mentally kicked my brain into submission, concentrated on what the Piximondo guy was saying, and subconsciously asked myself: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>How the heck does this guy manage, coordinate and lead 650+ creative minds???</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(God knows how much of a headache it is to handle one or two, including one's own.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lesson 3. Creativity is not in the mess but in the message.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure, creativity should be about fun. Creativity should be about merging play and work. Yet, as almost all the speakers said — there is beauty in limitation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Especially when you're talking about, not just a creative team, BUT an entire army of creatives (a platoon consists of 21, so it's not an exaggeration to call 600+ people an army). I rarely work with someone, and when I do I often get into an argument on how the design should go. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not a joke to bridge different cultures and teams to work together as one — especially when these teams are located on separate locations around the globe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Setting a creative direction takes more than just a diploma or a title. It's not about barking orders or mind-controlling puppets. To be an effective creative director, one has to be able to visualize the entire long-term process, imagine ways to make it work and possible, communicate the vision and passion, continuously come up with improvements along the way, segregate and delegate tasks that will seamlessly hinge together upon completion, find the kinks and solve problems... and after the entire journey, to celebrate and recognize everyone's contribution.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yeah, this guy Benjamin Seide does that — with simultaneous big projects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It all reminds me of a simple lesson I read from a book: "Being creative is not the same as being artistic." One can be artistic without being creative. But a truly creative mind is unshackled by one's artistic skills; rather, I believe that the most creative people are not those who are in full control of their own potentials, but are those who are truly aware of other's giftedness, talents, abilities and limitations — yet is able to harness those, develop them, and create something that is impossible to do alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yeah, don't be surprised why "Game of Thrones", "Hugo", "Amazing Spiderman" and other animations created by Piximondo were awesome. Blame that guy Benjamin Seide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lesson 4. Save for the next Graphika Manila conference, and sponsor a youth.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why? Because I think it would be more fun and radical. And I need someone to watch my stuff when I need to run to the CR.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#END!#</span></div>
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<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Share/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></span></a><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-89072752749395924532013-01-08T16:59:00.000+08:002013-01-17T16:41:01.779+08:00Life is Too Short to be Impatient<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />A young friend chatted me up the other day, asking for a simple advise: should she stay with her current company who only offers her a small salary, or should she shift to a call center company where the immediate benefits is way better.<br /><br />First of all, I have nothing against call centers. I respect their occupation and role in the society, being the recipients of our social ires — both valid and illogical. Sometimes you just gotta admire how their eardrums and brains can take the consistent pound-for-pound calls of irascible complaints, retarded questions, as well as the helplessly hurtful criticisms for their company (when it deserves merit).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But hey, I'm not talking about call centers.</span></div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I fondly remember (with absolute annoyance) how one youth in our church insists on wanting to become a manager immediately. Not that it's bad to be a manager. But being an employee for some time, I've seen good managers and bad managers. And becoming a manager without experiencing what it means to be managed is bad. So why does this disillusioned youth want to be a boss immediately? Because he just wants the perks. He just wants to enjoy the privileges immediately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Well, I can't blame him. If there's one thing common in this current generation, it's impatience. Impatience to enter a relationship. Impatience to graduate. Impatience to transfer to the next company with better offers. Impatience to experience travel. Impatience to buy the latest gadget. Impatience for their food order. Impatience to get from one place to another. Impatience to cook their own meal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is short. But how can we enjoy it when we neglect to savor what it really means?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I myself have been having dilemmas, both in life, career and relationships.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On one hand, I'm starting to both consider trying to look for a better job offer in other countries. Or maybe seriously consider going full time on freelance work. Or maybe just transfer to a higher-paying job with better benefits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand, I'm going 32 this year — and like most adults, the sudden realization that with the average life span of 65 for most people, I am almost halfway through my life (unless I die from sickness, accident or heroic act haha). Thus I start getting tempted to twist my personal principles on relationships a bit. The prospect of growing old and alone is a terrible thought; more so, growing old and alone and forgotten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And despite having both hands full with these thoughts, I stay up at nights thinking, "What has my life been all about for the past years?" "What am I doing? Where am I going?" "What if God doesn't exist, and after I die — there's nothing out there?" or "If I'm going to die soon and move on to the second life with Christ, why am I wasting my time with these things?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(And ruefully, I also have to contend with my dietary conscience urging me to lose weight, while the other parts of me parade visions of good food.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is short; I guess that's what makes it beautiful. Does it matter whether we take the fastest road to pleasure? Will going the long way round to fulfillment be better — not knowing what the future even holds for us? In the end, it both doesn't matter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are we living for? What are we working for?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being involved with church and the youth ministry since my teenage years, I have come to learn that plans doesn't always go as we plan. We train people — but we can't control how they grow. Some people stay, some people go. And we can't judge either of them for their decisions in life, because there's a higher purpose that God only knows. Yet, I also find myself getting impatient with results — whether it be with a youth who is stubbornly avoiding to confront his/her personal problems, or young leaders who are too lazy to listen to sound advice, or even adult leaders who start becoming mediocre in their passions to serve God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Impatience. Yet, is life too short for us to be patient at all?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realize that we often burden ourselves with too many desires, too many plans, too many responsibilities. "I want to do this." "I want to have this." We try to cram our lives with too many meanings, too many definitions, too many purposes — but to what end?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is too short to be impatient.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I just can't wait to see what God has in store for my future :D<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img border="0" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" /></a></span><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-10209188860902959792013-01-06T00:16:00.000+08:002013-01-17T16:42:02.266+08:00Breaking Cycles, Becoming 2013<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's already 2013, and as I looked back in dismay - there were a lot of things I failed to do. Again.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the year started in 2012, I was planning to buy myself some gadgets that I really, really needed. And so, I looked forward to the 13th month bonus (since my company doesn't give a Christmas bonus for us contractual employees). That included a graphic pen tablet (so I can upgrade my graphic design skills), a 1TB external/portable HDD drive, an affordable DLSR camera (or just the waterproof digicam, particularly the Olympus Tough haha), OR (yes, <i>"or"</i> not <i>"and"</i>) a new mobile phone (or smart phone) - since the one I'm using (a simple but dependable Motorola phone) was just loaned from a good friend of mine years ago.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alas, I didn't get a chance to buy myself any of these.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And somehow, thoughts of self-pity or self-chastisement creep up at nights, accusing me, "Why?!"</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet, somehow God comforts me with the same question: "Why?"</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Envy.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not saying it's wrong to desire for gadgets or stuff. We deserve to enjoy what we earn, by spending it to what gives us satisfaction. Our satisfaction comes in meeting different needs, and that includes material things - like video games to entertain us, better appliances to make our work or lifestyle easier. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our material desires come from valid necessities. But materialism, this unquenchable desire, begins with envy: it twists our desires to justify an illusory necessity. It slithers in to our thoughts, whispering ideas of perceived advantages - yet stealthily mocking the inner peace we find in what we already have.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When thoughts of "I wish I had that" overwhelms our "Thank God I have this", envy drags us to an insidious cycle of endless dissatisfaction.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not sour-graping for not being able to afford some things; in fact, I realized I actually could - if I chose to (and discipline myself towards it). I realize I could easily save money with what I earn; people who earn less than what I do surprisingly have more savings than I already have - which somehow seems deplorable. So where did all my money go?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well aside from food (yes, as much as it is my best expression of <i>Hallelujah-Lord-Thank-You-For-Work</i>, I do need to trim down), I sheepishly admit that I've been spending too much on other people (haha) - particularly, our church youth. Not that I regret it; in fact, now that I reflect on it, I realize that what I spend on them is more than just "a spiritual investment". It is my personal overflow of how God has touched my life when I was a youth myself, and how much I desire for them to feel that same blessedness - so that when they grow older, they will also overflow that love to the next generation of young people.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yeah, I tend to be extravagant. Blame that to the people who also spoiled me before - that's what I learnt from them, after all. But it is in this radical extravagance that God washes away my selfish and envious thoughts to bring me back to His feet.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can I compare a new mobile phone to a smiling, grateful face?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can I compare a new laptop to a simple, momentary yet heartfelt "Thank you"?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can I compare anything in this world to knowing that someday, God will use my small "spiritual investment" to help someone grow a little bit, enough to plant a simple seed in his or her heart, saying "God is real; God is good."?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is good to desire for 2013. It is easy to envy in 2013. But I choose to be satisfied for what God has in store this 2013.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-79803961817100397772012-11-26T18:04:00.001+08:002013-01-17T16:43:30.945+08:00TheLoveStory: The Prodigal Puppy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ub0Yirvjuq0/ULM1z6SKITI/AAAAAAAAAdo/G7riUmyRD-c/s1600/LoveStory_WEB-06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ub0Yirvjuq0/ULM1z6SKITI/AAAAAAAAAdo/G7riUmyRD-c/s400/LoveStory_WEB-06.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[TheLoveStory is <a href="http://www.winmakati.com/" target="_blank">WINmakati</a>'s <a href="http://www.facebook.com/winmakati" target="_blank">new church series</a> which will run on December 2, 9 and 16, 2012. Here's my <i>puppified </i>version of what a love story means to me.]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Once</span> there was an owner who kept a house full of wonderful pets. The owner was very kind. Every pet was loved and cared for. But the puppy was dissatisfied. He was envious of those Hollywood dogs, jealous of those pampered pooches on dog shows, and simply thought, "I'm an animal — I deserve a better dog's life!"<br /><br /> And so one day, he run away.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br /> He traveled to many places. Children often showered him with affection, and adults would give him puppy treats. He found a park where cool dogs frolicked, and hanged out with them — even though their owners never took him home with them. He barked happily and freely.<br /><br /> But then the people's behavior towards him started to change. From puppy treats, he would get scraps instead. Children no longer played with him. He was looked at with disgust and contempt, sometimes even kicked or shooed even with sticks or stones. He would rummage for leftover food on the trash, battling it over with other dogs — or even get bullied by stray cats or street rats. And on rainy nights, he would shiver under some makeshift shelter — eyeing the scurrying cockroaches, hallucinating them as food. <br /><br />He woke up one morning, and saw some people walking towards him. He thought, "Finally! I can find a home again!" But he saw the noose they were holding. He was going to be taken to the dog pound. Without hesitation, he ran.<br /><br /> He whimpered, "This is not the dog life I imagined! Maybe I should just go back to my master's place — even strays get treated humanely by him."<br /><br /> And so he wandered back towards his old owner's place. As he got near, he worried. What if the master doesn't recognize him anymore? What if he mistakes him for a rabid dog, and shoots him on sight? What if he has a new dog, and doesn't want me anymore?<br /><br />Arriving at the gate, he collapsed in exhaustion.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i> "Here, boy!"</i></span><br /> He thought he was imagining the voice. But he couldn't forget that loving scent.<br /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was his master.<br /><br /> "Where have you been?" The man said as he stooped down to carry him. He just whined.<br /><br /> The master had him bathed and fed, checked by the vets, and even let him sleep inside his very bed, even though he was no longer a puppy.<br /><br /> But there was another dog, who felt very jealous at how the man treated the stray.<br /><br /> He thought, "I was very faithful, I guarded the house and protected the master day and night. I was well-trained and didn't leave a mess inside the home. But when this bad dog came back as a stray, you even treated him like a pedigreed animal!"<br /><br /> The man, sensing the other dog's envy, took him in his arms and hushed, "You will always be my dog, as all these other animals are mine. But we should all be happy; not everyone who runs away find their way home safely. Just like when I found you."<br /><br /> * * * <br /><br />This story is an adaptation from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2015:11-32&version=MSG" target="_blank">Luke 15:11-32</a>.<br /><br />For the prezi version, click <a href="http://prezi.com/p3w_emnza666/thelovestory-a-prodigal-puppy/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Here more about "The Love Story" at WINmakati!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img border="0" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" /></a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-9932880761617218292012-11-16T13:29:00.001+08:002013-01-17T16:47:51.940+08:00The Lame Blame Game<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a year ago, Christopher Lao had been a target of netizens' criticism and ridicule over an amusing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l9T6Fd3yXs" target="_blank">side comment</a> captured on a news video reel. Just a few months ago, Carabuena sparked the outrage of countless Filipinos over a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1RRmXkTdII" target="_blank">footage</a> of him physically abusing an MMDA personnel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(As for Sotto's <a href="http://ph.news.yahoo.com/-sotto--i-m-the-first-senator-to-be-cyber-bullied.html" target="_blank">claims</a> of being cyberbullied, HAH!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AMALAYER&src=tren" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">#AMALAYER</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These incidents are not entirely unique. How many of us also had a "I was not informed" moment (not just about floods, but on other remotely-related stuff)? Or a time where we got away with 'bullying' someone (okay, so maybe not all of us would relate to this)?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or simply having that "lapse of judgement" moment where our minds just snap, and we go finger-snapping at people because we think we can or we should?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only difference that separates our 'moments' with the above-mentioned local cyber-lebrities is that we didn't capture the memory on video.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A well-meaning friend of mine pointed out one of the lessons from this incident: <i>don't take videos of other people</i>. He believes it's a breach of privacy, and in some ways — I would agree. But in this techno-savvy age where almost every gadget has a camera feature (except the calculator), almost every recorded incident can be potentially an act of trespassing on one's right to privacy — or even an act of civic duty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should we then adopt a "it's none of my business" attitude every time we witness a possible injustice, like say - someone who's physically or verbally abusing someone in public? What if it's a married couple, are we then overstepping on their private domestic boundary? If it's a kid bullying another, can the same evidence be used by the bully to sue whoever made the video without his permission? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do we define that thin, almost imaginary line that separates civic duty from the right to privacy? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But really, who is to be blamed in these fiascos?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are millions of videos in the internet; not just in Youtube, but in other websites as well. In fact, some comments in other not-so-popularized posts are more derogatory, demeaning or downright crass. That said, what made the #AMALAYER incident quite a sensation was not the video itself, but on the online reaction to it. And in a culture like ours, where pranks and humor are mixed with indignation and semi-self-righteousness (as well as some Pontius Pilate / "hugas-kamay" </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">complex every now and then)... well, as most people who really don't care about the issue would say: "It's more fun in the Philippines."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is to blame? The guard, who simply acted out of her perceived duty?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is to blame? The girl, who felt wronged and simply acted out in defense in the best behavior that she knows?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is to blame? The passing (hapless) witness, who took upon the burden of capturing the moment in his gadget — whether out of malice or innocence, we can never truly tell?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is to blame? The commenters, likers, re-tweeters, sharers and other netizens who simply were venting out their right to free expression and opinion, yet helped it become popular?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is to blame? The news agencies, whose duty is to report facts and current events — the demand for which is compounded by the challenges of filtering today's maddening torrents of information?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is to blame? The humbugs, those righteous people who chose not to participate to show others that such it is beneath their status or principle?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why are we always looking for someone else to blame?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It reminds me of that incident in the Bible — the first crime, so to say. Or as we religiously call it: the sin. When God asked Adam about what happened, he pointed to Eve. When God confronted Eve, she pointed to the serpent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would history be different if Adam replied, "God, it was my fault." instead of blaming the woman?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would history be different if Eve answered, "Yes, it was my fault." </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">instead of blaming the serpent</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Never mind the serpent, he really is to be blamed. God already knew that.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Albert Camus </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">said:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding."</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking back, we realize that almost everyone who participated (or did not participate) acted in good faith, with good intentions. But still, rather than focusing on the video itself — we can use it as a tool for introspection, for some personal reflection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For this, I pray that:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When faced with pressures beyond my control</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When injustices surround to watch me fall</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>God, please help me find some restraint </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Though inwardly I'd rather shout or faint.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When raging emotions push for my right</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When I should've back down, but still chose to fight</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>God, please give this darkened mind Your light</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And see beyond this petty plight. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When careless thoughts tempt to form words</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When malice taint innocence to act out verbs</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>God, please remind me of Your grace</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To keep compassion in passion's place. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I'm a liar in many ways. But thank God, He forgave me and now, I strive to change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">^_^</span><br />
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<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Share/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></span></a><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-24213968228401173592012-10-22T15:29:00.002+08:002013-01-17T16:49:30.147+08:00The Many Horrors of a Semi-Adult Life<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a fun, brief (horrific) interlude at the Timezone videoke, a group of friends watched with me the movie "<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sinister_2012/" target="_blank">Sinister</a>" at Glorietta. While I may not be the sturdiest when it comes to horror films, I'm not the kind to scare easily (though I am weak at gore). And yes, I admit that this film had me disturbed as much as "<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/insidious/" target="_blank">Insidious</a>" did — except for the ending. Thank God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Especially when you suddenly find yourself awake at 3:32AM after a few days, and the first thing your mind rivets to is that particular scene in the movie where the protagonist woke up...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only to be <strike>succeeded </strike>overwhelmed by an equally terrifying thought:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"What if my friends uploaded that video clip of my horrible singing while I was offline?"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started to pray.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* * *</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It takes courage to admit the existence of fear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From children to adults, fears swarm our life like a plague.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Fears come in all spectrums of imagination and sanity: from the unfounded fear of being alone in the dark, to the all-too-common fear of death, marriage or angry moms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fears remind us of our helplessness, of our lack of control to our environment — or even to our very own selves. Like flying cockroaches, the scariest part is predicting its flight pattern. It makes me wonder if we're designed to be human landing pads for them. We fear possible accidents, possible crimes, possible illnesses, possible monsters, possible work-related problems.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And there's the pragmatic type of fear which assails the adult life: being an adult.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Most people prefer to call it the midlife / quarterlife crises: a euphemism for a socio-cultural fear which may be attributed to Carl Jung's concept of the collective subconscious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While most fears dwell on the 'unknown' factor, the realization of becoming an adults is a bipolar one. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are those fears that we have come to nurture through the experiences we've had: </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We realize we're no longer young. We realize we're no longer children. We realize the realities of bills, payments, and responsibilities. We realize the brevities of personal and relational commitments. We realize the grave (yeah, that can be literal) consequences of our actions — both intended and unintended.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the age of 30ish, I sometimes can't help think as a look at the stars: <i>"God, if a man's lifespan is 60, then I'm already halfway through my life."</i> And all of a sudden, it makes me realize how trivial I am, how fast the past 30 years of my life was and how fast the next 30 years of my life can be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that's disregarding the possibilities of fatal sickness and/or accidents. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What has my life been all about?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do I want to die alone? Should I get married just because of that reason?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will people say nice things about me on my funeral?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will there be dogs in heaven? Do I get to own a puppy?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What am I really afraid of?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What am I really afraid to admit?</span><br />
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<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Share/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></span></a><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-33611872339023804442012-10-05T16:10:00.001+08:002013-06-27T13:22:55.786+08:00Freedom Is Ours: An Adaptation<div>
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<i>[The following piece is my parodized version of the famous declamation piece, <b>"Vengeance Is Not Ours, It's God's"</b> by Geronimo Sicam. Just my own twisted imagination of what can happen if our lawmakers don't amend the CyberCrime Law now.]</i><br />
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Likes, likes, likes. Share me a thought, a smile. Share me some photos to browse. I use the internet, so free, and so simple.<br />
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Why are you monitoring me? With my eyes I cannot see but I know that you are watching me. Why are you whispering to one another? Why? Do you know my father - offline? Did you know me five years ago, when I didn't have my Facebook account? Yes, five years of memories have passed. I can still remember the vast happiness I shared with everyone online. We were very happy indeed.<br />
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Suddenly, five loud knocks were heard on the door and a deep silence ensued. Did the authorities discover my IP address? I ran to Father’s side pleading. “Please, hide your file folders, there where they cannot find it,” I pulled my father’s arm but he did not move. It seemed as though his hands were glued to the keyboard. The door went “bang” and before us five ugly beasts came barging in. “Are you the person with username<i> 'theradical96'</i>?” roared the ugliest of them all. “Yes,” said my father. “You are under arrest,” said one of the beasts. They pulled father roughly away from the computer. Father was not given a chance to post a goodbye.<br />
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I tweeted and shared what happened. Our internet connection was cut. I saw a group of wealthy politicians on television. Oh, how my mind wondered at the delicious fatherland promises they were regurgitating. Then suddenly, someone told me, “Hey, check your Facebook!” I ran towards the computer shop, but it was too late. I saw father's photo on the newsfeed... dead. Oh, it was terrible. The comments were badly one-sided... and I typed "Freedom of speech, freedom of speech, freedom of speech!" Everything went black. The next thing I knew I was asked to leave the computer shop.<br />
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One day, we heard the news about a protest rally. It was a sign for us to gather and unite once more, but I could not leave my office, so I tried to show my support online.<br />
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Sudden arrests became frequent; TV news were censored, even searching Google was useless. Click! Click! Click! CLICK! My blogsite and Twitter account got taken down — my voice seemingly shattered into pieces. I shut down my computer and cried, “Freedom is ours, freedom!” “Not anymore,” snickered the arresting officer.<br />
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But I cried out freedom. My thoughts were a pent-up volcano. “Freedom of speech is ours!” “But not anymore; freedom was yours, until you opposed the government” were the words that the judge sentenced me with.<br />
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The internet is dead, I was offline. Freedom is gone? To live in seeming peace and security is nice, but freedom is sweeter. That was five years ago...<br />
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Likes, likes, likes. Share me a thought, a smile. Share me some photos to browse. I use the internet, so free, and so simple... but not anymore. Freedom is no longer ours, but the government's. Freedom is... Freedom... Is... <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">██████████████████████████████████</span><br />
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[BLOG Blocked in Violation of R.A. No. 10175]<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">[To check the original article, just google it please because there are so many posts from which one can get it from.]</span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-17932591592740485142012-08-28T19:22:00.002+08:002013-04-30T13:17:45.530+08:00In Recognition of Desire<br />
Ever since I heard about the Anti-Epal Bill in Twitter, I fell in love with the idea. <i>"Epal"</i> is an old Filipino slang from "<i>ma-papel</i>"(whose rough translations vary with context, such as "attention hog", "show/spotlight stealer," "credit/compliment beggar," etc. I hope you get the general idea. Filipino idioms are a bit tricky). Although the bill had roots way back in 2004, it gained popularity because of its rather unabashed renamed title. This was in response to the proliferation of credit-taking tarpaulins of supposed projects, accomplishments and other opportunities to turn an entire area into a politician's image - figuratively, and in many cases, even literally.<br />
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But being "epal" is not limited to politicians. And it's not even limited to Filipinos. It is a prevailing subconscious attitude, a silent culture of insecurity. It permeates every aspect of our society: from the sibling rivalries vying for a parent's attention, to the selfish pursuit of academic excellence (not that it is wrong, but really – for what reason or goal are the best-performing students aiming for ever since?), and that philosophical quest for self-actualization. Even the church is not exempt from it.<br />
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There's an <i>epal </i>inside every one of us. A soft, demanding voice that whispers a thirst for appreciation, for recognition and for remembrance.<br />
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<b>A Desire to be Recognized</b></h4>
Whether it be honor, glory, mere respect or even simple appreciation — people crave it. A praise for one's work or a sign of approval are like addictive dog treats to this dog-eat-dog world. Recognition in itself isn't wrong; garnering awards at school or getting patted on the back by your boss (because we all know getting a salary raise is a rarity, if not impossibility for some) is a much-deserved reward. Demanding recognition — through direct or indirect self-marketing — now that's a big disturbing. I do not know if it is narcissistic, or a case of over-confidence, or a Freudian need for social acceptance. But when someone emblazons their name (and picture) publicly with an implied message saying, <i>"I did this! ME! Now love me!"</i>, we all know there's a little self-esteem issue going on.<br />
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I once heard about a show where the best applause was given to a simple 'extra', a sideline character who was so convincing in her simple role that people's attention was somehow riveted at her passing performance. But unlike 'epal' actors and actresses, she merely did what was expected of her - albeit she did it in her most excellent manner. But in her outstanding performance, she received what she never asked for in the first place.<br />
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As Abraham Lincoln said, "<i>Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition." </i>The thing with recognition is that it should never start from one's self, but from others. It is our impatience for recognition that drives us to force other people to recognize us immediately, and feed our appreciation-deprived egos. It also shows our lack of confidence in other people, that they will never see or recognize the 'good' that we do.<br />
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<b>A Desire to be Remembered</b></h4>
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Why do we bother for recognition? Frankly, the only thing I can surmise is that while we all have this inner awareness that we won't last forever, we actually long for eternity. Brad Pitt said in <i>Troy</i>, "Immortality - it's yours!" It's a thought that resonates from the edges of history and even today. A profound line from Ecclesiastes 3:11b quotes "<i>He has also set eternity in the human heart...</i>" Yet the book of Ecclesiastes from the Holy Bible is one whole reading on the futility of "epality" (vain pursuit of fame and fortune). No matter how we try, no man ever achieved immortality. Thus, the quest of making a mark in history. But how long will our history last? How long will anyone be truly remembered?<br />
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One of my favorite poems was a literature I learned while I was joining the Society of Junior Fellows in the University of Nueva Caceres. It was written by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822):<br />
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<i>I met a traveler from an antique land <br />Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone <br />Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, <br />Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, <br />And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, <br />Tell that its sculptor well those passions read <br />Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, <br />The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; <br />And on the pedestal these words appear: <br />“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: <br />Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” <br />Nothing beside remains. Round the decay <br />Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare <br />The lone and level sands stretch far away.</i><br />
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If nothing ever really lasts, then what's the point in being recognized? What's the point even in doing something that deserves recognition?<br />
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<h4>
A Desire to Overcome</h4>
Making the most of today, living for today — indeed, it is the best way for a man to live. As the Bible reminds us, we don't really know what will happen tomorrow, if we will still be alive or not, or that all that we've worked hard for will still remain, will still matter or will still be of any worth.<br />
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What are we living for? What are you living for?<br />
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In the end, it's not what we desire most that matters — but desiring what matters more. When we learn how to bridle what we desire, to guide these inner cravings to something more than just a temporary public recognition, when we see that there's a bigger recognition waiting for us if we can only be patient, when we learn how to hold back and overcome these raging selfish desires in order to attain something beyond wonderful... then we will catch a glimpse of everyone truly wants.<br />
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Not recognition.<br />
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Not remembrance.<br />
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But life in its simplest, purest desire.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-16152359491300249682012-08-21T12:52:00.002+08:002013-01-17T16:53:18.387+08:00Farewell to Another Great Bicolano: Jesse Robredo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Death comes ever so suddenly, that sometimes the pain of our loss goes beyond our mere senses - like wounds to the soul, leaving behind not just a scar but a seeming emptiness that somehow seems to suck every ray of smile...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet there are people who, even in their death, manage fight back against that void - and with a preciously small fragment of a memory, turn around the gloom by reminding us not of what we had lost, but what every person leaves behind - a legacy, a memory of some distant yet perceivable hope, a reason to smile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have no love for politics. My own uncle was a victim of its filth; he was a vice mayor of a small municipality in San Jose, Partido District in Camarines Sur. We helped him in his campaign for reelection, and saw how dirty a small town election campaign can become. He lost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I grew up in Naga City. From childhood to teenage, I have found lots of happy memories in that place. Not that my own family was always happy. But it was a peaceful city. It was a simple city. It was a happy city.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always took that for granted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I only took notice of Mr Robredo when I was already in high school. I've already heard of him before; I always overhear his name from the adults, some critical while others approved of him. But it was during an ordinary day when we were cleaning up the mud from Igualdad Street that I really understood what he is. We were horsing around the muddy sidewalks, as teenagers naturally do. We were having fun. We bumped into a very ordinary looking plump guy who was quietly removing some trash that was blocking the <i>estero. </i>We mumbled an apology, and he just smiled without reprimanding us. We just hurried away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We later found out it was him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why would a city mayor bother to wade into the mud and help clean up the streets? Doesn't he have enough staff to do it for him? What was the point in being a mayor if you need to part of the cleaning team?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why didn't he scold us, like most adults do, when we disturbed him - or get annoyed at our rowdiness?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was something enigmatic about that encounter, something so humbling, that I started paying more attention to what this city mayor was all about. I started noticing and hearing more similar stories, stories of a humble leader who wasn't acting like the typical leaders out there. Sure, he had critics. Everyone has one. But he never let that interfere with doing his job.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember an infrastructure project in City Hall, where it emblazoned the names of the donors - foreign countries who helped finance the project. And in a small corner, just a simple name and signature of him, almost unnoticeable. A stark contrast to the politicians of today - always begging for credit and attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what I will be most grateful to him was how I believed in politics again, that given the right attitude and people - it can work. After Senator Raul Roco died, my dream of seeing a good Bicolano bear the President's seal somehow died. I hated it when Robredo had to ally himself with the likes of Noynoy Aquino - why didn't you team up with Dick Gordon instead?! But oh well, somehow I just hope, "Nah, this will be good exposure for Robredo to be known by more people - and someday, have a fighting chance to become the first Bicolano President."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so I wake again from another dream - a dream where we could have finally had a real leader. But alas, fate do snatch the good men too early.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I miss Naga City, the <i>maogmang lugar</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'm going to miss dreaming of and hoping for a <i>maogmang bansa</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Farewell, Mr. Jesse Robredo. Thanks for sharing not just your dream, but your life. May you truly find rest in His happy presence. </span><br />
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<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Share/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></span></a><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-54601860792290963732012-06-12T08:43:00.002+08:002013-01-17T16:54:29.665+08:00Happy Freedom Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9wYGPfk4l1U/T9aD3lEDNKI/AAAAAAAAAbg/d6Un9_Tyubk/s1600/independence.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9wYGPfk4l1U/T9aD3lEDNKI/AAAAAAAAAbg/d6Un9_Tyubk/s400/independence.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually, we celebrate Independence Day with history lessons. Not that it's wrong, but sometimes we do lose sight of what history is supposed to teach us in the present. Like what did we become 'independent' about? What was "freedom" really mean?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As much as I'd love to go into etymologies, that is not the case of my blog. Rather, I wanted to reflect: what does freedom mean for me?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's my top 12 'freedoms' I really thank God for:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to enjoy good food.</b> Seriously, sometimes I take it for granted. Sure, I can afford to eat proper meals now or even treat myself occasionally. But it hadn't been that way always; I've had my worse days — days were I really went by without anything in my pockets, much less my stomach. Getting a chance to actually choose what we eat, and when to eat is a privilege!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to enjoy movies.</b> I hate to argue about torrents. But let's admit it: it did allow us access to a lot more movies than before — where we're limited to what's on the cinemas, what's on the now-extinct video shop rentals, and the sidewalk pirated CD stalls. But more than that, we get to enjoy movies without the excessive censorship (like what happened to <a href="http://movieline.com/2012/05/31/men-in-black-3-13-minutes-china-censor/" target="_blank">MIB3 in China</a>).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to read books. </b>Again, it's not just the freebies I get online; there are places where one could actually enjoy reading for free! I remember how frustrated I am because I couldn't afford to collect the entire Hardy Boys collection as a kid. But when I got here in Metro Manila, I fell in love with Powerbooks. I got to read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy there, as well as the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series, along with some Marvel and DC comic books and assorted reads. And yes, some countries also censor books.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to sing. Even when untalented. </b>Just check out the streets: there's always a videoke. As much as some of us (me included) hate the awful semi-musical howls, it just proves how free we are. Just imagine if singing horribly was against the law (although I would draft a law about that if ever I get into Congress).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to speak our thoughts. </b>Thank God I haven't heard about any blogger yet being shot or kidnapped here in the Philippines for some stance he/she made. Being able to express freely is one of my most important freedoms. It keeps me sane. It keeps me grounded. It keeps me impassioned. It keeps me believing and dreaming. It keeps me focused.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to worship God. </b>Yes, we still live in a nation and period of time where our religious and spiritual expressions are unhindered and unchallenged — while all around the world, Christianity and other faiths are continuously being persecuted, criticized or maligned. Let's enjoy it while it lasts.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to say 'No.' </b>Sure, I sucked at this freedom before. But I thank God that I realized I could actually exercise this freedom —without feeling guilty of letting someone down, or offending people, or simply not wanting to do something. This freedom has allowed me to really see the things that I need to say 'YES!" to.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to connect and stay in touch. </b>Just a few days ago, I almost panicked when I found out that our company's IT team blocked Facebook. Not that I'm addicted; but seriously, for someone who's (almost) always in the office and with no one waiting at home, social networks have become my personal oasis for human communication. Thank God, they removed the block. Wew. Besides, social networks are more practical in the office: one can multi-task with browsers. You can't use the mobile phone and a computer at the same time.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to procrastinate. </b>Haha. I'll try to get back to this item later.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to love, and be loved. </b>Okay, that sounds so... cliché. But imagine if we still lived in a time of arranged marriages, of conquerors and barbarians where men just carry off the women like plunder. But not just romance! One of the awesomest things a single guy can have is to have a circle of friends who care for him no matter what... (now, where to find that circle...)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The freedom to be illogical, irrational and just plain childish crazy. </b>Here's a little secret: I wasn't born "logical" or "analytical". I was forced to become one when I started joining the Boy Scout and the PMT Corps. And that hellish summer of endless chess games with my dad. My best memories with my dad includes snuggling under his armpit, sleeping on his tummy, playing puppy (biting his arms or feet). My best family trip memory includes me running wild in a grass field with no sensible explanation, and I would just jump from one mound of grass to another, hugging and smelling the weird smelling earth. Wow, I could actually write an entire blog series about my childish, illogical frustrations...</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lastly, the freedom to just be alone.</b> Sure, I do hate being alone at times. But being alone can also be a privilege — especially when I just need to talk or cry to God. People keep saying it's not good to be alone, always stick with the group... and that makes sense. But sometimes, it is this freedom to stay away that keeps me together. Because I am reminded about what's really important, what's really free. And I can only see that when I relearn each day to let go of the shackles of worries and fears, and trust Him - my eternal King.</span></li>
</ol>
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-22155455315558228352012-05-24T12:53:00.000+08:002013-01-17T16:56:30.732+08:00KuyAte Leadership: Cross the Bridge, Bridge the Cross<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrqq-sWHFYs/T72-QMs8ojI/AAAAAAAAAbU/P3-yXQUUnUY/s1600/kuyate_crossbridge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrqq-sWHFYs/T72-QMs8ojI/AAAAAAAAAbU/P3-yXQUUnUY/s400/kuyate_crossbridge.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A youth once complained about his little bro being a crybaby, effeminate & liking girly stuff. My reply: "Where were you as his brother?"</span></h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's nothing new. For the past weeks, we've heard of it: conflicts of views about homosexuals and homophobics. Of political rights and moral wrongs. Of third genders and sex offenders. And as much as we Christians must take a stand on what the Bible says, how can a world who has long slowly started to reject the word of God believe our arguments?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where does homosexuality start? Is it really genetic, as some would insist? Is it spiritual (like a demon possession), as some religious extremists would claim*? Is it borne from psychological, environmental and social influences, which help them shape their personality and view of self?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[*As a Christian, I also share this view that homosexuality is also a spiritual influence. However, I believe that it is a personal choice, too; even if we try to exorcise that person - it will be to no avail unless the person admits and confesses to it being morally wrong, and allow Christ to work in that person's life. Our task then as Christians is to guide and bring them to that realization, not by force but by sincerity of motive which is the love of God, then believe in God's power to move in their lives.]</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not a psychologist, nor am I an expert. But what I do know is that these people also need Christ, that His sacrifice also includes them, and that based on countless stories it is possible for them to change and rediscover the life that God has planned for them.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But that isn't what this blog is about. What I want to talk about is: where are you as a brother? Where are you as a sister?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being part of the youth ministry for quite some time has allowed me to observe families and siblings as they grow into (or devolve from being) families. Here are some of my observations:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just because you're surrounded by brothers doesn't automatically turn you boyish.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just because you're surrounded by sisters doesn't automatically turn you girly.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having parents around is a big factor, but it doesn't determine how one grows into their sexual orientation.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sexual education only helps you understand your sexual physiology and psychology; it doesn't guide you to really make that decision on what your sexual orientation should be.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When unguided and unmonitored, kids get their sexual development from those around them: what they see in media (TV and internet), what they hear (songs and conversations) and who they interact with.**</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just because you're "not family" doesn't you can't be a big brother or a big sister to someone. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[**Again, I am not saying that we should isolate the kids from 'unwanted influences', though both parents and responsible siblings have every right to. However, that will only cause them to learn animosity, which could lead to hostility and/or avoidance. This is also not good.]</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The point here is actually simple: why keep looking for excuses and other people to blame? Why not look at ourselves and see what we can actually do – by God's grace?</span><br />
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<h4>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all: are we taking it seriously?</span></b></h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a Christian, I believe that homosexuality is a sin as clearly stated in the Bible. It is also a psychological deviation from our natural physiological design. And while it is a personal choice, we all know that we don't always make the right choices — simply because there was nobody around to help us make the right ones. And seriously, whose fault was that?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean, come on — we joke about it, make pranks about it. We take photos of us in amusing cross-gender outfits for the laughs, make provocative (albeit disturbing) poses, or even imitate their tone and language.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure, it's all for fun.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure, it's all for the "bonding".</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But surely, what are we teaching them with such flippancy?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not against fun, jokes or pranks; in fact, if such were a crime, I'd be hunted by the Interpol by now. But there is something that we should also learn: responsible humor.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure, it's all around the internet and TV and radio. It's in the streets, billboards, magazines, and novels. Heck, it's even in Japanese manga, cartoons, and the Marvel comics (gaaah I used to think the Marvel/DC comics was a "manly/boyish" literature... now I don't know).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what does it mean to be responsible? What does it mean to be accountable?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every action, every word has a consequence. But not only for harm.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine what can happen when we start being more responsible in how we interact with the youth. When every word and action is a wonderful lesson for them to learn, practice, emulate and share to others. Where amidst all the fun and laughter, they find purpose and principle — and most of all, how God's grace is real and true in our very lives.</span><br />
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<h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sounds simple. But really, how?</span></h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoy being a surrogate brother to a lot of young people in our church. As an adult now, I understand more the important of how words of encouragement or correction can influence how a person thinks of themselves.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like how calling a young girl "pretty" without malice can help her discover how beautiful God created her to be, and guide her to enjoy being a girl without the misconceptions of romance and sex.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like how calling a young boy "kuya" can instill in him a sense of boyhood, or even manhood, and with it all the responsibility of such a title that society expects from him - both as a boy and as a man.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like how gently correcting their choice of words, their choice of actions, their choice of thoughts may seem trivial but would someday give them a strong foundation of morality.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like how a stern but loving rebuke brings them back to perspective, especially when they see the sincerity and shared pain of it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like how our own interactions with their parents or siblings help us build bridges for them to cross whenever they're too afraid of the currents of emotions, or when the family foundations appear to be shaky.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like how by our own lives, we live out Apostle Paul's quote: "Imitate me as I imitate Christ."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being a brother or a sister is actually simple.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why bother?</span></h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Siblings, both by blood or friendship, play an important role in everyone's growth. It is not the sole responsibility of the parent. Every family works as a team. Every team member is important. As cutely pictured in Disney's Lilo & Stitch: "O' hana means family. Family means no one gets left behind, or forgotten."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love always is first learnt inside the family. And love without correction and guidance is not love. As Paul describes in Hebrews 12:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="text Heb-12-4">In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.</span></span><span class="text Heb-12-5" id="en-NIV-30218"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,</span><i><span class="text Heb-12-5" style="position: relative;">“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Heb-12-5" style="position: relative;">and do not lose heart <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30218J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup>when he rebukes you, </span></span>because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, <span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Heb-12-6" style="position: relative;">and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><i> </i></span><span class="text Heb-12-7" id="en-NIV-30220">Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30220M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup>For what children are not disciplined by their father?</span><span class="text Heb-12-8" id="en-NIV-30221"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30221N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup>—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.</span> <span class="text Heb-12-9" id="en-NIV-30222">Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30222O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup>and live! </span><span class="text Heb-12-10" id="en-NIV-30223">They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. </span><span class="text Heb-12-11" id="en-NIV-30224">No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30224R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup>for those who have been trained by it. </span><span class="text Heb-12-12" id="en-NIV-30225">Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. </span><span class="text Heb-12-13" id="en-NIV-30226">“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.</span></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the Kuyas and Ates out there, it is our responsibility not only to be God's ambassadors, but also as stewards of His household. And a home without a loving, fun, watchful brother or sister is both boring and empty.</span><br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-69059866047455835322012-05-12T00:07:00.000+08:002013-01-17T16:58:54.203+08:00The Relationship Market: Quality Control<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yW8k0gmTKQ/T6047RMCJrI/AAAAAAAAAa8/MGInDOUIKQ8/s1600/relationshipmarket_qualitycontrol-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yW8k0gmTKQ/T6047RMCJrI/AAAAAAAAAa8/MGInDOUIKQ8/s400/relationshipmarket_qualitycontrol-01.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I admit: one of the things I really get tired about in the Christian young adult world is the incessant <i>need </i> for a series on "Love, Courtship & Marriage" (or LCM for those who grew up in the 90s). Sure, the "love" market gets crazier with age: a lot of 'prospectable' partners already are matched up or contracted (literally), some have lost their 'appeal' (or in desperate need to reclaim it), and others simply are running out of time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yup, contrary to the popular line, "Love can wait forever," let's face it: life can't.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's keeping me or others from entering into a relationship? And what is pressuring me to enter one? I remember back in my teens how we would be asked, "What's your ideal mate/partner?" but never was I asked, "Why do you want an ideal mate/partner?"</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">High versus Low Standards</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Standards. Everyone has one. In high school, my ideal girl would be the looks of Jennifer Love Hewitt, or a very feminine personality. She had to have very long hair (I'm such a sucker for that haha), soft-spoken, good in house chores and cooking... in short, conservative and old-fashioned.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But as the years went by (and as I interacted more with the opposite gender), I found other characteristics interesting and appealing. The standards that I used to keep were not as it used to be; in fact, I think the only standard that really stayed (but more as a sheepish wish) is the one about long hair.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also learned that some of my standards were frowned or laughed about by other people. Likewise, some standards that others keep were somewhat immature in my consideration.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I hear people complain, <i>"Antaas naman kasi ng standards mo!"</i> ("Your standards are just too high!"). Amusingly, the same people criticize others for having too low standards.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who has the right to make or dictate the standards? How high is high enough, and how low should be low enough? Should it be determined by what your friends or family agree on? Or what society sets?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if we need to take a second look at how we look at standards?</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right versus Wrong Standards </span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why do we set a standard for a partner/mate? I think we could all agree on a simple reason: because the rest of your life is at stake. Unless of course you're already considering divorce even before you start the relationship — which I'll try to discuss on the next blog.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's go back to the unasked question: why bother having a relationship? What do we think about relationships? Will a height requirement be necessary for it to happen? Will looks or physique affect its effectiveness? Should we really consider intellectual compatibility? Or will the difference and conflict in interests be a hindrance for a relationship to work?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What makes a relationship a relationship? What can make it work, or keep working?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure, I definitely want a long-haired girl. But a girl cannot be measured or judged by how she chooses her hair (God knows how fickle girls can be about deciding what their hair becomes!). It would satisfy me at some point, but it won't be what will keep me loving that person when quarrels or hurts come along the way.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How high or low a standard is very relative, subjective, and sadly temporary. You can't determine the quality of a product simply because it's expensive or cheap. A brand is not the guarantee. Rather, it is guaranteed quality that creates a brand. In a relationship, sometimes we tend to look so much at the brands that we forget to check the quality control — how we can rely and depend on that person as <i>our</i> partner throughout the rest of our life.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the most important question is: are we allowing ourselves to go through quality control?</span><br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-72655515973821174352012-03-08T12:54:00.000+08:002013-01-17T17:04:52.026+08:00I Love Women<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our company just gave out free doughnuts today in celebration of International Women's Day, and while the happy gesture was mildly corrupted by Fellow <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/lapitot" target="_blank">Pao</a>'s signature insinuations (haha), I still found myself doing some introspection...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(And no — I am well aware, assured and secure on my 100.07% male gender/sexual orientation. Thank you.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How did women affect/influence my life?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a list:</span></div>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first crush when I was around 4-5 years old affirmed my identity as a boy. She was the cutest person I knew back then. Sadly, we never grew up together.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first nemesis was a female neighborhood friend. She hated my guts. I was proud.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My eldest sister (Chuchie) attempted to brainwash us with her choice of songs... some were okay- like Francis M., Introvoys, Jon Bon Jovi; others were horrible choices of Pinoy 80's romances that still haunts me during my most depressing moments *<i>Oh shut up, Jose Mari Chan!</i>*</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first rival came in the form (because sometimes I seriously wonder if she's an alien in human shape) of my big/small sister, Alyn. Not that she bothered. She was lightyears ahead of me in creative skills; fortunately, I was more stubborn than her :D</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My aunts taught me generosity. I loved visiting them when I was younger. I was, in fact, a spoiled nephew back then. And yes - it was from my aunts that I learnt how to love reading and books. I miss that old stash of assorted magazines and reading material.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Syansi (Chinese teacher) in elementary taught me that no matter how pimply her face was, it's not gallant to draw it in my notebook. Yes, I learnt it with two pieces of wooder 12-inch rulers, two swollen hands, and my first bestfriend keeping me company at the other corner of the room as we both try to hold ourselves back from laughing (he was also caught doing the same thing, and yes - from then on we became some sort of blood brothers).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to my homeroom teacher in 3rd grade, we were forced to learn and appreciate lots of music; in fact, that entire school year was a music class. We learned and memorized all the children's/action songs, the entire Pinoy Pasko medley, and other classic Christmas carols. But the best part? We had fun and enjoyed it all. (Well it didn't make me a better singer, though)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first <i>puppy love</i> was the cause of my first fistfight right after four days of the new school year as soon as I transferred into a new school. It's a long story.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh yeah - my biggest crushes back in elementary were April O'Neil, Princess Zelda, Lady Jane, and Shaider's sidekick - Annie. For obvious reasons.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first REAL infatuation activated my poetry genes, as well as some maligant romanticist/sentimental neurons. If in doubt, I could show you 3 notebooks worth of cheesy adolescent poetry - if I hadn't burnt them...</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My high school teachers were the most epic and best ladies in the world!!! Nuff said :D *actually, it's because they love to treat me to free merienda hehehe*</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forced to learn simple ballroom dancing because my beloved evil sister Alyn advised me to dance with ALL the girls from my class on our high school prom. (And that was my first going-beyond-expectation achievement).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first love/girlbestfriend/girlfriend/exgirlfriend gave me a crash course on understanding women for the 6 years of our relationship: that included fashion parapsychology 101, psychia-physiological effects of the menstrual cycle, the quantum application of Schrödinger's theory to the predictability of women's preference and decisions particularly to what they want to eat and what they are thinking, the Freudian/genetic affinity to chocolates, etc... (I think I should devote an entire blog series just on these)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Gah... this is getting too long.)</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, there is one woman though who really is the biggest influence in my life - and yes without further ado and drama and cliché segues and introduction, it's Mama.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's from her that I learnt how to love chess.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's from her that I learnt how to love cooking.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's from her that I learnt how to <a href="http://theradical96.blogspot.com/2012/01/sssh-radical-art-of-shutting-up-by.html" target="_blank">respect authorities</a>, and understand limitations (like when I asked her to tell Tatay to build a castle gate with fortifications, and she calmly explained why we can't have that).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And most of all, it's from her — despite the years when she was afflicted with clinical depression (which was kinda more like schizophrenia), and until she had a stroke in 2007 which rendered her immobile for the past few years — that I learned that sometimes, you just gotta love someone while you can, while they're still around. That no amount of bad memories should replace the good ones. That no matter how broken one's family can become, there is always hope when we let Christ mend us back together – no matter how long it takes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the greatest and most beautiful woman in the world:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy International Women's Day, Mama.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Found an old blog - might as well share it :p </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://theradical96.multiply.com/journal/item/69/BleedWords_P.D.A._Parental_Display_of_Affection" itemprop="url" rel="bookmark" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span itemprop="name">P.D.A.: Parental Display of Affection</span></a></span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember clearly that scene last year: my dad gently feeding my paralyzed mom. I couldn’t help but smile, as I recall previous memories of how they fought, how they both ranted at me their complaints and criticisms about each other. </span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honestly, I was about to resign to the belief that they will never love each other fully again. But I was amazed how God used our small family tragedy – my mom had a stroke two years ago – to remind my dad how much he cared for her. My father’s example showed me the meaning of this passage:</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage. (Ephesians 5:25-28 The Message Version)</i></span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s no public or private place for love: there will always be someone who will witness whether we reflect the Father’s love or not. </span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks, Tatay.</span></blockquote>
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-38137926229080525072012-02-26T01:55:00.000+08:002013-01-17T17:06:15.148+08:00I'm a Lover and a Warrior<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's been an eventful day: doing the laundry, showing up for muay thai training, rushing a design revision for some friends' wedding invite, dropping by the office to copy some important files for the kids ministry (and unwittingly forgetting to unplug the flashdrive from the computer), downloading while eating/wasting (relatively) time at Burger King, traveling to Alabang, attending the YA fellowship there and of course the post-activity coffee and laughter, then finally off to my current residence in the metropolis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's been a fun day. And because of that, I feel sad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">As I walk home, I passed by a funeral tent pitched in a familiar eatery by my place. I wondered, who could have died there? Was it the scowling but nice lady who managed the place? Upon arriving at our street, I saw another tent: this time, for a birthday celebration - complete with the now-so-common/traditional videoke and bottomless-loaned liquor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And here I am, honestly asking myself: who's waiting for me to come home?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hence, after a long while, I write this blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Being a young adult, it has been both liberating yet difficult to enjoy my independence. I enjoy the rediscovered confidence in my opinions, the newfound cause and purpose, and of course, the limitless possibilities of my own chosen direction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Limitless until I realized how short or unexpected life can turn out to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Will I enjoy a sunset at the porch holding someone at the golden years of my life?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Or will I spend my last breathe in a hospital bed?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Will I even be given the privilege of planning how I will face my last moments, much less prepare my own farewell speech or last poem, or even just confess to my crush(es)?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">(Well, the last phrase was a joke.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">But more than these pointless worries, I am faced with a more pressing question: What memories will I be leaving behind for the ones I care about to remember?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">What kind of legacy am I living?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I often get complimented and criticized for my frankness in stating my thoughts and opinions. But to be honest, I cannot say the same about my emotions. I confess that indeed, I also feel an unbearable sense of loneliness more frequently than I would usually admit. A deep longing to go back to my childhood as I remember happy family moments with my dear siblings and parents, a silent tear of mixed emotions as I reminisce long lost friendships and romance, and a melancholic realization that at the end of the day, nobody will be there to ask how my days was, or that I was missed, or that I had a home to go to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">(Yeaaaaa, so I'm the foreveralone guy incarnate. Thank God my landlady has pet cats around the house. But sincerely, a friendly dog would be preferable.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yet, I need to keep battling these emotions and overcome for one simple reason: God has tasked me to accomplish something. And like the warrior I envision myself to be, I have chosen to lay down my own self - my cares, my dreams, my desires, my burdens - so that I may please Him, my King, and hear Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And so for tonight, all I can do is sing:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yes, I'm a lover. But for now, the warrior just needs to cry.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-19030104149256387632012-02-11T09:00:00.000+08:002013-01-17T17:08:19.751+08:00Confessions of an "Unlonely" Loner<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />[And another <a href="http://theradical96.multiply.com/journal/item/65/BleedWords_Confessions_of_an_Unlonely_Loner" target="_blank">repost</a> from my old Multiply account. Yes, I'm on lazy mode.]<br /><br />Single, but never alone. What does it really mean?<br /><br />Several years back, we were tasked to carry on the leadership of the Single Adults Ministry (SAM) in our church. I always love to do the visuals and promotions, and with the help of our then-new digital projector and PC (which ran on a 256mb RAM, and a proud 60gb HDD), I'd take time to tinker with ideas and stuff.<br /><br />One of the challenges then was thinking of a good concept on how to promote the SAM. I mean, what is SAM all about? Looking at our small group, it wasn't exactly a pretty sight: most had relational issues - that meant both those who had relationship problems, and many of those who wished they had a relationship. But as the weeks go by, I realized a question: What makes them come back and stay?<br /><br />Single, but never alone. It was both an idea and a challenge - yet something I myself didn't understand fully.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Despite being in the ministry, I can't deny the loner in me to find escape from time to time (well, okay - maybe more often than necessary). Being in a relationship then assured me that I have someone to run to when needed. But alas, I found myself staring at the same shoe I've been observing from others for a long time - and feeling that strong pang of loneliness which I haven't experienced for a long time struck me with a crushing blow.<br /><br />Single, but never alone. I was starting to disbelieve it, starting to swear it off as an impossible ideal. A fanciful catch-phrase, even.<br /><br />Ambling through the nights and days alone, rejecting companionship yet feverishly craving it, I always found myself back at the small group of friends at my church. I didn't mind being unnoticed (in fact, I tried my best to be unnoticed), but just being able to hear them, be with them... it encouraged me enough to slowly find my strength again.<br /><br />Single, but never alone. Looking back, I understood what my emotional journey was all about - it may have been a dark adventure for me, but it did opened my eyes that despite being a loner, God knows how much I need friends to remind me that I will never walk and face life alone... And even though everyone goes their own ways someday, I can rest in confidence that He will always be by my side till the day I greet Him face to face.<br /><br />So here I am, still single... maybe lonely at times... but who's complaining? With God's love and promises, and a group of pesky friends who care for me when I don't, what more could I ask for?<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img border="0" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" /></a></span><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript">
</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-32456568384913573012012-02-10T13:42:00.000+08:002013-01-17T17:09:18.201+08:003 Lovely Thoughts for the Loveless (on Valentines Day)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />[A <a href="http://theradical96.multiply.com/journal/item/64/BleedWords_3_Lovely_Thoughts_for_the_Loveless_on_Valentines_Day">repost</a> from my old Multiply account]<br /><br />Thankfully, nobody's pestering me this week about Valentines. I'm not trying to be a stuck-up person (God knows how natural I can be at that, nyahahaha) - but seriously, the marketing hype during this season is soooooo annoying. I mean, what does it mean to love, really? And so I thought, "HEY, why don't I write my own ideas about it?" So to give myself a little bit of peace, here goes my three-piece of advice:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Love wholeheartedly.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Holding back on love (except for moral grounds) isn't true love. But what keeps us from loving 100%? The Bible is clear about it:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"A real love for others will chase those worries away. The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid. It shows that we have not really learned to love."</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 John 4:18 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Contemporary English Version).</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, so I might be out of the context a bit... But the statement remains true, nonetheless! We are often afraid to totally give our hearts to someone because of fear!<br /><br />There's no installment plans for love: you have to give it all. Before God created us, He prepared His love nest for us in advance - so that when the first man opened his eyes, all the evidence of His love was already there! And Jesus didn't say, <i>"Okay, I'll forgive these sins first, then some of those others later... now, I'll only be forgiving 100 people each day, so..."</i> HE DID IT ALL AT ONCE - RIGHT THERE AT THE CROSS! <br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*Pardon the dramatics, got carried away*</i></span><br /><br />The point is simple: Don't be half-hearted when it comes to love! Brave the heartaches! And when your heart does break, His love will bind it together again!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Or in my case, I just let His love bleed out of the cracks) <br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Love without regrets.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The saddest thing about people being in love today is that they love to pose the "What if..." and "What could have been..." questions (oh well, I used to be one wahaha tralala). We reminisce about good times and bad, about our ex-lovers and would-have-beens, and all the while pounding ourselves with such depressive blows only maims us from pursuing God's will for our love lives (YES! GOD CARES!) <br /><br />While we all may have some emotional hang-ups once in a while, we should never blame ourselves for not loving enough - or being loved enough. That's all in the past; you can't do anything about it - except learn from it. Having loved and being loved is a miracle enough - whether we or they deserved it or not. What's important is that we discover our own capacity to be selfless enough in this selfish world and time.<br /><br />Most of all, God never regretted loving us even when we were unworthy of His love (when were we ever worthy, anyway?). And yet, He keeps on stubbornly loving us, without complaining or demanding us to love Him back. How's that for tough love? <br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Love unconditionally.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe in love at first sight. But when at second glance, the person you were enamored with suddenly transforms into a beast, will you flee? Okay, so that sounds extreme - no, it is exaggerated, really. But we all face such circumstances: we discover that our beloved only brush his/her teeth once a week, we find out that he/she snores on the jeepney (but with a cute tune!), or maybe we stumble across an old secret he/she has that made our mental shrine of him/her crumble in dismay. <br /><br />Can you honestly say, "So what?" <br /><br />It's easy to fall for someone - we all love to put out our best foot forward especially in a crowd. But at that point when we bear witness to that person's darkest moment, when all but the light within you seemed to be extinguished, will you choose to stay and brighten up that someone's life, no matter what? Or will you shy away and just pray that someone else will?<br /><br />* * *<br /><br />Hmm, I guess this doesn't just apply to romance, but to friendship as well... hehe... Now, if I can only tell these things to myself... LOLZ... *bitter XD* ! <br /><br />Enjoy, and may His love continuously influence us all! :03<br /><br /><a href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img border="0" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" /></a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05310276838639338660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106540658597633549.post-91790781428723861632012-01-25T13:00:00.001+08:002013-01-17T17:10:42.294+08:00The Extreme Middle<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's already the second week of the impeachment trial of the Philippine's Chief Justice. And like before, opinions are getting polarized. And even Christians are finding themselves not only between whom to side with (prosecution versus defense), but also between involvement and apathy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It almost feels like a sports event. And oh yes, my Twitter friend <a href="https://twitter.com/AmicusCuriae" target="_blank">AmicusCuriae</a> is acting just like a typical sports fanatic (though she denies being one):</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To which, another Twitter user asked me frankly whom I am siding with.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A question which made me sympathize with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who am I siding with?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being in the middle has always been regarded with prejudice. And we can't blame them: a lot of seemingly Christian notions have branded 'the middle spot' as the hotseat of mediocrity or complacency. Or in Biblical illustrations - the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>lukewarm</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> paradox of the Laodiceans (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+3&version=NIV" target="_blank">Revelations 3:14-21</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But does that apply to all <i>middle </i>stuff?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back when I was part of the Senior Scouts movement in our high school, we were taught that there are always three important leadership positions in a squad. As we know, there's always the front-end leader, who goes ahead in line and is in charge of directions, watching out danger before them, and generally directs group movement. Then there's also the rear-end leader. This one looks out for those who are lagging behind, makes sure nobody gets left behind, and guards against sudden danger from the back.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And there's the oft-taken for granted person in the middle. This guy is in charge of reminding the front leader to slow down or stop when the others at the rear at getting left behind. He also is in charge of encouraging the ones behind him to pick up the pace when they are unnecessarily slowing down the group.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being in the middle is a very difficult choice. You need to stay neutral. You need to make quick judgments. You need to be frank, to be bold to say what needs to be said - even if it risks a disagreement.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some controversial stuff that I believe in:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe that tobacco plants are good, because God created them. But when turned into cigarettes, it becomes a harmful product. However, this doesn't change the fact that it is a plant with potential benefits, only if we choose to make other researches.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe that marijuana plants are good, because God created them. But because people abuse/misuse it, it has become a symbol of drug addiction – and validly so. Yet, it doesn't change the fact that if properly regulated, it might lead us to other products that are less harmful, less addictive and more economically profitable (there are already a lot of researches on this end, if you care to google them up).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe that sex is good, because God designed us with it. But because we tend to misunderstand, misuse and also abuse it, we end up with psychological, social and relational issues. Yet, if we go back to the so-called 'obsolete/archaic/medieval view' of sex, and accept the function and purpose God had intended for it — then it is one of His most pleasurable gifts (pun intended) to us!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, going back to the original topic (prosecution versus defense of CJ Corona): who am I siding with?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neither. I choose to stand in the middle: where only truth and justice matters.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I choose not to be swayed by media, by partisan politics, by religious calls, or by biased opinions.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though the middle ground may be shaky, I will try my best to stand on it. Or should my own will and reason fail, I will kneel.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So help me, God. </span><br />
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